RHONDDA CAMEO - The Rhondda Cameo Society celebrated the end of the winter season with an enjoyable Spring Tea.

The guest speakers for the afternoon were Sian James and Marian Harrison who took us on a journey down “Memory Lane”. Members were invited to take part in early reminiscences of childhood. This was followed by a picture quiz and prizes were awarded.

Tribute was paid to the late Mair Voyle Davies who was a valued member of the Cameo committee and will be sadly missed by many.

Names were then taken for the forthcoming trip to Hereford on Wednesday, April 30. Friends of members are also invited to join us on this occasion.

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• UPPER RHONDDA 50+FORUM - An open meeting of the Upper Rhondda 50+ Forum will take place at Oak Tree Hall Treorchy at 10.30am to 12.30 on Monday, April 7.
• The guest speakers are Sarah Morgan, Patient and Public Involvement Officer and Ceri Isles from the Royal Glamorgan Hospital.
• Members and non members are welcome to attend.
• Please come along and take the opportunity to put your point of view.

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CANDIDATES - The Treorchy, Cwmparc and Ynyswen Branch of Plaid Cymru has announced the selection of their three candidates for the forthcoming Council elections. The Plaid candidates are Cennard Davies, Sera Evans and Edward Hancock. The RCT County Borough Council Elections will be held on May 1^st.

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• EXHIBITION - The first solo art exhibition by Blaencwm artist Derek Windsor, will be held at the Treorchy Frame shop in Station Road, Treorchy, run by David Williams, on Monday, March 31.
• The opening night will be held from 7pm.
• The exhibition will then continue to be available to see at regular shop hours until April 14.
• Derek has been selling paintings through the Brecon Galleries for the past three years and has had a successful exhibition there last year.
• Between them they hope this exhibition will encourage other artists in the area to show what is available in the local community.
• Derek is popular for his pet portraits and has been teaching oil painting at the Maerdy community centre since 2006, where he developed the increasing popular Maerdy Art society.
• Treorchy Framers has now been running for over a year offering bespoke framing and a variety of artworks.

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BINGO GRANT - Many thanks again to local voluntary workers Margaret Harvey, Cath Radford, Barbara Dixon, Cath Pickin and Margaret Thomas, who continue to maintain our local fundraising charity shop by their sterling efforts.  

The Care and Share Charity Shop in Pentre has recently provided a grant of £319.26 to enable the purchase of a bingo machine and pack of bingo books for the Phoenix Theatre, who will now be able to hold weekly bingo sessions there after popular demand locally.

Doors will open weekly on Monday afternoons, from March 31, at 1.30pm in the Phoenix Theatre, Ton Pentre, and the bingo sessions will commence at 2pm.

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• DISPLAY - Travelcare Treorchy have recently organised an Easter promotion at their High Street shop in conjunction with Treorchy Community Base (adults with learning disabilities) who have designed the pictures for the promotion which have been on display in their window.
• A winner will be selected on March 20 from all the pictures displayed and thanks are sent to the Treorchy Co-operative Store for providing the three main prizes.

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VOCALIST - Congratulations to Ffion Wilde of Treorchy, for winning the Singing section in the Treorchy Male Voice and Coca Cola Junior Musician of the Year’s Grand Final, which was held at Treorchy Comprehensive School on March 12.

The competition was run by the Treorchy Male Choir and sponsored by Coca Cola. This year, 27 talented youngsters from 15 Primary Schools throughout the Rhondda took part in the grand final.       

10 year-old Ffion had won her Preliminary Round at Treorchy Primary School, where she sang “My Favourite Things” from the Sound of Music, and won two tickets to attend the “Lion King” in London’s West End, as did all the other preliminary round winners in the contest. 

Ffion said that the Grand Final was a bit like the “X Factor” with a magical, theatrical atmosphere which she loves. 

The grand final compere, Dean Powell, said of Ffion’s performance "that Connie Francis from the Sound of Music had better watch out because Ffion Wilde would be hot on her heels!"

At the Grand Final, Roy Noble OBE presented Ffion with a trophy, £200 prize money and a holiday at Euro Disney for her family. She was also presented with a large trophy for Treorchy Primary School to display for a year.  

Ffion was also invited to perform “My Favourite Things” again, this time at the Parc & Dare Theatre with the Treorchy Male Choir and the Parc & Dare Band at their annual Good Friday Concert on March 21. She will also be performing with the choir in the Heritage Park sometime in June. 

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• DISPLAY - On display this month at Treorchy Library are photographs from past shows of Treorchy Comprehensive School at the Parc and Dare. Ex-teacher and local photographer Trevor James has photographed the dress-rehearsals of the shows and from many images, has produced a display to commemorate the talents of the students. The display is on show at the library until March 15.

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CANDIDATES - The Treorchy, Cwmparc and Ynyswen Branch of the Labour Party are pleased to announce the selection of their three candidates for the forthcoming Council elections. The Labour Party candidates are Hardev Kalirai (Dr Singh), David Lewis and Mary Williams. The RCT County Borough Council Elections will be held on May 1^st.

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NEW SKILLS - If you are interested in starting a new course, then it is never too late to learn a new skill. Coleg Morgannwg will be offering the following FREE courses in your area, depending on demand;

• Essential Skills and Word Processing
• Essential Skills and Computers Don't Bite
• Essential Skills and The Internet
• Creative Writing
• Working with Primary School Children
• Job Seeking Skills eg CV writing, application forms, form filling
• English
• Maths

For further information please contact Theresa at Coleg Morgannwg on 01443 730111

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• THANKS - Most sincere thanks are sent to all who came to see our pantomime of Cinderella, and to those who bought raffle tickets from the Ty Ddewi Armchair Theatre Players. Your support helped us to raise £291 towards improving our garden.

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RHONDDA CAMEO - The St David’s Day celebrations of Rhonda Cameo Society featured a much appreciated concert by the choir of Ton Pentre Junior School.

The headmaster, Mr Steele, introduced each item, which included a medley of Welsh songs from past and present. The choir was led and accompanied by Mr Neil Topping. Annie Clarke, in an authentic Welsh costume, gave a bilingual vote of thanks to the choir for such a delightful performance.

Tea and Welsh cakes were followed by a short business meeting. Several visitors were welcomed and have now become new members. Cameo Secretary Megan Morris announced the Spring Tea and AGM would be held on Wednesday, March 26 in the English Congregational Chapel Vestry at 2pm. The guest speakers will be Sian James and Marian Harrison.

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• SURGERIES - Local Plaid Cymru Councillors hold their next monthly advice surgeries on Friday, March 7.
• They will be at Cwmparc Welfare Hall from 10am to 10.50am and afterwards at Noddfa Day Centre from 11am to 12noon.
• All residents are welcome to attend and no appointments are necessary.
• At any other time, please contact Councillor Cennard Davies on 435563 or Councillor Edward Hancock on 774785.