Signposts 173 June 2015 by Signposts Magazine

Issue No 173

Magazine for the Irfon and Wye Valley Churches June 2015

Get AppApp-y for Christian Aid, urges Bishop John During last month’s Christian Aid week thousands of church members knocked on their neighbours’ doors in the traditional house-to-house collections for the annual Christian Aid appeal. But from this year there’s a new way to give, says Bishop John. Christian Aid has teamed up with the makers of the world’s first interactive TV advert so that donors can give via an app on their smartphones. Bishop John, who is chair of the Christian Aid Wales Committee and a member of the Board of Trustees, said, “This year’s Christian Aid appeal is focussed on the plight of women in parts of the world where they are still treated as virtually worthless, with little respect and no valued place in society. It is astonishing to learn that there are still some communities in the world where the flag is flown when male child is born, but where sympathy is offered when the child born is female! There remain communities where women can own no property and where they play no part in managing community life. This is shameful – it cannot be right and it has to change. By whatever means are available, smartphone, twitter, e-mail, print and more, such discrimination must be made known and help must be sought so that change can be encouraged and lives transformed”. Dyfed Roberts, Christian Aid’s Resources Coordinator in Wales, added, “Discrimination against women is one of the greatest injustices of our time and the statistics speak for themselves. Globally, less than 20 per cent of landholders are women and women do twice as much unpaid work as men. In many countries girls are treated like second-class citizens while boys are provided with opportunities for an education, work, food and even decision making at the expense of their sisters. Christian Aid has embraced cutting edge technology this year to help encourage more people to donate. We may be marking our 70th anniversary this year but like all charities we need to move with the times and embrace new technologies in order to make it easier for people with busy lives to

donate at a time convenient to them. Working in partnership with Powa Technologies we are launching the first ever TV advert using the innovative PowaTag app which will allow viewers to donate via their smartphone from the comfort of their sofa. This has great potential for the charity sector and we are delighted to be able to broadcast a world first with this innovative new advert.” To boost fundraising Powa Technologies have also pledged to match fund the first £10,000 donated to Christian Aid using the app.

The PowaTag app is a free downloadable mobile app and the tv advert will be first broadcast between 8-16 May on ITV. The Powatag app works by sending out an inaudible signal to the viewer’s smartphone which allows them to make a secure donation in a matter of seconds by simply activating the app, choosing the amount to give, and tap again to confirm. The viewer is alerted to the ability to make instant donations by the PowaTag logo appearing on the screen. PowaTag is a free mobile app available from the iTunes and Google Play Stores that enables users to immediately complete transactions with their phone or tablet in moments using pre-entered information, interacting with anything from products to advertising in print, online and in broadcast. The ad hitting screens from the 8th to the 16th of May will see Christian Aid launching a world-first in using PowaTag’s disruptive audiotagging technology in a television broadcast.

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Ministry Area Notices .

Ministry Area

Please Pray for all those to be ordained by +John Bishop of Swansea & Brecon in his Cathedral Church of St. John the Evangelist, Brecon on June 27th 2015 At 2.00pm

14th June ‘Scattering Seed’ *Music* *Praise* *Witness* *Fellowship*

ALL AGE WORSHIP

Friday 19th June 15.30 - 18.00 Jubilee Hall, Llanelwedd

18.00 ST. MARY’S CHURCH BUILTH WELLS GATHERING ● GROWING ● GOING

VISION EVENT Friday 5th June 2015

Christian Aid Youth Group Builth High School Wednesday Lunchtimes in C3 Contact: Ms Jones or Fr Neil

Strictly Men Revd. Mark Rudall, an Anglican priest, will lead a day for men seeking a biblical perspective on their daily lives, touching on issues that affect us all. Mark was previously the Director of Communications for the Diocese of Guildford and Winchester. St. David’s Church Hall, Penllergaer SA4 9AQ 10am – 3pm £10 per person – concessions available Booking required. Please email: vision.swanbrec@churchinwales.org.uk for a form

Diocesan Vision Prayer Father, we hold before you our family in the Diocese of Swansea and Brecon and we open our hearts and minds to your Spirit: Bless us as we gather in your name; Guide us as we grow into the likeness of your Son; Lead us by your Spirit to go out and make disciples of others. God of our journeying, be our way and our truth and our life; our beginning and our end. We pray through Jesus our Lord. Amen. 3

