Aberystwyth Quizzers

History: A Pub Quiz League has been operating in Aberystwyth since Burns & Porter provided the questions in the mid-1970's. In 1991 the local LVA decided that the cost of questions was too high and were abandonning the League. In 1992, I volunteered to set and distribute questions for a nominal fee to keep the much loved League going. There are two Divisions and the same questions are provided across the whole League with questions to suit all standards and a wide range of subjects. There is a trophy for each Division awarded annually. The matches are held on Monday evenings and the season ends with a Presentation Night which includes a Quiz given by me for all teams (We handicap according to final League positions to equalise chances!) to compete for alcoholic prizes and is enjoyed by all.

Activity: The AQL will give Cerbyd a Quiz night competing against local teams of 4 players or less. Quizzes are 64 questions. They are all team questions, ie conferring allowed, with written answers on score sheets provided. The questions get harder as the Quiz progresses. The subjects are wide ranging with no more than 4 questions on any single topic eg Sport, Geography, History, Music, TV/Radio, Science, Natural History/animals, People, Films, Britain, Quotations, Initials, Art, Religion, Languages etc. After 24, 40 and 64+ questions with answer sheets being exchanged with other teams for marking. Any disputed scoring or appeals for allowable answers (Part scores may be awarded) are made to the questionmaster, whose decision is final ........ and, hopefully, fair!


 

The Institute of Physics in Wales

History: The Institute of Physics in Wales (IOP Wales) is a scientific membership organisation devoted to increasing the understanding and application of physics. It has over 900 members. The Institute of Physics in Wales aims to promote the role of physics in society, covering education, health, the environment, and technology. Its membership is wide-ranging and multidisciplinary, including the educational, industrial, medical, and general public sectors. The institute seeks common purpose with other organisations to promote science and science-based learning and to influence science policy. Special emphasis is placed on supporting physics teachers by promoting in our schools the value, joy and benefits of a knowledge of physics and its applications.

The Institute of Physics which has its headquarters in London, is a leading international professional body and learned society with over 35,000 members, which promotes the advancement and dissemination of a knowledge of and education in the science of physics, pure and applied. The Institute confers on its corporate members the status of Chartered Physicist, a professional qualification recognised throughout the EU. Other membership classes include Associate, Affiliate, Graduate and Student.


 

Activity: The IOP's physics in society team along with local branches and a band of student volunteers have been taking physics to various festival fields around the UK. The aim of Physics in the Field is to engage families and young adults with physics through physics busking. We encourage passers by to stop and have a go with a number of physics tricks that we have available and help them to understand how the tricks work by describing the physics behind them. The idea is to get people of all ages thinking and talking about physics and to use the tricks as a springboard to talking about other physics issues. By busking at non-science events we aim to raise awareness of physics among people who wouldn't normally choose to seek out science.
 
We envisage busking in the gazebo in the entrance of the Science and Technology Pavilion with the Cerbyd artists witnessing the busking activities followed by the feedback session in the lecture room which is situated just off the pavilion. The artists will learn not just about physics but how physicists are trying to engage with the public and how we try and communicate the excitement of physics to a general audience.

Click the link to see some Amazing Marshmallows!

http://www.physics.org/tricks/amazing-marshmallows/



The North Wales Branch of the George Formby Society


History: The branch was established approximately 12 years ago. Our meetings, they take the form of a variety concert based on the music of George Formby and the ukulele. Our audience is usually in the region of 70-80 people with players joining us from all over the North West and they usually number to about 15-20. The evening starts with a 'Thrash' this is where everybody who plays a ukulele, to whatever standard, joins in shortened versions of the famous Formby songs. The night then continues with players taking to the stage for approximately an 8 minute spot. We also encourage variety at the North Wales Branch, so we have magicians, ventriloquists, puppeteers, instrumentalist etc. To entertain us. The evening usually finishes at about 11p.m. with a final 'thrash'. Our entertainers range in age from 12 years to 87 years.


Activity: The artists will watch and have the chance to take part in the variety concert.


