A Christmas Date for your Diary!

One of the highlights of the year is the village celebrations of the coming Christmas in Pelham Hall.

This year will be no exception and we are retaining the winning formula of recent years:

• 6.30 doors open with a complimentary glass of mulled wine and Christmas nibbles

• 7.00 carols, followed by the Christmas raffle draw in aid of the Old Church (tickets now on sale! See button below)

• December Pelham Hall 100 Club BIG Draw (first prize ca £300!)

• 8.00 Christmas Quiz; same “rules” as for previous quizzes - teams of four (£1 per head entry) - incomplete teams are welcome too!

The bar will be open for the usual range of refreshments

Ben’s SuperFish van will be present as usual too.

ALL VERY WELCOME!

Thursday 28th November: tree/branch clearance - note change of plan below

The programme is a flexible one and depends on the number of volunteers available. So …

Meet - at The Old Church at 11.00 where our target is some 10 to 15 minutes walk away. You need to have some experience of using bow saw or equivalent in the wild.

If you can assist with this, then please do come along and join us. We welcome any time you can spare, it does not need to be the full 2 hours. If you arrive later, just walk along the path and join us.

Dress: old clothes and boots, plus gardening gloves or similar.

Tools: we may have a small selection of tools available or you may prefer to bring your own. Suitable tools are sickles, scythes, slashers and shears for this work bow saws or equivalent.

Refreshment: we’ll probably stop for a break at about 11 am so bring something suitable for this if you wish to.

Weather: check this page at 9 am on the Thursday morning if there is any doubt that the work may be “weathered off”.

Kind Regards

Bob Scarr - Footpath Group Coordinator

Quiz Night at Pelham Hall!

Come and test your grey matter next Thursday! Picture and audio rounds mixed in with (not too difficult) general knowledge.

Bar will be open as normal from 6:00 pm with real ale** on draught too to wash down your fish and chips!

• 7.45 pm start

• Teams of up to four adults, with an entry fee of £1 per head

• Incomplete teams welcome - we will try to “complete” them for you

• Prizes for the winning team

** South Hams Brewery, Wild Blonde Ale

Pumpkin Carving Competition on Halloween

• Start time 5pm

• Pumpkins to be brought to the Hall by 6pm for judging

• Judging to be done at 6.30pm

• Children and adults prizes

• Fancy dress prizes

• The bar will be open as ever, with the added bonus that a couple of the BeerFest ales will be available to provide a sneak preview of the next two days’ offerings!

Ceilidh at Pelham Hall on Saturday 5th October!

Buy your Ceilidh tickets by Thursday night so we know how much delicious chilli to make for your supper!

A fun evening for all the family! Children under 16 FREE ON THE DOOR!! Children’s jacket potato with beans/cheese too if chilli isn’t a favourite! Oh and grown ups can pay on the door too!

Thus is the second showing of this production, the first being on the 18th of September.

Click the image above or here for full details of each and to book tickets.

Harvest Thanksgiving Service at Penallt Old Church

The Old Church's Harvest Thanksgiving service will be on Sunday 22nd September at 11.00.

There will be collecting points for donations of tinned and dried food and toiletries for the Pill Trust in the church and in Pelham Hall beforehand.

All gifts gratefully received and everyone most welcome at the service which will be followed by coffee and biscuits.

Sunday 18th August 2024 from 13:00

The Cricket Ground, Pelham Hall, Penallt, NP25 4AH

• Eclectic selection of vintage and modern classic cars and bikes

• No pre-booking required

• Bar, refreshments and food

• Free parking

• £2 entry per adult (under 18s free)

Cantus Clarinet Quartet at the Penallt Old Church

A Summer concert from Cantus Clarinet Quartet - 4 professional musicians who will be playing a relaxed informal programme from Mozart to the Beatles and beyond. Set in the delightful Penallt Old Church - 600 feet above the river Wye with magnificent views.

