Penblwydd Hapus i Mrs Alwen Hughes

Wedi rhuthro'n ol o'r Bala gan ein bod yn mynd allan heno efo criw o ffrindiau i Fetws y Coed i ddathlu penblwydd Alwen Hughes yn 40 oed!!
O'r llun uchod, fel y gwelwch, tydi Mrs Hughes ddim yn edrych diwrnod yn hyn na 21!
Penblwydd Hapus iawn i ti Al! XX

Llythyr o'r 'Steddfod (1)

Wel dyma ni, Prifwyl y Bala 2009 ac ydi mae stondin Llais Gwynedd yn barod!
Roedd y Maes yn syndod o dda ac rhaid llongyfarch y trefnydd Elfed Roberts a'i staff am fod digon call i archebu tunelli o rwbel llechi o Stiniog i sicrhau na fydd hi'n fwd o dan draed yno.
Does genai ddim amheuaeth y bydd y tywydd DDIM yn difetha'r wythnos nesaf yn y Bala felly da chi, piciwch draw oherwydd mae'n argoeddi i fod yn 'Steddfod dda dybiwn i.

Amser i throi tua'r Bala - Time to head for Bala

Mae popeth yn gefn y car ac dwi angen mynd i'r Bala i osod stondin Llais Gwynedd ar Faes yr Eisteddfod.
Byddaf yn blogio o bryd i'w gilydd yn ystod yr wythnos am hanesion o'r Maes gan fy mod yn bwriadu bod yno dydd Llun, Mercher, Gwener a Sadwrn felly mae'n byr debyg fydd digon i'w adrodd.
Cofiwch alw draw i'r stondin, rhif 504 sydd ochor draw i'r Pafiliwn - bydd croeso cynnes yn aros amdanoch.
Welai chi yno!

Ok, everything is in the boot of the car, its time to head off to Bala to set up the Llais Gwynedd stand on the Eisteddfod Maes.
I will be blogging from time to time with various news and views of whats been going on at the Eisteddfod as I intend to be there on Monday, Wednesday, Friday and Saturday so its going to be a busy week and I'm sure there will be lots to report.
Remember to pop in to the Llais Gwynedd stand (no 504) which is behind the Pavillion - a warm welcome will await you.
Right...I'm off, see you there!

Sir Bobby Robson 1933-2009

As a child and an avid football fan, one of my first footballing memories was watching the unfashionable Ipswich Town beating Arsenal by 1-0 in Doug and Mary Hughes' house at 6, Dolrhedyn Terrace with their sons Gareth and Calvin.
Roger Osborne scored the goal for Bobby Robson's team and that May afternoon it was boiling hot in Wembley and in Dolrhedyn.
Later he would shape a team that would become household names and names that I would try to emulate (much to my failure I add) on Cae Mawr, names like Eric Gates, Paul Mariner, John Wark, Arnold Muhren, Frans Thijsen and Paul Power.
Sir Bobby as he was later knighted went on to manage amongst others Barcelona, England and his beloved Newcastle United.
He was a master tactician and came over as being an absolutely lovely gentleman.
Sadly, Sir Bobby lost his battle with cancer earlier today at the age of 76.
The football world is the poorer for his passing but the fantastic memories he left to all of us who are football fans will live on for ever.
Thank you Sir Bobby good night and God bless.

Amser i sortio hyn allan - Time to sort this out

Ers sawl blwyddyn bellach mae 'na broblemau wedi bod yn dilyn symud Clwb Rygbi Bro Ffestiniog o gaeau'r Ddol, Tanygrisiau i cae Dolawel yn y Blaenau.
Fel rhan o'r cynllun oedd yn fod i rhyddhau tir ar gyfer datblygiad diwydiannol, datblygwyd y safle 7 acer (Cae Peips) fel caeau ar gyfer Ysgol y Moelwyn gan fod yr Ysgol wedi trosglwyddo Dolawel i'r Clwb Rygbi.
Ymddengys ers bron i ddegawd fod problemau enbyd wedi bod gyda Cae Peips, gyda canol y cae fel bowlen ac o gofio'r glaw sydd yn syrthio yma yn Stiniog o bryd i'w gilydd mae'r cae yn ymdebygu i lyn ar adegau.
Rwan mae hyn i gyd yn creu problemau mawr i'r ysgol yn ogystal a chlwb pel droed ieuenctid y Blaenau sydd yn hyfforddi ac yn datblygu dros 100 o beldroedwyr ifanc yn yr ardal rhwng 8 a 16 mlwydd oed.
Gan nad ydynt yn medru chwarae ar y Cae Peips mae nhw wedi bod yn chwarae ar Y Ddol yn Tanygrisiau - oedd wythnos diwethaf yn gartref i Syrcas ymwelodd ar dref.
Erbyn hyn mae'r cae hynny wedi ei ddifrodi yn reit ddrwg mewnn un gornel ac mae pryder rwan os bydd y cae mewn cyflwr digon da ar gyfer dechrau'r tymor newydd.
Dwi wedi bod yn pwyso am fisoedd i'r sefyllfa yma gael ei ddatrys gan fod Ysgol y Moewlyn a pheldroedwyr ifanc y Blaenau wedi cael ei trin yn wael iawn allan o'r holl bennod yma ac byddaf ar y cyd a'r Cyng. Dafydd Lloyd Hughes yn mynnu fod Cyngor Gwynedd sydd wedi bod yn gyfrifol am yr holl gynllun yn datrys y sefyllfa gwbwl annerbyniol yma...a hynny ar unwaith!

For a nearly a decade the saga relating to Cae Peips and the former rugby pitches at Y ddol in Tanygrisiau has rumbled on.
Cae Peips is shaped like a bowl, and what should be a football pitch more often resembles a boating lake!
Due to this Ysgol y Moelwyn and the towns youth football teams which have over 100 players ranging between the ages of 8 and 16 have been struggling to find somewhere to play their matches.
Last season, Y Ddol was their temporary home, last week a Circus was held there and that pitch has now been damaged and may not be fit for the beginning of the new football season which is only a few weeks away!
The whole situation is unacceptable and is little more than farcical.
Both Cllr. Dafydd Lloyd Hughes and I are determined to sort the situation out as soon as possible so that the school and the youth football teams have decent and proper facilities to play on and we will be pressing upon Gwynedd Council who have been responsible for creating this problem to sort it out immediately as quite frankly this is just not good enough!

Trefniadau munud olaf - Last minute arrangements

Gyda'r Eisteddfod Genedlaethol mater o ddyddiau i ffwrdd mae unigolion, teuluoedd a mudiadau ledled y wlad yn brysur yn gwneud trefniadau munud olaf cyn ei throi hi tuag at Y Bala lle fydd y Brifwyl yn cael ei chynnal eleni.
Mi fydd gan Llais Gwynedd stondin yno (Rhif 504) felly piciwch draw yn ystod yr wythnos os byddwch yn ymweld gan y byddwn ni i gyd fel cynghorywr yno rhywben o bryd i'w gilydd drwy'r wythnos.
Mae wythnos yr Eisteddfod yn un prysur gyda'r pleidiau gwleidyddol i gyd ac amryw i fudiad yn cyhoeddi cynlluniau a strategaethau o pob math.
Tydi Llais Gwynedd ddim gwahanol ac os bydd yna unrhyw gyhoeddiadau o bwys mi cewch glywed amdanynt ar y blog hwn os na fyddwch yn gallu mynychu'r 'Steddfod.
Mae un peth yn saff, bydd y bwtias genai gan ei bod yn darogan tipyn o law am y dyddiau i ddod, wedi dweud hynny os bydd Steddfod eleni yn debyg i'r un diwethaf gynhaliwyd yn Y Bala yn 1997 mae'n anhebyg y wneith hynny amharu dim ar fwyniant neb.
Edrychaf ymlaen i'ch gweld yr wythnos nesa' ar stondin 504.

With the National Eisteddfod only a matter of days away, individuals, families and organisations across the country are making last minute preperations before heading towards Bala where this years event is being held.
Llais Gwynedd will have a stand there (No.504) so please feel free to drop in and say hello as all of us councillors will be there at one point or another during the week.
Eisteddfod week is usually busy with all the political parties and a host of organisations announcing new policy initiatives or strategies.
Llais Gwynedd will be no different and if there are any announcements of interest that will be made at the Eisteddfod, they will be posted on this blog in case you are unable to attend the event.
One thing is certain,I'll have my wellington boots with me as the weather forecast does not look to good. Having said that if this year's Eisteddfod will be anything at all compared to the one that was last held in Bala in 1997, then I very much doubt if the weather will dampen anyones enjoyment at this years festival.
I look forward to seeing you sometime next week on stand number 504.

Gwnewch rhywbeth amdano rwan! - Do something about it now!

