Bws i'r Lleuad yn ennill Cân i Gymru

Llongyfarchiadau i Gai Toms ac Estynedig am ddod yn ail gyda'r gân "Deffra" yng nghystadleuaeth Cân i Gymru 2010 heno yn Llandudno.
Llongyfarchiadu hefyd i Alun Tanlan, cyfansoddwr gan fuddigol "Bws i'r Lleuad".

Pob lwc i Gai a'c Estynedig!

Pob lwc i Gai Toms ac Estynedig yng Nghystadleuaeth Cân i Gymru 2010 sydd yn cael ei gynnal yn Venue Cymru, Llandudno heno.
Bydd eu cân o'r enw "Deffra", sydd wedi ei chyfansoddi gan Gai yn un o'r wyth terfynol ac fe fydd hi'n cael ei pherfformio ar y noson gan Estynedig (Cymysgfa o'r grwpiau Estella ac Anweledig).
Bydd y gystadleuaeth yn fyw ar S4C am 7.30pm heno felly cofiwch wylio er mwyn cael y rhif pwysig er mwyn pleidleisio i'r cân o'r Blaenau i fod yn Gân i Gymru am eleni.

Aaron Ramsey

Fel pob cefnogwr pel-droed a chefnogwyr Cymru ac Arsenal yn enwedig, mae ein meddyliau ni i gyd gyda Aaron a'i deulu yn dilyn ei anaf difrifol iawn yn y gem yn erbyn Stoke yn gynharach heno 'ma.

Like every other football fan and in particular Wales and Arsenal fans,all of our thoughts are with Aron and his family after his sickening and serious injury in this evenings match against Stoke.

Blaenau yn rhoi crasfa i Amlwch - Blaenau thrash Amlwch

Wedi wythnosau heb gem ar Gae Clyd oherwydd y tywydd, es i draw yno p'nawn 'ma i weld buddigoliaeth gwych i'r Blaenau o 5-1 yn erbyn Amlwch.
Mae'r fuddigoliaeth yma yn rhoi'r Blaenau yn y 6ed safle yn y gynghrair a hynny a hwythau yn chwarae yno am y tro cyntaf yn eu hanes.
Da iawn Mel a'r hogia!

After weeks without a game at Cae Clyd because of the weather, I went there this afternoon to see Blaenau thrash Amlwch Town by 5-1.
This latest victory means that Blaenau are now in 6th place in the Alliance League in this their first ever season at that level.
Well done to Mel and the boys!

Gêm o ddwy hanner - A game of two halves

A ninnau yn colli o 20 pwynt ar yr hanner, doeddwn i yn disgwyl dim ond cythral o gweir gan y Ffrancwyr erbyn diwedd y noson.
Ond chwarae teg i Gymru mi ddaru'r hogiau ennill ddipyn o'n balchder ni'n ôl gyda pherfformiad gwefreiddiol..ond roedd y dasg yn rhy anodd boddi wrth y lan o 26-20 oedd yr hanes yn diwedd.
Sêr Cymru i mi ar y noson oedd Shane Williams (Unwaith eto!Ac yn coroni ei benblwydd gyda cais gwefreiddiol), Leigh Halfpenny a Bradley Davies (Oedd yn gawr ac yntau newydd golli ei fam yn gynharch yn yr wythnos - siwr y byddai wedi bod yn hynod falch o'i mab heno).
Iwerddon nesaf, os cawn ni berfformiad am 80 munud fel cawsom ni yn y 40 diwethaf heno, dylai'r 13eg o Fawrth fod yn ddiwrnod difyr am mwy na un rheswm.
Tacsi!

With us down by 20 points at half-time, I expected nothing but a thrashing from the French tonight.
But, fair play to Wales, the boys regained a lot of pride with a great second half performance which saw us just falling short of the mark and losing by 26-20.
Wales' stars for me were Shane Williams (Again! What a try to celebrate his birthday!), Leigh Halfpenny and Bradley Davies (Who was a giant in the line and played despite the sad death of his mother earlier in the week - she would have been so proud of his performance tonight).
Ireland next, and if we play like we did for the final 40 minutes tonight for the full 80 in Dublin, then the 13th March should be a very intersting day for more than one reason.
Taxi!

Pob lwc Cymru! - Good luck Wales!

Mae disgwyl gêm galed iawn i Gymru heno wrth i Ffrainc ymweld a Stadiwm y Mileniwm.
Pob lwc i Ryan Jones a'r hogia.

Wales can expect a tough encounter tonight as France visit the Millenium Stadium.
Good luck to Ryan Jones and the boys.

Diolch am y gefnogaeth...ond dorwch tŷ eich hunain mewn trefn ia?

Wrth drafod Cynllun Iaith Gymraeg Cyngor Gwynedd y prynhawn yma, braf oedd derbyn sel bendith a chefnogaeth i'r Cynllun drwy lythyr gan un o academyddion Coleg Prifysgol Bangor.
Trueni na fyddai'r Coleg ar y Bryn mor barod i hysbysebu am Is-Ganghellor gyda'r Gymraeg yn ddelfrydol yn ogystal a gwarchod yr adrannau hynny sydd yn addysgu drwy gyfrwng y Gymraeg!?
Diolch iddynt am y gefnogaeth fodd bynnag.

J.R. a'r Jac yn y Bocs! - J.R. and the Jack in a Box!

Yn ystod trafodaeth ynglyn a gorwariant yr Adran Gwasanaethau Cymdeithasol p'nawn'ma ac yn dilyn fy nghyfraniad i, dyma Arweinydd Grwp y Democratiaid Rhyddfrydol, J.R.Jones oedd yn amlwg wedi cam ddeallt yn llwyr fy mhwynt (mae o'n gwneud hynny'n aml gyda pobl eraill heblaw fi) yn neidio i fynu a chael rhyw tantrad fach gan fy ngalw yn Jac yn y Bocs!... Swn i ddim yn licio gweld maint y bocs!
Rwan dwi ddim yn gwybod be sydd yn gwneud J.R. ticio, sgena'i fawr o ots chwaith os dwi'n onest, gan ei fod o'n aml iawn yn ymddangos fel tasa fo ddim yn dilyn trafodaethau ar llawr y Cyngor ac yn y Bwrdd yn iawn ac yna yn cael y pen anghywir i bwyntiau- ac oedd p'nawn ma yn engraifft arall o hynny.
Pan oeddwn yn blentyn roedd y rhaglen deledu yn eu anterth o'r enw Dallas ac roedd cymeriad yn hwnnw o'r enw J.R.(Ewing) hefyd ac roedd 'na llawer o ddyfal ar un adeg am bwy oedd wedi saethu J.R.?...Wel p'nawn ma, fel arall oedd hi, J.R. saethodd fi!
Mi af yn ol i fy mocs rwan!

During a debate regarding the overspend within the Social Services Department at the Council meeting this afternoon, following my contribution, the Leader of the Lib.Dem Group, J.R.Jones, who quite clearly had misunderstood my point(something he does often with others, not just me), jumped to his feet and called me a Jack in the Box!!....I'd hate to see the size of the box!
Now I haven't got a clue what makes J.R. tick, I don't really care either if I'm honest as he often seems as if he's not following debates in the Council or the Board properly and totally gets the wrong end of the debate - this afternoon was another example of this.
When I was a child, Dallas was one of the most popular shows on TV and one of the lead characters was another J.R. (Ewing).Back then in the 80's the nation was gripped by the question "Who shot J.R.?"..Well, the reverse happened in Caernarfon this afternoon, J.R. shot me!
I'll get back into my box now!

Codiad yn nhreth y Cyngor o 3.9% - Council tax to increase by 3.9%

Dyna ydi'r newyddion drwg o gyfarfod y Cyngor Sir y prynhawn 'ma. Felly oherwydd methiant Llywodraeth y Cynulliad i gyllido Cyngor Gwynedd yn gywir a methiant "Arweinydd" y Cyngor i ddarbwyllo ei gyfeillion Gweinidogol o anghenion y Sir, yn ogystal a gwneud arbedion sylweddol o £16m, bydd y trethdalwyr yn dal i dalu mwy a chael llai.
Mi ddaru mi gefnogi y cynnydd yma am un rheswm yn unig a hynny oedd am nad wyf yn awyddus i dorri rhagor ar wasanaethau rheng flaen i'r cyhoedd.
Pan mae dinas fel Caerdydd yn cael 5% o setliad ariannol gan Llywodraeth y Cynulliad a Gwynedd ddim ond yn cael 1.1%...mae'r rheswm am y codiad yma yn y dreth o 3.9% yn amlwg i bawb.
Braf gweld bod yr ardaloedd gwledig yn flaenoriaeth gan Llafur a Phlaid Cymru yn tydi!?

