• View current and past issues online at www.aroundllangorselake.co.uk •
THE GRAPEVINE
The local newsletter for Llangorse, Bwlch and surrounding communities Llangorse • Llanfihangel Talyllyn • Talyllyn • Llanywern • Pennorth • Llangasty • Cathedine • Bwlch Autumn / Winter 2014
Please send in your articles! To make the next issue of The Grapevine as informative as possible, we need your help! The next newsletter will be published in early 2015. Details will be posted on aroundllangorselake.co.uk in due course.
Be a journalist! Please send us your articles, news, and what’s on in and around Llangorse & Bwlch. Contact details on page 10. Wherever possible your articles will be published in the next issue, however the editors reserve the right to edit articles or hold them back for subsequent issues should there be insufficient space in the current issue.
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Published by Discover Llangorse & Bwlch in October 2014
Open all yea r!
Kirsty Williams AM
&copy services
Roger Williams MP Brecon and Radnorshire We are always happy to hear your views and help with any issues you may have. Please get in touch if you think we can be of assistance. 01874 730030 • 07973 984 461 print@greenergraphics.co.uk www.greenergraphics.co.uk Have a look at the website for design, signage and exhibition services.
Tea, Coffee , Mulled Wine & Mince Pies
• • • •
Christmas Trees Christmas Veg Christmas Gifts Christmas Hampers
Write: 4 Watergate, Brecon, LD3 9AN. Telephone: 01874 625739 Email Roger: williamsr@parliament.uk Email Kirsty: kirsty.williams@wales.gov.uk
Enjoy the festive season with Beacons Farm Shop @ Welsh Venison Centre
Order your Christmas Poultry: Whole Turkey, Turkey Butterflies, Goose, Duck, Large Chicken Our own Venison, Beef & Lamb
Check out our new website and online shop coming soon Beacons Farm Shop@ Welsh Venison Centre, Middlewood, Bwlch, Brecon, Powys, LD3 7HQ www.beaconsfarmshop.co.uk Tel: 01874 730 929 E: info@beaconsfarmshop.co.uk
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The Grapevine - Autumn / Winter 2014
Want to learn WELSH ?
Complete beginner , or know some and want to know more ? When ? Depending upon numbers who are interested, a group may be formed at time to suit the majority. Usually sessions run for up to two hours per session, and terms usually last around ten weeks. Maybe you are unsure, or don’t feel too confident ? Perhaps you would like a taster session or two ? Where ? In this area - depending upon group, we would find the closest location. In addition, there is also a class ... ...for relative beginners on Tuesdays at 9.30am, Llangors Village Hall, starting 23rd. September. Come and join - if we’ve started already you can still give us a try! Croeso ! (see: www.learnwelshinmidwales.org)
Contact: 01874 658 298
for information, or to express an interest.
Supported by Aberystwyth University: Lifelong Learning
Recipe: Autumn Special - Shoulder of Pork Ingredients: • Shoulder of pork – boned and rolled • Salt and pepper - Helen Mon sea salt • Aber-valley Apple Juice • Vegetables – carrots, swede, butternut squash, onion • Roasted veg – carrots, red onion, peppers • Cooking apples
How to Cook... Welsh Venison Centre Style! 1. Pick up your shoulder of pork from your local farm shop – cut and prepared by your butcher while you wait. You can also pick up Helen Mon sea salt, Aber-valley Apple Juice and your vegetables. 2. Cut and prepare roasted vegetables 3. Place the pork in roasting tray along with the vegetables; carrots, swede, butternut squash and onion 4. Season with salt and pepper and a bottle of Aber-valley Apple Juice. 5. Cover with foil and place in oven for 8 hours at 120oC 6. Take the foil off for last hour and increase heat for that extra crispy crackling 7. Serve with a gravy, apple sauce and roasted vegetables 8. Plate up your chilli on a bed of tortilla/nachos and sprinkle on some grated welsh cheddar cheese
Enjoy! www.aroundllangorselake.co.uk
Elaine Morgan Page 3
