On Wednesday, 20 December, Taf Ely Veterans hosted their annual Veterans Christmas breakfast at Rhydyfelin Community Centre to celebrate the festive season.
The event was joined by Rhondda Cynon Taf Council’s Leader, Councillor Andrew Morgan OBE; the Deputy Leader, Councillor Maureen Webber; The Mayor, Councillor Wendy Lewis; MP for Pontypridd, Alex Davies-Jones; Member of the Senedd for Pontypridd, Mick Antoniw; and the Veterans Commissioner for Wales, Colonel James Phillips.
Councillor Maureen Webber, Deputy Leader of Rhondda Cynon Taf Council and Armed Forced Champion, said: “Christmas is a time for giving and for spending time with people who bring you happiness and joy. There is no better way to help our Armed Forces community than to support events such as the Taf Ely Veterans Christmas breakfast, as it brings people together for the festive season, and ensures that those living alone can be reunited with friends.
“This year’s event had a remarkable turnout from our local veterans and armed forces community, seeing over 40 veterans and their loved ones join us for Christmas breakfast. We were also joined by Heather Jones, a singer from Pontypridd, who entertained the veterans with her remarkable vocals.
“It is also time for reflection, to honour those who made the ultimate sacrifice and to remember those who we sadly cannot celebrate with. They will not be forgotten.
“The Council supports its veterans throughout the year, and I am grateful to all those involved―including the Rhydyfelin Community Group who support the breakfast club―for making this event happen.”
This was the third Christmas Breakfast Club held by the Taf Ely Veterans Club who first started this event back in 2021. This year, they were joined by veterans from across the valley, including those from partner organisations like Valley Veterans and Caerphilly Veterans.
Dave King, Chairman of Taf Ely Veterans, said: “It’s a wonderful thing that we do each year for the veterans. I’d like to personally thank RCT Council, Cllr. Maureen Webber, Jamie Ireland, Armed Forces Liaison Officer, and the girls who cook us breakfast each week, for everything that they do to ensure this event happens, often working from 7am to get everything ready for the day.”
Alan Jones, Secretary of Taf Ely Veterans, said: “This morning’s event was lovely and well-organised, and I’d like to thank the staff who made it possible. We took £120 on our Christmas raffle which will go back into the Tay Ely Veterans Group pot to support our local veterans.”
The Taf Ely Veterans Group hosts a breakfast club every second Wednesday of the month at the Rhydyfelin Community Centre. Members of the local Armed Forces Community including veterans are always welcome to attend. For further information, please get in contact with them either through their Facebook page, or by calling 0774 748 5619.
The Council’s Veteran Advice Service offers a wide range of support and assistance and has helped over six hundred veterans and family members. They provide free, impartial, and dedicated information, advice, and support to members of the armed forces, past and present. To speak to dedicated officers in strict confidence, call 07747 485 619 (Monday to Friday, 8.30am to 5pm), or email: VeteranService@rctcbc.gov.uk
Find out more: RCT Armed Forces Covenant
The latest data shows that there are more than 7,500 armed forces veterans living across Rhondda Cynon Taf. Back in 2012, the Council became one of the first local authorities to sign up to the Armed Forces Covenant, a commitment that was reaffirmed in 2018 and which set the mark for the rest of Wales. The covenant is a mutual agreement of understanding between the civilian and armed forces community across the County Borough.
In 2017, Rhondda Cynon Taf Council was presented with the Ministry of Defence’s Employer Recognition Scheme Gold Award for our continued support of the armed forces community. This award was retained in October 2022 following an assessment of the Council’s commitments, including the introduction of the Guaranteed Interview Scheme for Veterans and Reservists in January 2022.
Posted on 10/01/2024