Don't panic it's only First Aid training!

Passers by at the Riverside Centre on Friday must have wondered what was going on. Bodies with "wounds" were strewn around with a screaming (but later unconscious man) calling for help. A team of men adorned with latex gloves arrived at the scene and gave emergency first aid. Of course it was all a scenario for an Outdoor First Aid course being run by RC Training Wales at the Riverside Centre. RC Training specialise in First Aid courses for groups and professionals working in more remote and challenging environments such as Arctic expeditions etc. One poor victim was deliberately dunked in the river fully clothed to simulate what to do to prevent hypothermia! There will be more courses run by Rob Clapham so expect to see more strange sights!

Witch Crafts!

The Riverside Centre, with the help of some D of E volunteers from Cwmtawe ran a fabulous Halloween themed afternoon on Sunday, 30th of October. Spooky crafts such as making a traditional witches broom (not guaranteed to fly!), a pumpkin shaped piniata which put up quite a bit of resistance, and spooky face painting as well as a pass the pumpkin game.

NPT Green Fayre postponed

The Neath Port Talbot Green Fayre due on the 10th and 11th of December has been postponed until February. Watch this space for updates. The Riverside Craft market is still on on the 27th of November 10-4.

ARENA PONTARDAWE

Vacancy

P/T Project Assistant - Riverside Park Community Facility

Job Location: Glantawe Riverside Park Pontardawe, Swansea

Salary: £10.616 pa following completion of probationary period.

Hours: 24 hrs per wk

Work time: flexible, some unsocial hours

Age: 18 and over

Please contact Pontardawe Arena Partnership for full details.

Address: The Cottage. Blaenegel. Rhyd y fro. Pontardawe SA8 4TA

01269 822515

Email: j.a.howes@talk21.com

Applications close 18th November 2011

Bird Identification Day

The Welsh weather put a bit of a dampener on our birdwatch but those who took part enjoyed themselves and had a good view of a number of bird species. In particular there were great views of the dippers in the river, swimming around looking for fish and standing on rocks bobbing up and down.

Goosanders mixed with Mallards swam around downstream while winter flocks of long tailed tits and goldfinches flew by in the trees with their mixture of metallic tweeting and cheerful twittering.  

The birdwatch survey was funded by Environment Wales. Anybody interested in taking part in future bird, butterfly or flora surveys should contact Roger on 01792 864194

Safety Day

Some of us who volunteer with the Swansea Canal Society participated in a basic Fire, Water and Save a life course here at the Riverside on Monday, 3rd of October. The day covered basic first aid training, working safely around water, and fire hazards. The course was put on by British Waterways.

Photo courtesy of Paul Grainger

Willow Weaving

                                                                                                                                                                                             A glorious Saturday, 1st of October saw a capacity turnout for our willow weaing workshop. Participants make simple items to take home and helped to construct our fabulous owl sculpture which sits in its little bower next to the new picnic area. Many thanks to the Out to Learn Willow services for a great day.
NEWSFLASH! Saw my first Mink at the Riverside on Saturday. If anyone else spots them around here, or any other interesting bits of wildlife can you please let us know for our environment surveys.