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Grangetown Community Concern
Grangetown Library, Havelock Place, Grangetown,
Cardiff CF11
Tel: (029) 20 377 010
E-mail: grangetowncardiff@yahoo.co.uk
EXECUTIVE OFFICERS AND COMMITTEE 2008-2009:
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.
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.
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.
Pensioners' May Day trip
The annual Pensioners'
Lunch and May Day trip this year, organised by Grangetown Community Concern,
ended up in Hereford. More than 30 pensioners enjoyed a couple of hours in the
cathedral city on what was a bright afternoon. Before the coach arrived, there
was a lunch at the Bayden Scout Hall. Volunteers also organised a raffle on the way home.
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.
For more details please call Julie Muldoon or Sheryl Gumbly on 029 20485722
email Julie.@vacardiff.org.uk. Also see the Grangetown Community
Concern page or write to: Christine Davies, administrator, GCC, c/o
Grangetown Library, Havelock Place, Cardiff. Email
here or call 029 20 377010 (Mon-Fri, 10am-12pm)
Christmas/New
Year meal for local OAPs - 2007
Turkey
and tinsel
The
Grangetown Community Concern annual Christmas lunch was attended
by local pensioners on December 29th.
Organised by GCC volunteers and supported by a council grant and
Age Concern Cymru, this year's roast turkey dinner, with all the
trimmings, glasses of wine and a few surprises, was held at the
Bayden scout hall in Ferry Road. Thanks to all the volunteers. The
lunch was appreciated by all who attended.
The Grangetown Community Concern carol concert was well attended
at St Patrick's RC Church on Friday 7th December. There were some
lively performances from the children of Grangetown, Ninian Park,
St Patrick's and St Paul's primary schools, while all the children
joined together in a choir for two songs at the end. The event was
well supported by parents and friends and a collection was held
towards the GCC's pensioners' Christmas lunch. Thanks to Father
Fahy, the schools and all who attended.
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
New home for GCC
The move over the road from the Buzz Cafe follows a frustrating couple
of years after leaving the old Clydach Street centre.
Administrator Christine Davies was back behind her desk in Havelock
Place, with the office keeping its old telephone number. Office hours
are between 10am-1pm, Monday to Friday.
The annual Grangetown Festival Week in June is organised by Grangetown Community Concern. It relies on volunteers and fund-raising to keep it going.
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