Run down buildings to be demolished?

re the ATS and Prince of Wales Hotel buildings.

Things seem to be on the up and up here in town, with news that two old buildings are being considered for demolition to make way for a new business. Shame this can't be done with some of the old listed buildings in Caernarfon. Out with the old and in with the new I say. We have been living in the past for soooo long. If something is getting on your nerves then we should really get rid of it instead of hanging around waiting for something to happen.
The trouble with Caernarfon has always been that the same old people were running it and over the last few years we have seen many changes on the council with some of the negative people gone. This is the first step in getting the town moving again. Same old same old will give you same old same old.

Only today I received a correspondence saying that it was the best news they received for some time and it made their day. I am so glad they felt that way as we are all here to enjoy it. :-)

Bypass

This week we learnt that the new bypass is going to be the purple option. Woopee-do!

As much as I sympathise with the people affected with gridlocks. Can't these people see that if you divert people away from Caernarfon then businesses will suffer?

Just look at what happened to businesses in Bangor Street when they made it a one way system. Just ask the likes of Ty Bach Twt and Caernarfon Pine to name but two, about how diverting traffic away from their business, helped close them down.
Ask the garage in Abergwyngregyn, ask the garage in Dolydd, ask the former business owners at Felinheli how diverting traffic away from their business affected them.

Years ago they built a fly over through Caernarfon and many still say today that this was the first nail in our coffin. This bypass will be the final one so long as shopping and running businesses are concerned!
I bet the likes of Glan Gwna are over the moon that the road will fly over their peaceful holiday homes.

Personal thanks

To the person who sent me such a nice card over the weekend, many thanks, it really made my day. As it was something I considered unimportant in my life and had completely forgotten everything about it. Having said this, it was so nice to be reminded, it really cheered me up no end.
It seems that there are good people left on this planet, you really shouldn't have spent your money.

I don't have to name you but rest assured I had a drink to celebrate x

Hi Everyone

Sorry that I haven't blogged for a while, but today I have had a new lease of life and thought it was time for me to start blogging again.

It's so good to see that councillors Michael Sol Owen and Dylan Jones have been keeping you updated on theirs.

I have always liked the month of June, good things usually happen in this month in readiness for summer. This year was no exception as we had the Olympic torch and Urdd Esiteddfod taking place.

June is like a breath of fresh air, we are all usually upbeat as the kids count down to the school holidays. It's like we are all hanging around for the good weather to start so we can have a good summer. The weather cetainly hasn't been good up to now!
Right on cue, Wimbledon starts and the heavens open up.

This weekend promises to be a cracking one with an event in the castle that will no doubt remind us of why the castle is there and what it means to us and Wales.

Cipio'r Castell is a free event this Sunday, but please ensure you have your wristbands sorted (available from the tourist information office here in Caernarfon). The event starts at 2.30 more details here http://www.caernarfononline.co.uk/2012/june/cipio.html

Remember to let us know here on Caernarfon Online about any event you have planned and we will include it on the town's website.

The wheels are already in motion with the Caernarfon Festival and we look forward in covering it all here for you. In the meantime have a great weekend and I will update again next week. I'll stick my neck out and predict good weather for us all. (I feel I have a stiff neck already LOL)

Riots!

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

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

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

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!

Nearly 2,000 fans a the Oval

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.

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!

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

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.

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

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.