Welcome to Autumn!

 Well, what a summer it’s been! 

After the temperatures we’ve experienced, there were moments when we weren’t sure we’d ever feel cool again. But here we are, watching the leaves turn beautiful shades of golden brown and orange, and reaching for a jacket as the evenings draw in. There’s something rather lovely about that first chill in the air — it reminds us that the cosy ‘ber’ months are on their way!

Talking of summer, we rounded ours off with our Annual Food & Drink Festival. We won’t lie, we were keeping a very close eye on the weather reports in the run-up to the event and wondering whether the rain might put a dampener on things. Thankfully, apart from a slight downpour, the sun shone for us and we finished the day on a real high.

Our traders were, as always, absolutely outstanding, bringing plenty of delicious food, drinks and community spirit to the event. And once again, this wonderful community showed just how supportive it is — not only of our events, but of the fantastic small businesses that operate within our town.

A very special shout-out must go to our amazing volunteers. They gave up their time, free of charge, despite the rather uncertain weather, to help us set up and make sure everything went off without a hitch. We really couldn’t do it without you, so thank you!

With our tummies still full of delicious food and perhaps the odd cocktail or two, we’re now hitting the ground running with our Christmas 2026 preparations!

If you have a Christmas event taking place in the town, please let us know. We’d love to add it to our Christmas Calendar and help spread the word so everyone knows what’s happening and when.

Our own Christmas events will begin at the end of November with the Christmas Tractor Run and Light Switch-On, followed by our Christmas Fayre on Saturday 5th December.

We’ve got a fantastic day planned, with a full line-up of choirs and bands to keep us entertained, along with more than 80 stalls packed with Christmas treats, gifts and goodies for all the family. And, of course, there will be a very special visitor dropping in to meet the little ones! There will even be an opportunity to fly Santa’s sleigh — because why should Santa have all the fun?

The Santa Fun Run will be back this year, dates and details to be confirmed, so keep an eye out for details and registration opening.

Before we get completely carried away with Christmas cheer, though, there are a few important dates coming up.

Our Remembrance Services will take place on Sunday 8th November. We’ll publish further details closer to the date across our social media channels and on noticeboards throughout the town.

And, of course, Pontyclun Rugby Club will once again be bringing its popular Firework Display back to the town on Friday 5th November. Details about tickets and timings will be shared soon, so keep an eye out.

Keeping Pontyclun Tidy

As always, we also want to say a huge thank you to all of our wonderful litter pickers who continue to give up their time to help keep our community clean and tidy.

From the Men’s Shed, Scouts and Brownies to individual residents who simply see a problem and decide to do something about it — your efforts really do make a difference.

One resident deserves a particular mention, having collected an incredible 133 bags of rubbish since February during his daily walk to and from work. That is an absolutely outstanding contribution to our community and deserves a massive thank you.

At the same time, though, it’s difficult not to reflect on the fact that there was 133 bags of rubbish to collect in the first place. Litter continues to be an ongoing issue, and it’s something we are continually working on. We all have a part to play in keeping our town looking its best, so please remember: if you bring it with you, take it home with you!

And finally, if you have any good news, community updates or upcoming events that you’d like us to share, please get in touch. We’re always happy to help spread the word and celebrate the wonderful things happening across our community.

You can contact us at community@pontycluntowncouncil.gov.wales.

Enjoy the autumn, stay cosy, and we’ll see you all next month!

 

“October is a gentle reminder that change can be beautiful.”

Well it's nearly all over now!

 

What a lovely summer we have had this year, lots of glorious sunny weather with lazy hazy days to have a great time out and about. Hopefully you and your families have taken advantage and had a great time.

But it’s not over yet, our local wellbeing providers are arranging Pontyclun’s first ever Wellbeing Day on September 5^th with activities spread across Pontyclun park, The Meeting place and various studios.

We hope this will be a great event with lots of people coming and become one of our calendar highlights for the future. Just search online for more details

It was good to see Pontyclun in the national news again this year, this time in relation to the public response to a planning application for a data centre at Mwyndy. Irrespective of your views on data centres, it was really pleasing that so many residents were engaged in this process and had such strong feelings about the area.

September is when our sports clubs start up their seasons again (or finish in the case of our Cricket clubs) and Pontyclun has a rich history of punching above its weight.

The Town Council will shortly be unveiling 2 blue plaques in memory of some of our sporting heroes.

Tommy Rees (1904-1968) – Tommy, born in Pontyclun started his Rugby career at Pontyclun RFC before going on to play for Wales. He moved to Rugby league playing over 400 times for Oldham and winning a Great Britain cap in 1929. After he finished playing, he became a first-class Rugby league referee.

Enoch Jenkins (1892-1984) – Enoch was born in Miskin and competed as a sports shooter at 3 Olympic games 1920, 1924 and 1952 giving him a tremendous 30 years at the top of his sport. During that time, he had many career wins at home and internationally including a score of 99/100 at the 1948 Home nations championship.

Let’s hope that some of our current players reach the heights that these two reached in the past.

Now that the autumn is approaching, we are starting to think ahead towards Fireworks at Pontyclun RFC, our Remembrance commemorations in Groesfaen, Miskin and Pontyclun in November and then later the Christmas festivities across Pontyclun. We will keep you updated with dates/times as they are announced.

Back to 76, what a great summer

 

What a fantastic summer we've been having! After enjoying so much gorgeous sunshine, it's been wonderful to see Pontyclun buzzing with people making the most of the parks, local businesses and community events. It's a great reminder of what makes our village such a special place to live. As we head into August, we have another busy month ahead with plenty of opportunities to get together, have some fun and support our local community.

Families can also look forward to an Inflatables Fun Day in the park on Saturday 1st August. It's offering plenty of fun for children during the summer holidays, and we hope to see lots of families enjoying the day. Details on social media.

Our fourth Pontyclun Food & Drink Festival will take place on Saturday 29th August, and we're looking forward to another wonderful day celebrating great local food, drink and produce. The festival has grown year on year thanks to the support of residents, volunteers, traders and visitors, and we hope you'll come along to enjoy everything on offer while supporting our local businesses and producers.

