LLYNFI VALLEY

Send Your News To: Marion Rogers 01656 733417 llyngazmvr@hotmail.co.uk llunficolumn@sky.co.uk,

Curtain Up: It’s here! Curtain Up Youth Theatre are performing of ‘Hairspray JR’ at Maesteg Town Hall tomorrow, Friday and Saturday at 7pm and also at 3pm on Saturday. Tickets at £10 are available by ringing the hall’s booking number on 01656 815915, or call at Maesteg Library, or pay at the door.

Gala Concert: This coming Saturday, April 21. Noteworthy mixed voice choir will be performing at St David’s Church Maesteg from 7pm-9pm. Conducted by Ryan Wood and with accompanist Stewart Roberts plus with very special guest Steffan Rhys Hughes (from Only Men Aloud). The choir performs music to suit all tastes, which reaches the soul. Proceeds all go to the charities of the Mayor’s Fund. Advance notice of the Mayor’s Ball at Maesteg Town Hall on May 5th.at 7pm. Tickets are £27.50 Tickets for all events will be available from the Council Offices in Maesteg. For further information on all events consult the Facebook page: Mayor of Maesteg.

Cor Merched: The ladies’ choir, Côr Merched Cwm Llynfi’s (Llynfi Valley Ladies Choir), hold their annual concert this coming Friday, April 20 in Maesteg Town Hall, beginning at 7pm. Led by Musical Director Paul Deenik and accompanist Laura Deenik, we are sure to have a great evening along with guest artist award winning tenor Rhodri Prys Jones, plus the Bridgend based string trio, “Bridge Strings, all introduced by Compere Tony Mullins. Tickets priced £8 are available from Maesteg Town Hall’s box office in Maesteg Library, Tel. 01656 815995 or online www. maestegtownhall.com or pay at the door

Coffee: Hafan Deg, Cwmfelin, will be holding a Coffee Morning in aid of Multiple Sclerosis on Friday, April 27 from 10am-noon. There will be cakes, bric a brac and raffles.

Star Search: Maesteg Town Hall. Maesteg Festival’s big Talent Search is fast approaching, so get your entries in by Friday, April 27 for the chance to

Mayor’s Ball: On Saturday, May 5 at 7pm the Mayor’s Annual Ball will be at Maesteg Town Hall. Tickets £27.50 from Maesteg Council Offices.

Cor Meibion: The date for your diaries:- Maesteg Male Voice Choir’s annual concert will this year be at Maesteg Town Hall on Saturday, May 12 commencing 7pm with doors open at 6.30pm.The choir are delighted that the renowned soprano and radio presenter Shan Cothi has agreed to star in this years concert Shan also starred in the S4C production of “Con Passionate” and played “Carlotta” in the Phantom of the opera in London’s West End. Garry Owen BBC presenter will be the MC for the evening, making his second appearance in this role for the choir who are delighted that he has agreed after his successful debut last year.Entry for this concert will be £10

Town Hall Events: All tickets are available from the hall on 01656 815915 or maestegtownhall.com

Friday, April 20 – Cor Merched Cwm Llynfi with guest artist tenor Rhodri Prys Jones. The evening will also feature the Bridgend based string trio, Bridge Strings. – 7pm Tickets £8.

Saturday, April 21 – Samba Drumming Workshop – 10.30am. Tickets £6.

Friday, April 27 – Strictly Cinema’s film is Murder on the Orient Express at 11am. 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

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.

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.

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.

Lions: Maesteg Lions meet on the first Wednesday of each month at Maesteg Golf Club at 7.30pm for 8pm.

The purpose of their meeting is to discuss projects to benefit others local charities and socialise.

If anyone would like to join to make new friends and, at the same time, to help in the projects, please contact V Sharma on 01656 733236.

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 8-mile St Mary Hill walk. Contact 01656 734779. 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 7pm 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.