February is work experience season where local youngsters link with the Marvels to get a flavour of the world of work. Most are part of our All-Star programme and work experience gives them the chance to see what we do and how we do it from a different perspective.

When Phil Adams-Jones, husband to Rhian, offered us use of his van to help transport tyres for one of our Adventure Days, it was the beginning of his own love affair with Sporting Marvels.

Peter Jenkins, former head at Ferndale Community School, has taken up a new post as head at Hartridge High School, Newport.

One of his last acts prior to departing was to send Phil a letter expressing his thanks for Sporting Marvels commitment and contribution to the school…..

During January, Pastors John and Debbie - along with a few other church leaders from Wales - spent five days in Atlanta, USA, as guests of New Hope Baptist Church.  

New Hope and Pastor Rhys Stenner have a huge heart for Wales. They have regularly sent missions teams to Wales over the last few years and last year, they contacted John to talk about extending their borders into Rhondda during a trip planned for July 2010. 

The Unsung Hero - Ian Martin, Mighty Man of God!

This space was meant for a story about our Sunday night Royal Law Cell Groups. Unfortunately, we had a few technological problems so it’ll have to wait till next month!

So, whilst dwelling on how to fill the space at short notice, something I (Phil) had once read came to mind - a man’s true strength is measured by the quality of the man stood alongside him when the battle is at its fiercest.

And that led me to thinking about my friend, colleague and assistant, Ian Martin, a young man who I am proud to have stood alongside me.

As outlined last month, our inability to replace cars going back to the leasing company is about to cause us a big problem for which we need an urgent solution!

The nature of what we do and how we do it, means that vehicles are a must, not a luxury.

We reported last month that former Marvel Kate and her husband Mark had been in Rhondda for a Christmas visit.

We also revealed they were expecting their second baby at the end of January.

Even though Ysgol Gymraeg Bodringallt is a junior school that teaches through the medium of the Welsh language, headteacher Marion Roberts jumped at the chance to be part of Sporting Marvels.

That was way back in May 2005, when Bodringallt Welsh became one of the original half-dozen primary schools to become part of the Mighty Marvels programme. 

It was Marvels Operations Manager, Becky Davies, who suggested Scrooge for 2009’s Marvels Christmas sign-off.  All for it, Pastor Debbie offered her services as “production director” before suddenly realising there were only four Monday’s left for rehearsals prior to show-time!!

Could they pull it off?