All residents currently receiving single occupancy discounts were sent a letter at the end of September requesting that they confirm the discount is still applicable. Residents need to complete and return their form today. If no response is received before the end of October, the discount will be cancelled and a new bill will be issued. The review of single person discount entitlement form can be completed online or using the Torfaen council smartphone app. It can also be returned by post.
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Cwmbran sporting stars, Daniel Gabbidon, Ian Gough and Gary Lockett have thrown their support behind Cwmbran’s Urban Buzzz, a project to win £120,000 to create wildflower projects in the town. The football, rugby and boxing stars, who all grew up in Cwmbran, recorded messages of support urging people to vote for the project, which is one of three in the running to win a national competition. The messages can be viewed on YouTube. Votes can be cast over the phone for free on 0808 228 7201 or online.
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A ‘safe and sound’ event is being held today (30 October) at Cwmbran library. Local agencies that contribute to a sense of safety and security for Torfaen’s residents will be on hand to give advice including trading standards, NEST, Citizens Advice Bureau, Care and Repair, and the fire and rescue service. For more information, contact 01633 647676.
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Come along to Big Pit today and have a 'hoot' making crafty owls and animal species which you might find on the nearby Coity Tip, plus other autumn-themed crafts as part of the Welsh Museums Festival. The crafts workshops have been running from Monday 26 October, with the last workshop today from 12pm-4pm. The workshops cost £1 per child. For further details visit www.museums.wales
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Tomorrow (31 October) children can get up close to a selection of creepy crawlies, lizards and snakes from Animal Zone UK at Pontypool Indoor Market. There will also be face painting and nail art, cupcake decorating and a colouring competition, as well as traditional Halloween games such as dunking apples and doughnuts on a string. The activities are free of charge and take place between 11am until 3pm.
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S. Williams & Sons, a local fruit and vegetable trader, has given 30 free pumpkins to Pontypool Indoor Market for its Halloween event. The 'Halloween Spooktacular' was held today (Friday 30th) and will continue tomorrow (Saturday 31st October), from 11am to 3pm. The donated pumpkins were used for today's pumpkin carving activity.
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Changing Gearz is holding a bike sale tomorrow (October 31), from 10am-4pm at Unit 12, Panteg Industrial Estate, Griffithstown. Changing Gearz is a cycle project which aims to train young people in bike maintenance and repair and cycle training. The project is part of Torfaen council and initial funding came through the Lift/Codi programme which is funded as part of the regional collaboration funding from Welsh Government. The refurbished and serviced bikes range from £50-£250 and include children's bikes, mountain bikes, hybrids & cruisers and BMX bikes. For more information - 01495 750338 or info@changinggearz.co.uk
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All games due to be played this weekend (31 October - 2 November) on council pitches have been cancelled due to the weather and condition of the ground. The leagues have been notified of the decision.
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There was a treat for Harry Potter fans (7 – 10 year olds) at Cwmbran Library today. From 11am until 12pm, fans of the books designed their own dragon eggs, tried on the Sorting Hat, visited Potion Corner and took part in a Diagon Alley hunt. There were readings from the books, and everyone was encouraged to dress as their favourite characters.
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The council is working with Gwent Police after receiving complaints regarding vehicles parking on Llantarnam Industrial Park, particularly Lake View and William Brown Close and the nearby residential areas of Cory Park and John Fielding Close between the hours of 9am and 5pm, Monday to Friday. The concerns relate specifically to problems that many local businesses are having with deliveries, limited visibility at junctions and inconsiderate parking, which at times could affect and/or prevent emergency access along these roads. Gwent Police will be monitoring the situation and patrolling the area for the foreseeable future and fines will be issued to those caught parking illegally.
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Cwmbran Library is selling its withdrawn music and DVD stock between 30 October – 20 November.
DVDs are £1 and CDs 50p.
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A section of the B4248 Garn Road and Stable Row will be closed on Monday 2 November between 5pm and 10pm to allow a local fireworks events to take place. Relevant signage will be in place and emergency access maintained as far as is reasonably practical. The event is being run by the Blaenavon Blues AFC.
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On Thursday 12th November, international performing arts group Gen Verde will present 'Start Now', a two-hour song, dance, drama and percussion concert at The Newport Centre in Kingsway, Newport. The concert is part of a five-day project that will see Gen Verde working with more than 100 young people from three secondary schools in Torfaen. Tickets are £10, for more information or to purchase a ticket, email GenVerdeWales@gmail.com or call 07592 437837, or book online at https://gen-verde-start-now-newport.eventbrite.co.uk
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The 2015 World Pancreatic Cancer Awareness Day takes place on Friday, 13th November which will be recognised here in Torfaen. Worldwide there are around 280,000 new cases of pancreatic cancer each year and it is the seventh biggest cancer killer, yet so many people know nothing about it. A special service has been organised to raise awareness and understanding of the illness at St Cadocs Church, Trevethin on 13th November from 6pm after the iconic Folly Tower has been lit up in purple, the charities colour. The service is in honour of local man Keith 'Beefy' Jones and for anyone else who has suffered, is suffering or lost someone close to them. For more information on the service, please contact 01495 742578.
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Donations are needed for this year’s Santa appeal.
