Madam,

First of all, an apology for the wrong information being published in the Cambrian News last week about the late-night shopping in Dolgellau. The wrong file was inadvertently sent to the newspaper.

As for the correction, it was with some trepidation that final arrangements were made for Dolgellau’s late-night shopping (now a week ago last Thursday) with such an awful forecast and with so much street entertainment booked. In fact the evening was “almost” dry. Mawddach Rotary Club would like to thank all the local performers, Llanelltyd and Brithdir school choirs, the Doldrum Escape project team for encouraging local soloists Gareth Hughes, Alun Cadwalader and Rhys Sutcliffe to fill in at short notice replacing a booked act that couldn’t make it’, and Barmouth Batala Band. Thanks also to the people that you don’t see on the night, the local community team from Gwynedd Council who ensure barriers and cones are delivered to the right places for the necessary road closures to ensure compliance with health and safety risks; Gwynedd Council and the bus companies for arranging alternative bus arrangements during the square closure period; and the local fire station for bringing a fire engine enabling many youngsters to pretend to be “on a call” . South Snowdonia mountain rescue were also present and thanks to all those who donated to this essential voluntary service.More shops were open this year adding to the good community atmosphere. The 12 days of Christmas window display competition had been taken up by many shops and the winner was Gwyndy. The runner-up was Ty Siamâs and joint third were TH Café and Bwyd Iach. Many of those windows had a penguin somewhere in their display for window shoppers to find, with a cuddly penguin as the prize for the first correct list of shops with penguins. In the event no-one identified all 10, so all those with nine were put into a draw, and the winner from that draw was Aron Humphreys. The window that many failed to see a penguin in was Scotts Jewellers, but it was there.Finally, thanks to Meg at TH Café for accommodating Santa’s Grotto again. One hundred and eighty children were pleased that you did. Nadolig Llawen / Happy Christmas.

Yours etc

Derek Hawes

Rotary Club of Mawddach