FESTIVE REFLECTIONS: INVEST LOCAL CHRISTMAS 2018
Whilst most of us were winding down for a relaxing Christmas break over December, many volunteers involved with Invest Local were busy organising festive fun in their areas. Here’s how some of the Invest Local communities celebrated Christmas…
GLYN
GWIL (Glyn Ward Invest Local) helped over forty homeless people and people from insecure households savour a fantastic Christmas Big Lunch, prepared by Sit & Stew and held in a building at the heart of the ward.
Diners also enjoyed raffles, a visit from Santa with a big sack of presents for all ages and a chat with the local mayor, who popped by to say hello.
None of the delicious food went to waste, as Sit & Stew used the leftovers for their night-time soup run.
LLWYNHENDY
Our Llwyhendy held a Christmas Baubble Competition and the children of Brynteg, Brynsierfel, Bynea and Bryn Schools created some amazing craftwork in response.
Our Llwynhendy also hosted a free Christmas Fair with reindeer, Santa, free fair rides and carol singing to celebrate the Christmas lights switch-on. Santa also led a storytime in the library, with help from a little elf
CAERAU
Invest Local Caerau enjoyed a Christmas Parade and lighting of the tree, which featured in the local newspaper. After a lit-up parade to Caerau Square followed by Carols and Christmas Songs, the tree was lit by the winner of our Caerau Christmas Celebrations’ Logo Competition. Afterwards Santa paid a visit to Caerau Development Trust, where children also enjoyed a Christmas Disco.
A popular stocking-filler in Caerau was the Caerau Men’s Shed 2019 calendar.
MAESGEIRCHEN
Invest Local Maesgeirchen have started the New Year with a new name and are now known as ‘MaesNi / Our MaesG’. They asked people at the local Winter Wonderland to rate their place (Maesgeirchen and Tan-y-Bryn) according to what was shown as important to residents during a previous consultation, resulting in this lovely visual:
Top-scoring was a very strong community spirit, strong sense of identity and belonging, strong sense of influence and control and good friends & family/social interactions.
As MaesNi / Our MaesG said of the results: “WHAT A GREAT PLACE!”
If you’d like to be kept updated or get involved with MaesNi / Our MaesG text ‘yes’ to 07990 067245 OR email jess.silvester@mantellgwynedd.com OR follow Invest Local Maesgeirchen’s Facebook page OR pop into the PMP office on a Monday.
PLAS MADOC
We Are Plas Madoc’s weekly Kettle Club got into the festive spirit, making Christmas decorations using recycled bits from The Land. Santa paid a visit to the area, enjoying tea with some local children in Plas Madoc Leisure Centre and meeting others in his grotto at Little Sunflowers garden.
