Curtain up at the Grand Pavilion

Audiences and performers at Porthcawl's Grand Pavilion have been enjoying the benefits of new stage curtains and a new state-of-the-art loudspeaker system thanks to two generous contributions made by Porthcawl Town Council in partnership with the Grand Pavilion.

Welsh manufacturing has also benefited from the partnership, as the chosen loudspeaker system was designed and manufactured in Mid Wales.

Staff at the Grand Pavilion, which is part of Bridgend County Borough Council's Arts and Culture service, were well aware that the velour fabric of the old house curtains was literally turning to dust.

Wayne Francis, Technical Manager, said: “The curtains were at least 30 years old and had served us incredibly well, but the constant wear and tear and aging of the fabric meant that it was no longer feasible to maintain them.

“Specialist theatrical company, ASG Stage Ltd, was commissioned to install new curtain track, controller, motorised drive and – of course – a lovely pair of red velour curtains.

“The new curtains glide open at the touch of a button and make an important difference to every performance.”

Similarly, the last significant upgrade to the in-house PA system was 20 years ago. In recent years, it had become obvious that the system was no longer fit for purpose.

Assistant Manager Mark Phillips said: “In the last few years, we had made best use of the existing equipment available to us within the Grand Pavilion and Arts Service. However, it was clear that we needed to take a very significant step forward if we were to keep up with what other similar venues were already offering their audiences and performers.”

“Our mission was clear – find an affordable system of the highest quality that would cater for our vast range of events, from drama and ballet to comedy and live music, and everything in between!

“One of the systems we auditioned stood head and shoulders above the rest and was unanimously chosen. Financially, it also made a lot of sense. To learn that it was designed and built in Wales was a welcome bonus.

“The system has already been used with a wide variety of events and we are extremely satisfied with how it is performing.”

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Global Enterprise Week

Bridgend County Borough Council’s Economic Development Unit will be joining a worldwide movement of entrepreneurial people during the month of November.

As part of Global Enterprise Week, millions of people will be unleashing their business potential between 16-20 November 2009 and turning their ideas into reality.

Enterprise Week has been running in the UK since 2004. Last year it became part of a wider global movement, Global Entrepreneurship Week, which took place in 77 countries.

Ray Pearce, Head of Economic Development, said: “We will be carrying out a range of activities in the county borough throughout the week. On Monday, we will be supporting the work of the Education Business Partnership and helping to carry out mock interviews with year 11 pupils.

“On Tuesday, we will be holding a ‘Finance for Business’ surgery at the Innovation Centre with funding specialists from Bridgend County Borough Council, Welsh Assembly Government FS4B, Finance Wales and the Supplier Development Programme.

On Wednesday, we will be hosting a ‘Presenting with Confidence’ workshop. This will be a very practical morning for individuals to develop their business presentation skills, and will be delivered by Team Coaching Network at the Waterton Centre in Bridgend.

“On Thursday, we will celebrate Global Social Enterprise Day by holding our first ever Social Enterprise Trade Fair. This day will profile a wide range of products and services that are produced and delivered by social enterprises.”

For more information call 01656 641359 or e-mail business@bridgend.gov.uk

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Medal joy for Land Army’s Joyce

A former Land Army girl from Bridgend has been recognised for her valuable contribution to Britain's war effort.

Joyce Collins, aged 82, formerly from Ogmore-By Sea but now living in Bridgend, was just 15 when she joined up, doing work like bailing hay and straw, digging up potatoes and snow clearing in and around the farms and fields of the Vale of Glamorgan.

She even found herself chasing rats around the barn and ‘disposing’ of them with a pitch fork.

Now, more than 60 years on, she has received a certificate and a medal from Defra, the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, to mark her efforts.

Her three daughters then contacted Bridgend County Borough Council and the authority arranged for the Mayor of Bridgend County Borough Jeff Tildesley to formally present the medal to Mrs Collins.

Mrs Collins said: “It actually was a wonderful life and I really enjoyed that time. My mother wasn’t so pleased though. One day a local farmer gave us all a sack of potatoes as a thank you for the work we had done for him. When my mother saw me arriving home at the gate she said ‘I never thought I’d see a daughter of mine walking up the road carrying a sack of potatoes’.

“Of course girls were very much girls until then and the sight of them doing manual work was sometimes distressing to their mothers. But we all loved it and it’s nice to receive this medal recognising the contribution we made.”

