COMMUNITY LAUNCHES FUNDRAISING DRIVE IN BID TO OPEN BY SEPTEMBER

ACOMMUNITY is fighting to reopen a youth club that was shut down by the council in a bid to save cash.

Locals from Dyffryn Ardudwy and Talybont have launched their own fundraising drive after Gwynedd Council announced cuts of £270,000 a year.

The local authority plan to introduce a “county-wide club” but it would create problems for children from more rural communities being able to access it.

Now, councillor Steffan Chambers, along with resident Meinir Thomas, plan to re-establish their former youth club, which closed last year.

Cllr Chambers said: “The people of Dyffryn and Talybont have shown huge resilience against Gwynedd council’s crippling cuts with a junior football club recently re-established, and the village hall has many clubs and events that get the elderly out of their homes.

“It’s extremely important that the youth of our villages have a place to go to learn, live and laugh, and are able to go to a safe place to enjoy themselves.

“Together it is individuals such as Meinir and many others, who have come together to ensure that the residents of Dyffryn and Talybont are not left behind.”

Mrs Thomas, who currently works as a shop assistant, has organised the Dyffryn & Talybont Youth Club Project with Cllr Chambers and local children aged 12 to 16 who stand to benefit from the reopening of the youth club at the village hall.

Her own children, Kameron, 13, and Emily, 14, have been helping out.

Mrs Thomas said: “Local youth clubs are so important for communities because it is a safe environment that keeps them off the streets.

“Kids can come and build friendships, learn about subjects they are not taught at school, and can talk to youth club volunteers about issues concerning them.

“The kids in Dyffryn Ardudwy and Talybont wanted their youth club back after it was closed last year, so we decided to do something about it.”

Although there are two local youth clubs in the nearby town of Barmouth, public transport between both areas is inaccessible for the children.

Mrs Thomas added: “We hope the funds we receive through the project will be able to help us buy equipment and stock, as well as pay for trips, staff training, and people to come and provide talks to the children.”

Although the project has been hit with delays, it has won support from different local businesses such as London House Stores and Sign Creation, who created a banner for the project.

The project hopes to have the youth club up and running again by September and a committee that will run the new club and take care of its finances is set to be established.

Dyffryn Ardudwy and Talybont councillor Emrys Jones said he had been “pleasantly surprised” by the amount of effort that has been put into the initiative.

He said: “I remember going to the local youth club as a child. I would always be looking forward to it because I would learn different things and it would be really interesting.

“A youth club would get children off the streets. Although there is plenty for them to do in the summer, there is not enough for them to do in the winter, so we have to consider this.

“I am so happy and proud of the community, and the work that has been going on behind the scenes.

“We are a close community but it is nice to see that so many members of the community have helped out and donated to the project. I’d like to thank everyone that has been involved with the project.

He added: “There is so many negative news these days, so it is good to see something positive happening.”