Press Releases - RCT County Borough Council

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• Latest news highlighted:

• 11/07/05 - Ace tennis scheme scoops top award  - photo

• 08/07/05 - Big Welsh Bite - RCT's Food & Agriculture show

• 07/07/05 - Keep yourself safe

• 04/07/05 - Have your say on local environment

• 01/07/05 - Treorchy enters a new era - photo

• 30/06/05 - Sport for the Summer

• 30/06/05 - RCT 'tackles' deaf rugby

• 29/06/05 - Paddling pools gear up for the summer - photo

• 28/06/05 - New bins help tackle foul problem - photos

• 28/06/05 - Calling all great gardeners!

• 27/06/05 - Fun in the sun programme

• 20/06/05 - Gelli Park alive with music in July

Ace tennis scheme scoops top award - 11/07/05   back   return to top of page

Rhondda Cynon Taf tennis scheme has scooped the National Sports Programme of the Year Award at a prestigious awards ceremony. 

The Rhondda Cynon Taf City Tennis Initiative, which was only launched in 2003, has picked up 1^st prize in the Coca Cola National Sports Programme of the Year Award at the Sportsmatch Cymru Awards Dinner 2005. 

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.”

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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 of page  

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 5^th, 6^th and 7^th 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:

• Dog shows

• Noah's animal house

• Craft stalls and stands

• Funfair

• Vintage farm vehicles

• Falcon show

• Street entertainers

• Brass bands

• Black smith and horses

• Wooden cow for milking

• Sports/ outdoor activities 

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 of page

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 of page  

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: 

• Biodiversity and rivers

• Waste

• A cleaner, safer environment

• Local environments

• The built environment

• Transport

• Energy, resource use and climate change.

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 of page  

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. 

Lauren Orrells, a student at Treorchy Comprehensive School, was chosen as the winning artist by a panel of consultants and partner agencies that included urban designers, landscape architects, public artists, the Town Centre Forum, the Chamber of Trade and local Councillors. 

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 of page

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 of page

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.

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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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Paddling pools gear up for summer - 29/06/05   back   return to top of page

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.

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Notes for editors

The Paddling Pools are located in the following areas:

• Abercynon Park, Cynon Valley

• Bryn Ivor Park*, Cynon Valley

• Leigh Gardens*, Penrhiwceiber, Cynon Valley

• Ynysybwl Park, Cynon Valley

• Aberdare Park*, Cynon Valley

• Cwmaman Park*, Cynon Valley

• Jubilee Park, Treherbert, Rhondda

• Treorchy, Rhondda

• Pentre, Rhondda

• Gelligaled Park, Ystrad, Rhondda

• Ynyscynon, Rhondda

• Pen-y-Graig, Rhondda

• Wattstown, Rhondda

• Penrhys, Rhondda

• Maerdy, Rhondda

*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