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Starting a New Journey: Our New Local Ministry Area Bishop John has announced the formation of the new Local Ministry Areas (LMA) and those who are to guide them. Within our own context he has chosen to place his faith in the existing strong relationships which are present in the Deanery of Builth by transitioning it over to become an LMA in its own right. This means that our new LMA will consist of: The Benefices of Blaenau Irfon, Buallt (Builth), Colwyn, Erwood, Irfon Valley, Painscastle and Upper Wye. The thirty two churches of our ministry area will become equal members of this new structure which will place a far greater emphasis upon, the participation of all and collaboration in, our shared Christian mission. Bishop John has asked Father Neil Hook (the present Vicar of the Builth Group) to act as Team Leader Designate until the new LMA is officially inaugurated. The process laid out by the Diocese will build on the existing conversations which have been held at either end of the Deanery and develop them through a series of open meetings for the entire LMA to come together. As part of the discernment process Father Neil will also be visiting every church in the Ministry Area over the next six months to listen to ideas and gather the information crucial to the development of the LMA. He would therefore welcome invitations to share in worship and meet with congregations. When that vision is ready we will ask Bishop John to come to us and lead a service of inauguration marking the beginning of the Ministry Area. Subsequently (and once members of the ministry area team are identified, resourced and developed) Bishop John will return to the Ministry Area to commission those team members in their ministry. In the meantime please pray for our Diocese and emerging Ministry Area through your regular use of the Diocesan Prayer (which you can find on p3) and the first month of the new bi-monthly prayer cycle (which you can cut out and keep on p15).

The Colwyn Group of Parishes June 2015 Summer is with us; Easter has long gone, Ascentiontide and Pentecost have come and gone, we are into the Trinity season; in schools the exam season is coming to an end, holidays no longer seem so far away. In fact I am writing this sat in my caravan overlooking the sea and Berwick upon Tweed, sunny but windy. All of these themes are united by hope. Easter is the Christian celebration of hope beyond compare; Pentecost gives us the hope of the Holy Spirit alongside us in all that we do; the seasons of spring and summer are full of hope, although not always fulfilled by the weather; exams, however challenging, are charged with hope for the future, even if we don’t always live up to that hope; holidays give us many hopes – rest, seeing something new, catching up with friends and many other things. Hope is something that can be wonderful, although sometimes it can be dashed. At its best, hope has something of the unknown about it, even excitement. As we go forward that hope is fulfilled, often in surprising ways. Alongside us in hope is the Holy Spirit who can prompt us and challenge us and be there for us when we find our hopes fulfilled or even when they are dashed. In all that you are hoping for in this wonderful time of hope, pray that the Holy Spirit will be there with you and will guide those whose task is to help discern the needs and opportunities that our new Ministry Area will bring to us all in the future. God bless,

Services for June 2015 Sunday 31st May TRINITY 10.00am Holy Eucharist 100 House Hall

Sunday 7th June TRINITY I 10.00am Holy Eucharist 100 House Hall PJM 6.00pm Village Service Glascwm BG Sunday 14th June TRINITY II 9.30am Holy Eucharist Cregrina 11.15am Holy Eucharist Llanelwedd

PJM PJM

Sunday 21st June TRINITY III 9.30am Holy Eucharist Llanfaredd 10.00am Morning Prayer Llansantffraed 11.15am Holy Eucharist Glascwm 11.15am Holy Eucharist Rhulen

PJM ET JO PJM

Saturday 27th June Linda Watson’s Ordination Brecon Cathedral Sunday 28th June 9.15am Holy Eucharist 9.30am Village Service 10.45am Worship 4 All

TRINITY IV Bettws JO Cregrina MG Llanelwedd ET & DD

Flower Festival and

Songs of Praise Theme: “Peace is there Peace?” St Matthews Church, Llanelwedd Saturday 4th and Sunday 5th July 2015 Refreshments all Day

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Saturday festival opens 10.00am - 5.00pm Sunday 10.30am Family Service, Worship4All Festival opens 11.30am - 5.45pm 6.00pm Songs of Praise With the Bracken Trust Singers Followed by Bring and Share Tea/Supper

Llanelwedd with Llanfaredd, Llansantffraed-in-Elwell, Bettws, Cregrina, Glascwm and Rhulen

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 5

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The Builth Wells Group of Parishes Worship

Regular Events

07 June (Pentecost II) 10.30 Ecumenical Covenant Communion at Builth 15.00 Annual Celebration Service in Llangynog 14 June (Pentecost III) 09.30 Choral Eucharist at Builth 11.00 Said Matins at Maesmynis 18.00 at Builth 21 June (Pentecost IV) 09.30 Choral Eucharist at Builth 11.00 Said Eucharist & AGM in Alltmawr 28 June (Pentecost V) 09.30 Choral Eucharist at Builth 11.00 Said Eucharist at Llanynis 18.00 Solemn BCP 1662 Evensong at Builth