Unwaith eto mae methianau'r gwasanaeth ambiwlans wedi cael ei amlygu gan Bwyllgor Archwylio y Cynulliad.
Dwi wedi bod yn ymgyrchu am newidiadau i'r gwasanaeth ers dau achos anffodus iawn yma yn y Blaenau y llynedd pan fethodd ambiwlans gyrraedd cleifion o fewn amser rhesymol a bu i'r ddau farw.
Er i mi gael sicrhad gan beneithiaid y gwasanaeth y byddai pethau yn newid ac yn gwella, mae adroddiadu cyson wedi bod yn y wasg sydd yn dangos i'r gwrthwyneb a dyma ni heddiw, adroddiad arall.
Digon yw digon! Mae'n amser i'r Cynulliad ymyryd gan fod bywydau pobol mewn peryg yn y fan yma.
Dwi'n credu y dylai'r Gweinidog Iechyd cymryd cyfrifoldeb uniongyrchol dros dro am y gwasanaeth a dylai Prif Weithredwr a Chadeirydd yr Ymddiriedolaeth Ambiwlans ymddiswyddo ar unwaith.
Mae'r gwasanaeth yn methu...mae hynny'n ffaith ac gorau po gyntaf neith y Cynulliad newid pethau er gwell yna bydd y staff o fewn yr Ymddiriedolaeth a'r cyhoedd efallai yn mwy debygol o adfer eu hyder yn y gwasanaeth.

Once again, the failure of the Welsh Ambulance Service has been highlighted...this time in a report by the Assembly's Audit Committee.
I have campaigned for improvements to the service since two tragic incidents in Blaenau last year when paramedics failed to reach patients in reasonable time and in both cases the people sadly died.
Although I received assurances from the heads of the service after these incidents that things would improve, regular reports in the press and media highlight a different picture altogether...culminating in another critical report today.
Enough is enough! The Assembly should intervene immediately as it is quite clear that the service is failing and that peoples lives are being put in jeapordy.
I think that the Assembly's Health Minister should take over the respnsibility for the service for the short-term and the Chief Executive and Chairman of the Welsh Ambulance Trust should submitt their resignations with immediate effect.
The service is clearly failing...that is a fact and the sooner the better the Assembly acts to change things then maybe the Ambulance Trust's own staff and we the general public will regain some faith in the service.

More poison from the pen of a Plaid supporter

In today's Daily Post, there is another astonishing letter attacking Llais Gwynedd, this time from the poison pen of RT Jones (don't you think that people who only use their initials sound somewhat "jumped up"?).
In his tirade, RT belittles the suffering of so many by stating that Llais Gwynedd has persecuted ex-councillor, Dafydd Iwan. Get a life RT bach...persecution is what has happened to so many over the years for their beliefs or for being the wrong race or wrong colour (according to their persecutors)...showing someone up for being silly for parking in a disabled space when they shouldn't have is so far removed from what real persecution is.
Then RT..goes on to declare that Llais Gwynedd has been hijacked by anti-Welsh immigrants and their associates! Eh!?...Talk about absolute b******t!....He then goes to state that Llais Gwynedd has achieved its "objective", which was to stop the proposed closure of primary schools across Gwynedd.
In case RT has been spending time on the moon or has decided to swallow the Plaid propaganda on Gwynedd Council (a likely explanation), the schools situation has not changed, the policy has shifted somewhat in that the county will now "consult" on a catchment area basis...however this is flawed and nothing short of a sham as education chiefs have stated in a public forum in Tywyn that they want to close at least 25 schools.
Llais Gwynedd has also stood firm and will continue to stand firm on the protection of front line services as well as education, care, public conveniences and Harlech swimming pool to name but a few.
Maybe before he or his like send more letters attacking Llais Gwynedd to the press maybe RT should remove his rose tinted glasses and look at what Plaid have done to this County over the years and what they could do if they were allowed to get away with it...maybe then, if he had any sense he would see quite a different picture to the one that he would like to paint.

Be nesa'!? - What next!?

Mae'r stori yma yn rhagor o brawf pa mor allan o gyswllt mae rhai Aelodau Seneddol erbyn hyn.
Mae hefyd yn amlwg fod Betty Williams AS yn "holiday mode" gan ei bod yn gadael ei swydd pan fydd yr Etholiad Cyffredinol nesaf yn cael ei gynnal....mae'n byr debyg byddai rhai pobol yn byw o fewn ei etholaeth yn dadlau ei bod wedi bod ar wyliau ers iddi gael ei hethol...mater o farn yw hynny wrth gwrs ond yn sicir tydi hyn ddim yn edrych yn dda i etholwyr ble bynnag mae nhw'n byw.

This story is further evidence (if any was needed) of how out of touch certain MP's are by now.
It's also perfectly clear that Betty Williams MP is in "holiday mode" as she is leaving her job at the next General Election....quite possibly some of her constituents would argue that she's been on holiday since the day she was elected...however that is a matter of opinion, but this does not look good at all regardless in which constituancy you live.

Something for the weekend...Gloworm "Carry Me Home"

A classic track from 1994....the second verse always reminds me of the great times I've had at weddings....everybody having a ball.
I'm going to a friend's wedding next weekend in Oldham and I am really looking forward to seeing lots of people I've not seen for a while.
Hope this puts you in the mood for a nice weekend, this is Gloworm and "Carry Me Home"...enjoy!

£1 Billion on the Swansea to London line...what about the rest of Wales!?

I wholeheartedly support the sentiments outlined in this excellent briefing note written by my good friend, Father Deiniol.
The simple question one needs to ask is, fine, spend a billion on this line...but look at what you could have done to the rest of Wales' network of railways with such investment?

The Westminster Government has announced a £1billion plan to electrify the main line between London and Swansea

This announcement has been given the greatest imaginable political profile, coinciding as it does with the Westminster Government’s Cabinet meeting taking place in Cardiff and with ministers taking part in high-profile meetings and events throughout south Wales.
Amongst the benefits that the investment will deliver is said to be a reduction of 19 minutes on the journey from Swansea to London.
It seems a lot of money to pay for what is a very limited benefit delivered to just one or two regions of Wales.
Many have argued that a north-south link within Wales would bring greater benefits to our country, and the £1 billion committed to the London-Swansea electrification would go a long way to help create the much needed north-south link within Wales.
Such a link would
• galvanize social cohesion by linking north, central and south Wales
• increase mobility within, to and from a wide cross-section of regions within Wales
• bring about the economic and social regeneration of many Welsh regions
But these benefits are clearly not the priorities of the Westminster Government.
Lord Adonis, Secretary of State for Transport, told the BBC
"We've taken the decision that the right thing for the country is to have an electrified railway across the principle main lines and that's why we're going ahead with electrifying the Great Western Main Line."

He speaks also of ‘electrifying these principle commuter routes into London’.

There we have it. Although the electrification is of a line connecting Wales to England, Lord Adonis boasts that, as part of a greater electrification programme, it’s ‘the right thing for the country’, by which he can only mean the UK.

He also notes that the electrification ‘will be hugely beneficial to passengers’ – a fairly narrow clientele of passengers, of course, and not mainly of people who wish to travel to a range of destinations within Wales itself.

But what’s new? As eminent writer George Monbiot wrote recently in the Guardian:
‘The railway map of Wales is a classic indicator of an extractive economy. The lines extend either towards London or towards the ports…………’
Despite devolution and the drive for greater devolved powers, it is still Westminster priorities that dominate Wales, especially in matters of rail policy, even 150 years after the railways were built and ten years into devolution!
Monbiot explains that ‘the infrastructure of a country is a guide to the purpose of its development. If the main roads and railways form a network, linking the regions and the settlements within the regions, they are likely to have been developed to enhance internal commerce and mobility. If they resemble a series of drainage basins, flowing towards the ports and borders, they are likely to have been built to empty the nation of its wealth ………..Wales is poor because it was so rich’ (Guardian 30 12 08).
With Wales’ GDP remaining 25% lower than that of the U.K., Welsh political priorities need to be those policies and actions that will deliver and disseminate major social and economic benefits to Wales. It is very questionable whether a 19 minute reduction in a journey from Swansea to London at a cost of £1 billion will deliver any such benefits.
The Labour-Plaid Coalition’s enthusiastic support of the electrification project speaks as much about the bankruptcy of their political thinking as it does of their compliance with Westminster agendas.
Whilst NR are willing to spend £1 Billion on this electrification project, passengers who choose a different route from Swansea will be able to experience an unforgettable journey in lamentable rolling-stock on a line languishing from lack of investment with components being cannibalised by Network Rail, and, if there is room in the compartment, will get to their destination within Wales as quickly as the infrastructure constraints such as low line-speed and open level-crossings allow. They will even be able to get to England - arriving at Shrewsbury - 4 hours 3 minutes later.
Noting the advantages that the use of electric engines would bring, Lord Adonis noted: ‘there is much less wear and tear on the track, so it’s much cheaper for Network Rail too’, and ‘the Government will cover the cost of Network Rail’s borrowing to electrify the line’.
Maybe I have been mistaken in thinking that it is only WAG that complies with the priorities on Network Rail’s agenda. On that agenda, putting things right on the Central Wales line does not come very high. After all, how could it when £1 billion is needed to electrify a line to London?

