Since our move to temporary accommodation in High Street, our social committee thought it would be a good idea to hold coffee mornings in and around the local communities to reassure the community that the Bracken Trust is still open despite major works being undertaken at our Cefnllys Lane premises.

These coffee mornings have been such a great success, that our social committee ladies have decided to continue holding these events in 2010, the first being in February. More information on this will be available in the New Year.

This year’s Christmas Fayre, held on Friday 27th November at Pritchard’s Garage, was a record-breaking success, raising a net total of £3,754, the highest total raised since the Fayre started in early 2000.

Wildlife expert and television presenter Iolo Williams officially opened the Fayre and by 10.00 am, the garage was bursting at the seams with shoppers hoping to get a bargain for Christmas. The selection of Christmas gifts together with floral arrangements preserves and cakes for the forthcoming Christmas period was magnificent. A big ‘Thank You’ to everyone involved in making this our best ever Christmas Fayre.

On Saturday 5th December, members and friends of The Bracken Trust will be visiting the Traditional Winter Fair at Aberglasney, Carmarthenshire. Their Winter Fair has earned the reputation over the years as the best Traditional Winter Fair in South Wales. Upon arrival, visitors will receive a free glass of mulled wine and a mince pie. Just right to start a day of Christmas shopping.

Macmillan Cancer Information Co-ordinator

We are pleased to announce an exciting new partnership with Macmillan Cancer Support allowing us to appoint Moray Bradbury as our Macmillan Cancer Information Co-ordinator.

Moray is a local Knighton girl and comes from a background of Health and Wellbeing, having joined the Bracken Trust from the Herefordshire Primary Care Trust where she was an experienced Wellbeing Co-ordinator.

Initially Moray will be looking to operate in the immediate area of Llandrindod Wells and then extend her support, ultimately across Powys.

Moray is available to provide information and advice on a wide range of support for people diagnosed with cancer. This support not only relates to cancer, but Moray has also been successful in obtaining funding from Macmillan and other agencies to provide financial assistance to cancer patients.

There is an information hub established at the Bracken Trust and maintained by Moray, and this includes resources on particular cancers, dietary materials, as well as general Health and Wellbeing issues for patients. Also available is information on local and out of county screening programmes, cancer treatments and support services.

Moray is also available to provide support by providing a liaison with other groups and organisations as well as information and advice on benefits that are available via Macmillan and other organisations.

The Information Centre at the Bracken Trust provides free information booklets and free PC access to cancer information websites. The Centre also has a Lending Library of resources - including DVDs, CDs and audiotapes.

Extension & Refurbishment of The Bracken Trust

The Bracken Trust has grown significantly over a number of years and we have come to the stage where our current accommodation at Cefnllys Lane does not allow us to provide sufficient space to properly support our patients and their carers.

We are therefore delighted to have joined with Macmillan, who are the major funder, in the provision of a significant extension at The Trust. The new accommodation will provide a Cancer Information Hub, two new therapy rooms, a large multi purpose therapy/crafts/dining/meeting room, a Nurse’s office, an improved Administration area, improved toilet facilities and an extended car park. The existing premises will be refurbished and the whole project will be finished for our re-occupation at the end of March 2010.

Currently, we are in very pleasant accommodation at number 2, High Street (opposite the Gwalia),

Llandrindod Wells. Our telephone numbers and fax number remain the same, as does our email address.

We continue to provide support and therapies for patients, their carers and bereaved, but due to the limited space at this time are unable to provide for the various support therapies of Yoga, Tai Chi,Relaxation and Crafts. These will resume when we return to Cefnllys Lane. An unfortunate consequence of having to move out of Cefnllys Lane is that we have had to suspend the Tuesday social lunches.

However, your hardworking Social Committee are arranging lunches and coffee mornings around the

area, so please check your newsletter and the notices in the Trust.

Due to the building work taking place at our Cefnllys Lane Office, we have temporary moved to No. 2 HIGH STREET (please see location plan in our 'Documents Libary' section.

Hopefully, we shall only be here for 6-9 months, before moving back to Cefnllys Lane.

Our telephone number remains the same - 01597 823646.

Due to the pending building work at The Trust, lunches held on Tuesdays have been temporary suspended until further notice. We hope that lunches will recommence in late Spring 2010.

On Saturday 27th June, we held our annual Summer Fayre and in brilliant sunshine, BBC Wales Weather Presenter Sue Charles, officially opened the event.

