Projects
Dowlais Forums Community Development Officers Activity Report May 2006.
Easter Fun Day- The Dowlais Easter Fun Day took place on Saturday 22nd April and was a huge success! The weather was perfect and event was very well attended with different activities going on all day. Equal undertook an evaluation of the day which is attached. A massive thank you to all volunteers who helped on the day, without which we could not have managed without. Also thanks to all those who donated bottles and sold and bought raffle tickets. Feedback forms are being sent out to all organisations who attended in order to make next years event even better.
Newsletter
The newsletter has been completed and delivered.
Pant Community Group
We provide on going support with meetings, funding etc. These meetings are extremely well attended and are an active group. An agreement with Pant Church is to be finalised to see if the Pant Carnival can go ahead again. The proposed date is 22nd July and a meeting is to be held this week to start organising the event.
Penywern Residents Group- Paul Kent from Keep Wales Tidy attended April’s meeting to discuss funding the Davies Street project so that the group can take it forward. This group are also involved in an environmental scheme at Guest Cottages, which may be funded through the Heads of the Valleys strategy fund from WAG. The group has again successfully achieved a funding application to run the fishing competition /fun day. We are working with Merthyr Tydfil Angling Association and the environment agency. The date has been set for June 24th 10.00am until 4.00pm. There will be more details regarding this as the date approaches.
Dowlais Top & Caeharris Residents Group Keep Wales Tidy has visited the areas suggested for a clean up, Paul Kent has attended Aprils meeting to discuss proposed projects further. Mr Rowlands, Headteacher from Gwernllwyn school has also been invited to involve the school in the project. Blanche Street consultation was undertaken and discussed at the last meeting. Mr Rowlands has offered the group use of a community room at the school.
West End residents- We continually offer on going support. One resident from this group has volunteered to run art classes once a week from Trax. The classes have been really popular and members will be demonstrating their talents at the Easter Fun Day. Please contact us if you wish to enrol on these. The Oral Health Co-ordinator attended the last meeting to give information.
Dowlais Cwm
Maintenance costs have know been agreed at Cabinet level. A meeting was set up with Audit Department MTCBC, Anna, and Tim to discuss procurement procedures. The Forum do not have to comply with these, Audit department recommended procedures be put in place to safe guard the staff who are LA employees. A letter and draft contract was forwarded from the Chair Mr. Brian Lewis to the landscape architect asking for a signed agreement to these policies and procedures. On return of these documents the bid will be submitted with an answer if it is successful in early May. The application is for £200,000
Dowlais Tenants Tenant empowerment grant is currently being completed, the group are applying to employ an outside feasibility study on traffic management in Dowlais. The last healthy eating session has been held and a two day confidence building course has been run.
Dowlais OAP
This group has recently had its AGM. A list of their activities will be in the next newsletter. A recent trip to the welsh Assembly proved very enjoyable. The group were pleased to announce that the Dowlais Ward councillors are donating £500 of Biffa money to towards future trips. The group will be going on their holiday this month and are looking at further funding for trips this year.
Dowlais Community Day Group Luncheon club continues on a Wednesday 12 noon until 2.00pm. This group are looking to extend the credit union to the Forum also, volunteers required. The Cinema club is still running on Mondays with excellent attendance. The group are also supporting healthy eating and oral health hygiene through a recent funding application.
ICI (Merthyr Saints)
We offer continued support and attend their monthly meetings. This group has had help with two funding applications, both of which have been successful. Firstly they received equipment to the value of £200 from Barclays and secondly £4,000.00 to move the external switch for the floodlights of the all weather pitch. This was continually being vandalised limiting winter usage of this facility. The group are currently under going a restructure of their committee and have set a date for an AGM on 11th May at 6.30pm at the Pavilion. They have also been successful in a funding application of their own to place a concrete perimeter alongside the playing fields.
Golf Driving Range Letters of support has been sent by all four councillors and by resident/community groups. This has gone for a planning application.
