Am ddim Free Blaenau croeso! welcome!

‘Let the train take the strain, come visit the rain’. , Welcome to Croeso Blaenau Ffestiniog Mae’r dref sydd yn brolio cymysgedd unigryw o A town that boasts a unique blend of natural harddwch naturiol, hanes, diwylliant a bwrlwm, beauty, history, culture and vibrancy, and which ac sydd yng nghalon Parc Cenedlaethol Eryri yn lies at the very heart of the National eich croesawu i fforio ein mynyddoedd garw, Park, welcomes you to explore the rugged dyffrynnoedd hyfryd, ein llynnoedd llonydd a’n mountains, picturesque valleys, tranquil lakes and niferoedd o fwytai a thafarndai. numerous café’s and pubs.

Mae’r ffaith y gall Ffestiniog frolio bod ganddi The fact that Ffestiniog can boast two active male ddau gôr gweithredol a sawl band pop sydd wedi voice choirs and several chart topping pop groups cyrraedd brig y siartiau yn adlewyrchiad o natur is a reflection of the diverse nature of the town and amrywiol y dref a’i phobl, lle mae’r traddodiadol it’s people, where traditional and contemporary, a’r cyfoes, a’r hen a’r newydd yn toddi i’w gilydd and old and new harmonise in a way that makes mewn ffordd sy’n ein gwneud yn falch o fod yn us proud to be Welsh. Gymry. This booklet has been produced to enlighten Mae’r llyfryn hwn wedi’i greu er mwyn rhoi people as to the wonders Ffestiniog has to offer gwybod i’r teithiwr a phobl leol be sydd ar gael both to the traveller and to local people. Literary yma yn Ffestiniog. Pobl leol sydd wedi byw yn contributions have been made by people who have yr ardal ar hyd eu hoes sydd wedi gwneud y lived here all their lives and also by people who cyfraniadau ysgrifenedig, a hefyd pobl sydd wedi have fallen in love with the area and it’s people disgyn mewn cariad efo’r ardal ac wedi symud and have since moved here to live. We hope it yma i fyw. Gobeithio y bydd y llyfryn yn eich will inspire you to come and visit the town, engross ysbrydoli i ymweld â’r dref, ac i ymwneud a’i yourself in the culture and perhaps even try your phobl… hand at a bit of Welsh… ...lle ga’i brynu ambarel? Where can I buy an umbrella? O ’le gai logi beic? Lle mae’r dafarn agosaf? Where can i hire a bike? Where is the nearest pub? Ydi’r defaid yn cael bod ar y stryd? Are the sheep allowed to roam the streets? Lle mae’r parc? Lle ga’i banad os gwelwch yn dda? Where is the park? Where can I get a cuppa? Os gwelwch yn dda! Diolch! Please! Thank you! 4-5 Braslun o Hanes Blaenau Ffestiniog a’r Fro A Short History of Ffestiniog Parish

6-9 Gweithgareddau Awyr Agored Outdoor Activities

10-11 Taith Hanesyddol Historical Walk

12-15 Taith Panorama’r Moelwyn Moelwyn Panorama Walk

16-17 Map Cerdded Walking Map

18-21 Y Mabinogi The Mabinogi

22-27 Arweiniad Od ac Anhygoel Weird & Wonderful Guide

28-31 Y Tu Hwnt i Blaenau Beyond Blaenau

32-33 Rheilffordd Ffestiniog

34-35 Teithiau Trên Golygfaol Scenic Train Journey

36-37 Pengwern Cymunedol Pengwern Community

38-39 Adfywio Canol Tref Blaenau Ffestiniog Blaenau Ffestiniog Town Centre Regeneration

