Society, clubs and service updates from Blaenavon

CHOIR: Blaenavon Ladies Choir are holding “ A Musical Evening” to raise money for Ovarian Cancer on March 22 at 7pm at Blaenavon Senior’s Hall, Park Street. There will be music, raffle prizes, refreshments. Call Secretary Mrs Jean Lloyd for more details 01495 791988.

SOCIETY: Blaenavon Local History Society member Mr Roger Bowen reports on the March meeting: Ann Horton’s presentation on Food and Spices in Medieval Times was a delight for the senses. Ann, a leading member of  the Freemen of Gwent re-enactment group, was clad elegantly in the garb of a well-off lady from the early 15th century. What really brought her talk to life was her use of genuine food and spices. Not only did the spices fill the room at Bethlehem Chapel with their aroma but also gave the Society members the chance to identify them in their raw condition. Decanted into old-style pottery bowls they looked very different from the powdered form in which we buy them from today’s supermarkets. Ann, who takes her show to many historic buildings, touched on the type of food consumed by different levels of society and on the table manners and etiquette which formed, to us, a surprising element of life in the Middle Ages. We were able to sample each a piece of gingerbread made inn the manner of the period - a sweet, pleasant-tasting morsel with a surprising kick in the after taste. A most enjoyable start to the spring season for the society in its new location and all are looking forward to Mrs. Horton’s return in the near future. In fact her husband Kerry will be our May speaker when he will look at the more masculine aspect of life at the time of Agincourt including the armour worn by the participants. Next meeting, April 13, at 7pm, all are welcome.

SEQUENCE DANCING: If you enjoy Sequence Dancing, or would like to learn, why not join in with the dancers who meet each week at Blaenavon Workmen’s Hall? There is dancing from 7.30pm to 10pm and you can enjoy healthy exercise, good company and fun. Tel: 01495 790706 (Tom).

DAWNSWYR PLANT BLAENAFON: Dawnswyr Plant Blaenafon ( Children’s Welsh Dance Team ) starts back on April 26. Girls and boys who are aged over 5 are welcome to join to learn Welsh Traditional Dancing at Bethlehem Chapel Schoolroom from 5.15pm to 6.15pm. No experience is needed, call Emma on 07773 978976.

COLLECTIONS: A reminder that Green Waste Collection starts again week commencing Monday  March 27. Bins are collected on a fortnightly basis and should be put out for collection according to their collection calendars. Green waste bins are for garden waste which includes grass cuttings, hedge clippings, dead plants and flowers and small twigs. The bin can also be used to dispose of bedding from small pets. Please do not use plastic bags to dispose of any garden waste. For information call 01495 766734 or visit torfaen.gov.uk/waste.

SERVICE: Women’s World Day Of Prayer was celebrated in Blaenavon with a service held in St. Paul’s Church on March 3. Women representatives of the many churches and chapels in Blaenavon joined together in a lovely service that had been prepared by women of the Philippines. The congregation became part of the great wave of prayer that went around the world that day and ended at the last service when the sun was setting over American Samoa. The theme of the service was “Am I Being Unfair to You?” and readings, hymns, artwork, symbols of life in the Philippines and even small bags of rice representing the fruits of the harvest were all used as the theme was explained and everyone learnt about life of some of the women living there. Twelve representatives of the Blaenavon churches took part giving readings, the service was arranged by Mrs Bev Miller and the organist was Mr Martin Phillips.              

Blaenavon
Barbara Lewis 
barbara.lewis@live.co.uk