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In touch with<br />
your community<br />
<strong>Diary</strong><br />
The District<br />
DECEMBER 14<br />
FREE COPY<br />
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BUILDING SERVICES<br />
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Suppliers & Specialist Fitters of<br />
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RUG SHOWROOM UPSTAIRS<br />
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See our main ad inside for more details<br />
A Merry Christmas and a<br />
Happy New Year to everyone<br />
Showroom at<br />
13 Greenpark Ind Est,<br />
Coed Cae Lane<br />
Pontyclun CF72 9GP<br />
01443 230386<br />
JPWINDOWS &<br />
CONSERVATORIES Ltd<br />
www.jpwindows.co.uk<br />
Lifestyle Financial Advice<br />
The Pensions Specialist 01443 22 22 99<br />
Authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority
32 Chapel Road, Llanharan CF72 9QB<br />
Telephone 01443 223826<br />
e-mail: districtdiary@btinternet.com<br />
www.districtdiary.co.uk<br />
Copydate for January issue 10th <strong>Dec</strong>ember<br />
The District <strong>Diary</strong> is a free paper with a<br />
monthly circulation of 10000 copies.<br />
8000 copies are delivered directly to homes in<br />
Llanharan, Brynna, Bryncae, Talbot Green, Pontyclun,<br />
Miskin and part of Pencoed. The remaining<br />
copies are left in shops, post offices, newsagents,<br />
pubs etc. in Llanharry, Llantrisant,<br />
Mwyndy Cross, Ystradowen and Groesfaen.<br />
40 x 44mm £16<br />
40 x 91mm £28<br />
50 x 91mm £35<br />
60 x 91mm £42<br />
70 x 91mm £49<br />
Advertising costs are as follows:<br />
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90 x 91mm £63<br />
1/4 page £85<br />
1/2 page £125<br />
Full page £190<br />
All + VAT<br />
We would like<br />
to wish all of<br />
our readers,<br />
contributors and<br />
advertisers a<br />
Merry Christmas<br />
and a Happy<br />
New year<br />
Disclaimer: Whilst every effort is made to ensure accuracy The<br />
District <strong>Diary</strong> cannot be held responsible for any errors within the<br />
publication. Any views expressed are not necessarily those of the<br />
paper. We reserve the right to edit any items submitted to the paper.<br />
Cover picture - Llanharan RFC team with mascots<br />
EASYWAY<br />
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Easyway Ltd, Kent Road,<br />
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The Turberville<br />
FREE<br />
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FREEHOUSE Chapel Road, LLANHARAN 01443 222143<br />
DISABLED ACCESS & TOILETS<br />
All of the staff at The Turberville would<br />
like to wish everyone a Very Merry<br />
Christmas and a Happy New Year<br />
Sat 13th <strong>Dec</strong> ROCKET DOGS<br />
NEW YEAR’S EVE<br />
CASINO ROYALE<br />
DRESS THEME (Optional)<br />
FREE ENTRY by ticket only (Limited<br />
tickets available from the bar before the day)<br />
Open all day, ticket holders only after 7pm<br />
no entry after 10.30pm<br />
ELVIS will be in the building<br />
with DISCO + KARAOKE<br />
Games & Raffle Prizes<br />
throughout the evening<br />
FREE GLASS OF BUBBLY<br />
on entry before 8pm<br />
Best Bar<br />
None 2013<br />
accredited<br />
Watch top sport live at The Turberville<br />
Live Sport shown on 7 screens<br />
showing major Premiership games<br />
Fri 12th <strong>Dec</strong><br />
XMAS JUMPER DAY<br />
Charity Raffl e all proceeds to<br />
Cancer Research Wales<br />
BLACK FRIDAY 19th <strong>Dec</strong><br />
Blues v Scarlets 7.35 KO<br />
ELVIS + KARAOKE + DISCO<br />
from 7.30ish<br />
CHRISTMAS DAY<br />
open 11.30am - 4.00pm<br />
and 6.30pm - 10.00pm<br />
PUB QUIZ in evening<br />
£1 per person max 6 per team<br />
BOXING DAY open normal hours<br />
All major sport shown on SKY<br />
NEW YEAR’S DAY open 1pm - 4pm<br />
SYMONDS CELTIC CIDER<br />
£2.40 pint Mon-Thurs 12-6p<br />
CAFFREYS £2.30 pint ALL WEEK<br />
THIRSTY THURSDAY<br />
NIGHTS between 6pm and 9pm<br />
(Excluding Christmas Day)<br />
STRONGBOW CANS<br />
£1.50 each<br />
Talbot Green<br />
Hello everyone,<br />
Sorry I did not write an<br />
article last month - there<br />
is not always enough<br />
news to tell you about,<br />
although it is nice now and<br />
then to get a quiet month.<br />
Where has this year gone<br />
- it’s <strong>Dec</strong>ember already and<br />
Christmas is on it’s way. If you<br />
are like me, you are totally<br />
disorganised and leaving it<br />
all to the last minute. We get<br />
so very, very busy in the Post<br />
Office, we need a few days off.<br />
Hey Ho - I suppose I must get<br />
into the seasons spirits and<br />
stop being an old scrooge!<br />
Community Centre:<br />
Congratulations to the<br />
Committee for running a<br />
fantastic Halloween disco for<br />
the children. There was lots<br />
of fun with fancy dress and<br />
best pumpkin competitions,<br />
apple bobbing and apple<br />
dunkin and loads of spot<br />
prizes. This small committee<br />
do a fantastic job and they are<br />
now getting ready for the OAP<br />
and disabled Christmas dinner.<br />
It’s on <strong>Dec</strong>ember 11th and<br />
doors open at 12.30. Tickets<br />
are subsidised by the Talbot<br />
Green Retail Park and are just<br />
£3 each at the Post Office. I<br />
look forward to seeing many<br />
of you there as it’s always a<br />
day I enjoy.<br />
Bus Service 47: It came as a<br />
bolt out of the blue for me<br />
to be told in mid October<br />
that we were to lose this 47<br />
community bus service. I<br />
fought and fought in 2000 for<br />
this service going around the<br />
whole locality and I’ve always<br />
been proud of it - connecting<br />
people from around the area<br />
to the bus station, shops,<br />
chemists, doctors etc. RCT<br />
Highways have told me<br />
that they undertook a full<br />
consultation but I can assure<br />
you that no-one consulted<br />
or informed me! With no<br />
money from RCT I now have<br />
to find a way of reinstating<br />
some sort of service and I<br />
have put forward a proposal<br />
to the Community Council<br />
that we have this local service<br />
two days a week, Tuesday<br />
and Friday. We will cost this<br />
service and I’ll be approaching<br />
Tesco, Talbot Green Retail Park<br />
and Glamorgan Vale Retail<br />
Park to fund this community<br />
service which will stop at their<br />
stores. (We could include<br />
Sainsbury’s when built). The<br />
route could also be extended<br />
to include Llanharan, Brynna<br />
and Bryncae and if the stores<br />
can’t or won’t pay the full<br />
cost, I’ll try for funding from<br />
the Llantrisant and Llanharan<br />
Community Councils. I’m<br />
reasonably confident that for<br />
a small charge, these shops<br />
and stores will come on board<br />
and restore a reduced but<br />
reliable service to help people<br />
who are otherwise trapped in<br />
their homes. I’ll update you all<br />
as soon as I have some news.<br />
01443<br />
226321<br />
4 Chapel Road,<br />
Llanharan<br />
(Near the station)<br />
Car Wash/Valet: In February<br />
Officers and I refused planning<br />
permission for a car hand<br />
wash and valet service on<br />
Lanelay Road. This site was<br />
previously owned and run<br />
by a Motor-home Company<br />
with a very limited amount<br />
of visitors/customers. I was<br />
concerned that the new<br />
car wash company would<br />
attract a large number of<br />
clients disrupting the lives<br />
of residents and cars could<br />
queue on the road. A main<br />
road through Talbot Green.<br />
Water run off was also one of<br />
my concerns. After planning<br />
permission was refused by<br />
RCT the new owner had<br />
the right to appeal to the<br />
Planning Inspectorate for<br />
Wales, which he did. That<br />
appeal has now been heard<br />
and the Welsh Assembly<br />
Inspector has upheld my and<br />
the Officers decision NOT<br />
to allow it’s use. The appeal<br />
has been dismissed mainly<br />
because living conditions of<br />
the occupiers of adjacent<br />
residential properties, having<br />
particular regard to noise and<br />
disturbance, which would be<br />
affected. As such it would<br />
conflict with policies AW5<br />
and AW10 of the RCT Local<br />
Development Plan (LDP) 2011.<br />
I never feel overtly happy<br />
when applications are refused<br />
and overturned because there<br />
is always two sides to every<br />
story. The applicant in this<br />
case is not a bad man, he took<br />
upon it himself to lease the<br />
site and open a business to<br />
provide work in the area but it<br />
did not sit happily with me or<br />
residents close to the site. I’m<br />
very pleased at the outcome<br />
for my residents and I wish the<br />
applicant well in the future.<br />
Car Park: The company<br />
managing the car park on Ely<br />
Valley Road, near the banks,<br />
continue to pester people. If<br />
you overstay the 30 minutes<br />
or even stop outside a bay<br />
you still get a fine. If that £60<br />
fine is not paid in 14 days<br />
they increase it to £100 and<br />
they now use a doggy debt<br />
collection agency and then<br />
a firm of solicitors to try and<br />
recover the money they think<br />
is due. Please remember that<br />
no-one can force you to pay<br />
these charges unless it’s been<br />
heard by a Court of Law. I<br />
know some people are still<br />
fighting the fine as they have<br />
no proof of who the driver<br />
was but beware, these nasty<br />
people are not going away<br />
and they continue to demand<br />
money from you. My advice,<br />
don’t contact them, don’t<br />
pay them and ignore their<br />
demands - they will soon get<br />
tired of trying to exploit you.<br />
I’ve now given my advice<br />
again and again. If you get<br />
a parking notice, it’s not a<br />
parking fine, please don’t call<br />
me or visit me for advice - I’ve<br />
made it abundantly clear<br />
what you should do and I can<br />
hardly deal with the amount<br />
of calls and visits I get daily<br />
- I’m so fed up of repeating<br />
myself. Remember, if you are<br />
visiting your bank they are<br />
leaseholders to the<br />
continued overleaf.....<br />
PRIVATE FUNCTION ROOM<br />
available for your Christmas<br />
Party - Buffet menu available<br />
LOOK UP TURBERVILLE HOTEL ON FACEBOOK<br />
OPEN from12 noon weekdays & 11.30am Sat / Sun<br />
FREE JUKEBOX<br />
EVERY DAY<br />
throughout <strong>Dec</strong>ember 7pm - 10.30pm<br />
FREE POOL every Friday<br />
A wide selection of cask ales and ciders<br />
available from major and micro breweries<br />
Look us up in CAMRA guide<br />
We are on the offi cial PUBGUIDE.com<br />
Tues & Wed<br />
9am-4.30pm<br />
Thur & Fri<br />
9am-6pm<br />
Sat<br />
8.30am-1.30pm<br />
We would like to wish<br />
everyone a Very<br />
Merry Christmas and<br />
a Happy New Year<br />
Salon now on Facebook<br />
NEW DEALS ADDED EACH WEEK<br />
Excellent prices in a friendly environment.<br />
BEAUTY SHOP<br />
Nail Extensions<br />
Manicures<br />
Waxing<br />
Eyelash Extensions<br />
Eyelash Tinting<br />
Party Makeovers<br />
Wedding Packages<br />
Minx Nails<br />
at CUTTING IT<br />
Chapel Road, Llanharan<br />
PAMPER PARTIES<br />
Open Mon - Sat<br />
Tel: Lynfa on 07843014614<br />
MOBILE SERVICE AVAILABLE
The<br />
Dynevor<br />
Arms<br />
Country Pub & Restaurant<br />
A warm welcome awaits you at The<br />
Dynevor Arms Country Pub and Restaurant in<br />
Groesfaen. Enjoy good food and excellent beers<br />
and wines in comfortable, relaxed surroundings.<br />
The Foxes Den Restaurant<br />
Both lunchtimes and evenings we serve home cooked food at it’s<br />
very best in The Foxes Den, our very own informal restaurant.<br />
Why not try one of our succulent steaks or choose from the wide<br />
range of meals on offer from our main menu or a daily special<br />
from our board.<br />
Traditional Sunday Lunch £7.45<br />
Forget the dishes, take the strain out of Sunday and join us for<br />
our delicious Sunday Roast, a choice of meats served with fresh<br />
vegetables and gravy.Our main menu and specials board are also<br />
available for those that prefer.<br />
Special Occasions<br />
At The Dynevor Arms we are happy to cater for that special<br />
occasion whether it’s a birthday, wedding anniversary or just a<br />
good old get together. Relax, enjoy youselves and leave the hard<br />
work to us, we can even take care of the cake for you.<br />
Fine Beers, Wines and Spirits<br />
Enjoy our excellent range of quality beers wines<br />
and spirits. Try our wines of the moment or sample one of our<br />
four cask mark accredited real ales. A great range of spirits are<br />
always in stock plus the usual soft drinks and mixers that you<br />
would expect in a superior hostelry.<br />
NEW YEAR THREE COURSE MEAL<br />
£35.00 per head<br />
LIVE MUSIC with GEORGE + MIKE<br />
Food served: 12noon - 2.15pm 7 days a week and<br />
6pm - 9pm Monday - Saturday Booking advisable<br />
www.dynevorarms.com<br />
Winners of<br />
RCT In Bloom<br />
Christmas Menu<br />
STARTERS<br />
Soup of the Day<br />
served with roll and butter<br />
Prawn Cocktail<br />
Breaded Camembert<br />
with Sweet Chutney<br />
Mushroom au Gratin<br />
MAINS<br />
Traditional Roast Turkey<br />
served with Sage and Onion Stuffing,<br />
Chipolata Sausage, Cranberry Sauce<br />
and Seasonal Vegetables<br />
Roast Beef and Yorkshire Pudding<br />
served with Roast Potatoes<br />
and Seasonal Vegetables<br />
Salmon Steak with Dill Sauce<br />
Mushroom Stroganoff<br />
CHOICE OF SWEETS<br />
Tea or Coffee and Mince Pies<br />
Price £15.95<br />
(All items subject to availability)<br />
Book Now<br />
to avoid disappointment<br />
The Dynevor Arms<br />
Llantrisant Road, Groesfaen CF72 8NS<br />
02920 890530<br />
landlord who owns the site<br />
and employs these “One<br />
Generation Parking cowboys“.<br />
The banks pay rent to them<br />
and are happy to have their<br />
own spaces reserved whilst<br />
their clients/ customers are<br />
charged! Demand that your<br />
bank solves your parking<br />
charge notice or change your<br />
bank - it’s easy these days!<br />
Grants: All local “not for<br />
profit” groups around Talbot<br />
Green have now had a share<br />
of the £5,000 grant Arlene and<br />
I have from the Community<br />
Council every year. We have<br />
given money to OAP groups,<br />
Army and Air Force Cadets,<br />
sheltered housing groups,<br />
residential groups and many<br />
more. It’s always a lovely task<br />
to undertake and it’s delightful<br />
to be able to put something<br />
back into the community.<br />
Car Tax: There seems to be<br />
a lot of confusion over the<br />
new car tax legislation. You<br />
obviously still need to tax your<br />
car but you won’t get a disc.<br />
You can still do it at the Post<br />
Office, all you need is your<br />
reminder or V5 (log book).<br />
We don’t need a M.O.T or<br />
Insurance - just your money<br />
and we will give you a receipt<br />
as proof of vehicle taxation<br />
being paid.<br />
Sainsbury’s: I have nothing<br />
much to report on Sainsbury’s.<br />
We await the outcome of their<br />
new planning application to<br />
reduce the footprint of the<br />
new store to make it smaller.<br />
There does seem to be a<br />
problem with them paying<br />
the section 106 agreement for<br />
the £1.6m road infrastructure<br />
I want and another problem<br />
with an inadequate foul<br />
sewer. Any new sewer could<br />
interfere with the Pant Marsh<br />
and I’ll be keeping a close eye<br />
on this. In the past few days,<br />
because profits are lower than<br />
expected, Sainsbury’s have<br />
said they will stop building<br />
any new stores. I await to hear<br />
from Officers if this affects us.<br />
Magistrates Court: The<br />
sale and planning at the<br />
Magistrates Court has also<br />
gone quiet although it is<br />
progressing slowly. Plans for a<br />
double deck car park in Heol<br />
Y Gyfraith along with a new<br />
“B&Q type” of store on the<br />
Council car park are slowly<br />
progressing. I’m against any<br />
further development of new<br />
shops on the site that can’t<br />
handle the traffic it attracts<br />
already. Watch this space as<br />
plans are developed and I’ll<br />
be campaigning for no new<br />
shops!<br />
Police: I’ve negotiated again<br />
this year that there will be<br />
extra Police on duty on the<br />
Newpark/Tesco and Pizza Hut<br />
roundabouts during the busy<br />
days around Christmas and<br />
the New Year. These officers<br />
are not drawn away from<br />
their normal duties, they are<br />
officers doing overtime and<br />
are paid for by Tesco and<br />
Talbot Green Retail Park to<br />
keep the traffic moving.<br />
Letters: Can I please ask<br />
that you don’t send me or<br />
Arlene anonymous letters,<br />
TALBOT GREEN<br />
POST OFFICE<br />
01443 224217<br />
THE AWARD WINNING POST OFFICE<br />
CAR & VEHICLE TAX<br />
PASSPORT PHOTOS<br />
PASSPORT APPLICATIONS<br />
(Same day check and send service)<br />
ALL FOREIGN CURRENCIES<br />
(Euro, Lira and Dollars always in stock)<br />
THE NATIONAL LOTTERY<br />
THE HEALTH LOTTERY<br />
E-BAY SPECIALISTS<br />
AGENTS FOR HALLMARK CARDS<br />
Paul & David assure you of a warm<br />
welcome and a quality service<br />
it’s quite pointless. If you ask<br />
for total privacy that’s fine<br />
and we are bound to keep<br />
that private but we often<br />
have ongoing questions to<br />
these anonymous letters and<br />
without a contact name/<br />
number, that’s impossible.<br />
I don’t know if anonymous<br />
letters are actually from<br />
my constituents or political<br />
opponents. I can only act to<br />
help people when I have a<br />
name, address and/ or contact<br />
number and if requested,<br />
your details will remain totally<br />
confidential. I will for once,<br />
answer two anonymous<br />
letters I have recently had. The<br />
amount of cars anyone owns<br />
in a street is not a matter for<br />
the Council. If these cars are<br />
taxed and insured there is<br />
no limit to how many cars a<br />
household can own and park<br />
on a road. As for fly tipping,<br />
if the anonymous writer can<br />
name the tippers from Heol<br />
Johnson and Heol Miles on<br />
the railway line then, and only<br />
then, can I take action. I have<br />
reported this fly tipping to the<br />
Police who will be speaking to<br />
residents.<br />
Problems: I can’t write here<br />
month after month and<br />
pretend everything in the<br />
garden is rosy and hunky<br />
dory - it’s not! A big part of<br />
my job as your Councillor<br />
is to deal with problems<br />
many of you have in the<br />
locality. For obvious reasons<br />
I can’t discuss many of these<br />
problems here but housing<br />
and neighbourhood problems<br />
in flats around the area are<br />
all being dealt with. There are<br />
drug, child, noise, and anti<br />
social behaviour problems<br />
- I’m dealing with them all<br />
and I am in constant touch<br />
with the Police, R.C.T Homes<br />
and Social Services. I can<br />
assure you all that everything<br />
that can be done to resolve<br />
these problems is being done<br />
behind the scenes.<br />
Sad Loss: As a rule I never<br />
use the <strong>Diary</strong> for obituaries,<br />
but I must make an exception<br />
in this case. On Sunday 10th<br />
November we lost a much<br />
loved young lady - Jane Evans<br />
of Garth Maelwg. Jane was<br />
the post-woman in Talbot<br />
Green for many, many years<br />
and was always so happy and<br />
full of life. Jane had to finish<br />
her job a few months back<br />
because of what I understand<br />
was a leg/ankle problem.<br />
Nothing happened to prepare<br />
us for her death at just 42<br />
years old. My prayers and<br />
on behalf of the residents of<br />
Talbot Green, I send much<br />
love and condolences to<br />
her father Graham, also a<br />
postman for many many<br />
years. Jane will be sadly<br />
missed. R.I.P.<br />
Christmas: I hope you all like<br />
the new Christmas lights and<br />
our Christmas tree, lit for<br />
the very first time this year.<br />
My thanks to the Retail Park<br />
for providing the expensive<br />
cable to light the tree near the<br />
Youth shelter, it’s made a big<br />
difference.<br />
That’s all from me this month.<br />
It’s been a reasonably busy<br />
time but I expect to be very<br />
busy in the new year with the<br />
New Town Centre, Sainsbury‘s<br />
and the Magistrates Court.<br />
May I wish you and<br />
yours a very Merry<br />
Christmas and a very<br />
Happy New Year.<br />
Best wishes,<br />
PAUL<br />
Councillor Paul Baccara<br />
Lanelay House<br />
Talbot Green<br />
01443 223750<br />
Paul.Baccara@rctcbc.gov.uk
Bryncae Arms<br />
Bridgend Road, Llanharan 01443 231 671<br />
LARGE<br />
EXTENDED CAR PARK<br />
DISABLED TOILETS<br />
BABY CHANGING FACILITIES<br />
www.bryncaearms.co.uk<br />
NEW YEAR’S EVE entry by ticket only<br />
60’s, 70’s, 80’s DISCO £2 tckt<br />
FANCY DRESS<br />
FISHING CLUB<br />
Last Sunday of month 7pm<br />
ticket not required for<br />
New Year’s Eve diners<br />
SKY<br />
SPORTS in 3D + HD<br />
on multi screen facility including<br />
55’’ TV & 10ft Large Screen<br />
CHRISTMAS MENU<br />
4 COURSES<br />
2 COURSE<br />
Lunchtime Special<br />
Served with best Welsh produce<br />
including Pembroke Turkey<br />
CHRISTMAS DAY<br />
5 COURSES<br />
Adult £49.50 Children (under 12) £25<br />
Lunch served from 12 noon, last orders 2.30pm<br />
FUN QUIZ NIGHT every Thursday<br />
£15.95<br />
£11.95<br />
LIVE ARTIST<br />
every Saturday throughout <strong>Dec</strong>ember<br />
BOXING NIGHT Rock ‘n’ Roll with<br />
local singer MARK PUMFORD<br />
£2 entry by ticket only - doors open 7pm<br />
XMAS QUIZ Tues 23rd FANCY DRESS<br />
NEW YEAR QUIZ Tues 30th FANCY DRESS<br />
FOOD SERVED Tues - Sat 12 - 9pm Sun 12 - 5pm<br />
Read our reviews<br />
on Trip Advisor<br />
COFFEE & SNACKS also available<br />
BUFFET MENU available<br />
PARTY BOOKINGS taken for all occasions.<br />
Adults and Children’s Parties catered for.<br />
BAR OPENING TIMES Monday - Saturday 12 noon - 12 midnight Sunday 12 noon - 11pm<br />
Pontyclun<br />
Happy Christmas Pontyclun<br />
<strong>Dec</strong>ember is a festive<br />
month and there are a<br />
lot of festivities to enjoy<br />
in Pontyclun..<br />
Turning on the Christmas<br />
Lights<br />
On 2 <strong>Dec</strong>ember from 5.30<br />
to 6.30 pm Pontyclun will<br />
celebrate the turning on of<br />
the Christmas lights. There will<br />
be mince pies, mulled wine<br />
and hot chocolate at Café<br />
50 next to the Community<br />
Centre, local crafts, late night<br />
shopping, choirs and carol<br />
singing. Do come along. We<br />
will congregate first at Café<br />
50 and then on the corner of<br />
Heol yr Orsaf.<br />
Santa Fun Run<br />
At 10.00 am on 6 <strong>Dec</strong>ember<br />
a 5k Fun Run starts and ends<br />
at the Ivor Arms in Bynsadler.<br />
This is organised by the<br />
Pontyclun Action Group. What<br />
an active community we are –<br />
this fun run is hot on the heels<br />
of that which was organised<br />
by the Bethel Chapel in aid of<br />
the Pontyclun Food Bank.<br />
Christmas Fayre<br />
On 6 <strong>Dec</strong>ember at 11.00 am in<br />
the Athletic Club there is the<br />
PAG Christmas Fayre with the<br />
Santa Procession starting from<br />
Millfield at 11.30.<br />
Café 50 Christmas Dinner<br />
The Pontyclun Day Centre,<br />
now run by the Community<br />
Council, provides sociable and<br />
affordable meals for people<br />
aged over 50. The catering is<br />
now provided by Graham and<br />
Jayne Ryan who are building<br />
