News

The Dance Angels, who rehearse every Wednesday evening in the Old Church Rooms, have won the Welsh title in the British Dance Organisation Competition. Congratulations to them all!

The Lord Mayor of Cardiff, Cllr Derek Morgan, officially opened the new pedestrian/cycle crossing of the River Taff at Radyr Siding on Friday 19th July. Local councillors, friends of Hailey Park and residents of Radyr and Morganstown were there to witness the occasion. Cardiff County Council are reviewing the name of the bridge after some comment at the launch.

“The Orchard” is a new coffee shop and lunch spot in Park Road, offering speciality teas, coffees, smoothies, juices, ciabattas, salads, lunches and a range of cakes and patisseries.

Opening hours, until further notice, will be Monday – Saturday 8:30 am to 5:00 pm.

Dawn Cugno, the owner, told us:

“The Orchard is a welcoming place for people to enjoy friendly company while eating good quality, freshly prepared food. Each lunchtime there will be a dish-of-the-day. We’re offering a wholesome menu, together with a few treats like traditional cakes and French patisseries. I think Radyr is ready for something like this!”

PS “At the time of opening we will not be able to accept card payment (because of a shortage of phone lines!). Please will you bear with us and bring cash for a little while?”

Here is a statement from R&MCC and its partners in the NW Cardiff Group on the draft Deposit Plan. We have serious concerns about element of the LDP and are preparing a thorough response to the next consultation which is expected to start in early October 2013.

Despite the demographic forecasts being reduced, plans for development in our area are still unchanged. This plan will be placed before the County Council in September for approval.

The LDP for Cardiff West (Radyr, and Pentrebane) can be found on the following website – click the link

http://www.cardiff.gov.uk/content.asp?nav=2870,3139,5845,6558&parent directory_id=2865

Click here to read the draft Deposit Plan.

Click here to read the Edge Analysis showing that the population growth is lower than expected and the revised number of dwellings should be reduced from 45,400 to 41,100 over the period 2006 to 2026. It is proposed that 5000 new dwellings be built on the farm land that links Radyr and Fairwater and across to St Fagans.

Transportation is a key to the success of this plan and to date CCC have not been able to demonstrate any new road system,(especially to avoid bottleneck at Llandaff), rail links or new bus routes. This is their proposals –

Extract from the Cardiff County Council’s Transportation Plan for the future !!!

2.9.2 These conclusions have important implications for the LDP and the transport

measures that will be required to support new development. These include:

·Any significant urban expansion must be supported by measures to facilitate and

encourage a shift from the car to sustainable modes of travel;

Developments envisaged within the LDP Preferred Strategy must be fully integrated

with the transport network and supported by attractive and practical sustainable

travel options which make it easy for car trips to be replaced with public transport,

walking and cycling;

To achieve a mode split of 50:50 in 2026 for all trips on Cardiff’s transport network, it

will be necessary to achieve a significant modal shift in movements (all trip purposes)

generated by the existing settlement/population; and The provision of some additional

road capacity will also be required where the scale of development makes this is unavoidable.

In short CCC solution is to open the disused railway line between Fairwater and Creigiau and open an access at Junction 33 on the M4 from Llantrisant Road or walk or cycle or stay at home.

The section of Heol Isaf between Drysgol Road and Maes yr Awel will be closed to all traffic from Monday 1st July to Wednesday 3rd July between 09:30 and 15:30. Traffic is being diverted up Drysgol Road, past the Golf Club along Bryn Derwen past the Guide Hall and down to the main road at the M4 bridge on Heol Isaf. The contractor will maintain residential access at all times.

The section of Park Road between Heol Isaf and Windsor Avenue will also be closed.

Traffic coming from Morganstown will turn right into Bryn Derwen.

Please use this link for bus information:

http://www.cardiffbus.com/english/newsarticle.shtml?articleid=2688

We are delighted to report that Catriona Williams of Radyr has been awarded the OBE in the Queen’s Birthday Honours List, for her services to “Children in Wales”. Here is a copy of the Press Release issued by “Chlidren in Wales”:

Children in Wales’ work recognised in Queen’s Birthday honours

Children in Wales welcomes recognition of the contribution of its Chief Executive Catriona Williams who was awarded an OBE for services to disadvantaged children, young people and their carers in this year’s Queens Birthday Honours list.

Catriona has worked in the children and young people’s field all her professional life as a social worker, lecturer, researcher and manager of children’s services and was a leading member of the campaign to establish the first Children’s Commissioner for Wales. She has been a member of many Welsh Government and UK Government working groups, on the board of several charities. She was President the European Forum for Child Welfare and subsequently, a founding member and President of Eurochild which was set up to combat child poverty across Europe. She was also President of the International Forum for Child Welfare, a Vice President of the European Platform of Social NGO’s and was appointed as a Commissioner to the UK Social Mobility and Child Poverty Commission in 2012.