Penywern Ponds
We have been successful with the Greencare application from Groundwork. The work is almost complete with new benches in the picnic area, new kissing gates, completely new ranch style fencing the whole length of the embankment; repair to the main entrance gate and on April 24th, 25th and 27th a dry stone wall was built with the help of volunteers.
Parents Forum The group has now taken on an outdoor play scheme project in partnership with the play forum. This means that there will be outside of school provision twice a week term time and 4 days a week in the holidays
Trax
Youth Club is running 3 nights a week and is very well attended with a number of informal workshops coming up in the near future. A bid to the Merthyr Tydfil Development fund has been successful to fund youth workers for another year.
Diabetes Peer Support Group This has been advertised in the newsletter. The first meeting will be held on 12th June at 10am at Trax.
Heartbeat 95 Tim and Anna attended their meeting in April and did a presentation on Communities First and the work that the Dowlais Forum does. We received excellent feedback from this meeting. We are hoping to offer support through our Health sub group to support CHD sufferers in Dowlais
Cancer Aid- A number of events are being organised to support the fundraising for the new build. Mog the Post and Vincent Howells completed a 100km walk of the Merthyr Borough Saturday 1st April. The walk took 26 hours with him enduring very inclement weather along the way. There was an excellent send off with a group including MP Dai Harvard, ourselves and Community members walking to Cefn to get everyone into the fundraising spirit. Mog was met at specific stops by staff from Cancer Aid, The Forum and Councillor Phil Williams along the way to hand out refreshments, and a change of clothes if required.
Basic First Aid Training The training took place on 7th April with 12 people attending from the community and staff members. If there is further demand, we would look into another date.
Oral Health met with co-ordinator looking to introduce into groups. Diane Harris is currently attending all of our groups giving advice on this subject. So far, she has done presentations at Trax youth club, West end residents and Dowlais Top. Penywern and Pant are booked for April and May respectively.
Healthy eating- Healthy Eating Sessions are being run weekly at Trax between 1.00pm until 3.00pm. The sessions are run with ourselves and Equal. This has turned out to very successful with large numbers of all ages attending. The class has been extended for a further 5 weeks with the group linking in with Cyfarthfa nurseries attending classes to grow herbs which will be used in cooking.
IT classes We have 30 people registered with us for these classes. Equal will deliver the courses starting Wednesday 5th April 2006. Our administrator Hayley will help in a supporting role to deliver this. Due to large numbers we will start these as a pilot of afternoon and evening classes. The WEA and Glamorgan Gates have been asked to provide future delivery as students develop their skills to a more advanced level.
Summer Scorcher Our funding application to Awards for all Wales has been successful to run this project a second year running. This will include free activities every day of the six weeks holidays for families and children of all ages. Each week there will be a subsidised day trip. Some of the proposed destinations are Longleat in Warminster and Heahtherton Park in Tenby.
Food and hygiene course 25 people enlisted on this course on 11th and 12th of April at the Neighbourhood Learning centre.
Bin it Campaign We are supporting a young mothers from Dowlais in organising a clean up and litter in and around Pant School area on 9th May. There will be 40 children involved with parents, Forum staff and teachers. We are hoping to bring in an award scheme from the Forum to provide prizes for the young people who make an effort. MacDonald’s are sponsoring the event.
Charity Disco Again we are supporting the same young mothers group in organising a disco for a local child Alex Locke who is suffering from bronchhiolitis obliterans. This is a lung disease which may result in a need for a future transplant. MacDonald’s are sponsoring the event with funding for the disco and posters to advertise the event. Pizza hut have donated helium balloons and the Catholic Hall have given free hire of their premises. The disco took place on Friday 5th May 6.00pm until 9.00pm. The disco was for families and children aged 0-13 and was £1.00 entry. All proceeds went to the future care of Alex and was very well attended.
Greencare We are looking at developing more environmental schemes. The main two are with Gwernllwyn and Pant schools. These include a nature walk and planting of shrubs and patio tubs and boxes.
