DECEMBER 2005
DRAGONS IN RACE FOR WATKINS
Newport Gwent Dragons have joined the chase for Oakdale-born rugby star Matthew
Watkins.
Cardiff Blues have been linked with a move for Watkins, who is out of contract at the
end of the season at Llanelli Scarlets.
Former Newport player Watkins' career blossomed at Stradey Park to such an extent
that he has now won 11 caps and impressed as Wales' most penetrative runner during
the recent autumn series.
Now the Dragons have confirmed their interest in luring the Wales centre back to
Rodney Parade, prompting a potential bidding war.
'We want the best Gwent players to be here and are interested in a player of Matthew's
quality,' said Dragon's coach Paul Turner.
'We feel he should be playing in his home region'.
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NEW ROAD OPENS
The new Sirhowy Enterprise Way (aka Blackwood by-pass) is set to open on
Wednesday 21 December.
Sue Essex, Welsh Assembly Minister for Local Government, is due to unveil a plaque at
10.50 naming the bridge, to be followed by a cavalcade of coaches and vintage cars at
11.40 along the new road and through Blackwood High Street, followed by a reception
for invited guests at Oakdale Business Park at 12 noon.
The early opening of the road is rumoured to have earned Costains, the contractor,
a £1,000,000 bonus.
NOVEMBER 2005
TEENAGERS CHARGED
TWO males, one aged 17 the other 18, and a 15-year-old girl
from the Oakdale area, have been remanded in custody over two attempted
armed robberies in South Wales.
A teenage boy from Brynithel has also been charged with conspiracy to rob and
possession of a firearm.
The four appeared at Caerphilly Magistrates' Court on Monday, November 7,
charged with the incidents at Markham and New Tredegar.
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ARMED ROBBERY ARRESTS
Two girls aged 15 and 18 and a 17-year-old boy, all from the Oakdale area, are
among four people arrested in connection with two attempted armed robberies on
Valleys takeaways.
They are currently being questioned by police.
The first incident took place at the Kings Chinese Takeaway in New Tredegar,
Half an hour later the would-be robber hit a second takeaway, KAM's in Markham,
threatening staff by aiming a weapon at the till and demanding money.
Witnesses reported that shots were fired by what looked like a silver-coloured handgun
by a man in both attempted robberies but no-one was hurt and the attacker fled
empty-handed.
Any witnesses or anyone with information is asked to contact Blackwood CID on
01633 838111 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555111.
OCTOBER 2005
NEW BRIDGE NAMED
The striking single pier bridge connecting Oakdale Business Park
to the north of Blackwood via the £38m Sirhowy Enterprise Way has been
christened Chartist Bridge.
Caerphilly council approved the new name to mark Local Democracy Week.
Councillor Keith Griffiths said: 'Chartist Bridge marks the point
where many protesters, led by Zephaniah Williams, crossed the valley on
their march to the Westgate Hotel.'
Tell us what you think of the choice of name on The Forum
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SCHOOL BATTLE WON
It looks as if the battle to save Oakdale Comprehensive School has been won.
Ian Kilcoyne, head teacher of the school says he has been told
unofficially that the proposal to shut the school in 2007 because of surplus
places in Islwyn will not go ahead.
He sent out a letter to parents saying: "This is superb news for the school
and the community and is a tribute to the massive support we have received from both
parents and the wider community."
He said : "Everyone has been deeply unsettled by this and I am very relieved."
The move comes after the consultation process was suddenly halted by the education
authority.
Oakdale councillor and governor Allan Pritchard believes he knows
the reason for the council's action.
"I think the strength of opposition to this may have taken them by surprise,"
he said. "I think that has played a major part."
Eirlys Jones, chairwoman of Oakdale governors, said:
"We hope this silly proposal will now go away and never come back again."
SEPTEMBER 2005
SCHOOL BATTLE BEGINS
The battle to save Oakdale Comprehensive School from closure has begun.
Over 400 people packed the school hall to hear Eirlys Jones,
chairwoman of the governors, describe the proposals as 'nonsensical.'
She went on - "It is people power that will sway this. We can do it."
Head teacher Ian Kilcoyne echoed her by saying that "The people who can
save it are you," while local councillor and governor Allan Pritchard said
the battle "can be won and it will be won".
Mrs Jones said consultation meetings with the council will be held for parents,
pupils, governors and staff on October 17 - and on October 18 there will be
a public meeting for all interested parties in the Islwyn area.
On October 20 the proposals will be discussed by the education scrutiny committee
and the school is planning to provide buses for people to attend that meeting with
banners and placards.
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MANICS BACK FIGHT TO SAVE SCHOOL
The Manic Street Preachers, one of the biggest rock acts in the UK, have
condemned the proposed closure of Oakdale Comprehensive School.
Nicky Wire, James Dean Bradfield and Sean Moore are all former pupils of
the school.
