THE latest community news from Blaenau Ffestiniog.

Archaeological SocietyTHE Cymdeithas Archaeoleg Bro Ffestiniog Archaeological Society was treated to an enthralling talk by Dr Marian Gwyn on ‘William Alexander Madocks’.The talk centred on the man him-self more than his work in building the Penmorfa and Traeth Mawr embankments (Cob). He was born on 17 June 1773, was a landowner, and MP for the town of Boston in Lincolnshire from 1802 to 1820, and then for Chippenham in Wiltshire from 1820 to 1826. In 1798, Madocks bought the Tan-yr-Allt estate, on the western bank of Traeth Mawr, a large expanse of sand and tidal marsh which formed the estuary of the Afon Glaslyn. He set about extending his property by reclaiming Penmorfa Marsh from the estuary, and assisted by the surveyor and civil engineer James Creassy, who had experience of land drainage schemes in the Lincolnshire Fens around Boston, built a two-mile embankment, running parallel to the course of the river, to reclaim some 1,082 acres of land. In 1800, the British government and the Irish government both passed Acts of Parliament which created the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland. The Union with Ireland meant that there was a need for improved communication between the two countries, and Madocks was in favour of a route which crossed his estate, to reach Porthdinllaen, on the northern coast of the Llyn Peninsula, which would provide the terminus for a ferry to Dublin. However, this route involved a crossing of the Traeth Mawr sands, near the mouth of the Afon Glaslyn, or a lengthy detour to the north to cross the river at the Aberglaslyn bridge. He needed someone to manage his projects, and although there were several capable candidates at Boston, he knew he needed some-one with Welsh language skills and a Welsh temperament. John Williams, a gardener from Anglesey, had arrived in search of work in 1800, and having helped with the construction of the first embankment, went on to manage the gardens and nurseries of the Madocks estate. A partnership soon developed, and without Williams, most of Madocks’ engineering schemes would probably have foundered. Madocks made three attempts to obtain an Act of Parliament to dam the Glaslyn Estuary which finally succeeded in 1807. Disaster struck in February 1812, when a storm and high tides breached the embankment, but he was in no position to finance further work. Williams circulated the news in the region, and whereas many landowners and farmers had initially been hostile to the project, they now seemed to understand its importance, and volunteered any assistance they could give. In an effort to save his estate from creditors, the land was transferred to Madocks’ brother Joseph and Alexander Murray, once the clerk of his father at Lincoln’s Inn. By late 1824, John Williams was the director of works for the newly named Port Madoc Harbour, and took on responsibility for the railway plans.

CAB

FfAS press officer Mel Thomas thanked Dr Gwyn for her superb talk which was met by loud applause from the large audience.The next talk will be on Thurs-day, 16 February. The speaker will be Rhian Wil-liams and the subject will be ‘Bywyd ar y fferm yn Cwm Cynfal’.The talk will be in Welsh with simultaneous translation and held at the Day Centre, Y Ganolfan, at 7pm and sponsored by Magnox Trawsfynydd.

Services

HOLY Cross: Mass at 6pm on Sat-urday with Bishop Edwin; St Mary Magdalene: Mass at 11am with Bishop Edwin; 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.Calfaria: Tudur Hughes, after-noon; Bethesda: Tudur Hughes, 10am; Carmel: Rev Ioan W Gruffydd; Bowydd: Rev Dr G P Owen; Bethel, Ffestiniog: Rev Anita Ephraim.

Cae Manod

THE council has set aside a sum of £8,000 towards the purchase of new equipment which is needed at Cae Manod and to treat the field with priority.

Gallery

THE Maenofferen Gallery hosts an exhibition of a wide range of works in mixed media by Catherine Rose and Hannah Hession until 24 February.

Planning

THE council has no objection to a planning application for an erection of a garage at Bryn Myfyr, Cwmbowydd Road.They have also permitted an application for a non-material amend-ment of planning permission to amend the form of the extensions gable as approved at 97 Manod Road.

Fountain

WORK has been carried out to clean the slate Diffwys Fountain outward appearance, but as yet no date is known as when the fountain itself will be working.

Paths

THIS area has a considerable amount of paths and having recently been sent a map of slate paths which were impossible to read the council is to ask Gwynedd Council if they have a clear map showing the public paths in this area.

Shelter

FOLLOWING a report that there was offensive graffiti on the Raw-son Square Bus Shelter, Gwynedd Council have been informed and they have been asked to clean the shelter as soon as possible.

Meeting

THE Royal Welch Fusiliers Club AGM which was due to take place last Monday evening had to be called off due to the lack of members present and they are appealing for a better attendance when the next date is confirmed.

Choir

ON Thursday evening the Rhiannedd y Moelwyn ladies choir conducted by Sylvia Ann Jones and accompanist Awen Davey were singing at the local CELL B.