Plans to demolish pub as part of new development

A MAJOR residential development could be built in Mountain Ash, if plans are given the go ahead by Rhondda Cynon Taf Council.
The Safe Investments Renewal Group has submitted a proposal to build 20 semi-detached houses and one detached house on the site of the former Royal Oak public house, Llanwonno Road, Mountain Ash.
each home, if given the go ahead, would include two parking spaces. And 19 of the dwellings would be arranged around a cul-de-sac.
The public house, which has been closed for some time, would be demolished as part of the development. Several trees would also have to be felled.
Rhondda Cynon Taf Council is set to consider the planning application at its Cynon Valley area development meeting.

Family pets are latest victims of valley recession

CYNON Valley AM Christine Chapman has been on a fact-finding mission with the RSPCA.
She has spent a day with RSPCA inspector Julie Fadden and was given a valuable insight into the charity's work.
"I cannot praise the RSPCA enough. Cruelty to animals is simply unacceptable and I am glad that the RSPCA do so much to prevent it," said Mrs Chapman.
The Cardiff Bay politician was shown the range of equipment inspectors carry - including a snake-handling kit.
The AM also saw some of the cases that the RSPCA regularly deal with and visited the home of an owner suspected of mistreating a dog.
Mrs Chapman also witnessed the way in which inspectors have to respond to unexpected events. A loose dog was returned to its owner, who was given a caution, as it is illegal to let your dog go out unaccompanied.
The owner was also given advice on how to care for it.
"The inspector told me that people abandoning their pets is a particular problem, especially around holiday time or during financial difficulties," said Mrs Chapman.
"The recession has led to an increase in cases."
For many years, the RSPCA could not intervene in animal welfare cases unless suffering had occurred.
However, this changed with the passage of the Animal Welfare Act 2006 which allows action to be taken if an animal is likely to suffer.
The Welsh Assembly has also raised the profile of the importance of animal welfare.
Mrs Chapman said: "It is concerning to learn that the workload of inspectors is constantly increasing as the RSPCA's resources are limited.
"They cover a large area and do vital work with no government support."
Mrs Chapman also visited the RSPCA Hospital in Merthyr Tydfil and met with an RSPCA veterinary surgeon who told the AM that they were dealing with increasing numbers of exotic animals.
The RSPCA have concerns that some pet shops are selling these animals without providing appropriate advice.
"This is essentially a question of responsible pet ownership," said Mrs Chapman. "It is expensive to properly look after a pet and people must be fully aware of the cost and commitment."

Funding for mature workers

A £4.3m funding package to help people over the age of 50 in Wales return to training and work has been announced as new figures reveal that more older workers are suffering long-term unemployment.
The number of jobless older workers in the UK has increased by more than 50% in a year to the highest figure in a decade. A total of 170,000 job-seekers over 50 have been out of work for at least 12 months, according to research for the charity Age UK.
For funding details call 01686 611700.

Shred your documents

RESIDENTS in Cynon Valley are this week being warned to shred confidential waste following reports of suspicious activity.
Reports have been received of a white transit van around the RCT area on refuse collection day, checking white recycling bags and removing some from the kerbside.
In response, council officials and police officers are carrying out patrols in a bid to trace the vehicle.
The motive for these apparent thefts is unknown but residents are advised to shred any confidential waste as a precaution.
Community Safety Partnership chairman, Coun Paul Cannon, said: "This issue has been brought to our attention and we are working to identify the van and the occupants. We are unsure as to the motives behind this situation, but remind them to shred confidential waste before throwing it away."

Mayor's Appeal total reaches £55,000

GOOD causes that help the people of Rhondda Cynon Taff and beyond received a £55,000 boost, thanks to former mayor Robert Smith.
Coun Smith and his consort Margaret raised the amount for charity via the Mayor's Charity Appeal.
And they had great pleasure in presenting cheques to the chosen three - Help for Heroes, Macmillan Cancer Support and Diabetes UK Cymru - at a special presentation event in the Municipal Buildings in Pontypridd.
Coun Smith chose the three charities to benefit from his year in office due to his personal connection with each of them.
Among the events held in honour of the mayor's appeal were an auction, golf tournament, bucket collections, sponsored bed push, evenings of music and entertainment and much more.
"It was an honour and a pleasure to be able to present cheques for such significant sums of money to these three charities that do such fantastic work for the people of Rhondda Cynon Taff and beyond," said Coun Smith.
"I chose each of the charities as they are close to my heart."
Coun Smith thanked everyone for helping him reach his total.

