Issue 1 £2.00 November 2014

HAn insight into Waleseritage and our local communities

A MEALWIN FOR FOUR AT THE NAVIGATION PUB No Christmas for Port Talbot and Pontardawe Christmas lights to be turned off this year

Tesco vs Aldi: Have Aldi already won the supermarket price war?

Local police officers honoured at South Police awards

FROM MINING TOWN TO SELF SUFFICIENT VILLAGE A look at how a mining village grew into a tight-knit community

INSIDE: Lifestyle and culture from Rhonnda Cynon Taf and the surrounding area CONTENTS 5) No Christmas for Port 7) Flooding hotspots to 11) Tesco vs Aldi: Have Talbot and Pontardawe get a £2.5m investment Aldi already won the More council cuts mean Christmas tackling four hotspots in lights will be axed supermarket price and Pon- war? 6) Local police officers typridd honoured at South 13) Introducing.. Wales Police awards Memorial Unveiled To A new photography studio comes to Miners’ Hero Cuts to hit nursery ed- 14 - 15) Lifestyle and ucation, street cleaning 8) Abercynon: From min- culture from Rhonnda and town centre events ing town to independent Cynon Taf and the sur- business village rounding area s a country Wales has always managed by itself. The Valley’s have triumphed Aafter the closing of the mines in the Thatcher years and they have maintained an independance with their businesses and com- munities. That could all come to a stand still with more and more cuts being announced every time there is a budget review. What will become of Wales if they have no Government funded buildings such as leisure centres and libraries? Wales as a whole would have been struggling by now if it wasn’t for the resilience of the Welsh business that has thrived in these difficult times. This magazine is exploring and highlighting how many budget cuts have been made in the past year with a special look at the “small village of Abercynon.

Editor: Danielle Lewis Twitter: iamdanilewis 8 Website: rhonddaheritage.wordpress.com

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13 5 Advert Here Christmas is cancelled! Thanks to more Welsh Government budget cuts

NEWS Image taken from http://cbsnordic.lv

here will be no Christmas Welsh Government grant to pro- up in arms because it could make lights or parades in mote the town centre and some of people go elsewhere.” TTalbot and nearby Pon- it could be used for festive lights. tardawe this year after £146m cut “But in Port Talbot and Pontardawe, An online campaign has now in funding to Welsh councils an- the two other towns that make up begun based on the 1957 Christ- nounced by the Welsh Govern- mas story ‘How the Grinch Stole ment earlier this month begins “I feel sorry for the Christmas!’ urging people to de- to take place. mand Port Talbot Council children and their changes its mind. The lack of festive cheer on But Mr Redmore said: “Unfortu- the streets of towns like Port families who are nately I think it’s too late now.” Talbot and Pontardawe will be evidence of how the cuts are going to miss out Public Services Minister Leighton affecting everyday lives. Andrews said local authorities on having the tradi- will get £4.12bn in their block Steve Redmore, manager of Port grants – an overall cut of 3.4% on Talbot’s town centre Aberafan tional Christmas.” this year. Shopping Centre and vice presi- dent of the steel town’s Chamber Neath Port Talbot Council it’s going The reduction in cash for councils of Trade, said: “We’re going to to be dreadful. in 2015-16 will also mean redun- have our Santa’s grotto at the “I feel sorry for the children and dancies, cuts in bin collections, centre but the main shopping their families who are going to some libraries being shut and streets in Port Talbot will have miss out on having the traditional leisure centres being forced to no Christmas lights as they have Christmas lights and Father Christ- reduce their opening hours. done for years and years. mas coming to town on a sleigh. “To make matters worse, Neath “I do have some sympathy with Neath Port Talbot will see its just down the road could well the council as they are being forced funding cut by 2.4% dropping be having some Christmas lights to make cuts but if they helped from £210m to £205m. as the town’s council-employed Neath apply for a grant why didn’t town centre manager has suc- they do the same for Port Talbot Neath Port Talbot council has cessfully applied for a £40,000 and Pontardawe. The traders are been asked to comment.

