Community Mag September 2023

The cost of living keeps rising and rising, partially due to inflation, but mainly by profiteering and corporate greed.

News outlets and government lackies attempts to gaslight the population by claiming that wage rises are the cause are an insult to any citizen with even half an ounce of common sense. Even the OECD (The Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development) has laid the blame for our soaring inflation squarely on the doorstep of profiteering businesses.

Energy companies, supermarkets and more are taking bigger and bigger slices of the pie and blaming it on circumstances beyond their control. It’s nonsense. While they are apparently “Doing their best to keep prices low” they are all posting record profits – more than doubled in some instances – for the very periods that they claim to be cutting it to the bone.

In Tesco Ystradgynlais, a litre of diesel is, at my last check, 9p per litre more than in Tesco Pontardawe, a mere 6 miles down the road. After the high prices of the previous months, Tesco Ystradgynlais’ prices for diesel never went below £1.40 per litre, despite being down to £1.33 almost anywhere else you cared to visit. Independent fuel stations have been much lower than them by some margin. It must be said that Asda Ystalyfera’s fuel prices have also been remaining stubbornly high (although now lower than Tesco Ystradgynlais as I write).

You have to wonder why, in an area that was recognised as significantly deprived by the EU, major global businesses feel it’s OK to hold us to the sword like this. After all, they are keen to promote their ‘community credentials’ as much as they can.

I can’t imagine any worthy mitigation, although they are welcome to respond here. The likely truth is because, no matter how high they keep their prices, the forecourt is full of people fuelling up (although I’ve stopped fuelling up there out of principle since I first noticed them keeping the prices high months ago) and so the obvious answer is to take your custom elsewhere.

It is abundantly clear that this government (nor, judging from what he says, the Labour opposition) are on the side of the people but are in place wholly to serve corporate greed. A Prime Minister with strong links and investments in the oil, gas and banking industries should not surprise any of us when he carelessly grants permission for these industries to continue damaging our climate, our planet, our economies and simultaneously make us all pay for it.

Surely only a fool could possibly still believe the trickle-down theory myth that these people are ‘wealth creators’. They are parasites; wealthy and powerful enough to manipulate entire societies, falsely creating ‘needs’ and markets to allow them to continue their obscene obsession with wealth.

The sooner we dispel the myths peddled by them the better. In a war where we are practically unarmed, it will eventually be culture that makes a difference. We can, at least, offer that to our children and grandchildren for free.

If you want to write to the magazine our address is: Community Mag, 8 Darren Road, Ystalyfera, Swansea SA9 2HP. You can also e-mail us at mail@communitymag.co.uk.

WHO SAID ALL WELSHMEN CAN SING?

When I was at Primary School & we were learning songs for a concert, my teacher told me that I should mime the words so that my singing voice didn’t upset the audience.

Several years later, at Grammar School, I found that my teammates didn’t object when I joined in with the songs they were singing on the coach to Away Games. Eventually, I became the singer in a trio which sang folk songs & protest songs.

Then work & family interrupted a budding musical career until my wife & daughter decided, after I retired, that I needed an interest outside the house with it’s female-only environment. So, they arranged for the Chairman of the local Male Choir to collect me from home one evening & take me to Choir Practice where the Conductor quickly established, without an audition, whether I was a Tenor or a Bass. I was introduced to several helpful strangers who made me feel at home & I began to learn the songs, even ‘though I didn’t read music. It even turned out that two of the choristers were neighbours of mine.

The Choir has given concerts in many interesting places in the UK & in the USA, & I’ve even sung in The Royal Albert Hall on four occasions.

If any of my memories chime with your experiences I wouldn’t be surprised if you, also, would enjoy the feeling of collaborative happiness generated by being a member of a Choir.

Fortunately for all of us, Côr Dathlu Cwmtawe Male Choir will welcome you into their midst at an Evening for New Members in St. Cynog’s Church Hall, Pantyffynon Rd, Ystradgynlais SA9 1EU at 6:30 on Tuesday, 12th September.

Please come along because I know you’ll enjoy yourself.

