Dig Up the Black Mountain Day

The Dig Up the Blackmountain Day was an exciting and interesting event held on Saturday in the Black Mountain Centre in Brynaman which Carmarthenshire Connect attended.

The event was organised by Creu-ad in partnership with the Fforest Fawr Geopark to raise awareness of the Geopark status given to the western side of the Breacon Beacons back in 2005, and aims to create and further reinforce its links with local people, local history and the heritage of Brynaman.

(Lynne from Creu-ad explaining more about the event)

The day was a great success with many local residents, and people from further afield, turning out to find out more about the Geopark and share their stories, memories and thoughts of the Blackmountain.

(Local resident Colin Jones opening the day)

(RSPB stand, raising awareness of the vast bird life on the mountain)

The event was a fantastic day for local residents to learn more about their local heritage, the Fforest Fawr Geopark and the geological history of the Blackmountain, with two very interesting presentations on each subject by Alan Bowring and Tony Ramsay (Fforest Fawr Geopark):

(Alan Bowrings presentation going back 400 million years!)

(Alan Bowring answering a few questions about the Geopark)

As well as two fascinating presentations about the Geopark and local history, there was stands from a number of organisations supporting the Geopark, including the Dyfed Archaelogical Trust , Trysor (archaeological fieldwork group) and the local primary school along with an Art Mapping exercise that allowed residents to map graphically their experiences and memories on the Blackmountain.

(Video of the Art Map completed by local residents)

(Stand from the local Primary school)

(Some rocks collected by local people on the mountain)

(A photo-wall of the Blackmountain)

(Video from Louise at the Dyfed Archaeological Trust)

Also as part of the day long event, local group Treftadaeth Brynaman Heritage where present to record and document feedback, stories and history about the local community and the heritage of the Blackmountain. This information has been vital over the years and has allowed the Fforest Fawr Geopark to maintain a very good relationship with the local people and history.

(Colin Jones, chairperson of the group, explaining more)

(Some historical photos of Brynaman on display)



(Capturing some thoughts of the day)

The day finished with a presentation about the heritage and myths of the local area from Tony Ramsay and some very good entertainment from the local community. This included a recital from Mess Up The Mess reflecting on the story of the Lady in the Lake, which is a prominent myth in the area, singing from Lynne at Creu-ad and the singing of a traditional Brynaman song by local residents:

(Mess Up the Mess recital)



(Singing from Lynne at Creu-ad)

(A local song from a local resident)

(Feedback from Mess Up the Mess after their recital)

From the success of the day, Creu-ad would like to thank everyone who attended and those who shared their stories and memories of the area.

You can find a lot more information about the Fforest Fawr Geopark on their website www.fforestfawrgeopark.org.uk and more information about Creu-ad at www.creu-ad.co.uk.

If you were at the event, then Carmarthenshire Connect would love to hear your feedback. You can do so by leaving a comment on this post below.

Treftadaeth Brynaman Heritage

Carmarthenshire Connect recently met with the Treftadaeth Brynaman Heritage Group based in Brynaman to help them promote their work on the Carmarthenshire Connect blog.

The group was set up by a small group of local residents in 1998, and having being run successfully for the past ten years has been going from strength to strength. The group want to actively encourage and develop an interest in the heritage of Brynaman, and aim to preserve and collate as much information about the locality and its people as possible to ensure that its rich and diverse heritage is preserved for future generations to come.

Over the past few years, the group have worked alongside other organisations on a variety of projects, from recording the 150+ shops once flourishing in the area to producing books of coal mining memories.

Below is a video of the groups chairman, Colin Jones, explaining a little more about the history and formation of the group:

Brynaman Heritage have also been working closely with the Black Mountain Centre in Brynaman to permanently display historical items, photos and letter dating back over 50 years.

(Displays at the Black Mountain Centre)

If you want to know more about the group, or want to find out more about the heritage and history of Brynaman and the Upper Amman Valley then please call in for a visit at the Black Mountain Centre in Brynaman.

Work on Cwmgorse Heritage Garden Begins

Cwmgorse Village Forum met with Upper Amman Valley Communities First, WREN, Groundwork and children from Cwmgorse Primary School yesterday to mark the start of work on the new Cwmgorse Community Heritage Garden.

This is the Forum's press release:
A number of volunteers from the village of Cwmgorse have recently been successful in securing grant funding to renovate a disused piece of land at the heart of the village, into a Community Heritage Garden.

With the support of Groundwork and Upper Amman Valley Communities First, the volunteers have been able to secure monies from WREN (Waste Recycling Environmental Ltd), Neath and Port Talbot's Community Key Fund, Groundwork Bridgend & Neath Port Talbot and Communities First Trust Fund in order to transform the area of land situated on Heol Y Gors into a garden which the whole community can enjoy.

Meleri Jones from WREN said "We are looking for more groups in the area to submit applications as funding requests are currently low". Please contact WREN on 01953 714112 or visit their website at http://www.wren.org.uk/ for more information.

Children from Cwmgorse Primary School will be invited to contribute art work depicting local heritage. This work will be incorporated into the design of the garden. In addition to this, the school will be able to use the park as an open classroom in future.

Sylvan Contractors were awarded the tender, and begun work during the cold snap of last week. Members of the Forum would like to wish them luck.

