Gwilym Euros Roberts

IE i Antur Stiniog - YES for Antur Stiniog

2010-04-12T16:58:00.002+01:00

Mae'r cynlluniau uchelgeisiol i sefydlu Canolfan Beicio Mynydd yma yn y Blaenau gan Antur Stiniog wedi derbyn cefnogaeth unfrydol Pwyllgor Cynllunio Ardal Meirionnydd y prynhawn 'ma.

The ambitious plans to establish a mountain bike centre here in Blaenau by Antur Stiniog have received the unanimous support of the Meirionnydd Area Planning Committee earlier this afternoon.

Ffwrdd a nhw! - They're off!

2010-04-06T11:10:00.002+01:00

Ymgyrch Etholiad Cyffredinol 2010 wedi cychwyn yn swyddogol...da ni fewn am fis diddorol a deud y lleiaf!
Dwi'n edrych ymlaen i ddarllen y blogiau dros y cyfnod hwn ac i weld sut bydd y pleidau yn defnyddio'r dechnoleg diweddaraf i swyno'r etholwyr.
Sgwn i be fydd y "turn out" ar Fai 6ed?

The 2010 General Election Campaign has officialy begun...we're in for an interesting month to say the least.
I'm looking forward to reading the blogs over this period and looking at how the parties will use the latest technology to court the electorate.
I wonder what the turn out will be on May 6th?

Cymorthfa Misol - Monthly Surgery

2010-04-04T10:24:00.001+01:00

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

Cllr.Dafydd Lloyd Hughes and myself will be available this Saturday morning,April 10th between 10a.m. -11.30a.m. 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.

PASG HAPUS - HAPPY EASTER

2010-04-04T10:11:00.003+01:00

Fel 'da chi'n gwybod dwi'n delio gyda materion personol ar hyn o bryd yn ogystal a thrio fy ngorau i gario 'mlaen gyda'm gwaith o dan amgylchiadau rhyfedd ar y diawl!
Swn i yn hoffi cymryd y cyfle yma i ddymuno Pasg Hapus i chi gyd ac i ddiolch o waelod calon i pawb am yr holl gariad a chefnogaeth dwi a fy mhlant yn derbyn yn ystod y cyfnod anodd yma.

As you may all be fully aware, I am dealing with personal matters at the moment whilst at the same time trying to go about my work under very strange circumstances!
I would like to take this opportunity to wish you all a Happy Easter and I'd also like to convey my heartfelt thanks for the love and support that my children and I are receiving during this difficult time.

Gair i gall - Words of wisdom

2010-03-30T16:33:00.001+01:00

"When the seagulls follow the trawler, it is because they think sardines will be thrown into the sea".

Dafydd yn creu argraff unwaith eto - Dafydd makes an impression once again

2010-03-28T15:02:00.005+01:00

O ddarllen y sylw isod ar blog Betsan, maen amlwg fod ein Aelod Cynulliad lleol yn dal i greu tipyn o argraff ym Mae Caerdydd...tro yma yn son am y Gwasanaeth Awyr rhwng Ynys Mon a Chaerdydd.

3. At 2:49pm on 25 Mar 2010, Len Gibbs wrote:
Betsan:
"The Presiding Officer telling his audience that he would make no apologies to the Welsh Liberal Democrats for using the airlink to fly home tomorrow."
I not only overheard the comment, I had the misfortune to have to sit and listen to it.
It was wholly inappropriate to be made in front of an invited audience at the launch of the Open University's new course. It was an arrogant and boastful remark about an alleged benefit the Assembly had brought to the Welsh public. His sad little joke about the A470 was not well received. I hope he enjoys the drive up North in his expenses paid car and takes in the beauty of Wales in the rain and mist.
Whether the North/South link was profitable or not, with or without a subsidy, the 'green' benefits of flying referred to by Lord Thomas in his speech was an astonishing claim. The only green thing about flying is Wales looks green from the air.
The problems presented by the geography of Wales makes it very difficult to provide direct surface links between different centres of population. It is understandable that North Wales want a more convenient way of travelling to Cardiff, but Valley is a long way from many of the towns especially Flintshire, If an airlink is provided through an Assembly subsidy why shouldn't an air link also be provided between Withebush and Broughton? So why Anglesy? IWJ et al perhaps?
Lord Daffydd Ellis Thomas, the Assembly's Presiding Officer has had his comeuppance this morning.

Reading the above comment from Betsan's Blog, it appears that our local Assembly Member is making an impression down in Cardiff Bay..this time its regarding the Anglesey to Cardiff air service.

Go Ape! - Dolgellau

2010-03-28T13:18:00.007+01:00

Ydi mae atyniad diweddaraf Gwynedd wedi agor y penwythnos yma.
Cwrs rhaffau uchel Go Ape yng Nghoed y Brenin ger Dolgellau.
Bum mi yno ddoe ac fel mae rhai ohonoch eisioes yn gwybod dwi wedi mentro ar gwrs TTA ger Betws y Coed ar dau achlysur yn flaenorol ond wedi gorfod troi'n ol gan fod genai ormod o ofn.
Rwan mod i yn fy 40au, dwi'n teimlo mwy mentrys (haha!?) ac felly dyma fynd ati dan grynu, thychan a stryffaglu sgrechian i fynd ati i gwbwlhau'r cwrs newydd 'ma yn Go Ape!
Mi lwyddais OND er mod i'n falch iawn, oherwydd fy ofnau, doedd o ddim y profiad mwya pleserus i mi o bell ffordd. Serch hynny i rhai anturus ohonoch ac i'r plant hyn mi fydd hwn yn atyniad gwych i chi dreulio 2-3 awr llawn cyffro.
Felly Pasg 'ma os ydych am chydig o sbort llawn antur ac neith eich cadw chi'n heini wedi holl wyau siocled 'na cerwch am dro i Go Ape ac fe gewch weld dros eich hunain be dwi'n ei feddwl uchod...sport ond mam bach mi oedd genai ofn!Dim gormod i beidio a'i wneud o eto chwaith ;-)).

Yes, Gwynedd's latest attraction has opened this weekend.
The brand new high ropes course at Go Ape, Coed y Brenin near Dolgellau.
I went there yesterday and as some of you may already know, I've tried out the TTA Course near Betws y Coed twice before but only to "bottle out" halfway through it on both occassions due to my fear of heights.
Now that I am in my fearless forties (I wish!?) I was determined to complete this new course at Go Ape! And after much shaking in my boots, soul searching, screaming, huffing and puffing..I'm gald to say, I survived and I completed the course...just.
I did it!..BUT, although I am very pleased, due to my fear, it was far from being the most pleasurable experience of my life. For the more adventurous among you and for older children, this will be a fantastic attraction where you can spend 2-3 hours getting an adrenalin rush like no other.
So this Easter, if you'r looking for a fun filled adventure that will keep you fit after all those chocolate eggs, pop down to Go Ape and you can see for yourself what I'm referring too above...lots of fun, but boy was I scared! Not too scared that I wouldn't do it all again though ;-)).

Be nawr i Ieuan Air? - What now for Ieuan Air?

2010-03-25T10:38:00.004Z

Mae'r cyhoeddiad (nid annisgwyl) fod cwmni Highland Airways bellach yn nwylo'r gweinyddwyr yn ergyd drom i'r cynllun i hedfan rhwng Ynys Mon a Chaerdydd.
Amser a ddengys os bydd cwmni arall yn cael ei ddenu i ddarparu'r gwasanaeth. Un peth yn bendant dwi ddim yn credu y dylai'r pwrs cyhoeddus sybsideiddio'r gwasaneth dim mwy na'r hyn sydd eisioes wedi ei wario ar y fenter gostus yma.

The (not surprising)announcement that Highland Airways has gone into administartion is a bitter blow to the plans to fly between Anglesey and Cardiff.
Time will tell whether or not another company may be drawn into operating the service. One thing is certain, I do not think that the public purse should subsidise the service a penny more than what it has currently spent on this pretty costly venture.

Be mae hi wedi bod yn neud!? - What has she been doing!?

2010-03-25T07:40:00.003Z

Ddoe fe gyhoeddwyd fod Comisiynydd Pobl Hyn Cymru am gynnal ei hadolygiad gyntaf ers cael ei phenodi i'r swydd yn Ebrill 2008.
Tra dwi'n croesawu'n fawr y bydd hi yn edrcyh ar y ffordd mae'r henoed yn cael ei trin a'i parchu oddi fewn i'n ysbytai, mae rhaid gofyn be yn union mae Ruth Marks wedi bod yn ei wneud ers bron i dwy flynedd!?
Fe gofiwch i mi gysylltu a hi ar ran trigolion Cartref Bryn Llywelyn pan aeth Cyngor Gwynedd ati i gau y cartref ac y tro hwnnw be wnaeth y Comisiynydd? DIM!

Yesterday it was announced that the respect and dignity older people have in hospital is to be examined in a review by Wales' "champion" for the elderly.
Ruth Marks said she had heard of "serious concerns that need to be looked at", including the use of mixed sex wards and the cleanliness of wards.
It is her first review since taking up her post in April 2008.
Whilst I warmly welcome this review, I'd like to know what on earth has Ms Marks been doing for the past two years until now!?
You may recall that I contacted her on behalf of residents of Bryn Llywelyn Care Home when Gwynedd Council started on their planned closure of the home and at that time, what did the Commissioner do? NOTHING!

P.C.S...taking the p.i.s.s.?

