Six organisations set to receive £5,400 in community grants

Six organisations have successfully met the criteria for funding through the council's October Community Grant Scheme, supporting projects ranging from Christmas meals for vulnerable residents to community transport, local heritage and cultural events.

The grants form part of the town council's ongoing financial support for local organisations delivering services, activities and events for residents.

Among those recommended for funding is Hub of Hope, which is set to receive £1,000 towards its annual Christmas Day meals for elderly, vulnerable and isolated people.

In its application, the organisation said: "For the past 36 years, we have been providing and delivering hot meals on Christmas Day for vulnerable, isolated and elderly people, the majority of whom are unable to provide this themselves and would otherwise spend Christmas Day alone."

It added: "For some people, it’s not just the meal that matters but the company. We don’t just provide a meal, but human contact, which also checks in on their wellbeing, as usual services do not operate on Christmas Day."

The project is expected to benefit around 150 people.

Newtown and District Dial-a-Ride is also recommended to receive £1,000 towards replacing and improving essential IT and office equipment used to administer its community transport services.

The organisation said it was seeking support towards "the replacement and improvement of essential IT and office equipment used in the administration and delivery of our community transport services."

The improvements are expected to benefit more than 200 people.

Another £1,000 is earmarked for Ysgol Dafydd Llwyd to support celebrations marking 25 years of the school and Welsh-medium education in Newtown.

The anniversary will be marked with a special event at Theatr Hafren on 20 November, featuring performances and contributions from current and former pupils, staff and the wider community.

The school's application states: "The event will include narrative and performances from current and past pupils and staff, and also the wider community. It will also include visual and recorded material previously unseen."

It said the celebrations would "provide a lasting record of local history and Welsh culture in Newtown for the long term benefit for the community."

Heritage Hub 4 Mid Wales is recommended to receive £1,000 towards a Laura Ashley Legacy Exhibition, celebrating the heritage of the internationally recognised designer whose business has strong historical connections with Newtown.

The Women's Section of the Royal British Legion is set to receive £400 towards purchasing a replacement standard and gold tassels.

The existing standard is more than 80 years old and continues to be used at Remembrance services, funerals, schools and other commemorative events.

Its application explains: "The standard is paraded annually at Remembrance Services, funerals and is taken into schools to promote the concept of Remembrance."

It adds that the standard has also been taken to residential care homes and World Peace Day services.

The council has also recommended £1,000 for Razem Together to organise a Santa Experience as part of its Christmas Across Cultures event in Newtown.

The event will include a Santa's grotto and free Christmas presents for up to 50 children.

According to the application, the event will take place at the Catholic Church but is "non religious, open to all in Newtown and aspires to bring people of all cultures together in the town."

The town council operates several rounds of community grant funding throughout the year, allowing local organisations to apply for financial assistance towards projects that benefit Newtown and Llanllwchaiarn residents.

The October applications total £5,400, with council officers confirming that sufficient funding remains within the overall grants budget to meet all six requests.

However, a transfer of £2,552 between grant budget categories will be required to cover the payments.

Two further applications did not meet the scheme's criteria.

The Newtown Committee Appeal for the National Eisteddfod Maldwyn Meirionnydd 2027 had applied for support towards community engagement and fundraising activities ahead of next year's festival, but had not provided the required supporting documentation.

Newtown Community Café also applied for funding to improve kitchen flooring at Newtown Bowling Club, where it operates twice a week. However, the application did not meet the requirement for the premises owner or long-term leaseholder to apply, and some supporting documents were missing.

Council officers have recommended that the six eligible applications be noted for payment, with the necessary budget transfer to be considered by the council.

If all six grants are paid, just £33 will remain in the current overall community grants budget.