THE latest community news from Aberystwyth

Ramblers

THE Aberystwyth Ramblers walk on Saturday, 3 August, will follow the Devil’s Bridge to Borth path between Nant yr Arian and Talybont.

This is a moderate walk of around nine miles, mainly downhill, with a few uphill stretches. They start in an upland area with some woodland and later follow the Leri river down an attractive valley to Talybont.

They will meet at Stand 3 of Aberystwyth Bus Station at 9am to catch the 9.05am X47 service to Bwlch Nant yr Arian.

From there, they will walk down to Talybont, from where they can catch a bus back to Aberystwyth.

For more details, contact Alison on 01970 624188 or 07549 528529.

No dogs please.

On 8 August, bus ramble to Corris. Meet at 8.50am at Stand 4, Aberystwyth Bus Station to catch T2 (Lloyd’s Buses) to Corris, Braich Goch Inn.

Alternative meeting place, Corris Railway Car Park (limited parking) SH 755078 at 10am.

This is a seven-mile walk, grade B.

To start, they climb into the hills above the Afon Dulas and on to Foel Friog Forest Picnic site. From here they climb through woodland with good views of Aberllefenni.

They return past Aberllefenni slate works and back along the pretty Afon Dulas to Corris. Bus home.

Contact leader Penny Miller on 01970 627379.

Gwerin Aber Folk

ON 17 July at Ceredigion Coliseum Museum, visitors from Llandovery, Worcester and Melton Mowbray amongst other places joined local club members, bringing numbers to around 35.

The evening started with tunes by local concertina player, Jon Bell, followed by Brenig playing some of their original folks songs and tunes.

This was followed by a duo of Derick on guitar and Andrew playing tunes on a South American instrument known as a Charango.

John Alderslade (folk ballads) and Bill (acoustic covers) were followed by Emily Farr performing a mix of some her original songs and acoustic covers.

A change of instrument saw Keith playing tunes on a melodica.

Charlotte, one of the Melton Mowbray visitors, sang a beautiful unaccompanied folk song (partly in Irish Gaelic) along with one composed by one of her friends.

Elizabeth, one of the Llandovery visitors, gave an unaccompanied rendition of a classical piece that had the theatre reverberating.

After a short break, Sam and Eleanor - visitors from Worcester who run a folk magazine called FolkLife West - entertained us with some traditional folks songs in both English and Welsh.

The really excellent evening of acoustic music and song was ended by the ‘Museum Band’ playing for a good audience sing song of Dirty Old Town and Fly Away.

Heather as MC had beautifully conducted a really good evening and one that featured some great unaccompanied singing as well as instrumental items and accompanied song.

Do you enjoy most styles of folk and roots music? If so, why not join the next night on Wednesday, 7 August, at Ceredigion Coliseum Museum starting at 7.30pm (doors open 7pm). Entrance free.

Plascrug Bridge Club

25 June: 1 Gwynant Edwards and Jeff Thomas; joint 2 Margaret James and Pamela Woodhouse/Jacqui Roberts; joint 4 Mary Jones and Agnes McKenzie/Alison Edwards and Peter Thomas.

2 July: 1 Mike Jones and Alan Stein; 2 Agnes McKenzie and Mary Jones; 3 Pamela Woodhouse and Margaret James.

9 July: 1 Gwynant Edwards and Jeff Thomas; 2 Jean Harrison and Mike Jones; 3 Pamela Woodhouse and Margaret James.

The club is now closed for the summer and will re-open in September.

Côr Meibion Aberystwyth

CÔR Meibion Aberystwyth, the local male voice choir, will be holding three Friday evening performances on the promenade bandstand during August, as part of the summer entertainments programme co-ordinated by the Aberystwyth Town Council.

The first performance will be this Friday evening, 2 August commencing 7.30pm, and admission is free.

In addition to the choir’s varied repertoire, there will be an opportunity for audience participation in a number of popular songs including Calon Lân, Delilah, and Cwm Rhondda.

The choir will be led by Alwyn Evans, with Elenid Thomas as accompanist.

Further performances will be given on 16 and 30 August.

Also, Côr Meibion Aberystwyth will be taking part in a concert on Friday, 23 August at St David’s Church, Bath Street, organised by the Aberystwyth Flower Festival in aid of HAHAV.

