Garden Club

THE next meeting of Machynlleth and District Garden Club will be on Tuesday, 5 April, at Machynlleth Bowling Club, starting at 7.30pm. The guest speaker will be Emma Maxwell, who will give a presentation on garden design for small gardens. New members welcome. For more information, contact the chairman, Elise Payne, on 01654 702853.

Rail AGM

THE annual general meeting of Railfuture Wales’ Cambrian Division was held at the Owain Glyndwr Centre on Tuesday, 22 March. Secretary Dylan Lewis welcomed those present and informed the meeting that the chairman, Glyn Jones, was unable to attend due to reasons of ill-health and was not seeking re-election. Members sent their good wishes to Glyn with great thanks for his commitment and dedication over many, many years. He was tireless in promoting improvements to services on the Cambrian Lines.Members spent a little time in silent contemplation to the memory of members who’d passed away since the AGM 2015.The treasurer, David Taylor, informed the meeting of the branch’s healthy balances. The chairman thanked the treasurer for his work during the past year. Election of officers: Dylan Lewis, chairman; secretary/treasurer, David Taylor. Councillor Michael Williams was present from the Machynlleth area. Dylan Lewis gave an update of the progress of the Traws Link Cymru campaign to re-open the line between Aberystwyth and Carmarthen and also between Afonwen and Bangor to create a strategic south-west-mid-north rail corridor. There had been a number of well-attended meetings with Welsh Government Minister Edwina Hart, resulting in the minister authorising a pre-feasibility scoping study on the reopening of the line between Aberystwyth and Carmarthen.Members noted that the current Wales & Borders franchise is due to expire in December 2018. The continuation of direct east-west cross-border services between Aberystwyth and Birmingham International was seen as absolutely crucial to the terms of the new franchise.Finally, members congratulated all concerned in ensuring the great success of the enhanced service from May 2015. They also noted with pleasure the infrastructure improvements at various stations and locations along the lines.

Pool

LLEW Coch A strengthened their claim as favourites for the Machynlleth and District Pool League Division One title, crushing third-placed Skinners A with a 12-3 away victory in week 15 of 18 on March 17.Meanwhile second-placed White Lion A kept their hopes alive with an 11-4 win at Dwynant.Completing the division’s results, Tredegar Arms visited Rugby Club A and won 10-5 while, also on their travels, White Horse recorded a 9-6 victory over Bowling club.Table: Llew Coch A (42 points), White Lion A (36), Skinners A (33), Tredegar Arms (30), Rugby Club A (27), White Horse A (15), Dwynant (12), Bowling Club (12), Rugby Club B (9), Llew Coch B (6).Division Two leaders Foresters were made to fight all the way before they won their home match against Llew Coch Ladies 9-6.Slaters stayed on course for silver-ware with a 10-5 success at home to Wynnstay Llanbrynmair.Elsewhere in the division Rugby Club C climbed to fourth place, following an 11-4 win at White Lion Ladies.But Skinners B saw their hopes of silverware dented as they lost at Penrhos 8-7.Table: Foresters (30 points), Slaters (27), Y Llew Coch Dinas (27), Rugby Club C (24), Skinners B (24), Wynnstay Llanbrynmair (21), Penrhos (12), Llew Coch Ladies (9), White Lion ladies (0).

St Peter’s Church

IN order for the Nave and Sanctuary of St Peter’s Church to be re-decorated and, the church is closed to the public from Easter Monday (28 March) for approximately one month.Sunday services will continue in the Tabernacle Auditorium. The Rev Canon Kathleen Rogers and Wardens apologise for any inconvenience caused.