CL ARENCE HALL
NEWSLETTER & WHAT’S ON
Highlights at the Hall!
In mid-September, the Clarence Hall played host to a memorable evening, as Keith Davies BCAv stepped into the spotlight with his ever-popular tribute to Elvis, supported by the Memphis Mafia. With trademark style and showmanship, Keith brought the King’s music to life, filling the hall with nostalgia and energy.
From classic rock ‘n’ roll numbers and powerful ballads to impromptu solo spots, the setlist had something for everyone, with laughter, applause and sing-along moments throughout. We’re so grateful to Keith for generously giving his time and talent and to the volunteers and audience members whose support helps keep the Clarence Hall at the heart of community life in Crickhowell.
Later in the month, the Hall was packed for a thoroughly engaging evening with author Mick Herron. We were delighted to welcome the number one bestselling and award-winning novelist, best known for his Slough House thrillers.
The occasion marked the publication of Clown Town, the ninth novel in the series that has become an international sensation and an award-winning TV drama starring Gary Oldman, Kristin Scott Thomas and Jack Lowden. Thanks go to Emma Corfield-Walters and the team at BOOK-ISH for hosting such a special night.
Crickhowell Volunteer Bureau continued to run their much-loved activities throughout the month, with their newly-launched fortnightly Luncheon Club proving a popular initiative, bringing people together for good food, company and entertainment. Regular groups such as Painting for Pleasure, Knit & Natter and Time to Reminisce provide space for creativity and conversation, while Chess Club, Massage Sessions, Line Dancing and Indoor Bowls offer opportunities to relax and keep active.
Clarence Hall - where community meets, stays active, learns skills & volunteers
A busy time ahead!
October is set to be a lively month at the Clarence Hall, with something for everyone. The programme begins with an Autumn Flower Arranging workshop led by Deb from Petals of Crickhowell, followed by a varied line-up that ranges from local talks and concerts to markets and family entertainment.
Highlights include the ever-popular u3a meeting with a talk on “Music’s Golden Age” with Stephen Marshall, a concert by the Cân Aderyn Singers in aid of the Living with Dementia Society and an inspiring day hosted by Llangattock Green Valleys exploring the future of community energy. Mid-month brings a relaxing Musical Tea with the Wales Recorder Orchestra and harpist Eleri Darkins, along with a chance to join in Community Conversations with PAVO. The Crickhowell Garden Society meets to hear Rob Evans of Pheasant Acre Plants on the theme of spring bulbs and Mischievous Cow Events return with their excellent Vintage, Antique & Makers Market
For those looking for something livelier, British Kingdom Pro Wrestling promises family-friendly fun in the ring, while the regular Bingo night with Mike Davies offers a more traditional kind of entertainment. October also brings an evening of high-energy rhythm and soul from Big Mac’s Wholly Soul Band, a feel-good lunchtime concert with Uskulele and the Celtic Roots Festival featuring a concert with Crickhowell Choral Society, harpist Rose Graham and soprano Eve Carey.
With so much on the calendar, October at the Clarence Hall offers a wealth of ways to meet, learn, celebrate and connect. Keep an eye out for posters, social media updates and our website to find out more - https://www.clarencehallcrickhowell.org.uk/whats-on/
Celtic Roots Festival
A brand-new Celtic Roots Festival is coming to Llangattock and Crickhowell during autumn half-term, from 26 October to 2 November. The festival will celebrate the area’s rich Celtic heritage — from Iron Age hill forts and early Christian sites to the artistry and spirituality of Celtic culture. Julian Stedman, Chair of the Friends of St Edmund’s Church, said the week would be “a chance to learn more about the Celtic history of the area, to remember the saints who established places of worship here and to celebrate our cultural heritage together”.
The programme will open with concerts from the Jerusalem Choir and Crickhowell Choral Society (see next page) and close with a Twmpath (Welsh ceilidh) and All Saints’ celebrations. Events across the week will include a Children’s Club, Youth Café, pilgrimage walks, talks and poetry readings, with many free to attend. Organised by the Friends of St Edmund’s and St Catwg’s, the festival will also support the restoration of the area’s historic churches. More details available at celticroots.org.uk.
Coming up at Clarence Hall
Building resilience in young people
A new four-week course, run by Dr Emily Lovegrove, will explore practical and successful strategies that families and schools can use to build resilience in young people. It runs on 2, 9, 16 and 23 October, from 7.30pm to 8.30pm. Places are limited to 20 participants and the cost is £40 for the four weeks. To find out more, email emilylovegrove@icloud.com.
U3A
The next meeting of Crickhowell’s thriving u3a is on Tuesday, 7 October when Stephen Marshall will speak on “Music’s Golden Age”. Coffee is served from 10am, with announcements and u3a matters at 10.30am, followed by the guest speaker. More info at: https://www.crickhowellu3a.org/monthly-meetings
Cân Aderyn Singers in Concert
Join us on Friday, 10 October at 7.30pm for an evening with the Cân Aderyn Singers – a dynamic all-female vocal group known for their energy, harmony and diverse repertoire. Organised by Living with Dementia, this fundraising event will include a bar run by the Dragon Inn. Doors open at 6.30pm. Tickets £15 from www.canaderyn.co.uk or phone/text/ WhatsApp Suzan on 07876 085 769.
