Neath Guardian Column: 27 February 2008

Last week, I attended a public meeting held at Cwmgwrach Rugby Club to discuss the closure of the village youth club – known locally as ‘The Cabin’.

I was very impressed that so many of the young people of Cwmgwrach attended the meeting, and took the opportunity to share their opinions and views with us. Several of them told the meeting how important the youth club was to them, not only for social reasons, but also for the sporting and other opportunities they had been given by the dedicated volunteers, Including Alf Siddley – a highly respected coach who has helped to run the Cabin for many years before its closure. His work with the young people of Cwmgwrach has led to many of them representing their county, and their country in various sports through the UK and in Europe. I’m very disappointed that this has now been forced to come to an end.

The people of Cwmgwrach have clearly demonstrated through the establishment of the ‘Friends of the Cabin’ group and by the number of people who attended the public meeting last week that community spirit and unity is well and truly alive in the Upper Neath Valley, and that they, as a community, are determined to change the situation they now find themselves in. The people who have established that group have done so for one reason only – to ensure the young people of Cwmgwrach have somewhere warm and secure to spend time in, and not in as is presently the case, the A465’s underpass. I am fully supportive of efforts by the people of Cwmgwrach, and by Neath Port Talbot Council to find a positive way forward so that the youth of Cwmgwrach are provided with the facilities they demand, and deserve.

If you wish to contact me for any help and assistance that you feel I can provide you as your local Assembly Member, please do not hesitate to contact my constituency office in Pontardawe on 01792 869993 or e-mail gwenda.thomas@wales.gov.uk. You can also keep up-to-date with my activities as your AM by logging on to www.gwendathomas.com