THE latest community news from Aberystwyth

North Ceredigion Forum for Elderly Care

THE last meeting was held on 16 January at the town council offices in Aberystwyth.

A larger than average turnout participated in a lively discussion, chaired by former MP Mark Williams.

The topic under discussion was the chronic shortage of nursing care beds for people with dementia within the county of Ceredigion.

County council figures for the end of 2018/19 indicate that there are currently around 30 people receiving nursing care out of the county.

The meeting was attended by Kim McKay, who runs the Abermad Nursing Home in Llanilar, the site of the only seven EMI nursing beds in the county.

Ms McKay gave an insight into the need for more EMI nursing beds when the meeting was told that there is currently a waiting list of 15 for the seven beds she provides.

Echoing the county council’s preferred option that Bodlondeb be sold to a buyer who would develop the site for provision of EMI nursing care, the meeting agreed that forum secretary, Pat Bates, will write to the leader of the council, Cllr Ellen ap Gwynn, to request more details about the current situation regarding the sale of the Bodlondeb former residential home.

Dr Lucy Gough, of the Save Jasper House Campaign gave the forum an update on progress.

She was able to say that efforts of the Friends of Jasper House and the newly formed board of trustees are starting to bear fruit but was not able to provide many details due to the stage negotiations are currently at.

The forum also extends its sincere congratulations to forum member Eurwen Booth and the rest of the dedicated volunteers who are currently steering the Papur Sain Ceredigion Talking Newspaper through its golden anniversary, 50 years, the first talking newspaper in the UK and the subject of an Early Day Motion by Ceredigion MP Ben Lake.

The next meeting is scheduled for 27 February at 7pm, in the Aberystwyth Town Council offices.

RWFCA of The Royal Welch

THE AGM was held at the start of the new year.

The president, Mike Binks, said the year had followed a similar pattern to the previous year and thanked members for there participation.

He specifically pointed out the enjoyment had by branch members who went on the trip to France to commemorate the D-Day participation of the antecedent regiments of the Royal Welch.

The welcome and hospitality given by the French people in every town they visited was truly amazing.

The chairman, Duncan Sykes, reiterated the president’s words and added that they must redouble their efforts to recruit members.

Finally, the secretary, Paul Hinge agreed that they’d had a pretty good year but asked that members please answer requests that required their attention as a matter of urgency.

The treasurer, Peter Lansley, provided a breakdown of the year’s spending which consisted of the annual St David’s Day, the trip to France and Remembrance Sunday.

Most of this was a money coming in and then going out scenario.

The elections saw the following posts filled: president - Mike Binks; chairman - Duncan Sykes; secretary - Paul Hinge; treasurer - Peter Lansley; welfare - Richie Evans; standard bearers - Tony Meyler and Charlotte Smith.

The AGM closed and the normal branch meeting was opened.

Members had an opportunity to debate and vote on a proposal to alter the format of the National AGM in Wrexham.

This will now see everything happening on the Saturday with the main meal happening at 1pm, so members could then frequent the local hostelries later in the day, if they so wished.

The proposal was accepted by a majority vote.

A letter of congratulations was read out on the new role and promotion of the Colonel of the Regiment, General James Swift.

Money was taken for the second payments for the trip to St Venant in May this year, with final payments due in the meeting on 25 March.

The final item on the agenda was this year’s St David’s Day, being held in the Marine Hotel on 29 February, 7pm for 7.30pm with chief guest Captain Sam Large Regimental Adjutant and his good lady.

Names to the secretary by 25 February at the latest please.

The meeting closed; with the next meeting being on 25 March.

St David’s Church, Bath Street

SUNDAY, 2 February: 10.30am, Rev Adrian Williams (Communion).

No evening service.

Aber 50+ forum

AT the last meeting of the forum, Peter Hughes from Nest/Nyth came to speak about ’Keeping Warm in Winter’.

The Nest/Nyth Scheme, provided by the Welsh Government, offers a range of free impartial advice on energy and for those who are eligible, a package of free home energy efficiency improvements such as a new boiler, central heating or insulation.

Peter talked about switching energy providers to save money.

In the question and answer session at the end, there was a discussion about smart meters and renewable energy and one member was concerned that she had not heard about the scheme before.

In December, the forum went to the Aberystwyth Golf Club for the annual Christmas dinner.

There was a raffle with a plethora of prizes and a Christmas hamper which was won by Prof Frank Hogg (see photo).

It was very well attended and a good time was had by all.

The next meeting will be on Wednesday, 29 January, at 2pm in the Morlan, when members of Wales Air Ambulance will give a presentation about the work of the charity.

All over-50s are very welcome.

Cymdeithas yr Aelwyd

NOS WENER, 24 Ionawr, croesawyd Heiddwen Tomos o Bencarreg gan y llywydd, Gwynfor Jones.

