Issue No 167
Magazine for the Irfon and Wye Valley Churches November 2014
Remember, Remember by Revd Benedict Griffith I’m sure that all of you reading this can complete the remainder of this well-known rhyme about Guy Fawkes Day. It is, it seems to me and extremely appropriate reminder to remember as we enter the month of November and with it the season of remembrance. For many people it seems, November is little more than a stopgap along the headlong dash towards Christmas. Yet, the moments of remembrance that we observe this month are and should be extremely significant and we overlook them at our peril both as individuals but also as a society. The Church opens this season of remembrance by celebrating the feast of All Saints or in old English “All Hallows” which, of course, provides Hallowe’en with its name because October 31st is the eve of All Hallows. As Christians, it behoves us to recall that the Halloween celebrations with which we are so familiar are little more than a syncretism between the Christian festival of All Saints with customs from the pagan and Druidic celebration of Samhain celebrated here in preChristian days and it is worth recalling that Halloween is at its heart a Christian festival despite the witches and hobgoblins with which it is now associated. All Saints Day itself on November 1st provides Christians with an annual opportunity to give thanks for the example of that incredible multitude of men and women, who down the ages and sadly even today have been shining examples of lives lived close to God. Although we may take our religious freedom for granted in this country today, the rise of ISIL in the middle East causes us to remember that even now men and women are giving their lives for Christ and these are our brothers and sisters in faith. Here in Wales, we are the heirs of an incredibly rich and diverse heritage of holy men and women, many of whom are remembered nowhere else than in the dedication of many of our ancient churches including some within our own Deanery, Teilo, Padarn, Cewydd, Dyfrig, Afan, Cannen, Cadmarch and so the list goes on, just think of the dedications within your own parish. These are holy men and women who are recalled with gratitude here, but are all but unknown beyond our borders. As the Church in Wales as a whole and the church here in our own diocese moves towards the implementation of Ministry Areas, surely it is the example of these faithful Christians that we should be seeking to emulate, for they gifted us a uniquely Welsh Christianity and model of evangelism focussed upon the
historic Mother Churches, many of which are now quiet rural backwaters, such as our own Llanafan Fawr, but were once long ago the beating hearts and centres of evangelism across a wide area. Surely, our aspiration for Ministry Areas is that they will do exactly the same in our day. All Saints’ Day provides us with a yearly reminder to give thanks to God for the faithful witness of those past generations and to commit ourselves anew to follow their example in our own time. The Church follows All Saints’ with All Souls Day. It’s both intriguing and moving as you travel around the country to witness the posies of flowers or gathered personal memorabilia which mark the location where some tragedy occurred. For many this is regarded as a very modern phenomenon tracing its origins no further back than the outpouring of national grief which followed the death of Princess Diana in 1997, but the Church has been providing much the same service for generations, as even the most cursory glance around our churches and churchyards makes abundantly clear. All Souls Day is the focus of the Church’s celebration of the lives of those myriad Christians and especially those we ourselves have known and loved faithful, good men, women and children who’ve done their best in life but whose sanctity will never enable them to figure in any official or indeed unofficial hagiography. (Continued on page 10)
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Deanery Notices .
Saturday 29th November 12.00 noon
th
Sunday 09 Nov *Music* *Praise* *Witness* *Fellowship*
ALL AGE WORSHIP Remembrance
18.00 ST. MARY’S CHURCH BUILTH WELLS
Brecon Cathedral
Mission and Ministry Festival All who hold the Bishops Licence for any ministry are encouraged to attend this event. Find out more about the Dioceses’ work in mission at: http://swanseaandbrecon.churchinwales.org.uk/home-page/mission/
LLANGASTY
Church in Wales
RETREAT HOUSE 3-7 November 2014
Individually Guided Retreat With the Revd John HallMatthews and team. Want space and time to reflect, but would like some company on the journey? Then this might be for you. Phone: 01874 658250 E-mail: enquiries@llangasty.com Visit: www.llangasty.com
Christian Aid Youth Group Builth High School Wednesday Lunchtimes in C3 Contact: Ms Jones (History/Hanes)
GATHERING ● GROWING ● GOING
sunday 16th November Please pray for a renewed sense of vision in the Church in Wales this Sunday
Café Church
VISION EVENT . . .let’s learn something new together. . .
