THE latest community news from Aberystwyth

Ras yr Iaith

RAS yr Iaith 2018 will take place between 4 and 6 July, and the first day of the ‘Ras’ will close in Aberystwyth with a feast of music for all tastes.

The ‘Ras’ is based on the Korrika race which started in the Basque Country, which has triggered similar races in Brittany (Redadeg) and Ireland (an Rith).

Wales’ Ras yr Iaith was established in 2014 and this year the Ras will go from Wrecsam to Caerffili – its longest distance to date.

It is an opportunity to draw fluent Welsh speakers, learners and non-Welsh speaking people together to celebrate the Welsh language.

The Baton yr Iaith (Welsh Baton) will be passed from one to the next in order to symbolise the importance of transferring the Welsh language from one generation to the next.

Steffan Rees, of Cered Menter Iaith Ceredigion, who is one of the co-ordinators of the Aberystwyth stage, said: “It would be great to see a long string of runners whizzing around Aberystwyth town waving banners and singing the Welsh language.

“Whether you are a school, sports club or a bunch of work friends, form a team and register to participate in the ‘Ras’ to have a lot of fun, to keep fit and to celebrate our language.”

In 2016, £14,000 was raised for language projects.

It will be possible again this year for local organisations to apply for funding.

Businesses and local organisations have the opportunity to sponsor their local stage of the race for a contribution of £50.

The name of the organisation or the names of the individuals will be shared on Ras yr Iaith social media pages, website, placards in the heart of Aberystwyth and announced by Dewi Pws, the Race guide on day one.

“It is time for the Welsh language-lovers to come together, and show a bit of fun for the language. The Ras is a great way to draw people together and celebrate the fact that we are still here!” said Sion Jobbins, founder of Ras yr Iaith.

In addition to the race itself, which starts at 6pm from Llys-y-brenin and finishes at the bandstand.

There will be music at the bandstand which will start at 5pm and finishes after 9pm.

The ukulele band, The Pictôns from Ysgol Henry Richard, Tregaron will perform first before handing over to the choir from the Ponterwyd area, Meibion y Mynydd about 5.30pm.

After the ‘Ras’ draws to a close, the popular folk singer Gwilym Bowen Rhys will be entertaining, and closing the evening in style will be Y Cledrau.

The Aberystwyth stage is organised jointly by a committee of local residents and officials from Cered.

If you are interested to participate in the race, contact Steffan Rees or Rhodri Francis from Cered on 01545 572 350/01970 633 854 or [email protected]

A Busnesan event to promote the race is being held for businesses and the local community at the Marine Hotel on 4 July, wth a cocktail lounge party set by DJ efnisien.

Bridge Club

THERE was an excellent and enthusiastic turnout in the newly re-instated Mixed Pairs Championship on 22 June.

Congratulations go to Dai Hayes and Virginia Willey on becoming the new champions.

Magda Corser and Martin Page were second and Margaret James and Mike Jones third. 

Clear winners on the 24th were Mike Tedd and Yuan Shen, with John Holmes and Gabor Galleri coming second and Martin Page and Mike Jones third.

John and Gabor were the only ones to bid and make the 6 Spades slam, being successful by avoiding the percentage finesse which allows the defence’s singleton queen to make.

But in the head to head between the first and second placed pairs, Yuan made the brave move of redoubling John and Gabor’s double of 5 Clubs, earning him and Mike +800 when the contract was made.

Aberystwyth Bridge Club normally plays twice a week in Waunfawr Community Hall, starting at 6.45pm with Friday being the main evening.

For further information, ring the club secretary on 01970 639229.

For beginners’ lessons, contact Elenid Thomas on 01970 828765.

Rotary Club

MICHAEL Deaville was installed as president of the Aberystwyth Rotary Club at its annual assembly evening last week.

Drawing from his background in engineering, he commented that ‘momentum’ was a term that he wished to see relevant to the club’s programme over the coming year, whilst ‘inertia’ was never a word that could be applied to its record and activity.

He succeeds Martin Davies, who in his farewell address as president referred to the club’s lively and varied programme, and the recruitment of five new members, over the past year.

The incoming senior vice-president is David McParlin. Hywel Davies will continue as club secretary, and Robin Varley as treasurer.

Committee chairs for 2018-19 are John Harries (Community and Vocational), Howard Jones (International Services), Lindsay Fletcher (Rotary Foundation), and Clive Parker (Youth Activities).

Winner of the Club’s Sports Trophy for the year was Lindsay Fletcher.

The Rotary Club will hold a lunchtime Barbecue on Sunday, 29 July, at the rugby club, jointly with Aberystwyth Inner Wheel; proceeds towards an international charity.

Pictured: Retiring Aberystwyth Rotary Club president Martin Davies (left) congratulates Michael Deaville on becoming club president for 2018/19.

