Three Parishes

The 3PBL gave a sizeable grant and loan (half later converted to another grant) to the Gobowen Area Improvement Committee to enable them to buy and renovate the Grade 2 listed buildings of Gobowen Station. Since then, they have done considerable interior renovation and now are seeking funds for even more considerable exterior renovation. This is a slow process which requires the perseverance and determination of committed volunteers to see through a project that has already enhanced welfare of travellers. The bigger picture is further development of the line to the local Orthopaedic hospital — and beyond.

Last June, 3PBL gave a substantial donation to St John’s Parish Church in Weston Rhyn, Shropshire. The church folk are slowly modernising the building and their latest project is the purchase and installation of secondary glazing. The building has a very high ceiling and the original windows — fit for their purpose at installation in the 19th century — now leak in cold air, especially when the wind blows in a certain direction. The building is also used by local community groups from nearby villages because it can seat several hundred and has a good PA system and a loop system (from previous 3PBL donations). The video is in two halves — before, and after, the installation of double glazing.

Three Parishes Big Local partner Glenn presented a Big Cheque for £1,500 to St Martins Parish Church which has helped them redecorate their adjoining building called the Chapter House. Audio-visual equipment was also installed. The Chapter House was originally for church members but, for some time, has been opened for use by local community groups, who have enjoyed using the facilities, such as a kitchen, rest rooms, and a well-heated and large, open room. Val and Hannah " with church approval " have been instrumental in asking for funds from 3PBL, and implementing them into functionality.

Earlier in 2022, 3PBL gave St Martins Football Club a Big Grant of some £4,000. The FC had approached us for money in order to buy a new football strip.

Gobowen Queen's Platinum Jubilee Committee. 3PBL gave the committee a grant of £1000 to help with the Queen's Platinum Jubilee celebrations on the nearby Gobowen Playing Field. The video explains some events that were happening on the field. The chief organiser is Brenda, a member of the local United Reformed Church. Brenda was interviewed briefly in the URC building as the committee were busily setting up stalls on the playing field. It also transpires Brenda is involved in URC's Foodbank which the 3PBL has also helped with an earlier grant

Friends of Chirk Bank and Queen's Platinum celebrations. Media Rep spoke to Natasha and Annemarie who, with 3PBL help, got land from the authorities, then converted it into a much-needed children's playpark. This had been on-going for several years and its grand opening nicely coincided with the Queen's Platinum jubilee celebrations. 3PBL granted £8k+ for the play equipment, gave money for the celebrations, and also gave considerable advice in the past.

St Martins Institute Queen's Platinum celebrations. Media Rep interviewed organisers Keith and Heather. 3PBL granted £1000 to help with their celebrations. Many events were organised, inside the Miner's Institute, on the local playing field, and in the local pub, The Keys. By all accounts, the village really enjoyed all their hard work, both young and old. It was day to remember.

A major aim of Three Parishes Big Local has been rural enterprise development. this has been achieved by grant funding Be a Better Fish, a business development initiative which has provided training and peer support for business start ups, self employment and community enterprises in the Big Local area and beyond

In October 2021, St Martins Parish Council received a gift of land 12 acres- from Iain Hill-Trevor, landowner of the Brynkinalt Estate. The 3PBL gave a grant of £20,000 to help kickstart the project, but that is only in a token in a project that has been conservatively estimated at £1.7 million.s Parish Council

The Grade II Listed buildings at Gobowen Station were built in a distinctive Italianate style, and form an important landmark in the heart of the village. They were converted for business use in the 1980's, but following long-term neglect they were put up for auction by 2016. Gobowen Area Improvement Group (an umbrella organisation representing various local bodies) campaigned for the buildings to be used for the benefit of the community and to encourage public transport use, including reinstatement of a train service to the Orthopaedic Hospital and Oswestry. The following year the freehold was acquired by Oswestry Station Building Trust (OSBT), enabled by a loan and grant from Three Parishes Big Local. This has safeguarded the not-for-profit booking office run by Severn Dee Travel and its popular cafe (recently much improved) which Derwen College operates with work-experience students. The vacant unit in the main building has been renovated by OSBT and fitted with an air-source heat pump. It has found short-term use as a railway contractor's office, but a shop and community facilities are planned for the future. However the exterior of the main building remains a huge and expensive problem " the 1980's cement render is falling off, and trapping moisture in the walls. It needs to be replaced with breathable lime render, together with roofing repairs, repainting, and scaffolding complying with Network Rail's strict safety requirements. OSBT is currently seeking funds for this work.

This is the story of Fallen Branches - a social enterprise advised by Be a better fish a small/community business development project supported by Three Parishes Big Local.

In this film, edited by Glenn, the Media Rep for Three Parishes Big Local, Paul Newman explains his 'Be a Better Fish' business. This initiative, supported by Big Local, aims to promote social enterprise and business development in Gobowen, Weston Rhyn, and St. Martins, Shropshire. The project has been extended to provide employment and business start-up support for local residents who have recently become unemployed and who wish to start their own business.

