contact us: lampetergrapevine@gmail.com
December 2012 / January 2013
GRAPEVINE digwyddiadau, newyddion a barn Llambed bob mis/ Lampeter’s events, news and views
FRE E AM DDI M
Musical Extravaganza listings: page 3, letters: page 7, also this month: discovering the beauty of birdsong, page 8
GRAPEVINE
Welcome
no. 5, December ‘12 / January ‘13 Post: c/o Victoria Hall, Bryn Road, Lampeter, Ceredigion SA48 7EE Email: lampetergrapevine@gmail.com Published by: Transition Llambed Development Trust, Victoria Hall, Bryn Road, Lampeter, SA48 7EE Printed by: TSD Reprographics, Lampeter, on paper from sustainable resources To list your event, submit an article, ad or letter or to make an enquiry, email: lampetergrapevine@gmail.com or post to address above Please include the reason you are contacting us in the subject box of your email (Ad, Listing, Article, Letter, Enquiry) Listings are free. Display advertising rates: 1/4 column £10; 1/2 col. or double 1/4 col. £20; 1/4 page £25; 1/2 page £40; full page £70. Discount for ads for events held in Victoria Hall: £25 off ad Personal ads: up to 20 words £2; up to 40 words £4.
Copy date for issue no. 6, February 2013: Fri 11 January 2013 Circulation: 1,500 copies distributed free in the Lampeter area
to this musically themed bumper issue of the Grapevine ... Having just taken on the role of editor, I have been pleasantly surprised, although a little daunted, by the amount of material available for inclusion. It has been a very tough job to keep to a manageable 20 pages (plus a double-sided poster flier). Please accept my apologies if you have missed out this time. The newsletter group really do appreciate all your contributions. This is, after all, your newsletter, so please carry on telling us about the issues that matter to you. This is a busy time of year for us all, so even more of a reason to take some time out to relax & enjoy yourself. Is there a better way than to do this locally? We hope you might be tempted to sample some of the many events & activities on offer over this festive season. Why not try something new? There is so much going on in the Lampeter area - yule be spoilt for choice!
Cyfarchion y Tymor, Seasons Greetings Angie Martin This issue has seen some changes to the editorial team. Huge thanks go to Andy Soutter who recently stood down as the editor. We would like to take this opportunity to thank you, Andy for all your hard work and determination in getting this newsletter off the ground. You’ve done a great job! The Grapevine wouldn’t have happened without you. Thanks again from the Grapevine
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
Copy date for February 2013 issue
Fri 11 January 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. 2
what’s going on listings are free. send details of your event to lampetergrapevine@gmail.com
music Spanish Night. Saturday 1 December 7.30pm. An evening of Flamenco music and dance, world music, and delicious food. Victoria Hall, Lampeter. See poster page 8 Tickets (nearly sold out): Contact: Zeta, 07882 679076, zrsf@hotmail.com Smudger and Jim, Saturday 8 December, 7.30pm. 3-course Vegetarian Christmas Feast, glass of mulled wine and plenty of Christmas fun for £18.50. at mulberry bush café Georgia Owen, local singer/ songwriter and inspirational guitar player. Saturday 12 January, 7.30pm. Indian vegetarian 3-course meal £15.95, entrance £2.50. Booking essential for both events: mulberry bush café 01570 423317 The Restaurant at the End of the Universe: Celebrate 22.12.2012 with Smudger and Friends at Victoria Hall, Lampeter. Mayan prophesies, winter solstice, Christmas and the return of light…so much to celebrate. Join together for some wonderful music, amazing light show, delicious food and great company. A Clwb Castanet Club/Transition Llambed Development Trust Event. £5 entrance. Licensed bar, food available. More info: see poster flier or website: smudgerandfriends.wordpress.com Lampeter Music Club Daniel Evans, piano. Tuesday 22 January, 7.30pm. Arts Hall, University of Wales Trinity Saint David, Lampeter campus. Tickets on the door: £9; concessions £7.50. Students, free with Union Card. 2 children admitted free with a paying adult. Contact: David Cockburn, 01570 422436. Fabien Genthialon, cello. Tuesday 12 February, 7.30pm. Arts Hall, Trinity Saint David Inner City Brass, Brass Quintet. Sunday 10 March, 2.30pm. Arts Hall, Trinity Saint David Lampeter World Sacred Music Festival, 22-24 March. Karl Jenkins conducts his peace requiem, The Armed Man. Contact: info@worldsacredmusic.com
theatre Lampeter Youth Theatre and Stage School (LYTss) Every Friday, 4.30-6.30pm, Victoria Hall.
Thursday 13 & Friday 14 December, 7 pm: LYTss presents Charles Dickens' "A Christmas Carol" at Victoria Hall. Doors open 6.30pm. Tickets from Red Books shop: adults £3.00, children under 5 free. Saturday 15 December, 2 pm: LYTss presents Charles Dickens' "A Christmas Carol", followed by a Christmas Tea with Santa and the Annual LYTss Awards, at Victoria Hall. Doors open 1.30pm. adults £5.00, children £2.00. Friday 11 January, 4.30 - 5.30 pm, Victoria Hall: first day of term and registration day for LYTss. Come and register for a term of fun and learn lots of new skills! Contact: Annie May, 01570 423080, annie@themay.co.uk
move your body Belly dance & Belly fit classes. Belly Dance: Monday. 1.30 - 2.45 pm (all ages). Belly Fit: 3 – 4.00pm (over 50s). Shiloh Church Hall, Lampeter (next to the police station on the High Street). All fitness levels welcome. Contact: Rose Barter, 01239 851737 Belly Dance & Yoga classes. Belly Dance: Tuesday 7.30-8.30pm. £3.00. Beginner Yoga: Thursday 7.00-8.30pm, £5.00. Crugybar Village Hall. Contact: 01558 685321, elenamgilliatt@hotmail.com Folk dancing. Every Wednesday, 8.00 - 10 pm. Talsarn Village Hall. Everybody welcome (including musicians). No partner or experience needed. £1.50 including refreshments. Contact: 01974 272098. Cerddwyr Ramblers, Lampeter organise a variety of weekly walks throughout the year. Anyone interested in walking with the group is warmly welcomed to join. A walking programme is available from the Town Library or James, 01570 480743. Flamenco classes in Lampeter and Aberystwyth. Enter the intoxicating world of rhythm, movement, grace and fire that is Flamenco. Tuesday 6.00 - 7.15 pm, Sally Saunders Dance Industrial Estate, Tregaron Rd, Lampeter (next to Organic Fresh Foods). Wednesday 6.00 - 7.30 pm, Aberystwyth Arts Centre, with live flamenco guitarist. 3
Men and women welcome from 15 yrs old. Please bring strong/chunkyheeled shoes. Tutor: Dixey Ruscelli, 01570 493138, dixeyart@gmail.com
courses Denmark Farm Conservation Centre, Betws Bledrws Saturday 1 December, Natural Festive Crafts (half or full day). Ages 7 and upwards Sun 2 December, Make Your Own Herbal Cosmetics. Ages 16 upwards Sat 15 December, FREE Coppicing Workshop with Bob Shaw. Ages 16 and upwards Limited places, various prices, please book in advance: 01570 493358, info@denmarkfarm.org.uk, www.denmarkfarm.org.uk Lampeter and District Beekeepers’ Association Beginners' Beekeeping lessons start in February, on Saturdays, 10am-12 noon in Cellan Millennium Hall. They will be held fortnightly where possible, until May; there could be a longer gap at Easter. From May to September, there will be practical lessons every Sunday, 2pm-4pm at the Association's Apiary in Abermeurig. You’re not expected to attend all sessions but it would benefit you if you attended at least the first four or five. All last year’s beginners bought hives and bees last summer and are now beekeepers. The cost is £75, which includes: * membership of Lampeter and District Beekeepers' Association (£17) * membership of Welsh Beekeepers' Association, which has Public Liability insurance cover for all members, plus a quarterly magazine * Bee Diseases insurance for up to three hives A “Taster Day” for those who may be a little apprehensive of bees, will be held on Sat 6 April, 10.00am at Cellan Millennium Hall. (£15, inc. light refreshments), theory in the morning, lunch, & if weather is fine, practical session pm. We will have an exhibition hive, so if it is wet you can see Bees and the Queen as they would be in the hive. Contact: Gordon Lumby, 01570 480571, g.lumby@btopenworld.com
