#gwynfor owen

[l8in]

The Article 4 directive was passed at the Cabinet meeting of cyngor Gwynedd council on the 16th July, 2024. Two members were absent from this important meeting. Apologies were received from the deputy leader of the council, Nia Jeffreys and the cabinet member for housing, Craig ab Iago.

The meeting was webcast and can be found here - https://gwynedd.public-i.tv/core/portal/webcast_interactive/895758 As often happens, the translated feed is not yet working...

The Education and Economy Scrutiny Committee met on Thursday, 18th July, 2024. Four councillors did not turn up and a co-opted member was also absent.  

Olaf Cai Larsen was elected as the new chair. A vice chair was not elected as no-one wanted the position. One councillor was proposed but he point blank refused and so the matter was deferred until the next meeting.

Overview and scrutiny is important in holding Council's policy makers to account and scrutiny committees are fundamental to the functioning of a healthy democracy. Some councillors have raised concerns that there is no proper scrutiny in Gwynedd and one has even compared it to a 'children's parliament'. 

The chair and vice chair of scrutiny committees are allowed access to the Scrutiny Forum. The forum is where the real power lies and determines what is and what is not to be scrutinised at the committees. This forum should be open to the public to ensure propriety.

First up on the agenda was the GwE Annual Report 2023-2024, presented by its managing director, Arwyn Thomas. GwE is to come to an end in March, 2025 and this will be its last report in its present form. GwE is a school improvement service for the whole of North Wales but this year their meetings have focussed more on job losses than any school improvements. 

GwE never really recovered from the 'hotdesking' and inflated travel expenses scandal that came to light in 2020. It has never been explained why the former CEO did not action when the council's internal audit flagged  - "To this end, Internal Audit cannot provide assurance that value for money has been taken into account when changing work locations." https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-wales-53661995

Next up was the Middle Tier Review. This report comes about in part because - Recent publications including Estyn reports, PISA and the personalised assessments national report, have identified a need to improve the quality of learning and outcomes within and across schools, and the consistency of this across Wales for ALL learners...

The report appears to lay the blame for this on poverty which does not explain those children who are failing whose parents are not in poverty. 

The report goes on to ask - How well are we doing? How do we know? How can we improve? To achieve this, school leaders and practitioners should work in partnership with each other and their LA within an open, trusting environment. So school leaders, practioners and the culture is the problem - not poverty.

Schools in Gwynedd have suffered from many issues over the years from bullying, harassment and assault. The problems have not been dealt with and the Neil Foden case only confirms that pupils (and teachers) are not safe...

A reminder that the Education and Economy Scrutiny Committee failed to hold Neil Foden to account after the school meals debacle and also took no action when the video appearing to show Foden grabbing a pupil by the scruff of the neck appeared online.

A report, authored by Llion Williams and titled Safeguarding Arrangements in Schools was presented. The report can be found in the meetings agenda pack here - https://democracy.gwynedd.llyw.cymru//documents/g5168/Public%20reports%20pack%2018th-Jul-2024%2010.30%20Education%20and%20Economy%20Scrutiny%20Committee.pdf?T=10

As is to be expected after the Foden case arrangements have been updated. But they appear to focus on safeguarding children from their parents and it appears that little has been done to advise what happens if a senior teacher and/or the designated officer responsible for safeguarding is the one being abusive. 

One councillor pointed out that the school's last Estyn report stated that safeguarding procedures were robust - when they were obviously not. Did Neil Foden assist Estyn in this report? To an outsider, Foden was able to abuse with impunity and there is nothing in this report that suggests those in a position of authority will not be able to abuse again. 

The BBC did report on this meeting but its focus was on matters relating to Foden - https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cl4ym5kl85eo The council's current head of education, Gwern ap Rhisiart, told the education and economy scrutiny committee that safeguarding was a "priority" for the department.

But Sharon Roberts, representing Arfon's parents and governors on the committee was more critical - "Accept how little confidence there is out there among parents I speak to, everyone has been shocked by what has happened."

Gwynedd and Eryri Sustainable Visitor Economy Plan 2035 was discussed. Cllr Gwynfor Owenmentioned that the national park agency do not engage with the county council and a plea was made to consult with councillors. It was perceived that the report deals with growth rather than a sustainable visitor economy. The officer explained that they wanted to extend the tourist season rather than the peak in summer. There was little data to the impact on local jobs and the the language. 

