Lampeter Grapevine Issue 15 Dec 2013 Jan 2014

cysylltwch â ni / contact us: lampetergrapevine@gmail.com

Rhagfyr/Dec ‘13 Ionawr/Jan 2014

GRAPEVINE digwyddiadau, newyddion a barn Llambed bob mis / Lampeter’s events, news and views monthly

Hobbies & Pastimes

regular features ...           

listings events letters reviews clonc seasonal snippets cookie’s corner kids in action creative ideas what’s on in the woods small ads

AM DDIM / FREE in this issue… ceredigion biological imaging society  the amber project  bees are beautiful 

decoupage - perfect recycling  making tracks  cats of pentrefelin 

   

lytss goes incandescent interested in railways? celtic christianity christmas in lampeter

GRAPEVINE no. 15, Dec 2013 / Jan 2014 Post: c/o Victoria Hall, Bryn Road, Lampeter, Ceredigion SA48 7EE Email: lampetergrapevine@gmail.com Published by: Transition Llambed Development Trust, Victoria Hall, Bryn Road, Lampeter, SA48 7EE Printed by: TSD Reprographics, Lampeter, on paper from sustainable resources To list your event, submit an article, ad or letter or to make an enquiry, email: lampetergrapevine@gmail.com or post to address above Please include the reason you are contacting us in the subject box of your email (Ad, Listing, Article, Letter, Enquiry) Full guidelines for advertisers & contributors: see grapevine page on www.transitionllambed.co.uk Listings (events & courses) FREE. Display advertising rates: ¼ column £10; ¼ page £25; ½ page £40; full page £70 (back page £80) £25 off ads for one-off public events held in Victoria Hall Classified ads: £2 / 20 wds (min. £2) Therapists' section (max 35 wds): £10 for 6 editions in advance Copy date for Feb issue: Fri 10 Jan. Theme: ‘Connections’ Circulation: 2,000 copies distributed free in the Lampeter area

Croeso / Welcome … to another Grapevine.

The theme for this double issue is ‘Hobbies & Pastimes’ which I’m glad to say has generated more interest than usual with several new contributors. So, welcome to everyone who has joined us this time, and for the variety of content submitted.

Thank you for sharing your skills and hobbies with us. It’s really fascinating to hear what folk busy themselves with in their spare time, and I’m sure you will find something inspiring to read about. You can choose from craft and engineering projects, railways, gardening, wildlife, photography, cookery, beekeeping, storytelling, theatrical, historical and local. There are more crafty activities for children this time, with a holiday period looming. I must say a huge Thank You to Danni and Jorge for helping to test out these activities, and for being so patient while we carefully photographed everything as we went! I’m sure you’ll all agree they have done a stunning job, and they certainly helped to make my life much easier in the preparation of this section. Hopefully, you will find something that could keep your little ones busy for a while, and you could help garden birds or benefit from a little recycling into the bargain!

Thinking about the variety of skills that have been identified in this issue alone, has made me reflect on, and admire even more, the extraordinary talent that seems to be in abundance locally. I’m sure we could all learn a thing or two from each other. So, maybe it is time to really consider how we can make those links in the future. Now could be the time to make these ‘Connections’; which coincidentally is the theme for the next issue of Grapevine in February. Perhaps you could consider what this means for you and how you think we should be moving forward as individuals or as a community.

Finally,

the

Grapevine

team

have

been

bombarded

with

requests for wider distribution, and so an increased print run has been trialled. However, to make this viable on a regular basis we need to balance bringing in more advertising to cover the costs. We would appreciate any connections readers’ might have to help make this happen. Darllen hapus / Happy reading Angie Martin, Editor We reserve the right to edit all contributions for reasons of space & clarity.

The views expressed in letters and articles are not necessarily those of Transition Llambed Development Trust or the newsletter group.

Other contact details:  Transition Llambed: www.transitionllambed.co.uk email: transitionllambed@gmail.com  Victoria Hall: www.vichall.org.uk To make bookings for Victoria Hall contact: admin@vichall.org.uk or phone/text 07891 632614  People's Market: To book a stall contact: rhydygwinfarm@talktalk.net or ring 01570 471432 2

Victoria Hall Refurbishment Update 1. C YF L W YN I AD : D e rb yn i w yd cyflwyniad gan Lucia Thompson parthed Parc-yr-Orsedd yn ystod cyfarfod mis Hydref y Cyngor Tref. Bu iddi sôn am y gwelliannau posibl y gellir eu cyflwyno ar gyfer y parc ar ran offer chwarae.

2.

Maes-Parcio’r Cwmins: Disgwylir gwybodaeth pelllach ynglŷn â statws cyfreithiol y maes-parcio oddi wrth y Cyngor Sir. 3.

Gwasanaeth Dydd Sul Y Cofio ger y Gofgolofn: Y Cadlywydd oedd y Cyngh. Dave Smith. Bu i’r Cyngh. John Davies ymwneud â’r Anogaeth.

Y Parch. Chris Webb oedd yng ngofal y gwasanaeth ger y Gofgolofn ac yn yr Eglwys San Pedr er mwyn dwyn i gof y rhai a fu farw yn ystod y Ddwy Rhyfel Fawr y ganrif ddiwethaf ac mewn brwydrau terfysgol ers hynny. Y Biwglwr oedd Benedict Webb 4.

Coedwig Gymunedol Long Wood oddi wrth y mudiad Coedwig Gymunedol Longwood am y rhodd diweddar o £1,100 i ariannu’r fainc picnic a’r camerau blychau adar.

 The kitchen is now fully equipped and already

1.

PRESENTATION – A Presentation was received from Lucia Thompson regarding Parc-yr-Orsedd at the October meeting of the Town Council. She discussed possible improvements in relation to play equipment at the park.

2.

Cwmins Car-Park: awaiting further developments concerning the legal status of the car-park from the County Council.

3.

Remembrance Sunday Service at the War Memorial: Cllr Dave Smith assumed the role of Marshal at this event. Cllr John Davies delivered the Exhortation. The service at the War Memorial and the service at St Peter’s Church were officiated by the Rev. Chris Webb, in order to remember the fallen in the Two Great Wars of the last century and in military conflicts since that time.

Bugler, Benedict Webb.

4.

Long Wood Community Woodland: A thank you letter was received from Long Wood Community Woodland for the recent donation of £1,100 to fund the picnic bench and bird -box cameras.

Please feel free to come have a look around in January.

In the meantime we still have an on-going programme of classes, event and activities. (see listings page 14)

functioning as a catering training facility for the COASTAL project. As a community venue the kitchen is still available for refreshments for classes, groups and events.  The office space under the balcony and the upstairs committee/therapy/class room are all expected to be ready in the New Year. Please check out the website in December. www.vichall.org.uk  A Wi-Fi facility has now been installed and will be made available to hall users very soon once we have worked out how it would be best for people to access it easily.  Draft-proofing and insulation work is still on-going. As a product of Transition Llambed the Trust is committed to making the building as energy efficient as possible and we are committed to buying energy from ethical providers.

Transition Llambed Development Trust

www.transitionllambed.co.uk

Copy date: Friday 10 January 2014 Feb Theme: ‘Connections’ Send your letters/articles/listings/adverts to lampetergrapevine@gmail.com 3

LETTERS

Carmarthen is full of big, exciting ways to prise our money from our pockets. But local stores are actually very competitive, local businesses employ local people, support local suppliers as well as the community and keep the money you spend in Lampeter. How many of us want a town centre full of chain stores, charity shops and empty buildings? In an age of increasing technological dependence, when many people are living their lives more ‘virtually’ than really, what value do we place on having someone to talk to and ask advice from, or are we content to be served by robots in a world where nobody knows us, and we are told there is an unexpected item in the bagging area instead of being asked how we are?

Yours optimistically, Josie Smith

grapevine, victoria hall, bryn road, lampeter SA48 7EE email: lampetergrapevine@gmail.com

Dear Editor, Firstly let me congratulate all the Grapevine team and contributors for producing an excellent, entertaining and professional magazine that helps to inform and bring our community together. In response to David Henry’s interesting article Harvesting a Crop found on Concrete (October edition), I would like to let you know what I think about trading in Lampeter, as requested.

We opened our business (the Mulberry Bush) in 1974, so I have seen many changes in Lampeter in the past forty years. One thing, however, has never changed, and that is the friendliness and sense of community strength and caring that I have always experienced. As newcomers to Lampeter (we moved here in 1973) we were very warmly welcomed when we opened our shop, and have continued to receive great support from the locals of the Lampeter area ever since. I have seen babies grow to adulthood, and now their own children are shopping with them.

Obviously there is a lot more competition now, and that has affected us; whereas once most of our customers would fill a basket with groceries, which they could not find anywhere else (we pioneered organic foods, wholefoods and eco products among many other things), now many customers just buy one or two products.

The recession of 2008 onwards has been a very difficult storm to weather, and, along with every small independent shop on High Streets throughout the country, we are facing rising costs and dwindling profits. I have heard that the next ten years will see a change in town centres as great as the change brought about by the Industrial Revolution. I feel that a town centre is the heart and hub of the community, especially in a rural community like ours. Our shop has always been a meeting place for like-minded people, and surely the reason we have so many great cafés in town is that most of us live in fairly remote places, and our trip to town is often one of the main social events of the week. I have known many elderly customers whose main connection to other humans was the weekly shopping trip. Small, independent businesses know their customers, and do care about them. We know their names and if someone is ill or unhappy, we will try to help if appropriate.

Of course the Internet is very handy, and the supermarkets very convenient and beguiling, and

Dear Editor Llangeitho Reading Group is a year old this month, and we can look back on a very interesting and enjoyable experience. Although just 7 in total, we all have different perspectives on the books we choose to read and enjoy discussing our views.

Ceredigion library have a list of multiple-copy books in store, so we are able to get enough copies for us all to have one if we choose from this list. Otherwise, advance requests to Lampeter library usually enables them to collect a number of copies. We try to choose different books to those we would usually read, and this has given rise to much discussion - and hilarity on occasions!

I would like to recommend starting a reading group to all Grapevine readers as a means of friendship - and something to look forward to once a month. Here are just some of the books we have discussed: Finding Mr Flood by Ciara Geraghty (based in Ireland), The Fat Years by Chan Koonchung (a translation from the Chinese), Beloved by Toni Morrison (after the end of slavery in America), and Blow on a Dead Man's Embers by Mari Strachan (a local author).

Go on - give it a try! Reading stretches the mind and meeting with friends keeps us socially aware.

With winter approaching, have something to look forward to!

Gillian Neal gillymail22-book@yahoo.co.uk

4

www.clonc.co.uk

Papur bro ardal plwyfi: Cellan, Llanbedr Pont Steffan, Llanbedr Wledig, Llanfair Clydogau, Llangybi, Llanllwni, Llanwenog, Llanwnnen, Llanybydder, Llanycrwysac Uwch gaeo a Phencarreg.

The Welsh language community newspaper for Lampeter and the neighbouring parishes.

£25,000.00 y mis tuag at achosion da Mae’n rhyfeddol pa mor hael a charedig yw pobl ardal Papur Bro Clonc. Yn fisol, mae Clonc yn cyhoeddi adroddiadau a lluniau am unigolion a chymdeithasau yn cyflwyno sieciau sylweddol i elusennau ac achosion da yn dilyn gweithgareddau codi arian.

Mae rhifyn cyfredol Clonc yn dyst i hyn gydag adroddiadau am ryw £25,000.00 i gyd. Ar y dudalen flaen ceir llun criw ‘Lap o Gymru’ yn Llanybydder yn trosglwyddo swm anhygoel gwerth £15,255.14 i Ymchwil y Cancr.

Cyflwynodd aelodau Pwyllgor Ffair Ram, Cwmann £1,000.00 i Apêl Nancy Ffibrosis Systic. Roedd dau glwb lleol wedi elwa o weithgareddau Cneifio Llanbed eleni. Cafodd Clwb Rygbi Iau Llanbed £500.00 a chafodd Clwb Hoci Llanybydder £500.00 yn ogystal.

Mae Gwilym Jenkins, Gorsgoch yn diolch i bawb a wnaeth ei noddi i redeg 10K yn Llundain. Codwyd oddeutu £2,600.00 ar gyfer elusen amaethyddol RABI. Cyflwynodd Parti Meibion ‘Bois y Gilfach’ £800.00 i Ganolfan y Bont, Llanbed a chyflwynodd CFfI Ceredigion £719.20 i Dîm Ymateb Aciwt Ceredigion.

