Volunteering Opportunities in Merthyr Tydfil County Borough

Looking to volunteer? There are a range of organisations who are looking for volunteers to spare a few hours a week. Below is a few examples of what is available,for more information on volunteering please contact Karen Foley on 01685 353913 or Frances Barry on 01685 353901.

Please note that many organisations pay volunteer expenses such as travel costs etc and have flexible hours to suit the volunteer.

Some examples of current volunteering opportunities are:

Merthyr Hospital Broadcasting (merthyr Hospital Radio) are looking for volunteer broadcasters - no previous expereience is required and full training will be provided

Meet and Greet (Prince Charles Hospital) - looking for meet and greet volunteers - flexible times to suit volunteer

Merthyr Tydfil Borough Citizens Advice Bureau - looking for volunteer administrators, receptionists, advisor and adviceline volunteers

Merthyr Tydfil Children's Contact centre - looking for volunteer centre assistant, volunteer receptionist, volunteer kitchen assistant

Heart Beat 95 - looking for vounteer driver for Merthyr Tydfil area

Groundwork Merthyr and Rhondda Cynon Taff - looking for volunteers to help with environmental projects

Swim Wales - volunteering opportunities for swimming marshalls, recorders, sales etc

SSAFA Forces - volunteering opportunities available for case workers and fundraisers

Please note that these are just a small selection of what is available locally and please contact the Volunteer centre for more information.

Useful Telephone Numbers for Merthyr

Important Telephone Numbers
Below is a list of telephone numbers you may find useful during bad
weather conditions:
Merthyr Tydfil County Borough Council Switchboard: (01685) 725000
Merthyr Tydfil County Borough Council Customer Services: (01685) 725138
Merthyr Tydfil County Borough Council Emergency out of office: (01685) 385231
Bin collection & Recycling: (01685) 725138
Care & Repair: (01685) 723771
Education: (01685) 724600
Lifeline: (01685) 384489 (Voice Recorded)
Meals on Wheels: (01685) 724577
Prince Charles Hospital: (01685) 721721
Social Services Offices (from 8.30am till 5pm Mon – Fri): (01685) 724507
Social Services Emergency Duty Team (out of office hours): (01443) 849944
Other useful numbers:
Floodline: 0845 988 1188
Traveline Cymru (bus transportation): 0871 200 22 23
The Trainline (train transportation): 0871 244 1545

Road Closure Notice - Castle Yard

The demolition of the former Castle Cinema will be commencing immediately after the Christmas/New Year holiday and is expected to take several months.

Demolition is taking place as a precursor to redevelopment of the site as part of the wider Town Centre Regeneration Programme and is being undertaken by Merthyr Tydfil County Borough Council's Corporate Estates and Physical Regeneration teams.

In order to provide safe working space for the demolition and access for contractors vehicles, Castle Yard will be closed to through traffic whilst the work is undertaken. Access will be preserved to the BT Depot which lies off Castle Yard.

As a result of the closure, all traffic entering and leaving the Civic Centre Car Park, the Crown Court building, Abermorlais Car Park and the main Castle Car Park will have to travel via Glebeland Place.

Disruption and delay at peak times is expected, particularly at the junction with Castle Street. All users should take note and be prepared to allow extra time for their journeys particularly in the afternoon peak period.

The demolition may also require the selective closure of Pontmorlais to allow certain operations to proceed in safety. Any planned closures of Pontmorlais will be limited to Sundays in order to minimise traffic disruption along the one way section of carriageway.

Merthyr Tydfil County Borough Council regrets any inevitable disruption but the closure is essential to permit safe and timely demolition.

Siop y Ganolfan - www.siopyganolfan.co.uk

Trefechan Communities First - Visit to Opera and Christmas Arts

Thanks to funding from the Heads for Arts Programme and Trefechan Communities First Partnership, local community members have benefited from christmas arts train the trainer session. This passes on skills to key community members which they can then pass onto local community groups and residents. Representatives from Sandbrook House, Trefechan Nursery School, Communities First Partnership and Youth Club were in attendance at the event.

Thanks to partnership working with the Welsh national Opera and Trefechan Communities First Partnership local residents from Trefechan have been to see a dress rehearsal of the Magic Flute at the Wales Millenium Centre. Many residents had never previously had the opportunity to see an opera before and all enjoyed the performance.

Police Pool and Darts Competition

Trefechan Communities First Partnership, Youth Service and South Wales Police have been running a pool and darts competition as a diversionary project to encourage young people into the youth club and build positive relationships between young people and the police.
Winners will be presented with their medals and trophies in the new year.

Preventing Problem Parkers - Civil Parking Enforcement

Merthyr Tydfil County Borough Council is applying to take over the enforcement of parking restrictions with the key aim of targeting traffic congestion, road safety and general nuisance caused by inconsiderate motorists.

The council already carries out parking enforcement in its off street car parks and it is intended that this will be extended to on street parking borough wide.
If approval is given by the Welsh Assembly Government the council will be able to issue fines to anyone parking irresponsibly.

The council is seeking public views on the plans and the closing date for comments is the 28th February 2011.

Please send all comments:
By Post to Civil Parking Enforcment Civic Centre Castle Street
By email - parking@merthyr.gov.uk
by phone - 01685 725354/725282
online - www.merthyr.gov.uk
in person at the parking services reception, civic centre, castle street

Road Safety - Slow Down

Following calls from local residents the Communities First Partnership have been working with the road safety department, highways department and local police to raise awareness of the dangers of speeding. Leaflets warning of the dangers has been circulated to all households in the borough, improved signage and increased traffic surveys have been carried out in the area.

Please slow down when driving through the community. Remember,

Hit by a vehicle at 40mph, 9 out of 10 pedstrians are killed.

Hit by a vehicle at 30mph, 5 out of 10 pedestrians are killed

Hit by a vehicle at 20mph, 1 pedestrain is killed but 9 survive

Please help us to keep our roads safe by keeping your speed down. Please help us to make Vaynor a safer place for pedestrians and for our children.

