New pavilion opens in Glyn Ceiriog with funds seized from criminals

A new meeting point for the local community has officially opened in Glyn Ceiriog thanks to money regained from criminals.

The new pavilion, at Y Ddôl playing fields on Llanarmon Road, aims to increase youth provision in the area and benefit the wider community.

It was made possible by the ‘Your Community, Your Choice’ fund, an initiative that supports grass-roots projects by using money seized by the courts through the Proceeds of Crime Act along with contributions from the North Wales Police and Crime Commissioner.

The pavilion was declared open on February 18 in a ceremony performed by North Wales Police and Crime Commissioner Andy Dunbobbin, Councillor Sarah Davies, Chair, Cyngor Cymuned Llansantffraid Glyn Ceiriog Community Council and members of the local community.its

To help bring the project to life the Llansantffraid Glyn Ceiriog Community Council undertook a consultation with residents asking how the council could improve the area.

The result was clear that there was a lack of youth provision in the village.

This led to Wrexham County Borough Council’s Youth Services team consulting with the children and young people regarding their needs and aspirations.

The children and young people said they were keen to see a new facility built for them to meet and for the benefit of the wider community.

PCC Andy Dunbobbin with the boys and leaders of Clwb Rygbi Bro Gwernant

In addition, Clwb Rygbi Bro Gwernant which attracts children and young people from Glyn Ceiriog and surrounding areas as well as from Llangollen to play rugby expressed an interest in the project to provide shelter for attendees watching the matches. T

he pavilion is a result of all these conversations and aims to provide a focal point for the village for the future.

Councillor Sarah Davies, Chair, Cyngor Cymuned Llansantffraid Glyn Ceiriog Community Council, said: “The idea began in May 2019 and it has taken the dedication of our Clerk Jean Davies and Councillors many hours of work and planning, to bring to fruition.

“In the first instance we would like to thank PCSOs Martin Griffiths and Gareth Jones for brining to the Council’s attention the funding available from the PACT fund.

“We would also like to thank everyone who has kindly donated time and money to this project, such as Clwb Rygbi Bro Gwernant, Wrexham County Borough Council (WCBC) Youth Service, Chirk Lodge Freemasons, Meibion Ceiriog, Dan Roberts, Tegid Davies and Einion Davies but our biggest thanks must go to North Wales Police and Crime Commissioner and the PACT funding, without whose generous donation, our project would have taken a lot longer to complete.

“The Community Council met recently with the Chair of Clwb Rygbi Bro Gwernant, Einion Davies, and two members of WCBC Youth Workers team, led by Julie Davies, to inspect the finished building and they were very excited by what they saw and the opportunities this pavilion will provide.

“Last year the council officially opened the bike track and that together with the pavilion increases facilities available to our children and young people.”

Andy Dunbobbin and Cllr Sarah Davies open the new pavilion

North Wales Police and Crime Commissioner Andy Dunbobbin said: “I was delighted to join the local community in Glyn Ceiriog and to officially open their new pavilion.

“This is a project suggested and developed by the local community and is a great example of residents coming together for the benefit of their local area.

“I hope it will provide a welcoming venue for young people, rugby players and supporters and the rest of the community for many years to come.”

PACT Chairman Ashley Rogers stated: “Your Community, Your Choice is having a positive impact on organisations and communities right across North Wales and the development of this new pavilion in Glyn Ceiriog is a great example of this in action.

“I hope it will make a real difference to local people and provide them with a great base for activities and events locally.

“I am delighted we have been able to support them in their project.”

North Wales Police Assistant Chief Constable Chris Allsop added: “Your Community, Your Choice is an excellent example of how we can turn money made from criminal activity into a positive outcome for organisations and neighbourhoods across North Wales.

“Developments like this offer a place for young people to meet and promote positive activities, thereby reducing incidents of ASB and other potential negative behaviours.”

To learn more about PACT visit www.pactnorthwales.co.uk and to learn more about the work of the Office of the Police and Crime Commissioner, visit www.northwales-pcc.gov.uk