Two Coffee and Chat sessions were arranged wednesday, 9 December in Remo's Cafe Aberafan in partnership with Communities First. The response was very good, with Welsh speakers, learners and prospective learners joining Menter Iaith staff to chat over a coffee and a mince pie.
Due to the success of the sessions, arrangements are in hand to arrange similar events in the new year.

Thursday night saw another successful night at the Gwachel, with performances from Andrew Lewis and Gai Toms. Andrew has performed many times in Gigs y Gwach and is a familiar face by now. Following Andrew was the popular artist, Gai Toms. He performed a fantastic set which lasted almost two hours, with the audience still shouting for an encore! Not only did he sing his own songs, he also performed songs by Meic Stevens, and played a few requests too. A good night was had by all.

My name is Sarah Rees and I live with my family in the village of Pontyberem in the Gwendraeth Valleys. I have recently graduated in Welsh from Aberystwyth University, and am looking forward to venturing into the work environment with Menter Iaith.
I like sports especially netball, I am also a fan of the Liverpool football team and the Ospreys rugby team. In my spare time I like exercising, shopping, camping and travelling.
I'm looking forward to working as part of the team at Menter Iaith Castell-nedd Port Talbot, and to meet new people. I feel strongly towards boosting the welsh language, and am looking forward to working with the Menter to do this. I am also familiar with the Welsh rock scene, and am looking forward to arranging 'Gigs y Gwach' and a variety of other activities.

We had an excellent evening at Neath Town Hall last night. Despite the rain and the humidity about 60 people came to take part in the quiz and to hear the legendary Heather Jones perform. We are very grateful to the Llywelyn stall at Neath Market for their donation towards the refreshements on the evening and to Tesco in Neath.

Monday the 9th of November was a special day for the residents of Port Talbot & the Neath and Afan
Valleys – the launch of an unique CD and Website to record the local Welsh dialect of the area.
Extensive research was conducted over a period of eighteen months to interview as many local people who still speak this dialect. These were then edited & compiled into a unique record of a special time and place.
The Heritage Officer for Menter Iaith Castell Nedd Port Talbot, Alltwen-born Eurof Williams produced the project. “It was a privilege and honour to meet and record so many interesting and welcoming people. Their stories, and the local Welsh dialect, through the CD and Website will now live on forever.
A copy of this disc has been presented to The Welsh Museum of History & Life, Sain Ffagan, and the National Library of Wales, Aberystwyth.
A free copy of the CD is available from local libraries, or by post from Menter Iaith Castell Nedd Port Talbot; The Cross; Pontardawe; Swansea SA8 4HU
Details of the project can also be seen on the "Tafod" website: www.tafod.net

A walk to 'Sgwd Gwladys' was arranged by the Neath Sub-committee Saturday, 10 October under the leadership of Heulen Roberts, Pontneathvaughan.

To celebrate a successful season of gigs, the Menter arranged an outdoor gig and a barbeque outside the Gwachael pub in Pontardawe at the end of July. Unfortunately the sun wasn’t shining on the Gwachael on the night, and so the gig had to be held inside.
About 100 people attended the gig to hear the three young bands: Llygredd Sŵn, Smashing Diamonds and Creision Hud. All three bands went down well with the audience. To end the night we had a special performance by a band who have entertained audiences across Wales for years, Crys.

We went to Wimbledon on the hottest day of the year so far. Wimbledon was full with tennis fans hoping to see Andy Murray succeed. There were some local people on the bus as well as pupils from Ysgol Ystalyfera. Everyone had a wonderful day in the sunshine.