A new funding opportunity has launched for individuals, businesses and communities in delivering sustainable yet innovative solutions to address some of the economic, social and environmental challenges facing rural areas in Ceredigion.

The Cynnal y Cardi Fund opened on Thursday, 28 September 2023.

The UK Shared Prosperity Fund is delivered by Cynnal y Cardi, a grant scheme administered by Ceredigion County Council to deliver activity in Ceredigion across two of the Investment Priorities: Communities & Place and Supporting Local Business.

Within each of these Investment Priorities, key local priorities (referred to as interventions) have been identified. These are outlined in the Mid Wales UKSPF Regional Investment Plan together with the challenges and opportunities facing the region and the associated outputs and outcomes that UK Government are looking for projects to achieve.

The Cynnal y Cardi Community Development and Support Fund is designed to provide opportunities for organisations to deliver services or working with rural communities to pilot new ways of working to trial ideas that tackle issues aligned with key priorities; strengthen and support local communities, building pride in place whilst supporting the local economy and creating safe green spaces, a resilient, healthy and vibrant economic neighbourhood.

These measures can be focused on in many ways; improvements to existing sites and areas, climate change, visitors experience, creative industries sector, feasibility studies, succession planning, community measures to combat the cost of living and investment for improving digital infrastructure within local communities.

1. Small scale fast track grant scheme £1,000-£10,000
2. Larger grant £10,001-£50,000 (Larger bids will not be excluded but a robust rationale will be required)
   
   

The Cynnal y Cardi Supporting Local Business Fund is designed to boost our local economy by supporting new and existing businesses. Providing support with greener spaces, lessening our carbon footprint by decreasing decarbonisation, energy efficiency and digital support. The fund will focus on entrepreneurship activity, business support for start up’s and growth development to drive innovation and gain skills as to create the conditions to create jobs of higher value in the economy.

Support for digital exploitation within the sector, feasibility work, funding for strategic commissioning and the creation of hubs within our communities as to enable business owners to share good practise and work collaboratively.

1. Small business grants £1,000-£10,000
2. Business development grants £10,001-£50,000 (Larger bids will not be excluded but a robust rationale will be required)
   
   

Councillor Clive Davies, the Council’s Cabinet Member responsible for the Economy and Regeneration, said: “I would encourage any local group or business who wants to make a difference to their community to apply for the Cynnal y Cardi Fund. These funding opportunities support our Corporate Priorities to boost the economy, support businesses and enable employment along with strengthening the resilience of our communities to become more sustainable, green and well connected.”

The closing date for applications is 11:59pm on Tuesday, 31 October 2023.

To find out how to apply, visit our website: www.ceredigion.gov.uk/business/funding-grants/cynnal-y-cardi-uk-shared-prosperity-fund-2022-2025/  

For information on the important aspects organisations should consider before applying, visit the Growing Mid Wales website: www.growingmid.wales/MidWalesUKSPF
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For further information, e-mail [email protected]
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Tickets, costing £9.50 for adults and £3 for under 16s, are on sale now at https://www.ticketsource.co.uk/sinfoniacymru/music-for-string-quartet/2023-10-07/11:30/t-krzedme
 
Gregynoh Hall is a member of MWT Cymru, an independent orgisation that represents around 600 tourism and hospitality businesses across Powys, Ceredigion and Southern Snowdonia.
 

In Richard's words:

"I worked with Peter for 16 years at Llywernog Mine between 1996 and 2012. Lots of stories, lots of laughs, lots of happy visitors and so much work (mostly before I was there) to restore an old mine and tell the story of the area. Every day I am there now, I think of things we worked on together, the things we talked about and the plans we had. We talked a lot about what we'd like to do there. I remember him as always being softly spoken, with a methodical approach to the day's tasks, always a fresh hand written list of jobs on the reception desk. He was a very accomplished carpenter, as was his father, I learnt a fair bit from him over the years. Cambrian Safaris derives from an idea which was first his. 
 
Peter was born and grew up in Leicester where his father, Dr Stephen Henry Harvey, was a lecturer in organic chemistry at Leicester University. Next door neighbours were a certain family of Attenboroughs. Peter's mother, Lorna Lloyd, was born and grew up in Aberaeron. Her father, George Herbert Lloyd, was headmaster at the local school. Peter’s parents bought their house in Market St Aberaeron to retire to. 

