CHRISTMAS MESSAGE

FROM ALL THE MEMBERS OF YSTRADGYNLAIS MEDIA TRUST LTD (YSTRADTV)

HAVE A VERY MERRY CHRISTMAS

AND

A HAPPY NEW YEAR!!

Don't get too drunk and stuff yourself too much 'cos it only means extra pounds you'll promise to lose in the New Year! Lol!

Have A Good 'Un!

Video of the Week!

Before we sign off for Christmas, we wanted to bring you a funny video of what, for me, Christmas is all about!

Yes, it is about the birth of Jesus, but for me, seeing my Nephews, Nieces and now my own child's faces when they open up their presents on the big day, really does make me smile!

So here's a video I found on YouTube, you may already have seen it, but here it is anyway!

What Christmas is all about!

Enjoy

Santa Visits Ystrad!

Last Thursday, the big man himself showed up in Ystrad, to see all the boys and girls. Thanks to Maesydderwen School, Santa showed up on his modified sleigh to Quids In (as reported here on the blog).

The visit was a huge success, with all the children getting to see Santa before he comes for proper tonight.

Big well done to everyone involved in bringing Santa to the Quids In Grotto, it made it a Merry Christmas for all who came.

Mellow Goldmine Success!

This year has been a great year for friends of YstradTV, MellowGoldmine. They have topped the MySpace charts, been performing all over the country and recently received the mantle of Unsigned Heroes 2007 winners!

The band are all really good people and they certainly have a fan in myself.

They are currently giving away their single, "Days of Wanting" free for download, what festive spirit! You can download the track at their MySpace page, ( click here ).

While you're there, check out their new song, "Holy Men Can Be Wrong". It's another good 'un and I'm asking..."When is the album out?"

Well done to the band and all the best for 2008!

Ystradgynlais v Pontardawe - Highlights

Last Saturday, 15th December 2007, Ystradgynlais hosted Pontrdawe in Division 5 South West Welsh league.

The YTV cameras were there to capture the game, which wasn't the free flowing game we were hoping firm, but a hard fought victory for one of our local teams.

Apologies for the lack of sound in the highlights, which was a technical hitch oversight on my part. But who needs sound when the action is right in front of you.

Enjoy!

Pic Of The Week!

Only 6 days to go!!!

Soon it will all be over parents! Anyway, to put you all in a good mood, here's another Christmas funny Christmas Card for you enjoyment!

Here's this weeks Pic of the Week!

Radio Cymru In Ystrad RFC

Tomorrow morning, 17th December at 8.30 am to 10.30 am, Radio Cymru will be transmitting from Ystradgynlais Rugby Club.

Marc Griffiths will be airing his show from the club, who are to be presented with ther award for coming joint 1st in the league last season, by local Welsh legend, Clive Rowlands.

X Factor Support

I know it's a bt of a nationwide event ad not a local thing to be putting on the blog...but you're wrong!

The X Factor Final is tomorrow night and we have a finalist so I wanted to show some support! Sennybridge is in our locality and I've spoken to locals who know his mother and I think the guy is a legend! So let's all get behind the peroxide haired, strange one that is Rhydian!

Tomorrow night, 'The Riddler' as Dermot O'Leary calls him, will be singing for the crown of X Factor and in all probable circumstances the Christmas Number 1 song (why don't they make them like they used to?)!

I, like most of the British public, thought the guy was a right pompus weirdo when the auditions were aired on ITV! But, it just goes to show how editing can manipulate people's perceptions on TV, as when it came to the live shows, he has shown that he seems a pretty down to earth, humble, gentleman.

He genuinely seems a bit strange, but also thrilled to be given the chance to be on the show...and he's taken that with both hands and not let go!

Every week he suprises with something new...nothing mre suprising than when they went back to his school to reveal he was apparently, quite the rugby player! A large crash ball centre of the Scott Gibbs mould!

