ISSUE 150 MONTGOMERY FEB-MAR 2021Llais TREFALDWYN CRIER RINGING OUT Ring this bell
three times well
its toll to clearly say
my treatment’s done
this course is run
and I am on my way!
CONTENTS Weekly events: Inside Front Cover Contacts: Inside Front Cover County Council news: p2 Church news: p6 Youth news: p10-11 News in Brief: p12-16 Mayor’s Notes: p20 Sponsors: Inside Back Cover CONTINUED ON PAGE 4
FREE to all residents of Montgomery. Non-residents 50p
MONTY HOUR WEEKLY EVENTS Tuesday Saturday A group of Montgomery residents Clwb Eiddew Fruit and veg stall* have started up a Monty Hour Welsh language book and Sunday 9.30am chat group online Zoom session, open to all who Church service including Children’s church contact: [email protected] online (see p6) are interested in topics relevant Wednesday to Montgomery and its place in Town Hall toilets open Thursdays and Monty Hour Saturdays (reviewed at each Council the World. https://montgomery.cloud/hour meeting) All sessions will be 7.00-8.00pm on Thursday The weekly hour will usually take Montgomery Castle is closed from Monday Wednesday evenings, and the full Montgomery Market* 14th December until further notice. This the format of a presentation given (during Alert Level 4: food stalls only) current schedule can be found at follows the Welsh Government announcement by one or more speakers followed https://montgomery.cloud/hour, Friday 9.00am of closure of all outdoor attractions in Wales, by a question and answer session. Friday morning prayer online and CADW closing all their sites where you will also find the Zoom link. Topics will be very wide ranging with the initial set including The sessions for February and early *Please note that face coverings should be worn in line with Welsh Government guidelines, and please remember to sanitise your hands. There is a one way system in place in the market hall which wildlife, reading, history, travel March are as follows (but maybe includes entering through the front doors and exiting through the rear foyer. Only 6 customers should and celebrations. subject to change): be in the Town Hall lower floor at any time, and other areas of the building should not be accessed. 3rd February The Old Bell Archive Dave Thomas CONTACTS 10th February An Independent Wales? Elwyn Vaughan Academy of Dance Sally Gartell MEG Bicycle Recycling Scheme Brett Kibble 07772 744534 • [email protected] 669730 • [email protected] 17th February Gardening for Wildlife Dan Hodgkiss www.sallygartell.com Montgomeryshire Wildlife Trust Montgomery Church in Wales VC School Bowling Club John Thompson • 07706 950725 Anna Griggs • 668387 office@montgomery.powys.sch.uk 24th February A Passage to India Sue Michaels Trefoil Guild Community News Team [email protected] Post Office Denice Jaunzens • 07971 435157 3rd March Montgomeryshire Literary Life Myfanwy Alexander Community Police Graham Jennings Pre-school Katie Emberton and Aimee Bartlett • Tel: 101 668387 • [email protected] 10th March Growing up in Montgomery Sue Blower Cricket Club Dave Thomas • 668934 Tennis Club Richard MacDonald [email protected] [email protected] If you are unsure how to link to the zoom session, have any queries or Jonathan Williams • 668572 Town Clerk Glenys Smith • 670819 suggestions please email [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] The Monty Hour logo was designed and created by Keri Castrelo Brignell Doctor Reception: 668217 Trefaldwyn Vets Reception: 668234 Fire Station The Office: 668560 [email protected] Guides and Rangers Cath Wilkins • 668325 Walkers are Welcome Jill Kibble COVID VACCINATION INFORMATION IS AVAILABLE FROM [email protected] 669730 • [email protected] https://pthb.nhs.wales/coronavirus/covid-19-vaccination/ Montgomery Energy Group Jeremy Thorp www.montgomery-wales.co.uk 07722 722863 • [email protected] www.facebook.com/montgomerypowys MONTGOMERY CRIER 1 County Council News HALF A MILLION HUNGARIANS VISIT MONTGOMERY Cllr Stephen Hayes The success of our little Building Cymru and ITV Wales. It appears Bridges video showcasing Montgomery is far better known in Montgomery and the connection of Hungary than Cardiff is, and we now Montgomery Castle with Hungarian have invitations to several Hungarian Back in October, I the reality is that National poet, János Arany, and the Festivals and events. wrote about reports that austerity is still allegorical Bards of Wales continues There was an especially warm Powys wouldn’t be offering a biting. Particularly to amaze. Screenings on Hungarian response from Kunágota in south home to any of the unaccompanied concerning to TV, media on-line sites and many child migrants who arrive in the UK. councillors is eastern Hungary, known as the thousands of shares have led to over Many people got in touch, stressing further reduction Welshest village in Wales because of half a million Hungarians virtually the compassion we should feel and in Highways staff. its annual Welsh Folk Festival. The visiting Montgomery. our duty to show that in action. We are building up a backlog of Town Council received greetings from highway maintenance which will I’m glad to say that despite some Balint Brunner, founder of Magyar the Mayor and Councillors and sent a