The Boilerhouse Project's New Website
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THE BOILERHOUSE PROJECT
WHAT IS IT ALL ABOUT?
A Brief History
The boiler house dates back to the construction of the Penrhys Estate.
In a much acclaimed venture at the time the Coal Board
and the then Rhondda Borough Council entered an agreement
where heating would be provided for the entire estate
using coal provided locally by the Coal Board.
This involved heating water at the boiler house,
and then pumping it via a network of pipes
to every house on the estate. This was hailed
at the time as a massive advance in technology,
and for a time was reasonably successful.
The system would probably still have been in use today
had it not been for major faults in the
network of pipes leading to the houses.
Eventually it was decided that the repairs
were too costly for the system to continue,
so the houses were all provided with boilers,
and the system put out of use.
The boiler house then lay idle for some time
until a company called PITEC moved in
and used it as a training establishment
for young people learning computer technology.
They eventually ceased their operations
and the boiler house again lay empty.
Since then the boiler house was used for a while
as a youth club venue until that was also closed down.
The building has now been out of use for some time,
and has become increasingly derelict.
This is a great shame and there are those of us living locally
who would like to see the building repaired and brought into use.
A Description
The building lies high on the saddle ridge that is Penrhys,
(historically “The Head of Rhys”),
with a magnificent view over the Rhondda.
It is modernistic even by today’s standards,
and just by looking at the outside it is hard to envisage
just how much space there really is inside.
Internally there are two main floors, with three good size halls,
in the main, bigger, section of the building.
There are toileting facilities, a good-sized reception area,
and other rooms besides.
There is ample scope for future improvement.
Our Proposal
Essentially the boiler house has in the past
been a powerhouse providing energy
in the form of heat to the local community.
We wish to use it for power also,
to empower local people in the Rhondda.
We want to develop the Boiler House as an independent,
and sustainable, centre of excellence;
delivering activities and opportunities for the community
in the fields of enterprise; education and training;
economic activity and work; sport, leisure and health.
This is the end to which we are working.
Leon Moss
Chairperson
The Boilerhouse Committee.
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The Boilerhouse Committee:
1.Leon Moss
2. Stuart Green
3. Lesley Davies
4. Michael Caswell
5. Pat Jones
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FABULOUS NEWS !*!
RCT have now given us the "go ahead"
and we've changed the Community Association
into a Limited Liability Company, with the kind
assistance of Jayesh Parmar of Interlink.
The CRB checks have been returned on the officers
and all show us as clean lovely individuals...
isn't that great?!
So a MASSIVE Llongyfarchiadau to
Leon, Michael, Stuart, Pat, Lee,
Lesley, Richard, Nikita and Efran...
Well done all - mighty men and women !
but especially to the people
of the Rhondda, whose beautiful
spirit of courage and tolerance
makes the impossible possible !
Hwyl Fawr !
A special thanks to the councilors and
council officials - I'm certain that this
is the best, most important decision they
have ever made. Long live the Rhondda !!!
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THANKS to all residents who took
part in our second survey, for all
your ideas, and support!!!
Stuart has been very busy summing
up the results and they should
be available shortly!
As expected, support for the project
within the community is tremendous,
and there are many more residents
now willing to volunteer.
As a result, several members of the
community have asked to serve on the
committee, so expect to see an increase
in the number of committee members before
the end of April.
We value every individual and fully
believe that they have an important
part to play in the development of
their community.
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The Business Plan is accepted
(with a few modifications).
Our Chair, Leon Moss, spent
many many hours working on costs
and putting the plan together.
On behalf of the Boilerhouse Committee and
the Community of Penrhys I want to say
!THANKS LEON!
I would also like to express many thanks
to Ray Joseph (a mighty man!), for allowing
us to transform his living room, and for
working tirelessly on the funding side
of things alongside Pat and myself.
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Progress continues with:
A disciplinary set of guidelines as to future
behaviour, both within and in contact with others.
Michael & Leon on new grant applications;
Leon and Stu' working on management & business structure;
Michael, Stu and Leon on P.R.
Also, Lesley to organize a prize raffle;
Big Ivor is sent on a secret mission;
Leon crafting strategy; Stu finalizing the brand
new membership cards.... and so on.
And, committee members to enroll on various
training courses; Consultation with several
TOP organizations (much more to follow); More
collections - only this time in supermarkets -
Gaining support and contacts.
WE ARE SO PROUD AND GRATIFIED TO ANNOUNCE
that EVERSHED's the best firm of solicitors in Wales,
if not beyond ! - have kindly agreed to act for
the Boilerhouse and the good of the people of
Penrhys. Diolch yn fawr iawn, and Croeso!
