Ponty Mag June

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9 4: PONTY BIKE HIRE

We talk to Peter Ryan about bike hire and tourism in Pontardawe

9: LOCAL WALKS We share a favourite local walk

14: CHRISTIANITY IN THE VALLEY 18: SWANSEA CANAL SOCIETY 21: VINCE’s RANT

Vince opts for a post election rant

29: MY GREEN VALLEY Picker of the month

50: LOCAL POLITICS Plaid Cymru 50 Sioned Williams 54 Pontardawe Town Council 56

59: HAS PONTY LOST FAITH IN NPT?

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How can the Borough Council regain trust in the Town after the shambles with the School Consultation?

32: KIDS PAGES 24: SUNSIGNS

BRAINWORK Get in Touch: Content/Editorial local@pontymag.wales 07880 369545 Advertising advertising@southwalesmedia.com 07970 875538

Next Mag: Deadline 12/06/21 To you by: 01/07/21 3

38: SUDUKU 41: CROSSWORD 43: PUZZLE PAGE 45: ANSWERS

Find more local information, stories and quizzes on the local area online at:-

www.PONTYMAG.wales

PONTARDAWE ‘IS LIKE CENTRE PARCS’

A good friend of mine often says to me that ‘Pontardawe is like Centre Parcs; you can do anything you like here!’.

We are so lucky. The river, the canal, the hills, the woodland and the increasingly popular cycle path.

One of the few things which centre parcs offered that we did not was Bicycle hire; that was until now.

Tawe Bikes launched last month from the Pontardawe Inn and founder Peter Ryan tells me that they are “excited and grateful for the support that the local community has already offered them”.

It is great for Pontardawe to be able to attract holidaymakers into the Town. There are not many places to hire bikes locally and so if people are staying further up or down the valley, in Neath or beyond then we hope to see them on these yellow bikes and supporting our other local businesses at the same time.

All bikes come with a helmet and costs from £9 for 3 hours. Peter tells me “As a country, we are cycling more and more. In France, Germany, Belgium and most European countries it is seen as another mode of transport. We have an impressive infrastructure for bikes here which keeps improving. You can cycle to the sea in a little over half an hour or to the foot of the Beacons in the other direction. Pontardawe is the perfect base.”

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“The cycle path is safe, fairly flat and is the perfect place for a leisurely stroll. We hope it will bring more tourists into Pontardawe but we also hope that it will appeal to people living here. Bikes are bulky and can be costly.

There will be many people living in Pontardawe or around here who will fancy riding a bike from time to time but do not have anywhere to keep one. If someone fancies popping to Mumbles to grab an ice cream then they can get on the website and book it for as long as they want it for and stop for a pint in the Gwachel on the way home”.

You can book a bike online (at www.tawebikes.com) and collect your key from the bar staff in the pub. The Gwachel seems the perfect spot as a base as Route 43 passes right by it.

Earlier in the year I spoke with Ryland Jones, Deputy Director for Sustrans Cymru about the cycle path who told me:- ‘Route 43 represents a significant asset for communities along the Swansea Valley and, as has been shown during the recent Covid Lockdown, offers access to green space and a place for people to relax, experience all their local area has to offer and also access basic services, all in a sustainable and healthy way. The route supports communities by enabling local journeys by walking and cycling as well as adding to the attractiveness of the area for tourists and visitors.”

“Sustrans would love to see further development of the route to link into the Brecon Beacons in future and make the route even more accessible, and we will be working with our Local Authority partners to further this vision as part of the wider development of the National Cycle Network in Wales”.

Description of Route 43 Swansea to Pontardawe by SUSTRANS

:- “Following a mixture of riverside paths, new purpose build sections and old railway lines, this route provides a green strip through the industrial heart of the Swansea Valley. From the route it is possible to see some of the valley’s industrial past, while at the same time the route showcase its regenerated present. The ride begins in the re-developed marina, running alongside the Tawe and taking you up past the Morfa Retail Park and the Liberty Stadium.”

Clydach to Ystalyfera SUSTRANS

:- “This is a very gentle 6.5 mile ride along canal towpath and old railway, following the valley floor from between two of the major Swansea Valley towns. Starting from Coed Gwilwm Park, the route picks up the canal towpath and takes you into the heart of Pontardawe. Moving away from the Canal and following the river bank, you find your way onto the old railway line.”

“This takes you through woodland alongside the river before emerging on the edge of Ystalyfera.

The ride can be halved in length if you stop in Pontardawe, while it can also be extended by riding in the opposite direction. If you are feeling particularly energetic it is possible to ride from Ystalyfera to Mumbles almost entirely on traffic free paths.”

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EXPLORING THE SWANSEA VALLEY ‘Exploring Swansea Valley and Beyond’ is a new Facebook group which allows people to share local walks which they enjoy with others.

We are blessed in these parts with footpaths and tracks heading in all directions over our hills and through our woodlands. I spoke with the founder of the group who told me:- “I was speaking with people from here who didn’t know about the forest walks over the mountain to Crynant for example or the waterfall in Ynysmeudwy.”

“I then saw in this magazine about Carn Llechart, the 863197

ancient stone circle and I didn’t know that place existed. It made me think that there should be somewhere for people to share walks which they enjoy. I might know of

somewhere that someone wants to go and vice versa. I thought that it would be nice to be able to set something up so that everyone could share the walks that they like doing with others.”

The walks on the group are set out easily so that there are step-by-step guides to each walk. We have printed one on the next pages to show you. If you like walking and want to find somewhere new or have a favourite walk which you would like to share with others then head to facebook and search “exploring Swansea valley and beyond”.

We will also be putting these walks onto our website at www.southwalesmedia.com/walks where we hope they will be easy to find. Enjoy exploring.

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YEAR ON YEAR GOLD AWARDS WINNER 9

LOCAL WALK: Crynant Forestry Cilybebyll.

Distance 12.8 km Elevation 378 m

This can either be a run walk or bike ride.

Crynant Forestry is split in two. 1st part is Cilybebyll to Crynant and the 2nd section is Crynant to Resolven.

This route will show you how to navigate the first part.

There are numerous different fire tracks and paths up there but if you stick to the main ones you shouldnt go far wrong. I have tried to put this route into a loop of the forestry which will allow you to have views of Ystradgynlais and Crynant along the way.

Starting point: SA8 3JN

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The entrance from Cilybebyll. Go past the cross roads in Cilybebyĺ and head towards the Blue Rock Kennels and the turning will be on your right

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Continue straight.

