The Glyn News Publishing Committee would welcome new members, meetings are held monthly at 21 Cae'r Ysgol. For details contact Rona Bates on 718354.

The past two weeks I’ve been watching the buzzards, particularly the pair that nest above us and the next pair about a mile up the valley. I have always believed that they moulted only once a year in late summer, yet the young ones from last year are looking exceedingly tatty. The adults are in magnificent condition, sleek and glossy and appear to have had a good winter. Is it possible that the young have an extra moult before spring in their first year or is it the hardship of having to fend for themselves? Nothing I have read tells me about this aspect so any information would be gratefully received.
Green Woodpeckers are a lot less common than the Great Spotted, I have not seen one since last summer, but they are still here as while walking I heard the distinctive call. The term used for this sound when I was young was ‘yaffle’, while my brother-in-law in East Anglia would use that word as the name for the green woodpecker. It is sad that a lot of these old terms are becoming extinct as they add colour and roundness to language, but they are being lost in the trend of creeping Americanisations.
The revitalized pond has proved a success with dozens of frogs having returned. It will not be long until the first frog spawn appears!
Tom Baker, Hyfrydle, Hen Ffordd, Dolywern Tel. 712835

A heartfelt thank you to all my family, friends and neighbours for the cards, flowers, visits and get well messages I received during my recent illness.
Many, many thanks
Mary Green
Pandy

Songbird in the Dark
Just before the sunrise, when we recall the women faithfully going to anoint Jesus at the grave on Easter Sunday, we awake to hear songbirds welcoming the dawn. Despite the darkness, we know that the radiant light of the sun will soon appear.
Fanny Crosby (1820–1915) has been called, 'The Songbird in the Dark'. Though blinded in infancy, she wrote hymns that inspired our relationship with Christ. Early in her life Fanny had a dream in which she saw the panorama of a glorious heaven, and many of her songs reflect that theme. By the time of her death, she had written 8,000 hymns. Songs such as, 'Tell Me the story of Jesus', 'Blessed Assurance' and 'To God Be the Glory' are still popular today.
When Zacharias, John the Baptist's father, praised God in anticipation of the Messiah, he also looked forward to a spiritual sunrise. Citing Malachi 4:2 he proclaimed: 'The Dayspring ( Sunrise ) from on high has visited us; to give light to those who sit in darkness' (Luke 1:78–79). That Messiah came to earth, died for our sins, rose again, ascended, and promised to return for us.
Do you feel surrounded by dark and confusing circumstances? You can still lift your praise to God for the bright future you will share with His Son. The words of Fanny Crosby's beloved hymn 'Blessed Assurance' encourage us as we anticipate this glorious reunion with Christ.
Blessed assurance, Jesus is mine !
O what a foretaste of glory divine !
Heir of salvation, purchase of God,
Born of His Spirit, washed in His blood.
Let us remember that for the Christian, the dark sorrows of earth will one day be changed into the bright songs of heaven. As we recall this fact. Be Blessed.
Yours in Christ Glyn
Rev R. Glyn Jones, Bryn Glas, Glyn Ceiriog, Llangollen , LL20 7EU . Tel : 01691 718086; mob: 07760 328752