Aberystwyth University has been awarded Gold in the Teaching Excellence and Student Outcomes Framework (TEF) published this week.

The University achieved the TEF’s top rating for delivering consistently outstanding teaching, learning and outcomes for students, of the highest quality found in the UK.

In its statement of findings, the TEF Panel commented that students from all backgrounds achieve “consistently outstanding outcomes” and cited Aberystwyth’s “strategic and innovative approach to ensure outstanding student engagement with learning”.

The report goes on to note that student satisfaction with assessment and feedback, and rates for continuation and progression to highly skilled employment or further study, are all above the University’s benchmark.

The TEF Panel assessed the University’s undergraduate teaching against ten criteria covering teaching quality, learning environment and student outcomes. It also considered written evidence submitted by the institution.

The Panel said its decision to award Gold to Aberystwyth reflected, in particular, evidence of:

• course design and assessment practices that provide scope for outstanding levels of stretch, ensuring all students are significantly challenged to achieve their full potential, and acquire knowledge, skills and understanding that are most highly valued by employers
• a strategic and innovative approach to ensure outstanding student engagement with learning
• an extensive and embedded commitment to developing and rewarding excellent teaching
• substantial investment in e-learning to promote outstanding opportunities for learning
• a wide-ranging commitment to embedding employability into the curriculum and co-curriculum
• a comprehensive and integrated approach to Welsh language teaching.

Professor Elizabeth Treasure, Vice-Chancellor at Aberystwyth University, said: “Our mission at Aberystwyth is to provide an outstanding 21^stcentury education and all-round student experience. We achieve results by combining our strengths as a historic research-led institution with the latest thinking in innovative teaching, research and first-class facilities.

“We want to equip our students with the knowledge, understanding and transferable skills that will enable them to thrive in their chosen discipline and their future careers. The commitment of our staff to the highest standards possible is reflected not only in today’s TEF Gold award but also our excellent NSS student satisfaction scores and our accolade as University of the Year for Teaching Quality 2018 in the Good University Guide.”

Professor John Grattan, Pro Vice-Chancellor for the Student Experience at Aberystwyth University, said: “Students at Aberystwyth learn and live in an exceptional environment, where staff go the extra mile to provide teaching which educates, inspires and challenges our learners to achieve their full potential. It is by working together that we achieve such high standards across our provision in English and in Welsh, and our heartfelt thanks today go to the staff and students whose dedication and hard work have made this Gold award possible.”

Bruce Wight, Development Officer at Aberystwyth Students’ Union, said: “As an Aberystwyth graduate and an elected Students’ Union officer, I know how hard this University works to ensure the best possible education and experience for students. There is close cooperation between staff, student academic representatives and union officers, which reflects the emphasis here on student engagement with learning and listening to the student voice. Detailed attention is paid to feedback and other key data, which means there is continuous improvement and innovation on the teaching front. This Gold award is well deserved and shows the value of an Aberystwyth education.”

The TEF was set up by the Westminster Government to recognise excellent teaching in UK higher education providers by rating them as Gold, Silver or Bronze.

The results are designed to help prospective students choose where to study by providing information about the quality of undergraduate teaching in higher education institutions.

The ratings are judged by an independent panel of students, academics and other experts.

Further information about the TEF is available on the Office for Students’ website:  www.officeforstudents.org.uk.

Links:
Office for Students: www.officeforstudents.org.uk

The first copy of a new book for adults learning Welsh has been presented to Aberystwyth University’s Vice-Chancellor.

Wynne Evans – O Gaerfyrddin i Go Compare was presented to Professor Elizabeth Treasure during her weekly Welsh lesson by CAA Cymru, Aberystwyth University’s educational publisher.

Copies were also presented to Stephen Forster, the University’s Finance Director, and Susan Chambers, Director of Human Resources, who are also learning Welsh.

The book, by author Elin Meek, is aimed at adults who are learning Welsh at the Mynediad (Entry) level and tells the story of the tenor who became famous for his role in the Go Compare television advertisements.

The book is part of the Amdaniseries, which has been developed specifically for adults learning Welsh, and have been graded at four levels – Entry, Foundation, Intermediate and Advanced.

Funded by the Welsh Books Council, the Amdani series will be published jointly by four leading publishers, with the support of the National Centre for Learning Welsh. CAA Cymru will publish five of twenty books in the series.

