Exhibition of Work Produced by Ammanford Stroke Group 2014

Exciting news! Ammanford Stroke Group will have an exhibition of work produced by group members in 2014.  Our work will be displayed in Ammanford Library from 25th January until 18th February 2014, with a private viewing on 24th January 2014 between 5pm and 7pm.  On view will be art work and weaving which will be available to purchase. 

Market Stall 6th December 2013

Preparations for this year's Christmas stall are well under way.  We've been busy making some lovely items to sell to raise funds for our group.  Christmas Yule Logs, bags, decorations, filled mugs and cups, paper weights, cards, hand made wooden spoons and cork boards and much more.  Please spread the word.

 

6th November 2013

We are really busy this term undertaking different craft projects that we hope to sell in December at the market in Ammanford.  Items we are making include yule logs, decoupage gift boxes and paper weights.  Here are some of the members working hard!

 

 

 

 

Don't forget - Curry Night in Sunderban on Monday 11th November  - 6.30pm start.

 

 

Exciting News:  Julie has arranged for an exhibition of our work to be shown in Ammanford Library in January 2014.  Exhibits will include our weaving projects and paintings we have completed.

 



We're Back!

Our group is back after the summer break!  First day back spent catching up with each others news. 

We are in the process of making a digital film that will be used to promote our group.  Claire, our IT tutor, has given us lots of ideas and will be guiding us through the process of making the film.  Hopefully, we'll be able to use the skills we learn at home.  It's proving to be quite a challenge but lots of fun - can't wait for the finished article.

Julie will be back for art lessons on 2.10.13.  Don't forget, if you have any of the following at home which you no longer require, bring them to group for our next art project:
Beaded Jewellery
White Crockery
Photo Frames
Embroidery Looms.

Ideas for the venue for Christmas dinner required.  Christine will be bringing a few menus to group but if you have any suggestions, just say! 

Stroke Club in the Park

17th July

Well, we couldn't have wished for better weather!  A very enjoyable morning in Ammanford Park (although we did wonder where the men had got to with the coffees - maybe they had a cheeky bacon sandwich?!).

 

 

Caption Competition - can you tell us what you think Christine is saying?

 

 

 

Lots more photos on the page "Stroke Club in the Park".

 

 

Don't forget, ten-pin bowling next week!  Hope you're in training...... 



10th July

It was Julie's last art session before the summer break.  Most of us managed to finish our mixed media work - a selection can be seen below:

Dates for your diary:

17th July - weather permitting, we will be meeting in Ammanford park for a coffee - 10am and bring a chair!

24th July - Group trip Ten Pin Bowling in Carmarthen. If you're going on the bus, don't forget we're meeting in Tesco car park. Ten pin bowling will be followed by lunch at the Caraway, Pensarn. I don't think it's true that the loser has to pay!!

31st July - Last meeting at the Pensioners' Hall before the summer break

14th August - Meeting for coffee at Pontardulais Garden Centre, 10.30ish.

4th September - Normal service resumes - 10am, Pensioners' Hall

Pegasus Scheme

We had an interesting talk from a Community Police Officer about the Pegasus Scheme. It's for people who live or work in the Carmarthenshire, Ceredigion, Pembrokeshire or Powys area and are independent in the community but have an illness or disability which makes it hard to speak to the police in a difficult situation. By ringing 101 and using a password that you have supplied, a Police Officer will come to you to help you - this does not replace emergency 999 calls. It is a free scheme, all you need to do is complete an application form which is available from your local Community Police Officer.

 

Computer lessons are back!

3rd July 2013
A warm welcome to Claire, our new IT tutor.  Lessons are back on for those who want help.

We're continuing the mixed media theme in art, this week using watercolour and coloured pencils.

Watch this space for what's happening over the summer period! Update next week.

26th June 2013

This week we've been working in mixed media - ink and water colour.  Below is some of the work we're in the process of completing.

Date for your diary:
On 24th July are going to Carmarthen to enjoy a game of ten-pin bowling, followed by a spot of lunch. 

Although there will be no club during the six weeks holiday, we hope to arrange a couple of unofficial get togethers.  Watch this space for more information.

5th June 2013

Today we have been working with pastels - very messy but lots of fun!  Under Julie's guidance, we are all producing work of an excellent standard and the improvement week on week is astonishing.

