Our Stories

Libraries

Almost 600 adults sign up to 21 Book Challenge

Almost 600 adults have so far signed up for Awen Cultural Trust’s first-ever 21 Book Challenge since its launch in July; more than double the numbers anticipated. The initiative was supported by UK Government’s Shared Prosperity Fund, in partnership with Bridgend County Borough Council. Over the past six months, the challenge has encouraged library…

Libraries

Awen Libraries’ performance assessed by Welsh Government

Welsh Government’s annual assessment (2023-24) of the library service in Bridgend County Borough has recognised its “impressive range of activities”, “support for people with a wide range of needs and interests, in particular those with additional learning needs” and “strong focus on children’s provision”. The Welsh Public Library Standards (WPLS) framework enables providers to…

Cultural Trust, Theatres

Maesteg Town Hall reopens to the public

Wednesday 20 November 2024 marked an historic day for the people of Maesteg and the wider Llynfi Valley, as Maesteg Town Hall officially opened its doors to the public, following a highly ambitious, multi-million-pound redevelopment project delivered by the council and its partners at Awen Cultural Trust. Huw Irranca-Davies, MS and Stephen Kinnock, MP…

Creative Wellbeing

TEDxNantymoel – Recordings Now Available to Watch

Recordings from TEDxNantymoel – How Green are Our Valleys? – are now available to view on the TEDx YouTube channel. Click here to see the whole playlist. Taking Tolkien to work: lessons from ‘The Lord of the Rings’ by Martin Downes How green is our sky? Unravelling the hidden costs of aviation by Filippo…

Theatres

Awen awarded funding for accessible and affordable cinema in Maesteg

Awen Cultural Trust has been awarded £5,000 of National Lottery funding by Film Hub Wales through its Film Exhibition Fund to bring affordable cinema to Maesteg Town Hall, following its multi-million-pound redevelopment. To celebrate the launch of Y Bocs Oren Cinema in the Hall’s brand new studio space, there will be a full day…

Creative Wellbeing

Introducing Awen’s Associate Artists

Awen Cultural Trust has appointed three Associate Artists, thanks to funding from Arts Council of Wales: Naseem Syed, Jason Hicks and Tamar Williams (pictured l-r). These new roles provide an exciting opportunity for Awen colleagues to work alongside, and learn from, diverse creative freelancers who are aligned with our aim of ‘making people’s lives…

Libraries

New Library Management System

Between Thursday 21st and Wednesday 27th November, our library members will experience some short-term disruption to our services, while we transition to a new all-Wales system for managing our books and customer data. During this period, you will still be able to borrow and return items at your local library, however, you will be…

Libraries

Betws Library to close for refurbishment

Betws Library, which is managed by Awen Cultural Trust in partnership with Bridgend County Borough Council, will be closed from 18th October until early February 2025 to undergo a refurbishment. With almost £150,000 being invested, the work is being funded by a Welsh Government Transformation Capital Grant with match funding provided by Awen Cultural…

Cultural Trust

Y Muni is back in business!

Pontypridd has marked the reopening of the much-loved Y Muni in style, with a packed variety event on Saturday night that celebrated a host of local musical talent – raising the curtain for the venue’s exciting future. The ‘Ponty LIVE!’ event on September 14 welcomed local musical acts to the auditorium’s main stage, as…

Creative Wellbeing, Cultural Trust

TEDxNantymoel Announces 2024 Speaker Line-Up

TEDxNantymoel will take place from 10.30am – 5.30pm on Sunday 20th October at the Mem Community Centre in Nantymoel. The independently organised event, licensed by TED, will feature local speakers and TED Talks videos under the theme of ‘How Green Are Our Valleys?’. Launched in 2009, TEDx is programme of locally organised events that…

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