Trefechan Nursery Carol Service

The Trefechan Nursery School is holding their annual carol service on Wednesday December 1st starting at 6pm. Everyone is welcome to come and join this magical evening.

Toy Library Open Day

Cwm Golau Integrated Children’s Centre is re-launching its toy library service.

If you want to become a member or simply find out more, please join them for their Open Day on Wednesday 1st December at Cwm Golau ICC, Duffryn Road, Pentrebach, CF48 4BJ, come along anytime between 9am – 3pm, have a cup of tea, a piece of cake, play with some of our toys and find out more about the resources and services available or
phone 01685 727374 for more information.

The hope for the new service is to reach families and groups all over the county borough through the setting up of community satellites, home visits and through the existing toy library facility at Cwm Golau I.C.C. in Pentrebach.

Huw Lewis AM Coffee Morning and Advice Surgery

Huw Lewis AM is holding a drop in advice surgery and coffee morning on Friday 5th November at the Red Cow Inn, Pontsticill between 10:30am and 11:30am. For more information please contact Huw Lewis on 01443 692299 or email huw.lewis@wales.gov.uk

Fireworks - Stay Safe and Legal

Stay safe and legal on fireworks night. Please note that you are committing an offence if you:
-buy fireworks or possess them in a public place if you are under 18
- let off fireworks between the hours of 11pm and 7am
- throw fireworks or any other objects in the street at property and at people
- trepass on or cause damage to other people's property

Police will take action against anyone committing acts of anti social behaviour.

Keep Well This Winter Event

Free event for people aged 50+ living in Merthyr Tydfil County Borough. Free information, advice, workshops, activities, therapies and prizes. Refreshments will be provided free of charge.

Keep Well this Winter Event will take place on 19th November 2010 at the Civic Centre, Merthyr Tydfil from 12noon through to 4.30pm.

Free Transport is available upon request - please call Lowri Rees or Lyndsey Foley on the number below to book, or if you require further details about the event.
Lowri Rees - 01685 724636
Lyndsey Foley - 01685 727017

Merthyr Council Contact Number

Department Telephone Numbers
Civic Centre Main SwitchBoard - 01685 725000

Abandoned Cars - 01685 725151 or 01685 725402

Aberfan & Merthyr Vale Community Centre - 01685 727373

Admission to Schools - 01685 724620

Adults Families & Lifelong Learning - 01685 724507

Assembly Learning Grants - 01685 726262

Business Rates - 01685 725239

Car Parks (Enquiry Line) - 01685 726285

Cemeteries - 01685 725339

Committees - 01685 725207/84

Consumer Advice/Trading Standards - 01685 725021

Council Tax - 01685 725074

Cyfarthfa Castle & Museum - 01685 723112

Dog Pound Bridgecroft Kennels Gelligaer - 01443 832345

Dog Warden/Pest Control - 01685 725138

Dolygaer Outdoor Pursuit Centre - 01685 721751

Dowlais Community Centre - 01685 377688

Education - 01685 724600

Education Welfare Officers - 01685 724617

Elections - 01685 725168/5202

Events, Arts, Culture & Tourism - 01685 725356

Free School Meals - 01685 724600

Gurnos Community Centre - 01685 385284

Highways - 01685 724943

Housing Benefit/Council Tax Benefit - 01685 725116/725371

Integrated Children's Services - 01685 724600

Land & Estates - 01685 725319

Legal - 01685 725283

Libraries - 01685 723057

Lifeline - 01685 725336

Meals on Wheels - 01685 723466

Merthyr Tydfil Leisure Centre - 01685 727476

Parks - 01685 384752

Public Health/Pollution - 01685 725138

Rhydycar Leisure Centre - 01685 727476

School Governors Support - 01685 724665

School Maintenance Grants - 01685 724653

School Meals Service - 01685 725178

Street Lighting - 01685 725493

Student Loans - 01685 724604

Town Centre Manager - 01685 725106

Tourist Information - Centre 01685 379884

Treharris Community Centre - 01443 411201

Trelewis Community Centre - 01443 412869

Waste Services/Recycling - 01685 725402

Opera Trip

We would like to thank the Welsh National Opera for all their help and support for our visit last month. We have had the opportunity to take 52 local residents to see the spectacular performance of "The Magic Flute" at the Wales millenium Centre. Many who came had never seen an opera before and all enjoyed the show.
Thanks to the Welsh National Opera we are also hoping to take more residents to see a performance next May of Cosi fan Tutte. More details will be posted closer to the time.

Street Games

Young People in our area have received funding from the Local Area Partnership Agreement for sports equipment and coaching as part of the Street Games Project. Street Games runs every Monday for 20 weeks from 6pm to 8pm at Cefn Coed Community Centre and you can take part in a variety of sports from football, tag rugby, basketball, netball, volleyball, plus much more!.

Youth workers will also be receiving coaching training so that young people can take a more active role in sports in the local area.

For more information, please contact the Communities First Team.

Calling all Parents who have children in Ysgol Y Graig

The School Gates Team will be holding a Coffee Morning on Thursday 4th November at Ysgol Y Graig Primary School from 9am to 11am. The School Gates Team is coming to our area to work with parents who would like to
- learn new skills
- have access to training
- get back into employment
- be your own boss
- have help with childcare
Why not come along and have a chat and find out more. This is not a formal programme and you can be involved as much or as little as you want. At our intiial coffee morning they will be doing a free raffle where you could win a £50 Argos voucher.

Trefechan Walking Group

This year has been a very successful one for the new walking group in Trefechan. We are a group of residents who meet on a thursday morning on a fortnightly basis for walks in the local area. We are all different abilities and we cater for all abilities and walking speeds and enjoy a chat on the way.

This year we have walked in Brynbach Park, Taff Bargoed Park, Taff Trail, Cefn Coed, Trefechan, Pontsticill, Garwnant, Penderyn and Gellideg.


