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Autumn/Winter 2006-07 Newsletter

1st Nov 2006

Inside this issue:

Fireworks at the Dyfi Valley Samhain festival Iron Man at Dyfi Light Fest


Dyfi Light Fest

This year's week-long 'Dyfi Light Fest' had something for everyone, young, old, locals and visitors.

Spaceship at Dyfi Light Fest

Buzz Lightyear at Dyfi Light Fest

Activities included lantern-making, puppet making, creative photography, portrait drawing, and other workshops that were made possible through funding from the Communities First Trust Fund.


There was also live music and dancing as well as the now famous Pink Snowball Awards.

Congratulations and a very sincere thank you to all those volunteers who make such a great event possible.


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The only Biosphere Area in the country

People and businesses in the Dyfi Valley are being asked whether and how they want to take advantage of a unique opportunity. The area could become the only Welsh member of an exclusive international club of 'special places'.

'Biosphere Areas' are designated by UNESCO, which is the United Nations Education, Scientific and Cultural Organisation. They are intended to be 'special areas for nature and people' and 'beacons of sustainable development'. There are only 450 biosphere areas in nearly 100 countries.

UNESCO originally welcomed the Dyfi Biosphere Area as a member of this network because of the important international habitats, which are found around Cors Fochno (Borth Bog) and the estuary, but then they changed the criteria! The Dyfi biosphere area as it stands today is too small and doesn't contain enough people for it to be considered a 'modern' biosphere area.

The community is being asked whether it would like the whole valley to become the Biosphere Area and to explore what it would mean in practice.

The new criteria imply respect for culture as well as for landscape and nature. They mean we have to consider the welfare of future generations and of the rest of the world as well as the true quality of our own lives.

This probably means developing a more self-reliant economy based on local resources, reducing our dependence on oil and gas, and valuing and caring for the Welsh language as well as for fragile habitats and rare plants.

Benefits of designation include the potential to open up opportunities for sustainable tourism, such as wildlife-watching, and to offer a 'brand' that would help local producers of quality food and other suitable goods to market their produce. The alternative is to tell UNESCO to remove it from the club.

Delyth Richards has been appointed as the Community Engagement Officer and ecodyfi is assisting. She is responsible for presenting information about biosphere areas, for exploring with people how they could take advantage of the designation and for recording people's feelings. She is willing to talk to individuals or give a group presentation.

For information contact 01654 703965 or email Delyth Richards.

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Community Festival breathes life back into The Plas

People outside Y Plas, Machynlleth

The former Celtica building was recently reopened to the people of the Dyfi Valley for an exciting day of fun, celebration and planning for the future. The event "The People's Plas?" was a showcase for local talent, with bands, DJs, dance and acoustic music performance coming together under one roof.

There was something for all the family: a kids' tent, full of fun and games, a jam-packed program of short films and animation - as well as the chance to make your very own Big Brother style video diary entry to say what you think about the steering group's proposals for the building.

The Machynlleth and District Community Forum put this event together with financial support from Communities First it was ataster of the community-led proposal for the Plas and a chance to influence its development.

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Fireworks

Keep Safe and Well Day

People at Keep Safe event, MachynllethMore than 380 people attended a Keep Safe and Well Day exhibition in the Bro Ddyfi Leisure Centre, Machynlleth. This event was organised by Powys County Council in response to Health Challenge Wales, national focus for better health in Wales.

The Leisure Centre was filled with a wide range of services from the council and other agencies and provided information and advice on issues such as income, housing, healthy lifestyles, social care and public safety.

The free exhibition offered a fun filled day for all the family and included a bouncy castle and activities for children, a free prize raffle and free goodies while Mid and West Wales Fire Brigade showed off their spectacular chip pan fire demonstrations.

Fire Brigade Demonstration of Safety

Yoga classes for children and the over 50s, Pilates and studio cycling also took place and 115 young people received CPR instruction from the Red Cross. The Dyfi Valley Raptor Experience was present, showcasing their falcons, eagles and vultures and children up to 16 and adults over 60 participated in free swimming.

Cyril Evans Bro Ddyfi Communities First Co-ordinator said "In rural area like Bro Ddyfi it's sometimes difficult for people to access information and to find out what's going on locally. We are very pleased to have been involved in such a really worthwhile and informative day for the whole community."

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Llanwrin Affordable Housing follow-up meeting

The Communities First Bro Ddyfi Housing Group in partnership with Mid Wales Housing Association, Powys County Council and Glantwymyn Community Council held a fairly well attended meeting at Llanwrin Church on the 29th of August 2006.

This was a follow-up meeting to the one held 11 months ago, and provided the local community with an opportunity to not only see and comment on the revised plans for the proposed housing development, but also to enable further discussion regarding the need (or lack of need) for Affordable Housing in the village of Llanwrin.