Raise the Dust - Appalachian Dancers

 

 

History: Raise the Dust was formed 18 years ago by a group of folk dance enthusiasts in the Welsh Border area who wanted to develop their own forum for performing step dancing, based around the traditional styles from the south east of the United States of America which, in turn, derived largely from Celtic roots taken across the Atlantic by the settlers of the 19th century.
At that time, as a result of visits by performance sides from America, a wave of enthusiasm for this dancing swept through the folk festival circuit and many sides sprung up; a lot of these have since fallen by the way and Raise the Dust must now be among a handful of the longest surviving sides in Britain.

Living in a rural, sparsely populated area presents real problems in maintaining any organisation, where travelling distances tend to be significant and finding numbers of like-minded individuals willing to make these commitments is a challenge. Consequently, numbers in the side have always been relatively small, particularly when compared to groups operating in larger conurbations, and around half a dozen dancers is the typical size of the group, with no more than two musicians. This has the benefit of 'keeping things tight' and those that have joined have tended to be people with real enthusiasm and dedication. As a result, we have some of the most knowledgeable and experienced dancers you could hope to find, not only in the field of Appalachian Dance but the wider context of the folk music and dance genre.

Whilst Appalachian dance is an exciting spectacle for audiences, some sides are able to play on this flamboyance, making the most of massed ranks of dancers in bright costumes and dancing to big bands. Raise the Dust have always recognised that a more intimate approach suits their style with the emphasis on technical perfection and authentic performance of the dance style and the music which is an integral part of the experience. Nevertheless, a display by Raise the Dust is as enthusiastic in its delivery and breathtaking to watch as you could hope for.
Where the side has pioneered is by integration of songs within the performance framework, both as an interlude between dances, maintaining the atmosphere of the traditions of that folk culture, and by experimenting with the songs as the medium to drive a dance and indeed, developing dances with no musical accompaniment.

The side performs at Folk Festivals throughout the UK, mainly through the summer period and is also in demand for local fetes and larger agricultural shows. We have considerable experience in running workshops, teaching people to dance with any level of experience, and will strike up impromptu music sessions at the drop of a hat.
Whilst we have visited most of the major English festivals, perhaps our greatest honour was to be invited to the prestigious Highland Festival base around Inverness, where we were able to develop full concert style performances alongside many other diverse acts from folk dance artists and groups internationally.

Please look at our website for further information and look at the YouTube clips of us at: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BZQQZTR97nw
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NvRWZQi8Nkk

Activity: The side will put on a display of our dancing, which works best in blocks of around 20 minutes (it is physically very demanding!).

They will run a beginners workshop (less physically demanding for the participants!) and we would set aside two hours for this, forming the core of our activity. We have run events for any level of dance experience, although clearly, a willingness to 'give it a go' is important for anyone participating. They will spend a brief amount of time describing the origins and development of this particular style of dancing and music within the context of folk music culture. It is interesting to note that no formal dances are notated the form was originally one of freestyle improvisation, so sides performing now choreograph their own dances. The group will also be keen to talk about the influences and workings of choreography.


 

Brecknock & Radnor Beekeepers Association

MISSION STATEMENT:- To impart Inspiration, Enjoyment, and thereby Learning  about Bee Craft.

History: The Association has a varied programme of demonstrations, lectures, social events, fundraising and visits throughout the year. Regular "Hands On" practical beekeeping in the active season at our own apiaries. There are also twice yearly Beginners Courses over six sessions. Coaching in more advanced techniques given, on request, by some of the more experienced members. Mentoring and "buddying" schemes encouraged between members.

A monthly newsletters keeps members up to date with what is happening locally and nationally in relationship to Beekeeping. The association publishes a yearly programme sheet of events. Our own website is envisaged in the future. There is a library of beekeeping books and equipment to borrow.

But above all the Association exists to provide the opportunity for Beekeepers to meet other beekeepers socially, both experienced and beginners, and to discuss successes, problems and a variety of topics associated with beekeeping.

The association welcomes the opportunity to share its enthusiasm and knowledge of bees with others. Bees are an essential part of the environment and the more that is known about them the more they are likely to flourish.

 

Activity: The Cerbyd artists will visit our apiary in the middle of a wood where we have eight hives. They will join us in methodically inspecting the hives one by one. Gowns will be provided as we look through all the hives, identifying the queen, observing the activity of the other bees and honeycombs will be handed around. This will take about an hour and a half.

