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.