Scout Group

MACHYNLLETH Scout groups are pleased and honoured to have received a cheque for £375 from the Aberystwyth crematorium fund.This will go towards celebrating, with lots of trips and activities, the Cubs’ 100th and Beavers’ 30th birthdays throughout 2016. For more information, contact Akela aka Julieann Evans on 07811 058750.

Midday talk

THE SERIES of well-received midday talks on Romanticism in the Welsh landscape continue at the Tabernacle on Wednesday, 20 April, when curator Peter Wakelin interviews Eleri Mills about how her deep knowledge of her home landscape in mid Wales informs her work. Admission is free.

Planning

IN THE period 3 to 29 March, county planners approved the following applications under delegated powers: Proposal for advertisement signage for one non-illuminated fascia, one non-illuminated projecting sign and one illuminated ATM surround, Bank Chambers, 22 Heol Maengwyn, Machynlleth; erection of a two-storey dwelling, 5 Pencaemawr, Pene-goes; demolition of dilapidated lean-to-kitchen and outside toilet and replacement with single storey insulated masonry extension, 5, Brickfield Cottage, Brickfield Street, Machynlleth; display of fascia sign, 30 Maengwyn Street, Machynlleth; proposed single storey rear extension, including roof-light, Hendre, Cemmaes.

Dyfi Probus

TWENTY-TWO members and guest gathered at Trefeddian Hotel for the annual lunch, with chairman David Rynn at the helm.During the traditional chairman’s speech, David spoke of the history of Dyfi Probus Club and the fact that it is shortly to celebrate its 50th anniversary.The idea came from two Rotary members. In March 1966 the first branch was launched in Welwyn Garden City and by 2014 there were over 2,000 clubs in the UK.Dyfi Probus came into being in 1978, with Joe Cox as its first chair. Since then there have been 34 chairmen, 11 of whom were in attend-ance.Enid Hoyle gave the vote of thanks on behalf of the ladies present.The April meeting will see Illtyd Griffiths as speaker, his chosen subject is ‘The History of Dentistry’.February’s talk was given by local councillor Michael Williams and was entitled simply, ‘Local Government’.This gave little clue to the range of Michael’s commitments as, without notes or hesita-tion, he was able to look back over a career of public service.Starting with his work with The Union of Public Employees, Michael was elected onto Montgomery District Council in 1974.He was soon asked to stand for Machynlleth Town Council where he was already involved with the town’s bowling and cricket clubs.A member of the town council from 1974, he has also been union rep on the DHSS appeal panel and a trustee of Machynlleth CAB, (now Advice Mid Wales), since 1980.Also in 1980 he was nominated to fill a vacancy on Powys County Council, a position he still holds.Mike admitted to finding it annoying at the time taken by some councillors to reach “common sense” decisions, pointing out that PCC’s work had reduced over the years, but the number of councillors had not.He closed by quoting some advice he’d once received from his mother: “Idle hands do the devil’s work. There is nothing wrong with money, it’s what you do with it that matters. It’s not worth doing something if it is only for yourself.”Hugh Ramsbotham gave the vote of thanks, thanking Michael for his years of service and his inspiring talk.

Civic Society

THE MACHYNLLETH and District Civic Society held its bi-monthly meeting of its executive committee at the Tabernacle, Heol Penrallt, on Thursday, 25 March. with chair Margaret Vince presiding.Following a warm welcome to all, the chair invited secretary Rab Jones to refer to any issues from the last meeting and present correspondence.The secretary brought to members’ notice a letter that sought information about the former Newlands House and Lodge, which stood near to where the present primary school now stands.He then gave a most interesting account of the history of Newlands and the families who’d lived there from the mid-1800s to its use as an elderly persons’ residential home and, later an adventure centre before its demolition.He also gave details of correspondence regarding a First World War plaque in the former Bethel Chapel at Forge.The owners of the former chapel are looking for a good home for the plaque where it can be seen by members of the public.Treasurer John Wynne Jones presented the society’s bi-monthly income and expenditure accounts, for which he received the members’ grateful thanks.The secretary, treasurer and Llew Hum-phreys were elected to form a planning/conservation sub-committee.Members’ items included a letter to Welsh Government Minister Edwina Hart to confirm the society’s support for the current proposals for a new bridge to cross the Dyfi River and associated works. The society’s letter would also stress the importance to ensure the integrity of the historic 1805 Dyfi Bridge.Also, that a further letter be sent to the owners of the former Travis Perkins site to call for a clean-up of the site. Thanking all for attending, the chair reminded members that the next meeting will be the AGM at the Tabernacle on Thursday, 19 May, at 7pm.

