Two churches to close in Rhondda
TWO Catholic churches are set............

Plan for homes sparks tests call for smallpox site
THE SITE of a former smallpox hospital.........

Trusts are to benefit to the tune of £440,000
TWO Rhondda-based Trusts are to benefit.........

End of the line for branch
A SUPERMARKET has closed.........

Funding needed to reopen swimming pool

TREHERBERT swimming pool's future was questioned by Leanne Wood AM at the Senedd.
The Plaid Cymru politician, who lives in the Rhondda, has asked questions about securing vital funding for the pool, which was closed last year.
Ms Wood brought up the future of the pool during plenary with Heritage Minister Alun Ffred Jones.
The pool was closed after Rhondda Cynon Taf Council withdrew funding.
An action group was formed by local people after the decision was announced and they are still looking for funding to reopen the pool.
Councillor Geraint Davies, on behalf of the group, has been pressing for the council to support the community initiative.
But RCT Council have said the Assembly's free swimming scheme will not be available in the community-run pool, which means they will lose out on vital income.
The South Wales Central AM said: "Minister, in Treherbert, the community has rallied to try to take over the swimming pool that the local authority closed last year.
"The community group behind the bid to reopen the pool is currently exploring funding options.
"Unfortunately, it has been stonewalled by the local authority over its ability to adopt the free swimming scheme."

Job scheme is a success

RHONDDA MP Chris Bryant met with young people from the valleys to see how the Government's Future Jobs Fund scheme was helping the community.
He met staff at Cwmclydach Communities First, and talked to co-ordinator Keith Jenkins about how successful the scheme has been already.
There are currently staff employed in child care, catering, administration and sports coaching. A further three posts are due to start shortly, including Environmental Wardens.
The Future Jobs Fund enables local councils to apply for funding from the Department for Work and Pensions to create new jobs within their areas.
The £1bn fund targets unemployed youngsters between 18 and 24 who are at risk of becoming long-term unemployed. Bids demonstrating sustainable jobs and training possibilities are eligible.
Mr Bryant said: "As soon as this scheme was announced I made contact with RCT to make sure we benefited here in the Rhondda.
"It's working out really well and the young people employed with the fund are getting a chance to work and improve their skills."

Top marks for the builders at Ynyshir Primary

TOP class construction companies, builders and architects are celebrating after Rhondda Cynon Taf Council's Building Control Quality Awards.
The awards, which recognise the high standards of construction projects throughout the county borough, rewarded firms for the excellent quality of their building projects.
Ynyshir Primary School came out on top in the commercial category. Their contractors were Wilmott Dixon Constructions Ltd.
The fourth annual awards, sponsored by LABC Cymru and Rhondda Heritage Park Hotel, were announced by the council's director of regeneration and planning Jane Cook who described each of the individual developments.
From house extensions to large-scale industry, Deputy Mayor of RCT Councillor Simon Lloyd presented the winners of each of the five categories with specially-designed trophies, while certificates were also presented to those who reached the highly commended standard of excellence.
The audience at the Rhondda Heritage Park was presented with images of each of the developments which were shortlisted because of the quality of the construction.
Winners will go forward to the LABC South Wales Building Awards in March and some may be entered into the national awards in London.
The five categories were divided into domestic extension and alterations; small housebuilder and barn conversion; volume housing (multiple dwellings); commercial projects and sustainability projects.
The awards highlighted the challenges developers face today as they consider the environmental impact of their schemes.
Coun Lloyd said: "The building trade often attracts bad press and cowboy builders make the headlines. This award scheme highlights and acknowledges those that strive to achieve quality in their work and recognises the importance of Building Control to achieve these high standards.
"Today we quite rightly have high expectations of quality in the things that we buy - whether it's clothes, toys, food or furniture. I think we should have similarly high expectations of the places where we live - our homes and communities.
"We need to work together to ensure that high expectations can be met, and that is why these awards are important.
"These awards reflect the council's interest in buildings, and it's commitment to raising the standard of building projects, by identifying and rewarding high-quality design and construction."

School vandal attacks cost council thousands

VANDALISM on Rhondda Cynon Taff schools have cost more than £56,000 in the last three years, Plaid Cymru AM Chris Franks has learnt.

