Locals, as well as those from further afield, can now delight in the knowledge that once again Pontyspig Bridge, Fforest Coal Pit (or Bishops Bridge as it is also known) is open.  Marine engineers have skilfully repaired the Grade II structure which was damaged by fallen timber and other debris forcibly travelling at speed down the River Grwyne in heavy storms earlier this year.

As can be seen from the photograph below the bridge took a battering with vital supporting stones becoming dislodged, putting the bridge in imminent damage of collapse.

Whilst the undoubted attractiveness of this historic structure has always been appreciated, its true function of providing safe passage for residents and visitors to the area – Partrishow Church and the Black Mountains beyond, can now, once again, be truly appreciated.

Hundreds of people in Powys with COVID-19 symptoms can now be tested each day thanks to a new partnership between Powys Teaching Health Board, UK Armed Forces, Powys County Council, and the Royal Welsh Agricultural Society.

Anyone with symptoms – new continuous cough, fever, or less of sense of taste or smell – can request a home testing kit via the Welsh Government website or by ringing 119 or 18001 119 for people with hearing or speech difficulties.

Alongside this, anyone with symptoms can book an appointment at drive-in testing units in the county. These are currently located at Bronllys Hospital, Theatr Hafren in Newtown and from later this week at a new location at the Royal Welsh Showground.

Stuart Bourne, Director of Public Health for Powys Teaching Health Board, said:

“Our drive-in testing units offer a safe and local way for people with symptoms to get rapid access to a COVID-19 antigen test in the county.

“The units provide a quick and simple swab. People being tested do not even need to leave their car.

 “This ensures the safest experience for everyone involved – the people attending for testing, the staff at the unit, and the local community.”

 The new drive-in testing unit for Mid Powys is located at the Royal Welsh Showground.

Steve Hughson, Chief Executive of the Royal Welsh Agricultural Society, said:

“We are delighted to be hosting a drive-in testing unit at the Royal Welsh Showground and will continue to work with partners to support our local communities in tackling this pandemic. 

“COVID-19 is likely to be with us all for many months to come. With our large showground site we are able to provide a great facility for COVID-19 testing, whilst also continuing our careful planning for the safe resumption of other activities on the Showground site.

“We are proud to be playing our part in helping people to get a test, stop the spread and keep Powys safe.”

The drive-in testing units are available by appointment only.

When fully operational the units will normally accommodate around 10 to 15 tests per hour.

Cllr James Evans, Cabinet Member for Economy, Housing and Regulatory Services for Powys Council said:

“These are not drop-in facilities. Please do not arrive without an appointment as you will not be tested.

 “Booking your appointment means that the testing units have your full details when you arrive for your test. It also ensures that there is no disruption for nearby communities.

 “Please do follow the guidance on self-isolation when you attend for a test. You should travel direct to the test centre and return straight home. If you need help with self-isolation then please talk to family, friends and neighbours or contact one of the many community groups across Powys who have provided such amazing support during COVID-19.”

 “Here in Powys we have been one of the first pilot areas in Wales to prepare for the introduction of contact tracing. Expanded test facilities means that we can refer people quickly for a test, helping us to stop the spread of COVID-19.”

The COVID-19 testing programme in Wales currently offers the antigen test, which identifies whether someone currently has the virus. Welsh Government is also working on plans to introduce antibody testing, which will let people know if they have previously had the virus.

Antigen testing is available in several different ways:

• Members of the public and critical workers can request a home testing kit. This is available online at https://gov.wales/coronavirus, by ringing 119, or by ringing 18001 119 if you have speech or hearing difficulties. Through this link, Powys residents can also book at mass drive-through testing centres in neighbouring counties, which can offer a handy alternative for people living on the county’s borders.
• Members of the public and critical workers can request an appointment at a drive-in testing unit – in Powys this can currently be booked by emailing powysresourcing@wales.nhs.uk or calling 01874 712600, or by visiting the Health Board website at www.powysthb.wales.nhs.uk/coronavirus-testing
• Hospital inpatients and care home residents are tested in their hospital or care home

The current drive-in testing sites in Powys are:

• Bronllys Hospital
• Theatr Hafren in Newtown
• Royal Welsh Showground (opening week beginning 1 June 2020)

The three sites will be staffed by teams from Powys Teaching Health Board, and from the UK Armed Forces mobile units deployed in Powys. The mobile units will also continue to visit locations across the county, including to support local testing in care homes.

Mr Bourne added:

“We will keep our testing programme under review, including to take account of the introduction of antibody testing when available. Our current programme of home testing and drive-in testing – along with our testing programme for hospital inpatients and care homes – has enough capacity to test everyone who needs a test, and to help us reach out to people right across the county.

“Our testing units have operated from a wide range of locations across the county and I would like to thank all the venues and everyone involved in this true collaborative effort to Keep Powys Safe.”

