Montgomery Bookshop inspires two short films

The bookshop in Montgomery often welcomes customers who are Welsh speaking into their shop, whether first language speakers or learners.

Barry and Richard ensure that there are both English and Welsh language books and greetings cards on display, and signage and background music in both languages too.

Barry, who was runner up in the Welsh Language Learner of the year competition at the National Eisteddfod, often greets and chats with customers in Welsh.

Barry said: “We were very happy to support Helo Blod by filming these interviews, and would strongly recommend Helo Blod’s excellent services to other business owners.”

Deaf awareness

Montgomery School pupils enjoyed a visit from Paula Hamer, who works for the Sensory Service, as part of Deaf Awareness Week.

Pupils learned about the different parts of the ear and how they work; and about how those with some hearing impairments can be helped with equipment such as grommets, cochlear implants and hearing aids.

Pupils played games which helped them understand how speaking with clarity is easier to hear and interpret, and even got to listen to what hearing is like for someone wearing an aid or an implant.

Artist’s work on show at exhibition

Cheryl Leach, an artist from Montgomery, has recently had three works accepted for exhibition at the Aberystwyth Arts Centre.

The exhibition was an open call to practising artists and sculptors to celebrate creativity during the lockdown period.

After completing a degree in Fine Arts at university, and following a career in media production and teaching, Cheryl returned home to Montgomery to raise a family. Since 2018, she has been busy developing her art.

She said: “I felt the time was right for me to be able to concentrate on working on my art and producing the works which reflect the landscape I love.

“I was thrilled that three of my works were selected for this exhibition at Aberystwyth, which focuses on work created during the pandemic, and is titled Lockdown.”

Cheryl will also be part of a group of local artists exhibiting at The Old Bell Gallery in Arthur Street, Montgomery from the Bank Holiday weekend and through June and July.

The “Montgomery Arts & Crafts Wales” event will showcase a range of fine art, crafts and gifts in a pop up at the Old Bell Gallery, and you can find the detail via social media page fb.me/MontgomeryArtsandCraftsWales

Walking festival

The popular Montgomery Walking Festival, postponed in 2020, will now take place on the weekend of October 2-3 and booking opens on June 1.

All walks are free but booking is essential, with priority given to those who booked for the cancelled 2020 festival.

Walkers are Welcome Montgomery is hopeful the festival can go ahead. Jill Kibble from the group said, “Arrangements will be kept under constant review to ensure compliance with regulations, and detailed joining information will be provided in early September to those who have booked. The benefits of being outdoors have been recognised throughout the lockdown, and an outdoor activity of this nature is now considered very low risk.”

The varied range of walks in stunning borders countryside will include an 18-mile ‘challenge walk’ alongside eight mile walks, a flatter four mile walk and a five mile heritage walk.

There will be a special event to celebrate 50 years of Offa’s Dyke Path.

Full details and booking from June 1st at www.MontgomeryWalkingFestival.co.uk

New home for household items

An event on Sunday, June 6, organised by Montgomery residents and supported by MEG, will see people in the town placing goods for rehoming outside their houses.

A spokesperson said “Many people have been having a sort out during lockdown, and the day is designed to help residents rehome and recycle goods, rather than disposing of them. It will also help those who are unable to travel to the recycling sites or charity shops in Newtown or Welshpool, or save that mileage.”

For more details see https://www.facebook.com/montgomerypowys/