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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There will be a number of temporary road closures in Pontypool town centre tomorrow between 12:30pm-6pm for this year’s Pontypool Christmas Cavalcade. In order to minimise any disruption, Clarence Street, Hanbury Road, Commercial Street and Park Road will be only be closed between 4pm-5pm. Emergency access will be maintained as far as reasonably practical. More information will be available about the event on the Pontypool Town Council website.
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A section of Broad Street and Market Street will be closed on Monday 30 November 2015 between the hours of 6.30pm-9.30pm to allow the lighting of the Christmas tree and blessing of the crib event to take place. Signage will be in place and emergency access will be maintained as far as is reasonably practicable during the closure. More information on the event is available here.
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Glynneath-born comedian, singer and entertainer Max Boyce MBE will be coming to Blaenavon World Heritage Town next year as part of his Spring 2016 Tour. Fans will be able to see Max Boyce perform on Friday 19 February at Blaenavon Workmen’s Hall. Tickets are now on sale for £25 plus £1 booking fee at the Congress Theatre in Cwmbran and the Blaenavon World Heritage Centre. For information about tickets please call the Congress Theatre on 01633 868239 or Blaenavon World Heritage Centre on 01495 742333. For more information about the tour, please visit www.maxboyce.co.uk
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Former Wales rugby captain, and BBC commentator, Eddie Butler will be signing copies of his latest book at Pontypool Indoor Market on Wednesday 2 December. The book, Gonzo Davies: Caught in Possession, is Butler’s second novel and sees the return of Gonzo Davies, a former international rugby player who has come out of retirement to play for his home village team. Eddie Butler will be signing copies of the novel, and meeting and greeting fans, from 11am.
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This winter police will be targeting drivers who risk their lives and the lives of others by driving whilst under the influence of alcohol or drugs. Gwent Police will lead the month-long campaign, running from 1 December 2015 to 1 January 2016, on behalf of the four welsh police forces. During this time police forces will be conducting roadside breath tests 24 hours a day, seven days a week - last year in Wales a total of 30,718 motorists took part in the campaign, with 488 returning either positive results or failing/refusing to take the breath test.
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Amelia Power, 62, from New Inn has praised the food delivery service she receives from Torfaen council. The council’s community meals service currently helps more than 150 people in Torfaen to remain living with comfort, security and safety in their own home. It caters to people of all ages and staff can assist those who need help due to age, illness, disability or other circumstances to remain living in their own homes for as long as possible. The community meals service operates a three-week rolling menu, so there are plenty of options to choose from every week. Menus consist of a hot main meal and hot dessert. For more information, call 01495 766373 and follow @TCBC_Comm_Meals on Twitter.
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Alison Smith, 40, of North Road, Croesyceiliog, and Mr John Craig, 71, of Llandeilo, Carmarthenshire, pleaded guilty to fly tipping the sofa at the South Pontypool Industrial Estate in December 2014. They were prosecuted under section 33 of the Environmental Protection Act 1990 in Cwmbran Magistrates Court on the 16 November. They were each fined £120 and ordered to pay costs of £75, and a victim surcharge of £20. Permits for the household waste recycling centre can be obtained here.
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Torfaen’s third Women in Business event took place at the Parkway Hotel last week. Organised by Torfaen council’s Economy & Enterprise team, the event provided an opportunity to celebrate and recognise the contribution that women make to the business community. Over 100 people from a diverse range of business sectors turned up to the event, which this year supported the British Heart Foundation. There were fifteen trade stands showcasing a wide variety of businesses. Journalist and presenter Sarah Dickens was the key note speaker for the event.
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Torfaen Employability Team hosted a business networking event through the ‘Bridges into Work 2 Project’ today at Greenmeadow Golf Club. 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 provided 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.
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Changing Gearz is holding a Christmas bike sale tomorrow 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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Join in the festive fun at Llanyrafon Manor’s Victorian Christmas Market this Sunday. 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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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 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 has introdued a new Online Grants Management System (OGMS). 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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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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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
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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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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