News round-up from Montgomery
A round-up of the latest news from the town of Montgomery over the past week
How far does our food travel to get here?
Montgomery Church’s monthly Bring and Share lunch, held on the fourth Sunday of each month which, saw the Church’s Eco Group challenge the congregation and community to think about food miles and try to make low food mile items to share.
Considering food miles is a bit like seasonal eating - making the best of what’s around locally rather than insisting on eating fresh strawberries flown in from warmer climates at Christmas for example.
A beautiful poster was created by one of the young Eco-Church members and the competition was on! There were savoury recipes using home-grown herbs, local eggs and local vegetables.
The puddings didn’t fare quite so well in terms of food miles, because the sugar, although made with British sugar beet grown close to the factory, was all the way from Bury St. Edmunds; though this was better than the other option of sugar from cane, which comes from much further afield!
The winning savoury frittata had a very modest food miles count of just one mile. The joint sweet winners (rhubarb meringue with cream, and an apple crumble) had about 207 and 245 miles respectively.
Some assumptions did have to be made about miles. Whilst it’s pretty easy to find locally-sourced items at the weekly market, and British items can now be distinguished by the Red Tractor label on produce, it can be harder to find out where these actually come from within the UK. However, starting to estimate food miles is a good start!
The winners went away with some yummy local Trefaldwyn Blue cheese, and beer from Monty’s Brewery.
Monty Lit Fest is delighted to welcome back local poet, writer and painter, Frieda Hughes.
Following last year’s sell-out appearance, Frieda will be joining the Festival on the afternoon of Saturday, June 10, to talk about her new book, George: A Magpie Memoir.
It’s the story of her relationship with George, who grows from a scrap of magpie feathers and bone, the sole survivor of a nest destroyed in a storm, into an intelligent and unruly companion – and what happens when the time comes to set him free.
Frieda is not the only author looking at our relationship with birds at this year’s event. Just before Frieda, Jasmine Donahaye will be sharing the stage with Gwen Davies, editor of New Welsh Review, to discuss her book, Birdsplaining. It’s the chance to hear how Jasmine’s collection of essays tackles women’s unique experience of nature, exploring the constraints placed upon it and challenging familiar ways of seeing the natural world.
The Lit Fest will also be returning to the natural world on the afternoon of Sunday, June 11, with three sessions that look at the relationship between town and country, the lives of working people who have shaped the countryside and how to balance the needs of farming and conservation.
Tickets are now on sale at www.montylitfest.com or in person in Montgomery at The Bookshop Montgomery and the Ivy House Café.
Don’t miss 42 Crowns
Performed by four actors and a musician and delivered through a combination of rhyming verse, songs, readings and poetry, 42 Crowns is a wry and quirky observation of the activities of our kings and queens during the reign of various regal houses; such as the Plantagenets, Tudors, Stuarts and Windsors; since 1066 and up to the incumbent monarch Charles III - 42 in total.
Originally performed over two sold-out nights in Shrewsbury last summer as 41 Crowns, the script has been re-written by Michele Rowland-Jones following Queen Elizabeth’s passing last September.
She said: “Last summer’s two performances were a fun way to celebrate Queen Elizabeth’s Platinum Jubilee but the script has now been respectfully amended. It includes some additional music and poetry and is intended to commemorate the reign of Queen Elizabeth II, as well as marking the coronation of King Charles III. With this in mind we decided to take the production on a short tour. Although serious in parts, 42 Crowns is essentially an alternative, light-hearted take on the monarchy throughout the ages, which we hope once again will bring smiles to the faces of our audience.”
Doors open at 7.30pm and the performance starts at 8pm. Tickets are £5, available on the door or in advance via www.wegottickets.com/42crowns.
PICTURE (from left): Vincent Whyte, Michele Rowland-Jones, Derek Willis, Neville Street, Tracey Willis and Sadie Bates.
Mini Montys
Plenty of families visited the Activity Centre to find out what the Pre-School and the baby and toddler group have to offer.
In the Pre-School area, parents and carers had the opportunity to chat to staff, and children could explore the many exciting and engaging crafts and activities set up; whilst on the other side of the room, families could find out more about Mini Montys.
On Good Friday, over 20 families joined Mini Montys at The Activity Centre for a fun-filled Easter extravaganza! Easter colouring and craft were on offer for the children as well as toys to play with and outside space to explore. A tasty snack was enjoyed by all, followed by an exciting Easter egg hunt, using the special baskets they had made to collect their yummy eggs.
Mini Montys baby and toddler group runs every Friday (including holidays) 9.30am-11.30am at The Activity Centre, Montgomery. Toys, craft and snack. £2 for children over 6 months and £1 per sibling. For Pre-School information, contact presch@montgomery.powys.sch.uk
May Fair
The Fun Fair will return to Montgomery on Thursday, May 4. Simon’s Funfairs will be bringing rides and sideshows to Broad Street, from 3.30pm-9pm.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|