CEFN CRIBWR
Jill Goudge 01656 740026 jgoudge@sky.com Access to Siloam Chapel Graveyard:
Access is permitted to the graveyard at Siloam Chapel, Bedford Road,
Cefn Cribwr to the families of the interred to view and place flowers on the graves of the deceased and the right to pass and repass those graves on Easter Sunday on March 31.
Coffee Morning: At Cefn Cribwr Methodist Chuch(Cefn Wesley on the edge of the common).
On Wednesday, April 3, from 10am-12noon. All proceeds will be donated to The Sandville.
Meet up with old friends and make new friends. Relax and chat over coffee, tea and biscuits. A warm welcome is extended to all.
Fundraising at the Three Horse Shoes: A photographic presentation set to music, with brief introductory talks by Geraint Tellem.
At the Three Horse Shoes, Cefn Road CF32 0AY on Monday, April 8 from 6.30pm for 7pm, followed by Hot Dogs.
Tickets cost £7 in aid of the Stroke Association and are available from Geraint Tellem or bar staff.
Free Play Session at BCLC Church:
A free play session for children in the main hall, with tea, coffee and biscuits for parents/carers (children must be accompanied) at Bethlehem Church Life Centre, Cefn Road CF32 0AA. To be held on Wednesday, April 3, from 10am-12noon.
There will also be a uniform swap shop – get a free uniform for your child. This is a free event, just turn up.
Cefn Community Pantry: Held every Tuesday at the Green Hall, Cefn Cribwr Community Centre.
Membership is only £1 annually and for just £5 you can obtain a bag of food to stock up your cupboards.
Collection time is 1-2pm. Delivery is available for disabled/elderly, with payment for the bag made before delivery.
Further information via email Greenhall2019@outlook.com
Alongside the Community Pantry is the Warm Space Café, held every Tuesday 12.30 – 1.45pm. Tea, coffee and biscuits are available as well as books to read and games to play. Everyone is welcome.
Mynydd Cynffig WI: We all gathered at our usual venue, The Talbot Centre Kenfig Hill, from 2pm-4pm. We meet on the second Tuesday of the month.
We had a good turn out and one of our members fetched a new lady to join our merry group welcome Lorna.
We discussed WI business including the WI show organised by our federation they have so many classes for us to enter into we will find lots to keep us busy in the next few months.
All our clubs are keeping our members occupied and we also had a talk from Marline Thomas from the fire dept. She was very informative and told us many stories of the things we all do which are not the safest and had us all laughing, but got many points across to us about safety in the home. She informed us that the fire service can organise a home safety check for residents as well.
Next month our speaker is Jane Maine giving a talk on the Flying Start scheme which will be interesting. We are starting to think about our annual outing in August – we are hoping it will stop raining by then!
Call in we always have tea and biscuits to hand and we are a friendly group we would love to meet you. Christine Callaghan (Secretary)
Tai Chi Classes, Aberkenfig: At the
Len Evans Centre, Aberkenfig.
Tai Chi and Qigong classes are held on a Monday evening.
Qigong from 6.30pm-7.30pm (can be done seated).
Tai Chi from 7.30pm-8.30pm.
All are welcome to join our lovely groups. Please contact Jane for more information on 07491 651 642.
LALESTON & BROADLANDS Send Your News To:
Carol Thomas
carbrya1@gmail.com
Donations of Easter Eggs:
Laleston Mothers’ Union would like to thank the members and congregation of St David’s Church for their generosity in donating approximately 80 packs and boxes of Easter Eggs.
The recipients of the eggs will be the child carers in the Bridgend area under the Bridgend Carers Association. Wishing a Happy Easter to them all!
Condolences: 01656 657846
Sadly we lost a dear mum, grandmother and friend last week who through the years spent many hours tirelessly knitting and sewing for others and thus helped raise so much money for worthy causes.
This lovely lady’s name is Frieda Cole who would have been 94 years old this May.
Frieda, a loving mum of four daughters and their families, passed away peacefully at the Royal Glamorgan Hospital after suffering ill health for some time and will be dearly missed by all who knew her.