take substantial investment in future real practical difficulties, local Cymru, recently sent out a press greeting in Hungarian with a copy of years to remedy. With the resources authorities in Wales are now The Story to cater to the whole county now so release to the Welsh media, resulting John and Ann Welton’s book collaborating to offer a welcome slender, the ability of Highways to in a deluge of requests for interviews, of Montgomery in return. and a home to unaccompanied respond to the needs of individual quotes and appearances on Radio migrant children – and Powys is part communities is severely restricted, of that effort. I’ll be asking a formal leaving local councillors frustrated at be supplied on a loaned-basis only) question at the Council of 4th March LYMORE HALL APPEAL being unable to ‘demand’ action as which can inform the historical record which should clarify the position Having written an initial summary they might once have done. of Lymore Hall, its extensive gardens, and underline people’s desire that of the history of Lymore Hall for we show ourselves a generous and And yet … some cautious New its ‘pools’ and the Estate more The Crier, I have decided to progress humane nation. Year optimism. After a decade of generally, including the cricket deepening austerity, it seems to me my research to an extended booklet, As I write, the County Council is ground and surrounding woods. that the downward slide may have A Brief and Interesting History of again in ‘business critical’ mode, eased. We may even have begun to Lymore Hall. Any contribution (of knowledge, with much of its normal activity move towards precarious economic and/or a loan of items) will be suspended. We are all having to be This will be a historical, architectural stability. New schools in Welshpool patient, as less crucial matters wait acknowledged in the booklet, and Newtown are evidence of and social history of this beautiful until the worst of the Covid situation which will be made available for investment in the future. But who, building, which for three centuries is past. But we still have to agree the sale. For anything which may in these days, would dare make and more was at the heart of our 2021-2022 budget! spring to mind, please email predictions? community. I would welcome any [email protected] Despite a better-than-expected anecdotes, photographs, papers, settlement from Welsh Government, maps etc. owned personally (and to Oliver Lewis Castle Terrace
01686 668545 • [email protected]
2 LLAIS TREFALDWYN MONTGOMERY CRIER 3 CONTINUED FROM FRONT COVER Many congratulations from the SHARING ST. NICHOLAS’ STORIES Montgomery community to 10 year St. Nicholas’ Church in Montgomery is old Amelia Spalding who had her delighted to have been awarded £9,700 last chemotherapy session on from the National Heritage Lottery’s 11th January. Much to the delight 15-Minute Heritage fund – and they’d of family and friends, Meli is now love to hear your stories too. back at home recovering, following The project will help the 13th Century nine months of operations and church share stories of the people treatment for bone cancer. involved with the building through Magdalene Herbert and the heartrending Current Covid restrictions meant history with locals and visitors, school tale of The Robber’s Grave.” that Meli’s dad and brother couldn’t children and the wider world. attend the ward to witness her loudly The money will be used for: The church would also love to hear and proudly ringing the End of
local people’s stories of their own creation and installation of bilingual Services G17 Photography Photos: Treatment Bell. Fortunately the Maria connection with the church, and see interpretation panels; Watt Birmingham Foundation photos of family events in the church specially delivered another End of installation of a projector, and the through the decades. If you have Treatment Bell to Montgomery for a creation and display of short films photos or a story you would like to day. Her family could then share this on the memories of local people in share please email Lydia Bassett on special celebration together, and a the church; [email protected] small number of neighbours could providing training to local watch this fantastic moment from a Lydia Bassett, a church committee volunteers to give guided tours; safe distance. member, told us, “We have some incredible stories to tell, from Wales’ working with the School to develop Amelia’s mum Nicky said, “I’d like to warrior princess Catrin, daughter of events telling the story of the thank everyone for their support Owain Glyndwr, to literary ladies like individuals linked to the building. during the last nine months and for their generous donations. We hope The funding is part of the National Meli will start to feel stronger and Heritage Lottery Fund’s response to hopefully get back to cycling and the pandemic. A small working school, and get to go on her special group has been set up to support holiday one day soon. We are so the project, and they will be working proud of her, and of her courage, with specialists in the field as well optimism and determination. She is as the local Civic Society and Old such an inspiration.” Bell Museum.
