THE MS for Arfon, Siân Gwenllian, has praised the region’s efforts to recycle and reduce waste after visiting a community enterprise shop in Caernarfon.

O Law i Law, at 14 Pool Street, sells quality second-hand children's clothes and goods as part of “Porthi Dre”.

This initiative came about following collaboration between community groups including Porthi Pawb, a food share scheme set up during the COVID-19 pandemic, Porthi Plantos, a food share scheme for children, and Porthi Plantos – Dillad, a scheme set up to offer top quality baby and children’s clothes free of charge to residents of the town.

The shop is managed by Ellen Owen and staffed by volunteers, and opened its doors after Caernarfon Town Council was successful in securing a grant from the Welsh Government's Circular Economy Green Recovery 2020-21 Fund.

As well as serving its purpose as a shop, soon after opening its doors the Caernarfon FareShare scheme started distributing surplus supermarket food from outside the shop.

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Now, the initiative that offers children's clothing at reasonable prices is expanding its work.

The mayor of Caernarfon, Councillor Maria Sarnacki, and the town’s clerk, Siôn Evans, have signed a lease on behalf of Caernarfon Town Council for Tŷ Seiont, formerly Age Concern’s building, on St. Helen's Road, Caernarfon.

According to volunteers, the building will be placed in the care of Porthi Dre Cyf, the company responsible for O Law i Law, with the intention of setting up a community hub in the building.

Porthi Dre Cyf hopes to establish a kitchen in the building for the purpose of establishing a scheme similar to Porthi Pawb, as well as working with various partners to provide a number of services for the people of Caernarfon and the surrounding area.

A number of grants have already been secured to achieve this aim.

Ms Gwenllian said: “When COVID struck two years ago, a labyrinthine of support networks sprung up across Arfon and Wales, attesting to people’s desire to come together in difficult times.

“Caernarfon was no exception, and the support offered to the people of the town has kept growing over the past two years.

“I visited some of the volunteers at O Law i Law to hear more about the venture, and they won’t be stopping.

“They are constantly looking for ways to improve the support they offer to the residents of Caernarfon, and the proposals for Tŷ Seiont are exciting.

“And it isn’t just the people of the town who will be benefiting.

“As the effects of the climate crisis looms we have to re-think the way we buy and sell, depending much more on recycling, reusing, and repurposing goods.

“Putting an end to food waste is a vital part of that struggle, and food share schemes such as the one in Caernarfon is driving that change.

“We’re currently being forced to re-think our way of life, and to think about creative solutions to a whole host of challenges we face.

“I have no doubt that Porthi Dre Cyf, and similar initiatives across Arfon will be essential parts of those solutions.

“I look forward to hearing more about the project at Tŷ Seiont.”