PARTY PARTY PARTY – PONTY
Yes, the time has come now you have the chance to enjoy the fruits of months of hard work and planning in Ynysangharad Park, Pontypridd on Saturday 2nd & Sunday 3rd July. It will be interesting to see how things work out with Red Dragon Radio and local English groups - as well as Welsh groups - on the Sunday. It could be said that it won’t be as Welsh as the usual Saturday and this is probably true but, on the other hand, it could be argued that this is a great opportunity to meet new people, sell the benefits of learning Welsh and try to persuade people to learn Welsh themselves. It’s also possible that there will be many people who are able to speak Welsh but who don’t usually do so and this is a good opportunity for us to influence them too.

At the end of the day, a party is a party and it’s certain that all will enjoy the occasion which begins on the Friday night in the Muni with a variety evening and a warm welcome is extended to learners and tutors from Heather Jones, Alun Tan Lan, Ieuan Rhys, Delwyn Siôn, Alun Cowles, Cwmbach Choir, Cytgord Choir and others. We are also in the Muni on the Saturday evening with the Parti Ponty Gig which includes Poppies – stars of Radio 1, Syn-d-cut with the chief bard, Aneirin Karadog, “local boy made good” on lead vocals and the Llofruddion. Tickets are available from the Muni ticket office on 01443 485934 and, though 400 tickets are available I suggest you book yours asap.

Appearing on stage during the Saturday in the park will be Fitzalan Steel Band who will open the event, followed by a number of Welsh and English medium primary school choirs, disco dancing and items which were successful in this year’s Urdd Eisteddfod – there’s plenty of variety. As usual, Martin Geraint and Ac@ti will perform as well as a number of new bands under the leadership of Rhys Mwyn, Sain. There is also a rumour circulating that Stuart Cable will be opening the stage this year in light of his successful completion of his Big Welsh Challenge – learning the national anthem. There will be stalls run by Mudiad Ysgolion Meithrin, Twf, Bwrdd yr Iaith Gymraeg, Welsh for Adults Consortium, CYD, Communities First coffee tent run by an army of willing volunteers, the Urdd with their climbing wall and sports, stalls for children and young people run by CIC and Menter Iaith Children’s Services, Rhondda Cynon Taf Council, craft stalls, copies of Y Cymro distributed free of charge and much, much more. Do you know why 2006 is important for Pontypridd? You’ll find out in Parti Ponty as we launch our campaign to raise awareness of ‘Ponty 2006’ through face painting, quizzes and many other activities. If you would like to book a stall contact Huw Thomas Davies on 01443 226386 or if you would like us to include an item on the already full line-up contact Mari Griffiths on 01685 877183.

NEW CHILDREN’S SERVICES
CO-ORDINATOR
Helen Davies has been appointed as our new Children’s Services Co-ordinator responsible for overseeing the Clybiau Carco and Holiday Playschemes working from our Llantrisant office. Contact her on 01443 226386. As part of her job, she will represent Menter Iaith on the Rhondda Cynon Taf Early Years Development Partnership and will be responsible for maintaining our high standards in compliance with CSIW regulations. The very successful Clybiau Carco are held in Abercynon, Aberdare, Bodringallt, Bronllwyn, Castellau, Dolau, Evan James, Garth Olwg, Heol y Celyn, Pontsionorton, Llantrisant, Llanharan, Llwyncelyn, Llynyforwyn, Rhydygrug, Tonyrefail, Talbot Green, Twynyrodyn and Ynyswen. They are open from 3.30 – 5.30 or later every weekday for the incredible bargain price of £4.65 or less per night. We provide a staffing ratio of 1 qualified member of staff to every 8 children with a wide selection of activities such as Arts & Crafts, sports, cookery, smoothies, Foods of the World, drama, McDonalds parties, sewing, swimming, films, outings and much, much more. Our Holiday Playschemes offer the same variety of activities between 8.30am and 5.30pm every weekday during school holidays.

It’s possible that Rhondda Cynon Taf Council will be offering an open access Welsh language Holiday Playscheme this year for the first time and many people have asked whether I’m concerned that this will have an effect on our work. I welcome any new Welsh language developments whether they’re provided by Rhondda Cynon Taf Council, Urdd Gobaith Cymru or Mrs Jones next door – much more Welsh medium activities need to be provided and there is room for everyone to contribute.

BATTLE OF THE BANDS
The district round of Battle of the Bands this year will be held in Ty Tawe, Swansea on Saturday afternoon 25th June. I understand that 3 bands from RCT will be competing this year and we hope that they will also be performing at Parti Ponty. Full details are available from Nicola Evans on 01685 882299.

The successful bands will receive a prize from C2 Radio Cymru and will have the chance to perform on a tour of Wales and record a video during the Eisteddfod – prizes well worth winning thanks to the BBC and Mentrau Iaith Cymru.

FORWARD PLANNING
A number of very interesting planning sessions have been held which returned us to our mission statement that Menter Iaith attempts to ‘Promote the use of the Welsh language for all who live, work or receive their education in Rhondda Cynon Taf and the surrounding area, specifically working with the public, private and voluntary sectors’. If anyone asks what Menter Iaith do – tell them!

YOUR SUPPORT
We rely on you! If you would like to help us with our work there are many ways in which you can do this – you can join our various committees, volunteer to work in our offices or Clybiau Carco, assist our Welsh learners by attending our Coffee Mornings and by making friends with them, get your friends who shop at Tesco to come together to raise money for us without contributing a penny of your own money or, if you want to make a contribution to the cause, you can do so by completing a bank order form – details available from Helen John on 01443 226386.
Steffan Webb
Chief Executive Menter Iaith RhCT