Summer events in Pontyclun

Picnic in the Park

On Saturday 8 June everyone in Pontyclun is invited to come to the Park – all members of the family, from toddler to teenager, dad to hen,hen mam-gu.

It is all free. You can bring your own picnic and, if you choose, leave your purse at home – although there will be food and drinks for sale.

There will be games, sports and family races. There will be a circus school and music. Every group in Pontyclun has been invited to run a stall so that we can all meet new people.

This picnic is organised by Pontyclun Community Council so that we can all enjoy each other’s company – knowing that there is always  more that unites than divides us.

The fun starts at 1 pm and will continue all afternoon. You will get a great welcome.

A Summer of Fetes and Festivals

Congratulations to Ysgol Llantrisant who ran a very successful ‘Gwyl’ on 18 May at the Rugby Club to get out summer off with a smile and a song.

Pontyclun Falcons

Congratulations to  Pontyclun’s women’s rugby team who reached the Welsh Super Final at the Principality Stadium on 10 May. They were matched against the might of Swansea, Davina versus Goliath. Pontyclun scored two magnificent tries on the hallowed turf but finally lost 33-12.

Congratulations also  Pontyclun’s men’s team who had a good season, finishing third in their league, ahead of such prestigious teams as Penarth and Penygraig.

Pontyclun Walking Rugby

Pontyclun’s walking rugby team were also at the Principality Stadium in the last month. They took part in the WRU’s first walking rugby tournament. Pontyclun won as many matches as they lost and caused a lot of interest by including local resident, JPR Williams, in their team. Also included were Community Councillors Anne and Gwyn Jackson, and Mike Davies.

Every Wednesday morning at 10 am you are all invited to join our walking rugby players in Pontyclun Park. There is an hour of rugby and an hour of football. This has been organised by a partnership between Pontyclun Community Council, Café 50 and Sport Wales.

 International Petanque

On 4/5 May Pontyclun hosted the 31st Celtic Challenge, the annual pétanque competition between Ireland, Scotland and Wales.

There two full days of intense competition which saw Scotland emerge as overall winners. Congratulations all the players who were made very welcome in Pontyclun with a tournament dinner taking place in Pontyclun Rugby Club which has done well to develop an international arena for Petanque.

I was so delighted to be invited to welcome the teams as Chair of Pontyclun Community Council that I wore the Council Chain for my first time. You may think I spoiled the effect by also wearing shorts and sandals.

I told our guests how we were a small town with a long history and a big heart.

  

Margaret was better dressed to provide a welcome from RCT Council.

We should all thank the local Petanque players and organisers who put Pontyclun on the international map.

Pontyclun storm the Principality Stadium - well almost!

Pontyclun Walking Rugby team play at the Principality Stadium

The WRU organised a Walking Rugby festival at the Principality Stadium on Monday 29th April 2019.

8 teams from South & Mid wales were invited to attend and Pontyclun as one of the first Walking Rugby teams in Wales was invited to play.

14 Intrepid players and our great coaches from Play Sport Wales made the short hop by train to Cardiff.

The budding starlets starting getting ready in the Home changing rooms with a short warm up on the pitch where photos were taken including with the 6 Nations and Triple crown trophies

Pontyclun with 6 Nations and Triple Crown Trophies

The 8 teams gathered and it was down the tunnel to music and lights to start the games. 

We knew it was serious when a set of qualified referees turned up for each match! One recalled refereeing a match at Pontyclun where he was punched by a player - from Builth Wells thank goodness so he had no hard feelings to us.

Pontyclun played teams from Cambian (Porth); Pontypridd; Ynysybwl and Treorchy.  The matches were played with a great spirit of fun.

Even with JPR on our side we did not achieve a clean sweep but it is fair to say every team came over for photos with us. Amazing what having a legend with you does to your popularity. 

After the matches there were medals for all, back to the Players lounge for refreshments then the serious action started in the bar!

We have now arranging more matches against Treorchy and Cardiff for this summer.

The team meets Wednesday mornings at 10am in Pontyclun Park. New players, are always welcome so come along and join

Behind the scenes in the stadium

Home changing room - where's Alun Wyn's space?

Lord Ellis Thomas issuing medals

Geraint John with JPR Keith and Gwyn

Springtime in Pontyclun

Pontyclun Spring Clun

On the weekend of 16/17 June Pontyclun’s Eco Warriors came to the rescue. 37 volunteers and members of the Pontcylun Environment Group spent the weekend collecting litter left in various parts of Pontyclun, Miskin and Hendy. In total 83 bags were filled with rubbish. Our thanks and congratulations goes to every volunteer.

