PRESS RELEASE – PENRHYS VILLAGE OPEN DAY

The Annual Penrhys Village Open Day took place on Saturday 3rd March from 11.00am – 3.00pm. Birthday celebrations were in abundance with the 10th Anniversary Celebration of Canolfan Rhys Arts and Education Centre, with archive footage of the original development and a variety of productions by children and young people over the years being rekindled. Llanfair Uniting Church also celebrated it’s 15th Birthday during the weekend and an exhibition and celebrations took place throughout. Previous international volunteers were welcomed back to the community to share their current experiences and they were welcomed by the Deputy Mayor Jane Ward. They also spoke about the support of the Church and Fairtrade.

Alongside this Penrhys Partnership promoted a series of new Health initiatives including ‘Get Cooking’ and Healthy Eating, the launch of the new Walking your Way to Health Programme in partnership with Health Promotion and the Healthy Living Network. The programme is supported by the Big Lottery Fund and is aimed at building capacity with the community in developing health initiatives. The Partnership also took the opportunity to make their community buildings ‘smoke free’ before the ban in April and thanks are extended to Rhondda Cynon Taf CBC for their support on this initiative.

There is also now a Dragon Savers scheme available at Penrhys Partnership, where you can save on a weekly basis (Monday 3.30-5.00pm and Thursday 10.00am – 12 noon) you can save as little as a pound and young people and adults can access the service in their local community.

There was also a chance to get involved in the new Community Radio station in association with GTFM at Canolfan Rhys, where we are looking for presenters, stories, bands etc. to help develop the service.

Did you know that there are also plans to develop a Penrhys Heritage Trail and we will be seeking views from local residents on how they would like to celebrate the 40th Anniversary of Penrhys Village in 2008, and also the 470th Anniversary of the dissolution of the monastery by Henry VIII in Penrhys in 1538.

Many young people commented that it was ‘a great event to look back over the last ten years, but also to look forward to the future’, there are regular weekly arts and crafts workshops, music, multi media workshops, get cooking, computer drop in and live performances on offer.

For more information on any of the above initiatives, contact: Penrhys Partnership on 01443 755008 or email:-penrhys@penrhyspartnership.co.uk