40-50 Hysbysebion Classifieds

51 Map y Dre Town Map Braslun o Hanes Blaenau Ffestiniog a’r Fro Tref weddol ifanc, yn seiliedig ar y diwydiant o ganolfannau llechi mwya’r byd ac fe esblygodd llechi ydi Blaenau Ffestiniog. Ond mae’r hen yr hyn a oedd yn blwy’ Ffestiniog gyda’i dyrnaid ran o’r plwyf, yn mynd yn ôl rhai o dyddynnod a ffermydd i fod y dre fwyaf ym canrifoedd. Gwelir olion hynafol, yn dyddio i Meirionnydd, sef Blaenau Ffestiniog, ac yn wir, yr oesoedd cynnar iawn o’n hamgylch ym mhob ail dref fwyaf yng Ngogledd Cymru yn 1901. rhan o’r ardal, a nifer o safleoedd o’r Oes Efydd, yr Oes Haearn a chyfnod y Rhufeiniaid yn britho’r Ar un adeg cyflogid dros 4,000 o ddynion yn y fro. chwareli lleol yn gyfan gwbl, a rhoddodd hynny hwb mawr i economi ardal eang. Mewn ymateb Y mae sawl llecyn tua chyfeiriad Cwm Cynfal â i’r galw am y llechi o bob rhan o’r byd, agorwyd chysylltiadau a’r chwedlau enwog, Y Mabinogi, a tair rheilffordd i gyrraedd y dref, yr L.M.S., G.W.R. nifer o’r enwau lleol o gwmpas yn ein hatgoffa o a Rheilffordd Ffestiniog, ar gyfer y gwaith o gludo hynny. Wrth ddilyn rhai o lwybrau’r ardal cawn llechi yn benodol ac er mwyn gwasanaethu’r ein harwain i sawl cwm hudol, a hanesyddol, boblogaeth yn gyffredinol. Agorwyd pwerdy megis Cwmorthin, Cwm Bowydd, Cwm Cynfal, trydan-dwr yn Nôl Wen yn 1899 ar gyfer cyflenwi Cwm Teigl, a phob un â’i nodweddion hynod, a’u trydan i rai o’r chwareli, ac ym Mai 1902, golygfeydd rhyfeddol. Ffordd Rufeinig strydoedd Blaenau Ffestiniog oedd y rhai cyntaf sy’n arwain am rai milltiroedd trwy’r fro yw Sarn ym Mhrydain i gael eu goleuo gan drydan o Helen, yn adlais o’r cysylltiadau â dyfodiad y egni’r dyfroedd. Yn ddiweddarach, ym 1963, Rhufeiniaid i Domen-y-mur gyfagos tua’r ail - agorwyd pwerdy Ffestiniog yn Nhanygrisiau, yr drydedd ganrif oed Crist. orsaf drydan storfa-bwmpio gyntaf ym Mhrydain, a’r fwyaf yn Ewrop ar y pryd. Fel y gwelir, mae olion dyn wedi bod yn naddu’r graig Gwnaed defnydd arall o rai o’r ceudyllau yn am fywoliaeth i’w gweld yn un o chwareli Ffestiniog yn ystod yr ail ryfel amlwg ymhob cyfeiriad. Yn ôl byd, rhywbeth a oedd yn gyfrinachol ar y traddodiad, dywedir mai un pryd. Penderfynwyd trosglwyddo trysorau’r o Arfon, Methiwsala Jones, a genedl Brydeinig o’r Oriel Genedlaethol a gafodd freuddwyd am garreg las phalas Buckingham i chwarel Chwarel y Manod a holltai’n dda, oedd i’w chael yn 1941. Ymysg y peintiadau fu’n cael eu mewn lle a ddatblygodd dros gyfnod o amser cadw yn y chwarel, yng ac fe’i hadnabyddir fel chwarel Diffwys, dafliad nghrombil y Manod Mawr llechen o le a ddatblygodd yn dref sylweddol yn y dros gyfnod y rhyfel oedd man. Roedd hynny tua chanol yr 1760au. Dros y darluniau gan artistiaid blynyddoedd agorwyd chwarel ar ôl chwarel ym enwog megis Rubens, mhob rhan o’r plwyf, dros amser tyfodd chwarel Rembrandt a yr Oakeley fel mai hon yw chwarel danddaearol Michelangelo. fwya’r byd. Mae’n anghredadwy meddwl fod Clywed sibrydion ar y pryd oddeutu hanner can milltir o reilffyrdd yn gyfan fod Tlysau’r Goron yn cael gwbl o danddaear ar yr amrywiol lefelau ynddi eu storio yno hefyd. Ond a hynny yng nghrombil y mynydd ei hun. Dyma stori arall yw honno! ddechrau’r diwydiant a ddatblygodd i fod yn un 04 Arddongosfa hanes, agored bob dydd 10am-4pm Ty^ Abermawddach A Short History of Ffestiniog Parish Blaenau Ffestiniog is a relatively new town, created of Ffestiniog parish mushroomed a community following the discovery of the valuable slate vein in that became the highest populated in all of the area in the 18th century. But Ffestiniog parish Meirionnydd county, and the second largest in the itself goes back a few centuries. Many ancient whole of north by 1901. remains can be seen dotted around the area, with sites dating back to the Bronze and Iron Ages, and At one time, over 4,000 men worked in the local there is also evidence of the Roman period in the slate quarries, which contibuted greatly to the local neighbourhood. economy. To provide transportation for the slate products, and for the convenience of the increasing Towards Cwm Cynfal, some of the place-names population, three railway branches were built from remind us of the magical stories recorded in the different directions to reach Blaenau Ffestiniog. world-famous folk tales, Y Mabinogi, where some The L.N.W.R. (later L.M.S.), the G.W.R., and of the tales are located. By following some of the the Ffestiniog Railway, which was constructed in local footpaths, we can reach a number of 1836. Dôl Wen hydro power station was built to well-known valleys, Cwmorthin, Cwm Bowydd, provide electricity for the local quarries in 1899, Cwm Cynfal, Cwm Teigl, each with its’ own and in May 1902, Blaenau Ffestiniog became particular historical features, and superb views. the first town in Britain to have its’ streets lit with Sarn Helen is a noted Roman road, which electricity provided by the power of water, which covers a few miles in the vicinity, and reminds us of is in abundance in the area. the arrival of the Roman legions to nearby Later, in 1963, Ffestiniog Tomen-y-mur, a Roman camp, around the 2nd or Power Station was opened 3rd centuries A.D. at , being the first pumped storage power Evidence can be seen all around the town of station in Britain, and the mans’ pursuit for a livelihood from the slate rock, largest in Europe at the time. and the slate waste is a reminder of a thriving industry in the area. According to tradition, During the second world it was in the 1760s that one Methusala Jones, war, a different use was from Arfon, dreamt of a location where the rock made of some of the caverns slabs split perfectly, and ventured to start a small in one slate quarry in the business at a place that later became known as locality and these operations were carried out Diffwys