Advert here 5 A free full-time education time theproposal tocut and itwillbethesecond areas have beenrevealed No specificdetailsofthe being axed. olds beingunderthreatof provision for three-year- centre events andnursery street cleaning,town music lessonsfor pupils, been announcedwith Rhondda CynonTaff has ing andtown centreevents Cuts tohitnurseryeducation,streetclean MORE NEWS P He startedhiscareerwithSouthWales emony for hiswork inthecommunity. was handedtheShrievelty Cupatthecer Pcso Allan Blackburn,fromtheRhondda, they hadever seen. helicopter officersasamongthebravest Their actionswere ratedby watching could notbesaved. Unfortunately, despitetheirbestefforts, he the water toperform CPR. the way andtogetherthey gothimoutof She managedtodragthemanrestof make hisway backtothebank. herself allowing SgtHywel Morganto His colleaguePcEganenteredthewater he was unabletogethimshore. drag himtosafety butintoughconditions, He swam over totheman andstartedto the maninreservoir. entered thefreezingwater whenhesaw Sgt Morgantookoffhisutility beltand and PCFaith EganfromMerthyr Tydfil. Award went toSergeantHywel Morgan This year’sBravery eight years. call ofduty for thelast go above andbeyond the staff andvolunteers who work ofpoliceofficers, has recognisedthehard The sponsoredevent out onthenight. awards thatwere given nominated among17 and were from RhonddaCynonTaf Seven officersandstaff in Swansea. 2014 Awards ceremony the SouthWales Police Wales Policeawards Local policeofficershonouredatSouth were honouredat across thevalleys olice officersfrom services across drastic cutsto nother roundof Lewis and TheLewis SheriffsHigh of Mid, South and WestGlamorgan. Image taken fromOnline.Wales Cup:Shrievalty PCSOAlan Blackburn was presented cup the by Assistant Constable Chief Richard and outsideschools which for musicservicesinside 2015 alongwithprovisions considered inSeptember The servicewillbere went aheadin September. and freeschooltransport ucation, freeschoolmeals a result;freefull-time ed landmark courtvictoryas which culminatedinthe group ledthecampaign Nursery EducationRCT Parents AgainstCutsto considered. for youngchildrenwillbe - dation. won aDivisionalCommandersCommen Station onuniform patrolin1987wherehe andwas postedtoMountainAsh He beganasauniform patrolofficerin years. where hehasserved for 28andahalf Pc ReesjoinedSouthWales Policein1985 to PCDanielRees,fromtheCynonValley. The Lifetime Achievement award went other wards. of theclubthatitsinfluencehasspreadto behaviour. Suchhasbeenthepopularity and resultedinadecreaseanti-social The clubproved tobeamassive success youth annoyance inthearea. native tohelptackleproblemsof burn decidedtostartupaboxingclubinhis As aformer professional boxer, PcsoBlack Wales in2003. Community SupportOfficersinSouth then becameoneofthevery firstPolice special constablebasedinPontypridd. He Police 21yearsago,spending10asa - - “This hasincluded cutting expenditure isreviewed. ensure thatevery areaof that timeIhave soughtto four monthsnow andin of thecouncilfor around said: “Ihave beenleader gan, leaderofRCTCouncil, Councillor Andrew Mor customer care. their funds cutalongwith programme may have Town centreevents sive subsidy’. currently received a‘mas according tothecouncil - - - Government andmeans “Funding cuts by theUK funding cuts. a resultofpublicsector budget gapwe face as small dentinthemassive ings they will onlymake a “Even withall ofthesesav excess of£1m. ment whichwillsave in review ofseniormanage and bringingforward a council magazineOutlook ping thepublicationof budget ofthemayor, stop my salary,cuttingthe - the communitiesofSouthWales. visible, positive andsubstantialcontributionto residents oftheRhonddaFach Valley, making a For thelast24years,PCReeshasserved the stopped breathing. skills enabledhimtorevive achildwhohad dation, whenhispromptactionsandfirstaid awarded hissecondChiefConstablesCommen confidence for the future.” the communitiesthey serve. Itgives megreat Northern BCU,whomake arealdifference to as greatteamofpoliceofficersandstaffat “It isapleasureandprivilegetoleadsuch for awards. Cynon Taf andMerthyr Tydfil were shortlisted so many policeofficersfromacrossRhondda “It filledmewithprideonthenighttoseethat isation. occupation for allwhowork withintheorgan is anextremelydemanding,butrewarding Chief SuperintendentSallyBurke said:“Policing and accessibleuniformed policing. He hasnever lostsightofthevalue ofvisible - - - £30m nextyear. budget gapofmorethan that meansanestimated “For RhonddaCynonTaf of around-4%nextyear. will face abudgetreduction local government inWales people from and rescued own safety garded his he disre tion, when Commenda Constables first Chief received his PC Rees Station, Abercynon patrol, at uniform while on In 1989, Rees was In 1991,PC a housefire. -

