Green Consumer Day

Glanymor & Tyisha Communities First's Environment and Regeneration Action Group held a Green Consumer Day on Saturday.

The event kicked-off with a litter of the streets around New Dock Road. Supported by Keep Wales Tidy, the litter pick not only helped to make the local environment a cleaner one, it also focused on recycling - of the 22 bags of litter collected, 10 were filled with waste to be recycled.

Dan Snaith, from Keep Wales Tidy with the trailer-load of litter

After the litter pick, residents made their way to the Antioch Centre where various organisations had stands and workshops with information and tips on conserving the environment. There were also refreshments and a buffet.

David Tucker, Chairman of the Glanymor & Tyisha Communities First Partnership explains the aims of Green Consumer Day in this video

Ecobabi - promoting real nappies, waste reduction and recycling

Joint Secretaries of the Environment and Regeneration Action Group Colette Harris and Teresa Evans-Armstrong promoting the use of Freecycle, which both Colette and Teresa use

Watch this video of Teresa explaining what Freecycle is about

See the Freecylce website at http://www.carmarthenshirefreecycle.tk/

Carmarthenshire County Council's Environmental Enforcement department was handing out goody bags containing useful items and information for minimising our impact on the environment around us

Children at the event learnt how to recycle in a fun way through participating in a Recycling Theatre Workshop, delivered by Partyparti (http://www.partyparti.com/)

Seaside Family Forum were at the event with a face-painting stall. The Forum also had a stand where children could get creative by recycling household materials and objects into arts and crafts

Congratulations to Nicholas on winning a container of biodiesel from Sundance Renewables (http://www.sundancerenewables.org.uk/) in the quiz raffle

Congratulations to Mrs Westcott (right) on winning this composting bin, donated by Carmarthenshire County Council, in the quiz raffle

The bin makes a cosy den, as an alternative!

Ystradowen Residents' Association Opens Playground

Tomenowen Playground was officially opened by Ystradowen Residents' Association on Friday.

The Association was able to install new play equipment, fences and soft surfaces, and restore existing equipment, after receiving grants from Cwm Community & Environmental Fund (distributed by GrantScape), WREN and Carmarthenshire County Council.

Representatives from all these funding organisations attended the official opening by Elwyn Williams, who was County Councillor for the Quarter Bach ward until May 2008.

Members of Ystradowen Residents Association and representatives from the funding organisations

Elwyn Williams cuts the ribbon alongside Association Chairman Clive Trotman

Local children really enjoy playing on the new equipment

There were balloons all round for the children

Ystradowen Residents Association provided tea and a selection of cakes

Glanymor & Tyisha History Group Launch New Book

Glanymor & Tyisha History Group officially launched its latest book A People's History: Glanymor & Tyisha, Number 5 on Friday. The launch was held to a packed vestry of St John's Chapel on New Dock Road, Llanelli.

Group Secretary Revd Eldon Phillips opened the event, followed by a few words from Llanelli Mayor Hubert Hitchman and group Chairman Nevil Williams. Then everyone had a chance to enjoy a cup of tea and a biscuit before buying their copies of the book.

Revd Eldon Phillips opening the official launch event

Presenting book Number 5, left to right: Alwyn Jones, Group Treasurer; Nevil Williams, Group Chairman; Revd Eldon Phillips, Group Secretary

Brenda and Irene purchase their copies of book Number 5 from Benita

Watch this video of Nevil Williams explaining the background of Glanymor & Tyisha History Group and the People's History series

New Funding Schemes for Carmarthenshire Community Groups

Left to right: Cris Tomos, Deputy Director, CAVS; Rachell Lovell, Volunteering Officer, CAVS; Helen Martin, Giving Sir Gar Project Officer, CAVS; Joyce Watson AM

Joyce Watson AM, met representatives from the business, public and voluntary sectors on Thursday at the launch of two Welsh Assembly Government initiatives being lead by Carmarthenshire Association of Voluntary Services (CAVS) to provide not-for-profit voluntary and community groups with new sources of funding.

Giving Sir Gar
Giving Sir Gâr is the continuation of the very successful pilot project conducted in Carmarthenshire to develop a county fund through employer partnerships with local groups and has been further funded to extend the initiative to four neighbouring counties over the next three years.

Helen Martin Project officer at CAVS said “we are delighted to be supported by the AM at this very exciting time for the project. We hope that through working closely with county employers in developing their community involvement programmes, we can develop a robust and long-term source of support for local charities and other voluntary groups.”

