THE latest community news from Llanfair

Llanfair WI Meeting

Opening the annual St David’s Welsh meeting, the president welcomed members and guests Edwina Evans and Marian Jarvis.

Unfortunately, Te Cymraeg and the Easter Egg & Basket Competition had both been cancelled through lack of support, which was most disappointing for the organisers.

Also, members have only just learned that Cynwyd and Blaenau Ffestiniog Institutes closed in December, leaving only 12 institutes in the federation.

Betty Grant reported from the Neuadd Committee. Shirley and Theresa’s names have been given to Gwen as new members. Numbers were taken for WI diaries. Pauline will reply to the Urban Tree Project Organisers that Llanfair will not be participating.

Members voted in favour of renewing the Clwb Cant annual fee for the Institute. The first draw will take place in April.

Regarding the recent letter received concerning federation costs, a board was passed round for comments. A reply will be formulated by the committee.

The emergency contact list is being updated. This will be supplied to all, as soon as a few missing contact details have been supplied.

The newsletter was read, detailing the All Wales AGM and the NFWI AGM. Local events include the Spring Event in Bala on 26 May, with four craft classes. Contact Gwen Pettifer by 19 May. Llanfair will again send a team to the Quiz Night on 27 April, in Dolgellau, comprising Jan, Sandra, Carole and Pauline.

For the Meirionnydd County Show, celebrating 150 years, the theme will be ‘Past, Present and Future’. For the Royal Welsh Show Rose Bowl, the theme is ‘Myths & Magic’.

There is a very short notification period, to Eira Lewis by 9 April. The committee and interested volunteers will confer.

For “‘Anything Goes’ entertainment in Newtown in September, the federation may hire a coach. Names to Pauline, Sue or directly to Jill Houliston by 31 March.

Harlech WI invited Llanfair to their St David’s Day Celebration on 14 March. Pauline, Jan, Sue, Jean, Stella and Elly attended. Edwina announced that the proceeds for the recent Saving Denman Coffee Morning, organised by the Artro Group, came to £167.

Edwina Evans then took the floor for her talk ‘Down Memory Lane’, describing Harlech as she remembered it in earlier years.

When she was growing up, there were 64 shops or trades serving the public in the town, including a corset-maker, butcher, hair salon, grocer, garage and Mr Hughes’ Bakery. Mr Wilson, a cabinet maker, had his workshop at the bottom of Llanfair Old Road.

There was also a cinema on the site of the recent amusement arcade.

The bustling town centre became more congested, unfortunately, when pavements were built as these narrowed the roadway.

Edwina’s interesting talk stirred up memories and she was warmly thanked by Betty Grant.

Edwina judged the school photograph competition, which was won by Sue Travis, and joined us for a delicious Welsh tea.

Raffle winners: Sandra, Christine.

Next meetingis on 13 April, ‘Journey to Tibet and Yak’ by Sandra Atkinson.

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