health & well-being courses & classes
Ffarmers Market Neuadd Bro Fana/Village Hall, Ffarmers, 10.00am -12.30pm 1st Saturday in Yoga Workshop. Sat 8 December the month 10.00am - 1pm Cellan Millennium Hall. Next market: Saturday 1 December A morning of yoga for all. Exploring the Llansawel Market physical and non-physical body Llansawel Village Hall, 10.00am through stretch, relax and release, to 12.30 pm 3rd Saturday of the month help free the body's blocks and dis- Next market: 15th December ease. Iyengar trained teacher. Cost: £10 (concessions £6). Contact: Cathy, Stuff, stuff, stuff! Get rid of it at the People’s Market Post-Christmas 01570 421144 Sale at Victoria Hall on Saturday 12 The Mindfulness-based Stress Man- January, 10 am-1pm. Bring all your agement Course 2013. 4 Sunday ses- redundant clothes, household and othsions: February 10 & 24, March 10 er items (not electric) to sell. Make a 10.00am - 2.00pm, March 24, 10.00 profit for yourself and give a donation am - 4 pm. Early bird and student sav- to the Victoria Hall Development Fund. ings. Contact: 07890 835873, Contact: Ceredwin, to book a table colette@mindfulnesscourse.co.uk 01570 421476. Yoga Afternoon with Rajesh David Lunar Xmas Market. Saturday 1 Deand Marye Wyvill. Sun 9 December cember, Llanfair Clydogau Village 2.00pm-5.00pm, Cellan Millennium Hall, 10am-3pm. Local produce and Hall. Movement Bhajans Kirtan Relax- crafts and refreshments. Father Christation. £15 / £10 concessions. mas will be there 1-3pm so bring your C o n t a c t : 0 1 5 7 0 4 2 1 0 2 7 , u r - little ones to see him. Contact: 07920 baneclipse@lycos.com 063773.
Contact: 01570 421476 Bowen Technique, about an hour’s treatment, works by gently stimulating the body’s own sympathetic nervous system, allowing it to find balance and release from tension and pain. Contact: Ceredwin, 01570 421476 Cathy Crick Stanton. Yoga teacher/ therapist (Iyengar trained) and Barbara Brennan Healer. For class details, or to book 1-2-1 yoga or therapy/ healing sessions, Contact: 01570 421144 / 07748 031614, cathycrick@hotmail.co.uk Alison Kaye MBAcC. Traditional Chinese Acupuncture. Llanfair Clinic, Bridge Street. Contact: 07779 256388 Louise Nadim BSc hons, Ph.D. Fully qualified and insured Brennan Healer. Working in the Human Energy Field assessing, balancing and healing, to restore physical, emotional and spiritual health. Contact: 01570 421144 / 0 7 9 2 0 1 1 2 2 2 8 , louise_nadim@hotmail.com
Charlotte Allen RSHom. Homeopath. Llanfair Clinic, Bridge Street. Contact: Wednesdays 10.30am - 3.00pm, St Coedwig Gymunedol/ Long Wood 01570 493746 James’ Hall, Cwmann. Community Woodland - AGM. MonEvery Wednesday: 11am Qi Gong, day 3 December, 7.30pm. St Thomas’ Mindfulness-based Approaches. Dr gentle exercise. 12 noon lunch. 1pm Church, Lampeter. All are welcome. Colette Power. Courses, workshops and one-to-one coaching. Stress, anxiworkshop. The AGM will be followed by our ety management, promoting health Workshop schedule: monthly meeting. Contact: Philip or and well-being. 05 December - Creative writing Carolyn Swain, 01570 493284 Contact: 07890 835873, co12 December - Jewellery-making Hanes Llambed / Lampeter History l e t t e @ m i n d f u l n e s s c o u r s e . c o . u k 19 December - Christmas party Society. Tuesday 15 January, www.mindfulnesscourse.co.uk 09 January - Story Reading 7.30pm. Old Hall, University of Wales 16 January - Painting Trinity St David. Speaker: Ieuan Rob- computers 23 January - Playing games erts. Subject: Edward Llwyd FRS, bot- Computer services and repairs in 30 January - Poetry sharing anist, geologist, philologist: his signifi- the Lampeter area: hardware upWheelchair access to hall & toilet. Free cance in the Lampeter area. (In Welsh, grades, virus and spyware removal, car park. Only £2.50 a session with simultaneous translation.) Con- health checks, backup advice. Fast, (includes vegetarian lunch and all acfriendly service. tivities). Pay on the day, no member- tact: Penny David, 01570 422041 Contac t: Ben, 01570 493706, ship fee or advance fee - drop in when complementary and benleecomputers@gmail.com you please. Come and see if you like
women’s workshop
meetings
our group. New members always wel- alternative therapists come. Contact: 01570 423167 / 01545 Joanne Camlin BSc WSHom. Ho590391 moeopathy: a complete system of medicine that treats mental, emotional markets and physical illness, and can be used People’s Market (see ad on back by everyone, including babies and chilpage for more details) dren. At Llanfair Clinic, 41 Bridge Victoria Hall, Lampeter, 10am - 1pm S t r e e t , L a m p e t e r S A 4 8 8 E G Sat 8 December & Sat 22 December; (mornings), 01570 421480 Sat 12 January & Sat 26 January. The Light of Love powerful tenLampeter Farmers' Market minute (off the body) treatment harMarket Street, Lampeter, 9.00am - nesses the power of the universal life force. It relaxes and improves your 2.00pm alternate Fridays Next markets: Friday 14 December & sense of well-being by touching into Thursday 20 December (so as not to the healing energy of the heart. It is clash with the Poultry Show Friday 21 offered FREE by Ceredwin at the People’s Market (no need to book) and December at Victoria Hall). at other times by appointment. 4
remember Copy date for
February issue
Friday 11 January 2013
storytelling
days there will be a single United Parish Service at 10 am: location will be Storytelling evening. Friendly, published in the local newspapers. informal group meets every third Monday per calendar month in Cellan. Seventh Day Adventists meet fortNext meeting Mon 17 December, nightly on Saturdays at Cellan Millen7.00pm–9.30 pm. Croeso i bawb / All nium Hall, 10.15 am–3.15 pm. w e l c o m e . C o n t a c t : For More details: www.cellanmillenniumhall.co.uk rachauck@yahoo.co.uk Lampeter Evangelical Church meets writing every Sunday at Victoria Hall, 10 am – Teifi Writers. meet on 2nd Saturday 7 pm. Contact: Gareth Jones at The of the month in Llandysul, and have Mustard Seed café, 01570 423344 workshops with professional writers. Our Lady of Mount Carmel Roman The tutor for December is Damian Catholic Church, Lampeter Walford Davies. January: Tiffany Atkinson. Contact: Kelly, 01267 235336. Sunday Mass is 10 am. For other services see church notice board.
photography
Lampeter Photography meet on 1st and 3rd Friday of every month, 7.30 pm at the Kings Head, Lampeter. Monthly competitions, exhibitions & workshops. All welcome. FREE. Contact: Stef, 07958 772035, lampeterphotography@yahoo.co.uk PLUS: Saturday 1 December, 8-hour photo challenge, 10am-6pm at the King's Head, Lampeter. We give you topics to photograph. You may create an image for one or all of the categories. By 6 pm all prints must be framed, titled and put up in the exhibition space.