That is the bad news from this afternoon's meeting of Gwynedd Council. Therefore due to the failure of the Assembly Government to Finance Gwynedd Council properly and the failure of the Plaid "Leader" of the Council to convince his Ministerial Colleagues of the needs of the County. And after making "savings" of £16m you the taxpayer will pay more for less.
I did support the rise of 3.9% and for one reason only. Simply, I am not ready to see any more cuts being made to frontline services for the public.
When a city like Cardiff gets a financial settlement of 5% from the Assembly Government and Gwynedd only get 1.1%...the reason for the 3.9% tax increase is clear to everybody.
Its heartening to see that the rural areas are a priority for both Labour and Plaid Cymru isn't it!?

Fflamio nhw! - Flaming cheek!

Mae'r newyddion bod Centrica newydd gyhoeddi bore 'ma fod cwmni Nwy Prydain wedi cynyddu eu helw o 58% yn warthus!
A ninnau wedi dioddef y gaeaf oeraf ers degawdau a'r henoed a'r tlawd yn gorfod gwneud dewisiadau anodd ynglyn a chadw eu cartrefi yn gynnes gan fod prisiau mor uchel, mae clywed newyddion fel yma yn gwneud dyn i deimlo'n flin iawn.
Mae rhaid i'r Llywodraeth a rheoleiddiwr y diwydiant ynni,Ofgem wneud rhywbeth am hyn a sicrhau fod y cwmni unai yn gostwng ei brisiau neu yn rhoi ad-daliad i'w cwsmeriaid mor fuan ac sy'n bosib.

The news that Centrica has just announced that British Gas has made a 58% increase in its profit is sickning!
As we are coming out of one of the coldest Winter's in decades and the elderly and less well off are having to make stark choices regarding keeping their home's warm due to high prices, hearing this news can only make a man feel very angry.
The Government and energy regulator Ofgem have to do something about this and the company should either slash its prices or they should be made to re-fund some of the money tha they have charged their customers as soon as possible.

Engraifft arall o ragrith PLAID CYMRU hypocisy exposed again

Ychydig fisoedd yn ol yma yng Ngwynedd, ddaru mwyafrif llethol o gynghorwyr Plaid Cymru gefnogi'r bwriad i godi tal o £5 yr wythnos ar gludiant pobl ifanc i fynychu dosbarthiadau 6 ed dosbrath neu cyrsiau yng Ngholeg Meirion-Dwyfor a Choleg Menai - er fod addewid sawl blwyddyn yn ol y byddai trafnidaeth yn cael ei ddarparu yn rhad ac am ddim.
Roedd Llais Gwynedd yn erbyn hynny ac mi ddaru ni fel grwp bleidleisio yn erbyn y bwriad. Yn union fel mae Cynghorwyr Plaid Cymru yn Sir Gar yn ei wneud rwan!
Mae'n ymddangos yma yng Ngwynedd, bod Dyfed a'i Ddisgyblion yn grwp y Blaid yn arddel polisiau ac agwedd gwbwl wahanol i'r Blaid mewn rhanau eraill o Gymru!

A few months ago here in Gwynedd, the vast majority of Plaid Cymru members on the Council voted in favour of the recommendation to charge students £5 per week for transport to 6th form classes or courses at Coleg Meirion-Dwyfor and Coleg Menai - despite a promise that was made some years ago that transport would be available for free.
Llais Gwynedd were against this and we as members voted accordingly. This is exactly what Plaid Cymru councillors in Carmarthenshire are doing now!
It appears that here in Gwynedd, Dyfed and his Disciples within the Plaid group are standing for principles and advocating policies which are very different to what Plaid are doing in other parts of Wales!

Why aren't you doing it already Ieuan!?

Plaid Cymru's Leader and Deputy First Minister and Minister for the Economy and Transport within the Welsh Assembly Government is calling on the UK Treasury to establish a Venture Capital Fund for Wales in this article in today's Daily Post.
Am I the only one who thinks this is all a bit odd!?
Economic Development is a devolved matter, shouldn't Ieuan be doing this already as its part of his remit?
We've heard about REact and PROact programmes that have made little or no impact to the economic recovery of Wales and why not scrap Finance Wales and use the money from these to set up the VC Fund?
Somehow, one can't help but see past the fact that once again, Plaid are playing pre-Election games...and is it not true to say that when a business who had a solid business plan to re-open Dolgarrog Aluminum Works approached Ieuan for support he turned them down, much to the dismay of many people in the Conwy Valley and North Wales and within a matter of days, his Ministerial colleague's in WAG bailed the Millenium Centre in Cardiff out to the tune of £13m!
In both cases there was no need for a VC Fund.

UPDATE: At just around the same time that I was writing this, The Druid states more or less what I'm saying in his posting, that what is needed now more than anything is an overhaul of the current economic policy of WAG, which quite clearly is not working

Penwythnos Mawr Radio 1 yn dod i Wynedd - Radio 1 Big Weekend comes to Gwynedd

Ydi mae'n swyddogol, gyda'r cyhoeddiad yn cael ei wneud ar raglen Chris Moyles bore 'ma, bydd Penwythnos Mawr Radio 1 yn dod o Stad y Faenol ger Bangor eleni ar benwythnos Mai 22/23.
Heb os gyda Wakestock, Gwyl y Faenol a llwythi o wyliau cerddorol llai yn digwydd ar hyd yr Haf, Gwynedd fydd y lle i fod yr Haf yma os ydych yn hoffi cerddoriaeth!
Llongyfarchiadau mawr i bawb yn Uned Twristiaeth a Digwyddiadau Cyngor Gwynedd ac i berchnogion Stad y Faenol am ddod ar Penwythnos Mawr i Wynedd.

Yes its official, with the announcement being made on the Chris Moyles show this morning, The Radio 1 Big Weekend 2010 will be held at the Faenol Estate, Bangor on the weekend of May 22/23.
Without doubt along with Wakestock, the Faenol Festival and a host of other smaller festivals, Gwynedd is the place to be this summer if you love music!
Congratulations to everyone within the Tourism and Events Unit of Gwynedd Council and to the owners of the Faenol Estate for securing the Big Weekend for Gwynedd.

Cymunedau'n Gyntaf - Communities First

Cyn cychwyn yr edefyn yma, dyliwn i ddatgan fod fy ngwraig yn Gadeirydd ar Bartneriaeth Cymunedau'n Gyntaf Bowydd a Rhiw (rol mae hi'n ei wneud yn wirfoddol ac nid yw hi'n derbyn unrhyw dal o gwbwl am ei wneud)yma yn y Blaenau - sef y Ward drws nesaf Diffwys a Maenofferen lle dwi yn gynrychioli ar Gyngor Gwynedd a Chyngor Tref Ffestinig.
Mae 'na ddipyn o sylw yn y wasg heddiw ynglyn a "methiant" y rhaglen yma ac mae yna tipyn o feirniadaeth ohono gan Bwyllgor Awdit y Cynulliad.
O be dwi wedi ei ddarllen, credaf fod peth o'r feirniadaeth ar lefel strategol yn genedlaethol yn deg iawn. Serch hynny o be ydw i wedi ei weld o waith Cymunedau'n Gyntaf yma yn y Blaenau mae'r bartneriaeth leol wedi chwarae rhan bwysig iawn yn y datblygiadau cyffrous sydd wedi digywdd ac fydd yn digwydd yn yr ardal hon.
Mae'r staff yn ymroddgar iawn ac mae'r Bartneriaeth leol yn gynhwysol ac yn gwneud eu gorau glas i gynnwys y gymuned yn mhob dim mae nhw'n ei wneud. Oes mae ambell i gamgymeriad wedi ei wneud ar hyd y daith ond mae gwersi wedi ei dysgu a camau positif wedi ei cymryd i sicrhau na fyddent yn digwydd eto.
Fedrai ddim siarad dros brofiadau ardaloedd eraill ynglyn a'r rhaglen yma, ond yn bendant, yn y Blaenau, mae'r rhaglen wedi gwneud yn union be mae o fod i, sef rhoi y gymuned yn gyntaf ac mae ein llwyddiant i weithio yn effeithiol fel ardal i ddenu arian sylweddol i adfywio'r dref yn dysteb i hynny.

