Rhagfyr 2004 December
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A Happy Christmas to all our readers near and far and as our distribution has only ever managed to get the paper out on the first of the month on one occasion, a prosperous New Year as well! We hope that we can continue to perform a useful service to the community throughout 2005 - recent fundraising and sponsorship means that our financial future is guaranteed for the next few months. In this issue we hope that we have included mention of all seasonal village activities, but if we have missed any out then it’s probably because we havn’t been told about them. Our New Year resolution is to provide news of ALL events in Carrog and Llidiart y Parc. Can you help us to keep it? And just to keep everyone seasonally fit our regular health columnist has provided a few interesting remedies for excess and over indulgence.
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With the festive season upon us and alcohol part of some celebrations, there is the chance of an occasional hangover. Everyone has their own cure for this most unwelcome condition; however, do any of your cures work? If not, you may be interested to read my top 10 ‘remedies’. They are of course to be tried at your own risk!!
1. Dried Eels - Drunks in the middle ages would down a plate of bitter almonds and dried eel. May not taste too good first thing in the morning but it is nutritious and will make a nice change from turkey!
2. Salt Lick - American Indian tribes when first introduced to alcohol used to run until they broke out in a sweat. They would then lick their sweat and spit it out to rid the body of poison. I think this one should be tried in private!
3. Voodoo - Haitian voodoo people recommend sticking thirteen back pins in the cork of the offending bottle, worth a try; serious drinkers may need to bulk buy. Screw top bottles should be avoided if this remedy is to be tried!
4. Lemon Rub - In Puerto Rico, the locals cure hangovers by rubbing lemon under their ‘drinking arm’. Not recommended after shaving ladies. Some people think the way you rub the lemon is important, clockwise in the Northern Hemisphere, anticlockwise in the South. Useful one if you like lemon in your gin and tonic!
5. Soot - In 19th century England, chimney sweeps swore by the healing properties of a long, warm, soot milkshake. Soot collection points could be set up for those without a coal fire!
6. Rabbit Droppings - Apparently, in the Wild - Wild West, whiskyswilling cowboys swore by a stiff cup of rabbit-poo tea. I would recommend a good mouth wash before kissing anyone after this.
7.Sheep’s Eyes - In Outer Mongolia, drunks are said to slurp down a pickled sheep’s eye in tomato juice. This could replace the pickled eggs on the bar!
8. Assyrian Paste - In South Africa this is the cure for all hangovers. It is apparently made with one teaspoon of ground swallows beak, mixed together with a teaspoon of myrrh (very seasonal). They recommend eating it as quickly as possible and washing it down with a glass of water. I can imagine this finding a place in everyone’s fridge over Christmas! If all of the above fail, the more traditional cures could be tried.
9. Burnt Toast - This is supposed to work but I have never tried it. Even if it doesn’t, the terrible taste will take your mind off your headache for a while.
10. Hair of the Dog - A glass of clear alcohol such as vodka ‘the morning after’ has been scientifically proven to block the receptors in the brain that cause the hangover symptoms, it does work but only if you stick to the one glass!
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Concerns over increase in damage in Carrog
At the latest Community Council Meeting concerns were expressed over damage recently caused around Carrog. The telephone box by the school has been severely damaged and the newly painted doors on the Neuadd have been scratched with graffiti again. There have also been incidents of slogans being painted on the wall outside the Neuadd. The police are determined to catch those responsible and have asked that all incidents of damage and anti social behaviour be reported by telephoning 0845 607 1002 (English language) or 0845 607 1001 (Welsh Language)
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Welsh Blacks are supposed to be a hardy breed of cattle able to thrive on poorer upland farms and in adverse weather conditions. This is a fact accepted by farmers the world over and just about anyone who has ever seen a cow in a field. My girls, however, obviously haven’t been told about their breeds reputation for toughness. One little snow shower the other night left them standing by my house giving their rendition of the Bohemian Rhapsody at full volume in the early hours of the morning. I wouldn’t mind but when I couldn’t stand it anymore and got up to throw them a bale of hay they did not appreciate it and just carried on.
