LLYNFI VALLEY
Send Your News To: Marion Rogers 01656 733417 llynficolumn@sky.com
NATIVITY PLAY: This coming Saturday the LVCC Nativity Play will be performed in the Market Square at 10.30am. Of course there will be more carols to sing and all are welcome to come along and join in the Christmas spirit.
Maesteg Christmas: Until Saturday, December 23, Father Christmas will be in his Grotto at the Town Council Offices, today and tomorrow, 3pm6pm, and Saturday from 10am - 4pm.
Church Christmas services are as follows: Today, 10.30am, Caerau Primary School, Years 3 and 4, Christmas Concert in Church.
Sunday, December 24, 9.30am, Eucharist with carols. Christmas Eve, Sunday, 11.30pm, Midnight Mass. Sunday, December 31, 8am, Said Eucharist; 11.15am, Sung Eucharist.
Bethel with Hope, December 24, Christmas Eve Service both at 6pm; Dyffryn Chapel, December 25, 9.30am.
Nantyffyllon – Trinity, today, December 21, at 7pm, Carols by Candlelight, and Sunday, December 24, at 5pm.
Pen-y-Bryn Mission – Christmas Eve at 3pm and Christmas Day at 10am; Christmas Eve family service at 5pm.
Maesteg – Our Lady and St Patrick’s Vigil Mass at 6pm on Sunday, December 24; Night Mass of Christmas, 10pm. Christmas morning, December 25, 11am.
Central Church – Sunday, December 24, service at 11am and Christmas morning.
Gleemen: The Christmas season has been a busy time for Maesteg Gleemen. A great honour, a prestigious event coming up on January 13 – the Gleemen will be doing the grand finale at St Davids Hall, Cardiff, with the Cardiff Philharmonic Orchestra. This event is being staged as the largest Elvis concert in Europe.
Town Hall Events: All tickets are available from the hall on 01656 815915 or maestegtownhall.com.
Saturday, December 27 – Paul Sinha – Shout Out To My Ex. Enjoy a night of laughs from this critically acclaimed international stand-up comedian and one of the regular Chasers on ITV’s award-winning quiz show The Chase. Tickets £12.50.
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.
Concert: The Concert at the Church of Our Lady and St Patrick to celebrate their 110th Anniversary was a tremendous success. It was a lovely evening with Bridgend Male Voice Choir, lead by the talented Ryan Wood, and sounded fabulous. Both soprano Angharad Morgan and young Nathan Isaac on clarinet were wonderful. Indeed, Nathan never fails to impress. The music team of Stephanie Bailey, pianist, and Scott Williams, organist, really did a fabulous job for the choir. To conclude, all present agreed that it was an absolutely brilliant evening. Organiser Michael Banks said: “A proud and very entertaining evening at Our Lady & St Patrick’s, commemorating 110 years. Here’s to the future!
RETIREMENT: In a short time Oswald Penny – Ossie to his friends but Mr. Penny to generations of children in Caerau will begin and end his last working day.
He would get up at a godforsaken hour to open up Caerau Primary School and make it warm, safe and inviting for all of the staff and children – just as he has for the past 25 years. He would do all of his scheduled tasks, find and complete a few more and then end his working life, safe in the knowledge that he is admired, liked and respected by all of his colleagues and loved by legions of children – small and not so small or young any more.
He is (or very soon will have been) the caretaker of the community – first at Blaencaerau Junior School where leaks were commonplace and a dodgy coal boiler could upset him and more latterly at Caerau Primary School where the children of the village gained the facilities – that he looked after – that they richly deserved.
But – and it’s a big but – he was not just the caretaker – in his time he’s acted as odd job man, carpenter, leak repairer, guest to interrogate, cheerleader, encourager, story listener and demon centre half in the annual staff v year 6 football match.
As he makes his way towards his upcoming retirement, he leaves with the overwhelming thanks of hundreds of staff and children –
Thank you for keeping us safe but more importantly than you for being OUR MR PENNY.
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 243589 and Lyndon Horrigan 07971 943284.
Ramblers: Maesteg Ramblers will meet at 9am on Sunday for the Sun 6 mile Christmas Eve short walk. Contact 07977831317. Remember that you walk at your. own risk and take sandwiches and a drink with you.
Art Society: The society meets at Maesteg College on Mondays, from 4pm6pm, and work is created in a variety of media.
Local History: Llynfi Valley Historical Society meets on the first Tuesday of the month in St David’s’ Church at 7pm. The next meeting is on Tuesday, January 9.
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 meets 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 meets 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.
The group has been busy installing picnic benches for families to enjoy their visit to the site.
New volunteers are welcome – contact llynfi woodlandgroup@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 Monda,y 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 5.30pm-7.30pm.
MHM Wales: Wellbeing and emotional wellbeing Drop-in – increase your positive emotional wellbeing. Wellbeing Hub at Masonic Hall, Castle Street, Maesteg, CF34 9YL, on Thursdays, 12noon-3pm.
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, 10am12noon. Open to all.
Term time Saturday activity at Maesteg Sports Centre, from 12noon-2pm, members only.
Contact Claire Edmunds on 07588 460796 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.
Computers: Bryn Community Centre, Bryn, Tuesdays, from 10.30am-12noon.
To get people to feel comfortable and confident when using a computer.
Contact Paul Bulmer on 07757 016572 or paul. bulmer@gmail.com or 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.
Caerai Men’s Shed: Every Friday afternoon from 1pm to 3pm. Based at Noddfa Community Project, Caerau. Every man welcome over the age of 18 years. For more information please call or email Phil John, secretary, on 07966 614459.
Invest Local Caerau: This lottery funded group has been awarded £1m to improve Caerau over the next 10 years.
Caerau Men’s Shed: Every Friday from 1pm3pm. Based at Noddfa Community Project, Caerau. Every man