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Ace
tennis scheme scoops top award
- 11/07/05 back
return to
top Rhondda Cynon Taf tennis scheme has scooped the National Sports Programme of the Year Award at a prestigious awards ceremony.
The awards ceremony recognised the efforts of sporting organisations and commercial businesses who support them in taking sport to the grassroots. Tennis
Wales were successful in convincing the Lawn Tennis Association that the new
programme aimed at deprived inner city areas was desperately needed in the
Valleys. As
a result, the City Tennis Initiative in Rhondda Cynon Taf, with sponsorship
from Llantrisant based Sunjuice, and co-ordinated in partnership between
Tennis Wales and Rhondda Cynon Taf Council, has attracted nearly 500
children to take up tennis in the past two years. Photo: (Left to Right) Helen Williams City Tennis Coach; Sue Maughan Sports Development Manager; Julie Williams SE Wales Tennis Development Officer; Peter Full Treasurer Rhondda Cynon Taf City Tennis Club; Peter Hybart Executive Director Tennis Wales Two
co-ordinators work alongside
Rhondda Cynon Taf Council’s Sports Develop Unit to oversee and deliver a
junior coaching programme at clubs and facilities across the Borough,
providing junior sessions at affordable rates. Rhondda
Cynon Taf's City Tennis scheme has broken new ground as the first
grass-roots tennis project of its kind outside a city anywhere in the UK. It
is also the first in Wales - sharing that honour with Cardiff's City Tennis. The
scheme is now set to expand further to incorporate a disability programme. Councillor Graham Thomas, Cabinet Member for Cultural Development, Recreation and Tourism, commented: "The
scheme was a first for Rhondda Cynon Taf and so is this award. We’re
delighted at how successful it’s been. The
City Tennis Initiative has proved it can break new ground and take the sport
into tennis clubs, local communities and schools across the area. I’m
sure it will continue to prosper with new plans for expansion.” Peter Hybart, Executive Director of Tennis Wales, commented, "Tennis Wales,
in partnership with Sunjuice and Rhondda Cynon Taf Council is delighted to
have been awarded the Sportsmatch Cymru National Sports Programme of the
Year Award. The
award is great recognition of the hard work that has been put into the
programme by Tennis Wales and Rhondda Cynon Taf staff as well as by local
coaches and club volunteers. I am sure that the programme will continue to
go from strength to strength." City Tennis Coach, Helen Williams, said, “We’re trying to break down barriers so that many more youngsters come into the game. The summer is now the perfect time to get involved in City Tennis with sessions taking place at various venues. The growth of the scheme also means there’ll be sessions available for all abilities.” *
* * * * Notes
to Editors: *Coca Cola Sportsmatch Cymru Awards Dinner 2005, winners: The
Coca Cola National Sports Programme of the Year Award Winner: Tennis Wales/Sunjuice The Konica Minolta National Sponsor of the Year Award Winner: The Celtic Manor Resort The
Wide Open MRI of Cardiff Local Sports Programme of the Year Award Winner:
Wrexham CBC/Kellogs *Sportsmatch
Cymru is the Welsh Assembly Government’s ‘£ for £’ business
incentive scheme, designed to encourage increased commercial sponsorship. *Tennis
Sessions for the Summer:
*For tennis events no need to book in advance – turn up on day. * * * * * |
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Big
Welsh Bite - Rhondda
Cynon Taf’s Food and Agriculture Show - 08/07/05 back
return to
top With summer in full
swing in Rhondda Cynon Taf there’s one event that will give you more than
you can chew – the Big Welsh Bite. The Big Welsh Bite
is a brand new event for Rhondda Cynon Taf, giving a different aspect to the
summer events calendar as it promotes Welsh food and agriculture in a fun
family environment. The
event will take place on 5th, 6th and 7th
August at Ynysangharad Park in Pontypridd, featuring stalls from suppliers
and business in the local food trade and from across Wales. There will be
tasters and displays and the chance to purchase products such as
beef, lamb and pork from the Welsh hills and dairy products including local
cheeses. Organic and fair trade foods will also be available. Open to the public between 10.30am and 5pm on each of the days there will also be a range of attractions including:
The
event is free to the public, although some activities may incur a charge. Cabinet
Member for Cultural Development, Recreation and Tourism, Councillor Graham
Thomas, said: “We’ve organized food festivals in the past but the Big
Welsh Bite is the largest integrated event we’ve organised to promote the
Welsh food industry and healthy eating. “There’ll
be chefs cooking nutritious meals on a pre set-budget and running cooking
competitions with food games that will entertain the whole family,
especially the children. “It’s
an ideal opportunity for the many businesses operating within the County
Borough to raise their profile and for the residents to have access to
the quality and variety of food and drink produced within their area. “Of
course there’ll be fun for all the family all weekend during the holiday
period.” For more information on the Welsh Big Bite contact Rhondda CynonTaf Council’s Food and Agriculture Standards Team on 01443 425343 or Rhondda Cynon Taf Council’s Events Team on 01443 424123. * * * * * |
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Keep
yourself safe - 07/07/05 back
return to
top Maerdy Communities
First Partnership is teaming up with local residents and Rhondda Cynon
Taf’s Community Safety Partnership to make the village a safer place. On Thursday 14th
July, they are holding a Home Watch Information and Fun Day. The event will take place between 1pm and 7pm at Maerdy
Community Centre, Park Road, Maerdy. Information on all
aspects of community safety will be available, as well as fun for all the
family. Residents are invited
to come along at any time during the day to take advantage of cut-price home
security equipment, free bicycle etching, road safety advice, personal
safety advice and plenty of useful information designed to protect everyone. Anyone interested
in having their car security etched should phone the Communities First
Office on 01443 755687 to book a place in advance. There will be a
free hourly prize draw, arts and crafts activities, entertainment for
children and free tea and coffee. The
organisers hope to use the event to launch a new Home Watch Scheme.
