No 68: 11 December: Ysgol Pendalar, Shop Windows Competition, Nativity Service

Friday 11 December: 2.00 pm Ysgol Pendalar "Prom"

It was Pendalar again this afternoon. One of the pupils had put forward the suggestion that the school should organise a "Prom". People of my age group have no idea of what a "Prom" is; I certainly didn't. It's an event that comes from the series of American school films, "High Street Musical". The pupils had been invited to dress up as if they were going to a ball; the boys in smart suits with bow ties and the girls in party dresses. The staff had organised a stretched limousine to take those taking part for a ride round the town and three groups had been taken round Caernarfon in this special car. They'd thoroughly enjoyed the experience.

My role was to judge the contestants and select a king and queen - an impossible task as they were all extremely good! After considerable deliberation, and consultation, I selected Ashley to be the "Queen" and John Daniel to be "King". Ashley had played the fairly godmother in the show and John Daniel had also taken a leading part in the show. The staff are to be congratulated for implementing the pupil's suggestion and for making a great effort to give them a very special experience. I came away again with admiration for the staff and with the firm impression that this is a happy school.

Friday 11 December: 4.00 pm Judging Shop Windows

We met the Lord Mayor of Chester, the Mayor of Bangor and the Deputy Mayor of Conwy and Consort in the Mayor's Parlour and Katherine briefed us on our task in judging shop windows. There were different categories of shops and a non-retail category. Fortunately for us judges, Marian and Michael Lambert Jones, had done the hard work of going round the whole town and selecting a short list in each category, otherwise we would have been out there all evening. One on the short list for the non-retail category was Oakmere Plumbing down on St. Helen's Road and we had to take cars to go there. Margaret and I went with the Lord Mayor of Chester in his car and the others went with Katherine and the sight when we got there was well worth the effort.

The outside windows of Oakmere Plumbing were magnificent and I would recommend that people should make the effort to go to see these windows next Christmas. They won the non-retail section easily and there are even decorations inside and the first photo shows us in front of the display inside with the owner, Chris Stufelder. We then went back in the cars and went round the town on foot. The second photo shows the judges in front of Jacmor on the Maes who were first in the retail section. We then went back to the Mayor's Parlour for tea and cake and agreed our selections so that Katherine could prepare the certificates in time for the later presentations. We enjoyed our tea and conversation and left in time to get to Stryd Llyn for the next part of the evening's activities.

Friday 11 December: 5.45 pm Procession, Nativity Play and Carols in the Market Hall

As we arrived outside Boots in Stryd Llyn, the Mayor and Mayoress of Beaumaris joined us and we saw Syrcas Syrcas getting ready to lead the parade. Children from Ysgol y Gelli were ready with their lanterns and another judging task for us! Syrcas Syrcas added colour with their kites and young people on stilts led the parade down Stryd Llyn down to the Maes. The mayors, councillor and the children followed.

On the Maes we witnessed the Nativity played out with the participation of live animals. The donkey arrived and then two sheep and there are many places where live animal take part in the Nativity. Côr Cofnod sang the carols and gave an excellent lead to the onlookers in the singing. The fourth photo shows Côr Cofnod with the kites of Syrcas Syrcas in the background and also some of the new lights.

We then made our way to the Market Hall and I must congratulate the owners on the excellent decoration and big Christmas Tree. The Llanrug Band were waiting for us and playing carols as we arrived. We had some community carols and children from Ysgol y Gelli sang their hearts out. (fifth photo) We then had the presentation of prizes to representatives of the businesses which had we had been judging. I've named the winners of the retail and the non-retail section and the other section was the Food Section which was won by Y Pantri Cymraeg. There were also prizes to the Best Decorated House and the Best decorated Bed and Breakfast establishment which had been judged by our judges which thankfully saved us an enormous amount of work.

We then made our way to Galeri where we had arranged a meal for our guests in the civic party. We had a good meal and it was good to have an opportunity to have a relaxing conversation with our guests. I believe that the guests went away with a good impression of the evening. We certainly enjoyed it.

I take this opportunity to thank everyone who played their part. Syrcas Syrcas added colour and excitement to the Lantern Parade; the Caernarfon Council of Churches put on a magnificent performance of the Nativity on the Maes; Côr Cofnod sang the Carols on the Maes; the Market Hall was really well decorated; the Llanrug Band provided the atmosphere and the Ysgol y Gelli choir gave an inspirational performance.