Scribes R Us Begin Filming For Tinman's Row Video

Brynaman based writers' group, Scribes R Us, have begun filming a video to accompany their Tinman's Row project. Supported by Carmarthenshire Connect, using equipment funded through the Communities @One scheme, they're learning how to use professional sound and camera equipment as they produce their video.

John Jones and Beryl Henshaw record an interview with Richard Jones

Tinman's Row is an ambitious project in which the group will create stories, playlets and poetry based on historical fact and set in a row of terraced cottages in a fictional village somewhere in the Amman Valley. The group are actively researching the history of the Amman Valley communities and collecting personal recollections of residents to ensure authenticity. The completed work will be shared with the community in a number of forms including performances, school visits and exhibitions.

On location with Jan Slade and Penny Sutton from Scribes R Us

The video will explain how the project has come together and what they hope to achieve from it and includes interviews with Scribes' members and readings of their work.

John Jones and Penny Sutton record an interview with Paul Harris

Life in G&T: Holly's Digital Story

This is Holly's digital story about life in Glanymor & Tyisha, made at G&T Communities First's Youth Night, supported by Carmarthenshire Connect

Audio transcript

Photo of bus stop
This bus stop reminds me of where I live. We don’t have a shelter where I wait for my school bus in the morning. When it rains we try to keep dry in peoples porches. I would like a bus stop. The last one was taken away because of vandalism, but that was 10 years ago and we are a new generation.

Photo of park
This is in my community. When I was small I practically lived in the park. I went there nearly every day. When the pool hasn’t got water in it I play football in it. The pool is only filled during the summer holidays. There is often rubbish and broken glass in the pool which is quite annoying, I wish people didn’t throw bottles in there.

Photo of shelter
This is a shelter in Bwlch Youth Centre, but we all call it Morfa. Me and my friends go to the youth club. We would like a youth shelter in Seaside with Bluetooth to play music and lights.

Photo of Llanelli from park
This park is by my old primary school Bigyn. Me and my aunty used to say that there should be a lift or an escalator to get us up the steep hill in the morning.

Photo of multi-ball court
This is a multi-ball court in Morfa. I like to play football and sometimes basketball there. This is a lot of fun because I like football. It would be nice if we had a multi-ball court in Seaside.

Photo of wooden ship on Chocky Hill
This is a ship up on Chocky Hill. Chocky Hill is on a field in Seaside. It is new and has trees and leaf shaped benches around it. I go up there with my family sometimes. At the bottom of the hill I play rugby and football with my sister and cousins.

Holly's digital story has also been posted to the G&T Youth Blog at gandtyouth.blogspot.com

Felinfoel Multicultural Picnic

In partnership with Communities First Felinfoel, Sam Hudson, CAVS' Multicultural Awareness Liaison Officer organised a wonderful opportunity for families, children, parents and grandparents from all cultural backgrounds to get together with their local community.

The day long event, held in Felinfoel's Community Education Centre was a huge success with over 100 people turning out from all areas of the community. The day saw entertainment from traditional dancing, belly dancing and a multi language game of bingo in English, Polish and Urdu.

(Sam and the Communities First team calling out bingo numbers in 3 languages)

The event also included stands and stall from the local police force, mid and west fire and rescue service, community planning, YWCA and South Wales immediate care service provide free blood pressure and blood suger level tests.

The activity packed day had plenty of refreshments (including cakes!) to keep everyone going, arts and crafts activities for the children and free holistic treatments from the parents to take the stress away from half term.

"It's nice to get out into the community and meet new people from different backgrounds, and to offer our holistic services directly to individuals who may not always have access to such a good way of relaxing" - Sue from Llesol Holistic Therapy Centre (local not-for-profit business)

(Amy from Communities First Felinfoel)

Sam Hudson and all the Communities First team would like to say a big thank you for all the communities support and coming along to the event!

Learn a Skill with Organised Kaos (2/6)

Were back this week with another skill for you to learn from Organised Kaos. View the video below to get started!

This weeks skills is:

JUGGLING

Organised Kaos member Loz will now show you some tips and pointer on to get started with juggling.

