Ynysfach  School’s Remembrance Service

 

 

On Friday the 10th of November, at 11 a.m, Class 6 from Ynysfach Primary School took part in a moving Remembrance Service at the village War Memorial.  The Resolven Branch of the British Legion and St David’s Church were both involved in organising what has become an annual tribute to “The Fallen” by Ynysfach pupils.

There was a brief flurry of rain before the children arrived, but the sun shone fitfully throughout the service conducted by Father Andrew Davies.

The children took part by reading aloud every name on the War memorial They also read poems and a Remembrance Prayer for Children and a youngster solemnly laid a wreath on the steps of the Memorial on behalf all his schoolmates.

The youngsters observed a sombre silence throughout the whole ceremony, which included the Last Post and the Raising and Lowering of the Flag.

 

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Mike Davies Images from Storm Brian

Mike was up the crack of dawn to get RDN these spectacular images of Storm Brian as it hit Porthcawl recently.  High tide was at 8p.m and Mike says he has never witnessed such a storm as this before.

Don’t worry!   Mike was safe and out of harm’s way and says he’s looking forward to the next one!

 

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Ynysfach School “Grow a Pound “results

 

 

 

Last term Ynysfach Primary School held a “Grow A Pound” initiative. All pupils were given £1 and asked to come up with ideas on how to turn the £1 into more money. There were many fantastic ideas, many community based and the pupils raised over £2000. The money is being spent on things that the pupils want. The first things to arrive are a wooden train, pirate ship and a messy table.

 

 

 

 

 

 

              

 

Playtime games have also been bought

and new benches for the yard.

 

Well done to all the pupils, parents and the community!

Donna Stroud

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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Remembrance Sunday

Father Andrew Davies and members of St. David’s Church Resolven, together with the Resolven Branch of the Royal British Legion, will once again, be conducting this year’s Remembrance Day Services at both Resolven and Clyne.

The Resolven Service will commence at 10:30 am in the Church Hall, then just before 11:00 am it will continue outside at the War Memorial for the Act of Remembrance.
The whole Service at Clyne will commence at 12:00 noon at the War Memorial.

During recent years the attendance at both Services has significantly increased and both the Church and the Royal British Legion look forward once again to your support.

On Friday, 10th November, 2017, the senior class at Ynysfach School will be attending at the Resolven War Memorial, where during a short Service a member of the class will lay a wreath in Remembrance of the fallen.

It is right that the children are taking part in such a solemn and important occasion and the Church and Legion wish to thank the Headmaster, Mr. Morgan and the children’s parents for their support, without which, the occasion would not be possible.

The organisers ask that, if available, the local community make an effort to attend as this would encourage the children and be a good omen for their attendance in future years.

 

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Summer into Autumn with Ynysfach WI

It seems a dim memory now but at the end of August we enjoyed a wonderful day at Blenheim Palace.

We were blessed with the most beautiful weather in which to explore the magnificent house and glorious grounds.

The Palace is, of course, steeped in history, from 1704 when the estate was given by a grateful country to the Duke of Marlborough following his success at the Battle of Blenheim, up to the present day when it is celebrated as the childhood home of Winston Churchill.

The magnificent interiors and excellent incorporated exhibitions make it a hugely enjoyable and interesting place to visit – highly recommended!

In September we enjoyed ‘ a most diverting evening in the most fashionable company’!  June Ashton- Mears was our speaker. She makes accurately detailed copies of Victorian costumes (mostly using recycled fabrics!) they really were beautiful – although the six of us that modelled the gowns were relieved that we were not asked to wear the original corsetry on display!

 

Our gallant models were June Davies, Dot Evans, Carole Jeffrey, Jean Hill and me, led by Brenda Rees dressed as Queen Victoria herself.

I don’t know if you have tried to sit down while wearing a crinoline but…….!

It was a thoroughly enjoyable evening, our speaker was amusing and informative and had brought along many original accessories to show us. June’s husband took some very professional looking photos of us, including Brenda as a very regal Queen Victoria and Jean taking an elegant stroll.

It was a fashion show of a rather more relaxed style that we experienced at the end of the month.  Along with a few other WIs we attended a ‘Lunch and Fashion Show’ at Norton House Hotel, Mumbles. The lunch was delicious and the fashions from Solo and Goose Island were altogether more casual – not a crinoline or bustle in sight!

