SEASIDE NEWS: February 2022 issue

PORTHCAWL & BRIDGEND EDITION

ESTABLISHED 1998

ISSUE 265 FEBRUARY 2022

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Contents LETTERS.......................................................... 8 BOOKS......................................................... 10 PHOTOGRAPHS....................................... 12 POEMS...........................................................22 HEALTH........................................................ 26 PUZZLES...................................................... 28 NEWS............................................................ 30 SCHOOLS.................................................... 36 FEATURES.................................................... 42 HISTORY...................................................... 48 FINANCE...................................................... 50 LEGAL............................................................ 52 ARTS.............................................................. 54 GARDENING.............................................. 56 WHATS ON.................................................58 SPORT........................................................... 60 TIDES............................................................. 61 DIRECTORY.................................................62

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Where we deliver 20,000 copies hand delivered to local homes in the following areas: Porthcawl, South Cornelly, North Cornelly, Kenfig, Maudlam, Eglwys Nunydd, Margam Village, Pyle, Kenfig Hill, Cefn Cribwr, Penyfai, Laleston, Broadlands & Whiterock.

Pick up a copy Available to pick up from the following places: Porthcawl Nottage Stores, Rose & Crown, Library, Beale’s Fish & Chips, Finnegans’s, Bargain Booze Newton, Grove Golf Club, Rest Bay Cafe.

Other Areas Kenfig Nature Reserve, Pyle Garden Centre, One Stop Bryntirion, POW Hospital Bridgend, Halo Bridgend.

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55

Next deadline Tuesday 15th February - for March issue.

Send us your article There is a 200 word limit on all FREE articles.

We only accept articles sent via email. Please remember to TITLE your article and include your name and town you live in. Please send any images as attachments.

60

Seaside News® is published by Seaside Publications Ltd. Whilst every effort has been made to ensure accuracy, we can accept no liability whatsoever for any errors, inaccuracies or omissions, or for any matter in any way arising out of the publication of the magazine or any of the website content. The views expressed in the Seaside News® and on the website are not necessarily the views of the publisher. No part of the magazine or website may be reproduced without written permission from the publisher. Any breach of copyright will be taken extremely seriously. The publisher reserves the right to refuse any article, advert or website listing without reason. Copyright © Seaside News® 1998-2022 VAT Registration No: 879 7077 54 | Seaside Publications Ltd is registered in Wales, company number 09413904.

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LETTERS DISMAL FUTURE FOR PORTHCAWL Dear Editor, I am a resident of Porthcawl and have just read your (Councillor Charles Smith) proposals for Porthcawl in the January issue of the Seaside News and feel Very disturbed by them. It appears to me you will discourage families from visiting their local Seaside Town for the day and encourage people with a lot of money to visit and stay in an All New Luxury Spa Waterfront Hotel. The Eastern Promenade has been taken over by New Landscaping and now means disabled mobility scooters and children on roller skates, small scooters and tiny bikes will not be able to use it, I thought we were meant to be encouraging children to exercise and enjoy the Seafront but they have now been excluded as have disabled people.

Today Sunday 9th January 2022, Salt Lake car park is full, the proposals for a multi-storey car park at Hillsboro Place will never accommodate all visitors or people working in the Town.

Pamela Thomas, Porthcawl

A VOICE FOR THE FUTURE We want to take this opportunity to thank BCBC for engaging with the entire town prior to presenting their final proposal for Porthcawl’s once in a life-time Waterfront Regeneration.

For holding multiple meetings with teachers, children and parents in all the local schools and for ensuring the Future Generations commissioner was involved in formulating plans that prioritise those set to inherit the town. We want to thank them for engaging with the many and varied groups that have needs and hopes for Porthcawl and for holding crucial forums with small groups of local residents. For involving Sustainable Wales, the WI, Rotary, all Arts groups, coastguards, surf schools, all clubs, teenagers, business owners and toddler groups. The RLNI, Civic Trust Society, charities, surgeries, care homes and so many more integral bodies within the town. We want to thank them for listening to their concerns, opinions and needs and creating a utopian vision that puts community above capitalism, environment above greed and creates a space that allows Saltlake to develop organically and in harmony with nature and its surroundings. Thank you for being so humble and gracious in re-evaluating your plans to urbanise our seaside town and instead allow the residents of Porthcawl to create a space that fulfils their needs; with such facilities as a lido, pump track, wellness center, low rise buildings, eco homes, and, in stark contrast, greenspace for future generations to adapt as and when it becomes necessary. We salute you!

A Voice for The Future

A DEPRESSING READ Dear Editor, I used to like reading the Seaside News, but lately it’s actually very depressing. Firstly shame on the Conservative members Mr. Wallis and Mr. Giffard on shaming and blaming the Welsh government for everything. That shouldn’t be made public. Why don’t they come up with a better idea and put it forward. Another point is, that people in Porthcawl are always complaining, but what about the people living in Bridgend?

Bridgend town centre is in desperate need for upgrading. I like going local for shopping, but at the moment it’s no fun walking through the town centre of Bridgend. So put that in your pipe and think about it!

Gabriele Martinez, Bridgend 8 | seaside news

RESPONSE TO TOM GIFFARD ‘COALITION OF CHAOS’ Dear Editor, Tom Giffard’s article in the News section took my breath away - his explanation for our struggling NHS being due to decades of mismanagement by Labour! As he states, the NHS was at breaking point before the pandemic, yet in 2010 when the Conservative Government came to power our NHS was healthy, one of the best in the world. Over the next 10 years across the whole of Britain the NHS was financially squeezed, billions of pounds went not to direct patient care but to administer contracts handed to private providers, we have lost thousands of doctors and nurses (bursaries for training nurses were stopped in 2017), beds have been reduced, and a failing social care system has resulted in beds being blocked with nowhere for elderly patients to be discharged to, and ambulances queuing outside. Yes our NHS across the whole of Britain is indeed broken - the direct result of deliberate Conservative policies over the last decade. Many people are now having to pay privately to obtain care - privatisation of the NHS by stealth has long been suspected and is becoming a reality. Mr Giffard, as a Conservative, must know where the blame for this dreadful state of affairs lies, and trying to apportion blame to Mark Drakeford and Plaid Cymru is beyond belief.

J Ball, Porthcawl

UNAMBITIOUS REGENERATION PLANS Dear Editor, I agree entirely with a previous letter that concluded that the ideas recently presented for the regeneration of Porthcawl are total madness but have quite different reasons. The town has long been cursed by baffling decisions for decades, one of the most damaging being the closure of the railway station. A very close second must be the utter folly of allowing a housing estate and large supermarket to be built on the premier site available for meaningful regeneration. This is the most telling and painful sign of the under-aspirational approach of BCBC to the regeneration of Porthcawl.

Porthcawl’s rich maritime history appears to have been written off. It’s baffling that the option to open up the inner harbour basin to provide a marina facility with sufficient critical mass to draw in associated businesses and industries has previously been dismissed but will now be lost for ever. Many prosperous coastal towns today thrive because they have maintained and celebrate their maritime heritage as an essential part of their DNA and put it front and centre of their planning and commercial development strategies. This town deserves the opportunity of a thriving marina large enough to support the development of maritime businesses and tourism.

Tony Harris, Porthcawl

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INCREASING ISSUE WITH DOG MESS Dear Editor, You may have had this brought to your attention in the past.

As I am mainly working from home I go for a walk over to the seafront. I am constantly facing the need to keep an eye on the pavement watching where I step. The constant increase of dog mess is just unthinkable. There are some unreasonable dog owners who are too lazy to pick up their dogs deposit. I can’t be the only person who feels this is not welcome. I must say there is a lack of proper bins along the seafront and throughout Porthcawl. Is this the problem for the town council or the county council? If the profile of Porthcawl is to be raised with investment then something needs to done even if there is more enforcement officers are patrolling during the unsociable hours this is when the mess is left.

Nigel D Rees, Porthcawl

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BOOKS NEW BOOKS AT PORTHCAWL LIBRARY FICTION

THE ONE Peter Schmeichel

WISH YOU WERE HERE Jodi Picoult

WILL Will Smith & Mark Manson

AUTOPSY Patricia Cornwell FLYING ANGELS Danielle Steel

MURRAY WALKER – INCREDIBLE! A TRIBUTE TO THE FORMULA 1 LEGEND Maurice Hamilton

TOM CLANCY’S CHAIN OF COMMAND Marc Cameron

WINDSWEPT AND INTERESTING Billy Connolly

A MAN OF HONOUR Barbara Taylor Bradford THE MIDNIGHT LOCK Jeffrey Deaver CHILDREN OF FORTUNE Val Wood ON A NIGHT LIKE THIS Lindsey Kelk

TOP 5 PAPERBACKS THE SANATORIUM Sarah Pearse THE THURSDAY MURDER CLUB Richard Osman

GAME ON Janet Evanovich

THE NIGHT SHE DISAPPEARED Lisa Jewell

NON FICTION

THE MIDNIGHT LIBRARY Matt Haig

DIDDLY SQUAT A YEAR ON THE FARM Jeremy Clarkson

BOTH OF YOU Adele Parks

KATE BLADON Facebook: PorthcawlLibrary | PyleLibrary Porthcawl Library Tel: 01656 754845 | 01656 754850 Email: porthcawl.library@awen-wales.com pyle.library@awen-wales.com

BOOK OF THE MONTH RICCARDINO BY ANDREA CAMILLERI After nearly two decades and 28 novels, this is the final investigation for Inspector Montalbano.

“At eighty, I foresaw Montalbano’s departure from the scene, I got the idea and I didn’t let it slip away.

So I found myself writing this novel which is the final chapter; the last book in the series. And I sent it to my publisher saying to keep it in a drawer and to publish it only when I am gone.” – Andrea Camilleri Set once again in the fictional Sicilian town of Vigata, Riccardino starts with the familiar early morning phone call to Montalbano, but this time it isn’t Caterella announcing a murder. The caller, a man identifying himself as Riccardino, has dialled the wrong number and asks Montalbano when he will be arriving at the meeting.

Irritated, Montalbano decides to have some fun and informs the caller that he will be there in 10 minutes.

Shortly following this call, Montalbano receives another call, this time announcing a murder. A man has been shot and killed outside a bar in front of his friends. When Montalbano learns of the victim’s identity – Riccardino – his troubles are only just beginning.

Bookstart Every child in Wales can receive two special Bookstart packs before the age of three. These are given to families by their health visitor, but if you haven’t received yours, don’t worry!

