Local volunteer groups in Briton Ferry and Glyncorrwg honoured with King’s Award

Friends of Jersey Park in Briton Ferry and Noddfa Community Centre in Glyncorrwg are among just five Welsh recipients this year, standing alongside 231 groups across the UK. The award celebrates the impact of volunteers who give their time to strengthen communities, improve wellbeing and preserve local places.

Friends of Jersey Park, Briton Ferry

Jersey Park has long been a green heart of Briton Ferry, and the Friends group has worked tirelessly to keep it that way. Volunteers organise events, raise funds, and involve residents in improving the park’s environment. Their efforts promote health and wellbeing through open‑air activities, while also building a stronger sense of community.

The recognition has been warmly welcomed locally. Trustee Gareth Rice said:

“As a trustee of The Friends of Jersey Park, I am incredibly proud to share this news. Our volunteer group has been honoured with an award from His Majesty King Charles III — one of only 231 awards across the entire United Kingdom in 2025.

“This distinction is equivalent to an MBE, placing our local volunteers among the nation’s most outstanding community champions. It is proof that when a community comes together, it can achieve something truly remarkable.”

Fellow Trustee, John Beck added:

“The Friends of Jersey Park are honoured to receive this award from King Charles. Some 231 awards were made across the whole of the United Kingdom for 2025. This award is equivalent to an MBE, and we are very proud to receive it.”

Noddfa Community Centre, Glyncorrwg

Noddfa has been serving Glyncorrwg since 1976, run day‑to‑day by a volunteer executive committee. The centre is a hub for social wellbeing, offering room hire for community activities, a nursery school, and even a community church. It hosts initiatives like Codi’r To, a regeneration project through music, and provides space for programmes such as Gwaith Gwynedd, which helps people into work.

Volunteers at Noddfa Community Centre said the award was a proud moment for the whole community:

“We’re absolutely thrilled to share some amazing news! Noddfa Community Centre has been awarded The King’s Award for Voluntary Service — the highest honour a local voluntary group can receive in the UK, and the equivalent of an MBE.

“This incredible recognition celebrates the outstanding dedication, compassion, and hard work of our volunteers who give their time, energy, and hearts to support our community.

“We want to say a huge thank you to every single one of our volunteers — you make everything we do possible. And a special thank you to Jennifer Morris who nominated us for this prestigious award — your support means the world to us! We’re so proud to be part of such a caring and committed community.”

National recognition

Minister for Civil Society Stephanie Peacock said the awards highlight the extraordinary contribution of volunteers:

“These awards celebrate the extraordinary volunteers who are the lifeblood of communities across Wales. Day in, day out, they give their time, energy and compassion to transform lives and strengthen the places we call home.”

KAVS Chair Sir Martyn Lewis CBE added:

“The King’s Award for Voluntary Service is the UK’s top award for groups of remarkable citizens transforming many aspects of life in their local communities. For over two decades these annual awards have shown the people of our country at their very best.”

Looking ahead

Nominations for the 2026 King’s Award for Voluntary Service are now open, with applications closing on 1 December 2025. Any group of three or more volunteers, active for at least three years, can be put forward.

#britonFerry #communityAwardsWales #friendsOfJerseyParkBritonFerry #glyncorrwg #jerseyPark #kavs #kingsAwardForVoluntaryServiceWales #noddfaCommunityCentre #noddfaCommunityCentreCaerau #volunteeringSouthWales

Sixteen Neath Port Talbot playgrounds branded unsafe and set for £2.5m overhaul

An independent inspection of all 48 council‑run play areas found 16 sites in the worst two categories, with equipment described as “generally poor” or “end of life”. Councillors were told that without investment, some of the playgrounds would have to close.

The findings prompted Neath Port Talbot Council’s Cabinet to approve a £2.5 million, three‑year programme to replace or repair the sites.

From climbing frames to closure risk

The inspection, carried out by the Play Inspection Company, graded each playground from “new” to “end of life”. While many were found to be in good condition, others were described as requiring full refurbishment.

Among those in the worst shape are Aberavon Toddler Play Area, Grahams Terrace and Jersey Park, all placed in Group 4 — older sites where most of the equipment is in poor condition. A further five sites, including Sunny Crescent, Victoria Park and Vivian Park, were classed as Group 5 — at the end of their life and in need of complete replacement.

Eight more, such as Baglan Park, Bryn Park and Pen y Dre in Neath, were flagged as ageing with significant repair needs.

🛝 Playgrounds flagged as needing urgent work

Group 5 – End of life, full refurbishment required
• Coed Hirwaun MUGA
• Sunny Crescent
• Victoria Park
• Vivian Park Play Area, MUGA & Goal Posts
• Ynyscorrwg Goal Posts

Group 4 – Older sites, generally poor condition
• Aberavon Toddler Play Area
• Grahams Terrace
• Jersey Park

Group 3 – Ageing sites with significant repair needs
• Baglan Park Play Area, Trim Trail & MUGA
• Bowen Street
• Bryn Park Play Area, Skate & MUGA
• Cross Street
• Evans Road
• Fire Station / The Refresh
• Ger yr Afon
• Heol y Coed Cae
• Llwyn Road
• Oakwood (Pontrhydyfen)
• Parc y Werin Play Area & MUGA
• Pen y Dre (Neath)
• Wellfield Square

Refurbished yesterday, condemned today

What will surprise many residents is that some of the playgrounds now deemed “poor” have only recently been refurbished. Vivian Park in Sandfields, for example, had upgrades in 2019 and again in 2022, yet inspectors now say the site is at the end of its life. Victoria Gardens in Neath town centre also received a £22,000 upgrade in 2023, but still appears in the council’s list of sites needing urgent work.

