PORTHCAWL
Send your news to: The Cottage, 34 Esplanade Avenue, Porthcawl CF36 3YU 01656 783068 davidn-w@homecall.co.uk
Summer Sailing from Porthcawl on MV Balmoral: There are still a few trips this summer as follows:
On Friday, August 12 there is a short cruise sailing at 12.15pm along the Welsh Heritage Coast and then on Sunday, August 21 at 10.15am there is cruise to explore Ilfracombe or stay on board and explore Lundy Island returning to Porthcawl at 8pm.
On Tuesday, August 23 at 9am there is again a choice; you can either choose to go to Watchet and go for a trip on the West Somerset Railway, explore Ilfracombe or cruise past Exmoor and Bideford Bay.
In all three cases the cruise ends in Swansea and there is a coach back to Porthcawl.
And on Thursday, August 25 there are two short trips; the first, leaving at 10.45am is a cruise along the Heritage Coast to Nash Point and back and the other leaving at 12.30pm is a longer cruise which goes past Nash Point and round Steep Holm and Flat Holm.
There are two more trips from Porthcawl scheduled for Monday, August 29 and Sunday, September 4 but more about those later.
Porthcawl Sea Festival: What a great day and everybody I talked to after the event seemed to have enjoyed themselves to the full.
The kids, and indeed in some cases their parents, dressed up to the nines in their pirate costumes with eye patches and swords and even one or two stuffed parrots (Felt and cotton wool: I hasten to add), tricorns and bell mouth pistols and the Mayor giving away pieces of eight to all the children, all muttering strange sounds, like ‘Jim Lad!’ and Aaaarrr!’ as they flourish their swords and shook their tail feathers.
But it wasn’t only that: the weather was wonderful and The Esplanade, and indeed the town, was full and there was plenty to look at, with street magicians, dancers, a Pirate Enactment, stalls, bouncy castles, slides and even a set of stocks with plenty of wet sponges: (I must admit I managed to avoid that this year!) it was the ambience and the fact that everyone was out to enjoy themselves!
The Mayor and Mayoress, Councillor and Mrs Rob Lee opened the event at noon with the firing of a cannon. (Now there’s an idea for next year!) and then worked the crowds for the whole of the afternoon; the Deputy Mayor, Councillor Lorrie Desmond Williams, fellow councillors and members of the Chamber of Trade, the Lions and the ubiquitous SMT all helped to make it the success that it certainly was.
In fact the nicest thing I heard said was ‘This is great; why don’t you do it every Saturday in August!’ It would be a nice thought; but I don’t know that Sarah Watkins, the Deputy Town Clerk and Alison Thomas the Town Clerk and indeed Rhiannon Kingsley the town centre manager, (who all worked their socks off) would necessarily agree.
Lions Sand Castle Competition: Regrettably the Lions Sand Castle Competition which was to have been held on the day before the Sea Festival had to be cancelled for the second year running. Don’t give in and better luck next time!
Newton Pop And Beer Festival 2016: I hope that this is already in your Diary: but if not do it now! Saturday, August 2h on Newton Green. So keep the day free and park the car up! Watch out for posters and T-shirts giving details and times of bands: if you like the current genre of music then it really is worth a visit.
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 today Wednesday, August 10 starting at 2.30pm. Tickets cost £7.50 and are available from the Museum in the Old Police Station in John Street.
Lions Fundraising Coffee Morning: On Friday, August 12 there is a Fund raising Coffee morning in Trinity Church which aims 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 great 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 that and they surely deserve all our support.
Porthcawl Horticultural Society: The Porthcawl Horticultural Society has organised a half day trip to the spectacular Botanical Gardens in Swansea for Thursday, August 18, with displays of flowers, vegetables, shrubs, trees and glasshouses.
Teas will be available and plants are there to buy.
The cost is £5, and the trip leaves West Road Bus Shelter at 9am (although it may be 10 minutes early) and then it will stop at all the usual stops here in Porthcawl.
For more information or to purchase tickets please contact Bon Marche in John Street.
Guide Dogs Cymru: For all you dog lovers here is another item for your diary: the Fundraising Branch of Guide Dogs Cymru Bridgend Branch is holding a Table Top Sale at Laleston Gardening Club and Community Hall – to the side of St David’s Church in Laleston – on Saturday October 29 from 10am -12noon.
Entry is free and refreshments will be available. For those of you that would like to have a table on the day (£8.00 per table) please contact Norah Clarke on 01656 786018.
Porthcawl Lions Car Boot Sale: Don’t forget that the Porthcawl Lions are back at the Porthcawl Rugby Club Ground (off South Road), every Sunday, weather permitting. From 8am-1pm. £6 per car boot.
Griffin Park Table Market: This is held at Griffin Park Social Club Fridays from 8.30 am-12noon so go along and see the various stalls.
Local Eyesore: I had a document arrive by email this week from one of the shopkeepers in John Street with a long list of items needing attention and careful consideration.
It was pointed out that fly-tipping is occuring on a daily basis in the empty land behind the houses on Mary Street and on the empty planting islands.
Planted areas are overgrown and unmaintained with work only forthcoming when someone complains.
Action is too little and too late.
Public Safety: There are several public safety issues affecting this car park area.
The loading bay alongside the Co-op takes up a vehicle lane along the narrow two way junction onto Lias Road.
This often leads to pedestrians not being able to see across the road, or cars not being able to see pedestrians clearly coming up the blind bend toward Lias Road Junction.
Cars are unable to see pedestrians crossing to John Street via the cut through lane at the rear of the Co-op and Glenaub House.
The loading bay is in constant use and is also used by shoppers to lazy to go into the carpark itself.
There are Commercial refuse bins on double yellow lines along the car park route that form parking and pedestrian blind spots.
The overall look of the area attracts groups of young people engaging in anti-social behaviour, and there are examples of graffiti and even evidence of drug abuse and homelessness in the car park which after all is the first thing visitors see of the town, and the image that is being presented is one of neglect, disillusion
Sad News: Mrs Pat Evans – Mrs Evans was a very strong and remarkable lady; in fact I never thought I would ever write an obituary to this remarkable lady.
She passed away last weekend at the age of 94 and fought the grim reaper to the end.
In fact it wasn’t all that long ago after a spell in hospital that she came out and the night she came out, she was up in Cardiff in the casino.
She and her late husband Pat together with their family brought a great deal of happiness to so many people over so many years and Mrs Evans, which was the name by which every body knew her would be on the ground and in the office every day of the season without fail.
Personally, I always found her kind and generous, as was her husband Pat and I mourn the passing of a great lady and a great character. Good night and God bless!
Birthdays: This time next week I am a year older and when I checked up I am in good company being slightly younger than Popeye and slightly older than Micky Mouse.
Tea & Chat: There will be no open meeting on August 13, because members will be having their annual summer lunch in the Church Hall.
Blood Donors: Two sessions will be held at the Heronston Hotel on Monday, August 15, from 10am-12.30 pm and 2pm4.20 pm. Ring to make an appointment on 0800 252266 and please bring your donor card/letter on the day.
Mothers’ Union: St Brides Major Branch members will be visiting Llanharry for a Skittles Evening on September 12. At the monthly meeting on September 13, the speaker will be Adrian Warner who will also be showing slides entitled “Out and About”.
Dates For The Diary: On September 24 there will be a Safari Supper; first and second courses are held at various venues with dessert in the Church Hall followed by an evening with Griff and Dave. Please book your place with Robert Carveth and let him know if you would like to host a starter or main course. St Bridget’s Harvest Eucharist and Parish Lunch on October 2. American Hotdog Quiz in the Church Hall on Friday, November 11.