Peter and his father loved sailing and spent every possible moment down here and were both trustees, commodore and founding members of the Aberaeron Yacht Club. 
 
Peter studied law in London for 1 year, I seem to remember him talking about driving back and forth to Aberaeron in an old London Taxi. I believe he dropped out after a year to start work at Llywernog mine with his Father and others. 
 
The ruinous site of Llywernog Mine was acquired in 1973, until then the open mine workings were used as a rubbish dump. It opened to the public a year later in the spring of '74. The project started as a museum to display artefacts found when a group explored old mines in North Ceredigion. 
 
The site was gradually transformed and in the early 90's a huge effort went into the clearing out and capping of the top level of the mine workings. Much of that work was done by 4 people: Peter, Peter Jones, Simon Hughes and Colin Broadbent, who is the only survivor. 
 
Several people have reminded me of how he would look over his reading glasses at you as you came into the shop at the mine, saying "Ah! Richard" or whoever - always pleased to see you. 
 
He was always trying to work to promote Mid Wales for tourism and to have more recognition of the importance of the mining history in north Ceredigion. 
 
He also once jointly owned the Cliff Railway in Aberystwyth, had plans for a chairlift down the waterfalls at Devils Bridge (but didn't win the closed bid when the hotel sold the falls). The Count House in Pontrhydygroes was once his family home, with a very long mine tunnel in the garden, which he told me is aligned to sunset on midsummer's day. 
With his father he ran the "Liverpool to Birkenhead" Gondola across the harbour in Aberaeron - which carried a small number of passengers hanging from a cable.
 
Few people realise that Peter and his father were amongst the first to get an attraction operational in Mid Wales. The ‘Silver Lead Mine’ as it was then called was a real pioneer in the early days of Welsh tourism.

Ashford Price, Dan yr Ogof National Showcaves of Wales, said "Peter also had a tremendous knowledge about Mines and minerals, and during his time at the ‘Silver Mine’ was a driving force for attractions in Mid Wales". 
 
Val  [Hawkins, MWT Cymru/Mid Wales Tourism} will remember his contributions at MWT meetings, I believe he was a force to be reckoned with, bringing a dose of reality no doubt! I remember similar at Pentir Pumlumon meetings.
 
I'm sorry that I never managed to get to go sailing with him - even though he more than once told the story of becoming shipwrecked on the beach at Aberaeron having missed the harbour entrance in a storm! "

Ceredigion County Council have today issued the following update regarding electric vehicle (EV) charging.

You can now choose from 112 charging points across Ceredigion to charge your electric vehicle (EV).
 
76 of these are provided by Ceredigion County Council in 18 different locations, including Council car parks.
 
Following the successful delivery of two phases of EV infrastructure installations in Ceredigion County Council car parks, the county now has the highest number of EV charging points per 100,000 population for the public to use across the whole of Wales.
 
According to Welsh Government figures published in July 2023, Ceredigion has 158.5 chargers per 100,000 population when compared against the Welsh average of 60.7. Read the report by Welsh Government here: https://www.gov.uk/government/statistics/electric-vehicle-charging-device-statistics-july-2023.
 
These chargers are publicly available for residents and visitors to Ceredigion to use, and are located at the following sites:
 
Aberaeron Leisure Centre, Aberaeron, 2 EV spaces
Penmorfa Offices Car Park, Aberaeron, 4 EV spaces
Regent Street (‘Crossville’) Car Park, Aberaeron, 4 EV spaces
Glan y Môr, North Beach, Aberaeron, 4 EV spaces
Park Avenue Car Park, Aberystwyth, 6 EV spaces
Plascrug Leisure Centre, Aberystwyth, 4 EV spaces
Canolfan Rheidol Offices Car Park, Aberystwyth, 4 EV spaces
North Road Car Park, Aberystwyth, 4 EV spaces
Community Hall, Borth, 2 EV spaces
Greenfield Square Car Park, Cardigan, 2 EV spaces
Cardigan Leisure Centre, North Road, Cardigan, 4 EV spaces
Fairfield / Feidr Fair, Cardigan, 6 EV spaces
Cwmins Car Park, Lampeter, 8 EV spaces
Rookery Car Park, Lampeter, 6 EV spaces
Llandysul Car Park, Llandysul, 4 EV spaces
Church Road Car Park, New Quay, 4 EV spaces
Rock Street  (‘Paragon’) Car Park, New Quay, 4 EV spaces
Talbot Yard Car Park, Tregaron, 4 EV spaces

