Simpsons Movie

Yesterday, I went with the family to see the new Simpsons movie.
Well worth a viewing, if you need a laugh.
A quick visit to the Simpsons movie website will give you loads of extra fun too.
Here's my attempt at building my very own Avitar.

I give you 'Gart' Simpson!

See you soon!
http://www.caernarfononline.co.uk/

What a week!

Hi Everyone,

Football Match for Caernarfon Wanderers


http://www.caernarfononline.co.uk/2007/july/funday/

I am typing this with one hand (so aplgs 4any typos).
I was foolish enough to play a charity Footie match last week in aid of Caernarfon Wanderers and even though I enjoyed myself immensely, I was hacked down in the last few minutes and suffered a dislocated shoulder. I have convinced myself that it was the only way they could stop us and the match ended in a well balanced 4-4 result.
It looks as if the Caernarfon Wanderers set up is very good and they can now look forward to an excellent first season playing at Cae Top in Caernarfon.

Faenol Festival

Caernarfon Online is buzzing with the line up of this years Faenol Event. We have been covering this event for the last four years and this year promises to be a cracker. Read all about it on www.CaernarfonOnline.co.uk/faenol and enter our completely free to enter competition for tickets to EVERY night! No need to even pay for a stamp.
Girls Aloud open the proceedings and we hope to bring you some great photos of the girls on stage.

Caernarfon Festival
This years Caernarfon Festival has just ended and we again provided them with their fantastic website http://www.caernarfonfestival.co.uk/ Unfortunately this years event did not finish with the traditional pram race due to health and safety issues.
The organisers would like more help from locals and if you are willing to help out, then please contact me here at Caernarfon Online and I will put you in touch with Glyn who currently organises the event. It would be good if we could have a Carnival Parade in town again like we used to have years ago. Check out these You tube links to see footage of the 1983 Parade and ceremony at the Castle. Courtesy of Andrew of Caernarfon (Thanks Andrew).

Caernarfon Carnival Queen 1983

Parade Part 1

Part 2


I hope you enjoy watching the vids as much as I did.
See you soon!
http://www.caernarfononline.co.uk/

Champion 103FM Toast Awards 2007

Hi Everyone,
Last Thursday we were lucky enough to be invited to a Gala Dinner at Galeri to find 'Local Heroes'.
All this month our local radio station Champion 103FM have been urging us all to vote for our hero's and heroines.
As Editor of Caernarfon Online I did just that and nominated our very own T Meirion Hughes for the Welsh Language Award.

Those of you who have lived in Caernarfon all their lives or gets 'Papur Dre' each month will know exactly who Meirion is and those of you who are regulars to our ALL Welsh website http://www.cofis.co.uk/ will indeed be familiar with him too.

Meirion and I have been working hard lately on enhancing and changing the design of our 'Did you Know?' website.
This has been built to replace the unfunded Features Website (Long story).

Meirion is a Local Historian with vast knowledge of the town and his help is priceless.

Take a look at the site on http://www.cofis-dre-ar-y-we.co.uk/ and you will find that Meirion is now interactive as the site allows you to ask him historical questions about the town.
Anyway, I am getting off the subject here slightly as I was telling you all about the Toast Awards.
Oh yes, I remember now, I was telling you that I nominated Meirion for the Welsh Language Award.
Well not only was he nominated and short listed, but he won it as well!
So our congratulations goes to him.
He is a worthy winner of the first ever Champion 103 Welsh Language Toast Award winner!

You can check out the full story here http://www.caernarfononline.co.uk/2007/july/toastawards/
or you can check out Meirion winning his award on video by clicking this link. Hey, and a great speech by yours truly to boot!

The evening was truly well organised and promises to be the biggest Award ceremony of the year. Let's hope this is the beginning of an Annual Event that everyone wants to win!

Meirion is a very modest man and I can tell you he was over the moon with the Award and is credit to all the hard work he does for Caernarfon and the Welsh Language.

