Caernarfon Online Editor's view

Riots!

2011-08-11T01:48:00.000-07:00

Having read about and seeing footage of the riots currently taking place in London and other places in the UK got me thinking what would happen if the same started here?

With Assembly cut backs and the Caernarfon police station running on minimal staff, how would they cope?

Speaking with a local bobby recently, I was told that there was only one officer on duty! Very dangerous scenario to be in with a population of 10,000, isn't this a bit worrying?

What if we had 100 yobs breaking into shops and homes in town? How would North Wales Police cope? Where would they draft more police from? And what if there were riots elsewhere and no one could spare any officers? It's too horrid to even contemplate!

CUT SERVICES

Despite the cost of living going up by the day, our services have been cut to the bone. Hell, they only pick up our rubbish once a fortnight!!! How on earth did they get away with that???

Cuts here, there and everywhere are down down to bad management. Our defence has been hit hard over the last twelve months and more to come. I have always maintained that the one with the bigger gun always wins.

Cut backs in our policing, services, health etc etc does not impact us until we need them, it's only then we realise how bad things have become.

If we can't cope with riots at home, how can we defend ourselves if we are at war? Getting rid of our nuclear weapons, our jets, our soldiers, our tanks, our air craft carrier will all lead us to one place - DISASTER! The sooner we realize this the better!

Let's pray nothing bad happens in this area!

I hear the Assembly is "monitoring" the situation..... what does that mean exactly?

Are they are watching the news like the rest of us?

Hate mail

2011-07-27T11:12:00.000-07:00

Ohhh I seem to have hit a nerve with the big wheel article.

I received a hate mail through the post today - How shallow!

I was quaking in my boots knowing someone is tough enough to send me an unsigned letter. ha ha

At least I have the guts to put my name to my articles you coward.

Get a life sonny boy, the letter is in the hands of the police as we speak.

Sticks and stones saddo sticks and stones !

Here's a link to a news article in Blackpool which seems to agree with my feelings. Click Here

Looks like our Caernarfon Eye Sore is a miss elsewhere too. I always said it was more suited to fairground towns. it seems on this occasion I was wrong.

The Big Wheel and more tat

2011-07-06T09:59:00.000-07:00

http://www.dailypost.co.uk/news/north-wales-news/2011/07/01/historic-market-could-disappear-warning-55578-28974674/

I was quite smug the other day when I stumbled across the article on the Daily Post website which told about the fears of losing the Caernarfon Market. The reasons given was such 'tat' as the rusty old big wheel and similar events which detract from the Market in town.

I have said this on countless occasions and whoever thought of bringing rubbish like this to our town.... well they should be ashamed of themselves!

The traders warned at the time that it put the Market in jeopardy, but no one listened.

Here is what we reported at the time

http://www.caernarfononline.co.uk/2007/may/problems/

http://www.caernarfononline.co.uk/2007/june/wheelyplanned/

and this was back in 2007!!!!

Caernarfon has a heritage and history, bringing inferior "detraction's" like this at the risk of losing either the Heritage status or the Market is ludicrous.

Let's hope that this is now the end of it and we only get quality events in town that doesn't cost our existing businesses their livelihood.

Caernarfon needs its Market, it brings people in to the centre.

We need it just as much as other towns (who welcome their markets), its again down to one or two thinking we don't. Lessons to be learned again perhaps?

Museums

2011-05-12T07:03:00.000-07:00

In the news lately and for the last year or so for that matter, is the problem of funding our museums.

These include the Roman and Maritime museums and artifacts. The two venues are relatively small are situated in different locations in the town. So, if funding one of them was a problem, then funding two of them doubles the cost does it not?

We have been told time and time again that if no funding was found then they would have to close both venues.
It seems that this day has arrived and neither museum will open this summer.

So, what to do?

Could I suggest that this would be a good time for the Town Council to open it's doors to the public?

Having worked closely for many years with the former Town Clerk Mr Vernon Pierce, (we were the first ever to put the council online) I know that the Institute building has a wealth of historical artifacts that are often not seen by the public.
We have a fantastic chamber to show off, as well as the old baths under the building.

With all this in mind, isn't it possible to combine all three establishments under one roof and make it available during the summer months?

I understand that most museums are free in the UK (but not all) and there is always a way around this and charging a small fee to see all three museums at one venue would be the way forward.

A room or even the empty shop under the offices (this has been empty for three years plus) could be used for the purpose and gifts / mementos could be sold to help fund the venture.

We are very lucky in Caernarfon as we have many historians who would love to be a part of this and added to local volunteer staff, this could be a great new visitor attraction for Caernarfon. I know of the Local Resident Historians Gwydion have numerous exhibitions which would add to the venture. The proceeds could benefit the town!

This could be the solution to the problem and add a little bit more to the visitors experience of Caernarfon.

York does it, why can't we?

Parking Mad!

2011-05-09T16:02:00.000-07:00

What I saw this week beggars belief!
The story goes like this......

A visitor parks his car on the Maes and stops a parking warden for assistance.

He asks:

"Where is the Pay and Display machine?" I heard the warden reply. "This is not a car park! This is a pedestrian zone!"

The visitor looked round and you could see in his face that he was indeed confused. He was looking at the 20 or so vehicles parked on the Maes and I bet he was wondering, If this is a no parking zone, then why is the warden not doing his job and booking these cars?

I've said it before and I'll say it again. If Gwynedd wanted the Maes to be car free then they would order their parking wardens to book EVERY car on the Maes.

So why isn't it happening? Can it be because, if they do, then they are cutting off a nice little earner for themselves?

Very soon, drivers would stop parking on the Maes and Gwynedd would lose thousands of pounds a year in parking fines.

By booking a percentage and leaving the rest alone, they ensure a steady return of those who got away.
Can any of you think of a better reason????

I am on record as saying there will be a death on the Maes, if something isn't done about the Maes. I pray to God I am wrong.

Fountain debate

2011-04-21T04:21:00.000-07:00

So the council wants to move the old fountain a few feet!
Is it me or is this just insane?

I mean, Hywel Roberts got his photo in the paper again by saying it would make people think there was something of interest up Pool Street!!!

My God who are these people?

Does he seriously think that moving the remains of the old fountain will make a blind bit of difference to Pool Street? Pool Street certainly needs an injection of something, but it certainly isn't moving an old fountain!

In reality the question still remains, why did they move it to the top of Pool Street in the first place?

The fountain is an important part of the town's history and is the symbol of the achievements of Sir Llewelyn Turner who brought clean water to the people of Caernarfon following a cholera epidemic. The fountain was built on the Maes in 1868.

But what we have today is only the centre piece, so where is the rest of the fountain?

Those of you who remember the old fountain in all it's glory will also remember it fully operational and much better than the water feature we have on the Maes at present. It had a wide base which collected all the water, very much like the ones in Trafalgar square (but smaller).

The current water feature is a magnet for children who play in it whilst their parents watch on. Another accident waiting to happen methinks.

Does anyone else (except for Hywel) think that moving the fountain a few feet towards Boots will make a blind bit of difference to Pool Street? What a total waste of money, perhaps a freedom of information request to the council will divulge what this extravagance is costing?

Come on councillors, get your act together and make Caernarfon proud again.

Silly spending on useless projects like this, beggars belief.

I may sound like a right moaner but.....

2011-04-18T05:51:00.000-07:00

I know competition is healthy......

I know we desperately need more shops in town......

I know that we need "multinational" shops......

So why am I not pleased that Specsavers is coming to Caernarfon?

Because I, like many others will no doubt defect to them because they are cheaper. (should have gone to specsavers).

So what will become of our three existing opticians? Namely Petter Harrop, Rayners and Pepper's..... I wish we could do something to attract different kinds of shops to town and have a good variety of goods on offer.

A town of this size already has enough opticians to meet our needs, having a larger shop of this nature will mean the others will struggle. (The cake being the same size, but the slices getting smaller)

Same happened to Taxi firms, same happened to driving schools and the same happened to cafe bars. When will we ever get the balance right?

Things can only get better?

2011-04-14T08:28:00.000-07:00

Bet's being taken on when Pool Street is completed is only the tip of the iceberg.

What happens to the residents of Pool Lane if there is an emergency?

With no room for the fire service or ambulance, in a life or death scenario valuable time would be lost in gaining access to help in and emergency situation.
Surely this cannot be legal? Surely there is a better way for the work to be carried out?
If anyone died, who would be responsible? The council or the contractor? As humans we have rights. as humans we have the right for emergency teams to get to us if we need them. Over the last four weeks residents at Pool Lane have had cause to contact the council and contractor on numerous occasions.

I personally received profanities from one worker when asked how to get home. No one cares and no one speaks to us. The council tells us one thing (eventually) and the contractor does another. If I have to name names then I will.

Watch this space folks. Methinks things are going to get better!!!!

Sandwich board advertising – AGAIN

2011-03-31T12:04:00.001-07:00

Sandwich board advertising – AGAIN!

Is it me or is this a case of double standards by Gwynedd Council? A few weeks back I complained about the amount of Sandwich advertising boards on Pool Street. It is a public Health issue and an accident waiting to happen as cars and pedestrians fight for the right to manoeuvre. But this week we hear that it’s ok to have tables and chairs on the street so long as you pay!! !

Flippin eck, no matter how they dress it up, this is just another tax on businesses. I haven’t a clue who this Dafydd Wyn Williams is, but it seems so long as you are prepared to fork out a few quid to his cash strapped council, then public safety is not an issue? I would once again like to ask, if someone gets hurt by one of these boards or chairs in the street then who is responsible? My guess is that if Gwynedd Council charge for the right to install tables etc, then the onus is on them... is it not? I see this like a garage failing a car because of faulty brakes, but, if they are prepared to pay then they get their certificate!

I can accept chairs and tables receiving a licence if it is properly barricaded and made safe for pedestrians and motorists, but what I can’t condone is the advertising sandwich boards. These things are a health hazard to the visibly impaired, disabled AND able bodied people. Gwynedd should outlaw these and outlaw them with immediate effect. For, according to Mr Dafydd Wyn Williams, this legislation has been in effect since 2007!

Well Dafydd bach, I urge you to take a walk up Pool Street to see how many impeding sandwich boards are erected there. (mind you, at the moment, you can’t possibly go up Pool Street safely because of the calamity of road re-surfing which is taking place.

Click here for the Herald article
And here is the quote by Gwynedd senior manager Dafydd Wyn Williams (shame on you Dafydd)

Dafydd Wyn Williams, Gwynedd Council’s senior manager transportation and street care said: “Since September 2007, the council has been responsible for ensuring that street furniture and promotional signage on public highways do not impede members of the public.

“This followed considerable joint working between the council and local disability access groups with the aim of making sure that street furniture does not cause a nuisance or danger to disabled people, pedestrians and other road users.

“As part of this arrangement, the council works closely with businesses across the county – we recognise the importance of striking a sensible balance between protecting pedestrians and road users and supporting local businesses.

“Indeed, the safe, responsible and legal use of street furniture can enhance the experience of pedestrians whilst helping local businesses to flourish – that is why the council assesses any business that makes a request to locate tables, chairs and similar street furniture on the public highway outside their establishment.

“By assessing the proposed location, officers can then ensure that the location is properly managed by the business and they can also advise the proprietors regarding any possible improvement to ensure the safety of the public.”

You cannot be serious Town Council!!!!

2011-03-24T08:07:00.000-07:00

See Caernarfon Herald Article here.

Mr Banner-Price of Plas Dinas Hotel dared to complain

"I constantly hear bad news about Caernarfon. "I run a five star country house and I have to admit to being fed up of the negative comments from guests. "It would be lovely for guests to come back saying how lovely Caernarfon is and how much they enjoyed looking round it, or how safe they felt when they went out at night for a meal. "I wonder what actions you are taking to counteract some of these issues and how you plan to help tourism thrive in the coming 12 months in these difficult financial times."

His complaint was discussed at a town council meeting this week and it seems they did not like what they heard. Well town council, people have the right to complain if things are not right and for you lot to take offence is just like burying your heads in the sand.

It was not Mr Banner Price who made the complaints, it was visitors to the area and as editor of both CaernarfonOnline and Visit Caernarfon.com I can back his letter up by saying:

I too have received numerous complaints of this nature. Visitors are constantly complaining about the state of the town, the lack of things to do and the “unsafe” feel in the town. If the council chooses to ignore these complaints, then perhaps we have the wrong people in power?

More than one councillor expressed concern about the letter and not the fact that people are unhappy!
People complain for a reason, they don’t make things up.

Crime Stats for Caernarfon
Our crime stats prove we have not got it right, our empty shops prove we have not got it right and videos on YouTube and face book prove we haven’t got it right.

I am very sorry (town council) that you think the remarks are derogatory, but instead of sulking, why don’t you do something about it?

Oh yes and whilst I’m at it, I agree that money has been spent on the town in the last few years, but has it made it better or worse?
We have a death trap of a Maes, we have empty buildings opposite our largest hotel, we have more and more businesses complaining of losing business, we have needles and drug taking in all corners, we have mass unemployment, we have one way systems driving people away, we are to have another by pass which will kill the town, we nearly had a jail here for crying out loud!

COME ON TOWN COUNCIL WAKE UP AND SEE IT AS THE REST OF US DO!
I’m so sorry that some of the councillors are upset about this, but quite frankly, even when these things are pointed out to you, you choose to ignore it.

Well done Mr Banner –Price for trying, but perhaps now you see why little or nothing is ever done in town.

The proof is all around us! So, just in case the council think we are making it all up.....

Here are some examples of where Caernarfon is getting it wrong, whoops! I seem to have upset another handful of councillors!

Perhaps by listening and not dismissing, our town council can help make Caernarfon a better place for us all?

Seshes Caernarfon
Girls fighting in Town
Comedy?
Kids arrested
Public toilet and needles
Drunk on Arriva Bus

Celtic Royal warning
Caernarfon Traders losing business
World's most expensive car park
Llanbeblig Horror Show
Drugs in Caernarfon
Prison
Maes
Bangor Street

Some of us see it as it really is, others are looking through tinted glasses!

Nearly 2,000 fans a the Oval

2011-03-21T05:56:00.000-07:00

I was very disappointed to have missed Caernarfon's first derby match last week.

Unfortunately, I was conducting a karate competition on the same evening and therefore missed out.
The eventual scoreline proved that I missed a blinder and congratulations goes to our dear friends at CTFC as then ran away with a 4-2 scoreline. Not forgetting commiserations to our friends at the Wanderers, who must now clearly realise they are not far off the mark.
Hopefully promotion this season may see them play more games like this.

A crowd of just under 2,000 is testimony in itself that football still remains the sport in town and hopefully, this will be a stepping stone for both teams who need our support.

Well done to everyone and well done to the 2,000 who turned out!

Just to prove what I blogged was true.

2011-03-15T03:30:00.000-07:00

http://eureferendum.blogspot.com/2011/03/tipping-point.html

Here's in more weight on my claim that the Internet is taking over from traditional newspapers.

Councillor should know better!

2011-03-11T02:17:00.000-08:00

I would like to say I am surprised by some remarks made by a Peblig councillor this week, but realistically I can’t admit to being surprised..... disappointed would be a better word!!!

Remarks have been made about the selling of the Hendre school land owned by Gwynedd council.

I feel that as I am a Governor for Ysgol Yr Hendre I am disappointed that Councillor Kirk did not know about the sale before now!
Had she done her homework, she would have known that this was part of the plan from the beginning. Gwynedd Council have never tried to hide this fact and councillors voted on it last May. So why is she bringing this up now?

Far from it for me to say, but Councillor Kirk persists in getting involved in issues which don’t concern her. She is a councillor on the Peblig ward not Seiont! So why the big interest time and time again about Ysgol Yr Hendre? She would do better in concentrating on her own ward and the people she reperesnts.

When school closures reared its ugly head a few years ago, the world and his brother got on the bandwagon to slate Gwynedd Council and perhaps some of the criticism was justified.

I can't understand that when funding to build a brand new state of the art school was put in place, there are still complaints!

Anita Kirk has been against the new school from the start, she has been quoted on numerous occasions slating the new school. She has been heard on Radio Cymru voicing her objections, despite the subject covered being unrelated.
In what seems to be a personal vendetta by Councillor Kirk against the new school, has she considered what the people of Henrde actually want?
Has she considered if the residents of Hendre Park really want the cemetery extended closer to their homes?

As a governor at the school, I have had the opportunity to talk with many of the residents and a number of them were concerned that the cemetery could be extended closer to their houses. A public meeting was held at the school last year so that people could voice their opinions, where was Councillor Kirk then?http://www.caernarfononline.co.uk/2010/april/hendre.html

A Gwynedd Council spokesperson said: "Last May, councillors approved a recommendation for the present site of Ysgol yr Hendre to be disposed of on the open market when the new school site opens.
"The capital receipt is part of the financial package to develop the new school.
"The site will go on the market in the coming weeks, with the sale to be completed when the new school opens next spring."

Had councillor Krik bothered to look at council minutes last May, she’d have known all about this.
Which raises the question, why do we have councillors blowing off because of their lack of knowledge?
We need councillors who are up to date with everything of importance. Not slating something positive just because of her personal feelings.
Councillors are there so they speak on behalf of their constituency; they are not there to voice their personal opinions. Perhaps this needs to be explained to some of them?