Before I start this posting, I have to declare that my wife is Chair of the Bowydd and Rhiw Communities First Partnership (a role that is unpaid and that she does volunteraly in her own free time). Bowydd and Rhiw is the Ward that is next to Diffwys and Maenofferen, where I represent on both Gwynedd Council and Ffestiniog Town Council.
There's quite a bit of media and blogging attention this morning regarding Communities First and its "failure" according to the Welsh Assembly's Audit Committee.
From what I have read, some of the criticism is, in my view justified, particularly at a strategic level nationally. However, from what I have seen locally here in Blaenau, Communities First has worked and it has been central to a lot of the work that has and continues to draw in substantial funding to regenerate the town through economic and social development projects.
Yes, of course, some mistakes have also been made locally, but thankfully lessons have also been learnt.
The small team of staff here are committed, they understand and know the community well and the Partnership is inclusive and many of the projects have the "bottoms up" approach.
I cannot speak for other areas of Wales and their experience of the programme, but here in Blaenau, Communities First has done excactly that, put the community first and the fact that the project has played a central role in many of the developments that have been succesful in securing substantial funds for rejuvinating the town is clear evidence of that.

Cyfarfod positif gyda'r rheolwr plismona cymunedol newydd - Positive meeting with new Community Beat Manager

Bore Gwener, gefais gyfarfod buddiol ac adeiladol iawn gyda'r heddwas Rhys Jones sydd yn gyfrifol bellach am blismona cymunedol yma yn y Blaenau.
Mae PC Jones yn awyddus iawn i gydweithio gyda'r gymuned yn enwedig busnesau lleol. Mae o'n gefnogol iawn i'r bwriad o osod camerau CCTV yn y dref ac mae o hefyd yn awyddus i gymryd camau pendant i ddelio a'r broblem gyffuriau yn yr ardal.
Dwi'n edrych ymlaen i gydweithio ac i gefnogi PC Jones yn ei waith.

On Friday morning I had positive meeting with PC Rhys Jones who's just taken over as Community Beat Manager for the Blaenau area.
PC Jones is keen to work with the local community and in particular the business community. He's very supportive of the plans to set up a CCTV system in the town and he's also determined to tackle the increasing drug problem locally.
I look forward to working with and supporting PC Jones' work in the town.

Cyngor Gwynedd yn rhagori wrth "ymgynghori"! - Gwynedd Council excells at "consultation"!

Byddai clywed hynny go iawn yn fy lloni'n fawr ond gwaetha'r modd mae'r gwir yn bell o fod yn rhagorol.
Mae hi wedi dod i fy sylw heo fod holiadur wedi ei yrru allan ar Chwefror 4ydd y rhai "rhanddeliaid" yn ardaloedd Bala a Tywyn er mwyn cynnal asesiad effaith ad-drefnu addysg yn yr ardaloedd hynny.
Wythnos cyn i'r ysgol gau am hanner tymor oedd hynny. Mae disgwyl ymatebion yn ol erbyn 22ain sef dydd Llun yma...pan fydd rhai ysgolion yn agor yn ol wedi'r wythnos o wyliau.
Be sydd yn amlwg ydi nad yw amryw o rieni, llywodarethwyr ac yn wir Cynghorwyr yn yr ardaloedd hynny wedi derby yr ohebiaeth!
Felly Duw yn unig a wyr sut ymateb bydd i'r ymgynghori tro yma? Pam hefyd ymgynghori dros gyfnod hanner tymor?
Dwi'n meddwl fod yr holl fater yn anffodus ac dwi wedi gyrru cwyn at Brif Weithredwr y Cyngor yn datgan fy anfodlonrwydd ynghyd a gofyn sawl cwestiwn ynglyn a'r amseriad, dull ymghynghori a sut mae'n ymddangos nad yw pawb o bell ffordd wedi derbyn copi o'r holiadur.
Unwaith eto 1 allan o 10 i''r Cyngor am ymgysylltu a'r Cyhoedd, edrychaf ymlaen yn eiddgar at y diwrnod pan fedrwn ni rhoi 10 allan o 10, wedi dweud hynny byddai cael rhoi 2 allan o ddeg yn wellhad ar y presennol cofiwch!

It would give me the greatest pleasure to hear such a quote if only it were true..for the reality is that Gwynedd Council is far from excelling when it comes to consulting with the public.
It has been brought to my attention that a questionnaire was sent out to "stakeholders" in the Bala and Tywyn area's on February 4th, with the aim of capturing information regarding the Council's proposed school re-organisation in both areas. Firstly I find the timing a little odd as the schools closed the week after and the questionnaires have deadline for return of this coming Monday on them, 22nd February, not much time considering many families, teachers, governers etc, might be away over half-term week. It has also transpired that some "stakeholders"..chairs of governors, councillors have not received the questionnaire...why I wonder?
God only knows, what if any response will be to this "consultation".
I am very concerened though about the timing and the fact that certain key stakeholders were not aware of this and to that end, I have written to the Council Chief Executive to raise my concerns about another failing by the Council in its duty to engage openly and effectively with the puplic.
So, once again, it's 1 out of 10 for the Council...I cannot wait until the day that the officers get this right and we can all be proud of scoring a 10...however until then a 2 would be a vast improvement on where we are!

Blaenau yn chwipio'r clwb ar y brig! - Blaenau thrash league leaders!

Buddigoliaeth wych i'r Amaturiaid p'nawn 'ma oddi cartref yn Rhydymwyn o 4-1. Dyma'r ail dro yn unig i Rhydymwyn (sydd ar frig y gynghrair) golli yn y gynghrair eleni.
Da iawn hogia...canlyniad gwych!

Blaenau had brilliant result away from home this afternoon, winning 4-1 at league leaders Rhydymwyn. This was only the second defeat for Rhydymwyn in the league all season.
Great result lads...well done!

108 Not Out....Llongyfarchiadau Anti Enid!

Llongyfarchiadau a phenblwydd hapus iawn i Mrs Enid Vaughan Williams sydd yn dathlu ei phenblwydd heddiw yn 108.
Gobeithio fod Mrs Williams sydd yn wreiddiol o Benrhyndeudraeth ond yn byw yng Nghartref Hafod y Gest, Porthmadog erbyn hyn wedi cael diwrnod wrth ei bodd ac wedi mwynhau y dathliadau gyda'i theulu a'i chyfeillion.
Tybiaf mai Mrs Williams yw'r person hynaf yn etholaeth Dwyfor/Meirionnydd os nad Gwynedd bellach.

Congratulations and a very happy birthday to Mrs Enid Vaughan Williams who celebrates her 108th birthday today.
I hope that Mrs Williams has had a lovely day and that she has enjoyed the celebrations to mark this very special birthday with her family and friends at the Haod y Gest home in Porthmadog.
I would imagine that Mrs Williams is the oldest resident in the Dwyfor/Meirionnydd Constituancy if not the whole of Gwynedd by now.

Dynion mewn cotiau melyn ac oren llachar - Men in bright yellow and orange coats

Rhag ofn fod pobl y Blaenau yn meddwl pam fod cyn gymaint o ddynion o gwmpas y dref mewn cotiau melyn ac oren heddiw?
Criw o Miller Research oeddynt a chwmniau eraill fydd yn ymwneud ac ail-ddatblygu canol y dref yn ystod y flwyddyn nesaf.
Da ydi gweld y gwaith cynllunio yn mynd rhagddo.

Just in case that you were wondering why there were so many men in bright yellow or orange coats in the town centre in Blaenau today?
They were from Miller Research and other related companies who have started the surveying process that will lead to the redevelopment of the town centre within the next year.
Its good to see the planning process has begun in earnest.

Anthem yr ymgyrch IA? - Anthem for the YES campaign?

Gyda refferendwm ar bwerau ychwanegol i'r Cynulliad ar y gorwel...'sa hon yn gwneud fel anthem dros bleidlais IA. Gwych!
Oes 'na gan Gymraeg addas?

With a referendum on the horizon for additional powers for the Assembly..this would be a good anthem for the YES campaign. Brilliant!

Pawb a'i Farn..Dafydd ddim yn siomi.