2010-03-24T20:22:00.005Z

I think that today's second strike from members of the PCS is unfortunate to say the least.
The fact that the Government of Wales (Plaid Cymru and Labour) won't cross the picket line, when they (Labour in Westminster)have drawn up the policy that the PCS are striking about is also very bizarre to say the least and they are also prepared to cross picket lines in London (Both Labour and Plaid MP's).
As far as I can see it, the redundancy terms that PCS are striking over even after they have been changed are still far, far superior than those that would and could be offered by over 90% of companies and organisations within the private and voluntary sector.
We are facing tough times where frontline services to the public face severe cuts unlike any that we have seen before.
I would rather see taxpayers money being used wisely to fund those frontline services and not used for over inflated redundancy settlements for public sector workers which far outweigh what would be available to counterparts in the private and voluntary sectors.
We are all in this together, the PCS need to get real and the Government of Wales needs to do just that, grow up and govern!

Galwad unfrydol gan Gyngor Tref am ddynodiad arbennig i'r Blaenau - Town Council unanimously calls for special designation for Blaenau

2010-03-24T20:10:00.005Z

Yn sgil cyhoeddi cau Chwarel yr Oakeley yr wythnos diwthaf cynhaliwyd cyfarfod arbennig o Gyngor Tref Ffestiniog yn gynharach heno.
Mae'r Cyngor wedi penderfynu cefnogi'n unfydol i alw ar y Cynulliad Cenedlaethol i ddynodi Blaenau Ffestiniog fel Parth Menter er mwyn ceisio mynd ati i greu cyfleon cyflogaeth a swyddi newydd yn yr ardal.
Cawn weld maes o law beth fydd ymateb y Cynulliad i alwad y Cyngor Tref.

Following last week's announcement that Oakeley Quarry is to close, an extraordinary meeting of Ffestiniog Town Council was held earlier this evening.
The Council has unanimously supported a call to designate Blaenau Ffestiniog as an Enterprise Zone that should aim at creating employment opportunities and new jobs in the area.
We'll now wait and see what the Assembly's response will be to the call from the Town Council.

Blaenau Ymlaen

2010-03-23T20:56:00.002Z

Newydd ddod adra o gyfarfod positif iawn o Blaenau Ymlaen.
Braf gweld cynifer o fobol yno yn barod i gyfrannu tuag at y broses o adfywio ein cymuned ac mae cnoc fel cyhoeddi cau Chwarel yr Oakeley yn atgyfnerthu ymdrechion ni i gyd dwi'n credu.

Just got back from a very positive Blaenau Ymlaen meeting.
It was nice to see so many people ready to contribute to the rejuvination of our community and the setback caused by the announcement that Oakeley Quarry will close soon has only added to the determination and efforts of all of us I believe.

Sad News..."Know wot I mean 'Arry"

2010-03-22T15:08:00.005Z

Trist iawn oedd clywed am farwolaeth Harry Carpenter yn 84 oed.
Fel y diweddar Reg Guttridge fo oedd llais bocsio y BBC yn yr 70au a'r 80au ac roedd ei glywed yn gweiddi wrth i Frank Bruno siglo Tyson yn ei gornest yn Las Vagas yn un o llu o atgofion sydd genai ohono.

Sad to hear about the death of Harry Carpenter aged 84 years old.
Just like the late Reg Guttridge, Harry was THE voice of boxing on the BBC during the 70's and 80's and I remember him cheering Frank Bruno on when he shook Tyson in their fight in Las Vagas is one of many fond memories I have of him.

Brandio Blaenau - Branding Blaenau

2010-03-22T15:05:00.002Z

Cofiwch am y digwyddiad Brandio Blaenau sydd yn digwydd heno rhwng 6yh ac 8yh yn Y CELL.
Bydd y digwyddiad yn cael ei gynnal gan Gwmni Miller Research fel rhan o'r Cynllun Adfywio Blaenau.

Don't forget the Branding Blaenau event which is being held between 6pm and 8pm tonight at the CELL.
The event is being hosted by Miller Reasearch as part of the town regeneration project.

Rafa a Lerpwl yn methu rhoi'r eisin ar y gacen - Rafa and the Reds fail to put the icing on the cake

2010-03-21T22:45:00.006Z

Newydd ddod nol o benwythnos i ffwrdd yn Swydd Efrog.
Bues yn ffodus iawn i gael tocynnau ar gyfer y gem bel-droed fawr p'nawn ma rhwng Lerpwl a Man Utd yn Old Trafford fel anrheg penblwydd.
Sut ddaru mi eistedd yn llonydd a pheidio gweiddi pan sgoriodd Torres (roeddwn yn eistedd gyda cefnogwyr Man U!), Duw yn unig a wyr.
Yn anffodus doedd hi ddim i fod, gyda United yn ennill 2-1, ac mi fethodd Rafa a'r cochion rhoi yr eisin ar gacen fy mhenblwydd.
Ta waeth, dwi wedi cael amser braf iawn ond nol i'r gwaith yfory gyda sawl her a mater pwysig angen sylw yn ystod yr wythnos i ddod.

Just got back from a weekend in Yorkshire.
I had been fortunate enough to get tickets for this afternoon's game between Liverpool and United at Old Trafford as a birthday present.
How on earth I managed to sit still and remain quite after Torres put Liverpool ahead, heaven only knows?(I was sat among United fans!).
Unfortunately it was only a token goal as United eventually ran out winners by 2-1, so Rafa and the Reds failed to put the icing on my birthday cake.
Not to worry, I've had a very nice time, but its back to work tomorrow with plenty of matters needing urgent attention during what's sure to be a busy week ahead.

Dwy flynedd o flogio - Two years of blogging

2010-03-21T22:34:00.003Z

Rargian fawr!...Tydi amser yn hedfan pan 'da chi'n cael hwyl!?
Ydi mae'n ddwy flynedd bellach ers i mi gychwyn blogio.
Diolch i'r rhai sydd yn ddarllenwyr cyson ac yn cyfranu o bryd i'w gilydd...bydd y milfed edefyn yn cael ei bostio eleni a dwi'n edrych ymlaen i flogio'n gyson wrth i Etholiadau'r Cynulliad 2011 nesau.

Wow!...Time flies when you're having fun!
Yes, belive it o'r not, I started blogging two years ago today.
Thanks to all the regular readers and contributors to the blog...the thousandth post will be posted later this year and I look forward to another year of regular blogging as we head towards the 2011 Assembly Elections.

Hen bryd hefyd! - About time too!

2010-03-19T08:11:00.007Z

Mae'r ffaith fod y Gweinidog Datblygu Economaidd, Ieuan Wyn Jones am gyhoeddi newidiadau heddiw i sut mae Llywodraeth y Cynulliad yn cefnogi busnesau ac am ddatblygu economi Cymru yn gyfaddefiad fod polisiau presennol y Llywodraeth wedi methu.
Dwi'n rhoi croeso llugoer i'r cyhoeddiad gan na fydd yn fy marn i yn mynd digon pell.
Rydym ni i gyd yn gyfarwydd efo methiant rhai o raglenni y Llywodraeth, ProAct, ReAct yn ddau engraifft i fynd i ymrafael a problemau mewn sawl ardal.
Mae angen newid strategol hefyd i'r Cynllun Gofodol ac yma yn lleol, swn i'n disgwyl gweld y Cynullaid yn cynnig mwy o gefnogaeth ymarferol i'r ardal hon yn sgil cyhoeddi cau Chwarel yr Oakeley.
Gyda cyhoeddiad ddoe mai ffigyrau diwethdra Cymru yw'r gwaethaf yn y DU, mi roedd newid yn anorfod - amser a ddengys os bydd y newid hynny'n ddigon.

The fact that the Economic Development Minister, Ieuan Wyn Jones will announce today that he is making changes to how WAG will be supporting businesses and developing the Welsh Economy is to all extents an admission that current policies have indeed, failed us here in Wales
I'm giving this announcement a cautious welcome as I don't think that the "changes" will be far reaching enough.
We're all too familiar with the failure of some of WAG's programmes such as ProAct and ReAct, which are two fine examples that have failed to deal head on with serious economic problems in some areas of Wales hit by serious job losses.
Strategic change is also required to the Wales Spatial Plan, and locally here in the Ffestiniog area, I still await WAG's response to the announcement that 55 jobs are going with the closure of the Oakeley Quarry.
Yesterday's announcement regarding unemployment figures in Wales being the worst in the UK, meant that changes had to be made - we will have to wait and see if these changes will be for the better.

Tune!

2010-03-18T21:01:00.003Z

This is the favourite tune on the i-pod at the moment... I had it playing on repeat as I walked up the incline earlier today to Wrysgian Quarry!..Think it helped me up there in a decent time.
Enjoy The Dream featuring Kanye West "Walking on the Moon".

Cyfarfod brys o'r Cyngor Tref - Town Council to have urgent meeting

2010-03-18T12:00:00.005Z

Yn dilyn yr ergyd economaidd diweddaraf i daro'r ardal, mae cyfarfod brys o'r Cyngor Tref wedi ei alw ar gyfer nos Fercher nesaf.

Following the latest economic blow to hit the town, an urgent meeting of Ffestiniog Town Council has been called for next Wednesday evening.

Bywyd yn cychwyn! - Life begins!

2010-03-18T00:25:00.009Z

Ydw! dwi'n cael fy mhenblwydd yn 40 heddiw a dwi ddim yn teimlo diwrnod dros 21 mlwydd oed!
Diolch o galon am y negeseuon o ewyllys da ar holl gardiau,
Gwil

Yes I am forty today,thanks for all the best wishes and your good luck cards!
Gwil

Dwyn yn ngolau'r dydd gan fusnesau - Daylight robbery from businesses

2010-03-17T12:07:00.003Z

Mae busnes lleol wedi cysylltu gyda mi bore 'ma i nodi fod eu treth anomestic ar gyfer busnes bychan wedi cynyddu 500% ar gyfer y flwyddyn nesaf!!
Eleni, roedd eu bil treth anomestig yn £440.10, blwyddyn nesaf bydd eu bil yn £2084.20!
Mae hyn yn gwbwl anerbynniol a dwi wedi cysylltu ar unwaith gyda'r swyddfa briso i ofyn iddynt edrych i mewn i'r mater unigol yma yn ogystal i ofyn am gyfarfod brys i drafod hyn gan y gall cynydd o'r fath yrru canoedd o fusnesau bychan yn Nwyfor a Meirionnydd allan o fusnes ac i fod yn gwbwl glir, byddai hynny yn drychineb economaidd a chymdeithasol.

