LLYNFI VALLEY

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

Cwlwm Cwm Llynfi: 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.

Events planned include Cwis, Cawl a Chan, and Noson Rasio. The next meeting is on Tuesday March 13. For future details please see Maesteg Weekly (below).

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.

The audience have to wear their detective thinking caps, for they will have the chance to decide who is the guilty person what was the motive and why, then hand it in. The correct answer wins a prize.

Tickets cost £8 including a buffet and proceeds are in aid of the Mayor’s Fund.

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. Thursday, March 29 7:30pm - The Barber of Seville presented by Swansea City Opera.

Wednesday, April 4 - Stop Motion Animation workshop - 10am Tickets £6 limited availability.

Friday, April 6 - Welsh Easter Workshop - 2pm Tickets £2.

Monday, April 9 - The Legendary Adventures of Litla the Brave - 2pm Tickets £6.

Thursday, April 12 - Saturday, April 14 - Curtain Up “Hairspray” All dates 7pm & a 3pm Sat 14th Tickets £10.

Friday, April 20 - Cor Meibion Annual guest Artiste Shan Cothi Compere Garry Owen - 7pm Tickets £8.

Saturday, April 21 - Samba Drumming Workshop - 10.30am - Tickets £6.

Friday, April 27 - Eric Bibb - 8pm Tickets £25.

Saturday, April 28 - Magic of Hollywood Pasha

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.

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.

Urdd Eisteddfod Group: 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 meet once a month in Maesteg Council Offices to plan future events. 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

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.

Maesteg W I: Meet on the third Thursday of the month at 7pm in Maesteg Rugby Club.

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 6-mile Castell Coch walk (and a meal). Contact 07977831317. All are welcome to join and remember that you walk at 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.

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, wifi 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.

Children/Youth: We have two children’s. and young people’s cultural activities in our valley plus scouts, air cadets and the Courthouse:

New KIDZONE Club. Fridays, 4pm-5.30 at the Salvation Army, Castle Street.

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-noon 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 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.

BMX Track: The Llynfi Valley BMX Racing Club are thrilled to share in the community projects funding. With an expanded car park and resurfaced and enhanced race track, the club was able to host a South West Regional race meeting in August and the Welsh BMX Championship for the first time, which brought over 600 visitors into the area form Wales and England. They must have appreciated the lovely views from the hills. For more information about Invest Local Caerau, see the facebook page.

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 614