Timeline
Learn more about how Ty Banc Canal Group was formed, and the journey Ty Banc Canal Group has taken with schools, universities, third sector groups, and the local community
2025, March 1
St. David’s Night – Festival of Lights
2025, Feb 1
Welcome hands
Community Payback is joining the Canal restoration work every Saturday with the canal group volunteers.
2025, April 12
Wagstival
Families and friends gathered at the Resolven canal basin for Wagstival, a delightful event organised by Cheri from Afan Adventure Dog. The festival aimed to raise funds for West Wales Poundies and featured a variety of activities for dogs and their owners.
Attendees enjoyed dog-friendly canoe, kayak, and SUP hire at discounted rates, along with stalls promoting pet-related products and services. The day was filled with joy, laughter, and a strong sense of community, making it a memorable event for all.
We are eagerly anticipating the next Wagstival, scheduled for September 2025, which promises to be even more exciting.
2025, April 19
Easter Egg Hunt
Families and friends had a terrific Easter Egg Hunt along the Canal. The gathering was packed with joy, laughter, and plenty of chocolatey goodies.
Participants of all ages loved exploring for hidden treasures and engaging with their community. Everyone, from small adventurers to seasoned egg seekers, left with a smile and some sweet treats.
This event, along with Water Safety Day and Wagstival, was strategically held during the Easter school holidays to target children and families in the community.
2025, April 24
Water Safety Day
The Water Safety Day was a collaborative multi-agency event held at the Resolven canal basin along Ty Bank Green.
The event featured participation from various emergency services, including the Police, Mid and West Wales Fire Service, Central and Western Beacons Mountain Rescue, and Safer Neath Port Talbot.
Attendees had the opportunity to meet emergency service personnel, try on a police kit, engage in bicycle marking, and learn about crime prevention. The fire service and mountain rescue teams demonstrated water rescue scenarios, providing valuable safety information to the community.
The event was well-received, with many community members attending to learn about water safety and enjoy the activities.
2025, May 10
New skill day
Focused on repairing the canal bank. During this event, young volunteers had the opportunity to learn a new skill and understand the importance of biodiversity.
2025, June 14
Big Green Week- West Glamorgan Girl Guiding and WRG visit sites
Ty Banc’s Big Green Week provided a chance to engage the community on biodiversity and environmental care.
Turned out to be a very popular day with Glamorgan Girl Guiding (over200 GG) used the canal green garden for activities like scavenger hunts and pond dipping, making it a lively day at the canal.
WRG Canal Camp leaders visited to survey sites for pedestrian bridges and culvert-weir.
2025, June 28 & 29
First Aid Training
A two-day course, with sessions lasting seven hours each day, was conducted for both new participants and those seeking a refresher. This program was ideally suited for individuals involved in:
- Outdoor activities
- Volunteering along the canal
- Community events.
2025, July 5
Resolven Carnival July 5
At the Resolven Festival, TY BANC set up a craft corner where people from the community enjoyed making buttons, painting on wood slices, and they also left with seed packets.
2025, July 14
Walking Survey with Canal Volunteers
On a sunny Saturday, canal volunteers gathered for a walking survey led by Mikk Bradley.
The event aimed to educate volunteers on the practical aspects of canal maintenance and preservation. Mikk shared his expertise on identifying potential issues and implementing effective solutions.
The hands-on experience was invaluable for the volunteers, enhancing their understanding and commitment to maintaining the canal’s health and beauty.
2025, August 9
Quad Bike Induction
Induction to the use of Quad bike for Canal Camp, Will Horne WRG Canal Camp leader join in with a few more keen riders.
2025, August 23 to 30
IWA WRG Canal Camp: 23–30 August
A team of 18 dedicated volunteers from across the UK came together for a week-long canal camp, making a lasting impact.
- Two timber footbridges were constructed at Maesgwyn Lock and Ynys Allor Lock (Glynneath Ward), improving access and connectivity along the canal.
- A culvert weir was built near Crugiau Bridge (Resolven Ward) to help reduce flooding and protect the towpath for future use.
This hands-on effort showcased the power of community collaboration and the commitment of the IWA WRG volunteers to preserving and enhancing the canal environment.
2025, August 25
Soup Kitchen came in the catering horse cart for the Thank you gathering 5pm on Bank Holiday Monday to feed up canal festival volunteers with Welsh Dinner on Canal Green with cawls, double stacked lamb burgers and more, sourced locally.
Much appreciated by English/Scottish volunteers to experience Welsh culture and culinary. .
