THE latest community news from Harlech

Bingo

REGULARS will be delighted to hear that this season’s bingo dates at Harlech Ardudwy Leisure are announced.

The first session is on Saturday, 28 September, mid-season Saturday, 26 October, and the pre-Christmas bingo will be on Saturday, 7 December.

Eyes down at 2.30pm on each occasion.

All welcome, regulars and visitors, with prizes for the first line and every full house.

If bingo is not your scene, the climbing wall will be open while bingo sessions are on. Croeso i bawb.

Historical society

THE new season of lectures begins at 7.30pm on Tuesday, 10 September, with a talk by Jim Maxwell. His topic will be ‘The Life and Times of Gruffydd ap Cynan’.

Jim’s talk explores the little-known, but well-recorded, life of Gruffydd ap Cynan the last King of Gwynedd, 1055-1137. Gruffydd who was born in Dublin with a Welsh father and Norse mother spent many years reclaiming his Welsh birthright.

He was assisted, and sometimes betrayed, by his mother’s kinsmen including Magnus Bearleg, King of the Western Isles and Man.

Through various raids he let a very colourful life including 12 years captivity in Chester castle following betrayal by a fellow Welshman.

Following escape he successfully thwarted invasions of Gwynedd by William II and Henry I before negotiating a peace with the latter.

During this period of peace he reinforced the role of the Celtic Church though not without opposition from Roman Catholic Canterbury.

He reaffirmed the application of the laws of Hywel Dda and brought stability to his kingdom.

With increasing age and loss of sight he passed his responsibility for Meirionnydd to his son Owain who continued battles with the Marcher Knights particularly after the beheading in 1136 of Gruffydd’s daughter Gwenllian who had eloped and married Gruffydd ap Rhys of Deheubarth.

The dynasty created by Gruffydd ap Cynan prospered until the invasion of Wales by Edward I and the death of Llywellyn the Last.

The talk will be followed by the AGM. Light refreshments provided.

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