Friends of Pontardawe Arts Centre
Chair’s Annual Report
2024
Summary
The year 2024-2025 has been marked by significant community engagement and development activities, despite limited access to the building due to the ongoing cinema development project. The Friends of Pontardawe Arts Centre have continued to play a pivotal role in supporting and advancing the Centre's initiatives. The overall context is we We managed to support the Arts Centre whilst also reserving the bulk of our funding in case it was needed to support the new building activity. This should be near completion by the time we meet – an exciting back drop to your AGM.
Community Involvement and Activities
Working with the Art Centre we provided support to families in poverty including through the 'warm hub' initiative. Additionally, we have supported “Dan the DJ” with funding to facilitate his DJ development work with youth. The community's involvement in the Arts Centre's developments has remained strong.
Infrastructure and Development Projects
We successfully applied for funding to renew the artwork on the underpass providing access to the shops from Herbert Street. This project features an exciting new design from Fresh Creative, with active participation from young people and community groups in the design process. Many thanks are due to our Treasurer Kathleen for the skilful juggling needed to get this moving to the stage where work can now start (hopefully completed by the time you read this).
We donated funds to the Centre to purchase essential equipment, including a Tallescope ( improves safe access to heights, in case you wondered!) and roving microphones.
Collaborations and Partnerships
We’ve worked with the Active Wales group who have an engaging social programme for older people who meet at the Centre. We have also become involved in NPT Culture and Heritage partnerships, presenting the Arts Centre to other groups and staying informed about cultural and heritage ideas within the borough.
Events and Membership
We had an “adventurous” fund raising night with a different style of music groups in “Nookee” and Mojo Jr. This brought in a different audience as well as our regular supporters and all had a fun time raising £650.
We have actively participated in various events, including the Heart of the Valley show, alongside the Film Club, to promote the Centre's work. Thanks to all who gave up their time.
Our overall membership remains stable at around 96 people – we aim to grow and the investment in the new facilities will be a good opportunity to do so.
Latest development
Although it’s now into 2025 we have identified possible funds for a Social and Economic Benefit Study of the Arts Centre, something requested by them to support future development. If our application is successful, this will be completed this year.
Looking back to look forward
In 2018 we had a public survey with the Arts Centre. The feedback had recurrent themes :
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Bar – Improve the space / choices / opening hours
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Advertising and getting the message out on “What’s On” – including emails, social media, website, box office
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Car Parking
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Cinema offering and facilities
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The variety on offer – from matinee performances / classes / school holidays / Welsh / hire costs
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Improve fabric of building
2018 WHAT WILL MAKE YOU VISIT THE ARTS CENTRE MORE OFTEN?
Greater variety – of both performances and films – together with better advertising, is the dominant message. Some common issues are:
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Better car parking
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Better bar facilities (and generally improve the facility, including seats)
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A greater choice of films, including on the release date.
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Matinees / Saturday kids films or activities
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More comedy
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More adult classes
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More Welsh events
The 2025 AGM will be an opportunity to reflect on the great progress on most of these: the new investment was informed by such thinking. Your voice does matter and has made a difference!
The work of Trustees and Committee
Thank-you to all my fellow Trustees and Committee Members. We are a team.
We have two “silent” Trustees in David Davies and John Puzey (silent in that they don’t regularly attend meetings). This is a useful role to have as it gives us some “independent” voices to refer to if needed who aren’t embroiled in our meetings. It is John and David’s “turn” to seek re-election – I hope you can join with the Committee in supporting them.
Team’s change and it’s right and proper to recognise retiring Committee members, Martin Davies and Malcolm Bubb. Malcolm’s knowledge and contacts are legendary , thanks Mal, you helped us focus on our core values. Martin Davies who is also retiring from the Committee after July’s magical music night which he is running (have you got your ticket?!). Martin has been with us from the start – thank you Martin for all you’ve done. I’ll miss your wisdom, quietly and effectively expressed.
