Fatal Collision in Bryn Road, Aberystwyth

At 16:35hrs yesterday (Thursday 19 November) a road traffic collision occurred in Bryn Road, Aberystwyth.

The circumstances are that the single vehicle involved left the steeply banked road and travelled some distance before colliding with the roof of a house( which is below the height of the road) and then became wedged against the building.

Fire Brigade and Ambulance staff attended and administered first aid to the elderly local gentleman who tragically, later died at hospital.

The house was unoccupied at the time and no other persons were injured in the incident.

Police are appealing for witnesses to the incident, and anyone with any information should contact Aberystwyth police station on 101.

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The authentic sound of traditional Chinese music comes to Lampeter

In a free concert at the University of Wales Lampeter on 27 November 2009, the Nanjing University Orchestra will provide a rare opportunity to hear indigenous melodies from the Chinese province of Southern Jiangsu, as well as traditional pieces reflecting the unique character of other regions.

Specialising in recreating the authentic sound of traditional Chinese music on instruments such bamboo flute and zheng, better known in the west as the zither, the orchestra has received world-wide praise for their refreshing and original rendering of traditional Chinese folk songs and dance music.

Founded in 1996, Nanjing University Traditional Instrument Orchestra is composed of a group of dedicated undergraduate, graduate and doctoral students from various departments of the university, such as Literature, History, Philosophy, Law, Economics, Business Management, Natural Sciences, Engineering Science and Medical Science. The amateur orchestra has toured the United States, Japan, Korea and Malaysia, giving over 300 performances since its inception, winning numerous competitions and gaining and enthusiastic following.

The orchestra promises a lively evening of entertainment with a repertoire that includes:

Celebration Jasmine Flower – Ensemble

The Early Spring Morning on the Snow Mountain – Zheng solo.

The Spring of Xiangjiang River – bamboo flute solo

Melody of South Jiangsu and Horse Racing - Erhu Ensemble

The concert will take place at 8pm on Friday, 27 November 2009 in the Arts Hall, UWL. It is sponsored by The Confucius Institute at the University of Wales Lampeter, whose remit is to foster enjoyment of Chinese language and culture among people of all ages across Wales.

For more information, please email confuciusinstitute@lamp.ac.uk

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ENGAGE scheme launches

Young people who are at risk of missing out on education and job opportunities are being supported by European funding.

12,000 young people from across South West Wales are to benefit from a £32.5million scheme to improve their chances of success.

The scheme, called 'ENGAGE', aims to target 14-19 year olds who are at risk of dropping out of formal education or training or are failing to achieve their full potential.

The scheme is led by Neath Port Talbot Council in partnership with Swansea, Pembrokeshire, Ceredigion and Carmarthenshire councils as well as six further education colleges across the region who will all provide match funding.

They are Neath Port Talbot, Swansea, Gorseinon, Coleg Sir Gar, Pembrokeshire and Coleg Ceredigion.

Aimed at reducing the number of young people not in education, employment or training, ENGAGE will provide complementary curriculums and innovative training approaches to motivate and boost the confidence of students who are experiencing problems learning.

Tailored to the needs of each individual, a range of techniques will be used such as vocational training, one to one intensive support and activities to raise self esteem to encourage them to remain in education and improve their skills.

Deputy Minister for Skills, John Griffiths, said, ""ENGAGE will help raise aspirations and increase participation rates in education, training and employment across South West Wales.

"It is an excellent example of partnership working with local authorities, schools and further education colleges delivering the very support young people need to remain or reengage with education.

"Equipping young people with new skills and confidence will lead to improved career opportunities and a quality workforce, bringing increased economic and social benefits to the region."

The scheme will also assist those who are not attending school or college by supporting them back into the education and it will also work with pupil referral units, care leavers and young offenders, providing additional learning support for those who are not in mainstream education.

Neath Port Talbot Council Leader, Ali Thomas, said, "I am excited by the opportunities that will be offered to our young people through the ENGAGE project. The project will provide them with the support they need to succeed. It is so important that we use this funding effectively to motivate learners and to improve their ability to secure rewarding and satisfying careers."

Photograph: Natasha Burgess joins John Griffiths to launch ENGAGE

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Disposable People

Today, over 200 years after the abolition of the trans-Atlantic slave trade, an estimated 27 million people worldwide are still locked into slavery and servitude across the globe. Aberystwyth Arts Centre hosts the Disposable People exhibition bringing together eight projects by leading Magnum photojournalists which expose the unpleasant underbelly of a consumer driven world.