Saturday 1st November 2014 10am – 3pm
STIMULATING SPIRITUAL CONVERSATIONS with Paul Griffiths
Paul, a member of the Archbishop’s College of Evangelists, is the Director of the Ugly Duckling Company. He is the creative brain behind the Table Talk series as well as other resources aimed at starting good conversations and developing discipleship. St. David’s Church, Penllergaer SA4 1AQ Refreshments provided - bring your own lunch £10 per person (students: £5. groups of 4+: £8pp) Booking required - forms from: vision.swanbrec@churchinwales.org.uk www.gatheringgrowinggoing.com
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02 November 6pm Café Church at
CC’s Coffee Shop, Strand Street, Builth Join in for short, relaxed church
Nata Village Paphos Cyprus
Rest for the Body Restoration of the Mind Refreshing of the Spirit For more information please visit
www.carobpaphos.com email: carobpaphos@hotmail.co.uk
or phone: 07590 409701
Researching your Family Finding your ancestors has become really popular in the last few years, with the arrival of programmes such as ‘Who Do You Think You Are?’ on TV. There is something fascinating in discovering who your relatives were, their names, and their jobs etc., many of which are occupations we would no longer really consider. For example one such job was that of a ‘clacker’. This was usually a young man, sometimes as young as eight, employed by the local farmer to walk the fields all day, (for a pittance), with three pieces of wood connected together, which when shaken side to side would ‘clack’ together and scare the birds off the crops. Or consider the stone picker, which as the name suggests picked the stones from the fields in order to save them from blunting the ploughs. The stones were usually put on the roads to fill pot holes.
Virtually all of us would find an ‘Ag Lab’ (agricultural labourer) in our ancestral pool. On bigger farms the worker may be referred to by their specific jobs such as a shepherd, or hurdle maker, but most of our predecessors ended up in the general mix! Powys had the largest concentration of inhabitants working in agriculture and fishing, (9%), yet the overall UK percentage has dropped from 22% in agriculture in 1841, to less than 1% in 2011, (figures supplied by the National Office for Statistics from the census records). If you wish to delve into your past, a good place to start may be the archives office in Llandrindod, opposite the pond outside County Hall. Booking is advised as places are limited, but they are very helpful and have a subscription to ‘Find my Past’, which you can use to start your search. The archives offices can be contacted on: 01597 826088 Happy searching! Julie Martin 4
The Colwyn Group of Parishes Services for November 2014
Dear Friends
2nd November Kingdom 1 10.00am Llansantffraed - 100 House Hall RK Eucharist 6.00pm Glascwm Memorial Service This service to remember Meriel Oliver will be led by Revd Canon Andrew Piper, Precentor of Hereford Cathedral. Rt Revd John Davies, Bishop of Swansea & Brecon will also be in attendance
Well, this is where Liz and I came in! Yes, it’s six years since we moved into the parishes. How time has flown by. It only seems like a few months ago we were unpacking! All the things we’ve done in that time and still more to do. We remember the warm welcome we received and are still receiving! But that set me thinking – it’s very much a time of remembering, and the season of Remembrance is upon us also. It is very right that we should set a time aside to remember those who have given their lives so that others may live in peace and without threat. We remember those who died in the Great Wars and all the conflicts since. But we also remember those who have lost their lives in Afghanistan in recent years and their families. We also think as air strikes are taking place in Iraq, we remember the situation in so much of the Middle East with Syria, Israel and Palestine. We may know someone involved in the theatre of war. Liz and I do, a very great friend and he came home safe and sound, but nevertheless for us Remem-brance is still a very poignant time. I shall be remembering this and the many millions also who lost their lives in the Joint Service on Remembrance Day.
9th November Remembrance Sunday 10.45am Bettws RK Joint Remembrance service with representatives of all churches bringing names of the Fallen 6.00pm Llanelwedd RK Eucharist 16th November Kingdom 3 9.30am Llanfaredd RK 10.00am Llansantffraed LK 11.15am Glascwm JO 11.15am Rhulen RK
Eucharist Morning Prayer Eucharist Eucharist
23rd November Christ the King 9.30am Cregrina DD Village Service 9.30am Bettws JO Eucharist 10.45am Llanelwedd MJ/ET/LK Worship4All
We will remember them! Vicar Richard
30th November Advent Sunday 10.00am Hundred House Hall RK Family Service
Memorial Memorial Service This service which will include the Interment of Ashes for Meriel Oliver will take place on Thursday 27th November in Hereford Cathedral at 2.30pm. Everyone would be welcome to attend either or both of the Services for Meriel. If you would like to go to Hereford, then please contact Margaret Williams (01982 570352) as it is hoped minibus transport can be arranged.
CONCERT HUNDRED HOUSE HALL (in aid of continued refurbishment) SATURDAY 15th NOVEMBER 7.30pm given by
MID POWYS YOUTH CHOIR SUPPORTED BY LOCAL ARTISTES
Coffee Morning
for more information please contact Dorothy Price tel: 01982 570 380
in aid of Llanelwedd Benefice Saturday 15th November 10am - 12 noon Fountain Inn, Builth Wells Many stalls including cakes and gifts Come and meet new friends over a coffee!
