Signposts 148 December 2012 and January 2013

Magazine for the Irfon and Wye Valley Churches

Issue No 148 December 2012 and January 2013

What if the shepherds hadn’t gone to Bethlehem.

Well they had their sheep to look after, predators

were all around, and what would they have said next

morning to the owner of the flock – hey great news a

baby’s been born, oh and by the way you have a pile

of dead mutton which needs selling quickly. The

shepherds could have stayed put, all wrapped up in

their day to day affairs, carrying out their job as they

were expected to.

It could have been so different.

What if the wise men hadn’t followed the star. They

were the professors and

academics of their day –

always with their heads in

their books. They had so

many theories about life and

probably never stopped

arguing and debating. They

were the deep thinkers of

their day, they could so easily

have ended up arguing and

pontificating about that Star,

until it had disappeared from

the night sky. Then they

would have turned back to

their books and continued

their philosophising on the

meaning and purpose of life.

It could all have been so

different.

What if Mary when confronted by God’s call, said

No.

After all what would Joseph say? She was promised

to him, would he understand, would he heck! This is

4BC not 2012, and how could he understand? He’d

finish it then and there.

Mary, like all brides to be, had her plans and no

doubt dreamt of her future life with Joseph, a family

and home. She could have ignored God’s call, but of

course it wasn’t like that.

It could have been so different.

But, Mary said “yes”, the shepherds listened to the

angel and the wise men followed the star, and they all

went to the manger.

I wonder, if you and I had been there that Christmas

Eve long ago, what would we have done.

Would we have put aside our everyday

responsibilities and followed the angel’s directions?

Would we have had the courage to take a journey

into the unknown following a star? Would we have

been brave enough to follow God’s call however

frightening it might be?

Well you an d I weren’t there

2000 years ago, but we are

here this Christmas tide and

God comes to each and every

one of us – just as he did to

Mary, the Shepherds and the

wise men in Bethlehem.

God waits to meet us this

Christmas and indeed each

and every day of our lives.

And here’s the good news,

whether we come to Christ as

part of a lifetime’s spiritual

search, or whether we drop

into Church for Christmas –

the same Christ awaits us.

So let us pray this Christmas

that God may speak to each

and every one of us, that in the midst of the busy

Christmas festivities we may hear the call of angel

voices; that God may show us the way and that in

life’s darkness we may see and follow his star; and

finally that we may know what it means to serve and

love Him with all our being.

May you all have a peaceful and blessed Christmas

and a happy healthy New Year.

Contributions for next issue (February) Monday 14

th January

What if … by Revd Phillip Morris

2

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DEANERYDEANERYDEANERYDEANERY SERVICESERVICESERVICESERVICE

SUNDAY 9TH

DECEMBER

SUNDAY 13TH

JANUARY

*Music* *Praise*

*Witness* *Fellowship*

ALL AGE WORSHIP

18.00 ST. MARY’S CHURCH

BUILTH WELLS

Gala Christmas

Concert

Wednesday 12th

December

Brecon Cathedral

Local primary school choirs,

South Powys Youth Orchestra,

Brecon Cathedral Choir and

Brecon Cathedral Consort.

Tickets £8 Adults (£1 Children)

available from the Cathedral Shop

DeaneryDeaneryDeaneryDeanery

EucharistEucharistEucharistEucharist for

The Feast of theThe Feast of theThe Feast of theThe Feast of the

Epiphany of Our LordEpiphany of Our LordEpiphany of Our LordEpiphany of Our Lord

6th

January 16.00 St Llyr’s,

Llanyre – all welcome

Winter Banquet Brecon CathedralBrecon CathedralBrecon CathedralBrecon Cathedral Dinner & Dance

Friday 7th

December

Tickets £45

for more details see

www.breconcathedral.org.uk

Food for Thought Local churches in the Builth Wells area have joined with the local

Community Support to start a lunch club for the over 60's at the Jubilee

Hall at Llanelwedd, the first meal was held on Friday 9th November with

the team serving up beef casserole and trifle. With a cost of only £4 for

main course, dessert and tea/coffee as well as a short activity after the

lunch, you'd have to look hard to find a better bargain!

If you are over 60 and live in Builth, Llanelwedd, Cilmery, Aberedw,

Builth Road, Cwmbach and are interested in attending, then please

contact Builth Wells Community Support at 14 High Street, Builth Wells.

Tel 01982 553004 for a membership form, numbers will be limited so

please contact them soon.

Volunteers are still needed to help prepare & serve the meal, set up the

hall, provide transport & organise the after lunch activities, if you can

help then please contact Builth Wells Community Support.

LLANGASTY

RETREAT HOUSE

The Diocesan Retreat House at Llangasty

has a drop-in Quiet Day every month.

This day is set aside from 10.00-16.00 for

anyone to just turn up, no booking necessary and use the facilities

of the house to pause for a day and engage in prayer, personal

reflection or even attend the midday Eucharist. Bring your own

packed lunch - there is no charge, just leave a donation of

whatever you can afford.

Drop-In Quiet Days are on Monday 3rd

December and Monday

21st January and offer an opportunity to pause during advent and

after Christmas

Deanery Notices

.

4

The Colwyn Group of Parishes

Dear FriendsDear FriendsDear FriendsDear Friends “Glad tidings…” (Well, more than one really!)

The words, “Glad tidings” are traditionally to do with

Christmas. “Glad tidings I bring you….” We, in the

Benefice have glad tidings indeed, from Bishop John.

Most of you will recall that when Revd Canon Alan

Pearcy retired in 2002, the parishes were placed in

suspension pending the formation of the Benefice of

Colwyn and its new Council. As a result of this the term

‘Rector’ was dropped and a Priest in Charge was

eventually appointed. This was Revd John Billam who

began the work of forming and settling the Benefice.

Now that I have been here just over four years and

strong signs of growth in the form of a Sunday Club,

Messy Church, Hall Services, Village Services and

the newly proposed Family Service have emerged,

Bishop John now wishes to induct me as Incumbent,

thus strengthening the Benefice. A provisional date

has been set for Thursday 24th January.

Although Liz and I have worked hard to strengthen the

Benefice, I know that the Bishop’s decision should be

seen as a sign of real affirmation for the work that a great

number of you are doing out in the Benefice. I am totally

convinced that we are heading in the right direction and

we are again about spreading the Gospel and the work of

the Kingdom. Thank you so much for all that you are

doing and I pray that together we may spread the love of

Jesus Christ in this place.

