LLYNFI VALLEY

Send Your News To: Marion Rogers 01656 733417 llynficolumn@sky.com

Closing Down: Salem Welsh Baptist Chapel in Nantyffyllon was built in 1952. Sadly the members have decided that they cannot sustain this beautiful big building, so they will be holding a Closing Service tomorrow, Thursday,August 10, at 6.30pm.

If the chapel has been important to your family in the past, perhaps you’d like to join in this service and you would be made most welcome.

Quilting: St Cynwyds is holding a quilting festival from Thursday, August 10 until Saturday, August 12. Entry is £3 and there will be refreshments up in the schoolroom. All welcome, for anyone with sat nav the Post code is CF34 9SB.

Community Allotment: Interested in a community allotment? If yes, come along to Bridgend Communities First’s Information Morning at Fairfield Centre on Bryn Celyn in Maesteg Park (opposite Bryn Celyn Residential Home) on Friday, August 11, from 10am – 12pm.

Tending an allotment is a great way of growing healthy vegetables, fruit and herbs on a budget.

Just half an hour in the allotment can have physical and mental health benefits for you and your family.

Drop-In: At the Salvation Army, Castle Street, Maesteg. Booth’s Befrienders is a new DropIn Centre. Meetings will be held on the second and fourth Wednesdays of the month. Open to all with free refreshments - Wi-Fi and more.

Charity Walk: A five-mile circular walk in aid of the Air Ambulance Wales is being organised by Steve Jones, for Sunday, August 20, meeting at the Garth Inn at 10am. On return, there will be a free BBQ for the walkers and then joining in with those in the pub, there will be entertainment and a raffle. Contact Steve or the pub.

Spirit Of Llynfi: TheLlynfi Woodland group recently celebrated the planting of the new Ysbryd y Llynfi (Spirit of Llynfi) woodland site in conjunction with Welsh Government, Natural Resources Wales, Ford Motor Company with the help of schools and many volunteers. In a public ceremony on July 15, a time capsule containing many interesting items from a variety of organisations, groups, schools and services was sited near the Keeper of the Collieries on the former washeries site.

Despite the weather, among those in attendance were former colliers, representatives from various groups and services, including the South Wales Fire Brigade, the Mayor of Maesteg Councillor Idris Williams, Chris Elmore MP and Huw Irranca-Davies AM who gave an informative overview of the project, outlining the importance of community involvement.

The aim of the time capsule, sponsored by Bridgend Association of Voluntary Organisations (BAVO) in keeping with the Spirit of Llynfi theme, is to treasure the heritage of the site, mark its current transformation and also to look to the future with excitement.

The time capsule is set to be opened in 2040 and contains a copy of the Gazette for readers to see how things may have changed!

The woodland group, which meets on the first Saturday of the month from September, has also been busy installing picnic benches for families to enjoy their visit to the site.

New volunteers are welcome – to find out more, please contact llynfi woodland group@gmail. com

Rangers U12 Football Team: Llangynwyd Rangers BGCW FC, based in Maesteg, are recruiting for an additional team of U12 players for 2017-18 season. This age group is for current Year 6 primary pupils. If anyone would like details please contact safeguarding officer Maria 07854 416 132.

Events Diary: There is a town events diary at the council offices.

All organisations are urged to enter events to avoid overlapping or clashing events, etc.

Special Dates: Do you have a 100th birthday coming up, or a golden or diamond wedding and live in the Maesteg Town Council area?

You, or your relatives, can inform the council. Then you can expect a visit from the Mayor and consort bearing gifts or a card from the Queen.

Concert: Noteworthy mixed voice choir will perform at St David’s Church Maesteg on Friday, September 15, at 7pm, together with their MD, Ryan Wood.

Ryan recently conducted Noteworthy for their own episode of Cniadaeth y Cysegr for BBC Radio Cymru – the first time a choir has recorded a whole episode.

The choir will sing to raise funds for the Llynfi Valley Council of Churches’ appeal.

Each year the LVCC donate Christmas Vouchers (at one time they delivered food parcels, but have changed to vouchers). Tickets cost £6.

Maesteg C C: The club is available for hire for parties, christenings, etc. Contact Ryan Parry 07712 243 589 and Lyndon Horrigan 07971 943 284.

Ramblers: Maesteg Ramblers will meet this coming Sunday at 9am for the nine-mile walk to River Rhymney plus a meal. Contact 01656 734779. For details. Remember that you walk at your own risk.

