The Tintern News

 

Tintern’s Christmas Number One

 

Rock’n’roll legend Dave Edmunds gave Tintern a great seasonal lift-off when he officially switched on the village Christmas lights at the Royal George on December 10th.

 

Despite the cold and rainy night, the hotel was buzzing with anticipation as an excited crowd gathered in the Royal George’s lounge. Spirits were lifted further by the serving of exceptionally tasty mulled wine accompanied by sausage rolls and mince pies. They really were excellent and the waiting staff did a great job ensuring that everyone got to eat.

 

Excitement mounted as another very special guest arrived. Santa Claus found time in his very hectic pre-Christmas schedule to visit us yet again. Santa said, “Ho, ho, ho. I love coming to Tintern because everyone is very jolly and kind. And my reindeer have been here so often, they see it as part of their build-up to Christmas. I would hate to disappoint them!”

 

Dave Edmunds, who had the 1970 Christmas Number One hit I Hear You Knocking, became an instant hit with the crowd as he braved the elements outside to switch on the lights. And there was plenty of electricity from one of rock music’s great guitar heroes to ensure the lights shone sure and bright.

 

Friends of Tintern would like to offer grateful thanks to Mr Edmunds for performing the ceremony and to Bram at the Royal George for providing such great refreshments. (AR)

 

TINTERN SENIORS CHRISTMAS LUNCH

 

The Tintern Seniors Lunch was very well attended and very enjoyable with approximately 55 people attending. A big thank you to all those who helped with the preparation and serving the lunch. Thank you to Dave and Dee who kindly hosted the event and provided the dinner;  to Tom Zsigo at the Moon and Sixpence for the soup, to Phil Regis for the sherry;  to Llandogo School Choir for their lovely singing;  thank you to Dave for the bingo and for raffle prizes and to Janet Hill and the Friends of Tintern for prizes and their time.

 

LLANDOGO SCHOOL – YEAR SIX

 

I have been asked to make a special mention and thank you to Llandogo School year six, who provided such a fantastic art display at Tintern Abbey on the evening of the Candlelit Carol Service.  Many people have mentioned how good the paintings were and how much they enjoyed looking at them. ER

 

A NEW YEAR MESSAGE – from Reverend Nora Hill

 

Surely this first month of the New Year is the same as any other month.  The world continues to revolve through the universe, night always turns into day, and our daily lives remain very much as they have always done.  Yet there is no other period in the year when we stop as a whole community and think about starting a fresh page - a new life. Clearly then this time is different because it signals a space for renewal and commitment - a stage when we might reflect on doing something to make this world a better place.

We must all have periods in our lives when we consider our obligations, whether that be to Almighty God, to the planet, to each other or to ourselves.  A time for a healing of old wounds perhaps.  2006 may have brought some of us pain, disappointment or tears and relationships and situations might have left us bruised and aching, but we have to learn to live again as 'whole' people.

However, we cannot be 'whole' unless we make that personal decision to find new joys and new directions.  Honour the notion then that New Year is a time for healing and the search for a better quality of life.  

"For last year's words belong to last year's language, and next year's words await another voice.  And to make an end is to make a beginning."  (T.S. Eliot "Little Gidding")

 

Remember also that we sometimes fail the standards we set ourselves and so I urge you to never give up on prayer, never give up on each other and never to give up on those who have given up.  Hope for the world starts with a few tiny steps.

The Church in this place wishes you a very happy and peaceful 2007 and a 'new life' in the image of Jesus Christ and under the grace of Almighty God.

 

THANKSGIVING SERVICE

 

There is to be a Thanksgiving Service of Holy Communion for the 10th anniversary of women's ordination to the priesthood in The Church in Wales.  It will be held at St. Mary's Priory Church Monmouth on Saturday 6th of January 2007 at 2 p.m.  Bishop Dominic will preside at the service and The Rev'd Sister Una Kroll, who was the first woman to be ordained priest in this diocese, will preach.  This service is for everyone and anyone in the diocese and I would be so pleased to see people from the Tintern and Llandogo villages there.

Rev. Nora Hill

 

TINTERN VPA

 

Our Christmas Party was held on Friday 15th December in the Village Hall and was the last  meeting of  2006. 

 

The new year starts with our Annual General Meeting on Friday 19th January at 7.30 pm  in the Village Hall.   Business includes the election or re-election of  VPA officers , distribution of the Programme for the coming year ,  review of the financial position  and collection of subscriptions  (currently £4 - 00  per person for the year).

 

The next meeting after the AGM will be on Friday 16th February  at 7.30 pm in the Village Hall  when Mr Roy Haviland  will be giving us a talk on Chrysanthemums.  

 

New members are welcome at any time.  If you would like more information come along to a meeting  or call Bernard or Christine Bradshaw on 01291 689877.  

 

 

TINTERN WI

 

Good food and pleasant company made for an excellent way to pass a dull December afternoon.  We were made very welcome at the Florence for our Christmas lunch and after much eating and chat we exchanged presents and cards. Best of all there was no washing up to do afterwards!

 

At the soup lunch in December Pam Ansell ran a Bring & Buy stall and from this we raised £50 for the Wales Air Ambulance Charity, which was a good result.  Many thanks to everyone who gave and bought so generously. 