International swimmers and rugby players in action at the first ever Llangorse Lake Big Swim and Triathlon Junior international swimmer Sophie Evans took top honours at the first ever Llangorse Lake Big Swim when she was the first woman to complete the 6km open water course. Sophie from Aberdare, who completed the swim without a wetsuit, has represented Team GB at the European and World Junior Open Water Championships this year. Sophie gained a silver medal at the European Championships in Zagreb, Croatia, in July, before travelling to the world event in Eilat, Israel, last week where she finished in 18th place. Sophie, who swims for City of Swansea Aquatics, said it was a privilege to swim in the lake which is a SSSI designated site. She received her prize from local Liberal Democrat MP Roger Williams who watched the 100 swimmers take part in the first ever Big Swim event - choosing to take part in either a 1.5km, 3km or 6km race. On Sunday, 75 triathletes lined up for the first ever Llangorse Lake Triathlon. They completed a 3km swim in Llangorse Lake before cycling along a 75km two lap course through Bwlch, over Dragon’s Pass and through Talgarth. To finish the gruelling middle distance course they ran 20km around the lake, up over the Allt and through the villages of Llangasty and Pennorth. British age-group triathlete Richard Munday was the first home and set the course record in 4 hours, 22 minutes and 58 seconds; some 20 minutes ahead of the next athlete. He was followed in second place by Herefordshire athlete Dave White with Del Nash coming home for third. The women’s race was won by Joyce Warburton from Hereford Triathlon Club in 6:03:26. Both Joyce and Richard are representing the Great Britain age group team at the European Middle Distance Championships in Majorca next month. The first male veteran home was local athlete Mike Pfeiffer from Builth Wells. Mike, representing Hereford Triathlon Club, finished in fourth place in the individual race in 5:02:16. Welsh international rugby player Ian Gough was also there to lend his support to his friends who were taking part as a relay team. Ian was due to complete the swim but had to pull out due to a shoulder injury he gained in a match the week before. The swim and triathlon were organised by local triathlete Nicola Goodwin and helped to raise money for the Llangorse Sailing Club who are building their new clubhouse next to the lake. This is the only opportunity to swim in the lake and the weekend’s events took place thanks to the generosity of the owners of the lake, the Blackham family, and the Llangorse Lake User’s Group. The races have received wonderful feedback from the athletes who travelled from across Britain to take part and it’s hoped the weekend will become an annual event. “On behalf of everybody involved in the weekend’s event I’d like to say a huge thank you to the people of Llangorse, Pennorth and Llangasty who were so supportive,” said Nicola. “Many of them volunteered as marshals to help raise money for local and national charities and without them the weekend would not have been possible”
For a full list of results, visit www.llangorsetri.com Page 4
Nicola Goodwin
The Grapevine - Autumn / Winter 2014
Notice of AGM Please note that the Annual General Meeting of the Llanfihangel Talyllyn and Llanwern Community Hall will take place of 10th November 2014 at 8pm in the community hall.
Everyone is welcome!
Astronomy Evening - Advance Notice Beacons Dark Sky Event
Llangors Youth & Community Centre Saturday, January 10th, 2015 See inside the planetarium, listen to a talk and see extraordinary displays...
...and Star Gazing (if fine)
Tickets: www.aroundllangorselake.co.uk www.aroundllangorselake.co.uk
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Llangors Youth & Community Centre Bookings: Alison Wilmott Tel - 01874 658 645
Regular Events: Post Office Services Mondays 10 am - 12 noon Thursdays 9.30 am - 11.30 am Beaver Scouts Mondays 4.45 pm - 5.45 pm Tina Hill - 658 531
Llangasty Community Hall - News With the weather so good its difficult to believe that we are in Autumn but our Harvest Supper was a timely reminder! We had a relaxing evening with good food, refreshments and of course good company. The evening was rounded off by a trip down memory lane thanks to Mark Young who presented a slide show of his photographs of past events held at the hall. In the summer Andy King shared his wildlife knowledge by leading us on a bird watching expedition down to the lakeside hide. It is surprising what you can see when pointed in the right direction by an expert! The expedition was rounded off by a lovely BBQ at the hall. Our next event will be the popular Festive Allt Walk on Saturday 27th Dec from 10 30am when we will have a roaring fire, mince pies and refreshments including our popular mulled wine. This is a great event for all the family and friends and will run whatever the weather! For bookings and other information on the hall contact Ann Reese on 658726 or 07760382447.
