Lampeter Grapevine Issue 35 Dec 15 Jan 16 by Lampeter Grapevine

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

Rhagfyr/Ionawr - Dec 2015/Jan 2016

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

contents

Lampeter Goes to the Movies

in this issue…

Christmas Extravaganza

 lampeter goes to                            

the movies town council news lytss - the story continues dancing with the faeries celebrating the return of the light traws link cymru farmers market long wood ms support group reviews clwb celf llambed seed swap local artists exhibition spotlight on writing vine update uwtsd what’s going on jottings people’s market people ysgol bro pedr news lampeter museum ysgol henry richard news twelve ways to an eco christmas celtic christianity cothi gardeners kcc kids in action spotlight on dance crossword competition

Thursday 10 December, 5-8pm This will be a spectacular Christmas Late Night Shopping Event in Lampeter. Everyone is invited to come to town dressed as their favourite movie character. Lampeter will be transformed! Shops will be almost unrecognisable!  The Mulberry Bush will become The Leaky Cauldron, the famous pub in Harry Potter.  D L Williams Home Centres will be overtaken by The Minions!  Morganna Le Fay and Merlin will both be found in Merlin’s Cave.  Marvel Superheroes are rumoured to be seeking sanctuary for the evening in Eryl Jones Insurance,  and the girls from St Trinians will be taking over the Tenovus Charity Shop. There will also be many other surprises that have still to be revealed!  The evening will be opened by Welsh Rugby Star Gareth Davies and Lampeter Mayor Chris Thomas at 5pm outside the Welsh Quilt Centre.  Cor Cwmann, the famous local Male Voice Choir, will be singing carols.  Children from Ysgol Bro Pedr, Ysgol Y Dderi and Ysgol Carreg Hirfaen will sing carols and other seasonal tunes from 5.30-6.30pm. All the choirs will be invited for free chips at Lloyds and Oh My Cod.  There will be a fancy dress parade from The Welsh Quilt Centre to Santa’s Grotto at The Emmaus Chapel on the corner of Bridge Street and New Street. Everyone is welcome to join in. The Procession will be led by Santa himself and the Gwaun Cae Gurwen Cadet Brass Band, who will be playing movie theme tunes and seasonal songs all around the town. Many of the shops and cafes will have special offers just for the night, along with mulled wine, mince pies and punch. A Christmas Elf has told me that The Leaky Cauldron will be serving Butter Beer & Bertie

Botts Every Flavour Beans to Hogwarts students! One of the delights of a Christmas in Lampeter is the town lights, which must be one of the best High Street illuminations in Ceredigion. Lampeter has a great history of putting on a good show for Christmas, and this is largely due to the hard work of a small and dedicated team who keep the lights in good repair and brave the elements every year to erect them. Some serious fund-raising has taken place this year to repair and replace some of the lights, and we are assured that the display

will

even

better

than

usual.

Lampeter

Christmas

Extravaganza is organised and supported by Lampeter Chamber of Trade. We look forward to welcoming you to a very special evening in Lampeter.

Josie Smith On behalf of Lampeter Chamber of Trade 2

GRAPEVINE no. 35, Dec 2015 Jan 2016 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

Croeso / Welcome to this issue of the Grapevine... As 2015 draws to a close and the temperatures drop to a more seasonal low, many people will be glad to retreat indoors. It might be the time to get cosy and begin a process of reflection, remembering events, situations, issues and celebrations from the past twelve months, and being thankful for each little success. But maybe we should also consider putting ‘In the Spotlight’

those around us who

may be in need of more support or understanding, a helping hand or a friendly face. There are lots of examples inside the Grapevine this month that demonstrate this exact kindness and humanity; projects and events that show a real desire to do something for someone else, whether through raising money, sharing expertise or volunteering within the local community or efforts which aim to benefit others a little further afield. As the New year beckons, our thoughts might be drawn towards considering new beginnings. How time flies and how things change. The newsletter team has its own changes taking place so, I would like to take this opportunity to thank some very important people who have been instrumental in the success of

Grapevine since its inception (which often feels like no time at all, but

Printing costs sponsored by: To submit an article, letter or to make an enquiry: lampetergrapevine@gmail.com Please include the reason you are contacting us in the subject box of your email (Article, Letter, Enquiry) To add your event or course to our Free listings: lampetergrapevinelist@gmail.com or post to address above To place an advert: lampetergrapevineads@gmail.com Full guidelines for advertisers & contributors: see grapevine page on www.transitionllambed.co.uk Display advertising rates: ¼ column £12; ¼ page £30; ½ page £48; full page £84 (back page £96) £30 off ads for one-off public events held in Victoria Hall Classified ads: £2.50 / 20 wds (min. £2.50) Therapists' section (max 35 wds) £10 for 5 Copy date for Feb, issue 36: Fri 8 January, Theme: ‘Health, Wealth & Happiness’ Circulation this issue: 2,500 copies distributed free in the Lampeter area 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. Front Cover: Recycled Grapevine folded Christmas Tree design - Sue Moules

is in fact three and a half years) … They have been the core of the distribution team ensuring that Grapevines find their way into a huge number of outlets close to home in Lampeter and much further afield in the outlying villages. They have, without fuss, done an immense job in delivering and topping up venues to provide a steady stream of

Grapevines throughout the month. They have now decided that it is time to hang up their trolley bags and focus on other commitments and interests. So it is with sadness and gratitude that we say a really HUGE thank you to Gro-Mette & Mike, Trish & Ian for the incredible work they have carried out in distribution - it has been appreciated much more than you may realise - I’m sure all the hundreds of readers would join me to say thank you too. Enjoy the festive season and perhaps consider how you could make a contribution to the next issue!

Darllen wch yn hapus / Happy reading

Angie Martin, Editor

polite reminder: If you're sending us display adverts or an article, please check the format - it'll save us (and you) lots of time. Please send photos & artwork in jpg format as we cannot accept PDFs For full guidelines for advertisers & contributors: see Grapevine page on www.transitionllambed.co.uk If you are unsure or don’t understand any of these technical terms, then please do get in touch - we’ll be happy to help. The Newsletter Team 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 3

Cynhaliwyd Cyfarfod diwethaf y Cyngor Tref ar Nos Iau 29 Hydref 2015 yn Neuadd yr Eglwys San Pedr. Cadeirydd y noson oedd y Maer y Cyngh. Christopher Thomas. Gwasanaeth Sul y Cofio - Dydd Sul yr 8 o Dachwedd 2015 am 11am ger y Gofgolofn, Llanbedr Pont Steffan a gwasanaeth Eglwys i ddilyn yn Eglwys San Pedr. Diolch i’ r Canon Brendan O’Malley am fod yng ngofal y gwasanaethau. Y Cadlywydd oedd y Cyngh. David Smith; bu i’r Cyngh. John Davies ymwneud â’r Anogaeth tra wnaeth Benedict Webb ymgymryd â’r swydd o Fiwglwr. Cofiwyd am y rai hynny a syrthiwyd yn ystod y Ddwy Rhyfel Fawr y ganrif ddiwethaf ac mewn brwydrau terfysgol, ers hynny, mewn ffordd deimladwy ac ystyrlon:

The last meeting of the Town Council took place on Thursday 29 October 2015 at St Peter’s Church Hall, with Cllr Mayor Christopher Thomas presiding. Remembrance Sunday Service 2015 - 8 November 11am, by the War Memorial, Lampeter and followed by a Church Service at St Peter’s Church. Many thanks to Canon Brendan O’Malley for officiating at both services. Cllr David Smith undertook the role of Marshal whilst Cllr John Davies delivered the Exhortation. Benedict Webb assumed the task of bugler. Those who had made the supreme sacrifice during the Two Great Wars of the last century, and in military conflicts since that time, were remembered in a meaningful and poignant manner:

Parc Chwarae Maes-y-Felin Y mae trafodaethau’n parhau rhwng y Cyngor Tref a’r Mudiad Tai, Tai Ceredigion parthed y trosglwyddiad, o bosibl o’r Ardal Chwarae Maes-y-Felin o ofal y Mudiad Tai i ofal y Cyngor Tref. Cais Cynllunio: A150792: Amrywio Amod 2 cais cynllunio cynt. Lleoliad: Dan-y-Wenallt, Llanbedr Pont Steffan. Sylwadau’r Cyngor Tref: Dim Gwrthwynebiad. Cyflwyniad ` Derbyniwyd cyflwyniad yn ystod y cyfarfod diwethaf gan gynrychiolwyr Gwasanaeth Ieuenctid Ceredigion. Gellir lawlwytho copi o’r cyflwyniad oddi ar safle ar y we’r Cyngor Tref – Atodiad 1, Cofnodion Cyfarfod Llawn y Cyngor Tref, Dydd Iau 29 Hydref 2015 - Atodiad 1. www.lampeter-tc.gov.uk Angen Gyrwyr Bws Mini a Gyrwyr Car Gwirfoddol (ee Cerbydau’r Wlad) I gael rhagor o wybodaeth, cysylltwch ag Anne Edwards ar 01570 423 232 neu anne.edwards@cavo.org.uk Diolch! Hoffai’r Cyngor Tref ddiolch i bawb sydd wedi cynnig help llaw parthed prosiectiau a gwaith o fewn y gymuned, yn ystod y flwyddyn ddiwethaf. Fe werthfawrogir yn ddirfawr. Nadolig Llawen a Blwyddyn Newydd Lewyrchus i bawb!

Maesyfelin Play-Area Discussions continue between the Town Council and the Housing Association Tai Ceredigion, in relation to the possible transfer of the Maes-y-Felin Play-Area, from the care of the Housing Association, to the Town Council. Planning Application: A150792: Variation of condition 2 of previous planning permission. Location: Dan-yWenallt, Lampeter. Town Council’s Observations: No Objections. Presentation A Presentation was received, from representatives of the Ceredigion Youth Service. A Copy of the presentation can be downloaded from the Town Council’s website - Appendix 1, Minutes of the Full Council Meeting of Thursday 29 October 2015. www.lampeter-tc.gov.uk Minibus and Car Volunteer Drivers Required (e.g. Country Cars) For more info. contact Anne Edwards, 01570 423232 or anne.edwards@cavo.org.uk Thank you! Lampeter Town Council wishes to thank all members of the public who have helped with projects/work within the community over the past year. It has been appreciated. A Happy Christmas and New Year to all!

At the going down of the sun And in the Morning, We will remember them.

Pan elo’r haul i lawr Ac ar wawr y bore Ni â’u cofiwn hwy.

The People’s Market Victoria Hall, Bryn Road, Lampeter Every 2nd and 4th Saturday 4

10am-1pm

Lampeter Youth Theatre, the story continues... Tickets are just ÂŁ2.00 and light refreshments

will be available on the night. Thanks to the donations in memory of co-founder Annie May, we have been able to purchase an excellent set of lights which will illuminate the stage beautifully and provide that je ne sais quoi that is theatre. So, what exactly is LYTss? Ah, good question, as it is something different to every student who attends, but the essence is performance. Whatever the students enjoy, it is mostly likely to be catered for, from dance and singing to acting and performing, from learning new skills, such as costume design, to using the new lighting! With the new lights come a computerised control centre and our resident lighting technician has supported the students to learn how to light the stage and cue changes.

Following an eventful summer with a performance at the Food Festival, the students of LYTss (Lampeter Youth Theatre and Stage School) have thrown themselves into the production of Stone Soup, which had been postponed from the end of last term. So, to ensure the performance goes ahead the students have made every effort to attend and to get involved in the whole process of production. The show is now set ...

So, what is LYTss? The answer is that itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s whatever you want it to be and more. So, do you want to know more? Then why not come to the show? See what the students have achieved? See if itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s for you? Come join us for an exciting new term with a new performance planned. Registration is on Friday 8 January 2016 See you there! Vanessa Read

As an undergrad, many moons ago, I heard my fellow students complain that there was nothing to do in Lampeter except get drunk. I still hear students and locals alike uttering the same sentiment and I still don't understand it - one glimpse at the pages of this fine publication shows you how easy it is to be double booked every night! I suppose going dancing and getting drunk is like dancing with the faeries, in that you lose time having a "magical" night, but I've never been one for wanting to forget as my memory is dodgy enough already! One of the things I've always loved is the number of opportunities in the

area for artists and performers to step into the spotlight. Take Meanwhile for example, the local storytelling group. We meet monthly and this December we're putting on a show to showcase story telling by local storytellers. Our belly dance group, Tribal Unity Wales, has turned up in all sorts of places and there are folk events and music evenings most weeks. I love the smiles we bring to people's faces, the light we help to shine into their day. I love how stories, especially Faery stories, bring wonder and magic into our lives. I'm a writer as well as a performer and it isn't every day your first book gets published, so I wanted to honour the release of my Faery book this 5

month in the best way I know how... with a party to inspire smiles! I've invited dancers and storytellers and performers and artists along to make some magic in the Old Hall of Lampeter University on Saturday 12 December 6-10pm I'll open with a talk and then from 7pm we'll let our hair down and celebrate magic, wonder and the spirit of our wild, playful hearts. There's even an open mic! I can't wait to add another thing to the list of "alternatives to getting drunk" and to bring some more wonderful performers into the spotlight! Hope you'll join us there! Happy Thoughts and Pixie Dust. For more details contact: haloquin@gmail.com

Celebrating the return of the light Around 4am on Tuesday 22 December it is the Winter Solstice, the moment the earth’s northern hemisphere tilts back towards the sun, and the hours of daylight begin to get longer. This wondrous happening has been welcomed by humans for millennia: pagans celebrating the re-birth of the sun-god, and later Christians celebrating the birth of the son of God just a few days later. A time to connect with the rhythms of the universe and give thanks for the warmth and light of the sun that makes our life here possible. The weather usually gets colder and more challenging as we move past the festive season; early Romans didn’t bother to name January and February for their first fifty years, it was just the dark dormant time of winter. And in old English February was called ‘Solmonath’ meaning mud month! The Christmas season used to start with low key preparations after the rituals of Halloween (Samhain) or the bonfires of Guy Fawkes’ Night, once that was established, and the celebrations lasted for twelve days. These days it seems to be all in the build up, because this presents so many opportunities to be sold stuff. For agrarian peoples this quiet winter time was maybe a relief from hard labour, a time to get together, for sharing stories, singing and dreaming. Nowadays when our social system has a 24/7 structure we are expected to just carry on with our routines, which means it can be a challenging time for all of us after the glitter and excitement of Christmas. As an Art Therapist I have found these post Christmas weeks are particularly difficult for people struggling with depression. The experience of depression is of pointlessness, of losing joie de vivre, and physiologically the world is literally darker. Some people have identified their suffering as SAD or Seasonally Affective Disorder, and find using light boxes to blast them with bright white light helps to lift their mood. I have found that helping people to really notice how the days are lengthening, to make sure they get out for a walk during daylight, and to enjoy the cosiness of evenings, preferably with a real fire, can also make them feel better. This is essentially a form of mindfulness, of paying attention to the natural world that supports us. So, in whatever way you are celebrating the festival of the light, I wish you a good time full of fun and wonder, and hope you can find a way to enjoy the cold dark days that follow: an opportunity to dream and plan for the long days of summer, even whilst you notice how each twenty four hours the days lengthen as we move towards the Spring Equinox! Dylis Pugh artandtherapywithdylis@macmate.me www.dylispugh.co.uk 6

and to do this work before May 2016”.