Quarry, here in this town. Diffwys was in total secrecy. Due to the dangers of enemy soon followed by many other slate quarries. One bombing over , it was decided to transfer of those quarries, the Oakeley, grew into what all of the art treasures at the National Gallery, became the largest underground slate workings and from Buckingham Palace and other places in the world, which has, unbelievably, around 50 to Manod Quarry quarry in 1941. Amongst miles of railway track in its’ various underground the painting stored there over that period were levels in the bowels of the surrounding mountains. works by Rubens, Rembrandt and Hence the beginning of a thriving industry which Michelangelo. There were rumors at the developed into what became one of the largest time that the Crown Jewels were also stored there. slate centres in the world. Out of a secluded part But that’s another story! History exhibition open daily 10am-4pm at Abermawddach House 05 Gweithgareddau Awyr Agored Mae’r dref yn galon i Barc Cenedlaethol Fforio Ogofau Eryri ac mae’r ardal yn cynnig bob math Arferai Blaenau Ffestiniog fod yn un o’r chwe phrif o weithgareddau. ardal cynhyrchu llechi yng Ngogledd Cymru, a llechi sydd wedi gwneud y dref hon yn enwog. Cerdded Roedd llechi Blaenau, sy’n adnabyddus am eu Gallwch ddewis cerdded yn yr ucheldiroedd neu cryfder a’u gwydnwch, yn ar yr iseldiroedd yn Ffestiniog. O’r Moelwyn cael eu hallforio ar draws y Bach yn y de hyd copa uchel mae byd i gyd. gennych dros 90 cilomedr o gefn gwlad gwyllt i’w ddarganfod. Yn y lleoedd mwyaf gwyllt mae Mae’r diwydiant pwysig defnyddio map a chwmpawd yn hanfodol. Tua’r hwn wedi gadael olion de o’r Blaenau yn uchel uwchben mae’r ddau parhaol yn y dirwedd, uwch Fanod. Er fod copa gogleddol y Manod Mawr y ddaear yn y tomenni, y yn cael ei chwarelydda yn ddwys, mae’r copa tramffyrdd a’r melinau adfeiliedig; a hefyd o dan deheuol heb ei gyffwrdd fwy neu lai ac mae’n ddaear ar ffurf y milltiroedd o dwneli troellog ac wyllt. Mae ei frawd llai, sef y Manod Bach yn hefyd y siambrau sydd cymaint â chadeirlannau wyllt a does does yr un llwybr arno i’w ddofi. Yn a gafodd eu naddu â llaw yn y mynyddoedd o nythu rhwng y copaon fe ddowch o hyd i lyn amgylch y dref. prydferth y Manod, sy’n lle gwirioneddol wych i chi gael picnic. Parheir i weithio llechi mewn dwy chwarel, fodd bynnag mae’r pyllau tanddaearol mawr, sef I’r rhai ohonoch sydd ddim yn tueddu i wirioni ar Cwmorthin, , Rhosydd, Wrysgan a nifer gopaon uchel neu leoedd gwyllt, cadwch lygad o rai eraill, yn segur ers tro byd. Mae ceudyllau am y lleoedd i fynd am dro yn y pentref ac yn y Llechwedd yn galluogi ymwelwyr â’r ardal i gael coedlannau (gweler tudalennau 10-17) fel Cwm gip olwg ar fywydau’r hen chwarelwyr Cymreig; Bowydd a bydd harddwch rhaeadrau Cwm Cynfal ac ar gyfer cerddwyr neu haneswyr diwydiant, yn cipio eich anadl. Neu beth am gerdded trwy mae nifer fawr o lwybrau yn yr ardal sy’n eich goedlan lle mae hen goed derw yn galluogi i werthfawrogi’r olion a’r golygfeydd. teyrnasu a gallwch glywed a gweld cnocell y coed. Heb anghofio fod ystlumod yn cyniwair yma Gall fforio o dan ddaear fod yn beryglus, a dim hefyd. ond y rhai ohonoch sydd â’r cyfarpar a’r profiad addas a ddylai fentro gwneud hyn. Gall eich clwb Dringo fforio lleol fod Ar glogwynni’r Moelwyn sy’n wynebu tua’r de yn gyswllt cyntaf cewch fwynhau rhai o’r dringfeydd gorau ym gwerthfawr dros Mhrydain. Am eu bod yn wynebu’r de maen ben. nhw’n sychu’n sydyn a gan fod y creigiau yn fras hyd yn oed pan fo hi’n llaith maen nhw’n ddelfrydol ar gyfer dringo. Mae yma amrywiaeth o ddringfeydd hawdd hyd y rhai eithafol, mae ystod o ddewis graddfeydd dringo ar gael yn y fan hon ac mae’r rhan fwyaf ohonynt yn 06 aml-ddisgyblaethol. Outdoor Activities Set in the heartland of the Snowdonia Caving National Park the area offers every kind Blaenau Ffestiniog was one of the six major slate of outdoor activity. production areas of , and it was slate that made Blaenau famous. Blaenau slate was Walking exported the world over and is renowned for its From high level to low level, Ffestiniog offers all strength and durability. kinds of walking. From in the south to the high peak of Moel Siabod you have over This great industry has left a permanent mark 90 square kilometers of wild country to explore. on the landscape, above ground in the tips, In the wilder areas the use of a map and compass tramways and ruined mills; but also below ground is essential. To the south of Blaenau and towering in the miles of winding tunnels and cathedral above it are the Manods. Although the north peak sized chambers that were carved by hand in the of Manod Mawr is heavily quarried, the south mountains around the town. peak is relatively untouched and wild. Its smaller brother Slate extraction continues at two working quarries, - Manod Bach is wild and however the large underground mines, Cwmorthin, untouched by paths. Nestling Croesor, Rhosydd, Wrysgan and many others are between the peaks is the long abandoned. A show mine, Llechwedd Slate beautiful Llyn Manod, ideal for Caverns, allows visitors to glimpse the working a picnic. lives of the Welsh quarrymen; and for the walker or industrial historian there are many routes in the For those not into high tops or area that allow the remains, and the scenery, to be wilderness areas, look for the appreciated. village and woodland walks (see pages 10-17) e.g Cwm Bowydd, and Cynfal on the edge of Llan Underground exploration is potentially dangerous Ffestiniog is breathtaking for its . Or walk and should only be attempted by the suitably through the Maentwrog woods where old ancient equipped and experienced. Your local caving club oaks dominate and woodpeckers can be heard would be a good first point of contact. and seen. It’s also the haunt of bats.

