Mynydd y Betws Community Benefit Fund
We are pleased to confirm that we have been awarded a grant from the Mynydd y Betws Community Wind farm, to refurbish the small garden area on the junction of Herbert Street and Holly street in Pontardawe. The the area was looking overgrown and in need of some tlc, and, In order to make our celebrations a little more sustainable, we will include a mature fir tree, that can be dressed with Christmas lights each year for our Winterfest..... Also, for those that love our national flower ...........some more daffodils - Project completed December 2023
UK Governments shared prosperity fund
The installation of a new high-performance CCTV system in Pontardawe’s town centre, led by Neath Port Talbot Council in Partnership with Pontardawe Town Council and funded through the UK Government’s Shared Prosperity Fund, have now been successfully completed.
These upgrades aim to enhance the safety and security of residents and visitors significantly. The new cameras are integrated into the council’s modernised CCTV control room, which operates 24/7 and collaborates closely with emergency services including police, fire, and ambulance teams.
The key benefits of the CCTV systems are:
• Vandalism and anti-social behaviour deterrence: Reduction in incidents through constant monitoring.
• Support for police: Provision of high-quality footage for evidence.
• Cost efficiency: Potential reduction in security costs and insurance premiums.
• Enhanced safety: Boost in overall town centre safety and public perception.
• Targeted police response: Quicker and more effective responses to incidents.
• Business support: Reassurance to businesses dealing with shoplifting and other issues.
With increased coverage, the council,
South Wales Police, and other emergency services can respond more swiftly and effectively to incidents of anti-social behaviour. The latest technology in these cameras not only aids in crime prevention but also helps reduce security costs and provides clear, high-definition footage for court evidence - Project completed January 2025
Neath Port Talbot Council Biodiversity Grant
The Town Council together with the Ponty Conservation Volunteers were thrilled to be awarded a biodiversity grant from the Neath Port Talbot Council Local Nature
Partnership, to improve biodiversity on Gellionen Common and within Cwmdu Glen.
Specialist contractors worked for over two months to address over 1.5 square kilometre of invasive Rhododendron at Gellionen Common. The invasive species causes harm to native ecosystems, by displacing other plants and animals, due to their dense growth, toxicity, and ability to spread rapidly. Over the next few months the dense canopy should reduce, allowing native species to recolonise the area. This will in turn encourage local wildlife habitation.
We hope that this work and future work on Gellionen Common will also encourage the community in healthy outdoor activities such as walking and hiking in that area.
Biodiversity was also improved in Cwmdu Glen. New bird boxes were placed, including specialist boxes for dippers and wagtails. Bat boxes were also placed, and volunteer days are being arranged to survey the bat colonies within the area.
Pontardawe Conservation volunteers attended training courses in Bat detection and acquired a bat detector and recorder to enable the surveys to be undertaken. Bat walks using the detectors are planned for Cwmdu Glen in the summer, when you will be able to take part in learning more about these fascinating creatures. Pontardawe Conservation volunteers are also planning moth surveys and information sessions in the Glen - Project completed April 2025