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

Ruth Lambert MBE, who has been the face of MOMA Machynlleth and chair of the Machynlleth Tabernacle Trust for nearly thirty years, has been honoured as Fellow of Aberystwyth University. Ruth Lambert was presented as Fellow by Professor Robert Meyrick, School of Art. Presentation of Ruth Lambert: Pro Chancellor, Vice-Chancellor, prospective graduates and supporters. It is an honour and a privilege to present Ruth Lambert as a Fellow of Aberystwyth University. Ruth can be credited with revitalizing the mid Wales market town of Machynlleth. Through her tireless work ensuring the growth, success and sustainability of the Museum of Modern Art,Machynlleth – with its regular programme of exhibitions, performances and festivals – Ruth is to Machynlleth as Richard Booth is to Hay-on-Wye, town of books, Peter Florence to the Hay Festival, John Christie to Glyndebourne, and Leslie Evershed-Martin to the Chichester Festival Theatre. All shared a commitment to promoting and supporting the arts ...

It's your chance to ‘Meet robots, daleks, drones and people doing strange things with electricity!’ The Machynlleth Mini Maker Faire is at the Centre for Alternative Technology, Machynlleth, September 28. Machynlleth Mini Maker Faire is the only Maker Faire in Wales. It brings together a unique programme of Makers, inventors, creative technologists and people doing strange things with electricity to the heart of rural Wales and offers us the opportunity to meet some unique electronic characters such as: Dalek Doris and her friend K9. Agnes Roboknit a Humanoid Knitting Robot The Infamous Biting Machine The cute Mofo humanoid Small Unmanned Aerial Systems (SUAS), often referred to as 'Drones' Local Scientist Stephen Fearne presents his project Interactive Robotic Entertainment. He invites you to meet Dalek Doris and her friend K9. These full size robots walk and talk and interact with you, have you ever been this close to a Dalek without being Exterminated!! ...

Carmarthenshire County Council is to write a letter to Dyfed Powys Police and volunteers who joined the search for missing five-year-old April Jones to thank them for their efforts. Council Chair Cllr Siân Thomas made the suggestion at full council meeting and was unanimously backed by members. She said: “I’d like to take this opportunity to thank Dyfed Powys Police who have been under huge pressure. They’ve been working very hard in strained and difficult circumstances, and I’d like to write to a letter on our behalf thanking them for their efforts.” Deputy Leader Cllr Pam Palmer suggested that the council also write to the Mayor of Machynlleth to express the council’s admiration of the town’s community spirit, as well as the work of police officers. “The work they have done over the last 10 days, first with hope and then despair – has raised the profile of Wales and Dyfed Powys Police beyond recognition,” she said. “They’ve performed absolutely wonderfully. Police go through training...

Missing Girl in Machynlleth – Photo released | Dyfed Powys Police | Heddlu Dyfed Powys Police have released photographs of missing five year old April Jones who was last seen playing with her friend on their bikes near to garages in Machynlleth town at around 19:30hrs this evening (Monday). April was seen getting into a light coloured van or van sized vehicle which then drove off. Police ask anyone with any information to call them on 101.

Shops struggling with the recession and rising energy costs are being offered a helping hand by South Wales researchers. Aberystwyth University and the Dyfi Biosphere are inviting local retail businesses to take part in one of their free workshops taking place in Aberystwyth on Wednesday 11th July and Machynlleth on Thursday 12th July. The workshop series is designed specifically for small and medium sized retailers, and aim to help them recognise that climate change presents a real and valuable opportunity to build and sustain their businesses. Above all, the project will explore ways of helping businesses break free from the current constraints of the economic recession. Many businesses are beginning to realise the benefits of adapting to a changing climate. However, Dr Nicola Thomas of Aberystwyth University said that more sceptical business owners are particularly welcome: “We aim to convert each ‘but’ into a commercial opportunity.” Nicola continued, “we will commit to under...

The Dyfi Virtual Observatory, managed by Aberystwyth University, is hosting and sponsoring a “Night on the Dyfi” at the Tabernacle, Machynlleth on Thursday 29th March from 7 to 10pm to celebrate the Dyfi River and its surrounding environment. This free event’s diverse line up of speakers and stimulating ‘Question Time’ will be the perfect opportunity to enjoy a lively community evening. The first half of the evening will feature three fascinating talks: Jean Napier, a local photographer will narrate a photographic story, sharing highlights and mythological stories from the Dyfi River’s source down to the sea; Dr Paul Brewer, Aberystwyth University, will talk about the Dyfi River’s dynamic behaviour; and Mike Bailey, Countryside Council for Wales, will give a presentation on the natural treasures of the Dyfi-Cors Fochno wetlands. Following a Welsh cheese and drinks interval, a lively ‘Question Time’ session will take place with a panel of experts and will be chaired by the young loca...

The Dyfi Virtual Observatory is hosting three community workshops at the Owain Glyndŵr Centre in Machynlleth on 13th October and has launched a new ideas website to invite residents and interested parties to help solve environmental issues in the Dyfi region and across the UK. The Dyfi Virtual Observatory, which was recently launched by researchers at Aberystwyth University’s Institute of Geography and Earth Sciences, has issued a ‘call to action’ to the wider community to be part of its development. A team is also developing a new website that will enable people for the first time to have access to different types of environmental data and a suite of tools to help them understand and solve environmental issues. Professor Mark Macklin, a leading rivers expert based at Aberystwyth University said: “The Dyfi catchment is probably one of the best studied river catchments in Wales, if not the UK. Now the community will be able to access and analyse data to understand a wide range of issues...