Climbing The south facing cliffs of the Moelwyn provide some of the best rock climbing in Britain. As they are south facing they dry quickly and as the rock is rough, even when damp it makes good climbing. From easier routes to the extremes all grades are on offer, most are multi-pitch. 07 Gweithgareddau Awyr Agored Canwio Canieteir unrhyw ddull cyfreithlon gyda un Caiacio a chanwio^ yn lleol – Nefoedd ar y ddaear genwair ar y tro, yn cynnwys pysgota mewn ‘Float i Badlwyr Tube’ (pluen yn unig), ond gan fod y dyfroedd yma yn naturiol ac weithiau yn anghysbell, y pysgotwr Dychmygwch deithio o amgylch y byd a dod adref fyddai’n gyfrifol am benderfynnu os yw’n saff i gyda mynydd o’r Alpau, cornant serth o Orllewin lansio neu beidio. Virginia, afon o Seland Newydd, rhaeadr o Norwy, aber o Ddyfnaint, arfordir creigiog o Lleolir llynnoedd y Gymdeithas, ar y cyfan, Orllewin Iwerddon a thon llanw o Sir Benfro. i’r Gorllewin (yng nghadwyn mynyddoedd Ychwanegwch lyn o Awstria a dyffryn o’r Rhein. y Moelwyn) ac i’r Dwyrain, tua chyfeiriad y Ac yn olaf, argae sy’n faes chwarae a reolir o Migneint, o’r A470 sy’n mynd drwy’r dref. Y mae Golorado. Nawr dychmygwch hyn oll o fewn 5 map o’r ardal, a llynnoedd y Gymdeithas i’w i 45 munud i ffwrdd mewn car. Agorwch eich gweld ar dudalen “Dyfroedd” ein gwefan. llygaid, rydych ym Mlaenau Ffestiniog! Cyswllt e –bost. [email protected] Dyma restr o rai o lynnoedd yr ardal John Jones – Clwb Padlo Blaenau www.padloblaenau.co.uk Grwp^ y Moelwyn Grwp^ y Migneint Llyn yr Adar Llynnoedd Barlwyd Pysgota GR SH 655480. 1,874’ 10 Erw. SH 710485. 1,450’ 10 8 Erw. & Tua dwy awr o gerdded o 5 8 Erw.30 munud o gerdded Dyma un o’r ardaloedd mwyaf nodedig am Danygrisiau. o Fwlch Gorddinan. lynnoedd lle gallwch ddal y brithyll brown a hynny’n cynnwys llynnoedd y Moelwynion, Llyn Cwmorthin Llynnoedd Dubach GR SH 674465. 1070’. 22 Erw. GR SH 719460. 1,350’. 7 8 Erw. Cwmorthin, Corsiog, Conglog a Llyn yr Adar, yn ½ awr o gerdded o Danygrisiau. ½ awr o gerdded o’r dref. ogystal â llynnoedd Ffestiniog, Gamallt, a Llyn Llyn Cwm Corsiog Llyn Manod Morwynion i enwi dim ond rhai, ynghyd GR SH 664470. 1,720’ 7 Erw. SH717449. 1,400’ 16 Erw, ag afonydd y Teigl, Cynfal a’r Ddwyryd. Tua 1½ awr o gerdded o ½ awr o gerdded o Flaenau Danygrisiau. Ffestiniog.