So back to the special “glad tidings” of Christmas. People are

again searching for that Christmas message - a message of

“glad tidings” in a world of uncertainty, hatred and violence.

But despite that, it’s not a message of ‘old hat’ - it’s alive,

vigorous and applicable today as it ever was! It’s the story of

God’s son, coming to earth in humility as a baby born in a

stable and yet treated as a king and worshipped by shepherd

and magi alike. That person then becomes for us the servant

king, to die on the cross, rise from the dead, ascend to his

Father and be the promise of salvation for us all. What a

story! That’s the true meaning behind all the turkey, tinsel

and Christmas pudding. This is a story that is really

beginning to change lives. In the great Christmas gospel from

St. John, chapter one, we hear in verse five that, ‘the light

shines in the darkness, but the darkness has not understood

it’. I wonder, just wonder, if ‘the darkness’ is actually

beginning to understand it after all. Perhaps we all need to let

that light into our hearts so that we too can help it spread. We

look forward to welcoming you to one of our services over

the Christmas season.

Liz joins me in wishing you all a very Happy Christmas

and Blessed New Year.

Vicar Richard

Mid Powys Youth Choir St Matthew’s Church, Llanelwedd

Friday 21st December at 7pm

Tickets £6 on the door

Come and join us – what a treat!!

Crib Services Following several requests for a traditional Crib

Service at Llanelwedd as well as Glascwm on

Christmas Eve, this will now happen. Both will be at

4.00pm in their respective churches.

We hope to produce a tableau with young folk

dressing up into their roles at Llanelwedd.

All are welcome to either Service!

Builth Late Night Shopping Tuesday 11

th December from 6pm to 9pm

Carols, Mulled Wine & Mince Pies

The Fountain Inn, Builth

Donations for St. Matthew’s

Llansantffraed/Bettws

Christmas Coffee Evening Friday 7

th December 7pm at Hundred House Hall

Father Christmas/Stalls/Games/Amusements

A warm welcome awaits you!!

Messy ChurchMessy ChurchMessy ChurchMessy Church Thursday 17

th January 2013

from 3.30pm - Jubilee Hall

Crafts � Worship � Fellowship � Cooked Meal

all on the theme

What’s not to like about it!!

2013 Dates

21st Mar � 16

th May � 15

th Aug � 19

th Sep � 21

st Nov

All Welcome All Welcome All Welcome All Welcome –––– Come and join us!! Come and join us!! Come and join us!! Come and join us!!

Llanelwedd with Llanfaredd, Llansantffraed-in-Elwell, Bettws, Cregrina, Glascwm and Rhulen

Revd Richard Kirlew, The Rectory, Llanelwedd LD2 3TY, Tel: 01982 551288, Email: [email protected]

5

The Colwyn Group of ParishesServices for December 2012 2

nd December Advent 1

Llanfaredd 9.30 LK Morning Prayer

Llansantffraed 10.00 RK Eucharist

Glascwm 7.00 JO/MO Village Service

9th

December Advent 2

Rhulen 11.15 ET Morning Prayer

Cregrina 9.30 RK Eucharist

Bettws 9.30 JO Eucharist

Llanelwedd 11.15 RK Eucharist

16th

December Advent 3

Llanfaredd 9.30 RK Eucharist

Llansantffraed 10.00 MO Morning Prayer

Glascwm 11.15 JO Eucharist

Llanelwedd 6.00 RK Christingle Service

23rd

December Advent 4

Llansantffraed 10.00 JO Group Carol Service

Rhulen 7.00 RK Carol Service

24th

December Glascwm 4.00 JO/MO Crib Service

Llanelwedd 4.00 RK/LK Crib Service

Llanelwedd 11.30 RK Midnight Mass

25th

December Christmas Day

Rhulen 8.00 JO

Cregrina 9.30 MO

Llanfaredd 9.30 RK

Bettws 10.00 JO

Llansantffraed 10.00 ET

Glascwm 11.15 JO

30th

December Christmas 1 Family Service & Communion

Hundred House Hall 10.00 RK

Sunday Club & coffee/tea/mince pies after the Service

Worship4AllWorship4AllWorship4AllWorship4All Family ServicesFamily ServicesFamily ServicesFamily Services

Several folk have asked us to replace the Morning

Prayer at St. Matthew’s, Llanelwedd with a Family

Service. So we have!

The first Service will be on 27th January at 10.30am.

A different style service is on offer, with tea/coffee

and cake afterwards.

Please come and join us!!

