THE latest community news from Dolgellau

Ras y Gader AGM

THIS year’s Ras y Gader annual general meeting will be held at the Royal Ship Hotel.

The meeting will start at 7pm, Thursday, 16 November.

All are welcome to attend.

Festive fun

ON FRIDAY, 1 December, a late-night shopping event, a lantern parade and the Christmas lights switch-on will be taking place in the town centre.

Approximately 60 mini Christmas trees will be placed in brackets around the town and the big centrepiece tree in Eldon Square will also be turned on at 6pm.

Unfortunately, the wraparound Christmas lights on the town’s lampposts will not be used this year as they are no longer fit for purpose due to their age.

Cllr Jo Checkley, who sits on Dolgellau Town Council’s Christmas Lights Committee, is looking forward to the evening.

“The main big tree lights in Eldon Square will be switched on at late night shopping on 1 December at 6pm by the winner of the Lantern Parade,” she said.

“The parade starts at Penarlag Council Offices at 5.30pm and will finish in the square.

“The lantern parade and carol singing, which includes our Welsh learners and the Brownies, but all are welcome to join in with their own home-made lanterns.

“Santa and his sleigh will be situated in the square during the evening collecting donations towards Dolgellau Rotary’s charity fund, which helps many groups local to Dolgellau and also deals with international issues.

“As usual there will be a selection of craft stalls for people to browse, glow sticks for sale and storytelling by Mair Tomos Ifans for the youngsters, and German lager or mulled wine for sale.

“Raffle tickets are now on sale in most of the shops in Dolgellau, these sales will help fund the event, the draw in Eldon Square on the evening after the choir and first prize is £200.

“I do hope everyone will all be able to come to the fun and buy some raffle tickets too!”

In addition, on Saturday afternoon, 2 December, Father Christmas will be in his grotto in Dolgellau Free Library and the gingerbread cake competition, organised by Mawddach Rotary, will take place.

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