ARTS

Porthcawl Male Choir

PYLE & PORTHCAWL PHOTOGRAPHIC SOCIETY

We recently held our annual Malcolm Nugent Portfolio Competition, expertly judged by Trevor James.

It was a very close result with 3 members tied in first place with 76 points each.

The winner was decided by the number of 20s each member had scored and David Jones was the victor having scored 2 20s. Congratulations David.

We’re a friendly camera club with a mix of male and female members and welcome new members of all ages and skill levels. It’s all very informal so if you have an interest in photography why not come along and join us.

We meet at St Clare’s School, Newton, CF36 5NR on Thursday evenings at 7pm.

www.pyle-and-porthcawl-photographic-society.co.uk

We held a fantastic concert on Saturday 11th March with a touring choir from Hertfordshire, ‘Amici Cantate’. Not only did they sing Calon Lan for our joint finale, but they also sang Ar Hyd Y Nos. Wonderful that they should have taken the time to embrace Welsh culture. Their mixture of traditional and folk music with piano and vocal solos kept the enthusiastic audience entertained. Our first public performance of Yma O Hyd was well received and a special thanks to Laura Deenik who stood in at last minute as accompanist. Her performance of the solo in Finlandia was exceptional. If the fantastic music wasn’t enough, the choir was so grateful to be presented with a Defibrillator by local doctors Rupert and Sarah Thurston. Rupert took part in the Cardiff half marathon to raise the funds and with the assistance of local builder James Lott supplied this essential piece of equipment to the choir. The defibrillator will be housed at Arlington Road Church and will be available for the choristers and any other groups using the church. Rupert and Sarah are long time friends of the choir, since we sang at their wedding 10 years ago. A huge thanks to you all. We’re performing at both the Newton Fest and Fayre this year so pop along and see us. contact@pothcawlmalechoir.co.uk

Ian Williams 07927 219544

An Uplifting Spring Concert

On Saturday, 22nd April at All Saints’ Church, Porthcawl, Côr Bro Ogwr will perform a rich and varied programme of music under the baton of the choir’s musical director, Ben Pinnow. The centerpiece of the concert will be Gabriel Fauré’s Requiem. Completed in1900, it is the best known of Fauré’s larger works with a focus is on eternal rest and consolation: serenity over drama.

The choir will also perform a piece by the French composer, Lili Boulanger, Sous Bois, who worked with Fauré in Paris, but sadly died at 24 from ill health. There will be pieces by Brahms, Mansel Thomas and Handel’s rousing Zadok the Priest in honour of the coronation in May. It should be an uplifting concert!

Côr Bro Ogwr is supported by grants from Tŷ Cerdd using National Lottery money from Arts Council Wales and the Welsh Government.

The concert is at All Saints’ Church, Porthcawl, on Saturday, 22nd April at 7.00 pm. Tickets are £10 at the door, from choristers, or on 01656 653326. www.cor-bro-ogwr.com

Something To Crow About

There is only one place to start the column and it’s the continued success of Bridgend’s Those Damn Crows. They have recently completed a sell-out British tour that climaxed at the new 3,000-seat Swansea Arena. I cannot review their new great album “Inhale/ Exhale” track by track due to lack of column space, but it’s a classic, full of Crow anthems we’ve grown to love. It was fab to catch up with drummer Ronnie Huxford for a pint recently and hopefully will see the boys soon. In the meantime, get a copy of the album as it’s hit the following charts, as follows: No 3 UK top 40 albums; No 1 Independent Album; No 1 Rock Metal Album; No 3 UK Physical Album; No 3 Vinyl Album and the list goes on. I’ll keep you up to speed with the band’s progress. Last and certainly not least, the Newton Music Festival is back on Bank Holiday weekend Saturday, August 26th, at Newton Green. Apart from performing, I’ve been involved in setting up festivals and the work is immense so it’s fantastic news that Steve Maitland Thomas and the gang are getting stuck in to bring us music fans a great day out.