We have welcomed new members to the Friends organisation and new committee members from all parts of the Valley, bringing diverse skills and enthusiasm to our team.
Finally, a huge thanks to the staff of Pontardawe Arts Centre who, through Merv’s leadership, have kept the “play on the stage” during a time of upheaval. Their team is changing too – in welcoming new people, Lizzie and Chris are off to new pastures. Thank you from all of us and best wishes for your future.
Friends of Pontardawe Arts Centre Statement of Financial Activity January 1st, 2024 — December 31[st] ,2024
| 01/01/2024 | BANK OPENING BALANCE | BANK OPENING BALANCE | 30,820.48 |
|---|---|---|---|
| INCOME | |||
| Membership Fees | |||
| Income ongoing throughout the year (membership 104) |
1032.00 | ||
| Fundraising | |||
| 14/03/2024 |
Nookee Friends Event Night | ||
| Raffle | 138.00 | ||
| Ticket Sale Cash | 210.00 | ||
| Ticket Sales box office | 852.67 | ||
| 09/09/2024 |
Heart of the Valley Show | ||
| Raffle |
82.00 | ||
| Fundraising Total | 1282.67 | ||
| DONATIONS | |||
| 18/06/2024 |
Anon | 40.00 | |
| AWEL Wind Turbine Co-operative | |||
| 13/06/2024 | Interest from shares held | 1000.00 | |
| MISCELLANEOUS | |||
| 06/06/2024 | Unison Donation for Active Wales Group | 50.00 | |
| 11/06/2024 | Active Wales Group Donation for camera | 100.00 | |
| 18/06/2024 | Refund of a payment made in error by bank* | 619.00 | |
| TOTAL INCOME | £4123.67 | ||
| EXPENDITURE | |||
| 29/01/2024 | Mess up the Mess | 660.19 | |
| 22/03/2024 | Band Payment Nookee | 400.00 | |
| 22/03/2024 | Band Payment MOJO Jnr | 150.00 | |
| 25/03/2024 | FOPAC Grant Payment to DC Docherty ( Dan | the DJ) |
804.00 |
| 04/06/2024 | Donation to PAC to buy Tallescope | 5,431.00 | |
| 18/06/2024 | Donation to PAC to buy Theatre Equipment | 619.00 | |
| 09/07/2024 | Heart of the Valley Show. Table Hire | 48.00 | |
| 02/09/2024 | Bea Ella. T Shirts with logo | 70.00 | |
| 18/11/2024 | Bea Ella. Extra T Shirts with logo | 120.00 | |
| 19/12/2024 | Donation to Pantry Food Bank Pontardawe | 100.00 | |
| MISCELLANEOUS | |||
| 18/06/2024 | Payment made in error by bank (payment made twice)* | 619.00 | |
| 08/07/2024 | Payment to Active Wales to buy a camera | 150.00 | |
| TOTAL | EXPENDITURE | 9,171.19 | |
| DIFFERENCE BETWEEN INCOME & EXPENDITURE | -5,047.52 |
| ASSETS |
|---|
| 31/12/2024 BANK CLOSING BALANCE 25,772.96 |
| OTHER ASSETS Shares in AWEL wind Farm Co-Operative 1.00 |
| (Nominal Value as shares cannot be sold) |
| TOTAL OF ASSETS 25,773.96 |
| *** £619 was paid out of our account twice to PAC on the 18/06/2024. Only one payment was sched-** |
| uled to be made to pay for theatre equipment. However, two payments were made. This was an error |
| made by the bank and was rectified by an immediate reimbursement to our account by PAC. |
Presented at FOPAC AGM Wednesday 11[th] June 2025
I verify that to the best of my knowledge these are an accurate set of accounts for year ending 31st December 2024.
Kathleen Davies, Treasurer Friends of Pontardawe Arts Centre.
Date…………………………………….
Signed……………………………………………..