Iconic Welsh record label Fflach is set to return as Fflach Cymunedol, Wales’ first community-owned record company, with a mission to nurture future talent and support the cultural vibrancy of west Wales.

Established in the 1980s by brothers Richard and Wyn Jones, pioneers of Welsh language music, Fflach played a pivotal role in the revival of Welsh music, launching bands like Ail Symudiad and supporting countless artists.

Following the tragic passing of both brothers four years ago, their family and local supporters have reimagined Fflach as a community enterprise, ensuring its legacy lives on.

The community share offer, which closes next week on February 17, provides a unique opportunity for investors to support this revival while benefiting from a 50 per cent tax relief scheme.

Cris Tomos, a local community development supporter, explains that the community share offer will allow investors to get a 50 per cent tax relief under the Seed Enterprise Investment Scheme (SEIS) scheme with HMRC as this share offer is under £250,000.

Cris explained that anyone who is a UK taxpayer can claim back 50 per cent of their investment in year one after launching the community company, while also continuing to hold the full shares. With a minimum investment of £50, individuals can become members of Fflach Cymunedol, gaining a voice in the company’s future and contributing to its goals of mentoring artists, digitising its extensive back catalogue, and establishing a new studio in Cardigan (Aberteifi).

Fflach Cymunedol aims to raise between £50,000 and £100,000 to fund its initiatives, including releasing new music, preserving its important archive, and fostering a creative hub for local talent. The project has already garnered significant support from the community, reflecting the enduring impact of Richard and Wyn’s vision. Their dedication to promoting Welsh language, culture, and music continues to inspire, and Fflach Cymunedol represents the next chapter in their story. There is now the opportunity for a final push on the share offer to cross the £50,000 target in this last week of the offer.

Cardigan, a town experiencing a cultural renaissance, provides the perfect backdrop for this venture. With a thriving arts scene and a strong sense of community, Fflach Cymunedol is poised to play a key role in sustaining the region’s creative energy. The label’s return not only honours its founders’ legacy but also offers hope for young musicians and helps address the challenge of youth migration from west Wales.

Fflach’s back catalogue is vast and varied. There’s all of Ail Symudiad’s work which the new company is aiming to re-release to coincide with the National Eisteddfod returning to the area in 2026. There are local gems like Malcolm Neon and Jim’N’Ems, amazing rock bands like Catsgam and a folk masterpiece in the self-titled album by Cusan Tân.

In fflach:tradd’s archive you can find amazing proper folk like Rag Foundation, Sild, Ceri Rhys Matthews Julie Murphy and all of Llio Rhydderch’s albums. All of this is available digitally, but part of the project will be to ensure the cataloguing of these amazing works is tidied up and promoted.

The new company will also aim to release compilation albums using some of these tracks on vinyl and CD, as well as digitally. There is also support from active talent like the singer-songwriter Einir Dafydd, who has released many beautiful albums with Fflach and is back gigging with the aim of recording in the near future.

Fflach Cymunedol was initially an idea from a conversation between Richard and Wyn’s family and Cris Tomos, which led to a public meeting with interested parties, an initial grant from the Perthyn project to get the idea off the ground. Also, a grant from the Arfor fund allowed the conversion of the company to a Community Benefit Society and to be able to sell shares, whilst also promoting the new company.

To invest in Fflach Cymunedol and become part of this groundbreaking initiative, visit www.fflach.cymru before the share offer closes on February 17. Together, local community members can ensure that Fflach’s legacy inspires and empowers future generations of Welsh artists.