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. Wednesday: The Collective Youth Group, Lunchtime at Builth Wells High School in C3 Thursday: Handbells 19.00 - St Mary’s Church Thursday: Bell-Ringers 19.45 - St. Mary’s Tower Friday: Choir Practice term time 18.00 - St. Mary’s

Events in June 01 Reserved Communion 11.00 in Brynhyfryd/Glan Irfon 04 Eucharist for Corpus Christi in St. Mary’s, 10.00 04 Mothers Union outing to Welsh Botanical Gardens 06 Price/Chapelle-Gill Wedding in St. Mary’s 14.00 06 Memorial Service for Valmai Griffiths, St. Mary’s 17.00 09 Mothers Union 125th Celebration at St. Mary’s 15.00 10 Mothers Union Diocesan Festival in Brecon Cathedral 14.30 11 Eucharist for Barnabas, Apostle in St. Mary’s, 10.00 20 St. Mary’s Fundraising Carnival Stall at Builthfest 20 Powell/Walters Wedding Blessing in Llanynis 14.00 23 Second Annual ‘Bilash Bash’ Curry Night in Bilash Curry House from 19.00 25 Eucharist for Divine Motherhood of BVM in St. Mary’s, Builth 10.00 29 Benefice Council Meeting in Maesmynis Hall 19.00

From the Vicarage Dear friends, This month marks the beginning of ‘Wedding Season’ for us as we are privileged to welcome couples into our churches to celebrate the sacrament of marriage. When the Church teaches that marriage between two persons is a sacrament, it is saying that the couple’s relationship expresses in a unique way the unbreakable bond of love between Christ and his people. Through their relationship, God’s love becomes present to the spouses in their total union and also flows through them to their family and community. By their giving to each other the couple reveal something of God’s unconditional love. This commitment involves their entire life as they journey together through the ups and downs and become more able to give to and receive from each other. Their life becomes incarnational to the extent that the couple cooperates with God’s action in their life and sees themselves as living “in Christ” and Christ living and acting in their relationship, attitudes and actions. As we celebrate with these couples we also remember that we are embarking on new relationships at the moment both with our group as we become a benefice and also within the wider deanery as we transition towards a ministry area. Please pray for all these new relationships that they will be forgiving, successful and fruitful. Pob bendith

Spring Fair Thank You Thank all those who contributed to the success of the first Spring Fair held in the Church. We exceeded our target of £500 and it was especially encouraging that people obviously enjoyed the event and liked being in the church.

Annual Celebration, Llangynog The Annual Service in the ruins of St. Cynog’s, Llangynog takes place at 15.00 on June 7th all are welcome to join us for the short service and refreshments. The site can be found four miles from Builth on the B4520 Builth Wells to Brecon road. If the weather is inclement please contact Fr. Neil or the Churchwardens for alternative arrangements.

Father Neil

Second Annual ‘Bilash Bash’ Our Fundraising Curry Night in the Bilash restaurant returns! With only 38 places available this is the ‘hottest’ ticket this month! We meet on 23rd June at the Bilash Curry House, Builth High Street (times are staggered to avoid overwhelming the staff). Please book your places on the sign-up sheet at the back of St. Mary’s.

Congratulations Best wishes to our Mothers Union Branch on their 125th Birthday Celebrations! To mark the occasion Bishop John and The Mothers Union Diocesan President are joining others for a celebration service in St. Mary’s on June 9th at 15.00.

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 & Painscastle Group of Parishes about people or buildings or lines drawn on a map, it’s about human being loved into existence by God, redeemed into undreamt of possibilities by God and inspired, guided and strengthened by the Holy Spirit as Christ told the apostles at the end of St. Matthew’s Gospel, “go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptising them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit and teaching them to obey everything that I have commanded you.” (Matt. 28: 18-20) That remains as much the purpose and calling of the Church today here and now as it did on a Galilean hillside and in the streets of Jerusalem so long ago. The vocation which we in common with all of our brothers and sisters in Christ have today is to do that as effectively as we can. Sometimes that will be achieved by being faithful to the traditions and practices that we have inherited from former generations but there are and will be occasions when we have to try new things in new ways, not change for the sake of change but to ensure that our message and our preaching is relevant and accessible to and for the communities which we are called to serve. I’m reminded as I always am by some words of St. Francis of Assisi: “preach the Gospel at all times, and when necessary use words.” As we embark upon the season after Trinity and indeed as the changes brought about in the life and witness of the Church through the introduction of Ministry Areas, we can do a great deal worse than follow this advice. With my love and prayers to you all as always

