All pictures by "Maddewch iddyn Nhw".
About 250 brave souls watched in the cold and intermittent rain yesterday morning as the first Mari Lwyd parade unfolded. This featured a grey mare at the front of a small procession from the Castle via Castle Street, Well Street, Wynnstay Road, Market Street and St Peter’s Square. It featured “Y 
Fari Lwyd”, an adorned horse’s skull (was it genuine?). It’s said to be a Welsh custom—one that’s being revived elsewhere—but might it have looked slightly macabre to English visitors’ eyes? The parade included a snow queen and frost fairy on stilts, apparently all the way from Warwickshire, England.
And the idea behind the event? To stimulate the numbers visiting Rhuthun at Christmas. Rhuthun was reasonably busy, too, though from 1 p.m. the now heavy and persistent rain had got the better of shoppers, though several stores continued to do well (e.g. Leonardo’s). The rain did dry up. In truth, though, it was no busier in town than usual on the last Saturday before Christmas. Perhaps as years evolve, it can or will develop into something like Top of Town, where hundreds gather. The organisers need to expect to achieve that goal. It may take several years, though. They should persist.
The high sheriff of Clwyd (Jonathan Major) and mayor (Pat Astbury) paid tribute to the hard work undertaken by Gweledigaeth Rhuthun (Rhuthun Vision). It all came together in just 16 weeks. Fair play.
One year, perhaps about seven ago, there were stalls along St Peter’s Square *and* down Market Street, as far as Wynnstay Road. Could we have them back next Christmas, as part of Nadolig Rhuthun, please? Or as part of the December produce market.
There were a few moans about the pedestrianisation. A couple were that that cars were still getting through. More from people whose cars *couldn’t*. Can’t motorists manage for just one day?
Supermarket Watch
Tesco—thronging, as it was last year. Queues into the car park and cars touring for a space was the order of the day.
Co-op—very busy, as it was last year. It was interesting to see the car park full, like it always used to be on Saturdays, pre-Tesco. There was some queuing for spaces. There were a number of checkouts open.
Somerfield—oh dear. Its smaller car park was often full or nearly so but the numbers in the store were disappointing, it has to be said.
About 250 brave souls watched in the cold and intermittent rain yesterday morning as the first Mari Lwyd parade unfolded. This featured a grey mare at the front of a small procession from the Castle via Castle Street, Well Street, Wynnstay Road, Market Street and St Peter’s Square. It featured “Y 
Fari Lwyd”, an adorned horse’s skull (was it genuine?). It’s said to be a Welsh custom—one that’s being revived elsewhere—but might it have looked slightly macabre to English visitors’ eyes? The parade included a snow queen and frost fairy on stilts, apparently all the way from Warwickshire, England.And the idea behind the event? To stimulate the numbers visiting Rhuthun at Christmas. Rhuthun was reasonably busy, too, though from 1 p.m. the now heavy and persistent rain had got the better of shoppers, though several stores continued to do well (e.g. Leonardo’s). The rain did dry up. In truth, though, it was no busier in town than usual on the last Saturday before Christmas. Perhaps as years evolve, it can or will develop into something like Top of Town, where hundreds gather. The organisers need to expect to achieve that goal. It may take several years, though. They should persist.
The high sheriff of Clwyd (Jonathan Major) and mayor (Pat Astbury) paid tribute to the hard work undertaken by Gweledigaeth Rhuthun (Rhuthun Vision). It all came together in just 16 weeks. Fair play.One year, perhaps about seven ago, there were stalls along St Peter’s Square *and* down Market Street, as far as Wynnstay Road. Could we have them back next Christmas, as part of Nadolig Rhuthun, please? Or as part of the December produce market.
There were a few moans about the pedestrianisation. A couple were that that cars were still getting through. More from people whose cars *couldn’t*. Can’t motorists manage for just one day?
Supermarket Watch
Tesco—thronging, as it was last year. Queues into the car park and cars touring for a space was the order of the day.
Co-op—very busy, as it was last year. It was interesting to see the car park full, like it always used to be on Saturdays, pre-Tesco. There was some queuing for spaces. There were a number of checkouts open.Somerfield—oh dear. Its smaller car park was often full or nearly so but the numbers in the store were disappointing, it has to be said.