PICNIC IN THE PARK
JUNE 14th 2018
CWMGWRACH MOVING FORWARD
£800 – MICRO FUND
This group was established in May 2016, has 5 Committee members and 12 volunteers. Last year they raised over £1500 through fundraising and held a series of successful events. Other groups in the village take an active part in running the event and have their own stalls. They bring in solo and choral groups to perform. They already have a steady income stream from their cinema club and hope to be self-sustaining. This is a well organised and popular group, and the grant request was modest.
“We organised a Picnic in the Park in Cwmgwrach Welfare Hall and park, we provided singers, live bands, face painting and a bouncy castle. The main aim of Cwmgwrach Moving Forward is to gather together the people of the village and surrounding areas, to promote community activity and participation.
Despite the thunderstorms which forced us to move some of our activities inside the hall to protect the sound equipment – the event was well supported and it was evident people enjoyed themselves. Audience participation on the dance floor included lots of fun and laughter. The singers and band cost more than expected but we covered extra costs by raising money with raffle and overall the event helped people connect and have fun and everyone is looking forward to our next event in August.” Quote from Roger Hopkin – Cwmgwrach Moving Forward
Facebook Quotes: “Was fab day, fab weather, fab atmosphere! / A fab day, really enjoyed thanks for organising it / Brilliant day..thank you”
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.