CHCA Newsletter Spring-Summer 08 › wp-content › ... · the animals have probably already called...

Issue 18 Spring 2008

Newsletter

Puzzle 4

Margam Park 7

Nat. Gardens 10

Gaia 14

Peter W Retires 19

Christmas Parade 17

Inside this issue:

Welcome to the Summer edition of the CHCA News-

letter.

At the time of writing this report the

weather is very hot. Long may it continue! I hope that

this will be the situation throughout the summer.

This year has seen the resignation of Peter

Whitney from the Committee. Peter was known to all

of us by his hard work in helping to keep our village

looking beautiful. He planted the daffodils as you en-

ter the village and maintained them as they died

back. Peter did so many other duties to help maintain

a high standard around the village.

Apart from his gardening commitments, he

was the co-ordinator for Neighbourhood Watch and

attended their meetings on a regular basis. We must

not forget Peter’s wife Betty. She was not a Commit-

tee member but she was always ready to help with

the End of Summer Fun Day and the Christmas Pa-

rade. Peter and Betty were always ready to host our

meetings and Betty provided us with our supper dur-

ing the meetings. Many thanks.

To say a very big thank you to both of them

the Committee and friends met at the Priory for a

social evening which was enjoyed by everyone pre-

Welcome to the Spring edition of

the CHCA Newsletter

Registered Charity No: 1104052

NEWSLETTER ISSUE 18

sent. Peter has already been missed by the Committee and we wish him

and Betty all the best for the future.

At this year’s Annual General Meeting we had representatives

from Neath Port Talbot Police who gave a very interesting talk on crime

in the Borough. For those of you who were not able to attend, they en-

couraged people who have house alarms to use them when they were out

and at bedtime. So if you have alarms please use them.

It is with sadness that I report on two attempted break ins over

the Easter period. One was in Cwrt yr Eos and the other in Min y Coed. It

was reported to me that the police were very helpful and sympathetic.

So please once again, if you have alarms please use them.

On a happier note, arrangements are being made for the End Of

Summer Fun Day. This will take place on Saturday 6th Septmeber 2008.

Please put this date in your diary and come along and have a good time.

More details to follow nearer to the time

Finally, our committee has grown since the last Newsletter. The

new members have brought many new ideas with them and we all work

hard together. We still have room for more members. So if you could

spare two hours a month then please come along and help support your

village.

Hywel Selway

Chairman

NEWSLETTER ISSUE 18

NEWSLETTER ISSUE 18

Puzzle

Sudoku (medium difficulty)

Answer on page 17

4 3 1 7

5 9 6

8 1 3 4

6 7 2 4

7 6 3 8

5 4 2 8

9 4 6

6 2 5 9

STOP PRESS A meeting has been arranged with Dr Brian Gibbons AM, Stan Mason (Our

Local Councellor) and members of the CHCA. The Agenda will be discussing

the issue of the centre of the village. Hopefully we can find some ways for-

ward suitable for everyone.

NEWSLETTER ISSUE 18

NEWSLETTER ISSUE 18

Events at Margam

Park May 2008

30-31 May

GHOST HUNT AT MARGAM PARK

June 2008

7-8 June

Margam Kite Festival - All kite fliers welcome.

Join the Park for a kite flier's festival.

13-15 June

South Wales Boat Show

Come aboard the biggest marine event in Wales in 2008.... whatever your inter-

ests we have something for you!

24-29 Jun

Uncle Sam's American Circus UK Tour 2008

July 2008

Margam Festival—Including:

Outdoor Shakespeare, Opera at the Castle, Literature Day and More...

NEWSLETTER ISSUE 18

NEWSLETTER ISSUE 18

Tiny talk Signing classes are starting in Pyle on 2nd September 2008

at the life centre on Tuesday 10 -11am.

As the days lengthen and the spring beckons there is an air of anticipation amongst the horticulture staff and students at Twyn yr Hydd. For the first time the gardens will open on Sunday June 15th as part of the National Gardens Scheme. Every year NGS gardens across England and Wales welcome over half a million visitors. The tradition of opening gardens of quality, character and interest is sup-ported by the NGS’s Patron, HRH The Prince of Wales. Each year the NGS raises £2 million for nursing, caring and gardening charities and since 1927 they have raised over £30 million. As well as preparing for the NGS opening the team will are busy sowing seeds and taking cuttings in preparation for the busy season that lies ahead.