religious services and groups Lampeter Parish St Peter’s Church, Lampeter. Main Sunday Service: 11.00am (bilingual). Other services: 8.00am Holy Communion (English), 9.30am Cymun Bendigaid (trydydd Sul yn y mis yn unig, Cymraeg). St Peter’s Church Hall in Lampeter is available for hire at £8.50 per hour. Includes use of kitchen facilities. For enquiries or bookings contact: Beryl, 01570 422324. For more information visit: www.lampeterparish.org
Lampeter Quakers. Every Sunday at Canolfan Steffan, Peterwell Terrace at 10.45 am. All welcome. / Crynwyr Llambed. Cwrdd bob ddydd Sul, Canolfan Steffan, Rhodfa Peterwell, 10.45 yb . Cr oes o i bawb. Contact/ Cysylltwch: Deborah Rowlands, 01570 480083, deborahjrowlands@gmail.com St Thomas' Methodist Church Sunday service 10.30 am with creche and youth activity. Tuesday coffee morning 9.30-12 with Beacon of Hope drop-in. All welcome. Tues 25 December 10 am: Christmas Morning Service. Details on chapel notice board. Everyone welcome. 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
Copy date for
February 2013 issue
Fri 11 January CELLAN MILLENNIUM HALL CLASSES AND GROUPS Classes subject to change: please see www.cellanmillenniumhall.co.uk for updates & contact details See our website, film posters for movies & What’s On page for oneoff events. MONDAY RAY Ceredigion Play Sessions: 4– 6pm Line Dancing: 7–10pm TUESDAY
Healing Yoga: 10–11.30am Lampeter Home Education Group: 12–5pm Qi Gong: 6–7pm Tai Chi: 7–8pm Beekeepers: 2nd Tuesday of month, 8pm WEDNESDAY
Table Tennis: 10am–11.30 Quilting Club: 12 noon-4pm Yoga: 5.30–7pm THURSDAY
Five Rhythms Dance: 1st Thursday of Month 7pm Village Improvement Society Committee: 1st Thursday of month 7pm WI: 2nd Thursday of month 7.30pm
St Cybi’s Church, Llangybi. Main Sunday Service: 9.00am (bilingual). St Bledrws’ Church, Betws Bledrws. Main Sunday Service: 10.45 am (English or bilingual).
FRIDAY
St Sulien’s Church, Silian. Main Sunday Service: 2.00 pm (bilingual / Cymraeg).
Art Group: 10am–1pm Film Night: fortnightly 7.15pm (see ad in this edition)
St Mary’s Church, Maestir. Main Sunday Service: 2.30 pm (second Sunday in the month only, English). Times apply to the first four Sundays in each month. For the few fifth Sun-
SATURDAY
Seventh Day Adventists: fortnightly 10.15am–3.15pm 5
Victoria Hall: regular activities and classes Bryn Road, Lampeter SA48 7EE Monday: 7pm - 9pm Wing Chun Kung fu with Flo Hunt, 07796 796259 Tuesday: 7.30pm - 8.30pm Zumba keep fit session with Julie Lancaster, 01570 470542 Wednesday: 11am -1pm WEA: Introduction to sewing machines, and 1pm - 3pm, Restyle your clothes, both with Hannah Cutler, 07773 500328 (Last Dec class: 19 Dec, re-starting 9 Jan, though check with Hannah.) Wednesday (fortnightly): 1.30pm - 4.30pm, Young at Heart: Tea, sandwiches & social for the wiser folk of Lampeter. 5 Dec only, then a break until 9 January. Wednesday: 7pm - 8pm. Zumba keep fit session with Louise Evans, 07584 199372 Thursday: 10pm - 3pm Welsh classes with Meryl Evans, 01545 572715 Thursday: 6pm - 8pm Brazilian Jujitsu with Mike A. Banica, 07783 582081 Thursday: Third Thurs each month 7pm - 9pm Transition Llambed ‘Big Gathering’. A chance for all those interested in/involved with Transition Llambed to plan and coordinate activities. Everyone welcome! Friday: 4.30pm - 6.30pm LYTss: Lampeter Youth Theatre and Stage School with Annie May, 01570 423080 Friday: 7pm - 9pm Five Rhythms Dancing with Irene Sullivan, 07737 739998 Saturday: 2nd and 4th Sat each month, 10am - 1pm People’s Market. Local food, produce and crafts. Plus café, live music and other attractions. Sunday: Lampeter Evangelical Church 10am - 7pm. Info: Gareth Jones at the Mustard Seed, 01570 423344 Sunday: 7pm - 9pm Brazilian Jujitsu with Mike A. Banica, 07783 582081 Please ring contact numbers to check closure dates for the holiday period www.vichall.org.uk - To book the hall contact: admin@vichall.org.uk, 07891 632614
message from the Transition Llambed admin team We really need some help! There are two wonderful women who do nearly ALL the administration work for Transition Llambed AND Victoria Hall AND Castanet Club AND Grapevine Newsletter AND Cellan Millennium Hall. Between them they send out emails, reply to emails, update the databases, maintain the websites, get posters printed …and the list goes on. This isn’t sustainable and I am sure it often feels like hard work for them both. We need MANY HANDS to make it LIGHT WORK. So, if you: have access to a computer and have time to check/send emails regularly and/or would be happy to learn how to use GroupSpace software and/or already feel happy filling in Excel spreadsheets, producing invoices and chasing them can spare at least an hour a week are reliable, flexible, easy to get on with, calm and relaxed ….and this list goes on too PLEASE GET IN TOUCH Contact me on linda.winn@hotmail.co.uk It would only take an hour or so to go through what’s needed, and you could then say what you are happy to take on, or decide that it’s not for you. THANK YOU! Linda Winn for the Transition Llambed admin team
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LETTERS letters, grapevine, victoria hall, bryn road, lampeter SA48 7EE email: lampetergrapevine@gmail.com
Dear Editor, As the news reaches us that Andy Soutter has stood down as editor of the Grapevine after 4 editions we should reflect on his contribution. Andy has, along with a small team, led the successful creation of a newsletter for Lampeter that appears to be well read, enjoyed by many, a great advert for how much is happening in the area and has been the impetus for others to sharpen their critical pencils. For me, ‘that ticks all the boxes’ for a local newsletter - informative, enjoyable and a little challenging. Andy, thanks for what you have started, I hope you are proud of the achievement and long may the Grapevine continue. Tim Martin. Hi. I read the letter [in September's edition] regarding choirs to join in Lampeter with interest as I have been looking for a choir to join for a number of years. I was quite excited when I read Dylan Lewis's letter in the October magazine, especially as it was written in English. What a disappointment to go to the website for Corisma to find it's written in Welsh so I assume it is a Welsh choir! Regards, Susan We note that the contacts page (cysylltu) at www.corisma.btck.com does accept enquiries in English
Dear Grapevine, In response to Gro-Mette's letter and later Dylan Lewis' letter, I'd like to add that I too was at the Bury street choir festival. I had a brilliant experience singing with a group of like-minded individuals about issues that I feel very strongly about, such as government policies, the environment, human rights and peace. Personally when I sing I
enjoy it, but when I sing about matters that I feel strongly about, with others, I find it's massively uplifting and powerful. In day-to-day life it's often difficult to speak out about the things that matter to us most. Issues such as racial discrimination or the massive gaps between rich and poor don't tend to be lunchtime chat. But combine them with a harmonious tune along with lots of voices and you are a part of something truly special. Those listening often feel it too. I'm sure that Côr Meibion and Corisma are great choirs, but, as I mentioned earlier, I prefer to sing about issues that I feel are important, and I'm not sure that there are many choirs that offer that. I hope that Côr Meibion and Corisma go from strength to strength, but personally I think there is room for another choir. I will gladly join a street choir with you, Gro-Mette! In fact I have some songs all ready to go. Best, Janet Payne Llansawel Dear Editor How good it was to see the flowers blooming throughout Lampeter this year! The hanging baskets and planters were really quite dramatic and still looked good well into October. A big thank you to Roberts Garden Centre, the Chamber of Trade, the Town Council, businesses that contributed and anyone else who helped make it even more of a pleasure to visit Lampeter. I do hope it can be continued next year. Lynn Thorogood Dear Editor, Public Toilets and graffiti seem to go together, but on this occasion I write regarding what I am sure is a well intentioned member of the Lampeter community who decided to use graffiti to express their concern over the loss of the Public Toilets that were formally attached to Victoria Hall. Whilst I am not con7
