Gweinidog yn cyhoeddi manylion adolygiad Ysbyty - Minister announces Hospital review details

Mewn llythyr atai yr wythnos hon, mae Gwieinidog Iechyd y Cynulliad Cenedlaethol, Ms Edwina Hart AC wedi cyhoeddi bydd adolygiad ar ddyfodol Ysbyty Coffa Ffestiniog yn cychwyn ar Ebrill 18fed 2010.
Yn ei llythyr atai mae Ms Hart yn nodi "Bydd yr adolygiad yn canolbwyntio ar rol Ybyty Coffa Ffestiniog i'r dyfodol".....mae'n ychwanegu "Bydd yn disgwyl i'r adolygiad fod yn drylouw ac yn gynhwysol o rhanddaliaid lleol gan gynnwys y Cyngor Iechyd Cymuned".
Dwi'n edrych ymalen i'r adolygiad yma gan fy mod yn fwy arghyoeddedig nac erioed fod yna wir angen am wlau yn yr Ysbyty Coffa i'r dyfodol ac y bydd hynny'n greiddiol i'n dadleuon ni yma'n lleol yn yr ymgyrch i'w gwrachod a'i datblygu i'r dyfodol.
Dwi'n ffyddiog hefyd o fewn y flwyddyn, bydd y Gweinidog hefyd yn gweld gwerth i'n Ysbyty ni ac fel rhan o'r adolygiad byddwn yn ei gwahodd hi yma i weld y gwaith ardderchog sydd yn cael ei wneud yn yr Ysbyty dros ei hunain ac i gael cwrdd a rhanddeiliaid lleol.

In a letter that I have received this week from the Assembly Government's Health Minister, Edwina Hart AM, it has been confirmed that a review into the future role of Ffestiniog Memorial Hospital will begin on April 18th 2010.
In her letter, Ms Hart notes that she will "require the review to be transparent and involve all local stakeholders including the Community Health Council".
I'm looking forward to the review as I am more convinced now than ever before that we must retain bed numbers at the Memorial Hospital for the future and that should be central in our argument to protect and develope the hospital for the future.
I am also confident that within the year, that the Minister will see the value in our hospital and as part of the review, I will invite her to visit the hospital to see for her self the excellent care that is on offer as well as to meet and speak to local stakeholders.

Y Pencampwyr ydi Blaenau and Bro are Champions!

Llongyfarchiadau i Glwb Pel-Droed Amaturiaid y Blaenau am ennill Cynghriar Gwynedd eleni ac hefyd i Glwb Rygbi Bro Ffestiniog ar ennill eu cynghrair hwy.
Heb os ac onid bai, Blaenau ydi prif dref chwaraeon Gwynedd ar hyn o bryd, gyda'r ddau dim yma "ar dan" ac yn ben ac ysgwyth uwch nai gwrthwynebwyr!
A hithau yn Ebrill 30eg a'r Wyl Beltane traddodiadol y Celtiaid yn dechrau heddiw..efallai mai coelcerth ar y Moelwyn fyddai ffordd unigryw a thrawiadol i ddathlu llwyddiant ein teimau lleol?
Da iawn chi hogia'!

Congratulations to Blaenau Amateurs FC on winning the Gwynedd League and to Bro Ffestiniog Rugby Club on winning their league as well.
Without a shadow of doubt, Blaenau is the capital of sporting excellence in Gwynedd at present, with both teams "on fire" and head and shoulders above their rivals!
With it being April 30th and the beginning of the ancient Celtic Beltane Festival, maybe a bombfire on the Moelwyn would be a unique and memorable celebration of the success achieved by our local teams?
Well done lads!

David Byrne - A Musical Genius...something for the weekend

Ex Talking Heads frontman, Mr David Byrne shows just why he is regarded as a musical genius.
Here are a couple of my favourites from his live performances...I could put twenty on here however two will suffice and give you something to enjoy for the weekend.
Pure class...hope you enjoy!

O Diar! - Oh Dear!

Mae hyn yn anhygoel ac yn gwbwl angrhediniol ac yn anfoesol! Da ni yn siarad am arain trethdalwyr Gwynedd, dalwyd drwy gamgymeriad i mi a sawl un arall. Dwi eisioes wedi cadarnhau fy mod yn barod i dalu'r £156 sydd wedi ei or-dalu i mi yn ol ac wedi gwneud trefniadau i'r perwyl hynny gyda Adran y Trysorydd yn y Cyngor.
Dylai fod gan rhai pobol cywilydd am gymryd safiad mor wirion a cofio mai arian cyhoeddus ydi hwn ac nid ei arian nhw!