Always available; top

quality plants locally

grown. Open 7 days a week all summer.

1 mile from the entrance to Margam Park.

Follow the signs to

Twyn yr Hydd House.

01639 648261

National Gardens Scheme

NEWSLETTER ISSUE 18

“Hi all, my name is Chaela Carrell and I work with NPTCBC, my job title is

Community Wildlife Project Officer. I have worked with the Coed Hirwaun

residential group over the last couple of years and you may have seen me at

the last two fun days building bird nesting boxes and holding a competition

for the biodiversity quiz. Have you ever wanted to know more about wildlife

and what is important in your area? I’m organising a series of training

courses this year on wildlife and practical conservation skills, as soon as

dates, venues and tutors are confirmed I will be putting a poster up on the

notice board with information about the event and who to contact. If you

would like to chat in the mean time please don’t hesitate to contact me on

01639 686168 or email me on [email protected] .”

PAGE 13 NEWSLETTER ISSUE 18

Biodiversity

NEWSLETTER ISSUE 18

Is your garden an oasis or a desert? Have you transformed it into a patio in the vain hope that it will be a glorious summer or is it a manicured lawn. Both may be useful, but how often are they used and both are a semi desert for wildlife. Why not change to a garden that will encourage wildlife. Our garden has provided us with pleas-ure and fulfilment. If you have children it can educate, fire their imagination and perhaps bring understanding that the world is not theirs, but

that it must be shared.

In our garden there is a small loose-paved patio area, but this does not just serve us. The nooks and crannies are 'built in' to give shelter for insects, hopefully many beneficial ones, it provides a feeding area for visiting hedgehogs, and room for some blueberry plants; discussions are ongoing at the moment as to whether these belong to my wife or the blackbirds. To date the blackbirds have won the argument every time. There is a small grassed area. I say grassed rather than lawn as it is always kept on the long side, and provides protection for various small animals and a worming area for said blackbirds and our ASBO starlings. The focal point of the garden is the small pool. It has matured over the last few years and is home for frogs, newts, assorted tadpoles, dragonfly larvae, and vari-ous other insects.

What do you need to start off? Not a lot. Most of the animals have probably already called in your garden. It's more what you do to encourage rather than poison. Safely dispose of those slug pellets and skip the insecticides. Don't make your garden a fortress but leave a hedgehog sized hole under your fence. Next, find a copy of the leaflet 'Go Wild in your garden' issued by Neath Port Talbot Council which contains some useful hints and information to carry you forward.

Why move to the country and then surround yourself with urban desert. Start changing your garden into an oasis for wildlife. You can give nature a helping hand and be rewarded with a garden that is different every time you walk into it.

Article supplied by a village resident

Give Gaia A Chance

NEWSLETTER ISSUE 18

NEWSLETTER ISSUE 18

<Insert Harris

Printer Ad Here>

Yes Christmas was nearly 6 months ago – doesn’t time fly.

We would like to thank everyone who supported us that evening; Santa of

course and his elves, Jeremy for the loan of his car (which he has sold now so

we fear poor Santa may have to walk this year!), Duffryn Comprehensive

school band, Derek for the loan of his sleigh and Jonathan Bishop who is still

trying to warm up after taking almost 50 photos of Santa with his friends. We

were pleased to hear that non residents also made a special trip to Margam

village to join in with our fun.

Christmas Parade


NEWSLETTER ISSUE 18

Get ready for Summer with some Water Babies classes for your baby and by

the end of the 10 week course, they’ll be swimming underwater with eyes

open and big smiles.

Water Babies is a unique swim-

ming programme. The lessons,

where babies swim underwater as

well as on the surface, are de-

signed to make the most of their

natural affinity with water whilst

teaching confidence and safety

techniques.

There are many benefits to teach-

ing babies to swim from an early

age: it strengthens the bond be-

tween child and parent, teaches

them to respond to instructions

and recognise voice commands, it enhances awareness and improves sleep

patterns. It’s a sociable activity as well, and it increases confidence – which

can be crucial in later life when kids are naturally drawn to playing in and

around water. It is also the only complete form of gentle exercise that a baby

can happily carry out in their vital first 18 months.