vinced that writing in biro on the People's Market advertising boards that appear in the town on the 2nd and 4th Saturdays of the month (shameless plug) is the most appropriate and responsible method of communication, I will gloss over that. I have no doubt the issue is an important one, indeed, a couple of years ago my 4 year old was very grateful they were open regardless of their dreadful condition. I know that the subject of the toilets, especially their proximity to the park, has been discussed at Victoria Hall meetings. It is an intention of the Directors that although we will not be reinstating the 'public' nature of the toilets, as the opening hours of the Hall increase, the toilets will be available for all, not just those who happen to be using the premises. When the Development Trust took over the Hall, it was made clear to us by the council, and written in the lease, that the former public toilets would be public no more; they would have closed regardless of the Hall passing to the Trust. It is also worth noting that the toilets are top of our refurbishment list and when we are successful in a grant application (we have several in the pipeline) we intend to spend over £25,000 refurbishing them. I think the town is well served with 2 modern and well maintained sets of toilets (behind the police station and attached to the library) and the slightly older ones next to Roberts & Sons. You try finding a public loo in a big city! So, to whomever left the message, please be assured we are trying to improve the toilets, make them more accessible and more available and we take your concern seriously. Please stop writing on the boards (a volunteer spent many hours painting those). We aren't that scary, come and talk to us! Tim Martin, Director, Transition Llambed Development Trust
Music to my ears Discovering the beauty of birdsong On Sunday 4 November, five intrepid ornithologists, led by Ian Morris from Denmark Farm Conservation Centre, braved the elements to walk around the Cellan lanes to observe autumn bird activity in the fields and hedgerows. The route took us from the Millennium Hall via the War Memorial to the hamlet of Pentrefelin. There we crossed the stream, walked uphill and turned left along the lane to the old Cellan School (now Y Dyfodol Day Nursery), then down towards the B4343 and back to the Hall. One of the pleasures of birdwatching with Ian is that
and underwing, is a native of the Baltic region, but can be seen in fields, on woodland edges and even in gardens in West Wales at this time of year. Here, they appeared to be feeding on late-autumn berries on bushes along the hedgeline, in the company of tits, sparrows and a pair of bullfinch. Although the walk ended in the rain, it was a most enjoyable way to spend a Sunday morning and in a couple of hours we counted twenty different bird species. Our thanks to Ian for leading the walk and for showing once again that birdwatching is not just a matter of using your eyes, but also your ears! Mike Walker
Next month’s theme:
keeping warm & spring cleaning
please send us your tips and remedies to beat the winter blues
Ian Morris helping to identify local birds in Cellan he is able to identify birds by their sounds, and we were soon learning to distingush between the voices of robin, chaffinch and blackbird. Along the route we saw various corvids (rook, jackdaw and carrion crow) and tits (great tit, blue tit and coal tit), along with typical hedgerow and garden birds such as house sparrow, dunnock and wren. Two red kites were circling above the hills to the east A sharp-eyed member of the party pointed out a great spotted woodpecker silhouetted against the sky in the upper branches of a tall oak tree across the fields to our right. The characteristic swooping flight of the woodpecker confirmed its identification as it flew off. The highlight of the walk was probably the sighting of two of our winter visitors from Scandinavia and northern Europe. Flocks of starlings were active in the fields on either side of the lane, while in the field near the War Memorial we saw groups of redwing. This small member of the thrush family, distinguished by its whitish eye stripes, rusty red flanks
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from the bottom continuing annie may’s engaging chronicles of coming to farm in west wales PART 5 STARTING AGAIN I think that geography and history has a lot to do with the indigenous politics and culture of a place. Greece, Italy, Scotland and Wales have mountainous terrains and that means that at one time the people who lived in one valley had a common language, common ancestors and common gods, but in their isolation they thought their gods and ancestors were uniquely theirs and not at all those of the next valley. Language, too, can become a vexed issue. One wonderful old lady from LLangybi who was very learned, both a doctor and a dentist, could only speak to an equally learned acquaintance of hers in Ruthin in Latin.
More than anywhere I’ve ever lived, and I seem to have lived in lots of places, the place by the Teifi and the Afon Dulas was tolerant and well mannered. That polite raised finger is respectful and the look may be penetrating but it’s not unfriendly. I love the dignity of that raised finger, although it doesn’t happen half so often these days. I loved the fact that wherever you went you were saluted solemnly by pedestrians and drivers alike. That they felt obliged to speak to you in English in order to include you. Today there are many more cars on the roads, many of them very smart but in the hills we still stop in the road to exchange news more often these days in what passes for Welsh with us, to the wrath of those who haven’t caught on yet.
My very first memory of Wales was the Fishers Arms in Cellan. I was a teenager and had come down to Wales crammed with a lot of other teenagers in a friend’s mother’s Austin Metropolitan with the top down. We were on our way to stay with the brother of one of us who farmed Castell Howell. We all felt very daring being out on our own in an open topped car. Actually we were daring because some of us were sitting on the back of the car, not in it. We were without seat belts because they hadn’t been invented yet. No-one fell out of the car, no-one stopped us and it took us seven hours with the wind in our hair to get to Pontsian. The next day we visited a friend in Cellan and went to the pub before lunch.
When I first came to live in Lampeter farmers drove rusty old post office vans, often with the floor missing. When Jack Pant y Gwyn came to advise Geoff on some contracting work, you had to sit in his passenger seat with your feet on the dashboard if you didn’t want to find them running to keep up with the car. Some years later when the Fishers was under new management I heard that Auntie Annie had died, but her legend lived on. She can’t have been more than four foot six and no spring chicken, but she was capable of banging the heads together of two hulking young chaps who were squaring up for a fight and sending them home in disgrace.
The Fishers epitomised what is truly Welsh. There was a tiny, dark bar with one window, a tongue and groove panelling painted pale institutional green with a kind of bench along the wall for perching the bum on. We went in and apart from a couple of farmers, the bar was deserted and there was no-one behind the bar. Or so we thought. Then after giving us a good looking over, one of the men craned over the bar and said something and up popped the tiniest and oldest little pub owner imaginable. This was Auntie Annie. We ordered drinks and while we drank, gradually had our life histories extracted from us with efficient ruthlessness. It was obvious that one old man could not speak English and he was included with Welsh asides and gales of laughter on all sides. These included us, even though we didn’t quite know what was being said. A few hours later, full of bonhomie, we left, saluting the bar, Auntie Annie and the rest of the drinkers who solemnly saluted us back by raising a finger to the forehead.
