Anger at ban against using Towyn community centre

Dec 11 2008 by David Simister, North Wales Weekly News

TOWYN residents were angry this week after being banned from taking part in activities at the town’s community centre.

Users of the Foryd Road site have been barred from taking part in a variety of pastimes, including table-top sales, after the centre’s committee said they were damaging the floor.

“We’ve been using it for over three years and the committee suddenly comes up with this decision,” said Joan Jones, a pensioner who attends the table-top sales.

“Unless you’re interested in ballet dancing classes, you’re banned from doing anything at all at the community centre, which is obviously intended for the use of the whole community. I don’t think they realise how many residents have been upset by these latest rules.”

Committee member Margaret Peake said it was important to keep the centre in good condition for its main users.

“We have the best dance floor in North Wales and hope to keep it that way, but this would have been impossible if the table-top sales continued,” she said.

“Our main concern is to keep the hall in good condition and with dancing going on six times a week and the table-top sales once a week, the dancing had to take priority.”

Residents presented a petition of over 300 signatures to the committee last week, but so far the rule has stayed in place.

“A small-minded minority say we are ruining their floor, yet the same people are still running dancing classes,” said Towyn resident and centre user Sarah Thorne.