ONE of the oldest bands in Wales is using money seized from criminals to spread music far and wide in the community.

Llanrug Silver Band were recently successful in applying for funding from the Your Community, Your Choice initiative, which will be used to buy instruments for beginners in the band.

The original drum and fife band dates back to 1772 and the brass band came into existence in 1830.

The Your Community, Your Choice initiative helps support grass-roots projects and organisations and is supported by the North Wales Police and Crime Commissioner, North Wales Police and Community Trust (PACT) and North Wales Police. The money for Your Community, Your Choice comes partly from money seized by the courts through the Proceeds of Crime Act, with the rest from the Police and Crime Commissioner (PCC).

The funding will enable Llanrug Silver Band to provide accessible opportunities for beginners to explore and develop as they serve as a platform for individuals of all ages to engage in music-related activities, enhancing their creativity and well-being. The band also promotes resilience and the strengthening of community involvement and encourages people in the community to come together in a positive and supportive environment.

North Wales PCC Andy Dunbobbin visited the band and was accompanied by local PCSO’s from North Wales Police and Gwynedd High Sheriff Janet Phillips, to meet the staff and members of the band and to discuss how the funding from Your Community, Your Choice will benefit them.

Graham Williams. Llanrug Silver Band Chairman, said: “It was a pleasure to welcome North Wales PCC to Band Llanrug. Using the funding generously donated by the Office of the Police and Crime Commissioner for North Wales, PACT and North Wales Police, we will be able to provide beginners of the club with new instruments which will open so many opportunities for them”.

North Wales Police Assistant Chief Constable Chris Allsop added: “Your Community, Your Choice is an excellent example of how we can turn money made from criminal activity into a positive outcome for organisations and neighbourhoods across North Wales. Organisations like Llanrug Silver Band do excellent work in our communities. The band is a space where people of all ages come together and can help reduce anti-Social Behaviour as it gives the chance for people to do something positive in the community. I am pleased that we have been able to support them.”

Over the eleven years since Your Community, Your Choice started, almost £600,000 has been awarded to nearly 200 projects working to reduce crime in their neighbourhoods and also to support the priorities in the Police and Crime Commissioner’s Police and Crime Plan.