O dan Newyddion Drefach adroddir y codwyd £2,211.00 mewn Noson Caws a Gwin a gynhaliwyd ym Mryntawel tuag at Apêl Nyrsus MacMillan.

Mae ieuenctid y fro yn cael eu meithrin i fod yn ewyllysgar drwy godi arian yn yr ysgolion lleol.

Cododd dosbarth Mr Mark Davies yn Ysgol Bro Pedr £788.50 tuag at Gymdeithas Cŵn Tywys y Deillion.

Casglodd disgyblion Ysgol Carreg Hirfaen, Cwmann £400.00 tuag at Uned Cancr y Fron Ysbyty Tywysog Phillip a chasglodd disgyblion Ysgol y Dderi, Llangybi £168.52 tuag at Ambiwlans Awyr Cymru.

Mae Papur Bro Clonc yn rhoi cyhoeddusrwydd i ddigwyddiadau’r mis fel Apêl y Pabi Coch ac Apêl Plant Mewn Angen. Ceir llythyr gan Beti a Goronwy Evans, Llanbed yn gofyn am gefnogaeth eleni eto gydag Apêl Plant Mewn Angen. Maen nhw’n chwilio am wirfoddolwyr newydd. Dros y blynyddoedd y bu’r ddau yn casglu arian i’r apêl yn Llanbed codwyd dros filiwn o bunnoedd.

Ac mae’r ewyllys da yn parhau mewn i fis Rhagfyr.

Cynhelir Cymanfa Garolau’r Urdd yn Shiloh Llanbed ar y 1af Rhagfyr lle y cesglir at waith yr Urdd yn lleol ac at Glefyd y Siwgr. Yn Llanybydder ar y 7fed Rhagfyr bydd noson gyda Clive Edwards i godi arian ar gyfer Ymchwil Cancr DU a hynny yn y Clwb Rygbi.

Mae hyn i gyd yn ymdrech eithriadol gan bobl yr ardal sy’n meddwl am les eraill, a hynny mewn ardal fach wledig ar adeg sy’n heriol iawn yn ariannol.

£25,000.00 a month towards good causes It's amazing how generous and kind people are in Papur Bro Clonc’s locality. On a monthly basis, Clonc publishes reports and pictures of individuals and societies presenting significant cheques to charities and good causes following fundraising activities.

The current edition reports some £25,000.00 in total. On the front page is a picture of ‘Lap o Gymru’ crew in Llanybydder presenting a staggering £15,255.14 for Cancer Research.

Fair Ram committee members in Cwmann presented £1,000.00 to Cystic Fibrosis’ Nancy Appeal. Two local clubs have benefited from Lampeter Shearing activities this year. The Lampeter Junior Rugby Club received £500.00 and the Llanybydder Hockey Club also received £500.00.

Gwilym Jenkins, Gorsgoch thanked everyone who sponsored him to run 10K in London. Approximately £2,600.00 was raised for the Royal Agricultural Benevolent Institution.

'Bois y Gilfach' singing group presented £800.00 to Canolfan y Bont, Lampeter and Ceredigion YFC presented £719.20 to the Ceredigion Acute Response Team. Under Drefach News it is reported that £2,211.00 was raised in a Cheese and Wine Evening held in Bryntawel towards The Macmillan Nurses Appeal.

The youth of the area are nurtured to be active in fund raising in the local schools. Mr Mark Davies’ class in Ysgol Bro Pedr raised £788.50 towards The Guide Dogs for the Blind Association. Pupils from Ysgol Carreg Hirfaen, Cwmann collected £400.00 towards the Breast Cancer Unit at Prince Phillip Hospital and pupils at Ysgol y Dderi, Llangybi collected £168.52 for Wales Air Ambulance.

Papur Bro Clonc publisises this month's events, like the Poppy Appeal and the Children in Need Appeal. There is a letter by Beti and Goronwy Evans, Lampeter requesting support again this year with The Children in Need Appeal. They're looking for new volunteers. Over the years, both have collected funds for the appeal in Lampeter raising over a million pounds.

And the good will continues into December. A Carol Singing Festival will be held at Shiloh Chapel, Lampeter on the 1st December where the money will go towards the work of the Urdd locally and towards Diabetes. In Llanybydder on the 7th December, an evening with Clive Edwards will be held to raise money for Cancer Research UK. It will be held in the Rugby Club.

All this is an extraordinary effort by the local people who are thinking about the welfare of others, in a small rural area during a very financially challenging time. elusen - charity Geirfa ~ Vocabulary derbyn - to receive arian - money achos da - good cause noddi - to sponsor codi arian - fund raising hael - generous codi - to raise caredig – kind casglu - to collect gweithgareddau – activities cyflwyno - to present 5

Dylan Lewis

The Amber Project

Ceredigion Biological Imaging Society Hello, my name is Simon Tune and I am tutor for wildlife photography at Aberystwyth University’s School of Education and Lifelong Learning. At SELL we teach part-time, modular courses which are run in the community and allow those people who already have a very busy daily life a way back into higher education.

I have recently expanded the series of wildlife photography based courses that the department teaches and, whilst doing this, I noticed a need to link these courses together. People were enjoying their time learning photography, but then once the course had finished they had no easy way of continuing that interest. It was then that I had the idea of forming a photographic society, both to link these courses and give the students a regular forum within which to work.

What form was this society to take? Well, the focus is towards wildlife photography, as opposed to general photography; and these courses are linked to the Certificate for Field and Conservation Ecology. I do also have links with a number of ‘nature’ focused organisations. There are a number of ethical and technical challenges in taking photographs of wildlife and so it was decided to form a very specific society: Ceredigion Biological Imaging Society.

The society will be concerned with the technical challenges of wildlife photography in all its forms, which will include areas such as underwater photography, macro photography, microscopy, and photography in environmental extremes. We will look at the ethics and legal issues surrounding both wildlife photography and images captured in biological research and hopefully we can develop solutions.

Finally our aim is to promote wildlife photography within Ceredigion and provide a friendly group in which people can meet and discuss the subject.

Our first meeting has yet to take place whilst I am writing this, but will have happened by the time this article is published and you read this. However anyone who has an interest in wildlife photography is more than welcome to join and I hope that this society will have a chance to grow over the coming year. We will be holding another meeting in January 2014 (date and time yet to be confirmed) and although this meeting will be up at Aberystwyth further meetings will be held throughout the county.

If you are interested then you can contact me directly by emailing: adarwales@btinternet.com Simon Tune

The Amber Project offers a day service under the West Wales Adult Placement Scheme.

The Project has been approved by the West Wales Adult Placement Scheme to support and encourage adults who have learning disabilities/autism/mental health issues.

The aim of the project is to promote an active lifestyle and provide meaningful activities to vulnerable individuals whilst developing new skills, increased confidence and independence. In addition to offering work experiences based around a smallholding, such as growing vegetables and soft fruits, or working with small animals, individuals are encouraged to join in activities in the community.

For example: swimming, playing football with the Aberystwyth All Stars, joining in with the wheelchair basketball team, walking, making various arts and crafts, or just generally enjoying others’ company.

People can access the project by using either Direct Payments, or by being referred to the project by their social worker contacting the Adult Placement Scheme on 01267 246890.

To find out more about the Amber Project please contact Sue on 07875 027914 or Josh on 07749 135744, or email: theamberproject@hotmail.co.uk Sue Jacquest

Lampeter Museum Update: Work on the Lampeter Museum is progressing well.

Request for display items Hanes Llambed would be pleased to hear from anyone who has anything of historical interest about Lampeter, which they would be happy to donate or loan to the Museum. Please ring 01570 422769 6

Découpage - perfect recycling A long time ago I had an ugly kitchen cabinet which someone had taped up using brown parcel tape. Despite my best efforts, the marks left by this tape were impossible to remove. Then I got given a bundle of old magazines; at this point I didn’t realise that these magazines were to have a startling impact on my life. One of them included lots of reproductions from a Victorian edition of Good Housekeeping magazine, the title page from Mrs Beeton’s book Household Management, and old adverts with interesting pictures and typefaces. I decided to stick them onto the ugly cabinet, reasoning that I couldn’t make it look much worse than it already did.

I learned the technique through trial and error  do the edges first,  then work from the middle to the outside,  don’t put an image you particularly like where it will be covered up by a handle or a shelf,  remember which way is up!

I look out for interesting images wherever I can find them: wrapping paper, adverts, foreign newspapers, interesting packaging, old maps and sheet music, re-using things wherever I can.

I recently photocopied the deeds to my house from 1829 onwards, aged the copies with weak tea and stuck them on some bookshelves.

I also cover mirror frames with ripped-up coloured foil from sweets and Easter eggs. It’s a bit fiddly as it needs PVA, which as glue goes is pretty sticky; the foil is quite delicate and it can only be done a bit at a time. The results can be really dramatic and it’s perfect recycling - obtain chocolate, eat chocolate, use the foil to cover a mirror frame and be reminded of the joy you experienced whilst eating the chocolate!

What’s not to love?

Sian Salcombe I agree! Eds.

Only much later did I find out that this was called découpage.

I did a door next, with some theatre flyers and images from a Sunday supplement. Having run out of PVA glue, I used wallpaper paste and found that it was much easier to use and a lot less messy. Also, having bought matt varnish by accident, I found that I preferred a flat finish to one with a high gloss.

Since then I’ve lost count of how many things I’ve “tarted up” bookshelves, cupboards, storage boxes, mirror frames, lever-arch files, fridges. If you can stick stuff to it with glue then it’s fair game.

7

Bees are Beautiful Four and a half years ago my wife and I sold our holiday cottage business and moved to Wales to retire. That was a silly idea – we ended up with 35 acres, a fairly run down smallholding and lots of hard work. But there, near the house, was an old, tired looking beehive. After studying it for a while, there did not appear to be any activity around it so I had a look inside. A lot of wooden things with wax attached were inside and a round ball of grass and leaves in the bottom that seemed to be a mouse nest. About a month later, in early summer, it became obvious that some bees had taken up residence in it. Panic – what do I do now?

I managed to contact the Secretary of the local Lampeter and District Beekeepers’ Association, who came and had a look and helped sort out the mess.

Subsequently the Welsh Regional Bee Inspector came and checked the bees for disease. I was hooked. These small buzzy things rushing around like crazy producing honey were fascinating. The hive was cleaned up, the mouse’s nest and a whole lot of moths removed, and the bees seemed happy.

Four years later, and after a certain amount of studying, the fascination with bees is still there. The “beginners” course, run by Lampeter Beekeepers, taught me a lot about the basics of beekeeping and, with the help of a number of experienced members of the Association, I now have a lot more experience of beekeeping. Last year I even got some honey from my hives. Foolishly, I did not say “NO” loudly enough and I got elected as Chairman of Lampeter Beekeepers.

Lampeter and District Beekeepers’ Association draw their membership from the area around Lampeter and currently have about 70 members. We run a “Beginners” course each year and, for the first time, this year we ran a “Taster” day, so potential beekeepers could see what it is all about. Over the last two years we have managed to establish an apiary with five hives near Talsarn, which is used for teaching new beekeepers the practical skills that are needed. Again the apiary even produced some honey last year, some of which went to the landowner for allowing us to establish the apiary, and some was sold to boost the Association funds.

After a fair amount of work Lampeter Beekeepers obtained a grant from the “Cynnal y Cardi” project,

administered by Ceredigion County Council and supported by the EU and Welsh Government, which has helped provide us with a lot more equipment.

With the grant we are trying to encourage people of all ages to take an interest in beekeeping, or possibly to take up keeping bees, because honey bees are under threat. Various diseases and pests, that have entered the country over the years, are damaging the honey bee colonies.

Within Wales there are 19 Beekeeping Associations, most of which run “taster” days for anyone interested in starting to keep bees. These introductory sessions give you an idea of what is involved in beekeeping.

Then there are courses, normally run by the Associations, to provide the necessary knowledge to start beekeeping. These usually consist of about half a dozen theory sessions, and a number of practical sessions, either at an association member’s apiary or, if they have one, the Association’s apiary.

The courses, backed up by advice from association members, will allow someone starting off in beekeeping to get some bees and, with good weather and good management, produce some honey.

