A new meeting point for the community was officially opened in Glyn Ceiriog over the weekend.

The project was awarded a grant from the Your Community, Your Choice fund last year.

After several months of preparatory and building work, the new pavilion at Y Ddôl playing fields on Llanarmon Road was declared open in a ceremony performed by North Wales Police and Crime Commissioner Andy Dunbobbin, Councillor Sarah Davies, Chair, Cyngor Cymuned Llansantffraid Glyn Ceiriog Community Council and members of the local community.

The opening of the pavilion on Sunday also coincided with a local youth rugby team cup tie match between Clwb Rygbi Bro Gwernant and a team from Colwyn Bay.

The Your Community, Your Choice fund supports grass-roots projects and is backed by the North Wales Police and Crime Commissioner, North Wales Police and Community Trust (PACT) and North Wales Police. 

The funding for Your Community, Your Choice comes partly from money seized by the courts through the Proceeds of Crime Act, with the rest from the Police and Crime Commissioner. 

The Leader: Andy Dunbobbin and Cllr Sarah Davies open the new pavilionAndy Dunbobbin and Cllr Sarah Davies open the new pavilion (Image: OPCC)The local community council undertook a consultation with residents asking how it could improve the area. 

The result was clear that there was a lack of youth provision in the village. This led to Wrexham Council's Youth Services team consulting with the children and young people regarding their needs and aspirations. 

Children and young people were keen to see a new facility built for them to meet and for the benefit of the wider community.

Councillor Sarah Davies said: “The idea began in May 2019 and it has taken the dedication of our clerk, Jean Davies and councillors many hours of work and planning, to bring to fruition. 

“In the first instance we would like to thank PCSOs Martin Griffiths and Gareth Jones for bringing to the council's attention the funding available from the PACT fund. 

"We would also like to thank everyone who has kindly donated time and money to this project, such as Clwb Rygbi Bro Gwernant, Wrexham Council Youth Service, Chirk Lodge Freemasons, Meibion Ceiriog, Dan Roberts, Tegid Davies and Einion Davies but our biggest thanks must go to North Wales Police and Crime Commissioner and the PACT funding, without whose generous donation, our project would have taken a lot longer to complete.

The Leader: Members if the local community outside the new pavilion, including the PCC, Cllr Sarah Davies, Council Clerk Jean Davies (with flowers as thanks for her support for the project), local PCSOs Gareth Jones and Lara Shaers, and building contractor of the pavilion and rugby club member Dan Roberts (in shorts)Members if the local community outside the new pavilion, including the PCC, Cllr Sarah Davies, Council Clerk Jean Davies (with flowers as thanks for her support for the project), local PCSOs Gareth Jones and Lara Shaers, and building contractor of the pavilion and rugby club member Dan Roberts (in shorts) (Image: OPCC)Mr Dunbobbin said: “I was delighted to join the local community in Glyn Ceiriog and to officially open their new pavilion. 

"This is a project suggested and developed by the local community and is a great example of residents coming together for the benefit of their local area. 

"I hope it will provide a welcoming venue for young people, rugby players and supporters and the rest of the community for many years to come.”

PACT Chairman Ashley Rogers said: "I hope it will make a real difference to local people and provide them with a great base for activities and events locally. I am delighted we have been able to support them in their project.”

North Wales Police Assistant Chief Constable Chris Allsop said: “Your Community, Your Choice is an excellent example of how we can turn money made from criminal activity into a positive outcome for organisations and neighbourhoods across North Wales."