Tongwynlais Our Neighbourhood (TON)

What we did in 2013/2014

The group first met in September 2013, kick-started by the green land next to the
village hall being proposed for developing into houses. At public meetings held by the
Council in Bethesda, the general feeling was of the villagers objecting to this proposal.
The group has gained the support of over 40 local residents, and we work closely with
the Village Hall Committee, Community and County Councillors. We are now a
constituted group, and the next step will be to open a bank account so that we can
continue building on what we have achieved since our initial meetings in the Tanyard.
Thanks to the Community Council, Bethesda and the Village Hall Committee for
supporting the group by letting us use their space to meet for free.
Community Survey
The first task the group undertook was to put together a community survey, to establish
existing use of community facilities, ideas that residents have for improvements to the
village, and opinions on the land for sale. Thanks to Tongwynlais Community Council
over 1000 were printed. These were hand delivered in October 2013 to every house in
Tongwynlais and available via the primary school, local shops and community groups,
as well as digitally on tongwynlais.com. The massive task of compiling the data from
158 responses resulted in the document Tongwynlais Community Survey Results
which can be found on tongwynlais.com.


Community Growing Projects
In January 2014 a Grow Wild project proposal was put together by residents supported
by TON, submitted to The Royal Botanical Gardens for funding. The proposal was to
improve the lane between the playground and Ironbridge Road, creating a community
garden on the land next to the playground. Unfortunately the bid was not successful but
it demonstrates the will and ability of residents to put together ideas for imaginative
growing projects.
A growing project which was successful in securing funding, was for a Wild Weekend
to improve the steps leading up to Birch Court.

This area of Tongwynlais was very run down, with a lot of litter and overgrowth. It is an
important pathway as it connects the Catherine Drive area to the rest of the village.
Although there were no Catherine Drive residents involved in submitting the
application, they were involved on the day, picking up litter, clearing brambles and
donating plants. Ainon Church were supported by TON to submit the funding
application to Keep Wales Tidy, and the area has been cleaned up by residents since the
project, proving that if an area is looked after, it will look after itself.
Thanks to local residents and members of the TON group Carol, Carol and David, who
were inspired to buy and plant bulbs in the picnic area down Ironbridge Road.

Knowing You Knowing Ton
Knowing you knowing Ton took place in March 2014 thanks to the Village Hall
committee, who put in a successful funding bid to the Neighbourhood Partnership. The
community event involved Ainon Church, Tongwynlais Primary school, Womens
Institute, Bowls team, St Michael's Church, Bethesda Church, Castell Coch Coral Society,
Community Council, Police, The Academy of Cheer & Dance, County Councillors, Age
Connect and the Rotary Club. The aim of the event was to bring the community together,
to present survey results, and to gather information from asset mapping and future
village hall activities which took place at the event. Residents also actively participated
by completing A Postcard From Ton, which formed an exhibition at the event.
Historical photographs were displayed, and residents were encouraged to share
memories and stories about the village. Special thanks to the Womens Institute who
baked the delicious cakes, and to Debbie who took some lovely photographs:




Planning Application
TON continued to meet every two weeks, and a planning application for housing on the
land was submitted in April 2014. Members of the group were asked to speak and
present information at the public meeting where a petition was arranged and residents
were encouraged to partake in the planning process. Over 100 signatures and at least
35 objection letters have been logged so far, and the group plans to ensure residents are
kept fully informed and encouraged to attend the planning meeting. Thanks to Carol and
Henry who carried out a traffic survey on behalf of the group.
Big Lottery Outline Proposal
The Village Hall Committee with support from TON and the Community Council,
submitted an outline proposal at the end of June, to purchase the land next door to the
hall for community use. The proposal is for the land to be used for a green project,
which will include members from the whole community. Ensuring that all residents are
engaged in the project will involve targeting under-represented groups, specifically
residents of the Catherine Drive area of the village and those aged between 15 and 34. If
successful at this stage the Committee will be invited to submit a full proposal, with a
time-frame of 6 months to put together a full business plan and project outline. This will
be done in consultation with community groups, residents and the Community Council.
Publicity
Jack from Tongwynlais.com has been instrumental in keeping Tongwynlais up to date
with the groups activities, creating the Love Ton identity and designing fliers and
posters for our events. We attended the school fete in July with our trusty badge-maker
from Re-Create and presented the community survey information and Postcards from
Ton.

Carol and Jen have shot footage for Anne-Marie to put together a video about the land
for sale, which we are hoping can be shown at the planning meeting. We also have lots
of foot soldiers to thank who have dedicated time and energy, braving the weather and
gnashing jaws of pets the other side of letterboxes to deliver information through all the
households in our village. Thanks also to Pauline and Jen, who have let the group make
use of their printers.
Future Plans
Tongwynlais.com has kindly agreeed to make a donation towards the Time Credits
scheme which we have applied for funding from Neighbourhood Partnership to run. If
the bid is successful the scheme will promote and thank volunteering activities in the
village, encouraging those who have never volunteered before to contribute to
community life.

My time as Chair came to an end when Jen bravely agreed to step up and take on the
role for the next six months. We now also have another Carol to add to our collection,
who has agreed to look after our treasure for us.
I think youll agree that its been a busy first year, and I would like to say a massive
thank you to everybody involved for their commitment to the group. Thanks also for the
ongoing support and encouragement from Community and County Councillors Mike,
Linda, Brian, Ben, Chris, David and Jonathan, Assembly Member Julie, and to Labour
candidate Mari, whose gazebo is slowly becoming our group mascot! Heres to another
exciting year,

Amelia
Secretary, Tongwynlais Our Neighbourhood