Organisations "sing" for their supper
A range of local organisations "sang" for their supper during a special event hosted by Vale of Glamorgan Council Leader Cllr Margaret Alexander.
As part of the event at the Barry Town Hall exhibition gallery, during which grant cheques were presented to around 20 organisations, Cllr Alexander invited representatives to highlight their activities.
Grants were presented to organisations ranging from the St John Ambulance Brigade, who will be completing major improvements to their Barry HQ at Gladstone Gardens, to community centres wishing to buy new tables and chairs.
All the organisations highlighted the importance of continued support from the council, with Len Prigg, of the Penarth Horticultural Society, admitting that, without its grant, "our annual show just wouldn’t go on."
Community associations and centres acknowledged the council's commitment to their activities, and paid tribute to the support of community development officer Sian Vaughan.
Extending her thanks to a wide range of voluntary organisations across the area for their work, Cllr Alexander said: "The council is very appreciative of the efforts, activities and projects promoted by such a wide range of community and voluntary groups.
"We know what great work they do within their communities with help, advice, information, entertainment and enjoyment."
During the current financial year, the council has distributed some £92,550 to around 150 organisations including charities, sports and lifesaving clubs, music, arts and theatre groups, community organisations and youth facilities.
Organisations receiving awards were: Music in the Vale, Council for Music in Hospitals, Vale District Sports Council, St Athan, Castleland (Barry), St Nicholas (Barry), Rhoose and district, Llancarfan and district, Victoria Park (Barry) community associations, St John, Aberthin Community Village Hall, Penmark Village Centre, Barry 1st Responders, Barry Sea Cadets (TS Cossack), Penarth District Girl Guiding, Vale Best Kept Village, Vale of Glamorgan Railway, Penarth Horticultural Society, Wales Council for the Blind, Live Music Now Wales and Bombastic.
Presenting awards were Cllr Alexander and cabinet colleagues Cllrs Neil Moore, Rob Curtis, Stuart Egan, Margaret Wilkinson, Chris Williams, Gwyn John, Margaret Randall and Val Hartrey.
The whole programme was enhanced by a harp recital by 17-year-old Marged Hall, a pupil at Ysgol Gyfun Bro Morgannwg. A member of the National Youth Orchestra of Great Britain, Marged also plays piano and is a singer. A regular performer at the annual Music in the Vale competition for the last four years, Marged last year received a trophy as the most promising musician resident in the Vale.
Caption: Some 150 organisations have been supported to an amount of £92,550 by the Vale of Glamorgan Council during the current financial year, with a number being represented at a special presentation evening at the Barry Town Hall Exhibition Space.