THE latest community news from Aberystwyth

Parkinson UK

AT the monthly meeting at Hafan y Waun community hall, the chairman welcomed everyone and said it was nice to see Barbara Standing and Megan Morris at the coffee morning as both had missed the meeting after attending Bronglais Hospital.

He reported that Dr Peter Gardner had fallen and had to have stitches in his head.

The meeting started with 20 minutes of exercising.

The chairman reported that he had attended a reception at the Cambrian News where a number of charities benefitted from the 10k race on the prom, and received a cheque for £200.

He thanked everybody who had collected at Morrisons and the sum of £339.45 was raised. He also thanked everybody who had worked hard before and on the Saturday morning to make the occasion a success. The community hall was full to see Aneurin Hughes of Hinterland open the event. They managed to raise the record sum of £950.64. The chairman had welcomed Aneurin and referred to his life in Penbontrhydybethau, and his career on the TV. Aneurin made a speech before being presented a gift from Leinwen, the vicepresident’s grand daughter. The chairman reported that Aneurin had donated a great sum to the occasion. The group would like to thank everybody who attended to make it such a success.

After 21 years as one of the first Parkinson nurses to be elected, Bethan Lewis Pryse had retired from the post.

Hefin congratulated Bethan for all the help she had given to the Parkinson patients over the years and said that she had been great to his ex-wife Beryl who had suffered for over 20 years. Bethan responded by saying that she had enjoyed every minute of the job and hoped a new nurse would be chosen soon. Hefin presented a cheque for her retirement and Ceinwen presented her with flowers.

After last year’s visit to Bala to participate in the North Wales boccia tournament for the disabled when they came second, three teams went up there this year and after a hard competitive day, they weren’t so successful this year and didn’t come through to the semi-finals, owing to the fact other teams play regularly in boccia leagues, but everybody enjoyed their day out. The speaker for the meeting was Ann Bryant, who is a volunteer with The National Coast Watch Institution. Ann brought one other volunteer, David, with her. She gave a very interesting talk about the work they do.

T? Geraint

ON Wednesday, 15 May, between 10am and 12.30pm and 1.30pm and 4pm the Palliative Care Team are holding a ‘Planning, Potting and Planting’ event at T? Geraint, Bronglais General Hospital to coincide with Byw Nawr ‘Dying Matters Week’.

This event will give members of the public, users of the palliative care service and colleagues the opportunity to meet the palliative care team, learn useful things such as writing wills, and socialise all whilst planting some pots to make the garden area pretty.

Carys Stevens, Palliative Care team leader, said: “The Specialist Palliative Care Team in Ceredigion are committed to the Byw Nawr campaign and each year take the opportunity to promote awareness and reach out to more people in the county to have the important conversation about living and dying well. Ceredigion are we ready?”

Ramblers

2019 marks seven years since the launch of the opening of the All Wales Coast Path.

Ramblers Cymru are celebrating this event with the 2019 Wales Coast Path Walking Festival, from north to south Wales, including hidden parts of the Ceredigion and Pembrokeshire coast.

Thus, on Saturday, 11 May, there were four walks, all starting from Cwmtydu: a ‘scenic walk’, led by

Aberystwyth Ramblers, a ‘get close to nature walk’, led by Lampeter and Teifi Ramblers, a ‘Cwmtydu to Llangrannog coastal and litter pick walk’, led by Cardigan Ramblers and a ‘Wild Spring Greens Coastal Foraging walk’ led by Wild Pickings. Aberystwyth Ramblers’ seven-mile scenic walk was attended by 14 walkers. Starting from the recently opened boathouse, T? Cwch, the first part of the walk was the steep ascent up the path towards Llangrannog. Any walker using this path will take a break once they get to the top of this stretch, not just to get their breath back, but especially to enjoy the magnificent views down the valley and of the coast north towards New Quay. Obviously no exception was made on this occasion. Along the next stretch Ynys Lochtyn comes into view, the peninsula near Llangrannog which, in darker weather, may look a little like a crocodile waiting for its prey. After a coffee stop the walk continued along what may be seen as a prime example of what an amazing feat it was to build this path. There is a steep gradient up on the left while on the right is the sheer drop straight down towards the sea far, far below.

