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DECEMBER 2018 ISSUE 56 THE Crickhowell,FOCUS Brecon & The Usk Valley YOUR FREE COMMUNITY MAGAZINE, PROMOTING LOCAL BUSINESSES

• CRICKHOWELL • LLANGATTOCK • TRETOWER • GLANGRWYNEY • BWLCH • LLANGYNIDR • • LLANGORSE • LLANFRYNACH • CWMDU • TALGARTH • TALYBONT-ON-USK • BRECON •

HOMES FROM PARRYS

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Hypnotherapy is a powerful tool used to We provide quality new and used vehicles, break negative patterns of behaviour. many available to order Amongst many things it will help with: We will Service, MOT & Repair 4 Insomnia 4 Obsessions most makes and models. 4 Anxiety and depression 4 Phobias and fears Diagnostics on most makes 4 Fertility and childbirth 4 Pain management Is Our Specialty 4 Low self-esteem 4 Weight control Full Air Conditioning facilities available We supply Tyres, Exhaust, Batteries, etc. 4 Anger Why not ring or email us for a quote? Get the best out of life – Hypnotherapy works! Penpentre, Llanfaes, Brecon. LD3 8DL For lots more information and reviews visit: [email protected] abergavennyhypnotherapy.co.uk Tel: 01874 623311 or 611421 Tel: 01873 831427 Parry Hypnotherapy www.breconcarsales.co.uk 4 TO ADVERTISE CALL 01873 856614 OR EMAIL [email protected] Dear Readers, CONTENTS Well here we are folks – December all over again! Where did that year go? It’s been a very busy one for us here at REGULARS the Focus with plenty of challenges, lessons and reasons to celebrate along the way. Editorial & Contents 5 But the year is not quite over, and December is all about Next Month’s Focus: Resolutions 29 celebrating the festive season with those we love and Puzzles! 30 extending the hand of friendship and charity to those who are less fortunate. I think our community is pretty brilliant – on a day to day basis I hear about people helping one COMMUNITY another, whether they know each other or not, united by the simple fact that we live in the same place. Community Powys Befriending Service 6 spirit truly is alive and well here, and it’s one of the reasons Crickhowell: Best British High Street 7 why I’m so happy to call this area my home. We can’t end this year without thanking you, our readers, for Scout Hall’s Doors reopen 9 being with us month in month out, offering your fabulous feedback about how much you enjoy the magazine. EVENTS And naturally, we must thank our advertisers for their unwavering loyalty and support of the Focus, which is truly Events Calendar 10 local and independent and put together each month by just December at Theatr Brycheiniog myself and Pete with a great deal of love and care. We truly 13 hope it’s reflected in the magazines we deliver to you every CRiC: Christmas in Crickhowell 14 month. Do have a wonderful Christmas, stay safe and remember what’s important. CHRISTMAS Enjoy this month’s read and check out Page16 which is all Focus Advent Calendar Win Daily Prizes! 16 about our online Advent Calendar. You can win some fab prizes by taking part! Gifts that won’t cost the Earth 17 Christmas in Wales 18 [email protected] 01873 856614 Christmas Party Hair 19 Nana’s Kitchen: Yuletide Log 21 Crickhowell Evangelical Church 23 Christmas Reads 25

LOCAL BUSINESS 7 21 Luke Jones Grounds Care & Maintenance 27

Publisher: Focus Magazines Ltd Whilst every care is taken with materials ADVERTISE WITH US! Tel: 01873 856614 submitted to Focus Magazines, the The Focus offers a unique advertising Editorial & Advertising: publisher cannot accept responsibility for opportunity. The magazine is hand loss or damage to such materials. Opinions Hannah Hill: [email protected] delivered to 5,500 homes and businesses expressed in articles are strictly those of the in the NP8 and LD3 7 post code areas at Graphic Design & Accounts: author. This publication is copyrighted and Pete Hill: [email protected] may not be reproduced in any form without the beginning of each month. We offer cost effective advertising rates which Contributions: written permission from the publisher. start at just £21 per month. Your advert Caroline Bull, Luke Jones, Tim Jones, Jane Prices, conditions and details are subject will appear in full colour. We provide Lee, Pauline Mardell, Hannah Mlatem, to change and the publisher can take no Sara Peacock, Suzette Pratten, Nia responsibility for omissions or errors. The a free, professional design service and Sandford, James Sercombe, Amy Vale inclusion of an advertiser in this magazine is big discounts for bookings of 3 months not necessarily a recommendation. or more. Call Hannah or Pete today on © Focus Magazines Ltd 2018 01873 856614 or email: [email protected] VISIT THE FOCUS ONLINE AT WWW.THEFOCUS.WALES 5 COMMUNITY a good listener and enjoy the company of others, could you put a smile on someone’s face? Could you visit people in their own homes, or maybe you would like to run your own local group? With some training, support and a DBS check we can offer POWYS you various opportunities from telephone befriending, transport help, befriending in your local BEFRIENDING SERVICE community, or helping organise and support an existing group in your area. owys Befriending Service Individuals can self-refer or with If you live in the South Powys area, P supports people aged over permission someone else can refer please give Caroline Massey a call 50 who are isolated, to maintain for them. If you are over 50, live to discuss how we can help you, their independence and improve in Powys, are at risk of losing your whether through volunteering or their social networks. For varying independence, are socially isolated to become a client and access our reasons, some people might need and want to meet new friends and service. our support to get out and enjoy a have fun – call us and see what we social activity, join a lunch or café can offer. For more information contact the group, meet new friends or learn main office 01597 822191, call my We are also looking for volunteers new skills. We have trained and mobile 07900523276 or email me to help improve quality of life for supportive befrienders who offer [email protected] others. Can you spare at least 2 their time to assist those in need hours a week? Are you reliable, Caroline Bull