Stag Marks

Tel: 07549 728356

Porthcawl Art Society

A FILM MAKER’S POINT OF VIEW

We are now open for 2023 after our Christmas celebrations and winter break. We are looking forward to warmer spring weather, with lots of inspiration for our paintings. We have been working hard creating Easter cards and paintings ready for our spring exhibition opening on 31st March. The competition theme is ‘black and white,’ visit the gallery to vote for the winner. We aim to be open most days 11-3pm so come along to enjoy our art (entry is free). If you are interested in joining us, drop in or come to member workshops on Wednesdays 1-3pm and 7-9pm. We are above the museum in John Street.

Tricia Simon, Secretary www.porthcawlart.co.uk Facebook/PorthcawlArt

Animation has been a part of the cinema for as long as it has existed, in one form or another. Walt Disney perfected it with his creation of Mickey Mouse and friends. It used to be achieved using a stopmotion camera, which is effectively a standard movie camera, which can be operated frame by frame. For big screen productions, 24 frames were needed for every second of screen time, so a film lasting for one and a half hours would require 129,600 separate frames. Keep that number in mind when you think of all the work that goes in to making any animated film, whether it is a classic like “Snow White” or clay animation like Wallace & Gromit. In today’s world, the traditional movie camera has almost exclusively given way to digital origination (although Kodak Lab assures me that somebody somewhere in the world is still using film) and of course these days 2D and 3D animation is done with a computer, aided by lots of hi-tech sophistication, which the earliest pioneers of film-making would find hard to comprehend. Actually, they are not the only ones – so do I! I still believe in keeping things simple.

Anthony Hontoir

Downwood Films Tel: 07510 934299

PORTHCAWL REGENERATION: MORE INCLUSIVE, LESS EXCLUSIVE…

Dear Editor, There are many opportunities available to make Porthcawl more ‘inclusive’.

For example, ensure that the proposed Metrolink Station is sited as close to John Street, as possible, in order to support the High Street to compete with the arrival of Aldi. Secondly, permanently close the Esplanade Road between the new Cosey Corner development and The Grand Pavilion (as happens now during Elvis Week). Reduce the cost of this initiative by using some of the gigantic £18M grant to remove the road in front of The Grand Pavilion and massively increase the “WOW” factor of the new Pavilion building. Relocate the fairground and its supporting food and beverage units and make them seasonal attractions. In the summer it’s a fairground, in the winter the fairground rides disappear, and the area left becomes community space for a Christmas Market or other community initiatives.

As to the elephant in the room: The Buccaneer and The Cabin. If Porthcawl’s tourism strategy is to be based upon drinking alcohol, then roll out the barrel (or can). If not, what the hell have we been doing? If Porthcawl is to be more ‘inclusive’ and less ‘exclusive’, then for once, its tourism strategy needs to be based upon the needs of the tourist many AND NOT the needs of the privileged few.

David Norris, Porthcawl

Sea Shepherd Uk Porthcawl Beach Cleans

Dear Editor,

So far this year we have removed 570kg of debris from Coney Beach. On Sunday 12th March we left the beach ecstatic… for the first time since we started on Coney we left the seaweed looking like…well…seaweed! We could only do this because we had so many volunteers helping us. Everyone concentrated on their part of the beach, and it was incredible. We even had 4 volunteers on Rhych point for the entire time to remove the debris from the fireworks last season. Another go on that, and it should all be gone…finally!

So, thank you so much to all who turned out. We had our amazing regulars and were joined by the Rhondda Scuba Divers Club, local young families and families from further afield, and of course our friends from South Wales Police. It’s no wonder we manage to remove so much debris. If you get a chance take a look at the photos with our beach reports at Sea Shepherd UK on Facebook. Next dates can also be found on FB and at the Pantri- Box in Porthcawl, or contact us at southwales@seashepherduk.org Elkz, Porthcawl

Newton Buoyant Bluetits Citizenship Award

Dear Editor, Newton Beach Came alive on 28th February, with many Bluetits in colourful Dryrobes assembled to celebrate receiving the group Citizenship Award for 2023, from the Mayor of Bridgend County Borough Council, Councillor Martin Jones.

Our cold water swimming group started in March 2021 after 3 of us did a Virtual Christmas Swim and posted photos online. A friend put me in touch with The Bluetits Chill Swimmers based in Pembroke with swimming groups around the globe…. and we signed up! It was in the wake of COVID and a period of social exclusion, with unprecedented illnesses, bereavements and extremely traumatic times for all.

