All quiet

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

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

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

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

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

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

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.