Ann Reese, Llangasty Hall Restoration Group
Cub Scouts Mondays 6 pm - 7.30 pm Maureen Lowe - 658 453 Llyn Safaddon Art Group Mondays 7.30 pm - 9.30 pm Myra Morris - 611 868 Monthly Camera Club 2nd Monday - 7.30 pm Currently on break - call M. Feathersone - 658 257 Monthly Luncheon Club 4th Monday - 12 noon Next Lunch: October 27th Anne Evans - 658 319
Pennorth Chapel - News Our United Harvest Thanksgiving Service held on Tuesday 30th September was enjoyed by everyone who all joined in the “bring and share” supper making it a good community event. Revs. Michael Hodgson and Alan Jevons make an entertaining double act! A Coffee Morning will be held on Saturday 15th November 10.00am to noon to raise money for the Llyn Syfaddan History Group. This will help pay for the Train destination signs from Talyllyn station that the Group successfully purchased at auction. The Christmas Carol Service will be held at 10.30am on Sunday 14th December followed by festive refreshments.
Roger Young
Dog Training Tuesday evenings Tracy - 07833 439446 Badminton Wednesday Under 11 - 6.30 - 7.30 pm Dave Hope - 658 106 Over 11 - 7.30 - 8.30 pm Mike Scruby - 658 410 Coffee, Tea & Biscuits Thursdays - All Welcome! From 10 am in the hall Junior Drama Group Thursdays 5.30 pm - 7 pm Lynn Clausen - 658 776 Parkinson’s Keep Fit Programme Saturdays 10 am - 11 am Val Morgans Judo Classes Saturdays Juniors - 11.30 am - 12.30 pm Seniors - 12.30 - 1.30 pm Phil - 07854279957
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Pennorth with Llanfilo URC at Pennorth Chapel part of the Brecon Beacons Group Pastorate Services every 2nd and 4th Sunday of the month at 10.30am - families most welcome Loop system fitted • Small comfortable meeting room (up to 20 people) Food preparation area & disabled facilities Available for hire - Roger Young 658 205
Minister Rev Michael Hodgson
Llangors Community Council - contacts Llangors Ward
Llanfihangel Ward
Colin Preece (Chairman) - 658 691
David Jones (Vice Chair) - 658 477
Robert East - 658 335
Mike Scruby 658 410
Tony Evans - 658 319
David James 658 457
Rev. Alan Jevons - 658 298
Emma Symonds 658 129
Dyddanwy Pugh - 658 177 Clerk – Judith Phillips 658 869 (clerk@llangors.org.uk), Auditor – Jim Price 658 616
The Grapevine - Autumn / Winter 2014
Church Services
The Reverend A Jevons, Llangors
Llangors Youth & Community Centre Llangors hall is available to book hourly for table tennis, badminton and short tennis. Hall facilities include a meeting room and main hall. Screens, copier, kitchen, stage, lighting, piano, tables and chairs. Suitable for Wedding receptions. www.llangorshall.co.uk
Llanfihangel Talyllyn & Llanywern Hall Bookings: Dave Jones - 658 477 Sheena Walker-Roberts Tel - 01874 711 584
Regular Events: Pilates Toning Using weighted soft balls.