Confirmation Group

~~~~~~~~~~~~ We shall be running a Confirmation Group in the

New Year for Confirmation at Easter. If anyone

wishes to join us, please contact Vicar Richard.

Services for January 2013

6th

January Epiphany Llanfaredd 9.30 ET Morning Prayer

Llansantffraed 10.00 RK Eucharist

Glascwm 7.00 JO/MO Village Service

13th

January Epiphany 2

Cregrina 9.30 RK Eucharist

Bettws 9.30 JO Eucharist

Llanelwedd 11.15 RK Eucharist

Rhulen 11.15 MO Morning Prayer

20th

January Epiphany 3

Llanfaredd 9.30 RK Eucharist

Llansantffraed 10.00 ET Morning Prayer

Glascwm 11.15 RK Eucharist

24th

January Provisional Date for Induction of Revd Richard Kirlew as

Incumbent at St. Matthew’s Church, Llanelwedd.

(See Vicar Richard’s letter)

27th

January Epiphany 4 Cregrina 9.30 MO Village Service

Bettws 9.30 RK Eucharist

Llanelwedd 10.30 RK/LK/ET

Worship4All Family Service

Rhulen 11.15 JO Eucharist

“Carols at the Arms” After a break of a year we are again holding the ever

popular “Carols at the Arms” again this year.

This will be at the Llanelwedd Arms and thanks must

go to Kath & Eileen for hosting us. The date is

Saturday 15th

December and we will start at 7.00pm

and see when we finish!!

Children are more than

welcome at the beginning

of the evening.

Please come along and

sing some carols!!

Hundred House Sewing GroupHundred House Sewing GroupHundred House Sewing GroupHundred House Sewing Group If any Church would like pew cushions, kneelers or

altar kneelers made we have nearly completed our

current project & are looking for a new one.

Prices range from £37 to your own design or

Jackson’s as per catalogue.

We meet on Thursday mornings in Hundred House

Hall from 10am.

If you wish to see our work, please telephone:

Ev Foran 01982 570384

Llanelwedd with Llanfaredd, Llansantffraed-in-Elwell, Bettws, Cregrina, Glascwm and Rhulen

Revd Richard Kirlew, The Rectory, Llanelwedd LD2 3TY, Tel: 01982 551288, Email: [email protected]

6

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Word processing; virtual assistant (via the internet); audio-

typing; CVs; black and white photocopying; colour and black & white printing from disk, digital camera or memory card/stick;

scanning photographs, slides and negatives; fax facilities; binding; laminating. We also copy VCR/camcorder tapes to DVD, vinyl/cassette to CD, produce personalised/corporate items such as calendars and frame pictures enlarged from

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Are you set up with computer & broadband but

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FREE initial session to resolve small problems and discuss potential requirements

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HELPING HANDSHELPING HANDSHELPING HANDSHELPING HANDS assists you at home or going out

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Singing, dancing, running, jumping, laughing and playing with friends.

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Call the school today for a chat on 01591 620281

7

The Builth Wells Group of Parishes

Prayers are said most weekdays in the Chapel of the Holy Name of Jesus in St Mary’s, Builth – see St Mary’s noticeboard for details.

Worship 02 December (Advent I) 10.00 United Advent Eucharist at St. Mary the Virgin, Builth

09 December (Advent II) 09.30 Sung Eucharist at St. Mary the Virgin, Builth

11.00 Said Matins at St. David’s, Maesmynis

18.00 CELEBR8 Service at St. Mary the Virgin, Builth

16 December (Advent III)

09.30 Sung Eucharist at St. Mary the Virgin, Builth

11.00 Holy Eucharist at St. Mauritius, Alltmawr

23 December (Advent IV) 09.30 Sung Eucharist at St. Mary the Virgin, Builth

18.00 Sung Evensong at St. Mary the Virgin, Builth

30 December (Christmas I) 10.00 United Christmas Eucharist at St. Mary the Virgin, Builth

06 January (Epiphany) 09.30 Sung Eucharist at St. Mary the Virgin, Builth

15.00 Holy Eucharist at St. David’s, Llanddewi’r-Cwm

13 January (Epiphany II) 09.30 Sung Eucharist at St. Mary the Virgin, Builth

11.00 Said Matins at St. David’s, Maesmynis

18.00 CELEBR8 Service at St. Mary the Virgin, Builth

20 January (Epiphany III)

09.30 Sung Eucharist at St. Mary the Virgin, Builth

11.00 Holy Eucharist at St. Mauritius, Alltmawr

27 January (Epiphany IV) 09.30 Sung Eucharist at St. Mary the Virgin, Builth

11.00 Holy Eucharist at St. David’s, Maesmynis

18.00 Sung Evensong at St. Mary the Virgin, Builth

Christmas Services Christmas Eve

11.00 Christmas Communion at Brynhyfryd Home

13.30 Christmas Communion at Builth Hospital

17.30 Crib Service at St Mary the Virgin, Builth

19.00 Carols & Communion at St David’s, Llanddewi’r-Cwm

23.30 Midnight Mass at St. Mary the Virgin, Builth

Christmas Day 09.30 Christmas Communion at St. Mauritius, Alltmawr

11.00 Christmas Communion at St. David’s, Maesmynis

Confirmation In preparation for a confirmation in St. Mary’s Builth

on Easter Saturday (30th March) Junior confirmation

classes (10+) and adult confirmation classes (17+)

will begin in January 2013 – for more details please

contact Fr. Neil.

Parish Diary 01 Dec Christmas Craft Market at Builth Church Hall 11.00

04 Dec Cytun Advent Worship 19.00 at St. Mary’s, Builth

06 Dec Mothers Union 14.30 at The Vicarage, Builth

06 Dec Study Group 19.30 at The Vicarage, Builth

08 Dec Llewellyn Memorial Service 11.00 at St.

David’s, Llanynis

16 Dec Christmas Celebration 16.00, St Mauritius, Alltmawr

17 Dec Builth Primary School Carol Service 14.00 at

St Mary’s, Builth

17 Dec Town Carol Service 19.00 at St Mary’s, Builth

20 Dec Builth High School Carol Service 19.00 at St.

Mary’s, Builth

05 Jan Carols & Readings for the Vigil of Epiphany

18.30, St Mary’s, Builth

Regular Events Every Sunday Communion is distributed in Builth

Hospital between 13.30 & 14.00

A said Eucharist is celebrated every Thursday at 10.00

in the Chapel of the Holy Name in St Mary’s, Builth

Bellringing every Thursday at St Mary’s Tower at

19.45 – all welcome

SAINTS ALIVESAINTS ALIVESAINTS ALIVESAINTS ALIVE kids club at Maesmynis Hall 16.00 on

Dec 12, Jan 09 & Jan 23.

From the Vicarage On Christmas Eve 1968 the astronaut Frank Borman

spoke the following words as he orbited the Earth in

the tranquillity of space and looked out on humanity

