News

Earlier this year the R&M Community Council received a number of complaints from residents who thought that blasting at the Cemex Quarry had caused vibration at their homes. They reported on how the quarry would work, in future, to ensure that disruption would be kept to a minimum.

They met with Cemex this week. They showed the R&MCC where blasting had taken place on the day people complained –  and the direction that the blast had been laid.  They then showed where the next blasting had taken place – and the direction of the blast. They explained that since the R&MCC drew their attention to residents’ concerns about the blasting, they had placed vibrographs in Morganstown to measure vibrations – and the readings were almost zero.  They offered to come and talk with the R&MCC and residents to explain how they are trying to make sure that Morganstown is not affected by their work.

They also have woods that they manage – and they are willing to organise a visit to the woods, with an expert who can explain about tree and nature management on the land owned by the quarry.

​If  you would like to meet with Cemex – or if you would like to visit the woodland that the company manages – please let the R&MCC know by contacting them here, . The meeting – and the woodland visit – would probably take place during the working day.

(Content copied from the R&MCC Website on request)

Have you bought your stamps for the Scout Post yet? Only 30p per card.

In Radyr stamps are available from

• Pugh’s Garden Centre – Morganstown
• Solo Hair & Beauty – 1a Springfield Gardens, Morganstown
• P’zazz, Hair Designers – Castle Court
• Slice – Station Road
• Radyr Library – Park Road
• Litte Flower Den Florist – Rear Of 2 Station Road
• Allan Cook – 54 Pentwyn
• Mary Barnes – 56 Dan-Y-Bryn Avenue
• Hugh Davidson – 86 Heol Isaf
• Julie Davies – 1 Drysgol Road
• John Travers – 8 Chestnut Tree Close
• Any Section Leader – 1st Radyr Hq Heol Isaf

Delivery areas can be checked at http://www.cardiffandvalescouts.org.uk/scoutpost/

Radyr Scouts Group are also looking for volunteers to help sort the Christmas mail. They are meeting from Thursday 28th November at 10am in the Scout hall through to Friday 6th of December.  Can you spare some time to help?

The nextbike station in Station Road is now fully installed and (at the time of drafting) has bikes available for hire.

For full details of how the scheme works and to give it a try visit: https://www.nextbike.co.uk/en/cardiff/ 

(For update, pleae scroll to bottom of item)

Traffic Lights to east of junction of Heol Isaf and Llantrisant Road

Permission to operate temporary traffic lights is, rightly or wrongly, a matter where the local County Councillor has no formal voice. It is determined by a meeting of council officers, the contractor and the developer. I made several suggestions on the need to prevent the roundabout being blocked by queuing traffic coming from the west; I also questioned the hours of work, particularly as they are almost non –existent at weekends when traffic is light. I suggested doing the work in school holidays and asked for consultation with nearby residents to see if 24 hour working could minimise the duration of the work. As the scheme was approved in its current form, I pointed out that little traffic was able to exit from Heol Isaf onto the roundabout; I demanded an arrangement to control the queues from the west as these were blocking access to the roundabout. This was done and traffic movement from Heol Isaf improved.

This week the contractor stopped deploying the man who controlled traffic from the west. I was not either consulted or informed; I have informed council officers of the consequent huge delays in traffic movement and I have sent them a selection of the huge number of justified complaints I have received. I was told, unofficially, that the traffic controller was removed on grounds of safety. Since then, I have requested an alternative system to ensure that traffic coming from the west is constrained to queue west of the roundabout. I was advised that a meeting arranged for today, 14th November, would resolve matters. Failing a workable solution, I will demand that Cardiff Council revokes the permission to operate temporary lights.

I make two supplementary points:

• It is lamentable that the local County Councillor is not formally consulted over such major traffic issues; this means that no voice is permitted to represent the local population who suffer the predictable huge delays.
• Despite wild allegations to the contrary, I opposed the local development plan (LDP) at all stages and in every possible way; in this, support came from many local people and organisations such as R+MCC and RMA. The LDP was forced through by the ruling Labour Party in Cardiff Council, urged on by the ruling Labour Party in the Assembly.

County Councillor Rod McKerlich, 7am on Thursday 14^th November

PS: As I write this, I can see traffic queuing from past the centre of Radyr aiming for the roundabout.

Since writing this message, Plasdwr have issued the follwing statement: https://plasdwr.co.uk/llantrisant-road/ and Paul Carter, Head of Transport for Cardiff Council, has sent Cllr McKerlich the following message:

I met with the Network Management Team  early morning regarding the road works on Llantrisant Road. As you know, the current traffic delays are entirely due to the temporary traffic lights – installed for the necessary drainage works – required on a  24/7 basis in support of your development.