Llanelwedd with Llanfaredd, Llansantffraed-in-Elwell, Bettws, Cregrina, Glascwm and Rhulen Revd Richard Kirlew, The Rectory, Llanelwedd LD2 3TY, Tel: 01982 551288, Email: Richard.kirlew@btinternet.com 5
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The Builth Wells Group of Parishes Worship
From the Vicarage
02 November (Kingdom I) 09.30 Sung Eucharist in St. Mary’s, Builth 18.00 Café Church at CC’s Coffee Shop, Builth 09 November (Kingdom II/Remembrance) 09.45 Liturgy of Remembrance in Builth 15.00 Remembrance Eucharist at Llanddewi’r-Cwm 18.00 CELEBR8 in St. Mary’s, Builth 16 November (Kingdom III) 09.30 Sung Eucharist in St. Mary’s, Builth 11.00 Said Eucharist in St. Mauritius, Alltmawr 23 November (Christ the King) 09.30 Sung Eucharist in St. Mary’s, Builth 18.00 Solemn BCP1662 Sung Evensong at Builth 30 November (Advent Sunday) 10.30 Advent Sunday Eucharist at Maesmynis
As part of our expansion of our ministry of nurture within the parish we have been welcoming those in training for licensed ministry to our midst – you will already be familiar with David Martin (our Pioneer Ordinand) and Janet Day (our Lay Reader in training) we now add Linda Watson (a Parochial Ordinand on placement with us until May). There addition to the liturgical life of the group has been a real bonus and helped us to recognize more clearly the role that the laity can play in leading worship. With this in mind we are going to be running a short course training those who wish to develop there skills in this area to become ‘Licensed Lay Worship Leaders’ which would enable them to hold the Bishops Licence and lead worship. If you are interested in exploring this area of ministry please speak to myself or Father Phil … Pob bendith,
Events this Month 03 November Reserved Communion at Brynhyfryd/Glan Irfon 11.00 08-15 November Joint Fundraising Event at the Charity Shop in Middleton Street, Llandrindod Wells 14 November School Christening at St. Mary's Builth 13.00 22 November Memorial Service for Mrs Beryl Parrish RIP 12.30 in St. Mary's Church, Builth Wells 29 November Diocesan Mission and Ministry Festival at Brecon Cathedral starting at 12 noon
Father Neil
Shopfront Mission As part of our fundraising initiatives we have grouped together to initiate a major shared fundraiser. As a group of churches we are staffing and stocking the Community Charity Shop in Middleton Street, Llandrindod Wells from 8th to 15th November. To arrange to donate goods or to volunteer in the shop during the week, please speak to Audrey Price on 01982 553 664
Christmas Cards A wide selection of Christmas Cards will be on sale in St. Mary’s on Sundays after church during November - all profits go to Church Funds. The sale begins during coffee on 02 November!
Regular Events There is a Daily Prayer Service every weekday at 09.00 (Eucharist 10.00 Thursdays) in the Chapel of the Holy Name in St. Mary the Virgin, Builth Wells. Tuesday: Handbells 19.00 - Minor Hall Wednesday: The Collective Youth Group, Lunchtime at Builth Wells High School in C3 Wednesday: SAINTS ALIVE! ALIVE! Kids Club 16.00 fortnightly term time - Minor Hall Thursday: Bell-Ringers 19.45 - St. Mary’s Tower Friday: Choir Practice term time 18.00 - St. Mary’s Builth Wells with Llanddewi’r-Cwm & Llangynog with Maesmynis & Llanynis with Alltmawr Revd Father Neil Hook, The Vicarage, 1 North Road, Builth Wells LD2 3BT, Tel: 01982 552355, Email: frhooky@gmail.com 7
The Erwood with Painscastle Group of Parishes may yet have experienced the changes wrought in the world through Christ’s death and resurrection. Surely the same is true of our “remembrance”. We may not have known those brave souls who set off to fight in World War One or indeed those equally gallant men and women who fought in World War Two and in the conflicts that have followed since, but we can rejoice in the freedoms and liberties that their sacrifice bought for us at so great a cost. As we gather to remember them we should commit ourselves to cherishing those same freedoms which those gallant men and women fought to preserve. As you watch the smoke and the sparkle of Guy Fawkes we can give thanks for that nascent democracy which would have been utterly quenched if that audacious plot had succeeded. As the old rhyme puts it “remember, remember” but let’s make a particular point this year of giving thanks for all those who have gone before, both those we remember personally and also those whose memories we ought to cherish. Happy remembering
Dear Friends, As the longer and colder nights of November begin to embrace us, we also embark upon the season of remembrance beginning with All Saints and All Souls Days at the beginning of the month through, Guy Fawkes, Remembrance Sunday and Armistice Day before concluding with the relatively modern feast of Christ the King at the month’s end, marking the end of another year in the Christian calendar. It seems right and fitting that as the glorious, golden days of a somewhat elongated summer become an increasingly distant memory, our national mood assumes a mantle of introspection. Given the time which has now elapsed since the horrors of World War One, remembering that now, distant event is something that only a very few of our fellow citizens can do from their personal experience. And even those who still can were themselves only children at the time. Inevitably, therefore, those who actually knew those courageous young men who marched off to play their part in those catastrophic events across the sea reduces with each passing year. For the majority of us, therefore, the nature of remembrance in the context of WW1 changes its nature quite markedly from those first observances in the years immediately after 1918. How can anyone “remember” something that they never knew and of which they have no personal experience? This was the same quandary which faced the early Christian Church some 19 centuries ago as those men and women who had actually known and lived with Christ gradually died themselves. Yet throughout the whole of the intervening centuries, individual Christians have come to know Christ, they’ve experienced his power and love in their lives, for some in extremely powerful and life-changing ways from St. Paul all the way down to you and me. Others who may not have had such a profound encounter
With my love and prayers as ever, Ben
Looking Backwards As I write this, we’re drawing to the end of our harvest thanksgiving celebrations. I’d like to express my sincere thanks to everybody who’s supported each of our services. Every church has looked magnificent in its harvest finery and we’ve been treated to some equally wonderful refreshments to conclude our services. It has been a real pleasure and joy to see churches looking so full of happy people joining in our celebrations, so if you helped in any way to make our celebrations so joyful and meaningful, please accept my very grateful thanks. I would also like to say a big thank you to everybody who supported our inaugural Messy Church in Painscastle on October 10th. A hugely enjoyable afternoon with far more children and families attending than we’d feared. There will be another Messy Church in Painscastle towards the end of November, but the date isn’t finalised at the time of writing this, please do look out for the posters and check the Painscastle Facebook Page for more details.
