An outdoor activity centre that has become a right of passage for school trips has reopened with a £6m upgrade. The new facilities at Llangrannog residential camp in Ceredigion - including a new Calon y Gwersyll (Heart of the Centre) development - were officially declared open on Thursday, November 24, to coincide with the Urdd's 100th anniversary this year.
Llangrannog was founded in 1932 and has come to be a right of passage for school children most often than not on their first trip away from home. In 2019, it was thought that around 23,000 children visit Llangrannog each year about a million people have stayed there.
The camp has come to be known for it's traditional wooden buildings - which the Urdd say served the site for over 90 years - and activities such as horse riding, dry slope skiing, tobogganing, swimming, climbing, trampolining and more. The funding has been used to replace the wooden buildings that have been a staple of the centre and create a range of new facilities.
Read more: The story of Llangrannog and that special first trip away with your school friends
The new development - which includes a new residential area for visitors - is part of the Urdd’s £9.5m capital development project to upgrade facilities and services across three of its residential centres. The new development has been largely funded thanks to a capital grant of £4.1m by the Welsh Government’s Sustainable Communities for Learning Programme as well further funding by the National Lottery.
The funding has been largely focused on upgrading central facilities such as a new hall and central hub, canteen for hundreds of pupils as well as several classrooms and meeting rooms. The new residential facilities created with the funding will also be able to offer accommodation for 52 more people.
The Urdd said that the new Calon y Gwersyll development will upgrade and further support Llangrannog Centre’s outdoor learning environment, providing a safe open space for children and young people to learn new skills, socialise and grow.
The funding has created:
- A multi-purpose hall and central hub to support cultural and social activities.
- A new canteen and kitchen, offering seating to over 250 people.
- Classrooms and smaller meetings rooms for group events.
- Social areas to support outdoor learning.
- Appropriate working areas for teachers and residential leaders.
Sian Lewis, chief executive of Urdd Gobaith Cymru says: “Today we mark an exciting new chapter in the Urdd’s 100-year history as we officially open the Calon y Gwersyll development in Llangrannog. Over 2 million children and young people have stayed at the Urdd’s residential centres during the past century of existence, all of which have provided life shaping opportunities, positive memories, and experiences to generations of young people. Our Centres encourage confidence and growth whilst learning new skills, speaking Welsh and meeting new people.
“The Urdd strides to offer equal opportunities to young people across Wales from every community. The capital fund, along with other local grants, has enabled the Urdd to modernise our facilities at Llangrannog, Glan-llyn and Pentre Ifan. These investments mean we can continue to offer a range of opportunities to even more children as the organisation looks forward to the next 100 years of service.
“On behalf of the Urdd I would like to thank the Welsh Government and all the organisations who have supported our vision, allowing the Urdd to continue offering life shaping experiences through the medium of Welsh to all children across Wales.”
Jeremy Miles MS, the Minister of Education and Welsh Language who officially opened the new development said: “It’s a pleasure to be here today to open Calon y Gwersyll. The Urdd has offered unique opportunities for young people to enjoy themselves whilst using the Welsh language for 100 years. Calon y Gwersyll ensures that even more people will be able to benefit from the Urdd’s valuable experiences. I'm also pleased that the project supports the ambitions of the Curriculum for Wales, enhancing outdoor educational opportunities which is even more important after the pandemic.
“I'm sure many people in Wales have great memories of visiting Llangrannog Centre, and with our support as a Government, many more children can also look forward to creating memories.”
As well as the Llangrannog development, the Urdd has received £6.69m Capital Fund as part of the Welsh Government’s Sustainable Communities for Learning Programme which will be used to upgrade their sites and even great new ones.
From this funding, the Urdd will develop a new site called 'Glan Llyn Isa', offering a more independent residential experience for smaller groups and young people. It will also create a Water Activity Development Centre at the current Glan-llyn hub in north Wales.
Read next:
- The Ukrainian families given safety and a warm welcome in an Urdd centre in Wales
- 100 years of the Urdd: A look back at memorable moments for young people in Wales
- The Urdd is one of Wales’ most precious assets and deserves saving through any means necessary
- Urdd breaks two world records as people across Wales sing to celebrate the youth organisation's 100th birthday
- Welsh-language broadcaster S4C to get extra £7.5m from the UK Government
