Y Ffordd Braf

Yr Hydref - 2017 - Autumn The magazine for the churches and communities of the Epynt a’r Wysg Ministry Area in the Usk Valley Editorial As summer lurches all too soon into autumn, this issue of our magazine heralds the start of autumn activities and opportunities to celebrate harvest, and give thanks for the many blessings we enjoy in this country. The magazine has some inspiring news of what the young farmers have been doing, and the welcome our community has been giving to people who have suffered in ways we can barely imagine before they came here. But at the same time, it is sad to relate the precarious situation Y Ffordd Braf finds itself in, in terms of support through gaining advertisements, or through editorial help. Unless the situation changes drastically in the next three months, with offers of assistance in compiling the magazine, gaining advertisements and chasing revenue, the Christmas issue will be the last. Sue James

John Clifford, tel 01874 638178, [email protected] Sue James, tel 01874 636126, [email protected] Siân Miller, tel 01874 638855, [email protected]

Advertisements: if you would like to support the magazine through an advertisement or donation, please contact either Sue James or Siân Miller.

Epynt a’r Wysg Ministry Area - making progress We were delighted to provide a series of posters explaining the work of the Ministry Area and will be using these as a roadshow for each of the thirteen churches throughout the Autumn.

Confirmaton

Would anyone wishing t be confirmed please contact Vicar Paul so tat classes may be arranged. Who and where Rev M P Wilding, Bryn Orsaf, , LD3 8RR 01874 638927

Blaenwysg Benefice Benefice wardens : Paula Jones 01874 638863 Paul Salisbury 01874 636943

St Cynog, , LD3 8SB Church wardens : Paul Salisbury 01874 636943 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 warden : Valerie Lewis 01874 636485

Capel Rhydybriw, Sennybridge, LD3 8RT Church warden : Thurza Morgan 01874 638106

St Mary, Traeanglas, LD3 8RE Church wardens : Ivor Pugh 01874 638158 Bess Jones 01874 636256

Ministry Area Announcements We will be holding a service of Compline on the third Monday of each month.The next services are : 18th September at Crai, 16th October at Rhydybriw and 20th November at Defynnog. This is a short contemplative service which will start at 7:30pm.

All the churches in our Ministry Area will be supporting Christian Aid this year’s Harvest. Dan-yr-Epynt Benefice

Benefice wardens : Fiona Jones 01874 636687 Jenny Steger 01874 610747 Ss Cynidr and Mary, LD3 9NW Church wardens : Marion Davies 01874 622270 Richard Field 01874 611524

The Parish Church, Bettws Penpont, LD3 8EU Church wardens : Robert MacDonald 01874 638085 Ivor Morgan 01874 624087

St Maelog, Llandefaelog Fach, LD3 9TT Church wardens : Betty Prothero 01874 622620 Jenny Steger 01874 610747

St Michael, Llanfihangel Nant Bran, LD3 9NA Church warden: Fiona Jones 01874 636687

St Michael and All Angels, Lower Chapel, LD3 9RE Church wardens : Elizabeth Stephens 01874 611989 Roger Tonkin 01874 610709

St Cynog, Merthyr Cynog LD3 9SD Church wardens : David Evans 01874 690 206

St David, LD3 8HP Church wardens : Jackie Oliphant 01874 611862 Peter Thole 01874 636371

St Cynog, Capel Dyffryn Honddu, Upper Chapel, LD3 9RG Church wardens : Dorcas Slaney 01874 690377 Susan Williams 01874 690301

Editorial Team

John Clifford Carn y Castell, Sennybridge 01874 638178 Sue James Ty Siloh, Llandeilo’r Fân 01874 636126 Siân Miller 1, Prospect Row, Defynnog 01874 638855 From the study window

It was good to see things coming to an end at a recent meeting rather like the summer holidays. I expect many parents feel the same way this year with the summer weather which we have been having, when it has often been the case – quick! Get the barbeque out! Only a few moments later to rush for cover as a shower empties itself on us. All things seem to come to an end. If we are not quick then opportunities for new experiences, fresh adventures may slip through our fingers. We might well come to regret those missed times but we can be determined to grasp them. We are meant to live life to the full and for many that will involve getting to know God better and getting to know our neighbours. Although we may live in idyllic surroundings that does not mean that we cannot play our part in trying to ensure that they can be experienced and enjoyed by all rather than a fortunate few. We should grasp the opportunities to do so and enrich our own lives.

