Makeover time for desolation

Trevethin, Penygarn and St Cadoc's wards in Pontypool - among the most disadvantaged in the Principality - have been awarded National Assembly Communities First money for a ten-year project to reinvent them.

An initial three-year project will redevelop the derelict St Cadoc's church hall. Trevethin councillor John Marshall said: "This is the most deprived area in the whole of Torfaen and this is something we have been looking forward to for a long time. We had a considerable number of people who lost jobs at Corus and Panteg Steelworks and I hope this money will create jobs in Trevethin."

Fellow ward member Lewis Jones said: "So many people have lived here for a long time and want to see the area regenerated. I am sure people appreciate what this money will mean for them and they are very positive."

The culmination of a two-year process, the Communities First scheme has involved residents and been driven forward by a team of volunteers, backed by Torfaen council. St Cadoc's church hall is set to become a gateway to Trevethin, with community space for groups and an office facility for two community development workers.

They will help with skills training, grant applications and business plans for local groups. Each area will have a Communities First Partnership Board and co-ordinator to draw up a Community Action Plan.

David Johnson of the United Estates Community Project, which oversees the work on the three estates, said: "This is pulling together a lot of individual projects and is what was really needed to co-ordinate them all. This is just the start."

Nina Finnigan, chief officer of Torfaen Voluntary Alliance, another of the bodies instrumental in putting together the four-part funding bid, along with the council and Local Health Group, said: "It is a true partnership and a real boost to the area."

The steering group is waiting for news of an application for £569,000 for a project at Thornhill, Cwmbran.

*PICTURED: Desolation at The Woodland, Penygarn.