Aberedw w Llandeilo Graban w Llanbadarn-y-Garreg w Crickadarn w Gwenddwr & Bryngwyn w Newchurch w Llanbedr Painscastle w Llanddewi Fach Revd Ben Griffith, The Rectory, Aberedw, Builth Wells LD2 3UH, Tel: 01982 560615, Email: benedictgriffith@sky.com 8
The Erwood & Painscastle Group of Parishes Church Services in November th
Sun 26 9.30am 9.30am 11.00am
Looking Forwards As we enter the month of November, we also begin the season of Remembrance. We shall begin this with a Service to Remember the Departed at Llanbedr on 2nd November at 6.00pm. Do please come and join us, as we gather to give thanks for those whose lives we’ve shared but who are now separated from us through death.
October Last Sunday after Trinity Bryngwyn Holy Eucharist Aberedw Morning Prayer Crickadarn Holy Eucharist
Sun 2nd November Kingdom 1 (Trinity XX) 9.00am Newchurch Holy Eucharist(1662) 9.30am Llanbadarn y Garreg Holy Eucharist 10.30am Newchurch Mattins (followed by refreshments at Rose Cottage) 11.00am Gwenddwr Holy Eucharist 11.00am Llandeilo Graban Morning Prayer 6.00pm Llanbedr A Service to Remember the Departed
From the Registers We send our heartfelt congratulations and all good wishes for their future happiness to Sarah Price and Christopher Bound who were married at Llanbedr on 20th September and also to Lynn Woodward and Terry Davies who were married at Aberedw on the same day. We welcome into the Lord’s Family Jessie Woodward-Davies who was baptised at Aberedw on 20th September 20th We send our deepest sympathy to the family and friends of Amy Jardine, whose ashes were interred at Crickadarn on 27th September. To the family and friends of Ronald Pugh, whose funeral was held at Llandeilo Graban on 30th September. To the family and friends of Gwyn Jones, whose funeral was held at Crickadarn on 1st October. To the family and friends of Harold Taylor, whose funeral was held at Crickadarn on 7th October and to the family and friends of Amy Ryan whose funeral took place at Aberedw on 11th October. May they and all the departed rest in peace and rise in glory.
Sun 9th November REMEMBRANCE SUNDAY 9.30am Aberedw Eucharist & Act of Remembrance 10.45am Bryngwyn Remembrance Service 2.30pm Llandeilo Graban Remembrance Service with Moriah Chapel Tue 11th November 10.30am Crickadarn 10.45am Newchurch
Armistice Day Armistice Day Service Armistice Day Service
Sun 16th November Kingdom 3 (Trinity XXII) 9.30am Llandeilo Graban Holy Eucharist 11.00am Llanbedr Holy Eucharist 3.00pm Llandewi Fach Holy Eucharist Sun 23rd November 9.30am Bryngwyn 9.30am Aberedw 11.00am Crickadarn
ST MARY'S CHURCH NEWCHURCH
Saturday Evening Concert
Christ the King (Sunday before Advent) Holy Eucharist Morning Prayer Holy Eucharist
25th October at 7.30pm Door open 7pm TIM EDWARDS Guitar SONIA HAMMOND Violoncello Music by Bach, Guiliani, Piazolla, Tarrega and Villa-Lobos
Painscastle Mothers Union Open Meeting on 11th November at 7.30pm in Painscastle Hall. Come and relive past local events with Grace Davies. Watch a DVD on Carnivals, Sports Days etc. For more info: Fran Shaw 01982 560480
Pre-concert and Interval Refreshments (incl Glass of Wine) Admission free - Donations in aid of our Church requested
Aberedw w Llandeilo Graban w Llanbadarn-y-Garreg w Crickadarn w Gwenddwr & Bryngwyn w Newchurch w Llanbedr Painscastle w Llanddewi Fach Revd Ben Griffith, The Rectory, Aberedw, Builth Wells LD2 3UH, Tel: 01982 560615, Email: benedictgriffith@sky.com 9
Remember, Remember
(continued from front page)
At the heart of this season of remembrance are, quite naturally and appropriately, Remembrance Sunday and Armistice Day. In this centenary year of the outbreak of the First World War in 1914, I’m convinced that both Remembrance Sunday and Armistice Day will have an added piquancy, as we recall the centenary of the beginning of a war, that in the confident summer of 1914 was cheerfully hoped would be over by Christmas but instead dragged on for four, long blood-soaked years. I was fortunate enough to attend the commemoration service in Builth back on the anniversary of the start of the war, and how moving it was, as crosses were placed by the cenotaph there, to recall the sacrifice of those brave and doubtless very frightened young men who marched off from here never to return. In one very real sense, however “remembrance” is troubling. The word remember literally means to remake, to re-member, but how is it possible for those of us, now in the majority among the citizens of this country, who have never experienced the horrors of a world at war to remember something which we have never known? I’m sure that like me, most of us have uncles, great-uncles maybe even fathers and grandfathers who were caught up in the carnage of war. My own grandfather fought in the First World War, but he was one of the lucky ones who survived. Yet, there were also great uncles who did