Anyway, good luck for Saturday, he certainly gets my vote and I wanted to put this video of him singing the Simon and Garfunkel classic, 'Bridge Over Troubled Water' which I got goose bumps listening to!

Enjoy!

Pic Of The Week!

We thought we'd keep the Christmas theme going (can't you tell yet...I love it!) with another Christmas card funny for this weeks Pic of the Week.

So enjoy this...it puts a whole new spin on "The Snowman", it's the Quentin Tarantino edition!

Mari Lwyd Troup

Thursday and Friday next week, 20th - 21st December, a strange being will be out and about in the Upper Swansea Valley.

The Mari Lwyd Troup will be out doing their thing, following on the tradition from last years Christmas festivities.

The event was filmed by The Sleeping Giant Foundation last year and here's the video to give you an insight at what the group get up to and what the story is all about.

If you'd like more information you can contact the Sleeping Giant Foundation on 01639 731062

Santa's Rolling Into Town

This Thursday, 20th December, Santa will be coming to town to visit all the boys and girls!

Following the good work by Maesydderwen School, Santa has beeb able to get to Quids In by Thursday and take some last minute requests from all the boys and girls!

EVENT!

Christmas Concert

‘Jack Frost’

18th Dec

Penrhos Club

18th December 2007

1.30pm & 6.00pm

SCHOOL HELP SANTAS TRANSPORT PROBLEM

Staff and pupils of Maesydderwen School have rescued the annual Santa’s
Parade by creating a new sleigh that could be used throughout the community over Christmas.
The schools D & T department came up with design and young people were fully involved in the project.

Pictured left to right: Michael Preece (youth worker), Darian Evans, Nicholas Evans and Nathan Fairminer (pupils), with Mathew Burrows D & T department.

The sleigh and Santa will be out and about over the next few weeks in areas up the Swansea Valley.

Thomas Addey of Communities First was the first to acknowledge the excellent
Work, “We normally have to hire the sleigh from neighbouring authorities so with the help of the school we now have a sleigh ready for full use in the area throughout the Christmas period. Communities First would like to thank the school , Quids In and Glantawe Carpets for their contribution to the project.”

The Santa Parade will end up in Quids In on Thursday 20th where Santa will be in his grotto between 4.30 and 6.00.
The sleigh is available on certain days and nights next week if anybody is interested in using the sleigh please contact Communities First on 01639 845051

Event!

The Christmas events just keep coming!

Tomorrow, December 14th, Ystradgynlais Volunteer Centre will be hosting a Christmas Coffee Morning Sales event.

The event will run from 10 am until 3 pm, so if your out and about in Ystrad tomorrow, why not pop in and have a look at what's on offer.

For more information, call 01639 844219 or visit the website by clicking the link on the right of the screen.

Snap-Shot - Tales of the Teens: Part 3

The final part of the summer project, Snap-Shot: Tales of the Teens.

Again I just want to thank everyone involved on this project, it really was great fun and myself and Caroline are looking forward to the next project!

If anyone would like a copy of the DVD, get in touch and we'll sort something out!

HE'S BEHIND BEHIND YOU!

Christmas time is all about tradition! Christmas carols, eating too much turkey, giving and receiving presents and PANTO!

Up and down the country, men are dressing up as women, the big TV stars are making fools of themselves on local stages and our little area is no different!

Tomorrow, 13th December and Friday 14th December Martyn a’r Pws Mewn Bwts, a Welsh Panto will be showing twice on both day's in Ystrad Welfare Hall.

The shows will start at 10.00 am and 1.00 pm, with tickets priced at £5.

For more information click on the Welfare link on the right of the blog and go to their 'Live' section. Or you can do it the old fashioned way and give them a ring on 01639 843163.

Carol Service

The festive season is most definately upon us and it wouldn't be Christmas without a Christmas Carol Service!

Tomorrow, Maesydderwen School will be holding their annual Christmas Carol Service in the hall at 1.45 pm.

