Awards for Vale guiders

Guiders from the area have been presented with a series of awards at a special reception hosted by Vale of Glamorgan Mayor Cllr Emlyn Williams.

Paying tribute to the work of the movement, Cllr Williams said: "These awards recognise the tremendous achievements of the trained volunteers who do so much to deliver a stimulating and enjoyable programme for our enthusiastic youngsters."

The evening was organised in conjunction with Girlguiding Cardiff and East Glamorgan, and recipients of long service awards were: 50 years, Pat Edwards (South East Glamorgan Division), Norah Kendall (Penarth) and Fran Mitchell (Vale of Glamorgan); 30 years, Susan Leverton (Dinas Powys and Llandough); 20 years, Jane Rudd (Vale of Glamorgan), and 10 years, Amy Germon (Barry East) and Jane Prigg (Penarth). There was a Baden Powell Award for Rosemary Tuthill (Penarth).

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Barry school kids get gold for going green

Pupils and staff at St Helen’s RC Junior School in Barry are enjoying a new green accolade - Yellow Pages Recycling Champions for Wales 2009.

St Helen’s, who came top in the medium schools category, are also looking forward to spending a well-earned £1,000 prize money.

The environmental campaign for schools is run by Yellow Pages working in partnership with the Woodland Trust and, locally, the Vale of Glamorgan Council.

The school’s 202 pupils recycled a massive 1,831 Yellow Pages directories when the new ones were delivered last year - equivalent to an impressive 9.06 old directories per pupil.

Fourteen local authorities across Wales ran the Yellow Woods Challenge, involving a total of 495 schools and 99,156 pupils. The recycling scores from local heats were entered into the Wales finals and resulted in success for St Helen’s.

St Helen’s headteacher Gavin Russ said: "We are so proud to be Welsh winners in this competition. I’d like to thank our local community who helped us collect so many Yellow Pages. The school eco-committee is currently helping to decide how to spend the prize money."

Congratulating the school on their achievement, Vale councillor Geoff Cox, cabinet member for visible and building services, said: "Taking the national title is a fantastic achievement for St Helen’s Junior School. The council’s ‘What’s in your bin?’ campaign aims to get us all reducing, reusing and recycling. The pupils and staff at this school, and their community, are shining examples of great local action."

For every pound awarded to schools in prize money, Yellow Pages has donated a matching pound to the Woodland Trust’s children’s tree planting campaign, ‘Trees For All.’

Kimberley Watts-Fitzsimmons, corporate responsibility manager at Yell, the publisher of Yellow Pages directories, said: "It’s a great pleasure to reward the winning schools for their outstanding achievements. I’d also like to thank all the schools and councils in Wales who always take the competition to heart. Together they’ve made a massive contribution towards the environment."

The Yellow Woods Challenge is undergoing a major strategic review and will relaunch in summer 2010 - for more information visit www.yellow-woods.co.uk.

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Awards for Barry young film makers

A team of young film makers from Barry Comprehensive School have lifted a top award.

The students’ success came in the best regional film (Vale of Glamorgan) category of this year’s media4schools film awards, sponsored by Sony UK.


The group, whose film was entitled Year Seven Cross Country, were George Crowther, Sam Adamson and Jack Williams (Year 12) and Alex Parker (Year 9).

They received their award from Vale of Glamorgan councillor Tony Hampton, the cabinet member for education and lifelong learning, who is also a Barry Comprehensive School governor. He said: "I was delighted to present the talented lads with a prize and certificate. It was also great that they had the opportunity to see their production on a big screen."

Now in their sixth year, the awards are a culmination of all the hard work schools put into their films and a great way of showcasing the talents of the budding film makers.

Schools from across South Wales competed to scoop top prizes in categories such as best edited film, best animation and the coveted best overall film.

Based in Cardiff, media4schools is a vocational learning-based media training initiative, which introduces a combination of TV programme production and enterprise for primary and secondary schools.

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First concert for the Vale from its new community choir

Over 50 singers who have joined the Vale of Glamorgan’s new community choir are busily rehearsing for their debut concert performance at St Donats Arts Centre on Sunday 6th December at 4pm.

