THE latest community news from Blaenau Ffestiniog

Services

Holy Cross – Mass at 6pm on Saturday and 11am on Sunday with Fr Shaji Punnati

St Michael’s – Morning service at 9.30am;

St David’s – Morning service at 11am;

Manod Orthodox – Third and Sixth Canonical Hours at 10am followed by the Divine Liturgy of Saint John Chrysostom;

Lease

Antur Stiniog has issued a draft lease for the ground floor of the present council building to the town council after the original lease expired on 15 October.

In response, the town council is to ask a local solicitor to look at the lease on their behalf, especially as there was a high increase in the monthly service charge.

Antur Stiniog has decided to delay investing the sum of £1,700 in the feasibility study of developing the 5 High Street, building which the town council have part of. This is said, should not prevent the sharing of ideas and it is also reported that the money from Arloesi Gwynedd is secure.

Health

Councillor Bedwyr Gwilym proposed a notice of motion at a council meeting which stated that the town council expresses its support in principle to a proposed project which promotes a healthy lifestyle.

The project will employ a community connector for the Vale of Ffestiniog for three years and will be funded by the Active Healthy Sport Fund for Wales, and this motion was agreed upon by the town council.

Festival

Despite the unkind weather last month’s Winter Festival which took place at the park was well received locally with many taking on the ice skating on site as well as enjoying the various events and musical evenings.

The hope is it will be back next year with some suggesting that a Summer Festival could be thought of as the weather could be kinder then.

Skate park

Trees and rhododendron are overgrown near the Skate Park which makes it difficult to see what is going on there.

There is also information that Dime One Mural Specialist was eager to work with the town council to create a new ramp there to ensure, as far as it is possible, that the vandalised ramp is safe enough to be used.

The town council is to ask the Dref Werdd if they can treat/cut the said trees and rhododendrons and they are looking forward to be working with the Dime One Mural Specialist.

Signs

Having discussed the draft signs for the local playing fields names, ‘No Dogs’ and the ‘twinning’ signs the town council is to put its telephone number and email address on to the signs for the names of the playing fields and to correct the Welsh wording for Twinning with Rawson.

Gallery

The Maenofferen Gallery hosts an exhibition by the Penrhyndeudraeth Art Group till 15 January and admission is free during the library’s opening hours.

Day Centre

Before Christmas, members of the senior citizens day centre at the community centre took part in a charity event where they, and the staff, wore night clothing. They raised £150 for the Children in Need Appeal.

Then it was their turn to enjoy a meal at Bryn Llewelyn, Ffestiniog, where they were entertained by local duo Thomas Griffiths and Jordan Evans.

Royal British Legion

Blaenau Ffestiniog RBL and sub branch Sarn Helen’s Poppy Appeal money collected to date has reached £3,234.79.

There is still wreath money to come in. This is the highest total for several years.

The Legion committee has thanked the community for their generosity including the poppy collectors Linda and Bethan Fazakerly, Debbie Woolway, Rhiannon Jones, Mike Hughes, and Medwyn Jones; Trawsfynydd Power Station; the Blaenau Ffestiniog Army Cadets Force under the command of Colour Sargent Huw Jones; all the shops and businesses; Rev Roland Barnes, St David’s Church; members of the Legion branches; The Royal Oakley Band; John’s Coaches; the Blaenau Ffestiniog Police force; the Royal Welch Fusiliers Comrades Association Club; Parade Marshall Gary Williams; the Blaenau Ffestiniog branch Standard Bearer Fred Tanner; Emyr Williams, Royal Navy Association; Iwan Jones, Royal Welch Fusiliers Association; Glyn Daniels, Burma Star Association.

The parade salute was taken by Major Robert Maxwell, ex Royal Engineers.

The Blaenau Ffestiniog and Sub Branch Sarn Helen Legion meet at the Royal Welch Fusiliers Comrades Association Club, Church Street, Blaenau Ffestiniog, every second Tuesday of the month at 7.30pm. Any person interested in joining or interested in the activities of the Legion would be welcome to attend.

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