Cwmbran Life

16/02/2025

Well done to all the runners who took part in the Pontypool 10k Home Run today to raise money for St David’s Hospice Care :-)

16/02/2025

G is my favourite row at the Congress Theatre. Not too close, not too far. Perfect.

Last Monday week I sat in what I would call row A+++++. I accepted an invite from the Congress Youth Theatre to watch their rehearsals for their upcoming show, ‘All Shook Up’, a fun-filled musical featuring the songs of Elvis Presley.

My ‘seat’ wasn’t in the main theatre, but in the bar area where several times a week around 30 young people aged from 14-19 are spending so much time getting ready for the four-night run starting on Wednesday 12 March and with the last show on Saturday 15 March.

This crowd-pleasing musical is inspired by and featuring the songs of Elvis Presley.

Across the floor were numbered markings on tape to help the cast get their spots right as they sing, dance, walk and sometimes run to different positions. My spot saw my feet inches away from the tape where at various times the cast were (I always use this word carefully) literally ‘in my face’.

On the left of me was Wayne Beecham, musical director, on the piano. The cast will be supported by Wayne and a further nine musicians. It’s a huge investment to give these young people an incredible West End experience of performing with this level of professionalism. No pre-recorded backing tracks. Top-class musicians will bring heir skills to this stage in Cwmbran.

In the middle was Rachel Hamilton, show director. Throughout the session, her role was a mix of watching, listening, pointing, suggesting, changing, talking, applauding, and just encouraging the cast during each set.

On the right of me was the stage manager, who didn’t stop updating the hundreds of pages of notes in front of her with new stage movements, how the set would change while listening to instructions from Rachel at the same as running on and off the ‘stage’ to show and tell cast members how to arrive and leave the stage- it was a masterclass in multi-tasking.

Wayne told me rehearsals are a “work in progress” because until you have the number of people moving around the space, you're not sure how things will work out- so working with Rachel and the stage manager, each scene is improved and changed with every session.

She told me: “It’s a dynamic show, lot of energy, lot of pace. They [the young cast] are loving it. There is a little bit of twist in that people might see, we’ve set it local, when it’s actually set in mid-America so it’s a bit more recognisable.

“It’s going to have a good vibe to it. I think people need cheering up. It’s live music, so much is done with backing tapes now. These kids are singing, they are acting, they are dancing, all three disciplines.

“These are local kids. Young people don’t have a great image but these kids are disciplined. They turn up, they work really hard. They put their time into it as well as everything that they’ve got to do in school. And it’s also a mobile phone-free zone so there is the social aspect as well.”

Wayne said: “We’ll have a live ten-piece band. Once all that comes together and we’ve had a couple of run-throughs together it’ll be absolutely electric I think.”

Rachel told me that the Congress Youth Theatre was set up 32 years ago to help local young people “who would not ordinarily go on stage”. I’ve been lucky enough to see at least half a dozen shows over the years. Every performance has seen me leave the auditorium and walk down the stairs with a smile..

I’m a people watcher and love loitering in the foyer and watching cast members come from backstage to meet their mates and relatives. You can see first-hand what they get from doing what they love and the many added benefits it brings to their lives.

Pop in the comments to see the link and get your tickets :-) See you there!

15/02/2025

Cwmbran kickboxing siblings: ‘I love the friendships I’ve made and the fitness’

Join Ella Simmonds on her kickboxing journey. Discover how she fell in love with kickboxing at the age of seven.

15/02/2025

A blue badge has been found in a car park in Cwmbran town centre. The owner’s name is Mrs Palmer and it was issued by Caerphilly County Borough Council.

15/02/2025

The outdoor market is in town today

15/02/2025

Sweets are food but this sign in the Range did make me smile for some reason.

14/02/2025

A golden bracelet was most in Cwmbran on Monday. Please keep your eyes peeled.

14/02/2025

👶A mum has asked if there are any nurseries/child minders in Torfaen that accommodate shift working hours (a different day each week).”

14/02/2025

Stuart Keyte, Reform UK, has won today’s by-election for the Trevethin & Penygarn ward.

The result was announced at around 11.30pm following the count in a meeting room at Pontypool’s civic centre.

He becomes the first Reform UK county councillor to be elected for the party- with other representatives in Wales defecting to the party.

