YOUR COUNCIL - YOUR MONEY On Thursday, May 4, it is planned to hold elections for the new Denbighshire Unitary Authority and St. Asaph Town Council. In April 1996 the Unitary Authority will replace both the Rhuddlan Borough Council and Clwyd County Council and, together with parts of what are now Glyndwr and Colwyn , will embrace an area stretching from Rhyl to Llangollen.
The new authority will be responsible for providing the whole range of services which are currently provided by the Borough and County Councils. The Unitary Authority members elected in May will sit "in shadow" for 11 months planning the new authority whilst the existing authorities will continue to be responsible for the services until the end of March 1996.
The Town Council will continue, possibly in an expanded role and will become an important interface between the new authority and the electorate. The new authority, in its year "in shadow" has to decide very many important issues including what to call itself, where to locate its offices, how and when it can deliver its services and, throughout this time it will liase with Town and Community Councils to determine the requirements of each community.
The Town Council to be elected for a four year term in May can help you get the services you deserve and need. So, to all of you who feel you want a better deal at every level of local government, why don't you consider standing for election and help shape the future at this crucial time in the reorganisation of local government. At the very least make your voice heard by voting for the Councillors of your choice - You won't get another chance until 1999!
The current representatives in St. Asaph are: Clwyd County Council John E. Ainsworth, 14 Llys Idris, St. Asaph Tel, 582416 (representing St. Asaph) Colin Drake, Tithe Barn House, St. Asaph Tel 582972 (representing Rhuddlan)
St.Asaph Town Council Mrs. C O'Rourke, 25 Ashley Court, St. Asaph Tel 584785 Trevor Roberts, 15 Rhodfa Glenys, St. Asaph. Tel 582380 Charles V. Stone, 3 Maes Derwen, St. Asaph. Tel 582391 Andrew Thomas, 27 Bishops Walk, St. Asaph Tel 583100 Rod Thomas, 4 4 Heol Clwyd, St. Asaph. Tel 583935 John Vaughan, 1 Keens Road St. Asaph. Tel 582610 George Williams, 61 Bishops Walk, St. Asaph Tel 583023 David Wyke, The Chantry, St. Asaph. Tel 583636
Rhuddlan Borough Council John E. Ainsworth (St. Asaph West) Mrs. Jose Cleaver (St. Asaph East) Myrtle Cottage, 7 The Village, Bodelwyddan. Tel.583356
St. Asaph Town Council John E Ainsworth, 14 Llys Idris, St. Asaph Mrs. Jose Cleaver, Myrtle Cottage, Bodelwyddan David Coombe, 76 Ashly Court, St. Asaph Tel 583318 Ken Houlston, 12 Bro Havard, St. Asaph. Tel 583173 Mrs. D, Mercer, 2 Tai'r Felin, St. Asaph Tel 583161 Dewi Mortimer, 17 Ashley Court, St. Asaph Tel 583247
The Clerk to St. Asaph Town Council is Mr. Jack Ackerley, 34 Lon Ffawydd, Abergele. Tel 824450.
NEW ARRIVAL Nigel and Gwenan Lewis are pleased to announce the birth of Anna on Tuesday, January 24, weighing in at 5lbs 8ozs. Congratulations!
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WANTED NEIGHBOURHOOD WATCH CO-ORDINATORS. North Wales Police are on the lookout for Neighbourhood Watch Co-ordinators to help them in their fight against crime.
The ten co-ordinators in St. Asaph greatly assist the police through their vigilance but they are mainly situated in the Roe Parc and Ashley Court areas and the police are keen to extend the scheme throughout the City.
St. Asaph, along with other communities in the Rhuddlan District, is prime target for thieves who use the A55 and the Motorway network to travel from as far away as the West Midlands and North Lancashire to rob houses and then return quickly to their home base.
Neighbourhood watch schemes can play an important part in the prevention of these and other crimes with members and co-ordinators noting suspicious activity and notifying the police.
Neighbourhood watch can also rekindle a sense of community, looking after the interests of the more vulnerable members of the community, helping neighbours by keeping an eye on their property and by taking an interest in what is going on around the City.