Art Society: The society meets at Maesteg College every Monday from 4pm6pm and work is created in a variety of media.

Yoga (seated): For people with mobility difficulties – gentle exercise aims to help the release of tension from the body. At St David’s Church (opposite Asda) Mondays 10.30 am-11.30am (except Bank Holidays). Cost £4 per session.

Ukelele Club: The Maesteg Ukulele Club meet every Monday (except bank holidays) at 7pm in the Cross Inn, Cwmfelin/Maesteg. For all levels of players – new members are welcome.

Parkinson’s Support: Maesteg Parkinson’s Support Group meet at Maesteg Hospital one Wednesday a month at 2pm. Contact Bernard Barns for details on 733560.

Men’s Shed: The Men’s Shed Maesteg Headquarters is open at the Court House every Thursday from 11am1.30pm.

They have been producing a monthly podcast which goes out live on Celtica Radio on the last Wednesday of the month at 8pm, and podcasts are available on the Shedquarters website (maesteg shedquarters. wordpress.com).

Regular activities include a music group, woodwork, guest speakers, painting and other activities and community events.

All welcome, and a hot meal is cooked every week.

Murder: There’s a Murder Mystery Book Club which is held at the library in Maesteg Sports Centre.

A book for the month is given, you read to a specified page, ring Martyn to say who you think is the murderer, then meet to discuss the book on a Saturday morning.

Interested? Contact Martyn at the library.

Choir News: If you like to sing then join our friendly choristers who come from all over the borough.

Côr Meibion Maesteg a’r cylch/Maesteg Male Voice Choir rehearse at the Celtic Club on Thursdays and every other Tuesday from 7pm-9pm on Thursday with a 15-minute break and from 7pm-8.30pm on Tuesdays 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, from 7pm-9pm.

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

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

Maesteg Children’s Choir: The children are guaranteed a great time learning new songs.

They meet every Saturday in the Crypt of St Michael’s Church from 10am-12noon and pay only £2 a week.

Curtain Up Youth Theatre: Meets every Tuesday at Maesteg Town Hall from 4.15pm for primary school age children and 6pm for those of comprehensive school age up to 18.

They are trained to a high standard in all aspects of stage-craft – acting, mime and movement.

Fee is £6 with an offer of £10 for 2 in the family.

Scouts, community based: The 3rd Maesteg Group meets at the building in Llwydarth Road. Beavers (6-8 year-olds) meet Monday 5pm6.30pm; Cubs (8-10) meet Thursdays 5.30pm-7pm and Scouts (10-14) meet Thursday 7.15pm-9.15pm, all cost £3 each week.

The 631 (Maesteg) Squadron meet on Tuesday and Friday evenings at their Upper Street HQ and welcome boys and girls aged 13 and over.

The Courthouse in Station Street Maesteg is open every Monday, Wednesday and Thursday from 5.30pm-7.30pm.

MHM Wales: Emotional Wellbeing Drop-in. Thursdays 12.30pm4.30pm at Central Ecumenical Church, Church Street, Maesteg. Over-50s Coffee Group every Wednesday 2pm4pm at Lloyds Café, Maesteg.

Special Families: This is a family support group in Maesteg for families that have children with disabilities.

Term Time Support Group Coffee Morning at Maesteg Sports Centre Wednesdays, from1012noon – open to all.

Term Time Saturday Activity at Maesteg Sports Centre, from 12noon2pm, members only.

Contact Claire Edmunds on 07588 460 796 or find Special Families Maesteg on Facebook.

Doggy Bags: Maesteg Council Offiices on Monday to Friday between 10am-1pm have free doggy bags for dog owners to clear up the mess their animals make.

Pet Care: Holidays away, not got enough hours in the day?

Llynfi Pet Care, in Maesteg area – dog walking, pet sitting and house visits throughout the day.

Contact Leah Powell on 07966 351 244 or email: info@llynfipetcare, or find them on Facebook.

Credit Union: Llynfi Valley Credit Union is open for business for just £1 membership joining fee.

You’ll find it at 15a Talbot Street from 9am1pm Monday to Saturday, call 731392; or 177 Caerau Road, also from 9am-1pm, Monday to Friday, call 736267.

Food Bank: The service is kept stocked by generous people and stores in the community.

You can deliver items to Noddfa in Caerau, Peniel in Maesteg, or Caerau Development Trust via Dr Jill.