quite a reputation for fine,<br />
wholesome food. On 10<br />
<strong>Dec</strong>ember Café 50 is holding<br />
its Christmas Dinner. Book<br />
in advance at Café 50. The<br />
normal price of a meal is £4;<br />
the Christmas dinner will be<br />
an extravagant £5.<br />
Pontyclun Pantomime<br />
Aladdin will be performed at<br />
St. Paul’s Church Hall on the<br />
evenings of 10, 11 and 12<br />
<strong>Dec</strong>ember. This will, as always,<br />
be a remarkable show of fun<br />
and laughter. Tickets for all<br />
the family are available from<br />
Sylvia on 229645.<br />
Café 50 Christmas Tea<br />
On 17 <strong>Dec</strong>ember at 2 pm Café<br />
50 will organise its Christmas<br />
Tea. There will festive cakes<br />
and carols led by local school<br />
children. Tickets are available<br />
at Café 50.<br />
Giles Gallery Art Exhibition<br />
Between 6 <strong>Dec</strong>ember and<br />
Christmas Eve, Pontyclun’s<br />
own art gallery will be hosting<br />
an exhibition of the artistic<br />
talent of local residents who<br />
have been attending the<br />
Gallery’s own art courses. Go<br />
along on Tuesday to Saturday,<br />
10 am to 5pm.<br />
Footpath from Miskin Cricket<br />
Field to Miskin Manor<br />
In 2010 the owners of Miskin<br />
Manor fenced off the path<br />
that goes from the cricket field<br />
to the manor and on to Groes<br />
Faen. Led by William Rees,<br />
24 local residents provided<br />
statements to RCT Council that<br />
there had been unchallenged<br />
public use of the path for up<br />
to forty years. Following the<br />
sad death of Mr. Rees, the<br />
residents’ case has been taken<br />
up by John David.<br />
In the last month RCT Council<br />
CHRISTMAS EVE Food all day from 12 noon<br />
BOXING DAY No food<br />
NEW YEAR’S DAY Food all day from 12 noon Café 50<br />
THE SOCIAL CENTRE<br />
FOR PEOPLE AGED OVER 50<br />
AT HEOL YR ORSAF, PONTYCLUN<br />
DAILY FOOD AND DRINKS<br />
Lunches at £4.00 for choice of Main Meal, Dessert<br />
and Cup of Tea or Coffee (12 to 1.30 pm)<br />
Breakfast and Morning Coffee (10 am to midday)<br />
WEEKLY ACTIVITIES<br />
Monday 10 - 12 Craft Group<br />
Tuesday 1.30 Quiz with Gwyn<br />
Wednesday 10 – 12 Laugh out Loud<br />
with Poetry and Prose<br />
Thursday 10 - 12 the Yarnmongers -<br />
working with Yarn and Needles<br />
has completed its long and<br />
complex examination of the<br />
evidence and concluded<br />
that this path has been so<br />
regularly used by the public<br />
that it should be listed as a<br />
public right of way. There<br />
is now a legal responsibility<br />
on the owners to remove<br />
the obstruction to the<br />
path. Should they refuse<br />
to do so there will be court<br />
proceedings with the risk of<br />
high financial costs for the<br />
owners or the Council.<br />
Public rights of way have<br />
become a valuable part of<br />
our countryside since they<br />
were introduced by the Attlee<br />
Government in 1949 along<br />
with the NHS, secondary<br />
schools for all and public<br />
control of railways, gas,<br />
electricity and water.<br />
Miskin residents should be<br />
congratulated for their efforts<br />
on our behalf to re-establish<br />
this footpath.<br />
Sensible Planning and Babell<br />
Chapel in Groes Faen<br />
The Babell Chapel has been a<br />
focal point of Groes Faen since<br />
it was built in 1866. It was<br />
funded by the contributions of<br />
local workers in the farms and<br />
quarries who favoured the<br />
radical, dissenting tradition<br />
of the Presbyterian Church<br />
of Wales to the established<br />
Church of England.<br />
Last year the Presbyterians<br />
sold the chapel to the<br />
Plymouth Brethren. We<br />
welcome the Brethren to the<br />
community of Pontyclun and<br />
Groes Faen. There was a bit of<br />
a stir when the new owners<br />
began the construction of a<br />
high timber fence in front of<br />
the chapel. Local residents<br />
began a dialogue with their<br />
new neighbours and were<br />
supported by ourselves,<br />
community councillor Gwyn<br />
Griffith and RCT planning<br />
officials. Although we are<br />
all able to construct 6 foot<br />
fences without restriction, the<br />
Brethren agreed to reduce<br />
their fence to 3 feet. Well<br />
done all – good planning<br />
comes from talking rather<br />
than arguing.<br />
Ysgol Gynradd Gymunedol<br />
Gymraeg, Llantrisant<br />
Pontyclun is a village<br />
distinguished by the support<br />
we give each other and we<br />
learn the value of working<br />
together in our local schools.<br />
Children of YGGG Llantrisant<br />
used the occasion of their<br />
annual Thanksgiving Service to<br />
donate food to the Pontyclun<br />
Food Bank which is organised<br />
at Bethel Chapel and is<br />
responding to the needs of<br />
our increasingly unequal<br />
society.<br />
YGGG Llantrisant also held a<br />
successful coffee morning to<br />
raise £630 for<br />
Rookwood Hospital, the NHS<br />
hospital in Llandaf which<br />
provides rehabilitation for<br />
spinal injuries and other<br />
disorders of the nervous<br />
system.<br />
Our school children look<br />
outwards across the world.<br />
On United Nations Day each<br />
class took part in activities<br />
that related to a different<br />
country in the world recalling<br />
the commitment of the UN to<br />
“empowering the marginalised<br />
and vulnerable”.<br />
Pontyclun Primary School<br />
Pontyclun Primary school has<br />
enjoyed another busy but<br />
highly enjoyable start to the<br />
Autumn Term. The school<br />
has enjoyed supporting local<br />
and national charities, raising<br />
£2,463 for the National<br />
Society for the Prevention of<br />
Cruelty to Children and<br />
continued overleaf.......
contributing to the local food<br />
bank.<br />
The school especially wishes<br />
to thank the Year Six pupils<br />
who organised a range of<br />
activities and raised £1,172 for<br />
Children in Need.<br />
Mission Discovery<br />
In the past few months Katie<br />
Crook and Juliet Johns of Y<br />
Pant School joined with 130<br />
of the most able pupils in the<br />
UK to attend a 5 day course<br />
at Kings College London.<br />
They joined 30 others from<br />
RCT Council which helped<br />
fund their participation.<br />
The course focused on the<br />
experiments in space that can<br />
contribute to scientific and<br />
medical research. Our young<br />
people met with experienced<br />
astronauts and very senior<br />
university researchers. The<br />
experiment that our pupils<br />
developed received accolades<br />
and will be taken into space<br />
to help with medical research<br />
on the causes of Alzheimer’s<br />
disease. Katie and Juliet have<br />
been invited back to Kings<br />
College to do further research.<br />
Remembrance Ceremonies<br />
The Remembrance Ceremony<br />
in Miskin was well attended<br />
by the young people of the<br />
area, in particular the children<br />
and young people of the guide<br />
and scout movement who laid<br />
wreaths and crosses at the<br />
memorial cross.<br />
The above picture shows the<br />
Explorer Scouts who are a<br />
group of young people led by<br />
Mike Perry who is one of our<br />
local police officers. Pontyclun<br />
Community Council recently<br />
helped with the funding of a<br />
mini bus to help the scouts<br />
pursue Duke of Edinburgh<br />
awards.<br />
The Pontyclun ceremony was<br />
larger with a procession from<br />
St Paul’s Church. It was so well<br />
prepared and organised by<br />
Denise Ellis. It was officiated<br />
by Baptist Minister, Peter<br />
Jackson, and the vicar of<br />
St. Paul’s, Susan Rees. The<br />
sacrifice of so many was<br />
remembered and there was<br />
an exhortation of our political<br />
leaders to judge with extreme<br />
care how we may be led into<br />
war and peace.<br />
Pupils of Pontyclun School<br />
took part in remembering<br />
those men and women who<br />
have died in wars by attending<br />
and laying wreaths at the<br />
remembrance service at<br />
Pontyclun war memorial and<br />
singing at the remembrance<br />
service at Llanharan Rugby<br />
Club which was very well<br />
received.<br />
Maesyfelin Consultation in<br />
Pontyclun Library<br />
There is an exhibition in the<br />
Library of the Community<br />
Council proposals for<br />
improvements to Maesyfelin<br />
Field – new fencing, play<br />
equipment and sports<br />
areas. During<br />
November<br />
only a dozen<br />
residents<br />
filled in the<br />
consultation<br />
forms. If we do<br />
not improve<br />
on that in<br />
<strong>Dec</strong>ember, the<br />
application<br />
for funds from<br />
the Aggregate<br />
Levy Scheme will look a bit<br />
flimsy. Please go to the Library<br />
and give your view on these<br />
proposals.<br />
The Cuts<br />
RCT Council is determined to<br />
protect its funding of schools<br />
and social care – over 70% of<br />
its services. However given<br />
the cut in the grant from<br />
Central Government this<br />
means that half of all other<br />
expenditure must be cut. RCT<br />
Council is currently consulting<br />
on proposals to cut nursery<br />
education and its music<br />
service. Consultation forms<br />
are available in Pontyclun<br />
Library until 16 <strong>Dec</strong>ember.<br />
Cuts to Nursery Education<br />
RCT Council is consulting on<br />
its proposal to provide 15<br />
hours nursery education from<br />
the term after a child’s 3rd<br />
birthday and 30 hours nursery<br />
education from the term<br />
after a child’s 4th birthday. All<br />
children currently in full time<br />
nursery will continue to have<br />
full time nursery provision.<br />
Reducing nursery provision<br />
for 3 year olds from full to<br />
part time will save £2 million a<br />
year. Our local primary schools<br />
do have plans to ensure that<br />
there is child care provision<br />
for 3 year olds for that part<br />
of the day when they are not<br />
in nursery school. However<br />
the cost of child care will fall<br />
on working parents and we<br />
recognise that this contributes<br />
to the cost of living difficulties<br />
for many families.<br />
Cuts to the Music Service<br />
RCT schools spend around<br />
£600,000 a year on music<br />
tuition and there is no<br />
proposal to reduce this<br />
expenditure. Some schools<br />
purchase tuition from the<br />
RCT Council subsidised<br />
music service; other schools<br />
purchase tuition from other<br />
providers. The proposal is to<br />
discontinue the RCT music<br />
service, saving £400,000 a<br />
year. All schools will then<br />
need to purchase tuition from<br />
other providers; there may<br />
be options for a new social<br />
enterprise or for partnerships<br />
with providers already in<br />
existence.<br />
One4All surgery<br />
Because the Pontyclun Library<br />
was saved from the cuts,<br />
Rhondda Cynon Taf County<br />
Borough Council is still<br />
providing the One4All service<br />
at the Library in Pontyclun<br />
every two weeks on a Tuesday<br />
at 11 a.m. You can get your<br />
bus pass or your blue badge<br />
and a range of other council<br />
services<br />
The surgeries in the next<br />
month will be 9 <strong>Dec</strong>ember<br />
and 23 <strong>Dec</strong>ember.<br />
Contact Us<br />
As your councillors, we hold<br />
a weekly advice surgery on<br />
Tuesday between 10 and 11<br />
at the library in Pontyclun.<br />
Do come along and meet us<br />
there. You can also e-mail,<br />
telephone or visit us at home.<br />
e-mail: Margaret.Griffiths@<br />
rhondda-cynon-taf.gov.uk or<br />
Paul.Griffiths@rhonddacynon-taf.gov.uk<br />
Tel. 01443 229301<br />
Write to 6 Llantrisant Rd.,<br />
Pontyclun CF72 9DQ<br />
Paul<br />
Griffiths<br />
Margaret<br />
Griffiths<br />
We would like to<br />
wish everyone a<br />
Merry Christmas<br />
and a Happy<br />
New Year.<br />
Carpets, Vinyls, Safety Floors<br />
Laminates and Hardwoods<br />
All Supplied And Fitted<br />
CAERPHILLY BRANCH<br />
TALBOT GREEN BRANCH<br />
Carpet and Hard Floor Cleaning<br />
Stain Guarding<br />
Spot and Stain Removal<br />
Odour and Specialist Treatments<br />
For A Free Estimate<br />
Contact<br />
Paul<br />
01443 629180 07764 923125
A tempting<br />
selection of<br />
Homemade Food<br />
served daily with<br />
hand cut twice<br />
cooked chips.<br />
Try one of<br />
Ceri’s Famous<br />
Homemade Pies<br />
(Including<br />
gluton free)<br />
Normal menu available throughout <strong>Dec</strong>ember<br />
Christmas Fayre Menu<br />
2 courses £10.95 3 courses £14.95<br />
Available 1st - 24th <strong>Dec</strong>ember<br />
Christmas Day Menu<br />
5 courses £49.95 children £25.00<br />
Tuesday 16th <strong>Dec</strong><br />
NATALIE CHURCHILL<br />
Spiritulist / Medium £5 tckt<br />
NEW YEAR’S EVE<br />
*VARIETY SHOW<br />
with KIRSTY £5 includes Chicken or Scampi<br />
& Chips in the basket<br />
tckt*<br />
Bear Inn<br />
GOOD FOOD - REAL ALES GREAT ATMOSPHERE<br />
Christmas Party Nights<br />
in <strong>Dec</strong>ember<br />
Fri 5th Christmas with ELVIS<br />
Fri 12th ABBAMANIA<br />
Sat 13th IAN SCOTT<br />
Fri 19th HANNAH<br />
Sat 20th BLEDDYN<br />
EDWARDS<br />
Christmas Fayre Menu<br />
available<br />
also Party Night Special<br />
which includes Welcome Drink,<br />
Party Box, Party Platter of Garlic<br />
Mushrooms, Onion Rings,<br />
Chicken Coujons, Potatoe Wedges<br />
and Garlic Bread<br />
£10 per Person<br />
The Bear Inn, LLANHARRY<br />
01443 239090 FREE WI FI<br />
Come and see for<br />
yourself at one of<br />
our Vision Mobility<br />
Showrooms or<br />
give us a call<br />
1 Green Park, Coed Cae<br />
Lane Industrial Estate,<br />
PONTYCLUN<br />
CF72 9GP<br />
Opening hours:<br />
Mon - Fri 9am - 4.30pm<br />
Tel: (01443) 239104<br />
35 Commercial Street,<br />
ABERDARE, Rhondda<br />
Cynon Taf CF44 7RW<br />
Opening hours:<br />
Tues - Sat 9.00am - 4.30pm<br />
Tel: (01685) 378769<br />
Christmas & New Year<br />
Entertainment<br />
Fri <strong>Dec</strong> 26th PETRA E<br />
from 8pm<br />
Sat <strong>Dec</strong> 27th THE<br />
AMAZING KAISON<br />
Sun <strong>Dec</strong> 28th Pool<br />
Tournament followed<br />
by KARAOKE<br />
Mon <strong>Dec</strong> 29th<br />
FAMILY DAY<br />
‘The Bear’s Got<br />
Talent’ and Party<br />
Thur Jan 1st LEE<br />
VAUGHAN from 5pm<br />
We would like to wish<br />
everyone a Merry<br />
Christmas and a<br />
Happy New Year<br />
Brynna / Bryncae<br />
BRYNNAU TEACHER IS SELECTED<br />
AS A MICROSOFT INNOVATIVE<br />
EDUCATOR EXPERT 2015<br />
Sue Jones from Brynnau<br />
Primary School has been<br />
recognised by Microsoft<br />
as a global leader in using<br />
technology to increase<br />
productivity and transform<br />
education<br />
On the 6th November, Sue<br />
was selected by Microsoft as a<br />
Microsoft Innovative Educator<br />
Expert (MIE Expert) for 2015<br />
for her excellence in using<br />
technology to help students<br />
learn and achieve more – and<br />
ultimately succeed in a mobilefirst,<br />
cloud-first world.<br />
Sue had responsibility for<br />
co-ordinating and managing<br />
collaborative ICT projects with<br />
two schools within RCT. The<br />
projects involved applying the<br />
rubrics of the Microsoft 21st<br />
Learning Design in exciting<br />
and highly engaging projects.<br />
The projects and involvement<br />
with the Microsoft IT Academy<br />
has had a huge impact on the<br />
professional development of<br />
staff and the engagement of the<br />
pupils within the school.<br />
“Being selected as a MIE Expert<br />
is an amazing honor,” said Sue.<br />
“I look forward to continue<br />
finding innovative ways to equip<br />
students with the proper tools<br />
needed to succeed in the new<br />
world of work.”<br />
Each year, Microsoft selects<br />
MIE Experts to be part of an<br />
exclusive global community<br />
that is paving the way for their<br />
peers to share ideas, try new<br />
approaches and learn from<br />
each other. This year, Microsoft<br />
selected more than 800 thought<br />
leaders in innovative learning<br />
who possess technology and<br />
desire to amplify their reach<br />
and voice.<br />
“Microsoft Innovative Educator<br />
Experts are inspiring examples<br />
of how individuals are using<br />
technology to increase<br />
students’ productivity and<br />
develop the skills needed in<br />
the workplace,” said Anthony<br />
Salcito, vice president,<br />
Worldwide Education, Microsoft<br />
Corp. “With an innovative<br />
use of mobile and cloud<br />
technology, these educators<br />
are transforming learning<br />
environments and delivering<br />
more personalized education to<br />
students, allowing them to do<br />
more and achieve more.”<br />
MIE Experts work closely with<br />
Microsoft to lead innovation<br />
in education, build educator<br />
capacity for using technology<br />
to improve student learning<br />
and advocate and share their<br />
experiences in how technology<br />
improves teaching and learning.<br />
In addition, they mentor other<br />
educators and help train them<br />
in education technologies and<br />
Microsoft products and tools.<br />
Congratulations and well done<br />
Sue!<br />
HARVEST THANKSGIVING<br />
The Harvest Thanksgiving<br />
evening arranged by the<br />
Mountain Hare Neighbourhood<br />
Watch Committee at the<br />
Mountain Hare Inn, is an event<br />
which is always well received by<br />
the membership and this year<br />
was no different.<br />
This year’s Harvest Thanksgiving<br />
took place on Friday, 31st<br />
October, 2014 in front of an<br />
appreciative audience. Thanks<br />
to the generosity of a number<br />
of Watch members, the<br />
harvest table which formed<br />
the focal point of the evening’s<br />
proceedings was well stocked<br />
with vegetables, fruit, jams,<br />
cakes, flowers, wines and spirits<br />
etc and was a joy to behold.<br />
It is a pleasure for me to say<br />
that this year’s Deputy Mayor of<br />
Rhondda Cynon Taf, Councillor<br />
Barry Stephens is a Watch<br />
member and he generously<br />
donated a tray of vegetables<br />
which formed a very attractive<br />
central display.<br />
My grateful thanks to Barry on<br />
behalf of all the membership.<br />
The evening started with<br />
the customary singing of<br />
the popular harvest hymn<br />
“We Plough the Fields and<br />
Scatter”. A quiz was to follow,<br />
which proved to be a most<br />
exciting affair. After the first 30<br />
questions, out of a total of 40,<br />
two teams were inseparable<br />
on scores of 22 apiece as they<br />
battled to win the generous<br />
cash voucher.<br />
I am happy to report that there<br />
was a clear winner in the end<br />
and they were the “LEFTOVERS”<br />
whose team included Heulwen,<br />
John, David, Linda, Dawn and<br />
Graham – Congratulations.<br />
The one question that finally<br />
decided the outcome of the<br />
quiz was to do with the film<br />
“Mary Poppins” and the word<br />
synonymous with that film is<br />
“supercali……..” and I asked the<br />
teams how many letters were in<br />
that word. I would like to hear<br />
from any one if they think they<br />
know the answer.<br />
To conclude a most successful<br />
evening, an auction was<br />
held where all the products<br />
on display were put up for<br />
sale. The auction proved to<br />
be a lively affair with almost<br />
everyone present wanting to<br />
take something home, which<br />
made my job as Auctioneer an<br />
easy one.<br />
In the end, after all the produce<br />
had been sold over £200 was<br />
raised for the Watch.<br />
Thanks to everyone concerned<br />
for their generosity.<br />
ROAD SAFETY WEEK –<br />
WEEK COMMENCING 17TH<br />
NOVEMBER, 2014<br />
Brynnau Primary School<br />
children joined RCT Council<br />
and the charity Brake to launch<br />
Road Safety Week. Children and<br />
staff alike were delighted to play<br />
such an important role in the<br />
launch of the UK-wide campaign<br />
which, for 2014, is urging<br />
people to look out for each<br />
other when they are out and<br />
about as motorists, pedestrians<br />
and cyclists.<br />
Councillor Andrew Morgan,<br />
Leader of RCT Council and<br />
Cabinet Member for Highways<br />
said, “ We are exceptionally<br />
proud of Brynnau Primary<br />
School who flew the flag not<br />
only for RCT but for Wales<br />
at the launch of Road safety<br />
Week”<br />
As the School’s Chair of<br />
Governors, I feel very proud<br />
of my school being selected to<br />
launch this important safety<br />
initiative.<br />
Councillor John Watts and his wife Anne<br />
(Mayor and Mayoress of RCT)<br />
at the official launch<br />
DOLAU PRIMARY SCHOOL<br />
CROSS COUNTRY<br />
On Saturday 18th October<br />
was the first race of the<br />
Bridgend Schools Cross Country<br />
competition. It was held at<br />
Bryntirion Comprehensive and<br />
there was a huge turnout of<br />
children from schools across<br />
the county. Dolau had about<br />
20 runners for the races. All of<br />
the children ran really well and<br />
created lots of personal best<br />
positions. Congratulations to<br />
Tianna Teisar for her 1st place<br />
in the Year 3 and 4 girls race.<br />
Congratulations also to all the<br />
Year 5 and 6 boys as there is a<br />
strong team this year and the<br />
school had 5 top 20 runners!<br />
Well Done!<br />
The Cross country team ran<br />
again on Thursday 16th October<br />
at Tonysguboriau Primary<br />
School. The school took 30<br />
children to run in the four races<br />
and they all did brilliantly. Well<br />
done to the year 3 and 4 girls<br />
as the school had a 1st, 2nd<br />
and 3rd winner! The school<br />
nearly had another 1st in the<br />
Year 3 and 4 boys but there was<br />
a tumble although they still<br />
managed to get up and claim<br />
2nd place! The boys in the Year<br />
5 and 6 race also did just as<br />
well, securing a 2nd, 3rd and<br />
4th place and then the last race<br />
was the turn of the Year 5 and<br />
6 girls who also secured a 4th<br />
and 6th place win. Well done<br />
to everyone who competed<br />
and the parents who came to<br />
support, everyone is looking<br />
forward to the next race!<br />
HARVEST<br />
On the 22nd October 2014<br />
the junior department went to<br />
Carmel Chapel in Llanharan to<br />
celebrate the Harvest Festival.<br />
Thank you to Reverend Tyson<br />
who talked about the reasons<br />
Christians celebrate Harvest<br />
and he told a story about<br />
children who are less fortunate.<br />
The children were excited to<br />
perform their harvest songs.<br />
Well done to those children<br />
who read during the service.<br />
It helped everyone remember<br />
that the simplest of actions,<br />
such as being kind or donating<br />
food, can make a big difference.<br />
The school collected food that<br />
was donated to the<br />
Pontyclun Foodbank,<br />
some of which will be<br />
donated within the<br />
local area.<br />
RUGBY UPDATE<br />
The 2014/15 Dolau<br />
Rugby Squad played<br />
for the first time. The<br />
matches were played<br />
at Pontyclun RFC<br />
against other schools<br />
in the same cluster<br />
such as Pontyclun,<br />
Gwaunmiskin and Llantrisant. In<br />
total, Dolau played 4 games and<br />
won 2. The boys showed great<br />
commitment throughout the<br />
four matches. There were some<br />
excellent tries scored and some<br />
very brave defending against<br />
teams who were a lot bigger<br />
than. Well done boys!<br />
Dolau 7’s Rugby Squad travelled<br />
to Hawthorn Fields to play in<br />
the Pontypridd Schools Rugby<br />
Union 7’s festival. The boys<br />
played very well with tries<br />
continued overleaf......
