The Narth Hall on Sunday 29th December was going to be our shared ‘birthday tea’, but this year we were advertising it not just for family and friends. We must have been mad, because it wasn’t even ‘ticket only’: no, we just hoped that folks turned up!

I had picked up tips from ‘The Godseys’ when listening to them and knew that we had Val on the teapots, Everett on tables (and at the sink with the squeezy bottle if needed), Chris on the cakes with backing from Tina and Nicky with the sarnies. Roddy Boycott was on the balloon pumper whilst Judith practised battling with the bunting.

Originally, we thought we’d just offer light refreshments, but when the ‘sausage roll rush’ and the ‘demand for meringues’ were mentioned, we knew we needed more. A few requests from the gluten-free mob and we were ready to ‘rock n roll’. At first, we only had one punter - good ol’ reliable Sue Ked! But was anyone else going to turn up for this star performance? With five minutes to go before the start, Phil Bowen was now on the panic button! `No worries’, said Jon who was swinging the donation bucket, ‘they’re arriving!’. At 3pm we had a packed house. With Rob on the raffle and his backer June on the 50/50 board, all was happening.

After a bustling performance it was time for the prizes. With Anna on the whistle and Keith Mayo plucking the tickets whilst simultaneously drumming up business for Usk Show (he’s the chairman), the draw prizes were quickly handed out and the donation bucket was making for ‘heavy’.

Sally expressed thanks to all who came and stated that no one was to leave the building until the sarnies had gone.

Donations came thick and fast from everyone who attended and those who couldn’t (but had previously given). We really can’t thank you all enough for your generosity! Our ‘birthday tea’ raised over £1,000 for Velindre Hospital Fund, which was more than we could ever have imagined.

So watch this space, as by popular request we will return!

Sally Welsh and Phil Bowen (Lydart)