Dowlais Community Development Forum

Free French Classes

French conversation introductory course for ten weeks starting Saturday 13^th January from 9.30 – 11.30 at Trax Youth Club Dowlais.   All welcome for any further information please contact Jen Connelly on 01685 727379.Free Basic Computer Class

Do you want learn the very basics about computers?  If so the Forum are looking to set up a basic computer class at Pant School.   Please ring 724930 to register the class will be on Thursdays from 1.00pm to 3.00pm.
Hedgerow Management Training Day

Wednesday 22nd November 2006, Cyfarthfa Park, Merthyr Tydfil.

 A free training day is being provided by Merthyr Tydfil County Borough Council in partnership with Keep Wales Tidy and with financial assistance from the Countryside Council for Wales.  The training will be provided by Keep Wales Tidy NVQ Assessors.  On the day, attendees will be taught the principles of hedgerow management and will take part in hedge planting and traditional hedge-laying.
Places are limited so please book your place early to avoid disappointment.  You will require strong, sturdy footwear, warm waterproof clothing and a packed lunch.  Tea and coffee will be provided.
 Hedgerows are a fantastic resource for wildlife in the countryside, providing food, shelter and creating connectivity between important habitats.  They are a traditional way of dividing up fields, keeping animals enclosed and are important features in our landscape.
  Merthyr Tydfil County Borough Council are also running a small grant scheme for hedgerow / traditional field boundary management. If you are interested in making an application to the grant scheme, please contact the Countryside Officer (details below).     
 For bookings / more information, please contact the
Countryside Officer, Merthyr Tydfil County Borough Council, Planning Department, Ty Keir Hardie, Avenue De Clichy, Merthyr Tydfil, CF47 8XF.
Tel: 01685 725278. Email: countryside&landscape@merthyr.gov.uk
 Construction Skills Course – Wood Occupations/Carpentry
The OCN accredited course will run for 3 days every week (Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday) starting Tuesday 17^th October, which will last for 3 weeks in which the following will be covered understanding Health & Safety Procedures, Identify Tools and equipment, Door hanging, Fitting door linings and Fitting of ironmongery & internal mouldings.  For any further information please contact 01685 727076.
Basic Computers
At Gwernllwyn School, Dowlais starts Wednesday 7th June 6pm ? 8pm all levels welcome, to book your place or to find out more please contact Victoria on 01685 726080 or 07800 708650.

Basic ComputersAt Gwernllwyn School, Dowlais starts Wednesday 7th June 6pm ? 8pm all levels welcome, to book your place or to find out more please contact Victoria on 01685 726080 or 07800 708650.Basic ComputersAt Gwernllwyn School, Dowlais starts Wednesday 7th June 6pm ? 8pm all levels welcome, to book your place or to find out more please contact Victoria on 01685 726080 or 07800 708650.Basic ComputersAt Gwernllwyn School, Dowlais starts Wednesday 7th June 6pm ? 8pm all levels welcome, to book your place or to find out more please contact Victoria on 01685 726080 or 07800 708650.Basic Computer Classes
Drop In Computer Classes for all abilities will be starting on Wednesday 5^th April ?run by the Equal Project at the Dowlais Forum from 1.00pm to 3.00pm if interested please contact the Forum in 724930.Special Educational Needs Training
Barnardo?s Merthyr are running a 5 day (S.E.N Training course) which will be OCN Accredited.? There is no charge for this training so what have you got to loose? Come along, work with others and get a qualification it?s as easy as that.? To book your place or for further information please contact Marla Bestwick or Teresa Bradley. Tel: 01443 220150, Minicom: 01443 227157.
Are you interested in working with children?
“up 2 u” is a free short taster course aimed at people interested in working with children aged 0-11 years.“up 2 u” is a free short taster course aimed at people interested in working with children aged 0-11 years.”up 2 u” is taking place at Cwm Golau, Integrated Children’s Centre, Pentrebach on Tuesday 28th February 2006 9.15am - 3.00pm.
The day will include:
A presentation from the National Childminding Association
A visit to an early years setting
The opportunity to speak to staff from Pre-Schools and after Schools Clubs
Advice on training, becoming a volunteer and looking for work.

