THE latest community news from Blaenau Ffestiniog.

Cylch y Moelwyn

A LOCAL fundraising group received an achievement award from the British Heart Foundation as the best new fundraising group 2016.

Cylch y Moelwyn was only formed in January 2014. This is a great honour for the local group which has raised over £6,000 over this period. The honour also falls on the local people who have contributed so readily to this charity and the group is very grateful to them, as without them there would not have been an award.

The cylch BHF branch is active over a wide area and includes Blaenau Ffestiniog, Llan Ffestiniog, Trawsfynydd, Gellilydan and Maentwrog and the group welcome anyone to the meetings who feel that they contribute to this important work. The group focus mainly on fundraising at the present time.

The next meeting will be held in Cylch yr Efail, on Monday, 13 March, at 6pm. For more information about the local group, contact: [email protected]

Services

BETHESDA - Rev Christopher Prew, 10am; Carmel - Rev Robin Wyn Gruffydd; Manod Orthodox - Third and Sixth Canonical Hours at 10am followed by the Divine Liturgy of Saint John Chrysostom; St Michael’s - Morning service at 9.30am; St David’s - Morning service at 11am; St Mary Magdalene - Mass at 11 am with Bishop Edwin; Holy Cross - Mass at 6pm on Saturday with Bishop Edwin; Bethel, Ffestiniog - Eifion Jones at 10am.

Choir

AFTER their short break the Moelwyn Choir will be commencing their twice-monthly engagements at Betws y Coed on 3 March until the end of the year.

Advice

A REPRESENTATIVE of the Citizens Advice Bureau will be at the library between 10am and 1pm on Mondays to deal with any queries.

Siop Siarad

THE monthly meeting of the social group for Welsh learners will be at the Bridge Café this Saturday at 11am. As well as the learners, fluent Welsh speakers are welcome to attend.

Fforwm Hanes

HANES gwaith nwy Blaenau Ffestiniog fydd testun y gwr gwadd Iwan Evans yn Fforwm Hanes Plas Tanybwlch i ddechrau am 7.30yh ar noson olaf y mis yma.

Clwb Cerdded

DDYDD Sul yma yn cerdded gyda John fydd aelodau Clwb Cerdded Stiniog, i gychwyn ger Ty Gorsaf am 9yb. Mae esgidiau cryf, dillad addas a phecyn o fwyd yn hanfodol i’r daith.

Gallery

THE Maenofferen Gallery hosts an exhibition under the heading of Dreams VS Reality - A Creative Journey by Catherine Rose and Hannah Hession until 24 February.

Cymdeithas Gorlan

CYNHELIR y cyfarfod misol am 7yh nos Llun, 6 Chwefror yng Nghapel Calfaria, â’r gwr gwadd fydd Geraint Vaughan Jones.

Applications

THE council accepted the following pre-application advice on three planning applications: To convert the workshops at Glanypwll to a house; changes to conservatory roof at Bryn Mair, Trem Hyfryd, Tanygrisiau; application for a non-material amendment following grant of planning permission to amend the form of the extension gable as approved at 97 Manod Road.

Oakeley Silver Band

A CELEBRATED band has made a sizeable donation to Wales Air Ambulance after all their “wonderful, essential work” in the area.

Last Thursday the Oakeley Silver Band presented the charity with a cheque for a little over £400.

The donation had a special signification for the ensemble, which won a hat-trick of awards at the 2016 National Eisteddfod during a rollercoaster year, as two people attached to the Oakeley Silver Band required the charity’s services last year.

Without the rapid response of the Wales Air Ambulance, conductor John Glyn Jones is “certain” he would have lost one of his foremost friends.

“We are so grateful for everything the Wales Air Ambulance does, especially around here where it can take more time for road ambulances to get to emergencies,” John said. “Last year, the air ambulance attended one of my best friends, Dafydd Jones, and I honestly believe he would not be alive if it were not for the helicopter paramedics.

“They got to Pwllheli within minutes of him collapsing and got him to hospital just in time, they’re miracle workers.

“It’s unbelievable what they do. Everyone around here has a story of how the Wales Air Ambulance has directly or indirectly affected them.”

The band raised the money at a Christmas show in Blaenau Ffestiniog last month with scores of local residents showing up to support both the band and the charity.

The Oakeley Silver Band even had one of their very own members require an air ambulance call-out. “Our deputy conductor John Arthur Evans fell in at his home last year as well, it was a very grave situation,” the conductor added.

“Fortunately things weren’t as bad as they first seemed so although the paramedics helped stabilise John, he didn’t need to be conveyed to hospital by helicopter.

“It’s just another example of how much they do in the area though, they were there for him when he needed them. With the Eisteddfod wins last year, the Oakeley Silver Band had a fantastic year and we just thought we’d like to give something back.

“They do wonderful, essential work, everybody in the band was more than happy to play in their honour.”

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