LLYNFI VALLEY
Send Your News To: Marion Rogers 01656 733417 llyngazmvr@hotmail.co.uk llunficolumn@sky.co.uk,
Cabaret: This coming Friday, July 14 at 7.30pm, Hello Cabaret will be at Maesteg Town Hall.
It’s a new musical theatre cabaret event, which celebrates and explores musical theatre, showcases amazing professional artists and nurtures emerging talent, creating a platform for fantastic musical theatre performers.
Come along for an awesome evening’s entertainment!
Tickets cost £13.50, available from maestegtownhall. com or Maesteg Library on 01656 815995.
Codfather: At Y Llynfi Library next week 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: Maesteg’s contemporary pop/ rock vocal group, Take Note, 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. MD: Richard Hurlock-Norton Accompanist: Lisa Norbury.
Tickets cost £10 from maestegtownhall.com & Maesteg Library 01656 815995.
Summer Fete: St Cynfelyn’s Church s‘ Parish Fete will take place on Saturday, July 28 at 12noon. There will be a variety of stalls and, of course, refreshments and The Grand Raffle.
Town Hall Events: All tickets are available from the hall on 01656 815 915 or maestegtownhall. com.
Friday, July 13 - Hello Cabaret. 7.30pm. £13.50.
Saturday, July 14 - Ein Stori. Free Entry.
Saturday, July 21 - Take Note - The Greatest Show. 7.30pm. £10.
Thursday, August 2 - Jay Foreman - Disgusting songs for revolting children. 11am. £6.
Friday, August 3 - Faith, George Michael Tribute. 7.30pm. £22.50.
Wednesday, August 8 and Thursday, August 9- Pop Music Workshop. 11am. £6.
Saturday, August 11 - Menter Bro Ogwr workshop. 10.30am. £2.
Friday, August 17 - Hula Hoop workshop. 2.30pm & 4.30pm. £3.
Monday, August 20, Tuesday, August 21, Thursday, August 23rd and Friday, August 24th - Menter Bro Ogwr Summer workshops 10am-12noon & 12.30pm-2.30pm. Free.
Wednesday, August 22 DaSilva Marionette Circus Troupe. 2pm. £6.
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.
Children: What a night! Energy, song and the enjoyment of those performing and we the audience.That was Maesteg Children’s Choir on the 32nd anniversary with MD Enid Sian Hughes, accompanist Richard Hurlock-Norton and The Band.
All thast plus compere Tony Mullins and special guest soloists, ex members of the choir, Rhian Hughes, Simon Mullins and Rhys Davies. Tony started us off with his introductions of the ‘Chain Gang’ – our Mayor and Consort and Bridgend Mayor and consort, plus our AM and his wife and our MP and his Iiance and he continued through the evening with his (ever improving) jokes and encouragement of the children.
Beginning with a bang and an oomph, from the musical Annie, Tomorrow opened the evening and we all sat up to join in with our appreciation and applause. Soloists were Niamh O’Brien and Ffion Parry.
As the evening progressed other choritsrs sang solos, each one of them with lovely voices – Sian has always encouraged the children to gain experience and to perform with confidence.
The Land of Oz (songs form the Wizard of Oz and Wicked), with soloist Karley Whelan ended the first half.
That was after the three guest soloists entertained us with more songs the the musicals, all performed with aplomb,a s was to be expected from these talented singers and actors.
Rhian and Rhys sang the lovely Tonight from West Side Story and made us believe that they were so in love.
Again so professionally Simon and Rhian followed with People Will Say We’re in Love from Oklahoma and Rhys and Simon gave us Bui-Doi from Miss Saigon. This too received great applause.
Michael Jackson’s songs began the second half which include Blame it on the Boogie, with much movement, as one would expect, and Heal the World.
Our three guests once more gave us much delight in each perfoming again so professionally Rhys and Simon so comically You and Me from The Book of Mormon; Rhian and Rhys The Last Night of the Word from Miss Saigon and Simon and Rhian from Spamalot, The Song that goes like This.
The finale emphasised Hope and Friendship, singing songs by popular artists , such as Reach, Count on Me and You’ve got a Friend in Me.
The Grand Finale was A Million Dreams from The Greatest Showman – the children together with Rhian, Simon and Rhys, plus Pyrotechnics, to end with a bang.
5K/10K Run: Congratulations to the winners - Joshua Morgan, 5K and Geraint Lewis 10K.
The council have had several complimentary emails and telephone calls, saying thank you for the well-organised run and grateful thanks to all who organised it, marshalled it and supported the event.
They also expressed the hope that this is, and will be, a new annual event added to the Gwyl Maesteg Festival calendar.
Photomarathon: Maesteg Town Hall played host to the town’s first ever 24-hour Photomarathon from 12noon last Friday and Saturday, July 8.
At the end of the Photomarathon, all the images were collated and printed, before a panel of judges met to decide the winning photograph from each topic.
Prizes were awarded for the best interpretation of the topics and were donated by local shops and businesses.
Every one of the photographs – hundreds of them – will be displayed at a free public exhibition at Maesteg Town Hall on this coming Saturday, July 14.
Join us for a day of live music, photography, exhibitions, dance, multi-media and film in and around Maesteg Town Hall as we celebrate its rich past and look towards its future as a newly redeveloped venue.
Featuring all who have perfomed in the hall;local schools, our choirs, bands, dance groups, film-makers and singers, Ein Neuadd, Ein Stori brings to life the personal experiences, anecdotes and memories of this much-loved venue.
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.
At last week’s meeting at the Cross Inn outgoing President Talfyn Harries handed over the chain of office to Robert Davies for the year 2018/19.
Robert’s main priority for his year is to try and increase membership of the club which at present has nine members with only six active so it is getting harder to keep the club going which at the end of the day will mean less assistance for those who need it in the valley.
He intends to maintain the activities already being done at the club, such as organising the annual fireworks display, sending students to the Rotary Youth Leadership course on the Brecon Beacons and sending primary school children out for a day at Gower Heritage centre.
To this end the Rotary club have organised a bucket collection for Friday July 27 at Tesco Maesteg.
All money raised will be used for local charities.
Anybody who is interested in joining the club and ultimately helping local charities please contact Tal Harries on 07999 886 142.
The purpose of the fortnightly meetings is to discuss projects to benefit others (often in the valley) and to socialise.
They are looking for new members so they can continue to be able to help local charities as well as internationally.
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 01656 711 078 or 079 998 861.
Maesteg Rotary club recently made a donation to Maesteg Comprehensive drama department to help with the transport costs for pupils to take part in the Shakespeare schools festival.
Rhian Hillier head of drama receives the cheque off Rotarian Talfyn Hàrries.
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 7-mile Ancient Briton walk (meal). Contact 07977 831317.
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