Helpline for housing tenants extended

RCT Homes is to increase the opening hours of its customer service centre to enable tenants to contact its repairs service outside normal office opening.
RCT Homes owns and manages more than 10,000 homes in Rhondda Cynon Taff and its switchboard is one of the busiest in the borough.
Its customer service centre handles more than 150,000 telephone calls a year of which nearly a third are regarding repairs.
From now on, RCT Homes tenants will be able to make enquiries about repairs from 8.30am through to 6pm.
"Tenants have always been able to report the need for emergency repairs - where there is a danger to health and safety or a threat of serious damage - out-of-hours," said customer services manager Trudy Evans.
"But we realise that some tenants may find it a bit awkward to contact us during office hours."

Budget not spent

RCT council spent a quarter of a million pounds less than it planned last year. Borough finance bosses had a planned budget of £418,715,000 for 2009-10, but in the event, they only used £418,464,000.
Community and children's services and environmental services were the only two departments who exceeded their budgets - by £207,000 and £267,000 respectively. The figures were revealed in a report by finance chief Chris Lee, presented to the 10-member cabinet.

RCT's healthy work award

RHONDDA Cynon Taf Council has come out on top, after being one of only two organisations in the South Wales Valleys to be given a top honour in the Health at Work awards.
The council received the Corporate Health Standard Gold Award for its efforts in improving the health and wellbeing of its employees.
In total, 24 employers, representing small, medium and large businesses and organisations across Wales, were presented with the Small Workplace Health Award and the Corporate Health award by Carol Black, national director for health and work.

'Shop Local' is the message to the public

CYNON Valley residents are being urged to "Shop Local" as part of an on-going campaign to support local businesses, regenerate town centres and protect the environment.
Traders in Mountain Ash have joined forces with Rhondda Cynon Taf council's town centres team to launch the initiative this week.
"Shop Local is about celebrating and promoting the unique and attractive features of Mountain Ash," said mayor Simon Lloyd.
Council cabinet member Paul Cannon said: "Mountain Ash remains a key strategic town centre for us, and much work continues in terms of investment to ensure it is an attractive place to do business. However, the millions of pounds invested in regeneration and transport infrastructure have to be accompanied by a concerted effort to celebrate what the town has to offer."

MP Ann fights to keep court open

CYNON Valley MP Ann Clwyd has taken her fight to save Aberdare Magistrates Court to the top.
She has met with Clare Pillman, the Welsh director of HM Regional Court Service, to plead the case for the retention of the town magistrates and county court facilities.
Consultation on the closure proposals is on-going and people can make their views known up until September 15.
"I have been assured that a decision will be made by Christmas," said Ms Clwyd.
The MP said she stressed that as Cynon Valley was a low income area, public transport difficulties and cost of travelling to attend court at Merthyr Tydfil was a major concern.
"I also feel that Aberdare has lost too many services recently and the magistrates court is play an important part in the identity of the area, " she said.
The Cynon Valley MP said she had received a number of letters of objection to the closure proposal, including one from the South Wales branch of the Public and Commercial Service Union.
Ms Clwyd said she was also concerned that the court closure would have a knock-on effect on the Aberdare Children's Contact Centre, which was a charity housed in the court building.
"This is an important service helping some 76 families at present - and it might have to shut down if the court closes," said Ms Clwyd.
Contact centre manager Carol Peeke said: "The closure of the law courts would not only be a great disadvantage for the people of Aberdare who will have to travel further to access court services, but it will also mean the loss of a valuable children's service to the community. We would welcome any support."
The MP is urging residents to send in letters of objection to the Aberdare Law Courts closure proposals.
They can be sent to her office at 6 Dean Street, Aberdare CF44 7BN and she will forward them to the appropriate body.