If you feel you would like to help by being a co-ordinator, or, if you have the time to help organise Neighbourhood Watch in St. Asaph, contact PC Gareth Owen at Rhyl Police Station. PC Owen is Co-ordinator for Neighbourhood Watch and will be pleased to visit you or send you all the information to start a Neighbourhood Watch in your street.
Go On, Give it a Try and be a Good Neighour [TYPO:neighbour]
LITTER Have you noticed that we have a slight litter problem in St. Asaph?" asks Councillor David Wyke.
"Despite the best efforts of the students from Pengwern who are sponsored by St. Asaph Rotary, and the occasional efforts of Rhuddlan Borough Council, sponsored by the council taxpayers, we still have the odd piece of litter strewn about the City !"
"Did you know that the citizens ofSt. Asaph could help solve the problem ?" he asks. "If every householder picked up the rubbish from outside their homes once a week, and if they tied up their rubbish sacks before the garbage collection, the City would be a cleaner and more pleasant place to live in."
"Another, more radical suggestion could be that we stop throwing litter about in the first place!" he said.
HOSPICE HELP The long awaited St. Kentigern Day Hospice opened its doors to its first patients recently and will offer the provision of skills and services to meet the needs of people with a terminal illness in a relaxed, homely and informal environment.
The hospice aims to meet the physical, psychological, social and spiritual needs of patients and offer support to carers while improving quality of life, promoting the independence and assisting each patient to preserve their individuality and self resepect whilst coping with their illness.
To help with the smooth day to day running of the Hospice volunteer help is essential and the Volunteer Coordinator, Mrs. Sheila Parry, has already had considerable response to an appeal for helpers for which she has expressed her gratitude.
We have now trained a keen group of people to assist in the day to day care of our patients and our need now is for volunteers willing to drive patients to and from the Hospice," said Mrs. Parry.
Patients need to arrive at the Hospice between 9,30 am- 10 am and return to their homes between 3.30 and 4pm, once or twice a week. This service could be required for just one week or longer after which there would be no further call on the volunteer for a few months before being required again.
Hospice Appeals Manager, Eleanor Burnham, would like to hear from anyone who could assist in helping to set up or become involved in a Hospice Support Group, help to organise fund raising events, organise collections or sponsored events etc.
The annual running costs of the Day Hospice is in the region of £150,000 while the Residential Hospice capital cost is estimated at £1.3 million with an ongoing running cost of £400,000 per annum.
The fund raisers face the daunting task of aiming at a target of £1.8 million but the people of this area have proved themselves more than equal to the task in the past and will surely rise to the occasion yet again. There can certainly be no more worthwhile cause for which to make the effort so if anyone feels they can spare just a little time contact Mrs. Sheila Parry, Eleanor Burnham, or anyone at the St. Kentigern Day Hospice who will put you in touch with someone who can provide you with all the details and direct your help to the most valuable place.
VE DAY On Sunday , May 7, at 3.30 p.m. the 50th anniversary of VE day will be celebrated in St.Asaph Cathedral.
The British Legion are planning to arrange a parade down the High Street immediately after the service.
The Legion also wish to have an exhibition of VE Day memories. If anyone can provide exhibits contact Dewi Mortimer at Penrhewl Garage or phone 583247 (home).
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Ysgol Glan Clwyd News
S4C AT GLAN CLWYD - Thirty of the year 7 pupils had the opportunity to air their views about future S4C programmes recently when representatives from S4C visited the school as part of a wide ranging research programme to discover what programmes children in the 11-12 year age group liked watching and when the programmes should be broadcast. Examples of different soap operas were shown to the pupils to see which they enjoyed the most and they were asked to fill in a comprehensive questionnaire. On the basis of their research throughout the length and breadth of Wales independent television the S4C will be asking companies to tender for making future programmes.
TECHNOLOGY COURSE - As part of their technology course, all year seven pupils attended the Technology Centre at Middle Lane, Denbigh, during two weeks in January. Each group of thirty pupils at a time were there for three days and the aim of the course was to provide all pupils with a technological experience which would be difficult to provide within the confines of a normal week.
