Merthyr Express column

03 Sept 09
La Traviata
The Dowlais Forum are running a trip to Cardiff Bay’s Millenium Centre next Wednesday, 9th September, to experience an exciting opera production of Verdi’s opera La Traviata. The trip is a fantastic bargain at only £2. For further information, please contact 01685 724930

Welsh Folk Music
If you’re interested in traditional Welsh music and would like an opportunity to practice your Welsh, then come along to Chwibanau Pontmorlais where you can have a go at the tin whistle, pibgorn or boran. Complete beginners and experienced musicians alike are welcome to join the group, which will meet from 29th September every Tuesday until Christmas, 6pm until 8pm at Y Ganolfan Gymraeg, Pontmorlais. Call 01685 722176 or email jamie@merthyrtudful.com for more details.

Public Art
Why not enjoy some of the examples of public art and beautiful scenery along one of the many trails throughout Merthyr Tydfil and neighbouring boroughs, while also keeping fit walking. The Welsh Valleys Walking Festival 2009 runs from 5th until 20th September, with a number of different routes of various levels from easy to very strenuous, all with interesting views and landmarks. Each walk is lead by an experienced walk leader. To find a route that suits you and for more information please visit http://www.wisdomandwalks.co.uk/ or call 01495 355800.

Merthyr’s Got Talent
Following the sucess of previous years, Merthyr Tydfil Youth Service are running another Merthyr’s Got Talent evening on 6th November with auditions on 7th October. Contact Lee Davies for further information on lee.davies@3gs.org.uk or call 01685 352985.

Noson Lawen
Y Ganolfan Gymraeg will be running a Noson Lawen, with a variety of fun performances on September 25th. For further information contact Menter Merthyr Tudful 01685 722176

Red Poets
The Red Poets will be launching their new magazine 'Red Poets 15', at the Belle Vue, Merthyr Tydfil, tomorrow night, Friday, September 4th, at 7.30pm. The evening will include readings by Herbert Williams and Mab Jones, together with Merthyr’s Mike Jenkins and an acoustic set from The Epaulettes. Admission is £4, which includes a copy of the new magazine.

Opera Trip / Taith Opera

THE GUNS @ NEWPORT TJ'S THIS SATURDAY AND 'WITH THE GUNS' CD PREORDER LINK

THIS SATURDAY AUGUST 15TH @ TJ'S NEWPORT.........

THE GUNS

STRAIGHT LINES (EX SIAD MIKE )

THE DIRTY YOUTH

PORTRAITS

SAVE THE LAST

DOORS 7 PM ENTRY £5
........................................

ALSO PRE ORDER THE GUNS LIMITED EDITION CD ONLY 1000 PRESSED

WITH THE GUNS preorders now on http://theguns.bigcartel.com/category/cds.

This is released on monday 31st of august all orders will be posted that day.. Please support independent rock and roll....

........................................................................................................................................................................................

ALSO THIS SATURDAY PLEASE SUPPORT EL SID EP LAUNCH SHOW IN CLWB IFOR BACH CARDIFF

Wales finest.. the champions of the riff TAINT are back in town for the cardiff leg of their tour

Headlining Elsid's EP launch at Clwb Ifor Bach (cd's £4) along with Sigiriya

for an undeniable night of hard hitting heavy. All for 6 bucks. How can you not?

In Association with...

www.visiblenoise.com
www.thepopfactory.com
www.sonig.org.uk

_____________________________

Grwp Dram Oedolion - Fe fydd grwp 18/08/2009 337

Information for you:

Canolfan a Menter Gymraeg Merthyr Tudful
Adult Drama Group - The Ganolfan's Drama Group will meet on Tuesday 18th August with the intention of producing a short sgetch to be performed at the Menter's Noson Lawen on September 24th.

Anyone interested in coming along please contact the Menter.

At: The Welsh Centre, Pontmorlais, Merthyr Tudful, CF47 8UB

On: Tuesday 18/08/2009 Time: 6.00-8.00

For further information contact Menter Merthyr Tudful 01685 722176

************************
Digwyddiad i chi:

Canolfan a Menter Gymraeg Merthyr Tudful
Grwp Dram Oedolion - Fe fydd grwp drama'r Ganolfan yn cwrdd ar Nos Fawrth 18fed Awst gyda'r bwriad o gynhyrchu sgetsh byr i'w berfformio yn Noson Lawen y Fenter ar Fedi'r 24ain.