Funeral arrangements have yet to be announced.
Platinum Wedding Anniversary:
Many thanks to the Mayor of BCBC Cllr William Kendall and chauffeur Roger Harrison who visited the delightful 90 year olds Mr and Mrs Miles, of Oaklands Avenue, on their Platinum wedding anniversary last Saturday. See photo above.
Bridgend Lions Charity Book Sale:
Calling all avid readers. Bridgend Lions Book Sale will take place at the Westward Community Centre, Cefn Glas, on Friday, April 5 and Saturday, April 6, from 9am-4pm.
Entrance free with book bargains galore, including jigsaws too!
Dragon Artisan Market: Calling all families... there is free entry to the Dragon Artisan Market at Brackla St Centre on Saturday, March 30, from 9am.
The Easter Bunny will be making a guest appearance throughout the day and visitors can enjoy lots of fantastic stalls, cakes, jewellery, crystals, perfumes, dog treats, face painting and more!
Stall holders, email: dragon. artisan.markets@gmail.com for more information.
‘Chic’ Bridgend Hairdresser:
Congratulations and Best Wishes to Hayley, who will certainly look very ‘chic’ on her wedding day on March 27 to longstanding partner Mal, at Oldwalls on the Gower Peninsula.
Clients are looking forward to seeing all your photographs. Hope you have a wonderful day!
Laleston Gardening Club: As we move into 2024, it is true to say that Laleston Gardening Club has hit the ground running.
The re maining sash windows were installed in January, the shop reopened on February 3 and the lecture program is in full swing.
The social calendar started on Saturday, February 10 with a lovely meal to celebrate Chinese New Year, (the Year of the Dragon). A St David’s
Day Supper is planned for Friday, March 1.
A new system has been developed for the shop following the retirement of our shop manager Dennis Roberts. Dennis had been shop manager for many, many years and had done a brilliant job.
It was decided that things had to change and the onerous job of running the shop should be shared among Committee Members.
Gavin Thomas readily accepted the position of Shop Supervisor, with responsibility for maintaining a new computer app, which records sales, stock levels and takings.
Sian James and Linda Thomas are responsible for buying and procuring stock. Store Assistants are drawn from Committee Members and a rota system is in operation.
Store helpers will still be on hand to help customers take goods to their cars, these helpers are drawn from volunteer members again on a rota system. Members should be aware that peat based composts are now being phased out and when current stocks are exhausted only peat free composts will be available.
As far as lectures are concerned Chairman Sue gave a presentation on February 6, entitled Concorde, Queen of the skies and that was very well received. On Tuesday, February 20, Sian James gave a presentation on seed and plant propagation and we are lucky that there are two such ladies within the Club that can deliver informative talks at no cost to the speakers budget.
Chris Jones, warden of Kenfig Nature Reserve, attracted a large audience on February 12 and gave an absorbing talk on this site of special scientific interest.
At our committee meeting, Chairman Sue said she was very pleased with the way the Chinese Evening had gone, it was a very successful evening. She said the addition of Lucy Bloomfield and Heather Williams to the event team had made a huge difference and that it was a pleasure to work with them.
Lucy was to be congratulated on passing her food hygiene test and her
certificate will be displayed in the Club.
Some 52 members had been treated to a delightful Chinese meal with delightful table settings and wonderful service from the events team in a warm and relaxing atmosphere. The next gastronomic experience will be at the St David’s Day Supper on March 1.
Further improvements have taken place at Cliff Cottage following the prohibition of open fires within the building – a new log effect fire has been installed in the hearth where previously we had an open fire.
The Club are extremely grateful to Richard Worgan, son of Margaret, who generously provided funding for this fire. Richard arranged the purchase and delivery from his home in Germany where he now lives. Sue has thanked him warmly and sent photos of his welcomed gift to the Club.
New wall heaters have been fitted in the main hall, one of the original heaters has been reinstalled in the old kitchen and the remaining two are shortly to be installed in the upstairs model railway room.
