Rural 2007-2014

A celebration of Bridgend’s rural people, communities and enterprises

Projects supported by reach - the Rural Development Programme for Bridgend Foreword by our Chair

It has been a pleasure to Chair the reach Rural Partnership throughout what has been ’s first rural development programme. It has been a period of learning, investment and growth in our County Borough from our valleys area to the north right down to the coast in the south. This book is about the people living and working in these communities that have been working hard to deliver their ideas and aspirations and it has been a privilege to be able to support them in their efforts. Through this programme, we have been able to identify areas of need, develop solutions to the challenges faced in our rural communities and support communities to support themselves and each other through shared learning and important activities like networks and mentoring. We have worked with and across all sectors, developing projects from the grass roots level that connect the , voluntary and small business sector. This has led to increased capacity in our communities, better skills to create the changes that people want to see and a stronger economy creating new market opportunities and jobs. I would personally like to thank my colleagues on the Bridgend Rural Partnership and the members of the Local Action Group over the seven years, many of whom volunteer of their own time in order to actively participate in the delivery of this programme and ensure that the benefits go to those who need them most. I would also like to thank the reach team for their contribution to this work and for the support given to those who need it. As the current programme draws to a close, this book explains what reach is all about, what our priorities have been over this period and how we have sought to tackle them. You will find a wide range of case studies, giving just a snapshot of all the projects delivered through this programme. I hope you enjoy reading about the people and communities that have been involved and I am sure they will provide inspiration for what is possible and ideas for future working together.

Cllr. David Sage, Chair of the Bridgend Rural Partnership 2007-2014 Deputy Leader BCBC

2 What is reach? reach is the name for the programme that’s delivering the Rural Development Plan (RDP) in Bridgend County Borough. This booklet provides an overview of what the priorities have been for the programme here, how they have been tackled and the results of that work. It is full of case studies, providing a snapshot of all the activity that has taken place, plus maps to show where all activity has been located. The RDP provides support and resources to rural communities across . Parts of the Plan are aimed specifically at the farming community and countryside with other elements directed towards the wider communities within the rural area. It forms a part of the European Commission’s Common Agricultural Policy.

The 2007-2013 Plan has 4 main sections approach to community led regeneration called axes: projects that respond to local needs. Axis 1: improving the competitiveness of The Plan receives funding under the the agricultural and forestry sectors. European Agricultural Fund for Rural Development (EAFRD). All of Wales is Axis 2: improving the environment and countryside (all Natura 2000 sites are eligible to apply for funds under Axes 1 and eligible for funding). 2 but under Axes 3 and 4 the programme only applies to areas classified as rural by Axis 3: improving the quality of life in rural the Office of National Statistics. areas and the diversification of the rural Bridgend County Borough has 21 wards economy. classified as rural with a population of 53,584. For many, RDP funding is the only Axis 4: sets out the LEADER programme source of regeneration funding available methodology rather than specific areas of through BCBC. activity. LEADER is an established

Rural Crafts at Cwm Tawel 3 Projects by Rural Wards

Map Key B Rural wards North Region B Rural wards East Region B Rural wards West Region B Non rural wards Key to the map l The Rural Tourism Development Fund (2008-2011) 1 Caerau 11 Purple Pins: l Green Pins: The Rural Events Fund (2008-2011) 2 West 12 Penprysg l Yellow Pins: The Building Rural Communities Fund (2008-2011) 3 Maesteg East 13 Felindre l Red Pins: Seeds for Village Renewal funding (2011-2014) 4 14 Hendre l Brown Pins: Stitching Together the Rural Landscape funding (2011-2014) 5 15 l Olive Pins: Green Shoots funding for micro-enterprises (2011-2014) 6 Pontycymmer 16 Bryncoch l Orange Pins: Let’s Innovate LEADER commissioning scheme (2011-2014)

7 17 Sarn l Toffee Pins: Community Foodie LEADER local growing initiative (2011-2014) l 8 Bettws 18 Star Pins: Featured Case Studies within this book l Black Pins: Other LEADER activity 9 Nantymoel 19 l White Pins: Third Party Hosted Project (2008-2011) 10 20

21 31 Llangewydd & Brynhyfryd

22 32 Newcastle

23 33 Morfa

24 Rest Bay 34 Oldcastle

25 West Central 35 Litchard

26 Porthcawl East Central 36 Pendre

27 Newton 37

28 Bryntirion, & 38

29 Pen-y-Fai 39 Lower 30 Cefn Glas 4 Governance The Bridgend Rural Partnership and Bridgend Local Action Group (LAG), the latter with a specific role in delivering the LEADER element of the programme, provide governance for the programme. Their members are representatives from public, private and third sectors and have appointed Bridgend County Borough Council as Lead Body for the programme. The priorities for delivery are set out in the Local Development Strategy for rural Bridgend which is aligned to the Corporate Improvement Plan and the Single Integrated Plan for Bridgend. The first phase of delivery fell within the 2008-2011 business plan period with a further successful bidding round leading to a second phase over 2011-2014. reach was formally launched in 2009 as the identity for rural development in the County Borough and a central team has worked alongside individuals, communities and enterprises to deliver the priorities set out in the Local Development Strategy. Those priorities include People, Place, Produce, Enterprise and Tourism. Investment The return on investment for the County Borough through this programme demonstrates a value of £9 for every £1 invested by BCBC. The total value of the 2007-2014 programme is shown in table 1 below.

Table 1: Value of the Rural Development Programme for Bridgend 2007-2014

Financial make up Value % RDP (EU & WG) £4,479,297.15 81.96 Private Match Funding £435,794.13 7.97 BCBC Match Funding £549,912.91 10.06 Total £5,465,004.10 100.00

5 A range of funding schemes and community-based initiatives have provided direct funding to beneficiaries within the rural communities of Bridgend. Many of these schemes contribute to more than one of the priorities within the Local Development Strategy but broadly speaking they have aimed tackle the following: People l Top of the Mountain (2008-2011) l Rural Timecentre (2008-2011) l Building Rural Communities (2008-2011) l Reach Out (2011-2014) Place l Breathing Space (2008-2011) l Garw Environmental Action (2008-2011) l Seeds for Village Renewal funding (2011-2014) l Stitching Together the Rural Landscape funding (2011-2014) l Reach Out (2011-2014 Produce l Bridgend Real Food (2008-2011) l Virtual Farm Tours (2008-2011) l Community Foodie LEADER local growing initiative (2011-2014) l Reach Out (2011-2014) Enterprise l Real Food Shop (2008-2011) l Real Food Box (2008-2011) l Green Shoots funding for micro-enterprises (2011-2014) l Reach Out (2011-2014) Tourism l Unlocking Rural Bridgend (2008-2011) l Corridors to the Upper (2008-2011) l The Rural Tourism Development Fund (2008-2011) l The Rural Events Fund (2008-2011) l Reach Out (2011-2014)

6 Further funding and dedicated officer time has been available to support communities to develop their capacity and skills to make applications for funding, manage their funds and be able to take responsibility for the sustainability of their projects.This has included: l Working closely with community groups to develop local action plans l A range of bespoke study visits, workshops and training seminars l Grant surgeries, one-to-one mentoring, group support, specialist advice and coaching l Awareness raising and information dissemination events l Plus much more activity closely tailored to the specific needs of each individual, organisation and community that we have worked with. The programme has invested directly in the local economy with support via the Rural Tourism Development Fund, the Green Shoots programme and some of the Axis 4 pre-commercial trialling work. This has supported the start-up of new businesses, the continued growth and sustainability of businesses and the opening up of new markets for innovative ideas. As an example, through the Green Shoots project alone the programme has supported: l 48 existing micro-enterprises l 35 new micro-enterprises l 35+ new jobs created At this time, each job created by the Green Shoots project costs on average £2,895.00 per FTE job created. The Wales Economic Growth Fund spends on average £21,200 per job (source: OldBell3 Consulting) A case study in this book provides further details about the Green Shoots project.

