Services

BOWYDD: Rev Anita Ephraim, 10am.Bethesda: Oedfa gartref am 10yb.Manod Orthodox: Third and sixth canonical hours at 10am and Divine Liturgy of Saint John Chrys-ostom at 10.30am.St Michael’s: Morning service at 9.30 am.St David’s: Morning service at 11am.St Mary Magdalene: Mass at 11am with Bishop Edwin.Holy Cross: Mass at 6pm on Saturday with Bishop Edwin.Calfaria: Rev Pryderi Llwyd Jones, 10am.

Sports

AFTER their previous week’s win at Gaerwen the Blaenau Amateurs FC match at Prestatyn Sports was postponed due to a frozen pitch as was the reserves’ home match against Llanrwst Reserves.This Saturday the first team take on Gaerwen in a Mawddach Cup first round tie at Cae Clyd. Bro Ffestiniog XV’s match at SSE Swalec Division Two leaders Col-wyn Bay was also postponed and their next scheduled fixture will be against Llanidloes at Dolawel on 30 January.

Sheepdog trials

AFTER over 20 years, it has been announced that the annual sheepdog trials which are held at Y Ddôl, Tanygrisiau, will not be taking place this year due to the dwindling amount of those willing to organise the event.This could change if more volun-teers come forward.If anyone is interested they can contact either Glyn Jones the post-man or Margaret Evans at Ty Ddôl, Tanygrisiau.

Advice

THE LOCAL library will host a representative from the Citizens’ Advice Bureau.They will be there on Mondays between 10am and 1pm.On Friday afternoons between 2pm and 4pm, a Macmillan Cancer Support co-ordinator will be there to answer any queries the public might have.

Moelwyn Fell Race

THE TOWN Council is to consider the option of making an application to First Hydro to use the Stwlan Dam during this year’s popular Moelwyn Fell Race.

Maenofferen Gallery

THE GALLERY hosts a small selection of paintings (1974-2015) by Peter McNally until the end of next month.Peter who now lives in London was born in Blaenau.Admission to the gallery is free during the library’s opening hours.

Siop Siarad

SIOP Siarad, the local social group for Welsh learners, will be holding its first coffee morning of 2016 at 11am in the Bridge Café on Saturday, 23 January.All learners and fluent Welsh speakers are invited to come along for a cuppa and a chat.

Bus shelter

FOLLOWING receipt of numerous complaints from the Manod residents, Cllr Bedwyr Gwilym is asking the town council to write to Gwynedd Council asking for it to install a bus shelter in Bethania and should one be installed that the town council will accept responsibility for cleaning and maintenance.His notice of motion was to be debated at the council’s monthly meeting which also had two other notices of motion from him.These were, with the notion that volunteers are the backbone of many clubs, organisations, cultural and recreation activities in our community, he is calling on the town council to recognise and celebrate the excellent work being done by volunteers by establishing Volunteer of the Year prizes.Not only will this say thank you to the volunteers, but it is also an opportunity to promote volunteering and encourage others to volunteer in the community. The other notice by the council-lor reads: “Following the public meeting to discuss the future of the railway line between Blaenau and Trawsfynydd in July 2015 and the growing number of complaints that are received from local residents, I call on the town council to draw up a questionnaire to find out the views of local residents on the future of the line and to ensure all dwellings within the council’s catchment area receive at least one questionnaire”.

Trains

IT HAS been announced that train services between Blaenau Ffestiniog and Llandudno Junction, which have been cancelled due to damage caused by the floods to the Vale of Conwy Railway line and which were expected to be running again this week, will not be in service for some five or six weeks longer because so much work has to be done on the line. In the meantime, bus services which have been taking passengers in its place will continue to do so until the trains start running again.

Cambrian Angling Association

IT IS just a few weeks before the new angling season gets under way, but before then the Cambrian Angling Association will hold its AGM at the WI hall next Monday evening at 7pm.It is requested that as many members as possible can support the meeting.

Winter weather

AFTER the recent spell of rainy weather, the area suffered its first real taste of winter last week with snow causing problems as the A470 out of town and over the Crimea Pass became hazardous to drive.It was closed on one occasion when a lorry got stuck there before council workmen came to the driver’s rescue.

Swimming

SWIMMERS from Bro Ffestiniog will be making waves at a national tournament in Cardiff later this month.Athletes from Bro Ffestiniog Swimming Club achieved more success recently at the Urdd Gala held in Harlech Swimming Pool.Primary and secondary schools from Meirionnydd competed against each other in 50 events, and a staggering 38 of those events were won by a Bro Ffestiniog Swimming Club member.A total of 28 Ffestiniog swimmers in all will now make the journey to the Welsh National Pool in Cardiff for the Urdd National Championships this month.Cllr Mair Rowlands, Gwynedd Council cabinet member for Healthy Gwynedd, said: “Congratulations to the club on their success and I would like to wish them the best of luck at Urdd National Championships.”Pool manager and club coach Paul Williams added: “Thanks to the continuous commitment and support of the local schools we achieved our highest number of swimmers going through to Cardiff this year.“All of these swimmers are attending weekly club sessions at the pool in Blaenau Ffestiniog.“Some of our top swimmers are training 13 hours a week, they compete on a regular basis and have Welsh and British rankings and indeed we have a 12-year-old boy from Blaenau ranked number one in Wales.“All of our swimmers are a credit to their communities, they have all been training hard since Harlech in preparation for their big day in Cardiff, swimming every day dur-ing the Christmas holidays.“The standard of swimming in Bro Ffestiniog is the best it’s ever been, and the future for these Swimmers? Well, watch this space!”

Bro Ffestiniog Archaeology Society

THE SOCIETY will be holding its next meeting on Thursday, 23 January, when Dr Dafydd Gwyn will be presenting a talk on the slate industry and the campaign for World Heritage Site status for the north Wales slate areas.This month’s talk will be in Welsh with instant translation provided.The talk will be at the usual venue of the Day Centre, Y Ganolfan starting at 7.30pm. Those attending are encouraged to arrive by 7pm for refreshments and a chat.