Answers on page 32

ACROSS

1. Go in, part of garden terrace (5)

3. Ten pals became universal objects (7)

6. Assert length of time is the norm (7)

8. Details change at times (5)

10. Golf accessory, sounds like a beverage (3)

11. Stubborn when changed into beast (9)

12. Unclear and noisy inside (6)

14. On your bike, it’s a little tartan demo (6)

18. Confused yearning is lost again (9)

20. Number trap in reverse (3)

21. Weighty money? (5)

22. Even gin at night makes a change (7)

23. Confused, taxing or no use (7)

24. Prankster is a real card (5)

DOWN

1. Last ice becomes pliable (7)

2. Subject to some smooth emeralds (5)

3. A sleep elicits a polite word (6)

4. Excuse for some Bengali biscuits (5)

5. Mere lad became a gem (7)

7. Stay clear of what sounds like nothing (5)

9. Observe some birdseed (3)

13. Unclear or cubes mixed up (7)

15. Byword in a bad agenda, essentially (5)

16. Boss found woodsman a gerbil (7)

17. Concurs it’s mixed up in grease (6)

18. Pinch sharp object in return (3)

19. Some applaud Iowa sound (5)

20. Contemplate in bath inkling (5)

DIFFICULTY: MEDIUM

DIFFICULTY: EASY

The rules for Sudoku are simple: Fill in the blanks so that each row, each column, and each of the nine 3x3 grids contain one instance of each of the numbers 1 through 9.

FOR SEPTEMBER 2023

by Jonathan Powell, Swansea Sound Weatherman

A er a dry and warm June for Wales and indeed the UK, July faltered, whilst other parts of Europe experienced settled weather, albeit with challenging extremes of heat. August started where July le o across Wales, rather indi erent, with the jet stream's southerly position allowing the Atlantic to continue to produce changeable and at times, unseasonably stormy weather. Whereas some stability gradually impressed itself during the latter part of August, much of the summer season was all but lost. September looks set to o er its best weather during the rst half of the month, with a generally unsettled picture developing therea er. In that early September sunshine some pleasantly warm temperatures are to be expected. On the average for rainfall for the month, with temperatures above average for the month

Jonathan Powell, Friday August 11th 2023

Photograph by Jeanine Bishopp.

There are also various options that exist to help you deal with your debt problems. These include bankruptcy, debt relief orders, debt management plans, administration orders, debt consolidation and Individual Voluntary Arrangements (IVAs). We explain how they work and whether they might be right for you. Dealing with debt issues early is critical, if you are in any doubt about the effectiveness that input from Citizens Advice can have, read this client feedback….

“You do this day in, day out, but for people like me its an absolute life line. I haven’t got much family and have all these health problems and I wouldn’t have known what to do without you... I feel like you’re a god-send as I just couldn’t do any more than I had; I tried dealing with everything but I was emotionally and mentally done with it all. I didn’t have anywhere else to turn; because of you, I’ve actually been able to sleep again. You might not realise it but you’re making such a big difference to people’s lives.”

So if you are experiencing sleepless nights, don’t know where to turn and think you can benefit from out help, contact us now

Telephone 0345 601 8421 and leave us a message, any Tues, Wed or Thurs 9am-3pm Use our ‘Contact Us’ form at;

https://www.powyscitizensadvice.org.uk/contact/

A NEW PRIEST FOR ST. CYNOG’S CHURCH

We at St. Cynog’s Church Ystradgynlais are welcoming our new priest, Rev Sarah Harris at a service on 10th September at 3pm

She is joining the Cwm Tawe Ministry Area team of clergy, with pastoral care for Ystradgynlais and Ystalyfera area.

Everyone is welcome to join us at this service. We wish Rev. Sarah a long and blessed interaction in our community.

Julie Mayes, Val Tweedy, Jules Welch, Church Wardens.

ONLINE, ON PAPER, OR IN PERSON - LET’S KEEP TALKING!

Neath Port Talbot Council is following up its “Let’s Talk” drive to get feedback from residents and businesses on what matters most to them with a campaign entitled Let’s Keep Talking.

In an effort to encourage feedback from as many people as possible, the questionnaires are being made available in a variety of formats.

There is an online version, together with paper copies of the questionnaire and feedback boxes now in place at public buildings across the county borough. These can be found in all Neath Port Talbot libraries, community centres and council buildings including civic centres as well as all Celtic Leisure venues in the county borough. They are also available in other venues including Pontardawe Arts Centre, Ystalyfera Community Hall, St Paul’s Centre, (Aberavon), Building Blocks (Resolven), Vernon Place Community Hub (Briton Ferry), The Dove Workshops (Banwen), Briton Ferry Town Council Community Hall, Canolfan Maerdy (Ammanford), Glyncorrwg RFC and Afan Fitness (Cymmer).

Cabinet members and officers will also be attending a number of events, fun days and group activities across the county borough to talk to people and ask for feedback. The closing date for responses is midnight on Sunday, October 8th, 2023.

