Vale Makerspace Supports Local Wargames Society to Mark 50 Years of Community Creativity
A long-established local hobby group is celebrating a major milestone this May, with support from the Vale of Glamorgan Council’s innovative Library Makerspace service.
Penarth and District Wargames Society (PDWS), which has been part of the Vale community for over 50 years, will mark its anniversary on Saturday 9 May.
The celebration also highlights the important role the Council’s Makerspace facilities have played in supporting the group’s activities in recent years – both in Penarth and Barry Libraries.
Since opening in 2022, Penarth Library Makerspace has become a regular hub for PDWS members, who were among the first to make use of the facility.
The group continues to utilise the space’s specialist equipment, including laser cutters and 3D printers, to design and create custom terrain and miniature figures for tabletop gaming.
The relationship has grown into a strong example of how the Council is continuing to support local groups to develop, collaborate and share skills with the wider community.
With the ongoing support of Makerspace facilities, PDWS members have delivered a series of interactive tabletop gaming sessions for children and families during school holidays.
These sessions have combined storytelling, creativity and hands-on play, helping to introduce younger audiences to new hobbies while making use of the Makerspace environment.
Vale of Glamorgan Council’s library service continues to evolve as dynamic community hubs, offering far more than traditional book lending.
Services such as Makerspaces provide access to modern tools, foster creativity, and enable collaboration between diverse groups to enable lifelong learning and community connection.
Jordan Forse, Libraries and Cultural Services Manager, said: “It’s fantastic to see how our Makerspace facilities are helping local groups like Penarth and District Wargames Society to thrive.
“Reaching 50 years is a remarkable achievement, and their continued enthusiasm highlights the lasting value of community-led creativity.
Through initiatives like this, we’re able to provide spaces where people can develop new skills, share their expertise and connect with others. We’re proud to support projects that inspire learning, innovation and bring people of all ages together across the Vale.”