🍁Cylchlythyr Hydref 2025 🍁
This is the eighth edition of our Council newsletter, which highlights some of our actions and achievements from the last few months.
Our newsletters are published on our website and social media, and physical copies are displayed throughout the area on noticeboards, inside shops and in community centres.
Wales in Bloom
We were awarded Silver Gilt in the Town Category of Wales in Bloom 2025! This was our first year entering the contest and we are delighted to have been the runner-up.
Awards were also received by Ebbw Fach Community Group, Abertillery Learning Community, Ty Ebbw Fach and Six Bells Hotel. Cllr Ralph Henderson MBE was also selected as a Wales in Bloom Community Champion.
Thank you to Cllr Ralph Henderson and all of our amazing volunteers for their hard work on this project!
Summer Cinema
Our free Summer Cinema ran during the 6-week Summer holiday, with four showings a week. Around 500 people attended in total. Thank you to The Met for hosting, and to Blaenau Gwent Youth Service and Off The Streets for supervising some of the sessions.
Councillor Surgery
We hosted our first Councillor Surgery in August, with Cllr Barrie Page, our Clerk, officers from Gwent Police and Blaenau Gwent Cllr Helen Cunningham. We plan to host more in the future.
Grants awarded
We awarded £8,496.48 of grant funding to 5 organisations from July to September, including the Abertillery and District Museum Society and Llanhilleth Miners Institute.
Solar Farm Grants
Each year, we distribute funding from Hafod-Y-Dafal Solar Farm as community grants. This year, the following grants were awarded:
- £16,500 to Abertillery Town Cricket Club towards the restoration of cricket facilities at Abertillery Park.
- £5,500 to The Mitre Live Music Venue towards the purchase of their own PA system.
- £13,000 to Brynithel RFC for a disabled access ramp and towards an outdoor seating area.
Roseheyworth Park
Last year, £29,506 of Solar Farm Grant funding was allocated to the Friends of Blaenau Gwent Village and Roseheyworth Park.
This funding has been used to install new play equipment at Roseheyworth Park.
Youth Reps
We are accepting applications for 2 new Youth Representatives until 19 November.
Youth Reps must be between 15 and 25 and be able to represent people under the age of 26 who live, work, train or receive education in the area.
This is a chance to have your say, gain free training and support, develop skills and experience, make a difference in your area and more!
Please visit our website to learn more and apply.
Chair’s Charity Karaoke
Our Chair of Council, Cllr Josh Rawcliffe, hosted a karaoke night in October to raise money for his nominated charities: AYDMS and The Mitre Live Music Venue.
This event took place in The Mitre, and raised £160. Thank you to everyone who joined us and donated!
Co-option
In July, Cllr Richard Catlin was co-opted, representing the Cwmtillery Ward.
VJ Day
On 15 August, our Chair of Council laid a wreath during the VJ Day 80th Anniversary service at Abertillery War Memorial.
Llanhilleth Summer Fete
We allocated £5,000 of funding to Off The Streets for this year’s Llanhilleth Summer Fete. This event had live music, games, stallholders, mini golf and more!
Contact us
Email: clerk@abertilleryandllanhilleth-wcc.gov.uk
Download the newsletter
Autumn 2025 Newsletter – Cylchlythyr Hydref 2025 (PDF, 7.4 MB)