Tuesdays 6 pm – 7 pm
Friday 21st November at 7pm at Llangors Church
Abertillery Male Voice Choir and Soloists Bring and Share Supper Tickets for Sale later
‘Pure’ Pilates Thursdays 7.15pm – 8.15pm S. Walker-Roberts - 711 584 Facebook - “Pilates for U”
Llangasty Hall Bookings: Ann Reese - 658 726
Regular Events: ‘Pure’ Pilates Tuesdays - 10.30-11.30am S. Walker-Roberts - 711 584 Women’s Institute 1st Wednesday - 7 pm
Thank you! A HUGE thank you to everyone who helped in any way to make the Llanfihangel Talyllyn and Llanwern summer fete such a success!
Llanfihangel Talyllyn and Llanwern Community Hall committee www.aroundllangorselake.co.uk
Hire of hall for table tennis, family and social events, receptions and meetings charged £7 an hour with reduced rates for local and extended use. llangastyvillagehall.co.uk
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Llyn Syfaddan History Group & Railway Project Launch Event We are busy preparing for the launch of the group on 16th October at the Llangors Youth and Community centre and hope that you will come and enjoy the evening with us. Our guest speaker is Nigel Blackamore, Senior Curator at the Brecknock Museum and Art Gallery. Nigel is currently involved in managing major developments and building work at the museum. We will hear about these plans and also learn about some of the museums collection relevant to the Llangors area. Although future talks of the group are free to members and non-members pay £3 at the door, our launch event will be free to all providing an opportunity to learn about the group and to help us celebrate! The doors will be open from 7pm for a 7.30 start. There will be refreshments and finger food on sale.
Railway Project
View of the tunnel entrance from the old Talyllyn Railway Station - courtesy of Terry and Linda Dewan available for future generations. Pennorth Chapel are holding a coffee morning in aid of our fundraising on 15th November. Please go along and support, as there is a good chance that our target could be reached!
The Railway Project has taken a rest over the summer holidays but our display material has been put to great use, being shown at Llanfihangel Talyllyn and Llangynidr fetes.
Next Meeting
In September the display was shown at the launch event of the Open History week at Theatr Brycheiniog and then displayed at the Old Railway Station House gardens in Talyllyn by kind permission of Terry and Linda Dewan.
Our guest speaker will be Archaeologist Janet Bailey who will be talking about mills around the Llangors area. Entry free to members, £3 to non-members at the door.
Fundraising for the two Talyllyn railway signs is making great progress. A recent quiz evening at the Black Cock run by Denise raised over £150, which now takes our total to £550 towards our target of £854. We are hoping to reach our target by the end of the year so that we can present the signs to the Brecknock Museum for their permanent collection.
There is currently a county wide project running to record all the known WW1 memorials ranging from free standing monuments in public places to inscribed tablets in community buildings churches etc. The project also aims to find and record information about those recorded on the memorials.
There they will be cared for professionally and be
Following the launch event the next meeting in our programme will take place on Thursday 8th January at Llanfihangel Talyllyn - 7.30pm.
Powys First World War Memorial Project
If anyone would like to know more about this project please contact Roger Reese by email rogerreese2002@yahoo.co.uk or by phone 01874 658 726.
Roger Reese
The Big Quiz Night at Llangorse Village Hall
???
Organised by the Brecon & Sennybridge Cancer Research Committee in aid of Cancer Research Wales
7th November at 7pm - Tickets £7 per person Teams of 4 if possible, entries by 24th October to Eira Jones: 01874 730257 or post to Tremle, Bwlch, Brecon LD3 7TG.
There will be a bar, light refreshments and prizes. Page 8
The Grapevine - Autumn / Winter 2014
New owners at The Star Bunkhouse, Bwlch Emma & Peter Harrison are now the proud owners of The Star Bunkhouse in Bwlch. You will see lots of changes over the coming months as they alter the exterior of the building, and add new facilities such as a classroom and mountain bike/canoe storage. They are looking forward to getting involved in the community, particulary with events such as ‘Bwlch with Altitude’. Emma & Peter are both holders of the Mountain Leader (Summer) award so are planning to offer guided walks as well as comfortable and good value accommodation for groups visiting the area
Emma Harrison
The New Inn/Beacons Backpackers Bwlch UNDER NEW MANAGEMENT! The New Inn Bwlch is now under new management Extensive food menu using locally sourced produce. A selection of real ales. Weekly pub quiz. Warm log fire for those winter months! We are now open 7 days a week, from 5pm Monday to Friday and from 12pm Saturday and Sunday. Call in and say hello. Children, dogs and muddy boots welcome! Hope to see you soon - Sarah and Neil. www.aroundllangorselake.co.uk
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Senior drivers encouraged to ‘Drive On’ Senior drivers in Powys have the opportunity to build their driving confidence further by taking part in a free assessment.
