THE latest community news from Machynlleth

Remembrance concert

‘LEST We Forget’ remembrance concert at Pennal Church.

During the war years the village of Pennal continued to hold concerts, encouraging those who were unable to be involved in the war, those who had to stay at home to keep the country going, and those with family and friends away.

Last year a very enjoyable concert was held in Pennal to remember the end of the First World War.

This year it is the beginning of the Second World War that is remembered - the days of Dunkirk and refugees arriving in the valley.

A concert will be held at Pennal Parish Church on Friday, 8 November, at 7pm with Côr Meibion Aberystwyth, together with buglers of the Machynlleth Wind Band, children of Ysgol Pennal, and Matilda Kirk (folk singing).

Along with traditional songs, the audience will have the opportunity to join in those of the war days.

Tickets £10 available at the door - interval wine - and all are very welcome.

Gerddi/Gardens

THE Gerddi Bro Ddyfi Gardens’ committee met at the Old Shop on the Bryn-y-Gôg estate on Tuesday, 29 October, receiving a report on activities from volunteers’ coordinator Angela Paxton.

Volunteers have been working hard improving the gardens this summer/autumn e.g. Geraint and Anita putting in smart new wooden edging around the nectar border. The group has a beautiful new oak bench (pictured) in the Apothecary Garden. They intend to continue with hard landscaping work throughout the winter, including path improvements, a new compost toilet, and an extension to the ‘greenhouse’. The greenhouse improvements will incorporate wheelchair access and provide more year-round indoor growing space.

Anita, assistant volunteer co-ordinator, and Ellie Ryle from the Gerddi committee, have started a new Herbal Group, which will meet in the gardens on the afternoon of every third Thursday each month. The group met for the first time in September and foraged young nettles for remedies (pictured) as well as planting Mugwort and Lavender in the Apothecary Garden. A warm welcome is extended to all.

Still got your old pumpkin?

APPARENTLY, squirrels absolutely love pumpkin so, instead of throwing yours away after Hallowe’en, why not put at the bottom of the garden or take to your local woods/ park?

Imagine how much wildlife could be fed with the millions of pumpkins that are thrown away!

Not just squirrels but birds, hedgehogs, badgers, foxes! Especially now when there is less of an abundance of food for wildlife leading up to winter.

Walking group

A RECENTLY-FORMED walking group, whose inaugural walk was on Wednesday, 16 October, will meet twice a month on a Wednesday at Machynlleth Leisure Centre, gathering at 9.45am and leaving at 10am.

Everyone is most welcome including well-behaved dogs on a lead.

Please wear suitable footwear and appropriate clothing.

For more info call Sandie on 07980 585610 or Jenny on 07952 195605.

Pool champions

MACHYNLLETH Welsh international Mark Gaskell enjoyed an excellent 2018/19 campaign with unbeaten Newtown in the North Wales Interleague Division One.

Gaining promotion to the Premier Division for 2019/20, 55 points ahead of second-placed Flintshire, an all-conquering Newtown finished with six of their side in the top ten ranked players from the 68 listed.

Etifeddiaeth

ETIFEDDIAETH Dyffryn Dyfi Heritage Society will be holding its next meeting in the Tabernacle Auditorium on Wednesday, 6 November, at noon.

The quest speaker is the well known author of Welsh history Ioan Rhys Lord, whose talk is entitled ‘Rich Mountains of Lead’ mining for metals in Cwm Rheidol and Ystumtuen.

All meetings take place in the Tabernacle and are open to members (£1) and visitors (£3). Annual membership £7.

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