Postcard from Pen-y-fai

Friends of All Saints Church © David Southwood August 2021 / September 2021

In this age of social media we have become used to receiving and sharing our news and photographs electronically within moments by the press of a few buttons. But whilst we were able to send digital messages across the world in seconds, it seemed we had become more isolated from our neighbours and our local community. The art of communicating face to face with neighbours has become less common, as has the tradition of sending postcards to our friends and family with a picture of our holiday resort on one side and our holiday news and information about the resort on the other.

Honouring that tradition, “Postcard from Pen-y-fai” is usually published as a hard copy to remind the community of Pen-y-fai of some of the events that have shaped our village, and to highlight some of the things going on, and some of the organisations that exist, in our community today. But, due to Covid-19, this issue is prepared for distribution in digital form, with a limited number of printed copies.

Our photograph in this issue is from a newspaper article from August 1935, and shows some of the attendees at a fete held in the grounds of Court Colman on Wednesday 31 July 1935. The photograph includes the then owner of Court Colman, Captain W. H. C. Llewellyn, and his wife and daughter.

The fete was blessed with fine weather and the accompanying newspaper report states that “the charming grounds [of Court Colman House] ….. were thronged by a fine attendance of visitors from Bridgend and district on Wednesday when a fete in aid of the Penyfai Male Voice Party Institute Building Fund was held.” As well as a performance by the Penyfai Male Voice Party, there was a carnival and a cabaret show and attendees enjoyed dancing on the green to music by a local band.

Hopefully, next year will see the return of Pen-y-fai’s successful (and much missed) Family Fun Day

THE MINISTRY AREA OF PENYBONT AR OGWR …….. (1) THE CHURCHES

As set out in the last issue of the Postcard, All Saints Church in Pen-y-fai is to become part of the Ministry Area of Penybont ar Ogwr on 1 January 2022. This Ministry Area will see the following eight churches, which are currently located in five parishes in the Bridgend area, come together under one Ministry Team as part of what many may think is essentially “a super parish”.

All Saints Church in Pen-y-fai, which is currently the Parish Church for the Parish of Pen-y-fai. All Saints was consecrated in 1903, the gift of Mr. Robert Llewellyn. All Saint’s was originally a “Chapel of Ease” as part of the Parish of Newcastle, before Pen-y-fai became a separate parish in 1923.

St. Crallo’s Church in Coychurch, which is currently the Parish Church for the Parish of Coychurch. St. Crallo’s is a large and beautiful medieval church often called the Cathedral of the Vale of Glamorgan. It has its origins in the 13th Century, although many parts have been enlarged or rebuilt over the years.

St. David’s Church in Laleston in the Parish of Laleston and Merthyr Mawr. St. David’s is a Grade 1 Listed Medieval church (possibly 12th Century) with its fabric mainly intact. The church underwent restoration in 1847 and the stained glass windows are from that decade.

St. Illtyd’s Church on Newcastle Hill in Bridgend, which is currently the Parish Church for the Parish of Newcastle. There is reference to a church (originally dedicated to St. Leonard) in the 12th Century, but the oldest part of the current church dates to the 14th Century. Only the West Tower of the 14th Century church remains following reconstruction and enlargement of the church in the 19th Century

St. Mary’s Church in Brackla in the Parish of Coity, Nolton and Brackla (“CNB”). St. Mary’s has been located in Archdeacon John Lewis Church in Wales school in Brackla since 1995 and, since 2002, services have been held in the new school hall.

St. Mary’s Church in Coity, which is currently the Parish Church for the Parish of CNB. St. Mary’s is a Grade 1 Listed Church dating mainly to the 14th Century with significant alterations and additions (including the tower) in the 16th Century, which was extensively renovated in 1860.

St. Mary’s Church in Nolton, Bridgend in the Parish of CNB. St. Mary’s was consecrated in November 1887 and was built alongside, and replaced, the “Chapel of Ease” built in 1532 which was located in what is now the churchyard of the present church. The spire of the current church was added in 1898.