Come back to the Carmarthenshire Connect website next Friday to learn another new skill.

100 Years of Weddings in Brynaman

Treftadaeth Brynaman Heritage (TBH) held the event 100 Years of Weddings in Brynaman yesterday evening. Around 60 people attended the event, and a further 60 have booked to attend a repeat event this evening.

As attendees arrived at 100 Years of Weddings in Brynaman, they could enjoy a display of 27 wedding dresses, the earliest of which was made in 1890. Most of the dresses were worn by brides from the Brynaman area. There is also a special wedding display in TBH's permanent exhibition case in the community centre.

The wedding display

Some of the dresses

Sarah Hopkin with her dress from her wedding in 1975. The dress was made by Sarah's aunty, who made dresses for many brides in Brynaman

TBH member Dianne Gill with one of the star dresses on display. Diane is the key driving force behind the Weddings in Brynaman project, which this event forms a part of

After viewing the dresses and display (and enjoying a catch-up!) attendees viewed a slide-show, presented by Diane, that featured photos and scanned documents under the themes of: venues; customs; costs; stationery; going away; transport; flowers; cakes; attendants; wedding photos through the ages. Most of the photos and documents were of weddings of couples local to Brynaman.

The range of photos on display made the slide-show an enjoyable journey through wedding fashions and customs through the decades.

Additionally, TBH is encouraging local people to come forward if they can identify the people in the photos and also to contribute further wedding photos to the collection. The archive will then be a resource for future generations in Brynaman.

Diane welcomes everyone to the silde-show

The Weddings in Brynaman project forms a part of TBH's involvement with the National Library of Wales's Community Archives Wales (CAW) project, funded by Communities @One.

TBH is one of eleven groups from across Communities First areas of Wales who have been creating a digital historical archive on the CAW website at www.ourwales.org.uk. Though working with CAW Development Officer Sian Tucker, TBH has uploaded hundreds of photos to the website.

Diane with Sian Tucker, Development Officer for Community Archives Wales.

The Weddings in Brynaman project has received much media coverage, with features on Radio Wales, BBC News and Wedi 3 on S4C.

New Blog for G&T Youth

Young people in the Glanymor & Tyisha Communities First area now have a new blog, run by G&T Communities First, on which they can find out about news, activities and events for young people in this area of Llanelli.

On Wednesday 29 October G&T Communities First is holding a Youth Night, supported by Carmarthenshire Connect. Starting at 6pm in the Communities First Centre at 26-28 Inkerman Street, Llanelli, the event is a chance for young people in the G&T area to complete a consultation questionnaire and create a digital story.

The questionnaire is about youth activities. Event participants will then be shown how to create a digital story about their views on life in the G&T area from their perspective. The digital stories will then be uploaded to the G&T Youth Blog. The blog will then act as a platform from which young people can share their opinions on their community.

In order to participate in the event, young people will need to bring a consent form completed by a parent/guardian. Forms can be downloaded from here for printing, or they can be picked up from the Communities First Centre.

See the blog at http://gandtyouth.blogspot.com/

Project Higher Filming Workshop

Members of Project Higher met with Dylan Tucker, an Australian born freelance TV professional now based in South Wales, earlier this week. During an evening in the Aelwyd Hall in Brynaman, the young people participating in the music video project had the chance to ask Dylan questions about getting into the TV industry and to learn new skills in filming.

The evening kicked-off with some team games led by Juliana Hughes, from Upper Amman Valley Communities First. Then group members had their chance to put their questions to Dylan in a Q&A session. Following this, the group took part in a practical workshop in lighting, sound and camera techniques using Carmarthenshire Connect's newly acquired camcorder, microphone and lighting set.

Group members then put the theory to test when they filmed a spoof chat show, interviewing 'Tom Hamer' (an excellent impersonation there Jacob!) on his new song Higher, for which the project's music video has been created. Then we went to an 'outside broadcast' (the other side of the room!) to meet some of Tom's fans.

