A great meeting the leader of Neath Port Talbot Council, Cllr. Rob. Jones. He knows Blaengwynfi and some of its more interesting characters of old well - he was a policeman there, so of course the first few minutes were of recollections of people that Jim and he knew. The emphasis of the RTS is now to produce all the information that the Welsh Govt. or local authorities will need to accept ownership of the tunnel. As well as the detailed examination report, there will need to be a comprehensive business plan, showing the costs and likely benefits of the whole project. We have been asked to send Cllr. Jones a list of items on which we think the Council may be able to assist, and he will help if possible. This would include discussions with the Planning team. Budget constraints, of course, are always an issue, so financial support may be limited.

A Meeting of the Trustees and Committee Members takes place This Evening(Tuesday, 24/10/17) at Ton Pentre Football Club. High on the Agenda will be the planned entry into the Tunnel before Christmas to gather vital information for the detailed examination that will take place early next year. 
​Security on the day will be provided by SWCMR, Safety by Mines Rescue, Dinas.

​As the Society prepares to move into a new Phase of the Rhondda Tunnel Project, people are now beginning to see that the Project is no longer a pipe dream with many MP's and AM's backing the ambitious plans,
 Councillor Scott Jones of Cymmer ward (and deputy mayor of NPTC) said,"I welcome this grant as it will enable all concerned to understand whether or not it is viable to re-open the tunnel.  I congratulate the Rhondda Tunnel Society for all their hard work and determination which has put this ambitious project firmly in the public imagination”.
​We thank you for your comments Councillor Jones.

Steve, Les and I met Martyn Russell of Glaister Russell, the company that is going to build a small estate near the tunnel entrance in Blaencwm. I think that it is fair to say that the RTS has found a new friend. Martyn is a cyclist and is very keen to see the project succeed.  We have seen the plans for the new estate; there needs to be a small modification of the route that we were originally proposing to approach the tunnel by bike or on foot, but otherwise the new estate will not affect our proposal. We have agreed that the trees around the estate, especially along the stream, need to stay there in order to shield the view of the new houses.
Martyn is also happy to let us have access to the tunnel for vehicles and equipment that are needed for the forthcoming surveys. This could have been a "showstopper".

Tony 

The Promotional Film for the Rhondda Tunnel Project is finally ready to hit the Media, along with the Official launch of it's new Website designed by Highstreet Media Treorchy.
​The launch will take place at the G2 in Blaengwynfi with in the next few weeks. Plans are afoot to invite people like Leanne Wood, David Rees and Stephen Kinnock who all participated in the making of the Film.
​"Now comes the hard bit" said Steve Mackey, Chairman of the Society. " Marketing will be of vital importance to get maximum impact from the Film," he said.
A meeting of Trustees is planned within the next Two weeks where the strategy of promotion will be discussed. The Film will be available on the same night on Social Media to cater for Members who cannot attend the launch due to distance and other reasons. Keep up dated by visiting here for the latest information regarding the project.

On Tuesday afternoon, 3rd October, Shay Fisher and myself attended a meeting with the BBC at their Studios in Llandaf, Cardiff. The Rhondda Tunnel Society was ask to attend to discuss a new program they are planning concerning mining in the Valleys in bygone days. As the Tunnel was constructed to carry Coal from the Valleys to the docks in port Talbot and Swansea, it played a vital part in our history regarding Coal and its distribution across the entire globe. More details will be posted as the project progresses. (Below, Shay Fisher at the BBC Studios with Stephen Springate)

The Rhondda Tunnel Society is set to receive £90,000, from Pen y Cymoedd Wind Farm Community fund, to ensure vital detailed examinations of the tunnel are made....
I welcome this fantastic news with open arms as it could be the breakthrough the Rhondda Tunnel Society needs, leading them that one step closer to finally re-opening the tunnel to walkers and cyclists.
Having already met with members of the Rhondda Tunnel Society on numerous occasions this year and lobbied both Ken Skates AM and Chris Grayling MP over the ownership of the tunnel, I am currently in the process of organising another meeting with the Society, now this funding has been made available.
It is so important that we are able to re-open the tunnel and create this major tourist attraction on our doorstep here in the #Rhondda. It is for this reason I will ensure I do everything I possibly can to support the Society and their endeavours both now and in the future on this innovative project.
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