For the record, Antia Kirk gave up her seat on the Cadnant ward at the last election as she would have had to fight her seat. Instead she chose the easy option by taking up an uncontested seat on the Peblig ward.
Does this suggest therefore that she doesn’t really care which ward she represents as she just wants to ‘nose in’ on anything that happens in Caernarfon?

Bottom line here is, yes she is a town councillor, but first and foremost she represents the people of Peblig, she must let the Seiont councillors worry about Seiont residents! QED!

Apathetic

2011-03-04T12:16:00.000-08:00

It is sad to see that only 35% of the people of Wales bothered to vote on the Assembly. What happened to the 65% who didn't make the effort?
Were they not bothered about the future of Wales?

Why can't we make it law that everyone has to vote!
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-wales-12653025

I don't know what the answer is.... but when so many of us decide not to make the effort then surely questions must be raised about why.
Are 65% of the people so not interested in the Assembly that they don't want to get off their backsides to have their say?
This is not the voice of Wales, this is the voice of the minority!

Those of us who made the effort, chose to give the Assembly more powers. Let's all hope that this was the right decision!
From what I have seen of the Assembly to date, it leaves a lot to be desired!

Let's hope that by having to "power to make more decisions" our Assembly members make the right ones.
Personally I am unimpressed with what they have done/are doing to date and until I see my beloved Wales prosper, nothing will change my mind.

I want Wales to be a part of the UK. I don't want full Independence and I hope it never happens. Cymru am Byth, but not at the cost to our children.

So pleased to learn my incentive is still going on.

2011-03-02T12:06:00.000-08:00

http://www.caernarfononline.co.uk/feb2006/flags/ (See article back in Feb 2006)

Back in 2006 I visited Edinburgh and was amazed at how colourful the city was. I brought an idea back to the "then" Chamber of Trade, and it was passed unanimously that we approach the town council to see if we could secure funding to put up Welsh Flags all over the town.

Following a meeting with the then Town Clerk Mr Vernon Pierce, we learnt that the town council would indeed finance the items and once this had been passed, it was down to myself and the secretary to arrange for the erection of the colourful Welsh flags all over the town. We even arranged for new brackets to be installed to all shops who required one, which doubled up to take Christmas Trees during the festive period.

The Flags were up during the Big Buzz and proved to be a great success with visitors.

This was repeated for three years running, as we were able to secure more funding for flags the following year.

Of course this was in the days of utter harmony within the Chamber and in the days when people worked together for the good of everyone.

I am so pleased to see that it seems my idea will once again see the town receive a colourful injection. The old ideas are always the best!

Shame about all the inner squabbles over the years, which really spoilt the Chamber achieving as much as it should have.

Lets hope things like that never happen again!!!

I look forward to seeing our new flags around town.

Voting this week

2011-02-27T15:32:00.001-08:00

I hope you all go out and vote this week, this is an important vote for our children's future.

I know of hundreds of people who didn't want the Assembly for Wales, but I also know most of them didn't bother to turn out to vote against it.

Realistically, for any vote to be viable, we should insist for a turn out of least 40 to 50%, but this is clearly not the case. It wasn't back then and it certainly won't be this time. In this country, we have the right to vote but rarely exercise that right. It's so easy to complain after and event has occurred.

If you want or don't want the Assembly to have more powers then get off your backsides and cast your vote.

Personally, I am still not convinced that the Assembly has done anything good for Wales and whilst they still have a lot to prove to me, I can't possibly agree to give them more powers as it stands.

Apathy has cost us a lot in the past, so with that in mind, may I remind you all on how popular the live screening of the official opening for the Assembly was in Caernarfon

Click Here to see http://www.caernarfononline.co.uk/march2006/assembly/

Enough said I think.

Sheep are far smarter than previously thought

2011-02-20T09:45:00.000-08:00

I had to smile when I read an article on the Telegraph website today.

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/science/science-news/8335465/Sheep-are-far-smarter-than-previously-thought.html
Perhaps we should ask them if they intend voting No to the Assembly in the up and coming Elections?

Sheep are widely regarded as some of the most dim-witted creatures in the animal kingdom, but new research has revealed they are far more intelligent than they have previously been given credit for.

They are an animal so apparently dim-witted that they have become a byword for stupidity and mindlessly following the crowd. New research, however, reveals that sheep are far more intelligent than they have been given credit for.

Scientists at the University of Cambridge have found that the creatures have the brainpower to equal rodents, monkeys and, in some tests, even humans.

The results suggest that sheep have relatively advanced learning capabilities, are adaptable, can map out their surroundings mentally and may even be able to plan ahead.

The findings will surprise any motorist who has had to follow a stray sheep trying to escape oncoming traffic by running down the middle of a country road.

The animals' tendency to blindly follow the flock has led to sheep becoming enshrined in the English language as a description for unquestioningly doing what others are doing.

Charity begins at home does it not?

2011-02-17T08:15:00.001-08:00

I (like many others) am appalled at the handouts this country gives away to other nations.
Our hospitals and schools are struggling, our young are struggling, we have vast unemployment, businesses are closing down left right and centre and homes are repossessed every day.

And what are we doing? We are giving £280million to India (who has its own space program and manages to build nuclear warships!)

All in all we are talking about £1billion in tax payers handouts!

India has an economic growth of 8.5% a year and it in turn, gives aid to Africa!
On top of this they spend £20bn a year on defence and has a £1.25bn space programme!!!

The answer is simple!
Until we get back on our feet, we need to come together as one in the UK and look after our own. We should stop giving aid altogether in my opinion.
We should not be bailing out other countries (Ireland comes to mind).
We should be looking after our own economy and once we sort out our own mess, then and only then should we think about helping others!

Personally, I would not be giving any money to my neighbour if my own children were starving!
This certainly isn't rocket science (whether we have a space program or not!)

Welsh language ignored by punters!

2011-02-09T08:55:00.000-08:00

As a driving instructor http://www.caernarfondrivingschool.co.uk/ I was surprised (nay shocked) to learn how many people chose the Welsh language option when taking their theory test.

An article in the Daily Express showed how way down the list the Welsh language is in relation to Urdu or Polish in this country.

See the full article here.
http://www.express.co.uk/posts/view/227985/L-test-drivers-who-need-help-to-read-English-road-signs

For your convenience I have uploaded the full report which was produced on the Driving Standards Agency website, following a Freedom of Information request made by someone (Not this website I may add)
http://www.caernarfononline.co.uk/welshtest.pdf

As you can see on the file, Voice overs are available in many different languages and perhaps this is not surprising as the UK is multi national, but what is alarming is the fact that the Welsh language is bottom of this list compared to Urdu or Polish. Take a quick look here.

People requesting voice overs during the period from April 209 to March 2010 were as follows:

Polish 12,434
Urdu 18,816
English 104,581
Cantonese 2,441
Kurdish 10,026
Punjabi 5,541
Turkish 9,491

So? I hear you ask. So, how many requested the Welsh version?

Wait for it...........

13

That's not 13,000! That's 13 people!!!! throughout the whole of 2009 -2010!!!!!

Of all the language options only Kashmiri came lower with 5 requests!!!!

This is a big kick in the teeth for the Welsh Language and not one which bodes well for us here in Wales.

This is the website the report came from
http://www.dft.gov.uk/dsa/General.asp?nc=RGZV&id=17145

Makes you think if the money spent on the facility was worth it doesn't it?

Advertising boards

2011-02-04T02:18:00.000-08:00

I received a request this week that asked me to highlight a heath and safety issue in Caernarfon.

The problem seems to be the placing of advertising sandwich style boards all around the town. It was put to me that not only was this a problem for the elderly and traffic, but it was also a big problem for the blind.

I had never thought about this before now, but having reviewed the situation in town, the person who contacted me certainly seems to have a point.

Walking down Pool Street, I came across ten boards which had people manoeuvring round them and in many instances stepping right into the path of moving vehicles. In other circumstances, vehicles delivering to shops were restricted and had to physically move the signs just to deliver.

I may be wrong, but I am sure the council banned the use of these boards two years ago? I also remember businesses having to pay for licences to erect any furniture outside their premises.

Palace Street is just as guilty and as such the whole town needs to be addressed by the council before an accident happens.

I have to say, I totally agree with the complaint and I am happy to highlight it here.

What do you think?

Beginning of the end for local paper?

2011-01-06T02:51:00.000-08:00

UPDATE: Following Linda's response here are the drop in figures from the Trinity Mirror website which proves the original article I wrote is correct and not "off kilter".

Jan-June 2010 12.013 http://www.trinitymirrornorthwest.co.uk/_files/documents/sep_10/tms__1284741509_C&D_Herald.pdf
Jan-June 2005 14,736
http://www.icnorthwestflash.co.uk/mediapacks/circulation.pdf

Over 5 years it has dropped 2,723 which is 18.5% = 3.7% a year on average.

Here is the original article I wrote.

I've predicted this before and I'll say it again.

The Internet revolution is changing life as we know it.
The digital age is upon us and the way we receive our information is changing by the day.

I have predicted in the past that in the near future, books will become obsolete.
I told a friend of mine who was shocked by my prediction and said it will never happen.
I explained to him that we are entering a different age and Internet references are already used in schools instead of books. He totally dismissed my theory and now, a few years on we see the Kindle digital books on sale everywhere. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Amazon_Kindle
E Books and E Pads and I Pads are the way forward. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/I_pad
Why buy shelves and shelves of books when it can all be stored on a tiny SD card?

Where am I going with this you may ask?

Well, another friend of mine told me (a few weeks ago) that the Daily Post was going to print two editions of their paper. A West and East version for North Wales.
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-wales-north-east-wales-12126400

All well and good I hear you say as it gives us all the opportunity of more local news.
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk/7937728.stm
But at the same time circulations of local papers across the country are way down and continue to fall because more and more people use the Internet for their news.
Click here to see a statement by Trinity Mirror http://www.trinitymirror.com/documents/IMS%2013%20May%20Final.pdf
http://www.guardian.co.uk/media/greenslade/2010/jul/20/trinity-mirror-wales

So I have to ask, where does this leave the Caernarfon Herald?
Why would we need to buy the local paper if we've already received the local news in the Daily Post all week long? What can the weekly paper give us that we haven't read already? Is this the beginning of the end of what is a local institution?

Generations of families have looked forward to Thursdays to read the Herald and it would be a sad loss to see it go.
But, with every story, you have to (quite often) read in between the lines, and for me, I can't possibly see a long life for the Herald if their mother paper is expanding to try and save itself.

We have to remember that for quite some time now, the local paper has been taken over by Trinity Mirror. The Mirror has to justify that it makes a profit and repeating the same news in a paper which will become surplus to requirement will mean spending their profits.

My prediction is this.
Not only will we see the demise of books as we know them. (same happened to records, tapes and Cd's as we now buy mp3's, same happened to video cassettes and DVDs as we now enter the Blue Ray and 3D age)
We will also inevitably see newspapers become a thing of the past. Newspapers will charge for online viewing.
Local papers will also be online and not available in shops. The demise will start with accumulating all local news into one standard and doing away with the smaller papers.

We are already seeing the Cambrian News charging online fees http://subscriber.pagesuite-professional.co.uk/subscribe.aspx?source=4&eid=82f825da-6251-4932-8d04-e3588995df66

The question is, when will we be looking at the last ever edition of the Herald? The Trinity Mirror Group have already got rid of the Herald Cymraeg as we knew it.

Just a thought, what do you think?

Review of the year Part 1

2010-12-30T06:36:00.000-08:00

Review of the Year
Review of 2010 Part 1
January – June.

Here are some of the important events of 2010, I have listed then in their months with part two to come in the new year.

January
As usual a quiet month but one story which reared its head was that some sectors thought an archaeological dig in Cae Phillips would spoil the plans for the new Ysgol Hendre to go ahead. A Medieval burial ground of “National Importance” had been found and made the headlines at the time.

Gwynedd Council introduced their new “green” refuse collection service. This was to try and make people recycle more. Collections for normal waste would be made every two weeks.

Celtic Royal Hotel announces that if business does not improve they may need to close during the months of January in future years. http://www.caernarfononline.co.uk/2010/july/celticroyal.html

February
Clic Agency involved in a new Sherlock Holmes DVD filmed on location in parts of Caernarfon http://www.caernarfononline.co.uk/2010/feb/sherlock.html

Major concerns raised by Councillor after hearing news that the old doctors surgery was to be transformed into a drug rehab centre. http://www.caernarfononline.co.uk/2010/feb/old_doctors_surgery.html

Caernarfon Park given £37,000 face lift. http://www.caernarfononline.co.uk/2010/feb/coedhelen.html

Big Weekend announced for the Faenol as Chris Moyles and Pixie Lott record live show from the venue. http://www.caernarfononline.co.uk/2010/feb/bigweekend.html

March
Google uses Caernarfon Castle as its background to celebrate St Davids Day. http://www.caernarfononline.co.uk/2010/march/google.html

Local publican and a big character in town was buried after passing away in February . Beno (Richard Merfyn Roberts) Hundreds turn up at his funeral.

A futile attempt to sue COL Editor dismissed in court. Local councillor shamed in court for his part in the proceedings. http://www.caernarfononline.co.uk/2010/march/bobanderson.html

Death trap uncovered in Plas Maesincla http://www.caernarfononline.co.uk/2010/march/deathtrap.html

Noddfa announce successful funding http://www.caernarfononline.co.uk/2010/march/noddfa.html

Caernarfon Town Football Club rescue plan announced http://www.caernarfononline.co.uk/2010/march/ctfc.html

Closed meeting by Plaid Cymru “photo scandal” to choose new mayor elect http://www.caernarfononline.co.uk/2010/march/plaidmeeting.html

April
Big news for town announced on April Fools day! http://www.caernarfononline.co.uk/2010/april/april1st.html

Line up for Big Weekend announced, acts to include Rhianna, JLS and Cheryl Cole http://www.caernarfononline.co.uk/2010/april/bigweekend.html

Llais Gwynedd Councillor Gwilym Euros suspended following assault claims http://www.caernarfononline.co.uk/2010/april/gwilymeuros.html

Big Weekend Beach Clean in North Wales http://www.caernarfononline.co.uk/2010/april/beachsweep.html

Llanbeblig Cemetery drops to new low as vandals destroy the area http://www.caernarfononline.co.uk/2010/april/llanbeblig.html

Queen visit’s Caernarfon to the delight of locals http://www.caernarfononline.co.uk/2010/april/queen_visit.html

May
Gwynedd Chairman announced as Tudor Owen http://www.caernarfononline.co.uk/2010/may/gwyneddchair.html

Election results sees Plaid Cymru majority slashed as Hywel Williams keeps seat http://www.caernarfononline.co.uk/2010/may/electionresult.html

Big Weekend a big success at the Faenol. http://www.caernarfononline.co.uk/bigweekend/

June
New Signs erected in town to help find parking spaces. http://www.caernarfononline.co.uk/2010/june/signs.html

Caernarfon’s Midsummer Festival a great success http://www.caernarfononline.co.uk/2010/june/midsummerfest.html

Karate breaking record completed at Hendre School. http://www.caernarfononline.co.uk/2010/june/karate.html

Glyn Evans MBE dies. http://www.caernarfononline.co.uk/2010/june/glyn.html

Christmas message

2010-12-30T05:10:00.000-08:00

Cheers to you all!

So nice to receive a Christmas card from a dear old friend this morning. Better late than never I suppose. It was surprising to hear from him after so long. (he was always one who was late with everything so no change there ha ha). Thank you dear friend, you were always a blast!

You know, little things like this re-kindle those nice warm thoughts you had for people who you thought were long gone.
It gave me a new lease of life and makes me look forward to another good year.

I hope you all had a wonderful time this Christmas and enjoyed yourselves as much as we did, where ever you are.

May I wish you all a Happy New Year and lets make this one the best yet.
x

Christmas Time

2010-12-20T09:11:00.000-08:00

Hi everyone,

So glad to see so many hits on the blog and so glad to see my feelings about driving people away from town is backed by so many of you.
It seems not only do many of you think the by pass will be the death of Caernarfon, many of you are also sceptical about if the Land Train and if it's any good for the town or if indeed it's driving people away.
Having said that, I have had a couple of positive messages regarding the train (one from Mr Thirsk himself who disagreed what was said and denies they were responsible for the loudspeaker?). I have to say though, I heard what I heard.
But quite honestly this has raised quite a storm amongst you lot with many of you justifiably worried about loss of trade in town and the town's future in general.

For many years we've seen businesses fold and because of this we need all the help we can get. It's such a shame that so many are trying to do it alone instead of together.
I hope the council reviews what the train is doing or not doing for the town in the New Year.

Anyway enough of that, Ti's the season to be jolly and within days, the grand old man with his reindeer will soon come a knocking.

The snow has stopped a lot of things but it didn't stop the karate Christmas party at Ysgol Yr Hendre. Children from all corners came to the splash with parents and friends all joining forces to make sure the kids had a great day.
Over 60 children had a feast of Christmas food, drink and games with father Christmas making an appearance at the end with presents and booty bags for everyone.
We even had fun competitions where both adults and kids took part!
What a great feeling of community spirit we experienced throughout. Therefore may I take this opportunity in thanking everyone who helped out: from the servers to the cleaners, the cooks to the DJ and not forgetting Father Christmas himself!!