Unrhywun gyda diddordeb mewn cymryd rhan cysylltwch a'r Fenter nawr.

Yn: Y Ganolfan Gymraeg, Pontmorlais, Merthyr Tudful, CF47 8UB

Dydd Mawrth 18/08/2009 Am: 6.00-8.00

Am wybodaeth bellach ffoniwch
Swyddfa Menter Merthyr Tudful 01685 722176

Swyddi - Mae Gwasanaethau Llyfrgelloedd 337

Information for you:

Vacancies - Merthyr Library Service are looking for Welsh speakers/learners to help with a number of different projects.

They will be paying £7-£8 per hour.


Contact Geraint James on 01685 723057

For further information contact Menter Merthyr Tudful 01685 722176

***********************

Gwybodaeth i chi:

Swyddi - Mae Gwasanaethau Llyfrgelloedd Merthyr yn chwilio am siaradwyr/dysgwyr Gymraeg i gweithio'n achlysurol ar amryw o brosiectau.

Byddent yn talu £7-£8 awr.


Cysylltwch a Geraint James ar 01685 723057

Am wybodaeth bellach ffoniwch
Swyddfa Menter Merthyr Tudful 01685 722176

Dewi Prysor - Noson mic agored 20/08/2009 337

Information for you:

Canolfan a Menter Gymraeg Merthyr Tudful/Cyngor Bwrdeistref Sirol Merthyr Tudful
Poems and Pints - Open mic night with Dewi Prysor, one of Wales' foremost writers. Come along for an evening of comical and thought inducing poetry.

There will also be an opportunity to take to the mic.

Free entrance!

Over 18s only

At: The Imperial Hotel, Pontmorlais, Merthyr Tudful

On: Thursday 20/08/2009 Time: 7.30y.h.

For further information contact Menter Merthyr Tudful 01685 722176

*************************

Digwyddiad i chi:

Canolfan a Menter Gymraeg Merthyr Tudful/Cyngor Bwrdeistref Sirol Merthyr Tudful
Dewi Prysor - Noson mic agored gyda'r enwog Dewi Prysor. Dewch lawr am noson o gerddi doniol a threiddgar gan un o awduron gorau Cymru.

Hefyd fe fydd cyfle i unrhywun sydd am rannu ei waith a chymryd i'r mic.

Rhad ac am ddim!

Dros 18 yn unig

Yn: Gwesty'r Imperial, Pontmorlais, Merthyr Tudful

Dydd Iau 20/08/2009 Am: 7.30y.h.

Am wybodaeth bellach ffoniwch
Swyddfa Menter Merthyr Tudful 01685 722176

Sesiwn Acwstig - Dewch lawr heno 11/08/2009 337

Information for you:

Glamorgan Gates
Acoustic Session - Come down this evening to play or listen to some of the best local talent.

Free entry.

Event organized by Glamorgan Gates, welcome to all.

At: The Belle Vue, Glebland Street, Merthyr Tudful

On: Tuesday 11/08/2009 Time: 7.30-11.30

For further information contact Menter Merthyr Tudful 01685 722176

*************

Digwyddiad i chi:

Glamorgan Gates
Sesiwn Acwstig - Dewch lawr heno i ganu neu i wrando ar rhai o'r gerddoriaeth lleol gorau.
Mynediad rhad ac am ddim.

Noson wedi ei threfnu gan Glamorgan Gates, croeso i eitemau o bob iaith.

Yn: Tafarn y Belle Vue, Stryd Glebland, Merthyr Tudful

Dydd Mawrth 11/08/2009 Am: 7.30-11.30

Am wybodaeth bellach ffoniwch
Swyddfa Menter Merthyr Tudful 01685 722176

Merthyr Express column

27 August 09
Cancer Aid Concert
Cancer Aid Merthyr Tydfil's Concert starring Europe's top Elvis tribute act Juan Lozano and the Graceland Band, Duster (Neil Diamond tribute act) and Paul Black (Rat Pack tribute act) to be held on Saturday, September 12th at Aberdare Colliseum. Doors open 7.15pm. Tickets Available from Cancer Aid 01685 379633 or 07828742969. All proceeds to go to Cancer Aid Merthyr Tydfil, Helping those whose lives have been touched by cancer.

