Neath Ferret www.neathferret.co.uk Neath's Discussion Website & Private Eye Looking for Community Problems Blaenhonddan / Dyffryn Clydach Edition PRINTS THE NEWS THAT NEWSPAPERS WON'T Contact: News or Comments:   news@neathferret.co.uk or use our new readers letters facility September 2009   Version 22.17 (17th update this month) Welcome to the website that aims to inform everyone about what is happening in our community and to highlight problems in order to discuss them in a democratic way. Now with more readers than local newspapers in this edition area See our new website extension   Express your views -- have your say Add this page to your favourites Please note that the latest news does not always appear at the top of the page. Updates are constantly being made to existing items, we therefore suggest you make frequent visits to this website for changes and additional news items.   Please note that the version suffix number changes with every update. Our readers' letter page gets more lively about MP expenses - see comments below What are your thoughts on this? Press Release relating to Linda Ware The following press release relates to a person (Linda Ware) acting for and on behalf of residents of Cilfrew against the siting of a LNG pressure reduction station within 600 metres of the village. After Linda Ware won the case the local authority won the appeal and are therefore claiming costs. The Press Release: "Linda Ware accepted an out of court settlement of the costs claim against her by Neath Port Talbot County Borough Council due to lack of full coverage of her legally aided environmental challenge by the legal services commission. On Thursday 16th September 2009 the legal services commission withdrew funding from Linda Ware for the case on 22nd September 2009. The solicitor and barrister, Richard Buxton and David Woolfe, for Linda Ware, proceeded to the hearing on a conditional fee agreement. Should the case not have been settled out of court then the case would have progressed to the court of appeal once again. Linda Ware should like it known that she is no longer prepared for her local authority to waste the taxpayers of Neath Port Talbot’s money on lengthy court proceedings. The settlement was £7,000 in full and final settlement of costs. to be paid at a rate of £9.75 per week for 14 years until Linda Ware reaches the age of 75 years. This is the maximum legally permitted to be taken from the pension of Linda Ware. Neath Port Talbot County Borough Council have stated in the agreed offer that Linda Ware should not be bankrupted unless she defaults on this payment. It was also stated in the offer made to Linda ware by Neath Port Talbot County Borough Council that the debt would die with her should she not live for the requisite 14 years. It was stated by the Barrister for Neath Port Talbot County Borough Council that the reason NPT CBC is pursuing these costs is that Neath Port Talbot County Borough Council cannot be seen to be a ‘soft touch’ especially regarding environmental issues. It was also stated that the money was not why Linda Ware was being pursued; when NPT CBC knew she did not have the money to pay these costs. It was stated Neath Port Talbot County Borough Council pursued Linda Ware on a matter of principle. At a time when cutbacks in all public services are biting hard and affecting education and jobs badly it seems there is plenty of PUBLIC money to pursue vindictive court cases in order to squash any individual that fights for the environmental rights of the people of their area." Neath Port Talbot County Borough Council is the authority that lost millions of pounds when they invested in an Iceland Bank. A member of the council allegedly said the money would not be missed in view of their substantial reserves. Links relating to this issue:- The dangers of LNG and details of protests Evening Post on-line report regarding current court results Court Case appeal dated 27.11.07 What would have been the next step if there was no settlement? The Aarhus Convention? The Aarhus Convention considers the right of an individual to protest without penalty when it relates to human rights and/or the environment. More details about Aarhus Dai Dust says - "it's a big council cock up" As expected. Dai Dust is fuming over the way Neath Port Talbot County Borough Council handled Linda Ware's appeal case with the highly paid barristers they employed to get their way. You can read what he has to say by clicking on the link below. Dai Dust, a former Neath Ferret correspondent, now has his own website on which he expresses his views in no uncertain terms. Many of his past letters to the press were so hot that they refused (or were afraid) to print them. Dai Dust has a top listing on Google. A search for his name puts him in the No.1 position from 950,000 listings. Going by these results we reckon that his website is more widely read than some people think. He has already caused a stir at a community council meeting. Read what Dai Dust has to say Dai Dust gives his readers the right to reply and comment on his views. National Older People's Day 1st October 2009 The first newsletter of Neath Abbey and District Older People's Forum has been sent out to all those interested in the forum, which works closely with Age Concern. The newsletter gives details of the Forum's Afternoon Tea Party to be held at 2:00 pm on 1st October at Treherne Court, Stratton Way, Cwrt Herbert to which everyone and their