Lampeter Beekeepers are running a Taster Day which will be held at Cellan Millennium Hall on Saturday 12 April 2014 between 10am-4pm and a Beginners Course on Sundays starting on 27 April in Cellan Hall between 2-4pm. The Theory part of the course will last until Sunday 8 June, which will be followed by the practical sessions in the Associations Apiary near Talsarn in April/May. If you want to know more, then look on website www.lampeterbeekeepersassociation.co.uk.

Contact us via the website or give me a ring on 01558 685343.

Andy Ryan 8

MAKING TRACKS -

Almost as good as owning a real one? controlled and can be driven over extremes of ground, coping with mud where one could sink down a foot or so, wade through eight inches deep water, cross rutted tracks and ploughed fields as well as climbing 45 degree slopes.

Unlike most model engineering areas, there is very little “How to do it” information available for tracked vehicle modelling, thus it is a case of working things out as best one can. Fortunately I have had many years experience of driving and maintaining full size military tracked vehicles as a volunteer at a museum down in Dorset, and thus have gained a good understanding of how such machines work. This has made the design and manufacture of the models a viable proposition.

Model aeroplanes require wide open spaces, model boats large ponds, model steam locomotives a vast amount of money and model cars flat smooth areas to run on. I have none of these but I do enjoy model making and model engineering and with a few acres of “difficult land”, model tracked vehicles are the ideal models to make and run.

Over the years many models have been developed and made, ranging from those of very simple designs, through to vehicles with complex steering systems and sprung suspension layouts, which reflect full size military practice. With the exception of motors, ball-races and the radio control equipment, the models are built in a shed.

Most models are between 1 and 1.5 metres in length and built using plywood or aluminium. Some are powered by two 12 volts electric motors, one to each track; this gives a method of steering by slowing or stopping one motor. This offers a simple and reliable system, but it does require quite a lot of battery power which means models are heavy and have a short running time.

I have found that strimmer or chainsaw petrol engines are a much more successful power source, they are lighter for the power developed and give long running times. There is a down side, that being the need for a complex steering system. One based upon one used in full size military tracked vehicles has been developed, allowing the models to be steered with the same precision that is obtained with a car.

The models are simply profiled plywood or aluminium boxes, with a series of four to eight wheels fitted to each side. The tracks are either cast aluminium or injection moulded plastic and are rather like four inches wide bicycle chains running around the wheels. Each model is radio

Having any type of creative hobby is of considerable benefit; the design component generates mental activity, the making gives practical skills and the finished product gives a great sense of satisfaction, all of course contributing to one’s overall well being.

Trevor Ford

Trevor As you mentioned, having a hobby really keeps mind & body active … and projects that can keep us going through the winter months are essential to our well-being.

Thanks for sharing your hobby with us - it really is fascinating stuff … I admire anyone who can solve problems through engineering.

You’ve got me thinking now … Perhaps you could use your skills to develop a new Lampeter version of an engineering ‘Scrapheap Challenge’! It could be a very ‘Transition’ based event and could be fun!

What do you think?

Eds. 9

This is a great rainy day activity and makes use of items that may be finished with or not wanted.

Use your imagination - the possibilities are endless You will need: Old catalogues, comics, magazines or junk mail (Don’t forget to get permission to use these items first!)

Pencil, Ruler, Sticky tape, Scissors

What to do:

Paper chains

Remove any staples from magazines / junk mail etc. (You might need some help with this)  Place the ruler down the longest side, aprox. 3cm from the edge  Pressing the ruler down firmly, rip the thin strip from the edge, repeat until you have plenty  Make the first loop, overlapping the narrow ends and sticking with tape  Take the next strip and feed it through the first loop to create a chain, secure as before  Continue creating the chain until it’s the length you need to decorate a tree or room 

Snowflakes

Using your pencil, draw a design onto the folded edges of paper. Triangles & scallops work well as do curved shapes on the top edges furthest from the centre of the paper  Cut carefully along the lines you have drawn. The more shapes you cut out the more delicate your snowflake pattern will be 

First create squares from the junk mail / catalogue pages etc.

To do this, lay the paper flat, take the top lefthand corner & fold it down to the right side until you create a point at top rightt and the edges match. Crease the diagonal edge and then cut away the excess strip at the bottom of the page, making a square 

Carefully unfold the paper to reveal the full design 

Fold the square in half diagonally to form a triangle 

You might like to stick the snowflake to coloured tissue like a stained glass window; or thread cotton through to create a mobile; or stick them onto black paper to laminate as place mats. 

Fold in half again and then into quarters to form a small folded triangle shape. 

10

The Cats of Pentrefelin Although we live in Wales, we sometimes have to go to London on business and stay a night or two in a hotel.

One night, we were asleep in our hotel room when there was a loud ‘miaow’ at the window, and into the room jumped two cats.

“We have come to stay for two weeks,” announced one of the cats, “in order to practise for the Miaowing Competition.”

Our mouths opened wide in surprise. “But you can’t stay here!” exclaimed my husband. “This is a hotel!”

“Yes we can”, replied the other cat. “Arrangements have been made”.

And down from the windowsill dropped several other cats, one bearing a litter tray and others carrying various assorted packets, tins and cartons, dishes and even a tin-opener.

“But we are only staying here until tomorrow morning”, I said.

“Please let us stay, even if only for a little while. We are in great danger!” begged the cats.

At that very moment, searchlights flooded the street outside the hotel, somewhere a siren wailed and a large white van pulled up opposite the hotel.

We put on our dressing gowns and rushed down the steps of the fire exit to have a closer look, followed by the two cats. We opened the fire exit door and peeped around the corner.

We saw two oriental-looking gentlemen getting out of the van, They were armed with sticks and sacks!

Suddenly, cats were running along the road. They came from all directions. “Run for it!” shouted a long-haired black-and-white cat and, as the cats streamed past us, she turned to us and commanded “Follow me!” So we did, accompanied by our two new room-mates.

We followed the cats, turned a corner and found ourselves in a narrow alleyway. The black-and-white cat led us down a steep flight of steps to a doorway set in a wall.

After scrambling down another flight of steps, we found ourselves in a large, well-lit room. It was full of cats of all shapes and sizes.

At one end of the room was a stage. Its red curtains were parted to reveal a chair, a table, a saucer of milk and a very large ginger cat with a microphone in one paw.

“Greetings one and all!” he boomed and was met with a chorus of assorted miaows. “And greetings to our two new friends at the back!”

We bowed. As if in a dream, I found myself wondering what on earth we were doing in our dressing gowns, in a London basement with a roomful of talking cats. Were we going mad?

To be continued ...

11

You will need:  Small pumpkin or squash  Kitchen knife  Spoon for scooping out seeds  Bradawl or skewer  2 Plastic milk bottle lids  Garden wire  Wirecutters (if needed)  Pliers  Wild bird seed or peanuts

Make a

Pumpkin Bird Feeder With Danni and Jorge

What to do:

1. Slice the top off the pumpkin, 1/3 of the way down. Get an adult to help you with this.

5. Make holes in the bottom of the pumpkin and push the 2 ends of wire through from underneath

2. Scoop out the flesh & seeds, leaving the walls about 2cm thick

6. Pull firmly through until the lid is tight against the base of the pumpkin

3. Using a bradawl or skewer, make 2 holes in the milk bottle lid (again get an adult to help). Repeat with 2nd lid

4. Fold garden wire in half and thread both ends through the top of one lid

7. Thread the 2 ends of wire through the top of the 2nd lid; twist the wire together using the pliers and bend over the end until its hidden inside the lid

Enjoy watching the birds feed in your garden. How many different types can you spot?

8. Fill the upturned pumpkin with bird seed and hang from a suitably strong branch 12

LYTSS GOES INCANDESCENT!

A LIGHT SHOW EXTRAVAGANZA

Victoria Hall, Lampeter Thursday 19 December & Friday 20 December, 7:00pm Saturday 21 December, 5:00pm followed by AWARDS AND CHRISTMAS TEA

Tickets: £5.00 adults, £3.00 children, under 5’s free For more information contact Annie May, LYTss Director 01570 423080 annie@themay.co.uk

Christmas is nearly with us and Christmas for LYTss means Show Time!

And do we have a Show for you!

We’ve all been working very hard to hone our physical drama skills this year. Everything we’ve done has been towards developing our awareness of the use of the body to communicate. This is not as easy as it sounds. Mime does not involve the lifting of an eyebrow to convey significant meaning; it relies on something much more physical, something akin to balletic skills coupled with a physical and spatial awareness.

Mime is helpful at mitigating the paralysing effects of self consciousness, it gives confidence, amuses the player and the spectator and after a year of coaching we can report that we all move and behave with more assurance and style.

But we have been doing much more than just pretending to eat an apple!

Lea Wakeman has been coaching LYTers, to use their acrobatic and circus skills.

She has devised a fabulous Light Show that is perfect for the Festive Season!

LIGHT THE LYTSS is a talent show using music and routines created by the LYTers themselves.

Performances will be at Victoria Hall on Thursday 19 December and Friday 20 December at 7.00pm and on Saturday 21 December at 5.00pm. On Saturday there will be a Christmas tea to accompany our usual Annual Awards Ceremony.

Annie May STOP PRESS: We are delighted to have been invited by Llanfair WI to perform for them at their Christmas Dinner.

LYTss is always looking for ways to raise money using the skills of our talented youngsters.

We would be happy to come and entertain you with dancing, comic mime or circus performance at your functions, large or small, for a donation.

LYTers are used to performing almost anywhere: in the corner of a room, on the top of a table, in a crowded dining room or outside.

To book us please contact: Annie May on Telephone: 01570 423080 or email: annie@themay.co.uk

LYTers Summer memories The opportunity for LYTers to take a trip to France for six days for only £92 was amazing. It was a really fun trip and stay. Staying with our French hosts helped me to become more confident in speaking French and meeting new people. And the sun was a big bonus! I had lots of fun and I hope we will be able to do it again. Thank you to the Lampeter Twinning committee for organising the trip!

Sophie Soutter Reynolds France was an amazing experience. I met great people there who were generous and happy enough to let us into their homes. I had never been to France before so I didn't know what to expect when we got there. We saw

many exciting things on the way to Saint Germain such as the Bayeux tapestry something I was hoping to see!

When we arrived we were greeted by the hospitality of the people of Saint Germain (I think I'm taking lines out of your script Annie!). While staying with the people in Saint Germain we went to see lots of places that they had organised for us to go. On the last day we performed a mime for them in English and French which was written

by Annie May, director and founder of LYTss. After our performance our hosts performed a play for us.

Unfortunately, the next day we had to leave but we knew we would be seeing them again when they came to Lampeter in a few years. The trip was a complete success and I am glad I had the opportunity to go.

Erin Miller

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Victoria Hall: regular activities and classes Bryn Road, Lampeter SA48 7EE To book the Victoria Hall phone: 07891 632614 Email: admin@vichall.org.uk Community groups & local small-scale commercial: Large hall £12/hour; Small hall £7/hour; whole building £18/hour. We will soon have office space, committee room and small therapy/ class room. See www.vichall.org.uk for more details.

Day

Weekly (W) Fortnightly (F) Monthly (M)

Time

Activity / Class

Monday

W

6.308pm

Tuesday

W Welcoming new-comers

Wednesday

Thursday

Name

Number

Yoga suitable for all

Cathy Crick

01570 421144

4.305.30pm

LYTSS: Lampeter Youth Theatre & Stage School

Annie May

01570 423080

4 & 18 Dec

10-1pm

Hafan Cymru ‘Moving on Club’ Helping you get back to work

Becky Turton

07875 272834

4 Dec

2-5pm

Young at Heart

W

7-8pm

Zumba keep fit session

Louise Evans

07584 199372

W

1-3pm

Welsh classes

Meryl Evans

01545 572715

7-9pm

Transition Llambed ‘Big Gathering’

W

10-12pm

Welsh classes

Meryl Evans

01545 572715

W

4.306.30pm

LYTSS: Lampeter Youth Theatre & Stage School

Annie May

01570 423080

2nd & 4th Sat each month

10am1pm

People’s Market

M 2nd Sat each month (14 Dec)

2-4pm

Sing Out, Harmony Song Workshop

Clara Clay

07929 018928

W

10am7pm

Lampeter Evangelical Church

Gareth Jones at the Mustard Seed café

01570 423344

15 Dec

7-10pm

Custard Queens WI

Jen Pink

07540 383835

M 3rd Thur each month Friday

Saturday

Sunday

Contact

courses_______________ Denmark Farm Conservation Centre, Betws Bledrws Sat 23 Nov: Monthly Volunteer Day Sat 23 Nov: Special WEA Woodland Skills & Coppicing Workshop - FREE Sun 24 Nov: Special WEA, - FREE, Stoolmaking Workshop Sat 1 - Mon 3 Feb: Traditional Stone

Mayor & Councillors Tea, sandwiches & social for the wiser folk of Lampeter

A chance for all those interested in/involved with Transition Llambed to plan and co-ordinate activities. Everyone welcome!