7 Blueseas, Newton Impact ‘What better way to hear about the impact of the programme than to hear it from those who’ve benefitted from it…’

“reach were of great help to the Porthcawl Jazz Festival, by awarding us a grant it made it possible for us to extend the Jazz Festival to the area of Newton. This gave the opportunity for people from that area to enjoy real live music by well known jazz bands, and created a tremendous buzz in Newton. Over the day the two concerts attracted between 900 and 1200 people, this helped create a real community spirit and a wonderful day was had by all. Next year we will be having further concerts on Newton Green.

John Bunker, Vice Chair Porthcawl Jazz Festival (April 2011).”

“Members are very appreciative of the guidance, support and advice that reach has given to the organisation in the development of their Action Plan …Thanks to the support from Mark Blackmore, Christopher Priestly and the reach team, we have succeeded in raising greater awareness of the needs of the community, particularly from the view point of the elderly residents. People have begun talking and discussing issues that affect them, and together with the help of reach, have been able to translate these into an action plan for the future, with a helpful and realistic timescale. reach has taken us step by step thorough the process, has kept us fully informed and has made the work so much easier to undertake.”

Gareth Jones, Ynysawdre Elderly Residents Association

You can read more quotes from those reach has worked with at: http://www.bridgendreach.org.uk/what-others-say/

8 “Thought [Bridgend Local Food Network launch event] was excellent … worth me attending, great networking opportunity resulting in immediate sales and some good business done.Thank you for organising it.” Rhys Lougher, Ty Tanglwyst Dairy

“reach has not only provided funding to enable the Bridgend Group of the Wildlife Trust to produce a business plan for the Parc Slip Nature Centre, but have also provided a great deal “Thank you for the information, and as of help and support throughout the always the support from yourself project, which has been invaluable (Yiota) and Chris.’ in developing our vision for the building and the organisation.” Laura, Heol-yCyw (March 2012) Bridgend Group of the Wildlife Trust “We’ve never known where to go for help “Genuinely grateful for the support before, it’s not until we got involved with received by the grants officer.” [reach] that we have been able to move Friends of on.” Comprehensive School (In reference to their application for a William, Chair of Heol Y Cyw reach grant which will enable them Workingmen’s Club. to build a new fence around the rugby pitch and encourage more people to use the facility). “The Community Association has asked me to thank you for all the help you have “It has been an incredible and amazing exercise! given us in acquiring the It has enabled us to talk to members who we’d Events Grant and also for not spoken to for years and reinvigorated them the continuing help with to become more pro-active in the club. It also the feasibility study. Have highlighted the links we have with other organisations a lovely Christmas and a such as the Bridgend Disabled Anglers Group.” Happy New Year.” Ogmore Angling Association Yours sincerely, M Thomas (In reference to consultation & grant application advice provided to them by Christopher Priestley, Grants Officer).

9 Networks

One factor invaluable to the success of the programme is the strength of its networks. Comprised primarily of volunteers, volunteer groups and private business owners, our community networks have LEADER enabled people to come together and share learning, What is LEADER? time and expertise and work collaboratively. Coupled A significant part of our RDP funding is for the delivery with opportunities for mentoring and coaching, of LEADER. The term describes a special type of local they have provided a springboard for groups and development approach for rural areas and comes from individuals to transform their ideas and achieve some the French abbreviation for ‘Liaison Entre Actions pour incredible results. le Development de L’Economie Rurale’ which roughly translates as ‘links between actions for developing the Our main networks are: rural economy’. l Bridgend Local Food Network l Bridgend’s Heritage Network The approach involves a number of core components including partnership, ‘bottom-up’ territorial l Bridgend Countryside Volunteer Network development, innovation and cooperation. A LEADER l The Love2Walk Committee and the partnership is known as a Local Action Group (LAG) Volunteer Walk Leaders. and is made up of a cross section of local communities and a mix of public, private and voluntary sectors. Centres of Rural Enterprise The Centres of Rural Enterprise (CORE) aim to Supporting Innovation broaden rural entrepreneurship and develop higher Innovation is an important part of LEADER. LAGs value business opportunities to deliver a better aim to encourage local organisations and businesses range of well paid employment opportunities through to test new ways of developing their territory and providing physical places to do business and add it has been extremely effective at stimulating all value through collective networking. sorts of different socio-economic and environmental The main objective is to create places and spaces for innovations throughout rural Europe. businesses to meet, grow and build rural enterprise The Centres of Rural Enterprise supported have To date, reach has supported 18 innovation projects, involved small scale adaptations to underutilised suggested by the people of Bridgend County Borough. or unused sites to provide a series of centres which Funding has been invested in tourism activities, provide :- arts development, educational projects, supporting l Small scale, supported enterprise units vulnerable people, renewable energy, basic services and heritage including innovations in alternative l On-site shared facilities service provision, for example, using mobile facilities, l Hot desk facilities. digital services and using community venues such as pubs to meet a specific local need in the community 4 CORE projects have been developed under this with an investment of approximately £10,000 per scheme which include: project. l Sony - to provide micro-enterprise space for digital creative small businesses l Sony – to provide additional micro-enterprise for a broader range of businesses l Garw Valley Health and Fitness Centre - to provide a gym and host 3 other micro-enterprises l Cornelly and District Development Trust – to offer hot-desking and meeting space.

10 Countryside Priority: Volunteering People Network

Background reach help The Network is a partnership facilitated by reach, who Bridgend County Borough has a variety of had identified the need to bring together the groups organisations providing services in countryside who provide countryside volunteering services. There volunteering. were no direct costs to establish it, but reach provides These include: the time and support from Mark Blackmore, who is the l Bridgend Borough Council Countryside network’s co-ordinator. Volunteers Leigh Forman who volunteers with several of the l National Nature Reserve organisations explained “ We were a group of similar l Bryngarw Country Park Volunteers organisations, all doing things independently and often not aware of what the others were doing.” l Wildlife Trust at Parc Slip l Keep Wales Tidy. Outcome and Impact l Coity Walia Community Biodiversity The newly established network, which Leigh describes Enhancement Project as a ‘volunteer hub’ now meets on a quarterly basis. l Coed Cymru “The meetings, though important, are just a part of the network’s activities,” says Mark. “We have started a Prior to establishing the Countryside Volunteering blog, bridgendcountryside.com and members of the Network, there was no co-ordination of the network send their events centrally through to reach, organisations and on occasion, there was an overlap who then publicise them through the blog and social of services or a clash of events that took place. media. In addition, Leigh has developed a Google calendar, where all volunteers can view events.” The network has arranged several collective events, the first of which was ‘Bushwaka’, a part of the Bushcraft Festival at Bryngarw Park. “Although the weather was dreadful, the park was filled, mainly with families who heard about the event through Facebook and Twitter,” added Mark. “It’s also interesting that on the bank holiday after that event, Bryngarw Park was the busiest it’s ever been.” Dunetreka at Kenfig’s Nature Reserve was also another major event and there are continuous ongoing activities such as hedge laying, tree planting and ‘Balsam Bashing’ and other special events, which take place. Having improved co-ordination and communication has helped raise awareness, recruited new volunteers and mobilised resources.