TUNE!...Black Eyed Peas "Meet Me Halfway"

What with the weather being wet and windy and trying to overcome the effects of a heavy cold and "man flue", what better way to cheer yourself up than finding a great tune.
This is taken from the latest Black Eyed Peas album, The E.N.D. and if they decide to release this as a single...I reccon it might, just might score them another No.1 to follow "Boom, Boom, Pow".....
I hope you enjoy this and I defy you not to hum this after a couple listens...This is the Black Eyed Peas and "Meet Me Halfway". TUNE!

Rheilffordd Dyffryn Conwy yn dathlu'r 130 Years Old - Celebrations on The Conwy Valley Railway Line

Bore 'ma dwi'n mynd i Ddolwyddelan ar gyfer seremoni i ddathlu 130 o flynyddoedd ers agor Rheilffordd Dyffryn Conwy.
Heb os ac onid bai, mae hon yn withien bwysig yn economaidd ac yn gymdeithasol i ni yma yn y Blaenau.
Dwi wedi bod yn ymgyrchu'n frwd dros ddatblygu'r rheilffordd a'i gwarchod ar gyfer y dyfodol gan fy mod o'r farn y gellir gwneud hyd yn oed mwy o ddefnydd ohoni er mwyn rhoi hwb economiadd i'r ardal hon.
Dwi'n falch fod y dathliad hwn yn digwydd ac mawr obeithiaf y bydd y rheilffordd yn parhau am 130 o flynyddoedd arall...yn anffodus, dwi'm yn meddwl fyddai o gwmpas ar gyfer y dathliad hynny!

This morning I'm going to a ceremony at Dolwyddelan to mark the 130th anniversary of the opening of the Conwy Valley Railway Line.
Without a shadow of a doubt, this is a very important artery to our community here in Blaenau, both socially and economically.
I have been actively campaigning for the development and safeguarding of the railway for the future as I am firmly of the opinion that even more use could and should be made of the line in order to boost the area's economy.
I am very happy that this celebration is taking place and I sincerely hope that the railway will last another 130 years....unfortunately, I don't think I'll be around for that celebration!

Defending the Indefencable...please spare me!

So the Dafydd Iwan disabled parking row keeps on rumbling....why?...Simple, the fact that he has shown utter contempt and not one ounce of humility to just say "fair enough, I was wrong, SORRY".
Gwynedd Council officials have confirmed that he had no special permission to park there and the space is clearly earmarked for designated vehicles with disabled badges only...so what's the problem?
The fact that he has had a steady stream of lemmings to write some quite pathetic letters in his defence, not only speaks volumes about him but also about them.
Huw Roberts, Gareth Williams, Dai Rees Jones, Trevor Roberts and Tim Heald are all pouring scorn on Llais Gwynedd....why, heaven only knows, for exposing their "pop idol's" double standards maybe? Who knows? Maybe in one or two of their cases, maybe the fact that they have a bag of chips on their shoulders as some of their statements, if they were funny, they would be laughable but in each case, they come over as being sad and bitter old men.
Tim Heald makes a valid point in the Daily Post today that there are far worse problems in Gwynedd...I wholeheartedly agree with him, and if he cared to do a bit more research, maybe even read this blog, he will see that Llais Gwynedd has and will continue to offer valid and sometimes tough answers to many of these problems.
However, he also fails to see further than his Dafydd Iwan CD collection that to some people the very fact that they cannot have a disabled parking space outside their home creates a massive problem for them day in day out.
By "abusing" the parking rules that are adhered by 99.9% of Council Members and Staff, Dafydd Iwan made a mockery of these peoples campaign...a fact that speaks volumes about his attitude...and says far more about the fools who try to justify and defend his silly actions.
I will not be making anymore comment on this sad indictment on Plaid's Party President and his "fan club"...as in the words of Tim Heald..."I don't want to be fiddling whilst Rome is burning".

Amser i'r Blaenau fod yn rhan o'r Parc Cenedlaethol - Time for Blaenau to become a part of the National Park

Gyda'r tymor twristiaeth ar ei anterth rwan fod yr ysgolion wedi cau mi fydd yna filoedd a'r filoedd yn heidio i'r Blaenau a'r Rheilffordd Ffestiniog dros yr wythnosau nesaf.
Mae Blaenau yn dref hynod o unigryw mewn sawl ffordd, mae rhai yn galw'r dref "Y twll yng nghanol y Parc Cenedlaethol"...disgrifiad cwbwl anffodus, nad ydwyf yn hoff ohono o gwbwl.
Erbyn hyn credaf fod gan y Blaenau lawer iawn i gynnig i Awdurdod Parc Cenedlaethol Eryri ac yn yr un modd, mae gan y Parc lawer i gynnig i'r Blaenau.
Mae hanes diwydiannol a diwyllianol Blaenau yn anhygoel, cyplyswch hynny i gyd gyda cynlluniau cyffroes Antur Stiniog a chynlluniau Y Dref Werdd, mae gennym rhywbeth unigryw a gwerthfawr i ychwanegu i'r Parc Cenedlaethol.
Yn yr un modd, mi all y Parc cyfaethogi elfennau amgylcheddol, cadwriethol ac amgylchedd adeiladol y dref a hynny ar adeg pan fydd dros £3.5m yn cael ei wario ar ganol y dref o fewn y 18 mis nesaf.
Oes, dwi'n meddwl fod yma bendant gyfle i drafod cynnwys Blaenau o fewn Parc Cenedlaethol Eryri, dyna pam dwi wedi gofyn am gyfarfod buan gyda Chadeirydd a Phrif Weithredwr Awdurdod y Parc er mwyn i ni gael trafodaeth synhwyrol ar y posibiliadau hyn.
Be ydy'ch barn chi ar hyn?

Now that the schools have closed for the summer holidays, the tourist season is in full flight and over the next few weeks, thousands and thousands of visitors will be coming to Blaenau on the Ffestiniog Railway.
This is a unique town in so many ways, some people cal it "The hole in the middle of the National Park", a description I hasten to add that I don't like as I think that its unfair and ignorant.
I genuinely feel that Blaenau has a lot to offer to the Snowdonia National Park and in the same way, I think that the National Park has a lot to offer Blaenau.
The industrial and cultural heritage of Blaenau is amazing, add to that, the plans that Antur Stiniog are in the process of developing along with the great work being undertaken by the Green Town Initiative, we have something truly unique and precious to offer the National Park.
In the meantime, the National Park could enhance the environmental, conservational and built environment work within the town, at a time when over £3.5m will be spent on regenerating the town centre within the next 18 months.
Yes, I certainly believe that we should at least have an open and frank debate about having Blaenau in the Snowdonia National Park, that is why I have contacted the Chairman and the Chief Executive of the Snowdonia National Park today so that we can start this debate and have a sensible conversation about the pro's and con's of such a move.
What do you think?

Y peryglon tu ol i'r harddwch - The dangers hidden behind the beauty

Mae'r stori drasig am y gwr ifanc a'i ferch fach 3 blwydd oed yn syrthio ac yn boddi yn rhaeadr Nantcol yn ein atgoffa ni i gyd pa mor fregys ydi bywyd ond hefyd am y peryglon sydd yn cuddio tu ol i harddwch naturiol a gogoneddus y rhan yma o'r byd yr ydym yn ffodus iawn i fyw ynddo.
Dwi'n gyfarwydd iawn a'r safle hon gan i mi a'r teulu gampio ar y maes pebyll sydd tua 200 llath oddi wrth y rhaeadr ac dwi wedi cerdded ar hyd yml yr afon ac oes, mae arwyddion yno yn rhybuddio ymwelwyr o'r peryglon ac hyd y gwn i does dim byd tebyg i hyn erioed wedi digwydd ar y safle erioed o'r blaen.
Yn anffodus, mae'n amlwg nad oedd hynny yn ddigon p'nawn Sadwrn ac amlygwyd hynny yn y ffordd mwya' trist.

The tragic story of the young man and his 3 year old daughter falling down the Nantcol waterfall and drowning is a stark reminder to us all as to how fragile life is and that behind the magnificent beauty of this area that we are so fortunate to live in there lies many hidden dangers.
I am quite familiar with the scene of this tragedy as I have camped with my family on the small site that lies about 200 yards from the falls and I have walked up along the riverbank to the edge of the falls and there are signs along the way that warn people of the dangers and as far as I am aware, nothing like this has ever happened there before.
Unforunately, this clearly wasn't enough on Saturday afternoon and that fact was highlighted in such a cruel and tragic way.

Pleidleisiwch i mi....plis? - Vote for me...please?

Gweld bod pawb arall bron sydd yn blogio yn ymbil am eich pleidlais...waeth i minnau wneud yr un fath....felly, os ydych yn mwynhau darllen y blog hwn, mae'r rheolau ar sut i wneud yma.

Seeing as virtually everyone else who is blogging is begging for your vote...I guess I might do the same......so, if you enjoy reading this blog, the rules on how to cast your vote are here.

Andi yn frenin ar Yr Wyddfa unwaith eto! - Andi is the King of Snowdon again!

