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Bedwas Trethomas & Machen Community Council Newsletter Winter 2007 Refurbishment Plans for Workman’s Hall The Community Council has entered into a Partnership with Caerphilly Arts Development and has been awarded £25,000 from the Arts Council of Wales to engage an architect to undertake a feasibility study with a further grant from CCBC so that we can assess the work needed to make the Hall the leading entertainment centre in the Caerphilly Basin. Once the study is complete, we will seek funding from other sources, mainly the Heritage Lottery, Coalfield Regeneration Fund, etc., to go ahead with the complete refurbishment of the building. This will include a lift for disabil- ity access, modern theatre facilities and much more. Its history, its place in the heritage of Bedwas, Trethomas and Machen, and all the many peo- ple who have served it so well over the years, deserves recognition and we see a very bright future for the Workmen’s Hall. An important element in the success of our bid will be the enthusiasm for this venture from local people and organisations. We have received let- ters of support from many potential users who are unanimous in that they New management see a valued place for the Workmen’s Hall in the Community and would committee for Community use it as a concert, convention and exhibition venue. There is no doubt that the Hall has the potential to become a prestigious entertainment Hall centre of excellence, bringing a much needed public facility to our com- An that meet integral part of the Partnership arrange- munity. Lottery and other grants are determined by the weight of public ments for the Workman’s Hall Community Centre is demand and you can help the success of the project by writing to this the establishment of a management committee compris- Council showing that you support the bid. ing of both elected members and residents of the area, with the majority of the committee comprising of local Community Council elects new residents. The management committee has day to day responsibility for running the centre and for ensuring that a suitable programme of activities are planned the Chairman needs of the community. At its Annual General Meeting the Community Council elected Councillor At its recent Annual General Meeting the following Denis Barry as its Chairman for the forthcoming municipal year. Officers were elected: Chairperson: Ms. Rhiannon Otter Denis has lived in Machen for the past 50 years. He is mar- Vice Chairperson: Mr Stephen Davies ried to Joy and has two grown up children. Secretary: Councillor Dennis Barry Treasure: Mr Phil Mallett Originally trained as a The Community Council looks forward to working with Teacher Denis is now semi the newly formed committee and wishes them well in retired although he has main- their endeavours. tained his interest in education matters and occasionally does Why not come along to one of our some supply work to assist when there are staff shortages Council Meetings and see what we do ? through illness. As a governor of Machen Primary school he is committed to ensuring that our education The Community Council is committed to the principles of establishments provide high quality provision and a conducive learning envi- “open government” and all of its meetings are open to the public. Meetings, with the exception of August, take ronment for our children. place of the first and third Tuesday of each month com- mencing at 6.30 pm at the Council’s Offices Bedwas. A keen gardener Denis is involved in a number of horticultural societies, both at local and National level . As a member of the executive committee of the National vegetable Society Denis is often requested to give talks and lectures The agenda is available 5 days prior to the meeting and on matters related to horticultural matters. For Denis gardening in not mealy copies of all minutes are deposited in local libraries . a hobby but a passion that must be indulged. For further information please contact the Clerk to the During his term of office Denis will be supported by his vice chairman Council on: (029) 2088 5737 or Email the Council at:- Councillor Ray Davies (Bedwas) and all Members of the Community Council [email protected] Page 2 Bedwas Trethomas & Machen Community Council Newsletter Elected Members for Support for local PACT BEDWAS WARD Priorities Anti-social months and the matter will be discussed behaviour again at the next PACT meeting. and speeding The Community Council recognises the were high on excellent work being undertaken PACT the agenda of co-ordinator Sergeant K Child's who the problems with the full backing of Inspector R Tho- raised by mas and his very hard working designated local Com- munity Councillors at the recent PACT meeting