THE latest community news from Harlech

Historical society

THE speaker at the Harlech Historical Society meeting on 12 March was Rhys Mwyn. He is an author, lecturer, radio presenter and an archaeologist.

The talk covered the mysterious subject of the ancient burial chambers of 6,000 to 4,000 years ago. One of the most important changes in history was the introduction of agriculture. This meant that for the first time these ancient people of the Stone Age, some 4,000 years BC, settled in one place, had homes, farms, flocks of animals and a sense of belonging.

The burial of their dead became important to them with monuments of considerable size becoming a feature of the landscape. Some of these monuments are still with us to this day.

An example of this Neolithic architecture is Bryn Celli Ddu on Anglesey which is classified as a passage grave. Originally covered by a mound of stones, when excavated it revealed the so-called ‘pattern stone’, covered with carved abstract markings and it covered a pit containing a human cremation.

Carbon dating of material found on the site showed it to date from 3,100 BC. A particularly fascinating detail of Bryn Celli Ddu is that the entrance passage lines up with the summer solstice sunrise.

The talk was well illustrated and included a remarkable picture of light flooding through the passage and into the chamber at 4.30am on the summer solstice.

Rhys gave the society a marvellous talk and the evening was enjoyed by all.

The next meeting will be held on 9 April at the memorial hall. The speaker will be David Craik and his talk is entitled ‘Our of Africa? The real Denys Finch Hatton’.

Coffee morning

ON Easter Saturday, residents of Llanfair and Llandanwg will host an Easter coffee morning in the Neuadd Goffa between 10am and noon with a raffle, stalls and a paned, to raise money towards replacement windows between the café and the pool.

This will be a chance for a village get together as well as fundraising, so all welcome, bring friends and family along.

Anyone interested in helping on the day, phone 01766 780952.

Bingo

ANOTHER successful bingo session in the Harlech poolside café on Saturday saw almost £200 raised towards keeping Ardudwy’s pool, café and climbing wall in profit.

The next session will be on Easter Saturday, 20 April, eyes down at 5.30pm (later time than usual). Visitors welcome.

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