Both Bookstart Baby and Bookstart Early Years packs are available to collect from the library. Just ask at the desk and we will provide you with a pack and details of our free Bounce and Rhyme sessions!

Bookstart Baby The Bookstart Baby pack is usually gifted at your child’s 6-month health check. It contains an English and Welsh language book, carefully chosen to appeal to very young children, and a special booklet with ideas for sharing books, stories and rhymes.

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Bookstart Early Years The Bookstart Early Years pack is usually gifted at your child’s 27-month health check. It contains an English and a Welsh language picture book, and a booklet full of ideas for sharing books, stories and rhymes. The green Bookstart Early Years bag is designed for your toddler to hold – perfect for taking to the library.

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seaside news | 11

PHOTOGRAPHS A FEEL FOR JANUARY

SHADOWS AT SKER

Judith Holden, Porthcawl

Sheila Stapleton

BLAENGARW

BLISSFUL MORNING

S James, Porthcawl

DAWN OVER CEFN CRIBWR Emily-Jayne Meredith, North Cornelly

WONDERFUL WILDERNESS

Jennet Young, Cefn Cribwr 12 | seaside news

Roger P Scott, Porthcawl

Email us your pictures info@seasidenews.co.uk

A PERFECT SUNRISE

LEAVING FOOTPRINTS ON SKER BEACH

Jayne Parker, Porthcawl

BREEZY DAY IN PORTHCAWL Dorothy Parker, Kenfig

WINTER SUNSHINE AT NEWTON BEACH

Shirelle Meredith, Norfolk

PAIRING

Alan Thomas, Bridgend

SEND US YOUR PHOTOGRAPHS Email: info@seasidenews.co.uk

Anthony Callaghan, Porthcawl

Please remember to give your photographs a caption title and include your name and town you live in. seaside news | 13

PHOTOGRAPHS DOG ON A LOG

SEASIDE HEART

Sharon Bulmer, Bridgend Laura Evans, Porthcawl

OLD WELSH WATER MILL

COLD WINTER DAY

Malcolm Nugent, Porthcawl

ROCK ART AT REST BAY

Barbara Thomas Jones, Porthcawl 14 | seaside news

Martin Everett, Kenfig Hill

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seaside news | 15

PHOTOGRAPHS RUNNING IN THE AIR AT CONEY

AN EVENING AT SKER POINT

Berwyn Jones, Bridgend

CHOUGH AT LOCK’S COMMON

Gill Gore, Porthcawl

FIRST LIGHT

John Western, North Cornelly

LOW TIDE AT THE SLIP

Alex Hopson, Porthcawl 16 | seaside news

Maria Howe, Porthcawl

STONE BALANCING IN PORTHCAWL

WAVES CHASING WAVES

Marilyn Cook, Bridgend

WINTER SUNRISE AT REST BAY

William Richards, Porthcawl

HIGHLAND CATTLE AT PARC SLIP

Paul Peters, Bridgend

WINTER SUNRISE AT RHYCH POINT Pat Lathey, Penyfai

SEND US YOUR PHOTOGRAPHS Email: info@seasidenews.co.uk Please remember to give your photographs a caption title and include your name and town you live in.

Kerstin Bluck, Porthcawl seaside news | 17

PHOTOGRAPHS LALESTON FROM THE AIR

SUNSET FROM OGMORE BY SEA

Carly Andrews, Bridgend

MARGAM PARK

Nick Horton, Laleston

SKER POINT & BEACH

Pat Lathey, Penyfai

AFTER SUNSET

Nick Horton, Laleston 18 | seaside news

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POEMS

Email us your poem info@seasidenews.co.uk

RESTRICTIONS

LET IT GO

VISIONS

Normality is rules and restrictions, Coping with all these inflictions, Hand-washing, masks and constrictions, Prohibiting all valedictions, The populace awaits their instructions.

Do we sleep-walk into conscriptions As we read one another’s inscriptions?

Obeying blindly the government’s instructions, Amidst continuous media depictions Of the National Health Service’s afflictions, The Doctors keep writing prescriptions, Statisticians display their predictions, The economy awaits reconstruction, Normality is in a state of transfixion, In a global obsession with Restriction.

Sally Richards, Porthcawl

Mountains high of condemnation Let it go Out to destroy your reputation Let it go Those on whom you should depend Or count on as a faithful friend May turn against you at the end But - let it go.

Visions of yesterday A childhood long gone I hear mother say, ‘Now don’t be late John’ A real coal fire Alight in the grate Flames flicking higher Fill the kettle and wait Just a candle for light As we climbed up the stairs And last thing at night We’d all say our prayers In short trews and peak cap I boarded the train Leather satchel on lap Come sun or come rain The old miners fortnight A holiday for all With clothes new and bright We’d head for Porthcawl At Christmas a stocking To hang by the bed Turkey and stuffing On a table well spread Verses in Sunday school And river swimming Drain pipe jeans were cool Flat stone skimming These visions I recall Of those days gone by Would I go back at all?

Why no, not I! John Davies Eglwys Nunnydd, Margam

DON’T GIVE UP JUST YET Don’t give up just yet, There’s more for you to try, Don’t give up just yet; Life’s not passing you by.

It’s waiting in the side line, Open those eyes and see, There’s more for you to feel, There’s more for you to be.

Don’t give up just yet, You may be feeling blue, But don’t give up just yet, Mother Nature’s here for you.

The rain will cleanse the earth, The wind will bring fresh air, The frost will help kill germs, The sun will end despair.

So don’t give up just yet, Let Mother Nature heal, Spring is around the corner, More beauty to reveal.

Marilyn Cook, Bridgend

Take your pain to Calvary’s cross There let it go Where earthly values count as loss Yes, let it go In face of enemies bitter spite Pain and shame – deaths fiercest fight Spitting and mocking – oh darkest night butHe let it go.

‘Father, forgive them, Lord’ he cried.

He let it go.

Though friends forsook and e’en denied He let it go.

Your hand in his, true healing find A new life now – past left behind So take his hand and with him say ‘Yes, Lord. I’ve let it go.’

By grace, I let it go.

Pauline Lewis, Porthcawl

EMAIL US YOUR POEM info@seaside news.co.uk THE REINDEERS Oh that was such a thrill To come down Danygraig Hill On a dark night To see the reindeers Sparkling in the sliver lights Running through the trees Well done Porthcawl Far better than The Christmas Tree in Trafalgar Square

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22 | seaside news

I hope we will see The reindeers Again next year It was just like a fairy tale Sue Waters, Porthcawl

LOCKDOWN I’m sitting and knitting while watching TV, There’s nothing coming on that I’m waiting to see, So, clickety click go my needles and pins, Row upon row... like a bird on its wings!

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HEALTH

Email your article info@seasidenews.co.uk

COST OF CANCER NEWS

UNIQUE BENEFITS OF COFFEE

Well, we had an amazing number of sign ups for our Step up For January Challenge this year.

It is a tough one, but I never regret signing up as it always gets me motivated for the year ahead.

Before Christmas Vale Moto Training in Llantwit Major did their annual Santa Run through the Vale, they stopped off in Barry and then finished up in the Duke of Wellington in Cowbridge. I believe it was one of their best turnouts. They raised a whopping £970. We were so pleased and grateful to them for choosing Cost of Cancer as their chosen charity. Isn’t it amazing what can be achieved when someone has an idea and then brings it to life? So, thank you to Jo and Steve down in Vale Moto Training.

We are looking at doing the Valley to Coast Walk this year so keep an eye out as usual on our socials.

If you are looking at getting your teeth into something, why don’t you get on your bike with us and do the Euro 3 City Cycle.

This is over 4 days, and we will cycle from London to Amsterdam and then onto Brussels. If you are interested, please do get in touch.

Finally, please do follow us on all social media platforms and remember we help those who are finding life a struggle financially whilst going through treatment for Cancer.

Nicky, Emma & Cath Trustees

Coffee contains caffeine, a stimulant that has been shown to increase energy levels and decrease fatigue by altering levels of certain neurotransmitters in the brain.

Some research suggests that drinking coffee could help protect against Alzheimer’s disease, Parkinson’s disease, and cognitive decline.

Coffee could help support weight management and may be linked to decreased body fat. One study also found that people who consumed coffee were more likely to be physically active.

Several studies have found that coffee could be linked to a lower risk of depression and may even be linked to a lower risk of death by suicide. Coffee consumption could be linked to a decreased risk of death from chronic liver disease, along with other conditions, like liver scarring and liver cancer. Some research shows that drinking coffee could be linked to a lower risk of heart disease, stroke, and heart failure.

Read more at www.healthline.com/nutrition Supplied by Glyn Hardwicke

Sunflowers Counselling offers you the opportunity to meet with a trained professional to explore your problems or issues.

If you need help with anxiety, depression, or low mood we offer face to face sessions at our consulting room in Bridgend Town Centre and online sessions for individuals to help with a range of issues affecting their mental health.

For more information, please visit our website www.sunflowerscounselling.co.uk Alternatively call us on 01656 530695 or email info@ sunflowerscounselling.co.uk for more information or to book an appointment.

26 | seaside news

Deadline date for the March issue is: TUESDAY 15TH FEBRUARY

PENNY FOR THEM You may want to stop reading right away when you realize what was running through your mind over the month of December.

Two million thoughts! Made up of 70,000 thoughts per day over each of the 31 days in the month! Yes 70,000 x 31, yet how many of your thoughts can you recall?

The number of thoughts going through our mind each month is about the same and if only thoughts were pounds I hear people say. Yet our thoughts are precious, they shape our lives and can bring us peace or sadness and, every single day, we get to decide.

So, the next time you become aware of a thought, choose to recall a time when you were happy and, when you are relaxed for a moment, maybe doing something you enjoy, decide to recall the thought.

Try this a few times and practice bringing more moments you were happy with into your life. Your practice may be interrupted as life continues around you, but notice any interruption with a quiet, inward smile and remind yourself that in every single moment you get to choose the way you think.

It’s challenging to begin with but give it a go, after all these are your thoughts! Penny for them?

Margaret Brown

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seaside news | 27

PUZZLES

Puzzle solution: Sudoku puzzle No. 5519 2021-11-22

Play sudoku online at:

Sudoku

Fill each cell of the grid so that each row, each column, and each 3 x 3 box contains the numbers 1 to 9 exactly once. No guessing is required – only simple logic is needed.