Included are: Abbas, documenting child labour in Bangladesh; Ian Berry, examining the effects of international trade rules on farmers in Ghana; Stuart Franklin exploring chattel slavery in Sudan; JimGoldberg, documenting the trafficking of young people from Eastern Europe; Susan Meiselas, investigating the conditions of Indonesian women working in Singapore as domestic servants; Paolo Pellegrin documenting Haitian ‘Restaveks’ (child slaves); Chris Steele- Perkins, documenting South Korean women who were held as sex slaves by the Japanese inWorldWar II and are still seeking restitution; AlexWebb, photographing Haitian cane workers held in organised bonded labour in the Dominican Republic.

The exhibition runs until January and there's a free discussion event next Monday, November 23, with Mark Sealy, Exhibition Curator Autograph ABP and Jeff Williams, Head of Christian Aid in Wales, chaired by Jenny Edkins Professor of International Politics, Aberystwyth University.

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Serious sexual assault – Aberystwyth

Dyfed Powys Police are continuing to investigate an allegation of a serious sexual assault upon a 19 year old female student in Aberystwyth. Enquiries now indicate that the incident happened sometime between 2.30 and 4am on Saturday 17th October 2009 on the pathway leading to Pentre Jane Morgan student accommodation from Penglais Hill.

The suspects are described as two men, both with English accents. At the time of the offence, they were both wearing hoodies with one wearing jeans and the other wearing jogging bottoms.

Senior Investigating Officer T/DCI Richard Evans said, “We are working closely and in partnership with Aberystwyth University and the Students Guild. This is a very rare and unusual event within Aberystwyth. We are extremely pleased with the support and assistance we have been shown by students, staff and members of the public within Aberystwyth.”

Police will continue to speak to students on campus and are investigating a possible connection between the offenders and the victim and her friends.

Anyone with information should contact CID at Aberystwyth Police Station or CrimeStoppers on 0800 555111

Women are being advised to take basic safety measures when on a night out. These include not walking home alone, using well lit areas and using local licensed taxis. Anyone requiring more personal safety advice can contact the local neighbourhood policing team via the non-emergency number 101 or go to www.dyfed-powys.police.co.uk.

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National Adoption Week kicks off in West Wales

As National Adoption Week 2009 kicks off (9th – 15th November), the West Wales Adoption Agency, responsible for providing adoption services to Carmarthenshire, Pembrokeshire and Ceredigion, says the need for permanent families for children in their area is as great as ever.

The West Wales Adoption Service is particularly looking for families for older sibling groups of 2 or more. These children will have experienced severe trauma and neglect, may have a disability and will require resilient and committed families able to provide permanent and secure care. They welcome applications for all sectors of the community.

Norry Hutchison, Manager of the West Wales Adoption Service says: “There are no blanket bans in adoption, so please don’t think we’ll turn you down because you’re over 40, single, or don’t own your own home. What we really need are people who can offer a child or sibling group a loving and supportive family for life. Individuals or families would ideally have some experience of living or working with children. People would need to be able to help a child recover from the many reasons why they came in to care and help them go on to thrive in a new family”.

“Initially, we are simply asking people to come forward and find out more about adoption. If you think you might have what it takes, please pick up the phone today. Interested people will be invited to attend an information session to find out more before having to make any commitment to proceeding any further”.

National Adoption Week is organised by the British Association for Adoption & Fostering (BAAF) and aims to raise awareness of adoption and encourage potential parents to come forward. There are an estimated 4,000 children across the UK needing adoption every year, many of whom will have suffered trauma in their short lives.

Jenny McMillan, BAAF Cymru Director, said: “In Wales there is a great need for adopters for sibling groups, who often wait longer than others for a new family. We hope that people across Wales will be motivated by National Adoption Week to consider adoption and contact their local adoption agency to find out more.”

Anyone interested in finding out more about adoption can call the following numbers:

Carmarthenshire - 01554 742382
Ceredigion - 01545 574000
Pembrokeshire - 01437 774650

For more general information about National Adoption Week visit www.nationaladoptionweek.org.uk

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Ammanford gets New Romantic

Ammanford will be partying to the sounds of electropop and the New Romantics with an alternative 80s themed event this weekend.

Organised by the town’s Pantyteen Crew, the event will be held after dark at the Parcyrhun Playing Fields on Saturday, October 31.