At 5 pm there is a
free buffet and presentation by Rhondda Cynon Taf’s Crime Watch Co-ordinators,
Phil Davies and Roger Hughes. Phil Davies said,
“We need to explain to people that the new Home Watch scheme is
very different to the old Neighbourhood Watch system.
We don’t encourage patrolling anymore and participants can remain
anonymous. “The scheme
really works and helps to reduce actual crime and make people feel safer.
Residents in Home-Watch areas can get cheaper insurance.” Councillor Paul
Cannon, Cabinet Member for Safer Communities and Housing, said, “This is a
great opportunity for the whole community to get helpful information and
tips for making their property safe. “Feeling safe
gives residents a better quality of life. The fun environment and
educational aspect is also a way of introducing youngsters to the issues.”
Local resident Gill
Chambers has recently become Chair of Maerdy Communities First’s Community
Safety Group, she said, “What we need to get across to people is that
although the Police play a vital role, building a safer community is not
just about policing issues. It’s
about members of the community looking-out for each other.
“It is this
community spirit that Maerdy people are famous for.
We must ensure that this caring community is preserved and made full
use of.” For more information contact the Communities First Office on 01443 755687. * * * * * |
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Have
your say on local environment - 04/07/05 back
return to
top Do you care about
your environment in Rhondda Cynon Taf and want to have a say in its future?
Then here’s your chance to voice your opinion! Improving ‘Our
Living Space’ is one of the five key themes as set out in A
Better Life - the Rhondda Cynon Taf Community Plan.
Your views are sought on a new ten-year strategy to improve Our
Living Space, which has been drawn up by the Environmental Improvement
Partnership for Rhondda Cynon Taf. This Partnership
contains equal representation from the voluntary, public and business
sectors working together, including the Council. The Partnership is
currently seeking the views of the many other organisations, businesses and
individuals who are involved in or concerned about improving our environment
within Rhondda Cynon Taf. The
strategy will be used to help all organisations target their activities and
work together more effectively to a set of shared goals. The seven themes
for action are:
Councillor Anthony
Christopher, a member of the Environmental Improvement Partnership, said:
“Improving and protecting our environment is a top priority for the
Council and the Partnership. We
hope everyone who cares about their local environment will come forward with
their views and support what the strategy aims to achieve.” Action plans to
accompany the strategy are also being developed, setting out the practical
steps to achieving its aims. For further
information about the strategy and the Environmental Improvement Partnership
or to request a copy of the strategy document, please contact Matthew Easter
on 01443 494717 or e-mail matthew.easter@rhondda-cynon-taff.gov.uk
It can also be viewed online at www.rct-betterlife.org.uk * * * * * |
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Treorchy
Enters A New Era - 01/07/05 back
return to
top Treorchy now has its very own piece of public artwork, based on the design of a local ‘A’ level student, at one of the approaches to the town centre as part of its regeneration strategy. The piece has been commissioned by Rhondda Cynon Taf Council. This is the first piece of Public Art to be installed in the town.
