CONTACTCONTACTCONTACT

APRIL/MAY 2018

LLANGYNIDR’S FREE NEWSLETTER ISSUE NUMBER 214

THE RED LION LLANGYNIDR

OPEN ALL DAY FREE HOUSE

Telephone 01874 730223 www.theredlion1.vpweb.co.uk [email protected] (more details on back cover) 2

_tãÜxÇvx cÜÉááxÜ 9 fÉÇá Independently owned family Funeral Directors established 1945

Members of the National Association of Funeral Directors

PRE-PAID FUNERAL PLANS AVAILABLE

“Tycerrig”, Cwmcrawnon Road, Llangynidr, NP8 1LS

Telephone 01495 303281

FOR PERSONAL ATTENTION AT ALL TIMES

3

WHAT’S ON . . .DATES FOR YOUR DIARY

10 April : Start of school summer Term

3 May : Local History Society AGM & meeting. See page 29

3 May Folk Night at the Old Rectory. See page 16.

3—7 May : Crickhowell Music Festival. See pages 30-31.

10 May : Rehearsed reading of ‘Under Milk Wood’ at Sardis Baptist Chapel. See page 43

28 May—1 June : School summer half term

20 July : End of school summer term.

(Note that school holiday information is sourced from published Powys data, but please check with your school before booking a holiday)

PLEASE DON’T FORGET THE FARMERS’ MARKET HELD ON THE LAST SUNDAY OF EACH MONTH IN THE VILLAGE HALL, 10.30AM TO 1PM

4 Articles on local events, seasonal recipe ideas, other items of interest, adverts & dates for your diary— please contact the Editor, Helen Phillips, at Belmont Cottage, James Street, Llangynidr, Powys, NP8 1NN. [email protected] 01874 730443

The Editor does not necessarily subscribe to the views expressed by contributors and cannot be held liable for the accuracy of any statement made or implied.

DEADLINE FOR JUNE/JULY IS 20 MAY

CONTACT IS A FREELY AVAILABLE LOCAL NEWSLETTER. CURRENTLY 250 PAPER COPIES ARE PRODUCED, 510 GO OUT VIA EMAIL

COPIES ARE MADE AVAILABLE AT THE RED LION, WALNUT TREE STORES, IN THE CHURCH PORCH OR FROM BELMONT COTTAGE AS SOON AS POSSIBLE AFTER PUBLICATION DATE.

OR YOU CAN RECEIVE IT ELECTRONICALLY (& IN COLOUR) PRE PUBLICATION—JUST SEND YOUR EMAIL DETAILS TO [email protected]

IF YOU KNOW OF ANYONE WHO CANNOT RECEIVE THEIR COPY BY ANY OF THESE MEANS, PLEASE CONTACT THE EDITOR, WHO WILL DELIVER TO THEM PERSONALLY

ADVERTISING RATES

1/4 PAGE £15 PER YEAR, 1/2 PAGE £30 PER YEAR FULL A5 PAGE £60 PER YEAR

(minimum 6 issues per year, details can be changed per issue)

PLEASE MAKE CHEQUES PAYABLE TO ‘CONTACT’ OR PAY BY CASH AT BELMONT COTTAGE

5 Copies of ‘Contact’ will now be available online (along with other information) at http://www.llangynidr.online

This website is being built up to encourage the sharing of information about the area. It is intended to be a definitive guide to Llangynidr but also to promote our holiday accommodation

It may be helpful to locals to send a link to relatives etc abroad or away who have never been here

Rainbows, Brownies and Guides meet weekly at Llangynidr School. For more information contact Debbie on 01874 731022.

Cubs meet in the Village Hall every Friday during term time, 6pm—7.30pm. More info from Mark Critchley, 676399, or Facebook at www.facebook.com/1stLlangynidrScoutGroup.

FLOWER ARRANGING LLANGYNIDR

Classes are held in the Bottom Chapel at 7pm on the last Thursday of the month—new members always welcome.

Julie Ellis 01874 730662

Mondays, 2—4pm, at the Top Chapel (URC) Vestry KNITTERS & NATTERERS

More knitting than nattering! We make clothes for charities that seek help for the less fortunate, young and old, in parts of the world where poverty and local conditions adversely affect them. Please join us for an informal, fun filled knitting/sewing session

All welcome—contact details : Margery Davies (730469), Margaret Davies (730228), Marjorie Jones (730426)

6

LLANGYNIDR PRESCHOOL

After many successful years of running from the Village Hall, Llangynidr Playgroup has moved. This was a requirement of Powys County Council as the authority wanted, where possible, for early years settings to run from a permanent classroom environment. The County agreed we could move into a demountable classroom on the site of the village school.

The mammoth task of rewriting all polices and then moving equipment to fit CSSIW's requirements took place and in October 2017 the setting opened with a new name, ‘Llangynidr Preschool’.