Watch for ‘Bring back our trains’ initiative

Local food, produce and crafts. Plus café, live music and other attractions

Faced Walling (at Cors Caron in Tregaron) Fri 21 Feb, 14 & 28 March: Ultimate Up-Cycling; Patchwork Quilts Fri 7 - Sun 9 March: Plant Diversity Fri 21 - Sun 23 March: Introduction to Outdoor Digital Photography Many more opportunities and further details: 01570 493358, www.denmarkfarm.org.uk 14

We are also planning a series of Gardening workshops in partnership with the 'Growing the Future' project run by the National Botanic Gardens of Wales.

Please do get in touch or check out our website for full details.

Send your listings to lampetergrapevine@gmail.com

what’s going on listings are free. send details of your event to lampetergrapevine@gmail.com

courses contd ___________ Forest Gardening, Permaculture and Wildlife Gardening Short courses and inspirational site visits! For more info and 2014 dates, Contact Angie: 01974 831300, info@purposefulpermaculture.co.uk Bike Demonstrations available at People’s Market, Victoria Hall, every 2nd and 4th Saturday of month.

Topics including: aspects of owning folding bikes, information on normal and electric bikes, fold-ability, weights, maintenance, gears, brakes, wheels and tyres as well as information on new and recycled bikes and workshops. December Demo 10am-12.00noon; How to convert older drop handlebar bikes to straight bar, repositioning gears.

Literature available on various bike related subjects. Contact: Milly, 07583 248387, millypeds@gmail.com

creative_______________ Cellan Quilters - Knit, Natter and Sew, Wednesdays 12noon-4pm, Cellan Hall. £10 per month or £4 drop -in fee. Informal group for all who enjoy quilting, sewing, knitting, socialising - & female chatter? All ages, all abilities welcome. Contact: Amanda, 01570 421338.

Spinning Lessons with Ann Fisher Rhodes at Ffarmers Neuadd Bro Fana/Village Hall. Improvers every Wednesday 1.30-3.30, £8. Beginners t.b.a. Contact Ann 01558 650760, www.spinwise.co.uk spinwise.uk@btinternet

events ________________ Pumsaint Tenth Annual Crafts Fair at Pumsaint Hall. Fri 29 Nov 2-7pm and Sat 30 Nov 10am-4pm, in aid of Breast Cancer Wales.

Lampeter Christmas Fayre, Sat 30 Nov, 12noon-4pm , Arts Hall, University of Wales TSD. Craft and Christmas gift stands, mince pies, mulled wine. Official opening by the Mayor with performances by Cor Meibion Cwmann.

Llanybydder Christmas Fair, Sat 30 Nov at Black Lion Hotel, 2-5pm.

Stalls selling Xmas presents, plus refreshments and entertainments.

Visit Santa in his grotto and have photo taken. Candlelight procession from Black Lion, 4.30pm, carols round tree and switching on lights.

People’s Kitchen Sunday 1 Dec, 1pm at Llanfair Clydogau Village Hall - delicious vegan xmas lunch!

Coedwig Gymunedol Long Wood Community Woodland: AGM. Mon 9 Dec, 7.30pm. Long Wood welcomes queries, questions and ideas from the public at the AGM, St. Thomas Church, Lampeter.

Contact: 07557 386755  Winter Tree ID Walk. Sun 12 Jan. FREE event. How do you recognise a tree when it’s got no leaves on?

Come and learn how to identify trees and shrubs, just by their twigs and buds. This guided walk is led by Long Wood staff. Families welcome. ID charts and books will be available.

Meet at 12noon in our car park (Llangybi end)  Woodland Wednesdays. Join Sarah, our Warden, for regular volunteering sessions at Long Wood every Wednesday. Develop your wood skills and feel the benefit of working in this beautiful environment.

No experience required; training given, all sessions are supervised.

Meet 10am, in our car park (Llangybi end). Contact: 07557 386755, info@longwood-lampeter.org.uk Lampeter & District Beekeepers' Association meets each second Tuesday of the month, 8pm at Cellan Millennium Hall. Non-members welcome! £2 (includes tea & biscuits).

The Scientific And Medical Network Lampeter and West Wales Group. Presentation by Alan Underwood, Abergavenny. ‘Inner & Outer Journeys’ - Wed 4 Dec, 2pm, Founder’s Library, University of W ales, TSD. Free admission.

Contact: Eric Franklin, local SMN group co-ordinator, 01570 471367, erf678@googlemail.com Cymdeithas Hanes Llambed/ L a m p e t e r H i s t o r y S o c i e t y: December meeting will be a Members' Christmas Social. Next meeting Tues 21 Jan, 7.30pm, Old Hall, Lampeter University. Talk b y C h r i s D e l a n e y: H e r i t a g e Interpretations: stories, identities and place. All welcome; croeso cynnes i bawb.

Celtic Myth and Landscape: a series of talks, discussion and presentations about myth, landscape, archaeology, spirituality and the

Send your listings to: lampetergrapevine@gmail.com

15

sacred. Sat 30 Nov, 10am, Founder's Library, University of Wales TSD: Professor Ronald Hutton, 'Lugh the Shining One'. All welcome, free admission.

Contact: j.bezant@tsd.ac.uk Going Deeper: Breath & Communion. Sarita Premley and Israel Ahn a'Sha at Merched y Wawr building, Vulcan Street, Aberystwyth SY23 1JH Introduction: Breathing Christ, Fri 13 Dec, 6.30-9.30pm. Free. Upstairs at Merched y Wawr Going Deeper: Breath and Communion, Sat 14 Dec, 10am-6pm. £50 (£35 concs) Plus on Sun 15 Dec (& maybe Mon 16th): Personal sessions with Israel and/or Sarita. Explore any issue, threshold, or challenge in depth, releasing old belief structures and bringing healing to body and mind. £70 (£50 concs). Booking not essential but much appreciated.

Contact Brigid Rose 01970 832156, bridgerose@hotmail.com

health & well-being courses & classes ______ Yoga classes suitable for all, with an Iyengar-trained teacher: Mon 6.30-8pm Vic Hall, Lampeter Tues 10-11.30am Cellan Hall Weds 5.30-7pm Tregaron Chapel Vestry Thurs 6.00-7.30pm Ffarmers Village Hall. Contact: Cathy Crick Stanton, 01570 421144, 07748 031614, cathycrick@hotmail.co.uk Build Confidence to sound your note in the world. Do you want to express yourself clearly, honestly and appropriately, and say no when necessary? Do you want to stand the best chance of achieving your goals?

6-week course (started Wed 13 Nov) continues, 10.30am -12noon in Lampeter. Contact: Shân (qualified with Redwood Institute), 01570 218138, 07940 375147, www.livingexcellently.co.uk and Mat-based Pilates. Physical and mental toning; improve your posture and co-ordination; increase your energy levels; learn to live from your centre. Cellan Millennium Hall, Mon 2.30-3.30pm. Shân Rees, OCRqualified Pilates instructor. Extensive experience of movement and exercise: 01570 218138, 07940 375147, www.livingexcellently.co.uk

kids___________________ Ray Ceredigion offers free, openaccess outdoor play sessions.

Maes Y Felin play area, Lampeter, every Mon (term time), 4-6pm. Also at Rhydlanfair play area, Llangybi, Mon, 3.30-5.30pm. Contact: Helen Lewis, 01545 570686 Playsessions on Maes y Deri playing field every 3rd Sunday each month throughout the year, 11am-3.30pm, with Ray Ceredigion playworkers. On the right up hill beside St Peter's Church, all welcome.

Ray Ceredigion also host a 'Messy Play' session for babies and toddlers on the first Thursday of every month, 10am, in the Extension at Lampeter Students' Union. Come along and make a mess!

Lampeter Youth Theatre and Stage School Registration Day, Victoria Hall.

Fri 10 Jan, 4.30-5.30pm, £30 per child per 10-week term.

Easter term dates: Tues 14 Jan to Fri 21 March. New Entrant classes: Tues 4.30-5.30pm. Intermediate classes: Fri 4.30-5.30pm. Advanced classes: Fri 4.30-6.30pm. Contact: Annie May 01570 423080, annie@themay.co.uk Zumba Kids will soon be coming to Lampeter. If you are interested, contact Louise Evans, 07584 199372.

Little M’zzz indoor soft play centre, Llanybydder (in old church Hall near Evans Bros market). Open Mon, Thurs, Fri, Sat & Sun 10am-6pm, 7 days a week in school holidays.

Birthday Party bookings welcome.

Tasty menu & free WiFi. Contact: 01570 480268, www.littlemzzz.co.uk NCT 'Move and Groove' is a music and movement group for pre-schoolers. Every Tuesday, 10am in the Catherine Stott room, upstairs in Lampeter Students' Union. Let your little one do what comes naturally by making noise and not staying still!

"Lampeter Little Ones" is a Facebook group for the parents of pre-schoolers in the Lampeter area. If you're wondering what groups and activities are available for your baby or toddler, then please join up and have a look: www.facebook.com/groups/ lampeterlittleones

markets______________ People’s Market, Victoria Hall, Lampeter, 10am-1pm every 2nd & 4th Sat each month.

Next markets: Sat 14 Dec, 11 & 25 Jan Poultry Auction, Victoria Hall, Lampeter, 9-11.30am Sat 21 Dec.

Lampeter Farmers' Market Market Street, Lampeter, 9am-2pm alternate Fridays Next markets: Fri 19 Dec, 10 & 24 Jan. Ffarmers Market Neuadd Bro Fana/Village Hall, Ffarmers, 10am-12.30pm 1st Sat in the month (no market in Jan) Next market: Sat 7 Dec & 1 Feb. Llansawel Market Llansawel Village Hall, 10am-12.30pm 3rd Sat of the month Next market: Sat 21 Dec & 18 Jan Lunar Market. Sat 7 Dec & 4 Jan Llanfair Clydogau Village Hall, 10am3pm. Local produce and crafts and refreshments. Contact: 07920 063773.

move your body ________ Lampeter Belly Dance and Belly Fit classes Mondays, Lampeter at Shiloh Church Hall (next to Police Station): Beginners' Belly Dance (all ages) 1.302.45pm (£5) Belly Fit for over-50s, 3-4pm (£4) There is space in both classes. First class free.

Contact Rose Barter: 01239 851737, rosebarter@btinternet.com Belly Dance & Yoga classes. Belly Dance: Tues 7.30-8.30pm. £3.00.

Beginner Yoga: Thur 7-8.30pm, £5.00.

Crugybar Village Hall. Contact: 01558 685321, elenamgilliatt@hotmail.com BlackSheep BellyDance. Fortnightly W ednesday classes with Lyza Chthonia: 6.30-7.45pm. £5 per person per class (first class is free!) Open Level (Adults, 14yrs+) Shiloh Hall, Lampeter (behind police station). Join our Facebook group – ‘Chthonia BellyDance Classes Lampeter’. www.chthoniabellydance.co.uk and Tribal Dance with Lyza. Alternate Wednesdays 6.30-8pm, Shiloh Church Hall, High Street, Lampeter.

Contact: lyza_darkestwish@live.com Cerddwyr Ramblers, Lampeter, Do you enjoy exploring the local countryside, discovering historic sites, socialising and mixing, having fun and chit-chat? Lonely, low in mood, recently widowed? Need a change or inspiration to exercise enjoyably, meet up with people outside your usual circle? Do you have a passion to maintain and improve our footpath network by surveying footpath problems or legal diversion orders? Or perhaps lead walks that you know and would like to share. Then join Lampeter Ramblers, we have much in common! Choice of varying walks throughout the year. See our programme in Library or Creative Cove. James Williams, 01570 480743.

16

Coedwig Gymunedol Long Wood Community Woodland. Do you need to get out and about more? Join our FREE 1/2 hour Health Walks, held on the last Sunday each month. Next dates: Sun 29 Dec & 26 Jan. Especially for people who find walking difficult.

Please wear sensible shoes. Meet at Penlan Goetre, SA48 8NE, 2pm.

