BRIDGEND TOWN

Send Your News To: Natalie Murphy 7 Lon-Y-Bugail, Llangewydd Court, Bridgend 01656 663041

Happy Retirement: After 41 unbroken years working in WH Smith, Rhiw Shopping Centre, Dianne Sharp has taken early retirement.

Around 30 of Dianne’s workmates past and present helped Dianne reminisce about her work at the branch. Dianne went to work (from school) at the branch in 1975 which had recently opened (1973).

Dianne remembers her first manager Mr Mervyn Davies followed by 10 other managers two of which were present on the night. Enjoy your retirement Di.

Good Luck: To Damien Richards, from Bridgend, who has the new post of manager at WHSmith in the Rhiw. Damien who started at the store as a Saturday boy 17 years ago has transferred from the Cowbridge branch.

Autumn Fayre: Members of Bridgend United Church would like thank all who attended their very successful Autumn Fayre. Over £1,000 was raised. Don’t forget the coffee mornings held at Bridgend United Fridays and Saturdays from 10am-12noon.

Book Sale: The last Book Sale of the year will be held at Gilead Chapel, Spencer Road, Coity on Saturday, November 26.

There will also be a visit from Father Christmas from 11am-12noon, a Christmas hamper raffle with a value of £150 and includes a florist voucher (£20) and a meat voucher for your Christmas turkey, etc, (£50) and a lovely cake stall with lots of mince pies and pastry goodies, and teas and coffee.

Bridgend Lions: Santa Claus stops by at Bridgend Centre on Saturday, November 26. He will arrive in his reindeer led sleigh at 11am, parade around the town before arriving at Santa’s Grotto in Carnegie House (former library), Wyndham Street.

From 11.30am-3pm the reindeers’ will rest in Wyndham Street before their departure. At 4.15pm the town tree lights will be switched at Dunraven Place (outside Barclays Bank).

A Christmas Art and Craft Market will also take place on Caroline Street on Saturday, November 2 and December 3.

Tree of Light: This year’s Lions Club of Bridgend will be holding their Tree of Light which will be situated outside St Mary’s Catholic Church, Ewenny Road on Monday, November 28 at 6pm.

If you would like to sponsor this very worthy cause, give me a call on 01656 663041 and I will forward you a form.

Social Afternoon: Carol and Paul, Steward and stewardess of the Railway Club on Coity Road have started a Social Afternoon every Tuesday, from 1pm4pm. Food, bingo, raffle and music for just £2.

Writers’ Circle: The Bridgend group meet on the first Thursday of the month at Carnegie House (former library) Wyndham Street at 7.15pm. The next meeting is on December 1.

Royal British Legion: The Bridgend Branch held their Service of Remembrance at Dunraven Place on Sunday, November 13. The service conducted by Rev Rachel Wheeler, from Bridgend United Church, and at 10.50am, with a two-minute silence at 11am.

The sun shone for this very important day at our lovely War Memorial, the 7ft 6in Britannia statue looking down at all who attended.

The Royal British Legion (Bridgend) wishes to thank the people of Bridgend for their fantastic support and generosity to the Poppy Appeal.

Also, thanks to the Merthyr Lewis Band, who have supported their Remembrance Service year after year, the City of Swansea Pipe Band.

Bridgend Male Choir, Andrew Reekie and all the Poppy Appeal collectors, who turn out every year regardless of the weather and are always cheerful, also Coun Reg Jenkins Mayor, of Bridgend CBC, and borough councillors, Mayor of Bridgend Town Council, Coun Robert Morgan, and town councillors, Bridgend Town Clerk Nigel Kinsey and staff for their hard work and dedication, police and fire service, St John Ambulance, the veterans, Scouts And Cubs, Guides and Brownies, Air Cadets, Sea Cadets, Army Cadets and many more who attended.

Coffee Morning: A Coffee Morning will be held at Tabernacl Hall Elder Lane on Saturday, November 26 from 10am-12.30pm. Admission £2, to include a mince pie and tea or coffee, with tickets available at the door. Welcome to all. Croeso I bawb.

Congratulations: Bridgend couple Nita and David Spanswick will be celebrating their 50th wedding anniversary on November 26.

The couple have two children Joanne and Andrew.

Love and best wishes from your family and many friends.

Bridge MPS: Information about our events can be found on our bsite www. thebridgemps.org.uk and on social media.

The centre is open between 10am and 12noon on Wednesday for people to receive food items at no charge.

On Monday, November 28 and Tuesday, November 29 only, the Royal Welsh Showground hosts a Winter Fair.

A bus trip to the Fair for Monday November 28 has been planned by Bridge Mentoring Scheme in Bridgend.

The bus will depart from Cheapside at 9.30am and return at 7pm after the Fireworks display at the showground. Bus seats cost £12 and the entry to the show is £15 on the day.

Contact Carol on 07505 530567, or manuelahiett@ aol.com.

Profits will go to Bridge Mentoring Scheme, 46-48 Dunraven Place, Bridgend 01656 647891.

Messy Christmas: Come and join in the fun at Nolton Parish Hall for a Messy Christmas on Saturday, December 3 at 1pm. Christmas stories with crafts, games, and activities. Suitable for all ages. All members of the family welcome.

Hospital Service: Matt Smith from Bridgend will lead the next Hospital Christian Fellowship Service on Friday, December 2, at 3pm, which, as always will be held in the Hospital Chapel, Princess of Wales Hospital.

Festive Fun: Get ready for Christmas by making festive Christmas wreaths for you to take home and put on your front door. Sessions are at Brackla Tabernacle on December 1 and Wildmill Community Centre on December 13, from 1pm3pm.

Learn how to cook lots of healthy and delicious festive treats from 1pm3pm at YMCA Bridgend on November 17 and Penybont Football Club on November 29.

Also enjoy making sock snowman, wreaths, sweet tree gifts, paper tree decorations and gift wrapping from 1pm-3pm at Wildmill Community Centre on November 22 and Penybont Football Club, Llangewydd Road on December 5.

Christmas Tree Festival: At Nolton Church will take place from Friday, November 25 until Saturday, December 3 (except Sunday, November 27) from 11am-6pm each day.

Entrance is £2 (primary school children and younger free).

The festival concludes on Saturday with live music from 11am-2pm, then a Festival Concert at 7pm, featuring the Garage Gospel Choir, and other guests.

Tickets cost £7 (£5 cons) from the Parish Office or on the door. All profits to Welsh Hearts.