not, but they are little more than names, remembered by former generations but completely unknown to mine. It seems that I have always known that one of my grandmothers, a woman whom I never met, was the youngest of thirteen children. And yet until some dozen or so years ago, I wondered why it was that I had only ever been told about three of her siblings. I discovered the answer as I looked at a war memorial in the village where she had been born and grown up. There carved on the memorial was a catalogue of names which shared the same surname. As I read that list of names I realised for the first time in my life that for them the ultimate sacrifice had indeed been required. And yet mingled with the sorrow of these men that I had never known was pride in their achievements and the knowledge that some of the blood which flowed through them also flows through my relatives and I. And that surely is what Remembrance Sunday and Armistice Day compel us to do, to recall with thanksgiving those men and women from our country who were prepared to give so much in order that the generations whom they would never know should enjoy the freedoms for which they were prepared to sacrifice their own personal dreams and aspirations. But that sacrifice is not merely to be found in the pages of the history books. It is being made by the members of our armed forces who leave these shores today to fight in distant lands for the causes of freedom and justice. We may not necessarily agree with the policies of our government which commits these brave young men and women to armed conflict. We may even believe with every fibre of our being that the causes for which they are fighting are perhaps less honourable than those of the past, but our armed forces are exhibiting just as much courage and heroism as did their predecessors. And Remembrance Sunday and Armistice Day gives to us and to our society time to honour not just the sacrifices of the past but also those equally significant and valiant sacrifices of the present and to commit ourselves anew not just to pray for their safe return but equally to pray for a world truly remembered, a world in which the sacrifices will not be required as the collect for Remembrance Sunday so beautifully expresses it: Almighty Father, whose will it is to restore all things in your beloved Son, the King of all, govern the hearts and minds of those in authority and bring the families of the nations, divided and torn apart by the ravages of sin, to be subject to his just and gentle rule. And that’s something for which we should not merely pray but equally commit ourselves to strive for not just for a few moments on Remembrance Sunday and Armistice Day, but for every moment of every day of our lives. by Revd Ben Griffith 10
The Upper Wye Group of Parishes Services for November
Dear Friends‌
Sunday 2nd - Kingdom 1 11.00am Newbridge: Morning Prayer 11.00am Llanfihangel Brynpabuan: Holy Eucharist 2.00pm Newbridge: Baptism 6.00pm Newbridge: Service to Remember the Departed
Most of you will be aware that the cats and I are in residence in a Newbridge and now contactable by land line 01597 860842. There is still much to do but I am so pleased that I now know the number of my house, 9 not 7! I find it hard to believe that November has crept up on us so quickly. This is a month for so much reflection. First we can reflect on the onset of winter. The celebration of Harvest is over and the seeds sleeping in the ground ready to burst forth again in a few months. This leads onto the reflection on lives lived and lost. As we remember the departed on 2nd November we reflect on the love that continues to live in our hearts. Anyone who wishes to have the name of their loved one included please contact me. We then move on to Remembrance Day. We have marked the 100th anniversary of the start of the Great War this year. I wonder if anyone back then imagined that lives would be lost through war a century on. Many think of remembering only those who fell in the two World Wars but we must remember all who have fallen fighting for our freedom and that of others. We will remember them. We have an opportunity this month to step back and use the time to reflect and take stock before Christmas sweeps us up in a whirlwind of activity. Love and prayers
Sunday 9th - Remembrance 9.30am Cwmbach: Remembrance Service 10.30am Newbridge: Remembrance Service 3.00pm Llanafan: Remembrance Service Wednesday 12th November at 2.30pm Caerwnon Park Social Club Songs of Praise
Sunday 16th - Kingdom 3 11.00am Newbridge: Holy Eucharist 3.00pm Llanafan: Festival Eucharist & Pilgrimage Sunday 23rd Christ the King 9.30am Cwmbach: Morning Prayer 11.00am Newbridge: Holy Eucharist
NEWBRIDGE CHRISTMAS FAYRE Saturday, 15th November Newbridge Community Hall Raising money for a good cause and getting ready for the festive season at the same time!