Daily Sudoku puzzle No. 5577

1

3

6

9

7

4

2

6

2

7

4

8

1

3

9

5

4 2 5 7 1

9 7 6 1 4 8 3

8

3

2

5 1

8

2

9 2 6 5

9 6 8 5 1

5 1 7 3 9 4

5 8 4 3 6 2 7

6

1

1

6

5

7

8

2

9

5

4 2

3

8

8

8 9 3 4

Word Search

Hint: Words can be found horizontally, vertically, diagonally and also backwards.

1 7 6

8 9 8

7

4 3 5

2 7

8

2

2

9

9

9

3

7

3

1

3

4

2022-01-19 JanuaryMedium Answers level

9

2

1

5

9

5

5

8 3

www.sudokukingdom.com

4

9

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28 | seaside news

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seaside news | 29

NEWS

Email us your views info@seasidenews.co.uk

INVESTING INTO EDUCATION FOR 2022-23

HOW THE COUNCIL PLANS TO SPEND MONEY

I was really pleased to note that Welsh Government has confirmed that it is to fully fund two important schemes during 2022-23.

As a result of the additional funding that they have provided, Bridgend County Borough Council will be able to offer free school lunches for all primary school children.

Under the initiative, no child will go hungry while at school, and will be able to benefit from a nutritionally balanced hot meal irrespective of their personal circumstances.

At the same time, the childcare offer for Wales will be extended so that all two-year-olds can receive free childcare.

The council’s budget proposals for 2022-23 take full account of both of these initiatives, and also seeks to invest more than £71.3m in Band B of the ongoing school modernisation programme, which is continuing to deliver new, modern school premises and other educational improvements for children all across the county borough.

There is just enough room left for me to remind readers that the deadline for applications to start full-time nursery in September 2022 expires on 25 March.

You also have until 27 August if you want to apply for parttime nursery places starting in January or April 2023 – visit the council website for more details.

As well as delivering new investments, our proposed budget for 2022-23 will mean no cuts for frontline services.

In addition to the extra £19.6m from Welsh Government, we want to invest £400,000 in new ICT equipment, £340,000 for highways structural works, £250,000 in carriageway works, £200,000 to match-fund external capital schemes, £100,000 for housing renewal and empty property schemes, and £50,000 for various community projects.

Out of a gross revenue budget of £480m, £131m will be spent on schools, £78m on social care and well-being, and £22m on public realm works such as parks, street cleansing and the collection and disposal of waste.

If approved, transport planning and regeneration will receive £2.2m, while £1.7m will be invested in regulatory services such as Licensing, Environmental Health and Trading Standards.

The proposals include a £6.8m capital budget that, if agreed, will include £1.9m for disabled facilities grants, £1.1m for minor works, and £400,000 for street lighting and bridge infrastructure renewals.

Last year’s £2.1m support package for people made homeless since the start of the pandemic will also remain in place.

After being forced to cut £62m over the last 10 years, this is the best funding settlement in a decade, and is extremely welcome.

COUNCILLOR CHARLES SMITH Cabinet Member for Education and Regeneration Bridgend County Borough Council Tel: 01656 643643 www.bridgend.gov.uk

CHANGES TO CERVICAL SCREENING UPDATE Public Health Wales recently announced changes to cervical screening from 3 to 5 years. We hear so much about the importance of checking ourselves regularly and lack of research into certain health conditions. It is no wonder then, that the announcement was met with anxiety and confusion. I have checked with Public Health Wales to understand the science behind the change and was relieved to find out: · The new test detects those at higher risk of developing cervical cancer more accurately than the previous test. · Current intervals between screening tests can therefore be safely extended for people those not at high risk.

I have since been working to raise awareness of health inequalities. Constituents have spoken with me about barriers they face seeking diagnoses and treatment for conditions such as endometriosis, menopause, or the horrifying statistics that in the UK, people of color are more likely to die from childbirth.

Welsh Government has committed to tackling inequalities for women, and minority communities. As your Senedd Member, I will continue to fight for healthcare that is equal for all. I am currently collaborating with Cancer Research UK to organise an information session to answer your questions on changes to Cervical Screening.

SARAH MURPHY MS Member of the Senedd for Bridgend

30 | seaside news

COUNCILLOR HYWEL WILLIAMS Deputy Leader Bridgend County Borough Council Tel: 01656 643643 www.bridgend.gov.uk

PROPOSED COUNCIL TAX FREEZE AND EXTRA SPENDING At the time of writing, budget proposals for 2022-23 have been agreed by the Cabinet of Bridgend County Borough Council and are about to be discussed and voted upon by all members.

Thanks to a 9.2 per cent increase in funding from Welsh Government, which has provided an extra £19.6m, we are proposing to freeze council tax, and to increase spending on local services.

If approved by full Council, we will be able to spend an extra £2.5m on ensuring that all care workers receive a pay rise which reflects the real living wage, and will direct an extra £1.5m a year towards local primary, secondary and special schools.

Children’s social services, safeguarding and foster care services will be able to benefit from an extra £1.2m a year, while supported living services aimed at people with learning disabilities will receive an extra £650,000 a year.

An extra £465,000 a year will be directed towards specialist support for children with additional learning needs, and mental health services will receive an extra £147,000 a year.

This is the first time in years that a potential council tax freeze has been viable - to find out more about the plans, visit www.bridgend.gov.uk COUNCILLOR HUW DAVID Leader of Bridgend County Borough Council Tel: 01656 643643 www.bridgend.gov.uk

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seaside news | 31

Recycle your green waste including plants, flowers, weeds, grass, leaves and hedge clippings.

Ailgylchwch eich gwastraff gardd, gan gynnwys planhigion, blodau, chwyn, porfa, dail a gwrychoedd.

Collections every two weeks on the same day as your bin bags from 14 March to 18 November.

Bydd casgliadau bob pythefnos ar yr un dydd â’ch gwastraff cyffredinol o 14 Mawrth i 18 Tachwedd.

Subscription charge of £38.91, or £34.85 for pensioners.

Tâl gwasanaeth o £38.91 neu £34.85 i bensiynwyr.

Sign up online at bridgend.kier.co.uk

32 | seaside news

Cofrestrwch ar-lein yn bridgend.kier.co.uk

BCBC WE CARE AD SEAS NEWS 10.21.qxp_Layout 1 14/10/2021 13:38 Page 1

Mae hyn yn bwysig i ni… beth amdanoch chi?

We care… do you?

Gwnewch wahaniaeth a dechreuwch eich gyrfa mewn gofal cymdeithasol heddiw!

Make a difference and start your career in social care today!

Rydym yn cefnogi oedolion neu blant yn y gymuned naill ai yn eu cartrefi neu mewn lleoliadau preswyl.

We support adults or children in the community either in their homes or in residential settings.

Os oes gennych y gwerthoedd a’r agwedd gywir i weithio gyda ni, rydym eisiau i chi ymuno â’r tîm.

If you have the right values and attitude to work with us, we want you to join our team.

Darperir hyfforddiant, nid oes angen profiad na chymwysterau blaenorol.

Training is provided, previous experience and qualifications are not necessary.

Ewch i bridgend.gov.uk/social-care-vacancies i weld ein cynigion diweddaraf o swyddi.

Go to bridgend.gov.uk/social-care-vacancies to view our latest job offers.

seaside news | 33

NEWS

Email us your views info@seasidenews.co.uk

PORTHCAWL NEEDS BETTER CONNECTIVITY

CAMPAIGN TO BRING BUSES BACK TO TON KENFIG

News that Porthcawl is to finally get a bus station is welcome although it has been given a fancy new name – the Porthcawl Metro-Link development.

Plans reveals that four bus bays will be provided fronting The Portway. Is this really going to be the answer to Porthcawl’s public transport needs in the 21st century?

My colleague, Bridgend MP Jamie Wallis is suggesting that a feasibility study takes place into providing a light railway or tram link between Porthcawl and Pyle railway station. I support that but if that scheme proves to be unviable, I suggest that money is found instead to provide additional bus services for Porthcawl.

Many services were scrapped when bus subsidies ended several years ago, as they were not commercially viable. While Porthcawl has links to Bridgend, are there direct services from the town to Port Talbot or Neath? I have been told that people have to travel to Bridgend in order to go west. This is unacceptable especially as many people receive medical treatment at Neath Port Talbot Hospital and their families need to get there.

Public transport needs to be clean, reliable and affordable. It also needs to take people where they want to go.

I have launched a campaign to reinstate bus services to Ton Kenfig. This area, which includes the Kenfig Nature Reserve and Kenfig Pool, lost its bus service several years ago when BCBC withdrew subsidies after Welsh Government cut the budget. As a result, bus operator First Cymru withdrew the bus.

I was shocked that a Labour-controlled council and Labourcontrolled Welsh Government were prepared to throw a small community to the wolves in this way.

I have written to all householders and there has been overwhelming support for this fight.

There is much talk from Labour politicians about social inclusion but excluding a whole community from access to their GP, all other health services, shops and leisure facilities is cruel and callous. Unless residents can afford a taxi, they remain cut off from crucial services.

I will be contacting BCBC about restoring the subsidy and also First Cymru to see if they are prepared to divert one bus an hour to this route instead of running it through South Cornelly.

Taking one away would still leave residents there with a half hourly service to both Porthcawl and Bridgend. People in Ton Kenfig have nothing.

DR ALTAF HUSSAIN Welsh Conservative Regional MS for South Wales West

STRUGGLING HOSPITALITY BUSINESSES NEED MORE FINANCIAL SUPPORT Labour ministers in Cardiff Bay must make more financial support available for struggling hospitality businesses across the country.

First Minister Mark Drakeford imposed tough restrictions on businesses just after Christmas with nightclubs shut, rule of six brought back and two metre social distancing re-introduced.

Many businesses were struggling before Christmas with customers cancelling their bookings in the run-up to the festive period due to concern surrounding the omicron variant of coronavirus.

Labour ministers announced a £120m fund to help companies and their Economic Resilience Fund is set to open next week.

But I fear it won’t be enough to fully compensate businesses for all the hardship they’ve had to endure.

As Shadow Minister for Tourism, my party has also once again reiterated our calls for Labour ministers to publish a roadmap out of restrictions as we learn to live with the virus, and to provide families and businesses with much-needed clarity.

The money announced so far to support the industry is a step in the right direction, but we need to see a lot more cash made available especially as restrictions are remaining in place for the time being.