A local business has contacted me this morning to note that their non-domestic business rates for next year are rising a whopping 500%!!
This year, the business in question has paid £440.10 in non-domestic business rates, next year they are expected to pay £2084.20!
This is totally unacceptable and wholey unreasonable and I have contacted the VOA to ask them to look at this individual case immediately and to ask for an urgent meeting to discuss the whole matter as such extortionate increases will lead to hundred's of small businesses in Dwyfor and Meirionnydd to shut down and quite frankly that would be a disaster, both socially and economically.

Diwedd cyfnod ac ergyd drom - End of an era and a savage blow

2010-03-16T14:15:00.005Z

Yn gynharach heddiw, clywais y newyddion drwg fod Chwareli Gloddfa Ganol a'r Oakeley yn cael eu cau o fewn y mis gan gwmni Welsh Slate am rhesymau dearegol ac economaidd - bydd 55 o swyddi yn cael eu colli yma yn y Blaenau, er bydd rhai ohnynt yn trosglwyddo i Chwarel y Penrhyn , Bethesda.
Dwi wedi siarad efo Rheolwr Gyfarwyddwr y cwmni ac yn dilyn y sgwrs hynny, dwi wedi e-bsotio swyddogion y Cynullaid Cenedlaethol a Chyngor Gwynedd yn gofyn am gefnogaeth brys i'r chwarelwyr a'r ardal yn sgil yr ergyd drom yma.
Mae llawer o gynlluniau cyffroes ar y gorwel yma yn lleol ac dwi'n croesawu ac yn cefnogi hynny'n fawr OND mae hefyd angen buddsoddiad uniongyrchol i ddiogelu a creu rhagor o swyddi yma ac dyna sydd ei angen arnom RWAN.
Mae fy meddylaiu p'nawn ma gyda'r rhai sydd yn colli eu swyddi ac byddaf yn parhau i weithio'n ddiflino i greu a denu cyfleon gwaith i'r ardal.

Earlier today, I heard the bad news that both Gloddfa Ganol and Oakeley Quarries will be closing within the month with the loss of over 55 jobs in Blaenau, although half of those losing their jobs will be offered work at Penrhyn Quarry, Bethesda.
The news was confirmed to me during a telephone conversation with the Managing Director of Welsh Slate. Following which I e-mailed officers from both the Welsh Assembly Government and Gwynedd Council asking for their immediate support for the quarrymen who are losing their jobs and the wider area which will suffer from this bitter blow.
There are a number of exciting plans in the pipeline at present for the town HOWEVER there is also a need for direct investment that will safeguard and create new job opportunities in the area and we need that investment NOW.
My thoughts this afternoon are with the people who are losing their job and I will be even more determined than ever to create and draw in new jobs for the area.

Gwasanaethau cyhoeddus i wynebu argyfwng - Public services to face crisis

2010-03-16T08:46:00.004Z

Mae adroddiad Archwilydd Cyffredinol Cymru, sy'n cael ei gyhoeddi heddiw, yn rhybuddio y bydd £1.5 biliwn yn llai ar gael ar gyfer gwasanaethau cyhoeddus am dair blynedd o fis Ebrill 2011 ymlaen.
Mae hyn yn mynd i greu sefyllfa o argyfwng nid yn unig i wasanaethau a ddarperir gan Gynghorau ond hefyd gan yr awdurdodau iechyd a'r gwasanaethau brys.
Os bu i chi erioed fod angen tystiolaeth pa mor ddrwg ydi'r sefyllfa araiannol yn y wlad yma, yna dyma ydi o.
Be mae Gordon Brown a'i griw yn gwneud? Defnyddio'n arian NI i dalu am fethianau'r banciau. A be mae'r diawliaid di-egwyddor yn y banciau yn neud? Defnyddio'r arian hynny i dalu taliadau bonws anferth iddyn nhw eu hunain am eu methiant!
Mae rhywbeth mawr o'i le gyfeillion a gorau po gyntaf wneith rhywun ar y lefel uchaf o lywodraeth fagu chydig o geilliau a dweud "digon yw digon" a cymryd yr arian yn ol a'i fuddsoddi mewn gwasanaethau cyheoddus rheng flaen.

Public services in Wales are facing cuts that will cause "considerable pain", according to an official report.
Gillian Body, the auditor general for Wales, said the NHS, councils and the police may need to cut staff hours and encourage part-time working in order to save in excess of £1.5bn from April 2011 onwards.
This will undoubtedly lead to a crisis situation within the public sector in Wales.
If ever you needed proof of how bad the financial situation of this country is by now, then this is it!
What's Gordon Brown and his crew doing about it? Using OUR money to bail out the banks after their culture of gambling failed so badly. And what are the unscrupilous scumbags in the banks doin? Using that money to pay themselves massive bonuses for their failiour!
Something is so very wrong about all of this and as soon as someone at the highest level of Govrnment has the balls to say stop this nonsense and takes the money back to invest in frontline public services, the better I say.

Casgliadau siomedig i adroddiad rheilffordd - Disappointing conclusions to railway report

2010-03-15T16:59:00.007Z

Cefais gyfarfod prynhawn yma gyda swyddogion o'r Cynulliad, TRAC, Taith, Cynghorau Gwynedd a Chonwy, Network Rail a Partneriaeth Cymunedau'n Gyntaf i drafod yr adroddiad terfynol i uwchraddio Rheilffordd Dyffryn Conwy.
Mae'r casgliadu yr adroddiad yn siomedig gan eu bod yn nodi ar hyn o bryd nad oes gwerth economaidd cynnaliadwy i sefydlu gwasanaeth cludo nwyddau yma yn y Blaenau gan nad oes unrhyw gyfle i ddenu buddsoddiad o'r sector breifat i'r fath fwriad ac gan nad oes gofyn gan y sector breifat am fath wasanaeth ar hyn o bryd.
Serch hynny mae'r adroddiad yn nodi sawl ffactor pwysig y dylid mynd yn ei gylch sydd yn ymwenud a chludo teithwyr yma ac oddi wrth yr ardal hon ac byddaf yn pwyso ar y Cynulaid i sicrhau gwellianu yn y ddarpariaeth o wasanaeth a safon y cerbydau er mwyn uchafu'r budd i'r ardal yn sgil rhai o'r datblygiadu cyffroes sydd ar y gweill yma ar hyn o bryd.
Felly, fel mae un drws yn cau am y tro, dwi'n mawr obeithio y byddwn yn agor un arall maes o law.
DIWEDDARIAD: Dwi bellach wedi ysgrifennu at y Gweinidog Trafnidiaeth, Ieuan Wyn Jones i ofyn am welliannu i'w gael ei wneud i wasanaethau cludo teithwyr ar y rheilffordd.

I had a meeting this afternoon with officers from the Assembly,TRAC, Taith,Gwynedd and Conwy Councils, Network Rail and The Communities First Partnership to discuss the final report into the possible upgarding of the Conwy Valley Railwy line.
Whilst the conclusion and recommendations within the report are somehwat dissapointing as it notes that there would be no identifiable economically sustainable case for the development of such a service at present.
However the report does highlight a number of important factors that could and should be looked at closer with regards to passanger transportation on the line to and from this area. I will now be pressing upon the Assembly to make improvements to the service as well as to the standard of rolling stock on the line in order to maximise any potential benefits to the area from the substantial investment already being made in the area by WAG and its partners.
So as one door shuts for the time being, I sincerely hope that we will open another in due course.
UPDATE: I've now written to the Transport Minister, Ieuan Wyn Jones asking for improvements to be made to passanger services on the railway

SPLAT!

2010-03-14T16:36:00.004Z

Mi fyddai yn 40 dydd Iau yma felly ddoe daeth criw o ffrindiau a'n nheulu at eu gilydd i ddathlu'r achlysur gyda mi.
Yn y bore, buom ni'n peltio paent (paintballing) ac cafwyd digon o hwyl..roedd yr olygfa ohonof yn rhedeg drwy'r coed gan sgrechian wrth i'r peli fy nharo yn aros yng nghof rhai o'm ymosodwyr (galw eu hunain yn ffrindiau!?) am hir iawn - mae genai ambell i glais i'n hatgoffa i o'r profiad hefyd.
Yna yn y prynhawn aethom i wylio'r gem i un o dafarndai Caernarfon, ac er fod y canlyniad yn siomedig cafwyd p'nawn digon hwyliog.
I gloi'r diwrnod, aeth 38 ohonom am fwyd i bwytu FU's yn Doc Fictoria ac fe gafwyd wledd bendigedig.
Roedd o'n ddiwrnod gwych, llawn chwerthin ac er mod i yn tynnu am y 40, dwi'm yn teimlo diwrnod hyn na 21! :-))

This Thursday I'll be 40 years old, so I spent yesterday with family and friends celebrating the occassion.
In the morning, we went paintballing, which was fun...the sight of me running through the forest screaming as the paintballs hit me is a vision that will remain in the memory of many of my attackers (call themselves friends!?)for quite some time - I also have the bruises as a reminder.
In the afternoon, we went to watch the match in a Caernarfon pub and although the result was dissapointing, the afternoon was enjoyable.
To finnish the day off, 38 of us went to the FU's resteraunt in Victoria Dock where we had an absolutely amazing meal.
It was a great day, filled with plenty of laughter and although I am fast approaching 40, I do not feel a day older than 21! :-))

Blaenau a'r Parc Cenedlaethol

2010-03-12T19:37:00.004Z

Rhaglen radio Manylu ar BBC Radio Cymru yn trafod y bwriad i gynnwys y dref o fewn y Parc Cenedlaethol yn gynharach yr wythnos hon.
Os hoffech wrando cliciwch yma er mwyn ei glywed ar BBC iPlayer.

