Community takes over old school

A Ceredigion village will own the keys to its village school this week after years of campaigning and fundraising.

It’s been 16 years since Ysgol Gymunedol Cribyn closed its doors, pupil numbers having fallen to single numbers.

“It was a sad time” said Euros Lewis, leader of the school's regeneration project.

“It was a very difficult time - seeing such a vibrant Welsh-speaking community losing one service after another. And losing young families more than anything.”

But despite the challenges and difficulties, the people of Cribyn did not lose heart. Drawing representatives of all local organisations together they formed ‘Cymdeithas Clotas’ - a sort of community parliament – with the specific aim of countering the negative effects of the school’s closure.

“Our focus was maintaining the community’s innate and inclusive creative and educational energy - the thing that makes a village a place that’s alive rather than just somewhere to live in,” said Euros.

Similarly, following the social stasis brought about by Covid the community of Cribyn responded positively once again.

Alan Henson, chair of the school initiative, said: “Everything was at a standstill. Something needed to be done!

“And that unanimous 'something' was to persuade Ceredigion County Council to sell the school whilst simultaneously raising the money needed to buy and renovate it.

“And here we are – exactly two years later - with the school not only owned by the community but ready to operate as a centre of such a high standard for the benefit of one and all.”

Of course, children will not be returning to Ysgol Cribyn for their daily, formal education.

But with the appointment of a young teacher - Bethan Eynon-Stobbs - as Education and Community Officer it is clear that education will once again be central to the school’s work

Euros Lewis added: “As we welcome in-coming families to Cribyn, it is essential that we use all the educational resources of the area - its stories and songs, its sayings and verses, its natural habitats and wild life – to help them take root and flourish within the surroundings of our mutually caring Welsh way of life.”

But re-opening the school will not be the only cause for celebration in Cribyn, according to Euros.

“Ever since we started turning this ambition into a reality there’s been a fundamental change in the community’s mindset. Where, previously, there was a grudging acceptance of the loss of services and amenities, now the attitude is 'What are we going to do about it? How can we make a difference? How do we change things for the better?”

One of the changes for the better already taking place is the conversion of part of the school into an affordable home for a local family.

“It’s surely more than a coincidence that new families with young children have recently started to settle in Cribyn again,” says Euros.

“That's a sign that Cribyn is no longer a ‘left behind’ place but one that’s full of energy and purpose. A Welsh-speaking community with a future.”