Merthyr Show
This coming Bank Holiday Monday (31st August) the Merthyr County Show returns to Cyfarthfa Park, with Red Dragon FM, stalls, displays, live music on the Lakeside Stage, an Arts, Culture and Media Forum stage at the Bandstand next to the old woodland cafe, with performers including an acoustic set by Merthyr’s Karen Moore, who has produced a CD in aid of cancer research, street dance from Ozza, 3Gs Choir and Dancers, H4A’s Pontlottyn Choir, Y Betti Galws, Musical Theatre, Glamorgan Gates Belly Dancers and Portuguese Folk Dancers. The Merthyr Show will be on Bank Holiday Monday, 31st August, at Cyfarthfa Park, with stalls, performances and activities for all the family.

Merthyr's Young Artists
Cyfarthfa Castle Museum & Art Gallery is now showing an exhibition of art work produced by up and coming young artists from Merthyr Tydfil until 27th September. Why not come along and see if you can spot the next big name in art at the show: Merthyr’s answer to Damien Hirst, Banksy or David Hokney maybe? Entry into the exhibition is free. For further information, please contact the museum on 01685 723112 or email museum@merthyr.gov.uk

Family Fun Day
There will be a Family Fun Day at Parc Taf Bargoed Parc, Treharris in aid of Mayor's appeal; Macmillan Cancer Support on Sunday 6th September 2009. The day begins with a cycle along the Trevithick Trail from the Co-operative, Pentrebach at 12pm. Then a walk along the Taff Trail from Aberfan Community Centre at 10am, followed by a Family Fun Day at Parc Taf Bargoed, Treharris, with lots of attractions; including a climbing wall, fly fishing, a fire engine and a police display, canoe polo plus lots more. Why not have your family and firends to sponsor you, all proceeds will go to the Mayor's Appeal. Entry to the Fun Day is free.

Red Poets
The Red Poets will be launching their new magazine 'Red Poets 15', at the Belle Vue, Merthyr Tydfil, on Friday, September 4th, at 7.30pm. The evening will include readings by Herbert Williams and Mab Jones, together with Merthyr’s Mike Jenkins and an acoustic set from The Epaulettes. Admission is £4, which includes a copy of the new magazine.

Merthyr Express column

20 August 09
Red Poets
The Red Poets will be launching their new magazine 'Red Poets 15', at the Belle Vue, Merthyr Tydfil, on Friday, September 4th, at 7.30pm. The evening will include readings by Herbert Williams and Mab Jones, together with Merthyr’s Mike Jenkins and an acoustic set from The Epaulettes. Admission is £4, which includes a copy of the new magazine.

Arts Forum Stage
This year the Merthyr Show will include an Arts, Culture and Media Forum stage at the Bandstand next to the old woodland cafe. Performers will include: an acoustic set by Merthyr’s Karen Moore, who has produced a CD in aid of cancer research, street dance from Ozza, 3Gs Choir and Dancers, H4A’s Pontlottyn Choir, Welsh folk music from Y Betti Galws, musical theatre from Retro Academy for Performing Arts, Glamorgan Gates Belly Dancers and Portuguese Folk Dancers. The Merthyr Show will be on Bank Holiday Monday, 31st August, at Cyfarthfa Park, with stalls, performances and activities for all the family.

Big V Festival
The Big Valley festival is back for 2009 with launch of the Lakeside Activity Centre at 10.30am. The festival this year will include music performances, football workshops, funfair, paintballing, rock climbing and caving and will run at the park from 11.00am - 3pm. The festival, in its sixth year is run by Communities First with Merthyr Tydfil County Borough Council, Collabor8, Countryside Council for Wales, the Summit Centre and Interreg. Some free transport will be provided. For further information please call Communities First on (01443) 413657 or the Summit Centre (01443) 710749.

