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March 2002

ANNUAL REPORT - Rhondda MP Chris Bryant has delivered a copy of his first annual report to every home and business in the constituency. The report details the changes Labour are making in creating a strong economy, improving health, tackling crime, raising education standards and generating employment in the Rhondda. 

• ATTACKED - A veteran soldier & former colliery worker - 61 year-old Gwyn Watkins of Penrhys - was beaten and left unconscious for several hours, just 25 minutes after ejecting a group of 16 year-olds from the Royal Antediluvian Order of Buffaloes Club in Penrhys, where he is chairman. The attack occurred at 9.40pm on Sunday 17th March. Anyone with information can contact police on 01443 743806.

SUMMER CONCERT - American bands GREEN DAY and SUM 41 will headline an open-air concert in the grounds at Cardiff Castle this summer - on Friday 19th July.

• DENTISTS - Welsh Health Minister Jane Hutt announced that up to £40,000 is available to new or improved dental surgeries  - in areas where patients cannot get an NHS dental appointment in the South Wales Valleys.

BLAZE - A house fire at Hillcrest View, Maerdy - where 3 children and an adult were treated for smoke inhalation - was probably caused by a child playing with matches. Fire station officer David Bents also noted after his investigation that there was no smoke alarm in the property at Hillcrest View. He urged people to install & check smoke alarms now.

• PHARMACY CUTS - Rhondda AM Geraint Davies has criticised Bro Taf Health Authority’s plans to curtail Sunday rota pharmacy services in the Rhondda. 

TRIVIAL PURSUITS - Rhondda Playwright Frank Vickery is currently touring with his hilarious play Trivial Pursuits - at the Muni, Pontypridd - Sherman Theatre, Cardiff - The Grand, Swansea & The Coliseum, Aberdare.

• COMMUNITY SCHOOL - The New Penyrenglyn Community School - which serves residents of both Treherbert & Ynyswen - is underway, and it is hoped it will be completed by January 2003. The governors have been approached by an independent film maker and former pupil of the school - to make a documentary of the last few days of both Penyrenglyn Infants and Juniors, and the first few days in the new school. *see news archive for February & scroll down to "NEW BOOK".

SUNDAY LEAGUE - The Treherbert New Inn football team - Penyrenglyn - will be in the Sunday league final on April 7th against Maerdy. The kick off will be at 2pm in Dinas Park - Dinas, Porth.

• SHOW - The 'Wales Forever' show is at the Park & Dare Theatre, Treorchy on Friday April 5th (on the eve of Wales -v- Scotland).  The show has been touring theatres in South Wales in conjunction with the six nations and is described as 'an evening of unashamed Welsh patriotism'. 

BUS LOSS - Rhondda AM Geraint Davies has written to Stagecoach expressing concerns over the withdrawal of their bus service from Blaencwm to Cardiff at off peak times. 

• FRAUD - Rhondda MP Chris Bryant has called on the Government to bring more fraudsters to justice - and wants the Serious Fraud Office to have responsibility for all fraud.  

STABBING - Reports were made at 2am today (18-03-02) of a stabbing incident in John Street, Pentre. The victim - a young man - is currently undergoing emergency surgery. 

• NEW SECRETARY - Pat Brunker of Treherbert has been elected - by 31 to 26 votes - as the Labour party's new constituency secretary, following the recent resignation of Roger Jenkins of Ynyshir after two years service. Pat had been opposed by Ken Hopkins of Porth, former secretary for Labour in the Rhondda for many years.

FOOD SUPPLEMENTS - The European Parliament has passed a Directive on food supplements, to ensure only an approved list of products can be sold in future. Products will also have to be clearly labeled with a recommended dose and will not be allowed to carry claims of prevention, treatment or cure for illnesses. Sue Wilkinson of Treorchy Health Shop claimed "This Directive has been pushed through to help the manufacturers of pharmaceutical drugs, who see complementary medicines as a threat to their monopoly." 

• STAGE SCHOOL - Cardiff's Encore Stage School is seeking young talent for its next production of Bugsy Malone. The school will be enrolling for the new term on Saturday 20th April between 2 and 4pm at the Cathedral School, Llandaff, Cardiff. For details phone Sharon on 029 2062 6694 or Lesley on 029 2061 2251 evenings only. 

JAZZ FESTIVAL - A three-day jazz event will be held at Porthcawl from 31st May - featuring international artists - at the Seabank Hotel and Grand Pavilion. Contact George Stiles on 01275 878557 for weekend tickets to every event and three nights at the Seabank Hotel costing £190. For weekend and day passes only, phone the Seabank Hotel, Porthcawl on 01656 782261. For tickets to the Grand Pavilion at £10, phone the box office on 01656 7869996.

