A MAN from Aberdyfi has beaten over 1,000 people to win the award for best promoter in the Ticket Source Rural Touring Award.

Des George, who has lived in Aberdyfi for 35 years, has been involved with the Neuadd Dyfi for 20 years and has been responsible for bringing a huge variety of events to the community hall.

Speaking about the win, he said: “I am delighted to win this award on behalf of the Neuadd Dyfi.

“We have been promoting shows here for nearly 20 years to a growing audience.

“A community hall has to attempt to cater for the whole community so we aim to be as flexible as possible and we put on a great variety of events at the Neuadd.

"We hold pantomimes, art exhibitions, community lunches, wedding receptions, play groups, dance theatre workshops, Zumba, Women’s Institute and blood donor sessions to name a few.”

He added: “Night Out – which is an Arts Council of Wales scheme that works in partnership with volunteers across Wales to bring the arts to the heart of the community – financially underwrites the majority of the cost of the bookings, although we do book events in our hall without Night Out support.

“However, without their help, the range and quality of the events we put on would be severely restricted. Night Out is superb because it allows us to have top rate professional shows here in our rural community and gives us and the performers the confidence to ‘take risks’."

Bryn Lloyd, chairman of Aberdyfi Community Council said: “Thanks to Des’ efforts over many years, the Neuadd Dyfi has gone from strength to strength. Without Des’ dedication towards our community we would not have the wonderful facility that we have today."

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