(Right will take you down towards Crynant) After continuing straight for approx 800 metres there will be a footpath on your left which you could easily miss. This will take you over the Varteg and drop down in Ystalyfera

Continue along the top track to the top and when you come to the fork on the track bear left. ( Right will take you to Marchywel junction)

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When i am in a forestry i try to look for a waymarker. This rusty container has been there for at least 15 years so i cant see it going anywhere soon. This is on your left as you go up the top trac

4 There will be numerous tracks going off some are dead ends and others turn into small single track paths. The track on your right will take you towads Marchywel Junction going past a farm. I will explain Marchywel junction later.

Enter the forestry and continue on the main track which will take you to the top. I wll refer to this as the top track

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After bearing left continue along this track. I refer to this as the Ystradgynlais track as it takes you above Ystrad

Continue straight past the footpath It will take you to a mast. Go past the mast and follow path on your right

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Continue along the path

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After the views continue down the main track. At the fork turn right. ( left will take you to main road between ystrad and crynant

Drop down and you will have a view point of Ystrad

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At the top you will come to cross roads which i name Marchywel junction. Take the right here and you will be on the main track back to Cilybebyll. Straight ahead will take you towards Cadoxton / Llangatwg . Straight ahead will also have a turning on your right which will take you on ghe track which goes around Marchywel mountain and back near to the rusty container. Left is a bit of dead end and you will near to go through forestry to get out. So go right for this route.

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Continue along the track Bear left at the fork and continue along the track back past the rusty container and back to the entrance into the forestry. This is the fork where you previously turn onto the Ystrad track.

Go through the gate and continue up the track Continue on the main track on the right. (Left will drop you into Treforgan in Crynant

Continue straight and keep going up. ( right will take you to the ystrad track and left take you down to Treforgan)

Views of Crynant

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Continue along the track which i refer to as the bottom track Continue along the track which will take you to the top of the forestry.

Left is a dead end

Views of Ystrad

Cilybebyll entrance

SEE MORE WALKS LIKE THIS

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Southwalesmedia.com/walks or facebook explore Swansea Valley and Beyond

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The Clydach Historical Society kindly send in interesting information relating to the Clydach area each month for our Clydach Mag. This months entry is very relevant to us here in Pontardawe too and so we thought that we should share it with you. I am keen to start a ‘Ponty Buildings’ page looking at old buildings of the area. If you can help with this then please get in touch local@pontymag.wales / 07880 369545

CHRISTIANITY COMES TO CLYDACH

Continuing our ‘pilgrimage’ to places of worship familiar to the Clydach community three more deserve a brief mention before moving ‘in to’ the village itself.

Below: Gellionen Chapel, by Mike Jones, the well known Pontardawe artist

Standing in the middle of Gellionen mountain is Gellionen Chapel, the chapel of the Unitarians and it must be one of the oldest Non-conformist chapels still in use. A plaque on the inside wall states: ‘This place of worship for the use of a Society of Protestant Dissenters in 1692 under the patronage of the Hon. Bussey Mansell, Esq., and rebuilt in 1801 under the direction of the pastor for the time being, the Rev. Josiah Rees, in the thirty eighth year of his ministry.’

A stone tablet known as the Gellionnen Stone survived from the old Llan Eithrim church and was incorporated into the wall of Gellionnen Chapel. The Gellionnen Stone, dated c. 900AD, was donated by the congregation to Swansea Museum in 1965.

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Baran Chapel

(We are very grateful to member Eugena Hopkin for permission to produce extracts of her ‘The History of Baran Chapel 1805-2005’ © Eugena Hopkin (April Z 2006) https://www.peoplescollection.wales/story/886931) In close proximity to Gellionen Chapel is Baran Chapel.

Towards the close of the eighteenth century during the ministry of Josiah Rees, Gellionnen Chapel was going through something of a theological upheaval - Trinitarianism was giving way to Unitarianism. Predictably, Gellionnen Chapel along with so many other chapels, suffered the ignominy of schism.

The Rev. Roger Howell was the ideal choice to be the first minister of Baran Chapel, because he was highly respected as a lay preacher and school teacher in the local community. Worshippers flocked to Baran Chapel from such diverse communities as Cwm Gerdinen, Llwyngwenno, Cefn Parc, Craig Trebannws, Alltwen, Clydach, Ynysmeudwy, Pentwyn and Betws to mention just a few. It must have been quite a sight to see people in their Sunday best and Bible black attire, crisscrossing the mountain landscape on foot, on horseback or by whichever means possible in order to attend a service at Baran Chapel.

Capel y Cwar Clydach 1795-1854 The chapel, erected c 1795, (on the left hand side as you walk up Bethania Road ) was a branch of Salem Chapel, Rhydypandy built in 1777. It was then a long building with a thatched roof, (over a hundred years ago it became two dwelling houses). Members numbered 41in 1794. The chapel received a grant from the General Baptist Fund (London) from 1818. But the Particular Baptists built a chapel (Bethania) in 1841 and incorporated a church there in 1844.

The Baptist movement was as prone to schism as any denomination in those days. Little by little, Arminians would slip over to Bethania, and 'Cwar' was kept going only by personal loyalty to the old pastor. The Rev. David Jones died 24 January 1854, aged 81 and the eleven surviving members unanimously went over to Bethania, and the terms Particular and General Baptists vanished from circulation.

On the initiative of the minister of Calfaria and Bethania a memorial stone was unveiled on Sunday 1st June 1986 on the house where the chapel stood.

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“NELLIE’S” WORKING HOLIDAY In a flurry of activity at Easter, members of the Swansea Canal Society could be seen sprucing up “Nellie”, one of the hardworking small boats that are usually used for the mucky but essential work of keeping the Swansea canal waters clear of rubbish and over enthusiastic vegetation. The purpose of all this activity is to make “Nellie” as ready as she can be for a short holiday indoors, as a guest from April in the classroom of Year 1 at the local Craigfelen Primary School.

“Nellie” has enjoyed her time it seems, for example providing the children with the opportunity to learn how to book boat trips, and go on these trips, even if they never leave the room except in their imaginations. They have also used her to perform “rescues” and learn all about the use of winches. “Nellie’s” story on the canal has been explored and they have learnt about how canals differ from rivers. The children have been learning to cooperate in all these activities and “Nellie” has offered them the opportunity and the stage to learn how to solve problems together as a team.

Follow up activities are planned in school and with the children walking the towpath to experience the canal at first hand and also hopefully see “Nellie” at work when she returns from her holiday to the water later in the term.

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Vince’s Rant

When I retired, Leon asked me whether I’d like to continue with my ‘Rants’ I decided that it was better that he and Matty took total control and put new blood and ideas into the Mag, but when I had something I really wanted to say I’d like the opportunity. And here it is!

Firstly as a lifelong supporter of Labour I’m pleased that the Party did so well at the recent Senedd elections and I think we’re fortunate to have Jeremy Miles as our representative. He works hard for our community and holds the values I hold dear, and has the intelligence and drive to bring many of his ideals into reality.