The preschool is run by the same two qualified staff as previously, with a third member of staff beginning her training to gain her level 3 qualification.

The children are able to access 12.5 hours of free funding with additional hours being available at a cost to the parent.

The setting is open daily in line with the school term, 9am -12pm, with Monday and Friday offering an extended hour until 1pm. The children are able to bring a packed lunch on these days and join in with the school children's lunch break. We currently have spaces for three and four year olds and are waiting approval for two year olds.

The group have been very grateful for all the support past, present and hopefully future they have received from the community. When in the hall the children always enjoyed the visitors calling in and having a chat, the likes of the Welsh class, the over 60's, the art class to name but a few as well numerous committee members all encouraging the children.

The setting now faces a new challenge which is to improve the outside play area attached to the classroom. This is probably going to cost a number of thousands of pounds to complete, which the setting is already beginning to tackle. Grants are being applied for along with fundraising activities organised. The long term aim is to make an all weather surface immediately outside the classroom door with a large overhead canopy allowing the children to play out all year round in a safe and secure space.

We look forward to making a happy learning environment for the next generation of children in exciting surroundings.

If you would like further information please contact the setting leader on 01874 731022 or call in and have a chat you would be most welcome.

Debbie Hansford

7

8

What a successful market we held on 25th March! Many new faces, both sellers and visitors! Everybody seemed to leave with a smile on their face and had an enjoyable morning! After our 3 new sellers received a warm welcome from Llangynidr, they are all returning next month along with 4 more newcomers - who will be bringing dog treats, homemade lampshades and more! Next market Sunday 29th April 10am - 1pm Llangynidr Village Hall NP8 1LS Free parking, free entry, refreshments available. Tables available to sellers

Gemma Evans

#llangynidrfarmersmarket #supportlocal #farmersmarket

9

I have a distinct feeling of déjà vu when I realise that in the last introduction I wrote, the word ‘snow’ cropped up—here we go again. This time March is nearly over and carol services far behind us, but WI St David’s Day events were cancelled because—you guessed it—of the snow. My garden is white again for the second time this month and we are all hoping that our lunchtime trip to the Old Railway Line garden centre planned for next week will go ahead!

Despite the weather, we have enjoyed several interesting events since our last meeting in February, when we were treated to a flower arranging demonstration by Helen Griffiths. It all looks so simple when you know how and I know that we picked up some valuable tips and techniques, especially as the arrangements were on a small scale and deceptively simple. I was lucky enough to take home a wineglass full of cream flowers which lasted for weeks sitting on my dressing table.

Llangyndr WI team did well in the quiz prelims which were held in Llangasty on 23 February, tying with Talybont WI as joint winners—they however were ‘pipped at the post’ by the deciding question, so good luck to our rivals as they progress to the next round.

The celebration of Women’s International Day was held on the evening of 8th March at Bishop Benson Hall in Brecon and an award ceremony was held for ‘an inspirational woman who has achieved a personal goal’. Jan Newton of Llanafan WI was nominated in another successful and enjoyable evening with delicious food served.

The Powys Brecknock WI Show will be held on the 7th April at the Market Hall in Brecon, when all the WI groups in Powys will be competing with each other in many and various competitions. This event will be open to the public after judging has taken place at 1pm and demonstrations at 2.30pm. We as a group are as keen to produce as many entries as possible and over our last meeting on 13th March took the form of a mini arts and crafts show, items displayed and viewed after the normal business was over. We were all impressed by the number of entries and the high standard of

10 work attained. After voting took place and prizes awarded, several of the delicious cakes were consumed with enthusiasm and appreciation! Needless to say, we have high hopes of winning some prizes and points at the ‘real thing’ on 7th April.

The poem by Stephanie Nummelin which follows won a prize and was read out to much laughter and warm applause, a lovely way to end a very enjoyable and friendly evening.

WI

We’re not all jam and singing girls, We have much more to give. We know the art of talking, girls And we know how to live.

Committee work is our great strength And rules, well we just pass ‘em. We make short work of minutes And we always have a quorum.

Baking is our forte, girls And Waitrose is our mate. We bring them home and throw the box And pop them on a plate.

For charity we give our all, It’s never a call too far. First a week at sunbed heaven And then we’ll ditch the bra!

Oh come along and join us do, We’ll get along just fine. We’ve always something fun to do, But don’t forget the wine.

Please don’t forget we welcome new members at any time of the year and meet on each second Tuesday of the month at 7pm, 2pm in winter.

We wish all our readers a very happy Easter, (with no snow!)