Mayor Tildesley added: “It’s a pleasure to meet this wonderful lady who, like so many others, did work that meant the men could go away and fight to give us our freedom. This medal is thoroughly deserved.”

As well as sharing her memories with the Mayor, Mrs Collins also brought in some other reminders of her Land Army Days – photographs and her Land Army breeches, still in excellent condition and complete with their 24 inch waist label!

One of Mrs Collins’s three daughters. Jayne Thomas, said she was delighted her mum’s contribution has been recognised.

She added: “I’d like to thank Bridgend County Borough Council for arranging this lovely afternoon for our mother and the Mayor for making this presentation which means so much to all of us.”

To apply for the Women's Land Army medal, call Defra on 08459 335577 or visit http://www.defra.gov.uk/foodfarm/farmmanage/working/wla

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Valleys people called upon to help shape positive future

A marketing campaign has been launched to position The Valleys as the Heart and Soul of Wales, building on the investment in the region to date and helping shape future plans to boost the local economy for years to come. For the first time The Valleys will be marketed through a campaign that will focus on promoting their attractions to local people and visitors.

Research carried out has shown The Valleys are seen by many people as the Heart and Soul of Wales, reflecting the warmth of Valleys people, strong sense of community and the area’s unique industrial past, turning rural Wales into the world’s first industrialised nation.

The first phase of the campaign urges the one million people that live in the 540 square miles that make up The Valleys, to have their say on what makes them most proud of the area in which they live. They are being invited to ‘Go on, do us proud’ and explain why they love The Valleys. Their views will feature in follow-up marketing campaigns and help shape future spend in the area. Feedback will be featured on the campaign website www.heartandsoulofwales.co.uk.

Using the brand ‘The Valleys - Heart and Soul of Wales’, the local authorities, which cover the former South Wales coalfield, have joined in partnership with many other statutory bodies and third sector organisations that make up The Valleys Partnership, working in collaboration with the Heads of the Valleys and the Western Valleys Strategic Regeneration Programmes. Together they are promoting positive perceptions of the area encouraging more visitors and attracting potential inward investors, as part of a wider integrated environmental programme. It is an important strand of the Welsh Assembly Government’s regeneration strategy.

Initial research has revealed that Valleys residents already think very positively about the areas in which they live and are now being urged to spread the word.

"The natural beauty of the area is unparalleled, and the mountains are stunning," says one of the campaign’s ‘ambassadors’, Mavis Ashford of Ton Pentre. "Some people have an idea that the Valleys are unsightly and full of slag heaps, but they couldn’t be more wrong. When they come up here they are surprised by just how lovely it is." She added, "Lots of people have the wrong idea about life here. But we aren’t only about greenness, scenery and interesting places to visit – we’ve also got great communities. There is something special about Valleys people."

The Heart and Soul branding will be seen across The Valleys and anyone with a business, pub, club or community group is being asked to get involved and join the campaign to put The Valleys firmly on the map. Arriva Trains Wales has also climbed on board and are using their trains and platforms to promote the message.

The Heart and Soul of Wales campaign covers local authority areas of Blaenau Gwent, Torfaen, Merthyr Tydfil, Caerphilly, Rhondda Cynon Taf and Bridgend, northern areas of Swansea and Neath Port Talbot and eastern Valleys of Carmarthenshire.

Welsh Assembly Government Deputy Minister for Regeneration Leighton Andrews said: "The Valleys have changed beyond recognition in just a generation. The area has become a great place to live, with an excellent environment, lots to do and plenty to be proud of. We know that’s what many people think. The ‘Heart and Soul of Wales’ campaign is a way of taking that message to a wider audience, to attract more people to come and see for themselves."

He added, "The Valleys have good transport links and they are easily accessible to visitors. Coupled with large scale investment by the Welsh Assembly Government’s regeneration strategy, local people can play a part in changing old fashioned perceptions about what they feel is the Heart and Soul of Wales."

Valleys people are being urged to share their views and say why they love The Valleys. Comments can be submitted through www.heartandsoulofwales.co.uk or by texting ‘VALLEYS’ followed by your name, town and message to 60777.

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Drugs Operation Hailed As Success

A combined operation involving the Bridgend Neighbourhood Policing Team, the police helicopter, mounted officers has been hailed as a success by South Wales Police.