LLANHARRY WORKMEN’S CLUB<br />
CONCERT HALL<br />
BOXING NIGHT<br />
HOLLYWOOD NITES<br />
male / female 4 piece band<br />
play 70’s 80’s etc<br />
NEW YEARS EVE<br />
CALIFORNIA<br />
top all round band<br />
Sat 31st Jan<br />
OLLY MURS Tribute<br />
DECEMBER IN THE LOUNGE<br />
Sat 6th DANIEL DAMON<br />
Sat13th JAMES REED<br />
Sat 20th STACEY MARIE<br />
Sat 27th CONNIE PETERS<br />
FOR THE CHILDREN<br />
Sat <strong>Dec</strong> 20th 2.00pm till 4.00pm<br />
CHILDRENS SHOW FREE to<br />
members only (Membership can be obtained on night)<br />
WACKY WOODHOUSE, FREEZING THEME<br />
MAGIC, SINGING ELSA AND OLAF<br />
Sat <strong>Dec</strong> 20th from 4.00pm till late<br />
CHILDRENS PARTY with<br />
SANTA’S GROTTO FREE to members only<br />
Tues <strong>Dec</strong> 30th<br />
BRAND NEW PROFESSIONAL PANTO<br />
SLEEPING BEAUTY - A TWILIGHT PANTO<br />
www.llanharrywmc.co.uk<br />
SUNDAY LUNCH<br />
2 courses £7.95 (Selected Menu)<br />
Wide range of home made desserts<br />
Reduced rate for children<br />
5 STAR FOOD HYGIENE RATING<br />
Phone Graham or Jayne on 01443 229799<br />
or mobile 07810 840196 BOOKING ADVISABLE<br />
SKY SPORTS & BT SPORTS<br />
available throughout the club<br />
including the BIG SCREEN<br />
DEDICATED CHANNELS:<br />
AT THE RACES & RACING UK<br />
Available each afternoon including weekend<br />
Visitors welcome or why not join the club<br />
BINGO<br />
Tues afternoon, Wed night, Fri night & Sun night<br />
BIG CASH SNOWBALL<br />
ON SUNDAY NIGHTS<br />
Look us up on<br />
FREE WI-FI now Facebook<br />
available throughout the club<br />
Sponsors to Llanharry Primary School, Llanharry AFC, Llanharry Food Bank<br />
BOOKINGS TAKEN<br />
FOR FUNCTIONS<br />
(Wedding Receptions, Anniversaries, Birthdays etc.)<br />
Booking Forms available from <strong>web</strong>site<br />
Reserve our 200 seater cabaret room<br />
or for smaller parties book our 70 seater lounge<br />
Telephone 01443 222217 Email: llanharry-wmc@btconnect.com<br />
Elm Road, Llanharry CF72 9HR Chairman Cllr Barry Stephens 01656 864944<br />
Members,<br />
guests and<br />
associates<br />
only<br />
(Bona Fida)<br />
coming from Hywel Leyshon,<br />
Adam Kinsey, Dylan Woolridge,<br />
Lewis Cogbill and Dyfan Kruger.<br />
The school was knocked out<br />
of the competition at the<br />
quarterfinal stage, losing to a<br />
very strong Gwauncelyn side.<br />
Well done to all players!<br />
BRYYNNA FOOTBALL CLUB<br />
This season is a crucial one for<br />
Brynna Football Club as at the<br />
end of the current season, the<br />
South Wales Amateur League,<br />
where the “team” currently<br />
plays will merge with the South<br />
Wales Senior League, with only<br />
8/9 teams in each league taking<br />
their place in the newly formed<br />
divisions. Those teams finishing<br />
in the lower reaches of the<br />
league will return to the local<br />
Bridgend league.<br />
At present Brynna F.C, are<br />
sitting in sixth position in<br />
the league with some half of<br />
Brynna F.C. with their sponsor<br />
the season’s fixtures already<br />
completed.<br />
Brynna F.C. has already beaten<br />
two of the top three clubs,<br />
namely Tynte Rovers and Clwb<br />
Cymric so it’s so far so good.<br />
There is no doubt that the club<br />
has benefitted from the new<br />
3g training facility on Brynna<br />
Recreation Fields as regular<br />
training takes place, no matter<br />
what the weather.<br />
They also have a new young<br />
management team in Gareth<br />
Martin and Leon Williams,<br />
who are following on from the<br />
good foundations laid down by<br />
last year’s management team<br />
of Gareth James and Stuart<br />
Wilson.<br />
The club has also been lucky<br />
to recruit Paul Conway, a fully<br />
qualified FA Coach, who has<br />
been taking training sessions<br />
for the past month, guiding and<br />
adding to the knowledge of our<br />
management team for this, the<br />
club is most grateful to Scott<br />
Woodward, RCT Community<br />
Sports Officer who introduced<br />
Paul to the club.<br />
The next five months are going<br />
to prove difficult for the club as<br />
they strive to remain in the top<br />
half of the league by the end of<br />
the season in April/May, 2015.<br />
I aim to advertise the team’s<br />
home fixtures for <strong>Dec</strong>ember<br />
in local shops in the village so<br />
please join me in supporting the<br />
lads, as winning all their home<br />
games will be such a boost to<br />
them as the season progresses.<br />
GUESS WHERE<br />
Last month I featured a<br />
photograph of an unusual but<br />
PPS CLINIC<br />
PHYSIOTHERAPY PODIATRY SPORTS MASSAGE<br />
CHRISTINE EVANS M.C.S.P.<br />
PHYSIOTHERAPIST<br />
Tel: 01443 225 471<br />
CATHERINE EVANS<br />
SPORTS MASSAGE THERAPIST<br />
Tel: 07957 457232<br />
TRICIA COLE BSc (Hons)<br />
PODIATRIST / CHIROPODIST<br />
Tel: 01443 230 378<br />
32 COWBRIDGE ROAD, PONTYCLUN<br />
(HPC registered practitioners)<br />
very attractive Japanese fir tree<br />
in someone’s garden and I asked<br />
if anyone knew where this was<br />
located. First and foremost can<br />
I thank everyone for getting in<br />
touch with me and making their<br />
observations known. However,<br />
the first person to give me the<br />
right answer was Kerri James<br />
of Llanharan who identified the<br />
property as the one belonging<br />
to Mr.Danny James on Brynna<br />
Road, which is situated opposite<br />
the building which houses<br />
Phillips Engineering.<br />
Congratulations Kerri – you are<br />
very observant!<br />
REMEMBRANCE SUNDAY<br />
The community of Brynna<br />
and further afield gathered at<br />
the War Memorial, St.Peter’s<br />
Church on Sunday, 9th<br />
November “to commemorate<br />
the contribution and sacrifice<br />
of Military and Civilian service<br />
men and women in the two<br />
World wars and later conflicts”.<br />
The service was officiated by<br />
Mr.Neville Thomas. The last<br />
post was played by Mr.Robert<br />
Sweet.<br />
After the two minute silence,<br />
wreaths were laid by the British<br />
Legion, RCT Council, Llanharan<br />
Community Council, Brynna<br />
Community Centre, Brynna<br />
Brownies, Brynna Rainbows and<br />
Brynna Junior Football Club.<br />
A service was to follow at the<br />
Methodist Church in Brynna.<br />
NOSTALGIA<br />
This month’s photograph has<br />
been sent to me by Stephen<br />
and Ann Ellis of William Street,<br />
Brynna and it features their pet<br />
dog, Pepper, who is a Springer<br />
Spaniel. Pepper was born in<br />
November, 1998 and has just<br />
had his 16th birthday.<br />
Although Pepper is deaf and his<br />
eyesight is very poor, he is still<br />
very active and depending on<br />
the weather likes going for his<br />
daily walk. However, even more<br />
remarkable is that Peppar’s two<br />
brothers and sister are still alive<br />
and we believe are still living in<br />
Brynna.<br />
If anyone can give me more<br />
information, please get in<br />
touch.<br />
SEASON’S<br />
GREETINGS<br />
May I wish all the<br />
readership a very<br />
Merry Christmas<br />
and a Peaceful and<br />
Prosperous New Year<br />
Roger K Turner<br />
County Borough Councilor<br />
01656 863045<br />
Opening Hours<br />
Tues, Wed & Fri 9.30am - 6pm<br />
Thur 9.30am - 7pm<br />
Sat 8.30am - 4pm<br />
Ample Parking Facilities<br />
UP-STAIRS<br />
01443 224032
Llanharry<br />
Community Centre<br />
PLAYBOX<br />
CHILD CARE<br />
2 TO 4 YEARS OF AGE<br />
Mon to Fri 9:30am - 11:29am<br />
(£4.50 per session or £20 for the week)<br />
Contact Sue on 07949 976377<br />
Parent and<br />
Toddler Group<br />
Mon, Wed and Fri – 12:30pm - 2:30pm<br />
(£2.00 per session)<br />
Contact Lucy on 07976 505725<br />
Kangoo Jumps<br />
The fun way to fitness<br />
Monday between 6pm and 7pm<br />
Price £5 includes boot hire<br />
Contact Tamika on 07807 015404<br />
What‛s On<br />
ITF<br />
Taekwon-Do<br />
ADULT CLASSES<br />
Wed and Fri - 7:00pm - 8:00pm<br />
JUNIOR CLASSES<br />
(Boys and Girls 8 - 12 years of age)<br />
Wed and Fri - 6:00pm - 7:00pm<br />
LIL DRAGONS CLASSES<br />
(Boys and Girls 5 - 7 years of age)<br />
Tue - 6:00pm - 7:00pm<br />
Contact Gary on 07731 090305<br />
Slimming World<br />
Thur 5:30pm – 7:30pm<br />
Contact Ceri on 07929 958712<br />
Ballet<br />
3 YEARS AND UP<br />
Wed – 3:45pm – 5:15pm<br />
Contact Ela on 07764 479663<br />
The Community Centre is also available for parties and private functions.<br />
To book the Centre please Contact<br />
Sue on 07949 976377 or Barry on 07768 100210<br />
Holiday Play Schemes run by LCDP - Contact Sian on 01443 229723<br />
The Centre caters for residents of Llanharry and there are<br />
spaces for new groups to utilize this important facility.<br />
Please contact Barry on 07768 100210<br />
Llanharry and<br />
Tylagarw<br />
LLANHARI PRIMARY SCHOOL<br />
On Friday 14th November<br />
“Children in Need Day”<br />
the children dressed up<br />
to the theme of “Be A Hero”<br />
to raise money for worthwhile<br />
causes. They raised £163.20,<br />
well done to all concerned,<br />
especially Parents, Grand<br />
Parents and Carers in producing<br />
such wonderful costumes.<br />
The PTA held a very successful<br />
Halloween Disco at the end of<br />
last term raising around £250.<br />
The Headteacher Mrs Coates<br />
wishes to thank everyone<br />
involved and is most grateful<br />
to the PTA for raising funds<br />
throughout the year for these<br />
much needed “extras” they<br />
have paid for busses, for “The<br />
Trim Trail” and new planters for<br />
the yard.<br />
The Christmas Fete promises to<br />
be really exciting. It is planned<br />
for the 6th <strong>Dec</strong>ember 10:00am<br />
– midday. There will be craft<br />
stalls as well as Santa, a range<br />
of activities such as lucky dip,<br />
name the teddy and balloon<br />
bursting.<br />
The Headteacher has asked<br />
me to mention the new weekly<br />
cookery classes for parents on<br />
Wednesdays, “Christmas Bakes<br />
are the starting topic.<br />
School Dates for your <strong>Diary</strong> in<br />
<strong>Dec</strong>ember<br />
3rd Llandaff Cathedral Choir<br />
Performance<br />
4th Lads and Dads<br />
Christmas Quiz<br />
5th Class 6 Assembly<br />
for Parents<br />
6th PTA Christmas Fete<br />
8th – 11th Concert Week<br />
11th Coffee Morning –<br />
E Safety with PC Louise<br />
12th Christmas Jumper day<br />
12th Christmas Dinner Day<br />
15th Christmas Carol Service in<br />
the Church (Juniors)<br />
20th till 4th Jan<br />
Christmas Holidays<br />
ST ILLTYDS CHURCH<br />
Christmas Child Shoe box<br />
appeal has been exyended<br />
to the 3rd <strong>Dec</strong>ember. Please<br />
return to either the Church Hall<br />
or Cath Jenkins.<br />
Dates for your <strong>Diary</strong><br />
7th <strong>Dec</strong>ember Sunday – Bishop<br />
David will be taking the<br />
Service at 10:15am. This is an<br />
opportunity to show him how<br />
much our Church is valued in<br />
the Community. Everybody is<br />
welcome.<br />
Also on the 7th there will be<br />
a Concert in the Church with<br />
the Minniesingers Choir with<br />
great Soloist Dyfed Wynne Evan<br />
(WNO) Baritone. Tickets £5<br />
available from Meryn or Averill<br />
on 01443 222771. To include a<br />
mince pie and a glass of mulled<br />
wine. (All profits to go to the<br />
restoration fund)<br />
9th and 23rd <strong>Dec</strong>ember Coffee<br />
mornings in the Church Hall<br />
21st <strong>Dec</strong>ember Sunday Carol<br />
Service at 3:00pm Coffee, tea<br />
and a mince pie afterwards<br />
Christmas Services:<br />
24th <strong>Dec</strong>ember Wednesday –<br />
Christmas Eve 4:00pm<br />
Family Crib Service – Christmas<br />
Evening Service will be<br />
at 6:00pm instead of the<br />
traditional Midnight Service.<br />
Thursday 25th <strong>Dec</strong>ember<br />
Christmas Day Morning Service<br />
at 10:15am.<br />
FESTIVAL OF REMEMBRANCE<br />
On Friday evening the 7th<br />
November I attended the<br />
British Legion Remembrance<br />
Service at Llanharan Rugby<br />
Club also in attendance was<br />
Huw Irrancca Davies MP,<br />
Janice Gregory AM, Borough<br />
Councillors Geraint Hopkins<br />
and Roger Turner, Chairman<br />
of the Community Council<br />
Chris Parker and Community<br />
Councillor Jeff Williams.<br />
We were entertained by the<br />
children of four Schools,<br />
Llanharan Primary, Brynnau<br />
Primary, Llanharry Primary and<br />
Dolau Primary.who all sang and<br />
performed extremely well.<br />
On Sunday 9th November<br />
I attended the Service at<br />
Llanharry War Memorial<br />
following the Service of<br />
remembrance at st Illtyds<br />
Church.<br />
LLANTRISANT ROTARY<br />
Santa’s Sleigh is currently<br />
being made ready for Father<br />
Christmas to visit Llanharry,<br />
Pontyclun, Talbot Green and<br />
around Llantrisant raising funds<br />
for worthy causes. Keep a look<br />
out for posters advertising<br />
times.<br />
S N I P P A Z<br />
BARBER SHOP<br />
LLANHARAN SQUARE<br />
Appointments not necessary<br />
Open Mon & Fri 9.15 - 5.00<br />
Tues 2.00 - 7.00 Thur 9.15 - 7.00<br />
Sat 9.15 - 4.00 (closed Wed)<br />
Tel 01443 223642<br />
EAR<br />
PIERCING<br />
There are still some tickets left<br />
for the Business Persons Lunch<br />
on the 5th <strong>Dec</strong>ember. It will<br />
be held at the Pontyclun Rugby<br />
Club at 12 noon for 1:00pm.<br />
Contact Rotarian Gwyn James<br />
on 01443 222605 for details<br />
and tickets<br />
LLANHARRY COMMUNITY<br />
CENTRE<br />
PLAYBOX AND PARENT AND<br />
TODDLER GROUPS<br />
Playbox welcomed two new<br />
staff members, Cheryl and Kate<br />
who are both highly qualified<br />
experienced Child Care<br />
Workers.<br />
I would like to say a huge thank<br />
you to RCT Officers Mike Cued<br />
and Rino Benedictus who have<br />
provided us with the new<br />
enclosed play area outside the<br />
Centre.<br />
The Parent and Toddler Group<br />
has taken off well. A big thank<br />
you to Lucy for getting it off<br />
the ground. It runs Monday,<br />
Wednesday and Friday<br />
afternoons.<br />
Coming soon<br />
Starting after Christmas on<br />
a Monday evening a Fitness<br />
Group (see inset picture)<br />
An amazing pair of bouncing<br />
boots – which turn you into<br />
a human kangaroo – look<br />
set to be the most bizarre<br />
fitness trend. Featuring a<br />
spring-loaded sole, the minitrampolines<br />
for your feet were<br />
initially invented to help people<br />
recover from sports injuries<br />
by taking away the impact<br />
of running on their joints.<br />
But now they’re a fun way of<br />
enjoying all the benefits of a<br />
tough gym or aerobics workout<br />
– without anyone bawling ‘no<br />
pain, no gain’ in your face.<br />
Kangoo Jumps, the fun way to<br />
fitness, is starting at Llanharry<br />
Community Centre every<br />
Monday between 6pm and<br />
7pm. Price £5 includes boot<br />
hire, so no excuses for not<br />
giving it a try. Places strictly<br />
limited, so book now!!!!<br />
Contact Tamika on<br />
07807015404<br />
DEPUTY MAYOR EVENTS<br />
ATTENDED<br />
On the 4th November Barbara<br />
and I attended the 90th year<br />
celebrations of Aberdare<br />
Rotary Club which was held at<br />
Ty Newydd Country Hotel. It<br />
was attended by two Deputy<br />
Lord Lieutenants and other<br />
distinguished guests.<br />
On the 6th November Barbara<br />
and I attended the long service<br />
presentation evening at the<br />
South Wales Fire and Rescue<br />
Service Headquarters at<br />
Llantrisant.<br />
Distinguished Guests included<br />
The Lord Lieutenant Mrs Kate<br />
Thomas CVO JP The High<br />
Sheriff of Mid Glam Mrs E<br />
Singer GL Unity authority<br />
Mayors and Mayoress’s<br />
Members of the Fire and<br />
Rescue Authority Officers and<br />
Heads of Departments<br />
It was hosted by the the<br />
chairman of the fire rescue<br />
authority Cllr D Tudor Davies<br />
and the Chief Fire Officer Huw<br />
Jakeway MSC IMIF ireE<br />
On the 14th of<br />
November Barbara<br />
and I attended the Con<br />
Club at Penrhiwceiber<br />
to support a concert<br />
raising money for the<br />
British Legion.<br />
The following day I<br />
attended a memorial<br />
service at Penrhiwceiber<br />
and laid a wreath at the<br />
War Memorial on behalf<br />
of the County.<br />
During the afternoon<br />
of the 14th Barbara<br />
and I attended the<br />
Mayor’s Civic Sunday<br />
Service at St Stephens<br />
Church, Ystrad followed<br />
by a reception at the<br />
Sports Centre attended<br />
by many distinguished<br />
guests.<br />
I would like to take this<br />
opportunity to wish all<br />
residents in my ward a very<br />
pleasant Christmas and good<br />
health throughout the coming<br />
year.<br />
ADVICE SURGERIES<br />
Can be arranged at your<br />
convenience by contacting<br />
me by e-mail or phoning the<br />
telephone numbers below<br />
Cllr. Barry Stephens JP<br />
Deputy Mayor for Rhondda<br />
Cynon Taff<br />
Tel: 01656 864944<br />
Mob: 07768100210<br />
E-mail: barry@jagland.co.uk<br />
This article is available at www.<br />
barry4llanharry.com
CYNLLAN LODGE<br />
KENNELS<br />
CYNLLAN<br />
LODGE<br />
Boarding Kennels & Cattery<br />
Old Llanharry Road, Llanharan Member of Pet Care Trust<br />
Tel: 01443 226659 Fax: 01443 230857<br />
www.cynllanlodgekennels.co.uk<br />
Up to 80 dogs catered for,<br />
each with individual kennel<br />
and covered run.<br />
30 twin cat chalets indoors.<br />
Fully inoculated dogs & cats only<br />
ADULT OBEDIENCE TRAINING<br />
and PUPPY SOCIALISATION CLASSES<br />
start before puppy is 16 weeks old and fully vacinated<br />
Despite the lack of maintenance by<br />
RCT Council on the Old Llanharry Road<br />
these kennels were selected to house<br />
60 specialist Police Search Dogs to<br />
safeguard world leaders attending the<br />
NATO conference at Newport<br />
in September 14<br />
Proprietor Haydn Lane (M.B.I.P.D.T.)<br />
Over 40 years professional dog handling experience<br />
PONTYCLUN INSTITUTE ATHLETIC CLUB<br />
CHRISTMAS PANTO<br />
SINBAD<br />
THE SAILOR<br />
Sunday 28th <strong>Dec</strong>ember at 14.00HRS<br />
BINGO each Sunday<br />
& Monday Evening<br />
Why not join one of our Snooker, Darts, Skittles,<br />
Bridge or Bowls Teams<br />
Weekly Dance Classes including Afternoon Tea<br />
Dance, Line Dancing and Belly Dancing<br />
Come and try our excellent range of REAL ALES<br />
Various Function Rooms for hire for parties<br />
of up to 200 guests with catering options available<br />
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Hi everyone<br />
Grants: Some more photos<br />
of local organisations<br />
receive grants from the<br />
Community Council. First is<br />
Llanharan AFC, represented<br />
by Mike Perkins with some<br />
of the team looking on and<br />
the second is Brynna Junior<br />
Football Club with some of<br />
the under 7’s team and their<br />
coaches Mathew Davey &<br />
Andrew Neal. The monies<br />
granted will be spent on new<br />
kit and equipment.<br />
Poppy Appeal: The service of<br />
remembrance at Llanharan<br />
Rugby Club on Friday 7<br />
November was very moving. It<br />
was supported by our MP Huw<br />
Irranca-Davies, our AM Janice<br />
Gregory and the Deputy Mayor<br />
of R.C.T. Cllr Barry Stephens<br />
and his wife. After the service,<br />
children from Brynnau, Dolau,<br />
Llanharry and Pontyclun<br />
Primary Schools, Llantrisant<br />
Male Voice Choir, Tunes R Us<br />
Llanharan Community<br />
Council And Llanharan<br />
Recreation Ground Trust<br />
entertained the audience with<br />
poignant songs, poems and<br />
stories about the First World<br />
War. A significant amount of<br />
money was raised on the night<br />
towards the appeal. (See photo<br />
of the children from Brynnau<br />
Primary School who recited<br />
the poem In Flanders Field …by<br />
Major John Macrea<br />
Remembrance Day: It was an<br />
honour and privilege for both<br />
myself and the Vice Chairman<br />
Councillor Will Thomas to<br />
lay wreaths on behalf of the<br />
Council and the Community<br />
at the War Memorials on<br />
Hillside Avenue and in Brynna<br />
Churchyard respectively. I was<br />
moved by so many people<br />
and organisations paying their<br />
respects to those of the armed<br />
services who have made the<br />
ultimate sacrifice to keep our<br />
communities safe throughout<br />