4 LLAIS TREFALDWYN MONTGOMERY CRIER 5 St. Nicholas’ Church THE THIRD LOCKDOWN AND PLAYGROUNDS The Welsh Government has sanitise hands before and after IN WALES Priest-in-Charge: Rev. Dr Alexis Smith Website: http://parish.churchinwales.org.uk/a196/churches-en/ recognised both the risk of using a piece of equipment; Also check our Facebook page Montgomery, Forden, Llandyssil Church transmission outdoors is relatively where indicated only one household Telephone: 01686 641992 Email: [email protected] low and the importance of outdoor should use a piece of equipment at play, so, at present, playgrounds Services No church building is just a place of any one time. are permitted to remain open. Sundays worship: they are centres for a Friends of Montgomery Play Park 9.30am: Online service including community, or perhaps, more accurately, Please enjoy our two playgrounds continue doing a great job in Children’s church. for a community within a community. responsibly and respect the safety rules: progressing a new playpark. Exciting All those who make use of St. Nicholas’ Tuesdays no more than two families in the potential designs have been received Church, whether on a regular basis or 7.30pm: Online home group. playground at one time; based on the results of the survey and just on occasion, whether as part of a a grant bid is in preparation. Fridays group or on their own, are also part of no food or drink in the play area; 9.00am: Online Morning Prayer. the Montgomery community; and we 11.00am: Online Morning Chat. regularly have guests from outside MONTGOMERY ENERGY GROUP JOINS MONTY HOUR that community as well. Not separate, For information or invitations to MEG is joining in with Monty Hour so nature and protect the biodiversity of therefore, but part of … online Church events, email Rev. Alexis that our monthly online meetings are Montgomeryshire. There is growing on [email protected] Having a door that can be physically now part of the regular online weekly evidence that the collapse of opened as a sign of welcome is a Monty Hour events. This means that biodiversity and climate change are St. Nicholas’ Church, the building, powerful symbol, and it is one that we from now, MEG meetings will be on two sides to the same coin. Learning has – alas – been unavailable for are certainly missing. So: it has been a Wednesdays at 7.00pm (rather than more about the wildlife around us and worship, or indeed for almost all challenge to sustain and even to on Mondays). how we can protect it is a valuable other activities, in recent weeks, and develop that atmosphere of welcome first step in healing the planet. We will already have had the first MEG at the time of writing that situation when the accustomed ways have Monty Hour, with Simon and Clare All Monty Hour events will use the looks to be set to continue for some been suspended. Think, for example, Boyes talking about their work as the same link to join: weeks to come. how crossing the street to greet a county bird, bee and wasp recorders friend now almost requires crossing https://montgomery.cloud/hour Not only was the decision to suspend for Montgomeryshire. away from them rather than towards the use of the building a difficult one, All you have to do is click this link at them. Fortunately, it is still a meeting The second MEG Monty Hour will be even though it was imposed on us, but the right time (7.00pm on of friends and nothing can prevent it on Wednesday 17th February, when it then raised for us the question of Wednesdays). All welcome: we look from being so. Dan Hodgkiss from Montgomeryshire how to keep going and to meet as many forward to seeing you there. Wildlife Trust will talk about as possible of the needs that the Worship activity has been maintained Gardening for Wildlife: how all of us in Jeremy building would normally provide for. through the use of online meetings. our own gardens can help to nurture for Montgomery Energy Group CONTINUED ON PAGE 16 6 LLAIS TREFALDWYN MONTGOMERY CRIER 7 COUNTY OF MONTGOMERY NAMEPLATES UNVEILED VIRTUAL ADVENT CALENDAR The Churchward County Trust, which is building a full-size re-creation of a A SUCCESS FAR AND WIDE Great Western Railway (GWR) The online Advent Calendar ‘County’ class 4-4-0 locomotive developed by Catrin McDougal has named County of Montgomery, has The newly completed nameplates for new-build been an outstanding success, with unveiled the loco’s new nameplates. steam locomotive County of Montgomery. the first video being viewed 484 times and over 9,000 views of the The plates have been generously railway companies in 1923. It was for website in total. sponsored by John Buxton of Cambrian this reason that the Churchward Transport, and were produced by the County Trust selected the name The content ranged from dances to Anwen, in Malta, said on the website, Procast Foundry in Yorkshire. The new County of Montgomery for its new loco. readings, choir to story-telling, as well “I missed visiting this year, so it’s great loco is being erected at Tyseley as contributions from the School and to be able to share in a little bit of CCT chairman Gary Boyd-Hope said, “It’s Locomotive Works in Birmingham, Pre-School. The calendar finished Monty cheer.” Elva Barros commented wonderful to see the new nameplates, where the main frames (chassis) have with a message from Father Christmas from Spain, “I love it! It is beautiful. which have been manufactured in the been assembled, the first example to himself behind door number 23, and How good that although we are going traditional manner with individually- be built since 1912. The two cylinders Rev. Alexis Smith gave a short version through difficult times we find time to cast brass letters mounted on a steel are to be cast in the coming weeks, of the Crib Service behind door 24 for do these beautiful things.” backplate, and surrounded by brass and the CCT will soon be ordering the Christmas Eve. beading. We feel this gives With many people congratulating four 6ft 8½ diameter driving wheels. Montgomeryshire the recognition it Catrin said, “My aim was always to Catrin on her efforts, Montgomery Forty ‘County’ locos were built missed out on over 100 years ago bring the community together and, resident Doreen Eaton commented a between 1904 and 1912, with 11 when the original engines were built.” with the help of Adam Cusack, Claire few days in, “Such a great idea. Look named after Welsh counties on the Weston and everyone else who forward to opening them every day, it Further details of the project and GWR network. Montgomeryshire was contributed, I think we have.” really cheers me up. Well done all - roll how to support it can be found at not included in the GWR’s naming on tomorrow!” Montgomery neighbour www.churchwardcounty.org.uk scheme at that time as it was a Rob Harper added, “Just what we all Cambrian Railways stronghold, but Railway artist, Stuart Black, produced this needed to get into the Christmas spirit. the county found itself at the heart of profile of County of Montgomery as a publicity Thank goodness for our lovely tool, which gives a good impression of how the the GWR following the grouping of loco will look upon completion. community here in Montgomery.”