Spoken Poetry Competition
For many, poetry is a spoken and not a written art. It is about casting spells over an audience, creating an atmosphere, weaving words together to fill a room. Are your performance skills up to competition level? This is your chance to stand up and make your voice heard as Academi search for the best live poet in Wales. Academi has been holding events in tribute to John Tripp, one of our finest poetry performers, since 1990. The competition is open to all: beginners and established poets alike. You have only a few minutes to impress the judges with your scintillating stanzas, vivacious verse and powerful performance. Past winners include Merthyr’s very own Mike Jenkins. A series of regional heats will take place throughout Wales culminating in a nail biting Grand Final with a First Prize of £500 on offer. The runner-up will receive £100 and an Audience Prize of £100 will also be awarded. Entry fee per poet is £6.00. Heats will take place on the following dates: Heat One - Thursday 8 October at Llanhilleth Miners Institute. Heat Two - Tuesday 13 October at Pontardawe Arts Centre. Heat Three - Wednesday 21 October at The Gate Arts Centre, Cardiff. Heat Four - Tuesday 27 October at Venue Cymru, Llandudno. The Grand Final - Thursday 19 November at The Wharf, Cardiff. Whether you prefer to come along and listen or battle it out yourself, each event is guaranteed to be a night of entertaining and exciting new work in a friendly and relaxed atmosphere. Tickets for the heats cost just £3.00 / £2.00 and tickets for the Grand Final cost £5.00 / £4.00 (concessions for Academi Members and Associates). To receive an entry form send a stamped self-addressed envelope to: 2009 John Tripp Award, Academi, Mount Stuart House, Mount Stuart Square, Cardiff, CF10 5FQ. For more information contact Academi on: 029 2047 2266 / post@academi.org

Merthyr Express column

13 August 09
Chartist Talks and Drama
Merthyr Tydfil Chartists Partnership will continue to celebrate the Anniversary of the Chartist Parade 170 years ago, with a free event this Saturday, 15th August from 10.30am until 1pm. The day will have talks and discussions by expert historians, plus ‘The Sentiments of August 1839’, a dramatic performance by local theatrical group, Chance Encounters. This years events comemorate the occasion when the Chartists of Merthyr paraded peacefully to Saint Tydfil’s Church, in support of the right of all men to vote. The free event will again, as with the event in April, take place at the Café Quarter, Lower High Street, Merthyr Tydfil. For further Information please call Huw on 07968256864, Viv 01685 377883 or email Les at les.james@newport.ac.uk

Poetry in English & Welsh
The Imperial Hotel is hosting an English language Open Mike Poetry Night tonight, 13th August, with guest poet Chris Williams. There will also be a Welsh language Open Mike Night next week, Thursday 20th August, with author and poet Dewi Prysor. Future evenings also include Samantha Wynne-Rhydderch on 24th September and Gemma June Howell on 15th October. Poets, singers and acoustic musicians who would like to join in are all welcome. Both evenings are free entry, anyone wanting an open mike slot can register on the night. For further information on the English language evenings please contact 01685 725382 or Menter Iaith for the Welsh evening on 20th August on 01685 722176.

University Trips
Are you interested in visiting University of Glamorgan Campus? The Glamorgan Gates Project are running FREE trips. You could have a tour of the campus, a chat with a member of staff from a subject area you're interested in, get information on courses, information on tuition fees, a look around the library or sports centre or just a cup of coffee in one of the numerous cafes! If you're interested let Glamorgan Gates know today! They’ll add your name to the waiting list and once we have enough people we'll organise some trips. Call Jenna on 01685 729946 or call into 121 High Street, Merthyr Tydfil.

Family Fun
The Cwm Golau Intergrated Children’s Centre at Pentrebach will be hosting a Family Fun Day tomorrow Friday, 14th August, from 11am – 3pm, with art and crafts, face painting, glass painting plus lots of other activities including an exotic animals workshop, a bouncy castle, owl sanctuary, sports and much more. For further information, please contact 01685 727374.

