The award-winning South Wales construction firm Morganstone Ltd is giving the popular Afan Forest Park Visitor Centre a facelift.
The forest park is one of the leading tourist attractions in the Neath and Port Talbot area, catering for walkers, leisure cyclists and expert mountain-bikers.
Its a hugely popular venue and we were delighted to win the contract with Neath Port Talbot Borough Council to carry out the refurbishment and extension of the visitor centre, said Morganstone managing director Ian Morgan.
There is a great deal of pride in the area about the forest park and it is widely recognised as one of the leading mountain-biking attractions in the UK.
The works we are carrying out there will be very important to the future success of the forest park and we are sure visitors will be delighted with the finished result when the project is completed in the spring.
The renovation is part of Cognation mtb trails South Wales, an exciting new partnership project between Neath Port Talbot CBC, Caerphilly CBC, Merthyr Tydfil CBC and Forestry Commission Wales.
It is funded by the EUs Convergence European Regional Development Fund through the Welsh Government, with match funding coming from the Welsh Government and partner organisations.
The caf area at the visitor centre will be transformed with folding glass doors overlooking the valley, leading out onto a covered terrace and creating an inviting outside seating area.
The foyer will be redesigned as a more open and appealing space, giving visitors a warmer welcome, better access to the South Wales Miners Museum and new toilet facilities.
There will also be a new meeting room and general improvements to the building.
A spokesman for Neath Port Talbot Borough Council said: These improvements will further enhance what Afan Forest Park offers locals and visitors alike. Cognation mtb trails South Wales has already built new sections of mountain bike trail in Afan Forest Park and more will be created over the next few years aimed at families and beginners.
The refurbishment work to Afan Forest Park Visitor Centre shows our continued support for the tourism industry in Neath Port Talbot.
Council Leader Councillor Ali Thomas said: Spectacular views across the Afan Valley can be seen from the visitor centre and the splendid glass feature will bring a new chapter to its history.
The renovations to the Afan Forest Park Visitor Centre will result in great improvements to one of Neath Port Talbots main tourist attractions. We are pleased that we are able to maintain a service for our visitors during the renovation work and look forward to welcoming visitors to a new-look centre in the spring.
Morganstone MD Mr Morgan added: We are delighted to work with Neath Port Talbot Council on this exciting project to rejuvenate such a great visitor attraction.
For visitor information during the renovation works, visitors to the Afan Forest park should contact the Tourist Information Centre on 01639 636674 or visit www.afanforestpark.co.uk
Photo:
Morganstones Mervyn Dowrick (Contracts Manager) and Chris Weaver (Site Manager) discussing the roofing works at the Afan Forest Park Visitor Centre
Weblinks
http://www.morganstone.co.uk/
http://www.afanforestpark.co.uk/
http://www.npt.gov.uk/Default.aspx?page=2482&pr_id=4618
On Facebook, search Morganstone Ltd.
On Twitter, look for @MorganstoneLtd

Members of Llanelli Rotary Club lent a hand at the Careers Wales mock interview sessions staged at Coedcae School, Llanelli.
The mock interviews gave pupils the chance to gain some experience of doing job and further education interviews.
Pictured with some of the Coedcae pupils are Rotarians Alan Owen, Alison Evans, Ken Abban and Roger Stephens. Also pictured is Gareth Price of Careers Wales.

The award-winning West Wales Brewer, Evan-Evans, has launched a new beer for the final week of the 2012 RBS Six Nations Rugby Championship.
Allez Rouge rather than Allez France will be the shout across the bar for a light golden beer which has been specially-developed to celebrate the end of this epic rugby festival.
Evan-Evans Brewery Chief Executive Simon Buckley said: Allez Rouge is a fantastic new beer.
With the Grand Slam in sight, we decided to brew a new one-off beer that would reflect the end of the season and the hopes of the nation for a clean sweep.
This is a fantastic golden beer with rich malt palate and fruity dry hoppiness.
The brewing team in Llandeilo have worked hard to get this beer right and I believe that they have created a great new beer.
At 4.1% abv, this beer is very more-ish and will be enjoyed by everyone looking for a winner.
Mr Buckley said: We have created a great beer. Now all we need is a great win for the red (the rouge) of Wales.
We want to make sure the invading French are silenced with their cries of Allez France (Go France). We cant wait for a Wales win and for the celebrations to begin!
The success of our national side has had a positive effect on beer sales over the last few months and its been a joy to see so many people enjoying themselves.
Here in Llandeilo, it has been wonderful following the fortunes of youngsters who have strong links with this part of the Tywi Valley, Rhys Priestland and George North.
We now wish the team well, and hold our breath (between mouthfuls!) for a great and historic Grand Slam win.

