FEATURES

Cruse Luncheon

Bridgend Soroptimists held a luncheon in February at the Heronston Hotel Bridgend in support of the Cruse Bereavement Charity.

Soroptimist clubs throughout South Wales have been working with Cruse for some years now, before and after the Covid pandemic.

Club Presidents from Swansea, Port Talbot and Neath clubs joined Bridgend members to hear Claire Horrex, Cruse Community Fundraising Manager give a presentation on the work undertaken by Cruse. She illustrated the methods used to assist the bereaved and stressed the variety of ways it is possible for them to access their services. Local support groups are on hand together with one-to-one consultations and since Covid Cruse use Zoom consultations too. The demand for support is increasing year on year and the service is offered free for all whenever needed.

Soroptimist International South Wales continue their involvement with the charity and are holding a Fashion Show on 22nd March at the Heronston Hotel. Models will be dressed by the Samantha B Boutique Ewenny. For more info http://www.facebook.com/ BridgendSoroptimists or sigbi.org/bridgend-and-district/ New members welcome.

Eileen Bailey

Photographed L/R President Helen Bayley Port Talbot, President Angela Ball Swansea, Claire Horrex CRUSE, President Janet Jean Neath, President Gaynor Hoare Bridgend.

Porthcawl Guild News

On the worst day for weather this year hardy members gathered for our AGM. Reports of the years events were given by our officers. Special mention was made of the tree that had been planted for the Queens Jubilee and is thriving. Dee Richardson was thanked for standing in again as treasurer and given flowers. The new treasurer is Annette Lloyd. Flowers were presented to Jean Dorrington as our retiring president. Our new president is June Cooke who has served the Guild well. Names of members for our Coronation lunch on May 4th were taken. Any excuse for a lunch is always welcome. Our meeting this month is on Wednesday April 12th 2.0 p.m. at the Grove Golf Club when the speaker will be Eryl Ring. Do come along and try us out!

Dorothy Thomas (01656) 772157

Newton Wi

Our March meeting coincided with St. David’s Day. The evening began with singing Jerusalem followed by the Welsh National Anthem. The business part of the meeting completed we then were able to celebrate our Patron Saint. A delicious meal of potato and leak soup, with bread roll, followed by Welsh cakes, tea/coffee, all beautifully prepared by our President. Theresa provided the entertainment for the evening with her amazing St. David’s Day quiz.

There was an excellent response from our members who gave most generously to the Food Bank; this will now become a monthly collection.

Last month on 21st. Feb (Shrove Tuesday) we held our annual ‘Pancake morning’. Many thanks to Jennifer and Shirley for cooking such delightful pancakes. As usually happens we then participated in the Pancake Tossing contest, the winner was Sandra Hunter, the wooden spoon going to Margaret Davies. A fun morning, which everyone enjoyed.

M Freeman

Deadline date for the May issue is:

SATURDAY 15TH APRIL

Porthcawl Nci Report

The Watchkeepers have generally had quiet time in the Watch Tower through the winter months, due to the short days, cold sea, bad weather etc. With Easter fast approaching though, that will change dramatically, especially if there is some warm, sunny weather for the holiday period. It will be good to see more people taking advantage of the wonderful beaches around Porthcawl and the opportunity for a myriad of water sports. We will be watching every day to help make sure all beach and water users stay safe. Opening hours change for April starting off from 0800 to 2000, then from 16th April, 0830 to 2030.

The six remaining Trainees are working hard learning all they need to know to become fully trained Watchkeepers. A couple have already successfully passed their assessment with the rest being assessed during April. Having them as trained Watchkeepers will make sure there is enough cover for three watches each day.

Jackie, one of our Watchkeepers regularly sets up a secondhand book stall outside the Station on weekends through the summer. If you fancy a good book, look out for her, all the money goes towards keeping the station open.

Laurence Bater, Media Officer

THE GOLDEN AGE OF HOLLYWOOD: GLORIA SWANSON

Gloria Swanson (March 27, 1899 – April 4, 1983) achieved fame in the 1920s as an actress and producer. A ‘silent’ star, she was nominated three times for the Academy Award for Best Actress. After walk-on parts, Paramount Pictures offered Gloria Swanson a seven year contract. A series of society movies directed by Cecil B. DeMille transformed her into a superstar. In 1925, Gloria Swanson joined United Artist as one of the film industry’s pioneering women filmmakers. She produced and starred in silent movies and, in 1929, made her sound debut in The Trespasser. Her movie career waned in the 1930s, but she did appear on stage and in television productions.

