LLYNFI VALLEY
Send Your News To: Marion Rogers 01656 733417 llyngazmvr@hotmail.co.uk Christmas Services: Sunday, December 16 Central Church Christmas Carol Service, 11am.
St David’s Town Carol Service, 6pm.
St Cynwyd’s Carols by Candlelight, 6pm. Sunday, December 23 St Michael’s – mass 11am, Children’s Christmas Presentation, 6pm.
St David’s – Nine Lessons and Carols 10am.
Ebenezer, West Street – Carols by Candlelight 6pm.
Christmas Eve Mass Monday, December 24
Our Lady & St Patrick, 4.30pm. St Robert, 7pm. St David’s 1st Eucharist of the Nativity, 7pm.
Our Lady & St Patrick, 10pm.
St Michael’s – 1st Eucharist of the Nativity, 11pm. Christmas Day Mass St Robert, 9am. Carmel /Bethania, 9am. St Cywnyd’s – Eucharist with Carols, 10am.
Central Church, 10.30am.
Our Lady & St Patrick, 11am.
St Stephen’s Day, December 26
St Michael’s – Eucharist, 10am, followed by refreshments.
Sunday, December 30: Central Church Christmas Service,11am.
Visit Santa: Come and visit Father Christmas and his elves in the Grotto, Council Chamber, Talbot Street, Maesteg. Friday, December 7 to Saturday, December 22 (Not open on Sundays);
Weekdays Monday to Friday 3pm-6pm and Saturdays 10am-4pm.
Harmony Concert: Tomorrow, Thursday, December 13 is Harmony’s Annual Christmas Charity Concert will be held at 7pm in St David’s Church.
This is always a pleasant event, looked forward to each year by all who attend.
Harmony is led by Wendy Murphy, who, as well as being MD, arranges music and is their accompanist.
Adding to the Christmas spirit will be a glass of Sherry and Mince Pies, all in the price of £5.
Tickets are available from any choir member or call Wendy Murphy on 07983 571 578.
All proceeds to go to Ty Hafan – a fantastic cause.
Noteworthy Christmas Concert: This mixed choir has held the Annual Cancer Research Christmas Concert for years and do so again this year.
It will be held on Friday, December 14 in Zion Baptist Chapel, Castle Street at 7.15pm.
Ryan Wood, who formed Noteworthy for a one-off Cancer Research concert in 1998, thought that it was such a success and the choir all enthusiastically agreed to continue with it.
Ryan and accompanist Stewart Roberts make a formidable team and it’s a pleasure to listen to the wonderful sound produced by this choir.
The concert will feature Noteworthy plus their guests CÔr Tadau Trisant and Charlotte Ellet, Soprano.
Tickets cost £7 and are available from members of the Maesteg Cancer Research Fundraising Committee, Jane Mullins (Maesteg Library), Noteworthy Choir members or Lisa Howells on 07721 369 367.
Special Concert: On Saturday December 15 at 7.30pm in Maesteg Town the mixed choir, Take Note, present The Greatest Story.
It will be a Grand Christmas Concert retelling the greatest story ever told through music.
With their MD Richard Hurlock-Norton and Accompanist Lisa Norbury, the live 12 piece orchestra, guests Maesteg Children’s Choir and Curtain Up Youth Theatre, it certainly promises to be a really special night.
Maesteg Children’s Choir is led by MD Enid Sian Hughes, and Curtain Up Youth Theatre is trained by Ruth Whelan, Sarah Thomas and Richard Hurlock-Norton.
Tickets cost £8 from Maesteg Library on 01656 815 995 or online from www.maesteg townhall. com/events/3658romeoandjuliet.
Bands: At Maesteg Harlequins RFC in December the following bands will be playing:
Thursday, December 13 – The Ramblers in the bar from 8pm.
Saturday, December 15 – The Rain Kings upstairs from 7pm, entry £3.
Wednesday, December 26 (Boxing Day) – Doctor Rock, with special guest and Disco, upstairs from 4-8pm, entry £3.