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6 Flooding hotspots to get a £2.5m invest- Zero hygiene take ment tackling four hotspots in Cynon away in A “zero rated” Treforest takeaway has become the first in RCT to be prosecuted for Valley and failing to clearly display its “scores on the doors” food hygiene rating. lood alleviation works will installed on the new system to ing and this funding announce- start next month in the provide maintenance teams with ment further demonstrates our It is hoped that the prosecution of Mr Enam FCynon Valley. advanced warnings of any poten- commitment to ensure Ahmed, of Wok Box, Park Street, Treforest £2.5m was secured by Rhonnda tial blockages. that we protect our residents as will send a clear message to other food busi- Cynon Taf Council earlier this The community of near far as we possibly can. nesses, especially those who attempt to “hide” year to tackle flooding problems Mountain Ash will benefit from “The £700,000 allocated for the low ratings by not putting the stickers up and around the Nant Gwawr in the latest round of works, as the scheme in Nant Y Fedw will I’m those who deliberately fail to display their food , the Nant y Fedw flood alleviation scheme along sure be welcomed by residents hygiene rating. Since the 28th November last in Abercynon and Bwlfa Road Nant y Fedw seeks to minimise and businesses in the area and I year, it is an offence for a food business in- in – along with a the impact on the local people dur- look forward to seeing the scheme spected from this date, not to display their food fourth area around the Nant Cae ing periods of adverse weather. progress.” hygiene rating sticker in a conspicuous position Dudwg in , Pontypridd. Residents affected by the works In total, the four waves of the where it can easily be seen by consumers. All of the areas have seen flood- will be directly informed when scheme will see 372 homes and As a result, Mr Ahmed agreed to voluntarily ing problems in recent years. It they are about to begin within three businesses in RCT benefit close, which meant that the premises was is hoped this funding will reduce their local area. from the £2.5m funding boost. closed with immediate effect, until improve- the risk of a repeat in the future. RCT Council and its contractor It was secured by the local author- ments had been made and inspected. During July, work began in will be holding an exhibition on the ity’s capital fund, the European Aberaman with contractors proposed scheme in the Feel Good Regional Development Fund and The following day, Council officers returned Alun Griffiths Ltd renewing the Factory, Ynysboeth, from 11am to the Welsh Government’s Flood to the Wok Box. Standards had been raised to Road Culvert as well as 5pm on Thursday, October 23. Risk Management Grant. an acceptable level, so the closure order was new inlet and outlet configura- Councillor Andrew Morgan, revoked but it was made clear that further im- tions – using £1.1m of the total leader of RCT Council, said: “We provements were needed and officers would investment. can never stop or fully prevent be monitoring progress. Subsequently a letter This week, the local author- flooding. and legal notices were served on Mr Ahmed ity has announced a second “But we can manage the risks and requiring improved standards. wave of £700,000 works – to reduce the consequences and we be carried out by contractors are committed to doing so across Further revisits revealed that Mr Ahmed had Dyer and Butler Ltd – will begin Rhondda Cynon Taff. failed to maintain satisfactory food hygiene around Nant Gwawr near “As a council we will continue to Houses in Abercynon which will benefit from the standards and was not displaying the food Abercynon next month. do all we can to prepare ourselves scheme hygiene rating sticker, as required by law. A Warning systems will be for the increasing problem of flood- replacement sticker was issued and he was told to clearly display it or a fixed penalty Memorial Unveiled To Miners’ Hero notice would be issued. plaque commemo- work. Cllr Sylvia Jones and Cllr Sylvia Jones said, “Today’s A further revisit found that the food hygiene rating the life of one David Maddox approached the generation has largely forgotten rating sticker was on display but was located of Wales’s foremost Club Committee who agreed to the name John Hopla let alone the in the bottom corner of the premises window A and the actual zero rating was obscured with miners’ leaders has been re- tear down wood paneling and major contribution he made to the furbished and unveiled again remove the plaque which had welfare of the miners during some white paint, so that it was not conspicuous to in . been damaged over the years. of the most turbulent years in consumers. John Hopla’s contribution Following substantial restora- industrial South Wales. to the miners’ movement is tion work, the memorial stone During his days at least 50 Rhond- Numerous visits and warnings continued and almost forgotten and so was has a new home in the Bertie da miners died every year from Mr Ahmed was issued with a fixed penalty Cuts to hit nursery education, street clean- the marble tablet unveiled in Engine House of the Rhondda small accidents in the Valley, let notice for failure to display the sticker in a his memory almost a century Heritage Park. alone the large-scale pit disasters conspicuous position, which he failed to pay. ago – until now. A special event took place to that claimed literally hundreds.” Mr Ahmed was subsequently charged with ing and town centre events The John Hopla Hopla Memo- commemorate the event with Leader of Rhondda Cynon Taf various food hygiene offences, including the rial Society led by guests including the High Sher- Council Cllr Andrew Morgan said, offence of failing to display the food hygiene ward Member Cllr Sylvia iff of Mid , Owen “It is important to remember those rating. Jones and historian David Smith MP, Leader of Rhondda leading figures that played such a Mr Ahmed admitted 11 charges when he Maddox, raised substantial Cynon Taf Council Cllr Andrew major role in shaping the history appeared at Pontypridd Magistrates’ Court on funds to re-discover and re- Morgan, Mayor Cllr John Watts of our valleys.” September 26th 2014. store the damaged century-old and BBC presenter Roy Noble. tablet. One of Wales’ leading histori- He was ordered to pay a total fine of £1130, in- Together they led a lengthy ans, Professor Dai Smith gave cluding a £120 victim surcharge and £560 costs. “treasure trail” for the tablet an impassioned speech about which was unveiled in 1916 the life of the miner’s leader. outside the former Llwynyp- A performance of varied music ia Workmen’s Institute and was also given by the Cambri- Library. an Male Choir who led the audi- With the demolition of ence into a rousing rendition of building it was moved to the “Cwm Rhondda” as the plaque Hopla family members Karen Godfrey, Andrew nearby N.U.M Club but disap- was unveiled before members Webb, Tara Evans and Sylvia Letherby, front, Harry Evans 10 and Maris Hopla peared following redecorating of the Hopla family. 7 From mining town to independent business village