Children in Wales was set up 20 years ago and continues to campaign for the interests of children and young people, for the implementation of the UNCRC to become a reality in Wales, and for fair shares for all children, as well as special care and attention for disabled and disadvantaged children.

Our work covers parenting, early years, disability, and children’s rights, amongst other areas, and recently we have been working to ensure that a focus is kept on children in the new Social Services and Well-being (Wales) Bill. In the current financial situation, Children in Wales is also working to keep children’s issues on the agenda as services and budgets are further pressured.

Catriona said, ”I am truly humbled by this honour which came totally out of the blue. I want to thank all at Children in Wales who should be sharing it with me.

“ Unfortunately there is still so much work to be done. Only this week we have had major issues such as the disappointing child poverty figures and the challenge to internet service providers to do more to prevent appalling images of child abuse on the internet. Both these issues are of critical importance to our children and we will continue to advocate on their behalf.”

60 people joined Barbara Willis and her volunteers to a lunch at the Old Church Rooms on Friday 31st May to celebrate Good Neighbours 20th birthday party. Marion Drake had been invited as she was the instigator in setting up the club back in 1993, when she was the local councillor. Dr David Silver and his wife represented the Community Council. Presentations were made to the current and past volunteers, who turn up every Friday to prepare the regular weekly lunch. A celebration cake was cut by Barbara Willis to conclude the happy day.

The FestivalPprogramme has been printed and has been distributed with the April edition of Radyr Chain. There are 36 events during the two week Festival and we hope that you will come and join us. The programme is a new format – let us know your views. The theme this year is “Colours of the World”. The Festival Charity is Tenovus. Draw tickets have been included in the Radyr Chain and we hope that you will give your support to this charity by buying them – Wales leading cancer charity.

A web-based version of the Programme can be viewed here, and a Welsh version here.

Cardiff Bus have announced plans for changes to the bus routes serving Radyr and Morganstown. A considerable number of people attended the consultative meeting held in the Old Church Rooms on 25 February, and this feedback will be taken into account by the company. Interest centred principally on the plan for a new route, replacing the 33 services, which links R&M more directly with the city centre, via Danescourt and Cathedral Road.

For more about the proposals, together with details of how to register your views, click here.

No electors called for an election to fill the council vacancy. The advert for applications for co-option is on display. Electors may send letters of application explaining why you would like to join the council to the Clerk. Interviews will then be held. Councillors hope to vote on the co-options at the council meeting of March 28. Please call Helena Fox on 20842213 or email at clerk@radyr.org.uk for further information on joining R&MCC. The deadline for applications is March 22.

Radyr resident Keith Griffin has been awarded the OBE in the 2013 New Year’s Honours List in recognition of his services to music in Wales.

One of the leading musical administrators in the UK, he spent a 40 year career providing invaluable support, advice, practical help and planning to a host of musical organisations – from community brass bands to the visit of Pope John Paul II to Wales in 1982. He founded the Welsh Amateur Music Federation (later to become Ty Cerdd) as well as the National Youth Brass Band in 1982, followed soon after by the
National Choir, National Jazz and National Youth Wind Band
organisations.

A gifted musician in his own right, he conducted the Cardiff County
Youth Band for over 20 years and composed numerous works for the
Salvation Army.

We congratulate him on this magnificent achievement

We are delighted to announce that David Cargill has been awarded the British Empire Medal in the 2013 New Year’s Honours List in recognition of his work in the Radyr & Morganstown Community.

David, a Vice-President and former Chairman of the Radyr & Morganstown Association, has taken charge of the annual May Festival for the past 25 years and, in doing so, has raised many thousands of pounds for local charities. He has also been a leading light in both the Tennis Club (where he was Chairman for a period) and the Golf Club (where he is currently Treasurer). In the wider community he served as a Magistrate for many years.

As Chairman of Imaging 2000 he is well known as ‘the man behind the camera’ in many local events so he seldom appears himself on this website. We are delighted to correct that in the accompanying picture.

Simon Kealy (of The White House Restaurant in St Fagans) has opened his new café and delicatessen in Station Road, called Toast.

At present Toast is only occupying the premises previously used by ‘Seasons’ and only coffees and snacks are being served. Within a couple of weeks they plan to knock through to the greengrocer’s shop next door. The coffee shop and delicatessen will then be established there and the present cafe will revert to a restaurant serving ‘bar-type’ meals.

We hope his business will be successful providing a service to the residents of Radyr and Morganstown. A place for friends and neighbours to meet for coffee and a meal.

Contact details and opening hours on our Directory page.