Gloria Swanson married six times. Her sixth, and longest marriage (seven years, ended at her death) was to William Dufty, a writer who worked at the New York Post. Gloria and her husband befriended John Lennon and Yoko Ono who were big fans of Dufty’s work. Gloria testified on Lennon’s behalf at his immigration hearing in New York City, which led to Lennon becoming a permanent US resident.

Hannah Howe, author of Tula, a novel about an actress in the Golden Age of Hollywood. https://hannah-howe.com

Wreckers Off Newton

Initially, Newton had been the local seaport. Between c1450-c1750 “The Weare at Newton’ traded within the Bristol Channel exporting butter, wheat, sheep and raw wool. Imports tended to be salt, grain, apples or pears. One trader was William Leyshon whose ship the ‘Five Brothers of Newton,’ named after his sons, amassed enough of a fortune to enable him to build the infamous Red House just off the shore. (photo 1950’s) Within time, along with The Jolly Sailor Pub, it became the rendezvous of smugglers; and the beach before it the hunting ground of wreckers notorious for robbing the dead. There was many a rich picking along such a treacherous coast as many a vessel came to grief with the natives of Newton levying a toll on the bodies that came ashore, often reaping rich harvests. Unfortunately, there were sinister rumours that at times violence preceded robbery for life was not always extinct. There are, also, many tales of smugglers and wreckers luring ships onto the rocks through tying lanterns to sheep or cattle. In bad weather the bobbing lights would give the impression of a ship sheltering near land. Instead of safety, Tusker Rock lay in wait!

In the 1750’s wrecking was eventually made a capital offence. Ceri Joseph

HAVE WE REACHED A PLATEAU?

At the time of writing this, I have just seen a report from the USA saying that mortgage rates are about to fall there. However before you get too excited, the situation in the UK is that whilst the Bank of England is poised to hold the bank rate, it does not necessarily mean interest rates here will fall unless you’re on a standard variable rate or tracker rate.

In fact, after several reductions in the last couple of months, rates seem to have levelled off, hanging around the four to five percent mark, although there are exceptions where rates are a little lower because the borrowing is very low or other particular reason.

As a point of interest, turn the clock back six or seven years and a four or five percent interest rate was pretty standard and mortgages were still better than renting in terms of monthly costs. As with all cycles though, sometimes costs go up and currently the period of cheap money is over for the foreseeable future.

Wherever you find yourself at this moment mortgage-wise, to secure the best rates, deal with an independent broker who has access to the whole market and therefore in a position to find the very best rates that are available.

As for Later Life Borrowers, many of whom will be getting requests from their lenders to pay back the capital that is outstanding, especially on interest-only mortgages, where they don’t have the available capital to repay the loan. You really need to give us a call since we deal with all the major later life lenders who offer schemes, many of which allow you to continue paying interest-only or no payments at all until the property is sold in future years.

In 2022, we saved several borrowers in their seventies from repossession by arranging an alternative borrowing facility that allowed them to pay off the current lender which had been threatening Court action to retrieve the outstanding loan amount as redemption dates were reached.

The simple message here is not to put your head in the sand but to speak with someone who could help you.

As for new borrowers, yes the market is tougher than in recent years but securing a mortgage can still be very much less than paying rent, if you have steady income and are responsible in your approach to how you use your hard-earned money.

Call us on 01656 782545 or 07768 418308 and we’ll happily discuss your situation in total privacy and could well provide the answer to calming your fears over higher rates.

PAUL FIELDING

Dragon Financial

01656 782545 / 07768 418308

HAVE YOU WRITTEN OFF LIFETIME MORTGAGES TOO QUICKLY?

It’s always an uphill struggle to shake off a chequered past and Equity release suffered its fair share of bad press in the 80’s and 90’s. The main reason was due to the lack of regulation resulting in poor consumer protection and products that didn’t function as they should.