a hundred years. We shall<br />
remember them.<br />
Allotments: There are plots<br />
available on our Pendre Site,<br />
and now is the time to start<br />
preparing for next year’s<br />
planting. If you are interested<br />
in growing your own vegetables<br />
then contact the Clerk.<br />
RCT Austerity Measures: By<br />
now most people should be<br />
aware that Rhondda Cynon<br />
Taf CBC are having to cut their<br />
budget by £30 million + in<br />
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the next financial year. This is<br />
going to impact on the vast<br />
majority of non-statutory<br />
services such street cleaning,<br />
leisure facilities, play areas,<br />
etc The Community Council is<br />
now actively looking at ways in<br />
conjunction with RCT on how<br />
we can mitigate the impact<br />
of these potential service<br />
losses within our community<br />
by transferring such services<br />
to the Community Council.<br />
Discussions are at an early<br />
stage at this moment but we<br />
will keep you informed of<br />
progress.<br />
Llanharan Recreation Ground<br />
Trust: Work on the interior is<br />
well underway. A new heating<br />
system is being installed,<br />
along with a new false ceiling<br />
with appropriate insulation<br />
above it, new lighting using<br />
energy efficient tubes that will<br />
make the hall a lot brighter<br />
whilst using less electricity<br />
and it being redecorated<br />
throughout. The work is still<br />
on schedule to be completed<br />
by late November and a Grand<br />
Re-Opening ceremony will on<br />
the 6 <strong>Dec</strong>ember in conjunction<br />
with the Drop in Centre’s<br />
Christmas Fayre. The Fayre<br />
will have craft, food and other<br />
stalls along with a Santa’s<br />
Grotto. The Fayre will run from<br />
12 noon till 4:00pm with the<br />
opening ceremony taking place<br />
at approximately 3:00 pm. Our<br />
Member of Parliament, Huw<br />
Irranca-Davies along with Mr<br />
Ed Thomas, (Llanharan’s oldest<br />
resident and ex miner) will be<br />
on hand to do the honours.<br />
Christmas Dinners for the<br />
Senior Citizens:<br />
Llanharan 4th <strong>Dec</strong>ember<br />
and Brynna 10th <strong>Dec</strong>ember:<br />
Both at 12:00 for 12:30 pm at<br />
Llanharan Rugby Club.<br />
Christmas Lights: Hopefully<br />
when you read this article our<br />
Christmas Street Lights should<br />
by switched on as they are<br />
scheduled to become active on<br />
1 <strong>Dec</strong>ember.<br />
Monthly Reminders: Please<br />
keep your dogs off all the<br />
football and rugby pitches in<br />
the community and also clean<br />
up after your dog wherever<br />
you are. There are plenty<br />
of disposal bins around the<br />
Community so there is no<br />
excuse really.<br />
If you have an idea for a<br />
group activity, ask about the<br />
availability of the Hall. There<br />
is help and advice available<br />
on how to start up from Gill<br />
Richards, the Trust’s secretary<br />
or Sian Davies, the manager<br />
of the Drop In Centre plus<br />
lots of other sources and<br />
possible financial help from the<br />
Community Council and other<br />
sources to get things going.<br />
Useful Contacts:<br />
Gill Richards, Secretary, LRGT<br />
01443 222053<br />
Sian Davies, Manager, Drop<br />
In Centre 01443 229723<br />
Email: llanharancommunity@<br />
btconnect.com<br />
Peter Davies, Clerk to<br />
Llanharan Community Council<br />
01443 231430 Email: admin@<br />
llanharancc.co.uk<br />
Future Meetings<br />
The next Council Meeting will<br />
be on Thursday 18 <strong>Dec</strong>ember<br />
at either Llanharan Drop in<br />
Centre or Llanharan Welfare<br />
Hall. Please check Council<br />
notice boards nearer the date<br />
for the chosen location.<br />
A reminder that the Minutes of<br />
the Council’s meetings can be<br />
found at our office in the Drop<br />
In Centre, at the local Post<br />
Offices and on our <strong>web</strong> site<br />
www.llanharancc.co.uk<br />
Any compliments or complaints<br />
please contact me or Peter<br />
Davies, Clerk to Llanharan<br />
Community Council 01443<br />
231430 Email: admin@<br />
llanharancc.co.uk.<br />
May I on behalf of the<br />
Community Council, take this<br />
opportunity to wish everyone<br />
a peaceful and contented<br />
Christmas and especially at<br />
this time of year please give a<br />
thought or better still an act of<br />
kindness to those less fortunate<br />
than yourselves.<br />
Cllr Chris Parker<br />
Chairman of Llanharan<br />
Community Council<br />
Chairman of Llanharan<br />
Recreation Ground Trust<br />
Tel: 01443 237243<br />
Mobile: 07737 682633<br />
email chris.parker@achievez.<br />
co.uk<br />
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Janice Gregory<br />
AM backs the<br />
shopworkers’<br />
call for respect<br />
Janice Gregory AM has<br />
backed Usdaw, the<br />
shopworkers’ trade union,<br />
at the launch of its 2014<br />
Respect for Shopworkers<br />
week. The union’s Freedom<br />
from Fear campaign seeks to<br />
prevent violence, threats and<br />
abuse against shopworkers.<br />
A change in the law to give<br />
them better protection against<br />
assault is central to the<br />
campaign.<br />
Union leader John Hannett<br />
has pointed out that his<br />
members are required to<br />
enforce the laws. “Whether<br />
that is preventing under-age<br />
purchases of products like<br />
knives, tobacco or alcohol,<br />
or detaining shoplifters until<br />
the police arrive, they can be<br />
put in real danger. Parliament<br />
has given shopworkers the<br />
duty to enforce the law and<br />
Parliament should provide the<br />
necessary protection.”<br />
Usdaw activists<br />
in shops and<br />
supermarkets across<br />
Wales are holding<br />
campaign events to<br />
urge colleagues and<br />
customers to back<br />
a change in the law<br />
to provide stiffer<br />
sentences for those<br />
who assault workers<br />
serving the public.<br />
They are also<br />
reminding customers<br />
to ‘Keep Your Cool<br />
at Christmas’, a time<br />
when frustration can lead<br />
violence and abuse against<br />
shopworkers to peak..<br />
Janice Gregory AM said “It<br />
is shocking that another<br />
shopworker is assaulted<br />
every minute of every<br />
day. The leniency of some<br />
of the sentences handed<br />
out is unacceptable. We<br />
need a stronger law which<br />
sends a clear message that<br />
such behaviour will not be<br />
tolerated and encourages<br />
shopworkers to come forward<br />
and report attacks. Sadly the<br />
problems are often worst<br />
at this time of year when<br />
customers are stressed and<br />
shops are at their busiest. I<br />
am happy to join Usdaw in<br />
urging people to show respect<br />
for shopworkers and to ‘Keep<br />
your cool at Christmas’.”<br />
Usdaw Divisional Officer Nick<br />
Ireland said:<br />
“It was great to see the<br />
support from AMs at our<br />
Welsh launch in the Assembly.<br />
Like us they want to want to<br />
send a clear message that<br />
enough is enough and the<br />
UK Government needs to act<br />
to protect workers who are<br />
serving the public.<br />
Janice Gregory with USDAW representatives<br />
(left to right) Rose Bevan, Bryony Hamblin,<br />
Nick Ireland, David Woodhams, Janet Spillane.<br />
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A New Lease<br />
of Life<br />
RCT has given the goahead<br />
for a partnership<br />
of local arts, cultural<br />
and community groups to<br />
take over the management<br />
of the Muni Arts Centre in<br />
Pontypridd.<br />
The New Muni Working<br />
Group, which is made<br />
up of local arts group<br />
ArtisCommunity, Pontypridd’s<br />
Town Council, Welsh cultural<br />
group Cylch Cymraeg and the<br />
Coalfields Regeneration Trust,<br />
submitted a comprehensive<br />
business plan to RCT<br />
proposing to maintain and<br />
expand the Muni as a centre<br />
for the performing and<br />
creative arts and local culture,<br />
and are delighted to have won<br />
the approval of the Council to<br />
take the project forward.<br />
More than 150 people came<br />
through the doors of the Muni<br />
to offer ideas and support<br />
at our Open Consultation<br />
Day, and this dedication to<br />
our much-loved venue has<br />
been rewarded! The proposal<br />
that is now being considered<br />
was made stronger through<br />
this consultation and will be<br />
developed in response to<br />
the people and community<br />
organisations who have<br />
committed support. This<br />
growing network is creating<br />
a very exciting future for the<br />
Muni and the cultural growth<br />
of people in Pontypridd and<br />
across RCT.<br />
The proposal seeks to reestablish<br />
the Muni as a<br />
Community Driven facility<br />
that will not only host arts<br />
and cultural events as before,<br />
providing a venue for the<br />
community to come together,<br />
but also encourage a wide<br />
range of other activities, from<br />
enterprise support to better<br />
health.<br />
Local Member of Parliament,<br />
Owen Smith, who helped<br />
bring the groups together,<br />
said:<br />
“I’ve always believed the<br />
Muni could be maintained<br />
as a going concern by the<br />
community and I’m delighted<br />
the Council has agreed to give<br />
us that chance.<br />
“The working group has<br />
already done some fantastic<br />
work building support and<br />
partnerships to sustain a New<br />
Muni and I will continue to<br />
offer them every bit of help I<br />
can to revitalise the Muni and<br />
make it the regional centre for<br />
Arts and Culture that we all<br />
know it can be.<br />
“It’s already clear that, at<br />
its heart, there will be a<br />
continued concentration on<br />
music, dance, theatre the<br />
arts and on engaging young<br />
people. However, the ethos<br />
of the project is to deliver<br />
a centre and a programme<br />
that meets the needs and<br />
aspirations of the community,<br />
so I have no doubt that<br />
further dialogue, consultation<br />
and partnership with local<br />
people will be essential to its<br />
success.”<br />
The hard work now begins and<br />
the doors need to be opened<br />
soon! As we undertake further<br />
research, carry out surveys<br />
and take the first steps to<br />
establishing the new Muni,<br />
we will need our community<br />
to work with us. Many have<br />
already offered their time<br />
and expertise and we will be<br />
contacting you, but this is<br />
not exclusive! New ideas can<br />
always be considered and<br />
welcomed.<br />
We are hopeful that,<br />
providing the discussions<br />
with RCT go well, we will be<br />
able to re-open the doors<br />
to the community in the<br />
very near future as a new<br />
hub for culture, enjoyment,<br />
socialising, participation and<br />
learning!<br />
If you are interested in being<br />
involved, you can send ideas<br />
and contact details at www.<br />
muniartscentre.com or<br />
contact rob@iantomusic.co.uk<br />
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Christmas Quiz<br />
It’s that time of year again and<br />
in the spirit of Christmas our<br />
generosity knows no bounds<br />
as we offer 2 prizes! The<br />
winner, who in the event of a<br />
tie will be decided by a draw,<br />
will receive a M&S voucher<br />
to the value of £25 and the<br />
runner up a M&S voucher to<br />
the value of £10. The editor’s<br />
decision is final and we take<br />
absolutely no responsibility<br />
for any mistakes, Good luck<br />
and send your entries by 12th<br />
<strong>Dec</strong>ember to:<br />
The District <strong>Diary</strong><br />
32 Chapel Road<br />
Llanharan<br />
Mid Glamorgan<br />
CF72 9QB<br />
or email:<br />
districtdiary@btinternet.com<br />
Christmas film anagrams:<br />
1. Rash truth scraim 2011 (2)<br />
2. Stan daba 2003 (2)<br />
3. Tough rich shrewdness<br />
stormiest clash 2000 (7)<br />
4. Ion handily 1942 (2)<br />
5. Gently jail whale 1996 (4)<br />
6. Non optimal as loan artists<br />
manic havoc 1989 (4)<br />
7. Core dogs 1988 (1)<br />
8. Now strifeful ideal 1946 (4)<br />
9. 34 Ethical tormenters 1947<br />
(4)<br />
10. This warm ethics 1954 (2)<br />
11. Compact heartless<br />
triumph 1992 (4)<br />
12. A halt acuteness 1994 (3)<br />
Christmas songs Initial Letters<br />
13. HYAMLC<br />
14. WW<br />
15. SCICTT<br />
16. WC<br />
17. LISLISLIS<br />
18. JBR<br />
19. RTRNR<br />
20. RATCT<br />
21. FTS<br />
22. ISMKSC<br />
23. SB<br />
24. TLDB<br />
Who sang these Christmas<br />
UK hits<br />
25. All I Want for Christmas Is<br />
You 1994<br />
26. Last Christmas 1984<br />
27. Fairytale of New York 1987<br />
28. Merry Xmas Everybody<br />
1973<br />
29. White Christmas 1940<br />
30. Driving Home for<br />
Christmas 1988<br />
31. Walking in the Air 1982<br />
32. 21st Century Christmas<br />
2006<br />
33. Don’t Shoot Me Santa<br />
2007<br />
34. Father Christmas Do Not<br />
Touch Me 1974<br />
35. Have a Cheeky Christmas<br />
2003<br />
36. I Believe in Father<br />
Christmas 1975<br />
37. I Wish It Could Be<br />
Christmas Everyday 1973<br />
38. Mary’s Boy Child 1957<br />
39. Peace on Earth/Little<br />
Drummer Boy 1982<br />
40. What Are We Gonna Get<br />
‘Er Indoors (Interpolating “In<br />
The Bleak Mid-Winter”) 1983<br />
Giles Gallery<br />
Art Exhibition<br />
Giles Gallery Art Students<br />
will be holding an exhibition of their work<br />
at Giles Gallery, Old Methodist Church,<br />
Pontyclun CF72 9EG<br />
Under the guidance of tutor Beth Giles<br />
each student has produced a<br />
remarkable piece of art work.<br />
So come along to the exhibition which<br />
runs from Saturday 6th <strong>Dec</strong> to Christmas<br />
Eve and see for yourselves what wealth of<br />
talent we have in and around Pontyclun.<br />
Giles Gallery is open Tues to Sat 10am to 5pm<br />
01443228638/07879035921<br />
E-mail: midglamorganmixedchoir@outlook.com<br />
Mobile: Karen 07866 810579<br />
Quiz answers<br />
Our November quiz was won<br />
by Miss L Liddell of Talbot<br />
Green who will receive a M&S<br />
voucher for £20. Thank you<br />
to everyone that entered, it<br />
seemed to be a popular quiz.<br />
The answers are as below:<br />
1. Sherlock Holmes<br />
2. Hercule Poirot<br />
3. Magnum PI<br />
4. Taggart<br />
5. The Saint<br />
6. Danger Man<br />
7. Dempsey & Makepeace<br />
8. Broadchurch<br />
9. Van der Valk<br />
10. Z Cars<br />
11. Wycliffe<br />
Shop ‘Till You<br />
Drop With FREE<br />
Festive Parking<br />
Shop ‘till you drop this<br />
Christmas as Rhondda<br />
Cynon Taf Council is<br />
offering its shoppers FREE<br />
parking in all of its Pay and<br />
Display car parks throughout<br />
<strong>Dec</strong>ember.<br />
This special festive treat will<br />
certainly take the hassle out<br />
of Christmas for shoppers –<br />
Council owned / managed car<br />
parks are FREE after 10am for<br />
the entire month of <strong>Dec</strong>ember<br />
- from 1st <strong>Dec</strong>ember until 31st<br />
<strong>Dec</strong>ember (inclusive).<br />
All vehicles must display a<br />
valid parking ticket or permit<br />
until 10am and disabled<br />
people can continue to park<br />
free at all times in designated<br />
disabled bays when they<br />
display their ‘blue badge’.<br />
So for all the festive fun and<br />
seasonal shopping, Rhondda<br />
Cynon Taf’s town centres<br />
have got Christmas shopping<br />
covered.<br />
The town centres are home to<br />
some unique shops that offer<br />
visitors the opportunity to find<br />
one-off, special gifts for all the<br />
family.<br />
12. New Tricks<br />
13. A Touch Of Frost<br />
14. John Steed<br />
15. Inspector Lynley<br />
16. Ironside<br />
17. Jonathan Creek<br />
18. Inspector Morse<br />
19. Hart to Hart<br />
20. Hamish Macbeth<br />
21. The Detectives<br />
22. George Dixon<br />
23. Bergerac<br />
24. Cagney & Lacey<br />
25. Callan<br />
26. McMillan & Wife<br />
27. Moonlighting<br />
28. Police Squad / Naked<br />
GunMiss<br />
29. Diagnosis: Murder<br />
30. Hazell<br />
As you stroll along the<br />
streets its clear to see why<br />
so many shoppers head to<br />
the eight town centres every<br />
year. After all that shopping,<br />
why not relax in the various<br />
restaurants and cafes that the<br />
towns have to offer.<br />
If that’s not enough to help<br />
you find that perfect present,<br />
many of the towns boast<br />
traditional indoor and weekly<br />
outdoor markets that offer a<br />
wealth of stalls, selling a wide<br />
range of unusual items.<br />
County Borough Councillor<br />
Andrew Morgan, Leader of the<br />
Council said:<br />
“Over recent years we have<br />
been keen to provide traders<br />
in our town centres with<br />
a boost by providing free<br />
parking in the run up to<br />
Christmas.<br />
“Cabinet Members and<br />
I appreciate just how<br />
important the festive season<br />
is for traders and that is<br />
why this year we committed<br />
to fund the increased free<br />
Christmas parking initiative<br />
for all of <strong>Dec</strong>ember through a<br />
reduction in our salaries.<br />
We hope many residents<br />
and visitors will take this<br />
opportunity to park for free<br />
and enjoy visiting our town<br />
centres this Christmas.”<br />
Christmas<br />
Christmas is not a time nor a season, but a state of mind.<br />
To cherish peace and goodwill, to be plenteous in mercy, is to<br />
have the real spirit of Christmas. Calvin Coolidge<br />
Christmas waves a magic wand over this world, and behold,<br />
everything is softer and more beautiful. Norman Vincent Peale<br />
Christmas is a season for kindling the fire for hospitality in the<br />
hall, the genial flame of charity in the heart. Washington Irving<br />
Christmas music<br />
EARLY<br />
Music was an early<br />
feature of the<br />
Christmas season and<br />
its celebrations. The earliest<br />
chants, litanies, and hymns<br />
were Latin works intended<br />
for use during the church<br />
liturgy, rather than popular<br />
songs. The 13th century saw<br />
the rise of the carol written<br />
in the vernacular, under the<br />
influence of Francis of Assisi.<br />
In the Middle Ages, the English<br />
combined circle dances with<br />
singing and called them carols.<br />
Later, the word carol came<br />
to mean a song in which a<br />
Sign Up For<br />
Santa Run<br />
Get into the festive<br />
spirit and sign up for<br />
Rhondda Cynon Taf<br />
Council’s annual Santa Run.<br />
It promises to be a fantastic<br />
warm-up event ahead of the<br />
world-famous Nos Galan Road<br />
Races in Mountain Ash on<br />
New Year’s Eve.<br />
More than 400 participants<br />
took part in the ‘Santa<br />
Spectacular’ last year…all<br />
dressed in their red suits!<br />
The Santa Run, complete<br />
with a Christmas Market,<br />
takes place at the Dare Valley<br />
Country Park, Aberdare, on<br />
Sunday, <strong>Dec</strong>ember 7.<br />
Open to all ages and abilities,<br />
there will be two events taking<br />
place on the day - a 5km<br />
Santa Run and a 2km Santa<br />
Family Santa Race (suitable<br />
and accessible for wheelchair<br />
users).<br />
All those who take part<br />
will get a Santa suit and all<br />
finishers will get a hot drink<br />
and a mince pie. All junior<br />
religious topic is treated in a<br />
style that is familiar or festive.<br />
From Italy, it passed to France<br />
and Germany, and later to<br />
England. Christmas carols<br />
in English first appear in a<br />
1426 work of John Audelay,<br />
a Shropshire priest and<br />
poet, who lists 25 “caroles<br />
of Cristemas”, probably sung<br />
by groups of wassailers, who<br />
went from house to house.<br />
Music in itself soon became<br />
one of the greatest tributes<br />
to Christmas, and Christmas<br />
music includes some of the<br />
noblest compositions of the<br />
great musicians.<br />
PURITAN PROHIBITION<br />
During the Commonwealth<br />
of England government<br />
finishers will also be presented<br />
with a medal.<br />
Prior to the races, all of the<br />
Santa participants will be put<br />
through their paces by fitness<br />
instructor Suzi Hopkins and<br />
the Fit2Dance Group.<br />
Cllr Ann Crimmings, Cabinet<br />
Member for Environment,<br />
Leisure and Sport, said: “This<br />
