Facebook: CaerphillyandDistrictTwinning Association. our websiteatcaerphillytwinning.org.uk.We arealsoon Contact [email protected] visits. events isarrangedduringtheyearinadditionto Membership isopentoallandaprogrammeofsocial group fromBrittanybeforereturningtoFrancein2021. continue theseexchangevisits.Nextyearitwillhosta The Twinning Association islookingfornewmembersto evening athomewiththeirhosts. entertainment. Thevisitorswerealsoabletospendan evenings featuringlocalfoodandwinetraditional hospitality wasasgoodalways,withtwosocial unveiled inthetowntocelebrateoccasion.The between LlanbradachandPloubezreaplaquewas This yearmarkedthe25thanniversaryoftwinning T to alocalcraftbreweryandguidedtourofthetown exploring thehistoryoflinenproductioninBrittany, avisit The followingdaysincludedatripalongtheLinenRoute, top afteratensecompetitionunderthescorchingsun. boules tournament,withtheWelsh teamcomingouton the Mairie(Town Hall).Thiswasfollowedbytheannual welcomed bythetownmayorwithadrinksreceptionin in thefamousLannionstreetmarketbeforebeing The visitthisyearstartedwithanopportunitytobrowse counterparts inLannionandPloubezre. between thepeopleofCaerffiliandLlanbradachtheir visits havebeenarrangedoverthepast28years represented byCllrSueapHywelandregularexchange latest visittoFrance.TheCommunityCouncilis enjoyed awarmwelcomeinBrittanythisJulyduringtheir Members ofCaerffiliandDistrictTwinning Association T forum ofyoung peopleandPenyrheolTrecenydd The originalidea fortheskateparkwasgenerated froma communities. perhaps, istherealimpact of austerityonour a numberofpeopleover number ofyears.This, facility forpeopletoenjoy, ittookconsiderableeffortby I feelitneedstobementioned that,toachievethisnew open airandaplacetosocialise. offers ameetingplace,funandfitnessopportunityinthe area anditbecomesafacilityenjoyedbyfuturegroups. It facility isusedandrespectedbyyoungpeoplefromthe facility inAneurinPark,Penyrheol.Ihopethatthisnew Finally, wehavemanagedtoopenanewskatepark skates on Y reguier. win towns NEWYDDIONoungsters canfinallygettheir

