The key for the Forest gate was finally released by Natural Resources Wales to our project at the beginning of September. The volunteers from the village wasted no time in getting into the Forestry of Crynant East and starting work clearing areas for seating, cutting back the encroaching brambles along the paths and installing our first chainsaw sculptures.

The aim of the project, which is sponsored by the Community Council, is to make the Forest more accessible and attractive to our local community so that we can enjoy the walks and see some of the stunning views from the Beacons to the Mumbles and appreciate how lucky we are to have all this on our doorstep.

The felling of large areas of Larch has given opportunities to open up areas of the forest so views can now be enjoyed that had previously been screened by tall conifers. This, in turn, has opened areas for a variety of plants and creatures to move in making the forest more attractive and interesting. To make the most of this we are putting in seating and picnic tables at appropriate spots throughout.

Our forest stretches from the carpark opposite Cefn Coed, along to the gate off Brynawel and all the way up to Sarn Helen Roman Road. We’ve added a few surprise landmarks along the way. We have had chainsaw sculptures installed: a badger at the gate from Brynawel, a tree trunk with baby owls and a bench that sits on a giant acorn and pine cone.

We have installed five benches so far and two picnic tables. In the next couple of weeks, weather permitting, we’ll get the remaining three seats in and the mushroom sculptures installed.

The next phase will be to get signposts installed so people can be confident in finding their way around the forest. This will be followed by information panels with maps, and information of the birds, plants and history of the forest.

Many of us are aware of the need to get a bit more exercise and counting steps is a gentle way to start, so we have counted the steps between the various seating and viewing points and will put this information on the signs and panels so you can see how far it is to the next landmark or seat.

All this work is being undertaken by a handful of volunteers from the village. The more volunteers who help, the more we can achieve. If you would like to help in any way, please get in touch to be added to our mailing list. That way you will know when we are doing things and can get involved if you’re able to help.

Jobs are varied, you can dig holes for seats or strim brambles, you can count steps or look for additional paths, take pictures and gather information. You may well have ideas of your own. If you want to be involved in the project in any way please get in touch with either myself on 07811268971 or Heidi our Clerk on 07970 647012.

Thank you for taking the trouble to read this.

Suzanne Waldron
Chair of the Community Forest Project

 

On the 30th November, Crynant Community Centre will be getting into the festive spirit with a magical Christmas Tree Display.

Father Christmas will also be making an appearance at the event, arriving on a tractor-pulled sleigh courtesy of Ian Davies.

Santa will be presenting children with Advent Calendars and there will be tea, coffee and mince pies for all.

The event will start at 5 pm with Christmas Crafts for the children, and Santa will arrive at the community centre at 5:30 pm.

This event is free.

A big thank you to the Village of Crynant!

I am immensely proud to have delivered a cheque to the Royal British Legion in the sum of £2505.22p.  This total is made up from the proceeds of the Sing-along, the Crynant RFC ladies coffee morning, the collection at the Remembrance Sunday service, and all the collection boxes throughout the village at Segadelli’s, Cod Bite, M.W. Phillips (Pharmacy), Premier Stores, Llwynon, the Rugby Club, the Community Centre, the Gradon, Cwtch, Creunant Primary School & Ysgol Gynradd Brynamman.

This year we also commemorated the 100 year anniversary of the end of WW1, so in addition to the coffee morning, which is held every year by the Ladies of Crynant RFC, a committee was formed and a number of events arranged to mark the end of war and the coming of light, symbolised by the lighting of a Beacon at St. Margaret’s Church. It has been difficult to recognise all who contributed, as there have been so many.

I make no apologies for the length of this thank you, firstly, to the whole of the organising committee, Crynant Community Council & the College of Arts and Humanities, Swansea University.

