ANATOMY OF A FALL [15] 150 mins – Drama/Thriller

When her husband Samuel is mysteriously found dead in the snow below their secluded chalet, Sandra becomes the main suspect when the police begin to question whether he fell or was pushed.

The trial soon becomes not just an investigation, but a gripping psychological journey into the depths of Sandra and Samuel's complicated marriage.

Why see it? Nominated for five Oscars in 2024, winning the Oscar for Best Original Screenplay

Filmed in English and in French with English subtitles

“A sparkling intellectual thriller that lingers for days” - The Telegraph (5 stars)

All films are shown upstairs in Pelham Hall (directions at page bottom) in the bar area. Doors open at 7.15 pm and films start at 7.30 pm prompt. There is a £5 per head entry fee, payable on the door (cash or card). The bar will be open too.

Back to Film Night programme.

The Pelham Hall bar will be open as usual next Thursday. Ben will be purveying Fish & Chips as usual too! Just look for the van in the Hall car park.

Takeaways can be consumed in the bar where cutlery and condiments are provided - tables and chairs too!

As ever, a full range of drinks is available and at very reasonable prices too.

The May 100 Club Draw will take place during the evening too.

ALL WELCOME

Location map

Return to the “Glyn Farm track”

(postponed from Tuesday April 30)

We start our clearance programme for 2024 by returning to an old favourite, the fenced track highlighted in pink below which starts about 400 m below the GWT barn at Pentwyn Farm. Park there and walk down to the top of the track at “Meet here”, where we start from 10 am.

If you can assist with this, then please do come along at 10 am and join us. We welcome any time you can spare, it does not need to be the full 2 hours. If you arrive later, just walk up the path and join us.

Dress: old clothes and boots, plus gardening gloves or similar.

Tools: we may have a small selection of tools available or you may prefer to bring your own. Suitable tools are sickles, scythes, slashers and shears for this work.

Refreshment: we’ll probably stop for a break at about 11 am so bring something suitable for this if you wish to.

Weather: check this page at 9 am on the Tuesday morning if there is any doubt that the work may be “weathered off”.

Kind Regards

Bob Scarr - Footpath Group Coordinator

Monmouth’s Off Centre Theatre on tour to Penallt

Show food details: there is a break at 8pm so people having fish and chips can eat them in bar as usual.

Please Pre order your fish and chips by texting Ben on 07771 544917 before Thursday, so he has enough supplies in.

Monmouth’s award-winning group, Off Centre Theatre, is coming to Penallt with 3 one-act hilarious comedies by renowned playwright, David Tristram (Going Green, Last Tango in Little Grimley, Opposite Sex).

Women Only sees divorcee Laura taking her recently widowed mother for an alcohol-fuelled holiday. Her life gets turned upside down when the surprising revelations start to spill out.

Carrots pitches a belligerent and opinionated union rep up against his desperate and unyielding boss. Can the lefty be tempted to take a turn to the right? Will the boss see the errors of his ways?

In Peas, you will witness the most unlikely and ridiculous first date, with the two suitors being less than suited…or are they, especially when all is revealed?

Curtain Up at 7.30 pm

There will also be an interval for Fish & Chips - not included in ticket price.

The bar will be open as usual from 6 pm too - before, during and after the show.

Off Centre Theatre have kindly waived their fee for staging the evening and all ticket revenue will go to Pelham Hall.

Penallt Old Church
Plant sale in aid of church funds 

Bank Holiday Monday 6th May 2024,

10.30 a.m. to 12.30 p.m.

Bring & Buy Plants and Seedlings

at

Fairview, Penallt.

(Sarah Haeffner’s driveway)

Chaz Thorogood - the “Guitar Man”

Chaz is a professional guitarist, songwriter and producer based in Bristol.

“I provide Electric/Acoustic guitar and have toured with both Lulu and Judie Tzuke. As a singer/songwriter my music has received over 350,000 streams on Spotify and I am constantly writing/recording as a solo artist/collaborator.