Wedi siwrna digon hir yn ol o Lundain neithiwr a dal i fynnu efo pentwr o e-byst dyma fynd ati wedi hanner nos i wylio rhifyn yr wythnos o Pawb a'i Farn oedd yn dod o Harlech.
Roeddwn am weld be oedd barn ein Aelod Cynulliad (a'm gwrthwynebydd posib ar gyfer sedd Dwyfor/Meirionnydd ym Mai 2011)ar faterion y dydd.
Dwi'n falch o weld ein bod o'n dau yn gytun ar fater Maes Awyr, Llanbedr fel dwi eisioes wedi dweud ar y blog 'ma...gorau po gynta geith o ei ail agor a'i uwchraddio i dderbyn awyrenau fydd dwi'n gobeithio yn denu buddsoddiad a swyddi i'r ardal hon.
Ddaru ei ymateb disgwyliedig ar ddyfodol ysgolion cynradd Gwynedd ddim fy synnu o gwbwl.
Mae Dafydd fel tasai o'n meddwl mai rhyw Ymerawdwr dros Gymru ydi o gan ei fod yn Lywydd ar y Cynulliad...cyfeirio at blant ym Morgannwg a Penfro yn cael addysg rhagorol mewn adeiladau newydd sbon sydd ei angen ar bawb er mwyn addysgu'r cwriciwlwm cyfnod sylfaen ac dim ond mewn adeiladu o'r fath oedd modd gwneud hynny!!
Rwtsh llwyr, nid Aelod Cynulliad Morgannwg a Phenfro ydi o, er ei fod o'n Ymerawdwr dros Gymru gyfan yn ei ben o bosib...Gweithio wrth ei draed, yma ym Meirion a Dwyfor mae ei le o, ac mae athrawon yn yr etholaeth yma yn llwyddo'n wych i ddysgu'r cyfnod sylfaen mewn llawer iawn o ysgolion o phob maint a siap a hynny yn hapus ac yn effeithiol rhan amla.
Peidiwch a cymryd fy ngair i am hynny, darllenwch adroddiadau ESTYN ar yr ysgolion yn yr Etholaeth.
Chlywais i ddim pip gan Dafydd am geisio codi taliad y pen ar gyfer plant Cymru i gyfateb a rhai Lloegr. Fel Aelod effeithiol o'r Cynulliad yn enwedig dros ardal fel hon, byddai rhywun yn disgwyl y byddai hynny'n flaenoriaeth iddo gan fod diffyg cyllid yn cael ei ddefnyddio gan ei Blaid fel rheswm i gau ysgolion. Ond na, fedr o ddim gwneud hynny na fedr?..Na fedr wrth gwrs...mae Dafydd wedi mopio efo'i rol fel Ymerawdwr Cymru, peidiwch a'i styrbio efo problemau dibwys ei Etholaeth siwr.

Plaid's hypocrisy gets a slot on the 6 o'clock News

Betsan Powys' report on the BBC's Six o Clock News from Plaid Cymru's Spring Conference was the cause of much amusement.
Here was the Party of Wails...at it again, earning plaudits at what they do best.. hypocrisy and misleading people...be one thing in one area of Wales and another thing in another area. Giving one message on the streets of Llanelli and another totally different message in Llan Ffestiniog.
Helen Mary Jones was seen campigning to "Stop Care Home Closure"...which I found odd, as here in Gwynedd, the local Plaid AM, Dafydd Elis-Thomas, supported the closure of Bryn Llywelyn Care Home, and 21 Plaid members on Gwynedd Council voted to close it although 4 abstained and only 3 from the group (Cllrs. Glyn Roberts, Cllr. Eddie Dogan and Cllr.Linda Jones) voted in favour of keeping it open.
The same can be said on small rural schools.In Gwynedd, Plaid are at the forefront of the campaign to close them against the wishes of parents, where as in Wrexham and Monmouth they are leading campigns to keep them open!
The "news hour" ended after Wales Today with a Party Political Broadcast by Plaid Cymru..."Think Different...Think Plaid"..You bet...different messages in different parts of Wales..no consistancy, total hypocrisy.
To cap it all, we had a crop of people saying "Make a difference", some of them were actors from a bygone era of Welsh TV.
They could have saved on their fees...they could have gone to the Tywyn area, where Plaid have made a difference by closing schools against the will of many parents, teachers, governors and children.
They could go to Llan Ffestiniog and spoken to the residents and staff of Bryn Llywelyn, were Plaid have made a difference as their AM and Councillors have closed the home, and it will be emptied sometime this year.
They could speak to parents of children attending special educational needs units, were Plaid are once again trying to make a difference by closing them with little or no consultation.
Sadly, Plaid are making a difference in Gwynedd, in all the wrong places...hopefully people who have supported them over the last 35 years will see how much they have taken their support for granted and how much of a mess they are making that they will think differently at forthcoming elections.

A’i cân o’r Blaenau fydd Cân i Gymru eleni?

Nos Sul, Chwefror 28ain fydd Cystadleuaeth Cân i Gymru 2010 yn cael ei gynnal yn Venue Cymru, Llandudno.
Eleni, mae cân o'r enw "Deffra", sydd wedi ei chyfansoddi gan Gai Toms o'r Blaenau wedi ei chynnwys yn yr wyth terfynol ac fe fydd hi'n cael ei pherfformi ar y noson gan Estynedig (Cymysgfa o'r grwpiau Estella ac Anweledig).
Dwi'n gobeithio medru mynd i'r sioe i gefnogi talentau lleol yn y gobaith y bydd "Deffra" yn cael ei dewis fel Cân i Gymru 2010.

The Brit Awards

Well, did you see it!?...Peter Kay was hilarious when he wasn't checking "are we on yet?"...Lady GaGa looked, different shall we say. Dizzee Rascal was dizzy, Liam Gallagher proved beyond all doubt what a moody so and so he is and Cheryl Cole blotted her copybook by clearly miming her performance appart from the "thank you" at the end.
There were some stand out performances though. Here are couple of my favourites:

Dyfodol Ysbyty Coffa FFESTINIOG Memorial Hospital's future

Dwi wedi gyrru e-bost at y Gweinidog Iechyd yn y Cynulliad Cenedlaethol, Mrs Edwina Hart yn gofyn am manylion yr adolygiad sydd i'w gynnal ar ddyfodol yr ysbyty ym mis Ebrill yn ogystal a gofyn am wybodaeth o dan y Ddeddf Rhyddid Gwybodaeth sydd yn ymwneud a'r ysbyty.
Fel dwi esioes wedi datgan, mae sicrhau datblygiad a dyfodol yr Ysbyty Coffa yn un o'm prif flaenoriaethau eleni.

I have e-mailed the Assembly Goverment's Health Minister, Mrs Edwina Hart asking her to clarify details regarding the review of Ffestiniog Memorial Hospital's future which is to be conducted in April. I also made a request under The Freedom of Information Act for data relating to the hospital.
Like I have already stated on this blog, safeguarding and developing the hospital is one of my top priorities this year.

Pleidlais fwrw o blaid codi rhenti - Casting vote in favour of rent increase

Eitem arall ger bron Bwrdd y Cyngor heddiw oedd codi rhenti tai Cyngor.
Barn y Cyng.J.R. Jones, Arweinydd Grwp y Democratiaid Rhyddfrydol oedd na ddylai'r Bwrdd godi'r rhenti ond cyfeirio'r mater at sylw Bwrdd Rheoli Cymdeithas Tai Cymunedol Gwynedd, fydd yn cymryd cyfrifoldeb am y tai o Ebrill 1af.
Roeddwn yn cytuno ac yn cefnogi safbwynt J.R. ar y mater, roedd y Bwrdd yn gwbwl rhanedig ar y mater ac o bleidlais fwrw y Cadeirydd, "Arweinydd" y Cyngor, Dyfed Edwards, penderfynwyd codi y rhent.
Felly os ydych yn byw mewn ty Cyngor, fe gewch chi ddiolch i Mr Edwards am y cynydd yn eich rent eleni!

Another item which was discussed by the Council Board this afternoon was the proposed rent increases for Council house tenants.
Cllr.J.R. Jones, leader of the Lib.Dem group was of the view that the Council Board should not increase the rent as the houses are being transferred to Cartrefi Cymunedol Gwynedd on April 1st and it is the Board of that Housing Association who should make the decision regarding the rent.
I shared and supported John's opinion.
So when the Board was split down the middle on the matter, it was the casting vote of the Chairman, Council "Leader" Dyfed Edwards that decided that the rents would be raised.
So if you live in a Council home, you can thank Mr Edwards for the rise in your rent this year!

