NEWS

Cooking For Life

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Coming together to grow, prepare and share food is second nature to many, and because every person needs it, food-sharing plays a big role in the life of the Abergavenny Community Centre, where simple things in life still matter. 

In a small way we are doing what we can to foster sustainable behaviour: the kitchen team cooks from scratch using produce that’s grown or raised nearby, and puts to good use any excess produce coming our way. Also, the community kitchen, itself, is creating new possibilities for more of us to benefit from the rich source of goodwill and skills present in fellow residents.  The combination of existing skills and a need for basic skills has inspired a series of hands-on cooking activities next year, aimed at keeping skills and knowhow in action through the hands of ordinary people. Could your skills and passion for your craft, help bring our aspirations to life?  

In the meantime while we get ready, if you shop in TESCO there is something that you can do to help our mission to get people cooking again. From October until the end of the year you’ll notice that the Abergavenny Community Centre is one of the three good causes which shoppers can choose to support through the blue tokens scheme.  Why not pop a token in all three and you’ll be helping residents to build more resourceful and compassionate communities into the future.  Thank you.

To find out more and to keep in touch via email, social media platforms, or visit www.localgiving.org and search for Abergavenny Community Trust.  MORE to follow about our ‘Back to Basics’ cookery sessions in the FOCUS Magazine next month – or come back to the website ‘Things To Do’ page from time to time. Thanks.


Are you the experienced Company Secretary that Abergavenny Community Centre is seeking to support its Board of Trustees?

If you share our values and have excellent administrative skills, please contact us for an informal chat.  

Marion Pearse – aber.hub@gmail.com

Co-Founder, Abergavenny Community Centre Registered Charity No. 1177133

Dance Week

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Monday & Thursday – Jelly Tots*

Tuesday & Wednesday 6+yrs

** Jelly Tots’ on Monday and Thursday ** Please contact Mary on the Email above or by ringing us on the number above for details of the JELLY TOTS sessions at 1pm and 1.50 Places limited.

Summer Of Play

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*NEW* TOM FISHER MUSIC WORKSHOPS – Wednesdays during the holidays at Abergavenny Community Centre

‘Pop up musical and singing workshops for children and young people to start Wednesday’s off with some musical fun! There’ll be conga, bongos, and ukulele demonstrations as part of the session, with a range of percussion instruments provided for the children to experience.‘

The community centre has become known as a place where people of all ages mix – making vital connections and strengthening community ties. 

Over the Summer break, while holiday activities are taking place, we will continue to hold our popular lunches, chair exercise and coffee morning because we know just how important it is to keep bringing people together to socialise.  

Supporting families is another vital part of what goes on at the Centre and following on last year’s successful family outdoor play sessions, the programme in August is branching out to include music, art and dance.  

We are grateful to the Abergavenny Town Council, The Davies Charities, The People’s Postcode Lottery ‘Magic little grant’ for grants recieved, and private donors for boosting the Trust’s funds, enabling the Centre to offer these enrichment opportunities to more local families this Summer. 

If you would like to get behind us, it’s simple to make an online donation now by going to localgiving.org and typing Abergavenny Community Trust in the search bar.  To get to know more about the community centre and how we work, please visit the fundraising page or www.abergavennycc.org Thank you.   

Chair Exercises

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Please speak to Mary on 0782 1627 038 if you have any questions or would like to book

New vacancy for charity [closed 24/5/21]

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Following enquiries from people interested in a part-time opportunity, trustees have agreed to consider applications from people wishing to work less than the 34 hours advertised.
If you would like to apply for the post on a part-time basis, please let us know when applying how many hours you could work and when you would be available.
For an information pack & application form, please email secretaryaberct@gmail.com – NB the closing date for applications is May 24th at 9am.


Abergavenny Community Trust, which runs the Community Centre off Merthyr Road, is investing in the future as it looks forward to the Centre reopening as restrictions are eased throughout May 2021.

Thanks to a grant from the Welsh-based Moondance Foundation, the Centre Manager’s role will be supported, allowing time to prioritise identifying how the Charity can support recovery from the pandemic by listening to community members and by developing co-operative approaches to address needs that are identified.       

Trustees are recruiting a new team member to help with the day-to-day running of the Community Centre initially for twelve months. They are looking for somebody who relates well to a wide range of people, is versatile, can work flexibly and shares their commitment to social justice, equality and inclusion with an enthusiasm for community-led social and environmental action.

Although the Community Centre has remained closed since Christmas, this time has not been wasted. Funding was raised for physical improvements both inside and in the grounds, and for innovative ways of reaching some former users and for outdoor play activities.  A team of garden volunteers has worked throughout the pandemic and there have been some changes in the grounds including hedge planting and the creation of a wildflower meadow on part of the former playgrounds.

A Welsh Government Circular Economy grant of £27k will be invested in more improvements and the Centre is to host a Library of Things funded by Monmouthshire County Council. 

Trustees are also looking to strengthen their governance arrangements in the areas of charity accounting and human resources. They would be very interested in hearing from people, with expertise in these two areas, who would be willing to give some time as co-opted members of the Trust’s Finance Committee which meets six times a year.

Anyone interested in learning more about the vacancy for the Assistant Centre Manager or about volunteering to support the Finance Committee is invited to contact the Secretary to the Trustees at secretaryaberct@gmail.com. The closing date for applications for the  vacancy is May 24th.

Coffee Morning goes ONLINE

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In more typical times, Friday Coffee Mornings are characterised by a
rush of activity – the smell of coffee brewing; the taste of home-baked
goodies; and the sound of busy chatter. We miss that Friday feeling, a
lot.

Now, almost a year since the Pandemic broke into our daily lives,
we have taken the coffee morning on-line in an endeavour to keep the
spirit of Fridays alive until we can meet again together under one roof.


The activity is open to anyone who can access the internet, and Elaine is
here to answer queries about the weekly programme and take you
through the steps that will allow you to join in as we explore our town
and surrounds through the gifts, skills and interests of people living here.

You are very welcome to come, and please do not hesitate to get in
touch.


(The online coffee morning has been made possible with financial assistance
from the Integrated Care Fund, administered by Gwent Association
of Voluntary Organisations. The charity is grateful for the new challenges
and opportunities it brings.)