This was the Wales that took my fancy and, with a dreadful lack of originality, this is where I came to live the Good Life. Not that successfully as it turned out. The track to Panteg plunged down into the valley between sitka spruce that towered over the lane on the left. On the right were the steep heather-covered slopes of Banc Anton. In summer, the track was lined by a dense, bright green growth of whin and graceful rowan. Occasionally a young oak emerged from the undergrowth, slim and ragged. As we descended into the valley a magnificent avenue of beeches provided a cool green tunnel. Later on I discovered that violets grew at their feet and in autumn there were russula and chanterelle in abundance among the moss and tree roots. At the end of the tunnel the track opened out into a farmyard with an old stone cow shed on the right below a traditionally grey-rendered, ugly farm house. (continued over) 9
Continued from previous page
nied by some small fresh cheeses made from milk Beyond it a track. The farm house foundations were from our house cow preserved in herbs and olive oil cut into the mountain so that it rested on its own (the cheeses were preserved, not the cow). sheltered platform. The valley was entrancing. Every We were inordinately lucky. Our rent was low betime you came down the track there was the feeling cause the house was in a bad state of repair but we of a secret, green, protected place hidden in the hills. didn’t care. We had been given a breathing space in Our landlord was Hammond Innes. His books were which to get ourselves up and running again. We bestsellers in the 50s, 60s and 70s; many of them had four highland yearlings of indeterminate parentmade into films. He came to look us over in the car- age bought with a bank loan of £400. In those days avan on my birthday and we invited him to supper. our bank managers were known to us and ours Supper was comfortingly Italian: thin parmesan toast shook a finger at me and said “we don’t encourage with a tapenade of olives, anchovies, hardboiled egg post-graduates to buy cattle”. I assured him that I yolks and olive oil with a salad of tiny cherry toma- would make good use of the cattle. And I did. toes and barely cooked Brussels sprouts seethed in basil oil followed by fresh spaghetti Napolitana; that is to say simple spaghetti with tomatoes and onions. We drank quite a lot and Hammond Innes was a convivial guest. We took over the farm in August. There was a little, ugly concrete terrace at the front and on this we would set out chairs, a small table, a bottle of elderberry wine and a big cold dish of sliced, cooked potatoes, parsley, garlic and onions from the garden dressed in elderberry vinegar and olive oil accompa-
We had more luck in the shape of William Jones of Ruthin, our first brush with “the Gog” and a lovely man. He bred excellent Welsh Mountain sheep. The first 6 ewes from William Jones, our 4 highlanders and a Renault 4 with grass growing in the back that doubled as a farm vehicle, constituted our material wealth. We were now in a valley of our own with our own culture and our own gods who judged us by what we were, not by the glamour of our possessions.
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more from annie may next month
welcomed. Of those who have attended so far, many are learning to speak Welsh and some are not (yet). So although meetings are held in English, we would be delighted to welcome speakers of other languages and stories from different traditions.
Talking birds: Storytelling Evenings in Cellan In a cosy cottage in Cellan, one Monday night in Autumn, nine bold storytellers met to tell our tales. Intrepid travellers, wise old women, fierce beasts and talking birds; makers and merchants, lovers and dreamers, singers and sailors filled the flickering firelit room. We told and told until we could tell no more – not for want of tales but because time, she is so fleeting. So with the passing of the moon, we gathered there again. Many were struck down by a fearsome plague but others took their place and bravely battled on, through rivers of blood and mountains of cake, towards our ultimate fate whatever that may be: servants being served; naughty children learning lessons; exotic creatures discovering their true nature. Storytelling ranges from the everyday anecdote (a funny thing happened to me on the way here) through oral history (a curious thing once happened to a friend of mine) and folklore (strange things are said to take place in these parts) to fairytale (long ago and far away, the weirdest things went down), legend (in days of old when knights were bold) and myth (in the beginning, before time began). Although the emphasis is on oral narration, we’re a relaxed and friendly lot whose main objective is to have fun, share our creativity, inspire and support one another through whatever fragments we can gather – in riddles and rhymes, jokes and songs, games and toys, poems and stories, written or remembered, accompanied or alone. Perhaps this is a way to reclaim our cultural roots, conserve our intangible heritage, practice ancient arts and seek ways to evolve new cultural forms in response to changing times? Perhaps it’s just a pleasant alternative to sitting at home alone watching the telly! It’s early days for this group and there is plenty of scope for new members to join and help shape our identity and direction. Some things have already been decided:
* We aim to be an accessible group. If you have specific access needs, please discuss these with us and we will do what we can to accommodate everyone. * We lift-share, because fuel is expensive and parking space limited, so please get in touch to find out who is coming from your area. * Because Beech Cottage is a strictly-shoes-off venue, we may bring our own slippers, or there are slippers available to share. * This is a participatory group. The atmosphere is relaxed and informal. Everyone is encouraged to join in if they wish. We welcome everything from polished performance to tentative notes and spontaneous ideas. Audience members are always needed, so don’t feel you have to bring something to share. If you’d rather just come along and listen, that’s fine. * Light refreshments are offered during the evening. Contributions are welcome. See listing page 5 for contact details
Missed this at the cinema?
Led Zeppelin’s Celebration Day at
Cellan Millennium Hall Saturday 8th December with full concert sound
Doors open 7.30pm Film starts 8.00pm £2 on the door Bring your own refreshment
* We meet regularly, 7-9.30pm every third Monday per calendar month, with future meetings on: 17 December; 21 January 2013 * Meetings are held at the home of our host, Ceredwin: Beech Cottage, Cellan. For directions, contact: rachauck@yahoo.co.uk or phone Rachel on 01570 493222
Come and relive your youth, or have that first time experience right here in Cellan!
* Mae croeso mawr i bawb – all are warmly 11
Dewch i’r ardd gyda Bywyd Gwyllt Lle Rydych Chi’n Byw Mae’r hydref eleni’n gweld dechrau prosiect BGLRCB yn Canolfan Gwadraeth Fferm Denmark: gardd gymunedol arddangos sy’n ystyriol o fywyd gwyllt. Mae llawer o’n cymunedau BGLRCB wrthi’n plannu mewn ffordd sy’n ystyriol o fywyd gwyllt fel rhan o’u cynlluniau i wella’r amgylchedd. Byddwn yn darparu safle lle y gall rhywun sy’n cynllunio ei ofod cymunedol ei hun ddod i chwilio am syniadau, neu caiff ymwelwyr ddod i eistedd yn dawel a mwynhau’r ardd a’i bywyd gwyllt. Mae’r ardd fan hyn yn aros yn ddigyfnewid ers blynyddoedd lawer, gydag amrywiaeth o lwyni ffrwythau meddal sy’n heneiddio a pherlysiau. Dros y blynyddoedd diwetha, rydym yn raddol wedi ychwanegu gardd goedwig a nodweddion sy’n ystyriol o fywyd gwyllt megis blychau adar, pwll bychan a llwyni sydd â ffrwythau a neithdar. Nod cynllun yr ardd newydd yw adeiladu ar y nodweddion hynny. Bydd gwrych yn cael ei blygu i adael mwy o olau i’r ardd; bydd pwll a gardd gorsiog yn cael eu creu a bydd amrywiaeth o blanhigion sy’n fwytadwy ac yn ystyriol o fywyd gwyllt yn cael eu plannu. Mae i’r ardd ardal goetir fechan hefyd – bydd hon yn cael ei chadw, ond yn cael ei datblygu’n ardal lle y gall plant anturio a chwarae. Rydym yn bwriadu cael ychydig o wirfoddolwyr i ymuno â ni ar gyfer y fenter gyffrous hon, ac rydym hefyd yn cadw llygad yn agored am wirfoddolwyr newydd yn ein cymunedau BGLRCB. Hefyd, hoffen ni glywed gan unrhyw grwpiau a sefydliadau yng Ngheredigion a ddymunai roi cynnig ar rywbeth gwahanol fel tîm. Mae tasgau ar gyfer yr hydref eleni yn cynnwys plygu gwrychoedd a phlannu bylbiau i’r gwanwyn. Gallwn gyfuno plannu bylbiau â sgwrs i gyflwyno ‘garddio bywyd gwyllt’, felly cysylltwch â ni os hoffech ddod â grŵp aton ni. Byddwn yn darparu popeth sydd ei angen arnoch a gobeithio yn rhoi tamaid o wybodaeth a pheth ysbrydoliaeth i chi ar gyfer eich gofod cymunedol eich hun.
