Volunteers are so important to our community.

 This month we wanted to focus on how Volunteers and some Community groups work with the Community Council to make Pontyclun even better.

If you have lived here a little while, you will know that Pontyclun is a fantastic and busy community, with lots of things going on for all ages. What you may not know is that lots of what goes on wouldn’t be possible without the help of some extraordinary volunteers. Some of these work week in week out to help run local groups and organisations which benefit many of our residents.

Occasionally we also get some groups who step up to do some one off voluntary work for us.

During July we were extremely fortunate that a group of about 40 volunteers from the Church of the Latter-Day Saints in Rhiwbina came along and helped with some important work for us in Ivor woods.

We have RINA, a firm with offices on Clun Avenue coming along in September with a group of staff to help with some more in Ivor woods. Throughout the last few months you may have seen the wonderful Cardiff Conservation Volunteers helping build a new fence along the riverside walk.

Since becoming a Keep Wales Tidy Hub, we have been inundated with requests for community groups to use the equipment in order to help keep the village clean and litter free.

The fantastic gents at Men’s Shed have a schedule running all the way up to December of the dates they will be out and about. Our wonderful Brownies and Scout groups have taken their groups out with a huge amount of enthusiasm and smiles all round.

As well as the fantastic larger scale volunteering we have going on, there are also plenty of other groups that we are working closely with:

Many local businesses continue to support the Refill Pontyclun Scheme, where you can take any refillable drink bottle in, and they will refill it with water free of charge.

Our local history trail is in motion, to build on the current 50 history points we currently have in place. Local historians have been pivotal in getting the information and accuracy in place.

The Ramblers Association were instrumental in the Walking Leaflets we developed, showcasing 6 of the best walks around the area. These can be collected from the Council Offices, the library or online.

Our local Road Runners are working with us to develop some Running Routes leaflet. This will show several local runs of varying length and difficulty for anyone wishing to run Pontyclun. There will also be cycling routes in development soon.

Pontyclun Community Garden continues to be a wonderful part of the park and attracts lots of attention. This group is run solely by volunteers, and they work hard to try and grow things they think the community would want to see. Pontyclun Environment Group help look after our Riverside walk and regularly participate in litter picks. Groesfaen Gwyrdd work tirelessly to ensure Groesfaen is always full of colour and a definite talking point.

There are also a huge vast array of other volunteers and charity groups who give up their time and effort to support all the community events and to raise money for so many worthwhile causes around the village and beyond. Without them this wouldn’t happen. From Cancer Support groups, Foodbanks, Animal welfare trusts, Refugee support and the wonderful 2Wish. Far too many to list individually but all so important in the work they do.

So, from all of us at Pontyclun Community Council and I am sure, on behalf of our Community, we would like to say thank you to everyone who supports us and our wonderful village and helps us to make it an even better place to live and work.

Town Status for Pontyclun

Mae’r Cyngor Cymuned yn gofyn am farn trigolion a busnesau Pontyclun ynglŷn â’r cynnig i wneud Pont-y-clun yn Swyddogol dref

Mae Pontyclun yn “dref” fywiog sydd wedi’i lleoli yn Ne Cymru ac sydd â llawer i’w gynnig i’w thrigolion ac ymwelwyr. Mae ei gyfleusterau ac adnoddau niferus yn ei gwneud yn gyrchfan ddeniadol i bobl o bob oed.

Mae gan bentref a chymuned Pontyclun yr holl nodweddion a chyfleusterau angenrheidiol i haeddu statws tref. Mae ganddo statws tref bost a rhwydwaith trafnidiaeth mawr, yn ogystal â stryd fawr brysur, poblogaeth fawr, gwahanol siopau a busnesau, timau chwaraeon llwyddiannus, treftadaeth eang, a nifer o gyfleusterau cymunedol.

