Aber-porth Heart Of the Community Newsletter Jan-Mar 2025
Welcome to our shiny new newsletter, a quarterly look back and forward with articles and information to help you get the most from our lovely village.
Aber-porth village hall and the Dyffryn Centre are managed by Trustees. If you are interested in getting more involved in your local community, get in touch. New trustees are welcome
Meet The Trustees – a new regular feature
Sue Lewis – is responsible for our grant bids over the past 5 years, also community Councillor and school governor, and chair of the special needs charity Friends of Canolfan y Don. Sue is the Safeguarding Officer. Sue is thrilled with the new hall and the amazing volunteer team.
Beryl Green – Beryl is a retired district nursing sister and midwife, she moved to Aber-porth in 2004. Beryl volunteers in the community garden and runs the Paned y Sgwrs Welsh learners’ group. She is involved with St Cynwyl’s church and a member of Merched y Wawr.
Hanes Aber-porth History Society. Popular monthly meetings on the 2nd Wednesday of each month (7pm). Recent subjects are varied with a local focus. Most recently a talk about monkey puzzle trees and coming up history of parish properties, diaries of residents and Aber-porth pubs. Contact Max Thom 07766122669
Winter in Aber-porth in 1962 by Joanna Jeffery
My most vivid memory is the day snow began in 1962, I was 7, it was before Christmas and we went to school in Aber-porth as usual but that day Mum AND Dad came to fetch us early. At the farm gate 2.5 miles away Mum took over the driving while Dad had to dig to let us down the lane because drifts had formed so quickly. I remember kneeling up in the van over Mum’s shoulders through grey driving snow. The drifts closed up behind us and suddenly it stopped being exciting and started feeling serious.
I have other memories of that winter. Snow filled the lane hedge to hedge; it was intensely cold, Dad and Mum hand-milked by lamplight. Mum walked across the fields to get bread from Tre-saith and we were off school for over 6 weeks!!
A New Volunteer’s Perspective by Lesley Earp
I was sitting in the Aber-porth Village Hall attending a Volunteers meeting and I realised how lucky I was to move to Aber-porth.I knew before I moved here a year ago that the village and its situation was wonderful but I did not realise how friendly and kind the people of the village are.
Having joined the Wednesday walking group I then met some of the volunteers at the halls. Pam and Christine both encouraged me to explore the opportunities of volunteering. Eventually I joined the volunteers and am happy using my love of gardening together with Beryl, Christine and Brian who have made me so welcome. And I gained so much satisfaction and enjoyment in seeing the plants and vegetables growing. Thus I have met so many of the villagers who have all been so friendly and welcoming to a newcomer.
Being a volunteer is flexible and no one is committed to a certain morning/afternoon every week or to the same activity each week but can choose what you wish to do each week. There are opportunities for all whatever your interest is, it can be useful. Everyone has a life which sometimes takes over – but there is no pressure. You can do as much or as little as you like.
Autumn Events
Makers’ Market –35+ stalls, this was well attended and raised over £1,300 for the community. Some of this money funded equipment for the new kitchen, an air fryer, food mixer, blender and cake tins (as used by Adam here on the right). The children’s gifts from Santa were also part-funded by this event.
Did you see us on S4C?
Christmas lunch – 70 local pensioners enjoyed a Christmas lunch and entertainment in the new village hall.
Christmas Fair – another well attended event with church and WI groups, and another successful raffle. Santa came too. Over £900 raised.
Storm Darragh – What a huge storm that was. The community pulled together in a huge way while some of us had no electricity, internet, water or heat. The village hall became a warm hub. We appreciated the kindness and support of our neighbours, volunteers and the use of our new village hall. Thank you to everyone who helped us through that time 😊
Upcoming Events 2025
Monthly Sunday Food Market from February – 16th February
Village Quiz – Friday 14th March start 7.00pm
Makers’ Market on Sunday 4th May
Regular Weekly Events
Check the posters in the village hall and Dyffryn Centre for the plans for the week
Gardening Group
The green-fingered gardening team will grow flowers, salad, vegetables, and herbs in the raised beds behind the Canolfan Dyffryn. All welcome. Look out for the stall at the Makers’ Market in May.
Dillad Dwywaith is brought out on Tuesdays from 10.00am - 12.00. The team has worked hard to arrange the clothes so that it is easier for you to see what is there. Come along for a chat in English or Welsh at the coffee morning and look through the books at the same time.
Digi Club (Monday and Wednesday mornings from 11.00am) is running successfully and “demonstrates a need for other communities to follow suit.” Tech for everyone!
Fare Share – Saving Food from Landfill
We are trialling a different food supply for 3 months from FareShare and Skanda Vale.
Fare Share https://fareshare.cymru/
Skanda Vale https://www.skandavale.org/
Fare Share – starting Monday 13th January. We will be open in the Meet & Greet room of the Village Hall from 5pm – 7pm on Monday evenings. Come and pick up some food for yourselves and your family and neighbours. Any donation that you can afford would help us keep the project running.
Edited by Penny Catt and Barbara Harper. To submit a <100 word article contact barbaraharper1234@gmail.com
Translated by Eirian Rees.
Charity number: 1199729