6 TO ADVERTISE CALL 01873 856614 OR EMAIL [email protected] EVENTS

IDEAS WANTED TO SPEND HIGH STREET PRIZE Photos courtesy of As You See It Media Ltd rickhowell is still celebrating and we will be asking people to after being named the “Best demonstrate that their ideas have a A service of Thanksgiving was C High Street in Britain” in a level of public support.” held in St Endmund’s Church in national competition and ideas are Crickhowell on 25th November, “We want people to start thinking being sought about how to spend and Crickhowell’s win was raised about what they would do with the the £15,000 prize which comes in Parliament where the Leader of money, start talking to their families, with it. the Commons, Andrea Leadsome, their neighbours and their friends praised the “superb” High Street, Corn Exchange Crickhowell Ltd so that when the time comes, they having stayed in the “fantastic” Bear (CECLtd) entered the competition are able to make a convincing case Hotel. The town will also feature and will get to allocate the to get the funding they need to turn in the “Small Business Saturday” money. Managing Director, Dean them into reality. So please, get your campaign, with UK Government PR Christy said: “While we ran the thinking caps on!.” Mr Christy said. experts due to visit this week. campaign, this prize was won CECLtd said exact details of the Tim Jones by the community, including process would be released in all shopkeepers, customers, due course and that only ideas shareholders of The Corn Exchange submitted through this process project and people who support would be considered. They said the town. So, we want to hear they would involve people who their ideas about how to spend the supported their campaign, in the money.” decision-making process. This CECLtd are waiting to see the Prize would include their nominated ‘High Agreement, but expect it to require Street Hero’, Emma Corfield-Walters Crickhowell to spend the money to of Totally Locally Crickhowell, and support the High Street and town the CRiC centre among others. (Left to right) Tim Jones, Dean Christy and centre in ways similar to the judging They say they want the process to Emma Corfield-Walters receiving the award criteria used in the competition be representative of all sections of itself. These include measures Crickhowell’s community. which engage the community, Campaign Manager, Tim Jones improve the shopping experience, said: “The Great British High Street protect or enhance the town centre competition really brought people environment or use new technology together in Crickhowell. We didn’t to increase visitor numbers. just win the competition, and the Dean Christy said: “We are bound prize, we brought out renewed to stick to the rules and the spirit feelings of civic pride, community of the competition – which was all and of cooperation – and we would about supporting our town centre. love that to continue.” We will be asking for ideas in writing,

VISIT THE FOCUS ONLINE AT WWW.THEFOCUS.WALES 7 TheTheManorManor SimplySimply Magical Weddings Weddings CrickhowellCrickhowell CivilCivil Ceremonies Ceremonies && ReceptionsReceptions up up to to 200 200 Guests Guests WonderfulWonderful Views OverOver the the Brecon Brecon Beacons Beacons

Contact Our Team for More Information [email protected] Contact Our T:Team 01873 for 810212 More Information [email protected] T: 01873 810212 8 COMMUNITY TheManor Simply Magical Weddings SCOUT HALL’S DOORS for All and the Garfield Weston Foundation. Crickhowell Civil Ceremonies & Receptions up to 200 Guests Beavers, Cubs and Scouts meet in REOPEN the Scout Hall every week during Wonderful Views Over the Brecon Beacons term time on Tuesday, Thursday and Wednesday respectively and more information can be found on our Facebook page: facebook.com/CrickhowellScouts Please contact Jane janehelenlee@ gmail.com for more information on hiring the hall or if you child is interested in joining Beavers, Cubs or Scouts. Jane Lee

n Saturday 17th November, The Scout Group is extremely Othe Mayor of Crickhowell grateful for the support of local Councillor Phil Williams, with funders Crickhowell Town Council, help from Logan Ireland, Martha Llangattock Community Council, Carter and Oliver Jones, officially Crickhowell Rotary, Percy Davies reopened the Scout Hall. Trust, Llangattock Community Education Trust, Crickhowell Open The hall has been closed since July Gardens, Crickhowell Guides, whilst much needed improvements Brownies and Rainbows many have been carried including the of whom came along to see the installation of a new floor with transformation that has taken place. underfloor heating. So, for the first Significant financial support was time in 120 years from when the also received from regional and hall was built, the hall now has national funders; Brecon Beacons central heating. Overall, the hall is National Park Authority, Brecknock a much lighter, warmer and more Area Scout Council, Tesco Bags The work in progres welcoming meeting space which is of Help, National Lottery Awards and the finished result also available to hire.