Come into the garden with Wildlife Where You Live (WWYL) This autumn sees the start of a new WWYL project at Denmark Farm Conservation Centre: a demonstration community wildlife-friendly garden. Many of our WWYL communities are implementing wildlife-friendly plantings as part of their environmental improvement plans. We will provide a site where anyone planning their own community space can come and seek ideas, or visitors can simply sit and enjoy the garden and its wildlife. The garden here has remained unchanged for many years, with a variety of aging soft-fruit bushes and herbs. Over recent years, we have gradually added a forest garden, and wildlife-friendly features such as bird boxes, a small pond, and fruit and nectar-bearing shrubs. The design of the new garden aims to build on those features. A hedge will be laid to allow more light into the garden; a pond and bog garden will be created, and a variety of edible, wildlife-friendly plants will be planted. The garden also has a small woodland area – this will be retained, but developed into an area where children can explore and play. We‘re aiming to enlist some volunteers for this exciting venture, and are also on the lookout for new volunteers in our WWYL communities. We’d also like to hear from any groups and organisations within Ceredigion who would like to try something different as a team.
Ariennir BGLRCB gan y Gronfa Loteri Fawr, Cyngor Cefn Gwlad Cymru, Ymddiriedolaeth Esmée Fairbairn ac Amgylchedd Cymru ac mae’n helpu pobl i adnabod a rhoi ar waith welliannau amgylcheddol sy’n gwneud gwir wahaniaeth i’w cymunedau.
Tasks for this autumn include coppicing and planting spring bulbs. We can combine bulb-planting with an introductory ‘wildlife gardening’ talk, so please contact us if you’d like to bring a group along. We’ll provide everything you need and, hopefully, give you a little bit WWYL is funded by the Big Lottery Fund, Countryside of knowledge and some inspiration for your own comCouncil for Wales, Esmée Fairbairn Foundation and munity space. Environment Wales, and helps people to identify and www.denmarkfarm.org.uk, info@denmarkfarm.org.uk, 01570 493358 implement environmental improvements that make a real difference to their community. 12
Homeopathy - health in harmony In the October edition of Grapevine, Jo Camlin wrote about some of the disturbing realities of modern medicine and healthcare. Those of us who met at the Health and Wellbeing group at the last Big Gathering decided we’d describe some other models of healthcare.
are still using exactly the same remedies that he recommended and have never found the need in two hundred years of clinical practice to withdraw a single one from use. Homeopathy is very safe and causes no side effects. If the wrong remedy is chosen it doesn’t work, otherwise you should notice a difference; sometimes this is a dramatic improveHomeopathy is one of several complementary/ ment (as for my teething baby), sometimes it is slow alternative types of medicine which is available localand subtle. ly from several practitioners. What is it? And should you consider seeing a homeopath? I am endlessly fascinated by the alchemy of taking a natural substance, which may be a plant, a mineral, I first used Homeopathy thirty years ago when I had a drop of milk, all sorts of different materials, and a fractious baby. I discovered that a small vial of tiny transforming it into a force for energetic healing. This white pillules called Chamomilla had the miraculous is usually done in Homeopathy pharmacies, woneffect of calming him and reducing the pain of drous centres of strictly scientific rigour and practice. emerging teeth, so that the dribble and grizzling beNo remedies are ever tested on animals, although came a thing of the past. Then I discovered Arnica they are used to treat both farm and domestic anifor trauma, bumps and bruises, and I was hooked! mals, to good effect. I was treated by a Homeopath during my next pregIf you visit a homeopath, you won’t be asked to unnancy, had the easiest birth of all, and have used dress or lie down: the practitioner will ask you to exHomeopathy as the primary form of healthcare for plain what is troubling you and how you experience myself and my family ever since. Seventeen years it. This is important, because each remedy is chosen ago I enrolled with the Welsh School of Homeopathy specifically for the individual person and their sympand spent four fascinating and life-changing years toms, not just for a specific complaint. They may ask studying the philosophy of this special form of healyou a lot of seemingly irrelevant questions for which ing. there are no right or wrong answers: this helps them The basic principles have been applied in medicine to confirm their remedy selection. In fact, Homeopafor thousands of years, and to some extent are used thy can be regarded as a ‘talk therapy’, but one in certain aspects of conventional medicine today; where the therapist is just as interested in your physbut the founder of Homeopathy who brought these ical state as your emotional state. principles together was Samuel Hahnemann (1755Homeopathy has a very low impact on the environ1843). ment and, compared to drug therapeutics, is very There are three core principles: inexpensive. It is one of few complementary thera There is an implicit understanding that every living pies to be available on the NHS, although this is ofbeing has an energetic field or ‘vital force’ ten hard to access because there are few qualified The ‘law of similars’, or ‘like cures like’, where a doctors who have done the extra training, and none substance which causes certain effects or states of the four hospitals which offer homeopathy are in can cure those states/symptoms when given to Wales. It is used widely throughout the world and someone who is experiencing them can truly be considered a medicine of transition. The minimum dose, whereby the selected subCharlotte Allen RSHom stance or remedy, when diluted and potentised, activates its own energetic field to match that of the individual being treated, which brings us back to the first point. remember So as you see, Homeopathy has nothing to do with biochemistry, but maybe quite a lot to do with quantum physics. Hahnemann began with a very limited range of remedies, although thousands have been added, and we 13
Copy date for
February issue
Friday 11 January
A public conference was held on the theme of Celtic Myth and Landscape. This was hosted by the Archaeology and Anthropology departments of TSD Lampeter Campus, with the intention of sharing some of the work of these departments at Strata Florida. Talks were given on such diverse subjects as the Archaeology of Myth (James Bezant), Walking with Dewi; A Medieval Journey across the Cambrian Mountains (Heather James), The Sacred Feminine in the Celtic Landscape (Mara Freeman) and other inspirational talks about Tolkien's Middle Earth and the Mabinogion in Paganism. In the evening there was a performance of Hunting the Giant’s Daughter by Michael Harvey, Lynne Denman and Stacey Blythe. The combination of Michael’s dramatic storytelling, atmospheric harp and accordion music from Stacey, and Lynne’s voice and deep knowledge of traditional song, created an atmosphere that was timeless and magical, where we could have been sitting around a fire centuries ago, listening to this tale of power. On Sunday a coach trip was organised to take the conference participants to Strata Florida Abbey. Host Martin Locock guided us enthusiastically around the site, sharing tales and poems about the life of the monks, pilgrims and princes of medieval Wales, and bringing the abbey to life in our imaginations.
Lampeter’s musical scene & wider cultural life: Reviews and Reflections Autumn 2012 was a very rich season for events in Lampeter. We had the fantastic and heartwarming Extravaganza at the Clwb Castanet Club, Victoria Hall, in September, where over 200 people enjoyed listening to our so-talented local musicians. Lynne Denman’s rendition of ‘Woodstock’ held the entire hall spellbound, while Maggie Nicols and Paul Uden delighted us with their original jazz, Dixey and Snowy transported us to sultry Andalucia with their flamenco dance and music, Rajesh and Upasana uplifted us with some beautiful music, Shirley’s music-hall entertainer persona "Charlie Tanner" made us laugh, and of course Jester Band’s extended line-up with Smudger, Shelley, Pete Stacey and Jim Hackford had everyone dancing and smiling. Then Lampeter Music Club celebrated their thirtieth anniversary in style with a concert at the Arts Hall, TSD, with Catrin Finch, who gave a virtuoso performance as always, celebrating the fact that it was the Lampeter Music Club that inspired her to become a harpist when she attended a Music Club concert by the Spanish harpist Marisa Robles at the age of five. I will never forget Catrin’s performance of the piece written specially for her by her tutor at the Royal College of Music, Paul Patterson’s Bugs! Mosquito Massacre. The combination of her facial expressions and the musical interpretation of the incessant buzzing of a bloodthirsty mosquito was brilliant. The Music Club’s second concert of the season, with the Dominant Quartet from Moscow, was also truly memorable. Their rendition of Prokofiev’s String Quartet in F was so skilful, sensitive and moving that the audience was entranced. These four ladies somehow manage to combine sublime musicianship with a seemingly effortless performance.