Featuring
Juliet Bucknall - A former pupil of Monmouth Comp, Juliet studied at the Royal School of Music where she won the Clarinet prize. Since then has played with Many professional orchestras including Royal Ballet, London Symphony to name a few!
Peter Nichols As a soloist and chamber musician he has given live broadcasts on Radio Three and Classic FM, performed at venues such as the Wigmore Hall and the South Bank as well as in Japan, the USA and throughout Europe. He has worked with many of Britain’s leading orchestras and in several West End shows, including being a full-time member of the orchestra of The Phantom of the Opera.
Karl-Johan Dürr-Sørensen Studied at the Royal school of Music.He worked as a freelance clarinetist in London for 20 years playing with the the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra, London Symphony Orchestra and was principal clarinet for the London Soloists Chamber Orchestra for over 10 years. 
Karen Hobbs is a freelance musician, performing regularly in the West End on shows such as Phantom of the Opera, Wicked and Les Miserables. She has played on the soundtrack for several films and also worked with pop stars, such as Ariana Grande. Karen has performed in venues throughout the world with various orchestras and has toured extensively in the UK with Carl Rosa Opera.

See also the Monmouthshire Beacon: Clarinet quartet's summer concert at Penallt Old Church

WICKED LITTLE LETTERS [15] 96 mins – Crime/Comedy

A 1920s English seaside town bears witness to a dark, absurd scandal in this riotous mystery comedy. Based on a stranger-than-fiction true story, Wicked Little Letters follows two neighbours: deeply-conservative local Edith Swan (Olivia Colman) and rowdy Irish migrant Rose Gooding (Jessie Buckley). When Edith and fellow residents start to receive wicked letters full of unintentionally hilarious profanities, foul-mouthed Rose is charged with the crime.

The anonymous letters prompt a national uproar, and a trial ensues. However, as the town's women, led by Police Officer Gladys Moss (Anjana Vasan), begin to investigate the crime themselves, they suspect that something is amiss and Rose might not be the culprit after all.

Why see it? There’s nothing like two of the finest actresses of their generation waging war against each other.

“Olivia Colman hurling expletives is enough to sustain this witty true-life comedy” - The Independent (4 stars)

All films are shown upstairs in Pelham Hall (directions at page bottom) in the bar area. Doors open at 7.15 pm and films start at 7.30 pm prompt. There is a £5 per head entry fee, payable on the door (cash or card). The bar will be open too.

Back to Film Night programme.

July BBQ - final details

Bar opens at 6 pm; food served from 6.30 pm

Tickets should be purchased from the bar on arrival. The price includes burger, sausage, bun and salads. There will be gluten free and vegetarian options too - please order these at the bar.

Ticket price: £8 per adult … £5 per child (under 12)

Ice cream will also be on offer for those who are tempted

The Pelham Hall bar will be open as usual but Ben’s Fish&Chips van is having a week off.

The July 100 Club draw will be held too.

ALL WELCOME

Location map

The garden at Birch Tree Well, Upper Ferry Road, Penallt, NP25 4AN will be open from  2.30 - 5.00 p.m. on Sunday, 7th July under the National Garden Scheme. Amongst the many trees and shrubs including hydrangeas, you’ll find some favourite story time characters.

Entrance for children is free but for adults it will be £5 with all monies going to the many NGS charities.

The garden is set in woodland and although some paths are suitable for the more nimble there is plenty of wheelchair access available. Teas served during the afternoon will be in aid of Penallt Old Church.

Swing from Paris at Pelham Hall

An evening of Parisian-flavoured jazz and Gypsy Swing at Pelham Hall, with quartet Swing from Paris.

• Saturday 6 July 2024, 7.30pm - 9.30pm with a midway interval

• Tickets £15 in advance (£16 on the door)

• The bar will be open

• Book online with no booking fee via the button below

★ ★ ★ ★ “intelligent, interesting and inventive” – The Jazz Mann ★ ★ ★ ★

Swing from Paris are a quartet of violin, guitars and double bass, inspired by the great swing bands of the 1930s and ’40s.

They present their own versions of music by Gershwin, Piazzolla, Benny Goodman, Django Reinhardt, Stéphane Grappelli and the Hot Club of France.

