PORTHCAWL

Send your news to: The Cottage, 34 Esplanade Avenue, Porthcawl CF36 3YU 01656 783068 davidn-w@homecall.co.uk

Gareth James Griffiths: On 2nd January 1960, Gareth joined us and started work as an articled pupil with the JR Gammon Partnership in Wind Street Swansea on the first day that the shingle was up and the practice was open for business – Seventeen years old, bright eyed, bushy tailed and welcoming his new career like Nautilus opening her shell to welcome a new dawn.

From the start he was encouraged to meet with clients and friends of the practice and in so doing honed his skills of communication- all thanks to JR and HO – two very far-thinking employers.

I have always said that selling architecture is a bit like selling ice cream. If they like you – they will look at the product; and then at that point professionalism takes over. Gareth had both these qualities in trumps and the number of people there at his funeral proved the point.

Not only did he learn about architecture and people in the practice, he also met Jacky – the love of his life who was my secretary at the time.

Time moves on, wished-for families become reality, and how should we describe him at that stage in his life? Loving husband, proud father – rightly so, doting grandfather and more; and then, what words best describe him at the end of his life? Professional, architect, knowledgeable, well read to a degree that most of us can but envy, bon-viveur, a man who exuded bonhomie, a man who could hold his own in any company and would regularly hold court in the back bar of the Royal Porthcawl to a full house of fellow golfers – pint in hand as always; better than average golfer and club captain. A fulsome life, God wot: but what a character!

Most of us there on the day would have struggled to remember that the lines of poetry quoted on the hymn sheet were from Walt Whitman’s poem of the same name written following Abe Lincoln’s assassination in 1865. I bet Gareth wouldn’t have!

At home I have a mug encircled with the following adage – ‘Old Architects never die – they only change their plans’. I wonder what GJ is planning now? A new set of gates perhaps? Sleep well Gareth.

Porthcawl Floral Arrangement Society: There will be a flower demonstration by Arnaud Metairie at Awel-y-Mor Senior Citizens’ Centre here in Porthcawl tonight, Wednesday April 12 at 7.30pm. Doors open 6.30pm. All welcome.

Newton Fest 2017: This year’s festival T-shirts are on sale at The Ancient Briton in Newton at £9. Designed and printed by Monkey Hut, they are available in all sizes, for men and women and vests, too.

Côr Bro Ogwr: The Bridgend based choir are here again for their Easter Concert on Saturday, April 22 at 7.30pm, when they will be performing of ciders, real ales and entertainment available.

The Mini Fest is coming back for two days on Saturday and Sunday August 26 and 27.

Preparations are well on the way and tickets are on sale at the Blaenogwr.

Here are just some of the groups that are appearing, The Cuddly Toys, Murphy’s Boat, Contraband, Slightly Dazed, Monkey See Monkey Do, Fair Warning Wales and lots more...

Wyndham Arms: The charity fundraising fun day for Y Bont and local Bridgend Down’s Syndrome Group takes place on Saturday, June 10.

Tuesdays at 8pm is Poker Night.

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

Wyndham Boys & Girls Requiem by John Rutter at All Saint’s Church. Tickets cost £10 from choir members or 01656 653324. The conductor is Rosie Haworth and accompanist is Glenn Crook.

Porthcawl Male Choir: Porthcawl Male Choir – Côr Meibion Porthcawl have a joint concert with Whitland Male Choir in All Saint’s Church Porthcawl on Saturday, May 13, at 7pm. Tickets £6 from choir members or 07773 622 537. The soloist is Rhian Thomas and the harpist is Kath Lewis.

Porthcawl Chamber Of Trade: The AGM of the Porthcawl Chamber of Trade will be held on Thursday, April 20 in the Y-centre, John Street, 7pm.

Porthcawl and Kenfig Hill Branch of Rafa: Present a Roy Orbison tribute artist on Friday, April 28.

U3A Volunteers’ Forum: Andrew Collier has arranged a further meeting of the group for Tuesday, May 9, at the Y-Centre in John Street at 7.15pm.

Queries and RSVPs to Clare at the Y Centre. email: sdw@theycentre. com or email Andrew (U3A) at: helgandrew@ yahoo.com.

Porthcawl Lions: A new season of book sales will start in John Street on April 15, and these are scheduled to run on a fortnightly basis thereafter. To donate contact Martin on 01656 786745.

The May Fayre takes place on Bank Holiday Monday, May 1 at All Saints, Victoria Avenue.

As part of Lions Clubs International Centennial celebrations, the club will be staging an evening with Niall Ferguson at All Saints Church on June 21. Call Stephen on 029 2075 7818 or email Club: This year’s Football Presentation Night will be on Friday, May 12. Raffle, disco & buffet all for £3 (children £1.50). Tickets from Paul Uppington or the Boys and Girls Club.

