A varied 10-day programme of events marking the 200th anniversary of the sailing of the brig Albion from Cardigan to New Brunswick with 180 emigrants from the lower Teifi Valley aboard ended with choral singing on the banks of the Teifi last week.

The occasion – organised by Cymdeithas Aberteifi Society – included a sponsored river-clean; an evening of poetry, paintings and song at Rhosygilwen; an open-air church service on Prince Charles Quay; a Twmpath at the Guildhall; and Cymanfa Ganu at Bethania Chapel.

There was even a recreation of the interior of the Albion for people to experience at Cambrian Quay in the old coal store of Pizza Tippi.

In addition, there were talks by experts on the port’s history and its ship-building, along with details of the people who left Cardigan and the surrounding area as well as the conditions aboard ship they were forced to endure.

Local poet Ceri Wyn Jones wrote a piece on the Albion which was read out at the opening ceremony on Prince Charles Quay.

The people of New Brunswick have now invited Cardigan mayor-elect Cllr Shan Williams to attend their bicentenary of the Albion’s landing in August.

County councillor Clive Davies said the idea for the bicentenary came from Kathleen Martin, chair of Cymdeithas Aberteifi Society, who had unfortunately missed out on the commemorations due to ill health.

“The final event which saw people linking hands across the Teifi was a fitting finale,” he said.