The committee complained of the negative effects of tourism and that too many people were visiting the area, causing traffic jams and that locals were not able to get to the beach. Seasonal jobs were not great for those with families and mortgages and that all year round jobs were needed for peoples security. It was mentioned that many businesses were reliant on children...

This led to a trip down memory lane for some who talked of their own childhood experiences working for local businesses. It was pointed out that laws have since been introduced because of the exploitation of children by bosses...

In stark contrast to the Cabinet passing Article 4, one councillor talked of second homes bringing benefits to the local economy and called for a debate to dispel myths on the issue. He contended that these homes relied on local traders, such as plumbers and electricians who in the main spoke the language and that it was a win win. 

Many agreed that more research was needed and one commented that the report goes in every direction but the right direction. Councillors were not happy with the report but they voted to pass it anyway...

Something is very wrong within Gwynedd council...

[aaronpleming]

Can i Gymru 2018 - Live from Pontio Bangor Review (English Version)

Today i’m going to Review Can i Gymru 2018 - I was watching it Live in Pontio Bangor, Well what an unforgettable Experience. 

The First on the Stage was Elin Parisa Fouladi Performing Dwi’m yn Dy Nabod Di written by Dafydd Dabson and Anna Georgina, a Fantastic Performance, I nearly got up on my feet it was so catchy. 

Next on the Stage was Steffan Rhys Hughes Performing Ton, written by Gwynfor Dafydd and Michael Phillips, this Song was very slow but a Great Performance.

Next on the Stage was Glain Rhys, Performing Ysbrydion, written by Aled Wyn Hughes, this song was Very Catch too, another Great Performance.

Next on the Stage was Ceidwad y Gan, Performing Cofio Hedd Wyn, Written by Erfyl  Owen, this Song was very Emotional, Fantastic Performance.

Next on the Stage was Hana Evans, Performing Dim Hi, a Song Hana wrote herself, Fantastic Performance, Very Popy which i like and lots of Pink haha.

Next on the Stage was Ragsy, Performing Ti’n Frawd i Mi, written by Owain Glenister, Fantastic Performance.

Next on the Stage was Mared Williams, Performing Byw a Bod, a Song Mared wrote herself, Fantastic Performance.

The Last on Stage were Bethan Williams Jones and Sam Humphreys, Performing Tincian, a Song that both of them wrote themselves, Fantastic Performance.

So ahead they went to Announce the Winners.

In 3rd Place was Bethan Williams Jones and Sam Humphreys

In 2nd Place was Mared Williams 

in 1st Place was Erfyl Owen (Ceidwad Y Gan)

Well what a Fantastic Night, 10/10 to Everyone for Arranging everything. 

[dyfynnu]

Tweeted

When I was 17 I thought Gwynfor Evans was the most impressive man I'd ever met. Fifty years later, he remains one of the most impressive people I've ever met. A truly great man, respected even by those who didn't share his views. https://t.co/mXwmWPfttc

— Tudor Owen (@TudorOwen6) September 2, 2018

[pontiobangor]

Cân i Gymru 2018 shortlist announced

The eight shortlisted songs of the Cân i Gymru (Song for Wales) competition have been selected. And the eight will compete live on S4C on 1 March at Theatr Bryn Terfel, Pontio, Bangor, with the presenters Elin Fflur and Trystan Ellis Morris at the helm.

The prize for the winning song is £5,000, with the second and third in the competition also receiving prizes of £2,000 and £1,000. The winner will be chosen by the viewers, who will be able to cast their vote by phone. The winning song will represent Wales at the Pan Celtic Festival in Ireland in April.

Tickets to attend Cân i Gymru on Thursday, 1 March are available free of charge from Pontio Bangor Box Office from Monday, 22 January, 12.00 midday, by phoning 01248 382828 and are available on the Pontio website www.pontio.co.uk

This year, S4C received 114 songs - the highest number to compete for some years. One of the panellists faced with the task of choosing the shortlist of eight songs was musician, poet, actor and comedian Dewi 'Pws' Morris:

"We had a great number of entries this year, and from a good cross-section of ages. The standard varied considerably, but we had a lot of fun choosing the top eight songs – there were some disagreements along the way! I’ve always been fond of songs with meaningful words; I like them to say something, create a picture or an emotion. Any Celtic sounding songs also stood out for me – I think that’s important as it needs to represent Wales in Ireland,” says Dewi.

