THE latest community news from Aberystwyth

Talking Books

Rhian Evans, vice-chair of Wales Talking Books –Speaking Volumes, will be welcomed as guest speaker at the annual coffee morning of Papur Sain Ceredigion Talking Newspaper on Saturday, 6 October, from 10.30am until noon at Bethel Baptist Chapel, Baker Street Aberystwyth.

Papur Sain Ceredigion Talking Books was the first ever in the UK, established 48 years ago by College of Librarianship Wales staff member Ronald Sturt, Cambrian News proprietor Henry Read and Rotary president Trevor Lloyd Jones and journalist and broadcaster Tom Evans. It is an audio version of newspapers and magazines for people who have any kind of visual impairment.

Today 60 volunteers - in teams - choose, read, record, duplicate and administer for the charity hour-long English and Welsh editions. These are distributed weekly free of charge (courtesy of the Post Office) to 100 listeners in Ceredigion and other areas.

The operation takes place in Canolfan Rheidol on Wednesdays and Thursdays (courtesy of Ceredigion County Council).

Elderly care

The North Ceredigion Forum for Elderly Care held its first monthly meeting after the August break on 20 September at the town council offices, Aberystwyth.

Despite the poor weather there was a reasonable turn out and it was business as usual.

The main item on the agenda was the report by forum member James Davies, who gave an account of his role in uncovering the data breach relating to confidential personal files held by the county council which have been in the public domain possibly since 2004.

In view of the seriousness of the breach, the forum resolved to send a letter to the Minister for Local Authorities, Alun Davies AM; Minister for Health and Social Care, Vaughan Gething AM; Hugh Irranca-Davies, Minister for Social Services; the Welsh Children’s Commissioner and Welsh Women’s Aid, to ensure wider awareness of the problem.

The next public meeting will be on 25 October at 7pm at Aberystwyth Town Council Offices, Baker Street. All welcome.

Beekeepers Association

The regular winter programme of Tuesday evening meetings of the Aberystwyth Beekeepers Association got under way on Tuesday, 18 September, in Waunfawr Community Hall at 7.30pm.

Some 25 members attended and enjoyed a talk by Tracy Harper on her polystyrene hives. These are a recent innovation in beekeeping and Tracy spoke about her experiences using them; the advantages of them being made of insulating materials; and their being much lighter to handle.

She demonstrated that they can be compatible with the wooden hive, and in the words of one older, experienced beekeeper, gave the “more mature beekeeper” plenty to think about for the future!

The meeting allowed time for general discussion of a range of matters, notably the serious threat posed to bees by the arrival in the UK of the Asian hornet. To this end, one of the members had brought with him and showed a European hornet found in their garden and the differences between it and the Asian hornet were pointed out and discussed. Finally a general discussion took place about the very good honey crop this year, and the large amount of feeding that now seemed required to keep them strong over the coming winter, ready for next year’s spring flora.

The next meeting, will be on Tuesday, 16 October, starting at 6pm in Waunfawr Community Hall. This will be the ever-popular annual Honey Show with its associated photo competition and social evening.

A warm welcome is extended to both beekeepers and potential beekeepers to the show and further information is available from Ann Ovens, the secretary, on 01970 832359.

Horticultural Society

Sunday, 23 September, saw a party of Cardiganshire Horticultural Society’s members making a 6am start from Aberystwyth, bound for Normandy and the final special event laid on to mark the society’s 50th anniversary year - a three-day programme of special garden visits.

Weather on the way down to the Channel Tunnel was not at all good, but once French soil had been reached, it improved dramatically and everyone in the party thoroughly enjoyed three marvellous days enjoying a number of quite remarkable gardens in the Normandy area.

Everyone had their own special garden, but for many the highlight of the trip was a visit to L’Etang de Launay where over the past 20 years the owners have created a very private garden. Topiary and wide lawns surround the house and the land then falls away to wilder woodland and lakeside plantings which, with the autumn tints starting, looked wonderful in the autumn sunshine. It has been described as the most exciting new garden in Europe, and many in the party certainly felt that the accolade was well deserved.

Autumn sees the beginning of the society’s monthly programme of Tuesday evening lectures in Waunfawr Community Hall at 7pm, and the first of these on 11 September drew a very large audience to hear Kristian Hickson-Booth talking about The Welsh Wizard: Jimmy Hancock at Powis Castle, and the influence he has had on her career.

The next meeting is on Tuesday, 9 October, when the speaker will be Huw Richards-Price, a very keen young vegetable grower from Tregaron. Huw will be talking about growing vegetables organically and sustainably and about his mission in life.