The traffic management is being monitored on a daily basis and particularly during peak times. We too are naturally keen to keep any disruption to an absolute minimum and it is unfortunate that problems were exacerbated earlier today because of a broken down car. That said, and to assist, we are now proposing  a modified plan to include an additional temporary traffic control unit on Llantrisant Road – placed further back on the southbound access leg to the roundabout junction with Heol Isaf. It is considered that this will allow more opportunity for Heol Isaf traffic to the egress onto  Llantrisant Road (a.m. peak),  in a more orderly and equitable way.

We plan to test this alternative modification tomorrow morning and our respective colleagues are, as I type, putting this into action.

Hope this is of some assistance.

Best Wishes,

Paul.

Jazz hands waving! Helen Lloyd Jones, Vice Chair of Radyr and Morganstown Community Council, ran her first Marathon this November in New York. The photo shows Helen waiting to start on Staten Island. The bridge behind is Verrazzano Narrows Bridge.  It’s the longest suspension bridge in America.

The marathon goes through all five boroughs of New York. It starts on Staten Island, then over the bridge into Brooklyn. Ten miles later on, it goes into Queens, then into Manhattan, before making almost a detour into the Bronx and finally emerges in 5th Avenue where it finishes in Central Park.

Helen made this super-human effort (she admits to being over seventy!) to raise money for a charity she helped to found called Both Parents Matter. It helps parents and grandparents stay in their children and grandchildren’s lives, if the child’s parents separate.

If you’d like to sponsor her, the link is www.viginmoneygiving.com/HelenLloydJones1

In brilliant sunshine, the Community of Radyr & Morganstown turned out in their hundreds to commemorate Remembrance Sunday 2019.  A wreath was laid on behalf of Her Majesty the Queen by Lt Col Guy Clarke, Deputy Lieutenant of South Glamorgan.  This was followed by wreaths laid by Lady Helen Lloyd Jones on behalf of Radyr & Morganstown Community Council and Dr David Silver on behalf of the Radyr & Morganstown Association.  Many further wreaths were then laid on behalf of many sectors of the Community.

The service at the War Memorial, organised by Ian Ogden, was conducted by the Reverend Vicki Burrows, Vicar of the Parish of Radyr.  The City of Cardiff Melingriffith Brass Band accompanied the singing of the National anthems.

At the service in Christ Church which followed,  Rev’d Burrows gave a moving sermon on the theme of sacrifice based on a past experience of conducting the funeral of an elderly brave airman who had been shot down during the war.

Overall, a fitting tribute by the local Community.

Plasdwr have published an update which confirms that the works around the Llantrisant Road junction with Heol Isaf and will continue until summer 2020.

For full details see https://plasdwr.co.uk/llantrisant-road-works-at-the-junction-with-heol-isaf-radyr/

If you would like to comment on this topic, or see comments already made, follow this link to the RMA Facebook page, the R&M Hub.  ( If you have not already got one, you will need to set up a Facebook account to access that link.  Guidance on how to do this can be found be be found on the Facebook Help Page.)

The Reverend Vicki Burrows, who was appointed as the new Vicar of the Parish of Radyr in February this year is bringing new energy and ideas to our Parish community.  Having spoken at the Association General Meeting in June, she is now introducing a range of new services and activities including Baptisms (Christenings) in modern and accessible language, Christingle Services at both churches during their Christmas Tree Festivals, a new Baby and Toddler Group and a series of Concerts involving professional musicians and local schools. The Parish has also just appointed a new Director of Music and would love to see new members joining the Parish Choir.  (Details of events can be found at /parish/events/).

Vicki is also organising a trip to the Holy Land in May 2020.   So far over 40 people have booked – there are only a few places remaining.

The Rev’d Burrows will also be giving the address at the traditional Remembrance Sunday service in Christ Church on 10^th November following the community act of remembrance at the war memorial in Heol Isaf.

Essential works will be continuing throughout the autumn to install drainage and complete carriageway construction across Llantrisant Road, and two-way lights will continue to be in operation for the duration of these works.

From Saturday October 26th the lights between the Heol Isaf roundabout and the petrol station will be in place 24 hours a day for approx. 4 weeks. We’re sorry for the inconvenience caused, our contractors are working hard to complete this work asap.

Abigail Cole from Radyr Comprehensive School was one of the winners of the competition organised by the Royal Mint Experience to get designs for each community along the Penrhys Pilgrimage Way so they can be collected in a downloadable Passport.

The design is beautiful. If you are birdlovers, you will recognise that she has drawn a kingfisher. Apparently her family often go down to the Taff Trail and they see kingfishers, so she has captured the kingfisher, the Taff, the hills by the Garth and Castell Coch.

The Penrhys Pilgrimage Project hope to use Abigail’s design on the Information Boards in Radyr and Morganstown. They also have  a dream of some community art at the start of the walk where they would like to see each place along the way named. They do have a first draft and they hope they can use the children’s designs in that artwork.