Councillor Keith Henson, Cabinet Member for Highways and Environmental Services and Carbon Management, said: “We are extremely proud of how far we have come in tackling the carbon issue facing us all and this work will continue with vigour to ensure that Ceredigion continues to be at the forefront of tackling climate change. This demonstrates the commitment and importance that Ceredigion is putting into this agenda and will hopefully make the decision to transition to EV easier, not just for Ceredigion residents, but also those visiting our wonderful county.”
 
Funding for a third phase of EV charger installations has also been secured and will be delivered during this financial year.
 
You can read more on the plans for further roll-out during 2023-24 in the Council's Ultra-low Emission (ULEV) Strategy and Action Plan: ceredigion.gov.uk/media/12211/ulev-strategy-and-action-plan-2022.pdf.

Tickets are now on sale for a series of special events from the Wales Broadcast Archive and its partners, BBC Cymru Wales, ITV Cymru Wales and S4C.
 
The Wales Broadcast Archive Presents... series will celebrate Welsh broadcasting, its stars and their contribution to the country's screen and sound heritage.
 
The first three events give a platform to individuals from the world of drama, comedy, presenting and journalism, with stories about their life, work and career drawing on rare clips from the archive.
 
The world renowned actor and star of Y Gwyll / Hinterland, Richard Harrington, will be interviewed by presenter Ffion Dafis in the first event on October 26 and, on November 30, the comedian, singer and presenter Caryl Parry Jones will reminisce and sing a few songs with Ffion again at the helm. Both events will be held at the National Library for Wales in Aberystwyth.
 
The third event is a special evening at Carmarthen Library's Clip Corner. On January 25 next year, there will be an evening in the company of BBC Radio Wales presenters past and present, hosted by Dot Davies.
 
Dot will interview journalist Gilbert John, presenter Roy Noble and reggae star and presenter Aleighcia Scott. In addition, the audience will have a look at old clips from the archive showing news and events from Carmarthen’s history.
 
Tickets are now on sale for all three events on the library's website: events.library.wales
 
Funded by the National Lottery Heritage Fund, the Welsh Government and the national library, the Wales Broadcast Archive aims to ensure that Welsh broadcasting heritage is protected and shared with the public.
 
Dafydd Tudur, archive project manager for the national library, said: "It’s a great pleasure to be able to announce the first events in the Wales Broadcast Archive Presents... series which begins a wide programme of activities to be held over the next year.
 
“Our intention is to open the doors of the national library to more people, extend a welcome to people from near and far and in doing so encourage people to come and search the Wales Broadcast Archive for audio and video.
 
"The purpose of the archive is to celebrate the broadcasting heritage of Wales and we are really excited about creating opportunities for audiences old and new to understand more about the archive and how to access it."

Tickets are now on sale for the Royal Welsh Winter Fair which is being held on November 27 and 28.
 
The annual event, organised by the Royal Welsh Agricultural Society (RWAS), is just around the corner, and it won’t be long until the showground in Llanelwedd is again bustling with prize-winning livestock and Christmas shoppers.
 
As one of Europe's finest prime stock shows, the winter fair draws crowds from far and wide to enjoy two days packed full of competitions, festivities, food and drink, and shopping.
 
As well as livestock competitions, the event hosts a huge variety of classes and demonstrations, including equine, the hound show, dressed poultry, butchery, meat hampers, cookery, produce and handicraft, horticulture and floral art. There’s something for everyone to be involved in.
 
The winter fair offers shoppers the perfect opportunity to pick up unique Christmas gifts from the variety of trade stands available, including homeware, clothing, arts and crafts, jewellery, toys, pet supplies and much more.
 
Visitors can really get into the festive spirit as they warm up with a mulled wine and listen to carol singers performing throughout the showground. Santa will even be in his grotto for the children to visit!
 
