THE latest community news from Aberystwyth

Parkinson UK

THE Parkinson Group met as usual at the Waun Fawr Community Hall.

The chairman reported that the group had lost another of the original members of the Parkinson Group after the loss of Margaret Gibbins in June.

Former treasurer Dr Peter Gardner’s funeral had taken please on Saturday when many members attended. The group stood in memory of Dr Peter Gardner.

Members attended a Christmas bazaar at Starling Cloud this month and the Christmas dinner was held at the Wildfowler Hotel on Thursday, 19 December.

The speaker for the afternoon was Madeline, who has been making cakes and decorating them for over 30 years. She brought with her some walnut whip chocolates from which she produced two marvellous decorations for Christmas, one a Rudolph and the other a reindeer, she decorated these two using salted caramel, white chocolate and modelling chocolate.

She taught for over 30 years in Coleg Ceredigion.

The crowd were astonished at the final two decorations that Madeline produced.

Ramblers

ON New Year’s Day, John and Chris will lead the Aberystwyth Ramblers along a moderate six-mile route, appropriate for those having indulged in the end of year festivities. Meet at Plascrug Leisure Centre at 10am or Talybont square at 10.20am.

The walk will be from the village through woodlands to the Afon Cletwr above Tre’r-ddôl.

Then along the river bank and up through the Nature Reserve emerging to ascend the lane leading up to Bedd Taliesin, crossing the attractively sited Cletwr bridge and enjoying unsurpassed views of the Dyfi estuary from Taliesin’s ancient resting place.

Returning down a lane of reputedly Roman origins with attractive views of Talybont and beyond; arriving back at the square and White Lion for the usual refreshments. Phone 01970 832525 for any enquiry.

The walk is inappropriate for dogs except guide dogs by prior arrangement.

St David’s Church

SUNDAY, 5 January: Rev Adrian Williams at 10.30am (Communion).

Stroke club

THE club’s winter weekend break to Llandudno was on 13 to 16 December.

Twenty-one members travelled by coach and had a very smooth enjoyable trip.

The Four Oaks Hotel looked after them well, with warm rooms, lovely food and great staff.

On Saturday morning, they were visited by Santa Claus and handed gifts – all this at breakfast time!

In the evening, after dinner, a few games of bingo took place and four of the group won some prizes. Come lunchtime on Sunday – off to the pantomime.

More bingo on Sunday evening, where five members won.

All too soon, time to pack and board the coach for the trip home.

Christmas wishes were handed around on the coach.

The first lunch outing in the new year is on Wednesday, 15 January.

Audrey, the excellent social secretary will be in contact.

Gwerin Aber Folk

THE group met for their last folk and roots evening of 2019 on 18 December in the festively decorated Ceredigion Coliseum Museum.

Heather Jones, as MC, introduced the evening.

The first performer was Daniel Laws who started with two Spinner songs, Black and White and Family of Man, and finished his set with a song of his own, Bright Lights.

Jon Bell and his concertina were next on stage. Jon started with Bound for the Rio Grande. Jon then told the group about the traditional Welsh ‘Plygain’ church services and then performed a typical ‘Plygain’ carol in Welsh. Jon finished with a new song of his own, The turkeys have voted for Christmas.

A change of style saw Ava take to the stage, starting with a poem. Ava then showed a piece of her own art and ended with an unaccompanied song.

The festively dressed John Alderslade was the next performer. He started with a song accompanied by mountain dulcimer before swapping over to a very old mandolin for a festive tune medley. John finished with a mandolin accompanied song.

Heather Jones took to the stage and read the festive poems, The night before Christmas – featuring a mouse and one about Saint Nick.

The second half was started by Daniel who performed three of his own songs.

Jon Bell returned with Strike the bell, a medley of festive concertina tunes and ending with a naval sea song.

Ava returned with more readings and thoughts of life - ‘vision of a new light’.

John Alderslade was back on stage with three more pieces using both dulcimer and mandolin.

The final item of the evening was Daniel, Heather, Jon and John performing Dirty old town with audience accompaniment.

The club is having a break in January and so the first evening of 2020 will be on Wednesday, 5 February at the museum, starting at 7.30pm entrance free (doors open 7pm).

All are welcome whether as audience or as a performer.

More details can be found at https://www.facebook. com/groups/GwerinAberFolk/ where any other impromptu events will also be announced.

Postcard club

THE club held its annual Christmas party on 3 December at St David’s church hall. Members were asked to bring their favourite postcard of 2019 and also compete in a 12 days of Christmas quiz.

A donation of £32.40 has been sent to Wales Air Ambulance, by the treasurer, Gillian Hopkins, which were the proceeds of a postcard valuation day.

The members of the postcard club regret the loss of one of its members, Peter Davis MBE of Aberaeron who passed away at the age of 91 at the end of October.

His contribution to the club will be forever remembered.

The next meeting of the club will be held on Tuesday, 7 January at 2pm in St David’s church hall.

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