Our next walks will be held on the following dates:

Thursday 28th October meeting 10am at Brecon Mountain Railway in Pant for a circular walk of the area

Thursday 11th November meeting 10am at Trevithick Tunnel for a walk along the trevithick trail (this walk will be guided by Ian the trail warden from MTCBC who will talk about the history and nature)

Thursday 25th November meeting 10am at Aberfan Community Centre for a circular walk of Aberfan and Nixonville.

If you would like to join us for a walk, please contact a member of the Communities First team on 01685 383758.

5th November Fireworks Display

Friday, 5th November at Cyfarthfa Park, Merthyr Tydfil is this year’s Firework Sky Show. Fired by professionals, this is guaranteed to be an entertaining and fun night out for all the family!

There’s plenty of fun to be had, with the Real Radio Roadshow team providing entertainment before and after the show, as well as Danter’s Funfair in the ground, plus plenty of places to eat and drink. Gates will be open at 6.00pm and the display will begin at 7:15pm.

There is no parking at the venue, so a free, fully accessible return bus service will operate from Merthyr Tydfil College Car Park from 5:45pm to 6:45pm.

Gates will close at 7:10pm for a 7:15pm display - arrivals after this time will not be admitted to the park until after the completion of the display, so arrive early to avoid disappointment! The last return shuttle bus will leave Cyfarthfa Park at 9:00pm

Tickets prior to the event can be purchased at the Civic Centre, Cyfarthfa Park Museum and Merthyr Tydfil Leisure Centre and cost £6.00 per family (4 persons). On the night, tickets will cost £2.00 per person.

For further information contact the Events & Marketing Officer on (01685) 726254

Neighbourhood Watch Meeting

The next Trefechan Neighbourhood Watch Meeting is on Tuesday 26th October at 1.30pm.
The meeting will be held at the Senior Citizens Hall. The Birchway, Trefechan.
There will be a short information session on bogus callers and advice on how to keep yourself and your home safe.
Please come along if there are any concers or issues you have.
Various agencies will be in attendance offering advice and support.
If you would like any information please call into or telephone the Communities First Office on 01685 383758 where we will be happy to help.

Partnership Meeting

The next Communities First Partnership meeting will be held on Monday 25th October at 4pm at the Trefechan Community Centre.
Current members and new members are always welcome.

Confidence building and motivation

we are holding a free session on confidence building and motivation on Tuesday 26th October at Trefechan Community Centre.
The session is very informal and starts at 9.30am until 3.30pm.
There will be refreshments and lunch provided.
If you would like to come along or find out more please call Louise on 01685 383758 or call into the Communities First Office.

Buying a second hand car - Know your rights!

Between the 14th and 16th September, the Trading Standards Service will be participating in a National Campaign aimed at helping consumers be aware of their legal rights and offering handy tips when buying a second hand car.

The campaign follows National research carried out by the Office of Fair Trading into the purchasing of used vehicles and an increase nationally in complaints received by Trading Standards.

Trading Standards will display a vehicle in the shopping prescient in Merthyr Tydfil town centre from Tuesday, 14th until Thursday, 16th September, to help consumers to identify tell tale signs to look for to avoid making a bad purchase. Trading Standards Officers will also be on hand to offer advice and assistance on matters such as where to buy and how to pay, and the importance of examining documents such as log books and being able to pick out vital information.

Deputy Leader of Merthyr Tydfil County Borough Council and Portfolio Member for Customer Services, Councillor Tony Rogers said: “Next to buying a home the purchase of a car will probably be the most expensive purchase a consumer will make. Hopefully, following Trading Standards helpful tips will ensure trouble free motoring for Merthyr Tydfil consumers”

Contact Trading Standards on (01685) 725248 for further information.

Wild Food Hunt Saturday 2nd October

Wild Food Hunt with Dryad Bushcraft. Come foraging in the woods, fields and hedgerows of Taf fechan Nature Reserve on a FREE walking Bushcraft Workshop. Dryad Bushcraft will be giving a lesson in edible herbs, fungi and fruit and their medicinal and practical uses. Meet at cefn Coed Community Centre at 10am on Saturday 2nd October.

Please wear sturdy shows and be prepared for a moderate and possibly muddy walk. Supervised children very welcome.

For more information please contact Carys Soloman on 01685 726251 or email carys.soloman@merthyr.gov.uk

Green Dayz Saturday September 18th 2010

Groundwork Merthyr and RCT is holding their green dayz 10am to 4pm at the Fedw Hir Eco centre near Aberdare on Saturday September 18th 2010.
Crafts include:
Green wood turning
Glass Engraver
Card Making
Wood Carving
Bag Making
Glass Blower
Wooden Toys
Pyrography
Falconry Display
Love Spoon Carving
Bee Keeping information and much more!

Entry is free but there will be a small charge for some activities.
For more information contact Rebecca Lewis on 01685 883880.

Looking to gain employment - help is at hand

We are running a course on Thursday 23rd September from 10am - 2pm at Trefechan Community Centre which is free to attend and will cover:
Interview skills and techniques
How to search for jobs
Filling in job application forms
Confidence building

The course is free to attend and will be very informal so please feel to come along.
If you would like any further informaion please call into the Communities First Office or call Louise on 01685 383758.

Computer for beginers

Thurdsay 16th September 6-8pm for 10 weeks there will be a computer course running at Trefecgan Community Centre.
The WEA will be running the course with a tutor on hand to help you.

Consultation for the Green

Merthyr Valleys Homes is asking local residents for their views on proposals for the Green in Trefechan. Have your say by coming along to the village Green Cafe on :
Monday 13th September 12:30 to 1:30pm
Tuesday 14th Septmber 5.30pm to 8pm
Thursday 15th September 12:30pm to 1:30pm

Alternatively you can feed back comments by completing the back page of the Trefechan Communities First newsletter and returning it to the The Village Green Cafe.