This is incredible, totally unbeleiveable and immoral! We're talking about Gwynedd taxpayers money here, money which was paid in error to me and a significant number of other members and former members of Gwynedd Council. I have already said that I am happy to re-pay the £156 that was overpaid to me in error and indeed I have made arrangements with the County Treasurers Department for this to happen.
Some people should be ashamed for have such a cavalier attitude and they should also remember that this is public money and not theirs!

Ymateb i'r Gyllideb "Gwyliwch y c***u'n taro'r ffan!" -Budget Response "Watch the s**t hit the fan!"

Heb os ac onid bai mae'r Gyllideb cyhoeddwyd ddoe yn San Steffan yn mynd i gael gryn effaith arnom ni yma yng Nghymru ac yn enwedig ar y Cynghorau Sir gan fod y Cynulliad Cenedlaethol yn mynd i dderbyn setliad mor wael.
Mae sefyllfa Llywodraeth Leol oedd eisioes yn ddrwg yn sicir o waethygu oherwydd llanast Llafur yn San Steffan.
Yn bersonol, dwi'n teimlo y dylai Plaid Cymru ystyried o ddifri os y dylent barhau fel rhan o Lywodraeth yng Nghaerdydd, fydd i pob pwrpas yn cau a gwtogi gwasanaethau cyhoeddus o Fon i Fynwy ar raddfa nas welwyd o'r blaen.
Ydi mae'r stwff brown yn hedfan tua'r ffan a dwi'n darogan rwan mai dyma ydi dechrau y diwedd ar y Llywodraeth Lafur, San Steffan ac o bosib ar Lwyodraeth Cymru'n Un (Llanast Mawr!).
Cawn weld wythnos nesaf beth fydd ymateb arweinnwyr y Blaid ar Gyngor Gwynedd pan fydd y Bwrdd y Cyngor yn cyfarfod ond rydym ni yn Llais Gwynedd wedi galw ers mis Mai diwethaf ar i pob grwp ar y Cyngor i uno a lobio'r Llywodraeth ym Mae Caerdydd ond erys nad oes fawr dim wedi digwydd - pam?..efallai nad yw arweinnwyr y Blaid yng Ngwynedd am upsetio ei mesitri...erbyn hyn mae genai ofn does dim dewis rhaid mynnu setliad ariannol gwell i Gyngor Gwynedd ac gan fod y grwp mwyaf ar y Cyngor yn rhan o'r Llywodraeth, yn dylai nhw fwy na neb fod ar flaen y gad!

Without any shadow of doubt, yesterday's Budget announcement at Westminister is going to have a severe effect on us here in Wales and in particular on the County Council's due to the fact that the Welsh Assembly will receive such a poor financial settlement.
The situation for Local Government here in Wales (which was already bad) will be far worse now, thanks to Labour's mess in Westminister.
Personally, I think that Plaid Cymru should seriously consider whether they should stay part of a government in Cardiff, that will to all extent and purpose be making cuts and closures to public services from Holyhead to Newport on a scale never seen before here in Wales.
Yes, the brown stuff is flying through the air and its about to hit the fan, and I predict that this for sure is the beginning of the end of the Labour Government in London and quiet possibly the One (Big Mess) Wales Government in Cardiff Bay.
We will see next week what the reaction of Plaid leaders on Gwynedd Council will be to this latest announcement, when the Council Board meets on Tuesday - we in Llais Gwynedd have been calling since last May for all political groups on the Council to unite and lobby the Welsh Assembly Government for an improved financial settlement for Gwynedd. Alas nothing much has happened on this front - why? Maybe the Plaid group on Gwynedd does not want to upset their masters in Cardiff?...However due to yesterday's events, we cannot sit idley by and watch our public services being decimated by an idle government that naval gazes down the Bay. Plaid Cymru is the largest group on Gwynedd, they must now act and unite with all of us to ensure that the people in Gwynedd get a fairer crack of the whip from the government that they are a part of - we expect nothing less!

£156

Yn unol a'r stori hon...dyna faint o arian gafwyd ei ordalu i mi mewn costau teithio gan Gyngor Gwynedd mewn camgymeriad.
Yn naturiol fel pob aelod arall, dwi'n gobeithio, fyddai mwy na pharod i dalu'r arian yma'n ol.

In accordence with this story...that is the sum of money that has been overpaid to me in travel expenses by mistake by Gwynedd Council.
Naturally, like every other member, I imagine,I shall be more than willing to pay every penny back to the Council.

