NEW TERM
NEW BEGINNINGS
The start of a new term is always an exciting time and though Menter Iaith isn’t a school many of our activities such as summer clubs, after school clubs, youth activities and so on run alongside the school term. In the same way, the Menter Iaith committee year more or less runs in line with the academic year. A new committee will be elected during the:-
MENTER IAITH AGM
7 -9pm Thursday 19/10/2006,
Lifelong Learning Centre,
Garth Olwg Campus
Peter Griffiths, Head teacher of Rhydfelen and Wendy Edwards Head of the Lifelong Learning Centre will address us on the new developments.
SPECIAL WELCOME TO RHYDFELEN PUPILS PAST & PRESENT

Considering the great lengths to keep the name Rhydfelen it’s especially relevant that the Menter Iaith committee will have the chance to hear the head teacher of that school speak and a special invitation is extended to former pupils of the school. Though present pupils will have settled in it’s possible that many former pupils would like the opportunity to see the new building and hear of the developments from those who are responsible for driving the project forward.
AN EVENING’S ENTERTAINMENT
We try to make our meetings as appealing as possible. Following the discussion there will be a tour of the new building whilst the evening’s entertainers prepare themselves. Côr y Bont, which includes many former pupils of the school, has been invited to perform for us once again following the great success of their performance during the evening held in Clwb y Bont as part of Parti Ponty this year.

NEW OFFICERS & COMMITTEE MEMBERS

Eric Jones will be stepping down as our chair this year following 3 very successful years despite various difficult situations including serious financial deficiencies. He provided stability to our work during this time and was a voice of reason for the benefit of the people of Rhondda Cynon Taf for which he deserves our great thanks. As a result, this presents an opportunity for someone new to step forward and lead Menter Iaith over the coming few years. There will be an opportunity for many people to join our executive committee which meets approximately 8 – 9 times a year in order to enquire about the work of Menter Iaith and the direction of the work of all our staff.

OPEN SESSIONS TO WELCOME NEW COMMITTEE MEMBERS & SUPPORTERS
A number of sessions have been arranged in order for people to learn more about the work of Menter Iaith through meeting our staff and committee members in a number of open events so come and see us in:-

CWLWM BUSNES EVENING
6pm – 8pm 26/09/06 or 03/10/06
Innovation Centre, Venture Wales, Abercynon, Cynon Valley
BUFFET LUNCH
LLANTRISANT
11.30am – 1.30pm 29/09/06
Tŷ Model, Llantrisant, Taff Ely
GLYN CORNEL SADWRN SIARAD
11am - 1.30pm 07/10/06
Glyn Cornel Centre, Llwynypia, Rhondda
LATE BUFFET HIRWAUN
9pm – 10.30pm 10/01/06
Football Club, Hirwaun, Cynon Valley

Events such as this have become part of our annual calendar and are an effort to open the doors and reach new people in order for them to experience a taste of the work of Menter Iaith, learn of our efforts and find out about creating new ventures which appeal to the residents of the county. In the past, we’ve welcomed Owen John Thomas AM, Dr Kim Howells MP, Ann Clwyd MP and Jane Davidson, Assembly Government Minister for Education and others who’ve addressed us and seen displays on our work. Their support is very important to us but we also depend on the support of the people of Rhondda Cynon Taf.

ANNUAL REPORT 2005 – 2006 AVAILABLE NOW
If you’d like to learn more about our work but are unable to attend any of these events please contact us on 01443 226386 and request a copy of our annual report which will be quite coherent – honest – and will include a 500 word snapshot of every aspect of our work, a summary of our financial situation and will also include pictures!

WONDERFUL WEBSITE & E-NEWS
A wealth of pictures and information is available on our fantastic website: www.menteriaith.org Here you can also register to receive our e-news bulletins which are different from the Menter Caerdydd bulletins and present a great opportunity to join in or promote all Welsh medium events held in Rhondda Cynon Taf. It’s an opportunity to advertise your events! For more information contact leahcoles@menteriaith.org or telephone 01685 877183.

BUSY LIVES & HEALTHY FOODS IN CLWB CARCO


We’re striving to respond to Health Challenge Wales by developing energetic activities and healthy eating with fresh fruit, healthy activities, smoothies and less fizzy drinks during our McDonald’s evenings even though these evenings are the basis of the success of some clubs. For details of the activities on offer and our opening times contact Helen Davies on 01443 226386.

EXTENSIVE RANGE OF DEVELOPING USE OF WELSH
We also provide a translation service, Communities First community development, an information technology working committee, a new soap opera on GTFM radio, we celebrated the anniversary of the National Anthem and the bridge in Pontypridd by creating a dvd/cd, we assist with Aberdare Carnival and other new partners, we hold coffee mornings and Sadwrn Siarad for Welsh learners, we support Welsh music and much, much more so come and join us in our open sessions!

Steffan Webb
Chief Executive Menter Iaith