THE Three Compasses pub at Newcastle Emlyn is the venue for a weekly social club for learning disabled people and their friends to meet.

The club is run by volunteers from the local branch of Mencap Ceredigion and was officially opend by the town’s Mayor and Mayoress Cllr Cefin and Anwen Evans.

Cllr Evans said: “It was a pleasure to come along and open such a great club in our town and to see everyone having such a wonderful time. I wish the club every success for the future.”

Dylan Kench, one of the volunteers who will be running the club, said: “We are so grateful to the staff and regulars of the Three Compasses who have made us so welcome.

“For many of our members going out to a pub can be a challenge and a bit of an event but when meeting with a group of their peers they feel a lot safer and enjoy being part of their very own community.”

Mencap Ceredigion also run a club at The Prince of Wales pub, Aberaeron on a Friday night and at The Cellar Bar in Cardigan on a Monday night.

Paul Manning, Mencap Ceredigion vice-chair, said: “We know how important these clubs are for some who, although have disabilities, have very little community support. Our clubs are a lifeline.

“We now have nearly 100 people who attend and the numbers are rising."

To find out more about the club and others in the area, contact 01545 570693.