They’ve been seen on the BBC’s Hairy Bikers, and have appeared at major jazz festivals including Cheltenham, Brecon and the Django Reinhardt Festival at Samois sur Seine.

Expect stylish jazz and vintage swing.

THE HOLDOVERS [15] 133 mins – Comedy/Drama

rescheduled from Friday 14th June

With no family and nowhere to go over the Christmas holidays in 1970, unpopular classics teacher Paul Hunham (Giamatti) is stuck at school to supervise Angus, a bright teenager whose bad behaviour always threatens to get him expelled.

Joining Paul and Angus is head cook Mary - an African American woman whose own son was recently lost in Vietnam. These three shipwrecked people form an unlikely Christmas family, sharing comic misadventures during two very snowy weeks in New England.

Why see it? Nominated for five Oscars in 2024, Da'Vine Joy Randolph (Mary) winning the Oscar for Best Supporting Actress

“Paul Giamatti shines in Alexander Payne’s best film since Sideways and gives an awards-worthy performance as a teacher forced to look after pupils over the Christmas break in this terrific period piece” - The Telegraph (5 stars)

There will be an interval during the showing. Subtitles will be displayed too.

All films are shown upstairs in Pelham Hall (directions at page bottom) in the bar area. Doors open at 7.15 pm and films start at 7.30 pm prompt. There is a £5 per head entry fee, payable on the door (cash or card). The bar will be open too.

Back to Film Night programme.

“The Motive and the Cue”, captured live from the National Theatre in London, is now available to view at Pelham Hall.

Mark Gatiss (Sherlock) and Johnny Flynn (Emma) feature in this fierce and funny new play which brings Richard Burton and John Gielgud’s infamous Hamlet rehearsals to the big screen.

Academy Award-winner Sam Mendes (Skyfall) directs Jack Thorne’s (His Dark Materials) new play, with Tuppence Middleton (Downton Abbey) as Hollywood starlet Elizabeth Taylor in the supporting cast.

This sell-out production has garnered a host of 5-star reviews, was nominated for 3 Oliviers and saw Mark Gatiss win the Best Actor award.

London tickets were in the £60 to £90 range – but you can see the live recording on the big screen for just £10 at Pelham Hall on Wednesday 5th June – doors at 6.45 – starts 7.00 prompt with interval. Bar, snacks and ice-cream available.

ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING

The 2024 Pelham Hall AGM will take place on Thursday May 23rd at 6.30pm in the Hall Bar Area.

All residents are most welcome to attend and a FREE DRINK will be offered to all who do.

Agenda to include Chairman and Treasurer’s Reports and election of Committee and Officers for the forthcoming year.

Agenda Notice

ANATOMY OF A FALL [15] 150 mins – Drama/Thriller

When her husband Samuel is mysteriously found dead in the snow below their secluded chalet, Sandra becomes the main suspect when the police begin to question whether he fell or was pushed.

The trial soon becomes not just an investigation, but a gripping psychological journey into the depths of Sandra and Samuel's complicated marriage.

Why see it? Nominated for five Oscars in 2024, winning the Oscar for Best Original Screenplay

Filmed in English and in French with English subtitles

“A sparkling intellectual thriller that lingers for days” - The Telegraph (5 stars)

All films are shown upstairs in Pelham Hall (directions at page bottom) in the bar area. Doors open at 7.15 pm and films start at 7.30 pm prompt. There is a £5 per head entry fee, payable on the door (cash or card). The bar will be open too.

Back to Film Night programme.

Monmouth’s Off Centre Theatre on tour to Penallt

Show food details: there is a break at 8pm so people having fish and chips can eat them in bar as usual.

Please Pre order your fish and chips by texting Ben on 07771 544917 before Thursday, so he has enough supplies in.

Monmouth’s award-winning group, Off Centre Theatre, is coming to Penallt with 3 one-act hilarious comedies by renowned playwright, David Tristram (Going Green, Last Tango in Little Grimley, Opposite Sex).

Women Only sees divorcee Laura taking her recently widowed mother for an alcohol-fuelled holiday. Her life gets turned upside down when the surprising revelations start to spill out.