friends are warmly invited. The event will be free of charge and a raffle will be run to raise funds. The Forum is a new independent, non-policical group with its own committee and bank account. It was set up under the guidance given by the Speaking up for our Age Programme (Age Concern Cymru and Help the Aged in Wales). Information about the forum can be obtained from the Group Secretary:- Sheila Manning - Tel. No: 01792 321 530. Report on the last Forum's meeting. MP's Expenses A resident writes in about Peter Hain - MP for Neath Our reader's letters page contain some lively letters - including some that the local newspaper will not print. The latest letter raises questions about the rent paid for our MP's office. Further down the letters page you will find a follow up question (by the same writer) about expenses relating to Peter Hain's home from where his wife allegedly runs her 'Boss Hunters' ** business. As always, the right to reply or add comments is given so that this website can remain fair and balanced. As for ourselves, we make no comment as we prefer readers to have their say and draw their own conclusions. In fairness, we give below a link to Peter Hain's website - in case the answers may appear there. Additional links are added for relevant background information. Our letters page Peter Hain's website Peter Hain's talkback page where he is likely to reply to comments. BBC biography with family details **All about Boss Hunters Mirror report Wales On Line report At first we could not believe it! Tucked away on the reader's letters page of a local newspaper was a letter from someone who said that Mr Peter Hain refused to go on a TV Question Time programme because a member of the BNP had been invited. We thought that this cannot be true? If the BNP member has been elected by the people then democracy should prevail. To find out more about this we searched the Internet and found the following item:- Report from Wales On Line We would like to have your views We note that several readers comments have been deleted from the Wales On Line website - so we must ask our readers to be fair, polite and objective - and please keep letters short and to the point. People can make their point without being offensive or using foul language. We wish to remind readers that the BNP are no friends of ours. Read what they said about this website. In spite of this, we think elected individuals should be allowed to have equal air time on any TV show when other political parties are represented. A Response From Peter Hain's Office In fairness we feel we must draw attention, and give equal prominence, to a reply letter on our readers' letters page from Mr Lyn Harper, Parliamentary Constituency Office Manager to Peter Hain MP. An explaination is given about the rent paid for Mr Hain's Neath Office. The writer criticises the Neath Ferret for "promoting smears like this" and makes the point that the office provides a first class service for constituents. The question arises - are we right or wrong to allow readers to express their views? Also, are we being fair in giving the right to reply - and also to highlight other websites where explanations or other informtion may be found? The debate continues on our readers' letters page Mr Lyn Harper response has stimuated a reply from the reader who brought up the matter of Peter Hain's office expenses. We are pleased that this matter can be discussed sensibly by both parties. The writer, who responds to the smear comment, has a valid point when he says that Peter Hain's website does not give the right to reply like this site does. Perhaps his point can be taken on board by Mr Hain's administration. In the meantime we will continue to give balanced views and hope that facts will speak for themselves. The least we can say is that Peter Hain's office is not ignoring the matter, as they could have done. Let's hope they will respond again. BCC moves positively forward with IT Council approves new software Blaenhonddan Community Council has approved the purchase of new software (a version of Microsoft Office) for use by their clerk who has been sending out email attachments that most councillors could not open. This had been previously highlighted to the clerk by a former councillor who created the council's website free of charge. As advised, the new software will be more compatible for downloading items to the council's website, the address being: www.blaenhonddan.co.uk and not, as stated in error, Blaenhonddancc.co.uk on the council's headed notepaper. Hump Speed Retarders are dangerous States Community Counciller The dangerous practice of motor cyclists suddernly swerving to avoid speed humps in the Bryncoch area has been brought to the attention of Blaenhonddan Community Council. It appears that these speed retarders are proving to be more dangerous than ramps that cover the full width of the road. The humps were thought to be installed so that vehicles with wide wheel-bases, like ambulances and buses, could pass over them without jolting their passengers. Perhaps further thought could be given to speed control instead of these humps that are also difficult to negotiate when thoughtless drivers park their vehicles either side of them in the absence of 'no'parking' line markings. Are these speed humps an accident waiting to happen? Let us have your views. Speed Hump regulations Alternative to Humps? A sensible approach Experiments have been carried out and it has been