“We are much more effective and better able to tackle things as a network. As a volunteer, having co-ordination gives us access to far more people and we need events to get people out. They raise awareness of what’s going on and if you want to get involved, there are lots of opportunities out there. ” Leigh Forman Volunteer 11 Heritage Network Priority: Place

the networking opportunities the event offered and realised the benefits of developing a Heritage Network Background across the County to ensure a sustainable heritage culture within the area,” she adds. The rural areas of Bridgend County Borough Council have a diverse and rich heritage, shaping the way that people live today and attracting thousands of visitors Outcome and Impact each year. There are over 40 local history and heritage One of the major outcomes of the event was the societies within the Borough. establishing of a County wide, Heritage Network, which now has over 40 enthusiastic, active members reach help and a steering group that meets on a quarterly basis. Since the formation of the network, they have had their In January 2012, reach, in partnership with BCBC’s own logo designed and a major positive outcome has Conservation & Design Team, organised a one day been the development of their website, event “This is YOUR heritage … discover it today”. www.bridgendheritage.co.uk “The website provides The aim of the event was to bring together rural an overview of Bridgend’s history, brings together the community members with key practitioners and heritage and history groups from Bridgend County and leaders in the heritage sector to discuss actions for provides links to other useful websites,” says Yiota conserving and interpreting the unique heritage of Haralambos, reach Rural Development Officer. Bridgend County Borough. Raising awareness of the different types of heritage and how it links to food The website features digital stories on local legends, and tourism was an objective, together with providing an overview of Bridgend’s history through a timeline, knowledge about the differing projects taking place together with downloadable heritage walking leaflets, locally and elsewhere. “Before the conference took heritage tourism leaflets as well as a childrens’ section place, many of the groups had little contact with each with downloadable stories and suitable walks. other,” says Nicola Lewis, reach Out Co-ordinator, The Network arranges events that are very well reach Rural Development. “They enjoyed attended. Training workshops are arranged for members and those dealing with social media have proved to be extremely popular.

“ The Network has grown and evolved and is enabling the Borough to have a sustainable heritage culture. ” Yiota Haralambos, reach Rural Development Officer 12 North Region

Evanstown Brit Growers The northern region of the County Borough is home to three distinct valleys, the Llynfi, Garw and Ogmore. With upland terrain, a number of farming businesses and several post-industrial small towns and villages throughout, investment has been varied and tailored to the needs of each area. A key area for investment has been in tourism with particular links to heritage, the environment and outdoor recreation. A visitor centre has been created to provide information and a focal point for visitors to the valleys and a number of profile raising activities Corner House Inn, Llangynwyd have taken place in the area including walking and horse riding events. Investment has been made in local produce across this region raising the profile of farm produce and craft ales to promote them and open up new routes to market. The network of local producers covers the entire County Borough and they have all benefitted from joint working, mentoring and coaching opportunities. The development of community growing spaces to enable people to grow their own food through the Community Foodie project has also been very successful in this part of the County. The Garw Valley was identified as a pilot area for Llangynwyd Village Hall the 2008-2011 business plan period and, as such, the majority of third party hosted projects were delivered in this area at that time. This is reflected in the total investment in this region across the life of the programme.

13 The team at Cwm Tawel, Lletty Brongu East Region

The Eastern part of the County Borough is home to a number of strategic partners within the programme including Bridgend Centre of Rural Enterprise, Sony UK College, Pencoed Campus and Sony. reach has forged strong links with these partners leading to a range of successful and innovative projects getting off the ground.These projects provide resources for businesses, families, students, farming households and rural communities to benefit from.

Projects with Bridgend College have included, for example, a smartphone app to source local produce, a project to integrate food tourism in the students’ Centre of Rural Enterprise, Sony UK curriculum, and a renewable energy study. The partnership with Sony has led to the creation of a Centre for Rural Enterprise providing flexible office space for digital and creative micro-enterprises such as gaming and web design companies.

Heritage and conservation have also had a key role to play in this region with support given to a range of projects in particular along the coast at Merthyr Mawr, one of 15 conservation areas in the County Borough.

Merthyr Mawr

14 West Region

A key attribute of the western region of Bridgend County Borough is its tourism Adventures Activity Centre, Cornelly industry. This is largely due to its impressive coastline and landscape heritage with its sand dunes at Kenfig and surfing beaches in the Porthcawl area.

With tourism being one of the main priorities in the Local Development Strategy throughout the programme, investment in this area has tended to support tourism businesses and projects for heritage and outdoor activities.

In addition, as in all areas, further investment has Blue Seas Cafe, Newton been made in community development providing funding and support for project delivery and capacity building.

Dan-y-Graig Holiday Park, Cornelly

Ty Tanglwyst, Cornelly

15 Priority: Coytrahen Village People Action Plan The results of this consultation were discussed in a community meeting and from this the three top priorities were identified as improving the Community Centre, traffic through the village and preserving the history of Coytrahen. Outcome and Impact A working group was formed to implement the Action Plan process. The group worked with Llangynwyd Lower Community Council to address the traffic issues and the Community Association on improving the Community Hall. In addition, the group supported the Coytrahen History group to work on the priority of preserving the community’s history. The group decided to apply for reach funding to improve the Community Hall, with the objective of attracting more people to use it. reach’s grant of £31,504 was match funded by £1,312 from the Coytrahen Community Association Background and £6,564 from the Coalfields Regeneration Trust. One of the ways that reach supports rural communities The heating system in the hall was replaced, toilet is by helping them to develop Rural Action Plans. This facilities improved and a lounge area was created for is a process through which people can voice their smaller community groups to use as a meeting place. opinions on what action they would like to see happen “Now that this work has been completed, the in their area – action that relies on specific issues that Community Centre is definitely used more than it are relevant to the individual community. used to be’ says Jean Faulkner, a member of the Community Association. “It’s a much nicer venue and reach help has a far more pleasant atmosphere” she added. Coytrahen as a community, were helped by reach to The reach Action Plan group were also successful in produce a community action plan. reach contributed reforming the Coytrahen History Group, which has £2,000 to the process, which covered the costs of led to achieving the objective of preserving the history meeting venues, refreshments, consultation materials of the community. “Before the Action Plan, we had and design and printing of the finalised plan. a small History Group, which lacked direction and was not well attended” says Keith Faulkner. “We now The Coytrahen Action Plan started with a consultation have over twenty members who meet monthly” The stall at the Christmas Fair in Coytrahen Community History Group have catalogued a lot of old photos Centre in December 2011. Following the consultation, and documents and hope to display these in the Hall a community workshop was held to further map out and also record them digitally. A recent competition, the issues affecting the community. The Community asking people to write a 100 word essay on an aspect Association produced a questionnaire, which was of Coytrahen’s history that interested them was hugely delivered by association members to all households in successful. They are particularly proud that they have Coytrahen. recorded people who live in the village, particularly “There was an excellent response to the questionnaire’ elderly residents, so that their stories and histories are says Mark Blackmore, Community Development worker documented for the future. for reach. “Each household was asked to prioritise the issues they felt were most important to them.

