Merthyr Express column

17th Dec 09
Christmas at Cyfarthfa
Take part in some festive craft activities and meet Father Christmas in the beautiful Victorian setting of Cyfarthfa Castle tomorrow night, Friday 18th December from 5pm until 6pm. Sessions will also be held at the same time of day on Monday 21st, Tuesday 22nd and on Wednesday 23rd December. Entry is £2.50 per child for each session. For further information please contact 01685 723112.

Welsh Pipe Music
If you’re interested in traditional Welsh music and would like an opportunity to practice your Welsh, then come along to Chwibanoglau Pontmorlais on Tuesday nights at 6pm until 8pm, where you can have a go at the tin whistle, pibgorn or boran. The sessions are free of charge and held at Y Ganolfan Gymraeg (The Welsh Centre), Pontmorlais, Merthyr Tydfil, CF47 8UB. Complete beginners and experienced musicians alike are welcome (Welsh medium workshop, for Welsh speakers and higher level learners). For further information please contact 01685 722176 / jamie@merthyrtudful.com.

A Christmas Carol
Tucked up in his old, decaying house on a cold Christmas Eve, lonely Scrooge hears the rattle of chains and strange wailing noises – it’s the ghost of his old business partner, Marley, come to warn him that if Scrooge doesn’t change his ways, he will suffer a terrible fate! Join Scrooge as he meets the three Ghosts of Christmas Past, Present and Future and discover if he will embrace the true spirit of Christmas before it’s too late.
This traditional Christmas classic by Charles Dickens, and adapted by award-winning playwright Gary Owen, is a magical festive must-see for all the family. Whether you’re new to A Christmas Carol or it’s an old favourite, The Sherman Theatre invites you to celebrate the real meaning of Christmas, and share the heart-warming spirit of this timeless tale with them.
A Christmas Carol is showing at the Sherman Theatre, Senghennydd Road, Cardiff, CF24 4YE, until 9th January (visit www.shermancymru.co.uk or telephone 029 2064 6900 for full schedule and details). Full price tickets cost £15, with reductions at £13 and under nineteens at £10.


Ad-Hoc Art
This week will be your last chance to catch Ad-Hoc, an exhibition by seven contemporary artists, including two Merthyr Tydfil artists. Head of Visual Arts at Merthyr Tydfil College, Martyn Jones and Dowlais artist Michael Gustavius Payne are both showing their work in Cardiff City Centre’s Old Library Gallery until next Tuesday, 22nd December. Both artist’s work can also be viewed online. Visit Martyn Jones’ website at www.martynjonesart.com and Michael G Payne’s website at mgpayne.com.