The group have made enormous strides, and have worked extremely hard in reaching this point. The next few months will allow the group to witness their hard work come to fruition.

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

Here are some of photos of the site and a video that that Forum Treasurer Jackie Domingo and Volunteer Kath Moore took using Carmarthenshire Connect's mobile phone camera:

Adrian Herdman, Chairman of Cwmgorse Village Forum

Could You Give Others the 'Confidence to Cook'?

A fantastic opportunity from Upper Amman Valley Communities First:

Following the success of last year’s “Confidence to Cook” course, we want to train local people to train others.

“Confidence to Cook” aims to increase people’s skills and confidence in creating simple, healthy dishes for the family, that won’t break the bank! So, to provide more local people with these skills, we are looking for 6 local people to be trained to run community cookery courses within the Upper Amman Valley.

The course starts on 11th February, at St. Catherine’s Church Hall, Brynamman, and will run from 10am to 1pm every Wednesday morning, for 10 weeks.

The course is accredited at OCN level 2, and will provide you with the skills needed to run and manage cooking groups, and teach practical cooking skills.

If you are interested in training the community to cook, or would like a chat to find out more, please contact Amanda at the Communities First office on 01269 824653.

We can also provide free childcare.

Click on the image below to read a larger version of the Confidence to Cook poster

BASE Facilitate Upper Amman Valley Partnership Meeting

Young people were on the agenda at Thursday's meeting of the Upper Amman Valley Communities First Partnership. In fact, the whole evening was given over to young people's concerns in a session facilitated by the BASE (BrynAman Street Elite) youth group.

Peter, Owain and Alex from BASE facilitate the evening (taken by Ffion)

The evening was a chance for members of the community to discover what young people's groups in the area are doing and for them to offer help where they could.

Peter from BASE explains what his hopes are for the evening, filmed by Nicola

In the first half of the evening, presentations were made by representatives of Organised Kaos, Valley Teen Club, Mess Up The Mess, Presents... Events and BASE themselves.

Nicola with news of Organised Kaos' transformation into a social enterprise, filmed by Peter

India from Mess Up The Mess explains what she hopes will happen as a result of the evening, filmed by Laura

Diane Davies from Valley Teen Club with her hopes for the evening

Speed Dating - Kath and Adrian from Cwm Gors meet Peter and Gwen from Presents... Events (taken by Ffion)

The second half of the evening was given over to a 'speed dating' session. Chairs were arranged in a circle and every member of the audience got a chance to talk to representatives from each youth group. After five minutes, your time was up and you had to move on to the next group. It was a chance to find out more about what the groups were doing, to exchange information and offer help where possible.


The Partnership meeting offered a fresh perspective on young people's activities in the Upper Amman Valley. Peter, from BASE, recorded the reactions of some of those who attended.

Kath from Cwm Gors Village Forum, filmed by Peter

Adrian from Cwm Gors Village Forum, filmed by Peter

Celebrating Strangers

Last night, Mess Up The Mess Youth Theatre celebrated their production of "Strangers" in style at Brynaman Community Centre. The Children's Commissioner for Wales, Keith Towler, presented the youth members of the theatre company with their awards for taking part in the production which premiered at the Ammanford Miners' Theatre earlier this year.

Mess Up The Mess members with Keith Towler, Children's Commissioner for Wales and Peri Thomas (Mess Up The Mess Youth Arts Manager). Claire Mansel Lewis, High Sheriff of Dyfed is also pictured.

The Strangers project involved groups of young people from the Amman Valley, Slough and New Zealand collaborating to devise and put on a play in each of their countries. On the strength of the production, Mess Up The Mess Youth Theatre were nominated for the prestigious Impetus Awards for their work in bringing to life human rights issues and ethical values which resulted in them representing Wales at the London Impetus Awards Ceremony.

After being presented with their awards, some of the youth theatre members took the opportunity to interview the Children's Commissioner for Wales using Carmarthenshire Connect's Busbi camera.

Alex films...

Keith Towler, Children's Commissioner for Wales, being interviewed by Jacob, Ben, Sophie and Haddy of Mess Up The Mess Youth Theatre.

Ben and Alex ask Keith whether he enjoyed the evening

Ben asks about the role of the Children's Commissioner

Jacob asks about the perception of young people

More information about the work of Mess Up the Mess and the Strangers project can be found at the Mess Up The Mess website.

Learn a Skill with Organised Kaos (6/6)

A bit later that expected, here is the last 'learn a skills' post from Organised Kaos in Brynaman!

Over the last two months and through using the Carmarthenshire Connect blog you have been given the chance the learn and experience some new circus skills without leaving you seat, although i hope you have all had a go at something.

To finish the series of posts from Organised Kaos we have a video from one of the young people in the project so you can find out more about what it means to them!

Please watch the video below:

If you want to know more about this fantastic group then please visit their website - Organised Kaos

Higher Uchela Music Video Launch

The launch of the Higher Uchela music video last Thursday was a huge success - over 100 people from local groups and organisations attended the glitzy event at Brynaman Rugby Club.

All the young people involved in the project received an award and a certificate, presented by the High Sheriff of Dyfed, Claire Mansel Lewis.

Haddy recieves her award and certificate from Claire Mansel Lewis

Peter recieves his award and certificate

After the award presentations, everyone got to see the premier of the music video created for local artist Tom Hamer's song Higher. The music video was planned, filmed and edited with support from television production company Tinopolis.

