THE latest community news from Aberystwyth
Beekeepers Association
THE October meeting was the annual Honey Show which was held on Saturday, 19 October, in Waunfawr Community Hall.
With beekeepers near and far reporting a very good summer, there were exhibits of a very high standard in all the classes and a good number of members in the hall.
Judge Will Griffiths of Comins Coch, commented on how difficult his job had been because of the very high standards set by exhibitors.
Principal prize winners were: Tracy Harper with three prizes; Martin Edwards, the trophy for best beeswax exhibit as well as the Lloyn cup for most points; and John Gee won the best in show charger for his honey (pictured).
Most members had brought samples of their current year’s crop to the show for evaluation by all present.
With a large number of entries, the eventual winner was a sample of honey from Phil Reagan.
Trophies were presented by Irene Edwards, and at the end of a superb afternoon, members enjoyed a communal buffet together.
The Aberystwyth Beekeepers Association calendar for 2020, complied by Tracy Harper, was on sale, and with some magnificent pictures, a good number of them were quickly snapped up.
The next meeting will be on Tuesday, 19 November, in Waunfawr Community Hall at 7.30pm when Richard Spencer will be talking about wax, and will be covering its history, production and uses.
All are welcome and further information on the talk on the association’s activities over the coming winter months can be obtained from Ann Ovens, the secretary, on 01970 832359.
Cymdeithas yr Aelwyd
NOS Wener, 1 Tachwedd, Menna Evans oedd ein cadeirydd a chroesawodd Meinir Wyn Edwards, sy’n olygydd creadigol yng ngwasg Y Lolfa ac yn awdur dros 30 o lyfrau.
Yn rhan gyntaf ei sgwrs soniodd Meinir am ei gwaith bob dydd ac aeth â ni drwy’r holl lyfrau y mae hi wedi eu golygu yn ystod 2019, o lyfrau plant i’r cyfrolau enillodd brif wobrau’r Eisteddfod Genedlaethol.
Aeth Meinir ymlaen i sôn am Cara, y cylchgrawn gan ferched i ferched, y mae hi a’i merch Efa yn ei gynhyrchu yn eu hamser hamdden.
Mae hwn yn gylchgrawn safonol sy’n ymddangos deirgwaith y flwyddyn, gydag eitemau am iechyd, steilio cartref, ffasiwn, merched crefftus, merched mewn hanes, y celfyddydau, trefi Cymru, a llawer mwy.
Y mae’n dipyn o gamp dod o hyd i gyfranwyr (a’u talu), denu hysbysebion a thanysgrifwyr (a chasglu’r arian), ac yn y blaen, hyn i gyd yn ddi-dâl, a rhaid llongyfarch Meinir ac Efa ar y fenter hon.
U3A
THE visiting speaker for October was Jennifer Cairns, who gave an entertaining and thought-provoking talk on the subject of ghosts and spirits involving people’s experiences while passing or visiting certain localities in Ceredigion and Carmarthen.
The speaker has spent years researching this topic and is still gathering information.
Many questions were asked by an interested audience and Jennifer was warmly thanked at the end of the meeting.
Refreshments were then offered to members and guests.
The next meeting will be in the Morlan Centre at 2.30pm on 21 November.
The visiting speaker will be Milly Jackdaw, who is a local storyteller, actor and educator and has a passion for nature and for engaging people with the wild, through outdoor activities and performances.
The talk is titled ‘Welsh Mythology and How it Claimed Me’.
Welsh mythology predates Wales, arising as it does in the times when the Celtic people inhabited Britain. It was a time when ancient wisdom was passed on orally to ensure its preservation through the trials and tribulations of history.
Members and guests are invited to join Milly for a brief sharing of this journey and the performance of one of the stories.
Ramblers
THE Aberystwyth Ramblers walk on Saturday, 16 November, is a circular route from Bwlch Nant yr Arian down to the Rheidol Valley via Bwa Drain, returning via Ystumtuen and Llyn yr Oerfa.
This is a moderate walk of around 10 miles, with one steep downhill section into the Rheidol valley and a longer uphill stretch towards Ystumtuen.
They will meet at Plascrug Leisure Centre at 9am. The alternative meeting point is the top car park at Nant yr Arian Visitor Centre at 9.30am (grid reference SN718813). Note that card payment is required to park here.
For more details, contact Alison on 01970 624188 or 07549 528529.
No dogs please (except registered assistance dogs by arrangement).
On Sunday, 17 November, Wyck (01545 560499) will be leading an eight-mile moderately strenuous walk around Cwmtydu.