I was glad to be a part of the organising team and hope everyone enjoyed themselves as much as I did.
The photo above shows me holding a Piniata Santa which was kindly donated by one of the parents.
May I take this opportunity in wishing you all a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year. Nadolig Llawen a Blwyddyn Newydd Dda i chi gyd.

Driving People Away

2010-12-09T05:56:00.000-08:00

Now that the plans for the' Caernarfon By Pass' has reared its ugly head we see that the main point of having this road is to drive people around instead of to Caernarfon. In my opinion this is a totally stupid and unacceptable plan.
Make it difficult for people to get here and they won't! This is NOT ROCKET SCIENCE!

The same has happened in Caernarfon over and over again. Our resident Historian T Meirion Hughes is on record as stating the death of trading in town is down to the Train Station being removed. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2IWiO0iLVIk
Following the removal of the station, Caernarfon had to endure a 'fly over' or inner relief road which also served to deviate from the town.
More recently we've seen the one way system on Bangor Street help close down shops in the centre. What next?

Well shocking as it may seem, a venture, supposed to attract visitors into town is said to be driving people away from it.
Local shop keepers are up in arms that the Land Train owned and run by John Thirsk is killing trade in their shops. Many of them have complained to the council but at the moment it seems to be falling on deaf ears.
The Chamber of Trade are sitting on the fence on it.

Personally, I do not like the train. As a driving instructor I have been stopped unnecessary by the train when approaching the town centre, having already stopped at the zebra crossing.
I was appalled whist covering the official lighting of our Christmas tree for the website last week when I witnessed someone on the trains loudspeaker advertising across the ceremony.
This was totally unacceptable and many people present were disgusted with the hard sell.http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sELHEXogJm0

In my personal opinion the train is an accident waiting to happen and (I hope I'm wrong) soon we may see a fatality as the train drives up a congested Pool Street and down a narrow lane for Pool Side, when other vehicles are not allowed. This is ludicrous!
I ask this? How can driving people away from the town centre help our businesses?

Come on Chamber of Trade, stop ducking out and support the businesses who've complained. Or are you ignoring them simply because they are not members?
Or perhaps is it just because the same Mr John Thirsk is currently your acting chairman following the suicide of the former chair?

People wouldn't complain without reason now would they?

Caernarfon needs help and it needs it fast!

All quiet

2010-11-10T03:25:00.000-08:00

Hi again,

Sorry I've been a bit quiet lately, but we've been away for a few weeks in sunny Florida and it was a holiday well worth making the effort for. Once again I am able to appreciate how good life is.

Coming back to Caernarfon and the bitterly cold weather we're having at the moment, makes me wish we had booked a few weeks extra!!!

The temp was the hottest on record (for October) at an incredible 91 degrees!

However , this is the first time ever I've returned home to snow on the hill-tops in October.

Visiting the States make you realize how far we are behind in this country of ours. Both technology wise and promotion wise.

Orlando certainly seems to have its act together, as even in the current financial climate, hotels and theme parks were full to bursting and there did not seem to be a shortage of cash passing around.

Fireworks

I just about made it back for the fireworks and you will have to accept my apologies for the short video of the event I included on the Caernarfon website, we were still jet lagged when we heard the bangs, so shot out to the street to record some of it for those of you who missed it. Not good quality, but the best I could muster under the circumstances.

Remembrance Sunday

We have the Remembrance service to look forward to on Sunday, and I hope you all make the effort to go down and give it your support. The event in Caernarfon is always well supported and I hope you enjoy it.

Christmas

It will soon be Christmas and despite the recession, I have had a wonderful year this year, Life seems to get better as you get older and I hope you all feel the same about the way things are going for you.

Let's hope Caernarfon improves as we get older too and now that hopefully we have turned a corner here in town, things will slowly get back on track for us.

Woolworth's

Soooooo pleased to see the old Woolworth's store opening up before Christmas, this can only be good for Pool Street and the town in general.

I cross my fingers that Tesco will also get the go ahead and the by pass is canceled.... well we can all dream can't we.

Local By elections

2010-10-07T16:18:00.000-07:00

Llais Gwynedd take the vacant Gwynedd seat whilst Plaid Cymru wins the vacant Seiont Town Council seat. Labour hold the vacant Town Council seat on Cadnant.

On a personal note, I thoroughly enjoyed taking part in this election, despite not getting the result I wanted.
Nevertheless, it was an experience that anyone with an opinion should take. It is so easy to complain and knock councillors.... but to have the right to do that, one must be prepared to put themselves up and be counted. It's no point in complaining if you are not prepared to have a go yourself.
I have always been Independent in my views and always want what's best for the people of Caernarfon, not necessarily what a particular party wants.
Personally I feel 'party politics' hinder councillors at this level, but that's only my opinion and (thank God) we live in a country which allows us to have the freedom of opinion.

Congratulations to all who took part in this election, especially to those who topped the polls.
The others, well, the others should now take stock and see what they are going to do about any future elections.

Election

2010-09-11T13:22:00.000-07:00

Many of you may have heard or read that the closing date for the up and coming local elections has now passed and that names have now been submitted.

There are three different elections taking place, one for the vacant Town council seat on the Cadnant ward and two for the vacant Gwynedd and Town council seats on the Seiont ward.

Many of you may already be aware that I have put my name down for election on the Seiont Ward.
I would therefore like to take this opportunity in wishing everyone who is up for election the very best and promise readers that this is all I intend to blog on it.

In the interest of fair play, I will not try to influence anyone on the Caernarfon website but will blog as normal. There will be no reference to the election itself on this blog until after the election.
Caernarfon Online may post updates to news about the election if and when we receive them from Gwynedd Council.

I hope you all understand.

Gareth Edwards

A simple thank you to the staff at Ysgol Syr Hugh

2010-09-07T12:43:00.000-07:00

I would like to extend my sincere thanks to all the staff at year 7 of Ysgol Syr Hugh Owen. I am very impressed by the way they have ensured that each student settles in effortlessly. A special Welcoming day was held at the leisure centre yesterday so that pupils could integrate and work together as teams.

Well done to all the staff and head teachers who made this possible.

Karate Kid

2010-08-13T09:31:00.000-07:00

The new film Karate Kid has re opened a part of me which I had long forgotten. I remember the original film and the impact it had on youngsters all those years ago. As a 5th Dan karate instructor I was so pleased to see the film re introduced to a new audience and once again no doubt get kids off their backsides and back into the training halls (Dojo's).
I am one of the many instructors in the area who are concerned about the bad name direct debit contracts give the martial arts.
People keep telling me that karate at some places cost as much as £60 per month plus extras!!! This saddens me as I am one of the old school instructors who teach kids because I can, not to line my pockets.
Please take a few minutes to click on this link
http://www.caernarfononline.co.uk/2010/aug/karatekid.html and if you know of anyone who is paying a kings ransom to learn karate then let them know they don't have to. 1 1/2 hour lessons can cost as little as £3.50 and are available here in Caernarfon. Download the token from the page (link) above and gain two free lessons and free membership until Dec 2010!!! No catch, no hidden fees and strictly no direct debits.

oooooosssssahhhhh!

http://www.zanshinkarate.co.uk/

Enjoyed a great weekend

2010-08-03T13:48:00.000-07:00

What a great weekend!

I love working for this website, as it allows me to get behind the scenes at all the major events.

This weekend was no exception, as we covered two first class events in the area.

Getting close to the action and being lucky enough to chat with the organisers of these events is something I really enjoy experiencing.

This weekend proved to be a very busy on for us, as on Saturday we went to Coed Helen Holiday Park for the Help for the Heroes event and on Sunday we visited the North Wales Boat Show on its final day at the Faenol.

These were two events which I can safely say were first class and ones which will grow and grow over the next few years.

If you haven't yet seen our interviews, then check them out on the links below.

North Wales Boat Show

Help for the Heroes

Many thanks to the organisers of both events for their help in making our visits run smoothly.

Caernarfon Festival

2010-07-29T14:59:00.000-07:00

Well done to all the organisers of this year's Caernarfon Festival. I have been lucky enough to see and video some of it for the festival website.

If you haven't seen it already, then check out http://www.caernarfonfestival.co.uk/ .

A special thanks from CaernarfonOnline and no doubt the good people of Caernarfon to Glyn and Mike for all their hard work.

Faenol 2010

2010-07-16T14:21:00.000-07:00

http://www.caernarfononline.co.uk/2010/july/faenol.html

I don't know if you've seen the latest press release from the Faenol, but if you haven't please check the link above.

We at Caernarfon Online hold the Faenol very close to our hearts and appreciate all the good that rolls off it for the area.
Every year we are invited to cover the event on the Caernarfon website and every year we see the joy it gives people first hand.
This year is a real challenge for the festival and one which I would imagine was difficult to organise. Difficult because they (the organisers) need to top what they've done in the past and that can prove difficult in the current economic climate.
I think they have done this by inviting back two of the most successful acts to grace the Faenol park. Rolando and Westlife. Added to this we have the Battle of Britain event and a new comedy night featuring Al Murray and firends. WOW! How good does it get?

Our Friend Angharad
Angharad Wynne, the Faenol Press Officer is someone I have a lot of time and respect for as she has done her utmost to ensure that our experience with the festival has always been an easy and productive one. Again this year, she is doing all she can to make sure things are running sommthly and I wish her and her team all the best for this years event.

Community needs to come togehter
We, as locals need to ensure the Festival's future by showing our support for this wonderful date in North Wales' diary.
As everybody guessed, in the current financial climate ticket sales are slower this year and added to this we also had the Big Weekend and Wakestock to compete with.
The Faenol Festival has always pride itself on supplying us with the top acts currently performing. Let's face it, where in the country, nay the World, could we see so many stars under one roof?

Amazing show
The Faenol has pulled out all the stops to once more give North Wales a show to be proud of. Westlife are one of the biggest names in the World, added to this we have opera legend Rolando Villazon, Hayley Westenra, Rhydian and The Feeling, Al Murray, Ed Byrne and Tudur Owen amongst all the other stars on the weekend bill, this year's event promises to be the best yet.

Show your support
All we are asking is that you show your support by purchasing your tickets early so that the organisers can prove to the promoters that this event is as popular as ever. I know that by the time the doors open, the place will be buzzing, but you need to show your intentions now. Please don't wait until the last minute as we don't want it to look as if we are not bothered here in North Wales.

Bryn Terfel
Bryn Terfel has looked after his roots here in Caernarfon time and time again, so lets all get behind this great man and show everyone how important the Faenol is. I know we are all going to enjoy the show when it hits us. This year is special, this year is the 10th Anniversary, this year is special. Let's make it a 10th Anniversary Bryn will treasure. Check out our link above to book your tickets now!

Farewell Concert from Hendre Students

2010-07-13T13:48:00.001-07:00

As a father and Governor at Ysgol Yr Hendre, I experienced a very emotional morning at the school today as students of Year 6 gave a farewell concert to teachers and parents.
This was their last ever concert at the school and the kids didn't disappoint.
Well done to all who took part.
We have not uploaded the video of the concert, but do have the audio recording.
Click Here and I hope you all enjoy as much as I did.

Diolch i Pawb. xx

Ysgol Yr Hendre approved

2010-07-08T03:20:00.000-07:00

What a wonderful day, at long last this day will go into the history books as the day things looked very bright for the Seiont ward.
The announcement that the new Hendre School plans have been accepted!

My sincere congratulations goes to everyone involved in the Hendre School project.

I have the privilege on being a Governor at the school and the news that planning permission has been approved last night is music to my ears.

I would like to thank the following people who were directly involved in the project.
Councillor Roy Owen who has worked tirelessly throughout the project and without whom, we wouldn't have got anywhere.

Councillor Tudor Owen who was an important link in proceedings and was the only other Gwynedd Councillor involved in the application.

The Head Teacher Arwel Jones, who has had many a sleepless night over the whole affair and Council Officers, Iwan Trefor Jones and Dafydd Gibbard who have worked long hours ensuring things went to plan.

I would also like to thank my fellow Governors who made meetings pleasant and thrashed out any impending problems early

Many thanks also goes to all the councillors who voted yes for the new school. It is such a shame some sectors were against it, but as with everything good. Common sense prevailed in the end.

I now look forward to seeing the foundations laid in this historic moment in the town's history.

Bangor Street and the Celtic Royal letter

2010-07-05T01:27:00.000-07:00

http://www.caernarfononline.co.uk/2010/july/celticroyal.html

Caernarfon Online recently published the concerns of the Celtic Royal Hotel (see above link) and to be quite honest I hadn't realised how run down Bangor Street has become. We have touched on it in the past but, living here and seeing the streets every day you tend to accept things as they are and not notice how run down things have become.

Bangor Street in particular is beginning to look like parts of old Scotland Road in Liverpool, with premises boarded up all along the street, AND ON WHAT USED TO BE THE APPROACH ROAD INTO TOWN.

Time and time again, business owners on Bangor Street have expressed their concerns. Ty Bach Twt, Caernarfon Pine, Soled Out, Adfer, Bruce Edwards Prince of Wales and ATS have all closed down. Surely this can't be just because of the recession??? Surely there is more to this and perhaps the warnings of the business owners may have some substance?

It must be aggravating for the Celtic Royal Hotel as they strive to give visitors the very best experience whilst visiting our town, only to have boarded up buildings right opposite them.

The two photos above show just how derelict buildings attract fly tipping. Not an image vistiors want to see.

Amazing!

2010-07-03T07:02:00.001-07:00

As a great lover of football, I was over the moon to see that England and Wales will be matched in the European Championships. What a great chance for the Welsh to put themselves on the map. England will still be shell shocked after being dumped by the Germans in this years World Cup, so what better time to play them?
Obviously I am not holding my breath for a Welsh win, but as a lover of the old Home Internationals, I look forward to it already.

I hope you are all enjoying the World Cup as it slowly reaches the semi final stage and more than likely don;t know who to support this afternoon as Argentina play Germany.
After wars with both countries I can't say with any conviction that I'd rather one win or the other.

* Update: The Germans won 4 -0 so I guess that makes them favourites?

Caernarfon Town FC

2010-07-02T16:09:00.000-07:00

How sad to hear that Caernarfon Town and their manager have parted their ways. I was one of many who really enjoyed the recent mini series on TV following the Canaries. I hope that the new board can make a good appointment as the Town looks forward to their first new season under the new owners.
Running a football team can't be easy and with money an issue, the Canaries need all the help they can muster. I, for one hope that someone like Gerald Parry will be approached as with his experience, he would be a great choice to try and get Caernarfon on the path to winning ways.
I am not sure if he would consider the role, but cannot think of anyone else who could do a good job with local talent.
I wish the new board all the best for the coming season and hope they find a worth manager to take us back to where we belong. Come on the Canaries!

Somethings make you realise how good life is.

2010-06-29T08:53:00.000-07:00

Sometimes we take things for granted and other times we realise just how lucky we are.
Summer is upon us once more and the holiday season will soon be starting.
Today I received the most wonderful news and on top of that, the World Cup is in full swing. OK perhaps England are out but I can still enjoy the rest of it, can't I?

We live in such a beautiful part of the world and quite often we take everything for granted. Funny how good news makes you relaise how great life is, to the extent you find yourself smiling at strangers in the street.
Lets all appreciate life here in Caernarfon and whistle a happy tune.
Despite all the town's problems, things could be worse. Lets all take stock and enjoy ourselves. Life is just too short to be miserable. Caernarfon can be a wonderful place, so let's all try and make it the envy of everywhere else.

Ok talk over....
That's my attempt on getting you all set for a wonderful summer this year! :-) Have a good one! I certainly will!

Snowdon - Yr Wyddfa

2010-06-21T08:46:00.000-07:00

OK, OK, hands up, I know I should have done it before now, but at long last I have.

At the grand old age of 48 years old, I scaled the heights of England & Wales' tallest mountain!

I was sick of hearing over and over again Radio 1 presenter Chris Moyles going on and on and on about his trek up Kilimanjaro, months after he achieved it, but didn't realise at the time how much of a feat it actually was.

Now I know I cannot possibly compare Snowdon to the Himalayas, but for me it may have very well have been!

I wouldn't consider myself unfit (far from it) but karate training isn't the same as mountain walking/climbing.

The effort was well worth it though and as the two linked photos show, the views were breathtaking.

If you've never done it, then I urge you to do so, but do it before you get to 50!!!
Check these photos out!
http://www.caernarfononline.co.uk/2010/june/cwellyn.html

24 inches of wood smashed in 37 seconds!

2010-06-14T14:10:00.000-07:00

I was lucky enough to be inovled in a great sponsored Karate break this weekend as we set ourselves a target to break 24 planks of wood in under a minute. Have a look at how we did by clicking this link. http://www.caernarfononline.co.uk/2010/june/karate.html

Things like this makes life so worthwhile as everyone joined in the fun.

Next year we plan to break our record and try to do it in under 30 seconds. We weren't sure how fast we could do it as it was a first for us. Now we have a target we know it can be beaten the next time we do it.

Our incredible time this year was 37 seconds! Well done all the students who collected so well for the sponsorship.

