WREXHAM was centre stage for walkers leading an initiative journeying to shine a light on communities and projects that make wonderful things happen where they live.

Team Wales visited the Brymbo Heritage Project and the We Are Plas Madoc group at Plan Madoc Leisure Centre as part of The Big Walk.

An idea from the Eden Project made possible by the National Lottery, The Big Walk is designed to celebrate the people at the heart of Wales’ communities, who work together to make a positive difference locally, while sharing an invitation to everyone to bring their own community together for a Big Lunch on 3 June.

Nick Amyes, Chairman of Trustees for the Brymbo Heritage Project, was delighted to welcome The Big Walk.

He said, “When the steelworks here closed in 1990, it meant that a lot of people became alienated from the site because it was where their jobs were and they were made redundant.

"We have worked so hard over the past three or four years to rebuild the community and make this a real hub for people.

"The funding we have had means the world to us. We have big plans to make Brymbo a must-see heritage site for visitors as well as a place for local people to be proud of.”

We Are Plas Madoc is the steering group who are making big things happen in their area.

After receiving £1 million of lottery funds, the group has invested the money in projects which are improving the local community.

The Plas Madoc Leisure Centre was closed due to council cuts several years ago but was re-opened when the community rallied together to save it.

We Are Plas Madoc recently gave the leisure centre funding to upgrade the site’s boilers, making the building more efficient

and cutting energy costs.

They have also given money to the local adventure play ground, The Land.

Another community group benefitting from We Are Plas Madoc’s funding has been Plas Madoc Football Club, which was only formed last year but came top of their league and got promoted in their first year in a tale fitting of Roy of the Rovers.

Ryan Roberts, manager and chairman of Plas Madoc FC, said, “The club was formed because we have a lot of talented lads in the area but they were all playing for different

teams. There was nothing local. We decided to get the team up and running as a community thing.

"We won promotion on Saturday, May 19 and next season we’ll be playing in the Welsh National League Division 1.

"Without the help from We Are Plas Madoc we wouldn’t be where we are now.

"It’s not just a case of turning up and playing football, it’s about everyone who works hard behind the scenes to keep the club running.

"And it’s about bringing everyone from the local community together through

football.”

Peter Stewart of The Big Lunch added: “The Big Walk celebrates the great things people make happen where they live.

"The Big Lunch is a chance for people everywhere to build those friendships and connections locally, which help to create stronger, happier communities.

"Last year 9.3 million people had fun together at over 96,000 events across the UK - so give our walkers a smile and a wave, and sign up to bring your own community together for a Big Lunch on June 3.”

Anyone can take part. Order a free pack and join others across the UK for The Big Lunch on 3 June www.thebiglunch.com