Based at Blaengwawr Comprehensive School, Aberdare, the Cynon Valley Hockey Club meets every Wednesday from 5-6pm. Players of all abilities, including beginners, are welcome and membership is £2 a week.

For more information, please contact Rhondda Cynon Taf Hockey Development Officer, Judith Powell on 01443 490207 or email Judith.A.Powell@rhondda-cynon-taf.gov.uk

If you are interested in coaching opportunities, please contact Judith Powell or 5×60 head coach Louise Harris on 07779 220236

Rhondda Cynon Taf Council’s recycling champion mascot had a very warm welcome from all the children at the Cynon Valley school who have plenty of “green schemes” ongoing in the school to keep them occupied with environmental issues.

They recently held a local survey on how many plastic carrier each family used every week. Their results showed that the average household used five to six plastic carrier bags a week and they tried to warn people of the impact they can have on the environment.

It was just one of many visits Rhys makes every week to primary, infant schools and nurseries as well as regular guest appearances in various functions from fun days to rugby matches.

Joined by members of the Council’s Streetcare Awareness Team, Rhys makes sure every child he meets realizes how important it is to recycle and encourage more people to get involved.

Partners have hit the streets to carry out environmental improvements to repair damage. increase safety, reassure residents and assess the installation of crime reduction measures such as CCTV.

Officers worked to remove graffiti and chewing gum, check street lights and cut back trees and shrubbery that residents say exacerbate their feelings of intimidation, as they can be used as hiding and gathering places.

Work has also begun to prepare the area for additional CCTV cameras.

Environmental improvements such as those carried out were among a range of interventions identified by the partner agencies that have joined forces to respond to residents.

And it has been promised that the work this week is just one element of the all-encompassing plan of action that has been put in place.

Residents called for action via PACT and their local councillors after enduring ongoing incidents of alcohol-related crime and disorder, youth annoyance, intimidation, violence and underage drinking.

While no different from the issues faced by communities across the county, the situation in Aberaman is made worse by the fact incidents occur in a small geographical area and at set times of the weekend, meaning the impact they have on residents is disproportionate.

Recognising the range of interventions needed, the situation was escalated to the Rhondda Cynon Taf Community Safety Partnership, which harnesses the efforts of the agencies that have a legal duty to work together to reduce crime and disorder. These include the police, council, fire service, youth offending service, voluntary agencies and more.

Cleansing teams will be in Aberaman on Thursday December 11th with a range of equipment that will help tackle chewing gum, graffiti and of course litter.

The street “blitzes” were launched almost four years ago, as part of the Council’s clear commitment to make Rhondda Cynon Taf a cleaner and safer place to live, work and visit. Street blitzes occur on a regular basis in towns and villages throughout the county borough.

Rhondda Cynon Taf Council’s Deputy Leader and Cabinet Member for Frontline Services Cllr Anthony Christopher said: “Rhondda Cynon Taf has become a cleaner and safer place to visit, live in or work in. This success must be attributed to the outstanding efforts of the Streetcare Cleansing Team and stands as a testimony to their work in all wards throughout the county borough.

Jan Price, has had her new poetry book, called A Better Class of Doggerel, launched at a special event organised by Rhondda Cynon Taf Council’s Libraries and Museum Service.

The mother of five and grandmother of nine writes her poems based on her varied life and observations of the Welsh valleys.

“I have run three pubs, including one in Mountain Ash called the Jeffreys Arms,” said Mrs Price. “I used to listen to all the men in the bar and write ideas on betting slips under the bar. Then the men would recite their own poems back at me and we would have a bit of banter.”

Mrs Price, who lives in Aberaman Terrace, Aberaman, titled her book after comments from poet Nigel Jenkins, despite the fact doggerel means poor poetry.

She decided to write her own book after author Huw Parsons asked her to donate some poems for his book, A Brecon Revealed, which generated a lot of interest in her work.

The launch at Aberdare Library proved an outstanding success as Wales’s answer to Pam Ayres gave readings of her humourous work.

Entertainment was also provided by guitaritst Anthony Harland, poets Judy Toms and Nick Fisk and folk singer Huw Chidgey.

A Better Class of Doggerel, by Jan Price, is available from Aberdare Spinners, Aberdare Market, priced £4.

The “gap” between Blaengwawr Primary School pupils and residents of Maesyffynnon Care Home has been bridged, literally and metaphorically, by the creation of an outdoor environmental classroom and open space for children and older people alike to enjoy.

Delivered with the assistance of a Big Lottery Fund grant, the scheme was officially opened this week and dignitaries were delighted to hear the tale of how the pupils and care home residents worked together to deliver the important project.

Disused land that lay between the school and the care home became the site of inspiration for the pupils and residents. They worked together in order to design a magnificent outdoor area that benefits all ages.

Designed so people can walk around the area and enjoy its natural beauty and outdoor seating, learning and socialising places, the project has taken two and a half years to deliver.

It has specially-created areas to attract wildlife, flora and fauna to learn from, including a bog garden, mini beast area, raised allotment beds and more.

Constructed by Afan Landscapes, the area also has an amphitheatre, outdoor seating, play area and a sensory garden, all of which can be enjoyed thanks to gently winding pathways suitable for pedestrians, older people and those with wheelchairs or pushchairs.

The scheme has been a labour of love for parents, teachers and pupils at Blaengwawr and residents, staff and relatives at Maesyffynnon.

But its delivery has strengthened the bond between the school and the care home and created a bridge between the generations.

Blaengwawr Primary Headteacher Pat Newton explained: “The scheme has been such a labour of love for us. It is amazing to see a disused, overgrown piece of land that lies between the school and the home being turned into such a haven.

“It has been designed to ensure people of all ages get the best from it and the process has been such an important one. Children and the older residents have worked together to deliver designs and look at what should be planted and where.

“It has strengthened the relationship between them and they now have a new, strong relationship that will benefit the wider community.”

A huge range of activities were on offer at the Aman Centre in Godreaman as part of the National Adult Learners’ Week celebration.

The theme for the day was healthy living and some 110 people attended to take advantage of the facilities, including the newly-opened Ace Café, which has recently had a new coffee machine fitted.

Guests made chicken and vegetable snack wraps, as well as fresh fruit kebabs and healthy snacks were on sale at the café throughout the day.

After stocking up on some healthy fuel, those who attended could then try their hand at a number of taster sessions, including sewing, silk painting, line dancing, tai chi, stained glass painting, stress management and drop-in sessions in the computer suite.

For more information on what’s on offer at the Aman Centre, contact 01685 870399

Following a successful enforcement exercise in the Cynon Valley the previous week, officers from Rhondda Cynon Taf Council and South Wales Police joined forces again on April 10.

Covering the Cwmbach, Aberaman, Abercwmboi and Cwmaman areas, the officers patrolled throughout the evening in response to calls from residents to deal with illegal and anti-social off-road bikers.

Aberaman Newydd Tenants Association held an Easter Party at Aberaman Ex-Servicemen’s club, Aberaman, on Sat 22nd March.

Photos by John Rees Photography.