Merthyr Express column

2nd Dec 10

Christmas Story Machine

Next Wednesday 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 comic tale tells the story of the night before Christmas, and all through the house, not a creature was stirring except for Professor Ivor Harry Bumm and Doctor Willy P Whee, who are frantically trying to get their Story Machine to work. The mad professors have a festive show full of mayhem, mirth and (possibly) mistletoe. Featuring carol singing, an improvised pantomime, the world's grottiest grotto and an exploding duck. Professor Bumm's Christmas Story Machine won’t be a Silent Night! The performance starts at 1pm, entry is £3 or £2 concessions for OAPs and children. For further information, please contact 01685 375318.

Festive Workshop
A festive workshop for adults will be held at Canolfan Cyfarthfa, the new visitor centre in Cyfarthfa Park, this Saturday, 4th December from 12pm until 3pm. Come along and learn the craft of felt making by making your very own felt Christmas decorations. Sessions cost £3 per person and booking is essential. For further information contact Cyfarthfa Castle Museum & Art Gallery on 01685 723112 or email museum@merthyr.gov.uk.

Make A Bird-Box
If you love seeing robins and other native wild birds in your garden or local park and you’d like to help them out this winter, why not come along and make a bird-box and/or feeder for your garden this Sunday, 5th December. All Ages Welcome and no booking is necessary, turn up at any time from 10am until 3pm. Materials and assistance will be provided free of charge. The event takes place at Cyfarthfa Park Wildlife Garden, which is located near the park offices, accessed via the Gwaelod-y-garth Road entrance. Alternatively, the garden is a 10 minute walk from the main Cyfarthfa Castle car-park: Ask for directions at reception. For further information please contact Carys at carys.solman@merthyr.gov.uk or 01685 726251

Book Launch
Heolgerrig author and poet Mike Jenkins will be launching his new book "Moor Music" next Thursday, 9th December at 7.30pm in the Imperial Hotel, Pontmorlais. Moor Music is a collection of open field poetry, published by Seren. In this innovative new book of poetry Mike Jenkins continues his life-long obsession with the history and fate of Wales, embodied, in this instance by both the glories of the landscape and the depredations suffered by the old industrial valleys in their years of decline. In contrast, his career in teaching left him with a sense of optimism about young people, about the prospect of change and with an eagerness to embrace changing times. These poems, like his prize-winning short stories, are full of colourful characters, dialogue, and incident. His sensitive awareness of the natural world, or what is available of the natural world in an urban context, is also frequently poingnant.
The evening is free entry and will also include an Open Mic session, where contributors are welcome to come and read, sing or perform. MTCBC & Academi. For further information please contact: (01685) 725382 arts@merthyr.gov.uk.