“up 2 u” is a free short taster course aimed at people interested in working with children aged 0-11 years.”up 2 u” is taking place at Cwm Golau, Integrated Children’s Centre, Pentrebach on Tuesday 28th February 2006 9.15am - 3.00pm.The day will include:A presentation from the National Childminding AssociationA visit to an early years settingThe opportunity to speak to staff from Pre-Schools and after Schools ClubsAdvice on training, becoming a volunteer and looking for work.Places need to be reserved in advance. PLease contact Rachael O’Hara on 01443 694704.

“up 2 u” is a free short taster course aimed at people interested in working with children aged 0-11 years.”up 2 u” is taking place at Cwm Golau, Integrated Children’s Centre, Pentrebach on Tuesday 28th February 2006 9.15am - 3.00pm.The day will include:A presentation from the National Childminding AssociationA visit to an early years settingThe opportunity to speak to staff from Pre-Schools and after Schools ClubsAdvice on training, becoming a volunteer and looking for work.Places need to be reserved in advance. PLease contact Rachael O’Hara on 01443 694704.Learning Through the Outdoors
Free Taster Programme for ages 16+

Below is a list of planned activities running throughout February 2006. To gain a place you need to phone 01685 727300 and leave your details at least one week before the activity is due to start. Transport is available but also needs to be pre-booked.

Thursday 2nd February 06 Paintball
Saturday 4th February 06 North Wales climbing / walking weekend
Tuesday 7th February 06 Climbing begginners taster
Wednesday 8th February 06 Easy Country walk accompanied by RSPB warden
Thursday 9th February 06 Mountain Biking beginners taster
Tuesday 14th February 06 Quad Biking taster
Wednesday 15th February 06 Mountain Walking in the Brecon Beacons
Thursday 16th February 06 Kayaking/Canoeing beginners taster
Tuesday 21st February 06 Climbing beginners taster
Wednesday 22nd February 06 Visit to Big Pit Mining Museum
Friday 24th February 06 High Ropes / Climbing Challenges
Tuesday 28th February 06 Kayaking / Canoeing beginners taster

For further information or to book your place please contact Ryan Stokes on 01685 727300.

FREE CIRCUS WORKSHOPS

Children (7-16) Thursday 19th January 2006 5.30PM to 7.30PM. At the Dowlais Catholic Club. For further information please call James on 01685 724930.

Want to be more self confident for the New Year?

Confidence Building Session there will be a one day seminar held at the Bessemer Hotel, Dowlais on 18(Women) and 19(Men) of January 2006. The session will start at 9.30am and end at 4.30pm. Transport will be provided free of charge and a certificate of completion will be issued at the end of the session. Please reserve your space by ringing Doni at 01685 352804. FREE LUNCH BUFFET AND TEA/COFFEE.

Learning Through the Outdoors

Free Training Programme on Thursday 22nd December 2005 from 10.00am until 01.00pm at Dolygaer OEC the BELA training programme will be launched, the day will include team budiling activities and an oppoertunity to learn more about the following courses:- to qualify for free places you need to be 16+ and live or work in Merthyr.

Rescue and Emergency First Aid
Swift Water Rescue Award
L1 or L2 Coch in Canoeing/Kayaking
L2 Award in Basic Expedition Leadership
Walking Group Leaders Award
Off-Site and Safety Management
Sailing and Windsurf Training
Single Pitch Rock Climbing

Contact Ryan Stokes Outdoor Learning Co-ordinator by 19th December 2005 to book your place on this day. For further information please contact Ryan at The Neighbourhood Learning Centre on 01685 720799

French For Beginners
Will be Starting on Saturday 14th January 2006 at the Dowlais Forum from 9.30am ? 11.30am. There are basic and more advanced classes available all are welcome for further information please contact Jen Connelly on (01685 726080).

Free Basic Computer Classes
At Gwernllwyn School starts Wednesday 11th January 2006, 9.15am - 11.15am. For more information or to book your place, please contact Victoria or Jen on 01685 726080. All Welcome.

?