For more information, you can contact the school on 01639 842115 or visit their website at http://www.maesydderwen-hs.powys.sch.uk/

Snap Shot - Tales of the Teens: Part 2

Here's part 2 of the summer youth project.

Enjoy!

Please feel free to leave your comments

Snap-Shot - Tales of the Teens: Part 1

As promised, here is the first part of the Snap-Shot - "Tales of the Teens" video produced by a group of teenagers of the area last summer.

Enjoy and please feel free to leave your feedback in the comments section.

Snap-Shot - The Videos

As promised last week, YTV proudly brings the videos produced by the teenagers of our area this week!

t was a great achievment from all thse involved bringing a measly idea from myself and fellow YTV'er Caroline to a reality. The ideas the teens came up with were brilliant and showed the talent that is in our great area! Forget Britains Got Talent, the Swansea Valley's have got talent (now there's an idea for a future blog!).

The first video we will be showing is only just over a minute long, but it was the first attempt at film making. The idea of the film, I felt was great and original and was a great start to a project.

Anyway, enjoy and please feel free to leave your comments!

Ystradgynlais Christmas Lights Official Switch On

Tonight the illuminations of Ystradgynlais were officially switched on and with it officially began Christmas!

It's only 2 weeks (unbelievably!) until the big day and the partnership of the Town Council and Commnities First Ystradgynlais were out for the big switch on at the Town Centre.

Both the Town Council and Communities First Ystradgynlais would like to wish everyone a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!

Pictured from left to right: Cllr Peter Gunn, Pat Davies (Communities First), Cllr John Steadman (Vice Chair Ystradgynlais Town Council), Caroline Bull (Chair Communities First) and Emily Davies.

Joe Calzaghe...Deserved Winner!

Last night was the annual BBC Sports Personality of the Year. Every year the award goes to the most deserving sports person of that particular year, but not always is this the case.

The event has, in the past caused controversy with it's selected winners and also has lost it's appeal over the years to many. However, last night I think the programme redeemed itself by picking, in my eyes, the only worthy winner, Wales' very own, Joe Calzaghe.

Many, including myself, thought this years winner would be F1's Lewis Hamilton, who has done a fair bit for the sport despite not winning anything. And it is that exact reason why he should not have won last night and the right decision made. Lewis Hamilton will win it in the future, this is a certainty and he will be world champion, but at this moment in time, Joe Calzaghe has pretty much done it all!

The man is undefeated in 43 fights, has been a World Champion for 10 years and is due to retire, he says, next year. He is Britain and Wales' most successful champions of this era and often goes un-noticed, so this is why I am so glad his achievements have been recognised!

Well done and I hope he does get his super fight against Bernard Hopkins next year, it's the only good boxing match to look forward to now!

Video Of The Week

Just like the Pic of the Week column, it's been a while since the Video of the Week! As usual I've been scouring the best videos YouTube has to offer, but I've also been sent a couple this week, some by email and some by mobile phone.

This weeks video arrived in my emails this week and for about 30 seconds I was wondering just what was going on, then the climax of the video happened and it did make me giggle.

Anyway, here it is for all of you to enjoy!

"Pretty Boy" vs "The Hitman"

(Warning: video contains violent images of boxing fights)

After months of bad mouthing and promotion, tonight at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas, sees one of the most anticipated boxing fights of the year, Britains Ricky "The Hitman" Hatton take on Floyd "Pretty Boy" Mayweather.

I wasn't that fussed on the fight for a long time, but after watching the coverage on Sky Sports (it's been very hard not to!) I am now settling in for a night in.
I've purchased the fight on Box Office and have got my refreshments on chill in the fridge and I really cannot wait for this fight!

It's very rare for a fight to grab my attention like this! Yes I do like a good boxing match, but only Lennox Lewis and Joe Calzaghe (a legend in my view and who gets my vote for tomorrows BBC Sports Personality Award) have ever got my attention as much as this fight!

