A team of cooks in Bala in Mid Wales is aiming to create a world record for the biggest Welsh cake as part of the town’s exciting programme of events to celebrate St David’s Day on March 1.

 

Bala and Penllyn Tourism Association has contacted Guinness World Records and been told that there is no official entry for the biggest-ever Welsh cake, but in order to set a record it must weigh a minimum of 20 kilos.

 

The association is planning a test run next weekend of a secret Welsh cake recipe, which comprises large quantities of flour, butter, eggs, caster sugar, sultanas, mixed spice and milk. The Co-op store in Bala has agreed to supply the ingredients for the world record attempt.

 

To mix the ingredients, local business D. H. Jones is supplying a paddle mixer and two large griddles are being made using steel plate to cook the five feet wide Welsh cake over charcoal.

 

The cake will be cooked between the two griddles, which will be turned mid-way through the cooking process, as it will be impossible to flip the cake in traditional fashion due to its size.

 

The quest for the Welsh cake world record, which starts at 2pm, is just one of a programme of events planned for St David’s Day, which the tourism association hopes will attract thousands of visitors to the town. Gwynedd Council is supporting the programme with town centre events and marketing grants.

 

Local businesses will wrap the 25 trees lining the High Street in the colours of the Welsh flag as they compete against each other for 'best dressed tree'. The decorations will remain in place until Sunday evening and a glass trophy, made by 'Glassblobbery', will be awarded to the winner.

 

The day will also see the launch of the new www.gobala.org website promoting a wide range of trails in Bala and Penllyn, which can be enjoyed on foot, by bike, on water or by road.

 

For children there will be story telling sessions at 10am and 1.30pm as well as circus workshops at 10.30am, 11.30am and 3pm. A guided walk along Bala Historical Town Trail at 11.10am will be followed by a performance by Godre’r Aran Choir at 12.30pm. There will be craft stalls, Snowdonia produce market, Tegi Bach treasure hunt and face painting throughout the day.

 

Following a prize giving ceremony at 4pm, visitors will be encouraged to stay for an evening concert by talented musicians at Neuadd Buddug in the town at 7.30pm. The Dammed Nations Concert promises an engaging evening of music and poetry featuring Welsh singer and harpist Sian James, singer and songwriter Gai Toms and NubaNour, traditional Nubian frame drummers from Egypt.

 

On Friday night, the eve of St David’s Day, popular singer-songwriter SERA from Caernarfon will be performing a mix of original songs in English and Welsh with her band at Plas yn Dre, Bala at 7pm.

 

Tickets for both concerts are available from Awen Meirion Bookshop, Bala.

 

“The idea for holding these events on St David’s Day is to attract people into the town centre,” said Mel Williams, association chair. “The response we have had from local businesses has been fantastic and everybody is very excited about the plans.

 

“We are encouraging all the shops in the town to do something with a Welsh flavour on St David’s Day. As an association we are trying to really put Bala and Penllyn on the map for visitors because tourism is vitally important to this area.”

 

The association, which has 50 members, is a member of Mid Wales Tourism (MWT), an independent organisation representing around 600 tourism and hospitality businesses across Meirionnydd, Ceredigion and Powys. Mrs Williams praised the support advice received from MWT during the building of the new GoBala.org website.

 

Ends

Notes for Editors:

St David’s Day celebrations in Bala on March 1.

10.00am: Story Session!

10.30am: Circus Workshop - learn new skills!

11.00am: Launch “Go Bala”!

11.10am: Guided walk - Bala Historical Town Trail!

11.30am: Circus Workshop - learn new skills!

12.30pm: Godre’r Aran Choir!

13.30pm: Story Session!

14.00pm: World record attempt at biggest world’s biggest Welsh cake

15.00pm: Circus Workshop - learn new skills !

16.00pm: Prizegiving ceremony

19.00pm: SERA and band at Plas yn Dre

19.30pm: Dammed Nations Concert at Neuadd Buddug featuring Sian James, Gai Toms and NubaNour.

 

For further information please contact:

Duncan Foulkes

Tel: 01686 650818

Email: press@midwalestourism.co.uk