THE latest community news from Harlech

WI

THE president Jan Cole welcomed members and guests to the April meeting.

She introduced the guest speaker for the evening Sian Roberts, who has worked for the Welsh Tourist Board since obtaining her foundation degree (The Blue Badge) in 2015, after studying for three years.

Sian who accompanied her talk with various slides of the Welsh countryside, gave an insight to the members of all aspects of her work. During the summer months walks around Harlech are arranged for foreign visitors to the area, with most areas covered unless they are unsuitable due to Health and Safety.

After a very interesting and informative talk, Sheila thanked Sian on behalf of the members.

After refreshments in which the raffle was drawn, the two winners were Jo and Mavis.

The competition winners were also announced: 1. Jenny; 2. Josie; 3. Sue.

The business meeting commenced with Edwina thanking members for the afternoon tea, provided by Harlech WI at the monthly meeting of Teulu Castell.

The minutes of the last meeting were read and the county letter was discussed with items of interest being noted.

A reminder for members travelling to Newport for the All Wales AGM, the coach will be picking up from Dolgellau at 10am.

A taster evening has been arranged in The Rugby Club, Dolgellau on 21 May, with all institutes to take two dishes for members to taste.

Resolutions Meeting 2019 will take place in Llanelltyd Village Hall on 2 May; Spring Council on 30 April, to be held in the Hall, Rhydymain, coffee served from 9.30am, meeting starts 10.30am.

The Dining Club’s next outing will be the annual dinner to be held in May; for further details contact Jan.

There will also be an outing to Tyddyn Sachau Nurseries for afternoon tea on 23 May, further details will be given in the May meeting.

The Sales table for the May meeting will be plants, produce, to include cakes. Sheila asked for volunteers to help tidy up a small area in front of St Tanwg’s Church, on 3 May, meeting at 10.30am.

The Old Library will be having a book sale on Easter Saturday/Sunday, 10.30am – 4pm; anyone who can help, contact Sheila. Stella gave out information regarding an open day by Dyffryn Gardening Club to be held on Monday, 6 May, 1pm to 4pm in the church hall, Dyffryn Ardudwy.

Refreshments will be provided. The next meeting will be on Wednesday, 8 May in the Memorial Hall. Visitors are welcome.

Community Council

THE chairman welcomed Rhys and Mark from Welsh Cycling and also Mike Locker owner of Woodlands caravan park to the meeting to discuss the cycling event that is taking place on 11 August, when cyclists from all over will be cycling up Ffordd Penllech.

Details of the event up to now was made known by them and it was agreed for them to come back to a council meeting in June.

It was reported that the council had spent £52,048.80 since the start of the new financial year and this was £16,159.10 less expenditure than what was earmarked in the budget for the year.

The clerk distributed copies of the council’s budget plan for the year 2019/20 to the members that were present and they went through this plan.

It was agreed to adopt this plan for the year ahead. The treasurer distributed copies of the accounts for the year ending 31 March to every member present.

The members went through the accounts carefully and they all accepted the accounts. The accounts book was signed by the chairman and the clerk.

On behalf of the council, the chairman thanked the clerk/treasurer for preparing detailed accounts every year and also for all the hard work that she does to prepare these.

Concern was voiced on hearing that some of the public thought that the council had given permission for the demolition of the band room and the tennis court following a recent meeting with representatives of the Harlech in Action Group and the members wanted to make it clear that the council had not given permission for this to be done and they had only listened to what were the plans of Harlech in Action in this meeting.

Great concern was voiced that the Harlech in Action Group had, it was said, not consulted with members of the band in the first place before carrying on with their plans.

Cllr Gordon Howie made it known that Harlech Rygbi Club are going to install new lighting in the training area in King George playing field shortly.

Volunteers

EASTER Saturday will be an action packed day for volunteers of Harlech Ardudwy Leisure.

In the morning, they will be helping residents of Llanfair and Llandanwg with their Easter coffee morning in the Neuadd Goffa, Llanfair.

Lots of excellent prizes for the raffle as well as stalls and a cuppa. More prizes later at the early evening Easter special Bingo session at Harlech Pool Café. Eyes down at 5.30pm. All welcome.

Later in the evening, Roc Ardudwy will be staging a concert featuring a U2 tribute act, this time in Harlech’s Memorial Hall.

Call HAL reception, 01766 780576, for more information.

Historical Society

THE April talk was given by the society’s president David Craik.

David’s subject was Denys Finch-Hatton who’s father, Henry, was one of the founders of the Royal St David’s Golf Club.

The Finch-Hattons were a wealthy and titled family who had residences in Harlech at Plas and Bronheulog. Denys Finch-Hatton was portrayed as an explorer and aviation pioneer in the 1985 Meryl Streep and Robert Redford movie Out of Africa.

Away from Holywood romance, the reality of Denys Finch-Hatton’s life was very different. He ran a hunting lodge and led parties on big game hunts – an aspect of his life that David covered in some detail.

Clients at his lodge included Edward Prince of Wales in secret visits with Wallace Simpson and Baroness Karen Blixen, who became his lover.

Denys Finch-Hatton’s life was cut short by a plane crash in 1931.

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