rom an outsider looking in Abercynon tion of a new ‘super school’ which combines day swimming and enjoying themselves whilst may be perceived as a desolate village the three primary schools; Abercynon Infants their parents look on from the comfort of their Fin need of a good lick of paint. The School, Abertaf Primary School and deck chairs. This would’ve been the norm 62 shops seem as if they are still in the same Primary School. The 11.5m investment has years ago but fast forward to 2014 and the pool condition as when they were built, double transformed Ynysmeurig Road, the main road that once made wonderful memories for the glazing doesn’t seem to exist and neither going through Abercynon, and has given it a children of Abercynon is not just an abysmal does cash points. It is a slow paced village new lease of life. hole in the ground. with traditional roots. Imagine a gleaming With the new school came a makeover for the This summer the leisure centre’s paddling pool shop with automatic doors, cash points, shops across the road. The outside has been was closed for the first summer in 62 years. and opening hours from 7am to 11pm and re-decorated giving the street a solid look and This has caused residents to start fundraising then think of the complete opposite. That is bringing new businesses into the town. to restore the pool to its original glory. The pool the best Abercynon has to offer. Abercynon isn’t just home to kebab shops was originally opened as a war memorial on Or is it? Some would believe its businesses and bric-a-brac. A photography studio has just May 31, 1952, by Councillor Lil Watts. The res- are struggling but is the independent side opened where the old library used to be giving idents must raise £5,000 for costs and upkeep of Abercynon’s industry the real hidden the street a well needed up-lift. of the pool after all outdoor paddling pools in success story? Councillor Rhys Lewis said; “Where the Rhondda Cynon Taff were closed this summer When the mines closed in 1988 Abercynon new beauty shop and photography studio are due to public service cuts. was a small mining village with only enough historically there have always been shops Councillor Rhys Davies said, “We took the dif- room for a horse and cart on the roads. The there. There was a bank and a butcher. We ficult decision to close the paddling pool as well majority of males living there used to suffer want more independent shops and ideally we as 22 over Rhondda Cynon Taf. For example the from mining related diseases and its residents want local people to open shops so it keeps pool in Abercynon, for 6/7 weeks in the year would rely on the mines for work. The high employment in the town and the money town. it would cost us £18,000 you think of that times street wasn’t the main source of income for Of course an open shop is way more preferable 22. You’re not always guaranteed the weather many of its residents but over the years it than an empty shop.” either. It was a difficult decision but largely out seems to have changed even if the people of The high street seems like it would be strug- of our hands because of the economic climate