• CAR ENTHUSIASTS - The South Wales Classic Car Club wants all kinds of auto-junk for sale at their next show - to be held at Pencoed Agricultural College on May 12th - to raise funds for Bobath Children's Therapy Centre, Wales. The show will include an auto jumble sale, trade stands, fair rides and an extensive display of vintage and classic cars, military, commercial and agricultural vehicles. Admission will be £2.50 for adults, £1 concessions and 50p for children. To donate jumble phone Ken Sheppard on 01792 812030 and for general enquiries about the show, phone 01656 656424.

DIGITAL  - Cardiff Digital Imaging Group meet on Wednesday 21st March at 7.30pm in the Trinity Methodist Church, Roath, Cardiff. Entrance fee £2 - new members are welcome. For details contact 029 2051 2609. 

• ROBBERY ATTEMPT - Police are appealing for witnesses to an attempted armed robbery at a jeweler's shop in Hannah Street, Porth on Thursday 14th March. Staff were threatened with a sawn-off shotgun and a man was later arrested. Call South Wales Police on 029 2022 2111 with any information.

ARTIST - The Art department at Tonypandy Comprehensive School will have a professional artist in residence during the summer term, following a lottery grant. All local residents are welcome to take part in the workshops and can contact department head Fiona Carmichael on 01443 436171 extension 216.

• NEW SCHOOL -  Work will shortly begin on the new Rhondda Special School to be built in Ystrad. The school will cater for 100 pupils with special needs - aged 3 to 18years - and will be situated next to the Rhondda Sports Centre. The school will have a hydrotherapy pool, IT centre, physiotherapy suite, an all-weather five-a-side pitch and a sensory garden. A new bowling green with pavilion and clubhouse will be provided at Gelligaled - in exchange for part of the new school site.

SUMMER SCHOOL - More than 500 adults are expected to sign up for courses at the University of Glamorgan's Summer School starting on 29th July. Courses range from Welsh Language to lovespoon carving, photography, arts and crafts, IT and outdoor activities. Details available from ggiles@glam.ac.uk or phone Gillian Giles on 01443 482828.

• HOME CARE - Welsh Health Minister Jane Hutt has announced that, from April 2002, six weeks of free home care will be provided for the sick, elderly & frail who are assessed as needing special support - following their discharge from hospital.

TRIBUTE - A night of music and poetry has been held at Clwb-y-Bont, Pontypridd in tribute to Rod Barrar of Trelewis - a former teacher at Treorchy Comprehensive School - who died a few months ago. 

• IQ TEST - BBC 1 is about to test the IQ of people across the country on one dedicated Saturday evening - with viewers being able to join in with a series of puzzles - as part of the BBC's spring & summer season of television programmes. It is hoped that the results will either prove or disprove existing stereotypes.

• CAMPAIGN - Former Plaid Cymru leader, Dafydd Wigley AM for Caernarfon is to spearhead the party's drive in the South Wales Valleys during the National Assembly election campaign for 2003.

INQUEST - Coroner Philip Walters has recorded a verdict of suicide after Gareth Davies was discovered hanged at his home in Jones Street, Treherbert last December. Mr. Davies had moved to Treherbert from Cambridge two years earlier.

• PROSTATE - More than 25,000 men will take part in a five-year study into prostate cancer. The investigation will cost £1million and is aimed at improving treatment of the disease in Wales.

APPEAL LOST - Governors at a Tonyrefail Primary School have upheld their colleagues decision to terminate their headmistress's contract after allegations were made of claims to RCT Council for up to 20 fictitious pupils.

• RECYCLING - Ten full time jobs have been created by the success of Rhondda Cynon Taff Council's kerbside recycling scheme, which now employs 16 people after a pilot scheme was introduced only a few weeks ago. 

TIP CLOSED - Rhondda's controversial Nantygwyddon Tip is closed - permanently - after a 13-year battle. Protestors joined with local county councillors to celebrate the closure, with council leader Pauline Jarman and Euro MP Jill Evans planting commemorative shrubs at the site. Geraint Davies AM for Rhondda has launched a petition to demand that the National Assembly and European Union fund the accelerated closure and £2million clean-up costs "on the grounds that the financial costs of this scandal should not be paid for by the victims." 