John Tudor CBE

Gyda thristwch clywais am farwolaeth John Tudor CBE, cyn aelod o Gyngor Sir Gwynedd a chyn Gadeirydd Awdurdod Parc Cenedlaethol Eryri.
Pan oeddwn yn aelod ifanc di-brofiad o'r Cyngor Sir tua 1994 mi ddaru John rhoi llawer o gyngor a chymorth i mi, roedd o'n athrylith ac yn ddyn gwybodus dros ben. Roedd ganddo ddawn anhygoel o reoli Pwyllgorau gan ddefnyddio cyfuniad unigryw o hiwmor a chadernid i enyn parch ei gyd aelodau a swyddogion.
Dwi'n ei weld o'n glir yn gyrru ar hyd a lled y wlad yn ei Volvo mawr pryd hynny a'r hen Jac Russell Terrier oedd ganddo yn neidio i fynnu ac i lawr yn y blaen ac yna yn y ffenest gefn!
Roedd o'n barod iawn ei sgwrs ac roedd rhai o'u hanesion fel vet yn Sir Feirionnydd werth eu clywed.
Ef oedd Cadeirydd Corff Llywodraethol Coleg Meirion-Dwyfor hyd at ei farwolaeth disymwth prynhawn ddoe.
Roedd o wedi rhoi cyn gymaint i Ddolgellau, Eryri, Meirionnydd a Gwynedd ac bydd colled mawr ar ei ol.
I'w ferch Ruth a'i delu estynedig a'i gyfeillion lu, estynaf fy nghydymdeimlad dwysaf.

Ymweliad a Chanolfan Croeso Abersoch Tourist Information Centre Visit

Bore 'ma, mi es i draw i Abersoch gyda 4 o gyd aelodau o Bwyllgor Twristiaeth Blaenau Ymlaen.
Pwrpas ein ymweliad oedd gweld sut oedd y Pwyllgor Twristiaeth a Masnachwyr lleol yno wedi mynd ati i rheoli eu Canolfan Croeso lleol nhw yng nghanol pentref Abersoch.
Os cofiwch yn iawn, dyna be fydd yn rhaid i ni fel grwp lleol yma'n y Blaenau wneud o flwyddyn nesaf ymlaen os am warchod y gwasanaeth croesawu twristiaeth lleol.
Yn sicir roedd hi'n werth mynd yno i ymweld a'r cyfeillion ymroddgar iawn yn Abersoch ac fe rhoddodd yr ymweliad llawer o bethau i ni yma yn y Blaenau i ystyried.
Hoffwn fanteisio ar y cyfle i ddiolch i'r Cynghorydd H Wyn Williams o Abersoch am ei gydweithrediad i drefnu ein ymweliad ac i'r Cadeirydd y Gymdeithas yn Abersoch, Mr John Gosling am ein cyfarfod y bore 'ma.

This morning i went to Abersoch on the Lleyn Peninsula with 4 fellow members from the Blaenau Ymlaen Tourism Sub-Group.
The purpose of our visit was to see how the local Tourism and Traders Association in the village had gone about managing their local Tourist Information Centre which is located in the village centre.
If you remember, that is what we as a local tourism group will have to do next year if we are to retain the tourist information service in Blaenau.
It was certainly worth the effort to go and meet the committed representatives from the Abersoch group and the visit gave us much "food for thought" about future provision here in Blaenau.
I'd like to take this opportunity to thank Councillor H.Wyn Williams from Abersoch for his co-operation in organising the visit and also to the Chairman of the Abersoch and Lleyn Tourism and Trade Association, Mr John Gosling for taking the time to meet with us and answreing our questions this morning.

