For more information please visit https://www.skylarkinternational.org/

The Cross Keys Llanfyllin Community Interest Company objectives are to carry on activities which benefit the whole community within the Ysgol Llanfyllin Catchment Area and in particular to:

1. Facilitate the advancement of the Evangelical Alliance Basis of Faith
2. Facilitate the advancement of Christian Permaculture principles. We are adopting these principles to facilitate a healthy Christian community
3. Facilitate the advancement of the Wellbeing of Future Generations (Wales) Act 2015
4. Facilitate the advancement of community development and cohesion by providing community space. At Cross Keys we aim to provide opportunities for spiritual, personal, social, health, sport and educational development
5. Facilitate the full integration of disabled or disadvantaged persons

In pursuing these objectives, the Company shall act in accordance with sustainable development principles and aim at achieving the well-being goals, as defined by the Well-being of Future Generations (Wales) Act 2015.

Managing Directors - Responsible for the day to day running and leading of all aspects of the Crosskeys ensuring that the CIC objectives are being met.

Darren Mayor was called to serve God in a full-time capacity from the age of 10. His career has included working for a church in Cardiff for four years, being the IMPACT Christian Schools Worker in Montgomeryshire for 24 years, church leadership - Llanfyllin Community Church AOG minister 2003 – 2016 as well as helping establish a Scottish retirement home, farm labouring, local firefighting and to being an elected member of Powys County Council, where he served on the cabinet carrying the portfolio of Adult and Children Social Services and Housing. This has given Darren Mayor a wealth of experience and understanding of meeting the spiritual and social needs of people from many diverse backgrounds and situations, both on a local and national level. 

Shan Mayor: A trained teacher, natural pioneer, entrepreneur and problem solver, Shan has been involved in funding and getting involved in a variety of community initiatives; founding and leading Llanfyllin Community Church for over 13 years and established a childcare business, Closeknit Teulu Agos, that employed 4 people for 5 years , providing work for local women, and has looked after the children of 15 local families to date. Shan is also an experienced children and family’s worker, enabling people to access training to achieve their personal aspirations.  With 4 children of her own, she has cared and supported many families with different needs.  A trained primary teacher Shan has worked in all aspects of education – primary, secondary school RE teacher, independent faith schools and schools set up to support young people with social emotional and behavioural challenges. She has worked as an outreach worker for the North Montgomeryshire Pupil Referral Unit and as a result has had close contact with many local families. Enjoying every aspect of life and believing that one of the most important aspects of community is celebrating the good things, Shan is part of many communities – book clubs, walking groups, singing groups and sewing groups.

Managing Directors - Supporting Darren and Shan and making sure that the CIC's objectives are being met.

Joy Nurcombe: A passion for empowering others to reach their full God-given potential, an aptitude for teaching, extensive training in communication skills, and an ability to lead equipped Joy to pioneer a Christian school in Wiltshire and another school in Kenya in the early years of her career in education. A clear understanding of the Bible and a deep personal faith is the foundation for an ongoing commitment to help others find God for themselves.   Joy has been involved in several church start-ups, including one in the Middle East, where she and her husband lived for over ten years and they currently continue to lead church groups within the local community in Bristol.  During times of great challenge, Joy brings a trust in God, an acceptance of His sovereignty and His promise to equip us for any circumstance.  A positive outlook, quiet determination in the face of adversity, a commitment to persevere, an ability to talk through problems to find solutions, and experience in conflict resolution all contribute to equip Joy to be a dependable leader even in very difficult times.  

Phil Nurcombe:

Phil, a dedicated professional, embarked on his career in the Defence industry, which has taken him on a global journey. Through hard work and dedication, he has risen to a senior management position. As an experienced project manager, he brings valuable skills to the team, applying systematic and strategic thinking to achieve desired outcomes. Phil's deep faith, quiet trust, and wisdom are the guiding forces in both his professional and personal life. These qualities have not only shaped his career but have also made him a dependable leader in times of challenge and uncertainty.