St. Teilo’s Church in Merthyr Mawr in the Parish of Laleston and Merthyr Mawr. St. Teilo’s church dates from 1852 when it was erected on the site of, and replaced, an ancient medieval church “in a very ruinous condition”, the foundations of which can still be seen to the south of the current church. [Ed: Whilst at first sight these churches seem an eclectic mix, they are interrelated in many ways. Apart from St. Teilo’s, all the churches are located in the area that was once the great Norman Lordship of Coity and Newcastle. Apart from All Saints and St. Mary’s Brackla, six of the churches are built on sites of Norman or Medieval origin; four of these underwent significant restoration in the 19th Century, whilst St. Teilo’s and St. Mary’s in Nolton are Victorian churches on the sites of older churches. All Saints and St. Mary’s Brackla are the built on more modern sites and reflect the face of the Anglican Church at the time of their consecrations. And now all the churches will join to enhance the Anglican Communion in a Ministry Area that has Christian sites stretching back almost a thousand years.]

THE MINISTRY AREA OF PENYBONT AR OGWR ……… (2) THE MINISTRY TEAM

As set out in the preceding article, All Saints Church in Pen-y-fai will become part of the Ministry Area of Penybont ar Ogwr on 1 January 2022. This Ministry Area (“MA”) will be led by a team of Clergy and lay people who will draw on each other’s strength to increase the impact of the Christian Message. In this article we introduce the members of the Clergy who will lead the MA.

The Reverend Maggie Thorne, who will be the Ministry Area Leader, is the Vicar of Coity, Nolton and Brackla with Coychurch. The daughter of a Presbyterian Minister, Maggie was born in London but grew up on Tyneside. Maggie and her Australian husband moved to Wales some eleven years ago and have two grown up children who live in Cardiff. After a successful career teaching music, Maggie’s call to the Ministry started at Cuddesdon Theological College in Oxford and has taken her to various parishes in Reading and Oxfordshire, before Bridgend. Maggie is also a vocations’ advisor and spiritual director for the Church in Wales and a member of the Standing Liturgical Advisory Commission.

Father Anthony Beer who is the Vicar of Laleston and Merthyr Mawr with Pen-y-fai, should need no introduction to regular readers of the Postcard. Born and raised in Cardiff, Anthony worked in a number of fields including HM Customs & Excise and the Welsh Government before taking up his call to the Ministry. Anthony’s path to his appointment as Vicar of the Benefice of Laleston and Merthyr Mawr with Pen-y-fai in 2016 has taken him to parishes in Caerau in Ely in Cardiff and Wick.

Father David Lloyd is the Vicar of the Parish of Newcastle. Born and raised in Cardiff, David’s career paths saw him work at the Welsh National School of Medicine, the Reprographic Unit of Mid Glamorgan County Council and his family’s electrical engineering firm before taking up his call to the Ministry. David served as Assistant Curate in Newton, Nottage and Pothcawl before taking up his current appointment in St. Illtyd’s Church, Newcastle in 2003.

The Reverend Chris Robinson is an Associate Priest in the Parish of Coity, Nolton and Brackla. Born in Barnard Castle, Chris attended Oak Hill Theological College after moving to Sussex in 1991. His wife took a post at Christ’s Hospital School during Chris’ training, and he and his wife later became house parents to a boarding house of 60 girls at the school. One of Chris’ three grown up children moved to Bridgend and, on retiring from the school, Chris and his wife have also made their home here. The Reverend Ceri Holloway is an Assistant Curate in the Parish of Coity, Nolton and Brackla. A mother of adult triplets (who have just finished or are about to finish university) Ceri has been training full-time in St. Padarn’s for four years as well as performing her role of Assistant Curate.

Peter Craven is a Licenced Lay Minister in Coity, Nolton and Brackla with Coychurch. Born in Brynmawr Breconshire his family moved to Bridgend just before his eleventh birthday. Now retired, Peter and his wife have lived in Bridgend and Coychurch since 1985.

Chris Judd is a Licenced Lay Minister in Coity, Nolton and Brackla with Coychurch. Born into a clerical family Chris grew up in an old vicarage in Monmouthshire. After teaching in Hereford and Wales, Chris studied at St. Michael’s Theological College before becoming a Licenced Lay Minister.

Penny Williams is a Licenced Lay Minister in Laleston and Merthyr Mawr with Pen-y-fai. Born and raised in Wrexham, Penny attended college in London and followed a career as a teacher, before settling in Pen-y-fai, where the then Vicar encouraged her to become a Licenced Lay Minister.