DOMESTIC APPLIANCE Tea Emporium REPAIRS, SPARE & SALES 13 Ship Street, Brecon Quality repairs to all brands of: •ELECTRIC COOKERS & HOBS Suppliers of the finest loose leaf •WASHING MACHINES • TUMBLE DRYERS teas from around the world, over •DISHWASHERS•FRIDGE 250 varieties to choose from. FREEZERS•VACUUM CLEANERS Contact Our Team for More Information Open Tuesday to Saturday Tel: 07572 289243 www: philevansdomestics.co.uk D 10am - 5pm Email: [email protected] [email protected] www.theuklooseleafteacompany.co.uk T: 01873 810212 VISIT THE FOCUS ONLINE AT WWW.THEFOCUS.WALES 9 Leisure and Brecon College, are restoration of the limekilns at offering Dementia Friendly FUN Watton, Llangatock and Goytre Activity Sessions, which are open and creation of the Trail. Events to people living with dementia 7:30pm, Talybont Village Hall and their carers. A range of activities will be available to suit 6TH DECEMBER calendar all abilities and, for the second CHRISTMAS IN CRICKHOWELL part of the session, the carers Late night shopping with the will be free to enjoy a swim or town’s shops open until 8pm. 1ST DECEMBER some other activity safe in the Christmas Fairs taking place TALGARTH CHRISTMAS knowledge that their loved ones in Clarence Hall, Parish Hall, MARKET & LIGHTS SWITCH ON are enjoying themselves in a Courtyard. Gifts, Crafts, Food, Santa’s Grotto opens at 4pm, safe, caring environment. Future Carols, Bellringing, Christmas Switch on at 4.30pm, Talgarth sessions will be held on the first Tree Competition and more. Town Square Monday of the month.10:30 a.m. From 4pm 1ST DECEMBER to 1.00pm at Freedom Leisure 8TH DECEMBER GILWERN VICTORIAN 4TH DECEMBER BRECON FARMERS MARKET CHRISTMAS MARKET Crickhowell Women’s Institute – With Live Music from South CHRISTMAS TEA Powys Youth Music. 9.30am-2pm, 2pm, Parish Hall, Church Lane, Market Hall, Brecon Crickhowell 9TH DECEMBER 5TH-9TH DECEMBER CHRISTMAS SONGS BRECON CATHEDRAL’S OF PRAISE CELEBRATION CHRISTMAS TREE FESTIVAL Mulled wine, tea, coffe and Indoor Market 12pm- 6pm With over 40 trees decorated to mince pies will be served after Outdoor Market 12pm-7.30pm reflect Brecon’s schools, charities 5.30pm, Watergate Baptist Chapel, Music marquee 12pm – 8pm and clubs, plus musical events Watergate, Brecon Bar 12pm- 8pm. Covered and storytelling. Free entry 11TH DECEMBER outdoor spectator area. 12pm- 6pm 5TH DECEMBER Arts Society Brecknock Lecture: BRECON FOLK & MORE CLUB THE HISTORY AND ART 2ND DECEMBER Come and join us for some OF THE NATIVITY CRIB THE ADVENT PROCESSION festive fun this December! There A candlelit service of hymns, will be no entry fee, we instead carols and readings to mark ask that you bring along a the beginning of Advent. The donation for Brecon’s food bank. Advent Process is a beautiful There will be mince pies and service, beginning in darkness mulled wine available for all.... and ending in candlelight. Oh and a special Christmas raffle! Accompanied by the ethereal 7.30pm, The Muse, Brecon voices of Brecon Cathedral choir. 5pm, Brecon Cathedral 5TH DECEMBER Brecon Beacons Park Society Talk: 3RD DECEMBER THE LIME KILNS TRAIL DEMENTIA FRIENDLY FUN David Morgan and David Viner ACTIVITY SESSION of the Canal and River Trust will Lecturer Geri Parlby. 2.30pm, The Brecon Area Dementia give an illustrated talk to the Theatr Brycheiniog, Brecon. £8 for Friendly Community, in Brecon Beacons Park Society non members. cooperation with Freedom describing the history and 10 TO ADVERTISE CALL 01873 856614 OR EMAIL [email protected] EVENTS 13TH DECEMBER 2ND JANUARY TALYBONT-ON-USK 20 YEARS OF WALKS BY THE To keep up to date with CHRISTMAS BINGO BRECON BEACONS PARK all the events in the Our popular seasonal bingo SOCIETY night is back. A fun night Chris Barber will be marking coming months, don’t out in a warm hall with lots the 20th anniversary of our forget to visit our online of prizes to be won at bingo Walks Programme, highlighting and the raffle. Refreshments walks that appeared on the events calendar on available. Doors at 7pm. Bingo first program in January 1998, our website at: www. starts 7:30pm prompt! Adults £1, acknowledging members who Children 50p have ensured its success and thefocus.wales/whats Henderson Hall, Talybont-on-Usk reminding us of the scenery and on. Let us know about historic places of our National 19TH DECEMBER Park. It will be of interest to all, community events that LOVELIGHT CHRISTMAS CONCERT including members who are not you’d like to share with A celebration to support regular walkers.. 7.30pm, Bear everyone affected by cancer Hotel, Crickhowell. Free admission everybody. Just use the and to remember loved ones lost. 7pm, Brecon Presbyterian 8TH JANUARY ‘Post Your Event’ button Church, Watton, Brecon. Tickets CRICKHOWELL WOMEN’S on our online calendar £6/£4 concessions. Tickets INSTITUTE MEETING available at the Tenovus Cancer 2pm-4pm, Parish Hall, Church Care Charity shop. Feel free to call Lane, Crickhowell us on 01874611515

O’Loughlin Wealth St Edmund’s Management Church Crickhowell Sun 2 8am Holy Communion Advent 1 10:45am Morning Worship Sun 9 8am Holy Communion Advent 2 10:45am Morning Worship with Communion 4pm Family@4 : Messy Christingle & Celebration Meal Sun 16 8am Morning Prayer Advent 3 10:45 Morning Worship with Communion 9am Under 5s Christmas Celebration for adults & toddlers 6pm Star & Light Service with time for reflection to remember loved ones I provide an experienced wealth management Sun 23 8am Holy Communion Advent 4 service and offer specialist advice in: 10:45am Morning Worship with Communion 5pm Service of Nine Lessons and Carols by Candlelight • Investment • Inheritance Tax Christmas Eve 4pm Crib Service

Planning Planning 11:30pm Midnight Communion Service

• Retirement • Estate Planning Christmas Day 10am Family Communion • Mortgages • Protection Community Christmas Events Melinda O’Loughlin Dip PFS, Cert CII (MP) Sat 24 Nov 3pm Carol singing in Market Hall and turning on of town Christmas lights Glanusk Estate, Crickhowell. Powys. NP8 1LP Thurs 29 Nov 5pm Cubs Christmas Service Phone: 01873 810631 Fax: 01873 810631 Thurs 6 Dec 5pm Crickhowell Late Night Opening with Open Church Email: [email protected] activities Website: www.oloughlinwealthmanagement.co.uk Thurs 13 Dec 7pm Crickhowell High School Carol Service

Your home may be repossessed if you do not keep Wed 19 Dec 6pm Community Carol Service with Crickhowell Choral Society up repayments on your mortgage Fri 21 Dec 1.45pm Crickhowell Primary School Carol Service VISIT THE FOCUS ONLINE AT WWW.THEFOCUS.WALES 11 L@BRYCHEINIOG 01874 611622 C/THEATRB BRYCHEINIOG.CO.UK @THEATRBRYCHEINIOG

THE ROYAL BALLET THE NUTCRACKER LIVE SCREENING MON 3 DEC, 7.15PM £15 / £12.50

THE WEST END AT CHRISTMAS WED 12 DEC, 7:30PM. £16 / £14

A CHRISTMAS CAROL FRI 14 DEC, 7:30PM / SAT 15 DEC, 2:30PM & 7:30PM / SUN 16 DEC, 2:30PM £15 / £13 ONLY MEN ALOUD FRI 21 DEC, 7:00PM. £27

Melin talgarth mill See water power in action!