Our Artisan Markets have also been a great success this year. It's been wonderful to see so many people browsing the stalls, meeting local makers and enjoying the vibrant atmosphere in the village. We're keen to continue the markets throughout the autumn, so if you're an artisan, craft maker, food producer or local business interested in taking part, we'd love to hear from you.

Keep your eyes out for advertising for a Wellness day in Pontyclun on 5^th September. This is a new event in our calendar which will hopefully add Pontyclun well and truly to the South Wales health scene.

The Town Council would also like to extend a heartfelt thank you to all the Y Pant Welsh Baccalaureate students who have given their time to support the community through litter picking and other volunteering activities. Your hard work has made a real difference in keeping Pontyclun looking good, and your efforts are greatly appreciated by residents and the Council alike.

Not to forget our other volunteers who continue to give up their time to keep our town looking its best.

Finally, a reminder that the next meeting of Pontyclun Town Council will take place on Thursday 10th September. Residents are always welcome, and we encourage anyone with an interest in local matters to attend. If you would like to speak at the meeting, please email clerk@pontyclun-cc.gov.wales so a time slot may be allocated on the agenda.

We hope everyone enjoys a safe and happy August, and we look forward to seeing you at our events throughout the month.

Summer is here! hooray

As the days get longer and the weather starts to improve, we're looking forward to a busy and exciting summer here in Pontyclun, with plenty of opportunities for residents to come together, have fun and celebrate everything that makes our community special.

First up is our annual Community Picnic in the Park on Saturday 13th June. This much-loved event is always a fantastic day out for families, friends and neighbours and this year was no different. There were community stalls, children's activities, games, entertainment, food and drink vendors, and plenty of opportunities to relax and enjoy the beautiful surroundings of Pontyclun Park. The return of the Colour Run ended the day in spectacular style! Thank you to the volunteers of Friends of Pontyclun Primary for organising such a fun activity for all the kids.

Our popular Artisan Market returns on Sunday 19th July, bringing together a wonderful selection of local traders, producers, crafters and makers. Whether you're looking for handmade gifts, delicious local produce, sweet treats or something unique, there will be plenty to browse and enjoy while supporting small local businesses.

The summer fun continues with an Inflatable Fun Day on Saturday 1st August in Pontyclun Park. Expect giant inflatables, obstacle courses, activities for children and plenty of laughs for all ages. It's the perfect way to keep the youngsters entertained during the school holidays.

Food lovers should also make sure they mark Saturday 29th August in their diaries for our annual Food and Drink Festival. This event continues to grow each year and will showcase some of the very best food, drink and artisan producers from across the region. It's a great opportunity to discover new flavours, meet local producers and enjoy a fantastic day out in the heart of the community.

Away from our events programme, we're also excited that thanks to Dulux and VIY, we have a fresh new look for our much-loved community hub, Cafe 50. The Council is continually exploring improvements to the facility to ensure it continues to meet the needs of local residents and will for years to come. As part of this refresh, there will also be some other new changes coming. We will keep you posted.

As always, none of these events and projects would be possible without the support of our volunteers, community groups, local businesses and residents. Thank you for helping make Pontyclun such a vibrant and welcoming place to live.

We look forward to seeing you throughout the summer!

 

Llantrisant Folk club activities

Wednesday July 8th: SParky Samba Showcase. Participating in a Samba percussion band has been shown to be a therapeutic activity for those in the Parkinson's community.  SParky Samba Cardiff, has brought the rhythms that are fundamental to both Parkinson's and Samba into a mixed performance of percussion and spoken word.  The result has drama, humour, honesty and can be loud! It offers a mainly positive glimpse of life with Parkinson's. Collection buckets will be shaken.

Wednesday July 15th: Mark Dowding. Songs and stories from Lancashire.

Wednesday August 12th: Sherburn, Bartley, Sanders. Soul-stirring songs and witty banter.

Wednesday August 26: We Mavericks (Oz/NZ). Soulful harmonies and driving rhythms.

 

All other Wednesdays are Song & Music Nights featuring local singers, musicians and poets.

At Pontyclun (Institute) Athletic Club, Palalwyf Ave, CF72 9EH. 8.30pm start.

Summer is round the corner and we are getting our party hats on

 

As we head into the summer months, there’s plenty happening in our wonderful community and we’re looking forward to seeing residents out and about enjoying everything Pontyclun has to offer.

One of the highlights of the summer will be our much-loved Picnic in the Park, taking place on Saturday 13th June from 12pm onwards. This fantastic community event promises an afternoon full of fun, food, music and activities for all ages. We would like to say a huge thank you to Elizabeth Law for kindly sponsoring the event this year.

To round off the day in spectacular style, there will be a Colour Run at 4pm, courtesy of the wonderful Friends of Pontyclun Primary School. We know many families are already excited for this colourful finale, and more details will be shared very soon — so keep an eye on our social media pages and noticeboards.

We also want to take a moment to thank all of the amazing volunteers and Welsh Baccalaureate students who have been helping keep Pontyclun looking its best over the past few weeks. Their efforts litter picking around the streets, parks and public spaces have made a real difference and are hugely appreciated by the whole community. It’s fantastic to see people of all ages giving up their time to help care for the area we all share.

If you’ve ever thought about volunteering locally, now is a great time to get involved. There are lots of different ways people can help within the community — from events and environmental projects to supporting local activities and groups. Whether you can spare an hour or more regularly, we’d love to hear from you, so please do get in touch with the Town Council to find out more.

Looking ahead, there are more dates for the diary too! Our popular Food Festival will return on 29th August, bringing together delicious food, local producers and plenty of community spirit. Before that, families can also enjoy the Fun Day in the Park on 1st August, which is always a brilliant day out for children and residents alike.

Finally, we would like to thank our local police teams for continuing to stay on top of inconsiderate parking, particularly around sports fields and schools. Their support in helping keep roads safer and access clear for everyone is greatly appreciated.

We hope everyone enjoys a safe, happy and busy summer in Pontyclun, and we look forward to seeing you at our upcoming events!

 

 

Its Hotting up in Pontyclun

Pontyclun is gearing up for one of its most vibrant periods of the year, with May and early June bringing a packed calendar of community events, cultural activities, and opportunities to celebrate everything that makes our town special. From awareness campaigns to live music, family fun days, and sporting pride, the coming weeks promise something for everyone.