Open garden

THROUGH the first weekend of August (3rd-4th) Brenda and Norman Jones throw the gates open to their garden in the Ystwyth valley for National Garden Scheme good causes.

Starting from scratch 10 years ago the sloping green field is now ablaze with summer colour.

The original design, development and growth of this garden could provide inspiration for idea seekers who are looking to improve their own space.

Adjoining, just below Penybont is a delightful footbridge over Nant Cwm Tarw brook.

There are endless paths throughout the Ystwyth Forest for keener walkers.

The garden lies alongside The Ystwyth Cycle Trail 81/82.

St David’s Church, Bath Street

SUNDAY, 4 August: 10.30am, Rev Patricia Grudgings (communion).

No evening service.

Cardiganshire Horticultural Society

THE fifth of the society’s summer outings took place on Thursday, 18 July and saw some 30 members enjoying a day trip by coach into the Welshpool area to visit Glansevern gardens and the Dingle Nursery and Garden.

On arrival at Glansevern, the party enjoyed coffee and biscuits in the courtyard, followed by a warm welcome and introduction to the house and garden from the owner.

Everyone then thoroughly enjoyed exploring the large garden which had not been visited by the society for a good few years.

After an excellent buffet lunch in the courtyard, the short journey to the Dingle followed where there was plenty of time both to enjoy a very special garden and some retail therapy in the adjacent nursery.

The sixth and final trip of the season is on Sunday, 1 September to Gwynedd, visiting the University of Bangor’s botanic gardens near Menai Bridge where the director will be taking the party round the green houses with their interesting plant collections; and the second visit of the day will be to the gardens of Penrhyn castle.

This year has seen a number of newcomers coming on the trips and really enjoying the interesting gardens and the extras that come with being part of an organised society visit.

Newcomers on the final trip of the season can be assured of a very warm welcome, and more information is available from John and Sue Wildig on 01970 623713.

Beekeepers Association

THE July meeting of the association took place on Tuesday, 16 July, in the Waun Fawr Community Hall at 7pm.

This season has seen a lot of swarming and with Phil Springham’s talk being on Swarm Control using the Taranov Method, it attracted a particularly good audience.

Although a bit on the late side for this year, it alerted members to a different method of swarm control, they might wish to consider using in 2020.

With beekeepers loving to talk, a very good meeting was enjoyed by all.

The association runs an interesting and varied programme of meetings throughout the year and on Sunday, 4 August, George Riley, a local entomologist, will be leading a meeting on pollinators.

This will start at 1.30pm in the Waunfawr Community Hall, where George will give a short introduction to the subject before the party moves to Morrison’s car park for a walk along the very diverse riverside path.

Here attendees will have the opportunity to catch and identify any insects they find.

The afternoon will then conclude in the Waunfawr Hall with tea and cake, and further discussion (of the weather is inclement then the walk will be substituted by an extended talk by George).

A warm welcome is extended to people interested in taking up beekeeping as a hobby and more information on the Associations activities over the coming autumn and winter is available from Ann Ovens, the secretary, on 01970 832359.

Allotments

ABERYSTWYTH allotments welcomed a host of visitors to their two sites for the National Garden Scheme Open Day on Sunday, 21 July (see picture).

On a glorious sunny day beneath a beautiful blue sky visitors experienced for themselves what makes allotments such a special place.

This year NGS awarded a certificate with heartfelt thanks to Aberystwyth Town Council for five years of generously opening the gardens at Aberystwyth allotments in support of NGS.

The plots were looking at their very best and visitors from near and far including Tenby, Llanidloes and South Wales were able to see the excellent range of fruit,flowers and vegetables that are grown plus the opportunity to sample cordial and cakes all made from allotment produce.

Visitors were impressed with the diverse plots, the mixture of vegetables and flowers and the environmentally friendly practices that support pollinators and encourage wildlife.

The allotmenteers were very generous gifting the visitors bunches of sweet peas and vegetables and this goodwill continues as the allotments now have a stall outside the main entrance where surplus produce is left for passers by to help themselves.

The 2nd Penparcau Scouts provided an excellent refreshments stall much appreciated by the visitors on a warm busy afternoon.

Aberystwyth allotments are very proud of their achievements at the annual Open Days to raise funds for NGS where 80p in every £1 given goes towards providing invaluable nursing care in our hospitals, hospices and in our community. To find out more about Aberystwyth allotments contact the secretary Brian Heath on 01970 617112.

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