Cwmbach Christmas Fair Saturday, 22nd November 2.00pm The Iron Room Cwmbach Llechrhyd Always a warm welcome at this lovely annual event Join us to explore a wide variety of gifts and seasonal treats
Petra
Newbridge-on-Wye, Cwmbach Llechrhyd, Llanafan Fawr & Llanfihangel Brynpabuan Revd Petra Beresford-Webb, 7 Cae Nant, Newbridge-on-Wye, Llandrindod Wells LD1 6LQ, Tel: 01597 860842 or 07966 799546, Email: petra.beresfordwebb@yahoo.com 11
The Cinnamon Trust is the national charity for the elderly and terminally ill and their pets. We seek to keep owner and pet together for as long as possible with the help of a national network of volunteers who assist when day to day care poses a problem. Our aim is to relieve the owners of any worry concerning the welfare of their pets both during and after their own lifetime making us unique amongst charities. We are looking for dog walking volunteers to help a resident of Builth Wells. All volunteers help in the ways that are most appropriate to them. Teams take it in turn to visit housebound owners, to take dogs for daily walks, volunteers foster pets as one of their family when owners face a spell in hospital, they take pets to the vet, clean the budgie's cage out. We take any problem posed in day to day care of pets. Contact Sally direct on 01736 758707 or emailsallycollins@cinnamon.org.uk for more information. The volunteers can gain access to our volunteer page on our website or www.cinnamon.org.uk or by emailing us at volunteer@cinnamon.org.uk
HOST promotes international friendship and understanding by arranging for international students at British universities to meet UK residents in their homes. HOST is looking for kind, friendly, hospitable people of all ages whose imaginations are caught by the idea of welcoming an international student at university here, far from his or her own family, to their home. This could be for a day, a weekend or at Christmas, and you don’t need to live near a university, as students will travel for the privilege of meeting you, learning about real life in this country, and sharing their own culture. Robert and Anna Brown have been inviting students to their home in a small village for the last 5 years. “We met each other in Ethiopia, and we return there from time to time, so we've always been interested in people from other countries and cultures. Since joining HOST we have met such interesting young people, in ones and twos, from countries as diverse as Hong Kong, Kazakhstan, Germany, Turkey, Canada, Saudi Arabia, Russia and Mexico. We offer HOST 2 or 3 weekends a year, sometimes Christmas. Most recently, in April, we went mad and invited three assorted male students at once. They were all post-grads. Xiongfei from China is doing a PhD in Public Health; Ramiro from Mexico is into Business Intelligence; and Pascal from Monaco is a lawyer. Everyone got on brilliantly, and we felt it was our best HOST weekend ever. But each individual was fascinating in his own right, so if we had only had space for one, we would still have enjoyed the weekend very much. Our recommendation? Just give HOSTing a try! We did, and we love it.� HOST is a voluntary activity which makes ambassadors for international goodwill of us all. Please see www.hostuk.org or call Lynette Chappin 02920 693903. 12
The Parishes of the Irfon Valley & Blaenau Irfon Dear Friends…
Worship and Events
As I write this, you’re all getting used to the idea that after a very fruitful and fulfilling ministry among you, Lucyann and James have now departed for pastures new and that we’re back into that old period of a vacancy. For many people I know this can be a deeply upsetting and very troubling time, not always knowing who’s going to turn up and when, as I know from personal experience, having run a vacant parish for four years, before I was ordained!! We are very blessed as a Deanery to have in our midst some very wonderful and inspiring retired and non-stipendiary priests; as Area Dean, I am deeply grateful to them for their invaluable support which does make the task very much easier than it would otherwise be. However, the life and witness of the Church is not all about priests and vicars and whatever else anybody might like to call us! It’s truly about the life of the whole family of God whoever and wherever they may be, of whom the ordained members are just one small part. In that sense, a period of vacancy can and indeed, often is, a time of growth, as the whole people of God in the parish, consider what it is that binds them together as a community of faith. I know that the work that Lucyann did among you has meant that Blaenau Irfon and the Irfon Valley are well prepared with initiatives launched and well established alongside teams of people who are already contributing well to the life and worship of the church. I am delighted to see parishes in such good heart and please know that you have my support and prayers always behind you. So, as you enter this vacancy, please don’t regard it as merely a stopgap between vicars and think of it instead as a time of real growth in the life and witness of the church in your benefices, while praying that God will bring forward the person that he has chosen to guide you along the next stage of your journey as the family of God in your communities. With my love and prayers, as ever