It must have taken great courage to take out a digger and construct this part of the route, as is demonstrated by the fact that a new, higher part needed to be dug after serious subsidence and a landslide just a few years after the path was completed. Just before the Urdd Centre the route veered away from the coast through a field where the walkers came upon a little lamb with an injured, possibly broken paw.

Fortunately, on the tarmac road just above the field, the local postman was just in the process of delivering the mail. He promised to warn the farmer and one of the walkers knocked on the door of an acquaintance living along this road, so, if all is well, the farmer received two messages.

Farmers often worry about walkers leaving gates open, and rightly so, but walkers can be very useful in rescuing sheep and lambs caught in fences or brambles or alerting farmers when anything else is amiss.

After crossing a field full of flowering purple orchids a woodland track near Pontgarreg was followed to a well-sheltered field where lunch was had. Then a short stretch of tarmac led to a beautiful area of deciduous woodland with a steep drop down to a stream on the left hand side. In the middle of this forest part of the stream was walled in. Apparently this dates back to ancient times, long before the trees were planted, when there was a mansion along the banks of this stream. Once out of the forest there was one more descent and ascent to avoid having to use the tarmac road, which took the group back to the start of the coast path and to T? Cwch in Cwmtydu where refreshments, coffee, tea and delicious cakes including home baked Welshcakes were awaiting the walkers and where awards were handed out for completing the walk.

The Ceinws to Llanwrin circular talk takes place on Sunday, 19 May.

A moderately strenuous ramble over the rolling green hills to the east of the village of Ceinws, including a visit to St Gwrin’s church.

The walk follows tracks and paths across the fields, with ever-changing views of the Tarrens, Cader Idris, the Dyfi hills and the mountains of mid Wales. Some steep ascents and descents on grass.

Meet at 10.30am at the old forestry huts in Ceinws (grid ref SH758060) or at 9.30am at Plascrug Leisure Centre. Leader Jacky can be contacted on 01654 761561 or 07929 062412. No dogs please as this is sheep country.

CANTM

MEMBERS enjoyed a superb five-day holiday in the Lake District staying at The Nethewood Hotel in Grange-over-Sands.

Visits were made to Tabley House, Bowness on Windermere, Levens Hall, Dalemain Mansion, Sizergh Castle, Leighton and Holker Halls and Tatton Park.

Further programme events include a visit to Yr Ysgwrn, the newly-opened museum of the Black Eisteddford Chair dedicated to the poet Hedd Wyn and a train ride on the Ffestiniog Railway to explore the Slate Cavern Museum which will take place on Wednesday, 22 May.

On Friday, 21 June they will be welcomed to Gillian’s annual garden party for afternoon tea.

Bring a friend to introduce to CANTM.

Holy Trinity Church

AFTER it’s very successful and much appreciated contribution to the Mothering Sunday service, the Children’s Choir enjoyed a break before practices restarted after Easter.

The choir, under the leadership of David Cooper, continues to do well with good turnouts at the regular Friday 4pm practices.

The youngsters are now tackling new challenges and getting much enjoyment from the weekly practices.

The next opportunity for people to hear the choir, will be on the evening of Friday, 21 June, when it has been invited to provide the musical interludes at an Aber Opera Concert in Holy Trinity.

Parents with young children who like singing and might be interested in joining the choir, are warmly invited to bring them along to one of the Friday 4pm practices for a taster.

Plascrug Bridge Club results

APRIL 23: 1, Pamela Woodhouse and Margaret James; 2, Sue Sherman and Gwynant Edwards; 3, Vicky Edwards and Margaret Ellis.

April 30: 1, Doreen Anthony and Dylan Raw-Rees; 2, Margaret James and Pamela Woodhouse; 3, Gwynant Edwards and Jeff Thomas.

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