“There’s always been a lot of camaraderie in Coytrahen, but the Action Plan has helped to add to this. reach were the driving force and spark to get it all off the ground. ” Keith Faulkner, Community Councillor, Llangynwyd Lower Community Council 16 Valley & Vale Priority: Community Arts People Mobile Arts Bus

Background Valley and Vale Community Arts is a long standing local Community Arts for Development organisation. Their ethos is to use creativity to promote positive change in people and places. The organisation creates and delivers tailor-made community arts workshops, training programmes and projects through various art forms, including drama, film, dance, animation, photography and visual arts. Located in Bettws, Valley and Vale works throughout the county, delivering these diverse projects to engage people and groups in those areas,” says Tracy Pallant, Film of all ages, involving them in creative activities with Development Worker for Valley and Vale. Participants a view to releasing their potential and bring about in these communities have had the opportunity to positive change to their lives. attend digital story telling and media workshops, where local people learn skills in media production reach help and create a living archive of changing rural lives. The bus attends local events but also organises ‘Flash Valley and Vale identified that it was difficult for Mob’ spontaneous creative events or activities and people in some rural communities in the Borough to randomly turns up in a community to make things access the organisation’s creative opportunities at happen. their location in Bettws. In addition, there was a lack of community centres or suitable spaces for them to The bus is very popular with young people and offers work from. “We wanted to address the issue of rural School Holidays Arts Clubs or days in places where isolation and take creative opportunities and activities they are not currently offered. “The bus is fun and to people across Bridgend County,” explains Alex modern and young people in particular really gravitate Bowen, Director of Valley and Vale Community Arts. to it,” adds Tracy. “We came up with the idea of an ‘Art Bus’ to take our In addition, the bus promotes outdoor learning community arts and projects on tour,” she adds. Valley activities on the road, including camping trips or and Vale applied to reach for funding under the ‘Lets woodland workshops. In July 2013, the bus supported Innovate’ grant, which resulted in reach financing the Inner Compass project, taking a group of young £10,000 towards the total project cost of £11,357.90 to people from isolated areas of Bridgend to walk the purchase and equip the bus. Valley and Vale provided coast and creatively document their trip. The walk from the remaining funding required. Bridgend to the Senedd in Cardiff culminated in their meeting Carwyn Jones, the First Minister for Wales, Outcome and Impact where they were able to present their perspective on young peoples’ lives in Wales. “The Art Bus has created a lot of interest and has helped to engage more people in isolated areas where there are few creative opportunities. It’s stimulated increased participation and more active communities

“The Art Bus really helps people in isolated areas engage in creative activities they wouldn’t normally do. Valley and Vale will continue to fund staffing for the bus, creating sustainability and it will be used by us for many years and creative projects in the foreseeable future.” Alex Bowen Director, Valley and Vale Community Arts 17 Cefn Cribwr Priority: Athletic Club People

Ten shutters were required totalling £8,280. reach Background provided £5,265.40 with the balance coming from the Cefn Cribwr Athletic Club has recently celebrated club’s fundraising efforts. its 125th anniversary of rugby in the village. Its new clubhouse, was completed in December 2013 and members are very proud of this modern, Outcome and Impact environmentally efficient building. Prior to this new Apart from the rugby teams, the clubhouse is home to building, their old clubhouse had been located since The Cefn Cribwr Ladies’ Netball Team, a local bowls the mid ‘50’s in the old Miners’ Welfare Hall at the team and a local fitness club uses it on a weekly basis. centre of the village. “The sale of our old clubhouse The new clubhouse is proving to be a very popular plus numerous fundraising activities and events community facility. It has a large function room, which ranging from golf days with rugby celebrities, ‘buying is booked every weekend throughout the summer, a brick in the new building’ through to a sponsored a bar and a smaller lounge area. One of the most cycle ride, enabled us to raise the money needed impressive features of the building is the deck at the to build the new clubhouse, “ says Rhydian James, back, which overlooks the playing fields below and out club Chairperson. “Sponsorship and goodwill of local to the Devon coastline. businesses also contributed greatly.” “The roller shutters add to the aesthetic look of the exterior and complement the building,” says Rhydian. reach help “We want to attract parents and children to the club and plan to establish mini rugby teams for both girls Security for the new building was obviously a priority and boys the near future. We feel that this new, and the club applied to reach for a grant to help with modern clubhouse will help us with this.” purchasing and installing mechanised roller shutters for the doors and windows in the clubhouse.

“reach’s finance has been a terrific boost to our fundraising activities to complete the new clubhouse.” Rhydian James Chair, Cefn Cribwr Rugby Club 18 Llangynwyd Priority: Village Hall Place

“The building was in a poor state and needed major structural repair” said David Gregory, Chairman of the Community Association.“The majority of the funding to restore the building came from reach. Without the grant, we would still be looking at a derelict shell and it would have taken us so much longer to complete the restoration work. We still wouldn’t have a village hall we could use.” Outcome and Impact “The opening of the new Village Hall offers the facility and opportunity for people in the village to meet, even Background if they don’t want to attend a structured class”, says Llangyngwyd’s original Village Hall burnt down in David. “It adds to their quality of life.” the 1990’s and until recently, the people living in the The restored and renovated Village Hall officially village had nowhere to hold community meetings or opened in late March 2014 and has become a hub activities. for community life.The Hall has a large meeting room Llangynwyd’s Community Association acquired their equipped with a small stage and a smaller meeting new building, located on the site of the former Village room with an adjacent kitchen, which serves as a Hall, in April 2013. Originally built around 1880 and community coffee shop, three days a week. The used as a school, then later as a chapel and more Village Hall is now used for a variety of activities, recently as an artist’s studio, the building had fallen catering to many differing tastes and age groups. into disrepair and required major structural repair and These include sewing classes, fitness classes, a renovation before it could be used. weekly after school club to play table tennis which then continues in the evening for all members of the community to enjoy. The Community Council monthly reach help meetings are held at the Hall and local Police PACT The Community Association applied to reach for meetings for Llangynwyd also take place there. A twice funding to renovate the building under the ‘Seeds for weekly play group and language classes are in the Village Renewal Grant’. The total cost to renovate pipe line to start in the next few months. the building was £95,500 with reach providing In addition, the Hall is available to rent on Saturdays £39,998 and match funding of £10,000 coming from and Sundays for family parties and community events. the Community Association. Other grant sources provided the remainder of the finance. The renovation involved a new roof, new windows and a sympathetic restoration of the building to its former glory.

