School Gardens Competiton

THERE were four judges for the Schools Gardens competition – Russell Downe (Town Mayor), Coun D Lane (past Town Mayor), Coun Mrs M Lane and Mrs Heather March. The judges had discussed and agreed that they were looking for the following: design and quality of floral displays; use of shrubs and trees; cleanliness of the area; benefits offered to wildlife and biodiversity; use of sustainable practices – recycling and water use; the overall appearance. So on to the prizes: Early Learning Group – Two schools entered this competition, Llanilltud Fawr and Eagleswell. First place, Eagleswell Primary School. This garden has now been well established for five years, and it continues to combine learning equipment with plants and flowers and use of recycled objects. We loved the flower baskets from hard hats. The children we were told had played a part in growing potatoes, leeks, onions and wild strawberries. Included in all this were herbs, sensory plants, an investigation area and a water shoot. Overall a comprehensive play and learning area. Second place, Llanilltud Fawr Primary School. This garden had an exciting ‘magic path’ leading to the Nursery Garden, through the primary school garden. There was a good initiative to obtain some privacy from the busy road with use of woven materials. There was use of sand and water as well as a tyre wall, which was planted with flowers and vegetables. We also saw a small pool with logs for mini-beasts. Primary School Competition – First place, Eagleswell Primary School. The emphasis on environmental matters at this school is quite outstanding. There have been new trees planted since last year and a splendid new vegetable wheel. We heard that the children were planning to cook a stew from the vegetables the week after the judging. How did this taste? We were shown a photograph of last year’s sunflowers and the new plants for this year. The use of rainwater and homemade compost was very good. Much investigation and adventure play is encouraged. The pond is to be revamped. The children are building an exciting shelter for this area. This school is also involved in the growing and weaving of willow. Altogether an excellent garden. Second place, St Illtyd’s Primary School. This is very interesting courtyard garden, with many plants for smell and colour. Much planting was encouraging for butterflies and bees. Outside was a good vegetable patch and we were informed that a harvest of potatoes had already taken place for a campfire cook-up. Were these well received? We were taken up to see the large wildlife and woodland area, which members of staff and parents, along with the Llantwit Major Horticulutral Society, have spent many a Saturday morning reclaiming from brambles and wilderness. The Heritage Coast has also assisted, and now some hazel trees have been planted. There had also been a willow-weaving project, but were were sad to hear this had been recently vandalised. We were also shown a quiet seating courtyard. This garden has still a huge amount of work needing doing but showed great enthusiasm. Third place, Llanilltud Fawr Primary School. We saw the start of this garden last year, and this year it has made a lot of progress. Some new fruit trees have been planted in the school grounds. We were informed there is a plan for a picnic area, and the children have put up bird boxes. There is a good vegetable plot, some of which have been harvested. There is a lovely mural on a wall, and a path leading off, based on the ‘hungry caterpillar’, as well as a treasure chest and a beach area, with mobiles made from things found on the beach and homemade musical instruments. A new project for this year is a fairy garden in among the brambles. We understand that this garden very much depended upon one teacher, with help from other staff members

THERE were four judges for the Schools Gardens competition – Russell Downe (Town Mayor), Coun D Lane (past Town Mayor), Coun Mrs M Lane and Mrs Heather March. The judges had discussed and agreed that they were looking for the following: design and quality of floral displays; use of shrubs and trees; cleanliness of the area; benefits offered to wildlife and biodiversity; use of sustainable practices – recycling and water use; the overall appearance. So on to the prizes: Early Learning Group – Two schools entered this competition, Llanilltud Fawr and Eagleswell. First place, Eagleswell Primary School. This garden has now been well established for five years, and it continues to combine learning equipment with plants and flowers and use of recycled objects. We loved the flower baskets from hard hats. The children we were told had played a part in growing potatoes, leeks, onions and wild strawberries. Included in all this were herbs, sensory plants, an investigation area and a water shoot. Overall a comprehensive play and learning area. Second place, Llanilltud Fawr Primary School. This garden had an exciting ‘magic path’ leading to the Nursery Garden, through the primary school garden. There was a good initiative to obtain some privacy from the busy road with use of woven materials. There was use of sand and water as well as a tyre wall, which was planted with flowers and vegetables. We also saw a small pool with logs for mini-beasts. Primary School Competition – First place, Eagleswell Primary School. The emphasis on environmental matters at this school is quite outstanding. There have been new trees planted since last year and a splendid new vegetable wheel. We heard that the children were planning to cook a stew from the vegetables the week after the judging. How did this taste? We were shown a photograph of last year’s sunflowers and the new plants for this year. The use of rainwater and homemade compost was very good. Much investigation and adventure play is encouraged. The pond is to be revamped. The children are building an exciting shelter for this area. This school is also involved in the growing and weaving of willow. Altogether an excellent garden. Second place, St Illtyd’s Primary School. This is very interesting courtyard garden, with many plants for smell and colour. Much planting was encouraging for butterflies and bees. Outside was a good vegetable patch and we were informed that a harvest of potatoes had already taken place for a campfire cook-up. Were these well received? We were taken up to see the large wildlife and woodland area, which members of staff and parents, along with the Llantwit Major Horticulutral Society, have spent many a Saturday morning reclaiming from brambles and wilderness. The Heritage Coast has also assisted, and now some hazel trees have been planted. There had also been a willow-weaving project, but were were sad to hear this had been recently vandalised. We were also shown a quiet seating courtyard. This garden has still a huge amount of work needing doing but showed great enthusiasm. Third place, Llanilltud Fawr Primary School. We saw the start of this garden last year, and this year it has made a lot of progress. Some new fruit trees have been planted in the school grounds. We were informed there is a plan for a picnic area, and the children have put up bird boxes. There is a good vegetable plot, some of which have been harvested. There is a lovely mural on a wall, and a path leading off, based on the ‘hungry caterpillar’, as well as a treasure chest and a beach area, with mobiles made from things found on the beach and homemade musical instruments. A new project for this year is a fairy garden in among the brambles. We understand that this garden very much depended upon one teacher, with help from other staff members

