Brailsford helps village reach community hub target

Ex-cycling coach Sir Dave Brailsford has helped his home village meet its fundraising target to turn an old building into a community hub.

Sir Dave, the former performance director of British Cycling, donated £10,000 towards buying the former library and renovating the neighbouring snooker club in Deiniolen, Gwynedd.

The council pledged £100,000, but the community still needed to raise £20,000.

Lyndsey Pleming, from the village committee, said it was an "exciting time" and the project would help "Deiniolen thrive once again".

Ms Pleming said the community had been working for years to create a space for local events.

At the moment Deiniolen has small venues, but none big enough to host larger gatherings.

She explained how the new centre would allow concerts, gigs and cultural events like eisteddfodau to take place in the village.

Ms Pleming said it was a surprise and a thrill to hear of Sir Dave's donation.

"We were amazed to tell the truth that there is a boy who travels the world, mixes with the greats of the sports world, still remembers his roots, still remembers his community," she added.

In a statement, Sir Dave said he had "happy memories" of leaving school and rushing across the lane to the snooker club to squeeze in a final game before closing time.

"I wish the village every success in its bid to buy the old library," he added.

Twins Dafydd and Ioan Bean, 20, are regular snooker players at the club and wanted to help secure its future, especially as their grandfather, Arthur Owen, has close ties to it.

Over the summer they worked part-time at McDonald's and decided to donate a day's wages of £100 each to the campaign, which Dafydd said was "a small amount compared to the price but it helps the club to go".

Ioan explained how the club was "very important" to their family, as their grandfather once played there and his picture still hangs on the wall.