Attacks such as the theft and damage of school roofs, including at Hafod Primary School in July last year, Trallwn Infants in September last year, and Treorchy Primary School, where lead was stolen in an attack in February 2008.
The biggest vandalism bill was at Penygraig Junior School, which cost £4,359 to repair in May 2007.
In the year 2007/08, £25,554.50 was spent on clearing up after vandalism in schools; in 2008/09, £24,049.96 was spent, and in the last year, the bill so far is £6,890.
Intruder alarms, CCTV and security fencing have been installed as part of efforts to minimise damage.
And new anti-vandal roofing materials are being fitted during planned maintenance and capital refurbishment projects in schools, the Plaid AM for South Wales Central was told.
Rhondda Cynon Taf Council also said that school boundaries were being secured to prevent illegal access and external doors were being improved along with restrictions on window openings.
Andrea Richards, Education Maintenance Manager for Corporate Estates at RCT council, said: "Schools continually work with the fire service and local police at PACT meetings to improve relationships in the community to prevent vandalism."
Chris Franks said: "I support measures such as the installation of CCTV and fencing to reduce vandalism. But I must say I am surprised that the bill is not higher given that the figure in neighbouring Cardiff is eight times higher. While Cardiff is a larger authority, it is difficult to believe the position is eight times worse there. My concern is that RCT's figures may not be accurate and, unless they are, how can you fully respond to the problem?
"Vandalism not only costs a significant amount of money but does disrupt children's education. Plaid wants to make sure that the council does everything to protect our schools I urge people living around schools to report anything suspicious they see to the police."


Pension changes to help workers

CYNON Valley MP Ann Clwyd said she welcomes pension changes that will move millions of workers a step closer to getting a workplace pension for the first time.
The Government is acting to protect moderate and low earners in their old age with private pension reform.
"From 2012, up to nine million workers will be offered the chance to save in a pension with a guaranteed contribution from their employer and the Government, many for the first time," said Ms Clwyd.
"This is the most radical change to workplace entitlements since the introduction of the National Minimum Wage - employers of all sizes would be joining employees in paying into a pension scheme.
"These reforms are vital in giving thousands of people locally the chance to save in a pension, and mean all employers will be required to pay into a pension for the first time.
"Currently 14m people get no contribution from their employer towards a pension and around 7m people are not saving enough for their retirement.
"Because we live in an ageing society, these reforms are vital.
"They will give everyone the chance to build up a pension," said the MP.


South Wales Valleys residents urged to have a diabetes test

TYPE 2 diabetes is still a silent killer in the South Wales Valleys - and more than half of people diagnosed with the condition last year did not recognise its early symptoms.
A new a report by leading health charity Diabetes UK reveals that 56% of people did not think they had the life-long condition as they failed to identify its early symptoms.
Late diagnosis of Type 2 diabetes leaves people at risk of developing the serious complications of the condition, including stroke, heart disease, blindness, kidney disease and amputation.
Half of people with the condition already show signs of complications by the time they are diagnosed.
In addition, the majority of people were diagnosed with the condition "by accident" while undergoing routine medical tests or while being treated for other conditions or medical issues.
Diabetes UK Cymru estimates there are up to 50,000 people in Wales who have diabetes but are not aware of it.
Symptoms include going to the toilet all the time, especially at night, increased thirst, extreme tiredness, unexplained weight loss and genital itching.
Dai Williams, national director of Diabetes UK Cymru, said: "We need to make sure that people are aware of the risk factors and symptoms.
"And we need to encourage them to ask for a diabetes test.
"Just make an appointment with your doctor this week."


Bells issued in Rhondda Cynon Taff to stop pickpockets

SHOPPERS are being told to "put a bell on it" in a bid to stop pickpockets.
Store owners and South Wales Police have developed a new initiative together to crack down on thieves who have been preying on shoppers in packed streets and shops.
Hundreds of bells have been bought by the RCT Business Crime Reduction for shoppers to slip into purses and wallets to alert their rightful owners if they are removed from bags or pockets.
The RCT Business Crime Reduction Partnership meets regularly with the police and Rhondda Cynon Taf council to share information and get details of the latest crimes, offenders, suspicious activity, scams and initiatives.
And they share a radio system that allows them to communicate and hold regular briefings between police officers and CCTV operators.
Inspector Steve Jones said: "We have a strong network of people working constantly on behalf of the safety of our communities."
RCT council cabinet member John David said: "By joining together and working with the police and the council, these traders are making a real difference."

