Merthyr Express column

18th Nov 10

Christmas Lights
This year’s Christmas lighting ceremony starts at 5pm tomorrow, Friday 19th November, with the Mayor of Merthyr Tydfil and a very special guest, the world-renowned fashion designer, from Merthyr Tydfil; Julian McDonald, together with performances and entertainment. Following the switching on of the Christmas street lighting, a Lantern Procession will pass from the Civic Centre, through Merthyr Tydfil High Street, lit by lanterns made by children from the five local junior schools, led by Welsh Pipers through the Town Centre. A bilingual evening of Christmas carol singing and the accompaniment of Merthyr Aloud Choir, with local school children will take place firstly outside WHSmith’s on the High Street, before continuing down to the Lucy Thomas Fountain, for more carols to conclude the evening. The activity is a partnership between Town and Park Communities First, Canolfan a Menter Gymraeg and MTCBC Arts, Regeneration and Leisure Deptments.

Festive Family Fun

In the run up to Christmas two community projects will be bringing some professional festive entertainment to their communities in collaboration with the Arts Council’s Night Out Scheme and MTCBC Arts. The Pant and Dowlais Boys and Girls Club will be bringing an hilarious family fun performance by The Black Sheep to Merthyr Tydfil. Professor Bumm's Christmas Story Machine comes to Dowlais Engine House on Wednesday 8th December. The mad professors; Professor Ivor Harry Bumm and Doctor Willy P Whee, have a festive show full of mayhem, mirth and (possibly) mistletoe. Featuring carol singing, improvised pantomime, the world's grottiest grotto and an exploding duck. The performance starts at 1pm, entry is £3 or £2 concessions for OAPs and children. For further information, please contact 01685 375318. Also, the following week, on Wednesday, 15th December, at 6:30pm Merthyr Tydfil Housing Association bring A Feast of Festive Fun by Clwyd Theatr Cymru Theatre for Young People, to Pentrebach Cricket Club. A Feast of Festive Fun is a show by award winning director and writer Tim Baker, to get the whole family in a party mood. If you enjoy great storytelling, live music and something a bit special, this is the show for you. For further information contact Bethan Thomas at bthomas@mtha.org.uk or 01685 352839.

Craft Market and Santa with Reindeer
On Saturday 27th November Merthyr Tydfil town centre welcomes a Craft Market, ideal for those special gifts for Christmas. Santa Clause and his Real Reindeer will also be there as they prepare for Christmas from 10am at the Lower High Street. Entry to see Santa is £3 each where children can tell him what they would like for Christmas, get a little gift, a wallet size photograph with Santa and the opportunity to see and stroke the reindeers. There is no pre-booking for this event, which operates on a first come, first served basis. Please expect to queue for this event as Santa takes time with each child, so they fully enjoy their experience. There will be no admittance to the queue after 3.30pm.

Poems and Pints
Workers’ Educational Association Merthyr Branch are holding a Poems and Pints night at the Guest Club in Dowlais tonight, Thursday, 18th November 2010. The evening starts at 7.30pm, where you can bring your favourite poem to read or just come to listen and enjoy the evening. There will also be a buffet and bar. Tickets cost £5 from: Ceinwen Statter 21 Llwyn yr Eos Grove, Bradley Gardens, Merthyr Tydfil CF47 0GD. Cheques payable to Merthyr WEA Please enclose SAE.