New outdoor Gym equipment will soon be on its way to Caerphilly town’s Morgan Jones Park after funding was secured.
Morgan Jones ward Cllr James Pritchard said he had been pushing for the equipment since the summer after speaking to constituents concerned at the lack of facilities for youngsters.
The new equipment will be similar to the type installed at Blackwood Showfields last year.
The money has been secured via section 106 funding from a nearby housing estate.
Cllr Pritchard said: “This really is fantastic news. I’m sure the facility will be used for years to come, not just by residents of the Morgan Jones Ward but by people all over the borough.
“Although the financial situation is tough, I think this investment demonstrates that facilities for younger people can and should be secured if you fight hard enough for it. I can’t wait for it to be open for use.”
Great news for people of the town and surrounding areas. I'm sure this facility will be very popular with young people that want free exercise and can only be positive.
The idea sounds fantastic and just what Caerphilly needs but please reconsider the equipment!
I feel the Blackwood example is suited more to the very young generation and that nobody over the age of 16 will really use it, not to mention the majority of the equipment is ineffective and there are reviews on similar parks from citizens of London showing this.
The equipment provided needs to be something that people of all ages can use to get the most benefit. Equipment such as that in this picture: http://img.youtube.com/vi/yjG5JdaLmaE/0.jpg
would be much more beneficial to peoples health than most of what Blackwood provides.
The equipment in the above picture is suited to calisthenics (body weight) training which I have personally seen a huge uptake in in Roath park where pull up bars are provided. I have even travelled there myself from Caerphilly just for the use of the bars and to train with friends and I believe more people would use that style of equipment than what is currently proposed, myself and friends included.
For the record this project came from Caerphilly Youth Forum, and not Cllr James Pritchard, As this was the Youth Forums main priority for 2013 to help tackle obesity along with the the app for the smart card. It was them who pushed for this facility in Parks and sports centres where the first was put in Blackwood and for a further 3 to follow in the Caerphilly County Borough of which was to Morgan Jones Park. All Cllr Pritchard has done has taken the credit for the Youth forum who all are under 16 and have worked so hard for this project and it is them who should take the credit for their hard work, It is a total shame that any Councillor should take credit for what the young people of Caerphilly decide to help us all to make caerphilly a better place for them to grow up in and for us to live.And just to keep you informed this years project is to Tackle how easy it is for 13 and 14 year olds to get drugs and Alchol on the streets. Something that is an issue for us all.The Kids Of Caerphiily are Good Kids and should be promoted Ask the Childrens Commisioner For Wales Mr Keith Towler.
Cllr Mike Prew Morgan Jones ward and Youth champion
He is a councillor, Mike Prew, he doesn't care who thought of an idea. All he cares about is exploiting everything he can to be re-elected.
There's debate over the effectiveness of such equipment and whether or not it will be used. I, for one, predict very low usage for the equipment in the park.
The youth don't want facilities, graffiti walls, benches or whatever more. All they want to do is hang out with their friends, standing around talking. No matter how much you give them they will still resort to hanging around on a quiet street corner drinking and talking.
Well let me think am I surprised at Dean putting up a negative comment. Nope. I've never knows anyone so full of BS as you Dean!! As for you mike Prew. Shame on you. You know full well as James Pritchard had before if he knew you were wanting this facility he would have worked with you. As for once he is a refreshing change and is actually happy to work with anyone to get things done for the good of Caerphilly! Once again this has been made to be about politics and not about getting facilities in a town! Why is everyone saying it's just for the youth. It's also for us more mature people too. An when I say mature I am in no way including Dean or Mike in that statement. Mature is far from what you are!!!
Also for the record,James Pritchard does actually get out and knock peoples doors asking if there is anything. He can help with,I have witnessed this many times.
It was James Pritchard that got the dangerous overhanging trees cut back in the Morgan Jones ward,
Any further news on the use of Caerphilly old Library?
Its extremely regretable that Mike Prew has hastily taken to these pages to accuse me of taking the credit for the work of the Youth Forum. It simply isn't true that I would do such a thing and I suspect this again is an attempt to undermine a good news story to score party political points. Although I didn't expect that from Mike Prew.
Mike hasn't been present at meetings I've had with CCBC when discussing the implementation of the Outdoor Gym Equipment. I would be happy to forward e – mails on that confirm the money for this project has been found using Section 106 money from a Housing development in our ward.
For the record, nothing has ever been expressed to me at any of my meetings that the installation of the gym equipment was owing to the fact that the issue became a 2013 priority for the Youth Forum. I have nothing but praise for the Youth Forum. I've sat in on some of their meetings since I became a Councillor 19 months ago. They do some sterling work out there in the community and long may that continue.