argued that vehicle activated road signs that show the speed of the approaching vehicle are more effective and safer than road humps. What are your views on this - do you aim to lower your speed when you see these signs? Please let us know. Community Art puts Dyffryn Clydach on the Map Another venture to interest the community A textile map will be created to be hung at Longford Memorial Hall which will record the social history as well as the geographyand history of the area. Dyffryn Clydach Community Council are delighted to announce that on securing over £2,000 funding from the Gronfa Wledig Rural Identity Scheme and contributing almost £1,000 themselves work is starting on the project with a community meeting on Tues 6th October- 2.00pm at The Memorial Hall, Longford, Neath Abbey. Cllr.Alyson Thomas, Project Manager said: "We need everyone's ideas to get as full a picture as we possibly can. Many events take place which are important in the life of a community but are never set down. We have a great tradition here of strong community groups too and we want to record all that are in living memory as some finish and new ones begin." Though no formal skills are needed to take part, there will be workshops to teach techniques for those who want to work on the map and these will run for a year until the map is complete. Alyson added: "This is a fantastic chance to get involved. Many groups have already decided to be part of the project including Neath Abbey W. I. , Dyffryn Clydach Environmental Group, Longford Mother Craft, Longford Over 50's, St. John's Church and the Helping Hands Knitters. We are relying on the talent of local people and there are opportunities too for people to get involved with the design and to record the information as we share it." The finished map will be displayed in the hall and a grand community celebration day is planned to share it with everyone. To ensure your area knowledge and skills are included in the map, please come along to the meeting or contact Alyson on 07719994991 / 01792528754. email: ladyalthomas@hotmail.co.uk Dyffryn Clydach's Community Website We're Flying the Glyndwr Flag in Dyffryn Clydach! Dyffryn Clydach Community Council has cause to celebrate this month. The council has recently erected a flag pole for the community and the very first flag to be flown was Owain Glyndwr's standard. At 2pm on September 16th 2009, Dyffryn Clydach Memorial Hall, The Drive, Longford, the flag was hoisted by Cllr. Gwyn Edwards, chairman of the community Council. Here's a report of the event, copied with permission, from the Dyffryn Clydach Community website:- A FLYAWAY SUCESS! The Memorial Hall was packed with local residents to celebrate Owain Glyndwr Day using the community's new flagpole. The day was sunny with just the right amount of breeze to flutter the standard of the great man. Sally Roberts Jones, writer and historian, novelist Alex Coggan and Assembly Member Bethan Jenkins spoke during the afternoon and we were treated to some wonderful music from reknowned harpist Novella Roberts-Lewis. A very welcome guest was Mr. Don Brock who has been really missed lately as well as home-grown historian Robert King and historian Canon Lodwick. Local schoolchildren came along to learn about Wales' most important historical figure and then the flag was raised by current council chairman, Cllr. Gwyn Edwards. Last year's council chair Cllr. Margaret Smith donated her chairman's allowance to purchase flags for the community including the flag of St. David, Y Ddraig Goch and the Union Jack. Thanks go to Cllr. Smith for this and also for organising the occasion which will live in the memory of our community. Many Thanks to Cllr. Alyson Thomas for the above report. Dyffryn Clydach's Community Website LDP - Bryncoch Action Committee Chairman writes to Council Planning Department Following the public meeting held at the Bryncoch Community Centre on Saturday, 15th August 2009, the Chairman of the Bryncoch Action Committee, Mr Steve Griffiths, has written to the Neath Port Talbot County Borough Council's Planning Department. The letter puts the Local Development Plan and the candidate sites into perspective. The full letter can be read by clicking on the link below:- Letter from Bryncoch Action Committee Councillor's Continued Concern over energy saving lamps County Borough Councillor, Tony Wyn-Jones, has again highlighted his concern about the dangers of energy saving lamps. The Daily Mail ran an awareness campaign some time ago and we followed with an item on this website. Cllr. Wyn-Jones has cause to be concerned about this matter following an occurance within his family - something he would not like anyone else to experience. We think that every lamp sold should come with a warning, especially relating to any possible breakage. In the meantime the media should make a big effort to make the public aware of the facts. Below we give a link that connects you to the Daily Mail website:- Daily Mail report Neath Discussion Website Listed in Google Thanks to a local newspaper calling us a 'Discussion Website' (they will not mention our name) we are listed on the Google search engine when anyone types 'Neath Discussion Website' or 'Discussion website Neath' in the search box. The Google search engine cleverly gives highly placed listings based on the number of searches made. It is now one of the more popular ones and their maps and satellite views put them ahead of the rest. Resulting