And the Higher Uchela music video is launched! Claire cuts the ribbon wrapping the DVD held by India, who played the lead role in the video

The premier was followed with Tom Hamer playing a live acoustic version of Higher. Then it was celebration time with a music from local DJ Tom Smith, a buffet and more live music from other local bands.

The music video idea, produced in both Welsh and English versions, was created over a seven month period by young people of BASE and Mess Up The Mess Youth Theatre and also included members of ASBO (All Skate Boarding Outcasts) and other young individuals. Set in a house party, the film addressed issues of underage binge drinking and the effects and consequences of such behaviour.

This innovative youth led bilingual project was run in partnership by Upper Amman Valley Communities First, Mess Up The Mess Theatre Company, Menter Bro Dinefwr, Tinopolis Production Studios and Carmarthenshire Connect. The project was kindly supported by Carmarthenshire Community Safety Partnership, Amman and Gwendraeth Young People’s Partnership and Amman Youth Forum.

Young people from throughout the Amman Valley participated in the project from Llandybie to Brynaman and due to the support of UNA Exchange’s environmental project in Glanaman the film even includes young people from as far as Italy and even Vietnam taking part in the film making!

Peri Thomas, Youth Arts Manager of Mess Up The Mess Theatre remarked “The process of making the video was a huge success and involved numerous enthusiastic and dedicated young people between the ages of 13 and 19. However, we are now working together to increase the profile of the music video in order to use it as a discussion tool in schools and youth clubs to raise awareness and understanding of safer partying approaches.”

Just before the launch, members of Project Higher Uchela recorded some 'red carpet' style interviews using Carmarthenshire Connect's Busbi camcorders. Here a couple of them:

India on playing the lead role

Louisa interviews Sophie and Tashy

Following the launch, group members then catured some audience feedback with these videos:

High Sheriff of Dyfed Claire Mansel Lewis, Andrew Williams (PCSO for Quarter Bach) and Charles Gabe (father of Project Higher member Laura)

Tom Williams, Upper Amman Valley Communities First Co-ordinator (yn Gymraeg/In Welsh)

Adele Dumas, Project Manager for Brynaman Community Centre

Lynsey Harries, Funding Officer for Brynaman Community Centre

Adrian Herdman, representing the Cwmgors Village Forum

Sarah Powell, Youth Participation Officer for Carmarthenshire County Council

In addition to assisting in the delivery of filming and editing workshops, Carmarthenshire Connect has been working with the young people participating in Higher Uchela to document the progress of the project through photos and videos. These have been uploaded to the Carmarthenshire Connect blog and a specially created Higher Uchela blog, which all members of the group have been able to contribute to.

The blog can be found at higheruchela.blogspot.com where there are more photos and videos from whole project, including the launch event.

Upper Amman Valley Christmas Fayre

Today was a very festive day in the Upper Amman Valley, with the Communities Firsts annual Christmas Fayre!

The day long event was held in the GCG Community Hall to kick start the Christmas season which included an extended wintry warm welcome to the whole community.

The event was well attended and gave an opportunity for local residents to get together for a cup of tea (or coffee), some cakes and even some hots dogs to help fund raise for their local community.

(The Hot Dog Lads!)

A number of local stalls were present selling all sorts from home made cakes and mince pies, local produce, second hand goods (always good to find that Christmas bargain) to jewelery and of course Christmas cards.

(Original gifts & Accessories by Anna & Nigel Smith)

(Home made Jewelery)

(GCG Happy Wanderers with their fund raising stall)

(A range of precious crystals, a perfect gift)

(Christmas cards from Adele at CAVS)

Community organisations also had stands promoting their good causes and providing advise to the people of the Upper Amman Valley. This included the Warm Wales initiative funded by the Welsh Assembly Government and Neath Port Talbot to help people keep warm this winter by providing sound advise on energy tariffs and free loft and cavity insulation, Safer Neath Port Talbot (community safety partnership), Keep Wales Tidy, the local Credit Union, Care & Repair Neath Port Talbot and the Welsh Language Board.

(The ladies from Warm Wales)

(Safer Neath Port Talbot)

Entertainment was provide by the brilliant children's choir of Tair Gwaith Primary School who sang a number of traditional Christmas songs as well as some unusual ones!

CTR Enterprise were also on hand with a second hand stall and to promote their various ventures in the area including the CTR Fruit & Veg shop.

Upper Amman Valley Young People Launch Music Video

Upper Amman Valley Communities First launch the pop video produced during their Higher Music Video Project at Brynaman Rugby Club on Thursday 27th November at 7pm.

Over the summer, young people from across the Upper Amman Valley Communities First area devised, produced and starred in a music video illustrating a song by local young musician, Tom Hamer. They were provided with assistance and support from Llanelli based production company Tinopolis (producers of Wedi 3 and Wedi 7.)

Filming in the kitchen

Filming the party scene

One of the final scenes in the video

You can follow the story of the project from start to finish here on the Carmarthenshire Connect blog: Higher Uchela.

The video will be launched at Brynaman Rugby Club on 27th November 2008 at 7pm. The event will be a chance to congratulate all the young people involved and will include live performances by Tom Hamer and local DJs.

