CWM a MynyDD
Rural Development Programme Issue 2 • october 2016
RuRAL CoMMuNITy PRoJECTS GET BooST!
Let’s Get Ready to Rural! Walking Working Women
WALES VALLEYS WALKING FESTIVAL Lets get ‘sheDDeD’
IS IT PoP ART? SuSTAINABLE eneRgy
FeatuRes Let’s Get Ready to Rural!
04
Is it Pop Art or Art Pop-up
07
Now you can eat, drink and sleep Cwm a Mynydd 08 Lets get ‘shedded’
10
Walking Working Women!
13
Checking out what is under our feet!
14
Cwm a Mynydd @ the Agricultural Shows
17
Sustainable Energy
18
The Caerphilly Business Forum Awards Wales Valleys Walking Festival Rural Community Development Fund
21 22 24
Hello! W
elcome to the second issue of
are a number of interesting projects that
the Cwm a Mynydd Newsletter
could get supported by Cwm a Mynydd.
– we hope you find this issue as
Congratulations to the successful projects
enjoyable as the last one! Since the last meeting
that have got through the recent round of
of the Cwm a Mynydd Local Action Group,
Rural Community Development Fund with 5
there have been a number of developments.
projects going forward to the second stage of
Firstly, the EU Referendum took place in June
the assessment process. In addition, we have
and the result will have a significant impact in
had positive feedback from Welsh Government
Wales and the rest of the UK. We have received
regarding our Sustainable Management Scheme
confirmation from WG that funding for the
projects and will be submitting the following
LEADER programme which funds Cwm a
for the next round of funding: ‘Gelligaer and
Mynydd has been secured up until December
Merthyr Commons’ and ‘Southern Landscape
2021. Whilst this is good news, we await further
Partnership’. There are other funds open and due
details on the impact of the Referendum on
to open through the RDP and we encourage you
the wider RDP and indeed other EU funded
all to look into these sources of funding - http://
programmes.
gov.wales/topics/environmentcountryside/
Secondly, a warm welcome to Julian Bosley who joins the Cwm a Mynydd RDP Team as RDP Sustainable Energy Officer – Julian has been
Cwm a Mynydd RDP Ty Fry Farm, Heol y Bedw Hirion, Bedwellty, NP12 0BE. T: 01443 838 632 rdp@caerphilly.gov.uk www.caerphilly.gov.uk/countryside
farmingandcountryside/cap/ruraldevelopment/ wales-rural-development-programme-20142020/?lang=en.
getting out and about and meeting various
We hope you enjoy this second issue of the Cwm
partners and stakeholders and has identified a
a Mynydd Newsletter and as always please get
number of potentially exciting projects to take
in touch with us if you have any queries or have
forward – please get in touch with him as he’s
any project ideas that you would like to discuss
very interested in any innovative project ideas
– we are here to help.
you may have. Cwm a Mynydd RDP team A big thanks to all the applicants that have applied to the Implementation fund – there
2 • Cwm a Mynydd - www.cwmamynydd.co.uk • www.caerphilly.gov.uk/cwmamynydd
Cwm a Mynydd - www.cwmamynydd.co.uk • www.caerphilly.gov.uk/cwmamynydd • 3
Cwm a Mynydd @cwmamynydd . May 7
We’re not just at the #caerphillyfoodfest we are forging ahead with the #CaerphillyChallenge #flyingtheFlagForEurope
Let’s Get Ready to RuRaL! IMPLEMENTATIoN FuNd
J
uly saw the closing date for the first ‘open
assess potential ‘State Aid’ issues and identify
call’ process for projects to be funded
opportunities to add value to and complement
through the Implementation fund. The
strategic programmes. Following this
implementation fund is available to fund pilot
assessment, the projects are now put forward to
projects looking to test innovative ideas and
the Cwm a Mynydd LAG for assessment.
approaches within the Cwm a Mynydd LAG area.