Os ydych am bysgota am y brithyll seithliw a’r Llyn Llagi Llyn Dŵr Oer brithyll brown yna ewch i Danygrisiau. Mae’n SH648483. 1,238’. 8 Erw. SH717454. 1,250’ llai nag un hawdd cael mynediad at y llyn ac fe ganiateir y Tua 2½ awr o gerdded o Erw,½ awr o gerdded o Flaenau Danygrisiau. rhan fwyaf o wahanol fathau o bysgota yma, ac Ffestiniog. mae’n addas ar gyfer pawb o bob gallu. Fe ellir prynu tocynnau dyddiol, wythnosol neu dymor o siopau celfi pysgota yn yr ardal, ar yr amod fod y pysgotwr yn ddeilydd trwydded bysgota Asiantaeth yr Amgylchedd dilys. www.environment-agency.gov.uk Cymdeithas Enweiriawl Cambrian Sefydlwyd 1885 Gwylio Adar Yn ddiamau, mae Blaenau Ffestiniog, yng Cewch gyfoeth o adar yn yr ardal hon ac ar nghanol golygfeydd ysblennydd Eryri, yn y copaon uwch mae yna gigfrain, hebogiaid, ganolfan ardderchog ar gyfer unrhyw bysgotwr bwncathod a’r brain coesgoch anhygoel, sy’n sy’n mwynhau dal brithyll brown gwyllt mewn adar prin yn y rhan fwyaf o ardaloedd ym amgylchoedd prydferth. Yma mae pencadlys Mhrydain. Yn y dyffrynnoedd coediog mae Cymdeithas Enweiriawl Cambrian, lle ceir cyfle i cnocell y coed, telor y cnau, y llinos a’r titw a bydd bysgota yn y llynnoedd rhagorol a leolir ymysg y gennych wastad y cyfle i weld gweilch y pysgod bryniau o amgylch. yn pysgota yn aberoedd yr afonydd a’r llynnoedd. 08 Outdoor Activities Canoeing The lakes are mainly located to the west, (in the Kayaking and canoeing locally - A Paddlers Moelwyn mountain range) and to the East, (in the Dream Migneint range), of the A470 trunk road that runs through the town. Imagine touring the world and bringing back a Contact e –mail. [email protected] mountain from the Alps, a steep creek from West Here is a list of some of the areas lakes Virginia, a river from New Zealand, a from Norway, an Estuary from Devon, a rocky Moelwyn mountain range Migneint range coastline from the West of Ireland and a tidal wave Llyn yr Adar Llynnoedd Barlwyd from Pembrokeshire. Add a lake from Austria and GR SH 655480. 1,874’ 10 Acres. GR SH 710485. Height 1,450’ About two hours walk from 10 acres & 5 acres 30 minutes a valley from the Rhine. Finally a dam controlled Tanygrisiau. walk from the Crimea Pass. playground from Colorado. Now imagine all of Llyn Cwmorthin Llynnoedd Dubach this within 5 to 45 minutes drive away. Open your GR SH 674465. 1070’. 22 Acres. GR SH 719460. Height 1,350’. eyes you’re in Blaenau Ffestiniog! About ½ hours walk from 7 acres, 30 minutes walk from Tanygrisiau. Blaenau Ffestiniog. John Jones – Clwb Padlo Blaenau Llyn Cwm Corsiog Llyn Manod www.padloblaenau.co.uk GR SH 664470. 1,720’ 7 Acres. GR SH717449. Height 1,400’ About 1½ hours walk from 16 acres, 30 minutes walk from Tanygrisiau. Blaenau Ffestiniog. Fishing One of the most prolific areas for lakes containing Llyn Llagi Llyn Dŵr Oer brown trout from the lakes of the Moelwynion, GR SH648483. 1,238’. 8 Acres. SH717454. 1,250’ less than About 2½ hours walk from I acre.30 minutes walk from Cwmorthin, Corsiog, Conglog and Llyn Adar, to Tanygrisiau. Blaenau Ffestiniog. the lakes of Ffestiniog, Gammallt, Morwynion to Day, Week and Season Tickets are available (subject to the angler being name just a few with the rivers Teigl, Cynfal and in possession of a valid Environment Agency rod licence. Dwyryd. ww.environment-agency.gov.uk Bird Watching For rainbows and brown trout try Tanygrisiau with An area rich in birdlife. The higher peaks have easy access and most methods of fishing allowed, ravens, peregrins, buzzards, and the remarkable for all abilities. choughs rare in most parts of Britain. In the Cambrian Angling Association Est 1885 wooded valleys, woodpeckers, nuthatchers, finch and tits, and always the opportunity to see ospreys The Cambrian Angling Association offers excellent fish the estuaries and lakes. lake fishing in wild surroundings. Blaenau Ffestiniog, in the centre of the spectacular scenery of the Snowdonia National Park, is undoubtedly a good centre for any angler, who enjoys catching Wild Brown Trout in beautiful surroundings. Any legal method with a single rod and reel is allowed including Float Tube Fishing, (fly only) but as these lakes are natural and sometimes remote, the decision as to whether it is safe to enter the water, is entirely yours. 09 Taith Henesyddol gan Catrin Roberts Pellter 2 filltir | Amser 2 awr | Gweler tudalennau 16-17 am gyfeirnod cerdded 1-10 Teithiau Cerdded Nordig - ffoniwch 01766 830 568 / 07900 615 380 1

