YOUR COMMUNITY

BRACKLA

Send Your News To: Hannah May hannahlouisemay@gmail.com

Brackla Community Council: Are hoping to hold a VE Day 75th Anniversary Garden Party Afternoon Tea at Brackla Community Centre, Friday, May 8 from 2pm5pm, should current restrictions allow.

All welcome for afternoon tea to commemorate VE Day, no need to book – just come along.

CEFN CRIBWR

Send Your News To: Jill Goudge 01656 726 jgoudge@sky.com

School News: The school is delighted to inform parents and carers that work has begun on the new Observation building.

At present it is taking the form of preparing the area and demolition of the old outbuildings is now scheduled for the Easter holidays.

This is a very exciting chapter in the life of the school and has only been made possible through the wonderful generosity of the entire community of Cefn Cribwr.

GARW VALLEY

Send Your News To: Liz Streatfield 01656 513416 Liz.streatfield@gmail.com

Valley Ravens: The Valley Ravens are hoping to hold their first ever rugby festival on Sunday, May 3, with over 50 mini/ junior rugby sides already entered throughout the various age groups.

It promises to be a jam packed day full of family fun and there will be more information to follow in the coming weeks.

The Valley Ravens are seeking sponsorship for the day (pitch sponsor £35 and match day programme £10) so if anyone is interested pleas drop a line to valleyravens@gmail.com

LALESTON

Send Your News To: Carol Thomas carbrya@supanet.com

Spanish Lock-Down: This is an extract from an e mail I received last week from friends living in Spain:

“We are on Day 10 of ‘lock-down’ which means that only one person is allowed in the car at a time, one person to go shopping for food, all other shops apart from chemists and tobacconist are closed, as are the beaches and parks.

“We are not allowed to go walking, cycling or playing Padel Tennis, which is alien to us – as we exercise every day”.

Stormy Down

Recycling Centre: Lots of homeowners are taking the opportunity to tidy up garages, catch up on gardening and decorate whilst they are spending so much time at home but be warned the refuse tip is unfortunately closed!

It is hoped that this will not encourage fly-tipping and a reduced entry system to the tip facilities may be considered i.e. restrict number of cars at any one time.

It is a great centre and all employees working there should be congratulated on always being so helpful.

OGMORE VALLEY

Send Your News To: Owen Sendell 1 Cardiff Street, Ogmore Vale, Bridgend. CF32 7EW.

01656 840914 gazette@ogmore-vale.co.uk

Funeral Information: Sendell’s Funeral Services remains committed and prepared to safely care for the families it serves during the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic.

We will always continue to enable families to plan and prepare funerals.

We do recognise our responsibility to protect the health of those we are privileged to serve and we will continue to guide families as we always have, in ways they can meaningfully commemorate the life of their loved one, while adhering to the guidance issued by Saif, the government and our local authorities.

Here are some of the guidelines we have had from the Crematoriums.

Whilst it is fully appreciated the loss of a loved one is very difficult and stressful the Crematorium would request that Sendell’s Funeral Services remind bereaved families of the government advice and that of Public Health Wales, which strongly advises to significantly limit your face-to-face interaction with friends and family if possible, particularly if you:

•are over 70

•have an underlying health condition

•are pregnant

With immediate effect it would be appreciated if Sendell’s Funeral Services could advise bereaved families of the government advice to limit the numbers attending social gatherings and that in order to achieve this we would advise that those attending a cremation is restricted to family members.

Additionally, that they space themselves around the chapel seating.

This is likely to be reduced further and will be subject to continual review, based upon government directives and localised risk and you will be updated accordingly.

Choirs will not be permitted to take part in a cremation service.

All service books will be removed from the chapel. (We are requested to provide service sheets for hymn words).

From March 24 attendance will be limited to ten (10) individuals bereaved family members and if any additional mourners try to attend the service they will be politely requested to return to their cars.

Water glasses have been removed from the lectern and officiants should please use the water dispenser in the waiting room or bring their own.

From April 6 onwards funerals will take place in the larger Crallo chapel only, to assist with sanitisation and the spacing of individuals.

The front pew of Crallo chapel will not be used in order to increase the distance between the congregation, officiant and organist.

Please advise your congregation to return to their cars straight after leaving the chapel without greeting or shaking hands on the flower court dispersal area.

The organist will play taped music for the exit of the congregation and will leave the chapel via the exit doors in advance of the congregation in order to reduce close contact.

Please remind your bereaved families that they currently have the option to webcast or record the funeral service.

It may also be reassuring to remind your bereaved families that they could consider holding a memorial service at a later date.

Bridgend County Borough

Cemeteries: These are currently running as normal, with the possibility of intermittent limitations subject to staffing.

It may also be reassuring to remind your bereaved families that they could consider holding a memorial service at a later date.

