• GREEN FINGERS - Treorchy Youth Centre members who have been involved in their gardening project were pleased to see their first crop of runner beans and potatoes ready for delivery to the residents at Ystradfechan Home for the Elderly during the first week in August.

• Congratulations to all the young boys and girls who have worked so hard this year in the allotment project.  Long may your garden grow!

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BOWLS - Ladies of Pengelli Bowls Club were ‘bowled over by kindness’ recently when they hosted the Mair Jones Memorial trophy with visitors from Porth and Llantrisant.

The day was filled with fun and good humour, with Porth/Bronwydd ladies emerging the victors.

All monies taken on the day were donated to Y Bwthyn, Pontypridd, where international bowler Mair Jones of Cwmparc spent the remaining days of her life in comfort and with total support.

Grateful thanks for raffle donations go to the Co-op Treorchy, Merlin Sports, The Pengelli and U-Design - with their generosity we raised £300. Thanks to all.

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PASTOR RETIRES - Pastor Warren Jones, who has been the National Leader of the Apostolic Church within the United Kingdom for the past ten years, has recently retired.  His retirement was marked by a handing over ceremony at the commencement of the fellowship’s International Convention, which was held at Swansea University Campus during the first week in August, when responsibility of National Leader was passed to Pastor Emmanuel Mbakwe of the All Nations Centre, Kensington, London.  

Warren, as he prefers to be called, was born and bred in Conway Road, Cwmparc, being the son of the late Stanley and Rachel Jones, and began his working life as a teacher at Treorchy Junior School before being ordained while still a young man into full time ministry in the Apostolic Church and being posted to Bradford, Yorkshire.  

He was later appointed as Superintendent Missionary in Brazil, South America and on his return to the UK served the Apostolic Church with distinction in several parts of the county.  

Warren is wished a long and happy retirement with his wife Anne, who hails from  Gelli, and their much loved grandchildren.  Their son Ian is a doctor and their daughter Sarah is a graduate of Christchurch College, Oxford University.  

Incidentally, Warren formerly attended the old ‘Seion’ Apostolic Church in Chepstow Road, Cwmparc, which has produced several young men that were later ordained in to the Apostolic Ministry - Pastor Roy Lewis who is the Senior Pastor of the Brackla Tabernacle in Bridgend and also Pastor Andrew Jenkins of the Gateway Church in Newport and who is also the Asia Representative of ‘Action Overseas’, the missionary arm of the Apostolic Church.

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• WALKING GROUP - All are welcome to join CwmNi’s walking group, the Treherbert Trekkers, for its weekly outing to enjoy local scenery, get fit and have a good old natter along the way.
• The group meets every Wednesday at 1.30pm at the CwmNi office, 156 Bute Street, Treherbert, for leisurely strolls along local routes taking in the breathtaking views and they also enjoy monthly trips out of the area.
• Walkers of all ages are welcome and an adult must accompany children under the age of 16.
• For more information, and to register, please contact Hayley Broad at CwmNi on 01443 778785.  *  *   

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RHONDDA CAMEO - Rhondda Cameo Society at their July meeting sent best wishes to Kath Griffiths and Megan Morris after their eye operations, also to Pat Tibbott who was recently a patient at the Royal Glamorgan Hospital. Congratulations were given to Mair John on the birth of a great granddaughter. The speaker was Crinllys Davies on the subject of local history (Ton Pentre). Her own paintings of landmark buildings which have been demolished and replaced were shown. They evoked many fond memories. After the tea break, Megan Morris entertained with her won humerous poems. Hidden talents are being revealed! Names were taken for the trip to Oystermouth on Wednesday, August 27. This is a free trip for members. Friends are welcome at a cost of £8.

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RSD Peewee Stunt Team - BCA National Champions 2008

(The Peewee's are pictured below at another competition held earlier this year.)

CHEERLEADING CHAMPS

Congratulations to the RSD Action Cheerleaders who competed in the British Nationals on the weekend of July 26-27 in Telford.

The girls were awesome on the dance floor and well deserved everything they achieved, which is as follows.

1^st place Peewee Stunt.

1^st place Junior Stunt.

1^st place Peewee Dance.

2^nd place Senior Stunt.

2^nd place Senior Dance.

2^nd place Junior Dance.

The RSD Cheerleaders will be travelling again to America in April 2010, to compete in the World Championships.

Big thanks to Pam and Emma, ‘The Best Cheer Coaches!’

and well done to all the RSD Action Cheerleaders, we are so proud of you.

Photos: Above left and right - the RSD Senior Stunt Team performing at the BCA Nationals in Telford, UK

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PACT MEETING - The next community policing PACT meeting will be held at Ty Bethania, Herbert Street on Tuesday, August 5 at 6pm.

This month’s community policing priorities, determined at last month’s meeting, were

• 1 – Residential Parking. There are a number of problems in Horeb Street, New Chapel Street, Chapel Street and Pencai Terrace all in Treorchy in regards to cars parking in the area without the correct permit.