nestled on the face of God’s amazing creation:

Give us, O God, the vision which can see Your love in

the world in spite of human failure.

Give us the faith to trust Your goodness in spite of our

ignorance and weakness.

Give us the knowledge that we may continue to pray

with understanding hearts.

And show us what each one of us can do to set

forward the coming of the day of universal peace.

I pray that this Advent and Christmas we may be

granted a few moments rest and the sense of

perspective Frank Borman had when he uttered these

words, and that these words will become for us our

constant refrain.

Blessings, Father Neil

Find us in Cyberspace at: www.builthgroup.org.uk

facebook.com/BuilthGroup

twitter.com/BuilthGroup

Builth Wells with Llanddewi’r Cwm & Llangynog with Maesmynis & Llanynis with Alltmawr

Revd Father Neil Hook, The Vicarage, 1 North Road, Builth Wells LD2 3BT, Tel: 01982 552355, Email: [email protected]

8

The Erwood & Painscastle Group of Parishes

Letter from Trefechan It doesn’t seem two minutes since we were welcoming the

New Year, and here we are already at the beginning of

2013. As Christians prepare to welcome again the Christ-

child into our hearts and our homes the tinsel and clamour

of an increasingly secular world often drowns the song of

the angels. I ask myself what is it that is so precious about

our faith that enables us to hold on to it despite the

increasing pressures of atheism, agnosticism, humanism

and political correctness.

It would be too easy to say that our faith is merely a ‘habit’

based on the received wisdom of our parents and built on

the insidious indoctrination of Sunday Schools, School

Assemblies, reluctant church-going and the controlling

strictures of a belief in an all-seeing and judging God. After

all, as creatures of a higher intelligence God gave us the

ability to choose whether, and what, we believe.

Very few people keep their childhood faith and beliefs

intact; our images of God change, our notion of ‘heaven’

is challenged and our relationship with Jesus alters. If we

are blessed in having practising Christian parents,

believing teachers and accessible churches and Christian

teachers, we may remain in ‘the fold’. But for many the

presence of a faith that informs their lives and influences

their behaviour can be tucked away for many years in

their deep sub-consciousness. It becomes like a gift that

we received but forgot to open, or one whose value we

did not recognise. Or, maybe, like a pair of new shoes

which pinched a little and needed to be used to become

comfortable; or, perhaps they were too big, and failed to

keep on our feet and give us the support we needed until

we grew into them.

What we need to understand is that, whether we

consciously believe and exercise our faith or not, our

very humanity is based upon that Divine Spark placed in

each one of us by God who declares that he knew us

‘whilst we were yet in our mother’s womb’. We also

need to accept that, in this day and age, an element of

doubt is both natural and necessary. Doubt is a sign of a

mature faith, of one which looks beyond reason, science

and tradition, ever exploring Scripture and always

seeking new insights into the profound and wonderful

mysteries on which our Christian faith is uniquely based,

the Incarnation – ‘the Word became flesh and dwelt

among us’, the Resurrection and the continuing presence

of Christ, through the Holy Spirit, in our lives and in the

Sacraments of the church.

As we grow older we who believe need to risk exposing

ourselves to ‘speaking of God’, something that even

those who consider themselves to be mature in their faith

can find difficult. This is especially important for those

on the threshold of this wonderful adventure – those who

will be Confirmed by our Bishop in January. I would be

pleased to receive enquiries from anyone else who

would like to be confirmed.

The things which anchor me firmly in my faith are all

those which I long to pass on to others, especially at this

time of year. How I wish I could parcel up little portions

of the unconditional and affirming love of Jesus, or send

a bottle of the powerful peace and forgiveness of the

Holy Spirit; or deliver a growing plant of the joy of

Christian fellowship; gifts, all so precious and yet freely

available to us, because they have already been paid for.

The challenge to our church today is why, in a culture in

which ‘free-gifts’ – which have to be paid for by

someone – are showered on us all the time with our

cornflakes and with almost every other commodity, are

people so reluctant to accept those which will make a

real difference to their lives?

The last year has held sadness and anxiety for so many,

and we do not know what the New Year will bring but

the church is looking into the future with a new and

powerful vision to enable it, through its members, to

reach out with those blessings, that strength and hope as

we step out into the unknown.

With my love and prayers and wishing you every

blessing at this very special Christian festival and a

healthy, contented and peaceful New Year.

Revd. Marian Morgan, Priest-in-Charge

BISHOP JOHN DAVIES

Will hold a service of

CONFIRMATION At St Teilo’s Church, Llandeilo Graban

On Sunday, 20th January at 10.30

All welcome

Enquiries from prospective candidates to

Revd. Marian (01982 560702)

Aberedw Sunday School

Christmas Concert Saturday 8

th December 6.30 in the Church Hall

Nativity, Choir,

Recitations, Entertainment,

Carols and Raffle

Everyone welcome

Tickets £2 on the door

Aberedw Church

New Year’s Eve Whist Drive Monday 31

st December Church Hall 7.30pm

Aberedw w Llandeilo Graban w Llanbadarn-y-Garreg w Crickadarn w Gwenddwr & Bryngwyn w Newchurch

w Llanbedr Painscastle w Llanddewi Fach Priest-in-Charge: Revd Marian Morgan, Trefechan, Aberedw,

Builth Wells LD2 3UW Tel: 01982 560359 and 01982 560702 E-mail: [email protected]

9

The Erwood & Painscastle Group of Parishes

Sunday 2nd

December Advent 1 9.00 Newchurch HC (1662 Short) (HJF)

9.30 Llanbadarn-y-Garreg Advent Carols (MM)

9.30 Gwenddwr MP (AO)

10.30 Newchurch MP (1662) (MO)

Followed by Refreshments at Rose Cottage

11.00 Llandeilo Graban HC (MM)