Blaenwysg Regular Services Sunday First Second Third Fourth

9:30 am Crai (Matins) Crai Rhydybriw Crai

11:00 am Defynnog Llywel (Family Defynnog Llywel Service)

2 pm Traeanglas

3 pm Llandeilo’r Fân

4:30 pm Llywel Defynnog (Evensong)

Holy Eucharist is held at Community Centre at 10:30 am each Thursday and at 10 am on the first Wednesday of each month at Capel Rhydybriw. During the building works at Llywel, services will be held in Trecastle Community Centre.

Forthcoming services in Dan-yr-Epynt

9.15am 11am 1st Sunday See below Trallong 2nd Sunday Aberyscir Lower Chapel 3rd Sunday Llandefaelog Llanfihangel Nant Bran 4th Sunday Merthyr Cynog Bettws Penpont 5th Sunday In rotation 10:30

The first Sunday service rotates around the 3 remaining valley churches.

Please note that fifth Sunday services will alternate between Dan-yr-Epynt and Blaenwysg. The next one will be October 29th at 10am at Llandeilo’r Fân followed by a Quiet Day in the Hall. Chapel services - Summer 2017

Sept 10th 10:30am Horeb Crai Sept 10th 2pm Tŷ Newydd Trecastle Sept 10th 2pm Saron Cwmwysg Sept 17th 10:30am Horeb Crai Sept 24th 10:30am Horeb Crai Sept 24th 2pm Tŷ Newydd Trecastle Sept 24th 2pm Zoar Chapel Pentrefelin Oct 1st 10:30am Horeb Crai Oct 1st 2pm Tŷ Newydd Trecastle (Harvest) Oct 8th 10:30am Horeb Crai Oct 8th 2pm Saron Cwmwysg Oct 10th 7pm Horeb Crai Harvest with Mr Glynog Davies Oct 15th 10:30am Horeb Crai Oct 15th 2pm Zoar Chapel Pentrefelin (Harvest) Oct 22nd 10:30am Horeb Crai Oct 22nd 2pm Tŷ Newydd Trecastle Oct 29th 10:30am Horeb Crai Nov 5th 10:30am Horeb Crai Nov 12th 10:30am Horeb Crai Nov 12th 7:30 pm Tŷ Newydd Trecastle Nov 12th 2pm Saron Cwmwysg Nov 19th 10:30am Horeb Crai Nov 19th 7:30 pm Zoar Chapel Pentrefelin Nov 26th 10:30am Horeb Crai

Tea and Chat will run every Wednesday afternoon at Ty Newydd chapel, Trecastle from 2.30 – 4pm. Everyone welcome. Croeso cynnes i bawb. Drop in when you can. News from the Pews

St Cynog, Defynnog Summer has been a sad time as we said farewell to our well-loved bell ringer, Tom McCourt. At his funeral on June 15th, 1260 Grandsire Doubles were rung half-muffled and the tenor tolled to mark his life. We look forward to welcoming at our last Compline roadshows on November 20th. Remember the church is open every day. Come rain or shine it is opened each morning to welcome visitors who come to see the famous ancient yew tree and to use this sacred space for prayer. In October we will welcome the YFC Harvest Festival.

St David, Llywel The summer months have passed quietly. We have continued to make use of Trecastle community centre for services during the church building works. For those who have visited, you hopefully will have noticed that the top two levels of scaffolding have now been removed! In fact it is a positive step indeed as the work on the tower repointing is now completed and the new tower roof has been installed. The scaffolding remains so that the concrete louvres can be replaced. Obviously finding additional problems like this have increased the cost of the work being done but in order to keep within the budget we have, other less important ground level work will be omitted for the time being. Inside the church the work continues and the rewiring is nearly completed. With work still on going, but wanting to focus on when all is completed, we have started to arrange our opening weekend for the 2nd and 3rd December. The planned activities so far are: a Christmas Tree festival, children’s craft, children’s crib service rounded off with a celebratory evening concert with a visiting choir and solo singers. Please keep a look out for further information as we finalise our plans. We look forward to be being able to once again fill our church with colour, conversation and laughter, friendship and the offer a warm welcome back, but more importantly the chance to bring our valued place of worship back to life within our community!

