News

Cardiff in Bloom 2008

The Old Church Rooms has been awarded 1st prize for the Best Kept Community Building Garden 2008. For many years, the OCR has won prizes for its summer flower display thanks to the horticultural magic of Cllr Sue Philpott who grows the plants and Norman Clewer who nurtures them through the season. The recent wet summers of 2007 and 2008 have been a particular challenge. Congratulations!

New daytime WI meetings are due to begin in the Church Rooms in Radyr. The meeting schedule is:

1st meeting: 18th Sept @ 1:45PM Church Rooms – Introductory Meeting.

2nd meeting: 2nd October @ 1:45PM ditto.

Thereafter: On the 3rd Thursday of each month.

ALL are welcome so please come along to find out more. For further information please contact Sue Smith tel 20843920 – or Email Sue@billandsue.co.uk

You will be aware of the problems associated with today’s sedentary lifestyles and the need to get physically active. Sustrans Active Travel programme and the British Heart Foundation are working to promote the importance of walking and cycling to stay healthy.

We would like to inform you of an exciting sponsored walk taking place this September in Cardiff.

The British Heart Foundation Big Red Bute Park Walk takes place on Sunday 14th September, starting at Cooper’s Field behind Cardiff Castle, at 10:30am.

The aim of this event is to raise vital funds through sponsorship to help the British Heart Foundation fund life-saving research into the causes and treatments of heart disease. The success of the BHF’s research has already kept thousands of vulnerable hearts beating.

Why not brush the cobwebs from your walking boots and get together with friends, family and colleagues and make a day of it? You can choose to complete a 3, 6 or 8 mile route around this splendid urban park, keeping your own heart healthy and also helping others.

To register for the walk please visit the event website

Please contact the Events Team on 0800 783 6970 for any more information or any leaflet entry forms or posters.

We hope you will accept the British Heart Foundation’s invitation, join in the fun and help spread the word about the Big Red Bute Park Walk; thank you in advance.

Garry Newbould Chairman of the Radyr and Morganstown Association presents Danybryn Cheshire Home with a cheque for the amount raised during Festival 2008.

The National Eisteddfod is in Cardiff this year, from FRIDAY AUGUST 1st (evening) until (all day, everyday) SATURDAY, AUGUST 9th in PONTCANNA FIELDS. It is a huge (20,000 people each day) festival of literature, dance, music (vocal and instrumental) and science and much else. It is the biggest of its kind in Europe.

The main entrance is on the avenue of trees that starts at the National Sports Centre in Sophia Gardens and proceeds toards Western Avenue.

For Cardiff residents the best approach is by bus to Cathedral Road (top end) and then on foot. Another approach is from Blackweir and walk across the river along the footbridge.

Visitors from outside Cardiff have a choice: (a) by rail to Cardiff Central and then bus and walk or (b) by road to Leckwith (there will be signs), from where a park-and-ride service will operate to the Eisteddfod site.

The Eisteddfod is a happy, colourful family occasion. Do not be anxious because you don’t speak Welsh; there will be a lot of help at hand, especially the instant-translation service.

It’s BIG, it’s DIFFERENT, it’s the PLACE TO BE.

For more information visit www.eisteddfod.org.uk/english/ or www.eisteddfod.org.uk/cymraeg/

The Strawberry Tea open Garden party took place on Sunday 13th July.

It included a fashion show with 22 costumes made from plastic carrier bags & packaging which were modelled on a catwalk by children.

Also on display were fairytale model characters also made from recycled plastic carrier bags.

All funds raised will go to support NSPCC Brighter futures appeal.

The NSPCC are having a centre built at in Cardiff near the bay that will enable them to take giant steps forward on a number of fronts to help prevent cruelty to children.

Photographs of the event can be seen in the Photo Album

It was definitely a case of “Roll up! Roll up!” on Saturday 8 July, for the annual summer fair at Christ Church, Radyr. A giant inflatable clown greeted you on arrival at the church lawn, which once again came into its own for the occasion. This time it was transformed into a colourful series of stalls with games to challenge you, things to buy, and food and drink – and all around us, everywhere – clowns, big and small!

People entered into the spirit of the occasion with gusto and spirit, dressing up and literally clowning around. It was sometimes easy to forget that the only professional clown was Paddy – the well known children’s entertainer – who kept the kids entertained throughout.