Then, in no particular order, to all who worked on the displays at the Community Centre – Creunant
Primary School who provided a display of their work and 17 ceramic poppies — one for each
serviceman from Crynant that lost their life in WW1 — to the Ladies of Knit & Natter, Pam, Sian and
Shelley, for their tributes. The display outside Crynant RFC, the display in the window of the Chemist
and the floral tributes at St. Margaret’s Church. The Den Men’s shed and those who helped them
complete the new memorial garden. You can see the amount of work that went into them all –
thank you.

Thank you to Rhys, Annwen and Marcus, who gave us all an excellent evening of entertainment at the sing-along,
to the ladies who donated cakes, raffle prizes and provided us with refreshments. We have already
been asked if we can have them back next year!

Thank you to Crynant RFC Ladies for the coffee morning at the Community Centre. Sian has thanked them all individually.

A huge thank you to Vicar Liz Rees & Rhys Locke for taking the services, and the contributions of all on Remembrance Sunday. To the Crynant Beavers, Cubs, Scouts and leaders, Creunant Primary school Choir, their teachers and parents. Thank you to Mr Cellan Morgan, our Bugler. Thank you Mr John Trelaw, Standard bearer, Mr Ellis Morgan representing Veterans and Beacon lighting, the Dulais Valley Silver Band, the Sunday Club and the volunteers that put up the Beacon, bunting, flag poles and banners.

A final thank you to Professor Sir Deian Hopkin (Chair of Wales Remembers) for an excellent, informative lecture on Wales and the coming of peace 1918-1919.

I sincerely hope I have included all, and please accept my apologies if I have missed anyone or any contribution. There were so many people who helped make these events the success they were and raise this fantastic total for the poppy appeal. I am grateful to them all.

Mr A. Thomas, Chairman WW1 Commemorative Committee

In connection with Welsh Hearts, Crynant is getting a defibrillator.

Cardiovascular disease accounts for a third of all deaths in Wales and the death rate in Wales is higher than in the majority of countries in Western Europe.

On 29th November our defibrillator will be unveiled at a coffee morning with Welsh Hearts, where free defibrillator training will be provided for anyone able to attend.

The coffee morning starts at 10 am at the community centre.

The defibrillator is being installed thanks to several groups who raised funds over the last year.

A huge thank you to:

• Ian Davies Plant Ltd.
• Neath Steam & Vintage Show
• Women’s Institute
• Coffee Morning
• Crynant Community Council
• Everyone who visited last years Christmas Tree event
• Welsh Hearts who also contributed to the cost and will be providing free training.

Please come along to the free defibrillator training if you are able.

 

On Friday 9th November Crynant Community Centre will be hosting Rhys Locke and friends as we travel back to the WWI and WWII eras for an evening of song and verse.

Pack up your troubles and come along for an old-fashioned sing-along evening featuring all the old favourites.

There will be refreshments including tea, wine and beer to keep your singing voices sounding beautiful all evening long.

So join us at 6:30 pm at the community centre and for a hearty evening of music.

Peace on earth.

Sunday 11th November 2018

On 11 November 2018, the United Kingdom and its friends overseas will mark the day 100 years ago when the guns fell silent at the end of the First World War.

The Crynant Service of Remembrance and Beacon Lighting ceremony will take place at St Margaret’s Church.

5:30 pm: Service of Remembrance

Join Creunant Primary School Choir and Dulais Valley Silver Band at St. Margaret’s Church, as the village of Crynant joins the international commemoration of the centenary of the end of World War 1.

6:55 pm: The Last Post at St Margaret’s Church

We will join 1,000 Buglers across the Nation and UK Overseas Territories to sound this historic tribute.

7:00 pm: WW1 Beacon Lighting Ceremony

A beacon will be lit at the front of St. Margaret’s Church, symbolising an end to the darkness of war and a return to the light of peace.

 

On 11 November 2018, the United Kingdom and its friends overseas will mark the day 100 years ago when the guns fell silent at the end of the First World War.

In association with Crynant Community Council, our village is playing its part in Battle’s Over, an international commemoration marking 100 years since the guns fell silent at the end of World War I.