ABERCYNON Abercynon haven’t noticed. gling from the lack of bright buildings, new and it comes down from Westminster. Unfor- Councillor Alby Davies M.B.E said, “People features and brand named stores but looks can tunately we have to rearrange our finances don’t seem to recognise change at all at the be deceiving especially in the Valleys. accordingly and cuts need to be made. It’s not time they think it’s good and then suddenly Councillor Rhys Lewis exclaims; “It is actual- something that we want to do and in fact we they forget it was every there and they say ly doing really well when you compare it to are the opposite being socialists. We want to ‘Oh Abercynon’s got nothing’. There are other areas in the county borough. It has been expand public service not cut them”. shops that are still closed in Abercynon and remarked upon by other council officers who It seems that Abercynon and many other that’s the same in every high street because deal with regeneration and retail. Don’t get ¬me small villages are being overlooked due to their out of town supermarkets (the nearest one wrong it’s not perfect by any stretch but I think location as larger centres are having mass is a 10 minute drive away) are taking trade it has proved to be quite resilient especially in refurbishments. The leisure centre in near- away from the small villages and small these economic times.” by has undergone a £2.8 million towns but it is quite vibrant albeit we do have It seems the independent side of Abercynon’s makeover, Pontypridd Lido will be having a £6.5 number of take-aways which we could have businesses are thriving but unfortunately million restoration and Aberdare has opened a less of and instead have a larger variety of council run buildings are suffering at the hands new leisure centre and will be opening a new shops.” of Welsh Government cuts. comprehensive school costing a total of £50 At the beginning of 2014 the centre of Abercy- Imagine an outdoor paddling pool filled with million. It is evidence that the surrounding area non changed dramatically with the introduc- happy, gleeful children on a warm summer’s of Abercynon is getting better and better but

Pictured above: The Pictured above: The old abandoned paddling library pool next to the Leisure Pictured right: The new- Centre ly refurbished building Pictured right: The Ab- which houses Greenpig ercynon Leisure Centre Studios

8 From mining town to independent business village

the small village will be suffering especially the residents who enjoy spending time in the leisure centre. Local resident Nicola Moseley said; “I enjoy going to the gym but as I work weekends, one of the main days I go is on a Sunday. I always find I have to rush because the gym shuts way too early and there aren’t as many classes as I would like.” Councillor Rhys Davies and Councillor Alby Davies M.B.E have strong views on the recent cuts in funding; “The leisure centre hours have been cut A view from the top of Abercynon’s across all of the centres to save a bit of money so high street - Margaret Street it’s not just Abercynon. It’s a campaign that Alby and I have been fighting since I became a Council- lor and Alby has been fighting it for a lot longer to renovate the leisure centre. We’ve made a lot of depositions and presentations to officers. We’ve had nothing as yet but we continue to fight for it as local councillors.” Councillor Alby Davies M.B.E added; “The officers in the council want to have three core centres; Llantrisant, Aberdare and the one in the Rhondda valleys. They don’t want these smaller centres like Abercynon but the members have said ‘no we’re not having it, we want to keep our sport centres for as long as we can’ and while we can we will.” Abercynon’s brand new library (pictured left) and school (pictured above) It isn’t just the leisure centre that is suffering in terms of cuts. Abercynon hasn’t had a police station based in the village in years and there isn’t a prominent police force within the area. To add to the community’s problems the planning commit- tee has accepted accommodation on Marvin’s Lane for a home for homeless people. Councillor Alby Davies M.B.E is particularly trou- bled about the new home; “Now our fear is in the middle of a small village with virtually no police at all that this could cause future problems. But I’m afraid the planning committee saw it differ- ently and they’ve got 5 years to build it. We had a police station with cells and a court upstairs which then moved to a smaller building The newly refurbished shops opposite the new school on Ynysmeurig Road. Inner Beauty opened recently. and is now a house. We haven’t got any police here apart from the special PCSO’s and one police officer and we don’t see them very often.” a large profit organisation may come into the Meet the Councillors It seems as if public services have turned their town ruining their independent businesses and Alby Davies MBE backs on Abercynon, but why? Is it because it is causing cracks in the solid community. Alby has been a council- a small village or is it because they have realised Councillor Alby Davies M.B.E said, “There is a lor for 44 years. He is the how self sufficient the town really is? type of fear that traders have in Abercynon for eldest councillor in Rhondda Councillor Rhys Lewis said; “We’re quite lucky to instance when they heard about the library Cynon Taf. Alby said about fellow have large centres of employment in the area. In closing, ‘Oh we hope a Tesco isn’t going to go terms of the high street I think Abercynon has a councillor Rhys Lewis and there’. Most people in Abercynon would love himself, ““He’s the tallest, lot of independent traders and it has always been to see a Tesco but not the traders because it I’m the shortest. He’s the independent.” will take the trade from them. We’ve got two prettiest, I’m the ugliest”. The village has been benefitting from the personal minimarts. They trade in all sorts of things and nature of their local businesses because the Tesco would do them out of business.” majority of shop owners live in the area. On a Despite these few issues the village has risen Rhys Lewis weekday morning the village is full of cars and from the ashes of the mines and continues to Rhys is the youngest coun- residents hustling and bustling up and down the cillor in Rhondda Cynon Taf provide steady services to its residents. There and was elected in 2012. street. There is always a queue for the bakery are a few problems in Abercynon and the town and the top convenience store is constantly busy. is very old fashioned compared to neighbouring Both have lived in Abercy- The community have taken exercise into their Pontypridd and Treforest but it continues to non all of their lives. own hands and run weekly Zumba classes in the give the elderly and family orientated residents community centre and the pub, Browny’s Bar. what they need and that is stability. Whether However the village still lives in constant fear that the government cuts will cause a big effect 9 Advert Here