Capel Rhydybriw,Sennybridge We have had a quiet summer but were delighted to host Compline in July. Remember our little church is “open all hours”. St Mary, Traeanglas The farming community around Traeanglas have been very busy with the harvest. Walking around the lanes, we see that the hedgerows are showing signs of a good crop of elder and blackberries and other autumn fruits. In August we welcomed the Compline Roadshow. We look forward to welcoming you to the Bingo evening on Friday October 20th.

St Teilo, Llandeilo’r Fân Sadly this has not been a happy summer for the congregation of St Teilo's church in Llandeilo'r Fan as we are missing one of our members Wyndham Jones, of Bwthyn Gwennol ,who has died suddenly. We are also awaiting a structural survey report on the church roof timbers which are showing signs of age and strain, and which we fear will be rather expensive to repair. Our good news is that our elderly member, Megan Davies, Rhiw Farm has settled into a new home where she is being lovingly cared for. We also look forward to welcoming everyone to our Harvest service on Thursday 12th Oct at 7pm and on Sunday 29th October at 10am for a combined service,followed by refreshments and a Quiet Day.

St Ilid,Crai We were delighted to welcome worshippers from all our churches for Compline on May 15th and look forward to welcoming them back on September 18th. Please join us!

Ss Cynidr and Mary, Aberyscir We are looking forward to hosting a Concert with Local Soloists and Choirs and Community Singing of Favourite Hymns on Sunday 24th September at 6.00 pm Refreshments will be served and tickets will be available at the door (£7.50).

Bettws Penpont On Sunday 16th July Penpont House combined forces with Abercamlais in an Open Gardens event which raised £1250 for Bettws Penpont; a much needed boost after our recent burglary. Saturday 9th September, the very popular choir 'Cantorion Cyfarthfa' will be giving an evening concert, along with accompanying soloists, at Bettws Penpont Church. St Maelog, Llandefaelog On the 8th July Tamsin Vyvyan-Robinson and Frederick Dewhurst were married in a delightful service taken by Fr Paul Wilding and Fr Michael Thomas. The church was full of family and friends, lots of flowers, and the Bell-ringers came out to ring. We welcomed Florence Sophie Marcelle Guyon into the church on 23rd July in a lovely Baptism service taken by Rev John Lewis, retired Dean of Llandaff. Grandparents Mike and Margaret Jones filled the church with flowers for the occasion, which was attended by lots of family and friends. We also have another wedding coming-up: Victoria Williams will be marrying Martin…on 9th September, so we look forward to another celebration in our church. Never have there been so many for years!

St Michael, Llanfihangel Nant Bran 'Community and Creation' were recently celebrated in our tiny village. Local church members, residents and organisations came together to create a stunning floral display in the church alongside an interesting art exhibition and delicious cakes on offer in the adjoining village hall. There was a friendly atmosphere throughout the event, which was clearly enjoyed by the large number of people who attended. The grand sum of £1100 raised towards church funds. We are very grateful to all the participants, including the Sennybridge Surgery, Brecon Rotary Club, Hay, Brecon and Sanctuary for Refugees group and the Llanfihangel Nant Bran Art Group and to all those who supported us, either financially or by their presence.'

St Michael and All Angels, Lower Chapel Our annual Strawberry Tea supported church funds and provided an opportunity to meet and chat. Volunteers put up the big Gazebo outside the Village Hall. We were overwhelmed by the generosity and wonderful support of our neighbours - churchgoers and non-church goers alike. The Lower Chapel Show on August 12th gave us a great opportunity to come together to support our local community, as well as to fund raise. Thanks to everyone who supported it.

