The end of my story is this: the people of Aberdare are extraordinary, writes American Jane Powel Thomas.
The beginning lies in the very rich past of Aberdare when one (or possibly more) of my husband’s ancestors was the minister of the Ebenezer Chapel in Aberdare, now located in the Trecynon area. Both of us have a Welsh background, my husband’s family from North Wales and mine from the Brecon area. As a child, my husband was brought to Aberdare to see the church where his great, great grandfather was minister, and he was moved by the fascinating, still-operating chapel that included an interior plaque
commemorating his ancestor, the Rev. Edwards.
HELEN MYALL spoke to the Central Glamorgan Trefoil Guild members at their County A.G.M. on her ‘GOLD trip to Eqypt’. Helen supported her thoroughly interesting talk with photographs and a carousel on a large screen. Her experience after being selected as one of a team of six girl guides to work in Egypt on the exciting GOLD scheme had involved fundraising for the trip, personal expenses and for equipment. She had to attend workshops to familiarise with the area she was to visit, etc.
GOLD (Guiding Overseas Linked with Development) provides members of Girlguiding UK with opportunities for personal development through participation in community development projects overseas, using the medium of guiding. Development projects vary and could include anything from teaching English as a foreign language to setting up and running a business skills training programme. On return to the UK, participants bring back and put into practice what they have learned to their own community.
Four Men in a Tunnel in Aberdare… Taken during a very heavy downpour whilst volunteers with Sustrains were out on a Cycle Route signing and maintenance ride on the Cynon Trail.
Country and bluegrass music will be served up at the next ‘Songs and Scones’ concert at the Coliseum Theatre, Aberdare. The shows are targeted at older people, who can enjoy a scone and cuppa while listening to performances from Welsh musicians. Bluegrass/Country duo Ginge and Cello Boi will entertain at the next concert on Wednesday, September 9, 2009 from 1pm.
A group of youngsters from Aberdare will be taking part in their first ‘sea open dive’ in West Wales later this month, after qualifying at a young age to dive anywhere in the world.
The four youngsters will take the plunge at St Brides after receiving expert tuition in diving as part of a new scuba diving course, Discover Scuba, at Aberdare Pool.
The scuba diving course was developed from a larger sub aqua programme introduced at Aberdare this Easter as part of the Welsh Assembly Government Free Swimming Initiative.
Run by qualified PADI (Professional Association of Dive Instructor) instructors from A1 Unisex Divers, Discover Scuba is aimed at youngsters aged 10 to 16 and Bubblemaker is aimed at children aged eight upwards.
Jean Davies, Swimming Development Manager for Rhondda Cynon Taf, said: “We are very pleased with the success of the sub aqua programme, especially the opportunity for younger children to try scuba diving, which was an instant hit.
“The course covers both theory and practical sessions, and as well as increasing fitness and ability in the water, it develops confidence and is a lot of fun.
“We had so many youngsters coming along, we are hoping that the scuba diving will develop into a regular term-time club.”
Instructor Sue Fryer who has organised the sea open dive explained: “There are lots of benefits for the children who take part. They have fun and games during training which is the best way to learn, they make friends and they overcome any fears they may have about the first breath under water.
“They will spend all day diving, having picnics and enjoying the underwater world that lies ahead of them, knowing that they will then be qualified at a very young age to dive anywhere around the world as a PADI diver.”
Following on from the successful sessions at Aberdare Pool during the Easter and Whitsun holidays, sub aqua will again take place during the summer holidays.
For more information phone Aberdare Pool on 01685 874252
A snooker club based at Aberdare Swimming Pool’s building is producing the stars of the future. Members of the 147 Club – who practice at the snooker hall in The Ynys – recently netted a string of wins in the Cynon Valley Snooker League 2008-9.
147 A Club players Danny Williams, Colin Williams, Ian Griffiths, Darren Baker and Dale Roberts were named division two champions at a presentation evening in Aberaman. Colin and Danny Williams were also runners-up in the doubles tournament. 147 C players Duane Jones, Daniel Norris, Delme Norris, Nicky Driscoll, Ieuan Jones and Christian Godden were division one champions.