The project brief
to design the structure was incorporated into the A level and GCSE
curriculum in Treorchy Comprehensive School, where over 90 pupils took part
to create their own designs as part of their coursework. The wining artwork
incorporated many traditional images from the Rhondda Valley, but expressed
in a contemporary way. The art takes the form of a steel and metal bench
with representative image of the area. Welsh public
artists, David Mackie and Andrew Rowe, under the guidance of Louise
Shenstone from Rhondda Cynon Taf Community Arts, have turned Lauren’s
design into reality. Photo: Lauren shows off the bench. “The Treorchy
regeneration strategy highlights 3 Gateway areas into the town as
priorities,” said Cllr Robert Bevan, Cabinet Member for Economic
Development. “It was felt that
a piece of public art would act as a fantastic welcome to the town. We
decided to ask local pupils to develop designs for the piece and were
overwhelmed with the standard of the response.” The project has
been a partnership project between Rhondda Cynon Taf Council, the Town
Centre Forum, Rhondda Cynon Taf Community Arts and Treorchy Comprehensive
School. This unique project
has been overseen by Jacquy Box the new Arts and Town Centre Regeneration
Officer for Rhondda Cynon Taf – a new addition to the Town Centres team in
Development and Regeneration. Jacquy’s role is to work with the eight town centres using Art, in all formats, for regeneration – this includes festivals and events, public art schemes, cultural industries development and participatory arts opportunities that reflect and promote the unique identity of each town centre. The aim is to make town centres more vibrant and exciting places to be and want to spend time and money, * *
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Sport
for the summer - 30/06/05 back
return to
top Children and young
people can now sign up for a range of summer sports activities taking place
across Rhondda Cynon Taf. To keep our
youngsters busy during the holiday period, Rhondda Cynon Taf Council has put
on an extensive list of courses and activities for kids of all ages. “I’m pleased
that we’re able to cater for all ages and all ability levels,” said
Councillor Graham Thomas, Cabinet Member for Cultural Development,
Recreation and Tourism. “Our holiday
programmes have been getting increasingly popular year-on-year, particularly
for sports such as athletics. I’m sure this year will be no different with
the chance to keep fit and healthy and meet new friends.” For further
information contact Rhondda Cynon Taf’s Community Leisure department on
01685 885630. Activities
for the summer:
*For tennis events no need to book in advance – turn up on day. * * * * * |
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Rhondda
Cynon Taf ‘tackles’ deaf rugby - 30/06/05 back
return to
top Local rugby players
with hearing impediments are getting more opportunities to practice their
skills with a series of coaching classes and their own rugby festival. Rhondda Cynon Taf
Council’s Disability Sport Cymru Officer has teamed up with the Urdd, the
Dragon Rugby Trust and Wales Deaf Rugby Union to develop the new
initiatives. The sessions for
those under 16 with hearing loss focuses on skill development of the
individual participants as well as the positive promotion of the sport.
The sessions are aimed at the 3 schools in the County Borough with
hearing impaired units – Capcoch, Llwyn Crwn and Tonypandy Primary
Schools. The programme will
conclude with a festival aimed at getting all the children and young people
from the hearing impaired units together to enjoy a fun packed day of rugby
where they can showcase their newly acquired skills. Disability Sport
Cymru Development Officer, Michelle Gibbs said: “It’s great to see so
many children and young people enjoying the sessions over the two month
period. The aim of the
programme is to develop regular rugby sessions in the borough for children
and young people with hearing loss. “Hopefully we
have taken the first step to developing rugby stars of the future". “Each child has
taken so much away from the sessions and want to know when we'll be going
back.” Councillor Graham
Thomas, Cabinet Member for Cultural Development, Recreation and Tourism,
commented: “It’s important that everyone, no matter what their
circumstances, gets opportunities to play and take part in quality sport and
fitness opportunities. “Once again, our
partnership work sees a quality initiative benefiting people in Rhondda
Cynon Taf.” The festival will
take place on 13th July 2005 at the Vale Hotel and Resort and will include
three schools from the Borough and one from the Vale of Glamorgan, involving
approximately 35 children. As well as showing off their skills they will be
able to rub shoulders with players from both the Welsh rugby team and the
Welsh deaf rugby team. For more information on the Disability Rugby Development Programme, the Disability Sport Cymru scheme, or simply getting involved in disability sport please contact Michelle Gibbs on 01685 885634. * *
* * * Notes for
editors Disability Sport
Cymru is a joint initiative between the Sports Council for Wales, the
Federation of Sports Associations for the Disabled (Wales) and local
authorities, aimed at developing quality community based sporting and
recreational opportunities for people with disabilities throughout Wales. Promoted and
delivered through a network of development officers located across every
local authority in Wales, Disability Sport Cymru was initially launched in
June 2000 and has since evolved to encompass every local authority in Wales,
with 22 officers now in place. The schemes national objective is to create and develop club based activities at grassroots level and provide professional support to help existing clubs expand. * * * * * |
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Rhondda Cynon Taf’s paddling pools are gearing up to open for the summer –preparation works are nearing completion to ensure they are ready to be enjoyed by local children and families. Over 11,000 local
people are expected to descend on the pools during the summer, so Rhondda
Cynon Taf Council are carrying out pre-opening tests on all the relevant
systems to ensure the paddling pools stay clean and healthy for visitors. Of
course, the pools are also getting a final lick of paint. The staff that
supervise the 15 paddling pools, are currently going through the final
stages of their training, ready for opening in July. The paddling pools
are free to use for members of the public. “They are a great
place for families to have fun during the holidays,” said Councillor
Graham Thomas, Cabinet member for Cultural Development, Recreation and
Tourism. “All our paddling
pools will be fully open, as usual, for the summer months – all we need
now is the sun! “Our officers are
putting final checks and tests in place to ensure that we’re all ready to
go in July.” For more information on the paddling pools in Rhondda Cynon Taf contact the Council’s Community Leisure Department on 01685 885630. Photos: Workers give a final lick of paint to the pool at Aberdare Park.