SMYRNA WELSH BAPTIST CHAPEL

The Deacons at Smyrna have advised that, although the Chapel is now open for collective worship, due to the safety measures being put in at place, there will be a limit on the numbers of worshippers for each service. Therefore, at present, attendance at each service will be by invitation, and the Deacons will be contacting members of Smyrna’s Congregation in turn to make bookings for specific services. The Deacons would like to thank the members of Smyrna’s Congregation for their patience and understanding in this matter and hope that this will be a short term measure and that, in due course, the Chapel be able to accommodate larger numbers of worshippers, and once again offer friends of Smyrna who are not regular members of the Congregation, a warm welcome. For more information about Smyrna Chapel please contact Mr. Peter David on 01656 659856

1st PEN-Y-FAI RAINBOWS AND BROWNIES WORKING HARD TOWARDS THEIR BADGES The Rainbows and Brownies of the Pen-y-fai Guide Group started meeting out doors in May and both sections have been very busy. As Guide Leader, Pippa O’Neill reports, “The Rainbows have completed a Pets Badge which included finding out about pets, care of pets and even a virtual talk from Cats Protection. The Brownies have been working towards their ‘I am a Physicist’ Badge which involved lots of experiments like making fizzy rockets, screaming balloons and even putting a skewer through a balloon and it not bursting!!” Well done to all the Rainbows and Brownies (and their leaders) for all their hard work. They are hoping to meet indoors in their newly renovated Hall from September.

THE LADIES OF THE WOMEN’S INSTITUTE MEET AGAIN.

The ladies of Pen-y-fai’s Women’s Institute (“WI”) resumed physical meetings in June at Tondu Cricket Club, as they were unable to use Pen-y-fai School premises. With 66 members and a limit of only 30 per meeting, the WI have been duplicating their meetings in June and July. The WI do not usually meet in August, but this year they are planning events in both August and September. Members should contact Adele Hancock for more information regarding (and the location of) these proposed events.

1st PEN-Y-FAI SCOUT GROUP .…………………………………………….. LOOKING FOR LEADERS Our Scout Group is looking for Leaders (whether regular or occasional basis) to join the Group. For more details, please contact Gianni Taylor by email at [email protected]

FORTHCOMING EVENTS At the time of preparing this issue of “the Postcard” many of the organisations which participate in the Postcard were uncertain when, and under what conditions, they would be able to start to meet again. There are no “Forthcoming Events” in this issue, but the contact details of the groups that appear in the Postcard are listed below so we can contact them once they start their meetings again.

COUNCILS, COUNCILLORS, COMMUNITY ASSOCIATIONS AND ACTIVITIES

NEWCASTLE HIGHER COMMUNITY COUNCIL (“NHCC”) The village of Pen-y-fai is served at a local level by the NHCC. For details of the meetings or matters relating to the NHCC please contact the Council Clerk at [email protected]. Or view the website www.newcastlehighercc.wales

COUNCILLOR ALTAF HUSSAIN is the Bridgend County Borough Councillor for the Pen-y-fai Ward and holds regular Ward Surgeries at the Community Room in All Saints Church, Pen-y. For details, please contact Councillor Hussain by email at [email protected]

PEN-Y-FAI VILLAGE COMMUNITY ASSOCIATION (“PVCA”) was set up by a small group of local volunteers with the aim of protecting and improving the amenities in the Community of Pen-y-fai. For details please contact its Chairperson, Mags Griffiths, by email at [email protected]

BELLRINGING AT ALL SAINTS CHURCH The church has a peal of six bells and an enthusiastic team of bell ringers. For further details contact the Tower Captain, Mr. David Oates, on 01656 650556.

ALL SAINTS CHURCH CHOIR Together with the Hon. Organist, Mrs. Wynne Griffiths, this enthusiastic group plays an important part in leading the congregation in church services. Interested parties should contact the Choir Mistress, Miss Delyth Parry on 01656 724994.

KNIT AND NATTER GROUP This group meets every Thursday morning from 11.00 am to 12.30 pm at the Pheasant Public House in Pen-y-fai and is open to all those who wish to enjoy time with friends and fellow knitters. For more details contact Mrs. Jocelyn Southwood on 01656 653879.