Contact: 07557 386755, info@longwood-lampeter.org.uk Flamenco Dance classes weekly in Lampeter and Aberystwyth with Dixey Ruscelli.

Tues 6-7.15pm, Sally Saunders Dance Studio, Lampeter Industrial Estate, Tregaron Rd, Lampeter (next to Organic Fresh Food Co) Wed 6-7.30pm, Aberystwyth Arts Centre, with live flamenco guitarist.

Men and women welcome. Please bring strong chunky-heeled shoes.

Contact: 01570 493138, dixeyart@gmail.com Footpath Maintenance volunteering with Ceredigion County Council rights of ways staff every Friday. Trashing, clearing, erecting stiles, footbridges and installing gates mainly in the south of the county. Fun and cost toward transport included. No experience needed, just join our team! Contact: James Williams, 01570 480743 Friday Walkers: meet up with us for ambling rambling on a Friday morning.

Easy access walking for about an hour, depending on the weather and the mood. Meet Friday morning, rain or shine, 10am at Rookery Car Park.

Free, followed by coffee and more chat. Not able to manage the stroll but would like company? No matter, just meet up with others like you for coffee.

Philip Lodwick 01570 480181.

Yoga, Wednesdays 5.30-7pm Cellan Millennium Hall. Small friendly group led by Pat Beaton, 01558 650594.

Send your listings to lampetergrapevine@gmail.com Canolfan Hamdden Llambed Leisure Centre. 01570 422552, Lampeter-leisure@ceredigion.gov.uk Autumn/Winter activity programme as follows:  Cardio Circuit Training gyda/with Sands & Paul Butch. £3.50. Mon 6.307.30pm. All-over body workout.

Conditioning. Resistance training.

Improve mobility, strength & stamina.

Ymarfer i’r corf i gyd. Cyflyru. Ymarfer gwrthsafiad. Gwella symudadwy, cryfder ac egni.

Copy Deadline: Feb issue - Fri 10 Jan

move your body contd_____ music_________________ Canolfan Hamdden Llambed Leisure Centre contd  J’s Workout 01559 362690.

Oedolion/Adults £3.90, Henoed/ Myfyrwyr/Iau/O.A.P/Student/Junior £3.20. Tocyn consesiwn/concession ticket (12 dosbarth/classes) Oedolion/ Adult £39, Conc. £32. Mon 5.306.30pm, STEP. Tues 5.30-6.15pm, Zumba. W ed 12noon-12.45pm, Ffit rw ydd Rhw ydd/Ease into Fitness. Wed 6.30-7.30pm, Kettlecise. Thurs 5.15-6pm, Dawns Aerobig/Aerobic Dance.  Clwb Rhedeg Sarn Helen Running Club Thurs 6.15-7.15pm. Croeso i blant dros 8 oed/ All children over 8 years welcome.  Yoga/Pilates Ann Inshaw, 01570 481319, 07826 692110. Mon 5.307pm, Yoga (pob lefel/all levels). Tues 6-7pm, Pilates (pob lefel/all levels).

Wed 5.15-6.15pm Pilates (canolol/ cynyddol/intermediate/advanced).

Thurs 6-7pm, Pilates (pob lefel/all levels).

Fri 10-11.30am, Yoga (pob lefel/all levels).  Spinning £3.90 sesiwn/session, £39 for 12 sesiwn/sessions. Bwcio gyda taliad yn unig!/Booking with payment only! Tues 5.30-6.15pm, Wed 7.158.15pm, Fri 5.30-6.15pm. Cofiwch ddod a photel o ddŵr a thowel/ Remember to bring a bottle of water & a towel.  Clwb Ymladd Cleddyfau Llambed/ Lampeter Town Fencing Club Sean Slater, 01570 493139, anpiobaire1@aol.com Croeso i bawb dros 10 oed. All aged 10+ welcome. £4.50. Os ydych am hwyl, ffitrwydd a her o frwydro yna ymladd cleddyfau yw’r peth i chi. If you want fun, fitness and a challenge of combat then fencing is for you. Tues 3.30-5pm & Fri 6.30-8pm. Darparir offer/equipment provided.  Clwb Badminton/Badminton Club Dydd Gwener/Friday 5-6.30pm. All players welcome. Ysgol Gymnasteg REES School of Gymnastics Islwyn Rees, 01570 422979. Sat 9.15-10am, Oed meithrin (dan 5)/Pre-school (under 5); 1011am, Dechreuwyr (6 oed i fyny)/ Beginners (6yrs+); 11am-12noon, Gwellhawyr (6 oed i fyny)/Improvers (6yrs+).  Disco Sglefrio/Roller Disco every Saturday 3-4pm. Oedolion/Adults £2.60, Plant/Children £1.90. ‘sgidiau i’w llogi/boots for hire £1.30 lampetergrapevine@gmail.com

Mulberry Bush Café Nights at 2 Bridge St, Lampeter (7.30pm): * Sat 30 Nov: Pentan (Sioned Webb, Clara Clay & Lynne Denman), plus Mediterranean-themed veggie meal.

Meals are £16.95 (3 courses); entry £2.50. Bookings: 01570 423317.

Lampeter Music Club at University of Wales Trinity Saint David, Lampeter campus.

Sun 1 Dec 2.30pm, Arts Hall: The Farthingale Singers. Four distinguished Welsh operatic soloists perform one of the great 19th-century vocal masterpieces, Brahms' Liebeslieder Waltzes (Love Waltzes).

Sun 26 Jan, 2.30pm, Old Hall: the Mavron Quartet, Wales’ leading string quartet. In 2010 they were appointed the first Ensemble in Residence at St David’s Hall, Cardiff.

Tickets on the door: £10; concessions £8.50, students free with a Union card, 2 children admitted free with a paying adult. To join mailing list (post or email) contact: 01570 422436, cockburn.david@gmail.com Sing Out Harmony Workshop 2-4pm 2nd Saturday every month at Victoria Hall, Lampeter. Next date: Sat 14 Dec, £5 full price, £4 self-assessed concession. Contact: Clara Clay, 07929 018928

photography ___________ Lampeter Photography meet on 1st & 3rd Friday of every month, 7.30pm at the Kings Head, Lampeter. Monthly competitions, exhibitions & workshops.

All welcome. FREE. Contact: Stef, 07958 772035, lampeterphotography@yahoo.co.uk Tracy Dove, Llanfair Clydogau-based photographer, has an eclectic selection of her photo cards available at the Town Hall Cafe/Deli in Lampeter. Open Mon-Sat 10-4 with free wi-fi, great food, drinks & regular art exhibitions.

religious services & groups ________________ Lampeter Parish St Peter’s Church, Lampeter. Main Sun Service: 10.30am (bilingual), Other services: 8am Holy Communion (English), 9.15am Cymun Bendigaid (trydydd Sul yn y mis yn unig, Cymraeg). Church Hall available for hire, £8.50 per hour. Kitchen facilities.

Enquiries/bookings contact: Beryl, 01570 422324, www.lampeterparish.org St Cybi’s Church, Llangybi. Main Sun Service: 9am (bilingual).

17

St Bledrws’ Church, Betws Bledrws.

Main Sun Service: 10.45am (English or bilingual).

St Sulien’s Church, Silian. Main Sun Service: 2pm (bilingual /Cymraeg).

St Mary’s Church, Maestir. Main Sun Service: 2.30pm (2nd Sun in month only, English).

Times apply to the first four Sundays in each month. For the few fifth Sundays there will be a single United Parish Service at 10am: location will be published in the local newspapers.

St Thomas' Methodist Church Sun service 10.30am, creche & youth activity. Tuesday Coffee morning 9.3012noon. All welcome. See chapel notice board.

Our Lady of Mount Carmel Roman Catholic Church, Lampeter Sunday Mass is 10am. For other services see church notice board.

Emmaus Christian Fellowship meets Sundays, 10.30am and 5pm, at rear of 78 Bridge Street, Lampeter. Contact: David Patterson 01570 422529 Interested in Buddhism?

A Study Group for Women. Exploring the underlying principle of Buddhist Practice and how we can apply this in our daily lives. Meets one day a month near Aberystwyth. Meditation, shared lunch. Contact: Lesley, 01970 617129 or Noel 07988 745364 Lampeter Evangelical Church meets every Sunday at Victoria Hall, 10am– 7pm. Contact: Gareth Jones at The Mustard Seed café, 01570 423344 Lampeter Quakers. Every Sunday at Canolfan Steffan, Peterwell Terrace at 10.45am. All welcome. www.quakersinwales.org.uk (English) Crynwyr Llambed. Cwrdd bob ddydd Sul, Canolfan Steffan, Rhodfa Peterwell, 10.45 yb. Croeso i bawb. www.crynwyrcymru.org.uk (Cymraeg) Contact / Cysylltwch: Deborah Rowlands, 01570 480083, deborahjrowlands@gmail.com Seventh Day Adventists meet fortnightly on Sat at Cellan Millennium Hall, 10.15am-3.15pm.

For more details: www.cellanmillenniumhall.co.uk

social ________________ CY D Llambed. Ym arf er eic h Cymraeg/Practise your Welsh. Dydd Mawrth 11 yb-12yh/Tuesdays 11am12 noon, Gwesty y Llew Du, Llanbedr P.S./Black Lion Hotel, Lampeter.

Croeso i bawb/All welcome. Croeso i unrhyw Cymro/Cymraes sy'n fodlon i ymuno â ni. Cysyllt â/Contact: Mary Neal, 01570 470092

social contd______________

Mustard Seed café, Lampeter.

CELLAN MILLENNIUM HALL "Landscape and nature take centre CLASSES AND GROUPS Alcoholics Anonymous stage in this practised collection."

Meet at the Catholic Church (white Copies available from Bookworm in Classes subject to change: church), opposite the police station in Aberaeron. please check Lampeter, Wednesdays 8.00-9.30pm. www.cellanmillenniumhall.co.uk For info, National helpline 0845 theatre________________ for updates & contact details.

7697555 LIGHT THE LYTss - Lampeter Youth See our website Narcotic Anonymous Theatre and stage school present 3 What’s On page for one-off events Meet at St Thomas Methodist Church performances of it's Light Show (end of the Drovers Road/Peterwell Extravaganza at Victoria Hall, Thurs MONDAY Terrace), opposite the car park, on 19 Dec and Fri 20 Dec, 7pm and Sat Line Dancing 7-10pm Monday, from 7.30-8.30pm National 21 Dec, 5.00pm. Following Saturday Lunch Club 11.30-2pm Helpline 0300 999 1212 performance there will be a Christmas Pilates (mat-based) 2.30-3.30pm Coffee Stop, Thursdays 10.30am- tea to accompany our Annual Awards TUESDAY 3pm at Emmaus Christian Fellowship, Ceremony. Tickets, £5 adults, £3 78 Bridge Street, Lampeter. Soup, children, under 5’s free. For more Healing Yoga 10-11.30am toasties, cakes. W arm friendly information contact: Annie May, Lampeter Home Education Group environment. Contact: David, 01570 01570 424080, annie@themayco.uk 12-5pm Lampeter Youth Theatre and stage 422529 Qi Gong 6-7pm Lampeter Friends is a Self-Advocacy school (LYTss) Registration Day, Tai Chi 7-8pm group for people with learning Friday 10 January, 4.30-5.30pm at Beekeepers 2nd Tues of month, 8pm Victoria Hall.

Registration fees are £30 disabilities, set up by Eich Dewis Chi per child per 10 week term (Ceredigion Advocacy). Every Wed, 2WEDNESDAY 4pm, CAMFA building, Lampeter. A LYTss Easter term - runs from Table Tennis 10-11.30am welcoming and supportive space for Tuesday 14 Jan to Friday 21 March. Quilting Club 12 noon-4pm people with learning disabilities to New Entrant classes on Tuesdays, meet and talk about issues important 4.30-5.30pm. Intermediate classes, Yoga 5.30-7pm to them. Free, all welcome. Meet new Fridays, 4.30-5.30pm and Advanced THURSDAY friends, find support, take part in classes Friday, 4.30-6.30pm.

Village Improvement Society activities, build confidence, learn new Louche Theatre present a sparkling, spine-tingling fairytale, The Snow Cttee1st Thurs of month 7pm skills & hobbies & have fun!