As well as this I am embedded in the local music scene of Bristol where I front a Blues Trio and also perform my own original music as a solo act.

When I'm not making music I like to restore old vehicles and ride motorcycles.”

Chaz will be returning to Pelham Hall on 27th April following an excellent evening here last September

• Bar opens at 7.00 pm

• Food from Horsebox Pizza

• Music starts at 8.00 pm

• Tickets in advance - £8 per person (U14s are free); click the button below to purchase

• or £10 at the door, subject to availability

ONE LIFE [12A] 110 mins – Biography

Note - replaces the unavailable “Napoleon”

The true story of Sir Nicholas 'Nicky' Winton, a young London broker who, in the months leading up to World War II, rescued 669 predominantly Jewish children from the Nazis. Nicky visited Prague in December 1938 and found families who had fled the rise of the Nazis in Germany and Austria, living in desperate conditions with little or no shelter and food, and under threat of Nazi invasion.

He immediately realised it was a race against time. How many children could he and the team rescue before the borders closed? Fifty years later, it's 1988 and Nicky lives haunted by the fate of the children he wasn't able to bring to safety in England; always blaming himself for not doing more. It's not until a live BBC television show, 'That's Life', surprises him by introducing him to some surviving children - now adults - that he finally begins to come to terms with the guilt and grief he had carried for five decades.

“Hopkins's light-touch and affecting restraint are perfect for this extraordinary true story of Hampstead-born stockbroker Nicholas Winton.” The Telegraph

WHY COME? [Sir Anthony Hopkins] performance as the incredible Nicholas Winton is something of heart and soul – and a reflection of how lucky we are to have this remarkable actor.

All films are shown upstairs in Pelham Hall (directions at page bottom) in the bar area. Doors open at 7.15 pm and the film start at 7.30 pm prompt. There is a £5 per head entry fee, payable on the door (cash or card). The bar will be open too.

Back to Film Night programme.

THE GREAT ESCAPER [12A] 96 mins – Drama

Note the return to a Friday date

In 2014, near-nonagenarian Bernie Jordan (Michael Caine) is sad to miss out on an official group outing to the D-Day anniversary in France. Encouraged by wife Rene (Glenda Jackson), he sneaks out from his care home and goes on one last big adventure to cross the Channel, while reminiscing about his wartime experiences.

“The real draw is watching Caine, who plays his role with complete dignity. Jackson, too, is an irascible presence, and her performance will move many. The final shots of the two of them on the promenade suggest two epic acting careers that are coming to a close – and suitably, doing so hand-in-hand.” Radio Times

WHY COME? It was Glenda Jackson’s last film, and who doesn’t love Michael Caine?

All films are shown upstairs in Pelham Hall (directions at page bottom) in the bar area. Doors open at 7.15 pm and films start at 7.30 pm prompt. There is a £5 per head entry fee, payable on the door (cash or card). The bar will be open too.

Back to Film Night programme.

Where: Pelham Hall

When: Doors open at 7 pm on Saturday 2nd March

What: a delicious Welsh-themed buffet supper using locally sourced produce (menu below) created and prepared by Bronwyn from The Bush, followed by a Fun Quiz (£1 per entry). There will be a Welsh sing-along too!

The bar: will be open and, along with the usual fare, Grey Trees Mosaic Pale Ale will be on tap - a pale, hoppy, modern ale alive with citrus flavours and a smooth aftertaste..

Lower Wye Tracks & Trails Project - Drop In Session 28th Feb

Following on from the recent consultation aimed at creating “an Action Plan for Recreational Access in Monmouthshire’s Wye Valley”, Wye Valley Natural Landscape (was the AONB) are moving to the next stage.

The Action Plan’s aim is to help provide the best experience for everyone to enjoy the tracks and trails here. The aim is to develop the most practical ways of supporting the requirements of all types of users, while protecting the natural and built environment. 

