News

Des Oldfield's Bolly Run for Our Injured Soldiers

(CHAMPAGNE and STRAWBERRY COMPETITION)

IN AID OF INJURED SOLDIERS OF OUR LOCAL REGIMENT, THE ROYAL WELSH and THEIR FAMILIES

FIRST PRIZE
A bottle of chilled Bollinger champagne + five portions of local strawberries and cream, served on Llangadog square, complete with musical accompaniment by
Cor Meibion Dinefwr

SECOND PRIZE
Bottle of whisky kindly donated by Jamie and Wendy Buist

THE COMPETITION
Guess how long it will take me to run from Bethlehem, through Cwm Sawdde, to Llangadog Post Office on 22nd August arriving around 11.30 a.m.
Estimated time to the nearest tenth of a second. (In the event of more than one correct answer, the winner will be decided by the toss of a coin)

THE CHARITABLE CAUSE
Unfortunately while we hear of the deaths in Afghanistan in the news headlines, we may not appreciate both the number and severity of injuries incurred by Welsh soldiers in the line of duty. The welfare fund set aside to assist them is coming under severe strain, hence the need to support them.

COST
£1 PER ENTRY OR 3 FOR £2

Raising money for the Royal Welsh: (029) 20726103 Contact Des Oldfield (01550 779255)
If you wish to donate money privately please contact the number above. for more details

It is hoped that there will be a table at the Llangadog Show on Saturday 7th August at the entrance to the marquee where we will take entries.
In addition there will be entry forms at Llangadog Post Office as well as various pubs & shops in the village.

CILGWYN LODGE GARDENS OPEN DAY
Sunday 27th July, 2010

Keith and Moira were very grateful that the weather was really good this year for their Open Day, as this brought in more visitors than ever who were able to wander round their beautiful garden which is packed with every colour of the rainbow.

There were refreshments provided skilfully by the local WI and plenty of chairs to relax on in all corners of the garden, as well as plenty of plants on sale too.

We all wish them good luck in the Daily Mail competition (see below) and will put the results on this website, but first we must congratulate them both on the hard work which has gone into producing another magnificent garden full of interest. It is worth mentioning that if anyone missed the Open Day, Keith and Moira are quite happy for visitors to see the garden at other times, but do ring first – 01550 777452 to make sure it is convenient.

NEWS FLASH!
Friday, 23rd July 2010
At the beginning of July we entered Cilgwyn Lodge Gardens in the Daily Mail National Garden Competition 2010. We heard last week that out of the 2,000 gardens that were entered we had been selected as one of the final 14 gardens under consideration. Judging of the final gardens took place this week and we were delighted to be informed yesterday that we had been selected as one of the 6 finalists. This morning Keith did a telephone interview with Constance Craig Smith the garden columnist with the Daily Mail, and this evening we had a photoshoot at the gardens by a top London photographer. We are still in a whirl especially with our Open Day on Sunday.
There will be a feature of all 6 finalists in the Weekend Magazine of the Daily Mail on either 7th or 14th August. Final judging takes place in the week commencing 16th August and the winner will be announced in September. It has been more fun than we could have ever imagined and whatever the outcome it will be great publicity for the Gardens and a thrill to share them with millions of Daily Mail readers. We are also proud that a Welsh garden has reached the final and hope that it will encourage more people to visit gardens in Wales and raise the profile of the NGS. We will keep you informed of further developments.
Keith & Moira

CONCESSIONARY TRAVEL PASS
A Reminder
The Concessionary Fare Scheme is funded by the Welsh Assembly Government and administered locally by Carmarthenshire County Council.
The scheme entitles elderly people and people with disabilities resident in Wales to free travel on local bus services throughout the Principality. In addition, disabled people who would be unable to travel without assistance may also be entitled to take a companion with them free of charge.
Application forms are available from Post Office branches.
Each applicant must be a permanent resident of Carmarthenshire and must satisfy one of the criteria listed below, producing appropriate documentation for verification.
• Women and men aged 60 and over.
• Blind and partially sighted persons
• Persons with impaired hearing
• Persons without speech
• Persons without arms or have long-term loss of the use of both arms
• Persons with a learning disability
• Persons with a disability or suffering from an injury, which has a substantial and long-term adverse effect on his or her ability to walk
• Persons who would be refused a driving licence on health grounds
The Travel Pass entitles the pass holder to unrestricted free travel on registered local bus services throughout Wales. (N.B. The Travel Pass does not entitle the holder to free travel on the following: Taxi journeys; Ferry services; Coach excursions or tours; National Express services; Service X40 between Carmarthen and Cardiff).
The Travel Pass also entitles Carmarthenshire pass holders to purchase Rail tickets at a half fare discount on single and day return standard fares (ie not on first class rail tickets) on rail journeys operating within the County of Carmarthenshire, i.e. on the “West Wales” and “Heart of Wales” railway lines.
In addition, the Travel Pass may be used to travel to or from destinations in neighbouring Counties, provided the pass holder’s journey starts or finishes within Carmarthenshire, i.e. on the West Wales line, all stops within Pembrokeshire and all stops as far East as Swansea, and on the Heart of Wales line, all stops as far South as Swansea and as far North as Llandrindod Wells.
Carmarthenshire pass holders may also use the Travel Pass to travel at half the usual fare on qualifying Country Cars journeys.

Garn Goch Archaeology Festival

At Garn Goch hillfort, overlooking the Tywi Valley, visitors will be invited to walk back in time as part of the national festival of British Archaeology. On the weekend of 31st July and 1st August Dyfed Archaeological Trust and Brecon Beacons National Park Authority, with the support of Garn Goch graziers and the community of Bethlehem, will be laying on a host of archaeological and historically themed activities at the largest hillfort in Wales.
Starting at Bethlehem Village Hall visitors will be guided along a time trail up and around the hillfort learning about the landscape and hearing tales of the past along the way. Within the stone ramparts of Garn Goch, people will be demonstrating crafts through time. Children and adults can investigate the site for themselves through a history hunt.