JEN COLLEY (President Ynysfach W.I)

 

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Resolven Council Of Churches Tearfund Tea

“TEARFUND TEA”

Please come and join us for tea at

Sardis Chapel

On

Wednesday October 11th 2017

At

2.00pm

Admission £2.50

Please pay at Door

Proceeds in Aid of Tearfund

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Community Project Fund Grant Scheme

 

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Neath Fair 731st Year

The Great Neath Fair celebrated its 731st year last week. The deputy Mayor – Cllr Dennis Keogh, rang the bell to officially open it after a minute’s silence for Mayor Cllr Janice Dudley, who sadly died last month while attending a function at Aberavon Beach.  

In spite of the inclement weather crowds turned out and I managed to include the street fair and the funfair

To see the full fair including the street fair view here :

www.youtube.com/watch?v=mgxrvvXnxCg

Photo and Presentation Mike Davies

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Battle Of Britain Parade Video

Our RDN photographer Mike Davies (seen above filming Resolven Carnival) was at the Battle of Britain Parade in Neath for us on Sunday.

Click on link below to see his video of the Parade on You Tube

www.youtube.com/watch?v=yzF9Ve2jwG8

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Resolven Walk In Flu Jab

RESOLVEN

There will be a “WALK-IN” Flu Vaccination Clinic in St David’s Church Hall on the following date:

  • Tuesday 10th October 2017 – 9:15am to 4:45pm

It would greatly help our Practice Nurses efficiency, if you arrived at the clinic wearing a short sleeved shirt for your vaccination.

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Glynneath Walk In Flu Jab

GLYNNEATH

There will be a “WALK-IN” Flu Vaccination Clinic in Glynneath Town Hall on the following dates:

  • Thursday 5th October 2017 – 9:15am to 5:30pm
  • Thursday 12th October 2017 – 9:15am to 11:45am

It would greatly help our Practice Nurses efficiency, if you arrived at the clinic wearing a short sleeved shirt for your vaccination.

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Extra Flu Jabs Info

A walk- in clinic will be available in Resolven and Glynneath Surgeries

 

 

12.00 and 12.45 every Thursday from Monday the 16th of October

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Brilliant Ladies’ Bowls Final

Resolven Ladies’ Bowls Club Championship Final, played this week, was a gripping affair and worthy of a slot on Match of the Day T.V. Christine Twaite, 7 times winner of the title faced Ceri Holmes, a beginner who only picked up a bowl for the first time last year. Chris had already beaten Ceri in the 3 Woods Final, but picking up the Rose Bowl as winner of the Club Championship is the ultimate accolade.

The game was superb-hardly a loose bowl from either player. Ceri was on 18 shots (only 3 away from winning the match), when Chris using intelligent tactics, moved the mat up the green and started a great fight back.  Ceri was stuck on 18 with Chris gaining on her and spectators were muttering “anyone’s game”, when Ceri took an end, put up a long jack and won the game. What a Final!

Congratulations to both bowlers, who not only played excellent bowls but also played in the real spirit of the game..

Christine Twaite …. Ceri Holmes

Also congratulations to Carwen Thomas who kept a cool and impartial head and did a great job marking the game, particularly since Ceri is her daughter!

Christine Twaite/ Ceri Holmes/ Carwen Thomas

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In Memory of Annie

Anne Dadak (Annie) of John Street., whose funeral took place on September the 11th, was not a native of Resolven. But when she arrived here from Bournemouth, she immediately made friends and soon became a familiar figure in the village – walking her dogs and acting as secretary and committee member for Resolven Residents’ Association and Resolven District News. Annie had worked as a legal secretary, so both groups were lucky to have her on board and RDN were delighted to “print” two of her stories on our website. She had a real gift as a storyteller. The warmth of her personality shone through them, as brightly as her distinctive red hair.

She will be missed by many and as a tribute to her and the place she made for herself in our community; here is the last story of hers that we featured on RDN.

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Annie Goes On A Holiday

We’d already met Annie on our website as Annie the Lady with red hair and the dogs. She told us about arriving in Resolven eleven years ago. In this story, Annie told us about her first experience of a coach holiday.

