Marion Pearse, Author at Abergavenny Community Centre

People & Places

6 January 202524 June 2020 by Marion Pearse

We are Custodians of a community resource: an asset held in trust by the charity, for the long term benefit of residents living in and around the Welsh market town of Abergavenny. We are community builders and this is the unfolding story of our experience and local involvement in a story where local people have chosen to be active participants in shaping and removing obstacles to [or making ways to access] fundamental things that matter to all of us – food, shelter, health, education, culture, community and care.

Building elevation taken from Park Street

Abergavenny Community Centre resides in the former Park Street Infants School which is nestled in a residential area just a short distance from the town centre. (The Grofield Ward)

After a decade of telling the story and bringing people with us, in 2015 the local authority and the Trust entered into a 3 year lease. In 2019 the process of entering into a 25 year lease began.

We refer to these first few years since opening as the ‘foundation period’

Over decades, many skilled people have worked voluntarily on the community plan.

Resident Marion Pearse & Cllr Douglas Edwards Esq

Late, Laurie Jones [the indominable & true warrior] Laurie’s other legacy is the Community Orchard & Gardens in Mill Street. Forever remembered.

Many minds and hands over decades

Where it all began (a building ‘surplus to requirements’)

This flyer was distributed around town in 2005. The questions remain as relevant to the future as they were then, and are now. (NB: When we called upon the Pledges a decade later, we raised £6000 to begin the next phase. Local action for local people.

Our ambition was finally realised in 2014 when the County Council agreed to lease the building to the Trust on a short term (3 yr) basis. In 2018 following agreement at a full cabinet meeting, the wheels were set in motion for a 25 yr lease on the building & upper grounds.

Together Under One Roof – 2013

1 April 202128 February 2020 by Marion Pearse

Behind every photo there is someone else’s perspective

The future is local

6 January 20253 February 2020 by Marion Pearse

In 2010 we held an event on the school car park. We set out our stall, and by using interesting ways to capture views, we asked a lot of questions. Your feedback, then, helped enormously to shape and inform the commuity centre vision, and your presence boosted our determination to push on with the plan to hold onto a community building for future generations.

In 2006 we glimpsed at possibilities in the future

Created in 2010 to show how our daily needs are an inseperable part of the bigger local ‘resilience’ picture, if only we could adapt / adopt different daily practices. The Charity has identified simple ways to include more of us in that ‘food chain’ dilemma and is making it practical and achievable for our combined actions to contribute to a thriving local environment and economy.

Created in 2010 – and still the same plan on the ground, today

Things we did earlier 2007/08

6 January 20257 January 2020 by Marion Pearse

In 2008 we made a film about ourselves

We advertised the film widely and through the local press. Approximately 80 people came to see the film and listen to us as we explained why we felt that ‘community-ownership’ was both necessary, and achievable.

Funding for the film was the combination of private donations and a grant from UNLtd, the social enterprise that supports social entrepreneurs. The film was made by Rob Fairlee supported by Marion Pearse [unltd award winner] and Liz Barnet provided the narative.