Big V Festival
The Big Valley festival is back for 2009 with launch of the Lakeside Activity Centre at 10.30am. The festival this year will include music performances, football workshops, funfair, paintballing, rock climbing and caving and will run at the park from 11.00am - 3pm. The festival, in its sixth year is run by Communities First with Merthyr Tydfil County Borough Council, Collabor8, Countryside Council for Wales, the Summit Centre and Interreg. Some free transport will be provided. For further information please call Communities First on (01443) 413657 or the Summit Centre (01443) 710749.

Merthyr Express column

6 August 09
Merthyr Plugged In
Glamorgan Gates are inviting people to join Merthyr Plugged In: A project promoting music in Merthyr Tydfil. They will be putting together a pull out magazine called 'Merthyr Plugged In' to feature in the centre of award winning magazine Plugged In, which is distributed Wales wide.
Would you like to learn the skills of music journalism or photography? Would you like to get involved behind the scenes in magazine design or gig organising? Or are you an original musician or in an original band and would like to feature in our magazine or play in our Plugged In gig? If you said yes to any of the above, then why not contact Jenna or Lisa to find out more on 01685 729940 or call into the Gates shop, 121 High Street, Merthyr Tydfil.

Nights In Verse
Future Open Mike Nights welcome poets, singers and acoustic musicians to take part. Guest poets for the next Thursday evenings will be Chris Williams, with English readings on 13th August and Dewi Prysor for a Welsh language evening on 20th August. For further information on the English language evenings please contact 01685 725382 or Menter Iaith for the Welsh evening on 01685 722176.

Merthyr Unplugged
Glamorgan Gates are also running an Open Mic Night upstairs in The Belle Vue Inn Merthyr Tydfil on Tuesday 11th August, from 7.30pm onwards. Come along and enjoy a great evening out in a relaxed environment. The mic is open for you to sing, play an instrument or read poetry – alternatively you can sit back, relax and enjoy Merthyr’s talent! The event is free of charge and everyone is welcome. Call Jenna on 01685 729940 for more details

Welsh Drama
Drama Sketch - The Ganolfan's Amateur Drama Group are looking for other actors to take part in their next drama sketch. You don't need experience only a sense of humour. The sketch will be previewed at the Centre's Noson Lawen on September 25th. For further information contact Menter Merthyr Tudful 01685 722176

Chartist Celebrations
Merthyr Tydfil Chartists Partnership will continue to celebrate the Anniversary of the Chartist Parade 170 years ago, with an event on Saturday, 15th August. This years events comemorate the occasion when the Chartists of Merthyr paraded peacefully to Saint Tydfil’s Church, in support of the right of all men to vote. The free event will, take place at the Café Quarter, Lower High Street, Merthyr Tydfil. For further Information please call Huw on 07968256864, Viv 01685 377883 or email Les at les.james@newport.ac.uk

Digital Art
Digital artwork, using original paintings and drawings, manipulated through the computer to produce entirely new works of art by Yvonne Llywellyn and Colin Evans can now be seen at the bar and dining room of the Castle Hotel. Two prints are also on show at the "Open Art Exhibition" at the Rhondda Heritage Centre and a selection is also on show at the Enterprising Art & Business Centre, Lower High Street, Merthyr Tydfil. For further information, please contact Colin Evans on 01685 350204, Yvonne Llewelyn-Jones on 07775670244 or email yvellew@hotmail.co.uk.

Meeting/Cyfarfod 03/06/09

MERTHYR TYDFIL ARTS CULTURE & MEDIA FORUM
FFORWM Y CELFYDDYDAU, DIWYLLIANT A’R CYFRYNGAU

4.00pm, Wednesday, 3rd June 2009
4.00yh, Dydd Mercher, 3ydd o Fehefin 2009

Voluntary Action Centre / Canolfan Gweithredu Gwirfoddol

Present:
Alison Harris – VAMT (Acting Chair) (AH), Gus Payne – Merthyr Tydfil County Borough Council (GP), Sally McIntyre - Communities First (SM), Ceinwen Statter (CS), David Jones - Yo! Maz (DJ), Andrew Owen – The Foundary (AO), Jock Greer – The Foundary (JG), Kate Strudwick - H4A(KS), Jo Richards – Dance practitioner (JR), Chris Long - MTCBC, Anne-Marie Carpenter (AMC).

