Penrhyndeudraeth Memorial Hall is celebrating the news that it has been successful in its application for funding from National Grid’s Community Grant Programme.

The Community Grant Programme is aimed at community organisations and charities in areas where National Grid’s Electricity Transmission work is impacting on local people through its operations and site activities.

The Programme funds projects run by charities and community groups that meet local community needs by providing a range of social, economic and environmental benefits.

With National Grid’s Eryri Visual Impact Provision (VIP) project gathering pace in the Penrhyndeudraeth area and the hall being regularly used by the Eryri VIP team for community meetings, the Memorial Hall Committee applied for funding towards installing new metal guttering, decorating an annexe and kitchen and new floor coverings in four rooms.

Cllr Meryl Roberts, Cyngor Gwynedd member for Penrhyndeudraeth and a member of the Memorial Hall Committee, explained:

“We have been a registered charity since 1977 and we manage and maintain the Memorial Hall Building for the community.  The Hall is an integral part to Penrhyndeudraeth life and its facilities are enjoyed every day by a range of different organisations, including the local school, as it is the only communal building in town. It is also used in the summer to run activities for young people with learning disabilities.

“The Hall was built in 1925 and commemorates local people lost in both World Wars. Over that time, natural wear and tear has caused damage to the original metal guttering which has led to damp patches beginning to appear inside the building. Our biggest concern was that the structure was beginning to deteriorate and that ultimately we wouldn’t be able to serve the community any more.

“The hope now is that with these repairs we can sustain our support network to a diverse range of local people and continue to promote the health and wellbeing of Penrhyndeudraeth residents for many more generations. We’re so grateful to National Grid for this grant and their generosity.”

Steve Ellison, National Grid Senior Project Manager for the Eryri Visual Impact Provision project, said:

“We’re really pleased that funds from our Community Grant Programme are going to such an integral part of the town and surrounding area.

“The Eryri VIP team regularly uses the hall for meetings with local people and I know the invaluable role the hall plays in supporting hard-to-reach and vulnerable members of the community.”

The Visual Impact Provision project in Eryri National Park aims to reduce the visual impact of National Grid’s overhead line across the Dwyryd Estuary. This involves the removal of around 3km of overhead line, including ten pylons, and the construction of a tunnel under the estuary.

More information about National Grid’s Community Grant Programme can be found at https://www.nationalgrid.com/responsibility/community/community-grant-programme.