The St Donats Atlantic Chorale will be performing their first concert that will include a selection of carols from around the world as well as a rare performance of Charpentier’s Midnight Mass, an enchanting piece of 18th century frippery based on popular Christmas tunes.

The ambitious choir, which has members hailing from all over the county, is led by one of the most imaginative choirmasters in south Wales, Carl Grainger, who is also Director of the Welsh Sinfonia Chorus.

Both the response to the new choir and the sales for its first concert have been very enthusiastic, “I am thrilled by the way people from the local community have come forward eager to make music and sing within Donats Arts Centre and Castle. They are both superb venues for choral music with magnificent spaces, perfect acoustics and an idyllic setting.”

The choir’s first performance follows last year’s magnificent concert of Handel’s Messiah which was conducted by Carl and performed by The Welsh Sinfonia and Chorus in St Donats Castle.

The new choir, which is still open to new members, attracted further support from the Vale of Glamorgan Assembly Member, Jane Hutt, when it began rehearsing in the summer, “the fantastic response from people across the Vale of Glamorgan to join up is superb.”

Tickets for the concert on Sunday 6th December include mince pies and mulled wine and are available from 01446 799100 or online at www.stdonats.com If anyone would like to join, or find out more, they can contact John Pengelly at the St Donats Arts Centre box office, St Donats Castle, Vale of Glamorgan CF61 1WF. enquiries@stdonats.com 01446 799100.

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Tourism award for Vale marketing group

A successful group which promotes tourism in the Vale of Glamorgan has been recognised with a leading regional business award.

The Vale Marketing Group, a marketing initiative set up in 2002 to promote the Vale of Glamorgan as a quality visitor destination, took the title of Retail or Tourism Business of the Year 2009 at this year’s South Wales Business Awards, hosted by the BBC’s Sara Edwards earlier this month at the Bear Hotel in Cowbridge, Vale of Glamorgan.

Beating off competition from five other South Wales businesses including Edwards Travel, Pro Air Aviation and Sea View Chalet, the Vale Marketing Group (VMG) was recognised with the award which looked at the organisation’s commitment to customer service and success against its business plan and objectives.

Collecting the award, VMG chairperson, Mandy Davies, said the award recognised the hard work of a dedicated committee. She said: "The Retail and Tourism Business category is keenly contested and we are delighted to have won. It is a recognition of the important role of the support sector in the business community and shows what can be achieved when like-minded people come together with a common goal.

"We will build on our new status as South Wales Retail and Tourism Business 2009 and use the increased profile to demonstrate the quality of the tourism businesses we represent across the Vale of Glamorgan."

The South Wales Business Awards organiser, Wesley Skene of WS Marketing, said: "The judging process for the Retail and Tourism Business category was extremely difficult and, there was significant debate among the judges, the Vale Marketing group was seen as a clear winner by the panel."

See more about the Vale Marketing Group at www.gardenofcardiff.com.

Photograph by opobs @ Welsh Icons Flickr group.

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Council seek to protect staff from 'unreasonable' complainants

A new policy aimed at protecting Vale of Glamorgan Council staff from ‘unreasonably persistent’ complainants has been agreed.

The cabinet heard that individuals deemed as being in such a category were very few, and council leader Cllr Gordon Kemp said the authority sought to respond with ‘patience and sympathy’ to the needs of all complainants.

Unfortunately, even at the end of the formal complaints process when the Ombudsman decided not to intervene, the behaviour of some individuals 'becomes unreasonable' and people pursue their complaints in ways which can either impede an investigation or can have significant resource issues for the council.

Cllr Kemp added: "In a minority of cases this behaviour can lead to individuals becoming aggressive, abusive and threatening or continuing to bombard staff with letters, e-mails or telephone calls.

"While the council has a culture of aiming to handle complaints effectively, unreasonable complainants can have a negative effect on staff and, indirectly, on services as they can very often be demanding and time consuming."

Cllr Kemp said the new policy created a ‘fair and equitable’ process which, as an ultimate deterrent, included ending or suspending contact with individuals in relation to the specific service of which they were complaining. Such regrettable situations would be subject to six-month reviews.