Anyone interested in gardening and horticulture can be assured of a warm welcome. More information can be obtained from the chairman, Jan Eldridge on 01970 615570, or from the society’s website.

Aberystwyth and District Floral Society

Glenys, the new chairperson, welcomed everyone to the meeting and thanked the past chairperson, Pat, for her hard work and success over the past two years. She gave a report on the AGM, which was held the previous week.

She welcomed the demonstrator for the evening, Sharon Dower from Swansea, with arrangements portraying ‘Nature’s Cast offs’.

She began with a ‘shop window’ design using Rosie and Jim props, metal garden figurines.

The first design began by forming a triangular outline using Bay and Sword Fern, filling in with Fatsia and Ivy.

The arrangement was finished by adding some white Stallion Chrysanthemums.

Her second arrangement began by producing a tall wooden, contemporary design formed from various lengths of upright birch branches with a large wooden hula hoop attached using pale grey wool and decorated with a few flat circular shells and wool covered tin cans. The oasis was placed at the top.

As a focal point she used very large anthuriums and filled in with a similar colour hydrangea for texture at the base, to complete the design she added some draping Ivy to the right-hand side for balance.

The third design began with a wooden box which was originally an old cider container she purchased following a visit to the Cider Factory at Hereford. She used tall wooden sections of willow to elongate the container and a couple of palm leaves from Tenerife.

This next design was created especially for Sharon’s visit to Barbados. The arrangement was at the top of the box, and began with Ruscus, Fatsia and vine leaves.

Her final display involved pale blue Delphiniums, pink Amaryllis, bright vibrant purple Asters and small beautifully scented berries.

She went on to produce the dramatic reveal of the Mumbles Lighthouse and a village street created out of driftwood and painted accordingly.

Members had a very interesting evening, enjoyed by all,

The next meeting will be on 16 October at Llanfarian Village Hall starting at 7.30pm. Beti Wyn Davies will give a talk with pictures and tales of her visit to Harrogate Flower show and her holiday to Costa Rica.

The members’ competition will be Go Tropical.

Kronberg exchange

Back in July, Aberystwyth pupils welcomed a group of German students into their lives.

This was the 50th year of the exchange with Aberystwyth’s twinned town, Kronberg.

Those who took part reported that hosting a student was really fun, and when the students left, they went away as new friends.

In August Aberystwyth returned the visit. During their one-week stay they got to explore Frankfurt, cruised the river Rhine, took a ski lift over a beautiful vineyard, tasted Handkase (a local cheese) and other national delicacies.

They each got to spend the weekend with their host family.

The historical tour of Kronberg was particularly pleasant as the sites were plentiful and mesmerising, in particular Kronberg Castle.

Monday was certainly an experience when the students decided to venture into Frankfurt on their own, stumbling across a food market and exploring Senckenberg Natural History Museum.

Their most vivid impression of Frankfurt was being dwarfed by imposing skyscrapers, a stark contrast to quaint Aberystwyth, which only heightened the thrill of discovery.

On our last night there, this alien, exciting city was lit by the most beautiful firework show the visitors had ever seen, closing a festival celebrating the museums of the city.

Parting was such sweet sorrow but they did leave hoping that other students will also be able to appreciate the wonders of Kronberg.

A spokesperson said: “We consider ourselves extremely lucky to have been part of the exchange, as it is an opportunity that others schools across Wales do not have. And who knows? We may visit again. But for now we’ll be content with our memories of the 50th year of the exchange.

“We are also very grateful to the Cambrian News who gave us a generous grant to help with the travel expenses.”

Stroke club

For the September monthly lunch outing, the venue was the Marine Hotel.

A splendid turnout of 60 gathered in the main dining room.

Chairman Ann Evans greeted members and welcomed four new members.

The raffle tickets were toted around the room by Jean and Alma, and had a good response.

The staff then served the excellent meal and, while coffee and tea were poured, the 750 club numbers were drawn and all the cheques written out, with quite a few winners amongst the party.

Then the raffle took place with lots of goodies being picked.

The chairman then thanked the staff for the food and service.

Social secretary Audrey asked if anyone wished to go on the winter weekend break in Llandudno in December to let her know.

Ceredigion Headway

Have you or somebody you know got a brain injury? Why not join members and volunteers of Headway Ceredigion at their next drop-in on Monday, 1 October?

Go and meet Christine Leonard, Ceredigion Neuro Team occupational therapist and also the Disability Rights Service, for a chat and advice.

