GARW VALLEY

Send Your News To: 01656 870183 garwnews@btinternet.com

Eric the Parrot: Eric has gone missing from his home in Blaengarw. He’s grey, with bright red tail feathers, and a reward if offered for his return.

At the moment there has only been one possible sighting but this is unconfirmed. To have an unusual bird flying around with bright red tail feathers seems odd and the owners believe that he may have been picked up.

If anyone knows of his whereabouts or hears unusual bird noises please contact Max on 07544 254270. Many thanks in advance. A reward has also been offered.

Garw Valley Links Community Church: From April 2, the church will meet on Sundays at 11am in His Place (next to SPAR) in Pontycymer. Everyone is welcome. Activities for children included. (Children under six need to come with an adult.) Garw Valley Links also meet every Sunday at 6pm in Blaengarw Community Centre. Contact Pastor David Rhodes on 871198.

Blaengarw Cricket Club: The club are looking for new members for the coming 2017 season. The Garw Valley club have already started indoor net practise, which is held every Sunday at Tondu Cricket Club from 2pm. Everybody welcome. Visit the Blaengarw C.C.

Pontycymer Over 35s Tour: On the weekend of May 20-21,Pontycymer Over 35s will be returning Newbury, for this seasons end of season tour. The squad will be based in Newbury, but will be playing Hungerford Veterans at Triangle Field on Saturday, May 20.

Any past players or supporters who are interested in booking a seat on the bus to travel to Newbury should contact the club for more details.

However, before Pontycymer cross Offa’s Dyke in May their Over 35s play a charity game against valley neighbours Blaengarw Over 35s at Lawrence Park on April 22, kick-off is at 2.30pm.

Strictly Cinema: The group’s latest screening will be The Proud Valley with Paul Robeson and others.

The original Paul Robeson’s address to miners made at the Porthcawl Grand Pavillion in 1957 will also feature as part of the programme.

The event takes place on March 28, from 11am at the Blaengarw Workmen’s Hall.

Valley Derby: On April 22, the big derby game between Pontycymer RFC Vetrans v Blaengarw RFC Veterans will take place.

This game has become a key talking point for the whole of the Garw Valley recently. It takes place at Lawrence Park, Pontycymer and kick-off will be at 2.30pm.

There will refreshment stalls available on the day, and after the match there will be a Grand Raffle and Auction at the clubhouse.

It is hoped the Valley Ravens mini rugby team will be playing a curtain raiser before the main event. Money raised will go to Cancer UK and prostate cancer charities.

Pyle Community Council: The next meeting will be held in the Talbot Community Centre on Tuesday, March 28 at 5.30pm. Members of the public are welcome to attend and councillors will receive questions for 15 minutes before the meeting.

Kenfig Hill and District Male Voice Choir: The choir’s next event is on Saturday, April 8 in Bethlehem Life Centre, Cefn Cribwr at 7pm.

Zumbathon: The Pyle Zumba with Andy class are joining his other classes in the area on Saturday, April 8, from 1.30pm5.30pm at North Cornelly Community Centre. This is being held in memory of Jack Colley with proceeds going to Bro Morgannwg Baby Loss Support Group.

Tickets £6. Call 07974 962194 or email andyburnett24@hotmail. com.

Easter Dog Walk: The Edward Foundation will be holding a fundraising Dog Walk starting at the Hi Tide in Mackworth Road Porthcawl (CF36 5BT) on Saturday, April 1, from 1pm.

Bethel Community Church: Kidzone for children aged 7–11 on Fridays, from 5.30pm-6.45pm, at Bethel Community Church on Pwllygath Street, Kenfig Hill. Parents are requested to take their children to Kidzone where they can register their attendance. Call 01656 857505. Pyle Life Centre: What’s on at the centre?

Mondays – Basic Skills, Cuppa with a Copper, Digital Skills, Bridges into Work 2, Tang Soo Do Martial Art and Zumba.

Tuesdays – Basic Skills, Revolutionize Dance, Kyokushin Karate and Dance Maniax Street Dance. Junior Reading Group (8-12 years old) meet on the last Tuesday of the month.

Wednesdays – Basic Skills, Learn Direct Drop In, Weight Watchers, Lego Club, Ballet, Shotokan Karate and Yoga.

Thursdays – Shelta Cymru, Kyokushin Karate, Cynffig Crafts and Hip Hop with Revolutionize; Night Owls reading group meet on first Thursday of month at 7pm and last Thursday of the month at 2pm; the Teenage Group (12-19) meets on the second Thursday of the month.

Pyle Community Council: The next meeting will be held in the Talbot Community Centre on Tuesday, March 28, from 5.30pm. Members of the public are welcome to attend and councillors will receive questions for 15 minutes before the meeting.

This is an opportunity to make suggestions or raise any concerns and is also an opportunity to meet your community councillors.

Choir News: Kenfig Hill and District Male Voice Choir’s next event is on Saturday, April 8 in Bethlehem Life Centre, Cefn Cribwr at 7pm.

Festival Week: Preparations are already taking place for this wonderful annual event in the Kenfig Hill and Pyle Community.

This year the theme is Flower Power as 2017 celebrates 50 years since the Summer of Love.

Festival week commences on Saturday, June 24 until Sunday, July 2 with Fun Day on Saturday, July 1. More information included nearer to the time.

Anybody wishing to book a table please contact Gina on 07752 366241.

Scout Hall: Situated just off Croft Goch Road, Kenfig Hill, The Hall is available for hire daytimes and certain nights through the week. It is also available for children’s parties. Call Gina on 07752 366241.

The Talbot Community Centre: A fashion show, courtesy of Bon Marché Bridgend, is being held on Tuesday, April 4.

Doors open at 6.30pm and the show starts at 7pm. £5 admission includes wine or soft drink.