The first part will be along the coast path passing Castell Bach a magnificent rock formation. At Cwm Soden the walk will proceed inland, following the stream. Cwm Soden is a beautiful wooded valley managed by the National Trust.
Just before Nanternis the walk carries on uphill towards and then down again through a beautiful established woodland. From there a footpath is followed to the road to Penbontrhydyfothau. A lovely path through the woods leads back to Cwmtydu. One small problem: a footbridge halfway along this last stretch sometimes gets flooded after heavy rain, in which case Wyck will need to alter the route at the last moment.
Meet at Plascrug Leisure Centre at 9.30am or at Cwmtydu (grid ref SN356574) at 10.30am.
Cambrian Floral Society
A WORKSHOP was held by Alex Hales of No. 21 on Friday, 18 October, at Llanbadarn Church Hall.
Alex was introduced by the chairman, John James.
The title of the workshop can be described as ‘back to the future’ as the design tutored was within a small bowl containing wire netting.
The society, in the war against plastics, is presently encouraged to avoid using plastic-foam. Therefore they are back to where it all started, using wire netting and pin holders for a lot of the arrangements.
However, floral foam is not banned, and is still widely used as well as a biodegradable version which has been available for some time.
Refreshments were prepared and served by Ann, Sue and Eirlys.
Everyone agreed it had been a most educational and enjoyable evening.
The next meeting will be a demonstration by John James, entitled ‘My Love of Music’.
The demonstration will commence at 2pm and on Friday, 15 November and not the 22nd, as printed in the programme.
They meet at Llanbadarn Church Hall where there is ample parking space.
Gwerin Aber Folk
AN excellent night for Gwerin Aber Folk at the Ceredigion Coliseum Museum on 6 November saw eight people arrive to perform.
Heather Jones, as MC, started by introducing Ben Maxted and Daniel Laws who performed three blues numbers. Daniel said that the first item was in the key of Ee ba gum. This was followed by All Your Loving and ended with one of our local favourites Cooper’s Blues.
Keith took to the stage next, keeping Daniel to accompany on guitar and Ben on vocals for a performance of Red River Valley.
Regular attendee, Mike McKever from Machynlleth followed with three songs.
Jon Bell was next on concertina with a song about sea sickness, followed by a Welsh tune and ending with Shawney Town on the Ohio.
John Alderslade took to the stage and performed three items showing thathe can play Bouzouki as well as guitar. His Bouzouki song was about poor Edwin, returning home with a store of gold to his true love only to be murdered by her parents and thrown into the sea. He ended with The Bold Grenadier.
Daniel, now joined by Mandy, thus as Brenig, performed three of their own songs, Twn Sion Cati, As you do and Go Go Jemima.
Ben and Daniel performed My Babe followed by Keith and Daniel, performing Donkey riding.
Jon Bell performed Leave Her Johnny, Leave Her. John Alderslade performed Whiskey in the Jar before the house band ended the evening with Heather’s favourite Dirty Old Town with enthusiastic audience participation.
Wednesday, 20 November, is the next of the regular folk and roots evenings at the museum, starting at 7.30pm - entrance free (doors open 7pm).
All are welcome whether as audience or as a performer.
More details can be found at https://www.facebook.com/groups/ GwerinAberFolk/
St David’s, Bath Street
SUNDAY, 17 November: 10.30am, Major Ray Hobbins; evening service at 6pm, Major Ray Hobbins.
All welcome.
Morlan lecture
THE Morlan-Pantyfedwen annual lecture will be held on Wednesday, 20 November at 6pm in the Morlan Centre.
The speaker will be Prof Elwen Evans QC (pictured), a member of the Commission on Justice in Wales, a recorder at the Crown Court, and since 2015, the head of the College of Law and Criminology at Swansea University.
She is also one of the UK’s leading criminal barristers.
The title of her lecture will be ‘Milltir Sgwâr a Byd Crwn/Localism and Globalism’, looking at the importance of the local influences within the global world we all live in, and giving us a glimpse of those experiences that have shaped this truly inspirational speaker.
This is a public lecture with free entry.
The lecture will be delivered through the medium of Welsh with simultaneous translation facilities available.
Further details available from: Morlan Centre – 01970 617996 – [email protected] or Pantyfedwen - 01970 612806 - post@ jamespantyfedwen.cymru
Choral society
TUESDAY evening rehearsals in the Old Hall, Old College, for the society’s forthcoming Christmas concert on Saturday, 14 December, continue to go well.
Last Tuesday evening the society’s AGM was held before the rehearsal and saw the usual range of business transacted, with chairman June Wilson reporting on another successful year for the society and treasurer Tim Cutts presenting the financial report.
