News

Long-awaited beach path opens in Llantwit Major


A new shared pathway and cycleway that provides an improved link between Llantwit Major town and the popular beach area has been declared open.

The new route has been installed by the Vale of Glamorgan Council using grant funding from the Welsh Assembly Government's Safe Routes in Communities initiative following the involvement of the local community and footpath forum in putting forward a bid for consideration.

In comparison with the previous access route, the new pathway provides a useful, safe and clean pedestrian and cycle link to the beach from the town. It's also wider and has better visibility, helping to reduce the risk of pedestrian and cycling accidents, while a green non-slip surface coating and timber edgings have been used to help the path blend into its surroundings.


Cllr Jeff James, cabinet member for planning and transportation at the Vale of Glamorgan Council, was joined by Vale Council officers, the Mayor and Members of Llantwit Major Town Council and representatives from contractors South Wales Sports Ground Contractors Ltd, in celebrating the opening of the route.

Paying tribute to all those involved in the project, Cllr James said: "This improved link has been an aspiration for some time. Persistence has been key with this project and following initial disappointment funding was discovered and the project was delivered in a very short timescale, within budget.

"I would like to thank everyone involved for the commitment shown towards improving access in this area. The beach is well visited at all times of the year and hopefully our residents and visitors will enjoy walking and cycling this route in a safe and dry environment for many years to come."

Seasonal beach ban for dogs in the Vale


The Vale of Glamorgan Council is reminding residents that dogs are banned from the following Vale beaches between 1 May and 30 September 2011 - Southerndown, Llantwit Major, Cold Knap, Barry Island and Penarth.

A by-law exists to protect bathers and ensure their safety throughout the summer when the beaches have their highest number of visitors.

During this time it is an offence to bring a dog on any of the beaches listed above and if you're caught breaking the ban you could face a fine of up to £500.

You can still walk your dog at all other Vale beaches year round but please remember to be a responsible owner and pick up after your pooches. Once bagged and tied you can use any Council bin to dispose of your dog's waste.

To help, the council provides free blue poop bags which are available from the Civic Offices in Barry and the Alps Office in Wenvoe. You can also collect blue bags from Penarth, Cowbridge and Llantwit Major libraries too.

For more information please visit our dog pages on our website, email visible@valeofglamorgan.gov.uk or telephone 01446 700111.

Youth service community work wins excellence award


A community project that gave a Barry housing estate 'something to be proud about' and helped create 'a happier community' has been awarded a Youth Work in Wales Excellence Award by the Welsh Assembly Government.


The Vale Youth Street Team won the award in the 'Outstanding Mobile Youth Project' category for their work with the 'V-Pod', the Vale of Glamorgan youth bus, and in particular the 'Community Respect Project'.

Residents of the Shakespeare Estate in Cadoxton, Barry, frequently reported problems with young people, while local young people said they felt unable to communicate with older people in their community.

One of the aims of the Community Respect Project was to improve relationships between young people and their local community.

Local people and the Shakespeare Residents' Association were asked what they would like to achieve together and young and old chose revamping a huge wall on their estate. More than 40 members of the community worked on a 120 foot mural to cover the wall with the story of the estate and the history of music during its time. They also took part in sessions on the V-Pod youth bus, working on team building, communication games and multi media skills.

Russell, a local resident said: "The project has been such a great thing for the young people in this area, and not just them but all ages in the local community. Young people have been so engaged in the project and are really proud of the work they have done.


"Residents have noticed a significant drop in nuisance behaviour in the estate, as have the police. The wall tells a history of how this area became, as well as including all the things young people are passionate about today. We feel so much more together as a community, that we can talk and share ideas or concerns."
Local young person Lydia said: "This wall is such an inspiration as are the V-Pod crew and Pulse Team, who have finally given us something to be proud about in our area... you have left us a happier community, and hopefully have helped improve our community cohesions. I'm sure we have all been left with a bucketful of laughs and millions of happy memories!"

The Welsh Assembly award was officially handed over to the Vale Youth Street Team by the Leader of the Vale of Glamorgan Council, Gordon Kemp. The Mayor of the Vale of Glamorgan, Cllr Colin Osborne, also presented local young people with Bronze Vale of Glamorgan Mayor's Award certificates for the dedication and hard work they put into making the community project a success.