from reports in the local press our survey figues have revealed a high number of 'hits' which, we are pleased to say, are increasing week by week. Google search results Dyffryn Clydach Community Council Working in harmony Councillors at Dyffryn Clydach's September monthly meeting were told that ROSPA (The Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents) gave a very good report following their inspection of the council's playgrounds on 29th June 2009, with no faults found. The Police were complimented on their positive actions to curb the anti-social behaviour of teenagers gathering in the area - although the bad weather had also possibly helped matters. Owain Glyndwr Day It was confirmed that the Owain Glydwr flag would fly on the new flagpole on 16th September and that the Owain Glyndwr Society would be welcome to take part in the celebrations from around 1:30 pm onwards (see more details below). Other flags would also be flown on other special days in order that the use on the new flagpole would not be seen to be biased. It was resolved that the 'Best Garden' certificates will be handed out to those nominated in the half hour before the next community council meeting. ROSPA website Council's website Owain Glyndwr Society Owain Glyndwr in Welsh History BBC item - Owain Glyndwr NOTE... It is understood that ROSPA also inspected the playgrounds of Blaenhonddan Community Council on the same date and that their report is yet to be published - there was no mention of this at the council's September meeting. Bats now take second place at Rowan Tree Close, Bryncoch Some months ago we reported that the Council's Planning Department turned down an application for a building plot behind the cul-de-sac at Rowan Tree close on environmental grounds and because of the bats said to be roosting in certain trees which blocked the access. At the time it seemed a sensible decision by the council who gave careful thought to the environment. The latest news, so we understand, is that the applicant appealed to the Welsh Assembly who overturned the council's decision. As bats are a protected species we are now wondering if the Welsh Assembly may be liable for the heavy fines that apply when bats suffer from the development when it takes place - or will it be the new land owner who bought the ground on the basis that planning permission was granted? We cannot help wondering if the Welsh Assembly were aware that the applicant's intention was to sell the plot for financial gain once planning permission had been obtained? Bat Conservation Trust Bat conservation and the law Extract from above website:- You will be committing a criminal offence if you: 1.Deliberately capture, injure or kill a bat 2.Intentionally or recklessly disturb a bat in its roost or deliberately disturb a group of bats 3.Damage or destroy a bat roosting place (even if bats are not occupying the roost at the time) 4.Possess or advertise/sell/exchange a bat (dead or alive) or any part of a bat 5.Intentionally or recklessly obstruct access to a bat roost. Good weather for Neath Fair 8th - 12th September 2009 This year the September Fair has more of a presence on the Internet with Neath Port Talbot Council giving it dedicated pages in their website. Stall holders were blessed with excellent weather and the only trader who suffered was one selling umbrellas. The following links may be of interest to readers who either attended or may have missed the event. The history of Britain's oldest fair goes back to the year 1280:- History of Neath Fair Term and conditions for traders Council webpage Blog Spot - Neath Fair Alcohol Free Zones in Neath Port Talbot? With alcohol often mentioned in the media and said to be the cause of problems in open spaces throughout the UK., our team went to a leading design consultant for ideas for a sign that could be displayed in relevant areas. Here we give an idea of what such a sign could look like, bearing in mind that it has been reduced in size for display purposes. Signs can be amended to read in Welsh, if required. The consultant who designed the sample is responsible for most of the Neighbourhood Watch signs that can be seen in various areas of our town and is well known in Police admin circles. The sign is produced on 4mm rigid plastic with an option of two sizes. With radius corners and and die punched, signs are supplied complete with fixings for lamppost fitting or punched with four holes for wall fixing. Suggested colours would be red and black or 'Police Blue' and red. Provision can be made for the Local Authority logo or the Police Authority Badge as indicated. It should be noted that the illustration is for information purposes only and is Copyright ghv/ms/09   It is presented here for discussion purposes with a look to the futue. We would, of course, like your views on the matter - including your thoughts on alcohol free zones. How safe are emails? Security alert The Lib Dems want tighter controls on surveillance powers for authorities including councils and the police say a BBC report. More than 500,000 requests to access phone and e-mail records were made in 2008, a report by the Interception of Communications Commissioner showed. The Lib Dems say only a magistrate should be able to approve a request for surveillance, under the Regulation of Investigatory Powers Act (Ripa). The Home Office said the powers should be used only when "proportionate". An average of about 1,500 surveillance requests were made