Toni Whitehouse

11 TALES FROM THE CANAL LOCKS

Another season is ahead of us and we look back on a winter that will be remembered for what appeared to be extended periods of cold and wet weather, together with some unaccustomed snow right at the end. Statistics will no doubt show that it was an ‘average’ winter. From our point of view it has been a difficult closed season because most of our time as volunteers on Llangynidr locks has been spent with at least one paint brush to hand. Often we have consulted the daily weather forecast which showed no rain we have got half way through a task and a ‘shower’ has come at us from the hills, not only stopping us but also washing away earlier work. The question is then asked as to why we try to paint in the winter months and we have to point out that the locks are used continuously during our season and visitors would be upset if their party frocks became covered in paint. It is not very practical to remove paint from clothes and skin in the confines of a narrow boat and the boat companies would not thank us if they had to remove smudges from the immaculate surfaces on board.

Well, that’s why, now the what. Before the end of last season we drew up a list of what we would like to see done in an ideal world and agree this with the canal management, who have to provide tools 12 and materials. That list comprised 146 items and we are proud of the fact that this year we completed every item on the list, compared with only 60% the previous winter. Having complained about the weather, it has to be pointed out that this winter we were able to draw on a pool of 10 volunteers as opposed to just 5 in 2016/17. However, we are not complacent and as ever we are looking to increase our numbers to offer a better service to canal users for 7 days a week in the season. Should you be interested in joining us for a taster, please contact us on the locks where you will be welcome to join in for the day, or look on the CRT website https://canalrivertrust.org.uk/volunteer

Last season Llangynidr locks were used 2,987 times, a 1% increase over the previous year and placed us 49th out of 164 locations in England and Wales. As we have 5 locks in Llangynidr, that indicates that there were nearly 15,000 lock movements—if you can join us, you are unlikely to be bored.

13 This winter we have not had any new gates fitted, although some of them are beginning to show their age as they come towards the end of their planned 25 years of service. Next winter we are expecting to have 3 new gates fitted in January 2019 and some repairs to those left behind. This brings us to the work which is expected to be carried out this April in conjunction with Help for Heroes, who will be with us for about 4 weeks replacing 2 of the footbridges on locks 65 and 67 and restoring the footpath and steps up from the road to the Welcome Station.

A bit further afield works will be carried out at the Talybont lifting bridge in June which will involve changing the closing barrier sequence, restoring the towpath alignment and traffic management to improve the traffic/pedestrian/boat interface after consultations with Powys County Council Highways.

We expect to welcome 4 or 5 new volunteer lock keepers who have

14 put up their hands during the closed season and we look forward to an accident-free season. We are pleased that a defibrillator will be installed at the Welcome Station, together with training, thanks in no small way to the efforts of one of our volunteers, Michelle, who beside persuading the British Heart Foundation and CRT to fund it, will be providing training.

Our ducks and drakes have been extremely active over the last couple of weeks, with an overabundance of drakes, which has caused a lot of action on the water. Hopefully this will result in a good, steady supply of ducklings which, if the mink and foxes find food elsewhere, will give us a great display on the water.

Charlie Phillips, a volunteer lock keeper

15

Folk Night at The Old Rectory Hotel Llangattock

Thursday 3 May at 7.30pm

Let the lively music and dancing of folk trio Morfa put a spring in your step! Talented young musicians will offer a mix of jigs and traditional songs from Wales and beyond, complete with demonstrations of Welsh clog dancing.

If you would like to try clog dancing for yourself, you can join a workshop before the performance. Put your (clog) dancing shoes on at 6.45pm.

Tickets £10 online at www.crickhowellchoralsociety.org , from Webbs of Crickhowell, The Hours Bookshop in Brecon and from choir members. Drinks and bar food available from 6pm. Please contact the hotel on 01873 810373 to book meals.

16

LLANGYNIDR VILLAGE HALL 200 CLUB 2018

PLEASE JOIN IN THIS ENTERPRISE AND HELP SUPPORT YOUR VILLAGE HALL

Each Bond costs £20 – you can buy as many as you and your family want.

The draws take place in June/July and December/January each year.

Prizes will be: 1 st £100, 2 nd £60, 3 rd £40, 4 th £20, 5 th £20, 6 th £20.

To enrol, simply complete the form, and send it to Mrs Margery Davies, 14 Pencommin, Llangynidr, Crickhowell, Powys, NP8 1LT

------

Please enrol me in the Llangynidr Village Hall ‘200 CLUB’ for the current year.

I enclose a *cheque / *cash for £…………. being payment for …….. (number of) Bons(*s) for this year.

* Please delete as applicable. You may purchase as many Bonds as you wish.

17 ♦ Upvc Fascia & Guering Slate Roof ♦ Tile Roof Fibreglass Roof ♦ Liquid Coangs Roof Tradional Felt Roof ♦ Flat to Pitched

FREE GUTTERING WITH EVERY FASCIA BOARD ORDER!

