LLYNFI VALLEY

Send Your News To: Marion Rogers 01656 733417 llyngazmvr@hotmail.co.uk llunficolumn@sky.co.uk,

The Graduate Report: What a performance – excellent, just as producer/director Alan Flay predicted.

He wrote, some very strong performances were seen during rehearsal and with a few more weeks before they are at the Town Hall this bitter sweet comedy will be honed to perfection.

Perfection is difficult to prophesy, but indeed it was – the acting throughout by all the cast was excellent and the bedroom scene with Mrs Robinson (Sarah Thomas) and Benjamin Braddock (James Owen) was so well done, hidden under the sheets as they were I didn’t know that someone could scream so convincingly, until I saw the scene between Benjamin and Elaine Robinson (Lowri Jones), Mrs Robinson’s daughter.

The music beginning each scene suited the various moods. So good was the whole play that the audience applauded between scenes.

Other cast members included Mr Robinson, Steve Jenkins; Mr Braddock, Jim Lediard; Mrs Braddock, Judith Hall; Stripper, Sally Richards: Hotel Clerk/ Psychiatrist, Sian Rees; Hotel Clerk Bethan Skye; Priest, Huw Williams; Guests, Betty Hopkins, Tracey Lewis and Victoria Owen.

Let some blood: The blood donation clinic will be at Tesco Maesteg on Friday, June 15. 10.45am-1.45pm and 3.15pm-6.30pm.

Walk-in slots will be available on a first come first served basis.

You can contact them on visitwelshblood. org,uk or 0800 252266.

Every drop counts, so if giving is in your blood, please help.

Walking: The Heritage Walk is today. Meet Roy Meredith at Maesteg Town Hall at 10.30am and he will lead you, at no charge, on a most interesting circular walk and tour, returning to the hall for refreshments.

Afternoon Tea: Today at 1pm Senior Citizens of the valley are going to have such a lovely afternoon tea at Maesteg Town Hall (I know, because I was there last year) and doors will be open from 12noon for those wishing to use the lift. There are tasty sandwiches and delicious cakes.

Then comes the entertainment, which is going to be so enjoyable.

The children are always a delight so the local schools such as Cwmfelin, Llangynwyd, St Mary and St Patrick, Garth, Plasnewydd and the Welsh School come first, then it’s the always entertaining Côr Merched Cwm Llynfi, with their MD Paul Deenik and accompanist Laura Deenik.

Alzheimers: Tomorrow, Thursday, June 14, we are holding a cup cake day to raise funds for Alzheimers Society, would you be kind enough to give it a mention in your column. It will be in Dyffryn Chapel Vestry from 10am-12noon. Tickets cost £2, which entitles you to tea or coffee and a cake.

Hospital Fete: This coming Saturday, June 16 from 10am to 4pm, Maesteg Hospital League of Friends hold their annual fete.

It’s a Country & Western Day. As always, entry is free and there are numerous stalls and rides and there will also be bandstand entertainment with children’s entertainer Pick & Mix and Alex John.

All proceeds go to our hospital to buy special equipment and other items to make life easier for the patients, so spend, spend, spend.

Strawberries: Central Church’s Strawberry Tea is also on Saturday, June 16 at 3pm, so you can come across the bus station from the other fete to enjoy your strawberries and cream plus a buffet.

Even more tempting will be the entertainment by Jason & the Argonauts.

Tickets cost only £3 and are available from me or other church members, or you can pay at the door.

Exhibition: Maesteg Art Society will soon be holding their annual Art Exhibition form Tuesday, June 19 to Friday, June 22, in the upstairs room of Maesteg Council Offices.

Times – each day from 10am to 3pm.

There will be a number of pictures on display, in a variety of styles and medium. If you really like a picture, you can buy it and then pick it up on Friday.

Star Search: The heats have now been held and the contestants who were chosen will be performing on Saturday, June 23 at 7pm.

Maesteg Town Hall will be buzzing with excitement, as each act takes to the stage, then the judges will decide the winner. Entry is £6.

Children: Maesteg Children’s Choir’s 32nd annual concert is on Saturday, June 30 at 7pm.

Rhian Hughes, Simon Mullins and Rhys Davies are our guests and Tony Mullins is the compere.

With their MD Enid Sian Hughes and accompanist Richard Hurlow Norton, this year they will be performing items from Annie and The Land of Oz plus some pop songs including Count On Me and The Climb.

Tickets cost £8 and are available from Sian or members of the choir, or the Town Hall.

5K/10K Run: Have you had all the details from Maesteg Town Council Offices?

Call 01656 732631 or email keepersrun@ outlook.com.

It’s The Keeper of the Colliery run on Sunday, July 1 and you can choose which distance – 5k or 10k – you would like to run.

Time 11am from Maesteg School CF 34 0LQ. Free entry and free parking.

Gfwyl Maesteg: Events are until Sunday, July 1 and are held in Maesteg Town Hall, call 01656 815 995 online www. maestegtownhall.com

For hall events’ details, see town hall below.

Then for other events phone 01656 732 631 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) Show at Maesteg Celtic 10am to 4pm entry free call Tom on 07850 583 678.

Saturday, June 23 - 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 815 915 or maestegtownhall. com

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.

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.

Milk Deliveries: To your door in glass bottles instead of plastic, contact Steve Simmomds [delivery Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday] – call 01656 712 858 or 07807 282 790.

Sewing Class: At Cwm Calon Community Hub (opposite Asda) every Tuesday from 6pm7.30pm.

Beginners and experienced sewers welcome.

Dressmaking, soft

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 meets 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 660 970 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 711 078.

Maesteg WI: Maesteg WI welcomes new members, come along and see for yourself what we get up to. Meetings are 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 planting bulbs.

Maesteg CC: The club is available to hire for parties, christenings,

Ramblers: Maesteg Ramblers will meet at 9am on Sunday for the 10-mile Henrhydd Waterfall walk. Contact 07927 386306.

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 4pm-6pm, 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.

There are no meetings in the summer, so they will resume in the aurumn.

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.

It is suitable for all levels of players – and 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

Parkinson’s Support: The Maesteg Parkinson’s support group now meet as Friends of Pendre, which is the Parkinson’s ward in Bridgend general hospital.

If you wish to join them, enquiries 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.

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.