Schools Health Event

Upper Amman Valley Communities First held a Schools Health Event on Friday. Pupils from all seven of the primary schools in the Communities First area met at Pontardawe Leisure Centre. The schools were Brynaman, Cefnbrynbrain, Ystradowen, Tairgwaith, Gwaun Cau Gurwen, Ysgol Y Glyn and Cwmgors.

The Schools Health Event was arranged in order to evaluate the Schools Health Programme that Upper Amman Valley Communities First implemented in June and July of this year. During the summer, school pupils participated in workshops on fitness, the environment, nutrition, drama, playground games and sun safety.

In Friday's event, the 125 pupils were tested on how much they remembered from the summer by participating in a series of workshops covering the themes of the original workshops. The workshops were facilitated by Groundworks, Mess Up The Mess, Playworks, Pontardawe Leisure Centre and the Neath Port Talbot Communities First Central Support Team.

Teachers from the schools were also asked questions as part of the evaluation. Communities First staff recorded teachers' responses using Carmarthenshire Connect's Busbi camcorders. Here are some of the videos:

Mr Edwards from Ysgol Cmwgors (yn Gymraeg/in Welsh)

Mrs Lewis from Tairgwaith School

Mrs James from Ysgol Y Glyn and Mrs Higgins from Ysgol Gwaun Cae Gurwen (yn Gymraeg/in Welsh)

ASBO Video Premier

ASBO (All Skateboarding Outcasts) held the video premier for their new short film called The Outcasts yesterday evening. The video was played to an audience that filled St Catherine's Hall in Brynaman.

ASBO made The Outcasts using the camcorder, tripod and Mac that the group bought through the Communities @One fund. Carmarthenshire Connect Field Officer Karlis Ozolins has been working with four members of ASBO to help them acquire the skills in camera work and editing that allowed them to create The Outcasts.

Will, Tom, Jordan and Sion created The Outcasts during the summer of 2008. They are pictured holding their DVD copies of The Outcasts and ASBO certificates recognising their efforts on the video project.

The Outcasts tells the story of ASBO, a group that initially formed out of a common wish among young people in Brynaman for a new skate park after many of the fixtures in the existing park were vandalised and had to be removed.

The group set about gathering a petition for a new park and had designs drawn and costings compiled. In order to prove themselves as young people who cared for their local community, and in turn gather further support, ASBO adopted the Ynys Dawela Nature Reserve. With support from Keep Wales Tidy, ASBO has assisted the Friends of Ynys Dawela in carrying out conservation work and litter picks during many weekends and school holidays .

Even with a petition signed by 400 residents in Brynaman and numerous letters of support, ASBO has yet to secure funding or confirmation from the local authority for a new skate park.

Group Secretary (and mother of ASBO member Will) Bronwen Price opened the evening by explaining the history of ASBO

After watching The Outcasts, everyone enjoyed a tea or coffee and home-made doughnuts, made by Bronwen's mother. Jordan and Sion then captured feedback from some members of the audience using Carmarthenshire Connect's Busbi camcorders. Watch some of them here:

ASBO welcome support from their community for pursuing the goal of a new skate park. If you would like to help, please contact Carmarthenshire Connect at info@carmsconnect.org.uk, and we'll pass on your details to the group.

New Credit Union Branch Launched

A new credit union branch has launched in Gwaun Cae Gurwen (GCG). The branch is a part of Neath Port Talbot Credit Union. GCG is not far from the Carmarthenshire/Neath Port Talbot border and sits inside the Upper Amman Valley Communities First ward.

The launch, held at GCG Community Hall, comes after at least a year of endeavour by local residents. This branch will be operated by a small team of local volunteers.

The launch event was supported by Communities First and there was a variety of organisations present with information stands, including the Citizens Advice Bureau and Age Concern.

At the launch: (left to right) Les Hughes (Neath Port Talbot Credit Union); Tracey Ervine (GCG branch volunteer); Ffion Davies (Communities First Development Officer); David Jones (GCG branch volunteer)

Volunteers Tracey Ervine and David Jones explain more about the credit union and the launch event.

For more information on credit unions, see the website of the Association of British Credit Unions at http://www.abcul.org/

Lesley Shannon from Confident Nutrition was at the event with tasters of carrot and coriander soup and apricot oaty bars. These yummy dishes demonstrated that good, healthy food can be cooked quickly and easily at home and without needing to spend lots of money.

Upper Amman Valley Communities Coordinator Tom Williams talks to Lesley in 'Confident Nutrition TV'! Filmed by Ffion Davies

For more information on Confident Nutrition, visit http://www.confidentnutrition.co.uk/

Project Higher Editing Workshop

An editing workshop on Monday evening provided members of Project Higher with the opportunity to edit the footage that they recorded in their filming workshop in October.

Group members used Apple's iMovie, a piece of editing software that comes with Macs, to put together the spoof chat show interview with 'Tom Hamer' that they staged.

Thanks to Carmarthenshire County Council's Youth Service, Peri at Mess Up The Mess and Chris at Carmarthenshire Connect, we managed to get together five Macs for use for by the group, meaning that there was a Mac between every two participants.

The workshop was facilitated by freelance TV professional Dylan Tucker, Mess Up The Mess, Upper Amman Valley Communities First and Carmarthenshire Connect.

