A new book documenting Criccieth High Street through the ages has been written by a local councillor who will use the proceeds to support events in the town.

Criccieth Shops Through the Ages documents the history and development of the High Street, and has been published as part of Criccieth Town Council’s Unique Streets Project and put together by council chairman Cllr Robert Dafydd Cadwalader.

The town council, in partnership with Criccieth Business Forum, secured funding from Arloesi Gwynedd Wledig for the project to support a number of ideas to boost the amount of shoppers on the High Street and for the enjoyment of residents.

Cllr Cadwalader said: “During the summer a ‘Creative Incident’ event was held which celebrated the famous poem by Robert Graves which tells of strange monsters coming out of the caves at Criccieth.

“A sculpture depicting this was commissioned and created by local artist Howard Bowcott.

“The unique work was unveiled by Lord Dafydd Elis-Thomas, on the Maes during November.

“During the summer event, local and visiting children painted pictures of the shops which have been incorporated into a 24-inch-long mural by artist Ffion Gwyn and the students of Coleg Meirion-Dwyfor assisted by Cllr Nan Davies-Hughes, carpenter Paul Montague and other volunteers.”

Cllr Cadwalader highlighted the fact that, despite the changing landscape of the High Street and the tendency for people to shop at supermarkets, out of town malls and online, only a few shops on the High Street are empty.

Cllr Cadwalader said: “Thanks must go to Michael Jones who established the Facebook group ‘Hen lunia Criccieth a’i phobl’/’Old photos of Criccieth and its people’. This now has over 2,000 members all over the world, many of whom share the pictures.

“The response has been incredible and many people have posted pictures and it is thanks to them and others that have contributed that this booklet can be published.”

The bilingual book will cost £9.99 and can be bought at Newsday, Y Deli Newydd and the Post Office. Proceeds from the sale will be used to print more copies and to support events in the town.

See this week’s north feature for the full story, in shops and online now