THE latest community news from Blaenau Ffestiniog

Services

Bethel, Ffestiniog – Rev Anita Ephraim;

Bethesda – Communion service with Rhian Williams;

Bowydd – Rev C Prew, evening;

Carmel – Tony Eastwood;

St David’s – Morning service at 11am;

St Michael’s – Morning service at 9.30am;

Manod Orthodox – Third and Sixth Canonical Hours at 10am then the Divine Liturgy of Saint John Chrysostom;

Holy Cross – Mass at 6pm on Saturday and 11am on Sunday with Fr Shaji Punnati;

Bikers

MORE than 350 bikers from across the UK took part in the annual 62-mile Ffestiniog 360 charity ride held last Sunday.

After leaving Blaenau Ffestiniog they had to tackle the route through Nant Ffrancon, Rhyd Ddu, Beddgelert, Maentwrog and back to their starting point.

Assisting with the signing on for the event were members of the staff of Ty Gobaith (Hope House) as the monies raised from this charity event will be donated to Hope House as was the case last year when a sum of £7,600 was given to them.

Advice

A representative of the Citizens Advice Bureau will be available at the Memorial Centre between 10am and 1pm on Mondays ready to deal with any relevant issues one might have.

Darts

The Blaenau Ffestiniog open darts event was held at the RWF Club on Sunday and after some fine close matches it was Eurig Rowlands from Pwllheli who took the title beating Carwyn Williams in the final with Heber Thomas and Sion Jones the losing semi finalists.

A slate trophy made by Alan Hicks was presented to the winner by the RWF club secretary Michael Jennings,

Bowls

Having had no fixture the previous week the Blaenau Bowling Club were at Min y Don, Old Colwyn on Saturday where their under strength side were beaten 8-4 by the league leaders.

Their winners were Mike Burgoyne, Iwan, Dylan Vaughan and Stephen Jones.

Mike Burgoyne had previously been taking part in the qualifying rounds of the Welsh Merit competition at Deganwy where he won his first match only to lose narrowly in the last qualifying match.

Parking

Residents living near the new Memorial Centre at the former Blaenau Memorial Hospital are pleased to see that the site of the former demolished X Ray department is now open with parking spaces for some 14 cars for those who wish to attend various clinics etc at the centre as parking was a problem in some places in that area.

Gallery

The Maenofferen Gallery hosts an exhibition by the members of the local camera club till 9 June and admission is free during the library’s opening hours.

Hearing aid volunteers

A DEDICATED team of volunteers who support hearing aid users in Gwynedd are now providing a new drop-in session at Blaenau Ffestiniog’s Health and Wellbeing Centre.

The Hearing Aid Volunteer Service ensures that vulnerable people in their homes across the area can attend the drop-in sessions to keep their hearing aids maintained, ensuring that they can stay independent and communicate well.

These sessions are now available at Canolfan Goffa Ffestiniog between 10am and noon every second Monday of the month.

This new community drop-in session is run by volunteers who are trained to carry out these sessions.

Bryn Williams, who became a volunteer two years ago, says offering this drop-in session in Blaenau Ffestiniog will prevent those people who need it from travelling further afield.

He said: “We are very pleased to be holding a drop-in session each month in Blaenau Ffestiniog.

“We know a lot of people from around this area travel to our session in Ysbyty Alltwen so this will be a lot more convenient for them.

“No appointment is necessary, come along for friendly help and advice regarding your hearing aid, or bring your hearing aid along to be checked and serviced.”

The volunteer services includes retubing of earmoulds, minor hearing aid servicing, battery replacement, cleaning of earmoulds as well as providing peer support.

Drop-in sessions are held across south Gwynedd every month:

10am – noon on the second Monday of each month at Canolfan Goffa Ffestiniog.

10am – noon on the fourth Wednesday of each month at the Health Centre in Bala.

10am – noon on the first Thursday of each month at the Leisure Centre in Dolgellau.

11am – 1pm on the second Thursday of each month at the Crown Hotel in Pwllheli.

10am – noon on the first Tuesday of each month at Ysbyty Alltwen.

10am – noon on the first Thursday of each month at Tywyn Baptist Church.

Drop-ins will be closed if the date falls on a public bank holiday.

If patients require any further information they can contact their local audiology department at Wrexham Maelor Hospital 01978 725304 or Ysbyty Gwynedd on 01248 384020

If you’re a member of a club, society or group, send your news to [email protected]