Dementia Action Week – 18–24 May

Pontyclun will once again join communities across the UK in marking Dementia Action Week, running from 18–24 May. Led nationally by the Alzheimer’s Society, the campaign encourages people and organisations to take action to support those affected by dementia and to raise awareness of the importance of early diagnosis and community understanding. Locally, Pontyclun will be “turning blue” with a series of activities and awareness‑raising events designed to bring people together and highlight how we can all play a part in creating a dementia‑friendly community.

Love Pontyclun Week – 24–31 May

Immediately following Dementia Action Week, the town will celebrate Love Pontyclun Week, a chance for residents, businesses, and community groups to showcase local pride and our shared love for each other. This event now in its second year is organised by Bethel Church

Picnic in the Park – Saturday 13 June

One of Pontyclun’s flagship annual events, Picnic in the Park, returns to Pontyclun Park on Saturday 13 June. This much‑loved afternoon brings together food stalls, games, activities, bouncy castles, live music, and a host of community groups. The event will feature around 30 stalls, fairground rides, a colour run, and the announcement of this year’s Freedom of the Town recipient.

Picnic in the Park 2026 is sponsored by Elizabeth Law

Rugby Festivals Throughout May

Pontyclun RFC will also be buzzing with activity as the Minis, Juniors, and Girls’ sections host a series of rugby festivals throughout May. These events offer a brilliant opportunity to support young players, enjoy grassroots sport, and celebrate the club’s growing success.

Pontyclun Sporting Hall of Fame – Call for Nominations

The Town Council is launching a Sporting Hall of Fame to honour individuals connected to Pontyclun who have won National honours or competed internationally. Residents are encouraged to submit names of local sporting heroes who deserve recognition for their achievements.

Llantrisant Folk Club – Live Music in May and June

Music lovers can enjoy a rich programme from the Llantrisant Folk Club, hosted at Pontyclun Athletic Club. Highlights include Ruth & Ken Powell (6 May), Ian Bruce & Kev Green (13 May), Over the Moon (27 May), and Lynne Heraud & Pat Turner (17 June).

Spring into the Community Spirit

After the dreary days of January and February — both total washouts — and with Welsh Rugby still struggling to find its rhythm on the pitch, we can at least take comfort in one thing: spring is finally on the horizon! We may even hold the honour of being the only town in the UK that didn’t see a single snowflake this winter, but brighter days are ahead, and local events are beginning to bloom once more.

Kicking things off is the St David’s Day Fun Day at Pontyclun Athletic Club on Sunday 1st March. Running from 12pm – 4pm, the event promises something for everyone — from craft and food stalls to children’s games and family-friendly activities. Two local choirs will also take to the stage to provide some wonderful entertainment throughout the day.

Later in the month, Urban Markets returns on Saturday 28th March with their Easter Market on Heol Yr Orsaf. Expect plenty of treats, gifts, and local makers — more details will be announced soon on our social media pages, so keep an eye out!

In more fantastic local news, Café 50 recently announced they’ve won a Community Makeover Competition, run by Dulux. We’ll be sharing all the details in the coming weeks — and we might just need a little help from you! Keep an eye on our updates to find out how you can get involved in this exciting project which may involve a visit or two from the Dulux dog.

We’d also like to extend a huge thank you to our dedicated litter champions, who continue to make our community cleaner and brighter. One local gent alone collected 28 bags of rubbish in just three weeks — an incredible achievement that deserves recognition. Because of his hard work (and others like him), that’s 28 bags of rubbish no longer cluttering our streets.

If you’d like to help, make a difference too, whether as an individual or part of a group, please get in touch with our office. We can supply litter pickers and bags, kindly provided by Keep Wales Tidy.

Talking about helping make our  Community better the Council recently helped fund the creation of new floral planters in Heol yr Orsaf which will be managed by the local residents. We particularly want to thank Craig who has led this project from the start.

Let’s welcome spring together — with cleaner streets, community pride, and plenty of local fun!

3^rd March will see the launch of the pilot section of the Welsh forest Trail. Starting for Porthkerry going to Penydarren going through or past as many National Forest sites as they can this aims to be the start of a long-distance trail going all the way to North Wales. We are delighted that the trail will pass through Pontyclun (we do have 4 National Forest Woodlands after all) and hope that this will help us grow our visitor numbers and help our shops, cafes and bars.

Interestingly this takes the number of long distance walks we have “visiting us” to 4 – the River Ely trail starts here on its way to Cardiff and the Penhrys Pilgrimage and Valeways Millenium trails both pop into Pontyclun.

In other news the Llantrisant Folk Club host Song and Music Night every Wednesday at Pontyclun Athletic Club, along with some special guests:

Wed Mar 4: Geoff Lakeman. It's St David's Day and St Piran's Day this week, so Cornish musician and singer Geoff comes to join the celebrations. 
Wed Mar 25: Dana Robinson. From Vermont USA, Dana returns with his authentic sounds of America. 
Wed Apr 8: Steve Turner. Consummate concertina and mandolin player, stretching the boundaries of the tradition.

Wed Apr 22: Sarah McQuaid. Stunningly gorgeous songs.

Pontyclun Looks Ahead: Strength, Community, and a Packed Year to Come

Happy 2026 — the Year of the Horse. A fitting symbol, perhaps, for what lies ahead: strength, freedom, and passion, all qualities that Pontyclun has demonstrated in abundance over the past twelve months.

If 2025 taught us anything, it’s that Pontyclun knows how to celebrate, reflect, and move forward together. It was a landmark year, marking 175 years of Pontyclun history, and the calendar was nothing short of spectacular. From the national significance of VE80 commemorations to the homegrown buzz of Pontyclun’s Got Talent and a special St David’s day fair the year delivered moments of pride, creativity, and togetherness in equal measure.

There were milestones too: the first ever honour of Freedom of the Town the biggest Food Festival we have ever hosted and a tractor run to beat all tractor runs  — a clear sign that Pontyclun’s appetite for community events is only growing. Alongside the excitement came change. New businesses opened their doors, bringing fresh energy, while some long-standing favourites sadly said goodbye. Through it all, one thing remained constant: a strong, supportive community creating memories together. It was, by any measure, a whirlwind year.