is a fantastic way to get into<br />
the spirit of Christmas, while<br />
at the same time getting fit in<br />
the wonderful surroundings of<br />
the Dare Valley Country Park.<br />
“There are two events taking<br />
place on the day, one suitable<br />
for all the family as well as for<br />
wheelchair users.<br />
The Santa Run and Family<br />
Santa Race, complete with a<br />
Christmas Market, takes place<br />
at the Dare Valley Country<br />
Park, Aberdare, on Sunday,<br />
<strong>Dec</strong>ember 7.<br />
Registration opens at 9.30am,<br />
with entry priced £6 (Adults)<br />
and £4 (Children). To book<br />
your place call 01685 874672.<br />
For further details call the<br />
Council’s Events team on<br />
01443 424123 or visit www.<br />
rctcbc.gov.uk/whatson<br />
under Cromwell, the Rump<br />
Parliament prohibited the<br />
practice of singing Christmas<br />
carols as Pagan and sinful. Like<br />
other customs associated with<br />
popular Catholic Christianity,<br />
it earned the disapproval of<br />
Protestant Puritans. Famously,<br />
Cromwell’s interregnum<br />
prohibited all celebrations of<br />
the Christmas holiday. This<br />
attempt to ban the public<br />
celebration of Christmas<br />
can also be seen in the early<br />
history of Father Christmas.<br />
The Westminster Assembly<br />
of Divines established Sunday<br />
as the only holy day in the<br />
calendar in 1644. The new<br />
liturgy produced for the<br />
English church recognised<br />
this in 1645, and so legally<br />
abolished Christmas. Its<br />
celebration was declared an<br />
offence by Parliament in 1647.<br />
There is some debate as to<br />
the effectiveness of this ban,<br />
and whether or not it was<br />
enforced in the country.<br />
Puritans generally disapproved<br />
of the celebration of<br />
Christmas—a trend which<br />
continually resurfaced in<br />
Europe and the USA through<br />
the eighteenth, nineteenth<br />
and twentieth centuries.<br />
ROYAL RESTORATION<br />
When in May 1660 Charles<br />
II restored the Stuarts to the<br />
throne, the people of England<br />
once again practiced the<br />
public singing of Christmas<br />
carols as part of the revival<br />
of Christmas customs,<br />
sanctioned by the king’s own<br />
celebrations. William Sandys’s<br />
Christmas Carols Ancient and<br />
Modern (1833), contained<br />
the first appearance in print<br />
of many now-classic English<br />
carols, and contributed to<br />
the mid-Victorian revival of<br />
the holiday. Singing carols<br />
in church was instituted on<br />
Christmas Eve 1880 (Nine<br />
Lessons and Carols) in Truro<br />
Cathedral, Cornwall, England,<br />
which is now seen in churches<br />
all over the world.<br />
ALMS<br />
The tradition of singing<br />
Christmas carols in return<br />
for alms or charity began in<br />
England in the seventeenth<br />
century after the Restoration.<br />
Town musicians or ‘waits’<br />
were licensed to collect<br />
money in the streets in<br />
the weeks preceding<br />
Christmas, the custom spread<br />
throughout the population<br />
by the eighteenth and<br />
nineteenth centuries up to<br />
the present day. Also from<br />
the seventeenth century,<br />
there was the English custom,<br />
predominantly involving<br />
women, of taking a ‘wassail<br />
bowl’ round their neighbours<br />
to solicit gifts, accompanied<br />
by carols. Despite this long<br />
history, almost all surviving<br />
Christmas carols date only<br />
from the nineteenth century<br />
onwards, with the exception<br />
of some traditional folk songs<br />
such as “God Rest You Merry<br />
Gentlemen”, “As I Sat on a<br />
Sunny Bank” and “The Holly<br />
and the Ivy.”<br />
Cantorion (Pontyclun) Ladies Choir<br />
are holding a Community Carol Concert<br />
at St David’s Church Miskin<br />
at 7pm on 18th <strong>Dec</strong>ember<br />
All are welcome.<br />
For information contact Ann Dunstan 02920 892570<br />
E-mail: midglamorganmixedchoir@outlook.com<br />
Mobile: Karen 07866 810579<br />
“I heard the bells on Christmas Day<br />
Their old, familiar carols play,<br />
And wild and sweet<br />
The words repeat<br />
Of peace on earth, good-will to men!”<br />
Henry Wadsworth Longfellow
Residents urged<br />
to have their<br />
say in new<br />
consultation<br />
Residents are once again<br />
being given the chance<br />
to have their say on the<br />
services that matter the most,<br />
as Rhondda Cynon Taf Council<br />
opens its general budget<br />
consultation.People have<br />
until <strong>Dec</strong>ember 17 to provide<br />
feedback on the range of<br />
services the Council delivers,<br />
how they feel about life in<br />
their community and what<br />
improvements they would like<br />
to see to their local area.<br />
Each and every view provided<br />
via this consultation is used<br />
by the Council to shape<br />
service delivery and service<br />
improvement and also<br />
provides essential information<br />
the authority considers when<br />
setting Council Tax levels.<br />
The consultation is open to<br />
all residents, businesses and<br />
stakeholders and the Council<br />
is keen to secure as wide a<br />
range of views as possible.<br />
Importantly, the general<br />
budget survey which is online<br />
now, is separate from the<br />
ongoing, specific consultations<br />
currently taking place in<br />
relation to proposed service<br />
changes as a result of the<br />
Budget Challenge.<br />
Cllr Andrew Morgan, Leader<br />
of Rhondda Cynon Taf Council,<br />
said: “We are striving to<br />
engage with as many people<br />
as possible in order to help<br />
ensure our priorities reflect<br />
those of the communities we<br />
serve.<br />
“The annual budget<br />
consultation is a chance for<br />
us to engage with residents<br />
from all walks of life on how<br />
they feel about services,<br />
investment and life in their<br />
communities.<br />
“This survey, which forms<br />
part of ongoing, general<br />
consultation, allows us to<br />
identify the services that<br />
matter the most and ensure<br />
spending and investment is<br />
targeted in the most effective<br />
and efficient manner.<br />
“Unfortunately, Council<br />
Tax increases are always a<br />
consideration for us as a<br />
Council and the essential<br />
feedback we secure from<br />
budget consultation allows us<br />
to gauge public feeling around<br />
small increases in Council<br />
Tax set against protection of,<br />
or continued investment in,<br />
priority services.<br />
“In these unprecedented<br />
financial times, engagement<br />
with residents is now more<br />
important than ever before<br />
and I urge people to take a<br />
few minutes to get involved.”<br />
You can complete the general<br />
budget consultation online<br />
now on the Budget Challenge<br />
Page<br />
Warning over<br />
bogus charity<br />
collectors<br />
Rhondda Cynon Taf Trading<br />
Standards and Licensing<br />
Departments are warning<br />
residents to be vigilant against<br />
door-to-door charity collectors<br />
who appear to be operating<br />
within the County Borough<br />
and posing as a charity.<br />
The collectors are advising<br />
that they are collecting ‘in<br />
association for the Deaf, Mute<br />
and handicapped people and<br />
would like to build a new<br />
national and international<br />
centre for the deaf and the<br />
mute people’.<br />
You can also find servicespecific<br />
change proposals and<br />
consultations on this page.<br />
If you would like the survey<br />
to be sent to you, you can<br />
contact 01443 424014 or<br />
email the Consultation Team<br />
Find the latest news and<br />
developments by following us<br />
@RCTCouncil<br />
However, the collectors do not<br />
carry anything that identifies<br />
who they are collecting for<br />
and are unable to produce<br />
any identification proving that<br />
either they or the charity is<br />
legitimate. If the callers are<br />
from a legitimate charity, then<br />
they would be prepared to<br />
provide the correct details in<br />
order that checks could be<br />
carried out to confirm who<br />
they are and who they are<br />
working for.<br />
During the cold call the<br />
collector is asking for cash<br />
on the doorstep and then<br />
recording the details of the<br />
sale on their own list. In some<br />
instances they have cold called<br />
after 8 o’clock in the evening.<br />
Jenkins Equine and Farm Feeds<br />
A huge range of EQUINE FEEDS,<br />
SUPPLEMENTS, CLOTHING & ACCESSORIES<br />
Spillers, Bailey’s, Top Spec, Dodson & Horrell, Allen & Page,<br />
Rowan Barbary, Charnwood, Havens, Coolstance, Dengie, Molli Chaff.<br />
Shavings, Flax, Verdo, Miscanthus Bedding etc.<br />
A good range of DOG FOOD,<br />
Dried & Tinned….Skinners, Waggs, Burns,<br />
Dr John, Arkwright, Bakers, Chudleys,<br />
Vitalin, Omega, Dylan etc.<br />
CAT FOOD Dried & Tinned<br />
PIGEON FEEDS<br />
& ACCESSORIES<br />
A good range of FARM FEEDS…<br />
Layers Pellets, Mixed Corn, Oats, Barley, Wheat,<br />
Sugarbeet, Sow Rolls, Goat Mix, Cow Mix etc.<br />
Rabbit Food, Chick Crumbs, Budgie,<br />
Peanuts, Wild Bird Seed, Mixed Grit etc.<br />
All by the bag or by the kilo.<br />
Call in for a friendly welcome Other feeds can also be ordered<br />
Hepworth Business Park, Coed Cae Lane, Pontyclun CF72 9DX<br />
(Second industrial estate on your right when travelling down Coed Cae Lane)<br />
Opening Hours:<br />
Mon - Fri 8.30am - 5.30pm<br />
Sat 8.30am - 4.00 pm Sun closed<br />
COUNTRY<br />
GIFTS<br />
FOR CHRISTMAS<br />
Look us up<br />
on Facebook<br />
01443<br />
223268<br />
DUN ’N’ DUSTED<br />
CLEANING SERVICES<br />
Friendly, reliable, local service<br />
Fully insured<br />
Weekly, fortnightly monthly or<br />
one off clean the choice is yours<br />
Call for free no obligation quote<br />
Tel:<br />
01443 238797<br />
Mob:<br />
07876083084<br />
LEATHER AND CARPET CLEANING now also available<br />
Email dunndusted@live.co.uk<br />
L<br />
LYNN WOOLLS DSA.ADI<br />
L<br />
LEARN WITH LYNN S.O.M<br />
Learn in a BMW MINI Cooper D<br />
PASS PLUS REGISTERED<br />
Driving Experience for under 17 yr olds<br />
1 hr. 1 1 /2 & 2hr Lessons. Block bookings<br />
Help with theory test<br />
www. Lynnwoolls.co.uk<br />
L<br />
email: driving@lynnwoolls.co.uk<br />
L<br />
01443 238714 / 07786296965
Pencoed<br />
Gardening<br />
Association<br />
The Best Kept Secret in<br />
Pencoed<br />
Pencoed Gardening<br />
Association started off in<br />
an old Railway Truck in<br />
the late 60s, early 70s, when<br />
several local gardeners got<br />
together and decided that by<br />
purchasing garden fertilisers,<br />
chemicals, seeds and<br />
composts in bulk they could<br />
save some money.<br />
In the 1970’s building on the<br />
organisation’s initial success<br />
they approached the local<br />
Council and were gifted a<br />
small plot of land to build a<br />
premises to take the ‘Club’<br />
a little further (as the old<br />
railway truck was now in a<br />
sorry state).<br />
During early 2014 a few of the<br />
organisers of the Association<br />
due to failing-health were<br />
struggling to keep the<br />
Association going and it was<br />
decided to run-it-down unless<br />
others could be found to keep<br />
it going.<br />
Anyway, a new set of<br />
organisers stepped in and rebuilt<br />
on the hard-work of their<br />
predecessors and are happy<br />
to report that the Association<br />
appears again to be thriving,<br />
despite the rumours that it<br />
had closed-down. Far from<br />
it, they are even extending<br />
the opening hours so that<br />
instead of only being open<br />
on a Sunday morning 10am<br />
to 12noon (first Sunday in<br />
each month throughout the<br />
year – each Sunday from Feb.<br />
to Oct.), they are intending<br />
opening on a Wednesday<br />
evening (5.30 to 6.30 during<br />
the growing period (March-<br />
June)).<br />
We are situated just above<br />
the New Surgery off Penprysg<br />
Road alongside the traffic<br />
lights – just look for the red<br />
doors.<br />
The Association is a not-forprofit<br />
“Club” for the benefit of<br />
local gardeners and allotment<br />
holders, where for a £1.00<br />
annual membership you<br />
can purchase most of your<br />
garden needs at very much<br />
discounted prices.<br />
The “Club” always welcomes<br />
new members and needs your<br />
support if you are a gardener<br />
in the Pencoed or surrounding<br />
areas – don’t keep it a secret -<br />
pass it on.<br />
RJC Flooring<br />
Carpet Fitting Specialist<br />
Based in Pontyclun with over 25 years experience<br />
First Class, Friendly Service<br />
Able to both Supply and Fit Carpet and Flooring<br />
at Competitive Prices<br />
Please phone Richard on 07817 920032<br />
to arrange a FREE measure and quote<br />
Mark M. Rees MCHs.<br />
STATE REGISTERED CHIROPODIST<br />
Sunningdale, Coychurch Road, Pencoed<br />
EVENING APPOINTMENTS AVAILABLE<br />
Telephone 01656 860509<br />
Learning made fun!<br />
Musical Minis is a pre-school<br />
fun time music group for babies<br />
and toddlers. Each structured session encourages cognitive,<br />
physical and emotional development through the use of music,<br />
instruments and stories in a relaxed group atmosphere.<br />
Please contact: Jo Weaving 01446 733788<br />
www.musicalminis.co.uk Parties also catered for<br />
Surgeries<br />
Huw Irranca-Davies Member of Parliament for Ogmore<br />
Surgeries are by appointment only and constituents will need<br />
to contact the Constituency Office and Advice Centre,<br />
Unit 2, 112-113 Commercial Street, Maesteg CF34 9DL.<br />
Tel: 01656 737777.<br />
Email: irrancadaviesh@parliament.uk.<br />
Website: www.huwirranca-davies.org.uk<br />
Phobias - Cathisophobia - thaasophobia – fear of sitting<br />
Chaetophobia – fear of hair Chionophobia – fear of snow<br />
Penrhos Care Home<br />
Local family run home established<br />
for over 25 years on your doorstep<br />
A purpose built Care Home for the elderly,<br />
situated off Main Rd, Llantwit Fardre.<br />
24 Hour Care<br />
Ground Floor Accomodation to all rooms<br />
Special Diets Catered For<br />
Social Activities (Bingo, Quizzes, Church Visits, Mobile<br />
Library, Outside Trips & In House Entertainment<br />
Visiting Hairdresser, Chiropodist, Optician, Dentist, GPs<br />
Lawned Garden & Patio<br />
Respite Short Term Bookings if available<br />
For further information or a<br />
home brochure, contact Nicola on<br />
01443 206329<br />
www.penrhoscarehome.co.uk<br />
Monday to Friday 9am-5pm<br />
Registered<br />
under the<br />
‘Care<br />
Standards<br />
Act’ 2000<br />
GET A GRIP with<br />
DDS DISCOUNT TYRES<br />
NEW & PART WORN from only £12.50<br />
<br />
<br />
CHEAPEST TYRES<br />
AROUND GUARANTEED<br />
TYRES EXHAUSTS SERVICING<br />
BATTERIES BULBS<br />
Over 1000 Quality German Part Worns in stock<br />
FULLY TESTED with FREE FITTING<br />
4 Wheel Laser Alignment £15<br />
FREE Digital Tread Depth Check<br />
Contracts Welcome<br />
All Steering & Suspension Work Undertaken<br />
Brake Pads Fitted from £20<br />
Servicing Available also Pre MOT Inspection<br />
MOTs Arranged from £25<br />
Diagnostic Checks from £20<br />
Call in at one of our branches at<br />
Llanharan or<br />
Coed Cae Lane, Pontyclun<br />
Over 30 years combined experience<br />
3a Bryncae Industrial Estate, Llanharan<br />
CF72 9RA Opposite The Bryncae Arms<br />
01443 223 147<br />
Unit 9 Cambrian Industrial Estate<br />
(Opposite Pontyclun Van Hire)<br />
01443 222 147<br />
www.ddstyres.co.uk<br />
Family run business - We aim to look after your pocket
Royal British<br />
Legion<br />
Llanharan Branch<br />
It’s over for another year,<br />
collection boxes, buckets<br />
and tins have been put away<br />
until next time. All money<br />
collected has been counted<br />
and sent to Poppy Appeal HQ.<br />
As some money is still to come<br />
in we can’t yet give a final<br />
total but hope to be able to do<br />
so next month.<br />
The Friday night service was,<br />
as usual, held with dignity<br />
and respect, conducted by<br />
our Padre, Rev B Wood, ably<br />
assisted by Rachael Weaver<br />
of Carmel Baptist Church,<br />
Llanharan.<br />
An evening’s entertainment<br />
followed. Among the crowded<br />
hall guests included Mr Huw<br />
Irranca-Davies MP, Janice<br />
Gregory AM, Cllr Barry<br />
Stephens Deputy Mayor of<br />
RCT, Geraint Hopkins Borough<br />
Cllr, and Chris Parker Chairman<br />
of Llanharan Community<br />
Council.<br />
Pupils from Pontyclun school<br />
opened the proceedings<br />
followed by pupils from<br />
Llanhari, Brynna and Dolau.<br />
The Llantrisant Male Choir<br />
then gave a varied and<br />
enjoyable programme. It<br />
was good to see a number<br />
of choristers from our own<br />
RFC Songsters among them.<br />
During a short break a raffle<br />
was held. The children had<br />
to leave early and the choir<br />
continued with their excellent<br />
programme. Many remarked<br />
on how good the choir<br />
were. Songs R Us finished<br />
the evening’s entertainment<br />
which was enjoyed by all that<br />
attended.<br />
The service at the War<br />
Memorial on Sunday 9th<br />
November was conducted by<br />
our Padre assisted by Rev G<br />
Tyson. The number of people<br />
present far outnumbered<br />
previous years as also did the<br />
congregation at the church<br />
afterwards. The opening<br />
hymn was accompanied by a<br />
brass quartet conducted by<br />
Mr Simon Gray. The Last Post<br />
was sounded followed by a 2<br />
minute silence and Reveille<br />
during which time the Legion<br />
Promise and the Kohema<br />
Epitaph were read followed by<br />
Sunset.<br />
28 wreaths were laid by<br />
various organisations which<br />
included our AM, MP, Borough<br />
and Community councils. Both<br />
anthems were played which<br />
ended a service any village can<br />
be proud of.<br />
Thank you to everyone that<br />
attended and to all the local<br />
shops that allowed us to place<br />
our collecting tins in their<br />
premises. Also thanks to our<br />
small band of volunteers, the<br />
branch committee, the police<br />
for controlling the traffic and<br />
RCT for closing the land on the<br />
opposite side of the road.<br />
As this is the last <strong>Diary</strong> issue<br />
of 2014 may we wish you the<br />
compliments of the season,<br />
Nadolig Llawen A Blwyddyn<br />
Newydd Dda.<br />
LJH<br />
Integrated Energy Therapy<br />
Healing with the angels<br />
of violet energy ray<br />
The next generation of healing<br />
Lifting the issues from the tissues<br />
Marian Master Instructor<br />
07721-387894<br />
Come and heal your Mind, Body & Soul with this gentle but very effective healing<br />
LESSONS for any age<br />
and ability from beginner<br />
to grade 8 and above.<br />
Violin<br />
PROFESSIONAL TEACHER IN LLANHARAN<br />
with over 25 years experience.<br />
Range of violin sizes available to learn on.<br />
Music theory lessons also offered.<br />
Telephone / text 07913393955<br />
Pencoed WI<br />
Saturday the 8th<br />
November, our Autumn<br />
Fayre in the Welfare Hall<br />
and what a morning. Most<br />
of us were very wet by the<br />
time we had unloaded the<br />
cars but steam dried rushing<br />
around setting up stalls.<br />
Despite the weather people<br />
did come and with the rain<br />
clearing later in the morning<br />
we did quite well. We would<br />
like to thank Richard Roberts<br />
Butchers, Phil Roberts Fruit<br />
& Veg (Friday morning in<br />
Social Club car park), Pencoed<br />
carpets, Crumbs and Bloomin’<br />
Bethel Baptist<br />
Church<br />
Heol Miskin, Pontyclun<br />
Bethel is a busy Church<br />
Centre with, many<br />
Church and<br />
Community Groups using it<br />
every week. We are also a<br />
base for ‘Foodbank’ & ‘CAP’.<br />
You will receive a very warm<br />
welcome at any of our church<br />
activities and services.<br />
Our regular weekly<br />
programme is as follows:<br />
MON: 6.15-7.45pm Boys Club<br />
for Children.<br />
TUE: 2.30pm Silver Lining for<br />
Older People<br />
THUR:9.00-12.30pm Oasis<br />
Coffee Shop (proceeds for<br />
charity)<br />
FRI: 6.00-8.00pm Girls Club for<br />
Children.<br />
Stylish for their support and<br />
donations of a raffle prize.<br />
Thanks to all of our members<br />
who baked, donated tombola<br />
