NHS Retirement Fellowship

MEMBERS met on 9 May at Waunfawr Community Hall for their monthly meeting, when they welcomed Roger Bray as their guest speaker, whose topic was Greener Aberystwyth.Roger explained that the Greener Aberystwyth Group is a voluntary organisation set up 10 years ago to locate, protect and improve the green spaces in the area in response to a period of rapid change with many new developments in Aberystwyth. Examples of green spaces within urban areas are small woods, riversides, grassland, and recreational area such as playing fields and golf courses. They also identify trees and promote tree planting. The importance of this work is wide-ranging, for example, there is less flooding, as in green spaces the rain percolates into the ground, trees reduce the effect of pollution in the air and rain evaporates from the canopy.One of the earliest jobs of the organisation was a tree survey of all the trees in the town bordering roads and in Plascrug Avenue (about 440). Also, 10 years ago the ditch in Plascrug was clogged with rubbish. Thanks to Greener Aberystwyth, this was cleared and now volun-teers clear floating rubbish every three or four weeks, with the council clearing the rest. They also work in conjunction with Cere-digion County Council to maintain the local nature reserve, Parc Natur Penglais, which is an invaluable amenity in the town.Roger stressed how important it is to have close contact with the natural world around us and, ideally, nobody should live more the 300 metres from a green space. Research has indicated that patients recover quicker in hospital if they can view trees and a green space, and this has influenced the design of new hospitals, but everyone benefits from being out in the open air with nature.Roger had many photographs to illustrate the excellent work being done by the many volunteers who support and give their time to Greener Aberystwyth and said that anyone who would wish to join them would be very welcome.He was warmly thanked by Helen Hughes for his excellent presentation and congratulated him on the invaluable contribution his group makes to the community.The next meeting will be 13 June when the speaker will be Michael Morgans of St John’s Ambulance.

Bridge club

30 APRIL: 1, Margaret James and Martin Page; 2, Gabor Gelleri and John Holmes.3 May: 1, Pam Ellis and Mike Jones; 2, Alun Richards and Mike Yeo; 3, Jo Davies and Elenid Thomas; 4, Doreen Anthony and Dylan Raw-Rees.6 May: 1, Pat Roe and Margaret Hathaway; 2, Gabor Gelleri and John Holmes; 3, Doreen Anthony and Gwynant Edwards; 4, Dai Hayes and John Valentine.10 May: 1, Doreen Anthony and Dylan Raw-Rees; 2, Pamela Woodhouse and Margaret James; 3, Elenid Thomas and Tom Mills; 4, Jeff Thomas and Gwynant Edwards.13 May: 1, Mike Yeo and Ian Finlay; 2, Mike Tedd and Tianhua Chan; 3, Jeff Thomas and Kim Marsh; 4, Pamela Woodhouse and Jo Davies.