Now, with that momentum firmly behind us, Pontyclun is ready to take on 2026 — and do it all again.

Much-loved events are set to return, including the ever-popular Picnic in the Park, the Food Festival, and the Christmas Fayre. There’s even talk of festive tractors and pipe bands making a return appearance later in the year. Dates and full details will be confirmed soon, but one thing is certain: there will be plenty of opportunities for families, friends, and neighbours to come together once more. Those keen to get involved are warmly encouraged to reach out via community@pontyclun-cc.gov.wales.

Last year also marked a new chapter in how events were supported, with local businesses stepping forward as sponsors for the first time. Their involvement went far beyond logos and donations — they judged talent competitions, supported activities, and played an active role in village life. Special thanks go to JNP Solicitors, Elizabeth Law, Little Inspirations Nursery, and Leekes of Llantrisant, whose generosity helped make 2025’s events such a success. Their support was instrumental in bringing people together and strengthening community spirit.

The invitation is open once again for 2026. Any local businesses interested in sponsoring individual events — or the full programme — are encouraged to get in touch and be part of what promises to be another standout year.

Beyond events, there’s plenty happening behind the scenes.

Work continues on reopening the lower section of Ivor Woods, with hopes set on early spring. Discussions are underway with RCT to purchase land for a new car park in Pontyclun, and plans are also in place to improve safety with new lighting along the Ynysddu cycle path. Updates on all developments will be shared as progress continues.

The Town Council has met to set its budget for 2026-27 and we are pleased to say our precept will sightly decrease this year. We are also starting the planning to bring Tyla Garw formally into the Pontyclun family in April 2027.

All in all, 2026 is shaping up to be busy, ambitious, and full of promise. If the Year of the Horse is about forward motion and vitality, Pontyclun is already well into its stride.

Happy New Year

 

Here we are at the start of a brand-New Year Again. It doesn’t feel like it’s been 12 months since the last time we were here, in fact, who do we speak to about missing months?!

We can’t start this year off without recapping on the last event and saying…….

A Heartfelt Thank You for Making Our Wet and Windy Christmas Fayre Shine

Despite the rain, the wind, and the determinedly un-festive weather, our community proved once again that Christmas spirit is stronger than any storm. This year’s Christmas Fayre may have been soggier than planned, but thanks to you—our wonderful residents, performers, and stall holders—it was every bit as joyful and uplifting as we hoped it would be.

A huge thank you to everyone who braved the elements to come along. Seeing families wrapped in coats and scarves, smiling beneath umbrellas, reminded us how fortunate we are to be part of such a supportive and enthusiastic community. Your presence turned a grey December day into one filled with colour and cheer.

We also want to express our sincere gratitude to the local choirs and bands who filled the air with music despite the drizzle. Their performances brought warmth and magic, creating that unmistakable Christmas atmosphere even as the weather tried its best to dampen it. The dedication of these talented groups—singing with frozen fingers or keeping instruments dry between gusts—did not go unnoticed, and we appreciate every note.

A special thank you must go to our stall holders, too. Setting up in wet and windy conditions is no small task, yet they arrived with smiles, festive displays, and an unshakeable commitment to supporting the event. Their creativity and resilience helped make the fayre a success, offering everything from handmade gifts to delicious treats and brightening the day for everyone who visited.

While the weather might not have been on our side, the spirit of the community certainly was. Your support, energy, and togetherness are what make events like this possible—and memorable.

Thank you all for making the Christmas Fayre a shining example of what our community can achieve rain or shine. Here’s to many more celebrations together, hopefully under clearer skies!

January is dull and grey, so we will be putting our heads together and trying to come up with some fun new ideas for our annual events, we will be announcing the date the nominations for Freedom of the Town will open and we will share what we have and will be up to in the community this year. As always we are always looking for volunteers, so if you have started off 2026 with some spare time on your hands, please get in touch with the Clerk to the Council at clerk@pontyclun-cc.gov.wales. If you have any other news, events, fundraisers or outstanding contributions you would like us to shout about, please contact the Engagement Officer at community@pontyclun-cc.gov.wales

In the meantime we wish you all a very Happy & Healthy New Year, here’s to 2026 being filled with love and laughter for all.

 

Llantrisant Folk Group will be back this month –

Wed Jan 7: Andy Coleman presents The Burning Question. A nostalgic interactive evening.
Wed Jan 14: Showcase: The Guildhall Players present A Child's Summer in Wales by Steve Lamb. Supported by  our usual host of regulars.
Wed Feb 11: John Alderslade. A rich fund of songs and stories.

All other Wednesdays are Song & Music Night.

Christmas in Pontyclun

 

Pontyclun is bursting with festive cheer this Christmas, offering a packed calendar of events for all ages—from magical light displays to music, markets, and merry gatherings.

✨ Christmas Lights & Switch-On – Saturday 22 November
Pontyclun’s festive lights illuminate the town from mid-November through the New Year. The official switch-on ceremony begins at 5:15pm at the War Memorial, featuring a tractor parade by Llantrisant Young Farmers, a sketch from St Paul’s Players’ Robin Hood panto, and community carols. Local children have decorated the tree at Giles Gallery, with additional trees lit in Groesfaen, Ynysddu, and Brynsadler.

🎄 Christmas Fayre Extravaganza – Saturday 6 December
The heart of Pontyclun’s seasonal celebrations is the Pontyclun Christmas Fayre, held from 1pm to 5pm at Heol yr Orsaf car park, the Community Centre, and Café 50. With stalls, food trucks, games, and live entertainment, this free event is a festive feast for the senses. Expect performances from seven choirs and bands, including the Wiltshire Caledonian Pipes and Drums, and a visit from the traditional Mari Llwyd.

Children can meet Santa at the free grotto, funded by the Town Council, and receive a small gift. They can also join the Elf Flying School to learn how to pilot Santa’s sleigh. Visitors are encouraged to bring donations for the local food bank and register via Eventbrite for updates.

🎅 Santa Run – Sunday 7 December
Join the 10th annual Pontyclun Santa Run, now organized by Pontyclun Road Runners. Starting at 10am from Pontyclun Rugby Club (registration from 9am), this fun run welcomes all ages and abilities. It’s a great way to get active and festive at the same time.