If you cannot make that, try one of these following dates:

Monday, 5 November – Meet Cyra Shimell, Community Gateway team manager; Monday, 3 December – Christmas mince pies with all welcome.

The September drop-in welcomed two new members and there was a discussion about future social events. Members were told that the Stroke Club is planning Tai Chi and Boccia sessions. These are free for those with an acquired brain injury and their partners.

Headway Ceredigion is now on the Dewis website. The group is also on the CAVO volunteer website (volunteers are always welcome).

Headway Ceredigion offers support for people who have experienced brain injuries, through stroke, accident, or illness.

It can signpost people to medical and legal professionals and a library of Headway literature. Drop-ins/peer support meetings are held in the Community Room, Aberystwyth Tesco, Park Avenue SY23 1PB, on the first Monday of the month from 2pm till 4pm. Free refreshments.

Dathlu 30 mlynedd o ganu

Mae noson wych o ganu gwlad/baledi yn cael ei chynnal yng Ngwesty Llety Parc, Aberystwyth nos Sadwrn, gyda’r holl elw’n mynd tuag at waith yr elusen Gwirfoddolwyr Hosbis yn y Cartref

Yn cymryd i’r llwyfan gyntaf fydd y ddeuawd boblogaidd Gethin Fôn a Glesni Fflur, sydd newydd ddychwelyd o daith i Nashville.

Dyma’r tro cyntaf i gynulleidfa weld y ddeuawd hon ar y llwyfan yn ardal Aberystwyth ac maent yn edrych ymlaen yn fawr at ganu rhai o’u hoff ganeuon o’u CD a ryddhawyd cyn y Nadolig y llynedd.

Wedyn bydd y ddeuawd fytholwyrdd sy’n dathlu 30 mlynedd o ganu fel deuawd yn cymryd i’r llwyfan, sef John ac Alun o Dudweiliog.

Mae tocynnau yn £10 a gellir eu prynu ymlaen llaw o’r gwesty ar 01970 636333 neu gan y trefnydd Megan Jones ar 01970 612768.

Merched y Wawr

Ar nos Lun, 17 Medi, roedd cyfarfod cyntaf y flwyddyn.

Croesawodd Eluned Richards y llywydd yr holl aelodau, gan gynnwys chwe aelod newydd.

Cafwyd munud o dawelwch i gofio am Margaret Dyfri Jones a fu farw yng Ngorffennaf.

Bu’n aelod prysur a gwerthfawr o’r gangen a’r rhanbarth.

Mynychwyd y penwythnos preswyl yn Llambed ddechrau Medi gan rhai aelodau.

Rhoddwyd adroddiad manwl ar eu rhan gan Delyth Fletcher. Roedd yn amlwg eu bod wedi cael amser bythgofiadwy yno.

Y g?r gwadd oedd Iestyn Leyshon, partner yng nghwmni gwerthu tai ac eiddo Lloyd Herbert a Jones. Erbyn hyn mae’n wyneb cyfarwydd ar y teledu yn y gyfres Ar Werth.

Cafwyd hanes ei yrfa lwyddiannus; pwysleisiodd fel mae swydd gwerthwr tai wedi newid yn ystod y blynyddoedd. Arferai dynnu lluniau o du blaen y tai ond nawr gellir gweld pob ystafell.

Defnyddir dronau i’w gweld o’r awyr ac i weld yr olygfa o’u hamgylch.

Gwelwyd gwahanol gamerâu a ddefnyddir ganddo wrth ei waith a hefyd soniodd am y rhaglen Ar Werth. Dangosodd ffilmiau o rhai o’r tai sydd ar werth a’r rhai sydd wedi eu gwerthu.

Diolchodd Eluned Richards iddo am noson hyfryd, ddifyr a hwyliog.

Fel arfer cafwyd amser i sgwrsio dros baned a baratowyd gan griw Pen y Graig.

Cynhelir y cyfarfod nesaf yn festri Capel Dewi Sant Stryd y Baddon.

Ukulele lessons

IF you can play the ukulele and would like to join a ukulele orchestra or would like to learn a new skill and to socialise in a Welsh-speaking environment, join Cerddorfa Iwcs a Hwyl.

On Monday, 15 October, Cered: Menter Iaith Ceredigion, Aberystwyth Arts Centre and Learn Welsh will launch Cerddorfa Iwcs a Hwyl which is a brand new, Welsh language ukulele orchestra in Aberystwyth for free, for those aged 16 and over.

