THE latest community news from Harlech.

Historical Society

THE speaker at the next meeting on Tuesday, 11 April, will be the society’s president Dr David Craik. He will deliver an illustrated talk based on a recently published book by Barmouth historian Les Darbyshire entitled Western Meirionnydd During World War II.

Mr Darbyshire spent almost a decade researching the great contribution of western Meirionnydd and its people to the fight for freedom and democracy over racism and dictatorship during World War II. He researched photographs, maps, Ministry of War documents and testimony by those who lived locally during the war and those who were active combatants.

He also investigated the history of wartime establishments at RAF Llanbedr, the Trawsfynnydd and Harlech artillery ranges and Barmouth OCTU.

His illuminating work sets out in detail the sacrifices and heroism of local people who endured and fought the Second World War and demonstrates the true effects of the conflict on the local communities. The lecture will illustrate these facets of the book and reflect on the massive impact of the war on the local area and the changes it brought about.

David Craik was raised in Harlech and educated at Ysgol Ardudwy and the Universities of Cardiff and Keele. He has delivered invitational lectures at Emory University, Atlanta and Cambridge University. He is currently deputy head of Sandwell Sixth Form Centre in Birmingham.

He was one of the founders of the Harlech Historical Society and gives the president’s annual lecture.

The meeting will start at 7.30pm in the Memorial Hall, on Twtil, just opposite the castle, and light refreshments will be served following the talk. Non-members are very welcome to attend. Copies of the book will be available at the meeting.

Leisure Centre

HARLECH Ardudwy Leisure Centre was privileged to host a talk by world famous mountaineer and adventurer Eric Jones on Thursday, 30 March.

The poolside café was crammed to capacity to hear first hand the exploits of this extraordinary farmer’s son from Ruthin.

Although starting to climb relatively late in life, Eric went on to make the first British solo ascent on the North Face of the Eiger as well as conquering many of the world’s most challenging mountains.

Deemed in his National Service Days as “unfit” to join the Parachute regiment, Eric as a civilian went on to sky dive and BASE jump to extreme levels. The audience was delighted with the entertaining account which Eric gave of his life.

Harlech Ardudwy Leisure is extremely grateful to Eric for the support he has given to the centre, which boasts a climbing wall as well as a pool and cafe.