For more information please contact Water Babies on 01633 413 620 or look

at the website: www.waterbabies.co.uk. Summer term starts 2nd June.

Natural Born Swimmers

NEWSLETTER ISSUE 18

NEWSLETTER ISSUE 18

D.S.

THERAPIES

SPORTS INJURY THERAPY AND SWEDISH

MASSAGE THERAPY

Qualified therapist offering preventative care, rehabilitation and treatment for muscular inju-ries sustained through sports, leisure and eve-

ryday activities

Damian Smith – Therapist

(Complementary Therapies Association num-

ber –P44130)

Contact Damian 07792324789

[email protected]

Although based in Swansea, Damian is avail-able most Thursdays at 2 Tone Fitness, South

Cornelly (Ring Leighton on 07725442286)

NEWSLETTER ISSUE 18

CHCA Committee

Chairman

Hywel

Selway

Secretary

Sylvia

Hawkins

Treasurer

Nora

Furness

Vice Chair

Peter

Furness

Press Officer

Jo

Hutton-

Davis

Nia

Selway

Paul

Jones

Sarah

Jones

Tom

Garbett-

Davies

Angela

Page

Alun

Jones

Chris

Davis

NEWSLETTER ISSUE 18

After many years sterling service to the CHCA

Peter Whitney has retired from active service. He

has been a member since 2001 and has been seen

many a time tending to the entrance to the vil-

lage . His work in making the whole of the village

such a pleasant place to be has been much appre-

ciated. Although his wife Betty has not been an

official member of the CHCA her support has

made such a difference for instance making the

clothes for elves and devising the thimble game to

name but a couple. At a recent dinner in their

honour, Peter said “Our involvement with the

CHCA , and its aims since its inception has been a source of much satisfac-

tion and pleasure to us both and we have enjoyed being part of the commu-

nity involvement in giving a voice to the residents of the village.

During the past seven years I have been privileged to work with many mem-

bers who no longer serve but who still live in the village and who give their

wholehearted support to the committee in various ways. There are also those

who I would call surrogate members who always lend a hand when needed.

This spirit has been engendered by the dedication and hard work of the com-

mittee in their desire to promote and sustain a community that will continue

to be active and vibrant.

We have accomplished much for the community but there are still challenges

ahead. I am certain that with goodwill you will meet them and succeed in

obtaining your goals.” Peter raised a toast a to the village association “Long

may you prosper.” Reiterating a previous newsletters contributor’s comments

“We need to sing the praises of our peaceful life so that new people coming

here to look for houses enjoy the lifestyle we have in this corner of Margam

Park”

We at the CHCA would like to thank Peter and Betty for their many efforts

over the years and hope they enjoy the village for many years to come.


Peter Whitney Retires

If you would like to advertise in this newsletter

(and on the notice board) please initially con-

tact our Press Officer, Jo via our Secretary at 5

Pant Y Rhedyn or email us.

We would still like recruits to the committee. If

you would like to contribute to your commu-

nity we would love to hear from you.

The CHCA does not endorse or recommend any specific companies advertised in this newsletter. All letters sent to the editor and included in this newsletter are the views of the authors and do not necessarily represent the views of the CHCA. CHCA Logo designed by Ben Shawe

PLEASE NOTE

Look out for our new look website launching in the summer

www.margam-village.org.uk

Registered Charity No: 1104052

LETTERS TO

THE EDITOR

We are more than happy

to publish your letters in

the Newsletter. However,

your name, address and

telephone number must

be provided; this can be

withheld if you so wish.

Sorry, but we cannot in-

clude matters of a per-

sonal nature.


Coed Hirwaun Community Association Mission Statement

The CHCA is a small registered charity, which exists to enhance all aspects of vil-lage life. Consulting with the villagers, local authori-ties, voluntary and other organisations in a common effort to advance education and to provide facilities in the interests of social welfare for recreation and leisure-time. We produce a regular newsletter, organise social events and raise money towards vil-lage causes.

CHCA Newsletter Spring-Summer 08 › wp-content › ... · the animals have probably already called...

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