prizes and bric-a-brac,<br />
manned the stalls and made<br />
the coffee. Also thanks to the<br />
stall holders who attended.<br />
Lastly,a very big thank you to<br />
all who supported this year’s<br />
Fayre. We will be presenting<br />
a cheque for £500.00 to First<br />
Responders at our January<br />
meeting.<br />
On behalf of Pencoed W.I, I<br />
would like to wish you all a<br />
Merry Christmas, a Happy<br />
New Year and a healthy 2015<br />
Pat<br />
7.00-8.30pm ‘Urban Youth’ for<br />
years 7-9 **<br />
8.00-10.00pm ‘Urban Youth’<br />
for years 10+ **<br />
Sun: 10.45am Family Service,<br />
4.00pm Traditional Service<br />
Over the Christmas<br />
celebration the following<br />
services are taking place<br />
6.00pm Sunday before<br />
Christmas - Carols for<br />
Christmas<br />
7.00pm Christmas Eve - Carols<br />
by Candle-light<br />
If you would like more<br />
information about anything<br />
above<br />
or how you can use the<br />
centre, please call in; or<br />
telephone us on 01443<br />
228283; or email us admin@<br />
bethelpontyclun.org . You<br />
could look at our <strong>web</strong>site:<br />
www.bethelpontyclun.org<br />
PETER ROSSER DBTh MIRCH<br />
REGISTERED MEDICAL HERBALIST<br />
Available in Brynna<br />
for Consultation and Treatment.<br />
For Appointment or Information<br />
Tel: Mob: 07870 380834 or 01443 228391<br />
Email: peter.rosser@lineone.net<br />
Website: www.medicinemaker.co.uk<br />
QUALIFIED<br />
CHIROPODIST<br />
Claire McKay MSSCh MBChA<br />
For a home visit call:<br />
07895 184 731<br />
SHOWROOM<br />
at<br />
UNIT 1D, HEPWORTH<br />
PARK IND. EST.<br />
COED CAE LANE<br />
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BUY DIRECT AT<br />
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Specialists in Curved<br />
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FREE QUOTATIONS,<br />
MEASURING & FITTING<br />
Telephone 01443 237 753<br />
BARGAIN BLINDS<br />
Quality Blinds at Bargain Prices<br />
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Become a fan on<br />
FACEBOOK to see<br />
pictures of our blinds<br />
PERFECT FIT<br />
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Pontyclun WI<br />
The Autumn has been<br />
a busy one for our<br />
W.I. It started with<br />
the Health Day for all<br />
W.I.s. The first speaker Dr<br />
Weston cardiologist gave<br />
us information about new<br />
advances in the non invasive<br />
ways of treating atrial<br />
fibrillation , replacement<br />
aortic valves and improving<br />
the action of the mitral valve.<br />
These procedures will be for<br />
specific situations. Dr. Jones<br />
gave us a real insight into<br />
the daily life of a G.P. and of<br />
the complexity of her role<br />
in health care. Mrs Stote a<br />
breast awareness volunteer<br />
was next. She herself had had<br />
breast cancer and Mrs Stote<br />
proceeded to give us the<br />
latest information on myths<br />
and facts of this disease. 81%<br />
of of those diagnosed were<br />
over 50, and risk increases<br />
with age. Mrs Stote strongly<br />
encouraged us to be screened<br />
and to ask for screening even<br />
over 70.<br />
We had been sitting for a<br />
while so Mrs Sweatman an<br />
Extend teacher had us up and<br />
exercising for mobility and<br />
health .Then after lunch<br />
Dr. Haboubi explained why<br />
he thought that obesity<br />
was a disease .He strongly<br />
advocates to his patients<br />
the importance of exercise.,<br />
healthy food, and importantly<br />
lifestyle changes.<br />
Mrs Perkins enlarged on what<br />
exactly is a healthy balanced<br />
diet. Mrs Perkins showed us<br />
a plate divided into 3 areas.<br />
The plate should have 50%<br />
vegetables 25% carbs and 25%<br />
meat. Using a smaller plate<br />
helps not to over indulge !<br />
Lastly Mrs Ford a voice coach<br />
had us singing for health, and<br />
very enjoyable it was, she had<br />
us singing in 6 parts, much to<br />
our surprise.<br />
Our Speaker in October was<br />
Mrs Gorman, who was an<br />
inspiring speaker on the<br />
subject of The Life of African<br />
Mothers. Mrs Gorman<br />
explained how she had been<br />
inspired to set up her charity<br />
to help these mothers. Mrs<br />
Gorman then told us about<br />
the dreadful conditions in<br />
which they had to give birth.<br />
Mrs Gorman went on to<br />
say much work and effort<br />
went into getting goods and<br />
medicines to the mothers.<br />
Many members are now<br />
knitting baby hats for her<br />
charity.!<br />
<strong>Dec</strong>ember sees us enjoying<br />
our Christmas party then it<br />
all starts again on January<br />
20, 2015. Why not make a<br />
resolution to come and join<br />
us in the New Year, 7 pm the<br />
third Tuesday in the month.<br />
Merry Christmas and a<br />
Happy New Year to all the<br />
readers of the <strong>Diary</strong><br />
Sylvia Cole<br />
Ta ff<br />
Ely(Llantrisant)<br />
Ramblers<br />
Again our walks have<br />
been well attended with<br />
almost forty people<br />
turning out to walk around<br />
Nottage and Porthcawl on 9th<br />
November. The weather was<br />
dry until we finished our walk,<br />
then the heavens opened.<br />
We normally reconnoitre<br />
our walks before the main<br />
crowd go out, to ensure that<br />
the route is well planned<br />
and safe. Sometimes this<br />
can be more fun than the<br />
actual walk, trying to follow<br />
an unknown route with maps<br />
and compass. We have stuck<br />
to our programmed walks this<br />
month and also enjoyed a<br />
skittles night when we raised<br />
money for the Air Ambulance<br />
and generally had a good<br />
time. We also had our AGM<br />
In November when most of<br />
Dog Walking and<br />
Pet Sitting<br />
the committee stood for reelection,<br />
together with two<br />
new participants.<br />
We normally leave the<br />
Llantrisant Leisure Centre at<br />
9.30 am prompt on Sunday<br />
morning. If you would like<br />
to join us bring suitable<br />
footwear - walking boots,<br />
and waterproofs, drinking<br />
water and a packed lunch.<br />
Just turn up or ring Marvi on<br />
02920 8 90621 or Martyne on<br />
01443 239316. We belong<br />
to the National Association<br />
of Ramblers and groups walk<br />
all over the UK and there<br />
are many trips abroad as<br />
well. The Saturday walks are<br />
organised twice a month and<br />
the person to contact for more<br />
information is Daphne on<br />
01443 207689,<br />
You can also check out<br />
information on our <strong>web</strong>site:<br />
www.apyule.demon.co.uk/<br />
taffely.htm<br />
or on Facebook - Taff<br />
Ely(Llantrisant) Ramblers<br />
Contact Katy:<br />
07955 862 671<br />
www.merlinpetservices.co.uk<br />
or Email: info@merlinpetservices.co.uk<br />
All round services in<br />
BUILDING / MAINTENANCE<br />
CARPENTRY<br />
RENOVATION<br />
PAINTING & DECORATING<br />
TILING<br />
Domestic & Commercial<br />
SPECIALISTS IN KITCHENS & BATHROOMS,<br />
and ATTIC CONVERSIONS<br />
For any design advice, and a free & comprehensive quote<br />
Call Eric or Aline on 01443 260703 or 07772 103978<br />
KJ SERVICES<br />
RUBBISH REMOVED - MAN & LORRY<br />
HOUSE & GARDEN CLEARANCE<br />
1.If you have a small amount - £30<br />
2.If you have approx same amount as a Mini Skip - £70<br />
3.If you have approx same amount as a Midi Skip - £95<br />
4.If you have approx same amount as a Maxi Skip - £130<br />
5.If you have approx same amount as a Large Builders Skip - £155<br />
Furniture, Beds, 3 Piece Suites,<br />
Wood, Bags, Metal, Rubble, Earth & Green Waste<br />
We do all the work FREE ESTIMATES<br />
Price includes Tipping Fees, Fuel & Labour.<br />
We have to pay for all the waste at a sorting centre, hence the prices above.<br />
JUMBO RUBBISH BAGS<br />
Do-It-Yourself - Easy To Fill<br />
WE DROP OFF & PICK UP WHEN FULL<br />
DOMESTIC OR COMMERCIAL<br />
Wood - Plastic - Metal - Plasterboard - Clothing - Cardboard -<br />
Garden Rubbish - Household Rubbish - Green Waste etc<br />
(No rubble, soil, asbestos, knotweed)<br />
1 BAG is only £40<br />
2 BAGS only £70 SAVING YOU £10<br />
The amount a Jumbo Bag can hold is just a little less than a mini<br />
skip. Tipping fees, fuel and driver’s fee are all included in above<br />
price. All waste is taken to a commercial sorting centre.<br />
K&J MOTORS LTD<br />
MAIN DEALERSHIP SERVICING FOR HALF THE COST<br />
Servicing for all makes of vehicle<br />
specialising in French and Korean<br />
but also all other makes and models<br />
Our services include<br />
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BRAKES<br />
CLUTCHES<br />
EXHAUSTS<br />
TIMING BELTS<br />
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GARDEN CLEARANCE<br />
Grass Cut - Hedge Work - Tree Work<br />
Brambles Cut / Dug Out<br />
Turf Supplied & Laid<br />
Gardens Covered with Anti-Weed<br />
Membrane then Chippings,<br />
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Garden Paths Sprayed with Weedkiller.<br />
WOODEN GATES<br />
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Fitting fee £30<br />
Also Shed, Outhouse &<br />
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PANEL & FEATHEREDGE FENCING<br />
WINTER CHECK<br />
+ Oil + Filter Replacement<br />
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DIAGNOSTICS<br />
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K&J<br />
Motors<br />
Visit our <strong>web</strong>site: www.kandjmotors.co.uk<br />
Unit 2 Forest Park, Coed Cae Lane, Pontyclun CF72 9EW Call Karl or Jason on 01443 228895<br />
Haveli<br />
07500<br />
696443<br />
STONE WORK<br />
Block work, Slabbing, Walls taken down,<br />
rebuilt, repointed etc.<br />
Coed Cae Lane<br />
Unit 2<br />
Forest<br />
Park<br />
TNT<br />
Woodlands<br />
Harlequin<br />
Printers
Miskin &<br />
Mwyndy WI<br />
Our speaker for 0ctober<br />
unfortunately was<br />
unable to attend so<br />
our member Winnie saved<br />
the evening by giving a<br />
demonstration on how to<br />
make Christmas decorations<br />
(yes it looked so easy when<br />
she did it) and we all left with<br />
the firm intention of making<br />
our own this year.<br />
Our congratulations go to<br />
Tonyrefail WI this month for<br />
an excellent evening as hosts<br />
for the 4 Links meeting. The<br />
guest speaker was the well<br />
know (and local Tonyrefail<br />
boy) TV actor and writer<br />
Boyd Clack. His portrayal<br />
of the police sergeant in<br />
“High Hopes” did little to<br />
inspire confidence in our<br />
law enforcement but was in<br />
many people’s views one of<br />
the funniest series on Welsh<br />
TV. Boyd’s talk was closely<br />
followed by a well acted<br />
sketch entitled “Nobody<br />
Famous” presented by the<br />
local members demonstrating<br />
yet again the wealth of talent<br />
in our WI’s.<br />
The evening was well rounded<br />
off with the Tonyrefail ladies<br />
choir singing excerpts from<br />
“Les Miserables”, all in all a<br />
very enjoyable evening - well<br />
done Tonyrefail.<br />
Once again the lure of a<br />
dinner at the High Tide in<br />
Porthcawl saw a number<br />
of our members attend the<br />
annual Glamorgan Federation<br />
Dinner. We were not<br />
disappointed both with the<br />
dinner and the entertainment<br />
provided by the singer Bill<br />
Bennet. Once again it was<br />
well organised which served<br />
to reflect the great time we<br />
all had.<br />
We meet the second Thursday<br />
of every month at the Pavilion,<br />
Lanelay Road,Talbot Greem.<br />
At 7.00 p.m. so why not come<br />
along and give it a try you’ll be<br />
most welcome.<br />
Gwyneth Morgan<br />
Phobias<br />
Chiroptophobia – fear of bats<br />
Chromophobia - chromatophobia – fear of colors<br />
Chronophobia – fear of time and time moving forward<br />
Coulrophobia – fear of clowns (not restricted to evil clowns)<br />
Cyberphobia – fear of or aversion to computers and of learning<br />
new technologies<br />
Mid Glamorgan<br />
Mixed Choir<br />
Mid Glamorgan Mixed<br />
Choir are pleased to<br />
announce their first<br />
Christmas Concert!<br />
Come and join us and get into<br />
the Festive Spirit!<br />
The concert will be held at<br />
St David’ Church, Pencoed<br />
on Saturday 13th <strong>Dec</strong>ember<br />
starting at 7pm.<br />
To give you a flavour - the<br />
concert will be a mixture of<br />
Christmas pieces sung by<br />
the Choir and community<br />
carols. We are delighted to<br />
have a talented young soloist,<br />
Charlotte Jones, singing with<br />
us again.<br />
Maria Warman, one of our<br />
sopranos, will be narrating<br />
“Twas the Night before<br />
Christmas.” If that doesn’t get<br />
you in the Christmas mood,<br />
Alec Brooks our MD will be<br />
playing a couple of familiar<br />
Christmas tunes on the piano<br />
with a jazz twist just might!<br />
The tickets are £5 for adults<br />
and £2 for children. This will<br />
include a glass of mulled wine<br />
and a mince pie.<br />
Our chosen charity is<br />
“Cymorth i Cerys” which is<br />
raising money for Cerys, a 5<br />
year old little girl in need of a<br />
life changing operation in the<br />
United States. A donation will<br />
be given to this inspiring little<br />
girl.<br />
For any further information<br />
please contact the Choir.<br />
We are always looking for new<br />
members please come along<br />
you will be warmly welcomed!<br />
We practise Thursdays 7-9pm<br />
in Pencoed Bowl’s Pavilion,<br />
Felindre Rd, Pencoed.<br />
E-mail:<br />
midglamorganmixedchoir@<br />
outlook.com<br />
Mobile :07866 810579<br />
Jax GUTTER CLEANING SERVICE<br />
Gutter Clearance using vacuum suction pipes<br />
Gutter internal/external clean<br />
Soffits and Fascia Boards cleaned<br />
Also PVC Frames and Conservatories cleaned<br />
Free estimates call 01443 229861 / 07961 753518<br />
Email- jax.decorating@live.co.uk<br />
B’s Painting &<br />
<strong>Dec</strong>orating Services<br />
Female Painter & <strong>Dec</strong>orator<br />
Time served City & Guilds qualified<br />
All aspects of Painting & <strong>Dec</strong>orating<br />
Email: bryonygodin@hotmail.co.uk<br />
07585 774145<br />
JEFF’S<br />
Plastering Services<br />
SKIM OVER ARTEX & OLD WALLS<br />
FREE Estimates - No Job Too Small<br />
01443 229894 or 07919 864806<br />
MOBILE VEHICLE BODY REPAIRS<br />
STONE CHIPS - SCRATCHES - BUMBER SCUFFS<br />
MIRROR CASINGS - ALLOY WHEELS - PANEL DAMAGE<br />
PLASTIC REPAIR - VANDAL DAMAGE<br />
We come to your home or workplace!<br />
01443 226707 or 07904 347953<br />
ASP Tiling Services<br />
All aspects of Wall & Floor Tiling<br />
Ceramic, Porcelain, Natural Stone<br />
Wood & Laminate Flooring<br />
For a FREE estimate call Andy on<br />
01443 225587 or mob 07979 33 55 33<br />
N A W I N G F I E L D<br />
ELECTRICAL, PLUMBING & GAS SERVICES<br />
Installation & Maintenance<br />
Gas Safe Registered No: 41072<br />
For a FREE Estimate<br />
Tel: 07813 769553<br />
or 07810 484026<br />
Over<br />
30 years<br />
experience<br />
Nigel Pugh<br />
Plumbing and<br />
Heating Services<br />
0772 5408563<br />
Specialist Gas Servicing<br />
for cookers, fires and boilers<br />
(Powermax/Ariston/Vaillant/Worcester Bosch, etc<br />
Landlord Certificates<br />
All Aspects of General Plumbing Undertaken<br />
PHIL BLOSS<br />
electrical<br />
ALL ASPECTS OF ELECTRICAL WORK<br />
INCLUDING INTRUDER ALARMS<br />
Part ‘P’ Approved<br />
No job too big or small<br />
FREE ESTIMATES with no obligation<br />
Telephone 01443 226810<br />
Mobile 07768 240852<br />
Call Nick on:<br />
01443 224561<br />
07977547238<br />
Nick Huckridge B.Sc.<br />
HOME IMPROVEMENTS<br />
Specialising in:<br />
Complete Bathroom installations<br />
Ceramic Wall and Floor Tiling<br />
Kitchen Fitting<br />
Plastering<br />
Artexing<br />
Coving<br />
A LOCAL CHARITY<br />
Reg. No. 703002<br />
Is your garden run down<br />
Is your lawn without grass<br />
Are your weeds out of control<br />
Do your shrubs need pruning<br />
Do your hedges or lawns need cutting<br />
WE CAN FIX THEM!<br />
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Call John on 01443 237 861<br />
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Weedkiller professionally applied by a registered operator.<br />
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FIRE WOOD<br />
available for<br />
collection<br />
0 1 4 4 3 2 2 8 1 6 5<br />
PENCOED<br />
COMPUTER SERVICES<br />
Computer repairs and upgrades<br />
in your home and office<br />
We come to you at a time to suit you<br />
No fix no fee, No callout charge<br />
Serving all areas covered by the <strong>Diary</strong>’s distribution<br />
For more information please contact Barrie Roberts<br />
Tel: 01656 861648 Mob: 07846 040258<br />
Email: barrieroberts@yahoo.com<br />
www.pencoedcomputer.co.uk
Pontyclun<br />
Bosom Pals<br />
FASHION SHOW<br />
A<br />
fabulous night was<br />
recently hosted by<br />
Llantrisant Golf Club’s<br />
Social Committee being<br />
Ryan,Jo,Ann and Joliene, we<br />
know how much work it takes<br />
to organise.<br />
Also previously the club held a<br />
Pink Day to raise funds for our<br />
group so we are doubly<br />
grateful for all your support,<br />
thank you so much.<br />
Musical entertainment was<br />
provided by Meryn Williams<br />
and her Vocelle Ladies Choir<br />
it sent shivers down my<br />
spine - they are so good and<br />
are always looking for new<br />
members.<br />
We were privileged to have<br />
two boutiques and one<br />
florist in Talbot Green taking<br />
part. Fabulous day and<br />
evening wear fitting all sizes,<br />
handbags, hats, jewellery<br />
and I will be putting a<br />
reminder on Santa’s wish list!.<br />
So thank you so much<br />
ladies and all your models<br />
also to two from Missy’s<br />
group, Tracey who gave us<br />
balloons and also Sue who<br />
made a lot of yummy cakes<br />
which were put in the raffle.<br />
Maureen also donated a table<br />
display for our raffle and<br />
M. Smith<br />
RJB Electrical<br />
Electrical Engineers<br />
& Contractors<br />
displayed a table of<br />
beautiful Christmas themed<br />
flower arrangements.<br />
Last but not least a big thank<br />
you to Sue our social event<br />
organiser who collected and<br />
arranged our 30 raffle prizes<br />
and Sarah (visiting home from<br />
Texas) for selling and folding<br />
tickets and taking a 140<br />
photographs.<br />
We were delighted that<br />
Owen Smith MP and Huw<br />
Irranca-Davies MP with their<br />
wives were able to attend, it<br />
is so humbling to have such<br />
support.<br />
Our next meeting will be<br />
Monday, January 5th<br />
WEATHER PERMITTING, so<br />
please call Barbara on 01443<br />
237997 for confirmation. We<br />
meet on the first Monday of<br />
the month at The Pavilion,<br />
Lanelay Road, Talbot Green<br />
CF72 8HY at 7.15 p.m. On<br />
other dates in the month we<br />
get together at various venues<br />
so contact us for further<br />
information.<br />
Our new stitch and natter<br />
group will not meet<br />
in <strong>Dec</strong>ember but will<br />
recommence on Wednesday<br />
14th January 2015 (weather<br />
permitting) any queries please<br />
contact Pam on 01656 862471<br />
Wishing you all a very Happy<br />
Christmas and a Healthy New<br />
Year.<br />
Barbara Powell<br />
Member of the<br />
Institute of Plumbing AIPHE,RP<br />
* All types of Building Work Undertaken<br />
* Tiling *Bathroom Suites Fitted<br />
* Plumbing & Central Heating<br />
* Insurance Work<br />
For FREE advice and estimates<br />
Telephone 01656 862453<br />
Brynna OAP<br />
On 5th November we<br />
were treated to a<br />
great show by Tunes R<br />
Us, who gave us a variety of<br />
old ditties & songs we could<br />
all remember & manage to<br />
join in & we have definitely<br />
decided to have them back<br />
again next year. With our<br />
usual meeting tea break Rose<br />
had made 72 spooky cupcakes<br />
for us all, delicious. The last<br />
trip of the year to Carmarthen<br />
on 11th was a bit wet but<br />
enjoyable. On the 3rd<br />
<strong>Dec</strong>ember we are having our<br />
Central Heating Installations<br />
Underfloor Heating - Boiler Servicing<br />
Bathrooms & Showers - Tiling<br />
Free Estimates<br />
Christmas party in the Hall,<br />
followed by the Annual draw,<br />
let’s hope you have all bought<br />
raffle tickets, still available if<br />
