Montgomeryshire Liberal Democrats

Llanymynech Juniors 'showered' with new football facilities as Lembit Öpik MP and Owen Paterson MP officially open the new Village Hall

Llanymynech Village Hall will be re-launched today at 1pm by MPs Owen Paterson (North Shrops) and Lembit Öpik (Powys) who will declare the newly refurbished and extended building 'open for business'. The address is: Llanymynech Village Hall, Station Road, Llanymynech, Shropshire SY22 6EE.

This cross-border venture will be a flagship for sustainable community provision by providing a broad range of traditional community activities through education, sport and leisure to hosting business support activities through Business Link, Women in Rural Enterprise and the Tourism Information organisations of Shropshire and Powys. The latter will offer advice, support and training opportunities as well as networking links for small businesses and tourism related organisations.

A key part of the development is the big boost to local sports provision in the shape of a brand new changing accommodation and showers, which have been built with the help of a £61,940 grant from the Football Foundation, the UK's largest sports charity.

The new changing accommodation has been developed primarily for the benefit of the Llanymynech Junior Football Club's ten junior teams. The new changing block will also encourage dads to play and there are already two new girls' teams starting up and as the demand for organised sports activities becomes more entrenched (another 100 families will soon be moving into new housing developments within the village) the local King George V Playing Field supported by the new changing facilities will be a major plank in the local provision.

Paul Thorogood, Chief Executive of the Football Foundation, said: "This development will really open up access to sport for local people of all ages and help them to stay fit and healthy. The increased capacity will enable 55% more men to play sport and 100% more women to play so congratulations should go to Llanymynech Juniors and the Llanymynech Village Hall Enterprise Centre.

"The Shropshire FA have also been key to helping us make this new sports site a reality, as has the contributions of our funding partners - the Premier League, The Football Association and Government."

MP for Montgomeryshire, Lembit Öpik commented: "An increasing number of people seem to think that playing sport related video games is the same as doing sport for real! It would be a lot better if we can get people to go out and do actual proper sports instead of just playing with the idea. So I'm pleased that it looks like the authorities will not be diverting funds away from local grassroots sports complexes towards the Olympics. The Government's support of Llanymynech Village Hall is a praiseworthy example of supporting the kind of local initiative crucial to tackling the growing national problem of obesity.

"Also, thumbs up to the Football Foundation in addressing the local sports needs in Shropshire and Powys. So come on local people - now it's over to you! Make good use of Llanymynech Village Hall."

Owen Paterson MP said: "I am delighted to be involved in the launch of Llanymynech's refurbished Village Hall. This is an excellent project, which will deliver great benefits to local people and will help to keep the village together as a thriving community."

Ends

Notes to editors

• For more information contact:

Rory Carroll, Football Foundation - 07710 274 285 / rory.carroll@footballfoundation.org.uk

Enid Lintern, Llanymynech Village Hall Enterprise Centre - 07811 244 693 / enidlintern@hotmail.com

• On Saturday 1st March the Hall will be open from 11am to 3pm to the general public who are invited to inspect the facilities as well as enjoy presentations from the different activity and service providers and sign up for sessions, join clubs or take part in taster sessions.

• Another exciting focus area is that of Community Arts. A programme is being developed to offer visual arts (painting, drawing, short film-making); craftwork, embroidery, quiltwork and dressmaking; music in many different forms both vocal and instrumental; dance for adults and children again in different genres; storytelling and literature - and we will seriously look at any other area where there is a demand.

• Local people are welcome drop in and see how they can benefit from business networking opportunities, product or service showcasing direct to the public or business to business. A vibrant local economy is vital to social well being in rural areas and sports and arts activities are a great way to make new contacts.

• The Football Foundation is dedicated to revitalising the grass roots of the game, constructing modern football facilities, developing football as a force for social cohesion and as a vehicle for education in communities throughout the country. Funded by the Premier League, The Football Association, Sport England and the Government, the Football Foundation is the nation's largest sports charity with a £45m budget going straight into the heart of football: www.footballfoundation.org.uk