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THE first speaker in October was Lona Mason, head of Graphic Screen and Audio-Visual Material at the National Library of Wales in Aberystwyth for the last 26 years.

She spoke of the artist Kyffin Williams, who for many years lived on the edge of the Menai Straits, working as a full-time professional artist using a palette knife and oil-paints to depict scenes of Snowdonia.

Upon his death in 2006, many of his personal effects were bequeathed to the National Library of Wales in Aberystwyth, where his paintings are stored.

Next year, both the National Library and Oriel Môn in Anglesey will hold exhibitions to mark the centenary of his birth, starting in February.

The speaker was thanked by Margaret Rees.

The competition of a favourite painting was won by: Lilwen Bevan (1st), Carol Evans (2nd) and Jill Turner (3rd).

At the next meeting, Hazel Rimmer reported back on the recent group meeting.

They then heard a talk from Margaret Hopkins, who for the last 18 years has been a case worker in West Wales for the organisation “Care and Repair in The Home,” whose aim is to help elderly people stay in their own home as long as possible.

Their main office is in Haverfordwest, but our speaker’s local office is in Aberystwyth.

The organisation is funded by the Welsh Government and by the Local Authority, and also employs local craftsmen.

Members of the public can contact them directly to request help, and a case worker will visit them at home within 15 days to identify and discuss their needs in an informal chat free of charge, and will advise how to access the help which is most appropriate an individual’s needs.

They can provide gadgets and equipment, and give advice on a whole range of topics.

Information packs were distributed to our members.

The vote of thanks was given by Carol Evans.

The following week, Hazel Rimmer, deputising for the president, Judy Lile, introduced the speaker, Prof Jane Aaron.

Her topic was “19th Century Welsh Women Writers.”

The winners of the competition for a flower arrangement in an egg-cup were: 1 Margaret Peel, 2 Eirlys Jones and 3 Betty Wakelin.

At the end of October, they welcomed Tim Newby, head gardener at Llanerchaeron, an 18th century-listed mansion on the River Aeron.

The building was designed and built in 1795 by John Nash for Major William Lewis, and is now in the care of the National Trust.

Twenty volunteers look after the gardens, the fruit and vegetables being sold to the public in the farm shop.

The walled gardens are home to dozens of veteran fruit trees, growing 43 varieties of apple.

Barbara Awty thanked Newby for a very interesting evening.

Winners of the competition for the ugliest vegetable were: Jill Turner (1st), Margaret Peel (2nd) and Betty Wakelin (3rd).

Congratulations to Betty Wakelin on her success in the recent Ceredigion Federation Winter Rally at Felinfach!

Betty won first prize for her entry of marzipan fruits, which entitles her to go on to represent Ceredigion Federation in the Royal Welsh Winter Fair in December.

She also won second prize for her chocolate cake, and was awarded the Abermeurig Shield as the individual gaining most points in Craft and Cookery competitions combined.

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