A PENSIONERS club faces closure because members can’t afford to pay the cost for the use of their regular meeting place. Members of Teulu Cadnant, who hold meetings at the Institute Building, in Caernarfon, twice a month, will have to raise more than £300 to cover the cost of meetings over 10 months. The long-established club has made use of the facilities at the institute for free, but new changes which come into force next month, will see them having to fork out for the use of the building. Maria Williams, 79, president of Teulu Cadnant, said: “It means we are going to need £320. We really can’t afford it. We are all OAPs, all over 70. “It used to be free, but starting from June 1 we will be charged £4 for the hire of the kitchen to make a cup of tea, and £12 for the hire of the hall for each meeting. “We meet twice a month for 10 months.” Mrs Williams, from Groeslon, said: “We have been trying to find a way but what can we do? “We are going to have our next meeting on Tuesday, May 29, and we will have to discuss it.” The club, which has been in existence for around 30 years, currently has around 30 members from the Caernarfon area. Mrs Williams added: “What we were saying is that if we have a meeting once a month, we will probably stop meeting altogether. “We have been doing our best to get more members. “I really don’t know what to do. It was such a shock. They just sent me a letter. It will be a shame if the club breaks up.” Katherine Owen, town clerk, said: “When I took over as clerk it appeared that there was inconsistency around which groups had to pay and which didn’t, this didn’t seem fair. “Approximately 90% of the people that hire the rooms are local charities or organisations and there were no set criteria for charging. I brought this matter to the attention of the councillors in a finance and staff meeting where they decided the only fair way to proceed was to charge all local charities/organisations that use the building. “This was also then passed at a full council meeting. “At the end of the day the institute has running costs to heat and staff the building and has to be seen to be fair to ratepayers and all users of the building. “I am sorry to hear that the group feel that they may have to disband, but also feel that as the council donates £100 to them each year, the council is already contributing towards their costs.” helen.harper | 