Pregethu i'r Troedig - Preaching to the Converted

Newydd ddychwelyd o'r brotest yn Harlech yn erbyn bwriad Cyngor Gwynedd i gau y pwll nofio yn y misoedd nesaf os nad yw'r gymuned yn cymryd drosodd rheolaeth am yr adnodd cymunedol pwysig hwn.
Roedd dros 200 yn bresennol yn y brotest, yn eu plith, Charlie Brooks yr actores o Eastenders sydd yn dod o'r Bermo, Elfyn Llwyd AS a tua saith ohonom ni Gynghorwyr Gwynedd (4 Llais,2 Plaid ac 1 Annibynol).
Manteisiodd Elfyn Llwyd ar y cyfle i ddweud gair ac yn wir, mi siaradodd o'n dda gan ddweud "nad oedd bwriad Cyngor Gwynedd i gau y pwll yn gwneud synwyr economiadd ac ei fod hi'n bwysig gyrru neges i Gaernarfon". Fel pawb arall yn y gynulleidfa, roeddwn yn cytuno ac yn cymeradwyo hynny, OND, efallai dylai Elfyn rhoi yr un bregeth i gynghorwyr Plaid Cymru ar y Cyngor oherwydd mewn sawl wythnos, eu pleidlais hwy neith benderfynu os fydd y pwll yn aros ar agor neu yn cau.
O gofio fod 21 allan o'r 29 bleidleisiodd i gau cartref henoed Bryn Llywelyn yn aelodau o'r Blaid, gall rhywun ddim ond gofidio dros ddyfodol y pwll yn Harlech.
Cawn weld os bydd Elfyn yn rhoi'r bregeth i'w gynghorwyr? Ac os bydd o, neith nhw wrando? - Amser a ddengys.
Gyda llaw, lle oedd yr Aelod Cynulliad heddiw? Ydi o, o blaid achub y pwll ta be?

I've just got back from the protest march in Harlech against Gwynedd Council's proposals to close Harlech swimming pool within the next few months.
There was over 200 people at the protest, among them was the actress Charlie Brooks (Janine in Eastenders) who looked radient, Elfyn Llwyd MP and about seven of us Gwynedd Councillors (4 Llais, 2 Plaid and 1 Independent).
Elfyn Llwyd took the opportunity to say a few words and in fairness he spoke well, he said that "Gwynedd Council's proposed closure of Harlech Pool did not make economic sense and it was imperetive to send that message to Caernarfon". Like everyone else in the audience I agreed with his words and applauded him for them..BUT, maybe Elfyn needs to give the same sermon to his Councillor colleagues who are on Gwynedd Council, as in a few weeks it will be the votes of the largest group (Plaid Cymru)that will decide the fate of the pool.
You may recall some weeks ago 21 out of the 29 votes in favour of closing Bryn Llywelyn Care Home were cast by Plaid members, given that fact, one can only worry about the future of Harlech pool.
We'll soon see if Elfyn will use the same speech that he gave to the converted today to his councillors? And if he does?, Will they listen? - time will tell.
By the way, where was the local Assembly Member today? Is he in favour of saving the pool or what?

TUNES!

Dyma ddau gan dwi'n hoff iawn arnyn nhw ar hyn o bryd....be 'da chi'n feddwl?

Here are two of my favourite tunes at the moment....what do you think?

Pwll Nofio Harlech, protest yfory - Harlech Swimming Pool, protest tomorrow

Yfory am 2 o'r gloch y prynhawn mae dysgwyl protest eitha' sylweddol yn Harlech yn erbyn cynlluniau cynlluniau Cyngor Gwynedd i gau y pwll o fewn y misoedd nesaf os na fydd y gymuned yn barod i gymryd cyfrifoldeb am ei reoli yn fuan.
Eisioes mae adroddiad gan ymgynghorwyr annibynnol wedi datgan y byddai cau y pwll yn "benderfyniad anheg ac anfoesol", amser a ddengys be fydd penderfyniad y Cyngor ond yfory fyddai i a sawl aelod arall o'r Cyngor yn sefyll ysgwydd yn ysgwydd gyda pobol Harlech i geisio achub eu Pwll Nofio nhw.
Bydd y protest yn ymgynyll ym maes parcio'r pwll ac yn cychwyn am 2 o'r gloch i'r Theatr yn Harlech.

Tomorrow at 2pm it is anticipated that a significant protest will be held in Harlech against the proposed closure of the towns swimming pool by Gwynedd Council within the next few months unless the local community are prepared to take the management of the pool over as soon as possible.
Already, an independent consultants report has stated that closing the pool would be "unfair and immoral", time will tell what the Council's final decision will be however tomorrow I and a number of other Councillors will stand "shoulder to shoulder" with the people of Harlech in order to try to save their swimming pool.
The march will convene at the swimming pool car park before setting off to Theatre Harlech at 2pm.