Party After Dark will see plenty of fun and games for young and old, including a challenging bungee run, inflatables and a DJ playing some of the 80s biggest hits.

Emma Martin-Jewell, Pantyffynnon Communities First development officer, said: “This event has proved to be a success since it was started just a few years ago.

“It helps to reduce anti-social behaviour and also helps make residents feel safer in the community during an annual festival that sometimes makes people feel a little uneasy.”
The event starts at 5pm, and entry is free.

For further information, contact Pantyffynnon Communities First on 01269 590255.

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Bishop welcomes WAG to West Wales

The Bishop of St. Davids has welcomed the opening of the new Welsh Assembly Government offices in Aberystwyth.

“It’s vital that the Assembly relates directly to people all over Wales and that they can identify with it,” Bishop Wyn Evans said. “The new complex – in the heart of rural Wales - will make that much easier for people in West and Mid Wales.”

The Bishop said he was particularly pleased that the main focus of the new regional HQ would be rural and countryside affairs.

“The issues facing Welsh farming and society in rural areas are especially acute in West Wales,” he said. “Let us hope that their presence here leads to an even greater understanding on both sides.”

The move was also welcomed Rural Life Adviser, Rev. Eileen Davies, who said:

“This is great news for Ceredigion, the heart of rural Wales. Decentralising from the Welsh Assembly Government in Cardiff ensures that those involved in the field are at first hand, closer to the farmer. Personnel are not only names but faces, communication is personified and better relationships can be formed between all involved in our rural areas.”

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Masterclass in Film Making with Lu Chuan

As part of the China Classic Film Festival, Lu Chuan, one of China’s highest-profile directors is visiting University of Wales, Lampeter to give a master class on film-making prior to the screening of his award winning film, City of Life and Death in Aberystwyth Arts Centre, at 8.15pm.

Coming to Wales straight from its UK premiere at the 2009 London Film Festival, City of Life and Death is an important new film from one of China’s highest-profile directors. It caused controversy on its release in China for what some felt was an overly sympathetic por­trayal of Japanese troops during the infamous Nanjing massacre. A powerful, unglorified war film - not for the faint-hearted.

Winner, San Sebastien Film Festival 2009 - Best Film, Best Cinematography.
“A page of madness in history re-envisioned with level-headedness and technical virtuosity”
- HOLLYWOOD REPORTER

“Disturbing, moving and ultimately hauntingly profound”
- TIME OUT

China Classic Film Festival
Master Class with Chinese Film Director, Lu Chuan
Simon Horrocks, (Humanities and Social Sciences, UWL)
Neil Macfarlane (Project Manager, China Classic Film Festival)

Friday 30th October 2009
2pm – 4pm, Cliff Tucker Theatre, UWL

For more information, please contact Neil MacFarlane at pg185@lamp.ac.uk

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First Minister opens new Aberystwyth office

The Welsh Assembly Government’s new Aberystwyth office has been officially opened by First Minister Rhodri Morgan.

The new office will house up to 535 staff and provide a government base to serve people in mid and west Wales. A similar development is under construction in Llandudno Junction to serve north Wales, due to open in 2010.

The Aberystwyth office will house various Government departments including Rural Affairs and Heritage, Department of Economy and Transport and Sustainable Futures as well as some regional corporate teams such as communication and translation.

The First Minister said:

"The opening of this new office in Aberystwyth heralds the latest step in our commitment to bringing our services even closer to the people of Wales.

"We have established one important base already in the heart of the Valleys in Merthyr Tydfil. This one in Aberystwyth is in the heart of rural mid Wales and Llandudno Junction on the central junction of North Wales will be third. We are sending a clear message that we wish to engage more proactively with people on a local level and ensure they are better informed about our work. It also provides people with a better opportunity to tell us their views."

As well as providing a staffing base there will also be within the office a public access area, Y Bont, an area where anyone can come in and visit, find out more information about the Welsh Assembly Government, surf the web and enjoy a cup of coffee.

Mr Morgan hopes that many will take advantage of this opportunity:

"This is about much more than just an office space. Y Bont is an innovative public area, the first of its kind within a Government office. I really hope that people will see it as a place to call in, talk to staff and give us their thoughts.

"The office itself is also being designed with the environment in mind with power and heat being generated using wind turbines, solar panels and a biomass heater that we are sharing with our neighbours, Ceredigion Council. It is a building designed for the future."