For further information about the festival or if you would like to hear more about Exploration Tywi! contact Alice Pyper at the Dyfed Archaeological Trust 01558-823131 or log on to www.dyfedarchaeology.org.uk

Tywi Afon yr Oesoedd is a £2.4 million Landscape Partnership Scheme led by Carmarthenshire County Council. It is aimed at conserving the area’s landscape, biodiversity and history, as well as creating a legacy for future generations. The project has received £1.5 million from the Heritage Lottery Fund, and £557,378 through the Rural Development Plan for Wales 2007-2013 which is funded by the Welsh Assembly Government and the European Agricultural Fund for Rural Development. It has also received funding from the Countryside Council for Wales, and support from the National Trust and Menter Bro Dinefwr. The project team is based at the Tywi Centre at Dinefwr Farm, Llandeilo. For further information email post@tywiafonyroesoedd.org.uk or call 01558-824271. Visit the project web pages via www.carmarthenshire.gov.uk

Llangadog Gardening Club's Annual Sale - Friday 27th August
Llangadog Gardening Club's Annual Sale of Fresh Produce, Cakes, Plants and Bric-a-Brac and bumper Raffle will be held in Llangadog Community Centre at 7pm, refreshments included in entry fee. Come and bag a bargain! For further info contact Gwen Evans on 01550-777813.

LLANGADOG CARNIVAL
In an otherwise very dry summer, sadly Llangadog Carnival took place on one of the very few wet days in many weeks. Nevertheless there was a good turnout and the photographs show just a few of the many imaginative and colourful floats and others who took part in this year's procession from the Common to the Recreation Ground - from horses, carriages and riders...

...to collie dogs and sheep.

But perhaps the most prophetic was the float (!) commemorating Glastonbury 40...

and potentially the most useful was the Jolly Roger!

BY RAIL TO THE ROYAL WELSH SHOW
Arriva Trains will again be running an additional service in each direction between Cardiff and Builth Road during the week of the Royal Welsh Show (other timetabled services will operate as normal). The organisers of the Royal Welsh Show are offering a discounted admission rate for those people travelling by rail to attend the show: Adults £18; Children 5-15yrs £4; Children under 5yrs free (plus the relevant rail fare depending on which station the journey commences from). A free shuttle bus service will provide a link between the rail station and the showground.
There are a couple of ways of buying tickets: Tickets for the train journey and show entry can be bought from any staffed railway station or station agent. Tickets for the train journey only can be bought over the phone on 08457-000125.
Arriva Trains Wales will be running a special train from Cardiff Central, Bridgend, and Port Talbot via the Heart of Wales Line to Builth Road rail station.

Claire Spencer – Contemporary Papercuts
Weekends throughout July (Sat 3rd July – Sunday 1st August), 10am – 6pm, at The Last Gallery, Llangadog.

Claire uses a scalpel to cut intricate designs into layers of paper, often in radiating circles of decorative pattern and motifs inspired by natural forms.
The simplicity and purity of paper as a medium, the portrayal of nature, and the formal qualities of the work serve to highlight themes of beauty and elegance.
Originally from Devon, Claire studied at Loughborough University. Following her BA she completed a Masters Degree at the Royal College of Art in London. She moved to Wales in 2006 and lives and works in Llanddeusant.

LLANGADOG CARNIVAL 2010
Fairy Queen : Miss Tilly Edwards; Attendants : Elinor Williams, Amy Kimber, Ffion-Mai Jones, Ellie Davies
Prince Charming : Osian Richards
Rose Queen : Caitlyn Davies; Attendants : Lucy Edwards, Non Morgan
Prince Charming : Callum Kimber
Carnival Queen : Ffion Parker; Attendant : Bridie Knight
Prince Charming : Dylan Evans

STEAM IN LLANGADOG
No. 45407 led a double-headed steam train southwards on an excursion through Llangadog station on Saturday, 3rd July. A sight enjoyed by a modest crowd of spectators. If you missed it, don't fret, it'll be back again, travelling northwards this time, on Saturday, 10th July.

Llangadog YFC - AGM
The Llangadog YFC AGM will be held at Llangadog rugby club on Wednesday 14th July at 7:30pm. A warm welcome is extended to members, leaders and friends of the club to join in the discussions.

Llangadog Gardening Club
The Plant and Cut Flower Stall organised by Llangadog Gardening Club is to be held on the Recreation Ground Llangadog on Carnival Day, 10th July from 2pm. All proceeds go to the Llangadog Community Centre. All contributions gratefully received from members and non-members from 12 noon.
Llangadog Gardening Club's monthly meeting on 28th July will finalise arrangements for next month's Sale, followed by an inspiring video of the beautiful garden at The Garden House, Buckland Monachorum, Devon. Raffle and refreshments will be available. Everyone welcome/croeso i bawb.
For further details contact Gwen Evans on 01550 777813.

Digital Photography Challenge Results 2010

This Years Winners with their prizes, a digital photo frame, a monopod and a minipod.
Idwal Bowen (left), Julie Ann Sheridan (tutor), Alison Rowland, Win Morgan and Claire Macintyre

Llangadog Post Office, held its second Digital Photography Challenge, in May, as part of Adult Learners Week. It was a huge success with over 25 participants. This year’s challenge was completed on foot. There were 3 walks, circumnavigating Llangadog, on which the budding new photographers solved clues to find particularly interesting photographic locations. The results were exhibited in the post office for 2 weeks and the general public voted for their favourites. Idwal Bowen’s image of the river Bran was first, second was Alison Rowland’s image of a nail and third was Claire Macintyre’s image of Llangadog Common. The final images are still on display in Llangadog Post Office.

All participants took part in a ½ hr lesson with tutor Julie Ann Sheridan in the Post Office, to learn image manipulation. The project was funded through the ESF Convergence Fund, the Welsh Assembly Government, NIACE Dysgu Cymru and Kite.

1st prize winner Idwal's "River"

2nd prize winner Alison's "Nail"

3rd prize winner Claire's "Goal"

Steam Comes Back to the Towy Valley
For a couple of days in July the sound of steam trains will return to the Towy Valley. Two Stanier Black Fives will be heading trains passing through Llangadog on the Heart of Wales line on 3rd and 10th July. Also on the 10th, Britain's newest steam engine, "Tornado" will be visiting Carmarthen on an excursion from Birmingham. See WHAT'S ON for more details and an estimate of the times they should be here.

Pride & Perseverance

Martyn Cross - Weekends at The Last Gallery, Llangadog - Saturday, 29th May to Sunday, 27th June, 10am - 6pm

In Pride & Perseverance, artist Martyn Cross offers up a new collection of work for this, his first major solo exhibition. The Last Gallery acts as curiosity shop for the artist’s vandalised knitting patterns and also some unusual objects created especially for the show.

