A message from Janice Gattis of the Alabama Welsh Association:-

"Good News! The Prince Madoc Plaque Resolution passed in the House today, 10 March 2009. So... now comes the hard part again. We are back where we were at the end of the Legislation session last year when the Senate never voted on this so it died. We now need to get the HJR #309 put on the Senate calender and passed. I need all of you to call Senator Barron's office and request that HJR 309 be put on the calendar and passed. His office number is (334) 242-7858. PLEASE take 5 minutes of your day and make this call. Send an email to all your friends and relatives in Alabama to ask them to do this one little thing. Thanks for all the support and help with this endeavor.

Check our blog, www.alabamawelsh.com/blog1 for new and updated information."

Thanks,

Janice Gattis

Alabama Welsh Assoc.

Any kind person out there who is also a Chase Manhattan customer care to nominate the MLMEF for a Community Grant? The process is easy and only takes a few minutes. Here is the Facebook page:- https://www.facebook.com/ChaseCommunityGiving/app_257425277698013

The MLMEF http://www.mlmef.org/ is the 501c3 that, in conjunction with the AmeriCymru website, organises the West Coast Eisteddfod. A Community Grant would enable us to vastly increase the scope of this years event and in particular it would enable us to fly in many more contributing artists from Wales and around the US. If you can help please email americymru@gmail.com.

Reproduced from the Alabama Welsh Blog

Updated News for Welsh Cycle team from David Evans a member of AWA in Mobile, AL. who is assisting the team during theyre stay.

The Cycle Team will be passing through Mobile on March 31st. They will spend the night and be on their way east next morning.

PRESS RELEASE

Between the 20th of March and the 4th of April, four cyclists from Wales, UK along with a support crew are going to cycle across the United States of America. Their aim is simply to raise money for a well worth charity the Noahs Ark Appeal in Wales which supports the Childrens Hospital.

The four Andy Edwards, Gareth Evans, Richard Belcher and Phil Jenkins began to train back in 2007 and what started out as a good idea and a challenge is now a worth while reality. They start from Oceanside California and will stop along the way, and the route takes in Joshua Tree, Twenty Nine Palms, Arizona, parts of the Grand Canyon (including Death Valley), Utah and onto Dulce in New Mexico. In Taos in New Mexico, they will meet up with American Welsh connections for a civic reception before travelling into Texas Sweetwater, Leander and Satsuma. Then onto New Orleans, Louisiana and Mobile, Alabama where David and Elizabeth Evans of the Westminster Presbyterian Church, will welcome them and accommodate and feed the weary travellers. The church is allowing the cyclists to over-night in their activities building. From there its on to Panama City, Live Oak and the journey ends at St Augustine Beech, Florida.

The exact details of the journey, a daily blog and a chance to donate money, can viewed on their web-site www.coast2coast-usa.org or at www.justgiving.com/coast2coast-usa . The four cyclists have been overwhelmed by peoples generosity and kindness. Andy summed it up by saying: We just want to say thank you. People have been so kind. In these trying times of credit crunch and financial worries, people are still more than ready to support good causes.

The story of the journey is being made into a radio programme for BBC Radio Cymru (Welsh Radio) and being filmed by an independent media company from Wales Telesgop.

Further information: Dyfrig Davies - dyfrig.davies@telesgop.co.uk +447850-956334Andy Edwards info@coast2coast-usa.org www.myspace.com/coast2coastusa www.coast2coast-usa.org http://walescoast2coastusa.blogspot.com/ www.justgiving.com/coast2coast-usa

We are pleased to announce that we are in the process of implementing the EReward points system on this site. If you go to your home page you will see a box just below your profile info in the left hand column titled 'My ( Username ) Stat'. If you click on the question mark you will see a display which details the points reward system. THEN If you comment on this post your total should increment by 10

This opens up all kinds of possibilities for member reward schemes, competitions , prizes etc.

PLEASE HELP US OUT BY TESTING THIS NEW FEATURE. COMMENT BELOW AND CHECK YOUR HOME/PROFILE PAGE.

DIOLCH

IMPORTANT UPDATE

Firstly I would like to say diolch yn fawr to everyone who has commented in this thread. It is greatly appreciated and I think it is fair to say that the reward system is a functional and popular new feature. There are a few minor bugs and as we continue to test thescript I will pass these on to the developer.

Moving forward there are three main areas for consideration.