On Saturday, 17 October a public open day will be held at the office between 10am and 4pm and anyone is welcome to come along and see the new office. There will also be various activities including cookery workshops, face painting and competitions.

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RNLI New Quay kept busy by floating ropes

The RNLI has been busy dealing with floating ropes in harbours around New Quay.

In the past two weeks, they have rescued a 10 metre catamaran and two fishing boats.

In one incident, a local fishing boat, pictured, with one person aboard was stranded in late afternoon with a fouled propeller three miles off New Quay Head. The all weather lifeboat towed it back to the harbour in a heavy swell.

A ten metre catamaran on passage to North Wales got into difficulty in the early morning outside Aberaeron harbour and was in danger of drifting on to rocks. Both lifeboats were called and crewman Ceri Knapgate dived into the water to cut the propeller free and allow the catamaran to continue on its journey north.

Floating ropes are a frustration to harbour users, but the RNLI accept them as a fact of life in such an intensely used area of sea.

Roger Couch , Lifeboat Operations Manager, said: "These things are bound to happen. Although it is unusual for several to come together, we in the RNLI regard it as one of our duties to carry out fouling rope rescues and our volunteer crews willingly turn up on these occasions."

PHOTOGRAPH: RNLI

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The Welsh Y Cromosone

A man who must certainly stand a chance in the Greatest Living Welshperson stakes is geneticist Professor Steve Jones.

The author of The Selfish Gene and prominent atheist was featured on Radio 4 this morning. The House I Grew Up In took Jones back to his childhood haunts in West Wales, where he described how his interest in science was stimulated by local iron age remains, how his great great uncle was once identified as the perfect specimen of a Celt, and his own, early, positive experiences of religion through the chapel (Scottish Presbyterianism was a different thing entirely).

He also described his pride at the Welsh Y Chromosome and you can listen to the show on the BBC i-player here - very good it is too.

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Buy your own Buddha - and he's gold!

The trappings of the material world (apart from my guitar, my computer, my telly, my phone, my books, records, dvds and a few other essentials) are of little concern to Welsh Icons' assistant editor - but there must be someone out there who needs a polystyrene gold Buddha and who wants to support a worthy cause.

He's a star of stage - having sat quietly, without a single star tantrum, through the Summer season of the King and I at Aberwstwyth Arts Centre - and if you stump up for the fat fellah (Buddhas don't mind being called fat, they're serene you see) you'll be helping to fund a programme which brings young theatre technicians from Freedom Theatre in Palestine to do work experience in sunny Aber.

There must be a club owner, music promoter, theatre group, or good old fashioned I-want-a-massive-Buddha-in-my-front-room eccentric out there.

Give Buddha a home - he's up for auction here and currently going for a song.

The Buddha for sale is not the Buddha for sale. Image Eric Pouhier Wikimedia commons.

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Last Tango in Aberystwyth

Tango, the dance, legendarily, born in the brothels of Buenos Aires, is the hottest, most sensual way to get around a stage and you can see some of the best dancers in the business burning up the boards at Aberystwyth Arts Centre on Saturday, October 3.

Tango Fire is a sell-out hit and worldwide phenomenon featuring 10 sensational dancers accompanied by Quatrotango, a quartet of brilliant musicians and a singer.

Period duets evoke the glitter and danger of the barrios where the dance was born, and the heady nostalgia of the early dance halls where it was popularised, while the group's modern choreography is edged with the sharpness and style of contemporary Argentina.

As one of the most popular dance forms world-wide, this show combines the rawness and sophistication, sexy yet sensual side of tango, in a true dance spectacular.

Just as Strictly Come Dancing puts ballroom on everyone's minds, book now.

"Each duet a mini drama, sexual electricity at the twitch of a hip"
Metro

"The men are strong and smouldering, the women all curves and long legs - fizzing energy - a highly entertaining night out."
The Times

"Sexy and breathlessly daring"
The Sydney Morning Herald

Aberystwyth Arts Centre

01970 62 32 32 | www.aber.ac.uk/artscentre
£20 (restricted view £18

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Graduate Academy at Lampeter

The University of Wales Lampeter recently developed and hosted the first GO Wales Graduate Academy, designed to support graduates living in Wales in meeting the challenge of obtaining graduate employment.

The 6-week programme, accredited by the Institute of Leadership & Management (ILM), involved a 2-week training course held on the University campus in July and a 4-week period of work place experience undertaken in the individual participant’s home town.

