Local Beacon Issue 63 November 2014 by Local Beacon

The community magazine for Brecon and surrounding villages

November 2014 • Issue 63

M and k pest control we specialise in mole control on large agricultural ground to residential gardens, we offer a professional extraction service of bees and where possible we will do our best to re home the colony. Pest control contracts are avalible for public houses, restaurants and factories. If you have had untidy tenents in your property or just need a good tidy up we offer a deep clean and pressure washing service.

Call: 01874 690417 For all your pesty problems little or large give us info@m&kpestcontrol.co.uk a ring to arrange a time thats convenient for you. 01874690417 / 07970 464 335 email info@ mandkpestcontrol.com website www.mandkpestcontrol.com

For all your pest requirements Residential or Commercial

HOUSES CLEARED AFTER UNTIDY TENANTS AND MUCH MORE

FULLY INSURED

www.mandkpestcontrol.co.uk PICK ME UP – I’M FREE

Newport Street, Hay-on-Wye, Hereford. Tel: 01497 820516 Ffrwdgrech Industrial Estate, Llanfaes, Brecon, LD3 8LA. Tel: 01874 624161

To advertise in the Local Beacon tel. 07775 898432 email. advertising@localbeacon.co.uk

Welcome Nicole has been busy setting us up onTwitter. Tweeting is all very new to us, so please do bare with! Over the coming weeks we hope to communicate on this new platform in a fun and informative way. Follow us @cariadslocalltd

The community magazine encouraging local residents to use what’s on their doorstep

For the town of Brecon and the surrounding villages

November is the month where our Local Landscapes Calendar sales show a huge increase. Many local people try to catch the overseas postage service, reminding family and friends of what a beautiful area we live in. Please turn to page 42 to see the many outlets where you can purchase next years calendar.

Address: Goosepool Cottage Winforton Herefordshire HR3 6EB Telephone: 01544 327716 • 07971 446632

Talking of next year, we are trying to determine final plans for the 2015 Car Boot season. Please can you take time to enter our poll, left. Your input is extremely important. If you don’t use Facebook, send in a postcard or ping me an email across.

Email: lisamarie@localbeacon.co.uk Website: www.localbeacon.co.uk Local Beacon is published by:

CariAds Local Ltd. can not be held responsible for any inaccuracies in advertisements or articles nor for any consequences arising from this. Opinions expressed by contributors or advertisers are not necessarily those of the publisher. All artwork used in this publication must not be published in any other media without permission from CariAds Local Ltd.

Car Boot Decider Poll

If you were a buyer or seller at our Car Boot Sales next year, which day and time slot could you attend? No Saturday, 9.30am – 12.30pm Yes No Saturday, 2pm – 5pm Yes No Sunday, 9.30am – 12.30pm Yes Please either go to our Wye Local or Local Beacon Facebook Page and complete the poll. Or send me an email or postcard to the above address details. We need your input now to ensure a successful 2015 Car Boot Season.

Competition: (Winner of October Competition: Tracy Smith, Brecon)

On page 18 you will find the start of our Christmas section. Exhibiting great ideas for shopping and parties. Remember, the £5 spent with the local butcher is in turn spent with the local carpet company, who shops with the florist,who employs a local cleaner,who advertises in a local magazine, who are then able to offer an apprenticeship ... Shop Locally! Lastly, our sister publication, Wye Local this month is 8 years old. If you would like to read about the going ons of Hay on Wye, Talgarth and the surrounding villages, don’t forget you can read both our monthly publications online. Enjoy, Lisa Marie x PS We have now started work on our 2nd issue of the well received family magazine. If you want to promote your products or services to local families, this is the magazine for you. Please turn to page 46 for more details. (Photo above: Cariad and Lisa Marie Badham)

For the chance to WIN a pair of Winter Socks from Likeys, to see you through an artic winter. Please complete the word search on page 16 and send to us by 16th November 2014. The winner will be picked at random.

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LBSP We also produce a similar publication for the Talgarth and Hay on Wye area. It’s called Wye Local. Just like this magazine the aim is to support local businesses and services. The good news is, if you are unable to pick up your copy of the Wye Local in the local catchment area, you can view it on our website from the beginning of each month. Some of the many topics included in Wye Local, November issue: • Hay Winter Festival • Bakers’ Table • Church Barn Farm Shop • Erwood Station Craft Centre ... And much much more. Just go to www.wyelocal.co.uk and click on the small image of the front cover ...

Carpentry General Builders

Local builders in Talgarth We undertake all work, such as: Renovation / New builds / Extensions All first fix / second fix carpentry Patio / Decking and Pointing / Upvc Guttering / Plastering All Maintenance work.

No jobs to big or small, call today for a quote! Call Lewis on 07779 294791 or call Steve on 07476933786

To advertise in the Local Beacon tel. 07775 898432 email. advertising@localbeacon.co.uk -2-

News from Kirsty Williams AM You may have seen recently some shocking figures about road safety in rural areas. On average 3 people die every day on country roads in Britain. The number of people killed on country roads is nearly 11 times higher than on motorways.

countryside will mean we have some dangerous stretches of road. We are also seeing far too many motorcyclists killed and seriously injured on the roads in mid Wales, figures for 2014 are already three times higher than 2013. I recently attended a public meeting in Bwlch. The meeting was deliberately timed to coincide with the arrival of the school bus and I was shocked by what I saw. It was chaos. There were cars speeding through the village, incredibly close to children and parents.

â&#x20AC;&#x153; The number of people killed on country roads is nearly 11 times higher than on motorwaysâ&#x20AC;? Here in Wales almost 80 young people lost their lives last year on country roads in Wales and 629 were seriously injured. Those deaths will be a tragedy for a family and often a whole community. We are very lucky to live in beautiful countryside in mid-Wales. However, the nature of that beautiful

The local residents and local council are calling for a footpath for pedestrians, a reduced speed limit and flashing lights at the beginning and end of the School day. We must take action on these issues early, not react after an event. Afterwards is much, much too late. If there are any road safety issues in your area, please do not hesitate to get in contact with me at kirsty.williams@wales.gov.uk

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Domestic Cleaning and General Every Day Jobs Dependable, Affordable, Liability Insured

Call Michelle on: 07971 977002 To advertise in the Local Beacon tel. 07775 898432 email. advertising@localbeacon.co.uk -4-

Art at No 10 Christmas Show Stay at No. 10 – a wonderful Georgian town house in the heart of Brecon that normally offers accommodation to groups is opening up its doors again for an annual art exhibition, coinciding with the Christmas fair in Brecon.

“ New work includes exciting ceramics from Kate Dawson” Open on Saturday 21st and Sunday 22nd November ‘Art at No 10’ is looking forward to introducing several new faces to their show. New work includes exciting ceramics from Kate Dawson, intriguing upcycled lighting from Jessica Jackson and beautiful felted wool from Pearl Taylor, as well as some new painters. Artists showing are Helen Crawford, Shropshire-based Guy Lester, Susannah Royle, and Karl Sylvester from near Rhayader.

There will also be one or two models from Duncan White and some work coming from Cornwall by Jayne Shelley. These will be featured alongside some of the old team, including potter and painter Jason and Julienne Braham, jeweller Ros Price Jones as well as Peter Horrocks, Richard Studer and Brontë Woodruff. Deb King is also returning with her exquisite jewellery and has promised at least one piece of automata! The exhibition is an opportunity to visit one of the original Georgian town houses of Brecon, beautifully restored to its former glory and to enjoy an eclectic mix of work from a talented and varied group of art and crafts people. All the work is for sale, alongside cards and small gifts. Coffee, tea and cake are available all day with proceeds going to Usk House Day Hospice! ‘Art at No. 10’ Christmas Show is at 10, The Struet, Brecon, LD3 7LL from 10am – 4.30 on Saturday 22nd and Sunday 23rd November 2014.

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SLIM DOWN LOOK GOOD FEEL GREAT

GLANUSK SERVICES Sennybridge YOUR ONE STOP SHOP

with ANN REES at

Situated on the main A40 between Brecon & Llandovery Visit our welcoming Café which serves all day breakfasts, Homemade main meals, puddings, cakes, & freshly ground coffee Always check our specials board Over 60’s special – Every Tuesday

NEW U TUESDAYS 12.30-1.30 & 6PM-7PM

OPEN 7 DAYS A WEEK TAKE-AWAY AVAILABLE FREE WI-FI CONNECTION Also on site, LONDIS SHOP

CONSERVATIVE CLUB ST. MARY’S STREET, BRECON

with

Not to missed monthly promotions Newspapers Off Licence Lottery Paypoint

65 Years Experience in the Building Trade

DVD Rental Jet Wash Oil 4 Wales Fuel Welsh Gifts

new Builds, extensions & conversions Refurbishments & renovations

HEATING OIL AND RED DIESEL ON THE PUMP

J L StephenS Ltd Tel: 01874 676268. Email: jlstephensltd@aol.com

Deliveries available 100ltr minimum

Key & UK Fuel cards accepted 01874 636267

R M J Accountancy

Equestrian, safety and wet weather gear available At Sennybridge Trading Co. Defynnog Road Sennybridge Stockist of Kozi Kidz wet gear 01874 636497

Financial Accounts Self Assessment Corporation Tax Tax Planning 01874 625709 / 07552 789256 k6rmj@hotmail.co.uk

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YOURhistory

The Promendade This postcard has a 1909 postmark. The weir across the River Usk from the Boat House to Newton Farm was created when the Canal was built in 1800. Water for the Canal goes under the town through a pipe which can be seen alongside the Honddu bridge at Watergate. The Castle of Brecon Hotel advertised one of the attractions of the town being the walk ‘on the green sward along the banks of the Newton Pool, to watch the Salmon jump’. There was a proposal in July 1866 to install two new seats overlooking the Pool. The local newspaper reports that ladies would not be able to enjoy the walk to the new seats because of the bathing ‘at all hours’. The pond, Newton Pool, created behind the weir was perfect for swimming (probably by men and not always wearing swimming costumes). In 1894 an eisteddfod was held in Brecon to raise funds to improve the boating facilities and to create the Promenade walk along the river. However it seems to have taken some years to complete the work as in 1919 the Council discussed ‘the disgraceful condition of the Promenade’. The work had been started before the war but not completed. Fortunately the work was finished and, over 100 years since it was first proposed, The Promenade continues to be a popular walk along the River Usk. Breconshire Local & Family History Society www.blfhs.co.uk

Mike Luxton Electrician PAT Testing Installation & Repairs Part P Registered Elecsa Registered No electrical job too small 3 The Paddocks, Newgate Street, Llanfaes, Brecon LD3 8DJ Tel: 01874 611794 Mob: 07802 711670 Email: mikeluxton1@tiscali.co.uk

