Abergavenny Town Council is delighted to be entering into a three year partnership with Abergavenny Community Enterprise Partnership known locally as ACE Partnership.

ACE is located on Hillcrest Road and offers support and activities for the local community.

Organisations such as Abergavenny Citizens Advice and organisations supporting people back into employment run surgeries from the ACE offices.

The signing of the agreement by Mayor of Abergavenny Cllr Tony Konieczny and Norma Watkins from ACE took place in the ACE offices on Monday, August 5.

The Mayor of Abergavenny, Tony Konieczny stated that, "On behalf of Abergavenny Town Council, I am delighted to be signing this agreement and working in partnership with ACE.

"ACE offers a much-needed service particularly for residents in north Abergavenny. With Town Council support, the office will be able to be open longer, a regular coffee morning will be set up and ACE will be able to carry out improvements to their building to improve the energy efficiency.

"It is reassuring to know that staff at ACE are on hand to listen, help and support individuals and families and the Town Council is pleased to be a partner."

The partnership aims to meld the power and reach of the local council, with the infrastructure and influence already ticking at ACE.

Once beleaguered, ACE could now look forward to sounder foundations. Back in 2017, this newspaper reported that volunteers were scrambling to find thousands of pounds over just one month just to keep the doors open.

Back then, the Abergavenny Community Enterprise, to use its full name, launched a petition to raise £5,000 to tide it over for another six months.

ACE workers then told the Chronicle they feared a failure to find the cash would have meant thousands of local residents - many from deprived areas of the town - losing vital support.

Volunteers at the centre, which is based in at Hillcrest Road, run cooking courses, sewing classes, an art group and gardening classes for people with disabilities and mental health issues. They also offer advice to drug users, and those struggling to find work.

But less turbulent times beckon thanks to this new partnership, a sentiment confirmed by Chair of ACE, Norma Watkins. Mrs Watkins said "We welcome this partnership with the Town Council and their financial assistance will secure the future of the ACE and enable us to open longer and be there to help more people.

"We offer a lifeline to so many people, whether it’s just popping in for a chat which reduces loneliness or helping someone sort out their benefits, we do what we can to help or find someone that can"

ACE currently opens Monday 09:00am - 4:00pm, Tuesday 09:00am - 4:00pm and Wednesday   09:00am - 2:00pm.

They are a volunteer-led, not-for-profit organisation that aims to support the local community offering advice surgeries and projects. They also issue Food Bank vouchers, signpost people to local advice and support services, provide recycling bags coach trips, a Christmas Savings Club, amongst other ventures.