THE latest community news from Aberystwyth

Rotary club

THE subject of last week’s talk to Aberystwyth Rotary Club was ‘Rewilding the Countryside’, an issue which has led to much controversy in mid Wales recently.

The speaker was Peter Taylor, a lifelong environmentalist and author. He is a member of the Wildland Research Institute at the University of Leeds and leader of Ethos, an ecological consultancy.

Rewilding involves large-scale conservation aimed at restoring and protecting natural processes and wilderness areas. It may also seek to protect or reintroduce top predators and keystone species; examples include wolf in Scotland, white-tailed eagle in Wales and lynx in Spain.

The speaker maintained that, given the consequences of human impact on the environment, it is developed countries such as the UK that need urgently to take the lead in addressing these issues; rewilding is seen as a key approach.

Some of the more remote upland areas of Scotland and Wales were described as ideally suited for rewilding, however, integration with existing users, including farmers and landowners, was essential.

The increase in the sheep population, particularly at the expense of cattle, was regarded as a problem for wildlife in upland areas due to overgrazing. In a broader socio-economic context, a cheap food policy contributes significantly to global environmental problems.

In Wales, Bwlch Corwg, near Machynlleth is a 140-hectare area of moorland recently acquired by Cambrian Wildwood where the aim is for native woodland to colonise naturally.

Peter Taylor also outlined his work on global warming and his proposition that much of the recently documented warming of the Earth has been caused by peaking natural cycles and therefore adaptation, not mitigation, should be the priority.

Clive Parker, club vice-president, thanked the speaker for a fascinating and thought provoking address.

Ramblers

THE walk on Saturday, 9 November, will be the leisure centre to Consti circular.

Meet at 10am at Plascrug Leisure Centre (SN594812).

This circular walk is an easy/moderate walk of six miles on good tracks and paths, walking through the university campus, Parc Natur Penglais, stopping at the viewing point before ascending through the old quarry.

Then walking along the side of the golf course before approaching the Consti café.

After a break here they descend to the promenade before making their way through Plascrug Avenue.

All are welcome but no dogs please (except registered assistance dogs by arrangement).

Contact Roy Haynes 07968 011590 for more information.

The Aberystwyth Ramblers will be led on a moderately strenuous B+ grade walk of nine miles from Tre’r-ddôl to Moel y Llyn and back again on Sunday, 10 November.

The meeting place in Aberystwyth will be Plascrug Leisure Centre at 9am and then to meet the leader and other walkers the alternative meeting point will be Tre’r-ddôl Chapel at 9.30am, from where the walk will start (OS grid reference: SN659922).

If going to the start of the walk by car please share lifts and park responsibly in the village.

The walk route will go inland along footpaths and tracks which can be muddy.

The group will eventually ascend over more open ground to the summit of Moel y Llyn, from where there is an excellent viewpoint if the weather is clear.

After a break for lunch the walk route will descend to the starting point in the afternoon, with further views of Cardigan Bay anticipated.

No dogs on this walk please, with the exception of assistance trained dogs.

For further information please contact the walk leader, David, on 01970 871057.

Bibliographical Group

THE Bibliographical Group began its 49th programme with a meeting in the National Library on Tuesday, 22 October.

Peter Jones, fellow librarian of King’s College, Cambridge, spoke on ‘Magic Tricks, Handy Tips, Healing Charms: Collecting Experiments in the Middle Ages’.

There was a great appetite in the Middle Ages for experiments (experimenta in Latin).

They consist of advice on how to do useful or impressive things, like make yourself disappear, keep rats and mice away, or ward off fever by saying or writing words of power. Sometimes experiments circulated in collections, written by scribes as continuous texts, particularly when they were medical or alchemical. These texts were usually credited to great authorities like the Roman doctor Galen or the philosopher Aristotle. Otherwise experiments appear in manuscripts as single items, sometimes added in the margins or on blank leaves. They claim to be tried and tested.

The lecture was followed by a lively discussion, after which members adjourned to the Marine Hotel for dinner with the speaker.

