LLYNFI VALLEY
Send Your News To: Marion Rogers 01656 733417 llyngazmvr@hotmail.co.uk llunficolumn@sky.co.uk,
Can You Help: Special Families Maesteg have acquired allotment space in Maesteg to develop a sensory garden for children with disabilities, the acquired site is in need of a deep clean before any development work can commence, the task of creating a sensory garden is a large piece of work, and demands time and equipment planning and tools to create this learning, recreational and social environment for children with specific needs.
The learning environment is focused on developing the senses, smells, touch, sight, and sounds, taste, plants, wildlife, and growth and development in an healthy environment, the recreational side is the stimulation of being outdoors with other children, and young people using the garden as stimulation, and as a medium to communicate with each other, and to spend quality time with family and friends.
The project is in need of donations, materials, volunteers, tools and equipment, to create this environment, Special families Maesteg have a number of ongoing projects, but this is a long term provably sustainable plan to ensure that these young people can enjoy and develop a lot of the skills required to enjoy an informal learning experience, socialise, recreate, and communicate with others.
Therefore special families are seeking a broad response in their appeal for equipment, tools, material, and volunteers to fulfil this development of a sensory garden for these special children.
Dancers: The three dance groups in the area – Contagious, Funk Force and UDC perform Devoted to Dance at Maesteg Town Hall next week on Friday, June 1. the three groups showcase their variety of dance forms.
Collabro: Opening this year’s Gwyl Maesteg Festival is the musical sensation Collabro! They’re there on Friday June 1st at 7.30pm and tickets are £25.` Don’t miss your chance
Drama: Coming soon - The Graduate, Llynfi Valley Amateur Dramatic Society perform this bitter sweet adult comedy. Having seen the settings last week - Enter Mrs Robinson, and the rest is history, so the saying goes. With James Owen and Sarah Thomas as Benjamin and Mrs Robinson, and with the direction of Alan J Flay, this promises to be a superb production.
It will be performed on Wednesday, June 6 through to Friday, June 8 at Maesteg Town Hall and is produced and directed by Alan J Flay. Tickets are available from the Town Hall and Maesteg Library 01656 815995 www. maestegtownhall.com
Hospital Fete: Maesteg Hospital League of Friends hold their annual fete on Saturday, June 16 from 10am to 4pm. Don’t forget to wear your cowboy hats and outfits (if you have them), because it’s a Country & Western Day, As always, entry is free, but bring plenty of money with you to spend at the numerous stalls and rides. All proceeds go to our hospital to buy special equipment and other items to make life easier for the patients.
Gfwyl Maesteg: Events are from Friday, June 1 to Sunday, July 1 and are held in Maesteg Town Hall, phone 01656 815995 online www. maestegtownhall.com
For hall events’ details, see town hall below. Then for other events phone 01656 732631 online www. maestegcouncil.org or call in the Maesteg Council Offices:
Tuesday, June 5 until Saturday, June 23 - An exhibition with art from local schoolchildren and Nathan Wyburn. Free entry, check times at the hall.
Wednesday, June 13 - Heritage Walk (a walk and talk tour of local sites) by Roy Meredith at 10.30am meet in the hall – free.
Senior Citizens Afternoon Tea in the hall, entertainment by local schools and Cor Merched.
Saturday, June 16 - Hospital Fete in the Market Square (Country and & Western Day) 10am to 4pm.
Sunday, June 17 - South Wales Classic Car (classical and modified)
Star Search (talent competition) The Grand Final at the hall 7pm.
Sunday, July 1 - Keeper of the Colliery Run (5k or 10k) – 11am start from Maesteg Comprehensive School, register at Maesteg Council Offices.
Town Hall Events: All tickets are available from the hall on 01656 815915 or maestegtownhall.com
Friday, May 18 - Murder She Didn’t Write, 7.30pm. £12.50.
Saturday, May 19 - Star Search Auditions.
Sunday, May 20 - Gypsy Queen, 7.30pm. £10.
Saturday, May 26 - Craig Campbell Easy Tiger, 7.30pm. £15.