Cllr. Steve Hunt, Leader of Neath port Talbot Council said:

“The quickest and easiest way to complete the Let’s Keep Talking questionnaire is online, but we are mindful that not everyone wants or is able to access online services, so have tried to make them as accessible as possible.

“We are encouraging as many people as possible to fill in the questionnaires because we really value continuous feedback from our residents, our staff, our businesses and partners on how we work as a council and so that we can consider this feedback when making decisions.

“Your responses will help us identify what, if anything, has changed over the past two years and will be used to inform decisions over the coming months in relation to the priorities that will be included in the Corporate Plan for 2024 onwards and the budget for 2024 and beyond.”

Bannau Brycheiniog National Park is accepting tenders from those interested in taking on the cafe in the beautiful grounds of Craig-y-Nos Country Park.

Deadline 25 September 2023.

bannau.wales/the-authority/tenders

Mae Parc Cenedlaethol Bannau Brycheiniog yn derbyn tendrau gan bobl sydd â diddordeb mewn rheoli’r caffi yn ngerddi prydferth Parc Gwledig Craig-yNos. Dyddiad cau 25 Medi 2023.

1 Who wrote ‘The Tale Of Peter Rabbit’?

2 Which American president appears on the $1 bill?

3 What is the common name for the scapula?

4 Which us city is known as ‘The Windy City’?

5 What car was used in the ‘Back To The Future’ films?

6 David Quale & Richard Block founded which company?

7 In which year was the death penalty abolished in the UK?

8 What was unique about the 1973 5 Nations Rugby Union Championship?

9 What travels by radiation, convection, conduction?

10 On what day did God make the sun, moon & stars?

11 Who fronted the band Culture Club?

12 In which european country is Tuscany?

13 Which country do we get the pine scented wine retsina from?

14 What type of plant is associated with a viticlurist?

15 Which film contains the song ‘Hi Ho’?

16 Name the operation that liberated Kuwait in 1991

17 What is agliophobia?

18 SS Titanic was owned by what line?

19 What do the letters the letters ‘RMS’ mean on a ship’s name?

20 Vaseline is a trademark, for what product?

21 In milk what does ‘UHT’ mean?

22 What is Barack Obama’s middle name?

23 What does Fitz mean at the beginning of a surname?

24 Before the euro the Irish punt was divided into 100 what?

25 Which country has the most universities?

26 In ‘The Owl & The Pussycat’ which animal performed the wedding?

27 The lotus is the national flower of what country?

28 Macclesfield is famous for what fabric, & the football team nickname?

29 A table spoon is how many teaspoons?

30 In the American acronym ‘CIA’ what do the letters stand for?

Now turn the page for the picture quiz. Answers are printed on page 32.

DINGBATS - Can You Decipher Their Meaning?

ANSWERS ON PAGE 32

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The

DINGBAT ANSWERS

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WHAT'S ON

SEPTEMBER 2023 live OPPENHEIMER

Cinema

180 MINUTES

Monday 4th Sept at 2pm & 7pm, Wednesday 6th at 7pm (C.E) & Thursday 7th at 2pm

GRAN TURISMO

180 MINUTES

Monday 18th Sept at 2pm & 7pm & Thursday 21st at 7pm (C.E)

MY BIG FAT GREEK WEDDING 3

91 MINUTES

Monday 25th & Wednesday 27th

September at 2pm & 7pm

GLANTAWE THEATRE CO: CALENDAR GIRLS

Thurs 14th - Sat 16th Sept, 7pm

Tickets: £ 11 | £ 9.50

KHAMIRA

Wednesday 20th Sept, 8pm

Tickets: £ 10 - £ 20 (PWYC)

Indo-Welsh world music band.

SOUNDS FOR POUNDS: ROCK N ROLL TRIBUTE

Saturday 23rd September, 8pm

Tickets: £ 10

Tribute to The Shadows, raising funds for Community Dreams.

2pm: Relaxed Matinee Screenings

£ 4 each per screening

Includes cake, cuppa & film

101 Dalmatians: Fri 8th Sept

The Jungle Book: Thurs 21st Sept

Beauty & The Beast: Thurs 28th Sept

Frozen: Thurs 19th Oct

11am: Family Film Club

£ 3.50 each per screening

Beauty & The Beast: Sun 24th Sept

The Princess & The Frog: Sun 8th Oct

Frozen: Sun 15th Oct

WELSH WRESTLING

Friday 29th September, 7pm

Tickets: £ 11 | £ 9

An evening of bodyslam mayhem.