Queen by Hans Christian Andersen. W.I. 2nd Thurs of month 7.30pm Contact: Rebecca, 07976 023486 Qi Gong & Meditation 6-7pm Whist Drives, Wed 4 & 18 Dec, (Jan Fri 29 Nov - Sun 1 Dec 7.30pm (plus dates tbc) at Hafan Deg, Lampeter, matinees at 2.30pm on Sat & Sun) at FRIDAY every fortnight. All welcome. All Funds Morlan Centre, Queens Road, Art Group 10am–1pm Aberystwyth. Box Office: 01970 to Hafan Deg League of Friends.

Film Night fortnightly 7.15pm Contact: Gwen Davies, 01570 481152 6 1 2 6 1 7 o r r e s e r v e / b o o k a t www.louchetheatre.com SATURDAY storytelling & books_____ Golden Broth Lunch Club: a free Seventh Day Adventists, lunch and social club for the senior fortnightly 10.15am-3.15pm Storytelling Group/Noson Storiau Croeso i bawb, Cymry, Saeson a citizens of Cellan and Llanfair Thylwyth Teg, dynion a merched, Clydogau, offering a FREE oedolion a phlant. light lunch of soup, roll and Everyone welcome from complete cake, plus tea/coffee. beginners to talented bards. Come to Gather for a social and play listen, come to tell. Friendly, informal cards or dominoes, or just group 7-9pm every 3rd Monday in the relax and natter to friends. month, Denmark Farm, Betws All ideas are welcome.

Fri 6 Dec “Man of Steel” (12A) Bledrws. Next meetings Mon 16 Dec Come along & join the fun.

Henry Cavill & Mon 20 Jan, weather permitting. Fortnightly on alternate Please bring a small donation to cover weeks at Cellan Millennium DOORS OPEN 7.15pm for 7.45pm start room hire and refreshments. Contact/ Hall and Llanfair Hall on cysyllt â: Rachel 01570 493222, ra- Mondays, 11.30am-2pm.

Admission by Donation £2.00 chauck@yahoo.co.uk Next dates: Cellan - Mon 2 Creative Writing Workshop. Sat 14 Dec, Special Christmas BIG SCREEN & DIGITAL THEATRE Dec & 11 Jan, 2-4 pm at Tysul Hall, lunch. Llanfair - Mon 9 Dec. SOUND Lland ysul. £10 per work shop. No meetings in January.

WWW.CELLANMILLENNIUMHALL.CO.UK Refreshments. Tutors: Samantha Amanda (Cellan) 01570 Wynne-Rhydderch (Dec) and Damian 421338, or Linda (Llanfair) VOLUNTEER PROJECTIONIST REQUIRED Walford Davies (Jan). Sponsored by 01570 493706 Literature Wales. Contact Kelly, 01267 TO TAKE OVER THE FILM NIGHTS AT CEL235336 LAN HALL IN THE NEW YEAR Final Copy Deadline Poetry collection The Moth Box by Please contact Amanda Newman Feb issue: Fri 10 Jan Sue Moules was launched by 01570 421338 Theme: ‘Connections’ publishers Parthian on 17 Oct at the 18

complementary & alternative therapists Charlotte Allen RSHom Homeopath 14 years' clinical experience.

Homeopathy is a safe, holistic method of treating both emotional and physical conditions. Llanfair Clinic, 41 Bridge Street, Lampeter, SA48 8EG. 01570 493746 Val Allen, BACP senior accredited counsellor/psychotherapist. UKRC Registered. Offering counselling, ps yc h oth erap y, h yp n oth er ap y, EMDR. 23 High Street, Lampeter SA48 7BA, 01570 493522, valallen@surfanytime.net Rolfing - Structural Integration.

Res tore your bod y's natur al alignment and grace. Caroline Body, Lampeter, Carmarthen and Cardiff.

07917 360595, www.rolfingwales.co.uk.

Transformational Bodywork. Iain Cameron Watson Trauma Release, Alexander Technique. Relief from stress/anxiety, PMT, insomnia, neck, back, shoulder, period pain, headaches. By donation. 07852 626001, cameronbodywork@gmail.com, http://transformationalbodywork.co.uk Jo Camlin BSc WSHom. Homoeopathy. Empower your own healing (or your child's) by telling your own story. Then a vital, energetic remedy is matched to your unique, personal experience. 01570 421480 (a.m.)

The Light of Love, a short but powerful treatment harnessing and directing the power of the Universal Life Force, relaxing, healing by touching into the heart's gentle energy. Ceredwin (thirty years of energy work experience), 01570 421476 Cathy Crick Stanton. Yoga teacher / therapist (Iyengar trained) and Barbara Brennan Healer. For class details, or to book 1-2-1 yoga or therapy/healing sessions: 01570 421144 / 07748 031614, cathycrick@hotmail.co.uk

Glynis Florence, BA, Cert. Couples Counselling, Dip Psychosexual Therapy. Member of COSRT. Relationship counselling and therapy to address sexual concerns in Aberystw yth and Lampeter .

Contact: 07780 458763 The Art of Well-Being: Reflexology and Indian Head Massage. Glennis Gratwick, MAR, FFHT, fully qualified, insured, 10 years' experience. Stall at Lunar Market (see listings) selling aromatherapy products.

Contact: 01570 493288 Bowen Technique and Reflexology relieves back, sciatic, neck and shoulder pain. FHT, AoR, fullyqualified. Contact Pearl 01974 299224, 07967 647920, www.bowen-reflex4wales.co.uk Alison Kaye MBAcC. Traditional Chinese Acupuncture. Llanfair Clinic, 41 Bridge Street, Lampeter, SA48 8EG. 07779 256388 Living Excellently: 'Build confidence to sound your note in the world.'

Assertion Training, ConfidenceBuilding, Positive Ageing, Mat-Based Pilates, Style Coaching. Qualified, decades of experience helping people towards fulfilled lives.

Contact: Shân Rees 07940 375147, shanharmony@aol.com Susan McAllister (Bsc Hons).

Transformational Teacher, Therapist & Consultant. Over 20 years of teaching, complementary therapy & healing experience. Available now for Crystal Healing Workshops & Angelic Tarot Readings. To book, contact: 01570 493006 / 07572 672986, sue@tranquillight.vpweb.co.uk Louise Nadim BSc Hons, Ph.D. Fully qualified, insured Brennan Healer.

Working in the Human Energy Field assessing, balancing and healing, to restore physical, emotional and spiritual health. Contact: 01570 421144 /07920 112228, louise_nadim@hotmail.com

volunteering ____________

social events for families. We are looking for volunteers to join us and British Legion Lampeter is recruiting become part of our team: members now. This is your opportunity Contact Jan Young, 01545 571317. to become a member of the Legion. women's workshop ______ Contact Sharon, 07971 806886.

Home-Start is a national charity Wed 10.30am-3pm, St James’ Hall, supporting families who are struggling Cwmann. 11am Qi Gong gentle to cope in more than 300 communities ex er c is e. 1 2n oo n lu nc h. 1 pm across the UK. Our support is workshop. Disabled access & toilet. delivered by volunteers, in the family’s Free car park. £2.50 a session home, for a couple of hours every (includes vegetarian lunch and all week. We also run family groups and activities). Pay on the day, no 19

Dr Colette Power. Mindfulnessbased Stress Management, MB Pain & Illness Management; Introduction to Mindfulness Courses; 1-2-1 coaching. For future courses, or to discuss ways of working with mindfulness for you/your group, Contact: 07890 835873, colette@mindfulnesscourse.co.uk

www.mindfulnesscourse.co.uk Wild Cherry Coaching. Battling stress, low confidence, or simply feeling stuck? Move forward with sensitive and holistic life coaching with Ros (BSc (Hons) Psychology, Diplom a Stress Managem ent, Advanced Diploma Life Coaching).

Free consultation. 07462 746248, www.wildcherrycoaching.co.uk Eva Ryan MTI. Wholistic massage to help rebalance and heal body, mind and emotions. Treatment tailored to your unique needs.

Registered, insured practitioner. At Taliaris, or arrange home visits.

Contact: 01558 822390 / 07792 748191 Remedial Massage Therapy. Kelly Smith, LCM dip. 4, Maesyfelin, Llangybi, SA48 8LY 01570 493774, 07582 170181 Christine Stephenson BSc MNIMH. Medical Herbalist at Llanfair Clinic, 41 Bridge Street, Lampeter. Contact: 01239 858946 Ashley Ward MAR GJC (Dip Reflex).

Dan cing T re e R efl exo log y .

Reflexology in the comfort of your own home, within 15-mile radius of Lampeter. Fully-insured member of Association of Reflexologists.

Contact: 01570 422985 / 07811 767563, www.dancingtree.co.uk Reflexology. Annie Zakiewicz MAR is a fully-insured member of the Association of Reflexologists and practises from Cellan. Contact: 01570 493295 / 07790 107521, www.reflexologywithannie.co.uk

membership or advance fee. Drop in when you please. New members always welcome. Workshops: 4 Dec - Making earrings from buttons 11 Dec - Creative writing, Christmas theme 18 Dec - Christmas party 8 Jan - Board games 15 Jan - Favourite gadgets 22 Jan - Quilling 29 Jan - Painting Contact: 01570 423167 or 01545 590391

Despite what the media would have you believe, it’s OK to be interested in railways! You don’t need to be an ex-train-spotter, or have an anorak, or be single and nerdy. You just have to have an interest in things railway, be it historical, current, UK, foreign, standardgauge or narrow-gauge.

The Aeron Valley Railway Society, based in Aberaeron, has been in existence for some 25 years, and has about 35 members, from all backgrounds, with wide-ranging interests. Most are married and don’t have an anorak.

We meet every third Wednesday of the month (except December, when we have our annual Christmas dinner) at the Feathers Hotel, Aberaeron, at 7pm. Each month we have a different speaker, covering a wide range of subjects. Recent talks have been on Transport in Birmingham, the Abermule Railway Disaster, High-tech Steam, Freedom of Wales 1962 and much more. As you can see we have a varied programme. We try to cater for all interests and all levels of knowledge.

All members get a monthly newsletter (except January) with up-to-date information on talks, and a diary of events with listings of railway interest. In

addition to our monthly meetings, we also have regular social gatherings, like BBQ’s, the Christmas dinner, trips out to heritage railways etc. We also organise the annual West Wales Model Railway Exhibition, held on the second Sunday in August, currently at Llwyncelyn Hall. As you can see we are a busy group.

We charge a small annual membership fee (currently £8 for newsletters by email, or £11 for newsletters by post) and a £1 charge is made for each meeting you attend to defray costs. However, a lucky ticket draw at each meeting may give you your money back with interest!

We are always looking for new members who share our interest in railways; whatever your age, or level of railway interest, you will be made welcome. Would you like to join us? If so, the easiest way is just to turn up for one of our meetings (7pm, third Wednesday of the month, at the Feathers, Aberaeron). On arrival make yourself known to me, or to any of the other committee members - Frank Poulter, Steve Parr, John Hughes, Dennis Bates or John Millard. None of us bite, I promise you.

We look forward to meeting you. If you want more information, please feel free to ring me on 01974 821281.

Nigel Bird

Ymgynghoriad â'r Gymuned

Community Consultation Drop-in

Interested in Railways?

Dydd Mercher, Rhagfyr 4ydd Neuadd Victoria, Ffordd Bryn, Llanbedr P.S. Unrhyw bryd rhwng 11yb - 3yp Mae

Wednesday 4th December Victoria Hall, Bryn Rd, Lampeter 11-3pm

mewn partneriaeth gyda

In partnership with

Coedwig Gymunedol Long Wood Community Woodland

Coedwig Gymunedol Long Wood Community Woodland

yn cyflwyno

Present

VINE (Gwirfoddoli Mewn Amgylchedd Naturiol)  Dewch i drafod y prosiect newydd hwn gyda gweithwyr Tir Coed  Dewch i ddweud pa weithgareddau yr hoffech chi ymwneud â nhw  Dewch i ddweud beth hoffech chi weld yn digwydd yn eich coedwig lleol  Ydych chi'n aelod o sefydliad ac yn ystyried yr hyn sydd gan VINE i gynnig ar gyfer eich cleientiaid?  Ydych chi eisiau mwy o wybodaeth?

Byddwn yn falch iawn eich cyfarfod, dewch ar amser sydd yn gyfleus i chi. Bydd lluniaeth ysgafn ar gael

VINE (Volunteering In the Natural Environment)  come and speak with Tir Coed staff about this new project  Have your say on what activities you would like to be involved with  Tell us what you would like to see happening in your local woodland  Are you Part of an organisation and think that your clients could benefit from VINE ?  Just want to find out more?