The world created by Cross is at first glance strangely familiar as characters indulge in private, primitive passions in a seeming attempt to escape the mindless drudgery of their lives. Yet further scrutiny reveals a murderous undercurrent in the provincial lives depicted; the extraordinary in the mundane.

Acting as seer in the creation of these beings, Cross methodically alters and adapts knitting patterns acquired from second-hand sources. Like a disillusioned teenager defacing a celebrity magazine, there is an attempt to leave behind the limitations of suburbia and succumb to another, altogether more mythical lifestyle.

Crafted objects have been made in a deliberate move to imagine the type of stuff these characters might have in their possession, or may have decided to make in their spare time - voodoo offerings for an unknown god; gentle cross-stitch allegiance to a cultish sect; hobbyist activities of the damned.

The artist’s birth town of Yate acts as some kind of odd talisman for the work, providing a symbolic gateway through which to explore this alternate universe (the word Yate is derived from the Saxon Giete meaning gate). A significant influence remains the highly individual people found in such places, to which Cross regularly returns.

Martyn Cross lives and works in Bristol. Recent exhibitions include ‘Exeter Contemporary Open 2009’, Exeter Phoenix; ‘Jerwood Drawing Prize 2009’, touring show; ‘Drawing With Dolphin’, Crimes Town, London (2009); ‘Future 50’, PSL, Leeds (2008); ‘These Living Walls of Jet’, Ceri Hand Gallery, Liverpool (2008).

Further information : www.thelast.org.uk or www.yateheads.blogspot.com

Horse Racing at Llangadog
A plaque has been erected on Llangadog Village Green to commemorate the 125th anniversary of the first horse racing held in Llangadog, traditionally on each Easter Monday, since 1184.
Thanks to Chris for the photos.

WRVS Volunteer Vacancies : Volunteer Drivers Needed*
Do you have a couple of hours to spare on Monday, Thursday and Friday every nine weeks to help your local community in and around Llangadog?
If the answer is "yes" and you would like to help us to improve the life of elderly people within your are by doing Meals on Wheels, please contact your local organiser Pat Terry (tel. 01550-777596).
* 40p a mile petrol money paid.

Cilgwyn Manor
Cilgwyn Manor is going through a refurbishment programme with the view to reopening as a care home with a provisional opening date of end of August / beginning of September.
There will be vacancies for full time Manager, Deputy Manager, RGN's and Carers, plus Chef and Laundry Person. If you have the right qualifications and have a passion to rebuild Cilgwyn Manor, and are looking for a challenging but rewarding career in the care sector, with good salary/bonus/accommodation package, then in the first instance please send your CV to address or email below :
Personnel Manager - Sailesh Morjaria, 16 Yorktown Road, Sandhurst, Berks GU47 9DT (email sailesh@fsmail.net ; tel. 07956-126063)

Twmpath / Ceilidh

‘Cadi Ha’ are an exciting three piece band are playing for Llandovery Folk Dancing on 18th June. They combine the experience and charm of bi-lingual caller Huw John with the musicianship of duo 'Fiddlebox'. Whether you are an old hand at twmpath dancing or a complete beginner, Huw's humorous and clear approach to calling will have you joining in, in no time.

The music of Fiddlebox (George Whitfield and Helen Adam) will have you on your feet, in any case, as they play an infectious mix of Welsh, Celtic, Klesmer, American and original tunes on fiddle and accordion. An evening with Cadi Ha will have you dancing traditional Welsh dances, both fast and slow, all complemented by beautiful Welsh traditional music. An evening of hwyl is guaranteed!

This all happens in Llanwrda Hall, Llandovery (see website below for directions). It costs a mere £5 / £3.50 for concessions, 7.30pm till late. Soft or hot drinks are included in the price but it would be appreciated if you could please bring a plate of food to share. For further information see www.llandoveryfolkdancing.co.uk or phone 01550-720483 / 750232

Litter on the Common

The two photos show Carregsawdde Commoners after their litter picking session on the Common at Llangadog in May. There was a Court Leet meeting on 20th May, held in the Green room of the Community Hall, at which one of the commoners suggested we pick up litter off the common – we get so many people walking their dogs, enjoying the river, riding the bridlepaths etc. and not everyone is careful to take their litter home.
We collected eleven bags of litter during the couple of hours we were there. Carmarthenshire County Council (Tidy Towns) loaned us litter pickers, gloves and bags which made the job much easier.
June Stait

Open Day at Cilgwyn Lodge
Sunday, 25th July is the Open Day for Cilgwyn Lodge - if you are interested in gardening and gardens. Open from 1pm to 5pm that day, they will be selling plants, serving teas, and you can wander round their gorgeous garden viewing the beautiful flowers - and lots of veg too! Further information on their website : www.cilgwynlodge.co.uk
Libby Oldfield

Llangadog Show Schedule 2010
We are pleased to include on this website most of the schedule for this year's show. This will enable visitors to our site to start preparing their entries in good time. Printed copies containing full rules, conditions and other details will also be available locally.

St Cadog's Church Supper and Auction
St Cadog's Church Supper and Auction was held on the 24th April and was a great success. The fund-raising committee would like to thank Ellis Davies the auctioneer who did a wonderful job on the night. He was in great form and had everyone laughing as well as spending money. Thanks also to everyone who provided food for the supper - it was as always delicious. We are also grateful to Des and Libby Oldfield for organising the drinks - this probably contributed to the competitive bidding during the auction! A very special thanks to everyone who generously donated items for the auction and for the raffle. So many people helped in many different ways - thank you very much. The local businesses again gave very generously and this event would not be such a success without these donations. We thank you for your continued support. Raffle prize winners were Jeff Bryer, Pam Jennings, Glenville, Mick Evans, Penny Smith, David Williams, Ydwenna Davies, Gwenda Cleaver, Mrs Watts, June Stait, Irene Hayes, John Lilley, Margo Bailey, Andy Bird.

Thanks,
Irene Hayes ( ireenhayes@aol.com )

Digital Photography Challenge 2010
Yes it’s that time of the year again. Llangadog will be holding its second Digital Photography Challenge as part of Adult Learners Week. Following the huge success of last year’s challenge, participants are invited to attend this year’s challenge.