`Young`, `energetic`, Councillor James Pritchard, Morgan Jones Ward, is a member of the current Caerphilly council ruling administration, and NONE of this equipment would be sited in this park if his administration had not authorised it, paid for it, and will take responsibility for it and maintain it, NOT Mr Prew or members of his particular political minority group on the Council, what is clear is until James Pritchard came along Mr Prew and his colleagues had NOT considered paying for this equipment.
The Caerphilly Youth Forum is NOT a group which has any funds of its own, it has no authority whatsoever to provide such equipment, it can promote it but not provide, so to claim to have doen so is incorrect and totally misleading to readers and ratepayers, the money comes from the Labour Administration to promote and help the youth of the Borough help itself.
Councillor James Pritchard is one of the new breed of young labour Councillors making their mark on local politics, all done in the name of their constituents and not for his own gratification, his work on behalf of the Caerphilly Basin disabled people is commendable as is his efforts to reach out to all his constituents,those who publicly support him in the ballot box and those how have said they did not at the last election, he does not work on partisan lines, and good on him for that. More of what you have been doing James.
Michael – I love you to bits and respect all that you do.
However, this is low. It's made me very sad indeed 🙁
Councillor Mike Prew is an honourable man, a good Councillor, and has an enviable record in representing, our youth, in our Borough, as the Youth Champion.
He has, in my view, mistakenly taken pen to paper, and made an unjustified public attack on a fellow Councillor, albeit, one from a different political party to his.
His claims on these pages have been rebuked and clarified by the Councillor in question James Pritchard.
As a ratepayer, and as a voter in Caerphilly, can I ask Councillor Prew if he will reconsider his published remarks in what appears to have been careless and misguided attempt to divert attention from the sterling work in the ward, and, in Caerphilly generally, of a fellow Councillor, James Pritchard.
Councillor Prew`s `careless` approach to the issues in the report are unbecoming of him and brings his role as a County Councillor into disrepute, whilst I am sure he would not have meant to do so, he should now seize the opportunity to put the record straight and back into perspective. I hope he does so and preserve his respect and confidence of constituents.
I do not understand the point of Cllr. Prew's comment to the Observer. I know that Cllr. Pritchard has received requests from the people in his ward, presumably including younger residents, for facilities in Morgan Jones Park and that he has met with council officers to table their wishes at council. This has resulted in Section 106 funding from a housing developer. This is a councillor doing what he is elected to do, so what is the point of this attack? Is it perhaps because Cllr. Prew is a representative of a different political party? If this is the case I am disappointed but, sadly, not surprised.
Wow! What a reaction to Mike Prews comments. All Coun Mike Prew was doing was pointing out that the idea came from the Youth Forum. Mike was not claiming credit for himself but praising their initiative. As an experienced ward councillor living in the ward Mike knows that residents know the difference between opportunists and grafters … and Mikes a grafter.
No Huw, Cllr Prew wrote,
"All Cllr Pritchard has done has taken the credit for the Youth forum who all are under 16"
And,
"It is a total shame that any Councillor should take credit for what the young people of Caerphilly decide."
This was an attack on a councillor, in my book, not just 'pointing out that the idea came from the Youth Forum.' If he had just wrote that I am sure that people would not comment.
Yes Richard, it is a shame that a councillor should take the credit for the initiative of others
Huw… They are both grafters. I know them both well.
Neither of them are opportunist. They are both good men that
in my opinion want to help in their ward and to make
a difference. We don't want tit for tat. We want
action. Work together for goodness sake.
An apology needs to be made by one good man to another.
Never run a man down unless you truly know he does harm.
Neither of these men do harm. Bigger picture once again people!
Sorry Jo,
I can`t see Coun. Pritchard apologising somehow.
Huw… I can tell you now that if I thought Jamie
was in the wrong, I would be dragging him to Mike to apologise.
That however is not required. It is the other good man who needs
to apologise.
You know that.
It`s a shame that, having read about this provision in the park, one experienced Councillor has to dive to the depths of misinterpreting the comments of his colleague( Clearly there for all to read) for party political purposes, in this case by a member of a minority party against one of the ruling party.
Huw is completely out of order of course in promoting this misrepresentation, IF he was an elected representative he too could be accused of bring that office into disrepute.
These are serious matters of waht must be seen to be fair and equitable public representation which ALL Councillor MUST uphold, and to support such incorrect misleading interpretation by Mike Prew of what County Councillor James Pritchard said and claimed, or not, is stuff for further investigation by higher authority, unless of course, as one would expect from Mike Prew, ( perhaps against `Huw`s advice) that he clarifies and corrects what he said, or meant to say about James Pritchard.
I made a prediction on the library and I'll make one on these pieces of 'exercise' equipment. Within 5 years they will but rusty, poorly maintained and the council will be taking them away and replacing them with something new due to lack of usage.
