THE latest community news from around Aberystwyth.

Probus Club

AT their first meeting of the new session, Aberystwyth Probus Club was treated to a talk by Helen Palmer, the Ceredigion county archivist.

Helen began by explaining that the Ceredigion Archives is the record office for the county and is responsible for providing the records management service to preserve the integrity and confidentiality of the county’s records, both historical and contemporary, and to manage the data protection requirements that the council has to meet.

She said the items that are possibly the most interesting to the general public are those in the historical collection, which contains some surprising information. For example, along with clandestine marriage certificates and the vehicle registration documents for old EJ plates, there are letters and maps concerning a proposed atomic power station at Llanrhystud!

The team at the archives are enthusiastic about their online presence and have several blog sites to keep people up to date on their activities and to make some of their original material available to the wider world. The finances of the county council are, of course, under pressure and the archives service has not been immune from this. Volunteers to help them with some of their activities are always welcome, Helen said.

Helen’s presentation was quite different from what one might imagine of the cloistered world of the archive: dynamic, enthusiastic, extrovert. The interest she generated in her talk was evident in the large number of questions that the members of the club were keen to ask at the end, and it was a pleasure for Peter Henley to propose the vote of thanks.

The club will be holding a coffee morning on Wednesday, 12 October, and the next club meeting will be on 26 October, when the speaker will be Dr Alan Axford.

Salvation Army

A NEW initiative is coming to Aberystwyth, called a Wellbeing Day. This day is the first of its kind and is the brainchild of Gemma Gill, who is part of the Disabled Children’s Team.

The day will be held at the Salvation Army building in Alexandra Road between 10am and 2.30pm on Friday, 14 October. The day is free to attend and a light lunch will be provided.

Lieutenant Claire Durrant from the Salvation Army said: “We were delighted to offer our building for use when Gemma came to us with the idea.

“We’ve been working with the team for a number of years and are just amazed at the kind of support, care and assistance they give to families who really are in desperate need of help. Having a family, being a parent/carer is hard work, it can be very lonely at times, so it’s great to have people offer a shoulder to cry on/shout out when needed and come alongside you with very practical support.”

The Wellbeing Day will focus entirely on the parent/carer and will give people a chance to chat together and share experiences. Dr Ann Edworthy (Cerebra) will give a talk on managing stress for carers and there will also be various therapists to support with health and relaxation. Other agencies will be there to provide Information and support. For more information ring 01970 627016.

Round Table

THE Round Table is urging young men aged 16 to 30 to join the Anthony Nolan stem cell donor register.

The scheme matches individuals willing to donate their blood stem cells or bone marrow to people with blood cancer and blood disorders who desperately need lifesaving transplants.

In 1986, Round Table clubs across the UK and Ireland were instrumental in adding 100,000 new names to the Anthony Nolan register and 30 years on, Round Table clubs are teaming up with the Anthony Nolan charity again, this time targeting young men.

For those interested in finding out more about Anthony Nolan and Round Table, go to anthonynolan.roundtable.co.uk.

Wildlife Trust

THE beginning of October sees the first of the North Ceredigion Section of the Wildlife Trust South and West Wales’s, programme of indoor meetings and talks getting under way.

The season started on Monday, 3 October with Fiona Corke, the new section chairman (having taken over from John Wildig post the 2016 AGM) warmly welcoming a good audience including many students to the meeting in Lecture Theatre C22 of the Huw Owen Building.

The Marine environment was the focus of the meeting.

The speaker was Natalie Brown, living seas awareness officer, from the Cardigan Bay Marine Wildlife Centre.

Natalie began her talk by pointing out that the centre in New Quay is now part of the Wildlife Trust South and West Wales, and delivers the trusts Living Seas Programme.

She then went on to give a fascinating insight into the work of the centre and marine life in Cardigan Bay, and as is the norm with section meetings, her talk stimulated a good discussion.

The November meeting at 7pm in C6 will see Vicky Squire of the National Trust talking about the Magnificent Meadows Project in Ceredigion.

Côr Meibion Aberystwyth

UNDER the leadership of conductor Alwyn Evans and accompanist Elenid Thomas the choir has decided to enter next year’s National Eisteddfod choir competition.

This will represent a return to the National after several years absence.

The decision has also been made to take part in the Welsh Male Choirs Festival at the Royal Albert Hall in 2018, providing our application is successful.

Our concert secretary has reported on several recent requests for concerts and other engagements which will ensure a very busy period between now and Christmas.

The next concert is being given on behalf of the counselling charity Seren on 29 October at Y Morlan.

At the concert, the choir will also take the opportunity to commemorate the Aberfan disaster, the 50th anniversary falls this year.

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