Ysbyty Alltwen a dyfodol Ysbyty Coffa Ffestiniog - Alltwen Hospital and the future for Ffestiniog Memorial

Heddiw roedd Ysbyty Alltwen, Porthmadog yn derbyn ei chleifion cyntaf. Heb os ac onid bai, bydd croeso brwd i'r ysbyty newydd yn ardal Porthmadog ac yn wir gall rhywun ddim ond ymfalchio dros trigolion yr ardal hynny a hwythau yn cael ysbyty newydd sydd wedi costio miliynau o bunoedd.
Maes o law o fewn y flwyddyn nesaf, unwaith bydd Alltwen wedi cael ei "thraed o dan hi" fel tae, mi fydd yna adolygiad yn cael ei gynnal ar ddyfodol Ysbyty Coffa Ffestiniog.
Dwi wedi 'sgwennu eto yr wythnos diwethaf yma at Gweinidog Iechyd Llywodraeth Cynulliad Cymru, Edwina Hart AC i ofyn iddi sicrhau bydd yr adolygiad hwnnw pan ddaw o yn un annibynol, gwrthrychol, trylouw ac yn cynnwys elfen gref o ymgynghori agored gyda rhanddeliaid i gyd yn ogystal ar gymuned gyfan.
Mae Ysbyty Coffa Ffestiniog yn darparu gwasanaeth pwysig iawn i trigolion yr ardal hon a thra dwi'n croesawu agor Ysbyty Alltwen,dwi'n benderfynol i sicrhau na fydd ei hagor hi yn arwain at gau yr ysbyty yma yn 'Stiniog oherwydd dwi'n gwbwl argyhoeddedig mae angen y ddwy a gobeithio'n fawr y bydd y rhai hynny o fewn yr Awdurdodau Iechyd a'r Cynulliad yn gweld ac yn deallt hynny mor fuan ac sy'n bosib.

Today the brand new Alltwen Hospital, Porthmadog received its first patients. Without a shadow of a doubt, the new hospital will be warmly welcomed by residents living in the Porthmadog area and I can only feel happy for them as they now have a great resource locally that has costed millions of pounds.
In due course within the next year, once Alltwen has "found its feet" so to speak a review will be held into the future of the Ffestiniog Memorial Hospital.
I have once again written last week to the Assembly Government's Health Minister, Edwina Hart AM asking her to ensure that when that review is undertaken that it will be done so, independently, open, objectively and that all stakeholders and the wider community are properly consulted.
Ffestiniog Memorial Hospital provides an invaluable service to this community. And whilst I welcome the new hspital at Alltwen, I am determined that its opening does not lead to the closure of the one here in Blaenau as I feel strongly that there is much need for both hospitals and I can only hope that those high up within the Health Authority and Assembly understand that and see things in the same way.

Da Iawn Gwyneth! - Well Done Gwyneth!

Mae'r hanesyn yma'n wych, da iawn Gwyneth!

This story is brilliant, well done Gwyneth!

Remembering the Hillsborough Tragedy

April 15th 1989 was a glorious Spring day here in Blaenau Ffestiniog, I was 19 then and I didn't have a care in the world.
My team Liverpool was playing Nottingham Forrest in the FA Cup Semi-Final that afternoon and me and some mates had already made plans if they won that we would return to Wembley to see the FA Cup Final like we had done the previous May, when Aldo missed that penalty and the "Crazy Gang" from Wimbledon had stunned the football world.
I got home for my tea at about 4.30pm (just in time for the results on Grandstand)and I asked my dad what the scores were in the Semi-Finals as I was hoping that Everton would win theirs against Norwich to set up a derby final.
My dad replied, that Everton were winning but the Liverpool match had been abandoned due to crowd trouble as had been reported initially.
It was only later during the early evening news and the news later that night that the real tragedy had struck home.
I didn't make it to Wembley for the final that year for one reason and another, sadly neither did 96 innocent fans who'd gone to support the Reds at Hillsborough only never to return.
God bless them and their families.

Mae angen Cyngor rwan mwy nac erioed - Advice needed now more than ever

Mae wedi dod i fy sylw yn ystod yr wythnos diwethaf fod CAB Ynys Mon a Gwynedd wedi cael setliad ariannol digon anffafriol gan y sector gyhoeddus ar gyfer y flwyddyn nesaf.
Mae hyn yn anffodus iawn gan ei fod yn ymddangos fod hi'n debygol y byddwn yn colli'r gwasanaeth gwerthfawr yma o'r Blaenau yn ystod yr wythnosau nesaf os nad oes newid ar fyd a bod CAB yn cael rhagor o arian gan y Cynghorau Sir a'r Cynghorau Bro a Thref.
Rwan dwi ddim am un funud yn beirniadu CAB am dorri'n ol os nad yw'r arain ar gael - mae'r mudiad yma yn lleol gyda hanes anrhydeddus o wasanaeth a bod yn ddarbodys.
Serch hynny dwi'n sicir y gallai Cynghorau Gwynedd a Mon ar lefel sirol ac bro a thref rhoi mwy o gyfraniad i'r mudiad na maen't yn derbyn ar hyn o bryd.
Heb os ac onid bai, mae mwy o angen CAB mewn ardaloedd fel Blaenau na fuodd erioed, yn wir bron a fyddwn i'n dweud mae lle yma i'r Cynulliad ymyryd a sicrhau cefnogaeth i CAB drwy ddarparu ariann craidd canolog i'r mudiad ledled Cymru er mwyn i pob dinesydd ar draws y wlad dderbyn Cyngor yn enwedig ar sut mae rholi dyledion ayb yn sgil colli swyddi.
Os yw Gordon Brown yn barod i helpu'r banciau allan, be am i Rhodri Morgan helpu CAB allan?
Yma yn y Blaenau yn dilyn cynnig brys gen i i'r Cyngor Tref nos Iau, byddwn yn ymdrechu i leddfu rhywfaint ar y diffyg yn lleol, yn y gobaith y gallwn achub y gwasanaeth CAB yma yn lleol.
Braf fyddai meddwl am Gynghorau eraill a'r Cynulliad yn dilyn ein esiampl.