If the LAG is happy to support the projects, there will be an opportunity for each applicant to
Through the ‘open call’ process, a diverse range
present their project to the LAG and outline what
of projects have come forward showcasing the
they hope to achieve – this process will hopefully
innovative ideas of people and organisations
enable greater opportunities for collaboration
across the Cwm a Mynydd LAG area. As
and cooperation between projects and help
part of the initial assessment of projects,
foster, from the outset, the partnership approach
each application was sent on to the Welsh
which will be embedded into the delivery of
Government for comment, in particular to
each project.
4 • Cwm a Mynydd - www.cwmamynydd.co.uk • www.caerphilly.gov.uk/cwmamynydd
Cwm a Mynydd - www.cwmamynydd.co.uk • www.caerphilly.gov.uk/cwmamynydd • 5
Cwm a Mynydd @cwmamynydd . May 7
Cwm a Mynydd Creatives arts Week 2016 9th until 15th July celebrates local creative talent! @cwmamynydd
IS IT PoP ART oR ART PoP-uP CWM a MYNYdd CREaTIVES aRE TRaIl BlaZERS oNCE aGaIN or the past few years,
Family Dental Health Centre, St
got involved with each artist
the Cwm a Mynydd
Davids Hospice, Parc Penallta
contributing to the marketing
Rural Development
and Ty Penallta each became
and promotion of the event
Programme has been
places of the unexpected
that allows our support to
supporting creatives share
as temporary galleries. This
reach even further. The project
their creativity far and wide
veritable trail didn’t stop there
worked with 12 artists and
and 2016 was no different.
either as the love of art spread
members of the Mid Valleys
Through the Cwm a Mynydd
out from Ystrad Mynach to
East Art Society and 8 Pop-up
Creatives Network, we create
reach the Living Room in New
gallery locations as well as
a space where artists, potters,
Tredegar, the Workers Gallery
Caerphilly CBC Town Centres
carvers and animators, to name
and Studios in Porth and the
Team and Arts Development.
but a few, can get together
Mid Valleys East Arts Society in
The week itself ran from the
to talk about ideas, projects
Argoed.
9th July until the 15th and saw
F
visitors blazing along the trail
and to share experiences. It
6 • Cwm a Mynydd - www.cwmamynydd.co.uk • www.caerphilly.gov.uk/cwmamynydd
is through this process that
A number of creatives threw
to discover the unexpected
the idea for the ‘Arts Week’
open the doors to their
across the valleys. Plans are
first emerged back in 2014.
studios, showing the public the
already afoot for Arts Week
Fast forward to 2016, and Arts
creative process in its natural
2017!
Week returned as less Pop-
environment, with open
Art and more Pop-up Pop-In
studios taking place in Argoed,
as Ystrad Mynach High Street
Parc Penallta and Newbridge.
transformed into a series of
In a first for the artists and the
Pop-up galleries. Local artists
network, Arts Week 2016 was
collaborated to create creative
a true collaboration between
hubs as M&R Barbers, The
Cwm a Mynydd and those that Cwm a Mynydd - www.cwmamynydd.co.uk • www.caerphilly.gov.uk/cwmamynydd • 7
Cwm a Mynydd @cwmamynydd . 8 Feb
Get Booking, last places on FREE #Branding Workshop with the incredible@Tessa_Stuart @#Abergavenny - 19th Oct 9 - 1pm surveymonkey.co.uk/r/FWZFYWN
NoW you CAN EAT, DRink anD sLeeP CWM a MynyDD WITH THE ALL NEW Food dRINk ANd HoSPITALITy NETWoRk
t
he Food, Drink and
a space with businesses and
author of ‘Packed’ and ‘Flying
Hospitality Network
enterprises that could sell and
off the shelves’ exploring what
bring together two
stock it.
brand and packaging does
staples of the world of Cwm a
for growing sales as well as
a Food, Drink and Hospitality
Food and drink Producers
Expo in the County. The
interested in the regional
‘Expo’ will work with both the
events can follow this link to
Caerphilly Business Forum and
book on to the event https://
Cywain to offer a range of
www.surveymonkey.co.uk/r/
Mynydd – Food and Drink, and
Launched at the Caerphilly
Abergavenny Food festival
Hospitality. Whilst we recognise
Food and Drink Festival, the
talking about how to get a pitch
that, is in fact, three things,
Cwm a Mynydd Programme has
at the 2017 festival. The event
these two networks of rural
worked with network members
will also feature successful local
development 2.0 have merged
to create opportunities at a new
food business Baked by Mel (a
for a bigger and better network
regional networking event to
business supported by Cwm
support to independent
in rural development 3.0
be held on the 18th and 19th
a Mynydd under the previous
producers and hospitality
Those interested in the expo
reflecting the benefits of having
October in Cowbridge and
programme) and White Castle
providers, aiming to boost local
can email rdp@caerphilly.gov.