I visited Ysgol Hendre with Meirion this week to give talk on the History of Caernarfon to pupils of Blwyddyn 3. I must say, I enjoyed it as much as the kids and teachers did. At the end of the presentation, the children were allowed to ask questions to Meirion about Caernarfon. They (and I) were amazed at how quick the answers came out.

Only one stumping him, which was "What was at the Oval before it was the Oval" Meirion had to admit he didn't know as this was more recent than his historical knowledge went back to. At a guess I would say that it is a field now and most probably it was a field of some sort before then.

See you all soon!

http://www.caernarfononline.co.uk/

Shame - Shame - Shame again!

Hi Everyone,
Just having highlighted the very disappointing attire of Councillor Arnold Bohana at the Veteran's Day Ceremony. I find that he may be forgiven, for it seems he is in keeping with the disappointing look the town is developing.

Many of you have emailed COL again and again to complain about the state our streets at weekends.
Not one to frequent the town's pubs anymore, I don't often venture out on a Saturday night. Even less so when the footie season starts back.

This weekend though, I went down to cover the 'Beating the Retreat' at Slate Quay for the website.
You can see a video of it on Caernarfon Online plus some photos of the day as well. http://www.caernarfononline.co.uk/2007/july/beat/

However, on the way home I was amazed to see how much mess had been thrown on Pool Street! This was not down to the ceremony as this was not in Slate Quay!

And it's no good blaming the council for not clearing the mess..... We, the citizens of this town are ultimately responsible!
Who are these louts who trash out streets each week?
What's the point of business owners trying to make their premises look nice if this is how WE treat our streets?

We should be proud of our town and we should all try to set a good example to others (are you listening Arnold?).

Just look at the photos I took...... Are you proud to say you live in a town like this?
We should ALL be trying to make a difference, from our councillors to our kids.

Next Time you louts - BIN IT!

By the way well done to the proprietors of the Ship and Castle on Bangor Street.

Last week they finished a fine paint job on the building at it really looks good on the High Street. It's a shame that other people don't have as much pride and litter the town so much.

http://www.caernarfononline.co.uk/

Shame, Shame, Shame!

Hi Everyone,

At the weekend I was working, covering the Veteran's day for the website and enjoyed the day immensely.
Despite some hitches due to people going to the wrong place for the service etc, the event itself was a well presented with the Veterans and old Comrades there in force!

Old soldiers proudly wearing their polished medals, senior citizens with polished boots and the forces pulling out all the stops in making it a day to be remembered.
People had travelled from all over North Wales to be present on the day.
Nearly all the guests were well turned out, councillors and dignitaries in smart clothes including dresses and suits for the women and ties and jackets for the men. All except one that is!

More than one person commented that Councillor Arnold Bohana had made little or no effort and turned up in his casual everyday wear. Many in the crowd passed remarks with one was even commenting that it was "disrespectful of those who had fought for our freedom".

His attire was more suited to a night at the pub or a football match and this should make the council, mayor or whoever demand that councillors should adhere to a smart dress code as representatives of out town. It seemed that everyone else had made an effort.

Perhaps by naming and shaming, this will not happen again and never should it!

I hope Mr Bohana makes a noise about this article as it highlights his lack of effort.
Shame on him and perhaps a message to the Town Council here?

I would like to point out that all the other councillors had made an effort, mayors and officers of high standing were present (which unfortunately showed him up even more).

Civic duties like this should demand that our councillors turn out in smart dress. But then again they shouldn't need telling should they?

http://www.caernarfononline.co.uk/

Caernarfon Community Profile

Hi Again,

Caernarfon Online and Cofis.co.uk have recently been sent a questionnaire on behalf of CADW to give our thoughts on the effect of the castle, town walls, heritage status effects the local economy and community. We understand Gwynedd Councillors have also been contacted, as well as others with direct involvement within the community.