2010-06-09T10:52:00.000-07:00

The World Cup

Here is something I have really been looking forward to for four years. The World Cup!

Like many of us here in the North, I hate the ""South Walian" game of Rugby, even with a name like Gareth Edwards (no I wasn't named after him) but I love the game of the Gods - Football!

It's such a shame Wales failed to qualify yet again, but it sure won't stop me watching it all from start to finish. (If any of you guys are trying to give me a call and it goes straight to answerphone, then chances is that a game is on).

Like many others, we will all be glued to the TV many hoping for an England disaster! Personally I would like to wish our neighbours all the best and hope they do well (after all we are all Brits aren't we?) Roooo- ne---ey!

Whoever wins, we can all look forward to the next tournament in four years time when hopefully Wales will have got their act together at long last and will qualify for the first time since the 50's (when we qualified by default!)

If facilities in Wales were better, then perhaps we would breed better players? Without investment in our youth, we will never amount to much..... and personally (again) I feel having the league of Wales has done very little to build our talents.

I was sorry to see Caernarfon Town having to play as "exiles" all those years ago and have always thought it was the beginning of the end for our beloved CTFC.

Let's hope that the 2010/11 season will be good for our local side and we can once more rebuild from our disastrous 09/10 season.

Come on the World Cup and come on the Canaries! We wish the new Board all the best in making Caernarfon Town a top team in Wales once again!

By the way, there has been a warning issued by the council that, some very bad and stupid drivers will be visiting Wales over the next four weeks so please watch out for them!

However, you shouldn't worry though, as they will all be easily recognisable - they'll be carrying a white flag with a red cross on it.

New Parking Signs for Caernarfon

2010-06-08T08:45:00.000-07:00

I see our brand new signs which show how many parking spaces there are in town have now been installed.

What a great way to let people know which car park is full....

I see they have three car parks listed, Victoria Dock, Pen Llyn and St Helen's Road.

I am just wondering why they haven't included the most popular one........ THE MAES!!!!
Still no change there as cars are still dangerously parked everywhere on Castle Square every day, come rain or shine!!!!!!!

Big Weekend Big Success!

2010-05-27T10:29:00.000-07:00

Wow! What a weekend!

Check out our coverage (including videos and photos) on www.CaernarfonOnline.co.uk/bigweekend

Caernarfon and Bangor saw one of the best ever festivals held in the area for many a year. This takes nothing away from Bryn Terfel's Festival. The two were totally different. One offered the very best from the pop world with World renown acts performing for free on our doorsteps, whilst the other offers a variety of different acts scanning from Pop, culture, nostalgia and for the first time this year - Comedy!

My wife and I had a tremendous time mingling with the stars and we were even able to conduct interviews with some of the headlining acts. We has arranged for pupils of Ysgol Sir Huw Owen to provide us with questions which we pt to the stars. All in all a fantastic day and one many of us will remember for many years to come.

Many have said what a good job Radio 1 did in ensuring the top stars gave their services for the weekend. Many have congratulated Gwynedd Council for making sure it went ahead with no obstacles and many have already said how good Caernarfon Online's coverage was, providing not only fantastic photos but more video that anyone imagined.

But one group who has remained quiet and dignified in all this is our good friends at the Faenol. Myfyr, Keith, Simon and the gang made it all happen at the Faenol. To them we are extremely grateful and now they have proven, the Faenol is a world class venue for all the major starts to perform. Forget Wakestock, forget Knebworth, forget Woodstock. THE FAENOL is the place to be.
- First Class!

Big Weekend

2010-05-18T03:20:00.000-07:00

I met up with Radio 1's Chris Moyles Show Producer Aled Jones yesterday and had a great time filming the Bangor University students cleaning a beach at Abersoch.

Here is a neat video Aled compiled for us whilst we were there.

Just for your convenience here is the full agreement made by the Tories and the Lib Dems

2010-05-12T08:43:00.000-07:00

Here is the full documentation released by the Conservative and Liberal democratic Party.

Conservative Liberal Democrat coalition negotiations Agreements reached 11 May 2010
This document sets out agreements reached between the Conservatives and Liberal Democrats on a range of issues. These are the issues that needed to be resolved between us in order for us to work together as a strong and stable government. It will be followed in due course by a final Coalition Agreement, covering the full range of policy and including foreign, defence and domestic policy issues not covered in this document.

1. Deficit Reduction
The parties agree that deficit reduction and continuing to ensure economic recovery is the most urgent issue facing Britain. We have therefore agreed that there will need to be:
- a significantly accelerated reduction in the structural deficit over the course of a Parliament,with the main burden of deficit reduction borne by reduced spending rather than increased taxes;
- arrangements that will protect those on low incomes from the effect of public sector pay constraint and other spending constraints; and
- protection of jobs by stopping Labour’s proposed jobs tax.
The parties agree that a plan for deficit reduction should be set out in an emergency budget within 50 days of the signing of any agreement; the parties note that the credibility of a plan on deficit reduction depends on its long-term deliverability, not just the depth of immediate cuts. New forecasts of growth and borrowing should be made by an independent Office for Budget
Responsibility for this emergency budget.
The parties agree that modest cuts of £6 billion to non-front line services can be made within the financial year 2010-11, subject to advice from the Treasury and the Bank of England on their feasibility and advisability. Some proportion of these savings can be used to support jobs, for example through the cancelling of some backdated demands for business rates. Other policies upon which we are agreed will further support job creation and green investment, such as work programmes for the unemployed and a green deal for energy efficiency investment.
The parties agree that reductions can be made to the Child Trust Fund and tax credits for higher earners.

2. Spending Review – NHS, Schools and a Fairer Society
The parties agree that a full Spending Review should be held, reporting this Autumn, following a fully consultative process involving all tiers of government and the private sector.
The parties agree that funding for the NHS should increase in real terms in each year of the Parliament, while recognising the impact this decision would have on other departments. The target of spending 0.7% of GNI on overseas aid will also remain in place.
We will fund a significant premium for disadvantaged pupils from outside the schools budget by reductions in spending elsewhere.
The parties commit to holding a full Strategic Security and Defence Review alongside the Spending Review with strong involvement of the Treasury.
The Government will be committed to the maintenance of Britain’s nuclear deterrent, and have agreed that the renewal of Trident should be scrutinised to ensure value for money. Liberal Democrats will continue to make the case for alternatives. We will immediately play a strong role in the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty Review Conference, and press for continued progress on multilateral disarmament. The parties commit to establishing an independent commission to review the long term affordability of public sector pensions, while protecting accrued rights.
We will restore the earnings link for the basic state pension from April 2011 with a “triple guarantee” that pensions are raised by the higher of earnings, prices or 2.5%, as proposed by the Liberal Democrats.

3. Tax Measures
The parties agree that the personal allowance for income tax should be increased in order to help lower and middle income earners. We agree to announce in the first Budget a substantial increase in the personal allowance from April 2011, with the benefits focused on those with lower and middle incomes. This will be funded with the money that would have been used to pay for the increase in Employee National Insurance thresholds proposed by the Conservatives, as well as revenues from increases in Capital Gains Tax rates for non-business assets as described below. The increase in Employer National Insurance thresholds proposed by the Conservatives will go ahead in order to stop Labour’s jobs tax. We also agree to a longer term policy objective of further increasing the personal allowance to £10,000, making further real terms steps each year towards this objective.
We agree that this should take priority over other tax cuts, including cuts to Inheritance Tax. We also agree that provision will be made for Liberal Democrat MPs to abstain on budget resolutions to introduce transferable tax allowances for married couples without prejudice to this coalition agreement.
The parties agree that a switch should be made to a per-plane, rather than per-passenger duty; a proportion of any increased revenues over time will be used to help fund increases in the personal allowance.
We further agree to seek a detailed agreement on taxing non-business capital gains at rates similar or close to those applied to income, with generous exemptions for entrepreneurial business activities.
The parties agree that tackling tax avoidance is essential for the new government, and that all efforts will be made to do so, including detailed development of Liberal Democrat proposals.

4. Banking Reform
The parties agree that reform to the banking system is essential to avoid a repeat of Labour’s financial crisis, to promote a competitive economy, to sustain the recovery and to protect and sustain jobs.
We agree that a banking levy will be introduced. We will seek a detailed agreement on implementation.
We agree to bring forward detailed proposals for robust action to tackle unacceptable bonuses in the financial services sector; in developing these proposals, we will ensure they are effective in reducing risk.
We agree to bring forward detailed proposals to foster diversity, promote mutuals and create a more competitive banking industry.
We agree that ensuring the flow of credit to viable SMEs is essential for supporting growth and should be a core priority for a new government, and we will work together to develop effective proposals to do so. This will include consideration of both a major loan guarantee scheme and the use of net lending targets for the nationalised banks.
The parties wish to reduce systemic risk in the banking system and will establish an independent commission to investigate the complex issue of separating retail and investment banking in a sustainable way; while recognising that this would take time to get right, the commission will be given an initial time frame of one year to report.
The parties agree that the regulatory system needs reform to avoid a repeat of Labour’s financial crisis. We agree to bring forward proposals to give the Bank of England control of macro-prudential regulation and oversight of micro-prudential regulation.
The parties also agree to rule out joining the European Single Currency during the duration of this agreement.

5. Immigration
We have agreed that there should be an annual limit on the number of non-EU economic migrants admitted into the UK to live and work. We will consider jointly the mechanism for implementing the limit. We will end the detention of children for immigration purposes.

6. Political Reform
The parties agree to the establishment of five year fixed-term parliaments. A Conservative Liberal Democrat coalition government will put a binding motion before the House of Commons in the first days following this agreement stating that the next general election will be held on the first Thursday of May 2015. Following this motion, legislation will be brought forward to make provision for fixed term parliaments of five years. This legislation will also provide for dissolution if 55% or more of the House votes in favour.
The parties will bring forward a Referendum Bill on electoral reform, which includes provision for the introduction of the Alternative Vote in the event of a positive result in the referendum, as well as for the creation of fewer and more equal sized constituencies. Both parties will whip their Parliamentary Parties in both Houses to support a simple majority referendum on the Alternative Vote, without prejudice to the positions parties will take during such a referendum.
The parties will bring forward early legislation to introduce a power of recall, allowing voters to force a by-election where an MP was found to have engaged in serious wrongdoing and having had a petition calling for a by-election signed by 10% of his or her constituents.
We agree to establish a committee to bring forward proposals for a wholly or mainly elected upper chamber on the basis of proportional representation. The committee will come forward with a draft motions by December 2010. It is likely that this bill will advocate single long terms of office. It is also likely there will be a grandfathering system for current Peers. In the interim, Lords appointments will be made with the objective of creating a second chamber reflective of the share of the vote secured by the political parties in the last general election.
The parties will bring forward the proposals of the Wright Committee for reform to the House of Commons in full – starting with the proposed committee for management of programmed business and including government business within its scope by the third year of the Parliament.
The parties agree to reduce electoral fraud by speeding up the implementation of individual voter registration.
We have agreed to establish a commission to consider the ‘West Lothian question’.
The parties agree to the implementation of the Calman Commission proposals and the offer of a referendum on further Welsh devolution.
The parties will tackle lobbying through introducing a statutory register of lobbyists. We also agree to pursue a detailed agreement on limiting donations and reforming party funding in order to remove big money from politics.
The parties will promote the radical devolution of power and greater financial autonomy to local government and community groups. This will include a full review of local government finance.

7. Pensions and Welfare
The parties agree to phase out the default retirement age and hold a review to set the date at which the state pension age starts to rise to 66, although it will not be sooner than 2016 for men and 2020 for women. We agree to end the rules requiring compulsory annuitisation at 75.
We agree to implement the Parliamentary and Health Ombudsman’s recommendation to make fair and transparent payments to Equitable Life policy holders, through an independent payment scheme, for their relative loss as a consequence of regulatory failure.
The parties agree to end all existing welfare to work programmes and to create a single welfare to work programme to help all unemployed people get back into work.
We agree that Jobseeker’s Allowance claimants facing the most significant barriers to work should be referred to the aforementioned newly created welfare to work programme immediately, not after 12 months as is currently the case. We agree that Jobseeker’s Allowance claimants aged under 25 should be referred to the programme after a maximum of six months.
The parties agree to realign contracts with welfare to work service providers to reflect more closely the results they achieve in getting people back into work.
We agree that the funding mechanism used by government to finance welfare to work programmes should be reformed to reflect the fact that initial investment delivers later savings in lower benefit expenditure.
We agree that receipt of benefits for those able to work should be conditional on the willingness to work.

8. Education

Schools
We agree to promote the reform of schools in order to ensure:
- that new providers can enter the state school system in response to parental demand;
- that all schools have greater freedom over curriculum; and,
- that all schools are held properly accountable.

Higher education
We await Lord Browne’s final report into higher education funding, and will judge its proposals against the need to:
- increase social mobility;
- take into account the impact on student debt;
- ensure a properly funded university sector;
- improve the quality of teaching;
- advance scholarship; and,
- attract a higher proportion of students from disadvantaged backgrounds.
If the response of the Government to Lord Browne’s report is one that Liberal Democrats cannot accept, then arrangements will be made to enable Liberal Democrat MPs to abstain in any vote.

9. Relations with the EU
We agree that the British Government will be a positive participant in the European Union, playing a strong and positive role with our partners, with the goal of ensuring that all the nations of Europe are equipped to face the challenges of the 21st century: global competitiveness, global warming and global poverty.
We agree that there should be no further transfer of sovereignty or powers over the course of the next Parliament. We will examine the balance of the EU’s existing competences and will, in particular, work to limit the application of the Working Time Directive in the United Kingdom.
We agree that we will amend the 1972 European Communities Act so that any proposed future Treaty that transferred areas of power, or competences, would be subject to a referendum on that Treaty – a ‘referendum lock’. We will amend the 1972 European Communities Act so that the use of any passerelle would require primary legislation.
We will examine the case for a United Kingdom Sovereignty Bill to make it clear that ultimate authority remains with Parliament.
We agree that Britain will not join or prepare to join the Euro in this Parliament.
We agree that we will strongly defend the UK’s national interests in the forthcoming EU budget negotiations and that the EU budget should only focus on those areas where the EU can add value.
We agree that we will press for the European Parliament only to have one seat, in Brussels.
We agree that we will approach forthcoming legislation in the area of criminal justice on a case by case basis, with a view to maximising our country’s security, protecting Britain’s civil liberties and preserving the integrity of our criminal justice system. Britain will not participate in the establishment of any European Public Prosecutor.

10. Civil liberties
The parties agree to implement a full programme of measures to reverse the substantial erosion of civil liberties under the Labour Government and roll back state intrusion.
This will include:
- A Freedom or Great Repeal Bill.
- The scrapping of ID card scheme, the National Identity register, the next generation of biometric passports and the Contact Point Database.
- Outlawing the finger-printing of children at school without parental permission.
- The extension of the scope of the Freedom of Information Act to provide greater transparency. - Adopting the protections of the Scottish model for the DNA database.
- The protection of historic freedoms through the defence of trial by jury.
- The restoration of rights to non-violent protest.
- The review of libel laws to protect freedom of speech.
- Safeguards against the misuse of anti-terrorism legislation.
- Further regulation of CCTV.
- Ending of storage of internet and email records without good reason.
- A new mechanism to prevent the proliferation of unnecessary new criminal offences.

11. Environment
The parties agree to implement a full programme of measures to fulfil our joint ambitions for a low carbon and eco-friendly economy, including:
- The establishment of a smart grid and the roll-out of smart meters.
- The full establishment of feed-in tariff systems in electricity – as well as the maintenance of banded ROCs.
- Measures to promote a huge increase in energy from waste through anaerobic digestion.
- The creation of a green investment bank.
- The provision of home energy improvement paid for by the savings from lower energy bills.
- Retention of energy performance certificates while scrapping HIPs.
- Measures to encourage marine energy.
- The establishment of an emissions performance standard that will prevent coal-fired power stations being built unless they are equipped with sufficient CCS to meet the emissions performance standard.
- The establishment of a high-speed rail network.
- The cancellation of the third runway at Heathrow.
- The refusal of additional runways at Gatwick and Stansted.
- The replacement of the Air Passenger Duty with a per flight duty.
- The provision of a floor price for carbon, as well as efforts to persuade the EU to move towards full auctioning of ETS permits.
- Measures to make the import or possession of illegal timber a criminal offence.
- Measures to promote green spaces and wildlife corridors in order to halt the loss of habitats and restore biodiversity.
- Mandating a national recharging network for electric and plug-in hybrid vehicles.
- Continuation of the present Government’s proposals for public sector investment in CCS technology for four coal-fired power stations; and a specific commitment to reduce central government carbon emissions by 10 per cent within 12 months.
- We are agreed that we would seek to increase the target for energy from renewable sources, subject to the advice of the Climate Change Committee.
Liberal Democrats have long opposed any new nuclear construction. Conservatives, by contrast, are committed to allowing the replacement of existing nuclear power stations provided they are subject to the normal planning process for major projects (under a new national planning statement) and provided also that they receive no public subsidy.
We have agreed a process that will allow Liberal Democrats to maintain their opposition to nuclear power while permitting the government to bring forward the national planning statement for ratification by Parliament so that new nuclear construction becomes possible.
This process will involve:
- the government completing the drafting of a national planning statement and putting it before Parliament;
- specific agreement that a Liberal Democrat spokesman will speak against the planning statement, but that Liberal Democrat MPs will abstain; and
- clarity that this will not be regarded as an issue of confidence.