Mr Buckley, 54, is a sixth generation member of the longest-surviving brewing dynasty in Wales. The Buckley family have brewed in Wales since 1767.
Evan-Evans has a reputation for brewing the highest quality cask-conditioned beers. Evan-Evans is Waless largest specialist brewer of cask ale. The company started brewing in 2004 to produce specialist cask ales for the Welsh and national guest ale market.
The brewing heritage of the Buckley family stretches back to the early 19th century after the Rev James Buckley married the eldest daughter of Henry Child who had founded Childs Brewery in Llanelli. It was set up to slake the thirst of the towns tinworkers, who were rapidly increasing in numbers.
Simon Buckley was the last Buckley to brew at Llanelli before moving to London in 1984.
Buckleys Brewery had the distinction of being the only Welsh brewer to hold a royal warrant. In 1991 it became Crown Buckley when it was taken over by a subsidiary of Guinness. It was sold to Brains in 1997 and the Llanelli brewery closed a year later.
Evan-Evans was founded in Llandeilo in 2003 and began brewing in 2004. It is named after William Evan-Evans who married into the family four generations ago
Weblinks -
http://www.evanevansbrewery.com/
Photos: Simon Buckley and a photo of the beer pump handle for the new Allez Rouge beer.

The St David's Day concert staged at Five Roads Community Hall on Friday night was a big success.
There was a packed house at the hall for the event organised by the Five Roads School PTFA parent-teacher association.
Children from Five Roads School (above) stole the show with their musical and recitation spot.
Cor Meibion Dyffryn Aman (below) were the special guests and they provided a splendid and varied evening's entertainment under the musical direction of Ian Llewellyn.

The compere for the evening was someone called Robert Lloyd - less said about him, the better!

The line-up for this years Laugharne Weekend is (yet again) an interesting and diverse one with a variety of artists set to appear, including Barry Cryer, Graeme Garden, Cerys Matthews, the Pogues James Fearnley, Simon Armitage, Howard Marks, John Cooper Clarke and Jah Wobble and Keith Levene from the iconic late 70s band, Public Image Ltd.

The Mayor of the London Borough of Richmond heaped praise on Cr Meibion Llanelli (Llanelli Male Choir) after their concert at The Duke Street Baptist Church Theatre in Richmond.
Councillor Mrs Clare Head described the choirs performance as outstanding and said that the choristers were true ambassadors of Wales.
The Mayor added: The passion and commitment to Welsh choral singing really shone through in a wonderful evenings entertainment.
We were regally entertained by one of the finest male choirs I have heard.
The concert was billed as a St Davids Day concert in aid of the Mayor of the London Borough of Richmonds chosen charity, the Citizens Advice Bureau.
The Mayor added: It was wonderful to hear the choir in full voice and the whole evening was held together wonderfully by some readings of Welsh prose and poetry by the choirs musical director, Eifion Thomas.
Wales is very lucky to have a choir of the stature of Cr Meibion Llanelli and we were very lucky to hear them at their best in Richmond.
The evening also featured a performance of a selection from the Dylan Thomas classic play for voices, Under Milk Wood, read by one of the Mayors oldest friends, John Crook.
It proved to be a busy week for Cr Meibion Llanelli, with the choristers also fitting in a St Davids Day performance at Theatr Elli, Llanelli.
On Friday, March 16, Cr Meibion Llanelli will be taking part in a Gala concert at Parc y Scarlets, 7pm start, featuring tenor Wynne Evans and Only Boys Aloud.
Picture: Richmond Mayor Clare Head and Cr Meibion Llanelli.

Parc y Scarlets is set to welcome some stars of the stage as it holds its biggest ever choral concert.
Featuring performances by some of the biggest Welsh names in music, the Gala Concert will be staged in the stadium's Delme Thomas Centre on Friday, March 16.
The show will showcase a wide variety of singing talent.
Carmarthen-born tenor Wynne Evans, of Go Compare fame, will return to the stadium to perform, along with soprano Gwawr Edwards, who recently performed for the Prince of Wales at Highgrove.
Young singers from Only Boys Aloud will join the pair on stage, and Cor Meibion Llanelli will show off the musical talent that has led them to perform at many of the UK's leading concert halls.
And X Factor contestant John Adams will once again sing at Parc y Scarlets, where he wowed the crowds at last year's fireworks spectacular.
The audience will also be treated to a performance by 200 youngsters from across the town in the 200 Voices Llanelli Schools choir.
The Gala Concert is being produced by Cerith Owens of Loud Applause Productions on behalf of Parc y Scarlets.