“We come here at least one morning a week and it means a lot to us. We missed the old village hall, where most of the village activities took place. It’s nice to be able to stop in and have a cup of coffee and meet people here, as there’s not so much to do when you’re older. ” Resident of Llangynwyd Village 19 Conservation Management Priority: Place Plan Newton

At the same time, we wanted residents in Newton to recognise the benefits of living and working in a Conservation Area and their own responsibilities for protecting its future.” The Appraisal examined a number of issues including an updated assessment of the character of the village, whether the designated boundaries were still appropriate and whether there was enough control on changes made to buildings in the area. reach help Consultants with specific expertise in undertaking appraisals of Conservation Areas were appointed by the County Borough. “An initial part of this exercise Background was organising and holding a community event so Newton Village near Porthcawl, is a designated that residents in the area could receive information Conservation Area in Bridgend County Borough. Such and give their input into the assessment.” says Claire. areas are defined as ‘an area of special architectural “We produced an exhibition display which highlighted or historic interest, the character and appearance the fact that they lived in a Conservation Area,” she of which is desirable to preserve or enhance.’ The adds. “The existing boundaries were also detailed Newton Conservation area includes the historic core and residents’ feedback throughout the process was of the village, with the church and its surrounding extremely important.” village green. Conservation Area designation is more dependent on the overall quality and interest of the reach facilitated the community consultation, arranging area, rather than individual buildings, though within and paying for the venue and publicising and Newton, there are five listed buildings, with the church attending the event. In addition, they partly funded the being Grade 1. consultants’ fees. The total project cost was £1,500, with reach providing £550. Match funding of £950 The area is also notable for retaining fine examples of was financed by Bridgend County Borough Council eighteenth and nineteenth century houses, as well its Planning and Regeneration Section. stone boundary walls and extensive tree belts. “Newton was designated a Conservation Area in Outcome and Impact August 1973,” says Claire Hamm, Team Leader Residents’ responses and comments have been Conservation and Design. “There had been little or no collated, taken into account and have been updated assessment on the village since that time,” incorporated into the final Appraisal and Management she adds. “We needed an Appraisal and Management Plan. Recommended actions will be prioritised, with Plan to assist the County Borough to preserve and a planned timetable for these to be phased in. The enhance the character and appearance of the village. report will then go to Committee for approval by Bridgend County Borough.

“The Appraisal and Management Plan has raised awareness of the special characteristics of Newton and as a result, many residents are seeking more advice on what are appropriate alterations to their properties.” Claire Hamm,Team Leader Conservation and Development Bridgend County Borough Council 20 Gilead Priority: Chapel Hall Place Coity Disabled access has also been added, together with a disabled toilet, making the building fully compliant with the Disabilities Discrimination (DDA) Act. Background Outcome and Impact Gilead Chapel Hall, well utilised by the villagers in “The extension to the Hall has opened up a new Coity, wanted to expand the Hall to increase the spectrum and broadened the horizon for use of the facilities it offered to village residents. Standing hall. It means that we can cater to more groups in the adjacent to Gilead Chapel, the Hall, referred to as community”, says Colin Lewis, the Chapel Secretary The Village Hall, is used on a daily basis and is the and Trustee. “Although the Hall was used by the local meeting place for many clubs and organisations drama group, the Guides and Brownies, the local hosting a variety of activities. University of the Third Age and for community table tennis or quizzes, there were no storage facilities for reach help these groups. In addition local football teams or other sports groups didn’t have any shower facilities or The Hall had land at the back of the building and changing rooms.” applied to reach for a grant to help in undertaking the building expansion. The total cost for the project was The newly extended Hall provides these amenities £84,000 and comprised £40,000 from reach, £34,000 and one new group meeting at the Hall is the Ogmore from The Big Lottery Fund and £10,000 from The Valley Wheelers, who are able to store their ‘speed Welsh Churches Act Fund. The combined funding rollers’ and can do their speed trials there. The enabled new shower and toilet facilities to be built, a Trustees of the Hall intend that the Hall will continue new storage room, new male and female toilets and to meet the needs of the local community, attract new changing rooms, which double up as small meeting groups and continue to have a positive impact on rooms and also facilities for physiotherapists to see village life in Coity. patients.

“Without this extension we couldn’t cater to these groups and the reach grant played a large part in contributing to fund these new facilities.” Colin Lewis Chapel Secretary and Trustee Gilead Chapel Hall 21 Garw Valley Health Priority: & Fitness Club Enterprise

Background A former Church Hall in Blaengarw, previously used as There is a basement level where a sauna and locker a boxing gym and sauna, that had fallen into disrepair and changing facilities are situated. A mezzanine has been extensively renovated to provide a first rate has been opened up in the building and the original gym and fitness facility thanks to a Green Shoots grant wooden floor from the downstairs room has been laid from reach. in this large room. Suitable for dance, exercise and yoga classes, the room is already heavily booked reach help by instructors wanting to use this terrific facility. Gareth Fudge, who owns the gym, was keen to bring In addition, there are two smaller rooms on this back into use a building that was well known in the level which are used by other micro enterprises - a community and to promote health and fitness in beautician, a sports therapist and a dietician. “The Blaengarw. “The building was very dilapidated and Green Shoots funding has helped provide facilities the grant enabled the repair and regeneration of the to enable young entrepreneurs establish businesses building” says Gareth. Green Shoots funded £35,200 in our local community which complement the gym” of the total project cost of £50,000. explains Gareth. The gym facilities are open seven days a week and Outcome and Impact the early morning times, Mondays through to Fridays, The newly refurbished and sympathetically restored are especially popular. “People living in Blaengarw building which opened for business at the end of now have this facility on their doorstep” says Gareth. March 2014 now houses a fully equipped gym on “They don’t have to leave the valley, particularly on the the ground floor level. This level allows full disabled weekends, to go and use a gym. Some people coming access to the gym and also contains the changing to us are new to a gym. It’s not that they didn’t want to room facilities for disabled users. use one before but because of ours being local, with flexible opening times and weekend availability, they are able to come”

“Without the grant it would have been very difficult to have started my business. It has enabled a group of young people to pursue their dreams of owning and running their own businesses and, at the same time, provide something positive for all ages in the local community. ” Gareth Fudge 22 Background Priority: Love Leanne Edwards and Debra Jones started their company ‘Love From Rosie’ nearly two years ago. Enterprise Both of the two friends have a background in web design and marketing. They set up their on-line From trading company, which operates from their homes, to sell what they describe as ‘shabby chic’ vintage style home accessories and soft furnishings plus retro style traditional toys. They source their products from Rosie Scandinavia and Europe and find that the majority of their customers come from the UK and Europe. reach help “When we despatch an item to a customer we like to wrap it in tissue paper and tie it with ribbons to make it more personal and that’s really appreciated” explains Leanne. “We were doing this from a dining room table, which wasn’t ideal.” In addition, they wanted to market and raise more awareness of their company by placing adverts in magazines specialising in homes and home furnishings in the lead-up to Christmas. They applied to reach for green shoots funding and received £659.01, which they match funded by £78.99 from their business. Outcome and Impact “reach’s grant enabled us to buy a packaging station table which has made our packaging and despatch far more organised and efficient,” says Debra. The finance also allowed them to book adverts for the November and December 2013 issues of ‘Country Homes and Interiors’, ‘Homes and Antiques’ and ‘Period Ideas’. “Because we knew we had the finance, we could negotiate a better advertising rate with the magazines,” says Debra. “Having the adverts in two issues of the magazines really helped boost our sales,” she adds. The financing was also used to buy a camera which they use to photograph items to go on the website plus an external hard disk drive which is used to back up product content and images featured on the site.