During the last week it has come to my attention that Gwynedd and Ynys Mon CAB have had an unfavourable financial settlement by the public sector for the forthcoming financial year.
This is very unfortunate as it seems highly likely that we will now lose this invaluable service in Blaenau during the coming weeks unless current circumstances change and that CAB receive an improved financial package from the County Council's of Gwynedd and Ynys Mon along with the town and community councils within both Counties.
Now, I am not criticising the management team of CAB for taking this tough decision and making sever cuts to service provision due to the lack of much needed funding - this organisation has a long and honourable history of providing a much valued service to citizens across the region.
However I really do feel that Gwynedd and Anglesey County Councils and the Town and Community Councils could and should make a more significant financial contribution to the CAB than what they are currently offering.
Without a shadow of a doubt, the CAB is a much needed service now more than ever before given the substantial increase in consumer debt across the country, let alone in deprived communities like Blaenau Ffestiniog.
I think this matter should also be looked at by the Welsh Assembly Government - If Gordon Brown and his colleagues at Westminister can bail out the banks and the City Fat Cats then surely, Rhodri Morgan and the crew down in Cardiff Bay can bail out the CAB so that they can help the citizens of Wales who are currently on there knees due to debt and the starin caused by thousands of job losses.
Here in Blaenau following an emergency notice of motion by myself at the Town Council meeting on Thursday we are trying our best to find a solution to retain this invaluable service to the local community.
I only hope that our example at Ffestiniog Town Council will inspire other Councils and the Welsh Assembly Government to do the same.

Britain's Got Talent - Telly Gold!

Just watched Saturday's first episode of the new series of Britain's Got Talent. It was an absolute scream and already two acts have made a brilliant impression.
Can't wait for the next instalment, just great fun and an escape from the world and its worries for an hour or so..I hope you also had a laugh or were as shocked and surprised as I was from hearing Susan Boyle singing and watching Flawless dancing.

Llongyfarchiadau Paul - Congratulations Paul

Yng nghyfarfod y Cyngor Tref neithiwr, etholwyd y Cynghorydd Paul Thomas yn Is-Gadeirydd i'r Cyngor. Mae Paul sydd yn cynrychioli Ward Tanygrisiau yn aelod gweithgar iawn o'r Cyngor yn ogystal a bod yn aelod o un o'm hoff fandiau Cymraeg, Gwibdaith Hen Fran.
Llongyfarchiadu i Paul ar gael ei ethol a dwi'n edrych ymlaen i gydweithio gydag ef, Y Cadeirydd,Y Cyng. Dylan Richards(ddaru mi anghofio ei longyfarch ar ei etholiad ef -felly llongyfarchion hwyr iddo yntau) a gweddill y Cyngor Tref er mwyn yr ardal yn ystod y flwyddyn nesa'.

At last night's Town Council meeting, Councillor Paul Thomas was elected as the Council's Vice-Chairman. Paul, who represents the Tanygrisiau Ward is a hard working and dedicated member of the Council as well as being a member of one of my favourite Welsh bands, Gwibdaith Hen Fran.
Congratulations to Paul on his election and I look forward to working with him, the Chairman,Cllr.Dylan Richards (who I forgot to congratulate on this blog upon his election - so belated congrats to Dylan as well) and the rest of the Town Council for the good of the area over the coming year.

Pasg Hapus! - Happy Easter!

Dim wy pasg i mi eleni - ta waeth, fe fydd cael treilio amser gyda theulu a ffrindia' yn gwneud i fynnu am hynny.
Pasg Hapus i chi!

