www.neathferret.co.uk Looking for Community Problems Blaenhonddan Edition Contact - News or Comments: news@neathferret.co.uk Weekending 13th September 2008 Version 7.1 Our Readership Grows Top listing on Google We are delighted to report that the number of visitors to this site have shot up beyond our expectations as word gets around about our down to earth reporting of things that matter in the community. This has been highlighted on the most popular Internet search engine - Google, where we now have a number one listing. Click here and see for yourself. Within the past week we have also organised a webpage extension where visitors can contact us with their views and comments. Click here to see our extended pages. In this version of the Neath Ferret we are leaving some items on for the benefit of the many new visitors who are joining us each day. To them we say 'welcome' and suggest they tell their family and friends about this website. New Website for Rhiwlas Neighbourhood Watch A new website is being developed for Rhiwlas Neighbourhood Watch. It highlights the aim to care for neighbours and their properties - especially the elderly ones living alone. An approach has been made to a national supermarket to sponsor neighbourhood watch signs in an effort to make everyone more aware of the scheme. The website mentions that residents can save up to 20% on their home insurance by being a registered member of a neighbourhood watch scheme. A message in a bottle could save your life This story will be covered in the NEWS section on the Rhiwlas Neighbourhood Watch website to be released soon. Woollen Mill Fire -- £5,000 Reward For information leading to conviction of arsonists Gail and Kevin Morgan of Neath Abbey are so angry about the fire at the historic Woollen Mill on night of 31st August that they offering a £5,000 reward in connection to the conviction of the person or persons responsible for starting the last major destructive fire The 'last' fire is mentioned because they claim that there has been a series of fires this year. In an email to the Neath Ferret Gail and Kevin Morgan write: "We ARE in the process of purchasing the Old Woollen Mill, which since a certain community councillor decided to mention words of ARSON, FIRES etc this poor building has been subjected to 5 fires. It has remained derelict for a number of years and unharmed, this councillor has conducted a personal vendetta against a grade two listed building, which if the councillor had his way, would be turned into a car park, thus losing a valuable historical building to the community. However, we are going to restore this building to its former glory, and make this building smile again and create a beautiful family home. We are also offering a £5,000.00 reward to the conviction of person(s) who have been responsible for starting the last major destructive fire." Anyone with information should contact us and inform the Police (01639 635321) mentioning this report. The front page of the local newspaper accurately report the incident but we suspect that information about the reward was not available at the time of going to press. Heavy Rain Affects Neath's Eye Sore Llwyn Helyg - Better Known as White's Folly The recent heavy rain has made the site a mud bath with water from the site overflowing on to the road and blocking a drain on a bend. Environmentalists have been concerned about the toad population that was once on this land, stating that over 1,000 of the species were known to have crossed the adjacent road to the site before the development started. Some residents have now reported seeing toads in their garden as they seek shelter from the builders. Those in charge of the site seem to know nothing about nature's inhabitants who had to flee for their lives. 
Is the Welsh Assembly Funding this Eye Sore?We have written to Dr Dai Lloyd, the AM member for South Wales, to find out if this funding is correct. Neath Port Talbot's chief planning officer, Mr Geof White, has already stated that the land on which the development is taking place belongs to the Welsh Assembly Gpvernment (WAG). It has been reported in the media that developers building 'affortable homes' are getting a 20% grant from the WAG and this is what we want confirmed. There were over 400 objections to the Llwyn Helyg 'ridge-top' scheme - a term rejected by Geoff White because he says that there is higher ground to the North. There would have been more would objections were it not for the developers putting up 'houses for sale' notices without planning permission before the consent to build was given. The first few houses to be erected clearly show that the term 'eye sore' is appropriate. Houses are being built on a site only suitable for bungalows. It is no wonder the local residents are calling the site "White's Folly' after the name of the chief planning officer. Some of the houses will overlook the playground of the adjacent junior school - something that Geof White thinks is not a problem and said it was absurd to suggest otherwise - despite concern of parents. However, there is an unconfirmed rumour that the three storey houses will not be built. We hope that this is true. Dai Lloyd to Visit Owain Gyndwr Hall The visit is planned for 10:00am on 4th October (the first Saturday of the month) when Dr Lloyd will address concerns of residents and tell them what is going on at the Welsh Assembly in Cardiff. This and other information is mentioned in Councillor Dudley's Newsletter, which will be delivered to residents in her ward within the next week or two. It is to Councillor Dudley's credit that the Newsletter is very informative and non-political - the way a community newsletter should be. Dr Dai Lloyd - website Welsh Assembly website Neath Port Talbot Planning Department Email Planning Dept: planning@npt.gov.uk Allotment in doubt behind Rowan Tree Close It is ironical that while the waiting list for allotments increases, a plot of allotment land in Bryncoch is up for planning permission to build a house. The only access to the plot will be from a cul-de-sac at Rowen Tree Close after removing mature trees and a hedgerow that shelters some harmless wildlife. We hope those concerned with the planning application take into consideration the objections from residents who think that nature and the character of the cul-de-sac comes first - let alone anyone who wants an allotment. Free Dental Service For Wales? Following our letter to Edwina Hart AM, the WAG Health Minister, about Neath Port Talbot dentists leaving the NHS, we understand that a free Welsh dental service is being considered. Those signing contracts for private treatment may be sorry sometime in the future. With free medical prescriptions already established here in Wales, there is no doubt that this part of the UK will stand out from the rest as far as health care is concerned. We feel sure that if a Welsh Health Care Lottery was organised it would be well supported with people knowing they would benefit from it - even if they did not win! Janice Dudley reports again.... A lively councillor expresses her views 
