Crimebeat funding was recently awarded to West End Academy for a street art project in Bangor.
Through the High Sheriff’s of Gwynedd and Clwyd Crimebeat grants of up to £500 are available to support young people with their crime prevention, good citizenship initiatives.
The project at West End Academy included children from the ages of six and over to learn about street art, design their own pieces and take an active role in creating a graffiti mural in their youth club.
High Sheriff, Gwyn Owen, and former High Sheriff, Eryl Williams, visited the project and were both very impressed with the work being done with local young people.
Well known graffiti artist Andy Birch, also known as ‘Dime One’, taught the young people skills in street art to create their very own designs and to work on a bigger mural piece as well. The mural went on to the youth club’s storage container which can be viewed by all who use the club.
Sergeant Dana Baxter said: “Initiatives such as this are a great way to bring organisations together to tackle any local issues and build a sense of community pride.
“It’s been great to see the dedication of young people in the local area who have all worked hard to create the mural. This has given them a fun project to take part in over the summer holidays as well as the opportunity to display their creativity”.
Dave Evans, on behalf of Crimebeat, said: “It was great to have the opportunity to take the High Sheriff to see this project and meet the young people involved. They were so enthusiastic about their involvement and they also took the opportunity to speak to the High Sheriff about his work too!
“On behalf of Crimebeat I would like to thank the young people for their enthusiasm and to Natalie Robb, Sergeant Dana Baxter and Andy Birch for their valuable work supporting the young people”.
Natalie Robb of Westend Academy said: “Andy ‘Dime One’ Birch has been amazing with the children for our graffiti street art workshop today all thanks to the grant from Crime Beat North Wales Supported by Police and Community Trust.
“We are very honoured to have been visited by both the past and present High Sheriff’s of Gwynedd & Anglesey along with Dave Evans, PACT Project manager.
“Her Majesty’s High Sheriff Gwyn Owen was an absolute delight with our Hwb members and enjoyed a laugh and joke with them outside whilst watching them paint.
“He was fascinated to hear all about our skills youth club and to hear how it all began and to find out the history of Westend Academy and what we do here and for our community in Bangor… he didn’t want to leave and definitely wants to come back again!
“Thank you everyone who has been involved … children, volunteers, parents, PACT, Her Majesty’s High Sheriff! And of course the wonderful Andy from Dime One!!! Top Class.”
