The closing date for secondary school 2016 admissions is Monday 30th November 2015. If you have not already submitted an application form please ensure you do so by this date. The council sent out letters containing the unique identification number to complete the online admission form. You can complete the online admission form here. If you do not wish to apply on line you can download a copy of the Secondary School Admission Form or by contacting Kath Worwood on 01495 766915.
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Torfaen council has published for scrutiny a suite of savings measures as part of the development of its medium-term financial strategy for April 2016 until March 2019. The savings, set out as proposals, are to address a projected budget shortfall of £26million over the next three years arising through a combination of government cuts, increased cost and demand for services. To read the full story, click here.
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Dogs Trust have partnered with Bron Afon, with the help of RSPCA Cymru, Cats Protection and PDSA to deliver low cost pet care events in Torfaen. The ‘Protect your Pet’ events are available to all pet owners living in the Torfaen council area in receipt of means tested benefits (including tax credits). Your animal companions can be micro-chipped, neutered, health checked and receive flea and worm treatment all for just £10 per pet. The first event is on Tuesday 24th November at Church Hall, Trevethin in Pontypool, from 12pm to 5pm. The second event is on Wednesday 25th November in the basement of The Tower in Cwmbran, from 10am to 3pm. For more information, click here.
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Torfaen residents are being asked to take a stand against fly tipping and report any incidents they witness confidentially to the council. Fly tipping costs the council around £2,500 per month and spoils green spaces and beauty sports across the borough. Residents can report any incidents of fly tipping they witness to the council confidentially via www.torfaen.gov.uk, through the Torfaen app, or by calling 01495 762200.
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Last week a special service took place in honour of those who have suffered or is suffering from pancreatic cancer and to raise awareness and understanding of the illness. Members of the public joined together at St Cadocs Church in Trevethin to light a candle and say a prayer while the Folly Tower was lit up in purple, the charities colour. A special thanks to White House Media (UK) Ltd,Travis Perkins, Pontypool Golf Club, Pendragon Fireworks, Picture Wales and St Cadoc’s Church.
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Torfaen Employability Team will be hosting a business networking event through the ‘Bridges into Work 2 Project’ on 27 November. Bridges into Work 2 is a European Social Fund project which aims to tackle unemployment amongst over 25 year olds in the south Wales valleys. The event will provide Bridges into Work 2 co-ordinators with the opportunity to build connections with businesses to create pre employment routes, as well as future work experience and job opportunities for participants in the project. The free event will run from 8am-11am at Greenmeadow Golf Club in Cwmbran. Refreshments will be available. Spaces at the event are limited and by reservation only, by contacting paul.roberts@torfaen.gov.uk
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The work on a section of Lower Harper’s road in Abersychan has been extended and will be closed until Friday 11th December 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
An exhibition of images taken by photographer and camera maker Dafydd Williams runs at Pontypool Indoor Market on 10 November–7 December. Using his homemade 8” x 10” large format camera and Harman Direct Positive Paper, Dafydd photographed buildings from the late 19th and early 20th century that still survive in the area. Many of them were designed as miniature versions of buildings from Vienna, Paris or London. ‘We Are Ghosts’ is an Arts Council of Wales funded project, supported by Torfaen council. For more information, call 07858 384379
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Changing Gearz is holding a Christmas bike sale on Saturday 28th November between 10am-4pm at Unit 12, Panteg Industrial Estate, Griffithstown, this is your chance to get your hands on a refurbished and serviced bike. Changing Gearz is a cycle project which aims to train young people in bike maintenance and repair and cycle training. Bikes range from £50 - £250 and include children's bikes, mountain bikes, hybrids & cruisers and BMX bikes. For more information call 01495 750338 or email info@changinggearz.co.uk.
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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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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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The annual Blaenavon Winter Wonderland will be held on Saturday 5 December, from 11am-4pm. This year The Kids Cookery Academy will be hosting Christmas cookery workshops for children at Bethlehem Court, where Christmas craft workshops will also be held. Disney's Frozen Princesses Elsa and Anna will be performing from 1pm-2pm. There will be a traditional Victorian fun fair and covered Christmas Market. Santa and his elves will be making a return visit with his real reindeer. There will be performances from the Blaenavon Town Band, and the Blaenavon Heritage VC Primary School Choir. For more information please visit www.visitblaenavon.co.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.
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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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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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