Am y 4ydd flwyddyn yn olynol, Andi Jones o Salford ennilliodd Ras Yr Wyddfa. Mae llwyddiant Andi yn y ras hon yn anhygoel...sgwn i os ddaw o'n ol i geisio ennill hi am y 5ed tro yn 2010? Llongyfarchiadau mawr iddo, mae'n debyg bod ei draed yn brifo bore 'ma!
Mi fedrwch weld uchafbwyntiau y Ras am 8pm heno ar S4C.

For the 4th year in a row, Andi Jones from Salford has won the gruelling Snowdon Race. Andi's unprecedented success is nothing more than inspirational...I wonder if he will be back in 2010 to try to win it for a 5th succesive year? Congratulations to him and I bet his feet will be sore this morning!
Highlights of the race can be seen tonight on S4C at 8pm.

And then there were none...

At the age of 113,Mr Henry Allingham the last surviving British soldier from World War I has passed away.
With him goes a piece of history. History which I hope that is never, ever repeated.
May he rest in peace.

Ad-drefnu ysgolion..amser i roi'r gorau iddi? - Schools re-organisation...time to stop it?

Dwi wedi bod efo amheuon mawr am yr holl fusnes yma o ad-drefnu addysg ar draws Gwynedd ers i'r holl firi ddechrau bron i 3 blynedd yn ol bellach.
Roedd yr ymgais gyntaf i ad-drefnu addysg yn ddiffygiol ac yn groes i ddymuniadau cymunedau ar draws y Sir. Dyma arweiniodd at sefydlu Llais Gwynedd a dyna arweiniodd at i Blaid Cymru golli eu mwyafrif ar y Cyngor a gwelwyd 13 o aelodau Llais yn cael eu hethol ar y Cyngor yn Mai 2008.
Erbyn hyn mae proses newydd wedi dechrau i ad-drefnu ysgolion ar fesul dalgylchoedd Ysgolion Uwchradd...h.y. "death by a thousand cuts" neu "divide and conquer". Mae'r broses yma yn mynd i arwain at pentrefi a chymunedau yn gwahanu ac yn ffruo dros ysgolion eu hunain.
Yn ardal Tywyn mae'r broses wedi dechrau eisioes ac o'r hyn dwi'n ei glywed, tydi pethau ddim yn mynd yn rhy dda yno. Gwn yn iawn fod yna deimladau cryf yn Aberdyfi,Llwyngwril a Llanegryn i gadw'r ysgolion hynny ar agor. Dwi hefyd ar ddeallt fod Pennaeth Addysg Gwynedd, Dewi R Jones wedi dweud mewn cyfarfod diweddar fod Gwynedd yn edrych tuag at gau hyd at 25 o ysgolion cynradd.
Os yw hyn yn wir, yna mae'r broses yma i gyd yn sham, gan nad yw'r ysgolion ar gychwyn y daith hon yn mynd i gael unrhyw chwarae teg am mai'r cwbwl mae'r Sir isio gweld ydi 25 yn llai o ysgolion cynradd ar draws y Sir er mwyn arbed arian.
Mae'r cynlluniau yma yn warthus, gwallus ac yn gwbwl anheg. Arian sydd yn gyrru hyn i gyd ac wedi i'r difrod gael ei wneud i addysg plant a chymunedau ar draws y Sir, bydd faint o arian sydd yn cael ei arbed yn ddim o'i gymharu i'r difrod enfawr fydd wedi ei wneud ar draws y Sir. Credaf fod hi'n hen bryd i'r holl broses yma stopio gan nad ydi hi yn deg a thrylouw a does NEB heblaw swyddogion a Chynghorwyr Plaid Cymru isio gweld newid!

I've had my doubts for quite some time about the proposals to re-organise primary school education in Gwynedd. These doubts began as far back as 3 years ago when these palns were first muted.
The first attempt was diffective and against the wishes of communities across the County.This is what led to Llais Gwynedd being established, which subsequently led to Plaid Cymru losing their overall majority on the Council as Llais won 13 seats at the elections in May 2008.
By now, a new process has started on the work of re-organising primary school education in the County. This will be done on the secondary school catchment areas i.e....death by a thousand cuts or divide and conquer. I am convinced that this process will lead to communities fighting and falling out over it as they "compete" to save their own school.
This flawed process has already begun in the Tywyn area and from what I gather things are not going as planned. I know for a fact that that there are strong feelings in Aberdyfi, Llanegryn and Llwyngwril in favour of keeping the schools open. I also understand that the Head of Education, Dewi R Jones has stated in a recent meeting that Gwynedd's aim will be to close 25 schools over the coming years.
If this is true, then the whole of this process is little more than a sham simply because the schools at the beginning of this process will not receive a fair hearing and that all the County wants is to see 25 less primary schools in Gwynedd just to make financial savings.
These plans are an insult, flawed and utterly unfair. Money is the driver here and after the damage is done to the education of the children and our rural communities the amount of savings that will come from such a programme of cuts will be nothing in comparison.
I think its high time that this process was stopped as it is not fair and transparent and NOBODY appart from officers and Plaid Cymru want to see a change!

Blogiau newydd - New Blogs

Croeso i ddau flog newydd i'r blogosfir Cymreig....Mae Guto Bebb yn hen gyfaill i mi ac fo ydi ymgeisydd y Ceidwadwyr yn Aberconwy ar gyfer Etholiad Cyffrediniol San Steffan.
Cyfaill arall, Y Cynghorydd Aeron Maldwyn Jones sydd yn cynrychioli Llanwnda ar Gyngor Gwynedd ar ran Llais Gwynedd sydd hefyd newydd ddechrau blogio.
Pob hwyl i'r ddau efo'i blogiau.

Welcome to two new blogs into the Welsh blogosphere.....Guto Bebb is an old friend of mine and he is the Prospective Parlimentary Candidate for the Conservative Party in Aberconwy for the next Westminster General Election.
Another friend who has recently started blogging is Councillor Aeron Maldwyn Jones who is the Llais Gwynedd Councillor for the Llanwnda Ward on Gwynedd Council.
Good luck to them both with the blogging.

Hwre i Harlech! - Hoorey for Harlech!

Mae Bwrdd Cyngor Gwynedd wedi pleidleisio o blaid trosglwyddo pwll nofio'r dref i Ymddiriedolaeth Cymunedol newydd fydd yn cael ei sefydlu er mwyn ei warchod i'r dyfodol.
Mi ydwyf wedi cefnogi yr ymgyrch yn erbyn cau y pwll ers y cychwyn ac hoffwn ddymuno pob lwc i'r Ymddiriedolaeth a'r gymuned gyda'r fenter i'r dyfodol.

Gwynedd Council's Board voted in favour of transferring the ownership of the town's swimming pool to a newly formed Community Trust made up of local people.
This is welcomed news which I hope will safeguard the pool for many years to come.
I have supported the campaign to save Harlech Pool from the very beginning and I would like to wish everyone connected with the Trust and the community all the very best with their venture for the future.

Diar, Diar, Dai!...Ewch rwan. - Dear oh, Dear Dai!....Go now.

Mewn llythyr rhyfedd iawn yn y Daily Post heddiw, mae'r Cynghorydd Dai Rees Jones, Arweinydd Portffolio Gwasanaethau Cymdeithasol Cyngor Gwynedd a "phencampwr anabledd" y Cyngor yn cefnogi ac yn cyfiawnhau camddefnydd Dafydd Iwan o man parcio ar gyfer yr anabl.
Mae gyrru llythyr o'r fath yn gwneud i ddyn ofyn cwestiwn am addasrwydd Dai i fod yn ei swydd gan ei fod yn fy marn i ac amryw i aelodau eraill ddim wedi ystyried y sefyllfa yn llawn ac yn ymddangos i rhoi un o arweinyddion ei Blaid wleidyddol uwchlaw anghenion yr union pobol y mae o i fod i sefyll i fynnu drostynt.
Credaf yn gryf y dylai Dai ymddiswyddo gan ei fod bellach methu'n glir a gwahaniaethu rhwng ei ddioddrdeb gwleidyddol ac anghenion pobol anabl er nad yw hynny'n fy synu i cyn gymaint ac y mae o'n nhristau i.

In a strange letter in today's Daily Post, Councillor Dai Rees Jones, Gwynedd Council's Social Services Portfolio Leader and the Council's "Disability Champion" seems to be supporting and condoning Dafydd Iwan's blatent miss-use of a parking space designated for a disabled driver.
The very fact that he has sent such a letter begs me and other members to ask the question about Dai's suitability to be in his role as well as raising serious questions about his judgement as it clearly appears that he puts the needs of one of his Party's leaders above the very people he is supposed to stand up and fight for.
I strongly believe that Dai should resign as it is clear to all that he can no longer differenciate between his politcal interests and the best interests of disabled people, although that does not surprise me as much as it saddens me.