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Warm Welsh welcome round Cardiff

An initiative designed to help tourism businesses across Wales to develop by offering a distinctive Warm Welsh Welcome to visitors, or Croeso Cynnes Cymreig, has accredited its first South East Wales business.

The Bryn-y-Ddafad guest house, near Welsh St Donats in the Vale of Glamorgan, has gained the new Croeso Cynnes Cymreig status after the proprietors underwent a three-part training and assessment programme designed to help the business to grow by offering a truly Welsh experience to visitors.

Croeso Cynnes Cymreig is a Welsh Assembly initiative developed jointly by Visit Wales, The Welsh Language Board and Tourism Training for Wales. The programme encourages businesses to learn more about their local area, what is on offer for visitors and how best to use that knowledge to offer an authentic warm Welsh welcome, which leaves visitors in do doubt that they are in Wales.

Bryn-y-Ddafad owner, June Jenkins, explained why they had decided to undertake the programme. She said: “Our location is a big part of the attraction of Bryn-y-Ddafad and we have always sought to ensure that visitors are given a sense of place. We recognised that this programme would build on the importance we place on helping our guests to get the most out of the local area and would enable us to capitalise on the wider Wales brand. With so much happening in the region next year, we wanted to make sure we were in pole position to use 2010 as a springboard for our business growth. We have come through the Croeso programme with a stronger understanding of the unique characteristics that make Wales, the Vale of Glamorgan and Bryn-y-Ddafad special.”

Education Minister Jane Hutt said: “It’s crucial that we ensure that quality training is available in all sectors across Wales. I heartily congratulate Bryn-y-Ddafad guest house for their commitment to positive training. I’m sure that the valuable local knowledge they provide will be a major benefit for the business and, more importantly, their guests.”

Congratulating the team at Bryn-y-Ddafad on being the first business in the region to gain the accreditation, Capital Region Tourism board member and Vale of Glamorgan councillor, Anthony Ernest, said: "The new Croeso accreditation distinguishes those tourism providers who have embraced their locality and who understand what makes a truly Welsh welcome so special. For those who love Wales and their local area, achieving the accreditation is both enjoyable and informative. This programme is about discovering for yourself what makes the business and locality special and learning how to communicate that effectively to guests.

"Next year is a big deal for the Capital Region with the Ryder Cup and the Valleys Homecoming, tying together with the Eisteddfod and the new developments in Ebbw Vale. The Croeso Cynnes Cymreig scheme is the perfect tool to help tourism businesses and other organisations to identify their own unique selling point and ensure that 2010 provides them with a platform from which to launch their distinctive Welsh welcome.”

The three modules of the Croeso Cynnes Cymreig programme include a course on customer service and a further two self-assessed modules. One module focuses on gaining a better understanding of local history, food, landscape, culture and language to give the business and its locality a sense of place, while the third module explores the use of the Welsh language within the business at either entry, intermediate or advanced levels.

The programme is designed to help tourism businesses of all sizes, from SMEs to large organisations. Margaret James, head of customer experience at Cardiff Airport, said: Margaret James, head of customer services at Cardiff Airport, said: “We plan to implement the new ‘Croeso Cynnes Cymreig’ programme through the winter months among our own staff and we hope the scheme can also be extended to other customer facing staff working at the airport for our service partners.

“With Cardiff Airport being the national airport for Wales, our Welsh identity and celebrating being Welsh is an integral part of our brand ethos. This project is one of many initiatives with which we’ve been involved recently. Others include offering free Welsh lessons in the departure lounge for staff and passengers and working with Visit Wales to develop our arrivals corridors to provide passengers with an immediate sense of place when arriving in Wales by air. It is important that our visitors experience a truly warm Welsh welcome when arriving at Cardiff Airport.”

To find out more about the business benefits of Croeso Cynnes Cymreig, contact Visit Wales on 0845 010 8020, visit www.wales.gov.uk/topics/tourism/grading/croesowelcome or email quality.tourism@wales.gsi.gov.uk

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Compact involvement for Vale council tenants

Vale of Glamorgan Council tenants are being given a greater say in a range of issues relating to their homes.