As the year draws to an end, Traws Link Cymru members can look back on a momentous twelve months during which the campaign to reopen the Carmarthen to Aberystwyth railway has gained real momentum. We started the year with a packed public meeting in Aberystwyth, which was covered by Radio Cymru, BBC Wales Today and S4C's Newyddion programme. Shortly afterwards, our local AMs, Elin Jones and Simon Thomas, arranged for us to meet Edwina Hart, Welsh Assembly Minister for Economy, Science and Transport, right here in Lampeter at Trinity St David University. The meeting took place on 30 January and she gave us a sympathetic hearing, which resulted in an invitation to meet with Welsh Government civil servants to discuss a scoping study into reopening the line. Thanks are due to Simon and Elin who also attended and supported us fully at the meeting. Ms Hart subsequently featured on The Wales Report on BBC TV on Tuesday 4 February and said “I have to say that rail

Our Chair, Adrian Kendon, December Update was in due course contacted by James Price, Department of Economy, Science and Transport, Welsh Government and a meeting was set up in Cardiff on Election Day of all days, 7 May!

Traws Link Cymru members did a lot of preparation for the meeting, which was with James Price, the Director General, his Deputy Gareth Morgan, and Simon Pickering, Head of Transport and Franchising. The meeting was extremely positive and productive. Our documentation was well received, we were able to make our case for a feasibility study and we could point to the Borders Railway reopening in Scotland as a possible model. It was noted that in addition to bringing considerable material benefits to West Wales - one of the most economically deprived areas of the UK - this could be a flagship project for the Welsh Government. The meeting concluded with the civil servants agreeing to look into a costed scoping study underwritten to the sum of £30,000. This would look at not only the legal and economic aspects, but also engineering factors. They promised to talk to the Minister and get back to us within a matter of weeks. On 23 June, Elin Jones contacted us with the news that Edwina Hart had written to her confirming that the Welsh Government were allocating £30,000 for a scoping study into reopening the line and would tender the project to various transport consultants. Traws Link Cymru would have an input into the work of the successful company. This was the subject of an exclusive report in the Cambrian News on 25 June. Mike Walker and Adrian Kendon duly attended an Inception Meeting between the Welsh Government and the successful consultants on 22 July, as observers. The scope of the study was set out and an eight-week programme agreed. In the course of the summer, Traws Link Cymru members were in contact with the consultants, and over the course of one weekend in August met with them to show sections of the entire line that we had previously surveyed. If that were not enough, Traws Link Cymru has continued to hold well-attended and supportive public meetings throughout the year:

in Wales is very important. We're not linked properly as a nation...and this is a big issue for me. I would like to think that in an ideal world I could get on the train in Swansea, go all the way around West Wales and come down on the east side.....I've already been having discussions about the possibility of having the Carmarthen Aberystwyth line reinstated and people say 'pie in the sky', and I say no, because if you look at the way other European countries run rail, you have to ask why shouldn't we be ambitious?...” On 24 February our local MP Mark Williams facilitated a meeting between Traws Link Cymru and Secretary of State for Wales Stephen Crabb, in Whitehall. The meeting was hugely worthwhile as we were able to put the case for reopening the rail link to the Secretary of State in person. The discussion was wide-ranging, but centred on the prospects for a Feasibility Study which might be jointfunded by the Department of Transport and the Welsh Assembly Government, with possible further contributions from County Councils and other local bodies. Reports of the meeting subsequently appeared in the Cambrian News, Carmarthen Journal and Western Mail. Meanwhile, in the Senedd on 21 April, First Minister Carwyn Jones confirmed that he “is

prepared to look to fund a full Study for the reopening of the rail link between Aberystwyth and Carmarthen

Continued on page 8

We really need your support to make this railway happen, so please get involved! You can contact our Chair Adrian Kendon at adrian.kendon@gmail.com. If you want to make a donation, you can arrange for your bank to make a direct transfer to our account, or set up a standing order to: Traws Link Cymru at Barclays Bank, Lampeter, Sort Code: 20-18-41, Account No: 93407101. Alternatively you can send a cheque to Traws Link Cymru to Adrian Kendon, Dolanog, Llanwnnen Road, Lampeter, Ceredigion, SA48 7JP. Otherwise you can follow the campaign's progress on our Facebook page or visit www.trawslinkcymru.org.uk. Gareth Walters

Continued from page 7

at Carmarthen in March, Aberaeron June, Lampeter in July, in Llanilar September, and in Llandysul November. We participated in a walk along the Gwili Railway with members of the Gwili in June, and had a stand at the Lampeter Food Fair in July. We also attended the Fresher’s fairs at Trinity St David in Carmarthen and Swansea in October. As a result, our petition now stands at a staggering 11,380. Our members also continued to lobby politicians, with Adrian Kendon asking Stephen Crabb, and Mike Walker questioning Carwyn Jones, to confirm their support at separate events in Aberystwyth. Carwyn has subsequently written to us stating that he has asked his officials to explore with Network Rail whether more emphasis could be placed on reopening the Carmarthen to Aberystwyth line, given that railway infrastructure is not currently devolved. We wrote to Lord Elystan Morgan, distinguished barrister and former MP, who tried to get the line reopened to passengers after closure in the 1960s. He wrote back in support of the campaign and agreed to become a patron. We also wrote to Derek Brockway, BBC Wales's larger than life weatherman and star of the popular Weatherman Walking programme. He responded by saying “...I love walking in the Welsh countryside and

on behalf of Traws Link Cymru

Mark welcomes return of Lampeter Farmers Market Ceredigion Member of Parliament, Mark Williams, paid a fleeting visit to Lampeter Farmers Market on Friday 13 November. Mark said “The Farmers Market has returned to the

High Street for the first time in 11 years and I commend the efforts of Cllr. Dorothy Williams and others involved in making this a reality. “The High Street is a prime location and I wish the Farmers Market well in attracting people in Lampeter and visitors to purchase excellent local products. The High Street is an ideal shop window for local products and I wish it every success.”

reopening the line would make it easier to reach the Wales Coast Path and the mountains of mid-Wales. I am sure it would also help tourism as well by encouraging more people to visit our beautiful country and enjoy some of the best scenery in the world. I wish Traws Link Cymru good luck with the campaign and hope it will be successful. Cofion cynnes a phob lwc!” One of Traws Link Cymru's members, Joanna Bond has also been involved in an arts project called Singing the Line into Existence. She applied for and obtained Welsh Arts Council funding for some six weeks' outreach work: walking the line, meeting local residents and creating an artistic response to what the line meant, and could mean again, to people. She was able to successfully showcase the project with other acclaimed musicians and artists at Oriel Myrddin in Carmarthen on 22 August, and Ceredigion Museum in Aberystwyth on 3 October. So what a year it's been! We await the findings of the scoping study with great eagerness and anticipation. It will mark the culmination of the year's efforts. Our great hope is that the report will recommend proceeding towards a full feasibility study into re-opening the line, ahead of next year's Assembly elections. We might then have a chance of getting the project into the 2017 Westminster Command paper on railway investment for the next five year period 2019-2024. Here's hoping we can update you very soon! Traws Link Cymru is a charity and relies entirely on voluntary work and money raised by its members.

For keen puzzlers - Here is your spare (rough working) crossword grid. Please let us know if it helps. Eds. Prize Local Knowledge/Cryptic Crossword No 19 (Jeep)

COEDWIG GYMUNEDOL LONG WOOD COMMUNITY WOODLAND With this month’s theme of “In the spotlight” it has been interesting trying to decide what aspect of the Long Wood project most deserves to be highlighted. The social enterprise that is Long Wood incorporates local employment, conservation and development of woodland habitats but also, perhaps I would suggest most importantly, provides an accessible, recreational and educational resource for the local community. First and foremost this is via the network of paths which are open to the public to enjoy at leisure. This network can be accessed from the car park area, found on the road between Llangybi and Llanfair, or from the public bridleway running past the rugby club in Lampeter. There are also numerous connecting public paths from Llanfair Clydogau, Llangybi and Bettws Bledrws. Walkers and their dogs, cyclists and equestrians are free to enjoy and explore these paths. Some of these are public rights of way and others are permissive paths that Long Wood strives to keep open for the public to enjoy. These permissive paths are generally only closed in the case of forestry operations and Long Wood will always give plenty of notice of any temporary closures. Please refer to our website, local publications and/or the car park noticeboard. Recently Long Wood, supported by Environment Wales, has been developing its permissive path network to add some diversity to what used to be a very linear system of pathways. What’s on in the Woods Our Woodland Wednesday Volunteer group, have spent a large proportion of the summer season preparing and developing our Riverside Walk, a route that provides a loop from the main track way running through the woodland. The volunteers have constructed a series of steps, bridges and a ladder stile to aid accessibility. In addition, they have also contributed to creating and installing bird boxes and benches along many of the

paths in Long Wood, increasing bird nesting sites and providing quiet comfortable spots where you can stop and rest. Anyone interested in joining the volunteer group should get in contact via our email or by calling 07557 386755. Volunteers associated with Tir Coed’s VINE project have also been busy in Long Wood, developing another circular walk starting from the lay-by opposite Penlan Goetre. This walk passes along the pond which staff and visitors had fun “dipping” this summer, collecting valuable information on invertebrate biodiversity. This increased accessibility to the woodlands, which includes benches for resting, opens up new opportunities for exploration and foraging. The annual Fungi Forage took place in late October. Although slightly early in the season, an interesting selection of fungi was found with Jelly Baby fungus being the most exciting. Thank you to Penny David for leading this informative walk. This year, on Thursday 10 December, we will be running a Christmas Wreath making workshop, collecting suitable materials from our own woodland during a morning stroll, and making a traditional seasonal wreath in the afternoon. There are still a few places, so if you are interested please contact us as soon as possible. Long Wood will continue to host regular seasonal events and workshops which will be advertised on our website, facebook and via posters in and around Lampeter. With the continued development of the project into a long term, economically sustainable enterprise, Long Wood expects to continue to develop new and varied activities. If there is something you would like to see happening in the woodlands, or if there is something you wish to host in the woodlands, please do not hesitate to get in touch. Andrew Gajlikowski

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

Film Night

Fri 4 Dec “Under Milk Wood” (15) Starring Rhys Ifans and Charlotte Church Filmed in Solva, Pembrokeshire

Fri 22 Jan 2016 “45 Years” (15) Starring Charlotte Rampling and Tom Courtenay

DOORS OPEN 7.15pm for 7.45pm start Admission by Donation BIG SCREEN & DIGITAL THEATRE SOUND HEARING LOOP NOW AVAILABLE WWW.MILLENNIUNHALLCELLAN.CO.UK Volunteers required Please contact Amanda Newman, 01570 421338

Clwb Celf Llambed There is now a children and young people’s art club in Lampeter. Clwb Celf Llambed runs every Saturday till the Christmas holidays. If there is enough interest this will be a regular feature at Victoria Hall next year. Workshops in the small hall as follows: 2pm-3pm - under 11 3pm-4pm - 11+ (children aged 6 and under or those needing 1:1 attention should be accompanied) Costs are between £5 and £3 per child including materials (based on sliding scale concessions and reductions for siblings) Parents are welcome to join us for either or both sessions. There will be lots of interesting art activities that will inspire beginners and experienced young artists alike and help everyone’s creative and personal development. Activities between now and Christmas will include: Willow or string tree decorations. Painting/printing Lantern making Sketchbook techniques Please make sure your children wear appropriate clothes as

Don’t Miss Copy Deadline: Fri 8 January 2016 Articles: lampetergrapevine@gmail.com

arty fun can be messy.

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For more information phone Mandi on 07976536983

Adverts: lampetergrapevineads@gmail.com 10

There I was yesterday, driving to Aberaeron in a car that’s not mine, feeling rather anxious. I was on the way to an appointment with Sue Mullock, the MS Nurse from Morriston. I felt very much that I was going to be the one ‘in the spotlight’. It was the only time I had been to an MS Clinic. I did not know what to expect. I arrived early and was met by Sue who showed me to the waiting room. Sitting there on my own I tried pushing all anxious thoughts away by looking at a magazine. I was transported by an article on wild edible plants. Back in my comfort zone of plants and gardening, I was intrigued to find that I could actually eat ‘Hogweed’. This plant, which we fight a losing battle against in the garden, can apparently be cooked like greens and the flowers eaten like calabrese. Deep in my thoughts I realised Sue was calling me....back ‘in the spotlight’ again! The session with Sue was much more enjoyable than I had imagined. This was probably because she had been to one of the Ceredigion MS Branch lunches in the past and had been to two MS Support Group afternoons at the Mustard Seed café. She, in fact, had joined us last Monday. Rather than being herself ‘in the spotlight’, she became one of our group, answering any questions that were put to her, but also mixing well with everybody and indeed having a reflexology massage from Annie Zak. Annie is a very much appreciated member of the group as she blends quietly in trying to help the people affected by MS. The Support Group is now such an important part of my life, where all the people who come become an important part of the whole. We were entertained by a young man in a large wheelchair who had driven in through the café. ‘Wow’ I thought what amazingly thick tyres. My Tramper mobility scooter has at the

moment got yet another puncture. The home-made wheelchair stole the limelight! Although big and strong it would turn ‘on a sixpence’. Everybody wanted one and we were all keen to put our names on a theoretical waiting list. We are lucky that our support group is so vibrant and thank everybody who attends. I understand that not every group offering support to people is able to continue. At first I felt that I should perhaps try to be an ‘organiser’ or proper ‘facilitator’ but it has evolved without me doing anything much. It has just happened. I just sit in the background enjoying my coffee and cake. The people attending have had the freedom to steer it in any direction they feel is beneficial. The sharing of thoughts, information and experiences, is such a powerful tool. Now professional people are asking to come but we have to make sure they don’t take too much of the ‘spotlight’ position. Everybody present is so important. I can report back to the group that my MS clinic experience was much better than I’d imagined. I shall try not to be anxious if I ever decide to go again. If you feel we can help you at our Support Group please do join us for a chat on the first Monday of the month. The next meeting is on Monday 7 December, 1.30-3.30pm. In the New Year, we are starting a new group in Aberystwyth on the second Monday of the month (11 January 2016). This will be at the Methodist Church, Aberystwyth. We welcome anybody, Croeso i bawb. Thanks to the Mustard Seed for their hospitality and to Annie Zakiewicz. Judith McKay, Support Volunteer, 07938571164

People’s Market, Victoria Hall, Bryn Road, Lampeter.