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Family Mediation

â&#x20AC;&#x153;Family disputes that are resolved through mediation are cheaper, quicker and, according to academic research, less acrimonious than those that are settled through the courts.â&#x20AC;? National Audit Office At a time when family finances are often under pressure and have to be divided, mediation is far cheaper and less time consuming than going through the court system. Family Mediation can be used in a wide variety of circumstances, for example: Contact and residence issues Financial provision disputes Maintenance claims Issues between grandparents and parents Post divorce issues relating to the family Contact Joanne Deveney to discuss how Amity Mediation can help you Amity Mediation Limited, 12 The Bulwark, Brecon LD3 7AD Tel: 01874 624927 Mob: 07539 369000 Email: info@amitymediation.co.uk Web: amitymediation.co.uk

POWYS FACTORS Ltd BRECON

Pony Trekking/Riding/Hacking Spectacular riding into the heart of the Black Mountains. Quality horses and friendly, experienced guides ensure all abilities have an enjoyable day

PARTS FOR CARS

Riding Lessons for Children & Adults

PHONE 01874 611902

All ages and abilities catered for

BHS Qualified Instructors Floodlit Manege

BRAKES I SUSPENSION I RADIATORS

BHS Approved Livery Facilities DIY or Full

WIPERS I ANTI FREEZE I EXHAUSTS STARTERS I ALTERNATORS I CLUTCH

Tregoyd Riding Centre

AND MUCH MORE

BHS, WTRA, AALA & Visit Wales approved Three Cocks, Brecon, Powys LD3 0SP

SUPPLIERS TO TRADE AND RETAIL

Email: info@tregoydriding.co.uk Web:www.tregoydriding.co.uk

Tel: 01497847351

To advertise in the Local Beacon tel. 07775 898432 email. advertising@localbeacon.co.uk -8-

REVIEW

A bit of me time at Foot Notes I think we all deserve a bit of me time and an hour with Jenny at Foot Notes is just what doctors should order for everyone. Either a reflexology session or an aromatherapy massage, both allow you time to switch off from the stresses and strains of the world and let your body have a chance to revitalise. Jenny offered the opportunity to experience a treatment at home, but I opted to see her at the Brecon Complementary Centre, where I knew there’d be no unexpected callers to disturb my peace, but for some people that’s a fantastic offer. My time with Jenny started with a chat about my health and well being so that Jenny understood how my body worked, enabling her to treat me with specific oils to suit me. The first treatment was spent sitting in a comfortable chair chatting to Jenny while she massaged my feet.The massage was gentle, although some areas received more attention than others as Jenny worked through my feet. Reflexology is a nonintrusive, complementary health therapy based on the theory that different points on the feet, lower leg, hands, face or ears correspond with different areas of the body. So by using specific pressure techniques and massage on the feet or hands, the body is encouraged to help restore and maintain the body’s natural equilibrium. I was then treated to an aromatherapy back massage. Aromatherapy is a gentle massage using natural oils extracted from flowers, bark, stems, leaves, roots or other parts of a plant, which can help alleviate stress and improve mood. Jenny’s years of training enables her to match the correct oils to suit each client. I highly recommend a treatment with Jenny. She has a wonderful, calm, gentle manner that puts you at ease. Her knowledge of the treatments she offers is exceptional. I came away feeling very relaxed, revitalised, ready to face the world again and ready to book my next appointment very soon.

Heat Logs Eco-friendly, long burning briquettes. Made with clean sawdust from local sources. Minimal ash, no sparking, clean to handle. Available in packs of 10kg or pallets up to 1000kg (Pallet delivery available) Contact: Nino - 01432 352 776 or http://stores.shop.ebay.co.uk/twowsw2books

Lynda Like.

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Pensioners warned over loophole that leaves their loved ones paying inheritance tax Millions of savers could miss out on the chance to pass on their nest egg tax-free simply because they’ve failed to tick a box on a pension form.

INDEPENDENT FINANCIAL ADVICE

“Your local source of unbiased advice explained in Plain English” F SAVINGS & INVESTMENTS F RETIREMENT PLANNING F MORTGAGES F INHERITANCE TAX MITIGATION

Last week it was revealed by the Chancellor that the current 55 per cent tax on pension funds passed on to relatives as an inheritance was going to be axed.

F FAMILY PROTECTION Contact: t: 01874 611911 e: enquiries@beaconifa.co.uk w: beaconifa.co.uk

Under the current tax regime a pension pot can only be inherited free of the 55 per cent tax if the deceased was no older than 75 and hadn’t drawn on their pension savings.The 55 per cent tax applies even if there is no inheritance tax due on the deceased’s estate. From next April this tax will be scrapped making saving through a pension even more attractive.

Directly authorised by the Financial Conduct Authority

Pete’s Carpets

However experts are concerned that many who now hope to leave their retirement pots to a loved one may find it instead falls under inheritance tax rules – and so incurs a 40 per cent charge.

Carpet and Upholstery Cleaning Domestic and Commerical Work Undertaken • High Powered Truck Mounted Machine • Fast Drying

This is because they failed to fill in a form stating their wishes when they took out the pension. As a result, the pension may be paid out to their estate, rather to an individual. Scrapping the 55 per cent tax on inherited pension pots is the last in a long string of amendments that the Chancellor has made to the U.K’s pension system this year. The changes on the whole will offer far greater flexibility at retirement. We hope that the increased choice leads to retirees making the right decisions.

Ask for Pete

01874 711307 07595 220242

– Tom Russell – Director of Beacon IFA Ltd

To advertise in the Local Beacon tel. 07775 898432 email. advertising@localbeacon.co.uk - 10 -

Llanigon Plant Hire

D B Electrics ElEctrical contractors

SEPTIC TANKS EMPTIED Farm Slurry Tanks Emptied

• Domestic, commercial, agricultural

HAY-ON-WYE • TALGARTH •CRICKHOWELL • BRECON • SENNYBRIDGE • AND SURROUNDING AREAS

• new builds, barn conversions, extensions, rewires

01497 847880 (24hr)

• Electrical installation condition reports (landlord certificates)

Registered carrier of waste

• Fault finding, repairs and upgrades • Pat testing

STEVE COOK

Over 20 years’ experience in all aspects of electrical work

Painter & Decorator

tel: 01874 624927 Mob: 07976 504755 Email: trevorbillinge@gmail.com

INTERIOR & EXTERIOR PAINTING PAPER HANGING REASONABLE RATES

Call Steve on 01874 622408 8 or 07983 68910

stevecookdecorating@gmail.co.uk stevedecorating.co.uk

The Giddy

Pig

BRECON

Thursdays 7pm St Davids Hall, Beilihelig Road, Llanfaes

HOG ROAST COMPANY

Tel: Shelly 01874 622846 or 07980 259638

Fully Mobile Hog Roast Catering Service for all Social occasions and events.

www.thegiddypig.com Get in touch to discuss your event 01874 658819 Meat supplied by W J George Butchers, Talgarth

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1 Steeple Lane, (next to St. Mary’s Church) Brecon LD3 7DJ Tel: 01874 623371 Fax: 01874 611195

Property Law and Commercial Specialist Buying and Selling Property Acquisition of Land Business Sales & Purchases Commercial Leases Probate Wills JAneT TiMOThy, Partner, specialises in all matters concerning land including the buying and selling of houses, land, businesses, commercial property and commercial Leases. Janet also has extensive experience in Probate and Wills.The firm promotes dealing with clients directly on a one to one basis without any legal jargon. “I know myself how frustrating it is not to have phone calls returned or not to be able to speak to the person you need to, so we put our clients first by making ourselves easily accessible.We give out direct phone numbers and email addresses in order that we can deal with any queries as quickly and efficiently as possible to, hopefully, ease what is already a stressful process. We know that the modern business is not constrained by traditional office hours and 9 to 5 doesn’t always suit business clients.”

Family Law Specialist Divorce MOD Pensions Finances after divorce Separation Agreements Children’s Matters to include Residence, Contact, Adoption and representation of Grandparents. Pre-nuptial Agreements Cohabitation Disputes/Agreements GiLL MARTin specialises in all areas of Family law and is accredited by the Law Society as a Family Law specialist. She is also a member of Resolution which promotes a constructive and non adversarial approach to family matters. Gill is based in our Brecon office, please contact her for an initial consultation. “ My aim is to provide a specialist legal service to those facing divorce, separation or disputes concerning children. I offer a personal, professional service which supports the emotional as well as legal needs of my client.Whilst it is always best to try and resolve matters, I adopt a tough approach when my client’s interests are at stake.”

PHONE: 01874

623371

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Wild in November

Protecting wildlife for the future

Since September there has been a Great White Egret at Llangors Lake. Last year there were two from late November, so we might expect another. It seems likely that one of these is the same individual which has wintered at the Lake for four years running. Until a few years ago, Great White Egrets were rare visitors to Britain, but they are now here throughout the year and have raised young on the Somerset Levels. Other birds in the heron family have also colonised Britain recently. Little Egrets were the first to nest in 1996 and there are now hundreds of pairs. In the last few years Spoonbills, Cattle Egrets, Purple Herons and Little Bitterns have also started to breed here. The arrival of these immigrants follows an expansion of their European range to the north and west, a clear indication of climate change. Some birds may be able to move and adapt, but for most animals including us global warming is an urgent challenge.

Breconshire Birds Annual Report for 2013 is now on sale, see www.brecknockbirds.co.uk and www.brecknockwildlifetrust.org.uk. This is my last Wild article, expert botanist John Crellin will take over in December. Article by Keith Noble

CRB CHeCkeD, liCenseD & fully insuReD

Cuprum Ltd Computer repairs New Computers and Laptops

We step in when you are out!

All computer supplies and parts

3 Home boarding

13 Ship Street Brecon 01874 611877 www.cuprum.co.uk

3 Pet sitting

3 Dog walking 3 Horse & farm animal care 3 1 to1 coaching on dog behaviour issues

Book your FREE consultation now! Petra 01874 636385 Mob 07908 970196 leadsnfeedsbrecon@gmail.com www.leadsnfeeds.com

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Sudoko Place the numbers so that each row, column and box contains the numbers 1-9...good luck. 9 6

4 4

9 7

2 4

6 3

3 9

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Are you prepared for this winter? Servicing from just £49.99 Power Flushing from just £249.99 High Efficiency Replacement Boiler from just £1499.00 LOG BURNERS • GAS FIRES GAS COOKERS • GAS BOILERS

LANDLORD CERTIFICATES NEEDED? CALL US TODAY

01874 66-57-38 07861 782387 grahamprobert@hotmail.co.uk

WOOL & STAINFREE CARPETS CORDS & BERBERS, LAMINATE & VINYLS UNDERLAY & FITTINGS CAN BE SUPPLIED

Glasbury Taxis

QUALITY VERTICAL, VENETIAN, WOODEN VENETIAN & ROLLER BLINDS

FROM

Mini-Bus Hire

£69 INCLUDING FITTING

(BASED ON THE WINDOW SIZE 68”x48”)

Sporting Events I Nightclubs Airport runs

FREE ESTIMATES FREE FITTING

CALL DAVE EVANS on 01874 754898 07766 727209

Any distance – cheap rates

Unit 2, Chambers Yard, Silver Street, Brecon, LD3 8BG (next to Ian Jones Tyres)

Tel: Graham on 07966 017714

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Competition Wordsearch B

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The Tea Room is under new management and is now open. We provide home-made and locally produced food and have a large dedicated children’s indoor play area, outdoor seating and free WiFi. The Tea Room can also be used as a meeting venue in the evenings and during the day by arrangement. Gluten free and vegetarian options always available along with a variety of non-dairy alternatives. Afternoon tea can be pre-booked and we also provide takeaway drinks and cakes. We also offer an O.A.P discount of 15% on a Wednesday between 12-3:30pm. Please check the website and ‘like’ the Facebook page for opening hours, sample menu and more details.

