Grangetown Community Concern
Grangetown Library, Havelock Place, Grangetown,
Cardiff CF11
Tel: (029) 20 377 010
E-mail: grangetowncardiff@yahoo.co.uk
Office hours: Mon-Fri 10.30am-12.30pm
www.grangetowncardiff.co.uk
Registered as a charity. Established in 1977.
 Joan Gallagher |
 Ken Barker |
 Yun Yun Herbert |
 Brian Drew |
 John Smith |
 Hazel Ball |
 J Chris Lomax |
 Christine Davies, administrator |
EXECUTIVE OFFICERS AND COMMITTEE 2009-2010:
Chairman: J Chris Lomax
Contact us if you or your organisation would like to be represented.
Our executive committee meetings are usually held at the Buzz information
shop - the next one is on Wednesday 10th June (7.15pm)..
Sun shines
again on Carnival Day!
The 2009 Grangetown
Carnival was enjoyed by hundreds of local people on a sunny Saturday 20th
June, with displays, stalls and music in Grange Gardens.
The fun started with the annual parade from Courtmead Gardens, off Hereford
Street, with this year's theme of pirates and sea creatures enthusiastically
taken up by children from local schools, as well as teachers and parents
who took part. It certainly provided some colourful and imaginative costumes.
There were shields awarded, with the top prize given to Grangetown Nursery
School, who really pushed the boat - if not the pirate ship out - for
the occasion. Music was provided the always popular Welsh Piping Society,
along Cornwall Street, Clare Road and Corporation Road into the park.
There was again a good turn-out of local groups with stalls, ranging
from food and refreshments, plants, jewellery and crafts, as well as an
exhibition of old photos from Grangetown History Society, and organisations
ranging from St John Ambulance to Lower Grangetown Partnership represented.
Displays included dance and karate by local children. Grangetown Community
Concern, who organised the event, would again like to thank all volunteers who helped this year.
May Day lunch
- and the Mumbles 2009
A
tour of "the office"...
Members of Grangetown Community
Concern committee were given a guided tour of the Welsh assembly by Cardiff
and South AM Lorraine Barrett. We also had a look inside the Senedd chamber - like the
House of Commons, it appeared far smaller "in real life." The landmark
building's design, both inside and out, is geared towards accessibility and
transparency. There seemed to be few hiding places for politicians - or anyone
else! Lorraine also told us of the plans for the Pierhead building nearby to
be used for functions and for special occasions, with its traditions with the
Bay's maritime past being preserved and it being put to good use. We then joined
Lorraine and Alun Michael MP for tea in the Senedd cafe (open to the public),
with a wonderful view overlooking Cardiff Bay. Thanks to both for taking the
time to meet us. The latest visit followed an earlier tour of the Houses of
Parliament arranged in June. Grangetown Community Concern was
set up in 1977 to act as an umbrella group for other voluntary organisations
in the area. Its aims and objectives are to provide and encourage services
for all age groups, with a particular focus on the elderly.
The organisation was based from 1985 in
the Clydach Street day centre before it had a temporary home in the
Buzz Café in Penarth Road. It move to the new Grangetown library in
2006.
The office is open on weekdays 10.30am-1.30pm. GCC organises a popular May Day lunch and coach trip is
also organised for the elderly- as well as a Boxing Day meal
with all the trimmings. We organise the week-long Grangetown
Carnival in June, including an open-air service, a schools
sports afternoon at Leckwith stadium, culminating in a parade through
Grangetown and a carnival and fete at Grange Gardens. We encourage
local groups and schools to participate during the week. In association
with the Butetown/Grangetown Healthy Living project, we compiled
a directory of local services. We are also looking to play a leading
steering role in attracting Communites First projects to Grangetown.
The organisation also awards annually Community Cups to a child
from each of the four local primary schools who has shown community
spirit.
The event started in 1978 as a one-off carnival day but expanded to a week-long series of activities in 1983.
At the start of December, the GCC organises a carol service at
a local church. Pupils at local primary schools take part. GCC is also
continuing to develop this community website, www.grangetowncardiff.co.uk
which is already in its early stages.