you’re quick see one of the<br />
committee, Dilys, Cliff, Ann,<br />
Sheila, Rose or Mary, first prize<br />
£50 & many more.<br />
Our next meeting in 2015<br />
will be on 7th January, which<br />
is the AGM when all old &<br />
new members will be warmly<br />
welcomed.<br />
On behalf of the Chairperson<br />
& committee may we wish you<br />
a Merry Christmas & Happy<br />
New Year.<br />
Ann 01443226546<br />
MOT<br />
Ralph<br />
Williams<br />
NEED AN<br />
CENTRAL GARAGE<br />
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01443<br />
229751<br />
07816<br />
886560<br />
Competitive Rates<br />
SERVICE<br />
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Gas Safe<br />
Registration<br />
Number:<br />
222574<br />
DGS<br />
PAINTER<br />
& DECORATOR<br />
Interior & Exterior Painting<br />
Paper Hanging & Coving<br />
Insurance Work Undertaken<br />
FREE ESTIMATES<br />
Tel: 01443 223929 Mob: 07968 933125<br />
LLANHARAN CHIMNEY SWEEP<br />
PUBLIC LIABILITY INSURANCE<br />
CERTIFICATES ISSUED MEMBER OF THE ICS<br />
FREE QUOTATIONS<br />
Call Chello on 01443 524463 or 07551 123262<br />
Email: chellop@yahoo.com<br />
BEST PRICE<br />
FOR MOT FAILURES<br />
Brian Perry<br />
Brynna Scrapyard<br />
07811 503297 / 01443 226324<br />
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as recommended<br />
by Which Local<br />
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All aspects<br />
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Household<br />
EXTENSIONS PLUMBING PLASTERING<br />
BATHROOM & KITCHEN FITTING TILING & Garden<br />
ELECTRICALS GRASS CUTTING FENCING Maintenance<br />
PATIOS DECKING HEDGE TRIMMING undertaken<br />
Also Garden Furniture & <strong>Dec</strong>orations Made To Order<br />
NO JOB TOO SMALL Call John now for<br />
a FREE QUOTE on 07928 150322<br />
GM DOMESTICS<br />
Domestic Appliance Repairs<br />
01443 238895<br />
07967839771<br />
www.gmdomestics.com<br />
Contact John on 07563 529539<br />
or email: jrservices.rhondda@gmail.com<br />
Celtic Doors<br />
GARAGE DOORS & ROLLER SHUTTERS<br />
DOMESTIC - COMMERCIAL - INDUSTRIAL<br />
All types of Garage Doors installed & repaired<br />
NEW ROLLER SHUTTERS<br />
ROLLER SHUTTER SERVICING - GATE REPAIRS<br />
ELECTRICAL FAULT DIAGNOSIS - single & 3 phase<br />
Tel: 01443 858363 Mob: 07917 766041<br />
www.celticdoors.co.uk<br />
Your local electricians covering all<br />
aspects of electrical installation,<br />
repairs, fault fi nding and maintenance<br />
Reliable, Fully Insured<br />
26 yrs experience<br />
01446 771655 / 07885347642<br />
www.rjb-electrical.co.uk<br />
info@cowbridge-electrical.co.uk<br />
Established<br />
1964<br />
For an Appointment<br />
Telephone Mark or Ralph on<br />
01656 860 389<br />
www.ralphsgarage.com
Llantrisant<br />
Badminton Club<br />
Llantrisant Badminton<br />
Club are looking for new<br />
members for the coming<br />
season. The club plays<br />
competitive badminton and<br />
also has a strong social side to<br />
it. We have Ladie’s, Men’s and<br />
Mixed teams that play in the<br />
Cardiff & District Badminton<br />
League. We play at Llantrisant<br />
Leisure Centre, Southgate<br />
Park, Llantrisant, CF72 8DJ,<br />
(01443) 224616 / 228538. The<br />
club plays on a Tuesday 8:00-<br />
10:00pm and Friday 8:00-<br />
10:00pm.<br />
If you are interested please<br />
contact us on fraser.nairn@<br />
gmail.com or call Fraser on<br />
07702038202<br />
POLICE SURGERIES<br />
PONTYCLUN – Every Friday at Pontyclun library at 2.30pm and<br />
every Thursday at David’s Court (Sheltered Housing Complex)<br />
9.30am – 10.30am.<br />
LLANHARAN – Every Thursday at 13:30 – 14:30 in Llanharan<br />
Drop In Centre<br />
BRYNNA - Every Thursday at 13:45 – 14:45 in Church View<br />
Close. Excluding Thursdays when Brynna PACT meeting is held<br />
LLANHARRY – Every Wednesday in Worgan’s Cafe 2pm-3pm<br />
LLANTRISANT – Every other Wednesday at Llantrisant<br />
Community Council Offices.<br />
Every Friday at Llantrisant Community Library at Llantrisant<br />
Leisure Centre 2.30pm<br />
TALBOT GREEN - Every Thursday 9.30am-10.30am in The<br />
Learning Curve on Talbot Road directly opposite the bus station<br />
(Duties permitting).<br />
Merry Mutts<br />
Dog Grooming<br />
More than 23 years professional experience<br />
Your dog will be treated with kindness & patience<br />
07967 379122 or 01443 230355<br />
www.merrymutts.co.uk<br />
James Twine<br />
PAINTING & DECORATING<br />
All interior and exterior work undertaken<br />
Also roofing and guttering repairs<br />
FREE ESTIMATES<br />
Tel: 01443 226961 or 07749 280375<br />
Mr Fix It<br />
Home Handyman<br />
For all your home improvements<br />
and repairs call Paul or Gill<br />
01443226291 / 07917044841<br />
The Parish of<br />
Llanharan with<br />
Peterston Super<br />
Montem<br />
Weekly Services are as<br />
follows:<br />
Sunday 9.00am<br />
Sung Holy Eucharist<br />
St. Peter’s Church, Brynna<br />
10.30am Sung Holy Eucharist<br />
Parish Church, Llanharan<br />
10.30am Sunday School<br />
Old School Room, Llanharan<br />
6.00pm Evening Praise<br />
Parish Church<br />
(1st Sunday of the month)<br />
Wednesday 10.00am<br />
Said Holy Eucharist<br />
Parish Church.<br />
Parish Activities<br />
For all Parish activities i.e.<br />
Youth Group, Mothers Union,<br />
Bible Study, Uniformed<br />
Organisations. Tea & Toys<br />
etc, please contact Church<br />
Wardens Janet Pyne 226385<br />
Angela Cooper 01446773378<br />
Jim Morgan 237277<br />
The Citizens Advice Bureau<br />
now holds weekly sessions in<br />
the Old School Room (behind<br />
the Parish Church) on Monday<br />
afternoon 2pm - 4pm.<br />
Slimming World. St. Peters<br />
Church 10.00am Thursday<br />
Parish Services and<br />
forthcoming Events<br />
Sunday 30th November<br />
CHRISTINGLE SERVICES<br />
4.00pm St.Peters Brynna.<br />
6.00pm Parish Church<br />
Sunday 7th <strong>Dec</strong>ember<br />
CHRISTMAS SING-A-LONG<br />
5.00pm Parish Church<br />
Sunday 14th <strong>Dec</strong>ember<br />
NINE LESSONS & CAROLS 5pm<br />
St. Peters Church, Brynna<br />
Christmas Eve:<br />
CRIB SERVICES<br />
4.00pm Parish Church<br />
MIDNIGHT MASS<br />
11.00pm Parish Church<br />
Christmas Day:<br />
NATIVITY OF OUR LORD<br />
10.00am St. Peters, Brynna<br />
ECUMENICAL SERVICE<br />
Mon 1st <strong>Dec</strong> The Children’s<br />
Carol Service takes place at<br />
Carmel Baptist at 6.00pm<br />
For Baptisms, Weddings,<br />
Funerals and other special<br />
services please contact:<br />
Reverend Barbara Wood,<br />
01443 226307 or email:<br />
revbabs@hotmail.co.uk<br />
MJ Autos<br />
PENCOED<br />
All Makes<br />
of Vehicles<br />
Serviced<br />
and Repaired<br />
M.O.T.<br />
Testing<br />
Station<br />
SPECIAL OFFER<br />
MOT +<br />
INTERIM<br />
SERVICE<br />
£129<br />
MURCO<br />
GARAGE<br />
COYCHURCH<br />
ROAD<br />
FAIRLAWN<br />
TERRACE<br />
FIRE<br />
STATION<br />
WE ARE<br />
HERE<br />
ENGINE<br />
MANAGEMENT<br />
DIAGNOSTICS<br />
Visa & Mastercard accepted<br />
FREEPHONE 0800 2949562<br />
or Telephone 01656 862442<br />
Brynna Domestic<br />
Appliances<br />
Repairs to all makes of<br />
Washing Machines - Tumble Driers -<br />
Dish Washers - Vacuums & Cookers<br />
Ex Hotpoint Engineer with 17 years experience<br />
A Professional Repair at a Sensible Price<br />
Call Andrew Horlock on 01443 230319<br />
WANTED<br />
SCRAP CARS<br />
MOT failures etc.<br />
GOOD PRICES PAID<br />
01443 227406 or 07976 297975<br />
Slating & Tiling<br />
Chimneys & Leadwork<br />
Private / Insurance Work<br />
Fully Insured<br />
EPDM<br />
Installers<br />
Roof Lantern Installers<br />
Fascias & Guttering<br />
More Services Available<br />
FREE ESTIMATES<br />
www.trusted-roofers.co.uk<br />
Contact: 07833 086 384<br />
07557 969 437<br />
A.B. Electrical<br />
Services<br />
INSTALLATION<br />
AND REPAIR<br />
All electrical work<br />
undertaken<br />
Part P registered<br />
Tel: 01443 229391 / 07792 462948<br />
For Quality Interior & Exterior<br />
Painting & <strong>Dec</strong>orating<br />
G M Plastering<br />
All interior & exterior work undertaken<br />
Re-skim old Walls, skim<br />
over Artex Walls & Ceilings<br />
No Job to Small<br />
Free Advice & estimates given<br />
Tel: Gary on 07949282817<br />
WRIGHT<br />
Part or Full Rewires<br />
Consumer Unit Upgrades<br />
Extra Sockets<br />
Telephone Extensions<br />
No job too small<br />
For a free estimate<br />
and advice call<br />
01443 238944 or<br />
07962 452033<br />
C&L Garden & Tree Services<br />
passionate about beautiful gardens<br />
All aspects of garden work undertaken<br />
Trees Felled & Lopped Garden Fencing & <strong>Dec</strong>king<br />
Hedges Trimmed Overgrown Gardens Cleared<br />
Drives & Patios Cleaned Fascia Cleaning<br />
Quality Work Guaranteed Jobs Big or Small Fully qualifi ed<br />
Call Chris on 01443 239097 / 07989 597238<br />
BUILDING & PLASTICS Ltd<br />
Extensions Renovations<br />
All Electrical Work<br />
PV SOLAR PANELLING<br />
Registered<br />
INSTALLERS MCS accreditation<br />
Full Roof Surveys - Grants available<br />
FREE Estimates and Fully Insured<br />
For all your local building needs<br />
Tel: 01446 751346 Mob: 07990 595200
Carmel Baptist Church Llanharan<br />
Bridgend Road (Opposite the ‘Drop in Centre’)<br />
Minister Rev G Tyson<br />
WEEKLY SERVICES<br />
Sun Morning 11am FAMILY WORSHIP & SUNDAY SCHOOL<br />
Sun 6pm EVENING SERVICE (Not on <strong>Dec</strong> 28th)<br />
Wed 2.30pm LADIES FELLOWSHIP<br />
Wed 4.30-5.30pm ‘ADVENTURERS’ (Children’s meeting)<br />
Thur 7pm PRAYER & BIBLE STUDY<br />
Fri <strong>Dec</strong> 5th 10.30-12 noon CHRISTMAS COFFEE MORNING (This<br />
will be the last coffee morning until Fri Jan 9th)<br />
Fri 10.30-12 noon FOOD BANK (In downstairs vestry on right<br />
hand side of church)<br />
SPECIAL CHRISTMAS SERVICES<br />
Sun <strong>Dec</strong> 14th 11am CHILDREN’S CHRISTMAS PAGEANT<br />
Sun <strong>Dec</strong> 21st 6pm CAROLS BY CANDLELIGHT (Followed by tea/<br />
coffee & mince pies<br />
CHRISTMAS EVE SERVICE at 11.15pm<br />
We give all <strong>Diary</strong> readers a special welcome to join us for these<br />
services.<br />
Pencoed RFC<br />
at London<br />
Palladium<br />
Pencoed RFC were invited<br />
by ITV to the London<br />
Palladium as host<br />
Rob Brydon wanted a<br />
team that came from<br />
near Port Talbot. The<br />
researcher came up<br />
with us. 50 members<br />
of the club were<br />
chosen to take part<br />
in London from all<br />
sections of club.<br />
It was a really good experience<br />
though, transport, theatre<br />
tickets and buffet were all<br />
provided by ITV. We were<br />
very well looked after. It was<br />
an excellent show which<br />
everyone thoroughly enjoyed.<br />
FOOD BANK<br />
at Carmel Baptist Church, Llanharan<br />
Bridgend Road (Opposite the Drop In Centre)<br />
EVERY FRIDAY 10.30am - 12.00 noon<br />
Please note that you have to submit a voucher from your<br />
GP., Job Centre or Social Services to obtain a food parcel.<br />
SATURDAY MARKET<br />
TALBOT GREEN COMMUNITY CENTRE<br />
Cowbridge Road, Talbot Green. 7am - 2 pm weekly<br />
QUALITY & VALUE ON YOUR DOORSTEP<br />
FRESH HIGH QUALITY MEAT & POULTRY<br />
ALL YOUR FRESH FRUIT AND VEG<br />
CAKES, BISCUITS, SWEETS, CONFECTIONARY<br />
& HOUSEHOLD GOODS<br />
EVERYTHING FOR YOUR PETS<br />
TREAT YOURSELF TO QUALITY<br />
FRESH FISH & SEAFOOD<br />
Free parking - toilet & disabled facilities<br />
UNBEATABLE PRICES FOR QUALITY<br />
AND VALUE IN YOUR COMMUNITY<br />
Brynna &<br />
Llanharan<br />
Methodist<br />
Church<br />
Some important dates for<br />
your diary. Monday <strong>Dec</strong><br />
1st at 6 pm in Carmel SBaptist Baptist Church we have the<br />
annual Youth Organisations<br />
Christmas Concert which<br />
is one not to be missed so<br />
come early. Brynna Methodist<br />
Church on Sunday 14th<br />
<strong>Dec</strong> at 3pm we have our<br />
nativity play to celebrate<br />
the birth of Jesus the true<br />
reason for the celebrations.<br />
A collection will be taken for<br />
a local charity to be named.<br />
Sunday 21st <strong>Dec</strong> at 6 pm we<br />
have a Christmas Celebration<br />
Service with carols and bible<br />
readings. On Christmas day<br />
we have short service at 11<br />
am when presents will be<br />
opened. So why not join us<br />
at one of these events and<br />
celebrate the true meaning of<br />
Christmas. We would like to<br />
take this opportunity to wish<br />
everyone in our community a<br />
happy and blessed New Year.<br />
Plumbing, Bathroom & Kitchen Fitting, Tiling<br />
For your<br />
Free estimate<br />
call:<br />
Quality work at affordable prices<br />
07891 956159<br />
01443 230700<br />
24 hours<br />
Mon-Fri 9am-5pm<br />
Squeaky-Kleeners<br />
Professional Cleaning Service<br />
Domestic Cleaning Commercial Cleaning<br />
End of Tenancy Cleaning Offi ce Cleaning<br />
For a free quotaion call 07592 379 427<br />
admin@squeaky-kleeners.co.uk<br />
www.squeaky-kleeners.co.uk<br />
Follow us on Twitter: twitter.com/SqeakyKleeners<br />
Bryncae Community Centre<br />
Monday (pm) - Dancing / Zumba<br />
Tuesday (pm) - Bingo / Tae Kwon Do<br />
Wednesday (pm) - Dancing<br />
Thursday (am) - Toddler Time<br />
Thursday (pm) - Youth Club / Tae Kwon Do<br />
Friday (pm) - Dancing<br />
Saturday (am) - Dancing<br />
Sunday (evening) - Dancing<br />
The Bryncae Community Centre is well planned with<br />
one large hall with a stage, which can be divided into two<br />
separate halls through a soundproof sliding door. There is<br />
a large kitchen, with two serving windows to accommodate<br />
both halls. The centre also has facilities for the disabled.<br />
The centre is monitored by CCTV cameras<br />
and with ample car parking spaces.<br />
The centre caters for the whole community<br />
with several local groups and classes already<br />
making use of its excellent facilities.<br />
To book the Centre please contact Robert, Sharon<br />
or Nathan on 01443 229420<br />
or visit www.bryncae.org<br />
GILLARD<br />
PLASTERING<br />
All aspects covered incl<br />
Reskim Old Walls<br />
Skim Over Artex Coving<br />
Italian Marble Effect Feature Walls<br />
FREE Advice & Estimates<br />
01443 217805<br />
07866 105636<br />
ROBERT H BAKER<br />
GAS SERVICES<br />
B & L KITCHENS<br />
& BATHROOMS<br />
Designed & Installed<br />
to your requirements<br />
FREE PLANNING & ESTIMATE<br />
All Tiling work carried out<br />
01443 230630<br />
07880 767380<br />
Buffets<br />
for all<br />
occasions<br />
OLD FARM SHOP, LLANTRISANT<br />
COOKED FRESH TO ORDER<br />
Weddings, Anniversaries, Birthdays,<br />
Christenings, Functions, Funerals,<br />
Business Lunches, Christmas Parties etc.<br />
01443 229917 / 757333<br />
Mobile: 07949 758654<br />
CITB ACS-GAS<br />
00484220/1<br />
156777 Gas Appliances Over 25 years experience<br />
Plumbing / Heating<br />
Landlords Certificates<br />
Tel 01656 860947<br />
or 07768 097727<br />
SAFETY FIRST! DON’T TAKE CHANCES<br />
LMLelectrics<br />
All aspects of electrical work including<br />
Sockets, Lighting, Rewire, Board Upgrades,<br />
Periodic and Initial Verifi cation certs.<br />
FREE ESTIMATES NO OBLIGATION<br />
www.lmlelectrics.co.uk<br />
07703 296962 / 01443 238274<br />
R.J.RODERICK<br />
PROPERTY & GARDEN MAINTENANCE<br />
PLASTERING GRASS CUTTING PAINTING & DECORATING<br />
HEDGE TRIMMING CARPENTRY TREE FELLING<br />
TILING FENCING COVING PATIOS<br />
FITTING KITCHENS & BATHROOMS WALLS<br />
And much more just Call Rowland on<br />
07907079039 or (01443) 224904<br />
JAX Painting and <strong>Dec</strong>orating Services<br />
Quality Interior and Exterior Work<br />
Insurance Work Undertaken<br />
For Free Estimates call<br />
TEL: 01443 229861 MOBILE: 07961 753518<br />
Email: jax.decorating@live.co.uk<br />
Discounts for OAP’s<br />
HATE IRONING<br />
Let me take it off your hands<br />
Free Collection & Delivery<br />
Smoke free environment<br />
Excellent reliable service<br />
Good rates<br />
Contact Karen on<br />
07960 183842<br />
Celtic Dove Release<br />
Ideal for<br />
Weddings<br />
Civil Ceremonies<br />
Christenings<br />
Funerals<br />
07990987847<br />
prydferth@yahoo.co.uk<br />
www.celticdoverelease.co.uk<br />
PENCOED<br />
REFRIGERATION<br />
Fridge & Freezer<br />
Repairs<br />
FREE<br />
Estimates<br />
01656 862287<br />
HAUL IT AWAY MAN<br />
For all your<br />
Rubbish Clearance<br />
House/Garage clearance<br />
also undertaken<br />
Let me and my vehicle<br />
do the labour<br />
For a FREE quote contact<br />
07443461175<br />
PLANS<br />
Plans drawn for<br />
Building Regulations &<br />
Planning Permission<br />
Telephone Marc Anthony<br />
on 01656 863576 or<br />
07821782117 for a<br />
FREE CONSULTATION<br />
01443<br />
223826<br />
A HADDEN<br />
BUILDING MAINTENANCE SPECIALISTS<br />
All Internal, External Plastering<br />
Bricklaying, Garage Conversions<br />
Kitchen & Bedroom Fitting Design & Supply<br />
All insurance work undertaken<br />
For a FREE Quotation call<br />
01443 238513 or 07724188259<br />
The <strong>Diary</strong> is delivered to your home by<br />
LDP SERVICES<br />
Leaflet Delivery<br />
throughout<br />
South Wales<br />
Let us help promote your<br />
products and services<br />
029 2025 5464<br />
Email: info@ldp-services.co.uk<br />
Web: www.ldp-services.co.uk
LLANHARAN RFC<br />
DAIRYFIELD NEWS<br />
SWALEC<br />
NATIONAL<br />
CHAMPIONSHIP<br />
Successive defeats before<br />
the autumn break by a<br />
single point made it a<br />
frustrating spell for Llanharan,<br />
even if did mean two losing<br />
bonus points.<br />
At home to promoted<br />
GLYNNEATH (12-13) a second<br />
half revival helped the west<br />
Wales outfit to squeeze past<br />
them and hence above them<br />
in the table. They seemed on<br />
course for a win at half time<br />
with two tries in the bag and a<br />
12-3 lead.<br />
However, a huge tally of<br />
penalties against meant few<br />
telling phases were developed<br />
and even the weather<br />
changed for the worse against<br />
after the turn around.<br />
Glynneath had certainly<br />
come to do a job, and some<br />
of their play brought shouts<br />
of condemnation from<br />
the stands, not least when<br />
influential outside half James<br />
Whittingham was led off<br />
early in the second period<br />
after a late challenge that<br />
went unseen by the referee.<br />
The young Blues academy<br />
prospect was the team’s<br />
playmaker and goal kicker and<br />
his loss was to prove decisive.<br />
The home team looked out<br />
of sorts for much of the<br />
half and fell to a try from a<br />
CLEAN SWEEP<br />
Chimney Sweeping<br />
Services NACS Approved<br />
Safety certificate given with every sweep<br />
controversial scrum penalty.<br />
Llanharan tries – Harry<br />
Davies, Tom Farrah-Evans cons<br />
- James Whittingham.<br />
At CARDIFF MET too it was<br />
another joyless day (19-18)<br />
after outscoring the students<br />
2-1 on tries only to see the<br />
game decided on contrasting<br />
penalty kick fortunes. The<br />
match had entered the final<br />
quarter when a monster<br />
penalty from 48 metres out<br />
and into the elements edged<br />
the University 19-18 ahead.<br />
Even so the Dairymen were<br />
very much on the front foot<br />
and got their own penalty<br />
chance soon after. Young<br />
outside half Rhys Morgan<br />
struck the ball well and to all<br />
and sundry seemed to have<br />
recaptured the lead as it crept<br />
inside the left upright – all,<br />
that is, except the home touch<br />
judge whose negative signal<br />
persuaded the ref that it had<br />
failed. (Tries: Rory Martin-<br />
Smith 2, Con & pens 2: Rhys<br />
Morgan.)<br />
After the defeat head coach<br />
Matthew Lloyd said:”The<br />
performance was much better,<br />
with a little more luck would<br />
have won the game and<br />
were not rewarded here for<br />
our dominance. The month<br />
off will allow us to shake<br />
off a few injuries, but it is<br />
imperative we maintain our<br />
form after the break. We are<br />
01656 861967 or 07736 019050<br />
A&F Electrical<br />
All Aspects of Electrical Work<br />
Re-Wires, Extra Sockets, Fuse Board Upgrades,<br />
Showers etc. including Cookers, Washing Machines<br />
NO JOB TOO SMALL<br />
01656 860164 or 07859 920226<br />
in a dogfight to stay up but on<br />
this performance we are more<br />
than capable of doing so. The<br />
squad is very strong but we<br />