Kevin and Linsey Potter: Ordained pastors with Skylark International, Kevin and Linsey have been involved in a myriad of integrated faith-based church and development work. In the early part of 2016, after working for 26 years in India, UK, Mexico and the USA, their journey has taken them from the city of Angels on the West Coast of America (where Kevin was the Faith Coordinator and then Interim Director for Oasis USA, and Linsey undertook two masters’ courses at Fuller Theological Seminary), to Peppard Common. Up to March 2018, Kevin & Linsey facilitated Springwater Church to develop and strengthen its structure and community life. Since the March of 2018 the church invited them to become Senior Ministers/Co-Pastors at Springwater Church. They are also involved in a wide range of other initiatives and organisations both within and outside the UK. Their work Springwater, involves mentoring others, board development and kingdom issues connected with development and justice.

The Cross Keys is a CIC.

As a CIC those who wish to become members can apply to the Directors to be considered for membership if they are in agreement with the CIC Objectives as laid down in the Articles of Association. 

From the Membership, Directors are appointed to ensure that the CIC fulfils the objectives.

The Cross Keys from the beginning, seems to be a place that has carried a commitment to growth, support and celebration in it’s DNA. Like the Skylark, who is one of the first birds to break the dawn The Cross Keys has been innovative in order to catch the opportunity to grow and thrive in its environment. The Cross Keys is a place of support and hospitality, and as the Skylark is said to connect heaven and earth by living on the ground yet soaring into heaven so does The Cross Keys symbol – reminding people to access heavenly support to help make the earth a better place. The Cross Keys is also a place of celebration like the Skylark which just has to sing its’ song.

None of us were there when someone took the opportunity to invest in the building of a hall house during the 16^th century in the small developing town of Llanfyllin and chose to do so on the increasingly busy Bala to Shrewsbury Road.

None of us were there when an enterprising person seized the opportunity to capitalize on the hall house’s central position in one of the principal market towns of Montgomeryshire according to John Speed in 1650, and change it to a public house.

None of us were there when in the 18^th century when someone wanted to improve the space in The Cross Keys so added a new three gabled front and add the upstairs rooms to make living quarters. Some of us were here when Alan Shakeshaft added an extension to the back of The Cross keys and added new toilets and built the new flats at the back of The Cross Keys.

Most of us were here when The Community Church was contacted in 2012 to see if we could save the now-closed pub and ensure it remained a community hub for the town and all of us have seen the subsequent emergence of the new The Cross Keys Llanfyllin CIC – Community Hub, Ty Coffi, Ty Gweddi, Ty Bendithion.  The Cross Keys has been owned it seems over the centuries by ‘skylarks’ – people who are part of the dawn chorus and are natural innovators so ensuring The Cross Keys is here today!

Hospitality and support from the outset

From the very outset The Cross Keys had at its very heart the gift of hospitality and support symbolized by a coal fire around which everyone was welcome to work, rest and play. A hall house would traditionally have been the place where the Lord of the manor lived with his servants - rich and poor mingling together around the fire for warmth and food. The fire still glows in The Cross Keys today and is a continued symbol of support and friendship that has stretched back throughout the centuries. Alan Shakeshaft himself was the embodiment of this and was always happy to share his money with people he felt needed an encouragement or asked for help. God also has had His part in the story of the Cross Keys and has shown He too wants to be part of the support network in the Llanfyllin community. He has always been around and maybe it was he who inspired the person to build the hall house where he did; He who nudged the person who chose The Cross Keys as the name of their new public house because he could see how He was going to miraculously intervene in 2014 to ensure The Cross Keys still provided support in Llanfyllin; He who somehow ensured Alan built the flats knowing how much people would need homes in the current climate! Maybe it was even He who woke the Cain Valley Hotel landlord up suddenly in the middle of the night so he would notice the flames coming from the Cross Keys and get help! Regardless, He is always inviting us to be like the Skylark and reach up to heaven in prayer so that His help and blessings can be poured out on earth increasingly.

Skylarks are considered to be one of the best bird songsters in the world and celebration parties, singing and dancing have always been part of The Cross Keys culture. At one point as we all know Alan planned to build a night club behind The Cross Keys! Now the Community hub enjoys plenty of opportunity to celebrate with Jazz nights, open Mic and being a venue for people to hire and host private parties. The Cross Keys Directors and Ty Gweddi feel they also have a particular reason to sing songs of worship to God as the miraculous way God provided for Darren and Shan to buy The Cross Keys reveals His power, His love, His faithfulness despite the trials we go through and amazing attention to detail at every level.