A report on this meeting can be obtained by contacting the Communities First Office at Ty Bro Ddyfi.

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Penegoes Active Community

Penegoes Residents

A campaign for a vital cycling and walking path has recently stepped up a gear. The campaign for a safe route has been going on for some years, but with little to show for it apart from two feasibility studies.

The group is heartened that Communities First and the Machynlleth & District Local Community Forum have included the proposal in their Local Action Plan, but is very aware that further pressure is required.

In response to this, a new chapter in the history of the village was written as over 200 walkers, cyclists, mobility scooters, several tractors, a JCB and a carnival style float brought one of mid Wales' major trunk roads to a slow crawl as part of a protest walk.

Local people from all sections of the community and escorted by police, formed a winding procession along the A489 between Penegoes and Machynlleth.

Procession along the A489 between Penegoes and Machynlleth

A walk that is normally more like a dice with death than a stroll in the country was supported by local people from both Penegoes and Machynlleth as well as several local organisations and representatives such as Ecodyfi, Walking The Way To Health, local councillors and Ysgol Gynradd.

The walk, organised by Penegoes Active Community, was a show of support for a safe route to connect the village of Penegoes and the town of Machynlleth - a distance of only 1.5 miles.

Geraldine Purser of Penegoes Active Community states: "The road is seldom walked because people see it as just too dangerous. A few cyclists still use the road but most people are too fearful. It's a fast section of road and nigh on impossible for pedestrians to use - particularly children, the disabled and the elderly."

The A489 is identified as one of the busiest roads in Powys and the stretch between Penegoes and Machynlleth has several blind bends with little or no verge, and due to very limited public transport, the journey is virtually impossible in any way but by car.

The campaign has widespread support from local, regional and national politicians including Councillors Gwilym Fychan and Michael Williams, Mick Bates AM and Lembit Opik MP and has received a message of best wishes from Prince Charles. The villagers want the opportunity to live a healthier and more sustainable lifestyle and are urging the Assembly and Powys County Council to consult with them and agree a practical route.

As part of the current campaign, the villagers are making a video with Fideo i Bawb to highlight their need. Following this they will be making a representation to the Assembly in Cardiff where they are hopeful of results.

Anyone who would like to support the campaign can contact Julia on 01654 702054 or Geraldine at geraldine@tincan.co.uk.

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Funding Information

New fund for budding musicians
music_100Budding musicians from the most disadvantaged communities of Wales will soon be tuning up for a share of £180,000 - thanks to a new Welsh Assembly Government fund to promote music activities in the Communities First areas.

The one-year pilot fund will be administered by the Welsh Council for Voluntary Action, as a ring-fenced additional element to the mainstream Communities First Trust Fund, set up by the Assembly Government as part of the Communities First Programme to assist small-scale community based projects in Communities First areas. Community and voluntary organisations will be able to bid for the extra "brass" to support extra-curricular music activities in the 142 Communities First areas of Wales.

Grants will be open to all types of musical activities within Communities First Areas - everything from classical choirs to youth rock bands, jazz to African drumming or samba style music. Funding support will be available for range of activities, including purchasing instruments or equipment, venue hire for rehearsals or concerts, transport costs, tuition costs or staging costs of community concerts and festivals.

Deadline date for applications 2006/2007 is: 31 October 2006 & 31 January 2007

For further information contact the Community First Helpline on 0800 587 8898.

Brace's Bread - Giving out the Dough!
 

Brace's Bread is offering the opportunity for local Welsh charities and community groups to apply forcash_87 sponsorship of up to £500.

Sponsorship is aimed at groups that do not benefit from national funding with applications for support considered on a quarterly basis.

More information and an application form.

Breathing Places Grants Programme - Phase Two Launched

At the start of the second week of BBC Two's live autumn watch with Bill Oddie and Kate Humble (Monday 9 October) the second phase of the Lottery-funded Breathing Places small grant scheme was launched. A further £4 million will be made available for projects that make a lasting improvement to the local environment by creating new Breathing Places, as well as supporting the development of existing ones.

In this phase a much wider range of organisations can access funding including schools, local health bodies, town and community councils and voluntary and community groups.

The BBC's Breathing Places campaign is designed to inspire communities to get involved in transforming their local environment and creating and caring for their local green spaces that are good for wildlife and good for people.

Open for applications: 9 October 2006
Closed for applications: 13 December 2006
Minimum grant: £300
Maximum grant: £10,000
Total available: £4 million

Please use this link for further details of the Breathing Places programme

Once on the web page you will see a more information box containing a link to the Breathing Places application form and a very useful Breathing Places questions and answers sheet.

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Partnership News

The Communities First Partnership currently has vacancies for community members from the Glantwymyn, Cadfarch and Machynlleth wards, as well as business representatives. Changes have to be led by local people, so you can play an important role by joining the Partnership and helping us to make a genuine difference in the area.