But where is my Party going? - What does it stand for and how can it achieve real change for ordinary people?

The success of Drayford, Miles and co can’t mask the fact that the lives and plight of many have deteriorated over the last decade or so. The poor have got poorer and the rich, richer. And in a lot of instances the richer aren’t in Wales but are holed out in the home counties. Although Welsh Labour have made a real difference to the people of Wales, their hands are tied by the economic control of Westminster and frustrated by the ‘right wing’ agenda they follow. And this is nothing new, it’s been true for decades.

To have a truly functioning, accountable Welsh parliament Wales needs to have far more control over it’s destiny.

and co.. and a ‘right wing’ Labour government will make little difference to the aspirations of the Welsh. Plaid have had a particularly disappointing election, but that doesn’t mean that the call for independence should be ignored.

The SNP were similarly a fringe party for decades until recently.

Could Wales function as an independent country? I think the answer to that is yes! It would certainly help if we rejoined Europe, but then in my mind, we should never have left. And Europe, protects the culture and individuality of their states better than the UK does. I’m not trying to say it would be painless, but those that voted for Brexit, voted so that we could have more say in our own Government - wouldn’t that hold true for independence?

An independent Wales,in charge of it’s own future.

The SNP have again achieved an astounding victory in Scotland and will be pushing once again for independence. It was once a solid Labour heartland, regularly returning 50 or more Labour MPs. The rise of the SNP and the call for independence ought to be a warning to Welsh Labour. It has come about, not because the Scot’s suddenly desired independence, but because they got sick and tired of returning, election after election, socialist MPs and saw little or no difference made to their lives.

I don’t expect Welsh Labour, anytime soon, to call for an independent Wales, but I hope that they stay open-minded The truth is that for the last 30 years or so Scotland, Wales to the proposal. I personally, don’t care whether I live in an and many of the English regions have been let down by independent Wales or as part of the UK. What I’m Westminster, whoever was in power. I fully expect Scotland concerned about is living in a socialist run country that has to gain their independence, if not in the next couple of the aspirations of all it’s people at heart. And I hope that years, certainly within a decade or so. And, I fully expect a my Party finds a way to achieve that. left of centre Government to be elected and bring forward an agenda for the prosperity of all it’s people.And I wish them well.

So here’s the dilemma for Welsh Labour, the call for independence here will certainly gain momentum once Scotland has left the Union. Should Labour oppose the call, as they did in Scotland or should they be at the forefront, demanding it? The English Labour Party continue to struggle to make headway and seem incapable of shaking off the shackles imposed by Blair, Mandleson Campbell 21

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Sun Signs

Aries – You prepare to put new plans into place. A tough time is behind you and you feel more optimistic about the future. You have had to juggle things around. Very keen to communicate with others as this month you want to share exciting new ideas. The new moon in this part of your chart is an annular solar eclipse.

This will make you forceful and very sure of yourself. There may be some disagreements at home with close family.

Taurus – This is a great time for forward thinking, brush aside all previous concepts and let your imagination run wild. You have planets with strong influences on your chart at this time, that will make you feel you can achieve anything you want. Put this into practical form and you are ready to go! The full moon on the 24th falls in your travel zone, so some of your decisions are involved with uprooting yourself.

Gemini – It is a pretty full-on time for you, with a flurry of planets in your own sign and you want the best in life. You get on with things. You feel assertive about finances for the first couple of weeks in June; this is especially good to make decisions. The new moon is in your own sign on the 10th and this pushes you to try new things, change your own style and make a new start in some part of your life. Jupiter in your career zone gives you many new opportunities.

with Izabella Vlahavas Libra – Sudden changes may occur in your joint investments. Surprizes or new ideas come your way quite fast. The full moon in your home zone on the 24th will help you to draw a line under some necessary adjustments, which may include family members. After the 11th you will find yourself feeling a little impatient with friends; there may be some friction that needs ironing out and smoothing over.

Scorpio – The new moon falls in your joint finance zone on the 10th and gives you new ideas and the possible opportunity for future ventures. This part of your chart shows energy and possibilities that will create benefits for you. Perhaps someone you are in a close relationship with will behave erratically or change their minds about something. A different approach works best. Don’t put all your eggs in one basket.

Sagittarius – A strong magnetic pull towards partners and lots of good responses from them will put you into a positive frame of mind. The new moon is in this part of your chart on the 10th and indicates new beginnings. Either an on-going situation will re-focus you and develop more to your liking or a new relationship will start up. This can turn out to be a very exciting time. Home improvements or re-decorating will give you a boost.

Cancer – Full of energy from the middle of this month, you have found a lot of things to look forward to and you are happy preparing. The full moon on the 24th is in your opposite house of close relationships, so this heralds a time for a change of attitude and closure to any connections that are not working out.

Time to move on and start new involvements to those that give you more self-confidence. This is good news!

Capricorn – The full moon in your own sign on the 24th gives you the push you need to end something either to do with business or love, and give yourself the chance to re-assess your options. This will be like a fresh look at an old problem, which is long overdue. It will give you the space and time you need to decide the next step. The flowing aspect in your chart with Uranus the planet of change will help you to create new projects.

Leo – You gain momentum by mid-month.

Feeling very sure of yourself and able to persuade others to follow your lead, this is a great time for you to start new friendships. The new moon, which is an annular solar eclipse falls in your friendship zone. You will meet people who have the same ideas as you and want to join you in projects that you are looking forward to beginning. This adds to your strengths.

Aquarius – The Saturn transit through your sign helps you think seriously about your plans. It is making your plans reflect a very realistic approach. Jupiter is in your money zone and will give you more options and you take your time making decisions. The new moon on the 10th of this month falls in your creative zone, a new romance may be on the cards.

This will give you something new to focus.

Virgo – A much more positive time for you with better responses from close partnerships. You have been noticed for your hard work and you will be given rewards. This is a great time for your partnerships to grow and flourish. Ideas and opportunities for mutual benefit will come your way. You feel like expanding your horizons, maybe though learning new skills or a new language. This is a great time for you to enroll on a course.

Pisces – An emphasis in your home zone during the next few weeks, either bonding with family members or making changes in routines. The full moon on the 24th falls in your friendship zone.

This gives you the chance to be more selective in your social life. After the 11th you are very assertive and thorough, giving your best at all times. A feeling of positivity and well being gives you more motivation to get things done.

24

Sun sign of the month ‘Taurus’ – A look at your Year Ahead At exactly 09.30 am gmt on the 20th May 2021, the sun enters the sign of Gemini and for all of you born with this sun sign, the following ingredients colour your year ahead. Adjustments and modifications need to be made according to your own specific time, date and place of birth which are individual only to you!

keen to expand your horizons. A very good listener. You are ready for changes. You create harmony in your close relationships due to being straightforward and open about your feelings.