18 FREE SURVEY AND QUOTATIONS!!

TEL : 01432 354000 FAX : 01432 268263 Emai : info@centralroofing.co.uk www.centralroofing.co.uk

19

PENRHIWGARN POULTRY SUPPLIES LLWYN RHYN FARM, LLANGYNIDR, CRICKHOWELL, NP8 1LL email : [email protected] www.penrhiwgarn.co.uk Gene, Chris & Marc Taylor 01874 730883 or 07816 917999 or 07973 551690

Suppliers of fully Tradional & rare Stockists of : vaccinated point of lay breeds : ∗ Drinkers pullets (available most of ∗ Chickens/chicks ∗ Feeders/food the year) : ∗ Ducks/ducklings ∗ Incubators ∗ Warren ∗ Geese/goslings ∗ Poultry housing ∗ Black Rock ∗ Peafowl ∗ Other equipment ∗ Speckledy ∗ Guinea fowl ∗ Bluebell ∗ Light Sussex

STU FLUEZY (STUART HOOPER)

CHIMNEY SWEEPING SERVICES

01873 831008 (5pm-7pm) 07593 681002 (9am-5pm)

All aspects of chimney sweeping undertaken

Nothing too big Nothing too small High or low We’ll do them all!

Registered with the Institute of Chimney Sweeps (reg no 0399)

20

EMMA AND THE BEAST

Emma and the beast arrived Bringing with them wind and snow. For heat and drinks we have all strived As a thaw might well be slow!

All roads become quite dangerous Travel is ill advised. Tractor drivers are so generous Community spirit has survived!

Vehicles slide into roadside ditches Making drivers bruised and sore. Problems caused by weather glitches Maybe we all should stay indoor!

Children enjoy their time at home As they couldn't get to school. In deep fresh snow it's good to roam Using skis as useful tools!

We all moan about the weather But there is nothing we can change, It brings us all together This shouldn't feel so strange!

Marian Nute March 2018

21

FRIENDS OF CWMDU MUSIC

To remind you, we have a very exciting programme planned for 2018:

12th May—Students from the Royal Welsh College of Music & Drama, a percussion ensemble. Artist in residence : Kathryn Roberts, glassmaker.

7th July—Trio Volant, woodwind trio. Artist in residence : Robert Macdonald, author, painter & printmaker.

29th September—Gwent Chamber Orchestra. Artist in residence : Philippine Sowerby, wooden sculptures & jigsaw puzzles.

I am sure you will agree that this promises to be another most exciting season for FCM and hope that we shall see you at some, or, better still, at all of the concerts.

Mike Stroud (Chair, Friends of Cwmdu Music)

If you are interested in becoming a Friend (or Patron) of Cwmdu Music, please do contact us at [email protected]

22

BRIAN JONES (BRIAN THE BRUSH)

YOUR LOCAL REGISTERED CHIMNEY SWEEP

FULLY INSURED

PHONE 01874 730869 or MOBILE 07530587325

EMAIL [email protected]

23

Croeso nôl i dudalen Gymraeg Llangynidr Welcome back to our Welsh page

Gobeithio’ch bod chi wedi mwynhau y dudalen Gymraeg yn y “Contact” diwethaf. We hope you enjoyed the Welsh page in the last ‘Contact’.

Hoffech chi ysgrifennu rhywbeth i’r dudalen Gymraeg? Would you like to write something for the Welsh page? e.e hanes Cymraeg yn yr ardal neu eich teulu unrhyw newyddion am ddigwyddiadau Cymraeg yn yr ardal e.g. Welsh history in the area or your family history Any information of Welsh events/news in the area

Ydy eich plant yn dysgu Cymraeg? Are your children learning Welsh? Os dych chi angen help i gefnogi eich plant, edrychwch ar, “Welsh for Parents,” gan Lisa Jones, awdur lleol. If you need help to support your children, have a look at, “Welsh for Parents,” by local author Lisa Jones.

Os dych chi eisiau dysgu Cymraeg eich hunanhunan, cysylltwch â : dysgucymraeg.cymruCeredigion, Powys & Sir Gâr, mae cyrsiau lleol ar gael yng Nghrughywel ac Aberhonddu. If you want to learn welsh yourself, contact, learnwelsh.cymru Ceredigion,Powys & Carmarthenshire, there are local courses in

24 Crickhowell and Brecon.

Ceisiwch rhai o geiriau yma: Try some of these word:

Bore da (bor – rare – dar) Good morning Prynhawn da (prin – hown – dar) Good afternoon Noswaith dda (Nos – withe – thar) Good evening Nos da (Norse – dar) Good night Shwmae, sut dych chi? (Shw my, shwt – duchchchch chchchee)ch Hello, how are you? (ch(ch(ch is pronounced the same as in the Scottish loch)ch)ch)ch)

Eisteddfod yr Urdd Brycheiniog a Maesyfed 2018 Urdd Eisteddfod Breconshire and Radnorshire Cofiwch bod Eisteddfod yr Urdd yn dod i faes y Sioe yn Llanelwedd o 28 Mai i 2 Mehefin 2018. Remember the Urdd Eisteddfod is coming to the Royal Welsh Showground in Llanelwedd from 28 May to 2 June.