Everyone’s favourite place, the renowned Food Hall, showcases producers from across Wales and is packed full of culinary delights, demonstrations, perfect gifts, and tempting tasters.
 
The winter fair opens its gates to the public at 8am each morning and, on Monday, November 27, trade stands stay open through the evening for late-night Christmas shopping.
 
Tickets, available to buy online, are £20 for adults, £5 for children, and under fives get in free. Discounted tickets are available for RWAS members and must be purchased before November 13 to redeem the discount.
 
Reduced price entry after 4pm on the Monday is £5 for adults and can only be purchased at the gate.
 
Free car parking is located onsite just a short walk to the event's main entrance. A forward parking area is available in the carpark for visitors displaying a Blue Badge.
 
Livestock and equine entries are open until Wednesday, October 11 View the competition schedules at https://rwas.wales/winter-fair/competitions/ .
 
For more information, or to buy tickets visit www.rwas.wales / www.cafc.cymru .

An exciting new exhibition of maps from the National Library of Wales opened at the Riverside Gallery, Haverfordwest on Saturday.
 
The ‘Wales to the World’ exhibition will display a selection of maps from the more than 1.5 million objects cared for in the National Map Collection in Aberystwyth.
 
The exhibition ranges from the oldest map in the library to newly commissioned artworks, funded by Welsh Government’s Anti-racist Wales Action Plan.
 
Highlights include Cambriae Typus by Humphrey Llwyd,  the earliest printed map specifically of Wales, a Cold War map of Pembroke Dock, secretly drawn by the Soviet Union, a 17th century playing cards on a map theme and a German propaganda map quoting David Lloyd George.
 
Brand-new artworks, inspired by the map collection, will also be on display for the first time in this exhibition, alongside the items that inspired them.
 
Created by Ellie King, the library’s assistant map curator, the new exhibition covers the development of Wales on the map, maps as tools of learning and play and the power of maps to persuade and mislead us.
 
A newly qualified librarian, Ellie has been mentored by the exhibitions team as part of the library’s commitment to providing learning and development opportunities for staff.

“Curating this exhibition has been a voyage of discovery and it has been a privilege to delve into the history of some of the National Library of Wales’ cartographic treasures,” said Ellie.
 
“I hope they will help to showcase the extraordinary breadth of the map collection. I am particularly pleased to be able to include the artistic responses to the collection by Mfikela Jean Samuel and Jasmine Violet, which highlight the enduring power of the maps held here in the national library, as well as the need to consider them from new perspectives.”
 
Rhodri ap Dyfrig, the library’s head of marketing and audiences, said: "We are proud to be partnering once again with the Riverside Gallery to share our collections with a wider audience and also to be providing opportunities for curatorial staff development.
 
“The maps themselves offer a fascinating and valuable insight into how Wales saw itself and how it was seen by others in the world at different periods through history."
 
To coincide with this exhibition, a programme of events and education workshops will take place at the Riverside Gallery, starting with a conversation session between the artists Samuel and Violet and Ellie on October 19 at 5pm. 

The Montgomery Castle 800 years logo based on the first 'map' of the town by John Speed in 1611. 

A weekend of special events is being planned to celebrate the 800th anniversary of Montgomery Castle later this month.
 
The events, which include a medieval pageant and street market, begin with a Montgomery Civic Society talk on Friday, September 29 at 7.30pm considering the castle throughout its 800 years.
 
Montgomery Castle history stretches back to October 1, 1223, when young King Henry III was given Castle Hill to build a fine new castle to celebrate his 16th birthday and assist in keeping the borderlands safe from marauding Welsh native prince Llywelyn ap Iorwerth (Llywelyn the Great). 
 
An old castle at Hendomen had guarded the important crossing of the River Severn at Rhydwhyman but warfare and incursions were becoming more frequent and concerted and the wooden fort was not in the prime of life.
 
Perched on its rocky ridge, the new castle was significantly sturdier and more sophisticated, with a stone inner ward, well, deep defensive ditches crossed by drawbridges and a walled town.
 
The castle remained in use for centuries, surviving attacks by Llywelyn in 1228 and 1231 and Llywelyn’s son Dafydd in 1245. The castle’s ultimate end came during the Civil War, when it fell to the Parliamentarians and was demolished in 1649, leaving just the crumbling towers and low walls that stand today.
 