TOM GIFFARD Welsh Conservative regional Senedd member for South Wales West

34 | seaside news

JAMIE WALLIS MP for Bridgend

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SCHOOLS ST CLARE’S SCHOOL

St Clare’s provides an exceptional education for pupils aged 2 ½ in Nursery through to Sixth Form. We are extremely proud of our Day nurseries UK Top 20 Nursery (Wales) 2021 Award, with an incredible 10/10 parent-review score.

Our A-Level and GCSE results are consistently well above the national average. Last year, our A-Level students celebrated our track record for outstanding results with 61.4% at A*/A and 86.4% at A*/B, with 100% of students gaining their first-choice university destinations with many in the Russell Group including St Andrew’s, Cardiff, Durham, Exeter, Manchester, Nottingham and Queen Mary’s, London.

St Clare’s have been in the top 5% of top-performing A-Level schools in the UK for ALPS (A-Level Performance System) since 2018.

Our Sixth Form students benefit from a unique education with smaller tutorial-style groups, new Sixth Form Centre and six lessons per subject per week, delivered by experienced subject specialists and examiners. Our Admission Team are here to make the admissions process as smooth as possible for you. Visit www.stclares-school.co.uk or call us on (01656) 789966 to book a place at our Virtual Open Morning at 9:15 on Tuesday, 8th February, or our A-Level Options Evening at 5:00 on Tuesday, 8th February.

Helen Hier, Head Teacher

Deadline date for the March issue is: TUESDAY 15TH FEBRUARY

THE BRIDGE Welcome back after the Christmas break and a happy new year!

Also, welcome back from the Bridge, as we’ve been absent for a little while. Mrs Morriss who was our longest serving teacher and our regular Seaside News writer retired last July. We miss you!

We saw a lot of changes last year. First of all congratulations to Mrs Joyner who was appointed headmistress and welcome to our new deputy head Mr Whitchurch.

This term, Key stage 3 has already been enjoying our topic Star 36 | seaside news

Email us your report to: info@seasidenews.co.uk Gazing and as well as learning about planets and the space race, they’ve been fascinated learning about the mission to Mars.

They are looking forward to designing and making their space suit badges in art lessons.

All pupils are enjoying their Wednesday afternoon enrichment time and are fortunate to have Miss Mattravers leading our Drama therapy sessions and we are very lucky to have Dallaglio back to coach our pupils in both rugby and football skills.

We are looking forward to welcoming Mr White for our music therapy sessions, which will be wonderful in developing our wellbeing, especially in these unusual times.

Cameron, Tom, Kade, Harry and Ellie (Taith)

SEND US YOUR SCHOOL ARTICLE - IT’S FREE TO PUBLISH Email: info@seasidenews.co.uk PORTHCAWL COMPREHENSIVE SCHOOL

A group of Year 11 students, helped by Mrs Bennion, organised a most generous Foodbank donation. With Covid preventing collections last year, it was great to be able to support this amazing charity once again. A wide variety of goods were donated by staff and pupils and thanks to all who made a donation to help those less fortunate. Your donations this year were needed more than ever. Pupils, Cara Wheatley and Isobel Evans remarked, “It was lovely to see Porthcawl Comp coming together to help people in need, especially after this hard year”.

We have decided that the Year 12 and Year 9 ‘Option Evenings’ will be held remotely. Arrangements have been made and shared with the learners and their families. The Year 12 option event shares the planning for the Year 12, (September 2022) entry.

Should anyone wish to consider their Sixth Form study to be at our school then please call 01656 774100 or email info@ porthcawlschool.co.uk to arrange a visit.

I would just like to thank Canon Masson once again for allowing us to use the beautiful All Saints Church to record our virtual carol service, which we then shared via a YouTube link. We received very positive feedback from those who saw it and were delighted to be able to share the service with our school community.

Andrew Slade, Head Teacher

Together We Can. Gyda’n Gilydd Ni’n Gallu.

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Why not pay a visit to Nottage Tiddlers, a purpose-built nursery tucked safely away at the heart of Nottage Primary School? Here, you will find a team of experienced practitioners waiting to welcome your little one into the wonderful world of Tiddlers!

To find out more, contact us on 01656 815540 or send an email to admin@nottageps.bridgend.cymru or visit our website www.nottageprimary.com you can even like us on Facebook @NottagePrimary Nottage Primary School, Suffolk Place, Porthcawl, Bridgend, CF36 3ED seaside news | 37

SCHOOLS

Email us your report to: info@seasidenews.co.uk

YSGOL Y FERCH O’R SGER It was lovely to welcome everybody back to school safe and well after the Christmas break.

We would like to extent a special welcome to our new starters Alex, Emilia, MiaLouise and Sophie.

Croeso i Sgêr!

Welcome to Sgêr!

We begun the term by celebrating the Hen Galan (the Old New Year) with a visit from the Mari Lwyd and children making a Perllan (an apple with evergreen leaves and cloves). The new year was traditionally celebrated on January the 13th as we in Wales used the Julian calendar, an adaptation of the Roman calendar set out by Julius Cesar until the mid 18th century. At the time of the Hen Galan children would visit nearby houses carrying a Perllan as a symbol of good luck for a fruitful harvest in the coming year and singing happy new year greetings. In return they would receive Calennig, small gifts such as cyflaith (Welsh toffee) or money. The Mari Lwyd was the most unusual of the New Year traditions. A horse’s skull covered in a sheet and adorned with colourful ribbons and bells was taken from house to house engaging in ‘pwnco’ a friendly singing challenge with the aim of the Mari Llwyd and her crew gaining entry to the house to toast the new year.

Blwyddyn newydd dda! Happy new year!

Staff Sgêr

PORTHCAWL PRIMARY NEWS

Belated Happy New Year from everyone at Porthcawl Primary School! We are very excited about the year ahead and have been working hard on the many activities we have planned.

Our younger children are learning all about Space. They really enjoyed the start of the topic when the school was full of aliens and astronauts! Key Stage Two are learning all about bees and pollination in their topic ‘Be all you can Bee’. The topic will give them a great opportunity to visit the new wild flower meadow that has been planted at the end of our field.

Our school has continued to grow and we are excited that it is the biggest it has ever been. We have had many new children join us over the last term and they have already become valued members of our school community. Building a sense of belonging and secure relationships are fundamental to success at school and so all new children are supported by Mrs Farmer, our Emotional Literacy Teaching Assistant. Through a wide range of activities, we ensure children settle in quickly and make plenty of friends.

We are a small and friendly school; we prioritise well-being and are proud of our excellent academic standards. If you are looking for a new school, please contact me using the details below. We have Nursery spaces for September 2022.

Jo Rowley, Head Teacher Tel: 01656 815660 admin@porthcawlps.bridgend.cymru

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seaside news | 41

FEATURES DOG TRAINING South Wales Dog Training Academy has collaborated with On Cloud K9 and LifeLine Dogs to bring some fun mini courses for you and your dog.

Together, we are Helping Hounds and our dog training courses come in a format to suit all learners. The in-person sessions are backed up by an online course with lessons and video demonstrations so that you can continue to practice after the training course has finished.

The Engagement course. Does your dog prefer to be anywhere other than with you when you’re out for a walk? An engaged dog will love training and playing with you, no matter what the distractions around them are. Engagement is the foundation to teaching all other behaviours, it’s what we build our relationship on and with our dog. Through practicing our fun games, your dog will be motivated, focused and actively want to participate with you.

The Impulse Control course. Does your dog suffer with lack of self-control? Does your dog bark because you haven’t thrown their ball? Does your dog dash towards you if you drop food? Do they have little patience in a distracting or exciting environment?

Whether the answer is yes or no, this course will definitely benefit you and your dog by playing the fun games that are taught.

The Confidence course. Does your dog avoid certain situations? Maybe your dog barks at things that they are unsure of? Or shies away from other dogs or people? We have a mini course that will give you some games to take away to help you build their confidence, along with some information that will help you understand what they are feeling.

The Canine Enrichment course is a 1 session course designed for dogs and their guardians who would like to improve and enhance their dog’s life. This course is packed with ideas to stimulate all of your dog’s senses. It provides easy games and activities that will inject fun and enjoyment into your dog’s everyday life. Learning your dog’s preferences and providing those particular things will give your relationship a super charge and enrich both your lives.

If you would like to join us, please get in touch on 07814 400299 or message through the website; https://www.southwalesdogtrainingacademy.com/contact/ or email; julie@swdta.com Julie Williams APDT IMDT South Wales Dog Training Academy.

COYCHURCH WI NEWS The Christmas shopping trip to Bristol in November was an excellent day out and we also enjoyed our delicious Christmas lunch held on 8th December at the Coed-y-Mwstwr Hotel, Coychurch. Before settling down to lunch we all assembled on the magnificent staircase for a group photograph and albeit the afternoon went far too quickly following the meal there was much chatting and laughter as the distribution of the Secret Santa and the free raffle with four lovely prizes took place.

To conclude the afternoon we all joined in with a very humorous and different rendering of The Twelve Days of Christmas, which was relevant to various happenings within the WI. It was such a disappointment that because of the current restrictions we were unable to meet up on 11th January in The Williams Memorial Hall for the organised fish/chicken lunch.

Let us all hope that these restrictions are soon over, as it is not what we hoped for commencing with our planned activities for 2022.

For further details on future meetings/events please contact either Sandra Davidson on 01656 669232 or Natalie White on 07581 256026.

Janet James

THROUGH CHRISTIAN EYES What is the worlds’ bestselling book? Every year it’s the Bible!

Would you like a free Bible?

For generations an organisation called the GideonsUK have placed free bibles in hotels, hospitals, prisons, universities, and distributed free bibles in secondary schools. In recent times the Gideons have changed their name to ‘GOOD NEWS for Everyone’ and still keep up their amazing work of giving away this amazing book for free, which has changed so many lives for the better.

A few years ago a Welsh university decided to stop allowing Bibles to be placed in their student halls. They went further and asked for all the bibles already there to be removed. Many were still in excellent condition. We were able to recycle a few hundred of these bibles here in Porthcawl at Gilgal Baptist Church. We have seen many people gladly receive a copy as they come to seek Jesus Christ at our gatherings, and others warmly welcomed by customers of Porthcawl Foodbank. The bible contains a life-transforming message. If you would like a copy in modern English, and the opportunity to have it explained to you.

Please contact me at faith@gilgal.co.uk.

