## Friends of Aberdare Park. Chairperson’s Report for 2021. Last year was an exciting year for Friends of Aberdare Park. We accomplished our main ambition of building a splash pad to replace the defunct paddling pool. We had the support of RCT Council, the officers who helped us to furnish the legalities of the project and the Parks officers who enhanced the WPS design by extending and improving the grass bank area, the tarmac surround and the benches. I would also extend thanks to Richard Harrison (WPS) and his team working through some horrid weather and COVID to build the pad. There are so many to thank for this fabulous feature in our stunning Park. Firstly, I must thank our Project Team who kept up the drive to success, (Jayne, Ann, Adrian and Sharon R) as well as our FOAP members for the work they put in to raising funds. I want to thank our prime funders including Penycymoedd Wind Farm Fund and The Welsh Church Act Thanks also to the businesses in the Cynon Valley as well as individuals and groups for their donations. At the start of 2021, the Splash Pad was completed and ready for the summer. The Davies Bros Ltd then started working on the building. Their initial plan was to redecorate the 2 changing rooms and convert one toilet into a changing place for the disabled, the other toilet to be a unisex toilet. We were fortunate that the Local Authority allocated the funding for the Changing Places Facility, which is under their remit, allowing us to invest in the exterior of the building, We opened the Pad in June under Covid restrictions to invited guests. We held three very successful sessions. On 1st July we had the first of a series of school visits. Each visited in their bubbles and gave us a great opportunity to see what running the splash pad would entail on a day to day basis. It was an absolute delight to see the pleasure on so many children's faces after going through so many restrictions and not being able to go on school trips. Thanks to Adrian for organising the private session for young people with special needs that went successfully on Friday 27th July. I must give huge thanks to Billy and his assistants for maintaining the splash pad area and checking the chemical balance of the sprays. We had a few problems along the way. My favourite problem was on the last Saturday when the apparatus failed to work at the 10 am start. We had users ready to enjoy the sprays. Billy could see that WPS guys had set the calendar to stop the sprays working ready for decommissioning. What could we do? I phoned Richard (WPS) for help. Billy was able to solve the problem with Richard’s advice. The kiosk was a very popular feature with the users. On hot days the splash pad visitors were very grateful for the lovely ice creams on sale. Because of the Covid Pandemic it has been impossible to organise the events that Sharon Phillips had pencilled in. So we intend to look at Easter for a start in the coming year. Despite this we have had Gareth Jones’ Socials in the Trecynon Hall donating substantial amounts reguarly. Many thanks to Gareth and the locals who have contributed. I would also like to thank Liz who provides us with a good income stream through the sale of duck food. I must not forget Ann who spends her valuable spare time in packing it ! Adrian has decided to relinquish the role of Treasurer and Trustee. He has been an important cog in the FOAP wheel. He has kept me on my toes many times. He has put in so much effort to make FOAP a successful organisation. Adrian was an integral lead in the success of the parkrun every Saturday at 9 am. It brings in visitors from far and wide. Many thanks Ade. Another of our trustees, Sherryll Davies has decided to step down, Sherryll is a talented photographer who raised several thousands pounds for Friends, her stunning photographs have shown the beauty of Aberdare Park attracting visitors from near and far. Thanks Sherryll. We have also lost the support of RCT Park officer, Marie Fowler, who has moved to another job. Marie was our link with the RCT crew in Aberdare Park. Many thanks for her ideas and encouragement. I must inform you, if you haven’t heard that one of our main supporters has passed away, Geoff Evans, a leading local historian. He wrote the Aberdare Park booklet and enjoyed leading groups around the park on a history walks on Sunday. He was prominent in the Park 150th anniversary celebrations in 2019 as well as the exhibition in the Museum. We now have a new year to look forward to and I am hoping that we can get back to near normal in 2022 so that we can re-light our aims to bring the Park back to life with activities. I know that our members have many ideas for improving the Park and giving pleasure to the many people who visit it. I look forward to working with you over the coming year. Philip Rees, Chair. ## Friends Of Aberdare Park Charitable Incorporated Organisation . Charity Commission Number 1169132 Accounts for 2021 Period 1[st] January 2021 to 31[st] December 2021 Opening Balance 43,499.69 INCOME Grants/Donations 23405.06 Fundraising 1081.44 Birdfood Sales 1634.00 Refund of Deposit from RCT Council 5000.00 TOTAL INCOME 31,120.50 TOTAL EXPENDITURE 55239.82 THEREFORE ANNUAL LOSS FOR 2021 24119.32 Therefore CLOSING BALANCE which agrees exactly with the bank balance 19380.37 L