Dear Friends, What is the Church and what is it for? I’m reasonably confident that if you asked most people in our contemporary society what the church is, most of them would refer in their answer to the church building nearest to the place where they themselves lived. It’s worth acknowledging when we talk about changing the church or its structures that for the majority of our fellow countrymen and women there is a fundamental misunderstanding about what we’re actually talking about. For many the church is entirely synonymous with a large and rather unusually furnished building that should be at the heart of their community but, sadly too often, is actually on the periphery of it most of the time. To these the larger percentage of the population, the church is a place that they probably think about not more than once or twice a year. Once being at Christmas and the other being if they themselves were to attend a wedding or a funeral, or if they’d undergone some particularly traumatic experience and had nowhere else to turn. It leads me to conclude that for most people the Church provides little more than an insurance policy for when life becomes unduly difficult or traumatic. The only drawback to that analysis being that any insurance policy is only valid if you continue to pay the premiums; wouldn’t that have the most dramatic influence upon the payment of parish share if everybody treated it like paying the premiums on their car, home or holiday insurance!! I’m sure that for many practising Christians too the church for them is at its most real and authentic when it’s the church building in their locality. And yet, of course, this is entirely different from God’s understanding of what the church both is and should be!! Surely the whole foundational premise upon which Christianity exists is about a community of faithful followers of Jesus Christ who as St. Paul tells us make up the “Body of Christ” and that surely is what faithful Christians are called to be by God not through some arcane ritual but rather through the overflowing and overpowering work of the Holy Spirit changes lives, hearts and identities for the better. As you read this, we’ll have just celebrated the Feast of Pentecost or Whitsunday the moment when Jesus’ first apostles stepped out of the comfortable seclusion of their hideaway in the Upper Room and began the process of changing the world for the better through the good news of Jesus Christ. For them the Church was never the building where they gathered for worship it was nothing more than the redeemed followers of Jesus Christ and what was true then is and should be still true for us now, the Church is not

Ben 2015 KILVERT PILGRIMAGE SUNDAY 26TH JULY 8 ½ Miles over the hills Newchurch - Bryngwyn - Llanbedr - Llandewi Fach 9am 09.30 10am 10.40 12.00 1.00 4.00 6-7

Pre-Pilgrimage Eucharist at Bryngwyn Welcome and Refreshments at Newchurch Morning Service at Newchurch Laying of flowers at Emmeline’s Grave Readings/Music Recital at Bryngwyn Church, Picnic Lunch (bring your own) Tea at Llandbedr Church (provided) Evening Service at St David’s Llandewi Fach Transport back to Newchurch

ALL WELCOME Please feel free to join us at any stage More details: 01497 821414 or chambers2444@yahoo.co.uk Or visit www.gladestry.org.uk

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 June 2015 in Our Churches Sunday 31st May Trinity Sunday 9.30am Erwood Group Eucharist 11.00am Painscastle Group Eucharist

JUNE HIGHLIGHTS IN THE ERWOOD & PAINSCASTLE CHURCHES

Aberedw Llanbedr

Aberedw Feast

Sunday 7th June Trinity I/Pentecost II 9.00am Holy Eucharist Newchurch 9.30am Holy Eucharist Llanbadarn y Garreg 9.30am Morning Praise Llandeilo Graban 10.30am Mattins Newchurch (followed by refreshments at Rose Cottage) 11.00am Holy Eucharist Gwenddwr

Sunday 28th June We’ve decided this year to re-establish the old custom of the Aberedw Feast to celebrate the Church’s patron St. Cewydd. The Feast this year will be held on 28th June and will begin with a barbecue in the Church grounds at 1.00pm. This will be followed by a Songs of Praise in Church at 3.00pm. There will be a list at the back of church from the beginning of June, please do write down your favourite hymn and we’ll include as many as we can during the service; any that can’t be included will be sung during services in the next few months.