Principal officers elected for the coming year were: Chairman, June Wilson; vice-chairman, John Wildig; secretary, Sarah Rees; and treasurer, Tim Cutts.
The treasurer’s report shows that the cost of running two concerts each year with professional conductor, orchestra and soloists is very high, with each concert making a substantial loss which has to be covered by fundraising.
To this end the choir is holding a coffee morning on Saturday morning, 16 November from 10.30am until noon in the Waunfawr Community Hall, with the usual range of stalls. A warm welcome is extended to all to come and support the society.
Further information on the society and its forthcoming Christmas concert is available from the chairman, June Wilson on 07852 188184.
Aberystwyth and District Floral Society
THE incorrect date was publicised previously for the open evening.
The open evening will be held on Tuesday, 19 November at Ysgol Penweddig hall.
Helen Raymond-Clarke from Shropshire will be the guest demonstrator with her title ‘Ghosts of Christmas Past’.
Tickets available before hand at £8 or £10 on the door.
Doors open at 6.45pm to start promptly at 7.30pm.
Get in the mood for Christmas with ideas for decorating your home.
RDA 50th anniversary
GOLD rosettes were worn when the Aberystwyth Riding for the Disabled Group celebrated the 50th anniversary of RDA UK to which it is affiliated.
The local group was formed 36 years ago to work with special needs children at Ysgol Llwyn yr Eos so that they can enjoy the therapeutic benefits of horse riding whilst having fun in a safe environment.
The group, which is an independent charity run entirely by volunteers, has met at several different venues over the years.
Since 2001 it has been based at the Rheidol Riding Centre, Capel Bangor, with its excellent facilities.
Regular training and assessment of coaches and volunteers is provided by RDA UK, but the group must raise its own funds, and it has always been well supported by the local community and businesses, particularly at an annual open day held at Rogers and Taylor in Bow Street.
New volunteers are welcome. Information available: aberystwyth@ rdasouthwales.org.uk or on 01545 570439.
Wildlife Trust
THE November meeting of the North Ceredigion Section of the Wildlife Trust South and West Wales, took place on Monday evening, 4 November.
Chairman, Fiona Corke, welcomed a particularly good and diverse audience to the meeting.
After the normal business had been transacted, Fiona welcomed Jennie MacPherson of the Vincent Wildlife Trust who gave an excellent talk on the very successful initiative run by the trust to build up the very small Pine Marten population in mid Wales by translocation of Pine Martens from Scotland.
A wonderful illustrated presentation revealed the huge amount of work done to ensure the project’s success.
The next meeting will be on Monday, 2 December when Sian Stacey, the community engagement officer of the Summit to the Sea project will be speaking about the project.
A warm welcome is extended to all to this third meeting of the autumn, in C22 in the Hugh Owen Building at 7pm.
Rotary club
LYNFA Davies, of the Aberystwyth and District Beekeepers Association gave an interesting and inspirational talk about her hobby of keeping honey bees.
A former student of the Welsh Agricultural College in Aberystwyth with a degree in agriculture, Lynfa is a master beekeeper with a National Diploma in Beekeeping – the only person in Wales to hold this. An important part of her work is training new beekeepers.
She explained the life cycle of honey bees, the different operations that beekeepers need to undertake throughout the seasons, and noted how many people don’t know the difference between wasps, honey bees and bumble bees.
Cymdeithas yr Aelwyd
NOS Wener, 8 Tachwedd, croesawyd Jim O’Rourke i’r Aelwyd gan y cadeirydd Lionel Madden.
Bu Jim ar staff yr Urdd am 25 mlynedd cyn mentro ar ei liwt ei hun fel ymgynghorydd busnes, a daeth i siarad â ni am ei brosiect diweddaraf sef ’Bywyd newydd i’r Hen Goleg’.
Mae hwn yn gynllun cyffrous i drawsnewid yr adeilad hanesyddol, gyda mynedfa newydd ar y prom ac ystafell digwyddiadau drawiadol uwchben y fynedfa.
Bydd yr hen lyfrgell yn lle delfrydol ar gyfer cynnal priodasau a chyngherddau, a bydd 31 o ystafelloedd gwely pedair seren.
Darperir lle ar gyfer arddangosfeydd, gwyddoniaeth, busnesau creadigol, a llawer mwy.
Bwriedir dechrau ar y gwaith adeiladu ymhen y flwyddyn ac ailagor yr Hen Goleg ar newydd wedd yn 2023.
If you’re a member of a club, society or group, send your news to [email protected]