• 2 – Vehicles being used in an anti-social manner. Vehicles are parking at the top of Cwmparc and speeding down Parc Road this is a problem on Friday, Saturday and Sunday evenings between the hours of 5pm and 10pm.

• 3 – No priority set.

Members of the public are invited to attend and help determine the next three priorities of local concern, for attention over the next coming month by our local community support police officers.

All welcome.

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• KARATE CLASSES - The Welsh Shotokan Karate Organisation holds mixed classes for adults and children aged from 5 upwards at the Conservative Club, 144 Bute Street, Treorchy.

• The Karate classes are held on Tuesday and Thursdays from 6pm to 7.30pm.

• For further information, please contact Donna Thomas on 01443 432806 or on 07884 122546.

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CHOIR HONOURS 50 YEARS OF SERVICE

Cor Meibion Cwm Rhondda held a Social Evening at the Pontypridd Golf Club recently, when choir members, partners and friends of the choir, gathered for a very enjoyable evening. 

The evening had been arranged to honour choir member Gerald Owen, who was presented with an engraved plate by Chairman Kerry Steele, to commemorate his 50 years of faithful service to male voice singing from August 12, 1958, to 2008.

The entertainment was provided by Lee Gilbert, who excelled with his renditions, and his show was received with great appreciation by all present.

The choir have two bookings in August, performing at the Celtic Manor, Newport and later in the month at a wedding in Hopkinstown.

Next year the choir will celebrate their 10th Anniversary and they are busy preparing for next year's performances of ‘ONE DAY MORE 2’, under the direction of their Musical Director Neil Topping. 

There will be performances in the Parc and Dare Theatre in Treorchy on May 15, 2009, and the Coliseum Theatre in Aberdare on June 12, 2009 and those interested are advised to book in advance by contacting Premier Box Office on 0845 2410391.  (One Day More, performed in 2004, being sold out in both the Parc and Dare and the Coliseum.)

There is also a European tour being prepared for next year, and partners are always made welcome to travel with the choristers. 

Anyone interested in joining the choir, please come along to rehearsal at the Ton Pentre Junior School at 7.30pm on a Wednesday evening.

Photo: Male Voice Chorister Gerald Owen and Chairman Kerry Steele.

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AFTER SCHOOL - To all parents with children who will be attending Treorchy Primary School.

It is anticipated that DYLAN's DEN will be open daily between 3.15 pm and 6pm within the school premises, providing high quality after school child care provision.  At present we are seeking to get expression of interest from parents to determine how many people would like to utilise this valuable facility. 

To this end we would love to hear from anyone with children in the school, or whose children will be attending the school in the new term. 

The contact number for DYLAN's DEN is 0845 658 6568.

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• LOST PHONE - An old-style Nokia mobile phone was lost in Ton Pentre a few weeks ago, somewhere along the main road, possibly between the Pet Shop and Post Office.

• If anyone finds it, please contact Mrs Bayliss on 01443 683654.

* * *

ANIMAL CHARITY - Friends of the Animals fundraising charity shop is open daily in Ton Pentre and would like volunteers to help out. Anyone interested is welcome to call to the shop in Church Road for further enquiries.

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Photo: Joshua Hughes as 'Bugsy Malone'

YOUTH THEATRE SAYS THANKS

Act 1 Youth Theatre Group would like to say a big thank you to all those who supported them for their first production, Bugsy Malone, that was staged at Parc Hall Theatre, Cwmparc in July.

The show was a great success, and all members are now looking forward to starting rehearsals for their next production, the Panto, Dick Whittington, being performed in December 2008.

For further information, call Sue on 01443 433164.

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• SUMMER ACTIVITIES - Treorchy Library will be holding the following summer activities for children.

• Chinese Stencils making session to celebrate the Beijing Olympics, will be held on Wednesday, August 6 from 2.30pm to 3.30pm.

• Chinese Lantern making session will be held on Wednesday, August 13 from 2.30pm-to 3.30pm.

• The sessions are suitable for children over 5 years of age, so come into the library and enjoy an afternoon of fun and entertainment.

• Please remember that children under 8, at all sessions, should be accompanied by an adult.

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SURGERIES - Treorchy Ward Councillors are holding three surgeries during the first week of each month to enable members of the public to discuss local issues with them.

Councillors Cennard Davies and Edward Hancock will hold their surgeries on Friday, August 1 in Cwmparc Community Welfare Hall from 10 to 11am, and afterwards from 11am until 12 noon in Noddfa Day Centre, Treorchy.

On Wednesday, August 6, Councillor Sera Evans will be holding a surgery in Treorchy Adult Education Centre (Youth Centre), Horeb Street, from 5.30pm until 6.30pm. 

There is no need to make an appointment for any of the surgeries.

The Plaid Cymru Councillors can be contacted at other times by phoning Cennard Davies on 435563, Sera Evans on 777130 or Edward Hancock on 774785.

Alternatively, feel free to contact the Councillors by email to treorci@yahoo.com