Sunday 14th June Trinity II/Pentecost III 9.30am Holy Eucharist Aberedw 11.00am Holy Eucharist Llanbedr 11.00am Morning Praise Crickadarn Sunday 21st June Trinity III/Pentecost IV 9.30am Holy Eucharist Llandeilo Graban 11.00am Morning Praise Gwenddwr 3.00pm Holy Eucharist Llandewi Fach

Festival Evensong & Dedication of New Kneelers At Llanbedr Church

Sunday 28th June Trinity IV/Eve of St. Peter 9.00am Holy Eucharist Bryngwyn 11.00am Holy Eucharist Crickadarn 3.00pm SONGS of PRAISE Aberedw 6.00pm PATRONAL FESTIVAL EVENSONG Llanbedr

Sunday 28th June The very talented ladies at St. Peter’s Llanbedr have been hard at work over the past months, designing and making a new set of hassocks (that’s kneelers to most of us!!) to go in front of the altar at Llanbedr Church. These will be dedicated during a festival Evensong on 28th June, the eve of St. Peter’s Day. The service and dedication will be followed by a “Llanbedr Tea”, and you all know how good that is, don’t you?

Sunday 5th July Trinity V/Pentecost VI 9.00am Holy Eucharist Newchurch 9.30am Holy Eucharist Llanbadarn y Garreg 9.30am Morning Praise Llandeilo Graban 10.30am Mattins Newchurch (followed by refreshments at Rose Cottage) 11.00am Holy Eucharist Gwenddwr

CONFIRMATION July 12th at Aberedw This year we are hosting a joint Confirmation Service for our local churches. Confirmation classes will begin in June at The Rectory. If you, or anybody you know would like to consider being confirmed, please speak to Ben as soon as possible, no definite commitment is needed as yet.

MOTHERS’ UNION This month we are joining with our fellow members on Wednesday 10th June for the Mothers Union Diocesan Festival in Brecon Cathedral. The service will start at 14.30 and is sure to be a positive and friendly gathering. We also send our congratulations to Crickadarn Mothers Union who will celebrate 105 years this month with a branch tea party. 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

Church Music Music A series about the music written specifically to enhance worship and Christian life. Written by David White.

William Byrd The composer, William Byrd, worked for the most part during the second half of the Sixteenth Century is to be reckoned as amongst the very top shelf of composers. He wrote wonderful and exciting music for harpsichord and organ, he more or less invented the English accompanied song, he wrote anthems and motets, settings of the Roman Catholic Mass as well as services for the Anglican Evening Prayer. He was born in 1543. That meant that his boyhood and adolescence was lived through the turbulent years of the English Reformation, covering the reigns of Henry VIII, Edward, Mary and eventually Elizabeth. At some point he became a pupil of Tallis becoming a friend and colleague of the older man. Both were musical Dukes of York of their period, marching their choristers up and down the hills of the various religious dispositions of the middle of the century. Byrd was clearly a most promising pupil because he went straight to the top of the musical profession becoming Master of Music at Lincoln Cathedral at the age of only 20. For all the marching up and down denominational hills, Byrd remained a discreet but devoted Roman Catholic for all his life. He learnt at his post in Lincoln to provide what the Cathedral masters required and clearly deserved and earned a huge

reputation because he was favoured by Queen Elizabeth and was thus able to avoid the worst of sanctions that might have come his way. Elizabeth actually enjoyed the Latin music he wrote and was not at all averse to using it her private chapel. Towards the end of his life Byrd moved away from London where he had moved after Lincoln to become a member of the Chapel Royal. Living in Essex he became close to a Roman Catholic family, the Petres. Probably for them Byrd wrote his three settings of the Mass for clandestine celebrations. He also started composing a huge collection of Latin motets (called Gradualia) One piece is the universally loved Ave verum corpus. Its simplicity is deceptive. The style is chordal, not elaborate and complicated as is most of his other music. The Byrd imprint is felt at the very start with the third chord in the piece being an astonishing surprise. At the end he writes exquisite dischords which all singers enjoy singing. Nowadays we are not quite so squeamish about singing Latin texts in church and particularly for the Eucharist (Byrd’s Masses for three and four voices are in regular repertoire at Brecon cathedral) and as singers and listeners we can enjoy his music whatever purpose was originally intended. DBW

2015 KILVERT PILGRIMAGE

Variety Concert

SUNDAY 26TH JULY 8 ½ Miles over the hills Newchurch - Bryngwyn - Llanbedr - Llandewi Fach

St David’s Church, Llanddewi’r Cwm 5th July 6.30pm

9am 09.30 10am 10.40 12.00 1.00 4.00 6-7

ALL WELCOME Please feel free to join us at any stage More details: 01497 821414 or chambers2444@yahoo.co.uk Or visit www.gladestry.org.uk

Tickets £5 include refreshments 10

The Upper Wye Group of Parishes Dear Friends…

Services for the Group Sunday 7th June Trinity I 11am Newbridge on Wye Morning Prayer 11am Llanfihangel Brynpabuan Holy Eucharist