A X A U Y

M A S

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High Street, Defynnog LD3 8SL 01874 638360

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The Old School

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ART AT NO. 10

INHERITANCE TAX

BBC NATIONAL ORCHESTRA

MATT WILLIAMS

DEFYNNOG FOOTNOTES GREAT WHITE EGRET IAN MITCHELL

www.theoldschooltearoom.co.uk www.facebook.com/theoldschooltearoom theoldschooltearoom@gmail.com

PATRICIA DOUSE THE GREAT BEAUTY THE PROMENDADE

For the chance to WIN a pair of winter socks from Likeys, please complete the wordsearch, fill in the details below and send to Local Beacon. Closing date is the 16th November.

Name:.......................................................................................

Every Tuesday at 6.30pm BRECON, Bishop Bevan Hall, Lion St.

Every Wednesday at 6.30pm

GLANGRWYNEY, Glangrwyney Village Hall, Crickhowell Rd.

Tel Joan: 01873 812053 Mob: 07796 628419

Address:................................................................................... ..................................................................................................... ..................................................................................................... Telephone Number:.........................................................

To advertise in the Local Beacon tel. 07775 898432 email. advertising@localbeacon.co.uk - 16 -

and Lee Evans – great cakes with a warm welcome, plus the historic Tanners Arms Pub that has won CAMRA awards and is popular with visitors and locals alike.

a Vill ge

There is also a sports ground, with the Defynnog playing field as host to Sennybridge Football Club – with the juniors training between 5.30pm and 7.30pm on Fridays and then playing matches on Saturday morning.

FOCUS

D E F Y NNO G The charming and ancient village of Defynnog is one of the Brecon Beacons National Park’s most engaging places, which manages to combine beautiful vistas towards the Swansea Valley with a dynamic and active village life. The Defynnog Yew, in the churchyard of the splendid church of St Cynog, has recently been the subject of much media attention after being recently measured with a girth of 38 feet (11.6 metres) at 2 feet above ground, and being dated by experts as being around 5,600 years old which makes it one of the potentially oldest trees in Wales, and even possibly Europe. It is one of four yew trees in the graveyard, all worth a visit as is the church itself with it’s Arts & Crafts influence although parts of the building date back to the 11th Century. The church itself is home to a variety of village events which include the upcoming 2nd annual Advent Craft Fair which raises money for the church fabric funds and features a wide variety of fantastic local talent, with many lovely Christmas presents made with care and attention. This year it will be held on on Saturday Dec 6th from 11am till 4 pm with a cost per stall of £10. Last year’s event raised £625 for the church and a very enjoyable day was had by all!

The recent coupling of businesses in Defynnog with the other key settlements of Sennybridge, Crai and Trecastle to form the Upper Usk Valley Rural Alliance has initiated a pack of leaflets that detail the history of each village along with local walks for both the local community and visitors alike – these are available as the shops and businesses within the area, and locals are actively invited to comment on and add to the leaflets so that they are as much of interest to the locals as to tourists. Activities arranged by the group include a Community Walks programme with a local walk of around 2 hours on the last Sunday afternoon of every month, which are led by locals who are keen to share their special tracks, most of which take in stunning scenery with less used paths. For more information on the village of Defynnog, its history and the Upper Usk Valley, please visit www.upperuskvalley.wordpress.com If you would like us to feature your village in a future issue of the Local Beacon, please give Lynda a call on 07775 898432 or email.

Although only a mile away from Sennybridge with its shops and garages, within the village there are two highly popular places to visit, The Old School Tearooms which recently re-opened with new management of locals Kay

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Shop Locally! Local shops sell a wide range of great products at affordable prices. Many people get out of the habit of shopping locally and are then surprised by the range of products and gifts available. Please support your local retailers. Remember, the ÂŁ5 spent with the local butcher is in turn spent with the local carpet company, who shops with the florist, who employs a local cleaner, who advertises in a local magazine(!), who are then able to offer an apprenticeship ... Shop Locally!

Christmas at

COACH HOUSE INTERIORS

Our Christmas Gift Shop is now open! OPENING TIMES: MON-FRI 10-5PM SAT 10-4PM

Tel: 01981 500777

www.coachhouse-interiors.com

Fabulous selection of Unique and unusual Gifts for all, at very reasonable prices! Gift vouchers available

Looking forward to seeing you at The Coach House, Brobury House, Bredwardine, HR3 6BS

To advertise in the Local Beacon tel. 07775 898432 email. advertising@localbeacon.co.uk - 18 -

New For Autumn

Clay Shooting at Woodland Park Shooting Ground Breconâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s only professionally run clay shooting ground www.wpshoot.co.uk

Collections by

Weird Fish, Fjall Raven, Montane, Skogstad, North Face and Rab.

CHRISTMAS at Woodland Park

Excellent selection of quality walking boots and shoes by Scarpa of Italy.

Looking for a Christmas gift with a difference? Our Clay Shooting Christmas Gift Vouchers are now available and can be specialised to your requirements.

HI Viz and reflective cycling clothing, Helmets and bike lights to keep you safe during the winter months ahead.

Want to do something different for your Christmas Activity or Works Outing? Clay shooting is a great option which everyone will enjoy.

Tel: 01497 820022

For more information about ordering a voucher or booking your event, please call Gill at 01874 623 602.

www.psmoutdoors.co.uk

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A Christmas window on Brecon On Saturday 22 November, Brecon’s local businesses have the opportunity to promote themselves at a special winter fair in the Market Hall. The event which is jointly organised by Brecon Town Council, Brecon Business Club and the Brecon Beacons National Park Authority, will see entrepreneurs in Brecon who don’t have their own shop window showcasing their products and services. Open from 10am until 3.30pm it is the ideal opportunity to meet the person behind the business and you may be surprised at what is available on your doorstep. The new stallholders will also be joined by familiar ones from the Brecon’s craft, farmers and weekly markets.

On the day a special Christmas map of Brecon will be available to help you find the ideal Christmas present for your friends and family. And be sure to make your way to St Mary’s Church where the Mayor and Mayoress will be turning on the Christmas lights at 3.45pm.

Brecon is full of local entrpreneurs Picture credit: Peter Williams

The event is funded by the Rural Alliances project, a EU’s Interreg 1VB NWE programme, of which the Brecon Beacons National Park Authority is lead partner. A core aim of the Rural Alliances is bringing entrepreneurs and communities together through the creation of new alliance structures to form self-supporting, inclusive, confident rural communities.

Croeso i / Welcome to

Opening times: 9am–4.30pm Monday to Saturday

Eglwys Santes Fair, Aberhonddu St Mary’s Church, Brecon

Contact: 01874 622602 Free WiFi available local produce – quality coffee

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To advertise in the Local Beacon tel. 07775 898432 email. advertising@localbeacon.co.uk - 22 -

Traditional & Contemporary Toys & Gifts

Stocking Fillers from 50p Children’s Shoes & Clothes

Matthews Jeweller of Brecon

• Jewellery Design, Repair and Remodelling • Pearl and Bead Rethreading • Watch and Clock Repairs • Engraving and Trophies Tel: 01874 623332 Email: ndmatthews@btconnect.com Web: www.matthewsjeweller.co.uk

We would like to wish all our customers a very Merry Christmas

COME & VISIT US AT 6A THE BULWARK, BRECON, LD3 7LB

To advertise in the Local Beacon tel. 07775 898432 email. advertising@localbeacon.co.uk - 23 -

BRECON CHRISTMAS LIGHTS Florists, Wedding & Occasion Specialists, Venue Decorators, Qualified Balloon Artists, Party & Cake Decorating Supplies. New: Craft supplies Throughout December we will be running two workshops: * Wreath Making Workshops – Tuesdays & Thursdays throughout December

The Christmas Lights will be switched on By The Mayor and Mayoress of Brecon Councillor Neil and Mrs Sian Sandford

* Cake Decorating Workshops by Penny, Top Tier Cakes – 3rd & 10th December Two sessions per course, afternoon and evening courses available.

on Saturday 22nd November 2014 at 3.45 p.m.

If you would like to attend as an individual, a small group, or even a works party – please give us a call to discuss.

Christmas Carols by Ysgol-y-Bannau Mayor’s Charity Coffee Morning will be held At the Guildhall on the 5th December 2014 – 10.00 a.m. All Welcome

Shop 1, 9 Lion Street, Brecon Tel. 01874 623 233 Email: centreofattention@hotmail.co.uk Web: www.centreofattention.org.uk

To advertise in the Local Beacon tel. 07775 898432 email. advertising@localbeacon.co.uk - 24 -

Party time! The festive season’s well and truly underway and you’ll be pleased to know that we’ve put together some fantastic local places so that you’re ready for this years celebrations. Whether you’re looking to organize a family get together, works party or a treat with your friends, the next few pages are where to look! Christmas is a time to be merry and celebrate, each of these establishments can help you to do just that, each offering something different. So give them a call for a treat to enjoy this festive season!

Bishop’s Meadow Restaurant

Christmas PARTY NIGHTS Throughout December include 3 course meal. Call us on 01874 622051 for more information or to book

New Winter Opening Hours: Monday – Closed, Tues-Fri 9am-4pm, Saturday 10am-5pm, Sunday – Closed. La Lingerie, Pegasus Lane, Brecon, LD3 7BH 01874 610033

Bishops Meadow Restaurant

@BishopsMeadow1

www.bishopsmeadow.co.uk

Yak-Y-Da Restaurant

HAY ON WYE

Celebrate your Christmas Party

Christmas offerings

Vouchers for bread making classes at our award winning bakery from £65

At The Yak-Y-Da Restaurant with Nepalese and Thai Food

Seasonal lunches from 1st December £10 Home-made rich fruit Christmas cakes from £16 Available for private evening bookings (minimum 30 people)

Eat Drink and Be Merry Two Courses £14.00 Three Courses £18.00

telephone: 01874 711125 www.talgarthmill.com

Menu available on www.yak-y-da.co.uk

www.facebook.com/thebakerstable

Tel.01497 847 898/07432509838 Email-khadkachongbang@yahoo.co.uk

talgarth mill, the square, talgarth, ld3 0bw

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THE

SHOEMAKERS A RMS PENTREBACH SENNYBRIDGE 01874 636508

Gwyneth and Salvo would like to welcome you to our cosy, friendly country pub/ restaurant. You will find us about 3 miles to the north of Sennybridge, by following the signs â&#x20AC;&#x201C; Pentrebach and country pub/restaurant We have a log fire for the colder evenings, flag-stoned floors and plenty of original beams. We have well-kept Real Ale (CAMRA members) often sourced locally. There is a good selection of wines and plenty of soft drinks/teas/coffees too. We also cater for weddings, birthdays, funerals or business meetings. We are taking bookings for Christmas Parties. DINNER IS AVAILABLE FROM 6PM (NOT TUESDAY OR SUNDAY) AND SUNDAY LUNCH CAN BE BOOKED FROM 12-30PM

To advertise in the Local Beacon tel. 07775 898432 email. advertising@localbeacon.co.uk - 26 -

Gremlin HOTel Brecon 01874 623829

nd lets Party - Dine, Drink a • • • • •

Dance

Private function room available free. Ideal for Birthdays, Christenings, Xmas Party etc Choice of menu to suite your pocket. Self catering optional.(Buffet only) In-house entertainment with Gareth Phillips available. Free with groups over 20.