The council and five tenants’ associations have signed up to the Vale of Glamorgan Tenants’ Association Compact. A recently-formed tenants’ association for Brecon Court, Barry, is expected to become a further signatory in the near future.

A result of partnership working between the council and the tenants’ associations, the compact sets out clear commitments for both parties to work together, tenant involvement and the way in which tenants can influence the decision-making process relating to a wide range of local authority housing services.

Representing the council at the official signing of the compact were Cllr Paul Church, cabinet member for housing and community safety, Cllr Margaret Wilkinson, chair of the scrutiny (housing and public protection) committee, Peter Evans, director of legal, public protection and housing, Tony Jaques, head of housing, and Heather Powney, tenant development officer.

Stressing that the council viewed tenant involvement as a key part of its work, Cllr Church said: "Over the last two years, the number of tenants’ associations in the Vale has risen considerably and each of them brings the views and opinions of individuals directly to the council. They are best placed to understand needs and concerns.

"The establishment of the compact means that the council and the tenants’ associations can achieve real and meaningful participation.

"The council values the input of tenants and, as a direct result of their involvement, the council is reshaping existing housing services and providing new services."

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Armistice Day in the Vale

The Vale of Glamorgan Council is again supporting the Royal British Legion and its nationwide observance of a two-minute silence on Armistice Day.

At 11am on Wednesday 11 November 2009, a short service will take place on the Civic Office Forecourt, in front of the Merchant Seamen Memorial. The Mayor, Councillor Emlyn Williams, together with the, Chief Executive, Leader of the Council and other political leaders and representatives of local organisations will lay wreaths.

The start and end of the silence will be marked by the playing of the Last Post and Reveille.

Councillor Williams extends an invitation to the public and staff to join him at this ceremony.

Please assemble at the Civic Office forecourt at 10.50am.

Remembrance Sunday Services in the Vale

Barry
Meet at Memorial Hall, Kings Square, at 10.15am for wreath laying ceremony

Cowbridge
Meet at 10.40am Town Hall Car Park for parade to Cenotaph followed by church service

Penarth
Meet at 10am at Station Approach, parade to Garden of Remembrance, then to St Augustine’s Church for a service at 11am

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When Wales wiped the smile off All Black faces

A commemorative napkin celebrating the first ever Welsh win over the All Blacks in 1905 isn't necessary an item you would expect to find in the Glamorgan Archives, but amongst the thousands of council, school, family and personal records there are many unique items to be discovered.

What makes the napkin extra special is that not only did Wales win the match it was the first time both teams had ever played each other.

The napkin was first unearthed by the Glamorgan team while getting ready to move into their new building.

The napkin was found amongst sporting ephemera including 1979 cup final editions of the Pontypridd Observer and the Glamorgan Gazette, when Pontypridd RFC played Bridgend RFC.

Susan Edwards, Glamorgan Archivist explains: "We were looking through the sporting items donated, when we saw the napkin.

"This is just one of the unique items we house in the Glamorgan Archive, and I would encourage people to get in touch with us if they feel they have any items they would like to donate."

The napkin features an illustration of the 1905 touring New Zealand team and details their vital statistics including height and weight.


The game is widely regarded as the most significant game in Welsh rugby history and began the special sporting relationship between the two countries.

Executive Member for Finance and Service Delivery, Cllr Mark Stephens, said: "The napkin is a exciting and surprising discovery, and is a great example of how the Glamorgan Archives holds a variety of items that documents key historical events."

Cllr. A.D.Hampton, Vale of Glamorgan, Chair of the Glamorgan Archives Joint Committee, said:"I am delighted that the move into this splendid new repository has begun; this discovery
is typical of how archives can connect the past with the present and I hope that many people will visit the new building when it opens next year to find out for themselves."

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Disabled youngsters enjoy sports in Barry

A group of young people with disabilities enjoyed an action-packed half term by taking part in a ‘sports and play’ week at the Colcot Sports Centre in Barry.

Organised by the Vale of Glamorgan Council’s Disability Sport Wales officer Simon Jones, the week let children have a go at sports including karate, dodgeball, climbing, volleyball, archery and cricket.