Rhywbeth ar gyfer y penwythnos -Something for the weekend...

2010-03-12T18:52:00.003Z

Mae peth amser ers i ni gael tipyn o gerddoriaeth ar y blog 'ma....dwi'n meddwl fod hwn yn ardderchog.
Its been a while since we had some music on the blog.....I think that this is truly stunning.

Highland Fling!?

2010-03-12T07:49:00.007Z

There's an article in this morning's Daily Post which throws the Ieuan Air link between Anglesey and Cardiff into doubt.
Once again, I think this show's the utter ineptitude of WAG when it comes to dealing with the private sector.
Sadly the service's premium user and his officials seem to have "cocked-up" the tendering process and the struggling Highland Airways may now be grounded by the whole fiasco.
It will be very interesting to see how matters will unfold...and what actions if any the Minister will take to safeguard his weekly commute from home to the office

CCTV yn y dref yn fuan - CCTV in town soon

2010-03-11T21:17:00.003Z

Yn ei gyafrfod arferol heno, mae Cyngor Tref Ffestiniog wedi argymell gosod y cytundeb i rhoi system CCTV yn y dref.
Felly mae'r ymgyrch gychwynais misoedd wedi'r etholiad yn 2008 bron a chael ei gwireddu.
Hoffwn ddiolch i fy nghyd gynghorwyr am eu cefnogaeth ac i Heddlu Gogledd Cymru sydd yn cyfrannu at hanner y gost o'r system.
Dwi'n mawr obeithio y welwn ni'r system yn ei lle yn fuan ac bydd yn helpu i atal troseddu ac ymddygiad gwrth gymdeithasol yma yn y Blaenau.

At its ordinary meet tonight, Ffestiniog Town Council has approved a recommendation to enter into contract with a company to provide and install a CCTV system in the town.
Therefore, a campaign that I started a matter of months after the election in 2008 will come to life within the next few weeks with any luck.
I'd like to thank my fellow councillors for supporting my call for CCTV to be installed in the town, and I''d also like to thank North Wales Police who are funding 50% of the cost.
I hope to see the system up and running within the near future and I am convinced that it will act as a deterant against anti-social behaviour and law breaking in Blaenau.

Gadael, yntau cael ei wthio? Leaving or was he pushed?

2010-03-11T18:22:00.003Z

Mae'r newyddion fod Alan Murray, Prif Weithredwr Ymddiriedolaeth Ambiwlans Cymru yn gadael ei swydd yn gwneud i ddyn ofyn cwetiynau am yr holl fater.
Yn sicr fel y gwyddoch, dwi ddim yn ffan mawr o'r ffordd mae o wedi rhedeg y gwasanaeth ambiwlans yn union fel ac y mae amryw o'r dynion a'r merched sydd yn gweithio oddi fewn i'r gwasanaeth.
Bu meddianu mawr yn y gwasanaeth yma yn ardal Stiniog tua dwy flynedd yn ol, ac rydym yn dal i ddisgwyl i'r addwydion a wnaethpwyd gan Mr Murray pryd hynny i ddod i fodolaeth.
Tydi'r Cynulliad heb ei fai yn fan yma chwaith, gan unwaith eto gwelwn engraifft arall o wasanaeth ddim yn cael ei gyllido'n ddigonol ganddynt.
Fedr rhywun ddim ond gobeithio y bydd olynydd Mr Murray yn well am gadw at ei addewidion ac y bydd y Cynulliad yn rhoi rhagor o arian i'r gwasanaeth.

The news that the Welsh Ambulance Trust's Chief Executive, Alan Murray is leaving his job can only lead me to asking a few questions about the matter.
As you'll all be aware, I've not been a fan of the way that he has ran the ambulance service, jusrt like the many men and women who work within the service.
The systematic failigs in the service locally in the Blaenau area about two years ago, were quite frankly unforgivable and we are still waiting to this day for promises that were made to us at that time to be realised.
The Assembly are not without fault here either, as the ambulance service is another example of the establishemnts failure to fund services properly.
One can only hope that Mr Murray's successor will be better at keeping to their word and that the Assembly will start funding the service properly soon.

Cyfarfod gyda NASS yn Aberdyfi - Meeting with NASS at Aberdyfi

2010-03-10T22:48:00.003Z

Newydd ddod adra o Aberdyfi ble gafwyd cyfarfod cyhoeddus hynod bositif gyda Mervyn Benford o'r Gymdaithas Genedlaethol ar gyfer Ysgolion Bychan (NASS).
Mae Mervyn yn addysgwr o fri ac yn gweithio yn y maes fel athro, pennaeth, arolygwr ac uwch arolygwr ysgolion ers dros 50 mlynedd.
Da o beth y byddai i swyddogion o Adran Addysg y Cyngor a'r cynghorwyr o rengoedd Plaid Cymru sydd yn gyrru'r agenda i gau ysgolion yn ei flaen fod wedi clywed be oedd gan Mervyn i'w ddweud.
Roedd ei gyflwyniad yn ysbrydoledig ac mae'r ymgyrch i atal cau ysgolion Bro Dysynni ac ysgolion bychan mewn rhannau eraill o Wynedd yn parhau!

I've just got back from a meeting in Aberdyfi which was addressed by Mervyn Benford from the National Association of Small Schools.
Mervyn has over 50 ears experience in education as a teacher,headteacher, inspector and senior inspector of schools and his presentation tonight was inspirational.
Some of the officers from the Education Department and the Councillors from Plaid Cymru who are pushing this closure agenda forward should have been present to hear what he had to say.
His presentation was inspiring and the campaign to stop the closure of schools in the Tywyn area and other parts of Gwynedd goes on!

Bore hyfryd o Wanwyn - A glorious Spring morning

2010-03-07T12:22:00.005Z

Dyma codi'n gynnar a mentro am dro i Gwmorthin yna i fynnu uwch ben chwarel y Gloddfa ac am y tro cyntaf erioed, i lawr llwybr "zig-zag".
Mae chydig o haul yn neud rhywun deimlo'n sionc ac yn edrych ymlaen at yr haf wedi gaeaf mor hir a mor oer.

So I was out of bed early and I ventured for a walk up to Cwmorthin, then up again above Gloddfa quarry and down the zig-zag path.
I have lived in Blaenau for most of my life and I'd never been down that path before.
Having the sun out, puts a spring in the step don't you feel?..I'm certainly looking forward to summer after the long and cold winter we've just had.

Newyddion cymysg o'r maesydd chwarae - Mixed fortunes on the sporting front

2010-03-06T20:28:00.005Z

Yn dilyn y gymorthfa bore ma, es i draw i Ddolawel ble roedd Bro yn chwarae'r Wyddgrug.
Dyma i chi gem o ddwy hanner, gyda'r tim cartref yn mynd i mewn ar yr hanner ar y blaen o 25-8.
Roedd yr ail hanner yn fater gwahanol gyda'r Wyddgrug yn sgorio 10 pwynt heb ildio dim ond diolch i'r drefn, bu Bro ddal allan i ennill o 25-18...Da iawn Danny a'r hogia!
Canlyniad siomedig i'r Amaturiaid oddi cartref yn Conwy ar y maes pel-droed gyda Conwy yn ennill o 4-0.

After this morning's monthly surgery, I went to see the rugby at Dolawel where Bro beat Mold by 25-18. Well done Danny and the lads!
On the footballing front, after a run of good results, the Amatures went down to a heavy defeat by 4-0 at Conwy United.

Croeso i'r mesur iaith.....ond?

2010-03-04T07:33:00.007Z

Tra fedr rhywun ddim ond croesawu'r mesur iaith newydd, fedrai ddim ond cytuno gyda Chymdeithas yr Iaith Gymraeg a gofyn pam na allai'r mesur wedi bod yn gryfach?
Hefyd, fel dwi eisioes wedi nodi ar y blog 'ma, pam fod angen Comisiynydd Iaith pam fod gennym ni Fwrdd yr Iaith yn ei le gyda staff ac arbenigedd yn barod yn y maes i wneud y gwaith fydd y ComCym yn ei wneud.
Gyda toriadau yn gwynebu'r pwrs cyhoeddus, mae'r swydd hon yn un y fedr ei gwneud heb ddi... a be fydd y gost?...Fydd y ComCym ddim ar ben ei hyn, faint o staff fydd ganddo ef/hi tybed? Fel dwi'n dweud, fyddai wedi bod llawer gwell,llawer mwy effeithiol a llawer rhatach rhoi'r cyfrifoldeb yma i Fwrdd yr Iaith...a hynny ar unwaith!

Cyfarfod positif i drafod Ysbyty Coffa - Positive meeting to discuss Memorial Hospital

2010-03-03T21:43:00.003Z

P'nawn 'ma es i Ysbyty Gwynedd, Bangor i gyfarfod a Mrs Mary Burrows a Mr Geoff Lang o Fwrdd Iechyd Lleol Prifysgol Betsi Cadwaladr i drafod dyfodol yr Ysbyty Coffa yma yn y Blaenau gan y bydd yr adolygiad hir ddisgwyliedig ar ddyfodol yr ysbyty yn cychwyn o fewn yr wythnosau nesaf.
Gyda mi roedd Cyng.Linda Wyn Jones, Cyng. Arthur Holland Williams, Mr Gwilym Price a Mr Arwel Jones.
Cawsom ni dros awr o gyfarfod ac fe gafwyd trafodaeth agored iawn ac rwyf yn fodlon iawn gyda'r ffaith na fydd y cyfeillion yma yn mynd ati hi i ymgynghori gyda'r gymuned yn y ffordd cwbwl wallus aeth y cyn Fwrdd Iechyd ati tua tair blynedd yn ol.
Mi roedd Mrs Burrows a Mr Lang i weld yn fobol digon diymhongar ac yn naturiol byddwn ni i gyd yn lleol yn edrych ymlaen i gyfranu i'r adolygiad a thrafod ymhellach gyda hyw wrth i'r gwaith fynd rhagddo.
Yn sicir mi roedd cyfarfod heddiw yn gosod seiliau i adeiladu arno a mawr obeithiaf y medrwn maes o law ddod i gytundeb fydd yn gweld yr Ysbyty Goffa nid yn unig yn cael ei gwarchod ond yn cael ei datblygu hefyd.

