Tuesday: Once again my train trip to ‘Y Bermo’ is blessed with sunshine all the way, even though I gather that its blizzarding back in the Diff. A few snowy signs emerge as I cross the Mawddach and sight the lightly dusted hills of Snowdonia.

The crossing once more takes my breath away and it feels like coming home, (this is my 6^th visit).

My initial port of call is the Communities First office, conveniently located directly opposite the station; Denise and Martin who run it are proving invaluable in their assistance and access so a quick touch of base is essential.

In the side car park I meet Victor Biddle and his 89-year-old father (once a keen amateur film maker and local garage owner) and I cajole a space in the neighbouring library to view 6 minutes of Carnival footage from the 50’s and 60’s that they’ve brought. Having spent so much time exploring the sepia pictorial archive its wonderful to see the town and its people come alive in vivid colour via Super 8. I pass over a projector as Victor’s has broken so that he can continue with digitalising more footage (minus the 50’s sound track!). I want to incorporate it somehow as after all the show’s premise is TO animate the archive.

Onwards to the ‘Parlwr Mawr' (Big Parlour) at the Dragon Theatre and the ‘Merched y Wawr’ (Welsh equivalent to the W.I) ‘Dominoes for Welsh learners’ session. I briefly introduce the project and invite them to participate in the ‘Story shop’ come March to help collate an oral history of the town. They seem keen and are rather lovely; I have a penchant for old ladies and have worn a charity shop knitted tie (bought locally) for the occasion, which over tea and custard creams draws much praise.

Wednesday: A photo session on the beach with Warren Orchard. The shoot involves large orange helium balloons; a 1940’s period dress and WWII officer’s uniform. Our original idea fails due to the adverse wind so after a re-grouping session over lunch we venture forth and end the day with THE shot that captures the project perfectly and that will hopefully entice and intrigue the viewer through the poster/flyer. Whether it does or not you’ll just have to wait and see!

Thursday: Luncheon with Dafydd Elis Thomas to talk tactics and plan our pincer movement towards the belligerent Glyn, owner of the splendid ‘Morris the Drapers’ on the High Street, abandoned for the last 40 years and crying out for attention and a subtle performance intervention.

This is my best shot and I feel a little like Princess Lea,

'Help me Obi Wan Kenobe…. you’re my only hope'

'Helpwch fi Dafydd Elis Thomas….chi yw fy unig obaith'.

But to no avail, Glyn won’t budge (even WITH the Lord’s presence) and a fantastic key location is lost…. so back to the drawing board…such is the nature of site specific work, you have to adapt constantly.

So I return my Princess Lea hair attachment to the back of the draw for another day.

Back to the Comms First office and a chance encounter with the retired I.T expert John Morris who guides me to N.I.A.C.E’(National Institute of Adult Continuing Education) ‘Older and Bolder’ scheme and their digital stories. Many of which are of Barmouth origin, including one by former 1959 Carnival Queen Norma Griffiths entitled ‘Mawddach memories’.

http://niace.rcthosting.com/cms/media/older_and_bolder/digital%20st...

In the pub close by I meet the builder brothers Les and Colin Irvine. Over a pint they become determined to help me in my new quest foran alternative site to the Drapers. So we talk sheds, BIG sheds, in fact Big Bill’s BIG Shed right on the harbour front.I am intrigued, also Mike Jones’ small shed opposite the BIG shed,

You’ll find him in the Milk bar at 9 am. Can’t miss him…he’ll be drinking a pint of milk between smoking an empty pipe and has an enormous white beard…. everyone knows him as ZZ Top!’

Mmmmm, I’m beginning to think that they’re taking the Mickey but they insist they’re not. He’s Mike not Mickey.

Their excitement increases as they think of another promising place, also opposite the BIG shed, sandwiched between ZZ Tops small shed and the ‘Lobster Pond’ shack, this middle shed belongs to ‘Mad Mike’!

I leave the shed shenanigans at the ‘Tal–y-Don’ and head back towards the Parlwr Mawr to prepare my talk for the Literary and Debating society. As they arrive it becomes evident that they are expecting a presentation called ‘Barmouth: past, present and future’…. Mmmmm not sure if they are ready for ‘My Square Mile - mapping out a methodology’, especially as two of the films display my bear bottom!

My concern increases as the local catholic vicar arrives to say grace.

I suddenly feel as though I’m on the set of The Vicar of Dibley or Father Ted.

I take a deep breath, dim the lights and press play…

On screen a full moon rises and illuminates the room…