Our staff remain vigilant about cleaning our facilities and ensuring we’re all following health recommendation.

Please stay safe throughout all this!

The Inn Nantymoel: Closed until further notice.

The Blaenogwr Nantymoel: Closed until further notice.

Nantymoel Boys & Girls Club: Closed until further notice.

Wyndham Boys & Girls Club: Closed until further notice.

Coffee Morning: Closed until further notice.

PENYFAI

Send Your News To: Meryl Wilkins 1 Pen-yr-Heol, Penyfai CF31 4ND

01656 724794

All Saints Church Penyfai: Please be aware that the Church in Wales has suspended all public services for the foreseeable future for health and safety reasons due to the very serious nature of the Coronavirus Pandemic

Smyrna Chapel

Services: Services are also suspended in the Smyrna Baptist Chapel Penyfai for health and safety reasons due to the very serious nature of the Coronavirus Pandemic affecting our Communities wellbeing

Community Council:

The Newcastle Higher Community Councillors for Penyfai and Aberkenfig are being kept informed by their clerk to the Community Council John Richfield and the Chairman Cllr Malcom John, Penyfai,Court Colman, Aberkenfig and Tondu residents have taken the government warnings very seriously and are taking the advice given on the television and the weekly reports in the Glamorgan Gazette.

Family Values: We are all in the same situation of trying to keep the coronavirus pandemic from spreading.

The separation from our family members and our grandchildren who we are missing very much every day,

All grandparents must be feeling lost without their grandchildren as we do, I expect when we see our oldest grandson next he will be a lot taller,

Our granddaughter Isabel we know is doing her exercises with her hula hoop and Thomas our youngest grandson is learning to play the piano.

We are sending our best wishes to everyone in our communities and hope this pandemic virus will abate very soon.

Penyfai Church in Wales School: The Penyfai Church in Wales School is closed and the Easter Holiday has been brought forward.

Parents of children attending the school will be kept informed on any changes reported by the Minister of Education Kirsty Williams.

Penyfai Guides and Scout Group: If parents need further information with the Penyfai guide group and the Penyfai scout group please contact Christine Jordan on 01656 860 831.

Play and Community: Please contact the phone number provided – if information is needed, call 07813 392 464.

PORTHCAWL

Send Your News To: David Newton-Williams 42 Suffolk Place, Porthcawl, CF36 3EB. 01656 451844 davidn-w@homecall.co.uk

Covid-19 Update: I received an e-mail this week from BCBC in which they state that as the Covid-19 coronavirus pandemic continues, the authority continues to focus its resources on providing essential services and protecting vulnerable residents in the Brough.

The main gist of their e-mail as it relates to Porthcawl is as follows:

Public transport: A number of privatelyrun bus services have stopped running.

Affected services include the 861 Nottage to Porthcawl service.

Other services will be running daily using ‘Sunday’ schedules.

From Monday, March

30, these will include the X2 Porthcawl to Cardiff and the 63 Bridgend to Porthcawl.

Social Care Opportunities: More people are being sought to help support the county borough’s most vulnerable residents.

A number of employment opportunities are available, and anyone who has previously worked in social care or who has transferable skills is invited to apply.

A fast-tracked application process and rapid refresher training course are available.

To apply or find out more, contact the recruitment team on 01656 643 205 or email recruitment@bridgend. gov.uk.

Recycling And Waste: While recycling and waste collections are going ahead as normal, bulk waste collections, missed collections and deliveries of new bags for non-recyclable refuse and food waste have been temporarily postponed.

Any household currently awaiting a delivery of new refuse bags will be able to use black bags or a similar alternative.

To ensure Kier can cope with the impact of the pandemic the two-bag limit currently remains in place.

Letters to Vulnerable Residents: Around 4,000 residents in the Borough will be receiving letters from Welsh Government urging them to stay at home for the next 12 weeks.

The letter provides advice on areas such as planned GP / hospital appointments, prescriptions, wellbeing, food deliveries, and visiting carers and support workers.

If you are isolated, do not have any support from family, friends or neighbours and need help from Bridgend County Borough Council, please call 01656 643 643.

Contacting the council: The Customer Service Centre at the Civic

Offices in Angel Street, Bridgend is closed to the public.

Residents are asked to use the online My Account and Oggie webchat facilities, or to email talktous@ bridgend.gov.uk or call 01656 643 643.

Council facilities: Children’s playgrounds, public toilets, Griffin

Park and car parks at Rest Bay and Salt Lake are all closed.

Council-run cemeteries are currently open.

Coychurch Crematorium is open and mourners have been restricted to a maximum of 10 to reduce the risk of exposure.

For more information, contact communications manager Liam Ronan on (01656) 643217 or Email: liam.ronan@bridgend. gov.uk Website: www. bridgend.gov.uk

Col Canto: For next year’s diary!

