The Barmouth and County Advertiser and District Weekly News

Bmrrowgrn iiii iiiifii^«^v'M'»TviiinTi iin ihhimii miiimhgTin WITH THE BARMOUTH TERRITORIALS AT NORTHAMPTON. Northampton, December 14th. This week again there is nothing of much importance to report about our doings here. We have bad some shoot- ing practices on the miniature range, needless to say there were many washouts, but some managed by acci- dent or intent to hit the target, but as in all other pursuits, "Practice makers perfect." One great improvement here lately is in the distribution of rations, before it were the ones who could push most that would get their share, and someone else's too, and accordingly others had to do with less than their entitled share. We have had a grievance from the very day we came here up to a fortnight ago. But, thanks to our Captain, D. Oswald Davies, who insists on having everything in order, great improvement has taken place since in the sharing of rations. Our present dining hall (since the Y.M C.A. has moved to another quarter) is a conservative ciub, but liberal justice is done to everything set before us. To show the change brought about by this war, I will quote one case of my own. Before I was an uncompromising Radi- cal, now I can swallow and digest what is served me at a Conservative Club, and I believe it does me good. The trained men of the Battalion which went to Ipswich bad rather a .1 rough time of it. If it is not amiss, will quote the experience of a friend of mine, who graphically describes his ex- perience there, thus: "First of all we are in a small country village cailed Stonham, which is ten miles from the seaport of Ipswich. About our billet, we are huddled together like a flock of I wild animals, in a large room one storey high our bed consists of one blanket and some straw, which is not to be compared to a feather bed for comfort, —a donkey is better off than we, for he (if his master is a humane man and who regardeth the life of his beast) is sure to get clean straw each night, but we don't, but have to sleep on the same straw each night. We have'nt un- dressed since we have been here and that is seven days now. Well, we get r up at 6-45 a.m., and it only takes us a minute to be out in the open, for as stated we are already dressed. Then comes the orderly man with some bacon on a dixie lid, and no sooner is he smelt than comes the charge of the sharks, and in a tickling it has vanished imme- diately, and the same manner with the tea; we are then provided with a quar- ter of a loaf and a piece of cheese which we take with us for lunch at 12", o'clock. We fall in at 8-80 a.m., rear rank with picks, front with shovels, we tread.along .three miles into the open isolated coun- try and after reaching our destination we are ready for a hard day's work in the trenches. We are invisible from the main road, because we are in a field and six feet deep, we have it very hard to shover from that depth to the surface, the soil is very bard, composed of flint stones and hard white stuff like chalk. After the bugle sounds we get our lunch of water, bread and cheese, we get half an hour respite in order to enjoy it, then we are at it again till four o'clock like trojans, when we fail in in companies and every manbis implement on his shculder, we return back, covering the three miles in a little over the halt hour. After we reach our cattle ranch we lay down, fagged out, waiting patiently for something to eat. Suddenly we hear the good old call sounding and out we go with out messtins making another brilliant charge on the dixie which con- tains some beef stew and potatoes and a piece of bread. After we have finished eating we go to the village pump and have a good wash. We do not go any- where at night as there is no place of amusement near, so we amuse ourselves with games, our hall being lighted with the powerful rays of a candle or oil.— I By now the boys have left the forsaken spot for somewhere nearer to the great Metropolis, and I believe getting an easier time of it. During the last week-end the Rev. E. J. Parry paid us a welcome visit, and needless to say we were all pleased to see him, but sorry to see him depart so soon. Mr Parry preached at the Non- conformist Church Parade of the 5th, 6th and 7th Battalion on Sunday morn- ing. The Rev. Peter Jones-Roberts was also here. He preached to a good audience at the Town Hall at night, Pte. W. B..Griffith (Vulcan Villa) was the accompanist at both services. It is not yet known whether we are to have leave for Xmas or not, the likeli- hood is that we will not be granted any. It is with great interest we read in your last issue of the resurrection of the Tradesman's Association. We all wish for it to have a healthier life than the last, and that it will not again die in its infancy. —R.H.R.