We're pleased to say that by end of the two hour session, five fully edited chat shows were created and played back to fellow group members.

Editing: just wicked!

Using iMovie

Dylan Tucker demonstrates some of iMovie's features

Watching each other's completed videos at the end

Louisa tells us what she thought of the session, and what she did

Owain tells us about the session (in Gymraeg/in Welsh)

Finally, nothing to do with editing, but a great bit of choreography!

Learn a Skill with Organised Kaos (5/6)

This weeks top circus skill to learn is:

STAFF

Organised Kaos member Lee is going show us how to spin a staff. Anyone can have a go at this, all you need to start is a broom handle!

Watch the video below to see how its done:

Join us again next week to learn one final skill with Organised Kaos.

Learn a Skill with Organised Kaos (4/6)

Organised Kaos member Dai is with us this week to show us some techniques on using the Diablo. over the past few years, the Diablo has been an unpopular circus skill but 2008 has seen it burst back on the scene with a huge rise in Diablo users, including fire Diablo.

So this weeks main skill for you to learn is:

DIABLO

View the video below to see hows its done as well as some pointer from Dai.

Join us again next week for another new circus skill.

Ystradowen Fireworks Night

Ystradowen Residents Association's annual fireworks display was a blazing success this year. Lots of people attended to see the big bonfire and impressive fireworks.

During the evening there was also a raffle and food and drinks to enjoy. Presents... Events were also at the event with a stand. As well as selling sweets, the group was also selling sky lanterns that were first seen at their Halloween Party last week.

The big bonfire. Taken by Zena

A blaze of bonfire and fireworks. Taken by Eirwen

What a shot! Taken by Peri

Presents... Events' stand. Taken by Shelia

The hot dog and burger team, including Adele Evans, CAVS Voluntary Sector Communities First Liaison Officer (left)

The team and soup team, making sure everyone kept warm

Collecting the raffle prize of a rugby ball signed by the Ospreys.
Presented by Ian Sims, Community Police Officer for Quarter Bach

Paula collects her raffle prize of a rugby ball signed by Scarlets Captain Simon Easterby and a Scarlets jersey

Presents... Events' Halloween Party

In July we reported on the Upper Amman Valley Communities First Young Enterprise Day. Some of the participants at that day-long workshop got together to form the Presents... young enterprise group.

Presents... aim to specialise in a variety of community activities and events, to which the Presents... brand can be applied to. The group has started with Presents... Events and has been working hard over the last couple months, with support from Upper Amman Valley Communities First, to organise a Halloween Party in Tai'rgwaith Community Centre. This event, held on Halloween last Friday, was very successful, with a big turnout.

The children at the event had a great time at the disco. There was also a tuck shop, face-painting, a best-dressed competition and a raffle.

Sky lanterns were on sale during the evening for a grand sky lantern set-off at the local park, after the disco. Purchasers were able to write on the paper lantern structures before the burners were set alight and the lanterns set-off into the sky.

Given the success of the evening, I'm sure we'll be seeing more community events and activities in the future from the Presents... group.

Here are some photos of the super-scary costumes worn to the party and some of the activities during the evening.

Laura and Peri, from Mess Up The Mess Theatre Company

Upper Amman Valley Communities First Development Officers Ffion Davies and Juliana Hughes

Tom, DJ for the night

Alex and Gwen run the tuck shop

Alex paints Juliana's face

Laura has her face painted

Writing on the sky lanterns...

... and setting them off into the dark (and thankfully dry) skies of the Upper Amman Valley

Learn a Skill with Organised Kaos (3/6)

This week (later than usual), Organised Kaos are back to show you another skill you can learn!

This weeks skill is:

THE WALKING GLOBE

Watch the video below for some tips, tricks and pointers on how to go about walking on the globe.

Another skill will be available for you to learn this Friday, so don't miss out and make sure you visit again soon.

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

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.

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

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

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.

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

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

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

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

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.

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.

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!

Brynaman Community Centre Surf School

Uploaded by Lynsey Harries, Funding Officer, Brynaman Community Centre

Surf School was funded by Children in Need to involve 13+ young people in the area in activities over the summer holidays. Young people from all over Brynaman attended including young people from local groups including ASBO, Mess up the Mess and Valley Teens.

None of the group had been Surfing before and had lots of fun learning new things. I want to say a big thank you to all the young people for taking part, it was a pleasure to work with them and we hope to do something similar next year.

Below are comments from some of the young people that took part:-

Joe – “ Really good experience had a laugh and met new people, would love to go again”.

Tom: “It was amazing, something different and I learned something new.”

Mat – “It was brill and a good experience – wish it was longer.

Aled -“The Bacon Butties were great and the waves were huge! I enjoyed doing something totally new”

Jordan – “really good experience, learned allot, would defiantly like to go again”.

Curly -“It was a life changing experience, it was the first time i’ve left my local area”

Alex – “It’s awesome – would like to go for longer and further away next time.”

Will- “Really good – should do it again”

Haddy – “Its genius, nothing I didn’t like – enjoyed the opportunity.”

Owain-“It was my first time camping and I would love to take part in it next year”

Arts is Fun!

Uploaded by Ellie, Shannon and Louise

This is my glitter picture frame with lots of sparkles. It's got wings and can fly like a Teradactul. My favourite thing I made was my necklace for my nan. (Shannon)

This is my painting of flowers with a yellow pot and nice tall grass. (Loiuse)

Jasmine and Poppy's arts and crafts.

