Spring Morning 30th March Vale of Neath
SUNRISE
A TOUCH OF FROST
RHEOLA LAKE AT SUNRISE
Our RDN photographer Mike Davies was up with the lark to provide us with these lovely images.
Many thanks Mike!
Young Resolven Player Leads Wales to Victory
Resolven youth rugby player Bradley Roderick who plays inside centre for Resolven youth has been given the honour of captain for the Welsh youth team. From captaining his local team last year to captaining the national youth team this year is an accolade not seen in Resolven before.
Resolven youth are trained by Craig Pritchard, Steven Lewis and Kevin Lewis and Bradley has been part of the team who have qualified to play in the final of the Welsh Bowl at the Principality Stadium on May 4th
Craig and Bradley
Steve and Bradley
. He has continued his winning ways by captaining the Welsh team in an exciting win against France where Wales 18’s came back from a 15 point deficit at half time to win 32 – 22 to the sheer delight of his family and friends who went to watch the match .
Bradley with his dad Lyn
Mam and Dad Yvonne and Lyn and Grandfather Terry Roderick
The Welsh U18’s Team
Achievements such as this come from dedication and commitment along with natural skill and I don’t think this is the last we will hear of Bradley Roderick. This is just the beginning of what we hope will be a successful journey in his chosen sport .
Well done Bradley and to you and your Resolven team – ‘may the 4th be with you’ in the final of the Welsh Bowl in May!
REPORT by DIANE SIMS
Completed Park Structure Enjoyment
Photographs taken on 28th March 2019
New climbing frame being enjoyed
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Photographs by Hugh Lewis
Unusual New Structure for Resolven Park
Unusual New Structure for Resolven Park
The above photograph, taken on 26th March 2019 shows a brand new partly erected modern climbing frame being created as a ‘space like shape’ on a concrete base {under construction}.
This new Climbing frame is scheduled to be completed by early April.
It replaces the wooden climbing structure which had been used extensively over the past few years and was removed due to its deteriorating condition.
The project was grant funded from the Neath Port Talbot Minor Project Scheme and the Ffynnon Oer Wind Farm, with the remainder of the project cost covered by a contribution from the Resolven Community Council.
This new climbing frame adds a modern and futuristic look to the Resolven Park of today and will soon be ready for the children of the village to enjoy and explore.
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Lorna & Hugh Lewis
River Neath High Tide Pictures
Has anyone noticed how high the tides are lately? This is due to the Spring tides and it is also seen in September. They reach heights of 10.20 + higher in rough weather, The Bristol Channel has the second highest tidal range in the world, only exceeded by the Bay of Fundy in Canada.(source Google)
I was out and about early on a super Sunday morning to catch the high tides.
NEATH ESTUARY
NEATH RIVER
PANORAMA
VALE OF NEATH
RDN photographer Mike Davies
Funeral Notice for Mr Philip Jones
In Loving Memory
Of
Philip Jones
Peacefully, on Friday 15th March 2019, at his home.
Philip, of Woodland Terrace, Resolven.
Dearly loved husband of Glenis,
much loved and respected father of Stephen, Rhian and Rhys,
dear father-in-law of Kate, Wayne and Lisa
and cherished ‘Grumpy’ of his grandchildren.
Philip will be greatly missed by his loving family and friends.
Funeral Service on Wednesday 3rd April 2019
Would friends please meet at Margam Crematorium
at 1:30 p.m. for a service.
Family flowers only by request, but donations in lieu
if so desired please to Marie Curie
c/o Mr. Rhys Maggs of Resolven Funeral Home,
21a Commercial Road, Resolven, SA11 3UD.
Further enquiries please to (01639) 710222
Golden Wedding Anniversary
A well known Resolven couple celebrated their Golden Wedding Anniversary recently.
Anita and Lyn Maddocks living in Yeo Street met locally and were married in Sardis Baptist Church on 8th March 1969.
They had their Reception at the Cimla Court Hotel, in Neath and enjoyed a honeymoon in Majorca.
A surprise party to celebrate their 50 years of married life together was organised by friends and family at Ebenezer Baptist Church, Herbert Road, Melyn, and a speech of congratulations and gifts were given on behalf of all the members by the Senior Deacon, Mr Dennis Jones.
Lyn’s induction service as Pastor of Ebenezer was held on 1st February 2013, and along with Anita who is always by his side, are very much involved in various activities in the Church. They have worked tirelessly to make the building into the welcoming and successful Church that it is today.