So, what’s changed? Well, to begin with Equity release is now regulated by the FCA, meaning far greater protection for consumers. Today, the most popular type of equity release is called a Lifetime mortgage and the number of Lifetime mortgage lenders over the past decade has grown dramatically. This increased competition means that consumers have far more choice and, in my opinion has transformed lifetime mortgages into a much more flexible and attractive product. Probably, the most routine question I get asked is about negative equity as many people have heard the horror stories of parents leaving large debts to family because the lifetime mortgage has grown larger than the house value. This is no longer an issue. Due to the introduction of the “No Negative Equity Guarantee” which prevents any negative equity scenarios arising.

How you release your equity is up to you! You can decide to take a one-off lump sum or you may prefer to take multiple smaller withdrawals. You can decide if you want to pay the interest off each month keeping the loan the same or have no mortgage payments at all and let the interest roll up.

Following this positive evolution, the popularity of Lifetime Mortgages has grown exponentially with many more people now using the equity trapped in their homes.

The most common uses are for home improvements, cover increasing living costs, clear interest only mortgages, provide income into retirement, passing on early gifts to loved ones or for IHT purposes.

The simple facts are if you are over 55 and own your own home you could be eligible for a Lifetime mortgage and release a taxfree lump sum to spend as you like.

If you don’t ask you don’t get! So why not utilise our free 1hour consultation. Every financial decision will have its pros and cons so getting impartial advice is key to helping you work out exactly if a Lifetime mortgage is right for you.

Call Abacus Assurance on 01656 772222 if you require further information on Lifetime Mortgages.

Abacus Assurance FS Ltd is Authorised and Regulated by the financial Conduct Authority.

A lifetime mortgage is secured against your home.

If you would like your child to learn important lifesaving skills, how to be safe in the sea and have lots of fun at the same time with like minded kids, then get in touch.

Nippers are aged between 7-13. As a Nipper your child will be taught surf safety, basic lifesaving skills, surf and beach sports such as wading, surf swimming, board paddling, beach flags, beach sprints and relays.

Nippers train indoors at Pyle pool throughout the year, and at Rest Bay beach during the summer months.

Nippers are able to obtain various surf safety awards, and are taught valuable lifesaving and safety skills at both the beach and the pool.

If you would like more information please contact:

Lasting Power Of Attorney

When someone (the ‘donor’) makes a lasting power of attorney (LPA), they appoint one or more individuals (the ‘attorneys’) to make decisions on their behalf. Typically, only used when the donor no longer has the mental capacity to do so.

Being an attorney for a family member or friend could mean making difficult decisions about that person’s finances or health and welfare. You may have to make those decisions alone or with other appointed attorneys.

Before agreeing to take on lasting power of attorney responsibilities, you should think carefully about what you will be signing up for.

If you do not think you have the expertise, or the time to take on the responsibilities of an attorney, you should let the donor know. This is preferable to accepting the role only to surrender it at a later date, when the donor may no longer be in a position to make other arrangements.

An LPA does not give you unlimited authority to make decisions on behalf of the donor.

A lasting power of attorney can be either a property and financial affairs LPA - which allows the attorney to make decisions about finances and property - or a health and welfare LPA (healthcare and personal welfare decisions).

Being appointed under one type of application does not give you the authority to make decisions under the other and vice versa although you can be appointed as attorneys under both applications.

You cannot act under an LPA until it has been registered with the Office of the Public Guardian.

An LPA may only authorise you to act if the donor lacks the mental capacity to make the decision. If you are unsure whether the donor has capacity, you should get an expert opinion (eg from a doctor).

An LPA may appoint more than one attorney. If so, the attorneys may be required to make some or all decisions together (ie unanimously) rather than independently.

If you no longer wish to be an attorney, you can ‘disclaim’ the role. If the LPA has not yet been registered, you should give formal notice to the donor. If the LPA has been registered, you must contact the Office of the Public Guardian.

