History of the Centre

The 1st Committee 1973

During the 60s

It was back in the 1960’s when a group of residents from Trecenydd got together and decided to put all their energy into raising money for a Community Centre. Mr & Mrs L Williams (Second Ave), Mr & Mrs D Thomas, Mr & Mrs Adams (First Ave), Mr & Mrs MaHoney (Third Ave), Mr & Mrs G Perrington (West Ave), the Pittman Family (East Ave), Mr & Mrs Fullock (St. Cenydd Road), Mr & Mrs S Ellis and Councillors Ben Thomas and Bert Rowlands and many others, all volunteers and all worked tirelessly to raise funds.
They committee held door to door weekly raffles, held fetes and carnivals on the old factory site called The Welsh Metals now known as Trecenydd Industrial Estate. They put on a Pantomime produced and performed by the already named families. It was called Red Riding Hood and was a complete sell out each time it was put on at the Penyrheol Community Centre, which helped the funding immensely. It is also said that the residents of Trecenydd contributed 10p per week towards the fund. Because of all their hard work the Centre was built in the early 70’s on a piece of land commonly known as The Black Patch, which previously was used as a playground and was home to a council shed (depot for council workmen). The Centre was opened in November 1973 by Councillor Norman Cuthew and it was a popular venue for Wedding Receptions and Private Parties. The management of the time would organise and help to run a Youth Club and discos. In the early 70’s the popular entertainer Max Boyce had one of his first engagements at the centre – needless to say it was a sell out!
In May 1974 the centre was the base for the well established children’s marching Jazz Band called The Trecenydd Royals. Firstly it was trained by Mr Doug and Mrs Avril Hewer and a gentleman known as Dai Bando, in later years Mrs Betty Mahoney took over and kept the band going for 25 years.

openingday

Refurbishment

In January 2010 the Centre was given a £170,000 make over thanks to grants from CCBC, The Welsh Assembly, Church of Wales and the National Lottery which modernised the centre to what it is today. It was re-opened in July 2010 with a re-formed Management Committee.

Today

The present Committee is: Mr Gareth Cole (Chairman), Mrs Elaine Rowlands (Vice Chair), Mrs Brenda Gauci (Treasurer and acting Secretary), Mr D Poxon (Booking Clerk), Mrs L Llewllyn (Bar Manager), Mrs M Clark, Miss S Rowlands, Mrs Ann Godfrey, Mr Peter Godfrey, Mr L Cole, Mrs Martine Whitcombe, Mrs L Paul and Councillor Huw Davies.

Activities held at the centre include Tai-Kwondo classes, Kick Boxing Classes, Youth Club Ladies Bowls Club, Phoenix Club (over 55), Lunch Club (last Thursday of the Month), Sunday night Bingo, Flying Start Childcare (every day), Pop in and Play and parenting network. The Community Centre is also available to hire for Wedding Parties and Children’s Parties.