Cyngor Gwynedd yn cefnogi BLAENAU YMLAEN Receives Gwynedd Council Support

Yng nghyfarfod Bwrdd Cyngor Gwynedd y prynhawn 'ma, derbyniodd strategaeth adfywio canol tref y Blaenau, cefnogaeth unfrydol gan yr aelodau.
Golyga hyn rwan y bydd £3.7m yn cael ei wario yma gan y Cyngor a'r Cynulliad dros y blynyddoedd nesaf er mwyn adfer y dref.
Roedd hi'n bleser o'r mwyaf gen i a'r Cyng.Dafydd Hughes siarad o blaid a chymerdwyo'r datblygiadau arffaethedig i'n cyd aelodau'r prynhawn 'ma.

At the Gwynedd Council Board meeting this afternoon, the strategy for the proposed redevelopment of Blaenau Town Centre received the unanimous support of the members.
This means now that £3.7m will be spent over the next couple of years by the Council and Assembly to regenerate the town.
It was an honour for both myself and Cllr.Dafydd Hughes to speak in favour and to endorse the proposed developments to our fellow members this afternoon.

Fan Mail

Heddiw derbyniais lythyr di-enw drwy'r post yn dweud y canlynol:

BRADWR A CACHWR O DDYN DAN DIN
REL STINIOGYN - GWARTH ARNAT
NID OES LLE I TI YN Y BYWYD CYMREIG -
DOS DROS CLAWDD OFFA AR DOCYN UN FFORDD ARRIVA

Hoffwn ddiolch i'r sawl a yrrodd y geiriau caredig atai, ond byddai ei enw a'i gyfeiriad o neu hi wedi bod yn neis, wedi'r cyfan onid cwrteisi fyddai hynny er mwyn i mi gael gyrru ymateb serchog atynt?

Today I received an anonymous letter in the post, stating the following:

TRAITOR AND SHITBAG AND UNDERHANDED MAN
TYPICAL STINIOGYN - SHAME ON YOU
THERE IS NO ROOM FOR YOU IN WELSH LIFE
GO OVER OFFA'S DYKE ON A ONE WAY ARRIVA TICKET

I'd like to take this opportunity to thank whoever sent such kind words to me, however I would appreciate it in future if he/she could sign it as well as giving me their address as a reply to such sweet greetings would be thoroughly deserved don't you think?

Wythnos Gwilym Owen

Newydd ddychwelyd o'r stiwdio ble fu'm yn recordio sgwrs ar gyfer rhifyn yr wythnos hon o raglen Wythnos Gwilym Owen ar gyfer BBC Radio Cymru.
Mae o'n newyddiadurwr y mae gennyf barch o'r mwyaf iddo...yn finiog,ffraeth, syth fel bwled ac yn barod iawn i herio mewn ffordd synhwyrol wastad.
Cewch wrando ar sgwrs y ddau Gwilym am 1.15pm y prynhawn ma.

DIWEDDARIAD Am 1.30pm derbyniais alwad ffon gan tim cynhyrchu'r rhaglen i ddweud nad oeddynt am defnyddio'r sgwrs ddaru mi recordio gyda Gwilym, mae'n amlwg fod beirniadaeth Adam Price o Gwmni Opra Cenedlaethol yn radio gwell...a pwy ydw i i amau yn wahanol...ond mi oeddwn i yn meddwl ei fod o'n benderfyniad od? Efallai nad oedd fy ymatebion i gwestiynau Gwilym am y berthynas rhwng Llais Gwynedd a Phlaid Cymru ar y Cyngor Sir yn ddigon dadleuol...Daeth geiriau anfarwol Eric Cantona i'r cof ar unwaith...."When the seagulls follow the trawler, it's because they think sardines will be thrown in to the sea".

Pob lwc John- Good luck John

Oedd yn drist iawn genai ddarllen y bore 'ma fod cyn ymosdwr Cymru a Celtic, John Hartson yn dioddef o gancr.
Pob lwc iddo wrth wynebu'r salwch aflan hwn.

I was saddened to read this morning that former Wales and Celtic forward, John Hartson has been diagnosed with cancer.
I wish him well in his fight against this terrible illness.

Andrew Davies yn siarad dwl - Andrew Davies talking nonsense

Mae Andrew Davies wedi bod yn siarad ar y Politics Show heddiw ynglyn a'r toriadau sydd yn gwynebu Llywodrtaeth Leol yng Nghymru dros y flwyddyn nesaf.
Mae o'n dweud nad yw hi'n anochel y bydd yn rhaid torri swyddi - yn syml iawn, mae o'n anghywir a tydw i ddim yn gweld unrhyw ffordd i osgoi colli rhai swyddi.
Yma yng Ngwynedd da ni yn gorfod gwneud arbedion o £16m ac er bod modd gwneud rhai arbedion drwy gwella effeithlonrwydd, mae'n anorfod mae genai ofn y bydd rhaid torri rhai swyddi. Be sydd yn bwysig ydi mai nid swyddi rheng flaen fydd yn mynd gan ei fod hi'n holl bwysig gwarchod a datblygu gwasanaeth hyd y gorau y gallwn ni.

Andrew Davies has been speaking on the Politics Show today about the financial cuts facing Local Governmet in Wales over the next year.
He say that job cuts are not inevitable - quie simply he is wrong and I cannot see any way that we can avoid making some job cuts.
Here in Gwynedd we have to make savings of £16m and although some efficiency savings can be made, it is inevitable I am afraid that some jobs will have to go.
What is important is that they are not frontline jobs as it is imperetive that we protect and develope services as best we can.

Diogelu cyllid ar gyfer adfywio canol y dref - Securing funding towards town centre re-development

P'nawn dydd Mawrth yn nghyfarfod o Fwrdd Cyngor Gwynedd,mae eitem ger bron i drafod cais gan yr Adran Datblygu Economaidd ac Adfwyio am £110,000 fel arian cyfatebol all dynnu dros £3m i mewn er mwyn adfywio canol tref Blaenau Ffestiniog.
Yn naturiol, byddaf yn siarad yn gryf o blaid hyn gan fod adfywio canol y dref yn un o gonglfeini strategaeth Blaenau Ymlaen ac dwi'n gobeithio'n arw y caf cefnogaeth y Bwrdd dydd Mawrth.

On Tuesday afternoon at the Gwynedd Council Board, a bid will be presented by the Economic Development and Regeneration Department for £110,000 as match funding for a much larger application for over £3m aimed at the regeneration of Blaenau Ffestiniog town centre.
Naturally, I will be speaking strongly in favour of this, as the regeneration of the town centre is a cornerstone of the Blaenau Ymlaen strategy and I sincerely hope that the Board will support me on Tuesday.

Wakestock...a great weekend and a welcome economic boost for Gwynedd

This weekend sees the 10th Wakestock Festival being held near Abersoch with a pretty impressive line-up.
With Sesiwn Fawr and The Faenol Festival both cancelled for this year, Wakestock and The National Eisteddfod are the only major festivals in Gwynedd this year that can give the area the economic boost that it needs.
I hope the weather will be kind to festival goers this weekend and that all those attending will have a great time listening to some of these fantastic acts....

Diwrnod yn y Rasus - A day at the Races

Wythnos nesaf, bydd un o'm ffrindiau pennaf, David Elfyn Jones (Chum) yn dathlu ei benblwydd yn 40 oed felly yfory mae criw ohonom am fentro i rasus Gaer am y diwrnod i ddathlu efo fo.
Fel rhywun sydd yn deallt fawr ddim am rasio ceffylau os oes gennych chi tips ar fy nghyfer, swn i'n ddiolchgar iawn...ac os gai ennillydd mi wnai gysidro rhannu'r ennillion efo chi!

Next week one of my closest friends, David Elfyn Jones (Chum) will be celebrating his 40th birthday, so tommorrow few of us are off to Chester Races for the day to celebrate with him.
As someone who understands very little about horse racing any tips that you may have would be most welcomed...and if I get a winner, who knows I may even give you a share of the winnings!

Croeso'n nol i'r Carnifal ar ol 10 mlynedd - A welcome return for the Carnival after 10 years

10 mlynedd ers cynnal yr un diwethaf, mi fydd Carnifal Tanygrisiau yn cael ei gynnal unwaith eto.
Diolch i ymdrechion cynrychiolydd y pentref ar Gyngor Tref Ffestiniog, Y Cyng.Paul Thomas a chriw o wirfoddolwyr dygun, bydd y Carnifal yn rhoi cyfle i'r gymuned ddod at ei gilydd i ddathlu popeth sy'n dda am y pentref.
Oherwydd fod hi'n gaddo tywydd garw yfory, mi fydd y Carnifal yn cael ei gynnal dydd Sul, gyda'r orymdaith yn ymgynyll am 11 o'r gloch o Metcalfe's a diwrnod o hwyl ar gaeau'r Ddol yn Nhanygrisiau ymlaen tan 4pm.

10 years since it was last held, Tanygrisiau Carnival will be held once again.
Thanks to the efforts of the village's representetive on Ffestiniog Town Council, Cllr.Paul Thomas and a crew of committed volunteers, the Carnival will give the community to joinin a fun event and celebrate all that's good about the village.
Due to the fact that bad weather is forcasted tommorrow, the Carnival will now be held on Sunday, with the parade forming at Metcalfe's at 11am and a fun day will be held on Y Ddol fields at Tanygrisiau until 4pm.