The new heaters and fire should ensure visitors to Cliff Cottage should never feel the need for thermals. Further improvements are being undertaken but details will be reported and can wait until another day. My thanks to Secretary, Patrick Stevens for this interesting update of the Club’s continuing hard work.
● After School activities: At the Rhiw Arcade in Bridgend as follows: n Tuesdays, from 4pm-5pm: Colouring Club for ages four and up n Fridays, from 4pm-6pm: Art
Club for ages six to 14. Book via megartclub@gmail.com n Saturdays, from 9.30am-10.30am: Colouring Club for ages four and over.
OGMORE VALLEY Send Your News To:
Owen Sendell
1 Cardiff Street, Ogmore Vale, Bridgend. CF32 7EW. 01656 760 640 gazette@ogmore-vale.co.uk
The Con Club Ogmore Vale:
Every Sunday night we have Bingo and Quiz with Snowball hands and lucky number with prizes – all welcome.
Our function room is available for hire for weddings, birthday parties, hen parties, baby showers, and much more. We also have stairlift access to take you upstairs, a snooker table, pool table, dartboards and juke box.
Contact 01656 840243 for more information.
The Inn Nantymoel: Come along and have some fab nights out with us all at the Inn.
Non-Political Club Ogmore Vale: Check at the club for information.
The Wyndham Arms Pub: For more information on club entertainment, this can be found at the club or on Facebook.
Wyndham Boys and Girls Club: We are open on Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday from 5pm.
Mandy’s Cafe: We are open for sit downs meals and takeaway meals serving some wonderful food (including proper chips) and some fab cakes, etc. We can deliver your food, or you can collect. We are open Monday to Saturday from 8am to 3pm. ● Blackmill Over 50s: Blackmill
Over 50s meet at The community centre on Wednesday evenings at 7pm, always glad to welcome new members. This is a social gathering and occasionally a trip to the theatre or a meal out is arranged.
● Nantymoel Knitters Class: We are members of a Knitting Club who live in Nantymoel. We meet twice a week at Dinam Close every Tuesday and Friday at 10am to Midday.
If there is anyone who has any spare wool they do not want, we would be very grateful to receive it.
Many thanks from all the knitting club members.
● News: Please remember to send any news or information to me by 8.30pm on Wednesday night every week. Email gazette@ogmore-vale. co.uk or ring 01656 760 640.
PENYFAI Send Your News To:
Meryl Wilkins
1 Pen-yr-Heol, Pen-y-fai CF31 4ND
01656 724794
All Saints Church, Penyfai:
The church’s Easter Programme 2024 continues with the St Teilo’s Merthyr Mawr Maundy Thursday service on March 28 (Eucharist Service) at 11am.
Good Friday, March 29 at 10am, All Saints Church, Penyfai, Stations of the Cross. St Teilo’s Merthyr Mawr 2pm – reflections of the wounds of Christ.
All Saints Church, Penyfai, Easter Saturday March 30 at 7.30pm (Eucharist service)
Easter Day Sunday Service
March 31, is a joint neighbouring service of churches at Nolton
Church Bridgend. Please stay for refreshments afterwards in the hall.
The three churches are part of the Ministry Area of Penybont ar Ogwr with St David’s Laleston, and St Teilo’s Merthyr Mawr and all are made welcome to attend.
If information is needed for the three churches please contact the Rev Roger Pitman Team Vicar to the Ministry Area of Penybont ar Ogwr, at The Vicarage, Rogers lane, Laleston Bridgend CF32 OLB Telephone 01656 859 487, Email, vicar@the-vicarage.net.
The Reverend Maggie Thorne, leader of the Ministry Area of Penybont, after five years of serving as ministerial leader is leaving the Ministerial Area of Penybont a Ogwr.
Many thanks go to everyone for the support they have given to her ministerial time in Bridgend. After Easter the Ministerial Area of Penybont a Ogwr comes under the leadership of the Rev Mark Broadway.
Warm Hub: On the last Thursday of every month All Saints Church, Penyfai, has been very successful in the Warm Hub initiative held in All Saints Church, Penyfai.
