Think Rural, Think Links, Think Sustainability Project

Below is a link to a survey being carried out by NPTCBC's Rural Development Plan funded project "Think Rural, Think Links, Think Sustainability" project.

This project will consist of carrying out a community audit of all the rural wards in Neath Port Talbot. Neath Port Talbot Local Action Group were successful in gaining funding from the Rural Development Plan for Wales to carry out this project.

The needs audit will look at basic services, community transport, health care, job opportunities and tourism. The project will account for current services and to identify gaps in provision which will then inform a report to support future need. The results will be publicised and will include an action plan to address issues facing the rural wards of Neath Port Talbot.

The link is http://bit.ly/ThinkRural

Sustainable Communities

Below is a transcript of a presentation given by Dean Cawsey at the 2012 Plaid Cymru Autumn Conference as part of a panel discussion on Sustainable Communities organised and chaired by Oxfam Cymru:


There is a famous quote by American Anthropologist Margaret Mead which says that we should never underestimate the ability of a small yet committed group of individuals to change the world; indeed, it’s the only thing that ever has.

This simple idea, that it is people who change the world, neatly sums up my belief that sustainable development is community development. Working with Oxfam Cymru, we are currently developing a project that aims to build sustainable communities by improving people’s livelihoods. This work includes supporting communities to make the most of their existing strengths and skills, and social and human capital in order to improve their lives and tackle individual disadvantage.

However, whilst it is important that communities manufacture resilience by building intra and extra community links and exploiting their non-monetary assets, it is equally important to move beyond temporary amelioration to true sustainable development that includes the creation of jobs and economic regeneration.

It is important to deliver real change in communities by developing projects which unite policy and practice, which combine implementation with ideology. Through practical concrete action we must promote philosophical concepts that need to be counter-hegemonic and provide an alternative to the individualism, consumerism and neo-liberalism that is leaving society culturally and intellectually bankrupt.

The central component to this alternative ideology is the idea of good work and the provision of good jobs. In this context, and in the context of sustainable communities, good work is work that pays well, offers training opportunities, is safe, includes pension contributions and a chance to progress. In my opinion, the real alternative to market-driven profit economies is good work delivered through common ownership, not via nationalisation per se (although this has a part to play) but through the growth of the social economy and social enterprises such as cooperatives, charities, industrial and provident societies, and companies limited by guarantee.

In practical terms, the community development I have been involved in is actually community organising - bringing people together and supporting them to tackle problems that matter to them. And it is directly out of this organising that organisations such as social enterprises grow. I am involved in two such organisations in the valley where I live, one as employee and another as volunteer Chairman, and between them they not only provide services, such as a crèche, cafe, market garden and community transport, but they also create almost 60 good jobs in an area where 60 jobs make up a substantial part of the local labour market. In addition, they act as unions of the community, a community where not everyone works and those that do, work in a multitude of different places, industries and sectors.

This approach, and the work we do with Oxfam, has a duel purpose whereby the creation of employment and a micro economic model with local trading patterns not only buffers against global economic shifts but also fosters an alternative hegemony which promotes values of collective human well-being, community and reciprocity.

If we are serious about building sustainable communities, if we are serious about sustainable development, then we must be serious about supporting this nascent form of economic development which sees the growth of community led, community based, and community owned social enterprises that create jobs, provide services and offer people an alternative worldview. In this respect, community development is, indeed, sustainable development.

Communities First – Futures; The future?

As we approach the ‘official’ end of Communities First as we know it, and enter the transition to a new version of the programme, we felt it timely to reflect on what we think has been the most important things during the past decade and update everyone on the current situation.

During August last year the Welsh Government released proposals to change Communities First, the main points being fewer, bigger areas to be known as clusters and a reduction in the number of organisations which directly receive funding to employ staff and run projects. In addition, there were also a suggested number of posts across a cluster and target population of around 10-15,000 residents.

Since then, the Welsh Government has held several consultations and meetings with key stakeholders from existing Communities First areas, but broadly speaking little has changed from their original ideas set out above. Locally, we have had to come to terms with the fact that change is likely, and we have sought to take a lead on proceedings by developing links with other areas that may form a potential cluster footprint – namely, Ystradgynlais and Ystalyfera Communities First, as well as Pantyffynon Communities First, a small village just outside Amanford, which has expressed a desire to be a part of our proposed cluster.

