Brynithel Activities Group (BAG)

The main purpose of BAG is to raise money to support projects and improve the Community in which we live.

The inaugural meeting was held on 4th August 2008. We have been encouraged and supported by NCH, Communities First, Tidy Towns (Keep Wales Tidy), Heads 4 Arts , BTCV, and B.G.C.B.C.

Activities and Organised Events

1) Numerous litter picks,

Connected to these (for people taking part in the litter picks have been):Free cinema trip
Free admission to the Night Out Scheme
Free Trip to Swansea
Free Cinema Tickets
We are also planning another litter pick during June and July and probably another during the Autumn, which will also be linked to another Night Out Scheme being run in early November.
In August we have a trip to Swansea for those who have worked hard during the last year on the litter picks. If there are any spare places we will be offering them to the community at £5 a seat.

2) We’ve supported financially:

The Penygraig Project, planting of the verge, and we are continuing to support this project financially.
The Garden Project around the Community Centre, which included removing unwanted bushes and replacing fencing and planting perennial plants.
We are at present seeking funding to help another garden project in Brynithel.
We are also looking to improve the park area in Brynithel, and hope to encourage volunteers to help during the autumn.

We have been supported by our local Councillors Mike Bartlett and Den Hughes and the local Police force have also been extremely supportive. Our Community Police Officer Kay Mosely has been involved with the group from the beginning, even though she doesn’t live in the area. Everyone makes a contribution where and when they can and hopefully we will go from strength to strength. Brynithel is a beautiful place to live and we hope the Community will be very proud of this area of Blaenau Gwent.

Aims of the Brynithel Activities Group

· To raise funds and access funding available for community projects and events

· To represent all community groups and sectors of the community.

· To promote equal choices and opportunities which will encourage community involvement

· To encourage and take part in planning leisure and community events and projects which, will be open to all the community.

Membership:

· Membership is open to every person living in the community ages 16 years and over.

· Members will be invited to attend meetings and vote at the annual general meeting.

· Members are encouraged to take part in organised projects and events.

· Members will be able to demonstrate a vested interest within their community and the group.

· Members will be sought on the basis of their commitment to the group and its aims.

· Responsibility for financial records and accounts will lie with the treasurer; spending will be monitored by the committee.

· Members will need to attend committee skills training.

The Committee:

· The committee is at present made up of volunteers. There is a chair, vice chair, secretary and treasurer who were elected by the committee at the inaugural meeting.

· Advisors should be called in on the basis of their affiliation to the project and furtherance of the project; advisors are without voting rights.

Meetings:

· Meetings are held monthly at the Brynithel Community Centre.

· Meetings should have a quorum of 6 members and any additional advisors representative of specific groups, projects and events; and should be directed by an agenda (agendas should be set prior to the meeting)

· Members will be notified at least 14 days prior to the date of the meeting