Round-up of Montgomery news

It’s been a busy week in Montgomery, with a round-up of the latest news.

Volunteer of the Year

Sandi Coppi from Montgomery, who volunteers for Cymru Versus Arthritis and leads the “OUCH” (Osteoarthritis U Can Help) group in the town, is this year’s recipient of the Margaret Evans Volunteer of the Year Award at the Versus Arthritis convention. 

The convention took place at the Metropole Hotel, Llandrindod Wells and Sandi said: “We had a great time at the convention with great food, brilliant speakers and lovely warm caring people. A big surprise and grand finale for me was being nominated Volunteer of the Year. Many thanks to the panel and everyone at OUCH.”

The very popular OUCH group, supported by Versus Arthritis, is a support group for people who suffer with arthritis which meets fortnightly.

Meetings include a mix of interesting activities, gentle exercise and social support.

If you would like to join the group or wish to know more please contact Sandi via sandiwascoppi@gmail.com

PICTURE (Cymru Versus Arthritis): Sandi Coppi (left) and Mary Cowern, Wales Director, Cymru Versus Arthritis, who presented the award.

Christmas Festivities

Father Christmas turned on the lights in Montgomery on Saturday to get the season’s festivities underway.

After the switch-on, celebrations continued at the Town Hall with mulled wine and mince pies, children’s craft activities, and of course Santa’s Grotto.

The event was lively and large crowds created a lovely atmosphere, with music, mince pies, and Hungarian Christmas treats. The dancing lights and smell of mulled wine made many memories of Christmas come alive.

A Grand Christmas Hamper Raffle was launched, and is running in the lead-up to Christmas. The hamper is stuffed full of goodies and vouchers from local businesses. Raffle tickets are £2 each, or 3 for £5, with all proceeds to the Friends of Montgomery School. The draw will take place in mid-December.

Tara Squibb Ceramics at the Old Bell

Tara Squibb Ceramics is returning to the Old Bell Gallery with a pop-up exhibition and shop from December 2-18. There will be lots of ceramic giftware, including a new range of ceramic decorations, and plenty of the ever-popular gnomes to choose from. 

Approximate opening hours are 10am-4pm daily, except opening at 11am on the first day, Friday 2nd, and closing at about 1pm on Sunday 18th. Times may vary from those listed, so if you are travelling to the exhibition, you may wish to check beforehand: tara@tarasquibbceramics.co.uk

The Vale of Montgomery in 1086

Montgomery Civic Society will once again be holding their traditional Christmas talk with mulled wine and mince pies.

This year’s talk will be The Vale of Montgomery in 1086 by John Davies, who will give a fascinating account of the people, places and landscapes recorded in the Doomsday Book. 

The talk will be held at the Town Hall on Friday from 7.30pm. The entrance fee of £7 includes a mince pie and a glass of mulled wine or fruit juice.

Christmas workshops at The Little Shop

Following a fully booked first Christmas Rag Wreath workshop, Janet Lewis will be running another one at The Little Shop, Broad Street, on Sunday from 1.30pm-4pm.

Everything you need will be included in the price of £20 per person: materials, twinkling lights to wrap around your wreath, and refreshments. Janet can run another date if there’s lots of interest.

Janet will also be running a card and gift tag workshop on December 8, 6-8pm. This session will be £15, again with all materials and refreshments supplied.

Pop into The Little Shop to book either workshop, and to find out what else is going on; or enquire at j.e.lewis@hotmail.co.uk or 07711582231. 

Winter Feast

For her last event of 2022, Katrina Collins of Shed38 is hosting the Montgomery Winter Feast at the Town Hall on Friday, December 9, from 7pm.

It promises to be an evening of fun, live music, good food and friends, and a great way to kick off the festive season.

Tickets, priced at £22 each, are available at Bunners, The Bookshop and Castle Kitchen; or directly from Katrina katrivercollins@hotmail.com.

Winter Feast ticket sales will also support local causes, as 10% will go to the Warm Space project in the town, and 10% will go to Catrin McDougal who will be representing her town and country at the World Scout Jamboree in South Korea next year. Catrin will also be playing music with Monty Folk to accompany the feast, alongside Montgomery singer, Molly Read. 

Valuation Day

Halls Fine Art have one more valuation event of the year at Montgomery Town Hall approaching.

Over the past year, the free valuation events, which take place every two months, have been a huge success for the specialist team at Halls, with some great results achieved for those who have consigned items for auction.

They are looking forward to returning in 2023 with a new run of dates.
If you’d like to bring along your antiques, whether they be jewellery, clocks, watches, Asian art, paintings, ceramics or silver, for a free valuation appointment, contact the team on fineart@hallsgb.com or call 01743 450700.

PICTURE: Maryanne Lineker-Mobberley doing a valuation