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• CHEERLEADERS - Congratulations to the RSD Action Cheerleaders who have won the British Championships which were held in Nottingham this year. They have now been invited to perform in America and take part in a life time competition.
• With a few more competitions and other demonstrations lined up before setting off to the States, they are trying their best to fundraise enough money so all the team can have the chance to go along.
• The Cheerleaders are also looking for sponsorships and if anyone is interested, please contact Natalie Hughes on 07875 156329 or send an email to spongebabe1@hotmail.co.uk 

AWARD - Many congratulations to Neil Morgan of Bridgend, formerly from Senghenydd Street, Treorchy,  on being nominated for seven design awards this year for Laura Ashley, which were held in the Savoy Hotel, London, recently.

(Neil Morgan, pictured centre, between fellow company directors )

Neil is one of three directors of ‘Display One Limited’, with factories in Nantgarw and Turkey, and scooped the award for ‘Best Xmas Window for Laura Ashley and House of Fraser in London’, for the second year running.

Originally Neil was encouraged to study art by his teacher Mr. David Rees (known fondly as ‘Dai Art’) while a pupil at Treorchy Comprehensive School, and he continued to study under Mr. Adrian Owen, the current Head of Art at our local comprehensive.

After graduating from studies in Art and Design at both Swansea and Huddersfield Universities, Neil has since done design work for Laura Ashley, Marks and Spencer, Wallis, Evans, Oasis and Ann Summers to name but a few.

Neil is married to Tracey (nee Meek), who is formerly from Ton Pentre, and the couple have two daughters Eve and Nia. Neil's parents are Iris and Alun Morgan of Senghenydd Street, Treorchy.

• CHOIR - Cor Meibion Cwm Rhondda (Male Voice Choir) have resumed practise on Wednesday evenings in the Ton Pentre Infants School from 7.30 until 9pm. Everyone welcome.
• On Wednesdays 18th and 25th October, also on 1st November, they will be holding 'OPEN PRACTICE' at the Ton Pentre Football Club from 7.30 to 9pm. 
• We have a wide and varied repertoire, with songs from the musicals, the charts and the old classic hymns. The choir is a Charitable and Voluntary Organisation. We welcome partners to concerts and trips abroad. Please come along and listen and maybe find yourself a new hobby. All are welcome.

CAMEO - At the Rhondda Cameo Society’s September meeting, President Crinllys Davies welcomed members and two visitors. Our thoughts went out to Edwina Owen and Cynthia Batstone who are still in hospital. Tribute was paid to former Cameo member Mrs Edna Jones who recently passed away. The meeting stood in silent respect.

The Minutes of the last meeting were read by Mair John and the Treasurer’s report was given by Betty Hayter. Megan Morris then gave details of future activities.

Names are requested for the Autumn Tea on October 25, when Belinda Harvey will be the guest speaker.

The President then introduced the afternoon’s guest speaker, well known local actor Dirk Saunders, who entertained with his wide experience of working in the theatre and on television. This included some humorous audience participation and was followed by tea and biscuits.

• SCOUTING - Scouting returns to Treherbert after a gap of many years, during the month of October, it is purpose to run some Beaver Scout and Cub Scout taster sessions in the Treherbert area.
• Young people between the ages of  six and seven years of age will be able to come along to the Beaver scout taster sessions and young people between the ages of eight and nine will be able to attend the Cub Scout taster sessions,
• Beaver Scouts enjoy making friends, playing games, going on visits and helping others. They also gain badges, go on outings and visits, go outside and learn about the outdoors, create things, meet new people, listen to stories and become Cub Scouts. Beaver Scout activities are a combination of learning and having fun.
• They learn about themselves and how to look after themselves, they get to know people from their local community. They find out about life in other countries and explore through organised activities. They care by helping those around them.
• There are many things that Cub Scouts do which are full of fun. You will get a chance to try many different activities like swimming, music, exploring, computing and collecting. If you do them properly, you will get a badge, which you can wear on your uniform.  Cub Scouts also get to go on trips and days out, to places like the zoo, theme parks or a farm. Sometimes you will be able to go camping with the rest of your Pack. This will mean you sleeping in a tent and doing loads of outdoor activities.
• We will also be using this as an opportunity to try to recruit new leaders to the new sections as with out any new leaders these sessions will not be able to continue. These taster sessions will be held on Thursday 12th 19^th & 26^th October commencing at 6.30pm.
• If you require any further information you can contact John on 07976623950 or by email to john@webber1883.freeserve.co.uk