❻ community, which,forme,isthemostimportantlesson. is therealstoryhere.Allaimedatassistingpeoplein our longer, buttheaim wastolearn,listenandrespond;this Rome wasn’t builtinadayandtheskateparktookeven frustrations arerecognised. people inthearea,sothatsomeoftheirissuesand responded andcontinuestocommunicatewithyoung story isthattheCommunityCouncilhaslistened, young peopleafewyearsago,butperhapsthebigger I feelwehavedeliveredonwhatwasrequestedbythe the workdone. hard workofPenyrheolCommunityAssociation,toget orchestrated withthesupportofCCBCofficersand WHQS projectandPTECommunityCouncil,all possible bytheinjectionoffinancesandsupportfrom The latestimprovementsatPenyrheolParkweremade people inthearea. provides aconduitforcommunicationbacktoyoung brought newperspectivestocouncillors’viewsand appoint thethirdsuccessorintothisveryrole.Thishas in theareawascommencedandwearenowaboutto support aYouth Ambassadortorepresentyoungpeople people inthearea,soagainaninitiativetofindand did nothaveagreatunderstandingoftheneedsyoung One thingthatemergedwastheCommunityCouncil and manyinitiativesareongoing. tackle therootcausesofanti-socialbehaviourinarea Councillors haveallbeeninvolvedinseveralinitiativesto The Prince’s Trust Cymru,GwentPolice,CCBCandPTE Penyrheol parks,amongstotherimprovements. included newequipmentatbothTrecenydd and Helen Treherne, ClerktotheCouncil.Keyactivitieshave Michelle BrittonandCarlCoombs,CllrJonScriven Key peopleinthisefforthavebeenformercouncillors, put inplacetotackleanti-socialbehaviourthearea. organisations. Additionally, therewereothermeasures Tr The efforttoimprovefacilitiesatbothPenyrheoland some ofAnne’s workafterheruntimelydemise. the lateCllrAnneCollins.Ihadhonourofpickingup The leadonmuchoftheeffortstoassistcamethrough frustrations. and aneedtounderstandthecausesofyoungpeople’s about outbreaksofanti-socialbehaviourinpublicplaces Energlyn (PTE)CommunityCouncillorsduetoconcerns hi,PrdrOe rfih. CllrS.J.Skivens Chair, PeredurOwenGriffiths. launch theskate park,alongsidePTECommunity Council accompanied by theMayoresscutting ribbonto Pictured isCCBCMayorJulian Simmonds-whowas ecenydd parkshasinvolvedmanypeopleand NEWSLETTER CYNGOR CYMUNED PENYRHEOL TRECENYDD ENERGLYN COMMUNITY COUNCIL NEWYDDION BRO COMMUNITY NEWSLETTER Issue No. 56 December 2019 Chair’s Welcome It seems only yesterday we were wishing each other a Merry Christmas and we’ll be doing so again in no time at all. Time seems to fly by and your Community Council has, as ever, been busy. In the autumn we opened the new skate park in Penyrheol, we’ve been litter picking in Trecenydd and soon the festive lights - funded by the Community Council - will brighten up the dark evenings. We are working closely with the authorities on your behalf with traffic, fly-tipping and many other issues that you bring to our attention. If you have issues you would like us to help with, please get in touch with any of our councillors and they will be happy to help. As we head into the festive period, I’m reminded that 1 in 5 people spend Christmas alone. Our community is one that looks out for one another and I ask that we continue to be good neighbours and make time for those on their own this Christmas. Whether 2019 was a good year, a bad year or just one that went by in a blur, I hope that 2020 will be kind to each and every one of you. Finally, on behalf of the Community Council, myself and my family, may I take this opportunity to wish you all a wonderful Christmas. Nadolig Llawen a Blwyddyn Newydd Dda i chi gyd! Cllr Peredur Owen Griffiths - Chair

Festive fun Also, Santa will once again be visiting the children of Penyrheol Trecenydd the Penyrheol, Trecenydd and Energlyn wards. Energlyn Community He will be visiting all the ward’s children at Council will once again TRECENYDD Community Centre on Sunday, 8th be holding a December, from 3.00 – 5.00 pm. ALL children from Community Christmas the Penyrheol, Trecenydd and Energlyn wards are Concert on Friday, 6th welcome. Santa will be accompanied by a children’s December 2019 at entertainer, a face painter and maybe even a cheeky Penyrheol Community little visit from Woody, Spiderman, Elsa and one of the Centre, starting at 7.00 LOL gang! pm. This year, we are trying something a little different, with a variety of performers. Katy Lee Farr Tickets are £3 and will be available from the Londis Shop, Troed-y-Bryn, Penyrheol and from any of the Community Councillors. ALL proceeds will be going to the Chairman’s chosen charities: Christian Aid and Displaced People in Action. We hope to see as many residents there as possible, singing a few carols, with some mulled wine and mince pies. Pictured is one of our fabulous performers, Katy Lee Farr. ❶ NEWSLETTER

ice-Chair, Cllr Greg ice-Chair, to them for making the playschemes such a success to them for making every year. both organised The playschemes are run to encourage as well as the chance to socialise in a safe, and free play, taken on trips, friendly environment. The children are and undertake attend local organisations and locations The children also sport and activities under supervision. climbing wall get the chance to try out the mobile own pizzas with supplied by CCBC and help make their Pizza Boyo! great when parents and grandparents bring their It’s stories of when children along to registration and relate playscheme is free to they attended the playscheme. The trips, along with residents of the ward and offers low-cost slime- day, activities such as ‘bring-your-own-scooter’ home- making, crafts, sports day and the much-loved made water slide! both playschemes a A lot of hard work goes into making and reality and I’d like to thank the headteachers School and Hendre governors at both Cwm Ifor Primary excellent Junior School for providing us with such purpose-built venues.” Cllr Skivens thanked the Mayor for his visit and encouraged him to support other initiatives supporting families and children of all ages in the area. Cllr Skivens continued, “One proviso for the scheme is, fun is a must and I think we all regardless of the weather, witnessed that today.” Pictured is the Mayor with children, staff and councillors at the Penyrheol playscheme and the children enjoying a at Trecenydd. ‘bring-your-own-bike-and-scooter-day’ The Community Council’s V Ead, attended St Cenydd Community School’s awards evening and was delighted to present the to School Community Award Community Council’s Bethan Magwood. Bethan has worked actively within the community for the last two years, assisting in the primary cluster Future leader recognised with an award ❷