The other members of the judging panel were singer songwriter Al Lewis; Heledd Watkins, bassist and lead singer of electro pop group HMS Morris, and composer and singer Steffan Rhys Williams.

The eight songs that have reached the final this year are:

Dwi’m yn Dy Nabod Di – Dafydd Dabson and Anna Georgina: A mother and son team from Llangwnnadl, Llŷn Peninsula have co-written the song. Anna is a harp teacher, and Dafydd, who now lives in Cardiff, is a guitar teacher.

Tincian – Beth Williams-Jones and Sam Humphreys: Beth, originally from Abertillery and Sam who is from Nefyn, Llŷn Peninsula now both live in Cwmbrân, and are members of folk band Calan. They are also members of the No Good Boyo folk band. This is the second time they have competed in Cân i Gymru - their song was among the shortlisted eight songs in 2016.

Dim Hi – Hana Evans: Hana from Sully, near Cardiff, is a sixth form pupil at Ysgol Bro Morgannwg. She has written songs in English since she was young, and she has performed in places such as the 02, London. She will be releasing a single in February.

Byw a Bod – Mared Williams: Mared is originally from Llanefydd near Denbigh and is currently studying Music at Leeds University. She is a member of the group Trŵbz, and also gigs as a solo artist around Leeds. She released her first single 'Dolig Dan y Lloer' this Christmas, and will release a single soon with Denton Thrift, an electronic group from Leeds.

Ysbrydion – Aled Wyn Hughes: Aled, who lives in Bethesda, is originally from Botwnnog, Llŷn Peninsula, and is a member of the band Cowbois Rhos Botwnnog. He composed the music for “A Oes Heddwch”, the opening concert at the National Eisteddfod in Anglesey last year together with his brother Dafydd Hughes.

Ton – Gwynfor Dafydd and Michael Phillips: Gwynfor is from Tonyrefail, and is currently studying Languages at Cambridge University, and Michael is a music teacher who is originally from Swansea, but now lives in Malvern, Worcestershire.  They didn’t know each other until they co-wrote the song for this competition. Michael had already written the melody, and was looking for someone to write the words. He contacted Gwynfor after seeing him on an item on S4C's Heno programme about poets who took part in the Her 100 Cerdd (100 Poems Challenge). Gwynfor has won the Urdd Eisteddfod on two occasions.

Cofio Hedd Wyn – Erfyl Owen: Erfyl of Rhewl, Ruthin works for Denbighshire County Council, and is a member of the musical family of Hafod y Gân. He often composes songs with his mother for family and friends’ special occasions, but this is the first time he has composed both melody and words. He was eager to create words that would pull on the nation’s heartstrings by composing a song about the centenary of the death of poet Hedd Wyn.

Ti’n Frawd i Mi -Owain Glenister: Owain, who lives in Llanelli, works for Menter Iaith Castell-nedd Port-Talbot, and also owns Y Lle, a Welsh centre in Llanelli. He is a member of the folk group Madog, and has composed in music workshops held for young people, but this is the first time one of his songs will be heard by a wider audience.

Details of who will perform each song on 1 March will follow in a few weeks’ time.

Cân i Gymru is an Avanti production for S4C.

[aaronpleming]

Adolygiad Can i Gymru 2018 yn fyw o Pontio Bangor (Fersiwn Cymraeg)

Heddiw dwi am Adolygu Can i Gymru 2018 - Mi oeddwni yn Gwylio fo yn fyw yn Mhontio Bangor, Wel am Brofiad Bythgofiadwy, 

Yn Gynta i fod ar y Llwyfan oedd Elin Parisa Fouladi yn Perfformio Dwi'm yn Dy Nabod Di wedi gael ei Ysgrifennu gan Dafydd Dabson a Anna Georgina, Perfformiad hynod o wych, bron i mi fod ar fy’n nghraed oedd o mor Catchy

Y nesa ar y Llwyfan oedd Steffan Rhys Hughes yn Perfformio Ton oedd wedi gael ei Ysgrifennu gan Gwynfor Dafydd a Michael Phillips, oedd hon yn Gan reit Slow ond Perfformiad Gwych.

Y Nesa ar y Llwyfan oedd Glain Rhys yn Perfformio Ysbrydion gafodd ei Ysgrifennu gan Aled Wyn Hughes, oedd hon yn Gan reit Catchy hefyd, Perfformiad Gwych arall.

