Remembering
1918
It is time to reflect on Pontyclun 100 years ago. On 11
November 1918 Germany surrendered to the allied forces of Britain, France and
the USA. German forces had been repelled in their attempted advances earlier in
the year – they were exhausted and mutinous. The terms of the surrender were
that Germany should withdraw to well within pre-war boundaries and make large
scale financial payments to the victors; the Turkish and Austro-Hungarian
empires should be dismantled. We remember the lives lost, the bodies and minds
mutilated, the sacrifices made in our workplaces and communities, women and
children destined to live lives without those they loved and needed.
There is an invitation for all of us to submit a piece of
art or a photograph, a poem or piece of writing (up to 500 words) which shares
our reflections on 1918. Submissions should be made to Pontyclun Community Council
Office, Heol yr Orsaf (clerk@pontyclun-cc.gov.wales)
by 5 November 1918.
Pontyclun Community Council has organised a whole month of
events, entitled ‘Peace at Last’ to allow us to remember 1918.
Tuesday
6 Nov, 5.30 pm
|
Remember
1918 - A talk with drama and music
|
Y Pant
School
|
Sunday
11 Nov,
|
Remembrance
Services
|
St
Paul’s Church 9.30 am
Miskin
War Memorial 11 am
|
Monday
12 Nov, 10am
|
Remembering
1918 – a Walk from Pontyclun to Talygarn
|
St
Paul’s Church
|
Monday
12 Nov, 3 pm
|
Afternoon
Tea
|
Café 50
|
Tuesday
13 Nov, 5.30 pm
|
Film
‘Hedd Wyn’ – Welsh language with English subtitles
|
Y Pant
School
|
Mon 19
Nov, 1 pm
|
U3A
monthly meeting
Lunch
with 1918 recipes
|
Pontyclun
Community Centre
|
Tuesday
20 Nov, 5.30 pm
|
Film
‘Oh What a Lovely War’
|
Y Pant
School
|
Saturday
24 Nov, 7.30 pm
|
Songs,
Poems and Pints – Pontyclun’s songsters and poets invite us to remember 1918,
singing along and sharing thoughts
|
Pontyclun
Athletic Club
|
Pontyclun
Railway Services
This October Transport for Wales will take responsibility
for railways in Wales from Arriva Trains. I have been arguing hard for improved
services in Pontyclun – writing to and meeting Ministers, MP’s and AM’s.
I am
pleased to report that there will be new and larger trains by 2020 and that RCT
Council is working to extend the station car park by 2020.
However, I am disappointed to report that the current intention
of the Welsh Government is to keep to just 1 train an hour stopping at
Pontyclun. Throughout all the other valley lines there will be a minimum of four
trains an hour. Even Llantwit Major will get 2 trains an hour. I will not
accept that our railway service will be worse than everywhere else. I will need
the help of all local rail users to create extra pressure - look out for
petitions, public meetings and television cameras; unless, of course the
Minister, Ken Skates, changes his mind once he has read this article.