ABERYSTWYTH’S new bandstand and fire station were officially opened by a Welsh Government Minister today.

The Cabinet Secretary for Communities and Children, Carl Sargeant AM, spent the morning on Aberystywth Promenade, where, along with Ceredigion County Council chairman Cllr Dai Mason, officially opened the town’s new £1.2m bandstand.

The new bandstand was made possible with the help of £571,000 of Welsh Government regeneration funding, and the Mr Sargeant paid tribute to the “resilience” of the people of Aberystwyth following the devastating 2014 storms.

Mr Sargeant said: “I am delighted to mark the official opening of the Aberystwyth Bandstand. I visited here twice in 2014 in the aftermath of the January storms.

“The storms devastated the promenade and made the headlines across the world. It is fantastic to return and be part of such a positive event and marking the resilience of the community.

“I am pleased the Welsh Government has been able to contribute £571,000 of Regeneration funding towards this project.

“This is an important scheme made possible as a result of strong partnership working between the Welsh Government, the local authority and the wider community.”

Mr Sargeant moved on to Aberystwyth Fire Station in the afternoon to officially open the new station alongside Mid and West Wales Fire and Rescue Service chief fire officer Chris Davies.