Uploaded by Poppy and Jasmine

I like my picture frame and it is made by paper mache

and cardboard. (Poppy)

I like my frame and it was made cardboard

and paper. (Jasmine)

Our favourite thing was making stuff out of

clay and paper mache. (Jasmine and Poppy)

Elephants and Photoframes

Uploaded by Lani and Emmy

I've been in the craft class for the full 3 weeks and in that 3 weeks we`ve made bowls, pictureframes, bead mobiles, clay animals and lots more. (Emmy)

I`m very proud of my clay Elephant! (Emmy)

Brynaman Community Centre Summer Playscheme

For three weeks over this summer holiday, Brynaman Community Centre has been running its Summer Play Scheme - funded by Children In Need.

The Play Scheme gives children the opportunity to enjoy new activities and learn new skills by participating in craft workshops, drama and dance workshops as well as Swans Football in the Community training sessions.

To involve young people aged 13+ in the Summer Play Scheme a camping and surfing trip was organised to Llangennith Beach on the Gower.

Today, Carmarthenshire Connect is with the craft group. Using Carmarthenshire Connect's mobile phone and Brynaman Community Centre's computers, some of the children in the group will be uploading photos of their arts and crafts to this blog.

Cwmllynfell Bowls Club

Cwmllynfell Bowls Club played a friendly game against Pontarddulais yesterday evening. The game was played on Cwmllynfell's bowls lawn, which is next to Cwmllynfell Millennium Hall.

Team members were pleased to be able to enjoy a game in the sun, for a change!

Members of Cwmllynfell Bowls Club.

Cwmllynfell Millennium Hall.

Cwmllynfell Bowls Club's lawn.

Before the Pontarddulais team arrived, members of the club took some time out to try out Carmarthenshire Connect's mobile phone camera - here are some of the photos taken of team members rolling their bowls.

A great action shot.

Club Chairman Clive Trotman.

With excellent instruction from the team, Carmarthenshire Connect Field Officer Ran Foster-Mason has a go at bowling.

A video of Clive Trotman bowling.

The friendly game with Pontarddulais:

Project Higher's New Blog

Project Higher/Uchela has a new blog! Member's of Higher's marketing team designed a project logo and set up the blog at the library in Brynaman Community Centre on Tuesday evening.

Members of Project Higher at the library.

Members of the team will be able (and have already started) to share ideas and upload photos and videos of project news on the blog.

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

Upper Amman Valley Music Video Project

Tom Hamer has won the competition to have a music video created by a group of around 15 young people from the Amman Valley. You can hear samples of Tom's music at http://indiestore.7digital.com/tvh11/.

The Music Video Project is now called Higher, or Uchela in Welsh. The project is named after Tom Hamer's song that the music video will be made for.

The project is led by Upper Amman Valley Communities First, in partnership with Mess Up The Mess, BASE, Amman Youth Forum, Menter Bro Dinefwr and Carmarthenshire Youth Service.

Llanelli based television production company Tinpolis will be supporting the group to produce and film the video. You can see photos from the group's first visit to the Tinopolis studios, in May, by clicking on the 'Higher' category.

The group has brainstormed some ideas for the video and will be holding a production meeting with Tinopolis this Friday.

Carmarthenshire Connect will be supporting the project by helping the group to set up a blog. The blog will document the progress of the Higher project. Most members of the Higher project have camera equipped mobile phones, so the young people involved will be able to upload photos and videos throughout the course of the project.

We'll also be bringing our digital camera set and Busbi videos recorders along at various stages of the project for group members to capture photos and interviews/diary style videos. Some photos and videos will be posted to this blog. Photos will also be collected for a 'the making of' display board that will feature at the Celebratory Launch Event, where the completed music video will be previewed to the public.

Scribes R Us Research Visit to St Fagans

Scribes R Us went on a research visit to St Fagans National History Museum on Monday. Members of the group had a specific interest in viewing the row of workmen's cottages that form part of the museum's collection of historic buildings. The cottages were moved from Rhyd-y-car, near Merthyr Tydfil and reconstructed. Each of the cottages is set up in the style of eras between 1800-1985.

This museum feature is particularly useful for members of Scribes R Us because their current anthology project, Tinman's Row, revolves around characters that lived in a row of cottages similar to those in St Fagans. The stories are also set at various times between the mid 19th century and 1953. Many group members found out useful information about ways of life in earlier times that they will be able to use in their stories.

Scribes R Us members behind the workmen's cottages

Scribes R Us also captured footage of the day and some readings of extracts of Tinman's Row using CAVS' camcorder. The footage will be used for the new video that the group is making, with support from Carmarthenshire Connect.

Jan gets to grips with CAVS' camcorder.

Filming Colin, who's explaining about the Tinman's Row project in front of the row of cottages.

Heather reading her extract inside Oakdale Workmen's Institute.

Amman Valley Trotting Club's Sponsored Walk

Members of Amman Valley Trotting Club held a sponsored walk on Saturday 26 July. The walk was held at Amman Valley Trotting Track and was one mile long - two circuits of the track. Sponsorship for the walk will be donated to the charity Breast Cancer Campaign (http://www.breastcancercampaign.org/)

There's lots of information, news and photos from Amman Valley Trotting Club on their website at http://www.ammanvalley-trotting.co.uk/ and a link to Tairgwaith Residents' Association's website at http://www.tairgwaith.co.uk/, where more photos of the sponsored walk can be seen.