No Easter Egg for me this year - not to worry, the opportunity to spend some time with family and friends should more than make up for that.
Happy Easter to you!

Rhagor o bryderon economaidd - More economic woes

Gwta pythefnos ers cyhoeddiad REHAU ei bod nhw yn diswyddo 41 o weithwyr daw'r cyhoeddiad fod cwmni Welsh Slate sydd yn berchnogion rhai o'r chwareli yma yn 'Stiniog a Chwarel y Penrhyn yn Bethesda ar fin cychwyn cyfnod ymgynghorol gyda'i gweithlu er mwyn tocio eu cyflogau 10% yn ogystal a mynd i lawr i weithio 4 diwrnod yr wythnos.
Daw hyn yn sgil y gostyngiad mewn galw am lechi to yn ogystal a'r ffaith yn ol pob son fod y chwareli wedi gwneud colledion sylweddol yn ystod y flwyddyn diwethaf.
Byddaf rwan yn pwyso ar Adran Economaidd y Cyngor ynghyd a'r Cynulliad i weld os oes unrhywbeth allwn ei wneud i gefnogi'r cwmni a'u gweithlu yma yn y Blaenau a Bethesda oherwydd heb os mi fyddent yn gwynebu cyfnod anodd am beth amser i ddod ac dylid gwneud pob ymdrech i warchod y swyddi yma os gallwn ni am y tymor hir.

Only a fortnight after REHAU's announcement that they are making a further 41 redundencies at Blaenau Plastics comes the news that Welsh Slate, the company which owns some of the quarries here in Blaenau and Penrhyn, Bethesda are to start a formal consultation period regarding a 10% reduction to the wages of their workers as well as working a 4 day week.
This has come about due to the drop in demand for roofing slate as well as by some accounts the fact that the quarries made a significant loss over the last year.
I shall now be pressing on the Economic and Regeneration Department of Gwynedd Council as well as the Assembly Government to see if there is anything at all that they we can do to assist the Company through this difficult period so that we can safeguard these important jobs for the long-term both here in Blaenau and at Bethesda.

Dylan Wyn Thomas "Dyl Butch"

Bore 'ma mi es i wasanaeth angladd "Dyl Butch", gollodd ei frwydyr ddewr yn erbyn cancr dydd Mercher diwethaf ac yntau ddim ond yn 37 oed.
Roedd Capel Bowydd yn orlawn gyda llawer iawn o gyfeillion Dyl o'r Clwb Rygbi lleol a chlyboiau eraill yno.
Talwyd teyrnged arbennig i Dyl gan Elfed Cae Iago oedd yn gyfaill ac yn gydweithiwr i Dyl ers dros 20 mlynedd- dyna sut gafodd o'r enw Dyl Butch, gweithio fel cigydd efo Elfed.
Roedd Dyl yn fachgen cryf, addfwyn a digri ac yn watsad yn ddibynadwy- doedd gan neb air drwg i ddweud amdano. Dwi'n cofio chwarae rygbi yn yr un tim i Bro Ffestiniog gyda Dyl, diwedd yr 80au a dechrau y 90au yn y rheng flaen...roedd o yn "class" o chwaraewr tra oeddwn i ymhell o'i safon o. Aeth ymlaen i chwarae dros 500 o gemau i Bro Ffestiniog ac fe chwraeodd o i dim ieuenctid Gogledd Cymru. Fo,hefyd oedd hyfforddwr tim Merched Bro Ffestiniog.
Heb os ac onid bai, mae'r Clwb Rygbi a'r Fro wedi colli cymeriad a hanner.
Ond i'w fam Mrs Annie Thomas a'i frawd Rich mae'r golled yn taro mwya'...ar yr adeg trist yma estynaf fy nghydymdeimlad dwysaf a hwy yn eu colled.
Diolch i Dduw amdano ac am y fraint o gael chwarae ar y yr un ochor ag o pan oeddym yn iau.

