Some lessons in road safety for carers

CARERS who provide unpaid care and support to members of their family or friends have benefited from an important road safety lesson.
The mature drivers' event was organised by Rhondda Cynon Taf council's Road Safety Unit and the Carers Support Project, and formed part of the Unit's ongoing campaign to ensure motorists, pedestrians and cyclists of all ages have the skills, confidence and training they need to be safe.
Carers were invited to the day at the Safety Zone in Treforest, where they enjoyed interactive workshops including on-the-road lessons with an advanced driving instructor, computerised Highway Code tests, a basic vehicle maintenance lesson and a driving simulator.
Thirteen carers from across the county borough thoroughly enjoyed the event, and plans are now under way for another session later in the year.
Coun Andrew Morgan, cabinet member with responsibility for road safety, said: "This innovative event was about bringing council services together to provide the support and intervention needed.
"Road safety is a priority issue for us and we have an extensive programme of support in place, from work in schools to enforcement exercises in the community against those who park illegally.
"This is yet another example of the work we do to protect the community."
If you are a carer aged over 50 and would like to attend the next session or find out more about the support available to help you in your caring role, ring freephone CarersLine on 0808 100 1801.

Programme offers a step in the right direction for RCT youngsters

YOUNG people living outside their families have saluted the fifth anniversary of an award-winning Rhondda Cynon Taf council programme that ensures they have the help, support and interventions they need to succeed in life.
The Step in the Right Direction programme was launched to provide traineeship opportunities for young people aged 16 to 21 who are leaving care.
To date it's enabled 27 young care-leavers to secure work placements within a wide range of Rhondda Cynon Taf council departments for a minimum of two years.
Tim Brewin, 21, of Pontypridd, found himself in supported independent living at the age of 16.
Placed in a flat in an area he did not know, the programme and Social Services staff helped him to rebuild relationships with his family, which, in turn, gave him the strength and support he needed to thrive and is now helping keep playgrounds and community facilities tidy.
Natasha Alexander was 13 when she was placed in foster care. A pupil at Bryn Celynnog Comprehensive, she found herself in care at the home of acclaimed foster carer Joan Crisp in Cwmaman.
Thanks to Joan's commitment to Natasha, she was able to continue to attend Bryn Celynnog alongside her friends and worked hard to secure good exam grades and is now doing NVQ Level Two in Business Finance and Training and continues to spend time with the amazing foster parent who helped her be the best she could be as she makes an independent life for herself.
Of the 27 on the programme, 11 have secured permanent or temporary employment with RCT.
The beneficiaries gathered to celebrate the occasion at the Rhondda Heritage Park and mark the launch of a new promotional DVD about it that has been put together by some of the trainees.
Councillor Annette Davies pointed out that RCT was a corporate parent to hundreds and said the programme: "Is truly groundbreaking as it provides a pathway out of care for young people."

Fruitapeel on target for £12m turnover

A JUICE firm that started production just five months ago is on target to turn over £12m in its first financial year.
Fruitapeel bought the factory and assets of SunJuice in Llantrisant when the business went into administration and had support from the Welsh Assembly Government, which wanted to retain the assets in Wales as a basis for investment and job creation.
The company has already created 47 jobs, including many former SunJuice employees. It is due to launch its own brand children's drink Funjuice next month, which has created 12 jobs.
Fruitapeel has also announced it is due to open a new fresh orange juicing facility, capable of producing 150,000 litres of fresh juice daily.

The site produces an average of 600,000 litres of juice per month and it reached its peak production of 1,500,000 in July.
Ieuan Wyn Jones, Welsh Assembly Minister for the Economy and Transport, said of Fruitapeel's success: "When SunJuice went into administration with the loss of jobs, the Assembly Government worked hard to ensure the assets remained in Wales and this is the result we wanted. It's good to see a new business creating jobs on the site."

Residents living near fire furious at council's snub

ANGRY residents have blasted council bosses for refusing to meet them over fears about an underground fire.

Fumes from the underground fire on land adjacent to Taff Vale Park, off Broadway, Treforest, resulted in two elderly people needing hospital treatment.
But local councillor John Bell said: "Residents are still not happy that they are getting only basic information via the letters being put out, and have several question they would like answered.