Bless you and thank you.
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THE COMMITTEE ARE GRATEFUL FOR the large number
of folk who have contacted us through our website
with offers of advice, support, guidance and help.
All praise to Dr Harris and his team at Science Shop Wales,
and especially to Donna March, who not only met
an extremely narrow deadline, but also produced
a 50 page plus report which will prove invaluable
as a major contribution to our research on
greening the Boilerhouse.
Many thanks also to the MsC students at the
Welsh School of Architecture, who also contributed
their own specialist advice.
We also warmly thank Jill Goran, Head of
Venture Wales, whose collaboration, help and
advice with preparing the Business Plan (Stage 2)
is also an invaluable contribution.
A big "hello" and thank you goes out to the ever
cheerful Sean Hamill ... providing invaluable
guidance on our main funding application !
Jo, of Business in the Community, deserves our
warmest thanks for her help and recommendations.
Andy Jones of RCT and Mr Chivers have provided excellent advice
towards the formation of our gym and sporting facilities.
Ian, of Groundwork Wales, gave us invaluable advice
on drystone walling and we thank him most sincerely.
Many thanks are due to Gus Griffiths, who has provided us
with input towards eventual building costing.
His advice in the area of technical expertise
as to possibilities in building modifications
to best suit use, are of great value.
And many thanks to Simon James and Kath Price
of Interlink, who continue to support us in our
project's development, together with an old friend,
Jayesh Parmar, who's recently moved from the Wales'
Co-op Centre, and is guiding us on business structure.
Diolch yn fawr Iawn !!!
MANY THANKS TO THE KINDNESS
of Too Good To Waste and the Arts Factory, who
- through the goodness of Stuart - have given a
great deal to help Stu's vision of computer equipment
to help our youngsters. So much generous kindness
really is heartwarming!
A SINCERE THANK YOU also to Barbara a wise and kind
lady, who generously gave an exercise bike and mat,
and to LEON, for seeing the ad and acting to secure them;
both wonderful additions to our equipment.
A lady in Barri is most kindly donating a LIBRARY
of recordings and equipment. Our sincere thank
you for this wonderful gift.
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We are currently looking at fun and exciting
ways to raise money and would welcome any
ideas or suggestions you may have.
Please e-mail us with your fund raising tips!
Collecting out on the streets -
we had a wonderful time and a LOT of support.
We'd like to thank all those people who
contributed to the Boilerhouse Project;
we were in fancy dress & it turned out
to be a set of really fantabulous fun days.
Thank you all once again & we hope that you will
continue to support us, wherever we appear!
Michael deserves praise (every time!) for out-
performing EVERYONE as Mrs Mop... collecting
twice as much as anyone else!
Michael - you're more than a mighty man -
you're a mega-superdooper-star !!!
That's all folks... see you in the stores !
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HOPE FOR THE FUTURE
Here on Penrhys, we're improving all the time.
The Church and Penrhys Partnership have been
a blessing and strength for so many years,
and today work wonders, so our project is
in no way a criticism of them.
It's also true that Penrhys' Boiler house
has some unique features: it contains
HUGE rooms. Two of them, taken together,
are as big as a football stadium!
As Penrhys improves - and it's improving daily -
visitors could be made even more welcome...
as they were in the "old days", when great shows
were put on in the Community Centre halls,
and everyone from both valleys came up, to share
some tremendous evenings together.
Art shows, conference facilities, a youth hostel,
the list of uses for those huge rooms is endless !
Our project is based upon a happy co-incidence:
the Council offered a huge opportunity,
just as enough people in the village were ready to act.
So the Boilerhouse Project Committee have now
seized the opportunity as it came, to place our
bid for the Boilerhouse. No-one else - no other
Community organisation, that is - put in a bid.
Except, private landlords put in bids. We didn't want that.
So we've acted to save a community asset, and
been happy to work hard, for the common good.
Now, we've been to you with a 2nd leaflet and questionnaire
to update you on progress on the project,
and perhaps more importantly, asked YOU
to write and talk about what exactly you
would like to see as the project develops.
We've covered most yearly running costs
by including a gym and youth club.
97% of those of you who responded to the 1st survey
asked for youth facilities - when Michael and Stuart called.
This time, with more time to think, we hope you enjoyed
detailing which different activities could
most benefit all of us as villagers.
Thank you all for your response - we enjoyed meeting you !
We plan to open the Boilerhouse in one year.
So please keep your ideas flowing in !!!
