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On March 20, North Wales Police and Crime Commissioner Andy Dunbobbin visited Llanrug Silver Band to meet members, learn more about the organisation’s valuable work locally and to hear how money seized from criminals is being used to widen access to music in the community.
Llanrug Silver band is one of the oldest bands in Wales. The original drum and fife band dates back to 1772 and the brass band came into existence in 1830. They were recently successful in applying for funding from the Your Community, Your Choice initiative, which will be used to buy instruments for beginners in the band.
The Your Community, Your Choice initiative helps support grass-roots projects and organisations and is supported by the North Wales Police and Crime Commissioner, North Wales Police and Community Trust (PACT) and North Wales Police. The money for Your Community, Your Choice comes partly from money seized by the courts through the Proceeds of Crime Act, with the rest from the Police and Crime Commissioner.
The funding will enable Llanrug Silver Band to provide accessible opportunities for beginners to explore and develop as they serve as a platform for individuals of all ages to engage in music-related activities, enhancing their creativity and well-being. The band also promotes resilience and the strengthening of community involvement and encourages people in the community to come together in a positive and supportive environment.
North Wales PCC Andy Dunbobbin visited the Band and was accompanied by local PCSO’s from North Wales Police and Gwynedd High Sheriff Janet Phillips to meet the staff and members of the band and to discuss how the funding from Your Community, Your Choice will benefit them.
Graham Williams. Llanrug Silver Band Chairman commented: “It was a pleasure to welcome North Wales PCC to Band Llanrug. Using the funding generously donated by the Office of the Police and Crime Commissioner for North Wales, PACT and North Wales Police, we will be able to provide beginners of the club with new instruments which will open so many opportunities for them”.
North Wales Police and Crime Commissioner Andy Dunbobbin said: “It was a pleasure to visit Llanrug Silver Band to see how Your Community, Your Choice funding is being put to good use. Being able to support community groups like this is important to me and forms a key part of my plan for fighting crime in North Wales. I am pleased to see organisations like Llanrug Silver Band doing their bit to help communities in North-West Wales”.
PACT Chairman Ashley Rogers commented: “PACT is delighted to support Llanrug Silver Band to buy instruments for beginners of the band. Your Community, Your Choice is all about equipping people with the means to create positive change in their areas. Creativity and culture are a key part of bringing people together, helping them learn new skills and gaining the confidence to perform in public.”
North Wales Police Assistant Chief Constable Chris Allsop said: “Your Community, Your Choice is an excellent example of how we can turn money made from criminal activity into a positive outcome for organisations and neighbourhoods across North Wales. Organisations like Llanrug Silver Band do excellent work in our communities. The band is a space where people of all ages come together and can help reduce anti-Social Behaviour as it gives the chance for people to do something positive in the community. I am pleased that we have been able to support them.”
Over the eleven years since Your Community, Your Choice started, almost £600,000 has been awarded to nearly 200 projects working to reduce crime in their neighbourhoods and also to support the priorities in the Police and Crime Commissioner’s Police and Crime Plan.
To learn more about PACT visit www.pactnorthwales.co.uk
For more information on Llanrug Silver Band, visit: www.facebook.com/people/Seindorf-Arian-Llanrug-Silver-Band/100063622562332/
The band are looking for new members to join, if you are interested in joining, contact: bandllanrug@gmail.com