OPINION Tesco vs Aldi: Have Aldi already won the supermarket price war? OPINION

s consumers we always it was always the place to shop and tion you walked into Aldi let alone did look for the best product at my mum would always love the your weekly shop there. Now every- Athe most affordable price. deals. She would always say ‘look, one talks about them. They are quickly We never look to question where look, three packets of cheese for the surpassing Tesco in the supermarket our money is going we just think of price of two’, which meant ‘you’re ranks with their fairly priced food and our money and how to save every going to eat cheese sandwiches for their weird little wonders. They stock penny or how to spend it wise- a month and enjoy it’ and really it random food and random items of ly. clothing but it is something that really Tesco has recently come under fire “Aldi and Lidl hits home with the consumer. They’ve for over estimating their profits by won Grocer of the Year 2013 and 2014 £263m. This will be investigated by used to be hidden so isn’t it obvious what they’re doing? the police as it is thought to have little gems that Aldi are relating to the consumer, not been over estimated for years. This their big business. They are operating isn’t the best news for Tesco as no one would dis- on the platform of going to your local they have been suffering in a price shop down the road. There are very war against Aldi and Lidl. So why wasn’t a bargain it was a way for little brand names but everything are customers fleeing Tesco? them to get foolish Mum to spend tastes the same if not better. There is As a student I count every single £7 on cheese. Nowadays there are no alternative such as a Clubcard to penny. Tesco has the lure of acces- more people trying to find the food manipulate you into buying certain sibility. It’s open 24 hours, you can with the yellow discounted stickers products. You buy what you want and get petrol as well as food and you than there are buying anything need in Aldi and can walk out of there have those glorious personal inva- because the price of their discount- not crying because you’ve spent £40 sions of privacy that are the Tesco ed food is the price of normal food on food that you bought because the club card. Don’t get me wrong in Aldi. It just doesn’t compare that bright yellow label tricked you into I love those coupons but it does you can do a week’s shop in Aldi thinking you were getting a good deal. freak me out when I realise there’s for £30 and come out of Tesco with Frankly this ‘demise of Tesco’ isn’t someone in an office sorting out one evening worth of food and something that upsets me at all in a my coupons looking at every single spend the exact same. way its karma for their greed. They thing I’ve bought in the last month. Aldi and Lidl used to be hidden little lost their way and took advantage of Despite all of this Tesco is ridiculous- gems that no one would discuss. It our custom and our money. ly expensive. I remember as a child was a taboo subject to even men- Tesco image taken from The Mirror UK Aldi image taken from Cycling Europe 11 Advert Here

