LLYNFI VALLEY

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Maesteg Dialysis Patients: We at the kidney cafe would like to invite kidney dialysis patients based in maesteg to come along for a coffee, cake and a chat at the Sawyers Arms in Maesteg.

Call linda griffiths on 07896 048 809 alternatively email support@ paulpophamfund.co.uk to find out more.

Men’s Shed Caerau: Come and support The Men’s Shed which supports schools, nurseries, churches, day centers, shelterd homes, police, community centres, Old age, children and people in need of the community and beyond! Its your very own caring Caerau Men’s Shed!

The Shed helping in the fight against Isolation and lonliness our menbership has grown from 8 to 28 and still expanding with the outstanding support of CDT and ILC !

This years launch is one you must not miss and its all for FREE entertainment, food, music, and you get to meet The Shed Boys!

And did I hear right a famous actor of stage and screen may be attending?

Calendar Launch: Caerau Men’s Shed 3rd calendar launch will take place at Caerau Athletic club, on Friday, November 8. Doors open at 7pm for strict 7.30pm start.

Free buffet and the evening will be rounded off by internatioal singer and freelance entertainer Mike Roberts. This is a free event with the opportunity to purchase the calendar for £5.

Come along to an evening of fun, laughter and music when Caerau Men’s Shed takes to the stage and screen to launch their third amzing calendar, shot on farms in South Wales.

A 15 minute play has been specially written for the Shed by Maesteg playwright Jim Ledyard and directed by Mike Church.

See what happens when a new member wants to join the elite of Caerau Men’s Shed group.

Laugh with tears of joy when you watch the video and see what happened with the making of the calendar, but also remember that Caerau Men’s Shed is focused on helping and supporting men, some of whom may be experiencing a difficult time.

We are also launching our very first book titled Life Beyond The Shed Door – a diary of one man’s journey into the mens shed community. A funny, touching tale with stories of striking miners, endless nicknames and getting the cane for being late for school.

This is a must have book if you really want to know what it takes to be a real man!

For details call Chris Davies on 07521 906 796 or Owain White on 074000 74 920.

Bridgend Astronomical Society: Hold a talk on Wednesday, October 16 from 7.30pm at the YMCA, Angel Street, Bridgend. The speaker is Dr Jane Clark onBuilding a Back Garden Observatory. All welcome.

Caerau Market Garden: Hold a halloween craft day on Thursday, October 31 at 2pm. With pumpkin carving, willow weaving, halloween treasure hunt, aunted BBQ and spooky face painting plus an awful lot more.

Maesteg Canoe Club: Hold a 25th anniversary party on Friday, October 18 at Nantyfyllon Rugby Club from 7pm.

Tickets £5 children welcome all proceeds to go to Maesteg Canoe Club to enable them to provide the community with a fun. Friendly and family club.

The Canoe Club is a non profit community sports club offering children and adults of all ability a chance to learn a new skill, keep fit and meet new friends.

Panto: This year’s Panto at the Town Hall will be Aladdin – staged by our very own MMTS (formally known as MAOS).

From Thursday, October 24 to Saturday, October 26 at Maesteg Town Hall.

It’s my absolute pleasure to be able to announce the cast for the upcoming panto: Aladdin - Jack Allen. Jasmine - Charlotte Lenehan.

Widow Twankey - Ross Donoghue.

Spirit of the Ring - Lisa Howells.

The Genie - Emily Jones & Katie Pritchard.

So-Shy - Olivia Castle, Ella Powys & Ellie Sykes.

Abanaza - Tony Kingsbury.

The Emperor - Tony Mullins.

The Chinese Policewomen - Bethan Skye & Sian Rees.

Wishee Washie - Nia Scourfield.

There are two Genies and three So Shys who are playing alternate performances. Tickets available via the town hall and the MMTS Facebook page.

Fireworks: Maesteg’s Rotary club will be holding their annual charity fireworks display once again at Maesteg’s rugby club ground on Tuesday, November 5. Gates open at 6pm and the display to commence at 7.30pm.

Come along to see the Llynfi Valley’s premier display and support local charities at the same time.

There will be light sticks for sale at the ground and the rugby club will have food for sale on the night.

