Adult and junior library members are currently entitled to borrow up to eight books and three audio-visual items at any one time, except for the registered visually-impaired, who may reserve and borrow all their books in audio-visual format. Library members can currently also place up to eight reservations on books and up to three reservations on audio-visual items at any one time.

These entitlements are being extended from eight to 10, so that all library members will be entitled to borrow up to 10 books and three audio-visual items at any one time and place up to 10 reservations on books and up to three reservations on audio-visual items.

Rhondda Cynon Taf Council’s Cabinet Member for Culture and Recreation, Cllr Robert Bevan, said: “We are delighted to be able to increase the amount of items that can be borrowed, so that people of all ages can enjoy an even wider choice of reading material.”

iTunes U is a dedicated area of the iTunes Store that offers free audio and video content from leading education institutions. Users can download content that interests them onto their personal computers, iPod or iPhone.

Launched today, March 9th, The University of Glamorgan on iTunes U will be packed with recordings of lectures, examples of students’ work, interviews with lecturers and fascinating facts about the University. All will be accessible across the globe.

The University is joining other educational and cultural organisations and museums across the world in providing audio and video content which can be downloaded free of charge.

The teaching impact of this project for students will include: delivering easy 24 hour access to educational material; distance learning; prerecording lectures to make them available at any time and supplementing lectures given during core contact hours. The site will include content from the Royal Welsh College of Music & Drama, which is part of the Glamorgan Group.

Prof Clive Mulholland, Pro Vice-Chancellor at the University, is pioneering the project at Glamorgan. He said, “For the first time, the specialist work and expertise of those working and studying at Glamorgan will be available to the world. This means that no matter where you are, you will be able to listen to a Glamorgan lecture, which raises our academic profile on a worldwide scale.

“Some of the world’s best known and most highly respected universities have a presence on iTunes U and we are thrilled to be the first in Wales to make our mark.”

Mrs Lydon will replace Professor David Halton who retires next year after 5 highly successful years in the role during which time he led the University through a period of rapid growth including opening a new £35m campus in the heart of Cardiff, merging Merthyr Tydfil FE College and the Royal Welsh College of Music and Drama with the University to form the Glamorgan Group, as well as achieving the University’s best ever outcome in the Research Assessment Exercise.

Taking over responsibility next spring, Mrs Lydon currently holds the post of Deputy Vice-Chancellor at the University.

The Council is following national guidelines when it comes to the management of the situation and is keen to once again raise awareness and offer support as the new term begins.

In preparation for the return to the classroom, the Council’s education staff have already circulated information to all head teachers, advising them of the protocol to follow if they have a suspected case.

Three cases, one at Treorchy Comprehensive, one at Tonyrefail Primary and one at Ysgol Yr Eos have already been reported to education workers by school staff this week.

The national swine flu response remains the same:

• Ring your doctor or NHS Direct if you are experiencing flu-like symptoms

• Confirmed or suspected swine flu cases must follow the advice of their doctor and stay at home, taking any prescribed medication.

• There is no need to stay away from work or the classroom if you are not displaying symptoms.

Visitors can look around craft stalls, see animals and birds and enjoy entertainment in the main area including duck driving, a falconry show and performances from the Top Lodge Dancing Dogs.

This year’s Activity Zone will feature an armed forces assault course and climbing wall. Rhondda Cynon Taf 5×60 officers will be hosting cycling activities along with staff from Halford’s of Pontypridd, including free bike safety inspections.

One of the highlights of the weekend, the annual Mayor’s Harnessed Horse Parade, will set off from the park at midday on Sunday, August 2. The parade which features around 50 horses and carriages, will travel through Pontypridd, Trehafod and Trallwn. It will raise money for the chosen charities of Mayor, Cllr Robert Smith – MacMillan Cancer Relief, Help for Heroes and Diabetes UK (Cymru).

Cllr Paul Cannon, Rhondda Cynon Taf Cabinet Member for Economic Development and Housing, said: “We’ve had a week of poor weather in the run-up to the Big Welsh Bite, but the event’s new location on the park tennis courts means everyone can come along and enjoy a fun-packed weekend.”

Gates open from 10.30am to 5pm each day in Ynysangharad War Memorial Park and admission is free.