Monday, May 28 - Puppet making Workshop, Time and price TBC.
Wednesday, May 30 - Strictly Cinema - Dunkirk, 11am. £5.50.
Thursday, May 31 - Morning Has Broken – Ron Vincent sings Cat Stevens, 7.30pm. £18.
Friday, June 1 – Collabro, 7.30pm. £25.
Saturday, June 2 - Devoted to Dance, 3pm. £6 & £8 on the door.
Wednesday, June 6 - Thursday, June 7 - Llvads present The Graduate, 7.30pm. £8
Saturday, June 9 - Maesteg Festival Band Night, 7.30pm. £5.50 & £8.
Sunday, June 10 - Milkshake Live, 12noon. Tickets from £14 to £52.
Saturday, June 16 - Country Superstars Experience, 7.30pm. £15 & £18 on the door.
Tuesday, June 19 to Friday, June 22 - Maesteg Art Society’s Exhibition.
Friday, June 29 - Owen Money’s Juke Box Heroes, 7.30pm. £15.
Volunteers: Maesteg Animal Welfare need some volunteers to help at the book shop in the market Square. If you are interested and have time to spare, please contact Sandra on 01639 894178, or call at the book shop. Over 60s would be very welcome.
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.
Cor Meibion: What a marvellous night we all had when Cor Meibion Maesteg a’r cylch performed their 43rd annual concert at Maesteg Town Hall. Together with their new MD Huw Morgan and accompanist Laura Deenik, the choir was strong in their opening numbers `Let all men sing’. our own valley’s ’Bungeilio’r Gwenith Gwyn’ and ’Llanfair’. They all looked so smart in their new outfits and responded to Huw’s every gesture. Other items included. `Lord’s Prayer’, `Morte Christe’ and `Hafan Gobaith’ The first part ended with an audience participation of `Calon Lan’, sung with gusto. `Anthem from Chess’, `Angels’ and`Rhythm of Life’ opened the second half, which also included items such as `Unchained Melody’, and `Nothing like a Dame’, the latter a comic item with one member wearing a US Navy hat singing solo part and another with a captain’s hat singing the deep bass solo. Shan Cothi, with her accompanist Jeffrey Howard, lit up the hall with her singing and bubbly personality. Opera in `Lascia ci’o panga’ and `O mio babino caro’, musical theatre with `I could have danced all night’ and `Summertime’, plus Welsh songs `O Gwalia’. The whole hall was alight with laughter when Shan played up to Huw and choir member Graham in the Laughing Song. I know that I and many others were wiping the tears away, as we were weak from laughing! All the evening was covered by Garry Owen, whose humour and whole demeanour was much appreciated by the audience. The choir’s signature song, the always emotive `Finlandia’, with Shan joining them, ended the evening after the presentations, so we thought until Huw asked if we wanted more. Did we? Yes! Then our National Anthem was the very end of a fabulous night.
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.
Milk Deliveries: To your door in glass bottles instead of plastic, contact Steve Simmomds [delivery Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday] – telephone 01656 712858/ mobile 07807 282790.
Sewing Class: At Cwm Calon Community Hub (opposite Asda) every Tuesday from 6pm7.30pm. Beginners and experienced sewers welcome. Dressmaking, soft furnishing, soft toys, patchwork, quilting, embroidery, cross stitch, cushions, all expertly taught by a fully qualified instructor. Telephone 01656 735 622 for more details. The class is full at present.
Cwlwm Cwm Llynfi: 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.
Maesteg WI: Meet on the third Thursday of the month at 7pm in Maesteg Rugby Club.
They are celebrating its 21st anniversary last week.
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 planting bulbs.
Maesteg CC: The club is available to 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 10-mile Maesteg Horseshoe walk. Contact 07977 381317. All are welcome to join and wear sensible clothing and walking boots/shoes are advised and bring a packed lunch and a drink
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 Ex-miners, Miners’ Wives meet on Thursdays at Central Church.
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 Drop In Centre meets at the Salvation Army 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 733 560.
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