have to be more consistent.”<br />
TRIBUTE TO LEWIS<br />
In the match with the students<br />
Josh Clark, Rhys Morgan and<br />
Nick Theaker wore odd socks<br />
in memory of their former<br />
Pontyclun teammate Lewis<br />
Clark who tragically died in a<br />
road accident several years<br />
ago and whose trade mark kit<br />
appearance was always odd<br />
socks.<br />
HARRY SCORES FOR BLUES<br />
Everyone was delighted<br />
to see Harry Davies put<br />
down another marker in his<br />
promising rugby career when<br />
he scored a try for Cardiff<br />
Blues in their victory away to<br />
Newcastle. Harry has played<br />
thirteen games for llanharan<br />
as well as spending time Down<br />
Under last year to further his<br />
rugby development.<br />
Llanharan have developed<br />
productive links with the Blues<br />
Academy – several who have<br />
worn the championship club’s<br />
jersey have now turned out<br />
for the region.<br />
MID GLAM PREMIERSHIP<br />
LLANHARAN SECONDS 38<br />
GLYNNEATH 17<br />
Strange to say, but for a team<br />
that won decisively and scored<br />
six tries, this wasn’t Llanharan<br />
Seconds at their best, but they<br />
still possessed enough ability<br />
to run in some attractive<br />
touch downs. Full back Dan<br />
Smith was voted Man of the<br />
Match with his two scores,<br />
Harry Davies scoring on Llanharan<br />
duty<br />
Scott Jones (also four cons),<br />
Josh Jones, Carl Leather and<br />
John Rees the others to cross<br />
the line.<br />
LLANHARAN SECONDS 22<br />
KENFIG HILL 34<br />
In an entertaining spectacle<br />
Llanharan got their tries bonus<br />
point thanks to touch downs<br />
from Lloyd Thomas, Owain<br />
Howe, Huw Russell and John<br />
Rees, Scott Jones supplying a<br />
conversion. Scrum half Craig<br />
Burton was named Man of the<br />
Match for the home team..<br />
JUNIOR PROSPECTS MAKE<br />
PONTY SQUAD<br />
Whilst the failure to get the<br />
Youth underway this year<br />
has been a disappointment,<br />
future prospects look bright.<br />
From the under 15 set up<br />
former player Meredith<br />
Griffith reports that five<br />
players have been selected<br />
for the Pontypridd schools<br />
Dewar shield squad 2014-15.<br />
They are Iwan Griffith, Ryan<br />
Parsons, Liam Bradford, Ieuan<br />
Pring and Lloyd Gregory. The<br />
club congratulates them and<br />
wishes them every success.<br />
REMEMBRANCE DAY<br />
The Under 11s, smartly attired<br />
in their kit and accompanied<br />
by coach Rob Perkins, laid<br />
a wreath on behalf of the<br />
Junior/Mini section at the<br />
annual service. Chairman<br />
Adrian Tattersall performed<br />
the ceremony on behalf of the<br />
parent club.<br />
Keep up with news on our<br />
popular new <strong>web</strong> site - www.<br />
llanharanrfc.org.uk<br />
HVS<br />
DECEMBER RUGBY<br />
6th SWANSEA H<br />
13th TATA STEEL A<br />
20th BRIDGEND ATH H<br />
27th NEWBRIDGE A<br />
All K.O at 2.30<br />
Your Furniture Recovered...<br />
...for less than you think<br />
Choice of fabrics, FREE Estimates<br />
Also a Mobile Upholstery Repair Service<br />
Broken Springs, Broken Rails, Replacement Seat & Back Cushions<br />
Malcolm Bird<br />
Tel: 07974717162 or 01443 225946<br />
A STEP BACK IN TIME<br />
A history of Llanharry<br />
Church: Part 1<br />
I<br />
have chosen to write about<br />
Llanharry Church for several<br />
reasons. To begin with it is<br />
one of the oldest churches in<br />
the Border Vale. Secondly, it<br />
is dedicated to St. Illtud one<br />
of Wales’ greatest saints. This<br />
fact alone brings visitors to<br />
Llanharry from as far afield as<br />
Brittany. Inside the church is a<br />
list of Rectors dating back to just<br />
before 1349 when the priest was<br />
John Joye. Perhaps Joye came<br />
to minister here to escape the<br />
Black Death that decimated the<br />
country during that very same<br />
year. Finally, big organisational<br />
changes have recently occurred<br />
for we are now grouped with St.<br />
Paul’s Pontyclun and St. Ann’s<br />
Talygarn and have a new Priestin-<br />
Charge, the Rev. Sue Rees,<br />
whom we all warmly welcome.<br />
A question I am invariably<br />
asked by local people and<br />
visitors is “How old is Llanharry<br />
Church” The easy answer is<br />
that the present building was<br />
erected in 1867-8 when the old<br />
building was completely knocked<br />
down and then rebuilt. The<br />
architect was David Vaughan<br />
of Bonvilston, an accomplished<br />
builder of churches, schools and<br />
local mansions. The Rector, at<br />
the time, was the Rev. William<br />
Williams and his “labour of<br />
love” brought a new Victorian<br />
Church and Rectory and an<br />
important Church School that<br />
still flourishes. There are inside<br />
the church the chancel arch, a<br />
bell and font that can be dated<br />
to pre-Reformation times. We<br />
also know from documents that<br />
there was a Norman Church here<br />
and in all probability an even<br />
earlier place of worship dating<br />
back to the Age of Saints that is<br />
the 5th and 6th centuries.<br />
Several pieces of evidence<br />
support the possibility of a<br />
church being established some<br />
time in The Dark Ages. Firstly<br />
the dedication. The church, as I<br />
indicated earlier, is dedicated to<br />
St. Illtud (Illtyd) the 5th century<br />
founder of the great monastery<br />
and school in Llantwit Major.<br />
Illtud is culted throughout South<br />
Wales as well as in Brittany,<br />
where there are statues, holy<br />
wells, placenames and even<br />
a Pardon or two (a religious<br />
procession) dedicated to the<br />
great scholar and holy man,<br />
whom the Bretons call Ildut.<br />
Perhaps Illtud himself might<br />
have carried the Christian Faith<br />
to S.E. Wales and established<br />
a small cell at Llanharry, or<br />
later followers of Illtud were<br />
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responsible for building a<br />
small wooden church in the<br />
10th century when Llantwit<br />
Monastery had reached the<br />
height of its influence. The<br />
Celtic Church builders also<br />
tended to build tiny rectangular<br />
churches in a round enclosure<br />
that we call a “llan”. Thirdly<br />
how did the name of the church<br />
emerge. There is an odd story<br />
in the 12th century life of Illtud<br />
that may be an attempt to<br />
explain the very unusual name.<br />
There has never been a St. Harry,<br />
though there was a Breton<br />
Saint called St. Haran that<br />
may explain the neighbouring<br />
church and village of Llanharan.<br />
The above mentioned book<br />
tells a macabre story of theft<br />
and dire punishment in which<br />
two robbers attempt to steal<br />
Illtud’s herd of swine from<br />
a “hara”. After two failed<br />
attempts to drive the animals<br />
away, the thieves are turned<br />
unceremoniously into two large<br />
stones. Myths like this one<br />
do not entirely lie, so was the<br />
Llantwit scribe trying to explain<br />
the puzzling name of Llanharry<br />
(Llanhari) Or was he reminding<br />
his readers that there had been<br />
a long- standing cult of Illtud<br />
here as there must have been in<br />
South Wales and, of course, in<br />
Brittany It is good to see that<br />
people from Brittany still know<br />
about our church and indeed<br />
visit us, as did three Bretons<br />
Georges Provost, Jean Yves and<br />
Sylvette Le Men from a small<br />
village in Finistere called Sizum.<br />
They were thrilled to see a<br />
photograph of a statue of their<br />
St. Illtud brought back by Rector<br />
Glyn Williams when he visited<br />
Brittany two decades ago in<br />
the chancel and the great Saint<br />
commemorated in iron on our<br />
Security Gates.<br />
With the arrival of the Normans<br />
into The Border Vale in the<br />
early 12th century one moves<br />
from conjecture to historical<br />
fact. In spite of a stout defence<br />
of the north of Cowbridge<br />
a short lived lordship called<br />
Cherleton was established<br />
based on a temporary castle<br />
and church at Ystradowen. At<br />
this time Llanharry Church and<br />
its possessions were given to<br />
Tewkesbury Abbey and this was<br />
confirmed by a Charter of 1180.<br />
The grant was not sustained<br />
however and Tewkesbury Abbey<br />
lost Llanharry, Llanharan and<br />
and Llanilid churches. One has<br />
to wait until 1254,that is, to the<br />
reign of Henry 111, to discover<br />
that the church was valued at<br />
£1.10.0d. Just compare this to<br />
Penmark , where it was valued<br />
at £20. The small stone church<br />
and tiny village must have been<br />
based on an impoverished<br />
pastoral rather than a rich arable<br />
economy. Moreover, it almost<br />
certainly suffered from the bitter<br />
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warfare waged by the Chief Lord,<br />
Earl Richard De Clare in this<br />
area in the middle of the 13th<br />
century and the Welsh revolts<br />
of Llywelyn Bren and Owain<br />
Glyndwr in 1316 and 1401. (See<br />
my article on Coity Castle and<br />
Lordship, to which Llanharry<br />
Manor then belonged).<br />
About 1350, the Turbervilles<br />
of Coity Castle had acquired<br />
Llanharry Manor. They and their<br />
descendants the Gamages and<br />
Sidneys also managed to obtain<br />
the advowson, that is the right<br />
of presentation or nomination<br />
to a living. From now on there<br />
were more peaceful times and<br />
we believe that the chancel<br />
arch, font and pre Reformation<br />
bell belong to the 15th century<br />
rebuilding. The font is octagonal<br />
with 2 of its 8 sides depicting<br />
artificial looking trees, whilst<br />
another face portrays two<br />
circles, one on top of the other.<br />
The other sides have two rose<br />
shaped decorations. By the<br />
15th century it seems that<br />
square and circular fonts had<br />
gone out of fashion, whilst<br />
octagonal fonts were in vogue.<br />
The two trees may have been<br />
a crude representation of the<br />
Tree of Life- a Medieval motif<br />
to symbolise the new life in in<br />
Christ. The font is not unlike<br />
those in Pyle and Llantrisant.<br />
The chancel arch of grey stone is<br />
surprisingly narrow and I wonder<br />
if John Samuel Gibbon, the<br />
19th century Squire of Trecastle<br />
insisted on the medieval arch<br />
being kept during the rebuilding<br />
in 1867-8. The bell, one of two,<br />
but believed by some to have<br />
been one of four, is also 15th<br />
century and has the inscription<br />
much worn of “Sancta Maria”.<br />
We do not know what our pre-<br />
Reformation church looked like.<br />
Ours might have had a thatched<br />
roof, a niche for the patron<br />
saint in the porch entrance, a<br />
stone altar, mural paintings of<br />
the saints and other religious<br />
images, lighted candles, a rood<br />
screen and a round churchyard.<br />
I am certain that Medieval<br />
Catholicism exerted a powerful<br />
hold over the spiritual life of the<br />
people until the Reformation. It<br />
is apt therefore that a version<br />
of the “Gwasanaeth Mair” a<br />
liturgical devotion to the Blessed<br />
Mary was being written in<br />
Llanharry just as the momentous<br />
reforms of the Church were<br />
being introduced by Henry Vlll<br />
and his successors. As most<br />
people know Henry Vlll made<br />
himself Head of the Church so<br />
that it was possible for him to<br />
marry Ann Boleyn and produce<br />
heirs. To assess the impact<br />
wrought by the great changes<br />
is difficult. The substitution<br />
of English for Latin and the<br />
introduction of the Protestant<br />
Prayer Book must have made<br />
little difference to a peasantry<br />
who knew neither tongue. One<br />
interesting publication that<br />
Henry’s henchman Thomas<br />
Cromwell initiated to ascertain<br />
the wealth of the Church<br />
prior to the Dissolution of the<br />
Monasteries called the Valor<br />
Ecclesiasticus (1535) has its<br />
value to historians. It tells us<br />
Llanharry Church was valued at<br />
almost £6 with the tithe on corn<br />
worth just over £3. Does this<br />
mean that there was now more<br />
Arable Cultivation in the Open<br />
Fields of the manor of Llanharry<br />
thus marking a sign of greater<br />
peace and prosperity. When<br />
Henry died in 1547 he was<br />
succeeded by his son Edward Vl<br />
( King from 1547 to1553) and<br />
the stream of Henry’s reforms<br />
became a flood involving<br />
the elimination of practices<br />
associated with the Roman<br />
Church, the imposition of the<br />
Protestant doctrine by means of<br />
the 1549 and 1552 Prayer Books<br />
and finally the confiscation of<br />
treasures, plate and vestments<br />
from churches large and small.<br />
It must have galled the faithful to<br />
see the expropriation of church<br />
property being carried out in<br />
the Cowbridge Hundred by their<br />
own local gentry. Llanharry<br />
Church being small did not lose<br />
as much as larger churches<br />
such as Cowbridge. But the<br />
Protestant Commissioners did<br />
take “a nice chasuble of olive<br />
velvet, a cope of grene silk,<br />
candle sticks of brass, a cross of<br />
laten and an altar cloth”.<br />
The two Rectors at this time<br />
were Thomas Williams and<br />
Morgan Powel, the former must<br />
have been a priest of great<br />
principle for he even refused<br />
to accept the more moderate<br />
Elizabethian church settlement<br />
of 1558 -9 and left his parish in<br />
disgust! For the record William<br />
Dawkins of neighbouring<br />
Llansannor did exactly the same.<br />
The next Rector, Morgan Powel,<br />
is of some interest to scholars.<br />
He is the only Llanharry cleric<br />
to have references made to<br />
him in the “Dictionary of Welsh<br />
Biography”. He is described as<br />
a gentleman poet, that is one<br />
“singing on his own food” rather<br />
that depending as most of the<br />
bards did on the patronage of<br />
the local gentry. Slowly the<br />
people of Wales began to submit<br />
to the Church of England but at<br />
Llanharry, as elsewhere not with<br />
any great enthusiasm. Things<br />
were helped by the translation<br />
of the Bible into Welsh with a<br />
copy placed in every church.<br />
Another Elizabethan innovation<br />
was the provision of a chalice<br />
with paten in 1576 for Holy<br />
Communion. Thirdly we have<br />
an important Elizabethan<br />
tombstone dated 1584 that<br />
commemorates William Gibbon,<br />
Squire of Trecastle and easily<br />
the most important man then<br />
living in the parish. It has been<br />
suggested successive members<br />
of the Gibbon family have<br />
been laid to rest below the<br />
tombstone. Not everyone in the<br />
parish did submit to the Anglican<br />
Reformation. It appears that<br />
there was once a “priest hole” in<br />
Llechau Farm to protect Catholic<br />
priests from abroad ministering<br />
to the few local gentry and<br />
others who wished to retain the<br />
Old Faith.<br />
By the early 17th century a more<br />
radical form of Protestantism<br />
was adopted by the Puritans,<br />
which eventually led to the Civil<br />
Wars between King Charles l<br />
and Parliament mainly led by<br />
Oliver Cromwell. An event that<br />
must have reverberated around<br />
the parish of Llanharry was the<br />
defeat of the Royalist at The<br />
Battle of St. Fagan’s in May 1648<br />
and the County was now laid<br />
open to Puritan persecution<br />
of the Anglican clergy. Of the<br />
fifty incumbents, who were<br />
examined for “delinquency,<br />
malignancy and non residence”<br />
none suffered more than<br />
Edmund Gamage Rector of<br />
Llanharry. He was forcibly<br />
removed from his living by<br />
Watkin Richard of Llandyfodwg,<br />
a rigid Presbyterian. Poor<br />
Gamage lost his house, the<br />
glebe land that he farmed and<br />
the very tithe corn that he had<br />
brought in several weeks before.<br />
Added to this humiliation was<br />
the fact that he received no<br />
compensation and he was forced<br />
to teach children to support his<br />
large family. To add insult to<br />
injury he saw his church being<br />
shut for ten years and used only<br />
by some Anabaptists preaching<br />
there. When the people got<br />
fed up with the Cromwellian<br />
Dictatorship, they asked the King<br />
Charles ll to return from Europe.<br />
Sadly, this was too late for<br />
Gamage for he died a year later.<br />
Rector Gamage’s successor was<br />
Evan Griffiths (1661-1671) and<br />
he was financially no better<br />
off. His farming was worth less<br />
than his books and his most<br />
worthwhile possessions were<br />
his household goods, the most<br />
valuable of which were his<br />
feather beds. His parsonage<br />
was divided between kitchen<br />
and hall and the latter contained<br />
a table and four stools and<br />
chairs. During his incumbency<br />
King Charles, ever desperate for<br />
money imposed a hearth tax at<br />
2/- per hearth. The returns for<br />
Llanharry reveal a rectory being<br />
a very modest building with 3<br />
hearths, whereas Mrs. Gibbon’s<br />
mansion at Trecastle had nine<br />
fireplaces. The 1671 Returns<br />
reveal a parish of less that forty<br />
dwellings, mostly scattered<br />
farms, a few thatched cottages<br />
around the church and a number<br />
of squatters dwellings on the<br />
Gwaun (Common). All the<br />
inhabitants except Harry Miller<br />
are of Welsh origin and little<br />
English was spoken in the parish<br />
and the church. Next to the<br />
church was the Parish House- a<br />
two storey building with an<br />
Alms House below and an upper<br />
room that served as a venue for<br />
weddings and wakes as well as<br />
meetings of the Manor Court.<br />
The Rev. Evan Griffiths was<br />
succeeded as Rector in 1671 by<br />
the Rev. Thomas Jones. He was<br />
a far more substantial person,<br />
farmed on a much greater scale<br />
both within and without the<br />
parish and he called himself a<br />
gentleman. He had a degree so<br />
it is not surprising that he had<br />
a better library. As a farmer he<br />
was able to fertilise his land with<br />
lime and manure. He must have<br />
been on friendly terms with the<br />
local Squire of Trecastle (High<br />
Sheriff) for Thomas Gibbon<br />
gave his church a second bell in<br />
1687 a year before The Glorious<br />
Revolution.<br />
The eighteenth century has been<br />
much maligned for its nepotism,<br />
absenteeism, pluralism and<br />
general slumber. If we look<br />
at these criticisms as regards<br />
Llanharry they do apply to some<br />
extent. The Sidneys, lords of the<br />
manor, although living hundreds<br />
of miles away in Kent, still<br />
appointed the livings including<br />
Llanharry, to their relatives<br />
or friends. For example, John<br />
Gumbledon, Rector in 1639 was<br />
none other than Chaplin to the<br />
Earl of Leicester. The Leicesters<br />
and their successors continued<br />
to present to the Llanharry<br />
livings into the eighteenth<br />
century. As regards absenteeism<br />
and pluralism there is no better<br />
example than that of Griffith<br />
Griffiths who was Rector here for<br />
51 years. He held the livings of<br />
Eckington in Worcestershire and<br />
Shadwell in London. He spent<br />
little time in any of his churches<br />
and lived in some comfort<br />
in Wiltshire for a long time.<br />
Luckily for Llanharry he was<br />
well served by an industrious<br />
curate, one David Griffiths.<br />
He lived in Llanilid parsonage<br />
for Llanharry rectory was<br />
falling down. Griffiths served<br />
Llanharry, Llanilid and Llanharan<br />
for only £32 per annum. To his<br />
credit this hard- working, and<br />
threadbare curate would preach<br />
a sermon at every Sunday<br />
service, which in my opinion was<br />
quite exceptional!<br />
Next time I will examine the<br />
role that Llanharry Church and<br />
its Rectors had played in the<br />
field of education, and how this<br />
impacted upon the somewhat<br />
lawless behaviour of the people<br />
and then move on to the 19th<br />
century when the church was<br />
challenged greatly by the rise of<br />
Nonconformity.<br />
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