🎶 Festive Music & Concerts
Pontyclun is hosting several Christmas concerts to raise money for charity and spread seasonal joy:

• Simply Singers at St David’s Church, Miskin – 9 December
• Sally’s Angels at St Paul’s Church – 10 December
• Cor Tadau at Pontyclun RFC – 16 December

On 17 December, folk duo Jackie Oates & John Spiers bring their enchanting Christmas concert to the Pontyclun Institute Athletic Club, performing traditional carols and tunes from across the UK.

🎭 Pantomimes & Performances
St Paul’s Players present Robin Hood at St Paul’s Church Hall on 24, 26, and 28 November, while the Pontyclun Institute & Athletic Club hosts Snow White on 2 January—a New Year’s Day tradition.

🌟 Other Highlights

• Bethel Church Nativity Trail: A sparkling forest walk open 6–7 December, with festive activities and refreshments.
• Christmas Cinema at Café 50: Screenings on 20 & 27 December and 3 January, tailored for people with dementia and their families.
• Christmas Quizzes: At the Athletic Club on 1 December and Pipeworks Bar on 20 December.

Pontyclun’s Christmas season is a joyful blend of tradition, community spirit, and festive fun. Whether you're shopping, singing, running, or simply soaking up the lights, there’s something magical for everyone.

Summer's here

 

It’s finally the school summer holidays, although the temperatures the last few months have meant it has felt like the middle of summer for a while now.

Not enough to stop us working hard at organising our Third Annual Food & Drink Festival. It’s one our favourite events of the year and we are so excited that we have our fantastic regulars along with a whole host of new sellers joining us for this fabulous event. We currently have 40 stalls booked in, bringing you an array of cuisine and drinks from around the world.

With an aim to get bigger and better each year we are adding fairground rides and other entertainment for kids this year, including facepainting and sand art for our budding David Hockney’s.

Music – well GTFM will be with us all afternoon playing a selection of family favourites so there will be something for all.

A full list is available on our website www.pontyclun.net We can’t wait to see you all again.

With the food festival in mind, please be aware that the Heol Yr Orsaf car park will be closed from Friday 22^nd August until late Saturday 23^rd August. Heol Yr Orsaf will be accessible for residents only and we do ask that no one parks in front of private houses or causes an obstruction for the people who live there. We will have parking available in Y Pant for visitors to the event.

For something different to do why not come to Pontyclun RFC on 9/10 August and cheer Wales’ players as they compete in the Pétanque Home nations championships. The event will feature about 250 of the UK’s best players and should be an enthralling event.

Over the last few months we have had so many volunteers, litter picking in our community. From school age children who litter pick weekly or for Welsh Bacc credit, Men’s Shed who do it every month come rain or shine, community groups, retired people and just members of our community who want to make a difference, so we would like to take this opportunity to thank them.

Since the changing of the bin schedules, we have seen an increase in the amount of litter on our streets, people like these are the ones who are not just complaining about it, they are doing something about it and helping to improve our community. We are we are very grateful for their continued support. If you are an individual or a group that would like to get involved with litter picking, please let us know. We keep a record of where litter picks take place and the areas where it seems to build up, so we can feed back and ensure that they are covered. Give us a call on 01443 238500 and we can help with the loan of equipment and safety items.

Whilst we are talking of volunteers if anyone wants to help with any of our Community events please contact us on 01443235800 if you can give up a few hours on a Saturday.

I know it seems early but perhaps a short mention of some of the things that are happening later in the year would be worth it – just so you can mark your calendars

Starting in October we aim to launch a quarterly artisan market in Pontyclun. This will be on the last Sunday of Oct/Jan/Apr and July. See our socials nearer the date for more information.

The Rugby club’s fireworks night will be Friday 7^th November another superb day in the Pontyclun calendar

On a more sombre note we will be commemorating Remembrance Day in Pontyclun, Miskin and Groesfaen on the 9^th November

The Christmas festivities will begin on the 22 November with the lighting of the tree and our main Christmas fayre will be on 6^th December, in Heol Orsaf as usual.

“August is the slow, gentle month that stretches out the longest across the span of a year. It yawns and lingers on with the light in its palms.” — Victoria Erickson

Our Summer events are coming think and fast

 

It’s our Birthday month Pontyclun…. We are 175 years old in June and we are planning a big birthday party, where everyone is invited. Officially it’s our Picnic in the Park event, but we’re making it bigger and better. The 14^th June, will see Pontyclun Park turn into the ultimate birthday bash, with cake, delicious food, plenty of refreshment stalls, the first ever Pontyclun’s Got Talent show, a Tug’o’War challenge, all your favourite sport and charity stalls, a historical photogallery, music, choirs, dog show and the finale will be a Rainbow Run, organised by the Friends of Pontyclun Primary. The fun starts at 12pm, free entry for all and this will be one you definitely do not want to miss. Further details available on our social media www.facebook.com/PontyclunCC

While we are talking about events, we would very much like to extend our heartfelt thanks, to everyone who got involved with our May VE 80 commemorations and celebrations. We were particularly pleased to see so many people come out and attend our commemoration at the War Memorial where we dedicated 3 new names.

The atmosphere and attendance in the park were phenomenal and yet again you blew us away with all your support. Thank you to the local shops and neighbours along Cowbridge Road who decorated and added a very celebratory feel driving through the town.

Pontyclun RFC will be holding their annual Ciderfest again this year. A fantastic live music and BBQ event. Tickets are available from the bar and more details available on their socials.

Over the last couple of months, we have been aware about the comments being made around policing and not seeing any officers or PCSO’s in our area. We had the local policing team call into the office at the beginning of May to assure us, while they are not on foot, they are doing regular patrols of the area in vehicles. If you do have any non-urgent issues, please still call 101 and 999 if it is an emergency. 

19^th to 25^th May, will see Pontyclun turn Blue for Dementia Week. Arc Wales are running a series of wonderful activities throughout the week, including the very touching and beautiful Memory Tree, outside Café 50. Well done to the organisers and everyone who took part in raising the awareness and profile of dementia and how it affects care partners and those living with this disease.

May your 2025 be blooming

On 8 May 2025, we mark the historic 80th anniversary of VE Day, with the peoples, families and communities of our great nation coming together to unite and celebrate 80 years of peace since the end of World War II in Europe that so many millions paid the ultimate sacrificed to achieve it.