We are also hoping that the new library, which opened off Havelock
Place in 2006, can be developed as a community facility for use
by community groups and we can play a leading role in encouraging
this. We hope the new centre will be the hub for helping to revitalise
and bring together the community in the north and south areas of
Grangetown and we aim to play a part.
Every quarter, Grangetown Community Concern produces a local newspaper,
which is delivered to thousands of homes in Grangetown and neighbouring
Butetown. This has been produced since 1978. It contains local news articles
about the community, from local schools, churches and other organisations.
The long-running publication is dependent on funding from advertising
by supportive local businesses to keep going. ….and at your finger-tips
As an off-shoot, a community website has also been set up, www.grangetowncardiff.co.uk,
which includes news and an online directory of local organisations and
businesses.
The organisation also runs a "meals on legs" lunch service for elderly
people in their homes, which has been in operation since April 1986.
Praise for
festival success
Cardiff South and Penarth AM Lorraine Barrett passed on her congratulations
for 30th annual Grangetown Carnival, "which was
again a huge success thanks to the unstinting work of the Grangetown Community
Concern executive committee."
She passed on her thanks in person to Joan Gallagher and Chris Lomax
on the day at Grange Gardens, pictured with her purchase from the Grangetown
Nursery School stall of a magnificent sunflower grown by the children. The next festival is on week ending June 20th 2009.
Despite a grim weather forecast and a cloudy afternoon, the rain kept away
and there was a tremendous turnout for children - and adults - in 70s retro
costumes for the parade. It started, a little late unfortunately, from Courtmead
Gardens as we waited for police cover. But there was a good turn-out and thanks
to local residents who raised £96 in the bucket collection.
The Grangetown-based Welsh Piping Society as usual led the parade and
performed on arrival in Grange Gardens. Great credit must go to the schools
and other groups - and of course the parents - who made a great effort
with the costumes, which carried a '70s theme - to mark 30 years of the
festival. There were prizes for St Patrick's RC Primary and Grangetown
Nursery Schools, but it was a difficult task to choose.
Jan Comrie, head of Grangetown Nursery School said: "More than 100 children
and parents from our school paraded and we were delighted that we won the shield
for Best in Parade - quite an achievement for such young children."
The display area also saw dancing, with the first public performance by a group
from St. Paul's Church in Wales primary school. Teacher Katie Toozer said they
had been only rehearing for a short while, but their display got a tremendous
reaction. There was also a demonstration of karate from the St Patrick's club,
which has only been meeting for a year but is winning Welsh titles and taking
part in events across the country.
It was also gratifying to see the numbers of stalls this year, which ranged
from schools, local churches, to jewellery, food, and organisations ranging
from the Salvation Army, St John's Ambulance, Scouts, to Age Concern,
Plaid Cymru and Communities First.
A local festival - organised locally by Grangetown Community Concern.
Let's look forward to another 30 years!
There is a good selection of photos by Sean Kisby on the Grangetown
Flickr group, while there was also a photo spread in Monday's
Echo and you can see them in the gallery section of the Echo's
Wales Online website.
GCC annual general meeting 2008
Tributes at Concern
AGM
Grangetown Community
Concern chairman Chris Lomax paid tributes to community stalwarts, as well as
welcoming the 30th anniversary of the festival and Grange News paper at
the organisation's annual general meeting on May 21st.
Sadly, the meeting began on a solemn note with a minute's silence in
memory of Eileen Breslin, GCC's former administrator, who died on 20th
May after a long illness. Mr Lomax later paid tribute to Mrs Breslin,
65, who he said was "actively involved in community issues,"
including a period on the GCC committee.
Mrs Breslin was well known in the area as chairman of Grangetown History Society,
where she will be sadly missed. She campaigned to try to preserve some of Grangetown's
most loved buildings and to maintain its heritage, including in recent years
the Red House pub - which was eventually demolished - and, successfully, the
old library building.
He also welcomed the start of work in the Communities First programme in south
Grangetown, which Concern has been involved in established, although it was
decided to discuss this further at the next GCC meeting. A new project worker
is being appointed to work in the area.
Meanwhile,
Mr Lomax thanked the "dedicated few people" who worked towards activities,
running the office and newspaper. "We need to bring in new people to help us maintain what we have already achieved and to strengthen our links with many more organisations in Grangetown".