The next warm hub light lunch is scheduled for Thursday, March 28, from 12noon-2pm.
All are welcome at these events which are free of charge.
For more details, please contact Mrs Jenny Morgan on 01656 722 953.
Smyrna Welsh Baptist Chapel, Penyfai: Information provided by Smyrna Welsh Baptist Chapel Penyfai.
The minister for Smyrna Chapel is the Rev Dorithy M Evans BA.
There is a service every Sunday at 6pm and on the first Sunday of the month there is Communion.
Also, in the vestry, there is a Tuesday coffee morning from 10amnoon; and Thursday evening Bible study from 6.30pm-8.30pm. Everyone is welcome.
Call Peter David on 01656 659 856 for more information.
Special Teacher Retires: Very best wishes are sent to Mrs Ennis from her fellow teachers, staff and pupils for a very happy retirement on March 22. An outstanding popular teacher of the Penyfai Church in Wales school, this very popular teacher will be missed very much by the community of Penyfai.
Easter Sunday – A Penyfai Family Occasion: I have been informed that the Easter Bunny is making an appearance in the Llangeinor Arms restaurant again this year on Easter Sunday and he is bringing a friend with him – I am looking forward to receiving my Easter Egg!
Community Council News: The meeting of the Newcastle Higher Community Council was held on Tuesday, March 12 at 6.30pm at Penyfai Church in Wales school.
Under Questions and
Observations from the Public at February’s meeting, I asked about the contact details of the Bridgend Community Transport Service and how residents of Penyfai can book a place.
Cllr Hewett advised that the service requires 48 hours notice and if people have a Bus Pass the transport service is free, otherwise it’s £2.50 for a single or £5 for a round trip. The clerk to the Newcastle Higher Community Council, Mr Harris Stone, has now sent me details of the Bridgend Community Transport Service.
The Community Transport Service caters for disabled people who need to get to health care appointments, the general public and also young people who need to access their workplace. And to use recreational leisure facilities.
The public can contact the Community Transport Service to make a pre-booking by telephone on 01656 669 665 or by email info@ bridgendcommunitytransport.co.uk.
As the meeting had already started, I asked if the new PCSOs were going to attend the meeting. The clerk confirmed that, subject to their duties, they would try and attend the meeting.
I was disappointed that they did not attend the meeting, as crime figure are going up in Penyfai, Aberkenfig and Tondu, and a stronger PCSO officer presence is supported by the Newcastle Higher Community Council.
The Newcastle Higher Community Council Chairman, Mr Michael Flanagan, is a Penyfai community councillor. Contact details are: mflanagan999@gmail.com.
The council clerk, Mr Harris
Stone, will manage the clerk’s emails and will be happy to help with information and queries via: clerknewcastlehighercc@gmail.com.
Correspondence has been received by Cllr Flanagan to request assistance in petitioning BCBC for road safety for the children attending Penyfai school to cross the busy road safely in Heol Eglwys, Penyfai.
BCBC Highway offices have been to inspect the access off Heol Eglwys to the Penyfai Church in Wales school and the children’s crossing point outside Smyrna Chapel, Penyfai, with community councillors.
The signage suggested by the BCBC highway department is seen as the best course of action at the moment. The new signage has now arrived.
The priority is for the Penyfai Church in Wales pupils to cross the road to school in safety.
The Newcastle Higher Community Councillors are in favour that a crossing patrol person is still needed for Heol Eglwys – it is a very busy road.
As spring is officially with us the Newcastle Higher Community Council Maintenance and Wellbeing Committee is very busy with the Maintenance of the Community Woodland Aberkenfig.
The Aberkenfig village square is now the responsibility of the Joint Committees of the Newcastle Higher Community Council.
Hanging baskets of flowers are back on the agenda next month for Penyfai Aberkenfig and the Pentre Feline Estate Tondu, and the cutting of the pheasant field.
The Pheasant field maintenance, a joint report is to be given to the Newcastle Higher Community Council in their next meeting on April 12. Disabled access to the pheasant field is part of the ongoing agenda for the community councillors and also the defibrator training in the Welfare Hall.
