Blaenwysg Braf
Mehefin - 2014 - June The magazine for the six churches and communities of the Blaenwysg Benefice in the Upper Usk Valley From the study window
We look forward with anticipation and joy to the feast of Pentecost or Whitsun, as it used to known. Traditionally the feast was thought of as the birthday of the church. We celebrate the coming of the Holy Spirit in the form of tongues of fire and a rushing wind upon the first disciples. The Spirit changed them from men frightened of the authorities both Roman and Jewish, into emboldened and enthusiastic preachers of the kingdom of God. The same transformative and life-giving Spirit can live in us today, but we are too often timid and fearful of change. We are in a time of change within the church with the advent of Ministry Areas in the dioceses and across the Church in Wales. At present the shape of those ministry Areas is unclear but what is clear are the wonderful opportunities that they open up for us all. They call upon us to work more closely together, sharing the gifts that God has given us. Maybe the Spirit is calling you to use your gifts in pastoral care or worship, in the care of buildings or finance, in welcome or music. So much opportunity is opening up for all of us but none of this would have been possible without the great sacrifices made during World War I, the centenary of which beginning we will mark at the beginning of August. Rejoice in the Holy Spirit and embrace the opportunities the Spirit is opening up for all of us. Who and Where Rev M P Wilding, Bryn Orsaf, Sennybridge, LD3 8RR 01874 638927
Lay reader: Sue James 01874 636126 Benefice wardens : Paula Jones 01874 638863 Beryl Price 01874 636271
St Cynog, Defynnog, LD3 8SB Church wardens : Alwyn Perkins 01874 636151 Siân Miller 01874 638855
St Ilid, Crai,LD3 8YP Church wardens : Gwyn Price 01874 638844 Beryl Price 01874 636271
St David, Llywel, LD3 8RG Church warden : Lynn White 01874 636293
St Teilo, Llandeilo’r Fân, LD3 8UD Church wardens : Valerie Lewis 01874 636485 Mervyn Prosser 01874 638261
Capel Rhydybriw, Sennybridge, LD3 8RT Church warden : Thurza Morgan 01874 638106
St Mary, Treanglas, LD3 8RE Church wardens : Ivor Pugh 01874 638158 Bess Jones 01874 636256 Regular services Sunday First Second Third Fourth 9.30 am Crai Crai Rhydybriw Crai (Mattins) 11.00 am Defynnog Llywel (Family Defynnog Llywel Service) 2.00 pm Traeanglas 3.00 pm Llandeilo'r Fân 4.30 pm Llywel Defynnog (Evensong & Holy Eucharist)
A combined service is held at 10 am on the fifth Sunday. The service on June 29th will be held at at St Mary Traeanglas and the service on August 31st will be at St Teilo, Llandeilo’r Fân. Holy Eucharist is held at Trecastle Community Centre at 10.30 am each Thursday and on the first Wednesday of each month at Rhydy briw at 10.00 am Other Summer Services June 1 10.30 am Family Service with Horeb Chapel Crai Off the Bus Club June 8 2.00 pm Ty Newydd Trecastle June 17 2.30 pm Communion Brychgoed Chapel Heol Senni June 22 2.00 pm Ty Newydd Trecastle June 29 2.00 pm Communion Zoar Chapel Pentrefelin July 13 2.00 pm Ty Newydd Trecastle August 17 2.00 pm Zoar Chapel Pentrefelin August 24 2.00 pm Ty Newydd Trecastle August 31 2.00 pm Ty Newydd Trecastle
Front Cover : The Cross at Bronydd Mawr Dedicated on Maundy Thursday. The cross is twenty-two feet high solid oak and is visible from Trecastle. It was commissioned and erected by Stuart and Liz Poulson Editorial
The third issue of our parish magazine includes more news on the activities in our community, as well as a more in depth look at one of our churches which celebrates its one hundred and twenty fifth anniversary (Traeanglas). There is information about coming events in the summer. We trust this provides you with the kind of magazine you like - in the next issue we will hold a survey to gather your views, particularly on how best to finance future issues. We shall be using a coloured cover with black print, as we have now, instead of the colour printing we were able to use previously. But the intention is to continue to produce a magazine that reflects what is happening in our area, especially in the churches and chapels.
