For news from the Bridgend area go to www.walesonline.co.uk/all-about/bridgend

month, 2pm-3.15pm, at St Theodore’s Church, Kenfig Hill. Contact 01792 462845 or email: morgannwg@cruse.org. uk

Cuppa with a Copper: At Pyle Library on Mondays, from 2pm4pm.

Reading Groups: Join one of the many reading groups in Pyle Library.

The Night-Owls Group meet on the third Thursday of the month at 7pm.

The Daytime Group meets on the last Thursday of the month at 2pm.

The Teenage Group ( 12- 19 years old) meets on the second Thursday of the month.

The Junior Reading Group ( 8- 12 years old) meet on the second Tuesday of the month.

Bounce and Rhyme meets on a Friday at 10am. Situated in Llangewydd Road, near Bryntirion Football Club. For further details, please ring Kath Rees 07843 985237. community councillors are wishing everyone a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year.

Play and Community Playgroup: The playgroup is open to children from two to four years of age and is held from 9.15am-3pm in the afternoon, from Monday to Friday during term time. Call 07813 392464.

Penyfai Guide Group: Scout and Guide Hall, Court Coleman Road, Penyfai (except summer) as follows:

Rainbows (ages 5 to 7) meet Wednesdays from 5.30pm-6.45pm.

Brownies ( age 7 to 10) meet Mondays from 5.30pm-7pm.

Call Pippa O’Neill on 07480 825532.

1st Penyfai Scout Group: Scout and Guide Hall, Court Coleman Road, Penyfai (except summer):

Beavers ( ages 6 to 8), meet Thursdays from 5pm-6.15pm.

Cubs ( ages 8 to 10) meet Thursdays from 6.30pm-8pm.

Scouts ( ages 10 to 14) meet Thursdays, 6.30pm-8pm.

If you would like more information, please contact Christine Jordan on 01656 860 831.

Play and Community: Family’s of newcomers to the village of Penyfai with children from 2 years to four years and are looking to join a play group, for many years the Play and Community play group has been held in the scout hall on Court Coleman road Penyfai, the play group is open from 9.15am to 3pm in the afternoon from Monday to Friday during term time for more information please phone 07813 392464. January 10 at 2pm at All Saints Church Hall when Elfed and Sheila Pugh will tell us about “Mercy Ships”., which is a fantastic organisation run by volunteer doctors and surgeons who travel the world carrying out the most amazing surgical operations in places which are on the edge of civilisation. if you want any more information contact Dorothy Thomas on 01656 772157

Porthcawl St Sebastion Town Twinning Association: Perhaps now that members have had new diaries for Christmas they would like to note the following dates: there will be a Business and Social meeting on Wednesday, January 24 at 6.30pm. This is at Beale’s Fish Restaurant where there will be a fish and chip supper.

Pencoed Town Twinning will be holding a New Year Meal on Friday 19 at the Bryncae Arms, Llanharan, CF72 9RP. All are welcome and anyone interested and wants to obtain a Menu and booking form which must be returned with payment to Wendy McDonald or Mark Steer at latest by Friday, January 12 should contact the Town Twinning Secretary Anne on 01656 788027 for more information.

Porthcawl Farmers Market: The first Farmer’s Market of the new year will be held in Griffin Park, New Road Porthcawl CF36 5DF on Saturday, January 20 from 9.30am to 12.30pm and all the usual stalls will be there and refreshments will be available.

Griffin Park Table Top Sale: This is held every Friday morning in Griffin Park Hall in New Road starting at 8.00am and finishing at 12.30pm. I believe that refreshments are available and from my experience it is usually worth a visit.

Porthcawl Museum: The Porthcawl Museum Society have just released the second part off their History of the First World War entitled ‘ Mud and Men’ which has been written and edited by Ceri Joseph and covers the period from May 1916 to December 1917; covering the grinding battles of attricion in the Somme to the battles of the Western Front and Ypres. Copies can be purchased at the Museum in John Street at a cost of £ 10 with all proceeds going to Porthcawl Museum Charity 1014281.

Porthcawl Burns Night Supper: After the great success of this event last year, Porthcawl Lions Club are again arranging this historic function in the Hi= Tide in Mackworth roadon Friday, January 26. Tickets at £ 25 are available at Porthcawl Museum or from any lions member. Music will be provided by Judith Shawe and the Piper will be John Campbell. Dress code is Black Tie and Tartan and there will be a raffle on the night in aid of the Porthcawl Museum.

Big John Williams MBE: Others have talked about his commitment to the RNLI over the whole of his active life from being a crewman to becoming the HonSec.

The ‘hon-sec’ was the man who decided when and indeed if the boat should be launched- quite a responsibility.

It was Big John who prepared the book on the history of the Porthcawl Lifeboat Station and it was Big John that accompanied John Walters and his wheelchair when he joined the Jubilee Trust on a voyage of adventure on this three masted topsail ship called the Lord Nelson.

The Lord Nelson was the first tall ship in the world to be designed and built to enable people of all physical abilities to sail side by side on equal terms.

It seems a sad shame that we won’t be able to see this big man sitting ram-rod straight on his equally big sit- up- and- beg bicycle travelling along the Portway on his way to his home in Nottage from the LB Station in the harbour; even if, for the last few years the bike had been battery powered!.

Happy New Year: Finally may Gaynor and I wish all the readers a Happy and Healthy New Year