Janice Dudley, the County Borough Councillor for Bryncoch South expressed her sadness on the front page of the local newpaper about the old woollen mill burning down on the night of 31st August. She mentoned its historic past and the fact it was a grade two listed building. At her monthly surgery meeting at the Owain Glyndwr Community Hall on 6th September, she gave information about the Llwyn Helyg (White's Folly) development and the concern of some residents about the disturbance of wild life. One resident at the meeting said that some toads had migrated to her garden because they were fleeing from the builders on the site. Counciller Dudley said she intends to investigate the unconfirmed report that there has been a change in the plans, both in the commercial and residential sections of the development. She said any change for the better would be welcome but was a little concerned about what appears to be happening on the commercial side. Residents at the meeting expressed the view that it was not too late to minimize the eye-sore effect - before it was establised for a life time. Some other residents expressed concern about the grass and weeds growing out of the pavements in the Bryncoch area in the hope that something could be done about it before the situation deteriorates still further. It can be revealed that Councillor Dudley's forthcoming newsletter express concern over Post Office closures - including the one at Neath Abbey. Email Janice Dudley: Cllr.Janice Dudley Cllr Tony Wyn-Jones No Longer With Virgin 
Cllr Wyn-Jones is moving his Broadband connection from Virgin to another ISP, which, he claims, is more cost effective. He therefore apologises for any resulting email delays that may occur as a result of the move. It is, however, possible to send emails to him via his council office email address:
cllr.t.wyn-jones@npt.gov.uk New Year's Honours List For Blaenhonddan Residents 
Cllr Martyn Peters hopes that his suggestion for Cerificates of Achievement will receive the seal of approval and all party support at the Blaenhonddan Council meeting due to take place on 15th September. Cllr Peters said that there are many people in Blanhonddan who have worked for many years to benefit the community and deserve recognition. Residents will be asked to nominate those they think deserve awards, which will be presented to them near Christmas time.
Conned with Telephone Charges -- Say No To 0870 It costs money to phone your doctor! If you have an 'inclusive landline calls' phone package, then it is very rare that 0844, 0845, 0870, or 0871 numbers are are included in your 'free minutes' allocation, unlike normal numbers. Many mobile phone packages also exclude freephone 0800 and 0808 numbers for your bundled minutes. The above statement comes from the website: www.saynoto0870.com - (say no to 0870) which we suggest you look at. Most doctor surgeries now have 0844 numbers, which means you pay for the call. One Neath resident spent around £4 over a quarterly period phoning his doctor's surgery for one thing and another. We just hope that ministers at the Welsh Assembly Government will see this item and do something about this penny pinching way of extracting money from sick peaple. Community Fact Blaenhonddan Community Council The Council, with its eighteen community councillors, covers an area on the West side of the river Neath, which includes Aberdulais to the North to Neath Abbey in the South. To the West it covers two wards in Bryncoch. It represents approximately 11,000 residents and deals with an annual budget of over £170,000. The Council has a full time clerk, Mrs Mavis Hewett, who deals with administrative matters and can be contacted by email Not everyone is aware that Community Councillors do not get paid - and get no expenses. On the other hand, County Borough Councillers get paid, plus expenses, which they have to declare. Details of what they were paid was reported in the local newspaper on 4.9.08. If you read it, did you observe the members of a certain political party who claimed less than others? Have you noticed? --- Our local newspapers never mention us. On reflection, and contrary to our previous thoughts, we are rather pleased about this because, in a way, it makes our website exclusive and perhaps a little secretive. And you know what happens to secrets - everybody likes to share one. When people whisper in corners of pubs and clubs about what's in the Neath Ferret it become a talking point. The fact that we have number one position on the Google search facility is already quite remarkable. Having said all this, we have no objection to the press and media doing follow-up stories on our grass root news items because we are so in touch with people and their feelings. If we are the first with inside news we can quite understand that it is a natural thing for them to carry on accordingly - news is one thing that they cannot ignore. Coming soon: How speed retarders (those bumps in the road) affect your car - including a report from a RAC man. 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 Go to LATEST version 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 paedophiles? Information for this website is accepted in good faith. It is gathered from various sources and may, or may not, reflect the views of the webmaster. No responsibility is accepted for any errors that may occur from time to time. Sources of information must be made known to the webmaster but will not be divulged to any third party We aim to put the community first and make the residents of Neath aware of injustances and wrong doings. Neath Ferret,Neath Ferret,"Neath Ferret", Neath Ferret,Neath Ferret,"Neath Ferret",Neath Ferret,Neath Ferret,"Neath Ferret",Neath Ferret,Neath Ferret,"Neath Ferret",Neath Ferret,Neath Ferret,"Neath Ferret",Neath Ferret,Neath Ferret,"Neath Ferret",Neath Ferret,Neath Ferret,"Neath Ferret", |