Cllr Helen Lloyd Jones and Abigail Cole

On the back of a request from the R&M Community Council, the Radyr & Morganstown Association asked its members a short while ago for ideas for improvement projects that might be funded by any money that might come available to spend in the local community.  Whilst the emphasis was on capital projects such as improvements to public open spaces, community facilities and local highway improvements, we were interested in anything else that could improve our quality of life.  Responses were requested by 8th September.

We had a good response and we thought it would be of wider interest to list the ideas that were submitted.  They are in this report.

All the ideas have been sent to the R&M Community Council for amalgamation with the ideas they had accumulated.  They will then submit a prioritised list to Cardiff Council.  Of course, not all the ideas will be eligible for funding under what is known as ‘Planning Gain’ but we hope that those that cannot will find their way onto an agenda somewhere.

Do contact us on rma@radyr.org.uk if you have any comments on the listed ideas, or if you have further ideas that you think should have been put forward.  And, if you would like the opportunity of being consulted about this or any other topic in the future, let us know (same address) and we will be happy to add your name to our address list.

Transport for Wales have said that residents entitled to a free bus pass must renew this concession before 31st December 2019, when existing passes will expire.

For details of how to apply on line, or to download the application form. visit www.tfw.wales/travelcards.

Evidence of age and address is required.

More misery for residents. Plasdŵr have announced yet more roadworks on the Llantrisant road in the same areas as before. Details can be found in the latest Highways update from Plasdŵr. This is round the junction of Llantrisant Road with Heol Isaf and around the garage. Two bits of this work will involve 24hr traffic light control, not just within school hours.

Work will start on the evening of the 28 August and continue until 12 October 2019.

There were some excellent GCSE results at Radyr Comprehensive School today, with a fantastic 72.5% of pupils achieving 5 A*-C grades including Maths and English.

The hardworking pupils achieved highly across the board with a Capped Points Score of 400.  87% of pupils achieved C or better in either English or English Literature. In Mathematics/Numeracy, 73% of pupils achieved at least a C. An impressive 80% of pupils achieved a C in Science and performance in Intermediate WBQ was also strong, with 72% of pupils achieving WBQ National

The school are particularly pleased with 34% of pupils achieving at least 5 A/A* grades.

A phenomenal 30 pupils achieved 5 or more A* grades, with 18 of these achieving 8 or more A*s

Cardiff Council are looking for potential capital (infrastructure) projects in Radyr & Morganstown.  What do you think any money that comes available should be spent on?  These could be improvements to public open spaces, community facilities, local highway improvements, or anything else that could improve our quality of life.  Please email us rma@radyr.org.uk with any ideas or thoughts you may have on this topic by 8 September 2019.

Radyr Comprehensive School are celebrating another excellent set of A level results from their sixth form students.

This year, a staggering 38 year 13 students achieved at least 3 A grades with 21 students achieving at least 4 A grades.

Overall provisional percentage figures are as follows:

• A*A % – 48%
• A*B % – 71 %
• A*C % – 87%
• A*D % – 96%
• A*E % – 99.6%

The school have also achieved their best ever set of results at AS level.

Congratulations to all the pupils and staff at the school

Thank you to all who came and enjoyed the sunshine at the Parish of Radyr’s recent Circus themed Fun Day. The variety of stalls offered many things to see and do and the BBQ Team sold out of food before the event was finished.

The day also raised a total of £2,771 towards the ongoing work of the Parish and our partners.

Find out more about the Parish of Radyr including current projects and Service times on their webpages.

Parish Fun Day 2019

View this gallery on Flickr

At the final meeting of the 18/19 Association Festival Committee on Thursday 11th July, David Silver, Chair of the R&M Association, presented Nina Rice, Senior Fundraiser, Wales, for the Charity Action for Children, with a cheque for £12,000.  This was the amount raised by the R&M Community over the past year.  Nina thanked the Association and the Festival Committee for choosing to sponsor the Charity and for raising such a large sum.  Working with everyone over the year had been quite a lot of work – but also great fun!  The money would be put to good use.

The meeting was also an opportunity to introduce the Association’s Charity for 19/20 – Tenovus.  David Silver said he look forwarded to starting work with the Charity in September.

Sunday June 30^th was a good day for walking, so intrepid adults, children and dogs met up at the back of Cardiff Castle and proceeded to walk the 4.8 miles back to Christchurch in Radyr along the Taff trail.

They had to navigate their way through a number of cyclists and other walkers to make it safely, first to Hailey Park for refreshments and then on to Christ Church for a scrumptious strawberry tea.

This event was organised by the Radyr and Morganstown Friends of Tenovus to raise funds. Over £2000 has been pledged so far but we are hopeful of more to come.

A huge thank you to all those that participated.

Why not Follow the Radyr and Morganstown Friends of Tenovus on Facebook – https://www.facebook.com/FriendsOfTenovus/