Bonymaen Community Partnership held its AGM and Awards Evening on 9th May 2012 at Cefn Hengoed Comprehensive School in Swansea. As part of the event, The Deputy Lord Mayor of the City and County of Swansea Councillor Dennis James presented Community Champions Certificates to acknowledge the hard work and achievements by individuals and organisations for the benefit of the Bonymaen community. Swansea Bay Regional Equality Council was recognised for helping mainstream equality and diversity in Bonymaen. Chief Executive of Swansea Bay REC, Taha Idris, OBE, JP received the Equality & Diversity Award on behalf of the organisation.

There were a number of other dignitaries from School Governors to Community Group Leaders as well as key Community Volunteers present at the Ceremony. There were performances from the school Choir, Drummers, Soloists as well as Bonymaen’s very own ‘Only Women Aloud’ Ladies Choir.

We are proud to learn that one of the newest members of our communities has been selected as Mister Wales 2012. It is an honour and a matter of pride that Arnold Matsena, 22 of Swansea has received this coveted title. It was only two years ago that Arnold with his two younger brothers, originally from Zimbabwe but now permanently resident in Wales, impressed Britain’s Got Talent Judges when their act, called A3, stormed through to the final.

A3 are a well established group of street dancers who combine modern British music and dance with that from their Zimbabwean heritage. Arnold and his brothers have also appeared in Move Like Michael Jackson where they proved the brothers have individual talent which, when put together, forms a mesmerising act. They are not new to fame having won many competitions including medals at the 2009 World Street Dance championship.

Said Swansea Bay REC’s Chief Executive, Taha Idris ” I wish to congratulate Arnold on having received the Mister Wales Accolade in 2012. Arnold has worked with SBREC in delivering Schools’ Diversity Days where his performance has enthralled all the pupils. Arnold has a great heart as well as some oratory skills and it’s been interesting to hear him give his message of hope to the pupils during our Diversity Days”

Organisers of Mister Wales had this to say about the title:

“Mister Wales is an annual competition for young Welsh men aged between 18-29. The event runs annually alongside the Miss Wales competition to generate funds for our chosen charity The Joshua Foundation.

Each year, the new titleholder wins a trip to either Manhunt International or Mister World to represent Wales on this international stage. Arnold, having won the title will also get to judge the regional heats of Miss Wales title in 2013 and may receive a number of personal appearance opportunities. He will also receive (subject to fundraising) a series of overseas trips with The Joshua Foundation including three weeks in Australia.

It’s not a body building competition – but a good body helps of course!”

Congratulations Arnold. You have not just got the talent but also the grit to be Mister Wales 2012.

It is with sadness that we inform you of the sudden passing away of Mr Shahnoor Ali, a well known local person who was involved in many worthwhile causes in the Swansea area.

Shahnoor Ali was one of the founding members of the predecessor of Swansea Bay REC, the West Glamorgan Community Relations Council. Indeed he continued his interest in the organsation throughout the past 30+ years until very recently.

He had been a Trustee of Swansea Mosque since its inception in the 1980s. Mr Ali was also very active in affairs relating to the Bangladeshi community living and working in the area. He will be remembered for the enthusiasm and energy that he possessed in being involved with local affairs especially his continuing links with Swansea Mosque. Mr Ali’s funeral (namaz e janaazah) takes place at the Swansea Mosque on Wednesday 26th October 2011 after Zuhr prayers which are due at 1:30pm.

May his soul be blessed. His family have asked everyone who knew him to keep him in their prayers.

Post Note: The funeral prayers for Mr Shahnoor Ali was held after Zuhr prayers at Swansea Mosque with record numbers of people attending the prayers. It is very rare that there is no standing room at the Mosque but this was indeed the case. It goes to show how well Mr Ali had been liked and respected by the Muslim community of Swansea. Please pray for his maghfirat!

Here is an opportunity for people living in the Swansea area to give their feedback on Swansea Council’s services to its constituents. We would like to encourage every one to take part in this consultation.

Said the Consultation Coordinator, Rhian Millar, when asked what this was about, “As a key stakeholder for the Council, we are keen to have people’s opinion on how we perform in a number of important areas.

We would be grateful if everyone could complete this questionnaire so that we can assess what they think of us and to identify those areas where we need to improve in order to meet their expectations. Their responses will be treated confidentially, so I would request them to respond honestly and openly.”

Click here to take part

If you have any questions about the survey or would like to complete this survey in an alternative format e.g Large Print etc please contact Rhian Foote 01792 636732 or email: rhian.millar@swansea.gov.uk

Sadly on Wednesday 16th February 2011, Mr David Holmes (aged 81) passed away, peacefully in his sleep at his home in Swansea. Mr Holmes was a founding Vice Chair of Swansea Bay REC’s predecessor organisation, the West Glamorgan Community Relations Council. The organisation started life in 1983 with Mr Holmes alongside Judge Ray Singh and the late Councillor Mehar Verma as the three founding Vice Chairs. Mr Holmes served on the Executive Committee of the organisation until 1988. Seen in the picture with Carwyn Jones, AM the First Minister of Wales, Mr Holmes leaves behind his wife, a daughter and three grandchildren.

Mr Holmes had been seriously ill for a number of months. He leaves behind memories of a joyous and happy life. He was always eager to help anyone in difficulty. Indeed, in his role at the time, as Manager of Monmouthshire Building Society’s Swansea branch, many people will remember him with fondness and gratitude for his endeavours to ensure that they had their first homes without any fuss, even in the financially troubled times of the 1980s.

Swansea Bay REC offers its heartfelt condolences to his widow, Mrs Audrey Holmes.