THE latest community news from Aberystwyth

Ysgol Penweddig

MAE Ysgol Penweddig yn falch iawn o bob disgybl a fu’n cystadlu yn Eisteddfod Genedlaethol Urdd Gobaith Cymru 2019.

Mae rhai wedi cael y profiad o sefyll ar y llwyfan a llwyddo, ac eraill wedi ymdrechu eu gorau, ond heb gael llwyfan y tro hwn.

Gwnaeth Seren Jenkins gipio Y Fedal Gelf, Dylunio a Thechnoleg Mae’r llun (dde) yn dangos Seren gyda’i gwaith, a gafodd ei arddangos yn yr Eisteddfod drwy gydol yr wythnos.

Derbyniodd Seren y fedal mewn seremoni arbennig ar faes yr Eisteddfod yng Nghanolfan y Mileniwm, Bae Caerdydd yn ystod yr ?yl.

Dyma rhai o’r canlyniadau o’r llwyfan ac o’r cystadlaethau gwaith cartref: Cadi a Beca Williams – ail yn y ddeuawd Cerdd Dant dan 19; Guto Lewis – trydydd yn yr unawd bechgyn dan 19; Ioan Mabbutt – cyntaf yn yr Alaw Werin Bl 7 i 9, ail yn yr unawd bechgyn Bl 7 i 9.

Gwaith cartref: Barddoniaeth Bl 7 - Efa Williams (trydydd); Barddoniaeth Bl 8 - Steffan Nicholas (cyntaf), Elen Morgan (trydydd); Barddoniaeth Bl 12 a 13 - Esyllt Einion (cyntaf); Rhyddiaith Bl 7 Lleucu Sion (ail); Rhyddiaith Bl 10 ac 11 - Gwen Down (cyntaf)

Celf, Dylunio a Thechnoleg: Ffotograffeg/ Graffeg Cyfrifiadurol Bl 10 dan 19 oed - ail, Sian Fflur Jenkins, Bl 10; Print Monocrom B 7, 8 a 9 ail, Nia Lewis, Bl 7; Print Lliw Bl 10 dan 19 oed - trydydd, Sian Fflur Jenkins Bl 10; Gwaith Creadigol 2D Tecstiliau Bl 10 a dan 19 oed trydydd, Seren Wyn Jenkins, Bl 13; CAD/CAM Bl 10 a dan 19 oed - ail, Seren Wyn Jenkins, Bl 13; Gwaith Dylunio a Technoleg Bl 10 a dan 19 oed - cyntaf, Seren Wyn Jenkins, Bl 13.

Friends of Bronglais

DR Elin Jones, locum consultant oncologist at Bronglais Hospital, opened the Friends’ summer coffee morning recently.

Many of you may know that Dr Jones completed a 10k run to raise a considerable sum of money towards a chemotherapy unit at Bronglais to which many charities, including the Friends, have contributed generously.

Dr Jones is highly optimistic that plans will soon go ahead to replace the highly unsatisfactory situation which exists at present where privacy is totally lacking.

She can visualise a different approach to cancer and passionately believes that the disease should be regarded as a chronic illness and that people can learn to live with rather than die from cancer.

A highlight of the morning was an enthusiastic and well-rehearsed performance by Elinor Powell’s group Sgarmes who performed in their unique style free of charge.

The coffee morning was a great success as indicated by the sum of £1,274.52 raised at the event.

Everyone’s contribution is much appreciated.

Rotary club

MAIR Hughes, headteacher of Ysgol Penglais, addressed the club on the subject of ‘Education in Wales’.

She began with memories of her own educational background in Trefnant, Ysgol Glan Clwyd, and then Oxford University where she took an MA degree in music.

Recalling her experiences in learning to play the harp, competing in Eisteddfodau, and orienteering in Ysbyty Ifan, she emphasised that “learning is not just about school, but all the experiences that form us as individuals”.

Her teaching career began in Ysgol Gwynllyw, the first Welsh/bilingual school in Gwent; she then moved to Brentford School for Girls where she spent 13 years as music teacher and deputy head. Then after a period at Hampton Academy, which was run by a Swedish Educational Trust, she returned to Wales in 2017 to take up her current post at Penglais.

The needs of local communities had played a large part in the development of education in Wales since the nineteenth century. Two major influences during the twentieth century have been the introduction of a national curriculum, and the growth of Welsh-medium schools. Schools are now seen as having a role in preserving and developing the language and culture. There were also new challenges from external bodies such as Estyn, and the changes in leadership and accountability systems experienced throughout the sector.

Looking to the future, Mair felt that importance must be placed on inclusivity, working in partnership with the community, inspiring leadership, and strong inter-school collaboration.

“We have been through a pattern of education that’s politically led; we’re now returning to education that’s back in the hands of the community – quite challenging, but quite exciting,” she said.

Mair was warmly thanked for her talk by Robin Varley, former head of geography at Ysgol Penglais.

North Ceredigion Forum for Elderly Care

THE meeting was held at the town council’s offices on 20 June.

The meeting was ably chaired by vice-chair Lisa Francis in the absence of Mark Williams.

Reference was made once again to the unwillingness of senior members and officers of Ceredigion County Council to meet in a public forum.

Also, it was decided to write once again to the leader of the county council to enquire into whether any progress has been made into the sale of Bodlondeb, which is currently ‘sold subject to contract’, which has been the case since January.

It was agreed that greater emphasis be given to the role that the forum can make to open and inclusive governance in presenting the feedback from the general public as it is presented to us.

It was agreed that a new invitation be extended to the chief executive and leader of the county council to attend one of the regular monthly meetings.

That the forum should take on such a role has recently been welcomed by Hywel Dda University Health Board’s director for Ceredigion, Peter Skitt.

In acknowledgement of the origins of the forum being in the ‘Save Bodlondeb’ campaign, and the current opposition to residential home closures in Rhondda Cynon Taf, the meeting agreed to contact Save Care Homes and Centres in RCT to respond to create an alliance of like-minded groups in Wales to offer support and information.

The meeting heard that the forum has been approached for information and advice several times by both print and broadcast media, including ITN Wales.

A warm welcome was extended to new attendee, Tom, who is currently at Coleg Ceredigion studying health and social care.

Andrea Hughes appraised the meeting of the apprenticeship scheme, by which successful applicants will be taken on as health care assistants whilst studying towards a nursing degree through the OU.

Secretary Patricia Bates will write to the cardiac team at Bronglais Hospital to congratulate them on their recent work with pacemakers.

The forum also wished to offer its sincere congratulations to Prof Frank Hogg OBE who has recently been made a fellow of the University of Aberystwyth.

The next meeting will be on 11 July at 7pm at the town council offices.

Palestine Solidarity

NEXT Saturday, 29 June, sees the launch of a local branch of the Palestine Solidarity Campaign (PSC).

The launch event will take place in Arad Goch in Bath Street from 1pm. To initiate the new group, Betty Hunter, honorary president of PSC, will talk about the plight of children who find themselves on the frontline of Israeli military actions in Palestine. The soundtrack to the event will be provided by Côr Gobaith, who will sing songs of hope for peace and justice in the region.

The event will conclude with the inaugural AGM of the Ceredigion branch of the Palestine Solidarity Campaign.

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