Our Rural Towns: Cross Hands

Under the Ten Towns initiative led by Carmarthenshire County Council, rural market towns across the county have been supported to create vibrant and economically beneficial projects. This month, we spotlight Cross Hands, showcasing how the town has thrived with support from Carmarthenshire County Council and the UK Government’s Shared Prosperity Fund [UKSPF].

Cross Hands is located just 12 miles from Carmarthen and is nestled in the northern part of the Gwendraeth Valley, uniquely positioned between the Gwendraeth Fach and Gwendraeth Fawr valleys. The village boasts the iconic Cross Hands Public Hall, an Art Deco cinema built in 1932, which once served as a cultural hub for local miners. Today, Cross Hands is a vibrant residential and employment area, featuring Cross Hands Food Park and Cross Hands Business Park. To know more about Cross Hands as a destination, please visit Discover Carmarthenshire.

Menter Cwm Gwendraeth Elli's application for a Youth and Community Officer in Cross Hands gained support which resulted in vital improvements to Tabor Chapel Vestry which was not in use. This renovated space has since become the central hub for youth and community activities in Cross Hands, as well as for local schools.

Several business premises in Cross Hands have benefited from support from the Revitalising Rural Town Centre fund. This fund supports high street businesses in refreshing, enhancing, and adding vibrancy to their shop frontages. High street premises received funding to improve the exterior of their buildings, contributing to the town's enhanced appearance and vibrancy. If your business is located in Cross Hands and you're interested in learning more about this offer, please reach out to us at RDPSIRGAR@carmarthenshire.gov.uk for further details on how your business may be eligible for support.

Additionally, the Ten Towns Capital Development Fund is currently available to support the redevelopment of vacant premises in disrepair into commercial spaces. For more information, please visit our website.

Cross Hands has also benefitted from a painted mural by Carmarthenshire artist Steve Jenkins, adding vibrancy and colour to the town. Jenks Art took inspiration from the town’s mining history to create an eye-catching art piece on Squire and Lane Hairdressers on Llandeilo Road.

Additionally, children from Cross Hands School have been involved in creating a piece of artwork from waste material. The children have been involved in the process of collecting waste products and designing a piece of material art that depicts the area of Cross Hands.

Llandeilo Road was the focus of the Tackling Towns project in Cross Hands. The pavement areas in the lower part of Llandeilo Road, which were in disrepair, were resurfaced. Additionally, the two bus stop areas on either side were upgraded to allow access for disabled users, with new bus shelters and small-scale planting introduced.

A new initiative supported by the Sustainable Communities Fund aims to provide vital community support for parents and carers of young people living with autism. The project, led by the Carmarthen and Cross Hands Autistic Mams Association (CCAMA), will focus on offering multisensory activities and excursions to local venues, creating a space where families can bond and engage in meaningful interactions. Specialist professionals will also be involved to provide expert guidance, share relevant information, and help signpost families to additional resources and provisions that are available to them.

Arfor funding has also supported a Cross Hands based business to support with new job creation and a focus on the Welsh language in business. Jenkins Garden Machinery received funding to allow their business to develop into offering new services as well further developing use of the Welsh language in their operations.

Carmarthenshire County Council’s Rural Customer Service team, Hwb Bach y Wlad is visiting rural locations across the County offering help, support and advice. Experienced Hwb advisors can help Carmarthenshire residents with their Council enquiries and provide waste and recycling bags as well as Period Poverty items. Alongside this, advisors can signpost residents to relevant Council departments and organisations who can further assist with their enquiries.  

Hwb Bach y Wlad will be at Cross Hands Working Men’s Club and Institute on the1st and 3rd Friday of the month, 10:30am- 3pm. For more information, please visit the website.

The next Tourism and Business roadshow will be heading to Cross Hands Working Men's Club and Institute on Friday 21 March giving businesses and community groups the opportunity to meet with County Council officers. Advice will be on offer covering all aspects of the tourism and business sector; from licensing, planning, funding options, grants that are currently available to businesses as well as marketing support.

Carmarthenshire County Council’s Cabinet Member for Rural Affairs, Community Cohesion and Planning Policy, Cllr Carys Jones, commented:

Cross Hands continues to thrive thanks to the support from the Ten Towns initiative, UK Government’s Shared Prosperity Fund, and Arfor. The town is a great example of how strategic investment can revitalise rural communities and boost local businesses. I’m excited to see how these projects will keep driving economic growth and supporting the community.

For more information about the 10 Towns project, please visit the website.