News of our small group spread like wildfire and we currently have over 1,600 members on our Facebook site, on which new members can sign up and we post swim times daily. Members swim throughout the year, in all seasons, in sun, rain, wind and snow!

The group has developed into an amazing , supportive, all inclusive group with many reported health benefits.

Diane Raybould, Porthcawl Admin Newton Buoyant Bluetits

Sober

What is the purpose of consuming such filth?

Endlessly chasing the most glorious myth

A hopeless cycle with no options but one Unable to recall where this madness begun

“Is this it Lord, is this how my life shall end?”

With no will or ability to continue to pretend

Reality peaks in, this is your final warning

It’s not your time to set your loved ones in mourning

So mark these words as the start of my sobriety

With nothing left in me but hope and anxiety

Amidst all of this is damage is the battle with bipolar

So now I’m going to fight whilst you watch me get sober.

Tuesday Turner

Brackla, Bridgend

The Big Man

I miss the Big Man, with his dog, I miss his ever presence, His cheeky chuckle, sense of wit, The heart of Clevis Crescent.

I miss his kindness, miss his smile, His cheery optimism, His willingness to pour a glass, And to our woes a-listen.

Life can be so cruel, to leave this empty hole,

To take someone too early, to snatch a precious soul, But boy, he had a good life, filled with love.... and gin!

So every time I think of him I cannot help but grin.

‘The smiley man’, ‘The Happy man’, the Big Man of the street, It sure would take some beating to fill shoes of those feet.

He’d not want us to languish, but rather hold him dear,

And every now and then raise a glass of ratafia!

Cheers! To Tony.

Gemma Lewis, Porthcawl

A Rest Bay Golden Sunset

A mesmerising scene, a sight to behold, A golden sunset, before darkness unfolds.

Emanating a luminous hue, a sky on fire, Captured in a moment, a feel good provider.

A mesmerising atmosphere, long shadows cast, Endearingly vibrant, Mother Nature unsurpassed.

On a swift-ebbing tide, surfers ride the waves,

A thrill-seeking paradise, much courage displayed.

A picturesque shoreline, arousing deep passion,

Wet golden sands, immersed in water refraction.

Whilst offshore silhouettes, sportingly adorn,

This magnificent sunset is a preludes to dawn.

With Rest Bay emblazoned, worries fade away, This scene of tranquility, there for all to survey.

Porthcawl’s leading light, a jewel in the crown,

Photography such as this, never fails to astound.

Arthur Cole, Pencoed

Joy Riding

We may have knees that are creaking And a head that goes spinning around But today the Joy Riders are coming So no limitations are found Just wrap up warm now Ladies And make sure you hold tight when there’s bumps

Then all we need do is wave like the queen

With a hansom young cyclist to do all the work

Yes, this is joy-riding indeed Our youth might be renewed once in heaven but for now some spare parts must make do

So our Joy Riders take us on those paths once well walked Waking memories made long ago So three cheers for our hansom JoyRiders

Long may their strength endure

And long may we hear their cheery ‘Toot-toot, Clear the way, we are coming for you.’

Pauline Lewis, Porthcawl

Solitude

Stillness of the night

Look what it creates

Dancing moonlight

On clouds like waves

Shiny reflections and dark silhouettes

Eyes just wonder over the gates

In the courtyard I am standing barefooted

Though it’s little cold so little gutted Moon is bright shining and casting a spell

I called you a name but can’t spell A melody that night plays

Memory of you that never fades

In the muteness of night, World is bathed in silver light

Without you can’t find peace and grace. Feeling so lonely in this chaotic space.

Thought of you enchants me from dusk to dawn

I am in middle of nowhere totally withdrawn

Like a never ending symphony plays Wind blows and sings sweetly and sways. Dr. Nadeem Iqbal, Bridgend

Sure Signs Of Spring

Where once a lonely crocus flowered, Vast purple crowns present. Last year’s solitary snowdrop, Yields swathes of white heads bent. Old Winter has loosened its icy grip, Jack Frost’s bite has failed to sting. Chilled silence, replaced by birdsong As feathered friends return on the wing. Grey skies give way to clear blue, Green shoots pierce the ‘still cold’ earth Spring is on its way for sure, A time for regeneration and rebirth.