Trecatti Tip Visit In partnership with the Environment Ageny we arranged a visit for residents of Dowlais to the tip on 23rd March. Biffa arranged transport and 8 residents and Forum staff were picked up from Dowlais Top and taken to the tip whereby we received a talk, were driven up to the top of the tip and then given the opportunities to ask questions. We hope to arrange further visits and involve our local schools.
Walking for Health Anna has recently completed her walk leader training so both her and Tim are now qualified and will be setting up health walks nearer the summer.
Health Sub Group The health sub group met up in April, looking into health provision in Dowlais. The next meeting will be a consultation exercise on the document Reshaping your local health service. The date is to be confirmed. We working on increasing the communities participation on this sub group, if you would like to attend or know someone who would, please let us know.
Heart Health and Lifestyle Training Tim and Anna have been attending this course run by the Local Public Health Team. The course is teaching us to run a Slimswim healthy eating programme giving information to the community on healthy eating and exercise for a healthy heart. We have now completed the course and are hoping to set up a 12 week course for the commun
Old Projects
Pant School Community Room
The Dowlais Forum is currently holding discussions with Pant School looking at the possibility of having an extension to the school for community use. Pant has one community hall at present which is next to Christchurch on Pant road. The project is at a very early stage presently, but the first meeting is arranged for Thursday January 6 th 11.00 am . Community education, Pant head Teacher Mr Mahoney and ourselves will be at the meeting. Updates ton follow.
Pant Scout Hall
Pant Scout Hall near Trevor Close has unfortunately been condemned. The Forum and Merthyr Scouts Association are currently working in partnership with the view to levelling the existing site and build a new two story building with car parking and a separate out building/garage for storage of equipment and parking of a community bus. Plans for the building have already been drawn up. The Scouts have just received money from the Communities First Trust fund to keep this project moving. The project is still in its infancy, with an estimated cost of around £350,000.00 to complete. We will keep you updated as things progress.
Salmon Home Coming Project
Merthyr Tydfil Angling Association, Pant School, the Environment Agency and the Dowlais Forum are looking at introducing this project into Dowlais. A tank is supplied free of charge with the eggs. The children then see the development and have a hands on approach to oversee the life of the salmon including the transporting of the fish. This project complements Science requirements Schools have for the National Curriculum.
Merthyr Tydfil Angling Association are also implementing this scheme in Troedyrhiw, Mount Pleasant, Caedraw, Tonyrefal, Aberfan, Ynyshir and Penydre.
Dowlais Youth Forum
The first meeting of the Dowlais Youth Forum took place on the 22nd of May. Since then, they have met at the Forum offices on a fortnightly basis to discuss the issues they have within their community. Several ideas have been put forward by the group which they will be working towards in future meetings. These include:- Education courses which the group would like to take part in once the new Youth Building is opened, including cookery courses, Health and Food Hygiene Certificate Motorcycle maintenance and training; textiles, woodwork; computer courses. They are looking to produce a newsletter of their own to inform all young people in the ward of their work and have suggested various ideas to get older members of the community involved in their ideas. If you are aged between 11-18 and would like to take part in the Dowlais Youth Forum please contact Rhian Matthews on 01685 386988, or come along to the next meeting, at the Forum offices Thursday the 24th July.
In addition to the above, the group are working towards developing the Oasis building into a youth community building and have applied for a grant under the New Projects fund with Voluntary Action Merthyr Tydfil. On the 17th July, their application was supported and will be receiving £9800 to purchase equipment for the project.
The Oasis Building - now Trax
A management committee made up of various organisations has been set up to manage and develop the future of this building. The Oasis Youth Project have left the building now, but are working hard with the Forum to re-open the building. Funding will be applied for under Communities First for refurbishment and together with the money that the management committee and the youth forum have successfully applied for, the hope is that the building will be open by the end of the year. Rhian is interested to hear from anyone who would like to be involved in this project, and it is hoped that other members of the community will have full use of the building during daytime hours, with young people using it during the evening. If you have any ideas, or know of any individuals who would be interested, please contact Rhian at the Forum.
