NEUADD y Farchnad
There is an exciting new venture on the street, where a group has come together to try to buy the Market HALL as a community initiative.
Our vision is to create a multi-purpose space that will be a meeting point for the people of Caernarfon.
We are a group of diverse and enthusiastic people who bring many different things to the table. Business heads, marketing experts, creative practitioners, scientists, theater makers, coordinators, gig organisers. Before any job title, the young people of the area with love for our community - the community that has shaped who we are today - in us.
Coflein
Only as a community venture can NEUADD y Farchnad reach its full potential
Pledge to InvestThe Neuadd will be:
- venue for live music and cultural arts events
- commercial units for local businesses
- welcoming restaurant and café
- a lively market, an accessible space and a constant boost for the community
- a place for local people to access services, information, socialising and support
Neuadd will celebrate the culture and identity of Caernarfon, creating new opportunities for local people to come together – to meet, collaborate, experiment, and share ideas and principles for the benefit of the community.
Caernarfon is a lively and energetic town, and the bustle of Stryd y Plas sums up the values of the people of Dre – independent, local, Welsh, and community flows through it. This is a special opportunity to offer a meeting place for the special community principles of this town – young people, town people, organisations, young businesses and older businesses – anyone with an appetite to share and collaborate.
We have registered the enterprise as a Community benefit Society and we will prepare a formal offer for people to buy shares in the enterprise.
We have received pledges of £14,000 and we are still collecting pledges to show community support for the venture..
In the meantime we are asking people to pledge to buy a share/s in the venture once the formal share offer is launched. This commitment will show other funders and the owners that we are serious. We have a short period to show there is enough interest and our aim is to reach £50,000 of pledges.
Committee Statement NEUADD y Farchnad
It was disappointing to receive notification from the local owners that they had accepted an offer from someone to buy the Market Hall for a price that was 'significantly’’ higher than what we had offered even though that offer was significantly higher than the valuation we had received.
We don't want to give up and want to demonstrate that people's desire would be for the community to own the Neuadd y Farchnad
We are very proud of what we have achieved in a short period of time. It is a pleasure to work with a group of enthusiastic young people
We have
- Established a committee with a majority of young people
- Registered NEUADD y Farchnad as a Community Benefit Society
- Have consulted and secured the support of a number of community and private initiatives/companies
- In the process of securing a grant to buy the building with support from the Welsh Government's Community Resource Grant.
- Have secured a grant and obtained prices for architectural work and consultation with the community
- Produced and distributed leaflets inviting people to express a commitment to invest in the initiative and ensure pledges as the campaign creates momentum
- Strong presence on social media with video clips from young fans
The strydyplas.cymru website has information and an opportunity to support
We are therefore calling on people to show their support by making a pledge that they would support the initiative. This will not be in vain because we have all learned from the experience and hopefully there will be another opportunity to establish a community enterprise.
Whatever happens the vision will be alive and will still be visible on the website. Hopefully this will reflect what the community wants to see in the Neuadd.
Members of the Committee
Selwyn Jones
Huw Bebb
Cai Gruffydd
Buddug Roberts
Rhys Harris
Nia Haf
Deio Owain Huws
Selwyn Jones
Selwyn Jones is a retired architect. He was the organiser of Cymdeithas Tai Eryri from its inception until 1996, he started his architectural firm PenSel Cymunedol. As the name suggests, PenSel focused on community architecture, such as village halls (Rhiwlas, Sarn Mellteyrn, Abergynolwyn, Llanrug, Nefyn etc), and other community resources. By collaborating with community groups PenSel Cymunedol would develop resources that responded to the community's needs and aspirations, in a sustainable and environmentally friendly way.
Sel supports his partner Eirian in running the Palas Print bookshop, and also responsible for running and maintaining buildings 10 on 12 Stryd y Plas.
In his spare time, he is a campaigner for linguistic rights in Wales, and justice and self-determination (self-determination) for everyone, but especially the Palestinian people.
Huw Bebb
Originally from Caernarfon, Huw graduated from Bangor University in Welsh and History 2019. After that, he spent several years working as a journalist in Cardiff before returning home, as he sees his future in Caernarfon. He now works at the Volunteering Center in Mantell Gwynedd, and has also spent time working in community development.
In his free time, Huw is one of the directors of the gig organising company Tin Sardins Cyf and a member of the hip-hop band 3 Tri Hwr Doeth. He sees the Neuadd y Farchnad as a golden opportunity to create something special for Caernarfon, by securing long-term local community.
Cai Gruffydd
Cai grew up in the area and has been part of the local music scene since his school days. As part of the Tin Sardines team, he has been organising and hosting gigs in Caernarfon for several years now. Cai is a business analyst at work with a background in audit and change management.
Buddug Roberts
Buddug Watcyn Roberts is a freelance creative practitioner and doctoral student. With the focus of the doctorate on community theater and co-creation, she spends a large part of her time in the community – listening to the voices of those in the wonderful areas around her, and giving a platform for their ideas and feelings. Originally from the Dyffryn Ogwen area, music and community spaces are core to their upbringing, and she see’s the key importance of community creative spaces as part of the diverse cultures of contemporary Wales.
Rhys Harris
Rhys is a retired accountant, with extensive experience of working with businesses and individuals in the music sector / creative. He was one of the crew that organized the Noson gigs 4 and 6 in Caernarfon, and has close links with individuals who are busy in the rock and folk scene in Wales.
Deio Owain Huws
Deio Huws is a Biomedical Scientist from Caernarfon. He was born and brought up in the area and has seen the Neuadd change and develop over the years. He has an interest in the world of Welsh music and sees a need for a platform to support artists. During his time studying in Cardiff he founded the Siop Llanbleddian website which sells goods by Welsh artists. He is passionate about having a hub in the centre of Caernarfon which will be a haven for all the hustle and bustle of the town.