Croeso i'r Blaenau- Welcome to Blaenau

A hithau'n ddechrau ar y tymor twristiaeth traddodiadol, gall rhywun ddim ond gobeithio y cawn ni haf gwell na llynedd gyda dyddiau o heulwen o'n blaenau.
Yma yn Stiniog hon fydd y tymor diwthaf lle fydd Awdurdod Parc Cenedlaethol Eryri yn gyfrifol am rhedeg y Ganolfan Groeso yn y dref.
Bore 'ma bum yn cadeirio cyfarfod o'r grwp sydd a chyfrifoldeb am sicrhau bydd Canolfan Croeso yn parhau yma mewn rhyw fath o ffurf o flwyddyn nesa' ymlaen.
Mae yna frwdfrydedd a llawer o syniadau da o fewn y grwp ac dwi'n ffyddiog y bydd yma ddarpariaeth teilwng ar gyfer ymwelwyr a trigolion lleol yn cynnig croeso o fewn y flwyddyn pan fydd y Parc yn trosglwyddo'r awenau i'r gymuned leol.
Fy ngobaith mawr ydi mewn amser drwy gynlluniau fel Antur Stiniog yw y bydd Blaenau yn dod yn gyrchfan drwy'r flwyddyn i rhai hynny sydd am gael antur a chymryd rhan mewn gweithgareddau awyr agored.

With the beginning of the traditional tourist season upon us, one can only hope that we have a better summer than last season with many hot and sunny days ahead of us.
Here in Blaenau this is the final season that the Snowdonia National Park Authority will be responsible for the running of the Tourist Information Centre in town.
This morning I chaired a meeting of the group that has been set up to ensure that a TIC (or similar provision)will still operate in the town from next year onwards.
There is a lot of energy and great ideas within the group and I am confident that there will be a fitting provision for visitors and the local community that will provide a warm welcome within the year once the Park Authority ceases to manage the current TIC and transfers the management to the local community.
My big hope is that in time, through projects like Antur Stiniog, Blaenau will become a year round destination for tourists, particularly those who are looking for an adventure or challenge that the many outdoor pusrsuits being developed in the area will offer.

Simply Brilliant!

Was lucky enough to get to the Simply Red gig at the MEN Arena in Manchester last night.
Mick Hucknall and the band were simply brilliant and its one of the best live performances I have ever seen.
Truly brilliant and a performance that will stay in my memory for a long long time.
That was the third gig I've seen in the last month...so no more for this year...unless some of my favourite artists decided to tour!
Here's a taster from their show at the Albert Hall in London last year - hope you enjoy!...

Gi Ceffyl Bach! - Giddiup Horsey!

Ydi mae'n ddiwrnod y Grand National, felly fydd rhaid piciad heibio'r bwci ar y ffordd adra o'r Gymorthfa bore 'ma.
Dwi am fentro ceiniog neu ddau ar y ceffyl sydd wedi ei hyfforddi yma yg Nghymru - State of Play.

Yes its Grand National day, so after this morning's surgery I'll pop in to the bookies and put a few pennies on the horse that is trained here in Wales - State of Play.

Cyngor wedi mabwysiadu trefn i ad-drefnu addysg gynradd - Council adopts process to re-organise primary education

Yn ei gyfarfod dydd Iau mae Cyngor Gwynedd wedi mabwysiadu trefn o ad-drefnu addysg gynradd o fewn y Sir.
Doewddwn i ddim yn gallu bod yn y cyfarfod arbennig dydd Iau oherwydd ymrwymiad arall. Serch hynny rwyf yn ymwybodol iawn fod amheuon a phryderon mawr ar draws y Sir am y brosoes newydd yma.
Amser a ddengys be fydd tynged rhai ysgolion, yn bersonnol fyddai i ddim yn cefnogi unrhyw gynnig i gau unrhyw ysgol onid bai fod yna rhesymau cwbwl amlwg er lles safon addysg y plant ac os mai dyna fydd dymuniad, rhieni, athrawon a llywodraethwyr.

At its meeting on Thursday, Gwynedd Council has adopted a process to re-organise primary school education within the County.
Due to another long standing committment I was unable to attend Thursday's extra-ordinary meeting. However I am fully aware that there are serious doubts across the County about this new process.
Time will tell what the fate of a number schools will be, I personally will not support any proposal in favour of closing any school unless there are serious failings in the standard of education provided to children at that school or unless that is the wish of parents, teachers and governors.

Cymorthfa Bore Dydd Sadwrn yma - Surgery this Saturday morning

Cofiwch bydd y Cyng.Dafydd Lloyd Hughes a mi ar gael bore dydd Sadwrn yma yn y Ganolfan Dysgu Gydol Oes (Llyfrgell, Maenofferen rhwng 10am -11.30am.
Nid oes angen apwyntiad ac os gallwn fod o gymorth i chi, yna piciwch draw i'n gweld.

Remember, Cllr.Dafydd Lloyd Hughes and myself will be available between 10am -11.30am this Saturday morning at the Life Long Learning Centre (Library), Maenofferen.
There is no need to make an appointment and if you think we can help you in any way, please feel free to pop in and see us.