Xmas Party • Bookings now being taken. • Choice of menu – 2 or 3 Course Xmas Dinner, Grills, Curry night, Buffet and more. • Free Entertainment for bookings over 20. • Book on a Sunday and join the gang for Sunday night Karaoke. • Accommodation available at a special party rate.Our cottages sleep 4. For further information Contact:Mary 07885511085/01874623829 e-mail: Phillips 285@btinternet.com G O O D F O O D • G O O D B E E R • G O O D ATM O S PH E R E Please mention the Local Beacon when responding to adverts - 27 -

CELEBRATE THE FESTIVE SEASON WITH OUR RANGE OF PARTY MENUS! THE GEORGE

THE GEORGE

CHRISTMAS MENU

TRADITIONAL STARTERS

• Roasted root vegetable soup & toasted bread (v) • Chicken liver parfait, red onion marmalade & toasted ciabatta • Beetroot cured smoked salmon, horseradish cream & pickled beetroot • Sautéed wild mushrooms & Welsh goats cheese on toasted ciabatta (v)

MAINS

• Roast breast & leg of turkey, carrots, sprouts, leeks, honey-glazed pigs in blanket, roast potatoes & jus • The George ‘Beef Wellington’, wild mushroom, carrots, sprouts & gratin potato (£3 surcharge) • Smoked haddock gratin, leeks, spinach & parmesan • Roasted pumpkin risotto, poached hen’s egg & crispy shallots (v)

DESSERTS

• Traditional Christmas pudding & brandy sauce • Chocolate brownie & cherry ice-cream • Lemon posset & raspberries • Sticky toffee pudding, butterscotch sauce & clotted cream ANY EXTRA ROOM? • A board of Welsh cheeses, biscuits, celery, grapes & chutney £7

CELEBRATION STARTERS • Celeriac velouté, garlic croutons & parsley oil (v) • Pork terrine with pistachio, mushroom & duck breast & toasted brioche • Plaice, gurnard, mussels in a tomato & saffron sauce • Confit chicken croquette, aioli, balsamic onions & tomato • Aubergine, piperade, basil, feta & cous cous (v) MAINS • Roasted breast & leg of turkey, carrots, leeks, sprouts, honey-glazed pigs in blanket, roast potatoes & jus • The George ‘Beef Wellington’, wild mushroom, sprouts, turnip, carrots & gratin potato (£3 surcharge) • Wild mushroom & squash open lasagne, walnut crumb & parmesan cream (v) • Herb crusted cod, Jerusalem artichoke, bacon, spinach & champagne sauce • Pan-roasted salmon, carrot textures, olive oil mash, crab bon bon DESSERTS • Christmas pudding, brandy crème anglaise & cherries • Treacle tart, raspberry & clotted cream • Lemon posset, honeycomb & flapjack • Dark chocolate fondant, white chocolate centre, cherry ice-cream & winter berries • Welsh cheese board

PARTY

STARTERS • Roasted root vegetable soup & toasted bread (v) • Chicken liver parfait, red onion marmalade & toasted ciabatta • Beetroot cured smoked salmon, horseradish cream & pickled beetroot • Sautéed wild mushrooms & Welsh goats cheese on toasted ciabatta (v) MAINS • Roast breast & leg of turkey, carrots, sprouts, leeks, honey-glazed pigs in blanket, roast potatoes & jus • The George ‘Beef Wellington’, wild mushroom, carrots, sprouts & gratin potato (£3 surcharge) • Smoked haddock gratin, leeks, spinach & parmesan • Roasted pumpkin risotto, poached hen’s egg & crispy shallots (v) DESSERTS • Traditional Christmas pudding & brandy sauce • Chocolate brownie & cherry ice-cream • Lemon posset & raspberries • Sticky toffee pudding, butterscotch sauce & clotted cream AVAILABLE ON Saturday 6th December. Thursday 11th December, Friday 12th December, Saturday 13th December, Thursday 18th December, Saturday 20th December

2 courses £16 3 courses £20

2 courses £20 3 courses £25

£25 per person

THE GEORGE

£30 per person

THE GEORGE HOTEL, GEORGE STREET, BRECON TEL: 01874 623421 EMAIL: ENQUIRIES@GEORGE-HOTEL.COM WWW.GEORGE-HOTEL.COM

NEW YEAR’S EVE CELEBRATION

includes 3 course dinner & disco until 00.30am includes a hot buffet, live entertainment, a glass of Prosecco at midnight & coffee.

includes 3 course dinner & disco until 00.30am

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New In Town I am Jenny Cooke and I am a professional aromatherapist and reflexologist. I have been qualified as an aromatherapist for 16 years, and had a very successful practice in Oxfordshire before I moved to Brecon 5 years ago. I moved to Brecon because my husband and I enjoy the outdoors, and love the beacons. We set up 2 successful self-catering holiday cottages, and now that they are well established, I want to continue my work as an aromatherapist and a reflexologist. 1. Name of Business – Foot Notes – Essential oils used in aromatherapy, rather like in perfumery, are extremely volatile and evaporate at different rates.The quickest are called top notes, slowest are called base notes, and then we have the middle notes. Reflexology is mostly used on the feet unless the client has no feet or perhaps an infection. My very good friend Tracey came up with the name ‘Foot Notes’ to combine aromatherapy and reflexology. 2. Location – I am based at the Brecon Complementary Centre next to the doctors surgery on Mondays, and I also home visit within a radius of 15mile of Brecon on Wednesdays, (I will travel further by arrangement and can be flexible with the days). 3. Why did you decide to start this business? – I’ve always been interested in alternative health – ways of keeping healthy and well without going to a doctor. I discovered the benefits of essential oils after suffering with depression, and a friend suggested an aromatherapy massage. Essential oils are highly concentrated plant substances that are gentle and effective when used for physical and mental issues. Massage is the best way to receive them and is good for muscle strain, sports injury, stress, depression, sleep deprivation or just relaxation to name a few. Reflexology can be used on the feet or hands, and combines massage and manipulation of pressure points that represent the inside workings of the body. For example, if you have a mild headache, hold the thumb of one hand using the thumb and forefinger of the other hand, and press firmly in the middle of the pad whilst circling slowly and see if it helps. Aromatherapy and reflexology work well together,

and if used regularly, can help keep you mentally and physically fit if combined with a good diet and regular exercise. I started this business to help others benefit from these therapies.Very often the Doctor only has 5 minutes per patient, which isn’t long enough if you are just seeking advice or a reassuring word, and there are alternatives to pills without side effects. 4. What are the challenges you have encountered? – Starting a new client base when new to the area is a challenge, but I am offering 10% discount to Local Beacon readers and gift vouchers that can be purchased for any occasion, particularly birthdays and Christmas presents, by emailing your requests to jenny@foot-notes.co.uk. 5.What do you wish you had known before you had started? – I started out with aromatherapy in 1998 learning about the oils and their effects. I hadn’t realised there is so much more to holistic health. I very quickly became engrossed in all aspects of health, nutrition, exercise, relaxation and it is now an important part of my life that I want to share with everyone for their benefit. Before I became a therapist, I had been a secretary and a receptionist so I don’t find the admin side of the business difficult. Also I am very fortunate to have a wonderful husband who is good at everything, and is always there to help me. 6. Is this the first business you have launched? I started out as ‘Jenny Wren Remedies’ in 1999 offering aromatherapy treatments and bespoke creams and lotions for skin conditions, such as eczema and psoriasis. I soon found that people really enjoyed my relaxing massage treatments, and having the chance to talk rather than needing creams etc. Meanwhile I had also become a reflexologist and had a purpose built room in my garden made to use for aromatherapy massage and reflexology, and Foot Notes was born. It was the perfect peaceful setting, with birdsong in the background to relax and de-stress. I found reflexology interesting because the foot is divided lengthwise in to zones, and each part represents the body (the same also on the hands). For example, the big toe represents the head. 7.What type of education/experience helped you to open/run this business? I first spent a year in London during 1998 learning all about the essential oils, the Latin names, their properties, their contraindications. Then how to massage and its uses, then about the

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anatomy and physiology of the different body systems. I had to do case studies and had to “borrow” people to massage, and they had to give their feedback over a number of weeks on my performance and how it had helped them. Each year I have to do a minimum of 12 hours of professional development to stay a member of the ‘International Federation of Professional Aromatherapists’, which helps keep me in touch with current knowledge. I don’t do any specific courses for reflexology, but I do read numerous books and have learnt about meridians and Chakras, which influence my work. 8. What would you like to do with your business in the next few years? – My husband and I are about to build a garden room to use for aromatherapy and reflexology, which will also have a domed roof that can be used as a planetarium. We will combine this with the holiday cottage, Stargazers Retreat, which we have in our garden with an observatory so that when the weather is inclement, the stars can still be seen, and I can offer aromatherapy or reflexology to our guests to enhance their stay in the beautiful, peaceful surroundings where we live between Trecastle and Crai.

Savings & Investment Planning • Retirement Planning • Protection Planning • Inheritance Tax Planning

Tel: 01874 610707 Mobile: 07970692927 annie.daniel@sjpp.co.uk www.anniedanielfinancial.co.uk 8 Ship Street, Brecon.

9. Describe a typical day in your business – The holiday cottage and garden, plus the aromatherapy and reflexology is quite time consuming, but it is combining things that I really enjoy, but to make it work we have to split it up. So Mondays are spent at Brecon Complementary Centre 10am – 6pm for aromatherapy and reflexology, Wednesdays for home visits, Tuesday and Thursdays for gardening, Fridays cleaning the cottages, and the weekends are for washing/ironing/maintenance of the cottages.The days don’t always work out this way, and we juggle them around to suit so that we can be as flexible as possible.

