The Mem Community Centre is cooking up a storm after a newly installed range cooker means more local people can benefit and come together for the Centre’s fortnightly luncheon club after Pennant Walters donation of £1,100.

The Centre, which launched the club last year, has been thrilled with the local response. However, with an aging small cooker, it was struggling to accommodate up to 35 people each sitting.

The Centre Manager at the Mem Community Centre, Terrina Greenslade, explains: “We have kitchen facilities at the Mem, but with a small standalone cooker, it quickly became apparent that catering for the numbers we were seeing signed up to the club was a struggle. We decided to apply to the windfarm fund and were delighted when we got the helping hand we needed.”

The Mem Community Centre was supported to the tune of just over £1,100, which covered the cost of a large range cooker and hood, whilst some money went to purchase sporting equipment for use at the Boys & Girls Club. The funding was secured from the Pennant Walters fund which is linked to the construction of the new, but standalone, Pant y Wal Wind Extension Farm, adjacent to Ogwr Valley.

The luncheon club operates fortnightly on a Wednesday, providing a home-cooked three-course meal for £5.

Terrina continued: “We launched the luncheon club after applying for funding and it has been such a hit with the local community. I prepare the menu, shop for ingredients and cook and, now that the range cooker is in situ, everything is so much easier!

“It brings such joy to see local people come together to eat and exchange conversation and I’m thrilled that this funding will positively impact our community for years to come.”

One of the frequent luncheon club members Jean Morgan, added:

“Terrina and the other volunteers do such a fantastic job in preparing and serving so that the luncheon club can run twice a month. I really looking forward to coming together with friends to indulge in such beautiful homecooked meals.”

Pennant Walters Managing Director, Dale Hart, said:

“Terrina and the rest of the team at the Mem are putting such a great effort into delivering for the local community and the numbers that are signing up to the luncheon club is testament to this.

"Our wind energy project community funds exist to make a difference to the local communities in which we work, and it’s clear to see the positive impact this funding will have for the coming years.

“We’re glad that this funding means that more people can benefit from Terrina’s fantastic cooking and we hope it makes the lives of those who use the kitchen a little easier!”

Picture caption: Centre Manager Terrina Greenslade cooks up a storm in Nantymoel