Latest news with #BridgendTownCouncil
Yahoo
23-05-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Review carried out over use of popular Bridgend arts centre
Bridgend Town Council has published a feasibility study looking at options for the future of a Grade II-listed town centre building. Carnegie House, in Bridgend town centre, is more than 100 years old and was previously used as a public library as well as Bridgend Town Council's chamber and staff offices. It was first acquired by the town council in 2014 after a community asset transfer from Bridgend County Borough Council. It was later refurbished with a series of grants from the Heritage Lottery and the Arts Council of Wales and is currently used as an arts and cultural hub where a range of classes, talks, and exhibitions take place. However the recently-published report said since the Covid-19 pandemic hit attendance at the centre has dropped. For the latest Bridgend news sign up to our newsletter here. READ MORE: School put in lockdown over water pistol READ MORE: Tesco customers now have to push a button to access one product This was said to have had a "knock-on effect on income", putting additional strain on the town council's finances as it subsidises the arts centre in order to keep it open. The feasibility study has since been carried out to establish "how the building can be put to best use within the confines of the agreed community uses". Findings came from a mixture of interviews with key stakeholders and residents and showed there was strong community support for the building with almost 600 people responding to a survey. These responses showed interest in expanding what Carnegie House has to offer with things such as film nights, musical shows, themed evenings, and heritage exhibitions. It also highlighted a need to improve the promotion and advertising of such events. A consultation over the design of the building discussed the potential for physical enhancements at the site with a possibility to look at increasing the capacity of the building's main hall on the ground floor from 60 to 220 people. This would also see the Bridgend and District History Society relocated to an office on the first floor with the former council chamber transformed in to a multi-purpose space. Other changes from the proposals included improved toilets, storage, heating, and fire escapes as well as an "atrium or glass entrance to improve visibility". The report read: "The proposals aim to revitalise the venue by improving accessibility, increasing audience capacity, and removing physical barriers to engagement. "While modifications to a Grade II-listed building require careful consideration the proposed interventions have been designed to minimise heritage impact while ensuring Carnegie House remains a viable cultural hub." It added costs for the proposals could be between £468,000 and £550,000 though a further estimate said if the site eventually lived up to its potential it could generate just shy of £140,000 per year. For the latest Bridgend news sign up to our newsletter here.
Wales Online
23-05-2025
- General
- Wales Online
Review carried out over use of popular Bridgend arts centre
Review carried out over use of popular Bridgend arts centre The Grade II-listed building was acquired by the local town council in 2014 Carnegie House, Bridgend (Image: Google Maps ) Bridgend Town Council has published a feasibility study looking at options for the future of a Grade II-listed town centre building. Carnegie House, in Bridgend town centre, is more than 100 years old and was previously used as a public library as well as Bridgend Town Council's chamber and staff offices. It was first acquired by the town council in 2014 after a community asset transfer from Bridgend County Borough Council. It was later refurbished with a series of grants from the Heritage Lottery and the Arts Council of Wales and is currently used as an arts and cultural hub where a range of classes, talks, and exhibitions take place. However the recently-published report said since the Covid-19 pandemic hit attendance at the centre has dropped. For the latest Bridgend news sign up to our newsletter here. This was said to have had a "knock-on effect on income", putting additional strain on the town council's finances as it subsidises the arts centre in order to keep it open. The feasibility study has since been carried out to establish "how the building can be put to best use within the confines of the agreed community uses". Findings came from a mixture of interviews with key stakeholders and residents and showed there was strong community support for the building with almost 600 people responding to a survey. Article continues below These responses showed interest in expanding what Carnegie House has to offer with things such as film nights, musical shows, themed evenings, and heritage exhibitions. It also highlighted a need to improve the promotion and advertising of such events. A consultation over the design of the building discussed the potential for physical enhancements at the site with a possibility to look at increasing the capacity of the building's main hall on the ground floor from 60 to 220 people. This would also see the Bridgend and District History Society relocated to an office on the first floor with the former council chamber transformed in to a multi-purpose space. Other changes from the proposals included improved toilets, storage, heating, and fire escapes as well as an "atrium or glass entrance to improve visibility". The report read: "The proposals aim to revitalise the venue by improving accessibility, increasing audience capacity, and removing physical barriers to engagement. Article continues below "While modifications to a Grade II-listed building require careful consideration the proposed interventions have been designed to minimise heritage impact while ensuring Carnegie House remains a viable cultural hub." It added costs for the proposals could be between £468,000 and £550,000 though a further estimate said if the site eventually lived up to its potential it could generate just shy of £140,000 per year. For the latest Bridgend news sign up to our newsletter here.
Wales Online
09-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Wales Online
Blue plaque unveiled in Bridgend for local legend
Blue plaque unveiled in Bridgend for local legend He was known for being a former minister, poet, and broadcaster as well as Archdruid of Wales The plaqe for Wil Ifan of Bridgend (Image: Bridgend Town Council ) A commemorative blue plaque celebrating the life of an iconic Bridgend resident has been unveiled in the town. Located in Park Street in Bridgend the plaque was dedicated to 'Wil Ifan', The Reverend William Evans, who was a former minister, poet, and broadcaster as well as Archdruid of Wales. He was also known as a journalist, with a regular column in the Western Mail, and was said to have been a frequent commentator on BBC Wales radio and TV. The latest of the town's plaques was recently revealed by the grandson of 'Wil Ifan', Elwyn Evans, in front of guests at 14 Park Street, Bridgend. These included three generations of the Evans family, the mayors of both Bridgend town and county council, and town councillors. Elwyn said: "My grandfather, Tadcu, loved this town, and the people of this town loved him. He lived here for more than 50 years and he died here. "I am proud and honoured, on behalf of the family and the people of Bridgend, to be unveiling this plaque today." Article continues below Three generations of the Evans family and the Bridgend Town Mayor at the unveiling of new plaque (Image: Bridgend Town Council ) A spokesman for Bridgend Town Council said: "From 1909, in his mid-20s, the Rev William Evans was Minister at the English Congregational Church in Wyndham Street. "In 1913, at the age of only 30 and already an established poet, he won the prestigious poetry crown at the National Eisteddfod in Abergavenny. "In 1917 as the family moved to Cardiff to continue the ministry he won his second poetry crown at the Eisteddfod in Birkenhead. Returning from Cardiff to Bridgend in 1925 he won his third in Pwllheli. "Wil Ifan lived at 78 Park Street from 1925 until his retirement in 1949. The family moved to a flat on Park Street until they moved into number 14 in 1952. "Wil Ifan was also a journalist, with a regular column in the Western Mail, a commentator, frequently on BBC Wales radio and TV in Welsh and English, and a lecturer. "From 1947 to 1950 Wil Ifan served as Archdruid of the National Eisteddfod – an honour commemorated at the Eisteddfod in Bridgend in 1948 with a plaque at the stone circle. "Wil died in Bridgend in 1968 at the age of 85, a remarkable man revered still throughout Wales and beyond, and whose books live on." The mayor of Bridgend Town, Councillor Ian Williams, thanked the family for assisting with research and for travelling back to Bridgend from all over the UK to attend the unveiling. Article continues below Bridgend Town Council's Blue Plaque Scheme is set up to recognise significant contributions made to the area and commemorates notable people within the wards of Morfa, Oldcastle, and Newcastle. For the latest Bridgend news sign up to our newsletter here