The evening was a good chance for group members to get behind the technicalities of filming, sound and lighting as the packed filming schedule for creating the Higher music video with production company Tinopolis allowed little time for Q&As and hands-on practical experience.

One of the team games - 'Bunnies'

The Q&A session with Dylan

The workshop with Dylan

Demonstrating camera techniques on the projector

Checking out the camera

India took charge of the clapper board

Filming the chat show - nearly ready for action

Peter with the mic

Tom's fans

The evening was a special one - it was Katie's birthday!

The Bunnies habit - a hard one to kick

Friendly Questions in Welsh - Week 8

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

Beth dych chi’n hoffi edrych ar y teledu?

(What do you like to watch on the TV?)

Watch this video of group members using the question in conversation

Ian asks Geoff Beth dych chi’n hoffi edrych ar y teledu?

Geoff likes Star Trek, Star Gate and sports.

Learn a Skill with Organised Kaos (1/6)

Carmarthenshire Connect has been working with Organised Kaos (a circus skills based group in Brynaman) over the past couple of weeks to bring you bite size videos that will help you learn a new circus skill each week.

This weeks skills is:

STILT WALKING

Organised Kaos member Annie will now show you some tips and pointer on how to walk on stilts(shot by Peter).

Come back to the Carmarthenshire Connect website next Friday to learn another new skill.

Friendly Questions in Welsh - Week 7

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

Beth dych chi’n hoffi bwyta?

(What do you like to eat?)

Watch this video of group members using the question in conversation

Terri asks Amy Beth dych chi’n hoffi bwyta?

Amy loves eating cheese and cheese sandwiches, likes eating chocolate and hates eating fish, sprouts and meat! ‘Thanks’, says Terri

The next friendly question in Welsh will be posted on Wednesday 22 October

Calling All Young People in Glanymor & Tyisha

Youth Consultation and Youth Night

Communities First will be consulting with young people during October 2008 to find out what activities/events you would like to see happening in the Wards of Glanymor & Tyisha. The Consultation will be followed by an open night for Young People in the C1st Offices in Inkerman Street to look at ways of making the ideas happen. The Consultation and Youth Night will be held in conjunction with Carmarthenshire Connect and will include opportunities for young people to make videos/blogs about their Community.

Consultation 16th - 24th October in streets near you!

Youth Night 29th October in the C1st Offices, Inkerman Street from 6pm

Mess Up The Mess Impetus Awards Diary

Brynaman based Mess Up The Mess Youth Theatre were invited to receive their Impetus Awards at a ceremony in London last week (see post below.) They took along a camera from Carmarthenshire Connect to record their experiences. Here's the results.

Peter talks to Tashy and Alex on the way to London

One of the highlights of the trip was going on the London Eye.

Alex films Laura on the London Eye

After giving a multimedia presentation of their work to a packed audience including the Children's Commissioner for England, the group recorded their reflections on their experience during their return journey.

Peter

Laura

Alex

Tashy

Peter, Laura, Alex and Tashy discuss what they've learned

Youth Theatre Represent Wales at Human Rights Awards

Last week Brynaman based Mess Up The Mess Theatre Company traveled to the Magic Circle Headquarters in London to represent Wales in the prestigious UK Impetus Awards Showcase. The event was organised by the Institute for Global Ethics UK Trust celebrating the work of young people across the UK in bringing to life human rights and the shared ethical values that underpin them.

Alex, Laura, Tashy and Peter of Mess Up The Mess with their Impetus Award Certificates

Mess Up The Mess, who are based at Brynaman Community Centre, were joined by Hafod Primary School, Swansea and five other groups of young people from Northern Ireland, Scotland and England. Mess Up The Mess explored human rights through their projects Do You See What I See? and their international youth theatre project Strangers.

The Children’s Commissioner of England opened the event and then handed over to the groups of young people to present their work and experiences of shared ethical values in exciting and innovative performances. All the presentations were completely youth-led and Mess Up The Mess, using their trademark multi-media style, showed film footage of their peers in Wales whilst interacting with them live on stage in London.