Rev. Martin Gillard Gilgal Baptist Church, Porthcawl

KIDNEY WALES DONATION

Deadline date for the March issue is: TUESDAY 15TH FEBRUARY 42 | seaside news

Mid Glamorgan Savoyards made a donation of £563.00 to Porthcawl Kidney Wales Fundraising Committee after their production of The Mikado, which took place in All Saints Church, Porthcawl. We would like to thank Musical Director Roger Hudd, BEM and all members of the Savoyards for their kind donation.

Kathryn Roper

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HAPPY NEW YEAR FROM KENFIG NATURE RESERVE Happy New Year from Kenfig Nature Reserve Sadly, we have started the New Year with a problem. Over the Christmas holiday we have received a number of reported incidents relating to off road bikers using the Reserve. The bikers are breaking the law and by driving carelessly and at times dangerously without lawful authority on common land are creating a danger and destroying very precious biodiversity.

Kenfig Nature Reserve are now working very closely with South Wales Police to try and tackle this problem and are seeking the assistance of the public by asking them to report if they think a bike or motorised vehicle is being used on the Reserve. It is very important that you please provide as much information as possible. To include date, time and location of incident, colour, make and model of bike and description of riders clothing, helmet or hair colour.

To report incidents such as this there is an online report form available Report a crime | South Wales Police (south-wales.police.uk) The Road Traffic Act 1988 makes it an offence to drive a vehicle dangerously, without due care and attention or in a manner which may cause ‘alarm, distress or annoyance, and it is really important that off road bikers realise that they could be prosecuted, or their vehicles may be seized and destroyed.

Kenfig Nature Corporation and Kenfig Corporation Trust want to ensure that the one of Wales’ SSSI top sand-dune reserves with special plants, birds and insects alongside its thousands of visitors are protected and kept safe. Please help us in this initiative to ensure this happens.

On a more positive note, there is continued on-going discussion with various groups and organisations to try and bring back some sort of bus service that will drop off and pick up to and from the Reserve. Again, we are looking for public support for this and if you would like to see the bus service return to Kenfig we have a petition at the Reception of the Reserve Centre, there will also be one with Emma at the Hyde Out or you can go to the https://chng.it/pkd8gGrNyK to sign up. There is an existing petition at the Prince of Wales public house in Kenfig and we will be liaising closely with them on this.

At the time of writing the date of the introduction of the car parking fees is yet to be confirmed but following community consultation I can reconfirm that the charges will be: 90 minutes - £1, 3 hours - £2, All day - £4 Horse boxes and Large Vehicles that take up more than one space will be charged at £6.00.

The Friends of Kenfig loyalty cards are now available at a cost of £45 which equates to paying just over 12p a day for parking.

Call in to the Reserve or telephone 01656 530089 /email clerk@ kenfignaturecorporation.com for information.

Overnight parking between the hours of 10pm and 5am will be a charged at £60 per vehicle.

I am really excited to announce that Chris (the Warden) and I have been working on a diary of events for the forthcoming year to include Dark Sky projects in the form of star gazing, moon gazing, planetarium days, and dark sky photography sessions, there will be animal handling events and shows, an Autumnal Auction as well as the Wardens regular walks and talks. Updates regarding details of all these events will be available very soon so keep an eye on the Kenfig Corporation Trust Website, on the noticeboard at the Reserve and in the Seaside News (we will also be letting people know through the various social media networks).

On Sunday 6th of February between 10am and 4pm - Ash Tree Artisans (Artisaniaid Yr Onnen) a local group of artists, crafters, and small businesses will be holding their first market in the Sker Suite at Kenfig Reserve Centre. Not to be missed if you are looking for some eclectic and top-quality gifts.

All this alongside the regular monthly farmers market and the usual school holiday fun and games. Exciting times ahead at Kenfig Nature Reserve!!

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FEATURES THE INNER WHEEL CLUB OF PORTHCAWL

Our January meeting was cancelled due to some of our members having contracted Covid. At this moment we are not sure if we can have a meeting in February, but if we do it will be on Wednesday the 2nd at the usual time of 6pm and the meal to start at 7pm. The change of day is for February only.

If anyone is interested in finding out more about the Inner Wheel, please come along and meet us you will be made most welcome.

Liz Jones

PORTHCAWL ROTARY CLUB - ABOUT US We are a very active group with a membership of 40, meeting every Monday lunchtime (except Bank Holidays) in The HighTide. During the year we undertake a wide range of fundraising events and social activities including:FUNDRAISING FOR LOCAL CHARITIES: · Carolcade - taking a sleigh around parts of Porthcawl during December · Street Collections - these take place in John Street on Saturdays in December · Rotary Christmas Post - over the past few years we have collected and delivered over 5,000 letters and cards in Porthcawl. · Race Night - entertaining evening watching/supporting video horse racing followed by a meal. · Christmas Tree Festival - display in All Saints Church of Christmas trees supplied and decorated by local organisations (donations shared with the Church) But rotary is not just about fundraising for charity we also have many social events, such as:· Fish and Chip evening - the evening includes a ‘friendly’ team quiz · Treasure Hunt - held on a summer evening. Includes an evening meal in a stated location in case some people get lost!! · Rotary Quiz - knockout competition between Rotary Clubs.

Friendly but competitive!

If you would like further information on the Club or on forthcoming events, please e-mail Jeff Perren at jeff@ perrenpartners.co.uk Rtn Robert Lee 44 | seaside news

Email us your feature info@seasidenews.co.uk

MYNYDD CYNFFIG WI On a cold misty Tuesday Mynydd Cynffig WI meet at the Talbot Center Kenfig Hill at 2pm for the first meeting of 2022,the weather couldn’t spoil our enthusiasm for getting back together after the Christmas and new year break. After wishing everyone a happy new year we got down to WI business Enid our secretary read out all the items that we could partake in and informed our members of what our WI are now organising. Our walking club is up and walking (excuse the pun) scrabble club has found a home in the life Center Pyle and we are starting a book lending club as well, our luncheon club is thriving and all complying with covid rules. Our speaker was Mrs Barbara Bowing from Barry WI her topic was ACWW. The Associated country Women of the World, she explained what they were all about and where our pennies that we collect go to and how they are spent, older members know how the organisation works but new members didn’t and it was good to get up to-date information. The chatter and laughter was a tonic, which the weather couldn’t put a damper, on tea and biscuits rounded off our meeting and we left looking forward to the next one.

Christine Callaghan

PORTHCAWL LIONS First I have to apologise that, written earlier in December our January item reported a Boxing Day Fun Run which was in the end virtual, the enrolment of new member Caroline which eventually took place on zoom, and advertised a Burns Night which has now been changed and postponed.

‘The best laid plans… of covid and co. This event will now become a CELTIC NIGHT ON FRIDAY 4TH MARCH, with some of the features of the traditional Burns event, which has been such a success in recent years, and with some more Welsh aspects just after Dewi Sant. In conjunction with the Museum it will still be at the Hi-tide with a four-course meal, bagpipes, dancing and ‘Celtic cracks’. Tickets £30 from events@pclions\’gmail.com, or 01656784489, or the museum We also keep planning ahead with hopes of a coffee morning, a fashion show, arrangements well in hand for a concert and high hopes of a resuming our car boot sales. Wouldn’t it be nice?

To join and support our optimists try membership@ porthcawllions.com

SKER WI Regretfully the January meeting had to be cancelled due to the restriction of numbers able to meet indoors. Uncertainty remains about the February meeting but lets hope we can meet again in March. We did, however, enjoy the October meeting, which was well attended with a Welcome Back buffet that was enjoyed by all. Everyone was so pleased to be able to catch up again. In November we had a cheese tasting evening presented by PS Something Special. Members tried different cheese yet another pleasurable evening. The December meeting was the Christmas meeting with a Fish and Chip supper and entertainment by Ric, who played guitar and sang lots of favourite song for the ladies to have a dance. Sker WI meets at 7pm on the second Thursday of the month. We meet at St David’s church hall, Nottage Village. Visitors always welcome, let’s hope we will be able to meet again soon.

Jackie Jones

seaside news | 45

FEATURES BRIDGEND ASTRONOMICAL SOCIETY – THE BEEHIVE

February allows us to observe one of the most famous little star clusters in the heavens – The ‘Beehive’, known to astronomers by its catalogue number Messier 44. Found in the constellation of Cancer, Messier 44 also known as ‘Praesepe’ or ‘Manger’, is one of the closest clusters to the Earth lying 525 light years away and is visible as a small cloudy patch of light to the naked eye.

The Beehive contains over 200 recognised members, but for the most part these are faint dwarf like stars that are impossible to see in binoculars. The stars that give Praesepe its lovely visual appearance are all white and blue giant stars shining with luminosities of up to 150 times that of our Sun. Praesepe is a brilliant target for binoculars as these instruments define the cluster rather well and show the central condensation of stars plus the doubles at the core of the cluster. Telescopes tend to power ‘through’ the cluster rather than look at it.

Our February talk will take place via ZOOM. Paul Fellows FRAS will deliver a talk entitled ‘The Hunt for Planet Vulcan’ on Wednesday 16th February, 7.30pm. To join, contact us or visit our website or Facebook group today! Contact: secretary@ bridgendastro.org.uk Find us on Facebook/Instagram/Twitter www.bridgendastro.org.uk

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EST 2013

TRINITY CHURCH We wish everybody a Happy New Year and can rejoice at the recent news that we will be returning to Alert Level 0 by January 28th. Our Services at Trinity have temporarily returned to the enhanced social distancing format. However from 30th January we will no longer have a restriction on numbers attending and can sit where we choose. We will still wear masks and are attending to all the recommended safety practices but are able to sing with live music.

On January 2nd we held a memorial service for all those church members who died during the last two years. This included family and friends of church members and was a special opportunity to thank them for their many gifts and remember how much we loved them as well as being able to say a special goodbye. We also enjoyed a recital on January 9th by a former Sunday school pupil who is now studying Drama in London.

This rounded off our Christmas season well and we are all more optimistic for a 2022 when our Church can gradually return to a full calendar of events, groups, meetings and socialising.

Please visit our Facebook page or website for any further information.

Alison Meredith Thomas. Communication Secretary. www.trinitychurchporthcawl.org

PORTHCAWL WI After the musical December meeting with festive treats our members met again on 11th of January. We were treated to a fascinating talk from Kat Clark of Nottage, a chiropractor with so much more. Whole body wellness is very much her message.