 

Meanwhile in the kitchen other members of the WI were working away serving soup and puds.  A special mention should be made of Judith Spooner who, most months, stands at the kitchen sink washing up bowl after bowl with hardly a moment to spare for a cup of coffee.   

 

WI members are involved in the community in many ways.  We have members who also serve on the Village Hall Committee and the Community Council.  Often a group of members will do a litter pick in the village.  The WI does much to support the village, so please support your WI.  

 

Our next meeting will be on Monday 15th January at 2.00pm in the Village Hall.  After the indulgences of Christmas we decide that we need to exercise both body and brain so we will start the year with a “Bowling and Brainstorming” session. Do come along and join us, you will be made very welcome.   (CB) 

 

 

 

THE NEW YEAR LUNCH

 

Wednesday 10 January, 12.30 - 2.00pm, in

Tintern Village Hall.

 

Homemade Soup and Pudding

£3 plus Raffle

 

Thank you everyone who supported the Christmas lunch. We made a record profit to go towards Hall improvements.

 

 

 

 

 

A very kind message from Mrs. Hermoine Ford

 

I would like to say a big ‘thank you’ to Elspeth for all the time and hard work she puts in to edit the Tintern News and keep up all informed.  It is a massive task to produce and deliver this each month and it is so easy to take it for granted.  So, to Elspeth and all others who give of their time to serve the community, especially the Community Councillors, very many thanks.  May you all have had a peaceful Christmas and a very Happy New Year. (HF)

 

Thank you Hermoine that is much appreciated. And thank you also to Doug Hughes for his kind message in his Christmas Card. ER

PANCAKE DAY RACE

 

The Annual Tintern Shrove Tuesday Pancake Race will take place again this year.  If you would like to enter a team, or enter as a individual please contact Dave Yeomans at the Anchor 01291 689207 or Janet Hill 01291 689591.

 

St. MICHAELS CHURCH – CLEANING ROTA

 

Week Beginning:

 

1st January                   Jan Gibbard

15th January                 Hermoine Ford

29th January                 Jude Spooner

12th February               Trudy and Nine Phelps

26th February               Ann and Barry Richardson

12th March                   Elspeth and Karen

26th March                   Janet, Sue and Barbara

 

Personal Notices

 

Many commiserations to Douglas Hughes, his much loved and well known dog Tommy died at the grand age of nearly 18.  Both were seen everywhere together, and Tommy is greatly missed by Doug.
 
Dave Bruce well known character of Tintern.  Died peacefully in The Royal Gwent Hospital, Thursday 11th December. His last request was a pint of bitter to Dawn Floyd.

 

Happy Birthday to Merlyn Ball – 91 on 14th January.

 

Tintern Village Events

Wednesday 10th January –  7.30 pm Bingo at the Anchor

Monday 15th January - WI at 2.00pm in the Village Hall

Friday 19th January – VPA Annual General Meeting at 7.30 pm  in the Village Hall

 

Catbrook Village Events

CATBROOK MEMORIAL HALL EVENTS 2006

Friday 19th January at 7.30 p.m. - Fashion Show.  Tickets £5.
Friday 9th February - Frank Hennessy and Friends - 7.30 p.m.  
Friday 23rd February at 7.30 p.m. - Film The Queen.
Friday 9th March - Ceilidh to Rig-a-jig.
Friday 23rd March at 7.30 p.m. - Film The History Boys.
Saturday 14th April - provisional booking for The Ronaldos.  Further details to follow. 
7th/8th July 2007 - Art for Africa.
 
Coffee Mornings held on the third Tuesday of each month at 10.30 a.m.
 
This term's yoga classes have finished.  New classes recommencing after Christ,as.  Contact Ruth Routh for details, 01600-860648.
 
For details on all other events or to hire the hall contact Rosemary Stephens on 01600-860451.
 

Friday 19th January – Fashion show.
Friday 9th March 2007 - Ceilidh.
Coffee Mornings held in the hall on the third Tuesday of each month at 10.30 a.m.
Yoga Classes held every Tuesday, 7-9 p.m. and Thursday, 10.30-12.00.  Call Ruth Routh for details on 01600-860648.
For details of all other events or to hire the hall contact Rosemary Stevens on 01600-860451.

 

Items for the Newsletter – dates for the January 2007 edition

 

Items for the Tintern Newsletter from home or abroad can be sent by email to andrew.elspeth@virgin.net delivered to Wye Barn, Tintern, or tel 01291 689456.

 

Items for the February edition of the Newsletter should be received by Saturday 27th January 2007

 

The Tintern Newsletter is sponsored by the Lower Wye Area Committee.

 

 

 

A note from the Editor

 

The Tintern News is a vehicle for the expression of opinion by all members of the Tintern community. While it does not necessarily endorse the views of any particular contributors, it does wholeheartedly support the promotion of lively debate on the development of the village and of freedom of speech in general. However, it will reserve the right to edit any contributions in order to preserve moderation and a spirit of good intent in the presentation of arguments. Thoughts from everyone in our community will continue to be very welcome. ER