Page7 (R3) Schools Brochure 2016__Eng - to Book Goto More Information in English

Cwm Cynon Christmas - The Story Schools Brochure 2016

(R3) 05b2834798dbef904188a57013294510.doc - To book goto www.cynonnativity.org.uk More Information in English: [email protected] WHAT is “Cwm Cynon Christmas – The Story”?

Cwm Cynon Christmas – The Story brings to life the 2,000 year old story using adult actors, professional costumes and staging. It is presented in both Welsh and English (including the activities) and suitable for all faiths and needs.

This twenty minute production is packed with breath-taking moments. On their journey, Mary and Joseph encounter angels and shepherds, soldiers and stables, childbirth, Magi and stars – not to mention the arch-villain, Herod, before finally returning safely home to Nazareth.

In addition, the children have the unique opportunity to contribute their own designs to the prepared artwork by Aberdare born artist Martyn Evans who has kindly prepared purpose created drawings for the children to complete and form into personal Christmas cards. Alternatively, the children may wish to take part in a half-hour bell ringing session where they will be taught to play a Christmas carol on handbells. The whole event is suitable particularly for ages 7-11 year olds, but children either side of this age group have enjoyed a similar production in Aberdare and at The Hayes, Cardiff over the last 4 years. ALL OF THIS IS ENTIRELY FREE!!!

(R3) 05b2834798dbef904188a57013294510.doc - To book goto www.cynonnativity.org.uk More Information in English: [email protected] Why should your school visit?

Christmas is full of traditions. Bringing children into the glitter of the decorated shopping area, sharing creating a Christmas card with an artist, creating music with hand bells and sharing in a story which founded the Christmas we are celebrating today is certainly a special and important community and church link which we should embrace and develop in our locality.

It is also GREAT FUN!

Although “Cwm Cynon Christmas – The Story” is the gift of our churches to the children of Cynon Valley, we would like to stress that there is no evangelising or preaching involved – just the presentation of the story itself. The event is appropriate for children of all faith backgrounds, and supports elements of the National Curriculum stages 1 and 2.

With a lay-by and pelican crossing close by the approach to the venue at St Elvan’s is ideal for school visits. Children with special educational needs can be driven straight onto the site. Please contact for further details.

We look forward to seeing you.

(R3) 05b2834798dbef904188a57013294510.doc - To book goto www.cynonnativity.org.uk More Information in English: [email protected] BOOKING INFORMATION

It is quick and easy to make a booking but booking in advance is essential due to the expected popularity of school visits.

Further information can be found at www.cynonnativity.org.uk

or call 01443 740207 and speak to Revd. Sarah Rogers

To book in English please email: [email protected] and complete and attach the booking form which you can download from the website and send it straight to us. We will then contact you to confirm your booking.

Essential information to provide on the form:

 Name of school  School contact  Telephone number  Email  No. Of seats required  Ages of children attending  Any additional needs/requirements

(R3) 05b2834798dbef904188a57013294510.doc - To book goto www.cynonnativity.org.uk More Information in English: [email protected] Handbell Ringing Sessions

Why not book your class a free lesson in hand-bell ringing as well?

Encountering the traditional tunes of Christmas through the medium of bells is certain to bring Christmas vividly alive for everyone. The techniques involved are so simple and the instruction given is so clear, that by the end of their half-hour session your children will be able to play a simple carol - brilliantly. Success is guaranteed.

Belleplates (see www.belleplates.com) are a marvellous invention, ideal for children. They recreate the authentic sound of hand-bells, but the belleplates themselves are lightweight and sturdy, unlike classic bells which are heavy, fragile and expensive.

Each child will have a bell of their own to ring, and under the direction of our teachers they will quickly find themselves making music. Working together as a team, the children acquire a strong sense of the way individual notes meld together to create a tune.

The sessions take place under the same roof as “Cwm Cynon Christmas-The Story.” The children will use the main part of the magnificent building of St Elvan’s. The acoustics of this large church ensure that this will be a remarkable musical experience for the children.

Please note that it can be arranged for schools who have participated to hire the set of bells for a few days during 2014, so that the children can build on their experience. Details will be available at the event. Martyn Evans – Valleys ART www.valleysart.com

(R3) 05b2834798dbef904188a57013294510.doc - To book goto www.cynonnativity.org.uk More Information in English: [email protected] School children visiting the “Cwm Cynon Christmas-The Story” event have been provided with a unique opportunity to contribute their own designs to artwork by Aberdare born artist Martyn Evans who has kindly prepared purpose created drawings for the children to complete and form into personal Christmas cards.