You can collect a leaflet from Llangadog Post Office from Saturday, 8th May. This year’s challenge can be completed on foot. There are 3 walks, circumnavigating Llangadog, on which the challengers will be set clues to find particularly interesting photographic locations. Then it is down to the photographers to be creative. The challenge has to be completed by Sunday, 16th May.

All participants will be offered a half lesson with Julie Ann Sheridan in the Post Office on either 17th or 21st May to learn image manipulation. Images chosen for judging will be displayed in the Post Office window from Saturday, 22nd May. The public will vote for their favourite and there will be prizes awarded at the end of the month.

Don’t forget to collect your leaflet from Llangadog Post Office. For further info contact Win at Llangadog Post Office on 01550-777697 or Julie Ann Sheridan at The Last Gallery (tel. 01550-777933) for further details.

This project has been funded through the ESF Convergence Fund, the Welsh Assembly Government, NIACE Dysgu Cymru and Kite.

Indoor Bowling Club
This new club started up at Gwynfe Community Hall on Thursday, 15th April (2pm to 4pm). For further details call Wendy on 01550-740686.

Setting the Minutes
A new collection of photographs by Eva Bartussek that explore documentary portraiture

Eva Bartussek is a German photographer, based in Swansea, who seeks to expand notions of documentary portraiture through her work.
‘Setting the Minutes’ is the documentation of extraordinary situations. Her recent exhibition ‘Horse House’ at Glyn Vivian in Swansea captured one of these extraordinary situations. By photographing these 'worlds' extensively, Bartussek seeks to capture the quiet beauty of these unusual happenings.

Eva’s photographs are on show at The Last Gallery in Llangadog, from Saturday 1st May, each weekend, until 23rd May. Open 10am-6pm.
Further information ring 01550-777933 or see www.evabartussek.co.uk or www.thelast.org.uk
(Note. The artists opening and first weekend was cancelled due to her not being able to get back from Germany because of the volcanic ash cloud)

Setting the Minutes - Welsh dresser by Eva Bartussek

St Cadog's Annual Supper and Auction

On the 24th April 2010 St Cadog’s Church will hold its Annual Supper and Auction. We held our first one in 2000 and thought it would be a one-off but here we are 10 years on and hoping for the most successful evening yet.

The Supper and Auction have become quite an occasion in Llangadog’s calendar of events and we are very grateful to everyone who has supported us in the past and hope that they will join us again for another very special evening. It is always a very happy time as the supper is excellent and provided by members of the congregation. We also have a wine and soft drinks bar to jolly the evening on. The highlight of course is the Auction itself and we are very grateful to many local businesses for supporting us with donations. We also appreciate the offer of quality items from anyone who has something they no longer want, which they feel is too good to throw away.

The success of the evening is due in a big way to Mr Ellis Davies. This will be the 10th time Ellis has agreed to be our auctioneer and we are very grateful to him. He has us all laughing as well as encouraging us to buy. Not only does he entertain us but he runs a very efficient auction and makes spending money (in a good cause) less painful!

For those of you who have never visited Llangadog Church it is well worth a visit. Much refurbishment has taken place over the past few years but more projects are planned. Concerts and musical evenings regularly take place in the Church but we would like to improve the facilities to make the Church a more comfortable venue and meeting place for both worship and other events.

The Supper and Auction is held in Llangadog Community Centre and the doors are open for viewing at 7pm. Tickets for the evening are £8 and can be booked by calling 01550-777657. If you have any good quality items which you wish to donate for the auction please call 01550-777334.

Dig at Wernfawr

From the 12th April – 3red May, Exploration Tywi! will be excavating at “Wernfawr,” a deserted farmstead near Llandeilo that burnt to the ground in 1911. With help from the Dyfed Archaeological Trust’s archaeologists, participants will investigate this deserted settlement and learn many archaeological excavation and recording skills. The purpose of the dig is to look for clues for the origin and history of the site – what was life like on a farm and how has it changed over time?

For more details or to book a place, contact Alice Pyper or Hazel Williams on 01558-823121 or email a.pyper@dyfedarchaeology.org.uk

Exploration Tywi, or Chwilota’r Tywi, is one of the four themes within Tywi Afon yr Oesoedd project and is run by The Dyfed Archaeological Trust.
The project aims to provide an opportunity to take participants of all ages on an exploration of the Tywi Valley’s past through the excitement of geological, archaeological and historical discovery.

Tywi Afon Yr Oesoedd (Tywi a River Through Time) is a £2.4million project, led by Carmarthenshire County Council, which is aimed at conserving the area’s landscape, biodiversity and history; and creating a legacy for future generations. The project received £1.5 million from the Heritage Lottery Fund, £557,378 from the Rural Development Plan, and support from the Countryside Council for Wales, Menter Bro Dinefwr and National Trust.

Photo kindly supplied by the Price family of Wernfawr

Llandovery Folk Dancing Club

Dances of Universal Peace with Sandra Sunfire
7.30pm to 10.30pm on 16th April 2010 at Dolau Bran Hall, Brecon Road, Llandovery. Tickets £3 which includes soft or hot drinks and homemade cake.
Dances of Universal Peace are part of a timeless tradition of sacred dance. A sense of peace and unity is created through moving, chanting and singing together – a joyful oneness. Everyone is very welcome to come and celebrate the diversity of the earth's spiritual traditions in harmony together, as we explore and experience a compassionate connection to others and to nature. No previous experience is necessary. Details from http://myweb.tiscali.co.uk/dupderwenlas

The next Llandovery Folk Dancing Event is: Chris Yemm with Circle Dancing on May 21st and in the bigger Rhys Prichard Hall in Llandovery. For details and rest of Summer programme 2010 see www.llandoveryfolkdancing.co.uk or ring 01550-750232 / 720483

Also, another ‘happening’ in the area, this month:
On 23rd April 2010 Fest-Noz / Bal / French Folk Dancing at Llanwrda Hall, 6.30pm to 8pm with French dance practice. The Bourree and Scottish dances will be taught for the beginner with Dai Jarman and is free. After this at 8.15pm - 11pm the Fest Noz / Bal will follow, there will also be some Breton dances. These dances may not be ‘called’. Live music during the evening from Haute Cuisine and Stray Away. Tickets £5.
Please feel welcome on your own or with friends. It would be appreciated if you could bring your own drinks and a plate of food to share. Drinking water available. For more details ring01558-668545 or email sunnyjig@hotmail.com