This is the second year when the Environment Group has organised its Spring Clun. Whilst a lot of rubbish was collected, Pontyclun was noticeably cleaner than last year. As a community we are indebted to the walkers and dog walkers who collect litter day in and day out. We have benefited from a number of young school children who have been collecting litter every weekend as part of their Duke of Edinburgh award. Environment Group members have adopted ‘black spots’ and do regular litter cleans – Marg and I try to do Station Terrace regularly.

Darren and Ray, the Community Council staff, litter pick on our public rights of way and in Pontyclun Park. RCT staff litter pick each week in the shopping areas.

When we keep our community clean, we feel better. We are more likely to go out and socialise. Our health improves. We attract more visitors and local businesses benefit. It is no small matter.

Pontyclun Environment Group

This Group was initially formed in 2011 to create a walking trail along the River Ely, upstream from Brynsadler Bridge, on land in danger of falling into the hands of developers.

It has since developed into a group with a wide range of activities. It organises the litter picks – the next one will be on June 22/23. This summer it will be creating boxes for birds and bats. Sarah Jenkins is a key organiser and she can be found on srj555@hotmail.co.uk or 0785 002 0477. Karan Lane is the Community Council’s lead councillor on the environment - karanlane@pontyclun-cc.gov.wales. Please make contact if you want be involved.

Picnic in the Park 8 June

Put Saturday 8 June in your Diary. This is the day in which every Pontyclun resident is invited to bring a picnic to Pontyclun Park. There will games for children of all ages – with support from our rugby, football and cricket clubs. There will be music and food stalls. Every local organisation is invited to create a stall explaining their contribution to our community  - contact Julius, the council clerk, to book a space;  e-mail clerk@pontyclun-cc.gov.wales or ring 01443 238500

Plant Sale 18 May

At Pontyclun Community Centre on Saturday 18 May, 10 am to 12 noon, there will be a plant sale in aid to St Paul’s Church in Pontyclun and St Anne’s in Talygarn. You will be able to buy from a wide range of indoor and outdoor plants provided by local gardeners. There will be home made cakes, tea and coffee.

The sale is organised by Maureen Hybart, tel 01443 225427. You can bring your plants along to sell and book a table through Maureen for garden produce.

Pontyclun University

Our local university of the Third Age is open to anyone who is retired or semi-retired. It organises over 20 different groups for learning and socialising. On the third Monday of each month at the Community Centre, 1.30 pm, there is a guest speaker

Mon May 20th	Graham Watkins: "From Novice Wordsmith to Published Novelist".
Mon Jun 17th	Rev. Clive Williams: "Classical Music"
Mon Jul 15th	Dean Powell: "Welsh Male Voice Choirs".

Llantrisant Folk Club

Our local Folk Club meets every Wednesday evening ay Pontyclun Athletic Club. On 7 May John Doyle provides a ‘fine voice and stunning guitar’. On 22 May the Hut People will be ‘dramatic, joyous and beguiling’.

Pontyclun Institute and Athletic Club

Part of the bedrock of the community of Pontyclun is the Athletic Club . This was opened in 1910.

It was built by Godfrey Clark who lived at Talygarn House. He was the son of George Clerk who had been manager of the Dowlais ironworks. Godfrey Clark had been Chair of the District Council since 1894 taking responsibility for improving the public health of the area. In 1907 he bought farmland to the south of the railway and developed the area of Palawyf, Cerdin and Llwynfen as a ‘model town’. The development included open recreational space and the ‘Institute’ as a social amenity that could bring people together. Clark donated the Institute to the people of Pontyclun, appointing trustees to ensure that it served the interests of local people.

In the First World War the Institute was made available to the Red Cross to provide care for the war wounded.

In 1959 the Club gained its first alcohol licence and, building on its relationship with local sports clubs, took the name ‘Athletic Cub’. The activities currently taking place at the Club include bowls, skittles, darts, snooker, the folk club, the Sunday night quiz, choir practices, toddler groups, line dancing.

I have heard it suggested that Pontyclun needs a ‘community pub’, a pub owned by local people. Well, we have had one since 1910 and it deserves our support. Anyone can join. As a member, anyone can share responsibility for taking this club forward into the next century. 

Pontyclun Walking Rugby

Our Walking Rugby team is going from strength to strength having been invited to play at the WRU's "Road to Principality" event at the Principality Stadium in Cardiff.

They have been playing for nearly 3 months now and as one of the first Walking Rugby teams in Wales have been invited to demonstrate this "new" sport at the home of Welsh Rugby. This is a great opportunity to promote the team and Pontyclun.

If anyone wants to join them they meet at 10am on Wednesdays in Pontyclun Park. Bring some water and a sense of fun.