8 LLAIS TREFALDWYN MONTGOMERY CRIER 9 youth news JENNY’S CRAFT WORK BENEFITS WATER AID CHILDREN ENJOY LEARNING IN THE Jenny Bailey-Beech, age 9, gives a really good practical thing to help FROSTY WEATHER proportion of her Okami Makes people who live in poor countries and Children in Montgomery have been card-making profits to her chosen protect them from Covid, so I decided using the cold weather to learn about charities. Jenny has most recently I’d like to raise more funds for them.” science and nature, while creating donated £100 to Water Aid which Jenny thanks everyone who has some beautiful images. Following a works across the world to transform supported her venture by buying post on social media from lives by improving access to clean her eco-friendly handmade cards Montgomeryshire Wildlife Trust, water, toilets and hygiene. had achieved with her children, and directly and from stockists SHED38, which encouraged children (and Judith Baker shared a frost patterned Jenny chose to support Water Aid after Bunners, Wild Welsh Wool and the adults) to create soap bubbles bubble her granddaughter Isabella had Montgomery Children’s Church ‘twinned Ivy House. She added, “I’m still outside in freezing temperatures and photographed in Solihull and sent to her. a tap’. She said, “I thought this was a deciding my next charity.” watch the patterns emerge, a Keri took some time away from her high number of local residents responded. school online learning screen to take SEREN’S SENSATIONAL CHALLENGE Katie Owen, from Hendomen, posted a some stunning shots of bubbles with Seren Serjeant, age 9, took part in everyone who sponsored her, and is photograph of the frozen bubbles she rainbows and reflections in Llandyssil. the Children in Need Act your Age thrilled to have raised a total of over challenge. She said, “I added up the £250 for Children in Need. AMELIA DONATES ages of my family which totals 101, and I set a challenge to run, walk and HER LOCKS Amelia Taylor, age 13, of Hendomen, bike 101km during November.” had the ‘big chop’ and donated her Seren reported, “I ran 20km, walked long hair to be made into a wig for a 25.5km and cycled 56km making a young person who has lost their own total of 101.5km. I did my runs after hair through cancer treatment or school in the dark with my Dad and other conditions. dog Bruce and did my walks and bike Amelia also raised some sponsorship Amelia first donated her hair back in rides at the weekends.” money for another Amelia, one of her November 2017 and then grew it sister Zoe’s best friends, who has been Seren added, “On my last bike ride I again, donating again before receiving cancer treatment. celebrated completing the challenge Christmas. Amelia had her haircut just by stopping at Dairy Dreams for a before hairdressers had to close again, You can find out about Little Princess reindeer poo ice cream!” She thanks and it was plaited, packed and posted Trust at https://www.littleprincesses. to Little Princess Trust. org.uk/ 10 LLAIS TREFALDWYN MONTGOMERY CRIER 11 family in Cardiff, travelling there and MONTGOMERY CHRISTMAS The switch-on was appreciated by NEWS IN BRIEF back in a day. Catrin McDougal spoke LIGHTS SWITCH ON viewers in the town, the UK, as far as MONTGOMERY RESIDENTS ON about her virtual advent calendar Montgomery’s Christmas Festival Texas and Tahoe in the US. The FLAGSHIP RADIO PROGRAMMES project, along with her mum Lydia. Committee had to respond to the switch-on live stream was followed by Three Montgomery residents featured pandemic by re-thinking the usual a slideshow video of photos of past In January, Barry Lord and Claire on consecutive days on Radio 4’s event. The Committee commented, years’ Christmas Festival events and Weston appeared on Radio Cymru’s Today in December, describing how “We were determined to illuminate pretty seasonal scenes of the town Post Cyntaf morning show as part of a they were helping to make the best of the town, even though we couldn’t compiled by David Wilson. lovely piece about the links between a difficult Christmas. put on our usual events. We decided Montgomery and Hungary. The pair Sue Blower, Committee Chair, offered to stream the switch-on live via Cyndy Humphreys described how she were interviewed alongside Balint seasonal greetings to everyone near Facebook so that viewers could enjoy quickly changed her plans to cook a Brunner from Magyar Cymru about the and far. it from the comfort and warmth of Christmas meal for her daughter’s Building Bridges video and Arany plaque. their own homes.” PIZZAS RAISE MAGNIFICENT SUM MONTGOMERY MAGIC TREE The Friends were very pleased to raise Kate and Stu Richards, of Nomadic Monty’s