St Cynog, Capel Dyffryn Honddu Upper Chapel As Dyffryn Honddu Church in Upper Chapel proceeds to its closure, the services are now held in the 3 remaining valley churches. From the Registers

We welcomed into the Church Florence Sophie Marcelle Guyon

We celebrated the marriages of Matthew Gibson Creamer and Amanda Jayne Eckley. Frederick Olivier Dewhurst and Tamsin Sarah Vyvyan-Robinson.

We gave thanks for the lives of : Thomas Johann McCourt Thomas Vincent Davies Glenys Beryl Moses Jeff Powell Philip Waldron.

*****

Cadw Open Doors Day

L o o k o u t for Open Church events in our area on Saturday 9th September. St David, Llywel will be open from 10- 5. Look out for other events around the Ministry Area. Refugee respite day at Aberhyddnant

On a sunny day in early July we were ready to welcome people we didn’t know from places hundreds of miles away to our farm. Bunting was up, there was a tremendous amount of food, crafts and Jacob sheep at the ready. Anticipation was high when the call came to say the bus had left Swansea.

The bus parked at Bedlwyncoch, with big thanks to Dyfrig and Gaynor, and was met by a stream of cars to transport the less able and little children. Also there, with a warm welcome, were Marion and Christopher. They guided our guests to the farm chatting and breaking down some barriers. We also had guests who had travelled from Newport and Cardiff.

Our guests were given lunch (a never ending supply of food) and the opportunity to unwind in the countryside. Many come from rural locations in their own countries and are now stuck in city situations.

They loved the animals even overcoming their fear of dogs, thanks to Gwen the fluffy sheepdog who just let children climb all over her. Tanwen came along with clay and helped both children adults create some very artistic pieces. Allyson and Susan from craft club helped children to make puppies out of flannels, useful and fun, there was a musician from Hay and the boys, young and old really enjoyed a competitive game of football.

I found it amazing that these people who had left their homes with just what they could carry were so resilient. Two old friends met for the first time since parting company in a camp many thousands of miles away. A very happy reunion.

A mother of small children who lives in one room in a basement in Swansea, which can get hot and claustrophobic but she has to keep her window closed because drunks climb in.

I asked Marion, who spent the day listening to and telling stories, what were her best stories of the day:-

‘One story is about storytelling. There was a 5 year old Chinese boy who spent most of the afternoon with me, telling stories to me. Stories that I could barely understand because his English is at a very early stage of development. Stories that I encouraged him to tell and others to listen to. His mum told me later that he said to her about me, "I love granny. I don't need you to stay, mum. I'll stay with granny." The other story is about food. I was talking to three young women, all of them studying, one to be a hairdresser, one a beautician, the third an architect. I mentioned that I had cooked something and they asked what it was. As I described it, one of them was scrolling through the photos on her phone. She found the one she wanted, which was of the table that was groaning with the food that so many people had provided. She searched the photo and enlarged one bowl of food and sure enough, it was the lentil and rice dish that I had made. She took my hand in her two hands and thanked me enthusiastically, saying "I tried everything. But for me, the food you made was the most delicious, because it's like the food that my mum makes. It reminds me of food from home. Thank you."

For me, these two very touching interactions - and so many others that there isn't time or space for! - completely validate my contribution to the day. As I see it, the day wasn't only about giving to our guests, it was also about receiving.’

What an amazing day we had with some fantastic people. The weather was kind to us and we hosted approximately 100 asylum seekers and refugees, it is difficult to image the risks they took to get to the UK or the reasons that forced them to do this. Many families are now living in one room, asylum seekers are not permitted to work and receive £5/day to cover all their costs, whilst many refugees are working in the lowest paid jobs no one else would touch with a barge pole. It was great to see so many happy smiling faces. We would like to thank everyone who helped on the day, Jennie and Peter for their sterling work in the kitchen and Crai Hall Management Committee for their generosity in supplying all the cutlery and crockery, tables and chairs for the day. There are far too many to mention, but everyone played a very important role in this very special day. THANK YOU from all at Aberhyddnant Off The Bus Club ... Off the Bus, what is that? Sunday school on a Monday.

We meet in Crai Hall from 3.45 until 5pm every Monday during school time. All children of primary age are welcome. We will be starting back on Monday 4th September.