Experienced coaches and volunteers were on hand to support Simon and give the children with either physical, sensory or learning difficulties a sporty week to remember. Simon said: "The week was a big success with children ranging in age from nine to 16 having a great time trying out a range of activities. I’d like to thank the local clubs for providing coaches and making half term a sporting success."

For further details about sporting activities for people with disabilities in the Vale please call Simon Jones on 01446 704728 or visit the council's sports and play.

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Caring for carers in Cardiff and Vale

Many people rely on a carer for support and the biggest worry for carers is how the family member who relies on them would cope if anything happened to their carer.

Social services care staff at both the Vale of Glamorgan and Cardiff Councils had heard these worries from carers they work with and they decided to do something to help.

As a result they decided to introduce ‘Carers Emergency Cards’, credit sized cards that carers carry at all times. If something should happen to a carer, such as an accident or sudden illness, the card alerts the emergency services that there is someone who relies on the carer who cannot manage without help. All the person finding the card in the carer’s purse or wallet needs to do is telephone the number on the card and quote the card’s number.

Social services will hold emergency contact details taken when the carer registers for the scheme and with a brief phone call can arrange help for the person who is looked after by the carer.

Councillor Dorothy Turner, Vale council cabinet member for social services, said: "The Carers Emergency Card is a joint initiative between the Vale of Glamorgan Council and Cardiff Council. We’ve introduced the scheme in direct response to carers telling us that one of their biggest concerns is what would happen to the person they care for if they are not around.

"All carers need to do is register the details of the person they care for and give us contacts for three people who are willing and able to stand in for the carer in an emergency. If they do not have people to stand in for them our social services teams will be alerted and they can make arrangements."

Cllr Judith Woodman, Cardiff Council carers champion, commented: "Carers have told us that they want to know that the person they care for will be looked after if there is an emergency which leaves them unable to get home or make alternative arrangements. The scheme will help carers think about what support the person they care for would need in an emergency and who they would like to provide that support. We hope that by operating this scheme, it gives peace of mind and helps to alleviate some of the stress for those carers who tirelessly care for their loved ones."

Carers can register for the scheme following a carer’s assessment. To ask for a carers assessment phone the relevant number for your council - Vale of Glamorgan Council: Contact OneVale 01446 700111. Cardiff Council: Contact & Assessment Team 029 2053 6444. Carers who have had a carer’s assessment in the last six months should contact the person who completed their assessment, or the carers officer for their council. If you live in the Vale contact 01446 704604 or email kisaac@valeofglamorgan.gov.uk and for Cardiff contact 029 2087 3631 or email carers@cardiff.gov.uk.

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Fun at your leisure in Barry

More than 100 children dressed up as witches, ghosts and other creepy characters to have a spooktacular time at Barry Leisure Centre’s Halloween party.

The annual party was even more successful than ever this year, as children enjoyed pumpkin making, arts and crafts, a bouncy castle, face painting and the ever-popular fancy dress.

The Vale of Glamorgan Council’s leisure centres are also ideal venues for fun-packed birthday parties, and you can find out more about what is on offer on the council's leisure centre pages
.

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Suspensful show at St Donat's

Of all the structural shapes in the landscape, the suspension bridge is one of the most graceful.

Web of Iron - Nature, Art and Engineering, which is at St Donat's Arts Centre until December 18 focuses on the engineering heritage of Wales and illustrates the early development of the suspension bridge looking at the bridges at Menai, Merthyr Mawr, Llangollen and Conwy.

Web of Iron was rated as the top science event in March 2009 by BBC Focus magazine and featured in Beautiful Britain.

Stephen K Jones from the Institution of Civil Engineers will be delivering his free talk on the exhibition on December 5 at 3pm.

Visit Welsh Icons' calendar for many more Welsh events.

Photograph (C) Dave Roberts @ Welsh Icons.

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Successes continue for Open Learning Centre students

Now in its 20th year, the Vale Opening Learning Centre has celebrated its ongoing success story with a presentation event hosted by Vale of Glamorgan Mayor Cllr Emlyn Williams.

