Micro Fund Grant of £5,000 to Ysgol Gyfun Cwm Rhondda Belle a’r Bwystfil
JANUARY 20th 2020
The Friends of Ysgol Gyfun Cwm Rhondda (the Welsh language secondary school serving the Rhondda Valleys) applied for help with cost of putting on Welsh language performance of Beauty and the Beast in the main theatre of the Parc and Dare having purchased the performing rights of Beauty and the Beast and spent 3 painstaking months translating the entire show – songs and scores included
They worked with local Welsh for Adults tutors and planning to promote this to all Welsh speakers, learners and supporters of the school. They hoped that by giving a platform for Welsh language shows students would gain confidence in performing in their first language, students would join existing groups and those groups will incorporate and embrace the Welsh language.
“Having a grant to help us cover the costs of this project and allowing us to put on a Welsh language performance in the main theatre of the Parc and Dare has made a huge difference – the pupils thoroughly enjoyed the experience, with the opportunity to perform the most professional show they have ever done and all this when socialising in Welsh beyond learning hours.
There was an opportunity with the public to watch Welsh language performance and our final evening had sold out. The pupils in our school benefited greatly from the project because they have never done a show with all the special set, costumes, props etc. The public also benefitted and had the opportunity to watch live performance from a Welsh musical, a very rare opportunity in our area.
The fact that all tickets have been sold for the second night – shows that the Welsh language is alive in the Rhondda valley. All the hard work in the exercises had also borne fruit and the pupils were delighted to perform on a historic stage with all the extra things around them.” – Seren-Haf (Ysgol Gyfun Cwm Rhondda)
The Fund was established by energy company Vattenfall to benefit the communities hosting the Pen y Cymoedd wind farm across the upper Neath, Afan, Rhondda and Cynon Valleys. It exists to support local people, groups and organisations to invest in themselves, their ideas and their communities.
The Community Fund has a substantial annual budget that is index-linked, meaning it increases in line with inflation. As an example, this equated to around £2.5 million in 2025. The Fund will continue to support communities until 2043, creating long-term opportunities for growth, resilience and positive change.
The Fund is managed by an independent, locally based not-for-profit Community Interest Company. It is overseen by a Board of Directors with strong local connections and delivered by a small but dedicated staff team with extensive community engagement experience. We are here to help ensure the Fund delivers on the vision and priorities of local communities.
Over the next 10 years, the Fund is focusing on investment in people, places and businesses — helping the Valleys to thrive, driving bold ideas, supporting transformation and creating lasting impact for current and future generations.