The project has been expanded to other areas, including Penarth, Rhoose and St Athan and has included videoing youngsters engaged in behaviour that was annoying local residents. The videos were then viewed by the groups of young people involved and local youth workers. The youngsters' behaviour and how it affected local people was discussed, as were the activities the youngsters might take up instead of 'hanging around the streets'. Youth workers describe youngsters as being shocked when they saw their behaviour and barely able to believe how badly they came across.

The award comes hot on the heels of the success of the 'Choices' video and rap, which was produced by the Vale council's youth service and partners. 'Choices' was declared overall winner in Wales in the U-News/Clic competition and awards last year.

The Street Team is a partnership between the Vale of Glamorgan Council's youth service and the voluntary youth organisation, the Vibe Experience.

Barry Dock Lifeboat called out twice over Easter weekend

THE Barry Dock RNLI lifeboat was called to two incidents over the Easter weekend.
The lifeboat was first launched on Thursday, April 21, at 2.20pm, when three people in an inflatable dinghy were seen to be floating to the west of Friars Point. The people were able to get ashore and the Barry Dock Lifeboat was stood down on route.
Gerry Adams, volunteer lifeboat press officer, said: "It is not advisable to use these inflatable toys in the open sea, and with sea temperatures still very low there is an added risk of rapid hypothermia if people end up in the water."
In the second incident a yacht was overdue so HM Coastguard at Swansea launched the All Weather Barry Dock Lifeboat, the Porthcawl Inshore Lifeboat, a rescue helicopter from Chivenor and HM Coastguard search and rescue units from Penarth, Barry, Wachet, Ilfracombe and the police.
After some searching the yacht was located and the people on board were safe.

CCTV helps with four Barry arrests

THE CCTV operation working under the umbrella of the Safer Vale Partnership assisted with four arrests in the week ending Sunday, April 24.
CCTV contacted the police on 46 occasions with one person arrested for theft at Holton Road.
One person was arrested for assaulting a police officer and public order at Market Street, Barry, while another arrest was made for being drunk in charge of a vehicle at Park Crescent.
A final arrest was made for assault at Skomer Road, Barry.
In addition, one street caution was issued at Broad Street for possession of an illegal substance and two ASBO referrals were given for public order at Island Road, Barry.
All crimes are alleged at the time of incident.

Vale of Glamorgan Twinning Association duo visit Mouscron

TWO representatives of the Vale of Glamorgan Twinning Association visited Mouscron in Belgium from April 15 to 17.
Committee members Paul Baker and Rodney Care were invited to meet members of the recently-formed voluntary Friendship Association.
Rodney said: "We were very impressed with the beautiful parks in the town and the facilities provided at the 'Ecole de Sport', which has no less than 14 football pitches, a running track, two swimming pools and an equestrian centre.
"Our hosts took us to the evening football match where I was invited to make the ceremonial kick-off.
"A large show of vintage vehicles by the Antwerpse Renault Oldtimer Club, with over 100 vehicles, all beautifully restored, was very interesting.
"Their Chairman, Walter Govers said that many of his members would like to show their treasured vehicles in the Vale of Glamorgan .
"Members of the Shooting Club, Golf Club, Rambling Club and Tennis Club would all like to arrange meetings with Clubs in the Vale."
Sunday morning was taken up with visits to the Circus School and the Cheese-Rolling Festival - the latter being taken very seriously in Mouscron.
"The game resembles a cross between skittles and bowling," added Rodney.
"It would be interesting to see how players of each of these sports fared against the local experts!"
The Vale of Glamorgan Twinning Association is presently arranging a Tall Ships youth voyage for young people of all four twin-towns. This is taking place in June 2012 .
Anyone interested should contact the organiser Peter Coleman via e-mail at peter.coleman@36.co.uk
The Vale of |Glamorgan Twinning Association assists and advises any group wishing to contact similar organisations in our twin towns. Anyone interested in contacting new friends in Fecamp (Normandy), Mouscron (Belgium) or Rheinfelden (Germany) is welcome to attend the Association's AGM in the Civic Offices, Holton Road, Barry at 6pm on Friday, May 6.