Cohabitation Rights

A common misconception is that “common law marriage” comes into being after a couple have lived together for more than two years. This is not the case; cohabiting couples don’t have the same rights as married couples and so it is worth considering the options to protect yourself and your partner if the relationship breaks down or even if one of you were to die. If you live in a house which your partner owns, you have no automatic right in respect of it. Therefore, if your partner dies, you may find yourself having to leave your home unless they have made a provision for you to remain, known as a right of occupation, in their will. This will enable you to live in the home, sometimes upon condition that you don’t remarry, or cohabit with a new partner at the property.

As a cohabitee you won’t benefit from any payments in respect of your deceased partner’s pension, unless you are nominated as beneficiary of their pension, thus guaranteeing you a lump sum or income in the event of their death.

When setting up home with your partner it is worth considering what would happen if the relationship broke down. A cohabitation contract, which is a little like a pre-nuptial agreement, can set out arrangements regarding payment of bills and funding of improvements to the property and how these payments will be reimbursed in the event of separation. It can also clarify whether any contributions to the property would mean that the non-owning partner gained an interest in it.

It may be difficult to broach the subject of a cohabitation contract but if you and your partner think about the issues at the outset you will avoid confusion during the relationship and stress and anxiety at the end.

Cefn Cribwr Gardening Club

Laleston Gardening Club

“April hath put the spirit of youth in everything” (William Shakespeare)

Climbing and rambling roses should be tied in now. Training the shoots as horizontal as possible, meaning the sap is restricted, causing more side shoots to develop along the length of the main stem, which in turn produces more flowers If left to grow vertically all the flowers are produced at the top of the stems where they can be difficult to see, shame.

Sweet Peas are the flower of the month! Soak the seeds overnight to improve germination, Choose a scented variety, a sweet pea without scent is like a rose without thorns!

Tulips hit their stride this month and the year turns a corner, they burst out with a fanfare of every colour (except blue there is one called “blue parrot” but its a doubtful blue!) How lovely they are, the first blaze of colour for the year. Did your know – when your cut tulips get droopy stick a pin through the stem right under the flower, soon they will be standing as straight as little soldiers! It releases the air that gets trapped in the stems and allows water to be absorbed by the tulip.

Chris Early

Porthcawl Floral Arrangement Society

We enjoyed our first meeting back at Awel Y Mor Centre on March 8th. We were entertained by Donald Morgan who demonstrated 5 beautiful classical arrangements with spring flowers. We learnt plenty of tips and feel inspired to make our own floral decorations. He was especially informative about ways to use and manipulate foliage from our own gardens. We have a chance to try something new at our next Practice night when we will be creating arrangements to depict elegance from a chosen era. Hats, jewellery, feathers and other accessories will accompany flowers and foliage. This will be a challenge for all to enjoy.

On April 12th we have Kevin Thomas who is the Head Nurseryman at Cardiff’s Bute Park, talking about the Flower Arranger’s Garden. We have a demonstration by Barbara Cummings on 10th May and Practice nights on 26th April and 24th May.

Visitors are always welcome at our meetings and can enrol at any time if they wish to join. As well as demonstrations and Practice evenings with tuition, we have a few speaker meetings and a club competition in the Summer. We also plan to arrange some excursions and social events and have a Facebook page and WhatsApp group for more information.

Alison Thomas Club Secretary (07581 048448)

April signifies that Spring is really here, but where your plants are concerned caution is still the watchword as the weather can be fickle. Although there are many things to be done, one thing not to do is buy bedding plants. Large supermarkets and garden outlets start putting temptation in the way by displaying trays of pretty plants, but frosts can devastate so not a good idea. Veg seeds can continue to be sown as can hardy annual flowers too, perennials, trees, shrubs and roses from containers can be planted into borders. Second early potatoes and onion sets can be planted and earth should be mounded to protect emerging shoots of early potatoes to protect from frosts. Greenhouses should be made ready to plant tomatoes and cucumbers, plant out sweet peas, sow parsley and begonia tubers can be started off if your greenhouse is heated. Lawns should be mown each week now, new lawns can be sown and turf laid (seed is much cheaper).

Laleston Gardening Club will be the venue for Kevin Thomas of Cardiff Parks & Gardens to demonstrate the planting of hanging baskets for wonderful displays on the 17th April at 7.30pm. All Members welcome! £1 on the door. Can we wish everyone a Happy Easter and Happy Gardening.

Susan Ford