Shortly, the castle will be visited by a representative of the World Heritage group and concerns have already been raised about the 'Caernarfon Eye Sore' (as it has been dubbed by locals) being placed so close to the castle and we really hope this does not affect the visit in any way.

We will look at the questionnaire very carefully before sending in our input and we hope councillors and others who have received the same, take great care in sending in their replies.

We all have our own opinion about the town and the correct way forward for it.
Personally I don't think it's right for the town to put the Market Traders business in jeopardy and many of them have complained about the loss in trade following last years fiasco.
The Town has a certain standard to uphold and to have the 'Caernarfon Eye Sore' so close to the castle is an outrage. I, for one, hope it doesn't have a negative effect on the town and our status!

Here is a copy of the letter we received.

Dear Mr Edwards Caernarfon Online,

We have recently been commissioned by CADW, the Welsh Assembly Government’s Historic Environment Service, to profile communities living near to monuments in its care. The purpose of this exercise is to provide CADW with information about the characteristics of the local community, including interests and activities, as well as the difficulties and opportunities that matter most to it. This information will help CADW to establish priorities for the monuments in their care. It is also hoped that the community profiles will inform and enhance partnership working in the local area.
As part of the community profiling process, we would like to consult local stakeholders such as yourself in order to improve our understanding of Caernarfon Castle and Town Walls and their standing within the community. We have designed a short questionnaire to support this consultation, which you will find attached to this email. We would be extremely grateful if you could complete the questionnaire and return it to us by Friday 20th July 2007. If you have any queries, please do not hesitate to get in touch, either by phone or by email.
Thank you in advance for participating in this consultation. Your views are very important to us.

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Politics -who needs it?

I have never understood politics or politicians - and I hope I never do!

When you think something is set in stone, you find it is actually set in jelly.

Why am I talking gibberish?

Well I thought I'd join in with the others when I found that Plaid have just elected to have another candidate take the place of one who has been established in his seat for 20 years!!!!

A very clever and cunning move???

I must be missing the point here as I don't have a clue what's going on....

Can anyone explain it to me?

In brief:

1. Richard Morris Jones is the elected councillor for the Menai Ward in Caernarfon and has been for nearly 20 years.

2. Plaid chose another candidate to stand for his seat in next years elections.

3. The candidate they chose lost the election on another ward.

4. Plaid now face losing their seat and a long standing party member to the Independents.

5. The councillor who holds the seat 'foul mouths' his party in a popular Welsh Magazine

Has the world gone crazy? There must be more to this than meets the eye..... mustn't there?

We know that not all Plaid members/councillors are happy with an alliance with Labour and that not all the Labour members/councillors are happy with it either, but what other alternative did they have without losing everything?

Surely this is not enough to cause this split? Is it?

And the lame excuse that candidates has a better chance to win the election if they live on the ward doesn't wash either. It never has and never will.

It makes no difference if one candidates lives half a mile from the ward and the other is on the ward.

As I'm sure it makes no difference if any of the candidates don't come from Caernarfon..... Does it?

This extraordinary saga is only the tip of the ice berg, which could be disastrous to both parties.

Plaid could lose their seat if Richard Morris Jones decides to run and is popular with his constituents.

Plaid could then lose him as a Town Councillor and his wife (if she decides to stand by him in protest). Which means two town councillors less for Plaid. (Not that anyone takes notice of the Town Council any more, a council with no powers and made a laughing stock over a four year old buffet, but that's another story).

Richard Morris Jones could stand as an Independent and learn that people have been voting for the party all these years (and not for the man), and subsequently loses his seat.

If he stands as an Independent, will this mean that he will then lose the support of his fellow Plaid Councillors and not elected Mayor next year. (He is currently the Deputy Mayor).

He could also lose his seat on the town council (who?) if people have been voting Plaid and not the man.

What is certain is that if Richard Morris Jones steps down as a member of Plaid (of which he has been a part of since he was 14 yrs of age). Then Plaid will almost definitely put up another candidate to fight for the seat on the town council.

