News

Goodbye NSPCC – Hello Velindre

At a meeting at the OCR on Monday 29th June a final cheque presentation was made to NSPCC for £16000. This represents the total donations by all the organisations in the village. It is thanks to every group for their support of this year’s charity. We welcome our new charity for 2015/16 – Velindre hospital based in Whitchurch. We hope that all the organisations in the village give the same generous support to them throughout the coming year.

Supporters of this year charity include:

Radyr Primary School; Bryn Deri Primary; Radyr Comprehensive School WI, Treforgan WI, Radyr Golf Club, Tenovus, Val Allen(Ty Gwyn Farm) Twinning Fellowship; Christ church, Methodist Church, Radyr Rangers; Radyr Cricket Club, Library, Morganstown Village Hall, Guides and Brownies, Cardiff West Rotary, Ardwyn Singers, Keith John, Imaging 2000, Harry Robinson (Scarlets), Radyr Tennis Club, Arts Council -Night Out, Radyr & Morganstown Community Council, Eyecare and the NSPCC committee.

Our advertisers: Pughs Garden Centre, mgy estate agents, ener-chi, Cicchetti restaurant, QualityCarpets Direct Treehouse agency and our local shops for raffle prizes.

A large group of Tenovus supporters assembled at Cardiff Castle to walk the Taff Trail back to Radyr on Sunday 28th June. The weather was wet but fortunately the sun shone shortly after the start. On arrival at Radyr they were all treated to a strawberry tea.

Baskets have been filled with Summer flowers ready to be on show above the Station Road shops. The team have put them in position above the shops this week.

10 green baskets

We are delighted to announce that the Radyr & Morganstown Association is a recipient this year of the ‘Queen’s Award for Voluntary Service’. This unique UK national honour was created over a decade ago by Her Majesty The Queen to mark the Golden Jubilee in 2002 and to recognise the outstanding contributions that groups of volunteers make to local communities. It has an equivalent status for voluntary groups as the MBE has for individuals. It is an exceedingly prestigious award; in 2014, there were only 111 recipients in the whole of the UK – and only one in Wales. So it is fantastic that the Association has been recognised this way.

The citation for the award reads “Providing a social framework for a growing Community, making Radyr & Morganstown a great place to live and work, and fund raising for an annual Charity.” Of course, the award comes just after the end of a very successful 2015 Festival when a cheque for £10,000 was presented to the NSPCC – an ample demonstration of all the work the Association does. David Silver, Chairman of the RMA, said, “We are flattered and honoured to receive this award which recognises the work of the RMA since its foundation in 1987. We are a hard working group of volunteers who care deeply for the whole Radyr & Morganstown Community and its future. The nomination for the award was made by the Radyr & Morganstown Community Council and we thank them for seeking this recognition for us.”

Executive Committee 2015

This year’s May Festival concluded on Sunday 17th May with a wonderful concert given by the Cardiff Ardwyn Singers in support of the Festival Charity, NSPCC. During the concert, David Silver, Chairman of
the RMA, presented Allan Cook with the Ken Innes trophy in recognition of his work this year – and in many past years – in organising the Festival Arts events. He also presented a cheque for £10,000 to the NSPCC, being the amount raised so far.

We thank everyone who came to Festival events and hope you enjoyed them all. Please let us know if you have any feedback on any event – send any comments to rma@radyr.org.uk.

You can read about the Festival in the update pages on the festival website www.rmfestival.org.uk, and see lots of pictures on the gallery page at www.rmfestival.org.uk/gallery

The premises formerly occupied by Christian Aid at 5 Station Road now houses a new estate agent, Thomas H Wood. The refurbished premises will open on Friday 15 May. The business deals with sales and letting for both residential and commercial properties. Contact details will be found in our Directory.

The R&M Festival got off to a roaring start this weekend with very
mixed weather. For the first time in 28 years we had to adopt a ‘wet weather plan’ for the Fete – placing all the stalls under cover either our large marquees or in side the Old Church Rooms. The Parade (this year celebrating ‘South American Carnival’), which precedes the Fete, went ahead anyway in the drizzle, led as usual by David Cargill (in very suitable attire, with sombrero), the Festival Queen and attendants, and Harry Robinson, our local Welsh International Rugby Player. When the Parade reached the Old Church Rooms in a riot of colour and sound (courtesy of Samba Band and Drums), Harry opened the Fete and we were off.

