PORTHCAWL

on the subject of the Voluntary Registration of land project 2007,

Dog Fowling: More bins are to be provided by the Newcastle Higher Community Council for dog owners to use to help stop dog fowling of pavements in streets including Prothero Avenue and Heol Eglwys in Penyfai,

Christmas Street Lighting: is again being provided by the Newcastle Higher Community Council in Penyfai and Aberkenfig and more will be added this year, Christmas tree will be light on the corner of Court Colman Road, All Saints Church Penyfai and in the Aberkenfig Square,

Remembrance Day: Services on Sunday, November 11 in Penyfai will be attended by the Newcastle Higher Community Councillors, and also in Aberkenfig the Remembrance Day Service is combined with the dedication of the Newcastle Higher Community Council Project for Penyfai and Aberkenfig school children designing ceramic boards made by the ceramic artist Justine Stroud placed in the Aberkenfig Square to Commemorate the Centenary of the Armistice 1918-2018

Penyfai Guide Group: Scout and Guide Hall, Court Coleman Road, Penyfai (except summer) as follows:

Rainbows (ages 5 to 7) meet Wednesdays from 5.30pm-6.45pm.

Brownies (age 7 to 10) meet Mondays from 5.30pm-7pm.

Call Pippa O’Neill on 07480 825 532 for more information.

1st Penyfai Scout Group: Scout and Guide Hall, Court Coleman Road, Penyfai (except summer):

Beavers (ages 6 to 8), meet Thursdays from 5pm-6.15pm.

Cubs (ages 8 to 10) meet Thursdays from 6.30pm-8pm.

Scouts (ages 10 to 14) meet Thursdays, 6.30pm-8pm.

Call Christine Jordan on 01656 860 831.

Play and Community Playgroup: For families of newcomers to the village of Penyfai with children from two years to four years looking to join a play group, there is the Play and Community play group held in the Scout hall on Court Coleman Road, Penyfai.

The play group is open 9.15am-3pm Monday to Friday during term time.

Call 07813 392 464 for more information. Send your news to: 42 Suffolk Place, Porthcawl, CF36 3EB. 01656 451844 davidn-w@homecall.co.uk

Porthcawl Rotary Club: Forthcoming events - The Christmas Tree Festival in All Saints Church has become one of the highlights of the Festive season and this year the Festival will be open to the public from Tuesday, December 4 to Saturday, December 8 from 11am5pm Monday to Saturday and 12.30pm-4pm on Sunday, December 9. Organisations and individuals who are providing a tree should note that trees are to be taken to the church and dressed on Monday, December 3 and stripped on Monday, December 10. There will be refreshments and raffle tickets (for hampers) throughout the weekend: also, the Rotary Young Musicians of the Year Competition will be held in All Saint’s Church on Wednesday, December 5 commencing at 7pm.

On Thursday, December 6 at 7pm there will be a concert, again in All Saints’ Church with children from local schools participating.

Entry to the church and the Festival events is free.

Rotarians will be out collecting in John Street on Saturdays’ December 15 and December 22 from 9.30am-4pm and on Christmas Eve from 9.30am to 12noon.

The Rotary Carolcade will be touring the town on Tuesday, December 11, Friday, December 14, Tuesday, December 18 and Thursday, December 20.

Route and times will be advised nearer the date.

Finally, Rotary Post will operate as last year with stamps on sale in designated shops from Monday, November 12 until last day of collection Monday, December 10. Stamps 25p each.

Chris Smart: When our son Dan was about four years old he met Chris for the first time and his exact words were “My word you are a big man” – parental mortification set in and then Chris laughed and replied “Everybody says that”, and the moment passed.

Yes, he was a big man with a big heart and he certainly made his mark in the town that he loved. There were very few organisations that he hadn’t been involved in, one way or another.

Chairman of the Porthcawl Chamber of Trade and of the Porthcawl Tourist Association and then he became Chairman of the Bridgend Tourism Association and an active member of Probus and U3A.

He was heavily involved in local and national politics having stood in elections at MP, AM and local council levels; he had been chairman of the local Branch of the Conservative Party and at one time the Chairman of the Aberavon Conservative Branch and then after a small ‘blip’ in his political allegiance, he became Welsh chairman of the local Ukip Group and while all this was going on he was still noted as one of the best sports journalists in the area and his Mid Glam Sports Agency provided results and comments to all levels of media nationally on time and off the cuff.

He was knowledgeable, well read and an excellent public speaker and those of you who can remember his live audience phonein shows on Swansea Sound can no doubt vouch for his ready wit and his ability to handle the most awkward situations.

