A new glazed reception/tourist information area is being created, the cafe and kitchen area updated and public conveniences and access to facilities improved, as the Country Park is developed as a tourism gateway. Caravan provision is being expanded to 35 pitches and, at the camping area, for up to 60 pitches.

Funding for the scheme was secured by Rhondda Cynon Taf Tourism team and Council partners from the Heads of the Valleys Programme. Due to the extent of the redevelopment works, the park’s visitor centre will be closed until Spring this year.

However, a temporary portacabin has been opened, selling snacks and tea and coffee for visitors, with the Country Park itself open seven days a week until the works are finished. There are also toilet facilities available during opening hours.

Dare Valley Country Park was Britain’s first country park to be developed on former industrialised land. It is spread over 500 acres of countryside, just a mile from Aberdare town centre.

During the improvement works, which are being undertaken by contractors Walters (UK) Ltd, 16,500 tonnes of topsoil and boulder clay is being moved to create the new camp site and caravan site extension, and 26 extra electric hook-up points and five more water bollards are being installed.

In addition:

· 470m of drainage ditches are being formed and 180m of drainage pipes laid to drain the plateaux

· 2660m2 of bridlepaths and access track are being laid in stone dust on a roadstone base

· 1,050m of timber fencing is being erected

· 1.6 hectares of land grass is being seeded

· 600m of double row hedgerows are being planted

Dare Valley Country Park is a public park near the village of Cwmdare and comprises of 500 acres of woodlands, pasture and mountainside.
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South Wales Orienteering Club are holding an event at Dare Valley Country Park on January 25th.

Orienteering is a sport for all the family, for all ages and you don’t have to be super-fit to compete. Be as competitive or as relaxed as you want, the idea is to have fun.

Event starts at 10.45 am onwards.  Further details here.

It is suitable for all ages and abilities. All welcome.

A new glazed reception/tourist information area will be created, the cafe and kitchen area updated and public conveniences improved, as the Country Park is developed as a tourism gateway. Caravan provision will be expanded from 25 to 35 pitches and the camping area from 10 pitches to up to 60 pitches. Both the caravan and campsite areas will be serviced with water points and individual electricity hook-ups on all the caravan plots and a large majority of the campsite pitches.

Funding for the scheme has been secured from the Heads of the Valleys Programme by Rhondda Cynon Taf Tourism team and Council partners. Due to the extent of the redevelopment works, the park’s visitor centre will be closed from December 2008 to March 2009.

Dare Valley Country Park is spread over 500 acres of countryside, just a mile from Aberdare town centre. It was Britain’s first country park to be developed on former industrialised land. Visitors can stay in a residential centre or at the touring caravan and camping park, which is an ideal base for exploring the area.

A varied events programme is held throughout the year at Dare Valley, including a Peregrine Watch, guided walks, music, fun days and art exhibitions. Santa’s Cottage, usually open to children from November, will not be held this year due to the temporary closure of the visitor centre.

A Public Inquiry will be held by the National Assembly’s Planning Inspectorate into a planning application for a series of wind turbines near Aberdare.

The application, submitted by Pennant Walters Ltd. is for the erection of nine wind turbines, an anemometer and associated infrastructure and buildings on land south of the A465 in Hirwaun at Hirwaun Common, Mynydd Cefn y Gyngon and Mynydd Bwllfa.

The turbines are 115 metres high and will generate up to 3MW each of renewable (wind generated) energy.

Rhondda Cynon Taf Council has objected to the proposed development on the grounds that it would have an unacceptably detrimental impact on the standards of amenity to occupiers of properties in the vicinity of the application site can reasonably expect to enjoy.

It also objected on the grounds of the adverse effect on the use and enjoyment of the Dare Valley Country Park. Pennant Walters has appealed against this decision

The Public Inquiry – which is scheduled to last for eight days – will begin at 10am on Tuesday 14th October 2008 in Hirwaun Village Hall.

Children listened in awe as the former Welsh Guard gave an interesting and moving speech as part of the ceremony to open Maesgwyn School, Cwmdare.

The school was forced to close two years ago due to an ongoing programme of asbestos removal across the county. The 114 pupils were temporarily moved to Craig Yr Eos in Penygraig so contractors could work in Maesgwyn.

While work to remove asbestos was taking place, the Council also took the opportunity to refurbish and regenerate the school, which opened in the 1970s as a day special school.

The school now looks like a brand new building, with its fresh and modern interior and exterior and remodelled rooms and classrooms. In addition, the refurbishment also includes the creation of a skills centre in which pupils can learn construction and motor vehicle repair skills.