Even the weather joined in to make this an epic occasion and test the preparedness of the organisers – one minute it was warm and sunny, and the next howling gales and rain would sweep through, threatening to dampen not just the spirits but the games as well! Everyone rose to the challenge brilliantly though – quickly moving events indoors until the sun came out again.

It is a real tribute to the organising team, led by Linda James, that the sense of fun rode triumphant over the occasional blips in the weather. However, this event was not only a success for its atmosphere – it raised over £2,000 – a record.

On Good Friday 21st March 08 a community Easter fun event took place at Radyr Woods. The sun was shining over 250 people attended this fun event while 165 children took part in scouring the woods looking for over eggs 400 eggs and participating in fun games such as throw the water balloon, kids archery, penalty shoot, and a fishing game.

£427.50 was raised for the Radyr office NSPCC.

New Horizon’s, Radyr Baptist Church wish to thank all who through willingness and teamwork helped make this event happen to bring a community together in a fun way that made a difference.

You can see more photos here.

Three new Community Councillors have been co-opted onto the Council following the May 1st elections.

New Community Councillors

Did you know that there is a football club near you which is second only to Cardiff City FC in the standings in Cardiff, and it is on your doorstep. They are called Cardiff Cointhians, and their home ground is ‘The Riverside Ground Radyr’, (also the home of Radyr Cricket). The Corries as they are effectionately known are the highest placed club in Cardiff, we play in the First Division of the Welsh League.

A BRIEF HISTORY.

We are one of the oldest clubs in Wales, the club was founded in 1898 and has played in many parts of Cardiff before settling in Radyr in 1974. We have had several players who have played for us over the years including Tom Forse, Richie Morgan (ex Cardiff City player & manager) Nick Deacy (ex Cardiff City) & Graham Vearncombe ((ex Cardiff City & Welsh International goalkeeper).

The most remarkable fact about the Corries is that the club is, in 2008 the same as it has always been – 100 per cent amatuer.

If you are interested in knowing more about us then please do not hesitate to contact me Chris Hawkins (Chairman) on 02920 626133.

Cardiff Council’s new Community Building Grants programme has been launched. Community and voluntary groups can now apply for grants for projects that improve their community buldings and secure their wider use by local communities. A maximum grant of £5000 is available. The deadline for applications is 15 August 2008. The deadline for project completion is 20 February 2009.

For information call 20873266 or email sbedford@cardiff.gov.uk

A helicopter brought the Ryder Cup to Radyr Golf Club today (27 May) on behalf of the charity – Tenovus. A large group of residents greeted the arrival of the Cup and were able to have their photographs taken with it.

News from the Community Council : Results of Council Elections

On 15th May the Community Council held its annual meeting. The following Councillors were elected as Chair and Vice-Chair for 2008-9

Chair of Council: David Silver Vice Chair: Rachel Granger

The Community Council is an elected body serving the three wards of Radyr South, Radyr North and Morganstown. At the elections two weeks ago the Councillors elected by ward were:

Morganstown: Mike Diment Ron Eccles David Silver

Radyr North: Rachel Granger Sue Philpott David Suthers

Radyr South: Margaret Lloyd Judith Marsh

There are currently three vacancies for new Councillors, one in each of the three wards. If anyone is interested in filling any of these positions or would like more information about what is involved in being a Councillor please contact the clerk to the Council, Helena Fox on 02920 842213 or e-mail clerk@radyr.org.uk

The Finance Committee and the Environment Committee undertake the main work of the Council. They feed information into the main Community Council meeting, which is held on the fourth Thursday of each month (except August and December). All meetings of the Community Council are open to the public and time is set aside for you to raise issues with the members. The next meeting will be held at 7.30pm on Thursday 26th June in the Old Church Rooms.

In recognition of a long and distinguished career in the marine engineering industry, Jack Ayles C.Eng, F.IMarEST has been appointed an Hon. Vice-President and presented with the President’s Commendation Award by The Institute of Marine Engineering, Science and Technology (IMarEST). The IMarEST is the leading membership body and learned society for marine professionals, industry, research and education, with 50 branches and 15,000 members in over a hundred countries worldwide.