Bydd 2ein taith yn cychwyn wrth i ni gerdded Disgynnwn i lawr heibio’r felin, a chymrwn y

drosodd3 o orsaf drên Blaenau i Bistyll y Dre’. llwybr sy’n arwain i lawr drwy’r caeau ar ein dde

Gadewch4 i ni fentro i fyny i’r dde o’r sgwâr (cyn y rhes o dai) ac yn ymuno â lôn gefn. Wrth i

heibio’r5 rhes gyntaf o dai’r chwarelwyr, lle ni droi i’r dde 1yn y fan hon, byddwn yn cerdded bo’r bungalows6 nawr bu tai bychain, ac ym heibio cyn gartref2 y nofelydd John mhen 7pellaf y rhes, fe welwch dy^ uncorn, sy’n Cowper Powys3 , ac yna’n disgyn i lawr 8 4 nodweddiadol o dai Newborough ar dir Glynllifon i’r brif ffordd. Cymrwch y troad i’r dde yma, ac 1 9 5 … yr unig un ar ôl, a oedd yn gartref i bedwar yna’r cyntaf i’ch chwith, a pharhewch i lawr heibio2 10 6 teulu o dan yr un to! i Westy y Don, ger y blwch ffôn, ac i lawr i Gwm 3 1 7 Bowydd, gan gerdded o dan bont y rheilffordd. 4 2 8 Cerddwn ymlaen i ben y ffordd, a chyn troi’n ôl i Cerddwn i lawr heibio i Fferm Gelli, a dilynwn y 5 3 9 6 1 lawr i’r dde, edrychwch i fyny i’ch4 chwith ar ffordd lon i’r pen pellaf,10 cyn troi i’r chwith i lawr i’r cwm,1 7 2 y chwarel, yr inclein y tu ôl i chi 5a chadwch eich gan ddilyn y lôn i’r dde lle mae llwybr cyhoeddus2 ^ 8 3 3 clustiau’n effro i swn esgidiau6 hoelion wedi ei farcio sy’n rhedeg y tu ôl i gefn1 Fferm 9 4 4 yn troedio adref ar ddiwedd shifft7 y gweithwyr yn Cwm Bowydd, sydd gyda llaw, yn cynnwys2 olion 10 5 5 yr oes a fu. Wrth gerdded i lawr8 i’r stryd, sylwch annedd o’r oes haearn ar eu tir. Dilynwn3 y llwybr 1 6 6 ar enghreifftiau eraill o’u tai, rhai9 deulawr. Wrth yn syth dros y bryn, a thros yr afon4 , a 2 7 7 gyrraedd y stryd fawr unwaith yn10 rhagor, ar y chymrwch y llwybr i fyny i’r dde, (sy’n5 gymharol 3 8 8 Heol Foty, trowch i’ch chwith, a chymryd serth) i fyny yn ôl i gyfeiriad Blaenau.6 Cerddwn 4 9 9 y troad cyntaf wedyn eto i’r chwith a dilyn y lôn yn ein blaenau, heibio Sgwâr y Parc 7lle bu’r 5 10 10 ^ 8 sy’n gymharol serth6 i fyny heibio i dy cyn rheolwr bobl broffesiynol yn byw â 2/3 llawr a seler!!! 9 chwarel y Llechwedd7 a dilynwch y ffordd sydd Cerddwn yn ein blaenau a thros y bont, cyn dod 10 wedyn yn arwain rhwng8 rhesi o dai i lawr i’r dde. at Neuadd y Farchnad. O’r cylchdro yma i’r dde, Dilynwch y ffordd hon9 ar draws yr hen inclein cerddwn yn ôl i ganol y dref at yr orsaf, heibio i serth, heibio’r ail res10 o dai, lle bo’r ffordd yn Temperance House gyferbyn â Siop y Gloddfa, troi’n llwybr cerdded, ac fe gewch olygfa sy’n enghraifft dda o rai o’r siopau mawr a fu ym gwerth chweil. O’r fan hon, mae’n Mlaenau. Wrth gerdded yn ôl i lawr yr allt nawr bosibl gweld y fro yn ei holl ogoniant, fe welwch at Sgwâr Diffwys, byddwn yn mynd heibio i un o yr Ysbyty Goffa ar eich llaw chwith uwch y cwm. ysgolion gynharaf y dref ar ein llaw dde, saif hwn Gweler hefyd Reilffordd Ffestiniog ar y dde, a’r gyferbyn â banc presennol yr HSBC. A dyma ni’n Great Western yn rhedeg yr holl ffordd i’r Bala. cyrraedd ein man cychwyn unwaith eto – mae 1 llawer iawn mwy i ddweud, ond taith arall fydd Wrth i’r llwybr droi’n ôl yn ffordd,2 byddwn honno! yn mynd i fyny’r allt ac yn ymuno â3 hen lôn y chwarel, ac wrth droi i’r dde arno,4 fe welwn Gobeithio eich bod chi wedi 5 ddibyn y chwarel yn gadarn uwch ein pennau. mwynhau - rwan^ ta … 6 1 Pan edrychwn i’r chwith yn y fan hon,7 fe welwn beth am baned bach o de! 2 hafotai ffermwyr y gorffennol, ac mae8 gan un 3 ohonynt enghraifft dda o wagen ag9 olwynion twll 4 a phin. Dilynwn y ffordd i lawr heibio10 i felin llechi hynaf y dref, sef Melin Pant-yr-Ynn.5 6

7

8 10 9 10 Historical Walk by Catrin Roberts Distance 2 miles | Time 2 hours | See pages 16-17 for walking reference 1-10 For Nordic Walking Sessions Call 01766 830 568 / 07900 615 380 1

As2 we set off on our walk over from Blaenau train follow the path which goes down through the station3 to the town fountain, let us venture up to fields on our left hand side (before the terrace 1 the4 right of the square, past the first terrace of of houses) and joins a back road. As we turn to 2 quarrymen’s5 houses - where bungalows now stand the right here, we will walk past the home of the 3 there6 were once small houses, and at the far end of novelist John Cowper Powys, 4 the7 terrace you will see a house with one chimney, and go down to the main road.Take the turning 5 typical8 of Newborough houses on Glynllifon land to your right here, and then the first left,1 going 6 …9 the only one left, which held four families under down past The Don hotel, near the phone2 box, 7 10 3 one roof! and down to Cwm8 Bowydd, walking under the 1 4 railway bridge. We9 will walk down past Fferm 2 5 Let us proceed to the end of the road, and before Gelli, and follow the10 road to the far end and turn1 3 6 we turn right, look up to your left along the quarry left down to the valley. Here, follow the road to 2 4 7 3 road, the incline behind you, and try and imagine the right1 where there is a marked public footpath 5 8 4 the which runs2 behind Fferm Cwm Bowydd, which, by sound of hobnail boots6 trudging 9 5 3 home at the end of the workers’ shift in7 a former the way, has the remains 1of an iron age10 dwelling 6 4 age. As you walk down to the High Street,8 note on its land. We will follow2 the straight path over 7 1 5 other examples of houses of that time,9 which have the hill, and over the3 river, and will take 8 2 6 two storeys. As you return to the High10 Street, at the path up to the right, (relatively4 steep) back up 9 3 7 the Lord St crossroads, turn left, taking the first to Blaenau. As we arrive 5at the far end of the path 10 4 8 turning again to the left. Following the relatively and walk straight ahead, 6we will walk past Park 5 9 steep road up past the former Llechwedd quarry Square where professionals7 used to live with 2/3 6 10 8 manager’s house and 7follow the road which then storeys and a cellar!!! We will proceed onwards 9 leads in between terraces8 of houses down to your and over the bridge until we arrive at the Market 10 right.Follow this road across9 the old steep incline, Hall. From the roundabout take a right and we past the second terrace10 of houses where the roads will walk back to the town centre to the station, turns into a footpath, and you will be rewarded past Temperance House opposite Siop y Gloddfa, with a magnificent view. From here, which is a fine example of one of the large shops you can see the area in all its glory, with the which were once familiar in Blaenau. A little Memorial Hospital to your left above the valley, further to your left, we will pass the Isallt café, the Ffestiniog Railway on the right, and the Great built for the famous Dr. Robert Roberts during the Western Railway running all the way to Bala. 1870s. He was quite a man, a physician, a poet, 1 a musician and a fisherman. He worked under the As the path heads back2 towards the road, we will pseudonym Isallt and was particularly interested in go up the hill and join3 the former quarry road, the ‘cynghanedd’ measure.As we walk back down 4 and as we turn right onto it we will see the quarry the hill to Diffwys Square, we will pass one of the 5 precipice standing firmly6 above our heads. If you town’s oldest schools on our right hand side, which 1 look to the left you will7 see the summer residences stands opposite the current HSBC bank. 2 of farmers of the past,8 one of which has an And here we are back where we started, there is 3 excellent example of 9a wagon with hole and pin plenty more to tell you, but I will keep that under 4 wheels. We will proceed10 down the road past the wraps for another journey! oldest slate mill in the town, Melin Pant-yr-Ynn.5 6 I hope you enjoyed our walk … now how about a 7 We will now proceed down past the mill and nice cup of tea! 8 9 11 10 Taith Panorama’r Moelwyn gan Bob Cole Dwy filltir a hanner, rhyw awr neu ddwy byddwch yn croesi nifer o nentydd bach, peidiwch ar y mwyaf. Rhai elltydd (wrth gwrs!!) â chrwydro oddi wrth y prif lwybr. Ar ôl oddeutu Gweler tudalennau 16-17 am cyfeirnod 10-15 munud byddwch yn cyrraedd wal feini sydd cerdded 1-10 wedi torri, cymerwch ennyd yn y fan hon i Mae’r 1daith hon yn dechrau ar droed trwy’r edrych yn ôl tua chyfeiriad y dref sy’n gorwedd 2 rhwng clogwyni lle mae’r hebog yn dal i dref ei 3hun ac mae llwybr y daith hon yn mynd , efallai y gwnewch chi glywed mewian â chi at4 droed cadwyn o fynyddoedd nythu

