Age Concern Cymru are now providing extensive secretarial support including the taking and circulation of Executive Committee minutes. Age Concern Cymru also produced all the literature and programmes for the 2008 Annual Conference & Rally. Our thanks to Age Concern Cymru personnel, including Deborah Boyce and particularly Josephine Irvine for all her efforts in minute taking and many other administrative tasks in support of NOAPAW.

Our annual rally was held on the afternoon of Wednesday 4th June at the Princess Royal Theatre, Port Talbot. The main entertainment was by the Pencoed Players (pictured), returning by popular request, and was a great success.

Conference platform

Our Annual Conference was held on Wednesday 4th June 2008 at the Princess Royal Theatre, Port Talbot. The main guest speaker was Gwenda Thomas AM, Deputy Minister for Health & Social Services. Our President, Rt Hon Don Touhig MP also spoke at the conference. Ruth Marks the new Commissioner for Older People was also present and gave a brief presentation.

Heather Jones on stage during the 2007 Annual Rally

President, Chair & Gen Sec of NOAPAW with the Mayor & Mayoress of Neath Port Talbot. 6th June 2007.

Copies of our Chairman's book - "Alun Blaenrhondda" are still available. Alun wrote the book originally for family members who kept asking him about his past life in Blaenrhondda. Those who have read it have found it a wonderful, nostalgic and unique description of days gone by.Copies are available from Alun, Price £4.00 (which includes a £2.00 donation to Penpych Community School, Blaenrhondda)

The longest married couple at the Annual Rally on 6th June 2007 were Raymond & Edith May Morgan of Llanrhidian. Married for 65 years.

Philip Hopcroft of Colbren age 95 was the oldest male present at the Rally in Port Talbot 2007.

Alice Davies aged 96 of Pontardulais pictured here in the centre was the oldest female present at the Annual Rally on 7th June 2007.

The rally in the afternoon of 6th June 2007 was well attended and Heather Jones gave an outstanding solo performance. Community singing was also of a high standard thanks to our own Eric Richards who directed the singing ably accompanied on the grand piano by Glenys Dowdle.

The conference at the Princess Royal Theatre, Port Talbot was well attended with lively debate on motions following an excellent presentation by our guest speaker and President the Rt Hon Don Touhig MP.

Opening session of the NPC Pensioners Parliament - over 2,500 in the main ballroom at the Winter Gardens, Blackpool.

NOAPAW members were again well represented at Blackpool in 2007 with coaches run by a number of Branches. Good reports were received from John Jones of the Cwmparc Branch and many are looking forward to another visit in 2008.

Ivy Richards, seen here at home, celebrated 100 years of age on 18th April. Ivy has lived all her years in Deri and attributes her age to a good and quiet life. She did admit to travelling to her wedding in 1929 in the sidecar of a motorbike - one of her less quiet moments.

A New Association Song Book is being printed for this years Rally. Copies will be available to all attending. A preview is given below.

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Thanks to the Tylorstown branch for this recently received verse.

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