As matters are progressing with Ministry Areas there is much to be positive about whilst also reflecting and praying about our fears. I have been encouraged by the way that so many of you are embracing the opportunity to join together in shared Benefice events, such as the services and Messy Church. Working together is a wonderful way of bringing so many talents to the table to enable us to minister to each other and to all of those around us. Moving forward together will enable us to gain a knowledge of those around us and allow us to be mission lead in our approach. As the summer is coming I look forward to the run of fetes and other fund raising events and all of us coming together as a family in Christ reaching out and loving people where they are. One area of fellowship that is growing is that of refreshments after services. This is wonderful opportunity for us to take time out of our busy lives to chat and enjoy each other’s company, if only for a few minutes. I thank you for all of your hard work and care. Me we go forward in the name of the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit. Love and prayers

Wednesday 10 June 2.30pm Caerwnon Park Social Club Songs of Praise Sunday 14 June Trinity II 9.30am Cwmbach 11am Newbridge on Wye

Holy Eucharist Holy Eucharist

Sunday 21 June Trinity III 11am Newbridge on Wye 3pm Llanafan Fawr

Holy Eucharist Holy Eucharist

Sunday 28 June Trinity IV 9:30am Cwmbach 11:00am Newbridge on Wye

Morning Prayer Holy Eucharist

Please join us for our regular said

Holy Eucharist Service every Wednesday at 10.00am All Saints Church, Newbridge on Wye Coffee Afterwards All are Welcome

Petra

Mothers Union News Wednesday 17 June at 7pm Mother’s Union Coffee and Film Evening Iron Room

Go Safe - Community Speed Watch Thanks to a great deal of effort from the community, Newbridge-on-Wye will soon see a new speed limit for the village introduced. PC Steve Parsons, Community Coordinator met with the Safety Committee and Newbrige on Wye Church in Wales School Council. They were joined by members of the Community Council, where they were informed of the new Community Speed Watch scheme. The aim is to attract volunteers from the community to assist with the speed watch scheme in the 20mph speed limits. Please contact the school office on 01597 860 273 or by email on office@newbridge.powys.sch.uk if you are interested in joining the group. Newbridge-on-Wye, Cwmbach Llechrhyd, Llanafan Fawr & Llanfihangel Brynpabuan Revd Petra Beresford-Webb, 9 Cae Nant, Newbridge-on-Wye, Llandrindod Wells LD1 6LQ, Tel: 01597 860842 or 07966 799546, Email: petra.beresfordwebb@yahoo.com 11

The Workhouse: A pivotal part of the poor relief system Before 1834 most parishes in Wales were still continuing to support their parish poor with ‘out relief’, whereby the pauper would be paid money to survive according to the rate as decided upon at the parish meetings. This was confirmed by a Parliamentary survey of 1877 that found that there were only 19 workhouses operating in Wales, whereas there were about 1,800 in England. This number had only slightly increased by 1815 to 59, but following the Poor Law Amendment Act of 1834 there were 47 Poor Law Unions created in Wales. However mid Wales resisted the opening of workhouses despite the new laws and in 1845 it was noted that there remained some Welsh unions without a workhouse. These were Builth, Lampeter, Tregaron, Presteigne and Rhayader. These unions were put under extreme pressure to comply and threatened with dissolution, and Presteigne was actually disbanded in 1877 and its poor sent to adjacent parish workhouses. Lampeter and Tregaron built workhouses in 1874 and 1876 respectively. Rhayader was the last to build in 1879, it was the last to comply in the whole of England and Wales. Its workhouse is now the Brynafon Hotel (next to the entrance to Gigrin Farm kite feeding station). Builth finally built its workhouse in 1875, on Brecon Road, and next month I will be looking in more depth at those in charge, the inmates, and the lives they led. Happy researching

Julie Martin

‘Nearer to God in a Garden’ - June SOLOMON'S SEAL – POLYGONATUM A useful hardy perennial that can be planted under trees or in the shade cast by large shrubs. The leaves have a decorative effect with the belllike white-green flowers appearing in June. Height 2 foot. Both the Latin and the common name refer to the roots of the plant. Polygonatum is from the Greek polys–many and gonu – small joint alluding to the many knots or joints in the roots. When the roots are cut open they are supposed to look like a seal used by kings. King Solomon was the son of David and his story can be found in 1 Kings and 2 Chronicles. King Solomon was known for his wisdom and when the Queen of Sheba heard about it she had to come to see for herself, 2 Chronicles 9. 1 Kings 3:16-28 tells the story of two women living in the same house who had sons within days of each other. One woman's son died in the night and she exchanged it for the living child. The true mother brought the case to King Solomon who sent for a sword to divide the child between the two mothers. The true mother said,' Oh my Lord give her the living child and in no way slay him.' Then King Solomon knew who the true mother was and awarded her the child.

