Pontyberem

Keith Evans

43 Brandyway, Pontyberem.

01269 871955 keithevans806@btinternet.com

Bonfire night This Friday sees the Pontyberem park bonfire night. Family tickets £15 on the evening while those bought ahead from the Memorial Hall are £12. Further details on 871075.

More flooding Recent torrential rain overwhelmed the storm drains along Heol Y Felin and the slip road from Brandyway causing several properties, including the New Inn, to be flooded. The New Inn will be back in operation this month. Barrier blues The placing by the county council of a slim safety barrier on Coalbrook Road outside the entrance to the Memorial Hall has sparked much comment. Both county councillor Liam Morgan Bowen and local road safety campaigner Cllr Richard Selwood want a barrier at least three times the current width and sturdy enough to limit a vehicle ploughing into people, especially children, gathered outside the building along the narrow pavement. Councillor Keith Evans said: “After all the years of campaigning by local people, to get a safety barrier like that at Tumble Hall, this elfin barrier adds insult to injury. This is about saving lives and reducing the risks of harm along our busiest road. The campaign goes on.” Aberfan tributes On October 21 at a meeting of the Memorial Hall trustees a minute’s silence was observed to mark 55 years since the Aberfan coal tip disaster claimed the lives of 116 children and 28 adults at Pantglas School. One of the child fatalities was 10-year-old Dyfrig Hayes who is interred at Pontyberem’s Capel Soar graveyard. Earlier that day a group of local school children joined family members at a ceremony to place a floral tribute and cherish the memory of Dyfrig and his late father, the Rev Kenneth Hayes, who has lain beside his son since his death in 1998. Poppy appeal In this centenary year for the Royal British Legion the annual poppy appeal will lead up to the laying of wreaths in the foyer of the Memorial Hall on Sunday, November 14. Due to restricted space and Covid considerations the placing of the poppy wreaths at the war memorial from local groups will be performed by the community council chair, Yvonne Lewis, and the council clerk, Eryl Pellow.

St John’s Church Next Sunday at 9.30am prayers will be led by the Rev. Lindy Morgan. Over-50 Club On Tuesday club members meet from 1.30pm in the Memorial Hall. The guest speaker is to be Cllr Liam Morgan-bowen. Light refreshments served.

Monthly council meeting The next community council meeting takes place in the Memorial Hall from 7pm, Thursday, November 11. Public attendance welcome, disabled access available along with translation service. Details of the agenda available from the council clerk on 0741 535 5659.

Indoor local market The resumed village market next takes place in the Memorial Hall on Saturday, November 13, beginning at 9.30am with a finishing time of 1pm. Stall inquiries can be made on 01269 871075 during Memorial Hall office hours.

Blood donor service day Pontyberem Memorial Hall is the venue for the Wales NHS blood donor service on Monday, November 15, from 10am until 8pm. Covid restrictions will apply. Chemist times Monday to Friday trading hours of the local pharmacy are 9am to 1pm and 2pm to 5.30pm. Inside the store there is a maximum of two customers at any one time.

Sinfonia Cymru afternoon concert Saturday, November 20, from 3pm sees the return of the Wales National Youth Orchestra to the Memorial Hall. The string ensemble programme features guest soloist/director Timothy Ridout, the British violist and current BBC Radio 3 new generation artist. Works include compositions by Telemann, Schubert, Battalia, Mozart, Bach and Tabakova. Tickets, £5 and £18 can be booked online with Sinfonia Cymru via Ticket Source or purchased from the Memorial Hall in person or by phoning 01269 871075.