THE latest community news from Aberystwyth
Visually impaired club
OVER the last few months the club have had some very interesting speakers including a very informative and light-hearted talk by the late Cllr Paul James who spoke about some of his life experiences with the French Foreign Legion.
Kirsty James who is the campaign officer for RNIB has offered her support to the club members if they wish to undertake a campaign which they feel passionate about.
Having sight loss or being totally blind can bring up many issues which the general public may not notice, such as parked vehicles on the pavements, working guide dogs being attacked by other dogs while out walking, café tables and chairs, street furniture advertising local businesses, and roadwork signs that suddenly appear on the pavements, and especially scaffolding which causes the greatest disorientation for sight loss people.
The latest speaker was Dr Alan Axford who spoke eloquently about (HAHAV) Hospice At Home Aberystwyth Volunteers and highlighted how their volunteers use their time to help clients and their families in most difficult time in their lives when dealing with life threatening illnesses, such as heart and lung conditions, cancer, dementia and many more.
He spoke about being a sitter so the spouse can leave the house for a few hours for a much-needed break or to attend appointments, walking the family dog because the client is housebound or just being there to support the clients on a regular basis.
The first of this year’s trips went to The Regimental Museum of the Royal Welsh in Brecon and the group were given a guided tour and tactile experience which included being given items to hold which had a military connection to the Anglo Zulu War.
The trips are open to non-club members so if you would like to join the group in the near future, and enjoy a cooked meal at lunchtime, which is included in the cost of the coach trip, the details can be obtained from Mrs G James, secretary, on 01970 611809 or genenejames@ btinternet.com
The next trip will be to Plas Dolguog Hotel, near Machynlleth followed by a walk around the hotel grounds, known as Grandma’s Garden, on Monday, 15 July.
The club meets fortnightly and club membership is available to individuals who have been registered with sight loss or total blindness through the local authority. Members are welcome to bring a guide if assistance is required, or a guide dog to the meetings or on the trips.
The Ceredigion Association for the Blind recently held it annual Gardening Day for the north of the County where individuals plant up a trough to take home at the end of the day after a very informative demonstration from Angela Matthys. The group’s sincere thanks go to the County Association for funding this event and providing a buffet lunch from Caesar Café which is always appreciated by the Aberystwyth Club.
Cambrian Floral Society
ON Wednesday, 1 May, Nicola of Lampeter was the invited demonstrator for the evening.
Before the demonstration commenced it gave the chairman, John James, immense pleasure to welcome a further five new members, all of which interested to learn more about the art of flower arranging.
John then welcomed Nicola, who is always a very popular choice, and is guaranteed to keep her audience in good spirits throughout her demonstration.
Indeed, ‘Hwyl y Noson Lawen’ would be a good description of the laughter to be heard whilst Nicola, bubbling with humour, carried on skilfully arranging and creating such beautiful designs.
Among her choice of containers for her arrangements were a small metal milk churn and jug, a hat box and a basket.
Her choice of flowers carried a colour theme throughout and this became evident when she -assembled them all together at the end.
One of the arrangements in a basket was demonstrated in preparation for her forthcoming workshop with us next month.
The flowers she chose for the evening were pink gerbera, pink and yellow roses, pink spray dianthus, yellow chrysanthemums, green ‘kermit’ chrysanthemums, veronica and deep red tiger lilies.
Refreshments were prepared and served by Ann Bates, Mae Cullum and Anne Watson.
Next month, as mentioned above, Nicola will be holding a Workshop at Bethel Chapel Vestry, Baker Street, on Wednesday, 5 June at 7pm.
All welcome and a list of requirements can be obtained by phoning 890223 or Nicola direct at 01570 422403.
Ramblers
ON Saturday, 1 June, there will be a walk from Aberaeron to Llanerchaeron.
Meet at 9.40am at Aberystwyth Bus Station Stand 7 or the Road Bridge in Aberaeron over the Afon Aeron (SN459629) at 10-30am.
This circular walk is an easy/ moderate walk of six miles walking upstream along the Afon Aeron before going along lanes that leads into ancient woods and fields, before crossing a bridge over the Afon Aeron through a field to reach the St Non’s Church.
They then continue along a country lane to reach the National Trust Hall of Llanerchaeron.
After a break they then walk across fields to reach the old railway track to walk back to Aberaeron to catch the bus to Aberystwyth.
All are welcome but no dogs allowed on the walk please. Contact Roy Haynes on 07968 011590.
On Sunday, 2 June, Wyck (01545 560499) will be leading a moderately strenuous eight-mile circular walk north of Cwmtydu.
The first part of the walk will take in the magnificent coast path passing Castell Bach and Craig Coubal where the route will veer inland, passing Byrlip and then onto Cwm Soden and Nanternis from where the river will be followed to Glannant.
From there a footpath on the southern side of the river will take the walkers past Cyffionos Farm and on to Llainfran.
The last part of the walk will lead steeply downhill through a splendid forest area. No Dogs please.
Meet 10am at the leisure centre or 11am at Cwmtydu SN355574.
Rotary Club
IT is customary for new members of the Rotary Club to give a talk on their own careers and interests, and the speaker at the last meeting was Dr Glenys Williams, who was brought up in Llanafan, attended Ardwyn Grammar School and went on to study Law at Aberystwyth.
After starting her career in Swansea, her first appointment as a lawyer in Aberystwyth was the result of a chance meeting between herself, her former primary school teacher D L Oliver, and Dai Griffiths of Messrs, Bowen & Griffiths, Solicitors.
After a few years with this firm, and later with fellow-Rotarian Alun P Thomas, Glenys turned her interests to the academic study of Law, and completed her PhD degree on the legal aspects of assisted suicide and euthenasia.
In 2000 she took up her academic appointment at the university, where she has taught through the medium of English and Welsh on a range of legal matters including sports law, criminal matters, healthcare, and Welsh law and policy.
She has continued her studies in medically assisted death and legal issues relating to patients in a ‘vegetative state and minimally conscious state’.
She has been involved in international recruitment of law students, and has served briefly as Head of Department.
Glenys now lives in Cwm Rheidol with her husband Ceredig; she is a governor of Ysgol Gymraeg Aberystwyth, and her main hobby is cake decorating, in which her A-level in Art at Ardwyn, taught by artist Hywel Harries, “still comes in useful”.
Plascrug Bridge Club
7 MAY: 1, Pamela Woodhouse and Margaret James; 2, Alan Stein and John Holmes; 3, Linda Crawford and Mike Yeo; 4, Betty Brookes and Mike Jones.
14 May: 1, Doreen Anthony and Dylan Raw-Rees; 2, Margaret James and Pamela Woodhouse.
31 May: 1, Susan Sherman and Alan Stein; 2, Pamela Woodhouse and Margaret James; 3, Alison Edwards and Peter.
If you’re a member of a club, society or group, send your news to [email protected]