Please send articles and contact details to... Email: grapevine@activityuk.com
‘Drive On’ is a free assessment drive being offered by the council’s Road Safety Unit for people aged over 55 or for those who need some support with building confidence in their driving. As part of the ‘Drive On’ assessment, participants can choose a Driving Instructor from a list supplied to them and telephone them to make a booking. They will meet the Instructor and drive for one hour – either in their car or the Instructors. During this confidential assessment, any safety issues will be discussed so that they can be improved upon. Sarah Morris, Senior Road Safety Officer, said: “Driving experience is extremely important and research shows some older drivers do avoid situations where they know they feel anxious – these may include night time driving, busy towns, fast roads and bad weather. But avoiding these all the time is not always possible, especially on rural roads. “This ‘Drive On’ assessment is one of the ways that senior drivers can improve their driving skills. It is not about taking your licence off you. The Instructor will encourage you to drive safely and in doing so, keeping you driving and mobile for longer.” The assessment drive can be tailored to meet the exact needs of the participant to increase their confidence. As part of the assessment, each participant will receive a free Highway Code for them to keep and read at their leisure. For further information, contact the Road Safety Unit on 07909 895 346 (Montgomeryshire), 01597 826637 (Radnorshire) and 01874 612355 (Brecknockshire).
Sarah Morris Senior Road Safety Officer Powys County Council
Address: The Grapevine c/o Llangorse Multi Activity Centre The Gilfach Llangorse LD3 7UH The next newsletter will be published in early 2015.
Volunteers Needed! Volunteers are needed to help distribute this newsletter around the community. We’re looking for helpful people to deliver The Grapevine to houses around the communities of Llangorse & Bwlch. Please do not hesitate to contact us (details above) if you would be willing to volunteer!
Thank you!
Business advertising Do you operate a business within our distribution area?
Post Office Services Are available at Llangors Youth & Community Centre (Llangors Village Hall)
Mondays 10 to 12
The Grapevine is distributed to over 700 households & community points in and around Llangorse & Bwlch. It is funded through local business advertising.
Connect with your local community! For details & rates email: grapevine@activityuk.com
Thursdays 9-30 to 11-30 Tea, Coffee and Biscuits are also available on Thursdays
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Please...
this newsletter after you have finished with it.
The Grapevine - Autumn / Winter 2014
Drive On is a one hour driving assessment scheme aimed at helping mature drivers in Powys to drive safely for as long as they are fit to do so.
The inevitable effects of ageing could affect sight, hearing, reaction times, and judgement of speed and distance. Fragility increases with age, so injuries tend to be more serious.
Drive On Driving Assessment Scheme for Mature Drivers
The course is available to any full driving licence holder over the age of 55 years who wishes to improve their driving skills and to increase confidence in their driving ability. The course is an informal, confidential assessment of one’s driving skills, which aims to offer advice and support to enable a person to continue driving with improved safety and confidence. Argraffwyd f ar bapur wedi’i ailgylchu • Printed on recycled paper
Nod cynllun asesu gyrru awr Gyrru Ymlaen yw helpu gyrwyr aeddfed ym Mhowys i yrru’n ddiogel cyhyd ag y byddant yn ddigon iach i wneud hynny. Gallai effeithiau anochel heneiddio effeithio ar y golwg, y clyw, amser ymateb a’r gallu i farnu cyflymder a phellter. Bydd pobl yn mynd yn fwy eiddil wrth heneiddio, felly mae anafiadau yn tueddu i fod yn fwy difrifol.