The findings raise questions about the durability of past refurbishments and whether some upgrades were only partial, leaving equipment still vulnerable to wear and tear.

“We cannot allow closures”

Cllr Simon Knoyle, cabinet member for finance, said the council had little choice but to act:

“These 16 playgrounds require significant repair or full refurbishment in the next 12 to 36 months. Without investment, these facilities risk closure on safety grounds — this is simply something we cannot allow to happen.”

Cllr Scott Jones, who oversees streetscene services, said the programme was about more than just new swings and slides:

“Playgrounds are essential community resources. This programme will make sure families have safe, modern places for children to play.”

What families can expect

The £2.5m programme will be rolled out over three years, with the worst‑affected sites prioritised first. The decision is subject to a short call‑in period before contracts can be awarded.

For families, it means some playgrounds could be fenced off while work takes place — but the council insists the long‑term result will be safer, modern play areas across the county.

📚 Related Articles

• New playground opens in Melin with inclusive features for children of all abilities
• Cimla Common playground officially reopens after £130k refurbishment
• Glynneath Miners’ Welfare Park officially opens following £817,860 redevelopment
• New look for Victoria Gardens children’s play area completed

#Aberavon #AberavonToddlerPlayArea #CllrScottJones #CllrSimonKnoyle #CoedHirwaunMUGA #GrahamsTerracePlayground #JerseyPark #NeathPortTalbotCouncil #playground #playgroundRepair #playgroundSafety #SunnyCrescentPlayground #VictoriaPark #VivianParkPlayground #Ynyscorrwg

Men’s Sheds across Swansea welcome funding boost to support social wellbeing

The grants will support both new and existing groups, including sheds at Jersey Park Pavilion and Sketty Bowls Club, where members say the funding will make a meaningful difference to their weekly activities and outreach.

The Men’s Shed movement has grown rapidly in Swansea in recent years, with the council investing more than £100,000 to help expand the network from single figures to over 25 active groups.

Weekly meet-ups and new spaces

Among those attending regular sessions is Alan Potts of St Thomas, who joins a weekly social at Jersey Park Pavilion on Wednesdays between 2.30pm and 4.30pm.

“We usually have between 12 and 18 attend each week,” he said. “It’s a change of scenery, gets us out of the house and socialising.”

David Lloyd of Port Tennant added:

“Some play cards, or participate in a quiz. We have some expert gardeners who give tips and tricks to the rest of us, we share a meal, and there’s always hot water for a cuppa.

It’s a lovely relaxed environment and we are looking to expand thanks to the funding from Swansea Council and welcome even more members.”

At Sketty Bowls Club, the funding will help cover building rental and materials for social activities, especially during the winter months when outdoor bowls is paused.

Paul Thomas said:

“We play several times a week but have introduced a club evening every Wednesday for new members.

Throughout the winter we’ll be meeting one evening every week and the funding will help with running costs and provide materials for social activities.”

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Council support and community impact

The latest round of funding follows a call for applications in May, with more than 20 groups now set to share the £25,000 allocation. Swansea Council says the investment reflects its commitment to supporting grassroots wellbeing initiatives.

Council Leader Rob Stuart said:

“The growth of the Men’s Shed network is a real success story in Swansea, providing great social opportunities for hundreds of people every week.

I’m proud that we’ve been able to play our part in making this happen.”

Cabinet Member for Wellbeing, Alyson Anthony, added:

“I’ve been fortunate to visit quite a few of the sheds and have seen at first hand the incredibly positive impact they have on the health and well-being of members in reducing social isolation of both men and women.

The volunteers that run them are doing a fantastic job and are playing such important roles in their local communities.”

Men’s Sheds offer informal, welcoming spaces for people to connect, share skills, and take part in activities ranging from gardening and crafts to quizzes and shared meals. While traditionally aimed at older men, many Swansea sheds now welcome women and younger members too.

#CllrAlysonAnthony #CllrRobStewart #JerseyPark #lawnBowls #MenSShed #SkettyBowlsClub #Swansea #SwanseaCouncil

Community picnic cancelled due to council’s ‘bureaucratic obstacle course’

A community picnic has due to take place at Jersey Park in Briton Ferry has been cancelled, with organisers saying council bureaucracy has reluctantly forced them into the decision.

It is the second community event in Neath Port Talbot that has been cancelled this week, following the announcement from Aberavon Beach Fest on Wednesday.

Writing on social media, picnic organisers said: “We’re sad to announce that the Great Get Together Picnic planned for 21st June in Jersey Park has been cancelled.

“What began as a simple idea—to bring neighbours together for a relaxed, friendly picnic—turned into a bureaucratic obstacle course involving public liability insurance (£5 million minimum), site plans, risk assessments, and counterterrorism training.

“Unfortunately, as a completely unfunded, grassroots community effort, we simply can’t meet those requirements.

“We wanted to build connection, not an events management career.

“We wanted to share food, not draw up security protocols.

Apparently, even a flask and a sandwich can now qualify as a full-scale “event” in need of formal permissions.

“We remain committed to building community—but clearly we’ll need to think of ways that don’t require a clipboard, a policy manual, and a hard hat.

“Thanks to everyone who offered to help or was planning to come—we’re just as disappointed as you are.”

Neath Port Talbot Council meanwhile insist the decision to cancel is down to the organisers and they have offered their support.

A spokesperson for the council said: “We are in contact with the picnic organiser to provide them with support. The organiser has unfortunately made the decision to cancel the event however we are on hand to provide advice should they wish the event to proceed.”

#BritonFerry #JerseyPark #NeathPortTalbotCouncil #Picnic