New playground opens in Melin with inclusive features for children of all abilities

Located on Evans Road, the upgraded site is part of a wider programme of park improvements led by Neath Port Talbot Council. The new layout includes a mix of sensory, physical and accessible features — from a sloping balance beam and climbing wall to a dish roundabout, sensory totem pole and inclusive group seesaw.

The playground also includes impact-absorbing surfacing throughout, meeting safety standards while supporting children with mobility needs. Existing equipment has been cleaned and repaired, ensuring the entire site is safe and ready for use.

The refurbishment was delivered by the council’s Project Development and Funding Team, with installation carried out by Sutcliffe Play. It follows similar upgrades at parks across the county borough, including Cimla Common, Mount Pleasant in Hillside, Talbot Memorial Park in Port Talbot, Tollgate Park in Margam, Victoria Gardens in Neath, James Field in Briton Ferry, and the Adventure Park on Aberavon Seafront.

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Tennis and basketball courts have also been refurbished at Parc-y-Darren in Ystalyfera, Talbot Memorial Park, and Parc Siencyn Powell in Cwmafan — part of a broader push to improve outdoor facilities and encourage active lifestyles.

Councillor Scott Jones, Cabinet Member for Streetscene, said: “We’re proud to see the completion of the new playground at Evans Road in Melin, which reflects our ongoing commitment to providing high quality, accessible, and inclusive play opportunities for children and young people across Neath Port Talbot.

“Projects like this not only enhance our communities but also support the health and wellbeing of our younger residents.”

The council says it is now exploring further investment in local playgrounds, aiming to expand access and improve facilities in more communities across Neath Port Talbot.

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Former professional singer, youth worker and reverend is new Mayor of Neath Port Talbot

Melin born Cllr Carpenter, who represents the Neath East ward on Neath Port Talbot Council, is the son of a Metal Box worker father and a mother who helped provide school meals in Neath for a large part of her life.

For many years Cllr Carpenter administered youth arts and music for the former West Glamorgan County Council and was the administrator for the annual Margam Festival.

A committed Christian, he later became a professional singer, recording four albums and touring the UK, Southern Ireland, the Channel Islands, South Africa and Romania.

After becoming pastor of his home church, Bethel Elim, in Melin, he was ordained as a reverend, serving in Neath for 12 years then in Dowlais, Merthyr Tydfil for ten years.

As Regional Youth Director for his denomination for eight years, he encouraged, trained and developed youth work in 42 churches in Wales and the Southwest Midlands. In 2009 he was given the Citizen of The Year Award by Neath Town Council for work with young people and the elderly.

He was sworn in by Neath Port Talbot Council Chief Executive Frances O’Brien at a ceremony as part of the council’s Annual General Meeting at Margam Orangery on May 9th, 2025, where he paid tribute to the excellent work during the past year of outgoing Mayor and Mayoress, Cllr Matthew Crowley and his wife Michelle Crowley.

His Mayoress this year will be his wife, Carol. They have two children, Claire and Christian (Christian played guitar at the ceremony), and six grandchildren Grace, Layla, Jacob, Reuben, Faith and Isabella.

Cllr Carpenter will raise funds during his mayoral year for these two causes:

Type-1-Derful – A local charity under the umbrella of Diabetes UK, it supports children and their families who have been diagnosed with Type 1 Diabetes at a young age, organising summer camps and Christmas parties and helping finance some of the treatment needed by children with Type 1 diabetes.

Alzheimer’s Society Cymru – Another Welsh charity it seeks to support those diagnosed with Alzheimer’s and their families.

Cllr Carpenter said: “It’s a great honour and privilege for us to be inaugurated as Mayor and Mayoress of Neath Port Talbot Council.

“This authority recognises the importance of economic prosperity and works towards making Neath Port Talbot a thriving, forward looking, confident place where people want to live, work and visit – a place where jobs and businesses can flourish.

“I could never let this moment pass without thanking my wonderful wife and your new Mayoress Carol. We’ve been married for 50 years this year and can’t think of a better way to celebrate our Golden Wedding Anniversary by becoming your new Mayor and Mayoress.”

Also sworn in at the ceremony were this year’s Deputy Mayor and Deputy Mayoress Cllr Alan Lockyer and his wife Jan Lockyer.

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Film Review: THE PROMISED LAND (2023): Mads Mikkelsen is Terrific in Nikolaj Arcel's Tense and Moving International Film

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#FilmBook #AmandaCollin #AndersThomasJensen #FelixKramer #GustavLindh #IdaJessen #JacobLohmann #KristineKujathThorp #LasseSteen #LisaRisomOlsen #MadsMikkelsen #MagnusKrepper #MartinFeifel #Melin...