If businesses or other organisations want to learn more about the schemes we have on offer such as employee volunteering opportunities or staff fundraising ideas then please get in touch with us on 01554 777112, email: helen@cavs.org.uk

CAVS Community Development Fund
Also highlighted at the meeting was the new round of the Community Development Fund. This grant scheme is designed to provide not-for-profit voluntary and community groups in Carmarthenshire with a new source of capital funding to develop community facilities and activities.

Projects could include the following: creating or refurbishing facilities; improving the built or natural environment; encouraging healthy and active lifestyles; promoting activities to increase social inclusion and equality; training programmes; community business support and strengthening cultural and linguistic identity. Grants can be provided for capital costs only.

The closing date for applications is Friday 31st October 2008. Guidelines and application forms are available from Matthew Lawlor, CAVS, 3 St Peter’s Street, Carmarthen, SA31 1LN, email: matthew@cavs.org.uk, phone 01267 236367, and can be downloaded from CAVS website http://www.cavs.org.uk/.

For further information and guidance on the grant scheme please contact Matthew Lawlor, Funding Advice Officer at the above address.

Friendly Questions in Welsh - Week 4

This week's friendly question in Welsh, brought to you by the Brynaman based Welsh Learners Group is...

Dych chi'n gweithio?

(Do you work?)

Watch these videos of group members using the question in conversation

Ian asks Jackie Dych chi'n gweithio?

Jackie has a pub

(It's the Tregib Arms in Brynaman, where the group meet)

Ian asks Kath Dych chi'n gweithio?

No, Kath has retired

(Lucky Kath!)

The next friendly question in Welsh will be posted on Wednesday 1 October

Glanymor and Tyisha History Group New Book Launch

Glanymor & Tyisha History Group is officially launching its new book

A People's History:

Glanymor & Tyisha

Number 5

on

Friday 26 September

at

Trinity Chapel Vestry

from 12 noon

After the launch, Number 5 will be on sale at

• Eleanor's Hairdresser, Marine Street, Seaside
• New Dock Post Office
• Ann Street Post Office
• Llanelli Star office, Cowell Street
• St John's Vestry, Seaside
• Communities First office, Inkerman Street
• Dragon Books, The Arcade, Stepney Street

or from group members

£3.00

The 'People's History' Series has become so popular that the group has reprinted books Number 1 and Number 2 into one combined book - but even this reprint has sold out. Book Number 3 has been reprinted and is on sale at New Dock Post Office, Eleanor's Hairdresser and the Llanelli Star office, or it can be bought from group members.

All are welcome to the book launch!

Pantyffynnon Youth Challange Valley Trip

As a reward for all the hard work the youth of Pantffynnon have put into their recent video project, Communities Firsts Pantyffynnon decided to take the group out for an evening of wet and muddy FUN on the Challenge Valley assault course in Swansea.

Claimed as the muddiest assault course in the WORLD! the group were surprised to see photos on the changing room walls of what they had jumped into.

The assault course has been there for over 20 years and has several different challenging sections for group to tackle, from rope bridges to muddy wet tunnels.

I think the photos and videos of the group below can sum up the kind of fun they had!

(Warming up before they begin)

(Ann & Dan were the first to get wet!)

(Still looking a bit to clean there lads!)

(A brave balancing act from Phil)

(climbing the 6ft wall!)

(a swing to keep dry, unlucky there lads)


(a very wet Sprout)

(It's not that high Nathan, honestly)

(Feet first through the tyres)

As you can tell, its was very muddy, wet and cold! but that didn't stop the fun. Plastered head to toe the group then made there way to the changing rooms for a hot shower.

Sleep well tonight hey lads??!!??

Friendly Questions in Welsh - Week 3

This week’s friendly question in Welsh, brought to you by the Brynaman based Welsh Learners Group is…

Ble dych chi’n byw?

(Where do you live?)

Watch this video of group members using the question in conversation

Jackie asks Ian Ble dych chi’n byw?

Ian lives in Brynaman

The next friendly question in Welsh will be posted on Wednesday 24 September

Project Higher - Sunday's Filming

After successfully filming all the party shots on Saturday, members of Project Higher met up with Tinopolis again on Sunday, this time to film the hospital scenes. The surgery at Brynaman Community Centre was used as the filming location.

Sunday was the quieter and shorter of the two filming days and unlike Saturday's filming session, which involved a large cast, only 5 actors were required.