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AND NOW THE IDEAS ARE JUST flooding IN!
for the grounds alone, people suggest.....
bee-hives, animals, small terraces to experiment
with crops, the plants of Wales, herbs, a tea-
garden for visitors, a small orchard, fruits
(strawberries, etc), a pond, chess tables,
wind-breaks and hedges, a fountain, a Wishing
Well, a small maze, Welsh trees (eg., giant oak,
chestnuts), symbolic flowers (eg lotus, dafodil).
Please keep the ideas flowing ! Inspire us !
Some other ideas we've received:
1. Solar Panels, etc, to give power and funds.
2. Beauty shop.
3. Gym, and hopefully boxing eventually,
as sport is a part of the Rhondda.
4. A theatre - to explore role play and produce
new works - for new optimism & a vibrant positive culture
5. A restaurant and Cafeteria - a place for
workers to have a break and chat - plus a
plush top cuisine venue for theatre goers.
6. Website + Internet for the public.
7. Planting shrubs, etc.. for children to have something to do.
8. Classes for helping the unemployed.
9. An orchestra.
10. Another idea in from Ben, in Australia (!)
is a Sports Academy.
11. Bingo and quizzes... arts and crafts.
12. Pat wants to see an "oasis" - somewhere to
find peace - and to recycle 2nd hand goods.
13. A young mother says she'd love an "adventureland"
for very young children.
14. Griff says he'd like to see games like paintball outside.
15. Ivor's suggesting outward bound courses.
16. A small zoo.
17. Richard would like to try growing herbs with hydroponics...
(No - not THAT sort !)
These are just some of the public ideas,
and they're comin' in thick and fast !
MONEY MONEY MONEY
Our funding comes from many donors + grants
from the public sector, but if you would like to
send some cash that would be great and would
help us a lot. The government already spends YOUR
money - often on actions you might not like - so
why not choose to invest in your local community?
Are you a member of The Boilerhouse Project ?
Would you like to be ?
It only takes a few pounds for a year's membership!
What you get for a year's membership is:
1. 25% off the price of the tickets per event.
2. A monthly email telling you about
all coming events, projects, updates, services, etc....
All donations + Funds will support the work of
the Boilerhouse Community Project,
working in the South Wales valleys, providing
life-long opportunities for both Rhondda Valleys.
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The Boilerhouse Project
Who are we?
Are we a Business?
Well in a sense we are.
We are in the business of growing people.
We wish to “Empower” people
by helping them to achieve their own dreams and aspirations.
Why Now?
There has never been a better time to reassert
the spirit of brotherhood and community in the Rhondda.
We are all faced with difficult times ahead
with a major recession already in full swing.
There is not one of us who will not feel
the effects to some extent, some more than others.
To date, even in more normal times, there have been
many in the valleys that have suffered hardship.
That is why local government has put together
so many initiatives in the past in order to
alleviate the problems in our society.
It is not the first time that people in the Rhondda
have faced hardship, our forefathers did too.
They managed to triumph over adversity.
We can too.
How?
People have to have the will to succeed.
It is no good just setting up projects
unless the desire is there to achieve.
So one of our main tasks as an organisation will be
to motivate people of all ages, and to
inspire them with the will to achieve.
This will mean different things, according to the individual,
but what ever it is, we will endeavour to help.
Let there be no age bar to those who we aim to help.
There is opportunity for all.
How many times have we of the older generation thought,
“I wish I knew all that I know now when I was Younger”.
Perhaps we can regenerate the sense of community in the valleys,
and share our experience and knowledge
with the younger generations.
What a fine legacy that would be.
Why The Boilerhouse?
The Boilerhouse in itself has great potential.
When completed it will have an area suitable for youth work,
and facilities to provide general activities
for the community at large.
There are opportunities for “Greening” and for ensuring future sustainability.
After initial funding, running costs are expected,
due to the above, to be low, the benefits high.
Due to its high profile, and position,
it could be viewed as an icon representing change,
renewed hope, and opportunity in the Rhondda.
Stuart and Michael completed a walk of the
village, asking for people's responses.
They gained a much better idea of what people really want.
Stuart and Michael analysed the results properly;
here's a straightforward view presented by them...
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People Who Wish To Help:
YES 87
NO 57
Not Sure 8
People Who Agree To The Project:
YES 147
NO 3
Undecided 4
What The Public Want There:
Youth Club 87
Childrens Activities 56
Men/Ladies Gym 26
Community Centre 22
Sports Facilities/Centre 11
Bingo 5
Dancing/Disco 7
Adult Training/Activities 4
Function Room/Hall 3
Mothers & Toddlers/Creche 3
Radio 3
Boxing 3
Coffee Bar 3
Music/Recording 2
Martial Arts 1
Night Club 1
Swimming Pool 1
Undecided 4
Summary:
After going from house to house with the questionnaire
we have come to the conclusion that the people of Penrhys
are fully behind the plan to regenerate the boilerhouse.