10% discount to all Local Beacon readers booking in November

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Beacons Cleaning Services Commercial & Domestic Cleaning Service The services we offer are: Cleaning Caretaking Key Holding Laundry Service Basic DIY & Maintenance Offices Holiday lets Private homes New Builds

Donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t work your fingers to the bone, let US do the hard work for you DONâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;T delay, call us TODAY! Ask for Alison or Carl Tel: 01874 640090 Mob: 07503 755610

Lesley Walker RADRTS, AIDTA

www.ribbons.org.uk T: 01874 623219

The Second Hand Shop at Three CoCkS

ClearanCes undertaken

We buy and sell:

Furniture Household goods Children and baby items

..and the thing that you threw away last week Give uS a Call on 01497 847653 To advertise in the Local Beacon tel. 07775 898432 email. advertising@localbeacon.co.uk - 32 -

Local Talent: Matt Williams Type of Artist? Painter and sculptor. Range of Products? I paint local landscapes, usually of the Brecon Beacons and occasionally farm animals, but always in oils. I also sculpt animals. Where can your products be purchased? I mainly sell through Ian and Clare Dent’s Ardent Gallery in Brecon, but I also sell through my website www.mattwilliamsartist. com and I undertake private commissions too. Price range? At my recent exhibition, my prices ranged from under £200 to over £1500 but generally they’re about the £300 - £500 mark. How long have you been an artist? When I left our dairy farm in Brecon, just after the Foot and Mouth Disease epidemic in 2000, I missed the Beacons so much and had an overwhelming urge to paint them – so I went out and bought a set of oil paints and discovered a passion for doing it! One of my first paintings was of Brechfa Pool above Llyswen and as I was finishing, a walker stopped and asked to buy it. I thought then that I’d better keep going. Where did you train or gain experience? I didn’t - I’ve just done my own thing – mistakes and all! Meg Stevens gave me lots of advice when she was painting on our farm and I have always remembered everything she said. She was really sympathetic to our struggle to continue farming and we struck up a good friendship while she painting; she even gave me the painting she had been working on! What has been your proudest moment? The opening night of my recent exhibition at Ardent Gallery. We sold 14 paintings and sculptures and had over 100 people attend. It was incredible! What would you class as ‘your masterpiece’? So far it would have to be one I did of the Beacons from Hay Bluff. It was a freezing cold afternoon in January, as the sun went down over the remains of some snow, which had turned into that crisp, icy stuff that takes ages to melt, and was reflecting the colours of the sky beautifully. The painting only took an afternoon to do and every brush stroke felt right. When I look at that painting I remember how incredibly quiet it was up there… and how very, very cold! Have you any future plans for your work? As well as

painting, I also work four days a week as an Assistant Headteacher at a large primary school in Bath, so I only really get to paint on the day a week I have off and in school holidays. Ultimately, I’d like to reverse that balance; teach less, paint more. What advice would you give a local artist? Get in touch with Ian and Clare at the Ardent Gallery.We’re incredibly lucky to have such an excellent gallery in Brecon and they’ve been so helpful to me. It’s such a boost when someone wants to spend their money and have your work in their homes – very humbling! What other local artists do you admire? Well firstly, it has to be Meg Stevens; she had that sensitivity for our environment that I really aspire to. But I also really like an artist called Reg Gammon, who farmed at Capel y Ffin. He paints with amazing, bright colours and a vibrant energy – totally different to what I do, but he still captures that emotion and atmosphere of the countryside and people that he paints. Artist statement: It’s only when you leave an area, that you realise how much a part of you it can become and the Brecon Beacons are a part of me; a beautiful, dominating, glowering, comforting, rewarding, inspiring, enduring, challenging, secure and constant part; a part that never ceases to change whilst somehow remaining reassuringly familiar; a part that, whenever I close my eyes, wherever I am in the world, I can see… and, more closely, feel. For me, those mountains have an energy and an atmosphere that is somehow alive.To paint them, in their ever-changing glory, is the best compliment I can pay to my old friends.

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BRECON BASED ACCOUNTANCY PRACTICE

Woodland Park Shooting Ground

KAREN LAWRENCE CHARTERED CERTIFIED ACCOUNTANT

Over 25 Years of Experience in the Accountancy Profession

SERVICES PROVIDED: Accounting Annual Accounts Management Accounts

Taxation Self Assessment Tax Returns Tax Advice Payroll Service VAT Returns Business Start-ups Advice and Support Cashflows and Forecasts Book-keeping Book-keeping Service Need help with your 2014 Self Assessment Tax Return? Please do not hesitate to contact me on: T: M: E: W:

01874 623720 07792 769457 karen@karenlawrence.co.uk www.karenlawrence.co.uk

Professional, friendly service Principal: Karen Lawrence FCCA Member of the Association of Chartered Certified Accountants

Passionate feast of Italian music BBC National Orchestra of Wales will be setting hearts on fire in Brecon this November, as they present a passionate feast of Italian music at Theatr Brycheiniog on Thursday 27 November, 7.30pm. With Italian maestro Francesco Angelico conducting (pictured above), this concert evokes the beauty and romance of Italy. The evening includes two fiery overtures from the stalwarts of Italian opera – Rossini’s comedy ‘The Barber of Seville’ and Verdi’s intensely dramatic ‘La Forza del Destino’.The wonderful soprano Ruby Hughes also joins the Orchestra, as she presents a selection of opera arias by Mozart and Rossini. The orchestra closes the concert by exploring Italy as a tourist – through the music of German composer Mendelssohn who wrote his fourth symphony whilst on holiday. It’s an uplifting piece full of joyous music - as Mendelssohn himself described in a letter to his sister, it’s “the jolliest piece I have ever done”. This concert, the first in Brecon since 2012, is a new addition to the Orchestra’s regular tours around Wales. Laura Sinnerton, viola player with BBC National Orchestra of Wales, is looking forward to the tour: “You can never count on clement weather on tour, but the stunning scenery and the enthusiasm and dedication of our audiences around Wales make each tour a pleasure. I’m particularly looking forward to hearing the beautiful soprano voice of Ruby Hughes - it’s sure to make for a great concert in Brecon!” Tickets for the Orchestra’s concert in Brecon are priced at £15 (discounts available), and are available by calling the Orchestra’s Audience Line on 0800 052 1812.Tickets can also be booked directly through the Theatr Brycheiniog Box Office on 01874 611622. or online.

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Get to really know... Ian Mitchell I like a challenge.. Whether its being ranked 17th in the World Bog Snorkling Championship, standing in the UK General Election, running my businesses, or sailing from Milford to Glasgow the challenge of achieving is always my goal. I’m equally happy helping my family to achieve their goals, and always seek and enjoy their company. Place of birth? St Atthan RAF camp. Where do you live now? Cantref, Brecon. Marital status? Yes! Occupation? Chartered Accountant and Business Growth Specialist. Children? Two girls and two boys. Pets? 3 dogs, 1 cat, 6 chickens. What was your favourite childhood television programme? Didn’t have a TV. Are you a collector of anything? Yes. BBQ’s and animal egg cups. If you could be any animal, what would you be and why? Lion, because its my zodiac sign. If you could have any superpower, what would it be? Teleportation. What is usually your first thought when you wake up? Its going to be a great day! What do you usually think about right before falling asleep? My to-do list. Do you believe in ghosts? Yes. Most exciting thing you’ve won? The auction which got us our holiday home in St Davids. Two lessons life has taught you? Be positive, and don’t be self-important.

Which bad habits drive you crazy? Untidiness! Do you believe in the afterlife? Yes. What book would you recommend to others? 7 Habits of Highly Effective People. Best present ever received? My boat. List one thing you wish you could change about yourself: My age – I’ve got too much to do! If you could visit anywhere in the world, where would you go? India. List five goals on your life’s to-do list:Travel, fish, write a book, bike challenge, cookery course. Name one regret you have: I don’t have any regrets. Name one thing you miss about being a kid: Summer holidays. Name one thing you love about being an adult: Having confidence. What’s your favourite song of the moment?Chasing Cars by Snow Patrol. What’s your favourite song of all time? Surfing Sarfari by the Beach Boys. What’s your favourite thing to do on a Saturday night? Barbeque. What’s your favourite thing to do on a Sunday afternoon? Taking my boat out. Have any hidden talents? My invisible flea circus.

What makes you grumpy? Apathy.

What would be your dream job? The one I’ve got.

Teenage crush? Never had one.

If you HAD to change your name, what would you change it to? I wouldn’t!

You’re given one million pounds, what do you spend it on? My family. Have any bad habits? Untidiness.

What have you done today to make you feel proud? Being a leader.

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Brecon Film Society THE GREAT BEAUTY (15) MONDAY 3RD NOVEMBER ITALY 2013 DIR: PAOLO SORRENTINO Life is a performance and Rome is the stage, as a 65 year old man takes stock of his years of dissipation, mourning lost love and missed opportunities.

Based Locally between Brecon and Hay

Marquees for all occasions

NEXT MONTH: The Wind MONDAY 1ST DECEMBER.

Rises.

www.westcountrymarquees.co.uk

Tel: 01874 938005 E: wales@westcountrymarquees.co.uk

Brecon SelfStorage Secure Storage for all your needs

Office: 01874 611756 Mobile: 07508 355106 Unit 4 Ffrwdgrech est. Open Mon-Sat 9-5pm Sunday 9-1pm

1 STOP STORAGE WALES To advertise in the Local Beacon tel. 07775 898432 email. advertising@localbeacon.co.uk - 38 -

Recipe: The Chef ’s at The Tram Inn, Eardisley h sauce. tc o c s r e tt u b h it dding w Sticky toffee pu What next: You’ll need:

dding: Sticky toffee pu ped op ch 190g finely s te da pitted 310ml water bicarbonate 1 teaspoon of of soda tter 65g unsalted bu r ga su r ste 190g ca g eg m iu ed m 1 flour 190g self raising e: uc sa h tc co rs Butte m ea cr 470ml double r tte bu d lte sa 120g un brown rk da ft so 0g 19 sugar

dding: Sticky toffee pu & dust with tin af lo a e as re G • ur flo tle a lit til light and fluffy tter & sugar un • Cream the bu • Add the egg & dates for 5 mins g mix, then • Boil the water onate of soda to the boilin rb ca r bi sti e th od go a • Add d stir e heat and give remove from th to the sugar & butter mix an ix m te da a time • Add the /40 mins d flour a little at • Add the sifte tin and bake at 180°c for 30 an knife af cle lo a a g to in in us ur e iddl • Po re cooked in m • Check to ensu uce: Delicious servureding Butterscotch sa r tte with either po • Melt the bu of gar until smooth su e th cream of a sccrooeap m in sk hi •W e ic lla m ni ea cr va e th • Add 7 minutes • Simmer for 6/

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Love Food Hate Waste Last year in Powys 24 double decker buses worth of food waste was sent to landfill! With the help of Love Food Hate Waste, residents can reduce food waste and save money. If you have a smart phone you can download the new Love Food Hate Waste App (available in English and Welsh) to help you keep track of food planning, shopping, cooking meals and making the most of your leftovers. The App also has lots of great recipe and tips for using forgotten foods and leftovers to make great tasting meals. To download the app visit the Google and iTunes store. Alternatively, visit the websiteÂ www.lovefoodhatewaste.com Leftover tea and tea bags? You can use leftover tea to marinade meat before cooking, and even add used tea leaves to compost to help grow your plants. Tea can also effectively remove grease and grime on mirrors and floors, so use an old bag to make a cold brew, then use it as a cleaning solution. After you have used your teabags remember to recycle them using your council food waste recycling service, or compost it. Never put them in the rubbish bin. More tips like this can be found on the Love Food Hate Waste website (www.lovefoodhate.com)

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Recruiting now!