Notes for
editors The Paddling Pools
are located in the following areas:
*These
are larger pools approximately one metre at their deepest point. The majority are
smaller pools - approximately 10inches deep. Between the
designated opening hours the pools are manned by National Aquatic Rescue
Standard (NARS) qualified staff. The details of the
paddling pool opening times will be confirmed as soon as possible. Details
for Ynysangharad Park will be released separately. * * * * * |
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It’s a foul problem – and we need your help to clean it up! That’s the message to dog owners across Rhondda Cynon Taf, who are being encouraged to clean up after their pets. Dog
foul bags are now available at the Council’s one4all centres in
Pontypridd, Treorchy and Aberdare and the dog pound in Dinas, and will be
free. The bags are red, which easily distinguishes this waste from regular
rubbish, so it can be handled appropriately. More
dog foul bins are also being introduced in popular walking spots. There are around 80 dog bins across the county borough - 50 in the parks and 30 in streets - usually close to open grassed areas where residents go to walk their pets. Another 30 bins will be introduced over the next year. Photo:
Bill Richards of Fairoak Close, Landare, is pictured with his dog Seren near
one of the new dog foul bins. Also pictured are dog warden Stuart Griffiths
and Wynne Lewis of the Council’s cleansing department. Local
company, Egan Waste, which is working in partnership with the Council, will
collect the dog waste from area depots and dispose of it properly.
“Our communities
and playing fields are used by children for sports and by other residents
for recreation purposes. Dog fouling presents a serious health hazard as
well as being an environmental nuisance.” Dog owners who fail
to clean up after their pets now face fines of £75. The Council is keeping
its promise to tackle the problem of dog mess and so far, 23 residents have
received fines from animal control officers. John Jones, of
Pontrhondda Road, Llwynypia, became the first person in Rhondda Cynon Taf to
be fined in court after he failed to pay the £75 fixed penalty imposed on
him by officers when he failed to clean up after his dog in October last
year. Jones was found
guilty of the offence in his absence and magistrates fined him
£100, with £149 in costs.
Bill Richards of Fairoak Close, Landare, is pictured using a new dog foul bin. |
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Calling
all great gardeners! - 28/06/05
back
return to
top Are you a dab hand
with daisies - or tremendous at raising roses? Then why not show off your
gardening talents by entering this year’s Rhondda Cynon Taf in Bloom
competition! Organisers of the
annual contest are seeking people from all parts of the community – from
schools to businesses to individual gardens – to compete for prizes. This year’s
sponsors are the Council’s Sort Out Recycling Together (SORT) team and
Civic Pride (Street Care) and categories are:
Councillor
Anthony Christopher, Cabinet Member for Environmental and Sustainable
Development, Rhondda Cynon Taf Council, said: “Gardens make such a
difference to our living space in Rhondda Cynon Taf. We hope everyone who is
proud of their gardens and green spaces will come forward and enter this
year’s competition.” To find out more or
to get entry forms, call 01443 424123 or go to the Council’s website www.rhondda-cynon-taf.gov.uk The deadline for entries is Monday, July 11 and judging will take place from 23rd July to 13th August. Winners will be invited by post to a prize giving ceremony in early September to receive their awards and certificates. * * * * * |
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Fun
in the Sun Programme - 27/06/05 back
return to
top Every Saturday
throughout the summer months there will be an extra treat for shoppers in
Tonypandy town centre and in Aberdare Park. There will be a selection of
face painters and street entertainers as part of Rhondda Cynon Taf’s
programme of free summer events. They will be on
hand to entertain shoppers in Tonypandy town centre from 11-1 and in
Aberdare Park from 2 – 4 pm during July and August. “We wanted to
ensure that people visiting our town centres and parks, in Rhondda Cynon Taf,
can enjoy a selection of free summer entertainment, said Helen Gibbons,
Events and Marketing Officer. “The street
entertainment will be different every Saturday. We have stilt walkers,
clowns, magicians and circus skills as well as free face painting. “We would