Tudor Owen

2010-05-12T08:00:00.000-07:00

Councillor Tudor Owen is to become Chairman of Gwynedd Council tomorrow.

My sincere congratulations go to him on his success.

Tudor is the Gwynedd Councillor for the Peblig Ward.

We all get what no one wanted - Is this Democracy?

2010-05-12T01:37:00.000-07:00

Not having any real political preference (I vote for whoever I think will do the best job regardless of he Party) I can't really get my head around what we've now got!

Now don't get me wrong I am not a Liberal or Tory hater and neither am I a Plaid hater, I am not a Labour lover either for that matter! But it seems strange to me that in Arfon only 35% of us wanted Plaid Cymru in power but Plaid Cymru we have.
In London we didn't want a Hung Parliament, we voted the Lib Dems in THIRD and what do we get?
We have Nick Clegg as Deputy PM and loads of Lib Dems in the Cabinet??? (Better than Thorpe in the closet I guess) Added to that we have unsuccessful former leader William Hague back in the frame as new Foreign Secretary!!!

What on earth is going on?

Years ago I remember an episode of Auf Wiedersehen Pet.
I don't know if you remember it, but it was a gang of brickies trying to put bread on the table by working abroad.
To cut a long story short.. In one episode the guys were trying to work out what paint they needed to "steal/borrow" to paint the inside of their hut (where they lived). They decided to have a vote on it and chose Yellow!
None of them were happy, so they asked who on earth voted yellow?
When they re counted the votes they realised no one had actually voted yellow as their first choice.
But as there wasn't a clear winner, the second and third choice colours were added to the poll. Low and behold, yellow then came top.
The punch line was "That's democracy for you, no one gets what everybody wants"

Rings a bell?

By the way we will have to do it again on the first Thursday in May 2015 - Can't wait!

Gobaith Canaries

2010-05-10T15:01:00.000-07:00

I don't know if the rest of you have been watching the three part series "Gobaith Canaries" (A Canary's Hope) on S4C, but if you haven't - then I promise you, you've missed a gem!

Just for you, I have provided a link for the series that will be active for 30 days.
Episode 1
Episode 2

These "spy on the wall documentaries" shows us what goes on at Caernarfon Town FC and is truly an eye-opener for every true Cofi.

May we congratulate not only Cwmni Da for their first class production, but also to Arfon and his board for working so hard to put C.T.F.C. back on the map.

Lets all wish them the very best for next season and hope that the rebuilding starts now and we can once more see the glory days return to the Oval.
Gobaith Canaries Website

Bryn Fest 2010

2010-05-10T08:30:00.000-07:00

Things are certainly looking up for the area as two big events take place at the Faenol.

As you all know, the Big Weekend will be taking place on the 2nd and 23rd of this month, but now we hear that the line up for the 10th Bryn Terfel Festival is to be made at the Millennium Centre in Cardiff.

Caernarfon Online have been invited down to Cardiff to cover the announcement but we are unable to make it at such a short notice. Never the less, we will be giving you all the details on our website as soon as we receive them.

There as been no word or hit as yet as to who will be appearing, but hopefully it will be one of the best Festivals yet as they celebrate the milestone of their 10th Festival.

Having two major events of this kind in the area is fantastic news for not only Caernarfon, but for Bangor and all the surrounding attractions and businesses as well.

I hope we (at Caernarfon Online) will be able to bring you even more fantastic coverage at this year's event with interviews by the big names.

Congratulations to everyone at Faynol Cyf who are forefront in bringing the big names and best events to the area. Da iawn chi Hogia!

Big Weekend

2010-05-09T06:38:00.000-07:00

Well, it's almost time for the Big Weekend. Having spoken to many of you, I know there are a great many who are disappointed at having not received tix. It is very difficult to keep everyone happy with these kind of concerts, as the demand for free tickets is astronomical.
Please rest assured that there will be many opportunities of seeing it online and on other media sources. Caernarfon Online are scheduled to interview some of the DJ's and acts present and hopefully we will be able to post these on our pages as and when they happen.

If you are one of the lucky ones present, then if you see the CaernarfonOnline team there, please feel free to come up to us for a chat and so that we can take your picture at the event. We will be wearing our Caernarfon Online Yellow and Blue Hi Viz jackets so you will recognise us instantly.

Remember, please don't try to purchase tickets from sites such as eBay etc, as they will be none transferable and you will be denied entry at the venue. You must also be aware that this means you cannot use someone else's tickets as they will be allocated to that person's name and ID will have to be provided to prove you are who you say you are.
We hope to bring you more info soon. Chris Moyles is rumoured to be in Bangor this week.

Election Fever

2010-05-07T13:36:00.000-07:00

I was lucky enough to be asked to be the official Stringer for BBC1 last night. This meant that I was their eyes and ears at the Arfon Leisure Centre. I was to call them during the night updating them on what was happening.
I was a little worried to start with as I didn’t want to mess up. But I shouldn’t have been as Carwyn and Dilys of Gwynedd Council ensured that I was fed with all the info as it happened. Many thanks to both of you for your help, it was much appreciated.

The press were situated high above the counters and we were easily able to see where the votes were going.
As the votes came in, for a long time both Hywel and Alun were easily ahead and it was difficult to separate the two.

The votes were sorted in piles of 500 therefore it was easy to see who was in front as the first lots came in.
As the first set came in both Plaid and Labour had 4,500votes each. From then on Hywel’s pile was always slightly ahead and before long we were able to judge that he was in the lead by around two piles (1,000 votes).

I actually felt nervous for them and I don’t know how they managed to keep calm throughout the night.
I spoke with Hywel and Robin Millar who were both fresh and enjoying the count.

When the BBC phoned me later on in the evening, they (the BBC) were trying to establish what the overall feeling was.

Despite knowing he was ahead, Hywel was non committal until a few mins before the declaration when he told me it was looking good.
He said he didn’t want to commit himself further until the official word had been confirmed.

Hywel was then declared the winner and was first to the stand and he thanked everyone for their help and then enjoyed the cheers from some of his supporters in the audience.

Alun Pugh was second to speak, he made a point of thanking his agent Tecwyn Thomas, though many felt he had done him no good having lost his own two seats on both Town and Gwynedd Council two years ago.

Now the hard work starts for Hywel as he will have to work hard to get Caernarfon on the map. He has four or five years to do it - Unless of course the hung parliament means another election in the near future.

Click Here to view election video.

2010-04-26T02:15:00.000-07:00

The Big Weekend at the Faenol
Hats of to our good friends at the Faenol who have done it again and attracted another major event to the area.
The Big Weekend is a massive event in the pop world with the big stars turning up for the free show.
The lineup (just announced this morning includes Sheryl Cole, Alicia Keyes, JLS, Dizzee Rascal, Florenece and the Machine and Rhianna to name just a few.
All the details can be found on http://www.caernarfononline.co.uk/2010/april/bigweekend.html
Thousands will apply for tickets with only 20,000 available. The BBC have promised to make sure the bulk of these tickets go to the local area.
The Faenol is the ideal setting for such an event with past Bryn Terfel Festivals being testimony to this.
I hope you are some of the lucky ones who receive the free ticket. I will make every effort to let you know anything new on Caernarfon Online as and when they make it available.

Long time no Blog!

2010-04-24T11:38:00.000-07:00

Well, well, well - Long time no see. I'm sorry I haven't been updating the blog for quite some time, but I have been very busy lately and I find I must prioritise things better.

I do however plan to blog on a more regular basis and here is the first in quite a while.

The Royal Visit (I've noticed that Dylan Jones Conservative has blogged the same issue, apologies for this, it was just a coincidence)

I am no Royalist but at the same time neither an I ab Anti Royalist.

It is a bit like religion for me. I am neither a strong believer or an atheist.

Therefore I see this weeks visit to our town by our Queen as a wonderful opportunity for the town to cash in. Hundreds upon hundreds of people will no doubt be coming to town and I sincerely hope all goes well and with out incident by extremists!

What's wonderful about this country of ours is that we have free speech and free choice. What we do have to be careful about however, is that we don't try and force our beliefs on others.

Time after time I try my best to give it as it is on COL and sometimes this upsets people. I always try to balance arguments by asking both sides to comment yet have been taken aback by some people who still take it the wrong way. Mind you, this ofeten balances out with the many emails and phone calls I receive congratulating me on this that or the other.

But, getting back to the Queen's visit, the way some of these extremists are reacting, you'd have thought Osama Bin Laden was arriving! Thank God we don't all feel the same as them!

Queen Elisabeth is the Head of State, the head of the UK and the Commonwealth.

I therefore have no time with people who insist Wales is not a part of this.

Caernarfon is surviving because of the castle and its history.

Whatever the history books tell us. The castle may well have been built by an English King to keep the Welsh out.

But, these days, it's there to attract tourism and we (the people of Caernarfon) can enter it for free, whilst the English have to pay. Sweet! Don't you think?

I hope "we" do not show ourselves up on Tuesday as the world's media will be upon us once more.

I doubt very much if the Queen enjoys these kinds of visits at her age. It's something she has to do and you know what? She's damned if she does and dammed if she doesn't.

So lets welcome her here with open arms, fly our Welsh Dragons and embrace her visit.

I am also, so pleased to see the shops once again proudly displaying the Welsh flags I recommended the Chamber bought back in may day as their Chairman.

Nice to see they embraced my idea then and still use it today.

So all I can say, is God save the Queen and Cymru am Byth!

The Old Maes verses the New

2009-03-21T05:49:00.000-07:00

This month we ran a survey about how people felt about the new Maes and how it compares to the Old one and after two weeks of voting, the results are alarming!
Over 90% of you think it has been a total waste of money and was better with the roundabout and buses being allowed in.

To be honest I am not surprised as in my personal opinion the Maes now looks drab!
I make no apologies for saying this, because I like to say it as it is and by all accounts most of you feel the same way.

£2.4 million has been spent on this and for what? It certainly is not going to attract more visitors to the town now is it? I personally feel this money could have been better spent in town and the empty shops and dilapidated buildings could have received a face lift to improve the general feel good factor in town.

As I write I have asked Gwynedd Council (under the Freedom of Information Act) how much they have spent on the Sian Shakespeare "Nawns am Le Project". To date we are still awaiting a response and it is a little alarming that it takes so long to answer a simple question. But we wait with baited breath.

Whatever the figure may be, and my guess is that it will be well into five figures. The survey will now be useless as it was done without the knowledge that the town was to become a Prison town!
With this information now available, the guess is that the survey would have fundamental flaws in it as it did not take the new prison into consideration.
More on this when we receive the figures.

Back to the Maes then, so what now? I hear through the grapevine that further funding is being earmarked to carry on the work up Pool Street. Is this throwing good money after bad?

When Gweledigaeth and Caernarfon Online filmed the interviews on the Maes a few weeks back, I thought that Owain had filmed it in Monochrome (Black and White).
But after further viewing I noticed that this was not the case. The problem was that the Maes was grey in colour and looked very drab on film.

On closer inspection one can also notice bad cement staining on the surface which should have been addresses as the work was carried out. This "staining could be removed by "polishing" but this in turn would have "health and safety" issues as the surface would then become slippery and dangerous under foot.

We are aware of many claims already being made against the council and one in particular contacted COL with details of their visit to town and they are now in the process of suing for compensation and vowed never to return to the town again.

News like this is disastrous to the livelihood of the town and one which has to be addressed sooner rather than later. Last year the Herald reported and incident where and elderly woman suffered serious injury having fallen on the uneven surface.

A big concern by many apart from the fact that the cobbled pathways are uneven and difficult for both the elderly and disabled to manoeuvre was the fact that when vehicles enter the Maes they are totally lost and unsure of where to go.
As a professional driving instructor I agree that this system is very dangerous and signage is inadequate.
This is an accident waiting to happen and I hate to say iItold you so on here, but I foresee a major accident on the Maes which could even result in a fatality.
I hope I am wrong, but as it is, this is a time bomb waiting to go off.

Whilst filming on the Maes we contacted Gwynedd Council to see if they were prepared to send out an officer to talk with us, but received a response that said all officers were busy at that specific time.

To be frank, I think the Maes and Caernarfon has now lost all its character and focal point.
Us older Cofis all remember the Maes a bustling centre of activity and a centre where everyone met up. Now all we have is an open space.

One little boy asked me this week:

Qu. What do you say to a "Space Man"?

Ans: You tell him it's the "New Maes Dude"

Have your vote here

Back to COL

Ysgol Syr Hugh Owen Overspend

2009-03-08T08:26:00.000-07:00

In the news this week - Ysgol Syr Hugh Owen Governors are blamed for over spending to the tune of half a million.
It seems that the Governors are to blame because the ASSembly chooses to run the country to the ground!

I have to admit I voted NO for the Assembly for Wales as I thought they would find it difficult to run the country and true to form, we see that this certainly seems to be the case.

Let's deal with Ysgol Syr Hugh first.
As a school Governor myself, I sympathise with what has happened at Syr Hugh and all because they are trying to do what's best for their pupils.
Quite simply if Syr Hugh Owen has overspent by £500,000 then perhaps the question should be:
Are they receiving enough money?

I can tell you that Governors at Ysgol Yr Hendre meet on a regular basis and even though our headmaster is doing a grand job, we would welcome more cash in our coffers and cringe at the thought of some schools actually underspending! Not much is said about this in the press!!!

We all owe it to our children to give them the best possible education they deserve and we can give them.
Ysgol Syr Hugh has nearly 1,000 pupils and the level of education they give either makes or breaks them.

OUR KIDS DESERVE THE BEST and if this costs then so be it.

No one should be pointing the finger at anyone at Syr Hugh.
The people in charge have the best interests of our children at heart. If the Assembly chooses not to give enough money to run a school of this size then perhaps they themselves should be looking at why they are giving so little!

Less money = less service
This month we learnt that Gwynedd has to increase our Council tax by nearly 4% YET at the same time they have to cut our services because of a poor settlement by the (yes you guessed it) Assembly!

We can blame the current situation on the credit crunch and the current world climate, but quite frankly Gwynedd's dire position is down to what they give us at Cardiff!

There is no point blaming Gwynedd here, if they have less money to work with, then something has to give - QED!

Scenario
If the average family of four has two wage earners and bring in on average £500 per week then the family budget spending will reflect this.
If one wage earner looses their job then the income will be less. THIS MEANS THEIR BUDGET MUST CHANGE AND CERTAIN ITEMS OR "ESSENTIALS" WILL HAVE TO GIVE WAY.

This is the same at our schools, with the Assembly giving less (due to bad management perhaps?) then certain essentials will have to go. (THIS MEANS THE QUALITY OF TUITION A SCHOOLS WILL SUFFER).

Enough is enough. It's time for the people of Wales to realise that this lot at the Assembly can't organise a p**s up in a brewery!
Unfortunately we voted (very narrowly) FOR the ASSembly and we are therefore now counting the cost.

Back to COL

Dumbfounded???

2009-02-20T01:49:00.000-08:00

Today I received a phone call from Gwynedd Council's Dilys Phillips (Head of Administration) stating that she was concerned about the comments made by Sean Goddard on the Prison Article.
In it Sean raised a few questions about corruption and even though he did not name names, suggested that certain officials had acted incorrectly.
It seems that Sean is not entitled to his opinion as I was asked kindly if it could be removed.

I have, (in the best interest of everyone) removed his comment, and have contacted him by email to let him know.
I do however have some reservations about the whole matter as it seems to infringe Sean's freedom of speech.
At Caernarfon Online we try to put in favourable articles about some of the good work Gwynedd Council carries out and will endeavour to continue to do this. But surely a member of the public can also have his voice heard and express an opinion?
Sean can also be seen on our video about the prison expressing his opinion.

I maintain that all has not be revealed to the public in the prison issue and this only makes me feel that there is more to this than meets the eye.

For the record, I did not agree with all that Sean had to say, but I respect his right to be allowed to say it. He pointed the finger at the council in general - he did not name anyone!

Over to you.

New Prison

2009-02-07T04:45:00.000-08:00

Before I get on my Soap Box take a look at what Michael Sol Owen had to say on his Blog last month. Click Here (Check out the "Go To Jail" section)

Click Here to see videos of what some Cofis had to say.

Well, it seems that Caernarfon is to become a "Prison Town" and, as we are led to believe, this will mean plenty of jobs for local people... But will it?

Will these highly trained positions go to local workers? Or will they draft in others who are already qualified?
Will it mean a flood of English speakers moving into our area, thus diluting the language even further?
Will the prison use local traders or use their existing sources?
Was this deal sorted long ago, before they conveniently started building the new court in Caernarfon?
What about the proposed by-pass for Caernarfon, was this just a part of the jigsaw we didn't know about?
There are a lot of questions that need to be answered before we all accept this "new saviour" into our struggling town.

It seems to many that this has been railroaded in on us. It was amazing how quickly it all came together..... and judging (no pun intended) by the response to the poor account Hywel Williams gave of himself on Radio Cymru's "Taro Post" this week. It seems that not all locals are happy that we have not been given all the facts and more importantly has the Government and Gwynedd asked the public what they really want?