‘One Liners’ Liners’ ‘One by Father & Son

Income opportunities: • Retailers:looking after 20-30 customers • Team Leaders: supporting a team of retailers, coaching retail skills • Business Developers: expanding teams throughout the UK, Europe and Globally

by Father & Son

(Colan & & James James Badham) Badham) (Colan

It’s so cold outside, I actually saw a gangster pull his Ipants neverup. forget a face, but in your case I’d be glad to make an exception. “I’m sorry” and “I apologize” mean the same thing… I’m on awhen whiskey diet.atI’ve lost three days already. except you’re a funeral. This radio lark’s a wonderful hobby, y’know. I’ve got I intend to live forever… or die trying. friends all over the world, all over the world... none in We country, never knew he wasallaover drunk… until he showed this but friends the world. up to work sober. My wife sent her photograph to the Lonely Hearts A clear usually signthat of lonely. a bad Club. Theyconscience sent it back is saying they the weren’t memory. Chopsticks are one of the reasons the Chinese never I childproofed the house… but they still get in! invented custard.

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radius of our Velindre base - clothing, please ask HI Viz andmile reflective cycling about our very reasonable delivery charges Helmets and bike lights 01497 821260 further afield. to keep you safe during Opening Hours: the winter months ahead. Adrian at to 5pm Monday to Williams Friday 9am AW Logs: Saturday 9am to 1pm Home - 01874 711183 Mobile 07974 811297 Backfold, -Hay-on-Wye.

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News from Brecknock YFC

The 2014-2015 Young Farmers year has well and truly began. Members donned Cowboy hats, checked shirts, Indian headdresses and even two horses for a Hoe Down to celebrate Helen Evansâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; year as chairman. The evening included a rodeo bull, live band and hog roast and was enjoyed by over 250 members and supporters. A big thank you goes to Helen for her excellent year as county Chair. Next up was the Wales YFC AGM in Cardiff where past Builth Wells member Vicky Hope was elected as Wales YFC Vice Chairman â&#x20AC;&#x201C; the county would like to wish Vicky luck in her new role. The county then held its Harvest Festival in Llandefalle Church which saw members bringing filled and decorated shoe boxes for the Reaching Romania Charity Shoebox Appeal. Following this over 60 members competed in the County Stock-judging day at Brecon Livestock Market. A big well done to all those that competed. Club AGMs have been held throughout September also the AGMs of the County meetings. Bethan Jones has been elected as County Chairman with Owen Watkins as her Vice. Chloe Perrott has been elected as Finance and Development Chair with Huw Bufton as her Vice. Lisa Powell is Competitions Chair with Mairwen Davies as her Vice. Sioned Davies has been elected as Youth Forum Chair with Megan Powell as her Vice. Good luck to all the new officers for the year.

W moE hA vE vE D!

01874 610355

Ffrwdgrech Industrial Estate, Brecon LD3 8LA

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BRECON Poets:

Christmas 2014 - late March 2015 issue

PATRICIA DOUSE Originally from Trinidad, Patricia Douse now lives in Libanus and is active in the Brecon Speakers Club and the Brecon Political and Theological Discussion Group. She has recently commenced postgraduate studies in Religion at the Trinity Saint David University of Wales in Lampeter. Her poem below responds to Rabindranath Tagore’s poem entitled ‘A Hundred Years from Now’. A Hundred Years (or so) Ago A great deal of water has passed, Gently sometimes, more frequently in full ferocious flow, Under a variety of bridges, Of stone, timber, concrete, aluminium, painted steel, Since you composed a poem of joy and hope and humanity A century (or thereabouts) ago. Lord of the sun, you cast your light On nature’s ever-changing permanence. Despite The long decades of pain, the rain still forms, The leaf still trembles. Albeit that the floods Have become more troublesome, the leaves Less plentiful, the bees passed on, the forests Of Bengal but childhood memory. And yet A lover’s lips shall kiss away our tears.

local family magazine If you offer a service, a product or events and classes for children aged 0 - 12 years then the well received Cariads Local Family Magazine is right up your street! Before the Christmas Holidays, this magazine will be packed into the Children’s bags at their School or Nursery, going direct to the decision makers - the parents or carers. Confirmed local Primary Schools and Nurseries in Brecon, Bronllys, Builth, Clifford, Clyro, Crickhowell, Eardisley, Hay, Llangattock, Llangorse, Llangynidr, Llanigon, Llyswen, Sennybridge, Talgarth and Whitney.

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And yet a poet, pulsating with inveterate vitality, His fingers tapping on the keyboard, much as The water droplets patter on high windows and Murmur through unseen and trackless channels To nourish new songs in similar gardens, Quenched by perpetual precipitation, he writes, He dispatches his paper boats and, Despite the Inhumane calamities, The flowers still unfold, As yours did then, some hundred years ago.

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Contributions from local poets are invited. These should be no more than 24 lines in length and accompanied by two or three succinct sentences about the poet. They should please be emailed to breconpoets@ yahoo.com and not directly to the Local Beacon.

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What’s on: during the week MONDAY Sewing Group: 1 – 3pm. Llanddew Village Hall. An informal group meeting each week for a chat and cup of tea while sewing. Rob’s No Worries Yoga – “Stretch & Release”: 1 – 2.30pm. Trallong Hall. £6. Contact 01874 638810 or 07748 568402. Playford Style Dancing (English Country Dancing): 2.30 – 4pm.The Subud Hall, Nr Watton Villa, Brecon. Contact Peter Brock 01874 622889. 2nd Rainbows (girls aged 5-7): (Term time only). 5.30 – 6.30pm. Llanfaes Church Hall. Contact www. girlguiding.org.uk/joinus, to register interest. Brecon Athletics Club: 6 – 8pm. Brecon Leisure Centre. Contact Kath Crane 01874 623677. Take pART – Veronica Gibson teaches painting: 6 – 8pm. Unit 28 Ffrwdgrech Industrial Estate Brecon LD3 8LA UK. Contact 01874 610643 or 610825. Brecon Bridge Club: 6.45pm. Brecon Rugby Club, the Watton, Brecon. New members and visitors are always welcome and should contact Chris Forbes on 01874 622158 for information. Alive & Kickin’ Community Choir: 7 – 9pm. The Old Museum, Glamorgan St, Brecon. Everyone aged 10 and up who wants to sing is most welcome. £5 per session. Please don’t worry about needing any past singing experience. It’s open to everyone! Contact Tanya Walker 07723 016837. Brecon Rotary Club: 7.30pm. The George Hotel Brecon. New members welcome. Contact 01874 636390. Charity Cash Bingo: 7.30pm. The Gremlin Hotel, Brecon. TUESDAY Tuesday Morning Badminton: 9.30 – 11.30am. Brecon Leisure Centre. Friendly group meet weekly. All ages, all abilities welcome. Equipment provided. £2 per session. Contact

(email: powyscba@btinternet.com) or Gen Tyler 01874 690460. Crick Howlers: 10am. The Parish Hall, Church Lane, Crickhowell. The Crick Howlers are a natural voice group who meet weekly led by Helen Vincent, where all songs are taught by ear so you don’t need to be able to read music. Contact 01873 832795. New U: 12.30 – 1.30pm and 6 – 7pm. Conservative Club, St Mary’s Street, Brecon. Slim down, look good, feel great with Anne Rees. Slimming World: 6.30pm. Bishop Bevan Hall, Lion St., Brecon. Contact Joan 01873 812053. Gwernyfed Hockey Club – Training: 7 – 8pm Brecon Leisure Centre’s Astro. All abilities welcome. Contact Nicola Drew 07812 691345. Scottish Dancing: 7 – 9.30pm. Subud Hall, nr. Watton Villa, Brecon. Beginners welcome. Contact Peter Brock 01874 622889. Brecon Youth Club: (Term time) 7 – 9.30pm. BreconYouth Ctr., Cradoc Rd., Brecon.Activities:Arts and crafts, cookery,pool,dance,air hockey,darts, music room, IT suite. Age Group: 11 – 25. Contact Rhodri Jones 01874 622658. Table Tennis Social Club: 7.30pm. Trallong Church Hall. Beginners, enthusiasts and veterans welcome. Contact Trevor Lee 01874 638995. Open Mic: 8pm. The Globe at Hay. The very best musicians from the locality and beyond. Contact 01497 821762. Shukokan Karate: 7.15 – 8pm beginners, 8 – 9pm intermediates, 9 – 10pm seniors and adults. Brecon Leisure Centre. Contact Paul Jones 01874 623677. Brecon Basketball Club: 8 – 9pm. Brecon Leisure Ctr. Contact Roger Norris 01874 623677. WEDNESDAY Aberhonddu Angels (A young WI group): (First Weds of the month) WI Office, Lion St., Brecon. Follow on facebook for updates.