Band The Automatic Open Major Music's Recording Studio

ONE of the most exciting projects for local musicians to arrive in the Vale was unveiled this weekend in Llantwit Major. Major Music, a charity designed to encourage young people’s interest and participation in musical projects, officially opened a purpose-built recording studio at Llantwit Major Youth Centre on Sunday (September 24). The brainchild of Dave Roberts and Phil Kirkham, Major Music is a registered charity, and has been a platform for a number of acts and bands en route to stardom. One of those bands, The Automatic, one of the UK’s hottest bands at the moment due to the success of their last single ‘Monster’, opened the studio. Dave Roberts said: “The Automatic, formerly known as White Rabbit, had links with Major Music in their early days, and are a great example of what it takes to make it in the music business. “They were always hard at work in the rehearsal room I think this is going to be of great benefit to the youth of the town. “I have been a long-time supporter of Major Music, and it has been a long haul for them to get the funding needed to get this off the ground.” He added: “I was really impressed by the equipment that was installed in the studio.”

Rotary Club Guest Speaker

I was invited to be the Guest Speaker at the Rotary Clubs Annual Dinner, I attended this along with Cllr Sally Bagstaff. They were interested to hear about what our council has been doing over the last Two years. And about my time in office.
I talked about how much the Town council had changed over the years from being a very political Council to now being controlled by a independent group, as Majority of 14-1.
This has indeed shaped the future of the Town Council as all councilors are singing from the same hymn sheet.
I talked about the massive changes that this new Council has implemented over the last two years, and in good housekeeping has managed not to have put the Council Tax rate they receive from the County Council for the last two years, which has never been achieved before.
The upgrading of nearly all the Councils properties including the cemetery and the opening of the Stillbirth and children's memorial garden, Heritage center. And new improved Light up Llantwit for Xmas program. As well as many other projects underway within the Community. My Talk went on for about 35 Min and then I took a question and answer Session, were the main concern seemed to be the access to the Local beach through the slipway being crumbled and full of large Rocks, I ensured guests that We as a Council were putting pressure on the County Council and also through are Vale Independent councilors whom also sit on the Town Council and that we agreed this was an important issue that could have an affect on our tourism.

My speech was well received and had a great evening, perhaps Councils should run offices through the same four way test system that the Rotarys stand by:

The Four-Way Test

From the earliest days of the organization, Rotarians were concerned with promoting high ethical standards in their professional lives. One of the world's most widely printed and quoted statements of business ethics is The Four-Way Test, which was created in 1932 by Rotarian Herbert J. Taylor (who later served as RI president) when he was asked to take charge of a company that was facing bankruptcy.
This 24-word test for employees to follow in their business and professional lives became the guide for sales, production, advertising, and all relations with dealers and customers, and the survival of the company is credited to this simple philosophy. Adopted by Rotary in 1943, The Four-Way Test has been translated into more than a hundred languages and published in thousands of ways. It asks the following four questions:
"Of the things we think, say or do:

Is it the TRUTH?
Is it FAIR to all concerned?
Will it build GOODWILL and BETTER FRIENDSHIPS?
Will it be BENEFICIAL to all concerned?"




( The Rotary international have just given there one billion polio vaccination).

Le Pouliguen Twin Town Visit

I was delighted to visit our twin town of Le Pouliguen in southern Brittany with the Llantwit Major Twinning Association a few weeks ago along with Cllr Ann Mathews whom accompanied me.
The committee that organised the five day trip put a lot of hard work into arranging the programme, and I would like to thank them for their hard work and dedication, and also the members that came along for looking after me and making my trip most enjoyable.
When we arrived Cllr Michel Breton President of their twining association met us along with our hosts whom took us under their wings and showered us with French culture. My host was Deputy Mayor of Le Pouliguen Cllr Elisabeth Loday wife of Yves Loday, Olympic gold medallist and a French sailing super-star.

On arrival we were honoured by a welcoming reception were The Mayor of Le Pouliguen Christian Canonne and myself exchanged gifts. And we both gave speeches, I delivered my mine in French, having had a French lesson on the coach down with the Chairperson Diane Smith, I am told it was fine and everyone managed to understand it.
The week was packed with social activities and day trips including a visit to the historic citadel of Port Louis near Lorient. And am proud to say that Llantwit Major won the annual completion again this year, Last year it was wine tasting, this year was at cooking Crepes (French Pancakes).
The week ended with dinner-dance held in a local hotel. Which was extremely well attended, With Dr Peter Thomas whom turned 86 while we were there out dancing us all till the early hours. (It’s that secret herbal remedy he has)
The Twinning Association is very successful within the town, and is always putting on different themed events and are always on the look out to welcome new member to join them.
The next event is on 14th October Buffet, Entertainment and Dancing to Sounds Familiar, Llantilltud Fawr Primary School. Tickets £10.00, If anyone is interested in attending contact me at the Town Hall and I will put you in touch with them.

Bethel Baptist End of Summer Play scheme

Was invited along to take part in the bethel Baptist End of Summer lay scheme and BBQ, This is a great program the Church puts on for the local Children, and has been running for a number of years now. I judged the children's competition different teams had made josephs Coat of many colors.

What a great atmosphere their, Full of Love and Light