Y Nesa ar y Llwyfan oedd Ceidwad y Gan yn Perfformio Cofio Hedd Wyn gafodd ei ysgrifennu gan Erfyl Owen, oedd hon yn Gan reit emosiynol, Perfformiad Gwych. 

Y Nesa oedd ar y Llwyfan oedd Hana Evans yn Perfformio Dim Hi, Can naeth Hana ysgrifennu ei hyn, Perfformiad Gwych, Reit Popy fel dwi’n licio a lots o pink haha.

Y Nesa ar y Llwyfan oedd Ragsy yn Perfformio Ti'n Frawd i Mi gafodd ei Ysgrifennu gan Owain Glenister, Perfformiad Gwych.

Y Nesa ar y Llwyfan oedd Mared Williams yn Perfformio Byw a Bod, Can oedd Mared wedi ei ysgrifennu ei hyn, Perfformiad Fantastic.

Yr Ola ar y Lwyfan oedd Bethan Williams Jones a Sam Humphreys yn Perfformio Tincian, Can oedd y ddau wedi Ysgrifennu ei hynnan, Performiad Gwych,

Felly ymlaen a nhw i Gyhoeddi yr Enillwyr

Yn 3ydd oedd Bethan Williams a Sam Humphreys

Yn 2ail oedd Mared Williams 

Yn 1af oedd Erfyl Owen (Ceidwad y Gan)

Wel am Noson Wych, 10/10 i bawb am Drefnu pob dim 

[pontiobangor]

Cyhoeddi rhestr fer Cân i Gymru 2018

Mae wyth cân rownd derfynol cystadleuaeth Cân i Gymru 2018 wedi eu dewis. A bydd yr wyth yn cystadlu’n fyw ar S4C ar 1 Mawrth yn Theatr Bryn Terfel, Pontio, Bangor, gyda’r cyflwynwyr Elin Fflur a Trystan Ellis Morris wrth y llyw.

Y wobr yw £5,000 i gyfansoddwr y gân fuddugol, gyda’r ail a’r trydydd yn y gystadleuaeth hefyd yn derbyn gwobrau o £2,000 a £1,000. Bydd yr enillydd yn cael ei ddewis drwy bleidlais gan y gwylwyr adref, fydd yn medru bwrw’u pleidlais drwy godi’r ffôn. Bydd y gân fuddugol yn cynrychioli Cymru yn yr Ŵyl Ban-Geltaidd yn Iwerddon ym mis Ebrill.

Mae tocynnau i fynychu noson Cân i Gymru ar nos Iau, 1 Mawrth ar gael yn rhad ac am ddim o Swyddfa Docynnau Pontio, Bangor o 12.00 canol dydd, dydd Llun, 22 Ionawr drwy ffonio 01248 382828 neu ar wefan Pontio www.pontio.co.uk

Eleni, fe wnaeth S4C dderbyn 114 o ganeuon – y nifer fwyaf ers rhai blynyddoedd. Un o’r panelwyr oedd yn dewis y rhestr fer o wyth cân oedd y cerddor, bardd, actor a chomedïwr Dewi ‘Pws’ Morris:

“Roedd nifer dda wedi cystadlu; a chroestoriad da o oedrannau wedi cystadlu. Roedd y safon yn amrywio dipyn, ond gawson ni lot o hwyl yn dewis yr wyth oedd yn dod i’r brig – roedd ‘na dipyn o anghytuno! Geiriau yw ’mhethau i wastad wedi bod, dwi’n hoffi caneuon sy’n dweud rhywbeth – sy’n rhoi darlun neu emosiwn i ti. Mae unrhyw ganeuon sydd â thinc Celtaidd yn sefyll allan i mi hefyd, gan ei bod hi angen cynrychioli Cymru yn Iwerddon,” meddai Dewi.

Ar y panel hefyd oedd y canwr a’r cyfansoddwr Al Lewis; Heledd Watkins, basydd a phrif ganwr y grŵp HMS Morris; a’r cyfansoddwr a chanwr Steffan Rhys Williams.