Col Canto has decided to cancel this year’s Flower and Music

Festival in June and re-programme it for the same weekend in 2021 ie on the weekend of Saturday, June 5, 2021 in All Saint’s Church in Victoria Avenue.

So look out for Posters and Programmes nearer the time.

Il Cova: We all get unwanted e-mails through to our pc; the strangest one I received this week was an e-mail advertising a Bed-sit in Rome called Il Cova.

Somehow I don’t think I will be taking them up on their offer for some time yet.

Shout Out For The

NHS: This nationwide ‘Shoutout’ appeared to have been well supported in town: it certainly was in our area and as I understand it, the intention is to carry on with it on a weekly basis. So Thursday night at 8pm. See you on the doorstep.

Corona Virus: I did mention this last week. A group called the Porthcawl Covid 19 Strategy Group has been formed here in Porthcawl with the intention of making life easier for the citizens of the town.

The strategy group has been set up and they are implementing a community strategy for Porthcawl.

Ward managers have been appointed, volunteers have been registered and instructed, and they have set up a Facebook page ‘Porthcawl Covid 19 Strategy Group’ as well as a website https://porthcawlc19s. weebly.com

Leaflets are being delivered to every household giving full information.

The Strategy Group has appointed Ward Managers to coordinate the response (See leaflet for information on their names and contact numbers) and they have registered nearly 150 volunteers.

The strategy group has involved the Police, Portway Surgery, Pharmacies, Social Services and local groups and has produced guidance documents to assist the volunteers and Ward Managers.

If you are self isolating because of Covid 19 then they can help with shopping and collection of medicines.

They can allocate a phone ‘Buddy’ to arrange for a friendly phone call if you are on your own: the friendly buddy will contact you and will

have a password that you may ask for, prior to any conversation.

The Pharmacy/ food volunteers will deliver the item to your door –knock your door and will back off to a distance of 3m and wait until you open the door and collect the items.

The volunteers will not under any circumstances ask to: enter your home: request personal information- full name, date of birth etc: Request money or credit card details. And don’t forget the website and facebook addresses.

https://porthcawlc19s. weebly.com and ‘Porthcawl Covid 19 Strategy Group’.

Any Further Advice:. Think of others when you do your shopping and thank heavens we didn’t have snow as well!

LLYNFI VALLEY

Send Your News To: 01656 810084 llyngazmvr@hotmail.co.uk

Llynfi Valley Voluntary Aid: Are you a society/ group that puts on events in Maesteg or the surrounding area?

With the Town

Hall being closed for renovation, don’t forget that if you want first aid cover at your events you now need to arrange it yourselves.

We are a voluntary group and do not charge to attend your events.

Just drop us a message with the details and we will do all we can to be there with our equipment.

Maesteg Ramblers: At the March meeting president Alexis James welcomed members and after the business meeting members grouped together to form teams and there then followed a quiz.

Members enjoyed refreshments that had been made by committee members.

Rotary Maesteg: Maesteg Rotary President Gwynfor Phillips handed over a cheque for £1,500 for the purchase and installation of an (AED) defibrillator in Maesteg town centre to Nikki Dart of Maesteg Community First Responders.

Also at the Cross Inn in Cwmfelin was PCSO Julie

Banks of South Wales Police who also donated £600 from the Police Station tuck shop fund.

PCSO Banks said: “There have been a number of medical emergencies in and around Maesteg town centre in recent week, and the availability of an AED can mean the difference between life and death in these situations.”

An automated external defibrillator (AED) is a portable electronic device that automatically diagnoses the lifethreatening cardiac arrhythmias of ventricular fibrillation and pulseless ventricular tachycardia and is able to treat them through defibrillation, the application of electricity which stops the arrhythmia, allowing the heart to re-establish an effective rhythm.

With simple audio and visual commands, AEDs are designed to be simple to use for the layperson, and the use of AEDs is taught in many first aid, certified first responder, and basic life support level CPR classes.

Automated external defibrillators are generally either kept where health professionals and first responders can use them (health facilities and ambulances) as well as public access units which can be found in public places including corporate and government offices, shopping centres, restaurants, public transport, and any other location where people may congregate.

There are a number of AED’s sited throughout the Llynfi Valley, and access to them is dependent on where and how they situated.

It is intended to site the new AED in the centre of Maesteg for maximum usefulness.

Another issue is having access to an electricity supply to ensure that the batteries are fully charged when called upon, and that the container is heated to ensure performance.

Nik Dart of Maesteg Community First Responders said: “Having access to an AED within a crucial timeframe is essential to respond to life threatening situations”.

Nik is also compiling a register of all the AED’s within the valley for the public’s information. Maesteg Community

First Responders also provide First Aid lessons including the use of the AEDs, which are intended to be as easy to use as possible with audible and visual instructions.