Complicated stuff, but the fact remains, Plaid think they have a better chance with a candidate who lost the last election on the Seiont Ward (3rd) than with a candidate who has served the ward for nearly 20 years!

Which raises the question. why doesn't Labour put up two time loser Tecwyn Thomas for election on the Menai Ward, He has tried unsuccessfully nearly everywhere else!!!!!

Politics eh? Who needs it?

Richard Morris Jones must feel that he's been stabbed in the back, not a nice feeling I can tell you!

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Oriel in Caernarfon

Hi Guys,
I was just sent this by email, I hope you pop along on the 13th. Oh no I've just realised it's going to be Friday 13th. So I would urge you all to go there as nothing bad will happened to you whilst there.
Anyhow, here is the info and bilingual too!

SŴN GWYN
Femke van Gent a Paula Hampson
Adolygiad:
Trafodaeth i gloi a diodydd, dydd Gwener 13eg Gorffennaf 5 - 8 pm
Rydyn ni'n eich gwahodd chi i ddod i rannu gyda'r arlunwyr y cam terfynol 'ma o Sŵn Gwyn, arddanosfa oedd yn newid dros amser.
Mae ffotograffau a deunydd fideo yn cofnodi gwaith yr artistiaid wrth iddo ddatblygu.
Rydyn ni'n edrych ymlaen at eich gweld chi yn Oriel Dafydd Hardy
Dymuniadau gorau
Glenys (Curador) Paula & Femke (Arlunwyr)

Dear All
WHITE NOISE
Femke van Gent a Paula Hampson
Review:
End discussion & drinks Friday 13th July 5-8pm
We invite you to come and share with the artists this final stage of White Noise, an exhibition that has changed over time.
Displayed photographs and video footage show a record of the artists work in transition.
We look forward to seeing you at Oriel Dafydd Hardy.
Best Wishes
Glenys (Curator) Paula & Femke (Artists)

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Caernarfon Wanderers

Caernarfon Wanderers are all set up to go at Cae Top, they are looking for sponsors and more people to get involved in the project. Drop us a line at Caernarfon Online and we will pass on any offers of help to them direct.

Their home games will be played at Cae Top in Caernarfon and the boys have already secured changing room facilities at the site.

Caernarfon Town FC are also looking for sponsors for this year and are currently filling their program with local advertisers, rates are very reasonable and helps the clubs survive in a competitive market.

If I have have and more updates, I will post them on the Caernarfon Blogspot. If you have a group that helps the community then get in touch and we will give you a soap box to shot from online!

See you soon Click here to go back to www.CaernarfonOnline.co.uk

Welcome

Hi Caernarfon,
We have decided to change our this month page and concentrate on a better - up to the minute blog, that will be updated constantly.

I hope you will join in and use this page often.

The plan will be to have local issues aired and discussed on here.
The Blog will be serious in places but should be taken light hearted, obviously my view will not be every one's cup of tea (if it was then this world would be a funny place).

If you don't agree with my thoughts then by all means let me know yours (on any subject).

Over the years I have received some wonderful e-mails congratulating me on the website and received quite a few from people who prefer to attack me.
Hey what the hell I'm OK with that, I don't expect everyone to agree with me and I also know that not everyone loves me either.......
I am not here to make friends or enemies through the website.

Those who visit, visit through choice, those who don't, do so by choice as well, (their loss).

The late great Sir Matt Busby once taught the then new manager of Man Utd a valuable lesson.

Fergie was annoyed by the constant bad press he was receiving in the papers and told Sir Matt that it upset him dearly.
Sir Matt replied Och Aye son, if it upsets you that much don't read it laddie don't read it!

Anyway I hope you ready the blog and enjoy it, check back here soon and take a look at topical issues on the Caernarfon Online Blog.

It may not be updated daily, but it will be updated often I promise!

Catch yah soooooon

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