PORTHCAWL

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 is now functioning extremely well, as the 1,100 or so over 70s who are taking advantage of the scheme can testify, and is much appreciated by the local community.

Kerry Marlow stressed that if there are still people over 70 who require medicines delivered or shopping from the Co-op or indeed 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 the town centre.

He mentioned that he had been talking to someone in their 80s who was struggling to get into town to pick up her prescription and had been advised by the chemist to contact the group.

She had got in touch with Kerry who happened to ask how she got her shopping done, only to receive the response that her son drove down once a week from the midlands, to do her shopping.

Needless to say Kerry has saved a great deal of petrol money for the son and added to the safety of the town.

I know we value our independence but if you are over 70 and need the assistance of the group, then please register at https://porthcawlc19s. weebly.com and a great weight will be taken off your shoulders.

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.

A First for Porthcawl/ Wales: The present Mayor of Porthcawl, Councillor Graham Walter, is coming to the end of his term of office and his successor and the present deputy Mayor, Councillor Brian Jones, will be taking over on Thursday evening when the Council’s AGM will be held.

This time the chain will not be handed over in person but instead it will be a virtual handover with all 19 councillors being in ‘virtual’ attendance along with the general manager/town clerk,

Scott Elder and the assistant to the clerk, Sarah Watkins.

It will all be done on Zoom conferencing and I am informed that this will be the first time in Wales that a council AGM will be held on Zoom this way.

I am also informed that all council meetings will be held in this form for the foreseeable future.

Thursday Evening Shout Out: This is still going strong in Porthcawl and so it should be.

I am well aware that some people can’t get out to do it but I know quite a few people in this position who tell me that they stand in front of the TV and clap away on their own.

But then as I’ve said before this is the generation that stood for the national anthem which was played just before the dot disappeared on TV.

So good on you all and see you Thursday making more noise and having a chat with the neighbours.

Future Event: I notice that the Porthcawl Truckers Group have already announced that they are planning to hold their 2020 Fest at Sandy Bay in Porthcawl on Saturday and Sunday, August 8 and 9.

I hope that everything works out and they do hold it. It is one of the big charity events in the town.

When Taid Jones, my grandfather, wrote a letter which involved a date in the future he always added ‘DV’ which stood for Deo Volente –God willing.

So perhaps I should have written Saturday and Sunday, August 8 and 9 DV.

Shops and Businesses:

I notice that shops and businesses in Porthcawl are beginning to prepare their premises in readiness for the relaxation of rules during this corona virus period.

I notice, for instance, that there is a post on one of the Porthcawl Facebook pages that Bargain Booze in Mary Street are extending their opening hours from 8am10pm except for Mondays and Friday when they will be shut from 11am-3pm – others are redecorating their shopfronts.

What about Calum Champion, who is based in Mackworth Road, and runs the Bike Hire and Surf Coaching Business on Coney Beach – he has set out a shed-full of advice for those who wish to join the surfing classes and wish to be ready for the magical day when the beaches are open and the surf is running.

I just hope that all the businesses in the town are there for us on that day. 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.

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 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 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.