New transmitter brings DAB radio to Rhondda

A NEW transmitter to carry all of the BBC's network services on DAB digital radio has been switched on in Rhondda.
The new transmitter, situated near Clydach Vale, means another 34,000 people in the Tonypandy, Pentre and Treherbert areas are able to listen to the BBC's national stations, Radios 1, 2, 3, 4 and Five Live, as well as the digital only stations such as 6 Music and 1Xtra.
The north Rhondda transmitter completes a programme of work that has seen eight new transmitters built in the south Wales valleys in the last 15 months, bringing digital radio coverage to around 250,000 people in the area.

Grant support for health 'hub'

FUNDING for a new health and social services hub in the South Wales Valleys has been approved.
Health Minister Edwina Hart has given Rhondda Cynon Taff council a £310,000 grant to develop and improve the existing communications centre at Ty Elai in Tonypandy.
The new communications "hub" will be the largest in Wales and will manage the call-handling and co-ordination of several health services, including GP out-of-hours, non-emergency ambulance bookings, district nursing services, as well as day-to-day local authority services.
An IT system will connect systems that traditionally do not speak to one another, allowing clinical staff to access certain patient information quickly and securely.
The expanded centre, due to be completed by mid-2011, will mean that patients only have to call one number to access a range of health services. It is expected that the hub will handle 700,000 calls a year.
Mrs Hart said: "This funding will help expand the current communications centre to become a one-stop-shop for the public, patients, carers and healthcare professionals in the Cwm Taf Health Board area.
"This will help to signpost the best route of care for patients, allow for early intervention and help minimise unnecessary admissions into hospitals. The new centre will allow patients in the area who are unsure of where to go for advice to call one number to access a range of services."

40 years since Rhondda Fach nearly flooded

FORTY years since the entire Rhondda Fach valley was almost flooded, we look back at the averted disaster of the Lluest Wen dam and reservoir.
In December 1969 and January 1970, the catastrophe of unprecedented scale nearly overwhelmed the village of Maerdy, and would have caused devastation to the rest of Rhondda Fach if it had not been thwarted.
The Lluest Wen dam and reservoir, at the top end of the Rhondda Fach above Maerdy, was built in 1898 and covered an area of 20 acres and held upwards of 242 million gallons of water.
The first sign of problems at the dam came on December 23, when local man Lynn Jones was riding his horse Sally close to the dam.
The horse plunged into a hole 5ft deep, 6ft long and 2ft wide, which had appeared beneath it.
Mr Jones ran the two miles to Maerdy Colliery for help and firemen and forestry workers took two hours to free the trapped horse. Fire officials then phoned the water board for the dam to be inspected.
After an inspection of the dam, officials estimated that if it were to break, a 20ft tidal wave would sweep down the valley.
More than 350 residents were evacuated from streets close to the Rhondda Fach river, seven schools were closed and workers from Mardy colliery were transferred to other mines.
To relieve pressure on the dam, the water had to be drained from the reservoir.
An RAF helicopter was used to ferry supplies to the site and soldiers laid an alternative route along the Forestry Commission track running across the Rhigos Mountain.
With the united efforts of the army, RAF, fire brigade, Water Board and others, the pumping of water from the dam finally lessened the risk of it breaking and flooding the valley.
The all clear was finally given on January 25, 1970, and the residents of Maerdy and the rest of the Rhondda Fach could breathe a sigh of relief that the possibility of disaster had been averted.
During the emergency works the water levels were finally reduced by 30 feet, which meant that the reservoir's capacity fell to just 65 million gallons.
The total cost of repairing, strengthening and giving better road access as we can see it today was in the region of £1.5million.
Alun Clement, a historian who has published two books on Ferndale and the surrounding areas, was a pupil at Porth Grammar Technical college at the time.
He said: "I was 14, nearly 15 and I remember the drama creating a lot of fear and excitement for people living close to the river."
Alwyn Davies, 75, got married on January 10, 1970 - the day the dam was predicted to give way.
He and wife Joyce, who were living in a basement flat in North Road, Ferndale, were in danger of being flooded had the river burst its banks.
"We went ahead with the wedding at Pontypridd register office and luckily it went without a hitch," said Alwyn, who still lives in Ferndale.
"It was a rather frightening experience for a lot of people - the whole village would have been under water."
Dennis Inkpen, a former local authority worker who helped divert water from the dam, remembers the torrential rain that blighted the effort.
He was a work mate with Lynn Jones, and rushed to the scene to help prevent the flood. He said: "It took us a fortnight and it was freezing cold - there were about 200 or 300 of us, including about 50 from the local authority, putting sandbags down to support the banks. Other people were putting sand in the bags - it was like a conveyor belt.
"For a few days, there were about 50 soldiers form the army base in Brecon to help us out. It's something I'll never forget."
Actor Phil Howe, who has appeared in TV shows such as Hollyoaks, was one of the young evacuees from Taff Street, Ferndale.
He was 17 at the time and spent a few nights sleeping on the floor at Maerdy Infant School along with many of his friends and neighbours.
"I remember being with my brother Terence, who's five years younger, and all our mates.
"We took the Scalextric up the school and had a laugh - it was a bit of an adventure for us.
"I actually had a pony at the time and I kept it on the same level as Taff Street, so we had to take him somewhere higher up so he would be safe. I don't think we ever dreamt that the dam was going to burst. We didn't consider the consequences."