MONEY – You are careful with money and finances, and you are looking at the bigger picture and taking precauPERSONALITY – You have a sunny disposition, full of tions, if necessary. You start setting forward great ways to optimism and get go energy. You want to travel and organize your time, and to be more productive and also socialize with people, and you have great ideas to share spend more time with those close to you! with others.

Lots of love and best of luck, Izabella Vlahavas FEELINGS – You show care and concern for others and be

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PICKER OF THE MONTH June’s Picker of the Month is Rachel Evans from Alltwen. Here is what Rachel said:“I am a mum of 5 with 3 grandchildren, and have lived and worked in Pontardawe all my adult life. I became involved with My Green Valley because I like community events such as festivals and music events, and when I heard about the litter picking group, I liked the sound of that too!

I get lots out of being involved - I meet new people, get to be out in nature, and I do love a good natter! I would recommend volunteering to anyone - its healthy, it changes the environment for the better and it costs only £2 a year to join and borrow kit. I’ve found lots of odd rubbish on my picks, but the strangest has to be pants - that did make me chuckle the most!”

GET IN TOUCH: mygreenvalleyorg@gmail.com / Facebook: @mygreenvalleyorg

UPDATE FROM MY GREEN VALLEY At the end of April, we were thrilled to finally be able to launch our schools project - Green Grass Roots. We presented each participating school with their own sets of litter picking kit, and the pupils have been busy producing pieces of work based on My Green Valley’s core aims of reducing litter, maintaining green spaces, and the promotion of recycling and environmental projects. We hope to be able to share these pieces of work with the wider community soon!

With this project underway, we are now looking to move on to our next project - the Green Pitch Pledge. This project aims to engage with local sports clubs, get them set up with their own litter picking stations and kit, and encourage them to keep their grounds clean and tidy after each training session or game, by signing up to ’The Green Pitch Pledge’. If you are interested in finding out more about our projects, events or borrowing kit - please do get in touch.

Laura and Kerina TERRACYCLE VOLUNTEER We are looking for an enthusiastic volunteer who can lead the expansion of TerraCycle in the Swansea Valley, in conjunction with the existing schemes.

TerraCycle is the collection of various items that aren’t traditionally recycled in curb-side collections, but which can be recycled by specialist companies usually with incentives for local charities or organisations.

The volunteer would join part of the My Green Valley team, to; - Set up appropriate collection points.

- Work with the MGV team to set up community-based projects, such as coffee mornings where the attendees can help to package the recycling.

- Organise the associated administration.

We are a friendly, motivated and passionate team of volunteers who give what we can, when we can, to help keep our valley green, clean and beautiful. TerraCycle has huge potential in the valley, but needs the right person with a little bit of spare time who is keen to get involved.

To find out more about TerraCycle and what’s involved, visit the website; https://www.terracycle.com/.../free_recycling_programs

- Regularly collect the recycling (therefore transport is Do get in touch if this is you, or if you know someone who required). might like to get involved!

- Organise and package the recycling, with the help of mygreenvalleyorg@gmail.com fellow volunteers.

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KIDS PAGES

ALL answers Page 45

FIND 7 DIFFERENCES JOKES

What is a tornado’s favorite game to play?

Twister.

Why did the kid cross the playground?

To get to the other slide.

What did the little corn say to the mama corn?

Where is pop corn?

Why does a seagull fly over the sea?

Because if it flew over the bay, it would be a baygull.

What do you call a dinosaur that is sleeping?

JOKES

What do you call a boomerang that won’t come back?

A stick.

What does a cloud wear under his raincoat?

Thunderwear

A dino-snore.

What did the left eye say to the right eye?

Between us, something smells.

What time is it when the clock strikes 13?

Time to get a new clock

PUZZLES: Can you work these out?

a) Billy’s mother had children.

The the firstroad? was named Lala, the second was named Lele, the third was Why did thefive dinosaur cross named Lili, the fourth was named Lolo. What was the fifth child named?

Because the chicken wasn’t born yet

b) Choose the correct sentence: “the yolk of the egg is white” or “the yolk of the egg is white.”

Why can’t Elsa from Frozen have a balloon?

she will “let it go, let Jupiter it go.” and Saturn, but not in Venus or Neptune. What is it? c) You can Because find it in Mercury, Earth, Mars, 32

33

34

35

Teimlo yn Unig?

Pick up the phone to our

‘TY CROESO LISTENING EAR’ Mon-Fri 5-6 p.m. (from May 3rd) 07376 529332 Just for a chat with one of our volunteers, or to share ideas and information.

Mae sgwrs yn medru helpu llawer i leddfu unigrwydd, a’r teimlad o fod yn ynysig.

Mae ein gwirfoddolwyr ar gael Dydd Llun—Dydd Gwener 5-6 ar y llinell cymorth: 07376 529332 36

As society starts to open up again from lockdown, Ty Croeso is re-launching some of its old activities and doing some things a bit differently. Seated exercise has started up again in Vardre Hall, Mondays at 10.30 for 45 mins (donation of £3); Repair Cafe will be open on June 12th and July 10th between 10.00 and 12.00 at Vardre Hall, but by appointment only (text or phone 07790 546890 after June 1st); and a new weekly Wellbeing group will start in June, also at Vardre Hall - check the notices on our door at 97 High street or our Facebook for information. Our occasional Walks for Wellbeing may re-start soon.

Foodbank continues to be open on Tuesdays 10-12 at 97 High Street, and the Siop Siarad, Welsh conversation group continues online on Friday mornings. Another new venture is the Ty Croeso Listening Ear for anyone feeling lonely and isolated, between 5 and 6 Monday to Friday, on 07376 529332 (see image). We've also had the privilege and responsibility of managing a pot of money from a local benefactor, aimed at supporting people who are in difficulty due to Covid and lockdown and helping to build resilience for the future.

We've given grants from this 'pot' to projects in local schools; to support young carers; to help fund the community garden and a fruit salvage project; to back a new project for those experiencing mental health problems; and to resource a church youth group who've been helping others during lockdown. It's great to see so much positive activity in Clydach at the moment, and to be a part of the community's response in these difficult times.

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Crossword

Viv Date Carpets

Answers page 45

The Cross : Pontardawe A Family Run Business

Est. 1982

Customer Car Park

Members of the Associated Carpet Group, consisting of over 200 ‘independent’ retailers throughout Great Britain & Northern Ireland.