Bwrdd y Cyngor yn dweud wrth Adran Addysg am ymghynghori ymhellach - Council Board tells Education Department to consult further

Yn ei gyfarfod prynhawn yma, mi ddaru Bwrdd Rheoli Cyngor Gwynedd penderfynu gofyn i Adran Addysg y Cyngor ymgynghori yn bellach gyda rhieni ar ddyfodol unedau addysg arbennig ac ail-gyflwyno y mater ger bron y Pwyllgor Craffu Plant a Phobol Ifanc cyn dod yn ol at y Bwrdd gan ei fod yn gwbwl amlwg fod y broses wreiddiol wedi bod yn ddiffygiol ac yr ymgynghoriad yn annigonol.
Be oedd yn syfrdan i mi pan gynnigiais y mater nad oedd y 5 aelod Plaid Cymru oedd yn bresennol yn y Bwrdd heddiw am i'r mater gael ei graffu eto (er fod yr Adran Addysg mwy neu lai yn cydnabod bod y broses wreiddiol yn ddiffygiol). Diolch i'r drefn rhoedd y saith arall ohonom o'r pob grwp aralll yn unfarn ac mae'r neges wedi mynd adra i'r Adran Addysg fod rhaid ymgynghori yn llawn cyn dod ar mater yn ol i'w ystyried - byddaf yn bendant yn cadw golwg i sicrhau fod hynny yn digwydd.
Buddigoliaeth i synwyr cyffredin a marc du arall yn erbyn "democratiaid" Plaid Cymru sydd ar Fwrdd y Cyngor.

At it's meeting this afternoon, the Board of Gwynedd Council decided to ask the Education Department to consult further with parents with regards to the future of Special Needs Education Units and for them to present the matter again before the Council's Children and Young People's Scrutiny Committee as it has become abundently clear that the original consultation process was not sufficient.
What shocked me was the fact that when I made the proposal, the 5 Plaid Cymru members who were present this afternoon voted against the matter having to go back to scrutiny (despite the Education Department admitting that more consultation work was needed and the initial consultation was indeed flawed..a fact that in my view made the initial report to the Scrutiny Committee and their susequent decision invalid). Thank heavens that common sense prevailed and myself and the other six members from across the groups were of the same opinion that the Education Department must consult widely on this matter, in particular with parents and that a new report should be presented to the Scrutiny Committee and Council Board for consideration following the new consultation process.
Another victory for common sense and another black mark against the "democrats" from Plaid Cymru who sit on the Council Board.

Anhygoel!! - Amazing!!

Does dim gair arall i ddisgrifio'r fuddigoliaeth yna o 31-24 i Gymru yn erbyn yr Alban.
Gyda 10 munud i fynd roedd ein gobeithion ni yn ffradach ond diolch i ysbryd y Cymry a disgyblaeth gwael yr Albanwyr, daeth tro ar fyd!
Canlyniad wirioneddol bythgofiadwy....Bendigedig!!!

There is no other word to discribe that victory by 31-24 for Wales over Scotland in Cardiff this afternoon.
With 10 minutes to go our hopes were in ruins, but thanks to a "never say die" spirit by the Welsh and nothing but mindless indicipline by the Scots, there was a dramatic reversal of fortunes!
A truly memorable result....Brilliant!!!

Ysbrydoliaeth i Gymru - Inspiration for Wales

DOES DIM ANGEN GEIRIAU.....GWYLIWCH A DYSGWCH!...C'MON CYMRU!!!
NO NEED FOR WORDS......WATCH AND LEARN!.....C'MON WALES!!!

Gordon Brown, galar a gwleidyddiaeth - Gordon Brown, grief and politics

Mae 'na lawer o son wedi bod yn y wasg dros y dyddiau diwethaf am Gordon Brown a'r ffaith ei fod o bron mewn dagrau wrth siarad am y profiad o golli ei ferch fach mewn sgwrs gyda Piers Morgan sydd i'w darlledu nos yfory am 10.15y.h. ar ITV...felly bydd rhagor o son amdano eto yr wythnos nesa' hefyd.
Mae rhai yn amau mai ymdrech sinigaidd ydi hon ar ran Mr Brown i enyn cefnogaeth a phleidleisau cyn yr Etholiad Cyffrediniol - tydw i ddim o'r farn hynny.
Mae o yn ffigwr cyhoeddus ac mae colli plentyn yn benod hynod o drist yn ei fywyd (ac unrhyw un arall sydd wedi cael profiad o'i fath, beth bynnag yw eu statws) yn naturiol wrth fynd ar raglen o'r enw "Life Stories" mae rhywun yn disgwyl felly y byddai rhai cwestiynau yn cyffwrdd ar hanes farwolaeth ei blentyn.
Dim ond person calon galed iawn fyddai ddim yn dangos emosiwn wrth drafod profiad o'r fath.
Roedd y pwnc yn cael ei drafod ar rhaglen Jeremy Vine ar Radio 2 amser cinio ddoe ac bu sawl cyfraniad dirdynol gan rieni sydd fel Gordon a Sara Brown wedi colli babi ifanc (mae 17 yn marw pob dydd ym Mhrydain sydd yn ffigwr ofnadwy o uchel dwi'n meddwl).
Fel tad i ddau o blant (mae un yn 14 heddiw!- Penblwydd Hapus Eurgain xx), dwi yn teimlo'n lwcus ac yn ddiolchgar nad oes profiad o'r math yma wedi dod i fy rhan.
Roedd y mwyafrif llethol o'r cyfranwyr yn cefnogi Gordon Brown, y tad - nid y gwleidydd am siarad mor agored am y profiad.
Mae galar yn rhywbeth personol iawn. Dros y tair blynedd diwethaf, dwi wedi colli fy nhad, brawd yng nghyfraith, modryb a dau gyfaill annwyl yn sydyn iawn ac roedd rhai ohonynt yn naturiol, yn ddylanwad mawr ar fy mywyd. Pan ydw i yn siarad amdanynt, anodd iawn ydi peidio a dangos unrhyw emosiwn gan fod y berthynas a'r ddolen hynny yn llawer uwch ac yn llawer pwysicach na gwleidyddiaeth ac unrhywbeth gwleidyddol. Yr un fath a pherthynas tad neu fam gyda'i gyntaf anedig (dio'm ots os ydych chi'n bostmon neu'n Brif Weinidog)ac yn hynny o beth dwi'n meddwl y dylem ni barchu y profiad trist hwn yn hanes Gordon Brown (a'i hawl i siarad amdano). Mater cwbwl wahanol ydi parchu ei ymdrechion fel gwleidydd.

There's been a lot of talk in the press and media over the last few days about Gordon Brown being close to tears as he talks about the death of his baby daughter with Piers Morgan, which will be screened on ITV at 10.15p.m. tomorrow night.
Some commentators think that this is a cynical ploy by Mr Brown to secure sympathy and votes for the forthcoming General Election - I don't share that opinion.
He is a public figure and the death of his first born child is obviously a traumatic chapter in his life (and in anyone else's who's gone through the same experience regardless of their status). By agreeing to be interviewed on a programme called "Life Stories", you'd expect that some questions would indeed be asked about such a significant part of your story.
Only a heartless, cold blooded person would not show some degree of emotion when discussing such an experience.
The matter was discussed on the Jeremy Vine Show on Radio 2 yesterday afternoon and there were a number of emotional contributions to the discussion by people who were also parents of babies who had died (did you know that 17 babies die in the UK every day due to complications at birth? I thought that was high).
As a father of two children (one of which is 14 today! - Happy Birthday Eurgain xx)I am so thankful and feel very lucky that I've not had to endure what Gordon and Sara Brown have had too or the other contributors to the radio debate, who on the whole were very supportive of Mr Brown for being so candid about his experience.
Grief is a very personal thing. Over the last three years, I have lost my father, brother in law, aunt and two very close friends -some of them, naturally were a big influence on my life. When I talk about them, I find it very difficult not to show any emotion as the relationship I had with them wass far and above and more important than politics and anything political. The same, indeed, more could be said about a father's relationship with his first born child (regardless if he's a postman or Prime Minister)and for that reason we should respect this very sad experience in Gordon Brown's life (and his right to talk about it). It is entirely a different matter when it comes to respecting his political efforts.

Stori'r Parc yn mynd yn genedlaethol- Park story goes national

Mae yna erthygl dda iawn gan Steve Morris dros tudalen gyfan ar dudalen 12 o'r Guardian heddiw sydd yn son am gais Cyngor Tref Ffestiniog i'r Blaenau gael ei gynnwys oddi fewn i ffiniau Parc Cenedlaethol Eryri.
Mae'r ffaith fod y mater yn enyn gryn ddiddordeb a tharfodaeth yn lleol ac yn genedlaethol yn dda iawn.

Today's Guardian carries an excellent full page article by Steve Morris on page 12 about Ffestiniog Town Council's bid to get Blaenau into the Snowdonia National Park.
Its great that this matter is a topic of such debate locally and nationally.

Partneriaeth PWLLHELI Partnership

Darllen yn y wasg heddiw am y ffaith fod Partneriaeth Pwllheli wedi ei ffurfio.
Yn bendant, dyma'r ffordd ymlaen i'r dref, cael pawb yn gweithio gyda'u gilydd tuag at yr un nod.
Mae hynny yn sicir wedi talu ar ei ganfed i ni yma yn y Blaenau gyda Blaenau Ymlaen, felly pob lwc iddyn nhw ym Mhwllheli!

