Just so good that Aberystwyth University staff have won a prestigious global award for the first phase of their fundraising appeal to redevelop the Old College. The Development and Alumni Relations team at the University have succeeded in raising £12.3 million towards the costs of redeveloping the iconic seaside building in the town as a major cultural and creative centre for students, the community and visitors. That fundraising helped to trigger a further £7 million from the Welsh Government and EU funding. Louise Jagger, Director of the Development and Alumni Relations Office at Aberystwyth University says: “Winning this prestigious award is a wonderful boost to our fundraising as we launch the next phase of our appeal towards the total project costs of £27.6 million. This is all to achieve our vision of opening a transformed Old College for the benefit of students, community and visitors as a major highlight of our 150th anniversary celebrations in 2023. The award recognises the collective talent and ambition of our staff, our donors and supporters, including alumni around the world, our community and charitable trust and foundations.” When down in lovely Aberystwyth don’t forget to see this beautiful building, just by St Michael’s Church on the sea front.
Ceredigion has the lowest number of recorded cases of Covid-19 in Wales, with no new people diagnosed positive in the last three days. Let’s all work to maintain this progress as we patiently wait to see one of the most beautiful counties in UK come to life again and able to welcome visitors from across the Globe. Meanwhile #staysafe.
Please do not visit Mid Wales at this time, April 2020, and avoid all unnecessary travel within Wales.
Mid Wales has very limited NHS resources with only 2 main hospitals serving the counties of Powys, Ceredigion & Gwynedd.
We look forward to welcoming you back in future; but for now, let’s all #staysafe and look after each other.
Thank You
With no sign of the pine martin population recovering in southern Britain, it is great to have The Vincent Wildlife Trust translocating pine martens from Scotland to mid-Wales. One has already been seen in Cwmystwyth. Also exciting to many is the Welsh Beaver Project, with beavers hopefully introduced to the Cors Dyfi nature reserve and other suitable release sites nearby.
The BBC reports that Tom Cullen, Welsh actor and writer, has been filming ‘Pink Wall’ in the Elan Valley, close to where he grew up. He was born in Aberystwyth. The film is a love story about two Americans living in Wales. Cullen played Viscount Gillingham in Downton Abbey.
Good to read James Stewart’s article on Machynlleth under ‘Great British Breaks’ in the Sunday Times. He starts by saying this is a good time to visit Mid-Wales:
Why?
‘Because winter is better in mid-Wales. After a ripe autumn as the playground for hikers and beachgoers, the gorgeous hills and coast around Machynlleth are quieter. Come for morning mist in the valleys, interesting shopping, waterbirds arrowing across marshes and pints by the fire’.
He highlights the great places to visit including the local nature reserves along with where to eat and stay. Of course we would say that when staying at Welsh Hideaways, Machynlleth is a fun day out and can be combined with visiting the Centre for Alternative Technology.
Wonderful Elan has been nominated as one of the 25 Amazing Outdoor Adventures in the UK in a list celebrating the National Lottery’s 25th birthday!
A new ‘astro-tourism’ trail has been created in the Cambrian Mountains linking six new locations awarded a ‘dark sky’ status, including The Arch, close to Welsh Hideaways between Devil’s Bridge and Cwmystwyth.
Lovely article in the Sunday Times saying how much is on offer in Wales, including a wild escape, (which Welsh Hideaways offers). He writes saying that in Aberystwyth there are some wonderful places to eat. These include Byrgyr, Ultracomedia deli and Medina.
