Maybe yourself or someone you know has been thinking of learning Welsh but are either too shy to register on a course or don’t want to commit to a college course.

For further information call the Welsh for Adults Centre on 01443 483600 or visit the website for full prospectus of courses.

Mental ill health can affect people of all ages and from all backgrounds. The Rhondda Cynon Taf Mental Health Partnership has organised events across the County Borough during RCT Mental Health Week.

In an exciting initiative this year, they are working with the Council’s Library Service to offer a “living library” – and you can call into library branches and talk to people about how they have coped with their own mental health issues.

There will also be a chance for people to learn about the organisations in Rhondda Cynon Taf that can offer support and advice.

The week gets underway on Saturday, October 9 with “Walk a Mile for Mental Health” through Pontypridd. There will be a samba band and the event will have a carnival feel. All are welcome to join the walk, which meets at the bowling club in Ynysangharad War Memorial Park at 11am.

Other events include:

* New Horizons Open Day: New Horizons, Aberdare. Thursday, October 14. Find out about the charity’s work in promoting good mental health.

* Activity Day – Dare Valley Country Park, Aberdare. Friday, October 15, 10am-3pm. Aimed at carers, but all are very welcome. Have a go at Nordic walking, orienteering and other less strenuous activities. Includes a guided “Walk a Mile for Mental Health” through the Country Park.

Macmillan Coffee Morning in Hirwaun at Hirwaun Village Hall

Thursday 23rd September 2010

10am to 12 noon

Every mug will help improve the lives of people affected by
cancer

Bydd pob paned yn helpu i wella bywydau pobl sy’n cael eu
heffeithio gan ganser

There were bears of every size being cuddled by the kiddies… and adults!

Rainbows, Brownies, Guides, Trefoil members enjoyed a picnic followed by a campfire style sing-along.

A practice session for their big date at the Coliseum Theatre on 20th October, 2010 at 20.10. This date in their diary is very important as members of Guiding in all parts of the country will be renewing their Guide Promise

More news on Girl Guiding available from Aberdare Trefoil Guild

The money has come following a number of successful pipe workshops funded by Communities First Town and Parc.

The workshops will run over a 1 year period with arch-piper Geraint ‘Jacob’ Roberts giving people the chance to play the pibgorn, tin whistle, bohdran and Welsh pipes.

If you are interested in learning to play traditional Welsh music, complete beginers or experienced musicians, contact the Menter now on 01685 722176

August 5th at 6.30pm

September 2nd at 6.30pm

October 7th at 6.30pm

November 4th at 6.30pm

December 2nd at 6.30pm

All welcome.

For an opportunity to find out how police and partners worked on these priorities, please attend the next meeting and also discuss new issues.

It’s your village, have your say on how it’s run.

The aim of the centre, which is to be called the Merthyr Learning Quarter, is to radically improve learning and employment opportunities for the whole population of Merthyr Tydfil and the wider Heads of the Valleys region.

The Merthyr Learning Quarter will provide improved opportunities for post-16 students to access a broad range of academic subjects, work-based training and vocational courses designed to improve the students’ learning experiences and better equip and prepare them for further or higher education and employment.

The proposed tertiary model is being taken forward by the University of Glamorgan in liaison with Merthyr Tydfil County Borough Council.

Partnership working is imperative in making this proposal a success, as indicated by John O’Shea, Dean of Merthyr Tydfil College:

“The new MLQ will provide the very best facilities and highest quality opportunities for all learners – designed to give them every chance of succeeding as they move on to employment or university. We will work in close partnership with all of the town’s secondary schools, so that not only do learners achieve their ambitions at 18, but they also leave school at 16 with better skills and qualifications. We know from experience in many other areas that this is precisely what happens when this model is followed.

The MLQ will be a unique partnership between schools, the MLQ and universities that will bring the opportunity for Merthyr’s learners to study, in Merthyr, an exciting mix of academic and practical courses from age 16 up to degree.”

The number of study options presently available to sixth form students in the County Borough is likely to at least double through the implementation of the proposed curriculum for post-16 students educated at the MLQ. This expansion of learning opportunities will better enable young people to choose courses that are appropriately matched to their different learning styles and to prepare effectively for their futures.

Councillor Richard Thomas, Cabinet Member for Integrated Children’s Services and Chair of the Project Board said:
“Merthyr Tydfil remains committed to providing a high quality of service to our children. The proposal to move to a tertiary system of education Post 16, will allow us to continue to put children first and improve learning.

We want to create a learning environment that allows all of our young people an opportunity to gain the qualifications and skills they will need to move forward into a productive and fulfilled adulthood.
By increasing choice and ensuring parity of esteem for all learners we will encourage fairness and equality and give support at all levels of learning and achievement. A business case is being prepared to ensure that we are able to meet these objectives and secure effective, efficient and responsive service delivery.”

Chris Abbott, Director of Integrated Children’s Services for Merthyr Tydfil, who reinforced the notion that a tertiary based centre would improve life chances of those who attend, stated:
“We live in a world that demands a highly skilled workforce and recognise that the acquisition of skills and getting a job are two of the most powerful ways in which individuals from all backgrounds can transform their life chances. This means that our education and training system must cater for the needs of learners and the demands of employers if we are to equip and prepare people for employment. The proposed Merthyr Learning Quarter will help us to realise our ambition to improve the life chances of all the young people in Merthyr Tydfil.”

Held in Hirwaun St Lleurwgs Church Hall every thursday 1.00pm.

The Community Food Co-operative Programme in Wales is encouraged and supported by the Rural Regeneration Unit and funded by the Welsh Assembly Government .

The programme enables people to access fresh fruit, vegetables and salad on weekly basis at wholesale prices.

The average £2.50 bag of vegetables, £2.50 bag of fruit and £2.50 bag ofsalad can help a family achieve the recommended ’5 A DAY’.

They were awarded their new belts by their instructor Mrs. Sian Moran at the Penywaun Tang Soo Do Club.

Max Allen aged 10 was promoted to Green 2 tags, while Ethan Tucker, Oliver Thomas aged 7 and Kieran Wilkins aged 10 were promoted to Yellow belt, along with Anton Jones and Runa Cooke from Penywaun.

Max, Ethan, Anton and Runa also took part in a the Penywaun Tang Soo Do St. David’s Day Eisteddfod and kickathon in aid of Ysgol yr Hendre Welsh School in Patagonia. They beat their instructor’s challenge of performing more than 1000 Kicks by achieving the fabulous total of 3700 kicks.

They raised £100 to bring the total raised for the Patagonian school over the last year by the class to £1000.

Classes for 6-10 year olds are held every Sunday at 4.30pm- 6pm, and 6-7.30pm for over 12s or Wed 7pm -8.30pm for all ages at the Penywaun Community Centre. The first 5
lessons free and special rates available thereafter.

For more details about classes please contact Sian Moran 01639 710595 or 0759 3556268, e-mail sian.moran@tangsoodo.co.uk or see our website http://www.tangsoodo.co.uk/aberdare.htm

There will be lots of fun activities including Hook the Duck, Lucky Dip, Tombola and many more.

Everyone is welcome and we look forward to a fun-filled day.