“Our orders are increasing and so is our efficiency. reach has certainly helped our business to expand.” Leanne Edwards Co-owner Love From Rosie 23 Sony UK Tec - Centre of Rural Priority: Enterprise Enterprise

Background Outcome and Impact Sony UK Technology Centre (Sony UK TEC) Pencoed The offices took only six weeks to complete and is home to the first Centre of Rural Enterprise in became available to rent in September 2013. “By Bridgend County Borough. Providing small scale, March 2014 the units were fully occupied, “ says supported business space for micro enterprises, the Nabila Elias, Project Manager, New Business Centre officially opened in September 2013. Development at Sony UK TEC. “We now have nine companies taking the ten offices and between them reach help they employ 57 staff.” The Technology Centre had a large area of open All of the companies are focussed on technological floor space on its first floor that was not being used. development and include software and interactive With an already established business incubation unit, video games developers, post production and digital Sony UK TEC saw that there would be demand for media services for the film and television industry and further units and that it would fit with the company’s digital marketing companies. ethos of helping to support budding entrepreneurs. The Centre enables companies to develop and A successful tender bid to reach for Green Shoots showcase their products and network with other funding, resulted in ten individual offices being companies. A major benefit to tenants is the Centre’s developed. Green Shoots funded the full £107,275.96 location with easy access to the M4 and the fact that it of the project costs, including a £75,522.28 is a secure site. Employees can also take advantage contribution from Welsh Government and the of Sony TEC’s excellent staff facilities. European Union. “The money enabled us to develop the space and without reach’s help, it probably wouldn’t have gone ahead,” says Wyn Landon, Finance Manager for Sony UK TEC.

“The Centre gives start up companies in rural areas increased opportunities to grow and develop their business. They, in turn, are able to offer employment opportunities, often in specialist areas.” Nabila Elias, Project Manager New Business Development Sony UK Technology Centre 24 Equinol – Equine Priority: Assisted Therapy Enterprise

assisted therapy, utilising a Brief Solution focussed Background model of therapy, implemented alongside the natural healing repertoire of the horse. “Working with horses Equine Psychotherapy is still a very new concept, can enable participants to overcome and develop albeit one that is increasing in popularity. In order to levels of self awareness and confidence in their core explore the feasibility of support for this new area of relationships with others” says Oliver. Billy Hardy, a therapy and ensure that it becomes a credible source registered Psychotherapist and Registered Clinical of counselling, Oliver Edwards of Equinol approached Supervisor from the University of was reach to fund a pilot research project which undertook Oliver’s clinical supervisor during the pilot project. to collate evidence in this innovative area of therapy The total cost of the pilot project was £6,986.88 with and test out whether such an intervention could be reach providing finance of £5,188.00 and £1,798.88 relevant, accessible and acceptable to referrers and contributed in time, by Oliver. clientele. reach help Outcome and Impact “The reach grant was instrumental in setting up the Oliver, a graduate from the Family Institute, University pilot project,’ states Oliver. “It covered the cost of of Glamorgan had spent many years as a professional hiring facilities at Bridgend College Pencoed, ensuring jockey before training to become a counsellor. The the correct health and safety considerations were put pilot project invited participants to experience equine in place and that the correct professional indemnity insurance was provided for me to practice safely,” adds Oliver. The grant also covered the development of a website for Equinol, to ensure sustainability and the publishing of a report on the pilot project. In total, eight people, four men and four women participated in the pilot project which lasted for ten weeks and offered 58 one hour sessions. Clients were referred from either Manpower or Working Links and on referral, described a range of problems which included anxiety, low self confidence and social anxiety. At the end of the pilot project 80% of the participants reported a change in their well being and had a more positive description of themselves. Four of the eight reported increased self confidence and this was reflected in one person being able to secure full time employment, two moving to full time further or higher education and another taking up a volunteering post at the college.

“reach’s grant gave me the opportunity to develop the pilot study and to take my idea forward. It would not have got off the ground without their help. I hope that it has paved the way for future work in this field.” Oliver Edwards Equinol 25 Mobile Tourist Information Centre Priority: Tourism (TIC)

Background Outcome and Impact The tourism industry is extremely important to Bridgend County Borough, generating over £268 “The mobile unit allows the County Borough to deliver million annually, with over 3.5 million visitors and tourist information services in a unique and quirky way employing approximately 4,197 people. The Tourism to visitors,” says Nicola Lewis, reach Out Department for the Borough identified the need for a Co-ordinator, reach Rural Development. “It’s fully mobile Tourist Information Centre to benefit visitors Disability Discrimination Act (DDA) compliant and to rural Bridgend due to the closure of Bridgend’s accessible to all.” The unit has the advantage of Tourist Information Centre in 2012 and subsequently providing tourism information directly to visitors, by Porthcawl‘s centre, which closed in September 2013. having a presence at key County Borough events they The purpose of the mobile TIC is to have a presence are attending. During 2013 the mobile TIC attended at strategic and rural events throughout the County seven strategic and key rural events throughout the Borough to promote rural tourism offered, as well as Borough, including the Elvis Festival, Bridgend Show provide other relevant information for visitors to the and the Wales Senior Open at the Royal Porthcawl area. Golf Club. Attendance at future key events is planned for 2014. reach help Another important advantage of the mobile TIC is its cost effectiveness, as it allows this much needed reach supported the project through the ‘Let’s service to be delivered without having the constraints Innovate’ Fund, contributing £10,989 towards the of housing and managing the TIC service from a cost of purchasing, adapting and equipping the trailer, dedicated building. which was to be used as the mobile TIC. Match funding of £1,221 provided the remainder of the funding.

“The mobile TIC enables us to provide information directly by having a presence at a variety of key County Borough events. It also allows us to widen the County Borough’s tourism and rural profile.” Nicola Lewis, reach Out Co-ordinator reach Rural Development 26 Merthyr Mawr

Paths and Walls Priority: Tourism

Background Outcome and Impact The Merthyr Mawr path, located between the rivers “We worked closely with local residents and the Ewenny and Ogmore, links the suspension bridge in Merthyr Mawr estate,” says John. The work was Merthyr Mawr with the stepping stones crossing the undertaken in November 2013 and took eight weeks , to land below . The to complete. Because of the location and possibility path is used extensively by walkers and horse riders, of flooding from the Ewenny River, all materials and but is prone to flooding during spring tides and gets plant had to be transported across the river from extremely muddy. Many sections of the path had been Ogmore Castle when tidal and weather conditions damaged and parts of the walls had broken down, were suitable. Materials were loaded onto tractors and with large gaps allowing animals to get through. trailers and taken across the river with help from local All of the walls needed repointing to avoid continued farmer, Rob Williams and staff from the Merthyr Mawr frost damage. Estate. Vegetation had to be cleared from the walls to allow reach help stone masons to get access to rebuild and repoint the “Horses were straying onto the pathways because of walls. Damaged sections of the path were removed the state of the walls. We needed to repair them and and a new foundation laid. The materials that were also the pathways to make it safer for walkers,” says excavated were used as a base for the horse riding John Clarke, Cleaner Streets Operational Officer, path, which is adjacent to the walkers’ pathway. Bridgend County Borough Council. The total project Concrete used, was mixed on the river bank and cost £30,061 to complete, with reach contributing brought across by trailer, avoiding any contamination £24,000 and match funding providing the remainder of the river. At the end of the repaired footpath, new of the finance. Residents of Merthyr Mawr also stepping stones were laid, leading to the existing ones contributed towards the project in time and labour. crossing the Ewenny River to Ogmore Castle.