VE Day 80 is not only a tribute to those who fought for the freedom we all enjoy today, but also a powerful reminder of the resilience and unity that have defined our country ever since. We will be commemorating and celebrating this historic anniversary with our VE Day event, taking place on Monday 5^th May. The event will start with wreath laying and a service at the Cenotaph at midday, we will then move into Pontyclun Park, where we will have Military re-enactment vehicles and other exciting items, a free Military assault course for the whole family to take part in, music, games and food and drink. We would like everyone to be part of this reflection and celebration, so please come along and enjoy the activities. Further details can be found on our social media page or on our website https://pontyclun.net/ve80-pontyclun/

Our event calendar is full this year and we will be following up VE80 with our very own historic celebration as PONTYCLUN turns 175!

In true fashion, we will be having a Big Birthday Bash in Pontyclun Park on Saturday 14^th June from midday. Expect lots of fun for all the family, including the first ever Pontyclun’s Got Talent, Talent Show, entry forms are available on our website. There are two categories, under 14’s and over 14’s, so if you can sing, dance, play, perform or just have an unusual skill we want to see you. There will be food, drink, games, music and so much more. This will be a birthday party you do not want to miss.

In other community news, Café 50 will be re-opening for our lunch service from Wednesday 23^rd April. The new caterers are the team behind Flavours, Pontyclun will be providing the same service you have come to know and love, along with a very similar menu. You may even recognise some of the faces. We hope you will offer the team all the support you gave the previous one and we look forward to welcoming you all back. The council have always promised to do their best to support this vital service in our community and recognise how much of a lifeline it is for so many. We are excited to welcome the new team and look forward to making more wonderful memories with them along with our old and new customers. Good Luck to them all.

As always if you have any questions, queries or suggestions for your community please drop us an email on community@pontyclun-cc.gov.wales

• “May is the most beautiful month of the year, a month alive with warmth colour. ...”—Fennel Hudson

Spring is sprung - we hope!

 

It’s the month when Spring starts to show and our plants start to grow. Let’s hope the sun starts shining and we all start thawing out a little first. It’s been a long winter.

Our first event of the year will take place on 1^st March, a St Davids Day Fayre. We have over 60 stalls coming along, so if you are around, please come and say hello. There will be something for all the family with indoor and outdoor spaces so whatever the weather you can still enjoy the experience.

Plans are still ongoing for our VE80 commemorations and our Big Birthday Bash taking place this summer. We will be putting further details out soon but if you want to save dates its 5^th May and 14^th June. We will have assault courses, music, stalls and foods.

 If you are interested in being involved with either or both events, please get in touch at community@pontyclun-cc.gov.wales

The closure of our local Lloyds bank will be concerning for lots of you. We have spoken to Lloyds who have assured us they will be providing a banking hub here instead. We haven’t had the full details yet, typically they run them weekly in a central location. We have offered to assist with finding them space and will again keep you updated as we go through this process.

I am sure that most of you are aware RCT Learning Curve have decided to change their project and as a result will be closing their provision at Café 50 towards the end of March. The Town Council will be taking over the running and groups will continue to meet as they do now. We have been in discussions with several interested parties in taking over the catering and we are hoping there will be no break in service for our users. We do not want to lose this provision and are doing our utmost to ensure it stays the warm, vibrant and welcoming hub it is.

Many of you will have seen the notices regarding installing double yellow lines in Pontyclun, in particular in streets around the new primary school. Many residents and businesses have expressed concerns about the loss of parking and issues it will cause older and disabled visitors, residents who will no longer be able to park near their houses and businesses who will lose customers. We have strongly disagreed with the scheme as proposed.

If you have any comments regarding the proposals or questions then contact RCT’s traffic team at trafficservices@rctcbc.gov.uk

As always if there is anything you would like to share or discuss about our community, please don’t hesitate to get in touch – 01443 238500.

 "Spring adds new life and new beauty to all that is." — Jessica Harrelson

Pontyclun, having a great time this summer dispite the weather

Summer holidays have begun and that means its just over 3 weeks until our food festival, excitement is building. We can smell all the delicious treats on offer already. The festival takes place in the Heol Yr Orsaf Car Park, and we have nearly 40 stalls offering their delights this year, along with music, face painting and lots of fun for all the family. Event starts at 12pm, and there will be parking in the Football Club and Y Pant, so please follow the car parking signs and be respectful of the community when parking so as not to cause issues for residents living close the venue.

Urban Markets will be holding their annual Family Fun Day in the Park in July. Thank you to all the team for coming down to Pontyclun and putting on such a great day.

We have had lots of volunteering for litter picks over the last few months, so big thank you to Men’s Shed Pontyclun, as always, Pontyclun Road Runners, Luna Holistic and Pontyclun Brownies. Volunteering to help keep our community clean and tidy is very much appreciated. If you have a group or are an individual who would like to get involved, please contact our Community Engagement Officer on community@pontyclun-cc.gov.wales

Our Walking Rugby Team held their annual Festival at Pontyclun RFC at the end of June. Huge thank you to all the teams that travelled down and joined in the fun. It was a fantastic day, and the atmosphere was amazing, from supporters and players. If anyone would like to join in, we train twice a week – Monday evenings (6.30 at the Rugby Club) and Wednesday mornings (10.30 at Pontyclun Park). All ages and abilities welcomed.

Planning is under way for our Christmas Fayre, and we have a couple of spaces left. If anyone would like to take part, please do get in touch on the email address about or by calling 01443 238500. We are hoping to have even more stalls than usual and are always looking for new and exciting things to bring to the community.

The council offices will be working with a skeletal staff during the summer holidays so if you do need to get in touch regarding anything please bear with us.

Llantrisant Folk Group have a full programme over the next few weeks at Pontyclun Athletic Club:

Wed July 24: Truckstop Honeymoon - Hollerin' banjo, doghouse bass, witty songs.

Wed Aug 7: Les Barker Tribute Night - A mirthful evening as we remember Les.

Wed Aug 14: Song & Music night with Showcase: Wynford Jones & Geoff Cripps - Heartfelt songs of Valleys life.