The next meeting will be on Tuesday, 19 November at 6.30pm in the National Library, when Dr Mary-Ann Constantine will speak on ‘Turning Travel into Books: The Bibliographical Journeys of Thomas Pennant’.

Stroke Club

FOR the October luncheon outing, 51 members travelled by coach and car, on a lovely sunny morning to TyGlyn, Ciliau Aeron.

The chairlady greeted all and hoped they would have a good time.

Judith and Aileen did the circuit of the room with the raffle tickets. The table with the prizes was very well stacked, so thanks to all who contributed.

Then the meal was served by the most helpful staff and a truly scrumptious lunch was eaten. All the plates were empty.

Then it was time for the 750 club draw, with lots of cheques handed out to members. Whilst tea and coffee were served, the raffle began and the winners were asked to collect their choice off the table.

Social secretary Audrey,informed them that the next outing is not as on the membership card, so they are going to the Golf Club in Borth on 20 November.

Also, if anyone wishes to join them in Llandudno in December, let them know soon.

Then it was time to thank the hotel and staff for a grand day out, and to board the coaches and various cars to drive home on a still lovely sunny afternoon.

Air cadets

ABERYSTWYTH Air Cadets have said goodbye to FS Luke Webbon-Thomas.

Luke has been a cadet of 561 Sqn for the past six years and in that time he has accomplished a great deal. In the last 12 months Luke was appointed as the Lord Lieutenant’s Cadet for Dyfed and also awarded an Air Cadet Pilot Scholarship place.

Luke has always had a passion for flying and at every opportunity; he would put his name down for flying, gliding or to go on the Partial Task Trainer (PTT).

He has been instrumental in designing, developing and maintaining the squadrons flight simulator, spending many hours passing on the knowledge he gained from his flying to teach the younger cadets the fundamentals of flight. Luke was also prominent when we took the flight simulator to PR events, where he spend endless hours showing people (young and old) how to fly and thus promoting the RAF Air Cadets.

Out of thousands of applicants he was picked as one of only four people to receive a prestigious pilot scholarship with Bristows. For those who don’t know, Bristow Group Inc. is the world’s leading industrial aviation solutions provider offering helicopter transportation, search and rescue (SAR) and aircraft support services to government and civil organizations worldwide. So the opportunities this scholarship will give to Luke will be endless.

Members of Ardwyn, Aberystwyth & District Squadron have thanked Luke and wish him all the very best for his future and hopefully in years to come.

St David’s Church, Bath Street

SUNDAY, 10 November: 10.30am, Elen Wyn Worman.

All welcome.

No evening service.

Bridge club results

11 October: 1 Alan Stein and Jacqui Roberts; 2 Elenid Thomas and Andrew Loat; 3 Sue Sherman and Pamela Woodhouse.

13 October: 1 Margaret James and Betty Brookes; 2 Gabor Gelleri and John Holmes; 3 Mike Jones and Alan Stein.

18 October: 1 Dai Hayes and Doreen Anthony; 2 Roger Boyle and Jeff Thomas; 3 Keith Bellamy and Mike Jones.

20 October: 1 Pat Roe and Margaret James; 2 Alan Stein and Mike Jones; joint 3 Roger Boyle and Jeff Thomas/Gabor Gelleri and John Holmes.

25 October: 1 Mike Jones and Margaret James; 2 Jacqui Roberts and Alan Stein; 3 Elenid Thomas and John Holmes.

27 October: 1 Betty Brookes and Margaret James; 2 Sue Sherman and Margaret Ellis; 3 Elenid Thomas and Pamela Woodhouse.

Plascrug Bridge Club

8 OCTOBER: Joint 1 Margaret James and Pamela Woodhouse/Mike Jones and Alan Stein; 3 Doreen Anthony and Dylan RawRees.

15 October: 1 Mike Jones and Alan Stein; 2 Pamela Woodhouse and Margaret James; joint 3 Sue Sherman and Mike Yeo/Doreen and Dylan.

22 October: 1 Doreen Anthony and Dylan Raw-Rees; 2 Mike Jones and Alan Stein.

29 October: 1 Alan Stein and Mike Jones; 2 Pamela Woodhouse and Margaret James.

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