“The area has now returned to its pristine state, without any disturbance to the residents of Merthyr Mawr. It’s now accessible to all, including prams and wheelchair users and it’s a great recreation area for all.” John Clarke Cleaner Streets Operational Officer, Bridgend County Borough Council 27 Our Welsh Caravan Priority: & Camping Tourism

reach help Environmental sustainability and the promotion of ‘green’ conservation was an important factor for the Edwards family, when setting up ‘Our Welsh Caravan & Camping’. The family successfully applied for a “Let’s Innovate” grant from reach to install an electricity supply and an innovative compost heating system to boost the thermal and conventional heating system, making the toilet and shower block greener and more sustainable. The total cost of the project was £10,000, with reach financing £9,000 and the Edwards family providing £1,000 towards the project in labour and design costs. Outcome and Impact The compost heating system had been well researched by the Edwards family and uses their own recycled grass cuttings and brown carbons such as straw and wood chips. “This innovative compost heating system will enable us to be less reliant on conventional fossil fuel and also help us keep our running costs down,” says Eira Edwards. “This will be particularly helpful in the winter months when the site will be closed, but we still have to keep the building Background heated.” A new 60 pitch caravan and camping park ‘Our Welsh Low voltage lighting within the facility and under floor Caravan & Camping’ wanted to install and trial an heating ensure a comfortable environment for all environmentally friendly compost heating system on visitors. The support also enabled the site to install their site. Developed by the Edwards family of Hendre high quality up-cycled Paralympic showers, which are Ifan Goch Farm, Blackmill, Bridgend, the land was fully Disability Discrimination Act (DDA) compliant and originally used for agricultural purposes, but was are both economical and sustainable. struggling to sustain its farming legacy. Consequently The family have achieved a four star rating from the family decided to diversify and one of the results Visit Wales and aim to promote the area as a quality was the opening of the new caravan and camping tourism destination. They view the impressive, park, which took place in July 2013. Close to the new environmentally friendly shower and toilet facility as an Celtic Trail, a series of popular mountain bike tracks, integral part of achieving these goals. the site has attracted visitors from throughout the UK, southern Ireland, Europe and Australia.

“The reach grant has given us the flexibility to innovate and experiment with the compost heating system, which has huge potential. The investment wouldn’t have taken place without reach’s help.” Eira Edwards Our Welsh Caravan & Camping 28 Conservation and Interpretation Priority: Panels Tourism

Background reach help There are fifteen conservation areas, (areas that are of To address this recurring issue, a decision was made special architectural or historic interest) that fall within to install an information panel in each conservation Bridgend County Borough. Nine of them fall within the area. The total cost for the 15 Conservation Area designated rural areas of the county. These comprise panels was £45,000, with the cost of the panels in Coity, Derllwyn Road in , Laleston, Llangeinor, the nine rural areas being £27,000, of which reach Llangynwyd, Merthyr Mawr Village, Nantymoel, contributed £21,000. Newton and . One of the roles of the Conservation and Design Team Outcome and Impact is to preserve or enhance the character or appearance The bilingual panels are lectern style, fixed to the of the conservation areas within the County Borough, ground or wall mounted and are A1 or A2 size, through raising design standards and heritage related depending on the locale. Each contains a map projects. “In consultation with many residents within outlining the specific conservation area, some historic the borough’s conservation areas, one of the recurring photos plus a narrative about the heritage in the issues that emerged was the lack of information area. Once installed, the upkeep of the panels will be about the individual area that was on display for undertaken by their respective community councils. residents or visitors,” says Claire Hamm, Team Leader Conservation and Design. “There was no information An additional significant outcome is that the panels will available for visitors or local communities to raise have a QR code. Residents or visitors will be able to awareness of the history or individual character of download the Digital Bridgend App (which is currently each area,” she adds. under development) onto a smart phone or tablet and this will provide heritage interpretation in an exciting, innovative way.

“It’s fantastic that the panels will have a major part to play in this important new development for tourism and local communities in the borough.” Claire Hamm,Team Leader Conservation and Development Bridgend County Borough Council 29 Priority: Prince of Tourism Wales Inn Kenfig

Background Gareth Maund, Landlord of the Prince of Wales Inn, Kenfig contacted reach Rural Development Team for support to take his project idea forward, to capture and preserve the extraordinary story the inn. Dating back to the 16th century, the pub has been used over time, as a school, town hall, morgue and magistrates’ court. The project aimed to explore how the pub was, and continues to be, a major part of the community and the surrounding areas.

reach help reach supported the project through the ‘Let’s Innovate Fund’ because of its innovative approach to exploring the heritage of a pub through community engagement, using digital media to tell the shared story. “We got as many local people together as we could”, explains Gareth “and what emerged was the desire to preserve and record the history of Kenfig, and in particular, the part that the pub played in this”. To our knowledge, this is the first pub in Bridgend County Borough to use digital media interpretation through an app. It will also be the first pub in the County to participate in the nationwide “Pub is the Hub” scheme championedby HRH The Prince of Wales, which recognises the potential for local pubs to regenerate and revitalise local communities through retaining and developing local services.

The project cost £10,000 with reach financing £9,000 and Gareth contributing the remainder. Outcome and Impact The development of this pub heritage app evolved into six short stories shown as film clips.These were narrated by Owain Teale, the nationally known actor who comes from Kenfig and some of the pub’s regulars also starred. The stories “Talking Walls”, “Propellor”, “Courtroom”, “School”, “Shipwreck” and “My Friend” each portray a different segment of the pub and the area’s rich history and cultural heritage. Available to download via the app or to view on “You Tube”, they can be viewed in the pub itself on the digital information point, which also has a time line showing specific events through the centuries. Information on local services and amenities is also available on the app, which is a huge benefit to visitors and local residents. Visitors with smart phones are able to use the QR codes dotted throughout the pub and listen to audio files of Gareth telling background stories about the pub’s many photographs and artefacts. After completion of the project, HRH Prince Charles visited the inn. “What should have been a 90 minute visit lasted two and a half hours” Gareth explained. “We had over 650 school children present to welcome the royal visitors and Prince Charles spent 90 minutes with a group of ladies who started to meet here to plan a party for his Investiture and have continued to meet here weekly, ever since” “The visit had a tremendous impact” added Gareth. “Local people came and cleared the streets and cut back the grass and local businesses funded the lunch for the school children. It really helped to bring the community together”

“The development of the app has preserved the history of the area and the pub. It’s made what we wanted a reality.” Gareth Maund Licensee, Prince of Wales Pub, Ton Kenfig

