Children from the performing arts group, Maes-G ShowZone staged an enchanting full Christmas Pantomime at the church hall in Maesgeirchen, Bangor thanks to funding received from the Conwy Valley and North West Wales Coast Community Rail Partnership and Transport for Wales.
In September 2022, the Conwy Valley and North West Wales Coast Community Rail Partnership and Transport for Wales launched their Community Grant Fund designed to support the resilience and sustainability of community organisations. Funding of up to £1,000 was available for community groups within a five-mile radius of stations along the routes from Llandudno to Blaenau Ffestiniog and Llandudno Junction to Holyhead.
Continuing on from the success of their sold-out mini panto and carol concert in 2021, Maes-G Showzone were successful in their bid to the Community Grant Fund for their members to perform Panto Pandemonium; an energetic show with 12 songs and lots of audience participation.
Established in 2020, Maes-G ShowZone is a volunteer run community youth performing arts group led by Steffie and Eirian Williams Roberts and Naomi Crane. The group rely solely on grant funding and fundraising activities to ensure that no financial burden is transferred to the families of their members and no young person is excluded from the group based on family circumstances.
Speaking of the performance, Steffie said:
“We’re just so thankful for this funding which allowed us to bring this pantomime to life. The members performed three shows over two days to over 250 people and it was a roaring success with one parent with a member who has been with us for every show saying “It was the best one yet!””
Community Rail Officer, Claire Williams who attended the performance said: “I had the pleasure of attending one of the shows with my own children and we loved it. Each child involved in the show had clearly worked very hard. There was lots of interaction with the audience and a fantastic storyline. Well done to everyone involved.”
Claire continued to say: “It is thanks to our partnership with Transport for Wales that we have been able to offer this grant funding once again this year to support so many organisations like Maes-G ShowZone to keep services going, making a real difference to their community”.
Panto Pandemonium was performed three times in December 2022 on the group’s stage at Eglwys Y Groes, Maesgeirchen with all 48 of members taking part. Following the festive period the group have now begun rehearsals for their Big Variety Show in July.