Local heritage, Welsh language and culture at the heart of our project
Our aim – in the words of the old school motto – is that Abersoch ‘sails into the future’ with renewed confidence, and pride, in our very special corner of Wales.
Our objectives
Menter Rabar will be a thriving community hub that offers many opportunities to learn, participate, socialise, and volunteer. We will have a diverse range of services and activities – including a hotdesking facility, art classes and gardening wellbeing sessions.
It will also be a wonderful place to relax, have a nourishing, tasty lunch, and discover more about the region’s fascinating history.
Our plans
On the 11th of March, 2025, Cyngor Gwynedd decided to transfer the former school’s lease to Menter Rabar at a cost of just £1 a year for the next 99 years. Through consultation with the community, we have developed plans to transform the former school into an enterprise centre, hot desk facility and business units for rent; permanent heritage exhibition; cafe, community garden and multi-purpose event and activity space.
The group has received received funding from the Welsh Government, the Shared Prosperity Fund, Cwmpas, Menter Môn, Adra, the Community Foundation Wales, and the Llŷn Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty to realise these plans. The renovation phase will begin in mid 2025.
January 2023
- Two years after the school closes its doors – and following pressure from the community – Gwynedd Council make an offer to lease the school to the community, instead of selling it on the open market.
- A meeting is held to discuss the offer.
- Over 100 attend, with many strong opinions shared about what should happen next.
- Following this, a group is formed to proceed with the negotiations - Menter Rabar.
February 2023
- Gwynedd Council offers a long-term lease in principle to Menter Rabar for the former school building.
- The council’s lease offer comes with the condition that Menter Rabar produce a fully costed business plan to outline how the building will be used to provide social, economic, cultural, and environmental benefits for the community.
April 2023
- Menter Rabar launches a survey and distributes it widely within the community.
- Responses are received from a total of 289 homes, businesses and organisations.
- 95% support the proposal for Cyngor Gwynedd to transfer the school building, and for it to be developed for the benefit of the community.
- 53 respondents showed an interest in assisting the initiative by volunteering, providing advice and professional services.
- The most popular ideas for the building are a children's day nursery; community garden; history and heritage centre; and café.
- The group is awarded £12,430 from Cwmpas development agency to commission a business plan and architect’s plans.
July 2023
- Cyngor Gwynedd's Childcare Unit are consulted for further guidance on the idea of hosting a nursery in the school.
- A more detailed survey takes place; 27 parents respond, with most identifying a need locally for after school and holiday childcare provision.
- Menter Rabar commissions an architect to create options in response to these ideas.
October 2023
- A drop-in session held on October 25th to showcase the draft designs is attended by over 50 people; 67 people from a mix of households, local organisations, businesses and public sector organisations complete a survey about the plans.
- 82% of the respondents say the plans for the Ysgol Abersoch building would provide wide benefits for the whole community economically, socially and/or environmentally, and would make the best use of the asset.
- Menter Rabar are awarded £9,850 from the UK Shared Prosperity Fund (SPF) to pay for legal and architect’s costs.
November 2023
- The business plan is presented to the cabinet of Gwynedd Council for their consideration.
April 2024
- Gwynedd Council accept the business plan and make Menter Rabar a provisional offer of a long lease at a cost of £1 a year for the next 99 years.
- The lease transfer is dependent on the group being able to raise enough funds to renovate the building by December 15th, 2024.
- The group is registered as a community interest company.
May 2024
- The group launches a £50,000 renovation fundraising campaign in the village.
August 2024
- A series of fundraising events and open days are organised by the committee throughout August, with the aim of engaging visitors to Abersoch during the holiday season.
- Volunteers weed, clean, paint and plant the old school grounds and building, transforming the derelict school into an attractive space.
- Menter Rabar receives a great deal of positive press coverage, across S4C, BBC Wales TV, radio, and online, and in local press.
- The Grymuso Gwynedd ‘Empowering Gwynedd’ fund awards Menter Rabar £19,720.00 towards the heritage centre development, marketing costs and a new website.
September 2024
- Menter Rabar starts to develop ideas for the heritage exhibition. Workshops are held with members of the Llanengan Parish heritage group and Ysgol Botwnnog.
- The Abersoch Life Torchlight Beach Run on September 13th raises £1,000 for Menter Rabar.
- The event, and the project, is featured on Welsh language TV programme, Heno.
- Planning permission is submitted, as are grant applications worth around £700,000.
October 2024
- Menter Rabar wins the ‘Enterprise of the Year’ category in the Menter Mon inaugural Community Enterprise awards.