THE latest community news from around Machynlleth.

U3A

MANY members of the U3A group in Machynlleth attended the monthly meeting to listen to Tony Morgan, a retired lecturer, talking about his journeys by bicycle across the United States.

So far Tony has travelled 10,000 miles, and is planning to complete another 2,000 in the future.

The USA has well-marked routes for cyclists across most of the country, together with campsites in spectacular locations where hikers and cyclists have priority for the best views.

Tony’s particular interest is in wildlife, being a biologist, and he met many fascinating (as well as some scary) creatures on his journeys, including a close encounter with a Black Bear.

His favourite route took him down the West Coast, but he has also travelled across deserts, the Great Plains and both the Appalachian and Rocky Mountains.

Illustrated by his own photos and video clips, Tony’s talk gave the members a wonderful glimpse of the wild places of this vast country.

The next meeting of the group will be held on Friday 19 August at Machynlleth Bowling Club, starting at 2pm, when David Anning will be talking about the habits of amphibians and reptiles.

Civic Society

WELCOMING all present to the Tabernacle, chair Margaret Vince presided at a bimonthly meeting of Machynlleth and District Civic Society’s executive committee on Friday, 15 July.

The chair informed the members that the secretary, Rab Jones, had been hospitalised after a sudden illness. Members expressed their best wishes for Rab’s speedy recovery.

Treasurer John Wynne Jones presented the society’s bimonthly accounts for which the members were most appreciative. The accounts were approved with grateful thanks.

The members went on to discuss a number of matters, including the proposed new Dyfi Bridge, damage to a particular by-way by four-wheel drive vehicles and lack of maintenance to the outside of the former telephone exchange.

Helen Owen said that she had a number of archival items, including edition one of the society’s newsletters of some 36 years ago. Members were delighted to hear that Ruth Lambert had been honoured with a Fellowship of the University College of Wales.

Bowls

MACHYNLLETH returned to their old dominant form in Division One of the Montgomeryshire CBA on Thursday, 14 July.

They inflicted a crushing 44-shot defeat on the current leaders, Kerry, to secure six points to the visitors one and climb to within five points of the leaders with two games in hand.

Kerry were also on the receiving end of a heavy league-cup defeat as holders Machynlleth marched into the semi-finals on the back of a two-leg 168 shots to 122 victory.

However, in Division Two, Maglona lost heavily at Llanfair Caereinion by 75 shots, leaving the home club to collect all seven points.

Pool

THE town’s two North Wales Pool Association Inter League county teams lifted their standings in the first and third divisions on Sunday, 10 July.

In the first division, Machynlleth A secured a well-earned 2218 victory over visitors South Powys Panthers.

Meanwhile, in the third division, Machynlleth B moved to within eight points of second-placed Welshpool B thanks to a thrilling 21 frames to 19 scoreline at Rhyl B.

Lunchtime concert

THE free midday lunchtime concerts continue at the Tabernacle on Wednesday, 27 July, at noon.

The concert will feature Cati Fychan, Cerys Hickman, Malen Meredydd, Lewis Morgan, Madelaine Parry and Taionee Rhodes.

During the concert a collection will be made in aid of the Tabernacle Education Foundation.

Prior to the concert, music will be performed for violin and guitar at 11.30am in the café.

For further details, call the Tabernacle on 01654 703355.

Football AGM

THE 2016/17 annual general meeting of Machynlleth Football Club will be held at the bowling club on Friday, 5 August, at 7pm.

A warm welcome is extended to all who wish to further the sport in Machynlleth and the Dyfi Valley.

Everyone involved with football in the area was extremely proud to hear the recent news that longstanding Machynlleth, Mid Wales and Central Wales stalwart William Lloyd Williams will soon take his place as a Council Member of the Football Association of Wales.

During many years of dedication, Will has been involved in many aspects of the game, including as a player, club official/manager and a senior member of the Central Wales FA.

Dominoes

INTEREST is mounting in the Machynlleth and District Summer Dominoes League, as early results have seen three teams vying for the top honours.

Slaters (16 points), Red lion (15) and Foresters (15) hold the leading positions with Bowling Club in fourth place on eight points.

Royal Welch Fusiliers Comrades Association

THE branch meeting of the Machynlleth, Tywyn and Dolgellau branch was held on 7 July.

The meeting was presided over by assistant secretary, Cpl Gwyn Roberts and chaired by Ian Garbutt.

Eirian Owen Jenkins, the branch members secretary and welfare officer, informed the branch that there were now two new members, Cpl Mark Carteright and his partner Shirley Overton, and sadly due to other commitments Gareth Evans was unable to join, but wished the branch all the success for the future and donated £15 to branch funds.

The branch was informed that the North Wales Armed Forces Day was well supported and attended at Bodelwyddan Castle on 18 June.

The branch thanked the Mach Det AFC for their attendance and their turnout and Tony Jones thanked the branch on behalf of the RBL Mach branch for parading their branch standard on the day.

Regarding the VE/VJ Parade on 29 July, the branch was given the details for the day and the function afterwards in the bowling club in Machynlleth.

It was agreed that the branch would pay for the catering on the day for approximately 50 people, along with a £50 donation from Mach RBL.

The parade is at 2pm at The Cenotaph (no church service), then 3pm in Y Clwb Bowlio and at 5pm, Côr Meibion Dyfi will perform. The branch was given the details of a golf fun day on 21 August and it was greed that the start time would be 9.30am for a 10am start.

It was also agreed that Ian Garbutt and Howard Davies would organise and supervise the golf side of the day, liaise with the management of the golf club and report back at the next branch meeting.

The branch was shown the picture of the proposed Royal Welch Regiment Monument to be raised at the National Arboretum in Staffordshire at a cost of £100,000 and as the Royal Welsh Regiments had no money, the majority of the cost would be offset by the RWFCA.

After a discussion it was agreed that the branch secretary confirmed what other Welsh cap badges would be placed on the memorial and how much their associations be putting towards the cost of the monument.

The branch was shown pictures and details of Diana’s father and grand father’s First and Second World War service. Her father had recently been presented with the French legion of Honour medal for his services on D-Day.

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