30/08/12
We have a new website – www.saithseren.org.uk – which includes ‘what’s on etc’.
saithseren.com will remain on line for a while – but will not be updated.
Contact Saith Seren on:
01978 447 006
On 25th January 2012, Canolfan Gymraeg Wrecsam successfully opened the doors of Saith Seren, Wrecsam’s own Welsh Centre.
Thanks to the generosity and commitment of the investors in our first Community Share Issue which closed on 31st December 2011, we were able to raise the capital needed to enter into a 21 year lease of the property from our Landlord, Clwyd Alyn Housing Association, who have worked with us and their contractors Harley and Clarke to repair and refurbish the ground floor trading area, which now looks fantastic. The beer is excellent, the food scrumptious and the atmosphere gives a real Welsh welcome to all.
We now employ Centre Manager Amanda Hughes, a Senior Centre Supervisor, two General Assistants two chefs and a cleaner. Creating six jobs and possibly more in the near future is a real achievement in the current economic climate and one we should all be proud of as well as meeting our main objective of providing a friendly multi-purpose community and social facility for supporters, learners and speakers of the Welsh language and culture. Saith Seren is truly a place where the people of Wrecsam can meet and enjoy each other’s company in warm and welcoming surroundings.
The next Phase of the refurbishment of Saith Seren is due to start in a few weeks time once building regulation and listed building consent have been obtained. This involves converting the first floor of the building into classrooms/meeting rooms for community use and offices which we hope to let to organisations with similar aims and objectives to our own. The refurbishment work includes the installation of a separate entrance, stairs and a lift to the first floor which will be located in the entrance hall to the old Empire Cinema building to the rear of Saith Seren. We hope that Harley and Clarke will complete the Phase 2 works by the end of June.
Canolfan Gymraeg Wrecsam is committed to contribute towards the cost of conversion work on the first floor as well as meeting the cost of fitting out the offices and meeting rooms. We also need to procure the services of the project manager who successfully delivered Phase 1 of the project. This will ensure that Phase 2 is also completed on time and within budget. Further improvements to the ground floor accommodation and fittings are also likely to be identified as our customers and members tell us what they want from the Saith Seren experience.
In order to complete Phase 2, we intend to launch a second community share issue at the end of February to raise the capital to meet the above objectives and we hope that once again our community will buy shares and become members of the co-operative. If you become an investor, you will have a real opportunity to have your say and influence the way in which the Centre is managed, the satisfaction of knowing that you have contributed towards making the project happen and you should even receive a return on your investment in due course.
Once again we intend to offer shares with a minimum holding of £100 per person and a maximum holding of £20,000. If you are seriously interested in seeing the Saith Seren project completed and watching it grow into a thriving Welsh Community Centre, please sign a pledge indicating the amount of shares you might consider purchasing. A pledge is not legally binding but it does give us an idea of how much money we might expect to raise towards Phase 2.
Click here to make a pledge.