A very memorable surprise party for Anita & Lyn
Anita’s parents, John and Betty Morgan are well remembered for having the Corner Shop at the top of John Street for many years.
Anita worked in Cam Gears as a Telephonist for a while and later on at the Neath Port Talbot Hospital in the Phlebotomy Dept.
Lyn was a self-employed Painter and Decorator and in his spare time was involved in all areas of sport in Resolven and in the local youth club.
Being blessed with a fine singing voice he and his brothers enjoyed singing in public from a young age. He was asked to sing in many concerts and events and was a member of the Resolven & District Amateur Operatic Society.
Lyn, who is also involved in local charity organisations, is a well respected Pastor and is in great demand to officiate in weddings, funerals and other ceremonies.
Proud parents to Maria, who lives abroad, Anita and Lyn are also really proud grandparents to Benjamin and Stephanie.
Anita and Lyn were brought up and raised to experience, and fully appreciate all that the local community of village life gave them, and both still like to call the village of Resolven their home.
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All the team at RDN send their Congratulations to Anita and Lyn.
Report by Lorna & Hugh Lewis
A Report on the March Meeting of Resolven History Society
March has proved a busy month for the History Society thus far. On the 8th, the Society held their annual dinner at the Angel, Pontneddfechan, attended by twenty three members and a good time was had by all. On the following Monday, a good attendance awaited Mr Huw Williams of Dowlais at the Church Hall.
Mr Williams has visited Resolven many times and used to conduct a WEA History group at the Community Centre. Last year, he spoke on the Cynon valley and such was the scope of his talk that he was invited to give a second course, by discussing the culture of Aberdare and district in the 19th century.
He began by revisiting several of the industrial themes which gave rise to the society which spawned the culture. Reference was made to the industrial rivalry with both Merthyr Tudful and later the Rhondda valleys in terms of coal production. Powell Duffryn’s access to the 4’seam had sparked huge production of coal and the spawning of a dual parliamentary seat between Merthyr and Aberdare.
In essence the culture of Aberdare could be focused through the prism of four distinct themes. Firstly the chapel culture of the valley, nicknamed “Sweet Bêr Dâr”, produced meeting places and became the venues for cymanfaoedd canu ( singing festivals) and Eisteddfodau. Some chapels even ran sports teams though this was rather diminished in the revival of 1904. Central to this was the discipline of “adroddiad” ( formal recitation) which was a common feature of Welsh society, where children and adults would learn scripture by rote in order to repeat in chapel ( a tradition familiar to many of those present,Ed). This showed itself in the minister style public speaking style, so evident in the politicians of the period with its clear enunciation.
The second theme was that of the choirs. Aberdare had Male, Female and mixed choirs. Most famously was the Côr Caradog which famously sang for Queen Victoria at the Crystal Palace and was so large that the Male Voice Choir that it was counted in hundreds and travelled in its own train to London. The innovation of Curwen’s modulator and the tonic solfa produced a society which could read and perform music and was indicative of the fact that by 1870 the population was more literate and educated. Indeed in 1878, Henry Richard the famous pacifist from Tregaron,( Apostol Heddwch ) was elected as MP for Aberdare.
The third theme was that of the growth of the printing industry in Aberdare in the nineteenth century. The valley was the centre for the printing of religious tracts and newspapers in both English and Welsh. “Tarian y Gweithiwr”, a Welsh language newspaper written for the working man was produced there . The main company performing this work was Stephens and George, a company which still produces programmes for the Welsh Rugby Union. Even though, the area ironically became a hotspot for Rugby League in Wales in the early twentieth century.
The final theme, which is often overlooked today was that the Society operated almost entirely in Welsh. By 1900, Abedare had a population of 14,999. The Society was fueled by Calvinistic Methodism which gave the population a sense of confidence and drive.
Mr Williams finished his highly entertaining talk by musing as to the meaning of the term “popular culture”, but was still no wiser. He stated that the valleys needed a cultural revolution fueled by a renewed sense of community and citizenship.
Following a lengthy question and answer session, Trefor Jones deputisng for Chairman Gwyn Thomas, thanked Mr Williams for his illuminating talk. He stated that in essence, each valley community was similar in tradition, but were also unique in other ways.
REPORT by TREFOR JONES
Digital Inclusion Sessions in Library
We will be holding ‘digital inclusion’ sessions at the library for people who don’t have internet access.
Call in on Wednesday mornings for help with switching energy supplier which could save you money!
