PORTHCAWL
Porthcawl Lions Vintage Fayre: This is taking place at Porthcawl RFC Ground on the 6th August between 11am and 4pm.
There are over 150 classic cars already booked in and over 20 craft stalls.
If anyone would like more information about entering a car, please contact Aileen Woyka on 01656 784489 or for information on stalls please contact Tracy Hill on 01656 771986
Entry to the field is free, but there will be programmes on sale as well as buckets being shaken to raise money for local good causes.
There will be fairground attractions and refreshments available throughout the day, and among other attractions the Porthcawl Army Cadets will be putting on a display.
Sounds like a good family day out! I’ve suddenly realized that I can be classed as Vintage; veteran in car terms is a car made before 1918, vintage is one made between 1919 and 1930 and that covers me- then comes classic a car after 1930 but no longer in production. So that’s me! Vintage. Porthcawl Carnival: The weather turned up trumps and the crowds turned out in thousands: the Porthcawl RFC ground was full and everybody had a great time.
The committee had worked hard as usual and there were plenty of stalls and rides and entertainment.
The ‘bikers’ were a sight to see and the Comedy Band had enough pit stops to keep them all going well into early evening.
All in all it was a great day and one I’m sure that bodes well for the carnival over future years. Congratulations to Kerry and the Committee. Côr bro ogwr’s summer
concert: Despite the distinctly non-summer weather, CÔr Bro Ogwr created it’s own inviting atmosphere for those who braved the wet and windy weather on the night of their Summer Concert.
The first half of the concert celebrated a Welsh miscellany, featuring a number of arrangements of well known songs by our conductor, EdwardRhys Harry, who had stepped in while the choir was looking for a new conductor.
In preparing for the concert he brought forward the premiere of an emotional new composition “Don’t go Chasing Shadows” which he had composed to commemorate the Aberfan disaster 50 years ago this October.
It was dedicated to ‘his friends at Côr Bro Ogwr’, and proved a moving and fitting tribute to this tragic and heartbreaking disaster.
The British Sinfonietta Orchestra, who have accompanied the choir on numerous occasions produced an amazing sound as it accompanied the Côr Bro Ogwr in Karl Jenkins’ Stabat Mater, and special thanks should go to Angharad Davies, who, in the absence of mezzo Eirlys Davies due to illness, stepped in to sing some of the mezzo parts as well; and as always Glenn Crooks the choir’s long time accompanist was tremendous.
All Saints’ Church so full; the Mayors of Porthcawl, Bridgend and the Lady Mayoress of Cowbridge filled the front row and Canon Masson manned the interval bar.
As a charity the choir relies heavily on the support of audiences and financial support from Ty Cerdd and from the National Lottery Fund, channelled through the Welsh Arts Council which in turn is sponsored by the Welsh Government.
All of this keeps us going, enabling us to perform large works with orchestra and soloists; but it is the audiences on concert nights which make it all worthwhile.
This September, recently appointed Musical Director, Rosie Howarth, begins a new chapter with the choir and the choir is looking forward to fresh challenges and to their next concert in December. Newton Pop and Beer Festival 2016: One of Porthcawl’s Premier Festivals is being held on Saturday, August 27th on Newton Green.
So keep that day free and park the car up!
Watch out for posters and T-shirts giving
details and times of bands: it really is worth a visit by the whole family and if we all pray for fine weather then who knows we might very well be lucky. Summer Sailing
On Mv Balmoral: The excursions have already started but there are still six to come! Wednesday, August 10th sailing at 9.30am to Ilfracombe – with a cruise of the Exmoor Coast and return 8pm.
Tuesday, August 16 th sailing at 9.30am to Ilfracombe, returning at 8.30pm.
Wednesday, August 19th there is a trip to Lundy Island returning at 8.30pm and Wednesday, August 25th there is a trip to Ilfracombe with an optional trip to Lynton and Barnstable Railway or Lundy.
Tickets and information including pricing is available at The Grand Pavilion here in Porthcawl or on line at www. whitefunnel.co.uk. Porthcawl Horticultural
Society: The next trip is on the 18th August and this is a half day visit to the Botanical Gardens in Singleton Park to look at the gardens, flower displays, shrubs, vegetables trees and greenhouses.
Plenty to see and there are teas available and sales.
The price is £5 and as usual tickets and information on pick-up points are available at Bon Marche in John Street. Cancer Research Uk Porthcawl Branch: The Branch had an extremely successful Charity Bowls Match last month and despite the weather and thanks to the hard work put into the event by Mrs Jean Downs and members of the Albert Edward Prince of Wales Bowling Club the sum of £380 was raised for thee Cancer Cause. Diary Dates: November 16th sees the Annual Autumn Lunch at the Hi-Tide. There is a choice of menus and tickets at £8 can be obtained from committee members or by phoning Diane Jones on 01656 784762 or Sue Sharp on 01656 773670;
In December, which seems a long way off and yet will soon be here there is one of the
highlights of the year as far as Gaynor and I are concerned when the committee hold the Annual Candle Service at All Aaint’s Church, when local choirs and loyal supporters join together in a beautiful Service dedicated to Peace, Love and Hope. Lions Fundraising
Coffee Morning: On Friday, August 12 there is a Fundraising Coffee Morning at Trinity Church to raise funds for the Bob Cook Games for people with disabilities held annually in Swindon.
This amazing event is held in honour of the late Lion, Bob Cook who was Charter President of the Chippenham Lions Club in 1974 and who founded the Games which is held annually at the Wiltshire County Athletic Ground in Swindon.
Members of the Trinity Care Group have entered and won awards over the years and although medals are awarded for individual events, there are two special awards given for the two contestants who best represent the true spirit of determination against the odds.
I can’t fault them and they surely deserve all our support.
Porthcawl Museum and Historical Society Afternoon Tea: The Porthcawl Museum and Historical Society will be holding an Afternoon Tea at the Y-Centre in John Street on August 10 th starting at 2.30 pm. Tickets are £7.50 and are available from the Museum in the Old Police Station in John Street. The Marcher Stuarts: The Marcher Stuarts are a 17th century Living History Group of friendly folks who entertain and hopefully educate the public while enjoying themselves.
The name comes from the Marches which was the name for the land in between England and Wales
and really is the land either side of Offa’s Dyke which was an earthwork fortification built by King Offa of Mercia in the 8th century and which ran from Sedbury near Chepstow in the South to Prestatin in the North.
Why am I telling you this?. Well!, the group is pitching their tent in Porthcawl Museum on Saturday, September 17th.
They will practice their crafts and games quietly or make lots of noise with muskets, hook guns, blunderbus and canon; perhaps kill a witch or two, shoot arrows, brandish swords and generally have a busy and enjoyable time.
Sounds like a good day to visit town! More about times later. British Summers of
Yore: Having a cup of coffee in town the other day, I couldn’t help but notice the group on the next table, all three generations of them and all having a great time.
We all left at the same time and while waiting to get out of the door I asked the grandfather figure, "Here on holiday?”
“Yes, down from Gloucester,” was the reply.
“Sorry about the weather,” says I, it being cold and windy at the time.
“Oh no!” he went on, “I’m glad we can prove to the grandchildren that you can still enjoy yourselves when it’s cold and wet and there’s sand in your sandwiches. You know; a typical English summer’s day!”
And off they went laughing down John Street towards the beach with their buckets, nets and sandwiches and their mobile phones left at home.