Whilst there hasn’t been a great deal of progress in terms of formally agreeing a cluster and the relevant details that need to be approved by the Welsh Government, we continue to build networks and relationships across the area, and have a determination to maintain the things that we feel have made a difference to people, groups and communities throughout our valley. Communities First shouldn’t be about Government policies or ticking boxes; Communities First should be about people, and supporting them to change the things that they care about.

What has worked best in our valley during the past ten years, and in our humble opinion, are the projects that have been led by communities via committed people and strong organisations. When supported, be it financially through something like the Trust Fund or by helping organise an event or project, people and communities are able to achieve change together, and make a difference that benefits everyone. And it is that sense of people being right at the heart of making things happen that we are determined to keep for the next decade of Communities First, whatever it may look like.

A Game of What ifs? By Elan Cross

61,535 people woke up for Wales and made their way to Cardiff’s Millennium Stadium to watch Wales play France on Saturday 15^th October in the 2011 Rugby Word Cup semi-final.

Being one of the 61 thousand, I know firsthand that the atmosphere was buzzing and everyone knew that Warren Gatlands’ team were on top form, but on the 19^th minute of that crucial game, you could have cut the atmosphere with a knife, when captain Sam Warburton was given a red card by referee Alain Rolland and sent off for a dangerous tackle.

After the sending off of the captain and prop Adam Jones being replaced because of a problem with his calf, the game wasn’t looking too good and now Wales had to play 61 minutes with only 14 players.

Sitting behind the big screen I had a perfect view of the vast amount of people watching and praying that Wales come out on top.  When half time came and Wales’ male voice choir, Only Men Aloud, tried to raise everyone’s spirits with their rendition of Don’t Stop Believing and get everyone back into the same mood they were at the beginning while singing the national anthem but the only thing on everyone’s minds was beating France and getting into the final, so when Mike Philips’ try came on the 59^th minute the sea of red in front of me came alive and waves began to flow as everyone’s hopes were raised once more.  The missed conversion by Stephen Jones would have put us in the lead but no-one seemed to mind as we were losing 9-8, only 1 point away from the final with 21 minutes to go, but the dashed hopes really came when Leigh Halfpenny came ever so close to the post but sadly it wasn’t meant to be.

Wales fought with all their power and kept pushing their way closer to the try line but on the 82^nd minute our World Cup dream was smashed as France got hold of the ball and kicked it out.  The fans heads dropped and the tears began to flow as everyone heading out of the stadium with the same thing on their minds, what if?, what if that 19^th minute had never happened?  Then it could have changed the World Cup semi-final all together!   

Elan Cross is a resident of Banwen and an aspiring journalist and writer, currently studying at Ysgol Gyfun Ystalyfera. 

Sustaining the Connections

Sarn Helen Garden was yet again the venue of another excellent community engagement day yesterday, as the four primary schools of the valley participated in a range of workshops
which aimed to promote sustainable lifestyles and inspire the next generation.

Organised by Dove Workshop in partnership with Cwmdulais Uchaf Communities First and Maesmarchog, Blaendulais, Creunant Primary Schools and Ysgol Gymraeg Blaendulais, the main aim was to give children a practical experience to learn about environmental issues. The day took the shape of four interactive workshops; bee-house building, bird feeder making, vegetable bake tasting, and the story of the famous Banwen Weather Log.


Lead by Andrew and some of the Sarn Helen Garden Team, the bee-house making offered the children an opportunity to get involved with the construction of a simple home for individual bees and at the same time to learn about their importance to the pollination of plants and flowers. Groundwork (Bridgend and Neath Port Talbot) run a very hands-on session where the children made bird feeders from old pop bottles, promoting the benefits of re-use, rather than recycle. Cwmdulais Uchaf's Denise and Sarah facilitated a discussion about seasonal vegetables, coupled with a tasting of veg bake and apple muffins (they didn't get a muffin without trying the vegetables!). Finally, and with the support of my lovely assistant Shane, I held perhaps the most mentally interactive workshop, where they were challenged to consider all that goes in to the production of a pizza, from the ingredients and people, to the energy and natural resources. This workshop was finished off by introducing each group to the magical Banwen weather-forecasting log. Although that's another story...

A note of praise must be given for the children themselves, for they behaved impeccably and participated with enthusiasm, energy and intrepidness, bravely trying anything put before them. They also impressed with their knowledge on the subjects, knowing far more about power stations and pollen than I ever did at 7 and 8 years of age.