Further details and bookings 01656 737 176.
Rat Pack: Swing into Christmas in style with the Rat Pack Christmas Show!
Join Frank, Dean, Sammy – and Marilyn Monroe – for what promises to be a sensational show bringing the style, glamour and excitement of the Las Vegas heyday to vivid life.
Friday, December 21 at 8pm.
It’s the Official UK No 1 Tribute show as voted by The Agents Association of Great Britain in 2017 for the third successive year.
With David Alacey as Frank Sinatra, Paul Drakely as Dean Martin, and Des Coleman as Sammy Davies Jnr.
Tickets cost £21/£20 from www. maestegtownhall.com or call the box office on the link below and 01656 815 995.
Town Hall Events: All tickets are available from the hall on 01656 815 915 or from www.maesteg townhall.com
Saturday, December 15 – Take Note Present The Greatest Story. A Grand Christmas Concert. 7.30pm. £8.
Sunday, December 16 – Afternoon Tea and Craft with Santa. 3pm. Adults £3, Children £10.
Friday, December 21 – The Rat Pack Christmas Show. £21/£20.
In January - Peter Pan: A Swashbuckling family pantomime starring Owen Money running for two weekends - .Saturday, January 12 and Sunday, January 13 at 2pm. Friday, January 18 7pm; Saturday, January 19 at 2pm & 5.30pm and Sunday, January 20 at 2pm & 5.30pm. Tickets £13.50, £10.50 concessions and, for a family of four, £43.
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.
Children’s Choir: On Wednesday, November 28 The Maesteg Children’s Choir performed at St David’s church Pontycymmer.
They started the evening with the song A Million Dreams from The Greatest Showman.
They then sang Count On Me and Heal The World before starting on their Christmas programme.
Rhian Hughes was the guest soloist and she sang Christmas Lullaby and O Holy Night with the youth section of the choir.
Karly and Kirsty Whelan sang a beautiful Welsh duet called Carol Yr Angylion with a few of the older members.
The choir ended the evening with two of their favourite Christmas songs The Best Christmas Of All and Super Duper Christmas, that reminds us about the true meaning of Christmas.
The accompanist was Sian Davies and the choir were led by their musical director Enid-Sian Hughes.
The church was full and everyone enjoyed the evening and went home with the joy of Christmas in their hearts.
Town Celebrates: Christmas came to Maesteg on Saturday, December 1 when the Blessing of the Crib began the celebrations.
The Annual Craft Fair was held in Maesteg Town Hall and then came the switching on of the lights plus fireworks.
Every year the Mayor and a small committee tour all the shop windows, looking at their decorations and deciding on the winner of te best decorated window.
An award is later presented and this year’s winner was Daisy Boo Florist.
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.
Golf Club: At Maesteg Golf Club there will be a series of Christmas events including:
Bistro Night Friday, December 14 – Fine Dining, Three Course Meal, serving at 7.30pm. Call for menu and pricing 01656 734106 or email www.maesteg-golf.co.uk
Christmas Day Dinner – Five Course costs Adults £50, Children £25. Serving at 1pm with some bookings still avail.
Boxing Night Extravaganza with Live Music provided by The Decades. Tickets cost £10 and you can Bring your own party food. Call 734106.
Sunday Lunch at Mount Pleasant Restaurant - Sunday lunches, booking advisable.
From next week, this item will be in Maesteg Weekly.
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 6pm- 7.30pm. 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.
Rotary Club: The 70plus 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 711 078.
Maesteg WI: Maesteg WI are having a busy end to a busy and fun year! Maesteg WI are celebrating Christmas with a meal out in Nanty Rugby Club, as well as a Christmas party on their usual night.
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 for the 8-mile Garw Circular walk, for details 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.
History: Change of venue – Llynfi Valley Historical Society on the first Tuesday of the month upstair in Maesteg Council Ofices, Maesteg Park at 7pm.
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.
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