Carrots pitches a belligerent and opinionated union rep up against his desperate and unyielding boss. Can the lefty be tempted to take a turn to the right? Will the boss see the errors of his ways?

In Peas, you will witness the most unlikely and ridiculous first date, with the two suitors being less than suited…or are they, especially when all is revealed?

Curtain Up at 7.30 pm

There will also be an interval for Fish & Chips - not included in ticket price.

The bar will be open as usual from 6 pm too - before, during and after the show.

Off Centre Theatre have kindly waived their fee for staging the evening and all ticket revenue will go to Pelham Hall.

Penallt Old Church
Plant sale in aid of church funds 

Bank Holiday Monday 6th May 2024,

10.30 a.m. to 12.30 p.m.

Bring & Buy Plants and Seedlings

at

Fairview, Penallt.

(Sarah Haeffner’s driveway)

Chaz Thorogood - the “Guitar Man”

Chaz is a professional guitarist, songwriter and producer based in Bristol.

“I provide Electric/Acoustic guitar and have toured with both Lulu and Judie Tzuke. As a singer/songwriter my music has received over 350,000 streams on Spotify and I am constantly writing/recording as a solo artist/collaborator.

As well as this I am embedded in the local music scene of Bristol where I front a Blues Trio and also perform my own original music as a solo act.

When I'm not making music I like to restore old vehicles and ride motorcycles.”

Chaz will be returning to Pelham Hall on 27th April following an excellent evening here last September

• Bar opens at 7.00 pm

• Food from Horsebox Pizza

• Music starts at 8.00 pm

• Tickets in advance - £8 per person (U14s are free); click the button below to purchase

• or £10 at the door, subject to availability

ONE LIFE [12A] 110 mins – Biography

Note - replaces the unavailable “Napoleon”

The true story of Sir Nicholas 'Nicky' Winton, a young London broker who, in the months leading up to World War II, rescued 669 predominantly Jewish children from the Nazis. Nicky visited Prague in December 1938 and found families who had fled the rise of the Nazis in Germany and Austria, living in desperate conditions with little or no shelter and food, and under threat of Nazi invasion.

He immediately realised it was a race against time. How many children could he and the team rescue before the borders closed? Fifty years later, it's 1988 and Nicky lives haunted by the fate of the children he wasn't able to bring to safety in England; always blaming himself for not doing more. It's not until a live BBC television show, 'That's Life', surprises him by introducing him to some surviving children - now adults - that he finally begins to come to terms with the guilt and grief he had carried for five decades.

“Hopkins's light-touch and affecting restraint are perfect for this extraordinary true story of Hampstead-born stockbroker Nicholas Winton.” The Telegraph

WHY COME? [Sir Anthony Hopkins] performance as the incredible Nicholas Winton is something of heart and soul – and a reflection of how lucky we are to have this remarkable actor.

All films are shown upstairs in Pelham Hall (directions at page bottom) in the bar area. Doors open at 7.15 pm and the film start at 7.30 pm prompt. There is a £5 per head entry fee, payable on the door (cash or card). The bar will be open too.

Back to Film Night programme.

THE GREAT ESCAPER [12A] 96 mins – Drama

Note the return to a Friday date

In 2014, near-nonagenarian Bernie Jordan (Michael Caine) is sad to miss out on an official group outing to the D-Day anniversary in France. Encouraged by wife Rene (Glenda Jackson), he sneaks out from his care home and goes on one last big adventure to cross the Channel, while reminiscing about his wartime experiences.

“The real draw is watching Caine, who plays his role with complete dignity. Jackson, too, is an irascible presence, and her performance will move many. The final shots of the two of them on the promenade suggest two epic acting careers that are coming to a close – and suitably, doing so hand-in-hand.” Radio Times

WHY COME? It was Glenda Jackson’s last film, and who doesn’t love Michael Caine?

All films are shown upstairs in Pelham Hall (directions at page bottom) in the bar area. Doors open at 7.15 pm and films start at 7.30 pm prompt. There is a £5 per head entry fee, payable on the door (cash or card). The bar will be open too.

Back to Film Night programme.