Gyrru Ymlaen Cynllun Asesu Gyrru i Yrwyr Aeddfed
The scheme is run by Powys County Council’s Road Safety Unit and is not a driving test. The assessments are carried out by Approved Driving Instructors and are conducted using either their vehicles or the clients. The scheme is completely FREE provided you are a Powys resident and aged 55 or over.
For further information on the course or to register, please contact the Road Safety Unit on 01597 826637 DASMD-01-10184-2009-en
sylwadau cynhwysfawr, a chyfle i drafod camau cywiro posibl. Uned Diogelwch ar y Ffyrdd Cyngor Sir Powys sy’n gyfrifol am y cynllun. Nid prawf gyrru yw’r asesiad. Hyfforddwyr Gyrru Cymeradwy sy’n cynnal yr asesiad, gan ddefnyddio’u cerbydau eu hunain neu gerbydau’r cleientiaid. Mae’r cynllun yn hollol AM DDIM ar yr amod eich bod yn byw ym Mhowys ac yn 55 oed neu hŷn.
Mae’r cwrs ar gael i unrhyw un dros 55 oed sydd â thrwydded yrru lân ac sydd am wella’i sgiliau gyrru a chynyddu eu hyder. Mae’r cwrs yn asesiad anffurfiol a chyfrinachol o sgiliau gyrru, a’i nod yw cynnig cyngor a chymorth i alluogi rhywun i barhau i yrru’n fwy diogel ac yn hyderus. Yn dilyn asesiad gyrru ymarferol, bydd pob ymgeisydd yn derbyn Argraffwyd f ar bapur wedi’i ailgylchu • Printed on recycled paper
www.aroundllangorselake.co.uk
Following a practical driving assessment, each candidate is given a comprehensive debriefing, where advice and possible remedial actions are discussed.
I gael rhagor o wybodaeth am cwrs, neu i gofrestru amdano, cysylltwch â’r Uned Diogelwch ar y Ffyrdd ar 01597 826637 DASMD-01-10184-2009-cy
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oPen daily 10am to 5pm
Beautiful plant nursery set in the old walled garden of a Victorian Gothic house. Focusing on hardy plants grown in Wales which are structural, unusual, edible, herbal or fragrant. Walled Garden Treberfydd, Llangasty, Brecon,Powys, Wales LD3 7PX
01874 730 169
www.walledgardentreberfydd.com Gifts for Gardeners
book list
As well as really interesting and unusual plants we have wonderful Welsh woollies, great tools for gardeners, really delicious relishes and jellies, dried flower decorations, cards and gift vouchers, and plenty more to inspire you.
The English Flower Garden by William Robinson - First published in 1883 Robinson’s principles revolutionised the art of gardening, worldwide. Robinson’s source of inspiration was the simple cottage garden, long neglected by fashionable landscapists. He abhorred
the artificial and the formal - bedding plants, topiary and statuary - and had a profound respect for nature itself. He called for gardens to be composed predominantly of perennial plants that were hardy to the English climate, and loved most the old fashioned plants that had been grown for centuries. A lovely opinionated, influential book.
Plants to buy in oct, nov and dec Hellebores - wonderful shade loving plants that flower from November through to February. Planted under deciduous trees they will attract early pollinators.
Hydrangeas
- all hydrangeas prefer soil that does not dry out but is not boggy (“Hydra” means both “water” and “many headed”) and like varying amounts of shade depending on the species. They are also rabbit proof! Hydrangea serrata is Japanese in origin and is fully frost hardy. Many serrata varieties repeat flower from June onwards and have good autumn foliage, height and spread 4ft.
Fruit trees - Welsh varieties of fruit trees available in pots and bare root, trained and untrained
spring bulbs - to buy and plant now, tulips, alliums, camassias, dwarf iris, fritillaria, ipheons, aconites, ornithogalums, triteleia, cyclamen, anemones, erithroniums
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The Grapevine - Autumn / Winter 2014
www.aroundllangorselake.co.uk
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