Dydd Llun 9.30 – 11.30 Rhondda Bowl Tonyrefail
Dydd Mawrth 2.00 – 3.00 Clydach Vale
Dydd Mercher 9.00-10.00 Glynfach Porth
Dydd Mercher 1.00-2.30 Glyncoch
Dydd Iau 9.30-11.30 Capel Bethleham,Tonyrefail
Dydd Gwener 10.00 – 12.00 Maes yr Hâf, Trealaw

Os hoffech fwy o fanylion am unrhywun o’r boreau coffi uchod, yna cysylltwch â’r swyddfa Cymunedau’n Gyntaf perthnasol.

Cofiwch hefyd fod na foreau coffi anffurfiol dal yn cario ‘mlaen yn rheolaidd ar agor i Gymry Cymraeg a dysgwyr yn ogystal dan adain Menter Iaith. Mae rhestr llawn o rhain iw gweld dan y ddolen GWASANAETHAU uchod.

This brand new 11 mile walk, co-organised by Macmillan and Jeff Cowland, who originally thought of the walk and is a Rhondda Cynon Taf Council employee, will take place on Saturday 5 September 2009 starting by Treherbert Rugby Club at 9am, and finishing at the Rhondda Heritage Park, travelling through Treorchy, Tonypandy and Porth on the way.

Every day 822 people are told they have cancer and they all need treatment and support. Over 116,000 people are affected by cancer in Wales every year, and one in three of us will receive a cancer diagnosis at some point in our lives. Macmillan currently helps over half of these people and our aim is to support everyone affected by cancer in the UK. Macmillan Cancer Support are the only charity to help people from the point of diagnosis through the whole of their cancer journey, offering them help, advice, information and support. We rely on donations for 99% of our income, which is why your involvement is so valuable.

The Rhondda Walk will help to raise vital funds for Macmillan in the Rhondda Cynon Taf area. Last year, Macmillan awarded 727 patient grants totalling nearly £302,000 to people in South East Wales who needed our help. Macmillan also has over 50 Macmillan professionals working in the area, including two welfare benefits advisors, who since being in post in 2007 have accessed over £1M in benefits for local people affected by cancer.

Gemma Jones, Fundraising Manager, said ˜the Rhondda Walk will be an exciting day for the whole community. We hope to attract a large number of people to get together, put
their walking boots on, have fun and get healthy, and at the same time raise money to help local people living with cancer.

So come and get involved with the Rhondda Walk now! Register for only £10, and you will receive your fundraising pack in the post, together with a t-shirt and goody bag on the day. For more information, or to register, please contact Helen Ashcroft on 01656 968968 or email hashcroft@macmillan.org.uk

There are lots of Early Bird tickets available, which means you get the best seats in the house and save lots of money too – just make sure you book your tickets before Wednesday, September 9!

At the Coliseum Theatre, Early Bird tickets are available for singing sensation Corinne West, the hilarious comedy musical The Bankrupt Bride, stand-up comic and satirist Jeremy Hardy, the ever popular opera Figaro, the West End all-singing all-dancing extravaganza Gotta Sing Gotta Dance, the hard-hitting drama Beauty Queen of Leenane and the rocking and shocking brand new show from The Circus of Horrors.

Events at the Muni Arts Centre include Chris Corcoran’s hilarious Committee Meeting, the acclaimed singer/songwriter Slaid Cleaves, Eric Bell, the legendary rock guitarist with Thin Lizzy, and Dead Ringers impressionist Jan Ravens.

At the Park & Dare you could save money on the enchantingly beautiful How Green Was My Valley by Independent Ballet Wales, the children’s favourite Tales Of Peter Rabbit and the brand new comedy musical by Mal Pope, Cappuccino Girls.

And don’t miss and Frank Vickery’s hilarious new comedy Tonto Evans at all three theatres.

So book your tickets for any of these fantastic shows before Wednesday, September 9, 2009 to save yourself pounds.

For more details of these outstanding shows call the venues’ box offices – The Coliseum Theatre 01685 881188, The Muni Arts Centre on 01443 485934 or The Park & Dare Theatre on 01443 773112

The opening times are 10am until 9pm Tuesday to Friday and 10am until 4pm on Saturday. There will be £1 entrance fee.