Our online poll is suggesting that (as I write) 84% of the public are against the prison coming to Caernarfon (vote here) whilst Hywel, Plaid and Gwynedd re rejoicing.
Cwmbran are throwing street parties as they feel they have "WON" because they are NOT getting this "fantastic all saving" prison.
How can we be accepting this with open arms, whilst others wouldn't touch it with a barge pole?

Listening to the debate on Taro Post yesterday I was surprised to hear Hwyel Williams suggest that he would not have been happy with houses being built on the brownfield site because of the asbestos issue.
Yet he is fine with a prison being built on the site??? This doesn't add up to me...

Another problem I have with this whole affair is, how much will this affect our house prices?
Will a house valued at £150,000 still be worth £150,000 now that people know a Category C prison is to come here. OR WILL IT DROP £10k to £20k in value?
(Category C means they will accept muggers, knife attackers and criminals found guilty of GBH AS WELL AS prisoners with far serious crimes who have served a large part of their sentence and have since been down graded to Category C!!!)

Finally, can I ask,
Now the Government is going to purchase this land from Bluefield Caernarfon Ltd will either compensate the former TGWU workers unfairly sacked by Friction Dynamics and protested for three years at the site?

Will the Government help out these men and women who lost their livelyhood?

It is time for MP's etc to stop trying to pull the wool over our eyes and tell us the truth. and perhaps dip their hand in their pockets to help out the former Ferodo workers.

They tell us that this MAY be good for the area (Financially) but at what cost?

Will we lose out on the value of our homes?
Will we be up against others moving into our council houses?
Will they get preference over locals?
Will our area be safer once the prison is up and running?
Will ex convicts be settling down in Caernarfon at the end of their sentences?
Will most of the workers be local or from outside the area?
Will the prison service only use local produce etc?

Will someone please give us the answers?

One final point, we have been campaigning for years to have Caernarfon to be better signposted on the North Wales Coast.

For as long as I can remember different groups have tried and failed to get Caernarfon signposted thus encouraging visitors to the town.
Excuses given?
Caernarfon was not directly on the major road and that if they gave signs to Caernarfon then other towns would demand the same, even though Caernarfon is the major tourist attraction and a World Heritage site in North Wales.

How quick will we now see new signs erected,? And pointing to HM PRISON CAERNARFON?
No doubt we will soon be hearing about these new wonderful signs "selling" Caernarfon.
Shame they couldn't have done it when we asked all those years ago.
Is this what we want?
Will this affect our World Heritage status?

I remember in the past people being "Sent to Coventry", it looks like now they will be sending them to Caernarfon instead!!!

Try this out.... Make a search of "Risley" on Google and it gives you information about the Jail!
At the moment if you enter the word "Caernarfon" then Google will list http://www.caernarfononline.co.uk/ and http://www.visitcaernarfon.com/ as the top searches.

In a few years time we should see the search engines pointing visitors first to the CAERNARFON JAIL.

Is this what we want?

I rest my case me lud !!!

Bye for now.

Back to COL

Caernarfon struggling like many other towns!

2009-01-10T06:11:00.000-08:00

Hi Everyone,
First of all let me apologise for taking so long to update my blog on Caernarfon's favourite website, but as you can guess, CaernarfonOnline has become very time consuming with all the new people we have on board and it is taking more and more time to keep up to date. I am so grateful to Michael Sol Owen and Dylan Jones for providing us with exceptional Blogs and they, in turn, are guaranteed many readers by the simple fact that they are on COL.
BLOG Yourself?
If any of you readers would like to have a free Blog on COL then drop me a line and I will set it up for you. You don't need to be involved in politics or a councillor or anything really, but if you feel you have anything to say or want a soap box then get in touch with me today.
I promise that we will be back to speed next week regarding the website by providing you with up to the minute news and articles about everything going on in town.

Last year I wrote about the top 20 hits and misses we had in Caernarfon but this year I've decided not to repeat this as in this present climate it is not really a fair judgement on our town as we are in the middle of a recession not forgetting the dreaded credit crunch which is hitting nearly everyone I speak to.

As I write the pound is only worth $1.32 (compared with $1.85 the same time last year) and for the first time ever the pound is now on par with the Euro! This is bad news for the economy and one which has indeed been self made with banks and credit card agencies charging what they like on desperate customers who are trying to make ends meet. It was inevitable that something had to give and it looks like it may take years for us to get things anywhere near normality.

Gwynedd is really up against it this year because the Assembly has given them such a tight budget to work with. This will no doubt mean more cuts to our services. Therefore pointing the finger at Plaid Cymru is a none starter, they are the scapegoats and easy target in all this. (and no I am not a Plaid supporter - completely neutral that's me)- Agreed they've made mistakes and some have been very costly. but this is the same for Labour and Conservative run councils around the country. Everyone seems to be getting on the bandwagon about the loss in Icelandic shares, yet no one would have complained if this had turned out to make a packet for us. We are all trying to make ends meet, we bring in a wage and we try to balance what we spend. Some of us choose to put our money in the bank, others choose shares, others dabble in higher risk investments. Whatever we try to do, we try to do it to make more money, sometimes we win, sometimes we lose. This is life and now we must deal with it in what has now become hard times.

Last year a lot was said about the Doc Fictoria complex. I still hear through the grapevine that some councillors are continuing to have a moan about this place instead of now looking at ways of making it all work for the benefit of the town.
Sure Gwynedd sold it for a £1.00, but how much money has the Watkin Jones Group ploughed into the complex? Keeping it in mind that houses are not selling nationwide at the moment, how long will it be before they even break even? It is not the ideal time to sell property as prices are dropping by the day. But no one seems to care about the big businesses these days, it seems that more noise is made about the little corner shop closing down.

The loss of Woolworth is going to have a massive impact on Caernarfon. Woolworth has (for a long time) been an institution and the heart of the town. When the Nelson burnt down in Caernarfon many moons ago we lost something very important to the community, luckily at the time, we had the likes of Woolworth's, Burton's, Currys, Fosters and many more big names to attract shoppers into town. NOT ANYMORE!

The Chair of the Traders Association in Bangor has decided this week that enough is enough and is closing his shop in the High street, stating that the age of the small shop is over, that is clearly bad news for Caernarfon, because most of our shops are small.
Woolworth's closing means that we cannot rely on the usual "punters" coming into town, also the word is that up to 60 workers may be made redundant at Cibyn. also the abattoir has been struggling for years and its still only January!

Empty Shops
Walking around the town it's alarming how many empty shops we have. Some have been empty for years and no offers are being made.
Many of you have written in to ask who will take over the empty Woolworth store and many of you seem to have heard different things. Stermat have been mentioned, then Iceland and the latest is another Pound Shop.
Whatever we get (if anything) we need it and we need it fast, otherwise more and more shops will be closing.
Ty Bach Twt on Bangor Street has already spoke of their concern that business is down drastically and they may have to open only on selected days during 2009 and many others may choose to do the same.
Caernarfon is fast becoming a seasonal holiday destination which operates only a few weeks a year.
No one seems to be saying that they are doing well anymore, everyone seems to be blaming this that or the other. New Year Celebrations were held more at home this year as bars and pubs were left counting customers instead of till receipts.
The smoking ban obviously affecting trade as it was too clod to stand outside the pub having a cigarette when they could do it in their own armchairs at home at half the price.

The Maes
Personally I was always against stopping traffic coming into town and I stand by my view that this will be the death of Caernarfon.
Common Sense tells us that you need to make it as easy as possible for people to shop. People need to have things on their doorstep and the more difficult you make it for people to come into town the less they will come and obviously the less they will spend.

I live in the heart of town and to exit I have to drive past Post Bach and then to the roundabouts at Pool Side? When coming from North road I am forced to deviate towards the same roundabouts to come into the Maes.
I can therefore confirm that it has been months since I drove up Bangor Street.
When trying to buy an item in Siop Modur a few months back I found it very difficult to do it with the car (and I needed the car with me for the product I was purchasing).
Parking was impossible therefore I ended up going to Bangor, parking at Halfords and getting my product there instead. THIS IS BAD NEWS FOR CAERNARFON! If others are doing the same then what chance do our businesses have.
The Chairman of the Chamber of Trade has had his shop up for sale for the last two years, this is clearly not a good sign when the Chair wants to throw in the towel! It seems that selling up shop is not even easy either as he is not the only one trying to sell up, many others are in the same boat with very little interest show by others to move in and set up shop.

So what of all this? What does this spell out for Caernarfon? Well quite simply, if things don't start picking up soon, we are going to see even more closed shops and more businesses going into receivership. Let's face it, if the big guns are struggling, what chance do the little ones have?

More bad news I'm afraid
Ty Tryweryn Centre in Maesincla is also threatened with closure with more loss of jobs, this is also down to lack of funding by the Assembly.

Caernarfon Town F.C. are struggling at the foot of the Welsh Premier League and looks like they will be relegated this year. This may be the right way to go as sometimes taking a back step helps you to move forward.

Good news on the horizon though.....
Watkin Jones continues to invest in the town and will shortly be starting work on the St Helen's Road area. This is a site which is in desperate need of developing.

Tesco have completed their plans for the new development at Cibyn and hopefully this will give us all something to look forward to and provide much needed jobs to the town.

What of the existing Tesco site? What will happen there? Word has it that affordable housing will be developed on the site.

Caernarfon Wanderers are making good progress and they seem to have the right people in place to take them places.

The Castle is now more accessible for the disabled after last years fiasco in the Vets day when many couldn't make it into the castle to see the ceremony.

Word is that Beating the Retreat will be back again this year and even though there have been some concerns about the Bryn Terfel Faynol Festival. It is hoped that following meetings with such people as the Alun Ffred Jones the Heritage Minister and many others. the event will hopefully go ahead to celebrate Ten Years of music at the Faenol.
The 30th Annual Media Festival takes place in Caernarfon this March, which (even though not open to the general public) will attract quite a few people into town,
Feed My Lambs is now up and running after many years left derelict, Ty Ysgol will soon open its doors for the first time and The Noddfa is now online and going from strength to strength.

I may have left a few things out and I apologise if i have not mentioned some things. It was not my intention to list everything this year as things looked so grim. But at least we have a few things we can look forward to.

I therefore wish you all a very Happy New Year and hope we are all here same time next year with a better smile on our faces.

Pob hwyl a Blwyddyn Newydd Dda i chi gyd.

Gareth

Hall of Fame on www.Cofis.co.uk

2008-08-14T15:24:00.000-07:00

www.Cofis.co.uk has proved very popular with many of you and I can inform you that we still have a few hundred photos to add over the next few months. As we add new faces to our pages, we are receiving more and more photos from you, our visitors. Keep them coming and I promise we will add them as we go on.
Our Hall of Fame on www.Cofis.co.uk has been up a week now and by all accounts most of you have enjoyed it immensely.
As you may know, we asked our visitors to nominate different people from Caernarfon's past and present who (in their opinion) had done something which merited their inclusion on out Hall of Fame. With exercises like these, we would never find 20 people who everyone would agree on, but never the less we received 60 names and an independent panel of 6 people narrowed them down to the final 20 which are honoured on our pages.
We were aware that people may be scrutinizing the final decision but we have not received a single complaint except for one person who told us, he had not heard about some of the winners. So in this respect I was very pleased to be able to educate him through the site about the hero's of the town's past.
I hope you all enjoy reading about these very important people who now have a lasting tribute on our website.

Back to www.CaernarfonOnline.co.uk

Caernarfon Eye Sore

2008-08-13T16:01:00.000-07:00

I can't believe it's been a few months since my last entry on here. But as I've been ever so busy with the New "Cofis" website (as well as adding bit's and pieces to COL), It's been pretty hectic.

Caernarfon Eye SORE!
Well it wasn't here long, but long enough for us to receive the largest number of complaints we've ever had about the awful Big Wheel.
Locals and visitors alike contacted the site to say they were amazed to see that work had been stopped on the Maes just so that a fairground attraction could come to town.
We are led to believe that this was not actually true, but the fact remains, it was ludicrous that the work was stopped and even more ludicrous that they allowed to big wheel to be parked on our half completed square.
A square which has cost nearly £3million so that it raises the profile of the town and what do we get on it? None other than the awful Caernarfon Eye Sore (as it's been dubbed by many of you).
Let's hope there was no damage made to the new slates!

In all we received 133 complaints and many of these alarmingly came from visitors who pledged never to return, as their idea of visiting a World Heritage Site was ruined by the Eye Sore in front of it.
I must say I tend to agree and let's hope that councillors and Gwynedd sees sense not to allow it to return to the Maes.
If they must have it then put it somewhere else.

Where?...................................

How about Rhyl?

People never fail to amaze me!

2008-05-29T05:13:00.000-07:00

Thousands of trees are felled every day in such places like the Rain Forests of the world, and we humans should be very concerned because of it.

If these trees are not replaced then it will effect our home - namely planet earth.

But, wait a minute.....

Now, some members of the public and (more worryingly some councillors) are up in arms because a hundred year old tree has been removed from the Maes!!!

Gwynedd Council has explained that it was not a protected tree and had been deemed dangerous to the public.

It seems to me that some people just like to complain! They actually enjoy it! Week in week out we see the same old moaners in the papers, complaining about the same old issues. If it's not the Victoria Dock project then it's the doctors surgery and if it's not that then its something Gwynedd Council has done. I realise that not everything Gwynedd Council do is right and in my opinion they do get things wrong as much as other councils. BUT......

This latest complaint in my opinion really takes the biscuit!

Let's look at this logically....
An old tree has been felled in Caernarfon, a tree which most of us haven't even noticed unless you sit under it or work by it on a regular basis.
Gwynedd Council have decided to take it down, because it is dangerous!

If they had left it there and someone got hurt then rightly so, people should be complaining.

The council have made a decision and made a decision in the interest of public safety!!!

Don't you think that this is what we pay them to do?
It is so easy to be wise AFTER an event.
In this instance, the council takes action BEFORE anything happens and it is criticised.

This was a Bloody tree! One which will (no doubt) be replaced by other's....

Looking at the plans for the Maes, I can see loads of trees earmarked for planting.... More than there were in the first place!

A tree may be a living thing, but it is not an animal, no one died here so what's all the fuss about?
In life things change, things are taken down and rebuilt -FACT!
I agree that some old buildings have historical value and should be preserved, but this was a flippin TREE!!! It had no historical value except the fact that it had been there all our lives.

The same could be said about Wembley Stadium and they took that down and rebuilt a better one!!! (Shame they can't rebuild a better team, but that's another matter)

These moaners make me so sad..... because if it wasn't for them then the town would have a chance. As it is, we argue about anything and everything no matter what.

Get a life guys. A tree is only a tree and it WILL be replaced by another.

One of these days, we may see a project go ahead in town without someone criticising it.

Then again Caernarfon Town FC may one day win the Welsh Premier League.... We can all live in hope!

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

Private Number Plates?

2008-05-18T14:53:00.000-07:00

Hi again,

I can't believe how quickly time passes by and it's been quite a while since my last entry on here. But I felt I just had to include this little snippet.

Having visited Ysbyty Gwynedd today, I was amazed to see a car ambulance with a private number plate!!!

Seriously, I couldn't believe my eyes when my wife pointed out this flippin thing standing proudly outside the hospital.

A lot of people have indulged in this expensive hobby, with the most apt belonging to Paul Daniels... MAG 1C

But even that was surpassed by this paramedic......

Surely someone is taking the mickey???

Would you travel to hospital with this number plate?

I'll leave it for you to decide.....

Here is what we saw....

Wait for it......

Dead On Arrival!

A lesson from the Aussies?

2008-03-25T09:45:00.000-07:00

I was sent this by email today and thought I'd share it with you all.
Political correctness has gone nuts in the last decade and it's about time someone put a stop to it.

This story could also be adapted to local politicians who think they know better than the locals. You know the ones I am talking about. (Especially those who need to use our taxes to pay for their translation services at meetings)

This is what I was sent:

Britain needs a leader like this!

Prime Minister John Howard - Australia Muslims who want to live under Islamic Sharia law were told on Wednesday to get out of Australia , as the government targeted radicals in a bid to head off potential terror attacks. Separately, Howard angered some Australian Muslims on Wednesday by saying he supported spy agencies monitoring the nation's mosques.

Quote:'IMMIGRANTS, NOT AUSTRALIANS, MUST ADAPT. Take It Or Leave It. I am tired of this nation worrying about whether we are offending some individual or their culture. Since the terrorist attacks on Bali , we have experienced a surge in patriotism by the majority of Australians.' 'This culture has been developed over two centuries of struggles, trials and victories by millions of men and women who have sought freedom' 'We speak mainly ENGLISH, not Spanish, Lebanese, Arabic, Chinese, Japanese, Russian, or any other language. Therefore, if you wish to become part of our society - Learn the language!

'Most Australians believe in God. This is not some Christian, right wing, political push, but a fact, because Christian men and women, on Christian principles, founded this nation, and this is clearly documented. It is certainly appropriate to display it on the walls of our schools. If God offends you, then I suggest you consider another part of the world as your new home, because God is part of our culture.' 'We will accept your beliefs, and will not question why.

