Over for another year, the Scampagnata was a great success with beautiful weather and a fun day for all. See some of the pictures below and feel free to send any of your own in for us to put online!

Thanks to all who came, see you at our next event!

123►

Original Post:
It’s that time of year again… dust off your deckchairs for the annual Scampagnata!!! Held on Fathers Day, 20th June, the Scampagnata is always a fun filled day for the whole family. With bocce, sports, bouncy castle and more, there is never a dull moment. Mass will be at 12:30pm.

Location: Belmont Abbey, Hereford

Date: Sunday 20th June

The first Welsh national memorial to the Arandora Star tragedy will be unveiled in a ceremony in Cardiff’s Metropolitan Cathedral of St David, Charles Street, Cardiff on 2nd July, 2010. The memorial is being created by the Welsh-Italian artist, Susanna Ciccotti, from Swansea and world-famous stone carver, Ieuan Rees, from Ammanford.

Doors open at 10am and various items will presede a 12 noon Mass. The memorial unveiling will take place during Mass.

Would any disabled persons attending please inform Romeo on 01443 773 028 or Maria on 01443 771 397, well before the day.

An article by Bruna Chezzi published on www.parmaepiacenzaonline.it. View the article here.

Sento la nostalgia del mio passato…, a Natale, nel Galles si festeggia pensando all’Italia… di Bruna Chezzi, Cardiff. (articolo sulla cena natalizia del 29 Dicembre).

Ore 18, partenza da Cardiff. Comincia l’avventura…Un minibus pieno di studenti d’italiano, una canzone da imparare per scaldarci un po’ e prepararci alla serata…Volare, oh oh, cantare, oh oh oh…Impariamo qualche parola nuova di italiano, mentre con entusiasmo arriviamo a Blacwood,una piccola cittadina gallese a nord di Cardiff.

Finalmente eccoci, davanti a noi uno splendido albergo in stile georgiano, sulla cima di una collina; un quadretto pittoresco tra il buio dei boschi tutt’intorno e le luci della citta` a valle. Pare gia` un presepio! Siamo tra i primi ad arrivare…un bicchiere in compagnia davanti al caminetto del bar, un ospite un po’ speciale dall’Italia ci intrattiene e conversa piacevolmente con gli studenti mentre gli ospiti arrivano piano piano, sorridono, si abbracciano e si salutano in italiano! Per un momento pare d’essere in Italia! Si scalda l’atmosfera e comincia la festa!

La serata e` all’insegna dell’ospitalita` e la simpatia degli Amici Valceno Galles, la buona e semplice cucina emiliana…alcuni membri del comitato si son fatti cuochi per una sera (un evento raro e da sfruttare senza dubbio, soprattutto per le mogli di alcuni di loro!), l’estrazione dei premi della lotteria, e per finire tutti a ballare il ballo liscio con la sua allegria e un tocco di nostalgia!

E` ormai una tradizione consolidata per gli Amici Val Ceno Galles riunirsi alla fine di novembre e celebrare l’avvento del Natale ricordando le proprie origini emiliane con una cena nataliza a cui partecipano piu` di cento persone. Alle loro feste c’e` sempre spazio per chiunque dimostri curiosita`, interesse e simpatia per la comunita` italo-gallese e le iniziative del gruppo. Spesso i pomeriggi e le serate con gli amici Val Ceno sono un’opportunita` per risfoderare qualche vecchia abitudine, come il gioco della briscola o le bocce, e incontrare vecchi e nuovi amici che hanno in comune un legame con l’Italia e con il Galles.

Da 9 anni insegno la lingua e la cultura italiana all’Universita` di Cardiff, faccio ricerca e mi occupo di vari aspetti della comunita` italiana nel Galles meridionale. Adoro sentirmi parte di due culture e mi piace poter trasmettere la ricchezza di questo connubio agli studenti che vengono alle mie lezioni per imparare l’italiano,la storia e la cultura dell’Italia. E cosi`, anche quest’anno ho portato un gruppo di ragazzi e adulti di diverse nazionalita` alla tradizionale cena natalizia degli Amici Val Ceno.

Durante la serata abbiamo assaporato un pezzo di storia dell’immigazione italiana nel Galles, la cultura italiana attraverso il cibo, le danze, la canzone popolare e il folclore del dialetto bardigiano che assume un accento gallese, quel senso di cameratismo e impegno sociale nei confronti di due paesi, quello di origine e quello di adozione.

Io e i miei studenti abbiamo veramente apprezzato tutto questo e per noi il Natale e` gia`cominciato in compagnia degli Amici Val Ceno Galles, nel segno della pace tra Paesi e culture diverse!
Buon Natale al Galles e agli amici italiani nel mondo! Spero che sia per tutti un Natale tranquillo, che guarda alle cose semplici e buone di una volta, per preservarle e trasmetterle alle generazioni future. Buon Natale a tutti con l’amicizia e l’affetto delle persone vicine e quelle lontane per la distanza, ma vicine nel cuore!

Saturday 3rd October at St. David’s Cathedral in Charles St. Cardiff
(behind Marks ans Spencer Queen St. store).

Special Concert by Cwmbach Male Choir and soprano Sally Kingsbury accompanied by Ryan Wood.

