CELEBRATIONS are being planned in Cardigan next year to mark the 200 years since the sailing of the ship Albion with 160 local people to a new life across the Atlantic to Nova Scotia, Canada.

A series of events is being lined up by Cymdeithas Aberteifi Society/Cardigan Civic Trust over Easter, taking place from April 17-24.

A logo has been created which will be appearing around town. They have been drawn by James Lynch

from drawings found on the first floor walls of one of his Teifi Wharf warehouses by the old Cardigan Bridge

They were uncovered while he was having renovations done and are believed to have been drawn by seamen in the 19th century.

Proposed events include the opening ceremony on Prince Charles Quay by the Mayor and visiting officials from New Brunswick.

The schooner Vilma will be moored for the duration of the Albion Bicentenary Easter on Teifi Wharf in full sail, wind dependant. It will make trips with passengers down the Teifi on suitable tides.

There will be a mock up on a warehouse on the quay depicting the accommodation on board the brig Albion for the 60-day journey across the Atlantic, tours for visitors from New Brunswick to see homes and the area from where their ancestors came and trips in local boats to see both embarkation quays and out to the bar.

Other events planned include a demonstration of coracle fishing, an exhibition in the warehouse on Teifi Wharf, relevant to 1819, traditional Welsh dance, Son et Lumiere on the nearby buildings and an outdoor drama presentation through the town telling the story of the migration on the Prince Charles Quay and a bicentenary dinner.

A series of talks will focus on causes for the Albion emigration of so many local people; the maritime history of Cardigan including the Davies family of Bridge House (now the Grosvenor Hotel )n the hub of the Thomas Davies shipping business, and the life of the young 27-year-old Newport-born Captain Llewellyn Davies, nephew of Thomas Davies who sadly lost his life, off Ireland, November of the same year; the navigation skills of a sea captain in 1819 and the Welsh community in New Brunswick today by video link.

There will be a closing ceremony with Welsh entertainment when candle-lit paper boats made by schoolchildren will be placed in the river by the moored boat, floating out on the ebb tide towards the sea, representing the brave crew and passengers of the Albion who set sail for a better life 200 years ago.

A fundraising page has been set up at http://www.www.facebook.com/cymdeithas.aberteifi.society looking to raise £2,500 to help fund the celebrations and pay for the Vilma and all donations will be welcome. A grand raffle is also planned.