Multiple Sclerosis Support Group - In the Spotight?

10am-1pm Every 2nd & 4th Saturday

Diary Date Copy Deadline for Issue 36

Fri 8 January 2016 Theme: ‘Health, Wealth & Happiness lampetergrapevine@gmail.com

Seed Swap The

tenth

annual

seed

swap,

organised

Lampeter Permaculture Group, will be held on Saturday 13 February 2016, and old hands will be quick to put the date in their diaries. But many readers may be wondering what it's about. If you are interested in growing your own vegetables and fruit or gardening, this is the event for you. Bring along seeds that are surplus to your requirements - perhaps half used seed packets, and seed beans or peas you saved from last year, and swap them for others that you need. You may also bring plants or surplus garden equipment too. Make sure everything is well labelled and seeds are still in date and viable. If you have nothing to donate, perhaps because you are just starting out as a grower, then come along and make a donation instead. For various reasons it is illegal to sell home saved seed,

but

swapping

these

seeds

should

encouraged. It's free, promotes biodiversity and local strains of seed, conserves older varieties and improves food security for our community. It's a chance to meet other local growers, share tips and ideas and build connections. Each year there are increasing numbers of keen seed swappers, old timers who have saved their own seeds, and new growers taking their first tentative steps in growing who can benefit from the opportunity to chat to the more experienced gardeners. Donations from previous seed swaps have funded the planting of many fruit and nut trees in Lampeter and surrounding communities. We have purchased apple pressing equipment for our other popular community event, the October Apple (juicing) Day. In spring we will be holding a plant swap for your surplus seedlings. The seed swap takes place during the twice monthly People's Market from 10am-1pm, so there will be the opportunity to buy local produce and

enjoy refreshments from the cafĂŠ too. So

please note the date, look out surplus seeds and come along to get your growing started! Jude McHugh 12

Local artists exhibit their work at Riverside Mill Studios Riverside Mill is an almost reclusive venue where musicians and artists have been recording and exhibiting their work for a number of years. The venue is the old corn mill in Pentrefelin, Cellan. From Saturday 5 to Monday 7 December three local artists will be exhibiting their work, offering a wide range of affordable cards, prints and original paintings. There will also be a Waring Harp available to play, and place orders for. Complimentary seasonal food and drinks will be provided. The three talented artists exhibiting their work are: Blue Powell. As a child my favourite place was my father’s artists’ commune in the sand hills of Victor Harbour, in Australia, which sheltered a bohemian tribe of sculptors, potters and painters. I have potted, painted, drawn and sculpted whenever I could steal the time. I learned to teach art and have always been involved with all manner of craft and fine art courses, workshops and art groups, learning from well known potters, painters and sculptors. Figurative forms are my main interest and thinking of new ideas is my favourite relaxation. Sheila Evans-Pritchard. My work has always been very exploratory, using a wide range of media, pen & ink, watercolour, acrylics and tempera. Current inspiration has been the Ceredigion countryside and Welsh seascapes, but also the people who move through and inhabit these landscapes. As well as being on the Ceredigion Art Trail for the last two years, I have exhibited my paintings at the Festival in the Shire at Pontrhydfendigaid and at the Winchester Guild Hall. I have also worked with local musician Rajesh David, creating paintings to augment the YouTube videos of his work. Blue and Sheila were also exhibiting on the 2015 Ceredigion Art Trail, at Riverside Mill. For this latest exhibition they are joined by Krystyna Krajewska. Krystyna has returned to painting after a break of some years. She is now painting mainly with acrylics but has recently branched out into painting with oils. Her work has a lovely sense of light and colour. She contributed to the successful Llanfair Clydogau Art Exhibition held in August and is a very welcome addition to the December Riverside Mill exhibition. The exhibition will be open each day, Saturday 5 to Monday 7 December, from 10am to 4pm. At the war memorial in Cellan, take the road to Petrefelin. Riverside Mill is the long white building just over the bridge, exactly where Sat Nav will take you for SA48 8HY. John Evans-Pritchard

published poet Sue Moules. Lampeter writers group also has its own troop of performing poets, Red Heron, available for hire should your gathering be lacking in some spoken word entertainment. All of us have a unique story to tell, maybe you’d like to leave a legacy to future generations told from your own point of view, or perhaps you’ve always wanted to write but have never found the right place to start? If so, help is at hand. As a locally educated writer and recently qualified adult teacher, I plan to offer a one off writing class in mid January. This will focus on the simple construction of an autobiographical story using elements from our real lives. Bring paper and pens and together we will make a start. Who will write your story if not you? Autobiographical Writing Class Wednesday 20 January Victoria Hall Committee Room 1-3pm, £3-£5 (Masters in Creative Writing, Teaching Certificate Ptlls 3) Hope to see you there. Majikle

Spotlight on Writing: Mightier than the Sword? Even though being a paperback writer is the job the Beatles most wanted to do, you won’t find adverts for ‘writers wanted’ at the job centre these days. Writing has become, like football, acting and singing, a job mostly reserved for celebrities. One exception to this however can be found amongst those of us who claim to be performance poets. From Cardigan’s Cellar Bards to Carmarthen’s Poems and Pints, regular poetry reading open mic nights are taking place, where anyone who has a few lines of verse or prose can get up and be heard. Lampeter too has the less regular but much loved, Poems and Peasants evenings where local writers can air their wares. Indeed Lampeter is an especially nurturing cradle for writers, with its long standing Lampeter Writers Group. This group, set up and sometimes hosted by the National Poet Laureate Gillian Clarke, has an international reputation for excellence. The group can also boast the most recent winner of the prestigious Bridport Prize, Kathy Miles amongst its current members as well as 13

Recent Reviews

experiencing four seasons of weather in one day. Following this event, a further fund raising evening was organised on Friday 13 November at Llanfair Village Hall. This evening was primarily organised by Ann and Odwyn Davies, with additional help and support from a number of their friends. The evening saw a large number of local people come together for an informal evening of enjoyment. We were provided with a truly delicious four course meal which included a fantastic selection of homemade desserts. We were then given a brief presentation by Cheryl of her trek up Mount Kilimanjaro in 2013, which left everyone speechless at the thought of people dedicating their time to pursue such an amazing challenge in order to raise money for such a worthy cause. During the evening we had a raffle as well as an auction of a number of amazing items that were kindly donated by people/businesses within the area. The auction was performed by Andrew Morgan a local auctioneer, who kindly gave of his time. There was nobody safe in the hall as Andrew had eyes everywhere and if you moved, it could result in a bid! Both Rhun and Cheryl feel indebted to everyone for the kindness and support shown at these two events, and also to everyone for giving of their time to help raise funds for such a worthy cause. Without the help and support of everyone in the area, from the ones in the driving seats organising the events, the ones who undertook the mountain of cooking of the beautiful food, to those who gave of their time to entertain us, for the ones working tirelessly behind the scenes ensuring that everything ran smoothly, to the young waitresses who also gave their time to help, and to everyone who kindly donated food, raffle and auction prizes, and of course to all who attended the events and not forgetting everyone who has generously contributed along the way - raising this amazing amount of funds for a truly worthy cause would just not have been possible. Both events were great for the locals of Lampeter and showed what a truly great community spirit this area has to offer. An amazing sum of £1655.00 was raised during 'An Evening of Welsh Wildlife' and the final sum of the fundraising evening at Llanfair Clydogau was a staggering £3905.60 bringing the grand total to £5,560.60 Anwen Evans

‘An Evening of Welsh Wildlife’ On Thursday 22 October, in the Arts Hall, UWTSD, Lampeter,

‘an Evening of Welsh Wildlife’ was presented by Iolo Williams, a well known naturalist and TV presenter with S4C and BBC. In an extremely interesting evening we were introduced to the fascinating wildlife we have here in Wales. Iolo took us on a journey around Wales, from the mountains to the marshes, woodlands and forestry, to the coastal areas, and islands, finally ending the journey in our rich seas. Iolo presented the evening through showing various slides of birds, mammals and the wonderful array of flowers we have here in Wales, some of which were rare and others that were familiar to us. The audience was entertained for an hour and a half, which then continued into a question and answer session. The evening ran so smoothly, that it could have easily gone on for a further hour with everyone enthralled by Iolo’s knowledge and stories. The evening was presented in a personal manner, which contained history, facts and amazing photography, with humour and leg pulling thrown in also. This appealed to the audience as a whole from the adults to the young children. It was a pleasure to see the children sitting on the edge of their seats listening to Iolo’s stories and asking a range of questions at the end. It was lovely to see so many people supporting a great cause on a Thursday evening in Lampeter, with an audience of around 170. Everyone thoroughly enjoyed learning new facts in a relaxed atmosphere. The money raised on the evening was all donated to Velindre Cancer Research Centre, as two people with their roots in Lampeter, Rhun and Cheryl, decided to raise funds for this worthwhile cause, as they prepared for their trek across Patagonia leaving on 22 November. The trek will last eight days, taking them through forests, over the Andean mountains and through glacial valleys and river crossings. They will be camping on route and carrying their own equipment and belongings with them as they trek from dawn until dusk, day after day,

All proceeds to Velindre Cancer Research Centre

VINE (Volunteering in the Natural Environment) at Coedwig Gymunedol Long Wood Community Woodland delightful signs for the woodland and for their centre. Two Woodland Management Courses have been completed during 2015. The first enabled participants to develop knowledge of a range of different methods of woodland management and the implications for promoting biodiversity. They also created wonderful coppiced products by developing green wood working skills, making mallets, axe handles, chairs, besom brooms and a gate. The volunteers on the second course created a delightful circular walk that leads you through the mixed deciduous area of Long Wood and made beautifully crafted benches and a bridge on route. The volunteers on the both courses contributed a total of 1,963 voluntary hours. A big thank you is extended to all who have given their voluntary time for the benefit of Long Wood during 2015. If they have given you inspiration to join us on any VINE activities, then activities can be organised to suit your needs whether you are a local group of individuals or a local club or society. Thanks to the support of our funders a number of these activities can be offered to you for free during 2016. If you are interested in any Tir Coed VINE

VINE Update With the New Year upon us we can look back and celebrate what has been achieved with volunteers engaging in the Tir Coed VINE project at Long Wood Community Woodland during 2015. It has certainly been a busy year, with people of all ages taking part in Special Activity Days 221 times and contributing a tremendous total of 1170 voluntary hours. Attendance at Ysgol Bro Pedr Careers Fair, Lampeter Food Fair, Lampeter Agricultural Show and the Ceredigion CFFI Celebration of Farming and Rural Life event provided further opportunities for 90 people to discover more about what Tir Coed can offer and what activities are available at Long Wood Community Woodland. Activities have been varied and tailored to the needs of the individual groups that have requested VINE opportunities. Participants have discovered more about the biodiversity within the woodland by taking part in wildlife surveys, guided and foraging walks. Families and children have learnt bushcraft survival skills and many have discovered how to create reed whistles and musical instruments using green wood. Service Users at Canolfan Steffan created two willow structures, one situated near the Visitor Centre and the other on site outside Canolfan Steffan, whilst Service Users at Camfan have designed, carved and created

activities please contact: Meinir Evans, VINE Project Officer 01570 493 224 Lampeter@tircoed.org.uk Meinir Evans

Yn Dathlu Talent Lleol Myfyrwraig Prifysgol Cymru Y Drindod Dewi Sant yn Ennill Gwobr Bridport

Mae myfyrwraig Prifysgol Cymru Y Drindod Dewi Sant wedi ennill Gwobr

Dywedodd yr Athro Menna

fawreddog Bridport. Mae Kathy Miles,

Elfyn, bardd Cymreig o fri a

myfyrwraig ar y cwrs MA Ysgrifennu

Chyfarwyddwr

Creadigol

Ysgrifennu Creadigol:

Mhrifysgol

Cymru

Rhaglen

Drindod Dewi Sant wedi ennill lle cyntaf yng nghategori cerddi'r Wobr Bridport. Bwriad y Wobr Bridport yw annog awduron newydd

"Pam nad ydw i'n synnu bod Kathy Miles wedi curo miloedd o feirdd o bob cwr o'r byd gyda'r Wobr Bridport, un o'r gwobrau mwyaf nodedig yn y DU? Mae ei barddoniaeth yn ddwys a teyrngar. Mae eglurder yn ei llais ac iaith sy'n hyfryd i'r darllenydd. Yn y pen draw, ei llwyddiant fel bardd yw ei gallu i ryfeddu at y byd. Rydym yn falch ei bod wedi dewis astudio gradd Meistr mewn Ysgrifennu Creadigol ym Mhrifysgol Cymru Y Drindod Dewi Sant er ei bod eisoes yn fardd cyhoeddedig a chyn llyfrgellydd yn y Brifysgol. Gallai hyn fod yn sbardun i lwyddiannau eraill a hefyd cydnabyddiaeth ryngwladol. Mae ei gwaith yn haeddu cael ei ddarllen."

a hybu rhagoriaeth lenyddol trwy strwythur gystadleuaeth. Fe'i sefydlwyd gan Ganolfan y Celfyddydau Bridport ym 1973 ac mae wedi tyfu'n raddol o ran statws. Denodd y gystadleuaeth geisiadau o bob rhan o'r DU ac o dramor. Dywedodd Kathy, enillydd y wobr:

"Gwobr Bridport yw un o'r gwobrau barddoniaeth fwyaf uchel ei barch yn y DU ac rwyf wrth fy modd ac yn falch iawn fy mod wedi ennill. Mae'r ffaith fy mod wedi ennill, yn fy marn i, yn deyrnged i ragoriaeth yr addysgu yn Adran Ysgrifennu Creadigol y Brifysgol. "Mae astudio’r cwrs Ysgrifennu Creadigol wedi bod profiad ardderchog. Mae'r addysgu wedi bod yn rhagorol, ac mae wedi dangos i mi sut i ddisgyblu fy ngwaith a gweithio i derfynau amser penodol. Rwyf hefyd wedi dysgu i gymhwyso technegau ysgrifennu gwahanol i ystod o arddulliau. "Yn benodol mae Menna Elfyn a Samantha Wynne-Rhydderch wedi bod yn allweddol wrth fy helpu i newid fy ngwaith gyda beirniadaeth adeiladol a sylwadau treiddgar. Ar ôl i mi gwblhau'r MA, yr wyf yn gobeithio gweithio llawn amser fel awdur, ac mae hyn wedi rhoi'r ysgogiad i mi i barhau, a'r sgiliau i wella fy ngwaith i safon cyhoeddi. Mae gen i lyfr yn dod allan ym Mehefin 2016 o’r enw Gardening With Deer, fydd hynny yn gyfnod cyffrous iawn! "

Mae rhaglenni gradd Meistr mewn Ysgrifennu Creadigol wedi cael eu cynnig ym Mhrifysgol Cymru Y Drindod Dewi Sant, Llambed, ers 1997 ac wedi denu myfyrwyr o amrywiaeth o gefndiroedd a phrofiadau - o raddedigion diweddar i fyfyrwyr aeddfed gyda chyfoeth o brofiad bywyd. Mae'r rhaglen wedi'i chynllunio ar gyfer ysgrifenwyr ymroddedig sydd am gwblhau darnau sylweddol o waith ac yn gyffredinol yn ehangu eu profiad fel ysgrifenwyr.

