THE latest community news from Aberystwyth

Choral society

Last Saturday, 17 November, was dry sunny and mild, and the lovely autumn morning helped to boost the numbers attending Aberystwyth Choral Society’s coffee morning in the Waunfawr Community Hall.

There was the usual range of stalls and the homemade cakes, scones and preserves were snapped up in double quick time.

Almost £525 was raised for the society’s funds.

For the past two Tuesday evenings a goodly number of choristers have been in the Old Hall, Old College at 6.45pm to rehearse carols which they will be singing this coming Saturday morning, 24 November from 11am to noon, in the Great Hall for the Arts Centre Food Fair, heralding the start of the festive season.

While all this is going on, rehearsals continue each Tuesday evening for the forthcoming Christmas concert which is now less than a month away.

The society will be performing three works, the John Rutter Magnificat and two pieces by Faure, his Cantique de Jean Racine, and the very popular Pavane for orchestra and mixed chorus, in the Great Hall of Aberystwyth Arts Centre on Saturday, 15 December at 8pm.

Cymdeithas yr Aelwyd

Nos Wener, 16 Tachwedd, croesawyd Ray Williams gan y cadeirydd Menna Evans.

Bu Ray yn filfeddyg yn Lloegr am 40 mlynedd cyn dychwelyd i Geredigion.

Pedair blynedd a hanner yn ôl aeth Ray ac Arwel Jones ati i ddechrau trefnu dathliadau 200 mlwyddiant yr allfudo o Geredigion i Ohio ddechreuodd yn 1818.

Chwe theulu o ardal Cilcennin fentrodd ar yr antur enbyd yn 1818 gan hwylio o Aberaeron i Lerpwl ac yna i Baltimore. Rhwng 1830 a 1850 amcangyfrifir fod oddeutu 3,000 o bobl wedi ceisio bywyd gwell yn ardal Oakhill a Rio Grande, Ohio.

Penllanw’r holl waith trefnu oedd y dathliadau gynhaliwyd yn Aberaeron ac ardal y Mynydd Bach rhwng 23 a 30 Mehefin eleni, a llwyddwyd i gynnwys pob cymuned a phob oedran, yn Gymry ac yn Saeson.

A braf oedd clywed fod dros 50 o bobl wedi dod draw o Ohio i ymuno yn y dathliadau.

Holy Trinity Church

THE children’s choir of Holy Trinity Church was launched on 15 June and, since then, has seen steady growth in numbers.

Children aged seven to 11, of all faiths and none, are welcome to the weekly Friday afternoon sessions, when they are taught music and singing skills. The choir is led by David Cooper, with a rota of dedicated church volunteers coming along every Friday to help out.

The children’s choir took part in the filming for a CBBC programme, Show me what you’re made of, on 10 August. The series of programmes challenges a group of five children to take part in activities which they have not done before and they came to Holy Trinity Church to meet a Welsh choir, sing a Welsh song and meet several young people who could explain why the language is so important to them and to the Welsh culture.

The programme will air on CBBC on Wednesday, 21 November, at 5pm.

The children’s choir will also take a leading role in the service in Holy Trinity Church on the second Sunday of Advent, 9 December, at 11am.

Rev Mark Ansell, vicar of Holy Trinity, is pleased “to see how much the children enjoy coming to the church to learn their hymns, songs and anthems. They’ve made a lot of progress very quickly, and we’re pleased with the way the whole project is going”.

Speaking of the children as a group, Mel Burgess, Churchwarden of Holy Trinity, said: “It has been great to see how well the children have melded and become a cohesive unit.”

David Cooper, leader of the children’s choir, said: “I am delighted to have had the opportunity take up the reins of the children’s choir, following Andrew Cusworth’s departure for pastures new.

“The choir is growing and we now have a core membership of around 12 and look forward to the challenge of singing in the Advent Carol Service on 9 December.”

Inner Wheel

THE November meeting of Inner Wheel was held on Monday, 12 November, at Llety Parc.

It was the third get-together under the new regime, which involves meeting for a light meal and socialising before the main business of the evening.

This approach seems to be appreciated by members as evidenced by the high turnout on this meeting celebrating 67 years of the club.

The speaker for the evening was Sue Balsom, who gave an insight into the role and duties of the High Sheriff of Dyfed, her recent position. She gave a brief history of the role of High Sheriff from Norman Britain to the 21st century, explaining that in the past the High Sheriff held a powerful position, supporting the monarch in ruling the shires, dispensing justice, raising finance and an army! The Sheriff’s powers were gradually eroded over the centuries and today it is a largely ceremonial position.

Sue gave examples of some of the public service and official functions she carried out during her year in office. She particularly recalled the citizenship ceremony she attended for the clear dedication of those present. She also remembered acting as returning officer at the election, though being up most of the night was uppermost in her memory!

