‘I will work tirelessly for best deal’

A LOT has been said about Article 50 and whether MPs should invoke or not.

I campaigned and voted to Remain in the referendum. However, I am a democrat.

I have listened to many arguments around the referendum being advisory, the court cases that have decided Parliament is sovereign and been inundated with emails from constituents expressing their views.

As I say, I have listened, read and debated since the referendum result, but I feel democracy is a fundamental principle that cannot be ignored.

My constituents in Ogmore as well as Wales and the UK as a whole voted to Leave the European Union and I will respect that decision, voting to trigger Article 50.

I will of course work tirelessly for the best deal, ensure jobs are protected and work constructively toward trade agreements.

I accept this will not be supported by all constituents. I remain committed to working for everyone as the deal is negotiated and of course this is the start of the process with a vote on the final deal being put to Parliament.

Away from Parliament I’m pleased to be hosting a funding advice day on February 10 for clubs, charities and community groups to get valuable advice from 14 funding organisations.

Please do spread the word as these funders will be able to give advice. It’s a unique position to speak to funders all in one morning. To register visit my website on www. chriselmore.co.uk or call my office on 01656 860 034.

Dogs Trust Bridgend: Assistant Manager Rebecca Baker is preparing to spend 48 hours in a dog kennel to help raise money for the Dogs Trust charity.

Rebecca will spend from noon on Wednesday, February 1 to noon on Friday, February 3, living a dog’s life in a kennel at the rehoming centre in Peny-Fai.

If you would like to support Rebecca’s 48 hour kennel challenge, you can visit her at the Rehoming Centre in Court Colman, Pen-y-Fai, Bridgend, CF31 4NG or go to http:// www.dogstrust.org.uk/ our-centres/bridgend/ centre-updates/news/ living-a-dogs-life-toraise-pounds-for-hounds the individual venues and members of the committee.

For more details see the Facebook page: Mayor of Maesteg.

Urdd Support Events: The following are dates for 2017 organised by the Maesteg Appeals Committee:

Thursday, February 9 – Maesteg Harlequins Club host a Twmpath with Dawnswyr Gwerin Penyfai and a trio EOS at 7.30pm. Admission £5.

February 24 – Proud to be Welsh will be performed by Harmony and Maesteg Gleemen at the Workmen’s Club in Temple Street at 7pm.

Tickets cost £5 from the mayor’s office on 01656 73631, choir members, or the club.

Côr Merched: This year of 2017 is shaping up to be a busy year for Côr Merched Cwm Llynfi.

They will be appearing in concert with Côr Meibion Maesteg a’r Cylch on St David’s Day while rehearsing hard for their annual concert in Maesteg Town Hall on April 7.

Then in May it’s off to London to perform at the London Sangerstevne. This will include an appearance at Cadogan Hall, Chelsea.

If anyone would like to accompany the choir to London for the weekend of May 19-21, please contact the secretary for further details, cmclsecretary@ yahoo.co.uk.

Other concerts are in the planning stage. New members are welcome to join us. We rehearse Wednesdays, 7pm- 9pm at the Catholic Church, Monica Street, Maesteg.

Maesteg Gleemen: New members are welcome to come along to Maesteg RBL at 7pm Mondays and Thursday to join this forward thinking choir whose 2017 calender is filling up quickly.

Côr Meibion: On Saturday, February 4, Maesteg Male Voice choir will be holding their 42nd annual concert at the wonderful Town Hall in Maesteg, from 7pm.

Tir Iarll WI: The next meeting is on February 7 at 7pm at Llangynwyd Primary School where the speaker will be Sion Llewellyn on Lovespoons.

At the January meeting members were reminded about two GFWI events.

The fashion show at Mumbles in March and the Denman Appeal lunch in April.

Maesteg Men’s Shed: The men meet on Thursdays from 11.30am-1.30pm with lunch included for a donation. John Gates makes an appeal for all men that are crafters in the Llynfi Valley to join us every Thursday at The Court House. Town Hall Events:

Friday February 10 – Mike Doyle and his big band, 7.30pm. Tickets £16.50, £15.50 (cons).

Thursday February 18 – Home is a tale of unexpected friendship and explores a new and unknown world, 11am and 1.30pm. Age guide 13 plus. Tickets £9.50.

Friday February 17 – Midge Ure, 7.30pm. Former Ultravox frontman in concert.

Tuesday, February 21 – Three Little Pigs, 2pm. Tickets £9.50, £8.50 (child).

Thursday February 23 – Welsh Language Workshops (age 4-10)

Thursday April 20 – Practise Welsh with your family (age up to 6).

Thursday March 2 – Comedian Rob Beckett, 8pm. Tickets £15.50.

All bookings are at Maesteg Library, or ring 01656 815995.

Art Society: If you have a talent for drawing/ painting/designing you may like to join. They meet at Maesteg College Mondays from 4pm-6pm.

Caerau Men’s Shed: The event scheduled for last Friday has been changed for the afternoon of Friday, February 18 at Noddfa Chapel Community centre to provide information about a new men’s group we are planning on setting up in Caerau.

History Society: The Llynfi Valley Historical Society is at 7pm on the first Tuesday of each month at their new venue of St David’s Church (opposite Asda). They are due to meet next on February 7.