A raffle will be running all week of a framed painting by local artist Paul Arnott. It will be drawn on Saturday afternoon.

Approximately 150 works of art by members of the society will be on show. The exhibition will be opened by local author and Councillor Cennard Davies.

Do come along during the week to browse and enjoy the exhibition.

Pupils, parents and other volunteers from the community were involved in the design of the garden, which will now enhance the local environment. The garden will make a lasting improvement to the local environment by supporting activities that create and sustain a collaborative commitment to caring for the environment.

Various workshops were held during the week which saw the children make their own willow arbour, create wildlife homes and build an eco-greenhouse out of plastic bottles. The children also planted sunflowers so that the seeds can be used to feed the wildlife during the winter months.

The Community Garden, which is the second phase of the school’s Tidy Towns initiative was brought to light when the school and the community it serves adopted a neglected allotment area adjacent to the school grounds. The project has developed a community garden, which includes an orchard, fruit bushes, vegetable patch, quiet seated area, a small pond, recycled greenhouse, willow arbour and a polytunnel.

The first phase of the project involved litter picking the public footpath, developing a log circle in the woodlands and a commitment from the school to maintain this area.

Cabinet Member for Education, Skills and Lifelong Learning, Councillor Eudine Hanagan, said: “The project has been an extremely successful vehicle for strengthening partnership and collaborative working with the school, RCT Environmental Services Street Care Team, Brynna Allotment Society, the Youth Club and the community. It is hoped that the garden will be fully used by the community.”

The Council has a statutory duty to monitor air quality in its area and periodically report on it to the community and statutory bodies.

The duty applies to seven pollutants found in outdoor air:

• Carbon Monoxide

• Benzene

• 1,3 Butadiene

• Lead

• Nitrogen Dioxide

• Sulphur Dioxide

• Fine Particles – PM10

In 2007 the Council completed the 3rd Stage Detailed Assessment for Nitrogen Dioxide which identified eight areas, within the county borough which were breaching the annual mean (long-term) AQO for Nitrogen Dioxide.

In accordance with its statutory duty the Council declared the following Air Quality Management Areas (AQMA):-

• Aberdare Town Centre

• Broadway, Treforest

• Cilfynydd, Pontypridd

• Mwyndy – A4119, Llantrisant

• Nantgarw

• Pontypridd Town Centre

• Tonteg – Church Village – Llantwit Fardre A473 Corridor

• East Road, Tylorstown

Following the declaration of an AQMA the Council is under a statutory duty to undertake a 4th Stage Further Assessment of Nitrogen Dioxide.

The remit of a Further Assessment is to confirm previous findings and examine in more depth the nature and degree of the breach of the AQO.

In accordance with the statutory timeframe the Council completed the 4th Stage Further Assessment of Nitrogen Dioxide in April 2009.

The findings of the Further Assessment were that:

• All areas which have been declared AQMA continue to be in breach of the annual mean AQO and the AQMA should remain.

• The Pontypridd Town Centre AQMA requires enlargement to take account of a larger area affected by a breach of the annual mean AQO for Nitrogen Dioxide.

• The Tonteg – Church Village – Llantwit Fardre A473 Corridor requires modification to take account of a breach of the 1 hour (short term) AQO for Nitrogen Dioxide.

• The following new areas are in breach of the annual mean AQO for Nitrogen Dioxide and require the declaration of Air Quality Management Areas: -

1. Mountain Ash Town Centre

2. Cymmer

3. Ferndale

4. Llwynypia

5. Nightingales Bush, Pontypridd

• Significant amounts of local road traffic often along congested narrow streets is the main causative factor at most locations. This situation is common to other similar areas of the country.

• Monitoring and analysis should be maintained to allow further understanding of local Air Quality and the impact of improvement measures.

The Council has commenced a three-month public consultation in regards to the findings of the 4th Stage Further Assessment of Nitrogen Dioxide which will be completed by August 18th 2009.

The Council will also commence production of individual Air Quality Action Plans for each of the AQMA. These Action Plans will examine all options for improving air quality within their areas and endorse cost effective solutions which the Council and its partners can implement.

The formulation of the Air Quality Action Plans will be undertaken by an Air Quality Action Planning Steering Group, led by Public Health and Protection and involving all relevant departments and stakeholders. The Steering Group will meet regularly to inform the development of the Action Plans and report on progress.

