Penygroes Community News

Present

Alun Lewis (Chair), Mark Waygood (Co-Secretary), Marie Hughes-Jones (Co-Secretary), Yvonne Kelly (Treasurer), Kevin Kelly, Julian Tandy, LR Reynolds, B Atkinson, Yvonne Watkins, Mair Griffiths, Nicola Davies, Llinos Hindley, Peter Roberts, Emma Armstrong, Nicola Davies, Cyng. Siân Thomas, J Evans, L Evans, Marion Jones, Julie Owen, Vicky Thomas, Richard Sutton, Lisa Mahoney, Alana Davies, Huw Evans (Menter Cwm Gwendraeth)

Apologies

Phil Owen, Steven Lewis, Edania Davies, Mark Durdin

Minutes of last meeting

•    Games Night – Exact dates to be confirmed.  All types of games and hope to have a successful night like last year.
•    Development Worker – Llandybie CC has been approached for the 20% shortfall and they have agreed in principle.  Menter Cym Gwendraeth and Llandybie CC require more details.  We didn’t have much luck last time except for the Bowls Club and Caerbryn Hall.  This time we need to have set tasks for the worker to pursue.
•    Walk – Mark Durdin was not in attendance but he will attend a walking course organised by Carmarthenshire CC.  Proposal to hold a meeting in the Farmers Pub to decide what type of walks we want.
•    Fundraising – Village of the year award – Alun & Marie to meet and discuss.
Volunteer of the year competition.  Only residents of Blaenau, Caebryn and Penygroes will be eligible for this award.  Nomination forms and posters are to be distributed.  Important to ensure a person cannot vote for them selves.  Protex will help pay for award, the format of which has still to be agreed.
•    Newsletter – Huw to look into this and a sub committee meeting will be arranged as sponsorship from local businesses to help fund the newsletter may not be that easy to obtain.
•    Dog Fouling – The situation seems to have improved on the main roads.  It appears the newsletter article worked.  It may be worth inserting this message into the newsletter every six months (to be reviewed).

AGENDA

Emlyn Update

•    The local roads where the pipe has been laid are to be repaired properly when the pipe laying is completed, they must do this by law.
•    Protex now own No1 Waterloo Road.  John Taylor has said it is for his staff to stay in.  Do they want to use the land for a road?  There may be problems behind the hall; the site is riddled with shafts.

Newsletter

•    Items are needed for the newsletter as soon as possible.

Fundraising

•    So far we are on target with £1,200 banked.
•    BBQ organised for the 13/5 at the Farmers
•    The weekly fundraising meeting is at the Farmers tomorrow (Wed 13/4).
•    We are on course to raise over £3,500 for other youth projects.
•    Penygroes Youth Community has cancelled their ‘Fun Day in the Park’.  Our ‘Fun Day’ is going ahead.
•    What about a car boot sale, may ask for stall to be paid for but sellers can keep the profit?
•    Insurance has to be paid for so may ask for a contribution from stall-holders.
•    There is a great deal organised to help raise money for the Forum.

Gardening Club

•    The first meeting was held last month.
•    The local flower show is on the 22/7 (last year it was on the  9/7)
•    There is a Hanging Basket (front gardens only) prize.  Judges will be walking around the area one week before the show.
•    A bank account has been opened for the club.  
•    Spring Gardening Club trip to Cymderri Vineyard and Colbys National Trust.  Trip is open to G.C members only.  
•    Membership is only £2 and includes a 10% discount ant Caerbryn Garden Centre etc.  Gardening classes are free for everyone.
•    Community Garden – There is a meeting with Mervin Morgan.  Because of the need for improved access for people with disabilities, the Library path currently does not meet regulations.  The community garden is affected as the path will probably take a zig-zag pattern, which will take up much of the space originally earmarked for the garden.  Plans will have to be re-drawn, but this may be to the Gardening Club’s advantage.
•    A grant application for a maximum of £5,000 is going to be submitted.  Eleri Davies is helping the G.C. get the grant and is quite confident we will get it but designs are not complete yet.

The Park

•    Cllr. Siân Thomas has spoken to the Head of Parks and it looks as though we may have the money for play equipment for the park.
•    We have been given permission to plant where the old bowls green used to be so long as it is maintained.
•    We could plant trees or have benches, funding could be donated via the Forum.
•    The plot near the green was considered as the location for the Community Garden at 12 months ago but considered too big.  The Library was a better choice because it is more easily seen by passers-by and would play a part in the improvements to the general appearance of the village.
•    Perhaps the local school children could start a project, ie. Fit in with the Ecoschools initiative.

Young Peoples Project

•    A video presentation was given to all present by M.C.G. Young Peoples Project
•    Cllr. Sian Thomas was thanked for lobbying the County Council to fund the renovation of the Pavilion.
•    The youth club should be ready in two months.
•    Some individuals have raised concerns over the condition of the Pavilion.
•    Menter Cwm Gwendraeth’s youth team have consulted extensively with the youngsters of Penygroes and they have been actively encouraging the young people to get involved as it gives them a sense of ownership and are less likely to cause damage to the facilities provided for them.
•    Suggestions have been made to hold workshops once a month at the hall about Drug Abuse, Sexual Health, Bullying, etc.
•    Past experience has shown that halls do not work very well as a venue for Youth Clubs.
•    It is planned to hold the Youth Club on Monday Evenings.  It may be possible to get volunteers from the club itself.
•    All volunteers must have a CRB (Criminal Records Bureau) Check.  Drefach has a club, which is run with only two volunteers.
•    Initially, all three Menter Cwm Gwendraeth youth. workers will run the club until volunteers can be trained etc.
•    A question was raised about problems running a youth club.  It was confirmed that there were problems from time to time (inevitably), so the evening may be split, 11-14 age group between 5-7pm for example.
•    The Chair confirmed that money will continue to be raised and that the Forum can be approached if aid is required.
•    Further meetings with the local youth are planned.
•    The Chair thanked members of the Young Peoples Project.
•    Suggestions to help project.  Letters to be sent to parents and to arrange a meeting where concerns can be raised.  Some parents have shown an interest in getting something arranged for children of primary school age.


MEETING CLOSED 

NEXT MEETING 9TH MAY AT CAERBRN HALL