"One of the most important and valuable parts of our heritage in Aberaeron, as in many other places in Wales, is the encouragement and promotion of local talent.

This was to be seen at an early date in Aberaeron. For a time, Christmas Day afternoon saw a meeting in the Town Hall where young people were encouraged to address the company on a chosen topic. Choirs, musical and debating societies were also established at an early date.

After a hard day's work, men and women would come together to develop their talents and to entertain and instruct their friends and neighbours in Aberaeron. In the spirit of this tradition, a concert was arranged at Felinfach.

The compères for the evening were Arwel Jones, Gareth Lloyd and Rhidian Rees, all members of the Young Farmers Club. They all performed the tasks with a warmth and naturalness that helped make the evening a great success.

Côr Cardi-gan began the evening with a rousing performance of Rossini's 'Y Carnifal' followed by 'Gweddi Africanaidd' a version of Nkosi Sikele Africa.

Robyn Tomos, entertained the audience with a number of nineteenth century ballads, including Ffair Glan-y-Môr and a ballad written especially for the occasion on present day Aberaeron. He was followed by Ysgol Ciliau Parc who performed three songs, including a song written by the teachers celebrating Aberaeron's birthday in which the entire school took part.

Doreen Lewis's pieces included a song on the sinking og the 'Madras', a great tragedy for many Aberaeron families written by the late Gareth Owen founder President of the Bicentenary Committee, as well as her own special composition on Aberaeron. Ensemble Lleisiol who followed are members of Caerwedros Young Farmers Club and prize winners at a YFC Eisteddfod.

The well known Mr Ifor Lloyd once of Aberaeron and now of Pennant, pleased the audience with a very fine rendition of two old Welsh hymns: Mi glywaf dyner lais and Pwy fydd yma mhen can mlynedd.

Cor plant Ysgol Aberaeron, from the primary school near the sea gave a striking performance of three songs, to the accompaniment of a sound tape -'Lawr ar Lan y Mor was sung against the background of the calls of sea gulls. The children also sang a specially composed song to celebrate the bicentenary.

Heather Jones included among her songs a special compostition to celebrate her links with Aberaeron. Heather is the granddaughter of William Morris Jones, the owner of the Home and Colonial Stores, now Lloyd's Pharmacy.

Dewi Siôn a member of Y Tri Tenor enthralled the audience with his rendition of Cymru Fach and an anthem out of the musical Chess.

The last performance of the evening was given by Côr Cardi-gan who sang with great effect Pedair Oed and Y Tangnefeddwyr (gan Waldo Williams) and they led the audience into Hen Wlad fy Nhadau.

The President of the evening was Hywel Teifi Edwards who gave a spirited address before the interval. Professor Edwards noted that Dyffryn Aeron has an ancient tradition in Song and Verse and he was sure, after the performances he had heard, that this tradition was safe and secure for the future.

There was a full house at Theatr Felinfach, and the audience deserves praise for the warmth of their applause for all the performers, but especially for Ysgol Ciliau Parc and Cor Plant Ysgol Aberaeron.

Those of you who have read early issues of the Cambrian News will know that it was customary to put "(Prolonged Applause)" several times in an account of a concert held in Aberaeron at that period.

At Theatr Felinfach on 11th May, we followed our forefathers and saluted the performers on the night with prolonged applause. All present agreed that this concert will remain a landmark in the celebration of Aberaeron's bicentenary."