Members of Caerphilly council's cabinet have agreed to proposals that could
see Oakdale close as part of a shake-up of local secondary schools.
Bassist Nicky Wire said: "Oakdale school was a unique environment to be
creative and academic.
"We are all very sad that this school with its special, strong identification
is earmarked for closure."
Oakdale councillor and governor Allan Pritchard also implored the cabinet
to remove the school from the consultation process.
He argued the school had been turned around since headteacher Ian Kilcoyne
took over 20 months ago - and said the recent GCSE exams showed it as one
of the most improving comprehensives in the entire county borough.
A final decision will be made by March 2006, and if it is decided to go
ahead with the plans the school will close in September 2007.
There is a mass meeting called by the school governors for parents
and interested members of the community this Thursday (22nd Sept)
The news comes as yet another blow to the village after recent proposals
to close the Hospital and also to demolish Rhiw-Syr-Dafydd school.
Tell us what you think of the latest proposal on The Forum
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NEW SCHOOL WEBSITE
Rhiw-Syr-Dafydd school, which is scheduled for closure in 2006, has a new
website :
www.rhiwsyrdafydd.caerphilly.sch.uk
The school is appealing to all past pupils to share their memories and/or
photographs, which will then be compiled into a book by present day pupils.
If you have any such memories please visit the site where you will be able
to post such information directly.
AUGUST 2005
Oakdale school pupils recently swapped their classroom for the stock exchange
floor in the Stock Market Challenge in Cardiff - and came a creditable third in
the competition.
Year 10 and 12 pupils had the chance to experience the excitement of trading
in company stocks and foreign exchange, just like real-life brokers do every
day on trading floors and on-line all over the world.
Each team of five used an initial £35,000 investment to interpret and analyse
information from the stock market to finance their deals and build a portfolio
of shares during an intense two hour simulated live trading session.
The Year 10 event was won by a team from Abersychan Comprehensive School,
Pontypool, with a staggering portfolio value of £301,200.
Second were Bassaleg School, Newport (£234,500)
with Oakdale Comprehensive close behind in third place. (£234,400).
JULY 2005
£9.4 MILLION BOOST FOR OAKDALE BUSINESS PARK
A huge step forward for job prospects in the village and surrounding areas
has been made with the news that the European Regional Development Fund
(ERDF) has granted approval for the Oakdale Strategic Development and along
with it a grant for up to £3.5m.
This approval will also unlock the necessary Local Regeneration Fund match
funding of £5.9m making a total of £9.4m. It will also mean that
Caerphilly Council has reached its total investment target of £25m.
The project involves construction of 65,000sq ft industrial units on the
western edge of plateau 2, an innovation centre on the Cherry Tree site,
and 3 office pavilions on plateau 4.
It is anticipated that work will start on site in January 2006.
MAY 2005
ASSEMBLY REJECTS HOSPITAL PLAN
PLANS to replace Oakdale hospital, along with five others ,with a £110m
"super hospital" have suffered a serious setback after the Assembly Government
rejected the scheme at the first hurdle.
Caerphilly Local Health Board and Gwent Healthcare NHS Trust came up with the
plan for a 266-bed new hospital at Ystrad Fawr, near Caerphilly, following the
Wanless review into NHS Wales.
According to Wanless, the current configuration of health and social care services
is not sustainable and far-reaching changes will be necessary.
Local health chiefs claim the radical proposal to close the county's existing
hospitals and build a new hospital is the only way to secure the future of accessible
and integrated health and social care services in the borough.
They also say outpatient clinics and surgical services currently performed outside
the borough would return to Caerphilly if the new hospital goes ahead.
The reasons for the Assembly Government's refusal to give it
the green light remain shrouded in secrecy.
APRIL 2005
SECOND VICTIM OF CRASH HORROR
A TEENAGE girl has become the second victim of the recent car crash in
Woodfieldside.
She was named by police as 19-year-old Natasha Davies, of Blackwood.
Natasha was being treated at the University Hospital of Wales in Cardiff but
died on Tuesday.
The first victim of the crash was 20-year-old Nicky Porter, from Hengoed,
who died at the scene.
The former Lewis Boys' School pupil left a fiancée Kaylee, who is due to give birth
to their child in May.
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20 YEAR OLD KILLED IN EARLY HOURS CRASH
A 20-YEAR-OLD man has been killed and four people injured in a car crash in Oakdale.
The man was travelling in a green Vauxhall Corsa which left Penmaen Road and struck
a post just after midnight on Saturday 3rd April.
The 20-year-old, who has not been named, was pronounced dead at the scene of the
accident and four others, two men and two women aged between 19 and 22, are being
treated for "serious" injuries.
One of the men and the two women were being treated at the Royal Gwent Hospital, Newport,
where they were described as critical but stable.
The other man was transferred to a high dependency unit at the Heath Hospital, Cardiff,
where he was said to be "unstable".