£63,000 makeover for Gwernifor Park

A CHILDREN'S play area in the Cynon Valley has been given a major makeover thanks to £63,000 in grant aid.
Darran Las Communities First, Rhondda Cynon Taf Council and Darran Las Environmental Group joined forces to secure the funding from the Welsh Assembly Government's Heads of the Valleys scheme for Gwernifor Park.
Situated on the Brynifor estate in Mountain Ash, the park has been a favourite spot of all ages for many years.
And the grant money has enabled a significant revamp to the popular play area, including the repair and improvement of the children's paddling pool, tennis courts, fencing, seating and pump house.
New bins have been installed.
But most important to local children is the new play equipment, which has been chosen by members of the Darran Las Communities First Playscheme.
They were approached by Communities First and shown design boards of the equipment available.
The children voted on what they would like to see in the park and are now enjoying a new swing set and climbing frame.
The majority of the work in the park is now complete and the project will be completed by the autumn.
Coun Andrew Morgan, chairman of Darran Las Communities First, said: "Gwernifor Park is an extremely popular location for local people, especially parents and children.
"The children at the playscheme have loved getting involved in the design of their new play area, but are looking forward even more to spending quality time outdoors in a park that has received work and investment for their benefit."
Rhondda Cynon Taf Council cabinet member Robert Bevan said: "In these difficult financial times, it is vital that we, as an authority, join forces with the community to secure the external funding opportunities that allow schemes such as this to happen.

New jobs are 'important' but Tower plan faces opposition

PLANS to create up to 300 jobs in the Cynon Valley take a step forward this week - but are also facing some opposition.
As we reported last week, proposals are on the table to open a new opencast mine on the site of the former Tower Colliery - once the last deep mine in Wales.
The closing date for consultation with Rhondda Cynon Taf Council was Monday, August 23.
And Roy Jones, of Swansea's Friends of the Earth, said he would be travelling up to Hirwaun to meet the residents.
"I have already had several residents on the phone to me who are upset about the plans," he said.
"At some points Tower Colliery is just a few hundred yards from the village.
"It depends where they are planning to mine but a lot of people are not going to be very happy about it."
Mr Jones said the prospect of jobs in the Cynon Valley would be a powerful argument to many and that it would be a difficult campaign.
"Of course, it does provide jobs and people will feel that it is important," he said.
"But we would argue that we need clean jobs in green industries, not dirty jobs."
The opencast project is the brainchild of Tower Regeneration Ltd, led by chairman Tyrone O'Sullivan.
The company proposes removing 5.8m tonnes of coal during the next seven years.
Mr O'Sullivan's has been talking about this dream ever since he started preparing for the closure of Tower in 2008.
He has a vision of homes, shops, offices, bars, restaurants, factories, parks and leisure facilities being built in an area in need of employment and leisure facilities.
"I'd like this area to be transformed into the Cardiff Bay of the South Wales Valleys," said Mr O'Sullivan.
But first the firm needs to remove the coal to fund the regeneration of the land.
"We worked either side of the colliery but we always knew there was a fortune under our feet," he said.
"We could not work that because we could not undermine our own pit.
"But now it's shut we plan to work that area out then put in a base so we can build on top of it.
"Because the ground underneath the pit itself is riddled with holes and old iron workings, if we left it as it is you could never develop it for anything.
"That would be a tragedy because this is a perfect site for new houses, shops and other developments because of the population in the area.
"I hope it's going to become one of the major investment sites for South Wales because we deserve to have some of the money that goes south of the M4 up here.
"With Hirwaun being very central for Swansea, the Heads of the Valleys and Cardiff, it is an ideal area for a retail development."
Mr O'Sullivan counters the arguments of the environmentalists by saying that many of the jobs created on the site could be in so-called "nascent" industries, such as developing clean coal technology or other renewable energy technologies.
"There is clean coal technology, tidal energy, hydrogen power, all of which could be developed and create jobs," he said.
Last week Mr O'Sullivan told the Leader that unless the removal of the shallow coal reserves is carried out, the 400-acre site will never be able to be developed for housing, retail business or for some recreation purposes.
"We want to leave a legacy for the future," said the company's non-executive director.

