Yr Aelwyd – Antur Stiniog: much more than just ‘bike paths’

The story doesn’t start in a building or at an event, but with the voice and vision of the community.

During the Covid-19 period, Research was published on behalf of Cwmni Bro Ffestiniog entitled 'Roads Forward, Empowering Restanza in a quarrying valley.’ The report discussed the idea of Restanza – a simple yet powerful idea: that the adventure lays in the staying, and in the community, not in the leaving in search of success.

Staying and investing in your community, be that an investment of time, capital or love. Staying, collaborating, and jointly developing a better place for everyone. Not moving away to seek wealth and new options, but creating these opportunities in your area.

This vision needed somewhere to take root and grow – and as it happened, the solution was right there in the centre of town. A valuable, yet closed asset: Yr Aelwyd. A building rich in history, having been home to the Salvation Army, a dance hall, a community cinema, and more recently home to Yr Urdd.

When the local committee, which had been running the centre voluntarily for decades, came to Antur Stiniog to ask for support, the potential was obvious. Aelwyd yr Urdd was an opportunity to answer the call – to create a space where young people could enjoy, imagine and dream, again within their own community.

So Antur Stiniog bought the building, with the aim of transforming it into a vibrant community centre once more.

It’s important to remember that this isn’t a stand alone project, but part of a wider vision of ‘cymunedoli’ - use assets for everyone’s benefit through community ownership. Through their successful cycling initiative, Antur Stiniog generates profits that are re-invested locally – the money continues to circulate within the community, contributing to the purchase and development of other assets such as social spaces, businesses or homes.

Cwmni Bro undertook community engagement work during its development, from open days and sharing opinions, to a young people’s worker supporting the young people to share their hopes and vision and decide how money is spent on assets. 

Today, the Aelwyd’s doors are open again – beautifully and sustainably refurbished, and the young people and the wider community deserve nothing less. From the sustainable heating system to the welcoming colours, the space reflects the energy of the people who use it.

Yr Aelwyd is now bustling with community activities – from children’s parties filled with laughter to yoga and Tai Chi classes. Enterprises within the Bro Ffestiniog Network regularly use the space, including sessions by Y Dref Werdd who run a chatting club for older people, and Chic Blaenau which welcomes over 130 children each week! It’s lovely to see young people having a place to socialise, belong, grow and thrive and take pride in the asset and ownership of it.

Yr Aelwyd’s potential is huge, and its future is being shaped by the people who are part of it every day.
Although it’s been a long journey, this is a living example of Restanza in action – proof that the adventure really lies in staying in the area and working together for a better future.