The centre helps individuals from across the Vale wishing to improve or refresh their reading, writing, language, numeracy or IT skills and, last year, received 580 enrolments, 50 per cent of whom achieved nationally recognised qualifications.

The English, maths, IT and English for Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL) courses are held at the centre headquarters at Provincial House, Kendrick Road, Barry, the Palmerston (Barry) centre and in Penarth. The Family Learning courses are run in partnership with local primary schools who host the classes.

For some students, the courses serve as a stepping stone to further learning and, for others, to greater employment opportunities. ESOL courses have enabled individuals to pass examinations to gain British Citizenship.

Presenting certificates, Cllr Williams congratulated the students on their success. He said: "It is a credit to your commitment that you have found the time to study whilst working and/or bringing up a family. You should feel justifiably proud of your achievements."

Centre manager Coralie Morgan and head of lifelong learning Dave Prosser thanked Cllr Williams for hosting the event and "taking time out of your busy schedule to help recognise the marvellous efforts of our learners." Coralie added: "We are extremely proud of both of our students for their success and our tutors who prepared them so well."

Further information about the wide range of courses can be obtained from the centre on 01446 736466.

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Vale of Glamorgan school celebrates news of £3.6m redevelopment scheme

Pupils and staff at a school at the heart of the Vale of Glamorgan rural community are celebrating news of a near £3.6m redevelopment scheme.

The scheme for the popular Pendoylan Church in Wales Primary, which is 136 years old, involves replacement of demountable classrooms with new build, refurbishment of the original school house structure to accommodate the nursery, library and staff and administration facilities, a new assembly hall (including kitchen) and provision of improved access, parking and a bus turning bay.

News of the massive redevelopment scheme is in sharp contrast to the school’s uncertain position in the late Eighties when pupil numbers had fallen to just 58. However, under headteacher Lyn Murray, who took up the post in 1995, the school has gone from strength to strength and now boasts a pupil roll of 204.

Two recent Estyn inspections, while acknowledging the successes, progress and achievements at the school, did, however, highlight the inadequacy of the building fabric and facilities.

The governing body sought to address the issues, resulting in the current scheme mainly funded by the Llandaff Diocese and the Welsh Assembly Government. The scheme is costing £3,587,500, with a £389,000 contribution from the Vale council.

Following approval of the Vale funding, cabinet member for education and lifelong learning Cllr Tony Hampton said: "The council is delighted to be able to support a scheme which will help Pendoylan continue to build on the excellent work achieved by Mrs Murray, her staff and the governors in recent years."

The local ward member, Cllr Rhodri Traherne, said: "This is a hugely important development which will transform the school and it is vital that the council is able to make this significant contribution. Without this contribution, the project might not have gone ahead."

Mrs Murray said: "Thanks to the excellent support of the governing body, we have strived to ensure that our thriving school provides the best possible learning environment for pupils. This scheme is a massive boost for pupils and staff, and will help the school to continue to build on the excellent Estyn reports following their last two inspections."

Chair of governors Jan Rees said: "The governors and staff at Pendoylan feel very fortunate that, in these difficult times, they are able to go ahead with this development. We are delighted that our vision is now set to become a reality, taking the school forward into the 21st century.

“We are very grateful to the Vale council and the Llandaff Diocese of the Church in Wales for their support and also to the Welsh Assembly for their investment and acknowledgement that village schools play a very important role in their communities."

The new development, which incorporates materials sympathetic to the site, surrounding buildings and landscape, includes several sustainable design elements. These include a geothermal heating system and sustainable surface water drainage system. Wherever possible, materials arising from the demolition will be recycled and used in construction work.

Judith Petersen, of chartered architects Petersen Williams, who prepared the scheme, said: "The redevelopment respects the historic character of the existing environment, and new additions will complement rather than compete with the important village landmarks.

“The refurbished school will be physically linked with the infant classroom accommodation, with all classrooms served by a ‘street’ running between the new and existing buildings. The larger hall will be at the ‘heart’ of the layout and provides a new focus for the school and the wider community."