"But officials say it's not possible for officers to attend our meetings - though I was offered a briefing on site for a small group of residents."
Angela and Peter Burton of Windsor Road next to Parc Lewis Park told the Observer: "The problem in Treforest could turn into an extremely dangerous situation.
"We are most concerned about a lack of commitment and interest shown by the Rhondda Cynon Taf council's relevant officials.
"This incident is at the Taff Vale Field, adjacent to Parc Lewis Primary School.
"There is an underground fire taking place and the concerns amongst others are the gas mains, drains, water mains and more importantly the children's welfare at the school and all residents in the local area.
"We want RCT council officials to attend local meetings and to answer questions regarding residents fears.
"Those include the dangers of inhaling the fumes and the possibility of long-term problems. There are also concerns regarding the fire spreading under the houses in James Street and coming into contact with the gas mains.
"There is potential here for a serious incident, as two elderly residents in James Street have already been hospitalised with respiratory problems."

An RCT spokeswoman said the council was mounting a "significant operation" to manage the underground fire and has begun excavation work to remove an estimated 2,500 cubic square metres of material from the site.
She said: "Contracted vehicles that can carry up to 10 cubic square metres of waste are being used to transport the material from the site to the council's Bryn Pica facility.
"Upon arrival in Llwydcoed, the waste from Treforest is being tipped on virgin land, where it is left to cool before being mixed with other soil and clay. It is hoped the majority of the affected land will be removed by Tuesday, August 24 but officers will continue to remove it until they reach unaffected natural clay and soil.
"It is believed a domestic bonfire may have ignited material such as coal, coke and slag in the land, causing an underground fire which is burning at depths of between 1m and 6m."
The spokesman said council officers had remained on site throughout to manage the situation and deep trenches around it are being filled with inert clay and other specially-selected material to contain the blaze.
She said: "This is not an unusual situation and the consultants engaged are well versed in handling such incidents.
"Further briefings will be issued as matters progress."

Rugby stars rally to support calls to save Ponty Schools Rugby

WELSH rugby legends have urged council bosses not to turf a renowned 'outside-half factory' out of its home of 37 years.
The 107-year-old Pontypridd Schools Rugby Union - which has turned out 21 internationals, including seven British Lions - fears it may lose its base at the Greyhound Stadium in Rhydyfelin after asking Rhondda Cynon Taf council to lease it to them so they could refurbish the changing rooms.
But in the light of the pitch no longer being used by Cardinal Newman and YGG Rhydfelen schools, the council invited the schools union and Rhydyfelin AFC to present their plans to develop the stadium.

PSRU secretary Gerwyn Caffery fears local in-fighting may cost them financial support to develop a ground they see as "home".
Rhydyfelin AFC chairman Joe Gibson declined to comment but Mr Caffery said: "Literally thousands of school pupils have enjoyed rugby at a schools district level, because of the sacrifice and dedication of scores of people, and many of those young players have gone on to the highest representative levels of the sport.
"It is insulting to ponder on the lack of respect that this proposal shows to the memory of the people who have gone before."
The PSRU provided first representative honours to many Welsh and British internationals including Tommy David, Neil Jenkins, Kevin Morgan, Gethin Jenkins, Michael Owen and Martin Williams.
Mr David said: "The Greyhound Stadium is almost like Max Boyce's 'Outside-half Factory' for the number of internationals it's produced over the generations.
It's a renowned base for rugby thanks to the unpaid dedication of many coaches, teachers and parents knocking players into shape.
"Why after 37 years should they have to move out when Rhydyfelin AFC have a homeground - if it ain't broke don't fix it."
An RCT Council spokesperson said talk of in-fighting was "grossly out of context" when no organisation has a formal agreement for their use.
She said: "The poor state of repair of the changing rooms and changed usage patterns has caused the Education Department to view the premises as surplus to current requirements.
"The financial pressures faced by the council make it unlikely that the necessary repairs will be funded in the foreseeable future.
"The council therefore, is seeking an alternative use that benefits the local community but can transfer the cost of running the facilities to another organisation."
Both Pontypridd Schools Rugby Union and Rhydyfelin Football Club had been asked to outline their proposals and the final decision would be made by the council's Director for Corporate Services, she said.
The tug of war over the ground has sparked an online debate with fervent rugby supporter 'rhydhooker' suggesting there are many schools pitches the PSRU could use and "the logic to the local community of a football solution for this field."
Chris Williams of Rhydyfelin RFC responded that local schools pitches are fully utilised so there's no obvious alternative to the stadium for the Union's 75 young rugby players to use.