Penyfai County Borough Council Ward Member: Councillor Heidi Bennett is the Bridgend County Borough Councillor for the Penyfai Ward.
If you do need to contact Cllr Heidi Bennett urgently, the number to ring is 07405 208 985 or by email at cllr. heidi.bennett@bridgend.gov.uk.
1st Penyfai Scout Group: Scouting is open to boys and girls under the auspices of the Scout movement. Meetings are held at the Scout and Guide Hall, Court Colman Road, Penyfai (except summer holidays).
For boys there is Cubs and Scouts. Please contact by email Zoe Plumley at zoeplumley@outlook.com.
Penyfai Guides: The Penyfai Guides are looking for children to join the group in Penyfai. Contact Pippa O’Neil on 07480 825 532.
PORTHCAWL Send Your News To:
David Newton-Williams
3 Blundell Avenue, Porthcawl, CF36 3YY. 07866 941 661 (new address and phone) davidnewtonwilliams1929@gmail.com
Porthcawl Male Voice Choir: The choir held their St David’s Day concert at All Saints Church on Friday, March 1 and even though it was a cold evening there was a very fgood attendance.
The choir was on top form and performed a wide selection from their repertoire. Their musical director,
Alec Brooke, acted as MC and they were accompanied on the night by Porthcawl Primary School Choir who also performed a selection of Welsh and English songs and joined with the choir for the finale.
The guest soloist was Emily Richards, from Llantrisant, who has a beautiful voice and I’m sure we will hear more about her over the next few years.
The school sang Sospan Fach and there wasn’t even a rugby ball in sight!
Porthcawl Music and Flower Festival: The Porthcawl Music and Flower festival committee are frantically fundraising, as the event this year is June 29. Once again it will be in All Saints Church, Victoria Avenue. The title of the day will be Midsummer Rainbow, so there will be colour in the blossoms and in the music!
Those of you who enjoyed The Bandits last year will be thrilled to hear that they are opening the proceedings again followed by CÔl Canto, Saxidentals, the fascinating Saxophone quartet, along with the remarkable prize-winning young pianist Koto Gutrai.
There will also be a flower arranging workshop. The 2023
Festival was delighted to see some under 12s giving the workshop a try and producing some very successful arrangements.
The final performance of the day will be Porthcawl Community Orchestra, conducted by Jack Bridger. The orchestra has an extra special programme in preparation.
We will have some smaller flower arrangements as part of the displays this year. The Music and Flower Festival committee has decided that they will be for sale at the end of the the day, so you could be taking home part of the Midsummer Rainbow.
Perhaps some of you will know that June 29 is the 200th Anniversary of the RNLI. The committee has decided that the “on the day charity bucket collection” will go to the Porthcawl branch of the RNLI.
Porthcawl Branch of the Royal British Legion: The Porthcawl Branch of the Royal British Legion meets in the Griffith Park Bowl’s Pavilion at 7pm on the third Thursday of every month, and you can be assured of a warm welcome.
Porthcawl Veterans Hub: The hub really is a great meeting place for anyone who has been in the Services. Everybody has a tale to tell. I joined the group last year and have been a regular attendee since then. There are about six or seven of us in Porthcawl that meet for lunch in The Globe, in Newton, on the third Thursday of every month.
Farmers’ Market, Griffin Park Community Centre, CF36 5DN:
The Porthcawl Farmers’, and Artisans’ Market is in Griffin Park on the third Saturday of every month with all the usual stalls and the organizers are extremely proud to support local small businesses. It opens to the general public between 10am and 2pm. For any further information look for them on Facebook and Instagram under porthcawlindoormarket@gmail. com.
On Thursdays, between 11am and noon there is an exercise class for people who have had hip replacements.
The Friday table top sale is also back in Griffin Park from
8am to noon every Friday with all the usual stalls and refreshments.
Note also that there is a meditation session in Griffin
Park every Wednesday at 6pm and that bingo is back with sessions every Thursday afternoon, from
1pm to 3pm, and every Thursday evening and Saturday evening from 6-9pm.