Free bikes make pupils smile
PUPILS at an Ammanford primary school have been given free bicycles.
Ysgol Tycroes pupils were handed the bikes by Llanelli MS Lee Waters, who is also the Welsh Government’s deputy minister for climate change.
Ysgol Gynradd Tycroes approached Lee Waters MS, hoping to set up cycle clubs and help pupils to feel confident riding a bike. However, the school had no bikes of their own for the children to use.
Mr Waters managed to successfully arrange for the school to receive the donation of free bikes from Newportbased donation and repair scheme Free Bikes 4 Kids.
Mr Waters said: “Mike Jones at Free Bikes 4 Kids runs a fantastic scheme, repairing bikes and then giving them to those who need them completely free of charge.
“He did not hesitate to make the donation when he heard about Tycroes school.
“We were lucky as well to be assisted by Phil Snaith of the Carmarthenshire Cycle Forum and Teresa Ciano of Dyfed-powys Police, who transported the bikes from Newport to Tycroes.”
As well as Mr Snaith and Mrs Ciano, Mr Waters was joined by Tycroes county councillor Tina Higgins on a visit to the school, where the children were able to show off their new bikes.
Speaking about the bike donation after his visit, Mr Waters said: “It is fantastic that these bikes have been given a new lease of life and are putting a smile on children’s faces.
“Free Bikes 4 Kids are doing some fantastic work and in making sure bikes do not just end up in landfill.”
The school’s deputy headteacher Matthew Stonham said: “The children are so pleased to have the bikes that have been provided.
“It is such an excellent idea, and we are extremely grateful to Mr Waters and Free Bikes 4 Kids for choosing our school to receive the wonderful array of bikes. The children loved seeing Lee alongside the Go Safe Team.”
He added: “It is certainly an experience that will stay with them for a long time.”
Councillor Tina Higgins said: “It was lovely to see the children enjoying themselves riding the bikes in the schoolyard.
“I would also like to thank Mike
Jones for repairing the bikes and for his generosity in donating them to the school.”
Any schools in the area or organisations which work with children that want more information on Free Bikes 4 Kids and to discuss the possibility of a donation can contact Lee Waters via email on Lee. Waters@senedd.wales or by calling 01554 774 902.
Tuesday will be Mr Malcolm James, of Lon Ger y Coed, Pontaman, Ammanford. A big year for Malcolm, who celebrated a 50th (golden) wedding anniversary alongside his wife Irene on January 29. Pantyffynnon Ward Action Group has now restarted their monthly table-top and craft sales at the Pensioners’ Hall, Ammanford; they are held on the first Saturday of each month, set up from 9am; please message Paula on 07917 1632421 to book a table or for more details.
Ammanford Pensioners’ Group is now able to meet on a regular basis, and has resumed its regular gatherings; the branch meets between 1pm and 3pm at the Pensioners’ Hall every Wednesday. Entry is £1.50, which includes tea/ coffee, biscuits and a raffle ticket. Old and new members all welcome.
Cylch Cinio Cymraeg Rhydaman a’r Cylch Bydd y gyfarfod nesaf yn y Llew Coch, Llandybie, Nos Iau, Ebrill 7, am 6.30 erbyn 7 o’r gloch, pan y bydd aelodau Cylch Cinio Tybie yn uno â ni. Disgwylir i Alun Wyn Bevan, Creigiau, fod yn brif westai. Am manylion pellach, cysylltwch â’r ysgrifennydd Elfryn Thomas (01269 593679), ebost elfryn.thomas@btinternet.com
60 not out! Celebrating his 60th birthday last week was Mr David Rees, of Heol Ddu, Ammanford (Dai, of “Aman Catering Equipment); happy birthday, Dai!