No Middlemen - Carpets Direct From The Manufacturers C M Across 1. Chilling with evidence of injury at the end of the day (5) Y 3. Supernatural forces displayed in havoc culture (6) 6. High-spirited due to unusual blue inlet (9) CM 9. Endless reading matter produces sound of displeasure (3) MY 10. Changed sprites into spiritual leaders (7) 11. Sounds like passing time with a twitch (3) CY 13. Star sign found in beetle oil (3) CMY 14. Female residing in two mansions (5) 15. Perceive slight difference in pet adder (3) K 16. Trap for profit but not gross (3) 17. Crumbling gardens create high risks (7) 20. Something peculiar in blood diet (3) 22. Spooky evening resulting from dislocated owl heel (9) 23. Legendary little men rearranged no gems (6) 24. Empower with some token dowry (5)

Down 1. Sharp inclination to immerse in liquid! (5) 2. Living things could start with male chromosome replacement resulting in loud utterances (5) 3. Portents revealed in phantom ensemble (5) 4. Formula brew holds answer to workplace (3) 5. Something hideous discovered in author riddle (6) 7. Imaginary creature appears in runic ornamentation (7) 8. Giant featured in Tahiti tantrum (5) 12. On reflection, feline keeps more than one on the road (4-3) 13. Stirred up liquid on a log cut off from another body (6) 14. Outwit charlatan to reveal sorceress (5) 17. Replace rat tail costs with bad end for effigies (5) 18. So one entangled hangman's rope (5) 19. Tissue from some ursine wanted (5) 21. Discovered lair in fetid enclosure (3)

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PUZZLE PAGE Dingbats 1)

2)

3)

4)

5)

6)

7)

8)

9)

10)

1) 2) 3) 4) 5) 6) 7) 8) 9) 10) 11) 12) 13) 14) 15) 16) 17) 18) 19) 20) 21) 22) 23) 24) 25) 26) 27) 28) 29) 30)

All Answers on page 45

Big Neil’s Pub Quiz

What's The Name Of The Computer Hedgehog?

Name The Oath Taken By Doctors?

What Are The Southern Lights Called?

Name The Cat Used In Whiskers Cat Food Who Used His Paw To Eat? What Was The Name Of Sherlock Holme's Housekeeper?

What Is The Only Bird That Can Fly Backwards?

Name The Only Male Creature To Carry And Hatch Eggs?

What Do We Call The Outer Layer Of Skin?

What Is The Plural Of Sheep?

What Is The Study Of Moving Fluids In Pipes?

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LITTER Please help us to help the Police to help you.

Despite the efforts of public spirited members of the community, the litter situation appears to be worsening. They can only act on information received at the time Report on line if 101 is busy ( south-wales.police.uk) The Council officers do their best but tell us that smashing glass bottles seems almost to becoming a fun activity for Tai Tarian some; with serious consequences for dog walkers and Linet and Anthony have been invited to meet with Tai young children.

Tarian to follow up some concerns that you have raised with us recently: Please continue to contact us if you need Some good news, however; assistance • Council employees will give the A474 a “spring clean” within the next month Glanrhyd Plantation This beautiful, peaceful place was so valued by our • Anthony is supporting My Green Valley who are working community during lockdown hard to make a difference We were asked to find out who owns the area and about its • Linet spoke to Rhydyfro Post Office who kindly agreed to future maintenance and development place a litter bin on their privately owned land This is work in progress but there will be a detailed All the above are trying to be part of the SOLUTION . article about this next month which will include a How can you help? If you have EVIDENCE of people who plea for people who love are part of the PROBLEM - please help by reporting to Glanrhyd to get i n Council – via website npt.gov.uk and follow links or ring volved. We will keep 01639 686868 you informed .

Rhydyfro P.O. also asked us to let you know that they can now deliver shopping to the wider Pontardawe area within 60 mins of people ordering by using the “snappyshopper” App.

Finally , Thank you to all who made Sioned Williams MS so welcome when she canvassed in Pontardawe during the Antisocial behaviour . election campaign. She is Linet is grateful to local PCSOs for helping her to give looking forward to speaking ongoing support to victims of a particularly unpleasant up for us all in the Senedd. recent incident Til next month However, we can only help if the Police have offences reported to them WHEN they occur.

Linet and Anthony Cllr.l.purcell@npt.gov.uk For example, we were told about some antisocial 01792 864857 behaviour and dangerous driving two weeks after it was witnessed.

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07432863284 CALL ADRIAN Thank you to my fellow Town Councillors for nominating me unanimously for the role of Mayor of Pontardawe 2021/22. It is a huge privilege to represent the area especially as is my second time in the role. Most of you will know that I feel passionately about getting young people and women involved in politics and that forums such as the council should accurately reflect our society. This is something I will continue to pursue as long as I am elected.

I have had some queries regarding my role as County Councillor for Trebanos and wanted to ensure you that I remain as the County Councillor for Trebanos but will undertake the role as Mayor in addition to this.

Thank you very much for all your messages of support – it does mean a lot to me.

Diolch yn fawr i chi gyd am eich cefnogaeth fel arfer.

Anti-Social behaviour In May’s meeting of the Town Council we discussed the issues of Anti-social behaviour in the area - including vandalism and arson. It was agreed that we would write to the Police and Crime Commissioner and the Chief Constable regarding our concerns. Unfortunately, since this meeting there have been further incidents and it has become clear that more police presence is needed in the area and other measures should be introduced. Please keep reporting instances to 101 or 999 in emergency and keep informing your local representatives. If you have any thoughts on how the situation can be improved, please get in touch.

My Green Valley My Green Valley members continue to work tirelessly to keep our communities clean, tidy and a lovely place to live.

We are currently seeking areas in the Swansea Valley that need a bit of TLC. Get in touch if you would like to join the group for a litter pick or have noticed any areas that need attention. It is also great to see so many children and young people getting involved with litter picking and taking control of the future of our valley and environment.

Congratulations to Gregory Hayward who successfully walked from Pontardawe Cenotaph to Brecon Memorial Peace Garden to raise money for Veteran’ Essentials C.I.C. and Veterans United Against Suicide. Two excellent causes.

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It’s a huge honour to have been elected as Plaid Cymru Member of the Senedd for South Wales West. Thanks to everyone who voted for Plaid Cymru in this election - many of you for the first time. I pledge to be a strong voice in the Senedd for all the residents of Pontardawe and its neighbouring communities, regardless of who they voted for.

Of course, I would have wanted more Plaid Cymru members to have been returned to the Senedd so we could have enacted our radical programme to strengthen our communities. I was proud of the positive campaign we fought here in the Neath Constituency which I think succeeded in highlighting many issues - such as the need to support our town centres and high streets and reform the unacceptably high level of council tax we pay. I will continue to campaign on those issues and press the new Welsh Labour Government to act and listen more attentively to people’s concerns.

It was a particular pleasure to bring the leader of Plaid Cymru, Adam Price, to Pontardawe to visit one of our successful small businesses, Quad Bikes Wales, and discuss the support needed from Welsh Government with the owner Gareth Porter, and I also want to thank all the local Pontardawe businesses that supported my campaign.