Anyway, I found this promotional video on YouTube for the fight and thought I'd put it on here for all wainting to watch or see how "The Hitman" gets on.

I'm going to be controversial now and predict a winner and I'm sorry to say I do think Mayweather will be triumpant. I hope I'm wrong, but I think he'll win either by the fight being stopped in the latter rounds (10th-12th) or win it on points.

The weigh in definately showed Hatton as the man who seems to be more fired up for this, but I just think Hatton, in every fight he's been in, he always looks like he's been in a fight at the end.

I don't think Mayweather will kock him out, I just think Hatton cuts too easily and the Vegas ref may stop it early!

Like I said, I hope I'm wrong!

Pic Of The Week!

It's been a fair while since the last Pic of the Week! But with the festive season upon us, the funny Christmas cards and emails are doing the rounds.

This week I received an email full of such Christmas card funnies, some a little too rude to show on the blog, but here's an amusing pic to show as this weeks Pic of the Week!

Enjoy!

Ystradgynlais Christmas Lights Switch On

This Monday, 10th December will see the official switching on of the Christmas Lights in Ystrad town centre (Quids In).

At 5.00 pm, Vice Chair for Ystradgynlais Town Council, John Steadman and Chair for Communities First Ystradgynlais, Caroline Bull will officially switch on the illuminations of Ystrad and get the festive season truly underway.

And what Christmas festivities would be complete without the playing of a band, with Ystradgynlais Band playing some of our favourite Christmas carols.

There will also be light refreshments afterwards and a warm welcome is extended to everybody wishing to attend.

YstradTV's Summer Project - Snap-Shot

During the summer, myself and fellow YTV'er Caroline, ran, in partnership with Penrhos Youth Club, Maesydderwen School and supported by Communities First a youth filming project, "Snap-Shot".

The project began way before the holiday season began, with myself and Caroline recruiting pupils from Maesydderwen School, who would be interested in a filming project to be held in Penrhos Youth Club.

To our utter amazement, the response we received was huge! But due to holiday commitments not recognised by the pupils and various other factors, the numbers were whittled down to the magic number 7!

The project began in August and ran for 4 weeks, with the teenagers making short films about various topical issues such as Healthy Living, The Environment, Bullying, Binge Drinking and Stereotypes.

Next week, right here on the blog, we will be showing installments of the Snap-Shot video produced, entitled "Tales of the Teens", which was viewed last week by special guests of Communities First and was very well received.

We have received great news since the completion of this film, in that we have received funding to do such projects again in the new year, which we openly invite all members of the community to take part in.

We will be posting more information regarding future projects in due course, but for now, well starting next week, enjoy the installments of "Snap-Shot - Tales of the Teens".

The first installment will show a short film produced by one of the film makers, during the practice sessions, getting used to the filming and editing process.

So enjoy on Monday and please leave your comments as all feedback is gratefully received!

Finally a big thank you to all involved in making the project a reality and to the teenagers involved in the project. It was great to see some genuine talent and myself and Caroline look forward to the next project!

New Website!

The festive season is upon us! In the words of Noddy Holder:

"Iiiiiiit's Chrriiiiiiiiisssstmaaaas!"

I for one luvs it! Finishing work early, then enjoying the annual night out on Christmas Eve, before waking up before the birds (yes I still do!) and the giving and receiving of gifts before tucking into the turkey!

Well the Christmas Eve night out is an tradition supported by the players of Ystrad RFC. Every year, the boys dress up in what has become a competitive annual outing!

Ever wondered why you've seen the X Men or a bunch mexicans or half the cast from Little Britain or Ronald McDonald or even a flippin Umpa Lumpa!? Well, it was in fact, the Ystrad rugby boys and now there's a whoe website dedicated to the annual traditional outing!

The site contains photo's from years gone by and the guestbook, where you can join in with the banter!

So check it out at: http://www.freewebs.com/ystradboysxmaseve/index.htm