Walking Club

Members of Pontarddulais Walking club would like to thank father and son, namely Selwyn and Gary Williams for leading last weeks trek. The trek was based in the beautiful Glyn Clydach Valley. Places of interest visited were the Abbey Ruins of Neath and the old iron works of Neath Abbey. The group are also grateful to Bryncoch Rugby Club for the use of their grandstand for their lunch break, during a drizzly and mizzly lunchtime and the protection from the rainy conditions, prevalent during the break was appreciated by the good turnout of over twenty trekkers.

Advice Surgery

Nia Griffith MP will be holding a surgery at Hendy Cricket Club on Friday 9^th May between 5pm and 6pm

40^th Carnival – Saturday 28^th June, 2008.

This year, the community will be celebrating the 40^th Pontarddulais & Hendy Carnival. The first carnival, organised by the Festival committee, was held on Saturday 28^th June, 1969 to help celebrate the Investiture of Prince Charles, which was held a few days later at Caernarvon. Lots of entertainment is being planned for the carnival itself and thanks to a grant from the Awards for All Wales Lottery Fund, special workshops will be held starting in May to help prepare people to join in the celebrations. A drop in and have a go African Drumming Workshop will be held on

Monday 19^th May at Pontarddulais Institute. Followed by similar events on Monday 2^nd June, 2008 at Aelwyd Yr Urdd, Hendy 6.30pm to 8.30 pm. The workshops will be open to age 10 and over and the committee hope adults who are welcome will come and have a go, there’s  no experience necessary and all equipment will be provided.  More workshops will follow at Hendy Aelwydd Yr Urdd on 16^th June & Pontarddulais 23^rd June at the Rugby Club. The lottery grant has also helped fund, Costume Making workshops to be held at Aelwydd Yr Urdd Hendy on Saturday 7^th June & Pontarddulais Institute on Saturday 14^th June 1pm till 5 pm. Under 8’s must be accompanied by an adult. Anyone requiring a stall please telephone 01792 883337 stalls start from £15 upwards. Please also telephone this number if you are able to help out in any way on the day itself, stewards are required to help set up the field or collect money on the route or on the gates and the committee would welcome any help especially after last years wettest carnival day in memory which effected the fund raising activities. The theme of the carnival is Forty Years Ago – however, floats and walkers can be on any theme. This year, Braces Bread have sponsored a new carnival shield for Best Float based on the carnival theme. This is a community event, please join in or turn out on the day to watch the event and give a small donation by buying a carnival programme, or putting some small change in the collection boxes. Events such as this cannot survive unless there is public support. Help them to keep this event alive for the next forty years. This event is also supported by Carmarthenshire County Council who have paid for one on the main events for the centre field on the day .

Photo competition

There is the annual carnival photography competition with a 1^st Prize of £20, 2^nd £15 and 3^rd £10. Black & white or coloured on any subject (digital accepted) up to 3 entries per person no larger than A4. Please send entries to Mrs. E. Evans 18 Alltiago Rd, Pontarddulais, Swansea, enclose a SAE if you would like photos returned. The closing date is 14^th June, 2008. Look in the carnival programme for other competitions.

Yr Hen Gapel

Cynhelir Cyrddau Blynyddol Nos Sul, Mai 11eg 2008 (Y Sulgwyn) am 6 o’r gloch Un oedfa yn unig! Disgwylir i wasanaethu Y Parchedig Caradog Evans. Croeso Cynnes I Bawb.

There is an annual gathering and service at Hen Gapel on Sunday May 11^th, at 6 o’clock, all will be welcome

Hendy Disco

Pontarddulais recently held its selection for the carnival queen in the Pontarrddulais rugby club, tonight the Hendy school will hold its annual disco where the Hendy youngsters will be picked to represent Hendy on the carnival queens float.