The theme of the project was related to industry and, at the beginning of each session, a representative from the Health Care Centre at St Asaph, introduced the pupils to the problems of people with arthritis and the difficulties they face in everyday living.
Each of the groups were asked to relate to a specific problem facing people with arthritis such as holding a telephone receiver and dialling and then to design and market an aid.
The Health Centre is at present looking into the possibility of marketing the winning aid developed by the pupils. Each participating pupil received a CREST Scheme Bronze Award on completing the course for which sponsorship was provided by the Educational Business Partnership.
THEATRE VISIT - Earlier this term students from years 12 and 13 studying A level Drama were given the opportunity of benefitting from the experience of working with a theatre professional - Chrissie Tiller of the Royal National Theatre, London. The National Theatre was able to visit Glan Clwyd through the W.H. Smith Interact Scheme organised by the National's Education Department. Interact is part of the W.H. Smith 'Arts in Schools' programme aimed at introducing young people to the theatre, literature, music, dance and design.
A TASTE OF HONEY - A number of pupils visited Theatre Gwynedd, Bangor, recently to see 'A Taste of Honey'. This was a particularly valuable experience as it represents part of their study course for the English GCSE.
BRANWEN - "Brilliant - Marvellous" were some of the praises showered on the performances of the pupils in Branwen. As many of the parents and friends had failed to see the original performances at the school theatre, a further two performances were given on January 31st and February 1st at the Emlyn Williams Theatre, Theatre Clwyd. All the hard work was indeed well rewarded!
TO CAMBRIDGE - Congratulations to Deian Rhys (year 13) of Carmel, Holywell on gaining a place to read Land Economy at Girton College, Cambridge. Deian will begin his studies in September 1966. [TYPO:1996]
Meanwhile, having already gained a Grade A in Economics and needing Grades A and B in French and Mathematics his summer, he is also studying for a GCSE in Spanish and is hoping to gain valuable work experience for a few months before travelling to make use of the languages at his fingertips.
We wish you all the best for the future Deian.
ON THE MEND - Very best wishes to Mr. Glyn Jones previous headteacher, for a quick and complete recovery after his sudden serious illness and subsequent operation and we are glad to hear that he is well on the road to recovery.
INTERVIEW - January 27 was a day to remember for all Year 11 pupils. It was interview time! Each and every pupil went through the awsome [TYPO:awesome] experience of their first interview in a formal setting, The interviews, a day-long proceedure [TYPO:procedure], ensured that each pupil was interviewed for ten to fifteen minutes by experienced interviewers from different fields of industry, business and the professions. The pupils had applied for various imaginary occupations and had completed their own C.V's so as to make the interviews as lifelike as possible. Thanks to the interviewers for their detailed work and for giving the pupils a foretaste of what everyone must all go through at some time in their lives.
Ysgol Esgob Morgan Earlier this year the BBC visited Ysgol Esgob Morgan to record part of their Good Morning Wales programme and pupils who had composed Graces for the anthology Benedictus Benedicat produced by Mr. David Wyke of The Chantry, Upper Denbigh Road, St. Asaph, in aid of the Cathedral organ restoration fund, read their compositions.
Plans are in hand for several education outings. This month, March, pupils of years three and four will visit Chester where they will tour the Grosvenor Museum and enjoy a bus trip around the City.
Year five have recently visited Jodrell Bank in Cheshire while Year six paid a visit to North Wales Newspapers at their Mold headquarters to see how a newspaper is produced.
Next month, April, a special Easter service will be held at the Parish Church during the afternoon of Thursday, 6th of April.
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Open University Success St. Asaph Sports Centre Manager, Paul Evers-Swindell, Mount Road, St. Asaph, has recently been successful in gaining an Open University Degree.
He chose a wide based course covering history, art, music and philosophy as a contrast to his work at the Sports Centre and in keeping with his leisure interests.
During the period of his studies, Paul took time out to fulfil his duties as President of the St. Asaph Rotary Club, now he is preparing to embark on a further study course aimed at an honours degree.
Paul, who has been at the Sports Centre for 22 years, took over an manager in July 1976.
"Adapting to learning again after years away from academic studies is probably the biggest step but, once you rediscover the learning process, the subjects become more and more fascinating" said Paul.