This will be followed by a social evening with a barbeque where the artists can get to know the beekeepers and learn more about their involvement in beekeeping.

 

 

 

Caernarfon Model Railway

 

History: The group was formed in 2001 for like minded model railway enthusiasts to encourage the building of model railway layouts and the passing on of ideas, techniques and skills to anybody wishing to join the hobby.

Over the years we have held 5 railway exhibitions and a number of open days in local halls where various layouts made by the members would be on show, together with demonstrations on modeling skills.

A regular attendance at the National Slate Museum with various layouts has become an annual feature of the Group.

This is an informal group where the emphasis is on helping each other build on their skills and expertise.

Activity: It is intended that members will participate in demonstrations on track building, fitting of lighting and sound to DCC locomotives, operation of layouts and other building skills.

 

Arts4Wellbeing

History: Arts4wellbeing is an arts for health organisation, based in the hamlet of Pentrellwyn on the outskirts of Llandysul.  Sara and Mike have a long history of visual arts and drama  projects across Wales, working  with individuals,  communities  and organisations , using the arts as a tool to tackle substance misuse issues, social isolation, disengagement and MH problems, working with all ages and abilities to promote wellbeing.              

Activity: Together with the Powerhouse they will be hosting the Cerbyd project on the 8th and 9th Aug, running a workshop at the Powerhouse  called ' Journey to Now.' This will offer the artists the opportunity to map their route across Wales, describing the communities they have encountered and people that they have met, mapping their individual experiences across the floor of the studio using a variety of tactile materials.
This multi-sensory mapping will take place before an invited audience of local people. Upon completion, the artists will be invited to talk about the mapping of their journeys and experiences , providing  the audience with a unique insight into the thoughts, feelings and ideas as well as the creative process that goes on between an artist, their tools, their materials and their wider audience.
All this will be followed by a shared lunch at The Old Mill, Felin Soar, for informal discussions and further sharing of the place of the arts and artists in local communities as well as the role of an artist  in these austere times.
"The Journey To Now workshop is a very powerful group bonding and group dynamic exercise, so simple in its framework yet so full and rich in its process"  Mike Hotson arts4wellbeing facilitator

http://www.facebook.com/home.php?#!/pages/Arts-4-Wellbeing/120190298014489?ref=ts

Chirk Writers Circle

 

   

History: The Chirk Writers Circle has been going for many years in various forms. Membership has been affected by those going in for higher education, pressure of their day jobs and the death of our tutor but for the last 3 years the group has kept a steady membership of  8 to 10 members all focused on improving their creative writing skills.  

We have class exercises and read arounds with feedback from other members.  We usually have a topic for a 100 word written exercise for homework which is brought back to the next month's meeting and read back to other members for the all important feedback 'does it work?'  
Some members are aiming for publication having written novels, some come for the joy of writing and the entertainment provided by the other writers.

Language is one of the most important forms of communication with other human beings and we seriously do our best to honour that purpose.        

Activity: We look forward to the Cerbyd group happily participating in the class exercise.  This is an interesting opportunity to see how the arts communicate across boundaries.

 

 

Llandysul Paddlers 

 

 

History: Llandysul Paddlers Canoe Club is based in West Wales and was founded in 1984 by Chris Berry and Trevor Grace. The club has had many great years with membership continuing to increase at a steady pace.

The club has seen lots of changes over the years and the most dynamic of these was "Project 94". This was a document that was put together to help plan the future of the club.

 

In 1997 we managed to secure funding from the Local Authority, European backing, the Welsh Canoeing Association and the Foundation for the sports and arts. This was used to start "Project 94" and we managed to develop the two vacant houses next the river Teifi in Llandysul into the clubhouse that is used today.

The main club activities are Slalom, Freestyle, Surf and Canadian Canoeing. We welcome families, disabled, competitive and recreational paddlers. There is no age limit and everyone is welcome.

The club is run by a committee that meets every 2 months to discuss future developments.

We hold regular training sessions in Llandysul Swimming Pool and on the river Teifi.