THE latest community news from Machynlleth

St Peter’s Christmas

FOLLOWING the success of Operation Christmas Child with supporters filling shoeboxes and returning to the church filled with toys and the coffee morning on 27 November, the church will host a carol concert with Machynlleth Wind Band and Dyfi Singers at 7pm on Friday, 13 December. Tickets cost £7.50.

Friends of the Tabernacle

THE Friends of the Tabernacle held a very enjoyable evening to celebrate the 25th year of their support of the centre for the arts.

After a splendid buffet provided by Nadine of the Tabernacle Café, there was an excellent concert given by the GCSE music pupils of Ysgol Bro Hyddgen led by music teacher Llio James and head girl Cerys Havana.

Chairman of the Friends, Dennis Jones, thanked all who had provided so much in the last 25 years and looks forward to the future as the Tabernacle continues to grow.

The next event is the annual carol concert led by Chris Dendy, to be held at 3pm on Sunday, 15 December.

All are very welcome to hear the pupils play and to join the singing after a welcome glass of mulled wine and a mince pie.

Civic society

CHAIR Jim Goodband welcomed members of the Machynlleth and District Civic Society’s executive committee to the Tabernacle Machynlleth for their bi-monthly meeting on Thursday, 21 November.

Following introductions, the chair invited secretary Rab Jones to take members through the evening’s business.

Start dates for three much-awaited developments, namely the new Dyfi Bridge and associated works scheme, the anticipated new all-through school and the Machynlleth Community Hospital project are still not known.

He commented on the excellent refurbishment work undertaken on the Cemmaes, Llanbrynmair and Machynlleth War Memorials.

The committee reaffirmed its support for Canolfan Owain Glynd?r and would be supportive of initiatives to further strengthen its importance in the heritage and history of Wales. It also noted that work had commenced to provide 11 apartments on the former Farmers’ Co-op site.

Michael Williams advised that he’d spoken with county council officers working on design proposals for a new transport train/ bus hub and, when ready, would be subject to consultation with stakeholders.

He further advised that a planning application for a cash machine in the vicinity of the town clock had been approved and that work to overhaul the town clock mechanism, including electrical work, was ongoing.

David Holt gave an update on the stock running on the Cambrian lines and of the enhanced Cambrian Coast service, starting from the new timetable.

He went on to talk about the new visitor centre at the Osprey Project. The chair reminded members that the next meeting was scheduled for Thursday, 16 January 2020.

Cancer Research AGM

MEMBERS of the Machynlleth and District Committee of North West Cancer Research held their annual general meeting at the bowling club on Wednesday, 20 November.

In the unavoidable absence of chair Geraint Jones, vice-chair Karyl Davies welcomed all to the meeting and said how pleased she was to see such a good attendance and gave a special welcome to two new members, Ifan and Heulwen Williams.

Karyl praised all the members, officials and friends for their support and hard work over the last 12 months, resulting in another excellent period of fundraising. She continued by saying that, thanks to the public’s generous support, monies raised enables vital research at Bangor, Liverpool and Lancaster Universities.

Secretary Meinir Davies reported that, following a combined total of over half a century of loyal and dedicated service, two members, Alice Hughes, 24 years, and Ann Parry, 27, were retiring from the committee. All present spoke of the two ladies’ huge contribution to the group’s success.

The following members were re-elected to serve as officers and committee for the next 12 months: chairman, Geraint Jones; vicechairman, Karyl Davies; secretary, Meinir Davies; treasurer, Alwena Price; press/publicity, Michael Williams.

Before electing the committee, the chairman expressed deep condolences to the families of two dedicated committee members, Hilda Humphreys and Ann Owen, who died earlier in the year.

Committee elected: Eluned Besent, Eryl Evans, Glenys Evans, Margaret Evans, Anwen Hughes, Ann Lloyd Jones, Bronwen Jones, Catrin Jones, Eirlys Pugh, Olwen Roberts, Margaret Wilson and Ifan and Heulwen Williams.

Alwena Price presented the balance sheet and explained that the impressive sum of £4,500 had been transferred to Liverpool Head Office at the end of the financial year. The accounts were approved with members’ grateful thanks.

Alwena went on to say that the accounts for the current financial year had been boosted to the tune of £,1554.41 thanks to October’s annual coffee morning, which raised that amount.

The branch now has a Facebook page which helps to promote the charity.

Thanks were extended to Margaret Evans and Liz Thomlinson for organising the whist drives in Corris which will continue during 2020.

The local Co-op store was praised for organising a store-based cake stall scheduled for 13 December.

Cambrian Mountains Society

THE first day of December was sparkling blue sky and cold, clear air; appropriate for the first day of meteorological winter.

Six members gathered at Dylife for a 5.5mile walk to the Wynford Vaughan-Thomas Viewpoint.

Walking south of Dylife following Glynd?r’s Way, they headed west over the Roman fortlet at Penycrocbren. Along the heathery hillside above the Afon Clywedog gorge then raised a single snipe. Following the track past the remains of Cafartha mine they turned north towards Glaslyn.

A sheltered spot by the lake provided a good lunch spot to look across Montgomeryshire Wildlife Trust’s largest reserve; a red kite soaring overhead as they lunched.

Returning to Glynd?r’s Way, a short, sharp climb brought them to trig point on top of Foel Fadian. The views had been splendid all day but this small hill, at only 564 metres, has exceptional views in all directions - from Cardigan Bay to Cader Idris, Aran Fawddwy, the Berwyns, the Shropshire hills in the east, and to Radnor Forest, Pumlumon and beyond in the south.

The descent from Foel Fadian crossed rough, wet, springy moorland and they were soon at the Wynford Vaughan-Thomas Viewpoint.

The view north across the Dyfi and into Snowdonia was described as the finest in Wales and the faint outline of Snowdon was just visible through a small gap in the hills.

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