ST. WINEFRIDE'S R.C SCHOOL Pupils from St. Winefride's R C School joined pupils from other St. Asaph Schools in the Dean's Library recently when they took part in the launch of the Book of Graces - Benedictus Benedicat, produced by Mr. David Wyke in aid of the Cathedral organ Restoration Fund. The pupils who had composed Graces for the anthology read their own items.
During the term the children have also been writing poetry about "The Weather" and illustrating their work.
V.P. SCHOOL This term year two are learning all about water and, on March 10, they are planning to visit the Alwen Water Treatment works at Cerrigydrudion followed by an afternoon visit to Llyn Brennig.
Plans are already in hand for the April 7 Balloon Race and tickets are available at the school. The provisional date for the Summer Fayre has been set for June 17, and an appeal goes out for any items for the stalls.
HISTORY NOTES FAIRHOLME SCHOOL was founded in 1900 by Miss Evadne Foulkes. It originated in Denbigh with just four pupils but soon built up a solid reputation. Miss Foulkes ran the school for forty five years until 1945 when Mrs. Gillian Jones took over Fairholme. Under her guidance the school went from strength to strength and by the 1960's larger premises were needed.
In 1964 the school moved to its present site in St. Asaph. It occupies one of the older mansions of the City - "The Mount" - the former home of the late Miss E Pilkington, who was a member of the glass making family. Fairholme remained under Mrs. Jones's guidance until her death forty-four years later in 1989, since when it has been under the direction of new Principals - Mr. and Mrs. A. J. Cashman.
From BEAVER to CUB A report from Matthew, a Beaver Scout who has just had his eighth birthday.
Hello, my name is Matthew. I have just had my eighth birthday and now I am linking up from Beavers to Cubs. I'll miss some of the games and the other Beavers and am no longer involved in the Beavers Conservation Garden, but I am looking forward to playing football, doing badges, going camping, and making new friends in Cubs.
If you would like to come to Beavers, Cubs or Scouts, we meet on Thursday 5.30pm to 6.30 for Beavers, Wednesday, 6.30 - 7.45pm for Cubs and Tuesday 7 - 9pm for Scouts. If you have an hour or so to spare we would love to see more adults helping to run these groups. We all meet in the Scout Den at Penrhewl, St. Asaph.
CUBS A trophy shield has been given to the St. Asaph Cub pack by 169th Birmingham Cub Pack as a thank you for the hospitality they received last summer.
Akela is delighted that the Cubs are getting he chance to be friends with a city pack and plans are in hand to encourage further links.
1ST ST.ASAPH GUIDES. The 1st St. Asaph Guides meet every Wednesday at 6.30 pm in the Old Court House, Chester Street, where they spend a most enjoyable evening involved in a wide range of activities including games, makeovers, badgework, craftwork, rounders and discussions of future events.
The group also take part in excursions such as visits to the Superbowl at Rhyl, skating at the Deeside Ice-Rink and Alton Towers.
The Guides also take part in camping expeditions, often in the immediate area, but opportunities are available to go for international overseas camping excursions.
At the present time the Guides are busy preparing to stage an adaptation of Roald Dahl's "The Witches" so watch this space for further details of time and place!
If you are interested in joining the Guides there is a waiting list so contact Debbie on 0492 623958 and get your name on the list.
The Guides would also like to hear from any ladies who are free on Wednesday evenings between 6.30 and 8.30 pm and who feel they would like to get involved with the Guide unit. If you feel you can help then ring Debbie on the number above or ring the District Commissioner, Mrs. Jean Roberts, on Rhuddlan 590575.
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Correspondence Corner
Jones Peckover, 47 Vale Street, Denbigh.
I read with interest your first St. Asaph Newsletter and my attention was particularly drawn to the report of the Cefn Meiriadog Historical Society relating to the Capel Efynnon Fair.