Mae Heiddwen yn llenor o fri sydd wedi derbyn canmoliaeth uchel am ei dwy nofel D.r yn yr Afon yn 2017 ac yna Esgyrn gyrhaeddodd restr fer ffuglen yng ngwobrau Llyfr y Flwyddyn 2019.

Hi hefyd oedd enillydd y Fedal Ddrama yn Eisteddfod Genedlaethol Sir Fon yn 2017 am y ddrama Milwr yn y Meddwl.

Darllenodd Heiddwen ddarnau o’i gwaith yn cynnwys y stori fer O’r Cysgodion sydd i’w chyhoeddi yn y gwanwyn.

Tamaid blasus i aros pryd!

I gloi’r noson atebodd Heiddwen nifer o gwestiynau difyr a ofynnwyd iddi gan aelodau’r Aelwyd a datgelodd hynny lawer inni sut a phryd mae gwraig fferm, mam i dri o blant ac athrawes yn mynd ati i ysgrifennu.

Merched y Wawr

CROESAWYD yr aelodau i gyfarfod mis Ionawr gan Dana Edwards, y llywydd.

Roedd croeso arbennig i Owain Schiavone, y g.r gwadd.

Brodor o Pandy Tudur ger Llanrwst yw Owain.

Cafodd ei addysg yn Ysgol Dyffryn Conwy ac ym Mhrifysgol Bangor.

Ef yw cyfarwyddwr Golwg a Bro 360, hefyd mae’n olygydd a chyfarwyddwr Y Selar.

Trefnwyd ei araith yn tair rhan.

Soniodd yn gyntaf am ei waith, yna ei ddiddordeb mewn cerddoriaeth.

Roedd yn mynychu gigs yng nghwmni ei dad yn ifanc iawn.

Parhaodd hyn pan aeth i’r coleg.

Daeth yn swyddog adloniant Cymdeithas yr Iaith yn gyfrifol am drefnu gigs yn yr Eisteddfod Genedlaethol ac yn y Cwps yn Aberystwyth.

Mae’n trefnu Gwobrau Selar sydd yn cael eu cynnal am ddwy noson ym mis Chwefror yn Aberystwyth.

Yn olaf soniodd am ei hoffter mwyaf sef rhedeg.

Bydd yn un o rhedwyr Marathon Llundain yn mis Ebrill.

Diolchodd Dana iddo am rannu ei brofiadau, gan ddymuno’n dda iddo yn ystod y marathon.

Yn ddiweddglo i’r noson cafwyd cyfle i sgwrsio dros baned.

Llyfr mis Ionawr yn Y Clwb Darllen oedd Ingrid gan Rhiannon Ifans, enillydd y Fedal Ryddiaith yn eisteddfod Llanrwst.

Bum yn ffodus iawn i gael y cyfle i drafod y llyfr yng nghwmni Rhiannon ar brynhawn Llun, 20 Ionawr.

Wildlife Trust

THE first meeting in 2020 of the North Ceredigion Section of the Wildlife Trust South and West Wales, will be on Monday, 3 February.

The speaker will be Mark Barber of the Amphibian and Reptile Conservation Trust. Mark will be talking about Amphibian and Reptile Conservation in Wales, and an interesting evening is promised.

A very warm welcome is extended to all to the meeting which will be held in Room C22 in the Huw Owen Building on the Penglais Campus at 7pm.

Gwerin Aber Folk

WHILE Gwerin Aber Folk took a break from its normal folk and roots sessions for January, club members and others gathered at the Amgueddfa Ceredigion Museum on Friday, 24 January to listen to Winter Wilson in concert.

Members arrived early to welcome the musicians and to assist Huw Llwch AV set up his PA equipment and prepare the event.

Jon Bell, as MC, started by introducing local musicians George Nash and Guy Osborn, who were to be the support acts for the evening.

They performed a 30 minute set, combining George’s percussive guitar style with Guy’s guitar playing and singing, ending with a really good duo piece together.

After a short break, Kip Winter and Dave Wilson, collectively known as Winter Wilson, took to the stage for their first 45-minute set.

An excellent mix of humour and music was well appreciated by the audience.

At around 9.15pm, Winter Wilson retook the stage and gave another 45-minute set. On Wednesday, 5 February, they have their first regular folk and roots evening of 2020 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/

Plascrug Bridge Club

7 JANUARY: 1 Margaret James and Pamela Woodhouse; 2 Agnes McKenzie and Mary Jones.

13 January: 1 Sue Sherman and Mike Yeo; 2 Doreen Anthony and Dylan Raw-Rees; 3 Pamela Woodhouse and Margaret James.

20 January: joint 1 Pamela Woodhouse and Margaret James; 3 Mary Jones and Agnes McKenzie.

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