A PRIMARY school's vital childcare provision has received a boost from a village charity that has been supporting people and groups in the community since 1670.

Munchkins, at Ysgol Llanbedr, has been presented with a cheque for £200 from the Llanbedr DC Consolidated Charities.

Munchkins is for children two and up, and makes their transition into school at nursery age seamless.

After receiving the cheque from Sir Mark Hudson, Munchkins said: "We would like to thank Sir Mark Hudson and the panel of Llanbedr DC Consolidated Charities for their generosity to help support Munchkins at Ysgol Llanbedr.

"Times are challenging for childcare settings and we have also had some financial support from Early Years Wales and the Llys Awelon Community Grant.

"In addition we have had support from Denbighshire County Council Early Education and have now registered to deliver Early Education Entitlement childcare from the summer term. Parents, carers, governors and trustees have also been raising funds and volunteering to help improve our learning environment. Local businesses, MKM and Humphreys Signs, have also been generous with their support.

"Thank you to all of these people and organisations who are helping our setting to deliver vital childcare.

Villagers may not be aware of Llanbedr DC Consolidated Charities that was founded in 1670 by Simon Thelwell, then owner of the Llanbedr Estate.

Two further charities were founded in 1681 and 1777 by the Rev. Hugh Pugh and the Rev. William Greene respectively, and these three charities were consolidated in 1930.

The assets of the charity were only £112 in 1981 but through legacies, gifts and better investing the assets today are in excess of £17,000 producing an annual income of around £450.

The original object of the charity was to benefit “the poor of the parish (now community) of Llanbedr Dyffryn Clwyd”.

The trustees now believe that they should be helping the community in a wider sense and have, in the recent past, granted money to the school for computer tablet purchases, recognised the community work of Gwyn Williams and contributed to the pensioners/ Christmas lunch.

The trustees are now seeking to help those young people starting out on tertiary education at university and college with grants of up to £100.

Contact Mark Hudson at mark@penywaen.com to be considered.