Issue 12
August 2022
CRICKHOWELL’S
CL ARENCE HALL NEWSLETTER & WHAT’S ON Fundraising success for local groups! Our community was fortunate to bene t from two tremendous events at the Clarence Hall in July, raising much needed funds for Cancer Research and Living with Dementia. Cancer Research’s Crickhowell Fundraising Committee held an event on 22 July with The Black Rat Effect playing toe-tapping tunes guaranteed to get everyone dancing. On 23 July, Tom Jones & Elvis took the Clarence Hall by storm in an extravaganza organised by Living with Dementia. Well done to everyone involved!
Rusty Recorders - not so rusty! The Clarence Hall’s Lunch-time Recital Programme is a series of events designed to encourage live music performances in Crickhowell, with an emphasis on accessibility and easy listening. The series is sponsored by the Clarence Hall for the community. Admission is free but there is a collection for the Clarence Hall Refurbishment Appeal for those who wish to donate. The most recent performance, on 2 July, saw the rst concert by the ensemble, Rusty Recorders. Formed just two years ago during lockdown, their hard work has paid off. The lunchtime recital saw Rusty Recorders perform robust renaissance dances by Susato joined by drum and the buzzing sound of the tenor crumhorn; elegant baroque music by Lully and Purcell; traditional Welsh melodies including Suo Gân and to nish, a jazzy piece called Joe’s Jitters composed by Alyson Lewin. The stars of the concert were undoubtedly the three children who tried their hands at playing the large drum - they were given a loud round of applause! The appreciative audience approved the announcement that from September, Rusty Recorders will be known as Black Mountains Recorders. They will return to the Clarence Hall in November for a further Lunchtime Recital. There will be a new Rusty group for people who would like to dust off their school recorders and have fun! For more details, contact: carolinejonesrecorders@hotmail.com
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Clarence Hall - where community meets, stays active, learns skills & volunteers
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Issue 12
August 2022
Crickhowell Rotary Duck Race The Clarence Hall Refurbishment Fund is fortunate to have been chosen as one of ve local charities to bene t from the Crickhowell Rotary Duck Race Draw 2022. The initiative is led by two very important ducks ‘Malvin the Mallard’ and ‘Tilly the Teal’ who have joined forces with local organisations to raise funds for community good causes and Rotary Charities on a 50:50 basis. Malvin and Tilly invite you to buy a Duck at £5 each and to choose one of the ve nominated causes as the co-bene ciary. The other half of the donation will go to the Rotary Charity Fund which is distributed largely among local organisations. So what are you waiting for? Visit https://www.crickhowellduckrace.co.uk to support the Clarence Hall and other local good causes! The actual Duck Race will take place on Saturday, 27 August between 1pm and 5pm in Bullpit Meadow. There will be lots of fun for the whole family, with a BBQ, refreshments, face painting, ‘hook a duck’ and much, much more. Join Crickhowell Rotary and the various charities being supported for a “quacking time”.
Crickhowell Celebrates! Our series of events to celebrate the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee continues in September with a fascinating talk, ‘Memories of the Clarence Hall & Crickhowell’ by Ryland Wallace & John Webb, hosted by Dame Shân Legge-Bourke; and ‘David Lewis’, an original Victorian Melodrama by Crickhowell Pantomime Society. Events not to be missed! Further information available on our website and on the Hall and Town Council Facebook pages and noticeboards. September Memories of the Clarence Hall & Crickhowell with Ryland Wallace & John Webb, hosted by Dame Shân Legge-Bourke 9 September @ 7.00pm ‘David Lewis’ a Crickhowell Victorian Melodrama, with Crickhowell Pantomime Society 30 September & 1 October @ 7.00pm
October Community tree planting in Bullpit Meadow November Abergavenny Borough Band 18 November @ 7.00pm December Carols, Hymns & Pimm’s 10 December @ 7.00pm 2
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Clarence Hall - where community meets, stays active, learns skills & volunteers
Issue 12
August 2022
Clarence Hall Gems! In the latest in our series on the “Clarence Hall Gems”, Hall Trustee and Director, David Jeremiah considers the Hall’s front facade.
