Award Winning GREEN VALLEY CENTRE puts BRYNCYNON on the map!

The Strategy are celebrating after their Green Valley project was voted the UK’s Best Environment Project at the National Lottery Awards 2011 event in London on Saturday 5th November. The Green Valley Centre won this prestigious title at the glittering gala ceremony, which was broadcast live on BBC One and hosted by Myleene Klass. Representatives from The Strategy mingled with celebrity guests including Ashley Banjo and Perri Kiely from Diversity, Holby City’s Laila Rouass, Dragons’ Den’s Hilary Devey, Professor Robert Winston and Dr. Pamela Stephenson at this year’s star-studded awards event. The National Lottery Awards are an annual search to find the UK’s favourite Lottery-funded projects. Over eight hundred projects entered this year and all the projects entered in the competition had already received Lottery funding. There were seven categories in the Awards, each reflecting an area of Lottery funding, The Green Valley Centre – winner of the Best Environment Project – had previously received £266,541 of Lottery funding from the Big Lottery Fund. The Green Valley Centre, run by Bryncynon Strategy, won its National Lottery Award for its work in engaging local people on an environmental project, which over the past four years has seen the transformation of more than four acres of derelict land into a green oasis for all to enjoy.

Where the riverbanks previously had knot-weed and litter, they now have otters and kingfishers. The site hosts a growing scheme which helps to subsidise the local food co-operative project and produces and promotes fresh, affordable local food – helping to teach about healthy eating. This community green space offers practical training and qualifications for young people, building their skills, fitness and confidence, and acts as a training facility for a range of people of all ages. Activities on the four-and-a-half-acre site include a reading group for toddlers as well as recreational facilities. Local school Ysgol Gynradd Gymraeg Abercynon have their own garden on site where they grow vegetables and learn about nature, conservation, environmental awareness and sustainable living. Accepting the award for Best Environment Project, Michelle Lenton-Johnson said: “It is an absolute honour to win this award and a real boost for everyone involved to receive national recognition for their hard work and dedication. Lottery funding has been absolutely crucial to this project. The Award has given us a great opportunity to highlight our project. We have received fantastic support throughout all stages of the competition and I would especially like to thank everyone who has voted for us. We hope that like us, you too are thrilled that our local project and the great work achieved by staff, volunteers and the community in making it happen, has received national recognition and put Bryncynon well and truly on the map! Thank you so much for all your continued support for the project.” If you would like to find out more about the Green Valley Centre or would like to volunteer at the site call Chris Collins on 01443 475120.

New Children's Scheme from the Welsh Government!

The Children's Scheme is something that the Welsh Government has to produce under the Rights of Children and Young Persons (Wales) Measure 2011.  It sets out what the Welsh Government will do to make sure that they pay attention to children’s rights now and in the future. The Welsh Government wants to hear what you think of the Scheme.

Go to:
http://wales.gov.uk/consultations/healthsocialcare/scheme/;jsessionid 
and have your say 

If you would like to get involved with any of The Strategy's activities or services you can either ring us on 01443 475120 or pop into our main office at 2-4 Commercial Place or the Feel Good Factory for a friendly chat.