I’ve had a few problems these last few weeks with cows as a whole. Whilst I was busy making some ill advised investment at the auction in the Neuadd, four of my bullocks were happily wandering along the road heading for Corwen. Fortunately for me Matthew Scott came to tell me (thanks Matt) and after a brief moment of panic I rounded them up and walked them home without too much hassle. Helga finally got round to calving the other night. I had hoped she’d co-operate and do it at a decent time, but she seemed quite happy to hang on until 3.30 in the morning. To be fair she calved herself with no interference from me and produced a cracking heifer calf. The only problem with Helga was for a few days after calving, if I as so much looked the calf she went bonkers. Feeding became a case of go in the shed quietly, throw the food in the trough and get out quick before Helga creamed me up against the wall.
Most of my lambs have gone now with 45 being left inside supposedly fattening. I’ve spent a fortune on meal, fed them as much hay as they can eat. I’ve vitamin dosed them and worm drenched them. In fact I’ve done everything bar sing them to sleep at night, yet they still don’t seem to be improving. I don’t see me making my fortune on this bunch.
Gareth Llan
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Village Hall Carrog - Phase One - the Purchase
Now that most of all the extraordinary effort which has gone into creating our village hall is coming to fruition, perhaps it is time to look back and remember how it all began.
It is a building of which we are all understandably proud, but in 1977 it was the run down premises of the Church School, the school having closed about 1923. Since then it had been used as a Church Hall for various functions and also as a room in which to serve dinners to the pupils who now attended the new National School close by.
By a happy chance a lady in the village was reading the London Gazette and saw that the Church Commissioners were advertising for sale the old ‘Church School and Adjoining Masters House of Carrog’. She passed this information to the local councillors who were galvanised into action. Three people from the village went to see the Bishop of St Asaph only to receive a very negative response, but then eventually the Parochial Church Council of the church of Llansantffraid Glyn Dyfrdwy were informed that the Church Commissioners were willing to sell the schoolroom, without the house, for £1250.
A public meeting was called on October 27th 1977 to discuss the possibility of buying the old school to convert it into a village hall. Forty to fifty people attended, together with a representative of Clwyd Voluntary Services who had come along to assist in any way possible. Without too much discussion it was unanimously agreed to form a committee to set about purchasing the old schoolroom.
The gentleman from voluntary services then advised what would be required from such a committee - i.e.:- registering as a charity with the names of all involved, and then applying for any grants that might be available.
It was pointed out that whatever grants might be forthcoming, the local committee would still be responsible for raising 25% of the cost.£1,250 does not appear very much by today but in 1977, for the 300 or so inhabitants of the village, it seemed that we had a daunting task ahead to raise such a sum. The next meeting was to be held as soon as each organisation had nominated a representative to join the four councillors of Clwyd County, Glyndwr District, Corwen and Llansantffraid Communities, on the committee. The organisations were listed as the Methodist, Baptist, Congregational Chapels, the Church in Wales, the Roman Catholic Church, the Wl, the Red Cross, the WEA, the Carrog Show Trustees and the Senior Citizens.
On November 23rd all the nominees came together to elect a chairman and officers and to co-opt four more members. It was passed that a deposit account was to be opened at the National Westminster Bank in Corwen and the rest of the time was taken up discussing ideas of fund raising - Christmas Carol singing, a whist drive, a sale of work.
A suggestion was put forward to ask former residents of the village and old pupils of the school if they would like to give a donation. Someone volunteered to draw up a list and others offered to write the letters of request. At the next few meetings a constitution was drawn up, a solicitor appointed, seven trustees chosen and various grants were applied for. It was also deemed necessary to take out insurance cover. By January grants from Corwen and Llansantffraid had been received and donations from many sources appeared.
There was a sum of £40 left over from the celebrations for the Queens Silver Jubilee, £150 from the Carrog Show Trustees, the show having ceased to exist. Two ladies gave £113 after going round collecting everyone’s waste paper to sell. Another made a patchwork quilt and raffled it for £50. The Grouse Inn ran competitions, a hundred club was started, a sale of work brought £242, a whist drive realised £61, £33 was collected going round singing Carols and a lady ran coffee mornings in her house. Generous donations from residents were received along with other donations coming in answer to the request letters.
