Montgomery School is one of the 190 schools involved in a climate change study which aims to find out how temperature changes are affecting flowering times in spring bulbs.

The children in Class 3 (Dosbarth Pen y Fan) are engaged with hands-on activities, reinforcing the essential basic skills needed for scientific enquiry.

They planted daffodil and crocus bulbs on the same day as all the other schools involved in the investigation, and are collecting daily temperature and rainfall readings which are uploaded weekly onto a national website.

Griff Dickinson in Year 4 said: “I was excited to be one of the first people to check the temperature and the rainfall on the first day. When the shoots start to grow above the soil then we will start to measure those too. I’m really excited to see what they look like in the spring.”

Alongside the spring bulbs project, Class 3 are also looking at the Webb telescope in science.

The class have their own Deep Space booklets where they investigate real engineers and scientists working on the Webb telescope which is about to be launched, and where they complete STEM challenges.

The children will soon be using a telescope in Australia to make observations of comet 67P and galaxies, communicating with scientists who are studying comet 67P.

Leon Edwards in Year 3 said: “It’s a fun way to learn about a new space telescope.”

Pops up delights

Montgomery will from this week be hosting not one but three pop-up shops in the lead up to Christmas, so no one need go any further afield for the opportunity to create a nostalgic celebration or find that special gift for someone.

Following their success over the summer, the pop-up shop at the Old Midland Bank House in Broad Street will be re-opening on Thursday, November 24 with the focus on all things Christmas.

They will have a selection of vintage, handcrafted and collectable items including tableware, linen, lighting, art and plants and will be open on Thursdays and Saturdays, from 10am to 3pm.

Made In Monty will be at the shop in Arthur Street (within the Institute building) from Friday, November 26, opening daily except Sunday from 10am to 4pm.

Val Padbury and artist husband Richard will have handmade Christmas decorations, jewellery designed and made by the pair, original artwork, and Christmas cards made using their own artwork. This stock will be complemented by great gift ideas; leather wallets, purses, belts and bags; scarves, gloves and more.

The Old Bell Gallery on Arthur Street will be home to a Christmas Pop-up Shop from Tuesday to Saturday each week from November 27, opening approximately 10.30am to 4pm.

There will be plenty of items from local artists and craftspeople including Janet Lewis’ “Handmade by Me”, Daisy Dunn, Rhian Owen, Tom Dando of Ilmarine Forge and Sandi Coppi.

Stock will include watercolours, cards, mugs, bunting, vintage jewellery, crocheted baskets, wash mitts, decorations, wax wraps, headbands, hats and gloves. The wide selection of items will include items with sustainability in mind, and prices will start from just £2 for stocking fillers and cards.

All three pop-up shops will be open until December 23. There will also be later opening of various shopping offerings in town on November 27 and December 16.

Canes have always been 'able'

The Monty Hour on December 1 will be a presentation “Stick and Cane” by Nikolaj Thon, who will introduce the history of sticks and canes which, in all their many variations, have become far more than a mere walking aid.

Certainly from the very beginning a stick was a weapon for hunting, defence and attack but even in prehistoric times, it also became a symbol of rulership and power, as well as of shepherd care.

Later sticks became sports equipment that is still popular today, and a fashion item first of the upper and then the middle class in the 18th to 20th centuries.

The classic cane is today - apart from notable exceptions - largely more a collector’s item, and in its practical use it has mostly reverted to its origins as a walking aid. It is therefore all the more interesting to take a look at the cultural-historical development of “cane and stick” and their use through the centuries.

To join the Monty Hour on Wednesdays, 7-8pm, go to https://montgomery.cloud/hour and click on the link or image at the top.

Compost tips

In November, the Montgomery Gardening Club was delighted to be able to host their first speaker in a long while in the form of Dr Wolfgang Schaefer from Cwm Weeg garden.

Many in the audience had visited this garden, which is linked to the National Gardens Scheme, and it always leaves lasting impressions.

Club members may have had talks on composting before, but Dr Schaefer enlightened them in many new ways, taking them on a journey to his childhood experiences in Germany, rainforests, and of course, his own marvellous garden in mid Wales.

The committee felt there was a reason to celebrate coming together in the Activity Centre after such a long break, and Nia Jones made the most wonderful cake for the occasion.

Anthea Wilson from the club said: “Composting at home has many benefits for our gardens and the climate, and the club encourages all gardeners to give it a go.”

Christmas Lights

Montgomery’s Christmas Lights are up, thanks to a team of volunteers, and will be switched on by the mayor, Jill Kibble, at 4.30pm on November 27.

This will follow hot drinks and mince pies being served in the town hall lower floor from 3.30pm.

Santa will also be present, giving out reindeer food to the children.

The local fire engine will be there, and Taste Montgomery will showcase local drinks and food provision for the festive season.

Local businesses will have festive window displays and local residents are welcomed to participate in this too leading up to Christmas.