Yr wyth sydd wedi cyrraedd y rownd derfynol eleni yw:

Dwi’m yn Dy Nabod Di – Dafydd Dabson ac Anna Georgina: Mam a mab sy’n dod o Langwnnadl ym Mhen Llŷn sydd wedi dod at ei gilydd i ysgrifennu’r gân. Mae Anna yn athrawes telyn, ac mae Dafydd, sydd bellach yn byw yng Nghaerdydd yn athro gitâr. Tincian – Beth Williams-Jones a Sam Humphreys: Mae Beth, sy’n wreiddiol o Abertyleri a Sam sy’n hanu o Nefyn ym Mhen Llŷn bellach yn byw yng Nghwmbrân, ac yn aelodau o’r band gwerin Calan. Maen nhw hefyd yn aelodau o’r band gwerin No Good Boyo. Dyma’r ail dro iddyn nhw gystadlu yn Cân i Gymru – roedd eu cân ymysg yr wyth olaf yn 2016.

Dim Hi – Hana Evans: Daw Hana o Sully, ger Caerdydd, ac mae’n ddisgybl chweched dosbarth yn Ysgol Bro Morgannwg. Mae hi wedi cyfansoddi yn y Saesneg ers yn ifanc, ac mae hi wedi perfformio mewn llefydd fel yr O2, Llundain. Bydd hi’n rhyddhau sengl yn Chwefror.

Byw a Bod – Mared Williams: Daw Mared yn wreiddiol o Lanefydd ger Dinbych ac ar hyn o bryd yn astudio Cerddoriaeth ym Mhrifysgol Leeds. Mae hi’n aelod o’r band Trŵbz, ac yn gigio ar ei phen ei hun o gwmpas Leeds. Rhyddhaodd ei sengl gyntaf ‘Dolig Dan y Lloer’ dros y Nadolig, a bydd yn rhyddhau sengl gyda Denton Thrift, grŵp electroneg o Leeds yn fuan.

Ysbrydion – Aled Wyn Hughes: Mae Aled, sy’n byw ym Methesda, ond o Fotwnnog, Pen Llŷn yn wreiddiol, yn aelod o fand Cowbois Rhos Botwnnog. Cyfansoddodd y gerddoriaeth ar gyfer “A Oes Heddwch” cyngerdd agoriadol Eisteddfod Genedlaethol Môn y llynedd ar y cyd gyda’i frawd Dafydd Hughes.

Ton – Gwynfor Dafydd a Michael Phillips: Un o Donyrefail yw Gwynfor, sydd bellach yn astudio Ieithoedd Tramor ym Mhrifysgol Caergrawnt, ac mae Michael yn athro cerdd sy’n byw ym Malvern, sir Caerwrangon er ei fod yn dod o Abertawe’n wreiddiol. Doedd y ddau ddim yn adnabod ei gilydd tan iddyn nhw fynd ati i gyfansoddi’r gân ar gyfer y gystadleuaeth hon. Roedd Michael eisoes wedi ysgrifennu’r alaw, ac yn chwilio am rywun i ysgrifennu’r geiriau. Cysylltodd gyda Gwynfor wedi iddo’i weld ar eitem ar raglen Heno ar S4C am feirdd oedd yn cymryd rhan yn Her 100 Cerdd. Mae Gwynfor wedi ennill Cadair Eisteddfod yr Urdd ddwywaith.

Cofio Hedd Wyn – Erfyl Owen: Mae Erfyl o bentref Rhewl, Rhuthun yn gweithio i Gyngor Sir Dinbych, ac mae’n aelod o deulu cerddorol Hafod y Gân. Mae’n arfer cyfansoddi caneuon gyda’i fam ar gyfer penblwyddi ac achlysuron arbennig i ffrindiau a theulu, ond dyma’r tro cyntaf iddo gyfansoddi’r alaw a’r geiriau. Roedd yn awyddus i greu geiriau oedd am fynd at galon y genedl, wrth sôn am ganmlwyddiant marwolaeth y bardd Hedd Wyn.

Ti’n Frawd i Mi -Owain Glenister: Mae Owain, sy’n dod o Lanelli, yn gweithio i Fenter Iaith Castell-nedd Port Talbot, ac yn berchen Y Lle, canolfan Gymraeg yn Llanelli. Mae’n aelod o’r grŵp gwerin Madog, ac mae wedi cyfansoddi mewn gweithdai i bobl ifanc, ond dyma’r tro cyntaf fydd un o’i ganeuon yn cael ei chlywed gan gynulleidfa ehangach.

Bydd manylion ynghylch pwy fydd yn perfformio pa gân ar 1 Mawrth yn dilyn ymhen rhai wythnosau.

Mae Cân i Gymru yn gynhyrchiad Avanti ar gyfer S4C.