Cyngor Tref yn cefnogi fy ngalwad am gyfarfod gyda'r heddlu - Town Council supports my call for a meeting with the police

Yng nghyfarfod y Cyngor Tref heno, cafodd fy rhybudd o gynnig i ofyn i Brif Gwnstabwl dros dro Heddlu'r Gogledd a Chadeirydd yr Awdurdod Heddlu i ddod i gyfarfod y Cyngor gefnogaeth unfrydol.
Ein gobaith nawr yw y daw y ddau ohonynt i'n cyfarfod i glywed ein pryderon ynglyn a phrinder o heddweision sydd yn gwasanaethu ein cymuned.
Tra mae'r plismyn sydd yma yn gwneud gwaith clodwiw iawn o dan amgylchiadau annodd, mae sefyllfaoedd yn codi yn aml pryd mai dim ond un heddwas sydd yn gyfrifol am ardal Bro Ffestiniog i gyd, cyn belled a Ganllwyd ger Dolgellau, poblogaeth o dros 5,000 yn braf! Mae hynny yn fy nhyb i yn anheg ar yr unigolyn hwnnw ac yn anghyfrifol tuag at y dinesyddion lleol ac rhaid cael rhagor o adnoddau a heddweision ar y llawr neu fydd cyfraith a thref yn mynd i'r gwellt!

At tonight's meeting of Ffestiniog Town Council, my notice of motion calling on the Acting Chief Constable of North Wales Police and the Chair of the Police Authority to come and meet the Council received unanimous support.
Our hope now is that they will both accept our invitation and take up the opportunity to sit down face to face and hear our concerns about the lack of resources and police officers that the force has in our community.
Whilst the police officers serving this area do a fantastic job under very difficult circumstances, there are times, when only one officer is on duty covering the whole Ffestiniog area as far as Ganllwyd which has a population over 5,000! This is a situation that is unfair to the individual and unacceptable to the citizens of this community.It is imperative that the powers that be meet with us and do something about this situation before law and order in this area goes to the dogs!

Rhagor o broblemau parcio! - More parking problems!

Does ry'n ohonom yn hoffi dirwy am barcio....
Tua 6 wythnos yn ol bum yn gweithio yn Nolgellau am y prynhawn, mi ddaru mi barcio fy nghar yn Sprinfield Street ac pan ddos i yn ol ar ol tua 4 awr roedd tocyn parcio yno.
Rhaid i mi gyfaddef ni welais unrhyw arwyddion yn dweud fod parcio wedi ei gyfyngu yno pan gyreiddais ond cyn gadael dyma gweld arwydd oedd wedi ei osod yn isel yn datgan y gwybodaeth hynny.
Cyn talu y ddirwy ysgrifennais i gwyno ac i ofyn a allair arwydd gael ei ail osod mewn lle mwy amlwg....credaf fod hynny wedi cael ei wneud bellach.
Dwi ddim wedi honi fod "rhywun" wedi dweud wrthai fod hi'n iawn i mi barcio yno. Fyddai'n gyrru siec i dalu'r ddirwy heddiw - damia!

None of us like to pay a fine for parking.....
About 6 weeks ago I was working one afternoon in Dolgellau so I parked my car in Springfield Street and upon my return a fixed penalty notice had been placed upon my windscreen.
I must confess, as I parked my car I hadn't seen any signs, but before I left, I found one which had been placed at a low level so if a car had parked in front of it, it would have been dificult to spot.
Before paying the fine, I wrote to complain about the sign and I beleive that this has now been rectified.
I didn't claim at any time that "someone" had told me that I could park there.
I will be sending a cheque today to pay the fine - damn it!

Cymru yn arwain y ffordd! - Wales leading the way!

Am unwaith,ers peth amser, dwi'n ymfallchio yn ein Cynulliad Cenedlaethol.
Mae'r penderfyniad i ddiwygio treuliau ar gyfer Aelodau yn un canmoladwy ac yn un sydd yn ennill peth hygrededd yn ol i'r sefydlaid ac yn dangos y ffordd i San Steffan.

For the first time for quite a while, I am proud of the Welsh Assembly.
The decision to reform Assembly Members expenses is to be warmly welcomed and I am sure will go some way to restoring the public's faith in the establishment and it certainly shows the right way for Westminster to follow.

Gwneud yn anghywir drwy wneud y peth iawn? - Doing wrong by doing the right thing?

Wel son am hwha!! Mae rhai cefnogwyr Plaid Cymru yn llychio hisi ffit go iawn am fy mod i wedi bod digon heurllyg i bwyntio allan na ddyliai ei Llwydd fod wedi parcio mewn lle sydd wedi ei glustnodi i yrrwyr anabl.
Mae Rhydian Fon wedi 'sgwennu llythyr yn y Daily Post yn rhoi chwip din go iawn i mi am be dwi wedi ei wneud, mae o'n gyfleus yn son am ei anabledd ond mae o wedi gadael allan ei fod o yn aelod o'r ry'n Gangen o Blaid Cymru a'r Llywydd.
Yna mae Cai Larsen, sydd hefyd yn bennaeth Ysgol Gynradd Trefor ac yn aelod o Blaid Cymru sydd yn gyson yn ymosod ar Llais Gwynedd ac unrhyw un arall sydd ddim yn cytuno a'r Blaid mewn ffyrdd digon amheus a chysidro ei swydd yn ceisio fy ngwawdio ac yn dadlu i raddu mai stunt ydi'r ffaith fod y Wasg wedi cymryd y stori i ddechrau oddi ar y blog hwn.
Yna mae gennym ni y coleg hwnnw o sylwebyddion gwleidyddol call a rhesymol sydd yn ymgynyll ar Maes-e yn cynnig ei sylwadau a'i geiriau caredig amdanaf yn y fan honno.
I fod yn glir, dwi wedi bod yn ymgyrchu yma yn lleol ers i mi gael fy ethol i Gyngor Gwynedd ar faterion yn ymwneud a pharcio i'r anabl, mi wnes i hyynny ym mis Awst y llynedd ac eto yn mis Medi ac byddaf yn dal i fynd a'r maen i'r wal ar ran fy etholwyr.
Pan da chi yn gweld rhywun o statws Llywydd y Blaid yn dangos amharch tuag at eraill drwy "ofyn am barcio" - ei eiraiu o nid fi, mewn lleoliad wedi ei glustnodi ar gyfer rhywun gyda anabledd, yna mae rhaid gwneud safiad yn erbyn hynny, o gofio fod gennyf i achosion teilwng iawn yma sydd yn dal i frwydro am le er mwyn hwyluso ei bywyd o ddydd i ddydd.
Dwi'n credu fod ymateb ar y We yn adlewyrchiad trist o Dafydd Iwan (ddylai fod wedi bod yn ddigon o ddyn i gydnabod ar ei union ei fod wedi gwneud yn anghywir)a rhai o gefnogwyr ei Blaid ac dyna pam dwi ddim am un funud yn derbyn unrhyw feirniadaeth ohonof am wneud y peth iawn.

Well what a a fuss!! Some Plaid Cymru supporters have thrown a complete wobbler due to the fact that I have been "trecherous" enough to point out the fact that their Party President had parked in a space that should be used by disabled drivers only.
Rhydian Fon has written a letter to the Daily Post slating me for my actions - ironically he highlights his disability but conveniently fails to mention that he is also a member of the same Branch of Plaid Cymru as the Party President.
Then there's Cai Larsen, an active Plaid blogger at nights and headteacher of Trefor Primary School during the day who uses questionable language and has questionable ideas for someone of that status who dares say anything about his beloved Party - who takes me to task due to the fact that press took the story originally from my blog.
Then we have that college of wise and reasoned political commentators who post their comments on Maes-e, some of their compliments for myself are a joy to behold!
To be perfectly clear I have been consistant on the matter of parking for the disabled since I was elected last May, as these posts in August and September of last year clearly demonstrate and I will continue to take the matter up on behalf of people living in my Ward who need such a space to improve their quality of life from day to day.
When you see someone of the status of Plaid's President "asking to park"- his words not mine in a designated space for a disabled driver it is only fair and proper to make a stand simply due to the fact that if he's prepared to take up their designated space, would he be prepared to take their disability as well!?
I think that some of the responses to this issue on the Internet are a sad reflection on Dafydd Iwan (who should have been man enough and own up immediately to say that he had done wrong) and on Plaid Cymru as some of these people are clearly members or supporters of the Party. That is why I will pay no attention to their critiscism and insults simply due to the fact that I know what I have done is the right thing.