1. We need to tweak the points system so that it incentivizes content that is most beneficial to the site and most popular with members . I am reasonably content with the current schema but always open to suggestions along the lines of SJ's post earlier in this thread. Here is the current points sytem:-

Points reward scheme:-

.
Comment on profiles/pages/groups: 10 points
Publish a Blog post: 40 points
Created a Discussion: 20 points
Reply a Discussion: 10 points
Joined a Group: 10 points
Created a Group: 20 points
Shared/Uploaded a Photo: 10 points
Shared/Uploaded a Video: 10 points

2. We need to address the ranking question.This from the EReward site:- "Furthermore, user will be able to see their title/rank on their My stats box(able to see other members' rank too) which is rewarded to them based on their points."

.

We need to come up with a list of ranks ( about 5 in all , preferably in Welsh ) which will be automatically awarded to members when they hit a certain points level. So we proceed from novice ( welsh? ) to grand master or grand wizard or archdruid or whatever. We can add small graphics to accompany the titles which will display in peoples stat boxes on their homepages. I'm thinking perhaps a new rank level for every 2000 points up to 10000. What does anyone think? What should the titles be? The floor is open for suggestions

3. What shall we offer as a reward for top points earners. How often should we offer prizes and what shou;ld they be? Should there be different prizes for different ranks? Looking for suggestions here too. Perhaps we should offer sponsored promotions ? Your ideas and suggestions welcome.

LATEST NEWS

Here are the ranks, point ranges and accompanying graphics. As you accumulate points for your activity on the site you will advance to the higher grades. These grades will display in the 'My Stat' box in the left hand column on your profile page just below your profile details.

• When user has 5000 or more points
  Title: DDRAIG MEISTR
  Title Image :
  

  
• 
  When user has 4000 or more points
  Title: DEWIN
  Title Image :
  

  
• 
  When user has 3000 or more points
  Title: BARDD
  Title Image :
  

  

• When user has 2000 or more points
  Title: ARBENIGWR
  Title Image :
  

  
• 
  When user has 1000 or more points
  Title: GRADDEDIG
  Title Image :
  

  
• 
  When user has 0 or more points
  Title: NEWYDDIAN
  Title Image :
  

  

LATEST NEWS

Here are the stats after 2 days from the new points reward system. This shows the top thirty contributors . The last two usernames were not recorded by the system for some reason?? We will endeavour to keep these stat reports updated on a regular ( probably weekly or monthly ) basis. Nobody has made it to the rank of graddedig yet. We are all still novices

NAME POINTS

Ceri Shaw 680
Swansea Jack 610
Brian y Tarw Llwyd 460
Brett Hull 330
Gaynor Madoc Leonard 260
mona everett 250
Robert Lloyd 220
Peter Lewis 220
Eiry Rees Thomas 220
David T. E. Hopkins 220
W. Perry Williams 210
John Cotti-Diaz 210
Jennifer Rahel Conover 210
CHRISTOPHER JOHN WILLIAMS 210
Mal Durbin 130
Iona Wyn Hall 120
William Beynon 100
Katheryn Moore 80
Allison Thomas 70
gaabi 30
Welsh Heart 20
Suzie Morris 20
Matthew D. Reese 20
Michael Ellis 10
Harold Powell 10
Darren Parry 10
Chris Herzig 10
Cameron Lee Isaacs 10
none 10
none 10

We have received the following message from Janice Gattis of the Alabama Welsh Association. We appeal to everyone who has the chance to email in support.

The Resolution #HJR 309 was introduced into the AL House yesterday which is regarding the Prince Madoc plaque restoration on Mobile Bay Resolution. I need all of you, especially those living in Alabama, to contact the Representatives and Senators so we can get this passed through both this time before time runs out again. I believe a email, phone call or letter from an abundance of people whether Alabamians or not it should get their attention.

Here is a website you can get email addresses, telephone #s and snail mail address for House Reps & Senators in Alabama. Let them know that you are part of the Alabama Welsh Assoc., or friends of the Alabama Welsh Assoc. which has members across the entire state. They are more likely to respond if they know your vote can hurt or help them.

http://www.legislature.state.al.us/house/house.html

http://www.conservativeusa.org/mega-cong.htm

It might even help if someone from the BBC contacted Birmingham News to get their take on this project by the Alabama Welsh Assoc. I cant seem to get any interest out of them.

Please take a look at our updated site www.alabamawelsh.com

Sincerely,

Janice Gattis

President Alabama Welsh Assoc.