He was chairman of Bridgend Football Club in its heydays, Golf correspondent to the Daily Telegraph but could also turn a pen to any sport with style.

There were very few sportsmen he didn’t know on first name terms as also could be said of his knowledge of politicians.

He was a good, kind and generous friend and with Kaye his wife of nearly thirty years, could grace any dinner table. Ín council meetings he could hold the floor with the best and fellow councilors who might not always agree with his political views would always listen.

He worked hard for the town and for local charities and was extremely involved in the Mayor’s Charity Fund irrespective of politics or personalities.

Some years ago, talking to the daughter of another ex councillor friend she remarked ‘Do you know David; My father was a ‘marmite’ person.’

And there are those who might say that about Chris or indeed me or others I could name: but one thing you can say about Chris is that he will be remembered and I would certainly put money on that!

Griffin Park Table Top Sale: This popular indoor table top sale is held every Friday morning in Griffin Park Hall in New Road starting at 8am and finishing at 12.30pm. Tables cost £5. Porthcawl Farmers Market: The next Farmer’s Market will be held in Griffin Park, New Road Porthcawl CF36 5DF on Saturday, October 27 from 9.30am-12.30pm.

All the usual local stalls will be there and refreshments are available. Remember, that the market is on the 4th Saturday of the month.

Porthcawl Museum and Historical Society: Saturday, October 27 saw the start of an Archaeological Week which is being held in the museum until November 3rd and then, also in November there will be an exhibition entitled The U-Boat War 1914-1918.

As we reach the celebration of the end of the Great War 1914-1918 it is only right that we remember the men and indeed women who gave their lives to ensure our freedom.

On Saturday, November 10 there is a showing of a unique film on the Battle of Ancre in the Museum and which, I am informed was one of the first occasions that tanks had been brought into the front line.

The first time they had been used was in fact at the Battle of FlersCourcelette in Sept. 1916, some ten days before the Battle of the Ancre Heights which started on October 1st 1916.

Regrettably the ‘Good Old Days-War has ended’ Show in the Hi-tide on Friday, November 23 has been canceled which is a great shame and lets hope it has only been postponed for now.

Would Museum members please note that the Jolly Sailor Quiz Night’s chosen charity for the month of November is the Porthcawl Museum.

The Museum wants to thank The Jolly Sailor for their generosity and to confirm that they will be represented there every Wednesday evening in November.

RNLI Autumn Lunch: This is again being held on Sunday, November 11 at 12.30pm for 1pm immediately following the Armistice Day Service in All Saints’.

Tickets are £10 per head and can be obtained from Jeff John or from the RNLI Shop by the harbour.

Mid Glamorgan Savoyards: This year the Mid Glamorgan Savoyards are presenting Yeomen of the Guard a comic opera by Gilbert and Sullivan at the Grand Pavilion Porthcawl on Saturday, November 17 at 7.30pm.

The production is in aid of Kidney Research Wales, Prostrate Cymru and Macmillan Cancer Support and tickets are available from cast members, the above charities and the box office on 01656 815 995.

This is a once a year chance to see one of G & S’s most popular comic operas with a 24-piece orchestra, full cast and pit chorus of some 40 voices.

A great musical evening and a chance to raise money for three worthy causes at the same time.

It should also be noted that the musical director and originator of the whole concept has recently been presented with the BEM in the Queen’s Birthday Honours List in recognition of his service to the Arts and to the Community. Congratulations Roger!

Cancer Research UK Porthcawl Branch: Two dates for your Christmas Diary: The Cancer Research Christmas Lunch has been arranged for Saturday, December 1 at 12.30pm for 1pm.

Tickets at £13 for a two course meal can be obtained from Diane on 01656 784 762.

Then the Christmas Candle-lit Service when we get the chance to remember lost loved ones and their suffering from this dreadful scourge will be held in All saints’ Church in Victoria Avenue on Sunday, December 9 commencing at 4pm.

Porthcawl Shout Forum: The subject for this weeks talk will be Computers.

The internet, mobile phones and social media have long replaced traditional ways of communicating. Yet many senior citizens have never had an opportunity to learn these skills, a fact which results in them being cut off from today’s internet based society.

Without some form of training many will suffer the health and wellbeing problems of loneliness and isolation from because they are unable to take part in our ever changing digital world.

Porthcawl Shout Forum have long campaigned for help in this modern problem and Michelle Walker from the Welsh Government programme, Digital Communities Wales will be the guest speaker at their next meeting at Trinity Church on Friday, November 2 at 2pm. Do go along or if you would like more information contact Gary Victor on 783491.