LLYNFI VALLEY
Send Your News To: Marion Rogers 01656 733417 llyngazmvr@hotmail.co.uk llunficolumn@sky.co.uk,
Collabro: The Gwyl Maesteg Festival events committee are very pleased to announce that this year’s festival will be opened with a concert at Maesteg Town Hall on Friday, June 1 at 7.30pm.
The BIG NEWS we have to share with you is that it will be Britain’s Got Talent winners 2014 – Collabro.
This is a great opportunity for the festival and will attract visitors from out of Maesteg to see this and see what else the festival offers them. Tickets are now on sale for Collabro and we expect them to sell quickly so must urge you to buy your tickets as soon as possible because once they are gone, they are gone.
Other events are also on sale for the festival and we would appreciate your help in spreading the news amongst friends and family. Word of mouth is the most powerful tool. Tickets are available at the Town Hall Box Office: 01656 815995 or www.maestegtownhall. com The link below is for Collabro Tickets http:// www.maestegtownhall. com/events/3530collabro
Coffee: The residents of Hafan Deg, will be holding a Coffee Morning this coming Friday, April 27, from 10am to noon and is in aid of Multiple Sclerosis. There will be cakes, bric a brac and raffles and they are hoping that many of you will come along to support the charity.
Mayor’s Ball: Next week, on Saturday, May 5 at 7pm the Mayor’s Annual Ball will be at Maesteg Town Hall. Each year there is a different theme and the ball is the final event. This year’s Mayor, Cllr Idris Williams, has nominated these charities – Diabetes UK Cymru and Cefn Yr Afon Community Rehabilitation Unit. Tickets are £27.50 from Maesteg Council Offices.
Cor Meibion: Maesteg Male Voice Choir, Cor Meibion Maesteg a’r cylch, will hold their annual concert at Maesteg Town Hall on Saturday, May 12 at 7pm and doors open at 6.30pm. The choir is led by MD Huw Morgan and accompanist Laura Deenik. The guest artist is Welsh television and West End star Shan Cothi and BBC presenter Garry Owen will again be the MC for the evening. The choir are indeed delighted with both guests.
Entry for this concert will be £10 and it is hoped that large numbers will turn out to make this special event a great success.
Farewell: We must say goodbye to the Lions, because they are getting older and no new members have joined to carry on the good work. It’s such a shame. Over the many years they have contributed so much to our valley. The proceeds from every event they held went to local charities. No more will we see their stall at the Hospital Fete, nor will we see their wonderful Book Sale at Maesteg Town Hall. Thank you Lions for all you have done.
Town Hall Events: All tickets are available from the hall on 01656 815915 or maestegtownhall.com
Wednesday, April 25 - Strictly Cinema’s film is Murder on the Orient Express at 11am.
Friday, April 27 – Eric Bibb – 8pm. Tickets £25.
Saturday, April 28 – Magic of Hollywood Pasha Kovalev & Anya Garnis – 7.30pm. Tickets £23.50 – £24.50.
Saturday, May 5 - Mayor’s Ball 7pm for 7.30pm tickets £27.50 Saturday, May 12 - Cor Meibion Annual with Guest Artiste Shan Cothi, Compere BBC Presenter Gary Owen 7pm Tickets £10.00 Friday, May 18 - Murder she didn’t write 7.30pm Tickets £12.50 Saturday, May 19 - Star Search Auditions Sunday, May 20 - Gypsy Queen 7.30pm Tickets £10. Saturday, May 26 - Craig Campbell “Easy Tiger” 7.30pm Tickets £15. Monday, May 28 - Puppet making Workshop Time and price TBC Wednesday, May 30 - Strictly Cinema “Dunkirk” 11am Tickets £5.50 Thursday, May 31 - Morning Has Broken” Ron Vincent sings Cat Stevens 7.30pm Tickets £18.
Events Diary: There is a town events diary in the council offices, accessible during office hours.
All organisations in the valley are urged to enter individual events in that diary to avoid overlap or clashing of dinners/ concerts etc in the town/ valley. Gleemen: Maesteg Gleemen have returned from their 60th Anniversary Tour of Guernsey with wonderful memories of the welcome and hospitality they and their party received from the Guernsey W.M.V.C. to make it a memorable tour.
One of the many highlights of the trip was a joint concert at the Magnificent St James’ Hall in St Peter’s Port. The choirs performed to a sell-out audience of over 400 people and, when the two choirs got together for a joint finale, they had the whole audience on their feet for a standing ovation.
The Gleemen and guests attended a Gala dinner, with presentations to both choirs in the beautiful setting of the “Les Coltis” Hotel on their last evening of the tour. As a tribute to Ellis Williams, a long standing faithful member of the choir, who passed away just before the choir left for Guernsey, at St James’ Hall they gave a rousing rendition of his favourite hymn “Calon Lan” in his honour .
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.
Milk: Delivered to your door in glass bottles instead of plastic, contact Steve Simmomds [delivery Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday] – telephone 01656 712858/ mobile 07807 282790.
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. Telephone 01656 735 622 for more details. The class is full at present.
Cwlwm Cwm Llynfi: The purpose of the group is to promote and enhance the awareness and use of Welsh language, culture and traditions in a social context for the benefit of residents in the Llynfi Valley and surrounding areas in partnership with other bodies where appropriate.
The group meet once a month in Maesteg council offices to plan future events.
Anyone who is interested and would like to join us would be very welcome.
For further information contact Rhian Sterio on 07861 660970 or email rsterio@icloud.com.
Rotary: Maesteg club has been running for over 70 years and meet every fortnight on a Monday at 1pm in the Cross Inn Maesteg/ Cwmfelin.
