LLYNFI VALLEY

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

Fireworks: Next week, on Monday November 5, Maesteg Rotary Club will be holding their annual fireworks display at Maesteg Rugby ground.

Over the years this has been described as one of the best displays in the valley, the proceeds of which are used by the Rotary Club to support local and international charities.

The rugby club will be selling refreshments and the Rotary Club will this year be selling light sabres etc. The gates will open at 6.30pm and the display will commence at 7.30pm. This year admission will be £6 per person, with family of four £20. Under 5s free, and 6- 11s.

Noteworthy: The choir will be holding their Annual Coffee, Cake and Craft morning on Saturday, November 10 at 10am at Maesteg Town Hall. Please invite family and friends along to enjoy this occasion, which will also include live entertainment and an opportunity for some early Christmas Shopping.

Armistice: On Saturday, November 10 the concert and serviced will be at Maesteg Town Hall at 5.30pm for a 6pm. Pupils from Maesteg Comprehensive School will be taking part, as well as soloist Kirsten Osborn, the Royal Marine Forces sweetheart, and the Bridgend Big Band to celebrate end of WW1. There will also be community singing and dancing. The Act of Remembrance will take part in the first half when with a recital from Jane Mullins.

As last year, on Sunday, November 11 the service will be at St Michael’s Church at 9.15am. The Parade will march down to the Cenotaph for the Wreath Laying. Wreaths are all ready to collect as from the Tuesday at 10.30am-1pm up to Friday

At Caerau, the service at St Cyfelyn’s Church will start at 10am and the march down to the War Memporial at the square will be at 10.55am.

Drama: You are invited to attend Llynfi Valley Amateur Dramatic Society’s tribute to Frank Vickery at Maesteg Harlequins RFC, on Thursday, November 22 and Friday, November 23 at 7pm for 7.30pm. Who could forget the Gran in the Bed, and hypochondriac Idris in Family Planning, or the chaos in getting ready to have A Night Out, among the memorable snippets of ‘All’s Fair’, ‘Family Planning’, ‘A Night Out’, ‘1 o’clock from the House’ and ‘After I’m Gone’ Because everyone wanted to take part on this special evening, 20 members will take part They are certainly having great fun reprising these wellremembered plays.

Tickets cost £5 from society members. Contact 01656 735 622.

Special Concert: Take Note, with MD Richard Hurlock-Norton and Accompanist Lisa Norbury, present “The Greatest Story”. It is a Grand Christmas Concert retelling the greatest story ever told through music! As with all Take Note concert, they will have their live 12 piece orchestra. Adding to the specialness of this evening, their guests are Maesteg Children’s Choir and Curtain Up Youth Theatre. It’s on Saturday, December 15 at 7.30pm at Maesteg Town Hall and tickets are already on sale now at £8 from Maesteg Library: 01656 815995 or http:// www.maestegtownhall. com/events/3658romeoandjuliet.

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

Wednesday, October 31 – Dramatised Ghost Tours, 5.30pm. £8.50 and £6.50 cons.

Friday, November 2 – The Gentle Good: Welsh folk Singer Songwriter with full string band. 7.30pm. £10.50.

Sunday, November 4– There Was An Old Lady Who Swalled A Fly: Children’s theatre. 2pm. £6.50.

Friday, November 9 – Loot: Dark comedy play. 7.30pm. £15.50 or £14.50.

Friday, November 16 – Les McKeown’s Bay City Rollers. 8pm. £23.

Saturday, November 24 – Ventoux: New play about the greatest race in history. 7.30pm. £9.50

Friday, November 30 – Buddy Holly: A legend reborn. 7.30pm. £22.50 / £21.50.

Saturday, December 1- Christmas Craft Fayre. 10am-1pm. Free.

Thursday, December 6 - Lunchtime Theatre: The Crash Landing of Oscar Romeo. 1pm. £6.50.

Saturday, December 15 - Take Note Present The Greatest Story. A Grand Christmas Concert. 7.30pm. £8. Sunday, December 15 - Afternoon Tea and Craft with Santa. 3pm. Adults £3, Children £10. Friday, December 21 - The Rat Pack Christmas Show. £21/£20.

Maesteg Gleemen: Dates for your diary.

Thursday, November 1- Coal Exchange Cardiff Bay Restaraunt opening celebration.

Saturday, November 17 - Auditions young singer in St Davids.

Sunday, December 2 - St Marys church Swansea for Singleton Hospital.

Monday, December 10 - Glanogwr House Bridgend Carol Concert.

Saturday, December 15 - Mcarther Glen Carols for Ty Hafan Bucket collection.

Thursday, December 20 - Orchard House Barry carol concert.

Busy time for the Glee men to say the least.

Events Diary: This is for organisations of the valley, asking them to check at the Council Office’s Diary before arranging an event, so that you won’t clash with anyone else.

The diary is in the office purely for that purpose.

Noteworthy: It was a brilliant evening of wonderful music performed by this choir, their fabulous harmony soaring, from bass, tenor, alto and soprano, filling St Michael’s Church from floor to rafters and beyond. This is due, of course, to Ryan Wood, who is the M D and expertly assisted by accompanist and cellist Stewart Roberts.

Beverley Humphreys gave her always interesting comments as she introduced the choir and their guest artistes to what was a varied and exciting programme with concert and opera star,soprano Fflur Wyn, young Welsh actor and singer Callum Howells and Cor Merched Ysgol Gyfun Rhondda.

Noteworthy’s opening set began with Joseph Parry’s Aberystwyth arranged by Jeffrey Howard – a complicated piece so well sung and ended with the wellknown Zadok the Priest, to immense applause.