Where: Pelham Hall

When: Doors open at 7 pm on Saturday 2nd March

What: a delicious Welsh-themed buffet supper using locally sourced produce (menu below) created and prepared by Bronwyn from The Bush, followed by a Fun Quiz (£1 per entry). There will be a Welsh sing-along too!

The bar: will be open and, along with the usual fare, Grey Trees Mosaic Pale Ale will be on tap - a pale, hoppy, modern ale alive with citrus flavours and a smooth aftertaste..

Lower Wye Tracks & Trails Project - Drop In Session 28th Feb

Following on from the recent consultation aimed at creating “an Action Plan for Recreational Access in Monmouthshire’s Wye Valley”, Wye Valley Natural Landscape (was the AONB) are moving to the next stage.

The Action Plan’s aim is to help provide the best experience for everyone to enjoy the tracks and trails here. The aim is to develop the most practical ways of supporting the requirements of all types of users, while protecting the natural and built environment. 

Following a 12 week public consultation (with 350 responses) there will be a public drop in session where you can view the ideas coming out of the consultation and talk to project staff about the next stage.

Where and when: 28th February at Pelham Hall, Penallt (3pm - 7pm).

There is a similar session scheduled for the previous day, 27 February, at St Arvans Memorial Hall: 3pm - 7pm

Tracks and Trails Project

SCRAPPER [12A] 84 mins – Comedy/Drama

This vibrant and inventive father-daughter comedy follows Georgie (Lola Campbell), a resourceful 12-year-old girl who secretly lives alone in her flat in a working-class suburb of London following the death of her mother. She makes money stealing bikes with her best friend Ali (Alin Uzun) and keeps the social workers off her back by pretending to live with an uncle.

Out of nowhere, her estranged father Jason (Harris Dickinson) arrives and forces her to confront reality. Uninterested in this sudden new parental figure, Georgie is stubbornly resistant to his efforts. And as they adjust to their new circumstances, Georgie and Jason find that they both still have a lot of growing up to do.

"Charlotte Regan’s feature debut, about a resourceful 12-year-old living alone whose father re-enters her life, brims with energy, ideas and colour.” [The Guardian]

WHY COME? It won a Grand Jury Prize at the Sundance Film Festival. An excellent 94% Rotten Tomatoes rating too.

All films are shown upstairs in Pelham Hall (directions at page bottom) in the bar area. Doors open at 7.15 pm and films start at 7.30 pm prompt. There is a £5 per head entry fee, payable on the door (cash or card). The bar will be open too.

Back to Film Night programme.

Thursday 15 Feb: Social evening, Fish&Chips, and BINGO!

As well as all the usual Thursday evening attractions in the Pelham Hall bar, we are holding our inaugural Bingo Night, starting at 8pm, which should be a lot of fun!

Bingo cards will be available at £2 each and there will be a maximum of three rounds played.

The Pelham Hall bar will be open throughout as usual. Ben will be purveying Fish & Chips as usual too! Just look for the van in the Hall car park.

Takeaways can be consumed in the bar where cutlery and condiments are provided - tables and chairs too!

As ever, a full range of drinks is available and at very reasonable prices too.

And, as a bonus, the February 100 Club Draw will be held too!

ALL WELCOME

Location map

Climate Conversation Event: Let’s chat about climate change

When: 24th January 2024, 3-7 pm
Where: Pelham Village Hall, Penallt, NP25 4AH

We’d love to hear what you’ve got to say, so please come and join us to chat about ‘how we can tackle climate change in a fair way’ over cake and coffee.

The event is open to all, people starting to think about climate change or those already involved.

We’ll explore local challenges and approaches to tackling the climate crisis with a focus on nature, communities and farming.

Meet officers from the Wye Adapt to Climate Change and Gwent Green Grid partnerships who are working with communities and landowners helping nature to help us with the challenges of climate change.

There’s lots to talk about … how we can improve the resilience of biodiversity, reduce carbon emissions, reduce flood risk through natural flood management and how different land management can help mitigate the impacts of climate change.

More on the project can be seen in this BBC News article.