To all
The following link will give you the information which was stated in my previous comment.
http://www.caerphilly.gov.uk/application.aspx?s=d…
Please take time to have a look at this if you cant open it its all on the Caerphilly Youth4you website.
All who have Commented,
Please Read this from the Youth Forum Website:
When you work as close as I do and passionate about it and them perhaps you can see where I am coming from,These kids need the credit they deserve and not the negative approach that seems to follow them (kids in hoodies) Aslo if any of the other 72 Councillors in CCBC had press released this in the way it was on print they would also have the same comment.
You can view the film if interested from the website, also as I stated our main priority this year is to stop the Youngsters purchasing Drugs and Drink and the harm and upset it causes if you want to help please let me know.
Cllr Mike Prew
Youth Forum film snaps up Zoom Film Festival Award!
27 March 2013
A film made by Caerphilly County Borough Council's Youth Forum recently won the Best Documentary prize at the Zoom Wales' International Young People's Film Festival.
The winning film, entitled "Protect our Parks", was produced to highlight the issue that the Youth Forum voted as their Priority Issue last year. It highlighted a message that money spent on repairing vandalised play equipment could be better spent on new facilities for the young people of Caerphilly county borough.
The Zoom Film Festival celebrates films made by young people from across Wales and beyond aged between 8 and 25. Films are submitted, shortlisted and selected by the Zoom Youth Film Council and a panel consisting of Industry Filmmakers and organisations. In selecting the winners the panel looks for originality, authenticity and creativity.
Cllr Rhianon Passmore, Cabinet Member for Education and Lifelong Learning, commented, "Winning this award is the cherry on top of a fantastic year for the Youth Forum. Working in collaboration with the Council, the young people in the Youth Forum have been instrumental in helping Caerphilly become the first local authority to implement smoke free parks across the county borough. Well done to the whole team for their impressive and well deserved award!"
The film also resulted in the new outdoor gym equipment being installed at the Blackwood Showfields, following a visit by the Youth Forum to a similar site in Cardiff Bay.
Visit http://www.youth4u.co.uk for more information about Caerphilly Youth Service.
I looked at the link supplied by Cllr. Prew and found no mention of Morgan Jones Park, which is the project that Cllr. Pritchard publicizes in his press release. The link refers to another project at Blackwood Showfields which Cllr. Pritchard does not claim involvement with. To settle this in my own mind I think I will enter a freedom of information request for all meetings, e-mails and notes by council officers relating to the installation of exercise equipment at Morgan Jones Park. This will make clear who did what and when.
It seems to me that both Councillors, one knowing the wishes of the Youth Forum and one not, have been working towards similar goals with a mutually beneficial outcome for the residents of Morgan Jones.
While Cllr. Prew's response to the criticism that he has understandably recieved helps to demonstrate the hard work and commitment of the Youth Forum, it lacks the apology that I feel Cllr. Pritchard is entitled to.
As a Morgan Jones resident who is no longer party-political, all I want are hard working councillors of any persuasion who will champion the Ward and its residents. I know from the regular leaflets that I recieve from Cllr. Pritchard, and the actions that he has taken on behalf of residents that have benefited me directly, that he is a grafter. From what I have read here, Cllr. Prew also falls into that catagory, although I hear from him and his party Ward colleagues less often.
No one is doubting your contribution, or that of the Youth Forum, Cllr. Prew, but I'd respect you more if you gave Cllr. Prichard the apology that he deserves.
I also think that Cllr Prew should apologise to James Pritchard.
It's a shame you get people who can't wait to knock people when infact all that James is doing is what he is paid for and he is doing a very good job,I am waiting to see Plaid knocking on doors asking if there are any problems they want help with now not just before voting day which always seems to be the case.
I think Mark needs to consider apologising to both Plaid councillors in Morgan Jones. As all residents know, Mike, with a family and full time job, and Phil Bevan are both hardworking councillors. They are constantly involved in issues across the ward. Indeed all houses in Morgan Jones had a Xmas card from Mike and Phil as well as the rest of the Plaid team. Perhaps Mark does not live in the ward and did not receive one?
Huw, Yes you are correct we did get a Christmas card from Plaid,why should I apologise to any Plaid Councillor ? I am stating a fact that I cannot recall any Plaid member knocking on doors asking are there any issues they can help with,in all fairness James Pritchard has been asking the residents is there anything he can help with.
I wonder if in the future Plaid might be out and about doing the same as James or will it be next year when we get the Christmas card?
Huw, it looks as if you don't think that James Pritchard should get an apology well sorry I don't agree with you,and for you to say well people had a Christmas card sounds daft to say the least,people don't care about Christmas Cards from councillors they would rather have councillors helping residents ,lets see if Plaid gets out there and actually ask people what they want, I personally have not seen this but you never know it might happen just might.