Local charity raising awareness of support available

Montgomeryshire Community Regeneration Association (MCRA), which has an impressive history of supporting activities and organisations across the area, is looking for new users of its facilities and trustees to join its ranks. 

Established over a century ago, MCRA has played a pivotal part in delivering programmes of activity, and building community facilities.

Supported by the Davies family of Llandinam, the organisation has built village halls across Montgomeryshire over the years, created a County Music Festival and developed an impressive music service for young people - to name just a few of their projects. 

In 1967, the MCRA opened what was then called the Davies Memorial Gallery in Newtown. It is still owned by MCRA but is now run under a lease by Oriel Davies.

In 2000, Plas Dolerw, also in Newtown, was added to the property portfolio which remains the operational hub of MCRA, providing low-rent permanent office accommodation for voluntary organisations, as well as meeting rooms for hire.

In 2016, MCRA supported a local group wishing to take over Newtown Textile Museum and, after several years, the Museum obtained, as was always planned, charitable status in their own right.

With the intention of bringing together key individuals and organisations in Powys to look at specific issues, MCRA also organises annual lectures and conferences which have proven effective vehicles for kick-starting further conversations and changes across a wide range of topics affecting Montgomeryshire.

MCRA is now planning to look at new projects and is keen to respond to the changes and challenges faced by the area.

“We live a in very different world now, to even just a few years ago,” said David Hall, MCRA Chair.

“As an organisation we need to be thinking of new ways of working and what our priorities and plans will be going forward. We are therefore hoping to welcome new people to join us and help guide MCRA during this time of crucial change.”

If you are involved with a charitable organisation and would like to meet at Dolerw or hire an office please contact MCRA.

MCRA is eager to expand the Board of Trustees and is looking for people with new ideas and lots of enthusiasm who are keen to explore how the organisation can develop. 

Any interested organisation or individuals are warmly encouraged to contact Clair Stevens, MCRA’s Company Secretary.

Clair can be reached on 01686 621777 or via email at mcra-dolerw@talk21.com . Further details on MCRA are featured on the website www.plasdolerw.org.uk

PICTURE: A generic view overlooking the Severn Valley taken by Brad Carr.