Argyfwng y gwasanaeth ambiwlans - Ambulance service in crisis

Fel da ni yn gwybod yn iawn yma yn Stiniog yn sgil dau brofiad hynnod drist y llynedd, nid yw'r gwasanaeth ambiwlans yn cael ei redeg fel y dylai o.
Mae yma yn Blaenau, griw o barafeddygon pen i gamp sydd yn gwneud gwaith arbennig iawn o dan amgylchiadau anodd. Serch hynny, mae rheolwyr y gwasanaeth yn dal i chwarae "Russian Roulette" gyda bywydau pobol ac fe amlygwyd hynny ar raglen "Week in Week Out" y BBC neithiwr.Rydym yn dal i aros am "rapid response unit" yma yn Blaenau, addawyd i mi a'r Cyng.Dafydd Lloyd Hughes pan ddaru ni gyfarfod gyda rheolwyr y gwasanaeth adeg yma llynedd.
Yn ol yr hyn dwi'n ddeallt, mi hyfforddwyd dwy wraig i wneud y gwaith ond mae nhw bellach wedi cael ei leoli yng Nghonwy a Dinbych!
Dwi'n bwriadu codi y mater ar unwaith gyda pheneithiaid y gwasanaeth gan eu bod wedi'n camarwain ni a phobol y cylch hwn ac y peryg ydi os na fydd newid, fydd rhagor o fywydau yn cael eu peryglu yma ac tydi hynny ddim yn dderbyniol o gwbwl!

As we are fully aware here in the Blaenau area following two tragic incidents last year, the ambulance service is not being run as it should.
Here in Blaenau, we are fortunate to have a brilliant team of paramedics and technicians who do a great job under difficult circumstances, however, those responsible for managing the service are still playing "Russian Roulette" with peoples lives as was clearly highlighted on last nights edition of "Week in Week Out" on the BBC.We are still waiting for a "rapid response unit" to be stationed here in Blaenau, a promise that was made to me and Cllr.Dafydd Lloyd Hughes when we met with ambulance service chiefs around this time last year.
From what I understand, two female officers were trained to undertake the work and they have now been stationed in Conwy and Denbighshire!
I intend to raise the matter immediately with the management of the ambulance service as they have mislead us and the people of this community and the fear is unless things change that more lives will be put in danger and quite frankly that's just not acceptable!

Gwnewch y peth iawn - Do the right thing

Yn dilyn cyhoeddiad adroddiad Syr Roger Jones a'i banel ddoe ar dreuliau Aelodau Cynulliad, dwi'n mawr obeithio y gwneith pob un o'r pleidiau ym Mae Caerdydd fabwysiadu yr argymhellion i gyd.
Mae gwir angen adfer hyder y cyhoedd ynom ni i gyd sydd yn ymwneud a gwleidyddiaeth boed hynny yn y Cyngor, Cynulliad neu San Steffan.
Yn bersonol dwi'n meddwl fod yr adroddiad yma yn deg ac yn mynd peth ffordd i adfer yr hyder hwnnw, mater arall fydd hi os na dderbynith yr Aelodau yr argymhellion pan fyddent yn cyfarfod yn ystod y dyddiau nesaf. Felly er mwyn popeth, gwnewch y peth iawn!

Now that Sir Roger Jones' report on reform of the expenses for Assembly Members, I sincerely hope that all Parties in Cardiff Bay will adopt every one of the reccomendations contained within it.
There is a real need to restore the general publics faith in every one of us who are involved in politics, be that in the Council, Assembly or Westminster.
I personally believe that this report is fair and it goes some way towards restoring that faith, it will be an entirely different matter however if the politicians in Cardiff Bay do not accept the reccomendations when they meet over the coming days. That would be a terrible shame, so I hope that our Assembly Members for once will do the right thing.

Car pwy ydi hwn? - Who's car is this?

Oedd y car hwn wedi ei barcio mewn lle wedi ei glustnodi ar gyfer gyrrwyr anabl wrth ochr Siambr Dafydd Orwig, Caernarfon dydd Mawrth diwethaf er nad oedd bathodyn anabl arno ac hyd y gwn i tydi'r perchennog ddim wedi ei gofrestru gyda unrhyw anabledd.
Tybed pwy ydi'r perchennog? Tydi'r car ddim "Yma o Hyd", efallai am fod y perchennog wedi colli ei sedd yn yr etholiad diwethaf, dwn i ddim?
DIWEDDARIAD - Mae Rhydian Fon o Gangen Plaid Cymru Bontnewydd yn datgan nad yw'r lle yma wedi ei glustnodi ar gyfer gyrrwyr anabl - fel mae'r lluniau ychwanegol yn dangos yn glir, mae o. Os ydwi yn anghywir mi rof i £500 i Gangen Plaid Cymru Bontnewydd, os ydwi yn gywir, tybed os wneith Rhydian a pherchennog y car sicrhau fod Plaid Cymru yn rhoi £500 i Llais Gwynedd. Paidiwch a trio amddiffyn yr aniffynadwu.

This car was parked in a designated area for disabled drivers near the Council Chamber in Caernarfon on Tuesday, despite not having a blue badge or the driver being registered disabled as far as I am aware.
Who could the owner be I wonder? It's a nice motor, Presidential like I would say..and it has a Plaid Cymru sticker on the back....Hmm, who's Plaid's president these days?
UPDATE - Rhydian Fon from the Bontnewydd Branch of Plaid Cymru states that this area is not designated for disabled drivers. As the additional photo's clearly show, it is! If I am wrong, I will pay £500 to the Bontnewydd Branch of Plaid Cymru, however if I am right, I'd expect Rhydian and the owner of the car to give £500 to Llais Gwynedd. Don't try and defend the indifencable...put up or shut up!

Something for the weekend..listen without prejudice.

A few musical treats to end a difficult week...

Stevie Wonder Live at Last was on the TV last night. A brilliant performance from London's O2 Arena. This was the highlight of the show for me.


V V Brown doing an accoustic performance of her latest single "Shark in the Water" as part of the BBC's Glastonbury coverage...brilliant!


Noisettes new single "Never Forget You"...nice tune.

Mwy o faw gan GOLWG

Unwaith eto yn rhifyn wythnos hon o gylchgrawn propaganda Plaid Cymru (GOLWG) mae'r colofnydd Jac Codi Baw yn codi rhagor o gelwydd o drons y Golygydd disglair, Dylan Iorwerth.
Tro hwn mae Jac yn honni i mi rhai blynyddoedd yn ol tra yn aelod o grwp Plaid Cymru ar Gyngor Gwynedd ddigio gyda'r grwp am iddynt beidio a derbyn gwahoddiad "i lyfu'r teulu brenhinol yn Buck house" ac fy mod i wedi mynnu mod i yn cael mynd yno! Yn ogystal mae GOLWG yn datgan fod teimladau mor gryf ar y mater nes i mi a fy nghyfaill Y Cynghorydd Alwyn Gruffudd bron a dod i gwffio dros y mater!
Does dim o hyn yn wir ac dwi wedi ysgrifennu at Dylan Iorwerth i ddweud wrtho os ddigwydd iddo ef neu ei racsyn ysgrifennu stori gelwydd amdanaf eto byddaf yn erlyn GOLWG yn ogystal a mynd a chwyn yn erbyn y cylchgrawn i Gomisiwn Cwynion y Wasg.

Er mwyn cael y ffeithiau yn gywir.

Dwi erioed wedi bod yn Buckingham Palace a dwi erioed wedi cael fy ngwahodd i unrhyw ddigwyddiad yno.

Mi ddaru mi gyfarfod Prince Charles yn 1998 mewn Premier Ffilm yn Yr Wyddgrug yn rhinwedd fy swydd fel Cadeirydd Pwyllgor Datblygu Economaidd Cyngor Gwynedd yr adeg hynny.

Dwi wedi gweithio am 7 mlynedd fel ymgynghorydd rhwng 2000-07 i un o elusenau'r Tywysog, Prime-Cymru.

Dwi hefyd ers y llynedd wedi bod yn ymddiriedolwr a chyfarwyddwr ar Fwrdd Rheoli yr elusen honno ac yn rhinwedd fy ngwaith i'r elusen sydd yn cynnig cymorth a chefnogaeth i bobol dros 50 oed i ddechrau busnesau yng Nghymru dwi wedi cyfarfod a'r Tywysog tua 4 gwaith (pob tro yma yng Nghymru).

Roeddwn wedi cael gwahoddiad i gwrdd ag ef eto yr wythnos diwethaf yn Llanymddyfri ond oherwydd materion eraill yn ymwneud a fy Ward bu rhaid i mi wrthod y gwahoddiad y tro hwn.

Be sydd yn drist am hyn ydi fod GOLWG sydd yn derbyn arian sylweddol gan Llywodraeth y Cynulliad (Llafur/Plaid Cymru) yn gyson yn ymosod arnaf i ac ar Llais Gwynedd am i ni wneud safiad dros addysg gynradd yma yn Ngwynedd ac dros gymunedau lleol tra oedd y Blaid yn barod i'w aberthu er mwyn rhanu grym ym Mae Caerdydd.

Rwan, mae beirniadaeth yn iawn, does gennyf ddim problem o gwbwl gyda hynny OND mae gennyf broblem pam fod celwydd llwyr yn cael ei ffurfio a'i gyhoeddi heb ddim tystiolaeth o gwbwl amdanai.