THANKS - The Parc and Dare Junior Band would like to thank everyone who supported them with their fundraising throughout July and August. Special thanks to the Treorchy and Cwmparc Senior Citizens for their hospitality. Total funds that were raised amounted to £500.

• WELSH COURSES  - ‘Beginner Courses’ are being held at the CwmNi Offices, Treherbert on Tuesday and Thursday evenings from 7pm to 9pm. 
• The Welsh language courses for beginners are also being held at Coleg Morgannwg Llwynypia, on Mondays and Thursdays from 10am to 12noon, and also on Tuesday and Thursday evenings from 7pm to 9pm. 
• Higher-level Welsh language courses are also available. Please contact Sue McMillan on 07884 361145.

NEW RESIDENT - A new resident at Ty Pentwyn Nursing Home is well-known ‘artiste’ Emrys Richards, of Tynewydd Labour Club, where he was chairman for some 30 years, and is now enjoying full retirement.

83 year-old Emrys entertained as ‘Madame Bernard’ and was indeed a star, albeit of amateur status, and his mezzo soprano voice thrilled audiences throughout the Rhondda Valley, performing alongside other well-known local artists including Emlyn Evans of Treorchy, as well as the late artists Ron Holly of Pentre, Billy Walker, Betty Floyd, ‘Bel Roy’ and others.

A rumour is currently afloat that Emlyn and Emrys may give a short show during the Christmas period at Ty Pentwyn Nursing Home, which if true, is eagerly anticipated to be a real ‘stopper’.

• STEERING GROUPS - A Ton Pentre community development charity is looking for residents to get involved in local environment and community enterprise issues.
• Rhondda Community Business Initiatives network, based in the old workmen’s hall in Ton Pentre, is setting up steering groups to help the organisation to run its projects. These projects include the cinema/theatre, sustainability, education and others. Meetings will be held every two months.
• For more information, please contact Neal Hammond on 01443 425894 or see the website at www.rcbi.co.uk

FUND - Following the sad death of Paul Cook, funds remaining from the Paul Cook Cancer Appeal have been utilised to purchase a caravan, in order to provide respite breaks for cancer patients throughout Rhondda Cynon Taf, in accordance with Paul’s wishes.

The caravan is sited at Fontygary Bay and will be officially opened by the RCT Mayor on Wednesday, September 20 with the fundraising committee members in attendance.

The fundraising committee would like to thank everyone who gave so generously during the appeal.

• CAMEO SOCIETY - Rhondda Cameo Society members and friends enjoyed their recent Mystery Trip. The destination was the lovely market town of Narbeth in West Wales .
• For many it was their first trip to Narbeth. The afternoon was spent in the nearby Cwm Deri Vineyard with tastings of the delicious fruit and flower wines and liqueurs.
• Thanks were expressed to organisers Megan Harris and Betty Hayter.
• The next Cameo meeting will be on Wednesday September 27, with a Stage and Theatre talk by guest speaker Dirk Saunders.

WIMBLEDON  - Twelve year-old Thomas Davies, (pictured left) with grandparents Muriel and Roy Davies of Maindy Crescent, Ton Pentre, had the trip of a lifetime when he qualified to play on the grass courts of Wimbledon this summer in the Under 14 National Finals, held at the Lawn Tennis Club, Wimbledon .