Brewery” and will be boosted WINNER ANNOUNCED over £100 and hope to build on this Appetite, donated all their pizza profits still further by the Gift Aid scheme. The winner of Friends of Montgomery success to continue raising funds to from the first week in December to Self Kate said, “The charity are eternally Play Park’s inaugural fundraiser was develop a new play park. To support Help Africa, a charity which supports grateful. A huge ‘thank you’ from the presented with the miniature Christmas them, you can donate at paypal.me/ people living in poverty in rural bottom of our hearts to all our dear Tree decorated with £15 of lottery montyplaypark; follow the group on communities across six African countries. customers: you are amazing.” scratch cards just in time for Christmas. facebook at fb.me/ They raised £600, which Kate said Julie Owen said she was delighted montgomeryplaypark; or email The charity’s work can be seen at included “donations from many of our and that it had made her day. [email protected] https://selfhelpafrica.org/uk/our- customers, and a very generous work-in-africa/ donation from Russ and Pam from MAYOR SENDS GREETINGS Councillors and Montgomery TO EUROPEAN FRIENDS residents to the Bureau de Commerce MONTYS GOES LIVE Cottage visitor centre. The livestream Town Mayor, Haydn Andrew, sent and residents of Montgomery in the In December, Monty’s Brewery did two on the 4th was a mini tour of the main warm seasonal greetings in Hungarian Calvados region of Normandy, France live Facebook broadcasts as part of brewery in Hendomen. Russ talked to M. Zoltan, Polgármestere of who also made contact this year, and the Welsh Drinks Christmas promotion. about beers including Desert Rats, for Kunágota. Kunágota styles itself the sent the town a translation of the In this difficult time it has been even which the brewery donates 4p a bottle most Welsh village in Hungary and, story of the de Montgomerie family more important than normal to to SSAFA; and Best Offa, where 2p a although few of the residents have and their descendants. support local businesses and producers. bottle goes to the upkeep of the Offa’s ever visited Wales, they enjoy an Each was also sent a copy of the Dyke National Trail. The broadcasts annual Welsh music concert. On 1st December, Pam talked about seminal The Story of Montgomery book gave a great insight into the brewery their four gluten-free beers, and The The Mayor also sent greetings from authored by Ann and John Welton. and had over 7,500 views. himself, the Mayoress, Town 12 LLAIS TREFALDWYN MONTGOMERY CRIER 13 this tradition as a Welsh learner. I was MONTGOMERY’S OWN Partington, conductor and organist, NEWS IN BRIEF very grateful to the organisers of the FANFARE for a concert in Nice this year. It came online format.” As a result of links with the Magyar as a wonderful surprise to learn that MONTGOMERY RESIDENT Cymru group, a friendship has been Georges has now entitled it FEATURES IN HISTORIC Her contribution was filmed by guitar established with UK-based Hungarian Montgomery Fanfare and has scored it PLYGAIN teacher Barry Edwards at Claudia Lis opera singer, Elizabeth Sillo, who for wind band as well, so it can be Plygain, traditional Welsh carol Ceramics, where a good log fire began the annual Hungarian-Welsh premiered at Montgomery Castle as services, had to be different this year. created a cosy background alongside concerts in Cardiff and organises the opening call for the postponed Singers and groups submitted Claudia’s pottery. Europe-wide concerts. Georges Arany plaque ceremony. Quite an recorded performances which were The Plygeiniau Rhithiol (Online Gondard was commissioned to honour for Montgomery. shared in two online Plygain films. Plygains) can be viewed on the TRAC compose an organ piece for Adrian Denice Jaunzens was one of those Cymru channel www.youtube.com/ featured and said, “It was a user/musictraditionswales/videos and TASTE TO STAY fantastic local support. Moving worthwhile challenge and it’s an Denice’s contribution is part of Plygain Customers and suppliers were forward I am happy to say we will be honour to play a part in maintaining Rhithiol 2. delighted to hear that the Taste shop continuing into 2021 and will be in Broad Street, which began as a ‘pop becoming a permanent fixture.” SUE’S SUCCESS ON said, “All the celebrities were very up’ shop during the 2020 lockdown, The news about the shop staying was GAMESHOW friendly and we had a lot of fun.” will be remaining in our main street announced on Christmas Eve. Town Crier Sue Blower was watched longer term. Sue didn’t reach the final round, but Customer Nicola Knapton by 5.3 million viewers on the she did