An Aberdare Town store has been banned from selling alcohol following a successful investigation and prosecution of the proprietors for allowing underage purchases.
Amarjit Singh Padda, aged 27, the proprietor of Mon and Shams on Canon Street, Aberdare and his employee Captain Peter Grewal, aged 47 of Seymor Street, Aberdare, both pleaded guilty to offences under the Licensing Act 2003.
On January 25th 2008 Trading Standards officers carried out a surveillance exercise at Mon & Shams supermarket following information from South Wales Police. During the evening officers identified that staff at the shop had sold alcohol to youngsters under the legal age of 18 on three separate occasions.
Appearing at Aberdare Magistrates’ Court on March 9th 2009, Padda pleaded guilty to three offences under the Licensing Act 2003 of underage sales and four offences of breaching licensing conditions. Grewal pleaded guilty to three offences under the Licensing Act 2003
Padda was fined £700 for the seven offences with £468.49 costs and a victim surcharge of £15. Grewal was fined £50 for each of the three offences, costs of £227.91 and a victim surcharge of £15.
The friends and family of Dean, a much loved man from Morgan Street, Gadlys, Aberdare, came together today to bid their last farewell in a Service of Thanksgiving.
Dean died suddenly at only 35 years old.
Many, many people came to the Service at Llwydcoed Crematorium.
The Lord is my Shepherd and All Things Bright and Beautiful were chosen as hymns; and two of Dean’s favourite songs by Queen were played.
Clowns from Aberdare Trefoil Guild recently joined a Christmas dinner and sleepover at the Cardiff Caeglas Guide Activity. The theme of this year’s sleepover was the CIRCUS. Most of the Trefoil Guild members were clowns, but there was a super ’strong man’ from Gwent and also a lion tamer. The ladies from Gwent Trefoil Guild catered with the help of the usual Cardiff team.
International artist Martyn Jones is “coming home” with the latest exhibition of his works now on show in Aberdare.
Originally from the Cynon Valley, Martyn Jones is a contemporary painter who works from his studio in Cardiff. He graduated M.A. Fine Art, at Chelsea School of Art, London and was awarded Junior Fellowship at Bath Academy of Art. Among his tutors were the British artists Adrian Heath and Patrick Heron.
Aeon, an exhibition of work by Martyn Jones, is on show at the Cynon Valley Museum and Gallery until November 8th. The Gallery is open 9am to 4.30pm Monday to Sunday. For further details, contact 01685 886729.
The end of my story is this: the people of Aberdare are extraordinary, writes American Jane Powel Thomas.
Fifty years ago to the day (25th November, 1959) the Aberdare Cancer Research Committee had their first meeting.
HELEN MYALL spoke to the Central Glamorgan Trefoil Guild members at their County A.G.M. on her ‘GOLD trip to Eqypt’. Helen supported her thoroughly interesting talk with photographs and a carousel on a large screen. Her experience after being selected as one of a team of six girl guides to work in Egypt on the exciting GOLD scheme had involved fundraising for the trip, personal expenses and for equipment. She had to attend workshops to familiarise with the area she was to visit, etc.
Four Men in a Tunnel in Aberdare… Taken during a very heavy downpour whilst volunteers with Sustrains were out on a Cycle Route signing and maintenance ride on the Cynon Trail.
Make a Friend of the Snowy weather in Aberdare this week.
Clowns from Aberdare Trefoil Guild recently joined a Christmas dinner and sleepover at the Cardiff Caeglas Guide Activity. The theme of this year’s sleepover was the CIRCUS. Most of the Trefoil Guild members were clowns, but there was a super ’strong man’ from Gwent and also a lion tamer. The ladies from Gwent Trefoil Guild catered with the help of the usual Cardiff team.
Free Patrick Jones poetry event tonight in Cwmaman…
