Halloween come and gone
Halloween is becoming a more orderly fun event and the Police tell us that each year there are less problems. In fairness they give credit to schools in the lead up to the event. Also our PCSO's are helping with organised events - see our report. The Victoria Gardens ghost walk was a big success and Andrew Jenkins (left) tells us all about it and how he got involved dressed up as a Victorian policeman. It is likely that Victoria Gardens will be used again next year for Halloween.
We think Andrew hopes so!
Guy Fawkes, Bonfires and Fireworks
Many think that Halloween is taking the lead over Guy Fawkes and that we are going down the American road with these events. They are certainly too close together for comfort and perhaps combining the two would make sense. Our police and fire services may like the idea - certainly keeping fireworks for one night. On the subject of fireworks we urge every one to take care. Going to an organised display can be safer and perhaps more fun.
Half Term Advantage
Advantage was taken of the half term break to make good the wall between the main road and the Court Herbert playing fields. The understandable traffic hold ups highlighted how busy this road really is.
When asked why a parallel road could not be built on the field side of the tree line, we were told it was because of the Roman remains below the surface. No one is in favour of heritage more than us, but it seems taking things too far when buried foundations that will never be seen by anyone is given priority over the way we live today.
Sea Front Development v Our Roads
We understand that the money being spent on our coast line, and in particular the Aberavon sea front, is from EU funding. Be that as it may, we think that more should be spent on our road infrastructure. Building a multistory car park in Neath may be a good thing - but thought must be given to the Neath access roads.
Where is our town centre going to be?
Moans and groans have been heard about the new Neath development moving too far North towards the Gnoll playing fields. Those moaning may have a point. The town shopping centre should not be too far from the railway station. We wonder how many people have forgotten the time when buses ran from the station forecourt -which is where the bus station should be today. An intergrated transport system is the first thing the planners should think about when planning a shopping centre. Many have cars today - but that could change as they may become too expensive to drive.
Police and Crime Commissioner
Voting day is on 15th November 2012 and we show a specimen voting paper with the names of the candidates. Now the big question is: "Should the person elected be linked to any political party?" It is for YOU to decide. Remember that the ballot paper bears the names of two independent candidates.
Neath - The Royal Connection
In his contribution to the Heritage Scene website, historian Keith Reed (left) refers to Neath being a Royal Village around 900AD. The link to the Heritage Scene website appears in our menu. Because of this, and Prince Charles known interest in heritage, the Heritage Scene team has written to him to ask him to look at the their website. If the eye of HRH notes the Royal connection he may take an indepth look at the work gone into the creation of the website, which is a step to regenerate the town.
This could very well be the first stage in getting Neath's Heritage Scene known in Royal circles, on the basis that one has to start somewhere.
Also noted on Google is the mention of Keith's work that first appeared on Book Oggle -also in our menu.
Shown left is the NPT Court of Arms, which may be seen more when much is revealed about Neath and its historic past. In fact, you can read more about this Court of Arms from the item in our menu.
New Button on Menu for Mayor
Regular viewers will have noticed that we have added a new button to our menu - it's the Mayor's website. It lists all his engagements for the week - including next Sunday's cenotaph memorial services.
Remembrance Sunday
Remembrance Sunday is next weekend - let us remember those who have lost their lives in the conflict of wars - and those who are suffering today with injuries as a result of them. We hope that mankind will be wiser in the years ahead and avoid the weapons of war to settle disputes.