Cefnllys Primary School Choir and the Llandrindod Wells Silver band provided the entertainment and a total of £3,600 was raised, which proved to be the highest ever amount raised since the Fayre started nine years ago.

Chairman Reg Cawthorne, expressed his delight at the success of the Fayre and he paid tribute to all who were involved in the organisation. He also thanked Cefnllys School and the Llandrindod Wells Silver Band for entertaining us all. Finally he thanked Sue Charles for giving up her time to come and open the Fayre.

Sue,a native of Llandrindod Wells, said she was pleased to have been asked and she paid tribute to the work done locally by the Bracken Trust.

Saturday 13th June - the day Jane Mills and Roy Palmer, together with six friends, took on the challenge to climb three of Wales' most notable peaks - Snowdon, Cadair Idris and Pen y Fan.

Training runs took place beforehand including two trips to Cadair Idris, a day in the Black Mountains and (undoubtably the wettest trip), on the Saturday before the challenge, the Brecon Beacons.

The night before the challenge was spent in a local Youth Hostel and by 3.40 am the next day, they were off to Pen y Pas for the first of the climbs, Snowdon.

By 4.15 am, as the skies were beginning to lighten revealing mist and a slight drizzle, they slogged up to the summit, meeting other walkers on their way. Reaching the summit shrouded in mist at about 7.15 am, they could not even see the new cafe, which had been opened only the day before.

After a group photo call on the peak of Snowdon, they returned via the Pyg Track to Pen y Pas and by the time they reached the car park, the mountain was alive with walkers.

Next stop, Dolgellau for the start of the second climb, this time to Cadir Idris. The weather was much improved with unbroken sunshine.They reached the summit at about 2pm, which gave little time to enjoy the magnificent views before setting off for their decent.

With no time to spare, they now faced a three hour drive to Pen y Fan in Brecon. Arriving around 7pm in the lovely evening sunshine, they made their way to the final summit at Pen y Fan. With failing daylight, they finally made it and there was a great sense of elation (and relief). It had been a fantastic day!

Arriving back at the car park at around 9.30pm, they were greeted with a welcoming glass of bubbly kindly provided by one of their many well wishers who had turned out to meet them and celebrate their success.

CONGRATULATIONS to all who took part and raised money for either the Bracken Trust or Holy Trinity Church.

In the past six nonths,visits to Llandrindod Wells High School and John Beddoes High School have been made by Jane and Debbie. They have given talks to Years 7,8,11 & 13 students on the range of cancers.

They have also visited Primary Schools in the locality and a number of books aimed at helping children cope with loss and change in their circumstances, have been presented to the teaching staff. These books were purchased with the aid of a grant from Macmillan.

The Bracken Trust Annual General Meeting will be held At The Trust on Monday 6th July at 7.00 p.m.

Do please try to attend.

Following on from Ann and Roy's recent skydive, Sarah and Carl Williams, who own Skydive Swansea, have now added The Bracken Trust to their Charity Partners - "Jump for Charity" list.

If you or any family member or friend would like to do a charity tandem skydive on behalf of The Bracken Trust,why not check out Skydive Swansea's web site - all the information you need to know is on this site. Take it from one who knows, its a great experience and one I would gladly do again (besides, the outfits are quite fetching!!!). Everyone at the centre are very helpful - www.skydiveswansea.co.uk

The 6th Form of Llandrindod Wells High School are organising a number of fundraising events throughout the year 2008/2009 and The Bracken Trust is one of their choosen Charities to benefit from these events. A big "THANK YOU" to all the pupils who will be involved in these events - and Good Luck!

The Bracken Trust always looking for new volunteers. If you could spare a few hours a week/month we would be very grateful. So if you are a keen gardener or a good listener, why not contact Jane our nurse manager for a chat on how you could be of help.

THE BIG LOTTERY PEOPLE AND PLACES

As you will have seen in the press, we have been very fortunate to receive funding from The Big Lottery in the sum of £168,875 spread over the next 3 years.

This is absolutely fantastic news as this funding is to extend our services and support to others in the community. With this funding, and our forthcoming link to Macmillan, who are to provide a Cancer Information Worker at The Trust for the next 5 years, we will have the opportunity to help many more people in the Community. Well done to all who have put so much time into developing the bid.

Please remember that this is additional funding to extend our services so we still need to continue to fundraise to provide our existing support