DON'T FORGET - next week, 12th June, there will be no club in Ammanford.  Instead, we are meeting at the Coastal Cafe, North Dock, Llanelli for a coffee and a chat at about 10.30.   Hope to see you there!

8th May 2013

Today we've been practicing our drawing skills by copying a ballet dancer drawn by Degas.  Some of our efforts are below.

 

 

 

Some dates for your diary:

 

 

We are making a hamper to raffle at "An evening of Song" which is being held on 18th May 2013 at the Ammanford Theatre.  If you would like to contribute to the hamper, please bring £2.00 to club on 15th May.  The hamper will be purchased from the contributions received.

 

No club on 29th May as it is half term.

 

 

Club resumes as normal 5th June 2013.

 

 

Julie is away on 12th June so we will be going to the Coastal Cafe in Llanelli (with perhaps a spot of shopping in Trostre!).  Full details to follow.

 

 

We're also looking for suggestions for our summer trip/activity.  So far we have had kayaking, horse riding and a spa day.  Please feel free to put your own ideas forward.

Easter Fun!

March 27th

Our last session before Easter saw group members making seasonal flower displays and drawing Easter Eggs.  

 

All efforts were judged and prizes were awarded as follows: 

 

Drawing Challenge:

1st           Sian Evans

2nd          Gareth Jones

 

Flower display:

1st            Sharron Molloy

2nd           Belinda Jones

 

Winner of the Easter raffle:

Pam Burns

 

 

Everyone agreed that the judges had a really tough job because everybody had created something special!

 

 



 

 

 

 

For those that have booked, we are meeting at Garnant Golf Club for coffee and lunch on 17th April.  We are back to normal club venue and time on 24th April. 

 

Happy Easter everybody - have a good one!

Mick's Last Day

 

 

 

 

Mick, our IT tutor, delivered his last session today as he is moving on to pastures new.  During his time at BLAS, Mick has been a brilliant teacher and has enabled many of us to undertake tasks on the computer that we didn't think we were capable of.  We all wish him the best in his new ventures. 

 

Next week, 27th March, will be the last session before our Easter break.

Ammanford BLAS does Comic Relief!

Raising money for Comic Relief

 

Ammanford BLAS raised over £80.00 from their activities during club on 13th March.  When asked to wear something red and silly, they certainly didn't disappoint anyone.  Here are a few of our best dressed members!

 



Money was raised from cake sales, raffle and a "guess the baby" competition.  The morning was a great success, lots of fun and we raised money for a worthy cause.

Our art teacher, Julie, made sure we didn't miss our art lesson and we were taught how to use light and shadows when drawing.  To keep in with the theme of the day, we created some red noses - here are a selection.

28th February 2013

This term, Julie is teaching us to draw using the right side of our brain!  We're currently doing drawing exercises that are specifically designed to help us understand the shift from the dominant left-hemisphere mode to the sub-dominant right-mode when drawing.  The exercises are really challenging but good fun.  In a few weeks we will be doing self-portraits - should be interesting!  I'll publish them on here when they're finished and we can guess who's who!

Comic Relief 2013
We are raising funds for Comic Relief this year.  All members have been invited to wear something red and silly, bake some cakes and/or bring friends or relatives (all of this being completely optional).  We will be having a "Guess the Baby" competition so don't forget to bring those photos with you.

Assessment Time

Having worked really hard this term our assessment folders were put together to be sent off to see if we deserve a certificate!  Here's Julie explaining what's happening to Peter.

 

 

We also celebrated a special Birthday with Jean, one of our wonderful volunteers, who is pictured here with her bouquet.  The cake was lovely ;-))

 

 

 

Just a reminder, no club next week as it's half term.  See you on the 20th Feb!

 

Back to Normal After the Snow!

BLAS resumed normal service this morning after the snow kept a few members from attending last week.

Julie is continuing to teach us watercolour techniques for the rest of this term - a few pictures of us hard at work!


 



Happy New Year!

Club starts again on 9th January.  We had a very busy December, beginning with our presence at Ammanford Craft Market.  We had a stall where we sold various items that were all made by our members.  We held our Christmas Dinner at the Mountain Gate and we also celebrated Belinda's 50th Birthday.  On a much sadder note, we had to say goodbye to two dear friends, Sue and Jim.  They will be greatly missed.