Nearly £500,000 of investment has been channelled into Flintshire's rural communities.
This financial boost, courtesy of the UK Government Shared Prosperity Fund (UKSPF), has helped towns and villages sustain key facilities and improve their built environments.
The investment has reached more than 40 businesses and social enterprises in remote or semi-remote locations, enabling initiatives from integrating sustainable energy solutions to upgrading community spaces.
Projects include Gwaenysgor Village Hall's vegetable garden, which provides free produce to those in need, and energy efficiency improvements at Talacre Community Centre.
Halkyn Castle Wood, an education and wellbeing facility, benefited from additional support, installing a 2,500W solar generator for improved visibility and safety in its woodland.
The facility also used the funds to purchase additional equipment, including bell tents, marquees, and tables, enhancing the site's appeal and practicality.
Halkyn Castle Wood director Vanessa Warrington said: "Our facilities provide safe spaces for people to connect with nature, so the fund has been crucial in helping us increase our capacity to accommodate as many visitors as possible.
"The tepee, tents, and marquees have also meant we can open up our offering during the colder weather, as we have an area to provide shelter, which is great.
"The feedback we’ve had from visitors has been fantastic, and I’m thankful that the scheme has allowed us to bring our vision to life to meet our community’s needs."
Other organisations, including Pontblyddyn Cricket Club and Treuddyn Community Association, also benefited from the investment, using funds for pavilion upgrades and optimised village hall energy usage, respectively.
Flintshire businesses have also been supported by projects such as the Ambition North Wales SME connectivity assessments scheme.
The initiative provided 16 enterprises in remote areas with expert guidance on implementing innovative wireless technology.
The Skills and Innovation Voucher (SIV) programme at Bangor University, funded by the UKSPF, supported water safety training provider River And Sea Sense (RASS).
The not-for-profit organisation was awarded a midi voucher to promote its services through an educational video.
READ MORE:
- Welsh Ambulance Service’s focus on future generations wellbeing
-
Work "progressing" on addressing issues at landfill site in Wrexham
Founder and owner Debbie Turnbull said: "I visit hundreds of schools, colleges, and universities across North Wales to inform youngsters about the risks of open water and how to stay safe, so the video will really enhance my talks.
"The footage will also be used on my website and promoted through RASS social media accounts and emails, which will help me secure funding from organisations such as the Flintshire Local Voluntary Council (FLVC) in the future."
Councillor Chris Dolphin, cabinet member for economy, environment, and climate, said: "Flintshire County Council is passionate about improving the lives of all its residents, so seeing the difference the projects have made to those living in rural areas is wonderful.
"From upskilling talent to investing in green infrastructure, I believe the schemes have proven effective at meeting each community’s needs, and I look forward to watching the social enterprises and businesses thrive in the years to come."
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules hereYou must verify your phone number before you can comment.
Please enter your phone number below, and a verification code will be sent to you by text message.
Please enter the six-digit verification code sent to you by SMS.
Your verification code has been sent a second time to the mobile phone number you provided.
Your verification code has been sent a third time to the mobile phone number you provided.
You have requested your verification code too many times. Please try again later.
Didn’t receive a code? Send it againThe code you entered has not been recognised.
Please try again
You have failed to enter a correct code after three attempts.
Please try again later.
Your phone number has been verified.
Your phone number has been stored with your account details. We will never use it for anything other than verifying that you are the legitimate owner of this account.