The popular owner of Gannet’s Bistro, Dilys Mildon, has been chosen to lead Aberystwyth’s 2019 Parêd Gwyl Dewi (St David’s Day Parade) held on Saturday, 2 March.

Dilys and her husband, Dave, have given 34 years to running what became an Aberystwyth institution and a popular focus for Welsh life in the town and area before recently retiring.

The honour of ‘Tywysydd’ (guide) is give every year at the Parêd to a local Aberystwyth person or persons for their commitment and dedication to Wales and the Welsh language and life.

Dilys was raised in Llangwyryfon and attended Ardwyn Grammar School before attending the catering college in Cardiff.

Following 10 years working in the pioneering years of Mudiad Ysgolion Meithrin (the Welsh-language nursery school network) in the 1970s in Cardiff, she and the family moved to London where she worked in catering in many schools.

Dave, who’s from St Fagans near Cardiff, worked for British Airline, including Concorde, as an international menu planner.

Following the death of her mother, Dilys, Dave and their daughter, Lisa, moved to Aberystwyth and took over Gannets on St James’s Place – which had been a vegetarian restaurant.

Since then the bistro has been a hub of good food and good company and was a focal point for Welsh life in the town, and, indeed people from across Wales who travelled to Aberystwyth.

Siôn Jobbins, chair of the parade, said: “We’re very glad Dilys Mildon has agreed to be the 2019 Tywysydd.

“The parade organisers were glad to give recognition to Dilys and Dave for their contribution to the life, and especially Welsh language life, in the town."

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