A school choir brought a tuneful dose of Christmas spirit to the residents of sheltered housing schemes.<\/p>\n
The youngsters from the Ysgol Hen Golwyn primary school entertained the Cartrefi Conwy tenants at their slap-up Christmas lunch at the Fron estate in Old Colwyn.<\/p>\n
They were joined at the Fron Community Centre by members of the The Altogether Group from Llanrwst\u2019s Tan-Y-Graig and Scotland Street sheltered housing complexes.<\/p>\n
And following the lunch there was a chance to win a Christmas prize or two thanks to a huge raffle and a few games of bingo.<\/p>\n
But the highlight of the day was the visit of the choir who performed a mixture of traditional Christmas carols and popular modern songs.<\/p>\n
According to Catrefi Conwy’s Fron Warden, Nerys Veldhuizen, the Christmas lunch is always an eagerly awaited event.<\/p>\n
She said: \u201cMore than 45 tenants have enjoyed a wonderful buffet lunch and had the chance to meet up with friends. We were also delighted to welcome members of Llanrwst\u2019s Altogether Group.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe decided on a buffet lunch as many older residents simply don\u2019t want a huge three course meal. The choir from Ysgol Hen Golwyn\u2019s choir was absolutely wonderful.\u201d<\/p>\n
John Roberts, Chair of Cartrefi Conwy\u2019s Tenants\u2019 Forum, enjoyed the lunch and the opportunity to meet up with so many residents.<\/p>\n
He said: \u201cI live in Llanrwst and am a Cartrefi Conwy tenant so it\u2019s nice to get along to the Fron and have the chance to chat with tenants.<\/p>\n
\u201cThere really is a great community spirit and everyone has thoroughly enjoyed the event.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt\u2019s also great to have access to Cartrefi Conwy\u2019s Community Chest. I understand funding for this event came through that scheme which is very welcome.\u201d<\/p>\n
Edith Roberts, 76, moved into a Fron property along with her husband, Gordon, in October, and is delighted they made the move.<\/p>\n
She said: \u201cWe absolutely love it here as there is a great sense of community and I have made so many new friends.<\/p>\n
“We are really only just getting settled but so far we are both really happy and glad we made the move. There is always something going on and I have made so many new friends and joined in with lots of new activities.”<\/p>\n
Llanrwst tenant Iris Lloyd, 71, says it\u2019s always nice to meet up with friends from The Fron, especially at Christmas.<\/p>\n
She said: \u201cIt\u2019s always so friendly and we have enjoyed a great afternoon. No fewer than 18 Llanrwst residents have come down for the buffet lunch which was excellent.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe school choir were brilliant and of course we all enjoyed the bingo games and raffle. The funding for the event came through Cartrefi Conwy\u2019s Community Grant Scheme which is something we are really grateful for.\u201d<\/p>\n
Cartrefi Conwy neighbourhood Co-ordinator Dewi Jones says there is a real community spirit among tenants.<\/p>\n
He said: \u201cMy area includes Colwyn Bay, Rhos-on-Sea, Pensarn and all the rural areas in between. However, it\u2019s always nice to come along to The Fron as there is such a friendly atmosphere.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe tenants really get along together and help each other and there is a real friendship with Llanrwst residents too. The afternoon proved a huge success and I think everyone had a wonderful time.\u201d<\/p>\n
Ysgol Hen Golwyn teacher Dilys Thomas said: \u201cWe were delighted to be asked to entertain residents and I think this is the third consecutive year we have done so. It\u2019s an event the children look forward to and they find it very rewarding.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt\u2019s particularly nice they are appreciated by older people and they all really enjoy mixing with the tenants at the end of the performance to chat and make friends. There is no doubt they gain a great deal from the event.\u201d<\/p>\n