Spring Fayre

Don't forget Spring Fayre on Saturday 10th May

This event is not only a fundraiser but is most importantly a community event. It is our chance to use the land at the side of the church which was ground forced by the community. It will hopefully be a nice afternoon out for people in the community and so the main aim is too see people coming together to enjoy! If we can raise money that has got to be a huge bonus!

Activities include:- stalls, raffle, bouncy castle, face painting, Indian head massage, lucky dips, bar-be-que and refreshments.
Games include:- hook a duck, tombola, treasure hunt, Roll a tuppence and don't forget 'throw a sponge at the vicar!'

There are still a few stalls needing to be manned so please get in touch if you can help. Otherwise I will hopefully see you all there on 10th May!

What's hgappened to the Bloggs?!

It seems a long time since I last put anything on Parish Ponderings - and yet there is much to be pondered. Why not read our Newsletter which I have just uploaded to our web page.

Current Courses at the ARC

Monday
9:30 – 12:00 Internet & Email (28.1.08) Powerpoint (14.4.08) 8 week accredited courses.
9:30 – 11:30 English for Speakers of other languages (ESOL) continuous blocks of 10 week sessions.
5:30 - 8:00 Design Elements of Web (14.1.08) 2D Animation (28.4.08) 8 week accredited courses.

Tuesday
9:30 – 12:00 Selling on line (19.2.08) 8 week accredited course.
12:30 -3:00 Internet and email (29.1.08) First steps to family history (date TBC) 8 week accredited courses.
5:30 – 8:00 Back up and Burn (22.1.08) Use your pc effectively (22.4.08)
9:30 – 11:30 English for speakers of other languages (ESOL) continuous blocks of 10 week sessions.
6:00 – 7:30 Tai Chi (continuous)

Wednesday
9:30 – 2:00 IT for ESOL students (2.4.08) 5 week course
1:30 – 4:00 PC surgery (continuous) FREE pc repair/upgrades/installations etc

Thursday
9:30 – 12:00 Intro to powerpoint (31.108) 8 week accredited course.
12:30 – 3:00 Word & File Management (21.2.08) Digital Camera (Date TBC) 8 week accredited course.

Internet and Email 8 week course to learn how to find things on the internet, to satisfy your curiosity or to save money, and use email fully. Include material from the internet in your word documents and send documents attachments to your email. Use the internet to shop or book holidays. Two classes starting on Monday 14th January (9:30 – 12:00) and Tuesday 22nd January (12:30 – 3:00) in the Action Resource Centre (ARC) 45 Broughton Avenue, Portmead.

Personnel module of the HE certificate of Business Studies 7 weeks course commencing 11th January 9:30 – 12:30 at the Action Resource Centre, 45 Broughton Avenue, Portmead. This FREE module provides an introductory study of personnel management matters that affect the way in which organizations operate. It offers basic insight into areas students will need to appreciate with regards to a business environment, although they may not always be directly involved. It will illustrate how personnel and employment matters impact on the operating environment of individuals within business.

ESOL – English for Speakers of other languages – come along to the Action Resource Centre (ARC) to learn how to speak and write English, learn grammar and citizenship FREE for all those who don’t have English as their first language. Monday, Tuesday and Thursday mornings from 14th January 08.

PC Surgery – A FREE service for all who are having computer problems, whether it is hardware, software, anti virus problems and much, much more. Every Wednesday 1:30 – 4:30 at the Action Resource Centre, 45 Broughton Avenue with our system support technicians and trained volunteers.

Pre GCSE Maths and English available to all adults to brush up on Maths and Literacy. It is FREE and is great if you want to help your children with homework, brush up on skills you have forgotten since you left school, ideal for gaining more skills to find a job. Every Monday 1:00 – 3;00 at the Action Resource Centre, 45 Broughton Avenue, Portmead from January 14th 08.

Back up and Burn is an 8 week course available at the Action Resource Centre, 45 Broughton Avenue, Portmead. Come along and learn how to put your text, photos, music and video to disc. How to store all your important information safely. Commencing 22 January at 5:30 – 8:00 p.m.
Café ARC is a lovely community café, situated in the heart of the Portmead community on Broughton Avenue, which provides a wide range of tasty food including healthy options, breakfasts, baguettes, snacks, hot and cold drinks plus a delivery service and buffet service available. Call in for cuppa and find out more. Open Monday – Friday 9:30 – 3;00. Volunteering opportunities available.

This year faith and Light have been challenged to pack 200 shoeboxes for the samaritans purse shoebox appeal. If anyone has any shoeboxes (or items to go in them) please give them to Jean or Anne. Each shoebox will be filled with soap and flannel, toothpaste and toothbrush, hat, gloves and scarf, pens pencils and paper, sweets and toys. The shoeboxes are delivered to children all over the world who otherwise would not recieve anything at Christmas.
We are lucky this year to have storage for the shoeboxes, so we can start collecting earlier then usual.

Faith and Light

Faith and Light is an International Christian (all faiths )organisation for people with learning disabilities their family and friends.

We meet on the second Sunday of each month at 2.30 pm in the church for a time of sharing, prayer, singing, mime and craft.
We also have a lot of activities throughout the year on the 21st of July we are off to Pembrey Country Park and on the 22nd of August we go to Oxwich Bay, both these events end in a BBQ.

September we have a celebration weekend this year it is at Hebron Hall in Dinas Powys.

On the 12th December we go to the Barn Inn in Morriston for a Christmas Celebration Dinner.

There will be a full new programme of events for 2008.

We would like to invite anyone with a learning disability their carers or friends to any of the events or to join us in October for our Autumn meeting at 2.30 pm.

Green Fingers at the Drop In Centre, Blaenymaes

Green Fingers is based at the New Drop In Centre, Blaen y Maes.

Our aim is to teach local people how to grow plants and vegatables, also raise awareness of enviromental issues.
We have a large poly tunnel, raised beds and an area ready to cultivate. We are seeking volunteers to help in the garden, fund raise and join our committee.

Any interested parties please contact Sharon on 580905 or e-mail shazrodda@hotmail.co.uk


Thanks very much

Sharon