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.

Friday, November 3 – Oskar’s Amazing Adventure, 2pm. A heartwarming adventure for children age two to eight. Tickets: £6.50.

Thursday, November 9 – Showaddywaddy, 7.30 pm. Tickets £21.

Saturday, November 11 – Noteworthy coffee morning, 10am.

Saturday, November 11 – Concert of Remembrance, 7pm. Featuring Ogmore Silver Band, Maesteg Children’s Choir and Noteworthy.

Friday, November 17 – Think Floyd, celebrating the 50th Anniversary of Pink Floyd’s first release, 7.30pm. Tickets £21.50.

Saturday, November 18 – Robeson Remembered presented by Bridgend Youth Theatre, 7.30pm. Tickets £7.

Thursday, November 23 – Lunchtime Theatre Slight of Mind, 1pm. This new comedy thriller promises to have you guessing until the end. Tickets £6.50.

Thursday, November 23 – Comedy Club, 7.30pm. Tickets £7.50 or £9 on the door.

Wednesday, November 29 – Strictly Cinema White Christmas (tbc), 11am. Tickets £5.50.

Friday, December 8 – Three-course Christmas meal with Bridgend Swing Band, 7pm for 7.30pm. Tickets £25. £10 deposit to secure booking.

Mayor’s Fund Coffee Morning: Coun Idris Williams, the current Mayor of Maesteg, invites you to join him this Friday, November 3, at Maesteg Council Chambers from 9.30am -1.30 pm to raise money for Diabetes UK.

Fireworks Display: The Rotary club of Maesteg hold their display this Saturday, November 4, at the rugby club.

The display begins at 7.30pm with gates open from 6.30pm.

Refreshments from the rugby club. Call Tal Harries on 07999 886 142.

Murder Mystery: Banksey’s Babes present A Tribute to Murder – a murder mystery play in two acts, raising funds for Llangynwyd Village Hall.

It’s at the hall this Saturday November 4, from 7pm for 7.30pm.

Tickets cost £8, including buffet, from Llangynwyd Village Hall, or telephone Val Duffin.

As with The Mouse Trap you are requested to keep the murderer a secret, for this will be repeated on November 17 at Maesteg Workman’s Club in aid of the Church of Our Lady and Saint Patrick, again at 7pm for 7.30pm. Tickets cost £8, including buffet.

Choir Open Evening: Côr Merched Cwm Llynfi (Llynfi Valley Ladies Choir) hold an Open Evening next Wednesday November 8, at 7pm in the Celtic Club, Garth, Maesteg.

Don’t think you have to be able to read music to join? We are a nonauditioning choir and all we ask is a love of singing.

The evening will give the opportunity to view the ladies as they learn a new song and you will also be able to hear a selection of our current repertoire.

Even if you don’t decide to join the choir, the evening promises to be an enjoyable one with refreshments provided.

Armistice Concert: The Remembrance Concert at the Town Hall is next week on Saturday, November 11, from 6.30pm for a 7pm start.

Taking part are Noteworthy, Maesteg Children’s Choir and the Ogmore Silver Band.

This will be followed by the Remembrance Service from 9.30am at St Michael’s Church on Sunday.

We then march to the Cenotaph with the band and drums of the South Wales Police Band and then the service and wreath laying.

Snow Queen: Congratulations to Maesteg Amateur Operatic Society on their production of the musical the Snow Queen.

I was there on the Saturday matinee when many children attended.

When the show began, all were silent and remained so until the interval, for they were obviously enraptured.

That says it all plus the many Facebook compliments of parents.

Maesteg Council: The minutes for September 5 are now in the library, Points of note include: Residential Care; Toilets, Recycling and Plans.

Flooding - The point were made that while the Heol Faen culvert now seemed to be protected to a standard whereby local residents could feel adequately protected, nothing of similar design had taken place on the Heol Dyfed culvert.

A meeting with the new Chief Executive of Valleys to Coast had been arranged where the concerns of local residents will be raised.

Furthermore, AM Huw Irranca Davies is in favour of setting up a local flood forum consisting of local residents and elected Town and County Borough Councillors.

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.

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 Brombil 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.

Local History: Llynfi Valley Historical Society on the first Tuesday of the month in St David’s’ Church at 7pm. The next meeting will be on November 11 when Colin Jones will speak on the Merthyr Uprising of 1871.

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.

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 5.30pm7pm and Scouts (10-14) meet Thursday 7.15pm9.15pm, 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: Wellbeing and emotional wellbeing Drop-in - increase your positive emotional wellbeing. Over 50s Coffee Group -come along and make new friends and check out other opportunities which are out there just for you! - Wednesdays 2pm - 4pm 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.

Welsh In The Workplace from 10am - 12pm Noddfa Community Project, Caerau. Join us to improve your confidence and skills using Welsh in the workplace. Learn how to answer the phone, sign off emails and more. No previous knowledge of Welsh neededAdvance booking required by contacting Natalie, T: 01656 815193 / 07815 527 044 or E: natalie.graves@ 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.