Familes reaping benefits of £22m homes revamp

IN just two years, a valleys housing association has spent £22m on improving homes for families and individuals.
This month RCT Homes marks its second anniversary after becoming Wales' largest social landlord in 2007 when it took ownership of more than 10,000 homes from RCT Council.
The association became responsible for refurbishing homes on more than 60 housing estates and in 27 sheltered housing schemes - the largest home improvements project ever in Wales.
In total 4,116 homes have been part of RCT Homes' major improvement programme so far, with 1,116 fitted kitchens, 1,118 new bathrooms, 124 uPVC windows, 2,265 doors, 1,268 rewires and 2,784 gas fires being installed throughout the borough. Another 1,233 adaptations have also been undertaken to ensure that tenants are able to live comfortably in their own homes.
As well as being a landlord, RCT Homes' rules commit the organisation to supporting the economic regeneration and communities it serves. Over the last 24 months RCT Homes has created 88 new jobs through the contracts it has put in place with its supply chain and contractors.
And 56 local people have been employed directly by RCT Homes in addition to the 200 who were transferred from the council.
Stella Wheeler, a tenant and chair of the RCT Homes Board since September last year, has found herself at the helm of an organisation with an annual turnover of more than £25 million.
"RCT Homes is a very special organisation as it is a community mutual - owned by tenants. Tenants have been involved in everything," she said.
"We are on every committee and we have even travelled all around the country to interview contractors to make sure that we get the best possible services and the high quality of materials and standard of workmanship that tenants deserve.
"We've been able to make sure that each tenant is treated as an individual. For the first time ever, tenants have actually had choices about the styles of kitchens and bathrooms they have installed in their homes."
"The promises that contractors and suppliers have made to create local jobs and training opportunities are very important. Taking on local labour and creating apprenticeships and training places will really help our local communities."

Innovative work scheme picks up a top accolade

A SCHEME designed to help people with mental ill-health get back to work has seen a Rhondda Cynon Taf-based training provider pick up an award.
Interlink, the county voluntary council for Rhondda Cynon Taff, was announced a winner at this year's National Training Awards ceremony.
Based on the knowledge that mental health can be improved through employment or volunteering, Interlink developed its innovative Routes to Recovery (R2R) programme. It supports people with mental health issues to set goals, providing a stepping-stone towards volunteering, further training or employment. In addition it helps improve each individual's skills, confidence and self-esteem.
The sessions are delivered through a mixture of presentations, question and answer sessions and group discussions.
Potential participants are referred by mental health professionals, GPs, job centre staff, via voluntary groups or through self-referral.
It is hoped that the project will be used as a model for other service areas and it has been recognised by the Welsh Assembly Government and local statutory partners.
Interlink operations manager, Ann Philpott, said: "We're really pleased that our hard work has been recognised with this national award.
"Since the programme was established, participants have reported positive personal outcomes like coping better, voicing their views on available treatment, increased confidence, independence and a willingness to talk to others about their illness."
Interlink representatives were congratulated at the award ceremony by Deputy Minister for Skills, John Griffiths, for winning in the education and training category