All we ask is that you accept ours, and live in harmony and peaceful enjoyment with us.' 'This is OUR COUNTRY, OUR LAND, and OUR LIFESTYLE, and we will allow you every opportunity to enjoy all this. But once you are done complaining, whining, and griping about Our Flag, Our Pledge, Our Christian beliefs, or Our Way of Life, I highly encourage you take advantage of one other great Australian freedom, 'THE RIGHT TO LEAVE'.'

'If you aren't happy here then LEAVE. We didn't force you to come here. You asked to be here. So accept the country YOU accepted.' Maybe if we circulate this amongst ourselves, British citizens will find the backbone to start speaking and voicing the same truths.

Read in between the lines and act intelligently at the up and coming election.
If they ain't from here then don't vote for them - Simple!

Welsh Football

2008-03-13T15:38:00.000-07:00

In a week that could see Wales win the Grand Slam we see a Welsh football side making it to the Semi Finals of the FA Cup.
Cardiff City may well make it to the final they previously won back in 1926 when they beat Arsenal.
Cardiff it seems is a law into themselves as they choose to play in the English League and totally snub the Welsh Premier and Welsh FA Cup.
Even if Cardiff win the English FA Cup, they will not be entered in the European competition as Cup winners because the English FA cannot endorse them as they are a Welsh Team and the Welsh FA cannot endorse them as they have not won a Welsh Cup???

What a scenario!

Both Colwyn Bay and Caernarfon Town FC were exiled from playing at home for years because they refused to join the Welsh Premier League. After years of wrangling and loss in revenue as well as court costs, Caernarfon Town FC backed down and joined the Welsh League. By then the team was depleted and cash was hard to come by.

Caernarfon was a team who reached the 3rd Round of the FA cup all those years ago, were down and out following their exile and they have NEVER fully recovered.

The weekend epitomised all this when a lowly 79 turned out to support the Canaries. (and who says they were ALL home fans?)
Another bad season has resulted in low gates and lack of support from a local Town Councillor only served to rub salt in the wound.

We all know how bad the standard of Welsh football is and playing in this 'third rate league' has resulted in Caernarfon Town reaching their lowest ever state.
Cardiff City’s success in the English FA only proves that Caernarfon should have stuck to their guns and fought this ridiculous rule.
A rule that forbid them to play on their own pitch, just because some bureaucrat told them they had to take a backward step and join a lesser league.

The question is why do Wrexham, Swansea and Cardiff get away with it? While the Canaries have to suffer gates of only 79 supporters?

Al l I can say is that I hope Cardiff win the English FA Cup!
Now that would be in ‘your face to the Welsh FA’ wouldn’t it?

Anyway,
Best of luck to The Welsh National Rugby side on Saturday!

Copying is the the greatest form of flattery!

2008-03-01T02:43:00.000-08:00

I had a smile across my face this week when someone pointed out to me that a local website was obviously concerned that we were leading the way with our site and news service.

The blogger dared to complain that there were nothing but 'blogs' on websites these days and from people whom he did not rate.

He then went on to say that he was therefore introducing another blog on his website???
(that makes sense)
What he obviously knows is the popularity of our websites and blogs. I know this because our stats programme is able to name servers which visits our websites and there are quite a few hits from his.
Our Blogs are very popular across the board and written by two extremely knowledgeable pillars of the community (and me of course LOL).

We are obviously ruffling a few feathers here and copying doesn't make anyone better, it just shows they are lacking ideas themselves.

This town is big enuff for everyone and I wish them all the luck in their new venture.

Beam me up Scotty!

By the way!
Perhaps you have thought about writing a bolg yourself and want a stage to get it seen?

If this is the case then contact us here at Caernarfon Online (usual address) and we will set one up for you. You will be guaranteed thousands of hits every week.
We look forward to hearing from you.

Back to www.CaernarfonOnline.co.uk

Same Old Same Old

2008-02-02T07:30:00.000-08:00

As we all waited with baited breath to see what the marketing Guru had to say. The town was once again left disapointed.
Councillor Ioan Thomas summed it up well by stating that the advice given by Mary Portas could be the same advice given to Cardiff or any other city around the world.

In the cold light of day how anyone could expect anything else, beggars belief!

In a nut shell:
A cleb comes down to town, she goes on walkabout for an hour or so and then is expected to have all the answers on where we are going wrong!

In a few hours all one has to do is take a look at the parking and access restrictions in town, weigh that up with the lack of big name shops add that to a networking faliure and it's easy to see where our problems lie.
Mary Portas is human, she doesn't have a quick fix and she (as someone wrote on the messagebaord) is no Paul Daniels!

Mary Portas visits towns like ours for a fee (not for FREE) and does very nicely out of it. This is what she does, she travels, speaks and then goes away with the cash in her back pocket! A nice little earner if you can get it.

Ioan Thomas saw through it as did many others.

Once again we saw the Victoria Dock getting attacked by somone in the audinece...Instead of embracing this new complex, all they do is slate it!
It's been said again and again that competition is healthy and by one business becoming a success others will flourish (as the roll on effect will help businesses grow with more people coming into town).

Too much has been made about making links between the dock and the town.

The Dock is within walking distance of the town walls (2 mins) and only as far as Woolworths is to the Black Boy!
Are we going to need a land train to get us from Pool Street to Palace Street now?
The Dock has easy access and car parks and disabled parking to boot (same as the town?)

Victoria Dock is a 2 mins walk from Bangor Street and 4 mins max from Palace street!

Whats going on here? Why the witch hunt? We should be glad that people are investing in our town, we should be embracing it with open arms and making the most of it.
Like it or not, Victoria Dock is here to stay and once these morons realise this and try to work with it the better!

There we go, my anger released on text once again. I feel much better now.

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

Only One Way for shoppers to go after this fiasco?

2008-01-18T08:32:00.000-08:00

Over the years I have sat in on many discussions, meetings and debates about the new Maes development .
I have seen many ideas passed around the table and many more ignored.
I can even remember (about five years ago) Councillor Dafydd Iwan speaking (as the then chair of Caernarfon Partnership) when he remarked “If we don’t do something soon, we will be forever driving round the castle to get by in Caernarfon.” (The plan at the time was to try to cut down traffic flow into town.)
Was I the only one there thinking: What’s wrong with driving around such a wonderful castle?
I couldn’t understand the obsession about trying to reduce traffic into town. Traffic into town meant that people wanted to come here and people who want to come here, well quite frankly, people who want to come here will spend here. QED!

Surely traffic wasn’t that bad that it was gridlocked? I remember queuing for a few minutes to get into town but it was never as bad as how Bangor is now, no where near as bad! I should know as I’ve been a driving instructor since 1984 and drive on these roads daily.

Doesn’t the town rely on people coming in to town to shop? Wouldn’t our shopkeepers prefer a few queues forming instead of empty shops?
Well, all that was then and I’m afraid this is now…. and it seems that my worst nightmare has come true.
You can no longer drive into town through Bangor Street (The Town’s Main Access point!).
The only way anyone can get to the Maes now is by diverting via the by pass or past Victoria Dock… Isn’t that going to cause more traffic problems come summer?
If one diverts past Victoria Dock then the road takes you through the town walls which are very narrow.
If on the other hand one takes the other route then one must manoeuvre round the buses at Pool Side, which as already reported has been the scene of more than one accident. One a fatality I may add!
It’s becoming a nightmare to shop in town as well as a big inconvenience to residents living in Tre Gof and the other streets behind the Post Office.

Once here then finding a parking spot is impossible, without forking out on council car parks.
What’s the idea? Why do they think making it harder for shoppers to come into town is a good idea?
Is it just me or am I missing the point here?
I am all for improvements and I also hope that the Maes will look great once it’s completed.
But who will see it if we are driving them away from town?

Has anyone made an impact study on the one way system and how it will affect our businesses? Has anyone considered the loss the Harbour Car Park will have as cars are diverted from the town centre?

I have always been of the opinion that if things are made difficult then people won’t bother. Access should be made as simple as possible and only time will tell us how this one way system will affect the town.
If we make it difficult for our visitors to come here then they will go elsewhere. If accessibility is better at Bangor then our businesses will lose out! Simple fact and very true!

I also understand that Taxis will be limited to single figures in the Maes - today I counted 18 taxis parked there, so where will they conduct their business?

There is a ‘Retail Guru’ (whatever that is) due in town shortly to tell us where we are going wrong. It seems that part of the problem is staring us all in the face. If I owned a business on Bangor Street or in the centre of town I would be very concerned.

The Caernarfon Online website has already received a shed full of e-mails complaining about access into town , with many saying they have even ignored the No Entry signs at Bangor Street.
I have to admit I saw these plans in their infancy and thought at the time that it didn’t make any sense, but now I have seen it in the flesh so to speak… I am more convinced that this will be the final nail in the town’s coffin.
If not this, then round the corner we have a major by pass being planned that will give Caernarfon a wide berth and that’s to come in the next few years or so.

Can you blame business owners setting up elsewhere?
Then again maybe I am the only one out of step here and everyone else thinks it’s an excellent set up?

What do you think?

Back to www.CaernarfonOnline.co.uk

Dawn of a New Year!

2007-12-26T16:18:00.000-08:00

Hi Everyone,
I hope you all had a great Christmas and may I wish you all the very best for 2008.

I make no apology for not updating this blog for a while. My little boy was diagnosed with diabetes and it knocked us all for six here as you can all imagine. Having said that, he is coping very well indeed and received a fantastic result at his last hospital check up. This (as you can imagine) made us all feel a little bit better - that we’re doing everything right for him.

Anyhow, enough of me and my family, so on with the Blog!

I truly hope you all had a great time over the festive period and have already set out your New Year’s resolutions.

2008 promises to be a great one in the history of Caernarfon as we see two big developments coming to fruition.
And just in-case you’ve been away recently let me tell you that they are the Victoria Dock complex and the Maes re-development.

We are very lucky to see these two developments going ahead at a time when the Welsh Assembly cut backs are affecting us all.
The school closures debate has been a hot one recently and one which is very close to the heart of many of you.

Nevertheless because of one thing or another, bad management perhaps? Gwynedd council has to cut back to make sure that the long term effects are not detrimental to the area as a whole. If they don’t cut back here then other essential services may be threatened too?
Perhaps now is the time to reflect on the question: Did we do right to vote for having the Assembly in the first place?

As we saw on Caernarfon Online when the official opening was screened live in Caernarfon, no one seemed interested and the screen stood alone on the Maes with no one watching.
That is a very sad reaction by Joe Public.

But getting back to Caernarfon and the negative press we keep getting, the general public must be fed up to the back teeth of all the negative hype which is being passed out by the “same old, same old” people.
I’m sure I am - and I wish that - if they hate what’s going on here so much why don’t they just pack their bags and go back home to where they come from?
Surely we must have something better here than they had in their home town? Otherwise they wouldn’t be here now would they?
There it is, I’ve got it off my chest and said what others only think!!!

2008 is election year and this time we should all go out in force to vote.

Councillors after all are there for the people, they are not there to moan in the press and then do nothing! - Any fool can do that!

Ask yourself these simple questions…. How many times have you actually SEEN your councillor on your ward?

How many times have you seen him or her doing anything except complain in the paper?

Do they hold surgeries on the ward?

Have they ever done something for you or someone you know?

Do you know who they are?

These are only a few questions which will help you make up your mind on how to vote.

Has your councillor done anything to upset you or the town?

Voted against something you felt was wrong for example?

Remember, these people are in their seats because they are representing you!

They are not there to do as they want - they are there to do as YOU want.

They are your mouth piece and not there to blow their own trumpet or hold their own hidden agendas.

Councillors (in my humble opinion) should NOT:

1. Have a business establishment in town - which could benefit from their own actions.

2. They should be under retirement age.

3. They should not ask for monies (or sit on meetings) for which they have connections with other groups (this is standard procedure but still goes on).

4. They should not be voted in just because they have always been there. (‘Being there’ does not mean they are actually doing something positive).

Furthermore

1. People should vote for the person and NOT the party.

2. Councillors should not wear different hats in meetings, i.e. being a chair of one organisation and taking part in other council matters.

3. Should NOT be considered for a seat if they live more than a mile from their ward.

4. Should be able to understand Welsh to a degree that they can sit in on a meeting WITHOUT the use of a translator.

Think about it, most of this is going on right now!

The good and the bad things about 2007

To finish off, I have compiled a list (below) of what I personally consider has been good or bad for the town over the last twelve months.
You may not agree with all of them but I hope you enjoy reading them all the same.

I have kept the list to 20 in each section and make no apologies for not including everything that happened.

(At least it will make it easy for the papers reporters to run their review without much research!)

Here they are in no particular order!

Have a cracking 2008.

The Good.

1. The Dock finally getting developed.

2. The Maes finally getting developed.

3. The Old Harpers restaurant finally getting developed.

4. No smoking in public buildings.

5. The small festive tv screen put up on the Maes at Christmas

6. Businesses such as the ‘Chinese herbs and spices’ and the ‘Phone Shop’ setting up in Pool Street - showing faith in the town.

7. A brand new state of the art doctors surgery in town with disabled parking

8. Papur Dre still doing well

9. Plas Pawb opening

10. Ty Ysgol development starts

11. Feed My Lambs re-building work starts

12. Mini Golf course completed at Aberforeshore

13. New CBM’s appointed

14. New set up for Hendre Neighbourhood Watch

15. Caernarfon to Cardiff Airport link

16. Caernarfon Online given leading business award by Champion fm and UPS

17. T Meirion Hughes (our Welsh website editor) wins Toast Award for Welsh language

18. Ysgol Pendalar opens in Bethel Road

19. The council’s buffet saga finally thrown out

20. The Faynol Festival

The Bad

1. Complaints against the new health centre setting up in Victoria Dock

2. Complaints about nearly everything relating to the dock

3. Complaints about just about everything by Councillor Bob Anderson

4. Councillor Arnold Bohana wishing it minuted that he was against relooking into funding for Caernarfon Town Football club

5. Caernarfon Christmas tree fixed on a building site

6. The Assembly’s poor settlement for Gwynedd

7. Resulting in School closures

8. Caernarfon By Pass

9. Lack of support by local businesses by not being a part of the Chamber of Trade

10. Negative press by local reporters

11. Christmas - free parking scrapped

12. Talk of higher council taxes

13. 6 New Town Guides promised but not delivered or published in any way

14. Town council charges OAP’s for use of kettle

15. Hundreds miss out through incorrect information given for the location for Veterans day

16. Plaid Cymru stabs Richard Morris Jones in the back

17. Labour’s Martin Eaglestone loses yet another election

18. Thousands of pounds wasted in trying to solve the riddle of a £200 buffet

19. The Big Wheel

20. Plas Maesincla mess ignored by councillors

More from me in 2008

Back to http://www.caernarfoonline.co.uk/

Bangor Retail Forum lead the way!

2007-10-24T11:08:00.000-07:00

Hi Everyone,

This will be the last Blog entry until mid November as we are carrying out essential maintenance on the website.

Nevertheless, I felt the need to say something about the recent Bangor Business Forum meeting.

It seems that the Caernarfon Chamber of Trade exists in name only (once again) and is lacking any true membership from Caernarfon businesses.

Less than 5% of businesses in the town itself are members and we seem to have yet again taken a backward step.

Having worked with this group in the past, I realise how difficult it is to get things moving.

But in that time, we were able to re-invent Caernarfon with bright and colourful Welsh Flags on shops during the summer season.

We even persuaded some shops to erect hanging baskets and Christmas trees. We also produced a brand new Caernarfon Town Guide for the first time in years. Such a shame that the work is not being continued!

The people who did nothing but complain when we last set up the organisation have done nothing themselves this year and it is so disappointing to see things going so wrong so fast.

When we relaunched the Chamber all those years ago, we decided to hold an open meeting and we invited members of Gwynedd Council, The Town Clerk and Mayor were there representing the council and Officers from North Wales Police also took part.

The meeting was very well attended and even though one or two tried to sabotage proceedings, it was a very successful and meaningful meeting where businesses could ask relevant questions to those present.

This week the Bangor Business Forum did exactly the same and it proved to be just as successful.

The Chairman had arranged for Officers of Gwynedd Council to take questions from the business sector.

You can read all about it on the http://www.bangoreye.com/ website.

I applaud what they have done and only live and hope that the 'so called' Chamber in Caernarfon can do something the same.

I would guess that. like me, you are all fed up to the back teeth of the same old, same old whingers complaining of this and that and doing very little about it.

This could be the wake up call for these guys to get their act together and hopefully with Watkin Jones setting up a brand new Town Manager in the Victoria Dock complex this week.

She will be able to do something positive to help bring the business sector together.

We need the business sector to be strong and united. otherwise what is the point of a Chamber who speaks for only a half dozen or so people?

It would be good fromthem to put their cards on the table for once and show how many paid up members they represent.

Check out the full summary of the Bangor Business Forum on http://www.bangoreye.com/

Back to www.CaernarfonOnline.co.uk

Controversial statement

2007-10-14T12:25:00.000-07:00

Drugs photo taken at Llanbeblig Caernarfon

First of all I would like to apologise for the lack of updates to this Blog, this was unfortunately down to a family illness, which restricted my input. I hope you all understand.

Drug takers and a stupid statement

I have decided to have a little say on the statements made by Mr Richard Brunstrum this week.

