Plygain

ON FRIDAY, 18 December, there will be a Plygain at China Street Chapel, with traditional Welsh carols.The annual Plygain service arranged by Llanidloes Welsh Society will also be held on Friday, 18 December, at Trinity Chapel at 7.30pm. Croeso cynnes i bawb.

Christmas service

ON SUNDAY, 20 December, at 10am there will be a Christmas service at China Street Chapel conducted by Rev Edwin Hughes.

Catholic Mass

ON SATURDAY, 19 December, at 4pm there will be a Mass at the Catholic Church in Pen y Green Road.On Christmas Eve there will be Mass there at 8pm, with celebrant Fr Damian Jackson SJ.On Saturday, 26 December, at 4pm there will again be a Mass held there.

Christmas services

ON SUNDAY, 20 December, at 10.30am there is a carol service at Longbridge Street, a family service at the Baptist Church in Shortbridge Street and, at 10.45am, a Quaker meeting at Trinity School Room in Shortbridge Street.At 11am there are carols and poems for Christmas at Trinity Church.At 6pm at the Baptist Church there is a serv-ice of Christmas readings and carols.At St Idloes Church there will be Carols by Candlelight.On Wednesday, 23 December, from 10.30am until noon, Cytun will be holding carol sing-ing in the Co-operative supermarket.On Christmas Eve at 5pm there will be a Crib Service for the family at St Idloes Church and at 7.30pm with carols.At 11.15pm, Cytun is holding a Midnight Communion Service at Longbridge Street Chapel.On Christmas Day at 10am, Cytun presents a United Christmas Morning Communion Service at Llanidloes Parish Church and there will be a Christmas Service at the Baptist Church.On 27 December there are Baptist Church services at 10.30am and 6pm.At 10.45am there is a Quaker meeting at the Trinity School Room and at 11am there are morning services at St Idloes and Trinity.

Poppy appeal

THE LLANIDLOES branch of the Women’s Section of the Royal British Legion, which is also the local Poppy Appeal organiser, wishes to thank all who helped raise £3,683. Special thanks were given to the Army Cadets for the street collection, Trudy for her range of activities, the Co-op which allowed people to take collections for two days, the house-to-house collectors and all the premises who had boxes. Finally, the collection would not be so high if people had not put into the boxes, bought the items or given in the two church collections. Many thanks to all.

Bowling club

THE ANNUAL Christmas Poultry Bingo will be held at the club on Wednesday, 16 December, from 7.30pm for an 8pm start. There will be refreshments, hampers and raffles. Organisers said they hope to see many people go along and show their support and hopefully go home with lovely prizes.

St Idloes Church

SUNDAY, 20 December at 11am, there is a family Christingle and communion service for all the family and at 6pm, carols and readings by candlelight. Christmas Eve: 5pm, crib service for all the family. Christmas Day: 10am, United Christmas Day, all-age communion.

Rotary club

THE CLUB will be conducting a street collection on Saturday in aid of the devastating floods that have crippled Cumbria. At this time of year, when most are adding the finishing touches to Christmas, the people of Cumbria are experiencing severe difficulties and hardship. If you are out and about on Saturday, a donation of any size will be greatly appreciated by the club. The Rotarians will also have tickets for the Treorchy Male Voice Choir who will be visiting the town in March. The tickets cost £12, making them a great last-minute Christmas gift. At the time of year when we reflect, the club has been remebering a true friend and pillar of the community, Merion Jones. A plaque has been placed on the Rotary memorial bench in St Idloes churchyard in memory of the former Rotarian and past president. The Rotary Club of Llanidloes said it would like to take this opportunity to thank the community for their support and generosity throughout 2015, and to wish all a very Merry Christmas and a happy and healthy new year.

Arwystli Society

ON WEDNESDAY, 18 November, Jeff Spencer, Clwyd-Powys Archaeological Trust officer, gave a lecture to members of the society.Assisted by a fascinating history shown on screen, he showed the impact of the Great Wars on the Welsh landscape and the changes that took place in agriculture and forestry and the industries that were expanded and adapted. Jeff gave detailed descriptions from maps and archive material, which included earth-works, buried features and trial trenches, and explained how archaeological trusts, Cadw and the Royal Commission are all exploring the effects the war had on the landscape across Wales.Following a lively question time, Jeff was warmly thanked for his considerable knowledge and inspiring presentation and members hoped he would return again next season to St Idloes Church Hall.