Club dominates championships


Gwent windsurfing team Reservoir Dogs enjoyed a highly successful RYA Wales Team15 Inter-Club Championship at Llandegfedd Reservoir.


It won the first round of the championship, to stay in line to win a third straight title. Alex Evans claimed first place in the 3.5m class, while Anya Lawrenson finished second, pipping club mate Jack Fitzpatrick, who has also only recently taken up windsurfing. Experience allowed George Atkin to claim first place in the 5.8m class.


“Reservoir Dogs showed it is once again the team to beat with a new group of windsurfers, but it showed it is a strong team of quick learners,” said T15 co-ordinator Stuart Meese.


Equipment used by Reservoir Dogs is part funded by


Community Chest grants through Sport Wales and Torfaen council. For more information on the club, contact Gwent Adventures on 01291 673002.


Woman prosecuted for


not paying council tax A Cwmbran woman was sentenced to 90 days in prison for not paying council tax. Abergavenny Magistrates found Christine Clarke guilty for not


paying council tax totalling £5,984.66 and she was sentenced to 90 days in prison. Mrs Clarke has since paid the balance and has been released. Gary Butler, of Pontnewydd, was also found guilty by Caerphilly magistrates for his failure to comply with a suspended committal order in respect of his outstanding council tax balance of £4,357.24. He was sentenced to 83 days in prison.


The executive member for resources, councillor Anthony Hunt, said: “If residents are experiencing difficulties then I would urge them to call the council to receive advice on 01495 766145. There are a number of ways the council can help residents who are genuinely struggling to make ends meet.


“However, non-payment of council tax impacts on the funding of


vital local services and it is not fair to other residents who pay their own bills. These sentences show the council will pursue residents who choose not to pay their council tax or deliberately abuse the benefit system.”


Credit review


Torfaen council is reviewing its council tax discounts and exemptions in conjunction with credit agencies.


As part of this process, the council is implementing penalty charges in respect of failures to notify the council of changes. In these circumstances, a penalty of up to £200 and possible magistrates court costs of £60 may be imposed if you fail to notify the council promptly of the changes in your circumstances.


Contact 01495 766129 or 766131 for assistance or visit www.torfaen.gov.uk/en/ AdviceBenefits


Able Radio stars honoured at presentation event in Pontypool


Eleven learners with a wide variety of learning disabilities were honoured at a presentation ceremony. The learners all attend


radio workshops at the Pontypool-based online disability radio station, Able Radio, and had been working towards an OCN- Agored Cymru qualification entitled Communication through Music. Through hard work and dedication,


www.torfaen.gov.uk


all the learners who took part passed and their efforts were recognised at this special event at Ty Nant Ddu Resource Centre in Pontypool. Able Radio is the only radio station in the UK presented by disabled people to the disabled population.


Course leader Tanith Booth said: “It has been a pleasure to be involved with this inspirational project and play a part in facilitating everyone’s development and progression.


“It is an exciting time at Able Radio with many more qualifications being introduced and new participants joining.”


The group was presented with certificates by Torfaen council chief executive Alison Ward and chief officer for social care and housing, Sue Evans. Pam Hales, community education manager at Coleg Gwent, said: “It has been a pleasure to work with Able Radio. The enthusiasm and commitment of the tutors,


01495 762200


Ian and Tanith, has resulted in not only excellent results, but also a fantastic learning experience for the learners.”


Alison Ward added: “It was such a joyful occasion visiting Ty Nant Ddu and presenting awards to the people who have worked so hard to make Able Radio such a success.


“From the enthusiasm and


energy that I saw when I was there, I am positive that it will go from strength to strength.”


Council teams up with Google to help local businesses


Torfaen council and Google recently teamed up to offer local businesses advice and tips on how to make the most of the Internet and grow a business online.


The Torfaen ‘Google Juice Bar’ offered local businesses a series of one-on-one digital consultations, as a part of Google’s year-long Getting Welsh Business Online campaign.


In four months, it has provided more than 1,500 businesses in


Wales with free digital consultations and e-skills workshops to help businesses set up a website or improve their online presence.


At the Torfaen Juice Bar, business owners learnt about tools to


create, edit and drive traffic towards their website to maximise their Internet presence irrespective of their computer knowledge and ability.


Jane Anslow, of Torfaen training and skills provider Maximum Business Solutions, said: “The Google team explained in simple terms the tools like Google Place and Adwords we can utilise to draw traffic to our new website. Maintaining a visible presence online and being familiar with the basic tools to update your webpage is essential to compete in today’s globalised world.


“In the next few years, we will be looking to expand our services


and we know the best way to do that is via the Internet.” About 40 per cent of small businesses in Wales don’t have a


website. Only 33 per cent have the ability to sell their goods and services online, compared to the UK average of 39 per cent.


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