At the committee meeting of April 4th the treasurer was able to announce that there was £905 in hand after paying for the building. Now was to come the big job of renovating the building, incorporating a kitchen, toilets and cloakroom etc. to make it suitable for use as a village hall The first step was to arrange a meeting with the Clwyd County Architect for his advice and then to carry on fund raising with even more vigour.
Valmai Webb
December 2004
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Joseph Culshaw attended a 2 day Football in the Community Coaching Course with Everton Football Club where he won the award for best all round player. He is pictured with his award and a football which was signed by all the Everton players.
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There was a well attended service at the Village War Memorial with prayers lead by Alison Goldstein and the names of the fallen read out by Steven Davies.
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1st prize No. 31 Tina Wombwell £20
2nd prize No. 6 Sandra Jones £10
The December draw will be a special one with a 1st prize of £50 and 2nd prize of £25. If you do not want to miss out contact Dave Jones and join the 100 Club.
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Owain Glyndwr League
9th November Cerrig ‘B’ 1 - Carrog
5
16th November Carrog 4 - Llandrillo ‘B’ 2
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This year £270.10p was raised thanks to all collectors whoworked so hard.
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Xmas Eve - 12 noon to 11.30 pm
Xmas Day 11 am to
1 pm - Drinks Only
Sunday 26th - Thursday 30th 12 noon - 11.30 pm
New Years Eve - 12 noon till closing
New Years Day - 12 noon to midnight
Sunday 2nd onwards 12 noon to 11.30 pm
Whats On At The Grouse Over Christmas
Christmas Eve - 8.30pm Carols with sherry and
mince pies for all
Tuesday 28th - Christmas Quiz 9.00pm - prizes for all taking
part
Thursday 30th - Pool Knockout 8.30pm- £2 entry with £50 1st priz.
Other
prizes as well
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The school raised £300 for the NSPCC and pupils have donated several shoe boxes to the to the Operation Christmas Child appeal.
The children enjoyed a concert in Llangollen Pavillion featuring ‘Black Umfolosi’ from Zimbabwe. The children and teachers joined in the dancing and were very impressed by the dance performed wearing wellingtons.
Welcome to four new pupils: Adam and Hannah Galloway who have come to live in Carrog Neuydd and Callum and Poppy Edwards (cousins to Amber and Pagan).
Remember to support our Christingle Dance on 14th December at 6.30pm. There will be a warm welcome to you all.
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14th December at 2.15 pm - Christingle Service
in Church
15th December at 6.30 pm Ysgol Carrog Concert
Carrog Church Christmas Eve -
7.00 pm - A bilingual service of Carols and Readings
Christmas Day - NO SERVICE
Boxing Day - Morning service details to be announced.
17th January at 7.30 pm Gold Medallist Nicola Tustein will give a talk about her experiences in the Paralympics Entry £2
25th January Edeyrnion Historical Society - The tribulations of farming in 19C Wales
1st February Commander Bradshaw will give an illustrated talk on his experiences of being the navigator on the Royal Yacht Brittania.
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Many thanks to all who supported the “Y Bont” bash. The evening raised, after expenses, £343 which approximates to 4 editions of “Y Bont”. Pictured are some of the revellers with Idris and Geraint, the entertainers, at the back.
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All letters must be accompanied by name and address of the writers. Opinions expressed in letters to “Y Bont” are purely those of the writers, however the editors reserve the right to edit letters submitted.
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Dear Editor
Here’s a few pieces of news for your next edition.
Also attached is a Christmas recipe.
Station Camp Site has had another busy season. Many campers are directed towards the Grouse Inn, where they enjoy the all day menu. There has also been an increase in the amount of specialist groups, such as Duke of Edinburgh Award students. A new feature at the site this year has been the garden, which has had a favourable response from the campers.
Heather Blair has won a specialist music computer through the BBC Fame Academy Bursary Awards. To win she had to fill in a lengthy questionnaire detailing her musical achievements, performances and ambitions. Her referee was Mr Chris Duckett, head of music at Ysgol Dinas Bran.