Trawsnewid Addysg; Trawsnewid Bywydau - Transforming Education; Transforming Lives

Celebrating local talent UWTSD Student Wins the Bridport Prize

A University of Wales Trinity Saint David (UWTSD) student has won the

Professor

prestigious Bridport Prize. Kathy Miles,

renowned Welsh poet and

a student on the MA Creative Writing

Director of the Creative Writing

course at UWTSD Lampeter, achieved

Programme at UWTSD said:

Menna

Elfyn,

first place in the poems category. The mission of the Bridport Prize is to encourage emerging writers and promote literary

“Why am I not surprised that Kathy Miles has beaten thousands of poets from around the world with the Bridport Prize, one of the most coveted prizes in the UK? She infuses her poetry with intensity and tenderness. There is clarity in her voice and spareness in language which delights the reader. Ultimately her success as a poet is her ability to wonder at the world in more than a 'grain of sand.' We are glad that she chose to study the Masters in Creative Writing at UWTSD though she was already a published poet and former librarian at UWTSD. May this be a springboard to other successes and also international recognition - her work deserves to be read.”

excellence through its competition structure. It was founded by Bridport Arts Centre in 1973 and has steadily grown in stature and prestige. The competition attracted entries from all parts of the UK and from overseas. Award winner Kathy said:

"The Bridport Prize is one of the most respected poetry awards in the UK and I am thrilled and delighted, as well as a little amazed, to have won it. The fact that I have done so is, I believe, a tribute to the excellence of the teaching in the UWTSD Creative Writing Department. “The Creative Writing MA at UWTSD Lampeter has been one of the best and most life-changing things I have ever done. The teaching has been excellent, and has shown me how to refine and hone my work, impose a rigorous writing discipline on myself, and to work to specific deadlines. I have also learned to apply different writing techniques to a range of genres. “In particular, Menna Elfyn and Samantha Wynne-Rhydderch have been instrumental in helping me edit my work with constructive criticism and incisive comments. Once I have completed the MA, I hope to work full-time as a writer, and this has given me the impetus to continue, and the skills to improve my work to a publishable standard. I have a book coming out in June 2016 called Gardening With Deer with Cinnamon Press, that will be a very exciting time!"

Master's degree programmes in Creative Writing have been offered at UWTSD Lampeter since 1997 and have attracted students from a range of backgrounds and experiences – from recent graduates to mature students with a wealth of life experience. The programme is designed for committed writers who wish to complete significant pieces of work and generally broaden their experience as writers. For more information on the MA in Creative Writing,

please

contact

Jeni

j.m.williams@uwtsd.ac.uk

Trawsnewid Addysg; Trawsnewid Bywydau - Transforming Education; Transforming Lives

Williams

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. We also have office space, committee room and small therapy/ class /conference rooms. See www.vichall.org.uk for more details Contact

Day

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

Time

Activity / Class

Monday

6-7.30pm

Tuesday

Wednesday

Name

Number

Girl Guides

Sandra Carbin

07949 479185

5.306.30pm

Pilates

Ann Inshaw

07826 692110

10-12pm

Welsh Class

Meryl Evans

01545 572715

W NEW starts 20 Jan

1-3pm

Autobiographical Writing Class

Maj Ickle

07796 112333

2-4.30pm

Young at Heart

Sandwiches & social for the wiser folk of Lampeter

4.30-6pm

Brownies

Nikki Mead

07790 987070

5.306.30pm

Pilates

Ann Inshaw

07826 692110

6.457.45pm

Panic Circus School

Gee Panic

07972 666425

8pm

Lampeter Folk

1-3pm

Welsh classes

Meryl Evans

01545 572715

4-6pm

Ray Ceredigion Play

Gill Byrne

01545 570686

6-7pm

Pilates

Ann Inshaw

07826 692110

8-9pm

Boxersize

Oliver Leighton

07918 661194

11.30am1pm

Five Rhythms Practice Group

Gyano Sullivan

4.306.30pm

LYTSS: Lampeter Youth Theatre & Stage School

Tracey Reynolds

07976 052888

8pm

Café Musique

Bernadette O’Grady

www.facebook.com/ cafemusiquelampeter

2nd & 4th Sat each month

10am1pm

People’s Market

NEW W

2-4pm

People Children’s Art Class

Mandi Laughharne

10am7pm

Lampeter Evangelical Church

Gareth Jones at the Mustard Seed café

M Every third Sunday

7-9.30pm

Custard Queens WI

Jen Pink

First Wed each month

4 Dec Thursday

Friday

Saturday

Sunday

Local food, produce and crafts. Plus café, live music & other attractions 07976 536983 01570 423344

01570 471209

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

courses________________ Denmark Farm Conservation Centre, Betws Bledrws Sun 17 Jan: Coppice and Cawl Sun 24 Jan: Leather Craft Fri 29 Jan: Lichens as Air Pollution Indicators OPAL FREE Workshop Sat 5-Sun 6 Feb: Rustic Stick Stool Workshop Sat 13, 20 & 27 Feb: Introduction to Outdoor Digital Photography Sun 14-Mon 15 Feb: Willow Basket Weaving - From Square 2 Round Wed 24 Feb: Winter Tree ID Sat 5 March: Charcoal Making Fri 11-Sun 13 March: Gardening with Wildlife Sat 2-Sun 3 April: Cob Oven Building More information: 01570 493358, www.denmarkfarm.org.uk

creative_______________

Riverside Mill Art Exhibition, Pentrefelin, Cellan. Sat 5 to Mon 7 Dec, 10am-4pm. Three local artists exhibiting their work at the old corn mill, will be offering a wide range of affordable cards, prints and original paintings. More details on page 13 Make Your Own Christmas Wreath Workshop. Thur 10 Dec, 10am-3pm, £5 per person incl. tea, coffee and all materials. Booking essential. Longwood Community Woodland, info@longwood-lampeter.org.uk, 07557 386755. Rag Rug Hooking Workshop with Sue Clow from Rag Art Studios. Sat 19 Dec, 12.30-5pm at The National Wool museum, Drefach Felindre. Discover rag rug hooking and make a festive decoration including a mirror. Sat 16 Jan 12.30-5pm Discover the South American Pegloom and make a cushion pad from rag or local fleece. Bookings: Sue, 01974 298100, sue@ragartsudios.com Start Some Art: Beginners art classes for adults. Fridays, 10am-12pm, at Lampeter Leisure Centre. £12 per session, limited spaces. Contact Emma Chapman, 07531 542878. Pegloom Workshop. Make a fleece rug in a day. 11am-4pm, date tbc. £35

including use of loom and all materials. Limited places so book promptly. Ceredwin 01570 421476. Abercoed Studios, Tregaron. Creative wool shop, hand-made crafts, art and prints, tuition, supplies. Coffee shop & WiFi. Mon-Sat, 10am-5pm. 01974 299105, www.blacksheeptregaron.co.uk Spinning Lessons with Ann Fisher Rhodes at Ffarmers Neuadd Bro Fana/ Village Hall. Improvers every Thursday 1.30-3.30pm, £8. Now taking names for the next beginner sessions. Contact: Ann, spinwise.uk@btinternet 01558 650760, www.spinwise.co.uk Jewellery Making Course Beginners: basic jewellery-making skills. Held in the local Ceredigion area, courses and times by mutual arrangement. Contact: Peter, 07984 883453.

events ________________

12th Annual Craft Fair, in aid of Breast Cancer Wales. Sat 28 Nov, 10am-4pm. Coronation Hall, Pumsaint. Locally made crafts, raffle prizes and refreshments. Please come along and support. Free entry. Meanwhile... Stories in the Old Hall. Fri 4 Dec, 8.30-10.30pm. An evening of tales by local tellers. Old Hall, UWTSD, Lampeter. Donation £2 on the door. www.aworldenchanted.com/meanwhile

Haloquin@gmail.com. Soup Kitchen Sat 5 Dec, 12 midday, Victoria Hall. Fundraising for Medicines Sans Frontiers’ work with refugees and in conflict areas. Donations welcome. Contact: Mara, maramaesyfelin@gmail.com, 01570 493173 National Trust Llanerchaeron Traditional Christmas Fair. Sat 5 & Sun 6 Dec, 11am-4pm. £4 per adult, NT members and children free. Wreath making workshops: Tues 8 Dec, 2pm; Thurs 10 Dec, 2pm & 6pm. £15 per person. Coedwig Gymunedol Long Wood Community Woodland AGM followed by monthly management meeting. Mon 7 Dec, 7.30pm, Long Wood Visitor Centre. The Long Wood team welcomes queries, questions and 19

ideas from the public at this monthly open forum. Contact: 07557 386755, info@longwood-lampeter.org.uk. Lampeter Goes to the Movies. Thur 10 Dec, 5-8pm. Come dressed as your favourite movie character. Event opening at 5pm outside Welsh Quilt Centre with rugby player Gareth Davies and Lampeter mayor. Cor Cwmann, school choirs, Cadet brass band, and many shops offering discounts while some will be completely transformed… See page 2 for more details. The Mulberry Bush transforms into the Leaky Cauldron. One day only: Thur 10 Dec, open to 8pm. Butter beer, Bertie Botts every flavour beans, medieval mead, pumpkin pasties, chocolate frogs, stellar soup, Hogwarts own recipe astral onion soup with garlic star croutons. Anyone wearing full wizard attire or Hogwarts robes will be rewarded with a free glass of butter beer and some every flavour beans! From 4pm upstairs, listen to excerpts from “Harry Potter

the

Philosophers

Stone”

Expelliarmus!! Wyrd Sisters. The Attic Players present an adaptation by Stephen Briggs of Terry Pratchett®'s 'Wyrd Sisters'. This spirited production has all the intrigue of a cauldron full of characters from Discworld®. Fri 11, Sat 12 and Wed 16 –Sat 19 Dec, matinee Sat 12 Dec. Attic Theatre, Newcastle Emlyn. More info & bookings: www.atticplayers.org.uk. Dancing with the Faeries talk, party, open mic and book launch. Sat 12 Dec, 6-10pm, Old Hall, UWTSD, Lampeter. Bring faery and fantastical themed pieces for the open mic (sign up 7.30pm). Costume optional but encouraged. Free entry. www.aworldenchanted.com/faery Haloquin@gmail.com. Cymdeithas Hanes Llambed. Tues 15 Dec, 7.30pm, Members Christmas Social, Church Hall. Tues 19 Jan, 7.30pm, Old Hall, UWTSD, Lampeter. Guest speaker Mrs Morfudd Slaymaker on 150 years of Patagonia. All welcome.

events cont.d _____________ Lampeter Response. A Concert for Syrian Refugees II: The Winter Appeal. Sat 23 Jan, 7pm, Victoria Hall, Lampeter. Six excellent music acts, raffle prizes, and light refreshments. Further details including aid agency selection, music line-up, and ticket prices will be posted at www.facebook.com/LampeterResponse

Supported by Transition Llambed Development Trust. The film 'Aluna', about the Kogi Indians and their warning to the world to change its extravagant ways before it is too late, shown here last October, will be shown again, probably during December, but the date and time are still to be decided. Please watch out for posters around the town and university, which will appear shortly. Eric Franklin, convenor erf678@gmail.com Lampeter & District Beekeepers' Association. Next meeting: Tues 12 Jan, 8pm, Millennium Hall, Cellan. £2 per person, includes tea & biscuits. Quiz Night with both bee and non-bee related questions. Non-members welcome. 01974 272559, www.lampeterbeekeepersassociation.co.uk

New Art Exhibition at the Emmaus Christian Fellowship. Best time to view is Thursday, 10.30am-3pm, when the Coffee Shop is open.

health & well-being ______

5 Jan at Emmaus Christian Fellowship, 78 Bridge St, 12-2pm. We offer a simple, free soup lunch and friendly chat (in English or Welsh). All welcome. Banc Bwyd is an initiative of Lampeter and local churches. Support Group for people with Multiple Sclerosis (MS) in Lampeter: Meets first Monday each month at Yr Hedyn Mwstard/Mustard Seed Café, College St, Lampeter. 1.30-3.30pm. Next meeting: Mon 7 Dec, Croeso i bawb. For details contact: Judith McKay, 07938 571164. Weight-Watchers meets in Lampeter every Tuesday night. St Peter’s Church Hall (opp. Police Station). Join any week, weigh anytime between 5.30pm-6.30pm. Meeting talk 6.307pm. Just turn up on the night or for more details contact: Eleri, 07748 270439, eretallick@weight-watchers.co.uk Headway, the Brain Injury Association. Have you survived a brain injury? Do you care for someone with brain injury? Then read on! Headway Ceredigion is holding drop in sessions on the first Monday of each month, 2– 4pm at Mind Aberystwyth, Mill Street, SY23 1JB. Join us for a cuppa and a chat. Light refreshments provided. A ydych wedi goroesi anaf i’r ymennydd? A ydych yn gofalu am rywun sydd ag anaf i’r ymennydd? Darllenwch ymlaen! Headway Ceredigion yn cynnal Sesiynau galw i mewn ar ddydd Llun cyntaf pob mis rhwng 2-4pm yn Mind Aberystwyth, Stryd y Felin, SY23 1JB. Dewch draw i ymuno â ni am baned a sgwrs. Bydd diodydd a bwydydd ysgafn ar gael ar ôl y sesiwn. Contact: Dave Maggs, Wales Development Manager, Headway UK, 01446 740130, 07941 855935 walesdm@headway.org.uk Alcoholics Anonymous meet at the Catholic Church (white church opp. the police station) in Lampeter. Wednesdays 8-9.30pm. For info, national helpline: 0845 7697555 Narcotics Anonymous meet at St Thomas’ Methodist Church (end of Drovers Road/Peterwell Terrace), Mon 7.30-8.30pm. National helpline: 0300 9991212