The future of community energy
Llangattock Green Valleys are hosting another round of community events over the next few weeks– and there’s lots to talk about. Join them on Saturday, 11 October between 11am and 3pm at the Clarence Hall to find out more about the future of Community Energy in the 5 Councils Area. More information from info@llangattockgreenvalleys.org
Musical Tea
Enjoy an afternoon of tea, cake and live music with the Wales Recorder Orchestra and Welsh triple harpist Eleri Darkins at 2.30pm on Sunday, 12 October. Tickets £5 for adults, £1 for students, with free entry for children under 11. Available from Crickhowell Volunteer Bureau or Orchestra Members.
Community Conversation
Join PAVO for a Community Conversation between 9.30am and 11.30pm on Tuesday, 14 October. Share what matters to your community over tea, coffee and cake, meet local groups and discover activities happening near you. Can’t make it? Have your say online at https://buff.ly/LbAtV3V
Crickhowell Garden Society
Join Crickhowell Garden Society for its next meeting at 2pm on Tuesday, 14 October Rob Evans of Pheasant Acre Plants will discuss Spring bulbs. Refreshments/raffle available after the talk. Members attend for free; £3 for guests and non-members. More information from crickhowellgardensociety@gmail.com
Vintage, Antique & Makers Market
The Vintage, Antique & Makers Market, organised by Mischievous Cow Events, returns on Saturday, 18 October, 10am-4pm. This vibrant, free-entry indoor fair features an array of stands, showcasing vintage and antique treasures, as well as unique creations from local artisans.
Live Family Friendly Wrestling
British Kingdom Pro Wrestling returns to Crickhowell on Sunday, 19 October and promises an afternoon of thrilling, fully interactive live wrestling. There’ll also be an opportunity to meet and greet the wrestlers after the event. Doors open at 3pm; first bell at 3.30pm. Tickets from https://tinyurl.com/yc7bep9n
Big Mac’s Wholly Soul Band
Presented by Global Promotions, Big Mac’s Wholly Soul Band returns on Friday, 24 October. Doors open at 7.15pm for 8.30pm. Bring your dancing shoes for this 12 piece classic soul band! Licensed bar available. Tickets £18 plus booking fee from Crickhowell Volunteer Bureau and online at https:// www.seetickets.com
Rock & Pop with Uskulele
On Saturday, 25 October, between 12.30pm and 2pm, the Clarence Hall will be filled with the sound of lively rock and pop as Uskulele return to Crickhowell. The group, led by Ian Cooper, has built a reputation for bringing energy and warmth to their performances. Refreshments available. Admission is free but there will be a collection for the Clarence Hall Refurbishment Appeal.
Celtic Roots Festival Opening Concert
Join us on Sunday, 26 October at 3pm for the Opening Concert of the Celtic Roots Festival. Featuring Crickhowell Choral Society, harpist Rose Graham and soprano Eve Carey, this Celtic Welcome will include Haydn’s Choruses from The Seasons and arrangements of traditional Welsh folk songs. Admission is free with a retiring collection. Refreshments available.
Diary Dates at Clarence Hall
The Painting Room - 1 October
Flower Arranging Workshop - 1 October
Line Dancing - 1 October
Neck & Shoulder Massage - 2 October
Hand & Facial Massage - 2 October
Resilience Workshop - 2 October
Chess Club - 6 October
Time to Reminisce - 6 October
Line Dancing - 6 October
u3a - 7 October
Knit & Natter - 7 October
The Painting Room - 8 October
Luncheon Club - 8 October
Line Dancing - 8 October
Neck & Shoulder Massage - 9 October
Indoor Bowls - 9 October
Resilience Workshop - 9 October
Cân Aderyn Singers - 10 October
Community Energy - 11 October
Musical Tea - 12 October
Chess Club - 13 October
Time to Reminisce - 13 October
Line Dancing - 13 October
Community Conversation - 14 October
Knit & Natter - 14 October
Crickhowell Garden Society - 14 October
The Painting Room - 15 October
Line Dancing - 15 October
Eyes Down!
Monthly Bingo returns to the Clarence Hall at 7pm on Thursday, 23 October to raise funds for ongoing repairs and maintenance. Admission £10.
More information at: https:// www.clarencehallcrickhowell.org.uk/ monthly-bingo-10-25/
Neck & Shoulder Massage - 16 October
Indoor Bowls - 16 October
Resilience Workshop - 16 October
Vintage & Makers Market - 18 October
Family Friendly Wrestling - 19 October
Chess Club - 20 October
Time to Reminisce - 20 October
Line Dancing - 20 October
Knit & Natter - 21 October
The Painting Room - 22 October
Luncheon Club - 22 October
Line Dancing - 22 October
Neck & Shoulder Massage - 23 October
Indian Head Massage - 23 October
Indoor Bowls - 23 October
Monthly Bingo - 23 October
Resilience Workshop - 23 October
Big Mac’s Wholly Soul Band - 24 October
Uskulele - 25 October
Celtic Welcome Concert - 26 October
Chess Club - 27 October
Time to Reminisce - 27 October
Line Dancing - 27 October
Knit & Natter - 28 October
The Painting Room - 29 October
Line Dancing - 29 October
Neck & Shoulder Massage - 30 October
Indoor Bowls - 30 October
Clarence Hall 500
Join the Clarence Hall 500 to raise funds for the Hall’s ongoing refurbishment and be in with a chance of winning monthly cash prizes.
Sign up at: https:// www.clarencehallcrickhowell.org.uk/ clarence-hall-500/
We will be issuing these newsletters periodically to keep our supporters up to date with events coming to the Clarence Hall and also to update you on our ongoing 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