In recent years, I’ve certainly known busier Rhuthun early December Saturdays. After the usual slow start, the town did warm up on 5th December. Early heavy showers were off-putting but these had cleared by noon. Thereafter, it was mild and largely dry till just before 3 p.m.
The produce market was deemed a success and the numbers walking between town and the Old Gaol were encouraging. Present were the promised extra stalls and the whole affair was well supported. Park Road car park was over-subscribed and the gated section of Crispin Yard opened at 12.30, providing extra capacity that end.
Most shopkeepers felt that the trade in town was brisk, though a few commented that, as seems usual with the produce market, not all shoppers spilled out from the market towards the town centre. Sometimes, it’s difficult to know what to do for the best. The produce market offers a hook upon which to attract people to Rhuthun, but the risk is that they’re enticed away from the town, as well.
The town was still relatively busy till after the annual Ysgol Brynhyfryd snowball race. This is always an interesting spectacle, not for the ping pong balls: here the going was damp and the balls had to be persuaded to gallop to the finishing gate. No, it’s interesting for the ten minutes of car chaos this causes. It’s quite exciting watching cars diverted up the narrows of Upper Clwyd Street and seeing the two way conflicts along Castle Street, where they end up (the more so since in 2009 Castle Street was narrowed in parts).
Then there was the switch-on, on Friday, at 4.30 p.m. Pleasingly, the town band played carols rather than frivolous songs and seemed not at all put off by the rain. The general lights couldn’t await the mayor’s signal and had jumped the gun by about half an hour, which meant all that was left was for him to throw the switch for the tree, witnessed by a clot of people wedged on the Square by the tree and Peers memorial.
Wot Denbigh got that we not got? Always a crowd at the Dinbych’s switch on. Perhaps Rhuthun needs to consider moving this to a Thursday, with shops opening later (till 7 p.m. in Dinbych). There always seems to be some sort of personality doing the business there, too.
The weekend was a success but sadly not an unqualified one.
The produce market was deemed a success and the numbers walking between town and the Old Gaol were encouraging. Present were the promised extra stalls and the whole affair was well supported. Park Road car park was over-subscribed and the gated section of Crispin Yard opened at 12.30, providing extra capacity that end.
Most shopkeepers felt that the trade in town was brisk, though a few commented that, as seems usual with the produce market, not all shoppers spilled out from the market towards the town centre. Sometimes, it’s difficult to know what to do for the best. The produce market offers a hook upon which to attract people to Rhuthun, but the risk is that they’re enticed away from the town, as well.
The town was still relatively busy till after the annual Ysgol Brynhyfryd snowball race. This is always an interesting spectacle, not for the ping pong balls: here the going was damp and the balls had to be persuaded to gallop to the finishing gate. No, it’s interesting for the ten minutes of car chaos this causes. It’s quite exciting watching cars diverted up the narrows of Upper Clwyd Street and seeing the two way conflicts along Castle Street, where they end up (the more so since in 2009 Castle Street was narrowed in parts).
Then there was the switch-on, on Friday, at 4.30 p.m. Pleasingly, the town band played carols rather than frivolous songs and seemed not at all put off by the rain. The general lights couldn’t await the mayor’s signal and had jumped the gun by about half an hour, which meant all that was left was for him to throw the switch for the tree, witnessed by a clot of people wedged on the Square by the tree and Peers memorial.
Wot Denbigh got that we not got? Always a crowd at the Dinbych’s switch on. Perhaps Rhuthun needs to consider moving this to a Thursday, with shops opening later (till 7 p.m. in Dinbych). There always seems to be some sort of personality doing the business there, too.
The weekend was a success but sadly not an unqualified one.
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