John Clifford 01874 638178, [email protected] Sue James 01874 636126, [email protected] Sian Miller 01874 638855, [email protected]
Ministry Areas It is envisaged that decisions on the boundaries of the new ministry areas will be made soon. Whether Blaenwysg benefice joins a smaller group or Greater Brecon, we have recently seen how much we gain by joining together, in the confirmation and Mothering Sunday group services at Llywel. The services to commemorate the First World War, and the group service on June 29th in Traeanglas will be further opportunities to worship in unison. From the Registers Baptisms: at Defynnog. Ronan Arthur Barnabas McAllister Bernie Jean Paley at Zoar Chapel, Pentrefelin Siwan Hâf Davies Memorial Service at Llandeilo'r Fan Delyth Nitz SUMMER DIARY June 3rd 11.00 am Women's Institute Visit To Railway Line Nursery
June 10th 7.00 pm Bronydd Mawr Farm An Evening With Angus Buchan As featured in “Faith Like Potatoes” Free entry. Retiring collection. For info see: WWW.bronyddmawr.org.uk
July 1st Sennybridge School Sports Day/PTA Summer Fayre
July 1st 7.00 pm Women's Institute Maescar Hall The Work Of Usk House / Mrs Sally Morris
July 2nd Sennybridge School Reserve Sports Day/PTA Summer Fayre
July 26th - 27th Open Weekend St David Llywel For details see back page
August 5th Women's Institute Annual trip
August 26th 27th 28th Summer Club Crai Village Hall
MONTHLY DIARY First Monday 7.30 pm Community Garden Club Crai Village Hall
First Tuesday 7.30pm Women's Institute
Third Thursday 7.00 pm Worship Meeting Bronydd Mawr Farm WEEKLY DIARY Wed 6.30-9.00 p.m Knitting ClubTrecastle Community Hall Contact: Janice Williams 01874 636743.
Monday -Thursday Cylch Meithrin Youth Wing 9.30 – 12:00 pm T Term Time only Sennybridge School Phone Helen Harris for a place on 01874 636930
Tuesdays Mother & Youth Wing 1.00-3.00 pm Toddler group Sennybridge School Term Time only
Wednesdays Sennybridge short mat Maescar Hall 1.30 -3.30 pm Bowls Club 7.00-9.00 pm (September to April )
Thursdays 7.30 pm Trallong Ladies‘ Choir Maescar Hall
Guiding organisations new to this area
Rainbows for girls aged 5 to 7 years – packed with games, crafts, sleepovers and fun – Wednesday in Sennybridge Youth Wing from 5.00pm to 6.00pm.
Brownies for girls aged 7 to 10 years – holidays, crafts, trips, games, and lots more –Tuesday in Sennybridge Youth Wing from 6.00pm to 7.30pm.
Coming soon – Guides for girls aged 10 to 14 years. The girls decide what they are doing and plan most of their own activities. More advanced challenge badges include Baden Powell Challenge and starting Duke of Edinburgh Awards. Contact [email protected] or [email protected] News from the Pews
St Cynog, Defynnog At St Cynog, we were delighted to welcome readers from all around the benefice to join us in Readings for the Passion on Good Friday. Our shared worship brought us together to remember the Passion. On Holy Saturday we again welcomed worshippers to the Easter Vigil with Blessing of the Easter Light. Easter Day saw the church filled with flowers again and joyful worshippers. On the first Sunday of each month, we are pleased to welcome people to the service at 11.00 am and to stay for refreshments in the vestry afterwards.