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Park venue for first exhibition of ‘Viewfinders’

Featuring work by ‘complete beginners to old hands,’ a digital photography exhibition is the latest attraction at Victoria Park, Cadoxton, Vale of Glamorgan.

‘Viewfinders’ runs at ‘The Room in the Park’ from Sunday, 1 November, to Sunday, 15 November. It will be open daily from 10am to 4pm except Mondays and Saturdays (1-4pm).

'Viewfinders' are a group of enthusiastic amateur digital photographers who have formed into a workshop to encourage, help and share knowledge of digital imagery and photography. Members, whose ages range from 16 to 78 years of age, all share a passion for digital photography and wish to learn new skills in a relaxed, informal atmosphere.

The exhibition is a first venture to share and display their achievements.

Victora Park has undergone a major restoration programme by the Vale of Glamorgan Council which was funded by the Heritage Lottery Fund (HLF) as part of their Public Parks Initiative.

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Two-minute silence to mark Armistice Day

The Vale of Glamorgan Council is again supporting the Royal British Legion and its nationwide observance of a two-minute silence on Armistice Day.

At 11am on Wednesday, 11 November, residents are invited to join Vale Mayor Cllr Emlyn Williams, staff from the Civic Offices, councillors and representatives of local organisations for a short service and wreath laying at the Merchant Seamen’s Memorial.The start and end of the silence will be marked by the playing of the 'Last Post' and 'Reveille.'

Anyone wishing to attend is asked to assemble at the Civic Offices forecourt at 10.50am.

Cllr Williams, who appealed for the people of the Vale to support this year's Poppy Appeal "as generously as they have in the past," added: "I hope as many people as possible will join me to remember the sacrifices made by the armed forces in order that future generations are able to live in peace and freedom."

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Penarth teenagers grab the boules by the horns in Africa

Two brothers from Penarth Petanque Club have returned home from an African adventure where they tried to throw up a surprise at the World Junior Petanque Championships.

Jesse and Sam Lipetz-Robic were part of the first Welsh junior squad to compete internationally in the sport, also known as boules, and it is hoped that the sport’s profile can now rise in Wales.

The championships, held in the Tunisian city of Monastir, saw 30 nations from across the world take to the petanque ‘piste,’ but a tough draw meant the Welsh team were always up against it. They managed an excellent victory over Libya but sadly were defeated in their four other group games.

This put them into the knockout Cup of Nations, where they faced Slovenia. Unfortunately, despite coming back to draw level at 9-9, the Eastern European team’s superior killer instinct sent the Wales team home.

It was a great experience though, and excellent exposure for a sport that has hopes to become both a Commonwealth Games and Olympic Games event in the future.

Scott Murray, who combines his job as manager of Penarth Leisure Centre with a youth development officer role for the Welsh Petanque Association, said: "I hope that this championships provides a catalyst for other youngsters in Wales to get involved in petanque and see that the potential is there now to compete on a global stage. It’s the sort of sport that most people will have had a go at on holiday, and we hope that by raising the sport’s profile we can soon attract more people to play regularly, particularly juniors"

Anyone who has been to France will have seen that the game is a popular part of their culture, with the country boasting over 17 million casual players. France also has 350,000 players registered as competing regularly, while, as far afield as Thailand, there are more than 120,000 players.

Wales has a long way to go to catch up with these figures, but there are many petanque clubs in the Principality, including Penarth Petanque Club. It’s a game that any age can play, and men and women can compete against each other.

Scott was supported in his role in Tunisia by the Vale of Glamorgan Council, and the council’s youth service helped out by providing transport for the squad to get to Gatwick Airport before flying out to Tunisia.

Vale council cabinet member for leisure and tourism Cllr Anthony Ernest said: "It is always fantastic to see Wales taking on the world at any sport, and the council is keen to support Scott’s role in encouraging more young people to get off the sofa and get active. I would urge any youngsters who fancy playing petanque to get involved with a local club as one day they may also be able to represent their country."

You can find out more about petanque by calling Welsh Petanque Association president Tony Smith on 07714 956319, while, for details about Penarth Petanque Club, please call club president Jean-Yve Robic on 07968 164451 or visit www.penarthpetanque.org.uk.

