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October 2002

FUN RUN - More than 200 runners and walkers took part in the Council’s annual Fun Run through the streets of the Rhondda. The course, just over 5 miles, started at Rhondda Sports Centre, continued through Pentre and up to Treorchy, back down over the Maindy, through Gelli to finish the circular route back at the sports centre.  

Male winners - 1st Martin Rees of Cwmavon finishing in 28:20 mins; 2nd Richard Gardiner of Caerphilly (29:02 mins); 3rd Julian Baker of Cardiff (29:38 mins).

Female winners - 1st Lisa Howe of Port Talbot finishing in 33:55 mins; 2nd Ann Evans of Merthyr (35:37mins); 3rd Fiona Davies of Porth (37:18 mins).

1st prize in the fancy dress category went to Colin Thomas of Bridgend who ran the course dressed up in traditional welsh ladies' costume complete with a bunch of daffodils. 2nd prize went to Rhondda Cynon Taf Council’s Licensing Team who dressed as taxi cabs and donated their £50.00 prize money to Tŷ Hafan. 3rd prize went to The Pink Ladies and St Trinians who walked the course in aid of the Iori Bell Wheelchair Appeal. * for full details see press releases under Rhondda Cynon Taff County Borough Council.

• BAN - The government has decided to ban Air Bomb fireworks from being sold from January 2003. The firework which costs between 20p and £1, has been involved in up to one-fifth of all firework accidents last year. On-the-spot fines of £40, will also be imposed on people found throwing fireworks in the street from next year. 

WELSH NEWSPAPER - "Y Gloran", the Welsh language community newspaper, will be holding a special event featuring “Y Taeogion” - three performing poets - at Ysgol Gymraeg Ynyswen on Wednesday 30^th October at 7pm. Admission is free and the evening will be one of a series of events to mark the 25^th anniversary of the paper. Croeso i bawb - All Welcome.

• CANCER RESEARCH - Treorchy and District Cancer Research Group hold a fundraising ‘Pink Evening’ at the Treorchy Businessmen’s Club on Thursday, October 31^st at 7.30pm. All residents are warmly invited to attend.

NOMINATED - Talkshow have been nominated for the 'Best Unsigned Act' - for the second year running - at this year's Welsh Music Awards, to be held at the Coal Exchange in Cardiff Bay during December. Voting for this year's awards can be done at www.welshmusicwards.com by following links to the Rock and Pop Awards. Talkshow were awarded the "Best Unsigned Act" at the Welsh Music Awards 2001.* see general press releases

• Rhondda AM Geraint Davies has travelled to Ireland on a fact-finding mission to learn from their experiences in the field of setting up a genealogy (family history) centre in the Rhondda. Ireland boasts 34 family history centres throughout its counties which have played a major part in tourism development. * see press release section - Assembly Member for Rhondda - for full details.

Geraint Davies AM with representatives of the County Kildare Family History Centre, Ireland

BANDS - "Hondo Maclean" & "Jonny Mental" play live on Friday 25th October at Ystrad Rhondda Labour Club, Tyntyla Rd. Doors: 7.00pm. Entry: £3.00. Curfew: 11.00pm. Details: 07775 558 548

• MISS WORLD - Entries to the Miss World competition are still being sought. Girls must be unmarried, without children and aged between 17 and 24 and should send a copy of their CV with two recent photographs - including a clear head and shoulder shot to Miss Wales 2002, 21 Golden Square, London, W1F 9JN. The Miss Wales competition - based on looks & personality - will be judged at Jumpin' Jacks nightclub in Cardiff on Monday 21st October. The winner will receive £500 & an all-expenses paid trip to compete in Miss World 2002, scheduled for Nov 30th in Abuja, Nigeria. 

CRASH - A driver was taken to the Royal Glamorgan Hospital after he craches into a wall in Baglan Street, Treherbert around 5pm on Thursday, 3rd October. The man had to be cut free by firemen at the scene and sustained leg and pelvis injuries with suspected back and neck injuries also.

• DINNER - A black-tie dinner event will be held at St. David's Hall, Cardiff on Saturday 16th November to raise funds for Cancer Research UK. The dinner is being arranged by Cardiff City defender Spencer Prior and his wife Clare and will also include a charity auction. Lots include a signed Rio Ferdinand shirt, a guitar signed by Bryan Adams and a signed pair of Joe Calzaghe's boxing gloves. A table for 10 at the dinner will cost £400. To reserve a ticket send a cheque payable to Cancer Research UK to C. Prior, PO Box 68, Chepstwo, Gwent NP 16 6YQ or phone 07817 683929.

FIREWORKS - A warning has been issued by the RSPCA after reports of animals being frightened by fireworks in the valleys. A spokesperson has warned the public to consider animals when using fireworks, stating that each year they deal with hundreds of fireworks-related calls involving acts of cruelty. RSPCA Superintendent for Wales Kevin Manning said incidents should be reported to them on 08705 555999.

