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Robs Weekly Round Up 24 January 2025
Robs Weekly Round Up
24 January 2025
Hi everyone,
Dydd Gwener Hapus!
It’s been another busy week, and although we’re still in the depths of the cold winter months, I wanted to share some of the great things that have been happening across the Vale to add some warmth to your week!
Firstly, I’d like to remind you all of our fantastic Makerspaces at Barry and Penarth Libraries. The state-of-the-art facilities offer visitors a chance to use a wide range of different creative tools – including a 3D Printer, a Cricut Maker 3, a Heat Press, a DSLR Camera and much more.
Each location also offers a variety of exciting events throughout the year as well as coding and 3D printing workshops for children and teens during school holidays.
A number of impressive creations have come to life at the Makerspaces - from 3D printing models of Napoleonic warships and game characters, to replacement axles for RC cars and conceptual art pieces.
I’d like to share a touching piece of feedback from local artist Inga K, who has benefitted from some of the creative tools on offer at Barry Library: “Thank you so much for supporting my project ideas and for demonstrating the laser cutting techniques at the Makerspace in Barry Library.
“As a local artist without access to this technology, I found the experience eye-opening and inspiring. It has expanded my understanding of opportunities for collaboration and creativity, allowing me to take my ideas from the sketchbook to product design.”
This is just one example of how services like Makerspace are supporting people of all ages in our community to gain lifelong skills and new experiences.
Whether you’re seeking some respite from the chilly weather or wanted to give something new a try, I’d encourage everyone to make a trip down to Makerspace if you get a chance.
Well done to Simon Alexander and Chloe Hunt for all of your hard work to help the Makerspaces thrive!
This week also saw the opening of the new highly-anticipated play area at Celtic Way Park in Rhoose.
A group of children from a local play group were among the first to enjoy the new facilities at Celtic Way Park.
The nature-themed play area is now home to a set of swings, a roundabout, a seesaw, slides - many of which are accessible - as well as a handful of sensory activities.
A number of biodiversity improvements were also made prior to construction on the play area, including bulb, wildflower and tree planting with the help of
Vale Local Nature Partnership and local community group - Replant Rhoose.
The upgrades to the park – worth £180,000 - were paid for with money from Section 106 contributions generated through planning applications and negotiated when planning permissions are granted.
Lucy Butler and her team work really hard to secure this funding which helps to deliver important community facilities as part of the planning process, and I know only too well that we have an excellent track record when it comes to negotiating improvements to community facilities as part of the planning process. At a time of significant funding challenges, the money negotiated allows us to invest in improvements to parks, play areas, local sustainable transport improvements, school buildings and affordable housing. Da Iawn.
Thank you to Lucy, Adam Sargeant, Christine Smith, and to all involved – I’m sure the new play area will be enjoyed for many years to come.
On Thursday, a series of workshops took place at the Memo Arts Centre in Barry as part of ongoing work to consult on the services supporting babies, children, young people and families in an effort to address poverty in the Vale.
Staff from across Social Services, Learning and Skills and the third sector were invited to attend the engagement sessions to discuss a number of services, including Families First Services, Early Help, Flying Start, YJESS, Supporting People, Communities for Work and CELT+.
The event helped spread awareness about the support these services can offer residents in the Vale and to better understand any opportunities for improvement in the future.
Da iawn Mark Davies and the team for the successful development of these workshops – it is vital that we learn from each other so that we can make Council services the best that they can be for the communities we serve.
Keeping with the children and families theme, I’d like to draw your attention to the Families First Networking Event that is taking place next month.
Following the success of the first event in March last year, a similar meet-up has been organised for February.
The event is a chance for anyone who works with children and families in the Vale of Glamorgan to discover some of the services available to them in the area.
It will be taking place on the February 19, at the Memo Arts Centre on Gladstone Road.
We had over 110 people attend last year, so make sure to book your place!
Lastly, on a more sombre note, I’d like to talk about Holocaust Memorial Day.
We remember the millions of Jewish lives lost during the Holocaust and other genocides in Cambodia, Rwanda, Bosnia, Darfur and as well as other groups who suffered Nazi persecution.
Earlier this week, and ahead of Holocaust Memorial Day on Monday, the Leader and I have reaffirmed our commitment to strengthen our efforts in promoting education and research about the Holocaust and other genocides.
We condemn the evils of prejudice, discrimination and racism and we value a free, tolerant, and democratic society.
We will do our utmost to make sure that the lessons of such events are fully learnt and will never happen again.
This year will be the 80th anniversary of the liberation of Auschwitz-Birkenau and the 30th anniversary of the genocide in Bosnia - the Art Central Gallery in Barry is hosting an exhibition that presents a series of creations that considers trauma and loss with an emphasis on moving on from such atrocities.
The gallery offers a space for contemplation on Holocaust Memorial Day for anyone who wishes to take a quiet moment of reflection.
Thank you for all of your hard work again this week, and if you aren’t working, have a great weekend!
Diolch yn fawr iawn,
Rob