The Chapel is private property owned by Mrs. Myfida Cooke. Some time ago Cefn Meiriadog Historical Society did express some interest in it, said that they would in fact do some work in the enclosure, but in the event we could detect nothing had been done by the Society for the well-being of the enclosure and fabric. As to them being involved in promoting a major restoration by Cadw, they had absolutely nothing to do with that project whatsoever. It was promoted entirely by Mrs. Cooke herself at a multi-thousand pound net cost to herself. Further work is planned to continue the rehabilitation of the site.
I do feel that on some suitable occasion in a future issue the correct version of the circumstances should be similarly publicised.
Yours sincerely J.G. Lloyd
Where are they now?
Following the publication of our very first issue of City Times, a reader responded from Matlock in Derbyshire!!
Mrs. Lesley Hicken of 19 Lilybank Close, Matlock, was a pupil at St. Asaph V.P. School where she spent about twelve months from May 1960 whilst her father was Station Master at St. Asaph.
At that time her name was Lesley Gee and she lived at the Station House.
Mrs. Hicken has many happy memories of her time in St. Asaph and would love to hear from anyone who remembers her, especially her friends at the time - Helen Fowkes, Michael Morton and Christine Twamley.
Lesley Hicken (nee Gee) recalls that the head teacher at the time was a Mr. Thomas and the Headmaster was Mr. Jones who had a daughter possibly named Sian, who was in the class.
If you were in that class of 1960 or know the whereabouts of any of the friends mentioned by Mrs. Hicken, please contact her at 19 Lilybank Close, Matlock, Derbyshire. DEA 3EH. Tel. 0629 584286
We would love to hear if Mrs. Hicken has any success in contacting her friends and we would also like to hear from anyone else who would like to know Where Are They Now?"
City Times Following the production of the first issue of City Times it was encouraging to note that our efforts were So well received. We are aware that there is room for improvement but we hope to learn as we go along and we hope very much that we will continue to receive positive fedback from the community so that we can ensure the success of the enterprise and establish it as an integral part of the City life.
We have been fortunate in that our local councils, both Town and Borough, have recognised our efforts. St. Asaph Town Council awarded us a grant of £100 and Rhuddlan Borough Council were kind enough to award us a grant of £500. Of course City Times is produced on a purely voluntary basis but there are obviously costs involved in the production and we shall soon need to determine how to produce future issues. At present we are relying on a policy of beg and borrow but that cannot continue and we must now look at providing our own production equipment, paper etc. all of which costs money.
To this end we have decided to include some advertising within future issues to help meet the costs and to fund improvements.
City Times will continue to be delivered free to every home in St. Asaph, and we will also be keeping the amount of advertising to a level at which it does not detract from the news and information coverage.
We are in the process of placing special City Times news boxes in several locations in the City in the hope that anyone with any snippets of information will drop them in. We want to hear about all your club news, successes, congratulations, births, marriages, opinions and ideas for future features.
Perhaps you would like a regular 'cookery corner' - you may be an expert in some subject which could interest others or you may like to use the pages of City Times to help establish a new club or activity.
Whatever your views we would like to hear from you.
If you would like to advertise in our future issues contact any of our group Councillor Andrew Thomas, Lesley Wyke, Margaret Corlett, Wendy Wren or Denise Hodgkinson. The rates are £1 per line for classified small ads and £6 for a display advertisement as shown on the back page.
THE PRODUCTION OF THIS ISSUE IS BY COURTESY OF CARADON MK ELECTRIC LTD
DEADLINE FOR ARTICLES FOR THE NEXT ISSUE IS APRIL 17TH, EASTER MONDAY
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CHURCH NEWS
HOLY WEEK AND EASTER AT ST. ASAPH PARISH CHURCH Sunday, April 9, Palm Sunday 9,30 am Holy Eucharist with the Blessing and Distribution of Palm Crosses.
Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday in Holy Week, April 10th, 1lth and 12th: For the seventh year we invite children aged 5 and above to join us in the Parish Church between 10am and 12 noon for our Children's Holy Week Club. There will be lots of things to do craftwork, making models and displays, singing, stories and lots of fun.
Good Friday, April 14:10.30am A service for All the Family led by the children who have attended the Holy Week Club.
Easter Day, April 16th; 9.30am Holy Eucharist.