• AXED - The world-famous South Wales Miner's Eisteddfod - based at Porthcawl - has been cancelled for this year and is not expected to be held again, due to the decline in audience support. The eisteddfod had maintained its artistic integrity despite falling audience figures, and it is hoped that some elements of the eisteddfod can be preserved - including the brass band and literary competitions. The event had run since 1948 and was the scene of one of the world's first transatlantic radio links in 1957 between Paul Robeson and the Treorchy Male Voice Choir. 

FREE INTERNET - Residents of Rhondda Cynon Taff can surf the internet at their local libraries for free. A £402,422 lottery grant - awarded through the New Opportunities Fund People's Network - has enabled RCT's 29 libraries to be the first in Wales to provide free access to the world wide web. 

• CLAIM - Elderly people are reminded to claim their £200 winter fuel payment before the deadline on 31st March. Contact the Winter Fuel Payments Helpline on 08459 151 515 Mon - Fri between 8.30am and 4.30pm.

MEP  - Welsh Member of the European Parliament, Jill Evans from Ystrad, Rhondda, has joined the fight to prevent a massive hydrological plant construction - at the site of one of the greatest battles in the Spanish Civil War - at the Ebro River Delta, midway between Barcelona and Valencia on the Mediterranean Coast.  70,000 fighters were killed or injured at the Battle of Ebro - many were volunteers from Wales. 

• MISCALCULATION - Assembly members are set have an increase in salary to £41,500 from April1st after the Senior Salaries Review Body - which sets politicians ' pay - admitted that AM's had lost out on £500 a year for the last three years.

TOP DAD 2002 - The Guild of British Tie Makers invites children across Wales to nominate their fathers for the title of "Top Dad 2002". The winning dad will receive an all-expenses paid family weekend in London on 15th & 16th June, a trophy and a wardrobe full of the latest ties. Children should send a letter - no longer than 100 words - to:- Top Dads, Guild of British Tie Makers, 5 Portland Place, London W1B 1PW by 30th May. 

• ASTRONOMY - Cardiff Astronomical Society holds a free observing evening on March 21st at the Wenallt Car Park at 7.30pm, weather permitting. Contact secretary Dave Powell on 029 2055 1704 for further information. 

TRIP - Rhondda & Cynon Valley Railway Society has a coach day trip - costing £29.50 - to the French & Belgian border on Saturday 23rd March. Leaving Treherbert at 5.30am, pick-up points will continue to Rhydyfelin. To book £29.50 seat phone 01443-773197.

• JIVE - "Le Roc" jive dance classes start weekly at Treorchy Con Club from Tuesday 12th March. Dance classes will be held from 8 till 10pm. Visit www.geocities.com/rhonddaleroc/ for further information.

TALENT COMPETITION - Local heats take place at the Pentre Legion on Wednesday 27^th March for the Starsearch 2002 talent competition. Entertainers of all kinds are invited to take part. Contact Neil Abber for further information about the heats on 07815 595869 or leave a message on 436426.

• DIABETES - The Rhondda branch of Diabetes UK meets on the second Thursday of every month at the Brynnar Jones Community Centre in Gelli, situated at the corner of Tysaf Road and Rees Street. The group meets from 7 to 9pm and have various guest speakers to answer questions. For information contact John Jones on 436074.

SALE - A table-top sale will be held at St. Matthew’s Church Hall, Treorchy on Saturday 16^th March, from 10am until 1pm. Would anyone interested in reserving a table to sell their items, please phone 773947.

• INCOME - Rhondda MP Chris Bryant asked the government - during Work and Pensions questions - to do everything they could to ensure all pensioners who are entitled, claim the minimum income guarantee. 
  In Culture, Media and Sport questions he welcomed government moves to give amateur sports clubs charity status - calling for tax allowances as well. He also criticised RCT council for increasing the price of sporting facilities in the Rhondda.  

FATHERS - The annual general meeting of the Cardiff branch of Families Need Fathers takes place on 6th March at Llandaff Institute, High Street, Llandaff. Representatives of Battrick Clark Solicitors of Bristol - specialists in family law - will be available for free legal advice on child issues, divorce and seperation. Visit www.fnf.org.info or phone Matthew Mudge on 07866 566045.

• APPEAL - Help the Aged wants unwanted spectacles for distribution in the developing world, aiming to have collected its millionth pair in 10years, before the end of April. 50,000 more glasses are needed for the charity to meet its goal. Glasses can be donated at Help the Aged Shops, Dolland & Aitchison Optician branches or wrap and send by post to World in Sight Appeal, Freepost Lon 13109, London N1 9BR.