every day in Britain last year, according to figures which have emerged from an annual report by commissioner Sir Paul Kennedy. That is the annual equivalent to one in every 78 adults being targeted. Concern by Local Councillors Several local county councillors have expressed their concern about the security of their emails, which they receive via the council's server. They said that they feel that they are being looked at by unknown third parties, and added that this was purely their personal opinon based on some rather unusual occurances. A council IT spokesman told us that their Internet system is filtered and that virus protection operates on emails with particular attention to attachments. He would not confirm or deny that the content of councillors' emails were vetted in any way. When we consulted an independent computer specialist, he said that all emails were not so secure as some people seem to think. He said that if anyone were to mention the word 'bomb' several times in an email there could be a knock on the person's door the following morning. A press report recently stated that with CTV cameras in town streets and stores and with mobile phone records being checked - plus emails, we are one of the most watched and monitored countries in the world. This does not worry many people on the basis that if you do no wrong you have nothing to worry about. On the other hand, many people would prefer to see more police officers on the streets and more local police stations as there were years ago. This is based on the opinion that a visible police presence is better than an invisible one. You are invited to say what you think on our readers' letters page. Young Newsagents Youngsters show elders this website A word of praise must be given to the younger generation in our area who are showing their parents and grandparents this website. They are today's modern newsagents. We know of youngsters who take their laptops around to their grandparents to show them various websites, and particularly this one. To overcome no broadband connection at the home of the grandparent, they put the website on the memory of the laptop and then show it off line. Several youngsters have found that they can earn extra pocket money by doing this. The older generation are amazed how quick youngsters are picking up the new technology, often showing them how to find websites with sources of news information. The BBC news website has been found to one of the favourites after looking at local issues on this one. Parents became evident of their childrens' quick grasp of domestic technology when video recorders came into the home, finding out that they quickly picked up the knack of operating them, often quicker than they could. So from us it's a big word of thanks to all the youngsters who show this website to the rest of their family, helping to make it so popular with the older generation. Bryncoch Environment School children featured on website The website of the Bryncoch Environment Group (BEG) is being developed to highlight their activities in the area. Three photographs of children in local schools, Blaenhonddan Primary, Bryncoch Church in Wales and Waunceirch Primary, are shown receiving cheques for £250. Read the full story on their website - see link below. Activities of BEG include a programme to encourage school chidren to take a pride in the community and its environment. We understand that teachers are very pleased with the support they are getting from the group, which include many dedicated people that have an interest in the area they live. The group's website also includes a form to allow local visitors to express their views on the Local Development Plan (LDP) and the candidate sites for future housing developments - see link below:- www.bryncochenvironment.co.uk Form for LDP - to print out and sign. LDP - Local Development Plan Great concern in Bryncoch & Dyffryn Clydach Following public meetings at Bryncoch and Longford, it must be said there is great concern over the candidate sites highlighted for housing development in a 15 year plan by the county borough council. Readers are urged to click on the link below to see the issues involved and to print off the protest form to sign it (if they agree with the issues) and send to the address stated as soon as possible. Petition form to print out and sign Local Ferret Lost Notice at shops of lost pet Notices have appeared in shops in the Waunceirch area about a lost ferret - said to be very friendly. Readers are asked to keep a lookout for it and send us an email if found. It has to be said, with a smile, that the lost ferret is not associated with this website!! New General Election Website For Neath Port Talbot A new website is to be launched shortly with information about the candidates for the Neath Port Talbot area for the General Election due in 2010 - or maybe before. Candidates or their agents are invited to submit particulars for inclusion on the pages dedicated to each political party. It should be noted that it is up to those interested to submit particulars as no effort will be made to canvass information. Already two candidates are listed at this early stage, including Frank Little pictured left. The website contains an article that discusses the British voting system and the unfairness of it when a candidate can be elected with less than 50% of the votes cast. This is often evident when three or more candidates contest a seat. A discussion page