Following a 12 week public consultation (with 350 responses) there will be a public drop in session where you can view the ideas coming out of the consultation and talk to project staff about the next stage.

Where and when: 28th February at Pelham Hall, Penallt (3pm - 7pm).

There is a similar session scheduled for the previous day, 27 February, at St Arvans Memorial Hall: 3pm - 7pm

Tracks and Trails Project

SCRAPPER [12A] 84 mins – Comedy/Drama

This vibrant and inventive father-daughter comedy follows Georgie (Lola Campbell), a resourceful 12-year-old girl who secretly lives alone in her flat in a working-class suburb of London following the death of her mother. She makes money stealing bikes with her best friend Ali (Alin Uzun) and keeps the social workers off her back by pretending to live with an uncle.

Out of nowhere, her estranged father Jason (Harris Dickinson) arrives and forces her to confront reality. Uninterested in this sudden new parental figure, Georgie is stubbornly resistant to his efforts. And as they adjust to their new circumstances, Georgie and Jason find that they both still have a lot of growing up to do.

"Charlotte Regan’s feature debut, about a resourceful 12-year-old living alone whose father re-enters her life, brims with energy, ideas and colour.” [The Guardian]

WHY COME? It won a Grand Jury Prize at the Sundance Film Festival. An excellent 94% Rotten Tomatoes rating too.

All films are shown upstairs in Pelham Hall (directions at page bottom) in the bar area. Doors open at 7.15 pm and films start at 7.30 pm prompt. There is a £5 per head entry fee, payable on the door (cash or card). The bar will be open too.

Back to Film Night programme.

Thursday 15 Feb: Social evening, Fish&Chips, and BINGO!

As well as all the usual Thursday evening attractions in the Pelham Hall bar, we are holding our inaugural Bingo Night, starting at 8pm, which should be a lot of fun!

Bingo cards will be available at £2 each and there will be a maximum of three rounds played.

The Pelham Hall bar will be open throughout as usual. Ben will be purveying Fish & Chips as usual too! Just look for the van in the Hall car park.

Takeaways can be consumed in the bar where cutlery and condiments are provided - tables and chairs too!

As ever, a full range of drinks is available and at very reasonable prices too.

And, as a bonus, the February 100 Club Draw will be held too!

ALL WELCOME

Location map

Climate Conversation Event: Let’s chat about climate change

When: 24th January 2024, 3-7 pm
Where: Pelham Village Hall, Penallt, NP25 4AH

We’d love to hear what you’ve got to say, so please come and join us to chat about ‘how we can tackle climate change in a fair way’ over cake and coffee.

The event is open to all, people starting to think about climate change or those already involved.

We’ll explore local challenges and approaches to tackling the climate crisis with a focus on nature, communities and farming.

Meet officers from the Wye Adapt to Climate Change and Gwent Green Grid partnerships who are working with communities and landowners helping nature to help us with the challenges of climate change.

There’s lots to talk about … how we can improve the resilience of biodiversity, reduce carbon emissions, reduce flood risk through natural flood management and how different land management can help mitigate the impacts of climate change.

More on the project can be seen in this BBC News article.

A HAUNTING IN VENICE [12A] 103 mins – Drama/Whodunnit

In post-World War II Venice, Hercule Poirot (Branagh), now retired and living in self-imposed exile, reluctantly attends a séance. But when one of the guests is murdered, the former detective must put his little grey cells to work one more time to uncover the killer.

"A Haunting in Venice" is the best of Kenneth Branagh's Hercule Poirot movies. It's also one of Branagh's best, period, thanks to the way Branagh and screenwriter Michael Green dismantle and reinvent the source material (Agatha Christie's Hallowe'en Party) to create a relentlessly clever, visually dense "old" movie that uses the latest technology.

WHY COME? For an enjoyable bit of hokum on a dark evening.

