LLYNFI VALLEY

Send Your News To: Marion Rogers 01656 733417 llyngazmvr@hotmail.co.uk Christmas Services: Sunday, December 23 St Michael’s – mass 11am, Children’s Christmas Presentation, 6pm.

St David’s – Nine Lessons and Carols 10am.

Ebenezer, West Street – Carols by Candlelight 6pm.

Christmas Eve Mass Monday, December 24

Our Lady & St Patrick, 4.30pm. St Robert, 7pm. St David’s 1st Eucharist of the Nativity, 7pm.

Our Lady & St Patrick, 10pm.

St Michael’s – 1st Eucharist of the Nativity, 11pm. Christmas Day Mass St Robert, 9am. Carmel /Bethania, 9am. St Cywnyd’s – Eucharist with Carols, 10am.

Central Church, 10.30am.

Our Lady & St Patrick, 11am.

St Stephen’s Day, December 26

St Michael’s – Eucharist, 10am, followed by refreshments.

Sunday, December 30: Central Church Christmas Service,11am.

Visit Santa: Come and visit Father Christmas and his elves in the Grotto, CouncilChamber, Talbot Street, Maesteg.

Until Saturday, December 22 (Not Sundays).

Weekdays Monday to Friday 3pm-6pm and Saturdays 10am-4pm.

Live Music: At Maesteg Harlequins RFC. Wednesday, December 26 Doctor Rock, with special guest and disco, upstairs from 4pm-8pm. Entry £3. Further details and bookings 01656 737 176.

Rat Pack: Swing into Christmas in style with the Rat Pack Christmas Show!

Join Frank, Dean, Sammy – and Marilyn Monroe – for what promises to be a sensational show bringing the style, glamour and excitement of the Las Vegas heyday to vivid life.

Friday, December 21 at 8pm.

It’s the Official UK No 1 Tribute show as voted by The Agents Association of Great Britain in 2017 for the third successive year.

With David Alacey as Frank Sinatra, Paul Drakely as Dean Martin, and Des Coleman as Sammy Davies Jnr.

Tickets cost £21/£20 from www. maestegtownhall.com or call the box office on 01656 815 995.

Together they amaze audiences with their recreation of a magical Christmas at The Sands with Sinatra, Martin and Davis in this sensational show which brings the style, glamour and excitement of the Las Vegas heyday to vivid life.

Including all the great hits asuch as My Way, Mr Bojangles, New York New York, Amore, Fly Me To The Moon and seasonal classics such as Winter Wonderland, Let It Snow and of course White Christmas.

Special Guest Charley Toulan will perform many of the great songs associated with Marilyn Monroe, including Diamonds Are A Girls Best Friend and My Heart Belongs To Daddy.

Tickets cost £21 or £20 from 01656 815 995.

Spirit Of Llynfi: The Llynfi Woodland Group Notice of First Annual General Meeting on Wednesday, January 16, 2019 at 6.30pm-8pm at Y Llynfi Library, Maesteg CF34 9EB with Guest Talk ‘Biodiversity on coal spoil sites’.

The AGM is open to all interested in supporting the work of this newly established community group and to receive its first annual report and accounts.

Members with voting rights may be required to vote on current issues such as appointments to the board of trustees.

Nominations for new trustees should be emailed by Monday, December 31 to: llynfiwoodlandgroup@ gmail.com.

We look forward to welcoming you!

Town Hall Events: All tickets are available from the hall on 01656 815 915 or from www.maesteg townhall.com

Friday, December 21 – The Rat Pack Christmas Show. £21/£20.

In January - Peter Pan: A Swashbuckling family pantomime starring Owen Money running for two weekends – Saturday, January 12 and Sunday, January 13 at 2pm.

Friday, January 18 7pm; Saturday, January 19 at 2pm & 5.30pm and Sunday, January 20 at 2pm & 5.30pm.

Tickets cost £13.50, (£10.50 cons) and, for a family of four, £43.

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.

Côr Meibion Maesteg: W.H.E.R.E. is a charity based in the west country and whose aim is to support adults with physical or mental disabilities, long term health conditions, or who have become isolated due to age, health or bereavement.

On Saturday, December 8, Maesteg Male Voice Choir made a trip to Wellington to assist in raising funds for this very worthwhile cause and, despite an eventful start to their journey, performed a brilliant concert (one of the compliments given by a member of the audience).

A packed church joined in with the choir to sing the national anthem and O Come All Ye Faithful before the choir commenced the first half with Men of Harlech, Let All Men Sing, Myfanwy and Cwm Rhondda, all which went down really well with the audience.

David Mayberry then performed two pieces with his baritone voice really coming through with the excellent acoustics in the church, before the choir completed the first half with Llef, The Lords Prayer, Anfonaf Angel and Rachie.

