THE latest community news from Harlech

Ardudwy Leisure

SUNDAY, 26 January, offers residents of Ardudwy a special community event.

Between 10am and 2pm, all are invited to call in and learn more about the community-run leisure centre.

The café will be open for drinks and snacks, there will be some exciting news and swimming and climbing will be free to all.

The leisure centre is run by the community for the community, so go along and learn more about it.

More details soon or phone reception on 01766 780576.

On Tuesday, 28 January, at the Tuesday Coffee Morning, there will be a Gambian-themed morning.

Liz Stringer, the café’s regular cook, will be offering the chance of something special with your panad, with an African flavour.

Liz, who lives for part of each year in Gambia, will be over there in February and there will be a collection dish available for anyone who would like to support her work.

Historical society

THE society’s next lecture on 14 January will be by John Hirst on the topic of ‘The Rise of Local Government and the Decline of the Gentry’.

The growth of seaside resorts led to many new roles for local government, notably improved sanitary conditions and the promotion of the tourist industry.

Much of this work was undertaken by businessmen and professional men who played a central part in the process of development.

Local government and politics in Wales had been dominated by the landed gentry from the reign of Henry VIII but in the later nineteenth century these businessmen and professionals tended to take over this role and to create something of a social and political transformation.

By the eve of the First World War Wales was a stronghold of the Liberal Party; many of the emerging middle class were Nonconformists while the gentry tended to be Anglican in religious adherence.

The locus of power in society had shifted. John Hirst worked as a librarian for much of his career ending up as director of leisure services for Shropshire County Council.

He retired to Harlech and in retirement has done on MA in Social History with the Open University and a PhD at Aberystwyth University on the development of the Cambrian Coast Resorts in the nineteenth century.

He has given several lectures to the society previously and his enthusiastic and engaging approach combined with fascinating details and stories make him a firm favourite with members and visitors.

The lecture will be held at 7.30pm at the Memorial hall, Twtil.

Members free, others £2 at the door.

Tea, coffee and biscuits to follow.

All welcome.

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