‘ARCHIE’, the new Rhayader community minibus, was handed over this week.

Many people in the local community have been involved in fundraising for the project over the past 18 months and as a result £18,000 was raised towards Archie’s purchase.

The shortfall together with monies to help extend the service has been made up with a grant of nearly a quarter of a million pounds from the Big Lottery.

Archie will be used to provide transport to social activities and trips for people of all ages, including some older residents in the early stages of memory loss and their carers. It is also anticipated the Arches Community Support group will widen the remit of Archie’s use by starting an Archie Club to include evenings and weekend use to take members on trips to the cinema, shopping, on lunch dates and to sporting events etc all at affordable rates.

At Rhayader Fire Station, county councillor Kelvyn Curry and Catrin Jones of the Big Lottery handed over the keys for Archie to Pippa Boss the manager and Alison Thomas transport manger of the Arches Community Support.