Lighting up a village club in memory of Sam

By Elgan Hearn, Local Democracy Reporter

Sam Davies was said to be a young man who could light up any room with his personality, and his lasting legacy could be a project to light up a village that he called home.

Sam was just 25 when he tragically died earlier this year, and now his village football club, Llangedwyn, are applying to erect six 13.5-metre-tall lighting masts with 3000 watts of low energy lighting each.

Mr Delwyn Jones explained on behalf of the club that the floodlights would be used during matches and training sessions as well any community functions that would benefit from use of the pitch where lighting would allow its use during early evenings and winter months.

Mr Jones said: “The driving force behind this is our community lost Sam Davies in spring this year. Sam was a farmer and at 25 years old, his loss has been hard felt by all.

“Sam brought light into everything he was involved in, and his family and local organisations see these lights as a suitable and fitting legacy for all.”

The floodlights would be funded by donations and mental health farming charity, the DPJ foundation. The floodlights would also give the football club, who play in Division One of the Montgomeryshire league, greater flexibility for match kick off times.

Mr Jones said: “In an extensively rural economy, our team consists of a broad range of agricultural and rural workers who need to make the most of daylight hours and good weather.

“In addition, training is very important for our players and future players.

“This is not only to build skills but of key importance for the wellbeing of our players and those that join in with the training.”

Mr Jones explained that current training sessions are usually held on Wednesday evening from 7pm to 8.30pm with the club hiring pitch time at Oswestry School.

Mr Jones said: “Having a pitch that is usable at dusk or late afternoons during the football season will ensure the long-term viability of Llangedwyn FC which has been a central part of the local community since 1975.

Mr Jones said that the light illumination levels could be “adapted to suit the activity”.

Powys County Councillor for the Llanrhaedr-ym-Mochnant and Llansilin ward which includes Llangedwyn, Cllr Aled Davies said: “I’m in complete support of this application.”

A decision on the application is due before the end of the year.