After a 15 minute break the choir commenced the second half with Anthem from Chess, Tell My Father, You Raise Me Up and then Unchained Melody before the second soloist Kevan Lloyd sang two items, again his excellent voice bringing a great response from the audience.

The concert was then brought to an end with the choir singing One Day More and finally the superb carol O Holy Night, before the standing ovation brought an encore from the choir, who sang American Trilogy.

Musical director Huw Morgan, as well as conducting, acted as compere and his comic wit really entertained the audience, who were quite often in stitches with his comments.

The accompanist Laura Deenik is really an excellent pianist and, while thanked at the end, brought a wonderful response from the audience and very well deserved.

The choir were then hosted in the community hall with a buffet and enjoyed mingling with a very appreciative audience before commencing the journey home and with an invite to make another trip next year.

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.

Golf Club: At Maesteg Golf Club there will be a series of Christmas events including:

Bistro Night Friday, December 14 – Fine Dining, Three Course Meal, serving at 7.30pm. Call for menu and pricing 01656 734 106 or email www.maesteg-golf.co.uk

Christmas Day Dinner – Five Course costs Adults £50, Children £25. Serving at 1pm with some bookings still available.

Boxing Night Extravaganza with Live Music provided by The Decades. Tickets cost £10 and you can Bring your own party food. Call 734106.

Sunday Lunch at Mount Pleasant Restaurant – Sunday lunches, booking advisable.

The Quins: More bands will be at Maesteg Harlequins:

Saturday, January 5 – Alex John.

Saturday, February 16 – Sweaty Fingers Rock and Blues Band.

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 programs we offer please contact claregriffiths@ aol.com.

Clwb Maesteg: Clwb Cymraeg Maesteg / Maesteg Welsh Club Mae’r Clwb yn rhoi gyfle i Siaradwyr Cymraeg gyfarfod yn gymdeithasol a chynnal neu wella eu sgiliau Iaith Gymraeg.

Mae’r clwb yn cyfarfod bob pythefnos am 7 og nos Fercher yng Nghlwb y Gweithwyr yn Stryd y Teml.

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

The club provides an opportunity for Welsh Speakers to meet socially and maintain or improve their Welsh language skills.

The club meets every fortnight at 7pm on Wednesday evening in the Workingmen’s Club in Temple Street.

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

Milk: Delivered to your door in glass bottles instead of plastic, contact Steve Simmomds [delivery Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday] – call 01656 712 858 or 07807 282 790.

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.

Call 01656 735 622 for more details.

There is now room for two people who’d like to join, so give them a ring.

Cwlwm Cwm Llynfi: The group continue to meet every second Tuesday of the month at 7pm in the Council Offices Talbot St Maesteg.

Anyone wishing to join us is welcome.

The purpose is still to promote and enhance the awareness and use of Welsh culture and language in particular to the benefit of residents of Maesteg and surrounding areas.

Rotary Club: The 70plus year old Maesteg rotary Club meet every fortnight on a Monday at 1pm in the Cross Inn Maesteg/Cwmfelin.

The purpose is to discuss projects to benefit others (often in the valley) and to socialise.

They are looking for new members so they can continue to be able to help local charities as well as internationally.

Anyone, male or female, who is able to spare an hour each fortnight and would like to help in the benefit of others is welcome.

So contact Tal Harries 01656 711 078.

Maesteg WI: Maesteg WI are having a busy end to a busy and fun year!

Maesteg WI are celebrating Christmas with a meal out in Nanty Rugby Club, as well as a Christmas party on their usual night.

Maesteg WI have their first meeting of the New Year on Thursday. January 24.

We have an exciting program planned for the year, and will meet on the Third Thursday of each month at 7pm in Maesteg Rugby Club every other month.

Come along and see for yourself – we welcome visitors who can see if they fancy joining us, we’re a friendly bunch who love having a good time.

Contact us on maestegwi@ gmail.com for further information.

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 243 589 and Lyndon Horrigan 07971 943 284.

Ramblers: Maesteg Ramblers will meet at 9.45am on Sunday for the 10-mile Bryn Circular with Swansea walk, for details contact 07977 144074.

All are welcome to join and wear sensible clothing and walking boots/shoes are advised and bring a packed lunch and a drink.

Art Society: The society meets at Maesteg College on Mondays, from 4pm6pm, and work is created in a variety of media.

History: Change of venue – Llynfi Valley Historical Society on the first Tuesday of the month upstair in Maesteg Council Ofices, Maesteg Park at 7pm.

Maesteg U3A: meet at Central Church Maesteg on the fourth Tuesday of the month.

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 as well as 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 website at www. maestegu3a.org.

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.

It is suitable for all levels of players – and new members are welcome.

Parkinson’s Support: The Maesteg Parkinson’s support group now meet as Friends of Pendre, which is the Parkinson’s ward in Bridgend general hospital.

If you wish to join them, enquiries to Bernard Franks on 01656