Burry Port is celebrating a £25,000 cash windfall to develop community facilities at the town’s St Mary’s Church.
The grant has been awarded by Carmarthenshire County Council as part of its County Collaboration Fund.
The grant money, along with match funding secured by the church – including over £100,000 of community fundraising – will mean the second phase of the redevelopment of St Mary’s Church can go ahead.
The project, called [email protected], will create a community facility capable of seating 500 people.
It will provide a centre for music and arts as well as a place for social gathering.
The County Collaboration Fund supports voluntary community groups, registered charities, and town, rural and community councils, on projects to improve community facilities, physical environments, parks and play areas.
Funds are being made available through a partnership approach with a selection of other significant funding providers within the county.
Reverend Paul Davies, Vicar of Burry Port, said: “As chairman of the St Mary’s Burry Port Campaign I am overjoyed and delighted to have been awarded £25,000 from the county council towards the [email protected] project.
“We are all extremely grateful to Carmarthenshire County Council for partnering us in this venture which will contribute so much to this town.
“In the past decade Burry Port has seen huge growth and transformation, rising to its present status as the third largest town in the county.
“Much of the development has, however, been on the edge of the town. It is imperative that this development is matched in the centre which is still quite run down and scruffy.”
He added: “[email protected] is a project to establish a stunning community centre in Burry Port‘s principal building and icon – the parish church.
“The reordered church will provide a sense of place at the centre of this town which will be a home for many community organizations, a focus for music and the arts as well as being a place of information and welcome for everyone at the town’s centre.
“It is hoped the project will help to establish a heart at the centre of this rapidly growing community and a focus of unity for the town.”
Councillor Clive Scourfield, executive board member for regeneration, said: “We are committed to helping people regenerate their local communities, and it was a pleasure to approve this grant funding, which will be well spent on providing deserved community facilities at the heart of Burry Port.”
For further information about the County Collaboration Fund visit www.carmarthenshire.gov.uk/communityregenerationandgrants or call the Community Bureau on 01269 590216.
The bureau provides up-to-date information, help, expertise and support about funding opportunities in the county.
