Tony Martin is a retired trouble-shooter from the agriculture industry, living in a small village in rural Anglesey. Three years ago he attended a lottery funding event and realised that local people had the ability to attract funding and lead community projects to meet the needs they identify, and that he could support them in facilitating their efforts with energy, entrepreneurialism, project management skills and introductions.
He was the driving force in establishing an umbrella community association, Menter Mechell. One of the first projects for which funding has been achieved is a new community facility in a village where previously there was none: a multi-use games area with durable surface which provides a football pitch, and a play area with a range of playground equipment for children and teenagers in the village of Llanfellech and the neighbouring rural communities.
Working with the Community Council they set up a youth panel which has taken responsibility for keeping the play area tidy and dealing with challenges (including admonishing a vandal and asking the local police officer to help them address bullying).
The secondary school representatives who are part of the playground's youth management committee have made suggestions as to how to ensure its continued success. Not content with sitting back and waiting for someone else to fund their preferred initiatives, the youth management committee has already planned a sponsored walk to raise funds.
The Community Police Officer describes the playground as "the jewel in the crown" of his patch and says that the area has established itself as a focal point for contact, making his job more effective. He tells the story of a six-year old girl approaching him to ask if he could stop older children from bullying the younger girls, and says that thanks to this contact, he arranged for an anti-bullying project to be run in conjunction with the primary school.
Playground organisers are sure that the confidence this six-year old had to approach a policeman with her concerns was gained by playing in an area where she felt safe, and was therefore able to express her concerns openly.
Children and young people of all ages continue to not only use the play area, but also to be involved in planning and developing it.
When asked how he knew that his work had made a difference, Tony replied:
"Hearing laughter and seeing children playing where before I didn't see children outside playing. Now I see posters going up advertising community events, and it's news to me - I can enjoy these community activities as a villager, not as the person who designed the poster and organised the
event!