Community Adviser Karen Williams talks about the continued support available

We recently awarded Weston Rhyn Village Institute Trustees a grant of just over £8,000 to go towards redecoration and refurbishment works at the hall. Our media rep caught up with Chair of Trustees Polly to talk about the work that will be done. This video is a snapshot of the interview.

We awarded a grant of £500 to go towards installing a hearing loop at St Johns Church Weston Rhyn. Our media rep Glenn was in 2 roles... firstly he caught up with resident Dora about the difference the hearing loop has made to her life. The camera was then turned on Glenn who described the impact for him.

Cave Valley kitchens approached us to apply for a business grant to purchase some equipment to help start up their business. A food processor 2 cool boxes 2 catering stainless catering pans

Cave Valley kitchens approached us to apply for a business grant to purchase some equipment to help start up their business. A food processor 2 cool boxes 2 catering stainless catering pans

This film uses material from the Three Parishes Big Local community plan review at Henlle Park Golf Club on 14th March and the community "Big Try Day' in St Martins on 11th May 2019. It explores the way in which the Three Parishes Big Local is developing networks and skills to bring communities and small businesses together across St. Martins, Gabowen and Weston Rhyn to create change.

Dave Andrews received a Community Chest grant to help with design/printing cost for Old Oswestry and Other Sonnets.

The purpose of the event was to encourage the growth of the community within Weston Rhyn alongside raising funds for Weston Rhyn Primary School. The Community Fun Day was an opportunity for all ages to take part in different activities and challenges, including inflatables, obstacle course, tug of war, races. Friends of Weston Rhyn applied to us for a Community Chest grant to assist with 'background' cost such as insurance and equipment.

Three Parishes Big Local recently gave a grant towards start up costs for Walking Football for 12 weeks. Coaches from The New Saints Community Foundation will run the sessions and men and women are invited to come along to the weekly sessions.

St Martins FC play in the Hallmark Security League, Division One South. The Club applied to Three Parishes Big Local for a grant towards the cost of a video camera and a software licence to enable them to film and analyse all their games. They use the film footage and software to analyse game play and develop their coaching strategy. They also share highlights from the film footage on their website and facebook pages, enabling them to keep in touch with their supporters. This is particularly important as they had to move their home ground to a location 4 miles away from St Martins' village a couple of years ago and they want to keep local people keen on following the club.

Three Parishes Big Local organised a "Have a Go' day on Saturday 7th July at St Martins School. The idea of the day was to provide local children and families to take part in a range of physical activities (from archery to swimming) free of charge. The day was also an opportunity for local projects which have been supported by Three Parishes Big Local to showcase their services and activities and to raise the community's awareness of the Big Local programme. A major theme for participants in this film was the way in which Big Local is helping to build new initiatives in the area, network new and existing groups and build a stronger sense of community in, and across, St Martins, Gobowen and Weston Rhyn.

3PBL Media Rep Glenn speaking to Susie Hancock Shropshire NHS about Diabetes Awareness for general public. They were sponsored by 3PBL. This interview took place before majority attendees arrived.

3PBL Vice Chair Pat McGuinnness presents an awards folder to Steve Cooper, Manager of Gobowen Youth FC. The 3PBL Grant enabled GY FC to purchase two sets of goalposts for the sports field which they rent from Derwen College, Gobowen. Voice-over is 3PBL me

A Member of the 3PBL talks with a manager and a student of Derwen College which works with young people who have a learning disability about the difference a grant for tree planting at the College is making for students.

Ladies of Weston Rhyn Gardening Club speak to media rep of 3PBL. A small grant has enabled them to buy a notice board and a banner.

Members of the 3PBL talk with a representative of the New Saints F.C. Community Foundation about how they will be using a small grant to extend sport and leisure coaching and activities across the Three Parishes during the summer.

Grant enables band to purchase more equipment and play on. Brief interview and pix.

All Saints Church in Gobowen, one of two villages in Three Parishes Big Local, holds a bi-annual Christmas Tree Festival. Local community organisations decorate themed trees that are displayed in the church.

St John's Parish church is opening its building to the local community according to their church policy. To encourage local residents, a grant was given to enable installation of WiFi for drop-in use on Thursdays.

3PBL gave a grant to enable OMS buy some equipment. From an idea to reality in a couple of years. Shows what hope and perseverance can do in a community.

In this film residents in the Three Parishes talk about how small grants from Big Local have helped develop seven community projects.

3PBL Celebration of grants given to local organisations combined with invitation to some local organisations to display their activities and users of the School for the purpose of social networking and promotion of Big Local. This video includes an interview with the Head Teacher at St Martins School

This film records the Three Parishes "Big Chat' event. This was a consultation day with local residents across the Three Parishes to review progress against the original Big Local Plan and inform developments in the future.

This is a record of the Village Shows in St. Martin's and Western Rhyn which promoted Big Local, local talent and brought the community together.