Lynsey Richards muses on how to escape properly …

No matter how far we travel, or how many holidays we take…can we ever really escape our problems, stresses or worries?

This year has been a very stressful time. Nothing negative, just trying to get my columns as well as other pieces of writing done, moving home and fitting in my job.

Hard work to say the least. In 2009, I’ve had more holidays, weekends away and days out than I can remember! I noticed this whilst looking through my calendar (trying to find a free weekend to go away) we’ve just moved and it took its toll on me, so a weekend away was just what I need.

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Cwmaman Music Festival 2009 is on its way folks. Oh yes, the 2nd annual music shindig will be bigger and better even than last years amazing cultural weekend.

Cancel all plans for the last weekend in September 09 because there’s only one place you wanna be. Yep, once again Cwmaman will extend a welcome to music fans everywhere and showcase the excellent talent on offer around the valleys and beyond, following the success of last year we have a surprise headline act.

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Congratulations to the 84 pioneers who took part in Rhondda’s first Macmillan Walk today raising vital money for this cancer charity.

Rhondda Cynon Taf Mayor Robert Smith cut the starting line ribbon at 9.10 am at Tonypandy where charity walkers began the 11 mile trek to the finishing point at Rhondda Heritage Park.

Enjoy exclusive photos from the day here.

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.

News story via Aberdare Trefoil

In celebration of the centenary of The Poetry Society UK Aberdare Poetry Society will hold an Alun Lewis Evening with a lecture by Dr John Pikoulis and readings of a wide variety by Jan Price.

On Thursday 19th September 2009 between 7pm – 10pm.

There will be an open mic slot and refreshments will be provided.

Places are limited – please ring to book.

Telephone Cynon Valley Museum and Gallery on 01685 886729

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Mae gwenynwr lleol yn ysgrifennu am ei brofiad o gadw gwenyn yn Aberdar…

Mmmm… mêl ar fy nhost y peth cyntaf yn y bore… mmm… arogl persawrus yn codi i’m ffroenau… mmm… mêl fy hunan o gwch gwenyn ar ddiwedd yr ardd… mmmm… miloedd o weithwyr fach ufudd yn paratoi bwyd melys o flodau hardd y Cwm…

Breuddwydiaf am fwyd yn aml ac fe freuddwydiais am fêl a chadw gwenyn mêl ers pan oeddwn i yn blentyn. Daeth cyfle i wireddu fy mreuddwyd y llynedd pan ddechreuais cadw gwenyn yn Aberdar.

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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.

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Passengers travelling on a busy Aberdare bus route will soon be benefiting from an investment of nearly £400,000 to improve their bus stops.

Funding secured by Rhondda Cynon Taf Council, as part of the Heads of the Valley Regeneration Programme, will be used to provide improved facilities for passengers at each bus stop between Hirwaun – Aberdare – Glynhafod.

These include new bus boarders to assist passengers with boarding and alighting, new signage and service information and, at the busiest bus stops, new shelters.

This investment will raise the overall quality of public transport services in the area and coincides with the introduction of a fleet of modern, easy access buses along the route by the operator – Stagecoach.

During this year, the Council will also be carrying out improvement works to a number of other bus stops in the Rhondda Cynon Taf area as part of further investment secured through the Neighbourhood Renewal Partnership and from within the Council’s own budget.

Fifteen pigeons sunbathing in the sun under large conifer tree behind the Park Rangers Office.

They looked so content.

They were lying partly in the shade and in the dry soil below a large conifer tree. Taking a dust bath one presumes.

An hour and a half later and there are twelve left. Perhaps this is really a Pigeon School ?

Posted via Aberdare Park Blog

Spotted a group of fungi in Aberdare Park this week. Looked it up in a book on fungi and it seems they were the Blusher (Amanita rubescens)

See Wikipedia article here http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Blusher

It’s a pity there are no ‘fungi’ wild food course being run locally… I would love to pick some wild mushrooms for eating but like many people am very wary of doing this without some expert advice.

Posted via Aberdare Park Blog

Christine Black Jones blogs about the loss of a great Maerdy institution …. the Maerdy Workingmens Hall and Institute.

Today I stopped to watch, as I was driving down the hill, As workmen chipped and hammered, then removed its pointed sill..

I swear I heard it cry with pain, as it was ripped away, Heard it beg them, to be left alone, to stand another day.

I wondered, did they realise, a 100 years and more, That builders gave their hearts and souls, for us to have somewhere to go?

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There is something very Spencer Tunick about many of the displays at Rheola Market.

Tunick is the American photographer known for his photographs of large numbers of nude people placed closely together. Market stall-holders arrive around four o’clock in the morning and work like fury to present their stalls ready for the public for each Saturday’s weekly show. Whether it is creating an ‘installation’ out of fruit or veg, or arranging secondhand toy figures (as below) it’s a joy to see. And it’s art.

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