makers of our amazing range
Abergavenny with a keynote
Vinyard. The Network is also
supply chains and the local
uk to express their interest in
of foods and drinks sharing
workshop from Tessa Stuart,
spearheading the creation of
economy.
attending.
8 • Cwm a Mynydd - www.cwmamynydd.co.uk • www.caerphilly.gov.uk/cwmamynydd
FWZFYWN .
working with network members to create opportunities!”
Cwm a Mynydd - www.cwmamynydd.co.uk • www.caerphilly.gov.uk/cwmamynydd • 9
....bringing the Shed Movement to Caerphilly”
IT’S NoT a NEW FITNESS TRENd uSING a TREd-MIll BuT RaThER MEN IN a
Cwm a Mynydd
+
Follow
@cwmamynydd
Don’t forget if u want 2 know more about Men’s Sheds, join us & @MensShedCymru tomorrow pm @ aberbargoed Grasslands
ShEd WITh a SaW-MIll
RETWEET
lIkES
3.59 am - 18 May 2016
Lets get ‘sheDDeD’ From a chance encounter over a sandwich at a Rural Housing conference in Newtown in 2014 to a bustling workshop in Aberbargoed, the Cwm a Mynydd Programme really does move in unexpected ways.
the ‘Shed Movement’ to
Timber Yard and Workshop
and are planning some trips
Caerphilly. It has been a long
and is supported weekly by
to visit other sheds in South
en’s Sheds Cymru, an organisation that promotes and
process, as a true shed is a
Mid Valleys West Communities
Wales. The project has made
assists in the creation of spaces where men of all ages
place that is led and supported
First and ourselves. The men
links with Gofal and a number
can get together to pursue their interests, develop
by the men themselves and
have upgraded the Working
of other organisations and is
new ones and to spend time with others who want to do the same
not officers or support workers,
Women’s Wheel, created a
well on its way to becoming a
thing. A few meetings later and Cwm a Mynydd were fully on
but the Aberbargoed shed is
series of planters for a local
fully fledged shed with its own
board with the ethos of the project and saw it as a way to tackle
now finding its feet and has
group and have been working
constitution. The ‘shedders’
some of the issues that were identified in our Local Development
grown to 7 members and has
on their own personal projects
(technical term) meet between
Strategy and with the help of Mens Sheds, Groundwork Wales and
set up home in the joint Cwm
(from strimmer repairs to carved
1 and 3pm on a Thursday at the
Caerphilly Communities First set about the first steps of bringing
a Mynydd and Groundwork
ohm’s and hard wood shelves)
Bowen Industrial Estate.
M
10 • Cwm a Mynydd - www.cwmamynydd.co.uk • www.caerphilly.gov.uk/cwmamynydd
Cwm a Mynydd - www.cwmamynydd.co.uk • www.caerphilly.gov.uk/cwmamynydd • 11
Cwm a Mynydd
+
Follow
@cwmamynydd
#WorkingWomen returns with a #Walk & #Talk from the amazing @Jacq_Williams Thurs about overcoming challenges & trekking the #Sahara 10.00 am - 6 Sep 2016
WaLking WoRkING WoMEN!
o
n the 8th of September the Working
been an Italian café in the 1920’s. Tyfu was set
Women’s Network held its latest event
up in 2012 by the charity Drugaid which helps
with an inspirational walk and talk
people with drug problems get back into work.
by Jacquie Williams. Jacquie is the MD of SCS Aftercare Smoke Vent Maintenance & President of the Women Walking Group but is also an avid supporter of the charity Cancer Research Wales and recently trekked the Sahara Desert in the company of Julien McDonald our very own Mertyhr Tydfil born fashion designer, to raise money for the charity. The members of the network met at the Twyn in Caerphilly then led by Jacquie and Kev (the #teamCAM representative and that evening ‘the token male’) took a short walk up to Caerphilly Castle where Kev expertly informed the group of a potted history of the castle and the legend of the ‘Green Lady’.
