Round-up of Montgomery news
Teddy Francis-John’s Service
New vicar, Reverend Paulette, held a special teddy bear commissioning service in St Nicholas' Church attended by local Church in Wales schools.
Children from Montgomery and other local primary schools took part in the service and each school was given a teddy bear. The service also included a message from the Bishop and his special representative, Teddy Bishop.
More than 50 teddies are being sent to schools across the Diocese of St Asaph to encourage children to read and connect with stories from the Bible.
Each teddy proudly sports a t-shirt showing the diocesan vision of faith, hope and love. The teddies are all friends of Teddy Francis-John, who has been acting in and telling Bible stories for almost three years.
So far more than 90 stories have been filmed and saved online for use in schools by the Rev. Gower, owner of Teddy Francis-John and his friends.
Revd Paulette explained: “It all started in lockdown when I began doing Bible stories with teddies as I couldn’t go into schools to talk to the children. Now the stories are watched not only by schools but by people all over Europe, including in Finland and Germany. The diocese thought it would be lovely to send a friend of Teddy Francis-John into each church school. In St Nicholas’ Church we’ve commissioned all Teddy Francis-John’s friends and they’ll be arriving in schools soon.”
The Diocese of St Asaph’s Schools Officer, Jennie Downes, gave out the teddies during the service.
In Montgomery School, each class has been provided with a smaller bear to act as one of Teddy Francis-John’s disciples. The children will be tasked with bringing their class representative to celebration assemblies on a Friday to tell everyone a little about what they have been doing in the week.
Scribblers
The Tour has interactive events in which pupils build stories, ask questions and express themselves through the power of writing. Authors and compères spend time with the pupils, on and off the stage, to encourage creative conversations.
The Montgomery children met an array of authors, including Matt Goodfellow and Maz Evans, and took part in some fabulous writing workshops. Martha, Niall, Henry, Wilf and Joshua had an excellent day.
Mrs O'Brien, who went along with them, said: “They were an absolute pleasure to be with.”
Headteacher Sarah Brian said: “It was lovely to hear such glowing reports about their enthusiasm and engagement. A very big ‘da iawn’ to you all - we are incredibly proud of you.”
Opening the Book for 2023
Open the Book is a trained team of storytellers from the chapel in Montgomery and the churches in Montgomery and Forden.
They go into schools to tell Bible stories and give the children the opportunity to reflect on their messages. The schools report how much the children look forward to and enjoy the visits from Open the Book, and the team enjoys dressing up and acting out the stories.
The assemblies give the children the chance to learn about the stories that underpin the Christian faith in a way that is relevant and accessible for them. In Montgomery, the preschool children also join the older children for the Open the Book assemblies.
This school year, the Open the Book team, who now go monthly into Forden School as well as Montgomery School, have been telling the early stories from the Bible.
They have looked at the stories which tell what happened at the beginning of the world and how things went quickly wrong. They then told stories about the early leaders and how they did (or did not) relate to God.
In January and February, they have been looking at the dramatic story of Joseph, who was sold by his brothers as a slave in Egypt, and unjustly thrown into prison, but because of a God-given skill in interpreting dreams he rose to become the second in command in Egypt. He went on to save his family, and the nation of Egypt, from starvation in a seven-year famine.
PICTURE: The “Open the Book” team presented the story of “Joseph the Dreamer”
Four local artists and makers will be bringing a pop-up shop to The Old Bell Gallery in Arthur Street, Montgomery this month.
The shop opened on February 11, in time to purchase locally made gifts for Valentine’s Day, and opens daily until February 24. It will host work and produce from Rhian Owen, Kath Horn, Sue Lavender and Sam Farr.
Sam Farr’s SkincareBootique will be bringing award-winning handmade skincare products made locally from natural ingredients. Kath Horn’s original paintings and hand painted cards and bookmarks are all perfect for a special gift. There will be handmade ceramics from the talented Sue Lavender, and Rhian Owen Arts will bring her paintings, prints, and lots more.
The Valentines and Spring Pop-Up Shop will open daily from 10am-4pm. For more information ring 07870 628455.
Hedgelaying success
Helen Upson, Offa’s Dyke Projects Officer, explained: “We want as many people as possible, from all backgrounds, to give hedgelaying a go along this section of Offa's Dyke.
“As well as making the ancient monument visible to walkers along the Offa's Dyke Path National Trail, the hedgelaying will be part of an adjustment to local management to better protect Offa's Dyke itself. A brilliant opportunity to combine care for nature with care for human heritage.
“Thanks to Cadw and Historic England for supporting the ODCP on both sides of the border, and watch this space for future updates and opportunities.”
PICTURE: Hard at work…
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