Yoga Classes. Yoga Classes suitable for all, with Cathy Crick Stanton, a Scaravelli inspired, Iyengar trained teacher: Mon 6-7.30pm, Tues 1011.30am & Thur 10-11.30am at Ancient Earth Centre for Wellbeing, Lanlas Farm, Cellan; Tues 5.30-7pm, Church Hall, Ystrad Meurig; Thur 5.307pm, Chapel Vestry, Tregaron. Contact: 01570 421144, 07748 031614, cathycrick@hotmail.co.uk Banc Bwyd Llambed/ Lampeter Food Bank is open Mon, Wed and Fri 9am5pm but will close from Christmas Eve and reopen Mon 4 Jan 2016. Referrals are made by local agencies, and non-perishable in-date food donations can be left in the Banc Bwyd collection boxes at Lampeter Co-op and Yr Hedyn Mwstard cafe. The Banc Bwyd Tuesday lunches will stop after 15 Dec and resume on Tues lampetergrapevinelist@gmail.com 20

kids ___________________ Clwb Celf Llambed. Sat 5, 12, 19 Dec, 2 -3pm (under 10 years; under 6 should be accompanied), 3-4pm (age 11+), Victoria Hall, Lampeter. £3-£5 per child. Activities include willow or string tree decorations, painting, printing, lantern making and sketching. Parents welcome. Contact Mandi 07976 536983. Winter in the Woods. Sun 20 Dec at Coed Tyllwyd, Aberystwyth and Mon 21 Dec at Denmark Farm, Lampeter. 10am-4pm. For 6-12 year olds. Two days of festive fun in the woods – campcraft, games, carols round the fire and more. Led by Forest School trained staff, James and Lea. Enjoy a cooked campfire festive feast at lunch. £25 per child and £20 for each additional sibling. Booking essential. Phone James, 07876 794098, www.woodlandclassroom.com/events. Winter in the Woods: Parents & Toddlers. Tues 22 Dec, 10am-1.30pm, Denmark Farm, Lampeter. Activities in the woods for 2-5 year olds. Under two’s welcome to attend free with a paying adult. Games, nature crafts to take home and hang on the Christmas tree, and a hot campfire lunch with festive goodies for all. £7 per adult, £3 per tot (2-5 years). Booking essential. Phone James, 07876 794098, www.woodlandclassroom.com/events Little Rangers: Play, Explore, Discover. Weekly parent & toddler club for children 2-5 years. Child-led play sessions with Forest School trained staff, Lea and James, in the woods. £4 per adult, £2 per child each session. 1-3pm every Thurs at Denmark Farm. If you’re new to the group, please call: 07876 794098, www.woodlandclassroom.com/kids-clubs. Young Rangers: Play, Explore, Discover. Weekly after-school club for 6-11 year olds. Woodland activities, games, nature awareness and bushcraft led by Forest School trained staff. £5 per session. 4-6pm every Tues & Thurs at Denmark Farm. Booking essential. Contact James, 07876 794098, www.woodlandclassroom.com/kids-clubs. 1st Lampeter Brownies. Meet Wed, 4.30-6pm, term-time. Contact: Nikki, 07790 987070.

kids cont.d _______________

Mega Christmas Lunar Market, Llanfair Walk Out Workout. Join the WOW posse for a brisk fitness walk around 1 Lampeter Girl Guides. Meet Tues, 6- Village Hall, 11am-3pm. Sat 12 Dec. 7.30pm. Contact: Sandra Carbin, move your body _________ Lampeter on Thursday evenings. Meet 07949 479185. Cerddwyr Llambed (Ramblers). A warm at 6.30pm at the Leisure Centre for a 3 Ray Ceredigion Free Play Sessions. New welcome to new walkers and those -4 mile walk, including an optional hill time, new venue. Parc yr Orsedd & who wish to try a ramble or two. at the end. Expect to be out for Victoria Hall every Thurs, term time Contact James 01570 480743 or Kay around an hour. It’s fun and it’s free! Jane Guy School of Dance. Established only, 4-6pm. Croeso i bawb/All 01570 480041 for future dates. welcome. Rhaid i blant dan 8 fod yng Hydrospin (Aqua Cycling) class at 1977. Ballet and stage work; annual nghwmni/Children under 8 must be Lampeter Swimming Pool, Mon production; RAD exams. Classes: Tues Shiloh Chapel, accompanied. Contact: 01545 570686, 10.15am & 8pm; Aberaeron eves and Sat, Lampeter. Thurs 4.30-7.30pm at rayceredigionadmin@btconnect.com Swimming Pool, Tues 11.30am & 6pm. Theatr Felinfach. Contact: 01570 Facebook: RAYCeredig. Contact: David Maund to book 07792 470645. Lampeter Youth Theatre and Stage 351607. School (LYTSS) runs 3 terms per year Couch to 5K Running Group. Mon & Sarn Helen running and cycling club every Friday at Victoria Hall, 4.30- Wed, 6.30pm from the Rookery Car welcomes all abilities. Junior runners 6.30pm. £40/child/term, £35 siblings, Park, Lampeter. A 9 week course (ages 8-16) meet at Leisure Centre, £30 conc. aimed at complete beginners who Tues 6.15pm. Adult runners meet Contact: Tracey, 07976 052888. wants to improve health and fitness. Rookery Car Park, Tues 6.15 & 8pm, Little M’zzz indoor soft play centre, Free! Facebook: Lampeter Couch to 5K Thur 6.15pm. For cycling (road and Llanybydder (nr Evans Bros market). Running Group or contact Helen MTB): www.sarnhelen.org.uk. Dances of Universal Peace. From Open Mon, Thur, Fri, Sat & Sun 10am- 07817 543257. 6pm, 7 days a week in school holidays. New American Tribal Style Bellydance: earliest times, dance has been a way Birthday party bookings welcome. Tues 1-2pm & Wed 6-7pm, dance of bringing people together, to create Tasty menu & free WiFi. Contact: studio above the university Sports harmony and connection. In Dances of 01570 480268, www.littlemzzz.co.uk. Hall. Wendy Steele, 01570 472921, Universal Peace, we dance in a circle using simple steps and chants from "Lampeter Little Ones" is a Facebook 07752 478779 group for parents of pre-schoolers in Belly Dance & Yoga Classes. Belly many traditions. Contact: Shân, 01570 the Lampeter area. Wondering what Dance: Tues 7.30-8.30pm. £3 218138, 07940 375147. groups and activities are available for Beginner Yoga: Thur 7-8.30pm, £5. Mat-based Pilates. Suitable for your baby or toddler? Please join up Crugybar Village Hall. Contact: 01558 beginners. Please bring a mat or and have a look: www.facebook.com/ 685321, elenamgilliatt@hotmail.com. equivalent. ‘The elegance of a dancer groups/lampeterlittleones. Yoga class. Mixed abilities: St Thomas' and the strength of an athlete’ sums markets _______________ Hall, Tues 7.30-8.45pm, £6. Contact: up what you could attain through regular practice. Benefits include People’s Market, Victoria Hall, Su Bates (BWY teacher) 07588 improved posture and body shape, Lampeter, 10am-1pm every 2nd & 4th 527512. Wed 5.30-7pm Cellan muscle toning, increased energy, Sat each month. Please note change Yoga. strength, agility and stamina, and of venue for Special Xmas market: Sat Millennium Hall. Small friendly group greater mind/body/spirit connection. 28 Nov (at UWTSD Christmas Fair, in led by Pat Beaton, 01558 650594. Llangeitho Village Hall, Mon 2pm with Refectory), returns to Victoria Hall 12 Lampeter Egyptian Belly Dance. Shân Rees. Dec, plus extra market on 19 Dec, Fri 9.45-11am, £5. Very few spaces left in this class. Lunchtime Fit For Life music_________________ back to normal 9 & 23 Jan 2016. Lampeter Farmers' Market, High For Over 50's, Fri 12.15-1.15pm £4. Lampeter Music Concert Series: Street, Lampeter (new location), 9am- Gentle exercise based on Belly Dance. Jazz in the Students’ Union Bar. 2pm alternate Fridays. Next markets: Spaces available. Both classes at Sally Davinger Singh and Guillaume Saunders Dance Studio, Unit 22, Mathias, violin and piano. Fri 27 Nov, Fri 11 & 18 Dec, 22 Jan 2016. Ffarmers Market, Neuadd Bro Fana/ Lampeter Industrial Estate, SA48 8LT. 7.30pm, Students’ Union, UWTSD Village Hall, Ffarmers, 10am-12.30pm First session free. Rose Barter, 01239 Lampeter. Tickets at the door: £11; 1st Sat in the month. Next markets: 5 851737, rosebarter@btinternet.com concessions £9; students free with SU Friday Walkers: meet for ambling card; two children free with paying Dec & 2 Jan 2016. season membership (6 Llansawel Market, Llansawel Village rambling on a Friday morning. Easy adult; rd access walking for an hour, depending concerts) £50, concessions £40. HalfHall, 10am-12.30pm 3 Sat of month. on the weather and the mood. Meet price membership to ten new Next markets: 19 Dec & 16 Jan 2016 rain or shine, 10am at Rookery Car members. Contact: 01558 650569, Aberaeron Farmers’ Market & More! Feathers Royal Hotel, 9am-2pm every Park. Free, followed by coffee and hollycook@live.co.uk. Wed. Special Xmas market with chat. Not able to manage the stroll but Copy Deadline: Fri 8 Jan 2016 reindeer, 16 Dec. Find us on Facebook. would like company? Just meet up for lampetergrapevinelist@gmail .com coffee. Philip Lodwick, 01570 422181 st

canolfan hamdden a phwll nofio llambed lampeter leisure centre & swimming pool am rhagor o wybodaeth cysylltwch ar ganolfan for more information contact the leisure centre

01570 422552 / 01570 422959 lampeter-leisure@ceredigion.gov.uk facebook: hamdden llambed leisure

Dydd / Day

Dydd Llun Monday

Dydd Mawrth Tuesday

Dydd Mercher Wednesday

Dydd Iau Thursday

Dydd Gwener Friday

Dydd Sadwrn Saturday

twitter: #lampeterleisure

Amser / Time

Sesiwn / Dosbarth

Session / Class

Pris / Price

1-1.45pm

Troelli Amser Cinio

Lunchtime Spin

£4

5.30-6.30pm

Aerobig Step

Step Aerobics

£4.75/£3.85

6.30-7.30pm

Cylchredai

Circuit Training

£4

7.45-8.30am

Troelli Cynnar

Early Bird Spin

£4

3.45-4.45pm

Pêl Droed Merched

Girls’ Football

£2

3.30-5pm

Clwb Cleddyfau

Lampeter Town Fencing Club

£4.50

5.30-6.30pm

Kettlebells

£4

6.45-7.30pm

Troelli Profiadol

Advanced Spin

£4

12-12.45pm

Ffitrwydd Ysgafn

Ease Into Fitness

£4.75/£3.85

1-1.45pm

Troelli Amser Cinio

Lunchtime Spin

£4

3.30-4.30pm

Pêl Fasged IZB

IZB Basketball

5.45-6.30pm

Troelli Dechreuwyr

Beginners Spin

£4

6.30-7.30pm

Kettlercise

£4.75/£3.85

6.45-7.30pm

Troelli Profiadol

Advanced Spin

£4

7.30-8.30pm

Boxercise

£4

3.30-5pm

Gymnasteg

Gymnastics

5.15-6pm

Aerobeg

Aerobics

£4.75/£3.85

6-6.45pm

Troelli Gweledol Dechreuwyr

Beginners Spin

£4

6.15-7.15pm

Clwb Rhedeg Sarn Helen

Sarn Helen Running Club

7-8pm

Cylchedai HIIT

HIIT Circuits

£4

11.30am12.30pm

Aerobeg Dwr (yn y pwll)

Aqua Aerobics (in the pool)

£4

12.45-1.30pm

Troelli Amser Cinio

Lunchtime Spin

£4

3.30-5pm

Zumbatomic

Am ddim/Free

5-6.30pm

Troelli Dechreuwyr

Beginners Spin

£4

6.30-8pm

Troelli Profiadol

Advanced Spin

£4

6.30-8pm

Clwb Cleddyfau

Lampeter Town Fencing Club

£4.50

9.15am-1pm

Ysgol Gymnasteg REES

REES School of Gymnastics

2-3pm

Disco Rhowl

Roller Disco

£3.15/£2.30

music cont.d ______________

individual, original styles complement Kodály Society of Wales: Concert, Sat one another perfectly. Gourmet three 28 Nov, 7pm, Ffarmers Village Hall, course vegetarian meal. £19.95. fund-raising concert, internationally Booking essential 01570 423317. renowned musicians. Tickets on the permaculture, gardening & door. Children's Workshop 4-5pm, £5 conservation ___________ to include entry to concert, bookings Lampeter Permaculture Group is a 01558 650162. 9.30pm, Drovers Arms, collective of like-minded people, Ffarmers, Welsh singer-songwriter interested in principles and practice of Danielle Lewis will be performing on permaculture and sustainability. behalf of KSW. www.lampeterpermaculture.org Lampeter Folk. Fri 4 Dec, 7.30pm in Living Willow Creations. DIY or expertly the Small Hall, Victoria Hall, Lampeter. installed in your garden. Great activity Come along to the pre-Christmas for older children. Angie, 01974 831300 session of Lampeter Folk… bring your info@purposefulpermaculture.co.uk instruments, voices and friends, this Live an Abundant Life! Let time downstairs in the small hall to permaculture open the door for you. provide ample access for everyone! Short courses/advice. Angie, 01974 We look forward to hearing folky 831300 info@purposefulpermaculture.co.uk friends who've been before as well as Create a Paradise for You and Nature. new faces who wish to share music or Simple, low input conservation and poetry in a relaxed and friendly wildlife gardening advice. Contact atmosphere. £4 ticket entry includes Angie, 01974 831300 glass of mulled wine and mince info@purposefulpermaculture.co.uk pie. Also BYOB if you fancy. Cothi Gardeners meet at 7pm, (during Twmpath Nadolig / Christmas the winter months as daylight is short) Twmpath. Live music by Ceri Rhys on 3rd Weds each month, Coronation Matthews et al. with caller Martin Hall, Pumsaint. ww.cothigardeners.com Leamon. Sat 12 Dec, 7.30pm at Elena, 01558 685321 or Daisy, 01558 Neuadd yr Hafod, Gorsgoch, SA40 9TE. 650829. Adults £5, under 18s £1. Croeso religious services & cynnes i bawb! Café Musique's Christmas Special, Fri groups ________________ 18 Dec, 7.45pm, Victoria Hall, Lampeter Parish Lampeter. Featuring a lovely St Peter’s Church, Lampeter. Christmas Dinner (starter & main Main Sun Service: 10.30am Bilingual. included) and music by fantastic singer Other services: -songwriter, Ian Rowlands and award- 8am Holy Communion (English), winning harpist Harriet Earis. Details 9.15am Cymun Bendigaid Cymraeg (ail www.facebook.com/cafemusiquelampeter. a phedwerydd Sul yn unig). Advance tickets adult £14/ child £8 Church Hall available for hire, £8.50 from Hag's Records, Lampeter or per hour. Kitchen facilities. Enquiries/ Bookings: Beryl, 01570 422324 www.bernadetteogrady.co.uk. Supported by the Arts Council's Night St Cybi’s Church, Llangybi. Main Sun Service: 9am (Bilingual). Out Scheme. The Mulberry Bush Christmas Dinner, St Bledrws’ Church, Betws Bledrws. Sat 19 Dec, 7.30pm. Fabulous Main Sun Service: 10.45am vegetarian 3-course meal with St Sulien’s Church, Silian. entertainment by Smudger, local Main Sun Service: 2pm (Bilingual). singer-songwriter extraordinaire. St Mary’s Church, Maestir. Sun Service: Eucharist 2.30pm Enjoy great food in great company. Main nd (2 Sunday only) English. £19.95. A night to remember. Booking Our Lady of Mount Carmel Roman essential 01570 423317. Latitude at the Mulberry Bush. Sat 23 Catholic Church, Lampeter. Jan, 7.30pm. Paul Uden and Richard Sunday Mass 10am. For other services Ellin play mellow guitar music that see church notice board. transport their audience. Both St Thomas' Methodist Church. musicians are highly talented and their Sun service 10.30am, creche & youth 23