Brechfa Community Trust Limited

A Draft Proposal to establish

An Industrial and Provident Society for Community Benefit

Register No

Prospectus

June 2012

Summary

We are seeking investors who wish to become members of a community co-operative that plans to buy the Forest Arms in Brechfa, Carmarthenshire.

Currently there are proposals to reopen it as a pub with microbrewery, a bunkhouse and caf/ restaurant with space to display and sell local crafts etc.

It will benefit both residents and visitors to the area supporting other local businesses and tourist initiatives. It is our intention that the pub will work closely with and in support of the other community and commercial facilities in the area, in particular the village halls and community store.

It may also be possible to provide some additional space for meetings, and workspace for small rural start up businesses.

It will be a profitable business and represents a fair investment opportunity offering modest returns to its shareholders.

If you make an investment you will become a member of Brechfa Development Trust Ltd. We will be an Industrial and Provident Society for Community Benefit, a co-operative, run for the benefit of the local community. You will have a say in how the business is run and in who runs it.

You will be a co-owner of a traditional stone building, in a beautiful setting.

Members are asked to invest a minimum of 250. Each member will have an equal say in the enterprise. The initial directors that have formed the Society are accountable to the membership and will, be elected by them at the first Annual General Meeting.

Members will receive a regular newsletter and be entitled to attend the Annual General Meeting and other general meetings that may be called from time to time.

We aim to raise 80,000 from members. This sum may be supplemented by grant aid and/or loans that we expect to receive this will be used to purchase the building.

It is our intention to raise the additional monies for renovation and equipping the businesses from grant funding.

The Society may agree a lease/s. with various tenants who will operate from our premises. Their terms will reflect the needs of the cooperative enterprise to be profitable, balanced against their development potential.

The rental income will provide a return to our member/investors. We firmly believe that the business will be profitable, but if it is not, the Society owns a valuable asset the building and land associated with it - which can be sold in order to return funds to investors. Your investment is in the building and land - the bricks and mortar, not the licensed business or other commercial activities.

This is a great opportunity to invest in a worthwhile community enterprise that will provide a valuable service to its members and users.

Brechfa is one of the communities benefiting from the Cambrian Mountain Initiative, a project to help develop strong sustainable communities linked to the quality and attractiveness of the landscape.

Carmarthenshire County Council has identified that Brechfa Forest and Llanllwni Mountain support 105 tourism accommodation providers, and has a value to the local economy of 18 million to 22 million a year. The community is being supported to develop plans to increase the promotion of Brechfa Forest and Llanllwni Mountain as tourist attractions. The local tourism cluster association has recently received grants to promote trails linking the communities and businesses providing services to day trippers and tourists around the forest and mountain.

Description of Businesses

The Forest Arms was the only pub in Brechfa. The pub closed in 2006 and has remained unoccupied since.

We have been supported by Carmarthenshire Association of Voluntary Services (CAVS) to develop a community survey to assess the potential range of uses of the building and in gathering information on sources of funds to purchase and renovate the property. Unfortunately this will not now be completed until later in the summer.

Our communities plans to purchase the property.

With the support of CAVS we have launched a community share offer to raise the funds to buy the freehold of the Forest Arms. CAVS has already offered to assist us in promoting the share offer.

We have the support of a number of experts from the hospitality and brewing industries as well as the 'Pub is the Hub' initiative to develop the business plans and designs for the property.

It is not practical for us to apply for grants to purchase the property because of the timescales. Additionally, by raising the funds to purchase the property via a share offer, we will also be demonstrating to grant organisations the support of the community for the project.

If the community is unsuccessful in purchasing the property, the rules of the share offer would enable us to refund in full all the money raised.

Renovation.

We estimate that it will cost 150-200,000 to renovate, convert and equip the building. However, it is difficult to exactly estimate the costs at this stage before a full scheme has been designed. There may also be unexpected problems discovered once work starts.

There is a considerable range of support available from grant funding sources for community enterprises which provide both employment opportunities and services vital to build a strong community. We have already identified some potential sources of grant funding for the renovation of the building.

Once the community own the Forest Arms we will then be supported by the CAVS to apply for grants to fund the renovation of the property. It normally takes at least 6 months to successfully apply for such grants.

In parallel with applying for grants we will be working with our consulting experts on the designs for the property and the business.

While the property is not listed, it is of a traditional style of construction. The community association has been in informal discussions with an organisation which provides training on traditional building techniques on using the renovation of the building as a project for the supervised students on this course. This could reduce the renovation costs significantly as well as providing some opportunities for local people to be involved in the renovation and learn new skills.