Yr Urdd yw un o fudiadau ieuenctid mwya Ewrop, ac yn yr Eisteddfod bydd llawer o gystadlu: dawnsio, canu a llefaru a hefyd hwyl a sbri gyda chwaraeon, sgiliau syrcas a llawer o stondiniau. The Urdd is one of the biggest youth gatherings in Europe and at the Eisteddfod there will be lots of competitions in dance, singing and reciting and also fun and games with sports, circus skills and lots of commercial stands.

Tocynnau cynnar ar gael nawr 0845 257 1639 Early bird tickets are available on 0845 257 1639

```Dewch a mwynhewch yr hwyl! Come and enjoy the fun!

Gan Elizabeth Gibbs Alan James Carol Jenkins Elizabeth Lewis Jean Stoy Kath Teagle

25 26

TThehe Old Storehouse, Llanfrynach, Brecon, LD3 7LJ

The Old Storehouse is a comfortable and unfussy place to stay. There's an open range in the kitchen and woodburning stoves in the sitting room and conservatory, sofas, lots of books and birds and the surrounding countryside. There are four large en-suite bedrooms. Please phone 01874 665499 or email [email protected] or check our website www.theoldstorehouse.co.uk

As always, many thanks to all advertisers, individuals and groups who give donations towards the printing costs of ‘Contact’ - it is most appreciated.

Helen Phillips Editor

27

Female Personal Assistant Required

To support a young woman with special needs in her home in Crickhowell.

Hours are flexible by mutual agreement but an overnight stay each week would be needed. Good rates of pay.

For a full job description and application form please phone 01874 730659 and leave an answerphone message with your name and address.

28

LLANGYNIDR HISTORY SOCIETY

Next meeting and AGM Thursday 3rd May ‘The Tragedy of Aberfan’

Llangynidr village hall, AGM 7pm, talk starts at 7.30. Everyone welcome. Tickets £5 from committee members or pay at the door. Refreshments will be served

Julie Ellis

29 30 Crickhowell Music Festival Thursday 3 to Monday 7 May 2018

Music’s power divine – a harmony beyond words

Why does music mean so much to us? This year’s festival explores music’s unique ability to transform and inspire us, through works by Vivaldi, Handel, Monteverdi, the overlooked Restoration composer John Blow and two Florentine pioneers of opera, Caccini and Peri.

Our concerts will feature both well known professional soloists - up and coming Welsh soprano Jessica Cale, countertenor Mark Chambers, tenor Nicholas Mulroy and baritone Robert Davies - and our own Choral Society Scholars, young voices on the cusp of their university and conservatoire studies. Crickhowell Choral Society is accompanied by the Festival Baroque Players.

Do come and join us! Festival Programme

Saturday 5 May at 7.30 in St Edmund’s Church, Crickhowell Vivaldi Domine ad adjuvandum, Blow Ode for St Cecilia’s Day and Peri/ Caccini Eurydice (the birth of opera (excerpts)

Sunday 6 May at 10 am in St Catwg’s Church, Llangattock Festival Cantata – Bach Cantata BWV16: Herr Gott, dich loben wir

Sunday 6 May at 7.30 in St Edmund’s Church, Crickhowell Handel’s rarely performed Alexander’s Feast – in honour of St Cecilia

Monday 7 May at 3pm in St Catwg’s Church, Llangattock Singers’ Recital – the divine Monteverdi An afternoon of madrigals in an exciting collaboration between our Choral Scholars and acclaimed soloists.

Tickets are available online at www.crickhowellchoralsociety.org , from Webbs of Crickhowell, The Hours Bookshop in Brecon and choir members: £16 for the choral concerts on Saturday and Sunday evenings and £10 for the Monday recital. Students free at all events

31

32 33

Philip Jones Timber Products Ltd

12ft x 12ft Stables from £675 12ft x 12ft Field Shelters from £625 12ft x 12ft Loglap Mobile Field Shelters £1,275 4ft x 3ft Dog Kennels £110 Garden Sheds from £185 Wendy Houses from £300 10ft x 8ft Summer Houses £695 9ft x 7ft Log Cabin Summer Houses £1,250

Garden Gates from £35 Gate Latches - Hinges - Pad bolts. We stock Decking - Posts - Joists - Spindles - Sawn Timbers - Nails - Screws - Jump Poles - Half rounds - Straining Posts - Stakes - Stock Wire - Barb Wire - Straining Wire - Farm Gates - Feather Edge Boards from £90 per 100 Limited Stock —Met posts from £2 - £6 - Animal Design Stepping Stones £2.50p each or 10 for £18 Postcrete.

All types of fencing materials in stock - Post & Rail fencing 3 rails with 4” posts 1.8 metres apart -£7.50p per metre, supply only.

34

Woodchips - Firewood Logs - Road Planings for sale.

Special - 6ft featheredge brown boards with posts 2.4 metres apart with rail £17 per metre supply only