Children’s Cinema
The cinema club has finished now for the summer months, but will be starting up again in September. If you are interested in getting involved in youth work, and would like to volunteer to help run the cinema club, please contact the Forum staff for further information.
Volunteers
Rhian is interested in hearing from anyone who looking to become involved in youth work. There is a possibility that you will be able to undertake a basic youth work qualification, while working in a voluntary capacity with the Forum. For more information, please contact Rhian.
Sure Start
Rhian has been working with Sure Start to bring their services into the ward. Two taster days have already taken place, and a play day has been organised for the 15th August at Heddwch Close. If you have children aged between 0-4 and would like to find out more about what sure start can offer, please come along to the play day. Posters will be circulated throughout the ward nearer to the date.
Music technology
Rhian has arranged, with Tydfil Training, for them to offer any young people in Dowlais the opportunity to have Music Technology training. If you are interested in music, have little or no experience, or indeed can already play an instrument, and would like to have some qualifications in ,music, please contact Rhian at the Forum. We are hoping to be able to arrange some classes within Dowlais so if travelling is a problem, it’s no problem!
Arts
With plans for the new youth building in sight, we are looking for all ideas in terms of courses you would like available with Dowlais in the arts. This could be painting, drawing, pottery, dance, theatre, acting, singing, poetry writing, creative writing. Carys Wynne from the Arts department at M.T.C.B.C is interested in being able to offer you the chance to have these facilities brought to Dowlais – but we need you to tell us what you want!!! Contact Rhian at the Forum for more information.
Dowlais Infants
A survey has recently taken place around the school, asking residents for their ideas for a community garden. The school are looking to re-develop the price of land adjoining the school car park, behind Market Street, into a community garden. The survey was very successful, and several people have requested their involved on a management committee that will be set up to run this project. If you are interested in becoming involved, please contact Mrs. Bennett, Head Teacher at Dowlais Infants, or Rhian at the Forum.
Gwernllwyn Junior
A survey of the area immediately surrounding the school is due to take place during the summer holidays. The school are applying to the new Opportunities Fund to re-develop their sports field, and the survey is intended to find out the views of those residents living in the area.
Pant Community Hall
Meeting held at 4pm January 16th 2003 at Church Hall in Pant to establish the need for a community building in Pant. Current facilities at present don’t exist. (Project Currently On Hold).
Merthyr Tydfil “ Walking the way to health”
Establishing Healthy living in the Dowlais Ward through promoting scenic walks on a regular basis. Funding available to sustain this project through Communities first trust fund then being sustained by volunteers. There are 8 walk leaders trained in the ward and an event is to be organised with Asda shortly (Aug-Sept).
Heddwch Close
Determining use of premises for community use. Suggestions so far include cinema club, computer drop-in centre, public meetings, slimming club, yoga classes and mother and toddler group. Currently waiting for full use of building off Merthyr Tydfil County Borough Council. (Project currently on going).
New Deal For Disabled
To encourage people who have been out of work due to ill health back into work. The scheme works in two ways. There is financial help for the employer, and also a safeguard for the employee in that they are able to return to full benefits within twelve months if they are unable to carry out duties involved within their employment. Press release to promote this Scheme has been submitted. (Project now closed)
21 Heddwch Close
The need for a Communities first base in the Pant area has been established with the offer of a council flat at peppercorn rent. Costing is being set for the executive committee, alongside a viewing of the premises with the co-ordinator and chairman. Hoping to complete by March 2003. Office know set up and running at 21 Heddwch Close (Project now closed).
Scrambling Park
After continuing complaints from residents throughout the ward about young people using off road motor cycles on the main highways it was established by the Community to look at establishing an organised venue to be used at weekends. Consultation has taken place and a suitable venue is now being discussed. Possibilities include The Golf Club. Meetings have taken place. (Project still ongoing).