Capel, Rhydybriw We were delighted when Easter on the Third Sunday brought an unusually large congregation of 18 worshippers. We hope that they will spread the word that there is a lovely little open church in Sennybridge and encourage others to join in one of our two regular monthly services. Emerging from the cosy building into the sunlit landscape high above the Usk and its “church pool” can be an uplifting experience.
St David, Llywel At the beginning of March the Bishop confirmed two members of our congregation. We thank everyone who came along to the service and made it such a memorable day. We were also fortunate to hold the benefice Mothering Sunday family service with children from all churches contributing. Tea and Simnel cake in Ysgoldy fach afterwards was most appreciated. Fund raising mugs and tea towels which will be on sale from June. Both items display a lovely pencil sketch of our church and the tea towel has been embellished with the Len Williams poem 'Trecastle when I was a lad'. As a result of the positive feedback we have received about opening the church to visitors on Saturday mornings during the summer, we shall be open every Saturday in June, July and August. If you drop in between 10.00 am and 1.00 pm, there will be a cup of tea and a friendly welcome.
St.Teilo, Llandeilo'r Fân It was with sadness that we heard of the death of one of our community on 21st February. Delyth Nitz was one of the six children of the late William and Olwen Davies who had farmed in this valley for many years. Her husband, Peter, family and friends remembered her at a Memorial service and burial of ashes held at St.Teilo, Llandeilo'r Fȃn on Saturday 17th May at 3.00 pm.
St Ilid, Crai Building on the activities of the Off the Bus Club, we are already looking forward to the summer holidays, and will be holding a Summer Club on 26th, 27th and 28th August in Crai Parish Hall. This will be open to all children of primary school age, and will end with a family Bar-b-q. More details will be available in due course.
St Mary, Traeanglas On Sunday 18th May, we gathered to celebrate and remember the 125th anniversary of the consecration of St. Mary’s Church. On a beautiful sunny afternoon, the members were delighted to welcome Bishop John Davies, family, friends and visitors across the benefice. We all enjoyed an inspirational service taken by the Rev. Paul Wilding and the Bishop. It was a joy to listen to the sermon delivered by Bishop John. Wonderful refreshments were served in the community centre where we shared memories, past and present. An exhibition of photographs including wedding photographs and other interesting events showed the varied life of the parish over the last 125 years. We would like to extend our gratitude to all who helped mark this special day : the members for preparing the church and the floral decoration and providing the tea, supporters for creating the display boards, and those who contributed to the joyful service. A lovely occasion!
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History of St Mary, Traeanglas
The foundation stone forTraeanglas was laid in 1888. Designed by J.B. Fowler, it was built by John Anthony supervised by Mr Rhys Davies of Brecon. The Vicarage, built some five years later, was followed by a two storey building with stabling on the ground floor and a school room above. The school room became the centre of the community for concerts, whist drives, Swper Calon Gaeaf, Christmas parties and especially the Sunday School In 1955, the visit of HM Queen Elizabeth II to open the Usk Reservoir was commemorated with the placing of a mill stone in the graveyard in which to erect a flag staff. 1966 saw improved access with the laying of new concrete paths by members of the church and it was reroofed in 1975 with Welsh slates. In 1993 Bishop Dewi Bridges confirmed the last candidates in St Mary’s. In 1983 Crai church joined Llywel and Traeanglas parishes and then in 2000 all they became part of Blaenwysg Benefice working together as six churches facing new challenges.
