Mountain Ash folk are urged to line the streets of Mountain Ash this weekend to enjoy a public ceremony organised to mark the rededication of the town’s war memorial.

The event will include a parade through the town being led by local dignitaries and the Regimental Band of The Royal Welsh, which is set to please the crowds.

Significant work has taken place on and around the important memorial after it was damaged by mindless vandals in 2008.

As well as a full repair of the structure and new plaques, important work has also taken place to improve the footways and lighting around the war memorial.

To mark the end of such an important restoration, Rhondda Cynon Taf Council and its partners, including the Royal British Legion, has worked to organise a community-based event to rededicate the war memorial.

The event takes place on Sunday, May 23 and begins with a parade that leaves the Remembrance Gardens in Oxford Street at 1.45pm.

For those who feel they cannot complete the full distance from Oxford Street to the war memorial, the parade will be stopping at St Margaret’s Church, where those who can walk the final 200m to the memorial can join it.

The Regimental Band of The Royal Welsh will lead the parade, which will also include local dignitaries, including Mayors from neighbouring authorities, ward members and the Royal British Legion.

The parade will end at the war memorial, where the service will begin with a welcome from Cllr Simon Lloyd, Mayor of Rhondda Cynon Taf and prayers and hymns led by Reverend Michael Jones, vicar of Mountain Ash and Miskin.

The restored war memorial will be unveiled by Lord Aberdare and Cllr Lloyd, before the Last Post is played and wreaths are laid – by the Representative of the Queen, the Mayor and the Royal British Legion.

Mountain Ash War Memorial was originally dedicated in 1922 and Reverend Jones will reflect on that service over 80 years ago in his service on Sunday.

Cllr Simon Lloyd, Mayor of Rhondda Cynon Taf, and Ward Member for Mountain Ash West, said: “We were all devastated when the war memorial was damaged by mindless vandals in 2008.

She said “I was a Brownie, a Guide and gained my Queens Guide Award, a Young Leader, and then I became a Guider at the age of 18 and took over 1st Abercynon Guide unit.
I have been involved in guiding in the county continuously since becoming a guider – Outdoor activities adviser, International Adviser for Cynon Valley Guiding. I have been district commissioner for Mountain ash, International Adviser for Central Glamorgan, also Outdoor Activities Adviser for Central Glamorgan. I have been Divisional Commissioner for Cynon Valley for 5 years. Now I have been lucky to hand the post to the very capable and enthusiastic Guider Mrs. Stephanie Martin.”

Photograph by Joan Rees: On the Left is Julie Thomas. On the Right is the new Divisional Commissioner of Guiding for the Cynon Valley Mrs. Stephanie Martin.

To celebrate the ‘golden’ occasion the members attended a presentation and buffet evening at the Gloucester Arms in Aberdare.

An evening of reminiscing on the fun and the work of the committee over the years, and a reunion of members who had not met for some time.

In recognition of their commitment members were presented with brooches appropriate to their length of service.

Enjoy the exclusive photos from the event here.

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

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

Places are limited – please ring to book.

Telephone Cynon Valley Museum and Gallery on 01685 886729

More Information on Alun Lewis on Rhondda Cynon Taff Wiki here

Rhondda Cynon Taf Mental Health Partnership is working together to raise awareness of mental illness in the County Borough by hosting a series of sponsored walks as part of world mental health week.

Choose the walk that suits you best, the walks start at 11am and are taking place in the following locations on the dates listed:

• Rhondda Mile at Gelligaled Park – 5th of October,

• Cynon Mile at Aberdare Park – 8th of October,

• Taff Mile at Ynysangharad Park – 10th of October.

The mile can be walked, run, cycled, skateboarded, whatever you fancy. Come along as a group, as a family, alone or in fancy dress and the best dressed will win a prize. The routes are wheelchair accessible and are suitable for pushchairs.

If you are unable to take part in the walk, why not come along and support the walkers or become an event volunteer.

Entrance Fee is £1.00 per walker payable on the day, for more information on the Rhondda Mile call Paul Bargewell on 01443 688770, for the Cynon Mile call Angela Evans on 01685 875481 or for the Taff Mile call Nannette King on 01443 486856.