Read in the press today about the formation of the Pwllheli Partnership.
This is a positive step for sure and can only bode well for the town if people start working together towards achieving the same aims.
This way of working has certainly paid dividends here in Blaenau through Blaenau Ymlaen, so good luck to them in Pwllheli!

Unedau Addysg Arbennig GWYNEDD Special Needs Education Units

Bydd dyfodol amryw o unedau Addysg Arbennig Gwynedd yn cael ei drafod yng nghyfarfod Bwrdd y Cyngor dydd Mawrth nesaf.
Mae'n amlwg o ddarllen llythyrau yn y Wasg heddiw fod dwy ochr i'r ddadl yma ac dwi'n meddwl y dylid ceisio darganfod cyfaddawd ar y mater er lles y plant mwy na dim byd arall.
Dwi wedi bod mewn un neu ddau o'r unedau yma sydd yn cynnig addysg a chefnogaeth o'r safon uchaf i 'r plant ac mae un agwedd o'r cynnig sydd ger bron sef y diffyg ymgynghori unwaith eto gan Adran Addysg y Cyngor, yn enwedig gyda rhieni y plant fydd yn cael eu effeithio gan y bwriad yma yn fy mhryderu a'n siomi yn fawr.
Dwi'n credu fel gwaith cartref dros gwyliau hanner tymor dylai'r Arweinydd Portffolio Addysg a rhai o Swyddogion yr Adran Addysg ddarllen y llyfr canlynol, The Art Of Consultation gan Rhion Jones ac Elizabeth Gammell, pwy a wyr, wedi hynny daw nhw i ddeallt be mae ymgynghori go iawn yn ei olygu a cyn gymaint gwell fyddai pobol yn ymateb o bosib i'w cynlluniau.
Unwaith eto, mae gwersi i'w dysgu yma gan fod addysg pob plentyn yn werthfawr.

The future of Special Needs Education Units in Gwynedd will be discussed at next Tuesday's Council Board meeting.
It's obvious from reading letters in the press today that there are two views on this matter and I think that a compromise should be struck for the sake of the children more than anything else.
I have been to a couple of these Units, which provide a very high standard of education and care for the children who attend them and one aspect of the proposal worries me greatly. That is the lack of consultation, once again by the Education Department, in particular in this case with the parents of the children who would be effected by these proposals.
I think as homework over the half-term holidays, the Education Portfolio Leader and her team of officers should read a book called The Art of Consultation by Rhion Jones and Elizabeth Gammell, maybe then , they will learn the true meaning of proper consultation and how, if done properly, people might be more accepting of some of their proposals.
Once again, there are lessons to be learnt as every child's education is precious.

Cefnogaeth gan Awdurdod y Parc i gais gan y Cyngor Tref - Park Authority supports Town Council's request

Yn ei gyfarfod yn gynharach heddiw, mae Awdurdod Parc Cenedlaethol Eryri wedi cefnogi "mewn egwyddor" cais Cyngor Tref Ffestiniog i gynnwys Blaenau Ffestiniog oddi fewn i ffiniau y Parc.
Yn naturiol dwi yn croesawu hyn ac fe fydd y mater rwan yn cael ei gyfeirio at Cyngor Cefn Gwlad Cymru a'r Cynulliad Cenedlaethol er mwyn iddynt asesu os yw Blaenau yn addas ar gyfer cael ei gynnwys oddi fewn i'r Parc a'i pheidio - gall y broses yma gymryd sawl blwyddyn.
Os bydd yr ymateb yn bositif yna fe fydd y Cyngor Tref yn cynnal refferendwm yn lleol ar y mater fel fod y penderfyniad terfynol os bydd y dref yn cael ei gynnwys oddi fewn i'r Parc yn cael ei wneud gan y trigolion lleol.

At its meeting earlier today, the Snowdonia National Park Authority has supported "in principal" the request from Ffestiniog Town Council that Blaenau Ffestiniog should be included within the Park's boundary.
Naturally, I warmly welcome the Authority's decision which has now been passed to the Countryside Council for Wales and the National Assembly for further consideration.
A full assesment will be made to see if Blaenau reaches the criteria for National Park status - this could take a few years apparently.
Once that assesment has been undertaken and if the response is positive, the Town Council will then call a referendum locally so that the final decision on this matter be it in favour or against, will be with local residents.

Trigger Happy :-)))

Ydi mae'r "trigger" ar gyfer refferendwm ar gynyddu pwerau'r Cynulliad wedi ei dynu y prynhawn yma gyda'r bledlais unfrydol gan yr aelodau oedd yn bresennol yn y Senedd.
Cawn weld be fydd barn pobol Cymru maes o law.
Byddaf yn bendant yn ymgyrchu o blaid pleidlais IA ac byddaf yn fodlon iawn i weithio gyda unrhyw un arall o unrhyw blaid (heblaw y BNP!!) i sicrhau hynny.

Yes the trigger for a referendum on increased powers for the Assembly has well and truly been fired with the unanimous vote of all members present at the Senedd this afternoon.
We will see in due course what the people of Wales think about this.
I for one will be campaigning for a YES vote and I will be happy to work with anyone, from any party (appart from the BNP!!)to secure that vote.

Croseo cynnes a chwestiynau treiddgar yn Aberdaron - A warm welcome and some probing questions in Aberdaron

Newydd gyrraedd adra o Aberdaron lle gefais hanner awr o slot fel darpar ymgeisydd Cynulliad Llais Gwynedd yn Nwyfor/Meirionnydd ar gychwyn cyfarfod o'r Cyngor Cymuned heno.
Roedd y croeso yn gynnes ac fe gefais amryw o gwestiynau treiddgar gan y Cynghorwyr.
Dyma ddau ohonynt:
Os gei di dy ethol, efo pa Blaid fyddi di yn eistedd?
Fyddai yn eistedd efo Trish Law a fy nghyd aelod o Lais Gwynedd dros etholaeth Arfon dwi'n gobeithio. Ond i fod o ddifri, dwi'n meddwl oedd y cwestiynydd yn chwilio i weld pe byddwn yn ffafrio un o'r prif bleidiau yn fwy nai gilydd? Yr ateb i hynny yn syml ydi y byddaf yn barod iawn i gydweithio a chefnogi unrhyw Blaid sydd yn fy ngalluogi i ac yn fy nghefnogi i i gael y gorau i Etholaeth Dwyfor/Meirionnydd gan mai diddordebau y rhan yma o Gymru a'i thrigolin fyddai'r ystyriaeth bennaf i mi pob amser.
Dwyt ti ddim yn meddwl y byddi di'n rhanu y bleidlais genedlaetholgar?
Na dim o gwbwl, fel mae'r Cynulliad a datganoli yn esblygu, mae gwleidyddiaeth Cymru yn esblygu ac dwi yn gweld pleidau fel Llais Gwynedd a Llais y Pobol ym Mlaenau Gwent yn rhan o'r esblygiad hynny.
Am y tro cyntaf yn hanes y Cynulliad mi fydd gan pobol Gwynedd ddewis go iawn yn lle'r prif bleidiau i ethol cynrychiolwyr fydd yn rhoi eu dyheuadau nhw a'r ardal yma yn unig uwchlaw unrhyw uchelgais ac agendas cudd eraill.
Fel dwi'n dweud, fel sawl Cyngor Cymuned arall dwi wedi ymweld a hwy, roedd y croeso y gynnes a'r cwestiynau yn dreiddgar...hefyd mae'r Canolfan Adloniant Aberdaron yn adnodd arbennig iawn sydd werth ei warchod a'i drysori er bydd y gymuned.
Roedd yr awr o siwrna yn ol i Stiniog (tydi pendraw'r byd ddim mor bell a hynny!) yn un digon bodlonyn dilyn y cyfarfod.