Siwan Hywel, the new Communities First Partnership chairSiwan Hywel, the Welsh Language Board Development Officer for the Machynlleth area has agreed to become the new Communities First Partnership chair, whilst Will Dunn, the Inequalities in Health Officer, has become one of three Vice Chair's, alongside both Nic Dunkley (Youth Officer) and County Councillor Gwilym Fychan.

Will Dunn, who is one of the three Communities First Partnership Vice Chairs

 

 

 

 

 

 

Right: Will Dunn, who is one of the three Vice Chairs

Partnership meetings

For dates and venues of meetings please contact the Communities First office, Tel: 01654 700315

Anyone is welcome to attend these meetings as an observer to find out more about the Communities First programme in the Bro Ddyfi area.

 

 

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Integrated Children's Centre

A number of services were launched recently in relation to the building element of the Integrated Children's Centre - Ty Melfed. Cylch Meithrin Machynlleth, NCH Sure Start, Play Montgomeryshire Toy Library, and MCCP After School Club will all be relocating to the new premises.

For a timetable of activities and latest information please contact: Diane Jones tel. 01654 711000 or at Plas-y-Bryn, Sandilands, Tywyn, Gwynedd, LL36 0AB.

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Community Directory

Community Directory

As part of the Communities First programme, we have previously produced a local directory of community groups, organisations and associations, to provide a comprehensive picture of what's happening in and around the Communities First Bro Ddyfi area.

We are now aiming to up-date our existing directory and would like to include all groups, organisations and associations who make a contribution to community life, and who are run by, or for residents of that community.

If you would like to be included in this free directory, or if you are already included in our current edition and would like to up-date contact details and information, please complete and return the form on our website version of the directory or contact the Communities First office on 01654 700315, or e-mail shan.parker@powys.gov.uk as soon as possible.

New Measures to deliver more affordable homes

More families and young people across Wales should have access to affordable housing after a new package of planning and the Welsh Assembly Government launched housing guidance for local authorities.

The package includes changes to planning policy and guidance to increase the quantity of affordable housing provided through the planning system. It also includes an 'Affordable Housing Toolkit', which brings together in one reference document all the mechanisms available to local authorities and their partners to increase the supply of affordable housing.

http://new.wales.gov.uk/consultations/closed/housandcomm/affordablehousingtoolkit

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Planning Advice and Support

Are public services located within easy reach of where you live? Is housing available in the community for your young people? Is there talk of the local football field being sold for supermarket development? Or are you determined to stop that tip being opened near your village? Each of these examples has something to do with land use planning.

Planning Aid Wales (PAW) is a registered charity, which provides free, professional and independent advice and support on all aspects of land use planning in Wales. It does this by using a Wales-wide network of volunteers who are all qualified planners.

PAW provides a telephone Helpline service that gives advice on individual planning cases. This service is available to anybody, individuals and groups, who cannot afford a planning consultant.

Their main aim however is to enable community groups to participate effectively in the planning system. If you want to learn how to give your community a voice in decisions about your local area, PAW development workers can help organise talks and seminars for your group.

For help or advice from Planning Aid Wales, or to find out more about what they do, please call 02920 485 765 or e-mail: cccpaw@btconnect.com or visit www.planningaidwales.org.uk.

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What is your dream - to get a better job, gain a degree?

Maybe even start your own business?

The Lifelong Learning Department of Powys County Council feel privileged to have provided the starting point for many people who have indeed gone on to achieve these goals, through our Adult Education classes. They invite you to go along and experience relaxed, informative classes being taught by friendly staff. Students have reported increased confidence as they learn new skills and gain new friends who share a common interest.

Why not try this for yourself and DON'T JUST DREAM YOUR LIFE - LIVE YOUR DREAMS!

The adult Education programme provided by Powys Council in partnership with Coleg Powys, is supplied in fifteen major centres within Powys; Newtown, Welshpool, Llanfair Caereinion, Llanfyllin, Llanidloes, Machynlleth, Llandrindod Wells, Presteigne, Knighton, Hay-on-Wye, Rhayader, Brecon, Builth Wells, Crickhowell and Ystradgynlais. These centres in turn provide classes in their surrounding towns and villages.

This year's brochure is available, in local libraries and leisure centres. It contains details of over 520 courses ranging from the Informal Learning that takes place in "salsa dancing" or "water-colour painting" to the more formal accredited learning in computer and language courses.

Advance booking is required for all Powys County Council courses. The adult education website provides information about the courses available and allows you to book and pay for your class on-line. You can also phone the Enrolment Line on 0845 0551 355.

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**Note: Anyone is more than welcome to come along and observe Partnership meetings**

 

 

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