NHS Retirement Fellowship

MEMBERS spent an exceptional afternoon at the Osprey Centre on 4 June. Kim, a member of staff, gave them an introductory talk at the visitor centre before they made their way down the boardwalk to the 360 Observatory with all the action from the high definition cameras.

Monty and his latest partner Telyn, produced three chicks between 1 and 3 June, timed perfectly for the visit.

Chick survival rate is only 33 per cent, but they can then live for 20 years. During the nesting period their protection is overseen by teams of volunteers.

At five to six weeks they will be as big as their mother and they will fledge at seven weeks old.

In July they will spend their time flying around and they will be fed on fish from the Dyfi nearby before migrating to west Africa.

On the way to the centre’s café, members were lucky to glimpse the wallowing water buffalo creating shallow pools suitable for dragonflies.

2018 is a year in which 70 years of the NHS is celebrated and 40 years since the formation of the branch of the Retirement Fellowship.

On 19 July, they visit Glandyfi Castle for afternoon tea, but there is no meeting in August.

On 10 September, they assemble at Aberystwyth Fire Station where they will meet Charlie Taylor who will explain the role of a first responder.

Open Day

ON SUNDAY, 1 July, Aberystwyth and District Allotment Association held an Open day as part of the National Garden Scheme.

This is the fourth time the allotments have been selected by NGS as one of the prestigious gardens open for charity which help raise over £3 million per annum for nursing and caring charities.

Visitors from near and far were able to stroll in the sunshine around the 35 plots on two neighbouring sites at Fifth Avenue and Caeffynnon.

A wide variety of produce was seen growing on the plots, vegetables, soft fruit, top fruit, flowers and in the greenhouses and polytunnels were tomatoes, cucumbers and peppers.

Sample tastings baked using allotment produce were available and teas in aid of Duke of Edinburgh Award were provided by Aberaeron School.

Awards

THE latest War Memorial Trust Awards were presented last month, with organisers saying there were a bumper crop of “very good, diverse” applications.

The awards, made every two years, saw seven young people and eight clubs and societies successful in a “very varied collection of excellent applications,” trust treasurer Anthony Evans said.

The awards distributed some £5,000 among the 15 successful applications with a well-attended presentation held at the Lower Parish.

Chairman Alun John and Mr Evans led the meeting and each of the recipients gave a small presentation on their intentions on how they would spend the money.

The individual awards went to Tony Kendall, Charlotte Lewis, Rebecca Glasser, Charles Kularatine, Holly Collice-Jones, Joshua Hathway and Sofia Elin Jones.

The youngsters will use their awards for various projects from sport to music and the performing arts.

In the clubs and socieities section, awards were made to the Holy Trinity Children’s Choir, Bow Street Junior Hockey Club, Aber Basketball, Aberyswtyth Policsh Community, Waunfawr U12 Football, Gogerddan Hunt Pony Club, Aberystwyth Sea Cadets, and Aberystwyth-Kronberg Twinning.

The awards given in June make up around half the total for 2018, with another round of grants to be distributed in late autumn.

Applications will be circulated in October or November.

The trustees of the War Memorial Trust charity are made up of individuals from the Aberystwyth Town Council, The British Legion and from the community of Aberystwyth and district.

Holy Trinity Choir

FOR THE past few weeks, a new children’s choir has been meeting in Holy Trinity Church.

The choir has been learning a variety of music, including Tsuki (a Japanese folk-song), Alleluia (a short piece by the choir’s director), and I am the Earth (a modern song about the wonder of the natural world).

The choir meets on Fridays between 4pm and 5.15 pm and is open to all children aged 7-11, with a warm welcome for newcomers.

For further information about the choir, please email childrenschoirholytrinity¬@gmail.com

Stroke Club

A BIG tea party was held at the Conrah Hotel on 20 June to celebrate the club’s 30th anniversary.

Plans had been made, a cake ordered, Stroke Association head office had been informed, and five members from south Wales were welcomed. In total there were 54 people at the party.

The president, Dr Beryl gave an address about the origin of the club in 1988, started by Dr Gareth Hughes and of how it has flourished over the years and praised the work of the committee members whom are all doing a splendid job in keeping it going.

Also a mention of Myfanwy Davies, the longest serving member, of Roland, the amazing ticket seller for the 750 club and Audrey, for all the detailed organising of the lunches, travel and holidays, which she does so well.

Margaret of the Stroke Association from Caerphilly spoke about the various schemes that stroke patients can access via the internet.

After tea was taken, the raffle was drawn.

The celebration cake was cut with Dr Beryl, Audrey and Myfanwy poised with the knife while photos were taken.

If you’re a member of a club, society or group, send your news to [email protected]