LLYNFI VALLEY

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

Town Hall Events: All tickets are available from the hall on 01656 815 915 or maestegtownhall.com

Wednesday, October 11 – Matinee concert 2pm Tickets £5.50 - Quartet 19 are multi award winning young, dedicated ensemble are well practiced in a vast array of styles and genres.

Thursday, October 12 – Los Pacaminos featuring Paul Young, 8pm. Tickets £18.

A tequila-fuelled Tex Mex party night, a great night’s rocking with the cactus sharp stetson wearing, magnificent 6, Los Pacaminos!

Friday, October 13 – Sieiloc, 7.30pm. Tickets £10/£8.

Gareth Armstrong’s award winning play confronts these Jewish stereotypes through the eyes of his only friend and the only other Jewish man in the whole world of Shakespeare – Tubal.

Wednesday, October 25 – Strictly Cinema: A Street Cat Named Bob, 11am. Tickets £5.50.

Thursday, October 26 – Comedy Night featuring three up and coming and award winning comics from South Wales and beyond, 7.30pm.

Tickets £7.50 in advance or £9 on the door.

Friday, October 27 – Cavern Beatles, 7.30pm. Tickets £21.50/£20.50.

The only Beatles band fully endorsed by the Cavern Club Liverpool.

Be prepared to enjoy the hits of the Fab Four in a completely breathtaking show!

Flu Injections: Llynfi Surgery has a Walk-in Clinic on Tuesdays, October 17 and 24 from 1.30pm-3pm.

Children’s Choir: Maesteg Children’s Choir, with their MD Enid Sian Hughes will perform in aid of Action for Children.

The concert will be held at Central Church Maesteg this Thursday October 12 at 7pm.

Tickets cost £5 and are available from church members, choir members or pay at the door.

MAOS Show: The Snow Queen will be performed by Maesteg Amateur Operatic Society next week on October 19th to 21st at Maesteg Town Hall at 7.15pm with an additional performance on Saturday at 2.30pm. It’s a magical family musical by Peter Denyer.. Our hero, Gerda, must travel to the Frozen North to rescue her friend Kay from the icy clutches of the Snow Queen, enlisting the help of a band of robbers, some feathered friends and the oldest eskimo in the world along the way.

In charge are the ‘three Ss’ again, who are director Sarah Thomas, MD Sue Heffey and choreographer Sue Bickle.

Tickets cost £10 adults, £8 children or £32 for a family of four and are available from MAOS members or from the hall.

Big Lottery Fund: Staff from the Big Lottery Fund is offering oneto-one appointments to local voluntary groups and organisations to discuss funding opportunities when they visit Bridgend Association of Voluntary Organisations (BAVO) on Wednesday, October 25 in their office in Maesteg from 9.30am-3pm.

Thirty-minute meetings are available by appointment only. Every year the Big Lottery Fund distributes millions of pounds of National Lottery funding to good causes.

It funds not for profit and voluntary organisations to deliver projects that improve health, education, environment and improve the lives of people and communities most in need.

It can fund capital or revenue projects and has two grants available – Awards for All Wales which distributes grants from £300 to £10,000, and People and Places which distributes grants from £10,001 to £500,000 for projects lasting up to five years.

Both funds have recently had some changes, so you are strongly advised to check the eligibility of your project on the Big Lottery Fund website appointment.

If you’re interested in having an appointment at this session, you must register your interest by contacting BAVO on 01656 810400 or email: bavo@bavo.org.uk by Friday, October 13.

Events Diary: There is a Town Events Diary in the Council Offices, accessible during office hours.

All organizations in the valley are urged to enter individual events in that diary to avoid overlap or clashing of dinners/ concerts, 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 special visit from the Mayor and consort bearing gifts. Or even a card from the Queen.

If you live in the Llangynwyd Middle Council area, then you contact their Clerk of the Council.

Maesteg CC: 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 regular walk – contact 07977831317. 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 10.30am11.30am (except Bank Holidays). Cost £5 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.