All films are shown upstairs in Pelham Hall (directions at page bottom) in the bar area. Doors open at 7.15 pm and films start at 7.30 pm prompt. There is a £5 per head entry fee, payable on the door (cash or card). The bar will be open too.

Back to Film Night programme.

Barn Nativity and Christmas Carols on Christmas Eve in Penallt

Come and join us. Adults and children can come dressed as Mary, Joseph, Shepherds, Angels, Wise people.

Meet on the Village Green next to The Bush at 3.45 pm and walk to Pentwyn Barn for a 4 pm start.

Refreshments at The Bush afterwards for young and old.

A Christmas Date for your Diary!

We now have a full programme for the Thursday before Christmas in Pelham Hall!

• 6.30 doors open with a complimentary glass of mulled wine and Christmas nibbles

• 7.00 carols, followed by the Christmas raffle draw in aid of the Old Church (tickets now on sale!)

• December Pelham Hall 100 Club BIG Draw

• 8.00 Christmas Quiz hosted by a mystery Quiz-Mistress; same “rules” as for previous quizzes - teams of four (£1 per head entry) - incomplete teams are welcome too!

The bar will be open for the usual range of refreshments

Ben’s SuperFish van will be present as usual too.

ALL VERY WELCOME!

OPPENHEIMER [15] 180 mins – History/Drama

Please note the earlier start time of 7pm - doors open at 6.45pm

During World War II, Lt. Gen. Leslie Groves Jr. (Matt Damon) appoints physicist J. Robert Oppenheimer (Cillian Murphy) to work on the top-secret Manhattan Project.

Oppenheimer and a team of scientists spend years developing and designing the atomic bomb. Their work comes to fruition on July 16, 1945, as they witness the world's first nuclear explosion, forever changing the course of history.

Every scene feels like a cataclysm waiting to happen, fitting for a film that builds, step-by-step, to the creation of a cataclysm machine. Oppenheimer both summons awe for what it took to build the bomb and for the changes it wrought.

WHY COME? The combination of Christopher Nolan, a fantastic cast and a riveting story.

All films are shown upstairs in Pelham Hall (directions at page bottom) in the bar area.

Oppenheimer is a 3 hour film, so doors open at the earlier time of 6.45 pm for a start at 7.00 pm prompt. There is a £5 per head entry fee, payable on the door (cash or card). The bar will be open too.

Back to Film Night programme.

There will be a Special General Meeting on December 7th in the Committee Room at Pelham Hall at 7pm. A free drink will be provided at the meeting.

The purpose of the meeting will be to update the document which is entitled ‘Pelham Hall Amended Administrative Provisions’ and can be found at Trustees, Committee Members and Documents — Penallt Village Website

At the meeting the differences between the old and new version of the document will be described and the rationale as to why the changes have been made. There will then be a vote to decide if these changes can be approved. If approved, the document will then be submitted to the Charities Commission for approval.

Who can vote: members of the Hall, currently defined as "individuals over eighteen who live within the defined boundaries of the community of Penallt or in any of the adjoining communities or any other person approved by the Trustees."

The new document which will be discussed at the Special General Meeting is available via the button below:

The new Administrative Provisions document:

1.       has included the Purpose from the Clause 2 of the First schedule of the Conveyance instead of referencing it.

2.       has the same sections as the old document but information in the section has been moved for example information refarding the Management Committee has been moved from the section on the AGM to the one on Trustees.  

3.       changes the rules around membership and includes how a member can be removed from membership

4.       incorporates the addition of two members to the Committee which was agreed on 16th May 2018

5.       defines the role of co-opted members

6.       sets a minimum number of trustees to run the charity

7.       adds the number of members who need to be at a Special General Meeting to be quorate

8.       adds the use of internet banking into the section which details control of payments

Renewable Energy Club

When: On the first Tuesday of each month at 7pm in Pelham Hall

There are many reasons to adopt Renewable Energy products into your home, the main ones being to try and contribute to a reduction in your carbon footprint, as well as to save on soaring energy costs.