Operation Atom was coordinated by Bridgend NPT Sergeant Mark Watkins and was split into two phases: firstly to target the misuse of controlled drugs in the Wildmill area of Bridgend and then to provide reassurance to the law abiding residents in the community.

The first phase involved 44 police officers who simultaneously executed warrants at various addresses in the area. Drugs were found and several arrests were made. As officers led out suspects to waiting police vehicles local residents began clapping.

Also used were roads policing officers and Automatic Number Plate Recognition (ANPR) technology to identify vehicles involved in crime. The force helicopter was also engaged to assist officers on the ground, and remind members of the public via their tannoy ‘air shout’ speaker to help the police keep their neighbourhoods safe and ‘Rat on a Rat’.

Operation Atom resulted in six arrests for various offences including the supply of heroin, theft, and driving whilst disqualified. There were also 41 persons searched who were also believed to be involved in the misuse of controlled substances. Class ‘A’, ‘B’ and ‘C’ drugs were recovered as well as stolen property including three motor vehicles.

During the second phase the force helicopter conducted a fly over at Trelales Primary School in Laleston. The helicopter hovered above the school while delighted children were able to wave to the crew. The children stood in formation making a letter “T” for Trelales.

The head teacher staff and pupils were all delighted and very excited when they were informed that the police helicopter would visit the school.

Mr Clive Evans the headmaster of Trelales Primary School said: “The visit created many opportunities to enhance the curriculum through first hand experience of the varied aspects of work undertaken by the police.”

Bridgend Sector Commander, Inspector Jay Winslade-Gregory said: “This was a thoroughly enjoyable operation. Local police officers led these warrants and to see the satisfaction on the local resident’s faces was really rewarding.

“Lots of officers who took part in the operation have mentioned how satisfying it was to hear the applause from the community. Tackling drugs is a PACT priority for Wildmill. If you have a local problem that you would like us to address in your community, either come along to your next PACT meeting or get in touch with your local community officer.”

The force helicopter Inspector Gary Smart said: “It was a pleasure for the Force Air Support Unit to get involved to help the Bridgend officers tackle drug supply locally and also to see the happy children at the school.”

County Borough Councillor for the Morfa Ward Peter Foley said: “I thoroughly applaud the action taken by South Wales Police which has already greatly reassured residents in Wildmill.”

Photograph: Pupils outside Trelales School

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Alcohol Seized From Under Age Drinkers in Bridgend

Neighbourhood Police Officers in Bridgend have been clamping down on under age drinkers in the town. As part of a continuing effort to combat anti social behaviour, particularly in the Newbridge Fields area, officers have stepped up their patrols and have seized large quantities of alcohol.

Sergeant Mark Watkins said: “Underage drinking will not be tolerated in Bridgend, confiscations will be made and anyone responsible will receive an Anti Social Behaviour referral.

“They may also be arrested for being drunk and incapable. We will continue to police the area in and around Newbridge Fields aggressively and I would appeal to parents to be responsible in ensuring their children are not involved in this anti social activity.”

Photograph: (from left) PCSOs Robin Newman, Richard Matthews, Lisa Moore and Dean Davies with some of the alcohol recently seized by officers at Newbridge Fields

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Investment brings job opportunities for redundant workers

A company specialising in telemarketing is to create more than fifty jobs in Bridgend at a new contact centre and intends to take on local call centre staff including those who lost their jobs earlier this year.

Jigsaw Insurance Marketing (Bridgend) is to create 56 jobs in the first phase and will be recruiting staff made redundant when Pure Insurance went into administration in July this year.

The news has been welcomed by Ieuan Wyn Jones, Minister for the Economy and Transport, who said the Welsh Assembly Government was supporting the project through the Single Investment Fund.

“This investment is really good news for Bridgend and I am particularly pleased to hear that the company is working with the administrator with the aim of recruiting its new workforce from the pool of trained staff who lost their jobs.

“It offers new employment opportunities for a significant number of people which is particularly welcome in the current economic climate and I am glad the Assembly Government has been able to support this investment.”

Jigsaw Insurance Marketing (Bridgend) is part of the Jigsaw Group which has centres in Nottingham and Leicester. The company specialises in outbound sales campaigns and telemarketing for the financial services, telecoms and utility markets.