Young person consultation - calling all young people, come along to youth club on Tuesday 7th September and let us know what you would like to see on the Green.

Young Persons News

Calling all young people from trefechan. Dont forget that we have a number of meetings and projects which you can join in with this term.

Wednesday 15th September 4.30pm Youth PACT meeting Trefechan Community Centre

Monday 27th September 6pm Street Games Cefn Coed Community Centre

Wednesday 10th November 4.30pm Youth PACT Meeting Trefechan Community Centre

All of the above are worth 1 credit. Dont forget credits = hoodies!

Coming soon is the pool and darts competition , so sign up in the youth club!

Help with finding the right Job

JobMatch can help you find a job that's right for you. They'll help you every step of the way, with ongoing advice and training and work with local employers to match your skills with their needs.

Your local JobMatch will be in Trefechan Community Centre on the 16th September from 9:30am to 12noon. To find out more please contact David Jones on 725343.

Trefechan and Cefn Gardeners Association

50th Annual Horticultural Show

To be held on Saturday 4th September 2010 at the Cefn Coed Community centre. To be opened at 2.45pm by Major Tudor Price MBE. Doors open at 2.30pm Admission 50p payable at door.

For entrance forms and details of classes, please call into the Communities First Office for copies.

Merthyr Jobs Fair

A recruitment jobs fair will be held on the 12th August 2010 from 10am to 3pm at Merthyr Leisure Centre (Rhydycar). There will be a range of local employers and agencies there on the day to support you if you are looking for work or training.

Turner and Penry Williams Exhibition

1st - 31st August 2010 at Cyfarthfa Castle Museum and Art Gallery, Merthyr Tydfil. An exhibition comparing one of the greatest British artists with his Merthyr Tydfil born contemporary "the Welsh Turner". Includes pictures on loan from the Tate. Group Bookings essential.

Traffic and speeding in the Area

A traffic survey was carried out on the main road in trefechan.

158 vehicles were checked in total with 39 vehicles exceeding 30 mph, which was 24.6% of all vehicles surveyed.

We would request all residents to kindly slow their speed to prevent further accidents in the village. The speed limit on the main road is 30mph.

Charity Cycle and Walk Sunday 8th August 2010

Charity cycle and walk Sunday 8th August 2010 in aid of the mayor's appeal for Alzheimer's Society. Cycle and walk along the Taff trail from Pontsticill to merthyr Tydfil Leisure Centre. event starts at 11am from Ffynnon Dwyn, Followed by family fun day at merthyr Tydfil leisure Centre. Registration is £1.00. Sponsor forms available from the what's on section, www.merthyr.gov.uk or contact the Mayor's office on 725320.

Trip to Opera

Trip to Welsh National Opera at Cardiff Millenium Centre to see “The Magic Flute”
Wednesday 22nd September 2010
£4.50 per person

Bus leaves Trefechan Communities First Office at 10am returning for 7pm. Trip allows for some free time in Cardiff Bay. Please bring packed lunch or money to purchase food.

To book your place, please call into the Communities First Office, The Flats, The Green in Trefechan.

Please note that money must be paid when booking places.
Please note that in the case of cancellation of tickets by purchaser money will only be refunded if tickets are able to be resold.

Trip to the Opera

Thanks to free tickets donated by the Welsh National Opera, Communities First Trefechan were able to run a project to take 46 residents to see the opera Rigeletto. We would like to thank the Welsh National Opera for providing our residents with the opportunity to visit the Millenium Centre and watch the wonderful performance.

Volunteer Rangers

Are you interested in becoming a volunteer ranger?

Can you spare a few hours to help us survey and maintain local rights of way in the Trefechan area?

If the answer is yes, please come along and find out mroe. We will be meeting Monday 28th June at 10am at the Trefechan Communities First Office

Neighbourhood Watch Meeting Tuesday 29th June

There will be a Neighbourhood Watch Meeting on Tuesday 29th June at 1.30pm at the Senior Citizens Hall, The Birchway, Trefechan.
The local Police and Neighbourhood Watch staff will be in attendance so please come along if you would like to join the group or if there are any issues or concerns you would like to discuss.

Trefechan Communities First Partnership Meeting

The date of the next meeting will be held on Monday 28th June at 4pm at Trefechan Community Centre.

Smoking Cessation

A smoking cessation group will run in Trefechan Community Centre starting on Wednesday 30th June at 3.30 - 4.30pm. The group is free to attend and open to all.
So if you would like to stop smoking with some friendly advice and support please come along where you will be welcomed and encouraged.

Aged 19+, unemployed or working 16 hours or less

Free training opportunities are available through Bridges into work. Free training opportunities in
Health and Safety OCN
Customer Services Skills OCN
All wales manual handling
Telephone Skills OCN
Bread and Baking OCN
Hospitality taster OCN
BIIAB personal license certificate
Introduction to running a cafe OCN
Customer Service Skills OCN
Dietary and Nutrition OCN
Level 2 ILM Team Leader
First Aid Level 2 and 3
BIIAB Alcohol Awareness
Level 2 and 3 Award in Food Safety and Catering

For more information, speak to Kelly or Eve at Bridges into work on 01685 726101 or call into Communities First office

Wales Biodiversity Week (5th - 13th June)

There are a number of events being run in Merthyr as part of Wales Biodiversity Week.

Bat Detecting and Moth trapping Session at Cyfarthfa Park - friday 11th June at 8.30pm meeting at the castle car park

Poetry and Music Open Mic Night - Thursday 17th June 7.30pm at the Imperial Hotel merthyr Tydfil with guest peter Finch

Woodland and Wildlife Day at Cyfarthfa Park Wildlife Garden Sunday 13th June - come and celebrate Wales Biodiversity week. Free activities are running all day. 10am Guided Wildlife Walk through Taff fechan Nature reserve. From 11am onwards come and try bushcraft skills, wood turning, birdbox making, live birds of prey, wildlife identification, pyrography.