Linda Lewis 12

The Parishes of the Irfon Valley & Blaenau Irfon This exciting adventure allowed them to experience the Lord Jesus move in people's lives in a deep, healing way. Hilary is as much a part of the Healing ministry as Hugh; they both worked incredibly hard and together created a wonderful foundation for Harnhill to build upon. In 1996 it was time to return to parish life and to share all the glory of the Holy Spirit's work in funding and support, as well as in spiritual ways. 10 years ago they retired to live outside Northampton, where their grandchildren live. They continue to serve the Lord in many ways and see Him at work in the parishes, the Counselling room, and in the Christian Centre where they work as volunteers.

Word from EOD Father Ben Griffiths, our acting Area Dean, has kindly given me permission to ask a friend to come and preach on the third Sunday of each month during the summer at Eglwys Oen Duw. This gives me great delight because I am fortunate to know of number of people who have retired or do not have a parish of their own to nurture every Sunday; so far I have filled the spaces up to September with a variety of interesting men (no women as yet), all of whom are good speakers and have interesting things to share with us. I do not want them to come and find only a dozen or so of our faithful and regular attenders. Please come and hear what they have to say and encourage others to do so, especially if you are not in the habit of going to church regularly or at all. I think we all suffer from a modern disease called Hurry Sickness. This is not a criticism, merely an observation. I have a bad dose of it! Most people say that they are too busy to come to church as it is the only day they have to take their children to football, riding, judo, ballet or any number of other things. Sometimes, would it not be good for the children simply to be at home? I think of the days of our ancestors who used to go to church or chapel once, twice or even three times on a Sunday. I feel that one’s Christian life (by which I mean one’s entire wellbeing) can be likened to a bank account. It is only prosperous if it is being topped up regularly. One cannot draw from an account with nothing in it; the analogy is that prayer and spending time with God is the only way in which we can keep our lives in good working order, like our bank accounts. This sounds as if I have my own life sorted, which I most certainly do not, but at least I know that it is important to keep the account ‘topped up’. By the time you read this we will already have listened to Paul Springate on 17th May. There will be a resume of each speaker before they come to us every month in Signposts, so please watch this space and make the effort to spread it around, especially in the Beulah locality. On 21st June we look forward to having Hugh and Hilary Kent with us. Hugh was ordained in the 60s serving in the Coventry and Gloucester dioceses. During that time they had three sons who now have children of their own. Part of Hugh's recreation was playing cricket for the diocese. In 1986 they were asked to join a team setting up the Harnhill Centre of Christian Healing near Cirencester, by Canon Arthur Dodds, a fellow cricketer.

Penelope Bourdillon

The late Mrs Gillian Raikes Mrs Gilliam Raikes formerly of Llanfechan House, Nr. Garth passed away on 26th November 2014. Mrs Raikes was a former Churchwarden and Member of St. Afan’s Church Llanfechan. Our sympathy goes to all her family.

Worship and Events Sunday 31st May Trinity Sunday (5th Sunday) 10.30am Benefice Eucharist St. David, Llanwrtyd Ministry Area PBW Sunday 7th June Pentecost II/Trinity I 9.30am Holy Eucharist Eglwys Oen Duw MS 11.00am Morning Prayer St. James MG 11.15am Holy Eucharist Llanlleonfel PBW 11.00am Holy Eucharist Llanfihangel Brynpabuan 11.15am Morning Prayer Llanganten Worship Team Sunday 14th June Pentecost III/Trinity II 9.30am Congregational Service Eglwys Oen Duw 9.30am Holy Eucharist Llangammarch CH/NH 11.00am Holy Eucharist St. James CH/NH 11.00am Morning Prayer Llanfechan Worship Team Sunday 21st June Pentecost IV/Trinity III 9.30am Holy Eucharist Eglwys Oen Duw HK 11.00am Holy Eucharist St. James MS 11.00am Holy Eucharist Newbridge CH/NH 11.15am Holy Eucharist Llanganten PBW Sunday 28th June Pentecost V/Trinity IV 9.30am Family Service Eglwys Oen Duw MG 9.30am Holy Eucharist Llangammarch MS 11.00am Holy Eucharist St. James CH/NH Sunday 5th July Pentecost VI/Trinity V 9.30am Holy Eucharist Eglwys Oen Duw PBW 11.00am Morning Prayer St. James Worship Team 11.15am Holy Eucharist Llanlleonfel MS 11.15am Morning Prayer Llanganten MG