NEWYDDIO N celebrate the success of the long- o very successful Community Council- Community o very successful

ecenydd Energlyn Community Council running playschemes, Penyrheol Tr welcomed Caerphilly County Borough Cllr Julian Simmonds Mayor, Council’s and the Mayoress to the playschemes. He was met by Cllr Steven Skivens, Chair of the Community Council’s Playscheme Committee, who said, “It’s fantastic to receive recognition that the Community Council has assisted children Tw again this were held run playschemes playschemes both In their 33rd year, year. fun-filled continue to offer free, children of the opportunities for the wards. playscheme was the Penyrheol This year, Inspectorate Wales inspected by Care positive report. A link and received a very follows: to the report is as https://gov.wales/docs/cssiw/report/ins pection_reports/19520_c_190902_e.pdf and The Inspector said, “Children enjoy learn from a good range of interesting well activities and experiences. They are settled and relaxed in their surroundings and and engage well with other children their carers. Staff have good knowledge needs and provide about the children’s is nurturing, supportive care. The club well supported by the provider and there are good relationships with the school good where the service is held. There is a ratio of staff to children and this ensures needs are consistently well that children’s met. The environment is welcoming, attractive and exceptionally well- resourced both inside and outdoors.” To Positive inspection report inspection Positive for playscheme Allen Skivens Mr. Bill Mr. Ms. Sue Dickens Whittle* Mrs. Sian Penyrheol Mr. Lindsay Mr. 02920852043 02920 888798 02920 831076 and families in these wards for such a long time. I must give credit to all the current and previous community councillors who have consistently made the playschemes legislation and laws despite ever-changing a reality, making it more and more difficult to keep playschemes such as these running. Both playschemes are run by qualified leaders and playworkers, who tell me that they have just as much fun as the children and a big thanks go * These members also serve as Caerffili County Borough Councillors Your Community Councillors Community Your 07887 351 916 Hendredenny collieries. opened foramile westtoservetheTir Gibbonand in 1865,justnorth ofthisstation,theAber Branchwas after, thisoriginalCaerphillyStation.Froma junction built Station Inn,onNantgarwRoad wasinfrontof,andnamed site ofwhatisnowTrecenydd IndustrialEstate.The The originalCaerphillyStation wasbuiltonthislinethe began runningonthelinea month afteropening. Rhymney Valley downtoCardiffDocks.Passengertrains Owen-Griffiths 07739 731985 * These members also serve as Caerffili County Borough Councillors Borough County Caerffili as serve also members These * Your CommunityCouncillors 02920 868346 02920868346 02920887244 Mr. ap Terry 02920880106 Mr. Peredur Pennington Mr. Andrew Tr Mrs. Sue. ap Hywel Scriven* Mr. Jon Hywel Chair ecenydd NEWYDDIONto transportironandcoalfromthe where itjoinedtheTaff Vale Railway(TVR) then viaPenrhos,downtoTaffs Well, passing throughEnerglynandTrecenydd, west sideofthevalleyfromRhymney, (Rhymney RC)singletracklineonthe the newRhymneyRailwayCompany’s 25th February1858,withtheopeningof The railwaysfinallycametoCaerphillyon came toCaerphillytownwasatBedwas. used forgoodstrafficandthenearestit side ofthevalleytoNewport.Itwasonly the ironworksatRhymneydowneast as ahorse-drawntramwayandranfrom Railway Company)whichopenedin1826 to beconfusedwiththelaterRhymney