Upper Amman Valley Health & Well-being Event

A Health and Well-being Event was held on Saturday at Gwaun Cae Gurwen Community Centre. This was the last of a three day programme of events that were The Summer Experience, organised by Upper Amman Valley Communities First.

Juliana, Ffion and Laura from Communities First welcomed event attendees.

There were a variety of organisations at the event with information for attendees on how to lead a healthy lifestyle.

Some of Gwaun Cae Gurwen Happy Wanderers promoting their walking group. The group meet twice a week. Click on the GCG Happy Wanders label in the category menu to see photos from some of the group's walks.

Neath Port Talbot Youth Service with plenty of goodies.

Safer Neath Port Talbot Community Safety Partnership.

Neath Port Talbot Carers Service, part of Neath Port Talbot Council for Voluntary Service (http://www.nptcvs.org.uk/)

Kathryn from Keep Wales Tidy (http://www.keepwalestidy.org/) demonstrates a poop scoop as part of the campaign to encourage dog owners to clear up after their pets, so children can play safely and healthily in public spaces.

Keep Wales Tidy has also launched the Red Elastic Band Challenge. The challenge invites young people from across Wales to collect and record the red elastic bands that are discarded by postal workers. Beaver Scouts in Port Talbot recently collected 1000 in two weeks. Winners of the challenge will receive £50 in Premium Bonds. Read this KWT press release to find out more.

Shaw Trust (http://www.shaw-trust.org.uk/)

Diabetes UK (http://www.diabetes.org.uk/)

St John Ambulance (http://www.sja.org.uk/)

Carmarthenshire Connect Field Officer Ran having his blood pressure checked, courtesy of St John Ambulance.

Organised Kaos was at the event, holding circus workshops.

Dorothy from GCG Happy Wanders tries out kangaroo stilts with the help of Nicola.

Martyn from Organised Kaos and Peri from Mess Up The Mess using diablos.

Playing with the hula hoops

Laura from Communities First on the kangaroo stilts.

A video of Ffion, from Communities First, learning how to walk on (and fall from!) the kangaroo stilts.

Brynaman Swimming Pool Association was promoting the Brynaman open air swimming pool and painting face and body art.

Cllr. Lynda Williams having her arm painted by Tracy Davies from Brynaman Swimming Pool Association.

Dorothy and Georgina from GCG Happy Wanderers with their painted arms. Dorothy (left) has a butterfly and Georgina (right) has a dolphin.

Peri Thomas from Mess Up The Mess ran physical theatre workshops at the event. The games played were called 'Zip Zap Boing', 'Splat', and 'Look Down, Look Up'.

Playing 'Splat'. Martyn (in the middle) is the Splat Master!

Congratulations to Pearce (middle right) on winning Splat and Look Down, Look Up.

At the event, there was also free complementary therapy workshops, including Indian head massage, a buffet lunch with plenty of healthy fruit and a raffle.

Upper Amman Valley Young Enterprise Day

As previously advertised on the Carmarthenshire Connect website. Upper Amman Valley Communities First held a youth Enterprise Day today to help local young people from the ages of 11-19 understand and learn new skills about business.

16 young people (including members from local groups BASE and MESS UP THE MESS)attended the day to participate in some very interesting workshops aimed at teaching young people various business skills.

The day long workshop had three main stages followed by each group pitching a 5 minute business idea to three individuals from local businesses.

The three stage where:

Stage 1 : Their business Idea

Stage 2 : Business Finances

Stage 3 : Marketing and Design

(above - One of the groups marketing and design plans)

The day also included team building exercises (bridge building) as well as an awards presentation to all participating young people.

Carmarthenshire Connect were on hand in the afternoon to capture their experience through photos and videos and to consult on day long event.

The first group's idea (age 11-13) was to open a local tuck shop called 'SNAX ON TRAX' that would sell fruit, cakes, sweets, crisps and lollipops at local carnivals, schools, events and to the community.

The second group, ages 13-19 (Happy Birthday Alex, 19 today) came up with a brilliant idea of starting a public relations and event management company called 'Presents Events Ltd' that would be take the stress and strain out of organising any community event, carnival, summer fares and so on.

Both groups thoroughly thought out their plans and learnt lots of new skills about business through support from Communities First, local volunteers, Enterprise Learning through Doing and Dove workshops from Cwmavon.

(above - The winning group with there awards and prizes)

The judges for the afternoon business pitches (something similar to Dragon's Den) were Adele Dumas from Brynamman Community Centre, Dai Cressy from Cressy's Cafe and Carl Launchbury from a local building firm.

Please view the video below to find out the reactions from the judges on the groups pitches:

New Scribes R Us Video Project

Brynaman based writing group Scribes R Us have started on a new video project and we're happy to say, here at Carmarthenshire Connect, that we'll be assisting the group with the project.

Scribes R Us meeting in one of the newly built meeting rooms in Brynaman Community Centre.