Working Watermill The Bakers’ Table

Stoneground Flour Fresh Baked & Bread Kits Bread

Riverside Gardens Café

Craft Shop Courses and Workshops Open Tuesday to Sunday and every Bank Holiday Monday 10am – 4pm

The only working watermill in the Brecon Beacons National Park www.talgarthmill.com Twitter: @talgarthmill L 01874711352 www.facebook.com/FelinTalgarthMill 01874711125 www.facebook.com/thebakerstable C

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Charles Dickens’ classic ghost story, DECEMBER AT A Christmas Carol, (Fri 14 – Sun 16) is brought alive by Chapterhouse Theatre Company complete with beautiful period costume, song, THEATR BRYCHEINIOG dance and a magnificent musical score. Join us as Scrooge’s frozen heart begins to melt and he finally embraces the festive spirit. Bringing 2018 to a close for us will be Only Men Aloud (Fri 21) on their Decade Tour. The choir has achieved a lot in the last ten tears, from winning a Classical Brit Award to performing at the 2012 Olympic Opening Ceremony! December’s Art Society Brecknock talk comes from Geri Parlby with The History & Art of the Nativity Crib (Tue 11). Covering the festive period in the Andrew Lamont Gallery will be an exhibition of ceramics and artwork A Christmas Carol, (Fri 14 – Sun 16) is from the South Wales Potters Group his December begins with brought alive by Chapterhouse Theatre and the Swansea Print Workshop a festive treat from The Company T Collective. Running from 22 Nov Royal Ballet as we screen their Brecon Town Concert Band presents through to 22 Dec the exhibition production of Christmas classic A Christmas Celebration Concert (Mon entitled From the Beacons to the Sea The Nutcracker (Mon 3). In the 10) featuring hits from the 1950s screening Tchaikovsky’s much- onwards. Lyrics will be projected will provide a perfect place to shop loved music is matched to a onto a big screen to allow audiences for some festive gifts for your loved magical adventure on Christmas to sing along with the band. The ones! Eve for Clara and her Nutcracker festive theme continues in The West Merry Christmas and a happy and doll. End at Christmas (Wed 12) which healthy New Year from all at Theatr Things then take a horrible turn will feature hits from the musicals Brcyheiniog! with the arrival of the Birmingham alongside the best of Christmas Nia Sandford Stage Company and their two time- song. travelling shows, Terrible Tudors and Awful Egyptians (Tue 4 – Sat 8). In Tudor time audiences will find out the fate of Henry’s headless wives and attempt to survive the Spanish Armada as it sails into the audience! Their second show, Awful Egyptians, takes you back even further to the time of Ramesses the Great where you will enter the Gates of the Afterlife. National Theatre Live’s December offering is Antony & Cleopatra. (Thu 6) Ralph Fiennes and Sophie Okonedo play Shakespeare’s famous fated couple in his great tragedy of politics, passion and power. Awful Egyptians takes you back even further to the time of Ramesses the Great VISIT THE FOCUS ONLINE AT WWW.THEFOCUS.WALES 13 CHRISTMAS IN CRICKHOWELL

rickhowell is always at its Shopping Thursday on 6 December. spread throughout the town, giving picturesque best during the The independent businesses will visitors the perfect excuse to explore C festive season. In celebratory be staying open late and as always and enjoy the amazing variety! mood after being declared the offer a seasonal and warm welcome Step into a world of festive delights overall winner of the Great British with various tempting tasters and in The Clarence Hall, The Courtyard, High Street Awards 2018, there is no demonstrations to add extra sparkle the Parish Hall and St Edmund’s better time to join in the celebration to the event. The popular Christmas Church with incredible variety such this year than our annual Late Night Fair has grown to include 40 stalls as Welsh Cider and Perry, Artisan

6 December 2018 Clarence Hall, the Courtyard, Crickhowell { P ar i sh Ha l l & St Ed m u n d ' s C h ur c h} Christmas Fair &Late Night Shopping OPEN from 4.30 with music, food, stalls & CRiC's community christmas tree decorating competition

14 TO ADVERTISE CALL 01873 856614 OR EMAIL [email protected] EVENTS smoked meats, fish and cheeses, bread, coffee, jams and pickles, handcrafted glass decorations, cards, ornaments, gifts, accessories, paintings, prints and photographs, skin care, textiles, bags and accessories to name but a few! These venues are not to be missed. In addition to various stalls, St Edmund’s will be offering a number of children’s activities, ensuring a fun evening for all the family. CRiC’s Community Christmas tree decorating competition will take place in St Edmund’s and CRiC this year to enable young and old to join in what has become an annual Crickhowell tradition bringing community groups together. Whether you are looking for an unusual gift or just want to soak up the atmosphere, enjoy the rolling programme of music and singing throughout the town, visit the Fire Station, enjoy the variety of street food and drinks on offer, admire the beautifully decorated trees in CRiC or visit the celebratory Christmas exhibition in the oriel cric gallery and The Studio – this is the place to start your Christmas celebrations. Suzette Pratten

(L-R) Jewellry: Sharon MacKinley Design. Owl photograph by Keira Marlow. Landscape by Lucy Corbett from the Welsh Academy of Art in Cwmdu. Ceramics by Jason Braham. Mosaic by Delia Taylor Brook. Christmas scenes and decorations by Rachael Blakeway

