THE latest community news from Blaenau Ffestiniog

A CEREMONY to remember the conscientious objectors during the First World War has been held in Blaenau Ffestiniog.

Dwyfor Meirionnydd MP Liz Saville Roberts organised the event which remembered the peace campaigners of the Great War.

The event, entitled ‘A Oes Heddwch?’ and featuring both a white ‘peace’ poppy and a red poppy on its logo, took place six days after Remembrance Sunday and was well received by the assembled crowd.

Pictured are Conwy councillor Mabon ap Gwynfor, poet Ifor ap Glyn, Dr Bleddyn Huws, Dr Aled Eirug, Sue Wood, Liz Saville Roberts MP, Bill Jones, and Eifion Lewis.

Mr Lewis, Mr Jones and Ms Wood are relatives of those who lost their lives as a result of the peace effort.

ServicesBETHESDA - Dennis Davies.Bowydd - Elfed Lewis.Bethel, Ffestiniog - Plygain Llafar Bro.Carmel - Rev O G Williams, 10am.Hyfrydfa - Nerys and Geraint Roberts, Trawsfynydd, 5.30pm.St David’s - Morning service at 11am.St Michael’s - Morning service at 9.30am.Manod Orthodox - Third and Sixth Canonical Hours at 10am followed by the Divine Liturgy of Saint John Chrysostom.Holy Cross - Mass at 6pm on Saturday and 11am on Sunday with Fr Shaji Punnati.Last chanceTHIS Friday will be the last chance for someone to sit and listen to a recording of stories in Welsh under the title of The Last Tepee and it is on at the local library.G?ylDAETH chwiorydd Lowri ac Awel Jones o Ffordd Wynne yn bedwerydd yng nghystadleuaeth Deuawd Cerdd Dant i rhai o 12 hyd at 21 oed yn y G?yl Cerdd Dant 2018 a gymrodd lle yn Ysgol y Moelwyn.GymnastsCONGRATULATIONS to members of the local Moelwyn Gymnastics Club after three of its members Caitlin Roberts, Alysha Dodd and Gwenlli Roberts were placed second in the Prague International Acro-Gymnastics Championship behind the gold medal winners from Poland. Other members of the Moelwyn Club took part with Lili Gray, Shantel Jones, Pipi Honeysuckle Grifith, in fourth place and Elain Hughes, Tesni Pugh and Saran Wood were fifth as was Bedwyr Hughes, with Katie and Erin Roberts and Lowri Cunnington plus Alaw Edwards, Izzy Cleaver and Betsan Pugh were also outside the medal winners.DementiaTHOSE families who might have a dementia sufferer among them are glad to learn that a dementia specialist unit is to be set up and expected to be completed and based by the end of next June at the Llan Ffestiniog Bryn Blodau home.FestivalPLANS are well in hand for the town’s winter festival which gets under way for week from 3 December which will take place at the local park with a variety of activities available for all ages which also has an ice skating rink and an Alpine Winter Market on site.The festival will be open from 3.30pm until 9pm on Monday to Thursday and from 10am until 10pm on Friday to Sunday. LightsTHE annual switching on of the town’s Christmas lights will take place on 6 December, at 6pm.The Victorian window judging will take place on Tuesday, 4 December, and the winner will be announced on the 6th at T? Gorsaf. Father Christmas will also be there from 1pm to 4pm and also 6pm to 8pm. There will be stalls at the RWF Club and as usual the whole arrangements have been made by the Blaenau Bendigedig Group.ChoirTHE Brythoniaid Male Choir, conducted by John Eifion and accompanist Elizabeth Ellis, were in concert at Machynlleth on Saturday evening with solos from John Eifion, Robin Gruffydd, Eilir Ellis, and Dewi Thomas. BROcast FfestiniogTHE advantages and disadvantages of tourism will be explored in a meeting tonight.BROcast Ffestiniog, a new community media platform in Blaenau Ffestiniog and the surrounding area, is looking to tackles the challenges that have risen due to the recent growth in tourism via a new film, Ai tegan i’r twrist yw troedio’r tir?The film and a discussion evening will be held tonight (29 November) at CellB, Blaenau Ffestiniog.The aim of BROcast Ffestiniog is to celebrate communities and share ideas about the challenges