6.00 Aberedw Service of Light (MM & Lay Team)

Saturday 8th

December

6.30 Aberedw Sunday School Concert, Church Hall

Sunday 9th

December Advent 2 9.30 Crickadarn HC (CH)

11.00 Aberedw HC (CH)

7.00 Llanbedr Christingle (MM)

Friday December 14th

7.00 Aberedw Joint Church & Chapel Service of

Readings and Carols (in Church) (MM)

Sunday 16th

December Advent 3 10.30 Trefechan Aberedw, Group HC (MM)

Followed by Coffee & Mince Pies All welcome

2.30 Llandeilo Graban Carol Service

Joint service in Moriah Chapel (MM)

Sunday 23rd

December Advent 4 9.30 Aberedw HC (MM)

3.00 Llandewi Fach HC (HJF)

6.00 Crickadarn Carol Service (CH)

6.00 Bryngwyn Carols (MM)

Monday 24th

December Christmas Eve 6.00 Aberedw Christingle (PJM)

6.30 Aberedw Family Eucharist (PJM)

10.00 Llanbedr HC (MM)

11.30 Aberedw HC (MM)

11.30 Crickadarn HC (PJM)

Tuesday 25th

December Christmas Day 9.00 Newchurch HC (HJF)

9.30 Gwenddwr HC (CH)


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Sunday 30th

December Christmas 1 10.30 Crickadarn Group Eucharist (MM)

Sunday 6th

January Christmas 2 9.00 Newchurch HC (1662 Short) (HJF)

9.30 Llanbadarn-y-Garreg HC (MM)

9.30 Gwenddwr MP (AJH)



4.00 Llanyre - Deanery Service of Carols and

Readings for Epiphany

Sunday 13th

January Epiphany 2 9.30 Bryngwyn HC (MM)

Sunday 20th January Epiphany 3

2.30 Llandeilo Graban

Group Eucharist with

CONFIRMATION

(MM & PJM)

Sunday 27th

January Epiphany 4 9.30 Aberedw HC (MM)

9.30 Llanbedr HC (CH)

11.00 Crickadarn HC (MM)

3.00 Llandewi Fach HC (HJF)

Sunday 3rd

February 2nd

before Lent 9.00 Newchurch HC (1662 Short) (HJF)

9.30 Llanbadarn-y-Garreg HC (MM)

9.30 Gwenddwr MP (AJH)


Followed by Refreshments at Rose Cottage


6.00 Aberedw Informal Worship

(MM & Lay Team)

100 House, Aberedw & Rhosgoch

RWAS feature county 2014

fundraising committee

QUIZ NIGHT Thursday 6

th December at 7.30pm

Team of 4, Entry fee £5 per team

Cash Prizes

For further details contact Peter on 07760 416 473

RACE NIGHT Friday 18

th January 2013, 7.30pm

Rhosgoch Golf Club

Horses £5 each and can be purchased

before the night from Sharon on 07899 923 295

Aberedw w Llandeilo Graban w Llanbadarn-y-Garreg w Crickadarn w Gwenddwr & Bryngwyn w Newchurch

w Llanbedr Painscastle w Llanddewi Fach Priest-in-Charge: Revd Marian Morgan, Trefechan, Aberedw,

Builth Wells LD2 3UW Tel: 01982 560359 and 01982 560702 E-mail: [email protected]

10

The Upper Wye Group of Parishes Dear Friends, I wonder what your favourite and

most treasured memories of

Christmas are. I strongly suspect

that they take you back to the

Christmases of your childhood.

Occasions when you saw or

experienced that childlike delight

in the very special kind of mystery and wonder that

this holy season has as part of its DNA. And yet, for

many adults the joy and marvel of this season of

wonders becomes obscured by the very busyness of

our Christmas preparations.

My prayer for you is that amidst the bustle and rush of

your Christmas organisation you will find time to simply

pause and reflect on the priceless truth which lies at the

heart of our celebrations; a truth that for me was never

expressed better than by John Betjeman who wrote:

“That God was man in Palestine and lives today in bread

and wine.” Without that as its source and lifeblood our

Christmas celebration is just so much turkey and tinsel.

or as Ruth Stapleton expressed it: “Christmas is most

truly Christmas when we celebrate it by giving the

light of love to those who need it most.”

May you be touched and share gladly the peace and the joy

that Christ came to bring and may that delight continue to

bubble up within you throughout the coming year.

A happy, blessed and joyful Christmas to you all and

God’s choicest blessings throughout 2013.

Ben From the Registers: We send our love and prayers to the families and

friends of:

Tony Foster, whose funeral and burial took place at

Newbridge-on-Wye on 11th

October.

Carol Swannick who was cremated at Hereford,

following her funeral at Llanyre on 2nd

November.

Rosemary Fairclough who was buried at Newbridge

following her funeral there on 3rd

November.

Margery Myhill who was buried at Cwmbach after her

funeral on 19th November.

May they and all the departed through the mercy and

grace of God, rest in peace and rise in glory.

Looking Backwards: I’d like to express my very deep gratitude to all of those

who have arranged, organised and supported some

wonderful social events over the past few months.

The evening with Owen Jones raised £805 for Llanfihangel

Helygen Church. The Open Morning and Gift Day raised

nearly £800 for Newbridge Church. The Builth Wells Male

Voice Choir Concert raised £742 to be divided between

Newbridge and Llanfihangel Brynpabuan Churches. Our

first “Messy Church” in November was so successful that a

second is planned before Christmas. We were blessed by a

beautiful crisp and clear night for our Guy Fawkes

Celebration in Llanyre.

None of these events could happen without the

selfless dedication of those who give so generously of

themselves to organise them. Our thank you although

inadequate to the task is nonetheless entirely sincere.

Looking Forwards: As you can see there is, perhaps unsurprisingly, a

great deal happening throughout Advent and

Christmas. Some of the highlights are:

30th

Nov in Newbridge and 9th December in Llanyre

when we will be singing carols around and lighting

Christmas trees. In Newbridge it’s planned that we will

meet at the School and walk down to the Green with

those incredible lanterns made during Messy Church.

12th

Dec Llanyre MU are holding their Advent

Service at 2.30pm. Newbridge School’s Carol Service

will be held in church later the same day.

16th

Dec Our Christingle Service will be held in

Newbridge Church at 4pm. (A date for our Children’s

Christmas Party will be announced shortly)

23rd

Dec Family Carol Service at Llanafan will be at 3pm.

Christmas Eve The Children’s Carol Service in

Llanyre will be at 4.00pm.

30th

Dec we will be holding a Benefice Eucharist at

Cwmbach for the feast of St John the Apostle. Please

then join us for a bring and share lunch in the Iron

Room: just think, it’ll make a change from sprouts!!