In my humble opinion the day was a tremendous success, in terms of organisation and participation, and early reports are that the children thoroughly enjoyed. Whilst the day was always about promoting local sustainability and environmental issues, a big outcome has to be the sustaining and strengthening of relationships, and in particular the working connections between so many organisations. Mutual support, good communication and a willingness to make things happen are the ingredients of the best examples of working in partnership. To see it happen with such consensus is indeed an achievement in itself.

DC

I Keep Faith

It's a little over a week since the riots have ended, and much has been written about the cause and effect. Depending on your political standpoint, you will have opinions about why so many young people chose to act in such a way, at such a time. There are the usual reactions from the right about the working class lacking a moral culture, and equally as typical analysis from leftist commentators eager to blame social inequality and injustice. Despite some knee-jerk judgements from the usual suspects, It's been heartening to see some very measured and thoughtful responses from a number of journalists and bloggers, notably including some Welsh, such as Professor Dave Adamson and the Bevan Foundation, as well as some exceptional pieces written by some unlikely sources - Russel Brand, I'm looking at you.

Amongst much of the analysis there are similarities which have included the acknowledgement of a disenfranchised generation that is simply disconnected from any form of mainstream society, and one which has never been offered any ownership of it (indeed, some have argued that the generation in question has been proactively excluded). Also, there have been many who have drawn comparisons to the banking fiasco and MPs' expenses, but more often than not they begin and end at examining the concept of criminality and the consequences (or not) of one's actions. I cannot disagree with these arguments, indeed I am left wondering if MPs would forgive the looters if they reimbursed the shop for the 40 inch flatscreen the stole, in the same way they simply reimbursed taxpayers. However, I feel there is something else to be said; something about what drives this behaviour dominating and permeating all sections of society; driving bankers to lie, steal and cheat, MPs to fiddle, young people to loot.

Our value system, so steeped in neoliberalism, is based on personal selfishness, greed and consumption, which feeds and breeds on itself; a world where anything and everything is available at the click of a mouse needs its citizens to spend to maintain its systems and hierarchies. It is argued that this form of free market late-capitalism is the machine which drives progress, and most would acknowledge that we witness great technological innovation that we all value and increasingly depend upon; from iPhones and iPads, to laser eye surgery and stem cell medicine. However, in a world where absolute wealth and power is divided and concentrated unequally, there is a significant price to pay for inculcating and perpetuating such a value system, the result of which we are currently witnessing.

Proponents of the system espouse its ability to meet the needs of most, but it's a cancerous economic model and set of values for society, for everyone, including the richest who think it's the highest form of organised civilisation - we are, after all, humankind. However, its survival depends on its ability to engage a majority, and it works as a way of maintaining consent; whilst it is in no shape or form a system that any human would consciously advocate given all the information, most people exist in and of their society and function (usually unconsciously) on a day-to-day basis as consumers who consent to and perpetuate the hegemony and economic system.

Whilst we can attempt to delineate the different component parts of neoliberal social and economic policy, I would argue that they are inseparable; the ideology, or more accurately, the hegemonic set of values, is the price society pays for maintaining such an economic system. If hegemony changes, then capitalism fails. It is possible, that the most effective way to counter neoliberalism is to explicitly promote a different worldview. And to be honest, there's some merit in this approach given that it has proven very difficult to mobilise that section of society that the system 'works for', and actually, it's this aspiring working class which can be the most unsympathetic group, a product of the media's manufacturing of consent.

Neo-liberalism is an economic model and ideology which has dominated Western civilisation for over 50 years. Gradually, our understanding of the world has become increasingly focused on the individual, manifested in private ownership, personal isolation and the deterioration of the collective - remember someone once saying there's no such thing as society? Undoubtedly, any breakdown of the moral code, and the riots particularly, are the direct result of a society bankrupt of any spiritual or intellectual commodity, even if the individual rioters are unaware of the ideological subtext. The fact is, the neoliberal proprietors of the prevailing hegemony of western society exist to increase the wealth and power of an elite 10% (which is being constantly concentrated), maintain a level of accepted and consented comfort for 60%, and marginalise the remaining 30% (these are my own figures, and not necessarily statistically accurate). The marginalization is delivered via the middle 60% and through the control of old forms of media (think King Murdoch and News Corp), and the recent hard and fast cuts to benefits and direct services such as youth clubs in the poorest and most volatile communities in England have expedited the total disconnection of a generation and section of British society. In a world of such conspicuous consumption, looting is the logical and reasonable end of civil disobedience. However...Smashing up Millbank, it ain't, and poor, powerless, innocent communities have been caught up in hugely destructive activity.

