THE latest community news from Dyffryn Ardudwy & Talybont

Gardening club

THE November meeting was held in Dyffryn Church Hall on Monday, 13 November, when the guest speaker was Tim Lever from Aberconwy Nurseries.

His talk, entitled Travels in Patagonia, took members on a spectacular journey travelling from south to north in his search for native alpine plants.

The climate in southern Patagonia is dry, cold and very windy, which made photography very difficult.

Extensive travel was required to search out the wide variety of plants, some of which were only two or three centimetres in size.

Patagonia is a volcanically active country and the soil is acidic. The strong winds cause water loss from the leaves and many of the plants are found growing under the shelter of the rocks where they are able to access moisture. Some, such as cacti, cover themselves with spines to protect themselves from animals.

There are many varieties of calceolaria, among which is calceolaria uniflora reportedly discovered by Darwin on his expeditions in the Beagle. Several daisy varieties, oxalis, petunias and alstroemeria grow in abundance.

Considering the minute size of some of these plants, members couldn’t help but notice that they all have lengthy and tongue twisting Latin names!

Travelling further north, there is more water from snow melt on the mountains, together with more rainfall. Trees grow here, unlike the south, some bearing brightly coloured fungi

Very highly scented plants are designed to attract pollinators from afar. Among the plants found here are junellia, saxifrage, violas orchids, which grow on the ground, monkey puzzle trees, mimulus and the Chilean fire bush. There is also sea drift and several varieties of primulas.

In addition to many birds, you can also see eagles, rheas, armadillos, foxes and colourful lizards. Flamingos can be seen in the lakes. There is also a thriving colony of Welsh speakers.

Mr Lever was thanked by the chair, Karen Hall, for a most informative talk, which was beautifully illustrated with his many photographs.

The December meeting will be the Christmas party, held in the church hall on Monday, 11 December.

Committee ’81

ARRANGEMENTS are in hand for the 36th evening of carols to be held at Dyffryn Ardudwy Village Hall on Tuesday, 19 December, at 7pm.

The carol singing will be under the baton of Aled Morgan Jones, conductor of Côr Meibion Ardudwy, and there will be items by the choir.

Tea/coffee and mince pies will be served during the interval, and a warm welcome is extended to all.

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