This club is an opportunity for those with experience of these type of technologies to share their knowledge and lessons learnt in a non-sales environment.

The scope is primarily on three areas:

• Solar generation

• Home Batteries

• Air and Ground Source Heat Pumps

The next session on 5th December is focused on

• Lance Rowell’s Tesla Powerwall and ground mounted solar panel array

• latest news around renewables from Simon

Followed by a discussion on other people’s experiences this year.

Please contact Simon Angell on 07432 902167 or email simon.angell@hotmail.co.uk for further details.

BARBIE [12A] 114 mins – Comedy/Fantasy

Please note the Monday date - a change from the usual Friday

“To live in Barbie Land is to be a perfect being in a perfect place. Unless you have a full-on existential crisis. Or you’re a Ken.”

Barbie (Margot Robbie) and Ken (Ryan Gosling) are having the time of their lives in the colourful and seemingly perfect world of Barbie Land. However, when they get a chance to go to the real world, they soon discover the joys and perils of living among humans.

WHY COME? Barbie is a triumph. A pitch-perfect script backed by great performances – particularly from Ryan Gosling – turns what could be a simple studio comedy into a sharp commentary on our society that makes its nuance palatable for those that may not take it at face value.

All films are shown upstairs in Pelham Hall (directions at page bottom) in the bar area. Doors open at 7.15 pm and films start at 7.30 pm prompt. There is a £5 per head entry fee, payable on the door (cash or card). The bar will be open too.

Back to Film Night programme.

A Sumptuous Four Course Italian Feast

Gourmet chef Vincent Castellano has become almost a regular fixture at Pelham Hall, and has treated us to splendid and critically acclaimed gourmet meals over the last few years.

So Pelham Hall has invited him back to treat us again, this time returning for a dinner with an Italian theme.

The date is Saturday 18th November - 7.00 pm for 7.30 pm.

The cost will be £35 per head (drinks are extra) and the full menu is available from the button below.

Numbers are needed in good time so all bookings must be done by the end of Saturday 28th October

Saturday 4th November from 5 to 8pm at Pelham Hall, come and grab a delicious Hot Pot to Take Away, dine in or take to the Beer Festival.

On offer today from the chefs at The Red Hart at Llanvapley comes some wholesome, warming, hearty food to beat away the Autumn chill.

We have a selection of “Hot Pots” - beef, pulled pork or mushroom to be followed by delicious brownie pudding.

Prepared in the kitchens at Pelham Hall, available from 5.00 pm

Friday 3rd November from 6 to 9 pm at Pelham Hall Car Park, come and grab a Pizza, freshly prepared for you to take away in minutes.

The Penallt Beer Festival will be on inside the Hall at the same time and, if you have a ticket, you are welcome to consume your pizza inside, washed down with your choice of ale!

Horsebox Pizza

James, after 25 years of working as a chef all over the world from Michelin starred restaurants, chalets in the French Alps to event catering, set up The Horsebox in 2017. He loves creating fantastic food with local ingredients and felt inspired to start up on his own, with the idea to bring delicious wood fired pizza to villages and events in the local area.

The organisers regret that this event has had to be CANCELLED

A grand fundraising evening in aid of our churches
St Nicholas Trellech & Old Church Penallt
featuring Brendon’s famous spicy culinary delight followed by an entertaining
auction of spectacular Promises interesting artefacts and local products

Bring your friends and family to bid for some of these amazing offerings
from local business and individuals as below

Tickets £15 each

Fully licensed bar

LOCAL HERO [PG] 119 mins – Comedy/Drama

A cult classic from the 1980s which gets a rare 100% rating from Rotten Tomatoes

Up-and-coming Houston oil executive "Mac" MacIntyre (Peter Riegert) gets more than he bargained for when a seemingly simple business trip to Scotland changes his outlook on life.

Sent by his colorful boss (Burt Lancaster) to the small village of Ferness, Mac is looking to quickly buy out the townspeople so his company can build a new refinery. But after a taste of country life Mac begins to question whether he is on the right side of this transaction.