A wonderful buffet was enjoyed at Tyfu whilst Jacquie gave a presentation on her trek, the challenges that she faced in the Sahara and also day to day challenges that are faced in her professional life. At the end of the evening the members took time to network and ask Jacquie questions. The next network meeting is being held on Wednesday 12th October at Llancaiach Fawr, this event is a Ghost Tour and talk by Diane Walker, who heads up the all female management team at Llancaiach. For further information and to book onto the event visit https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/a-guided-ghosttour-tickets-27729999174
The group then made their way up through the town to the Tyfu Community Café. Tyfu is a social enterprise that is situated in a building that had 12 • Cwm a Mynydd - www.cwmamynydd.co.uk • www.caerphilly.gov.uk/cwmamynydd
Cwm a Mynydd - www.cwmamynydd.co.uk • www.caerphilly.gov.uk/cwmamynydd • 13
CHECkING ouT What is unDeR ouR FEET! – ARCHAEoLoGy WEEk
J
uly sees the annual Archaeology Week
concrete cancer being discovered in the building
and this year as part of that event the
and is in the process of being demolished.
Aberystruth History and Archaeology
Before the land is regenerated and turned to
Society decided to hold a Geophysical survey. Aberystruth History and Archaeology Society was founded just 3 years ago and is a non-profit charity crated to explore and record all things
some new purpose the society asked to carry out the survey to find out more information of about activity that had been carried out on the land in bygone days.
to do with archaeology, history and heritage in
With the help of the society members and
the old parish of Aberystruth. This parish was 14
members of the Brecon Young Archaelogists the
miles long by 7 miles wide and stretched from
geophysical survey concentrated on a piece of
Brynmawr to Aberbeeg and from Beaufort to the
land where bulidings from a former iron works
Tillery Valley.
once stood and dated form the 18th Century.
The Geophysical survey was carried out in the
Details of the actual findings and a report on
grounds of the former Blaina Comprehensive
the survey will be given in the next newsletter –
School, on what formed part of the sports
watch this space!
field. The school closed a few years ago due to 14 • Cwm a Mynydd - www.cwmamynydd.co.uk • www.caerphilly.gov.uk/cwmamynydd
Cwm a Mynydd - www.cwmamynydd.co.uk • www.caerphilly.gov.uk/cwmamynydd • 15
Cwm a Mynydd @cwmamynydd . Sep 16
This Friday we’re @ #Nelson Type #Ewe Sales in Nelson talking all this #agri & #rural - If u’r there come say hi, if not send questions here.
CWM a MynyDD @ ThE aGRICulTuRal ShoWS
i
f you were at either the Machen or Bedwellty
in Cefn Fforest but 2016 saw the show move
shows this year you would have no doubt
to Llancaiach Fawr. In moving, the show now
seen the boys from #teamCAM there
has a truly rural setting and it proved to be
promoting our work. Since our work began on
very successful. #teamCAM partnered up with
the Rural Development Programme back in 2009
Gelligaer and District Young Farmers Club to
we have made it a priority to support the local
create a similar interactive stand to the one at
agricultural shows, to inform on our work and to
Machen and again we were able to share our
provide interactive display areas for local artists,
work and gain ideas for the future from the show
crafters and food & drink producers.
goers.