Nid oes gan Bont-y-clun statws tref ar hyn o bryd, a ac mae hyn yn gallu cyfyngu ar ei allu i ddenu busnesau newydd, cyllid I’r stryd fawr ac ymwelwyr. O ganlyniad, nid yw’r pentref yn cael ei gydnabod yn llawn am ei gyfraniadau i’r ardal a’i botensial ar gyfer twf yn y dyfodol.

Mae’r Cyngor Cymuned wedi paratoi dogfen yn amlinellu rhai o’r prif faterion a’r manteision posibl o ddod yn dref. Nid yw’r rhan fwyaf o’r rhain yn effeithio ar breswylwyr, ond gallent fod o gymorth i’n busnesau wrth symud ymlaen. Mae’r ddogfen wedi’i chynnwys isod

Byddem yn gofyn am eich barn drwy e-bost at community@pontyclun-cc.gov.wales erbyn dydd Gwener 25 Awst er mwyn caniatáu i’r Cyngor ystyried ymatebion yn ffurfiol yn ei gyfarfod ym mis Medi.

Dolen i ddogfen ymgynghori yn Gymraeg

The Community Council are seeking views of the residents and businesses of Pontyclun regarding the proposal to formally make Pontyclun into a Town

Pontyclun is a vibrant “town” located in South Wales that has much to offer its residents and visitors. Its many facilities and resources make it an attractive destination for people of all ages.

The village and community of Pontyclun has all the necessary characteristics and facilities to be granted town status. It has postal town status and a major transport network, as well as a bustling high street, large population, various shops and businesses, successful sports teams, vast heritage, and numerous community facilities.

Pontyclun currently does not have town status, which could limit its ability to attract new businesses, high street funding and visitors. As a result, the village is not fully recognised for its contributions to the area and its potential for future growth.

The Community Council have prepared a document outlining some of the key issues and potential benefits of becoming a town. Most of these do not effect residents, however could be helpful to our businesses going forwards. The document is attached below

We would ask for your views by email to community@pontyclun-cc.gov.wales by Friday 25th August to allow the Council to formally consider replies at its September meeting.

Link to consultation document

July already?

 

How is it already July? This year seems to be flying past in a flash. Maybe its because there has been so much going on.

We have installed new benches and planters in various places, throughout the village, some kindly supported by local groups – check out our Facebook page for locations and details.

 

Last Sunday also saw the rescheduled Picnic in the Park, and what a fantastic day it was. The community of Pontyclun never let us down supporting our events, each other and the fantastic community groups and charities we have in the locale. There was ice cold beer and cider, served by wonderful team at The Pipeworks, Cliffs Bowls and Rolls and the always enthusiastic Dominoes team keeping the masses fed, along with Sugar Rush keeping the kids, big and small, happy with their huge range of sweet treats. Entertainment provided by the fun-loving duo – The Pashy Pops, giving out some classic oldies and latest chart-topping songs.

The wind could have flattened everyone’s spirit, but it most definitely didn’t. Our local PCSO’s kept the kids entertained with the police van and accessories, and Gills Amusements provided bouncy castle heaven. As always it was a great day out and we look forward to the next one being even bigger and better, the ideas are already coming in thick and fast. Huge well done to all the community groups that took part and all the volunteers that made it happen.

If you are looking for things to do during August, Urban Markets will be hosting a fun day on the 12^th August in Pontyclun. It promises to be a fun day out for all the family.

The Community Council is gearing up for our first ever Food Festival, 26^th August starting at 12pm in the Heol Yr Orsaf car park. We have over 20 stalls of delicious food, drink and treats. Come on down and treat yourself to some tasty delights.

In other news, we have a volunteer group of around 40 people staying in the village this month. They are going to be undertaking some work around the area, covering litter picking around litter hotspots, fencing work down Riverside and Ivor woods along with some other tasks to help our community stay clean and tidy. If there are any local groups that would like to volunteer for tasks or litter picking please contact community@pontyclun-cc.gov.wales

As its almost the summer holidays there is nothing left to do other than to wish you all a great summer, lets hope the sun keeps shining.