FEATURES

BRIDGEND SOROPTIMIST NEWS

Bridgend Soroptimist Club held a very entertaining Zoom Meeting on 20th January when Dean Powell joined them and related his varied and accomplished career as Journalist, Author, Broadcaster, Guest Speaker and Vocalist. An expert on local history in the Llantrisant area where he has lived all his life his love of the life of Dr William Price is well documented. His experiences as a journalist early in his career enabled him to interview a host of Hollywood stars including the great Gregory Peck. It was a really fun evening. Don’t forget our Virtual Dog Show which runs from 14th February to 14th March. Submit your photos before it is too late. Which category does your best canine friend fit? Saddest, best dressed, cutest, scruffiest or funniest? Come on - have a go!”

Eileen Bayley, Publicity Officer

THROUGH CHRISTIAN EYES

Dear all, I hope and pray you are well in these strange times. This month I would like to say something about the incarnation of Jesus. Surgeons will tell you of a medical term that’s called ‘incarning’. This is when a piece of flesh or skin is taken from one part of the body and put on another part, that has been damaged in some way. The flesh or skin that is applied then brings healing to the damaged part. When Jesus, (who is the Son of God) became human and took on flesh, a healing process started for broken humanity. He faced everything we will ever face and became victorious over it, ultimately proving that in his resurrection. Even death has been swallowed up in victory (1 Corinthians 15 v 54). So, when we come into relationship with Jesus and become united with him, his life starts to flow into our life, giving us victory over all the troubles of the world. Some are still there but we stand in a different position facing them. In Christ, we can face the world strongly, victoriously and knowing the hope of eternal life with God. Today is your day to come to relationship with Jesus. Just reach out to him and talk to him about it.

NEIL HARVEY Through Christian Eyes

KIDNEY WALES FUNDRAISING COMMITTEE

The Porthcawl Fundraising Committee of Kidney Wales has recently donated funds to purchase a specialised Blood Pressure Monitor for University Hospital of Wales Transplant Unit. This piece of equipment was purchased in memory of Vice Chairman Judith French who very sadly passed away in November 2020. Judith had been a patient of the Transplant Unit and was passionate about fundraising for Kidney Research. Over the years she helped organize many events such as Ascot Ladies Day in the Hi Tide, Porthcawl, Coffee Mornings and Craft sales, which raised thousands of pounds for the Charity. The Transplant Unit at UHW and the Dialysis Unit in Llantrisant benefited from many donations of equipment, which improved the experience of patients during their treatment. Judith will be greatly missed by her family and friends.

Kathryn Roper

BRIDGEND TOWN TWINNING ASSOCIATION

B.T.T.A. recently held their Annual General Meeting for 2021. Due to current restrictions this meeting was held electronically via Zoom, which was obviously a first for many of us. Mr Adrian Kendall (Chair) outlined the activities of the last year which, of course due to Covid 19, were cut short last March. We were able to host our student exchange from Villenave d’Ornon in France in February 2020, before lockdown measures were introduced. As always this was a successful week with lots of activities planned, highlighting Welsh culture and history. Mr Kendall wished to thank local families, who hosted the students with a warm Welsh welcome and also thanked Mrs M. Walters (Secretary of B.T.T.A.) and Mrs Debra Walsh (Head of Modern Languages at Brynteg School) for arranging the programme of events. After discussion all officers agreed to remain in post for 2021. Mrs Walters told the meeting that she had received news from Villenave d’Ornon regarding a Zoom conference in March to discuss future twinning links for the period 2021-2026. We look for forward to planning ahead with our European friends. If anyone would like to join us please contact our secretary, Mrs Walters on 02920892011. We would love to hear from you.