2025, Sep 13
2nd Wagstival organised by Afan Adventure half yearly on the Canal Green, festival and fun activities for the paw friends.
2025, Sep 27
Heritage Exhibition at Swansea Maritime Museum, Ty Banc created the exhibition panels showing the Neath Canal and Ty Banc Canal Group timeline from 2019 to 2025.
Inclusive exhibition that has text sensitive to readers and non-readers to hunt for cats, rabbits and butterfly in Ty Banc’s exhibition.
2025, Oct 25
Halloween on the Neath Canal, Canal Green will have the house of Horror and Welsh folklore display – Mari Llwydd, created by volunteers.
2025, Nov 15 & 22
Canal Harvest weeks getting ready to make Christmas crafts with free wreath making workshop before December.
2025, Nov 29
Wreath Making
2025, Dec 6
Resolven Christmas Fayre
2024, January 13
First Meeting back on the Canal looking forward to another year, happy news of being nominated for King’s Award for Voluntary Service.
2024, January 19
We meet with Briton Ferry doc group, this is a momentous day when #1canal1community feels complete with Neath Canal community groups from north to south the dock agree to join forces… For a shared future
2024, January 24
Wild bird nest boxes being put up by volunteers of Ty Banc Canal Group
2024, February 24
Annual General Meeting
On February 24th, 2024, we held our Annual General Meeting to reflect on a successful year and plan for an exciting future. Key achievements included the 2023 Canal Festival, biodiversity projects, and partnerships with Cardiff University. We launched our website March 2024 in preparation for the canal festival.
2024, March 30
Easter Egg Hunt
Families and friends had a terrific Easter Egg Hunt along the Canal. The gathering was packed with joy, laughing, and plenty of chocolatey goodies.
Participants of all ages loved exploring for hidden treasures and engaging with their community. Everyone, from small adventurers to seasoned egg seekers, left with a smile and some sweets.
2024, April 20
St.Fagans Trips
The Resolven community came together for a wonderful day trip to St. Fagans National Museum of History. It was a journey through time, exploring the rich heritage and culture of Wales in an interactive and inspiring setting.
2024 June 01
NPTCV Volunteer fair
Tybanc was present at the NPTCVs volunteer fair in Neath Victoria Garden.
2024, Aug 10
Cana Saturday activities & l Festival preparation
2024, Aug 11
First aid training
At Tybanc, we take first aid training seriously. In our yearly session, volunteers and community members actively participated in the annual first aid training.
The event concluded with certificate awards for those who successfully completed the program, recognizing their commitment to safety and preparedness.
2024, August 24 & 25
Canal Festival
Two days, one event, countless smiles. The Ty Banc Canal Festival was an enormous success, uniting the community for a fun-filled weekend! The event, held on the August Bank Holiday, offered local music, creative activity stalls, great refreshments, nature walks, and agricultural exhibits, all in a lovely, easily accessible site along the Neath Canal
2024, Sept 28
Malvern Autumn Show
Tybanc canal group joined the Glyneath Gardening Club on a day trip to the Malvern Showground. We toured the space, exploring vegetables, gardens, animals, and plant vendors.
2024, Oct 31
Halloween Night
Halloween Night by the Neath Canal was a frightfully fantastic event! The highlight? A House of Horror, beautifully decorated for the community’s enjoyment. Leading up to the House of Horror, the children from Ynysfach Primary School amazed us all with their spooky and creative projects.
2024, Nov 16
Autumn Harvesting
In preparation for the wreath-making workshop, we gathered the beautiful autumn foliage and materials needed for wreath-making.
2024, Nov 30
Wreath Making Workshop
People of all ages came together to create personalized wreaths, each adding their unique touch with distinctive styles and decorations. As they crafted their wreaths, participants enjoyed hot coffee, tea, and biscuits, making for a cozy, and inviting atmosphere. It was a wonderful opportunity for creativity and community connection.
2023, February 12
Valentine’s Day Workshop for all, to enjoy a day out on the canal making craft with red dogwood harvested from Neath Canal.
2022, March 30
Mother’s Day to enjoy with loved ones!.
2023, April 30
Coronation Celebration for voluntary groups in St Thomas Church Neath.
2023 May 6
Canal Coronation BBQ Celebration cancelled due to bad weather.
2023, June 1
Student volunteers work with volunteers to produce an activity pack, free to collect from Ty Banc Cottage.
2023 June 5
Volunteer fair in Victoria Park, Neath Town Centre organised by NPTCVS.
2023, June
Weather getting sunnier and besides all the exciting community events, volunteers are often spotted hard at work.
