THE latest community news from around Blaenau Ffestiniog.

Services

BETHESDA – United Churches service with Rev Pryderi Lloyd Jones, 10am; Manod Orthodox – Third and Sixth Canonical Hours at 10am followed by the Divine Liturgy of Saint John Chrysostom; St David’s – Morning service at 11am; St Michael’s – Morning service at 9.30am; St Mary Magdalene – Mass at 11am with Bishop Edwin; Holy Cross – Mass at 6pm on Saturday with Bishop Edwin; Bethel, Ffestiniog - Euron Hughes.

Archaeology Society

THE latest meeting was well attended despite some members being on holiday.

Those present found the talk extremely interesting as it brought out a snapshot of life in that little known area of ‘Stiniog.

Dr Ian Brooks was commissioned by Antur Stiniog Cyf to cover three locations, but this talk concentrated on the tracks now existing at the Llechwedd site; two other planned tracks over the Moelwyns and around Tanygrisiau lake were surveyed but not taken up in the final plan.

He began by describing the construction of the uptake road from the A470 to the start of the downhill tracks. The spot known as “Boot Hill” and a nearby possible burial mound forced the planned route to be changed to avoid both.

The road was then taken past a peat-bog area which was found to be remarkably interesting.

Dr Brooks called in Pollen Specialist Fiona Grant to core-sample the bog and the results were astounding. The environmental sequence included burning in the Late Mesolithic dated to 4728 – 4548 BC, with continuing, but changing woodland into the Neolithic and Early Bronze Age with the possibility of some cereal production.

Major change in the Late Bronze age to more open landscape probably related to a pastoralist economy. Increased scrub in the Iron Age/Romano British suggesting less active management.

Active management restarted in the Early Medieval with the possibility of some cereal production in the Late Medieval period.

Following a track plan formulated by Architrail he worked with Mei Black of Xtreme Tracks, a specialist in constructing downhill tracks, Dr Brooks then concentrated on checking out the routes planned for the paths now being used.

Together they made minor adjustments as each track encountered a spot of archaeological importance.

Included in this process were numerous rock-cannon – extremely popular during the working years of the Stiniog quarries , ancient pathways, drainage ditches, a derelict terrace of five houses known as Tai Frest and an abandoned farm called Cribau.

Chairman Bill Jones thanked Dr Brooks for his presentation and announced that the next meeting would be on 20 October with Vivian Parry Williams as guest speaker giving a talk on Beddau Gwyr Ardudwy.

The talk will be in Welsh with translation facilities provided.

Coffee

THE Macmillan Coffee Morning held at the local library last Wednesday raised £114.12.

Motion

THE town council has resolved to support a notice of motion submitted by Cllr Rory Francis which read “The Ffestiniog Town Council on behalf of local residents expresses its support for people from other member states of the European Union who live and work here.

“We value their contribution to the local economy and make clear that they are welcomed here, to take a full part in the life of their adopted country.”

The proposal was seconded by Cllr Bedwyr Gwilym.

Gallery

THE Maenofferen Gallery hosts an exhibition of prints and paintings by Gill Collier and entrance is free during the library’s opening hours.

Choirs

ON Thursday evening the Brythoniaid Choir conducted by John Eifion with accompanist Liz Ellis were joined by the Oakeley Silver Band conducted by John Glyn Jones to give a well attended concert at Ysgol y Moelwyn.

Proceeds went towards the monies needed to stage the 2018 Welsh Folk Festival which will be held here.

The Moelwyn Choir conducted by Sylvia Ann Jones and accompanist Wenna Francis Jones were in concert at Betws y Coed on Friday evening with Gareth Griffiths the compere.

Fountain

THE town council has accepted a quote of £1,550 from Cerrig Cyf for cleaning the Diffwys Fountain which has not been in working order for some time.

Clwb Cerdded

TAITH nesaf aelodau Clwb Cerdded Stiniog fydd dydd Sul nesaf i Gwmbychan, Llyn Dinas a Beddgelert.

Gofynnir i’r aelodau i ddod at Dy Gorsaf am 9yb. Mae esgidiau cryf, dillad addas a phecyn o fwyd yn hanfodol i’r daith.

Fainc

Cynhelir cyfarfod cyntaf tymor newydd y Fainc Sglodion heno, nos Iau, pryd fydd Nesta Wyn Jones yn rhoi sgwrs ar Dawns y Sêr a Cherddi eraill.

Playing fields

THE town council has praised the reports it has received by the Playing Fields Inspector John Farrington which stated that several new seats for the swings are needed, that weeds were growing between the safety mats and some small damage.

The council has ordered new seats and the gardener has been asked to put weed killer on the mats.

Clwb Merched

DECHREUWYD tymor newydd Clwb Merched nos Fawrth yn y Ganolfan, lle cafwyd noson o edrych ar wisgoedd y ganrif ddiwethaf a’r gwaith cywrain a aeth i’w gwneud.

Hefyd gwaith llaw ar gotwm, rhan fwyaf wedi eu gwneud yng ngolau cannwyll.

Gwesteion y te oedd Mary a Mair ac enillydd y raffl, rhoddedig gan Medwen, oedd Glenys.

Camera Club

AT the first meeting of the new season members of the Camera Club showed some of the images they had taken over the summer.

‘People of his travels’ was the title of Carl Senior’s presentation having visited India and south east Asia where he photographed people and architecture of the different countries.

Architecture was the topic of the first competition of the season for the Golden Eagle Trophy, which was won by last year’s winner Iona O’Neill who was placed first in the projected images, and second and third in the prints with her husband Ian winning the print section.

Dewi Williams was second and Gareth Williams third in the projected images. The adjudicator was Andrew Kime.

If you’re a member of a club, society or group, send your news to [email protected]