is included on the website for readers views and comments. Although the website is not yet officially launched it can be viewed by clicking on the link below:- www.generalelectionnews.tk Tyre Dump Mystery Old tyres dumped at Old Woollen Mill and in river County Councillor Tony Wyn-Jones took prompt action when over 200 worn tyres were found dumped at the old Woollen Mill near Longford. A BBC camera team and local press reporters were in attendance with the county councillor at the scene of the illegal dump. Some of the tyres were found in the River Clydach that runs adjacent to the mill. Cllr.Wyn-Jones said he feels very frustrated about the matter because no-one appears to taking responsibility for their removal - despite all the services and council being informed. There is serious concern about the environment and we understand that the police are making inquires in an effort to find those responsible. Anyone with information should contact the police on 01639 456999. £40 Digital Rip Off? Help charge for OAP's Letters with an offer to help elderly people over the age of 75 with the TV digital change over appear to be misleading inasmuch there is no mention of any charge for the help. Those responding to the letters have received telephone calls stating that a charge of £40 will be made towards the help scheme - except to those receiving special benefits. Help is available from many TV retailers and from the numerous websites on the Internet - one is listed below:- Digital TV changeover - Help and advice LATE EXTRA... County Councillor Tony Wyn-Jones, pictured left, has written in (see letter on our letters page) to say that if any elderly person would like help with the digital change over in the Bryncoch area, he will be pleased to help. He requests that anyone who does not know him should ask to see his ID.   This kind thought will be appreciated by many residents as it highlights a good community spirit. Cllr. Tony Wyn-Jones can be contacted on Tel: 01639 645663 (afternoons and evenings) or 07815 908242 (anytime - within reasonable hours). NOTE....9th September Digital set top boxes have to be reset on 9th September, the final phase of the change over. This simply means switching on your TV and the digital box and selecting "installation" after pressing the menu button. Details are available from the website mentioned above. 30th September Another retune must be done on this date. Neath Abbey Floods Dai Dust speaks out on a sore matter Like all residents in the area, Dai Dust is fed up to his teeth over the repeated road flooding near the Ford car dealership at Neath Abbey and writes about it on his website - with some comments about the council. If it wasn't so serious one could look on the funny of it. The dictionary gives the meaning of 'ford' as: "a shallow place where water may be crossed by wading," and there just happens to be a pedestrian crossing where the flooding takes place. Maybe the council have thought of putting up signs: FORD AHEAD to replace the flood signs, except that they may be thought to be an advertisement for the Ford garage of C & M Days! We will say no more about this because Dai Dust has lots more to talk about. Just click on the link below:- Dai Dust speaks out on the flooding issue. FOOTNOTE.... Dai Dust (pictured left) was a former contributor to this website but now has his own in order that he can be totally independent to us. Already questions have been asked at the local community council: "Who is this Dai Dust?" It is only a question of time that the same question will be asked at the county council and again in the House of Commons - just wait and see!     In the meantime you can find out more on what Dai has to say on his own website www.daidust.co.uk The Green Party The Party that cares for the environment After looking at the Pipeline Twitter website (see link below) we were more than pleased to read that The Green Party is very much concerned about the LNG pipeline. In November 2006 the following motion was passed by Wales Green Party: “It is hereby noted that Wales Green Party objects to the construction of the LNG pipeline from Milford Haven to Tirley in Gloucestershire. We object primarily on grounds of Health & Safety, a lack of public consultation and the potential for environmental degradation. Plaid Werdd Cymru calls for a full public enquiry into the pipeline.” They state that a press release was issued at the time, but unfortunately no-one ran the story. That endorses the ostrich attitude of the press that is mentioned elsewhere on this website. Next month (September 2009) we are told that the Wales Green Party will discuss the LNG pipeline issue at their council meeting. At last someone is taking notice about a matter of grave concern - let's hope the media will too. www.pipelinetwitter.co.uk News in brief from other websites Public money to be spent on private property owned by unknown people. See report Council are annoyed with the number of tenants who want to VOTE NO See details Concern about corruption grows - read about "Get Snouts Out of the Trough Party" See details Mobile Phone emergency information added: Click to view Websites Censored by Newspapers? Press fail to tell readers about serious content View Neath Abbey and District Older Peoples Forum Meeting report Neath Abbey and District Older People's Forum met at Longford Memorial Hall on Thursday, 13th August. Guest speakers included Bleddyn Hancock, General Secretary of NACODS