Regular activities include:

Coffee morning, every Tuesday, from 9.30am-11.30am. Come along for some topical debate followed by a game of skittles. Call 01656 749754.

Lunch is held at the Talbot Diner – on Wednesdays and Fridays, from 11.45am-12.45pm.

Lunches are served from 12.15pm-1.15pm with last orders at 1pm.

Sausage and mash followed by gateau and cream is being served on Wednesday, March 22 and beef stew and dumplings followed by fruit sponge and custard is being served on Friday, March 24.

Two courses for nonmembers £5 or members £4.50. Talbot Diner members must be 30 years of age or over.

Takeaways are £4 plus 75p for delivery. Transport is also available if you are unable to get to the centre. Call 01656 749754. Bingo sessions are held twice a week – Mondays eyes down at 6.30pm and Fridays eyes down at 1.45pm. Bingo follows straight after lunch on a Friday and transport is provided if you are unable to get to the centre

Quilting and sewing classes have also restarted – come along for inspiration and help with your projects Monday, from 2pm- 4pm.

Activities include arts and crafts, cookery, chair based exercise, health and wellbeing sessions.

Morning sessions run from 10am-12.30pm and afternoon sessions run from 1.30pm-4pm.

Each session costs £5 including refreshments. Lunch is also provided at £2.50. Call the centre on 01656 749754 for details.

Slimming World: Meetings are held at Talbot Community Centre on Thursdays at 9.30am, 3.30pm, 5.30pm and 7.30pm.

Millie is the Sliming World consultant who will help you get set for a happy, healthy new year in her warm and friendly class.

Weight Watchers: Meetings are held at Pyle Life Centre on Wednesdays at 9.30am (weighing starts at 9am).

This is a lovely welcoming class led by Sue Phillips. A warm, friendly, experienced leader and coach who has been there and got the (smaller) T-shirt.

KPC Youth & Community: Messy Play Sessions are available on Tuesdays 10am-11am.

This a fabulous opportunity for toddlers to explore and learn about textures through play while their parents, grandparents or carers have a chat and a cuppa, socialise and make new friends. Contact 01656 749219.

Dementia Friendly Cafe: Are you looking after someone who is very forgetful or has been diagnosed with dementia?

Come and meet people in a similar situation at Pyle Life Centre every Friday, from 9.30am11am.

Come along for a cup of tea and a chance to talk about any issues you need help with.

There will be a host of activities including, historical photograph sharing, craft, tai chi and board games.

Call Louise on 07791 891578.

Places of Worship: Services as follows:

St Theodore’s Church, Kenfig Hill (Church in Wales) – Sunday Eucharist 10am with Family Mass on the 1st Sunday of the month.

Evensong at 6pm with Holy Eucharist on the 1st and last Sunday of the month.

Wednesday Holy Eucharist 10am in Theo’s Community Space.

St James Church, Pyle (Church in Wales) – Sunday Communion (1984 version) 8am, Holy Communion 11am, Parish Evensong 6pm except on 2nd Sunday when there is evening Eucharist. Wednesday Holy Communion 10am.

Pisgah Baptist Chapel (Welsh Baptist) – Sunday Service 6pm.

St Joseph of Arimathea, Pyle (Roman Catholic) – Saturday Mass 6pm.

Bethal Community Church, Kenfig Hill – Sunday Family Service 6pm

Mount Zion Chapel, Pyle (English Baptist) – Sunday Service 11am.

Pil Primary School: There were smiles all around at Pil Primary School, when they were awarded their First Green Flag from Eco School Wales.

The Eco Schools assessor, shared fantastic feedback after the assessment day and noted that ‘all seven steps of the Eco-Schools process were firmly in place and evidenced well’.

Everyone should be proud of their hard work, particularly the Eco Council, who are committed to achieving agreed Eco targets and ensuring that the whole school community remain keen to keep green.

The school has also been busy celebrating Fairtrade Fortnight this half term. Year 3 pupils planned a ‘Fun-time Fairtrade Break’ with activities such as a Fairtrade logo hunt, a Fairtrade football match and a Fairtrade cake sale.

Staff from Tesco also visited the school to raise pupil’s awareness of the importance of buying Fairtrade products.

Mynydd Cynffig Primary School: Following the school’s success at the annual Keith Grice Memorial Tens in the Autumn Term 2016, Mynydd Cynffig Primary School will be Bridgend’s representatives at the Welsh Schools Rugby Union Junior Group National 10-a-Side Tournament at Dunvant RFC in Swansea on Friday March 31. Matches will commence at 11am.

Congratulations to the four pupils who represented the school so well at the Bridgend Schools Cross-Country meeting at Brynteg Comprehensive School, Bridgend recently.

The next event takes place on Saturday, April 1, at Pencoed Comprehensive School. All Key Stage 2 (Junior) pupils are eligible to represent our school – please meet at the race venue at 9.45am. All races should be completed by 10.30am.

Pyle Library has organised a Cynffig Cluster World Book Day Quiz for Year 5 pupils on Thursday, March 23, at 2pm. Best luck to the two pupils representing Mynydd Cynffig Primary.

Many congratulations to the talented Year 5 pupil who competed in the Northern Masters Championships in Stoke last Saturday.

She was a member of the Dance Crazy Juvenile Formation Team who won 1st Place in the Grand Final and was also a member of a four-couple Juvenile Marvel Team who won 2nd place.

Then, on Sunday, she travelled to Stockport Town Hall near Manchester where she competed with her partner, winning 1st place in ballroom and 2nd place in the Latin competition. Well done!

Pyle Swimming Pool and Fitness Centre: Over 60s can swim free with a Halo card. Free swimming sessions are held on Fridays, from 4pm-5pm.