Fore more information please contact the Biodiversity officer Carys Soloman on 01685 726251

Heads of the Valleys Spring Clean 2010

Local residents and volunteers have been busy taking part in the Heads of the Valleys Spring Clean to help clear an area of land in Trefechan which has suffered from flytipping. A skip full of rubbish was removed and two van loads of green waste from the site.

We would like to thank all the volunteers who took part in the event. The project was funded by Trefechan Communities First Partnership and was carried out in partnership with Keep Wales Tidy, Groundwork Merthyr and RCT, Community Wardens from Safer Merthyr Tydfil and Merthyr Valley Homes.

Global Village Workshops

Thanks to funding from the Global Village Committee (funded by Arts Council for Wales, Welsh Assembly Government, Merthyr Tydfil County Borough Council and the National Lottery) Trefechan Communities First ran a series of workshops in the community in the run up to the Global Village. We would like to thank all residents who attended the events which included belly dancing, indian beauty and bhangra dance.

Adult Learners Week

Thanks to funding from the Adult Learning Festival Committee Trefechan has benefitted from a Wii to Fitness Session on the 19th May 2010. The event was held as part of a series of free workshop which is held during adult learning week to give local residents the opportunity to try something new.

We would like to thank the Trefechan Wednesday Group for the loan of their Wii Fit Equipment which enabled us to run this workshop in the community.

Trip to the Opera

Trip to Welsh national Opera at Cardiff Millenium Centre to see "Rigoletto" Tuesday 22nd June 2010 - £4 per person
Bus leave Trefechan Communities First Office at 10am returning for 6.45pm.

To book your place, please call into the Communities First office, The Flats, The Green in Trefechan. Please note that money must be paid when booking places and is non refundable.

Best Garden Competition

Best Garden Competition
There’s nothing better than sitting out in the summer and enjoying a beautiful garden - especially if it’s your own!
So, no matter how small or large your garden is, why not enter

 Merthyr Valleys Homes Best Garden Competition 

This summer, our judges will visit entrants’ gardens to see for ourselves what you’ve come up with.
If you win, you’ll get a coveted MVH certificate and vouchers to spend on your garden.

Prizes
£50 worth of vouchers will go to the overall winner.
£25 worth of vouchers will go to the winner of each
of the following categories;-
 Young persons’ garden (under 18),
 Adults/ family garden,
 Over 65’s garden,
 Communal garden,
 Hanging baskets/window boxes

So if you are interested in entering
please contact Jonathan Bevan on 01685 727818
at Merthyr Valleys Homes for a set of guidelines.

Taster Days - Expert Patients Programme Wales

Learn how to manage your health your way on a free NHS course that runs all over Wales. Call in for a coffee and get a flavour of what it's all about.
Cefn Coed Community Centre - Friday 11th June
Galon Uchaf Residents Centre - Friday 18th June
Troedyrhiw The Willows - Friday 25th June 2010
Dowlais All Saints Church - Friday 2nd July 2010

All taster sessions are 11am to 1pm

For more information, please contact Caroline Jones on 01685 353911.

Trefechan Youth Club - Walk

Trefechan Youth Club invites you to join us on a health walk on June 8th meeting at 5pm outside Trefechan Community Centre. Please come and join us.

Walk your Way to Health

Come join us for a walk on the following dates. Meet at Trefechan Community Cafe at 10am, please wear suitable clothing and footwear.

13th May Walk to Cyfarthfa Park
27th may Walk to Pontsarn
10th June - History walk around Taff Bargoed
24th June - Walk to Gellideg
8th July - Walk around Taf Fechan Nature Reserve - please note that this walk will involve steps and will be rough under foot
22nd July - Walk around Bryn Bach Park tredegar
5th August - family Walk to Ffynondwyn (stopping for picnice) - please bring picnic lunch
19th August - break for holidays
9th September - walk to Cyfarthfa Park and Back

Walk Your Way to Health

The next walk will be held on Thursday 13th May Meeting at 10am at the Cafe.

This walk will be from Trefechan to Cyfarthfa Park and back. This is also an optional walk around the park area.

Community Feedback Roadshow

Merthyr Tydfil Community Safety Partnership is holding a Community feedback Roadshow on FRIDAY 30TH APRIL 2010. This is a multiagency event and will be attended by police, trading standards, safer merthyr tydfil, communities first partnerships, housing associations, neighbourhood watch plus other key partners. The roadshow will visit the following locations throughout the day:

9am to 10.30am Trelewis Community Centre
11am to 12.30pm Trefechan Communities First
1pm - 2.30pm 3gs- Gurnos
3pm-4.30pm College Car Park.

Help us to provie the right services in the right places by coming along and having your say about the issues that affect your community. For further details, please contact Safer Merthyr Tydfil on 01685 353999.

Merthyr Tydfil Learning Festival 15- 22nd May 2010

In just one week over 50 free fun learning events will be taking place in Merthyr County Borough. Make sure you don't miss out!

All events are FREE!

Copies of the handbook are available from the Communities First Office and have been delivered to households in Trefechan.

Walking Group - 29th April 2010

The next walk will be at 10am on Thursday 29th April, meeting at the Trefechan Community Cafe.

All are welcome to come along. Please wear suitable clothing and footwear.

For more information, please contact Sally on 01685 383758.

Global Village Workshops

Ever wanted to have a go at Belly dancing or Bhangra Dance? The Global Village Festival Committee in partnership with Communities First will be running free taster sessions in the run up to Global Village on the following dates

Belly Dancing Monday 17th may 5pm to 6.30pm
Bhangra Dance and Indian Beauty Tuesday 18th may 6.30pm to 7.30pm

All will be held in Trefechan Community Centre. Places are limited so please book a place with Communities First on 01685 383758.