The majority of people believe that the boilerhouse
should concentrate upon serving the needs of children
and young people, and from the completed questionaires
you can see that there is a need for a gym and sporting facilties.
People feel that the boilerhouse
is more than capable of replacing the old community
centre which was closed down two years ago due to health
and safety reasons. They believe that it should be
a centre that is inclusive and at the heart of the community.
Although the majority of people are behind the plan
to regenerate the boilerhouse it is important to point
out that there are some concerns, such as the location and
the road nearby which is regarded as being a little
dangerous. There have been some suggestions from community
members that maybe the old infant school would be
an even better place for such a community project.
Overall the people of Penrhys are excited about
the prospect of there being an independent centre
that is fully concerned with serving the entire community
and would relish the thought of this becoming a reality!!!
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FIRED UP - AND READY TO GO !"!
The Project Plan stage one, is
finalised and polished
by Interlink's Simon James...
and his brilliant staff.
Yet the biggest thanks go to Leon Moss, a true
giant of a man who - despite his many family
obligations, also helped fantastically with
the flow charts and other technical aspects
for the first plan, and NOW, has produced our
SECOND plan (with help from a whole TEAM),
to present to RCT for their final approval ...
Well done you, Leon !!!
Many thanks, everyone, for ALL your mighty efforts.
Science Shops Wales have kindly helped
with advice on greening the building.
Confidence is growing, and our thanks go out to
all of good-will who are continuing to give support.
All the best to Penrhys - we deserve nothing less !
....and it's so EXCITING, to see the village
stretching out to a new future for our youngsters !
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THE SHOWS;-
*** STOP PRESS ***
Shhh ! BIG announcement soon !
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A lot of our committee work is going on quietly.
A constitution has now been decided at committee,
which achieves a common vision. What are our aims?
Become a Boilerhouse Project Member ...and
every month you will receive your free news letter,
keeping you up to date with all the latest gossip
- as this exciting new project matures !!!
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We're now WELL into four figures, thanks to
collections, the kindness of donations given in
at the pub' & the raffle by Michael's Mam Lesley,
and now plan to expand - with more events,
more shows, and a faster growing membership.
Penrhys united and filled with love and courage.
That's the spirit !
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A MESSAGE OF HOPE FOR THE RHONDDA
We are speaking to those of you who feel,
or have, a connection with the Rhondda.
If you hold the Rhondda close to your heart,
we would like you to join us in our venture,
by debating the future with us, offering help
and guidance, or simply by sharing your ideas
on ways to make the Rhondda a place of prosperity and hope.
The Rhondda is in a difficult state !
We have no economy, and no vision.
Our deprivation is measured by high unemployment,
and illnesses associated with poverty, and stress.
The breakdown of our community and society includes:
high divorce rates; single parent families;
drug and alcohol addiction; and an all pervading
sense of hopelessness.
Before coal, the Rhondda was one of the most
beautiful and productive farming communities in Wales.
Since the demise of coal, there has been a lack
of vision for the future.
Our vision is to try to create a healthy environment,
with a vibrant economy and culture.
We hope to improve the community, and it's sense
of belonging, by changing attitudes.
Our priority is to value every individual
by unlocking their potential, and encouraging people
to use that potential to help themselves, others, and their community.
We aim to build a sustainable economy,
based on science and agriculture,
using local strains and strong branding.
Where will we operate from?
We hope to develop an old boiler house above Penrhys -
which is located in the heart of the Rhondda,
one mile high above both valleys, with amazing views.
Penrhys enjoys a rich history and heritage.
It is a renowned place of healing, spiritual nourishment
and community. A place for revival !
The Boiler house was once a power house,
providing energy, in the form of heat,
to the local community. We wish to use it
for power also... to empower the community of the Rhondda.
The Boiler house aims to be the first "carbon-neutral" building
in Rhondda Cynon Taff. Wind, sun (and rain!) are plentiful.
We are working with others (such as Science Shop Wales)
to power it through renewable energy.
The building has high visibility and can be clearly seen
from the valley floor. Therefore it can be a beacon of hope...
creating a better future for the Rhondda.
Thank you very much for taking the time to read this message,
and we hope to hear from you soon !
Wishing every blessing,
Michael Caswell and Ray Joseph
(on behalf of the Boilerhouse Project Committee)
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Are you interested in becoming a committee member?
Would you like to help raise money?
Or simply just support us?
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