BARMOUTH. I Personal.—Amongst those pow stay- ing in the town is Mr Charles Iiirk, late of Glanydon, who, though in his eighty- fourth year, looks as well as ever. Promotion.—We are glad to announce tibe success of yet another of the Bar- mouth Boys who have enlisted with the colours, Prvte. Fuller, Beach Road, having been promoted to be a Lance-Cor- poral Instructor with the Terriers at Newtown. Free Church Council.—On Monday evening last, an united society was held at the Baptist Chapel under the chair- manship of the Rev. S. T. Huges, when an interesting paper was read by the Rev. E. Afonwy Williams. Temperance.—The first of a series of temperance meetings to be held dur- ing the winter months was held on Tuesday night at Caersalem Chapel, when addresses were given by the Rev. S. T. Hughes, and the Rev. Edwin Jones. During the meeting, a solo was rendered by Miss Dolly Richards, Glanydon. Mr Francis Jones, Gwalia Stoics, presided. Gale Havoc.—One of the severest gales Barmouth and district has ex- perienced raged last Friday. The gale was at its highest about four o'clock, when it carried away a portion of the roof of the Minymor Steam Laundry, and did other damage to the property. At the railway station, on the up platform, a two-armed siignal was blown down. Luckily no one was injured. Several other minor damages were done by the gale to roofs of hquses, etc. Notice.—Mr David Chas. Jones, pain ter, &c., 3, Cambrian Street, Barmouth, will underaake to do all class of painting, paperhanging, graining, &c., at a moder- ate charge, day or piece work. All work done personally & promptly attended to. Estimates given free. Please note the address.—Advt. Free Meals.—Arrangements are being made by the local Managers of the Council School for supplying free meals to those children who are considered to j be insufficiently fed, and each church has been approached to appoint a lady on the management committee. So far j the following ladies have been appoin- ted :—Mrs D. E. James, The Pharmacy Mrs Owen Williams, Marine House Mrs Rees Jones, Moss Bank; Miss Mendham, Mount Argus Mrs Glandwr Morgan, Miss Adams, Llys Meirion Mrs Castle, Fronheulog, and Mrs Evans, Talarfor. The Caersalem Women's Guild.— Mrs Gwynoro Davies bas just forwarded the fourth consignment of woollen gar- ments, &c,, to the Sailors' Palace, Lon- don, for our sailors in the North Sea, The parcel contained the following arti- cles :-4 flannel shirts, 2 Welsh flannel pants, 2 pairs stockings, G pair socks, 6 pairs wristletts, 2 pairs steering gloves, 14 scarves 1 yards long, 2 chest pro- tectors, 11 pairs long mittens, 6 caps, 4 tam o'shanters. University Tutorial Classes.-At the meeting of the above class, held on Thursday, Dec. lOtb1 Mr Morgan Rees, B.A., gave a very instructive lecture on Money Value price, the cause of ris ing and falling prices." This was fol- lowed by a very interesting discussion by the members,—the Tutor having to face a regular bombardment of ques- tions.—Before the end of the meeting the Secretary read letters which he had received from two of the members who had left to join H. M. Forces. The fol- lowing being extracts from same Please convey to the Class my very best thanks for their good wishes and kind remembrance. It is a change, the adoption of a military instead of a civil life, but I cannot see where the sacrifice comes in as you suggest, for I understand that in sacrifice one stands to lose something, whereas it is much I have gained. In experience, to know men in health, for I never felt better; in honour, for having the chance of doing my little share for the country I love, and for the cause it is so nobly defending. I thoroughly enjoy the life I am leading as a 'Thom- as Atkins' in the making. To the members of the Tutorial Class my best wishes for this individual as well as collective welfare and they may gain much, as gain they will by being members thereof.—R.H.R." "Will you convey to Mr Rees and the Barmouth Tutorial Class my sin- cerest thanks for their good wishes and their appreciation of what I con- sider is but the simple duty of every el'igible man at this crises in our coun- try's history. Kind regards to one and all, and- best wishes for the suc- cess of the Class.- W.M." From Workers, Educational Associa- tion It is clear from the statistics that a large number of tutorial class stu- dents are now on active servive, Please let me have full address, etc,, of any such students in your class, so that we may send them greetings at Christmas and from time to time.- i D' ,-X'r J. W Ti' A" I D.W. J ass. sec., W.E.A. The War.—Captain Harold Whitaker, Rifle Brigade, who was killed in Baltic on November BOtb, was the grandson of Mrs Charles Wilkin, late of Glanmaw- ddach, near Barmoutb, and eldest son of Mr Arthur Whitaker, of 52, Cadogan Square, London. He was educated at Eton and Sandhurst; he served in Egypt and the Sudan and afterwards in India. He was a fellow of the Royal Geographical Society and when on one of his big game shooting expeditions re- turned to India via Russia, Central i Asia and Turkistan. ,Capt. Whitaker married in 1910, Madeleine de Pury, youngest daughter of Mr David de Pury, and leaves one son and one daughter.— Lieutenant Eric Gorst. of the Royal Fusiliers, who is reported wounded and missing is the fgreat grandson of the late Mr Carson, of Egryn Abbey, near Barmouth. He was educated at Charter House and Sandhurst, and be. fore joining his regiment be made a tour to Asia and Africa. The Refugees' Committee.—This Committee meet every Monday after- neon at Hendremynacb, and the mem- bers feel very grateful to the residents of Barmouth and district for their con. tinued support which enable them to supply what is necessary for the poor suffering ones under their care. There are now about twenty refugees (peasants) at Hendremynacb, and few more are expected this week. Amongst the subscriptions this week was a Postal Order (20/ ) from Mr J. G. Mellersb, the Post Office Surveyor, who has charge of the district. The Postal Order is the first of any denomination issued at the new Head Post Office opened on Monday, Dec. 7th., and is accompanied by a cer- tificate certifying it as such. A very novel suggestion is made by Mr Mellersh to the Committee viz:—that possibly in years to come this Postal Order will be a treasure of no mean value, and probably some resident of Barmouth nny offer much more than the face value for it, by so doing the funds of the Committee would further benefit, and the possessor of the first Money Order issued at Barmoutb new Post Office (which by the way is a credit to any town) would have in his or her keeping a very valuable document in years to come. Applicants who desire to become the possessors of the first Postal Order will kindly sent in their offer to the Hon. Secretary, Mrs D. E. Jones, B A., Hafod. Christmas Concert.—The annual con- cert, to be held on Christmas evening, promises to be of exceptional interest this year. The Baptist's have been most fortunate in their selection of artistes; Miss Maggie Jones, Blaenau Festiniog, has been engaged as contralto, and Miss Evans, of the Aberystwyth College of Music, as soprano. These two young artistes have a very brilliant career before them, and it is expected that their first appearance at Barmouth will bring crowds to the Assembly Rooms. Miss Blanche Bowen, Drama- tic Elocutionist, of Ruabou, is also to contribute to the programme. Miss Bowen is a pupil of Madame Williams, Birkenhead, and has already become re- nowned for her cleverness at portraying characters. In its report of a recent concert at which Miss Bowen,performed, The County Times said, "The 'Star Artiste' was Miss Blanche Bowen, a young elocutionist, of Ruabon, who held the audience spellbound during her dramatic recitals, and kept them in roars of laughter with her humorous pieces. She lost her own personality in that of the character she portrayed, and was enchored on each appearance,"