Anne Kendall, PR Secretary

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#WASTENOTHELPANOTHER

Over the last year, we have all had to adjust to a new normal but one of the memories I will take from this fraught time is how generous people have been with their time, money, and resources. Bridgend Labour Women’s Forum has been collecting toiletries for the Women’s Refuge and we have been overwhelmed by the response. Many women arrive at refuges with only the clothes on their back. Taking a shower or bath and being able to wash your hair and brush your teeth are so important when someone has been through a traumatic experience. Sarah Murphy asks, “If you have gift sets or toiletries you no longer need, think about donating them. It will make such a difference to someone in need. Please get in touch and help someone make a fresh start. We are collecting throughout the Bridgend area and you can choose to drop off near you or one of us will collect.” Finally, if this affects you, then look out for the ANI poster at any pharmacy. #LiveFearFree #AskANI To contact Bridgend Labour Women’s Forum please email: bridgend.labour.women@gmail.com.

Elaine Winstanley 07493 933690 Women’s Officer Bridgend CLP Women’s Forum

PORTHCAWL ROTARY ROUNDUP

Who would have thought that the Rotary Porthcawl would be meeting virtually? Surely an “Old Boys’ Luncheon Club” would never cope with the technological advances that come so naturally to three-year-olds? And yet here we all are on Zoom! We meet every Monday at noon for an hour. Out of a total membership of 40 members, 30 of us have been seen on the screen. And, if you look carefully, you will see that many of our members are ladies. Gradually the image of Rotary is changing to keep pace with the society it serves. Our club is 70 years old this year and yet the motto we adopt is ageless: “Service before Self”. We have not been able to meet face to face nor been able to run our usual events but we are constantly looking to support our community. We reported last month on our donation to KPC. We sent funds to Madagascar to equip a school and we support the Doctor Bank initiative, which sends doctors and nurses to Africa. If you would like to know more about Rotary and its activities please come and join us on Mondays. Contact jeff@perrenpartners.co.uk for the link.

Rtn Robert Lee

PORTHCAWL U3A

What did we talk about before jabs and vaccines? The weather? Hopefully, March has already moved us on so we can forget how bitterly cold February was. Have our memories been wiped by Covid? A friend asked today whether I remembered how we used to do something? I said I couldn’t remember except Scrabble or doing jigsaws and even Scrabble is on computer, but I play Scrabble with good friends I didn’t even know liked Scrabble pre covid and with my Grandson. Grandsons in my experience usually play Scrabble after Monopoly, only in the Christmas holidays. Computers are reserved for games Grandmas wouldn’t want to play, like Pokemon although you can if you want to, even do a jigsaw on computer. I already do too much on my computer, but I did before covid! It’s not what I want to do. I want to meet a friend and walk on the beach and have lunch out. Do you remember lunch out? I cannot walk on the beach, I have the river and make do with that but am still jealous of those of you who can walk on the beach. We are getting closer to being free? Stay safe - we will meet again.

Sally A Corbett

GOOD NEWS FOR PARKINSON’S UK/ CYMRU CHARITY

The adverse effect of the March 2020 arrival of coronavirus on the work of all charity fundraising has been significant. From cancelled coffee mornings and table sales to postponed concerts and sponsored walks, Parkinson’s and others have had to revise their spending plans. Research and support of those with the disease has taken a knock. The local Parkinson’s Bridgend branch has nevertheless managed to increase its fund-raising by 20% year on year and been able to send in excess of £6,000 towards this important work, which includes on line classes for singing; speech and communication and Tai Chi. Help with voice, breathing and balance are welcome components. The latest venture is the idea of local schoolteacher, Joanne Matthews who suggested Welsh themed PPE masks for St David’s Day. Joanne, together with her parents and her father’s cousin, retired schoolteacher Angela Williams set about the task. The finite amount of cotton; manufacture; cost sponsorship and sales has resulted in £750 income towards the current year’s challenge. Thanks to all and mostly to those who bought. For information about the Charity; it’s local online classes and activities and how you can become a volunteer, contact Honorary Branch Secretary, Bernie Rock on Email: b.rock@sky.com Tel; 07812 196170