News from Montgomery

MyNewtown rounds up the latest news from Montgomery.

Shenanigans is back on!

After having to postpone it at Christmas because of Covid, there is a new date: Saturday, April 9. There will be a number of bands playing different styles of music, from ballads, through to pop and rock. Tickets are now available from Bunners or by emailing tickets@montgomerypromotions.uk

World Book Day

Montgomery school children dressed as a wide variety of colourful book characters for World Book Day.

Headteacher, Anna Griggs, said: “Our pupils enjoyed the assembly where we paraded our costumes and we also guessed the character and book that inspired the different outfits.”

The whole school text for World Book Day 2022 was 'Dear Dinosaur: T Rex on Tour'. This book was chosen as it linked in with the current topics of dinosaurs, ‘All Around the World’ and ‘Amazing Architecture’. It had many letters, postcards and emails as writing stimulus that pupils could respond to. 

Mrs Regan, the school’s Languages, Literacy and Communication Leader, said: “The pupils looked fantastic in their costumes. A huge thank you to the parents for making such an effort too.

“To complement World Book Day we are also running a Read for Good Readathon at the moment to buy books for children's hospitals.”

Photo: Dosbarth Pen y Fan (Year 3-4) in their costumes on World Book Day

Montgomery welcomes top chef as The Checkers set to reopen

After a period as self-catering accommodation, The Checkers will now reopen as a restaurant under the stewardship of master chef Andrew Birch and his wife Rachel, a pastry chef.

Once again, The Checkers is set to become a star in the crown of culinary Montgomery following in the footsteps of Michelin star chef Stéphane Borie who ran the restaurant for many years.

Andrew and Rachel have had an illustrious career in a number of notable restaurants in the UK but it had long been a dream to have their very own establishment. When they came to the area to visit Wagyu beef farmer, Ifor Humphreys, they popped into Montgomery and immediately felt an affinity with the fine old town and since then have kept an eye on places to run their restaurant.

Andrew has featured on Great British Menu on BBC2, and in 2016 was one of the chefs representing Wales. He has been head chef at The Bell in Monmouthshire and Fishmore Hall in Ludlow to name but two, and brings his imagination and expertise to Montgomery.

Andrew and Rachel will be opening The Checkers on March 25, and are already fully booked for their first evening of 30 covers in the newly refurbished restaurant.

They will focus on using the highest quality produce, locally sourced wherever possible, and creating the best in taste with their knowledge and ingenuity. For information and to book online go to www.checkerswales.co.uk

Photo: The Checkers sign is repainted by Franklin Signs in preparation for the restaurant reopening later in March.

St David’s Day Reception

On March 1, Clare Jones from Trefaldwyn Cheese was lucky enough to be invited to London by the Prime Minister for a St David’s Day Reception at 10 Downing Street. Unfortunately, due to the current situation in Ukraine, Boris Johnson was unable to attend, but Simon Hart, the Minister for Wales, hosted the reception instead. 

Clare said: “It was great to walk through the front door of number 10. Inside, there were daffodils everywhere and a Welsh choir was singing.”

The event was a celebration of Wales and its people, and to showcase its impact on a national and global scale. People from all walks of life and every part of Wales came together to celebrate, including representatives from the NHS, the military, sport, businesses, and charities. Also among those present were the fashion designer Julien Macdonald, and the adventurer and television presenter, Bear Grylls.

Anniversaries celebrated

Congratulations to Jean and George Williams who celebrated their diamond wedding on March 3. On the occasion of the 60th anniversary of their marriage, the couple received a card from the Queen. Paulene and Phil Jones of Station Road, who married in Yorkshire in 1962, also celebrated their diamond wedding anniversary. Meanwhile, Cliff and Mavis Butler, who ran the Spar shop many years ago, celebrated their platinum anniversary, having been married for 70 years on March 8.

Photo: Jean and George Williams pictured with their card from the Queen.

Dathliad 2022 

Montgomery School’s Dathliad (celebration) was led by the Criw Cymraeg leaders from Years 2 to 6. They planned the event during the recent pupil voice afternoon with Mrs Mees, Cymraeg Leader.

Pupils participated in art and handwriting competitions. The work was anonymously judged by a panel of staff and the winners were awarded certificates. The fantastic work was displayed in the school hall, class TEAMs and school Facebook. 

During the Dathliad, classes performed a range of Welsh songs including 'Hey Mistar Urdd', 'Diolch, Diolch Iesu' and 'Aderyn Melyn'. They ended their celebration by singing the Welsh National Anthem. 

A link to the video was shared with parents.

Let the fun beGin at Montgomery Town Hall

The very popular gin tasting evening is back for its third year, and will be raising funds for Montgomery School and Middleton Church. Tickets for the event, which has been scheduled for 7pm on June 18, are £15 each and include a light supper. All drinks are charged in addition, and there will be tasting notes to support each gin. Tickets can be bought from Bunners, but be quick as they expect to sell out quickly!

Who is Doris?

Go along to the Dragon Hotel on Saturday to find out. Join Doris for an evening of diverse and energetic indie-rock tracks, and a few surprises. 8.30pm through to 11pm. www.whoisdoris.uk.