13 July 2012
The Hanbury Chapel scheme has recently won its third award since opening its doors to the public in October 2011. The latest success was in the public sector category of the New Start Better Places National Awards.
The Better Places National Awards are organised by New Start magazine, which is published by the Centre for Local Economic Strategies (CLES).
The award prize giving took place on July 3rd in Manchester with the Bargoed Library - Hanbury Chapel initiative claiming victory against four other public sector projects.
The Hanbury Chapel scheme which saw Caerphilly County Borough Council, United Welsh, and the Chapel congregation work innovatively together to deliver a state of the art education and community hub was applauded for the transformation achieved and the role it has played in contributing to wider regeneration plans for Bargoed.
Jayne Lee, Libraries Operations Manager, received the award on behalf of Caerphilly County Borough Council.
Cllr. Rhianon Passmore, Cabinet Member for Education and Lifelong Learning said, "This recent awards success is a testament to the partnership working of all those involved. Further proof of the projects success is the increasing numbers of resident using the library, with 15,000 books being borrowed in the first four months of opening! Congratulations to all those involved for this wonderful success."
Leader of the Council, Cllr. Harry Andrews congratulated the partnership, "Bargoed Library is a true community resource, from learning, socialising, celebrating and accessing services, all residents can and are benefiting from this innovative transformation. A huge well done to all the partners involved in making this such a successful and worthwhile project."
Success with the New Start Better Places award comes quickly on the heels of the announcement on June 29th that the Hanbury Chapel scheme scooped the prized Project of the Year award from Constructing Excellence in Wales having initially won the Action for Market Towns 'Social and Community' prize in May 2012.
Ian Gilbert Chair of United Welsh added: "This building is the result of an extremely successful collaboration between many partners. It's safe to say that converting a chapel built in 1906 into a modern community facility whilst still maintaining the history and character of the building was a challenge. United Welsh and its partners are overjoyed at the reaction of the community, wider public and the sector to the building. This award is testament to the hard work of all involved. Hanbury Chapel is further evidence of real partnership working delivering tangible outcomes for the benefit of our communities."
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