Wed Aug 21: Gaudy Orde - Delightfully daft combo.

Wed Aug 28: Eilidh Steel & Mark Neal - Sizzling Scottish melodies and songs.

Wed Sept 4: Jake Leg Jug Band - The authentic sounds of Prohibition era America.

 

All that’s left to say, is have a fantastic summer and let’s hope the sun starts shining. See you all at the Food Festival.

“Any day in August is better than a day in January” – Keith Vik

Summer is here - hopefully!

“Feel the warmth outside and inside. Let this July roll out all your worries with its warm days and happening nights. Hello to July!” 

Well June flew past in a bit of a blur. With all the excitement of Picnic in the Park and the sun making an appearance on the day, it managed to feel like summer may have finally started.

Thank you to everyone who supported the event, either as a stall holder, visitor or volunteer. It was a fabulous day and we have had so much positive feedback, which is great. Next year we are hoping to be even bigger and better as it will be Pontyclun’s 175^th anniversary, so stay tuned and follow us on social media for all the updates.

Sticking with all the fun, Pontyclun RFC have their annual Ciderfest coming up on Saturday 13^th July. A full day of fun, with a BBQ and live music. Tickets are available behind the bar.

The following week – Sunday 21^st July, Urban Markets will be back for their Summer Fun Day in Pontyclun Park. I know it was a fabulous day last year so I’m sure this year will be even better. Keep an eye on local noticeboards for more information coming up.

We will be back for our Food Festival on Saturday 24^th August. We have some delicious food traders lined up this year, entertainment for all the family and of course our friends at The Pipeworks will be keeping us all hydrated throughout the day.

The Llantrisant Folk Group have a full programme throughout July at Pontyclun Athletic Club:

Wed July 3: Pete Morton - an unruly mix of comment and humour.

Wed July 10: Rattle on the Stovepipe - a touch of Old-Timey Americana.

Wed Jul 24: Truckstop Honeymoon - hollerin banjo/doghouse bass/witty songs.

Wed Aug 7: Les Barker Tribute Night - a mirthful evening as we remember Les.

All other Wednesdays are Song & Music Nights.

Moving on from the fun stuff, as many of you will have noticed, our gorgeous summer flowers have been planted and look fantastic. Unfortunately, this year we had 17 plants stolen out of them within the first week of planting. This is just awful and sad. The flowers come out every year, brightening up Pontyclun and making people smile. The cost to keep replacing them gets more expensive all the time. We have had to report this too police and thankfully most of the planters have CCTV covering them, so the footage will be reviewed.

I’m sure many of you will have seen or heard about the Safe Roads Pontyclun group that has been set up to try and campaign against the Forest Wood quarry plans. They held a protest in May on the zebra crossing and a large number of supporters turned out – Wales Online and ITV also did features on their work. Banners are available to show your support and they have set up a Go Fund Me page to take donations to assist with costs going forward. If you would like more information, please join the Facebook group at https://www.facebook.com/saferoadspontyclun

 

Enjoy the final push before the summer holidays and lets hope the weather stays kind. If you have anything you would like us to chat about in our August piece, please get in touch on community@pontyclun-cc.gov.wales

 

Its all aMAYzing here

May is here and personally; we are all on countdown for some consistent sunshine.

Despite the weather, we have lots going on in the town over the next few months. Our caretakers will be installing new benches at various locations; Riverside, The Hollies, opposite the War Memorial, Ynysddu and Cefn Yr Hendy. Five of these benches have been very kindly part funded or donated by various individuals and companies. Hopefully they will be put to good use in the summer months by visitors and the community enjoying our beautiful town.

The summer flowers will be planted in late May, to bring their usual cheeriness.  We know they always bring a smile to so many people.

During the week of the 13^th – 19^th May it is Dementia Action Week. Llantrisant Over 50’s Forum and Llanharan Drop In have teamed up with various other support agencies and local councils to turn our area blue to help raise awareness. It is projected that by 2025, over 1 million people will be living with dementia and for every person diagnosed, there are family and friends to be considered. It causes a huge impact on families, and we need to raise more awareness on the help and support available, along with the emotional and well being support out there for everyone affected. Turning our towns blue can help with this awareness. There will be lots going on in the areas and we are asking you to help turn your space blue. Blue lights, blue bunting, blue ballons or any blue items to decorate your business, home or work space. To find out more information, please contact jolene@lcdp.org.uk or ypeters@btinternet.com

We also have our Picnic in the Park coming up in less than a month – Saturday 8^th June. Hopefully, we will have lots of you will come along and take part in the fun and games. We have more stalls and groups taking part this year and an entertainment company that will be running games and activities for children throughout the day, along with fairground rides, face painting and of course our food and drink regulars will be with us, to ensure everyone has a good time. We may even have a ‘Tug-O-War’ game if we have enough teams. Watch out for more details on our social media pages and our website.

We have a couple of spaces still available for our Food Festival in August so if you know anyone that may be interested, please ask them to give us a call or drop us an email.

On a more serious note, many residents and businesses have been approaching us regarding issues relating to traffic in and around Pontyclun. These have included concerns about the volume of traffic, speed of traffic and parking issues.

 

Over the next few months, the Council is planning to look at options to try and help improve the position and would welcome comments from residents identifying those areas where there are significant problems and making positive suggestions for ways that these could be improved.

 

This will allow us to try and develop some strategies which we can work with RCT CBC and South Wales Police to try and deliver to improve things.  Please email any suggestions to clerk@pontyclun-cc.gov.wales

 

As always if there is anything you would like us to share with the community, please contact community@pontyclun-cc.gov.wales we would love to hear about any events, good news or concerns you may have.

“Spring is April’s way of Saying “Lets, Bloom”” and it is finally in the air or is that just the smell of Chocolate Easter Eggs.

 

We have our annual Easter Egg hunt from Tuesday 2^nd April until Friday 5^th April. Call in to the council offices and pick up a free entry form, use the clues around the village and claim your chocolatey prize. Anyone under the age of 11 can take part, accompanied by an adult.