Choir News: The following choirs are in the area if you would like to join:

CÔr Meibion Maesteg a’r cylch/Maesteg Male Voice Choir rehearse at the Celtic club on Thursdays and every other Tuesday starting at 7pm-9pm on Thursday with a 15 minute break and 7pm-8.30pm Tuesday with no break.

CÔr Merched Cwm Llynfi, the Llynfi Valley Ladies Choir rehearse at the Catholic Church – St Mary’s and St Patrick’s – on Wednesdays 7pm-9pm.

The Gleemen – Maesteg Gleemen Male Voice Choir rehearse at the British Legion Club, from 7pm on Mondays and Thursdays.

Harmony Ladies Choir, rehearse Mondays 7.30pm-9pm at Nanty Rugby Club

Rotary Club: If anyone would like to join your local Rotary Club and get the satisfaction of serving the community please contact President Gwynfor Phillips on 01656 736102 or past president Talfyn Harries on 01656 711078.

Yoga Class: St David’s Church holds weekly ‘seated yoga’ classes, on Mondays from 10.30am11.30am (except bank holidays). £4 per session.

Maesteg WI: We meet on the third Thursday of every month (except August) from 7pm at Maesteg Rugby Club in the upstairs lounge.

Rambling Along: Maesteg Ramblers will meet this coming Sunday at 9am for the St Mary hill walk. Call 07977 831 317 or 01656 738079 for more information or visit the website at www. maestegramblers.

Nanty Sport: Llynfi Valley Table Tennis is open every Friday from 6.30pm-9pm, at Maesteg Sports Centre.

Admission is £3 for adults and £1 for children. Contact Peter Williams on 07956 608 581.

Healthy Cooking: It’s at Caerau Social Club on Wednesdays, February 8 and 15, from 10am12noon. Enjoy finding out how to make easy to cook recipes to keep you healthy!

Booking required by email: jeremy.dimond@ bridgend.gov.uk or call Jeremy on 01656 643518.

Thursdays from 9pm is our Quiz Night and Play Your Cards Right where you could win £100.

Nantymoel Boxing Club: The club hold a charity night of entertainment at Sarn Social Club on Friday, March 31.

The entertainment will be Wales top blue comedian January Rees and disco.

Ticket only event at £10 each from Sarn Club or by calling Emma Morgan on 07572 864 843.

Ladies’ Boxfit: The Nantymoel Armature Boxing Club meets every Monday and Wednesday for a Ladies Boxfit.

This is on the following nights from 6pm-7pm with a charge of £4 each.

The club is at Bethania Row, Ogmore Vale but the entrance is at the back on High Street opposite the Non Political Club.

Wyndham Boys & Girls Club: This year’s Football Presentation Night will be on Friday, May 12. There will be a raffle, disco and buffet. Tickets cost £3, (£1.50 child) from Paul Uppington or the Boys & Girls Club.

Coffee Morning: Come along to Christchurch Chapel Corbett Street, Ogmore Vale, on Thursday February 23. They have a coffee morning with a cake stall, book stall, china and clothes stalls and not forgetting a Raffle, etc. It will be from 9.30am10.45am. Free admission. Proceeds to charity. All welcome.

Ladies’ Choir: The Ladies’ choir practice nights have moved to Mondays at Canolfan Bethlehem, Commercial Street, Ogmore Vale. Starting at 7pm. £2, all welcome – over 18 years.

Blackmill Over 50s: Blackmill Over 50s meet at The Local Community Centre on Wednesdays at 7pm, and are always glad to welcome new members.

Nantymoel Knitters Class: We are members of a Knitting Club who live in Nantymoel. We meet twice a week at Dinam Close Tuesdays and Fridays, 10am-12noon. month Holy Eucharist 11.30am;

Third Sunday of the month Morning Prayer 8.30am;

Forth Sunday Benefice Eucharist 11am;

Fifth Sunday Benefice Eucharist followed by lunch 11am.

The contact number for the Rev Anthony Beer is 01656 859487.

Smyrna Chapel Services: A traditional Sunday School Service in Smyrna Chapel Penyfai always starts at 10.30am.

Evening services take place in Smyrna Chapel starting at 6pm.

Coffee morning is every Tuesday in the Smyrna Chapel Vestry from10am12noon, also stalls of produce are on offer.

Bible studies take place on Thursdays at 7.15pm and are led by Marlyn James and Dorothy Evans.

Newcomers to the village of Penyfai are always made very welcome.

Community Couuncil: The next meeting of the Newcastle Higher Community Council will take place on Tuesday, February 7, at the Tondu Methodist Church Aberkenfig, from 7pm.

Penyfai WI News: The lady members of the Penyfai WI were welcomed back after the Christmas holidays by president Angela Smith, who gave a short resume of the aims and purpose of the WI.

After the general business of the night a vote was taken on the interest in setting up a Luncheon Club to meet once a month. Members decided to give this a try on the second Wednesday of the month, starting on March 8 at the Pheasant public house in Penyfai, which will follow a coffee morning at 11am at the same venue.

Subscriptions were taken for membership for the coming year at the same time as the ladies were given a short quiz while enjoying a cup of tea and catching up with friends.

Names were taken for the trips to the GFWI Fashion show in mumbles and shows Miss Saigon and Beautiful in Cardiff.

Views were then sought on changing the starting time of the monthly meeting of the Penyfai WI – final decisions to be made at a later date.

The next month meeting will be on February 20 when the speaker will be Gayney Jones on Sewing Changed My Life, from 7.30pm,