Clarence Hall Newsletter Issue 30, January 2024

Issue 30

January 2024

CRICKHOWELL’S

CL ARENCE HALL NEWSLETTER & WHAT’S ON A message from Dean Christy, our Chairman

A busy 2024 ahead!

As we look forward to 2024, I would like to take this opportunity to wish all our friends and supporters a happy and healthy New Year.

Particular thanks are due to all those who have donated to our charity over the past year to help us deliver what the community told us they wanted. I would also like to express my sincere thanks to my fellow Trustees, as well as all the other volunteers who have freely given their time to support us in so many ways.

Without their assistance we would not be where we are now.

2024 is shaping up to be a busy year for the Clarence Hall! The rst few months see Crickhowell & District Players taking to stage with Puss in Boots, a traditional family pantomime; the return of the Black Mountains Comedy Festival, showcasing a mix of well-known comedians and rising stars as well as a Saturday full of fun for families; an evening with author Jasper Fforde when he will discuss his highly anticipated new book Red Side Story; and a lunchtime recital with EOS, a talented wind quintet.

All this, alongside our regular Bingo evenings, Persian rug sales, ESOL/English for Speakers of other Languages classes, U3A meetings, Dance Beats classes, Cantorion Phoenix rehearsals and a new fun evening class, details of which will be announced shortly!

During the past year, enormous progress has been made towards achieving the vision we have for the Clarence Hall.

We are about to embark on the nal phase of our current redevelopment project and look forward to delivering a venue that will bene t the whole community.

Work is also continuing on the Hall’s redevelopment, with the focus on the nal part of the project - the creation of a new bar area in the foyer as well as two new accessible toilets.

Keep an eye out for posters, social media updates and the What’s On page of our website to nd out more.

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January 2024

Festive Fun at the Clarence Hall!

The run up to Christmas was full of festive fun at Crickhowell’s Clarence Hall.

The season kicked off with an excellent Christmas Fair as part of Crickhowell Volunteer Bureau’s Santa’s Grotto day, followed by a successful Vintage, Antique & Makers Market, organised by Mischievous Cow Events. Musical events included AAODS’ Juniors outstanding performance of Elf the Musical JR; a magical Christmas Musical Extravaganza with Abergavenny Borough Band and Gilwern School Choir; rounded off with a festive Carol Concert with Abertillery Orpheus Male Choir, organised by Crickhowell Rugby. Local community choir Cantorion Phoenix were also busy rehearsing for their popular All that Jingles concert at Govilon’s Christ Church.

The talented Dance Beats put on a superb end of term performance for family and friends and Christ Church Crickhowell arranged various Christmas services, including an International Carol Service and a Community Carol Service.

Various musical groups also appeared at local hostelries (including The Bear and Treebeards) where they led the carol singing and raised money for our Refurbishment Fund. We’re very grateful to you all!

It’s been a fabulous Christmas season and once again, we’re delighted to have been at the heart of the Crickhowell Community.

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January 2024

Crickhowell u3a Join Crickhowell’s thriving u3a for its January meeting on Tuesday, 9 January. Tom Bullough will discuss ‘Wales, the Saints and the Climate Crisis’. Coffee is served from 10am, with announcements and u3a business matters at 10.30am, followed by the guest speaker. Non-members are welcome to attend monthly meetings free of charge. Further information at: https://www.crickhowellu3a.org/monthlymeetings

Puss in Boots Pantomime Join Crickhowell & District Players for Puss in Boots from Thursday, 18 to Saturday, 20 January. This is a show by a local society for the local community, so come along and join in the fun! Tickets £6 from Crickhowell Volunteer Bureau in the CRiC building or the Clarence Hall ticket line on 01873 811293. Leave a message with your name, number of tickets required, performance date and time and collect at the door.

Rug Sale Michael Lomax’s carpet and rug sale returns to the Clarence Hall from Wednesday, 24 January to Saturday, 27 January, 10am-4pm. Entering the Hall when Mike is there is like entering Aladdin’s Cave, with stunning, vibrantly coloured, and skilfully patterned, carpets.

Black Mountains Comedy Festival The Black Mountains Comedy Festival returns to the Clarence Hall from Thursday, 1 February to Saturday, 3 February. The event stars Bridget Christie and Hal Cruttenden and includes a free circus skills workshop and slapstick circus matinee show. The Saturday night gala event is now sold out, but tickets are available for the other events from https://blackmountainsfestivals.com/tickets/

An evening with Jasper Fforde Join Book-ish for An evening with Jasper Fforde to discuss his highly anticipated new book Red Side Story.

The event will take place on 9 February at 7:30pm. Tickets £12 or £20 (to include a copy of his book) from Book-ish on 01873 811256 or at https://www.book-ish.co.uk/event/anevening-with-jasper-fforde/ Clarence Hall - where community meets, stays active, learns skills & volunteers

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January 2024

Eyes Down!

Diary Dates @ Clarence Hall

Monthly Bingo returns to the Clarence Hall at 7pm on Thursday, 4 January to raise funds for our refurbishment project.

Monthly Bingo!

4 January

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-21/

u3a meeting 9 January Cantorion Phoenix rehearsals restart 9 January Dance Beats classes restart 9 January Puss in Boots with Crickhowell & District Players 18-20 January Rug Sale 24-27 January Black Mountains Comedy Festival 1, 2 & 3 February u3a meeting 6 February Monthly Bingo!

8 February

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 December Draw, as drawn by random number indicator: £50 - 100; £15 - 99; £10 - 205.

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

An evening with Jasper Fforde 9 February Rug Sale 14-17 February

2024 Fundraising Raffle Highlights of our Fundraising Raf e include two tickets to the Green Man Festival, a £200 voucher for the Welsh Millennium Centre, 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, with funds going towards the Hall’s refurbishment.

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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