RECOGNITION FOR MORLAN VOLUNTEER

Volunteers’ Week (1-7 June 2010) is an annual event held across the UK to celebrate the fantastic contribution that millions of volunteers make to their local communities. On 7 June, CAVO – the umbrella body for voluntary organisations in Ceredigion – held an Award Ceremony to recognise the work done by countless volunteers across the county.

Alun Morris, who does tireless voluntary work at the Morlan, was nominated for an award with CAVO. Although he did not win the main award he was presented with a certificate of recognition during the ceremony. In the picture he can be seen with the other nominated volunteers from Ceredigion.

Alun had also been nominated for a similar award with WCVA – the Wales Council for Voluntary Action. He was highly commended for his work and was presented with a WCVA certificate of recognition by Rhodri Jones of WCVA.

Two other people from Ceredigion received similar certificates and they can be seen in the picture with Alun Morris (second from left) and Rhodri Jones (far left). Also pictured are Councillor Haydn Lewis (centre) and Rik Mowbray, CAVO (far right).

Hijinx Theatre presents

Into My Own

a play by Glenys Evans

On Thursday, 13 May (at 2.30 p.m.), Morlan Centre welcomed back Hijinx Theatre with their production of Glenys Evans’ play for adults with learning disablilities and the community Into My Own. 

Hijinx Theatre is one of the UK’s leading small scale touring companies, with over 27 years of experience of producing theatre for people with learning disabilities and their communities. They offer the thrill of live theatre; bringing to life characters, themes and issues which are relevant, challenging and inspiring.

In this play, which is an inspirational story of interdependance, breaking ties and moving on, Hijinx’s Artistic Director, Gaynor Loughor, directs a cast of four actors with music by James Williams.

First toured by Hijinx in 2004, this show received enthusiastic reviews, and it certainly did not disappoint when it came to Morlan: 

"Never a company to shirk a difficult sublject, Hijinx has excelled itself ... Not only does it tackle the themes of adults with learning disabilities, but it does so constructively, putting across messages to all involved – parents, relations, friends, co-workers, the wider public and indeed to the very people with such disabilities.” (The Stage). 

“... has that Hijinx hallmark: the lump in the throat and the tear in the eye that always come just before the final scene, even with this hardened and demanding old critic.” (Western Mail)

FIVE AND COUNTING! 

Celebrating the fifth anniversary of the Morlan Centre 

23 April 2010 marked five years since the official opening of Morlan.

Elsewhere on this website you can read how and why Morlan was established. It is owned by Morfa Chapel, and Morlan exists today thanks to the vision and perseverance of a group of totally committed people from that chapel. 

Before Morlan was opened, there was much debate about the type of centre that was needed in Aberystwyth, and what would be the focus of such a centre. A peace and justice centre, a youth centre and a social centre were all considered before settling finally on calling it a faith and culture centre with the aim of functioning as a bridge between the church and the surrounding area, promoting community life – both culturally and spiritually, locally and beyond.

The first five years of Morlan and the type of activities that have taken place there, have proved that the choice was the right one. Morlan has developed into an important and busy centre, a valuable community resource, that is used by many local and national groups and organisations for a wide variety of activities.

In fact, Morlan has developed into something different for different people, and this is probably what makes the place so special and unique. To some it’s a community centre, a place to attend their Welsh class or the weekly or monthly meeting of their particular group. To others it’s a place to hold a discussion or an activity on social matters, and it is used for this purpose by groups such as Aberystwyth Peace and Justice Network, the local Friends of the Earth group, and Aberystwyth Palestine Solidarity Campaign. It also provides a platform and a space for arts events and regularly welcomes drama companies from the University and others such as Hijinx Theatre, Theatr Powys and Troed-y-Rhiw Co-operative Group, as well as a host of artists and musicians. 

And of course, Morlan has its own programme of activities – discussions and talks, poetry evenings, art exhibitions, plays, concerts and social events to name but a few. These often deal with peace and justice, human rights and faith issues which fit nicely with Morlan’s aim of being a faith and culture centre. Some of these events are organised jointly with other groups or organisations, and establishing such partnerships is very important to the Morlan, bringing the centre into the community and the community into the centre.

Plas Lluest Art Project kicked off the celebrations with an art exhibition aptly called ‘Celebration’, which included a variety of pieces showing different aspects and interpretations of ‘celebration’. Its official opening took place on Saturday, 24 April when friends and supporters of Morlan and Plas Lluest came together for a twmpath with Aberystwyth Folk Dancing Party. 

On the previous evening (23 April) the first of Morlan’s annual lectures took place and the honour of delivering that first lecture fell to the Most Reverend Doctor Barry Morgan, Archbishop of Wales. He gave a lecture on ‘Religion and Politics’; bilingual copies of the lecture are available from This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it (£3 + 50p postage).

On the Saturday, Morlan, Christianity 21 and the Theological Department of Christian Aid Wales hosted a conference to provide an opportunity to discuss the challenges that face modern Christianity. Professor Keith Ward (author of Re-thinking Christianity and The Challenge of Fundamentalism) was the principal speaker, but there were also various discussion groups and other speakers during the day. 

The celebrations continued on Sunday with a Celebratory Service at Morfa Chapel led by Rev. Eifion Roberts with the final event taking place in the afternoon when Martyn Geraint, one of Wales’ leading children’s entertainers, held a fun session of singing and dancing with the children.

MORLAN'S 2010 ANNUAL LECTURE

Religion and Politics

The Most Reverend Doctor Barry Morgan, Archbishop of Wales

In this, the first of Morlan's Annual Lectures, delivered on the day of Morlan's fifth birthday, Barry Morgan presents his argument that religion and politics do mix.

Copies are available from the Morlan office at £3 each (+ 50p postage). This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it us if you would like to purchase a copy.