This afternoon, I attended a meeting at Ysbyty Gwynedd, Bangor with Mrs Mary Burrows and Mr Geoff Lang from the Betsi Cadwaladr University Local Health Board to discuss the impending review into the future of Ffestiniog Memorial Hospital.
With me at the meeting were Cllr.Linda Wyn Jones, Cllr.Arthur Holland Willaims, Mr Gwilym Price and Mr Arwel Jones.
The meeting, which lasted over an hour was open and frank and I am satisied that these people will not conduct a cack handed consultation regarding the hospital's future in such a way that their predecessors did some 3 or 4 years ago.
Mrs Burrows and Mr Lang seemed to be genuine people who understood some of our concerns and naturally, all of us locally look forward to having further discussions with them in the near future in the hope that we will not only be able to save the hospital but also see it being developed further to meet the community's needs in the future.
This afternoon's meeting has certainly set the foundations for positive dialogue and I hope that the spirt for such openess will remain for the future.

Diwrnod prysur heddiw! - Busy day today!

2010-03-03T07:38:00.002Z

Cyfarfod i drafod mater cynllunio bore 'ma yna nol i'r swyddfa i ddal fynnu efo hyn a llall.
Draw i Ysbyty Gwynedd, Bangor erbyn 4yh i gyafrfod Prif Weithredwr y Bwrdd Iechyd Lleol gyda ymgyrchwyr lleol i drafod dyfodol Ysbyty Coffa Ffestiniog.
Nol i'r Blaeanu wedyn i gyfarfod llywodraethwyr Ysgol Maenofferen ac yna panel CCTV y Cyngor Tref.
Diwrnod llawn ond diwrnod cynhyrchiol gobeithio.

Meeting this morning to discuss a planning matter, then its back to the office to catch up with various bits and pieces.
Over to Ysbyty Gwynedd, Bangor by 4pm for a meeting with the Local Helth Board's Chief Executive and local campaigners to discuss the future of Ffestiniog Memorial Hospital.
Back to Blaenau then for a meeting of Maenofferen School Governors and then its the Town Council's CCTV Panel.
A full and productive day I hope.

Cyngor Cymuned Llandderfel a Siambr Fasnach 'Stiniog - Llandderfel Community Council and Blaenau Chamber of Commerce

2010-03-03T07:29:00.004Z

Dyna lle fues i neithiwr.
Derbyniad cynnes gan y Cyngor Cymuned yn Llandderfel oedd yn cyfarfod yng Nghwmtirmynach gyda chwestiynau gan yr aelodau yn ymwneud a'r economi ac amaeth yna yn ol yma i'r Blaenau ar gyfer diwedd cyfarfod Siambr Fasnach y dref.

That where I was last night.
Received warmly by Llandderfel Community Council which was meeting at Cwmtirmynach. Questions by the members relating to the economy and agriculture, then it was back here to Blaenau for the end of the town's Chamber of Commerce meeting.

Dyfodol cymunedau gwledig yng Nghymru - The future of rural communities in Wales

2010-03-02T14:26:00.006Z

Mae Aelodau Cynulliad yn trafod adroddiad sy'n codi pryderon am ddyfodol tymor hir cymunedau gwledig Cymru.
Adroddiad Arsyllfa Wledig Cymru sy'n ystyried oblygiadau byw mewn ardaloedd sydd dros 30 milltir o drefi sydd â phoblogaeth o 10,000.
Cyhoeddwyd y gwaith ymchwil ym mis Rhagfyr.
Yn ystod y drafodaeth ym Mae Caerdydd ddydd Mawrth mae disgwyl i Weinidog Materion Gwledig Cymru, Elin Jones AC, gyhoeddi ymateb Llywodraeth y Cynulliad.
Mae'r arolwg yn cyfeirio at bedwar maes: darpariaeth band llydan, trafnidiaeth gyhoeddus, prisiau tai a chyraedd gwasanaethau.
Mae mwy na 90% o'r cymunedau gafodd eu hastudio yn dweud eu bod yn fodlon ar yr ardal fel lle i fyw a bod 94% yn dweud bod ansawdd bywyd yn "dda iawn" neu yn "weddol dawel".
Ond mae'r adroddiad yn codi "pryderon cyffredinol" am ddyfodol tymor hir y cymunedau.
Mae'n nodi nad oes 'na gymhellion i bobl ifanc i aros o fewn y cymunedau yma na chwaith i bobl ifanc symud i fewn.
Dwi'n cael hyn i gyd yn dra eironic yn yr ystyr fod rhai o bolisiau Llywodraeth y Cynulliad yn arwain yn uniongyrchol at golli gwasanaethau gwledig yn ogystal a symud cyfleon gwaith o gefn gwlad i'r ardaloedd trefol.
Mae sawl engraifft o hyn i gael:
Y Cynllun Gofodol ar Gyfer Cymru - Yma yng Ngwynedd mae'r cynllun yma am weld canoli twf yn ardal Mon/Menai, ardaloedd weddol trefol, sydd yn gwneud yn dda iawn allan o'r sector gyhoeddus yn nhermau swyddi a budd economiadd. Cyn i neb ddweud dim, dwi yn gwybod fod yna bocedi hynod o dlawd yn ardal Bangor a Chaernarfon, ond methiant y Cynulliad a'r Cyngor i fynd i ymrafael a'r problemau sydd yno yw'r ffactor mwyaf am hynny.
Fel dwi wedi ei ddweud eisioes, onid fyddai wedi bod yn llawer mwy uchelgeisiol ac heriol petai'r Cynllun Gofodol wedi datgan Dwyfor a Meirionnydd fel ardal twf, fel bod adnoddau ac arian yn cael eu glystnodi er mwyn creu gwaith ac ymateb i'r angen am dai fforddiadwy a thrafnidaieth integredig effeithiol? Mae pawb yn gwybod yn iawn nad yw'r Blaid Lafur yn ffrind i ardaloedd gwledig (edrychwch yn y gostyngiad sylweddol yn yr economi amaethyddol ers iddynt ddod i rym)- ond mae Plaid Cymru yn rhan o'r Llywodraeth ac wedi eistedd yn dawedog ar y diawl a gadael i'r tranc yma ddigwydd!
Mae adolygiad ar ddyfodol Ysbyty Goffa Ffestiniog ar fin cychwyn mis nesaf. Mae'r ysbyty yn gwasanaethu ardal wledig o Ddolwyddelan i Drawsfynydd cawn weld faint o ymrwymiad fydd gan y Llywodraeth i warchod y gwasanaeth pwysig yma maes o law.
I gloi be am bolisi Plaid Cymru ar Gyngor Gwynedd i gau ysgolion gwledig ac hydynoed y pethau mwya elfenol fel toiledau cyhoeddus? Unwaith eto, tynnu gwasanaeth o'n cymunedau a'i gwneud yn llawer llai deniadol i deuluoedd ifanc fyw ynddynt.
Oes mae angen arsyllu ar adroddiad yr Arsyllfa ond mwy na dim mae angen gweithredu i atal tranc ein ardaloedd gwledig. Hyd y gwelai, yma yng Ngwynedd, dim ond un plaid sydd wedi ymrwymo i wneud hynny a Llais Gwynedd yw honno!

Fears have been raised in a report about the long-term future of rural communities in Wales.
The research raised concern about the incentives for younger people to stay in or move to rural communities.
The Wales Rural Observatory highlights four areas of concern: broadband provision, public transport, house prices and access to services.
The Welsh Assembly Government has said it had started work on addressing the issues raised by its report.
The assembly government said the report highlighted a "trend towards the withdrawal of retail outlets and the centralisation of services in general" as issues of concern among people living in rural areas.
There was also concern over limited public transport, little affordable housing, more expensive vehicle fuel and the higher prices in local shops.
Residents also felt that they received less value for money and lower levels of service provision for their council tax than urban and more densely populated areas.
I find all of this ironic to say the least as some of the Welsh Assembly Government's own policies have and continue to contribute to the erosion of rural communities, socially and economically by cutting vital services and moving employment opportunities away from the rural areas into areas in and around large towns and cities.
Examples of this can be found in the Wales Spatial Plan which has centred economic growth within Gwynedd on the Mon/Menai Hub in the Bangor/Caernarfon area, which in all fairness is doing very well in employment and economic terms from the thousands of public sector jobs already centred oin the area. Before anybody tells me that there are areas that are very poor and deprived in that area too, I know that, and some of the issues to that again relate to the failure of WAG and Gwynedd Council to tackle those problems.
As I have said on numerous occassions in the past, would it not have been better for WAG to concentrate on Dwyfor/Meirionnydd as its economic hub within the Spatial Plan . This would have been far more ambitious and it would have made a far greater contribution socially and economically to the very communities who's problems are highlighted in the Observatory's report.
Everyone knows that Labour is no friend of rural areas (look at the dramatic drop in the farming economy since they came to power), and now whilst they are partners with them in the WAG, Plaid Cymru are also guilty by association of letting our rural communities down...you only need to go to the Lleyn Peninsula or the Tywyn area to find that out for yourselves.
Next month, a review on the future of Ffestiniog Memorial Hospital will begin. The hospital provides a service for a rural area from Dolwyddealn to Trawsfynydd, the fnal decision will lie with a Labour minister and her colleagues in Government - how much committment will we see then to rural health care?
Finally, what about Plaid Cymru's policy in Gwynedd to support and advocate the closure of toilets, care homes and schools in rural communities, on the schools issue in particular..how many young parents would consider living in a community with no school?
Yes it is important that those in Cardiff Bay observe and discuss this report, however it is even more important that they take positive action's NOW to save our rural communities and the services within them.
Here in Gwynedd,only one party is committed to that agenda and that party is Llais Gwynedd!

