FFORWM WARD PENYGROES WARD FORUM
Meeting 5 September 2007
Pafiliwn Parc Penygroes Park Pavilion
Minutes

Present
Peter Roberts, Lynnette Reynolds, Mair Griffiths, John Davies, Eleri Davies, Phil Owen, Mark Waygood (Ysgrifennydd), Julian Tandy (Cadeirydd), Vicky Thomas, Huw Evans (Menter Cwm Gwendraeth)

Apologies
Llinos Hindley, Siân Thomas

Matters Arising
None

Events

Strawberry Tea - Event went well as expected but figures raised at this event are not available for this meeting.

Flower Show - Over £250 raised for the Gardening Club overall.  Although the number of entries was down, the number of people attending was up.  The demonstration was popular but many people would have preferred if had taken place a little later.

Walking Treasure Hunt – although a nice day, only two people turned up for the event with a financial loss of £75, although it was well advertised locally.  The poor turnout may have been due to the poor summer we have experienced and residents taking advantage of the good weather on that day.

B in the Park - This event for the local youth went well (see the CDO report further down).

Party Fun Day – Unfortunately, owing to lack of support, this event will need to be cancelled although there was a great deal booked for the day including a hog roast, bouncy castle and climbing wall.  Cancellation Proposed  - Julian Tandy, Seconded – Mark Waygood.

Forthcoming Events

Twmpath & BBQ – Arranged for Saturday 29th September 2007 at the Rugby Club.  Some help would be appreciated.   The £8 ticket cost includes the evening’s entertainment, a glass of wine or beer and a Welsh Beef burger.  Phil will be providing a banner for the event and it will be promoted on the local radio station, shops.  Although this event is not targeted at children, they are welcome although the ticket price will remain the same.  A raffle may be arranged and the bar will be open.

Games Evening – Arranged for Friday 5th October 2007 in the Memorial Hall although, it may be too late for the climbing wall on this occasion.

Driving Treasure Hunt – Arranged for Saturday 20th October 2007 which will take place during daylight hours. This event needs advertising fully in advance.

Salsa Evening – Provisionally arranged for Saturday 17th November 2007 but this may be cancelled if there no-one is prepared to help organise it.

Christmas Fayre – Arranged for Saturday 8th December 2007 – Llinos Hindley will be ‘Mother Christmas’.  All local groups are involved in this event.

Boxing Day Walk – Wednesday 26th December.  Alun Lewis will be organising this event.

Community Garden

The grand opening is to take place at 5pm on Monday 17th September 2007.  Lynne Allbutt (media personality, columnist and presenter of Gardening Angels) will be opening the garden with the Mayoress and other local dignitaries in attendance.  The Carmarthen Journal will also be present to report on the event and take photos.  The event will be advertised in the Western Mail the week before.   All the benches are now in place and the missing bricks have been replaced.  Everyone is invited to attend (see CDO’s report below for more details).

 

Community Development Officers Report
(also available on the website www.crosshandslife.co.uk/penygroescommunitynews/)

The Community Garden has been completed and looks lovely.  It’s surprising how peaceful it is sitting on the top seat looking past the houses to the views beyond.  We’re having an official opening on Monday 17th Sept. with Lynne Allbutt – TV presenter, horticultural specialist and media personality.  Come and have some tea and welsh cakes with Lynne and tell us what projects and events we should be setting up next.  Bring someone with you.  We’re desperately in need of some new faces.

The Protex planning application to run a road through our new garden has taken a lot of my time this month.  I’ll be glad to be able to concentrate on more positive things again.  I understand that the application will be going before the planning committee on Thursday 27th September.  If anyone wants a lift to the meeting, please let me know.  If there are enough of us, I’ll try to hire the minibus.
 
A path has been cleared through Penygroes Woods and it’s now possible to walk easily between Caerbryn Rd. and Llandybie Rd.  Over the next few months I’ll be clearing other paths and looking for funding to improve the path’s surface.

The Walking Treasure Hunt was a disappointment, with only 2 people brave enough to give it a go.  It was the first fine weekend for ages and I suppose lots of people were catching up on the outstanding jobs in the garden.  I still have some lovely Golwg y Mynydd ice-cream at wholesale prices (70p per tub) if anyone wants any.

The grant application for the design of an extension to the memorial hall has been completed.  We need a couple more letters of support and it can be submitted.

The tennis nets have been replaced in the ball park – a bit late for Wimbledon, but welcome all the same.

The “B in the Park” event organised by the Youth Workers went well.  Lots of our children had a go at the inflatable assault course, climbing wall and other attractions.  The nice weather made all the difference.  There are pictures on the website.
Plans for the Penygroes Park development are progressing well. 

Gardening Club

The next meeting is on Tuesday 25th September 2007

Recreation Ground Update

Discussions took place on the various priorities generated from the report and the following list of priorities and actions were agreed.

1. Security.
2. Organisation of events.
3. Improved lighting.
4. Addition of benches, fitness areas and refuse bins.
5. Improved maintenance.
6. Pathway for walking and cycling, including a mountain bike trail.
7. Skate Park.
8. Inclusion of more signs.
9. Multi-purpose Youth Facility.
10. Landscaping, road improvements and designated parking areas.

A.O.B.

Julian Tandy has suggested a discussion about the way ahead for the Forum, at the next meeting.

Meeting closed
Next meeting – 7pm Wednesday 3rd October 2007 – Pavilion – Annual General Meeting.