New Year’s Eve, the Church Hall in Llanyre will be

the venue for our annual New Year’s Eve Party starting

at 8pm. Bring your own drinks, and a bring and share

supper, dancing to the music of the ever talented

Siarîon and we’ll welcome in 2013 by ringing the

church bell. Come and join us, you’ll be very welcome.

6th

Jan we shall celebrate the Feast of the Epiphany at

4.00pm in Llanyre, with the Festival of 9 Lessons &

Carols enriched by the musical delights of Siarîon. This

year the Deanery are invited to join us for the service and

a party either in the Church Hall or The Vicarage. A

fitting climax to our celebration of Christ’s infancy.

Llanyre, Newbridge-on-Wye, Cwmbach Llechrhyd, Llanfihangel Helygen, Llanafan Fawr & Llanfihangel Brynpabuan

Revd Ben Griffith, 2 Highbury Fields, Llanyre, LD1 6NF, Tel: 01597 823321, Email: [email protected]

11

The Upper Wye Group of Parishes Services in the Upper Wye Churches Sunday November 25

th Christ the King

9.30am Family Eucharist Newbridge-on-Wye

9.30am Morning Prayer Cwmbach Llechrhyd

11.00am Holy Eucharist Llanyre

Thursday 29th

November 6.30pm Diocesan Vision Meeting with Bp. John

Holy Trinity, Llandrindod ALL WELCOME

Friday 30th

November

6.00pm Carol Singing around the Christmas Tree

Newbridge-on-Wye

Sunday 2nd

December Advent I


11.00am Morning Praise Newbridge-on-Wye

3.00pm Holy Eucharist Llanfihangel Helygen

6.00pm Christmas Concert Llanfihangel Brynpabuan

Sunday 9th

December Advent II 9.30am Holy Eucharist Cwmbach Llechrhyd

9.30am Morning Praise Llanyre

11.00am Holy Eucharist Newbridge-on-Wye

3.00pm Cytûn Advent Carol Service

Llanddewi Ystradenni

6.00pm Carol singing around the Christmas Tree

Llanyre

Wednesday 12th

December 2.30pm Llanyre MU Advent Service & Tea

6.00pm Newbridge-on-Wye School Carol Service

Friday 14th

December 3.30pm MESSY CHURCH NEWBRIDGE-ON-WYE

7.00pm Carol Service at Pentref Baptist Church

Sunday 16th

December Advent III

9.30am Family Eucharist Llanyre


4.00pm Christingle Service Newbridge-on-Wye

Tuesday 18th

December 7.00pm Carol Service Llanfihangel Brynpabuan

Wednesday 19th

December 2.30pm Christmas Songs of Praise Caerwnon Park

6.00pm Carol Singing Llanyre

Friday 21st December

6.00pm More Carol Singing Llanyre

Sunday 23rd

December Advent IV 9.30am Holy Eucharist Newbridge-on-Wye


3.00pm Family Carol Service Llanafan Fawr

Monday 24th

December Christmas Eve 4.00pm Children’s Carol Service Llanyre

8.00pm Candlelit Communion Llanfihangel Helygen

11.30pm Midnight Eucharist Llanyre

Tuesday 25

th December Christmas Day

9.30am Eucharist with carols Cwmbach Llechrhyd

9.30am Communion with Carols

Llanfihangel Brynpabuan

11.00am Eucharist with Carols Newbridge-on-Wye

Sunday 30th

December Christmas 1/St. John 10.30am Benefice Eucharist Cwmbach Llechrhyd Followed by Bring & Share Lunch in the Iron Room

Sunday 6th

January The Epiphany of Our Lord 9.30am Holy Eucharist Llanyre

11.00am Morning Praise Newbridge-on-Wye

11.00am Holy Eucharist Llanfihangel Brynpabuan

4.00pm 9 Lessons & Carols Llanyre

Sunday 13th

January The Baptism of Christ

9.30am Holy Eucharist Cwmbach Llechrhyd

9.30am Morning Praise Llanyre


3.00pm Holy Eucharist Llanfihangel Helygen

Sunday 20th

January Epiphany III

9.30am Family Eucharist Llanyre


3.00pm Holy Eucharist Llanafan Fawr

Sunday 27th

January Epiphany IV 9.30am Family Eucharist Newbridge-on-Wye

9.30am Morning Prayer Cwmbach Llechrhyd


Nativity Prayer of St. Bernard of ClairvauxNativity Prayer of St. Bernard of ClairvauxNativity Prayer of St. Bernard of ClairvauxNativity Prayer of St. Bernard of Clairvaux Let Your goodness Lord appear to us, that we made in your

image, conform ourselves to it.

In our own strength we cannot imitate Your majesty,

power, and wonder nor is it fitting for us to try.

But Your mercy reaches from the heavens through the

clouds to the earth below.

You have come to us as a small child, but you have brought

us the greatest of all gifts, the gift of eternal love.

Caress us with Your tiny hands, embrace us with Your tiny

arms and pierce our hearts with Your soft, sweet cries.

St. Bernard of Clairvaux (1090-1153)

Llanyre, Newbridge-on-Wye, Cwmbach Llechrhyd, Llanfihangel Helygen, Llanafan Fawr & Llanfihangel Brynpabuan

Revd Ben Griffith, 2 Highbury Fields, Llanyre, LD1 6NF, Tel: 01597 823321, Email: [email protected]

12

The Parishes of the Irfon Valley & Blaenau Irfon

Dear Friends I wonder whether you are one of those

people who like or hate Christmas. In

my experience people view Christmas

a bit like Marmite, I’ve rarely heard

anything other than a ‘love/hate’

response to either. It seems that there

are understandable reasons why we

might find Christmas difficult; perhaps

we find it too commercialised,

emptied of its true meaning, too many

reminders of people no longer with us,

the loss of the innocent wonder the

child like can bring to it.

I have always found Christmas a very moving time

of the year, the story is rich with meaning and

memory of so many families anticipating the birth of

a child, with all the joy and anxiety of waiting,

worries about money and finding ways of navigating

family relationships as well as the advice and

expectation of others.

Two things that really stand at for me at the moment,

one is the worry that many parents express when

expecting their second child, that they won’t be able

to love the this child as much as their first and the

second is that people are shy of asking for help;

whether its caring for the older child/children whilst

the mother labours and in the early days of

recovering from the demands of labour and adjusting

to having a ‘stranger’ in the house or asking visitors

if they’d mind making their own drinks rather than

the stress the family further by making too many

demands on them.

The incredible and wonderful thing, I witnessed

always, is that people are always ready to help in

whatever way they can with grace and generosity.

I think the experiences of families around the birth as

profound theological resonances with the birth of

Jesus. In many ways it challenges a dominant

Christian view that salvation is an act of God alone,

whereas the Gospel accounts tell us a very different

story, one in which humanity is asked to fully