All workshops are funded by the Arts Council of Wales

Free Impartial Money Advice

Need help with money, want to know what you could be entitled to?
Why not book a free appointment with the financial services authority who will be in Trefechan on Wednesday 21st April. To book your appointment, please call into the Communities First Office

Partnership Meeting

The date of the next Communities First Partnership meeting is on Monday 26 April at 4pm at the Trefechan Community Centre.

Canolfan a Menter Gymraeg Merthyr Tudful

25/03/2010 - Dydd Iau - 7.30 Cymraeg i Oedolion Morgannwg/Canolfan a Menter Gymraeg Merthyr Tudful Cinio Pasg gyda Dafydd Du - Dewch lawr i un o fwytai Indiaid gorau Merthyr Tudful, Moksh, ar gyfer pryd o fwyd gyda'r enwog Daf Du (DJ Radio Cymru). Cysylltwch a Shan 07990578407 neu Jamie 01685 722176 Moksh, Pontmorlais, Merthyr Tudful
10/04/2010 - Dydd Sadwrn 10.00-12.00 Menter RCT Disgwyl Disgled - Ydych chi'n disgwyl babi? Ydych chi angen fwy o wybodaeth am: Paratoi ar gyfer babi, Hawliau gwaith menywod beichiog, Dwyieithrwydd yn y cartref, Adnoddau a sefydliadau gwarchod Cymraeg lleol, Materion ariannol teulu ...Dewch i gael disgled o goffi a thrafod ag arbenigwyr Cymraeg! Croeso i bawb! (Yn cynnwys teuluoedd) Cysylltwch â Catrin Reynolds NAWR er mwyn cofrestru eich diddordeb. e-bostiwch: catrinreynolds@menteriaith.org neu ffoniwch 07500 878 289 CYNON VALLEY INDOOR BOWLS CENTRE, HEOL DYFFRYN, ABERPENNAR
10/04/2010 - Dydd Sadwrn - 7.30 Clwb Cymraeg Abercwmboi/Canolfan a Menter Gymraeg Merthyr Tudful Noson Werin - Cynhelir gwibdaith i noson werin yn Y Cresselly Arms, Aberpennar. Fe fydd bws yn gadael o Westy'r Castell am 7yh. Pris mynediad £3 (bws £5) Nifer cyfyngedig o lefydd felly cysylltwch a jamie@merthyrtudful.com i arbed lle. Y Cresselly Arms, Aberpennar
23/04/2010 - Dydd Gwener - 7.30 Eisteddfod Genedlaethol/Canolfan a Menter Gymraeg Merthyr Tudful Gwibdaith Dafydd Iwan - Fe fyddwn yn rhedeg taith draw i Glwb Rygbi Glyn Ebwy ar gyfer noson gyda Dafydd Iwan ac eraill. Cynhelir y noson er mwyn codi ymwybyddiaeth o'r Eisteddfod Genedlaethol Blaenau Gwent a Blaenau’r Cymoedd 2010. Bydd bws yn gadael Gwesty'r Imperial, Pontmorlais am 7yh. Pris £15 Rhaid archebu lle Clwb Rygbi Glyn Ebwy
Am unrhyw fanylion pellach mae croeso i chi gysylltu â'n Swyddfa ar 01685 722176

Thanks to funding from the Trefechan Communities First Partnership, volunteers and residents from Trefechan have had the opportunity to undertake training to improve skills for life.
The Trefechan Communities Partnership would like to congratulate all those who attended for successfully completing their:
Emergency First Aid Certifcate and/ or
Level 2 Award in Food Safety and Catering and/ or
Manual Handling
“The training provided allows our residents and volunteers to gain essential skills and qualifications which can be used not only in our community but in their work life. If any resident of Trefechan is interested in attending future training or would like to find out more about Communities First, please contact the Trefechan Communities First Team on 01685 383758”.

In Merthyr Tydfil the level of tooth decay in children and young people is unacceptably high with high levels of decayed, missing or filled teeth.
Thanks to funding from the Trefechan Communities First Partnership, young people from Trefechan Youth Club have benefited from an oral health workshop and a free dental health pack designed to promote oral health amongst young people. The dental health pack provided the young people with information and advice on how to look after their teeth and dental health as well as free tooth paste, tooth brushes and dental care products.
“Good Oral Health plays an important part of our general health and it is important to promote good dental and oral health at an early age to prevent longer term problems”

Road Safety in Trefechan

Parents and Children from Trefechan Nursery School took part in a led walk through the village this week, to promote road safety and help families reduce the risks their children face while walking through their community. By taking part in the walk the children and parents were able to identify risks and learnt the importance of stop, look, listen and think before crossing the road.
Thanks to funding from the Trefechan Communities First Partnership and Road Safety Department of the council all participants also received a road safety pack which included information and fluorescent items such as school bags and stickers to enable the children to be more visible when walking through the community.
“Road Safety and speeding has been identified as a priority by the community of Trefechan. By encouraging and promoting good road safety amongst children at an early age it is hoped that future accidents and near misses involving children can be avoided.”

Easter Playschemes in Vaynor

Free open access scheme for children aged 8 -12 will be provided by Tri County Play Association at the following locations and times:

• Monday 29th March to Thursday 1st April 10am to 3pm at Cefn Coed Community centre
• Tuesday 6th April to Friday 9th April 10am to 3pm at Trefechan Community Centre

For further information, please telephone 01685 353960 or 01685 353963

Cigarette Litter STUB IT OUT!

Please help us make Trefechan a clean and safe place to live by placing cigarette butts in the bins.

Cigarettes are litter and it is an offence to drop litter and can result in a fixed penalty notice of £70.

Cigarette waste was high when we completed our survey in the area. In order to help reduce this waste Communities First have free stubbis (portable ash tray) for local residents of Trefechan. Numbers are limited and will be allocated on a first come first served basis.

To collect your free stubbi, please call into the Communities First Office in Trefechan.