The post which the car hit formed part of a conservation scheme for bats, which has been
in place for around 10 months.
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Prize IT package will help community
THE Oakdale and Pemaen Community Partnership has been awarded computer software as part
of the B.T. Community Connections Award Scheme.
In association with NEC computers and Microsoft, BT has provided the Partnership
with an Internet-ready PC, a twelve-month connection to BT broadband access and Microsoft
Office software.
The partnership entered for the award after reading an advertisment in the South Wales
Argus. Chosen by the Judging panel to receive the award, it is now in possession of one
of 4,800 packages that have been granted across the county over the last three years.
Granville Hale, secretary of the Partnership, said in a statetement to the paper that
this will greatly benefit the community.
"We are very lucky to have been accepted. We now have a superb computer and will put it
to great use."
Currently linking approximately 40 associations in the area, the Partnership aims to
keep these communicating through the use of the computer as well as it being available
for use by the wider community.
"The computer will be going into the Community Centre, for community use and the
Partnership," Mr Hale said. "People will be able to access the village website
www.oakdalevillage.net and keep in touch with what is going on if they don't have
Internet access at access at home."
MARCH 2005
COUNCIL SOUNDS DEATH KNELL FOR LOCAL SCHOOL
The Cabinet of Caerphilly county borough council has decided unanimously to
sell the Rhiw-Syr-Dafydd School site after the children move to their new premises
at Oakdale Infants School.
The representation made for alternative after use for community activites by
local councillors was rejected. The representations to the Cabinet made by Oakdale
and Penmaen Partnership were not even raised during the presentation to Cabinet.
A statement was made by a Cabinet member but there was no debate on the matter
before the vote was taken.
The building is one of the oldest in the village, preceeding the Miners' Institute
which is now at the Museum of Welsh Life in Cardiff.
You can have your say in our MINI POLL
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MAJOR FIRE AT SPAR SHOP
The Spar shop at the top of the Square was severely damaged by fire early
Tuesday morning (8th).
Fire crews from Cefn Fforest and Abercarn arrived shortly after 3.20am and did
not leave until after 5am.
The vacant flat above the shop, which was used as storage for the stock was also
severely smoke-damaged.
The occupant of the flat next door, above the Prime Cuts butchers, had to flee when
smoke started billowing into his bedroom through an open window.
The owner of the shop and flat above, Ramzan Ali, has owned the premises for the last
five years and for the last two as a Spar. He estimates more than £100,000 worth of
damage was caused.
"The fire was unbelievable," said Mr Ali.
"It was just like a nightmare. When someone from the fire service rang me to tell me I
thought it was a joke. It was very hard to take in - especially when you have started
something from scratch.
"Every fitting in there was brand new and it cost around £65,000 to do out.
Even last night's takings were in there. The good thing was that the gas was turned
off years ago when it became a Spar."
"It is shocking to think what will happen at the moment because we have no
income," he added.
"I just hope the insurance company foot the bill to get the shop renovated."
No one was injured during the incident, which is believed to have been caused by an
electrical fault.
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OAKDALE GETS JOBS BOOST
More good news on the jobs front came today (Mar 2) with the news that the Defence
Ministry has awarded a £4 billion contract to create a unified computer system
for Britain's armed forces to the Atlas consortium, which includes General Dynamics.
Other partners in the consortium include Cogent and LogicaCMG.
The deal is expected to create hundreds of jobs in South Wales, including at General
Dynamics, which already employs 450 people locally.
The Defence Information Infrastructure (Future) project aims to enable better
communication between MoD civil servants and the 200,000 personnel in the Army,
Royal Navy and Royal Air Force.
FEBRUARY 2005
MOBILE PHONE PLANNING APPLICATION FAILS
An application by Vodaphone to erect a permanent telecommunications mast overlooking
Underwood Road, Yny-y-Coed, High Tree Rise and Groveside Road, was unanimously rejected
by the full Planning Committee of Caerphilly CBC on Wednesday 16th Feb.
In a message to this website Councillor Allen Pritchard said :
"May I thank all those local residents who organized and submitted petitions, wrote
letters of objection, and particularly those who attended the planning meeting and made
their presence felt.
A very special thank you must go to Mrs Vivienne Pearson of Penmaen, who presented a
brilliant case on behalf of the local residents. Her presentation and knowledge of
planning were a major factor in the application being refused.
"A final report will go to the Planning Committee on 9th March which will give the
reasons for the refusal of planning application.
Many thanks again to all those who worked so hard to bring about this wonderful result.
This was a classic case where the community worked together to get an outstanding victory
against one of the giant telecommunication companies."
It is not yet known if Vodaphone are planning an appeal against the decision.
JANUARY 2005
TSUNAMI RELIEF APPEAL
The recent tsunami relief appeal organised by the Oakdale and Penmaen
Partnership raised the magnificent sum of £2063. 13.
