Minerva Arts Centre’s leaking roof has finally been repaired, thanks to the community.

After a magnificent response to a fundraising appeal earlier this year to repair Minerva Arts Centre’s roof - home of The Quilt Association in Llanidloes - the work has now been completed.

Trustees, staff and volunteers were overwhelmed with gratitude and relief when the community pulled together to help them raise the money required. 

Events included a Fundraiser Day in February during which a raffle was held, tea and cakes served and visitors viewed some of the quilts in the QA’s collection. 

Cakes and raffle prizes were donated by individuals, shops and businesses in the town and the day ended with music

from The Skinny Cat Blues Band and DJs Conan and Freed who all performed for free.

The fund was also supplemented by proceeds of tea and cakes sold at the annual Daffodil Day at Dol Llys Hall and by proceeds from one of the regular Bingo nights at Llanidloes Rugby Club.

Llanidloes Town Guides, who are all volunteers, donated the tips they were given after their tours, and they also had donations from Jenny Smith who ran a meditation event in Minerva, the Welsh Heritage Quilters and the Llanidloes  Visual Arts Collective.

Supporters could donate cash at various events or via the QA’s website. 

Trustees were also thrilled to receive large donations from local individuals and businesses, as well as a grant from the Gwendoline and Margaret Davies Charity.

The total amount raised was just under £12,000. 

Thanks also goes for funding received via Powys County Council from Welsh Government’s Transforming Towns Fund.

Chair of Trustees, Chris Shercliff said: “It’s been a very worrying time for the Trustees and volunteers who spent months emptying buckets and mopping up. But the wonderful people of Llanidloes stepped up to help us when we needed it.

“We’re relieved the work has been completed and would like to give a huge thank you to everyone who supported us”. 

The Quilt Association is a charity and a company limited by guarantee and was established in 1998 to care for a growing collection of antique quilts, many of which are from

the local area. To date it has over 280 and they are all documented, photographed, conserved and can be made available for study and research. 

The association holds two exhibitions annually, and also runs a programme of textile related workshops.

The Quilt Association is managed by a board of trustees, all

volunteers, who work tirelessly to ensure the collection of quilts is cared for and maintain the building so visitors and users have a safe, healthy and enjoyable experience when visiting. 

The Minerva Arts Centre building was bought in 1998 with the help of funding from the European Union, Powys County Council, Llanidloes Town Council and private donors. 

It is available to organisations to hire for events such as The Wool and Willow Festival, The Christmas Craft Fair and by textile and craft groups such as by Welsh Heritage Quilters, Mid Wales Textile Artists and the Visual Arts Collective, Llanidloes who meet there throughout the year.