participate in bringing God to birth in the world.

Firstly, Mary says ‘Yes’ to God, then Joseph agrees to

support her in being the God bearer. The inn keeper

offers sacrificial hospitality, the shepherds leave their

precious flocks to welcome the new arrival on earth

and the Magi make a perilous journey, bringing

incredibly expensive gifts to the helpless child. And

where are the midwives or birth attendant supporting

Mary through her first dangerous birth?

The apocryphal book of James tells us

that Joseph sought the help of a

midwife called Zeloni. We do not

know, we can deduce that for that

context, it would have been very

important for Joseph to be absent and

therefore to ensure that Mary had a

wise woman with her. The irony is

that this unknown, unseen, guessed-at

person is the one showing radical

grace and hospitality by supporting

this couple and welcoming their new

born babe.

What I think the gospel accounts tell us, is that God

chose to make us partners in the work of Salvation, of

bringing wholeness, healing, peace and love to the

world and that those who were participants that first

Christmas all said ‘Yes’ to God and all encountered

loss or risk to do so.

At Christmas we remember that God comes limited

to the frailty of human form, asking for welcome, for

birth, for help, for care and for nurture. Perhaps we

get turned off Christmas because we can longer see

how it relates to our lives; perhaps it feels so closely

associated with ‘young families’, we are left thinking

that Christmas ‘is for children’. Well yes, in so far as

it challenges us to welcome the vulnerable, the

stranger and the disturber of our status quo. Yet it is

so much more, this call to care and support the

vulnerable and anywhere we see new life emerging,

is an invitation to get involved, to do all that is

necessary to enable the expansiveness of life to be

born in our world.

So may you find yourself visited by and a visitor to

the God who is born amid frailty this Christmas.

Lucyann

Christmas Tree Festival Saturday 8

th December St. James,

Llanwrtyd Wells The church will be open from 10.30am. Visitors will

be invited to vote for their favourite

tree. Refreshments served throughout

the day - coffee during the morning,

soup and roll between noon & 2pm

& afternoon tea until 4pm. A Carol

Service follows at 5.30pm when the

winning trees will be announced.

St Cadmarch’s, Llangammarch Wells; The Parish Church, Llanlleonfel, Garth; St Afan’s, Llanfechan; St Cannen’s,

Llanganten, Cilmery; St. James’, Llanwrtyd Wells; St. David’s, Llanwrtyd; St David’s Tirabad; Eglwys Oen Duw, Beulah;

Revd Lucyann Ashdown, The Rectory, Llangammarch Wells, Tel: 01591 620 244, Email: [email protected]

13

The Parishes of the Irfon Valley & Blaenau Irfon SERVICES 2

nd December - First Sunday in Advent

9.30am EOD

11am Morning Prayer St. James

11.15am Morning Prayer Llanganten

11.15am Llanlleonfel

7.30pm Advent Carol Service St. Cadmarch’s

Tuesday 4th

December

6pm Welsh Stream Schools Carol Service

St. Cadmarch’s

Saturday 8th

December

10.30am Christmas Tree Festival followed by

5.30pm Carol Service St. James’, Llanwrtyd

9th

December - 2nd

Sunday in Advent 9.30am EOD Congregational

9.30am St. Cadmarch

11am St. James

16th

December - 3rd

Sunday in Advent

9.30am EOD

11am St. James

11.15am Joint Irfon Valley Lessons and Carols

Llanganten

Monday 17th

December

7pm Meet at the hall in Garth for Carol Singing

Tuesday 18th

December

6pm Christingle Service St. James Church

7pm Carol Service St. David’s, Tirabad

Wednesday 19th

December

6.30pm Carol Service St. David’s, Llanwrtyd

Thursday 20th December

7pm Carol Concert Llanlleonfel Church

23rd

December 9.30am St. Cadmarch’s

11am Joint Blaenau Irfon Benefice Carols

and lessons St. James

Monday 24th

December - Christmas Eve

23.30hrs Midnight Eucharist Alexandra Hall,

Llangammarch

23.30hrs Midnight Eucharist St. James, Llanwrtyd

Tuesday 25th

- Christmas Day

9.30am EOD Communion from reserved sacrament

10am Llanfechan

Sunday 30

th December - Christmas 1

11am Joint Benefice Service at Garth Hall

Reflective Eucharistic Service

6th

January - Feast of the Epiphany 9.30am EOD

11am St. James Morning Prayer

11.15am Llanganten Morning Prayer


4pm Deanery Service Llanyre Parish Church

followed by Epiphany Party

13th

January - Baptism of Christ 9.30am EOD Congregational

9.30am St. Cadmarch

11am St. James

20th

January - Epiphany 3 9.30am EOD

11am St. James

11.15am Llanganten

11.15am Llanfechan

27th

January Epiphany 4 - World Leprosy Day 9.30am Family Service EOD

9.30am St. Cadmarch

11am St. James

3rd

February - Presentation of Christ in the Temple

9.30am EOD

11am Morning Prayer St. James

11.15am Morning Prayer Llanganten


Advent Carol

Service

with the Irfon Singers

a candle lit sequence of readings, hymns and music to usher in the season of Advent 7.30 pm Sunday 2nd December St Cadmarch’s, Llangammarch

St Cadmarch’s, Llangammarch Wells; The Parish Church, Llanlleonfel, Garth; St Afan’s, Llanfechan; St Cannen’s,

Llanganten, Cilmery; St. James’, Llanwrtyd Wells; St. David’s, Llanwrtyd; St David’s Tirabad; Eglwys Oen Duw, Beulah;

Revd Lucyann Ashdown, The Rectory, Llangammarch Wells, Tel: 01591 620 244, Email: [email protected]

14

D. K. Dixon

Plumbing & Heating

oil & gas servicing

new installations

bathrooms, lead work

Pencae, Hay Road, Builth Wells

Tel: 01982 551023

Mob: 07813 405039

Parry & Pugh

Jane Pugh

(Daughter of the late Walter Parry)

TEL: 01982 552644 MOB: 07974 315328

FUNERAL DIRECTORS

A family business established in 1858

PASADENA, 31 BRECON ROAD, BUILTH WELLS, POWYS LD2 3EB

St Mary’s Church Hall

Builth Wells, 10am – 3pm

1st Saturday of the month

from April to December

A great range of locally made crafts. Free entry,

refreshments provided by local charities

Tel. 07879623959 or check out

www.buithcraftmarket.webeden.co.uk

Eat within the Old World Charm of the

COSY CORNERCOSY CORNERCOSY CORNERCOSY CORNER

TEA ROOMSTEA ROOMSTEA ROOMSTEA ROOMS Specialising in Home-cooked food

55 High Street, Builth Wells

Tel: 01982 553585

Dale Williams Painting & decorating,

Highest quality

Of papers hung,

Tiling, coving, artexing,

General building

