Clarence Hall Newsletter Issue 28, November 2023

Issue 28

November 2023

CRICKHOWELL’S

CL ARENCE HALL NEWSLETTER & WHAT’S ON Fundraising Ra e

Black Mountains Comedy Festival We’re excited to con rm that plans are now in place for next year’s Black Mountains Comedy Festival!

Once again, this will be a weekend of warmth and laughter with two packed Gala Comedy Evenings at the Clarence Hall on Friday, 2 and Saturday, 3 February.

We’re delighted to announce the launch of our 2024 Fundraising Raf e!

The event stars Bridget Christie and Hal Cruttenden, with support from Rhoss Smith, Julia Stenton, Mike Reed, Leila Navabi, Sarah Bridgeman, Huw Davies and Steffan Evans.

Highlights include two tickets to the Green Man Festival 2024, a £200 voucher for the Welsh Millennium Centre in Cardiff, a day’s shing for two at Glanusk, tea for two at The Angel, Abergavenny and much, much more.

Tickets are £1 each and will be sold at various local events over the forthcoming months. There is no limit as to how many tickets you can buy, but remember, you have to be in it to win it! All funds raised will go towards the Clarence Hall’s refurbishment.

Matinee, fringe and outreach events are still to be announced.

We are very grateful to all those who have generously donated the prizes; a full list of these can be found on at https://www.clarencehallcrickhowell.org.uk/ fundraising-raf e/.

Tickets available online from 1 November.

The draw will take place at the Clarence Hall on Tuesday, 19 March 2024. The raf e is registered under the Gambling Act 2025 with Powys County Council, Licence No LN/201900388.

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Issue 28

November 2023

Crickhowell u3a hits 15!

Crickhowell & District University of the Third Age celebrated its 15th anniversary with an evening of quizzing, wine, food and song at the Clarence Hall on 11 October.

With a 400 plus membership, the u3a has been a huge success in providing a wide range of activities for people of a mature age. Part of a worldwide network, Crickhowell & District u3a was founded in 2008 and now operates with around 30 Special Interest Groups to which more are being added year by year.

The anniversary celebration was opened with a greeting by Chair Kate Thomas, followed by a brain-testing general knowledge quiz hosted by Mike Axford with supplementary material by Roger Bowen. This was won by regular quizzers Jenny and Malcolm Thomas, Jan and Keith Miles and Terry and Marion Riley.

After the cheese and wine refreshments sourced from local producers, the audience of around 60 members was musically entertained by the songbirds of the Ebbw Valebased ladies of Can Aderyn.

The Will Barnes Quartet’s debut album The Will Barnes Quartet, in collaboration with skilled landscape artist Erin Hughes, are proud to present their debut album, ‘Source of the Severn’ at the Clarence Hall on Saturday, 18 November.

Will Barnes (guitar) will be joined by James Batten (drums), Jack Gonsalez (piano) and Clovis Phillips (bass) – a tight collective of highly experienced jazz instrumentalists. With their fresh, ery solos of brilliant skill, gorgeous phrasing and masterful lyricism, this album of original music is a modern take on the classic bebop-era, further taking inspiration from the exquisite landscape of Mid-Wales and the Marches, which they will be touring extensively through late 2023 and 2024.

The performance commences at 8.00pm; doors at 7.30pm. Tickets £10 from Webbs, Crickhowell or the Clarence Hall Ticketline on 01873 811293. Tickets can be reserved on the Clarence Hall Ticketline by leaving a message with your name, the event for which you require tickets and the number of tickets required. These can then be collected and paid for on the door. Please note that this is a message only service.

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Issue 28

November 2023

Persian Rug Sale Michael Lomax’s carpet and rug sale returns to the Clarence Hall from Wednesday, 1 November to Saturday, 4 November, 10am-4pm. Entering the Hall when Mike is there is like entering Aladdin’s Cave. The whole place is bedecked in stunning, vibrantly coloured and skilfully patterned, carpet.

u3a November meeting Join Crickhowell’s thriving u3a for its November meeting on Tuesday, 7 November at the Clarence Hall. Kevin Walker will discuss ‘Messing with the Masonry’. Coffee is served from 10am, with announcements and u3a business matters at 10.30am, followed by the guest speaker. Nonmembers are welcome to attend monthly meetings free of charge. Further information at: https:// www.crickhowellu3a.org/monthly-meetings

Lunch-time Recital Programme Supporting local performing artists, the Clarence Hall lunch-time Recital Programme continues on Saturday, 11 November from 12.30-1.30pm, featuring Ian Cooper and the Uskulele Group. Admission is free with complimentary tea and coffee available, but there will be a collection for the Clarence Hall Refurbishment Appeal. This series is sponsored by the Clarence Hall for the community.

Christmas Fair and Santa’s Grotto Crickhowell Volunteer Bureau is in need of donations for their Christmas Fair & Santa’s Grotto at the Clarence Hall on Saturday, 25 November, 10am-3pm.

Do you have any bric a brac, toys, books, toiletries, handbags etc? Please drop off any items at their of ce in CRiC between 10am and 3pm. Local collections can be arranged by contacting the Volunteer Bureau on 01873 812177 or emailing crickhowellvolunteerbureau@gmail.com

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Issue 28

November 2023

Eyes Down!

Diary Dates @ Clarence Hall

Monthly Bingo returns to the Clarence Hall at 7pm on Thursday, 23 November 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.o rg.uk/monthly-bingo-20/

Rug Sale 1-4 November u3a meeting 7 November Local Government Election 9 November Lunchtime Recital Programme with Uskulele 11 November Rug Sale 15–18 November The Will Barnes Quartet Live 18 November Monthly Bingo!

23 November Crickhowell Volunteer Bureau’s Christmas Fair & Santa’s Grotto 25 November

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 October Draw, as drawn by random number indicator: £50 - 119; £15 - 62; £10 - 278.

Sign up at: https:// www.clarencehallcrickhowell.o rg.uk/clarence500/

Vintage, Antique & Makers Market 2 December u3a meeting 5 December Elf the Musical (JR) 12-16 December Christmas Extravaganza with Abergavenny Borough Band 17 December Carol Concert with Abertillery Orpheus Male Choir 22 December Tom Jones Festive Tribute featuring Dean Jones 28 December

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

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