Issue 16 | Summer 2007 | The Vale of Glamorgan Council’s Community Newspaper | www.valeofglamorgan.gov.uk Nell’s Point Coastwatch team is first in Wales Make space for wildlife Schools, community/town councils and residents urged to offer a helping hand to wildlife. 2 Is Serbia the best value skiing in Europe? Discover for yourself just how much the Serbian resort of Kopanonik has to offer the budget conscious skier. Inset: Council Leader Cllr “Activale” Margaret Alexander unveils a plaque to mark the official Directory opening of the new station. So much information on organisations and summer activities now available for young people 3 One of the most knowledgeable members is Doug Jones, a working Master Mariner. Since its official opening in trained to a set national standard. information in the local press or ask at informal introduction. February, the new National "During a watch, observations of the Nell’s Point station. There is exhibition space on the Coastwatch Institution station at marine activities are strictly logged – If you would like to volunteer to station’s ground floor that the Vale Nell’s Point, Barry Island, has been passing vessels and small craft, join the team of watchkeepers, invite local organisations such as manned five days a week in daylight surfers, people on lilos, swimmers, telephone Station Manager Clive clubs or schools to use. Contact Is Serbia the best hours – pretty impressive for a marine mammals and water pollution Wilton on 07969 435787 or join the Malcolm Drysdale at the Docks value skiing in Europe? group of volunteer watchkeepers, are all noted. Any emergency is team any Wednesday evening at the Offices on (01446) 704745. most of whom, six months ago, immediately reported to Swansea RAFA Club in Porthkerry Road for an Discover for yourself just how didn’t know each other. Coastguard Station where appropriate much the Serbian resort of From a meeting last August, emergency services are put into The £370,000 project at the former Commander Tony King, of the NCI, Kopanonik has to offer the volunteers from all walks of life came action." Coastguard Station was undertaken said: "The excellent refurbishment budget conscious skier. together to form the present team who The team at Nell’s Point is part of by the Council with support funding of the watch level in the old range in age from 28 to 78. Some are the national network of coastwatch from the Welsh Assembly Coastguard building has enabled retired, while others are working stations being set up all over Britain Government. our volunteer watchkeepers to people. and, with pride, is the first in Wales. Council Leader Cllr Margaret significantly enhance the safety of “Home cooked” As the group's publicity But, like all others, is entirely self Alexander said: “I am delighted this all who use the waters in and officer/treasurer, Glynis Parsons, supporting. As a registered charity, project has the full support of around Barry Island.” meals for explained: "There is so much more to each station must raise funds to the volunteers and the local community. Another key partner is Associated Vale pupils watchkeeping than just having a quick extent of about £2,000 annually to "The Council is keen to work with British Ports who operate a radar look round. Qualified keepers have to cover running costs. partners across a wide variety of installation at the station to provide Vale catering services has the know about weather, buoyage, tides, The Nell’s Point team, who meet sectors, and the station project information to shipping using this “Appetite” to meet charts, plotting, flags, first aid and socially every week, is organising a provides a focus for voluntary busy part of the channel. revolutionary nutritional emergency procedures as well as number of events throughout the year activities and community challenges developing a background of local and welcome the support of local participation." coastal knowledge. Volunteers must be people. Look out for posters and 6 Turn to Page 5 for a comprehensive guide of what’s on in the Vale this summer Children “Excellence Wales” award for hooked on helping prevent homelessness Dragon Sport Helping to prevent homelessness Member for Housing and has earned the Council national Community Safety, said: “This recognition. service has dramatically reduced the The Council's Homeless number of homeless acceptances by More than 800 youngsters have Prevention Team was commended at the authority from 314 in 2004 to the 'Excellence Wales' awards under 165 in 2006. the 'Our Homes' category for its “The Homeless Prevention Team outstanding work with people has not only reduced the number of threatened with losing their homes. homeless acceptances, it has enabled The Homeless Prevention Team many vulnerable individuals and works closely with clients to prevent families to remain in their homes a breakdown in their existing and to avoid the disruption and stress accommodation, and offers a number of moving into temporary of options, including financial