maintenance

Tel: 01874 712206

Mob: 07800 541955

Over 15 years experience,

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SOLICITORS

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Established since the 19th century

We offer a full & friendly legal service

_________________________________

SOLE PRINCIPAL: DAVID T. LLOYD

CONSULTANT: CONAL M. DUNN

MANCHESTER HOUSE

HIGH STREET, BUILTH WELLS

TEL: 01982 552331 & 553571

FAX: 01982 552860

Ben Lloyd & Son

______________________________________________________

Memorial Craftsmen

est. 1886 Churchyard memorials

commemorative plaques additional

inscriptions

and renovations Bridge Street, Rhayader Tel. 01597 810320 & 811183

Mob. 07767 220163

THOROUGHLY DRY

SEASONED HARDWOOD

LOGS ASH, OAK, BIRCH & ALDER

From Cefnllysgwynne Estate, Builth Wells

DELIVERED TO YOUR DOOR

Cut and split into easily handled sizes.

Packed in bags weighing an average of 8 kilos net

Price: £3.00 per bag (negotiable for

Bulk/regular orders) ORDERS/ENQUIRIES:

Tel: 01982 551624

ELECTRICIAN David Stone Electrics

Free, no obligation quotes for all your household & domestic needs.

07771 767246 [email protected]

01982 570403

NICEIC Registered Insured & all work fully guaranteed

BUILTH

WELLS

GARAGES main dealer in Mid Wales for

SUZUKI

MOT Test Centre

Car Jet Wash

Llanelwedd 01982 553861 or 552236

www.mccartneys.co.uk

AUCTIONEERS – VALUERS LAND AND ESTATE AGENTS CHARTERED SURVEYORS FINE ART AUCTIONEERS

46 High Street, Builth Wells, Powys, LD2 3AB

Tel: 01982 552259 e-mail: [email protected]

R.W. Evans & Son Ltd

Monumental Mason

Memorials & Commemorative

plaques, additional inscriptions

and renovations

highest quality at low prices, family

firm established 100 yrs

Unit 8B,

Brecon Enterprise Park, Brecon

Tel: 01874 625308 (day)

01874 624913 (eve)

15

Filling a gap: dental services in Gaza At the time of going to press and despite

both the current intensive bombardment of

Gaza by artillery and plane and the desperate

economic situation in Gaza, the funding

provided by the Church in Wales has

enabled the Mobile Dental Clinic run by the

Near East Council of Churches (NECC) to

continue its work in the Darraj and Shijai’a

districts of Gaza City. In 2011, there was a

considerable increase in the number of

patients examined by the dentist, with the

number of hours the mobile dental clinic was

based at each district being extended.

The NECC’s 2011 Annual Report shows

that the number of patients examined by the

dentists had reached 5135, an increase of 1321 over 2010. The target number of patients for a year is

3000. The most frequently performed dental procedure was amalgam fillings (1601 cases); 874 children

received a dental check up during their attendance at the Well-baby clinics (target 700); and 1074

pregnant women received a routine dental check-up for first-time pregnancy.

The Report states that because of the continuous conflict and the closures

of borders, the densely populated Gaza Strip is in a state of severe socio-

economic vulnerability. The coping mechanisms of the population are exhausted;

there is widespread absolute poverty; and an inability of civil society and the

formal authorities to meet even the basic needs of the population. Currently, more

than 80% of families in Gaza rely on humanitarian aid.

The NECC staff have noticed increased rates of poverty related diseases such as

malnutrition and anaemia, and increased rates of sanitary related diseases through

the shortage of water, sewage disposal problems with rubbish dumped in the

streets, and the lack of availability of detergents. As poverty and stress-related

diseases have increased, so the provision of basic health services has declined.

However, the Report says, “thanks to our partners’ (including the Church in

Wales) valuable support, the NECC has been enabled to sustain the provision of

health, educational and other services to the intended beneficiaries as planned.”

Deanery

Mother's

Union

News

On Friday 16th November members of the

Mother’s Union from across the Deanery

travelled to the Cathedral in Brecon for the

monthly M.U. Holy Eucharist which is held on Friday lunchtimes. Presided by Dean Geoffrey we

celebrated the Feast of Margaret of Scotland and members participated by reading lessons and leading

the Midday prayers. Afterwards over twenty members had a lovely seasonal lunch in the excellent

Pilgrim’s Teashop in the Cathedral close.

If you would like to join a global movement with over 4 million members which seeks to support family

life and has local branches throughout the deanery then please speak to your member of the clergy or go

to www.swanseaandbreconmu.org.uk/

16

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The Flower Shop

Siop Flodau

Weddings,

Anniversaries,

Funeral Flowers

31 High Street

Builth Wells

Tel 01982 52 686

CWMHINDDU

Boarding

Kennels

& Cattery

Feel free to come & view Very competitive rates

Llandewi’r Cwm, Builth Wells

Tel: 01982 552040

[email protected]

Doug Prosser

Incorporated with Crickhowell

Funeral Services

Maelgwyn

Funeral Home,

Kensington, Brecon

Memorial Masons Tel 01874 622755

www.dougprosser-brecon.com

Piano Tuning

David Day B.A.,L.R.A.M.

Qualified Piano Tuner covering Mid Wales

Tel: 01982 553623 Mob: 07966594663

email: [email protected] www.piano-tuning-wales.co.uk

For all your farm needs

‘He causeth the grass to grow for

the cattle, and the herbs for the service

of man: that he may bring forth food

out of the earth.” Psalms CIV

W Cook The Medical Hall Llanwrtyd Wells

Drug Store, Stationery & Toys, Gifts, Cosmetics,

Greetings Cards, Batteries & Torches,

Tel: 01591 610 207

GILES

MARSHALL

OPTOMETRIST

High Street,

Builth Wells

Tel. 01982 552801

Middleton Street,

Llandrindod Wells

Tel. 01597 823400

Garth Road, Builth Wells Tel: 01982

552210

All contributions (news items and ideas for future issues) are very welcome and should be sent to: Abigail Hook, The Vicarage, 1 North Road, Builth Wells LD2 3BT

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Deadline for next issue: Monday 14th January 2013

Signposts 148 December 2012 and January 2013

Documents

Transcript of Signposts 148 December 2012 and January 2013