Important - Proposed Changes to post 16 education

The Local Authority is currently asking local residents for their views on changes to post 16 education. We would encourage residents to respond to the consultation and have your say on the changes being put forward for consideration.

Consultation documents are available on line in english, welsh, portuguese and polish from the Council's website at:
Click Here


If you would like a hard copy of the consultation document, please call into the Communities First Office in Trefechan.

Walking your way to health

We are organising a healthy leisurely walk around the local area on Thursday 15th April 2010 meeting at Trefechan Cafe at 11am.

All ages and fitnesses are welcome to attend.

Please wear suitable clothing and footwear.

Free Advice on the changes which will be happening to your television service

Friday 12th march
10am to 2pm
Trefechan Community centre

Come along and find out more about the digital switchover.
- Did you know that you will need to retune your TV on the 3rd and 31st march?
- Are you confused about the digital switchover and would like free advice?
- Do you need practical support to help you retune and get ready for the digital switchover?

Please come along for a cup of tea and a chat.

Jobs Board

A new jobs and volunteering board is now available in the community cafe in Trefechan and they are displayed in a noticeboard outside of the Communities First Office.

If you require any assistance applying for the vacancies or in the production of a CV please contact a member of the Communities First Team.

Great Deals on electrical items

Merthyr Tydfil Borough Credit Union has teamed up with the Co-operative to offer great deals on electrical items.

You don't need to borrow money from the Credit Union to take advantage, just follow the link on our website to get free removal of your old electrical items (usally costs £9.99).

If you don't want to buy outright you can purchase items through a Credit Union Fair Finance Loan and pay small weekly amounts.

Great Prices, free delivery and all available at low weekly payments.
Call 01685 377888 or visit www.merthyrtydfilcreditunion.org.uk

Basic Food Hygiene - Congratulations

The Communities First Partnership would like to congratulate all residents who attended the Basic Food Hygiene course on the 25th January for successfully gaining their award. Should you wish to take part in future training, please contact Louise Saunders on 01685 383758.

Emergency First Aid

The Communities First Partnership would like to congratulate all who attended and successfully completed the emergency first aid training on the 3rd February 2010. Another course will be run on the 3rd March, if you are interested in attending please contact Louise Saunders on 01685 383758.

Want to get into hospitality, leisure and tourism?

Do you live in Merthyr Tydfil, aged 19+ and :
- not in full time education or
- working 16 hours a week or less or
- unemployed

You can access a wide variety of free courses and benefit from one to one support with our personal support workers.

For more information call into the Communities First Office or contact Bridges into work direct on 01685 726101 or email bridges@merthyr.ac.uk

Making you safer at home and at work

South Wales Fire and Rescue Service will be holding a fire safety seminar for older people on
11th March 2010 at the Orbit Centre, merthyr Tydfil from 10am to 3pm

Call or email to book a place by 18th february on
01443 232000
or email: swfs@southwales-fire.gov.uk

The seminars will provide advice and guidance on fire safety in the home, what you should expect at work and fire safety for businesses.

International Women’s Day 2010

International Women’s Day 2010

Women Making a Difference in their Communities

Monday 8th March 2010

10.15am –3.00 pm

Myfanwy Theatre, Merthyr Tydfil College, CF48 1AR

Why women matter

Hints and tips on making your mark

Women Making a Difference

Women Across the World

How was it for you?

Guest speakers include:

Christine Chapman AM,

Bethan Jenkins AM,

Cllr Amy Kitcher,

Beverley Humphreys,

Stephanie Kendricks

Attendance is free. Lunch included. Help with travel costs.

YOU MUST REGISTER TO COME

Complete and return a booking form

Ring 01495 356702

Email events@bevanfoundation.org

Funded by the Welsh Assembly Government

Plans for Vaynor Church (St Gwynnos)

The parochial church council wants to know what local residents think of their proposals for Vaynor Church. The plans are available to view in the Communities First Office until 23rd February 2010.

Please come along and let them know what you think about their proposed plans.

Proposed Changes to post 16 education in Merthyr

The Council are currently consulting on proposed changes to the way in which post 16 education is provided in the county Borough. A consultation document is available from the council's website at

www.merthyr.gov.uk

The Communities First Office also has hard copies if you would like to review them. If you would like more information or help completing the form, please call into the Communities First office.

Communities First Partnership Meeting Date

The date of the next Communities first partnership meeting is Monday 22nd February 2010 at 4.30pm at Trefechan Community Centre.

First Aid Training

Trefechan Communities First are holding a First Aid training session run by St Johns Ambulance Service on Wednesday 3rd March 2010 at 10am - 1pm at Trefechan community centre.
The course is fully accredited and is free of charge.
If you would like to attend please book your place either by calling into the Communities First Office or telephoning one of the team on 01685 383758. Booking is compulsory as spaces are limited.

Are you looking for work and over 19?

Free learning activities available for local people to gain the skills and confidence to help them move towards employment.

If you live in Merthyr, are not in full time education or not working, then the Bridges to Work project will offer you guidance, training and support to help you into employment.

We will offer you a range of free courses in order to gain the new skills and qualifications you need to progress.

Courses include:
- job specific training
- construction training
- computer courses
- retail/customer service
- learning through the outdoors e.g climbing, kayaking etc
- pre-employment courses with established companies including argos, wilkinson, cwm taf NHS and British gas
- literacy and numeracy
- job search
- life support programme
- careers information

For further information on the bridges into work project please contact:
Bridges into work
Neighbourhood Learning Centre
17 - 20 Pen Y dre
Gurnos
Merthyr Tydfil
CF47 9DY
01685 727099

Affordable used furniture and kitchen goods

Affordable used furniture and kitchen goods, with discounts for families on benefit and free delivery, please contact Green Horizons on 01443 693348.

Showroom is open:
Mon - Thurs 9.30am - 4.30pm
Friday 9am - 4pm

Please contact green Horizons merthyr Limited, Unit 4, Viaduct House, merthyr Tydfil Industrial Park, pentrebach, merthyr Tydfil, CF48 4DR

Also wanted is furniture and kitchen goods in good working order.