2023 July 1
Resolven Carnival with budding artists enjoying free crafty activities and badge making with buttercups and wildflowers from the field.
2023 August 8
Waiting for NLHF (National Lottery Heritage Fund) and getting ready the field for Canal Festival.
2023, August
We did it! NLHF funding for 3 Canal Festivals 2023/24/25 showcasing the Canal Community in Neath Valley.
2023, August 26-27
August Bank Holiday – First Canal Festival Funded by NLHF.
2023, September 16
Supporting Neath Abbey Ironworks Open Doors Days.
2023 September 23
Thank you, BBQ event, for all who made the Canal Festival possible; the friendship formed with music, singing, playing ukelele, food and drinks.
2023 October18-23
Ty Banc joined Neath Art Festival, supporting local café and Neath Library with Bilingual Activity Booklets, helped by returning student volunteers now working in London.
2023 November 25
Wreath Making workshop cancelled.
2023, December 2
Resolven Christmas Fayre in St David’s Church organised by Ynysfach Primary School PTA.
2023, December 20
Celebrating with Glynneath Welsh Group for successfully completed the Heini Gruffudd Welsh Language first book.
2022, March 30
PBM Wales Ltd – local business helped install the posts.
2022, March 29
Meeting Cardiff University student volunteers in Resolven Welfare Hall after over a year of online meetings for various Neath Canal Projects.
2022, May 14
Installing QR code trail post from Resolven to Glynneath.
2022, June 28
Ty Banc volunteers get muck in with Resolven Beevers to make recycling art.
2022, July 2
Ty Banc win the Award for Best Group at Resolven Carnival. Recycled plastic bottles fishes made by Resolven Scout Group and repurposed sheets from Glynneath Charity Shop and imagination made the ‘walking canal’ recycled art. #biodiversity theme.
2022, August 30
Invitation to Mayor’s High Tea at Margam Orangery in celebration of Queen’s Jubilee making a lush memory for Summer 2022.
2022, September 13
Battle of Britain Touring Exhibition at Aberafan Shopping Centre making friends with friends of Neath Abbey Ironworks and Margam Parc.
2022, October
Mast year for acorns, on School half term week, families engaged in activities along the canal, collecting acorns and finding the what3words location to plant or deposit them in tubs for Ty Banc to plant
2022, November
QR Code 14 out of 16 Trail plaques stolen.
2022, November 19
Free Wreath Making with what nature provides along the canal harvested by volunteer in weeks leading up to this event.
2022, November 26
Have another go with festive craft and wreath making for some who missed the first one!
2022, December 8
Ogi from Cardiff enjoying a day volunteering.
2022 December 10
Resolven Christmas Fayre at St David’s Church.
2021
Welsh Government Coronavirus Recovery Grant for Volunteering secure for strategic partnering, Neath Canal Project provided work-based learning for 30 students from Cardiff University – WSA impacted by Covid scarcity of work experience opportunities.
This 8-week project allows them to continue their degree. Various digital assets and projects for Neath Canal and Resolven (selected to demonstrate the benefit to community), exciting ‘New System’ for volunteering in line with Wellbeing for Future Generation Act 2015.
2021, June & July
Llangatwg community School Year 8 and Year 10 students clearing reeds and enjoyed volunteering.
2021, July 12
Jeremy Miles and Resolven Scout out on Neath Canal Pond dipping and discovering the canal ecosystem.
2021, July
Student secured NPT LEADER funding for the Biodiversity Trail Project and designed the web interface for the QR Code.
2021, October 22
Halloween on the Neath Canal joined effort with Resolven Rock Ladies, Resolven Scout group and Ynysfach Primary School PTA.
2021, November
Supported by Resolven Building Block providing the venue, proved popular to harvest from along the canal for wreath making materials.
2021 September 27
Student secured NPT LEADER funding for the Biodiversity Trail Project and designed the web interface for the QR Code.
2021 September 27
Student secured NPT LEADER funding for the Biodiversity Trail Project and designed the web interface for the QR Code.
2020, January
Canal clean up every week.
Covid Lockdown – working on Abergarwed Stretch of Neath Canal with Fire Breaks.
2020, December
Keep Wales tidy events.
2019, January 12
Keep Wales tidy events.
2019, August 31
Starting the weekly canal activities and meet by Ty Banc Cottage, volunteers bring their own tools, litter pickers and equipment from Glynneath Event Panel.
2019, December 21
Local Support in shops and libraries with generous contributions of artwork donated by local artists and photographers.
2019, December 23
Festive Sponsored Walk.