Regards,
Judith Blair
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Vodka and Red Bull Christmas Cake
Ingredients:
1 cup water 1 tsp baking soda
1 tsp salt 4 large
eggs
1 bottle Vodka 2 cups dried fruit
1 cup brown sugar Lemon Juice
Nuts 1 can Red Bull
Method:
1. Sample the vodka to check quality.
2. Take a
large bowl, check the vodka again.
3. To be sure it is of the highest quality,
pour one level cup and mix with a little red Bull, and drink.
4. Repeat.
5. Turn on the electric mixer, beat on cup of butter in a large fluffy
bowl.
6. Add one teaspoon sugar. Beat again.
7. At this point it is best to make sure
the vodka is still okay.
8. Flavour with Red Bull to taste.
9. Try another cup - just in case, turn off
the mixerer.
10. Break two leggs and add to the bowl and chick in the cup of dried
fruit.
11. Pick fruit off floor.
12. Mix on the turnerer.
13. If the dried fruit gets stuck in the beaterers, pry
it loose with a little Bed Rull.
14. Next ssiffft two cups salt, or something.
Who gives a s***.
15. Throw a pinch of Red Bull over your shoulder.
16. Pick up the can, mop the
floor.
17. Check the vodka.
18. Now sift the lemon juice and strain your nuts.
19. Add one table.
20. Add a shpoon of shugar, or somefink. Whatever you can find.
21. Turn the cake
tin 360 degrees and try not to fall over.
22. Don’t forget to beat off the
turner.
23. Finally, throw the bowl through the window, finish the vodka.
24. Fall into
bed.
Cherry Mistmas!
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Dear Editor
Through the pages of Y Bont could I take this opportunity to thank all those who supported my Fitness League Classes held in aid of the Neuadd. Although numbers attending were small we managed to contribute £100.
Christine Fisher
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Dear Readers
I would like to remind you about house security especially as thefts rise at this time of the year.
1) Secure all ladders - chain them up with a padlock
or put them inside out of sight.
2) Take keys out of the door and make them invisible
from the windows.
3) Lock away valuable garden equipment.
4) Lock windows
5) Shut gates and secure trailers.
6) Use a steering wheel lock on your car when
not being used.
7) Remember - your garage may contain many valuables - lock them
up!
8) Make your house visible at night - use outside lights, burglars do not
like to be seen!
Above all, let’s look out for each other and report any suspicious activity.
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Across:
1. Place in Anglesey
5. Great or Large (Welsh)
6. Fruit
8. Vegetable
9. Globe
10. Town near Cambridge
12. Covering
13. Relogious Education
14. Goes with a certain saint
15. Land
19. Corrie
20. Water
21. One tenth of a dong
22. Covering for a part of the body
23. High Explosive
25. Which letters complete the following words: F I _ _ _, D _ _ _ Y, G _ _ _ h,
26. Reliable
Down:
1. Confluence (Welsh)
2. Frank Sinatra did it
3. Town near Llyn Tegid
4. Town in South Wales
6. Enclosure
7. Sovereign
8. Potassium Carbonate
11. Sheltered Side
16. Smite17. Beverage
18. Consume
19. Greek letter
24. An adult elver
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Across:
1. Seaside Resort
4. Bachelor of art
6. Retreated
7. Place in Anglesey
9. A tree person in ‘Lord of the Rings’
10. Talk a lot
11. New (Welsh)
12. Material in ground available to man
14. Many taps are left like this
17. A way to decorate a bedroom
20. Digit
21. Girl’s name
24. Enemy
25. Absent without leave
26. Non flying bird
27. Caight in a net
Down:
1. A ‘firework’ you may visit on the way to Anglesey
2. Theft
3. Somewhere on the Lleyn Peninsula
4. Group of musicians
5. Insect
6. Colour
8. Organ on the head
11. A book (Welsh)
13. A town in the Conway Valley
15. Slang for a smell
16. The river at Wisbech
18. Welsh for church
19. NaCl
22. Female sheep
23. Part of a knot
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© All material is Copyright of “Y Bont” unless otherwise indicated at the end of the article