Going to Pot

When walking through Rhuthun/Ruthin, one characteristic of 2016 has been the number of times a passer-by can smell pot. Even in 2015 it was rare to taste it on the streets. Now, sometimes, it's even noticeable during the day.

The new year celebrations on the Square this year was marked by the conspicuous passing round of joints.

Other than that, Rhuthun 2016-17 passed off well. The weather was kind and mild but there was a spot or two of rain at midnight, not that anyone noticed. Crowds were not at their turn-of-the century height and, in spite of people's best efforts, probably never will be again: here is another case of Rhuthun's decline at the hands of others. But the numbers were healthy and the entertainment was, well, entertaining, after a fashion. They promised oldies but I recognised no Temptations, Gerry & the Pacemakers, Bobby Darin or Ray Charles.

The event was similar to last year's efforts (when organisers tried to inject some new life into the celebrations) and it was good to see something organised again. Well done to those who put it all together.

I calculated that the countdown was 23 seconds adrift. It started at 00:00:13.

Can't see the point of silent fireworks, though, when those in people's back gardens banged away till after 1230 a.m... and when there's a band on the Square without a volume control.

The fireworks at the Castle were much better, of course, but Uproar Fireworks' display off the Square held its own. Those let off on the east side, though fewer, were much better.

Not that many of the younger revellers on the Square would've noticed any of them. They were too busy lighting up on their own.