LLYNFI VALLEY

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

School Show: Maesteg School Presents We Will Rock You, two nights of rock fuelled entertainment including Queen’s most loved hits, performed by pupils!

Tickets are on sale now from Maesteg School Finance Office, for Wednesday, February 28 and Thursday, March 1. An Adult ticket is £8 and Concessions (OAP & under16s) are £5.

The show starts at 7pm and refreshments will be available.

We Will Rock You is presented by permission of schoolwillrockyou.com

Charity Concert: On Friday, March 2. The Maesteg Children’s Choir along with Garth Primary School Choir will be performing at St David’s Church to raise money for Megan Evans-Thomas who is volunteering to go to a hospital in Uganda to do charity work. Starts at 7pm. Tickets are £4 which includes coffee and a cake.

Women: This coming Friday, March 2. It is Women’s World Day of Prayer at Central Church Maesteg, This year’s theme is ‘All God’s world is very good’ and has been chosen and supplied by Suriname – all over the world rubbish is carelessly thrown away and is causing damage to the land and the oceans. Although it’s a Women’s event,, men are welcome to attend.

Choirs Combined: This year for the St David’s Concert, Cor Meibion Maesteg a’r cylch and Cor Merched Cwm Llynfi have their concert on Saturday, March 3 in the Bethel Community Church, Castle Street. Huw Thomas, BBC Arts and Media correspondent, will be the compere. The concert will start at 7pm.

Entrance by programme is £5 and can be obtained from choristers and from Bethel Church, Castle Street, Maesteg, or Cor Meibion@talktalk.net or pay at the door.

Murder: On Friday, March 23 another Murder Mystery Play, Murder with a Twist (of lemon), will be performed by Banksies Babes at Maesteg Workmen’s Club. It’s called Banksies Babes because it was Michael Banks’ idea to gather a group together who enjoy performing. There is a regular cast of actors to draw upon, but occasionally more are invited to join due to extra roles in a new play. The audience participates too, as amateur detectives. Tickets cost £8 including a buffet and go quickly (it’s like the Gold Rush!) Proceeds are in aid of the Mayor’s Fund.

Eisteddfod: Following Eisteddfod yr Urdd last year which saw Maesteg appeals committee have a very successful fund raising thanks to The generosity of the citizens of the town the above group has been formed. The purpose of the group is to promote and enhance the awareness and use of Welsh language ,culture and traditions in a social context for the benefit of residents in the Llynfi Valley and surrounding areas in partnership with other bodies where appropriate.

The group will endeavour to arrange three to four events this year to provide people with the opportunity to access social and educational activities. Events planned include Cwis, Cawl a Chan, and Noson Rasio.

The group meet one a month in Maesteg Council Offices to plan future events. The next meeting is on Tuesday, March 13. Anyone who is interested and would like to join us would be very welcome. For further information contact Rhian Sterio on 07861 660970 or email rsterio@ icloud.com.

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

Wednesday March 7 - 1pm - Matinee Concert: Olivia Gomez, alto & Ben Pinnow, accompanist

Saturday, March 10 - 7.30pm - Abba Mania.

Friday, March 23 - 7.30pm - The Lady Vanishes - A Thriller Play.

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.

Mayor’s Charity: On Saturday, February 17, the Celtic club in Garth, Maesteg were hosts of Mayor Idris Williams’ charity fund raising year. Maesteg male voice choir were the entertainers for the evening and delighted the audience with a wonderful array of music which went down extremely well with the large audience and supporters of the charity.

During the first quarter the choir entertained with six traditional Welsh hymns which were well appreciated by the audience who then went on to play a session of Bingo and a musical quiz which even some members of the choir joined in, helping to raise funds for the charity, while compere Huw’s humour and participation with the audience always goes down extremely well.

The second quarter began with the choir singing more of a musical theatre set before the interval, when the choir and guests enjoyed an excellent buffet.

Finally the choir finished off the concert with four new pieces which were performed for the first time by the choir and were enjoyed by the audience and the choristers themselves.

The musical director of the choir reminded the audience that on Saturday, May 12, the choir’s annual concert will be at the Maesteg town hall with the acclaimed Shan Cothi performing.

A word about the choir’s musical team – since coming together to take over the reins both musical director Huw Morgan and accompanist Laura Deenik have really blended together and have a wonderful working partnership, which is bringing the best out of the choir.

Council Minutes: The January minutes are available to read in Maesteg Library.

Police report – Major concerns were raised of the continual problem with scramblers and 4x4s on the cycle track and bridleway; dangerous to families who use the footpaths due to the speed in which the off roaders are going.

Parking – Concerns were again expressed of members of the public parking on the pavements on the junction of Castle Street and Bridge Street making it difficult for drivers to see when exiting from the junction.

Hospitals – For consultation Welsh Government has issued a consultation on a proposal that healthcare services for people in Bridgend should be provided by Cwm Taf UHB instead of Abertawe Bro Morgannwg UHB; moving the health board boundary accordingly. The consultation will be open until Wednesday, March 7. To respond to the consultation please follow the link below to the Welsh Government website: https:// consultations.gov.wales/ consultations/proposedhealth-board-boundarychange-bridgend

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.

Rotary: Maesteg club has been running for over 70 years and meet every fortnight on a Monday at 1pm in the Cross Inn Maesteg/Cwmfelin. The purpose of the meetings is to discuss projects to benefit others (often in the valley) and socialise.

They are looking for new members so they can continue to be able to help local charities as well as international.

If anyone male or female who is able to spare an hour each fortnight and would like to help in the benefit of others please contact Tal Harries on 01656 711078.

Lions: Maesteg Lions meet on the first Wednesday of each month at Maesteg Golf Club at 7.30pm for 8pm. The purpose of their meeting is to discuss projects to benefit others local charities and socialise.

If anyone would like to join to make new friends and, at the same time, to help in the projects, please contact V Sharma on 01656 733236.

River Care: There are two groups, who sometimes work separately and sometimes together. One group is responsible for the community garden in Garth, the other with Resources Wales, the three year plan to get rid of Japanese Knotweed. Both work to clear the rubbish still being dumped along the banks of our River Llynfi and are planting more bulbs in readiness for spring.

Ramblers: Maesteg Ramblers will meet at 9am on Sunday for the 9-mile Pontardawe walk. Contact 07983 970 179. Remember that you walk t your own risk and take a snack 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 on the first Tuesday of the month in St David’s’ Church at 7pm. The next meet will be on Tuesday, March 6 and the speaker, Chris Turner, will give an illustrated talk on Religion and Revival in Glamorgan.

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.

Maesteg Miners: The newly formed Llynfi Valley Ex-miners Group meets fortnightly on a Tuesday at 6.30pm in Maesteg Rugby Club. All ex-miners who worked on top or underground are welcome. For more information contact Chris Davies on 07521 906 796 or see the Facebook page: Llynfi Valley Exminers.

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 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: The Maesteg Parkinson’s support group has unfortunately disbanded and are now meeting as ‘Friends of Pendre’. The reason being Pendre is the Parkinson’s ward in Bridgend general hospital. We meet at friends’ houses for a chat and still enjoy our meals out. We will try and continue our trips but that will depend on how many book. Price will be paid in full beforehand with no refund on cancellation. Inquiries to Bernard Franks on 01656 733560. 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.

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 7.30pm-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.

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 5.30pm7.30pm.

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 12noon2pm, members only. Out of school activities during holiday time members only.

Contact Claire Edmunds on 07588 460796 or find Special Families Maesteg on Facebook.

Pet Care: Holidays away, not got enough hours in the day?

Llynfi Pet Care, in