Free Tai-Chi: There are sessions of tai chi movements in the Maesteg Welfare Park, every Friday at 10am for four weeks started July 21.

There is no charge and it is suitable for all ages regardless of their experience so I hope people can come along and enjoy the session.

Town Hall: Children’s entertainment, Higgledy Piggledy Pie is coming soon on Saturday, August 19 at 2pm.

It’s a 45 minute show about a king who asks for a higgledy piggldy pie for his supper.

The royal chefs are thrown into a spin, especially when they find that the cupboard is bare!

They are helped by their Vegetapals to collect the special nursery rhyme ingredients.

Tickets cost £6.50 from 01656 815915 or from maestegtownhall.com

Matinee Theatre: I went to see the Lunchtime Play on Wednesday, July 19 – a comedy written by Kate Bowman who lives in Swansea - and thoroughly enjoyed the hour.

The Wednesday plays are now a regular at the hall. The next one is on August 31 and tickets cost £5.50.

Coming up is the Johnny Cash Road Show on Saturday, September 9. Award-winning singer/ songriter Clive John presents the show, which has sold out wherever it play.

Then there’s Rich Hall’s Hoedown on Thursday September 28.

Salvation Army: Maesteg Booth’s Befrienders is a new drop-in centre held on the second and fourth Wednesdays of the month. Open to all, with free refreshments, Wi-Fi and more.

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

All equipment is provided for use, with qualified coaches to help and assist from absolute beginners to the more experienced player.

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

Nanty MI: Bingo Night with refreshments at Nanty Miners’ Institute on a Monday and Thursday from 7.15pm.

Nanty Library also has two large halls available with vacant slots throughout the week and weekends.

Call Bernard Aylward 01656 739898.

Caerau Men’s Shed: Every Friday from 1pm3pm. Based at Noddfa Community Project, Caerau. Every man welcome over the age of 18 years.

More information please call or email Phil John Secretary on 07966 614 459 or you can email: jen4phil4ever@talktalk. net.

Development Trust: Daily cooked meals from wide menu Monday-Friday.

Free food available Monday-Saturday mornings; Charity Shop open Monday-Saturday; Library; Computer suite with computer use – help available; Craft sessions Thursday 6pm onwards; Keep fit – two sessions according to ability on Wednesdays (call 01656 810 225 for details); Music and story recording sessions Tuesdays – volunteers welcome; craft group-jewellery & cardmaking; computer suite; various courses.

Call 01656 810225 or email caerau developmenttrust@gmail. com for more information.

Noddfa Community Project Caerau:

Mondays: 5pm-8pm UDC Dance; 6pm-8pm Fitness Class.

Tuesdays: 10am-noon Caerau Foodbank – vouchers only (vouchers can sort on Monday and Thursday 1pm-3pm from Noddfa); 1pm-3pm Bingo Club; 4pm-6pm Caerau Boxing Club; 4pm-5.30pm Kids Club (Homework and Drop In – Primary School); 6.30pm-8.30pm Youth Club (11 to 25-year-olds). Both Kids/Youth Club link with Caerau Growers – Market Garden.

Wednesdays: Job Club and Adult Art/Crafts; 5pm-8pm UDC Dance; 6pm-8pm Fitness Class.

Thursdays: 11am-3pm Sewing Class; 4pm-5.30pm Kids Club (Homework and Drop In – Primary Schools); 6.30pm-8.30pm Youth Club (11 to 25-year-olds) Fridays: Youth Drop In, from 4pm-5.30pm. Fitness Club, from 6pm-8pm.

Saturdays: Free for bookings.

Sundays: UDC Dance Noddfa Community Project, run by a group of volunteers who are very experienced and a qualified manager at the helm. Both Kids Club and Youth Club have qualified and experienced youth workers.

The local PCSO and Fire Service provide support to a variety of projects within Noddfa.

Noddfa Community Project can be hired by calling 01656 738 866.

OAP Club: Garth OAP Club meet in their hall on Bridgend Road every Wednesday, from 5.30pm7pm.

A new craft group is starting on Tuesdays from 10am-12noon. Cost £3 and any type of craft is suitable.

New members warmly welcome. Membership fee £2 then weekly subs £1.

Available for hire, except Wednesday evenings, with easily accessible, toilets, kitchen and hall all on one level.

Ideal for meetings, family parties and most groups at just £10 per hour.

Call Anne on 07904 604049 or 737323 or Ethel on 735571. We are now on Facebook.