Museums

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!

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

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.....

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?

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

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!!!!

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!