Stitch Together: (Every 2nd and every 4th Wednesday in the month until March) 10am – 5pm.The Muse, Glamorgan Street, Brecon. We are a Community Sewing Group – knitting, dressmaking, crocheting, etc. Up cycling material, sharing skills, conversation and cake! Visit us on Facebook – Stitch Together, or contact Charlie 07967 343619 or email: charlies@thegreenvalleys.org. Brecon Breastfeeding Support – BIBs: 10 – 12noon. St. John’s Family Centre, Brecon. Trallong Art and Craft Group: (Every 2nd and 4th Wednesday in the month) 10.30am – 12.30pm. Trallong Hall. A quiet, light space to paint, sew, or whatever you enjoy. All welcome. Please bring your own materials. Free taster session, small annual membership fee to cover hall costs. Contact Joy 01874 636125. Sesiwn Sgwrsio dros baned: 12.30 – 1.30pm. The Brecon Volunteer Bureau. Small, friendly venue to practice your Welsh. Visual Impairment Breconshire: (Every 2nd & 4th Weds in the month) 1.30 – 3.30pm. Watton Presbyterian Schoolroom. Contact 01874 624949. The Mothers Union: (1st Weds in the month) 2pm. The Diocesan Centre, Cathedral Close, Brecon. New members welcome. Although called a “Mothers Union” you do not have to be a mother to join; single, married or divorced, all are welcome. Contact 01874 636390. Rainbow Guides (for girls aged 5 & 6): (Term time only). 5pm. Cobbles Coffee Shop. Contact Pam Martin 07976 797107. Beacons Netball Club:4 – 5.30pm years 7, 8 & 9. 5.30 – 7pm year 10 and older. Brecon Leisure Centre. £3 on the night or reduced fee for the term. First training session free. All abilities welcome. Contact Margaret Nuttall, Coach 01597 840420. Brecon Women in Business: (First Wednesday of the month)

What’s on: during the week 5.30pm at The George Hotel, Brecon. Contact Johanna 01874 625994 or Janet 01874 611467. Brecon Business Club: (2nd Wednesday of each month) 6pm. The Clarence Inn, Brecon. The meetings give opportunity to network with each other and “showcase” their businesses. Key note speakers are invited to share their expertise. Contact www. breconbusinessclub.org. Rob’s No Worries Yoga – “Stretch & Release”: 6 – 7.30pm. Subud Hall, Brecon. £6. Contact 01874 638810 or 07748 568402. Velo Hay Cycle Club: 6pm Drover Cycles, Forest Road, Hay. All welcome. Contact 01497 821134. Slimming World: 6.30pm. Glangrwyney Village Hall, Crickhowell Road. Contact Joan 01873 812053. The Alternative Business Club: (Alternate Weds) 7pm. The White House Inn, Sennybridge. Meet and chat with people who are like minded and interested in helping other people and their businesses by networking. First meeting is free so come and see what’s going on. After this first meeting it will only cost £5. Contact 01874 636986. Samba Brecon: 7 – 9pm. Felindre Village Hall. Samba Brecon is a lively, friendly community percussion band, always learning and playing new Afro-Brazilian rhythms on a weekly basis. New members and non-members are very welcome. No previous experience needed. First taster session is free. Tuition is provided. £4 per session, £3 concessions, under 16s are free but must be accompanied. Contact Glenn 07971 398727 or Catherine 01874 625422. Gwent & PowysArmy Cadet Force: 7 – 9pm. The ACF Ctr, Conway St, Brecon LD3 7EU. Ages 12 (Yr 8 High School) – 18yrs looking for a new exciting, fun and challenging activity. Cadets take part in a huge variety of challenging

& fun pursuits such as Military Training, Sports, Adventurous Training, Community based activities and the Duke of Edinburgh Award Scheme. We aim to inspire young people to achieve success in life, make the most of their abilities and develop the qualities to be a good citizen. Contact 01873 813756. www.armycadets.com. The Brecon Singers – Rehearsals: 7.30 – 9.30pm (Term Time only). Neuadd Goffa, Christ College, Brecon. We are currently preparing for our concert in Brecon Cathedral on Saturday 15th November at 7.30pm when we are performing Chris Williams’ Tsunami Requiem and Rutter’s Requiem with orchestra and soprano soloist Isabel Bridgeman. Tickets from Cathedral shop and www.ticketsource.co.uk/ event/70273. After this concert we begin rehearsals for our December Christmas Concert at St Mary’s Church. Join us if you love to sing. No auditions. Contact 01874 658332 or visit www.breconsingers.com. Brecon Racketeers (badminton): 8 – 10pm. Brecon Leisure Centre. Contact 01874 623677. THURSDAY Probus Club of Brecon: 10am.The Castle of Brecon Hotel. Brecon U3A: (Term time only) Morning session 10.30am. Afternoon sessions at 1.15pm & 2.30pm, each for one hour. Studio, Theatr Brycheiniog, Brecon. Coffee available from 10am. Lectures on any one of a wide variety of topics. New members are always welcome. Contact, Jean Hosie 01874 610340. Rob’s No Worries Yoga – “Stretch & Release”: 12.30 – 1.30pm. Subud Hall, Brecon. £4. Contact 01874 638810 or 07748 568402. Raven Drama: (Term time only). 5 – 7 year olds 5.15 – 6.15pm, 8+ year olds 6 – 7.30pm. Llangorse Village Hall.Age 8+ year olds. Contact Lynn Clausen 07949 329561. Gwernyfed Ladies Rugby Training:

6pm (U15’s girls), 6.30pm (U18’s), 6.45 (Ladies). Gwernyfed Rugby Club, Talgarth. If you’re looking for something fun, challenging and exciting to do, then come along. No experience is required. Delyth Thomas 07891 371458. Brecon Youth Club: (Term time) 6.30 – 9pm Tuesday and Friday. Brecon Youth Centre, Cradoc Road. Activities: Arts and crafts, cookery, pool, dance, air hockey, darts, music room, IT suite. Age Group: 11-25. Contact Rhodri Jones on 01874 622658. Short Mat Bowls: 7pm.Trallong Hall. Please come and join a small, friendly group playing Short Mat Bowls on an informal basis. Contact Alan Bloss 01874 636125. Slimming World: 7pm. St David’s Hall, Bailihelig Road, Llanfaes, Brecon. Contact Shelley 01874 622846 or 07980 259638. Club Night: 7.30pm. The Globe at Hay. Home to a rich variety of groups and societies. Contact 01497 821762. Brecon & Glanusk Explorer Scouts: (Term time) 7.45 – 9pm. We provide scouting for 14 – 18 year-olds, meeting either in Crickhowell or Brecon (lifts are usually available). As well as traditional scouting activities we also take part in many other activities, including the Duke of Edinburgh Award Scheme. We are a friendly group, and newcomers are more than welcome to come along and try us out.You can get a flavour of what we get up to by visiting our website www.breconexplorers.co.uk. FRIDAY Rob’s No Worries Yoga – “Stretch & Release”: 11am – 12 noon. Brecon Leisure Centre. £3.80. Contact 01874 638810 or 07748 568402. Art group for the over 60s’: 2 – 4pm.The Youth Centre, Cradoc Rd, Brecon. Any level or ability. Any medium. Professional tutor. Contact

What’s on: during the week / month Geraldine White 01874 610415 or Eleanor Sherwood 01874 623937. Brecon Bouncers: 4.15 – 5.45pm. Brecon Leisure Centre. Trampoline activities. Contact Sue Goodhead 01874 623677. Friday Live: 8pm. The Globe at Hay. Fantastic live entertainment. Comedy, music and more. Contact 01497 821762. SATURDAY Breconshire Local & Family History Society – Assistance on Family History Research: (3rd Sat in the month) Mornings. Brecon Library. No appointments needed, just drop in for one-to-one advice. Shenanigans: 8pm. The Globe at Hay. The best party for miles. Live bands and DJ’s every week. Contact 01497 821762. SUNDAY Services at Penyrheol Baptist Church: (4th Sunday in the month) 3pm. Contact 01874 711061. Sunday Service: 6pm. Cwmbach Methodist Church, Glasbury. A warm welcome awaits you and there are refreshments following the service. Contact Rev Bill Jones 01873 811007. DURING THE MONTH Saturday 1st November Rotary Caledonian Market: 11am. Brecon Market Hall. Entrance £1. Proceeds to charity. Visit www. breconrotary.com. Maendu Well Community Halloween Party: 3.30 – 7pm. Maendu Well, Maes-y-Ffynnon, Brecon. Story telling, forest school activities, trick or treating and (of course) fancy dress prizes! Contact 07890 480641. Sunday 2nd November All Souls Requiem Mass: 4.30pm. Brecon Cathedral. During the service there will be a chance to light a candle in memory of your loved one(s) and receive Communion if you wish to. There will also be the chance to have a cuppa afterwards with people who know what you have been going through.

Monday 3rd November Brecon Film Society presents: The Great Beauty: 7.15 for 7.30pm. Coliseum Cinema, Brecon. Life is a performance and Rome is the stage, as a 65 year old man takes stock of his years of dissipation, mourning, lost love and missed opportunities. Contact Judith Fitton 01874 623166. See article on page 38. Tuesday 4th November “Three Artists of the First World War” – Brecknock Decorative & Fine Arts Society: 2.30pm. Theatr Brycheiniog, Brecon. The three artists that are the subject of this lecture each showed a different perspective of war. Lady Butler, a favourite of Queen Victoria, wanted to show the heroism of the British soldier. Paul Nash grieved the loss of the natural landscape of Northern France. Otto Dix, a German artist, revealed the inhumanity of war through graphic depictions of the trenches. Juliet Heslewood studied History of Art at London University and is the author of many books on art. Annual Membership of Society £40. Visitors welcome, £7.50 per lecture. Contact Deborah Cogger 01874 625679 or visit www.bdfas.org.uk. Wednesday 5th November Breconshire Local & Family History Society – Geographical Techniques for Family and Local Historians: 2 – 4pm. Brecon Library (Upstairs Room). Roy Davies will return to look at maps and talk about how the history of the landscape can be drawn out of the features shown on paper. Friday 7th November Grand Quiz: 7pm. Llangors Village Hall. In aid of Cancer Research Wales. Tickets £7. Contact Eira Jones 01874 730257. Saturday 8th November Brecknock Farmers Market: 9.30am – 2pm. Brecon Market Hall. Contact 07805 375636. Visit www. brecknockfarmersmarket.co.uk. See advert on page 19.

Sunday 9th November Brecon Town Council’s “Annual Act of Remembrance”: 10.30am. St Mary’s Parish Church. Followed at 11.30am by a service at Brecon Cathedral. Contact the Town Clerk, Mrs Fiona Williams 01874 622884 (Mornings only). Monday 10th November Brecon Speakers Club: 7.30pm. The Three Horseshoes, Llanfaes. Focussing on the Impromptu Speech and on composing and reading a short story. All interested persons are invited. Contact John Harries 01874 622874 or Mike Douse at MJDouse@gmail.com. Tuesday 11th November Brecon Town Council’s “Annual Act of Remembrance” 10.50am. St Mary’s Church Green. Contact the Town Clerk, Mrs Fiona Williams 01874 622884 (Mornings only). Wednesday 12th November Open Evening – NPTC Group: 4.30 – 7pm. Brecon Beacons Campus. Contact 0845 4086200. See advert on page 38. Dementia Friends Session: 7pm. White House Inn, Sennybridge. Contact Rhiannon Davies, Dementia Champion, 07940 961006. Wednesday 12th November Brecon Political and Theological Discussion Group: talk and discussion on ‘La France et le Pays de Galles’: 7.30pm. The Three Horseshoes, Llanfaes.Talk by Claude Annik, who will discuss her role as the French Honorary Consul to Wales. All invited. Contact John Harries 01874 622874 or Mike Douse at MJDouse@gmail.com. Thursday 13th November Open Evening – NPTC Group: 4.30 – 7pm. Newtown Campus. Contact 0845 4086200. See advert on page 38. An Evening with Owen Shears: 7pm. Y Neuadd, Christ College, Brecon, LD3 8AF. Wales Book of

What’s on: during the month the Year and Roland Mathias Poetry Prize Winner 2014. Tickets £5 (£4 for Brecknock Society and Welsh Academy Members). Tickets on door or contact 029 2047 2266. See advert on page 2. Saturday 15th November Christmas Fair: 10am. Royal Welsh Regimental Museum, The Watton, Brecon. Admission £2 – Children free. Refreshments, stalls. In aid of the Museum Appeal. Dementia Friends Session: 11am. Brecon Library. Contact Rhiannon Davies, Dementia Champion, 07940 961006. Brecon Singers Concert – Chris Williams’ Tsunami Requiem and John Rutter’s Requiem: 7.30pm. Brecon Cathedral. Brecon Singers, directed by Jonathan Ling, will perform two dramatic Requiems. The first, Chris Williams’ dynamic and sensitive Tsunami Requiem, retells the dramatic events of the Asian Tsunami on Boxing Day 2004. The second, John Rutter’s beautiful Requiem, is much loved and was the music of choice for the many memorial services across the US following the 9/11 tragedy. The singers will be joined by pupils from Christ College and supported by flute, oboe, harp, cello, brass, percussion and organ. The evening will also feature soprano soloist Isabel Bridgeman. Tickets £10 or £5 for under 18s. Available online at www.breconsingers.ticketsource. co.uk,The Cathedral Shop or on the door. Contact 01874 658332. Saturday 22nd November “A Christmas Window on Brecon” – Winter Fair: 10am – 3.30pm. The Market Hall, Brecon. A promotion by Brecon’s local businesses. See article on page 20 and advert on page 21. Switching on of Christmas Lights: 3.45pm. St Mary’s Church, Brecon. See article on page 20 and advert on page 24. Gala Dinner in aid of Royal Welsh Regimental Museum Appeal.