How The Cross Keys came to open in 2014

On August 3rd – 10th 2014 Darren and Shan were at a crossroads in their lives and had an opportunity to buy The Cross Keys. Before making the decision to go ahead they went on a Christian retreat to ask God to show them what to do. They had to let the owners know by August 11^th if they wanted it.

Questions they had to ask God

Were they to work together as ministers?         Yes                                                                                                  

The retreat was in the boarding school which 25 years was hosting the summer Cardiff Christian Camps and whilst Darren and Shan were working together there someone felt prompted by God to pray they would marry and serve God together when they saw them working together. Over the years it had become a Christian Centre Ellel Ministeries Pierrepoint Farnham.

Were they to continue serving God in Llanfyllin?  Yes

Hanging in Ellel Ministry Pierrepoint’s corridor was a large A0 map. Llanfyllin was represented on it but not places like Welshpool, Oswestry – when Darren and Shan went to show people where Llanfyllin was they were very surprised.

 If so were they to buy The Cross Keys?       Yes                                                                                                               

On arriving at the retreat, they needed £50,000 by the following Monday 11th August.  They decided to ask some friends who were Financial Advisers if they knew anyone who had £50,000 who would be interested in investing in the project – but not before they asked God for a sign.

The next day the passage being studied was the Bible passage that The Cross Keys symbol represents – Mathew 16:19. Darren and Shan felt this was sign enough. They approached one of the financial advisors on Sat 9^th August. He explained that that week he and his wife were doing an audit of their finances and had £50,000 that they were praying to God about what they should do with it! They were happy to support our venture.

The Cross Keys Llanfyllin CIC Skylark International is a place that has enjoyed the privilege of journeying with innovators and growing throughout the centuries whilst maintaining at its core a passion to welcome everyone in and provide the support needed. The story of The Cross Keys through the centuries speaks of God's incredible attention to detail and love, delight and place for each one of us. As we look into the future this can encourage us not only to be confident He has gone before us but gives us every reason like the Skylark to always sing and celebrate God s love, despite uncertainty, and fly up to the heavens to ask for help here on earth!

The Crosskeys Llanfyllin CIC – rhan o Skylark International - lle i dyfu, cefnogi a dathlu!  Mae'n ymddangos bod y Crosskeys o'r dechrau yn lle sydd wedi cario ymrwymiad i dwf, cefnogaeth a dathlu yn ei DNA. Fel yr Ehedydd, un o'r adar cyntaf i dorri'r wawr, mae'r Crosskeys wedi bod yn arloesol er mwyn dal y cyfle i dyfu a ffynnu yn ei hamgylchedd. Mae'r Crosskeys yn lle o gefnogaeth a lletygarwch ac fel y dywedir bod yr Ehedydd yn cysylltu'r nefoedd a'r ddaear trwy fyw ar y ddaear ond eto'n esgyn i'r nefoedd, felly hefyd y mae symbol y Cross Keys - atgoffa pobl i gael gafael ar gefnogaeth nefol i helpu i wneud y ddaear yn lle gwell. Mae'r Crosskeys hefyd yn lle i ddathlu fel yr Ehedydd sy'n canu ei gân.

Nid oedd yr un ohonom yno pan fanteisiodd rhywun ar y cyfle i fuddsoddi mewn adeiladu t ŷneuadd yn ystod yr 16eg ganrif yn nhref fach ddatblygol Llanfyllin a dewis gwneud hynny ar ffordd gynyddol brysur o'r Bala i'r Amwythig.

Nid oedd yr un ohonom yno pan fanteisiodd rhywun mentrus ar y cyfle i fanteisio ar safle canolog y neuadd yn un o brif drefi marchnad Sir Drefaldwyn yn ôl John Speed yn 1650, a'i newid yn dafarn.

Nid oedd yr un ohonom yno pan yn y 18fed ganrif pan oedd rhywun eisiau gwella'r gofod yn The Crosskeys felly ychwanegodd ffrynt tair talcen newydd ac ychwanegu'r ystafelloedd i fyny'r grisiau i fod yn drigfan.