More information about coronavirus testing in Powys is available from www.powysthb.wales.nhs.uk/coronavirus-testing

In accordance with the Local Authorities (Coronavirus) (Meetings) (Wales) Regulations 2020 future meetings of the Vale of Grwyney Community Council will take place remotely using virtual technology.

Members of the public are welcome to observe however to speak must apply via the Council’s Public Speaking Policy.

Meetings will be held via “Zoom” (https://zoom.us/).  Please contact the Clerk for details.

Whilst our rainy Welsh climate scuppers any hope of growing citrus fruits… we hope (fingers crossed)…  to have an abundance of apples and pears in the not too distant future.

Thanks to the kind sponsorship of Wales & West Housing Association we now have two apple trees and two pear trees in the Community Nature Garden in St Peter’s Close, Llanbedr.  These were planted by Cllr John Morris and Cllr Keith Powell, and whilst they may take a little time to establish we hope to have crops aplenty.

The Community Nature Garden is growing in more ways than one.  If you have any ideas of how you would like to see it develop, please do get in touch.  It is there for the community to use and enjoy, and whilst we cannot guarantee quantity, quality is beyond reproach… after all… grown in the Vale of Grwyney – surrounded by the Black Mountains… who needs oranges and lemons……. time to go a’wassailing….

Transport for Wales is currently managing the reissue of free bus passes across Wales

There are currently around 750,000 bus passes in Wales and the current green coloured cards will all expire on 31 December 2019 and not be accepted on buses. Since September Transport for Wales has received 450,000 applications however  the deadline is now fast approaching and we need to promote the changes as much as possible to ensure as many people as possible have time to re-apply and receive their new-style cards before the end of the year.

Cardholders can either reapply online at www.tfw.wales/travelcards or by paper, which can be downloaded from the website or pick up a copy from your local council. You can also request a copy in the post by calling the helpline 0300 303 4240.

The new cards offer the same travel benefits for 60s and over and eligible disabled persons.

For further information click here

The Community Council believes it’s important to retain a payphone service in Llanbedr and whilst intending to oppose BT’s removal of this phone it would first like to know what the community wants.

• Do you think the phone should remain?
  
• Do you think the phone should be removed?
  
• Do you think the kiosk should be adopted and used as a community facility?

Please let us know what you want

Email:                        valeofgrwyneycc@gmail.com
or write to:                The Vale of Grwyney Community Council
                                   Pleasant View
                                   Fforest Coal Pit
                                   NP7 7LH

by Sunday 15^th September 2019

So, the secret’s out….. the Community Council, in conjunction with Wales & West Housing Association is holding a grand “Opening Event” to celebrate not only the creation of a nature garden….

but also community allotments and affordable housing.

Kirsty Williams AM has kindly agreed to open the garden , accompanied by Anne Hinchey, the Chief Executive of Wales & West Housing Association.

The Community Council asked Llanbedr School to design signs for the garden – the signs, and the winners, will be revealed on the day!

Please join us in the celebrations on Friday, 28^th June at 2:00pm in the nature garden, at the end of St Peter’s Close.  

Over the last few days, in between downpours, residents and visitors to St Peter’s Close, should have noticed a hive of activity around the nature garden.

We now have a wooden seat:

a log for children to play on:

and furniture for the Bug Hotel, in the form of cones and twigs:

Your Councillors have been very busy.

Please keep an eye on this web site for news of a very special event…

If you happen to live in Llanbedr, near St Peter’s Close, you could be wondering “what’s occurring”?   And yes, you may have spied not one, but two tractors, a log and some pallets masquerading as a hotel (…quite salubrious, for a bug).   If you look extremely carefully you may even see some discreetly concealed nesting boxes….

To explain, your hardworking councillors are proving their dedication to duty by helping create a nature garden for the community to use and enjoy.  We have crab apple trees, a log to scramble over and a bench on which to sit and ponder.   A place to savour quietness and appreciate nature’s beauty, while fathoming what species of bird is flying overhead.

It is a work in progress, but we have many ideas, which we hope, to bring to life over the coming months, and years.  Most importantly this is an area for the community to use, enjoy and nurture.  If you would like to be involved in the development of what is intended to become a wildlife haven, please contact the Council, either by speaking to your elected representative or the clerk.

So… what is the secret?  Well, that would be telling  – to find out more keep checking this web site (and the village noticeboard) for further posts… and posters.

The Police and Crime Commissioner, Mr Dafydd Llywelyn is launching his funding programme where grants of between £5,000 and £10,000 are available to groups and organisations across the Force.

The Commissioner is inviting applications from voluntary and community organisations, as well as the public and private sectors, for projects which will have a positive impact on the security and safety of local communities and is also encouraging organisations to work collaboratively on this.

The closing date for applications is 24th May 2019.

For further information on the Police and Crime Commissioner’s Community Fund please click here:

http://www.dyfedpowys-pcc.org.uk/en/the-commissioner/commissioners-community-funding/