Articles from this month's Magazine

An Extract from S. Mary’s Parish Church, Hay.
Monthly Magazine October 1908
CHOIR TRIP.
The most enjoyable day that the Choir has spent for many years was Monday, Sept. 14th. We started at 5.55 a.m. from Hay by G. W.R., via Pontypool Road, where papers were purchased and eagerly scanned for news of the Roman Catholic Procession in London. We were not a little relieved to hear that all had gone off without disturbance. We arrived at Cardiff at 8.30 and walked to the Pier Head. At 9.45 we embarked, and arrived at the Weston- Super-Mare Pier, 10.45. The rest of the morning was spent most enjoyably in Flying Machines, Switchbacks, Water Chutes, Motor Car and Bicycle Races, and the other attractions on the Old Pier. A move was then made to the New Pier, some on trams and some on shank's pony landed up at the Pier Head Restaurant with great appetites. Having regaled ourselves, we dispersed to listen to Pierrots, ride donkeys, etc. It was so hot that most of us were glad to pay for a chair and be amused. Some of the party had tea early and caught the early steamer to Cardiff and the rest followed by the 7.35 steamer, trammed it to the G. W .R. Station, and then went for a stroll up S. Mary's Street till 9-45 when we started again for Hay which was reached about 1 a.m. The journey, the weather, the entertainments, and the catering were all that could be desired.

The Final Treat

Last year it was the Doubles’ Semi-finals, this year I was lucky enough to be taken to Wimbledon on 3rd July for the Ladies’ Final. The tickets were £95 each, and for that “modest” sum Rachel and I would be “up in the gods”. As it turned out this was a blessing as it was a very hot day and, mercifully, we would be in the shade.

After a 2 ¾ hour car journey, guided by Satnav, we travelled over Hammersmith Bridge, reached Wimbledon and followed the signs for Car Park No. 6. En Routs we saw a sign ‘St. Mary’s Church – parking £20.’ This seemed an offer too good to miss and at mid-day there were plenty of spaces available on flat dried out grassland. We were guided into a space, ate our picnic lunch and walked round the corner to the hallowed ground. The Singles Final was at 2pm so we spent an hour walking around admiring the immaculate surroundings and the beautiful hanging baskets and tubs containing hydrangeas and petunias in shades of blue, mauve, pink and white. Henman Hill was full of people waiting to watch the match on the big screen.

We had to climb up 80 steps to reach our seats on the Centre Court, and I was rather breathless by the time we reached our destination. We were 8 rows down with a wonderful view down the court, facing the Royal Box. We tried to identify who was sitting there, and in the front row was the Duke of Kent who always presents the trophies to the winners. We also spotted my tennis heroine –Virginia Wade, Ann Jones and Martina Navratilova.

The tennis net was measured for the correct height, the pink Wimbledon towels were placed on the chairs, the Umpire was in her seat and the Central Band of the Royal British Legion was entertaining us. There are 15,000 seats on the Centre Court and there were very few empty ones!

Then the big moment arrived! To rapturous applause the two finalists walked onto the court – Serena Williams (USA) and Vera Zvonareva (Russia). Both were carrying a beautiful bouquet of flowers. An 11 year old girl had been chosen to toss the coin – what a proud moment for her. After a few minutes warm-up play the Umpire called ‘Time’ and the match began. Serena was wearing her ‘strawberries and cream outfit’ as she describes it, and when her skirt rose we saw a flash of bright red which one commentator described as cycling shorts. Well I don’t know about the cycling but they were certainly short! The match was not a nail-biter and in two straight sets Serena was the winner. The carpet was rolled out on the court, the Line Umpires, Ball Boys and Girls and officials all lined up. A small table covered with a Union Jack was brought on and the trophies were placed on it. The Duke of Kent presented the runner’s-up trophy to Vera Zvonareva and then the winner’s trophy to Serena Williams. Both players were interviewed by Sue Barker and Serena jubilantly made her way around the court, holding the trophy aloft for us all to see. I have often watched the Ladies’ Finals on T.V., from way back in the 50’s, but I never thought I would be there. How thrilling it was!

The court was cleared and preparations began for the next match – the Final of the Men’s Doubles. A new net was brought on, the posts were moved outwards and a man came on as Chair Umpire – James Keothavong. The match was between Robert Lindstedt (Sweden) and Horia Tecau (Roumania) and Jurgen Melzer (Austria) and Philipp Petzschner (Germany). Play was fast and exciting and in 3 sets the match was over – Melzer and Petzschner won. This time the trophies were presented in the Royal Box, of which we had a good view. It was now 6pm and there was one more match to go – the final of the Ladies’ Doubles. We had been sitting down for 4 hours at least and it was very hot. We had a long journey ahead of us and, reluctantly, we had to go. We visited the Wimbledon shop and I bought the towels as a souvenir of a wonderful day. All the outfits of the Referees, Line Umpires and Ball Boys and Girls were on sale. Just imagine – I could now be walking around Hay in a cream skirt and a navy - blue blazer edged with white – at great expense!!

When we arrived back at the car there was a white note on the windscreen. No, it was not a parking fine, but a little ‘thank you’ from the church, hoping we had had an enjoyable day and hoping to see us again next year. A nice gesture I thought. So if you ever go to Wimbledon fro the championships please support them.

Diana Jones

Last Laugh

A minister told his congregation that he wanted them to consider the theme, FORGIVE OUR ENEMIES. He asked them to be honest and if they did it. With the exception of a very old lady they admitted that they did not. The minister asked her how she managed to do so.
" I am 95 years old and I am pleased to say I have outlived all the old blighters"
………………………..

An elderly woman died last month. Having never married, she requested no male pallbearers. In her handwritten instructions for her memorial service, she wrote, "They wouldn't take me out while I was alive, I don't want them to take me out when I'm dead.
Submitted by Val Morgans