Pant Mobile Phone Neighbourhood Watch Scheme
To implement the use of mobile phones into a neighbourhood watch scheme with the idea of non –detection from use of scanners as this discourages people from reporting incidents to the Police. Police suggested to wait until November until their own scheme may be implemented. (Project currently on hold).
Volunteers
Investigating the possibility of putting volunteers into the Communities first programme so that expenses may be paid to encourage more participation from residents of the ward. Document completed and sent to Co-ordinator). (Project closed).
Penywern Questionnaire
Public response in this area is very poor. A questionnaire is being compiled with the main objective of finding out what the residents of this of this area want and to get them on board to achieve their needs and wants in the community. Document completed and available from the Forum. Public meeting held at Penywern with excellent response. (Project now closed).
Nant Morlais
An environmental project is to be undertaken to clean up this area, with future plans of developing pathways and landscaping to encourage community usage. Document available from Forum. (Project currently on going).
Community Employment
Employment placement set up through Tydfil Training for a placement of a local person for work experience within The Forum . Training progress to be monitored and reported back to myself and Tydfil Training. Also partnership working with the NHS and Job Centre, plus to advertise jobs in Forum Offices. (Project now closed).
Taf Bargoed Valley Rail Link
Feasibility study being set up with the possibility of re-introduction of a passenger link railway line to Trelewis and Bedlinog. The proposal has come from Groundwork Trust and Communities First. (Project currently on Hold).
Penywern Street Lighting
The need for improved street lighting in the penywern area has become apparent due persistent youth annoyance problems. Costing for the project has been estimated. Project has know been completed under play and transport initiative. Every street lamp has know been replaced. (Project closed)
Community Education file - Pant Area
We have been granted use of 6 computers from Swansea university via Lesley Abraham at Pen-y-dre School . Suggestions for sites a priority. Heddwch close a possibility, but security an issue. Computers know up and running at Heddwch close with security issues solved. (Project now closed).
Pant Mother and Toddler Group
This is a newly formed group, they were asked if they would be interested in starting up an educational course of their choice alongside the crèche. Rhian and myself identified a provision for this within the Community via either Ystrad College or the WEA. Heddwch close could be a possible base for this venture. A Communities first trust fund application has been submitted and passed.
Yoga Classes
It was brought to my attention for better facilities for the yoga class currently being held at the church hall. Over forty people attend which is far too many for the size of the existing venue. I passed on the Communities First Trust Fund telephone number to the lady concerned who said she would contact me as soon as she received the application form. Arrangements for her to view Heddwch Close would be arranged.
Awaiting a venue from Merthyr Tydfil County Borough Council.
Pant travellers Group
This group run coach trips for the elderly on a regular basis. The group have been running for many years due to one individual. It has now got to the stage he needs help not only with running of the group but with financial aid. We have helped the group set up terms of reference and open up a bank account so they can apply for a Communities First Trust Fund. The trust fund was successful and the group have been on two trips with reduced rated. (Project now closed).
Safer Merthyr Tydfil - Mini Bus
The forum are supporting a Dowlais resident, who is looking to purchase a mini bus from Safer Merthyr Tydfil for community usage. He has contacted SMT, and, together with local schools and PTA groups, has applied to Comm unifies First for funding of this community bus. Contact Rhian for more information.
Engine House
A local resident is looking to apply to the Council for a lease, allowing him to run a sport facility for the young people of Dowlais and Pant, within the Engine House. Meetings have taken place with appropriate departments and the project is moving on. Contact Angie or Rhian for more information.
Children’s Cinema
A Pant resident has contacted the forum to look to setup a children’s cinema in the Dowlais/Pant ward. The Forum are leasing with Valley’s Picture Road show, who currently run children’s cinemas in other wards, to see what needs to be done in order to achieve this. Hopefully this project will take off in the near future, and will be a great success to, not only the youngsters of Dowlais, but to us all as a community. Contact Rhian for more details.