The 4th Stage Further Assessment of Nitrogen Dioxide can be viewed on the Council website at the Pollution Control – Air webpage or at Ty Elai, Dinas Isaf East, Williamstown, Tonypandy.

Any comments in regards to the public consultation should be made in writing to:-

Pollution Control

Public Health & Protection

Ty Elai

Dinas Isaf East

Williamstown

Tonypandy CF40 1NY

Tel : 01443 425777

This event aims to transport guests back in time to the good all days of swing in a celebration of the magical sound of the late Frank Sinatra, Dean Martin, and Sammy Davis, Jr. – Rat Pack Legends! This fully choreographed all singing, full on entertainment show will have the audience dancing is the aisle.

The three first-class crooners will recreate the magic of the ‘Big City’ as part of the prestigious Mayors Ball, taking place at Llantrisant Leisure Centre on Saturday 25th April from 7pm till late. Tickets cost £30 and include a champagne reception, 5-course meal, raffle and lots more.

This fantastic evening of entertainment will take you back to the 1950’s/60’s with the greatest swinging Rat Pack hits of all time, including: Come Fly With Me; Lady is a Tramp; Under My Skin; Volare; My Way; My Bojangles; Me and My Shadow; What Kind of Fool Am I?, Fly Me to the Moon and New York, New York.

Councillor Margaret Davies, Mayor of Rhondda Cynon Taf County Borough Council, said: “This event promises to be the night of the year, one that I have looked forward to and is the penultimate event in my turn of office, but we should remember that this event is for charity, so while we might be having fun, its good to remember that this event is for good causes.”

Money raised from this years Mayoral Charity Events programme will go to this years 3 nominated charities, which are the Special Care Baby Unit at Royal Glamorgan Hospital, the British Heart Foundation and TEDS (Drugs and Alcohol Misuse Advisory Service).

Tickets for this toe-tapping event are available from:

• Muni Arts Centre on 01443 485934,

• The Park and Dare Theatre, 01443 773112

• The Coliseum, Aberdare – 01685 881188.

From Saturday, April 18 to Friday, April 24, 2009 you can enjoy horse rides, a bird watching walk or a short countryside stroll and other events.

Rhondda Cynon Taf Council adopted the Rights of Way Improvement Plan in 2008 as a way to protect and improve facilities in our local countryside, promote what is on offer to residents and visitors and involve people in making decisions. The theme of the plan is ‘More people, out & about, more often and having fun’ and the Welsh Assembly Government and the Countryside Council for Wales are providing funding to the Council to help put the plan into action.

All activities from April 18-24 are free. Many local organisations are taking part and events include:

· A walk on Monday, April 20 at Ynysangharad War Memorial Park from 10.30am to show people how to use the LifeTrail outdoor gym equipment installed along the river path. Contact Gareth Davies on 01685 874323 to book your place.

· A leisurely stroll along the Tylorstown river walk from Pontygwaith Community Centre at 9.45am on Wednesday, April 22. Call Sian Seymour or Amanda Maz on 01443 732549 to book your place.

· Cycle ride along the old tram road to Cwmaman and back, leaving Dare Valley Country Park, Aberdare, at 10.30am on Wednesday, April 22. Contact Eleanor Rothwell on 07887551303 to book your place.

Rhondda Cynon Taf Council has angered parents and pupils alike, who want the name to remain the same.

Speaking from the Senedd today, Bethan Jenkins AM a former pupil of the school said:

“It is unacceptable for the council to ignore the wishes of those people who the school truly belongs to: the pupils, parents and teachers. Ysgol Gyfun Rhydfelen is a widely recognised name throughout Wales and has particular connotations for community spirit and educational excellence. The school, which was the first Welsh-medium secondary school to be opened in south Wales, has a special place in the hearts of those in the community.”

Leanne Wood AM for South Wales Central, who presented evidence to the Assembly’s petitions committee on the issue last year, added:

“I reaffirm my support for the parents, teachers and pupils at the school who have fought a hard and determined campaign on this over many years. It is unacceptable that a decision like this is not in the hands of the school itself but is a matter for the council to impose. I’d like to congratulate the pupils and parents at the school who have led the campaign and vow to continue supporting them until plans for the name change are dropped.”

