4CG (or to use it’s full name: “Cymdeithas Cynnal a Cefnogi Cefn Gwlad” or the “Society to Sustain and Support the Rural Countryside”) is a co-operative organisation set up to “advance community development through the regeneration of Cardigan and the surrounding area”.
It was set up by a small group of locals that strongly felt there were many opportunities within Cardigan to increase community cohesion, enhance our surroundings and to take small steps to help improve the local economy – and that a determined and focussed organisation could make a difference.
Find out about the projects 4CG is currently involved with
Enhancing the community
4CG’s focus on developing the local community and economy stems from understanding the benefits that local trade brings.
Large corporations siphon money out of the local economy, providing little in return. Whilst chains and large supermarkets provide convenience and the promise of jobs – the reality is that they displace local businesses and their profits - rather than being reinvested back into the local economy – go to distant shareholders.
When you shop locally, the profits are reinvested time and time again. Each £ spent, is then spent again by the owner and employees of the shop - meaning that one hundred pounds spent in a local store contributes, on average, £600 to the local economy.
Research has shown the same amount in large supermarket contributes just 25p.
Our Story
Our video tells you a little about why we can together to start 4CG - take a look.
The 4CG team
Shan Williams
Born and bred in Cardigan, Shan is a farmer's daughter. She opened her own hairdressing business when she was 21; and converted her first property into a shop and 4 flats when she was 23.
Founding member of Cardigan Ladies Hockey and chairperson of 4CG, Shan is passionate about local heritage and culture, local economic stability and security, renewable energy and the true history of religion.
Clive Davies
With a strong background in IT and communications, managing and developing new projects for Telemat IT Support and Antur Teifi, Clive’s expertise has helped the development of projects such as Teifi Basket and RhwydTeifi.
Within the context of his home town of Cardigan, he’s played an active role in the community as Chair of Ferwig Community Centre “Hen Ysgol y Ferwig”. He’s also the past treasurer and current Secretary of West Wales Credit Union , Cardigan Town Councillor and Mayor in 2016-17, Cardigan Secondary School Governor and a Trustee of Cardigan Castle.
Cris Tomos
As well as a board member of 4CG, Cris is the chair of Welsh social enterprise Cymdeithas Cwm Arian Association, which raised thousands of pounds to buy co-operatively the old village school in Hermon and turn it into an eco-venue centre, offering community space, conference rooms and a pre-nursery group.
“It’s about safeguarding buildings to be maintained for community use. The driver for me is to ensure that local people can own local assets and develop services that are important to a community”
Richard Jones
A local farmer, Richard is also a Cardigan town Councillor
An active member of the local amateur dramatic society, he is the creator of the local annual music festival Crugmawr. Richard's also a keen traditional oarsman, winning the Thames Celtic longboat section in 2000 and 2006.
Richard Williams
Richard is a highly skilled and experience software engineer with 22 years experience - currently working for the National Library of Wales in Aberystwyth.
He was brought up on the family sheep and poultry farm and, now living in Cardigan, has a keen interest in local community affairs, running several local clubs and associations over the years.