Play games, Bible stories, Snack, Singing Please contact Liz 636797 for further information

*****

Sennybridge Rainbows, Brownies & Guides I think Nicola and I are probably mad, but after a full term of activities we invited the girls up to the farm to enjoy three activity days. We created some amazing peacocks, solved some serious crimes and finally celebrated Christmas in summer. About ten girls came to each day and had lots of fun as we dodged the rain and enjoyed the sunshine.

We start back on 19th September, the same times as previously, but in a new venue, Village Hall. We will be able to arrange pick up from Happy Days afterschool club as before. Please contact Liz 636797 for further details.

Brownies 5.30 to 7pm Tuesday Maescar Hall Guides 7 to 8.30 pm Tuesday Maescar Hall

Rainbows 5 to 6pm Wednesday Maescar Hall

***** Autumn Calendar

Sat 2nd Sept Sennybridge Show Sennybridge

Tues 5th Sept 7pm WI: Encoustic Wax Pictures Maescar Hall

Fri 8th Sept Usk House Night Run Usk Reservoir

Fri 15th Sept Coffee Morning : raffle, tombola, Bishop Bevan Hall 10-12 noon produce etc Fri 29th Sept Cancer Research Tea Party Glanwysg House, Sennybridge Tues 3rd Oct 7pm WI: Blaenavon Cheeses Maescar Hall

Fri 20th October Traeanglas Annual Bingo Evening Trecastle Community Centre Tues 27th Oct WI: Annual Whist Drive Maescar Hall 7:30pm Tues 7th Nov 7pm WI: AGM and Bridget Morgan Crafts Maescar Hall

Tues 5th Dec WI: Floral Demonstration Maescar Hall Monthly Diary

First Monday Community Garden Club Crai Village Hall First Tuesday Sennybridge WI Maescar Hall Merthyr Cynog WI. Community Hall, Upper Contact Linda Probert on Chapel 01874 625133 Second Tuesday Trecastle Ladies Guild Trecastle Community Hall LastTuesday Honddu Ladies Group Community Hall, Upper Contact Liz 01874 611989 Chapel or Dawn 01874 624524 Senior Citizens Community Hall, Upper (Evergreens) 2 – 4 pm Chapel First Wednesday Merched Crai Neuadd y Plwyf Crai Trallong WI Trallong Village Hall Fourth Wednesday Camera Club Trallong Village Hall

Last Wednesday Craft Club Neuadd y Plwyf Crai Third Thursday Worship Meeting Bronydd Mawr Farm

First Friday Social gathering Llanfihangel Nant Bran Village Hall Second and Fourth Flix in the Stix (Contact Trallong Village Hall Friday Alan Bloss) Third Friday Hearing Aid - drop in help Maescar Hall and repair. 10:30 -12:30 Book Club - contact Llanfihangel Nant Bran Margaret Blake Village Hall [email protected]

Check with the organiser that your event is running. Weekly Diary

Mondays 3:45 - 5pm Off the Bus Club Neuadd y Plwyf Crai Mon - Thur 9:30 - 12:30 pm Cylch Meithrin Sennybridge Youth Wing Tuesdays 1:00 - 3pm Toddler Group Sennybridge School 5:30 - 7 pm Brownies (age 7 - 10) Sennybridge School Hall & Youth Wing 7:00 - 8:30pm Girl Guides Sennybridge Youth Wing 7:30pm Table Tennis Trallong Village Hall Wednesdays 1:00 - 3:30 pm Afternoon bowls Maescar Hall 2:30 - 4pm Drop in : tea and a Ty Newydd Chapel, chat Trecastle 5:00 - 6:00 pm Rainbows (age 5 - 7) Sennybridge School Hall 7:00 - 9:00 pm Short Mat Bowls Maescar Hall 6:30 pm Knitting Club Trecastle Community Hall 7:30 pm Trecastle YFC Trecastle Community Hall 7pm Pontfaen YFC Full Community Hall, Upper range of activities. Chapel Age 10 upwards Thursdays 7:15pm Short Mat Bowls Trallong Village Hall 7:30 pm Trallong Ladies Choir Maescar Hall 7:30 - 8:30 pm Bell ringing St Cynog’s Church, Defynnog