Pool

MACHYNLLETH’S A and B teams lost ground in the North Wales Pool Association Inter League on Sunday, 20 March.In Division 1, Machynlleth A lost on their home table at the rugby club to Chester by 25 frames to 15. Machynlleth B also lost 25-15 at one of the pacesetters in Division 3, Welshpool B, Meanwhile, week 16 of 18 in the Machynlleth and District Pool League, on 24 March, saw Llew Coch A continue their all-conquering quest for the Division 1 title, defeating visitors Rugby Club A by 11 frames to 4.White Lion A kept their slim hopes alive thanks to a 13-2 victory at Rugby Club B and Skinners A stayed in touch for runners-up silverware, recording an 11-4 away win at Llew Coch B.Tredegar Arms earned themselves a 9-6 home victory over Bowling Club while, courtesy of an 8-7 score, Dwynant slipped past home club White Horse.Table: Llew Coch A (45 points), White Lion (39), Skinners A (36), Tredegar Arms (33), Rugby Club A (27), Dwynant (15), White Horse (15), Bowling Club (12), Rugby Club B (9), Llew Coch B (6).While, in Division 2, Y Llew Coch Dinas won their home top-of-the-table clash against Slaters by a single-frame (8-7) verdict.Skinners B kept the title-race wide open as they posted a crucial 8-7 result at home to joint leaders Foresters.Wynnstay Llanbrynmair, with a 9-6 home score line, saw their hopes of second-place honours remain.Table: Foresters (30 points), Y Llew Coch Dinas (30), Slaters (27), Rugby Club C (27), Skinners B (27), Wynnstay Llanbrynmair (24), Penrhos (12), Llew Coch Ladies (9), While Lion ladies (0).

British Legion Machynlleth and District

THE LEGION met at the bowling club on Tuesday, 1 March, and was opened by vice-chairman Stephen Doyle, who asked members to stand for a minute’s silence in memory of vice-president Iris Powell.The Exhortation was given in English by Anthony Jones and in Welsh by Eufyl Williams. Minutes from the February meeting were read out by secretary Anthony Jones and were proposed by Kath Holt and seconded by Marilyn Jones as a true record.The secretary told members that Armed Forces Day was on 18 June at Bodelwyddan Castle in Denbighshire and said that a coach would cost £325.It was decided to leave this discussion about the annual trip until the April meeting.In regards to the centenary of the Battle of the Somme, Anthony Jones told the members that he had spoken to Rev Canon Kath Rogers about a service at St Peter’s Church.Regarding Army Cadet recruitment, Major Ifan Price Edwards informed the members that he had spoken to Colour Sergeant Geraint Rowlands in charge of the Army Cadets and was happy to report that after his two visits to Ysgol Bro Hyddgen there were 12 potential recruits. Stephen Doyle said that Colour Sergeant Rowlands should be congratulated on discovering that number of potential recruits.Welfare officer Stephen Doyle told the members that he had received a letter informing him that his welfare area was to be extended. Stephen said he wasn’t happy about this and would wait for more information before making a decision on whether he will accept this as he has a large area to cover at the moment.Sick visitor Anthony Jones told members that Iris Powell had passed away. Richie Jones is receiving treatment. Bronwen Jones has been in hospital. Major Ifan Price Edwards has also been in hospital.Vice-chairman Stephen Doyle asked Gwyn Roberts if he would be the branch standard bearer; Gwyn accepted and Stephen thanked him.Kath Holt told members that following the death of Iris Powell the social fund needed another cheque signatory.It was decided that Kath Holt and Pauline Davies would sign the cheques for the social fund from now on.Major Ifan Price Edwards told the members that he had been invited to Lucknow Barracks at Tidworth, the 1st Battalion of the Royal Welch Regiment, to be present at the presenta-tion of the Queen Elizabeth Star by the Lord Lieutenant of Wiltshire to the sisters of the late lieutenant Stephen Kirby, who was killed in action on 14 February 1979 in Londonderry.With no further business to discuss amongst members, the meeting ended with the Kohima Epitaph.