Young Person’s Forum
Voluntary Action Merthyr Tydfil, is looking to set up a young person forum for Merthyr Tydfil. Rhian is keeping in contact with VAMT to ensure that the young people from Dowlais are represented. Contact Rhian for more information.
School Events
There is currently an on-going project file within the forum that deals with all events taking place within our local schools. So far, the forum have been in touch with Gwernllwyn Junior School, who, together with MTCBC have planted daffodils in their ‘Field of Hope’. The school was given 650 daffodils to plant, representing £650 that they raised for Marie Curie Cancer Care. Contact Angie, Rhian and Tim for more information.
Ingot Mold
The Ingot Mold and bottom plate was made in Dowlais, and is one of the last examples of steel making in Merthyr. The forum are working with local people and the Merthyr Heritage Trust to bring the Ingot Mold home to Dowlais. Merthyr Heritage Trust are applying for funding from the Comm unties First fund, to transport the Ingot from Corus Steelworks at Llanwern. A visit to Llanwern has been arranged for Wednesday 4th December 2002. Contact Angie for more details.
Photographs
Forum members are currently taking photographs of all the lovely buildings that are here in Dowlais! We are eventually hoping to involve the local Tourist Information Centre with the possibility of having a display of Dowlais buildings. If you have any photographs that you would like to contribute, we would be grateful. Please contact the Forum for more information.
Ivor Street
The forum are working with local people to set up a residents group in Ivor Street. Local residents will probably be aware that a meeting is taking place on Friday 6th December 2002, where a Wales and West representative will be in attendance. Contact Angie for more details.
Pant Community Hall - New Community Facility
Is there a need for a new community hall in Pant? The forum is currently proposing that a meeting take place January 16th 2003 for any interested parties. Various organisations have been contacted who currently use the Church Hall in Pant, but of course this meeting will be open to all those people who would like to be involved, or to those who would just like to attend. Contact Tim for more information.
Heddwch Close Complex
Tim attended a meeting on the 2nd December 2002, to discuss the use of the premises on this site. Proposals and enquiries have been made. Contact Tim for more information.
Walking for Health
Meeting with Health Promotion member on the 2nd December 2002. It has become apparent that this matter will no longer be dealt with by Health Promotion and therefore, looking for the Health sub group to organise members of the community to take it on as their project. Contact Tim for more information.
New Deal for Disabled
Working in conjunction with Gurnos Community Workshops, the forum is hoping to find placements under the New Deal for people from the Dowlais Ward. Announcements will be made at the next Education Sub-Group meeting. Contact Tim for more information.
Nant Morlais Community Route
Background
The Nant Morlais is a stream, which, as a result of the area’s industrial past, has been put underground for much of its length. It travels from its source at Twynai Gwynion within the Brecon Beacons National Park through the wards of Dowlais, Penydarren, Park and Town to the Afon Taff next to the Town Centre. This study has considered the feasibility of creating a dedicated cycle way/footpath along the route of the Morlais as it travels into Merthyr Tydfil.
Objectives
There are six main objectives for the Community Route:
* To improve access to the Countryside and Recreational pursuits
* To develop and promote healthy living
* To involve people in the local community in caring for the environment
* To increase the tourism potential of the area
* To promote areas of nature conservation value
* To improve the quality of the environment
“The Nant Morlais Community Route is a combined footpath/cycle way which will promote healthy living, improve public access to the countryside, enhance educational opportunities and improve the local environment for North East Merthyr.”
Contacts
Please send your comments on the proposals to either of the following:
Tom Bramley
Planning Department
MTCBC
Ty Keir Hardie
Merthyr Tydfil
CF47 8XF
Tony Jellard
A Jellard Associates
Pear Tree Cottage
Grosmont
Nr. Abergavenny
Monmouthshire
46 NP7 8LG