FUNERAL - Mr. Michael Lewis of Troedyrhiw Terrace, Treorchy passed away on 27th February. The funeral service will take place at 1.20pm, on Wednesday, 6th March at the Funeral Home, lower Regent Street, Treorchy. Internment afterwards at Treorchy Cemetery. Flowers may be sent to the funeral home. 

• PARKING - Charges for car parking at the University Hospital of Wales, Cardiff have risen again to £1.90 for short stay parking up to 4 hours. Parking prices have now almost doubled over the last six years at the UHW - which has the highest parking costs in Wales - costing higher than some hospitals in England. 

• Royal Gwent Hospital, Newport - £1 for 2 hours. Llandough Hospital, Penarth - 75p for 2 hours. Royal Glamorgan Hospital, Llantrisant - 60p per day, with limited free parking spaces also. Princess of Wales Hospital, Bridgend - 80p for 4 hours. Prince Charles Hospital, Merthyr Tydfil - free parking. John Radcliffe Hospital, Oxford, England - £1.50 for 4 hours. Derriford Hospital, Plymouth, England - £1.40 for 4 hours.

CULTURE BID - Ian Watkins of Cwmparc - aka "H" of the former Steps pop group - is backing Cardiff's bid to become the European City of Culture in 2008, saying. "...this is a great opportunity to introduce the rest of the world to the best of Welsh culture, and I'm proud to be a part of it." Visit www.cardiff2008.co.uk for further information on the bid.

• BLAZE - Cancer Research UK is appealing for assistance after an electrical fire destroyed a storage centre in Pontypridd. All summer clothing stock - ready for despatch to the charity's 14 shops across South Wales - has been destroyed. Temporary premises are sought in Pontypridd, as well as urgently needed donations of good quality clothing. Phone Helen Evans on 07887 651151.

SITES - Rhondda Cynon Taff Council has approved the sale of all of it's industrial sites to a private investment company. The sale will bring in £12million to the authority - which has made steady financial progress since being on the verge of bankruptcy in 1999.

• EVENT - Tynewydd Labour Club is the venue for "The Rhondda Big Band Show" - a 15 piece band. For an evening of MUSIC – DANCING – BINGO, join us on Wednesday 20^th March 2002. Admission £2.50. For tickets or further information, ring Secretary (Madge) on 01443 436813 .

TREORCHY WI - The Performing Arts section of Treorchy WI have a busy time ahead. On the 9^th and 10^th April, the Group is putting on a variety show at the Oak Tree Hall. On Wednesday, 22^nd May, members of our Drama Section will be taking part in a Theatre Evening at the Berwyn Theatre. During Wings Week in September the Group will be putting on another show at the RAFA Club Treorchy. And in November our Pantomime - a modern version of Cinderella -  will be one of the items at the Crackerjack Show at the Pavilion Theatre Porthcawl. 

The WI Choir has also a lot of engagements this year giving concerts at the local Residential Homes and Centres for the Aged. The Choir will also be taking part in a Gymanfa Ganu to be held in Bethany Chapel Treherbert. The Choir’s conductress Mrs. Mary Henry Price has been asked to be the guest conductor at this Gymanfa Ganu.

The Kitchen Band are in great demand giving very enjoyable concerts to the local Residential Homes and Centres for the Aged. The Band has proved so popular locally that they now are asked to give concerts in venues outside the local area. *Treorchy WI also features in our website magazine section - under "local societies".

• MOBILES - Drivers in South Wales caught using their mobile phones could be summonsed for up to £2,500 with three to nine penalty points on their license from Monday, 4th March - in a new campaign. Alternatively drivers may incur an on-the-spot £30 fine for not being in proper control of the vehicle.

CASH CALLS - Rhondda MP Chris Bryant calls for more fair play in handing out lottery cash for deprived valley areas. He urged government and other funding bodies to consider employing a single Welsh valleys funding co-ordinator - calling for expansion & improvement to the Parc & Dare Theatre, Treorchy & additional support for Abergorki Hall, Ynyswen. 

• FEATURE - South Wales Echo newspaper seeks people with memories of Wendy Boston - the pioneering toy maker who revolutionised the teddy bear industry during the 1950's & 60's - or from anyone who worked in her South Wales factory. Phone Sarah Walsh on 029 2058 3634.

PROM - The Royal Philharmonic Orchestra, Cardiff Ardwyn Singers and Cardiff Polyphonic Choir will perform at "The People's Prom" at St. David's Hall, Cardiff at 7.30pm on Thursday, 14th March. Conductor Owain Arwel Hughes's 60th birthday will also be celebrated at the event. Tickets are available from 029 2087 8444.

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