Transition Town Llandeilo

General Election Hustings
Turn up the heat on the candidates! Your chance to ask the parties about their plans for a sustainable, low-carbon future for Llandeilo and east Carmarthenshire. With John Atkinson (UKIP), Jonathan Edwards (Plaid Cymru), Christine Gwyther (Labour), Andrew Morgan (Conservative), William Powell (Liberal Democrat)
Llandeilo Rugby Club, Thursday April 22nd, 7.30 pm. All are welcome. Bar, tea and coffee from 7 pm.
Each candidate will have up to four minutes to address the floor at the start of the evening. They have been given this theme: 'Creating a sustainable, resilient and low-carbon future for Llandeilo and east Carmarthenshire'. This will be followed by a chaired session of questions and answers from the floor.
Please send questions in advance to info@transitiontownllandeilo.org.uk . This will allow the steering group to ensure that there is a good range of questions on the night.

Cadog Film Club

The Club's Annual General Meeting will be held on Saturday 1st May 2010 at 7pm in the Llangadog Community centre.
We will have food as usual after the meeting so please bring a dish to share as usual. There will be time for a short discussion after the AGM and then the film "An Education" will be shown (see below*). There is no charge for the night but bookings are still required and should be made by 28th April by ringing 01550-777657 or e-mailing cadogfilmclub@aol.com. This is a members’ only evening.

The Agenda for the AGM is:
1. Apologies
2. Minutes of previous meeting 2nd May 2009
3. Chairman’s Report
4. Treasurer’s Report
5. Election of Officers

There are currently 6 members on the committee and the club constitution requires one third of the committee members to resign by rotation. Ian Hurst and Joanne Jessop will resign from the committee but both are willing to stand for re-election. Please send nominations for the committee to the secretary, in writing, 7 clear days before the AGM (by 24th April).

If you haven’t renewed your membership yet, it is now overdue as our membership year ended on 31st March 2010. If you wish to continue with your membership and getting the flyers, please renew your membership as soon as possible.

We look forward to seeing you at the AGM.

* "An Education" (2009. Cert 12A - 96 min). Directed by Lone Scherfig with a cast including Peter Sarsgaard, Carey Mulligan, Alfred Molina, Rosamund Pike, Dominic Cooper, Emma Thompson, Olivia Williams, Sally Hawkins London, 1961 - suburban London teen finds her traditional education replaced by something slightly more sinister when an older, more worldly suitor sweeps her off of her feet while placing her future in jeopardy. Based on the memoirs of the journalist Lynn Barber.

The film "Sleeping Furiously" will now be shown on the 11th May.

Llandovery Folk Dancing Events Summer 2010
May 21st : Circle Dancing (with Chris Yemm) at Rhys Prichard Hall, Brecon Road, Llandovery. 7.30pm-10.30pm. Entry £3 (refreshments included).
June 18th : Ceilidh Cadi Ha at Llanwrda Hall. 7.30pm. Entry £5 / £3.50 (soft/hot drinks included). Please bring a plate of food to share, midway.
July 16th : Cornish Dancing (Jemima Mitchell) at Rhys Prichard Hall, Brecon Road, Llandovery, 7.30pm-10.30pm. Entry £3 (refreshments included).
For further details see www.llandoveryfolkdancing.co.uk or tel. 01550-720483 / 750232

Llangadog Gardening Club Outing
Llangadog Gardening Club are organising an outing to Aberglasney Gardens on Wednesday, 28th April to see the Spring display, leaving Llangadog Community Centre car park at l.l5pm. We will double-up in cars so please let us know if you would like to join us by contacting Gwen Evans on 01550-777813.

Cadog Film Club
Films to be shown over the next few weeks are...

"Julia and Julie" (Cert 12A, 123 min) will be shown on 10th April. The Writer-Director is Nora Ephron and the cast includes Stanley Tucci, Amy Adams, Linda Edmond, Meryl Streep and Chris Messina. The story of two real-life people, both newly wed and restless with ill-defined ambitions, and how they discover their true selves in gourmet cooking. - the late cookbook author and TV personality Julia Child, and an otherwise unknown 30-year-old wife in Queens, N.Y., Julie Powell, who blogged about her attempt to cook all 524 recipes in Child’s legendary “Mastering the Art of French Cooking” in a single year.

Please note the changed date for this film night. Venue as usual is Llangadog Community Centre, doors will open at 7pm but if you can come along to help set up we’d be pleased to see you there about 6.30pm. Please book and pay for your tickets in advance (if possible) by Wednesday 7th April. You can make your booking by e-mail to cadogfilmclub@aol.com , ring Irene Hayes (01550-777657) or write, sending or dropping off your cheque, made payable to Cadog Film Club, Bryngwyn House, Llangadog SA19 9EF. Another ‘BAD’ (= Bring A Dish of food) night so tickets cost £5 for a member and £6 for a guest.

The next Film Buffs’ Night will be on Tuesday 13th April 2010 when we will be showing "Moon" (Cert 15, 93 min). Directed by Duncan Jones, with a cast incling Matt Berry, Sam Rockwell, Malcolm Stewart, Dominique McElligott, Benedict Wong and Kaya Scodelario. This is a thought-provoking science fiction film. After spending three years on the moon as a solitary miner, Sam Bell is almost ready to return home to his wife and daughter. But as his homecoming approaches, he begins to experience strange things that can’t be explained.

Just turn up and pay on the night. Tickets cost £5 for a member and £6 for a guest. It will be in the YMCA hall in Llangadog Community Centre and the film starts at 7pm and doors open from 6.30pm. Again some of us will probably go on for a drink and supper to a local hostelry.

Irene Hayes. Secretary, Cadog Film Club (email cadogfilmclub@aol.com)

OAP Lunches at Red Lion
These take place at the Red Lion in Llangadog on the first Tuesday of each month at 12.30pm and cost £4 (£5 with coffee). Planned menus for the next few months are...