30 Our Garden, Evanstown

Priority: OUR GARDEN EVANSTOWN Produce

Outcome and Impact Our Garden was built on derelict ground that still has concrete foundations from previous homes that had been on the site but had been pulled down. “This necessitated us having raised beds,” explains Mark. “Local residents became involved in designing and building the garden and now have a real sense of Background ownership of it,” he adds. Community Foodie is a partnership project to help ‘Our Garden’ has 16 raised beds plus two beds communities in the rural areas of Bridgend, the Vale specifically for disabled people. 23 families are of Glamorgan and Torfaen, to grow their own food. involved in growing fruit, vegetables and flowers and It aims to strengthen communities by increasing the there is a waiting list for spaces to become available. amount of produce grown and consumed locally, The local school has three beds of their own and and at the same time, to introduce valuable skills, pupils visit to learn about planting, different types of support a healthy lifestyle and bring people of all vegetables and fruit and the benefits of ‘growing your ages together. One of the major areas of support own.’ Kian Protheroe, aged ten has his own raised Community Foodie provides, is bringing landowners bed, which he tends to with his father’s help. “I’ve and local people together to find suitable growing started growing radishes, potatoes, onions, lettuce, sites. Help is also available to identify the most dwarf beans, peas, garlic and even sweetcorn,” says suitable growing model, accessing legal and technical Kian. “I’m really looking forward to eating them.” advice and forging links with other community growing projects. Financial support is also available to get a The community garden provides an opportunity for project up and running. residents in the community, to get together, even if they don’t garden. Barbecues and other events are held there but local people will go there just to have a reach help chat and meet other residents. ‘Our Garden’ on the Dan y Bryn Estate in Evanstown, The garden’s reputation and its positive impact on the is a recreational community garden, which officially community has brought international visitors to view opened in the summer of 2012. “reach were invaluable it and recently they have forged links with a world in their support to us to get our community garden up leading Roof Top Garden in Hong Kong, a community and running,” says Mark Street, a local horticulturist, garden in the centre of Melbourne Australia and a who was instrumental in planning and setting up pioneering urban community garden in Singapore. the garden. “They gave us advice and guidance on the direction the garden should take and also gave us some financial support towards the purchase of compost, soil and tools. They still give us advice and support today and have become real friends to us all.”

“Our Garden has been an amazing influence. It has really brought the community together, to help and learn from one another, which wouldn’t have happened before this started.” Mark Street

31 Evanstown Brit Priority: Growers Nursery Produce Background ‘Our Garden’, a very popular and successful the plot of land which was very steep and put fencing community garden on the Dan y Bryn Estate, around. In addition, we built the framework for two 50ft Evanstown officially opened in September 2012. poly tunnels which are used for plant propagation.” The project has produced a very positive impact he adds. for the local community and residents involved in it, decided that they wanted to make the project more Outcome and Impact sustainable by developing a commercial nursery The commercial garden nursery grows fruit and garden. Named the ‘Evanstown Brit Growers’ as it is vegetable plants, bedding and perennial plants to sell located near the site of the former Britannic Colliery, to the public and is open on a daily basis. “Everyone this social enterprise officially opened in July 2013. involved volunteers their time,” says Mark Street, a community resident and local horticulturist who has reach help been very involved in setting up ‘Our Garden’ and the Residents identified a derelict piece of land close ‘Evanstown Brit Growers’. Horticultural lessons are to the site of ‘Our Garden’ , which was suitable to held regularly in the plant propagation poly tunnels develop for the community nursery. reach personnel and Mark sees this as an opportunity for community arranged for Bridgend County Borough Council to residents to learn new skills, which could lead to undertake the work required to create the community further opportunities in job development. nursery. “Essentially, we put in the infrastructure required to build the nursery,” says John Clarke, One of the areas that the community nursery is Cleaner Streets Operational Officer, Bridgend County extremely proud of is that they have started growing Borough Council. “We cleared the ground, terraced off rare Welsh heritage fruit trees including the Denbigh Plum, the Bardsey Island Apple and the Cariad Cherry.

“The development of the community nursery has been of great social benefit to our community. We have now become a sustainable social enterprise and local residents are very proud of what has been achieved.” Mark Street

32 Food App Pilot Project Bridgend College Priority: Pencoed Produce

Background Outcome and Impact The TastED Food App pilot project was developed to Ten families were recruited to participate in the six encourage families in rural Bridgend to change their week pilot project, through Croesty Primary School, food purchasing behaviour by raising awareness of the Pencoed. “The school were really helpful” said benefits of using local produce. At the same time, the Claire. “Not only did they help us in involving the App helps families make health and lifestyle changes children and recruiting the families, they acted as a by preparing healthy meals, monitoring calorie intake food co-operative, took the families’ weekly orders and spend on food. Claire George, a lecturer at and accepted and stored the products from local Bridgend College, Pencoed initiated this innovative suppliers.” project, assisted by Toby Harris, an app developer The App shows different menus, which are categorised who also lectures there. into breakfast, lunch, evening meals and healthy snacks. Recipes, developed by Bridgend College reach help Catering Department, can be accessed, together with where the ingredients can be sourced locally and a “We wanted to link local rural communities with local map to highlight the suppliers’ locations. The App also suppliers by providing information on where to buy details the recipe costs, calories counted and healthy local produce. We also wanted to give tips on menus, lifestyle tips. cooking and a healthy lifestyle,” explains Claire. The College successfully applied to reach for funding and received a grant of £5,963. The college contributed £4,810 as match funding through time given by college staff giving a total project cost of £10,773.

“Families who took part in the pilot project all said that the quality and fresh taste of local produce was far better than their usual suppliers. The App is a great way of linking local communities to local producers for everyone’s benefit and we hope to extend and develop the project into a permanent one.” Claire George Bridgend College, Pencoed 33 Acknowledgements

reach would like to thank those who have supported the programme and shared their time and expertise throughout including members of the: l Bridgend Rural Partnership l Bridgend Local Action Group l Bridgend Grants Panel l Bridgend Local Food Network l Bridgend’s Heritage Network l Bridgend Countryside Volunteer Network What happens next? l The Love2Walk Committee and Volunteer Walk Leaders Following on from the success of the programme, the l Various Thematic Working Groups development of a new programme for 2014-2020 is now underway. The proposals will be submitted to Many thanks also go to the project partners and sponsors Welsh Government this September and if successful who have delivered parts of the programme with will begin delivering early in 2015. reach including: The next programme will be delivering under the l BCBC Economic Development Unit following LEADER themes: l Blaengarw Play Development Group 1 Adding value to local identity and natural and l Bridgend College cultural resources l Creation Development Trust 2 Facilitating pre-commercial development, business l Garw Valley Community Council partnerships and short supply chains l Groundwork Bridgend and Neath Port Talbot 3 Exploring new ways of providing non-statutory l Lake 2000 local services l Sony 4 Renewable energy at Community level l Valley & Vale Community Arts 5 Exploitation of digital technology

A special thank you must also go to the community councils, community and village associations, schools, volunteer groups, individuals and small businesses that reach has worked with over the years, there are too many to list all individually. It is a credit to your hard work and commitment that the programme has achieved what it has and made a lasting impact on the rural county borough.

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