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

FUNERAL DIRECTORS oil & gas servicing new installations bathrooms, lead work Pencae, Hay Road, Builth Wells Tel: 01982 551023 Mob: 07813 405039

Eat within the Old World Charm of the

COSY CORNER TEA ROOMS ROOMS Specialising in Home-cooked food

55 High Street, Builth Wells Tel: 01982 553585

Ben Lloyd & Son

A family business established in 1858

We now provide personalised pre-paid funeral plans PASADENA, 31 BRECON ROAD, BUILTH WELLS, POWYS LD2 3EB

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

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

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)

THE FOUNTAIN INN Builth Wells

(01982 553888)

BUILTH MINISTRY AREA Intercessions June 2015

01. Lay Readers in the Ministry Area 02. St Cewydd, Aberedw & all they serve 03. St David’s, Llanddewi’r-Cwm & all they serve 04. St Mary, Llanfaredd & all they serve 05. Childrenswork in the Ministry Area 06. St Dubricius, Gwenddwr & all they serve 07. St David, Rhulen & all they serve 08. Youthwork in the Ministry Area 09. Those in residential care in our Ministry Area 10. St David, Llanynis & all they serve 11. St Matthew, Llanelwedd & all they serve 12. St Michael, Bryngwyn & all they serve 13. The Mothers Union in the Ministry Area 14. Llanlleonfel Parish church & all they serve 15. World Mission Initiatives in the Ministry Area 16. St James, Llanwrtyd & all they serve 17. St Mary the Virgin, Builth Wells & all they serve 18. St David, Llanddewi-Fach & all they serve 19. All who read scripture in Services in the Ministry Area 20. St Bridget, Llansantffraed-in-Elwel & all they serve 21. St Teilo, Llandeilo Graban & all they serve 22. Lay Worship Leaders in the Ministry Area 23. St John the Divine, Cwmbach & all they serve 24. St Mary, Newchurch & all they serve 25. Llanelwedd Church in Wales School its staff & students 26. St David, Glascwm & all they serve 27. Church Foundation Governors in the Ministry Area 28. St Mary, Bettws Disserth & all they serve 29. All Church Officers in the Ministry Area 30. Schoolswork in the Ministry Area

Warm & Friendly Pub with open Fire 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-Z Of Churchyard Conservation

“W” is for Walls Stone stile in churchyardBecause of our mild, damp climate we have some of the finest wall vegetation in Europe. Top Tips for getting the balance right with plants and stonewalls: • Survey the wall plants growing on your churchyard boundary wall and church walls. • Decide on the management objectives for the walls and write a plan – plants take a long time to develop so mistakes can set them back for many years. • Only remove those species, which are likely to cause damage i.e. woody-stemmed plants such as shrub and tree saplings and ivy. • Remove woody-stemmed plants except for those with high conservation or amenity value. Flowering ivy for example is a valuable plant for many species, especially insects filling up on nectar before hibernating and birds feeding on ivy berries in the winter. Consider this when deciding how much ivy to remove - control rather than removal may be a better option in some places - especially when the ivy is holding the wall together! • Keep attractive, semi woody species (e.g. red valerian which has a slight ability to damage walls) in places, which are very visible and easily accessible for re-pointing 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

Piano Tuning David Day B.A., L.R.A.M., M.P.T.A.

Qualified Piano Tuner covering Mid Wales

Memorial Masons Tel 01874 622755 www.dougprosser-brecon.com

Tel: 01982 553623 Mob: 07966594663 tuning@piano-tuning-wales.co.uk www.piano-tuning-wales.co.uk

W Cook The Medical Hall Llanwrtyd Wells

Eye Health Examination Wales and Low Vision Accredited

For all your farm needs ‘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 Garth Road, Builth Wells Tel: 01982 552210

Eye examinations Contact lenses Spectacle Frames and lenses Low Vision Assessments

Drug Store, Stationery & Toys, Gifts, Cosmetics, Greetings Cards, Batteries & Torches,

Tel: 01591 610 207

Cavendish House, Middleton St, Llandrindod Wells 01597 823400 23 High St, Builth Wells 01982 552801 www.sgmarshall.co.uk

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 (July and August): Monday 8 June 2015 16