We are grateful for such an enlightening afternoon.

Normal WI business was followed by voting on this years WI resolutions. Our next meeting is on the second Tuesday of February at 2pm in All Saints church hall.

If you would like more information please ring me Tina Richards 016566 788725.

BRIDGEND SOROPTIMISTS We will be meeting on Zoom for their monthly Business meeting on 9th February 7pm.

On Wednesday 23rd February 7pm at their Supper meeting to be held at the Heronston Hotel Dr. Jamie Wallis Conservative MP will be in attendance and speak on his current role as political representative for the town.

SI Bridgend website sigbi.org/bridgend-and-district www.facebook.com/BridgendSoroptimists

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SAMTAMPA BUILDER APPEAL Members of the Porthcawl Shout Forum (PSF) are being asked for news on the memorial to the horrific disaster at Sker Point Porthcawl in which 47 men and boys died.

The entire crews of the 7200-ton Liberty ship SS Samtampa and the Mumbles Lifeboat, Edward Prince of Wales all died from fuel oil asphyxiation in an unbelievable violent sea.

Supreme courage and valour was displayed that day in their heroic fight with a very angry sea and for the past six years PSF have been trying to provide a public memorial that will not only commemorate their bravery but also inform and inspire future generations of residents and visitors.

On May 3rd 2017 our then First Minister Carwyn Jones launched our project in the Senedd with school children from Mumbles, Middlesbrough and Porthcawl taking part.

Following many problems and false starts we are indebted to BCBC for allowing us to locate the memorial within sight of the disaster area at Rest Bay. To complete this community project we desperately need the help of a builder to construct the base and memorial plinth.

Please contact me if you can HELP? Gary Victor Porthcawl Shout Forum 6 The Whimbrels Porthcawl Tel 01656 783491

NATIONAL COASTWATCH INSTITUTION – PORTHCAWL 2021 was a busy year for us with 68 logged Incidents, up by 7 from 2020 but not as busy as 2019, which was 85. Our key ‘hotspot areas’ in 2021 were Rest Bay, Dunraven Bay and Ogmore River Mouth. Tidal cut-offs continue to pose a major issue for us and we urge people to be aware of tide times and the risks presented when they embark on a coastal walk. As we are sure you are aware, the Bristol Channel has the 2nd highest tidal range in the world and tides run fast, particularly on Spring Tides!

Apart from tidal cut-offs, Stand Up Paddleboarders, Surfers and Kayakers featured heavily in our incident records during the year. It was evident that the concept of the UK ‘staycation’ had a big impact on the number of visitors to the area during 2021, possibly not all familiar with the particular risks posed along our coastline.

Vessels logged have taken a huge jump up by 80% from 2020 and this was certainly our busiest year since opening. We look forward to another busy year and of course our Choral Event in the Grand Pavilion on March 3rd.

Nick Weedon, Media Officer Porthcawl NCI

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HISTORY MEET MY ANCESTORS My ancestor Katherine Swynford was born on 25 November 1350 in Hainaut, Belgium. Around 1366 Katherine married Sir Hugh Swynford and gave birth to three children. She served John of Gaunt, a charismatic, chivalric knight, the leading man of his age, as governess to his daughters, Phillippa of Lancaster and Elizabeth of Lancaster. In turn, John of Gaunt was named as the godfather of Katherine’s daughter, Blanche. At this stage it was evident that Katherine and John of Gaunt were close. In due course, that relationship became more intimate.

John of Gaunt’s wife, Blanche of Lancaster, died on 12 September 1368 of the plague. A few years later, after the death of Sir Hugh on 13 November 1371, Katherine and John of Gaunt embarked upon a love affair that produced four children out of wedlock.

Their illicit relationship continued until 1381 when it was truncated for political reasons. The scandal damaged Katherine’s reputation. However, true love found its way and on 13 January 1396 Katherine and John of Gaunt were married at Lincoln Cathedral. Subsequently, the Pope legitimised their four children.

A footnote to Katherine’s story. Her sister, Phillipa, married Geoffrey Chaucer, thus placing the great poet on my family tree.

Hannah Howe, international bestselling author https://hannah-howe.com

NATWEST BANK, BRIDGEND

The NatWest building at 28 Adare Street, built in the 1850s, was the first purpose-built bank in Bridgend. The National Provincial Bank, established in 1833, opened a branch in Eastgate Street (now Caroline Street) in 1835. Thomas George Smith became the bank manager in 1841 and lived on the premises with his wife, mother, two sons, daughter and two servants. He remained manager until he died, aged 61, of typhoid fever in July 1872, whereupon his son, also Thomas George Smith, took on the role.

“Tommy George” was a prominent and well-regarded businessman in Bridgend and, on his death in June 1909, at the age of 60, the Glamorgan Gazette printed and detailed and 48 | seaside news

fulsome obituary. He had resigned his post the previous year due to ill-health and moved, from the bank, to Porthcawl.

John Evans, bank manager from 1908 until 1927, succeeded him, again living over the shop - or, rather, the bank, with his family and servants by 1939 the bank had ceased to be also a home.

In 1968 the National Provincial and Westminster Banks merged and became the National Westminster Bank. The picture shows the bank in 1894 before the classical frontage was added.

Ian Price Bridgend & District Local History Society

Deadline date for the March issue is: TUESDAY 15TH FEBRUARY JASPER TUDOR?

How many of us when asked, who was responsible for altering the original structure of St John’s Church, Newton, between 1485-1495, would give the answer Jasper Tudor. Museum member, Peter Henry, offers an alternative suggestion.

In 1853, Henry Hey Knight had surmised that the chancel and buttressed Tower were probably erected when Jasper Tudor was lord of the older manor. However, in 2004, samples taken from timbers in the Chancel, having undergone dendrochronological analysis, showed that the oak timbers were derived from a tree felled in 1503. These timbers would have been used in a green state, placing the construction of the roof to 1503-04.

Jasper Tudor, already Earl of Pembroke, was granted the Lordship of Glamorgan in 1488. As Lord of Glamorgan, he also held land in our parish, which later became ‘Pembroke Manor.’

On his death the Lordship and acquired revenues reverted to the Crown during the reign of his nephew Henry VII. It remained with the Crown until the reign of Edward VI. Yet, although it would appear, that the reconstruction work was done when Henry VII held the Lordship, it was most probably carried out by sir Charles Somerset, Baron Herbert, to whom Henry had ‘farmed out’ the Lordship in 1496, at a very high revenue.

Ceri Joseph

WHAT'S' ON RETURNS FOR THE MARCH ISSUE Promote your group, society, club etc

Costs: £50 + VAT for a standard 30 word listing. £75 + VAT for a highlighted 50 word listing.

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www.seasidenews.co.uk seaside news | 49

FINANCE INTEREST RATES ARE DUE TO RISE, SO IF YOU’RE LOOKING FOR EQUITY RELEASE NOW’S THE TIME TO GET ADVICE As there is no evidence of income required it’s no surprise there has been a significant rise in the number of people over 55 using lifetime mortgages to release equity from their homes.

So what are the hard facts? Well gone are the days where you have to worry about the mortgage growing larger than the value of your home. Lenders now have to provide protection in the form of No Negative Equity Guarantees, which basically means the mortgage cannot increase beyond the value of your property and leave you homeless.

Money can be released for all manner of uses from kitchens & bathrooms to weddings & cruises.

Another major improvement is, you can draw funds in stages at different times for several needs so this flexibility means your funds last longer by not taking the maximum at outset.

What also surprises a lot of our clients is the fact that interest rates offered by lifetime mortgage providers are surprisingly competitive and as good as mainstream lending.

You also now have the option to lock in a certain percentage of your property value using the Guaranteed Inheritance option so if you wanted to protect some of you house value for your children you can!

There are lots of different providers each with varying incentives so we can compare all of these for you to ensure you get the best deal out there.

Just remember this form of capital raising isn’t for everyone, which is why you might like to see some case studies to see if this could work for you. To discuss your options please call Abacus Assurance on 01656 772222.

month on their mortgage compared with their current deal, money which can go to something else.

For those people, who are increasing in numbers, on retirement age borrowing, some of the deals we’ve recently achieved have been less than half the interest rate those people have been paying, so it really IS in your interests to pick up the phone and talk it through with us.

On a slightly different note, many more people have suddenly become aware and concerned about the prospect of their incomes becoming open to change and vulnerable, as employers re-assess their budgets following COVID and the drastic effects this had had on certain types of businesses. Only a few days ago, we put together an income protection package for someone aged mid-30s whereby he now gets the cover of just over £1,000 per month if he can’t work due to illness, injury, etc and the cost was just £14 per month.

Another policy we’ve just done includes a similar amount of income plus, if the client concerned is made redundant, he has cover and breathing space, all for around a pound a day, so much better than taking a chance.

Call us on 01656 782545 / 07768 418308 to get a quote to satisfy your needs.

PAUL FIELDING Dragon Financial 01656 782545 / 07768 418308

Philip Vaughan is a Director at Abacus Assurance Financial Services Ltd and is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority. A lifetime mortgage is secured against your home.

PHILIP VAUGHAN Director at Abacus Assurance Financial Services Ltd Porthcawl 01656 772222

Independent Mortgage and Protection Advisers We are the Specialists to call...

Need a new mortgage from a whole of market Adviser?

2022 – A YEAR OF CHANGE? So here we are already, the end of January and start of February, with Christmas seemingly just a short while ago...then another set of restrictions...then only a week or so later, it’s all change again, a sort of ‘back to the future’ scenario.

With the UK trade figures suggesting a recovery back to preCOVID levels and the housing and mortgage markets already back in full swing, the future seems to be bright, as long as financial matters remain steady. That said, with inflation forecast to be around as much as 5% possibly sooner than we think, getting your spending right and putting your finances on a sound footing seem more important than ever.

Mortgage rates persist at the bottom end of the price spectrum at present so getting in on a low interest remortgage rate now can help you get those finances in order, with expensive debt being exchanged for cheaper borrowing. This all takes a little effort on your part to talk to an established Adviser who has an important finger on the pulse as to what the market is currently doing and how things are likely to pan out going forward. At the time of writing this, I have just constructed a new mortgage arrange for someone whereby they are saving around £90 per 50 | seaside news

Over the Age of 55 and need Later Life Lending or Equity Release?

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Refused a mortgage due to Previous Credit Problems?

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Life Assurance and Family Protection need reviewing?

Income protection a problem – not available from work?