“Seeing the projects that the younger children and all the other young people had taken part in was really inspiring”, said Peter Morgan, aged 15 from GCG. “They clearly believe in speaking up for children’s and human rights across the world. I was proud to be on stage with all those other groups who were making a real difference in their own communities. I’m really looking forward to starting new projects to raise awareness of human rights. Going to London was an experience I will never forget.” Youth Arts Manager Peri Thomas agrees “The Youth Led awards ceremony was an emotional and uplifting experience. It is wonderful that young people are being recognised for all their hard work in the community as well as on a global scale. As members of LLAIS, Carmarthenshire’s Youth Theatre Forum, Mess Up The Mess wish to encourage more young people in Carmarthenshire to learn about local and global issues by taking part in innovative theatre projects and watching youth performances in our county. Theatre is a great way to access new points of view and consider our place in the world. These young people have discovered new things about themselves and how they can make a difference. They deserve to be supported and encouraged in their admirable ventures.”

Mess Up The Mess are now preparing for a local youth led awards ceremony in December to mark the completion of the Strangers Project and reunite all the members involved in the process which has been kindly supported by Young Roots Heritage Lottery Fund, Wales.

If you would like to learn more about Mess Up The Mess and how you can get involved in their projects or see their work. Please contact Peri on 07966 294 188, email info@messupthemess.co.uk or check out the website www.messupthemess.co.uk

Lakefield Consultation

Lakefield Residents & Tenants Association met last night to make their ideas known for;

• Improving the Lakefield area
• More activities/events for all ages
• Learning/developing new skills, and
• Having more fun in their Community

The meeting was well attended and all ideas and suggestions will be discussed at the next meeting on Thursday 6 November 2008 at 6pm in Lakefield Hall, Lakefield Road, Llanelli. All residents/tenants of the Lakefield area are very welcome to attend.

(Local resident Christine with her views)

(Local resident Kevin with his views)

Carmarthenshire Connect were also on hand to help with the consultation by using their Busbee video cameras so residents could express their views through short videos (please see above).

Carmarthenshire Life Skills Project Officially Launched

Cutting the ribbon, left to right: Cllr Linda Staedman; Llanelli Mayor Cllr Hubert Hitchman; Anthony Buchanan, Head of Rugby at the Scarlets; Andrew Soroka, Turning Point Cymru Services Manager

Turning Point Cymru officially launched its Carmarthenshire Life Skills Project yesterday. This is a project supporting people recovering from alcohol misuse to help build up their life skills to get back into employment, training and to re-engage with their community.

At the core of the project is a 12 week life skills programme that gives people the skills and confidence needed to take control of their lives, maintain healthy lifestyle choices and realise their goals. The programme is backed up with other services such as counselling, anger management courses and training and employment services.

The project is supported by Big Lottery Fund and is based at Unit 3, 2-4 Station Road, Llanelli. The project can be contacted on 01554 746176.

Friendly Questions in Welsh - Week 6

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

Beth dych chi’n hoffi wneud yn eich amser sbar?

(What do you like to do in your spare time?)

Watch this video of group members using the question in conversation

Terri asks Ian Beth dych chi’n hoffi wneud yn eich amser sbar?

Ian likes reading, watching TV and walking on the mountains

The next friendly question in Welsh will be published on Wednesday 15 October

Organised Kaos Begins Again

Once again, the young people of the Upper Amman Valley can keep active every Friday evening will ORGANISED KAOS.

Organised Kaos, which aims to Keep Adolescences Off the Streets (Kaos) have recently restarted their weekly circus skills groups that give young people the opportunity to gain new skills, interact with their piers and use various equipment to perform circus tricks and skills in a safe and friendly enviroment.

Session Times at GCG Community Centre are:


8 -11 Year : 5:00pm - 7:00pm


11- 18 Years : 7:00 - 9:00pm

Carmarthenshire Connect have also joined this re-opening to help Organised Kaos and the young people create, plan and film a short DVD on the group and the good work they have achieved in communities across Wales.

(One of the young people filming for the video)

For more information please contact Nicola Hemsley on 07799266505.

