We conclude our year in review with the top stories in Meirionnydd and Dwyfor in the second half of the year.

You can catch up on the first part of our year in review here.July• A devastated couple who had only recently moved to north Wales were forced to “start from scratch again” after practically all their possessions were lost in a terrible house fire.Columns of smoke and fire were seen billowing from a terraced house in Llanbedrog on Saturday morning as a blaze gutted the home of Michelle Le Roux and Jason Underwood, who moved to the area just months ago.Despite terrible fire damage, nobody was hurt in the inferno although Jason and Michelle’s pet dog Duke, two, had to be rescued from the fire by a valiant neighbour.• Vandals were branded ‘disgusting’ in July after they defaced memorials erected to remember the fallen of the First World War.Four six-foot plastic silhouettes had been placed around Tywyn depicting the forgotten ‘Tommy’ but within weeks of being put up, one had been snapped in half.A second was later damaged.August• A plucky teenage girl donated her own bone marrow to help her sick 39-year-old dad beat cancer, despite having a fear of needles and hospitals.Father-of-four Steffan Owen, who is suffering from leukaemia, told the Cambrian News he is “proud and grateful” that his eldest daughter Olivia had bravely decided to donate her bone marrow.Steffan, who has been battling a brain tumour for several years, was rocked in spring by a diagnosis of acute myeloid leukaemia.Olivia made the incredible offer to donate her own bone marrow and give her dad the best chance of a cure.Since treatment, Steffan has returned home.• Visitors parking their campervans on a popular beach overnight were told in August they face fines of up to £1,000 – following complaints of human excrement being found in the sands.Concerns were raised that motor­homes have been parking overnight on Black Rock Sands at Morfa Bychan, with reports of over 100 vehicles some nights.September• A family dog was “lucky to be alive” after eating over 200 pebbles whilst on holiday in Barmouth.Dilyn, a 12-year-old Springer Spaniel, was quickly transferred to Williams Veterinary Surgeons in Tywyn where he was promptly anaesthetised and examined.After undergoing an X-ray, the vets and owners were amazed to see Dilyn’s stomach was completely full of stones, something “unlikely to have been seen by any vet in the UK”, according to the veterinary practice.• A much-loved independent department store in Porthmadog shut its doors in September after 144 years of trading.Residents in Porthmadog were shocked to see the town’s historic Kerfoots store close on Thursday (30 August) with 22 members of staff made redundant with immediate effect.A spokesperson for the store confirmed it had “ceased to trade”.The shop sold clothing, food and homeware and also included a café as well as several other smaller businesses.October• A homeowner on the Ll?n coast was left with an anxious wait after heavy rain led to a massive landslide at Porth Neigwl/Hell’s Mouth beach, near Botwnnog.Storm Callum swept over most of Wales in October and caused a large section of cliff to collapse onto the beach below.The landslide occurred just a stone’s throw away from Siop Penrallt, a prominent house on the cliff edge, causing concerns for owner Mark Whitaker.Over the last 130 years, approximately 40 metres of cliff has fallen onto the picturesque bay below but the rate of collapse is wholly unpredictable.A structural survey of the cliff was carried out by Gwynedd Council and although landslides are infrequent, it warned beachgoers to take extra care on the beach after heavy rainfall.• An historic inn that dates back to the 12th century was completely gutted by a devastating fire in October.Six fire engines were sent to Rhiw Goch Inn located on the outskirts of Trawsfynydd, just after midnight on Sunday, 14 October.A joint investigation by North Wales Police and North Wales Fire and Rescue Service looked into the cause of the blaze, and ruled it was believed to been started accidentally.November• November saw the end of an era in Dolgellau when Llion James, owner of Siop y Cymro, announced he was to retire at the end of the year.Siop y Cymro has been serving the people of Dolgellau since 1963, and has been put on the market.Llion James, who inherited the shop from his father Idris Wyn James, will turn 65 next January but has fond memories of his time in the much-loved shop.“I could write a book about all the stories and customers I’ve had in here over the years, he said.“It’s a difficult business now though. It’s the same for all the shops I’d say, we’re all feeling the pinch.“My daughters have both trained as nurses and have no interest in the shop, so it’s time for me to sell up.”• Plans to make north Wales a UNESCO World Heritage Site in recognition of its slate industry were given a boost in November when the plans received government backing.Receiving UNESCO World Heritage status would “reinforce the area’s cultural distinctiveness”, “strengthen the Welsh language” and “become a significant driver for economic regeneration and social inclusion”.If the application is successful, the slate industry in Gwynedd would be on a par with The Great Wall of China, the Taj Mahal and the Pyramids of Giza.A final decision is expected in the next two years.December• A Pwllheli warrior became the European MMA champion and now plans to take on the world in 2019.MMA fighter Danny Williams, a former Glan y Môr student , was crowned the European amateur lightweight champion after a scintillating fight in Cardiff.The 27-year-old secured the European crown with a unanimous decision victory over fellow Welshman Jordan Peake at last week’s Cage Warriors 100, producing the “best fight of his career” and winning a professional five-fight contract.• Bala is set to lose its cinema this month after Gwynedd Council announced it will close.Neuadd Buddug was saved from closure in 2016 by a group of local campaigners, but despite making the building accessible for all and refurbishing elements of the 120-year-old building, Gwynedd Council announced it will abandon the building, leaving its future shrouded in uncertainty and five people losing their jobs.The cinema facilities are to be transferred into the town’s new superschool which council chiefs say will be open to the community.