Clients include TalkTalk, the consumer telephone business of the Carphone Warehouse Group, Sterling Insurance Group, Towergate, Energy Helpline, Affinion and Motorway Direct.

Jigsaw had been looking to expand its operations and Financial Director Ian Mihill said the availability of a trained and enthusiastic workforce in Bridgend made Wales a particularly attractive proposition.

“As a company we are delighted to be able to help take people out of unemployment and are confident we will be able to recruit a first class professional team that can deliver a great customer service.

“We are also grateful for the high level of help and support we have received from the Assembly Government and are now looking forward to establishing a successful operation in Wales.”

Managing Director Roberto Milanesi said funding support from Natwest was another vital ingredient enabling the project to go ahead and was also a strong vote of confidence in the business.

“The products, systems and training methods developed by Jigsaw over the past ten years will provide a strong basis for a successful business in Bridgend with the potential for future expansion and we appreciate the support we have received which has been extremely helpful.”

Letters concerning Jigsaw’s recruitment plan are being sent out to redundant call centre workers by PWC, the administrators, and interviews will be held in mid September with the intention of opening the new centre in October. Jigsaw Insurance Marketing (Bridgend) will be based at Wyndham Business Centre in Bridgend town centre.

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RNLI Porthcawl’s new inshore lifeboat to be officially named

A gathering will take place this weekend as RNLI Porthcawl’s new Atlantic 85 inshore lifeboat is named during an official ceremony at 2pm on Saturday (12 September).

The lifeboat was funded by a donation received from branches and guilds and third parties in Northamptonshire. Ian Hunter, Chairman of the RNLI fundraising branch in Kettering, and Kim Matchum, Chairman of the RNLI Ladies Guild in Northampton, will name the lifeboat Rose of the Shires during a ceremony at the Porthcawl lifeboat station this weekend.

The station’s new lifeboat, which became operational in May, has already proved considerable worth, having being used in a search of 22 hours last month.

Phil Missen MBE, Porthcawl RNLI Lifeboat Operations Manager, comments: ‘As a charity, we rely solely on donations such as this. The lifeboat is a fantastic new addition to our station and brings many added benefits that our previous lifeboat did not have. The Atlantic 85 carries four crew members, is faster and has a radar on board to help in poor weather conditions. All this means we should be able to reach casualties at sea more quickly and efficiently. We are incredibly grateful for this support.’

The naming is the final act for representatives of the RNLI Fundraising Branches and Guilds from landlocked Northamptonshire. The funding for the lifeboat has come from extensive Third Party fundraising lead by former Northants Area Manager Wendy Reason, supported by the RNLI Northants Fundraising Branches & Guilds. Wendy Reason is now the Fundraising & Communications Manager for West Region, where the lifeboat will be placed on station.

‘It is a honour to be invited to represent Northamptonshire and to name the new boat on behalf of all the fundraising that took place in that area,” says Ian Hunter.

‘It is also a huge privilege to see the completion of the appeal and actually name the boat. The fundraising has now gone full circle from a box of cash to a Lifeboat.’

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The Ospreys Tackle Bridgend

Bridgend County Borough refuse collectors have been given a helping hand from some of the region’s biggest rugby stars as players from the Ospreys squad took to the streets.

To mark the arrival of the Ospreys’ latest high profile signing, former All-Black legend and one-time refuse collector, Jerry Collins, the squad teamed up with Bridgend County Borough Council contractors Biffa to for a 'rubbish run' in the area.

Councillor John Spanswick, Cabinet member for Communities, said: "We were very pleased to welcome the Ospreys players to Bridgend to hit the streets with the refuse team.

"Our waste collectors work at the very heart of the community and do a sterling job to improve, protect and clean up our streets. It is not an easy job and it was great to see the players getting stuck in and giving it their all on the day."

The waste management service in Bridgend deals with refuse collections, civic amenity sites, dog fouling and litter enforcement, abandoned car disposal, diabetic needle collections, waste minimisation and recycling education. The authority also provides a fortnightly kerbside recycling collection service for waste paper, glass and textiles.

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Special Unit to Target Bridgend Loan Sharks

Bridgend County Borough Council is to enter into a partnership with the Illegal Money Lending Unit to target loan sharks.