We also hire wrag commander post knockers and wood chippers. We stock corrugated sheets - wheel barrows - tools - strimmers - chainsaws - safety work boots from £14 .

Dickies black dealer boots from £20. 10% discount on a min of 10 pairs. Working gloves also in stock from £1/pair.

RASSAU SAWMILLS, MOUNTAIN ROAD EBBW VALE, GWENT, NP23 5BL

If you require any more info on any of our products, please do not hesitate to contact us on 01495 302069 / 309623 or 07773354449

Email enquiries to [email protected] Visit the website at www.philipjonestimber.co.uk

Bring this booklet with you for 5% discount or print off the page via your computer

35

WHY NOT COME TO SUNNY MALTA AND DO SOME SCUBA DIVING?

Please contact me if you are thinking of coming to these lovely islands where the diving is exceptional. Diving in the clear blue waters of the Mediterranean is any diver’s dream. The abundance of reefs, wrecks and labyrinthine caves just a stone’s throw from each other make diving here an unforgettable experience.

At the start of this year’s season, while doing an equipment check dive, we collected quite a bit of rubbish, part of the ‘Dive Against Debris’ initiative—it was amazing what we fished out—including an old wheelie bin. Ryan Phillips, [email protected]

36

Nathan & Holly welcome you to

WALNUT TREE STORES & POST OFFICE

General groceries, milk and bread daily Beer, wines and spirits, coffee machine. Daily newspapers

Summer opening hours—every day except Sunday 8am—8pm (Sunday close at 7pm)

WHY NOT TRY OUR CAFÉ?

01874 730309

Post Office Hours: Mon–Fri 9 am-1 pm, Sat 9 am-12 noon

PleasePlease remember that there is an on-on---callcall firefighter working and living in our premises. Can we ask for our car park entrance to be clear at all times? Please use car park provided. Many thanks.

37 38 39 40

BRIAN GRIFFITHS

Professional building and property maintenance. Local qualified tradesman with over 30 years experience. All work undertaken and guaranteed to high standard.

Carpentry, roofing, slating, tiling, plumbing, kitchens, renovations, replacement premier U-PVC windows and doors, U-PVC boards and guttering, GRP glass fibre flat roofing, emergency call out service.

01874 730987 07877527103 [email protected]

41

THE RED LION LLANGYNIDR 01874 730223

NEW MENU COMING IN AAPRILPRILPRIL, look out for details

LOOK OUT FOR OUR LIVE MUSIC POSTERS—POSTERS ———NEXT EVENTS: ---

Saturday, 28th AprilApril————’Glas’ - back by popular demand, blues/R&B/rock n roll.

Saturday, 28th MayMay—’Dual Control’ - lively pub duo!

QUIZ ––– Every other Thursday Night (ALL YEAR ROUND) – 8pm start – Give it a try! New teams always welcome! Check the sign by Cwm Crawnon Road for dates.

SUNDAY LUNCHES ––– REAL ALES ––– FOOD SERVED EVERY DAY 1212----2:30PM2:30PM & 66----9PM9PM ––– BAR IS OPEN ALL DAY EVERY DAY

DON’T FEEL LIKE COOKING? DON’T FORGET THAT WE DO TAKEAWAY FOOD & DRINK. IF YOU HAVEN’T GOT A MENU, PLEASE DO NOT HESITATE TO POP IN AND PICK ONE UP.

Also, look out for posters for other events eg bingo, themed evenings.

42 Sardis Baptist Chapel presents

a Rehearsed Reading of

Thursday 10 May at the Chapel

Contact 730361730361730361 or 730708730708730708 for more details

43

LIFE IN BRITAIN DURING THE 1500'S

The next time you are washing your hands and complain because the water temperature isn't just how you like it, think about how things used to be.

Here are some facts about the1500s:

Most people got married in June because they took their yearly bath in May and still smelled pretty good by June. However, they were starting to smell, so brides carried a bouquet of flowers to hide the body odour. Hence the custom today of carrying a bouquet when getting married.

Baths consisted of a big tub filled with hot water. The man of the house had the privilege of the nice clean water, then all the other sons and men, then the women and finally the children. Last of all the babies. By then the water was so dirty you could actually lose someone in it. Hence the saying, "Don't throw the baby out with the bath water."

Houses had thatched roofs-thick straw-piled high, with no wood underneath. It was the only place for animals to get warm, so all the cats and other small animals (mice, bugs) lived in the roof. When it rained it became slippery and sometimes the animals would slip and fall off the roof. Hence the saying, " It's raining cats and dogs."

