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 815915 or maestegtownhall.com

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!

Events Diary: There is a town events diary in the council offices, accessible during office hours. All organisations in the valley are urged to enter individual events in that diary to avoid overlap or clashing of dinners/ concerts, etc.

Wales Air Ambulance: The walk and BBQ was a great success, raising £1,190. Steve Jones thanks the following: pubs & clubs in Caerau and Maesteg, Tesco, Cofi Ambr, Paul Nuttall, Traditional Bakeries, Go Bananas and Colin, Karen, Darren at Garth Inn for arranging the BBQ and entertainment.

Côr Meibion Maesteg: On Saturday, October 8, the choir made another visit to Chipping Sodbury for a concert dedicated to the memory of Eric Goode who, for many years, had been instrumental in bringing the choir to this venue to help raise funds for Lion charities.

MD Huw Morgan, and accompanist Laura Deenik, arranged a varied programme for this special concert and started the choir off with a Welsh favourites including Gwahoddiad, Myfanwy, Troytes Chant and Cwn Rhondda.

Soloist for the evening was Yasmin Smith, the youngest grand-daughter of Eric, then sang two pieces before the choir brought the first half to an end with Finlandia.

The second half commenced with Tangnyfedwydd, Unchained Melody, and Rhythm Of Life before Yasmin finished her performance with another two pieces, one of which was Danny Boy as a tribute to her grandfather.

The choir brought the concert to an end with Bui Doi, and finally American Trilogy, after which the audience, demanding an encore, the choir obliged with the rousing Rachie.

The Chipping Sodbury Lions are so impressed with the Maesteg Male voice choir that they booked them for next year as soon as the concert finished.

Action For Children: The concert by Maesteg Children’s Choir was a successful evening for the charity and ended in a real party mood.

MD Enid Sian Hughes had chosen some lovely songs which included Love Shine a Light, Beauty and the Beast, Hallelujah, ending with Somewhere Out There and Any Dream Will Do.

Accompanist for the evening was Sian Davies.

Choir members and sisters Karly and Kirstie performed two lovely duets – For Good and Anfonaf Angel, which were well received by the audience.

Guest soloist, Rhian Hughes, delighted us with her lovely voice, singing songs from the shows, which included Out of my Dreams from Oklahoma! and Mister Snow from Carousel, as well as the beautiful The Sun Whose Rays Are All Aglow – all beautifully sung.

Sian always loves audience participation and invited the audience to join in a number of the Disney songs, but at the end there was no choice but to sing our hearts out joining the choir for Calon Lan.

The church’s minister, Rev Dr Jason Askew, welcomed all at the start and, at the end, thanked the choir for such an enjoyable evening. .

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 six mile Brombilregular walk – contact 07977 831 317. Remember that you walk at your own risk.

Art Society: The society meets at Maesteg College Mondays, from 4pm-6pm 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 meets 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 second and fourth Wednesday of the month – open to all with refreshments, Wi-Fi and more.

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 to join this cheerful group, with speakers, trips and lunches.

Dementia: Are you very forgetful? Are you looking after someone who is very forgetful or has been diagnosed with dementia?

Come and meet people in a similar situation at Dyffryn Chapel, Bedw Street, Caerau and there enjoy a cup of tea and a chance to talk with members of the Dementia Friends Group.

Our meetings are every Thursday from 1pm-4pm.

Our meetings are open to any carers not just for Dementia, everyone is welcome.

If you would like more information please contact Eirwen Thomas 736379 or John Hughes 731392 (Maesteg Credit Union).

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: The Llynfi 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 7.30-9pm 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 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 5.30pm7.30pm.

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.

Emergency First Aid (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 663645 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

Computers at Bryn Community Centre, Bryn, Tuesdays, from 10.30am-12noon.

To get people to feel comfortable and confident when using a computer.

Contact Mr Paul Bulmer on 07757 016 572 or paul.bulmer@gmail. com or Mrs Gaynor Jones, on 07989 130 933 or gaynorj1@hotmail.co.uk. Bring your phone, tablet or laptop.

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 for adults and £1 for children.

Call Peter Williams on 07956 608581.

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 1pm-3pm. 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 MondayFriday.

Free food available Monday-Saturday mornings; Charity Shop open Monday-Saturday; Library; Computer suite with computer use – help