valley wasthe“OldRumneyRailway”(not The earliestformofrailwayintheRhymney complicated railwaynetwork. but wereonceatthecentreofavastand residents stillhaveaccesstorailtravel, Penyrheol, Trecenydd andEnerglyn Railways ofCaerphilly £100 awardtoBethan. Pictured isCllrGregEadpresentingthe done Bethan! in themakingwithinourcommunity. Well make asmalltokentorecogniseLeader PTE CommunityCouncilisdelightedto the U11’s CaerphillyNetballsquad. Cenydd CommunitySchool,alongwith with theYear 7NetballteamatSt has alsobeenagreathelpinassisting races inCaerphillyasavolunteer. Bethan schools andhasattendedthe2K10K also coachedsportssessionsinother Junior SchoolNetballClub.Bethanhas umpire andhasalsoruntheHendre netball competitionsseveraltimesasan ❸ to theleftSt.CenyddSchool. background, onthehill,canbeseenHendredennyHall and line toRhymney, nowtherouteofby-pass.In remains ofthePenyrheolviaductwhichcarriedBarry travelling towardsPenyrheolStationandshowingthe The picwastaken,probablyinthelate1950s,fromatrain 2013. Churchill ParkStationwasopenedon8thDecember 1968, shortenedtoAberin1969.Finally, Energlynand became AberJunctionHaltin1926then opened onNantgarwRoadbytheStationInn.This In April1908anewstationcalledBeddauHaltwas Road andpartofthewaytowardsPwll-y-Pantroundabout. Caerphilly bypassfromPenrhosroundabouttoStCenydd closed in1937.You usethisrouteifyoudriveonthe passenger excursionstoBarry. Itwasverysuccessfulbut goods andmineralsbutwasoccasionallyusedfor Llanbradach viaduct).Thislinewasonlyintendedfor Penyrheol andPwllyPant(commonlyknownasthe 1905 connecteddirectlytotheBMRConviaductsat Fagans totheRhymneyRClineatCaerphillyandthenin 1889. In1901anewlinewasbuiltfromtheBRCatSt and linesconnectingthemtotheRhonddawereopenedin Railway Company(BRC))wassetupin1884.TheDocks Dock andRailwayCompany(laterchangedtoBarry resulting congestionandcostsatCardiffDocks,theBarry Because oftheincreaseincoalandironproduction Penyrheol. walked orcycledthisroutefromStationTerrace, and toalltrafficayearlater. Manyresidentswillhave and Senghenydd.Itclosedtopassengerservicesin1964 passenger serviceandstationsatPenyrheol,Abertridwr Universal collieriesandopenedon1stFebruary1894with extended rightuptoSenghenyddserveWindsorand 1962 andtofreightin1965.TheAberBranchwaslater on toNewportviatheBMRC.Itclosedpassengersin Rhondda andAberdaredirectlytoCaerphillyStation (PC&NR) wasopened.ThisconnectedPontypridd,the In 1884thePontypridd,CaerphillyandNewportRailway become partoftheTaff Trail cycle route. Cardiff viaTaffs Well wasfinallyclosedin1982andhas Tr present site,andtheoriginalCaerphillyStationat in 1871,togetherwithanewCaerphillyStationonits over amilelong,throughtoLisvane.Thislinewasopened expense, whichincludedexcavatingaverydifficulttunnel, built theirowndoubletracklinetoCardiffatgreat Cardiff duetotheirdependencyontheTVRandeventually The RhymneyRChadproblemsgettingenoughaccessto was usedforbothfreightandpassengerservices. which itmetatCaerphillynearStMartin’s Church.This from MachentobranchestheRhymneyRCline, Company (BMRC).Thiswasconnectedbyabranchline been acquiredbytheBreconandMerthyrRailway converted fromatramwaytostandardrailwayandhad By June1865,the“OldRumneyRailway”hadbeen

us about something close to your heart. Ifyouhavesomethingyou’d us aboutsomethingclosetoyour heart. This isYOURCommunityNewsletter sowe’dlovetohearyournews. Maybe you’reproud ofsomeone’s achievementsorwould like totell Newsletter please contacttheClerkon0292083 0666 oremailher ecenydd wasclosed.TheoriginallinkfromCaerphillyto like tosharewiththecommunity intheJune2020issueof