come home with the famous Katrina Collins, who runs the shop, commented, “I’m looking forward to Christmas day one-off special of game Blankety Blank chequebook and pen! said, “It’s been a fabulous 6 months what next year brings. Thanks for all show Blankety Blank. She added, “It was a fantastic and it couldn’t have happened had it you’ve done for Montgomery!” Sue met six celebrities on the show, as opportunity to take part and represent not have been for great producers and well as the host Bradley Walsh. She my home town.” BIG BANG OVER followed by a loud roar like a long REFLECTING ON THE LIGHTS Sue Blower said it was “a true juggling MONTGOMERY? thunderclap about a minute later. The small Christmas Festival act which warmed my heart”. People in Montgomery reported an People from Llanfyllin to Churchstoke committee and four ‘Monty muscle’ unusual light followed by a large noise commented on social media about Sue said, “This may not have been a volunteers removed the Christmas over the town at about 8.00pm on the bright or greenish light, and the usual Christmas season, but what lights from the town’s buildings and 19th January. noise, like a sonic boom or explosion. enjoyment to see the town fully trees on a cold and dank Saturday, illuminated once again. I am so glad Shaun Berwyn was walking around Montgomery physicist Mark Weston with masks, gloves and social this was able just to be enjoyed by the Lymore when the sky grew lighter, suggested the description could have distancing, but a cheerful eagerness community during these difficult times then he and his family saw a huge been of a fireball or bolide meteor. to get the job done. Chair of the of the pandemic, making the town a white ball of light travel over and Others suggested ball lightning, Christmas Festival Committee, festive display of togetherness and joy.” disappear to the north-west. This was military aircraft, or alien invasion. 14 LLAIS TREFALDWYN MONTGOMERY CRIER 15 There isastrong senseof have beensuccessful,They and These have notbeenconfined to any harm? (No!) appears onscreen thegreeting and adapting to thedifferences has than we were, and,ifso, hasitdone thought ofhavingacup coffee welcome comes from all.Even one togetherness, face andwhenanew brought outsomereal positives. changed! Are we now more relaxed generation ago, who would have formal services, buthave included study groups, andsocialgatherings. during MorningPrayer? That’s was speciallycreated from recordings together Themusictrack atmidnight. werearms asthoughthey coming photographs oflocal peoplelinking The videoincludedheart-warming rendition ofAuld Lang Syne. and bells,aspecialcommunity Mayor andTown Crier, acountdown included goodwill messages from the Montgomery residents andfriends Year’sA New Eve videofor WITH ADIFFERENCE CELEBRATING NEWYEAR NEWS INBRIEF 16 CONTINUED FROMP6 LLAIS TREFALDWYNLLAIS YouTube viatinyurl.com/MontyCCC The videoisavailable to on view home thepreceding week. musicians, each madeseparately at of two local singers andtwo and we needto go ondoingit asbest ahead we needto focus not onwhat and loving community. Intheyear all ofthistimehasbeento continue after all,onlyhuman. and undoubtedly there will bealistof Hugh Reader we are able.Willyou be there withus? remain boundtogether asasupportive metaphorical dooropen,andto the caring, to keep atleast a better. Nochange there, then.Weare, things thatcould have beendone now doingwas exactly therightthing, will know whether ornotwhatwe are What hasbeenmostimportant through It willonlybewithhindsightthatwe could not be,butonwhatcan be–
Photo: David Wilson 2020, andwe were really pleased and Andrew was really impressed withall Andrew judged thecompetition intwo Andrew Logan sculptor isalocal artist, CHRISTMAS CELEBRATIONS WINDOWCOMPETITION Castle Street were thejointwinning Committee, onbehalfofAndrew Celebrations Window Competition. andrewloganmuseum.org). andrewlogan.com andhttps:// designerbased in and jewellery Flower Housewere thejointwinning Logan, were pleased to announce that (seehttps://shop.Berriew Montgomery leading upto Christmas the entriesandaprize from the two properties onBroad Street and the Bookshop(Eaves &Lord) andThe to Montgomery to judge theChristmas We hadsomeexcitement in competition sponsors andan entries for theresidential category. entries for businessproperties and of designsanddisplaysto choose categories, businessandresidential Festival Committee! Happy NewYear from theChristmas properties. Andrew hadawide variety privileged to welcome Andrew Logan from, andtheChristmasFestival All entrants placed red hearts Committee would like to offer abig See back cover for photos of and Pickstock