encourage people to come along and enjoy the entertainment that we have laid
on for them. This entertainment is in addition to the other music in the
park programmes that is happening n Aberdare Park, Ynysangharad Park and
Gelli Park in Ystrad.” To find out exactly what is going on in Rhondda Cynon Taf throughout the summer please call the Events Team on 01443 424123 or visit the events page at www.rhondda-cynon-taf.gov.uk * * * * * Notes for
editors
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Gelli
Park - alive with music in July - 20/06/05 back
return to
top During July, for
one month only, Gelli Park will be alive with music as the newly decorated
Bandstand comes alive. The Friends of the
Park and Rhondda Cynon Taf Council have organised a series of bands to play
on the Bandstand in the park, following its recent redecoration. The works was
funded by Rhondda Cynon Taf Council and carried out by the Youth Offending
Team as one of their projects, have enable us to put on a series of free
entertainment in the park,” said Helen Gibbons, Events and Marketing
Officer, Rhondda Cynon Taf Council. “We thought it
would be nice to give a variety of bands the opportunity to perform in a
park and to give local residents an opportunity to hear them.” The programme of
bands for every Saturday, between 2.30 and 4.30pm throughout July: -
To find out exactly what is going on in Rhondda Cynon Taf throughout the summer please call the Events Team on 01443 424123 or visit the events page at www.rhondda-cynon-taf.gov.uk * * * * * Notes to editor
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Treorchy
pupils crowned master consumers - 04/02/05 back
return to
top In a tense tie-break, the team from Treorchy
Comprehensive School snatched victory to become the Rhondda Cynon Taf
consumer champions for 2005. After eight rounds of competition, Treorchy
and Ferndale Community School were level pegging in the final of the Young
Consumers of the Year 2005 competition for Rhondda Cynon Taf.
With the two teams on 45 points, there would
be three extra ‘buzzer’ questions to decide the winners – the team
with the highest score taking the title. Two tie-break questions went unanswered but when Treorchy’s Year 12 pupil Emma Stewart knew that a trader would need a Consumer Credit Licence to loan money to a consumer, the team took the 1st place.
Photo
1: (left to right) Laura Edwards, Kate Bailyes, Mrs. Ann Palmer (Teacher),
Councillor Albert Davies, Quizmaster Steve Delahaye (Caerphilly County
Borough Council's Chief Trading Standards Officer), Emma Stewart and Rosie
Edwards.
“We’ve
had a great competition – I don’t think my nerves could have taken any
more of the tension,” said Rhondda Cynon Taf Mayor, Councillor Albert
Davies. “The
pupil’s knowledge and awareness of consumer issues is a credit to their
teachers and a result of much hard work. “This
competition goes a long way to helping empower local youngsters for life
outside and after school. “Let’s
hope that Treorchy can uphold our strong tradition in the competition and
reach the national finals.” Beverley
Rackham of the Consumers Credit Association, commented: “Its very
important for us that youngsters are aware of consumer issues and have the
knowledge to tackle any problems that their friends or family may encounter. “The
Consumer Credit Association is delighted to be associated with the
competition and we wish Treorchy the best at the national final.” For further information about the competition contact Rhondda Cynon Taf’s Consumer Advice Service on 01443 484471. *
* * * * Notes to Editors:
*Ferndale
Community School – 45points *Y
Pant Comprehensive School – 32 *Treorchy
Comprehensive School – 45 *Porth
County Community School – 41
Sponsoring this year’s competition: *The
Consumer Credit Association. *The
Consumer Support Network *Co-operative store, Porth
1.
Consumer Rights and Responsibilities 2.
Money and Finance 3.
Food and Health 4.
Safety and the Environment 5. Europe & Travel * * * * * |
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Publication of articles does not indicate any endorsement by our community web site. All comments expressed here are the unedited personal/political/corporate views of their authors. Send your press releases to - news@Treorchy.net or Treherbert-info@treorchy.net We aim to provide you with an accurate news section - if you find a factual error, please let us know ! © Treorchy.net & Treherbert.info Community Web Sites 2005 www.treorchy.net www.treherbert.info |
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