South Wales. He stated that tens of thousands of people across the UK are being wrongly charged for places in nursing homes which should be provided free as 'continuing care' by the NHS. Mr Hancock said: "This is a case where people have been swindled out of their savings, hounded out of their homes and conned out of the free care they deserve." Representatives of Age Concern provided information and energy saving devices to residents which included a large number from adjoining areas. Big difference between two communities Visitors from Bryncoch, Waunceirch and Caewern commentated after the meeting about the facilities at Longford, including the Forum, and said they can see a big difference between two communities. Thoughts from residents - Likely MP? Bleddyn Hancock made such an impression in the way and the manner he spoke without notes, and the way he answered questions, that in private conversations it was later stated that he would make an ideal Member of Parliament for the area. News release from NACODS about nursing care BBC report - Bleddyn Hancock Dyffryn Clydach PACT August Meeting Police And Communities Together - Meeting Report View The Letter the local weekly newpaper did NOT print Was there a good reason? View Community Councillor runs to Police - about a joke! View More sneaks at work in Neath - Warning to shop owners Sneak reports shop owner For listening to his own radio View Neath Eye Sore Development 4 more houses to be crammed in View New Anti-corruption WebSite www.anticorruption.tk Owain Glyndwr Day Dyfryn Clydach to fly flag The flag of Owain Glyndwr will proudly fly on 16th September on the new flagpole at Dyfryn Clydach's Memorial Hall. Planning permission had to be obtained to fly the flag - as only British national flags are exempt from this rather silly law. Sadly no flag will be flown at Blaenhonddan's community centre at Waunceirch - the building that bears the historical name. More information on Owain Glyndwr YOUR VIEWS Have you written to the press and they have not printed your letter - or have they edited it unfairly? Have you written to your MP or the Prime Minister and have had no reply? If your answer is 'yes' then let us know. Remember we print what newspapers won't. Libel laws must apply - also the right to reply. Watchdogs and our code of practice A few words from our editorial team View New VOTE NO website A website that looks at the forthcoming ballot on council house stock transfer to a housing association www.voteno.tk Controversial website launched - Pipeline Twitter Highlights grave dangers of LNG at high pressure www.pipelinetwitter.co.uk Welsh Assembly to look into eyesore Dr Dai Lloyd investigates A letter from Dr Dai Lloyd AM stating the question of the Welsh Assembly paying the developers of Neath's Waunceirch eyesore 20% of their costs for building 'affordable homes' is being looked into. Link to Dai Lloyd's website Letter Page where you can read what others have to say in the community. You can comment or reply on the above or a new subject - remember your views will be read by those who run your Council, represent you in Parliament and the Welsh Assembly. . Please note that complaints about the Community Council should go directly to the Clerk of the Council - see her address on the Council's website. Any letters that we receive relating to community council complaints will be forwarded for her attention. Tell your friends about this website - or send them a copy by email, our website address is:- www.neathferret.co.uk Email news and comments to: news@neathferret.co.uk or use our readers letter page. Go to LATEST version View version 21 - August 2009 Mobile Phone information View version 20 - July 2009 The tomato plant issue. View versions 18/19   LNG Pipeline and its dangers. Back to version 17   Is Health & Safety going over the top? Back to version 16   Neath Ferret v BNP, Environmental award. Back to version 15   Bryncoch Environment Group new website. Back to version 14   BNP insult our MP, Community centre news. Back to version 13   Tesco disappoints, Colourful website for BCC, Chairperson change over at BCC, Peter Hain, MP. offers help. Back to version 12   The Caewern Community Hall issue. Back to version 11   What Tesco wants Tesco gets. NOTE. Issues in version 10 are included in version 11 - including details of the Council's new complaint procedure following our item in version 9. Back to version 9   A Case for Public Services Ombudsman? Back to version 8   Liberal Councillor's website leads the way. Back to version 7   £5,000 reward for information Back to version 6   Councillor put in the picture. Back to version 5   PC Councillors scold Neath Ferret Back to Version 4   Neath Port Talbot dentist leaving NHS Back to Version 3   Anger over Neath Guardian Back to version 2   Planning consent for eye sore? Information for this website is accepted and printed in good faith. It is gathered from various sources and may, or may not, reflect the views of the webmaster or any member of the community council or its officials. No responsibility is accepted for any errors that may occur from time to time. Sources of information must be made known to the editorial team but will not be divulged to any third party We aim to put the community first and make the residents of Neath aware of unjustances. The website is hosted for and on behalf of the editorial team on the understanding fairness prevails and there is right to reply on any issue.