52

We saw an increase in the Plaid Cymru vote in the South Wales West region, positioning Plaid firmly as the alternative to Labour in this area. In the Neath constituency the vote against Labour was greater than the vote for Labour, but was split across many parties. The turnout was 47%. Plaid Cymru was a clear second and I hope now to work hard in the coming years to offer a genuine and credible choice that will inspire people to vote. Democracy relies on choice.

So, the work is ongoing. Our communities have serious and deep-rooted problems - such as the levels of child poverty and low wages that existed before the pandemic struck. I am excited to be a part of Plaid Cymru’s fresh and energetic new team of Members, who have fire in their bellies and who will work together to hold the new Welsh Labour government to account on these issues.

I congratulate Jeremy Miles on his re-election and hope to be able to work with him where possible to ensure the best possible support for our area. But I will continue to challenge where necessary, and will support the campaign against the proposed super school plans.

I don’t yet have an office – I have all that to organise in the coming months - but you can reach me on sioned.a.williams@senedd.cymru

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We have a new Mayor, a new Deputy Mayor, and a new Youth Councillor!

Councillor Andrew Nicholson stepped down as Mayor during the recent Annual General Meeting. The Town Council would like to thank him for leading the Council during two difficult and un-precedented years. Andrew can now enjoy a well-deserved rest.

Councillor Rebeca Phillips was appointed Mayor for 2021/22. This is the second time that Rebeca has been appointed Mayor and stated that that she felt this was a great privilege.

Our new Deputy Mayor is Councillor Hywel Davies. Hywel is one of the Town Councillors for the Rhyd y Fro ward and both were voted in unanimously.

Issy Williams is our new Youth Councillor. She was also appointed recently, and I am sure we would all like to wish them well in their year of Office.

The Town Council is very keen to encourage youth participation, and to facilitate this I asked Issy to explain ‘Why’ as young person, she wished to get involved with Grass roots Government.

In her own words:“As young people, our opinions concerning our communities and countries are often overlooked or dismissed. We are often seen as uninformed, disinterested, and reckless, and therefore are excluded from decision making of any kind.

However, this is not the case for the majority of young people: we are engaged politically and strive to contribute positively to our communities. It is opportunities such as Youth Councillor roles that recognise this and allow us to vocalise our wants and needs.

I want to be a Youth Councillor as I want to take the views and opinions of young people in the area and present them to the council, ensuring that their voices are heard – and clearly. I want to bring forward the unique experiences we face and have them considered in decision-making – as I believe this will not only benefit young people but the community as a whole.

In my opinion, every council compiled of adults requires input from young people. We experience our communities in a way that adults do not; we attend school, youth clubs, et cetera, and we must often adhere to rules and regulations inapplicable to adults. There is also an amount of animosity towards young people, as we are stereotyped as antisocial, or rough - and I want to change this through working with the Town Council. It is important that we consider young people’s futures in decisions that are made, as it is us who will take the helm as we grow into adults.

Young people are valuable members of the community, and the work we do often goes unnoticed. I hope to bring attention to this and spread positive messages about young people in place of the outdated negative ones. It is paramount that we break the generational barriers that have developed in our communities, and work together to create a safe, happy, and healthy environment for all.” Well said Issy!

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HAS PONTARDAWE LOST FAITH IN NPT COUNCIL? A lot has been said, written and many concerns have been raised about the consultation of the proposed school closures in Pontardawe. Neath Port Talbot council recommended Alltwen, Godre’r’graig & Llangiwg primary school should be replaced with one large primary. With the bulk of the money to build the new school coming from the Welsh Assembly through their 21st Century Schools Programme.

It is an emotive subject, with strong feelings on all sides.

There are many who despise the idea of seeing our beloved Primary school buildings being knocked down.

Others who see it as a sign of progress within education.

Whatever your view is, I hope we can all agree that the desire should be for the community to have a fair discussion based on honest facts. The council’s inability to do this is a genuine threat to democracy and even to the existence of the borough itself.

Much has been made of the Former council leader, Rob Jones’ recording which led to his resignation and the delay in the consultation. However, the spotlight should have already been on many aspects within council records in the first place.

It was obvious to anyone who read the councils 56

documents that things did not add up. The consultation was full of inaccuracies, exaggerations, and a trend to belittle the current schools and to glorify the prospects of a new one.

It seemed that those involved in constructing the consultation had already decided what outcome they wanted, and its purpose was to convince others to the same conclusion, regardless of the facts.

One issue facing transparency and what prevented further scrutiny early on was that many local people who understand education felt unable to speak out. Councillors felt that if they were to voice an opinion then they may be judged to have a ‘predetermined opinion’ which could mean that they would be omitted from voting or speaking in later meetings.

Teachers and head teachers were fearful that they could not comment as it could tarnish their career. No council employee could speak out against this either. Essentially, we had an incredibly poorly written and misleading consultation and most local experts involved were unable to point this out.

If we backtrack to 2007, before the 21st Century Schools Programme was introduced. The Institute for Welsh Affairs

recommended that “The consultation process between the Local education authority, governing bodies and parents needs to be of high quality. Contact needs to be consistent and frequent to allay fears. Concerns raised need to be listened to, acknowledged and addressed. Good planning and a clear vision of the outcome are required. There should be honesty and truthfulness from the local authority from the beginning of the process, and it needs to be sensitive to the needs of the children, parents, teaching staff and communities involved. The children and parents need to have a clear understanding of what is happening. There should be no hidden agenda. The process should be completely open and on the table. Joint ownership is essential, within an educational culture of ‘open-ness’ to new thinking and new ideas”.

As the Welsh Assembly went ahead with the 21st Century Schools programme, they set-out similar wording in their guidelines. There can be little doubt that our council have fallen a long way short of these instructions. The proposal was unclear, unrealistic and it is easy to see why there were concerns of the dangers which would arise with such a misleading document.

There are elements of the consultation which were so unclear that they raised concerns from Jeremy Miles. The newly re-elected MS sent this to the council back in January:“The proposal is for a school of 630 full time pupils and 140 part time. By my calculation the current total school rolls for the three affected primaries are 446 and 71 respectively.”

“These are projected to decrease slightly by 2024 when the new school would open, and the consultation assumes the three primaries would have 402 pupils in 2024, but also that the new school would have 587 if it proceeded (with an additional 7% surplus on top of that).”

“I would be grateful an explanation of the variance please and, if my analysis is correct, the rationale for why a school of 630 is proposed when the numbers of pupils in the catchment area is projected to be well over 200 fewer at the point the

school would open in 2024.”

“Surely on this basis, the school could be significantly smaller and still provide surplus capacity? Concerns about the size of the school and its impact on pupil experience is one of the key concerns parents have raised with me.”