trawiadol5 y Moelwyn gyda y bwncathod hefyd, a cofiwch fwynhau’r olygfa o

golygfeydd6 o Argae Stwlan. Fe all fod yn wlyb o Fynyddoedd y Moelwyn. dan droed.7 8 Moelwyn Bach sydd ar y chwith, a’i gopa’n eithaf Ewch ar9 draws y maes parcio ac ewch heibio gwastad, yn y canol mae’r sy’n Gwesty’r10 Frenhines cerddwch ar hyd y ffordd 770 medr o uchder ac yna Moel yr Hydd - ac mae heibio’r Swyddfa Bost a’r siopau a chymryd hi’n drawsdaith glasurol fendigedig i’r rhai sydd yr ail droad ar y dde,1 sef Heol Glynllifon, wrth â’r amser a’r sgiliau darllen map. dafarn y Meirion.2 Parhewch1 i fynd yn eich blaen, a chymryd y ffordd3 i’r dde2 wrth yr Ysbyty Goffa, Dilynwch y rhes o feini ar y dde, hyd nes y 4 3 heibio’r Ganolfan Iechyd a’r maes parcio, er byddwch yn dechrau mynd ar i lawr yn y diwedd, 5 4 ^ ewch drwy’r giât (neu dros y gamfa), mae mwyn croesi a chymryd6 y5 llwybr rhwng y ty olaf

a’r ysgol. 7 6 digonedd o grefftwaith seiri meini i chi ryfeddu

8 7 arno yn y fan hon. Wrth fynd o gwmpas y tro,

Yng nghefn y tai, 9ewch oddi8 ar y llwybr i’r chwith cadwch i’r chwith wrth i chi am ennyd i weld 10cofeb i feddyg9 lleol a’i fab, fe fynd dros nant fach, gan welwch fod pennill gan Hedd10 Wyn wedi cael ei gadw’r adfail ar eich ochr sgrafellu ar y gofeb, bardd lleol oedd Hedd Wyn1 dde, a pharhewch i lawr a gafodd ei ladd yn y Rhyfel Byd Cyntaf. Mae’r2 drwy goed bedw a chyll a olygfan hon yn rhoi cyfle i chi edrych yn eich3 chofiwch wrando am glegar blaen tuag at y llwybr-ffordd i lawr y dyffryn.4 Sgrech y Coed. Croeswch 5 gamfa ac yn y pellter fe 6 welwch Argae Stwlan, yn Ewch yn ôl ar y llwybr, cerddwch i lawr y grisiau7 1 llydan pren yna drwy gae yn llawn8 swatio rhwng y Moelwyn 2 meini wedi’u gorchuddio â 9 Bach a’r Moelwyn Mawr. Mae’r argae yn rhan o 1 3 ^ mwsogl, cofiwch gadw rhyw fymryn i’r 10 gynllun bwmpstorio Gorsaf Bwer Ffestiniog. 2 4 chwith oddi wrth y ffens, a chadw’r ffens ar eich 1 3 5 ^ chwith hyd nes y dewch at gamfa ar ffurf ysgol, Parhewch2 i lawr y trac gerllaw’r ty, yna trowch i’r 4 6 ewch drosti, troi i’r chwith a dilyn y trac at grid chwith i 3ymuno â’r A496. Trowch i’r dde yn y fan 5 7 gwartheg ar eich chwith, trowch i’r dde yn y fan hon, cerdded4 ar hyd ymyl y ffordd am 300 metr 6 8 heibio dau5 fwthyn, a sylwch ar y hon a chroesi camfa fel eich bod yn awr7 ar drac 9 rhaeadr 6 gwastraff llechi llydan. 8 odidog ar eich chwith, ac10 fe ddewch at drac 7 9 concrid wedi’i farcio gyda 2 arwydd llwybr troed. 8 10 Yn y fan hon gallwch gychwyn y daith yn ôl neu Parhewch i gerdded yn syth ymlaen ar hyd trac 9 ^ gwastad bras (gan gadw i’r dde) ac mae’r trac yn ddewis 10parhau ar eich taith at Gronfa Ddwr 12 dechrau codi yn raddol trwy goedlan wasgarog, Tanygrisiau lle mae yna gaffi a phwerdy. Moelwyn Panorama by Bob Cole Walk Two and a half miles, one to two hours. the town nestling beneath the cliffs where Some hills (of course!!) See pages 16-17 peregrine still nest. Also listen for for walking reference 1-10 the mewing of buzzards, then look across to the