Of course the looters and rioters don't feel a sense of injustice at the economic inequality of capitalism, and of course the inequality didn't directly cause it. But it is part of the system, or actually, systems, which got us to this point. They looted because all around them people relentlessly consume everything in their path, and, whilst a failure to compete economically, and thus consume legitimately, must have played a part, it certainly wasn't the only reason (as evidenced by the arrest of a primary school teacher, to name but one). Ultimately, they didn't loot because they couldn't afford the products, like bankers didn't take huge bonuses because they were skint...

Whilst the economic model and ideology of neoliberalism are inseparable, I believe it is important to focus on what we can change and start where people are at. The socialist revolution isn't going happen tomorrow, and most people (for whatever reason) want integration into the mainstream culture of society; they want it to work for them. That is why I believe we must seek to fundamentally change the economic model of our country, which values the contribution of communities and which uses a unit of currency which is centred on collective action and ownership.

Finally, I'd like to attempt to draw some lessons from our work in a Welsh post-industrial community that has seen its fair share of inequality and injustice, poverty and disadvantage, but also one that has fought back, through solidarity, learning, and resilience. Locally, we see a huge difference in how people view the world because they are involved in (and work for) businesses that don't ruthlessly pursue profit at all costs, businesses that reinvest in the communities that they serve. Most people who are involved in these organisations wouldn't necessarily understand the minutiae of Gramscian ideology or Chomsky-esque models of how the ruling class rules, but that's kind of the point. However, despite an understanding of highfalutin, pompous analysis, participation in an alternative micro model of economy (or more to the point, meaningful jobs) has changed the way people feel about the work they do (not always, obviously - most people will always hate Mondays), and participation in this macro cycle of learning has offered them opportunities to rethink what they value in this world, slowly but surely shifting focus from the individual, selfish, greed peddled by some in the press, to values around collective human well-being, community and reciprocity, because people, quite simply, are fundamentally good. Billy Bragg sings a song about keeping faith in humanity, and now, more than ever, we should all do the same.

DC

Roots and Froots

It's Sunday afternoon, two days after the third Roots and Froots Food Fair (the second time it's featured as part of the D Festival), and now that the fatigue and relief have subsided, I am able to reflect on the huge sense of pride, camaraderie and belonging that I am feeling.

Friday's activities not only included the throughly wonderful Roots and Froots, its wonderfulness I shall explain shortly, but also our "Decade of Change" photographic exhibition and the valley heritage tour, conducted by our inimitable historian and venerable social animator, Tom Marston.

The Roots and Froots Food Fair was once again a masterclass in local trade and sustainability, with stall holders as diverse as handcrafted jewellery, Indian saris and cuisine, and meats and cheese as fresh as you can get. For the second time it was held at the Sarn Helen Community Garden, an idea that has proved to be inspired, although there was an almost audible sigh of relief at the distinct lack of precipitation this year! The level of localism on display was commendable and unique; the Sarn Helen Garden Team work hard all year to espouse and foster the principles of sustainability, and it has become a mantra to talk about food 'feet' rather than food miles. These principles are never better demonstrated than during such a community-focused event, during which residents were able to purchase high quality, affordable produce, the least local of which had travelled all the way from the farthest reaches of exotic Llandeilo. A special mention must also go to the staff and children of Maesmarchog Primary School and their enterprise club, who, during their summer holidays, spent the whole day supplying fresh and delicious smoothies; I hope they managed to turn a profit!

The biggest success of the day, in my humble opinion, was the solidarity and flow between staff, volunteers and attendees alike. The event, including the history tour and photographic display, was organised and executed by several different organisations, and a difficult feat at best. Nowadays, this is often called partnership working, and whilst it is indeed an honourable pursuit, variable factors like personalities, egos and different organisational structures and policies, often make a recipe for disaster. However, I believe we like to do things differently in the Dulais Valley, and Friday's activities were delivered with exceptional professionalism and textbook 'partnership working'. I'd like to take this opportunity to thank all those who helped make it what it was, including the stall holders and volunteers and community, but particularly the staff of Dove Workshop and Cwmdulais Uchaf Communities First, doing, as always, whatever it takes to make things work.

DC