Cerddorfa Iwcs a Hwyl will practice weekly between 6pm and 7.30pm every Monday night during the school term and practices will take place at the Aberystwyth Arts Centre.

There is no need for any experience or ability on the ukulele and there will be instruments available to borrow so that you can have a taste before buying your own ukulele.

Welsh will be the main language of Cerddorfa Iwcs a Hwyl. but there is a warm welcome to everyone whatever your level of proficiency in Welsh.

Cerddorfa Iwcs a Hwyl is supported by Learn Welsh as a great activity for learners to practice their Welsh outside the classroom in a fun and new way.

Cerddorfa Iwcs a Hwyl’s conductor will be Steffan Rees who has held a number of Iwcs a Hwyl workshops over the last year as Cered’s community development officer.

Steffan is also a musician who composes and performs as Bwca and he has been playing the ukulele for years.

Aberystwyth Bridge Club

On Friday, 14 September, the club took part in the Mid Wales Simultaneous Event to decide the Ladies’ and Men’s Pairs.

Other mid Wales clubs playing in the event were Welshpool, Knighton, Cardigan and Aberaeron. A record 40 pairs were eligible competitors for the two titles.

The winners of the Aberystwyth Heat and the Mid Wales Ladies’ Pairs winners were Margaret Hathaway and Pat Roe.

Alan Stein and John Holmes were second in the club (eighth overall) and Andrew Phillips and John Valentine third (16th overall).

Winners on Sunday, 16 September were Pam Woodhouse and Elenid Thomas, with Joyce Blair and Jacqui Roberts joint second with Mike Jones and Martin Page.

Mike Tedd and Yuan Shen were the clear winners on Friday, 21 September, with Elenid Thomas and Margaret Ellis second and Ian Finlay and Mike Yeo third.

One pair (Gill Howells and Dai Hayes) bid the grand slam in Hearts, with North having a massive 25 points and South having 10 points.

The contract makes when North, after drawing trumps in the defenders’ hands, is able to dispose of his losing club on a high diamond.

Winners on Sunday, 23 September were Gabor Galleri and John Holmes, with Elenid Thomas and Ian Finlay second and Jeff Thomas and Andrew Loat third.

Jeff and Andrew made two slams, one of which was unwisely doubled.

Earlier in the day, the Mid Wales Mixed Pairs competition was played in Cwmdauddwr, Rhayader.

In a close result, the winners were Roger Boyle and Elenid Thomas and the runners-up Mike Jones and Margaret James – both pairs from the Aberystwyth club.

RWFCA meeting

September’s meeting of the RWFCA was well attended and members heard news of a number of projects and talks that were forthcoming in the branch’s calendar over the winter months.

Following the normal business of the branch, the topics of discussion centred around making arrangements for a discussion by the RBL-appointed person for Wales regarding ‘deafness’ that has occurred in veterans wholly or partially due to their service.

Other branches have had this talk over recent months and have seen members take up the offers being talked about.

Branch secretary will organise this and a date will be published as soon as it can be arranged.

The next item was the war memorial plaque that is in Llancynfelin.

Duncan Sykes asked for some volunteers to meet up on Saturday, 29 September, to help take this plaque down from its position so it can be sent for restoration.

Llancynfelin Community Council has contacted Paul Hinge who will be seeking help from the Royal Welsh Association to undertake the restoration as a significant number of those who gave of their lives in World War One served in the Royal Welch Fusiliers and South Wales Borderers, who are the antecedent regiments of the Royal Welsh, are named on the plaque.

The final item on the agenda was to receive deposits from members wishing to go on the 75th anniversary trip to France to commemorate the D-Day landings in World War Two.

The trip will include a detailed tour of Gold Beach that the 2nd Battalion South Wales Borderers attacked on D-Day.

The battle and final relief of E’vercy on 16 July, 1944 that the Royal Welch Fusiliers were instrumental in achieving and finally, to see the difficult circumstances that the Welch Regiment had to endure in the break-through of the Falaise Gap in August of 1944.

This trip will be a very memorable and thought-provoking experience for the 20 people traveling from Aberystwyth as part of a group of 230 people on this memorial trip.

The next meeting will be on 28 November.

Plascrug Bridge Club

RESULTS from: 18 September: 1 Mair Jenkins and Jacqui Roberts; 2 Margaret James and Pamela Woodhouse; 3 Betty Brookes and Mike Jones.

Results from 25 September: 1 Betty Brookes and Mike Jones; 2 Pamela Woodhouse and Margaret James; 3 Jacqui Roberts and Mair Jenkins.

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