For everyone other than India, filming the hospital scenes was a great chance to dress up in Doctor costumes!

Project Higher's cast of Doctors

India rehearses being ill!

"Dr Haddy" explains to "Dr Louisa" what the filming session is all about

Filming the hospital scenes

A brush made an excellent implement for focusing India's eyes!

Haddy tells India what she did in the hospital scenes, how it went and reflects on the weekend's filming

Haddy working with Owen from Tinopolis to record the "lights shining into eyes" shot

Louisa tells Tashy what she did and her likes and dislikes

India tells Haddy how the filming went and her likes and dislikes

To see more videos and to read blog posts by members of Project Higher, see the Project Higher blog at http://higheruchela.blogspot.com/

Project Higher Fiming Weekend Videos

Those involved in the Project Higher filming sessions recorded many videos during the sessions using Carmarthenshire Connect's 'Busbi' video recorders.

The videos capture the filming experience from project participants' perspective and aim to act as a record of the project's progress.

Here are a selection of the videos from Saturday's filming session:

Costumes

The Higher music video is in 1980s style. Group members tell us about their costumes and where they got their ideas from

Owain interviews Katie and India

Jacob interviews Sophie

Thoughts on filming a music video

What was fun? What wasn't so great?

Haddy

India

Tom from ASBO

UNA Exchange volunteers

International UNA Exchange volunteers staying in the Upper Amman Valley contributed to the video by being extras - a task they probably weren't expecting!

UNA Exchange volunteers introduce themselves to India

India interviews Livia and Anais, who are from France.

Anais speaks in French - thanks for the translation India!

Cyfweliad gyda criw Tinopolis yn Gymreag

(An interview with the Tinopolis crew in Welsh)

Cyfweliad gan Tom Hamer a Laura Evans

(Interview by Tom Hamer and Laura Evans)

See more videos by group members on the Project Higher blog at http://higheruchela.blogspot.com/

Project Higher Filming Weekend

A major phase of Project Higher was completed during a recent weekend when all the filming for the project music video was completed. The majority of the music video is a house party. There are also hospital scenes after one of the party-goers has to be admitted.

The house party shots were filmed on the Saturday and the hospital shots were filmed on Sunday. Upper Amman Valley Communities First Development Officer Juliana Hughes provided her house as the party filming location. Brynaman Community Centre Surgery was used for the hospital shots.

The filming was led and directed by a crew from Tinopolis. A host of local young people were actors and extras in the video. Along with the core members of Project Higher were young people from ASBO and BASE. International volunteers with the UNA Exchange also got involved.

Here are some photos from Saturday's filming session, which took most of the day:

Owain from Tinopolis briefs the team on the plans

Filming a party scene

Owain takes notes

Reviewing the footage

UNA Exchange volunteers

The less glamorous side of acting: pretending to be sick in a bidet!

India plays the leading character who collapses before a hospital visit

India awaits instructions

Tom Hamer's kept everyone entertained with music through the day - this is his Welsh flag covered guitar case

GIft Aid Training

Around 40 delegates from Carmarthenshire Community groups attended Gift Aid Training at Brynaman Community Centre's new conference facility on Friday. CAVS, Communities First and Giving Sir Gar collaborated to provide the training (delivered by Dot Griew, formerly of the Insitute of Fundraising) to inform local charities and voluntary groups of the benefits of the Gift Aid scheme.

Dot Griew delivering the training at Brynaman Community Centre

Gift Aid is a scheme which allows charities and other voluntary groups to reclaim income tax from personal donations. This can mean that for every £1 donated by a member of the public, a charity or voluntary group can claim an additional 28p from the government. During the training delegates learned how the scheme operates, what kind of groups and donations are eligible and how to fill in the forms.

Dot Griew explains the basics of Gift Aid

More information about the Gift Aid scheme can be found at the website of HM Revenue and Customs and at the Tax Effective Giving website of the Institute of Fundraising.

Local groups wanting more information or advice about the scheme can contact Simon Pearce at CAVS on 01554 777112.

Friendly Questions in Welsh - Week 2

This week’s friendly question in Welsh, brought to you by the Brynaman based Welsh Learners Group is…

Os teulu gyda chi?

(Do you have family?)

Watch theses videos of group members using the question in conversation

Jackie asks Ian Os teulu gyda chi?

Yes, Ian has a wife and one daughter, Amy

Geoff asks Terri Os teulu gyda chi?