In conclusion Sue showed the feathered tricorn hat and jabot she had worn, along with her badge of office. It was enlightening to hear details of the role of High Sheriff and members are now much more aware of the continuing significance of it.

Sight Cymru

ON 22 November, the charity Sight Cymru will be hosting an event at the National Library for Wales, Ceredigion, from 1.30pm until 3.30pm to talk about eyes, sight and maintaining good eye health.

A variety of other organisations will be there, demonstrating aids and equipment that can be helpful to those with little or no sight, as well as specialists in eye care and different eye conditions.

There will be a free buffet, and staff and volunteers will be on hand to talk to people about any concerns they have about their sight.

Bridge club

FRIDAY, 2 November: 1 Roger Boyle and Jeff Thomas; 2 Robert Griffiths and Magda Corser; 3 Elenid Thomas and Betty Brookes.

Sunday, 4 November: 1 Mike Jones and Alan Stein; 2 Robert Griffiths and Ian Finlay; 3 Jean Harrison and Mair Jenkins.

Friday, 9 November: 1 Mike Tedd and Yuan Shen; 2 John Holmes and Alan Stein; 3 Elenid Thomas and Jeff Thomas.

Sunday, 11 November: 1 Andrew Loat and Jeff Thomas; 2 Mike Jones and Alan Stein; 3 Elenid Thomas and Pamela Woodhouse.

In the Welsh Premier League, two club members, Mike Tedd and John Salisbury, came second as part of a team.

On Friday, 9 November, the club participated in the Children in Need Sims competition.

In this nationwide competition, Mike Tedd and Yuan Shen came first for the event that was played on Friday, 9 November.

The club raised £77 towards the charity.

Headway meetings

THIS month’s local Headway meeting for brain injury survivors in Ceredigion was held on 5 November in Tesco’s Community Room.

Community Gateway team manager Cyra Shimell was present and informed members all about the help community connectors can give to anyone who needs support. This followed on from October’s meeting, when Christine Leonard, Ceredigion Neuro Team occupational therapist, talked about Hywel Dda’s support for Brain Injury Survivors.

The next Headway Ceredigion drop-in is on Monday, 3 December, from 2pm till 4pm, and there will be mince pies. Learn about the soon to start Tai Chi and Boccia sessions. Free for those with an acquired brain injury, their partners and/or carers.

Next year the Disability Rights Service will be at the February drop-in. No meeting in January.

Headway Ceredigion offers support for people who have experienced brain injuries, through stroke, accident, or illness and 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, on the first Monday of the month from 2pm till 4pm. Free refreshments

Rotary club

AT LAST week’s Rotary meeting, two days after Remembrance Sunday, past president Huw Spencer Lloyd gave a talk on his ‘pilgrimage to Flanders and the Somme’ a few years ago.

His interest in the events of the First World War had been kindled by having in his possession the medals won by his great-uncle, David Hughes, who had served in the Welch Regiment and was killed in action at Passchendaele on 8 August, 1917.

Reflecting on his emotional visit to the scenes of battle and immaculately maintained war cemeteries, Huw reminded members of the great losses and sacrifices that had occurred on all sides – 16.5 million casualties, including civilians. Around 750,000 soldiers from the British Isles had not returned home. At Mametz Wood alone, in 1916, over 4,000 – mostly Welshmen – had been killed. Historic buildings in the town of Ypres had been destroyed, although the impressive Cloth Hall had been rebuilt by 1964 and now housed a museum to commemorate the war.

At Ypres, Huw had visited the Menin Gate where the losses are remembered each evening to this day by the playing of the Last Post, and the Thiepval Memorial in the valley of the Somme, built to commemorate those from France, Britain and the Commonwealth whose place of burial was not known. Nearby, he saw the Lochnagar crater, where tunnels were dug under the trenches of the German forces by Welsh miners at the start of the battle of the Somme. He also visited Artillery Wood cemetery in Flanders, where the poet Ellis Humphrey Evans – Hedd Wyn - is buried. Whilst the scenes of terrible slaughter have long gone, and been restored as attractive and peaceful countryside, there were still relics such as pill-boxes and bunkers as a stark reminder of the past.

Stroke club

FOR November’s lunch outing, the members travelled to the football clubhouse in Penrhyncoch. The grand number of 63 turned up, which included a new member from town, Mr Lawrence, who was made very welcome.

The ever-popular raffle tickets were handed around by Judith and Jean. The 750 club numbers were drawn. At the carvery the willing staff helped members not too good on their feet. After the sweets were served, the raffle took place, with many lovely prizes to be had. The chairperson gave a vote of thanks to Clive and all his excellent staff for a most enjoyable meal and to say a fond farewell to him.

The Christmas dinner for the club is on 5 December at the town’s football club.

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