Friday pm Sennybridge Junior Riverside Park (football Football Club ground)

Badminton 7pm - All Community Hall, Upper welcome Chapel Keep fit, yoga and Llanfihangel Nant Bran art groups Village Hall contact Margaret Blake [email protected] store - cafe - bakery

Wed to Sun

THE INTERNATIONAL

defynnog GLANUSK SERVICES Sennybridge

Situated on the main A40 between Brecon & Llandovery

Visit our welcoming Café which serves all day breakfasts, Main meals, snack, home-made cakes OAP’s special on Tuesdays between 12-3

Open 7 days a week Take-away available Free Wi Fi connection Also on site LONDIS SHOP with Newspapers Off Licence Lottery

Jet Wash Oil 4 Wales Fuel 24hr Launderette

Light Military repairs undertaken Heating Oil & Red Diesel on pump & delivered 100lts minimum

Rugs washed, reproofed and repaired in house

SENNYBRIDGE TRADING CO.

OLD STATION MASTERS HOUSE SENNYBRIDGE, BRECON, LD3 8RS LOCAL HONEY (NEXT DOOR TO THE SAW MILLS) 01874 636497

WE STOCK WET WEATHER GEAR, WORK WEAR, SAFETY BOOTS, FOR SALE EQUESTRIAN

£5 for a jar (SECONDHAND SADDLERY SOLD ON COMMISSION BASIS)

Stockists of Global Herbs and Sue and Hoggs footwear Roger James Rugs washed, reproofed and repaired Also waterproof clothing. tel: 01874 636126 e-mail: You name it we probably do it or can get it. Opening times [email protected] MON- THURS 10am – 4pm FRI 10am – 1pm SATURDAY 9am – 3pm Please call in for a browse The Sennybridge and Brecon Committee of Cancer Research Wales will be holding an afternoon tea party on Friday 29th September at 3pm at Glanwysg House in Sennybridge. Tickets will be £10. Contact Isobel Cooper on 01874 636416 or 07779251918. An afternoon of great company for a great cause!

Cobblers Tea Room Sennybridge

Home-Made and Locally Produced Cakes

Gluten/Dairy Free Options Available Full Afternoon Tea (Pre-booking required) Light Lunches served 12-2:30pm OAP Special Friday – 15% off – 12-3pm Take-Away Drinks and Cakes Free Wi-Fi

Open 10-5pm - Tuesday to Saturday

www.cobblerstearoom.co.uk www.facebook.com/cobblerstearoom1 [email protected] 01874 638360

Autumn Services

Sun 3rd September 10 am Combined Benefice St Ilid, Crai Service - Holy Eucharist Mon 18th Sept 7:30pm Compline St Ilid, Crai Sun 1st Oct at 9:30am Harvest Festival St Ilid, Crai Sun 1st Oct at 2pm Harvest Festival Tŷ Newydd Trecastle Tues 3rd Oct at 7pm Harvest Festival St Mary, Traeanglas Sun 8th Oct 11am Harvest Festival St David, Llywel

Tues 10th Oct Harvest Festival Horeb, Crai

Thur 12th Oct at 7pm Harvest Festival St Teilo, Llandeilo’r Fân

Sun 15th October at Harvest Festival Capel Rhydybriw 9:30am Sun 15th October at Harvest Festival Zoar Chapel, Pentrefelin 2pm Sun 15th October at YFC Harvest Festival St Cynog, Defynnog 6pm Mon 16th Oct 7:30pm Compline Capel Rhydybriw

Sun 29th October at Combined Ministry St. Teilo. Llandeilo’r Fân 10 am Area Service - Holy Eucharist followed by a Quiet Day in the Hall Thurs 2nd Nov All Souls - Service of St Cynog, Defynnog Remembrance & Thanksgiving Mon 20th Nov 7:30pm Compline St Cynog, Defynnog Mon 10th Oct at 7pm Harvest Festival St David, Llywel

St David’s Church, Llywel : Saturday 2nd and Sunday 3rd December – Celebration weekend for the church reopening – details to follow.