Set up to work alongside local authorities throughout Wales, the Illegal Money Lending Unit will work with Trading Standards officers to investigate illegal money lending in Bridgend County Borough and help bring loan sharks to justice.

They will also help the victims of illegal moneylenders and provide assistance and practical support alongside local and national debt advice teams.

Councillor John Spanswick, Cabinet Member for Communities, said: “In the current economic climate, more people may be tempted to approach illegal money lenders, especially as it becomes harder to obtain credit elsewhere. But loan sharks target the most vulnerable members of society and have been known to charge interest rates of 100 per cent and even 117,000 per cent.

“If you are going to borrow money, always ask to see a potential lender’s consumer credit licence as proof that they are legally sanctioned to lend money.

“Alternatively, organisations such as credit unions can offer a safer, fully regulated way of borrowing and saving money. I would urge people who are thinking about borrowing money to seriously consider using a credit union instead of going to a loan shark.

“This partnership with the Illegal Money Lending Unit will give our Trading Standards officers access to specialist areas of expertise, techniques and facilities, and will help us to protect local residents.”

Anyone who thinks they have borrowed money off an illegal lender can contact the Illegal Money Lending team for Wales on 0300 123 33 11 or at imlu@cardiff.gov.uk

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RNLI Search Continues for Missing Boy Swept off Porthcawl Breakwater

Porthcawl RNLI Atlantic 85 inshore lifeboat ‘Rose of the Shires’ was launched at 18:35 on Friday evening (21 August) following reports that a young male had been washed off the town’s breakwater by waves.

With the incident close to the lifeboat station volunteer crew were on scene within minutes; after a local fisherman alerted the lifeboat crew to the boy in difficulty in the sea off Porthcawl breakwater. The volunteer crew immediately commenced a coordinated search of the breakwater, harbour and Porthcawl coastline.

RNLI Senior helmsman Carl Evans from Porthcawl entered the water at the scene in an effort to rescue the casualty prior to the launch of the lifeboat, but this unfortunately proved unsuccessful as the youth disappeared in the waves. Once launched with its four volunteer crew, helmsman Carl was brought aboard the lifeboat and continued the search.

Porthcawl RNLI volunteer lifeboat crew were joined in the search by the volunteer crew’s of an RNLI all-weather lifeboat from Mumbles and inshore lifeboat from Atlantic College. Swansea Coastguard, who coordinated the search and rescue efforts, called in all emergency services, including Rescue Helicopter 169 from RAF Chivenor, a Police Helicopter and a privately owned local boat. Local lifeguards, police, ambulance and fire service personnel also arrived on scene to provide assistance.

Coastguard rescue teams and Porthcawl RNLI lifeboat crew searched the sea and coastline throughout the night. Sea conditions at the time the search began were reported to have been moderate to rough with a higher than average high tide on the evening of Friday 21 August.

At midday (Sat 22 Aug) the search by lifeboat crew and local lifeguards continues.

Commenting on the search and rescue efforts Porthcawl RNLI volunteer Lifeboat Press Officer, Ian Stroud, says:

“Our thoughts are with the family and friends of the boy at this extremely difficult time. Our volunteer lifeboat crew have been searching all night and are working on a rota basis of four crew to man the lifeboat in two-hour shifts, this is to ensure they have time to rest and keep their energy levels up. It is, sadly, more than likely that our search has now moved into its recovery phase.”

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Search for Boy Swept out to Sea

The search for a boy swept out to sea at the harbour wall in Porthcawl at around 6:30pm last night (Friday 21st) has restarted.

Swansea coastguard is co-ordinating the search involving a number of lifeboat crews and two helicopters.

It is believed that the boy was local to Portcawl.

The Maritime and Coastguard Agency (MCA) said survival time in the water at this time of year was estimated to be about three hours.

Swansea Coastguard reported:

"Swansea Coastguard received 999 calls at 5.33pm reporting that a boy had been seen being swept away from the Porthcawl Pier at 5.33pm today and an immediate search was launched involving Porthcawl and Mumbles RNLI Lifeboats, Atlantic College inshore lifeboat, Porthcawl and Port Talbot Coastguard Rescue Teams, Rescue Helicopter 169 from RAF Chivenor, a Police Helicopter and a privately owned local RHIB.

"The sea conditions have been moderate to rough today and a higher than average high tide.
The search continues at this time and there has been no sighting of the boy since 6.33pm."

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