7.30 pm start to end about 9.30 so you can hear the concert then go out on the town!
Admission only £6.00 (ASMF)

Visita al Cimiterodi Guerra in Beechly, Chepstow.
Date: Sunday 1st November
Details Sig.na Nilde. Tel 02920 549 838 (ACLI)

Pranzo Natalizio at St. Mary’s Hall, Canton, Cardiff.
Date: 6th December.
Details Sig.na Nilde 02920 549 838 or M.Fantini 01443 670 752 (ACLI).

Tha annual AVC Christmas Cena at Blackwood’s Maes Manor Hotel has been announced for Sunday 29th November.

Make sure you let everyone know, do not keep it to yourself – tell your family and friends – especially those without access to the net – and do come along and support.

Book with any committee member ASAP please.

Contact: Mary Strinati (01443 771397), Paul Pelopeda (01443 862634) or any committee member.

UPDATE:
by Dino Carpanini

With a forecast of an unpredictable summer for us to look forward to, Sunday June 21st did not prove to be an exception. The day dawned cloudy with the heavy scent of dampness in the air. As usual, the AVC committee were first on the scene to prepare for the day – setting up the bocce rinks, the sound system, car parking etc.

Mass was celebrated in the Abbey Church at 12 noon (in the absence of the organ, music by accordion!). This was followed by a picnic, by this time the slight rainfall we experienced prior to mid-day abated for all to enjoy their al fresco lunch.

The first event of the day being the draw and the commencement of the bocce knockout competition. Comprising of 32 teams, playing in pairs, the winning team would take away the prestigious AVC Challenge Trophy. During this long competition, other events took place in other parts of the field, including the childrens sports with short distance athletics races, throughly enjoyed by all our younger members – and of course, the great finale of these events being the tug-o-war with parents, grandparents and friends joining the boys and girls to make it an all action, fun loving event.

The raffle sales and prize winning draw proved its usual success, as the revenue it made along with the nominal entry charge for adults (children were free) helped to defray the expenses incurred on the day – such as charges for bouncy castles, sound systems, medals, trophies, prizes plus a contribution to Belmont Abbey for the use of their facilities.

The bocce competition ended late in the afternoon, with a large supportive crowd cheering on the finalists – Paul and Mark Tambini versus Domenico Casetta and his daughter Nesta. After a very close finish, Franco and Sandra’s sons emerged triumphant – winning by just ONE point. So well done the Tambini Bros. and better luck next time the Casettas!

A measure of the days success being that late into the evening, with the setting of the sun, a great number of AVC members and friends and guests were still engaged in a “firosso” on a grand scale. Catching up on news, events of the past and looking forward to meeting again in the summer in Bardi.

We look forward to seeing you all next year.

ORIGINAL POST:
Boce and Sports, Bouncy Castle and more… the Scampagnata is always a fun filled day for the whole family. Mass will be at 12:30pm.

Location: Belmont Abbey, Hereford

Date: Sunday 21st June

Price: £5

UPDATE

Our Pasta Night at the Maes Manor Hotel was again a successful evenong with Music and MC by Tony Kingsbury.

Raffle Prizes included cloth and table settings woven in Ethiopia especially for this event.

A new feature was a sing-along to the Valtaro Chorus Musette.

Words were supplied and we had a Welsh-Italian gathering singing along to the Valtaro Musette of America and the songs were Val Ceno folk from the distant past. A mixture which worked very well!!

Special guests were a table of Bruna Chezzi students of Italian from Cardiff and we hope to see them again next year as well.

The AVC guys and dolls provided excellent fare and were thanked for their efforts. Again, we hope to repeat next year but we have a special request – we need more young people, of any nationality (!), to attend and we are open to suggestions and ideas.

Watch for next years dates…

ORIGINAL POST:
We’ve announced the date for out Pasta Night and Disco, be sure to come along!

Location: Maes Manor, Blackwood

Date: Sunday March 22nd

Time: 7pm

Price: £12

UPDATE – RESULTS

At the recent Welsh Briscola Tournament held at Miskin RC Church Hall, players and observers enjoyed a successful social evening, with surprising results!

After a few hours play we arrived at the Semi Finals where Mike Romanello and Giovanni Arianna were beaten by Pino Boggiani and Remo Fecci.
And Joe Moruzzi with partner Tony Emmanuelu were knocked out by Domenico Casetta and Nicesio Fantini.

The Final produced the tightest of games when Remo and Pino, leading by 4 to 1, were then inexplicably defeated by 5 games to 4!! How tight can it get? So new Champions are Domenico Casetta and Nocesio Fantini.

Thanks to the ladies who kindly provided delicious tortas, pane dolce and rolls (and Welsh Cakes!).

Also to Mary Strinati, Maria Moruzzi and their kitchen helpers and Domenica Bachetta for admission control.
Congratulations to Winners, commiserations to losers.

Thank you all for your company and hope to see you next year.

ORIGINAL POST:

Our annual Briscola event has been annonuced. Be sure not to miss out of a fun filled evening.

Location: All Hallows Miskin Talbot Green

Date: Sunday 8th March

Time: 7pm

Price: £3