THE latest community news from Harlech

WI

The President Jan Cole, welcomed everyone to the meeting, the first after the summer break, where a warm welcome was extended to guest visitor Debbie.

Before the commencement of the business agenda, Jan introduced the guest speaker for the evening, Nicky Darton, who would be giving a talk on communicating with the deaf.

Nicky, who works for the Royal Society for the Deaf, gave a brief history on hearing loss, with over 11 million people deaf or hard of hearing in the UK.

Accompanied by slides, Nicky displayed various hearing aids given out by the NHS since 1948.

After Nicky had answered lots of questions, a vote of thanks for a very interesting and informative talk was given on behalf of the members by Jenny.

Refreshments were served, and the raffle prize drawn, which was won by Jan Spicer.

Business meeting – apologies accepted, birthday cards given out, with any news of members being put forward.

Jan read the County Letter with forthcoming events of interest being noted in the diaries.

Quiz and supper – 28 September, Rugby Club, Dolgellau, starting at 7pm.

Healthy living talk – 18 October, Theatre Fach, Dolgellau.

Christmas event – 8 December, Neuadd Tegid, Bala.

Sheila informed everyone there were still a few of the Harlech Books to sell.

Debbie gave out information regarding The Craft Club, next Thursday, 20 September, to be held in The Old Library, 1.30 for 2pm. Stella will be taking the class, producing patchwork owls.

Christine will look into the Dining Club venues with an outing pencilled in for the beginning of October, more information at next month’s meeting.

October sales table will be produce, to include pickles, jams, cakes, winter flowers etc.

The competition winner was Christine, with Jenny second and Sheila third.

WI meetings are held every second Wednesday in The Memorial Hall, starting at 7pm.

New members and visitors to the area are welcomed.

Historical societyTHE opening lecture of the 2018/19 season was delivered by John Hirst and was entitled The Choicest Company. Last year John spoke to the society about the way in which the Cambrian coast was marketed as a holiday destination.This year the focus of his attention was the holidaymakers who were attracted to the developing resorts.Some of these were well known, including prime minister William Gladstone, novelist Elizabeth Gaskell, scientist T E Huxley and poet Lord Tennyson.Others are long forgotten, but well over quarter of a million people were holidaying along the coast each year at the end of the 19th century. From letters, diaries, novels and contemporary newspapers, John examined who these visitors were, where they came from and what led them to choose the Cambrian resorts for their holidays.In doing so he shed a new light on the social history of Victorian Britain and demonstrated how changes in fashion, expectations, technology and levels of prosperity led to changes in holiday styles as well.The talk drew upon John’s extensive research and his thorough knowledge of the archived material relating to the Victorian development of our tourist industry. This was not, however, an ‘academic’ talk.By means of numerous vignettes, drawn from contemporary sources, John brought to life the thoughts and feelings of those 19th century visitors. The talk was followed by the AGM before the evening ended with cheese and wine.The society’s October lecture will be given by Bill Jones on the topic of Welsh migrants and Australian gold rushes.It will be held at the Memorial Hall on Tuesday, 9 October, at 7.30pm.Light refreshments will be provided.If you’re a member of a club, society or group, send your news to [email protected]