TELL USYOURNEWS! on [email protected] NEWSLETTER Police Gwent NEWSLETTERHeddlu urge for any issues to be reported to the

olfpack success olfpack outh Drop in Centre) to arrange workshops over the Penyrheol, Trecenydd and Energlyn Ward Team Neighbourhood News During the winter period, the ward has been very steady with anti-social behaviour and crime. Patrols and daily interaction with the community and local businesses will continue to take place. We W After years of being to post pushed from pillar kindness and relying on the clubs, of local rugby union Junior Wolves Aber Valley finally Rugby League Club last found a new home season in Aneurin Park, Penyrheol, Caerphilly. The Club runs two U12 sides, two U14 sides, an matter if age group and it doesn’t and U19’s U16’s as most of the you’ve never played rugby league before, played before they joined. The club is friendly boys hadn’t clubs from all and welcoming, with boys from union around the surrounding areas. has seen tremendous success over Wolves Aber Valley lifting saw our U16’s the past few years and this year we reaching the U12’s the Grand Final Cup AGAIN and our also had representative We Grand Final in their first year. U16s, Wales Origins, Wales honours in East Wales Wolves, Students and a first for Aber Valley U19s, Wales scholarship! one of our players selected for a WIGAN Look us up on our Facebook page. to seeing you! The coaches and players look forward Final. in the Grand and U16’s Pics are of U12’s Christmas period. The festive season is soon approaching. Remember not to leave items and wrapped presents on view in your homes and vehicles. Also, make sure your property is secure at all times. Thieves are opportunists! Police. Alternatively, you can contact your ward Police. Alternatively, team, PC Iwan Adams and CSO Katrina Hadji-Aghalar. Details can be found on Gwent Police website: https://gwent.police.uk/your- area/ward.html?wardId=CC03. Gwent Now is a free community messaging system for the Gwent area. It allows you to register to receive the latest crime alerts and community news happening in your local neighbourhood. If you would like to sign up, please visit our website, www.gwentnow.org. Gwent Police are working with SYDIC (Senghenydd Y ❹

this space in the next edition of the newsletter, to find out who the new Youth Ambassador will be! o be a role model and advocate for the o be a role model and advocate for NEWYDDION o be the young peoples’ voice at o attend Community Council meetings o acquire the opinions/views/concerns community. Community Council meetings. once a month (if available due to school work/commitments etc) and attend infrequent other functions, as required. of young people within the wards and to report these back to the Community Council. outh Ambassador Following on from the very successful on from the very Following and Georgie of Meg Owen appointments Energlyn and Rees, Penyrheol, Trecenydd decided to recruit Community Council Before Meg’s Ambassador. another Youth felt they were appointment, Councillors with the young not in touch enough and wanted to people of the community They really did want to redress this issue. concerns of the know the views and and felt this could young people of today the youngsters only be done through themselves. Applications were sought from young 17. people between the ages of 15 and The candidates had to live within the catchment area, or Community Council’s have a strong affinity to the wards, ie out close family living in the wards, carried work within the wards, attended school within the wards etc. The Council needed someone who could relate to local issues and build communication links with young people within the wards. Ambassador The main duties of the Youth are as follows: •T Search is on for new Search Y •T •T •T race, r eherne Lower o take part in any supervised media/PR activities, as o set up a ‘youth’ page on the Community Council’s o make contact with other youth groups. Council Te Skivens* required. website. Energlyn Caerffili, Tr CF83 4GR Vice-Chair Mr. Steven Mr. Mrs. Helen Brynhyfryd Clerk to the Senghenydd 02920888798 02920830666 Mr. Greg Ead Greg Mr. 07809 331200 Golwg-y-Cwm, * These members also serve as Caerffili County Borough Councillors Your Community Councillors Community Your Pictured are Meg and Georgie. The new Youth Ambassador has very big shoes to fill, but Councillors have every faith that the successful candidate will do an amazing job. •T •T Following the end of October closing date, Councillors now have the very difficult task of shortlisting. So watch •T NEWSLETTER