where they Police and Community Support Officers have had a huge and successful input into Ray Davies (Labour) highlighted anti-social behaviour problems: • outside the Co-Op and Park in Bedwas ensuring that these problems are ad- 172 Pandy Road • outside the Spar in Trethomas dressed and dealt with. Bedwas CF83 8EP • on “the stretch” in Graig y Rhacca and Over the past 12 months significant pro- Tel: 029 2088 9514 • at Forge Road, Machen gress has been made in improving the safety & wellbeing of local residents but The Community Council , through its Police & Road Safety we recognise there is still a long way to Committee, are working closely with the Police and County Council to tackle these issues and an action plan has been pre- go. pared to deal with these issues. If there are issues or concerns that you think the PACT should look at contact At the meeting it was also agreed that the neighbourhood po- licing team should ask the safety camera unit for a camera to one of your local Councillors who will be monitor speeding traffic on Machen’s main road over three Mrs. M Miles of the Bedwas and Tre- David Davies (Labour) ‘ Preserving our Bryngwyn Colliery Heritage and investing thomas History group comments:- “it 32 Tor View Cornish Pump in our children’s future ’ is pleasing to see that building firms, Bedwas CF83 8HE such as Charles Church house Wales, are not only inter- Tel: 029 2088 7971 This unique Cornish ested in building new pump house, the last homes but are sympathetic surviving in Great Britain, to the heritage of past is a vital symbol and re- craftsmen. minder of the history of It is understood that the Bedwas, and the Com- newly erected fence around munity Council has been the site for safety reasons pleased to provide sup- will be removed when the port the local history project is completed.” group in its efforts to preserve this out- Mrs G A Hollywell (Labour) The exterior of the Engine Hall looking southwards. In the foreground is the evidence of pumps at standing example of work for the last time. The settling tank in the foreground is one of the few remaining visible fea- 90 Pandy Road our past. tures of the colliery. The water stored here was used in emergencies for fighting fire underground . Bedwas CF83 8EL Tel: 029 2086 1912 Red Brook Woods– Coed Nant Goch Since our last report much Pick evenings’ when we can has been happening to the promise you fresh air and good Woods. Caerphilly Ground company . It is important that we works and local residents use this facility because the Com- have worked hard to pre- munity council is determined to serve the natural environment fight off any development other and to enhance it as a unique than leisure in this area. and first class facility. Anyone With your support we can who would like to help in this rewarding work can do so by succeed. Bill Thomas contacting Officers of the CONTACTS: Trethomas Conservation Jeff Cuthbert AM joins volunteers to (Independent Member) Bill Hughes Tel; 029 20 861 695 Society or this Council. clean up the woods Barbra Parnell Tel; 01633 885 1 Nursery Rise An ongoing problem is litter - Please join in and help to ensure 259 or Bedwas CF83 8HD particularly beer and other that this facility is not lost to cans. Residents can help by Councillor Derek Havard property developers Tel: 029 2086 6793 joining in one of our ‘Litter Tel: 029 20 866 079. Bedwas Trethomas & Machen Community Council Newsletter Page 3 Community Council fights to Elected Members for save local Post Offices TRETHOMAS WARD T h e Com- other interested organisations lieves that, this ‘advanced will be able to lodge formal lobbying’ will ensure that the munity Council has been in- objections. Post Office is aware that any proposal to close a Post Of- formed that as part of its Net- The Community Council is fice in this area will be met work Change Programme Post acutely aware that any pro- with strong opposition. We Office Ltd will be looking to posal to close a Post Office in hope that our early interven- close a number of Post Offices the Bedwas Trethomas and tion will assist in our fight to Liz Aldworth (Labour) in the Newport & Gwent Val- Machen Areas would have leys area in the early part of serious implications for some retain these essential services. “Cartref Fach” 2008. of the most vulnerable groups We will obviously keep resi- 20 Navigation Street Specific proposals, covering in our society and have been dents informed of develop- the whole of Caerphilly, are working closely with the local ments but we do need your Trethomas CF83 8FR due to be published on the Member of Parliament, help by making sure that we Tel: 029 2086 6929 15 th January 2008 when the Wayne David MP and Welsh all support our local Post individual Post Offices identi- Assembly Government Mem- Office .