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VISIT THE FOCUS ONLINE AT WWW.THEFOCUS.WALES 15 Don’t worry if you don’t win on that day, there are plenty of other Focus chances…just visit the advent calendar daily and enter on the Advent days where you fancy winning that particular prize! Do keep in mind you will need to Calendar be able to collect/arrange collection of your prize as these won’t be sent out. On some days there may not be Win Daily a prize giveaway to reveal. On these days, we at the Focus will donate food items towards providing Prizes! two care packages that we will put together and donate to both his year we are delighted and Behind a number of doors, you will Abergavenny Foodbank and Brecon Tvery excited to launch the find prizes from local businesses Foodbank. very first online Focus Magazines that you have the chance to win! All We’d like to thank all the local Advent Calendar, sponsored by you need to do is enter your name, businesses who are participating Parrys Estate Agents, and we’d number and email address on our and have donated prizes for Focus love you to get involved…there website, and you’ll be entered into readers to win. We can’t tell you who they are yet, as that would give the draw for that day. (Don’t worry, are some amazing prizes to win! the game away, but we assure you Here’s How You Can Win! we will not share this information that we have some fantastic prizes with anyone else). At the end Visit our website www.thefocus. to give away, so do keep returning of that day, we will randomly wales every day in December, and every day to open a new advent complete the draw and announce door! click on the advent door relating the winner of that day’s prize via to that date to reveal a special Full details and terms and conditions social media, and inform the winner surprise. can be found on our website www. via email or phone. thefocus.wales. Give the gift of no plastic this Christmas with zero waste offerings from Natural Weigh

Chocolates, nuts, dried fruit Pop in with your and festive spices - we’ve containers to fill up, or got everything you need for use some of the ones we a plastic free festive period have available in store

Unit 1 Corn Exchange, 54 High Street, Crickhowell, NP8 1BH 01873 269493 www.naturalweigh.co.uk [email protected] L C [ @naturalweighltd 16 TO ADVERTISE CALL 01873 856614 OR EMAIL [email protected] CHRISTMAS You read that right. Two billion people worldwide already eat them, so why not us? Agriculture produces a lot of greenhouse gases and farming insects doesn’t require as much land and water as traditional agriculture does, therefore the environmental impact of bug eating is much lower than traditional sources of protein. Plus, bugs are high in protein and low in carbohydrates, so are very good for you. Edible grasshoppers, crickets and mealworms are readily available online and even come in flavours such as curry and peri peri! Homemade Gifts

Chutneys, jams and pickles all make wonderful gifts and can be Re-useable Coffee Mug Shampoo Bars presented in glass jars with attractive seasonal fabric squares on the lid to finish it off. Homemade truffles, brownies or tiffin, wrapped in greaseproof paper and popped into a recyclable cardboard box are also certain to go down well. Break with tradition … Don’t give anything! These are the ultimate packaging- We all know that most disposeable free eco alternatives to plastic You don’t have to give an object coffee cups cannot be recycled and bottles of shampoo. You can get all for it to be a gift. Without being every minute over one million cups different types in a range of scents. too clichéd, time is a wonderful gift end up in landfill globally. These Why not pair the gift of a shampoo to give somebody. You might be days most cafes will happily fill your bar with a bar of soap to encourage able to offer your time to babysit re-useable cup for you in place of your loved one to make the switch for a friend, assist an older relative their non-recycleable ones. from shower gel as well? with the weekly shop or gardening, pledge to cook Sunday Roast for Look for cups that are made using Edible Insects your partner at least once a month; eco-friendly materials, don’t leach all dedications of time and love harmful toxins and are recyclable and both environmentally and at the end of their life. There are economically friendly. lots on the market in all sorts of different designs and styles.

VISIT THE FOCUS ONLINE AT WWW.THEFOCUS.WALES 17 The name seems to come from for her around plygu meaning “to fold” – perhaps Abergavenny! Christmas the bending of the body to pray, or the folding of the harmonies? Look Before the in Wales out for plygain services or concerts Julian calendar in the area for a chance to hear this was replaced in 1782, the Sara Peacock is the Welsh unbroken tradition of authentic Welsh music. first day of for Business Officer for the the new year Abergavenny region, providing Another Welsh winter tradition was in fact free advice and support to small probably goes back to an older, 13 January, businesses in the area to enable pagan source. Mari Lwyd (Marry and some A Mari Lwyd them to use the Welsh language Loo-id; Grey Mare, or Grey Mary) is in Wales still celebrate this Hen to their advantage. Here she writes a decorated horse’s skull on a pole Galan (hairn gal-ann; old new-year). about Welsh Christmas Traditions covered by a cloth – she is carried Children would travel from house to Most people in Wales will be putting around by a group of revellers who house, singing songs for good luck up their tree and wrapping presents visit houses and pubs around the and collecting calennig (cal-len-ig), like everyone else this year, but we town. The Mari Lwyd team will knock little gifts such as coins or sweets. In also have homegrown traditions that on a door and sing a traditional song Gwent, children might take round an take place around the festive season. asking for entrance and a drink. apple decorated with herbs and nuts Whoever answers the door will try to and skewered on a stick. Most associated with Christmas itself give a reason why they can’t come is the plygain (plug-eye-n) service, in, and then there will be a poetic However you celebrate it, Nadolig dating back to the 13th century or battle called the pwnco (punc-o) as Llawen i chi, a Blwyddyn Newydd even earlier, taking place in the early each side tries to outwit the other. Dda! hours of Christmas morning. The Once the team finally get inside, they For more information about Welsh plygain carols associated with this are might just stay for a drink or the Mari for Business see www.gov.wales/ characterised by close homophonic might cause mischief before they cymraeg or contact Sara on sara. (all moving together) harmonies move on to the next stop. Look out [email protected] so the words can be clearly heard. Sara Peacock

18 TO ADVERTISE CALL 01873 856614 OR EMAIL [email protected] VISIT THE FOCUS ONLINE AT WWW.THEFOCUS.WALES 19 HEALTH & WELLBEING AT PETERSTONE COURT SPA

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20 As Christmas is a busy time for most of us, home baking often gets pushed to one side and we revert to shop bought products. With this in mind here is my last minute Yuletide Log which, if you take a short-cut “cheat” on the way, takes no longer than 30 minutes to prepare. For the purists amongst you I have included the full-blown version. I have used a basic swiss roll recipe, which is typically dusted with sugar and filled with jam or cream, but here I have added cocoa powder, and a chocolate filling and frosting. Give it a try and enjoy.