We will join the nation in marking the Centenary of the end of the First World War and paying tribute to the millions killed or wounded in battle, and those on the home front who struggled amidst pain and loss to help ensure freedom survived.

Friday 9th November 6:30 pm – Pack Up Your Troubles and Sing Along

Join Rhys Locke and friends as they present an evening of song and verse from the WW1 & WW2 era.

Crynant Community Centre, Woodland Road, Crynant.

Saturday 10th November 10:00 am: Poppy Appeal Coffee Morning

A centenary special coffee morning will be held at the Community Centre.

Come along and view the displays commemorating the end of WW1 and enjoy a cuppa and cake.

We welcome any cake donations. If you can contribute please give all cakes to Mrs Pam Morgan & Mrs Sian Phillips prior to the event, or bring them along to the Community Centre.

All proceeds will be donated to the poppy appeal.

Crynant Community Centre, Woodland Road, Crynant.

Saturday 10th November from 10:00 am: Open Door and Floral Tribute

St. Margaret’s Church will be opening its doors to all for quiet reflection and remembrance amongst its floral tributes.

St Margaret’s Church, 5 Main Rd, Crynant.

Sunday 11th November 5:30 pm: Service of Remembrance

Join Creunant Primary School Choir and Dulais Valley Silver Band at St. Margaret’s Church, as the village of Crynant joins the international commemoration of the centenary of the end of World War 1.

St Margaret’s Church, 5 Main Rd, Crynant.

Sunday 11th November 6:55 pm: The Last Post at St Margaret’s Church

Mr Cellan Morgan will join 1,000 Buglers across the Nation and UK Overseas Territories to sound this historic tribute.

St Margaret’s Church, 5 Main Rd, Crynant.

Sunday 11th November 7:00 pm: WW1 Beacon Lighting Ceremony

A beacon will be lit at the front of St. Margaret’s Church, symbolising an end to the darkness of war and a return to the light of peace.

St Margaret’s Church, 5 Main Rd, Crynant.

Friday 16th November 6.00 pm: Commemorative Lecture* by Professor Sir Deian Hopkin (expert adviser to the First Minister & Chair of Wales Remembers)

The lecture, titled Wales and The Coming of Peace 1918-1919, will be held in association with the College of Arts and Humanities Swansea University.

It will touch on the impact of the war and peace on Wales.

To book a place at the lecture, please contact Heidi Mortimer tel: 07970647012 or email Heidi.crynantcc@gmail.com.

Crynant Community Centre, Woodland Road, Crynant. Please arrive at 6 pm for a 6.30 pm start.

All events are free to attend, although we will be raising funds for The Poppy Appeal.

For further information please look out for the individual posters, pick up a leaflet at the Community Centre, or see our homepage.

Over 35,000 Welsh men and women lost their lives in the First World War. The deaths were only one aspect of the tribulations which the Welsh, and indeed the rest of Europe, suffered as a result of the conflict.

This talk, in association with the College of Arts and Humanities Swansea University, will touch on the impact of the war and peace on Wales.

The lecture takes places as a part of Battle’s Over, a unique series of events in the morning and evening involving organisations and communities the length and breadth of our nation and in many countries abroad.

Sir Deian Rhys Hopkin has served as Expert Adviser to the First Minister of Wales for the Centenary of the First World War. From 2001 until 2009 Hopkin was Vice-Chancellor and Chief Executive of London South Bank University. From 2011 to 2015, he was President of the National Library of Wales. He was knighted in the 2009 Birthday Honours.

To book a place at the lecture, please contact Heidi Mortimer by telephone on 07970647012 or email her at Heidi.crynantcc@gmail.com.

 

A full guide to taking part in Battle’s Over: A Nation’s Tribute can be found below.

If you have any questions about any of the events, please do not hesitate to get in touch.

Battle’s-Over-Guide