21st August 2015
Once again we wait the arrival of new friends from France, the third group this Summer and for the third year running. Bienvenue au groupe de Ligue de l'enseignement de Basse Normandie. Croeso i'r grŵp o de Ligue de l'enseignement de Basse Normandie o Ffrainc. Each group that has visited us has been very keen to learn some Welsh phrases. One of leaders last time…Ben….came prepared, he’d being looking up some basic welsh phrases on Welsh learner sites he searched on Google. Promotion of the Welsh Language is important to us at the lodge…..try a few sites on google yourselves. Only staying three days this, time…wonder what’ll they get up to…..weather forecast not looking good unfortunately. They be looking at things to do locally and county borough wide….check out the things to do in Bridgend Coundy Borough for yourselves:- www.bridgendbites.com
18th August 2015
This is the third week of the play schemes being run in the Old School Building (Boy’s and Girl’s Club) being facilitated by Bridgend County Borough Council’s Love to Walk Project and Communities First.
Numbers have been increasing each week. Some fun activities being run. This week the children were making their own smoothies, powering the food mixer via pedal power….good fun…..lovely drinks…… thankfully not too much mess!!! This activity was facilitated by Sarah Harris BCBC Love to Walk Project and Roger Dutton the “Bike it Officer” Bridgend. Check out all the fantastic things they do:-
14th August
We’re starting to receive enquiries from people wanting to stay in the Lodge when they visit the area to attend the 12th annual Elvis Presley Festival in Porthcawl, For further details visit www.elvies.co.uk also reviewed on Trip Advisor. Transport to Porthcawl for those Elvises staying at the Village Lodge.
12th August
Time to say Goodbye to our French Friends once again. They’ve spent most of their time relaxing in the Lodge and using the facilities in the Old School as well as enjoying many walking opportunities in and around Bettws. Au revoir….as they leave for two nights in London before returning to France. Then Jonathan their Leader will have one night’s rest before meeting up with another group of young people and accompanying them back to the Lodge in a week’s time.
11th August
Just a mile down the road from the lodge in Bryngarw Country Park today there is a wonderful opportunity to watch the colourful characters from the celebrated novel by David Walliams come to life in Heartbreak Productions ‘ adaptation of Mr. Stink for the open air. For further details and information of future events follow the link to the Park’s website on “Our Friends” tab.
7th August 2015 - Busy Busy Day at Village Lodge
8:00 am
We say goodbye to our Friends from Barnardo’s Merthyr and Grow Enterprise Wales (GrEW). Who have packed their bags early and are spending a few hours at Wild Spirit Tythegston experiencing some bush craft activities….no doubt they’ll be going home smelling of smoke!! from their self-made wood fires.
It seems a good time has been had by all and lot done eg. Quad Biking, Archery and Porthcawl Funfair. Compliments to Broghan and Ian (Barnardo’s Merthyr) and Gareth, Ryan and Levi (GrEW) for their endless work and enthusiasm to ensure that the young people had a fantastic time. Haven’t quite established yet if they had any sleep however!! Also I did hear that that some settled for the calmness of a walk on Coney Beach, whilst others entered into the full spirit of the funfair with the young people, one in particular getting right into the “spin of it”.
It was great to see them all again and a good time had by all! Hopefully they’ll return next year.
9:00 am - Gwen and her enthusiastic volunteer changing beds and getting ready for our second French Group of the Summer from Ligue de l'enseignement de Basse Normandie.
1:30pm -
Bienvenue au groupe de Ligue de l'enseignement de Basse Normandie……….a little earlier than expected but Gwen’s worked wonders and all’s ready in the lodge
for Jonathan, Ben and Emma and 10 young people staying for 5 nights.
2:30 pm
Parents and children’s group facilitated by BCBC Communities First hold play activities in the old school. Highlight today is a Circus skills workshop.
5th August
Today we welcome back our friends from Barnardo’s Merthyr Young Carers Service who are visiting us through Rhondda Cynnon Taf Homes’ social enterprise Grow Enterprises Wales (GrEW). The Young Carers Service supports those young people in the Merthyr Area who look after an adult family member who has a serious illness or disability. For the next 2 days some of these young people will be having a well-earned break in the tranquillity !! of the lodge whilst experiencing some exciting activities within the County Borough of Bridgend and neighbouring Rhondda Cynon Taf.
Some facts about Barnardo’s Young Carers Services
- The average age of a young carer is 12.
- Young carers are children and young people under 18 who provide regular and on-going care and emotional support to a family member who is physically or mentally ill, disabled or misuses substances.
- The 2001 census identified 175,000 young carers in the UK, with 13,000 caring for more than 50 hours per week. The 2011 census identified 178,000 young carers in England and Wales alone; an 83% increase in the number of young carers aged 5 to 7 years and a 55% increase in the number of children caring who are aged 8 to 9 years.
For further information on the Merthyr Service and the full invaluable work of Barnardo’s Charity:- check out:- http://www.barnardos.org.uk/merthyr-young-carers-service/service-view.htm?id=174423031
1st August
Gwen and Rob Recently met with Toni from Bryngarw Country Park and have arranged 4 exciting activity packages with accommodation at the lodge. These are:- Wild Wales, Fun with Nature, Welsh Treasures Discovery and Wales by Bike.
Keep an eye on this website for full details to be displayed soon.
