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JULY and AUGUST 2004

GARDENING SUCCESS - A Rhondda mother and daughter have both scooped first prizes in this year’s RCT Council’s “In Bloom” Annual Gardening Competition for the Best Hanging Basket or Window Box Display. 

Long-standing champion Agnes Mackey of Blaencwn has now won the Rhondda Senior Citizen’s Section for the THIRD time, over the last ten years of entering, while daughter Janine Evans of Treorchy achieved first place this year when entering her own hanging basket display in the competition for the first time. 

Agnes Mackey's winning hanging basket display (Senior Citizen's - Rhondda Section)

“Of course, no one in the council would have realised we were related because of our different surnames.” said 75 year- old Agnes.  

“My mother wasn’t even sure it was me who had won” said Janine 38, whose husband Gwyn runs the local computer shop. 

“When mam read the list of winners for the various sections, she though there must have been another lady in Treorchy with the same name. She never imagined we could both have won. Especially as it was my first time of entering!” 

Both ladies have been keen gardeners for the last ten years and while Agnes’s preferred flowers are geraniums, her daughter Janine favours petunias. 

Janine Evans' winning hanging basket display (Rhondda Section)

“I just love watching them all coming along and the colours are just wonderful” said Janine

The green-fingered pair intend to carry on with their gardening passions and would recommend any beginner to take up the hobby of growing flowers in basket displays. 

And are there any secret family gardening tips they might be passing down to Janine’s 8 year-old daughter Rebecca?  “We’ll tell her to just start small, and build up!”

  • TREORCHY SENIOR CITIZENS CLUB - On Monday 12th July, members and friends of Treorchy Senior Citizens Club travelled to Cheltenham and Bourton on the Water for their annual coach outing.

Thanks to the excellent organising skills of Mrs Eira Richards; the day proved to be very successful.  Thanks are extended to Mrs Joyce Davies who, with the help of Eira, Beryl Jones and Pat Scane organised the raffle. A big thank you, from the committee, to everyone who supported.

Club Meetings are now held again at Oak Tree Hall on a regular basis and everyone over the age of 55 years, male or female, is welcome to join the oldest swingers in town for an afternoon of entertainment, refreshments and Bingo.

Following the recent repairs that have been carried out at the Hall; the committee are pleased to inform the public that Oak Tree Hall is now available for hire. For all enquiries please contact the Secretary on 01443 776681.

RHONDDA CAMEO SOCIETY - The monthly meeting of the Rhondda Cameo Society was held on Wednesday 21st July. President Crinllys Davies welcomed members and visitor Mr Dave Edwards of the Rhondda Leader, who signed copies of his new book.

‘Get Well’ wishes were sent to Kath Richards and Pam Pugh. We sadly record the death of Joyce Nicholas - a cousin of the late Doreen Neely - and niece of Dilys Castling. Our sympathies are also with Gwyneth Brown who suffered the loss of two family members in one week – her son-in-law and sister-in-law. Members stood in quiet respect.

Mair John read the minutes of the last meeting and Betty Hayter gave the Treasurer’s report. Secretary Megan Morris brought us up to date with coming events.

We warmly welcomed our guest speaker Belinda Harvey who relived her holiday in Canada. She gave us an excellent and enthusiastic guided tour and painted a vivid picture of her journey through the Rockies on the Rocky Mountaineer and her memorable cruise to Alaska.

After the vote of thanks, tea and biscuits were served and names were given for the forthcoming Mystery Trip on Wednesday 1st September.

Members who are unable to attend should inform the Outing Secretary, Betty Hayter, in good time in order to ensure a full coach.

  • THANKS - Tracey and staff at Rhondda Kinder Care (based at Bethlehem Chapel) would like to send many thanks to all the parents and grandparents for their kind support, and to wish all their school leavers the very best for the future.

All children are welcome to come along and develop pre-school skills through play when we resume in September.

SENIOR CITIZENS - On the 16th June Anita Morgan of BBC Wales recorded her radio programme ‘That’s How it Was,’ at Oak Tree Hall, Cemetery Road, Treorchy where members of the Senior Citizens Club were invited along to relate memories of their childhood. 

The evening was filled with several amusing stories and both Anita and the Club Members had an evening to remember. The programme will be broadcast on BBC Radio Wales on Sunday 18th July.

This year’s Annual Coach trip will take place on Monday 12th July when members and friends will travel to Cheltenham and Bourton on the Water. The coaches will leave Oak Tree Hall at 9.00am.

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