Partnership association trip

THE ABERYSTWYTH/Kronberg partnership association had a successful trip to the Kronberg Christmas market in south west Germany in December. Ten members of the association attended to serve on the market stall.

Aberystwyth mayor, Endaf Edwards, was in attendance with two very talented musicians, Thomas Mathias (violinist) and Matthew Lam (pianist). The Aberystwyth market stall at the annual Kronberg Christmas market stands next to the Kronberg stall to sell and pro-mote mainly edible Welsh goods.

The Christmas market was one part of the eventful weekend during which the group visited the Eberbach monastery (established by Cistercians in 1136) with a guided tour and wine tasting. Next came a visit to the Weihnachts-markt in Mainz and a Kronberg Partnership meal with the other partnership towns – Ballenstedt in Germany, Le Lavandou in France and Porto Reconati in Italy. Here, Aberystwyth was represented by a mayoral speech and performances by the musicians, Thomas and Matthew. Both were well received and the evening concluded with very popular singing by the Italian Vittorio who has become a regular fixture for evening entertainment. The next day, some of the group took the train to nearby Frankfurt to see the sights which included the Bull and Bear figures in the financial district. It is from these that the terms ‘Bull’ and ‘Bear’ market in a stock exchange are derived.The remaining weekend was spent setting up and running the market stall with an evening get-together to mark the 20th anniversary of the partnership with Kronberg on the Saturday. On Sunday, there was an international service at St Peter and Paul church, an excellent performance by Thomas and Matthew in the Streitkirche building and a leaving dinner at Haus Altkonig where presents were exchanged and speeches of thanks made by Carol Kolczak and Barbara Reimer.A most enjoyable time was had by all attending, including Ann Burroughs, Carol and Kris Kolczak, Chris Simpson, Jan and Owen Eldridge, Jane Wilson, Kate Beech, Chris Hodgson and Will Johnson.

Aberystwyth and District floral society

DONALD Morgan, president of the society, has thanked all the committee and members for their support during 2015, a special year as it was the society’s 50th anniversary.A celebration dinner was held on 1 May at the Marine Hotel and members were delighted to have present the president, chair and secretary of Mercia and north Wales area of NAFAS and out-standing entertainment by Eleri Roberts, Trefor Puw and harpist Mared Jones.At the end of June, the group had a profitable flower festival in Llanbadarn church. With thanks to all involved and all the sponsors, the group was able to give donations to Aberystwyth Stroke club, Parkinson’s, Gateway Club and Canolfan Padarn totalling £600.A successful open evening in Ysgol Penweddig was held in November with Daphne Furnaux from Swansea.The group closed the end of 2015 with a social evening, free buffet and a full hall waiting to be enter-tained by Kevin Davies, formerly a florist in Aberystwyth before leav-ing for the ministry. The society meets on the third Tuesday of every month at 7.30pm in Llanfarian village hall and a warm welcome awaits members, new members and visitors.

Bridge club

THE PLASCRUG bridge club held a very enjoyable Christmas party at Llety Parc arranged by Dylan Raw-Rees. The delicious dinner was fol-lowed by a game of bridge at which the winners were Gill Joel and Jeff Thomas (n/s) and Vicky Edwards and Betty Brookes (e/w). The cup for the best results throughout the year was won by Pamela Woodhouse and Margaret James and the individual trophy for the year went to Gwynant EdwardsResults on 18 December: 1, Mike Tedd and Yuan Shen; 2, Jeff Tho-mas and Kim Marsh; 3, Mike Yeo and Ian Finlay; 4, Elenid Thomas and John Wilson.Results on 20 December: 1, Mike Jones and Kim Marsh; 2, Doreen Anthony and Jo Davies; 3, Jean Harrison and Jeff Thomas.

Pared Gwyl Dewi

ORGANISERS of Pared Gwyl Dewi, the annual parade through the streets of Aberystwyth to celebrate the patron saint, have issued an appeal for a silver cup or trophy. The idea is to give it as a prize for the best dressed shop window. Businesses have been keen to support the summer carnival in this way – decorating their windows on a particular theme, and the parade organisers hope that there will be a similar response to celebrate St David’s Day.Parade secretary Dana Edwards said: “Hopefully a worthy trophy is just the incentive shop-keepers need to really get this competition going.

“I hope someone in the area has a cup or trophy, maybe won in an eisteddfod or show, that they would like to see awarded to the winner. “The victor would hold the trophy for a year before passing it on to the subsequent winner. It may be of course that someone would like to donate a brand new trophy and that would be just as acceptable.”

The fourth Aberystwyth parade will be held on Saturday, 5 March and promises to be bigger than ever with many fringe events being organised this year. Organisers can be contacted via the Pared Gwyl Dewi Facebook page or by calling 07815 857821.