Sun 26th Oct Bible Sunday/Last after Pentecost 9.30am Family Service Beulah YP 9.30am Eucharist LlangammarchCH/NH 11.00am Eucharist Llanwrtyd CH/NH Sat 1st November 6.00pm St. Cadmarch’s Llangammarch A Reflective Service for All Souls YP & MG Sun 2nd November 9.30am Eucharist 11.00am Morning Prayer 11.15am Eucharist 11.15am Morning Prayer
Kingdom 1 Beulah PJM Llanwrtyd MG Llanlleonfel N. Hook LlanwrtydWorship Team
Sun 10th November Joint Benefices Service
Remembrance Llangammarch
th
Sun 16 November 9.30am Eucharist 11.00am Eucharist 11.15am Eucharist
Kingdom 3 Beulah Llanwrtyd Llanganten
AT
MS MS CH/NH
Sun 23rd November Christ the King/Kingdom 4 9.30am Family Service Beulah YP 9.30am Eucharist LlangammarchCH/NH 11.00am Eucharist Llanwrtyd CH/NH Sun 30th November Advent 1 11.00am Benefices Eucharist Llanfechan
PJM
Irfon Singers (Director David White)
Advent Carol Service a candle lit sequence of readings, hymns and music to usher in the season of Advent led by Rev’d Petra Beresford Webb 7.30 Sunday 30th November St Cadmarch’s Church Llangammarch Wells
Ben
St Cadmarch’s, Llangammarch Wells; The Parish Church, Llanlleonfel, Garth; St Afan’s, Llanfechan; St Cannen’s, Llanganten, Cilmery; St. James’, Llanwrtyd Wells; St. David’s, Llanwrtyd; St David’s Tirabad; Eglwys Oen Duw, Beulah;
For information during the interregnum please contact the Acting Area Dean: Revd Ben Griffith, The Rectory, Aberedw, Builth Wells LD2 3UH, Tel: 01982 560615, Email: benedictgriffith@sky.com 13
D. K. Dixon Plumbing & Heating
Parry & Pugh Jane Pugh (Daughter of the late Walter Parry)
TEL: 01982 552644 MOB: 07974 315328 oil & gas servicing new installations bathrooms, lead work
FUNERAL DIRECTORS A family business established in 1858
Pencae, Hay Road, Builth Wells Tel: 01982 551023 Mob: 07813 405039
PASADENA, 31 BRECON ROAD, BUILTH WELLS, POWYS LD2 3EB
Eat within the Old World Charm of the
Dale Williams
H. VAUGHAN VAUGHAN & Co
Painting & decorating, Highest quality Of papers hung, Tiling, coving, artexing, General building maintenance Tel: 01874 712206 Mob: 07800 541955 Over 15 years experience, Fully insured
SOLICITORS
COSY CORNER TEA ROOMS Specialising in Home-cooked food
55 High Street, Builth Wells Tel: 01982 553585
Ben Lloyd & Son
THOROUGHLY DRY SEASONED HARDWOOD LOGS ASH, OAK, BIRCH & ALDER
From Cefnllysgwynne Estate, Builth Wells ______________________________________________________
Memorial Craftsmen
DELIVERED TO YOUR DOOR
Est. 1886
Cut and split into easily handled sizes. Packed in bags weighing an average of 8 kilos net Price: £3.50 per bag (negotiable for Bulk/regular orders) ORDERS/ENQUIRIES: Tel: 01982 551624
Churchyard memorials commemorative plaques additional inscriptions and renovations Bridge Street, Rhayader Tel: 01597 810320 & 811183 Mob: 07767 220163
BUILTH WELLS GARAGES main dealer in Mid Wales for
MOT Test Centre Car Jet Wash
Llanelwedd 01982 553861 or 552236
COMMISSIONERS FOR OATHS Established since the 19th century We offer a full & friendly legal service _________________________________
SOLE PRINCIPAL: DAVID T. LLOYD CONSULTANT: CONAL M DUNN MANCHESTER HOUSE HIGH STREET, BUILTH WELLS
TEL: 01982 552331 & 553571 FAX: 01982 552860
ELECTRICIAN David Stone Electrics Free, no obligation quotes for all your household & domestic needs. 07771 767246 davidpstone@btinternet.com 01982 570403 NICEIC Registered Insured & all work fully guaranteed
R. W. Evans & Son Ltd www.mccartneys.co.uk AUCTIONEERS – VALUERS LAND AND ESTATE AGENTS CHARTERED SURVEYORS FINE ART AUCTIONEERS 46 High Street, Builth Wells, Powys, LD2 3AB Tel: 01982 552259 e-mail: builth@mccartneys.co.uk
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Monumental Mason Memorials & Commemorative plaques, additional inscriptions and renovations highest quality at low prices, family firm established 100 yrs Unit 8B, Brecon Enterprise Park, Brecon Tel: 01874 625308 (day) 01874 624913 (eve)
‘Nearer to God in a Garden’ – November
Tulips November is the best time to plant tulip bulbs. Dwarf varieties such as ‘Red Riding Hood’ are best for permanent planting in borders. The foliage is not so messy when it dies back after flowering in the spring. The Latin name Tulipa is a corruption of the Persian word tulipant, a turban, which the flower of the tulip is supposed to resemble. The scarlet mountain tulip, Tulipa montana, flowers in semi-desert areas of the Holy Land during spring. The Song of Solomon 2 vs. 11,12: ‘For, lo, the winter is past, the rain is over and gone; the flowers appear on the earth.’ Red tulips are well known in the wild and in cultivation in the Middle East. The wild red Tulipa montana from Israel is not available commercially but it may be a parent of many scarlet garden hybrids sold in this country. There are a huge variety of tulips available. Different varieties can be flowering from mid February to the end of May, height can vary from 4 inches to 30 inches, and there is a colour range of white, yellow, orange, red and purple.