Tirydail WI is looking for new members. We meet on the first Tuesday of the month at St Thomas Hall in Pontaman. If you would like to come along for a chat, have fun and make new friends, please call Jan on 01269 594935. Bereavements Our deepest sympathy is expressed to all the family following the sad recent passing away of Ammanford lady Rachel (Ray) Evans, of Villiers Road, peacefully at Cartref Annwyl Fan, Betws. Ray was the widow of the late Ieuan, a loving mother of Ann and her husband Rick, devoted mamgu and great-grandmother to her grandchildren. Condolences are also conveyed to the bereaved family of Mrs Hazel Maher, of Ty Dyffryn, Ammanford, formerly of Treforis and Glanafon, Betws, who died peacefully at Llanelli Hospital on March 8. The widow of the late Phil Maher, Hazel was a loving mother of Wendy, Susan, Cathy, Philip, Peter and David and a proud grandmother and great-gran. Another Betws resident, Mr Alun Jones, sadly passed away on March 10 at his home in Treforis; Alun was the loving son of the late Roma and Edgar, a dear brother of Anne, John, Jacqueline, Gillian and Roger. Sympathy to you all as a family on your sad loss.
Well done to Ammanford AFC on being named Community Sports Club of the Year at the Carmarthenshire Actif Sports Awards. The club received the award at a special awards ceremony at Ffwrnes Theatre, in this, the 22nd year of the awards. 25 Cwmamman Road, Ammanford. byronevans1@hotmail.com
Happy retirement Very best wishes to Mrs Andrea Thomas, of Heol Aman, Glanaman, following her retirement last week. Cydymdeimlad Trist mawr oedd glywed am farwolaeth un o drigolion uchel ei barch y Cwm, sef Mr Rosser Hywel Davies, Heol Ffoland, Glanaman, yn ddiweddar. ‘Roedd Hywel yn gynt yn drefnwr angladdau yn yr ardal, ac ‘roedd yn 79 mlwydd oed. Bu farw, yn dawel, ar Chwefror 26 yn Ysbyty Glangwili yng Nghaerfyrddin. Cydymdeimlwn yn ddwfn ac yn ddifuant â’i briod annwyl Mair, eu merch Helen a’i chymar Perry ar eu colled mawr ac ar eu profedigaeth trist. Bu’r angladd ar Ddydd Sadwrn, Mawrth 19, yn Amlosgfa Llanelli.
Cwmamman Senior Citizens The branch will next meet tomorrow at the Community Centre, High Street, Glanaman, commencing at 2pm. New members are always welcome.
Knit & Natter A regular session is held at the Community Centre, Glanaman, every Wednesday between 1pm and 2.30pm, when you can meet up for a chat, knit and crochet, swap wool, yarn, etc, and teach others; why not come along and give it a try and make some new friends?
Bowls open day Cwmamman Bowls Club will be hosting an open day on Saturday, April 9, between 11am and 4pm; regardless of your age, sex or physical ability, why not come along for a fun day of free play and refreshments? Bowls is a sport that takes just seconds to learn,and the rest of your career to master! Contact Mike or Julie on 01269 268918 for any further information. Shadows Depression Support Group is there for you if you are struggling at the moment. If you are suffering from anxiety or depression, you can access Shadows on Twitter or Facebook. Alternatively, contact Louise (07587 709899) or Jennifer (07543 741788).
Bethel Newydd, Garnant Dydd Sul: Mrs Sian Lewis, Garnswllt (yn yr hwyr).
Celebrations! Celebrating his 70th birthday on
Tuesday will be Mr Malcolm James, of Lon Ger y Coed, Pontamman. A big year for Malcolm, brought up at Maesyrhendre, Garnant, who celebrated a 50th (golden) wedding anniversary alongside his wife Irene on January 29. Irene and Malcolm formerly lived at Ceidrim Road, Glanaman.
Well done! Well done to Amman United RFC’S under-14s for reaching the final of the Carmarthenshire Plate competition following an excellent 40-0 win against Carmarthen Quins on March 20 in the semi-final. We wish them good luck in the final, to be played in Llandeilo on Sunday, April 10; amdani, bois bach! Penblwydd hapus, Dai! Celebrating his 60th birthday on March 19 was former Garnant resident David Rees, of Heol Ddu, Ammanford, formerly of Cwmamman Road (Dai, of Aman Catering Equipment); penblwydd hapus!