But before I start I would like to point out that usually, I have a lot of time for Mr Brunstrum, he is very forward thinking and unfazed by public opinion. Obviously his zero tolerance on speeding in North Wales is a little over the top and one of the strictest in the country, but it seems to have had an impact on our driving and many re think before stamping on the accelerator since the campaign started.

However I am disappointed with Mr Brunstrum's latest statement about Class A drugs!
It seems that Mr Brunstrum wants to campaign about legalising hard drugs such as Heroine etc.
The reason behind this may be to reduce crime figures and stop drug abusers stealing to feed their habit. Or if he can give us a better explanation then I'd like to hear it.

Has it occurred to him the havoc these abusers put on members of their own families, friends and members of the public?

A few years back residents of Pool Lane in Caernarfon (of which I am one) had to suffer the daily indignity of having to converse with these people when they were 'under the influence.

A 'do gooder' had decided to illegally set up a soup kitchen in our street and on this occasion we were fortunate enough to close them down as planning permission for this had not been granted.

The leader of the 'Hafan' lived in Rhosbodrual and when we approached him about the matter, he continually showed no concern that we had to live with needles put through or doors and canisters of methadone and other substances were scattered all over our street.

We were met with druggies begging for money on a daily basis and threats and abuse were a common occurrence.
Councillors were useless and did nothing when we complained, it was only through the eventual involvement of Ioan Thomas (who was Mayor at the time) that something was eventually done.

I asked the manager of the Hafan would he like these people on his door step? He answered that they had to go somewhere and was only trying to help. But where was the help for us, we were all innocent in all this? Obviously he did not have an answer and seemed to care even less.

This year I was unfortunate enough to come across another drug abuser who had Over Dosed and was lying unconscious on the floor of the toilets at Slate Quay.
I had to put him in the recovery position and try to ensure his airways remained clear (whilst being talked through it all by mobile phone by the paramedic team, this I had to do until the paramedics arrived.

The next day, I called the hospital to see how he was getting on and learnt that he had been discharged. A few days later he was seen in the same state on a bench in Bontnewydd.
It seemed he had learnt very little from his 'near death' experience and no doubt is still unaware of my help.

Why should we have to endure all this? Why should we care when the Chief of Police makes this incredible statement?

If it is only about balancing his figures, then he should be ashamed of himself.
I for one (if faced with saving someone like this again) may indeed next time turn a blind eye and leave him there to rot.

The last time I didn't, the last time I chose to help, next time I may not....After all why should I care?

See you all soon and drug free I hope!

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

Y Maes

2007-09-18T16:35:00.000-07:00

At long last, the Maes is finally going to get it's makeover.
Work is due to start as I write, and will take around 18 months to complete.
Locals have long maintained that the town needed a face lift and this along with the work at the dock, courthouse, St Helen's Road, repair work to the 'Old Harpers' shop, 'Plas Bowman' and even the old 'Ddraig Goch' finally shows some work being carried out in town.

The Maes
The Maes itself is to have a major face lift and we have already shown the plans here online.
The major concerns will be the access to and from the town and how residents and shop keepers are going to cope while the building work is in progress.

Because of the time scale involved AND the fact that roads will be closed during this time, major disruptions are going to have to be sorted and we can expect quite a bit of noise made by business owners and residents alike.

Victoria Dock
The New complex is growing by the day and last week an official opening of stage one was held. This allows locals and visitors to see the work close up and I urge anyone who hasn't been to the site to take a look around. It feels like you are in a totally new world and hard to imagine that all this is here in Caernarfon and so close to the town centre.

Harpers
Work at the old Harpers restaurant in Bridge Street is well underway and already the roof has had a total face lift. For years this building has been a real eye sore in town and at long last it is like a breath of fresh air that work is in full swing.
Unfortunately, the traffic disruption here too is going to add to the strains of traffic movement in town.

Ddraig Goch
This shop is situated under the old clock and just outside the town walls. It is in a prime location and again has been in a sorry state for a number of years. The building work is nearing completion and restoring the building to it's former glory is a lengthy task. The same builder will shortly be working on the old House on the grounds of Llanbeblig Church on Llanberis Road.

The New Courthouse
The new courthouse on Llanberis Road (site of the former Segontium School) is also coming along nicely. As far as we are aware, the work is near schedule and already looks like being an impressive building. We will be reporting on this shortly.

Feed My Lambs
Feed My Lambs has also received a large grant and work will shortly be starting in restoring this building too. We would like to tell you more on this, but unfortunately, no one from this organisation has contacted us and that is such a shame as many of you have asked us for more info especially ex pats.

Well there you go, that's how things stand at the moment. I'll fill you in on more as it comes in.

See you all here soooon.
Back to www.CaernarofnOnline.co.uk

Victoria Dock and the message board

2007-09-06T09:34:00.000-07:00

Hi Everyone,
I'm so sorry that I've not filled in the Blog more over the last few days, but as you can see we've been very busy here at COL.

The Message Board
The Message board has been very active recently and hot on the debate is the Victoria Dock Hotel issue. Heated but fair and people writing with some passion on the subject. I have kept out of it myself and last night councillors voted yes to Travel Lodge setting up in town. In fairness to councillors, on this occasion, their hands were tied on this issue as there were no planning irregularities in the application and it was passed with no hiccups.

Time will tell how things work out, but I must say the left side of the dock really looks impressive now and although there is quite some work to do, I don't think work is too far behind schedule. Watkin Jones want to work with the business sector and it is really up to them to get involved in talks so that any of their concerns can be addressed and how the dock and other parts of town can work for the good of everyone.

Invitation
Caernarfon Online have been invited to a unique preview of the first element of the dock on Friday September 14th and we will give you an insight into what the new complex looks like. See it all here first as we will published on the same day as we visit.

Well that's all for now, see you sooooooon!

Back to www.CaernarfonOnline.co.uk

Faenol Festival

2007-08-28T07:55:00.000-07:00

Hi everyone!
Well, what a weekend! Only now recovering from one of the best ever festival's held at the Faynol.
Before I go on I'd like to thank the following people for their help and participation during the event.
First of all a big thanks to Bryn Terfel for putting on yet another wonderful show. Personally, I thoroughly enjoyed the first night and the Musicals evening.
Thanks also to Angharad Wynne who looked after us all every evening. A true professional and made life as easy as possible for us in the photo pit and backstage.
Thanks also goes to all the photographers present who shared a joke and a chat whilst waiting for the acts to come on. A special thanks to Gerallt who gave me some advice on cameras, apertures, shutter speeds and lenses.
Finally not forgetting Kev bach and Zowie from Champion fm for keeping Meriel company whilst I was taking photos.

Those of you lucky enough to be there on any evening no doubt enjoyed yourselves immensely and we can only look forward to next year's event. How Bryn will top this year's performance is had to comprehend, but this he has to do and this he has done year after year.

In Brief: my thoughts:

1st night
Highlights
Jamelia looking good in casuals (because her costume had been damaged in transit).
Shayne Ward singing the Darkness classic
Being able to go backstage to take photos of Shayne and Bryn
Girls Aloud for being Girls Aloud!

Down side:
Only being allowed to take photos of Jamelia and Girls Aloud during the first three songs. This is a nightmare for photographers as everyone is looking for a good shot and with the spotlights constantly shining directly in your face, obtaining a good shot in a short space of time is made more difficult.

2nd night
Highlights
Being able to take your time with photos and allowed to take photos with no restrictions.
Being able to go backstage to take photos of Bryn with all the Opera Stars.

Down Side
Having no 'culture' and not being a fan of Opera!

3rd night
Highlights
Brilliant performances by everyone
Michael singing the Queen classic 'Show must go on'
The none stop link from song to song

Down side
The cold weather and no large size sweat shirts left to buy at the market stalls!

4th night
Highlights
Receiving a pass to the BBC Cymru hospitality Marquee for drinks and a welcome reception
The awesome entrance from Bryn Fon including a rain coat, hat and umbrella (in anticipation of rain!!!)
The second stage for acts, so that the main stage could be set up for the next act, thus ensuring continuity.
No restrictions on photo taking
The fantastic response given by the audience to local band Frisbee

Down Side
Not enjoying the 'Welsh music scene' as much as everyone else present

Marks out of Ten?

11/10

Well done Bryn, once again you did us proud!

A breath of French Air

2007-08-19T04:31:00.000-07:00

It was so good to see the Maes full of people this week.
After a truly dismal summer with the weather not helping us at all, the Maes was creaking with people visiting the French market.
I for one was pleased to see the Caernarfon 'Eye Sore' removed this week and Caernarfon return to normality.
As a World Heritage Site the Maes is certainly not the place for such a monstrosity and if this is to return in future, I for one, hope the council re-considers its location and places it somewhere far away from our historic treasure.

It was so pleasing to see the town this week looking as it should look - A Market Town!

Market problem
There seems to be a problem at the moment as to what day the market should be allowed to trade. The traders want to see if a change from Monday to Tuesday would be of benefit to them and the punters. This resulted in a confusion that saw the Market on the Maes for Sat, Mon and Tues!
Never the less, I was still a little bit surprised that a former market trader who now has a business in town decided to attack the current market traders.

Working together
It is not difficult to see that all the town's businesses should be working together (Including the market traders) and this should be for the good of the town.

The Bangor Business Forum seem to have the right idea of how to get businesses together and perhaps we should learn from this.
Everyone wants to make a living, but it seems that Caernarfon has far too many barriers and hidden agendas.
It's time to stop bickering and have a plan of action.

Not many members
Week in week out we hear a statement from the Chamber of Trade about different subjects.
I know from experience how difficult it is to get businesses on board this organisation.
Of those who used to pay subscriptions, not many were interested or had the time to attend meetings.
Oh yes, one or two had a moan even when we re launched it a few years back after it had been in moth balls for years since, but these people were the ones who had failed in the past and never did anything except attack those who tried.

It would be interesting to know which businesses the Chamber of Trade represent?
Of the businesses in Pool Street only 2 said they belonged to the group and most insisted they were not interested in what they were doing.
The same could be said for the rest of the town.
None of the larger stores we asked were involved in any way or form.
Tesco, Morrisons, Argos, Ethel Austin, W.H.Smith, McDonalds, KFC, New Look etc
For the Chamber to be successful, they need people to be involved, otherwise they don't represent the majority of businesses. At the moment this is the case.

This is a sad state of affairs and until we have an organisation working for the good of the town (and with this I mean WORKING and not moaning in the press) then the Caernarfon business sector will never have a strong voice.
Having a French Market is a step in the right direction, we need more things of this nature and learn from Bangor, Llandudno and Llanberis to name but a few.

See you soon!

Back to www.CaernarfonOnline.co.uk

Ty Gobaith

2007-08-07T13:10:00.000-07:00

Hi everyone,
I was sent this today and hope you will all take notice and try to help.
Most of you will know all about Ty Gobaith already, so I hope you take notice.

Here is the message I received in both English and Welsh.

Dear Friends,

My name is Katrina Cameron and I work with the local community and businesses to help raise much needed funds for Ty Gobaith, the only children’s hospice in North Wales .

Tŷ Gobaith provides respite and terminal care for seriously ill children. We depend largely upon voluntary income to fund our vital services, and donations such as yours are essential to us. We need to raise in excess of £1 million each year to fund Tŷ Gobaith in North Wales .

We also provide care and support to families in their own homes and bereavement counselling for as long as it is needed.
None of the work that we do would be possible without the help of donors such as you, and we are very grateful to you.

I would like the opportunity to discuss with you how your club can make a difference to the short and precious lives of local children. Perhaps you hold annual fun days, or entertainment nights in your social club or we could even discuss having a Ty Gobaith day and we would benefit from tickets on the gate.
In return I would love to generate as much PR and press coverage as a thank you for supporting us.

If you would like to find out more or arrange a meeting please contact me at the Appeals Office on 01492 596 581.

Thank you very much and I hope to discuss how you can help out local children’s hospice very soon.

Katrina Cameron
Appeals Organiser

Annwyl Gyfeillion

Fy enw yw Katrina Cameron ac rwyf yn gweithio i godi arian hanfodol gyda’r gymdeithas a busnesau lleol, ar ran Ty Gobaith, yr unig hosbis i blant yng Ngogledd Cymru.

Mae Tŷ Gobaith yn darparu gofal seibiant a therfynnol i blant nad ydynt yn mynd i dyfu i fyny i fod yn oedolion, ynghyd a chefnogaeth ymarferol ac emosiynol i’w teuluoedd unâi yn yr hosbis, neu un eu cartref. Rydym fwy neu lai yn ddibynnol ar gyfraniadau gwirfoddol i ffynu ein gwasanaethau, a rhaid inni godi dros £1 miliwn yn flynyddol ar gyfer ein gofal arbennig.

Ni all dim o’r gwaith yr ydym yn ei wneud fod yn bosib heb gymorth gyfranogwyr fel chi, ac rydym yn ddiolchgar iawn.

Buaswn yn hoffi cymeryd y cyfle i drafod syt y buasau eich clwb yn gallu gwneud gwahaniaeth i blant terfynol wael a byr eu hoes. Wyrach y gellwch ddal Diwrnod Hwyl Blynyddol, neu Nosweithiau Adloniant yn eich Clwb Cymdeithasol, neu gallwn drafod cael Diwrnod i Dŷ Gobaith a’r elwa yn dod o’r tocynnau.

Carwn gynhyrchu hysbysebion yn y wasg i ddiolch am eich cynhaliaeth.

Os hoffwch fod mewn cysylltiad i gael mwy o wybodaeth, neu i drefnu cyfarfod, cysylltwch a fi ar y ffon yn y Swyddfa Apeliadau 01492 596581.

Gobeithiaf y gallwn drafod sut i helpu ein hosbis plant lleol yn fuan iawn. Diolch yn fawr iawn.

Eiddoch yn gywir

Katrina Cameron
Trefnydd Apeliadau
Tŷ Gobaith,
Appeals Office, Vale Road , Llandudno Junction,
LL31 9SH
01492 596 581
07872 378 084

See you Sooon!

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

Faenol Competition

2007-08-05T15:08:00.001-07:00

Hi Everyone,

Well, if you are like me, you will be looking forward to this year Faenol Festival with great anticipation. Once again local boy Bryn has pulled out all the stops to make this years event one to top even the last one.

How can you follow up West Life? Simple, by having Girls Aloud, Jamelia AND Shane Ward on the same billing and that's only the opening night!

Once again we plan on giving you all the photos as they happen. Newspapers can't compete, because of their limited space and deadlines. Our Feanol coverage has been well received by our visitors every year and we plan on making this year's coverage the best yet!

If you haven't done so already check out our coverage website on www.CaernarfonOnline.co.uk/faenol to read up on what's happening and the stars profiles etc.

This year we are lucky enough to be able to offer you two free tickets for EVERY night (including seated tix for the Girls Aloud concert!)

However, we did not expect such a massive response as we have up to now, with people from ALL OVER the UK entering. We have literally received hundreds of entries and we will announce the winners on our Faenol website after the closing date (18th Aug). If you haven't entered yet then there is still time and remember only one entry per address. We received 50 entries from one person (unfortunately only one can be accepted).

We have also asked people to tell us which night they would like tickets for and this is how the percentage works out to date:

38% opt for Girls Aloud, 30% for the Musicals, 18% for the Opera Evening and 14% for Tan y Ddraig.

The figures doesn't necessarily mean that this is how ticket sales are going, it merely shows what OUR visitors want.

Best of luck to all of you who have entered and we look forward to seeing you there on the night.

See you all sooooon!

Back to www.CaernarfonOnline.co.uk

North Wales People

2007-08-05T14:54:00.000-07:00

Hi Everyone,
What a breath of fresh air. A brand new paper/magazine for the area and all done by a local lad.
Ian Edwards a former journalist with The Herald has just launched his brand new paper called North Wales People!
Refreshing and colourful, the venture looks like becoming a really good seller as it covers locals from different parts of the community.

For far too long Caernarfon has had to rely on one media for the town. Then came Gwynedd Leader (which later changed to the Bangor and Caernarfon Chronicle).
Caernarfon Online was set up in 1999 followed quickly by Papur Dre (our very own local Welsh paper) and then came publications such as Gwynedd Council's own magazine delivered free to all homes, and now we have this excellent publication N W People.
I hope you will all embrace it as much as you have done COL and Papur Dre!

The new paper is out every month and we hope to let you know what's going in the next issue here on the town's website as soon as we hear from Ian each month.

Copies can be bought at nearly all the good Independent paper sellers and costs just 65p!

If you have problems getting your copy, then email us here at COL and we will make sure you get one. (Same applies to Papur Dre).
All that's left for me to say is Da Iawn Ian! and wish him all the best with his new business.

See you soon!

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

Simpsons Movie

2007-07-29T10:43:00.000-07:00

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!

2007-07-29T07:09:00.000-07:00

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

2007-07-24T13:29:00.000-07:00

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!

2007-07-18T07:45:00.000-07:00

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!

2007-07-16T13:48:00.000-07:00

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

2007-07-08T04:19:00.000-07:00

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?

2007-07-07T08:14:00.001-07:00

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

2007-07-04T14:44:00.000-07:00

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

2007-07-04T01:42:00.000-07:00

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

2007-07-01T11:13:00.000-07:00

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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