Funeral planning? - pre-paid plans to suit everyone We also work with trusted, qualified financial partners in other areas of financial needs

CALL US ON: 01656 782545 MOB: 07768 418308 / 07960 613111 EMAIL: camfin@btopenworld.com APPOINTMENTS AT A TIME TO SUIT YOU, EVEN AT WEEKENDS – HOME VISITS Paul Fielding trading as Dragon Financial is an Appointed Representative of The On-Line Partnership Limited, which is Authorised and Regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority Think carefully about securing other debts against your home. Your home may be repossessed if you do not keep up repayments on a mortgage or any other debt secured against it.

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Address: 75 New Road, Porthcawl CF36 5DH (opposite Griffin Park) Tel: 01656 783699 Day or Night For further information on the services we provide visit www.porthcawlfuneralservices.co.uk or find us on Facebook Serving Porthcawl and the whole of Bridgend County seaside news | 51

LEGAL PRE-NUPTIAL AGREEMENTS

CHANGES TO APPLICATIONS FOR PROBATE We have experienced significant delays with the probate service since 2018 when the Ministry of Justice (MoJ) proposed to increase probate fees. The proposals led to an increase in applications following uncertainty around the suggested new fee structure.

Delays were further exacerbated by the pandemic.

Combined with it becoming mandatory in September 2020, to use the online service for grants of probate applications by professional users, with exceptions for more specialised applications, this resulted in increasing delays to the probate service with members suggesting these were often going beyond eight weeks before receiving the grant.

HM Courts and Tribunal Service (HMCTS) are taking measures to reduce the time between submission of applications and receipt of the grant.

From 1st January 2022, the Inheritance Tax (Delivery of Accounts) (Excepted Estates) (Amendment) Regulations 2020 come into force.

The regulations change the Tax reporting requirements for excepted estates: these are estates below the current inheritance tax (IHT) threshold available at the time of the deceased death.

This regulation confirms that Executors / Administrators for a person living in the UK with an excepted estate, who dies on or after 1 January 2022, no longer need to complete the Tax forms IHT205 or IHT217 (where applicable). They must however keep a record of the assets and liabilities of the estate as HMCTS will have 60 days instead of 35 days from the issue of the grant to ask for additional information.

The application for probate must contain details of the following:• the net value of the estate for IHT purposes • the gross value of the estate for IHT purposes • the net qualifying value of the estate In addition to this, from 26th January 2022, the costs of applying for probate have increased to a single fee of £273 for professional and non-professional probate applicants, regardless of the size of the estate.

The current fees are £155 for professional users and £215 for non-professional users.

The main reasons for this are to remove the discrepancy between professional and non-professional applicants for probate, ensure all users should pay the same fee for the same service, ensure that the fee recovers the cost of delivering the probate service and protect access to justice by ensuring that courts and tribunals are adequately resourced, while reducing the overall taxpayer subsidy for HMCTS. We wait to see whether these changes will assist in reducing the delays or worsen it.

SWANSEA | MUMBLES | PORTHCAWL | CARDIFF | 01792 65 00 00 The Dunes Business Centre, 267 New Road, Porthcawl CF36 5BG

52 | seaside news

Getting married is one of life’s happiest events, and so people are understandably reluctant to consider how the money would be split in the event of the marriage breaking down. A pre-nuptial agreement is a way of ringfencing any money or property which you own prior to marriage.

Although pre-nuptial agreements are not legally binding in England and Wales, it is still advisable to sign a document setting out how the marital assets would be divided in the event of separation. A pre-nuptial agreement can be detailed as you feel appropriate, even setting out how joint assets accrued during the marriage are to be split.

If the court were to get involved in settling the finances, a prenuptial agreement is likely to be upheld if both parties have received legal advice in relation to it, and if the agreement allows both parties’ ongoing housing needs to be met. However, if one party would be significantly disadvantaged by the division set out in the agreement, to the point of being unable to rehouse, then the court may feel that the assets should be re apportioned to allow that to happen.

It is also advisable to consider making a will before marriage, as marriage nullifies any previous will and your spouse would automatically inherit your assets. However, you can specify that the new will is not intended to be revoked upon marriage, and in it protect your spouse by giving them a right of occupation, thus enabling them to reside in the marital home for a period of time after which it will pass to your nominated beneficiaries.

It is not the most romantic gesture to ask your betrothed to sign a document agreeing not to make any claim on your assets, but doing so may avoid confusion and expense later on.

MADELINE RAND King Davies & Partners

Deadline date for the March issue is: TUESDAY 15TH FEBRUARY

RB ALTERNATIVE DISPUTE RESOLUTION Successfully Resolving Civil and Commercial Disputes We believe that all conflicts have the potential to be resolved fairly and constructively which helps parties to move on without being drawn into a lengthy, stressful and expensive litigation in court.

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PRACTICAL INVESTIGATIONS

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seaside news | 53

ARTS STAG’S WORLD OF ROCK

The highlight of the Christmas period was our evening of Carols and Choral music at All Saint Church. A full evening of songs from the choir was supplemented by solo performances from two wonderful young singers. Local Porthcawl Comprehensive pupil Samantha Wensley and Bronwen Jones, who travelled from Southampton, really amazed the audience with some wonderful festive songs. Our MD Alec and accompanist Richard performed a vibrant piano duet ‘Sleighbells’. Thanks to all who helped in making the concert possible, especially out hard-working ladies section.

We would like to wish all our friends, supporters and readers a very happy New Year.

We are always looking to welcome now choristers. If you’re interested, please contact us on contact@pothcawlmalechoir. co.uk or Noel Williams on 07902 333559.

A FILM MAKER’S POINT OF VIEW I hope you all had a good Xmas. I had the booster the day before and it had a bad effect, which laid me low for a week so it spoilt things a little. If you follow my column, I normally look into my crystal ball and predict things for some of our original local acts but with these uncertain times, even “Mystic Meg” has given up telling fortunes! I’m not going to attempt to recommend gigs or festivals to attend, as already many concerts have been cancelled.

On a positive note, my long-time song-writing partner of over 30 years, Daley B. Williams, was home for Xmas to play some solo gigs and visit family, as he now resides in the Czech Republic. I’m glad to say that we did manage to fit some new original songs together and Dale has taken the rough ideas home with him to the Czech Republic where he has a recording studio.

The plan is finally to release that “Best of” which will include some songs never released before, and we’ll get a video out when he returns in the summer. I hope in my next column I can give a more optimistic report on the South Wales music scene.

Stag Marks 07549 728356 Photo: Re-united – Stag and Daley B. Williams

Deadline date for the March issue is: TUESDAY 15TH FEBRUARY PORTHCAWL MALE CHOIR Our Christmas program was severely disrupted again this year

by COVID. However, by following strict guidelines, ensuring full vaccination status, and using Lateral Flow Tests we managed a few performances leading up to and over the Christmas period.

In November we sang at the wedding of Eleri and Rob in Miskin.

It was a wonderful day, and the choir was extremely well received. A bonus of Welsh cakes baked by the bride’s mother went down very well.

In December we performed at a Carol Service in the Masonic home, an annual concert very much enjoyed by all.

54 | seaside news

I notice that comments have been circulating in the media again recently about why new productions for the cinema and television have very dark interiors, with seemingly non-existent lighting, and soundtracks in which dialogue can be hard to understand because the actors are talking very quietly. Is it for realism? If I were to enter a room, which was so dark that I could hardly see around me, I would undoubtedly switch the light on, or ask someone to do it for me. If I fail to hear something that is said to me, I politely say, “I beg your pardon?”

Unfortunately, the audience does not have such a luxury of switching on the lights in the film or TV set, and shouting “Pardon?” at the screen is unlikely to reach the actors’ ears. If it is some fad being followed by the director, why cannot the camera and sound technicians point to its obvious shortcomings, or are they too afraid to speak up? Perhaps it’s just me – and a few others – and maybe the vast majority of viewers don’t notice, or care. Airing my view as a lighting cameraman, I find it incredibly unprofessional.

Anthony Hontoir Downwood Films 07510 934299 Picture: Anthony Hontoir and Fine Art Masterclasses Arriflex camera (photo: Louise in the comfort of your home 21 years of teaching experience with Jones) a range of ages from 7-92 Fully qualified Teacher/Tutor Beginner to Advanced level drawing and painting skills tailored for you With Jasmine (B.A Hons, P.G.C.E)

Contact: 07375 976 528 jasmine@jj-art.co.uk for further information

Email your article info@seasidenews.co.uk

PYLE & PORTHCAWL PHOTOGRAPHIC SOCIETY We recently held our annual Club Competition 2 expertly judged

by Rob Greenhill from the Rhondda. It was split into 2 sections, Prints and Digital Images. The winner of the Prints was new member Bill Robertson with Perlan Dome. The winner of the digital images was Howard Evans with Tulip. Congratulations both.

We’re a very friendly camera club with a mix of male & 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 join us, on Thursday evenings at 7:30pm at St Clare’s School, Newton CF36 5NR. Our meetings are held within the social distancing rules and guidelines.

Our program is available at www.pyle-porthcawl-ps.co.uk Geoff Baker

100% Director - Michelle Evans

273 New Road, Porthcawl, CF36 5BG 01656 788883 WWW.RIVERSIDEFUNERALSERVICE.CO.UK

seaside news | 55

GARDENING LALESTON GARDENING CLUB

Email your report info@seasidenews.co.uk spring. It’s a fab job if you’re having a bad day, as you can be quite brutal with them. Cut them back to the ground - you may feel you’re being too harsh but it the best thing to do for a brilliant show of flowers later on!

Did you know, the Romans first built Greenhouses? Emperor Tiberius wanted to eat cucumbers everyday (strange man!) so they were constructed to make his desire possible!

Chris Early

PORTHCAWL FLORAL ARRANGEMENT SOCIETY

February is here and it’s time to sow seeds in the greenhouse or conservatory for vegetables and bedding plants. If you have Wisteria, time to prune, weather permitting of course.

We often have snow at this time of year, but when or if the weather is mild there are many jobs we can get on with in our gardens, cutting back any winter flowering shrubs when flowers disappear, cutting down grasses ready for new shoots, splitting clumps of snow drops when the flowers are gone to increase stock and help naturalisation. It’s time to plan and prepare your veg plots, plan flowerbeds for the coming season. Chit potatoes and dahlia tubers can be started off in compost in the greenhouse to encourage new shoots.

