About Us
Amici Val Ceno Galles is a volunteer-run, not-for-profit organisation dedicated to bringing together the Welsh-Italian community and keeping its heritage alive through social events.
Our association was founded in 1977, but the community we’re part of has a much longer history. Italian families have been making their homes in Wales for over 150 years, and many of our families have been here for generations. Despite the passage of time, our connections to Italy, particularly Bardi and the Val Ceno, remain strong. For many of us, both Wales and Italy are an important part of who we are.
Amici Val Ceno Galles was established by a group of Welsh-Italians who wanted to bring together families with roots in Bardi and the Val Ceno. Thanks to the dedication of our founding members, and the many volunteers who have followed in their footsteps, the association has continued for almost 50 years.
While our roots are firmly in the Welsh-Italian community, everyone is welcome at our events. Whether your family has been in Wales for generations, you’ve recently arrived from Italy, you’re rediscovering your Italian ancestry, or you simply want to join us, there’s a place for you at an Amici Val Ceno Galles event.
At its heart, Amici Val Ceno Galles is about bringing people together and ensuring that the friendships, traditions and connections we grew up with continue for generations to come.
What we do
Our social events are at the centre of everything we do. Throughout the year, we organise a mix of long-standing favourites and new events, bringing families and friends together and giving people of all generations the chance to connect with the Welsh-Italian community.
From our annual Scampagnata and Gara di Briscola to the Spaghettata di Natale, our calendar includes events for families, children and adults alike. Some of these events have been part of the Amici Val Ceno Galles calendar for decades, while others are more recent additions.
For many of us, Amici Val Ceno Galles events were a familiar part of growing up. They were where we spent time with extended family, met people from other Welsh-Italian families and made friendships that have lasted into adulthood. We want today’s younger generations to have those same opportunities, while making sure there’s plenty for the adults to enjoy too!
Charitable fundraising has also been an important part of Amici Val Ceno Galles since its earliest days. Although bringing people together remains our main purpose, we continue to raise money for good causes through our events, raffles and other fundraising activities. We operate entirely on a not-for-profit basis, with all profits donated to charity. Over the years, the generosity of those attending our events has allowed us to support a range of charitable causes while continuing the social activities for which Amici Val Ceno Galles was founded.
Alongside our events, we also take an active interest in the history of the Welsh-Italian community, particularly its connections to Bardi and the Val Ceno. We believe it’s important to remember the experiences of those who came before us, share their stories and help others discover more about their own heritage.
The Committee
Gianluigi Fecci
President
Mark Tambini
Treasurer
Paolo Balestrazzi
Chairman
Franco Tambini
Alessandro Carpanini
Angela Gatti
Angelo Tedaldi
Delucia Sidoli
Dino Carpanini
Paul Pelopida
Gerard Opel
Giacomo Sidoli
Remo Fecci
Mary Strinati
Sandra Cooksey
Sharon Latham
Past Committee Members
Romeo Basini
Former President
Anthony Vallario
Former Secretary
Rob Basini
Jacob Guy
Sam Guy
Come and Join Us
To keep up with what’s happening at Amici Val Ceno Galles, follow us on social media or sign up to our mailing list for news and details of upcoming events. We hope to see you at one soon!
Become part of Amici Val Ceno Galles by signing up to our mailing list. It’s completely free, and we’ll keep you up to date with our latest news and upcoming events.