Eighteen graduates from across Wales, including Lampeter, successfully completed the 6-week programme and are now awaiting their assessment results and confirmation of their achievement of the ILM Level 5 Award in Management. Further programmes will be planned across Wales in 2010 and 2011, including again in Lampeter.

The Graduate Academy is part of the GO Wales programme, an all-Wales set of initiatives and support services part-funded by the European Social Fund (ESF) through the European Union’s Convergence programme administered by the Welsh Assembly Government.

Further information is available from Gwen Adams, Graduate Academy Coordinator, Employability Unit, ext 361, e-mail: g.adams@lamp.ac.uk.

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Assault – Penrhyncoch, Aberystwyth

Dyfed Powys Police are investigating an incident which occurred in the early hours of Wednesday the 2nd September 2009 in the Penrhyncoch area – Aberystwyth.

2 women were seriously assaulted by a male known to them.

The male person later broke into a property in the Penrhyncoch area and attempted to steal a vehicle. He left the property on foot.

A prompt police response resulted in the location and arrest of the offender.

He is currently being detained at Aberystwyth police station pending further investigation.

The 2 female victims are being treated at Bronglais General Hospital – Aberystwyth.

The Police would like to reassure the Public that this is an isolated incident in this area.

Anyone who may have witnessed the incident or have any information which could assist the investigation is asked to contact Aberystwyth C.I.D on 101 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.

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4-year Old Boy Rescued from Aberystwyth Beach

A 4-year old boy was pulled from the sea by an RNLI lifeguard after being knocked down by a wave on Aberystwyth beach earlier today (Friday 21 August).

The boy was playing in the shallow water when he was dragged out of his depth by a strong undertow current.

Gareth Lathwood, RNLI lifeguard, comments:

‘I noticed the boy when he was first hit by a wave. He disappeared under water and was struggling. I entered the sea and carried him back to the beach.’

Ceredigion County Council currently funds the lifeguards, while the extensive training and equipment needed is provided by the RNLI. It costs the charity an average of £1,000 each year to train and equip each lifeguard.

Beaches in Ceredigion currently being patrolled by the charity’s lifeguards include Aberporth, Tresaith, Llangrannog, New Quay, Aberystwyth North and South, Clarach and Borth. Patrols will finish Sunday 6th September.

To find your nearest lifeguarded beach visit www.goodbeachguide.co.uk The RNLI’s guide to beach safety, On The Beach, is packed full of top tips on how to stay safe at the beach. It is available free-of-charge be emailing beachsafety@rnli.org.uk or calling 0800 328 0600.

For more beach safety information, visit www.rnli.org.uk/beachsafety.

Photograph: RNLI lifeguard, Gareth Lathwood

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Fatal Road Traffic Collision A487 Near Llanrhystud

At approximately 17.15hrs on Tuesday the 18th of August a 2 vehicle RTC occurred on the A487 road approximately 1 mile north of Llanrhystud involving a motorcycle travelling north and a vehicle travelling south.

As a result of the collision the 64 yr old male rider of the motorcycle who was not local, sustained fatal injuries.

The main A487 road was closed for approximately 5 hours whilst collision investigation procedures were undertaken.

Police are eager to trace the rider of what has been described as a Yellow coloured motorcycle who was present during the collision but not involved and would like any witnesses to the collision to contact them on 0845 330 2000 or, if within Dyfed Powys area, on the 101 non-emergency number.

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Weaver fish warning after spate of stings

RNLI lifeguards patrolling Ceredigion beaches are advising people to be aware of weaver fish, after almost twenty people were stung last week.

Weaver fish are commonly found on sandy beaches and most stings are received at low tide.

Elin Jones, RNLI Area Lifeguard Supervisor in Ceredigion, says:

"The lifeguards deal with weaver fish stings on a daily basis, particularly at low tide. If anyone receives a sting, we advise that they visit a lifeguard beach unit and seek medical attention. We recommend anyone paddling at low tide to have some kind of footwear on just in case."

The recommended treatment for weaver fish stings is to soak the affected area in water as hot as is comfortable for at least 20-30 minutes or until the pain eases. Test the water first so as not to scald the person who has been stung,

Ceredigion County Council currently funds the lifeguards, while the extensive training and equipment needed is provided by the RNLI. It costs the charity an average of £1,000 each year to train and equip each lifeguard.

Beaches in Ceredigion currently being patrolled by the charity’s lifeguards include Aberporth, Tresaith, Llangrannog, New Quay, Aberystwyth North and South, Clarach and Borth.

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