The annual Torfaen council appeal helps young people in Torfaen who are experiencing poverty and have little or no contact with their families. If you would like to participate, call 01633 647545 or 647539 to be given the first name and age of a child, plus a reference number (names are only given from the 16+ team). Gifts should not be wrapped, but a donation of wrapping paper would be greatly appreciated. Donations need to be made by 7 December. Once your gift is ready, you can drop the gift off at TYPSS in Old Cwmbran, Customer Care Centre in Cwmbran Library, or Citizens Advice Bureau in Pontypool.
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Torfaen’s third Women in Business event takes place at the Parkway Hotel in Cwmbran on Thursday 19 November at 5pm. Organised by Torfaen council, it’s an opportunity to celebrate and recognise the contribution that women make to the business community. There will be trade stands, music and entertainment and a high tea. Delegates will also hear from the key note speaker, journalist and broadcast Sarah Dickens. Tickets (£10) and trade stand bookings (£30) are available. This year the event supports the British Heart Foundation. For more information click here.
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A Christmas shopping trip to Cheltenham has been organised in aid of the mayor of Torfaen's charities. A bus will leave civic centre, Pontypool on Saturday 21 November at 8.30am and return at 5.30pm. Tickets cost £15 each and can be purchased by contacting chris.slade@torfaen.gov.uk or 01495 742578. The cost includes a glass of Buck's Fizz and a mince pie or shortbread. All funds raised will go to councillor Giles Davies' nominated charities, which are the Alzheimer’s Society, British Heart Foundation, the Llanerch Memorial Fund and Pancreatic Cancer UK.
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Join in the festive fun at Llanyrafon Manor’s Victorian Christmas Market on Sunday 29th November. The Manor will be transported back in time to the festive season during the 1800s. There will be local food and a craft market, a Victorian sweet stall, live music and choirs, and a Victorian Santa. There will also be workshops run by theatre company Theatr Silures. The event will take place from 10am to 4pm. Entry is free. For more information call 01633 648562 or 01495 616330.
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Torfaen Sports clubs are being reminded they may be eligible for a community chest grant. The scheme is open to any group wishing to organise activities aimed at getting more people, more active, more often, regardless of age. The maximum grant available is £1500 and deadline for applications is 30 November. Sport Wales is introducing a new Online Grants Management System (OGMS) which is to go live on 26 October. From this date, all applications will need to be completed online using Sport Wales’ website. For further information call 01633 628926 or 02920 338218 or email christine.philpott@torfaen.gov.uk.
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Traders who want to be part of this year’s Winter Wonderland in Blaenavon are encouraged to book a stall. The event takes place on Saturday 5 December from 11am until 4pm. Stalls are £15 and can be booked via Stacey Grout at Flowers by Stacey on 01495 792878 or Kate Fitzgerald on 01633 648319. As always there will be a Christmas market, fun fair, festive music from the Blaenavon Town Band, and the Blaenavon Heritage VC Primary School Choir, and Santa will be making a return with his reindeer.
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Gwent Archives have organised a lecture about the political life of Aneurin Bevan. Led by Nick Thomas-Symonds MP on Friday 11th December from 2-3pm at Gwent Archives in Ebbw Vale, you can find out about his life and how and why he got into politics. Teas, coffees and a mince pie will be available for £1. This is a free event but booking is essential. Contact Gwent Archives on 01495 353363 or email enquiries@gwentarchives.gov.uk
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A section of Lower Harper’s road in Abersychan will be closed until Saturday 21 November to allow Wales and West Utilities to carry out essential work to the gas main. The road will be closed between Viaduct Road and Victoria Road, and signs advising of diversionary routes will be in place. Access for the emergency services and residents whose properties are immediately adjacent to the works will be maintained at all times as far as is reasonably practicable. Residents wishing to discuss access issues should contact Wales and West Utilities’ customer services team on 0800 912999 or 02921 678455.
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Stagecoach service number 10, which runs between Pontypool and Garndiffaith, will be temporarily postponed by the operator during this period as no suitable diversions for buses are available.
Other services that may be used are:
• X24 Blaenavon - Pontypool – Cwmbran
• 23 Varteg - Pontypool – Cwmbran
• 30 Blaenavon - Pontypool – Cwmbran
For advise on planning a bus journey during this period contact Traveline Cymru on 0300 200 22 33 or visit www.traveline.cymru
In some circumstances, Torfaen Community Transport can offer a pre-bookable, door- to- door service for registered users. Contact Mrs Megan Rosser Davies on 01633 874686 for further details.
The Mayor has launched a charity competition for local artists to enter a piece of artwork or photography of a scene in Torfaen. Those who come 1st, 2nd and 3rd place will be invited to attend a presentation by the Mayor. Entry is £5 and proceeds will go to the Mayor’s Charity Appeal Fund, which is supporting the Alzheimer’s Society, British Heart Foundation, Llanerch Memorial Fund and Pancreatic Cancer UK. For more information contact chris.slade@torfaen.gov.uk. Closing date for entries is 29 April 2016 at 4.30pm.
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It is now illegal to smoke in your vehicle with someone under the age of 18 present. For more information about the new law click here. You can find out what the change to the law means for you by visiting the Fresh Start Wales website.
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Most of the waste produced by the average household in Torfaen can be recycled at the kerbside. Not sure what waste can be recycled? A handy guide to what can be recycled in each container is available on the council’s website.
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