I've just got back from Aberdaron where I had a half an hour slot before the start of the Community Council meeting tonight as Llais Gwynedd's Prospective Assembly Candidate in Dwyfor/Meirionnydd.
The welcome was warm and I received a number of probing questions by the Councillors who were present. Here are a couple:
If you do get elected to the Assembly, with which group would you sit?
Naturally I hope I will be sitting next to Trish Law and my fellow Llais Gwynedd member who would represent the Arfon Constituancy. However I think the person asking the question was concerened as to which party I would support? The answer to that is simple, I will work with and support any ideas from the main parties which best serve my constituancy and its citizens here in Dwyfor/Meirionnydd. I would not disregard working with anyone if it meant that I could improve the quality of life and amenities for the people living in this constituancy.And it is the needs and aspirations of my constituents that will be key to all decisions that I will make as their Assembly member.
Don't you think that you will split the nationalist vote?
No not at all, as the Assembly and devolution is evolving, so is Welsh politics. For the first time ever, electors in Dwyfor/Meirionnydd will have a real alternative to Plaid and the other main parties in a party that will put the needs of Gwynedd at the forefront of their politics and decision making and it is that and no other personal and political aspirations and hidden agendas that will be at the forefront of our stand for the people.
Like I said, like a number of other Town and Community Councils which I have visited, the welcome was warm and the questions were probing. The meeting was held at the Aberdaron Entertainment Centre which is a fabulous community facility which should be treasured and safeguarded for years to come.
The hour journey back home (who said Aberdaron was far!?) was enjoyable after a very satisfying meeting.

What's new on my i-pod?

Lots of good tunes around at the moment...I've added the following to my i-pod over the weekend:
Owl City - Fireflies
Jay-Z feat. Mr Hudson - Young Forever
Timbaland feat. Katy Perry - If We Ever Meet Again
Chipmunk feat. Talay Riley - Look For Me
Jedward and Vanilla Ice - Under Pressure
Jay Sean, Sean Paul, Lil Jon - Do You Remember
Calvin Harris - You Used to Hold Me

Plus new albums by UB40-Labour of Love IV, Sade-Soldier of Love and Mary J Blige-Stronger with Each Tear.

Cefnogaeth gan Iolo i'r Blaenau fod yn y Parc - Iolo supports Blaenau's bid to be in the Park

Yn ol yr erthygl yma yn y Western Mail bore 'ma, mae'r naturiaethwr a'r cyflwynydd teledu, Iolo Williams yn gefnogol iawn i'r cais gan Cyngor Tref Ffestiniog am i'r Blaenau gael ei gynnwys oddi fewn i ffinau Parc Cenedlaethol Eryri.
Fel yr un ddaru gyflwyno'r cynnig, dwi'n hynod falch fod rhywun mor uchel ei barch yn y maes cadwreithol yn gefnogol i'r bwriad.

According to this article in the Western Mail this morning, naturalist and television presenter Iolo Williams has given a strong endorsment to Ffestiniog Town Council's application for Blaenau to be included within the Snowdonia National Park.
Naturally as I was behind the original proposal, I welcome the support of someone so highly respected to having Blaenau in the National Park.

Siomedig - Disappointing

Dyna ydi'r unig air i ddisgrifio'r gem a pherformiad Cymru prynhawn 'ma.
Digon o waith i Warren Gatland a'r hogia i'w wneud erbyn dydd Sadwrn nesaf pan fydd yr Albanwyr yn dod i Caerdydd.

That's the only word to descibe this afternoon's match and Wales' performance.
Plenty of work and food for thought for Warren Gatland and the boys to get stuck into ahead of next Saturday's match with Scotland in Cardiff.

Blaenau a Pharc Cenedlaethol Eryri - Blaenau and the Snowdonia National Park

Mae'r erthygl yma yn y Daily Post yn son am gyfarfod Awdurdod Parc Cenedlaethol Eryri sydd i'w gynnal dydd Mercher nesaf ac un o'r eitemau dan ystyriaeth fydd cais Cyngor Tref Ffestiniog am i'r Blaenau gael ei gynnwys oddi fewn i ffiniau'r Parc.
Daeth y cais yn sgil fy nghynnig i sawl mis yn ol i'r Cyngor Tref ac fe dderbyniodd y cynnig gefnogaeth mwyafrif o'r aelodau.
Mae yna sawl rheswm economiadd, cymdeithasol, dywillianol ac amgylcheddol pam fy mod yn credu y dylai Blaenau bellach fod oddi fewn i'r Parc ond dwi hefyd yn deallt ac yn parchu barn arall gan un neu ddau sydd wedi siarad efo fi sydd yn teimlo'n gryf iawn yn erbyn cynnwys y dref yn y Parc.
Ar ddiwedd y diwrnod, os bydd Awdurdod y Parc, Cyngor Cefn Gwlad Cymru a'r Cynulliad yn datgan eu bod nhw yn barod i gynnwys y dref o fewn ffiniau'r Parc Cenedlaethol, dwi'n meddwl mai'r trigolion lleol ddylai gael y penderfyniad terfynol, a chyn bod unrhywbeth yn digwydd yn bendant wedi'r holl arolygon ac ystyriaethau gael ei cysidro, dylid cynnal refferendwm yn lleol. Pan fydd hynny yn digwydd, byddaf yn ymgyrchu o blaid cynnwys ein tref yn y Parc ac bydd croeso i unrhyw un i ymgyrchu yn erbyn, dyna ydi democratiaeth ac byddaf yn derbyn canlyniad pleidlais o'r fath be bynnag fydd hynny.

This article in today's Daily Post highlights the fact that the Snowdonia National Park Authority will be discussing Ffestiniog Town Council's request that Blaenau should be brought into the boundary of the National Park.
This follows my propsal which was supported by the majority of members on the Town Council a few months ago.
I believe that there are a number of economic, social, cultural and environmental reasons why Blaenau should now become a part of the Park. However I am also aware from speaking to a few people who have a different opinion and are against this proposal.
That is why after the National Park Authority, Countryside Council for Wales and the National Assembly have conducted all the relevant studies and appraisals into the matter I firmly beleive that it is the local residents that should have a final say on the matter.
If the response to include the town will be positive, I will then ask the Town Council to hold a referendum so that local residents can vote for or against joining the National Park. Naturally I will be campigning for joining the Park, but at the same time, I will respect the opposite opinion and trust that when the time is right that we will have a full, frank and open debate locally to discuss the merits for and against such a move. That is the democratic thing to do and I will accept the result, whatever and whenever such a referendum will be held.

Coch - Red

Dyna ydi'r lliw ar gyfer yfory gyfeillion....
Wedi'r cymorthfa yn y bore, adra i wylioLerpwl yn erbyn Everton amser cinio a Lloegr yn erbyn Cymru amser te (Mi wnai fentro allan am dro bach rhwng y ddwy gem!).
Fy ngobaith mawr ydi mai y tim yn y crysau coch fydd yn ennill y ddwy gem.

That's the colour for tomorrow my friends....
After the surgery in morning its home to watch Liverpool versus Everton at lunchtime and England versus Wales at teatime (I will venture out for a nice walk between both matches!).
My hope is that the team in red will win both matches.

Croeso cynnes i gyhoeddiad ar y Gymraeg..OND!!?

Dyma fo,fy 800fed edefyn 'chydig llai na dwy flynedd ers cychwyn y blog 'ma.
Y Gymraeg sydd yn mynd a fy sylw tro yma.
Dwi'n hynod o falch y bydd pwerau deddfu dros yr iaith yn cael ei drosglwyddo i'r Cynulliad o fewn yr wythnos nesaf OND..Pam ar y ddaear sydd rhaid i hynny olygu y bydd swydd Comisynydd Iaith yn cael ei greu!?
Dyma i chi wast o amser ac adnoddau fydd yn dyblygu a thanseilio'r gwaith clodwiw iawn sydd yn cael ei wneud gan Fwrdd yr Iaith Gymraeg.
Mae gan y Bwrdd arbenigedd a phrofiad eang yn y maes yma ac yn y fan hynny dylai cyfrifoldeb am warchod,datblygu a sicrhau fod deddfau yn ymwneud a'r iaith yn cael eu ufyddhau.
Tydw i ddim yn meddwl fod cael comisiynydd arall yn mynd i gyfranu affliw o ddim. Fedrai ddeallt a cefnogi'r gwaith mae'r Comisiynydd Plant yn ei wneud yn enwedig yn sgil achosion cam drin ac yn y blaen. Mae'r Comisiynydd Henoed hyd yma wedi bod yn wastraff llwyr o amser ac adnoddau ac o'm mhrofiad personnol i yma yn lleol doedd hi a'i thim dim cymorth o unrhyw fath i drigolion Bryn Llywelyn yn ystod yr ymgyrch i warchod y cartref hwnnw.
Na tydi Comisiynydd ddim pob tro yn anghenrhaid ac yn sicir yn achos y Gymraeg does dim angen un o gwbwl yn enwedig os byddai'r Cynulliad yn rhoi danedd i Fwrdd yr Iaith.

Cwyn arall! - Another complaint!