Hirfynydd Renewable Energy Park a proposed site from EDF Renewables UK

EDF Renewables UK is proposing a renewable energy park at Hirfynydd, between Crynant and Seven Sisters. We announced our proposals in 2022 and have since held two rounds of public consultation.

We have been made aware that inaccurate information on the project has been circulated in the community. As a responsible developer, we respectfully set out the following information in response to inaccuracies being made.

A fuller statement can be found on the Hirfynydd project page on the EDF Renewables UK website.

Please rest assured…

People can continue to enjoy the open access land and the public footpaths during the operation of the project with minimal disturbance during construction.

There will be NO impact on the Sarn Helen Roman Road.

Under NO circumstances will Hirfynydd Renewable Energy Park put at risk jobs at the active coal mine, Aberpergwm. EDF Renewables UK has no influence whatsoever on the future of the coal mine.

Battery energy storage is a safe way to store electricity. A battery safety management plan will form part of the planning application and the local fire service will be consulted. Please read more about safety on our website.

The solar farm is on an area of semi-improved grassland, and we have plans to improve the habitat under the panels. The siting of the wind turbines will avoid peat as much as possible. Where this isn’t possible, peat will be reused to create new habitats and improve degraded peat deposits.

There is no evidence that renewable energy developments restrict the growth in tourism. Tourism continues to thrive in areas where there are lots of renewable energy projects, such as Scotland, Cornwall and North Wales. Wind farms in the area including Maesgwyn Wind Farm in Banwen, Pen y Cymoedd Wind Farm or Mynydd Brombil, are all near tourist attractions such as Zip World, Afan Forest Park, and Margam Park. Neither house prices nor tourism have been impacted. Further information on this is available online.

Onshore wind and solar are two of the cheapest forms of new energy generation. As we build more renewable energy projects, we will reduce our reliance on gas imports which is the major cause of higher energy bills.

The project is already creating jobs with many of the specialists employed on Hirfynydd based in South Wales. EDF Renewables UK has opened an office for its expanding South Wales team. As our portfolio of projects grows, more development staff will be recruited, and as projects are built, operations and maintenance staff will be employed.

In July, we hosted a supplier event in Port Talbot and nearly 100 representatives from local companies registered.

There are strict limits on how much noise is permitted from wind turbines. The noise levels of a modern wind farm is between 35 and 40dB at the nearest property on a very windy day. Everyday noises for comparison are: Quiet Office, Library 40dB, Electric shaver 50-80dB, Vacuum cleaner 70dB.

The proposed community fund is up to £270,000 every year which amounts to £9.45M over the 35 year lifetime of the project, index linked.

The process

The planning application has still to be submitted. We are working on the final design following feedback from the two rounds of public information days and engagement with stakeholders including Cadw, Natural Resources Wales and the Local Authority. We will present the draft Environmental Statement to statutory consultees and the public during a six week statutory consultation period, most likely later this year.

Find out more about the environmental assessments we are undertaking on the Planning and Environment Decisions Wales portal, here https://planningcasework.service.gov.wales/ quoting case number CAS-02084-T4Z8W4.

Proposed Hirfynydd Energy Park

up to 7 turbines and a solar farm with combined capacity of up to 100 MW

battery storage

generating enough electricity for 37,500 households annually*

Community benefit fund of up to £270,000 per year, every year

CO2

Reduction in CO2 emissions of around 64,000 tonnes per year

Opportunity for shared/local ownership

Context – Climate Change

Climate change is one of the biggest threats we face. This summer, we are witnessing the serious consequences of rising global temperatures with extreme heat across Europe, the US and China, as well as wildfires and devastating flooding.

Using renewable energy reduces our dependence on fossil fuels and the amount of harmful carbon dioxide emissions released into the atmosphere.

The Welsh Government has targets to tackle climate change, including to meet 100% of its electricity consumption from renewable sources by 2035. Currently, only 55% is from renewables.

Meeting Net Zero means that we have to electrify heating, transport and industry. Estimates suggest that this will require a fivefold increase in electricity in Wales between now and 2050.

*Based on estimated wind annual electricity output of 102,054 Megawatt Hours using a capacity factor of 23.3%; estimated solar PV electricity output of 46,428 Megawatt Hours using a capacity factor of 10.6%; total electricity output of 148,482 Megawatt Hours.

As Welsh Government moves ahead with plans to remove profit from the care of looked-after children, Foster Wales Neath Port Talbot highlights the benefits of fostering with a local authority. Foster Wales highlights benefits of fostering with a local authority Wales is in the process of a whole system change for children’s services. The changes proposed in the 2021 co-operation agreement between Welsh Government and Plaid Cymru prioritise services that are locally based, locally designed, and locally accountable.

