THE latest community news from Aberystwyth.

An evening at The Drwm

AEPPA (Aberystwyth and Esquel People in Partnership Association) organised another successful event in The Drwm devoted to Patagonia, where Aberystwyth’s twin town of Esquel is situated.

Under the general title ‘Perspectives on Welsh Patagonia: past, present and future’, Mr R Mills gave a short paper about why the Argentine government was keen to encourage the Welsh migration to Patagonia at the time of the sailing of the Mimosa in 1865.

He showed maps to illustrate the vast territory south of the province of Buenos Aires and said how important the Welsh had been in securing that area, still not settled, for the Argentine Government.

After an interval for refreshments, Dr Stephen Tooth gave an illustrated talk about his recent visit to the region and then set out his hopes for the future.

These hopes involve a closer link with several organisations in Esquel, such as the University and the Cultural Centre, but mainly of course with the Welsh community, whose activities go from strength to strength. They are currently in the process of extending their Canolfan in Esquel.

Dr Tooth had been very impressed with their efforts and used this event to highlight this and made a plea for contributions to their funds. A sum of over £100 was collected and will be sent to Esquel.

Christian Aid

THE December Christian Aid frugal bread and cheese lunch will be hosted by St Michael’s and St Mair’s at Bethel Chapel from 12pm to 1.30pm on Monday, 5 December.

All are welcome to partake and reflect on the coming festive season where so many have food a plenty and countless others are starving.

Thus with the plight of an estimated 65 million refugees in the world today, very much in mind, Christian Aid Wales is organising an Escape to Egypt walk from Bethlehem in Carmarthenshire, to Egypt, near Bodfarri in Denbighshire.

The walk begins on Sunday, 4 December, and concludes on Thursday, 15 December. The walkers will be led by Huw Thomas, national secretary of Christian Aid Wales; the Rev Aled Edwards, Cytun chief executive; Anna Jane Evans and Peredur Owen Griffiths, Welsh Christian Aid officials; and the Rev Nan Wyn Powell Davies.

The walkers aim to reach Aberystwyth on Wednesday, 7 December and continue northwards on the Thursday morning.

Local people are invited to join in the walk and anyone wishing to sponsor a walker for all or part of the journey should contact the Rev Adrian Williams, the local Christian Aid secretary on 01970 612500 or the Rev Andrew Loat, the chairman, on 01970 624638.

Wildlife Trust

THE final evening meeting of the year, organised by the North Ceredigion Section of the Wildlife Trust South and West Wales, is on Monday, 5 December, at 7pm in Lecture theatre C22, in the Huw Owen building, on the Penglais Campus. Local wildlife artist Owen Williams, will be talking about The Woodcock Network.

Ramblers

AS WALK leader Dave demonstrated on his walk from Cwmtydu to New Quay on Saturday, 26 November, the many excellent bus services in Ceredigion make it possible to venture out far and wide for walks without the need for cars. After a cold night there was still a slight chill in the air as 18 walkers boarded the T5 at Aberystwyth Bus Station at 10.10am. Another two walkers joined between Aberaeron and Cei Bach junction, just before New Quay, where the Cardi Bach Coastal bus was waiting to take the group on to Cwmtydu. Another two walkers got on the Cardi Bach at New Quay.

As the planned walk was not too long there was plenty of time for a leisurely coffee stop at Melyn-y-Gors Café in Cwmtydu. During the first ascent towards Castell Bach a large group of seabirds, possibly gannets, were feeding on shoals of sprats or herring, could be seen some way out at sea.

When the top was reached there were magnificent views, not only down the steep slope towards the two little semi-islands with their amazing rock formations, but also towards Ynys Lochtyn, Foel y Mwnt and Cardigan Island, all still shrouded in a faint mist.

Along the horizon to the north was the hazy outline of the Snowdonian mountains, Llyn Peninsula and, only just visible, Ynys Enlli. There could not have been a more glorious lunch spot than near the top of the slope above Traeth y Coubal.

As the day wore on, the view north became clearer and clearer and by the time the top of the hill above New Quay Head was reached Pumlumon, Mynydd Moel, Penygadair and most of the main Snowdonian mountaintops could easily be identified. There was also the nice view down into New Quay where a football match was taking place.

Côr Meibion

THE choir was engaged on behalf of Tesco to sing at the event held to mark the opening of their new supermarket in Aberystwyth on Thursday, 24 November.

At the request of the company, the choir performed a programme of mainly Welsh items which entertained the large number of people who turned up for the event and visited the store.

The opening formalities were carried out by rugby star Shane Williams and he, along with some members of staff, were persuaded to join the choir in singing the final item. The choir was conducted by musical director Alwyn Williams with Elenid Thomas accompanist.

Silver Band

THE concert with Aberystwyth Silver Band to be held in Y Morlan on 2 December will be the first of three Christmas events involving the choir.

We will be entertaining the residents of Hafan y Waun on 13 December and then carol singing in Aberystwyth in support of the Rotary Charity collection on 19 December.