St Andrew’s Church
I’m looking forward to attending a concert at the community centre in Penyrheol next Wednesday to celebrate the golden anniversary of St. Andrew’s Church.
My godfather Les Lloyd was one of the founding members of church 50 years’ ago and as a small boy I attended the church. While the church was under construction worship took place in the old army barracks in Penyrheol.
There is no doubt that a church was much needed in what was a developing area of Caerphilly and it continues to perform an important function in the area today.
St Andrew’s is one of three churches in the Parish of Caerphilly – St Catherine’s and the Parish Church of St Martin’s are the others.
St Andrew’s has recently been refurbished and, importantly, is well used as multi-purpose hall for community use including a toddlers group, Monday and whist clubs. Widespread use of facilities like at St Andrew’s is important.
Fun Day, Proms and the Cycle Race
The Van Fun Day takes place on Saturday and always proves popular among people living on the Lansbury Park and Castle Park estates in Caerphilly.
It is great to see residents pulling together in what is a Communities First area with problems of deprivation. Community spirit is very important and I hope young and old have a great day.
Also on Saturday BBC Wales’ Proms in the Park is staged at Caerphilly’s Owain Glyndwr Playing Fields at the rear of Caerphilly Castle.
Caerphilly’s profile across Wales and the UK has risen considerably in recent years with a series of high profile events and that is set to continue.
I hope the weather will be a lot kinder than last year when the event had to be cancelled because of heavy rain.
The main event starts at 7.45pm and will be presented by BBC’s The One Show host Alex Jones of Celebrity Strictly Come Dancing fame and Only Men Aloud’s musical director Tim Rhys-Evans.
Then on Friday next week The Tour of Britain rides into Caerphilly with Olympic gold medallist and Tour De France winner Bradley Wiggins taking part alongside world champion Mark Cavendish. What a week for Caerphilly.
Lindsay Whittle
Plaid Cymru AM for South Wales East