Managed by the new Wimbledon referee Andrew Jarret, the London tournament comprised the top 64 boy and girl county winners from all over the country. 

Tom was treated to a tour of the grounds, getting to sit in the TV presenters chair at the BBC studio, and at the press interview desk.

Right: 1982 Men's Wimbledon Singles Champion Pat Cash with Thomas Davies

The trip was rounded off with Tom chatting with Pat Cash – the 1982 Men’s Wimbledon Singles Champion. 

Cash chatted to Tom about the tournament and presented him with a signed photo on which he wrote a personal message of good luck.

Thomas is currently the Under 12 Champion for Cumbria, in both singles and doubles.    

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• HALF MARATHON - Simon Kinsey from Tynybedw Street and his friend Gavin Phillips have taken up running recently after a 20-year break. What started as a bet over a pint of beer has now developed into a regular thing and their main target now is the Cardiff half marathon in October, when they will be running to raise money to support our local boys' and girls' club. 
• They have also started fundraising with a couple of raffles to get the kitty going, and have already raised about £80 to help with the ongoing running costs of heating and lighting etc., for the Treorchy Boys’ and Girls’ Club, which is in constant need of funds.
• Sponsorship forms for the half-marathon are available locally in the Red Cow, the Prince and the Stag public houses and include space for friendly words of encouragement for Simon and Gavin on their 13-mile run. 

TY PENTWYN - A Saturday Fayre was held recently at Ty Pentwyn Nursing Home to raise funds for the residents and was again fully supported by the public. Residents send many thanks to care assistant Maureen Gronow for organising the event.

Residents at Ty Pentwyn Nursing Home would also like to thank the Matron Julie Jones for organising their recent outings to Aberavon and St. Fagan’s. Both trips were well attended and the residents report that they all had an enjoyable time and are looking forward to the other trips envisaged for the near future.  

Mal Morris, resident at Ty Pentwyn Nursing Home, would like to add if anyone has an old dartboard and set of darts to spare, then the residents of Ty Pentwyn Nursing Home would greatly appreciate having one. A set of miniature skittles and balls would also be most welcome!

• SURGERIES CANCELLED - Labour Councillor John Haskins has cancelled his usual advice surgeries locally for this month only. Councillor Haskins can otherwise be contacted on 772108 and surgeries will resume as normal in October.

A classic Rhondda character, and a very talented and gifted lady, Doris in particular was a great reciter with an exhaustive repertoire of poems and was also well-known as a cake maker and pastry cook.

Her late husband Richard, who passed away in 2000, was known to all and sundry as Dick Sol and they were both members of very long-established Treorchy families. Mr. Morgan was an excellent gardener in his time and their home in Bute Street was indeed a miniscule ‘guest house’.

Amongst the many folk who stayed with them over the years included local doctors, business people passing through the Rhondda , tourists from other countries and church ministers. The gentleman who was in charge of building the Treorchy Comprehensive School was also a resident and friend.

Currently, Doris is faithfully enjoying a daily mental exercise of putting her memory to the test - by naming everyone who once lived in the fifty-one houses of Glynrhondda Street , Treorchy, where incidentally Doris was born and where her late mother Mrs Rachel Evans (nee Samuel) kept a business from 1910.

Doris has a son David, who is now retired and living in Solihull after working for many years as a senior manager with Land Rover UK, and a daughter Rita who is sadly incapacitated but lives with her husband Tom Jenkins in Ynyswen.

Doris also has four grandchildren, four great-grandchildren and five great –great grandchildren and is wished much continued happiness from all her friends and family.

• CAR BOOT SALE - A car boot sale will be held in the car park at Ysbyty George Thomas, Treorchy on Saturday September 2nd from 8am to 1pm, with the popular cake stall. Cars £4 and Vans £5. All proceeds to the Fernhill Ward.

• This will be the last car boot sale held there for this year, so please go along if you are able and help to support our local hospital.  

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.  

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