Ingredients Method slightly larger than tin and dust with caster sugar. • 4 large eggs Preheat oven to 220°C/Fan 1. Turn the sponge out onto the • 100g caster sugar 200°C/Gas 7. Grease a 13 x 9 4. sugared baking parchment, inch tin and line with baking • 65g self-raising flour quickly remove the parchment parchment. • 40g cocoa powder on the bottom of the cake and FILLING AND TOPPING: 2. Whisk the eggs and sugar in trim the sides of the sponge. a bowl until mixture is light Cheat’s buttercream Roll up the cake firmly with the filling & topping and fluffy (you should have a parchment inside and leave to trail when whisk is lifted out). • Betty Crocker cool. Sift flour and cocoa powder Chocolate Fondant At this point if you are not using into bowl and gently fold 5. spread or Chocolate the cheats method, you need to into mixture. Do not beat as Buttercream, prepare buttercream by beating you need to retain all the air (available from most together butter and icing sugar that you have whisked in. supermarkets) until it is light and creamy in Pour mixture and spread into Purists’ buttercream texture. Mix in cooled melted prepared tin, gently shaking to filling & topping chocolate and milk. • 75g softened butter level out. Place in oven for 10 minutes – the sponge should 6. When sponge is cool unroll and • 225g sifted icing sugar have started to shrink from the spread with filling, roll up tightly • 50g melted chocolate edges of tin. and spread with remaining filling. (cooled) Whilst sponge is in the oven cut 7. Finally dust with icing sugar and • 2 tsp milk 3. a piece of baking parchment decorate as desired. Pauline Mardell VISIT THE FOCUS ONLINE AT WWW.THEFOCUS.WALES 21 Children’s Christmas Crickhowell Special - Community Carol A Scratch Nativity Service Bring the family, dressed A service for all, with up as a nativity scene traditional readings, character if you’d like, carols and the Christmas for a fun re-telling of the message. Refreshments original Christmas story for all, and gifts for the children. The Primary School, The Clarence Hall, Sunday 16th at 11AM the Sunday before Christmas at 6PM

Carolau yng Nghrug Hywel Christmas Morning Welsh Learner’s Celebration Carol Service Croeso mawr i chi ymuno a A short and informal service ni i ddathlu’r Nadolig. Mae’r to start the day. Put on your gwasanaeth wedi ei baratoi best Christmas jumper and gyda dysgwyr o bob oed mewn come prepared to ‘show and golwg. Singing the well known tell’ your favourite gift. carols and remembering the seasonal message, regardless of The Church Centre, how much Welsh you have! Silver Lane at 10AM The Church Centre, Silver Lane. Sunday 16th at 6PM

07421 747007 www.crickhowellchurch.com A church where everyone is welcome.

22 CHRISTMAS Yet despite living in such an They heard of Jesus’ coming and “Good news attractive and caring community, were exhorted not to be afraid. His there are still many who are lonely coming was “good news of great in their homes, struggling with joy, that will be for all the people”. of great joy, circumstances too difficult to God revealed himself to us in the share. Who knows the sadness our person of Jesus, and because of that will neighbours feel? who he is and what he went on to There again, what sort of do, has changed the lives of many be for all Christmas do we imagine those in in our community. What about Children’s Christmas Crickhowell and around Paradise, California will you? people” have? What could have prepared Special - Community Carol He came that we might know him them for losing property, loved and receive his daily help. He came A Scratch Nativity Service ones or both? Many of those offering personal peace with God whose personal wealth might and the forgiveness of our sins. We Bring the family, dressed A service for all, with have given them a sense of belong to an extraordinary and traditional readings, Everybody loves good news. security in life, have been utterly up as a nativity scene diverse worldwide church family. devastated. How might we have character if you’d like, carols and the Christmas The bunting is up, and Crickhowell And that is just for starters .. responded if the flames lighting message. Refreshments celebrates following our recent for a fun re-telling of the recognition as having the UK’s up those hills spread near to Why not join with us in celebrating original Christmas story for all, and gifts for the Best High Street. Individual home? his coming, this Christmas? children. shopkeepers have been identified The Gospel according to Luke Everybody loves good news, don’t The Primary School, as national High Street Heroes, reminds us it was the angel that they? The Clarence Hall, and local businesses continue to th adressed the shepherds, the ones Sunday 16 at 11AM James Sercombe, Crickhowell the Sunday before Christmas ensure the reputation of the town out in their fields nearby keeping Evangelical Church. at 6PM for another generation. We’ve watch over their flocks at night. much to be thankful for.

Carolau yng Nghrug Hywel Christmas Morning Welsh Learner’s Celebration Carol Service A1 BLINDS BLINDS TREDEGAR TREDEGAR LTD Croeso mawr i chi ymuno a A short and informal service ni i ddathlu’r Nadolig. Mae’r to start the day. Put on your gwasanaeth wedi ei baratoi best Christmas jumper and gyda dysgwyr o bob oed mewn come prepared to ‘show and golwg. Singing the well known tell’ your favourite gift. carols and remembering the THETHE VALLEY’SVALLEYS LEADING LEADING BLIND BLIND SPECIALISTS SPECIALISTS seasonal message, regardless of The Church Centre, ALL AREAS COVERED how much Welsh you have! ALL AREAS COVERED Silver Lane at 10AM Quality Vertical Rollers & Venetians made to Day: Day/Night: 01495 717717 545 order direct from our factory Evening: 01495 724 348 The Church Centre, FREE no obligation quote Silver Lane. Sunday 16th at 6PM at competitive prices 1st Class after sales service TRADING FOR OVER Directors & Representatives: Ronald Reed / Geraint Davies 07421 747007 25 YEARS www.crickhowellchurch.com A church where everyone is welcome. FREEPHONE 0800 197 7545