At the launch of Wynne Evans – o Gaerfyrddin i Go Compare, Delyth Ifan, CAA Cymru Director said: “We’re delighted to present these new books for adults learning Welsh. As well as being suitable for learners, these books are suitable for people who may be fluent Welsh speakers but lack confidence in reading the language. I would also encourage anyone wanting to reacquaint themselves with the language to read them.”

Phyl Brake, the University’s Learn Welsh Coordinator said: “This booklet is an honest, entertaining and compelling account of the singer from south Wales. It is authored by someone who has many years experience in teaching Welsh as a tutor, examiner and as a course writer herself. The vocabulary and language patterns used are relevant and structured, and a short list of new vocabulary can be found at the bottom of each page. Wynne Evans’ story is sufficiently gripping to sustain the reader’s interest throughout, while, at the same time, constant repetition ensures that learners at all levels, familiarise themselves subconsciously with relevant vocabulary and basic language patterns.”

Efa Gruffudd Jones, Chief Executive of the National Centre for Learning Welsh added: “This new series of books will support current Welsh courses and will be an essential resource for Welsh learners in classes. We’re delighted they are being offered on graded levels – this will certainly help increase confidence amongst learners. We hope that this project will attract learners to reading Welsh books in general.”

This is the third volume CAA Cymru has published in this series. Y Llythyrand Cofio Angharad, adaptations of popular English books, are also available and books by Zoe Pettinger and Jon Gower will be published in the upcoming months.

The books were launched at the Urdd National Eisteddfod last week, and various events will be held at the Royal Welsh, Tafwyl and the National Eisteddfod in Cardiff.

Photo: Aberystwyth University Vice-Chancellor Professor Elizabeth Tresure (right) receives a copy ofWynne Evans –o Gaerfyrddin i Go Comparefrom Delyth Ifan, Director of CAA Cymru (Centre). Also pictured (left to right) are Stephen Forster, Director of Finance, Susan Chambers, Director of Human Resources and Welsh Learning Tutor Rob Dery.

Links:

CAA Cymru
https://www.aber.ac.uk/en/caa/

Comedian Phil Evans is from Ammanford. He is known as the man who puts the ‘cwtsh’ into comedy. Website – www.philevans.co.uk

………………………….

I’ve had enough.

In these ‘PC‘ times, it seems some individuals are so intolerant, so lacking in humour, that hearing a joke or remark they don’t like, instead of ignoring it, they feel ‘victimised’ and must make a fuss about it.

Recently in San Francisco, Richard Ned Lebow, a 75-year old Professor at Kings College London, attended the A.G.M. of The International Studies Association – The I.S.A.

While Richard was standing at the back of a crowded lift, a man at the front, next to the buttons, called out “What floors do you people want?”

The Professor, jokily replied, “Ladies lingerie!”

He knew it was pretty lame, but several people chuckled and he gave it no more thought.

Four hours later, a woman he didn’t know, a Professor of Women’s And Gender Studies, lodged a formal complaint with the I.S.A., stating that she’d been in the lift and “as a survivor of sexual harassment in the academy I’m quite shaken by this incident”.

She claimed she’dasked what floors people wanted and that Professor Lebow’s reply of “Women’sLingerie” had been aimed directly at her.

Professor Lebow said he’d definitely hearda man’s voice and had replied, “LadiesLingerie”.

As his view was obscured by people standing in front of him, he couldn’t possibly have ‘aimed’ the joke at her.

Nevertheless, he sent her a polite e-mail explaining he hadn’t intended to make her feel uncomfortable – but the lady complained about that, too!

The I.S.A. declared his joke was ’offensive and inappropriate’, his e-mail ‘was an even more serious violation’ and he should make an ‘unequivocal apology’.

Unsurprisingly he’s refused to, stating that “If we allow people to dictate what we can or can’t say and to intimidate us with cries of ‘sexist’ and ‘misogynist’ we will lose our cherished freedom of speech”.

Next time I’m in a lift, my lips will be like the doors – closed!

——————

Fake News:

We hear a lot these days about ‘Fake News’.

I’ll hold my hands up here – which isn’t easy when you’re typing a newspaper article – and admit that I’m not really sure what ‘Fake News’ is.

