Children pen their own ballads Budding balladeers at Montgomery Church in Wales school have been busy writing their own songs based on tales of adventure from the past and present. Children in years 4, 5 and 6 are working with composer Ian Morgan-Williams and poet Pat Edwards to write a series of ballads. Some children are working online, and some are in the classroom in school, as part of a project supported by Mid Wales Opera’s ‘Milltir Sgwar’ programme. Pat, a professional poet, is working with the children to create their own ballads which Ian will then set to music. Pat said: “Music has its challenges online, trying to synchronise everyone, but the students are enthusiastic and full of great ideas.”
The idea follows the latest Welsh Government lockdown, the third in 10 months. In addition, people will be able to watch the town crier count down to midnight on a pre-recorded film, together with a goodwill message to all from mayor Haydn Andrew. The New Year’s Eve video will be available on the town’s facebook and YouTube pages at fb.me/montgomerypowys and tinyurl.com/MontyCCC Residents feature on Radio 4 Three Montgomery residents featured on consecutive days on the daily Today’programme, on Radio 4 describing how they were helping to make the best of a difficult Christmas. Cyndy Humphreys was selected from people who had contacted the programme to explain how her Christmas would be different this year in a “reasons for cheer” segment.