There was nothing to stop things from falling into the house. This posed a real problem in the bedroom where bugs and other droppings could mess up your nice clean bed. Hence, a bed with big posts and a sheet hung over the top afforded some protection. That's how canopy beds came into existence. The floor was dirt. Only the wealthy had something other than dirt. Hence the saying, "Dirt poor." The wealthy had slate floors that would get slippery in the winter when wet, so they spread thresh (straw) on floor to help keep their footing. As the winter wore on, they added more thresh until, when you opened the door, it would all start slipping outside. A piece of wood was placed in the entranceway. Hence the saying, "A thresh hold."

(Getting quite an education, aren't you?) In those old days, they cooked in the kitchen with a big kettle that always hung over the fire. Every day they lit the fire and added things to the pot. They ate mostly vegetables and did not get much meat. They would eat the stew for dinner, leaving leftovers in the pot to 44 get cold overnight and then start over the next day. Sometimes stew had food in it that had been there for quite a while. Hence the rhyme, "Peas porridge hot, peas porridge cold, peas porridge in the pot nine days old."

Sometimes they could obtain pork, which made them feel quite special. When visitors came over, they would hang up their bacon to show off. It was a sign of wealth that a man could, "bring home the bacon." They would cut off a little to share with guests and would all sit around and "chew the fat."

Those with money had plates made of pewter. Food with high acid content caused some of the lead to leach onto the food, causing lead poisoning death. This happened most often with tomatoes, so for the next 400 years or so, tomatoes were considered poisonous.

Bread was divided according to status. Workers got the burnt bottom of the loaf, the family go the middle, and guests got the top, or the upper crust.

Lead cups were used to drink ale or whisky. The combination would sometimes knock the imbibers out for a couple of days. Someone walking along the road would take them for dead and prepare them for burial. They were laid out on the kitchen table for a couple of days and the family would gather around and eat and drink and wait and see if they would wake up. Hence the custom of "holding a wake."

Britain is old and small and the local folks started running out of places to bury people. So they would dig up coffins and would take the bones to a bone-house, and reuse the grave. When reopening these coffins, 1 out of 25 coffins were found to have scratch marks on the inside and they realized they had been burying people alive ...So they would tie a string on the wrist of the corpse, lead it through the coffin and up through the ground and tie it to a bell. Someone would have to sit out in the graveyard all night "the graveyard shift" to listen for the bell; thus, someone could be "saved by the bell " or was considered a ..."dead ringer."

And that's the truth... Now, whoever said History was boring!!

Educate someone. Share these facts with a friend.

45 Even though Llangynidr Garden Society is no longer operating as a club, we have had an invitation from Bwlch to join them in their quiz on Tuesday, 3 April at 7.30pm in Bwlch Village Hall. We are also welcome to join Talybont meetings as per their schedule which follows. Membership is not a factor, only enthusiasm.

TALYBONT GARDEN CLUB M E E T I N G S (HENDERSON HALL, 7.30PM) & V I S I T S 2 0 1 8 Tuesday 3 rd April Annual Three -Way Garden Club Quiz with Bwlch and Llangynidr Clubs, at Bwlch Village Hall. Commences at 7.30 pm

Friday 1 st June – visit to Nina’s Garden at Dan -y-Coed, Talybont -on -Usk. Time to be agreed nearer the date.

Wednesday 27 th June – 2 pm. Visit to Llanover Gardens, Abergavenny – Tour with Head Gardener and Elizabeth Murray (owner) £12 each to include home made cakes and afternoon tea. Possible visit around the Llanover Walled Garden with the Gourmet Gardener Simon McKenzie.

Wednesday 11 th July – Visit to The National Botanic Garden of Wales , Llanarthney in Carmarthenshire. Arrive by 11 am for visit and official tour, Admission - Adults £7.50; Concessions £6.00; Cost of Tour is £25 per group. Share transport.

Saturday 25 th August: ANNUAL VILLAGE SHOW & SPORTS, HENDERSON HALL & PLAYING FIELD – please can you help us to provide Plants and cuttings for our Stall and alsp to help man the Stall from 2pm.

Friday 21 st September: 2.30 Afternoon visit to The Neuadd, Llanbedr , £5 each to include Tour or Garden and Afternoon Tea.

Friday 19 th October: Guest Speaker – Dr Colin Greengrass – Illustrated talk “Plants in Dry Places of the World”

Friday 16 th November: Pat Wilkie is our Guest Speaker “Jane Austen & Landscape”

