Council Thanks The People Of Porthmadog For Their Support

Gwynedd Council has thanked the people of Porthmadog for their generosity and support in assisting Festival No. 6 attendees over the past days. ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​

Following problems in one of the festival car parks, Glaslyn Leisure Centre, located in the town was opened late on Sunday evening as a respite centre for festival-goers who were unable to move their cars. The centre remained open on Monday for those waiting for their cars from the car park. ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​

During this time, Council staff along with Red Cross volunteers provided shelter and support for over 500 Festival No.6 attendees. In addition extra practical support was offered by local Porthmadog residents for those staying at the respite centre. ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​

Councillor Gareth Roberts, Gwynedd Council Cabinet Member with responsibility for Adults, Health and Wellbeing matters said: ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​

“I would like to express our appreciation for the support received from the Porthmadog and Penrhyndeudraeth area communities for being so ready to assist festival-goers who were unable to leave the site due to problems in part of the event car park. ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​

“The readiness of local residents’ support made the work of Council officers to co-ordinate the respite centre so much easier. People took clothes and towels home to wash and brought them back within hours to people at the respite centre. ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​

“Others went into their own pockets to collect food for people they’d never met before, and support was also given from some of the area’s shops. Specific support was also given by local farmers and contractors who assisted with the work of towing vehicles out of the car park. ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​

“Without a doubt, such generosity and desire from local people to help is something that should be acknowledged and celebrated. Is it only right that we express our thanks and gratitude to them for their help during what was obviously a challenging period. ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​

“I would also like to extend my gratitude to the Council staff, the Red Cross, and other partners who gathered so quickly late on Sunday evening to open the respite centre and who acted quickly to provide temporary shelter for around 160 people. ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​

“The cooperation of the festival-goers themselves was also of great help to ensure that the respite centre was a comfortable place overnight. They were in surprisingly good spirits despite the conditions. ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​

“The various messages that we as a Council have received on social media over the past few days confirms that those who had to stay at the respite centre appreciated every support received.” ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​