• ACCIDENT - A Cwmparc teenager's arm was hit by a passing train as he raised his arm to request the train to stop at the station at Treforest. The 3pm train to Treherbert did not stop and slammed into 16 year-old Adam Lewis, leaving him on the unattended platform from where he made his way back to college in Nantgarw with a badly bruised arm and hand which turned black. Valleys Lines said Treforest Station had been a request stop for eight years and the request status was removed - 48hours after the incident - with the onset of the winter timetables. An investigation will now be held.

DEPRESSION - The University of Wales College of Medicine is conducting a study of the way depression runs in families. Brothers and sisters who have suffered are asked to come forward and answer some questions and give a small blood sample. Phone 029 2074 4392. 

• AWARENESS - Cancer Research UK Cymru has launched a range of pink products - including designer T-shirts, beanbag puppies and pink wigs - for Breast Cancer Awareness Month in October. For information on how to get involved, phone the hotline on 08701 602040. Pink ribbons are available from any Cancer Research shop for a suggested minimum donation of £1.

MOVIE STUDIOS - The National Assembly have abandoned their objections to a project which could bring more than 2,000 jobs to the valleys. The assembly had blocked moves for a movie studio, film academy & movie-based leisure attractions at Llanilid (similar to those at Universal Studios, USA) due to a need for a new junction on the M4 motorway. Local councils are now free to decide whether the 350-acre "Dragon International Studios" development - backed by Sir Richard Attenborough - can be built to provide facilities to support feature films, television productions & commercials with full editing & post-production facilities. 

• ARRESTS - A total of 26 people have been arrested on suspicion of drug offences, following raids on 21 houses throughout the valleys. Police horses were deployed in Treorchy, and Ton Pentre where 11 men and a woman were arrested. Two were arrested on suspicion of possessing cannabis, six on suspicion of supplying heroin and four for allegedly possessing heroin. 
• 14 people were arrested in Merthyr Tydfil where almost £6,000 worth of heroin, cannabis, amphetamines and Viagra was confiscated along with other goods such as knives and £2,000 worth of illegal fireworks.

DOG NEUTERING - The National Canine Defence League offers free neutering operations for dogs owned by anyone receiving means-tested benefits. The operation -which can normally cost anything up to £130 -  offers huge health benefits to dogs & prevents unwanted litters. Contact the NCDL hotline on 0845 6063036.

• CENSUS - The 2001 census shows that since 1981 there has been an exodus of people from Rhondda Cynon Taf, whereas the overall population in Wales continues to grow. A spokesperson from the Office for National Statistics said figures from 1981 were preferable for comparison as the 1991 census figures had been over-adjusted, particularly in the young men age group.

REJECTED - A £100,000 bequest from the estate of TV writer and former drama teacher John Owen to Cymdeithas yr Iaith Gymraeg (The Welsh Language Society) has now been refused by the society, after initially agreeing to accept the legacy. A similar bequest to Plaid Cymru The Party of Wales had been rejected by the political party immediately. The Clywch Inquiry is investigating complaints about John Owen's behavior towards pupils who claim they were sexually abused by him. Mr. Owen committed suicide last October.

• JAILED - The South Wales Echo newspaper campaign has been praised by a senior policeman after the paper pictured soccer hooligans involved in fighting in Castle Square, Swansea last November. As a result of the paper's campaign to identify the hooligans - three Rhondda men have been jailed and a fourth was given  a 140-hour community punishment order with £380 costs.

INTERNATIONAL FESTIVAL - The inaugural International Festival of Musical Theatre will be held in Cardiff from 13th October to 3rd November, incorporating events from America, Australia, Europe and Great Britain providing for children & adult entertainment. For more information & tickets phone 0870 9042003 or visit www.cardiffmusicals.com

• RAIL - A £2 million state-of-the-art information system is being installed at 46 rail stations in Wales through funding from the Strategic Rail Authority's Rail Passenger Partnership, with £250,000 from the National Assembly. Main-line stations to benefit will include Cardiff, Bridgend & Newport. 

BEEF - The first UK export of beef left for the Netherlands recently from St Merryn Foods in Merthyr Tydfil under the newly-relaxed Date Based Export Scheme. All fresh meat exports from the UK had been banned since the start of the foot & mouth epidemic outbreak in February 2001. The ban was lifted in stages from the end of last year. Since July, export & non-export beef has been allowed in the same slaughterhouses.

• FORESTS - Forest Enterprise has been awarded Objective One funding of £300,000 from the National Assembly and European Union's European Agricultural Guidance and Guarantee Fund  (EAGGF). A total of 39 forests in South Wales will be cleared of burnt-out cars and rubbish and the areas secured to prevent vehicles gaining access in future. Forests chosen for clearance include Cwmparc, Penrhys, Treherbert, Pontypridd, Ogmore, Abercynon, Mountain Ash, Merthyr Tydfil, Abertillery, Blaengarw, and Cwmbran.

RICK PAYNE - international blues/slide guitarist plays at the Parc & Dare Fri 4th Oct. Tickets £4 from the box office 773112. Rick Payne is the composer and performer of slide guitar music for BBC TV Natural World 'Killer Bees' due to be shown soon.