Despite the rain and the slightly cramped accommodation, everyone seemed to enjoy the Fete. The WI sold all their bottles (all proceeds being donated to the Festival Charity, NSPCC); the BBQ ran out of sausages; the NSPCC did a roaring trade selling tea and cakes inside; Imaging 2000 had a magnificent display of photographs, and all stallholders said they were very happy with attendance. The weather restricted the entertainment we could offer but Shine Creative Arts performed wonderfully on the Garth Room stage and the Zumba troupe (who performed outside) showed that dampness was no barrier to energy.

In the evening Cardiff West Rotary put on a splendid concert by the RAF ST Athan Voluntary Band – again enjoyed by all.

On Sunday Radyr Rangers held their usual Festival on the Mound Field and Allan Cook led a most interesting walk around Gwaelod-y-Garth. Even long-time residents of R&M commented he had taken them to places they did not know existed! The evening brought a very well attend Civic Service in Christ Church, where the address was given by the Venerable Peggy Jackson, Archdeacon of Llandaff.

Fortunately, Monday was dry so we were able to have the Festival Crowning Ceremony as usual in Windsor Gardens, complete with Maypole and traditional dancing provided by all three schools and excellent teas provided by Treforgan WI. Councillor Rod McKerlich crowned the Festival Queen, Isabel Morgan and she was supported most ably by her two Princesses, Olivia Skidmore and Amy Westwell. All looked resplendent. Earlier, the well-supported Primary School Fun Run showed the athletic prowess of a wide age-range of runners.

Plenty more to come in a busy two weeks for the Radyr & Morganstown Community.

2015 Festival Underway Resources

View this gallery on Flickr

We are sad to announce that Lorna Clarke of 40 Heol Isaf
died at the age of 94, at home, on Wednesday 22^nd April. She
had lived in this house for all but the first two years of her long life. Lorna
represented Radyr and Morganstown on Cardiff Rural District Council then
Cardiff City Council for some 16 years until the mid-eighties. For much of that
time her counterpart on South Glamorgan Council was her husband, Bill. Between
them they made a huge contribution to our communities; not least of their
achievements was heavy involvement in the purchase of the Old Church Rooms on
behalf of the community back in1988.

Lorna was involved in many local activities such as Wardens
of Radyr Woods, School Governors and the Gardening Club but her principal
commitment was to Radyr Lawn Tennis Club of which she was Ladies’ Captain, President and Ladies’ Champion on 10 occasions. When the village was smaller
and resources limited, Lorna and Bill were instrumental in helping the club to
survive and finally to grow to its current strength.

Our thoughts are with her sons, Mike and Guy, and the rest
of Lorna’s family and many friends at this time.

There will be a service of thanksgiving for the life of Lorna Clarke in Christ Church on Wednesday, 6th May at 12:00noon. All are welcome to attend.

The Festival programme is now being distributed along with the Radyr Chain to every household in Radyr and Morganstown. The purchase of tickets for events can be made at Radyr Eyecare in Station Road.

Tenovus Cancer Care, Wales’ leading cancer charity, would like to thank its Radyr & Morganstown Friends of Tenovus Cancer Care group who have raised a fantastic £9,000 for the charity.

Tenovus Cancer Care brings treatment, emotional support and practical advice to where it matters most; the heart of the community. Thanks to groups like this, based across Wales, the charity can continue to help and support those affected by cancer that need them most.

Actively raising the profile of the charity in the local community, Radyr & Morganstown Friends of Tenovus Cancer Care is one of the longest running groups and plans to celebrate its 30^th birthday this September. They were the chosen charity at Radyr & Morganstown Festival in 2013 and hold annual events such as sponsored walks, quiz nights and musical evenings.

Alexandra Smith, Tenovus Cancer Care Community Fundraiser said, “It’s been a pleasure to work with Radyr & Morganstown Friends of Tenovus Cancer Care and I’m so excited to be celebrating their 30^th Anniversary with them. The group has organised so many amazing events, and raised so much money and awareness for us. It’s great to work with a group who help us to make a real difference. I can’t thank them enough for their continued hard work, support and dedication to the charity.”