Mae'n ymddangos mai nid y fi ydi'r unig aelod o Gyngor Gwynedd mae'r "Arweinydd", Dyfed Edwards wedi cwyno wrth yr Ombwdsmon amdano.
Tro yma, mae Dyfed wedi rhoi cwyn yn erbyn y Cyng. Aeron Jones am iddo ddwued fod Dyfed wedi hedfan i Gaerdydd o'r Fali am gyfarfod gyda'r Gweinidog Treftadaeth, Alun Ffred Jones sydd digwydd byw ym Mhenygroes, ble mae Dyfed yn byw hefyd.
Dwi wedi gweld copi o'r gwyn gan yr "Arewinydd" yn ogystal ag ymateb Aeron a'r dystiolaeth mae o wedi ei roi i'r Ombwdsmon.
Unwaith eto, mae gan yr "Arweinydd" sawl cwestiwn i'w ateb ac rhai ffactorau y dylai o egluro i drethdalwyr Gwynedd, er o'm mhrofiad personnol i, nid yw Dyfed Edwards yn barod i ateb cwestiynau anodd.
Ac un ymgais i wyro oddi wrth gwneud hynny ydi cwyno am y sawl sydd yn gofyn y cwestiynau i'r Ombwdsmon.
Ar diwedd y diwrnod, fe ddaw y gwir allan a tybiaf yr adeg hynny y bydd angen "parachute" ar y brawd o Benygroes.
Chocs Away!

It appears that I am not the only member of Gwynedd Council that the "Leader" , Dyfed Edwards has complained about to the Ombudsman.
This time, Dyfed has complained about Cllr. Aeron Jones after he alleged on his blog that Dyfed had flown from Valley to Cardiff to meet with the Assembly Culture Minister, Alun Ffred Jones, who just so happens to live in the same village as Dyfed, Penygroes near Caernarfon.
I have seen a copy of Dyfed's complaint as well as the evidence that Cllr.Jones has provided the Ombudsman in his defence against the "Leaders" vexatious complaint.
Once again, the "Leader" of Gwynedd Council has a number of questions that he needs to answer as well as explaining a few factors to the taxpayers of Gwynedd - although from my expereince, Dyfed Edwards does not answer any tough questions when they are put to him.
One way of avoiding such questions is to try deflect attention away from himself and his own actions by complaining about those who question him to the Ombudsman.
At the end of the day, the truth will come to light and I am sure that when it does that the brother from Penygroes will be reaching for his parachute.
Chocs Away!

Cau'r Post yn gwanhau cymunedau - Post office closures weaken communities

Pan fu'r Swyddfa Bost yn "ymgynghori" ar ddyfodol y gwasanaeth a changhenau efo cymunedau ar draws Wynedd tua dwy flynedd yn ol, mi ddywedais pryd hynny mai sham oedd yr holl broses ac y byddai cau y swyddfa bost nid yn unig yn ergyd economaidd ond hefyd yn ergyd cymdeithasol i ardaloedd gwledig a phobol eithredig fel yr henoed a'r tlawd sydd yn byw yn yr ardaloedd hynny.
Mae adroddiad rhyddhawyd heddiw yn cadarnhau hynny a dwi'n credu y dylai Llywodraethau San Steffan a'r Cynulliad edrych yn agos iawn ar y penderfyniad yma ac lle mae'n bosib dylent orfodi'r Swyddfa Bost i ail agor y canghenau gwledig a hynny cyn gynted ac sy'n bosib.

When the Post Office "consulted" with communities across Gwynedd about the future of the service and specif branches two years ago, I said at the time that it was nothing but a sham and that the closure of the post office in a number of rural communities would not only be an economic blow but also a social one to people in those communities who are marginalized, i.e. the elderly and those living in poverty.
A report which was released today confirms this and I believe that the Governments in both Westminster and Cardiff Bay look very closely at this decision and wherever possible, they should enforce the Post Office to re-open rural branches as soon as possible.

Tynnwch y "trigger" a stopiwch chwarae gemau! - Pull the trigger and stop playing games!

Mae'n ymddangos y bydd Llywodraeth y Cynulliad yn cyhoeddi heddiw y bydd pleidlais ymhen wythnos yn rhoi cyfle i Aelodau'r Cynulliad ddechrau'r broses fydd yn arwain at refferendwm ynglŷn â phwerau ychwanegol.
Dwi yn croesawu hyn yn fawr ac mi fyddai yn sicir yn barod iawn i ymgyrchu ar y cyd gyda unrhyw Blaid neu fudiad arall dros bledlais IA.
OND... tydw i ddim o blaid cynnal refferendwm ar ddiwrnod yr Etholiad Cynulliad ar Fai 5ed,2011 gan y byddai hynny yn creu gormod o ddryswch i etholwyr ac yn ei gwneud hi'n amhosib i gydweithio yn effeithiol er mwyn ennill y refferendwm (ac ennill y sedd).
Felly os am gychwyn y broses, be am anelu oddifri tuag at gael refferendwm a phleidlais o blaid cynyddu pwerau y Cynulliad erbyn Hydref eleni.

A Welsh assembly vote next week will enable AMs to "trigger" the process for a referendum on further powers.
The Welsh Labour and Plaid Cymru leaders will meet later, after confirmation that the vote will begin the process towards the referendum.
I warmly welcome this and I will be more than willing to campaign with any other Party or Movement in favour of a YES vote.
BUT...I am not in favour of holding the referendum on the same day as the Assembly Elections, May 5th, 2011 as that would create confussion among electors and it would also damage the ability to campaign effectively to win the referendum (and to winning the seat).
Therefore, if we are to trigger the proses, lets be serious about getting a referendum and a yes vote in favour of increasing the powers of the Assembly by the Autumn of this year.

Carchar i ardal Tywyn? - Prison for the Tywyn area?

Heddiw bydd Pwyllgor Craffu Datblygu Cyngor Gwynedd yn trafod y posibilrwydd o wneud cais i'r Weinyddiaeth Cyfiawnder am y garchar gael ei sefydlu ar hen safle'r fyddin yn Nhonfanau ger Tywyn, Meirionnydd.
Daw hyn yn sgil galwad gan un o gynghorwyr Llais Gwynedd ym Mro Dysynni, y Cyng.Louise Hughes am i Tonfanau gael ei ystyried oddifri fel safle posib ar gyfer carchar gan y byddai o gwmpas 1,000 o swyddi yn cael ei greu yn ogystal a £17m yn dod i mewn i'r economi yn ol ffigyrau'r Cyngor.
Bydd y Cyngor hefyd yn cynnal adolygiad manwl o gyflwr economaidd yr ardal yma o Dde Gwynedd cyn llunio strategaeth economiadd fydd maes o law dwi'n gobeithio yn creu swyddi sydd mawr ei angen yn ardal Bro Dysynni.
Tra na fydd cael carchar yn yr ardal at ddant pawb, rhaid cofio mai un ystyriaeth ymysg nifer o syniadau ddaw i'r fai ydi o. Ac mae'r ffaith fod Cyngor Gwynedd bellach yn ystyried dyfodol adfywiad economaidd Bro Dysynni i'w groesawu ac mae hynny i lawr i ymdrechion y Cyng.Louise Hughes a Llais Gwynedd ac mi ydw innau yn cefnogi hynny'n fawr ac yn llongyfarch Louise am godi'r mater.
Fedrwn ni ddim ond gobeithio y bydd y Weinyddiaeth yn delio gyda'r mater llawer gwell na wnaethant gyda'r bwriad i ddatblygu'r carchar ar hen safle Ferodo, Caernarfon.

Today, Gwynedd Council's Development Scrutiny Committee will discuss in more detail its case to the Ministry of Justice for building a prison at Tonfanau near Tywyn, Meirionnydd.
This has come about following a proposal by one of Llais Gwynedd's Councillors in the Tywyn area, Cllr. Louise Hughes who has asked that the Tonfanau site be given serious consideration for a prison as the indications are that such a development would create in the region of 1,000 new jobs and would also bring an estimated £17m into the local economy.
The Council will also conduct a full review of the economic condition of this area of South Gwynedd before drawing up a strategy aimed at regenerating the area and creating long term job opportunities which are much needed in the Tywyn area.
Whilst having a prision in the area will not be to everyone's liking, we must bear in mind that this is only one idea out of a number that will undoubtedly be considered as part of any regeneration strategy for the area. The very fact that Gwynedd Council is now looking at the economic future of the area is to be warmly welcomed and that is down to the efforts of Cllr. Louise Hughes and Llais Gwynedd and I support her efforts and she is to be congratulated for raising the profile of the area and its need for economic investment.
We can only hope that the Ministry of Justice will give the Tonfanau site fair and proper consideration and handle the matter far better than what they did with the shambolic handeling of the former Ferodo site near Caernarfon.