THE latest community news from Aberystwyth.

Aberystwyth University Mauritius campus

STUDENTS from Aberystwyth University’s Mauritius Branch Campus have been declared winners of a debating competition organised by the Mauritius Independent Commission Against Corruption.

Dooshan Paddia (second year business finance) and Khalil Beebeejaun (second year law) were triumphant in the eight team final.

The Dean of the Branch Campus, Dr David Poyton said: “Dooshan and Khalil performed superbly. They were great ambassadors for the University and were ably supported by their colleagues in the audience."

“Their success is a testament to their hard work and dedication, not only to the competition but also to the launch of the students Anti-Corruption Club. Our colleague Professor Ved Prukash Torul must also be commended for his support and guidance,” added Dr Poyton.

Speaking after their success Khalil Beebeejaun said: “These competitions are very helpful as our oratory skills and the way we structure our arguments have drastically improved. It is undisputed that these skills will help anyone studying any subject to excel in his/her courses.

“Our mission now is to encourage more students to participate in these competitions for their own benefit and we’ll work even harder to help them shape and deliver their arguments. Consequently, Aberystwyth University will shine again and again.”

Fundraising for Bronglais

Fundraisers from Mydroilyn have donated over £500 of gifts to Bronglais Hospital’s children’s ward.

The committee of the Mydroilyn Christmas Fair donated £521 worth of presents to Angharad Ward, Bronglais Hospital after raising money during the fair. The gifts were donated as part of the Hywel Dda Health Charities Give a Gift appeal.

Floral Society

OUR guest arranger for our December meeting was our own president, Donald Morgan, winner of a Gold Award as part of the Three Counties and South Wales NAFAS team at Chelsea.

Donald, as usual in his own humorous way, demonstrated three designs on a seasonal theme. The first started with a large basket with a beautiful Olde Worldy Father Christmas at the centre. As he then added twigs, lichen, red amaryllis, white lilies, deep red gerberas and green chrysanthemum blooms, this design certainly came to life as a fantastic Christmas design which would grace any stately home.

His second arrangement was in a tall silver container that he had purchased at a warehouse in Cardiff on the society’s trip back in July. He lined the base of his arrangement with folded aspidistra leaves and with his favourite Christmas colours being white and silver, he did not disappoint with a stunning arrangement of dianthus, lilies, large chrysanthemum blooms and to finish and reflect the base silver Christmas baubles which again completed the design beautifully.

The third design would be a design that would last through Christmas. The stand cleverly looked like a Christmas present and Donald went back to the traditional colours for Christmas but with a great variety of beautiful flowers of red anthuriums, very unusual red lilies, red dianthus and a twist or orange with beautiful strelitzia flowers also known as bird of paradise flowers.

These were arranged effortlessly and to compliment the finished present he then brought out one he’d prepared earlier to place on a reindeer’s sleigh.

Lynne Lloyd then thanked Donald for a fantastic series of arrangements. She also said that she remembers Donald starting to come to the society many years ago and she had seen Donald grow into the more than capable demonstrator he is today.

She also mentioned how proud she was that the Aberystwyth Society had a Gold Medal winner as their president.

The flower raffle and the lucky number raffle was then drawn followed by a buffet for all that attended.

Thanks go to Carol Bland for organising the lucky number raffle and also to all the members who sold tickets.

In January we will have an insight into Chelsea as Donald Morgan will be telling us of how the three counties and south Wales exhibit for the Chelsea Flower Show came to be.

All are welcome to attend at Llanfarian Village Hall on Tuesday, 17 January, with non-members being able to pay on the door.

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