VISIT THE FOCUS ONLINE AT WWW.THEFOCUS.WALES 23 Untitled-11 1 THE VALLEY’S LEADING BLIND SPECIALISTS13/06/2014 12:16

DIRECTORS & REPRESENTATIVES For information about all our upcoming events and to book your tickets visit our website: WWW.BOOK-ISH.CO.UK or call 01873 811256

18 High Street, Crickhowell, Powys. NP8 1BD Tel: 01873 811256 www.book-ish.co.uk BE SEEN Martin Shepheard Martin Shepheard PAINTER & DECORATOR BESPOKE WALLPAPER HANGING Fully Insured • Domestic & Commercial Quality Workmanship City & Guilds Qualified ADVERTISE FROM ONLY £21 reach up to 13500 homes & businesses Tel: 07971 454879 from Abergavenny to Brecon or 01873 830943 Call Hannah or pete 01873 856614 FOCUS [email protected] MAGAZINES 24 TO ADVERTISE CALL 01873 856614 OR EMAIL [email protected] his December the team at Book- T ish uphold the tradition of putting together for us a list of Christmas wonderful Christmas reads and books that Reads make the perfect Christmas gift. Enjoy! FOR THE ONE FOR THE FOR THE WHO CAN’T BIOGRAPHY WALKER AND WAIT FOR BUFF THE PUZZLER CHRISTMAS Educated is a The Ordnance TO START sobering memoir Survey Puzzle How Winston about Tara Book is great Delivered Westover growing to test your Christmas is one of our favourite up in a Mormon knowledge of books of the season – written family, in a culture map-reading and contains a mix of in 24 and a half chapters, it is a where education is restricted. It is word puzzles, search-and-find clues, lovely story to be read in the run the story of fighting for a university general knowledge questions, up to Christmas with crafts and education, of battling the odds and connection-making conundrums activities throughout. It’s beautifully of surviving. and various mathematical, map skill and navigational challenges – illustrated and full of festive cheer FOR THE and we can’t stop gushing about it! perfect for puzzlers of all ages! ALTERNATIVE FOR THE COSY FOR THE LOVED-UP MYSTERY FAN FOODIE The Seven Gaz Oakley’s TEEN Vegan Christmas What if it’s Us is Deaths of Evelyn is the perfect a gorgeous story Hardcastle is a festive cookbook about chance murder mystery for anyone trying meetings and with a twist – imagine reliving a to cut down on their meat intake, the ups and day over and over again until you full of tasty recipes and no strange, downs of falling solve a murder – but you can’t hard-to-find ingredients. Every in love. A great representation of remember anything after a week. recipe comes with mouth-watering LGBT+ characters and just a really An absolutely brilliant debut. photographs and easy-to-follow enjoyable feel-good read! FOR THE EPIC instructions. FOR THE READER FOR THE Bridge of Clay is SWEET TOOTH BREXITEER Good to be Sweet a truly epic tale The latest in the is part of the Ceri charting the lives Ladybird Books & Deri series by of the Dunbar for Grown-ups local author/ family. All the big series, The Story illustrator Max Low. Set in Wales, the themes and so of Brexit is the book follows a cat and a dog eating much more. From Markus Zusak, perfect stocking all kinds of sweets with the help of the author of The Book Thief, Bridge filler for the Remainer in your life! Dai the Duck – but there’s a twist! of Clay is definitely a Book-ish top We’re really excited about this one! read of 2018! Amy Vale VISIT THE FOCUS ONLINE AT WWW.THEFOCUS.WALES 25 26 TO ADVERTISE CALL 01873 856614 OR EMAIL [email protected] LOCAL BUSINESS detail. Our custom garden fencing in a modern car! Our new cordless or landscaping projects not only equipment is highly efficient, look good but are truly built to outperforms petrol equivalents, last. We ‘over engineer’ our fences produces no fumes, and is quiet, so and use special treatments. They customers no longer have to suffer look great but importantly will noisy machines all day. last a long time. We will always In the future, we plan to upgrade leave your garden as clean and the final few machines to cordless tidy as possible. We believe it is an and charge them all via solar equally important part of the job! energy. We are also starting to It has been an exciting past use biodegradable strimmer lines, four years for us, with many chain oil etc. Where we can, we changes. In 2015, wishing to be as encourage more planting of native LUKE JONES environmentally caring as possible, wildflower areas. we started using a fuel called You can find us on Facebook GROUNDS CARE & MAINTENANCE Alkylate. Alkylate petrol is 99% which is open to non users. There cleaner than regular petrol and is are many pictures of all aspects As our customers know, our aim virtually benzene free. This cleaner of our work. Thank you to all our has always been to carry out work fuel has significantly lowered the customers for your continued to the highest standard. Rushing pollution we create. loyalty. We truly value your custom! through jobs as fast as possible Professional cordless equipment has has never been our intention, since We wish you a happy New Year been developing over the years. It quality is always compromised. and look forward to seeing you wasn’t until 2017 that we felt it was Whether we are lowering hedges, soon. good enough to invest in for our cutting lawns or shaping shrubs, day to day use. Studies show that we pride ourselves on a high Luke Jones Grounds Care & 1 hour’s use of a 2 or 4 stroke petrol quality service and attention to Maintenance: www.facebook.com/ machine is equivalent to 100 miles lukejonesgroundscare The Handy Team The Kestrel Inn BAR RESTAURANT ROOMS Many years experience. Open Friday and Saturday nights, No job too small; try us and see. from 6pm to 11pm General maintenance/garden work. Hanging CHRISTMAS DAY LUNCH 2018 pictures, shelves, curtains and blinds. Painting & Book a table between 12 noon and 3pm, places limited decorating. Flat pack assembly, installation. Four course traditional lunch Adults £60, children under 12 years old £30 For the menu contact us on 01874 731044 Call us on: 07860857990 or go to: www.thekestrelinn.com/eat Nr. Crickhowell

