THE latest community news from Llanidloes

Rotary Youth Leadership Award

THE Rotary District annually host a leadership course organised by the Rotary Club of Oswestry Borderlands.

The Rotary Youth Leadership Award (RYLA) is aimed at energetic youngsters who have shown leadership potential.

Llanidloes Rotary Club annually sponsor a student, and receive letters throughout the year from potential applicants. This year the club chose Llanidloes High School student Sarah Davies after receiving an exceptional letter highlighting all of her achievements to date.

Sarah attended the course, which is run near Fairbourne, during August. The 16-year-old became a member of the Green Team and quickly made friends with like-minded youngsters from other areas.

Sarah explained that the team quickly bonded and formed trusting relationships and that she realised the importance of these qualities as the course progressed.

A team walk to the top of Cader Idris cemented these qualities and helped Sarah improve her leadership skills whilst helping other members reach the summit.

The youngster commented that she has made new friends for life and that she would like to thank Llanidloes Rotary Club for the fantastic opportunity provided.

If you are aged between 15 and 17 and feel RYLA could benefit you as a young adult, then contact Llanidloes Rotary Club for further details.

Rotary Club

LLANIDLOES Rotary Club held a fellowship evening at the Red Lion Hotel.

Historically, the club does not meet in August, and the first meeting back in September is always a great chance to share a meal and to catch up over a few drinks.

Some of the Rotarians visited neighbouring clubs during August and John Sheppard informed the club of these visits.

The pinnacle of the evening was the induction of two new members to the club. Huw Morris, a cabinet maker, was introduced by club treasurer Paul Jones and John Sheppard introduced Adam O’Rourke of Welsh Computers.

Both new members were warmly welcomed by their fellow Rotarians, with club president Stephen Meyer commenting how pleased he was to receive a total of five new members within the last six weeks.

The club discussed their second Defibrillator Awareness Day which will take place in Chatwood House, Longbridge Street on Saturday, 16 September. The defibrillator, which was funded by Rotarian events, is located on the wall of the old post office and is best utilised by trained individuals.

Although the equipment has instructions, members of the Rotary urge the local community to drop in for 10 minutes to allow experts from St John to talk you through what to do in the event of an emergency. The training is free and will place from 9.30am to 3.30pm this Saturday.

Eglwys Manledd Church

A THANKSGIVING service will take place on Wednesday, 27 September, with Rev Jon Price at 6.30pm.

Book signing

THE Great Oak Bookshop and Llanidloes As Sawiya Friendship Association present Israeli journalist and columnist Ofra Yeshua Lith, who will speak about whether a Jewish state is a good idea for Secular Jews (Wednesday, 27 September, 7pm in the Great Oak Bookshop).

She makes the case for an inclusive, secular and democratic state in her homeland. There will be Palestinian produce on sale as well as the book signing.

Noah’s Ark

IN addition to the Noah’s Ark Sponsored Walk, a separate group, the Llani Boys For Noah’s Ark, will undertake a sponsored walk on 1 October. They will travel by coach from Llanidloes to Ponterwyd where they will walk for 14 miles to Talybont and then get the coach back to Llanidloes.

Anyone willing to sponsor them or join the group on the walk should contact Les Jones (01686 413125).

Typhoon of Love

THE Presbyterian Church of Wales Appeal, in conjunction with Christian Aid, presents a coffee evening on Thursday, 2 September, at 7pm in the Trinity Church Schoolroom, with Anna Jane Evans (Christian Aid) and Nona Newbold. The focus will be on the Philippines.

Pet therapy

MAESYWENNOL Day Centre enjoyed a visit from pet therapy dog James.

Around the country, approximately 5,000 active Pets as Therapy dogs enhance the health and wellbeing of those they meet, improving their lives as part of a holistic approach to treatment.

English Setter James is a fairly recent Pets As Therapy recruit.

The young dog is a rescue from Greece, where he was found abandoned and starving. His owner, Martina Hamburger, who works for and supports various foreign animal rescues, can’t praise his kind and gentle temperament enough.

True to his breed, James enjoys cuddles and cwtches when he is not out exercising and hunting with his two English Setter brothers, also rescues, from Spain and Ireland.

Martina’s motivation to join Pets as Therapy came when her late husband Richard received chemotherapy. His stays in hospital were brightened by visits from local Pets as Therapy dogs.

She enjoys her and James’ interaction with the service users at Maesywennol and loves to engage with their stories about long lost pets and their adventures.

Anybody interested in finding out more about Pets as Therapy or to apply as a volunteer is encouraged to visit www.petsastherapy.org for more information. Anybody interested in offering a home to an abandoned English Setter should contact www.settusfree.org.uk.

St John

LLANIDLOES St John Division is participating in the Save a Life in September campaign.

Training sessions are available on 13 September (10am to noon, 2pm to 4pm and 7pm to 9pm), 20 September (7pm to 9pm) and 27 September (7pm to 9pm).

For further enquiries or to book a place, contact Eleri Sargent on 07725 621256 or Annette Macken on 01686 412932.

Millennium Garden

MORE volunteers are being south to help maintain the garden.

Prospective volunteers can join once or every week. Meet in the garden on Friday mornings, 9am to 10am (weather permitting).

For further information, call the chair, Lynne, on 01686 412318.

Dementia friends meeting

THERE will be a public meeting on 19 September at 6pm at Chatwood, Longbridge Street.

A dementia-friendly community is supportive and inclusive of anybody affected by dementia. In these communities people with dementia are empowered to have aspirations and feel confident, knowing they can contribute and live the life they want.

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