Village Grant Time Again

Thank you to Scribe Nigel who has pushed the grant form through the door for the Penyffordd Wine Circle. Last year the hand outs were a farce with councillors getting revenge for my intransigence.

My continued protest on speeding traffic, etc.

Grants are handed out by Penyffordd Community Council to local groups. This is part of national governments attempt to halt the decline in local social cohesiveness which by the way continues to slide down hill rapidly.

May I suggest the following.

1. Grants are handed out on an equal, transparent and fair basis.

2. If you wish to use alcohol as an excuse for blocking grants please consider doing this across the board. ie Red Lion groups and Pontblyddyn Cricket Club which are based at licensed premises.

3. The voting for one's own groups by cllrs be it religion, youth or otherwise should be stopped as it is unfair and not allowed at county or national level.

postscript: I think the term used is " vested interests " .


Penyffordd Wine Circle could be described as the following.

A group of mainly Penyffordd residents who meet monthly who have an interest in wine and food. Previous meetings have included talks by the Erddig Head Gardener, a local beekeeper, food and drink grown in various regions of the world. Recently Ludlow Food Festival was visited.

Penyffordd Wine Circle use the Penyffordd Institute and pay money annually for the Institute's upkeep.

Notes: Cllrs Tom Jones, Colin Bithell and Clive Weed are community cllrs and are also members of the Penyffordd Institute Committee.

Last year I wrote to the Penyffordd Institute Committee condemning Cllrs Jones and Bithell for recommending Penyffordd Wine Circle should not receive any further grant money.

postcript: I got an email back saying if Institute Committee members wanted to stick the boot in to a group that had used the Institute for 25 years it was ok and above board !

Lets hope this does not arise again and that sense and fair play will prevail.