Llanfyllin & District Civic Society

Cymdeithas Ddinesig Llanfyllin a'r Cylch

Are you interested in the past, present or future of your community? Llanfyllin & District Civic Society can give you a voice. Whether you want to talk or listen, to watch or walk or visit - join Llanfyllin & District Civic Society where you can meet people with similar interests and get more involved with where you live.

The programme below is available to members of the Civic Society for only £5! Meetings are open to non-members (payment £2) but why not join you Civic Society and help make Llanfyllin the place you want it to be? To become a member contact Joyce Jones, Arwelfa, Derwlwyn Lane, Llanfylllin. Tel: 01691 648 662.

Programme of Events for 2008
All meetings are in the Public Institute and begin at 7.30pm unless stated otherwise.

Monday February 11th
The River Cain Project
This year we are going to give special attention to teh river Cain without which Llanfyllin would not exist. Richard Dearing from the ENvironment Agency will give an illustrated talk about the river and his project to reduce diffuse pollution and introduce salmon. He will also introduce one category of our PHOTOGRAPHIC COMPETITION from which the ENvironment Agency is going to publish a calendar of winning photographs.

Monday March 10th
The Bells of St. Myllin's - A Restoration Drama
As part of Arts Connections Llanfyllin Project 2006, film-maker and artists Ruth Carter and photographer Cordelia Weedon were commissioned to make a film about the Bellringers of St. Myllin's. In 2007, the Bellringers invited Ruth to record their restoration of the church bells. After the showing of these films, a guided tour of the refrubished tower will be available.

Monday April 7th
The Development of Llanfyllin
ANyone interested in teh future development of Llanfyllin should come and hear Mike Lloyd, Senior Policy Officer at Powys Planning Department, who will talk about the current preparation of the Local development Plan. It is hoped that this meeting will see the formation of a DEVELOPMENT COMMITTEE whose task will be to promote high standards of development and architecture.

Monday May 12th
The Foel Murderer
100 years ago, local double murderer Rowland Llywarch was arrested near Llanfyllin. Rachel Jones from newtown will relate the grim story of the murders, the arrest and the trial - with illustrations and audience participation!

Monday June 9th
The Llanfyllin Workhouse
The most significant development in Llanfyllin at the moment is the intended transformation of Y Dolydd, Llanfyllin's former Workhouse. Ian Garland, the new Chief Executive of the Llanfyllin Workhouse, will explain what has happened thus far and discuss future plans. This will be advertised as a Public Meeting for everyone interested in this ambitious project.

Monday July 7th
Visit to the Straining Tower at Lake Vyrnwy
A rare chance to see inside Lake Vyrnwys's Victorian gem. Brian Waters from United Utilities will give a guided tour of the tower and its remarkable machinery. The tour can be followed by dinner at the Lake Vyrnwy Tavern. Meet at Llanfyllin Car Park at 6pm.

Monday September 1st
Photographic Exhibition
An all-day showing in the Institute of entries for the 2008 Photographic competition. At the evening meeting, prizes will be awarded by the judges film-maker Ruth Carter and photographer Cordelia Weedon, who will comment on the entries and give guidance on photographic technique. THere will also be a showing of rare local archive film, including a trip to the Llanfyllin to Oswestry Railway!

Each competition is subject for ages over 16 and under 16.

Farming & the Countryside - sponsored by the Environment Agency.

Neighbours - sponsored by Stadco UK

Work - sponsored by Rainbow Recruitment

Prixes for Farming & the Countryside

winners will have their photos profesionally reporoduced and other winning photos will appear in a calendar.

PRizes for Neighbours & Work:

Over 16 each subject - £50, £40, £40, £20, £10

Under 16 - each subject - £25, £20, £15, £10, £5

The competitions are open to all photographers, but all photographs must be taken witin Llanfyllin or its broad surrounding area. Photographersare invited to interprest creativeley. Entry is free.

Monday 13th October
Llanfyllin's First Eco-House
Ben Gardner of Derwlwyn Lane will give a fully illustrated talk on the pleasures and pains of building a truly environmentally-friendly house in Llanfyllin.

Monday 3rd November
The Llanfyllin Turbine & Annual General Meeting
The Cain has been the main source of enery - for millers, weavers, tanners - throughout Llanfyllin's long history. From 1916 until about 1950, Llanfyllin was supplied with electricity from 'The Turbine', a hydro-electic installation, built were the Cain leaves the town, by a local builder and entrepreneur. The Civic Society has secured a grant for an intital feasability study onwhether the Turbine can be bought back to life. This scheme has potential to invvolve local volunteers of all ages in something entirely desirable: the production of clean energy. As well as the usual AGM business, this meeting will consider the results of the fesability study and any further developments, hear reports from the planning and Footpath Committees and consider the programme for 2009.