6th April Welsh Beef, Yorkshire, Roast Parsnips, Roast Potato & 2 x Veg
4th May Grilled Haddock with Parsley Sauce, Boiled Potatoes & 2 x Veg
1st June Roast Leg of Pork, Stuffing, Roast Potatoes & 2 x Veg
6th July Roast Turkey & Stuffing, Roast Potatoes & 2 x Veg
3rd August Welsh Beef, Yorkshire, Roast Parsnips, Roast Potato & 2 x Veg
7th September Home cooked Ham with Parsley Sauce, Mashed Potato & 2 x Veg

Free Travel on the Heart of Wales Line
Sadly the scheme for free rail travel between Swansea and Shrewsbury for holders of local bus passes comes to an end on 26th March. Hopefully it will restart in the autumn. Watch this space!

Concert – Melodica
St. Cadog’s Church in Llangadog is renowned for its concerts, thanks to the very musical vicar Rev. Mike Cottam. The next fundraising concert will take place on Saturday March 27th at 7.30pm. There will be a very varied programme which should appeal to all music lovers. We are very lucky to have so many talented people locally, who are willing to give of their time to entertain us.
This is a chance to hear a digital organ – the latest technology, which sounds very impressive and just like a normal Church pipe organ but perhaps even better. We are very fortunate to have two organists who will play for us on the night. Tom Cannock is the organist at St Cadog’s Church and also Dominic O’Connor Robinson, who was an organ scholar at Robinson’s College Cambridge and also conducted the Deo Gracias student choir. Dominic is the accompanist to Cantorion Tywi and is studying Forestry Management.
Also taking part are Dorothy Singh, a well known violin teacher and accompanist, whose three children have gone on to be violinists of a very high standard. One of Dorothy’s pupils, violinist Cathryn Rees, will also take part in the concert. She is a student at Bro Myrddin and a member of Symphonica Tywi. Cathryn was a soloist with Symphonica Tywi last year.
The programme will also include offerings from Chris Potter and Viv Widlake, two of the principal members of the French Horn section of Symphonica Tywi. Not all of the concert is instrumental though as we have the soprano Gwenann Jones who will sing for us. Gwennan is from Cardiganshire ,although she has worked in London as a soprano. She is currently building up her repertoire to help her pathway to operatic singing. Bronwen Jones will also sing for us. Bronwen is a member of Cantorion Tywi and has sung solos with the orchestra. She particularly enjoys Cole Porter and George Gershwin. Dr Jane Hanley who is a lecturer in Swansea University will also sing. She has previously also sung solos in concerts with the choir and orchestra.
Last but not least we have the singing group Frenzaloud which was formed comparatively recently. They are, as the name indicates, friends who gather regularly to sing for the sheer pleasure of it.
Hopefully this has whetted your appetite to join us for this very exciting programme of music. Tickets cost £5 and can be bought at the door or booked in advance by phoning 01550-776604 or 01550-777657. Refreshments will also be available in the interval.

Llangadog YFC
A warm congratulations to members of Llangadog YFC who came third on the All Wales level in the organisation’s drama competition. As a result, the YFC will be holding an evening of three dramas on Saturday 17th April in the Llangadog Community Centre to commence at 7.30pm. Two other clubs will be performing their dramas. A message in advance, as Llangadog YFC will be stewarding the Carmarthenshire Rally this year which will be held on 8th May 2010, any help would be appreciated. If you are interested in helping, please contact the club’s secretary, Angharad Rees on 07795-164139

Absent But Not Forgotten
Kathryn Campbell Dodd & Jacob Whittaker

Saturday, 20th March 20 to Sunday 4th April at The Last Gallery, Llangadog SA19 9BR (open at weekends only)
“Men are probably nearer the central truth in their superstitions than in their science.” - Henry David Thoreau
Belief in the paranormal can be controversial; but there is a strong human desire to find pattern and meaning in the unexplained.

This multimedia exhibition uses video and sound experiments, textiles and technical objects to evoke the world of ‘ghost hunting’. The project visits the territory between belief and parody to explore the technological, psychological and aesthetically self-referent influence of TV and films on the phenomenon.
The Last Gallery is a contemporary art space showing work by artists from across the UK. Housed in a former Victorian cobblers shop in the village of Llangadog in west Wales, the building retains its original features. The gallery is un-manned, so visitors can experience the artworks completely alone...

www.absent-but-not-forgotten.co.uk

Contacts :
Kathryn Campbell Dodd www.kathryndodd.com Kathryn@kdart.fsnet.co.uk
Jacob Whittaker www.jacobwhittaker.co.uk jakewhittaker@hotmail.com
The Last Gallery www.thelast.org.uk mick.sheridan@thelast.org.uk

Twmpath
The Twmpath held in the old School in Bethlehem at the end of February was very successful comprising of entertaining traditional Welsh dancing, yummy cawl and folk dancing and singing led by the talented Julie Murphy, Martin Leamon and Jason Lawday.
The folk singing group are performing again (with others) on 27th March at another Twmpath in Llanwrda Village Hall from 7pm to 11pm, so if you would like a really good evening out, then make a note of this on your calendar. Tickets are £5 on the door.

Cadog Film Club
Following the postponement and rescheduling of the two film shows during the "big freeze" in January we have no fewer than four films coming up over the next month.

On Saturday 20th February we are showing "Dean Spanley", a delightful comedy starring Jeremy Northam, Sam Neill and Peter O'Toole, described by one review as an "offbeat, whimsical, period-set shaggy dog story". Another added "do check this one out. Funny, warm and sensitive, its got gem written all over it."

Two weeks later, on Saturday 6th March, we're showing "Is Anybody There?". This is a bitter-sweet comedy starring Michael Caine and Bill Milner (plus many other well-known faces). 14 year old Edward lives in the retirement home where his parents work, and his interests have unsurprisingly moved toward death, ghosts, and the afterlife. He can’t stand living there, but his mood changes when Clarence (Michael Caine) appears. Clarence spent his life performing magic and causing trouble, and he may just be the friend that Edward has been waiting for.
We also have two Buffs night films coming up. On Tuesday, 9th March there's "Fish Tank", directed by Andrea Arnold. Having been expelled from school, Mia spends her time hanging out in a derelict flat near to her family’s council estate home and drinking whatever alcohol she can lay her hands on. Her young life, already spiralling out of control, is complicated further when her mother Joanne brings home her new boyfriend Connor.

The second Buffs night film of the month is "State of Play" on Tuesday, 23rd March, with a cast that includes Russell Crowe, Ben Affleck and Helen Mirren. This is a thriller that feels all too real at times. A team of investigative reporters work alongside a police detective to try to solve the murder of a congressman’s mistress.

