Y NEWYDDION DIWEDDARAF

Happy New Year from all at Pontypridd Town Council! As we enter 2024, I’ll begin by reflecting on the last 12 months here at Pontypridd Town Council. It has been another busy year, with many significant and positive developments. We have enjoyed many community-focussed events and activities in the Meadow Street Community Garden in Treforest, which continues to go from strength to strength thanks to the hard work and commitment of our dedicated staff and much-valued volunteers. Meadow Street has won two prestigious awards this year, the Social Farms & Gardens Community Land Advisory Service (CLAS) award for its management of community green spaces and Keep Wales Tidy’s Green Flag Community Award in recognition of its high environmental standards, cleanliness, safety, and community involvement. Meadow Street Community is also currently in the middle of a 2 year grant funded programme that will allow us to develop the site further and expand on the activities and events on offer. It’s been a big year for Pontypridd Museum, with an all-new team steering us through an exciting period of development. The museum has welcomed large numbers of children and schools to the venue, along with providing intergenerational activity as well as a variety of events and exhibitions. We also saw the re-opening of the museum shop, a must-visit for locals and visitors alike. A programme of new exhibitions and further activities is planned for the coming year. In May we welcomed a new town Mayor - Councillor Desmond Paul. You can find out more about the Mayor and all of our elected representatives by visiting Pontypridd Town Council’s website. Following extensive community consultation, Pontypridd Town Council’s first Forward Development Plan was published in July. The plan sets out our goals for the years up to the next election in 2027. Thank you to everyone who took the time to take part - a copy of the plan can be found on our website. Pontypridd Town Council has enjoyed bringing the community together for several large events throughout the year. The Children’s Storytelling Festival in May saw youngsters from the area enjoying a feast of fabulous fiction, including a theatrical performance of the Mabinogion and a wonderful event with the authors of The Mab, the book that our very own Mab Trail is based on. In August, we all gathered in Ynysangharad Park on a (mostly!) sunny day to enjoy our annual Summer Fun Day and vintage transport rally. And more recently, Pontypridd’s children (along with many grown ups too!) enjoyed our Christmas Cracker and Christmas lights switch on event along with a visit to Santa in his grotto at Pontypridd Museum. We are all facing difficult times currently, as the cost of living crisis and household energy worries continue. I would like to give a friendly reminder that we are on hand to offer advice and a friendly ear to all our residents. The weekly Monday Meet Up and the monthly Community Cuppa will be back in 2024, with the first Community Cuppa taking place on January 2nd. 2024 promises to be a vibrant year for Pontypridd. We’re immensely looking forward to welcoming the National Eisteddfod in August and the Town Council will continue to deliver valued projects and events for our community throughout the year. As always, if you’d like to contact us, then call in or get touch by emailing info@pontypriddtowncouncil.gov.uk I want to take this opportunity to wish Pontypridd a happy and healthy 2024.  Tony Graham, Pontypridd Town Council Chief Executive.

Councillor Desmond Paul was elected Pontypridd Town Mayor on May 23rd 2024 at the Annual General Meeting of Pontypridd Town Council. Desmond represents the Treforest Ward and is a member of the Welsh Labour group. Mayor's Statement I’m Councillor Desmond Paul, the new mayor elected by my fellow town councillors for 2024 -2025. I’m happy to say that my wife Anoma Paul has agreed to become Mayor Consort for the year. I’m thrilled and feel very privileged to be elected. I’m originally from Sri Lanka, and I worked as a Flight Lieutenant in the Air Force. I’m supporting two charities as Mayor, the Velindre Cancer Centre and as I’m a veteran of the Air Force, I will be supporting the Taff Ely Veterans Group. I’m going to do whatever I can to leave a legacy from my time as Mayor. I'm so proud to be the first Sri Lankan Mayor of Pontypridd.