1st PEN-Y-FAI SCOUT GROUP Scouting is open to boys and girls under the auspices of The Scout Movement, and, in Pen-y-fai, there are three sections - Beavers (ages 6 to 8), Cubs (ages 8 to 10) and Scouts (ages 10 to 14). For more details contact Gianni Taylor by email at [email protected]

PEN-Y-FAI GUIDE GROUP Guiding is open to girls under the auspices of the Guide Movement, and, in Pen-y-fai, there are two sections - Rainbows (ages 5 to 7) and Brownies (ages 7 to 10). For more details contact Pippa O’Neill on 07480 825532. OPEN THE BOOK (“OTB”) is a group of volunteers visiting schools every two weeks during Assembly time and enacting a Bible story in a modern and entertaining manner. To join this enthusiastic group, or for more details contact Valerie Trimlett by email at [email protected]

THE WOMEN’S INSTITUTE (“WI”) was formed in 1915 and now plays a unique role in providing women with educational opportunities and the chance to acquire new skills, whilst taking part in a range of activities in their local communities. For further details on the meetings and membership of the Pen-y-fai branch of the WI contact Adele Hancock on 01656 646372.

LALESTON MOTHERS’ UNION The Laleston Branch of the Mothers’ Union meets on the second Tuesday of most months in Laleston Church Hall at 2.15 pm. For further information please contact the Branch Leader, Mrs. Frances McConville, either by telephone on 01656 655879 or by email at [email protected]

BRIDGEND TREFOIL GUILD The Trefoil Guild is open to all adults (18+) and not just those who have been involved in the Guiding Movement. Bridgend Trefoil Guild offers its members wonderful opportunities to get involved in a variety of activities, find friendship, to get active and give support. Bridgend Trefoil Guild has an evening and an afternoon group, and members can attend either or both. For more information contact Wendy Hinton on 01656 648783 or at [email protected] or Jane Smart on 01656 655027 or at [email protected]

ALL SAINTS CHURCH, PEN-Y-FAI

All Saint’s Church is the Parish Church for the Parish of Pen-y-fai

(The Parish of Pen-y-fai is part of the Benefice of Laleston and Merthyr Mawr with Pen-y-fai)

The Parochial Church Council in Pen-y-fai has taken the decision to re-open All Saints Church for collective worship, and a similar decision has been taken by their counterparts in Laleston and Merthyr Mawr to re-open St. David’s Church and St. Teilo’s Church.

Sunday services have therefore resumed in all three churches in the Benefice.

However, in August, this will be on the basis that only two of the three churches in the Benefice will be open (on a rota basis) for collective worship each Sunday. In addition, it is intended that there will continue to be services and acts of worship online.

The aim is to have all three churches in the Benefice open for collective worship each Sunday from September onwards

These plans are subject to change if the regulations and guidance regarding Covid-19 so require; and, at the time of publication, the details for the Sunday Services for September 2021 had not been finalised. These will be announced in August.

However, the rota schedule for Sunday Services in the Benefice for August is available and (at the time of publication) is as follows:

SUNDAY, 1 AUGUST 10.00 am Outdoor Communion (Location to be advised)

SUNDAY, 8 AUGUST 10.00 am and 11.00 am Communion at All Saints Church, Pen-y-fai 10.30 am Morning Worship at St. David’s Church, Laleston

SUNDAY, 15 AUGUST 10.00 am and 11.00 am Communion at St. Teilo’s Church, Merthyr Mawr 10.30 am Morning Worship at All Saints Church, Pen-y-fai

SUNDAY, 22 AUGUST 10.00 am and 11.00 am Communion at St. David’s Church, Laleston 10.30 am Morning Worship at St. Teilo’s, Merthyr Mawr

SUNDAY, 29 AUGUST To be advised Shared Benefice Worship (Venue to be advised)

In addition, there will be Online Worship at 6.30 pm on Sunday evening on 1, 15 and 22 August.

For more information about All Saints Church please contact: The Priest in Charge: The Rev. Anthony Beer The Vicarage, Rogers Lane, Laleston. Tel: 01656 859487 E-mail [email protected]