He also paid a special tribute and vote of thanks for the "hard work"
of Joan Gallagher MBE, who at 83 is stepping down as editor of the Grange
News, after many years. "Not only does Joan find articles for each edition,
but also selling advertising space and organising distribution to over 6,000
homes and businesses in Grangetown," added Mr Lomax.
Anyone else or any local organisation who would like to be considered for
co-option should contact Christine Davies in the GCC office.
Meanwhile, treasurer Brian Drew in his report said GCC was "extremely grateful"
for the donation of £18,000 from Gallahers Tobacco in Grangetown, which had
been invested as a bond and would go in some way to securing the future of the
organisation. The idea is that it will serve as an endowment yielding a return
far into the future. However, general funding remains a problem, as charitable
trusts tended to be project-centered and not pay for running costs.
The money had already been able to give GCC's part-time worker the first real
pay rise in 10 years. Cardiff Council was also thanked for its annual grant
and for use of the library faciltiies. The newspaper was also showing a small
profit, but still relies on advertising revenue. To increase revenue from the
carnival day, stall and gazebo hire costs are rising this year.
There is a look back at 30 years of Grange News and the festival on our features page.
GCC called to order
No, we didn't quite
make it to Downing Street - even though this picture might make you think otherwise!
But Grangetown Community Concern certainly enjoyed its trip to London and the
Houses of Parliament.
This photo was not outside No 10, but rather inside the historic Westminster
Hall - the 11th century seat of councils and where King Charles I and Sir Thomas
More were tried before their executions.
The hall, adjoining the parliamentary lobby, had a display highlighting how
Westminster works, including a mock-up of that famous black door. Committee
members were given a very informative tour around both Houses, including the
famous chambers, by Dan and Owen from Alun Michael MP's office. And then there
was an hour in the gallery watching ministers' questions on crime and justice.
> More
places to meet needed in Grangetown, say residents
More
than 100 residents responded to a questionnaire sent out to homes in a first step
of getting Communities First projects off the ground in Grangetown.
While most people liked living in Grangetown, and being close to shops and good transport, issues ranging from traffic to anti-social behaviour were raised as problems. Lack of services and facilities for young and old were also identified.
A part of south Grangetown has been identified as eligible for Communities
First initiatives, although it is hoped the spin-off can be of benefit to the
whole area.
Organisers are delighted with the numbers who replied to the survey
late last year - and the results have now been published here and in the
winter 2007 edition of Grange News.
There was "good news" and "bad news" in the main findings, which
are:
A steering group has been set
up and one of the first tasks was to ask local people how they feel about the
area and what they would like to see happen, in particular projects which can
benefit different ages.
The high number of returns was very pleasing.
The survey findings will help the steering group build a case to present to
the Welsh Assembly Government. The group is hoping they will fund a full-time
worker who will start to get to work on the problems aided by a committee of
local people.
The streets involved in the survey were: Amherst Street, Beecher Avenue,
Channel View, Clive Street, Earl Street and Earl Lane, Hewell Street, bottom
end of Holmesdale Street, Kent Street, Ludlow Close, South Clive Street, Worcester
Street, York Place. But surrounding streets could also benefit if the project
starts.
The project in July 2008 appointed development officer Thoria Mohammed
to work for the next nine months. She is working from the Voluntary Action
Cardiff offices initially and can be contacted on 029 20 485722 or Email
Thoria There is also a South
Grangetown Communities First webpage and Facebook
page
A part of
south Grangetown has been identified as such an area. Technical and
financial help is available to carry out improvements to remedy these
shortcomings.
But nothing will happen unless people in Grangetown do something
to get the project going. Grangetown Community Concern is attempting
to get the ball rolling.
We're looking for representation from interested individuals, local
organisations, youth clubs, churches, mosques and temples to join
a steering committee.
One of the main conditions of Communities First is that the project
should benefit people living in, and adjoining, the identified area.
For example, if it were decided that we needed a club for our
young people, it would be open to those living in the adjoining
area too.
We need motivated people to come forward and join the steering
committee. They should be prepared to work hard in a cooperative
manner to get a project off the ground.
