December

Wet and windy, high rivers and rough seas, after a warm autumn the weather has caught up with the season. There are few visitors in Aberaeron now, and the streets are strangely quiet. The shops look cheerful with their Christmas decorations and soon the big tree will arrive to light up Cae Sgwar, Alban Square Field.

It's a time to enjoy more socialising, and preparations for next year, also a good chance to redecorate! The Bicentenary celebration plans are taking centre stage and the Committee and townspeople shared the good news of a £50,000 Heritage Lottery Grant awarded to Aberaeron. The presentation was held in the Memorial Hall this week with local tradespeople displaying their excellent wares for some early Christmas shopping. The mulled wine and mince pies were much appreciated also!

To coincide with the Aberaeron Bicentenary next year the organisers are seeking poems, stories and anecdotes to compile an anthology. If anyone has any submissions they can be sent to Mrs. E. Ingham, Riversdale, Lampeter Road, SA46 OED. She quotes a story of her Grandmother 'making the newspapers' after her cows stampeded through the streets of Aberaeron having seen their reflection in the draper's window. Definitely the days of the Wild West!

A good Christmas gift for those interested in local history would be Dr. John Davies' new DVD. 'The Most Important Buildings in Wales' shows landmarks like the Old College Aberystwyth, the Parliament House in Machynlleth, Tintern Abbey, St. David's Cathedral, Caernarvon Castle and Strata Florida. Local people have pointed out the troughs in Aberaeron bay with some remaining walls, which at high tide, the story goes, retain some fish when the water recedes. Apparently the Monks from Strata Florida would walk about 50 miles, there and back, to collect the fresh fish.

Covering long distances on foot was not unusual many years ago, if you had no transport, horse or cart, you walked. People are rediscovering the joys of rambling, and there are still many walks in West Wales where you could spend a whole day out and not see another living soul. For example, from the desolate peak of Pen Pumlumon Fawr the view is breathtaking. On the highest point in the Pumlumon massif on a clear day you can see half a country, from Cardigan Bay in the west, south to the Brecon Beacons and to Snowdonia in the north. Highland cattle can be seen roaming near Nantymoch Reservoir.

What was once a diverse upland ecology is now grazed grassland and forestry plantation, but since 2004 Montgomeryshire Wildlife Trust has been working with local farmers, and the support of the Welsh Assembly, to turn the 74,132 acres into habitats which will encourage the return of rare species and boost the local economy. Stephanie Hilborne, Chief Executive of The Wildlife Trust (TWT), says 'Human activities and wildlife need not conflict. We're talking aboiut creating natural landscapes of which people are still a part'. 'A Living Landscape' can be obtained by calling 08700369711 or at www.wildlifetrust.org

So much to look forward to! Visitors can now visit the new bird hide at Cors Caron, near Tregaron, to enjoy birdwatching. The Reserve's winter residents include many species of wading birds and birds of prey. The highlights include 6 to 8 Hen Harriers, 20 Whooper Swans, large flocks of Teal and Wigeon, 60 Red Kites and more than 100 Snipe.

Some Christmas fun is planned for Nant yr Arian, the Red Kite Feeding Centre at Ponterwyd. On 2nd December there was a Christmas Tree Event, dressing forest trees with environmentally sound ornaments, ready for the 9th December Festive Forest Trail on a mission to find Santa's Grotto. Mince pies and mulled fruit punch for all in the Visitor Centre!

Wishing everyone a joyful winter, Merry Christmas and the happiest of New Years. Dymuniadau gorau ar gyfer y Nadolig a'r Flwyddyn Newydd.

Season of Mists

November brings the first chill of winter after a sunny and mellow October. 'Aeron' means berries, or fruitfulness, and the bushes here are laden with rosy berries. If the old saying is true, our holly trees more red than green, are a sign of a hard winter. The sunny autumnal scene of Aberaeron shows Carno, the big white house in the centre of the picture.

Meantime visitors can make the most of the local delights. Farmers Markets continue through the year and the Mid Wales Beer Festival at Llanwrtyd Wells is held 17th-26th November. The free houses in the smallest town in Britain offers 60 different real ales and specialist bottled beers. Related events include the Real Ale Ramble (25th & 26th November), with a choice of 10, 15 or 25 mile walks, free beer at each checkpoint! The Real Ale Wobble, the mountain bike version, is held 18th & 19th November.

There are so many beautiful walks in Wales. Near Aberaeron in Cors Caron, Tregaron Bog, the board walks have been recently installed by the Countryside Council of Wales. The raised bog is one of the first National Nature Reserves to protects its rich flora and fauna, and has received international status in recognition of its importance as a wetland site.

The Cambrian Mountains have magnificent walking terrain. In fact around 1965 the area was about to be given National Park status until the then Secretary of State rejected the plan in 1973, leaving one of the finest landscapes in Wales completely unprotected. However, last year the Cambrian Mountain Society was formed with Iolo Williams, Naturalist and Broadcaster, as its President.

There is still a chance to see the Dylan Thomas Festival, Swansea, which runs until the 9th November. The life and works of the Welsh Poet are celebrated in this annual event at the Dylan Thomas Centre. Talks, exhibitions and celebrity guest appearances will feature. www.dylanthomas.com

A recent book has been launched at the Drwm in the National Library, Aberystwyth. 'Walking to Greenham' by Ann Pettitt tells the tale of how one woman in Wales helped encourage the birth of Glasnost (and was name checked by Gorbachev himself). In August 1981 Ann Pettitt, a mother of three and a rural smallholder, walked with three like-minded women the 120 miles from Cardiff to Greenham. This was the beginning of the famouse Greenham Common Peace Camp, protesting against NATO's decision to site cruise missiles at Greenham. The Movement endured for 20 years and tells the story of one of history's iconic expressions of grass roots political will. Copies are available in bookshops and can be bought online at www.honno.co.uk

The big crane (craen mawr) arrived on cue some weeks ago to lift the sailing boats out of the harbour. It does not seem that long ago it was lifting them in! Seeing the boats lined up in front of the harbourside Yacht Club brings to mind winter walks when the chill wind plays a tune through the rigging. A special pleasure on a crisp and sunny morning!