Homes.Wecouldn’t have and creative entries.Theprizes were autographed Andrew Logan postcard Pugh, Montgomery Waters, SJ Roberts Montgomery ChristmasFestival windows over thefestive period. thank you to Andrew for hiscreative was handedto allentrants. He We have afew thank-yous: to allthe ithadbeena Well doneto everyone: detailing #montymagicintheir competitors andthebusinesseswho choice from suchanarray offantastic commented itwas difficult to make a made thishappenwithoutyou all. by Andrew andhisteam. The mailboxes on Sunday20thDecember, left ontheentrants’ doorsteps/ feedback aboutalltheentries. fun andexciting buildupto the following thelatest Lockdown. inspiration andinnovation and sponsored the event, namelyRVWsponsored theevent, judging, and especially during the visit the judging. MONTGOMERY CRIER 17 In the last issue of The Crier, we article in The Crier, and have carried FARMHOUSE Real Bread baguette and plum preserve included a short contribution from out online research. The following BREAKFAST WEEK from Amanda’s Bread, all sourced a local resident which encouraged FAQs, which show that some women Farmhouse Breakfast Week is an only a few miles from the Lloyds’ local women to attend breast cancer can request breast screening annual FUW highlight. Normally Llandyssil farm, and all available from screening by contacting Breast Test appointments by telephone, can be farmers would sit around kitchen the shops or market in Montgomery. Wales directly. We received the found on the NHS Wales website at: tables with friends, family and Taste shop manager, Katrina Collins, following from ‘A Public Health Wales neighbours for a convivial breakfast https://phw.nhs.wales/services-and- said, “Last year was so difficult for Spokesperson’, which we were asked and chat. teams/screening/breast-screening/ everyone but our creative and to publish. frequently-asked-questions-faqs/ Not deterred by another National resourceful producers went the extra Dear Editor, general-questions/ Lockdown, organic dairy farmer Glenn mile to look after customers and build While it is great to see your publication raise Lloyd and family sat down to a new markets. Several new high awareness of the breast screening programme What happens when I reach 70 – delicious breakfast sourced entirely quality producers joined the Taste in Wales, the information carried in the will I be sent for again? You are very Montgomery Crier Issue 149 was misleading locally. Glenn has himself recently Montgomery group of farmers and welcome to attend but you will need to and incorrect. This has caused confusion established the thriving Daisy Bank producers, and I opened the Taste among your readers, and an increase in calls ring us and ask for an appointment. to Breast Test Wales. organic milk business. The breakfast shop. You can treat your family to a To clarify, the breast screening programme in I am not registered with a GP, can I be was remarkably easy, with Corfields’ real, local-sourced breakfast without Wales invites women aged 50 to 70. Screening screened? Yes, if you are over 50 and eggs, Morwen’s bacon, Crowwood going further than Montgomery at any can find cancers when they are too small to see living in Wales. Please contact us. wild boar and apricot sausages, Daisy time of year. There is a good reason or feel. Finding and treating cancer early gives you the best chance of survival. Bank milk (of course), a Montgomery we are called Taste!” I have just moved into the area, how If you are registered with a GP you will do I arrange screening? Once you have automatically be sent an invitation for your when he and his wife Myfanwy, the registered with a GP in your area MONTGOMERY ARTIST breast screening appointment. You will get your daughter of well-known local author first invitation before your 53rd birthday and please give us a ring and we will be PASSES AWAY then we aim to invite women every three years. The death of Montgomery artist, Alan Geraint Goodwin, moved to live in able to arrange an appointment. For all women at any age it is important to get Lumsden, was announced recently. Montgomery. They moved into a to know how your breasts look and feel The NHS Wales 111 website at Alan was best known locally for the house which had, coincidentally, been normally, as this will help you notice any https://111.wales.nhs.uk/ lively front covers he designed each occupied for a short while after the changes. If you notice any changes in your breasts or are worried, you should talk to your breastscreening/ states that: year for the annual Montgomery second world war by world famous GP without delay. If needed you will be referred Show schedule. He had been