“Many years ago I remember watching a Benny Hill sketch starring Barbara Windsor about coach tour holidays.  It was all speeded up and so very funny. I laughed and laughed but at the same time I said to myself ‘you will never catch me going on one of those’. Famous last words!

In 2006 I was on the road to recovery after months of treatment for a serious medical condition. When I was first diagnosed I had set myself three goals.  Namely, 1) Beat the ‘dreaded lurgy’ – which I did.  2) Lunch on the Northern Belle – which I did too.  3) Go on holiday – until then I had always taken my two dogs Hope and Glory with me. We often stayed in a hotel in Sidmouth which took dogs.  But this holiday was to be the first on my own.

ANNIE WITH FRIEND ON THE NORTHERN BELLE

I wanted to visit Scotland the homeland of my Grandma and Grandpa McNicol but how would I get there especially as I didn’t drive.
Yes, you have guessed it a coach tour would be my best option.

GRANDMA McNICOL

I contacted a local coach tour operator and Bob’s your uncle (or should I say Benny’s) everything was arranged.  Oban was to be my base for the five day break.
A busy itinerary was on the agenda so there was no chance of getting into mischief.

WISH ME LUCK AS YOU WAVE ME GOODBYE!

My pick up point was the bus stop outside Neath Railway Station at the crack of dawn.   As I sat in the bus shelter a ‘gentleman of the road’ came and sat down beside me.   He made his acquaintance whilst he drank a cup of tea which the Station Master had given him.
He was a Scot who had fallen on hard times and been on the road for a number of years.   He desperately wanted to get back into society.   He had an appointment that afternoon which was to help him achieve his aim.

The next minute another ‘gentleman of the road’ sits down and then another, so now there are three.   One Scot, one Irish man and a man from the North of England – quite cosmopolitan.   As you can imagine a wide range of conversation took place.
My coach arrived and as I went to board the three ‘gentlemen’ come to wish me good luck and waved me off.   I reciprocated and felt quite humbled.

 

ANTICIPATION

It wasn’t exactly the send off anyone would have envisaged – certainly different.   As I took my seat I was wondering what my fellow travellers were thinking.   Never mind, just sit back, relax and enjoy the ride as they say.   I could hardly ask the driver to stop and let me off.
During our long journey to Oban we were all gradually getting to know each other and the ice was broken.   Another lady who was travelling on her own and I would enjoy a cup of coffee together on our ‘comfort stops’.
By the time we reached our Hotel I was very much at ease and looking forward to the excursions and having the company of new people.
SOUL SEARCHING
After a couple of busy excursion days there was to be a free day in Oban.   An optional half-day tour was on offer but I declined as I wanted the chance to explore.
In the afternoon I discovered the War Memorial with its gardens set up high overlooking the sea.
I studied the names on the Memorial but there was no mention of McNicol.   However, on subsequent tours of Scotland I have found the name depicted.
As I sat down on a bench looking out to sea a young man approached and asked if he could join me.   I said yes of course.   He was married with a three year old daughter, was a lecturer at Stirling University, and had just acquired a puppy.
COMRADESHIP
The next day we all eagerly boarded the ferry to the Isle of Mull.
It was a lovely sunny day and I sat on deck to make the most of the views and take in the fresh air.
On arriving at Mull we had a splendid tour of the Island.   From there we took another boat over to Iona.   Our coach driver had allocated us plenty of time to explore the Island before we were all due to meet up.
The ‘comfort stops lady’ and I headed off together it was such a lovely tranquil place with heaps of history.   There was even a little pub where we took refreshment.
The time came to make our way back to the coach. As is normal a head count is carried out by the driver to ensure his ‘charges’ are all present and correct. However on this occasion one appeared to be missing! He was an elderly gentleman who was on his own.   Everybody was concerned about him. A search party was set up to go and find him. Eventually one hour later the wanderer returned. He had mistaken the meet up time. The coach driver was still smiling and kept his cool despite the fact there was a deadline to catch the last ferry back to the mainland.
Needless to say the gentleman in question was always first on parade after that.
As a lone coach traveller I have met many interesting people from all walks of life along the way. The company is there when you want it or you can do your own thing – the choice is yours. You are well looked after and in safe hands.”
MORAL OF THE STORY IS ‘NEVER SAY NEVER’!
ANNIE CELEBRATING HER 70TH BIRTHDAY
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