Plans are coming along for this year’s Picnic in the Park on Saturday 8^th June; we will have lots of our local community groups on hand to chat, along with games and fun on the stalls. We will have fairground rides, the fantastic team at Pipeworks will be ensuring the grownups don’t go thirsty; TCG Entertainment will be organising kids’ games and providing musical entertainment and the Police and Fire services are also hoping to make an appearance, which we are sure will be a huge hit with the children. The event opens at 12pm and we hope to see you all there.

We would like to take this opportunity to thank Men’s Sheds for their continuous support to keep Pontyclun Tidy. Once a month the team tackle some of the areas more prone to rubbish and last month they amassed a total of 12 large bags full of rubbish. It’s a fantastic show of community spirit and I am sure we are not alone in appreciating their efforts. Thank you, gents.

If anyone else would like to part in a litter pick, alone or with your group please contact us to organise the equipment.

I am sure all businesses, public sector organisation and charities in the area are well aware of the new recycling scheme coming into effect in April. From this date all rubbish will need to be sorted and different colour bags will be used to collect recycling. For further information on this please go to https://www.gov.wales/workplace-recycling

With the spring and summer months approaching we have several volunteering positions available on an ad hoc basis, to help with gardening jobs in the town. If you are interested, please get in contact with clerk@pontyclun-cc.gov.wales for further details.

Residents and visitors will soon see some new benches popping up across the area replacing some of those which are in a poor state and there will also be some additional floral displays round about. A special mention to Transport for Wales who have generously given a donation to the Town Council to make improvements at the Hollies in Brynsadler where Dewis Cymru will be creating some new seating areas and floral beds – these will be on show very soon and a thank you to them all.

Brrr its cold

 

Brrr, it’s been a very cold January and with the cost of energy rising I hope everyone is managing to stay warm. Don’t forget there are warm hubs at various locations around Pontyclun and they welcome anyone who needs the space. For more information on these, please get in touch and our staff can direct you on where they are.

January for us has been all about preparing for the year ahead and looking at all the wonderful events we held last year and how we can improve them. Thanks to everyone that offered constructive feedback, it helps enormously.

We kick off 2024 with an Urban Market Easter market on the 23^{rd of} March, this will be held in Heol Yr Orsaf Car Park. Our usual Picnic in the Park will be on Saturday the 8^{th of} June in Pontyclun Park, offering wholesome fun for all the family.

Urban Markets will be back on the 21^{st of} July with their funday and market in the park. Pontyclun Food Festival will again be the Saturday of August bank holiday, offering a wide selection of food, drink, and music.

We also hope that Pontyclun RFC will be running a Community Bonfire night event again this year and of course there will also be Remembrance Day parades in Groesfaen, Miskin and Pontyclun.

The year end is marked with a variety of events in our Christmas festival. These will include the annual Panto; Light switch on, Christmas fayre, Bethel nativity walk and a Santa fun run. Christmas make Pontyclun such a fun place to be.

As always, we are always interested to hear what you would like to see across our Community. If you have any events, you think we should be looking at doing, whether big or small please drop us an email with your suggestions.

Moving on from the fun, we are aware of the concerns regarding litter in the town and obviously this wasn’t helped during the Christmas period with high winds blowing it all over the place. We are working to try and combat this, but if there are any groups out there that would like to help with a litter picking session please do get in touch. We are a Keep Wales Tidy Hub and can lend all the equipment required to do this safely and the area’s most in need, while benefitting the community and wildlife around the area.

If 2024, sees you at a lose end and looking for things to keep you busy, please bear in mind that there are always volunteering roles that would welcome you. There are several within the council, working in and around the town along with several community groups who would be grateful of any help that people can offer. So, if you are interested, please drop us an email and we can direct you to the right group for you.

That’s it from us this month, lets hope February brings slightly warmer temperatures and Spring isn’t too far on the horizon.

Happy New Year!

 

What a way to end 2023.

The festive celebrations in Pontyclun kicked off with our light switch on, and what a lovely evening it was. The atmosphere was wonderful and the 200 + attendees all joined in with the carols, while the younger ones had a great time playing in the “snow”.

Friday the 1^st, saw the Twmpath in the marquee in Heol Yr Orsaf. The evening was to raise money for the Eisteddfod and was organised by Groesfaen Gwyrdd, they raised a fantastic £500. Well done to all the organisers and volunteers.

Saturday the 2nd was the annual Christmas Fayre and wow was it a cold one. The event opened with Pontyclun being officially recognised as a town. Our thanks to Alex Davies-Jones MP, Joel James MS and RCT Council Mayor Cllr Wendy Lewis for attending and presenting Pontyclun Town Chairman Wayne Owen with the confirmation plaque. It was wonderful to share this momentous occasion with so many people.

The 80 stalls had a vast array of gifts and treats for everyone and the 2000+ visitors appreciated the mulled wine, hot food, and drink to keep them sustained as they shopped to their hearts content. There were so many smiling faces, and it really was fantastic to see so many people enjoying the carols, the bands, and the fabulous singers. Santa saw lots of smaller visitors in his grotto, and they were all given a festive treat to take away and enjoy. Thank you to all the stall holders, visitors, volunteers, and performers that made it a wonderful day. See you all again next year.

The Oompah Boyz brought a bit of fun and frivolity to Pontyclun on Sunday. If you were lucky enough to attend, I am sure you can confirm they were almost as fantastic as the Councillors in the traditional Bavarian costumes. Thank you to them all for putting on a great night.

The festive events continued with the beautiful Nativity trail at Bethel, the Santa Fun Run, Carolling at the Rugby club; in Groesfaen and of course the Knightmare before Christmas Quiz. Whatever you took part in, we hope your December was full of fun, love, and a perfect ending to what seems to have been a very busy year for everyone.

As we creep into the New Year, may we take a moment to wish you all plenty of happiness and good health for the New Year and may it be filled with adventure and growth.

January sees a much slower pace although it doesn’t completely stop for Llantrisant Folk Club who have the following events on at Pontyclun Athletic Club:

Wednesday January 3rd - Song & Music Night.

Wednesday January 10th - Song & Music Night.

Wednesday January 17th - National Eisteddfod Fundraiser with Calennig Arbennig, and Bethan Nia.

Wednesday January 24th - Song & Music Night.

Wednesday January 31st - Nick Hart

 

Thank you again to all who keep on supporting your local Town Council and making our events so fantastic, Pontyclun really is the best place to live.