Principal Librarian Norma Jones based at Aberdare Library has vowed to catch up on her reading after retiring from the job after 42 happy years.
Staff at Rhondda Cynon Taf County Borough Council’s Libraries and Museum Service gave their favourite colleague a magical send-off in a special retirement party this week.
Gill Evans, Head of Libraries and Museums said: “Norma’s warmth and keen sense of humour made her a firm favourite with staff and users alike and her enthusiasm and commitment enabled the Library Service to deliver a wide range of special projects in addition to day to day normal services.
“As a published poet herself, she was responsible for producing the hugely popular library poetry anthologies, while her musical interests also led to the creation of the recently published brass band music catalogue. Life at Aberdare Library just won’t be the same without her!”
The Ferndale-born mother said: “At the moment it feels as if I’m on holidays and it hasn’t quite sunk in that I’ve actually retired.
“I have no firm plans as yet, but will probably have more time on my hands to enjoy a good read! But I will certainly miss my friends at the Library Service, they really are excellent members of staff and I wish them all the very best.”
Rhondda Cynon Taf Council have confirmed that around 100 trees are to be cut down in Aberdare Park… “for safety reasons”.
According to RCT Council, the elderly Leylandii conifers have been shedding branches across busy Cemetery Road, adjacent to the park.
They will be replaced later this year with a mixture of trees which will have brightly-coloured spring flowers, summer berries and vibrant shades in the autumn. These trees will attract wildlife and enhance the overall landscape of the park.
Staff from Rhondda Cynon Taf Parks division will begin removing the conifers in early March.
Children with disabilities in Rhondda Cynon Taf will have more opportunities to play sport this year in new football, swimming and badminton schemes, according to Rhondda Cynon Taf Council.
A new swimming initiative for children with mild learning disabilities will start in Aberdare next month. The 10-week block of disability swimming lessons begins at 4pm on Tuesday, February 5, 2008 in Aberdare Pool.
If you would like an application form to enable your child to take part in the lessons, please contact Rhondda Cynon Taf’s Disability Sport Wales Development Officer, Shelley Coster, on 01443 490242
Aberdare Badminton Club is holding an open day for people with disabilities at Aberdare Leisure Centre on Saturday, February 16, from 10am-midday.
The club will open its doors to anyone over the age of five who would like to take part. Wheelchair users are also welcome, as some sports wheelchairs will be available on the day.
There will be an opportunity for anyone interested to become a member of the badminton club - which usually runs on a Saturday evening from 7pm.
Regular hour-long football sessions for children of all ages are also currently being held at Pontypridd High School on Sundays at 10am.
Shelley hopes to eventually put together a team of players from these sessions. This will allow participants to take part in festivals and matches throughout South Wales.
“The football sessions follow successful ‘taster’ days held in Autumn 2007. Any children who did not attend the taster days but are interested in playing are welcome to join the sessions,” she said.
For more information on the swimming, football or badminton sessions, please contact Shelley Coster on 01443 490242
Want to get out and get more active in 2008? Then come along to Dare Valley Country Park, Aberdare, on Wednesday, January 23, where there will be guided cycle rides and walks for all ages and abilities - with bikes provided free of charge - from 10am-1pm.
Activities lined up include :
· A guided bike ride to Cwmaman along the old tramway - six and a half miles there and back along the flat - which will take up to an hour and a half.
· Short bike rides around the lake, with people on hand to help those who haven’t been on a bike for some time and would like to try again. Go around once, or as many times as you like.
· A walk of about a mile and a half around the park with an experienced ranger who can tell you all about the history and natural features in the park. This will take up to an hour - and you can have a go on a bike afterwards!
There will be a warming bowl of soup and a roll provided in the cafe between 12 and 1pm for everyone who has taken part. If weather conditions are bad, please come along anyway to find out about forthcoming outdoor activities. Participants will also get a chance to have their say about the type of outdoor activities they would like to join in their area.
For more information, contact Eleanor Rothwell on 01443 490206 or email eleanor.rothwell@sustrans.org.uk
We have prepared a collection of Aberdare Grot Spots using photos from a variety of locations across Aberdare and Rhondda Cynon Taf.
One of the ugliest grot spots is perhaps at the top of the Mountain overlooking Aberdare. Hereabouts people dump their fast-food flotsam.
Visitors coming to Aberdare via Maerdy in the Rhondda are greeted by the sight of wrappings from the local junk food merchants.
In fairness to Aberdare’s local Council, they clean up the mess left by other people pretty soon, but perhaps, Rhondda Cynon Taf Council should prosecute a few more litter-bugs to ‘get the message across’.
Local recycling mascot Rhyscycle does an excellent of educating young people about the importance of recycling. Maybe it is now time to invent a similar cartoon character to help educate the Neanderthal adults in our midst who have not yet discovered the modern invention called a dust-bin!
Click on the thumbnail photos to see larger versions.