Cymorthfa Misol - Monthly Surgery

2010-03-01T13:11:00.003Z

Bydd y Cyng.Dafydd Lloyd Hughes a mi ar gael bore dydd Sadwrn yma, Mawrth 6ed yn y Ganolfan Dysgu Gydol Oes (Llyfrgell, Maenofferen) rhwng 10a.m. -11.30am.
Nid oes angen apwyntiad ac os gallwn fod o gymorth i chi, yna piciwch draw i'n gweld.

Cllr.Dafydd Lloyd Hughes and myself will be available this Saturday morning,March 6th between 10a.m. -11.30a.m. 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.

Dydd Gŵyl Dewi Hapus - Happy St.David's Day

2010-03-01T08:10:00.003Z

Ar ddydd ein nawddsant, cyfarchion cynnes atoch i gyd.
On our patron saint's day, warmest best wishes to you all.

Bws i'r Lleuad yn ennill Cân i Gymru

2010-02-28T22:03:00.003Z

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!

2010-02-28T12:06:00.004Z

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

2010-02-27T22:57:00.003Z

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

2010-02-27T18:04:00.007Z

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

2010-02-26T23:57:00.004Z

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!

2010-02-26T17:26:00.003Z

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?

2010-02-25T18:10:00.004Z

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!

2010-02-25T17:34:00.008Z

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%

2010-02-25T17:05:00.005Z

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!

2010-02-25T07:41:00.004Z

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

2010-02-24T20:08:00.006Z

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!?

2010-02-24T19:19:00.009Z

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

2010-02-24T14:07:00.004Z

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

2010-02-23T09:45:00.005Z

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

2010-02-21T21:58:00.002Z

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"!

2010-02-20T21:28:00.005Z

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!

2010-02-20T19:37:00.003Z

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!

2010-02-20T19:22:00.004Z

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

2010-02-19T22:07:00.003Z

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?

2010-02-19T21:31:00.004Z

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.

2010-02-19T20:26:00.008Z

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

2010-02-19T19:50:00.004Z

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?

2010-02-17T07:42:00.003Z

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

2010-02-17T07:27:00.003Z

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

2010-02-16T18:49:00.002Z

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

2010-02-16T18:35:00.002Z

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

2010-02-16T18:12:00.004Z

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!!

2010-02-13T15:54:00.006Z

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

2010-02-13T11:05:00.003Z

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

2010-02-13T09:36:00.005Z

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

2010-02-12T19:47:00.007Z

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

2010-02-12T00:08:00.005Z

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

2010-02-11T23:33:00.004Z

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

2010-02-10T14:56:00.004Z

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 :-)))

2010-02-09T19:02:00.004Z

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

2010-02-08T21:10:00.006Z

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?

2010-02-08T16:30:00.003Z

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

2010-02-08T09:30:00.005Z

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

2010-02-06T20:00:00.005Z

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

2010-02-06T16:16:00.004Z

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

2010-02-05T20:40:00.004Z

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!!?

2010-02-04T21:59:00.006Z

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!

2010-02-04T20:47:00.005Z

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

2010-02-04T20:27:00.004Z

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!

2010-02-02T10:28:00.003Z

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?

2010-02-02T09:35:00.003Z

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.

One to watch - Ellie Goulding

2010-02-01T21:35:00.005Z

On February 16th, the 30th Brit Awards are held at Earls Court and there collect this year's Critics Choice Brit Award will be 22 year old Ellie Goulding who was born in Hereford although according to some articles I've read, she used to live in Mid Wales (is that true?).
Ellie has also topped the BBC's Sound of 2010 list and her music has been championed by Welsh DJ Huw Stevens. Incidentally second on that list were Welsh act Marina and the Diamonds.
Ellie's first single, Under The Sheets was in my Top 10 favourite songs of 2009 and here latest single, Starry Eyed is also good and her debut album Lights, is launched on St.David's Day, March 1st.
I think 2010 will be a good year for Ms Goulding and I'm looking forward to hearing more from her.
Here she is playing a couple of her tracks live...what do you think?
STARRY EYED

UNDER THE SHEETS

Symud ymlaen - Moving on

2010-01-30T16:34:00.006Z

Mae'r Rheolwr Rhawd Cymunedol dros yr ardal hon, PC Gareth Griffiths yn symud i weithio i'r Bala wedi bron i dwy flynedd yma efo ni yn y Blaenau.
Dwi wedi cael Gareth yn heddwas hawdd iawn i weithio gydag o ac mae ei gyfnod yma yn y Blaenau wedi bod yn un gweithgar ac effeithiol.
Carwn ddymuno pob hwyl iddo yn y Bala ac dwi'n edrych ymlaen i gydweithio gyda'i olynydd, y Cwnstabwl Rhys Jones sydd yn cychwyn ar ei waith yr wythnos nesaf.
The Community Beat Manager for this area, PC Gareth Griffiths is moving to work in the Bala area after nearly two years here with us in Blaenau.
I have found Gareth to be a good policeman to work with and his time here in Blaenau has been productive and effective.
I would like to thank Gareth for his help and support and I wish him well in Bala and I am looking forward to working with his replacement, PC Rhys Jones who takes over as CBM, next week.

Llongyfarchiadau! i Pete a Nic - Congratulations! Pete and Nic

2010-01-30T16:15:00.004Z

Mae fy nghyfaill a fy nghyd Gynghorydd Peter Read a'i wraig Nic wedi cael mab bach yn gynharach bore heddiw. Brawd bach i Aron. Does dim enw eto ac mae'r fam a'r mab yn gwneud yn iawn.
Dyma'r ail fabi i'w enni i Gynghorydd Llais Gwynedd yn ystod yr wythnosau diwethaf, ar ddiwrnod Dolig ganwyd mab bach, Wil i'r Cyng. Gethin Williams a'i bartner Clair.
Yn ogystal ac amddiffyn ein ysgolion, fel y gwelwch, mae rhai o fewn Llais yn ceisio cynyddu niferoedd y disgyblion hefyd!

My good friend and fellow Councillor, Peter Read and his wife Nic have had a baby boy this morning. A little brother for Aron. He has no name yet, but mother and baby are doing well.
This is the second baby to be born to a Llais Gwynedd Councillor over the last few weeks. On Christmas Day, Cllr. Gethin Williams and his partner Claire also had a son, Wil.
As well as trying to save our schools, some in Llais are also committed to increasing the pupil numbers!

Cymorthfa Misol - Monthly Surgery

2010-01-30T16:03:00.003Z

Byddaf yn cynnal fy nghymorthfa misol, bore dydd Sadwrn nesaf, Chwefror 6ed yn y Ganolfan Dysgu Gydol Oes (Llyfrgell, Maenofferen) rhwng 10a.m. -11.30am (Bydd y Cyng. Dafydd Hughes i ffwrdd ar ei wyliau).
Nid oes angen apwyntiad ac os gallai fod o gymorth i chi, yna piciwch draw i'm gweld.

I will be holding my monthly surgery next Saturday morning, February 6th between 10a.m. -11.30a.m. at the Life Long Learning Centre (Library), Maenofferen (Cllr. Dafydd Hughes will be away on holiday).
There is no need to make an appointment and if you think that I can help you in any way, please feel free to pop in and see me.

Siopa mewn pyjamas - Shopping in jimjams

2010-01-29T23:22:00.011Z

Dwi'n gobeithio'n arw na fydd fy siop papur leol yn mabwysiadu polisi Tesco...Rhaid i mi gyfaddef mod i'n aml iawn yn piciad yno unrhyw adeg rhwng 6 a 7 y bore yn fy mhyjamas neu shorts, sandals a crys-t yn yr Haf i nol fy mhapurau cyn dod nol adra am y baned gynta'r dydd.
Dwi ddim yn credu y byddwn i byth yn mentro i archfarchnad fawr ynddynt nac yn wir i'r siop bapur fawr hwyrach..mae'r hogia ar ei ffordd i'r chwarel yn tynnu digon arnai fel ag y mae!

I hope that my local newsagents doesn't adopt Tesco's policy...I must confess that I often pop in there to get my papers between 6 and 7 in the morning in my jimjams or shorts, sandles and t-shirt in the Summer before returning home for my first cuppa of the day.
I don't think I'd venture to a supermarket in them or indeed to the newsagents at a later time..I get enough flack from the lads on their way to the quarries as it is!