activity. 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 Emmaus Christian Fellowship meets Sundays, 10.30am and 5pm, at rear of 78 Bridge Street, Lampeter. Contact: David Patterson, 01570 422529 Noddfa Capel Bedyddwyr, Llambed. Cwrdd y Sul cyntaf o'r mis am 3.30yp a'r trydydd Sul am 9.30yb. Hefyd Gwasanaeth Nadolig yr Ysgol Sul am 5yp ar 13 Rhagfyr ac Oedfa Bore Nadolig am 9.30yb. Croeso i bawb. Cyswllt Ann Morgan 01570 422413. Noddfa, Eglwys y Bedyddwyr, Bridge St, Lampeter. Cwrdd a chymundeb ar y Sul 1af am 3.30 am 9.30 ar y trydydd Sul. Oedfa deulu a gweithdy am 5 ar y 4ydd Sul. Croeso i bawb. Capel Bedyddwyr, Silian. Cwrdd yr ail a pedwerydd Sul y mis am 10.15yb. Croeso i bawb. All Saints' Church, Cellan. Bilingual services every 2nd and 4th Sunday of the month, 2pm. A warm welcome to all. Baptisms and weddings by arrangement. Contact the Revd. Bill Fillery, 01570 421425. St Mary's Church, Llanfair Clydogau. Bilingual services every 1st and 3rd Sunday of the month, 10.15am. A warm welcome to all. Baptisms and weddings by arrangement. Contact the Revd Bill Fillery, 01570 421425. 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. Crynwyr Llambed. Cwrdd bob ddydd Sul, Canolfan Steffan, Rhodfa Peterwell, 10.45yb. Croeso i bawb. Cysylltwch/ contact: deborahjrowlands@gmail.com www.crynwyrcymru.org.uk (Cymraeg) 01570 480083

social _________________ Golden Broth Lunch Club: We hope more local people will join us for lunch and cake, on Mondays from 11.30am2pm. We play cards and Scrabble, or just relax and natter to friends. £1 per person. Cellan: Mon 30 Nov & Mon 25 Jan 2016. Llanfair: Mon 7 Dec, Christmas Lunch & Mon 11 Jan 2016. Contact: Linda (Llanfair) 01570 493706 or Amanda (Cellan) 01570 421338 to register your interest. Merry Makers (formerly known as Women’s Workshop). Every Wed, 10.30am-3pm, St James’ Hall, Cwmann. Disabled access & toilet. Free car park. £2.50 a session (includes vegetarian lunch & all activities). Drop in when you please. New members welcome. 2 Dec: Painting with Jane 9 Dec: Carol singing with Carol 16 Dec: Fun and games 6 Jan: Discuss future events 13 Jan: Painting with Jane 20 Jan: Singing 27 Jan: Crafting Contact: Patsy 01545 590391 or Bella 01559 370981 Custard Queens WI: We are bouncing into the winter season with some excellent events. We meet every third Sunday of the month, 7-10pm, at Victoria Hall, Lampeter. Ages 18 to 80+, all welcome. Sat 12 Dec: Christmas party, disco and photobooth. Sun 13 Dec: Christmas crafts – make your own decorations Contact: 01570 471209, custardqueenswi@gmail.com www.custardqueenswi.weebly.com www.facebook.com/custardqueenswi Banc Bwyd Tuesday lunches will stop after 15 Dec and resume on Tues 5 Jan 2016, 12-2pm, Emmaus Christian Fellowship, 78 Bridge St. We offer a simple, free soup lunch and friendly chat (in English or Welsh). All welcome. Banc Bwyd is an initiative of Lampeter and local churches. CYD Llambed. Ymarfer eich Cymraeg/ Practise your Welsh. Dydd Mawrth 11yb-12yh/ Tues 11am-12pm, 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.

Third World Lunch at St. Peter’s Church Hall, First Friday of the month, 12-1.30pm. Payment by donation, all donations to Christian Aid Food Growing Programme. Your support appreciated. Cynhelir Cinio’r Trydydd Byd yn Neuadd Eglwys Sant Pedr bob dydd Gwener cyntaf y mis, o 12-1.30yh. Anfonir pob rhodd i Brosiect Tyfu Bwyd Cymorth Cristnogol. Gwerthfawrogir eich cefnogaeth. Sew, Knit and Natter. Wednesday, 14pm, Cellan Hall. All welcome. Whist Drives, every fortnight at Hafan Deg, Lampeter. All welcome. All Funds to Hafan Deg League of Friends. Contact Gwen Davies, 01570 481152. Cinio Cymraeg Tregaron. Welsh language monthly dinners at the Talbot Hotel, first Tues each month. Not suitable for absolute beginners but anyone who has attended classes or conversation groups for a year or two will probably find the events enjoyable. Completely informal. We meet in the bar 7pm for 7.30pm. A small group, normally 6 to 8, including 2/3 fluent Welsh speakers. Order a light meal or main from the Talbot bar menu - in Welsh. To join the group mailing list and have a say in planning future events. Contact: Myra Mortlock, naturals@btinternet.com

volunteering ____________

Coedwig Gymunedol Long Wood Community Woodland: Woodland Wednesdays. Join our regular Wednesday volunteering sessions at Long Wood. Develop practical skills and feel the benefit of working in this beautiful environment. One session in four is devoted to your own woodcraft project. No experience required, training given. Visitor Centre, 10am. info@longwood-lampeter.org.uk Lampeter Credit Union. Would you like to do something that will make a positive difference to local people? For details: 07891 632614. British Legion Lampeter is recruiting members. This is your opportunity to become a member of the Legion. Contact Sharon, 07971 806886. Home-Start are looking for volunteers to become part of our team for a couple of hours every week. A national charity supporting families struggling to cope. Can you help? Contact: Jan Young, 01570 218546. Denmark Farm Conservation Centre is looking for trustees to join our charity ‘Shared Earth Trust’. We are seeking individuals from a diverse range of experiences and skill sets. If you would like to be considered for this rewarding and varied voluntary role, send CV to: storytelling, books & trustees@denmarkfarm.org.uk creative writing _________ www.denmarkfarm.org.uk Creative Writing Workshops. Sat 12 01570 493358. Dec & 9 Jan, Tysul Hall, Llandysul, 24pm. Tutors Damian Walford Davies Copy Deadline: (Dec) and Menna Elfyn (Jan). For Issue 36 - February Refreshments available. £10 per Friday 8 January 2016 workshop. Contact Kelly: 07888 841140 or yamazaki.kelly@yahoo.co.uk Lampeter Writers’ Workshop Listings: welcomes new members and meets weekly. Tues 7-9pm, Wolfson Room, lampetergrapevinelist@gmail.com Trinity Saint David University, during Adverts & Classifieds: college term time. Come and join us. lampetergrapevineads@gmail.com Contact: Sue, 01570 423167. Meanwhile, Storytelling Circle, first Articles & Letters: Thursday each month. Come along lampetergrapevine@gmail.com and learn new skills or improve old ones. It’s easier than it looks. Wolfson Room, UWTSD Lampeter, 7.30pm. Why not get in touch … Interested? Contact: Hayley the Grapevine team is always keen to h.addis@live.co.uk hear from you

A Concert for Syrian Refugees II The Winter Appeal

Saturday 23 January 2016 7pm Victoria Hall, Lampeter Six excellent music acts raffle prizes and light refreshments Further details: aid agency selection, music line-up, and ticket prices www.facebook.com/LampeterResponse from Sunday 20 December

Supported by Transition Llambed Development Trust complementary & alternative therapists Charlotte Allen RSHom Homeopath over 15 years clinical experience. Homeopathy makes a difference and is excellent at helping with chronic ill health, gently, safely and holistically. Llanfair Clinic, 41 Bridge Street, Lampeter, SA48 8EG. 01570 493746 Val Allen, BACP senior accredited counsellor/psychotherapist. UKRC Registered. Offering counselling, psychotherapy, hypnotherapy, EMDR. 23 High Street, Lampeter SA48 7BA, 01570 493522, valallen@surfanytime.net Iain Cameron Watson, Alexander Technique for immobility (agerelated, accident, stroke) posture, alignment, stress, pain (back, shoulder, neck, headaches, PMT). Also Thai Massage for deep relaxation & well-being. 07852 626001, cameronbodywork@gmail.com Joanne Camlin WSHom BSc. Homoeopathy is a safe and effective system of medicine. With

lots of experience of treating childrens’ ailments, Jo now works from Cellan / Victoria Hall. 01570 421480. 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 Ceredwin Jaques Experienced Bowen Therapist. Accredited European College of Bowen Practitioners. Bowen Technique is a gentle healing procedure for neck and back pain, hips, knees, frozen shoulder, carpel tunnel, sciatica, asthma and much more. Tel: 01570 421476 Alison Kaye MBAcC. Traditional Chinese Acupuncture. Llanfair Clinic, 41 Bridge Street, Lampeter, SA48 7AA. 07779 256388 Louise Nadim BSc Hons, Ph.D. Fully qualified, insured Brennan Healer. Working in the Human Energy Field 25

assessing, balancing and healing, to restore physical, emotional and spiritual health. Contact: 01570 421144, 07920 112228, louise_nadim@hotmail.com Dylis Pugh: Art Therapy, a fantastic way to engage your creativity in your own healing / personal development - you don’t have to be ‘good at art’! Llanddewi Brefi. Qualified 1997. www.dylispugh.co.uk; artandtherapywithdylis@macmate.me

01974 299017 / 07963866516 Bones for Life: practices to stimulate bone strength, protect vulnerable joints, improve posture and increase vitality. Contact: Marye Wyvill, 01570 421027, maryewyvill@hotmail.com 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 lampetergrapevinelist@gmail.com

CELLAN MILLENNIUM HALL CLASSES AND GROUPS Classes subject to change: please check www.millenniunhallce llan.co.uk for updates & contact details & What’s On page for one-off events

MONDAY Line Dancing: 7-10pm Golden Broth Lunch Club: 11.30-2pm, 30 Nov & 25 Jan TUESDAY Lampeter Home Ed. Grp: 12-5pm Qi Gong: 6-7pm Tai Chi: 7-8pm Computer Class Creative Christmas: 5 wk course 10am-12 Helen Thomas, 01570 423501 WEDNESDAY Sew, Knit & Natter: 1-4pm Yoga: 5.30-7pm THURSDAY Village Improvement Society Cttee: 1st Thurs of month 7pm WI: 2nd Thurs of month 7.30pm FRIDAY Art Group: 10am–1pm Film Night: fortnightly 7.15pm (see page 10 for full details)

people’s market people

Jottings

Throughout the period November to March those of us who have the privilege of having Tawny owls as neighbours get the chance to eavesdrop on their social life. We have a tendency to attribute human characteristics to animals (anthropomorphism) and listening to the sounds made by these birds one can understand why. Tawny owls are found throughout our area not only in the countryside. Their calls, which are many and varied, can also be heard in town; individuals are distinct so can be identified. Some of the calls during November sound quite unnerving: some observers have described them as caterwauling. They appear to coincide with adults defending their territory which they hold for life; the defence is almost certainly against young birds who must find territories of their own before winter sets in otherwise they risk starvation. From mid December the calls revert to the characteristic hooting, though you may hear a tremolo sound which can be quite melodious. If you are lucky enough to see the birds they will be next to each other strengthening their pair bond which lasts until one of them dies. In the first few weeks of the new year the calls will sound really excited as this is when display starts prior to breeding.

Art Studio Unique Born in Austria, I moved to the UK in 1973 when I married. A life-long interest in art and a deep desire to create led me to paint in oil and acrylics, on canvass and wood, using my favourite subjects of animals and flowers, from the many different parts of the world I have lived, as inspiration; and finally to exhibit my work. I founded “Art Studio Unique” when I settled in Wales in 1999, and I now specialise in glass painting, which I love very much - although when the fancy takes me, I switch to other materials and media – see my cushions and bags, with my own designs, in the photograph taken of my table at the Peoples Market, (above right). I joined the Market over three years ago and have never missed my second and fourth Saturday a month as this is a special place to show and sell my work to the local community and afar. As Christmas is on the doorstep, a visit to the Market would give you an opportunity to find your special and different

present

and of course for any other special occasion

all

the

year round. Ilse-Maria Slater

David Price 26

Ysgol Bro Pedr— In the Spotlight We are very proud of each and every one of our pupils. Not only do they excel within the school but in a variety of extra-curricular activities. Here are the pupils who are in the spotlight this month: Congratulations to Luned Jones & Sioned Martha, Year 13, has Ceri Davies on their achievement in successfully taken part in numerous the Y.F.C Chair Competition. This chair competitions in the area, year’s theme was ‘Journey’. Luned, winning trophies in Gwyl Fawr a member of the Llanllwni Club, Aberteifi, the Eisteddfod in won the prize for the best prose Newcastle Emlyn, Llanarth and and Ceri, a member of the Dyffryn Llandyfaelog as well as the Chair in Cothi Club, won the prize for the the Eisteddfod in Capel y Groes and best poem. In the end, Luned came Newcastle Emlyn. She was also first with Ceri second. The girls’ invited to take part in the session work will now be sent to the Wales for young litterateurs in the National Y.F.C Eisteddfod in Aberystwyth on Eisteddfod by Wales’ Small 21 November. Good luck to both of Eisteddfod Society. Well done! you. Gareth Jones, Year 13, has recently Congratulations to Lleucu Ifans 12D been awarded the prestigious Chief who was awarded the title of Commissioner’s Commendation by Welsh Young Ambassador of the Gareth Watson, ScoutWales Chief Year by Hockey Wales in a Commisioner. He was awarded this ceremony in the Vale Hotel at the in light of the hugely important role that he has played as Chair Person start of the half term holiday. for ScoutWales’ Youth Council for the past two years and the aid that he has been to the development of ScoutsWales as a pioneering Youth Organisation in Wales. Congratulations to Sophie Jones from year 8 who has earned her Black Belt, 1st Dan, in Karate on Sunday 25 October. Sophie is a part of the Ykkyo Club in Aberystwyth. Well done Sophie! Both Charlie and Harriet Roper will be representing Wales in the European Karate Championships at the end of the month. Congratulations for being chosen and we wish them the best of luck.

Well done Michael, Rosanna, Gwen, Harriet, Chloe, Chloe Marie, Gwenann & Carys for raising £119.63 for Cat’s Protection on Friday, 6 November by holding a cake sale.