Within these plans there is a clear commitment to ‘eliminate private profit from the care of looked after children.’ This means, by 2027, care of children that are looked after in Wales will be provided by public sector, charitable or not-for-profit organisations.

In light of these changes, Foster Wales Neath Port Talbot – which is part of the network representing Wales’ 22 local authorities - are calling for more people to become local authority foster carers and encouraging those currently fostering with a for-profit agency to transfer over to their local authority team.

Kath, a foster carer with Neath Port Talbot Council, said: “About six years ago I reached out to my Local Authority. After many discussions, the benefits to the young people being placed within their own borough became evident.

“Changing schools or long commutes would not be necessary, the young person would have a much better chance of maintaining friendship groups and continuing to engage in activities within their local communities and much more importantly family time would be easier to manage.

“Over time I have realised an added bonus is building up relationships with social workers from various teams.”

In Wales, 79% of children cared for by private fostering agencies are fostered outside their local area, and 6% are moved out of Wales entirely. Meanwhile, 84% of those living with local authority foster carers stay within their own local area, close to home, to school, to family and friends.

Councillor Sian Harris, Neath Port Talbot Council’s Cabinet Member for Children & Family Services, said:

“Becoming a foster carer with a local authority has lots of benefits. We provide support from an experienced team, a comprehensive training plan, and offer a sense of belonging to a community. Most importantly, it lets young people stay close to their homes.

“Our local communities play a big role in making this happen. If you’re interested in finding out more about becoming a foster carer, I’d encourage you to get in touch with our fostering team today.

“As a council, we are committed to giving every child the best start in life so they can reach their full potential.”

For more information about fostering, and how to transfer, visit: https://npt.fosterwales.gov.wales/

ACCOUNTANCY SERVICES

Clearway Accounting

01639 262100

www.clearwayaccounting.co.uk

AERIAL & SATELLITE

TV Aerial & Satellite Services

Mark Williams

01792 713998

07778 737161

BUILDING SERVICES

Ceri Edwards & Dean Breeze

Ceri 07421 360 093

Dean 07496 450 144

CARPENTERS

Matthew Harris Carpenter

facebook.com/matthewharriscarpenter

07837208446

matt-harris@live.com

CARPETS

Benjamin Poole

01269 824137

07768 061903

Glantawe Carpets

01639 842522

CHIMNEY SWEEP

Tawe Sweep

01639 415019

07552 354726

Thomas Chimney Sweeps

APICS & HETAS approved

sweep & Installer

Call Gerry 07974 001133

COMPUTER SERVICE

FCS Computers, Ystradgynlais

01639 845304

07591 621086

DOMESTIC APPLIANCE

REPAIR

Robert Owen

07737 325605

01639 843214

DOUBLE GLAZING REPAIRS

www.neilshomeservices.co.uk

07890 500670

ELECTRICIANS

KDY Electrics

07971 861534

kdyelectrics@btinternet.com

S&D Domestic Electrics

07868 172990

Choice.locks@icloud.com

T.E. Hughes Electricals

01639 843826 07759 887395

GARDENING SERVICES

3 Steps Gardening & Maintenance

07866 901911

01639 841827

3steps4@gmail.com

GARDENING & BUILDING

Leighton James Garden & Building Services

01639 701833

07967 280695

HANDYMAN & ELECTRICIAN

Johns Handyman

07868172990

HEALTH & WELLBEING

Cristina’s Wellbeing

Chiropractic

www.wellbeingchiropractic.co

01639 699573

07933 203166

HYPNOTHERAPY & RELAXATION CLINIC

A Mendola Hypnotherapy

01639 730043

07971 260254

www.amendolahypnotherapy.co.uk

PLUMBING

RAL Plumbing

Call Anthony on 07813 822243

ra.llewelyn@gmail.com

PSYCHOTHERAPY

Ystradgynlais Therapy

Call Martyn on 07592 330467

www.asclepiustherapy.com

ROOFING, SCAFFOLDING & GENERAL BUILDING

S&A Builders, call Steve 07977 587 449 01639 701 784

builderbrothers.co.uk

SCAFFOLDING

WRK Scaffolding Ltd

Rhys: 07930 182758

Wyndham: 07881 986160

info@wrk-scaffolding.com

VOLUNTEERS WANTED

Brecknock Wildlife Trust

01639 844273

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