£3.3m funding boost for schools

DESPITE the NASUWT’s financial concerns, schools across Rhondda Cynon Taf – including Porth County Community School – have benefited from their share of a £3.3m funding boost.

The money, destined to help disadvantaged pupils, comes from the Welsh Government’s pupil deprivation grant.

The grant was introduced to help reduce the impact of poverty on educational attainment, with 100% of the funding going directly to school budgets.

In the current year, each school has received £450 for each pupil aged between five and 15 who is eligible for free school meals.

Rhondda Heritage Park

May 1st May 2pm - 3.30 Afternoon Talk ~ Mining Fiction from the Past.Catrin Collier discusses her upbringing and the family influences that inspired her to pen her Catrin Collier novels. £2.00 Admission includes light refreshments - please reserve your place in advance 01443 682036

Saturday 11th May 11am - 4pm Family History Day ~ whether you are interested in local history or researching your family history ~ this is just the place to start . Free Admission
12th - 19th May 11am - 3.30pm daily Use your loaf !~ join us for delicious daily treats to Celebrate British Sandwich week . Free admission

June Weds 5th June2pm - 3.30 Afternoon Talk ~ Spirit of The Valleys ~Take a tour of the Valleys with an experienced guide but a tour with a difference - no illustrations, only word pictures. It will include some history, some humour and possibly some things you may not know about this distinctive part of Wales presented by Audrey Griffiths£2.00 Admission includes light refreshments - please reserve your place in advance 01443 682036

July 3rd July 2pm - 3.30 Afternoon talk ~ In Trevithick's Tracks part 1 of Brunel in South Wales - from the first steam railway locomotive to Isambard Kingdom Brunel's association with the south Wales iron and coal industries and his first commission, the Taff Vale Railway. An introduction to the Brunel dynasty and pioneering works in south Wales ~ presented by Stephen Jones£2.00 Admission includes light refreshments - please reserve your place in advance 01443 682036

Weds 4th Sept.2pm - 3.30 Afternoon Talk ~ The Miners' Institutes were once the focus of social, educational and cultural activity in the most industrial areas of Wales. As the Parc& Dare celebrates its centenary in 2013, historian Alun Morgan looks back at their legacy. Free Admission includes (no refreshments ) - please reserve your place in advance 01443 682036

Sat 7th Sept 12noon & 2pm Afternoon Talk ~ On the Buses presented by Valley Author & Archivist ~ David Owen A look at Rhondda Transport through the ages on board a 1963 AEC Regent Double Decker Bus. Free admission please reserve your place in advance 01443 682036

Saturday 14th Sept 11am. Morning Talk ~ Dr William Price .Author and historian Dean Powell will present a fascinating and humorous hour-long lecture on the life of the famous Victorian surgeon and archdruid Dr William Price. Following a decade of research, Dean has published the most comprehensive biography of the eccentric Welshman who was exiled for his political beliefs, launched the first Cooperative Society, formed an embryonic national health service and pioneered cremation. Booking is required in advance 01443 682036

18th Sept 2pm - 3.30 Communications and Coal part 2 of Brunel in South Wales - Brunel's return to south Wales with the broad-gauge South Wales Railway (SWR), connecting London to south Wales and beyond to Ireland and the development of the broad gauge here, covering historic engineering structures and mineral lines. presented by Stephen Jones Free Admission Please pre book 01443 682036

25th Sept 2pm - 3.30 Links with Leviathans - part 3 of Brunel in South Wales - the links with his great ships such as the SS Great Britain, now in Bristol, in south Wales and the ports and docks he was associated with, including Milford Haven, selected by Brunel as the home port for the largest ship in the world, the PSS Great Eastern. presented by Stephen Jones Free Admission ~ Please pre book 01443 682036

28th Sept 10.30 - 4pm Living Life in the Past Lane ~ experience a historical weekend with free visits to the Hetty Winding House and Capel Rhondda - the home of the hymn Cwm Rhondda , take a guided walk along the Richard Griffiths tramroad, vintage shuttle bus service available

October Wednesday 2nd 2pm Afternoon Talk ~Welsh Historical Heroines presented by Val Williams Discover some of the often forgotten heroines of Wales' past ~ from the women who started front line nursing to the prisoner in the Tower of London who married her gaoler ~ there's even room for a few villains! £2.00 Admission includes light refreshments - please reserve your place in advance 01443 682036