One of Mid Wales’ largest art galleries situated in the heart of Newtown is offering all comers a warm welcome this winter by offering free activities for everyone.
Oriel Davies Gallery is one of the five groups in Powys that welcomed the New Year with new grants to support their work thanks to The National Lottery Community Fund.
The gallery celebrates the talents of artists, musicians and performers across Wales received a £9,134 grant to help with its Croeso Cynnes/Warm Welcome creative programme running through the first few wintry months of 2024.
Kate Morgan-Clare, the gallery’s creative producer, said: “You don’t need to have a reason to come to Oriel Davies to spend time and keep warm – just come in, make yourself comfortable and let staff know if you need any help. Activities are free, bookable or drop-in.
“Workshops, movement sessions, daytime and evening music, storytelling and dance performances and community get-togethers will be on offer, and everyone is welcome.
“We have exhibitions to see and a cafe with underfloor heating. You’re welcome to sit in here as long as you like. We have an accessible, gender-neutral toilet. We provide warm fleece blankets made from 100 per cent recycled material.
"You are welcome to bring your own portable devices to charge them and use our wi-fi for free. We will share all the activities on our What’s On page.”
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Meanwhile Builth Wells Outdoor Bowling Club is planning to address climate change and their heating bills by using £9,999 to install solar panels on the clubhouse roof and change all lighting to LED.
Rob Wall, club captain, said: “We’re delighted that The National Lottery Community Fund was able to support our project and as our centenary year draws to a close, this will benefit our members in the years to come.
“Thanks must go to National Lottery players for making our project possible. It will help to greatly reduce our energy cost which will benefit our bowlers and all the other users of our bowling club. The work has already started and will be completed by Christmas.”
Accessibility Powys Ltd received £9,700 to support people with disabilities who are experiencing problems with access to built environment. It will also provide advice and travel to relevant sites to assess what is needed to be done.
Berriew Community Centre in Welshpool will use £10,000 to make improvements to the centre, offering an improved facility for 2024.
With a £9,735 grant, L’Arche Brecon are building on the pilot scheme and create a volunteer befriending scheme for people with learning disabilities.
Alice, who helps at L’Arche Brecon, said: “I only planned to come for a year - as a lot of people do, but I fell in love with the community and that is why I stayed. I found a family here, friendships, a sense of community and relationship.”
Andrew Owen, Head of Funding at The National Lottery Community Fund in Wales, said: “Thanks to National Lottery players, community groups across Powys will be able to take advantage of different community activities paid for by grants. The National Lottery awards over £30 million a week to good causes across the UK.
“We hope other groups will be inspired by the plans underway in Brecon, Builth and Newtown and consider applying for a grant for their own communities during 2024.”
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