Hannah Evans and Betsan Jones’ Design Technology work has been nominated for the WJEC Innovation Award. This is quite an honour and both they and their families will be invited to a special Alwyn Evans, Nest Jenkins, Cadi Jones ceremony in Cardiff & Meirion Thomas have been named before Christmas. as the Urdd Ambassadors for 2015/16. Heini Thomas 27

Amgueddfa Llambed / Lampeter Museum Despite the Museum being closed to visitors over the winter months, work still continues to be carried out there. As a designated station for Casgliad y Werin / The People’s Collection, it will be possible for individuals or small groups to come in on Thursday afternoons between 1–3.30pm to have their items scanned. Please note that it is essential to book for these sessions – via Hanes Llambed website, or contact one of the Committee members. Yvonne Davies

Diary Date Copy Deadline for Issue 36

Fri 8 January 2016 Theme: ‘Health, Wealth & Happiness 28

Ysgol Henry Richards — In the Spotlight ‘In the spotlight’ is certainly where the pupils of Ysgol Henry Richard have been during the last month as they prepared for the annual school eisteddfod, were retweeted on ‘Twitter’ and celebrated the centenary of the Welsh poet and author T. Llew Jones.

Happy Birthday T. Llew Jones!

Music

Once again this year we celebrated the birthday of the well-known Ceredigion poet and author, T. Llew Jones, but this year was extra special as we marked the centenary of his birth. Miss Enfys Hatcher, head of the Welsh department held a very special Morning Assembly in which she reminded us all about him and of the importance of his work. Pupils at both ‘cynradd’ campuses dressed as characters from his work, as well as the staff from the Uwchradd campus – where we had at least three T. Llew’s! Dafydd Morgan also visited and held workshops at the ‘cynradd campuses’ at Llanddewi Brefi and Tregaron dressed as one of the author’s most famous characters, Twm Sion Cati. Each campus celebrated with birthday cake and candles.

Following hearing the Welsh Rugby Team singing ‘Lawr ar Lan y Môr’ during the ceremony when they were presented with their World Cup Caps by Prince William, pupils at Ysgol Henry Richard decided they would also like to sing the song and send their good luck wishes to the Welsh Rugby Team before each of their games in the championship. As well as recording ‘Lawr ar Lan y Môr’ they also recorded ‘Mae’n Wlad i Mi’ and the Welsh National Anthem, ‘Hen Wlad Fy Nhadau’ and each clip proved to be very popular on ‘Twitter’ with ‘favourites’ and retweets by many rugby clubs, television programmes and well known personalities, including the tenor Wyn Evans (Geo Compario) who has over 13,000 followers! Why not follow us and get all the latest news? We’re @YsgolHR

School Eisteddfod The highlight of the first half term of this academic year was most certainly the School Eisteddfod, won by Ystwyth. Thank you to the pupils who performed for all their hard work.

The winning Ystwyth Welsh group recitation party

Mrs Jane Wyn, Headteacher, honouring the two winning poets from year 11, Hanna James and Cari Griffiths

A happy and talented, but tired group of captains and mascots celebrate at the end of the eisteddfod Overall winners of the 2015 Ysgol Henry Richard Eisteddfod, Ystwyth, were very pleased at the end of a busy but successful two days. (from left to right Calfin Hunt, Carys James, Gethin Williams, Hanna James, Glyn Owen and Gwion Owen)

Miss Eirwen James presenting the Cup to the individual who had gained the most points for his/ her house, Siwan Aur George (Yr 8)

Mrs Sandra Morris Jones, Chair of Governors, presented the Catrin Mai & Elen James Trophy to the best actor, Rhys Griffiths (Yr 10)

Cari and Catrin, Teifi’s house captains celebrating winning the Shield for the house with the highest number of points in the homework competitions.

Rhiannon Lewis 29

Years 7-9 wishing everybody ‘Shw’ mae!’ on the ‘Shwmae! Sumae!’ National day

Denmark Farm’s Twelve Ways to an Eco Christmas

Celtic Christianity: Part XVIII

Saint Barruc or Barry Ascetic Reposed 6 century Remembered September 27 St Barruc (Barry) was a disciple of St Cadoc and hermit on Barry Island on the Gower Peninsula in south Wales. The remains of a 15th century pilgrim chapel which held his shrine have been recovered from the sand. Wells in the Spotlight

As an antidote to some of the more commercial and not-so-green festive practices, we'd like to share with you our top twelve ways for a greener Christmas. Let's all find ways to celebrate without causing too much damage to the environment, fellow humans and planet. 1. Recycle, reuse, repurpose and reduce use; make gift tags from old cards; carefully remove gift wrap and fold it to use again; use old jam jars dressed up with ribbon filled with homemade preserves as presents, and many other simple ideas to save resources. 2. Shop locally; support local businesses, producers and craftspeople and events. Look in the listings of Grapevine, plus in the local newspapers and social media to keep any eye on what’s happening locally. 3. Don't forget to scour all the local second-hand and charity shops for some completely unique treasures which you can wrap up with something sparkly to transform into a truly special gift. 4. If you can’t find what you are looking for locally and need to shop online, please sign up to www.giveasyoulive.com and nominate ‘Shared Earth Trust’ or another favorite charity. At absolutely no cost to you, many companies will give a donation to support our conservation work here at Denmark Farm whenever you make an online purchase. 5. For something completely different, buy a voucher for a course or workshop at Denmark Farm Conservation Centre as a gift for a special friend. 6. Send e-cards. Many charities such as Friends of the Earth and OXFAM offer this service which provides valuable income for their work as well as saving trees. 7. Bring greenery indoors during December. Dress it up with home-made decorations, dried fruits, spices, chillies and sparkly stuff then wake up to the fresh smell of pine, bay leaves, cinnamon and oranges each morning. 8. Make a well thought out shopping list before you go shopping and stick to it so that you don’t get seduced by all the festive marketing and end up with far more food than you actually need. 9. If you are a small family, consider buying something smaller than a turkey for your Christmas dinner. Avoid wasting food by reusing leftovers creatively. 10.If it all gets too much for you we have availability in our cosy Eco Lodge at Denmark Farm during early and mid-December. Make a weekend of it and shop by day and drop by night in front of a blazing wood fire. 11.Feed the birds; as nature's supplies start to run low, don't forget to feed the birds. Get some helpful advice from the RSPB or your local Wildlife Trust. 12.And after all the festivities are over, why not come to Denmark Farm for a peaceful walk on Boxing Day? - trails open dawn to dusk, no charge. www.denmarkfarm.org.uk, 01570 493358

Wells are vitally important in history as people need water to drink, to stay clean and to ward off disease. Most towns and villages were situated next to a plentiful source of water - without it life wouldn't be possible. Of these thousands of wells some hundreds were used for holy purposes such as baptisms or where monasteries or churches were located. Some wells are also historically important, such as the one in Lampeter, but have no known holy use. Thank you very much to the kindly reader who pointed this out in the last issue. There are over 1100 wells in Wales. It is impossible to calculate how many of these were dedicated to a saint, though a good few are. Wells however, are not much under the general eye, not as much say as in Cornwall and Ireland, though it is well known that Pembroke has very many (236). Given that the country is relatively small, the number is impressive. There are more than 600 places in Wales which begin with the name 'llan'. Some of them, at the very least 52, are named after a saint, but given the obscurity of some saints there may be many more. The result however is to feel that the country under the surface still carries its old calling. The calling to pilgrimage also lies just below the surface. This is helped by the fact that there is an important pilgrimage centre in each corner of the country: St David's, Bardsey Island, Holywell and Llandaff. Holyhead in Anglesey should be counted in this respect; and the now restored Pennant Melangell. Harry Harrison

Mara 30

Cothi Gardeners Meet Dr Noel Kingsbury On Wednesday 20 October the Cothi Gardeners hosted a talk by the well-known garden writer and designer, Noel Kingsbury. The Coronation Hall, Pumsaint was full of gardening enthusiasts from near and far who had travelled to hear the talk, ‘Women, Men and Gardening’. The evening had got off to a good start with an early meal at the Dolaucothi Arms, Pumsaint to make Noel feel welcome to our gardening club. He appreciated this and remarked that this was the first time in the UK that he had been greeted and entertained in this way. We then made our way over the road to the hall where the club members had proved that they are as good at baking as they are gardeners by the wide array of cakes and biscuits that were available for refreshments before the talk began. About seventy people enjoyed tea or coffee with their cakes while socialising with gardening friends, old and new, prior to the main event. Noel showed why he is much in demand here and overseas as a speaker by giving a very entertaining well researched and highly informative talk on the history of gardening and the role men and women have brought to gardens through the ages. We enjoyed many visual examples of historical figures, their garden style and the sociological, political and financial influences on their work. We knew that men liked lawns and mowers while women preferred flowers, but background to these givens was both thought provoking and at times most amusing. A big thank you to all who organised this most successful event and also to those who attended. Some of us were also lucky enough to enjoy a workshop run by Noel the following day, which is evidence, if any was needed that Cothi Gardeners is a club worth watching! We welcome new members so do lookout for the meeting in February which is the next opportunity to join up. The gardening club does not meet for a talk in December but instead will enjoy a social get together over a Christmas lunch at The Angel in Llandeilo on Wednesday 16 December. Our meeting on Wednesday 20 January is the Club member’s AGM and New Year supper. Best wishes for Christmas and Happy Gardening in 2016.

Noel Kingsbury at Cothi Gardens - Report Following on from Dr. Noel Kingsbury’s very well attended lecture to the Cothi Gardeners club at Pumsaint, an all day workshop was held the next day at the garden of Julian and Fiona Wormald at Gelli Uchaf, Rhydcymerau. Such is Noel’s reputation that the twenty workshop places had been filled very quickly with several participants travelling over a hundred miles to take part – only to be outdone by an American garden designer who visited from Pennsylvania! The event was blessed with gorgeous autumnal light and blue skies and after an informative morning of talks, and group discussions getting everyone to consider what we can learn from the form and habits of perennial plants, and working out how they are likely to perform in our gardens over the long term, we broke for lunch which many enjoyed outside in the pleasant sunshine. The afternoon focused on looking at the actual plantings and layout within the garden, and again encouraged everyone to take the rabbit’s eye view of plants’ growth habits, with several plant combinations within the garden being highlighted as distinctive and unusual. The day ended with further tea, cake and discussion before everyone headed home, having benefitted hugely from Noel’s breadth of knowledge and brilliant communication skills. Everyone voted it an excellent day, and there was much interest in similar events in the future. The day was also successful in raising funds for the charities supported by the National Gardens Scheme (NGS). The garden at Gelli Uchaf will open in 2016 during the spring months for the NGS for groups of six or more. For more details visit www. thegardenimpressionists.com. Anne Large

Junior Fixtures Dec/Jan

Lampeter Town RFC

Karen’s Creative Compendium 010 Hard to believe, but this issue marks the completion of the first 12 months of our Creative Compendium and, grateful as I am to our regular contributors, it is particularly heartening to see that one year in, we still have new names making their first appearance on our pages. As we head into the winter holiday period, and the New Year with all of it’s promise and opportunity for fresh starts, new projects and resolutions to finally put in to action our good intentions, I hope many more of you will be inspired to capture your creativity in words and submit them to KCC during 2016. Our window is open and we look forward to new writings and new writers adding to the creative sparks that entertain, energise and enlighten our growing readership. Please email your poems, fiction and scripts to lampetergrapevine@gmail.com clearly marked KCC. Pob hwyl, Karen

The Joke Teller by Paul Atherton Wearing the same overcoat, he shuffles to the bar, “Two pints of the Holy stuff, if you please”. Others look away, while he seeks his prey; A friendly face, or a conversation to join. Or perhaps an unwitting visitor to the area. His jokes are already lined up; The pretty young girl who chats to a rugby player, The schoolboy who is asked about days of the week Beginning with the letter T, The darts score quiz (the answer is still 23). If there are any takers, then his wallet opens And out comes the grubby, postage stamp sized cut-out From a newspaper, ten years old The cartoon joke as limp as the paper. But soon his bus will arrive, And he must return to ‘the Boss’.

I saw him again last Friday A little downbeat. His demeanour caused me not to avert my eyes, As I often did. And so I became his prey. ‘Wife died last week, we buried her yesterday.’ It was not a joke. The one person who had loved this harmless man, ‘The Boss’ for over fifty years, Was gone forever. A tear rolled down his cheek, And grief was etched in his face When he asked me if I’d heard the one About the pretty young girl who chats to a rugby player.

WEATHER OR NOT by Tess Blackburn

WINTER WILDLIFE

A cold, mean summer it was Weeks of rain and slight sunshine Wet woodlands, grey beaches Promising little for would be holidays

by Tess Blackburn

Feasting a bright contrast of berries They raise crests faster than sight At war over a saving morsel Heedless of the need for warm refuge Crystal showers float soft, relentless A shroud for the winter earth As the knives of wind seek out The unwary hunting too late Hiding ironclad water under virgin sheets Sculptures of pure geometry shape a cold desert Leaving the graceful long necked ones hungry As winter lays siege Cruel world shape changed colour fled Hopeless scratching at iced fields Small bodies fall and waste Disappearing in frozen landscapes

Pig out Karen Gemma Brewer

Sow seeks sown seeds silently.

Until spring opens the cracked ice Bursts iron bonds in rapid thaw Revealing life still surviving Colours flying at the oak standard

But still we tagged along hopefully Filled seaside hotels and country parks With chattering adults, noisy children And our determined British enjoyment The ice-cream was still tasted Delicious treats, cold as weather Beaches and hills were walked But little swimming or camping was done For the British not abroad It is our duty to enjoy holidays To bask in the seldom sun While avoiding sunburn or sunstroke So we told each other we were relaxed Perched on uncertain deck chairs With sand in our hair Squabbling toddlers at our feet When we really wanted to be Sitting by a cosy fireplace While wind howled and rain poured Beyond curtained windows

The Rime of Old Bill

Criticism swirling like snowflakes smothers imagination in a blanket of conformity.

Out of the mist appeared a form A broken old salt bent double. He clutched a brown bag beneath his arm, his sole friend in an ocean of trouble.

He was, you see, someone I’d known In a faraway time and place. ‘Twas Jamaica and being new to the sea, we’d got drunk and been sacked in disgrace.

Ice packs of visionless no-men frost truth buds with co-lies. Fright ideas rendered to monochrome dangerous points smoothed soft difficult questions drifted away banished by the blizzard of because.

He went his way and I went mine I grew rich on the profits of rum. Only now in the fog of a London night did I find he’d turned into a bum. I fished in my pocket for a guinea piece but he grabbed my arm in a vice-like grip.

