Riverside Dog Show

Despite the rain there was a great turn out for our show which was held on the 14th of April.
Many thanks to Jo and hubby from Best Paw Forward in Pontardawe, Greyhound Rescue, Welsh Poundies, and also the Dogs Trust who microchipped, free of charge, over 60 dogs.
If you have any photos of your pooch on the day please email them to us as we would love to see them.

Hedge laying - we're gradually getting there!

A few weeks ago we tackled another section of the hedge here at the Riverside. Laying it in the traditional Welsh Boarder style. Ceri from JED hedge laying was fabulously knowledgable in the hows and whys of the best way to create a smart looking, and stock proof hedge that will look good for years to come.

 

Hopefully the last section will be completed this autumn/winter and give the Riverside another atractive feature for visitors to admire and wildlife to make a home in.

Pancake Day Fun

 Adults and children alike joined in the pancake day races on our muddy field to celebrate shrove tuesday.

Making bird feeders with Maggie Cornelius RSPB here at the Riverside on Saturday 2nd of February

Apart from the fact that we clashed with the opening day of six nations rugby it was a brilliant day. The weather was cold but fine and lots of the parks' birds hung around in the trees waiting to snack on the finished feeders.

Duke of Ed  Volunteers 

freshly made for the birds.
Our D of E boys made their own bird feeders stuffed full of suet, seeds, dries fruit and Meal Worms. Much appreciated by our feathered friends in this cold weather.

Art Exhibition

James Jenkins' artwork and Ericca Rochard's photographs have proved very popular 

(and thought provoking) at the Riverside  .

The exhibition runs until December 21st.

Don't miss it!

Pontardawe Then & Now

Pontardawe Then & Now

A fascinating talk and slide show by local historian Keri Thomas attracted nearly 20 people to Riverside. It was truly amazing to see how the town had changed over such a short time. It was also amazing how many of the local architectural structures of note were not recognized, often because they were above eye level.

We hope keri will give another of his shows in the new year.

NPT Award

Winners, again !

The Neath Port Talbot Environmental Forum held their annual awards ceremony last Friday. Riverside were again winners. 

This year Riverside won the Action for Wildlife category and the Trophy now sits proudly beside the Environmental Project of the Year Award won in 2011.

Riverside Star Party

Riverside's first star party was well attended and a great success.

Ian Glendenning gave a fascinating and well illustrated talk on the Solar System.

The weather wasn't particularly good but still allowed everybody ample opportunity to use the three astronomical telescopes to view the moon.

Our next Star Party will be on February 7th.

New from Riverside !

Starting next week

Every Monday

Coffee Morning

Start the week in style.

Drop into Riverside for a refreshing cup of tea or coffee.

Each week we aim to have a display or demonstration for your entertainment.

10 am – 12 noon, voluntary donation.

Every Wednesday

Ramble with Riverside

Wednesday walk with the Riverside Ramblers

A gentle, level circular walk from the Riverside. Children and dogs welcome. Normally between 1 and 2 hours duration. Free.

Meet at the Centre at 11 am.

Sunday stroll with the Riverside Ramblers

First Sunday in every month starting in December.

A (slightly) longer and more challenging circular walk starting from the Riverside at 9.30 am..

Details will be posted here the week before.

Children and dogs welcome. Free.

Halloween

Shrieks of laughter and screams of delight filled the air at the Riverside on our Halloween night. A ghostly walk in the dark was followed by various games and crafts.

Werewolves, witches, hobgoblins and other fearsome and frightening creatures invaded the Centre and demolished huge stocks of hot dogs and ghoulish snacks.

Great fun was had by all and the staff survived to organise another day.

Introduction to Hedge laying

Local craftsman Ceri Jenkins of JED Hedgelaying provided the tuition for the second set of people who wanted to learn the rudiments of the 5000 year old craft of hedgelaying.

Everybody learnt a great deal and Riverside hope to put on more courses in the future.

Pontardawe Historical Walk

Riverside's Lynne Lewis took a group on a historical walk from the Riverside Centre along the canal up to the remains of an original Swansea Valley canal barge, then down into the heart of Pontardawe.

How the area has been transformed from an agricultural area with water driven flour mills to a heavily industrialised area with chimneys dominating and polluting the landscape before changing  into its current post industrial village feel.

On our return we were treated to a display of original Ynysmeudwy pottery by local historian Keri Thomas. The quality, diversity and beauty of this work was quite staggering.

Art Exhibition

A new exhibition by Mair Eleri has opened at the Riverside and will be on display throughout October.

Don't  miss the chance of seeing Mair's work.

Riverside Dog Show

Great fun was had by all in spite of the weather.

Over 150 people and nearly 100 dogs attended the show''Go to our Facebook page to see more photos.

http://www.facebook.com/Riverside.Centre.Arena.Pontardawe

The Heart of the Valley Show

The Heart of the Valley Show was a fantastic success with at least 1500 people attending.

For a flavour of the show visit Riverside’s Facebook page where the Heart of the Valley Album will give an insight.

Follow the link below:

http://www.facebook.com/Riverside.Centre.Arena.Pontardawe

Riverside Green Fayre

Riverside's first Green Fayre was a great success.

Even the sun shone (such a rare event this summer) and everyone seemed to enjoy themselves with nearly twenty stalls, plenty of free activities and superb entertainment throughout the day.

Undoubtedly the star of the Fayre was the Sinclair C5 which motored (or rather was pedalled) up and down the drive almost non stop.

LYRICAL LANDSCAPE EXHIBITION

Sue Mann's Lyrical Landscape Exhibition is now on at the Riverside and proving incredibly popular.

It's on until the end of September so be sure to come and look.

In the meantime, get a flavour of Sue's work by visiting her website:

www.suemannpaintings.org

LYRICAL LANDSCAPE EXHIBITION

Paintings by Sue Mann

Sue will be exhibiting her paintings at The Riverside Centre from Saturday  until the end of September.

Wildlife Wednesday

Minibeast hunting, tree recognition, balsam bashing, woodland walking, leaf key creation - all elements of a very succesful Wildlife Wednesday.

Join us next Wednesday for another exciting and informative fun morning.