The annual firework display organised by the Rotary Club of Lampeter was, as always, fantastic. Each year it gets better, and this year the display was so colourful and well-choreographed that the crowd were delighted. The weather was kind, and with a clear and starry sky, a roaring bonfire and lots of happy children, the evening was really fun. This winter will also be full of a variety of inspiring and entertaining events in Lampeter. I’d like to thank everyone who gives their time and effort to bring events like this to Lampeter, and to help make this very special town the hub of cultural and community events it is: the heroes who brave the elements to put up Christmas lights and hanging baskets, the Town Council, the Chamber of Trade, the Rotary Club, the many volunteers sitting at phones and computers creating events, posters and newsletters, the Transition Llambed Development Trust - and all who make the effort to attend the events and meetings offered, and make them a success. Let’s move into 2013 as a stronger, more cohesive community, working together to improve the place we all live in and love. Diolch yn fawr. Josie Smith
National Poet of Wales, Gillian Clarke, and Menna Elfyn, Director of the Creative Writing masters programme at TSD, also launched their new poetry books, Ice and Murmur, in the Founder’s Library one chilly Tuesday evening in October. Gillian transported us back to the frozen winter of 2011, when the rivers froze and a lone male swan mourned his lost mate. Menna moved me to tears with her group pf poems about Catrin Glyndwr, who was incarcerated in the Tower of London for many years with her children, simply for being Owain Glyndwr’s daughter. 14
The Lampeter World Sacred Music Festival The inaugural Lampeter World Sacred Music Festival will take place from Friday 22 March to Sunday 24 March 2013. The Festival will open with a concert at Victoria Hall on Friday 22 March. The concert, Confluence, will feature music from Christian, Hindu and Sufi traditions, performed by local musicians. There will be a daily service at the University of Wales TSD's chapel, including readings from Bishop William Morgan’s Welsh Bible.
cred Music and spiritual experience. On Sunday 24 March there will be a sacred meal. The programme is still being finalised. For more information please go to the website: http://worldsacredmusic.com. If you would like to be involved in the festival, please email info@worldsacredmusic.com, or write to Lampeter World Sacred Music Festival, c/o 2 Bridge Street, Lampeter, SA48 7HG.
The highlight of the Festival will be Karl Jenkins conducting his Requiem for Peace, The Armed Man, at the Arts Hall, University of Wales TSD campus, on Saturday 23 March. Karl Jenkins is the world’s most performed contemporary composer. The Armed Man will be performed by four choirs and musicians from the University of Wales. A competition is also being held for pupils of the secondary schools of Ceredigion to compose a piece of sacred music. The winning composition will be performed at the concert on 23 March; the winner will also record their piece at Hywel Wigley’s Studio Acapela in Cardiff. Judges confirmed to date are Catrin Finch and Peter Stacey. During Saturday there will be a seminar about Sa-
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Lampeter is 'Rooting for Change'
T S D students with Assistant Dean, Dr Jeremy Smith, and Mayor of Lampeter, Cllr. Kistiah Ramaya
The ‘Rooting for Change’ campaign recently held a cake sale at the Lampeter campus Students’ Union, raising an impressive sum of £243 for the rainforest charity. The money raised will help expand a treeplanting scheme in a deforested area of Kenya, part of the charity’s aim to help protect an area of tropical forest the size of Wales. The Lampeter-Bore Community Carbon Link project aims to connect the midWales community of Lampeter with the sub-Saharan community of Bore in Kenya’s Coastal Province. Lampeter’s linked project in Bore is close to the equator and lies within the coastal forest that extends down the eastern seaboard of Africa. This forest and its absorbed carbon is under a lot of pressure from a variety of sources, including charcoal burning, mining and clearing for agriculture. Abi Jenkins says: “The Rooting for Change campaign is gaining momentum. On Friday 19th October we dressed in green to raise awareness and raise money. Over the next few months, we hope to hold a sponsored walk and a live music evening to plant more trees and to start supplying the Kenyan community with accessories such as donkeys, horses and cockerels. We are very pleased to have the continued support of the University, Community Carbon link and the Size of Wales. This set of partnerships is making an enormous difference to the people in Bore as well as educating people locally on the drastic effects of climate change.“ Mayor of Lampeter, Cllr. Kistiah Ramaya, said: "By leading Lampeter in 'Going Green', University of Wales Trinity Saint David is playing its part in protecting the rainforest. This is something we should all be aware of, safeguarding the future for our children and grandchildren. Lampeter Town Council is fully supportive of this initiative and hopes the whole town follows suit." Elinor Howells, Uwch Swyddog Cysylltiadau Cyhoeddus a Chyfathrebu / Senior PR and Communications Officer 01570 424859/07772 531165
Trivia Question: Name the band of the first welsh-language album to reach the UK Top 20 Answer on page 18
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Food, Glorious Food: long live Lampeter food festival One of the highlights of the Lampeter calendar is the Food Festival in July each year. Started back in 1997, this event brings up to 6,000 people from far and wide into the town. We know several people that plan their visits to the area to see family around the Food Festival: it is an opportunity for the whole of Lampeter to showcase itself to visitors from across Wales and beyond. This year, more than 80 stands featured the best produce and goods that the local area and Wales offer, with products on sale including cheese, butter, baked goods, wines, beers, ciders, chocolates, jams, chutneys, honey, ice cream and more. There were also craft stands, mobile cafés offering delicious hot food to sustain visitors through the day, live music from local band The Hittites, and cookery demonstrations by local and celebrity chefs. TV chef Dudley Newbery filmed the event this year for an episode of his series Dudley ar Daith which was broadcast across Wales in August. How often is Lampeter featured on S4C for a full 30 minutes? But more importantly, the shops in Lampeter have one of their busiest days of the year, as visitors take a look around and are tempted by the many delights and goods that our local shops offer. Lampeter Food Festival has grown and evolved over the last 15 years. This year saw the introduction of an additional venue at the Victoria Hall, hosting the People's Market, Craft Fair, and Beer Festival. In the evening, the Castanet Club presented excellent live music from Lynne Denman and Friends, and a Food Feast. These events, designed to encourage people into town, give a wider choice of ‘things going on’ and extend visitors’ stay into the evening. However, this year saw a reduction in the Welsh Government grant that supports the Food Festival. Most food festivals across Wales saw a reduction in funding and some were unfortunate enough to receive none at all. Next year will probably see a further drop in money available to make the event possible. In addition, a very small team of dedicated volunteers are taking on an ever-increasing workload; they need help, on the day of the event and in the months leading up to the next Food Festival on Saturday 27 July 2013. Without volunteers, the Food Festival will simply not happen. If you cherish and enjoy Lampeter Food Festival, maybe you could find some time to get involved. Many hands make light work, as they say. Lampeter Food Festival Needs You! If you can offer support, contact Rebecca Jones, 01570 421301 or Rebecca@rebecca-jones.co.uk or Chris Thomas, 01570 423200 or 07967 857027.
