Councillors from Cwmbran Community Council praised a board game club in the town for tackling loneliness and bringing people together.

Games ‘N’ More is a club based at the Threepenny Bit Hall in Greenmeadow. Members meet every Thursday from 2pm to 4pm and pay £2 for tea, cake and board games. They chat while playing games including cards, dominoes, scrabble, draughts and chess.

Cllr Stuart Ashley, Mount Pleasant Ward, said: “Such a brilliant simple idea. It’s got to be commended for bringing people together. I would love to go to this. I’d like to see this in other places as well.”

Cllr Leanne Lloyd-Tolman, Upper Cwmbran and Thornhill Ward, said: “It provides a meeting place for people who wouldn’t see anyone else. They come together, they play crib and scrabble. It’s keeping them active in their community.” She said that during school holidays some members bring their grandchildren and this means, “four-year-olds play 90-year-olds. It’s an inter-generational club.”

The club was awarded £500 by the council’s grants to voluntary organisations committee to cover hall rent and pay for day trips. Cllr Chris Morgan, Lowlands & Avondale Ward, suggested the club is asked if a furthe grant would help them expand to other venues in Cwmbran.