I often wonder if the complaints about ‘Fake News’ are themselves fake and just a clever distraction to take the public’s eye off therealstory that might shine a spotlight on the misconduct of whoever’s complaining about ‘Fake News’.

It’s a possibility . . .

While I’m unsure what ‘Fake News’ is, I know that ‘Incorrect News’ is down to inadequate research, as illustrated by the recent story featured on social media stating that Ed Sheeran was spotted in a well know Swansea Uplands pub on the Friday evening prior to his performance at the Big Weekend music festival.

Wrong!

It appears that this was a well-orchestrated stunt and, in all fairness, the desired effect was achieved.

It turns out he was actually doing his shopping in Aldi, Llansamlet.

It fooled me as well as thousands of other people.

I don’t know what to believe anymore.

Well, now is probably the time to reveal that Phil Evans is actually a completely made up name, there is no such person and my name is actually Barbara, 73 from Llanelli.

Or is it?

——————-

You can follow Phil Evans on Twitter @philevanswales and www.philevans.co.uk

Pembrey Country Park has been announced as the official location for the “Grand Depart” (start) of the 2018 OVO Energy Tour of Britain.

The announcement was made in central London on Tuesday evening.

It will be the first time that Britain’s biggest professional cycle race has visited the county.

The race sees 120 riders from some of the world’s best teams compete, including Olympic and World Champions and Tour de France stage winners.

The announcement supports the county’s aspiration to become the cycle hub of Wales as the National Closed Road Circuit-Carmarthenshire – a purpose-built 1.9km circuit in Pembrey Country Park – is close to opening this Summer.

Taking place on Sunday, September 2, the 2018 OVO Energy Tour of Britain will leave Pembrey Country Park and then continue throughout the county passing through Kidwelly, Carmarthen, Llandeilo and Llandovery as it continues into the Brecon Beacons through to its stage finish in Newport city centre.

The event is expected to see cycling fans descend on the county to get the chance to see some of the world’s riders competing, potentially bringing a boost of over £4 million to the local economy.

It will also have daily live coverage on ITV4 and Eurosport in the UK, and around the world.

Councillor Peter Hughes Griffiths, Carmarthenshire County Council’s Executive Board Member for Culture, Sport and Tourism, said: “This is great news for Carmarthenshire and especially Pembrey Country Park, where we’re expecting great crowds to come to this fantastic location to see the start of this iconic race. I’m sure visitors will make the most of their last weekend of the Summer holidays and stay in the county. We are working closely with Welsh Cycling to put on a number of activities for the weekend at Pembrey Country Park for the whole family.
“I also hope residents will come out and support the cyclists along the route from Pembrey to Llandovery.”

Stage One route

Tour of Britain Stage 1 route from Cyngor Sir Gâr | Carms Council on Vimeo.

The judges have been revealed for the Gethin Hughes Memorial Bursary competition.

The event is part of Cor Meibion Llanelli’s annual concert at Ffwrnes Theatre, Llanelli, on Saturday, June 30.

The judges will be – Allan Fewster MBE, Eilir Owen Griffiths and Meinir Richards.

The contestants will be accompanied by Jeffrey Howard.

Allan Fewster is a native of Llangennech and was educated at the Llanelli Boys’ Grammar / technical school, Trinity College Carmarthen and the Birmingham Conservatoire.

He has dedicated his life to music in the community through his long-standing direction of the mixed choir Cor Glandulais. His expertise as both accompanist and organist is widely respected and he has appeared often on television as guest accompanist to various well-known singers.

Special mention, however, must be made of his commitment to the tradition of choral singing and his work in ensuring an annual performance of a classical oratorio in the village of Llangennech.

His musical ability has been recognised by his elevation to the white robes of the Druidic Circle at the National Eisteddfod and his receiving the honour of the MBE for his services to music in Wales.

Eilir Owen Griffiths is one of Wales’s most dynamic choral directors.

With more than 15 years of experience as a music director and composer, he has conducted CF1 Choir since its formation in 2002. He was also the music director for the Llangollen International Eisteddfod and won ” tlws y cerddor” (musician’s award) at the National Eisteddfod in 2008.

Eilir has conducted many different choirs over the years. Between 2004 and 2014 he was the music director of Cor Godre’r Garth, winning the mixed choir competition five times at the National Eisteddfod. He was one of the first music directors of the Cardiff Blues Choir formed in 2006.