We would love to see you, so please drop in at a time that’s convenient. Refreshments & nibbles provided

Am fwy o wybodaeth cysylltwch â: Ffion@tircoed.org.uk

For more information contact: Ffion@tircoed.org.uk

20

COEDWIG GYMUNEDOL LONG WOOD COMMUNITY WOODLAND What’s been going on in the Woods

What’s On in the Woods

It was a windy, cold day in early November as I waited to see if anyone would turn up to our Fungus Foray Walk.

Considering the inclement weather, I was pleasantly surprised to welcome no less than 42 people with baskets and ID books in hand. Local enthusiast Penny David gave everyone an introduction to the world of fungi and all things mushroomy before we made our way under the trees to see what we could find.

We didn’t have to go far, as myself and many others were amazed at the diversity of fungi that we found just under the first stand of Spruce beyond the car park. It was great to see so many children getting involved in the hunt too and taking time out to really look at the things that we might usually pass by.

The Visitor Centre build continues apace with over half of the main frame now complete. These components of roundwood larch are being stockpiled ready for the frame raising when it will all come together, quite literally.

Our monthly walk for January will be a Winter Tree ID event. I’ll be taking visitors through what they need to know in order to identify tree species by their buds, twigs and bark.

James Kendall

Winter Forestry Operations This winter season should see the implementation of our Better Woodlands for Wales management plan (written with Natural Resources Wales) which is aimed at “conserving ancient woodland, increasing native broadleaved content of local provenance, increasing public awareness and improving recreational use of the woodland.” Works within this plan include a number of major felling and thinning operations of conifers such as Sitka Spruce and Japanese Larch, some of which are long overdue. Our only safe option for the older spruce trees is clear-felling.

This is necessary for us as we have been advised that should we just thin out these tall trees then they are highly likely to suffer from windblow which will make the area both unsafe and ruin the valuable timber, which has been carefully grown on and managed over the years, ready for this last felling. So in these areas, the felling operations will look quite drastic. But whereas other forest sites are being replanted with non-native conifers, Long Wood will be replanted with mixed native broadleaves, such as oak.

If you want to know more, we will be hosting a Community Forum before the works commence so that locals can learn about the felling and thinning plans for Long Wood. There will also be an opportunity to ask questions of our team. Details of this public forum will be advertised locally when we have them.

On a safety note; throughout the period of the felling operations there will be heavy machinery moving through the site so we do ask that visitors observe any signage during this time and follow any instructions in terms of restricted access. Such notices will be in place for visitor safety. Be assured though, that any path closures will be temporary only.

Join our mailing list or find us on Facebook. Contact: 07557 386755 or info@longwood-lampeter.org.uk 21

Mobiles

Find 2 circular items to draw around and use these as templates  Pick out interesting patterns, pictures or colours on old birthday or Christmas cards and use the templates to draw around to make lots of different circles  Cut these out carefully  Fold 2 circles in half and glue them together  Open out 1 side of the pair of circles. Fold a 3rd circle in half and glue 1 side of it down next to the first folded circle  Take a length of wool and lay it between the 2 open semicircles of paper  Glue one semicircle and press the other down so that the wool is stuck along the centre  Glue several more circles to the length of wool (about 4 on each strand) Make 3 lengths in all (but any variation is fine)  Take the stick and tie on the lengths of wool tying with a double knot to hold them in place. Spread them evenly along the stick  Tie a final length onto the stick in 2 places as the hanger 

JigSaws    

Jorge’s Jigsaws

  

Choose a picture that you like from an old Birthday or Christmas card Detach the front picture Stick this picture to a cereal box or other cardboard to create a stronger puzzle Turn over, and draw some interlocking jigsaw shapes on the back (keep them on the large side, otherwise they will be really fiddly to cut out) Cut around the shapes carefully Enjoy re-assembling your own jigsaws Maybe challenge your family or friends to a timed re-assembly. This will be even more fun if your jigsaw is double sided and mixed up!

Jorge had the great idea of drawing and colouring

another picture on the back before cutting out the jigsaw shapes, so that you end up with a double sided jigsaw - 2 puzzles in one! Well done, Jorge.

22

Eds.

Greetings cards Recycling - Mobiles & Jigsaws

A great way to use up all your old Christmas or Birthday cards You will need: Old cards, Scissors, Pencil, Glue, Wool, a stick, Cereal box or other cardboard

Seasonal snippets - more garden & wildlife goodies

by Mara, Ian and Tomos Morris who live in Llangybi looking through my favourite seed catalogues and making a list of all those which I fancy trying next year and all my regulars that need replenishing. So this is how I will be spending any free time during December and January, that and eating tasty preserves with fine cheese, roasting the last of the squash and other tasty veg and of course supping a glass or two (or five!) of bullace gin.

I have thoroughly enjoyed sharing some of my experiences in the garden this year, but for fear of repetition I won’t be continuing in 2014. I’m stepping down to make room for another keen grower to pick up the spade and let us into their potting shed secrets. Please contact the editors if you’re interested.

December / January Ian’s Tweet The Sparrowhawk is a beautiful and dramatic ambush hunter that occurs commonly locally, though it is far less visible than Buzzards and Kites.

Regulation of harmful chemical use in the countryside has enabled the population to recover from a very low point 30-40 years ago. The fact that a number of their favoured prey species have declined during this time has led some to wrongly blame the Sparrowhawk. In fact, several of the species that they hunt have increased considerably over the same period. For example, Blue and Great Tits are thriving due to all the food we provide to help them survive the winter. Collared Doves have become a common sight in our villages and gardens since first colonising the UK in the 1960’s despite the parallel increase in Sparrowhawk numbers. The fact is that our Sparrowhawk population is regulated by the number of small birds available to it, not the other way round. Many of our bird species have indeed sadly declined in recent decades but the cause of these declines is not the Sparrowhawk but another species which has an enormous impact on the environment, for better or worse. Ourselves!

Mara, Thank you so much for your potting shed pickings over the past 12 months. I’m sure Grapevine readers will miss them, but you have definitely sown the seeds. Let’s hope someone out there is willing to pot them on! Eds.

Mara closing up the potting shed As an amazing year draws to an end, I am overjoyed to take in the season’s bounty. Our shelves are groaning with the weight of demijohns filled with bubbling cider and wines, cupboards overflowing with jars of chutneys, pickles and fermented vegetables, beans drying in their pods in the porch, piles of pumpkins with hardening skins and there are still tomatoes, sweet peppers, chilli's and the odd courgette still growing in the tunnel. If only every season could be like this one.

I’m not much of a planner, I prefer to go with the flow and adapt as required. However I do like

Sparrowhawk

by Tomos (age 8) 23

Kids Puzzles Festive Wordsearch

Can you find all these words hidden in the grid?

They are horizontal, vertical, diagonal & backwards

MISTLETOE

MITTENS

PINE CONE

TREE

IVY

ROBIN

SCARF

FROST

SNOWMAN

HOLLY

SNOWFLAKE

ICICLES

Crossword

Across 1. The tasty fruits of the bramble (12) 5. A bush with spiky green leaves & red berries at Christmas (5) 6. The berries of the blackthorn bush are a very dark ________ colour (4) 7. The field ________ tree has similar leaves & fruits to the sycamore (5) 9. The dog ________ flowers in May-June. Its fruits are called ‘hips’ (4) 12. Acorns grow on this tree (3) 14. These are inside fruits and allow plants to reproduce (5) 15. The fruits of this tree spin like a helicopter when they fall (8) 16. This tree has fruits called ‘keys’ (3) 20. In May elderflowers grow on this tree. In autumn, you’ll see __________ (12) 21. The fruits of the beech tree are called beech _________ (4) 22. Sloes are the fruits of the black _______ (5) -xDown 1. These shrubs often grow in hedgerows. Their flowers turn into blackberries (8) 2. What might fall on your head walking under a horse chestnut in autumn (6) 3. This plant grows up the trunks of trees to reach sunlight.

It grows berries (3) 4. Growing tall & thin, _____ birch trees have white trunks (6) 5. These are red fruits that grow on hawthorn in autumn (4) 8. The fruit of the oak tree is called an ________ (5)

10. This tree has small white flowers. Its name is the first bit of 20 across (5) 11. Two British trees produce nuts in autumn - Hazel & _________ (5) 13. The fruits of ash trees are called _________ (4) 15. What are the berries that grow on blackthorn called? (5) 17. The dog rose produces rose _________ in autumn (4) 18. The silver _______ has silvery bark & grows catkins in autumn (5) 19. What colour are rowan berries? (3)

24

For more activities like these go to www.naturedetectives.org.uk

Cookie’s Corner

Sausages, mash and gravy - one of my all time favourite foods, and, in my humble opinion, the perfect comfort food as we enter the dark winter months. Yes, yes, yes, I know I am a vegetarian, but that doesn’t mean I can’t satisfy my craving – it just means I have to get a bit creative.

‘Ready meal’ vegetarian sausages are rarely satisfactory, some are better than others, but they don’t really cut the mustard (sorry, had to get it in somewhere), so the obvious option is to make my own – and what better recipe than Glamorgan Sausages, made with an award winning local Caerphilly cheese?

The Glamorgan Sausage, and therefore the veggie sausage, is not a new invention. George Borrow mentions it in his book ‘Wild Wales’ published in 1862, and he is recorded as visiting Lampeter on his travels so who knows, maybe he got a taste right here.

Making a veggie sausage is actually a lot easier then a meat version; there are only 3 main ingredients, and all you have to be able to do is fry. You can find all sorts of fancy versions but the recipe below is simple, unfussy and quick to make.

least an hour of chilling to stop them breaking up when you fry them, overnight is better.  Cooking is easy; they need about 5 minutes frying (get the pan and oil hot before you put them in).

Ironically they are best cooked using a technique usually reserved for meat - searing. Get the outsides quickly browned and they will stay intact for the rest of their cooking.

Great with mash and gravy, superb as a hotdog with onions, not good on bar-b-ques.

Don’t forget the mustard – the mustard makes the sausage!

Tim Martin

Glamorgan Sausages with Gorwydd Caerphilly 









Take about 120g of leek(s) and chop finely. Fry in butter, not too hot as you don’t want to brown them, just get them nice and soft – about 10 minutes should be plenty.

Whilst the leeks are cooking, in a separate bowl, mix together 80g of breadcrumbs, 150g of grated Caerphilly Cheese - of course I recommend Gorwydd Caerphilly, along with 2 tbsp of chopped parsley and 1 tbsp of chopped thyme.

In a separate bowl mix 2 eggs with 2 tsp of mustard (I prefer wholegrain to English in this recipe), and seasoning to taste. Feel free to go overboard on the parsley; in my view it is an ingredient it is difficult to use too much of.

When the leeks are cooked, add them to the cheese mixture and give it a quick stir. Then add the egg and seasoning and mix thoroughly. You are going to use your hands to form the mixture into sausages, so might as well get in there now and get it all mixed together.

This mixture will make 8 sausages. Fashion small handfuls of the mixture into sausage shapes and place them on a baking tray, or something similar, and place this in the fridge. They ideally need at

What can I do with…Beetroot? 

Roast on a bed of sliced onions – pour sour cream on top before serving



Curried – yep, really!



Chutney – one of my favourites



Risotto – lovely colour



Muffins – only for the committed



Warm beetroot, crumbled blue cheese and walnut salad



Roasted with potatoes and rosemary, stir in some horseradish to serve,

25

perfect



Beetroot Christmas decorations



Beetroot and Vodka soup

Recent Reviews A new West Wales Rail Link Following the initial meeting in October to discuss the possibility of a new railway line for west Wales (see Grapevine, November, 2013), a second meeting was held in the Victoria Hall, Lampeter on Thursday 7 November. Chaired by Councillor Rob Phillips, assisted by David Morgan, the meeting discussed a range of strategies for taking the Campaign forward.

new rail link through West Wales.

Politically, therefore, the time is right to get the Campaign underway, and a small Working Group was established to develop an action plan to bring to the next meeting.

Immediate priorities are to decide on a name for the Campaign (one that works equally well in Welsh and English), to construct a web-site, to develop a data base of supporters, and to establish liaison with other interest groups both locally and nationally. These include Community, Town and County Councils; Schools and Universities; transport bodies and organisations; and national interest groups such as Friends of the Earth and the Federation of Small Businesses.

