FEATURES

PUPPY DIARIES

Congratulations, you’re getting a puppy! Here’s a checklist of essential things you’re going to need or do before puppy comes home: • Make an appointment for a prepuppy consultation with a qualified Trainer, especially if this is your first puppy or if you haven’t had a puppy for a while. This will save you time, money and your sanity! • Puppy proof your home and garden. Safely contain anything dangerous like cables and wires. Learn to identify poisonous plants and dangerous foods. • Safety and management equipment, a crate, x-pen and baby gates can be invaluable. • A comfy bed and blankets. • Toys that rustle or squeak, have different textures and shapes. A Heartbeat Teddy for cwtching up to at night. • Enrichment toys for mental stimulation. These are important because puppies ’t do a lot of physical exercise, this ensures they grow properly and prevents injuries. • Chew toys. Get lots of these to guarantee your puppy’s teething period goes smoothly. Also needed for redirecting your puppy onto, instead of, chewing your antique coffee table leg! • Enzymatic cleaner for those unavoidable puppy accidents. I don’t recommend puppy pads as they give the puppy permission to toilet in the house which is exactly what you’re trying to avoid. • 2 bowls, non-slip ones or use a feeding mat. I prefer ceramic as they won’t tip easily and don’t seem to cause puppy acne. • A lightweight puppy collar, harness and 2 leads. 1 lightweight normal length lead and a puppy long line for safety when teaching your puppy to come to call. • An ID tag. This is a legal requirement for when your puppy is allowed outside in public places. It must have your surname and address, including postcode. I always put my phone number on it, but this is optional. • A basic grooming kit suitable for your particular puppy. When picking up your puppy, you should receive: • A blanket that Mum and siblings have slept on. • Microchip details so you can change and register the puppy in your name. • Any relevant documents. • Food that the breeder was feeding the puppies. Other helpful information: • Register with a Veterinary Practice. • Get insurance. • Buy an up-to-date puppy book. I recommend ‘Easy Peasy Puppy Squeezy’ by Steve Mann. • Have a basic First Aid kit, including a tick remover. E-booklet available: Perfect Puppy Blueprint https://www.southwalesdogtrainingacademy.com/ebooklets/

Julie Williams APDT IMDT South Wales Dog Training Academy

PORTHCAWL ROTARY

Eleven members of Porthcawl Rotary read excerpts from Under Milk Wood with a performance, which rivalled that of Richard Burton’s famous radio version. We can’t say it was better but it certainly was different! It was, of course, performed virtually via Zoom. Alun Jones selected the pieces and his daughter, Alison Thomas, was our director. Alison was somehow able to transform the rather self-conscious Rotarians into the characters they were portraying as the saucy inhabitants of Llaregyb. There were outstanding performances from Sally Corbett as Myfanwy Price and Mrs. Cherry Owen matched by Hugh Moatt and Jeff Perren as Mr. Mog Edwards and Mr. Cherry Owen. Carol Llewellyn as Mrs. Beynon and Mrs. Pugh gave Clive Edwards as Mr. Pugh a hard time. Alison played Mrs. Ogmore Pritchard who was particularly unkind to Andrew Singer and Jonathan Lewis as the deceased husbands Mr. Ogmore and Mr. Pritchard. Sandra Townsend was excellent as poor Lily Smalls who nobody loves. Denzil Gould read Eli Jenkins’ prayer and Dylan Thomas’s evocative poem ‘Do not go gentle into that good night’. The whole performance was kept together by Laurence Chilcott as the narrator.

Rtn Robert Lee & Andrew Singer

MYNYDD CYNFFIG WI

Tuesday 8th June and we were back at last in the Talbot Center Kenfig Hill it was such a great feeling meeting our old and new members. All Covid regulations were observed and we’ll be meeting there on the 2nd Tuesday of the month 2pm to 4pm. You couldn’t hear yourself speak above the chatter of old and new friends. We discussed with our members what they would like to be doing in the months ahead, with members deciding what groups they would like to carry on with, scrabble, walking, luncheon club, raffles etc. We had celebrated our 70th anniversary during lock down and we received a certificate from Federation House, which we showed our members. We had tea or coffee and our secretary Enid had made cake for all of us, it was such a great feeling to sit and watch our friends having refreshments just like we used to do and here’s hoping that it’s going to be onwards and upwards for Mynydd Cynffig WI.

Christine Callaghan

COYCHURCH WI

A successful meeting was held on June 1st in The White Horse, Coychurch after not been able to meet formally since March 2020. This is a temporary venue at present due to the restoration works being carried out in The Williams Memorial Hall. Future events planned for this year include a scavenger hunt, a garden picnic, a coach trip, a skittles evening & buffet and a Christmas lunch. We meet again on Tuesday, July 6th between 1-3pm in The White Horse, Coychurch and new members are very welcome to come along. For further details on events please contact Sandra Davidson on 01656 669232.

Janet James

PORTHCAWL U3A

Our new ‘Strollers’ group are pictured meeting in the sun in June. Some walked from Nottage, others from town and one or two along the beaches from Newton. Coffee was available from the Fairways coffee cart, but the big deal was that we were out there together; we were actually allowed to meet! Other groups, like our walkers have met to walk, our cyclists are cycling, other energetic folks are playing Table Tennis and some groups are carefully starting indoors, but can I suggest to those of you without the level of energy required to join the ones just mentioned, that meeting friends feels especially good after all we have been through, especially for those not ready to meet indoors yet. So do come along and meet those of us who will be ‘Strolling’ on until more groups are started up again. See your newsletter for dates or contact ‘mag@porthcawlu3a.org.uk’

Sally A Corbett Chair

INNER WHEEL CLUB OF PORTHCAWL

On Thursday 13th May, District 15 of the inner wheel Club held its first Virtual International Rally. It was attended by over 40 members from various clubs and was hosted by District Chairman Helen Starkey. To start the meeting 3 candles of friendship were lit. One in memory of past members, one for those present- day members who are working hard to keep IW going during the pandemic and one for the future of Inner Wheel. We were given a very interesting talk on Water Aid and WASH by Gloria Perez, who explained that sanitation and hygiene are just as important as clean drinking water and that the charity depends on donations from individuals, legacies and corporate groups for its funding. Helen informed us that the go ahead has been given for the formation of new online groups under the banner of iwheel, for those interested in joining but not able to meet in person. She is also resuming her Pembroke Coastal Park walk and has only 54 miles left to go. More news next month.