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New faces boost to annual Bloom competition

There were a number of new faces among residents and businesses supporting the annual Vale in Bloom competition.

Organised annually by the Vale of Glamorgan Council, the event comprises competitions for Barry, Penarth and rural villages, with the best of the bunch being judged against each other to determine overall Vale in Bloom winners.

Winner of the overall and Barry front garden awards for the second successive year was Norah Bawn, of Brookfield Avenue, who has enjoyed much success in the competition over a number of years.

A double success in consecutive years was also recorded by the Glenbrook Inn with a colourful and welcoming display in the Vale and Barry commercial categories and by Y Bont Faen (Cowbridge) in the Vale and villages schools categories.

In Barry, newcomer Wayne Pitman (Newgale Close) won the hanging basket category with an excellent display, and Peggy Hughes (Jenner Road) repeated last year’s success for the best entry from a disabled gardener.

In Penarth, there were once again a large number of high quality entries. Dennis and Ann Lush (Tudor Close) continued their winning ways in the front garden category and achieved the double with their attractive hanging basket display.

Lacey Beth Lloyd (St David’s Crescent) went one better than last year to win the children’s category and W Smith (Catherine Meazey Flats, Queens Road) improved on a third spot in 2008 to be crowned best disabled gardener.

The Marie Curie Hospice and Cogan nursery repeated their 2008 successes in the residential home/sheltered housing and schools categories, the latter sharing top spot this year with near neighbours Cogan primary.

In the villages competition, Lily Matthews, of Church Row, Pendoylan, produced the best front garden, with close neighbour Mr I Morrison securing third spot. New entrant Longmeadow Court (Cowbridge) finished top in the residential home and sheltered housing category.

Results

Barry
Front garden: 1, Mrs N Bawn, Brookfield Avenue; 2, Mr D Bryant, Aneurin Road; 3 (joint), Mr and Mrs J Nicholls, Myrtle Grove, and Mrs T Williams, The Parade.

Hanging basket: 1, Mr W Pitman, Newgale Close; 2, Mrs Bawn; 3, Mrs S Clements, Beverley Street.

Disabled gardener: 1, Mrs P M Hughes, Jenner Road; 2, Mr R Darer, Glanmor Crescent; 3, Valeplus, High Street.

Residential home/sheltered accommodation: 1, Ms A Gore, College Fields Nursing Home, College Fields Close; 2, Mr and Mrs Hogg, Brecon Court.

Commercial: 1, The Glenbrook Inn, Dobbins Road.

Penarth
Front garden: 1, Mr D and Mrs A Lush, Tudor Close; 2, Mr D Jones, Summerland Crescent; 3, Mrs R Philpot, Uppercliff Close.

Hanging basket: 1, Mr and Mrs Lush; 2, Mrs A Goddard, Cawnpore Street; 3, Mrs Philpot.

Disabled gardener: 1, Mr W Smith, Catherine Meazey Flats, Queens Road; 2 (joint), Mrs Philpot and Castle Avenue Day Centre.

Children: 1, Lacey Beth Lloyd, St David’s Crescent; 2 (joint), Ellie Kihlberg, Molly Parker and Liam Parker, Cawnpore Street.

Residential home/sheltered accommodation: 1, Marie Curie Hospice, Holme Tower, Bridgeman Road; 2, Ty Dewi Sant Residential Home, Myrtle Close; 3, Catherine Meazey Flats.

Schools: 1 (joint), Cogan Nursery, Cawnpore Street, and Cogan Primary, Pill Street.

Villages
Front garden: 1, Mrs L Matthews, Church Row, Pendoylan; 2, Mrs S M Davies, Nant Isaf, Wenvoe; 3 (joint), Mr I Morrison, Church Row, Pendoylan, and Mrs M James, Grove Road, Llandow.

Commercial: 1, Longmeadow Court Residential Home, Druids Green, Cowbridge.

Schools: 1, Y Bont Faen Primary, Borough Close, Cowbridge

Overall Winners
Front garden: Mrs Bawn.

Commercial: The Glenbrook Inn.

Schools: Y Bont Faen.

read more... “New faces boost to annual Bloom competition”