PORTHCAWL

residents who need help.

The Street Ambassadors can help with medication collections and groceries deliveries from the much needed friendly local shop the Selection Box.

For further details please phone Sian Lewis on 07544 888 210.

The Penyfai Church in Wales School: Parents of children attending the school will be kept informed on any changes.

The Minister of Education Kirsty Williams has announced that schools will stay closed for now.

Penyfai Guides and Scout Group : If parents need further information with the Penyfai Guide Group and the Penyfai Scout Group please contact the phone number provided by Christine Jordan, call 01656 860 831.

Play and Community: Please contact the phone number provided if information is needed.

Please phone 07813

392 464.

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

Porthcawl Covid 19 Strategy Group: The Porthcawl Strategy

Group was the result of conversations between rtd MP Madeleine Moon and ex policeman Kerry Marlowe.

It is now functioning extremely well and is much appreciated by the local community.

If there is anything you need delivered in the way of medicine or food; or if you just need someone to talk to, then contact the group by referring to the leaflet you had through your letter box or refer to their website https:// porthcawlc19s.weebly. com, or their Facebook page Porthcawl COVID 19 Strategy.

The aim of the group is to reduce the footfall of vulnerable residents visiting pharmacies and shops in Porthcawl Town Centre and this seems to be working well

Working with the Co-op senior management the group has arranged a system of over the phone order and payment with delivery by volunteers.

In this scheme the group is being supported by other professional groups dealing with mental wellbeing, etc.

It would be nice to think that this keeping in touch with the lonely within the community could carry on when CV has gone for good.

I know we all value our independence and rightly so, but if you are over 70 and need the assistance of the group, then please register on https:// porthcawlc19s.weebly. com

Shout Out For The NHS: The number of people now joining in with

‘Shout out’ increased again and the noise is getting louder Porthcawl and last Thursday we were augmented by one of our neighbours who set up a Thursday night ‘Jam’ Session and gave us a very pleasant time with music of the period.

Well done Gerry and many thanks.

Can’t wait till this Thursday to see what he comes up with then. I

t all goes to show how much the general public think of the heroic and selfless efforts carried out by the NHS and so many other key workers. It is the least we can do to help.

Thursday night at 8pm – hopefully there will be more of you again on your doorsteps making even more noise and hopefully staying out to have a chat with your neighbours – at a safe distance of course.

Porthcawl Face-Mask Makers: I again remind you of the message I received from Margaret Minhinnick of Sussed, the Porthcawl based Environmental group suggesting that those of you with a sewing machine might like to join the group making face masks to be sold in their shop in James Street Porthcawl, near the bandstand in John Street and next to Lloyd’s Bank.

If you do have a sewing machine and are interested in home working, then call in to their shop on Saturday mornings, between

11am and 2pm for more information.

Margaret also points out that by purchasing one of their masks, not only do you protect yourself and your family, you also help Sussed stay open.

VE DAY celebration: 75 Years ago on May 8 the end of the war in Europe was celebrated and now we had a chance to remember that day and the people who died for our freedom.

So what about May 8 2020?

Considering the circumstances and the self distancing, Porthcawl made a pretty good fist of celebrating VE Day.

There was music in the air and tea parties going on all over the place-all in compliance of course.

There was bunting across streets and on individual houses alongside the rainbows and NHS reminders.

There were people dressed in 1940s clothes dancing to the music of Glen Millar and the Squadronaires, and singing We’ll Meet

Again along with Dame Vera Lynne the Force’s Sweetheart – no kissing strangers in the street though – but the weather? Absolutely fabulous!

One can only just imagine what Porthcawl would have been like if the coronavirus pandemic hadn’t happened!

Never mind!

We still have V-J Day to celebrate!

Emperor Hirohito surrendered on August

15, 1945 following Little Boy and Fat Man being dropped on Hiroshima and Nagasaki earlier that month; but the actual document was not signed until September 2, 1945 on USS Missouri which goes some way to explain why we as a nation have always celebrated VJ

Day on August 15 while America celebrates it on September 2.

Planning for this year’s anniversary was well ahead before CV descended on us – but judging by the PM’s statement last Sunday that again could be more lowkey than we may have wishes – but it does give more time to arrange smaller street parties I and more bunting. 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.

There are a number of AEDs 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.

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 school-based needs.

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

The swap shop will initially be open on a Monday afternoon from 1pm-5pm 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.

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 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):

The 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 types of 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, call 736 267.

Carers Link Worker: Sarah Jarvis is the Carers Link Worker for Bridgend Carers Centre covering Maesteg, Caerau and the surrounding area. Call on 07876 872 236 or 01656 658 479.