New date set for Cwmbran Big Event


A new date has been set for Cwmbran Big Event, after its postponement in June following torrential weather.


A series of heavy rain storms meant June’s event couldn’t take place as planned, but it has now been reorganised and will take place on Saturday 22 September.


Last year’s inaugural event was a huge success and this year’s promises to be even more exciting and entertaining.


Cwmbran Big Event, a celebration of


physical and cultural activity, with fun and entertainment for the whole family, takes place at Cwmbran Boating Lake at 12pm-7pm.


Visitors are being encouraged to leave


their car at Llanyrafon Primary School and take the short walk to Cwmbran Big Event. Disabled parking is available for


badge-holders at the Boating Lake.


The Big Event is set to include raft


races, netball, football, rugby, fishing, tug-o-war, kiddies corner, funfair, go-karts, trampolines, bush-craft skills, climbing wall, inflatable assault course, model boats, storytelling, a play service tent, arts, crafts, games and animals from Greenmeadow Community Farm.


A large covered performance


stage will showcase a wide variety of musical talent, including dance groups, brass bands, singing, choirs and street dance.


In the sports arena, you can watch


and take part in a variety of sports, including martial arts, boxercise, skip-fit, dodgeball, gymnastics, free- running, tug-o-war and soccer skills.


Football, rugby and netball tournaments will take place


Playschemes A variety of open access playschemes are currently being held in Torfaen within community settings. The majority of


playschemes, which run until Thursday 23 August, are designed for children aged 8–12 years, with outreach playschemes for 5–15 year olds being delivered in parks and open spaces.


Specialist support is


provided for children and young people with disabilities to attend.


Parents and carers are


required to register their child on the first day of playschemes and a birth certificate is required.


All staff and volunteers


are trained, uniformed and in receipt of a full Criminal Records Bureau check.


For more information, call 01495 742952.


Pupils star in dance event The third Torfaen’s Got to Dance was held at Blaenavon Workmen’s Hall.


Run as part of sports development and the 5x60 scheme, it allowed young people to perform, either individually, in pairs, trios or groups. It was open to secondary school pupils and more than 85 people took part. The following took home prizes - Olivia Ferrari (winner, KS3), Flavour (runners-up, KS3), Original (winners, KS4) and Wowever (runners-up, KS4).


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Spectacular summer of farm fun Greenmeadow Community Farm is hosting a spectacular summer of events.


Every day of the summer holidays (10am-6pm) will be filled with


farm fun, with a special event being held every week. On August Bank Holiday weekend, the Eye Paddock will be transported back to eras gone by for a ‘Walk Through History’ event. Re-enactors will be setting up camps for the weekend, as well as living history groups, military vehicles, fantasy battles and much more! The event will support Help for Heroes.


On Sunday 9 September, the farm’s annual show will be held.


If you’ve never entered before, why not have a go this year? There are classes for all ages, plus exhibitions and family-friendly entertainment. And it’s half price entry on the day too. Go to www.greenmeadowcommunityfarm.org.uk or call 01633 647662.


Summer fun


Ieuenctid Torfaen Youth’s fun summer programme runs until Friday 24 August.


All activities are aimed at 11-25 year olds. Whether you are experienced or are a complete novice, you can enjoy a water sport day at Llandegveth Reservoir and experience windsurfing, sailing, kayaking and paddle boarding. Or why not fuel your adrenaline on the trip to Alton Towers on Wednesday 15 August?


Throughout Torfaen, it is also holding a number of open space activities, including sport, cooking, art and craft activities, as well its Sounds on the Streets project.


This aims to encourage young people in dance, music, song writing, recording, video and more.


Call 01633 648124 or visit


Ashley House, Mount Pleasant Road, Pontnewydd, NP44 1AN for more information.


More Big Event news can be read at www.torfaen.gov.uk/en/thebigevent Page 13 throughout the morning on Southfields.


Llanyrafon Manor will also be holding a special World War II event on the day, so come and see if you could survive on World War II rations!


The closing concert at the Boating Lake


stage will feature funk and soul band Brother Ray at 6pm-7pm.


The event is funded by Torfaen council,


Llanyrafon and Croesyceiliog Community Council, Cwmbran Community Council and the Rural Development Plan.


Visit www.torfaen.gov.uk/en/ thebigevent, www.facebook.com/torfaen or follow @torfaencouncil on Twitter for more information.


To get involved, call 01495 762200.


Children’s reading


challenge Are you looking for ideas to keep your children occupied over the holidays?


If so, then look no further – the 2012 Summer Reading Challenge for children is now under way at your local library.


Each year, the reading challenge is based around an exciting theme that injects fun and creativity into reading for children aged four to 12.


This year’s theme is ‘Story Lab’ - a celebration of stories, fun and imagination that will take your children on an exciting adventure!


The aim of the challenge is


for children to read six library books of their choice over the course of the summer and early autumn.


Children can join at their local


library and will be given a free Summer Reading Challenge pack. There are bright (and smelly!) scratch-and-sniff stickers and fun things to collect along the way, with a certificate and a medal when they finish.


Children who complete the challenge in Torfaen will also get a free DVD loan and entry in a prize draw to win a bicycle and helmet!


Torfaen libraries also run fun


Chatterbooks reading groups for children, and story and craft activities during the school holidays.


Ask for details in your local library.


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