Yes, Terri has her mum, two sister, one brother, a husband, two daughters, one dog, one rabbit, four hens and three fish

An impressive family Terri!

The next friendly question in Welsh will be posted on Wednesday 17 September

Project Higher Production Meeting

Project Higher recently held a production meeting at Tinopolis in Llanelli - watch the video interviews below to see project members explain what the meeting was for, how it all went and what they expect to get out of the project.

Peter, interviewed by Owain.

Owain (yn Gymraeg), interviewed by Peter.

Louisa, interviewed by Alex.

Alex, interviewed by Louisa.

Glanymor and Tyisha History Group New Book Launch

Glanymor & Tysha History Group is officially launching its new book

A People's History:

Glanymor & Tysiha

Number 5

on

Fiday 26 September 2008

at

Trinity Chapel Vestry

from 12 noon

After the launch, Number 5 will be on sale at

• Eleanor's Hairdresser, Marine Street, Seaside
• New Dock Post Office
• Ann Street Post Office
• Llanelli Star office, Cowell Street
• St John's Vestry, Seaside
• Communities First office, Inkerman Street
• Dragon Books, The Arcade, Stepney Street

or from group members

£3.00

The 'People's History' series has become so popular that the group has reprinted books Number 1 and Number 2 into one combined book - but even this reprint has sold out. Book Number 3 has been reprinted and is on sale at New Dock Post Office, Eleanor's Hairdresser and the Llanelli Star office, or it can be bought from group members.

All are welcome to the book launch!

CAVS Volunteering Awards

CAVS Volunteer Centre is launching a new Awards Scheme to celebrate and recognise volunteers that make a difference to both their communities and themselves across Carmarthenshire.

Do you know of a volunteer who has carried out exceptional work in their community?

Someone who has made a real difference to others or themselves?

If yes, then why not nominate them and give them recognition!

Categories

1. Volunteer of the Year (over 25)
2. Young Volunteer of the Year (under 25)
3. Green Volunteer of the Year
4. Ray Gravell Memorial Award

Nomination forms can be obtained from -

CAVS Volunteer Centre, Ty Carwyn, 3 St Peters Street, Carmarthen, SA31 1LN

01267 236367 ~ fflur@cavs.org.uk

Closing date for entry of nominations is Wednesday October 15th 2008.

===========================================

Mae Canolfan Gwirfoddoli CAVS yn cychwyn Cynllun Gwobrau newydd i ddathlu a chydnabod gwirfoddolwyr sy’n gwneud gwahaniaeth i’w cymunedau ac iddyn nhw’u hunain ledled Sir Gaerfyrddin.

Ydych chi'n gwybod am wirfoddolydd sydd wedi gwneud gwaith arbennig yn eu cymuned?

Os ydych, beth am eu henwebu a rhoi cydnabyddiaeth iddyn nhw!

Categoriau

1. Gwirfoddolydd y Flwyddyn (25+)
2. Gwirfoddolydd Ifanc y Flwyddyn (o dan 25
3. Gwirfoddolydd Gwyrdd y Flwyddyn
4. Gwobr Goffa Ray Gravell

Er mwyn cael ffurflen enwebu, cysylltwch a -

Canolfan Gwirfoddoli CAVS, Ty Carwyn, 3 Heol San Pedr, Caerfyrddin, SA31 1LN

01267 236367 ~ fflur@cavs.org.uk

Y dyddiad cau ar gyfer enwebiadau yw Dydd Mercher Hydref 15fed 2008.

Pantyffynnon Youth Video Project Update

Pantyffynnon Youth Group have now finished filming in the community for their video project and spent two hours last night putting all their video ready to edit on the Mac Laptop at Communities First Pantyffynnon.

The young people will now start to create a structure and plan for the editing of their video with help from Carmarthenshire Connect over the next two months.

(the lads watching their video clips)

The video is the young people's way of showing the entire community what its really like for them, and how they feel about there community.

The project has been developed and delivered as a partnership project between Communities First Pantyffynnon, Mess Up The Mess Theatre Company, Carmarthenshire Connect and the Community Safety Partnership.

Friendly Questions in Welsh - Week 1

In the first of our weekly series, this week’s friendly question in Welsh, brought to you by the Brynaman based Welsh Learners Group is…

Beth dych chi'n hoffi yfed?

(What do you like to drink?)