Maesteg U3A: Maesteg U3A meet at Central Church on the fourth Tuesday of the month at 2pm.

As well as monthly meetings, there are interest groups which are set up by members – walking (striders, sight seekers and strollers), art appreciation, music appreciation, Family History, French Interludes, book club, gardening and the occasional quiz teams, plus regular monthly lunches, a Quiz group and a Theatre group when appropriate.

For more information on what’s on during the month please visit our web site at: www. maestegu3a.org.

Booth’s Befrienders: This is a new drop-in centre at the salvation Army and they meet on the 2nd and 4th Wednesday of the month – open to all with

Parkinson’s Support: Maesteg Parkinson’s Support Group meet at Maesteg Hospital one Wednesday a month at 2pm.

Contact Bernard Franks for details on 733560.

Your partner is welcome to attend with you to join this cheerful group, with speakers, trips and lunches.

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.

The Men’s Shed is part of a national movement aimed at bringing men together in a social environment to get involved in activities that interest them.

Spirit of Llynfi: TheLlynfi Woodland group meets on the first Saturday of the month from September.

The group has been busy installing picnic benches for families to enjoy their visit to the site.

New volunteers are welcome – contact llynfi woodland group@gmail. com for details.

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 Mondays 7.30pm - 9pm at Nanty Rugby Club

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 5pm-6.30pm; 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 5.30pm7.30pm.

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 12noon-2pm, 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 9am-1pm 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 Courses: With Bridgend Communities First.

Safeguarding Children and Young People (accredited Level 2): Tuesday, October 17, from 9.30am-3.30pm, Yellow Wales, Maesteg. Understand how to safeguard and protect children and young people and learn how to respond to concerns. Lunch not provided, please bring packed lunch. Advance booking required by contacting Phil on 01656 642619 or 07792 663 645 or email: phil.jones@bridgend. gov.uk.

Emergency Paediatric First Aid Course (accredited Level 3): Wednesday, October 18, from 9.30am-3.30pm, Hartshorn House, Maesteg. Would you know what to do if you saw a child in need of first aid? Book onto our free course as it could mean the difference between life and death. Lunch not provided, please bring packed lunch. Advance booking required by contacting Phil on 01656 642619 or 07792 663 645 or email: phil.jones@bridgend. gov.uk.

First Free Managing Stress Sessions: Tuesday, October 24, from 10am-12noon at Maesteg Fire Station Community Room. Join Bridgend Communities First in recognising stress symptoms in yourself and others and find ways to manage your stress. For more details call Jeremy on 01656 643518 or 07815 527 124 or email: jeremy.Dimond@ bridgend.gov.uk.

Emergency First Aid Course (accredited Level 2): Monday, November 6, from 9.30am-3.30pm Yellow Wales, Maesteg. Gain the essential skills needed to give safe, prompt and effective first aid in emergency situations. ID required. Lunch not provided, please bring packed lunch. Advance booking required by contacting Phil on 01656 642619 or 07792 663 645 or email: phil.jones@bridgend. gov.uk.

Basic Life Support and Safe Use of an Automated Defibrillator (accredited Level 2): Thursday, November 9, from 9.30am-2pm, The Court House, 4 Station Road, Maesteg. This regulated and nationally recognised qualification provides you with the opportunity to develop your skills and knowledge in basic life support and Automated External Defibrillator (AED) usage in emergency situations. Lunch not provided, please bring packed lunch. Advance booking required by contacting Phil on 01656 642619 or 07792 663 645 or email: phil.jones@bridgend. gov.uk.

Community Dropin Morning: Monday, November 13, from 10am-12noon, Maesteg 7777s RFC. Pop in for a tea and coffee and find out more about learning, health and employment opportunities in your local community. For further details contact Natalie on 01656 815193 or 07815 527 044 or email: natalie.graves@ bridgend.gov.uk.

Nanty Sport: Llynfi Valley Table Tennis every Friday, 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