Roedd rhai ohonom yma pan ychwanegodd Alan Shakeshaft estyniad i gefn The Crosskeys ac ychwanegu toiledau newydd ac adeiladu'r fflatiau newydd yng nghefn The Crosskeys.

Roedd y rhan fwyaf ohonom yma pan gysylltwyd â'r Eglwys Gymunedol yn 2012 i weld a allem achub y dafarn sydd bellach wedi cau a sicrhau ei bod yn parhau i fod yn ganolbwynt cymunedol i'r dref ac mae pob un ohonom wedi gweld ymddangosiad dilynol CIC newydd Crosskeys Llanfyllin, dan reolaeth Darren a Shan Mayor — Hwb Cymunedol, Tŷ Coffi, Tŷ Gweddi, Tŷ Bendithion. Mae'n ymddangos dros y canrifoedd mai 'ehedyddion' sydd wedi bod yn berchen ar The Crosskeys — pobl sy'n rhan o gorws y wawr ac yn arloeswyr naturiol ac felly yn sicrhau bod y Crosskeys yma heddiw!

O'r cychwyn cyntaf, wrth wraidd y Crosskeys oedd y rhodd o letygarwch a chefnogaeth a symbolwyd gan dân glo yr oedd croeso i bawb weithio, gorffwys a chwarae o’i amgylch. T ŷ neuadd yn draddodiadol fyddai'r man lle'r oedd Arglwydd y faenor yn byw gyda'i weision - cyfoethog a thlawd yn cymysgu gyda'i gilydd o amgylch y tân am gynhesrwydd a bwyd. Mae'r tân yn dal i dywynnu yn y Crosskeys heddiw ac mae'n symbol parhaus o gefnogaeth a chyfeillgarwch sydd wedi ymestyn yn ôl ar hyd y canrifoedd. Roedd Alan Shakeshaft ei hun yn ymgorfforiad o hyn ac roedd bob amser yn hapus i rannu ei arian gyda phobl yr oedd yn teimlo bod angen anogaeth arnynt neu oedd yn gofyn am gymorth. Mae Duw hefyd wedi cael Ei ran yn stori'r Crosskeys ac wedi dangos Ei fod hefyd eisiau bod yn rhan o'r rhwydwaith cefnogi   yng nghymuned Llanfyllin. Mae bob amser wedi bod o gwmpas ac efallai mai Ef a ysbrydolodd y person i adeiladu'r t neuadd lle gwnaeth; Ef a wnaeth ysgogi’r person a ddewisodd The ŷ Crosskeys fel enw eu tafarn newydd oherwydd Ei fod yn gallu gweld sut roedd yn mynd I ymyrryd yn wyrthiol yn 2014 i sicrhau bod y Crosskeys yn dal i ddarparu cefnogaeth yn Llanfyllin; Ef a rywsut a sicrhaodd fod Alan yn adeiladu'r fflatiau gan wybod faint fyddai angen cartrefi ar bobl yn yr hinsawdd bresennol! Efallai mai Ef wnaeth ddeffro landlord y Cain Valley Hotel yn sydyn yng nghanol y nos fel y byddai'n sylwi ar y fflamau yn dod o'r Crosskeys a mynd i nôl cymorth! Serch hynny, mae Ef bob amser yn ein gwahodd i fod fel yr Ehedydd ac estyn I fyny i'r nefoedd mewn gweddi fel y gellir tywallt Ei help a'i fendithion ar y ddaear fwyfwy.

Mae ehedyddion yn cael eu hystyried yn un o adar canu gorau’r byd ac mae partïon dathlu, canu a dawnsio wedi bod yn rhan o ddiwylliant y Crosskeys erioed. Ar un adeg, fel y gwyddom I gyd, roedd Alan yn bwriadu adeiladu clwb nos y tu ôl i’r Crosskeys! Nawr mae'r hwb Cymunedol yn mwynhau digon o gyfle i ddathlu gyda nosweithiau Jazz, nosweithiau Meic Agored a bod yn lleoliad y gellid ei logi a chynnal partïon preifat yno. Teimla Cyfarwyddwyr y Crosskeys a T ŷ Gweddi fod ganddynt hefyd reswm arbennig i ganu caneuon o addoliad i Dduw gan fod y ffordd wyrthiol a ddarparodd Duw i Darren a Shan brynu’r Crosskeys yn datgelu Ei rym, Ei gariad, Ei ffyddlondeb er gwaethaf y treialon yr awn drwyddynt a sylw anhygoel i fanylion ar bob lefel.