Tree felling C. Ralph Fencing Tree pruning Hedge cutting Specialising Stump removal Firewood in all aspects Woodland of Domestic management Fencing [email protected] FULLY QUALIFIED www.beaconstreeservices.com AND EXPERIENCED Tel : 07531 965741 CONTACT ROBIN ON 07896 947571 ARBORISTS email: [email protected] VISIT THE FOCUS ONLINE AT WWW.THEFOCUS.WALES 27 Let’s Make Life Easy GET CHRISTMAS ALL WRAPPED UP with offers throughout December

Expert Knowledge | Super Service | Competitive Prices | Professional Installation

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H kra uB l aw r k oH u s e L t d wluB ehT 5 T h e B u l aw r k , rB noce , 3DL 7 L B 726 47810 479226 www . b u l w a r k h o u s e . c o . u k

*Terms28 and Conditions apply. Sold asTO an agentADVERTISE of Euronics CALL Limited. 01873 All rights 856614 reserved. OR AllEMAIL offers [email protected] subject to availability while stocks last. Delivery & Installation charges may apply. Exclusions and Radius Apply. See in store for full details. Images for illustration purposes only. Copyright Euronics 2018. E&OE 24 December 2018. Next Month’s FOCUS… Resolutions After all that Christmas excess, January is the time for atonement, reflection and, of course, resolutions. Resolutions are a personal thing, but often involve dieting and fitness, but can also be about organising our time better and, perhaps pertinently, being more conscious of the world around us.

If you run a business that harnesses the idea of resolutions and can help people on their way to achieving a goal during 2019, then get in touch!

The deadline for the January Focus is 19th December and the magazine will be distributed from 5th January.

DEADLINE DATE FOR JANUARY CALL US ON 01873 856614 EDITIONS IS: 19TH DECEMBER OR EMAIL: [email protected] TO MAKE A BOOKING OR FOR MORE INFO

local business great aftercare free quotes and fitting special offers on the website complete range of blinds

Talgarth Building Supplies Ltd your local manufacturers of high quality blinds 01874 711670 For friendly service & fast delivery call Ken or Catherine Barwise 01873 811113 Hay Road Talgarth Powys LD3 0AL w: evergreenblinds.co.uk e [email protected] www.tbs.wales email: [email protected]

VISIT THE FOCUS ONLINE AT WWW.THEFOCUS.WALESTalgarth Building Supplies Ltd 29 01874 711670

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Opening doors since 2001 bidmeadcook.co.uk Yes!The feeling you get The feeling you getwhen Bidmead Cook Yes!agree a let or sale on when Bidmead Cook agree a let or sale onyour property your property

Wishing all our customers a Happy Christmas and a Prosperous New Year!

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WE HAVE EXPERIENCE IN SELLING AND RENTING HOUSES LOCALLY PLEASE CALL YOUR CLOSEST OFFICE TO TALK ABOUT THE CURRENT MARKET AND GET AN ACCURATE VALUATION.

Aberdare Coleford Merthyr Tydfil 26 Whitcombe Street, Aberdare, 19 High Street, Coleford Crickhowell118 High Street,Merthyr Tydfil CF47 8AP Rhondda Cynon Taff CF44 7AU Gloucestershire GL14 2SE 14 HighT: Street, 01685 388106 Crickhowell, Telephone : 01685 886086 T: 01594 834799 Powys NP8E: [email protected] 1BD E: [email protected] E: [email protected] Opening doors since 2001 T: 01873Pencoed 812006 Abergavenny Crickhowell 3a Penybont Road, Pencoed Opening doors since 2001 15 High Street, Abergavennybidmeadcook.co.uk14 High Street, Crickhowell, E: [email protected] CF35 5PY Monmouthshire NP7 5RY VISIT THEPowys FOCUS NP8 ONLINE1BD AT WWW.THEFOCUS.WALEST: 01656 861010 bidmeadcook.co.uk T: 01873 853640 T: 01873 812006 E: [email protected] 31 E: [email protected] E: [email protected] Ross on Wye Brynmawr Ebbw Vale 8 Broad Street, Ross on Wye 27 Beaufort Street, Brynmawr, 1 Bethcar Street, Ebbw Vale, Herefordshire HR9 7EA Blaenau, Gwent NP23 4AB Blaenau, Gwent NP23 6HH T: 01989 763553 T: 01495 313135 T: 01495 302301 E: [email protected] E: [email protected] E: [email protected]

Chepstow Lydney 27 High Street, Chepstow 9 Newerne Street, Lydney Monmouthshire NP16 5LJ Gloucestershire GL15 5RA T: 01291 628215 T: 01594 843497 E: [email protected] E: [email protected]

Opening doors since 2001 bidmeadcook.co.uk

www.llangoedhall.com www.llangoedhall.com

t: 01874 754525 e: [email protected] @TheLlangoedHall t: 01874 754525 e: [email protected] @TheLlangoedHall

£29.00 per person £29.00 per person

Served Daily between 12.30pm and 2.00pm Served Daily between 12.30pm and 2.00pm

Mince Pies and Festive Crackers. Mince Pies and Festive Crackers.

Enjoy a Three Course Lunch to include Tea, Coffee, Enjoy a Three Course Lunch to include Tea, Coffee,

or escape with family and friends. or escape with family and friends.

in our warm and welcoming ambience in our warm and welcoming ambience

Experience great food and flavoursome wine Experience great food and flavoursome wine

Available from 1st to 23rd December Available from 1st to 23rd December

Llangoed Hall Llangoed Hall

Get Together Get Together

THIS FESTIVE SEASON THIS FESTIVE SEASON

THIS FESTIVE SEASON Get Together

Llangoed Hall Llyswen | Brecon | Powys | LD3 0YP

Available from 1st to 23rd December Experience great food and flavoursome wine in our warm and welcoming ambience or escape with family and friends. Enjoy a Three Course Lunch to include Tea, Coffee, Mince Pies and Festive Crackers. Served Daily between 12.30pm and 2.00pm £29.00 per person

t: 01874 754525 e: [email protected] @TheLlangoedHall www.llangoedhall.com