Artist gets back to nature at Dare Valley

An Aberdare artist will get back to nature when she exhibits her work at Dare Valley Country Park, Aberdare.Paintings on show by Cerys Morgan of Llwydcoed will feature local scenery, animals and flowers.
Cerys,a trained illustrator and graphic designer, who now teaches in Merthyr Tydfil College, said: "I am very pleased to be able to exhibit my work at Dare Valley as I live locally and have always spent a lot of time there."
The exhibition is a collection of paintings and drawings and has three main subject areas - local scenes, animal portraits and flowers."The flower paintings are something I started recently, inspired by my garden, which has been looking particularly good this year," said Cerys.
Her first animal portrait was of her dog Becky back in 1994 and that led to animal portraits of all shapes and sizes since.
"I also like to paint scenes that catch my eye whilst out and about. I like the idea of painting outdoors but it's not practical with our weather and I've usually got a dog with me that wants to keep on the move. So I work from photographs in the comfort of my studio at home."
Cerys usually uses the mediums of pencil, watercolour and oils. To see more of her work go to: www.cerysmorgan.com
Rhondda Cynon Taf's Cabinet Member for Culture, Recreation and Tourism, Cllr Robert Bevan, said: "Once again, we are delighted to welcome a local artist to exhibit at Dare Valley Country Park. I hope many people will come along and enjoy Cerys's paintings."
The exhibition runs from September 11th - October 3, 2010, upstairs in Cafe Cwtch at the Country Park.
For more information on events throughout the year at Dare Valley Country Park, call 01685 874672 or email:
darevalleycountrypark@rctcbc.gov.uk

COMEDY IS NO JOKE IN RCT

Rhondda Cynon Taff Cultural Services has a comedy season coming up that is guaranteed to put a smile on your face. Just look what's on offer at The Coliseum Theatre Aberdare, The Muni Arts Centre Pontypridd and The Park & Dare Theatre in Treorchy.

The brand new It's No Joke Comedy Season kicks off with Comedy In The Laughter Lounge. Following the success of last season these once a month comedy nights guarantee some top notch comedy with some of the biggest and brightest rising comedians on the circuit. Launching this season on Thursday 16 September at 8.00pm is the highly inventive and extremely funny Andrew O'Neill who has risen like warm air in a cold room ever since his debut in 2002. Next up is 'Cocky Locky' Trevor Lock on Thursday 21 October at 8.00pm, his unique brand of high energy stand up will have your sides splitting with laughter. Taking the stage on Thursday 16 December at 8.00pm is the surrealist comedian Henry Paker, this award winning stand up, who also draws cartoons and has written a book, delivers a mightily impressive set that is guaranteed to have you roaring with laughter. Tickets cost £8.00. Special offer - Book all 3 comedy nights for £18.00.

You'll be spoilt for choice at the Muni Arts Centre with - Shappi Khorsandi and Jon Richardson in a double bill on Friday 8 October at 8.00pm Shappi divulges her true story about fleeing Tehran and being a refugee in London in this brilliantly intelligent and funny show and she is joined by 'The Guy At Night' - Jon Richardson, who is one of the most in-demand young comedians on the circuit, with his unique presenting style Jon is in line to become the next stand up star! Tickets cost £13.00. Also coming up is Chris Corcoran's Committee Meeting on Thursday 28 October at 8.00pm. With Halloween on the agenda the club are deciding whether to ban it! Expect Apple bobbing, the club choir and of course Rex The Caretaker. Tickets cost £10.50. And finally a topically updated, dynamic version of the well-loved classic Bouncers takes to the stage on Saturday 6 November at 7.30pm. Featuring a brilliant cast of some of Wales' finest comedy actors, led by Mike Doyle as Lucky Eric, Bouncers is a non stop comedy feast! Tickets cost £10.50, Early Bird ticket £8.50.
The It's No Joke Season at The Coliseum Theatre includes Chris Addison on Friday 22 October at 8.00pm with a brand new show of his critically acclaimed stand-up. Daftness! Whimsy! Jokes! Lies! Smartarsery! Flapping About! Are all present and correct. Tickets cost £17.50.
With all this exciting comedy coming up in RCT you have no reason not to smile. For more information and to book tickets you can call The Cultural Services Booking and Information Line on 08000 147 111 or book online at www.rct-arts.co.uk.