The purpose of the meetings is to discuss projects to benefit others (often in the valley) and socialise.
They are looking for new members so they can continue to be able to help local charities as well as international.
If anyone male or female who is able to spare an hour each fortnight and would like to help in the benefit of others please contact Tal Harries on 01656 711078.
Maesteg W I: Meet on the third Thursday of the month at 7pm in Maesteg Rugby Club.
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 243589 and Lyndon Horrigan 07971 943284.
Ramblers: Maesteg Ramblers will meet at 9am on Sunday for the eight-mile Ogmore Circular walk. Contact 07977 831317. All are welcome to join and remember that you walk at your own risk and take a snack and a drink with you.
Art Society: The society meets at Maesteg College on Mondays, from 4pm6pm, and work is created in a variety of media.
Local History: Llynfi Valley Historical Society on the first Tuesday of the month in St David’s Church at 7pm.
They next meet on Tuesday, April 6 when the speaker will be David Lewis, whose subject is The Steam Coal Trade in Relation to the Llynfi Valley.
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, 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 more information contact Chris Davies on 07521 906 796 or see the Facebook page: Llynfi Valley Ex-miners, Miners’ Wives meet on Thursdays at Central Church.
Ukelele Club: The Maesteg Ukulele Club meets every Monday (except bank holidays) at 7pm in the Cross Inn, Cwmfelin/Maesteg. For all levels of players – new members are welcome.
Maesteg U3A: Maesteg U3A meets at Central Church on the fourth Tuesday of the month at 2pm.
As well as monthly meetings, there are 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.
For more information on what’s on during the month please visit our web site at: www. maestegu3a.org
Booth’s Befrienders: This Drop In Centre meets at the Salvation Army on the second and fourth Wednesday of the month – open to all with refreshments, wifi and more.
Parkinson’s Support: The Maesteg Parkinson’s support group has unfortunately disbanded and are now meeting as ‘Friends of Pendre’. The reason being Pendre is the Parkinson’s ward in Bridgend general hospital. We meet at friends’ houses for a chat and still enjoy our meals out.
We will try and continue our trips but that will depend on how many book.
Price will be paid in full beforehand with no refund on cancellation. Inquiries to Bernard Franks on 01656 733 560.
Your partner is welcome to attend with you to join this cheerful group.
Men’s Shed: The Men’s Shed Maesteg headquarters is open at the Court House every Thursday from 11am1.30pm.
They have been producing a monthly podcast, which goes out live on Celtica Radio on the last Wednesday of the month at 8pm, and podcasts are available on the Shedquarters website (maesteg shedquarters. wordpress.com).
Regular activities include a music group, woodwork, guest speakers, painting and other activities and community events.
All welcome, and a hot meal is cooked every week.
The Men’s Shed is part of a national movement aimed at bringing men together in a social environment to get involved in activities that interest them.
Spirit of Llynfi: The Llynfi Woodland group meets on the first Saturday of the month.
The group has been busy installing picnic benches for families to enjoy their visit to the site.
New volunteers are welcome – contact llynfi woodlandgroup@gmail. com for details.
Murder: There’s a Murder Mystery Book Club which is held at the library in Maesteg Sports Centre.
A book for the month is given, you read to a specified page, ring Martyn to say who you think is the murderer, then meet to discuss the book on a Saturday morning.
Interested? Contact Martyn at the library.
News: If you like to sing then join our friendly choristers, who come from all over the borough.
Cor Meibion Maesteg a’r cylch/Maesteg Male Voice Choir rehearse at the Celtic with a 15 minute break and 7pm-8.30pm, Tuesday with no break.
Cor Merched Cwm Llynfi, the Llynfi Valley Ladies Choir rehearse at the Celtic Club – on Wednesdays 7pm-9pm.
Maesteg Gleemen Male Voice Choir rehearse at 7pm at the British Legion Club on Mondays and Thursdays.
Harmony Ladies Choir, rehearse Mondays 7.30pm-9pm at Nanty Rugby Club
Maesteg Gleemen Male Voice Choir rehearse at the British Legion Club, from 7pm, on Mondays and Thursdays.
Harmony Ladies Choir, rehearse Mondays 7.30pm-9pm, at Nanty Rugby Club.
Taking To The Stage: The Llynfi Valley Amateur Dramatic Society meet at 7.30pm at the Quins on a Thursday.
They are now rehearsing for ‘The Graduate’, which will be performed in June. New members are always welcome.
MAOS: Singing and acting combined – the award-winning Maesteg Amateur Operatic Society meet on Mondays and Wednesdays at 7pm. They are now busy rehearsing for their next show, which will be ‘Sister Act’. There’ll be a warm welcome for new members.
Children/Youth: We have two children’s and young people’s cultural activities in our valley plus Scouts, air cadets and the Courthouse.
New kidzone Club. The first Friday of each month, 4pm-5.30 at the Salvation Army, Castle Street.
Maesteg Children’s Choir: The children are guaranteed a great time learning new songs.
They meet every Saturday in the crypt of St Michael’s Church from 10am-noon and pay only £2 a week.
Curtain Up Youth Theatre: Meets every Tuesday at Maesteg Town Hall from 4.15pm for primary school-age children, and 6pm for those of comprehensive school age, up to 18.
They are trained to a high standard in all aspects of stage-craft – acting, mime and movement.
Fee is £6 with an offer of £10 for 2 in the family.
Scouts, Community Based: The 3rd Maesteg Group meets at the building in Llwydarth Road.
Beavers (6-8 year-olds) meet Monda,y 5pm – 6.30pm; Cubs (8-10) meet Thursdays, 5.30pm – 7pm; and Scouts (10-14) meet Thursday,