PENPARCAU Community Forum received a timely Christmas gift as the Welsh Government announced they will be awarded almost half a million pounds.

After months of campaigning, PCF, a voluntary community organisation which replaced the Welsh Government’s Communities First programme, were officially told they would be receiving £490,000 of funding from the Welsh Government’s Community Facilities Programme to develop the boxing club into a multipurpose community centre.

PCF’s Dylan Jones welcomed the news and paid tribute to the hard work and community spirit of volunteers and the people of Penparcau.

Mr Jones said: “Clearly, the forum is delighted with the success of the great deal of hard work in pulling together grants that will provide outstanding facilities for the community, particularly for the youth and young people."

See next week’s south editions for the full story