At Machen show we decided to create an activity
We will once again be attending the shows in
where we could engage younger visitors by
2017 and look forward to supporting our thriving
creating races in the way of traditional country
agricultural industries in this way.
fayres what would include a skill element. We took the theme of short supply chain and gave it a fun rural twist, this then became a relay race where 1 runner was a farmer and the other was a lorry driver, the farmer had to take produce (eggs & cheese) to the lorry driver who then had to carry all the good in 1 trip to the market. These races were used to encourage families to come to our stand and then we were able to share with them information on our work and get leads on future projects from these conversations. Bedwellty show this year was very exciting as it changed venue. For over 120 years the show had been held at the Blackwood Show field 16 • Cwm a Mynydd - www.cwmamynydd.co.uk • www.caerphilly.gov.uk/cwmamynydd
Cwm a Mynydd - www.cwmamynydd.co.uk • www.caerphilly.gov.uk/cwmamynydd • 17
Cwm a Mynydd @cwmamynydd . 19 Mar 2015
Some great potential opportunities highlighted at the Re:Fit Cymru & VentureCymru events last wk providing plenty of food for RdP thought!
SuSTAINABLE eneRgy
J
ulian Bosley has now joined the Cwm a Mynydd RDP team. Julian’s work will focus on working with local farmers,
businesses and communities within the RDP area in exploring sustainable energy opportunities, whether small scale or large scale projects in partnership and community schemes. Julian is also keen to develop some new networks and cluster groups for particular
businesses to develop business
interact with the RDP team and
sectors, in order to identify common needs
partnerships and short supply
the range of proposals that
and interests and to find some new potential
chains. Julian would also like to
have come forward to (and
diversification opportunities for local farmers
speak with farmers who might
through) the LAG and Welsh
and SME’s.
be interested in starting up a
Government, Julian is happy
‘buying group’, with a view to
to work with anyone that
gaining some buying power
feels that sustainable energy
through joint procurement.
based input could assist their
Example ’live’ projects include exploring the alternative uses of crops as non-food products and the incorporation of new, ‘next generation’ renewable technologies into a variety of built
Finally, given the diversity of
structures working with universities and local
projects and partners that
18 • Cwm a Mynydd - www.cwmamynydd.co.uk • www.caerphilly.gov.uk/cwmamynydd
Get in touch to discuss your ideas!”
situation – get in touch with him to discuss your ideas!
Cwm a Mynydd - www.cwmamynydd.co.uk • www.caerphilly.gov.uk/cwmamynydd • 19
the CaeRPhiLLy BuSINESS FoRuM aWaRDs
W
hether you’re a builder or a baker, in childcare or a clinical researcher or even a farmer or financial consultant, we know that there are countless clever, creative and captivating businesses of
all shapes and sizes out there in Caerphilly. Every year the Caerphilly Business Forum hosts one of Wales’ hottest business awards. Rewarding your success and recognising what you or your business has achieved, the Caerphilly Business Forum Awards is open to any business operating in Caerphilly and is your chance to shout about your success. There are 9 categories in total including Business of the Year - Under 25 Employees and Contribution to the Rural Economy. So whether you are self employed or employed, from a large company or work from Cwm a Mynydd @cwmamynydd . Sep 21
Its back, its bigger tha ever & its 15 years old! The @cbforum Awards have returned. Get entering you clever lot cbforum.co.uk/awards - categories-2016
home, based in a town, industrial site or a farm making food or arcade machines, drawing art or building plans, manufacturing cars or fitting tyres, writing programmes for TV or IT or even supporting young people into work, enter the CBF Awards today. This year Caerphilly Business Forum will be celebrating the 15th Anniversary Gala Awards Dinner on Friday 18th November 2016 at Bryn Meadows Golf, Hotel and Spa, hosted by BBC Wales TV Presenter Jamie Owen. The Cwm a Mynydd Programme has supported the awards for the past 4 years and our category, ‘Contribution to the Rural Economy’ has been one of the ‘stand
ContRibution to the RuRaL eConomy awaRd is baCk!
out’ categories that champion the business in our rural communities. Previous winners have included Hallets Real Cider (twice those clever folks have won), Plant2Plate and our very own LAG member Glyn Davies Auctioneers won in 2015.
www.cbforum.co.uk/awards-categories-2016
20 • Cwm a Mynydd - www.cwmamynydd.co.uk • www.caerphilly.gov.uk/cwmamynydd
Here’s hoping to another record year for rural Caerphilly and Blaenau Gwent!