Rosanne Holmes, Chair of Radyr & Morganstown Friends of Tenovus Cancer Care, said: “We’re so pleased that we could raise this amount of money for the charity and want to thank all those who’ve been involved, coming along to our events and helping us to reach our goal. We’re looking forward to our 30^th celebrations in September and raising even more!”

If you or someone you love has been affected by cancer, Tenovus Cancer Care can offer help and support. To find out more call the Tenovus Cancer Care free Support Line on 0808 808 1010 or visit tenovuscancercare.org.uk.

Cardiff council cabinet member Graham Hinchey said the executive will drop its proposal to stop funding seven libraries. It follows huge protests.

The seven Cardiff libraries under threat of closure have been reprieved, we can reveal.

The decision by the city’s ruling Labour group follows a massive public campaign to save library services.

It will be ratified by the authority’s cabinet and is expected to go through the budget setting full council meeting without opposition.

Recognising the strides made by the Club from membership, facility development, junior participation, strength of the development and performance programme, as well as management, social activity and community links.

Eight local residents, following a meal at Cichetti’s in Station Road decided to see the New Year in at a friend’s apartment at the The Lodge, in Drysgol Road. On arrival six took the lift to the second floor. The lift started and suddenly stopped between floors, all the power failed and the emergency telephone system would not connect. It was now 11.40pm, twenty minutes before the New Year. A 999 call to the fire brigade brought out a team of five firemen to the rescue. They assessed the problem, tested the power and the state of the lift. After 18 minutes they managed to get the lift to work and rescued the party who were able to see the New Year in with two minutes to spare. Thanks to the Whitchurch fire service for their prompt action and making the New Year celebrations possible!

We are very pleased to announce that Val Allen, who lives in Radyr, has been awarded the British Empire Medal (BEM) for her Voluntary Service to Rider and Equine Safety. Since the early 1980s, Val has trained young riders for the British Horse Society and Pony Club riding and road safety test. As a member of Pentyrch Pony Club, in the 1950s she decided to give something back and started her own club.

For many years, Val has been on the Radyr and Morganstown Festival Committee and has herself organised both the Gymkhana and the Dog Show for the Festival. She has also raised large amounts for charity.

Congratulations for a very well deserved award.

To see the press report – click on the link. http://www.walesonline.co.uk/news/wales-news/new-year-honours-welsh-list-8362573

Santa arrived in a golf buggy down the 1st fairway to the Children’s Christmas party at the Golf Club. All the happy faces peared out of the window to greet Santa. He sat in his grotto with his helper and gave presents to 70 children, who had been entertained by Stu the magician.

Several hundred residents and school children met at Radyr Library to protest about the proposed closure of the library. The South Wales Echo were there to capture the protesters carrying placards “Save our Library” for a photocall. This is probably one of many protests which will be seen over the next few months. A petition is being circulated and if you have not signed it there are copies in The Orchard.

The Orchard has been awarded the South Wales Echo Food and Drink Award for 2014/15 in September of this year.. The cafe on Park Road has been given 5 star rating for their catering and cleanliness by the local authority.

We are delighted that R&MCC has been awarded £9,700 from
the Heritage Lottery Fund to support our commemoration of WWI.

Over the next two years our community, led by
R&MCC and a group of dedicated volunteers, will explore the effect of WW1
on Radyr & Morganstown, investigating the history of our War Memorial and
contemporary commemorative volume: where people lived and what happened to them.
We will explore how life changed at home, particularly for children, and
compare WW1 histories with our twin, St Philbert de Grand Lieu, Nantes.

Do you have WW1 heritage items
to lend to an exhibition of local memorabilia planned for next spring? Contact Helena Fox on 20842213 or
clerk@radyr.org.uk.

On 15 September 2014 Radyr & Morganstown WI, in support of Tidy Wales Week, organised a litter pick around the village. This year’s event was bigger than ever with twenty four volunteers, made up of WI members, husbands and friends taking part. Volunteers were split into five groups who were each allocated an area. Between them they managed to fill 25 bags, making a significant difference to the village.

It is a great pity that so much rubbish gets left around Radyr & Morganstown but well done to the WI for making a difference.