ednesday: uesday: Monday: Unity classes. 4.00 – 6.30 pm: Dance Kwando classes. 6.30 – 7.30 pm: Tae T classes 4.00 – 6.45 pm: Ballet dog Retriever Club of Wales 7.00 – 9.00 pm: Golden training W Support session (for 10.00 – 11.00 am: CCBC Tenancy problems etc) Council tenants to discuss rent/benefit class Chi Tai 10.30 am – 12.30 pm: Taoist Club 11.30 am – 1.30 pm: Over 50’s 4.00 – 6.15 pm: Dance Unity classes classes 6.30 – 8.30 pm: Black Rock dog training Thursday: The MS 12 noon – 2.00 pm, every third Thursday: adding every first Society group meeting (will also be Thursday from Feb 2020) 9.30 – 11.00 am: Baby clinic Group Talkers 9.30 – 11.00 am Tiny dog training 7.15 – 9.15 pm: Rottweiler Club of Wales Community 7.00 – 8.30 pm, every third Thursday: Council meeting Friday: Chi class Tai 7.00 – 10.00 pm: Taoist contact the If you’d like to book either centre, please relevant booking clerk as mentioned above. The Committee is always looking for new committee members. Please contact us if you'd like to know more. Penyrheol Community Centre Community Penyrheol in Aneurin based in Heol is Centre Community Penyrheol the going on during and has lots of activities Penyrheol be hired for birthdays, facilities can also week. The competitive etc at very presentations, meetings weddings, for the hall, £10 per hour per hour for the prices: £15 also to hire both. The Centre £20 if you’d like Lounge and a bar, a fully licensed is ideal for meetings, has wi-fi which disabled access, large stage with large free car park, and one smaller kitchen, full central lighting, one commercial for 200. Below is a list of activities heating and seating centre: taking place at the ❺ NEWYDDION have two thriving community centres within our have two thriving community centres also hold regular events throughout the year,

ecenydd Community Centre is based in Second ecenydd Community Centre is based ecenydd: 07852 683976 and Penyrheol: 07887 351 ecenydd: 07852 683976 and Penyrheol: ecenydd Community Centre Committee venue, Trecenydd. It is a busy centre and has many venue, Trecenydd. recenydd Community Centre We The heart of our community of our heart The A centre consisting different activities going on. It is a large room and two of a large main hall, a small meeting are kitchen. We kitchens, one of which is a commercial also car park. We also disabled-friendly and have a free have an outside patio area with seating. such as The centre can be hired for many occasions also have an alcohol birthday / christening parties. We events, we licence. It can also be booked for corporate have a projector and a very large screen. A Flying Start nursery takes place every morning. Kwondo class, Tuesday Monday evening, we have a Tae evening there is evening a ladies’ bowls club, Wednesday a youth club, Thursday afternoon we have an over fifties club for a game of bingo and Thursday and Friday evenings there is Karate. Sunday evening, we have a bingo club. Anyone wishing to know anything about these have a activities please contact the Committee. We Facebook page and a website: www.trecenyddcommunitycentre.co.uk. We T Tr 916. Below is a synopsis of what takes place at each 916. Below is a synopsis of what takes committees: community centre, written by the respective wards: Trecenydd Community Centre and Penyrheol wards: Trecenydd to book either Community Centre. If you would like clerks - centre, please contact the relevant booking Tr including a St David’s Day concert, a family fun day every including a St David’s entertainer and usually a Easter Monday with a children’s free face painter and an Easter bonnet parade, tickets for also have our pantomime on the which are £2.00. We first Sunday in December every year (1st December this Jack and the Beanstalk) again, tickets are year and it’s only £2.00 and children get to visit Santa. This is a popular event so please get you tickets as soon as will also have We possible from any Committee member. a Carol Service (date to be decided, but we will put information on our Facebook page. Tr