The video will be a part of the 'Tinman's Row' project - the next anthology that Scribes R Us are currently working on. Tinman's Row will be a collection of stories about the residents of Tinman's Row. The video will feature abridged versions of, and extracts from, these stories.

The video is still in the planning stage - the current plan is that the stories will be read by their authors, who will be in the costume of their characters.

We'll keep you updated on the project's progress on this blog.

Brynaman Swimming Pool

NOW OPEN!

Following the the swimming pools voluntary clean up earlier this year (which can be found under the Brynaman Swimming Pool Association category on this website), we are pleased to announce that the pool is fully filled and ready for a dive!

If you fancy going for a swim over the next six weeks then please have a look below at the opening times.

OPENING TIMES:

Monday - Friday : 11am - 3pm and 4pm - 7pm

Saturday : 11am - 2pm and 3pm - 6pm

Sunday : 11am - 2pm

Keeping It Real Opens This Week

Mess Up The Mess Youth Theatre's latest production, Keeping It Real / Cadw'r Gywir opens at Theatr Brycheiniog, Brecon on Wednesday 23rd July and continues at Ammanford Miners' Theatre on Thursday 24th July. The Brynaman based youth theatre have been working with 3 professional actors and a director to create a bilingual play from scratch over the last 3 weeks. The actors and director have been gathering young people's ideas from schools and youth groups across Carmarthenshire and Powys and feeding them back to Mess Up The Mess members on a regular basis.

Keeping It Real actor, Sian, tells members of the youth theatre what it's been like working on the project

Lots of ideas from young people across Carmarthenshire and Powys have made into the play, ensuring it will be an exciting theatrical experience designed by young people for young people.

You can catch the play on Wednesday 23rd July at Theatr Brycheiniog, Brecon and Thursday 24th July at Ammanford Miners' Theatre. Both shows start at 7.30pm. Tickets are available from Brynaman Community Centre or the theatre box offices (Theatr Brycheiniog: Tel - 01874 611622; Ammanford Miners' Theatre: Tel - 0845 226 3510.)

Mess Up The Mess Youth Theatre to Represent Wales at UK Impetus Awards

Brynaman based youth theatre Mess Up The Mess have been selected to represent Wales in the prestigious UK Impetus Awards Showcase.

The Impetus awards, organised by the Institute for Global Ethics UK Trust, celebrate the work of young people in bringing to life human rights and the shared ethical values that underpin them.

At yesterday’s ceremony at the National Botanic Gardens, groups from across Wales shared their work with each other and were congratulated by the Children’s Commissioner for Wales. Mess Up The Mess Youth Theatre’s recent “Strangers” project was one of two projects seen as demonstrating best practice and will go forward to represent Wales at the Impetus Awards’ UK Showcase event held in London in September.

Members of Mess Up The Mess Youth Theatre with the Children's Commissioner for Wales

Alex from Mess Up The Mess recorded some reactions from the group after they had heard of their success.

Mess Up The Mess’s latest production, Keeping It Real / Cadw’r Gywir will be performed at Theatre Brycheiniog, Brecon on Wednesday 23rd July and Ammanford Miners’ Theatre on Thursday 24th July.

More information about Mess Up The Mess and the Strangers project can be found at their website: http://www.messupthemess.co.uk/. More information about the UK Impetus awards can be found at: http://www.impetusawards.org.uk/.

Brynaman Community Centre

Brynaman Community Centre are proud to announce the new facilities are available following receiving over £800,000 worth of grant funding from a number of sources including the WAG to build an extension onto the existing Centre building. The building was once the village infant’s school and a group of local residents set about purchasing the old building and forming a Community Centre, which came to fruition in 2003. Following its success, this new development was funded and this new state of the art facility is considered a Centre of Excellence and now comprises of:-

50 cover café/ restaurant with fully equipped catering kitchen, which will serve as a community café and provide catering for training and events.

50 seated fully equipped conference room – ideal for AGM’s, conferences, seminars and training.

Offices – appropriate for small businesses or branches of larger organisations wanting to deliver services in the community.

Multi purpose rooms – that will cater from large meetings and IT courses to small meetings, advice/advocacy services and interviews.

The Centre has successfully hosted seminars and training for over four years and is fully equipped for events and training with on-site administrative services and ample car park facilities. The Brecon Beacons National Park state ‘The Centre is an excellent facility and can be used as a shining example of what can be achieved by local groups working together.’ This year Carmarthenshire County Council awarded ‘Best Community Facility’ to the Centre.

If you would like more information about the Centre and the facilities on offer please visit the website http://www.brynaman.org.uk/ or phone 01269 823400.

Keeping It Real

Brynaman based young people's theatre group Mess Up The Mess's latest production opens at Theatr Brycheiniog, Brecon on Wednesday 23rd July and Ammanford Miners' Theatre on Thursday 24th July. Keeping It Real / Cadw'r Gywir is an ambitious and innovative play that has been created by local young people for young people and will create bilingual theatre that is inclusive and accessible for a diverse youth audience.

Mess Up The Mess have been working with a group of professional actors to hold drama workshops in schools and youth groups across Carmarthenshire and Powys to develop ideas for the play. Twice a week these ideas are fed back to a panel composed of young people from the Aman Valley who oversee the play's development. Carmarthenshire Connect have been helping Mess Up The Mess record their views on the project as it happens.

Peter explains his hopes and fears for the project, filmed by Laura