Eilir works as a BA course co-ordinator at the University of Wales Trinity Saint David’s performance centre and is also the artistic director for the Trinity Saint David Festival. He has visited Ireland, Germany, Poland, France, India, and the United States of America as part of his involvement in musical performance.

Meinir Richards was born in Whitland and attended the local grammar school before studying music at Bangor University. She commenced her teaching career at Maesteg Comprehensive School before spending 15 years as head of the music department at Gowerton Comprehensive School – Ysgol Gyfun Gwyr.

For the past 20 years she has been the head of music at Ysgol Gyfun Bro Myrddin in Carmarthen. As well as competing successfully in Eisteddfodau and taking part in whole-school musicals and concerts, the school choir loves travelling abroad. Recently, the Bro Myrddin school choirs received an “excellence in music” award from Carmarthenshire County Council.

Under Meinir’s direction, Cor Llanddarog has won the mixed choir competition for ‘over 45 voices’ at the National Eisteddfod five times. Last year, the choir visited Canada and have released a CD of choral works by Eric Jones.

Jeffrey Howard was born in Cardiff and studied at the University of Wales College, Cardiff, and at the Royal Academy of Music in London, where he specialised in organ performance and church music. He now pusues a career as organist, pianist, singer, coach, and conductor, and has accompanied leading international singers, including Sir Bryn Terfel, Sir Willard White, Dennis O’Neill, Nuccia Focile, Rebecca Evans, Wynne Evans, Alfie Boe and Jason Howard.

For the last 20 years, Jeff has been a vocal coach at the Royal Welsh College of Music and Drama, the Welsh National Opera and Welsh National Youth Opera. Jeff coaches at the Wales International Academy of Voice and on the music theatre course at the Royal Welsh College of Music and Drama. He is also vocal tutor at Bristol University, music director of the 200-voice St David’s Praise Choir and Orchestra, the Cambrensis Choir and Treorchy Male Voice Choir.

Jeff is involved in music theatre and cabaret work and has accompanied artists such as Michael Ball, John Owen Jones, Shan Cothi, Rhydian Roberts, Connie Fisher, Ruth Madoc and Dame Shirley Bassey.

Jeff is a recipient of the Joseph Parry Award, given by the Welsh Music Guild for his services to music in Wales.

The competition will honour Côr Meibion Llanelli’s  former accompanist, Gethin Hughes.

Gethin was affectionately known as Llanelli’s ‘Mr Music’ prior to his death in 2011.

Following his death, a special Gethin Hughes Memorial Bursary Scholarship was established.

The first winner of the cash bursary was Royal Welsh College of Music and Drama student Megan Thomas, from Trimsaran.

The competition will form the centrepiece of the concert by Côr Meibion Llanelli Male Voice Choir, with the choir performing a wide-ranging repertoire dovetailing the competition.

This weekend, there’s a big night coming up for Côr Meibion Llandybie as they hold their annual concert on Friday, June 8, at the Memorial Hall in Llandybie.

The choir will be joined by members of Côr Meibion Dinefwr.

The combined choirs will be conducted by Mr Alan Davies and accompanist will be Ms Catrin Morris.

Guest soloist for the evening will be Ms Angharad Davies (soprano) and she will be accompanied by Mrs Gloria Lloyd.

The evening will also feature Rhydian Tiddy playing the trombone.

In other news, Côr Meibion Dyffryn Tywi have put together an exciting line-up for their annual concert on Saturday, July 21, at the Princess Gwenllian Centre in Kidwelly.

The evening will feature the popular North Wales act Piantel.

Piantel are pianist Annette Bryn Parry and harpist Dylan Cernyw. They are described as ‘a magical musical experience not to be missed!’

The concert will also feature the much-acclaimed Tywi Valley musical duo, the husband and wife team of Aled Edwards and Eleri Owen Edwards.

The compere for the Côr Meibion Dyffryn Tywi concert will be Ioan Hefin

On the same night (July 21), Burry Port Town Band are scheduled to stage their annual summer concert.

Further details about this concert will follow in future editions of this column.

Looking to the autumn, Côr Meibion Caerfyrddin Carmarthen Male Choir’s 60th anniversary concert will be held at the Lyric Theatre, Carmarthen, on Saturday, October 13.

The choir will be joined on stage by four other choirs – Mynydd Mawr, Burry Port, Dyffryn Tywi and Dyffryn Aman.