GOLD (Guiding Overseas Linked with Development) provides members of Girlguiding UK with opportunities for personal development through participation in community development projects overseas, using the medium of guiding. Development projects vary and could include anything from teaching English as a foreign language to setting up and running a business skills training programme. On return to the UK, participants bring back and put into practice what they have learned to their own community.

Thanks to a £8,900 grant from the Heritage Lottery Fund, the three-week exhibition celebrates the massive contribution made by St John to the health and welfare of the people of the Cynon Valley.

Long before the establishment of the National Health Service in 1946, St John Ambulance was often the only provider of organised first aid training, nursing care and ambulance services. They attended events, accidents and frequent colliery disasters to provide care for those who had been injured.

St John Ambulance was of particular importance in the Cynon Valley of South Wales as rapid expansion of the population during the industrial revolution and the poverty of many iron and mine workers meant that St John Ambulance services were invaluable to local people. The St John Ambulance Aberdare Division was established in 1908.

St John Ambulance Centenary Celebrated

Jennifer Stewart, Head of Heritage Lottery Fund Wales, added: “This project will stir up a lot of emotions and memories and highlight the invaluable contribution St. John the Ambulance has made to the well being of generations living in the Cynon Valley. This project will help bring young and old members of the community together to share an insight into the area’s past.”

The exhibition takes place at Cynon Valley Museum and Gallery located on Depot Road, Aberdare, CF44 8DL until August 22nd 2009. Entrance is free.

The gallery is open from Monday to Saturday 9am to 4.30pm. For further details visit www.cvmg.co.uk or telephone 01685 886729.

147 A Club players Danny Williams, Colin Williams, Ian Griffiths, Darren Baker and Dale Roberts were named division two champions at a presentation evening in Aberaman. Colin and Danny Williams were also runners-up in the doubles tournament. 147 C players Duane Jones, Daniel Norris, Delme Norris, Nicky Driscoll, Ieuan Jones and Christian Godden were division one champions.

Duane Jones, aged 16, of Mountain Ash, was also singles tournament winner, invitation singles tournament winner and was named player of the year – all of these awarded to him for the second year running. Duane has recently played in the Celtic Challenge Tournament in Ireland and aims to one day turn professional.

Rhondda Cynon Taf’s Deputy Mayor, Cllr Simon Lloyd, went along to see what is on offer at the swimming pool and snooker hall.

“The 147 Club was extremely successful this year and all the members practice here regularly. It’s great to see so much talent coming out of Rhondda Cynon Taf leisure facilities,” he said.

The snooker hall upstairs at Aberdare Pool comprises of eight full-size snooker tables and is fully air conditioned. For more details on the club or swimming times/classes at Aberdare Pool, please call 01685 874252

· Snooker at Aberdare Pool is just one of the free activities available during the school holidays for children up to the age of 16 this summer. For more information, please call 01685 874252

The event at Ynys Sports Centre, Aberdare, on July 29, is being supported by Rhondda Cynon Taf Mayor Cllr Robert Smith and will raise funds for one of his chosen charities, Help for Heroes.

As many residents as possible are invited to attend the event in order to enjoy the sport, but also to show their support and respect for the servicemen and women who fight for our country.

Aberdare RFC was approached by one of its former players, Darren Thomas, who is now in the 1st Dragoon Guards (Welsh Cavalry) and plays for their rugby team.

He was keen to hold a rugby match and it was agreed the event should be organised as a fundraiser.

Entrance is free to all, but there will be programmes for sale and collections to raise money for Help for Heroes. The event opens at 7pm for a 7.15pm kick off.

BE A HERO – GIVE BLOOD – SAVE LIFE!

Please see listed below forthcoming session(s) in your area. If you are able please could you advertise these sessions, it would be very much appreciated. If they miss their regular session it would be very much appreciated if they ring us on 0800 252266 or visit our web page www.welshblood.org.uk to find an alternative session.

Friday 12th June

Function Room, Michael Sobell Sports Centre, Aberdare

10am – 12.30pm and 2pm – 4.30pm