Fall in South Wales house prices could be due to lack of first-time buyers

A LACK of first-time buyers may be behind falling house prices in South Wales, experts have said.
Prices fell in 0.4% in Cardiff in July, with Merthyr Tydfil and Rhondda Cynon Taff experiencing bigger falls. Prices in the Vale of Glamorgan did not change month on month.
Tony Filice, a director of Kelvin Francis Chartered Surveyors in Cardiff, and a spokesman for the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors Wales, said the fall in prices might be due to a fall in demand as mortgages have become harder to find.
"This time last March, April we had banks and building societies offering first-time buyers mortgages with 10% deposits," he said.
"Since the election what we've found is the banks and building societies are very selective about who they lend to and they're asking for 20% deposit for first-time buyers."
However, he said the picture varied, with houses in some areas of Cardiff commanding prices similar to during the August 2007 peak.
The figures, released yesterday by the Land Registry, suggest it is the lower end of the market where demand has fallen the most, with the number of sales of houses priced below £150,000 in Wales and England falling by nearly 10% in the year to May.
Mick McGuire, managing director of South Wales estate agents Peter Alan, said for those who are able to secure a mortgage, homes are affordable and lending is cheap, but for others buying a house was still a struggle.
He said: "It remains very difficult for first-time buyers and that's mainly because lenders are being strict and the requirement for a deposit which often these buyers don't have.
"We're seeing more sales fall through because of the problems with securing a mortgage. All the way down someone has to buy the smaller property.
"A few years ago buy-to-let landlords brought them and rented them back out to the market but buy-to-let funding has also become difficult to get."
He said with affordable prices and an increasing supply, the market was ready to recover, but can not until first-time buyers are able to buy.
With first-time buyers put off even looking for a mortgage by interest rates of 7% on the rare 90% mortgages and £1,000 lending charges, Mr Filice said the rental market was booming.
Overall prices in Wales are just 1.7% higher than a year ago, with the average house costing £124,281.

Scheme offers legal off-road bikers access to forestry in RCT

WELL-MANNERED off-road bikers are getting exclusive access to forestry to provide an alternative to illegal scrambling.
An unique partnership between Legal Forest Riders (LFR) and Rhondda Cynon Taf Community Safety Partnership has resulted in the creation of an online forum to encourage motorcyclists who enjoy off-roading to do so in a safe, legal and considerate manner.
They get organised rides on exclusive and never-before-seen routes across RCT with the blessing of the council, police and Forestry Commission.
The scheme has already benefited more than 70 riders on five separate outings.
Ian Hayward, chairman of LFR, said: "We are growing in numbers and securing support for our proposition of a forest trail network for registered riders with road-legal bikes, demonstrating the demand for forestry access.
"The scheme, whilst making provision for riders, will promote responsible riding and respect for other forest-user groups.
"Legal Forest Riders are keen to hear from as many people as possible.
"Those interested can register with the group on www.lrf-wales.co.uk"
Community Safety Partnership chairman Coun Paul Cannon said: "Illegal and anti-social use of off-road vehicles continues to be a cause of concern for our communities.
"We know, via community feedback and PACT, that residents are fed up of having their peace and quiet, or trips to the forestry and our beautiful open spaces, ruined by those acting illegally.
"We have always committed to responding to those concerns and our enforcement work to tackle such offenders continues, with regular patrols of hot-spot areas and the seizure of illegal bikes.
"But alongside that has always been the desire to create opportunities for those who enjoy off-road riding in a safe and legal manner.
"The organised rides allow access to land where off-road riders can enjoy themselves, without affecting others who are also out and about in the area.
"This scheme shows there are rewards for off-road riding responsibly. I hope others with a genuine passion come on board and take advantage."

