Christmas meal and presentation by Dr Ian Richards on writing an historical novel about Tywyn

[QuentinDeakin]

On Wednesday December 14th the Society enjoyed an excellent, well-attended Christmas meal organised by Gill Ray at the Wharf Cafe in Tywyn. Gill and the cafe staff were thanked.

The last meeting of the year on Monday December 19th was a talk entitled 'The Attractions of Tywyn: Writing a Historical Novel' by Dr Ian Richards in which real historical characters and incidents are enhanced by fictional elements. After a career in the discipline and teaching of Mathematics, Ian has embraced a second career as writer of novels and short stories through his recently acquired language of Cymraeg. In this endeavour he has already achieved considerable success with the publication of short stories and awarded Eisteddfod prizes. In his talk Ian concentrated on research and preparation of a novel set in late eighteenth-century Tywyn in which the chief characters are residents of Botalog and Evan Evans, at that time curate of St Cadfan's and famous as a pioneering antiquarian collector and promoter of early medieval Welsh poetry in the Welsh language. Cadfan Stone, now securely housed in the church, plays a significant role in his novel and has its own colourful history. Fascinated and intrigued, a lively discussion followed and non-Welsh speaking members elicited a promise that an English translation would be provided. Ian was warmly thanked.

A final opportunity was provided for the acquisition of copies of historic documents from the collection of the late Sara Eade and a selection of second-hand books with local historic content. The evening ended with mince pies and Christmas wishes.