This will create a combined choir of around 150 voices under the baton of Wyn Maskell, musical director of Côr Meibion Caerfyrddin.

Also taking part will be well known soloists: Jessica Robinson, soprano, and Trystan Llŷr Griffiths, tenor.

The MC for the evening will be television and radio personality Garry Owen.

Welsh tenor Trystan Llŷr Griffiths, who hails from Clunderwen, Pembrokeshire, is a popular concert soloist throughout Wales and further afield.

One of the first recipients of a Study Award from the Bryn Terfel Foundation, he was named the Voice Of Wales by Decca Records in 2012 in an S4C TV series.

Trystan studied initially at University of Wales Trinity Saint David for a Theatre, Music and Media degree. He subsequently completed an MA degree in Vocal Studies at the Royal Academy of Music and a further postgraduate degree in Opera Performance at the Royal Welsh College of Music and Drama. He has recently completed his studies as a Trainee at the National Opera Studio in London.

Prizes and awards include: Ian Stoutzker Prize 2014; Richard Van Allan Award 2014; Bruce Millar Gulliver Singing Prize 2014; RWCMD HRH Prince of Wales Scholarship 2013; Dunraven Welsh Young Singer of the Year 2013; MOCSA Young Welsh Singer of the Year Prize 2012; Sybil Tutton Award 2012; London Welsh Young Singer of the Year Prize 2011; W. Towyn Roberts Scholarship 2011; Osborne Roberts Memorial Prize 2009.

Concert highlights include appearances at the Royal Albert Hall, Hay-on-Wye Festival with Bryn Terfel, the Brynfest at the Southbank Centre, a concert performance of Tristan und Isolde with the Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Orchestra and recitals at St Martin-in-the- Fields and the Cardiff Music Festival.

He took the role of Carlos in a recording of Le Duc d’Albe with the Hallé Orchestra for Opera Rara and during summer 2015 received a scholarship to attend the Mozart Residency at Festival d’Aix-en- Provence.

Trystan made his first professional operatic début in the role of Ferrando in Cosi Fan Tutte on tour with Scottish Opera.

Finally, here’s another date for your diary for later in the year. The Annual Royal British Legion Charity Gala Concert will be held at the Lyric Theatre, Carmarthen, on October 27 (7pm).

This year, 2018, marks a significant year for our Armed Forces. It is the centenary of the end of The Great War (First World War) and also commemorates 100 years of the Royal Air Force.

The prestigious annual Royal British Legion Concert has become one of the landmark events in the calendar of South West Wales, providing a platform for the Royal British Legion to pay tribute to the fallen of current and past conflicts.

It also helps the British Legion launch the Poppy Appeal in South West Wales.

The concert features leading soprano and TV and radio personality Shân Cothi, one of Wales’s premier choirs in the form of Dunvant Male Choir, the highly popular Carmarthen-based mixed youth choir Côr Seingar, Swansea-based Dancerama performing arts group youth choir, the stirring sounds of the City of Swansea Pipe Band and the unforgettable Corps of Drums of the 215 City of Swansea Squadron.

The compére will be Brian Sullivan and the guest accompanist Jeffrey Howard.

The evening ends with the poignant Tribute to the Fallen and a Service of Remembrance.

The Royal British Legion is being supported with this event by Loud Applause Productions, the production company run by Llanelli’s Cerith Owens.

Robert Lloyd works as a media consultant – www.rlloydpr.co.uk

If you have any news about the choral scene in Llanelli, the please contact him on 07777 683637 or email rlloydpr@btinternet.com

Low income families in Carmarthenshire will be supported by the council to buy secondary school uniforms for their children.

Carmarthenshire County Council will pay £50 towards the cost of uniform under a new £15,000 scheme.

The council’s executive board passed the plans for the fund to support families in need at its meeting today (Monday, June 4, 2018).

It follows a decision by the Welsh Government to end its School Uniform Grant.

Cllr Glynog Davies, executive board member for education and children’s services, said: “We are providing a small grant to help families that find it difficult to fund school uniform costs.”

The funding will be made available to pupils entering year seven who are eligible for free school meals.

It is thought that the fund will support more than 300 pupils a year.

More information will be made available on the council’s website www.carmarthenshire.gov.wales

• Watch the executive board discussion and read the report at www.carmarthenshire.gov.wales