Catherine Millard Payne, Bridgend

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Cost Of Cancer

Spring is here and I’m loving it. But did you know there’s still families out there who are struggling whilst undergoing treatment for cancer, so I just thought I would take this opportunity to mention why we do what we do here at Cost of Cancer.

For those of you who don’t know, we help families of those who are going through treatment for cancer. We help with the bills that arrive on the door mat every month regardless of what the occupants are going through. Bills like gas, electric, water etc. So, if your family is affected or you know someone is affected you know what to do, get in touch with us. We offer families total discretion and privacy.

It’s really important for those who need the help to come forward, your case will be treated with the upmost discretion. We understand how upsetting it can be to even admit you need help but please this is why we’re here. This is why we do all the fundraising to help those who need it the most. Talking of fundraising, we are also looking for volunteer marshals for our Valley to Coast Walk, who’s up for it? We cannot put this fantastic event on without the help of those who give their time freely to make sure everyone gets to Porthcawl safely, so come on it’s only for about 3 hours on the day. You can email us on info@costofcancer.org.uk.

Nicky, Emma & Cath Trustees

SOME OF THE BEST ANTI-AGING FOODS

Beautiful, glowing skin starts with how we eat, but these antiaging foods can also help with more than that. Watercress. This delicious green may boost immunity, aid digestion and provide thyroid support due to its iodine content.

Papaya. This delicious superfood is rich in a variety of antioxidants, vitamins, and minerals that may help to improve skin elasticity and minimize the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles. The wide range of antioxidants in papaya helps to fight free radical damage and may delay signs of aging Papaya also contains an enzyme called papain which provides additional anti-aging benefits by working as one of nature’s best anti-inflammatory agents.

Blueberries are rich in vitamins A and C, as well as an agedefying antioxidant called anthocyanin. This is what gives blueberries their deep, beautiful blue color.

Broccoli is an anti-inflammatory, anti-aging powerhouse packed with vitamins C and K and a variety of antioxidants. Your body needs vitamin C for the production of collagen, the main protein in skin that gives it strength and elasticity.

Other beneficial foods include, Spinach, Nuts, Avocado, Sweet potato and pomegranate seeds.

By nourishing ourselves with these anti-aging foods, we can gain fuel to look and feel our best.

Read more at www.healthline.com

Supplied by Glyn Hardwicke

A Gift To Local Stroke Club

Mrs Barbara Matthews was presented with a £40 cheque from Mrs Wendy Williams Treasurer of the SKER WI. The cheque was originally for a Mr Clive Tranter who gave a talk at the SKER WI; on his position as a member of the security team, which was attached to the Royal Household. Mr Clive Tranter did not accept is fee and suggested that he would like it to go to charity.

Fortunately for us, The President Mrs Eunice Howells and committee members, made the decision, that the Porthcawl Stroke Club would be the benefactors of the money. We would like to take this opportunity, to thank them all from the bottom of our hearts for thinking of us at such difficult times. Because the Stroke Club is totally voluntary; all our supporters keep the Stroke Club running. A Stroke can knock the confidence out of anyone who was once an active member of society, therefore it is important that a unique support structure is available to the individual, so that they are not isolated or alone. The isolation of Covid pandemic most people experienced, imagine that for life, if nothing was available!

Chairman Mr Keith Duggan/Mary Duggan

One Hundred And Eighty

Do you love to keep score? Remembering slights or adverse comments that others may have made against you? How about judging a performance so beloved of TV programmes like Dancing on Ice and Strictly.

Every single day thoughts are streaming through your mind whether you like it or not. Sometimes you can’t go to sleep as memories of past events (which you cannot change) or future worries (which may not happen) keep you awake.

What form do these thoughts take, is it family, work, friends or social? Thoughts can lead you on a merry dance, round and round, back and forth. How would a game panel score your thoughts? Or, try and think how your thoughts may be judged by an ordinary person walking down the street.

If this fills you with anxiety why not be gentle on yourself and try some self-care instead and say to yourself ‘It’s OK to feel like this’.

Start noticing your mind and score a thought then watch it retreat or grow bigger as you pay it attention.

Perhaps you realise the thought has gone away and has been replaced with new ideas and new thoughts.

Maybe you are managing your thoughts!

Margaret Brown