The next meeting is scheduled for early in the New Year

Once again it was emphasised that the proposed rail link should be seen not just as a Lampeter-based initiative focusing solely on the Aberystwyth to Carmarthen line, but should include the northern section connecting Aberystwyth to Bangor via Machynlleth and Pwllheli, as part of a new integrated rail network for the whole of Wales.

The Assembly Member for Ceredigion, Elin Jones, told the meeting that although the Welsh Transport Minister had, earlier in the year, expressed little interest in a Feasibility Study for a rail link for West Wales, since then there had been two significant developments in terms of future funding for Wales.

First, new arrangements for income tax and borrowing powers for the Welsh Government will allow funding for capital projects, such as the M4 relief road.

Second, in relation to the planned HS2 high-speed rail project linking London to the Midlands and the north of England, Wales should be eligible for ‘consequential funding’ from the Westminster government. This means that in 3-5 years time the financial climate could be very different from that of today, and substantial additional funds for major infrastructure projects should be available through the Welsh Government. One such project might be a

Next meeting: Thursday 23 January 2014 7pm Victoria Hall, Lampeter Make a note in your diaries, and do come along to give your support (and offer ideas), and see how this exciting initiative is progressing.

Mike Walker

Looking ahead to Feb issue : What does ‘Connections’ mean to you - knowing people, getting places, joined up thinking?

We would really like to hear your views.

Please contact: The Newsletter Team

lampetergrapevine@gmail.com We look forward to hearing from you – please send your articles SOON

copy deadline for Feb issue:

Fri 10 Jan!

Not keen on writing things down? We could arrange to pop round & have a chat instead.

26

The Snow Queen Milly Jackdaw Vee Robinson Jo Vagabondi An Arctic adventure told through sound, puppetry and storytelling Neuadd Victoria Hall, Bryn Road, Lampeter, SA48 7EE. Saturday/Dydd Sadwrn 14th December/Rhagfyr 6pm.

Tickets. £6 adults £5 children.

For more information & to Reserve tickets: 07767 124464 27

Christmas Opening Hours Wednesday 18th December Thursday 19th December Friday 20th December Saturday 21st December Sunday 22nd December Monday 23rd December Tuesday 24th December Wednesday 25th December Thursday 26th December Friday 27th December Saturday 28th December Sunday 29th December Monday 30th December Tuesday 31st January Wednesday 1st January Thursday 2nd January

9 to 5.30 9 to 6 9 to 6 8 to 6 Closed 9 to 6 9 to 2 Closed Closed 9 to 5.30 9 to 5 Closed 9 to 5.30 9 to 5.30 Closed 9 to 6

Follow us on twitter @organiclampeter Find us on facebook

Stocked to the rafters with fresh fruit and vegetables.

Bulk bags available. Plenty of local produce, cheeses, and meats.

Festive food and gift ideas. Wine, beer and cheese hampers.

Visit us on the industrial estate in Lampeter. 01570 423099.

TAINCWM COUNTRY GUESTHOUSE

WEDNESDAY

www.taincwm.wordpress.com

7.00-8.00PM

Email: taincwm@live.co.uk Tel: 01570 471554 / 07980 401862

Victoria Hall, Lampeter

Beginners Welcome Just bring a bottle of water You’ll love it!

BED & BREAKFAST FINE DINING

(whatever your dietary requirements) HEALTH & WELLBEING ART & CREATIVITY

What’s on here at Taincwm...

CHRISTMAS MEALS...

Exclusive use of lounge/ dining room, for up to 8 guests...

Range of vegetarian and non -vegetarian specials, homemade using only the best ingredients and local organic produce wherever possible.

Special diets no problem!

PAMPER GIFTS...

Beauty and Holistic Therapies, fabulous food and excellent hospitality, mixed with peaceful and relaxing ambiance and lovely views!

Half Day Pamper £35 Full Day Pamper £49

Ask about our Weekend Pamper Breaks!

Art workshops and short breaks...

All mediums covered!

HEN PARTIES...

With a difference! Spend girlie time together, relaxing and being pampered!

FOR CLASS DETAILS CONTACT YOUTR LICENSED ZUMBA* INSTRUCTOR

Louise Evans 07584199372

WEDDING SPECIALS...

louiseevans91yahoo.co.uk

Range of packages for the Bride, Bridesmaids and Mother of the Bride.

28

celtic christianity The interest in anything Celtic has led to a plethora of books purporting to impart wisdom arising from and relating to Celtic Spirituality. In my opinion, the vast majority of these are refreshingly free of fact or the burden of research. Celtic Christianity was never the same as modern new age ideas and surprisingly disciplined as a religion. For example, the famed Synod at Llanddewi Brefi was a seat for the debate between St David and the heretic Pelagius.

Let us consider some of the Saints of Wales. Those greats of old who dedicated their lives, and in some cases died for, the faith that defined this nation.

Saint David - Bishop Of Wales.

Reposed 589. Remembered March 1.

St David (Dewi/Dafydd) founded an austere monastery, very reminiscent of the Desert Fathers, in a small hidden valley at St David’s in Pembrokeshire.

The monks tilled the land, pulling the plough themselves without animals; they ate their bread with salt and herbs and water only, and that only at evening time. They prayed for much of the night.

St David, as a monastic founder and teacher, and as Bishop, became the leader of the church in South Wales. As an ascetic himself he opposed the teaching of Pelagius at the Synod of Brevi.

The cathedral gives a great sense of stability and tranquillity to the place. Royal Edward I came to pray at St David’s shrine in 1284. It was destroyed at the Reformation but the place where it was, can still be seen in the cathedral.

Troparion* O miracleworker, founder of monasteries and converter of pagans.

You lived the strict life with your many brethren.

You advanced the Gospel wherever you went; At synod, as Bishop, you gave order to the church.

O Holy David, Wales greatly needs your prayers.

Harry Harrison *Stanza or short hymn

Diary date: Next issue: February Copy Deadline: Fri 10 January Theme: ‘Connections’

Lampeter Town RFC Senior Men’s 1st XV

Youth

A

Sat

7

Dec

2.30

Penybanc

A

Sat

7

Dec

2.30

Carmarthen Athletic

H

Sat

14

Dec

2.30

Llandybie

H

Sat

14

Dec

2.30

Burry Port

H

Sat

21

Dec

2.30

Aberaeron

H

Sat

11

Jan

2.30

Kidwelly

A

Sat

4

Jan

2.30

Hendy

H

Sat

25

Jan

2.30

H

Sat

18

Jan

2.30

Milford Haven

H

Sat

22

Feb

2.30

H

Sat

25

Jan

2.30

Laugharne

H

Sat

1

Mar

2.30

Llanelli Wanderers Newcastle Emlyn Carmarthen Quins

29

07583 248387, millypeds@gmail.com

Can't knit?

No time?

You provide the pattern and wool, I will handknit it for you.

Price list available Micro-Bakery coming soon Delivering freshly baked bread to your door

01570 218045

lampetergrapevine@gmail.com

Sales of New, Recycled & Electric Bicycles & Tricycles.

Bike repair, Cycle Training, Advice & Workshops.

Demos (maintenance etc) at People’s Market 2nd & 4th Sat each month.

Check Grapevine listings for details.

Cacennau cartref, bara, cyffaith a bwydydd sawrus Ffrwythau, llysiau a phlanhigion tymhorol, cartref Cig a gynhyrchir yn lleol a dewis o waith llaw crefft Te a choffi Homemade cakes, bread, preserves and savouries Homegrown seasonal fruit, vegetables and plants Locally-produced meat and a selection of handmade craft Tea and coffee

Tregaron Rd

Opening times: Monday to Friday - 9.00am to 5.30pm Saturday - 9.00am to 4.00pm Now stocking fresh milk & a large range of Welsh chutneys for Christmas If you don’t see what you want on our shelves, just ask and we will endeavour to stock it.

florriescrafts@gmail.com

MILLY PEDS

Copy Deadline: Friday 10 January 2014

Guidelines for advertisers: see grapevine page www.transitionllambed.co.uk

small ads & Classified

From now until Christmas: "Saving time, saving lives" Raffle in aid of the Wales Air Ambulance (surviving solely on donations) Prize - Christmas hamper of fruit & vegetables, 50p per strip of raffle tickets A warm welcome to everyone Croeso cynnes i bawb

30

Lampeter Chamber of Trade Newsletter A Christmas in Lampeter Most people I know either really love Christmas or are part of the ‘Bah Humbug’ clan. I love the sparkling lights, the holly and mistletoe, the shop windows, Christmas carols and the almost unbearable excitement that builds in the children the closer Christmas comes. Without the light and love of Christmas, winter would be a long, cold season. Yes, I know it can be stressful, and money is always tight, but when we rise above the restrictions and remember what Christmas is really about, and focus on being a bit kinder to one another, or remembering a friend and calling them, or simply smiling at each other, then we tune in to the magic of Christmas.

Lampeter is a wonderful place to live and shop at Christmas. The Lampeter Chamber of Trade have a secret team of Christmas Elves. They sit in Gwynfor Lewis’s garage on cold nights in October, mending angels’ wings, Xmas bells and stars, then they brave the November elements and spend hours stringing lights from lamp-posts and shops to bring our town to sparkling life. Next they put up and decorate the beautiful tree in Harford Square.

Then once again they venture forth in the cold winds of January, when Christmas cheer is just a memory, and take them down again. For me these guys are unsung heroes - remember them as you enjoy the lights this year, and remember the Round Table, which organises the purchase and erection of trees for all the shops. Many thanks to everyone who helps make Christmas a special time in Lampeter.

Each year the Chamber of Trade organises a Christmas Celebration in the town, and, whatever the weather blesses us with, we all have a really great evening. This year the High Street will be closed on Thursday 5 December. The festivities start at 5pm and all the local schools have been

invited to perform for us. There will be school choirs, dancing from the Sally Saunders School of Dance, the Cwmann Male Voice Choir will treat us to their Xmas repertoire, and I am sure we will be invited to join in for a few traditional carols. Father Christmas will arrive, drive through town on his sleigh and then meet all the local children in his grotto at the Black Lion. There will be fairground rides, stalls, and many shops will stay open late.

The event ends around 8pm. This is an evening for us all to come together and celebrate what our town has to offer.

Lampeter has many unique and individual shops where you are sure to find just what you are looking for, and when you need to take a break you can pop in to one of the many excellent cafés to recharge your batteries. I find shopping in Lampeter far less stressful than going to the nearby larger towns, with their crowds and look-alike shops, and shopping in Lampeter is always quite a social event, as I am sure to meet people I know.

As David Henry wrote recently in the October Grapevine (Harvesting a Crop found on Concrete), small independent businesses depend on a loyal market of supporting customers, and it is the small businesses of Lampeter that keep our town centre a vibrant and unique place.

To raise funds for the Christmas Celebration, the Lampeter Chamber of Trade are running a raffle this year. Prizes are: £50 voucher for the Co-op, £25 voucher for Trysor, Hunters Wellies from WD Lewis, a beautiful bouquet from Robert’s Garden Centre and lunch for two at the Mulberry Bush.

Tickets are available in most shops and the winners will be drawn on 21 December.

On behalf of the Chamber, Gwyn Lewis, our chairman, wishes everybody a happy and peaceful Christmas.

Josie Smith

DID YOU KNOW?

Advertise through the Grapevine?

If you place a paid advert for your local event in the Grapevine, you can also have it included on the Victoria Hall and Cellan Millennium Hall websites for no additional charge?

Please email your poster (preferably JPEG format) to: admin@vichall.org.uk Thanks!

Do you have things to sell? Can you offer a service?

Is there something you need?

Contact the newsletter team lampetergrapevine@gmail.com 31

ART STUDIO UNIQUE All my own unique, original designs, hand painted glass vases & suncatchers Visit my stall at The People’s Market Victoria Hall, Lampeter, every 2nd & 4th MERRY CHRISTMAS NADOLIG LLAWEN

01570 493139 www.artstudiounique.com

Last chance to find that special present before Christmas…

14 Dec 2013!!

Wanted

Agent, to sell beautiful Handmade fabric bags 01570 422346 Ask for Irene

Cegin Pantygwin Outside catering provided for parties, agricultural shows,

Celebration cakes made to order Many years' experience and Council licensed Contact Rhonwen, 01570 423651 32

LAMPETER TOWN FENCING CLUB Tues - 15.30-17.00 Fri - 18.30-20.00 LAMPETER LEISURE CENTRE Contact: Sean Slater Tel. 01570 493139 Email: Anpiobaire1@aol.com

lampetergrapevine@gmail.com