I do not know whether the new head of Education for Wales (Jeremy Miles) received a response to this or not but this is the reply which I had when I asked the council a similar question:“The additional numbers are calculated from a combination of factors – the number of pupils who reside in the three catchment areas but attend English –medium schools elsewhere (224), and an estimated number to account for the other factors such as increased preschool numbers and new housing (30).”

“There are 107 pupils attending a number of English-medium schools outside NPT. Within NPT 117 pupils attend Rhos, Rhydyfro, Bryncoch, Catwg, Coedffranc, Awel Y Mor, Blaenhonddan, Crynallt, Waunceirch, Maesmarchog, Gnoll and Tywyn.”

It is implausible for the new school to suddenly attract children who currently attend schools in Banwen, Skewen, Sandfields and every corner of NPT. The 117 Pupils added for this reason is a concern as it raises doubts to whether the council did have a hidden agenda.

Were these figures deliberately doctored?

The latter figure for the 107 pupils attending schools outside of NPT is even more concerning. If you look at Pontardawe geographically, the schools near-by and the bordering counties then it is a fair argument to say that some pupils living in Trebanos (NPT) currently attending school in Clydach could attend the new school. You would not get anywhere near 107 pupils but there may be as many as a dozen. There is no other area where the council could realistically expect to attract NPT pupils who currently attend schools outside of the borough.

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The real issue is that any gains would be swallowed up with huge losses. The population of Trebanos in the 2011 census was 1,411, many of the children here will already attend schools in NPT. At the other end of the valley, Ystalyfera had a population of 3,019. Godre’graig 1,644.

It is really difficult to look at these figures and believe that they are anywhere near accurate. A number of 350 would leave the surplus capacity for the new school at about 45%. This, as a business model would not receive the backing of the 21st Century Schools Programme money.

The new school would be further away for these pupils than their nearest school in Powys. More pupils will leave from one end of the valley than will be gained from the other.

The issue which the Institute for Welsh Affairs realised back in 2007 is that when a council gets caught out with such exaggerated and unrealistic figures then suspicions run rife.

There would not be 107 extra pupils which currently attend schools outside of Neath Port Talbot. There would be MORE pupils leaving Neath Port Talbot to attend school outside of the borough.

Parents in other schools look at these figures and wonder how the council would fill this surplus capacity? which schools would close? Is this premedicated as well? Is it all a part of a grand plan?

The reality is that the 587 number which creates the 7% is likely to be LESS than the 402 at the existing schools. It is suggested that a number closer to 350 would be more realistic as Godre’r’graig pupils opt for the closer school in Ystradgynlais (Powys).

It would be difficult to exaggerate the suspicions towards the council right now. An increasing number of parents and residents believe that they have been lied to. Reading the documents, it is incredibly difficult to believe that residents have not been lied to. Trust has broken down between the council and parts of Pontardawe and the investigation in the wake of Rob Jones’ comments do not go far enough for many.

Saveourschools.wales (SOS) have been campaigning to save the existing schools and a spokesperson for them said “I will not hold back from calling this a blatant lie. One which is incredibly dangerous, one which goes deep within the council and one which should concern every resident in the borough.”

“The 7% surplus figure and the way that it is calculated is a complete farse and treats the public like fools. I’d also argue that it is fraud. If you lie and knowingly manipulate figures in order to obtain money then that is fraud. The council have done exactly that to try and get £20 million from the Welsh Assembly to build a school for a financial gain. If any resident did that then they would end up in jail.”

As I write this in the middle of May, Godre’r’graig pupils still do not know where their school will be in September. They currently have no cooked meals, limited breakfast club and no afterschool activities. There is an increasing belief that their school building (which offered all of these) was wrongly closed. That the council and its former leader deliberately closed the school to force this super-school through.

Some have always been suspicious of the school’s closure and its timing, (SOS) said “Rob Jones deliberately compared

CURRENT CATCHMENT AREA Here we have centred the current 3 schools and their nearest out-of-county equivelant to find the mid-way point. We have done this for both ends of the valley. So the Blue Clydach Primary and the smaller yellow circle is the same size over the NPT schools. The red circle is Ysgol Bro Tawe in Ystradgynlais and the yellow circle near is Godre’r’graig school to the same sized circle. The circles meet at the mid-way point 58

Godre’r’graig to Aberfan to get the headlines and to put fear into residents and parents in order to close the school. He knew full well that it was a false comparison, geologists and experts have said that it is a false comparison. No geology report has recommended closing the school, the residents next door to the school have been told that their houses are safe. None of it makes sense. They haven’t even done a good job with their lies, it is obvious.”

“The media knew (about the school closure) before the teachers and parents. It was designed by the council to be as hard hitting as it possibly could be. The Aberfan headline, the photographers and journalists outside the school capturing photos and videos of parents opening letters to find that their school was closing. It all added to the drama and the fear which they could use to fulfil their grand plan of a Swansea Valley Super-school.”

SOS says that an increasing number of parents are coming around to this belief. Partly because of the irregularities which we are seeing in the consultation but mainly because of that recording with Rob Jones where he stated his desire for ‘all schools to be 3-16’ “Not many people will read a hundred page Geology reports or a 50 page consultation document and actually check over the detail.” SOS said. “Those that have, realised that nothing adds up, but hearing the council leader specifically say that he wanted all schools to be 3-16 got that message through to all parents. It showed that the council wanted to close Godre’r’graig all along.”

The council face a really difficult task in regaining trust in the Swansea Valley. The investigation will look into relations between council officers and Councillors and this

is something which concerns SOS. “This isn’t just a councillor problem or a Rob Jones issue. This consultation document would have been put together by a number of officers employed full-time by our council. They must have known that there were falsehoods within it. The officer responding saying that children would attend the new school from Aberavon must have known that it was a lie.”

“It isn’t just Rob Jones. We are talking about a network of employees who are paid by our taxes to lie to us. Will the investigation be brave enough? As of yet, we are unaware whether the Godre’r’graig School closure is even a part of it, despite it being beyond obvious that there are serious question marks. There will not be any trust in the council until a full independent enquiry is launched into the way that Godre’r’graig Primary School was closed and the whole consultation of schooling in the Swansea Valley”.

The Chair of Governors for Godre’r’graig Primary School has also joined calls for an independent enquiry. (We have printed the letter which Susie Davies sent into the council later in the magazine). Failure to do this would no doubt damage relations between residents and the local authority further.

The next few months will be a great test for Neath Port Talbot Council. It seems impossible that the existing consultation can be salvaged and regurgitated. However, simply scrapping it will do little for public trust. The new leader of the council Edward Latham will need to work with residents for that. An independent enquiry into the school consultation and the Godre’r’graig school closure is a must. Its findings could seriously damage the council but the failure to have an enquiry could destroy either democracy or the Borough council all together.

