Robert Lloyd - a Sir Gar Blog of random news . . . and some Clecs!

An exhibition featuring the ground-breaking work of a remarkable Welshman who discovered the process of evolution by natural selection alongside Charles Darwin will be opened by leading Welsh naturalist Iolo Williams at Aberystwyth University’s Old College on Thursday 8 February 2018. Wallace: The Forgotten Evolutionist? tells the story of Alfred Russel Wallace, one of the most prominent evolutionary figures of the 1800s. On loan from Amgueddfa Cymru-National Museum Wales, the exhibition will showcase a striking selection of the natural history specimens collected by Wallace as part of his research, including bugs, butterflies and birds. During his lifetime, Wallace collected more than 125,000 animal specimens, published more than 800 articles and wrote 22 books. Most famously, he had the revolutionary idea of evolution by natural selection entirely independently of Charles Darwin. In officially opening the exhibition to the public on Thursday 8 February, Iolo Williams will speak ab...

Wildlife expert, television presenter and Aberystwyth University Honorary Fellow Iolo Williams is to officially open a ‘Jurassic Heritage’ exhibition in the iconic Old College on Tuesday 14 February 2017. The centrepiece of the exhibition will be Archaeopteryx, a bird-like dinosaur with sharp teeth and claws. Dating from the late Jurassic period around 150 million years ago, Archaeopteryx is believed to be the link between prehistoric dinosaurs and the modern bird. As well as opening the exhibition, Iolo Williams will take part in two question and answer sessions which are free and open to all members of the local community. · 6pm: Iolo Williams talks about his work as a naturalist and television presenter, taking questions from an audience of young people. Seddon Room, Old College. · 6.30pm: Iolo Williams officially opens the Archaeopteryx exhibition · 7pm: Q&A session with a panel of experts including Iolo Williams, Dr Caroline Buttler (Amgueddfa Cymr...

TV presenter and wildlife champion Iolo Williams has given his backing to a wild land charity’s bid to buy a key conservation site in the Snowdonia National Park. The John Muir Trust, which owns and manages a number of mountain landscapes in Scotland, including Ben Nevis, has launched a £500,000 appeal to buy the Carreg y Saeth Isaf estate in the Rhinogydd Mountains. Iolo Williams welcomed the move saying: “It’s a delight to know that this part of wild Wales will continue to be cared for with nature in mind. I urge everyone who loves our wild places to contribute to the fundraising appeal.” The Trust is a membership organisation, named after the founder of the modern conservation movement, Scots-American John Muir. It has been active in Wales since 2001, working with 100 partners – including schools, colleges, clubs, conservation and outdoor organisations ­– to deliver the John Muir Award scheme to 33,000 people.The Trust has also campaigned in Wales to protect wild landscapes f...