Another Good Show... But...

Here's something deliberately controversial. 

Amid a flood of congratulatory comments, there were those in Rhuthun/Ruthin yesterday who remain uneasy about the convoy of lights. Admittedly these were few but the number is growing. In 2021, we suggested that the convoy may not be environmentally sustainable. 

Supporters suggest that it raises funds for charity. Fair enough. But does the convoy further the interests of the town? Correct me if I'm wrong but wasn't the main purpose of the convoy of lights to help breath life into Rhuthun's fragile economy. This to attract families to Rhuthun and to get them to spend some cash here. 

There was no evidence of this yesterday. The convoy appeals especially to children. You might therefore have expected families progressively to arrive in town during the afternoon in readiness. They didn't. They left it till after most shops had closed. 

Volunteer marshals gather

At 4 p.m., the streets of Rhuthun were as empty as Y Rhyl prom on a cold, windswept Wednesday afternoon in February. Even at 4 p.m. Costa boasted only five clients. There was a solitary person in Sion Nain café, two in the normally-closed-on-Saturdays Leonardo's and four in Teacups. Oh, and did I mention that the streets were bare?

Chatwin's closed at 4 p.m. as usual and Siop Nain shortly afterwards. Pubs were doing better but other than Wetherspoon's they don't attract families. 

It was only at 4.45 p.m. that Costa came alive, with approximately 40 patrons. Aside from Boot's the Chemist and a small number of other shops, at the very time people were arriving there was next to nothing open. 

Is it therefore time for a rethink on this? (I said that this post would be controversial.)