THE latest community news from around Cardigan.

U3A

ONCE again, Cardigan U3A enjoyed another successful open day on Thursday, 27 October.

The mayor of Cardigan, Cllr Clive Davies, was on hand to meet and greet members and honoured the opening of the event by making a brief speech.

This open day was a chance for Cardigan U3A to show local semi-retired and retired people the sorts of activities available within the organisation.

U3A, which stands for University of the Third Age, is a national and international organisation with a charitable status. Nationally, there are 1,000 branches, over the UK; in Wales we have 50. Its motto is ‘Learn, Laugh and Live’. Here in Cardigan, all of the members are brought together once a month to enjoy a good talk by interesting people.

There is a great diversity of speakers from all walks of life, ranging from officialdom to the experiences of one of our members, whose warm-hearted and hilarious life on a canal boat for 17 years, enthralled everyone.

Outside of the monthly meetings, the ‘interest’ groups meet in a variety of places: people’s homes, village halls, cafés – anywhere that is convenient and accessible.

The groups include astronomy, family history, singers, collectors, three levels of walking groups, metal detecting, geology, ukulele, creative writing, reading, wildlife, wine appreciation, local history, Scrabble, digital photography, Italian, French and gardening.

The positive impact the U3A can have on the life of an older person was brought home during the open day, when a couple, newly arrived from Guernsey, actively sought out their nearest U3A as the organisation to join, to help them settle in their new community.

Their experience of the U3A as a welcoming, happy place to be involved with people who are interested and interesting, speaks volumes for the sort of association on offer in Cardigan.

If you missed the open day this year, you are welcome to come along to any monthly meeting to find out what the U3A can do for you, and what you can do for it.

The organisation meets in the Catholic Church Hall, North Road, every fourth Thursday of the month from 2pm to 4pm. Everyone is welcome. The next meeting is on 24 November and is a Christmas get-together.

Cymdeithas Aberteifi Society

AFTER a most successful launch of Cardigan’s new civic society on 19 October, when Father Seamus Cunnane gave a fascinating talk on the legacy of medieval Cardigan, the group is holding its next meeting on Thursday, 24 November, at 7pm in the Fishermans Rest, Quay Street, when Hazel Thomas of the National Library of Wales will give an illustrated talk on the library’s wonderful People’s Collection in relation to Cardigan and its surrounding area.

Everyone with an interest in the life – past, present and future – of this historic town is most welcome. For any further information about the society, please visit the website at www.trefaberteifi.co.uk or email [email protected].