THE latest community news from Aberystwyth

Aber bridge club

Winners on 27 July were Magda Corser and Martin Page, with Pamela Woodhouse and Sue Sherman second and Margaret Hathaway and Pat Roe third.

Two pairs – Margaret and Pat, and Margaret Ellis and Elenid Thomas - bid 6 No Trumps on Board 20, having all the aces and three of the kings between them and the spades breaking well.

Winners on Sunday, 29 July, were Betty Brookes and Sue Sherman, with Margaret James and Sue Sherman equal second with Jean Harrison and Mair Jenkins.

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.

Plascrug bridge club

RESULTS on 24 July: 1 John Holmes and Alan Stein, 2 Margaret James and Pamela Woodhouse, 3 Mair Jenkins and Alison Edwards.

Results on 31 July: 1 Doreen Anthony and Dylan Raw-Rees, 2 Mair Jenkins and Jacqui Roberts, 3 Pamela Woodhouse and Margaret James.

The club will be closed during August, but members look forward to welcoming everyone, including any new members, when they return on 4 September.

Rotary club

Bryn Jones and Dylan Jones of Fforwm Cymunedol Penparcau (Community Forum) were guests of the club on 1 August, and presented a full and interesting report on the forum’s work and development since its establishment five years ago.

Bryn, a full-time co-ordinator for the forum, paid tribute to former councillor Goronwy Edwards MBE, one of the pioneers of the project and now its honorary president.

The forum was supported by a range of organisations, and Aberystwyth Town Council and the Lottery Fund in particular. It had developed a programme of events with the aim of raising the well-being of a relatively disadvantaged community, including a food bank which had secured the collaboration of local stores.

Engagement with the community was key to the forum’s success, he said, and its local history and heritage groups had raised interest in the area’s rich past. The establishment of Yr Hwb – Hub – as a community centre on the site of the former boxing club was a major project which had received substantial financial support, and was providing a much-needed base for social activity and interaction.

Bryn and Dylan Jones were thanked for their presentation by club president, Michael Deaville, who wished the forum every success.

Parkinson’s UK

For a change the Aberystwyth Parkinson’s Group decided for their July meeting, to visit the new Aberystwyth Fire Station in Trefechan. They were met by two of the full-time members. Many questions were asked especially what equipment was used when a tall building was on fire, which was ironic considering what happened two nights later on the prom in Aberystwyth.

The group was then given forms for members of the fire brigade to visit their homes to check for fire safety.

The chairman thanked the members for an interesting afternoon. Unfortunately Caffe Tân was shut on Mondays so members were not able to have a cup of tea.

A cheque, which the chairman had received from Cylch Cinio Merched for £200, was passed to the treasurer, Liz.

The group said goodbye to two members, Peter and Pam Williams, who have decided to move near their daughter in Worcester. Pam was presented with flowers and a card that all the members had signed.

The next meeting will be a half-day trip to Llanerchaeron on Thursday, 23 August, to see an expedition of 100 years of the women who worked there.

Côr Meibion

Côr Meibion were delighted to welcome St Edmondsbury Male Voice Choir from Bury St Edmonds to present a joint concert at Capel y Morfa, Aberystwyth on 29 July.

Together the choirs produced a formidable sound, evident in the ensemble singing of items such as With the Voice of Singing by Martin Shaw, Morte Criste, with music by Emrys Jones and words by Isaac Watts, and American Trilogy popularised by Elvis Presley.

The two choirs also presented their individual programmes, with St Edmondsbury being conducted by their director of music Mark Jefferson with accompanist Calvin Goumer and guitarist Simon Shiirm. Aberystwyth were conducted by director of music Alwyn Evans with accompanist Elenid Thomas.

The soloist was Tecwyn Jones, bass-baritone who also came together with Alwyn Evans, tenor, to thrill the audience with a selection of solos and duets.

Cllr Talat Chaudri, mayor of Aberystwyth, presented the visitors with a civic shield to mark the occasion and in return the chairman of St Edmondsbury presented a specially inscribed glass vase.

The compère for the evening was Hywel Wyn Jones.

Bookshop event

STORYTELLING sessions for children will be held this week.

Hosted by Aberystwyth-based publisher Firefly, the free events will take place at Waterstones on Great Darkgate Street.

On Tuesday, 14 August, between noon and 1pm, local authors Sharon Marie Jones and Sarah Todd Taylor will read from their latest books.

The day will also feature activities, with the day aimed at those six-years-old and above.

On Saturday, 18 August, between 2pm and 3pm, author Laura Sheldon will read from her magical picture books with activities for children.

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