This is a rather appropriate question to start the series with, as the Welsh Learners Group meet in the lounge of The Tregib Arms in Brynaman.

Watch these videos of group members using the question in conversation

Kath asks Ian Beth dych chi'n hoffi yfed?

Ian likes to drink beer, red wine and cider

The Tregib Arms Landlord Jay asks Terri Beth dych chi'n hoffi yfed? from behind the bar

Terri likes hot chocolate. Please!

Some other answers:

Geoff would like one pint of beer, please

Ran would like a glass of red wine, please

The next friendly question in Welsh will be posted on Wednesday 10 September.

Welsh Learners group

The Brynaman based Welsh Learners Group is made up of Welsh learners from a variety of learning backgrounds - some members are students on Welsh courses and some learn only through meeting in this group. The group meets at 8pm on Wednesdays at The Tregib Arms on Cwmgarw Road, Brynaman.

Each week, members learn and practice new words, sentences and phrases from each other. Sessions are usually themed by a topic, such as the weather.

The informal environment of the Welsh Learners Group provides members who learn Welsh on structured courses with a good opportunity to practice what they've learnt and share knowledge with other members, gaining greater confidence in the process.

The group is often supported with tuition from Menter Bro Dinefwr and Bwrdd yr Iaith, along with support from Upper Amman Valley Communities First.

Members of the Welsh Learners Group at The Tregib Arms.

Over the next couple of months, we'll be bringing you a weekly Friendly Question in Welsh from the Welsh Learners Group. If you're a Welsh learner, you may find these questions useful when out and about shopping or in your local pub. Accompanying these questions will be videos of group members using the questions in conversation.

Felinfoel Family Centre Litter Pick

Parents and children joined staff and volunteers at Felinfoel Family Centre last week for a litter pick on the streets of Felinfoel.

The event was organised by Felinfoel Family Centre, with support from Keep Wales Tidy (who provided all the litter picking equipment) and Felinfoel Communities First.

Here are some some the photos that participants took:

All geared up and ready to go!

And off we go.

It's all about teamwork in Felinfoel.

Finding all those little bits of litter on the pavements and in the gutters.

ASBO Conservation Work

Once again, ASBO have been in the Ynys Dawela Nature Reserve!

This time they have been continuing with the litter picking, making sure the park in nice and tidy and clearing up some of the rubbish, logs and litter from the pond, some of which has been their for years.

The afternoon was organised by Bronwen Price with help from Dan Snaith of Keep Wales Tidy to keep the guys doing the right things and keeping safe.

(Jordan & Will with their new waders clearing the pond)

The younger ones then went up the fields litter picking and chopping back the over grown bushes and trees blocking the paths and prepared a bomb fire to get rip of it all.

The afternoon was good fun for everyone and has helped ASBO further help their communty.

ASBO Video Project

Following on from the previous posts about ASBO, we are proud to announce that the group have now finished their OUTCASTS DVD aimed at helping them get funding for a new skate park in Brynaman.

The project has lasted over six months but has seem some extremely hard work and dedication put in by the group and the video editors, Sion, Jordan, Will and Tom (pictured Below).

The video has been entirely produced and edited by the group will close support from the Carmarthenshire Connect Team.

(Will, Jordan & Tom putting the final touches to their film)

"It has been an absolute pleasure working with ASBO and the lads over the past six months. They have worked so hard to finish and have learned lots of new skills in video production. I hope this wont be the last video we seen from them an wish them all the best with building their new skate park." - Karlis Ozolins - Project Officer, Carmarthenshire Connect.

The group will be showcasing the DVD in a premier night somewhere in brynamman in the coming month (information will be posted here) and we kindly ask for as much support as possible on the night.

KEEP UP THE GREAT WORK GUYS!

Pantyffynnon Youth Video Project

(Phil interviewing Nathan)

Over the past couple of weeks, Carmarthenshire Connect have been working with Communities Firsts Pantyffynnon and Mess Up the Mess Theatre Company on a youth video project on an estate in Ammanford.

The video and the project has stemmed from outreach projects delivered to the youth by Carmarthenshire Connect over the course of the year in the AVE Centre, Ammanford.
This projects is aimed to highlight that the youth of the estate are not to blame for all the problems caused and that they just want something to do and somewhere to go.

(Nathan filming on the estate)

The youth have now finished filming for this video and will be editing it over the next month. The finished film will then be shown to community on a premier night.

Keep an eye out for more information about this project on this website.