Ar 3 – 10 Awst 2014 roedd Darren a Shan ar groesffordd yn eu bywydau a chawsant gyfle I brynu’r Crosskeys. Cyn penderfynu bwrw ymlaen aethant ar encil Cristnogol i ofyn i Dduw ddangos iddynt beth i'w wneud. Roedd yn rhaid iddynt roi gwybod i'r perchnogion erbyn Awst 11 os oeddent ei eisiau.

Cwestiynau yr oedd yn rhaid iddynt eu gofyn i Dduw A oeddent i gydweithio fel gweinidogion? Oeddent 

Roedd yr encil yn yr ysgol breswyl a 25 mlynedd ynghynt, teimlodd rhywun eu bod wedi eu hysgogi gan Dduw i weddïo y byddent yn priodi ac yn gwasanaethu Duw gyda'i gilydd pan welsant hwy'n cydweithio. Dros y blynyddoedd daeth yn Ganolfan Gristnogol.

A oedden nhw i barhau i wasanaethu Duw yn Llanfyllin? Oeddent

Roedd map A0 mawr yn hongian yn y coridor. Cynrychiolwyd Llanfyllin arno ond nid lleoedd fel Y Trallwng a Chroesoswallt. 

Os felly a oedden nhw i brynu’r Crosskeys? Oeddent

Ar ôl cyrraedd yr encil, roedd angen £50,000 arnynt erbyn dydd Llun 11 Awst. Penderfynon nhw ofyn i rai ffrindiau oedd yn Gynghorwyr Ariannol a oedden nhw’n adnabod unrhyw un â £50,000 a fyddai â diddordeb mewn buddsoddi yn y prosiect – ond nid cyn iddyn nhw ofyn i Dduw am arwydd. Y darn a oedd yn cael ei astudio’r diwrnod wedyn oedd y darn Beiblaidd y mae symbol y Crosskeys yn ei gynrychioli – Mathew 16:19. Teimlodd Darren a Shan fod hyn yn ddigon o arwydd. Aethant at un o'r cynghorwyr ariannol ar ddydd Sadwrn 9 Awst. Eglurodd ei fod ef a'i wraig yr wythnos honno yn gwneud archwiliad o'u cyllid a bod ganddynt 50,000 ac yn gweddïo ar Dduw am yr hyn y dylent ei wneud ag ef! Roeddent yn hapus i gefnogi ein menter.

Mae CBC y Crosskeys Llanfyllin Skylark International yn lle sydd wedi mwynhau'r fraint o deithio gydag arloeswyr a thyfu ar hyd y canrifoedd wrth gynnal angerdd i groesawu pawb wrth ei wraidd a darparu'r cymorth sydd ei angen. Mae stori’r Crosskeys ar hyd y canrifoedd yn sôn am sylw anhygoel Duw i fanylion a chariad, hyfrydwch a lle i bob un ohonom. Wrth i ni edrych i’r dyfodol gall hyn ein hannog nid yn unig i fod yn hyderus Ei fod wedi mynd o’n blaenau ond mae’n rhoi pob rheswm fel yr Ehedydd i ni bob amser ganu a dathlu cariad Duw, er gwaethaf ansicrwydd, a hedfan i fyny i’r nefoedd i ofyn am help yma ar y ddaear!

1. Prayer
2. Join in with Ty Gweddi
3. Volunteer in the Ty Coffi
4. Volunteer in the Maintenance Team
5. Give Financially
6. Help with Welsh Translation
7. Help with PR
8. Become a Member of the CIC

If you would like to get involved or make a gift to contribute towards our work of our CIC then please use the info below and kindly provide your details via our contact form. Many thanks!

The Cross Keys Llanfyllin