Probus

PATAGONIA was the subject of the Probus talk on 24 February, and the speaker was Roger Mills. Roger has direct links with Patagonia and was able to speak from his own knowledge as well as from his research. There were several aspects that he could have talked about including the reasons why the Welsh settlers went there, and the twinning links between Aberystwyth and Esquel. But Roger chose to concentrate on why the Argentinian government went out of its way to attract the Welsh immigrants.The reason, in a phrase, was that “to populate is to govern”. Apart from some long-established native groups, this part of Argentina was virtually unpopulated at the time, and the government was especially keen to attract Europeans. People from Wales were not the only ones targeted. Others included Italians, Spanish, Ottomans, Portuguese as well as people from other parts of Britain.Unlike some other South American countries, Argentina has remained significantly dependent on its rural base rather than on industrialisation. By now, the population of the area is around 550,000, of whom about 50,000 have some Welsh ancestry and 5,000 are believed to be Welsh-speaking.The original objective of the Welsh immigrants was to establish a region in which their linguistic and other traditions could be maintained. They now receive some help in this through links with towns such as Aberystwyth and also through assistance from the Welsh government which finances visits from Welsh language teachers amongst others. There are currently three bilingual schools in Patagonia. Roger concluded by inviting the audience to consider ideas to resolve any conflict between the need for the Argentinian government to persuade the many different national groups to integrate and the desire to maintain the language and tradition of the Welsh group.After a constructive discussion, the meeting ended with vote of thanks from Prof Len Kersley.The Aberystwyth Probus Club welcomes new members, both men and women. Further information can be obtained from the secretary, John Andrews (phone 01970-358095) or from the website www.aberpro-bus.org.uk

Ramblers

ON Saturday, 27 February, a party of 22 ramblers enjoyed the recently improved weather on their nine mile walk around Meifod, Powys. After crossing to the east of the River Vyrnwy, the group ascended Broniarth Hill, guided by the excel-lent markers of Glyndwr’s Way, which passes through Meifod. Pausing to admire the lovely setting of Llyn Du, the Way was then followed South using lanes and field tracks. Banks of snowdrops and new lambs added to the delights of the countryside.At about the half-way point, the route departed from the Way and ascended into Big Forest where pheasants hinted at the proximity of Maesmawr Hall, an important game farm and shooting estate. A combination of tracks across fields and through Round, Spout and Foel woods led back to the River Vyrnwy. Fresh erosion and flotsam and jetsam were evidence of our winter storms. The riverside path was followed to Broniarth Bridge to re-cross the river. Back in Meifod there was time for refreshments at the King’s Head before undertaking the pleasant drive back to Aberystwyth.Praise must be given to Meifod Community Council which has taken over responsibility for the public toilets, thus keeping them open for the use of visitors, including walkers.

British Heart Foundation

THE Aberystwyth and District Branch of the British Heart Foundation held its Annual Sunday Lunch at the Llety Parc Hotel on Sunday, 21 February. As in previous years this was a great success when 140 supporters enjoyed an excellent meal.The guest speakers were Dr Donagh McKeogh, cardiologist at Bronglais Hospital, and Claire Cassidy, head of community fund-raising (south region) of the British Heart Foundation.Dr McKeogh gave an update on the test that searches for genes that are known to exist in those vulner-able to heart attacks. The test which was announced recently is funded by the British Heart Foundation.Mrs Cassidy gave an insight of the contribution the British Heart Foun-dation is making towards research in Wales. At the moment they are spending £6 million on 21 research projects, at the Wales Heart Institute in Cardiff and also at Swansea and Bangor Universities. She compli-mented the Aberystwyth branch on its fund-raising successes over the past 10 years.Proceeds from the lunch amount-ed to £1,295, which will go towards the British Heart Foundation Research Programme and members thanked everyone for their kind donations and for the large number of raffle prizes donated.

Choral society

THE Tuesday evening rehearsals in the Old Hall of the Old College, for the Aberystwyth Choral Society’s Spring Concert in the Great Hall on Saturday, 23 April, have been going particularly well with good attend-ances despite some extremely wild and windy weather on a couple of Tuesday evenings. The work being performed is the Verdi Requiem - Verdi’s powerful choral and orchestral masterpiece.The high cost of performing works such as the Verdi Requiem with its requirement for four professional soloists and large orchestra, is never recovered from ticket sales alone; hence the Society seeks to raise funds by a number of diverse meth-ods. Thus on Saturday morning 5 March, in the Waun Fawr Community Hall, it is organising a coffee morning from 10am to noon. There will be a range of stalls with some good bargains to be had, and the opportunity for lively conversation with both choristers and patrons of the society.

CANTM

ON Tuesday, 23 February, our Winter Warmer was held at Brynamlwg on the Aberystwyth University campus.Cyril Baker from Jewellery House was the speaker and his subject of valuation with particular emphasis on insurance cover was very in-formative and enjoyable. Members brought along their own heirlooms for his perusal! A lunch of cawl and apple pie followed which was an excellent finale.The next event is a day at Lam-peter University on Wednesday, 23 March starting at 10.30am with guest speaker David Lloyd, a former head of features at Harlech Television who will talk about his career as a producer and director with HTV and ITV. Lunch follows at 12.30pm in the private dining room and the afternoon will be a showing of films from early days of ITV!

World Book Day

ON Thursday, 3 March, there will be an evening in the company of author Jane Blank at Aberystwyth Library.At 7.30pm on Thursday, which is also World Book Day, Jane will read extracts from new novel The Shadow of Nanteos, followed by discussion about the book.Wine and Welsh cakes will be available and all are welcome.The Shadow of Nanteos, the first in a two-part series by Blank, is a historical love story based on the real lives of the Powell family of Nanteos mansion in Ceredigion during the 1750s.