that exist and thus through the medium of film or podcasts and Ai tegan i’r twrist yw troedio’r tir? is the first in the Her BRO series.The film looks at the advantages and disadvantages of the tourism sector - the need for tourism to boost the local economy, the local people who have ventured into business as a result of the growth in the tourism sector, the disadvantages of seasonal employment and the future of the Welsh language alongside the impact of the industry.Seven contributors from local businesses and groups have been interviewed for the film including Sean Taylor (Zipworld), Michael Bewick (Llechwedd), Mirain Gwyn (B&B 5* Taldraeth), Janet Jones (Gwersyll Quarry View), Iwan Evans (Amgueddfa Hanes Lleol), Rhys Roberts (CellB) a Hefin Hamer (Antur Stiniog).Dafydd Elis-Thomas, the Welsh Government’s Minister for Culture, Tourism and Sport also expresses his view on the importance of tourism for the economy of the former quarry communities.The film will be appearing on social media, but an evening will be held at CellB, Blaenau Ffestiniog to have an open discussion about some of the concerns raised in the film.Ceri Cunnington from Cwmni Bro Ffestiniog said: “Almost everyone has an opinion on the growth and value of tourism in the area.“Obviously, there are advantages and disadvantages.“BROcast Ffestiniog hopes to hear voices, share different views and ideas openly, with the aim of bringing people together to collaborate.“We truly believe that it is only by discussing openly, without fear that we can create a better future for our area.”In the future, BROcast Ffestiniog will be looking at food banks, energy and fuel poverty in the area and lack of affordable housing.Ideas and training sessions are being held throughout November so that the community becomes a central part of the new platform.For more info, contact: [email protected] or visit www.facebook.com/BROcastFfestiniogCylch y MoelwynA PUB quiz will be held in the King’s Head (Tap), Glan y pwll, 5pm, Sunday, 16 December. The quiz will raise funds towards the British Heart Foundation. There will be a raffle and prizes also. Everybody welcome.DamageTHERE have been reports of damage to the skate park, with one side of the ramp having been seriously damaged and is in a dangerous condition.The rubbish bins have been pulled away from the bolts securing it to the concrete. Also two street lighting bulbs are damaged but it is unclear if this is result of vandalism. In response, the town council is to place a chain and padlock on the skate park gate to try and prevent a serious accident if the park is used. Ysgol y Moelwyn AwardsTHE Ysgol y Moelwyn Awards Ceremony was held recently to celebrate this year’s achievements. The evening provides a very special opportunity for us to celebrate and award the achievements of our youngsters. Awards were presented in recognition of a range of aspects such as attendance, effort, progress, skills, achievement and contribution to the community.Headteacher Dewi Lake said: “Pride and success are two very special emotions. The opportunity to be proud as parents, as teachers, as members of the community, in the achievements of our youngsters, the future of our community, is an experience to be relished.”Awards were given to students who had improved the most, made strides in the fields of sport and education and had outstanding attendance records.Memorial prize winners were: Gwobr Goffa Bethan Coleman, Elain Mia Jones and Mared Rhodd; Gwobr Goffa Miss Brymer, Tomos Heddwyn; Gwobr Perfformiad Cerddorol Nel Thomas, Alex Anthony; Gwobr Perfformiad Cerddor y Moelwyn, Hanna Evans; Gwobr Goffa Glyn Price Innovation in Technology, Mari Roberts; Gwobr Goffa Ian Jones, Pencampwr Rygbi, Robin Trappe; Gwobr Goffa Mrs Rhian Jones, Cyfoeth pob Crefft, Lucy Murchie and Aaron Poxon; Young author of the year award - the Miss Eds Award, Glain WilliamsIf you’re a member of a club, society or group, send your news to [email protected]