A Summer of Community, Culture and Celebration: NPT News

Port Talbot’s theatre has unveiled its new name – Yr Aelwyd – marking the start of an exciting new chapter for the venue. Residents can discover the story behind the name and sign up to the venue’s email list to be the first to hear about event announcements, ticket releases and venue updates.

The project has been supported by a range of local creatives, organisations and community partners, reflecting a venue that remains proudly rooted in Port Talbot.

👉 www.porttalbottheatre.com
👉 Join the mailing list

🌳Green Flag Success Across Neath Port Talbot 🌳

Five local sites have retained prestigious Green Flag Awards, recognising high-quality parks and green spaces with excellent facilities and environmental standards.

🔷The Gnoll Country Park has achieved its first-ever Green Heritage Site Accreditation, while Margam Country Park has retained its heritage status.

🔷 Fairyland Community Garden earned its first Green Flag Community Award, joining community projects in Cwmafan, Pontardawe, Sandfields, Cilybebyll and Tairgwaith in receiving recognition.

The awards celebrate the dedication of volunteers, community groups and staff who help keep Neath Port Talbot's green spaces safe, welcoming and thriving for everyone.

To see all the winners, click here

📖 Digital Library Membership Now Available Across Neath Port Talbot 📖

Library users across Neath Port Talbot can now access a digital membership through the free Spydus app, allowing them to view their account, renew books, browse the catalogue and request new titles.

The app also includes a digital library card that can be added to a Google or Apple Wallet, and is available in both Welsh and English, with a dyslexia-friendly version. Physical library cards will continue to be accepted at all libraries for those who prefer them.

👉 Find out more about the app and how to get started on the website here

🌳 Port Talbot and Afan Valley Shortlisted for UK Town of Culture 🌳

Port Talbot and the Afan Valley have been shortlisted for the UK's first Town of Culture competition, making the final 15 from almost 400 bids submitted nationwide.

The shortlist secures £60,000 to develop a full bid for the 2028 title, which carries funding of up to £3 million. The bid aims to celebrate the area's industrial heritage, creative talent and strong community spirit while helping to raise the profile of culture across Neath Port Talbot.

👉Full Story here: Port Talbot and Afan Valley shortlisted for first ever UK Town of Culture competition

🏛️‘Flowing through Time: People, Place & Change’ Exhibition 🏛️

Don't worry if you missed it at Neath Civic Centre!

The interactive ‘Flowing through Time: People, Place & Change’ exhibition is continuing its tour across the Neath area. Discover the history of Neath and Briton Ferry through engaging displays exploring how local people, places and communities have changed over time.

📍 Aberdulais Falls – throughout August
📍 Gnoll Country Park Visitor Centre – until the end of September

👉 Find out more here: New Neath Museum Exhibition to Bring Local History to Life

🤝New Pride in Place Neighbourhood Board for Upper Afan Valley Announced by NPT Council 🤝

Funded by the UK Government, the Pride in Place Programme will bring up to £20 million of investment over the next decade to support regeneration, strengthen communities and improve opportunities across the Upper Afan Valley.

The newly established Neighbourhood Board will play a central role in shaping the future of the area.

👉Read more

📢Have Your Say on Active Travel 📢

Have your say on updated proposals for walking, wheeling and cycling routes in Neath Port Talbot. Speak to the team and share your ideas on:

♿ Accessibility improvements

🛡️ Safer journeys

🌍 Environmentally friendly travel

📍 Gwaun Cae Gurwen Community Centre

📅 7th August at 11:00 - 13:00

📍 Cohesion Cup - Port Talbot Cricket Club

📅 9th August at 09:30 - 14:30

📍 Gnoll Country Park Visitor Centre

📅 15th August at 09:00 – 11:00

Your voice matters – Find out more here

📝 Signing up to myNPT is simple 📝

In less than 2 minutes you will have a fully personalised resident’s account to manage all your council services.

Get started by clicking the link below.

👉 www.npt.gov.uk/myNPT

📅 What's on in NPT? 📅

Looking for things to do with the kids? Live Music? Employment or IT advice? Somewhere to practice or learn a new skill?

Aberavon Summer by the Sea continues throughout August, with plenty still to enjoy along the seafront.

Families can look forward to circus workshops, live music performances, character meet-and-greets, markets, sports camps and outdoor fitness sessions. Studt's Funfair remains open daily until 9 August, while the final fireworks display over the bay takes place on 7 August.

Visit our What's On in NPT page to find all these and more!

You can also add your own events to the listings.

Tell us of an Event

📢 We’re hiring! 📢

To view our latest vacancies and for more information, visit www.npt.gov.uk/jobs

Join us and create a career you love.

Teams across SWTRA and Neath Port Talbot Council are hiring.

Some of the full-time, permanent positions include:

🔹 Head of Engineering and Transport
🔹 Strategic Manager
🔹 Senior Manager
🔹 Network Resilience Officer
🔹 Principal Engineers
🔹 Senior Engineer
🔹 Governance and Assurance Manager
🔹 Transport Strategy Manager
🔹 People Planning and Performance Manager
🔹 Corporate Services Manager

📝 Signing up to myNPT is simple 📝

Neath Port Talbot Council shortlisted for UK-wide Council of the Year Award

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