Friday the 7th December saw the lighting of three Christmas trees. One in Morganstown, Radyr Sidings and Windsor Gardens. The pupils of Bryn Deri Primary School sang carols at Morganstown and the tree was lit by the Festival Queen. Pupils from Radyr Primary School sang two carols at Radyr Sidings and the tree was lit by the Festival King. The combined choirs joined up to light the tree at Windsor Gardens. The carols were led by the City of Cardiff (Melingriffiths) Brass Band. The large crowd then re-assembled in Station Road for the switch on of the street lights. Jason Mohammad of BBC Wales (and Radyr) led the count down to the overhead lights being switched on. The crowd were entertained to Christmas music organised by Chris Dale. They mingled, taking samples and purchasing presents from the local shopkeepers and stall holders. The barbecue, mulled wine and noodles bar were busy. Father Christmas kept the young children entertained and they all went home with a small gift. The winner of the Shop Window display was Nicky’s Sandwich Shop. It’s with thanks to the Community Council and the Association for their hard work and good planning, including the weather. We all now can look forward to a happy Christmas with this good send off.

A large crowd attended the Armistice Day parade at the War Memorial. The service led by the three churches, supported by the City of Cardiff Melingriffith band led a large procession of organisations representing our community. 30 wreaths were laid at the Cenotaph including pupils from the Comprehensive School, Radyr Primary and Bryn Deri Schools. Cllrs David Suthers and Cain Thomas gave the responses. Cain was a serving officer in the RAF and served in Iraq and Kosovo. This event is growing in support with all the troubles around the world. The police did a good job in holding back the traffic down the busy main road.

On Friday 7th December Christmas trees will be lit at three locations: The Granny Park Morganstown, Lychgate Gardens Radyr Sidings and Windsor Gardens in the centre of Radyr. Our 2012 Festival K ing and Queen and their attendants will light the trees. The two primary schools will sing carols at all three locations. The music at Windsor Gardens will be provided by the City of Cardiff Melingriffiths Brass Band. Following the tree lighting the new extended street illuminations will be lit in Station Road by Jason Mohammad of BBC Wales. Father Christmas will arrive in his sleigh providing gifts for small children. The Station Road shops will be open and supplemented by a host of stalls selling Christmas goodies. There will food and drink and plenty of sound provided by Chris Dale (Disc jockey RPG). Come and enjoy the evening, which will kick off at 6pm. See the leaflets and poster (below) for more details. Station Road will be closed to all traffic from 5.0pm. Please do not park after that time!

Dr Rhys Jones of BBC Wales is giving a talk on his new programme “Rhys Jones’ Wildlife Patrol” at the next R & M Association meeting being held at the Old Church Rooms at 7:30 on Monday 19th November. Rhys is an ex resident of Radyr and was educated at Radyr Comprehensive School. All welcome to attend – bring a friend.

Radyr Golf Club held their Annual Dinner on Friday 26th October. Garry Richardson, the sports reporter for Radio 4 was the guest speaker. A presentation was made to the Green staff who collectively have over 100 years service to the Club. A framed photograph of three scenes of the course, where their handywork has improved the golf course.

Another guest was John Jermime, late of Radyr, who is the Chairman of the Welsh Golfing Union and a member of the Ryder Cup team who brought this prestigious event to the Celtic Manor Hotel and Golf Course in 2010.

Update October 26 2012

R&MCC is studying the latest LDP document and preparing a consultation response on behalf of our community. We are also working in partnership with St Fagans and Pentyrch Community Councils since so many of the issues are common to the wider area of NW Cardiff.

In the Village Plan, most residents opposed further development in R&M. Whatever Cardiff Council’s finally approved number of houses and business development across Cardiff, and in the north-west in particular, R&MCC feels that a key issue is whether the plan provides sufficient new infrastructure to match. Just considering the road network, anyone living in R&M will know what the traffic conditions are now, the state of road maintenance and that no significant improvements have been made despite the fact that R&M has grown by over 40% in recent years. You will also know that at either end of R&M lie the bottlenecks of 19^th century Llandaff and Ynys Bridge.

R&MCC feels strongly that planning any new development without appropriate infrastructure can only lessen the quality of life for everyone, existing and new, living in the area. The wording of the Preferred Strategy does not give us confidence since few of the infrastructure improvements referred to are funded and/or are unlikely to be built in the life of the LDP.

We have, therefore, commissioned a traffic survey from Traffic Planning Associates, as have St Fagans CC. This will include a study of the existing highway network at peak flow, analysis of the existing routes into Cardiff, M4, A470 and other strategic locations such as Radyr railway station. There will be predictions of additional traffic numbers from the LDP housing allocation and impacts of that allocation including on public transport, the highway network and railway station car parking.

The resulting study will be used by R&MCC to inform its consultation response and provide hard professional evidence for our arguments. It will be published on the website.

We welcome your comments on the LDP which can be made by email, letter and via the Soapbox. A full version is available here. We will be at Cardiff Council’s public LDP event at Radyr Library on Monday November 19 where you can examine documents, ask questions of Cardiff officers and give your views to R&MCC. The Library event will run from noon to 6pm. You can also sign up to attend an R&MCC meeting on November 26 to make final comments.

The council’s LDP subcommittee is collecting information and will draft the response for presentation to the full R&MCC meeting on November 22. Members will also attend the various consultation events held by Cardiff that have been listed in the Capital Times and are listed on the R&M website notice board and R&MCC LDP page.

Helena Fox

Clerk