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An early in the day visit to the September Fun Fair
The annual September Fair seemed bigger than ever this year and the above photographs show just a small part of this long standing traditional event in Neath.
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Photo’s and Presentation by HL & LL
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Neath Port Talbot Council is undertaking a statutory update of its Active Travel Network Map (ATNM) in line with the Active Travel (Wales) Act 2013. We are now inviting public feedback to help shape future improvements to walking, wheeling, and cycling routes across the county borough, from September 3rd to October 19th.
Key Points: This update involves a comprehensive review and rationalisation of both existing and proposed routes. Existing Routes will be assessed to ensure they meet Welsh Government standards for active travel infrastructure. Future Routes, including those that are planned or require improvement, will be evaluated and refined to support more effective, inclusive, and accessible travel options.
The public consultation provides residents with a valuable opportunity to contribute directly to this process. By sharing their experiences, ideas, and concerns, individuals can help shape the future of active travel in Neath Port Talbot. Their input will inform investment decisions, support the development of safer routes, and ensure the network reflects the needs and priorities of local communities.
https://datamap.gov.wales/survey/Neath-Port-Talbot-AT-survey
https://mapdata.llyw.cymru/survey/Neath-Port-Talbot-AT-survey/
Thank you for your ongoing support in helping shape the future of Neath Port Talbot’s Active Travel Network.
NPT Active Travel Team
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Congratulations to Ceri Holmes and Stephen Allen on winning the Welsh National Bowls Championships Mixed Pairs at Llandrindod Wells.
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This year Resolven Bowls Club (RBC) celebrated 93 years since the formation of the Club and the Pavilion which was opened as a Community Hall for the first time in 1932. The original Pavilion was a striking green wooden building with a front porch which saw great service for many years.
Due to its age and as the old Pavilion was being used extensively the Resolven Community Council replaced it in 1987 with a new brick building – which included a kitchen, a large meeting room, separate changing rooms and external toilets.
The RBC celebrations were held on Sunday, 3 August with rain clouds in the morning, but the afternoon turned out to be fine and warm, changing the surface of the green which provided a challenge for the bowlers. There was some very good, skilfully clever bowling to appreciate and admire from many International bowlers from all over Wales.
The whole event was organised very efficiently and confidently by Andrew Hopkins supported by Simon Ace (who had been trained well by the original Convenor, Mike Herbert advising from South Africa) and they were helped by very many local Volunteers. It proved a complex system to organise with over 70 entries, almost half either current or past International bowlers, but the system worked very smoothly and successfully throughout the day.
The day attracted many spectators and their families, and refreshments were readily available for all present. The Resolven Green has become well known for being “one of the best” not only in the area but in Wales. All credit to the Community Council Groundsman and all bowling helpers who give of their time freely to ensure that the Green and surrounding area is as good as it could and should be.
Losing Semi-finalists were the Resolven triple of Shaun (Ned) Kelly, Regan Ace and Stephen Allen who lost out narrowly to the eventual winners John Roberts, Mike Jackson and Resolven’s own Nigel James, on an extra end, whilst Jake Hancock, Jordan Driscoll and Jamie Harries beat defending Champions skipped by Ross Owen. but then lost to Carl Wood’s triples. The Finals were held late afternoon and the bowling was thrilling to watch, especially as there was a team from Resolven Bowls Club in the Semi Finals.
The Semi-finalists, Finalists and Winners presentations were done by Resolven’s BC Chair, Andrew Hopkins, Secretary, Simon Ace and President, Hugh Lewis.
The ‘Plate’ final saw Gareth Lewis, Ian Henderson and Marc Wyatt winning against the regular Pontrhydyfen triple in this event Chris Jones, Barrie Evans and Ben Thomas.
Another successful event that the Resolven Bowls Club can be proud of and a bright future looks promising for the sport of Bowls in the village of Resolven.
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Photographs by Lionel Stock and Hugh Lewis
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On Sunday 10th of August 2025 on a glorious, sunny afternoon Resolven bowling green came alive with Cowboys and Indians and was transformed into a Country & Western scene with the outdoor marquee renamed the Saloon, along with the sounds of honky-tonk country music playing in the background.
The event was organised, for the second year, by ‘CHANGE STEP’, a support charity for military veterans in Wales in conjunction with Resolven Bowls Club and Resolven CC. The day was filled with laughter, good sportsmanship and fun bowling which was a great social get together for the Veterans and the Resolven bowlers.
The organisation :-
The Event:-
There was a good atmosphere both for the bowlers on the green but also for all of the spectators watching.
After the bowling, refreshments provided by the Veterans and RBC were enjoyed and a raffle was drawn with all proceeds and donations going to the Charity (No. 1039386)
Simon Ace said it was a great privilege and pleasure to host the match again this year. Mike a Resolven resident, spoke on behalf of the Veterans and expressed his thanks to everyone at Resolven for their welcome and for making the event such an enjoyable experience.
On the day with the raffle and donations the sum of £170 was raised. All the proceeds go to ‘Change Step’ and help towards the funds for a trip to Normandy which they are planning for 2026.
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“I have recently found a box in which was a photo on a newspaper clipping which contained information on the drowning of a Private Newbury during a bathing drill. It states that they lived in Yeo Street Resolven. There is not much information on there and the clipping. Is not in good condition. I think his Christian name could have been Gormer? My maiden name was Newbury and I was born and bred in Resolven. I am interested in finding out more about this if anyone can remember anything?”
Please reply directly to Louise by e-mailing her on marie.louise.gregory@icloud.com
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On Monday 28 July Resolven Bowls Club with the cooperation of the Resolven Community Council were hosts to the Welsh Lawn Bowls President’s side against the Welsh Under 25’s Academy, so the ages of the 48 bowlers on the green ranged from 10 to 80+ showing that there is no age barrier in the sport of bowls.
The names of the Welsh Under 25 Academy squad are shown below.
The President of Welsh Lawn Bowls, Heulwen Morgan chose her side from various clubs throughout Wales, including Resolven BC and every bowler wore their own Club kit on the day. The Resolven bowlers were Lyn Johnson, Christine Twaite, Margaret Philips, Tony Philips, David James, Hugh Day, Janice Day, Aeron Humphries, Nigel Davies and Freda Skerry.
Over the six rinks the score was very close throughout the match but the Under 25’s Welsh squad managed to pip the Welsh President’s rink teams by a few shots.
The weather was kind and the whole event was a great success, after which refreshments were enjoyed by all.
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The previous day the West Glamorgan County Bowling Association Under 18’s were at Resolven.
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The condition of Resolven green and surrounding area is the envy of many Bowls Clubs and is such by the hard work of many volunteers throughout the year working with the Resolven Community Council Groundsman.
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Resolven Bowls Club (RBC) was officially started in 1932 and as previously reported on this website, the Club has celebrated this by holding an annual Invitation Tournament, which this year, 2025 is titled ‘The 93’.
Again Resolven welcomes more International bowlers this weekend. We understand that nearly half of the players in the tournament have represented Wales at Junior or Senior International level with British and Commonwealth Champions. The players draw has been done but anyone can enjoy World class bowling and be a spectator.
‘The 93’ takes place at Resolven Bowling Green on Sunday, 3 August, from 9.00a.m. through to the evening.
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