Banton

Did you take the opportunity to visit the art exhibition and sale at the former Banton opticians, Clwyd Street, on Saturday? Open for one day only, there was the opportunity to step across the threshold of this lock-up shop for the first time in, what, 20 years. Has it really been closed that long?

The premises seemed a lot smaller than I remember. The owners, who bought the property and its neighbour towards the Square at auction, have sympathetically refurbished the place, preserving and exposing the timbered beams. All it needs now is a long-term tenant.

On Saturday, the art sale at Banton was well placed to take advantage of the comings and goings at the Christmas Produce Market. The market itself was busy especially in the morning (as was the town) in spite of the odd shower, a 2° temperature and a wind that seemed to chill the air below freezing. Then the torrents came that afternoon.

Older readers may recall a machine in Banton’s window inviting passing pedestrians to gaze in to it and see if their eyes needed corrective action.