DAFYDD IWAN, CATRIN FINCH, FFRISBEE, DAFYDD DU, GTFM DJs, TRIONGL, MARTYN GERAINT, FIREMAN SAM & SALI MALI
Parti Ponty 2006 is now only days away! As it happens, Parti Ponty is now bigger and better than ever before. We have more evening entertainment thanks to the support of S4C / Tonfedd Eryri who’ll be recording two ‘Noson Lawen’ programmes as part of Parti Ponty. And what evening entertainment we have – I understand that Dafydd Iwan, Catrin Finch and Ifan Gruffydd will be performing on Wednesday evening 28/06/06 and Thursday evening 29/06/06 in Hawthorn Leisure Centre, Rhydfelen, Pontypridd. To book your tickets and pay by card call 01443 226386. The best group in Wales, Ffrisbee, winners of the Battle of the Bands 2005, No Star and a hugely popular local group from Ysgol y Cymer, Anweddus will be playing on the fantastic new stage in Clwb y Bont. The line-up augers extremely well and if you haven’t seen the new stage in Clwb y Bont it’s worth your while coming to see it on Friday evening 30/06/06. GTFM DJs will be introducing the bands and the performance will be recorded live and broadcast on GTFM radio. Once again tickets are available by calling 01443 226386. Parti Ponty wouldn’t be the same without a visit by Heather Jones who does so much to promote Welsh singing in the valleys amongst both the old and young. Heather and the girls and the new Côr Aelwyd y Bont will be with us on the Saturday evening 01/07/06 in Clwb y Bont with a special welcome to Welsh learners and their tutors. We’re looking to attract an audience of some 700 people to the four events so please come in droves and remember to bring granny, the children and all their friends! Tickets are on sale now by calling 01443 226386 with your bank details to hand.
SATURDAY 01/07/06 IN YNYSANGHARAD PARK, PONTYPRIDD
The first Saturday of July is our big day for Parti Ponty with the main stage showcasing local talent from over 12 schools with performances including singing, dancing, acting and reciting – many of which were performed at this year’s Urdd Eisteddfod. Dafydd Du will be introducing the acts on the main stage which include artists, schools, child performers and a few pop groups thanks to BBC Radio Cymru. One of the highlights will be the performance by the Anthem choir including pupils from Llynyforwyn, Bodringallt, Bronllwyn, Penrhys and Tylorstown who’ve been working in partnership on the Communities First Creative Communities project. They’ll have attended numerous workshops linked with the national anthem and will have recorded a DVD of their work under the guidance of Angela Gould and Caroline Cowles, before performing on the Parti Ponty stage. Another highlight will be the annual performance by Martyn Geraint and Triongl thanks to S4C. Fireman Sam, Sali Mali and Superted will be present throughout the day for the children to shake hands and play with them. The Menter Iaith Children’s Services stand will be offering the opportunity for the children to have their faces painted and their pictures taken – which will be ready for collection by the end of the day. Over 20 stands have already been confirmed which include a giant climbing wall with everyone having the chance to stretch their arms and legs! One of our relatively recent partners is GTFM who will be bringing a Roadshow to Ynysangharad Park between 11am and 3pm ensuring that we once again have entertainment at both ends of the field. They’ll be bringing a number of DJs, Fireman Sam and friends, interviews and information about the new Menter Merthyr Rock Opera and all kinds of games and performances. They’ll also be recording a number of interviews which will be broadcast throughout the week. Remember that their Welsh language show with Ioan Dyer is on air every Tuesday evening with ‘Yr Awr Fawr’ every Sunday.
SUNDAY 02/07/06 IN YNYSANGHARAD PARK, PONTYPRIDD
Rhondda Cynon Taf Council take charge on the Sunday with much more English medium entertainment with new, young local groups having the chance to shine. I understand that the Pop factory will be providing a quality Welsh language group with Red Dragon Radio facilitating the day’s entertainment. It’s great to report that many more stalls will be present on both days as we provided a special offer to encourage this – buy one get one half price – which has to be a great opportunity to promote the Welsh language to a new audience. Menter Iaith staff were present for the whole weekend last year and had great fun, support and interest over both days. So, come in droves on the Saturday and return on the Sunday where there’ll be plenty to see and do.

MORNINGS ONLY SUMMER PLAYSCHEMES
Now, I have both good news and bad news. Firstly, the bad news which is that we won’t be running the playschemes everyday from 8.30am until 5.30pm as has been the norm for more than a decade. Considering we worked from a one year grant I think we did very well. Anyway, it’s possible that we’ll be running a series of playschemes which will be open between 9.30am and 12.30pm in YGG Rhydywaun, YGG Abercynon, YGG Llynyforwyn, YGG Bronllwyn, YG Y Dolau every weekday morning of the summer holidays and in YGG Evan James every weekday morning for a fortnight during the summer holidays for children aged 4 – 14 yrs. This is the proposal put to Rhondda Cynon Taf Council in response to their request to co-operate and provide open access playschemes in a number of locations. Please note that these will be open access playschemes with the older children free to sign themselves in and out as they please. These playschemes haven’t received approval yet therefore this isn’t definite but we hope that there will be some sort of provision available during the summer. If you’d like to work in one of the playschemes or would like to receive further information contact Helen Davies on 01443 226386.

CLWB CARCO OPEN
MEETINGS 2006
Dates have been set to meet with the staff, school officials and parents of our various Clwb Carco. Everyone will shortly be receiving another questionnaire the results of which will form the basis of discussions with regards to the club’s success and safeguarding its future. The dates are as follows:- 06/07/06 Aberdare 6pm and Abercynon 7.30pm; 10/07/06 Twynyrodyn 6pm and Rhydyrgug 7.30pm; 11/07/06 Evan James 6pm and Llwyncelyn 7.30pm; 12/07/06 Ynyswen 6pm and Bronllwyn 7.30pm; 13/07/06 Castellau 6pm and Garth Olwg 7.30pm; 17/07/06 Dolau 6pm and Llantrisant 7.30pm. If these clubs are to survive then it’s vital that parents, teachers and our staff attend these meetings.

EVAN JAMES BREAKFAST CLUB LEADING THE WAY
The Evan James Breakfast Club has been a great success with Menter Iaith, the school, Catering Direct and the National Assembly, which contributes to the cost of providing the breakfasts, all working in partnership. The same staff who run the Clwb Carco also run the breakfast club with everyone benefiting from the continued contact between the staff and pupils with all having an increased opportunity to speak Welsh.

COFFEE MORNING OVERLOAD FOR WELSH SPEAKERS!
There are too many to list with new coffee mornings in Rhydfelen and Abercwmboi which are developing rapidly. It’s lovely to see Communities First Partnerships competing by offering their own Welsh Coffee Mornings with the support of Menter Iaith but under their own leadership and responsibility. Acen Cyf, which provides a number of materials and support to Welsh learners, will be creating cards noting all of the coffee mornings in the area and will be distributing them during Parti Ponty. A full list of the coffee mornings, including pictures, is also available on our website www.menteriaith.org. Alternatively, contact Leah Coles on 01685 877183. I don’t know – not only the chance to speak Welsh but to enjoy quality food and drink at the same time!

TRANSLATION EQUIPMENT, TRANSLATION SERVICES &
E-NEWS
Our website, www.menteriaith.org is the best place to find out more about our translation equipment and translation services. Alternatively, contact Rhian Powell on 01685 877183. This is also the number to call if you’d like to register to receive details of events by e-mail.

Steffan Webb
Chief Executive
Menter Iaith Rhondda Cynon Taf