A vacant, former chapel has been given a new lease of life and will provide a much-needed service to the local community in Cwmgwrach, thanks to funding received from the UK Shared Prosperity Fund.
Owners Samuel and Megan Fender have overseen the renovation project, which has become a real labour of love over the last three years. They are now ready to open the doors to Croeso Day Nursery, which will provide a bilingual (Welsh and English) day care service to Cwmgwrach and its neighbouring villages.
The former Calfaria Welsh Baptist Church, located at High Street in Cwmgwrach, although not listed, has been recognised as a ‘building of local importance’ and having been stood empty for the last few years, Samuel and Megan were keen to renovate the property in a sensitive and sustainable way, retaining the original frontage, stonework and signage, so the visible view from the public realm remained intact.
Internally, the renovation included accessibility improvements, new electrics, plumbing, insulation, new stud walls and mezzanine floor, kitchen and bathroom installation, energy efficient lighting and heating system have also been installed. An original stained-glass window to the entryway was also carefully restored. The garden will see additional green planting and bird boxes installed.
Croeso Day Nursery welcomed the local community with an Open Day held on Sunday 10th August, which included soft play provided by Tumble Toes Party Hire and refreshments.
Owner Megan is a registered and award-winning childminder, who has been running her business from home in recent years, so this new venture has allowed her to extend the business and also increase the number of children she is able to care for, creating seven new jobs in the process.
Croeso Day Nursery will provide bilingual childcare, aiming to encourage children to learn the Welsh language from a young age and Megan also hopes to use the building as a community space to host other activities including parent/baby groups and baby yoga on weekends. More information can be found at their website – Croeso Day Nursery: Quality Care in Cwmgwrach
Owners Samuel and Megan Fender said “We are very grateful to have been awarded this funding from the Valleys and Villages Prosperity Fund. The funding has helped us to renovate the building to a high standard, to provide much needed childcare in the area and we would like to thank everyone involved who has helped us”.
Cllr. Jeremy Hurley, Cabinet Member for Climate Change and Economic Growth at Neath Port Talbot Council said: “It is fantastic to see UK Shared Prosperity Funding being utilised to support local businesses, enabling them to expand and create new jobs for the community, as well as bringing empty buildings back into good use, that would otherwise be left standing empty. I wish Samuel and Megan all the very best of luck with the venture”.