accommodation.” Vale Cabinet Member for assistance for those eligible, to either Welsh Local Government Tourism and Leisure Cllr Gwyn remain in their current Association director Steve Thomas John joined youngsters at the accommodation or to help find a said: “Once again our national Dragon Sport Extraveganza new home. awards scheme shows that councils More than 800 youngsters have Where a tenancy cannot be across Wales are achieving the saved, the team helps eligible clients highest level of performance in enjoyed a host of sporting activities at an inaugural Dragon serving their communities." to find alternative accommodation Sport Extravaganza at the with assistance from the Vale For further details about the National Indoor Athletics Centre Assisted Tenancy Scheme (VATS) in work of the Vale Council's Homeless in Cardiff. Cabinet Member for Housing and Community Safety Cllr Margaret the private sector. Prevention Team, contact Hazel The event allowed youngsters Wilkinson and staff celebrate the "Excellence" award. Cllr Margaret Wilkinson, Cabinet Allen on (01446) 709467. to indulge in 10 sporting activities, including golf, hockey and cricket, Overall satisfaction levels with the The encouraging results further toilets and access and provision of and aimed to entice them away service provided by the Council revealed that the number of people public transport information. from simply watching our elite Proud to have risen from 74% in 2005 to who feel able to influence decisions Satisfaction levels are increasing sportsmen and women on television 86%, according to a 2006 public affecting their local area has increased in a number of areas including refuse and, instead, emulating their opinion survey. from 34% to 47%, while the figure collection, street lighting, the library achievements. The Lottery-funded Dragon The third large scale survey for the number feeling proud to live service and adult education services. live in designed to gain an insight into public Sport scheme – Wales’ biggest in the Vale remained high at 87%. The results of the survey are campaign to get primary opinion of Council services involved There were, however, some areas being shared with appropriate Council schoolchildren hooked on out-of- the Citizens' Panel – a group of Vale where satisfaction levels have slightly departmento ensure they are aware of school-hours sport – is helping the Vale residents whom the Council regularly declined slightly, including public the public perception of their services. draw more children into sport and consult with on a range of issues. increase activity levels and has exceeded all expectations since its launch in 2000. Vale Cabinet Member for Great ideas to encourage wildlife Tourism and Leisure Cllr Gwyn John said: "Dragon Sport has made In the last 40 years, farming within town/community councils to give Leave a logpile – Piles of logs, sand so that any animals walking a significant contribution towards physical activity in primary schools. the Vale has become more them a helping hand. twigs and leaves provide a place for over it will leave clear prints. To Participation in the programme has intensive, woodland has dwindled Ecology Assistant Richard May lots of animals to hide, hibernate and make a permanent record, carefully also helped schools to offer a wider and urban areas have expanded. said: "The leaflets have been reproduce. Longhorn and lesser stag spray it with hairspray to keep the range of activities." All this means that the pressure designed to enable everyone to beetle larvae feed on dead wood – sand in place and fill in the tracks Participating Vale schools were on native plants and animals has create, manage and enhance a space sometimes for up to seven years with plaster of Paris Barry Island, Jenner Park and Ysgol never been greater and so it’s for wildlife. The leaflets are full of Plant a tree – Trees support loads For further information on the Sant Baruc in Barry and St Joseph's essential to give them a helping practical ideas, showing you how to of minibeasts (oak trees can have initiative, contact Richard May on RC, Penarth. For more information on hand. create ponds, build bird or bat boxes, over 300 species), which, in turn, (01446) 704855 or email Dragon Sport in the Vale, contact Wildlife areas outside farmland, establish wild flower meadows, provide food for many other animals [email protected] Rachel McGuinness or Pete such as gardens, are thought to feed small Become an expert tracker – Fill a Hardwick on (01446) 704681. support 75% of the shallow scrape in the garden with frogs in the UK, and one sixth of the food fed by blue tits to their chicks is from bird By-election tables. Now a new member winner of the Council's Ecology Team has started work to The Council by-election in the Llantwit Major ward following offer guidance on how to the death of Cllr John Readman create, manage and was won by Sally Bagstaff enhance small open areas (Llantwit First Independents) for as much wildlife as mammals, who polled 1,062 votes.