1. Welcome / Apologies:
Apologies received from; Karen Dusgate – MTHA, Dinah Pye – Active Music Service, Lis Mclean - Menter Iaith, Michelle Powell - Communities First, Lesley Hodgeson - Glamorgan Gates, Andrew Thomas – Merthyr Tydfil College, Lee Davies – 3Gs.

2. Minutes from last meeting
All agreed last minutes as correct. No Thought Sheets have been returned.

3. ACMF Chair
No nomination forms for the Chair and Vice Chair have been received. Alison Harris will act as Chair for the time being, until a permanent Chair is found.

4. The Foundary
Andrew Owen and Cllr. Jock Greer outlined a project idea they are developing to create a new Media project in Merthyr Tydfil.
They explained that the project would use the experience and knowledge gained from the Merthyr Media Project, with continuing links to the University of Glamorgan (drawing on links with those who helped set up GTFM and Cardiff Radio) but providing something that fits funding priorities better than MMP did.
The idea would be to create a community TV and radio station, together with a design studio, with the ambition to become self sustainable within three years.
The project would have an emphasis towards the voluntary sector, engaging with grassroots community groups across the board (recording and broadcasting community interest articles and activities).
The initial timescale would be three years.
Current targets would be 70 people into full-time work, together with many more on a part-time basis, with at least 180 going through the system.
The project could possibly link with tourism and business and the Media Foundation Degree. BBC has shown interest and would like to be involved. (18 past MMP users have gone on to work on the Dr Who programme, plus more on other TV projects)
Other ideas could also be taken on board at this early stage.
Time-scale – 12 months to start, with a 10 year Business Plan.
The project will be a social enterprise.
Various potential funders have been identified but not yet approached.
CS raised the issue of accessibility
AO explained that they could get access to the University of Glamorgan’s mobile unit
SM asked if the ACMF could see the Business Plan
KS expressed an interest in there being a link to H4A’s activities
DJ asked about age group targets.
AO There would be no closed doors. There would be 2 – 3 staff per year.
CL said there should be a Communities First link and asked what the (AO & JG’s) next step would be and what could the ACMF help with
AO & JG to meet Karen Dusgate at MTHA to explore some possibilities. ACMF could be the conduit to sustain the development process.

CL asked for a pitch document, which could be considered by funders and sent to the CF Partnership Support Network and other interest groups.

5. Sub-groups
GP received 5 nomination forms. All those who nominated themselves for the “Activities” group, also nominated themselves for the “Strategic” group. Therefore it was agreed to merge the two groups and have one focussed sub-group, to concentrate on pushing the ACMF agenda forward. allowing a whole forum meeting to be planned twice a year (consisting of invited speakers, updates and possibly training events). The purpose of this development is to make the sub-group more focussed and allow the wider group to become more appealing to the general attendee.
The first task of the sub-group would be to clarify the purpose of the ACMF: A service provider or a networking tool?

6. Updates
• Creative Communities may become a partnership project with H4A. Strinda Davies in RCT is currently pursuing at the possibilities and will be contact in all the community groups who showed an interest to reassess the position.
• Global Village had a positive evaluation the workshop sessions will have their own evaluation session on 12th June.
• Bedroc and other projects are also progressing with no further updates


7. AOB
• SM: Trefechan Communities First are working on an intergenerational project with The Willows in Troedyrhiw, to produce a piece of issue based theatre, tackling alcohol abuse.
• SM: 5th August is National Play Day, an event in Cyfarthfa Park. The project expects to engage 1000 children. Sarah Williams at the Play Forum in VAMT is searching for any donations of art materials (paper, pens, paints, kids glue, glitter etc.). If anyone can help, please contact Sarah at sarah@tricountyplay.co.uk.
• KS: Fflach / Flash is the new project from H4A leading to a community play for the 2010 National Eisteddfod in Ebbw Vale. Groups interested in getting involved should contact: Kate Strudwick on kate.strudwick@head4arts.org.uk. They are also working on bilingual lantern workshops, carnival catapilars and on continuing the Tiddly Proms (classical music for toddlers).

8. First Sub-Group meeting:
5th August, 4pm, Civic Centre. The next main ACMF meeting TBC