As always admission to our film shows is open to members and guests. Members pay £5 and guests £6. Saturday evening shows are in the Llangadog Community Centre and start at 7.30pm with a buffet*, bar and raffle. Buffs night are in the YMCA on Tuesdays and begin at 7pm. We do not offer a bar or buffet on Buffs nights, but some members opt to gather afterwards at a local hostelry for suitable refreshment!

* We are currently having "BAD" nights at our Saturday shows - this means we ask everyone to Bring A Dish of food to share at the buffet. Don't worry if you can't or don't want to cook, you can always bring something you have bought (eg pate, cheese, pies, flans, cakes etc).

For further suggestions, information, and to book your tickets in advance, please ring Irene Hayes on 01550-777657 or email cadogfilmclub@aol.com

An Introduction to Permaculture
Llangadog Gardening Club are organising 'An Introduction to Permaculture' (an ecologically sound way of living in co-operation with Nature) by way of DVD, questions and answers at their monthly meeting in the YMCA Hall, Llangadog at 7.30pm. Everybody welcome/croeso i bawb. For further details contact Gwen Evans on 01550-777813.

Rug making Workshop with Recycled Fabrics with Annie Allen
This has been organised by Transition Town Llandeilo for Saturday 20th February, 1.30 to 4.30 pm, at Sue’s barn : Llwynbwch, Llansadwrn SA19 8LP (call Sue for directions - 01550-777402)
Annie says: "The workshop will cover 2 ways to make rugs with strips of material sewn together - either with large crochet hooks or pegloom weaving. I will show you basic techniques, crochet stitches if you don’t know how to crochet & how to get started on a pegloom. If you have materials you wish to use, bring them along (it will save a lot of time if you have already torn them into narrow strips - about 3/4 inch wide - and sewn them together to make your balls of fabric to work with.) I will also provide some fabrics, extra large crochet hooks and a few peglooms - and hooks & looms will be available for sale."
Cost: £10. For further information call Annie on 01269-853902

Llandovery: Footsteps Through Time

A chance to explore local heritage and contribute your own stories and knowledge

On Saturday February 27th there will be an exciting opportunity to explore the history and heritage of the landscape around Llandovery, all in the comfort of the Castle Hotel, Llandovery. The Fforest Fawr Geopark is hosting the community day, at which local people are invited to enjoy a heritage exhibition and discuss their own stories and memories, which help to trace the threads of history.

Llandovery is a meeting point for ancient routes that mark out themes in its history. From Iron Age people, to Roman invaders and medieval Lords and Princes, right up to the history of farming, droving and markets, and the Heart of Wales railway.

The event is part of a plan to celebrate the history of communities around Llandovery. The project aims to increase the value of heritage for local communities and the tourism sector. Creu-ad Heritage Interpretation and Trysor are arranging the day on behalf of Fforest Fawr Geopark. Before the event, they will be contacting local individuals and groups to get them involved.

People will be encouraged to talk about their stories linked to the landscape and to swap reminiscences. There will be a lively atmosphere as storyteller, Esyllt Harker will help to bring these stories to life and artist Lynne Denman, will be working with local people to create a map made from words, images and photographs. Alongside the chance to put your favourite places on the map, there will also be experts on hand; historic and digital maps of the Llandovery district and archaeological records of the area for you to consult.

Footsteps Through Time invites you to bring along something that reminds you of the local landscape and its past or present. It might be a piece of stone that gets attention from the geologists present or a photograph of a favourite local landscape that might suggest a story to the expert archaeologists. Experts will be on hand to discuss all sorts of objects and chat about their history. You just don’t know what will turn up.

The day starts at 10 am with coffee and a chance to hear more about the project. In the afternoon there will be short talks, including an opportunity to hear from Alan Bowring, Fforest Fawr Geopark Officer. Alan says, “ Geology has affected almost every aspect of our history and we can be proud that this area has been given special recognition as a European and Global Geopark. But, a Geopark is about more than rocks; it’s about the people who have lived and worked in the landscape over thousands of years. Their story is important to us too”.

Don’t miss out; come along even if you can only get the flavour of the day by having a quick look around the displays put on by local groups. Look out for posters and fliers that will give you details of the day.

For more information about ‘Llandovery: Footsteps Through Time’ contact Alan Bowring, Fforest Fawr Geopark Development Officer on 01874-620415

Snow Scenes
Did you take any pictures of of our village or the surrounding area during the recent big freeze? If so, and you'd like to share them, please send us copies, and we'd be very happy to consider including them on our web site.

Photos can either be emailed at any time as attachments to message@llangadog.com (preferably as .jpeg files) or dropped into Llangadog Post Office, if possible, on Tuesday mornings (either as .jpeg files on a disc or a memory stick, or as a printout). Any discs, memory sticks or printouts can be collected from me the following week. The pictures below were taken by June Stait.
Peter Berry

Llangadog Angling
The Club's Annual General Meeting will be held on Friday 29th January 2010 at 7.00pm in the Community Centre. This will be followed by a buffet and prize giving at the Goose and Cuckoo. If you wish to attend please phone the Secretary on 01550-777296 by Friday 24th January.

Llangadog Calendar 2010

This delightful calendar, entitle "Images of Llangadog" is available from Llangadog Post Office (tel. 01550-777697), price £7. All the photographs were taken locally by participants in the KITE photography courses.
KITE (Kadog IT Enterprise) was formed in 2006, and is a group of local people whose main objective is to encourage the use of computers in the community by offering one-to-one basic computer and digital photography lessons in the local post office using the internet cafe equipment provided by Richard and Win Morgan. KITE has also been instrumental in setting up and running this website, which receives around 3000 visits each month with some 6000 pages being viewed each month.
Proceeds from the sale of the Llangadog Calendar 2010 will go towards meeting the costs of these valuable local facilities.

Llangadog Gardening Club
Llangadog Gardening Club 's Annual General Meeting and Social Evening will be held in the YMCA Hall at Llangadog Community Centre on Wednesday 27th January, followed by buffet and quiz. Please note early start at 7pm.