artist and illustrator Edward Ardizzone. in to testing and treatment pathways through Women over the age of 70 are still housebound for some time, and died Primary Care. eligible to be screened and can Alan became a member of the Royal following a short illness. If you are eligible for screening you will be sent arrange this through their GP or local Cambrian Academy in 1967, and his an invitation to take part while the mobile units are in your area. There is no need to contact us Breast Test Wales screening centre. Born in Aldershot, and trained at works feature in a number of public to request an appointment. Cheltenham College of Art and the collections, including the National Women under the age of 50 with any University of London, he was Head of Museum of Wales, and museums and The editorial team have spoken with health concerns relating to their breasts Printmaking and Design at Chester art galleries across the UK. the local resident who placed the should contact their GP for advice. College of Art until his retirement, 18 LLAIS TREFALDWYN MONTGOMERY CRIER 19 MAYOR’S NOTES OUR SPONSORS MONTGOMERY These businesses have kindly agreed FEB-MAR 2021Llais Now that the daylight hours are Finally I would like to sponsor the Montgomery Crier. TREFALDWYN CRIER increasing, we can hope for an early to give thanks to spring and some nice warm weather, those in our Castle Kitchen 668795 Montgomery Web Site 668066 if similar to last year would be great. community who www.castlekitchen.org www.montgomery-wales.co.uk 668933 selflessly gave up Castle Street Garage 668231 Monty’s Brewery I am sorry that there is not much www.montysbrewery.co.uk part of their Christmas day to provide Chameleon Hair Studio 668286 eventwise to report on at the moment Corfield Accountancy Limited 668581 Myrick Training Services a Christmas day lunch for some of the www.myrick.co.uk 668670 or for the immediate future. However, www.corfieldaccountancy.co.uk people in Montgomery. we can now all look forward to our Cloverlands Model Car Museum 668004 Nigel Pugh Motors www.nigelpughmotors.co.uk 624162 vaccinations which seem to be just www.montgomeryinstitute.co.uk No Bones Jones/Brynwylfa 668555 around the corner, then life will slowly Dave Jones Offa Veg 668485 www.offaveg.co.uk Old Monty Cider 640899 return to a more normal time, www.oldmonty.com Dave Phillips Electrical Services 668945 hopefully. In the meantime, we must Philip Humphreys Architects 668373 Flowers by Jan 668645 abide by Government regulations. Haydn Andrew Mayor R.H. Bunner & Son 668308 Flower Club www.rhbunner.co.uk G17 PC Repairs 668066 POWYS TALKING Rootz Hairdressers 668712 Please contact us if you www.g17.co.uk NEWSPAPER Sally Gartell Academy of Dance are interested in a large Green Lane Burial Field 630331 www.sallygartell.com 01938 561211 Powys Talking Newspaper has www.greenlaneburialfield.co.uk print copy of The Crier – we Serenity Health & Beauty 668945 continued to record for over 60 Holldary Rural Services 07989 960167 produce these on request Spar 668224 clients during the pandemic, using a Ian Pryce Property Services 668584 for those of our readers who sprout.uk.com 668848 small skeleton team of volunteers. Ivy House Tea Rooms & Post Office 668746 find the current size a bit Graphic Design [email protected] Julie’s Nails Tanning & Beauty 669842 However PTN urgently needs a Taste Montgomery challenging to read. 07774 087371 www.tastemontgomery.co.uk secretary, as Jill Jones has technically Karl Jones Decorator 668791 The Arts Society, Mid Wales & Borders retired after a number of years, but Made in Monty 668614 (Formerly NADFAS) still continues in the role till a www.madeinmonty.co.uk [email protected] replacement can be found. Marquees over Shropshire 01938 580182 The Checkers Montgomery 669822 www.marqueesovershropshire.co.uk www.thecheckersmontgomery.co.uk Helen Bennett, Chair of the charity, Milwyn Jenkins & Jenkins Solicitors The Colour Red Ltd 668438 would be pleased to discuss the role www.mjjsolicitors.co.uk 624604 www.thecolourred.co.uk with anyone who would be able to Montgomery Chimney Sweep 668964 The Crown Inn 668533 volunteer. She can be contacted on www.montgomery-chimneysweep.co.uk The Dragon Hotel 668359 01686 668446. Montgomery Fish & Chips 668911 www.dragonhotel.com Montgomery Institute 668004 The Flower House 668320 www.montgomeryinstitute.co.uk THE FREEMEN OF MONTGOMERY Paul Hodgson Montgomery Real Bread 07855 915968 Window Dressers / Inside Out 668283 20 LLAIS TREFALDWYN www.montgomeryrealbread.co.uk Trefaldwyn Ladies Club 669841 Andrew Logan judging the Christmas Windows Competition (see page 17)
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