WHY COME? It’s essentially an Ealing comedy updated for the Opec era; equal parts Whisky Galore and Passport to Pimlico in its celebration of eccentric but worldly characters putting one over on the faceless giants of the world.

All films are shown upstairs in Pelham Hall (directions at page bottom) in the bar area. Doors open at 7.15 pm and films start at 7.30 pm prompt. There is a £5 per head entry fee, payable on the door (cash or card). The bar will be open too.

Back to Film Night programme.

The pace of technology is not slowing down and the amount of essential services being delivered online is growing all of the time.

So Pelham Hall is planning to run technology surgeries on the second Tuesday of each month (7pm to 9pm).  These are aimed at anyone who has an issue or is feeling left behind a little.

The aim is to offer this as a community service, free of charge, and you can buy a drink at the bar if you'd like.

The surgery will be run 1:1, so you don't need to be worried about asking what you might feel is a stupid question.

We should be able to offer support on On-Line Banking, Smart Home technology, Windows, Apple Mac, PCs, Tablets and Phones.

If in doubt, ask and we'll do our best to help.

The next meeting of the Community Technology Surgery is approaching on 10th October, in Pelham Hall @ 7pm.  In this meeting Simon is also giving a short presentation on On-Line security, Passwords, and Organising Files.  This is in addition to the normal opportunity to ask questions and seek advice on your technology issues.  All welcome!

Please contact simon.angell@hotmail.co.uk or 07432 902167 for more details

Chaz Thorogood - the “Guitar Man”

STOP PRESS! Under 14s are free!

Chaz is a professional guitarist, songwriter and producer based in Bristol.

“I provide Electric/Acoustic guitar and have toured with both Lulu and Judie Tzuke. As a singer/songwriter my music has received over 350,000 streams on Spotify and I am constantly writing/recording as a solo artist/collaborator.

As well as this I am embedded in the local music scene of Bristol where I front a Blues Trio and also perform my own original music as a solo act.

When I'm not making music I like to restore old vehicles and ride motorcycles.”

Chaz will be performing at Pelham Hall on 23rd September and a good audience is expected!

• Bar opens at 7.00 pm for keg beer, the usual range of other drinks and bar snacks

• Music starts at 8.00 pm

• Tickets in advance - £6 per person (U14s are free); click the button below to purchase

• Tickets on the door are £8 each (assuming availability)

Talk - When was Britain last invaded? It wasn’t 1066!

In 1797 a French force invaded Britain through a small Welsh coastal village. Half elite troops and half convicts, they had sailed under the command of an American with Irish sympathies, and under several false flags, and were met by a small British militia and a local woman with a pitchfork. After much subterfuge, running about and drinking, the attack was in danger of failing.

Well-known local raconteur, Roger Morgan, will be telling the story. He says of himself:

“In my time I’ve been a musician, an industrial photographer and I’ve now spent 36 years in the heritage sector. My particular interests are military history, maritime history and medical history when my pet leech Otto helps me present my talks. At Christmas I’ll be growing my beard and donning ‘the big red suit’ once again Ho Ho Ho !”

Venue: Pelham Hall bar area
Time: 8pm - post fish and chips
The bar: will be open from 6pm

Thursday 7th September

Final BBQ of the summer and the forecast is excellent!

£5 per adult … £3 per child (under 12)

Bar opens at 6 pm; food served from 6.30 pm

Plus - live music from 8 pm

The singer is Lucy Anna a singer/songwriter based in Bristol with 5 star reviews.

She will be performing many audience favourites in addition to her own works.

Tickets should be purchased from the bar on arrival. The price includes burger, sausage, bun and a salad. There will be gluten free and vegetarian options too - please order these at the bar.

The Pelham Hall bar will be open as usual but Ben’s Fish&Chips van is having a week off.

ALL WELCOME

Location map