Communities First
Newsletter Autumn 2003
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Communities First
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Become a member of ecodyfi We want everybody in the Valley to join, so it only costs £1. Drop into Ty Bro Dyfi or send some stamps. The information centre is open Monday to Friday between 10.00 and 3.00. You might even like to get involved in staffing it or in helping to run a project. Please come and see us!
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16 November 2003
Young People's CompetitionsWinners in the recent 'Communities First Bro Ddyfi' young people's poster and essay competitions were presented with their prizes by the chair of the Steering Group, Iona Sawtell, at Ty Bro Ddyfi on Wednesday September 24th.
Einir Haf Davies won first prize in the essay competition for 11-14 year olds, with Owain Kenny being runner-up, whilst Eluned Glyn won the poster competition in the same age group. Photo: Einir, Eluned and Owain. Theme Groups including Young People's GigThe Steering Group and Facilitator have continued to form "Theme Groups" with the most recent being a 'Young People's Group' that met on the 18th September. This was a very positive meeting of people who had either expressed an interest in this theme or who work with young people in the locality. This group will be an ongoing group looking to address the needs of the young people in the area and to consult and involve the young people themselves. On December 18th Kentucky AFC, Little Miss Mental and Acid Reign will be playing at the Community Centre Machynlleth in a gig organised by the Young People's Theme Group. The bands are a mixture of local talent and Kentucky AFC who are one of Wales's most promising bands. The aim of the night is to provide entertainment for the young people of the area, which hopefully goes some way to responding to their needs and discovering what they would like to see happen in their local community. We are also in the process of forming a 'Bilingual and Culture Group' and anyone who has an interest in this group or indeed any particular theme is welcome to contact Cyril at the Communities First Office. Communities First Bro Ddyfi Ideas BookThe Communities First Bro Ddyfi 'Ideas Book' containing every single idea, view and suggestion to date, from local people, saying what they feel is required to improve upon their quality of life, and for the sustainable regeneration of the Dovey Valley, has now been distributed throughout the area and is on this web site. The book is also available by e-mail in either Welsh or English or both, and arrangements can be made to receive it by this means by contacting the office on 01654 700315 or e-mail Cyril@powys.gov.uk. There is also considerable information on the entire area that includes a section on Communities First Bro Ddyfi, including newsletters and other information available on this site. Communities First and the Machynlleth and District Local Forum - working in harmonyLocal Forum meetings have been held on such themes as Community Safety, Lifelong Learning and the Environment. The Local Forum and the Communities First programme, work together in a way to avoid duplication and confusion. A joint event will be held on Wednesday 10th December at the Care Centre Machynlleth at 7pm, which will be an interim Action Planning session looking at all ideas and suggestions received to date by both processes. This will be a facilitated session when members of the community will be able to look at and prioritise the identified needs of the community. So please join us, your opinion is important. Participatory Appraisal PAThe Bro Ddyfi Communities First programme has been considerably boosted through being chosen as a pilot area for a Participatory Appraisal by the Communities First Support Network. There will now be an opportunity for some volunteers to be trained free of charge by experienced consultants and to work alongside the facilitator and members of the Steering Group, in carrying out this very important bilingual consultation exercise. Volunteers will receive a certificate from the Open College Network (OCN) showing the new skills they have obtained whilst working with the community. The main aim of a Participatory Appraisal is to enable us to reach parts of the community that we are yet to reach, by means of various proven techniques such as the use of questionnaires, interviewing, theatre, and indeed any way possible to enable us to find out people's needs and views on what they consider is needed to improve upon and sustain their own quality of life, and that of their community. The Bro Ddyfi Communities First Steering Group have appointed 'Insight Social Research Limited', who are a company based at Newport, South Wales, to be consultants for the Bro Ddyfi Participatory Appraisal. This company will work closely with, and provide training for members of the Steering Group and volunteers. Use will be made of various creative and participative methods, including that of 'Theatre Fforwm Cymru', in order to make the appraisal as inclusive as possible. We would welcome interest from people living in Llanbrynmair and the Bryn y Gog area of Machynlleth in particular, but if anyone who lives in the Dyfi Valley, have an interest in, as well as the commitment and time to help us, then please contact the Communities First office as soon as possible for details. No previous experience is needed, as training is available free of charge for anyone who wishes to become involved with the appraisal, and who would like to be given the opportunity to receive training in various aspects of community consultation. Appointment of Administrator
The next Steering Group meetingThis will be held on Tuesday November 25th at Cwmllinau Village Hall at 3.00pm. If you require a copy of the minutes of Steering Group meetings, these are shortly to be available on the Ecodyfi website, as well as by e-mail, or post by request. ** Note: Anyone is more than welcome to come along and observe Steering Group meetings** |
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As a result of the recent appointment of Beverly Thorndyke as an administrator to the Communities First programme, Cyril is now hoping to be able to go out more into the community to find out peoples needs and suggestions. Cyril said "the appointment of Beverly who is fluent in the Welsh Language, having been born, bred and educated in the Dyfi Valley, can only be of benefit to the whole process especially due to her knowledge and commitment to the local community".