Maesteg Rotary President Gwynfor Phillips added:

“Following Maesteg Rotary’s donation to

Llynfi Valley Voluntary

Aid (who provide first aid cover at local events) in November for a defibrillator, this donation is part of our continuing commitment to serving the community locally as well as our national and international charitable work”.

Maesteg Rotary has also made donations to other organisations and clubs within the Llynfi Valley over the past few years.

The new AED will be installed in the old

New Theatre doorway of the Sawyers Arms in Commercial Street, and electricity will be supplied by J D Wetherspoon.

Even though AEDs are a relatively new phenomenon, the portable version of the defibrillator was invented as far back as the mid1960s by Frank Pantridge in Belfast, Northern Ireland, since when countless lives have been saved.

Caerau Mens Shed:

The Caerau Mens shed is going form strength to strength, with 33 members.

We are community space for men to connect, and converse.

The fundraising group are planning a gala concert at the St Cynfelins Church in Caerau featuring the Kenfig Hill Male Voice Choir, The Maesteg Children’s Choir and guest soloist Rhydian Jenkins on Saturday, September 26.

A Winter Craft and

Food fayre is also being planned for Saturday, November 28 at Maesteg Rugby Club– ideal opportunity to buy presents for Christmas and support local organisations.

For further information on these please contact Rob Doyle 079692 032 51.

Uniform Swap Shop: A school uniform swap shop will be opening soon in Central Church Maesteg when current restrictions allow.

The more school uniforms that are donated to us when they are no longer in use, the better.

If your child has outgrown any school items, and they are in reasonable condition, please donate it to us, hopefully in a clean and reasonable condition to be then made available to another family.

We will also accept games kit, bags, coats and jackets, shoes, togs etc, all associated with schoolbased needs.

Non-badged items will also be accepted in the school’s colours.

The swap shop will initially be open on a Monday afternoon 1pm5pm and dependent on a needs-based system will increase its hours of opening accordingly.

For more information please call 07811339 988.

Maesteg Harlequins: Next season we are looking to restart our youth team when current restrictions are lifted!

If you are currently in year 11, 12 or 12 in school and are looking to get into rugby or would like a fresh challenge then Maesteg Harlequins RFC is the place for you.

All our youth coaches are fully qualified, plus there will be a strong working relationship with our senior squad including joint sessions. If you are interested then please contact us.

Noteworthy: The choir have a busy year ahead of them and here are some dates for your diary, pending current restrictions being lifted:

Friday, June

26 – Concert at St

Mary’s Church, Garth (fundraising concert for the church).

Sunday, September 6– Concert with Loud Applause Rising Stars at Margam Orangery.

Saturday, September 12 – Memorial Concert in aid of Cancer Research UK at St Michael & All Angels Church, Maesteg.

Friday, December

11 – Annual Christmas Concert in aid of Cancer Research UK at St Michael & All Angels Church, Maesteg.

If you would like to continue to support Noteworthy as a Vice President and do not pay your annual fee via direct debit/standing order, please could you arrange to send a payment to me as soon as possible.

Our fees for 2019/20 are £20 (single) and

£30 (couple). On behalf of Noteworthy Mixed Choir may I take this opportunity to thank you for your continued and much appreciated support.

News: Do you have any stories, pictures, history, old programmes/tickets/ posters or fond memories of Maesteg Town Hall?

We’re compiling as many stories and as much information from the past that we can, in order to preserve our history and better shape our future!

Please send anything you have to memories@ maestegtownhall.com

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 – current restrictions pending.

If you live in the Llangynwyd Middle Council area, then you contact their clerk of the council.

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 programmes we offer please contact claregriffiths@aol.com.

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

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

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.

The Maesteg Community First Responder (CFR): Team comprises volunteers who respond to high priority emergency

999 calls in our valley, on behalf of the Welsh Ambulance Service.

This can range from cardiac arrests, to strokes, choking infants or major bleeding, along with many other emergency situations.

Please check our website www.maestegcfr. comor find us on Facebook or Twitter @ maestegcfr to follow our volunteer work, saving lives in your area!

Credit Union: Llynfi Valley Credit Union is open for business for just £1 membership joining fee.

For more information, please call 736 267.

Food Bank: The service is kept stocked by generous people and stores in the community.

You can deliver items to Noddfa in Caerau, Peniel in Maesteg, or Caerau Development Trust via Dr Jill.

Check if you’re entitled to use the foodbank – you need a note from your doctor, the Social Services, the Job Centre or Citizens’ Advice Bureau, then take it with you and hand it in.

LLANGYNWYD WEEKLY

Carers Link Worker: Sarah Jarvis is the new Carers Link Worker for Bridgend Carers Centre covering Maesteg, Caerau and the surrounding area.

She will be supporting people who are caring for their loved one.

Call on 07876 872 236 or 01656 658 479.