Get your dogs 'chipped' by council

DOG owners are being invited to have their pets chipped for free as part of an ongoing Rhondda Cynon Taf Council canine scheme.
The council's animal shelter in Dinas will micro-chip your dog on Saturday mornings as part of the initiative to encourage more pet owners to abide by the law, which states all dogs must wear a collar and identification by law.
Micro-chipping is a further step forward to ensuring the identification of an animal is discovered quickly should they go missing.
The project, led by the council's Streetcare team, is designed to further crackdown on the issue of dog fouling which pervades certain communities more than others.
For further details call 01443 682789 or 01685 876831.

Autumn @ the Park

An amazing autumn is promised at Rhondda Heritage Park when the popular tourist attraction hosts a season of special events for all the family.
From free underground tours and exhibitions to its annual Vintage Transport Festival and Santa's Toy Mine, there's something to interest everyone.
Here's what we've in store for you…………..
Open Doors - free admission to the underground experience every weekend in September. Places are limited and pre-booking is advised

Cordell Festival
Saturday 18th & Sunday 19th September 11am - 4pm daily
Join us in celebrating the works of renowned author Alexander Cordell (1917-1997) in particular 'This Sweet and Bitter Earth' as we commemorate the Centenary of the Tonypandy Riots of 1910. This free two-day event features music and song with the Cambrian Male Voice Choir and members of Treorchy Male Choir, theatre, Welsh speciality foods and crafts plus the Cordell Mini Saga Writing Competition

Afternoon Talk - Glimpses of 20th Century America
2pm Wednesday 6th October
Join RCT Museums Officer, Gareth Gill for a free afternoon talk. Please pre-book your place - the talk includes complimentary refreshments

Vintage Transport Festival
Saturday 2nd & Sunday 3rd October 11am - 4pm
Full steam ahead to our annual transport extravaganza- classic cars, vintage buses, traction engines, model railway layouts, plus much more! Entry is just £2.50 for adults and £1.50 for children

Girl Guiding in the Rhondda
October 23rd - November 7th open daily 9am - 4.30pm free admission
100 years ago, a small group of courageous girls stepped forward at the Boy Scouts Rally in Crystal Palace Park and asked its Founder, Robert Baden-Powell, for 'something for the girls'. Guiding has come a long way since then - the movement has travelled all over the globe with over 10 million members worldwide and over 500,000 in the UK.
This special exhibition focuses on guiding in the Rhondda and features images, memorabilia plus lots more about this amazing organisation

Gallery Exhibition - Level One Contemporary Gallery & Cafe
Printer Stint - 25th September - 7th November.
Works from some of Wales' most talented printmakers including woodcuts, linocuts, screenprints , etchings and collagraphs. Free admission - open Tuesday to Sunday 9am - 4.30pm

Macmillan Coffee Morning -
Come along and help the cancer charity to raise £8.3m. Rhondda Heritage Park is holding their own unusual event, The World's Deepest Coffee Morning on September 24th from 10am to 2pm, so pop along to enjoy some coffee and a lot of cake!

Walk Your Way to Health
Come along, meet new friends and stay healthy - join the walking group who meet at the Park at 10.30am every Friday.

Santa's Toy Mine
From 21st November right up to Christmas Eve - join in the search for Santa - through the ice cave and snow storm - who knows will you be lucky enough to find Santa's secret grotto? Places must be pre-booked

Young @ Art on Level One - 21st November to 24th December
Annual art exhibition for artists aged 3-17yrs living in RCT or attending schools in the borough. Entry forms available early September.

Nicola Newhams, of Rhondda Heritage Park's said, there's really no excuse to get out and about this Autumn, we've organized a jam-packed calendar of special events right up to and including Christmas so come along and find out more'.

For all pre-booked events - please call 01443 682036 to secure your place - or pop in to Rhondda Heritage Park, Trehafod, Nr Pontypridd.