Club days and times are: Monday (club) 5.30pm-8.30pm. Tuesday (bingo) 6.30pm-7.30pm (doors open at 6pm). Wednesday (club) 5.30pm-8.30pm. Thursday (club) 5.30pm-8.30pm. Friday (bingo) 6.30pm7.30pm (doors open at 6). Sunday – Film Club (please see Facebook or poster at club for details).

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 stephen1simmonds@ btinternet.com. Or visit porthcawllions.org.uk

Porthcawl Choral Society: Practices are held on Mondays from 7.15pm9.15pm in Trinity Church. Call Porthcawl 784211.

All Shook Up – Elvis Musical: Porthcawl Amateur Operatic and Dramatic Society present All Shook Up at the Grand Pavilion on Friday, May 5 at 7.30pm and Saturday, May 6 at 2.30pm and 7.30pm. Tickets from the PAODS on 01656 788148 or 01656 815995.

Sunday Quiz: At the Seagull in the Precinct in Nottage at 9pm. £1 entry per person.

Traditional Morning Services: At Gilgal Baptist Church, Park Avenue, Porthcawl. Wednesdays at 11am, Gilgal Baptist Church Porthcawl hold a morning service. The service concludes at 11.40am and is followed by prayer and tea and coffee in the hall.

Samtampa Anniversary Service: On the 23rd of April 1947, the liberty ship Samtampa on passage from Middlesborough to Newport, went aground on rocks at Sker Point, near Porthcawl, in a fierce storm.

Mumbles lifeboat, the Edward Prince of Wales was launched with a crew of eight on board in a bid to save and rescue the crew of the Samtampa.

The Mumbles lifeboat struggled against mountainous seas, and capsized near to the stricken Samtampa at Sker. Tragically, all 39 souls on board the Samtampa and the entire crew of eight from the Mumbles lifeboat crew perished. This year marks 70 years since this tragedy, and events will Row, but the entrance is at the back on High Street (opposite the Non Political Club).

Ladies’ Choir: Ogmore Valley Ladies’ Choir are looking for a pianist to accompany them. Practice nights are on Mondays at Canolfan Bethlehem, Commercial Street, Ogmore Vale. Starting at 7pm. £2, all welcome – over 18 years. Call 07989 751 617.

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

Nantymoel Knitters Class: We are members of a Knitting Club who live in Nantymoel.

We meet twice a week at Dinam Close every Tuesday and Friday at 10am to noon. be held to remember this tragic loss of life.

On Saturday, April 22 a church service takes place at All Saint’s Church Porthcawl and the following day, on Sunday, April 23, there will be an open–air service at Sker Point followed by a small service at the Memorial to those lost along our coast . Times and details of these events are to follow.

Porthcawl Museum And Historic Society: The museum has reopened with a new Maritime Exhibition which will help you discover the story of the SS Samtampa disaster.

Their will also be a lecture by Ross Martin, from the RNLI, and Alison Missen, from HM Coastguards, on Tuesday, April 18 at the Y-Centre in John Street at 7pm. Tickets cost £1 while members go free.

The lecture by Ceri Joseph on Dic Penderyn is now on May 16.

The 2017 Gwyn Petty Lecture is on Tuesday, April 25, at the Hi-Tide, when Prof Christopher Williams, from Cardiff University, will give a talk on Joseph Morewood Staniforth at 2.30pm. Tickets £4.

Porthcawl Mayor’s Charity Fund Events: The highlight of the year will be Mayor’s Ball at the Grand Pavilion on Saturday, April 29. The ball has a James Bond theme. Tickets cost £30 from Jill or Chris as before.

Free Tai Chi: Classes held at the Awel y Mor Centre on Friday mornings.

Porthcawl Farmers’ Market: Held at Griffin Park Community Hall in New Road, Porthcawl, on the last Saturday of the month (next is April 29), from 9.30am-12.30pm. Contact Mike Pett on 01656 658963.

We are always looking for new members and all our efforts are to make things for charities.

Pilates Class: Thursdays at 6.15pm at Litchard Mission Church, Litchard, Bridgend. For beginners and intermediate.

Contact Ruth on 07786 627 335 or email ruth@ c2cfitness.co.uk

Coffee Mornings: at Christchurch Chapel Corbett Street, Ogmore Vale, on Thursday, April 27, 9.30am-10.45am.

They have a coffee morning with a Cake Stall, Book Stall, China and Clothes Stall’s & not forgetting a Raffle etc. It will be from 9.30am10.45am.

News items: Items for this column need to be sent to me by 10.30pm on Wednesdays. Contact details at top of column.