Chamber of Trade no more

Was it apathy, complacency or bad weather that was responsible for the embarrassingly low turnout at the AGM on Tuesday evening? A Presidents report, which may have been intended to shock people into action, seems to have, instead convinced readers that such effort would not be justified. A total of four people waited patiently for a crowd that did not appear, only three apologies had been made in advance. The meeting was abandoned since there was not even a quorum thus no decisions could be made constitutionally.  The immediate effects will be that the Christmas shopping event will be cancelled and the grant application for funds towards the “Summer music” will not proceed. Long-term effects will be that when businesses notice that the town is no longer attracting grants from the funding bodies there will be no organisation to act on their behalf. When targeting funds government agencies look at the condition of a localities business organisations as a way of judging whether the people concerned are trying to help themselves It is a sad reflection that businesses seem unwilling to help themselves and each other by working through what has in the past been a successful, vibrant and effective organisation which had credibility with all levels of government. The phrase  “Use it or lose it” seems to have been proved in this instance. The town maps project is near completion; when the necessary money for this project has been paid and any necessary administration has been finished the Chamber will cease It was decided that there should be an approach to the Town council, to ask them to hold the funds in trust for up to two years in case a relaunch of the group becomes possible. Any enquiries may be addressed to Shelagh Jarman at Wavecrest Hotel or to Martin Williams at Over The Rainbow.

Christchurch

On Sunday, November 10^th, the services at 11-15am and at 6-00pm will be conducted by the Minister Rev’d A. Brian Evans. During the Morning service the Sacrament of Holy Communion will be celebrated. A warm welcome is extended to all.

Royal British Legion

Those concerned with the Remembrance day parade are asked to note that there will be a rehearsal at 11-00am on Saturday 9^th at St. Johns with the Rector in attendance. The service will commence on Sunday at 10-50 am.

Christmas Trees

In response to the earlier item regarding the Chamber of Trade, the Mayor Cllr Peter Bunce and Cllr Mrs Val McArdle have arranged, for this year, that the purchase and installation of trees for premises in possession of appropriate brackets will be carried out by them. By the time of reading this most of those affected will have been visited by Sue Benford Moore who will have explained the costs and timings; anyone with enquiries should speak to Val McArdle on 280285

The Gershwin Years

After last week’s dramatic weather, and the effect it had on the size of audience at the Dragon Theatre, organisers must have been apprehensive about Sunday’s performance of music from the Gershwin years as performed by Tony Jacobs and Jim Barry. Last years visit by the pair had been highly successful drawing much praise for their professionalism and musical talent. This year their audience increased in size and enthusiasm. Tony Jacobs talks with those watching in a relaxed and informal way creating a warm and friendly atmosphere. There was plenty of interaction during the evening with many voices singing along in the auditorium. Jim Barry was as superb as he had been remembered, playing a number of solo pieces. The two musicians have a mission to bring music of a particular era to a wider age range and are looking at the possibility of taking their shows into schools and colleges. It is to be hoped that this will not prevent their return to Barmouth next year with another of their widely acclaimed shows.

Clwb ffrindiau

A coach trip has been arranged for Wednesday 4^th December to the Trafford Centre; it will leave Barmouth at 8am returning at 5pm. The pick up points will be the Coastguards station and Chucks diner. It will cost £5 for members and £6 for non-members. The people to contact are Pam Ingram on 281423, Val Vine on 280026 or Barbara James on 242704

Adrian Bailey

On 11^th November Adrian, Duty manager at the Pavilion leisure centre, is leaving Barmouth to go to Christchurch New Zealand. As a token of appreciation members of his fitness classes organised a farewell dinner at Tony’s Restaurant, Talybont. Overall responsibility fell to Jill Parry. All party goers were enthusiastic with one in particular, Brenda Powell Jones, writing a poem which conjured up the exploits and duties of Adrian both at work and in his running career. Adrian’s sporting achievements are legendary, he has competed both at local and international level. He has dominated the Barmouth Hill Race; he won the 2002 Tywyn Race The Train event. There were competitions throughout Britain with four in Welsh vests in 2002. He has been voted Gwynedd Sports Personality of the year; he has been North Wales Cross Country Champion for three consecutive years. In the 25^th anniversary 3Peaks Race he was a member of the winning Welsh Team on Lightning Reflex. His ultimate accolade to date has been to finish in the top twenty of the Elite Field of international athletes in the World Cross Country Challenge in Milan. He has been associated with Extreme Multi terrain Sports and featured in the S4C “Cymru ar ras” series. As a Welsh team member he travelled to Canada, Australia and New Zealand. In 1998 he had success in the 30 mile Jordan Race going from Amman to the Dead Sea. His involvement with the Bro Dysyni Running Club has given him close friendships with numerous athletes; the invaluable assistance of Nigel Evans and Andy Unwin but most importantly coach John Nolan whose expert guidance proved a major contribution to his athletic career. It is to further this career and tackle new challenges that he now goes to New Zealand where he will meet up with his long time friend and running partner Alun Llyr Williams. It is sad to lose such a talented and genuinely nice young man from the area but the opportunities that are available must inevitably draw the able and ambitious, he is therefore going with every good wish for future success from his many friends

Charles Hawtry at the Dragon Theatre

On Friday November 14^th at 7.30pm in the Dragon Theatre there will be an opportunity to experience the sort of production seen at the Edinburgh Fringe. Dave Ainsworth is bringing his one man show about the life of a man who, ”…. lived and died alone, a gin soaked recluse, embittered and estranged from the very thing that made him” Grim as this sounds it purports to show the wilder and funnier side of life beyond the footlights. Not, one suspects, a show for the faint hearted or prudish; but for those with a theatrical bent probably a riotous evenings entertainment. Entitled “Oh Hello”, Hawtrys catch phrase, the show got positively favourable reviews from The Herald and The Scotsman.