Volunteers aim to bring festive cheer to village
A GROUP of selfless volunteers is hoping to save Christmas for people in a Cynon Valley village.
The Abercynon Community Action Group has been set up to ensure people in the area can celebrate the festive season together.
They are hoping to organise a big Christmas carol event for the first week in December, as well as erecting a tree next to the Cenotaph with personalised family baubles, so the “people of the community can all come together”.
The group, formed of six volunteers, is now looking for help from Abercynon residents, including donations and aiding the logistics of the event.
Rhondda Cynon Taf council puts up lights and organises events around the borough each year, including in nearby Aberdare and Mountain Ash, but college teacher Sian Morgan, the brains behind the project, said she could not remember the last time public Christmas celebrations were held in Abercynon
She said: “There was a Christmas tree put up years ago, but then nothing done with it, and there was another one put up later by schools, but they stopped doing that too.
“I love the idea of Abercynon being a close-knit community like it used to be. Nowadays people celebrating Christmas keep it in their little groups.
“But we want to mix everyone together – old and young, new residents and old residents, all together for a celebration.”
Mum-of-two Sian, who was also involved in efforts to reopen the Abercynon War Memorial Paddling Pool in 2015, said feedback so far has been “very positive”, adding: “I think everybody wants a Christmas event here but nobody knows how to go about it.
“I have had lots of people who have said they will support us.
“Not everybody can give money but they are giving what they can, which is fantastic.”
The group is now working with residents in the village as well as the two local schools and councillors.
“In terms of the main event, they are aiming to get a male and female choir to sing on the day, as well as a choir from one of the local schools.
They are also hoping to tempt former Welsh rugby international, Abercynon-born Rhys Thomas back home to take part in the event.
It’s also hoped the PTA from local schools will sell refreshments, Sian said, with pupils making decorations to go around the Cenotaph.
She added: “We are raising awareness and funds by going door to door and getting people to donate.
“If they donate it means they will want to come and they will be aware of it, and more likely to look after it too.”
Anyone who would like to help out can call Sian on 07903 821 856.