Now, 800 years on from its birth, the castle’s birthday will be celebrated with a special full peal of the church bells on Saturday, September 30 followed by a full day of events and activities next day organised by Montgomery Town Council.
 
A medieval street market will open at 10am and everyone will be invited to the castle for a royal pageant at 10.30am commemorating the visit of Henry III and the gift of the castle lands.
 
A short entertainment will be followed by a choice of a castle walk, storytelling or a chance to try making medieval crafts or weaponry back in the main street.
 
There will also be a hog roast with Old Monty’s mulled cider or a special 800 edition Castle Brew from Monty’s. Author Myfanwy Alexander will give an entertaining talk on medieval life, authentic music will be played by Parsley's Clocke and visitors can try to improve their juggling skills. 
 
The fair will close at around 4pm with the opportunity to view the Old Bell Museum exhibition on the castle for the whole week. A special commemorative book has been produced for the event and more information can be found at 800.montgomery-wales.uk .

The Royal Welsh Agricultural Society (RWAS) has announced the start of a ground-breaking study to revitalise and reimagine the Royal Welsh Showground at Builth Wells.
 
This masterplanning and visioning initiative marks a significant milestone in the evolution of the RWAS and showground, reinforcing its position as a leading venue for agricultural, business and entertainment events.
 
The showground has played a leading role in the development of agriculture and the rural economy in Wales for more than a century. Covering 150 acres with more than 40 buildings, it’s a permanent place of work for more than 30 RWAS staff and several agriculture organisations.
 
In addition to the Royal Welsh Show, the Winter Fair and the Smallholding and Countryside Festival, all run by the RWAS, there’s a comprehensive programme of other high-profile events held throughout the year.
 
Organisations use the conference facilities and exhibition spaces, making the showground the premier agricultural and events destination in rural Wales.
 
The forthcoming study aims to ensure the showground’s continued relevance and success for generations to come. It will identify a co-ordinated range of opportunities, set within the national and Mid Wales context, for new investment and development.
 
Key objectives include enhancing existing facilities and the running of major events, strategies to maximise its contribution to the local and regional economy, minimising environmental footprint and enriching the cultural and educational offerings of the showground.
 
A robust community engagement process will be followed to gather input and insights from local, regional and national stakeholders.
 
The RWAS is collaborating with planning experts Owen Davies Consulting from Abergavenny, which has a strong track record of developing innovative and sustainable solutions for diverse sites and spaces.
 
RWAS chief executive, Aled Rhys Jones, said: "The Royal Welsh Showground has been an integral part of the Welsh rural economy and culture for generations. This new study represents our commitment to shaping its future in a sustainable, inclusive and forward-looking manner.
 
“We look forward to participating in this exciting journey with our local community and stakeholders as we chart a course for the next chapter of the Royal Welsh Showground."
 
The study has been supported by the UK Shared Prosperity Fund (UKSPF) for Mid Wales and is expected to be completed by early 2024. Regular updates on its progress will be given by the RWAS.

A dynamic leader is being sought to take on the voluntary position of director of horticulture at the Royal Welsh Show, one of Europe’s largest agricultural events.
 
The promotion of horticulture is one of the key charitable objectives of the Royal Welsh Agricultural Society (RWAS) and plans are underway to establish a new Horticultural Village at the 2024 Royal Welsh Show.
 
The village will celebrate all aspects of horticulture in Wales – from community to commercial growing, competitive showing and displays, alongside promoting the health and social benefits of gardening, education and building a resilient supply chain of sustainable Welsh produce.
 
The ethos of the new horticultural village is to ‘inspire, educate and collaborate.’ The village will be a space to inspire by showcasing excellence with competitive exhibits and displays.
 
It will be a place for education and learning by working in partnership with schools and colleges. It will also create an opportunity to collaborate through inclusive social spaces, meeting areas and demonstration stages.
 
Whilst the RWAS is still in the early stages of developing this concept, it envisages a collaborative project where different delivery partners, sponsors and stakeholders can help deliver on this ambitious vision.
 
The society is seeking expressions of interest by Monday, October 9 emailed to [email protected]. RWAS chief executive Aled Rhys Jones is happy to have informal talks with potential candidates.