Following the result he told Cwmbran Life it feels “frightening” to have won.

“I was probably more frightened about winning than losing. It’s a massive responsibility that I’ve been given by the residents of Trevethin & Penygarn. Their trust in choosing myself as councillor weighs very, very heavy on me and I intend to give it 100 per cent and do the best I can for Trevethin & Penygarn and the people of Pontypool."

The full result:

Green Party: Tony Clark- 25
Independent: Catherine Ann Howells- 117
Independent: Louise Shepphard- 114
Labour: Toniann Phillips- 259
Reform UK: Stuart Keyte- 457

The second councillor representing the ward is Labour’s Jon Horlor. The by-election was held following the resignation of Sue Malson, Labour.

13/02/2025

Stephen Senior, Conservative, has won today’s by-election for the New Inn Upper ward of Pontypool Community Council.

He had 225 votes and Labour’s Sarah Evans had 166 votes.

Mr Senior, who is also deputy chair of Torfaen Conservatives, told Cwmbran Life following the result: “We are pleased. It was previously a Labour seat so we’ve won it back for the Conservatives. A good vote, and for a by-election, a good turnout.

“And really appreciate the fact that it was a contest because lots of these community councils seats are uncontested so appreciate that Sarah stood and delighted to have won.

"I'm very grateful to all those who voted for me."

Votes for the Trevethin and Penygarn Ward county council by-election are still being counted.

13/02/2025

🧑🏻‍🍼 Looks like For Dads By Dads' latest programme is going well :-)

13/02/2025

🦈 A page from Cwmbran's Checkpoint magazine Christmas 1980 editing showing a fun quiz and some crackin' films on in Scene 1-2-3

13/02/2025

Croesyceiliog RFC under 11s are looking for new players. Unders 11s are in year six at school :-) The club says its a "great family club with qualified coaches and a fun environment."
☎️ Contact numbers below

13/02/2025

A walker found a bank card for Mr RO Birden and has contacted the bank who have cancelled it. They just wanted him to know.

13/02/2025

Only a few tickets are left to enjoy an evening of live entertainment with singer Rhys Watkins in Coffi Kitoko in the town centre. He's performing on Saturday 15 Feb.

13/02/2025

A town centre venue is hosting a comedy night with a Cwmbran-based comedian. Paul Carpenter is appearing at Maggie’s Cafe and Bar on Monmouth Walk on Saturday 22 February from 8.30pm.

He’s done comedy for many years and recently he’s been appearing on some open-mic spots around the area.

In August 2023, he was a contestant in a talent show at the White Hut community hall. The pic is a screengrab of the review on Cwmbran Life.

In a post about the gig, Paul said: “Come join us for some old fashioned old school style comedy and general silliness to make you smile. Let's bring smiles back to world.”

13/02/2025

Love Lily Rose Boutique is a local small business that's had to start its social media page again from scratch after losing their original page with 1000s of followers. They sell clothes for women and children, toys, beauty items, and gifts. Please check it and out and give them a follow :-)

12/02/2025

Officers have arrested a man on suspicion of criminal damage after windows were smashed at a number of shops in Cwmbran town centre.

Neighbourhood officers in Cwmbran have identified and arrested a 38-year-old Cwmbran man they suspect to be responsible for the "mindless vandalism" that resulted in numerous shopfronts being damaged earlier this week.

At around 2.45am on Monday 10 February, we received reports that windows had been smashed at a number of shops in Cwmbran town centre.

Officers arrived quickly on the scene to carry out searches. The team also made a number of enquiries and engaged with local retailers, analysed CCTV footage and took statements from those working in the area.

Inspector Lee Stachow said: "This appears to be an isolated incident of mindless vandalism, one which has had a negative effect on several businesses, workers and visitors in Cwmbran.

"Since the reports, our neighbourhood team has worked tirelessly to liaise with all workers and visitors to the town centre, both to get to the bottom of the incident, and reassure people we're doing all we can to identify the person(s) responsible.

"After reviewing CCTV material and making enquiries, we've now arrested a 38-year-old man from Cwmbran on suspicion of criminal damage.

"We'll continue to carry out additional patrols in the area and work with our partners to do all we can to tackle criminal damage and anti-social behaviour in town."