## **- 2.Chairmans Report 2024 25.** Welcome. Our ‘Year’ started in July 2024 with an exhibition by Neath artist Sue Davies. A wonderful collection of canvases, showing seascapes to woodlands in oils. In August we exhibited our own exhibition of David Papa Thomas, the Welshman who went to Pennsylvania with new ideas of smelting Iron ore. Of course, we also had some Festival Memorabilia on show. We had Grant funding from Neath Port Talbot (Community Facilities Investment Fund) for a new central heating boiler which was installed in August2024 In September Malcom Bubb brought banners showing the fight of the Miners of South Wales. October we hosted Odd Objects, Sandra Jones and Heather Pudner, helping people to find a use for strange objects In November Mike helped us remember our local heroes. We again worked with the Town Council and hosted the Santas Grotto at the end of the Christmas lights Switch on. We hosted a Craft Day the following day which was well attended. Pontardawe Art Club gave us Christmas/Victorian/Winter exhibition through December and January. January was the start of our new Disabled Toilet again funded by NPT Community Facilities Investment Fund February Martin Davies returned with a wonderful mix of art work ‘Stitch’ our resident sewing group celebrated their 10[th] anniversary in March with an exhibition of amazing creations. April we showcased the work of local artist Adrian Levy. In May Mike put on an exhibition commemorating the 80 years since the end of World War 2 in Europe At the end of June we had a town craft week event with Pontardawe Heritage & Visitor Centre at the hub. People were able to try a craft for free or at a subsidised fee. Thanks go to Pontardawe Town Council for helping to fund this event. We had obtained Warm Hub funding for 2025 that enabled us to host visitors with free hot drinks and biscuits on Saturdays from January 4[th] until 29[th] March. We re-opened fully Thursday to Saturdays on March 7[th . ] We were lucky to get more Warm Space funding for craft days on Fridays for the month of March. We offered Glass fusing and Stitch classes free of charge, they were both very well attended. ## **- Community Involvement:** Swansea Vale Railway Society meet on the first Monday evening of each month Stitch sewing group meet Tuesday mornings. Goldies Cymru Sing and Smile Sessions have fun on 1st Wednesday of the Month. Swansea Valley History Society have their regular meetings on the third Wednesday of the month. St Peters ‘pop up’ coffee shop always busy on Thursday morning Astronomy group meet every other Friday evening. Valley Folk Club thriving here 1[st] & 3[rd] and 5[th] Friday evenings, moving to Sunday afternoons in the Winter. Private hire for parties ## **‘ One of s ’ f’** **The Longest Yarn Touring Exhibition** . Well, this was an amazing exhibition, Thanks to Pontardawe Town Council for funding its transportation to us. A chance conversation by Glenda to one of the organisers and we were the first area in Wales to host this exhibition. We opened 6 days a week for the 3 weeks it was with us. A big Thank You to all the volunteers from The Stitch group, Local WI, Clydach Heritage Centre and family and friends, we couldn’t have done it without you. Nearly 2000 visitors !` We look forward to the coming years with even more exciting projects and exhibitions. ## **Note to end** I would like to take this opportunity to thank Gaynor Richards for her hard work and commitment to the Voluntary Services for the last 28 years in her roll as Executive Director of Neath Port Talbot Community Voluntary Service. Here’s to a Happy Retirement and travels to New Zealand to see the family. Diolch yn fawr. Pontardawe Herita e and Visitors Centre 1st Jul 2024 to 30th June 2025 Balance in Barclays Bank 301h June £14.947.28 Income Grants Membership Donations Room Hire Room Hire Sum up Sum UP Direct Sales Com + Art Com Equi Hire Stage Hire Raffle Kitchen Sales Craft Stall Holder Petty Cash Paid in at Bank Talk Talk Refund Utility Miscellaneous Ex £0.00 Rent 180 Utilities 274 Insurance 2262 Talk talk Wrfi nditure 26317.79 180 274 3372 545 663.62 60 391.5 700 250 144 363 40 73.06 637.56 38.23 18.61 225.26 112.5 / 1950.28 820.37 112.33 60 Refreshments 391 .5 Water Barrel 266.9. 348/ 250 Loo hire 144 Misc Costs 363 Stationery 40 Artist fee 73.06 £0.00 Card Payment O New Boiler O New Toilet Wesite Petty cash Warm Hub Craft 610.15 9.98 29.99 267.2 / 50.9 / 10779.99 9827.5 127.19 1800 1580.* 28693.28 Total 34293.63 Balance as at 30th June 2025 £20,547.63 OIHqE