DAB in Aber

The Development Advisory Board for the University visited Aberystwyth on Friday the 7^th of October, a pleasant change to its normal venue in London.  Department heads and senior management staff gave Board members an outline of current activities at Aber, and afterwards everyone enjoyed a reception and dinner at the award-winning Medrus restaurant on the Penglais Campus.   A tour of the campus and visits to academic departments were arranged for the Saturday morning, and some Board members explored their old haunts in the town from their student days.

 Aber alumni AM's celebrated

Sir Emyr Jones Parry, AU President, hosted a reception in the Wales Millennium Centre on Tuesday 4^th of October to celebrate the election of ten Aber alumni to the Welsh Assembly and to introduce the Vice-Chancellor, Professor April McMahon.  The President, Vice-Chancellor and First Minister (Aber alumnus Carwyn Jones) all spoke warmly of Aber to an enthusiastic audience of Cardiff alumni and Assembly Members.  Carwyn Jones then proposed a toast to the future of Aberystwyth University.

 The National Eisteddfod Wrexham 2011

Aberystwyth University and the Old Students’ Association got together again to host a reunion on the University’s stand at the Wrexham and District National Eisteddfod of Wales 2011. This reunion has become a regular feature on the Wednesday of National Eisteddfod week with a big crowd turning up to eat, drink, be merry and listen to a guest speaker.  This year the inimitable Nic Parry (Crown Court Judge and sports commentator) entertained everyone in great style, but many were there to hear the new Vice Chancellor, Professor April McMahon, deliver her first public speech in Welsh and after only three days in office.  Despite understandable first-night nerves, this was done with great skill and charm, winning over what could be described as a critical audience!  (If you are on the Maes in Llandow 2012, come and join us for a warm Aber welcome.)

Royal Welsh Agricultural Show 2011

Kay Powell, President of the Old Students’ Association, hosted a reception at the Royal Welsh Agricultural Show, Llanelwedd in July.  This is an annual event held on the Tuesday of Royal Welsh week in the Education Pavilion on the show ground, which not only provides a useful insight into research at IBERS and tasty refreshments, but also a wonderful elevated view of the main ring.  (Let us know if you’d like to join us next year!)