Linda Lewis
A-Z
THE FOUNTAIN INN
Of Churchyard Conservation
Warm & Friendly Pub with open Fire
Builth Wells
“Q” is for Quercus (Oak) Oak trees are well-loved symbols of strength. We have two native species growing in the British Isles – Quercus robur, pedunculate or English Oak and Quercus petraea, Sessile or Durmast Oak, found mostly in the hillier west and north of Britain. The peduncles are the ‘stalks’ which support the acorns and the Sessile Oak acorns have no stalks.
(01982 553888) 553888)
Separate Café area Separate Function / Restaurant Room Home-cooked food served daily from 9am Choice of Real Ales, Ciders, Draught Beers and Lagers We specialise in Outside Bars for all occasions
A member of the beech family, the oak was venerated by the Druids and its botanical name is believed to derive from the Celtic quer meaning fine and cuez meaning tree. Leintwardine has a Red Oak with mistletoe at the front of the churchyard. It is one of only three instances recorded in Britain – so quite special… Caring for God’s Acre, the conservation charity for churchyards and burial grounds, 01588 673041, www.caringforgodsacre.org.uk 15
NEW INN
COSY TOES MOBILE FOOT HEALTH PRACTITIONER JILL LLOYD DipCFHP, MPSPract
Newbridge-On-Wye 01597860211
NAIL TRIMMING CORNS REMOVED CALLUS REDUCTION INGROWING TOENAILS VERRUCA TREATMENT DIABETICS TREATED
NOT JUST A PUB BED & BREAKFAST/BUNK HOUSE LARGE SEPARATE FUNCTION ROOM Wedding Receptions Christenings Funeral Teas Private Parties RESTURANT Sizzling Steak Menu Gluten Free Menu Available Real Ales
FOR A FRIENDLY PERSONAL SERVICE CALL JILL ON MOB: 07718150571 EVENINGSS 01591 620355
BUTCHER SHOP Selling Our Own Free Range Pork Local Beef Local Lamb Hand Made Sausages, Pies & Dry Cured Bacon
The Flower Shop Siop Flodau
Weddings, Anniversaries, Funeral Flowers 31 High Street Builth Wells Tel 01982 552 686
Grave Attendant I will look after the graves of your loved ones. Stone cleaning, grass and leaves clearing, flowers laid for Birthdays and Anniversaries. Planting out, pots emptied and cleaned. Prices from £9
Contact Alison on: 07931 778 839 or email: IDOODOO2@aol.com
Doug Prosser Incorporated with Crickhowell Funeral Services
Maelgwyn Funeral Home, Kensington, Brecon
Tel 01874 622755 www.dougprosser-brecon.com
The Medical Hall Llanwrtyd Wells
Qualified Piano Tuner covering Mid Wales
Tel: 01982 553623 Mob: 07966594663 tuning@piano-tuning-wales.co.uk www.piano-tuning-wales.co.uk
GILES MARSHALL OPTOMETRIST
For all your farm needs
Garth Road, Builth Wells Tel: 01982 552210
David Day B.A., L.R.A.M., M.P.T.A.
Memorial Masons
W Cook
‘He causeth the grass to grow for the cattle, and the herbs for the service of man: that he may bring forth food out of the earth.” Psalms CIV
Piano Tuning
Drug Store, Stationery & Toys, Gifts, Cosmetics, Greetings Cards, Batteries & Torches,
Tel: 01591 610 207
High Street, Builth Wells Tel 01982 552801 Middleton Street, Llandrindod Wells Tel 01597 823400
All contributions (news items and ideas for future issues) are very welcome and should be sent to: Abigail Hook, The Vicarage, 1 North Road, Builth Wells LD2 3BT Tel: 01982 552 355 E-mail: abihook@gmail.com Web: http://www.builthgroup.org.uk/signposts.htm For Advertising Queries please contact Richard Hussey Tel: 01591 620 648 E-mail: hhussey@btinternet.com is printed by Powerprint, Llandrindod th
Deadline for next issue (Dec/Jan): Monday 10 November 2014 16