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The Diocese of
St. Asaph

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New £1m Community Centre opens in Pensarn

 

Six years of fundraising and £1m later, a new community centre in Pensarn, Abergele offering meeting rooms, IT lessons and even a bistro is now up and running.

The Bishop of St Asaph opened Canolfan Dewi Sant on 7 March.
It’s been built on the site of the former St David’s Church and as well as a new worship area, the centre has a large hall, meeting rooms and a kitchen capable of catering for 100 people.

Rina Lingham cuts the ribbon with Archdeacon Shirley and Bishop Gregory

IT classes will now begin for those seeking employment, while the hall has a semi-sprung floor to accommodate dance lessons.

The Venerable Shirley Griffiths, Archdeacon of Wrexham was heavily involved in the project during her time as vicar of Abergele and St George. She hosted Monday’s launch event and said:

“With Pensarn being identified as a deprived area we hope that the building will provide an impetus for the regeneration of the whole area.”

Before Bishop Gregory Cameron declared the new facility open, Rina Lingham, 96, cut the ribbon at the front doors. She has been a member of St David’s Church for years and helped with the fundraising.

On top of money raised locally, grants also came from the Big Lottery People and Places Fund, the Welsh Assembly’s Community Activities and Facilities Programme, WREN, Conwy Council and other grant making bodies.

Councillor Jean Stubbs is Vice-Chair of the Canolfan Dewi Sant Centre Committee and gave her reaction on behalf of the community. She said:

“I can’t describe how pleased I am.

“I think we have something for everyone and the response from local residents has been really positive - now we just have to use it!”

On top of being state of the art, the Canolfan Dewi Sant Centre is eco-friendly and groups or individuals can book the building by calling Mrs Barbara Pilley on 01745 823534.

 

Send your news of events - forthcoming and recently enjoyed - to the Diocesan Communications Officer, Phil Topham. The news pages of the website include Bishop Gregory's mailing to clergy, a Calendar of forthcoming events, news of activities around the Diocese and a link to the Diocesan newsletter, Teulu Asaph. Use the column on the right to navigate around these pages.

 

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