Liz

PORTHCAWL ROTARY

Eleven members of Porthcawl Rotary read excerpts from Under Milk Wood with a performance, which rivalled that of Richard Burton’s famous radio version. We can’t say it was better but it certainly was different! It was, of course, performed virtually via Zoom. Alun Jones selected the pieces and his daughter, Alison Thomas, was our director. Alison was somehow able to transform the rather self-conscious Rotarians into the characters they were portraying as the saucy inhabitants of Llaregyb. There were outstanding performances from Sally Corbett as Myfanwy Price and Mrs. Cherry Owen matched by Hugh Moatt and Jeff Perren as Mr. Mog Edwards and Mr. Cherry Owen. Carol Llewellyn as Mrs. Beynon and Mrs. Pugh gave Clive Edwards as Mr. Pugh a hard time. Alison played Mrs. Ogmore Pritchard who was particularly unkind to Andrew Singer and Jonathan Lewis as the deceased husbands Mr. Ogmore and Mr. Pritchard. Sandra Townsend was excellent as poor Lily Smalls who nobody loves. Denzil Gould read Eli Jenkins’ prayer and Dylan Thomas’s evocative poem ‘Do not go gentle into that good night’. The whole performance was kept together by Laurence Chilcott as the narrator.

Rtn Robert Lee & Andrew Singer

TRINITY CHURCH

We are now holding our normal weekly services at Trinity every Sunday at 10.30. We still have social distancing measures and Covid safety procedures in place. Although numbers are currently restricted in the church there is plenty of room in the hall. We are treated to a mixture of music, songs and hymns from Mike and have a variety of ministers and Lay preachers. We were delighted to welcome the Reverend Martin Spain to a Service in June. He has come to join our Area team. We also hold a live Zoom service for those who prefer to join from home. Recordings via email or CD are available too. Trinity Bargain Store continues to operate on Wednesday and Saturday mornings. We may be open some Monday mornings in addition. All proceeds are in aid of “Action for Children” and Trinity. Activities in the church hall have started to resume with strict Covid safety guidelines. Please contact our Bookings secretary for further details. Group numbers are limited and kitchen/toilet facilities are not available. Please visit our Facebook page or website for any further information.

Alison Meredith Thomas, Communication Secretary www.trinitychurchporthcawl.org Tel: 01656 786070

THROUGH CHRISTIAN EYES PORTHCAWL LIONS

Hey all, a few years ago I had the privilege of sharing my conversion story in a church, called Baglan Community Church. It was recorded and can be seen and heard on YouTube, Pastor Neil Harvey, Testimony, Baglan Community Church, or on my website neilchristianharvey.com. You may find exactly what you have been looking for in life. It was about 15 years ago that I had an amazing experience with Jesus when I was at rock bottom in my life. He lifted my burdens and transformed me as a person. God is really in the business of transformation. Nothing else seems to be able to do it. He goes way beyond anything in this world. It is an amazing feeling when you suddenly realise that God really does exist and you find a new relationship with the most amazing person in the universe. It feels like your coming home after being away for a long time. So go on, why not watch the YouTube clip. My prayer is that you will meet Him (God!). Gob bless you all!

Neil Harvey

NEIL HARVEY Through Christian Eyes So quite a few of us have now met face to face which is great, (part of what it’s all about) and look forward to those more cautious or restricted joining in; we are also trying to get things going again with the ‘Porthcawl in bloom’ competition just completed (results on line), with plans for two sandcastle competitions in August - one virtual, the other on the beach - details soon. Sadly the Car Boot sale cannot be at weekends at the Rugby Club which has extra fixtures and training (fitness before funding, fun before finance - how right and a slogan for the last fifteen months!); we are looking at other venues but social distancing is just the most obvious of the problems we still hope to solve - again keep an eye on our website and Facebook page. Once again if lockdown or other changes make you want to find new ways to serve the community and the working with others, which leads to new friendships, please contact Jim on 859505.

Andrew Collier

LOCKDOWN WITH MY LIFE-CHANGING GUIDE DOG

Did a special buddy help you survive lockdown? Faith O’Sullivan, who has sight loss, says guide dog Buddy made an anxious time much easier to cope with – and helped her emerge far stronger. Faith, a civil servant from Kenfig Hill, made daily trips to Velindre Hospital as she battled throat cancer. “They let Buddy be there with me, and that made a massive difference,” Faith said. “He took all the anxiety and pressure away, and gave me dignity and independence. “He’s even made it easier to emerge from lockdown, because when I’m out with Buddy, people give you space. He has brought so much to our lives.” To thank Guide Dogs, Faith and Buddy took the charity’s Walk Your Socks Off challenge, raising £679. “I set us a realistic target of 4,000 steps daily for a week while on a family holiday in Tenby,” she said. “I’m so grateful to my colleagues and the Kenfig Hill community who sponsored us.” Faith retires at the end of this year and plans to become more involved in fundraising for Guide Dogs in Bridgend and Porthcawl.

To find out how you can help create more life-changers like Buddy, visit www.guidedogs.org.uk/volunteering