Melin Consultants, the fast-growing South Wales firm of environment and sustainability experts, has played its part in helping to recognise quality builders in Carmarthenshire.
Melin sponsored two categories at Carmarthenshires 2011 Local Authority Building Control Excellence Awards ceremony at the Machynys Peninsula Golf Club in Llanelli.
Working closely with constructors and builders we get to see plenty of examples of excellent work in Carmarthenshire, said Melin managing director Jamie Best.
Sponsoring two award categories was our way of helping to recognise the achievements of excellent building projects in Carmarthenshire.
A total of 12 building projects were recognised at the awards, which were introduced by LABC (Local Authority Building Control) President Mike Sanson.
The county councils director of regeneration, Dave Gilbert, said: It was not too many years ago people used to say buildings and homes to the standard we are achieving in the county now could never happen in Carmarthenshire.
But the quality guidelines laid down by our building control officers are being respected and adhered to by contractors and developers and landmark building of outstanding design and quality are appearing all over the county.
The councils Executive Board member for regeneration and leisure, Councillor Clive Scourfield, said: It is brilliant to see contractors within the county doing such a wonderful job and being recognised with the best of the best. I am so pleased to see the high quality buildings we have here in Carmarthenshire.
The Best Education Building, sponsored by Melin, was won by Kier Western for the construction of a new primary school at Brynsierfel, Llwynhendy, Llanelli.
The school was built on the site of the former Brynsierfel School, which was completely demolished. The site had its own issues being very steeply sloping, which meant the school being built on two levels with the upper section incorporating the hall, kitchen and administration areas and the lower section containing the teaching areas.
The changes in level resulted in features such as steps and stairs being a significant issue which needed consideration, assessment and agreement to ensure safety requirements were not compromised.
A prominent design feature of the project was the curved retaining wall, which swept along the whole length of the school. The main contractor operated a very professional site set up. Together with the on-site Clerk of Works Andrew Thyer, a very good team approach was utilised in all aspects of the project, which helped deliver on time a successful project which fully satisfied the modern design brief.
The award was presented to Kier Western by Melin managing director Jamie Best.
Melin also sponsored the Best Sustainable Project (Residential), which was won by Heritage 2000 for a barn conversion and alterations to a dwelling at Troed Rhiw Gelynin, Rhandirmwyn, Llandovery.
The property is situated in rural countryside to the north of Rhandirmwyn and on a country lane leading to Cwrt Y Cadno with stunning views across the valley.
The main house and attached barn have been converted to a high standard with the main theme of sustainability, ground source heat pump, thermal store, under floor heating, lime render both internally and externally.
A modern kitchen has been incorporated with the existing timber A frames which have been sand blasted and treated to enrich their colour and appearance. The builder was diligent in his methods and always eager to achieve the highest standards of build quality. The award was presented to Heritage 2000 by Melins Mathew John.

LABC Building Excellence Awards. Left to right: Martyn Osbourne,Ewart Wilson, Carmarthenshire County Council Principal Building Control Surveyor Steven Pound, Jamie Best of Melin and LABC president Mike Sanson.
Pic Jeff Connell, Carmarthenshire County Council

LABC Building Excellence Awards. Left to right: Building Control Surveyor Eifion Jones, Nicole Jones, Michael Parkin, Lucy Parkin, David Somerfield, LABC president Mike Sanson, and Mathew John of Melin.
Pic Jeff Connell, Carmarthenshire County Council
Weblinks:
http://www.melinconsultants.co.uk
http://www.carmarthenshire.gov.uk/English/news/Pages/QualitybuildersinCarmarthenshirerecognised.aspx
http://www.labcbuildingexcellenceawards.uk.com
Twitter: @melinconsult
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LinkedIn: Melin Consultants
Melin Energy Consultants has been providing SAP & SBEM calculations for local authorities, architects, builders & developers over a number of years.
All Melin technicians have a wealth of experience in dealing with individual requirements.
The company motto is "10% calculation 90% solution".
As a building consultancy specialising in Part L of the Building Regulations and environmental assessing of new buildings, Melin technicians are qualified and accredited to issue certification in all the following fields BREEAM, Code for Sustainable Homes, EPC, SBEM, SAP, air-tightness testing.
Contact details: Melin, Llys Aur, Llanelli Gate, Dafen, Llanelli, SA14 8LQ
t: 0845 094 1593
m: 07800 634804
e: jamie@melinconsultants.co.uk