LLYNFI VALLEY

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

Maesteg WI: They have their first meeting of the new year on Thursday, January 18, at 7pm in Maesteg Rugby Club. The speaker will be the High Sheriff of Glamorgan, who will be telling us what the role entails. We had a really exciting year in 2017, with lots of interesting events, we aim to have a good variety of meetings and we do so much more. Our mystery trip last year was to Brecon where we had a trip on the canal, followed by a look around Abergavenny then a meal in the Priory near Caerleon. We have theatre trips, go to the cinema and have excellent nights out. We have already booked lots of events for the forthcoming year, including seeing Abba Mania and a trip to the races, and are planning our summer mystery trip. Come and give us a try - your first couple of meetings are tasters, to see if you like what we do. We’re a really friendly bunch, who love having a good time. Have some ‘me-time’ with Maesteg WI!

Young Singer: On Saturday, January 20, Maesteg Gleemen have the heats for Dunraven Young Singer of the Year 2018. which will be held at St Michael’s Church Maesteg. As usual there arre three age groups – 11-14, 15-1 8 and seniors who are studying music or started making their way in the music world. The heats last from 9.30am to 4pm.

Choir Plans Two: Cor Merched Cwm Llynfi are performing with Cor Meibion Maesteg a’r Cylch on 1st March in Bethel Community Church, Maesteg; March 24th,they are performing in Our Lady and St Patrick’s Catholic Church, Maesteg; April 20th, their Annual Concert in Maesteg Town Hall

Town Hall Events: All tickets are available from the hall on 01656 815915 or maestegtownhall.com.

January – Jack & the Beanstalk starring the one and only Owen Money. Tickets from £10.50. Performances on Fridays, January 12 & 19 at 7pm; on Saturdays January 13 & 20 at 2pm; and on Sundays, January 14 & 21 at 2pm.

No Strictly Cinema – next film in January – Thoroughly Modern Millie,

Saturday, January 27 - Paul Sinha “Shout Out To My Ex” Critically acclaimed international stand up comedian and one of the regular “Chasers” on ITV’s award-winning quiz show The Chase. Tickets £12.50

Thursday, February 1, 1pm - Lunchtime Theare: ‘Frieda’ - An HourLong Professional Play presented by Fluellen Theatre. Friday, February 16, 8pm - Let’s Dance: Paul Roberts, former Lead Singer of The Stranglers sings David Bowie. Tuesday, February 20, 11am & 2pm - Monstersaurus Children’s Theatre. Wednesday, February 21, 7pm - Superstars of Welsh Wrestling Thursday, February 22, 10am - Circus Workshop Ages 6 - 11. Spaces Limited.

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. in the town/ valley.

Funding: Opportunity for voluntary organisations to meet with Big Lottery Fund staff at BAVO Staff from the Big Lottery Fund are offering one-to-one appointments to local voluntary groups and organisations to discuss funding opportunities when they visit Bridgend Association of Voluntary Organisations (BAVO) on Wednesday, January 10 in their office in Maesteg from 9.30am – 3pm. 30 minute meetings are available by appointment only. If you’re interested in booking a time slot, you must register your interest by contacting BAVO, T: 01656 810400 or E: bavo@bavo.org.uk by Friday, January 5.

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 8-mile Wick Circular walk. Contact 01656 734779. 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.

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 will arrange a new meeting in the new year. Your partner is welcome to attend with you to join this cheerful group .

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.

Activities include helping in the community; activity badges; camping; learning and investigating; fun days.

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.

Plus there are dance groups of various styles – ballet with Miss Sian, based in Church Street, Maesteg, (near the bus station); plus UDC from Caerau, Funk Force and Contagious from Maesteg.

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. CAERAU WEEKLY

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 welcome over the age of 18 years.

For more information please call or email Phil John, secretary on 07966