December: Annual Festive Christmas Luncheon (date and venue to be agreed nearer the time).

46

OTHER NOTABLE DATES

RHS Spring Flower Show, Bute Park, Cardiff 13 th – 15 th April 10 th - 13 th May Malvern Spring Festival

19 th - 20 th May Spring Festival, Royal Welsh Showground, Builth Wells

3rd – 8th July Hampton Court Palace Flower Show

22 nd to 26 th May RHS Chelsea Flower Show

14 th to 17 th June BBC Gardeners World Live, Birmingham NEC

23 rd – 26 th July Royal Welsh Show, Builth Wells

29 th - 30 th Sept Malvern Autumn Show

LOCAL HORTICULTURAL SHOWS

Brecon County Show Saturday 4 th August

Crickhowell Society Horticultural Show at the Saturday 18 th Clarence Hall August

Llangynidr Annual Show at the Village Hall/ Sunday 26 th Playing Field August

Brecknock Gardening Society Show, Market Sunday 16 th Hall, Brecon September

47

48

CYNGOR CYMUNED LLANGYNIDR COMMUNITY COUNCIL

No meeting in February due to the adverse weather so no minutes. The meeting for March is on the 27th

49

LLANGYNIDR COMMUNITY COUNCIL

Thank goodness this very long winter is coming to an end and we can look forward to some better weather and lovely long walks in our village – which brings me onto the problem of dog mess. Some selfish people are not picking up the mess despite an abundance of litter bins around the village. There seems to be a particular problem down Cyffredyn Lane, which is disappointing as the bin is very near the entrance to the lane. There are a lot of families with young children who should be able to enjoy a walk without having to worry about this issue.

We are hoping to hold a litter pick this month alongside Llangynidr Women’s Institute. This is a nation wide initiative to clean up the environment which had to be postponed from the first week of March due to the snow.

We will be holding a number of Traffic Control sessions to monitor and report speeding vehicles to the police. It is important that people realise they must slow down through the village due to the use and proximity of the bus stop, playing fields, village hall, park and car park. People of all ages use that point to cross the road and should not have to risk crossing with vehicles exceeding the speed limit. If you would be interested in helping out with these Traffic Control sessions please get in touch with Margaret Price on 01874 730913.

Pot holes are reported to Powys County Council as soon as the Community Council are made aware of them. We are trying to organise a meeting with Powys Highways to discuss Llangynidr Bridge, an ongoing problem which will only worsen with the expected traffic increase in the coming years.

Gemma Evans have recently taken over the organising and promoting of Llangynidr Farmers’ & Producers’ Market. It is held in the Village Hall between 10am – 1pm on the last Sunday of each month. A lot of effort has been made to increase seller numbers – to date 16 tables are expected at the March market and more again for April. Hopefully the residents of Llangynidr will come along and support this local event, otherwise it will be difficult for the market to grow and progress successfully.

Margaret Price Chair of the Community Council

50

LLANGYNIDR PARISH CHURCH

Our church is open every day from around 10am to 4pm as a place for a moment of peaceful rest and reflection. We have a ‘Friends of the Church’ scheme to help in the maintenance of this quiet space. Please contact 730064 if you would like to help us. Services take place most Sundays at 11am but please read the notices in the lychgate or on the church door for further details or variations.

SARDIS UNITED REFORMED CHURCH, LLANGYNIDR

April 1st 9.30am United Easter Communion Mrs E Tadd 8th 9.30am Mr Glyn Davies 15th 9.30am Communion Rev Ian Kirby 22nd 9.30am Rev Stuart Jackson 29th 2.30pm Pastorate Service at Talgarth

May 6th 10am United at Sardis Baptist Church 13th 11am United Christian Aid Service at Church 20th 9.30am Communion Rev Ian Kirby 27th 9.30am Mr Russell Davies

SARDIS BAPTIST CHAPEL, LLANGYNIDR (Junior Church at 10am during term time) April 1st URC 8th URC 15th Mrs P Robinson 22nd Rev R Gray 29th Communion Service Rev W Jones

May 6th Rev R Lewis 13th Christian Aid Service, Parish Church 20th Mrs P Robinson

BETHESDA CONGREGATIONAL CHAPEL, LLANGATTOCK

April 1st 10.30am Easter Communion Service Rev Margaret Williams 8th 10.30am Mrs Sue Williams 15th 10.30am Mr & Mrs George Leslie 22nd 10.30am Miss Bethan T Jenkins 29th 10.30am Rev Eleanor Powell

May 6th 10.30am Communion Service Rev Margaret Williams 13th 10.30am Mr Roy Alp 20th 10.30am Whit Sunday Rev Margaret Williams 27th 10.30am ditto

51

52