Transition Town Llandeilo AGM
About 45 people gathered at The Angel on November 30th for our AGM. It was good to see old friends and several new faces. In a group exercise we discussed the kinds of projects we could be involved in in the fields of Energy, Transport, and Food and Farming, and this discussion gave rise to the nucleus of new or reborn groups around these critical themes. Early in the New Year the groups will be having their first meetings. Meanwhile, for more information please contact the convenors of the groups:
Energy: Tim Pullen, email timr.pullen@btinternet.com
Transport: John Cox, email john.cox3@virgin.net or tel. 01558 -822938
Food and Farming: Ellie Birchell Hughes, tel.01558-824781

Willow weaving workshops in Llansawel and Bethlehem
Peggy, who was demonstrating her basket-weaving skills at the Transition Town Llandeilo's skills-sharing afternoon in November, will be running half-day workshops in Llansawel Community Hall on 30th January and 11th February, a full-day workshop in Bethlehem Community Hall on 27th February and a half-day workshop again in Bethlehem on 3rd March. The cost includes materials and refreshments, and is £15 for the Llansawel workshops, £35 for the full day and £20 for the half day in Bethlehem.
Contact Peggy, by email on peggyclaudia@yahoo.com for more details.

Cadog Film Club Programme
Forthcoming films planned for the New Year are :
9th January 2010 : Dean Spanley (2008 - Cert U - 100 min). Director Toa Fraser. Cast incl. Jeremy Northam, Sam Neil, Bryan Brown, Peter O'Toole. A film to warm even the coldest of hearts.
12th January 2010 (Buffs Night*) - State of Play (2009 - Cert 12A - 127 mins). Director Kevin Macdonald. Cast incl. Russell Crowe, Ben Affleck, Helen Mirren, Rachel McAdams. Find the trusth - a team of investigative reporters work alongside detectives to try to solve the murder of a congressman's mistress.

6th February 2010 : Appaloosa (2008 - Cat 15 - 115 min). Director: Ed Harris. Cast incl. Lance Henriksen, Viggo Mortensen, Ed Harris, Renée Zellweger. A square-jawed, old-fashioned western.

9th Feruary 2010 (Buffs Night*) : Private Fears in Public Places (2007 - Cat 12A - 120 min). French film with sub-titles. Director: Alain Resnais. Based on the play by Alan Ayckbourn. Cast incl. Sabine Azema, Lambert Wilson, Andre Dussollier, Pierre Arditi, Laura Morante, Isabelle Carre, Claude Rich. An intelligent, adult look at loneliness in the twenty-first century.

6th March 2010 : Is Anybody There? (2008 - Cat 12A - 91 min). Director: John Crowley. Cast incl. Michael Caine, Sylvia Sims, David Morrissey, Leslie Phillips, Anne-Marie Duff, Bill Milner, Elizabeth Spriggs. Michael Caine pairs up with young British actor Bill Milner in this touching British drama.

9th March 2010 (Buffs Night*) : Fish Tank (2009 - Cat 15 - 119 min. Director: Andrea Arnold. Cast incl. Katie Jarvis, Rebecca Griffiths, Michael Fassbender, Kierston Wareing, Sydney Mary Nash, Harry Treadaway. A compelling drama centring on a 15 year-old girl.

3rd April 2010 : Julia and Julie (2009 - Cat 12A - 123 min). Writer-Director: Nora Ephron . Cast incl. Stanley Tucci, Amy Adams, Linda Edmond, Meryl Streep, Chris Messina. Tells of two real-life people, newly wed and restless with ill-defined ambitions, and how they discover their true selves in gourmet cooking.

13th April 2010 (Buffs Night*) : Moon (2009 - Cat 15 - 93 min). Director: Duncan Jones. Cast incl. Matt Berry, Sam Rockwell, Malcolm Stewart, Dominique McElligott, Benedict Wong, Kaya Scodelario. A thought-provoking science fiction film.

1st May 2010 : AGM followed by Sleeping Furiously. (2007 - Cert U - 94 mins). Director: Gideon Koppel. A documentary love-letter to Trefeurig, the Welsh farming community in Ceredigion.

11th May 2010 (Buffs Night*) : An Education (2009 - Cat 12A - 96 min). Director: Lone Scherfig Cast incl. Peter Sarsgaard, Carey Mulligan, Alfred Molina, Rosamund Pike, Dominic Cooper, Emma Thompson, Olivia Williams, Sally Hawkins. A suburban London teen finds her traditional education replaced by something slightly more sinister.

Film nights are usually on the first Saturday of the month, starting at 7.30pm in the Llangadog Community Hall. Admission by Ticket only (please book in advance). Buffet and bar.

* Buffs film nights are on the second Tuesday of each month, starting at 7pm in the YMCA Hall, Llangadog. Admission by Ticket only.

For bookings and details ring Irene Hayes on 01550-777657 or email cadogfilmclub@aol.com

Free Rail Travel is Back!
Free travel on the Heart of Wales line between Swansea and Shrewsbury for local bus pass holder restarted on 4th October 2009 and will continue until 26th March 2010. For timetable information please contact National Rail Enquires on 08457-484950 (24 hours daily), or visit www.arrivatrainswales.co.uk

Yr Hen Ysgol Bethlehem
The Old School in Bethehem is now open again as a community hall and still has its Post Office. Regular activities planned are:
• Mondays (term times), 4pm to 4.45pm and 5pm to 5,.45pm - Drama Club
• Monday evenings - 1st and 3rd of month, Quiz Night
• Monday evenings - 5th of month, Talk

The Post Office is open on Tuesdays (2pm to 4pm), and will be open daily during December (10am to 4pm) until Christmas (for "Bethlehem" postmarks).

The hall, meeting room, kitchen and toilets are also available for hire at very reasonable rates (tel. 07812-506562). See also www.bethlehemvillage.co.uk

Llanwrda Web Site
Llanwrda now has its own web site on www.llanwrda.webeden.co.uk and can be contacted by email at llanwrda@hotmail.co.uk

Thought for Food
Many thanks to Paul and Luke and their staff at The Goose and Cuckoo for the excellent Suppers on the Square that they have provided each month for the last couple of years. Thanks too to Kevin and Cindy and their staff at The Red Lion for their more recently introduced OAP lunches. These meals and get-togethers have been very much appreciated by all those who have attended.
Further details of both these regular events are given elsewhere on the Supper on the Square News Page and in What's On.

Pensioners' Lunch
The Red Lion, Llangadog offers a £4 lunch to pensioners on the first Tuesday of each month. Please give names to Win Morgan at Llangadog PO (tel. 01550-777697) in advance.

Archived News Items