LLYNFI VALLEY

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

Children: Now this week it’s the turn of Maesteg Children’s Choir to take the stage to perform their 32nd Annual concert at Maesteg Town Hall this coming Saturday, June 30 at 7pm. Enid Sian Hughes has been MD since the very begining – it was her idea and her mothee Beatirce was the accompanist. This year the accompanist is Richard Hurlock Noeton, the MD of Noteworthy. CompereTony Mullins is the compereuest and guest soloists are Rhian Hughes, Simon Mullins and Rhys Davies. Tickets are £8 and, if you haven’t yet bought one, you can pay at the door.

5K/10K Run: It’s the last event of the Gwyl Maesteg Festrival Keeper of the Colliery run this coming Sunday, July 1 and supporters can gather near Maesteg School, for that beautifully carved statue, which overlooks the valley, is nearby – you can’t miss him.

Photomarathon: Maesteg Town Hall will play host to the town’s first ever 24-hour Photomarathon from 12noon on Saturday, July 7 until 12noon on Saturday, July 8. Participants of all ages and abilities will have to take a photograph to represent 10 different topics in order, which they will be given on the first morning of the event. At the start of the challenge, each entrant will have their phone or camera and memory card checked and verified. At the end of the Photomarathon, all the images will be collated and printed, before a panel of judges meet to decide the winning photograph from each topic. Prizes will be awarded for the best interpretation of the topics and have been kindly donated by local shops and businesses. Every one of the photographs – hundreds of them – will then be displayed at a free public exhibition at Maesteg Town Hall on Saturday, July 14. Maesteg Photomarathon costs just £2 to enter and the first 80 entrants will receive a free t-shirt when they arrive on the morning. Bookings can be made online at:http:// www.maestegtownhall. com/events/3604photomarathon

Codfather: At Y Llynfi Library on Thursday, July 19 at 7pm, Mafia Supremo Don Vino Canellon invites the good people of Maesteg (and district) to celebrate an evening of Italian culture (or something like that) at the library. To buy a ticket, cost £5, call at the library, or email the website on awen-library.ticketsolve. com/show

Take Note: The aptly named Take Note, Maesteg’s contemporary pop/rock vocal group, present their 2018 concert, The Greatest Show at Maesteg Town Hall on Saturday, July 21 at 7:30pm. Covering everything from Meatloaf and Queen to Bastille and P!nk, all with a twist, and accompanied by a live band. The MD is Richard Hurlock-Norton and Accompanist: Lisa Norbury. Tickets are £10 available from maestegtownhall. com and Maesteg Library

Town Hall Events: All tickets are available from the hall on 01656 815 915 or maestegtownhall. com

Wednesday, June 27 - Goodbye Christopher Robin 11am. £5.50.

Friday, June 29 - Owen Money’s Juke Box Heroes, 7.30pm. £15.

Saturday, June 30 - Children’s Choir, 7pm, £8.

Thursday, July 5 - Dragon Fly. Lunchtime Theatre.

Friday, July 6 - Tapestry - the music of Carole King. 7.30pm. £20.50.

Friday, July 13 - Hello Cabaret. 7.30pm. £13.50.

Saturday, July 21 - Take Note “The Greatest Show. 7.30pm.£10.

An event for Y Llynfi (Library in the Sport Centre) on Thursday, July 19 - The Codfather. 7.30pm. £5.

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.

Hospital Fete: Yee Ha! With the theme of the Wild West and more cowboy hats than you could shake a stick at, rain did not stop play for the 56th annual hospital fete, staged by The Hospital League of Friends and sponsored by Gwyl Maesteg Festival. Despite periods of driving rain spirits remained high, bucket collectors shook their buckets and Indian squaws served a fine cup of tea and cake from their tent, sponsored by Talgarth Bakery. Spurred on by the lively music of children’s entertainer ‘Pick & Mix’, the hospital staff from behind their stall could be seen dancing along with the music. Staff of Ferrier Williams celebrated their centenary year by presenting balloons, fridge magnets and a variety of other commemorative gifts to fete goers. Fete stall holders provided a wide variety of merchandise, from confectionery,, homemade cushions, jewellery and a range of hand crafted items. Sadly, due to the heavy rain, the fairground rides and attractions were largely abandoned, but the party went on undaunted.

The fete was opened by the Mayor of Maesteg Cllr Mrs Lynne Beedle and consort Cllr Tom Beedle. Welcome visitors to the fete were our MP Mr Chris Elmore and AM Mr Hugh Irranca-Davies and Mrs Irranca-Davies. One special mention and a very big thank you must be given to the ‘man in black’ who, for the second consecutive year. presented hospital bucket collectors with a cheque donation of £1000. Watch this space, the fete shall return in 2019!

Strawberries: The organizers of the Strawberry Tea at Central Church Maesteg wish to thank those who donated raffle prizes and cakes and those who attended the event. The strawberries were deliciously juicy and the buffet was loaded with sausage rolls, tasty sandwiches and mouth watering cakes. As with the Hospital Fete, the weather wasn’t kind. However, the money raised was £280.

Gwyl Maesteg: Saturday evening was a sell-out concert in the town Hall for the Country Superstars Experience. and what a huge success this was. Sarah Jayne / Dolly Patron arrived for the second year but this time with a bigger show supported by Andy Crust.

This family husband and wife team pulled out all the stops with their professional band and stage set and took the audience through the history of country music.The show featured 10 superstars including Patsy Cline, Billie Jo Spears, Kenny Rogers, Willie Nelson, John Denver, Glen Cambell, Tammy Wynette with Gareth Brooks and Johnny Cash. Within the first 5 mins minutes the audience were up dancing and this lasted throughout the show. After the show ‘Dolly Parton’ greeted the fans and spent time talking and chatting

Cars And More: Sunday morning in heavy rain, saw the arrival of approx 60 classic cars to Maesetg Celtic for the South Wales Classic Car show, with drivers arriving from across the UK and Ireland. The rain did not dampen the enthusiasm for the Classic Car lover and they took the opportunity to raise funds for the Stroke Association. 18 year old Tom Jenkins from Maesteg organised the event, with full support from his family and friends. The show had a wide range of vehicles from old to modern classic cars. The agriculture lovers were spoilt for choice with a range of tractors, while DIY enthusiasts saw the Tricycle made from recycled material by David Roberts from Cymmer, while Steve Rhino arrived in his modified American Jeep which sported a home-made replica machine gun that he had fabricated. Visitors were spoilt for choice with such a large array of vehicles and on the field families were supported by a wide range of stalls and crafts .

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: Deliveried 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 furnishing, soft toys, patchwork, quilting, embroidery, cross stitch, cushions, all expertly taught by a fully qualified instructor.

Call 01656 735 622 for more details. There is now room for two people who’d like to join, so give them a ring.

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, etc – contact Ryan Parry 07712 243 589 and Lyndon Horrigan 07971 943 284.

Ramblers: Maesteg Ramblers will meet at 9am on Sunday for the 9-mile River Rhymney walk. Contact 01656 734779.

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.

Interested? Contact Martyn at the library.

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 with a