Councillor Michelle Symonds - Independent for Bedlinog and Trelewis

09/09/2026

💚 Brilliant news for Taf Bargoed Park! 🌿

I’ve shared updates on the new nature ponds at Taf Bargoed Park previously, so it’s fantastic to now see the project receiving national recognition with a prestigious BALI Award. 👏
(British Association of Landscape Industries Award)

The ponds were created to improve biodiversity and provide valuable new habitats for wildlife, while also enhancing this much-loved local park for residents and visitors.

It’s lovely to see investment in our local environment being recognised on a national level, and even better knowing this is right here on our doorstep in Taf Bargoed.

A huge congratulations to Merthyr Tydfil Biodiversity Partnership and everyone involved in bringing the project from the initial plans through to what we see there today. 🌱🦆

A brilliant achievement for Merthyr Tydfil and for our local area. 💚

https://www.facebook.com/share/1BcqThyqhG/?mibextid=wwXIfr

https://www.facebook.com/share/1CtbyMwHSP/?mibextid=wwXIfr

04/09/2026

📚 FREE ADULT LEARNING OPPORTUNITIES IN TRELEWIS

A great opportunity for residents aged 16+ to access a range of free courses at Trelewis Community Centre, delivered by professional tutors from Adult Community Learning Merthyr Tydfil

Courses could include:

• Confidence Building
• Personal Wellbeing & Confidence
• Maths
• Reading
• Digital Literacy

The courses available will depend on the level of interest, so if you or someone you know could benefit, please register your interest.

📞 07849 309574 / 01685 725000
📧 [email protected]

It’s always good to see opportunities like this being brought directly into our communities, making learning and support that little bit easier to access.

Please share with anyone who may be interested.

04/09/2026

Your local police force - online. Report a crime, contact us and other services, plus crime prevention advice, crime news, appeals and statistics.

03/09/2026

Great to see so much happening at Trelewis Community Centre throughout September 🙌💚

There’s a really good mix of free activities on offer, giving residents the chance to get out, meet others, try something different and enjoy some company.

From community hub sessions and groups to pottery, crafts, bingo and more, there’s plenty going on throughout the month.

All sessions are free of charge with refreshments provided ☕️

Please have a look at the programme below and get in touch with Trelewis Community Centre directly if you’d like any further information. 💚

We've got lots going on in the centre through September!

Anything that you'd like to come along to then please do, and If you'd like any information on any of the groups then just get in touch.

We have the Men's Group this afternoon where there will be some cards and darts 🎯.

All of the groups are fee of charge with refreshments provided.

02/09/2026

👮 𝗣𝗔𝗖𝗧 𝗠𝗘𝗘𝗧𝗜𝗡𝗚
Thursday 3rd September
6pm
Bedlinog Community Centre

Residents of both villages are welcome and if you are unable to make the date please let us know any issues you wish to have raised.

Our PACT meetings alternate between both villages.

Thursday October 1st is the next PACT meeting in Trelewis. Followed by Bingo and refreshments with your NHW team.

02/09/2026

Support with heating costs this winter

As we head into the colder months and many of us start thinking about putting the heating back on, I wanted to share a couple of support options that may help local residents.

If your home is heated using heating oil or LPG and you receive Council Tax Reduction, you could be eligible for a £200 payment through the Welsh Government Off Grid Support Scheme.

And if you’re worried about keeping your home warm, your energy bills, or making your home more energy efficient, the Nest Warm Homes Programme can also offer advice and support.

You can find out more about Nest here:
https://www.gov.wales/nest-warm-homes-programme

Full details on the Off Grid Support Scheme, including how to apply, are available via MTCBC 👇
https://zurl.co/ZHHHd

Please share with anyone locally who may benefit ❤️

01/09/2026

📚🍂 Good luck for the start of a new term! 🍂📚

Wishing all of our children and young people across Bedlinog and Trelewis the very best as they head back to school and begin another new chapter 🩶

For some, it’s a return to familiar classrooms and friends. For others, it’s the excitement and nerves of starting a new school, beginning college, or taking that huge next step into university life.

Whatever this September brings, I hope it’s filled with new opportunities, new friendships, confidence and plenty of happy memories along the way.

A big good luck too to all of our teachers, school staff, college and university staff and of course the parents and carers getting everyone organised and ready for the weeks ahead!

And just like that… September is here 🍂

The summer holidays may be coming to an end, but we can now officially welcome the ‘ber’ months 🎃✨🎄

Here’s to a positive new term and lots of exciting new chapters ahead 🫶