GARW VALLEY
Send Your News To: 01656 870183 garwnews@btinternet.com
Pontycymer RFC: The draw was made recently for round two of the Swalec Bowl Competition. Pontycymer have been dealt a home tie against Tonna on Saturday, October 8. Kick off will be at 2.30pm.
Garw Valley Wanderers Women’s XV: The newly formed team travelled to Pontypridd on Sunday, September 25 to face a strong Cilfynydd ladies side. In only their fourth game there were positives to take from the defeat, losing 67-17. The three tries for the Garw Valley Wanderers were scored by Jade Clatworthy, Katy Sage and Nicola Shepherd.
Training takes place every Monday and Wednesday, at Baengarw recreation ground from 5pm-7pm. All welcome to come along and join in.
New Book Club: The inaugural meeting of the newly formed book club took place yesterday evening in the meeting room behind the library at the Halo Leisure Centre in Pontycymer. If you have an interest in reading, why not come along for a cuppa and a chat and possibly a review of the book we have been reading. The next meeting will be on Tuesday, November 1 at 6pm again in the meeting room behind the library. If you would like more information please contact Kay at the library or telephone Roz on 01656 870183.
Review: Merlyn Maddock MBE, a Short Review of Memorial Concert held on Friday, September 23. The masterful Huw Edwards, on his return to Pontycymer regaled those present with a brief history of the late Merlyn Maddock’s contribution to harp making and flight particularly and in a demeanour and humour which is impossible to reveal very often in his newsreader “day job” at the BBC. Keeping the content flowing, he was genuinely praiseworthy of all contributors during the evening, revealing his pride in his Welsh heritage throughout.
The sell-out concert opened with the award winning Bridgend Male Choir, under the baton of musical director, Ryan Wood and support team of Stephanie Bailey (piano) and Scott Williams (organ).
The choir entertained with singing, revealing a diversity in content and sound, which found favour with an appreciative congregation.
Interspersed between the male choir’s contribution, was the School Choir of Ffaldau Primary and Eos, a harp and vocal trio of local members from the Garw & Llynfi Valleys. Compere Huw Edwards commented on the clarity of diction and musicality of this group of 20 pupils of the school choir. He praised the content choice and stated his favourite was “Count On Me”, though it was hard to choose. The trio, Eos, was a joy to hear and also received much praise from compere Huw. “Just what was needed to bring contrast” were his comments. The harp playing was wonderful and harmonies from the vocalists, both lyrical and quite beautiful. All four items were exquisite. The congregation joined the choirs to sing together Cwm Rhondda and Calon Lan.
Huw had saved his greatest praise until last, when he introduced the 98 years young Lena Charles to all present. Garw Valley native, Lena had recently been honoured by the Queen for her service to the community. The evening ended with officials of the Bridgend branch of the charity Parkinson’s acknowledging a donation of £1,000 towards its considerable financial fundraising objective to help find a cure for the disease. “Hen Wlad Fy’n Hadau” brought a great evening’s entertainment to a close, with many comments during leaving wishing for the next one.