Members of the community including local builders have already offered to help with the renovation work, but may extend the renovation period.

Re-opening

We estimate that it will take at least 2 years from purchase to the completion of the renovation. However it may be possible to phase renovation work in stages, so bringing forward the date from which the business will start to generate an income.

Industrial and Provident Society Structure

We will be establishing a co-operative that is called an IPS for Community Benefit. We have been advised by Co-ops UK on the registration of the Society with the Financial Services Authority and we have adapted model rules provided by Co-ops UK to draw up our own rules. The Society, known as Brechfa Community Trust Ltd, will be a separate legal entity. This has been done because we need to be able to establish a co-operative in which members will become member shareholders.

We believe that there is sufficient interest from within the community association and surrounding area and from other supporters with connections to Brechfa to recruit other shareholder members to join the Society. The IPS structure allows any person who buys one or more shares to become a member of the Society. Each member has only one vote.

Each share costs 250. We have decided that a minimum investment would be 1 share. However, it is possible to invest more than the minimum and our publicity will encourage members to do so. No shareholder can invest more than 20,000.

In order to give the Society a chance to launch the business we will require investors to commit to keep their investment in the Society for at least the first two years before they can withdraw it. After that they will be required to give three months notice of their intention to withdraw funds. The Society rules will give the directors the power to refuse a request to withdraw funds if it would endanger the business. It is our very firm intention not to use these powers unless absolutely necessary.

We want investors to know that their money is available if and when they need it. Once we have reached our target there will be a waiting list for new investors.

The Societies intention is that it will pay interest to its shareholders at least as good as they are likely to receive from an ordinary bank deposit account and investors can withdraw their money when they wish to, there will be some restrictions on how and when this can be done.

Whilst we anticipate that the business will be profitable eventually.

The tenants rent paid to the Society will be sufficient for the Society to pay a competitive level of interest to its members, the Society will not be seeking to pay any interest until the end of the second year.

One of the major advantages for shareholders investing in this type of business is the highly beneficial tax arrangements if shareholders hold their shares for a minimum of 3 years.

The shares that members buy are redeemable in the way set out above, but they are not transferable (i.e. members cannot sell them to anyone else). This arrangement allows the Society to be exempt from the Financial Services and Markets Act for Society share issues.

Whilst we firmly believe that the business will be profitable and that the ownership of the asset, the land and buildings, provides members with a high level of security, it is important for members to understand that there is a potential risk that the business may fail and land values may fall. If this were to occur the value of shares in the Society could reduce.

A board of directors comprising up to nine members will manage the Society. They will be accountable to the membership and will report to them via a newsletter and an AGM. The first of which will be held within 6 weeks of the societies registration.

After the first year, one third of the directors will stand down each year and may be re-elected or replaced by new directors.

The Society may lease sections of the building to a tenants or tenants, who will run the building either as a whole or as separate enterprises. They will pay rent to the Society.

The board will set the broad policy direction for the business and agree key targets with the tenant/s, beyond that, however, the tenant/s will be left to manage the business as they see fit.

The board does not intend to interfere in the day to day running of the business or attempt to micro-manage them.

We are currently researching the best business model for collaboration between the various uses that have so far been proposed and will come forward with a business plan in due course.

The Society will pay a competitive level of interest to the membership that will be obtained from the secure income of rent paid by the tenant/s.

Interest is paid gross and is taxable. It is the members responsibility to declare any such earnings to HMRC if applicable.

The Societys rules determine that any surplus made by the Society after it has paid dividends to its shareholders must either be reinvested in the business or used for the benefit of the local community or for another charitable or community purpose.

Directors and members are forbidden from benefiting in any other way from the activities of the Society. It is our intention that the property will continue to operate a public house and community business hub for the benefit of the community for the foreseeable future.

However, should the membership choose, to dispose of the property in the future, any surpluses that may arise after all the shareholders have been paid back the amount they invested must be used for a charitable purpose.

This would not prevent the directors choosing to reflect the fact that the enterprise has made a profitable sale in the level of dividend paid to the members in the final year of operation, providing that this dividend is reasonable.

This proposal will not be regulated by the Financial Services and Markets Act 2000 because the shares in the co-operative are not securities for the purpose of those regulations. If the business fails there is no right of complaint to the Financial Ombudsman or the Financial Services Compensation Scheme.

Brechfa Website

Brechfa The Battle To Save A Community