THE latest community news from Aberystwyth

Ramblers

THE Ramblers walk on 24 August led by Moira, 01970 612998, starts at Plascrug Leisure Centre at 9am or the Cwrt carpark SH689001 at 10am.

The route follows the Happy Valley road to join the bridleway to Rhydwen-yr-onnen.

They climb from this to Trum Gelli and follow the ridge path over Tarren Hendre with excellent views over the Dyfi Valley.

This is an easier way to ascend the Tarrens.

The steep descent is over paths and grass to Pennal Isaf and along roads to Cwrt.

Distance: 11 miles B+.

Assistance dogs only please.

St David’s Church, Bath Street

DURING the August bank holiday, St David’s Church will be celebrating its second annual Flower Festival which will be in aid of a local charity. Admission to the Flower Festival is free but donations to Aberystwyth Hospice at Home Volunteers would be much appreciated.

Several Aberystwyth churches will be participating when the theme for the floral displays will be ‘well-known hymns’.

The church will be open for viewing from Friday, 23 August until Monday, 26 August, between 10am and 4pm (except on Sunday when opening times are 12pm until 4pm).

Ten churches and other organisations are taking part.

There will also be a painting and model display with a cup of tea at the end of your visit.

There will also be an exhibition of art by Margaret Worrall and a craft and miniature display by Dr Clive Williams, both of whom are Elders at St David’s.

Aberystwyth Male Voice Choir will be performing at a concert on Friday evening at 7pm.

On Sunday morning at 10.30am there will be a united service when the preacher will be the Rev J Owain Jones MA BD, from the Isle of Bute who has links to Aberystwyth.

His father was a former Postmaster at Aberystwyth Post Office.

Owain was brought up in Rhyl and Caernarfon, and later studied at the University of St Andrews where he graduated with an Arts degree in Biblical and Theological Studies.

His first Pastorates were in Tywyn, Bryncrug, Aberdyfi and Llwyngwril.

During this time, he also taught Hebrew, Old Testament and Aramaic at the Aberystwyth – Lampeter School of Theology in the University of Wales.

He returned to Scotland in 1987 and after several pastorates was inducted to the charge of the United Church of Bute in 2011.

He occasionally presents Thoughts for the Day for Radio Scotland and Radio Wales and is a member of the Order of Musicians of the honourable Gorsedd of Bards.

Rotary club

THE guest speaker at last week’s Rotary meeting was Nigel Callaghan from the Cletwr Community Project, Taliesin.

He described how the original village hub of a café and petrol station had closed in 2009, but then reemerged as a community venture which opened in 2013.

The project received £900,000 in public and private funding, the largest contribution of £500,000 being made by the National Lottery.

From an initial three part-time members of staff and 50 volunteers, the project now employs in excess of 20 people, mainly in a part-time capacity.

The village shop and community space are now, quite rightly, at the heart of the community, giving appropriate room for local produce and community events.

There is now a discernible and higher level of confidence in all that is done by, and for, the community.

The Rotary club president, David McParlin, thanked Nigel for his inspiring and informative address.

Cambrian Floral Society

A SNAP decision made a couple of months ago resulted in the chairman and secretary entering the Floral Art classes at the prestigious Shrewsbury Flower Show held on 9 and 10 August.

The chairman, John James, won several prizes including a first for his arrangement ‘Destination Unknown’ (pictured). The country he chose to display was South Africa including its exotic flowers and incorporating the animals of the Kruger National Park.

He also received the silver salver, presented by the Shrewsbury Floral Society.

The secretary, Marian Weston, won second prize for her ‘Rough with the Smooth’ predominantly foliage arrangement and a Highly Commended for her interpretation of ‘Neptune’s Bounty’.

Please note that the society recommences its programme in September.

However, changes have had to be made and in future we will meet on the third Friday of every month and the new venue will be St Padarn Church Hall at Llanbadarn Fawr.

The first meeting will be a social evening with demonstrations by some of the newer members which will take place on Friday, 20 September, at 7pm.

Existing and new members very welcome.

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