Martyn Evans was born and brought up in Aberdare, in the coal- mining valleys of Wales and graduated from the University of Wales at Cardiff. Shortly afterwards, he and his wife Joy, a New Zealander, moved to her homeland, where he lived and taught for many years, enjoying a culture, climate and lifestyle different in many ways from that of his upbringing, but with enough similarities that he never felt completely estranged from Wales.

After almost 30 years Martyn and Joy returned to Aberdare to care for his increasingly infirm parents, thus revisiting his youth and the town in which he had grown up. Tragically, Joy also became largely housebound due to a premature illness, and Martyn, free only in his imagination, developed a passion for drawing and painting. His art was inspired by his changed vision of the architecture, geography and history of his birthplace. He no longer saw the Valleys as many had, as collections of drab buildings and cold, misty and rainy landscapes.

His depictions are Lowryesque, but much more than that. They are heavily influenced by the clear, golden light of New Zealand and by its colourful Maori art and culture. They have a directness, an optimism and universal appeal, presenting the Welsh mining valleys as sun-soaked colourful places of his imagination, yet with a profound honesty and a strong Maori influence. For those of a Welsh background, Martyn's paintings provide a cheerful, factual link with their heritage, an interpretation of Wales that will satisfy nostalgia and a sense of historical belonging whilst simultaneously being high quality pieces of art that will brighten up any wall. Those who have no links with Wales will immediately appreciate the sheer artistic impact of Martyn's multi-layered work, with each piece clearly indicative of a unique culture that has influenced the artist at a fundamental level, but are also indicative of influences at another level by later experiences in a different culture - the old not being supplanted by the new, but enriched and enhanced by his exposure to Maori art.

(R3) 05b2834798dbef904188a57013294510.doc - To book goto www.cynonnativity.org.uk More Information in English: [email protected] the Church St Car Park and at the nearby Is there a hearing loop? How will we know where to go when we Frequently Asked Library car parks. arrive? Yes, there is hearing loop system. Questions? Our stewards will be waiting to greet Also, because the entire story is told via you outside the entrance to the church Where is the nearest dropping off point the sound-track The Story is easy for and on the street. Is it suitable for children of all faiths? for coaches? sight-impaired individuals to follow. Is there any hidden cost? Absolutely. This is a classic retelling of a Coaches could use the pull-in near Is it suitable for children of all ages? 2,000 year story, long familiar to people “Weatherspoons” in Church Street, or It really is free! All the essential costs of all faiths. Last year Cwm Cynon beyond near the council offices. From Yes. Nursery Schools brought children to have been met by all the churches of Christmas - The Story was enjoyed by these locations they will be able to set the Cardiff event last year, and they Cynon Valley, of all denominations. This many local school children and adults down without the children having any enjoyed it - especially the interlude with is their Christmas gift to the children of from different faiths and backgrounds. roads to cross apart from a pelican the puppets. Because the entire play the Valleys. The Christmas Story was well received crossing to the Church. lasts just twenty minutes, young by the schools who came to see it and children cope very well. However, this is How definite are the timings? we had excellent feedback from the Where is St Elvan’s situated? a re-telling of the entire story - and children who enjoyed seeing the story includes the arch-villain, Herod! Very We are committed to running a tight brought to life, participating in the St Elvan’s is on Church Street, Aberdare, small children may need a moment’s ship and getting everyone in and out on activities and meeting the donkeys. reassurance. A child’s understanding of time. However, as with anything in life, What about disabled access? the story will develop, by hearing it re- unforeseen circumstances may arise There is no attempt to evangelise, told, year after year. which may upset our plans. convert or preach -just to tell the story. Wheelchairs can access St Elvan’s at the North Door (that is, at the side of the This is a bi-lingual event, how does it For further information please visit: church where there is a ramp). What about children with special work? www.cynonnativity.org.uk needs? Wheelchairs will be accommodated to the front of the church. Some of our performances for the public We can make space available for plenty are in English, others in Welsh. of wheelchairs. Please just contact us if If you plan to bring a number of you have particular queries and we will wheelchairs, we can free up as much For schools, just let us know which do our best to meet your needs. space as you need - but we will need language you would prefer when you advance notice. Please put this on your book, and we will arrange for you have We will need to bring our children in the booking form. the language of your choice. school minibus, where can we park? Unfortunately the building has no We cannot offer an absolute guarantee If your children have special needs you accessible disabled toilets. that the bell-ringing lesson will always can park in the church’s own car park. be available in the language of your How many children can be seated in Please let us know when you book and choice - although we will do our best. each performance? we will arrange for you to bring the We are reliant on volunteers, and it may vehicle into St Elvan’s car park. be that no Welsh speaking volunteer We can accommodate 150 children at Otherwise, public parking is available in will be free to fill your time-slot. each performance.

(R3) 05b2834798dbef904188a57013294510.doc - To book goto www.cynonnativity.org.uk More Information in English: [email protected]