LLYNFI VALLEY

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

Welsh History: Cymdeithas Hanes Bro Ogwr/Bridgend and District Welsh History Society. Nos Lun, Chwefror 11, 7.30yh yn y Clwb Criced Tondu. Bydd Allan Cooke yn siarad am “Pererindod i Benrhys”. Bydd croeso cynnes i ddysgwyr (o leia Lefel Canolradd) a siaradwyr. £3 yr un neu am ddim i aelodau. Mae aelodaeth 2019 ar gael nawr – £12 yr un. Am ragor o fanylion, cysylltwch â Pat Jones-Jenkins, 01656 741622, patjones jenkings@gmail.com

Monday, February 11 at 7.30pm in the Tondu Cricket Club, Allan Cooke will be talking about “A Pilgrimage to Penrhys”. There will be a warm welcome for learners (at least Canroladd Level) and Welsh speakers. £3 each or free to members. 2019 membership is available now – £12 each.

For further details, contact Pat Jones-Jenkins as above.

Town Hall Comedy: At next week’s Comedy Club, on Thursday, February 14 at 7.30pm, Britain’s Got Talent semifinalist Noel James will be there.

Welsh comic Noel James delivers a rich diet of side-splitting gags and bizarre flights of fancy in his unique, funny and shambolic manner. Noel has performed at all the biggest comedy clubs and international comedy festivals as well as making several TV appearances in both English and Welsh. Tickets cost £5.50. Then, the following week, Murder She Didn’t Write – an improvised comedy murder mystery! Friday, February 22, 7.30pm.

You become Agatha Christie in this improvised comedy as each night an original murder mystery play is created based entirely on audience suggestions. So take up your magnifying glasses and don your deerstalkers for a never-seen-before (and never-to-be-seen-again) evening of murder, mayhem and making it up on the spot. Tickets £13.

Cor Meibion: Tocynnau nawr ar werth ar gyfer Cyngerdd Flynyddol a dathliad Gwyl Dewi Côr Meibion Maesteg a’r Cylch! Dydd Sadwrn, Mawrth 2, 7pm. Gydag unawdydd Wynne Evans.

Maesteg Male Voice Choir, on Saturday, March 2 will be performing their annual concert at Maesteg Town Hall where Wynne Evans will be starring. The choir is led by their MD D Huw Morgan and accompanist Laura Deenik.

Known for his role as the tenor Gio Compario in the Gocompare. com insurance adverts on television in the United Kingdom, Wynne sang the role of Ubaldo Piangi in the 25th anniversary production of Andrew Lloyd Webber’s The Phantom of the Opera at the Royal Albert Hall.

He also responded to the New Zealand All Blacks’ Haka in 2004, singing “Cwm Rhondda”.

He went on to sing at over 30 Welsh international rugby matches.

Evans, a lifelong Spurs fan, also sang “Glory Glory Tottenham Hotspur” at the last ever game at White Hart Lane.

Tickets cost £10 and are available from choir members.

Town Hall Events: All tickets are available from the hall on 01656 815995 or from www.maesteg townhall.com.

Thursday, February 7– Lunchtime Theatre – Desk Job. A new comedy £6.50. 1pm.

Friday, February 22 – Murder She Didn’t Write. An Improvised Comedy Murder Mystery. Tickets £13. 7.30pm.

Saturday, February 23 – Queen: Champions of Rock. £21.50. 7.30pm.

Monday, February 25 – Kev F’s Comic Art Masterclass. £6.50. 10am, 12.30pm & 1.30pm & 4pm.

Friday, March 1 – Sounds of Philadelphia and Motown with original “Drifters” member Roy G Hemmings. 8pm.

Saturday, March 2 – Cor Meibion Maesteg a’r Clylch Annual Concert.

Sunday, March 3– Ned & The Whale: Children’s Theatre for ages 5+. 2pm.

Saturday, March 15 – Jason Donovan and his Amazing Mid-Life Crisis. 7.30pm.

Thursday, March 28 – Swan Lake – Ballet. 7.30pm.

Friday, March 29 – Star of Britain’s Got Talent Gruffydd Wyn in concert. 8pm.

Saturday, March 30 – Explosive Light Orchestra – Tribute to Jeff Lynne & ELO. 7.30pm.

More Dates for 2019: CÔr Merched Cwm Llynfi’s Annual Concert is on Friday, April 5, in Maesteg Town Hall.

It’s an all Llynfi Valley line-up this year, with Tony Mullins as compere and Rhydian Jenkins as their soloist.

Drama: Llynfi Valley Amateur Drama Society are now rehearsing A Streetcar Named Desire for the festival in June.

Sarah Thomas is Blanche, James Owen is Stanley, Paul Skye is Mitch and Sally Richards is Stella.

Sian Rees plays Eunice, Andrew Morgan is Steve, Aled Williams is Pablo and Bethan Skye is a “common woman”.

We hope Maesteg will support us in great numbers so we can continue to bring quality drama to the town.

Look out for more details in the following weeks.

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.

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 – the Boxing Night Extravaganza Live Music provided by The Decades.

Tickets cost £10 – bring your own party food. Call 734106.

Sunday Lunch at Mount Pleasant Restaurant, booking advisable.

The Quins: More bands will be at Maesteg Harlequins:

Saturday, February 16 – Sweaty Fingers, Rock and Blues Band.

Saturday, March 9 – Rocketeers.

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 cyfle i siaradwyr Cymraeg gyfarfod yn gymdeithasol a chynnal neu wella eu sgiliau iaith Gymraeg.

Mae’r clwb yn cyfarfod bob pythefnos am 7yh 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 Deliveries: 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: With another year ahead the group are again eager to organise events to enhance the awareness and use of the Welsh culture, language and traditions in the area.

It is also hoped that it gives people the opportunity to use the language while socialising and enjoying the events.

On Thursday, March 14 we have an invite to the S4C studios in Carmarthen to the recording of Jonathan prior to the Wales v Ireland match on Saturday, March 16.

Tickets are free and it is hoped to arrange a bus for which there will be a charge.

On Monday, March 26 there will be a cwis with Irish Bingo held at the Workman’s Club Maesteg, which was a popular event last year.

If you like Indian food a curry night is to be held on Tuesday, April 9 in Maesteg.

The group meet every second Tuesday of the month in the Council offices Talbot St Maesteg and a warm welcome awaits anyone interested in joining us.

For further information contact Rhian Sterio on 07861 660970 and to secure places at the above events.

Blwyddyn Newydd Dda a gobeithio eich gweld dros y flwyddyn.

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 711 078.

Maesteg WI: Maesteg WI have an exciting program planned for the year, and will meet on the third Thursday of each month at 7pm in Maesteg Rugby Club every other month.

Come along and see for yourself – we welcome visitors who can see if they fancy joining us, we’re a friendly bunch who love having a good time.

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 six-mile Southgate walk, for details contact 01656 731568.

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: Change of venue – Llynfi Valley Historical Society on the first Tuesday of the month upstairs in Maesteg Council Offices at 7pm.

Maesteg U3A: meet 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.

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, from 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.

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 733 560.

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