COMMUNITY groups in Meirionnydd have received tens of thousands of pounds in grant money.

Voluntary and community groups across Gwynedd have received offers worth nearly £300,000 of Cist Gwynedd grant packages over the last few months in order to deliver a variety of local schemes.

Cist Gwynedd is a grant package administered by Gwynedd Council, with support from Mantell Gwynedd, with the aim of supporting plans which will improve the residents, groups and communities’ quality of life in the county.

Several Meirionnydd groups have benefitted from grants of up to five figures including Dyfi Hall, Fifth (Fairbourne Institute for Therapeutic Horsemanship), Dinas Mawddwy Village Hall, OPRA Cymru, Dolgellau Free Library, Friends of Llanbedr Woodland and the Bryncrug Centre.

Dyfi Hall, who have just received a new grant worth £9,648.00, were particularly grateful for the money as they look to renovate the stage hall before this year’s pantomime season.

Des George, chair of Neuadd Dyfi community hall committee said: “We’ve actually received two grants from the volunteer development fund and community investment fund recently so our total was just short of £20k.

“It’s absolutely brilliant as its has allowed us to complete a major refurbishment of our stage, complete with grid and new drapes.

“Rebuilding the stage floor cost £37k which we managed to raise through local fund-raising.

“This included a sprung floor and fireproofing underneath so it can be used for storage.

“It’s been a fantastic community effort and I’d like to thank everyone who has made it possible.”

Cllr Mandy Williams-Davies, Gwynedd Council cabinet member for Economy, said: “There is a range of community and voluntary groups that carry out fantastic work within Gwynedd’s communities.

“It’s great to see numerous groups making the most of the finance available from the Cist Gwynedd fund, and I’m sure that they will use this finance to make a significant difference within their communities and to the lives of residents within the county.”