For a full list of all the services in Parishes of St. Asaph, the Tremeirchion and Cefn, just pop into one of the churches where you will find a special leaflet or just ask the Vicar for a leaflet. Tel. 583264.
ADVANCE NOTICE All Saints Church, Sinan, Marli, is holding its annual Festival from Saturday, May 27th to Monday, May 29th. On Saturday there will be a Fayre in an around the Church starting at 2pm. On Sunday a Family Service of Thanksgiving at 9.30am and on Monday, from 12 noon to 1.30pm a Frugal Lunch.
The Church will be open throughout the weekend for you to visit and see the flower displays etc between 10am and 4pm.
CORPUS CHRISTI CHURCH, TREMEIRCHION Corpus Christi Church, Tremeirchion, is holding a Flower Festival from Thursday, June 15th to Sunday, June 18th. The Church will be open between 10am and 7pm each day of the festival.
SUMMER FAYRE. St. Asaph Parish Church Annual Summer Fayre will be held in the Deans Library, Upper Denbigh Road, on Saturday, July 1st, between 10.30am and 12 noon.
TO PARIS Parishioners from St. Asaph, Tremeirchion and Cefn are to visit Paris between Monday, October 16th and Friday, October 20th (half term week). The cost is £190 per person based on sharing a twin bedded room with continental breakfast for four nights at the Ibis Hotel in the Bastille area of Paris. All rooms have shower, toilet and television and the cost includes coach travel from St. Asaph to Paris and return day time Channel crossings. Also included are a day trip to Chartres, an optional day at Disneyland, Paris, (entrance not included)
If you would like to join the party then contact the Vicar for further information. Tel 583264.
TARGET EXCEEDED. £ In the first issue of 'City Times' it was reported that the Parish Church, together with Tremeirchion, Cefn and Sinan churches, had been challenged to raise £150 towards sending shoe boxes of gifts and aid to Bosnia via Operation Christmas Child. It is gratifying to report in this second edition that the challenge was not only met but that the target was exceeded and £200 was raised. Many thanks to everyone who gave their help and support.
ST. MATTHEW PASSION. On Good Friday, April 14, in Corpus Christi Church, Tremeirchion, Bach's St. Matthew Passion will be sung with two chiors [TYPO:choirs] and orchestra. Admission is £4 and it is advisable to book in advance as the Church gets very full. This magnificent work has been performed in Tremeirchion every Good Friday for almost 30 years - have you been yet? If not you have missed a most moving experience so why not make a point of booking early this year.
LOOKING BACK On Saturday, June 8th, 1946, St. Asaph Parish Council extended cordial invitation to all people of 65 years of age and over, resident in St. Asaph, to tea at the C.M. Schoolroom at 3.30 pm when the Lord Bishop presided over a Victory Celebration.
All the children attending school in St. Asaph were invited to a carnival tea and sports on the Grammar School playing field after first assembling on the Common near the Bowling Green to walk in procession up the High Street led by a band and the Victory Queen.
The sports, for which their were cash prizes of up to half a crown for individuals and eight shilling for team events, were preceded by an address by the Chairman of the Council, Mr. T.Parry, followed by the Bishop, Dr. W.T. Havard.
The public were ernestly [TYPO:earnestly] requested to display bunting for the occasion and special programme was printed for the occasion by J.H. Emmanuel, Printer, St. Asaph.
The Clerk to the Council at the time was Mr I.O. Griffiths who served the Council for many years and whose wife still resides at Hafren, Penrhewl.
WELL DONE Well done Leah Jones, 1 Rhodfa Glenys, St. Asaph, on passing your Grade 2 Clarinet examination with the Royal College of Music, London. Leah , who is 11 years old, is a pupil at Ysgol Esgob Morgan.
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Cemetery Conservation Project For the past five years the old cemetery in Mount Road has been designated a Nature Conservation Area. This has, to a few, caused some concern for the grass is allowed to grow throughout the summer season giving what some would call an 'untidy appearance'. However the animal and plant life of the cemetery appears to like the arrangement.
Seven years ago, when the Vicar first arrived in St. Asaph, he was faced with a problem that had challenged the Parochial Church Council for many years. What to do with the Mount Road Cemetery?