New CD Newydd Casgliad o ganeuon newydd a traddodiadol, di-gyfeiliant A collection of 14 unaccompanied, new and traditional songs Ar werth yn y 'Mulberry Bush' £10
Workers’ Education Association arrives at Victoria Hall Victoria Hall is now the HQ for the newly formed Lampeter WEA Branch. The branch was formed at the last Transition Llambed Big Gathering and we hope to continue to meet at this regular event. The aim of the branch is to reach out and discover the educational needs of the local community and set up a programme of courses. If you would like to get involved with the branch, please contact lampeterwea@mail.com We would like to run a taster day to whet your appetite for what the WEA can offer! If you are a teacher and would like to be involved with the taster day please get in touch. If you would like to run a course but do not have a teaching qualification, then please get in touch with the branch at lampeterwea@mail.com If there are enough people interested then we could run Preparing to Teach in the Lifelong Learning Sector, which is the minimum requirement for WEA tutors. For more information on becoming a WEA tutor, please contact the main office in Swansea on 01792 467791. Courses currently running in Lampeter: English for speakers of other languages (ESOL) Old Building, Trinity Saint David Monday 9.30am – 11.30am and Tuesday 9.30am – 11.30am; 11.40am -1.40pm Introduction to using a sewing machine Victoria Hall Wednesday 11.00am - 1.00pm - fully booked but come along and sign up for the next course Upcycle your clothes Victoria Hall Wednesday 1.00pm - 3.00pm
Lampeter Food Festival Organisers 17
Ladies… Give us your support!
Poetry Corner
Join our Charity BRA AMNESTY. Give your old bras a new lease of life and help raise money for our breast cancer research.
Your nearest Bra Bank is: Victoria Hall, Bryn Rd, Lampeter SA48 7EE This exciting project keeps textiles out of landfill, helps small businesses in Africa and raises funds for our groundbreaking research. The donation to our research work, by our recycling partner, is based on the weight of the bra bank, so more bras mean more funds. Every £1 you raise is vital in enabling us continue our work to find a vaccine against breast cancer and to look at ways to increase the survival of women who have the disease. For more information visit www.againstbreastcancer.org.uk Against Breast Cancer, Leathem House, 13 Napier Court, Barton Lane, Abingdon Oxfordshire OX14 3YT Tel: 01235 534211 Fax: 01235 535109
If you have a hidden talent then share your poetry with a larger audience - help us to make the ‘Poetry Corner’ a regular feature by sending your work to lampetergrapevine@gmail.com
The Drifter The wind from the north is so cold and Icelandic, The wind from the south is just warm and idyllic, The wind from the east is piercing and freezing, And the west wind fades at my bare feet I lie on my back and watch how the leaves move, The heads of the grasses they wander and wave too, Pale flowers nod their petals and look to the sun’s rays, Yellow pollen just scatters about I sit in the meadow dyed green with fertilizer, View tractor and trailer, machines for the farmer, The hedges are mown short with a seven foot long blade, Sharp cuttings left lying in the lane I stand on the milk churn and look to the folly, Spy ash tree, and rowan, and prickles of holly, The ancient stone walls are still crumbling and tumbling, With no one to fix them right now I climb up the hill top, and look down the valley, See farmyards, outbuildings, and ragged slate quarry, The town is surrounded, mist from the river, And the sea is a saucer of grey I search in the skies and see buzzards a-swirling, Around in the thermals, reflecting and waiting, The jet screams down the valley, sheep scatter wildly, And I am brought out of my dream The wind from the north is so cold and Icelandic, The wind from the south is just warm and idyllic, The wind from the east is piercing and freezing And the west wind fades at my bare feet Daisy Ching February 2002
Trivia Answer: Super Furry Animals
Deposit your unwanted wearable bras in a BRA BANK and they will be whisked away to Africa where there is a short supply of affordable bras. Against Breast Cancer will receive a donation based on the weight of bras we collect – so every bra counts! It’s an uplifting way to support breast cancer research.
Thank you Daisy for suggesting this new section for the newsletter - let’s hope this is the first of many.
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Review of Lynne Denman's concert Mulberry Bush CafĂŠ, Sat 10 November
only one reason why we all love to go to the Mulberry Bush. It's a very special atmosphere at this familyrun business, which has been established in Lampeter for 40 years now. Congratulations! Gro-Mette * CD advert page 17
Where better than the Mulberry Bush for a night out with delicious food, amazing entertainment and a friendly atmosphere where you will always bump into some of your very best friends. Saturday 10 November was no exception. On the menu was Mediterranean food. If you are a carnivore it might not be your choice, but I can assure you that the food is delicious enough to satisfy all palates. Personally I am not strictly anything, but I have always enjoyed my nights out at the Mulberry Bush and this time I chose two vegan courses, simply because they looked tempting. The starter was a platter with tasty, spiced butter beans (warm) and aubergine (warm), accompanied by olives and a fresh salad. The tastes blended beautifully. I did try my husband's vegetarian bruschetta with local Perl Wen soft cheese - equally tasty, but I really loved my choice. For main course I chose pumpkin wedges with a herb and nut crust, really innovative and tasty. It was accompanied by mixed seasonal vegetables, roast potatoes and a super tomato and basil sauce. Again I had a taste of my husband's roast vegetable tart also absolutely yummy. There was a choice of three desserts, but unfortunately we were too full to sample them all and chose one between us: white chocolate and pistachio cheesecake. The pistachio base was gorgeous and the white chocolate topping was one of the lightest I have tasted. Heavenly! Apart from my husband hinting that he could have coped with a bit more garlic on his bruschetta (maybe Stella was being discreetly kind to partners) everyone at our table of six enjoyed their food. But dining out at the Mulberry Bush is food for the soul as well as the palate. Lynne Denman gave us an evening of her favourite songs, which she performed with her usual skill and grace. Her crystalclear, often haunting voice needed no accompaniment. A night to remember. Lynne was planning to launch her CD on the evening, but surprise, surprise, it hadn't arrived on time - not unusual in our part of the world. But the CD will be for sale at the Mulberry Bush soon, for those who missed the evening and those who want to listen again and again.* So the lovely food, prepared with care by Stella, is
Gwel y Tir / A View of the Land Sleeve notes for Lynne Denman’s new CD
This is a collection of new and traditional songs which sets out to map a personal geography. There are traditional songs from the north of England and the Scottish border as well as Wales, and a scattering of new songs too. I chose locations around the house, in the garden and nearby woodland to record them. The Bold Fisherman, a lovely English folk song, was recorded in the garden on a spring morning, accompanied by some insistent birdsong. Robin Huw Bowen gave me Gelynna (Gathering Holly): it was recorded in the woods at Coed Blaentren, Llanybydder. The supernatural ballad Young Tambling was recorded by the wood fire at Glantrenfawr, and so was The Gay Goshawk, with the kettle singing on the kitchen hob. Cysga di and Llongau Caernarfon were sung in the the big old stone inglenook. What memories of past songs and singers must those old stones retain! Four songs were recorded in the ancient little mountain church of Llanfihangel Rhos-y-corn near Llidiad Nennog, the Gates of Heaven. The naturalist and pioneer wildlife sound recordist Ludwig Koch inspired Y Morforwyn with his recording of seals singing in a cave of Skomer island, Pembrokeshire. Lisa Lan and She Moved through the Fair are two songs from opposite sides of the Celtic sea, but they share similar sentiments and musical expression and, unlike the dead lovers, they were destined to be together. The new songs are responses to current events: Small Victory was inspired by a newspaper article I read one day about a soldier and his dog in Afghanistan. Such friendships have led to the creation of a charity called Nowzad Dogs which aims to bring the rescued dogs home with their comrades. Crazy and expensive, but an utterly human response in a mad world. Diolch/Thanks to Hari, Rob and Dylan for the technical support, to Maria Hayes for her drawing and David Lloyd for the cover photo. Lynne Denman 19
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