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reStaurant dinning Wednesday, April 22, 2015 Bargoed, Blackwood, Caerphilly, Cross Keys, Newbridge and Ystrad Mynach


Charity to close as funds struggle


A CHARITY focused on equal opportunities for people in- cluding those of all races and religions will close down due to a lack of funds. VALREC – the Valleys Race Equality Council – has helped people in Blaenau Gwent, Caerphilly, Torfaen and other Valleys communities since 1997 after it was set up in response to an increase in racially-motivated problems. The charity has supported victims of discrimination and crime. It also promotes community cohesion in the workplace and works directly with young people to build their self-esteem. Earlier this week, staff received an email from the charity’s chief executive, Elaine Clayton, saying: “It is with heartfelt regret that I am writing to inform you VALREC will cease all opera- tions effective April 30.” Speaking to the Campaign


yesterday, Mrs Clayton con- firmed the charity’s Hate Crime and Advocacy project would continue along with the Identity project. These will be delivered by Race Equality First in Cardiff and Swansea YMCA respectively.


Crews in 22-hour ight against ire


Brownson 01633 777247 sbr@gwent-wales.co.uk Twitter @ArgusSBrownson


FIRE crews battled a delib- erately set grass fire on a Machen mountain for more than 22 hours. Crews were first called to Machen mountain at 8.55pm on Sunday, and a fire service spokesman confirmed that 150 square hectares of grass and bracken were still alight and burning as the Argus went to print last night. South Wales Fire and Res-


cue Service said it had been inundated with calls about the blaze, with more than 200 residents raising the alarm. Fire crews from stations in- cluding Risca, Pontymister, Machen and Caerphilly all worked to contain the fire, which ravaged the moun- tainside throughout Sunday night and all day yesterday. They used a wildfire Argo


CAT,which works as a buggy to transport crew and equip-


150 square hectares of grass and bracken were set alight by the ire. @Garry Sparks posted this picture on social media


ment over rough terrain, and beaters were used to beat the flames out of the grass. A 4x4 from Abertillery also joined in the attempts to combat the expansive fire, with crews leaving the scene at around 11pm on Sunday. Crews returned at 7.20am yesterday to continue to


tackle the blaze while the fire,which was still burning, was monitored overnight. A Risca crew also fought a second deliberately lit fire on the Machen mountain, this time on the Cross Keys side, involving half an acre of grass and bracken, from 11.41pm on Sunday.


Police crackdown sees four banned from pubs


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FOUR people have been banned from pubs in Caer- philly as police crackdown on antisocial behaviour. Gwent Police are warning drinkers that if they cause trouble, not only could they be arrested, they could also be banned from pubs signed up to PubWatch Online. Seven pubs are now part of PubWatch Online in Caer- philly to promote safe and responsible drinking. This week, the PubWatch panel have banned four drinkers for abusive behav- iour towards customers and staff or criminal behaviour. These include: lA 29-year-old woman,


from Caerphilly, banned for two years after an assault at the Irish Tymes in March; lA woman, 21, from Caer- philly, aloso banned for two years for an assault in the Irish Tymes in March; lA 30-year-old Caerphilly


man banned for five years after an assault on a mem- ber of door staff at the Irish Tymes in March; and


lA 27-year-old man, from


Caerphilly, banned for two years after the theft of a charity box from the Mal- colm Uphill in March. Working closely with local


pubs and clubs, PubWatch Online enables licensees to speak directly with each oth- er and to Gwent Police. PubWatch also offers li- censed premises opportuni- ty to share best practice and provides a forum for Gwent Police and Caerphilly Coun- ty Borough Council. PC Adam Lang, night time economy officer, said: “Many of the popular pubs are signed up and if you misbe- have in one, your informa- tion will be shared withpo- lice and other pubs and you could receive a ban varying from one month to life. “Behaviour like this will


not be tolerated and people who act in this manner will be punished.” If you run a pub in the area


and would like to join, email PC Lang on adam.lang@ gwent.pnn.police.uk.


The fire was put out by 12.20am. Since last Friday morning SouthWales Fire and Rescue Service has taken 1,947 999 calls. A spokesperson more than


80 per cent of these were from members of the pubic reporting grass fires.


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