New Luncheon Club in Llwynhendy

A new Luncheon Club is now in its second week at the Llwyn yr Ynys Residential Complex in Llwynhendy.

The club is for residents of the complex and senior citizens in local area. Warm wholesome meals are provided for a very reasonable price. It's also a good chance to catch up with friends.

Joan tells Ran about how she enjoys going the new luncheon club at Llwyn yr Ynys. Filmed by Bette

Bernice shares her thoughts on the club and explains how the system works

The fantastic lunch-serving team!

After today's lunch, Brian Jones from Dyfed Powys Police gave some useful advice in a presentation about home security.

Police Sponsor Llwynhendy Special Olympics Athletes

PC Jane Macdonald and Scarlets player Lou Reed with Rob Phibben (left) and Michael Charles (right)

Llwynhendy's local Neighbourhood Policing Team has sponsored Rob Phibben and Michael Charles to compete in the Special Olympics of Great Britain (http://www.sogb.org.uk/), a programme of sports training and athletic competition for children and adults with learning disabilities.

PC Jane Macdonald and Scarlets player Lou Reed met with Rob and Charles during Llwynhendy Youth Group's Wednesday Club yesterday, at Trallwm Hall, Llwynhendy. Rob will be participating in kayaking and Michael will be skiing in the Special Olympics.

The sponsorship money was raised from the Blue Light Discos that the Neighbourhood Policing Team has held at Trallwm Hall in Llwynhendy. Money has also been given to Llwynhendy Youth Group.

Healthy Eating Tuck Shop Launched at Wednesday Club

Llwynhendy Youth Group has launched a new healthy eating tuck shop at the group's Wednesday Club. The tuck shop is launched after a £500 grant from Llanelli Rural Council.

Replacing the chocolate, crisps and fizzy drinks of the old tuck shop are filled rolls, fruit, cereal bars, yogurts, milkshakes and smoothies. The new foods are a real hit with the many children who are members of Wednesday Club.

Llanelli Rural Council presents the grant cheque to members of the Youth Group.

Left to right: Ryan Jones; Cllr Gwynne Wooldridge (Chair of the Education and Childrens Service Scrutiny Committee); Cllr Dillwyn Bowen (also Treasurer of Trallwm Hall Management Committee); Cllr Clive Reynolds; Mohammad Ali

Wednesday Club members display some of the new healthy food on offer

Friendly Questions in Welsh - Week 5

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

Ble aethoch chi ar eich gwyliau diwetha?

(Where did you go on your holidays last?)

Watch this video of group members using the question in conversation

Ran asks Terri Ble aethoch chi ar eich gwyliau diwetha?

Terri went skiing in Colorado with a school in Surrey

The next friendly question in Welsh will be posted on Wednesday 8 October

New Centre for Communities First in Glanymor & Tyisha

The new Communities First Centre for Glanymor & Tysiha in Inkerman Street

A new era for Communities First in Glanymor and Tyisha began today with the opening of the Communities First Centre at 26 - 28 Inkerman Street, Llanelli. The centre houses the offices of the Communities First team and also provides expanded facilities for the community including a community development library, meeting space and an ICT training suite. The centre was officially opened by the Mayor of Llanelli Town Council, Cllr Hubert Hitchman, to an audience of local community representatives, the County Council and local MP Nia Griffith, all of whom wished to show their support for this new development at the heart of the Glanymor and Tyisha Communities First Partnership.

Llanelli Town Council Mayor, Cllr Hubert Hitchman, officially opens the Centre watched by Communities First Senior Co-Ordinator, Phil Watts.

The new ICT suite in the Communities First Centre will provide training opportunities for the local community

Llanelli Town Mayor, Cllr Hubert Hitchman, explains what the opening of the new centre means for the communities of Glanymor and Tyisha

Llanelli Communities First Senior Co-Ordinator, Phil Watts, welcomes the opening of the Communities First Centre for Glanymor & Tyisha

Senior Co-Ordinator Phil Watts with his Communities First team: (l-r) Vicki Smith, Christine Hern, Farah Aziz, Lynne Owen and Faye Davies