Autumn @ the Park

An amazing autumn is promised at Rhondda Heritage Park when the popular tourist attraction hosts a season of special events for all the family.
From free underground tours and exhibitions to its annual Vintage Transport Festival and Santa's Toy Mine, there's something to interest everyone.
Here's what we've in store for you…………..
Open Doors - free admission to the underground experience every weekend in September. Places are limited and pre-booking is advised

Cordell Festival
Saturday 18th & Sunday 19th September 11am - 4pm daily
Join us in celebrating the works of renowned author Alexander Cordell (1917-1997) in particular 'This Sweet and Bitter Earth' as we commemorate the Centenary of the Tonypandy Riots of 1910. This free two-day event features music and song with the Cambrian Male Voice Choir and members of Treorchy Male Choir, theatre, Welsh speciality foods and crafts plus the Cordell Mini Saga Writing Competition

Afternoon Talk - Glimpses of 20th Century America
2pm Wednesday 6th October
Join RCT Museums Officer, Gareth Gill for a free afternoon talk. Please pre-book your place - the talk includes complimentary refreshments

Vintage Transport Festival
Saturday 2nd & Sunday 3rd October 11am - 4pm
Full steam ahead to our annual transport extravaganza- classic cars, vintage buses, traction engines, model railway layouts, plus much more! Entry is just £2.50 for adults and £1.50 for children

Girl Guiding in the Rhondda
October 23rd - November 7th open daily 9am - 4.30pm free admission
100 years ago, a small group of courageous girls stepped forward at the Boy Scouts Rally in Crystal Palace Park and asked its Founder, Robert Baden-Powell, for 'something for the girls'. Guiding has come a long way since then - the movement has travelled all over the globe with over 10 million members worldwide and over 500,000 in the UK.
This special exhibition focuses on guiding in the Rhondda and features images, memorabilia plus lots more about this amazing organisation

Gallery Exhibition - Level One Contemporary Gallery & Cafe
Printer Stint - 25th September - 7th November.
Works from some of Wales' most talented printmakers including woodcuts, linocuts, screenprints , etchings and collagraphs. Free admission - open Tuesday to Sunday 9am - 4.30pm

Macmillan Coffee Morning -
Come along and help the cancer charity to raise £8.3m. Rhondda Heritage Park is holding their own unusual event, The World's Deepest Coffee Morning on September 24th from 10am to 2pm, so pop along to enjoy some coffee and a lot of cake!

Walk Your Way to Health
Come along, meet new friends and stay healthy - join the walking group who meet at the Park at 10.30am every Friday.

Santa's Toy Mine
From 21st November right up to Christmas Eve - join in the search for Santa - through the ice cave and snow storm - who knows will you be lucky enough to find Santa's secret grotto? Places must be pre-booked

Young @ Art on Level One - 21st November to 24th December
Annual art exhibition for artists aged 3-17yrs living in RCT or attending schools in the borough. Entry forms available early September.

Nicola Newhams, of Rhondda Heritage Park's said, there's really no excuse to get out and about this Autumn, we've organized a jam-packed calendar of special events right up to and including Christmas so come along and find out more'.

For all pre-booked events - please call 01443 682036 to secure your place - or pop in to Rhondda Heritage Park, Trehafod, Nr Pontypridd.

Get your dogs 'chipped' by council

DOG owners are being invited to have their pets chipped for free as part of an ongoing Rhondda Cynon Taf Council canine scheme.
The council's animal shelter in Dinas will micro-chip your dog on Saturday mornings as part of the initiative to encourage more pet owners to abide by the law, which states all dogs must wear a collar and identification by law.
Micro-chipping is a further step forward to ensuring the identification of an animal is discovered quickly should they go missing.
The project, led by the council's Streetcare team, is designed to further crackdown on the issue of dog fouling which pervades certain communities more than others.
For further details call 01443 682789 or 01685 876831.