Trecastle YFC
Trecastle YFC is a small club which is growing with many young members joining. We meet every Wednesday night in the community centre and put on a range of activities from cookery nights to movie nights. We take part as a team in as much as we can within the community. We have many people who have individual talents which we like to push and use but when we come together as a a team it is clear that everyone has a lot to give and some also find talents which they didn't realise they had. We are one big happy group and we are always willing to give new things ago as well as welcoming new members. If anyone is aged between 10 and 26 then please feel free to come and join us on a Wednesday night at 7.30 in the Community Centre Trecastle
Sennybridge Football Club
Sennybridge FC was formed in 1972 and started playing using the Army camp pitch, moving to their current ‘Riverside Park’ ground in 1995. The club enjoyed unprecedented success between 1993 and 2003, winning 24 League and Cup trophies, with two senior and three junior sides. The pinnacle of their achievement came in 1994 when they won the prestigious Emrys Morgan Cup, defeating St Dogmals, one nil. Sadly in 2010, the club fell on hard times, finding it difficult to field a Senior team and through lack of commitment on the pitch decided to withdraw from the Watson Mid Wales South League in early September. This was a bitter blow for the village but the committee thought it better to withdraw and regroup for the following season. Two local brothers who used to play for the club, Andrew and Stuart came forward to manage the team and their Dad Eric offered to be the Grounds man and Kit man, therefore in 2011 they rejoined the League with a young and competitive squad and finished 5th in the division. This season they are having an excellent campaign lying third in the table with only one defeat In addition, a number of parents led by John Williams have revived Junior football in the village and Sennybridge now boast three sides, Under 7, 9 and 11’s, playing out of the Riverside. There is great enthusiasm for the junior section with children from around the area playing on a Saturday morning, being supported by large crowds of followers. Currently Sennybridge Football Club is playing an important part in the local community, providing football and recreation for all ages, with good support being given by local business and everybody within the village and surrounding areas. Contact Arnold Prosser on 01874 636877
Telephone: SENNYBRIDGE 636561 P. D. BROWN and A. DAVIES
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COME and HAVE FUN at YOUR LOCAL COMMUNITY SHOW WEEKEND SENNYBRIDGE SHOW Saturday 6 September 2014
Featuring Horse, Cattle, Sheep, Dog Horticulture, Domestic and Children's Classes Craft Marquee, Trade Stands & Various Attractions ******* Sunday 7 September 2014 at 7.00pm SHOW PRESIDENT’S CONCERT Maescar Hall, Sennybridge
Entertainment by the talented Joy Cornock (Soprano) & CÔR BRO MEIRION www.sennybridgeshow.com The Shoemakers Arms, Pentrebach Salvo and Gwyneth would like to welcome you to this country pub/restaurant where you can be sure of a warm welcome. Well-kept Real Ale, a good selection of wines and home-produced meals provide something for the whole family. There is a log fire, ample parking and Wi-Fi. Dogs on leads are always welcome. Currently the pub opens at 6pm (and 11-30am on Sundays) Meals (not Tuesdays) need to be booked on 01874-63650 or [email protected] Functions such as christenings/parties/funerals can be hosted There are numerous walks from the pub and you are welcome to park your car whilst on your walk.
Web site: http://theshoemakersarms.web.com/ This August sees the 100th anniversary of the outbreak of World War 1. On Sunday 3rd August, a commemorative service will be held at 2.00 pm in St. Cynog’s Church, Defynnog to remember the fallen of all nationalities. The service will start with the church bells being rung to remember each one of the fallen from Blaenwysg. Please join us in this service of remembrance.
“Have you forgotten yet?... Look up, and swear by the green of the spring that you'll never forget.” Aftermath by Siegfried Sassoon
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Events at St David's Llywel
Open Saturdays from 24th May tp 30th August - Open between 10.00am and 1.00pm 26th July - 10am to 4pm - Church open weekend with a theme of 'Lest we forget', a weekend of WW1 memorabilia 27th July - 12 noon to 4pm - Church open weekend as above 27th July - Gymanfa Ganu at St David's, starting at 7pm, programmes £4 Saturday 13th September - open doors day with church registers – 10am-5pm
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June 1st, 10.30 am Off the Bus Club Family Service Horeb Chapel, Crai. With Rev Elaine Jenkins. Everyone welcome especially families with children