Response to a letter in this week's Herald

2010-01-29T19:27:00.004Z

This letter appears in this week's Caernarfon and Denbigh Herald by Mr Geoff Ludden, whom I've never had the pleasure of meeting but appears to have come to a firm opinion of me, without taking a balanced view of some major facts relating to dummy spitting antics of the Council "Leader" and his complaint about me to The Ombudsman. Mr Ludden writes:

CLLR Gwilym Euros Roberts doth protest too much. His statement claiming that the Leader of the Council should have referred his complaint about Cllr Roberts’ behaviour to the Council’s Standards Committee is totally misleading!
The Standards Committee does not have the power to review a complaint by one Councillor about another. The Ombudsman is the only recourse that Cllr Edwards can take to try to stop the constant personal abuse which pours forth from the notorious internet blog of Cllr Roberts.
Like others in his party Cllr Roberts seems to think that personal attacks are a substitute for policies. Cllr Edwards is right to try to stop this unhealthy trend in politics in Gwynedd.
Cllr Roberts has already announced his candidature for the Welsh Assembly seat of Dwyfor-Meirionydd in the 2011 Assembly elections and this latest stunt is part of his campaign to get elected. As an elector in that Assembly constituency I dread the thought of having Cllr Roberts as my AM.
GEOFF LUDDEN
Morfa Nefyn

My response to the above is as follows:
Mr Ludden conveniently omits even the barest of facts relating to a complaint to The Ombudsman concerning my comments regarding Gwynedd Council Leader, Cllr Dyfed Edwards and the Plaid Cymru Group, which he leads' press release on the future of the county’s Cylchoedd Meithrin.
In the statement Cllr Edwards and Plaid Cymru stated that “… Plaid Cymru will urge all councilors against including pre-schooling arrangements in a package of cuts worth £16 million, and propose a strategy to plan provision between schools, Mudiad Ysgolion Meithrin (MYM) and other voluntary groups".
Naturally this stance was warmly welcomed by all and sundry not least by this newspaper that vigorously campaigned to safeguard the Cylchoedd. But when the matter came before the Council Board, and later the full Council, not a single Plaid Cymru Councillor made any attempt to save the Cylchoedd. Indeed when Llais Gwynedd proposed the Cylchoedd be removed from a package of financial cutbacks ALL the Plaid Cymru Councillors present voted to oppose the move.
I personally challenged Cllr. Edwards three times on this inconsistency in Plaid Cymru policy at the Council Board meeting but he refused to be drawn on the matter on every occasion.
One can only assume therefore that Cllr. Edwards’ press statement was misleading to the extreme and nothing more than a feeble and dishonest attempt to pull wool over the eyes of nursery teachers, parents and their children. Cllr. Edwards disagrees and is minded to put the matter before The Ombudsman. However it is his press statement that unquestionably forms the basis for my defence against a vexatious complaint and that so strongly supports my allegations against Cllr. Edwards and his Party of lying and misleading as the Cylchoedd funding is still earmarked for cutting in 2011/12 as I write.
In his letter Mr Ludden also says he dreads the thought of having me as his AM. That’s his opinion. For one thing is certain. I do not find it acceptable for politicians and political parties to deliberately mislead the public with false statements. I will always stand true to my principals and will be straight with the electorate. Sadly these characteristics have lost me Mr Ludden’s vote. Somehow I’m not unduly concerned.

Tegwch? Trylouwder? - Fairness? Transparency?

2010-01-29T18:51:00.004Z

Roedd Pwyllgor Craffu Plant a Phobol Ifanc Cyngor Gwynedd yn cyfarfod yng Nghaernarfon bore 'ma i drafod dyfodol amryw o Unedau Addysg Arbennig fel gafodd ei gyfeirio ato yn yr erthygl yma yn yr Herald yr wythnos yma.
Nid oes dim ymgynghoriad o gwbwl wedi digwydd gyda rhieni y plant hyd yma, felly sut oedd yr Adran Addysg yn medru cyflwyno adroddiad i'r Pwyllgor Craffu? Onid oes gan rhieni a'r plant hawl i'w barn gael ystyried cyn i gynghorwyr a swyddogion wneud penderfyniad a'r eu haddysg!?....Bore 'ma, penderfynwyd dod ar eitem ymlaen yn yr Agenda er fod disgwyl i gynrychiolwyr o fudiad SNAP ddod yno i annerch y Pwyllgor...unwaith eto di-ystriwyd hynny ac mi ddaru nhw drafod y mater gan ddweud wrth y cynrychiolwyr pan ddarynt gyrraedd fod y penderfyniad wedi ei neud yn gynharach ond roedd croeso iddynt annerch y Pwyllgor os oeddynt am wneud hynny!
Mae hyn yn gwbwl annerbyniol ac yn engraifft arall o'r ffordd cwbwl, cwbwl gwarthus ac amhroffesiynol mae rhai cynghorwyr a swyddogion ar y Cyngor yn ymddwyn...Os mai dyma ydi democratieth...be am degwch a thrylouwder!?..Mae'r oll beth yn drewi a byddaf yn gofyn am ymchwiliad i'r ffordd mae'r holl fater wedi cael ei ddelio ag o hyd yma.

This morning, Gwynedd Council's Children and Young People's Scrutiny Committee met in Caernarfon and one of the items on the agenda was the future of Special Education Units that are located across the County as has been highlighted in this article in the Herald this week.
No consultation has taken place to date with the parents of the children, so how was the Education Department allowed to bring a report to the Scrutiny Committee? Do the parents and the children have a right for their opinions to be heard and given fair and proper consideration before councillors and officers make decisions regarding their education!?
This morning it was decided that the item would be brought forward on the agenda even though that representatives from SNAP had been due to attend the committee to speak to members..once again that was disregarded and when the represntatives did eventually arrive, they were told that a decision had already been reached however they could still make a brief presentation to the committee if hey wished!
This is totally unacceptable and sadly another example of the arrogant and contemptious way that certain members and officers within the Council behave...If this is democracy, what about fairness and transparency!?...The whole thing stinks and I will ow be calling for an enquiry into the way that this whole matter has been handled so far.

Teyrnged olaf i gyfaill ffyddlon

2010-01-28T18:40:00.004Z

Prynhawn 'ma daethom ynghyd i gefnogi Carwyn yn angladd ei dad a dweud ffarwel wrth fy hen gyfaill, Collwyn Jones.
Ar ran Carwyn, hoffwn ddiolch o galon i pawb yn lleol ac o bell am pob arwydd o gydymdeimlad a chefnogaeth mae o wedi ei gael dros y cyfnod anodd hwn a hynny mor fuan wedi iddo golli ei fam 'chydig dros blwyddyn yn ol.
Diolch hefyd i Mr Arwel Jones a Miss Rhian Williams am wasanaeth arbennig ac i'r ymgymerwr, Mr Gareth Williams am y trefniadau ac i chwiorydd Capel Jerusalem am y lluniaeth.
Er ei fod wedi ein gadael ni fydd yn anghof. Diolch i Dduw amdano a bydded iddo orffwys mewn hedd perffaith hedd efo Mena.

Cyngor Gwynedd yn cefnogi Canolfan Rhagoriaeth Eryri - Gwynedd Council supports the Snowdonia Centre of Excellence

2010-01-26T16:54:00.003Z

Yng nghyfarfod Bwrdd y Cyngor y prynhawn yma, cafwyd cefnogaeth unfrydol i'r cynllun yma gan nodi £100,000 tuag ato fel arian cyfatebol.
Bydd y cynllun sydd yn cynnwys Antur Stiniog, Canolfan yr Urdd Glanllyn, Llyn Trawsfynydd a Choed y Brenin yn clywed yn fuan iawn os ydynt wedi derbyn dros £2m gan Croeso Cymru i ychwanegu at y £2m arall sydd eisioes mewn lle i wireddu'r cynlluniau cyffroes yma.
Unwaith eto, dwi'n falch iawn o gael chwarae rhan fach yn symud y cynllun yma yn ei flaen ac dwi'n hyderus iawn, maes o law y bydd Croeso Cymru yn ei gefnogi.
Unwith eto, newyddion da i Blaenau ac i Feirionnydd.

At the Gwynedd Council Board meeting this afternoon, £100,000 and unanimous support was given to the proposed Snowdonia Centre of Excellence which is a joint venture between Antur Stiniog, Urdd at Glanllyn, Trawsfynydd Lake and Coed y Brenin.
The project which is worth a total of £4m will hear soon if it has been succesful in gaining over £2m from Visit Wales.
I am confident that the money will be forthcoming and once again, I am happy to have been able to play a small part in moving things forward.
Once again, good news for Blaenau and for Meirionnydd.

Dorwch gora' i hyn rwan! - Stop this now!

2010-01-22T14:55:00.003Z

Roeddwn yn siomedig ac yn flin iawn o ddarllen yn y Cambrian News y bore 'ma, hanes fy nghyd Gynghorydd, Mrs Anne Lloyd Jones sydd wedi derbyn llythyr milain di-enw drwy'r post.
Dwi yn adnabod Anne ers dros degawd bellach ac er nad ydym yn gweld llygad yn lygad yn aml iawn yn siambr y Cyngor, mae hi'n ddynes dda, sydd wedi ceisio gwneud ei gorau dros pobol Tywyn.
Tydi hi na neb arall yn haeddu llythyrau milain di-enw gan crancs di-asgwrn cefn! Os oes gennych chi broblem efo Anne, ffoniwch hi, gofynwch am gyfarfod efo hi a dwedwch be ydi eich barn yn ei gwyneb hi, neu oleiaf arwyddwch eich llythyr a dorwch gyfeiriad iddi ymateb.
Does dim lle o gwbwl i ymddygiad fel yma, be bynnag ydi'r achos. Fel un sydd wedi derbyn fy siar o "fan mail" milain dros y blynyddoedd credaf fod gennyf hawl i siarad allan yn erbyn hyn....Felly os ydi'r crancs, 'sgrifennodd at Anne yn darllen hwn, dorwch gora' iddi rwan neu tyfwch asgwrn cefn a byddwch ddigon "dewr" i roi eich enw a'ch cyfeiriad ar eich llith anghynes!

I was saddened and angered to read the story in this morning's Cambrian News about the poision pen letters that have been sent to Councillor Anne Lloyd Jones.
I have known Anne for over a decade and although I don't always see eye to eye with her in the Council Chamber, I think she's a nice woman who has tried her best for the people of Tywyn.
She or nobody else deserves to receive poison pen letters from cranks, who in my opinion are spinless and pitiful. If you've got beef with Anne, call her, ask for a meeting and tell her in her face what you think, or at least be "brave" enough to sign your letter and provide an address for her to reply.
There is no room at all for such behaviour as this, whatever the case. As someone who has had his fair share of crank "fan mail" over the years, I feel that its right for me to speak out against this horrible behaviour....So if the cranks that wrote to Anne read this, stop it now or at least grow a back bone and be "brave" enough to put your name and address on your attacks!