Cwm a Mynydd - www.cwmamynydd.co.uk • www.caerphilly.gov.uk/cwmamynydd • 21
of a series of 18 walks covering all 5 authority
situated at the end of the Machen run. This walk
areas and walks that range from easy to very
was guided in Welsh and was run in partnership
strenuous.
with Menter Iaith Caerffili and was lead by our
The Cwm a Mynydd Rural Development
Welsh speaking ranger Kerry Galey.
Programme team have been involved with the
A manor and more – A walk from Llancaiach
festival since we started our work in 2009 and
Fawr to the beautiful Parc Penallta to see ‘Sultan’
each year we contribute to the development and
the 2nd largest earth sculpture in Europe. This
delivery of the festival. The Caerphilly Council’s
walk was packed with information on local
Countryside ranger service provide the guides
heritage, history and facts about the wildlife that
for our series of walks and this year these walks
is abundant at the park and in Nelson Bog.
were:
Marvellous Mynyddislwyn – An
10 Stone Trail – A trail discovering ten historic
enchanting walk though the Sirhowy Valley
features of the Darran Valley enjoying in breath
talking in some spectacular early autumnal
taking views on Gelligaer and Merthyr Common.
views.
Machen Forge Trail – A magical stroll around
This years festival was once again well attended
the industrial past of peaceful Machen including
and for next years programme the festival
the remains of the forge and a stop at the very
will follow the theme of Visit Wales’s ‘Year of
popular Basil & Rusty’s Ice cream parlour which is
Legends’.
WaLes VaLLeys WaLking FestiVaL MACHEN FoRGE TRAIL 10 SToNE TRAIL
t
he Wales Valleys Walking Festival has been running for 12 years and is collaboration between the
neighbouring local authorities of Caerphilly,
MARVELLouS MyNyddISLWyN A MANoR ANd MoRE
Blaenau Gwent, Rhondda Cynon Taf, Merthyr Tydfil and Torfaen. The festival runs each year for the first 2 weeks of September and is made up
22 • Cwm a Mynydd - www.cwmamynydd.co.uk • www.caerphilly.gov.uk/cwmamynydd
Cwm a Mynydd - www.cwmamynydd.co.uk • www.caerphilly.gov.uk/cwmamynydd • 23
RuRaL CoMMuNITy dEVELoPMENT FunD
Cwm a Mynydd @cwmamynydd . sep 23
looking Forward to @CREWRegenWales ‘Sustaining Welsh Communities’ conference on Monday which promises to be interesting and engaging event.
RuRAl COMMunITy PROJeCTs GeT BOOsT!
a
big congratulations to the 5 projects
the projects are successful in the second stage,
that have been successful in the latest
the Cwm a Mynydd LAG area could receive an
(June) round of the Rural Community
investment of over £800,000 which is excellent
Development Fund (RCDF). They include a wide range of projects from community-based renewable energy, to a regeneration masterplan, an enhancement of a community park and an interpretation programme to a 3D printer.
news. We understand from Welsh Government that there will be two further rounds of RCDF funding available; one in December and one in February. We will hopefully secure further funding through
These projects will go forward to the 2nd
the RCDF which will help support a range of
assessment stage and if successful, hopefully add
other projects and groups – we’ll keep you
value to those that have already been approved
posted but please get involved and do not
from the January round and bring much needed
hesitate to contact us should you need any
investment into the area supporting community
support with your applications.
groups which are doing fantastic work. If all 24 • Cwm a Mynydd - www.cwmamynydd.co.uk • www.caerphilly.gov.uk/cwmamynydd
Cwm a Mynydd - www.cwmamynydd.co.uk • www.caerphilly.gov.uk/cwmamynydd • 25
Cwm a Mynydd RDP Ty Fry Farm Heol y Bedw Hirion Bedwellty NP12 0BE T: 01443 838 632 rdp@caerphilly.gov.uk www.caerphilly.gov.uk/countryside http://www.caerphilly.gov.uk/cwmamynydd The Cwm a Mynydd Rural Development Programme is funded by the Welsh Government Rural Communities – Rural Development Programme 2014-2020 (RDP) which is jointly funded by the European Agricultural Fund for Rural Development and the Welsh Government