At present there is much publicity in the gardening press about making gardening more sustainable, using peat free compost, composting and cutting your use of plastics. This is something we should all be giving serious consideration to, as we gardeners need to do our bit to help our planet and cut our carbon footprints. There is so much information to help us to do this available on the Internet. The Gardening Club Facebook page will also be running items of interest to encourage our members to make their gardening greener and more sustainable. We hope to open our shop at the end of February and we do stock peat free compost. Watch our Facebook page for details. Happy Gardening!

Susan Ford

CEFN CRIBWR GARDENING CLUB “The reason God made February short a few days was because he knew that by the time we came to the end of it people would rather die than stand one more blasted day of it!” - Katherine Peterson. How true!

Leave food out for the birds, as it is a very hungry month for wildlife. Putting food out helps distract birds from taking buds and bulbs, bless them. Set aside sometime to put up bird boxes, don’t worry if birds don’t start using them straight away, it may take time before they select them to nest in - but what joy when they do!

Prune late flowering shrubs such as buddleia, lavatera and hardy fuchsias. These shrubs flower best on growth made since the 56 | seaside news

At the time of writing we are still at alert level two and with great regret had to postpone our Afternoon Tea/speaker event, which was planned for 26th January. However we have been given the news that we will return to alert level 0 from 28th January. This means that our February, March and all future timetabled events should be going ahead. This gives us something to look forward to in these dark winter days. Our meetings in October and November were very successful and enjoyable with a good attendance at our AGM and Christmas dinner in December. Some members also created a beautiful floral Christmas tree at the Rotary Christmas Tree Festival. We hope to see all members at our demonstration and Practice nights in February.

All our meetings are now being held in Arlington Road Church at 7.30pm on a Wednesday.

February 9th - Demonstration by Jonathan Lloyd-Davies titled ‘The artist’s palette’.

February 23rd - Practice night with a petite arrangement titled ‘Say it with flowers’.

March 9th - Clive Tranter speaking on ‘Eight years with the Royal Household’.

If you would like to join our • Grass Cutting group and for further details of • Hedge Trimming our full programme and events • Tree Services • Turfing please consult our Facebook • Decorative Gravel page or ring 01656 222985.

• Fencing Alison Thomas, Club Secretary RELIABLE LOCAL SERVICE

Call Rhys Home: 01656 745560 Mobile: 07854 911166 Mobile: 07805 138819

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BRIDGEND YOUTH THEATRE www. grandpavilion.co.uk seaside news | 57

WHAT'S' ON RETURNS FOR THE MARCH ISSUE Promote your group, society, club etc

Costs: £50 + VAT for a standard 30 word listing. £75 + VAT for a highlighted 50 word listing.

Cost is per listing. Payment required upfront.

DEADLINE DATE FOR THE MARCH ISSUE IS THE 15TH FEBRUARY. Email your what's on listing(s) through to info@seasidenews.co.uk Set your listing out as they are in the image listing title, content, contact details.

www.seasidenews.co.uk 58 | seaside news

Digwyddiadau DigwyddiadauPafiliwn PafiliwnyyGrand Grand What’s What’sOn Onat atthe theGrand GrandPavilion Pavilion

Lionel Lionel

AnAn Evening Evening with with

Sad Sad 5 Chwefror 5 Chwefror SatSat 5 February 5 February 7:30pm 7:30pm £23.50 £23.50

IauIau 1717 Chwefror Chwefror Thu Thu 1717 February February 7:30pm 7:30pm £28.50 £28.50

Gwe Gwe 1818 Chwefror Chwefror FriFri 1818 February February 7:30pm 7:30pm £12–£15 £12–£15

Crimes, Crimes, Camera, Camera, Action Action

Andy Andy Fairweather Fairweather Low Low

The The Music Music of of Lionel Lionel Richie Richie

Shane Shane Williams Williams

Invisible Invisible Man Man

The The Roy Roy Orbison Orbison Story Story with with Barry Barry Steele Steele Sad Sad 1919 Chwefror Chwefror SatSat 1919 February February 7:30pm 7:30pm £23.50 £23.50

BRIDGEND BRIDGEND YOUTH YOUTH THEATRE THEATRE PRESENTS PRESENTS

SWEENEY SWEENEYTODD TODD

Bridgend Bridgend Youth Youth Theatre: Theatre:

Sweeney Sweeney Todd Todd

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7:30pm 7:30pm £10–£15 £10–£15

IauIau 1010 Mawrth Mawrth Thu Thu 1010 March March 7:30pm 7:30pm £17 £17

Sad Sad 1212 Mawrth Mawrth SatSat 1212 March March 8:00pm 8:00pm £25.50 £25.50

The The Manfreds Manfreds

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Grand.Pavilion.Porthcawl Grand.Pavilion.Porthcawl

Curtis Curtis Stigers Stigers

Mer Mer 2323 Mawrth Mawrth Wed Wed 2323 March March 8:00pm 8:00pm £30 £30

Come Come What What May: May:

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Mer Mer 3030 Mawrth Mawrth – Gwe – Gwe 1 Ebrill 1 Ebrill Wed Wed 3030 March March – Fri – Fri 1 April 1 April 7:30pm 7:30pm £10–£15 £10–£15

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SPORT PORTHCAWL JOY-RIDERS: CYCLING WITHOUT AGE

A number of Porthcawl volunteer residents held the inaugural meeting of the proposed Cycling Without Age (Porthcawl Chapter) and are looking for more like-minded people to join us to get this exciting project off the ground.

Cycling Without Age is a non profit organisation, originally started in Copenhagen. It aims to give local older or disabled people who can no longer cycle, the opportunity to once again enjoy the thrill of cycling by being piloted in an electric Trishaw along the glorious Porthcawl seafront (free of charge).

Fundraising will be required to buy the electric powered Trishaws and we are already holding conversations with local businesses and the Town Council. Further meetings will be held, details of which will appear via social media, flyers and posters.

We are now seeking volunteers to help set up the Porthcawl Chapter and potentially become a Pilot for one of the Trishaws (training will be given at the appropriate time).

Please follow the link below for further details of this fantastic initiative. To register your interest please contact Steve McCreery on 07791 101081 or email smccreery@hotmail.com https://cyclingwithoutage.org

PORTHCAWL RUNNERS New Year, new resolutions, new restrictions. The resilience of our runners was apparent throughout the Christmas period and into the New Year. During December club training and track sessions continued as normal with added challenges and incentives proposed by senior coaches Louise Mordue and Wilfy Edwards to help us all through the cold dark days. Special mention to Rhys Mumford who managed to run the equivalent distance in kilometres for each date in December up to Christmas Eve totalling 314k in just 24 days.

Then there was the annual Bridgend Festive Four Challenge, which usually closes out the year. However, even though the event was severely hampered because of last minute restrictions placed upon outside exercise / activities in Wales, there was still a high percentage of our club members making up the field, many of whom achieved notable individual performances Zoe Thomas, Joe Mainwaring and Sue Gullick in their respective categories January settled down into the now familiar routine of setting goals for the upcoming year, training for events whilst still wondering whether they will actually take place, and generally remaining positive with regards to physical and mental wellbeing. This is all made that little bit easier with members of the club and its supportive coaches around you whether you are pushing for that little extra effort on a night time trail run or going for that early morning cold water dip in the sea with likeminded friends. To that end, at the end of January we started another ‘couch to 5k’ group in order to promote and encourage another group on their road to enjoying the positive experience of becoming a part of Porthcawl Runners.

Nick Middleton

LOOKING FOR FREE PUBLICITY FOR YOUR SPORTS CLUB? SEND US AN ARTICLE TO PUBLISH ON THESE PAGES. 200 WORD LIMIT. Email: info@seasidenews.co.uk

REST BAY SLSC For all ages: Nippers, Juniors, Seniors and Masters

Welcome to the Youth Section.

Our Youth section is between the age of 13-18. During the summer months we train at Rest Bay beach, and also at Pyle Swimming pool throughout the year. Our focus is to teach our youth how to save lives.

Why not be part of our Junior Lifesaving team?

Surf lifesaving is a very diverse sport and can offer something to suit everyone!

At Rest Bay we provide high quality surf lifesaving, swimming, ocean and beach training. Youth can train to become Lifeguards and can carry out voluntary patrols as part of our training programme. Some also go on to get paid jobs!

Lots of youth members also like to compete in Regional, National and sometimes International competitions. These competitions can also offer amazing opportunities for our athletes.

Have fun, learn key lifesaving skills and build friendships for life.

Rest Bay Surf Lifesaving Club are a registered Charity

60 | seaside news

If you would like more information please contact: Melanie Taylor - 07792 107340

TIDES

REST BAY

Low Tide: Lower Number (m)

High Tide: Larger Number (m)

2022

FEB MAR

LIFEGUARD CLUB

REST BAY Nipper section are now recruiting children born between 2010 and 2014.

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

Our club’s Nipper section are aged between 7-13.

As a Nipper your child will be taught surf safety, basic lifesaving skills, surf and beach sports (wading, surf swimming, boardpaddling, beach flags, beach sprints and relays).

We also run lifesaving training sessions at Pyle pool all through the year.

Children are also able to obtain various national surf safety awards and are taught valuable lifesaving and safety skills at both the beach and the pool.

We are a family orientated club and also run a Junior, Senior and Masters section for all to join in.

If you would like more information please contact: Nipper coordinator: Melanie - 07792 107340

Senior Men’s Squad

19th Feb Seven Sisters RFC (H) 5th Mar Pyle RFC (A)

Senior Women’s Squad

TBC

Youth Squad

19th Feb Cwmavon RFC (H) 5th Mar Baglan RFC (A)

Saturday 5th February

Ireland v Wales

KO 2:15pm

Saturday 12th February

Wales v Scotland

KO 2:15pm

Saturday 26th February

England v Wales

KO 4:45pm

Friday 11th March

Wales v France

KO 8pm

Saturday 19th March

Wales v Italy

KO 2:15pm

Come and join us for food half time and a great atmosphere.... the best place to watch rugby....is in a rugby club!

Membership for the 2021/22 season is still available, Contact us for details.

Tide Times are BST adjusted (so no need to add an hour!).

The time you see above is correct Datum of Predictions = Chart Datum : 5.30 metres below Ordnance Datum (Newlyn)NATIONAL OCEANOGRAPHY CENTRE: COPYRIGHT RESERVED

porthcawlrfc.com T: 01656 784242 seaside news | 61

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