PROPOSED CATCHMENT AREA Here we have removed the 3 existing schools and replaced it with the proposed new school near the Leisure Centre in Pontardawe. You can clearly see that the proposed school would gain slightly Swansea side of the valley but lose pupils substantially the Powys side. This would result in more Neath Port Talbot pupils being closer to an out of county English medium school than a NPT school.

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*Below is a letter to Neath Port Talbot Council from Chair of Governers Dr Susie Davies Dear Mrs Jones In the light of recent events concerning the leader of NPTCBC, Rob Jones, and comments made in the recording released on Friday 8th March, I am writing to you on behalf of the governing board of Godre’rgraig Primary School. I would like to raise the following concerns regarding the closure of Godre’rgraig Primary’s school site in the village in July 2019, and the subsequent actions of the borough council concerning Godre’rgraig School and its inclusion in the new 3-11 school which has recently completed its consultation period.

I am attaching, with the email containing this letter, my letter to the SIPP team, dated 19th November 2020, outlining my considerable concerns about the school reorganisation proposal, not least, the misleading consultation documents supplied by NPTCBC. Our concerns start from the time of the announcement that a 3-16 school might be an option for the Pontardawe area, approximately a year before the ‘temporary’ closure of Godre’rgraig School in July 2019. As a governing board, our concerns relate to the overlapping issues of a) the process undertaken which resulted in the Godre’rgraig School site being closed and the school being moved to temporary accommodation with no efforts made since, to return the school to its original site; and b) the intention of the council to include Godre’rgraig in plans for a large 3-11 school achieved through the closure of Llangiwg and Alltwen primary schools as well as permanently closing Godre’rgraig. The recently released recording gives me significant concerns that our early suspicions around the motives for temporarly closing Godre’rgraig school site were not honestly presented to us as a governing body. I have listed our concerns below.

1.

We would like to know when the report was commissioned from ESP into the land surrounding Godre’rgraig School. We are concerned about the possibility of a predetermined decision in respect to this. Why did the council wait so long after the Panteg landslip before commissioning the survey? Was it because at the point in 2017/18 when the governing body were first informed of the possibility of our school being included in a 3-16 school, there needed to be a suitable reason for Godre’rgraig school being included in the plan. Given the proposed location for the 3-11 school, the inclusion of Godre’rgraig does not make a great deal of sense given its catchment area. We were already concerned about this at the time of the sudden closure and named this concern.

We were told by Rob Jones, that there was no link between the decision to close the school site and plans for a 3-11 school and that ‘all efforts’ would be made to return the school to its original site as soon as possible.

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2. The school site was closed in July 2019 and temporarily relocated to the grounds of Cwmtawe on the basis of the ESP report. As Chair of Governors, I was informed of a risk but not given the report to read until after I was asked to make a decision regarding the closure of the school site. Rob Jones did an interview with the press before parents and teachers at the school were informed. In this interview, he used extremely emotive language and likened the situation to the Aberfan disaster of 1966. As I’m sure anyone who has had time to digest the ESP reports of June 2019 and March 2020 and the subsequent January 2021 ESP report on the surrounding houses, it is absolutely clear that the two situations are very different from each other.

3.

As a governing body, we were given the impression we might influence the decision about where to locate the temporary school. However, in reality, all other options than the Cwmtawe site were dismissed. We are now concerned that this was because it was in the interest of the council to relocate the school to Cwmtawe, near where the, at the time yet to be announced, new 3-11 school was to be proposed. We now believe this was so that they could argue that parents were managing to get their children to school and that therefore, the returning of Godre’rgraig School to its original site would not be necessary. I can assure you that our parents are not happy, but were left with very little choice. It is a reflection on the dedication of the headteacher and the teachers at the school, that pupils and parents have adapted and that school continues to function well on its temporary site.

4. The final report by ESP on the Godre’rgraig school site and the risks associated with the land behind the school, was publically released in March 2020. This proposed options for remedial safety measures which we assumed would be progressed and quotes secured. To date we are not aware of any costing of remedial measures, any quotes for work, or even any visits to site to explore this further. We wonder if this inertia on this was because the school was always destined to be included in the 3-11 school plan – as such a predetermined decision. We believe that had the measures been costed and actioned, we could have been back at the Godre’rgraig School Graig Road site by now, and the portacabin hire costs could be terminated.

5.

We are very concerned by the inclusion of Godre’rgraig School in the plan for a 3-11 school in Pontardawe. We strongly believe this does not meet the needs of pupils from the north of the valley in any way. Please see the attached letter sent to the SIPP as part of the consultation for further expansion of this concern.

6.

We have significant and so far unaddressed concerns about the inaccurate and misleading consultation documents relating the 3-11 school proposal. We understand that according to Welsh Government school reorganisation guidance, consultation documents should contain an accurate reflection of the facts concerning school closure. In this case, the documents simply state that Godre’rgraig School cannot return to its former site. We believe this was a deliberate attempt to mislead the public and to bias the consultation in favour of the predetermined decision to close Godre’rgraig School along with Llangiwg and Alltwen Primary Schools.

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These are our concerns regarding Godre’rgraig School and the decisions and actions made over the past four years. In the light of the recent recording, it would appear that Rob Jones does not have the interests of the people and communities he serves at the forefront of his agenda, nor does he respect individual members of the community. He clearly states, in the recently released recording, that if he had his way, ‘all schools would be 3-16’ and we believe this suggests that he had already made his decision in 2019, if not before this time. This is at least a full year before the announcement to create a 3-11 primary school was made public, and the consultation process was started. He also suggests that he is willing to ‘find money down the back of sofas’ to push through things that he would like to push through regardless of whether this is best for the people he is supposed to represent. We are concerned that Godre’rgraig School was temporarily relocated to the Cwmtawe site and then included in the 3-11 primary school plan, in order to facilitate the eventual creation of a 3-16 school here.

01269 597934 / 07919282291 Sansflowers@hotmail.com

We believe that the proposal for a large primary school in Pontardawe is not only failing to prioritise the best interests of pupils and the community, but is also a gross misuse of public money. We now understand that 21st Century Schools funding can be spent on refurbishing and upgrading existing buildings, having previously been told that this was not the case. We believe that this would better serve the primary school pupils of these communities and enable successful local schools to remain open. It is also likely that this would cost significantly less than the estimated £22 million cost of a new large 3-11 primary school.

I would like the points I have raised in this letter to be put before any committee or body responsible for investigating the leadership of NPTCBC and the possibility of inappropriate behaviour by Rob Jones and others at senior level within the council. We would like to see a public inquiry into the 3-16 school plan, and in particular into the biased, misleading and inaccurate consultation documents.

I look forward to reading your response to the points raised.

Yours sincerely Dr Susie Davies Chair of Governers Godre’rgraig Primary School 61

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