THE latest community news from Harlech

Historical society

ON Tuesday, 12 November, the historical society was addressed by Quentin Deakin.

He spoke about Wales in the Second World War, focusing on the impact it had on people’s lives at the time and after it. He was particularly concerned with community relations in Meirionnydd and the Welsh language.

Mr Deakin also told the story of the Battle of Barmouth in 1943.

He also led a war-related quiz.

He also made his presentation accessible which led to some of the audience contributing their life stories from the war time.

The next talk will be on 14 January and will be presented by John Hirst who will be discussing ‘Municipal Enthusiasts’. It will be in the memorial hall, at 7.30pm.

WI

THE president, Jan Cole, welcomed members and two guests for the evening, Linda and Federation WI advisor, Meinir Lloyd Jones, to the AGM meeting.

The format for this evening would be a short business meeting, followed by refreshments, concluding with our 2019 AGM.

Apologies were accepted and birthday cards handed out.

Minutes of the last meeting were read, and duly accepted as correct.

The county letter was read with items of interest and forthcoming events noted.

Dates for your diary: Embroidered Christmas card on 21 November at Felin Ganol, Dolgellau, 10am until noon, £4 to include all materials and refreshments, just bring needles and scissors; Christmas Event, Neuadd Buddug, Bala on 7 December, doors open l.30pm; GMFWI carol service, Ebeneser Chapel, Dolgellau, 6 December – service commences at 2pm.

Forthcoming events: Craft club, Old Library, on 21 November at l.30pm for 2pm; book club led by Jan on 21 November, commencing 7pm; a demonstration by Sue Williams from NFWI at the leisure centre on walking netball at 4pm, also on 21 November.

Ros gave out information on the next dining club event which will be afternoon tea at Plas tan y Bwlch, on 22 November, at 2pm.

The next meeting on 11 December, is at 2pm, and would not be held in the memorial hall, as it is the Christmas party. Contact Jan for further information.

The AGM started with reports for the last 10 months being given by individual members, and duly accepted as correct.

Jan thanked the members for their support during the past year, and confirmed that she would continue as president for the next 12 months.

Meetings are held on the second Wednesday of every month, in the memorial hall at 7pm; visitors and new members are always welcome.

Community council

A PRESENTATION was given by Cllr Martin Hughes of his visit to Ireland at the end of March arranged by the North Wales Walled Towns Friendship Circle. He had been invited as a member of this group with Harlech Castle. Cllr Hughes showed slides of the tour andhe gave the history of places of interest.

The chairman extended sympathy to the family of the late Richard Powell Williams who was a member of the council a few years ago.

Cllr Freya Bentham reported that a suggestion had been made to change the name of Harlech Community Forum and members agreed. They will meet every three months for different groups to give updates and share ideas that would then be fed back to the council.

A report was given by Cllr Bentham on the hoppa bus and she stated she had met Michelle Clarke from the North Wales Community Transport Association who is helping to look into funding. Lloyd’s Coaches said 1,665 people had used the hoppa service in the 30 days it was running.

The clerk reported that Carol Williams, change manager for the Post Office had contacted her stating that she was looking for suitable premises to install a mobile post office in the town for two hours on Wednesday and Thursday. This would be a temporary measure until a permanent location had been found.

The next Harlech and Ardudwy Leisure board meeting will be held on 16 January 2020. Two grants have been awarded - Community Chest (Sport Wales) Grant for £1,497 for improving the climbing wall and training in climbing coaching and a Landfill Disposal Tax Grant of £49,772 for improving the environment around the centre i.e. planting bushes, trees, community engagement to improve the green space around the centre, also provide bike racks, repair the tarmac in places, hopefully get some of the street and car park lights working again (with energy efficient lights) and funding towards replacing (hopefully) all the Pool windows.

Planning applications: External and internal alterations to change the use of storeroom into retail area – Morfa Stores, Beach Road, Harlech): Supported.

Omission of dummy chimney stacks and retention of rear garden sheds – 1-4 Nant y Mynydd, Hwylfa’r Nant, Harlech: Supported.

Erection of ground floor front extension and new two storey rear extension – Lion Hotel, Pen Dref, Harlech: Supported.

A vote of thanks was given to Steve O’Neill for cutting the grass along the side of the road by T? Canol estate.

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