‘If you’d help me then hear my sorry tale in that pub there, you can stand me a nip.’ It seems that old Bill had travelled far slinging hash in a merchantman galley. From Antigua to Aden and around the Horn ‘til he got mugged in a Zanzibar alley. When he came ‘round his ship had sailed so he haunted the harbour for work. A fishing dhow finally took him on when he said he knew how to cook. Not three weeks in but up swelled a storm, just off the gulf of Oman. Excepting Bill who’d clung to a keg, the crew perished to a man. He staggered ashore still clutching his butt like it was all that he loved in the world. Next day they found him sprawled in the sand, his arms ‘round the barrel still curled. After that he lived from drink to drink, cadging coins by charming a snake. ‘Til one day he stowed away on a ship bound for home ‘round the African cape.

By Sue Blewett

by Karen Gemma Brewer

by Elaine Graham

His breath reeked stale with rancid rum, his eyes glazed deep in pain. As they struggled to peer at my face he whispered: ‘Tom, is that you again?’

MEMORIES

White out

Another winter seen in lobotomy white that life slides past.

Ah memories! Some sweet to savour Some leaving a sour taste in the heart. Ever increasing As time passes by. Places and haunts re-visited Often to find the memory Was reality in her best frilly dress. Memories are past Often best as a fleeting thought Not an obsession or a wallow. Today is now. Today is the present. A present from God And a gift to enjoy. To be lived to the full. To become another Memory.

How long had he been living rough on the street, I tried to ask without sounding rude. Before he would answer, Bill asked for another, meting out his story in shots, which was shrewd. After sneaking aboard he’d been found in the bilge Somewhere south of the Ivory Coast. But the captain’s daughter had taken a fancy so they married on-board with a toast. Back in Blighty they set up home with a cat and three kids in a cottage in Devon. Bill worked as a chef down the local pub and given his past he was living in heaven. Until the day that he opened that barrel and took a shot of the demon rum. Forgot was the cottage, the cat and the kids.. Alas! There was no stopping at one.

‘That was ten years ago’, said Bill with a sob, ‘now I’m a beggar and you are a toft. Just now I was walking to Waterloo bridge, one last drink then I’m gonna jump off.’ ‘Wait,’ I said then stopped in mid-breath – was there anything left to be said? Did I really want this albatross round my neck ‘til the day that he fetches up dead?

‘Well, gee mate that’s tough,’ I say as I pay with a tip, and for Bill a bit more.

‘I hope you think better, but do what you must,’ I mumble as I rush for the door. 33

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of beekeeping for Christmas. Both courses will be held in the Millennium Hall, Cellan. VISIT WWW.LAMPETERBEEKEEPERSASSOCIATION.CO.UK FOR MORE INFORMATION OR CONTACT US ON INFO@LAMPETERBEEKEEPERSASSOCIATION.CO.UK

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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

People’s Market Victoria Hall Bryn Road Lampeter 10am-1pm Every 2nd & 4th Saturday

Copy deadline: Fri 8 January 2016. Miss it & you risk not being included in the Feb issue 34

Woodland Classroom: Play, Explore, Discover twenty to twenty-five years ago and I’m told stories from adult visitors who come back to the reserve remembering the trees they planted as school children all those years ago. Now they’re bringing their own children back for walks, picnics, forest school and other events. Planting a tree connects you to it for the rest of its and your life and I hope that the children who got stuck into the activities with Coed Cadw will have that same connection to this new woodland. I hope they will see it as their own and take pride in watching it mature. Remember, “trees are for life, not just for Christmas.” Try Coppicing for Yourself If you’ve ever wanted to learn how to make your own pea sticks, bean-poles or manage your woodland patch better for sustainable firewood? Well, you might be interested in our Coppice & Cawl event on Sunday 17 Jan. We’ll be teaching traditional woodland coppicing skills as well as enjoying some heart-warming lamb cawl at lunch. If that sounds good to you – take a look at the event details in the listings. Kids Activity – Codebreakers! In the run up to our December break our last few Young Rangers after-school sessions take place in the dark, out in the woods. This doesn’t deter us though and we think that getting kids out into nature once the sun has gone down can only be an enriching experience for them. There are badgers to watch, night-time sounds to listen to and ghost stories to tell around the campfire. But if your kids need more convincing than that – perhaps try this. Children often love making up secret languages and passwords of their own, it’s a hidden world that adults don’t get to play in. With a couple of torches and a copy of the morse code, children can start sending each other coded messages across the darkness. We arranged a treasure hunt where the clues to the hidden booty had to be spelt out through morse code using a flashing torch. The children take it in turns to follow the clues. You can use the code sheet printed here, or get the kids to draw out their own – see what they come up with.

In the Spotlight: Woodlands and the First World War. Recently I spent a week with children from Carmarthenshire planting trees for a new woodland with Coed Cadw. It wasn’t just the tree planting that was the focus here but also a special connection to our recent past. This new woodland is part of Coed Cadw’s centenary commemorations of the First World War, and during the week adults and kids alike learned about how World Wars shaped our landscape. The children learned how during the war years miles of ‘duckboards’ were needed to line the trenches and how vital timber was to keeping the war machine going. With Britain not being able to import wood, this led to an increase in woodland clearances and as a result we have lost much of our native woodland. The issue was exasperated by the Second World War, which needed even more timber, putting our woods under pressure again before they had a chance to recover. Organisations like Coed Cadw are still planting trees today to make up for this loss and spreading the message to children across the country about the benefits of woodland, for wildlife and people. During the First World War around 23,000 women were recruited into what would become known as the Women’s Land Army and one section of this was the Women’s Timber Service whose job it was to meet the demand for wood products for the war effort. These “Lumberjills” gave as good as any of their male counterparts. So, during our tree planting sessions the girls got the chance to show off their logging skills by trying their hand at a range of traditional foresters hand tools, and they stepped up to the task admirably. When I walk around Denmark Farm’s woods I think about the good work that’s been done there in woodland creation. Most of the trees there were planted around www.facebook.com/woodlandclassroom

visit our Facebook page for lots of great photos and updates:

James Kendall

thewoodlandclassroom@gmail.com 35

@woodlandclass

program of aerobic dance training is just as helpful for losing weight, and increasing aerobic power, as cycling and jogging. 7. Improves Balance A study in the Journal of Aging and Physical Activity showed that dancing can improve balance in aging adults. Dancing requires controlled movement and good posture, so frequent dancing will help you stabilise and gain better control of your body. A good dance teacher can suggest specific exercises for ankle strength and balance. 8. Increases Energy My get-up-and-go got up and went! If you feel like that, taking a dance class might help. Research published in The Scholarly Publishing and Academic Resources Coalition found that a weekly dance program could both improve physical performance and increase energy levels. Personally I have experienced dragging myself to class exhausted and wondering why I bother and leaving class full of energy and feeling fantastic. 9. Making New Friends Social isolation is detrimental to health and well being. Having a rewarding social life leads to increased happiness, reduced stress, and a stronger immune system. A dance class is the perfect setting to make new friends and branch out socially. Some of the members of my class have now known each other for over five years. This term the whole class is going to support one of the members, who lost her husband last year, in her début at the local theatre group's production. What was once just a class has evolved into a supportive friendship network. 10. Helps you to Age Happily and Gracefully Dance not only instils grace and well being, but it also helps you age happily and gracefully. In 2011 my classes participated in a survey for Age Concern. These are some of the comments made by class members in their 60's and 70's:

SPOTLIGHT ON DANCE This Christmas give yourself a Wonderful present: a gift to yourself that keeps on giving. Join a Dance Class! The benefits of dance for both mind and body are well proven. Why not make a New Year's Resolution to do something different and become someone different? There are four different types of dance classes listed in the 'Move Your Body' section of the Grapevine, why not join one?

Ten reasons why dance is good for you: 1. Boosts Memory According to a study in The New England Journal of Medicine, dancing can boost your memory and slow the developing dementia as you get older. Aerobic exercise can reverse volume loss in the hippocampus, the part of the brain that controls memory. Members of my dance class often say that they feel their brains get as much of a workout as their bodies as we learn new moves or new routines. 2. Improves Flexibility Use it or lose it! The movements used in dance, and the warm up and cool down stretches at the start and end of class, all increase flexibility and reduce stiffness. A good dance teacher can often give you suggestions for exercises to ease particular mobility issues. Most students experience improved posture, less back ache and increased flexibility over time. 3. Reduces Stress In a controlled study in the Journal of Applied Gerontology, researchers found that dance and musical accompaniment can help bring about stress relief. A recent Facebook post said it best for me ..." Never underestimate the healing power of listening to your favourite music and dancing round the house like an idiot!" 4. Diminishes Depression Dancing really does lift your spirits, according to a study that tested the effects of dancing on people with depression. At Edge Hill University, a study showed that people who participated in dance showed fewer depression symptoms and more vitality. 5. Helps Your Heart In Italy a study found that people with heart problems who took up waltzing improved their heart health, breathing and quality of life significantly compared to those who biked or walked on a treadmill for exercise. 6. Helps with Weight Loss Hate the Gym? A study in the Journal of Physiological Anthropology found that an exercise

“It’s fun in a way I never expected. I was sceptical when a friend encouraged me to go, but now I’ve got the bug." "I love the fact that its suitable for women of all shapes and sizes.” “Friendly atmosphere, companionship, exercising in a gentle way” “I’m beginning to get my waist back!” Rose Barter Fit For Life rosebarter@btinternet.com 36

This nineteenth Local General Knowledge and Cryptic Crossword is sponsored by Sosban Fach. The owner has kindly offered the winner a voucher to spend in the café. Avril Evans has been running Sosban Fach for nine years offering a wide range of fresh local food. Scones, cakes, quiches and pies are baked daily on the premises. Meals include traditional English and vegetarian breakfasts, lunches with both standard meals and daily specials, and afternoon teas. An attractive range of desserts are offered, and both sweet and savoury pancakes. Light snacks and meals, and take-aways, are also available. competition

Prize Local Knowledge/Cryptic Crossword No 19 (Jeep)

Sosban Fach’s homemade marmalades, PRIZE: Voucher salad dressing, chutneys and cordials are also stocked. Sosban Fach provides a cosy and welcoming atmosphere with an understandably loyal clientele. It also caters for small private parties in the evenings for 15 to 30 people. A menu, more information about the business and contact details can be viewed at: http://sosban-fach.co.uk/ Opening times: 9am to 4.30pm - Monday to Saturday. Down 1. Symbol of honour left by a bird flying too low? (7,2,4,3) 2. Business deducts first part of what is secretly stored (5) 3. Sounds like a horse might make this refusal (3) 4. Speed of movement at Felin Forest Riding Centre (1,4) 5. Ale spilt about seaport in Papua New Guinea? (3) 6. Rouse man if agitated and inflame with love (7) Across 7. Burton brew found in trip abroad (Abb) (3) 1. Pennant, Iscoed, Min Y Coed and Glasnant all found on 8. Ever exert untamed worry about a challenging holithis road to the hotel (10,5) day? (7,9) 9. Tangent Man leaves and gets a browning off (3) 11. A stock made from simmering the heads of fish 10. Extended early meal offered by Sosban Fach (3,3,9) umeboshi, mutton, elver, trout (5) 12. What Oliver is made to do when faced with her soot 13. Find a place for a break with broken scooter, later food lump concoction (5,3,3,4) (6,6) 16. Rush to beat the deadline that would castigate airmen 14. Iberian instructor is posh truant when newly revealed when out of control (4,7,4) (7,5) 20. Greek mount that starts in downtown Athens (3) 15. Genus of lizard found in Bhutan (3) 21. No gain without this change in tonight unnerved (7,8) 26. Greek goddess bringing light to the heart of coatless Leo 17. Radio! Right, I take out busy activity (3) 18. Assault in five and a half adepts (6) Sayer (3) 27. All I left out was the winner of the ‘Thrilla in Manila’ (3) 19. A little drink to celebrate the start of tote win (3) 22. Ship leaves shots. Not cool! (3) 28. Location of Pennsylvania where honoured flatware is 23. Fragrant resin taken from Matabele migrants? (5) made (5,2,8) 30. Real English men enlist and start this army corps (Abb.) 24. Nothing east of this river (4) 25. A sad rage turns out to be a good way to view Nordic (4) 31. Name for days when potential students can look around story (4,4) 29. Country of twin with Lampeter (6) the Lampeter campus (5) 32. Fool makes a high pitched sound when blood is stopping 31. Vehicles sold by Cawdor at the Old Foundry Llanybydder (4) flowing (8) 33. Apparel. It is reversed and laid opposite to the west 34. Curious centre for this city twinned with Liverpool (3) (3) 35. Sold to the Harford family in 1820 (9,6) …………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………… Closing Date for Entries: Fri 8 January 2016, 5pm Name: ............................................................... Tel: ............................................( Day)................................................(Eve) Email: ..................................................................................................................... Place in Competition Entries box in Library, Mark Lane Bakery or Postbox at Victoria Hall By post: Cryptic Crossword No. 19, Grapevine, c/o Victoria Hall, Bryn Rd, Lampeter SA48 7EE.

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Copy deadline: Fri 8 January 2016. Miss it & you risk not being included in the February issue 38

Congratulations to our Crossword Winner

Reminder:

Elaine Pelling

Themes, Copy Deadlines & Publication Dates Issue

Publication Copy (by Peoples Deadline Market)

Theme

Feb

Health, Wealth & Happiness

Fri 8 Jan

Sat 23 Jan

Mar

Journey

Fri 12 Feb

Sat 28 Feb

Apr

Trends

Fri 11 Mar

26 Mar

May

Ramblings

Fri 8 Apr

Sat 26 Apr

Please Send the following to: letters & articles lampetergrapevine@gmail.com listings lampetergrapevinelist@gmail.com adverts & classifieds lampetergrapevineads@gmail.com

next issue… feb- issue 36 copy deadline: friday 8 january theme: ‘health, wealth & happiness’ what is important to you? what makes you happy? do you have ideas to share about personal fitness? What are your favourite healthy recipes? there must be a ‘wealth’ of knowledge amongst grapevine readers about all sorts of topics so why not tell us about some lampetergrapevine@gmail.com

Liz, co-owner of Ruby Rose, presenting Elaine with her voucher

Congratulations to the following puzzlers who also entered: Deanne Cook, Alun Davies, Daniel Davies, Jen Davies, Michael & Hilary Davies, David Denney, J. Ganley, Llinos Griffiths, Trevor Harris, Sandra Hartley, Jane Holmes, David Hyde, J. Jones, Dawn Kenwright, George Kinchington, Bethan Payne, A. Pugh, Julia Raiswell, Angela Roberts, Sarah Roberts, A & J Ryan, Bridget Thomas and Marye Wyvill. Thank you for comments about practice grid too. Check out your answers below. See page 37 for more details about the prize from our sponsor for issue 36, Sosban Fach. Please note: Competition entries boxes will be in the Library and Mark Lane Bakery or you can post your entries through the letter box at Victoria Hall. Happy Puzzling. Local Knowledge/Cryptic Crossword No 18 by “Jeep”

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sat 23 jan 2016

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publication by: second people’s market and following distribution to outlets in lampeter and surrounding villages

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