INTRODUCING INTRODUCING

bilgail Lewis-Savage is a professional pho- What would you like to see come to Abercynon tographer who has just opened Greenpig in terms of business? studios in the centre of Abercynon. I spoke A I would love to see more creative based businesses, any- to her about the village and the businesses within thing different to the hairdressers/beauty salons and chip it. shops that seem to be every other shop as you walk down What made you move your photography studio to Margret Street, of course these bring valuable custom to Abercynon? the area and are great for other businesses but I feel like any more and they would be pushing themselves out of busi- Whilst studying Photography at university, I knew I wanted to ness. own my own studio. I wanted it to be in my local area as all the creative facilities here at the moment are dated and in need of a boost. I know a lot of creatives around the same age as me, Obviously you are an established photographer that focus their skills in different areas like music and design with an established business. How do you think and felt with a base in Abercynon we could start to refocus the being based in Abercynon will improve that? community and bring a love for the creative industries back to the valleys. I believe that my location in Aberecynon couldn’t be more perfect. The school is opposite so the parents see me every- day, the one way system runs around the whole building, Do you think that Abercynon is a good place for so if you are driving through Abercynon you have very small independent businesses to be based? little chance you won’t be driving past and the train station and bus stop are either end of the street, so there is a lot of Since I have opened in September I have seen a few more footfall going in both direction. Before opening a studio I had shops open up and more trade start to come to Abercynon. a lot of trouble trying to get my name established as no one At the moment there is an underlying feeling of a community really saw my work other than on social media. Abercynon coming together. There are lots of events going on to help raise to me seems like the perfect place for me to starting up awareness and money for local memorials and also to get my own studio, it is still in the valleys which was always Christmas lights up in the main street. This might not sound like a big factor for me because I feel like we need a big push a lot but it shows the community are starting to pull together to get our high streets back to the thriving community led and trying and make smaller independent businesses and Ab- places they used to be, and it also has good transport links to ercynon’s local high street thrive. I feel like that the community Cardiff and other bigger cities. Abercynon may not be much plays a large role in small businesses and how long they last. to look at at the moment but with enough drive and com- mitment from the local community we could get it back to somewhere everyone is proud of. To view Abigail’s work visit http://www.abigaillewisphotography.co.uk 13 Could Bridgend have its own chocolate

factory? “We looked at the more tradi- wo traditional sweet tional routes for shop owners are hoping funding this pro- Tto achieve their dream ject, but our bank of opening their own chocolate turned us down factory by using crowdfunding despite us being a after being denied a bank loan. growing business Steve Bletsoe and Freya operating a profit. Sykes-Bletsoe need to generate We decided to £25,000 through online dona- look at other Images taken from Wales tions to export their chocolates options. One which really stood on the public to support their and toffees across the globe. out for us was crowdfunding. project. They are hoping to transform This is when the crowd step Freya, 40, said: “We get visitors their sweet shop on Norton in to help. Every crowdfunding from around the world visiting Sweet so they can make their project offers gifts in return for our tiny shop in Bridgend, so sweets at the back of the shop. pledges of money. These are we thought with town ailing and a machine for making hard-boiled They also want to build a view- usually gifts that are limited in so much, rather than moving sweets. ing gallery so customers can edition or the sort of thing that our operation to a non-descript All of the sweets are currently made see their sweets being made. are not for general release”. factory unit, we could utilise by hand by Freya and Steve in the rear Their sweets include Riley’s The couple started a crowd- our current premises and try to of their shop, buy the new equipment Toffee Rolls which were first funding campaign on the attract more visitors to Bridgend would help to increase their production made by Freya’s great uncles website Kickstarter.com, but town centre”. and could lead to the employment of in Yorkshire in 1907 and were with just £736 of the £25,000 The couple want to invest in a three new apprentices. revived in 2008. needed so far and with just a new toffee boiler, two chocolate To back the Ella Riley‘s crowdfunding Steve who was born and fortnight to go, Steve and Freya enrobers – which encase prod- project go to www.kickstarter.com and brought up in Bridgend said, are calling ucts in chocolate – a toffee table search for Ella Riley’s. American Pie star turned musician vows to return to Mountain Ash ollywood star Thomas Ian get in, I promise we’ll be back in the the films. Nicholas – best known for Spring.’ “I don’t think they believed Thomas Hplaying Kevin in the Amer- The booking was made by Moun- was going to turn up until he ican Pie movies - has vowed to tain Ash Inn landlord Anthony walked out to play and then the return to Mountain Ash after play- Rivers, who admitted it was a quick place erupted.” ing what he described as the “best turn round for the gig, but it couldn’t The 34-year-old actor from Las show” on his UK tour. have gone any better, even if locals Vegas has forged a successful The actor and musician had top didn’t actually believe the star was sideline to his acting career with his billing at a sold out show at The going to turn up. outfit the Thomas Ian Nicholas Band Mountain Ash Inn pub at the week- We’ve worked with the manage- and will remember his gig in South