The annual food and agricultural festival is being held from Friday, July 31- Sunday, August 2, 2009 in Ynysangaharad War Memorial Park, Pontypridd, and organisers are inviting local food and drink producers to come along and show off their wares.

This year, as well as showcasing local produce, the event will feature cooking demonstrations, sporting activity, animal exhibitions, children’s entertainment, craft stalls, an RCT Health Alliance marquee, vintage farm vehicles and live music.

Arena displays will include duck driving and a falconry display; performances from local dance groups and – back by popular demand – Crufts Champions, the Top Lodge Dancing Dogs.

Last year, around 20,000 people visited Ynysangharad Park over the Big Bite weekend. If you are a Welsh food or drink producer and would like to exhibit at this year’s show, please contact Rhondda Cynon Taf Events team at events@rhondda-cynon-taf.gov.uk or call 01443 425700

Cardiff Vale and Valleys Beekeepers is a friendly association promoting the craft of bee keeping and the benefits of the products within the hive, to the public.

They meet in Llandaff Village hall on the second Tuesday of every month from September to March and have meetings during the summer months at members’ apiary sites.

To confirm details of this talk please see the Cardiff Beekeepers website.

The weekly classes cost just £2.50 and will be held every Wednesday from 7-9pm in the theatre’s lounge bar from March 4-March 25, 2009. The classes are supported by Bro Dysg and delivered as part of Rhondda Cynon Taf’s Arts Council of Wales-funded Take pART programme.

Take pART aims to increase participation in the arts in Rhondda Cynon Taf and inspire and engage all ages in the arts and cultural life of the county borough.

The scheme is a joint venture between the Council’s three Cultural Services venues – the Park and Dare, the Coliseum Theatre, Aberdare and the Muni Arts Centre, Pontypridd – together with the Council’s Arts Development Unit, community/arts organisations and visiting performing artists and arts companies.

For more information on the salsa classes, please call 01443 485934

The Commission is removing unstable trees from the hillside above the main road and will set up a mobile crane in the road to carry out the work. This has resulted in the closure of the road.

The first closure took place last weekend. The Commission may require road closures on up to four subsequent Sundays if necessary to complete the essential felling.

Therefore the road will be closed on the following Sundays: March 1st, 8th, 15th and 23rd from midnight on Saturday to 4am on the following Monday morning.

However, during this period the Quarter Mile Bridge cross-valley link will remain open to smaller vehicles.

“The Council can confirm that there has been a fire overnight at Tonypandy Community College. Council staff are currently visiting the site to asses the extent of damage that has occurred and set the plan in motion to ensure that educational provision is restored as soon as possible.

Once the extent of the damage is known an update will be given and parents will be sent a letter later today in relation to next steps.

Our priority now is to work with the school staff and governors to ensure that disruption is kept to a minimum. We are currently exploring a number of options to this end.

The cause of the fire is unknown at this time and will be the subject of a full investigation.”

Expect duelling, elopement, bribery, fisticuffs, mistaken identity, near drowning, and finally, imprisonment for debt! This is the orignial and ultimate roadtrip – funny, intriguing, imaginative.

Follow the haphazard and often farcical journey of Samuel Pickwick and a host of well-loved characters including Sam Weller, Mr Jingle, Nathaniel Winkle, Mrs Bardell and The Fat Boy on their weird and wonderful ‘perambulations, perils, travels and adventures’ throughout the country.

European Arts Company is a national and international touring theatre company which has gone from strength to strength, performing all over the UK, Greece and Italy with works by Oscar Wilde, John Buchan, Anton Chekhov and John Osborne. It has developed a reputation for producing quirky classics with great imagination and a highly physical style.

The Pickwick Papers is a Rhondda Cynon Taf Theatres co-production (Rhondda Cynon Taf County Borough Council Cultural Services Department) with European Arts Company, and supported by the Arts Outside Cardiff ACW/WAG production fund, Creu Cymru Inventive Promoter Scheme trhrough funds from the Paul Hamlyn Foundation.

Tickets for this outstanding evening of drama, as part of the act8 drama season at the Cultural Services venues, are just £9.00 (concessions £7.00). Call The Coliseum Box Office now on 01685 881188.