LLANRUMNEY FESTIVAL 2013

William Jones, 5, having fun at the festival. 

Saturday 29th June saw the annual Llanrumey Festival held at the Rumney Recreational Ground. 

Read my letter to the South Wales Echo reviewing it here:

2013 Llanrumney Festival

Read my report for the Guardian Cardiff on the 2010 Llanrumney Festival here:

2010 Llanrumney Festival

LITTLE VICTORIES FOR LLANRUMNEY

BEFORE: Utility box at Ball Lane

Councillors are often fixated with potholes and dog mess. There is a reason why these mundane and perpetual issues take up so much time. They matter to the quality of life in our communities.

In Llanrumney I am always looking at ways that I can make a difference with little victories. I have a zero tolerance attitude to indiscriminate graffiti. Cardiff Council is always quick to act when notified of graffiti. 

In my ward graffiti can spring up anywhere with scrawls and tagging. This utility box at Ball Lane is a classic example. It faces residential properties and sits at a well used footbridge near the popular Llanrumney Phoenix boxing club. 

AFTER: The cleaned up utility box at Ball Lane

By ensuring that we remove the graffiti we send a powerful message to the community. The council is on your side and cares about the environment within which you live. 

This morning I've received notification from council officers that more graffiti has been removed from the fire doors at the Eastern Leisure Centre and from a litter bin at a bus shelter at Llanrumney Avenue. Zero tolerance to graffiti that does not enhance the life of our community. 

Little victories can take other forms. After the new children's play area was installed at Rumney Recreation Ground its popularity was such that the pre-existing bin was unable to cope with the amount of litter from the play areas users. On alerting council officers to this issue two further smart council bins were placed on the site. Immediately ensuring that the play area remains clean and tidy. Not only is this vital for our children who use it but an area that is appreciated and looked after will not suffer vandalism and graffiti that invariably follows a neglected area. 

One of the two newly installed bins at Rumney Recreation Ground children's play area

MAKING A DIFFERENCE FOR LLANRUMNEY

William on the new play equipment

I sought election as a Llanrumney Councillor in order to give a voice to my community and make a material difference to the lives of its residents. On the first anniversary of my election it was wonderful to see the recent opening of the new £50,000 play area at Rumney Rec. 

The play area has benefitted from investment through the Council's Capital Programme. Works include two separate zones for toddlers and children and the installation of new equipment including a tubular slide, two sets of swings, two multi-units and a free-ride swinging item which imitates surfing. The area also boasts new surfacing and graphics. 

The new play area opened as our summer finally began. Families made great use of the new facility and it quickly became evident that due to its popularity more waste bins would be needed. I'm glad to report that the council has acted on this to help us keep the play area looking smart. 

Queen Elizabeth II Field dedication at Rumney Rec 

During the first year of this Labour administration Rumney Rec itself has undergone a major transformation. On 17th December 2012 the Rumney Recreation Ground was dedicated as a Queen Elizabeth II Field to celebrate the Queen's Golden Jubilee and to act as a permanent tribute to the Queen. Fields In Trust sought to safeguard hundreds of outdoor recreational spaces in perpetuity for future generations. 

It was especially poignant for me as I joined the Labour Party after playing an active role in the RREEL (Rumney Recreation and Eastern Leisure Centre) Action Group. Rumney Rec and the people of east Cardiff's fight to save our much loved parkland was the catalyst for me to participate in active politics. 

In addition to the new play area. Vision 21 have been responsible for refurbishing the park furniture, bringing benches back to their former glory and Wales Probation has restored and renewed the railings at the site including sanding and painting. 

It was a great way to celebrate a year of Labour back in control in Cardiff. The year began with the opening of the Captain Morgan play park on 5th May 2012. Great success for Llanrumney Labour in ensuring vital facilities for our children as the estate looks to the future with optimism. 

The Captain Morgan play park is officially opened