Finally, after a great deal of thought and debate it was decided to look at the possibility of obtaining help to run the cemetery as a Nature Conservation Project as it was more than evident that the Church could not afford to maintain the churchyard like a garden. However, the conservation idea was not without its problems. Considerable costs are still incurred. In 1993 boundary walls had to be repaired at a cost of over £1000 and income from burials is usually around £50.
Over the past few years a great deal of work has been done and much has been achieved. The cemetery and the conservation work has attracted the attention of BBC Radio, local newspapers and a national newspaper. A whole page was dedicated to the work at the cemetery in 1994 in The Guardian whilst the Liverpool Daily Post carried a half page article in 1993 on the work being carried out to encourage Slow Worms - creatures which have become very rare indeed.
Late last year the North Wales Bat Conservation Group monitored the bats at the cemetery and have since set up bat boxes to encourage the population to thrive. These join the already well used bird boxes and one owl box.
Much more could be done but volunteers are needed. Each month, on the last Wednesday, a small group of people gather at the cemetery to cut paths and keep accesses open, clear ivy from gravestones and generally tidy up. This small group can only just about keep apace of the growth during the summer months and would welcome some help. If you can help go along to the cemetery on the last Wednesday of each month from April to September - Ring the Vicar for times on 583264.
At the end of the growing season volunteers get around October together and strim the whole cemetery and rake up the grass into heaps so that those animals which hibernate can find a warm place to sleep throughout the cold winter months. Even with the help of volunteers this operation alone costs £200 plus VAT!
IN SEARCH OF MEIRIADOG. Following the success of their visit to Brittany in 1993, Cefnmeiriadog Historical Society is planning another visit in May this year when they will continue their search of all the places associated with the local saint, Meiriadog.
As before they will be basing their stay in the little town of Pluvigner in the south of Brittany, staying in local hotels. The visit is timed to allow them to attend the Bannielo, one of the major and most colourful religious celebrations in the Morbihan region of Brittany.
The group will leave St. Asaph on the afternoon of Wednesday, May 17, to catch the night ferry from Plymouth to Roscoff from where they will travel west, then south, through Finistere. This will enable them to visit some of the most important and beautiful religious sites in Brittany: Le Folgoet, to see the 15th century holy well and pilgrimage basilica of Our Lady, listed as a national treasure of France; Dirinon, where St. Non, the mother of St. David, is buried; and Locronan, said to be the most perfectly preserved small town in the country.
On Friday, May 19, the group will revisit Stival, closely associated with St. Meiriadog, and the town of Pontivy with its spectacular castle - home of the Dukes of Rohan, who claimed Meiriadog as a member of their family.
Saturday will be spent visiting Vannes, thought by many to be the most beautiful medieval city in Brittany, and St. Gildas de Rhuys, the coast of the Gulf of Morbihan, where the Welsh historian Gildas is buried.
Sunday will be spent in Pluvigner in order to participate in the Bannielo which concludes with feasting and dancing.
The route back to Roscoff will also include many fascinating visits including the amazing megalithic alignments at Carnac, the forests of Central Brittany associated with King Arthur and a few hours in the town of St. Pol-de-Leon a town founded by yet another Welsh Saint!
There are still a few places left on the coach and any non-society members wishing to join the Britanny [TYPO:Brittany] jaunt would be made very welcome. For further information please contact the Secretary on 0745 584814
LIBRARY We are always pleased to see children coming in and using the library so it was very satisfying to see so many entering the competition which we held recently. The children had to read three books from the library and then write a review of the one that they had enjoyed the most. The standard of the entries was very good and the winners were:- 7-9 years age group, Matthew Linaker and Janette Barton; 10-11 years, Catherine Lake, and in the 12-14 years group, Deborah Jones.
Congratulations to you all and a big thank you to all who entered the competition.
During March we have got an exhibition by local artist Jenny Brown so please call in and have a look at her paintings.
We are open Monday - 9.30 - 7.00pm: Tuesday 12.30- 5.30 pm; Wednesday- 9.30 - 5.30pm; Friday- 9.30-7.00pm; Saturday - 9.30-12.30.
Archif Llanelwy - St Asaph Archive 
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