Historical society

THE SPEAKER at the next meeting, on Tuesday, 12 April, will be the society’s president, Dr David Craik, who will discuss the life and many achievements of H W Tilman, the Barmouth explorer. Bill Tilman is one of Britain’s heroic unrecognised treasures. Born in 1898, he served with distinc-tion in the two World Wars, being awarded two Military Crosses for bravery in the first war and the Distinguished Service Order in the second. Tilman held a number of explora-tion records and mounted many expeditions in the period from 1930 until his disappearance in the South Atlantic in 1979. These included the first ascent of the un-climbed Himalayan peak of Nanga Parbat which, at 7,816 metres (25,643ft), remained the highest summit climbed by man until 1950. Tilman was involved in two of the 1930s Mount Everest expeditions, participating in the 1935 Reconnaissance Expedition and reaching 27,200 feet without oxygen as the expedition leader in 1938. He also wrote fifteen books on travel and exploration. The lecture will contain some photographs and illustrations and, it is hoped, some 1930s archive film. 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 Neuadd Goffa, the Memorial Hall, on Twtil just opposite the castle and light refreshments will be served following the talk. Non-members are welcome to attend.

Friends of Harlech Pool

THE AGM of the Friends of Harlech Pool will take place on Wednesday, 13 April, at 7pm in the poolside cafe at the centre, just off Beach Road.They are looking for new members to strengthen the team.The friends help raise funds to support the community run pool, and also to raise the profile of the pool in the area. All welcome.