The Hall’s design is a mixture of Gothic Revival and Arts and Crafts. Our Victorian architect ensured that the Hall had the required sharp, gothic outline. He did this by making all the quoins, capping, and corbels out of sculptured cream Oolitic Limestone. It made the Hall lovely to look at but a nightmare to maintain! Oolitic limestone is made up of small spheres called ooiliths, that are stuck together by lime mud. It was loved by the Victorians as it is hard and resistant to erosion. Unfortunately, our limestone has started to degrade. Its reclamation is for the specialist and will be expensive. Consequently, our approach will probably be to rst halt the degradation. We can then seek targeted funds which will allow us to either recut the surfaces or undertake repairs.
RENT Abergavenny Star Players return to the stage with their performance of RENT from 18-20 August, in aid of local charities. Performances commence at 7pm. Inspired by Puccini’s opera La Bohème, RENT resonates with anyone who’s struggled with life, love and their discontents. The show follows a group of friends who grapple with addiction, eviction, sexual identity, parents, materialism and the yearning to leave a meaningful legacy. Tickets from https:// www.ticketsource.co.uk/asp
Andy Fairweather Low Wood red Summit presents legendary Welsh musician Andy Fairweather Low and The Low Riders at 7.30pm on Friday, 26 August. A widely respected musician, Andy has played guitar with legendary artists including Eric Clapton, George Harrison, Bob Dylan, Jimi Hendrix, The Band and Roger Waters. A few tickets remain for the all seated show at https:// wood redsummit.bigcartel.com/.
Crickhowell Flower Show Crickhowell Flower Show and Open Gardens return on Saturday, 3 September with a full range of competitions, including Kids and Fun Categories! Contact crickhowellgardensociety@gmail.com for a copy of the Show Schedule and entry forms.
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Issue 12
August 2022
Eyes Down!
Diary Dates @ Clarence Hall
Monthly Bingo returns to the Clarence Hall at 7pm on Thursday, 25 August to raise funds for our refurbishment project. Admission £10 which includes a bingo book of six games, a pen and your rst drink. More information at: https:// www.clarencehallcrickhowell .org.uk/monthly-bingo-6/
Simply Nails 2 August U3A meeting 2 August Ukraine Support Group 4 August Rug Sale 10-13 August Abergavenny Star Players - Rent 18-20 August Bingo! 25 August Andy Fairweather Low & the Low Riders 26 August Crickhowell Flower Show & Open Gardens 3 September Simply Nails 6 September U3A Meeting 6 September Memories of the Clarence Hall & Crickhowell 9 September Llangattock Woodlanders - Circus Berzercus 11 September Rug Sale 14-17 September History Society 21 September Bingo! 22 September An evening with Dr Karl Kennedy 23 September ‘David Lewis’, a Victorian Melodrama 30 September & 1 October
Clarence Hall 500 Join the Clarence Hall 500 to raise funds for the Hall’s refurbishment whilst at the same time offering members the opportunity to win monthly cash prizes. Results of the July Draw, as drawn by random number indicator: £50 - 144; £15 - 280; £10 - 49. Sign up at: https:// www.clarencehallcrickhowell .org.uk/clarence500/
We will be issuing these newsletters periodically to keep our supporters up to date with events coming to Crickhowell’s Clarence Hall and also to tell you about progress with our plans to refurbish the Hall. You can also keep yourselves informed by visiting our website at www.clarencehallcrickhowell.org.uk where there is a What’s On Diary and News Page, or you can follow @clarencehallcrickhowell on Facebook. Any questions, please email us on clarencehall@btinternet.com Clarence Hall - where community meets, stays active, learns skills & volunteers
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