Other items included Benedictus (the Armed Man), Stewart palying his cello, the song so suitable at this time of the year, when we pause to remember that it’s100 years since World War One; then Tolga Kashif’s Ave Maria; joined by Fflur and then the rousing Builth ending the first half.

Showing the versatility of the choir, Medley from West Side Story opened the second half and, later, Singing in the Rain.

Fflur has successful performances all over Britain with a variety of opera companies and notable concert performances. Her programme included arias from Puccini’s La Rondine, Charpenter’s Louise and Strauss’s Die Fledermaus, plus her beloved Welsh song Cynru Fach. Her beautiful voice, combined with her personality, won the hearts of the audience.

Callum, having already performed in a West End show, is studying at the Welsh College of Music and Drama. He chose, therefore, songs from the musicals – Thoroughly Modern Millie, Sorta Love Sings and Godspel and his experience in performing showed through to the appreciative audience.

Both soloists were accompanied by Ryan, who is an experience and accomplished pianist.

Then, to add to the musical treats, the school choir entertained us with Schubert’s Ave Maria, Cohen’s Halleluia and the lovely John Rutter’s O Dduw Rhan’aith Fendithion, not forgetting cellist Cerys Swain, along with her teacher Stewart Roberts, playing Cello Duet With or without you.

The finale was Noteworthy performing Anthem from Chess and the (now) well-known Y Tangnefeddwyr. Wonderful! Cwlwm Cwm Llynfi: There have been two special nights held over the past few weeks. On Thursday, September 13 at Maesteg Golf club a Twmpath was held which was expertly lead by Dawnswyr Gwerin Penyfai.The group are well known and have a world wide reputation.

They have performed in numerous festivals in the UK and Europe and are accompanied by a group of skilled musicians. Dressed in traditional Welsh costumes they gave a wonderful display of Welsh folk dancing.

To end the evening it was the turn of the audience to participate and learn how its done. Some had difficulty but there were a few who showed potential and could consider joining the group in the future! Many thanks to Dawnswyr Penyfai and also to the Golf club for accommodating the event.

The second evening on Saturday, October 13 was at the Squash Club Maesteg. A large gathering turned out for an evening of Welsh folk singing led by Gwyr y Stac, a local trio who perform and sing traditional Welsh folk songs. Tim Rees, Ken Thomas and Jane Williams make up the group and they perform regularly in festivals and evenings like this.

We were also happy to welcome Bois Yr Afan, giving support to the audience participation. A traditional cawl was served followed by Bara Brith and Welsh Cakes. Many thanks to the ladies who cooked and provided the refreshments and also to the Squash club for their welcome.

There will be a shopping trip on Saturday, November 24 to Carmarthen and a stop at Troestre on the way. The cost will be £12.50 to include a glass of prosecco, mince pies and a raffle.There are still places available so contact Rhian Sterio on 07861 660 970.

The next meeting of the group will be on Tuesday, November 13 at 7pm in the Council Offices Maesteg.

Therapy Dogs: Therapy Dogs Nationwide have a South Wales Representative in Ben the Poochon. TDN is a national charity.

Our volunteers have their own pet dog, temperament tested, and always focused on caring for people in the community, so our volunteers will go to nursing homes, Schools, Special Needs Schools, Hospitals, Hospices, Care centres and Prisons, or local groups PLUS we offer help by working with the professional medical sector.

For more information on joining TDN or the programs we offer please contact - claregriffiths@ aol.com

Clwb Maesteg: Clwb Cymraeg Maesteg / Maesteg Welsh Club Mae’r Clwb yn rhoi gyfle i Siaradwyr Cymraeg gyfarfod yn gymdeithasol a chynnal neu wella eu sgiliau Iaith Gymraeg.

Mae’r clwb yn cyfarfod bob pythefnos am 7 og nos Fercher yng Nghlwb y Gweithwyr yn Stryd y Teml.

Mae rhagor o fanylion ar gael gan Lloyd Evans 07856 553 777 e-bost: Psycho1283@hotmail. com.

The club provides an opportunity for Welsh Speakers to meet socially and maintain or improve their Welsh language skills.

The club meets every fortnight at 7pm on Wednesday evening in the Workingmen’s Club in Temple Street.

Further details are available from Lloyd Evans on 07856 553 777; or e-mail: Psycho1283@ hotmail.com.

Milk: Delivered 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 group continue to meet every second Tuesday of the month at 7pm in the Council Offices Talbot St Maesteg.

Anyone wishing to join us is welcome. The purpose is still to promote and enhance the awareness and use of Welsh culture and language in particular to the benefit of residents of Maesteg and surrounding areas.

If shopping is your scene come and join us on Saturday, November 24 when there will be a trip to Carmarthen.

Tickets are £12.50 to include Prosecco, mince pies and a raffle.

Contact Rhian Sterio on 07861 660 970 or email rsterio@icloud.com.

Rotary Club: The 70-plus year old Maesteg rotary Club meet every fortnight on a Monday at 1pm in the Cross Inn Maesteg/ Cwmfelin. The purpose 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.Anyone, male or female, who is able to spare an hour each fortnight and would like to help in the benefit of others is welcome. so contact Tal Harries 01656 711078 or 079998861.

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. We welcome visitors and prospective members at all times.

Contact us on maestegwi@gmail.com for further information.

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. At present, for details contact 07977831317 or 01656738079.

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.

History: Llynfi Valley Historical Society on the first Tuesday of the month in Fairfield Community Centre, Maesteg Park at 7pm.

They meet next week on Tuersday, October 23 when Dean Powell will speak on This Land of Song.

Maesteg U3A: meet at Central Church Maesteg on the 4th Tuesday of the month, 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 as well as 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 website at www. maestegu3a.org.

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 Come along to join us – it really does you good.

Maesteg Miners: The