Hoffwn wybod yn union am faint o arian mae Dylan Iorwerth a GOLWG Cyf wedi puteinio eu hunain i'r Llywodraeth er mwyn cael rhagor o arian i gynnig y safle we mwya' di-flach GOLWG 360 i'r genedl.

Ac unwaith eto trueni na fyddai Jac Codi Baw yn ddigon o ddyn neu ddynes i rhoi eu henw iawn tu ol i'r sothach mae nhw yn sgwennu - serch hynny, fydde chi isio pinecl eich gyrfa fod yn golofn fel hon mewn cylchgrawn o safon mor echrydus o wael a GOLWG?

Sgwn i be fyddai'r papur dyddiol Cymreig cynta wedi edrych fel? Cawn byth wybod rwan fod y criw diharhebol hwn wedi cael yr arian er mwyn gwthio propaganda'r Blaid yn eu racsyn ac ar y safle we siomedig.

Dal ati Dylan..daw y dydd.

Halifax i gau eu Cangen yn y Blaenau - Halifax to close their Blaenau Branch

Derbyniodd amryw o gwsmeriaid banc yr Halifax lythyr heddiw yn datgan wrthynt y bydd cangen y banc yn y dref yn cau ar ddydd Gwener 2ail o Hydref.
Yn naturiol mae hyn yn newyddion drist ac yn ergyd arall i'n ymdrechion i adfywio ganol y dref.
Daw'r penderfyniad yn sgil y ffaith bod HBOS y cwmni sydd berchen a'r Halifax wedi gwneud colledion enfawr.
Dwi ddim yn meddwl fod unrhyw bwynt i ni ofyn am newid y penderfyniad gan yn anffodus mae hyn yn anorfod ac yn dilyn patrwm y banciau mawr eraill.
Dwi yn sicir yn bwriadu ysgrifennu at Paul Richards, Rheolwr Rhanbarthol yr Halifax i ddatgan fy siom.
Mae'r cwmni yn eu llythyr yn datgan y gall cwsmeriaid y Blaenau ddefnyddio canghennau y cwmni ym Mangor a Llandudno!
Hoffwn awgrymu yn garedig os oes gennych chi arain mewn cyfrif efo'r Halifax eich bod yn ei dynnu i gyd allan a chau y cyfri ac yna agorwch cyfri newydd gyda'r arian hynny gyda'r Natwest,HSBC neu Undeb Credyd y Llechen sydd yn dal gyda canghennau yma yn y Blaenau.
Nai ddim dweud wrth Howard lle i roi ei arwydd sydd ganddo yn y llun gyfeillion!!..ond mae ffyrdd gwell o rheoli eich arian...banciwch efo banc sydd yn dal efo cangen yn agored yn eich tref!

A number of Halifax Bank customers locally have received letters today informing them that the bank will be closing its Blaenau branch on Friday, October 2nd.
Naturally this is very disappointing news and another blow to our efforts to rejuvinate the town centre.
The decision comes in the light that HBOS, the company which owns the Halifax has made massive losses due to the global recession.
I feel that any efforts to get the bank to change their mind would be futile as this is the norm at the moment and follows the example of many other banks.
I certainly intend to write to Paul Richards, the Regional Manager for Halifax Bank to voice my dissapointment.
The letter from the bank tells their customers that they can use the other branches at Llandudno and Bangor!
Can I kindly suggest that if you have any funds deposited in a Halifax account that you withdraw all of it and close the account. Then deposit it in a new account at either the Natwest, HSBC or The Llechen Credit Union who still have brances at Blaenau which we should do our best to retain.
I won't tell Howard where to stick the sign that he is holding in this photo!!...however I would agree that there is a smarter way to manage your money...put it in an account in a bank which still has a branch open in your town!

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 -11.30 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.

Llaeth a Mel i Dafydd El- Milk and Honey for Dafydd Elis-Thomas

Tra mae ei etholwyr yn dioddef effaith y dirwasgiad mae'n ymddangos fod ein Aelod Cynulliad, Yr Arglwydd Dafydd Elis-Thomas yn meddwl mai rhywbeth i fwyta wrth y bwrdd brecwast ydi "Credit Crunch"....mae ffigyrau treuliau Aelodau y Cynulliad am flwyddyn diwethaf yn dangos fod yr Arg wedi hawlio dros £36,000 mewn treuliau a hynny ar ben ei gyflog sydd dros £100,000!
Dwi ddim yn siwr os yw cyflog cyfartalog etholaeth Dwyfor/Meirionnydd llawer uwch na £18,000 sef hanner yr hyn mae o wedi hawlio mewn costau yn unig!
Mae'n amlwg ei fod o'n byw bywyd digon bras...ydi o yn cynnig gwerth am arian? Yng ngeiriau'r anfarwol Arthur Picton .."Scersli bilifed"!!

Whilst many of his constituents are feeling the effects of the recesion, it appears that our local Assembly Member, Lord Dafydd Elis-Thomas thinks that "Credit Crunch" is something that is served at the breakfast table.
The expense claims of Assembly Members were published earlier this week and guess who's at the top of the pile with a claim in excess of £36,000..yes, Dafydd Elis-Thomas...this remember is on top of his salary which is over £100,000 per annum!!
I don't think that the avarage wage within the Dwyfor/Meirionnydd Constituancy is over £18,000 which equates to half of the Lord's claim for expenses alone!
Its clear that he leads a very charmed life...does he give value for money? Hmmm I guess that the answer by many would be..."I don't think so"!

Galw am gyfarfod brys gyda'r Heddlu - Call for urgent meeting with the Police

Yn sgil y difrod diweddar yn fynwent Bethesda a sylwadau rhai o'r teuluoedd ac rhai o gynghorwyr y dref yn y cyfrfod neithiwr, dwi wedi rhoi'r cynnig isod ger bron y Cyngor Tref er mwyn i ni gael trafodaeth pellach ynghylch a plismona yn y dref.

“Fod y Cyngor hwn yn gwahodd Prif Cwnstabwl Heddlu Gogledd Cymru a Chadeirydd Awdurdod Heddlu Gogledd Cymru i ddod i gyfarfod y Cyngor Tref cyn gynted ac sy’n bosib er mwyn trafod yr angen am rhagor o heddweision wedi ei lleoli yma yn yr orsaf heddlu lleol ac yn cerdded strydoedd Blaenau Ffestiniog a’r pentrefi cyfagos”.

Dwi'n meddwl fod yr heddlu sydd gennym ni yn yr ardal hon yn gwneud gwaith da iawn o dan amgylchiadau annodd OND y gwir plaen ydi nad oes digon ohonynt ac mae cyfraith a threfn mewn peryg o fynd allan o reolaeth yma os nad ydym yn cael fwy o adnoddau i blismona'r dref.

Following the recent incident at Bethesda Cemetary and comments made at last night's meeting of the Town Council by some of the families and some of my fellow council members, I have decided to put forward this notice of motion for debate at next weeks full Town Council meeting.

“That this Council invites the Chief Constable of North Wales Police and the Chair of the North Wales Police Authority to attend a meeting with the Town Council as soon as possible in order to discuss the need for more police officers to be stationed at the local police station and patrolling the streets of Blaenau Ffestiniog and its surrounding villages”.

I feel that the policemen and women that we have in the area do a very good job under quite unreasonable circumstances simply due to the fact that there are not enough of them here to patrol and police the area properly and to the expected level of the local community.

Cyfarfod i drafod difrod i'r fynwent - Meeting to discuss cemetary damage

Bore yfory am 10 o'r gloch byddaf yn mynychu cyfarfod yn fynwent Bethesda ar y cyd gyda aelodau eraill o Gyngor Gwynedd o'r dref yn ogystal a chynrychiolwyr o'r Cyngor Tref, yr Heddlu a swyddogion o Gyngor Gwynedd i drafod sut y gallwn warchod y fynwent yn well ar gyfer y dyfodol.
Heb os mae teimladau yn gryf iawn yn y dref am yr hyn sydd wedi digwydd ac mewn cyfarfod arbennig o'r Cyngor Tref neithiwr cafwyd trafodaeth agored iawn yn ogystal a chlywed barn rhai o'r teuluoedd sydd a beddi eu annwyliad wedi eu malurio.
Syfrdan a siom ydi nodi mai tri bachgen o dan 10 oed sydd yn gyfrifol am y mwyfrif llethol o'r difrod ac oherwydd eu oedran ni chawnt eu herlyn - serch hynny dwi ac eraill o'r farn y dylid cosbi eu rhieni am yr hyn sydd wedi digwydd.

Tomorrow morning at 10a.m. I will be attending a meeting at Bethesda Cemetary along with my fellow members on Gwynedd Council from the town along with representatives from the Town Council, Police and Gwynedd Council offcials to discuss ways in which we can improve security at the cemetary in light of the dispicable acts of vandalism there last weekend.
There is much anger in the community and incredulity regarding the fact that those responsible for the vast amount of damage and wanto distruction caused are three boys under the age of 10!
Due to their age, the boys cannot be prosecuted- however I and many others feel that criminal proceedings could and should be taken against their parents.