THE latest community news from Harlech

Historical society

THE speaker at Harlech Historical Society’s meeting on 9 October was Bill Jones, an emeritus professor at Cardiff University.

The talk described the Australian gold rushes in the second half of the 19th century and the Welsh people who went there.

The gold rushes were significant events in both world and Welsh history and Prof Jones referred to the great help he had received from the work of the late Dr Lewis Lloyd, who had studied Australian mining law at an Australian University.

Men from all walks of life (and a few women too) left Wales to make their fortunes in Australia in the 1850s.

Places like Ballarat and Bendigo in the colony of Victoria had been found to contain great sources of gold.

Between 1851 and 1860, 19,000 ounces of gold - worth nearly £32 million at today’s prices – were recovered from the colony’s goldfields.

Paintings by S J Gill and Eugene Guerard showed many examples of alluvial panning in the 1850s and later of the deeper mining by larger concerns after the alluvial finds had been largely worked out.

One painting showed discontented miners swearing allegiance to the Southern Cross at the Eureka Stockade in 1854.

These years were considered to be the ‘wild’ years.

The important influence of chapels and churches and the increased immigration of women had a stabilising effect in later years.

The consequences to the indigenous people cannot be ignored, however as the Aboriginals were dispossessed of their tribal lands, their lives were changed and culture destroyed.

Close ties were always kept between Welsh families. Many decided to stay in Australia rather than take the hazardous journey back to Wales.

The immigration that resulted from the gold rushes vastly increased the population and the sizes of the towns such as Melbourne.

The large audience showed their appreciation at such an excellent talk and chairman Neil Evans gave a vote of thanks.

WI

A WARM welcome was extended to members and guests for the last meeting.

The arrangements for the December meeting were discussed, and it was decided to meet at lunchtime, at Y Branwen Hotel, rather than the usual time of 7pm.

They had their business meeting, followed by a light lunch, with arrangements to be confirmed at the November meeting.

Edwina asked for two guests to join the forthcoming Artro Group AGM. Debbie and Sue would be attending.

Myfanwy informed members there would be a beetle drive on 9 November, commencing at 7pm in Llanfair Neuadd with proceeds to North West Cancer Research.

Sheila asked for volunteers to help at the book sale to be held in College Harlech on 20 and 21 October, 10.30am to 4.30pm. Two would be required in the morning and afternoon.

Christine reminded everyone that they would be having their dining club event next Wednesday at the Castle Bistro, in Harlech.

More energetic ladies are required to join in the walking netball sessions, held in Harlech Sports Centre every Thursday 4pm until 5pm. Anyone can join in, just turn up.

During refreshments, the raffle was drawn. The winner was Edwina.

The competition winner was Stella.

Jan introduced guest speaker Sheila Maxwell, a valued member of Harlech WI who gave a talk on the life and work of Laura Ashley, and the Ashley family foundation.

A vote of thanks was given to Sheila by Christine, for all her hard work in putting together a most enjoyable and informative talk, which everyone found extremely interesting.

The next meeting will be held in the Memorial Hall on 14 November, at 7pm.

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