Colli cyfaill annwyl - A dear friend is lost

2010-01-21T17:08:00.005Z

Yn hwyr prynhawn ddoe bu farw Collwyn Jones yn 71 mlwydd oed yn Ysbyty Cyffredinol, Llandudno. Er nad oedd ei iechyd wedi bod yn dda ers rhai misoedd doedd neb yn disgwyl hyn, yn enwedig ei unig fab Carwyn a hithau gwta 16 mis ers i wraig Collwyn, a mam Carwyn, Mena farw yn sydyn tra ar wyliau ar Ynys Wyth.
Mi roedd Collwyn yn un o hoelion with Plaid Cymru yma yn y Blaenau ac ym Meirionnydd yn ystod yr 80au a’r 90 au. Bu yn ysgrifennydd aelodaeth Cangen Blaenau pan oedd hi yn un o’r Canghennau mwyaf yng Nghymru yn dilyn Caernarfon dybiwn i ac yn aelod ffyddlon o’r Pwyllgor Rhanbarth.
Bu yn asiant i Dafydd Elis-Thomas ym Meirionnydd am o leiaf un etholiad i San Steffan ac ar ddechrau fy ngyrfa wleidyddol i, gefais innau'r fraint o’i gael yn asiant i mi.
Bron i 20 mlynedd yn ôl dos i i’w adnabod gyntaf ac yn fuan iawn mi ddoes i edmygu ei egni, ymroddiad a’i sylw o i’r manylion..”os neud rhywbeth, gwna fo’n iawn”.
Fo oedd fy asiant ar gyfer tri etholiad llwyddiannus yn y 90au ac yn fy ngwthio i’r eithaf i ddiogelu pob pleidlais posib ac i ledaenu neges y Blaid ar hyd strydoedd Stiniog.
Roedd ei ffurflenni canfasio fo yn werth ei gweld, pob tro mewn trefn a dim byd yn cael ei adael i siawns.Fel ymgeisydd doedd dim mwy i’w wneud ond cnocio’r drysau a gwerthu eich hunain, roedd yr ochr weinyddol wedi ei wneud yn berffaith ar eich rhan.
Roedd o’n ddyn addfwyn, annwyl a hiwmor direidus ac yn wastad yn tynnu coes..yn enwedig os oedd Everton (ei dim o) wedi rhoi pegan i Lerpwl (fy nhîm i).
Wrth sgwrsio i mewn i’r oriau man y bore ‘ma gyda Carwyn, mi ddaru ni chwerthin drwy ambell i ddeigryn yn hel atgofion melys.
Do, dwi wedi colli ffrind sydd wedi chwarae rhan fawr yn fy mywyd ond mae Carwyn wedi colli ei Dad, (a’i Fam) mewn llai na dwy flynedd ac mae honno yn ergyd llawer, llawer drymach.
Roedd Collwyn yn falch o fod yn Gymro, yn falch o fod yn Stiniogwr ac yn falch o fod yn Genedlaetholwr ond mwy na hynny roedd o’n falch o’i deulu ac mae o a Mena bellach yn ôl fel un.
Roeddwn i’n falch o’i gael fel ffrind ac fel un a’m cefnogodd mewn sawl ffordd ac mi fydd y llu o atgofion melys hynny gennyf tra byddai fyw.
Diolch i Dduw amdano a diolch o waelod calon am yr hwyl, yr ysbrydoliaeth, yr anogaeth a’r Everton mints…nos dawch Coll, cysgwch yn dawel.

Last night, my dear friend and former agent, Collwyn Jones died suddenly but peacfully aged 71 at Llandudno General Hospital.
His death comes only 16 months after that of his wife's, Mena who died suddenly in September 2008 whilst on holiday in the Isle of Wight.
They are survived by their only son Carwyn, to whom I extend my deepest and heartfelt sympathy.
Collwyn was an inspiration and a tremendous influence on my political life as well as being a valued friend.
I will miss his words of wisdom and dry sense of humour, but I will always cherish the many happy memories that I have from being in his company.
God bless him and thanks for everything he gave to me.

Addewid Pensiwn Plaid Cymru, Cheryl, fi a'r Tri Mochyn Bach - Plaid's pension pledge, Cheryl, me and the Three Little Pigs!

2010-01-18T16:58:00.009Z

Dwi'n gweld bellach ble mae grwp Plaid Cymru ar Gyngor Gwynedd yn cael eu arweiniad ar gyfer rhyddhau datganiadau i'r wasg cwbwl gamarweiniol sydd llawn dim byd ond gimics ac addewidion gwag (cofio'r gliniaduron am ddim i pob plentyn yng Nghymru!?).
Gwelwyd engraifft perffaith arall o hynny yn y stori hon.
Rwan tra mod i'n deallt yn iawn fod miloedd o bensiynwyr yn crafu byw mewn tlodi ac yn ei chael hi'n anodd cadw dau ben llinyn ynghyd....Fodd bynnag mae gwneud datganiadau fel hyn pan mae nhw yn gwybod yn iawn nad oes ganddyn nhw unrhyw obaith o'i wireddu yn dangos pa mor sinigaidd, anghyfrifol ac amharod ydi'r Blaid i arwain can mewn band of hope heb son am arwain Cenedl neu Gyngor.
Mae genai fwy o obaith i ennill yr Eurovision Song Contest mis Mai yma yn canu clasur Tony ac Aloma, "Tri Mochyn Bach" efo Cheryl Cole na sydd gan y Blaid o wireddu'r "polisi" yma.
Be arall sydd yn taro rhywun ydi rhagrith yr holl beth. Pan mae'r Blaid mewn sefyllfa gwirioneddol i gefnogi'r henoed fel yma ar Gyngor Gwynedd, troi eu cefnau wnaethon nhw, cymerwch achos Bryn Llwyelyn..pan oedd y trigolion oedranus am aros yna, anwybyddu eu ple wnaeth y Blaid a penderfynu ei chau. Yna ar fater o ffioedd gofal, be waneth y Blaid ond penderfynu eu codi 50% yn groes i'n nghynig i (oedd digon drwg!)o'i codi 25%.
Na yn hytrach na gaddo'r byd i pobol pan fedran nhw ddim a bydden nhw ddim mewn sefyllfa i wneud dim amdano mewn gwirionedd , dylai'r Blaid gychwyn wrth eu traed a gwneud be sydd yn bosib pan mae'r gallu ganddynt!
DIWEDDARIAD
Mae'r Druid a Guto yn rhanu'r run farn a mi am y stori rhyfeddol yma...tra fod eraill dal yn LaLa Land!

I've now seen where the Plaid Cymru Group on Gwynedd Council get the audacity to release misleading statements to the press which are full of nothing but meaningless gimmicks, cynical spin and empty pledges (remember the free laptop for every child in Wales pledge!?).
Another perfect example of that can be found in this story.
Now I am fully aware that many pensioners are struggling to make ends meet and live in poverty...However, making statements and pledges like this when they have absolutely no chance of delivering on it show's how cynical, irresponsible and unfit Plaid are to lead a Nation or any Council.
I've got a better chance of winning the Eurovision Song Contest in May singing Tony & Aloma's classic Tri Mochyn Bach (Three Little Pigs) with Cheryl Cole than Plaid have of bringing this "policy" to life.
What also strikes me is the hypocrisy of the whole thing. When Plaid are in a position to make a difference for the elderly, like here on Gwynedd Council, they decided to ignore the pleas of the residents of Bryn Llywelyn Care home and closed it. And on the issue of care fees, they voted to raise them a whopping 50%, even though I had proposed an increase of 25% (which was bad enough!).
No, rather than promising the world to people when they know that they cannot and will not be in a position to deliver, they should do what they can, when they can!UPDATE
Both Guto and the Druid share my opinion on this remarkable story, whilst others are still living in LaLa Land

Erthygl yn y Daily Post heddiw - Article in today's Daily Post

2010-01-16T13:36:00.006Z

Mae'r Daily Post yn adrodd heddiw am y ffaith fod Dyfed Edwards wedi cwyno wrth yr Ombwdsmon amdanaf.
I'r rhai ohonoch sydd eisiau'r cefndir go iawn i'r stori a "sail" cwyn Dyfed yna cliciwch yma.
Dwi'n disgwyl y bydd yr Ombwdsmon yn ymchwilio'n drylwyr i cwyn Dyfed gan gymryd y dystiolaeth dwi wedi gynnig iddynt i ystyriaeth.
Dwi yn hynod ffyddiog y bydd cwyn Dyfed yn cael ei gweld am yr hyn ydi o - sef ymgais rhad i geisio tawelu rhywun sydd yn barod i siarad dros y pobol a dangos nad oes lle i gamarwain y cyhoedd ar Gyngor Gwynedd a nad oes unrhyw sail o gwbwl i'w gwyn yn fy erbyn.

The Daily Post reports today on Dyfed Edwards' complaint against me to the Ombudmsan...for those looking for the inside view on his allegations against me, click on here.
I fully expect the Ombudsman to conduct a thorough investigation into his allegations taking into account the conclusive evidence that I have submitted to them.
I am certain in the fullness of time that Dyfed's complaint will be seen for what it is as being purely vexatious and I will be exonorated of any wrong doing whatsoever.

Apel Haiti - Haiti Appeal

2010-01-16T10:10:00.004Z

Rydym ni i gyd wedi gweld y lluniau a clywed yr adroddiadau yn dilyn y daeargryn sydd wedi taro Haiti.
Os hoffech chi gefnogi'r ymdrechion i gynnig cymorth i'r rhai sydd wedi goresgyn y drychineb hon, yna mae modd i chi wneud hynny drwy glicio yma.

We've all seen the pictures and heard the reports following the earthquake that has struck Haiti.
If you would like to support the relief effort and help those who have been affected by this terrible event, you may make a donation to the appeal by clicking here.