LIFESTYLE & CULTURE end and enjoyed himself so much ment company who were handling Wales for some time. Thomas in the American Pie: Reunion. he’s going to line up another gig the show before, and when they “He played a number of covers such Image taken from Good-Wallpapers when he’s next in the UK. offered us the gig, we had to put as Laid by James and Wonderwall Writing on his Twitter account it together quite quickly, however by Oasis,” said Anthony. the morning after the memorable the reaction was incredible, even “He loved the fact that the gig was show, he said: ‘Amazing time play- if people thought we were actually so intimate and so close to the ing @MountainAshInn last night for hosting an American Pie tribute stage, he even sang along when our a SOLD OUT show. If you couldn’t night, rather than one of the stars of DJ played American Pie. Half marathon to take place in Merthyr Tydfil for first time in more than 20 years erthyr Tydfil’s town “I started the running club two- It’s hoped the day will have a car- are hoping to get bands and stalls running club will be years ago and it’s gone from nival atmosphere with live music along for the day. Mhosting the half marathon strength to strength. and stalls. “We’ve seen people come to us next year with hundreds of people “We organised the 5k race last Sarah, who lives in Merthyr and who are overweight and lacking already signed up for the 13.1 mile year which was great and so we now works as a personal trainer, confidence and running has com- race. It will take place on Sunday, thought we’d arrange a longer one added: “This is one of my favourite pletely transformed their lives. March 22. next year. running routes and it will be great “That’s something that happened to It will be the first half marathon “I know there were a couple of half to experience it while running the me when I first started and it would held in the town since the 1980s and marathons in Merthyr in the 1980s half marathon. be great if we can help even more was se up after the success of last but there hasn’t been one for a long “I want people to join in who might people.” year’s 5k race in the town. time in the town.” not usually run but can experience Entry to the race costs £15 for Sarah Draper, 39, who runs the The race will start in the town taking part in this in their home running club members and £17 for running club, said: “The response to centre at 10am before doing one lap town. everyone else. the race so far has been amazing. of the Taff and Trevithick Trail. “We will also have a kids race and 14 Aberdare based band top global unsigned band chart Cynon Valley band are following in the sort of music we play. footsteps of local rock legends Stere- “Their stations compile the Aophonics by scoring an international Sunset Island World Band chart topper. Chart based on plays and Aberdare band Quarantine a Cynon Valley audience feedback. band are following in the footsteps of local rock legends Stereophonics by scoring an interna- “The first week we went tional number one. straight into the chart at However, in the case of Aberdare alt-rock outfitnumber 90, we raced up Quarantine, it’s top spot in a global unsigned to number 11, then number band chart with songs from their new EP 9 and now we’re number There’s More to Life rather than a million-sell- one.” ing smash. A quick look at the chart Nevertheless, it’s another sure sign of massive reveals that below them in progress from the alt-rock quartet who have the top 10 are acts from the recently been working at Longwave Studios South Africa, the US and in Cardiff with acclaimed producer Romesh South America. Image taken from Wales Online Dodangoda, the man responsible for albums “It features bands from across the globe,” said “When our songs are downloaded it shows from The Blackout, Funeral For A Friend and Tom. you the country of origin where the down- Kids In Glass Houses. “And we’re top of the pile from Wales. We loaders are from. “The songs we recorded for the EP with haven’t got a manager. We’re just pretty DIY “There are lots from South America, as well Romesh we decided to send out to as many about everything and work really hard, but as Canada and France thanks to the airplay people and as many places as we could,” said it was still a massive surprise to us how we we’ve received there.” singer Tom Addiscott. actually got on there in the first place but to “It got into a South African based music mag- end up as number one was incredible. We Now the band are planning to maximise on azine. They loved it so much they sent it off to were shocked.” their international exposure. radio stations that they are in partnership with. They’re not the only band from Aberdare “We’ve just finished recording our second “One of the radio stations was the Sunset forging something of an international reputa- album and plan to release that early net year Island Radio Station who happen to own 200 tion. and we hope to get a single out next month global radio stations. They have a weekly The band have picked up new fans around the with an accompanying video. reach of 1.6 million listeners. planet. Hopefully Classic Rock can get behind us “They liked what they heard and we were “The music transcends the language barrier,” again and feed the frenzy in far flung places”, played on the radio stations that featured the said Hywel. said the frontman.

Half marathon to take place in Merthyr Tydfil for first time Advert here in more than 20 years

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