Llangoed Hall. Booking essential. Contact 01497 847262. Saturday 22nd and Sunday 23rd November ‘Art at No. 10’ Christmas Show: 10.30am – 5pm Saturday, and 11am – 4pm Sunday. 10,The Struet, Brecon, LD3 7LL. See article and advert on page 5. Wednesday 26th November Brecon Poetry Group: 7.30pm.The Three Horseshoes, Llanfaes. Come along and – if you wish – read your recent poems. Contact John Harries 01874 622874. Thursday 27th November BBC National Orchestra of Wales present: “Pictures of Italy – A Passionate Feast of Italian Music”: 7.30pm.Theatr Brycheiniog, Brecon. Tickets £15 (discounts available) from the Orchestra’s Audience Line 0800 052 1812 or Theatr Brycheiniog Box Office 01874 611622. See article on page 35 and advert inside back cover. Friday 28th November Pub Quiz in support of the Brecon Volunteer Bureau: 7.30pm. The Three Horseshoes, Llanfaes. Entry fee of £1 per person. 7.30pm. All invited. Contact John Harries 01874 622874. Saturday 29th November Hay-on-Wye Winter Food Festival: 10am – 4pm. Memorial Car Park, Hay. Contact Andrew Powell 07779 012019. See advert on back cover. Abergavenny Symphony Orchestra: 7.30pm. Brecon Cathedral. Crickhowell Choral Society and The Glam Reunion Choir will be joining us for a performance of Beethoven’s Symphony No 9 The Choral. Llio Evans – Soprano, Dawn Burns – Mezzo Soprano, Ben Thapa – Tenor, Sion Goronwy – Bass. Tickets: £12 or £5 for students. Available from Cathedral Shop, Abergavenny Music (01873) 853394, or online at abergavennysymph.ticketsource. co.uk, or on the door.

Saturday 29th and Sunday 30th November Festival of Angels (Earthly & Heavenly): 11am – 4pm. St. Michael’s Church, Llanfihangel – Talyllyn. Admission £2, School age – free. Refreshments, in aid of the Church, served in the Black Cock Inn. Monday 1st December Brecon Film Society presents: The Wind Rises: 7.15 for 7.30pm. Coliseum Cinema, Brecon. Contact Judith Fitton 01874 623166. See article on page 38. Tuesday 2nd December “Inspired by Winter Colour: Bruegel to Cezanne and Beyond” – Brecknock Decorative & Fine Arts Society: 2.30pm. Theatr Brycheiniog, Brecon. Artists are inspired by light and subtle winter colours can be compelling. Bruegel’s village scenes, an avalanche by Turner, landscapes under snow by the Impressionists and closer to our time Georgia O’Keefe and Terry Frost show a rich variety of artistic responses reflecting winter. Vivienne Hefferman is an art history tutor for education departments of Cambridge Essex Universities and a long standing lecturer for the Open University. Annual Membership of Society £40. Visitors welcome, £7.50 per lecture. Contact Deborah Cogger 01874 625679 or visit www.bdfas.org.uk. Friday 5th December The Mayor’s Charity Coffee Morning with Christmas Carols by Ysgol-y-Bannau: 10am. The Guildhall Brecon. All welcome. See advert on page 24. Saturday 6th December 2nd Annual Advent Craft Fair: 11am – 4pm. St Cynog’s Church, Defynnog. See article on page 17.

FOR SALE MOBILITY MOBILITY SCOOTER. SCOOTER. Pride Pride Go Go Go Go Elite Elite Traveller Traveller LX, LX, dark dark blue. blue. Used Used but but in in good good condition. condition. £250, £250, (new (new price price over over £500). £500). 01874 01874 712081 712081 // 07967 07967 114609. 114609. HOMELITE HOMELITE SELF SELF PROPELLED PROPELLED PETROL PETROL 150CC 150CC LAWNMOWER. 45cm. cut, good condition, LAWNMOWER. 45cm. cut, good condition, too too large large for for new new property property £60. £60. 01874 01874 711454. 711454. MOULDED MOULDED POND POND LINER LINER 6x4x18” 6x4x18” approx. approx. Free Free collect collect only. only. 01874. 01874. 711454. 711454. A A FREE FREE VIEW VIEW DIGITAL DIGITAL RECORDER RECORDER TWIN TWIN TUNER. TUNER. Enabling you to record one side and Enabling you to record one side and watch watch another. another. Comes Comes with with scart scart lead lead power power lead lead remote remote and and manual. manual. £30. £30. 07966254274. 07966254274. KEYBOARD. KEYBOARD. can can do do everything everything except except talk. talk. 100 100 different different songs, 100 different musical instruments, Mertronome songs, 100 different musical instruments, Mertronome setting. setting. Includes Includes adjustable adjustable height height stand, stand, power power lead, lead, manual manual and and music music books. books. Excellent Excellent condition. condition. £100. £100. 07966254274. 07966254274. NEW NEW DE DE LONGHI LONGHI EXPRESSO EXPRESSO // CAPPUCCINO CAPPUCCINO COFFEE MAKER Bought COFFEE MAKER Bought 22 weeks weeks ago ago for for £150 £150 from from John John Lewis so 2 yr guarantee. £80. 01497 842929. Lewis so 2 yr guarantee. £80. 01497 842929. FUJITSU FUJITSU LAPTOP LAPTOP with with Windows Windows 88 hardly hardly used. used. £300. £300. 01497 01497 842929. 842929.

alisonhuntley@hotmail.co.uk alisonhuntley@hotmail.co.uk or or tel:07443438064. tel:07443438064. PERSONAL ASSISTANT REQUIRED for aa lady lady in in her her PERSONAL ASSISTANT REQUIRED for fifties fifties living living near near Llyswen, Llyswen, requiring requiring support support in in the the home home & & with with going going out. out. You You must must be be reliable reliable and and aa willing willing team team player, player, flexible flexible and and dedicated.Excellent dedicated.Excellent rates rates of of pay. pay. 19 19 hours hours contracted contracted every every other other weekend, weekend, plus plus extra extra cover cover when when required. required. For For job job description description please please contact contact Compass Compass on on 01823 01823 282823 282823 quoting quoting job job reference reference PTD040. PTD040.

USEFUL NUMBERS Dyfed-Powys Police ...................................................................... 101 Brecon Medical Group Practice...... 01874 622121 Dyfed-Powys Police ...................................................................... 101

Brecon Advice Centre....................... 01874 Hay Centre ............................................. 01497 822100 Hay Medical Medical Centre ............................................. 01497624595 822100 Dyfed-Powys Police................................................101

National National Grid Grid Gas Gas (Gas (Gas Leaks) Leaks) ....................... ....................... 0800 0800 111999 111999

National Grid Gas (Gas Leaks)..............0800 111999

Powys Powys Citizens’ Citizens’ Advice Advice Bureau..................... Bureau..................... 0845 0845 601 601 8421 8421

Powys Citizens’ Advice Bureau........ 0845 601 8421

RSPCA ........................................................................ 0300 RSPCA County ........................................................................ 0300 1234 1234 999 999 Powys Council Scottish ......................................................... 08452 722424 (General Enquiries) .01597 827 460 / 0845 602 7030 Scottish Power Power ......................................................... 08452 722424

RSPCA. ................................................ 0300 1234 999 Talgarth Centre 01874 713000 Talgarth .Medical Medical Centre .................................... .................................... 01874 713000 Scottish Power..................................... 08452 722424

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RECRUITMENT BAKER BAKER WANTED. WANTED. We We are are looking looking for for aa competent, competent, reliable reliable baker baker to to work work night night shifts shifts in in our our well well established established artisan artisan bakery bakery in in Hay Hay on on Wye.Please Wye.Please email email aa current current CV CV to: to: alexgooch1@hotmail.co.uk alexgooch1@hotmail.co.uk or or write write to to Alex Alex Gooch, Gooch, Unit Unit 77 Greenfields Greenfields Industrial Industrial Estate, Estate, Forest Forest Road, Road, Hay Hay on on Wye Wye HR3 HR3 5FA 5FA CLYRO CLYRO COMMUNITY COMMUNITY COUNCIL COUNCIL A A Vacancy Vacancy has has arisen arisen for for the the post post of of Clerk Clerk for for the the above above council. council. The The post post is is part part time time and and involves involves 15 15 hours hours per per month. month. For For further further information information please please contact contact Clerk Clerk on on 01874 01874 711866/07403311409 711866/07403311409 or or Chairman Chairman on on 07948004729/01497 07948004729/01497 820898. 820898. FULL FULL TIME TIME OR OR PART PART TIME TIME CHEF CHEF REQUIRED REQUIRED at at Tram Tram Inn, Inn, Eardisley. Eardisley. Own Own transport transport and and experience experience essential. essential. Phone Phone Mark Mark on on 01544 01544 327251 327251 for for more more information. information. EXPERIENCED EXPERIENCED CARPENTER CARPENTER WANTED. WANTED. Please Please contact contact Smith Smith Builders Builders Ltd Ltd for for more more information, information, 01544 01544 327169 327169 // info@smithbuildersltd.co.uk info@smithbuildersltd.co.uk EXPERIENCED, EXPERIENCED, RESPONSIBLE RESPONSIBLE LIVE-IN-CARER LIVE-IN-CARER available available for for respite respite and and post post hospital hospital care. care. Fully Fully CRB CRB checked, checked, experienced experienced in in all all aspects aspects of of care care (also (also experienced experienced special special diets diets cook) cook) Driver Driver with with own own car. car. Available Available to to cover cover between between 11 and and 33 weeks weeks at at aa time. time. Please Please contact contact Alison Alison at at

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