“We were delighted that Jack (pictured right) could be with us at our recent Annual Dinner to receive his Vice-President’s award from our 106th President, Professor Yoo Sang Choo,” explains IMarEST’s Chief Executive, Keith Read CBE. “This is an extremely special award that is rarely given, but I can think of no more deserving recipient than Jack Ayles.

“Astonishingly his first contact with our Institute (then the Institute of Marine Engineering) took place over 60 years ago when he attended his first branch meeting way back in 1947, and he has been a member for 39 years. Over this time he became increasingly involved and it is no exaggeration to say that he has been a good friend and servant of the Institute virtually all his adult life and career. We thank him for his work and support over such a long period, and look forward to many more years of his involvement. What continues to be of great importance is Jack’s ongoing commitment to encouraging young people to take an interest in engineering.”

As Paul Hancock, current chairman of IMarEST’s Wales Branch, explains: “His interest in this Branch and support for members over the past thirty-one years have been quite exceptional. The continuing professional development of many of our colleagues has perhaps been due to his initiatives and encouragement since coming to work and live in south Wales. We congratulate him on his Award.”

There was a large and appreciative audience at Friday’s Audio Visual Evening presented Imaging 2000. Members David Cargill and Mick Sullivan presented 2 views of the village over 50 years using their vast collection of photographs and video.

Presented in Christ Church, Radyr
The Scarlatti Inheritance

Concertos and Cantatas by Alessandro, Domenico & Francesco Scarlatti
with concertos by Charles Avison

Concerto Gallese Baroque Orchestra
On period instruments Directed by Christopher Hair
with Laura Elen Morris ~ Soprano

Wednesday 14 May, 7,30pm 
Tickets £8 (concessions £7, full,time education £4)
Available from Chris’ Shop, Park Rd, Radyr
Nick Hawkins (029) 2084 2561 or Allan Cook (029) 2084 3176

The cast of Ladies in Retirement a Victorian melodrama by Edward Percy and Reginald Denham. The play to be performed at Morganstown Village Hall Tues 29th, Weds 30th April and Friday 2nd May 2008 is a must see.

(For details see our Drama Website )

The R&M Website has been running for a few years and is clearly popular and useful, but the webteam decided a little while ago to give it a fresh image.

Officially, the new site will be launched at the R&M Festival Fete on 3rd May but we have released it now so you can have a sneak preview. If you want more details about the change, do look at page 8 of the latest Radyr Chain. The old site will remain available until shortly before the 3rd.

Do let us know what you think of the new style. If you have any comments, please use the Soapbox or email the webteam directly on web-team@radyr.org.uk 

First there was Cardiff Singer of the World which put Cardiff on the vocal map; now there is the CARDIFF ACADEMY OF VOICE which is doing the same. The Academy is only in its second year and has already gained a World wide reputation. Perhaps this is no surprise when you consider that its director is the world famous Welsh tenor Dennis O’Neill CBE.

I know that they are very excited about some of the voices that they are nurturing and all the young singers have already finished at Conservatories and Music Schools all over the World. This handful have been chosen to receive a final polish under the watchful eye of Dennis. Look out for the next Paverotti, Domingo or Tito Gobi. Because we had a soprano for out lunchtime concert last year, this year we’ve opted for a tenor and a baritone. With two singers we have a larger range of repertoire as well as duets like Bizet’s world famous Pearl Fishers. Rumor tells me that the tenor is from Mexico and great things are expected of him on the world stage.

The concert is in the Methodist Church at 12:45 on Tuesday 6th of May. Tickets can be had from the Festival Box Office.

On 1st June 2008 Andrew Pawley, an ex pupil of Radyr Comprehensive School, and his friend Pete, plan to cross India from Kathmandu in the North to Pondicherry in the South as part of a convoy of motorised rickshaws to raise money for Mercy Corps. Mercy Corps is a registered charity existing to alleviate suffering, poverty and oppression by helping people build secure, productive and just communities. Since 1979, Mercy Corps has provided £600 million in assistance to people in 100 nations.

Andrew and Pete are looking for sponsorship with any monies however small, being most welcome. Sponsors will be acknowledged by having their logos displayed on the rickshaw and tee-shirts.

Further information can be obtained by emailing Andrew and Pete to teamshinowski@hotmail.co.uk