park street infants school

Free Cookery workshops

by
Above: Limited places due to Covid. Masks to be worn by all participating adults please.
Get in touch now to shape future cookery workshops

Since refurbishing the former Park Street Infants School kitchen in 2016 the Community Centre team has been learning about the need for affordable and healthy meals in the community, and getting to know other local organisations working on the ground.  

During the pandemic lockdown last year, an opportunity arose for the Abergavenny Community Trust to apply to the European Agricultural Fund for Rural Development and the Welsh Government for funds to strengthen local partnerships and widen access to nutritious food and cooking skills at a neighbourhood level.  The application was successful, and on top of the activities already underway, we are organising a series of ‘hands-on’ cooking sessions, starting this month with a festive theme for Families. [See above]

The focus of workshops next year is to grow confidence in using cookery skills/methods/techniques common to a lot of different meals – helping to improve nutrition, avoid waste and helping budgets stretch. These free workshops will be aimed widely across the population and will touch on bespoke nutritional needs over a lifetime.  

Please contact us if you’d like more information, and to book your places.

Note: Numbers are strictly limited due to the coronavirus pandemic.

Chef, Elaine Blanchard who leads the ACC food team and workshop facilitation

Ways to CONTACT us:

Community Kitchen on 07564016574 or 07751666481, 07821627038, or, leave a short, clear message on the kitchen landline where your call will be returned – (01873) 856 925 Thanks!

https://www.facebook.com/aberfoodnet

Email: aber.hub@gmail.com; maryabercomcen@gmail.com, or private message us https://www.facebook.com/aberfoodnet

Marion Pearse

Cooking For Life

by

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

Things we did earlier 2007/08

by

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.

It is our hope to relocate the film.

(Posted Feb 2021)