Often compared to Ry Cooder, slide guitar maestro Rick Payne's performances have taken him to prime time TV, to festivals & theatres throughout the UK and on tour to Europe, Scandinavia and Greek Islands.

He has provided the background music to a number of major BBC TV productions, for wildlife programmes on Radio 4 and for BBC World Service.  He also featured on BBC Radio 2 with Nigel Kennedy & appeared live on BBC 1 in "Holby City".

His mastery of acoustic blues takes him beyond the usual boundaries of blues festivals and clubs. 

INDOOR BOWLS - Treherbert Short Green Bowls Club play at Ynyswen Welfare Hall from 6pm every Mon, Tues & Thurs evenings from 23rd September onwards & are looking for new members.

• OUTDOOR BOWLS - Gelli Park Bowling Club won the Cardiff Municipal League on 31 Aug while playing at home against Abertridwr. Shots For 97 Against 60 - taking 13 from 14pts. Gelli Park BC retaining their title as last year’s winners, bringing the cup to the valleys once more.

WALKING - For up to date information on arranged Autumn walks in Treherbert, Tynewydd, Blaenrhondda & Blaencwm - contact the Health Promotion Service on 01443 824396. All walks are designed to ensure participants achieve health benefits by meeting national recommended amounts of daily physical activity. Walks are led by trained walk leaders, vary in length & duration, but will not exceed 1 hour. *see "Walking the Way to Health" in the health section.

• WELSH ON THE WEB - Ben Howells of Horeb St, Treorci is developing a Welsh learner's interactive language course to be followed on the Internet. Visit www.treorchy.net/essentialwelsh (currently under construction) to try out the course. Simply click on the phrases to hear them spoken - and repeat them. Read Ben’s articles and follow the course on-line as it develops. Also a free Welsh language course for learners is to be arranged during the daytime in Treorchy. Ring Ben on 773430.

• CHURCH INCREASE - The Gosen Christian Centre at 31 Bute Street, Treorchy has recently been refurbished. Congregation numbers have doubled and are steadily increasing. Meetings are held every Sunday at 6:00pm. Contact Pastor Mal Holland on 01443-772571.

CHILD CARE - Playgroup/Parent & Toddler Service "Rhondda Kinder Care" is situated at Bethlehem Chapel, High Street, Treorchy. Assisted places may be available - phone 01443-774411. The service is registered with RCT Council, and has been established since 1991 and promotes equal opportunities.

• PLAYGROUP - Ynyswen Infants’ Playgroup for 2 ½ yr-olds is held each Mon to Fri, from 9am to 12 noon - costing £3 per session. Adult & toddler sessions are held every Mon & Wed, from 9am to 11am - at only £1 per session. For more information contact Mrs S Rowlands on 01443 - 772410. 

• BANDS - "Babylose", "Roostar" & "Odious" play live on: Friday 4th Oct at: PENTRE Labour Club, Llewellyn Street, Pentre. Doors: 7.00pm. Entry: £3.00. Curfew: 11.00pm.
  
  "MyOwnRiot" & "The Dragouts" play live on Friday 11th Oct at YSTRAD Rhondda Labour Club, Tyntyla Rd, Ystrad Rhondda. Doors: 7.00pm. Entry: £3.00. Curfew: 11.00pm.
  Details: 07775 558 548
  
  * Gigs are now taking place every Friday evening, alternating between the two venues, Pentre Labour Club & Ystrad Rhondda Labour Club. (NB. No gig on Friday 18th October)

SURGERIES - Treorchy Ward Councillors hold their monthly surgeries at Cwmparc Welfare Hall and Ynyswen Welfare Hall from 10am to 11am, and at Pinewood House (Noddfa), Treorchy from 11am to midday, on Friday, 4th October. No appointments are necessary and all residents are welcome to attend. If you would prefer a home visit at any other time please contact our local Councillors - left to right - Richard Ashton on 441596, Edward Hancock on 774785 or Cennard Davies on 435563.

For copies of product, guest-list additions, further info, etc, please contact: Darren Jones, West Pacific Ltd. Tel: 01443 683578 Mobile: 07775 558 548 E-mail: darren.jones@westpacific.net For band biography, etc, click on 'Press' at the website www.talkshowtalk.com

Ex-Treorci man, Rhobert ap Steffan - son of the late Rev. Stanley & Mrs. Muriel Hinton of Luton Street - has been the driving force behind the magnificent statue of Llewelyn ap Gruffydd Fychan (The Welsh Braveheart) which can be seen at Llandovery. 

RHOBERT AP STEFFAN

Owain - the claimant to the Welsh throne - was assassinated in France and the fascinating story of Owain has led to a joint venture with the French town of Mortagne for a memorial to be unveiled in the summer of 2003.

There is great enthusiasm in France - and many Welsh supporters - for the occasion. 

Information available from Mr Brian Davies, 2 Lon Slwch, Brecon. BA16 ODE. Tel: 01874 625981

please send your news items to - news@Treorchy.net

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