Thank you received in relation to the donations to local servicemen

As a mother of a serving soldier in Afghanistan,i wish to thank all staff [communities First Trefechan],residents,of the area,who helped,donated,to sending boxes to our boys in 2 Royal Welsh [Acoy].These boxes helped them have comfort,and a little taste of home,especially at Christmas,being so far away.So generous were the supplies,the Army could just about cope with the load,but so harsh the conditions that the boys had to endure at times,those boxes were very welcome.Thank You so much Mrs D Sullivan.

The Communities First would also like to reiterate these thanks to all local residents who kindly donated to all appeals for local servicemen.

Trefechan Communities First Partnership Meeting

The date of the Trefechan Communities first Partnership Meeting is Monday 22nd February at 4.30pm at Trefechan Community Centre.
Present and new members welcome.

Neighbourhood Watch Meeting Monday 22nd February

We are holding a neighbourhood watch meeting meeting on Monday 22nd February at 6pm at Trefechan Community Centre. Hilary Doyle the neighbourhood watch co-ordinator will be in attendance.
Please come along if you would like a neighbourhood watch scheme set up in Trefechan.
It is your opportunity to help make your community a safe place to live

Vaynor Church Community heritage and Tourism Initiative

Come and tell frineds of Vaynor Church:
- What you think about heritage and tourism options for Vaynor Church and its grounds?
- What you know about the local history and heritage of Vaynor?

Drop in Session

Thursday 4th February
10am to 3pm
Trefechan Community centre

have a cup of coffee and chat and see what plans and ideas are emerging or ring 07761667209

Bridges into work

Are you:
Living in Merthyr Tydfil and aged 19+?
Unemployed and looking for work?
Working 16 hours or less per week?
Need skills and support to get back into work?
Want all this for free?

Bridges into work can help! Your local Bridges into Work Personal Support Worker is here to give you guidance and advice on what we can offer you to get your future back on track; from soft skills and leisure courses, to accredited qualifications and employment.

For more information, you can call them on 01685 726101 or 07826956159 and ask for Judith.

Young and looking to get into work

If you are a young person who is unemployed and looking for work, please call into the communities first office for a chat. There are a variety of training programmes available which will help you into employment or into further training. Please call into the office for more information and support

Off Road Motorcyles - Know the Facts

Merthyr Tydfil Community Safety Partnership is taking action against illegal use of off-road bikes. If you are found riding illegally, you could have your bike seized and crushed, be summonsed to court , have to pay a fine or even lose your house.

ILLEGAL - riding your bike on roads, pavements or public land (unless the bike is registered with the DVLA and has a current MOT and Tax), including footpaths, forestry land and open spaces

ILLEGAL - causing harassment, alarm or distress to others through the use of your off-road motorcycle

You could lose your driving licence. Illegal use of an off-road motorcycle could mean a ban from driving, even if you don't have a licence yet.

Before you buy an off-road motorcycle, think:
- where will you ride it?
- How will you get the bike to the location where you can legally ride it?
- Where will you store the bike?


Don't put up with it - REPORT IT

If you are suffering from the nuisance of off-road motorcylces please report it - call 101.

Helpful information to report:
- what colour is the off-road motorcycle that you have seen being ridder?
- Any distinguishing features of the bike or the rider
- where the bike is being ridden
- where the bike is being stored.

Digital Switchover - Help Scheme

The Switchover Help Scheme can help you make the switch to digital TV.
They can help you convert your TV to digital if you:

•are aged 75 or over; or
•get or could get Disability Living Allowance, Attendance Allowance, Constant Attendance Allowance or mobility supplement; or
•have lived in a care home for six months or more; or
•are registered blind or partially sighted

If you are not sure if you are eligible for help, call us free on 0800 408 5900 or
e-mail info@helpscheme.co.uk

Digital Switchover for Merthyr Tydfil

Digital switchover in Merthyr Tydfil is set to start the switch on 3 March, 2010, here’s how we need to prepare for going digital.

Many of you will already be enjoying digital TV through your aerial (Freeview), via satellite, with cable in some areas or through broadband. However, it’s important to make sure every TV set and recorder that you plan to use after switchover is capable of working with digital signals.

Virtually all households will be able to receive around 20 of the most popular Freeview channels, as opposed to the five currently available on analogue TV. Many households will be able to receive more than 40 channels.

Most viewers in Merthyr Tydfil are served by the Wenvoe transmitter group which will switch over between 3 March, 2010 and 31 March, 2010.

Information and help on switchover is available on the Digital UK website at www.digitaluk.co.uk. Here you can find your options for switching to digital, check whether you live in an area that can currently receive digital television via an aerial, and find out which transmitter group you’re most likely to be receiving your terrestrial TV signal from.

If you haven’t got a computer or access to the internet, information is also available on the phone. Simply call the Digital UK helpline on 08456 50 50 50. Welsh Language help and advice is available by calling 08458 48 48 48

Learn new skills locally

There has never been a better time to choose to learn new skills in Merthyr.

The Neighbourhood learning Centre offers a range of courses to give residents of Merthyr new skills that can be used at home or in the workplace.

Some courses lead to qualifications that could be a step to gaining employment. Specialist areas are:
Ceramic workshop
IT suite
Construction Skills
Transition into Employment (16 - 18yr old)
Learn through the outdoors
Basic Skills
Retail Training
Hair and Beauty Zone

Please call in at neighbourhood Learning Centre, 17-20 Pen-y-dre, Gurnos, merthyr Tydfil or telephone for information about courses that are running. Learning has never been so much fun. Experience new activities in a unique facility with professional tuition. Contact them directly on 01685 727099.

Communities First Partnership Meeting Date

The date of the next Trefechan Communities First Partnership meeting is Monday 25th january 2010 at 4.30pm at trefechan Community Centre.