The streets lying in the core area are identified as being ranked
as being 11th in deprived wards in Cardiff - and 60th in the whole
of Wales. They are: Amherst Street, Beecher Avenue, Channel View,
Clive Street, Earl Street and Earl Lane, Hewell Street, bottom end
of Holmesdale Street, Kent Street, Ludlow Close, South Clive Street,
Worcester Street, York Place. But surrounding streets could also
benefit.
BRIAN DREW
Photos from past Grange festivals
Administrator: Christine Davies
Secretary: Joan Gallagher MBE
Treasurer: Brian Drew
Vice chair: Hazel Ball
Publicity officer/Website: Steve Duffy
Executive committee: Yun Yun Herbert, Ken Barker, Mohammed
Saeed, Tariq Awan, Joyce Martin,
David Collins, Ifty Khan, John Smith, Jason Toby. Advisers: Coun
Asghar Ali, Lorraine Barrett AM, plus schools representatives. The officers and committee were re-elected unopposed at our AGM in May 2009. Other groups in the community are welcome to volunteer for co-option.
Thanks
to J R Freeman and the
Rotary Club of
Cardiff Bay for their kind support.
GRANGETOWN FESTIVAL WEEK - JUNE 2009:
Grangetown Community Concern's annual May Day lunch and trip attracted 25 local pensioners, who enjoyed a meal at the Bayden Scout Hall before a coach trip to the Mumbles.
Members were show around the eye-catching building,
including committee rooms - complete with all the latest hi-tech equipment to
not only televise proceedings but enabling AMs to hold video conferences with
anywhere in Europe.
About us
An old shot of a carnival day, when it was held at St Patrick's,
and the May Day trip
Grangetown Community Concern
was the first group in Cardiff to receive the prestigious Queen's Golden
Jubilee Award. The group was one of only 12 across Wales and 200 in
the UK to be honoured in this way, as part of the celebrations of the
Queen's 50 years on the throne. Group chairman Chris Lomax and administrator
Christine Davies were invited to a Buckingham Palace Garden Party in July
2003 to mark the award. "It's a great honour for the whole area, we're
delighted," said Mrs Davies, who said the group can use the crown symbol
on all its publicity. The award, presented by the Lord Lieutenant of South
Glamorgan, highlights community-focused voluntary activities "of a very
high quality, that have generated a high level of goodwill and respect
amongst those they serve."
Mr Lomax looked back on the year's activities, including the "great success"
of the annual festival week and carnival. "The sun shone on us again and Grange
Gardens was full of people enjoying the parade, demonstrations, rides and stalls,
where everyone made some money for their favourite organisations," the
meeting was told in his annual report.
An editorial committee will take over but Joan was re-elected to serve as GCC secretary. The rest of the committee were also re-elected unopposed at the meeting, at St Samson's church hall.
More
things are needed for young people to do, as well as community facilities where
residents can socialise - according to a survey in Grangetown organised by Communties
First.
OTHER PROBLEMS/ISSUES IDENTIFIED:
Traffic
Litter
Anti-social behaviour
Lack of services for young and older people
Bad state of repair of some of the pavements
Poor relationship with the police
Lack of training opportunities
The questionnaire was sent out to designated streets - about 500 homes
- and was available at other places, including Grangetown Library. It
asked local people to list their concerns, on subjects ranging from local
facilities, services, transport, policing, anti-social behaviour to shops,
housing and traffic. The steering group has met with special focus groups
representing people across the area to build up a picture of what is needed
and wanted. This included a very well attended session involving young
people. It is still looking for representation from interested individuals,
local organisations, youth clubs, churches, mosques and temples.
Get the
ball rolling to help youth of Grangetown
Communities
First is an organisation set up and funded by the Welsh Assembly
Government. Its job is to ty to help parts of Wales where there
is a distinct lack of facilities, or amenities to get them.
The job of this committee would be the following:
If you or your
organisation supports this venture, please register your interest
with: Grangetown Community Concern. Write to: Christine Davies,
administrator, GCC, c/o Grangetown Library, Havelock Place, Cardiff.
Email here or
call 029 20 377010 (Mon-Fri, 10am-12pm)
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