THE latest community news from Blaenau Ffestiniog

Cymdeithas Hanes Bro Ffestiniog

THE speaker in October was Adrian Hughes, who spoke about the influx of Civil Servants to Llandudno in the Second World War.

The Inland Revenue was evacuated from London in 1940, and special trains brought a total of 4,000 staff and families to live in Llandudno for the duration of the war, (including his mother) and for some, a couple of years beyond.

Many people stayed in the town’s guest houses, and The Ormescliffe Hotel became a rest and relaxation centre.

The Coast Artillery School was also relocated from Essex, and some Gun Emplacements are still on the Orme.

The Summit Complex became a RAF Radar Station.

Many towns raised money towards fighter planes, or ships, and the people of Llandudno paid for a mine sweeper ship.

Meanwhile, the Ministry of Works had been evacuated to Rhyl, and the Ministry of Food went to Colwyn Bay.

The speaker on 14 November will be Marian Gwyn, who will talk about ‘Posh Privies’, toilets in country houses!

The meeting will be at 7.30pm, in the Ganolfan, Wynne Road.

Services

HOLY Cross: Mass at 6pm on Saturday with Fr Shaji Punati.

St Mary Magdalene: Mass at 11am with Fr Shaji Punnati.

Manod Orthodox: Third and Sixth Canonical Hours at 10am followed by the Divine Liturgy of Saint John Chrysostom.

St Michael’s: Morning service at 9.30am.

St David’s: Morning service at 11am.

Carmel: United churches service with Tudor Hughes at 10am.

Sports

BLAENAU Amateurs FC were 5-2 home winners over Llandyrnog United thanks to three goals from Iwan Jones and two from Meilir Williams.

They are at Prestatyn Sports this Saturday. Bro Ffestiniog XV were beaten 25-7 at Dolgellau and are home to Llangefni this Saturday.

Trains

THE second phase of a major upgrade on the Conwy Valley line will take place from the evening of Friday, 22 November, until the morning of Sunday, 15 December.

This work will include the installation of 600 rock bolts in the Ffestiniog Tunnel to reduce rock fall as well as the replacement of sleepers along the line, vegetation management and to replace the flood damaged platform at Dolgarrog station.

While this work is carried out a replacement bus service will be in operation and passengers are advised to check www.nationalrai.co.uk before travelling.

There is talk that train services will be increased on this line next year but this is not official as well as changes to the Blaenau train station facilities .

Remembrance

THE local Royal British Legion and Sub Branch Sarn Helen members organised the yearly Remembrance Service which got under way with a service at St David’s Church, conducted by the Rev Roland Barnes followed by a march up to the now Memorial Health Centre where a service and the wreath laying ceremony took place.

The parade marshall was Gary Williams and the four standard bearers were Glyn Daniels, with the Burma Star; Emyr Williams, Royal Naval Association; Fred Tanner, Royal British Legion; and Iwan Jones, Royal Welch Fusiliers.

Following that service there was another at the Rhiw War Memorial as well as a wreath laying.

Tree

A SHORT ceremony will take place at 4.30pm on Sunday, 24 November, at the Diffwys Square for the Bro Ffestiniog Remembrance Tree after which there will be carol singing led by the Oakeley Silver Band and members of the local choirs.

This will be in aid of the Hospice at Home appeal.

Parking

ON 4 November, a residents parking scheme came into force at Newborough Street and between numbers 1 to 6 Wynne Road.

The new restriction will allow permit holders to park all day and non-permit holders to park for a period of up to 45 minutes only, with no return within an hour.

The cost of parking the first car is £50 a year and £80 for two cars.

Fair

THE Grandma’s Attic Community Project will be holding its autumn table top fair between 11am and 2pm this Saturday, 16 November, at the WI Hall.

Wynne Avenue and their Christmas table top fair will be at the same time and venue on Sunday, 15 December.

Choir

HAVING had to call off their last Friday evening’s concert at Betws y Coed, the Moelwyn Male Choir is to be there on the next two Fridays and they have other engagements there and elsewhere before Christmas.

If you’re a member of a club, society or group, send your news to [email protected]