Côr Meibion: On Friday, September 20, the choir made a two day tour singing at Taunton, then at Honiton.

Both concerts were to raise funds for (WHERE) West country Health Education and Research Enterprise.

Huw Morgan the choir’s musical director arranged a varied programme for both concerts starting the opening with traditional Welsh pieces including Rachie, Myfanwy and finally Tydi a Roddaist with its wonderful Amen end.

After a small break where soloist baritone David Maybury entertained the audience with two songs the choir continued with Llanfair, Y Tangnefddwyr and finally for this set Huw’s arrangement of Calon Lan, which the choir really enjoys.

Kevan Lloyd, another Baritone soloist from the choir, then sang two pieces before the choir brought the first half to a close with Afonaf Angel, Sosban Fach another piece with an arrangement by Huw Morgan.

The second half began with choir singing Hello Dolly, Angels, Never Walk Alone and finally Anthem from Chess. The audience were then entertained by Carys Morgan who sang two pieces one from The Little Mermaid and finally The Lion King.

Carys who is the 12 year old daughter of Huw Morgan really captured the hearts of the audience singing these two songs and I’m sure she has a wonderful future ahead of her.

The choir then brought the concert to a close with items from Les Miserables which had a wonderful response from the audience.

The success of these two concerts can be judged by a capacity audience for both venues and the fact so impressive was the performance that the choir has been invited back for next year.

Côr Meibion Maesteg ar Cylch are very fortunate in having a musical team in Huw Morgan and Laura Deenick and they certainly bring the best out of the choir.

Town Hall Events: There is lots going on this coming month for the children of the valley.

All tickets are available from the hall on 01656 815 995 or from www. maesteg townhall.com

Friday, October 18 – The Simon & Garfunkel Story. 7.30pm. £20.50 / £19.50

Saturday, October 19 – Crimes On The Coast. A Comedy Whodunnit. 7.30pm. Tickets £15.50.

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.

MHM Wales New Wellbeing: They now meet at Maesteg Sports Centre on Thursdays from 10am to noon.

We have changed our Maesteg Hub venue and how we deliver the new service.

We are now working in collaboration with Halo Leisure.

It is an advice, support and information session open to anyone in the community to access or call in for any help around general wellbeing and mental health.

We also run short courses too.

Sewing Skils: Do you want to learn to sew or improve your sewing skills? Classes available: Tuesdays from 1pm-3pm – Sprinkles and stitches.

Tuesdays, from 6pm-8pm – CwmCalon.

Wednesdays from 6.45pm-7.45pm – Florries.

Call Julie on 01656 810 097 or Babs on 01656 7356 22 if you wish to join.

Experienced and novice needleworkers welcome. Machine or hand sewing taught. Knitting and crotchet guidance also.

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 programmes 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 email: 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 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.

This group is full at present.

Cwlwm Cwm Llynfi: 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.

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

For further information contact Rhian Sterio on 07861 660 970.

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 on 01656 711 078 or 079 998 861.

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

We are busy planning this year’s summer mystery trip, along with theatre trips.

This month we are going to be swishing – doing our bit to recycle clothes by swopping them with others.

We have lots planned, and welcome visitors or potential new members.

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.

Art Society: The society meets at Maesteg College on Mondays, from 4pm6pm, and work is created in a variety of media.

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

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 details contact Chris Davies on 07521 906 796 or see the Facebook page: Llynfi Valley Exminers.

Miners’ Wives meet on Thursdays at Central Church.

Ukelele Club: All levels of players more than welcome.

We meet every Monday at The Cross Inn, Maesteg from 7pm-10pm.

Thursday from 6pm8pm for beginners at Cwm Calon. Everybody’s welcome! We always encourage anyone with a ukulele to come along and join us.

You will have a great time and learn a new skill that will impress and entertain your friends and family for years to come.

Contact 07747 425 035 or email: info@ maestegukulele.club

Cwm Calon: CF34 9UN, now offers a drop in therapy session every Friday from 6pm-8pm, massage, reflexology, Indian head massage also available at £10 per session. Everyone welcome.

Maesteg U3A: meet at Central Church on the fourth Tuesday of the month at 2pm.

As well as monthly meetings, there are special 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.