1 Moelwyn Mountain range. Moelwyn Bach is on

Starting2 with a short walk through the town, this the left with its flattish top, in the middle, Moelwyn route can3 take you to the very foot of the dramatic Mawr rises to 770 metres and finally Moel yr Hydd

Moelwyn4 Mountain range with – all a wonderfully classic traverse for those with views of5 the Stwlan Dam. It can be wet under foot. the time and map reading skills. 6 Cross the7 car park and by the Queens Hotel turn Follow the line of boulders on your right, eventually right along8 the road past the post office and shops you start to descend, pass through the gate (or to take 9the second on the right,1 Heol Glynllifon, over the stile), look at profusion of the stonewallers’ by the 10Meirion Vaults pub.2 Continue, bearing craft. Rounding a bend, veer left over a small 3 right at the Cottage1 stream, keeping a ruin on the right and continue 4 Hospital, past 2the down through birch and hazel woods listening out 3 5 Health Centre and 4 6 for the raucous cackle of the jays. Cross a stile a car park, to5 7 and in the distance stands the Stwlan Dam, nestling 1 cross and take6 the 8 between Moelwyn Bach and Mawr. This is part 2 footpath between7 the 9 of the pumped storage 3 last house and8 the 10 scheme. 1 4 school. 9 2 5 10 Continue down3 to a track by a house, then turn 6 At the back of the houses, take a detour left to left to join the A496.4 Turning right here, walk 7 5 visit a monument to a local doctor and his son, 1 along the verge for 3008 metres past two cottages, 6 2 engraved with a poem by Hedd Wyn, a local bard noticing the waterfall9 on the left, to meet up 7 3 killed in the First World War. This viewpoint is also with a concrete track10 marked with 2 footpath signs. 8 an opportunity to look ahead at our valley route.4 9 5 Here you can start10 the return leg or opt to continue 6 Return to the path, walk down the widely spaced 7 to Tanygrisiau Reservoir with its café and power wooden steps and through a moss- 8 station. 1 covered boulder field bearing 9 2 slightly left to a fence. Keep this on your left until 10 you 3arrive at a ladder stile, over this, turn left and follow4 the track to a cattle grid on your left. Here turn5 right & cross the stile onto a wide slate waste 6 track. 7

8

Carry9 straight on along a rough flat track

(keeping10 right) which starts to rise steadily through sparce woodland, crossing several small streams, do not deviate from the main path. After approximately 10-15 minutes you reach a broken wall of boulders, linger a little and look back to 13 Taith Panorama’r Moelwyn gan Bob Cole Y ffordd i Gronfa Ddwr^ Tanygrisiau dilynwch yr arwydd am y llwybr troed i fyny 6 gris ac ar hyd y ffens, i ddechrau mae’r Ewch drwy’r giât mochyn a dilyn y llwybr gweiriog llwybr yn gul ond yn fuan mae’n drac da ar i fyny hyd nes y bydd yn gwastad-hau a i’w gerdded. Parhewch ar hyd y llwybr hwn, byddwch yn gallu gweld pentref Tanygrisiau yn y gyda golygfeydd o’r Blaenau o’ch blaen a’r pellter. Manod Bach ar y dde, sylwch ar chwareli llechi

Maenofferen a Diffwys, sydd1 wedi cael eu gweithio ers canol yr 1700au.2

3 Parhewch trwy’r giât gul (gan4 anwybyddu’r un 5 fwy ar y dde) ac1 ewch heibio’r coed derw crablyd 6 a’r caeau gwyrdd2 heibio i’r fferm sydd wedi cael 7 ei enwi ar ôl dyffryn3 Cwm Bowydd. Ewch yn eich 8 blaen i fyny’r llwybr4 serth ac fe gyrhaeddwch y 1 9 ffordd trwy’r giât5 mochyn. 2 10 6 3 7 (Mae Tanygrisiau yn golygu ‘o dan y grisiau’ Parhewch4 ar eich ffordd at y siop Euro-Spar ar 8 oherwydd mae’r creigiau yn codi gwedd ar ôl y dde, croeswch5 Ffordd Wynne a cherddwch ar 9 gwedd uwchben y pentref), dydy’r llwybr ddim hyd ymyl6 y Parc a thros y bont droed lle byddwch 10 yn glir iawn yn y fan hon, anelwch am y bwthyn yn dod 7allan wrth ymyl neuadd y farchnad gynt bach ar draws y ffordd ac fe ddewch at giât yn y ac Eglwys8 Dewi Sant (yn 1880 yr oedd yna 18 ffens, croeswch y ffordd, ac anelu am y pentref. man addoli9 yn y dref). Yna byddwch ar Stryd yr 10 Ar ôl oddeutu 400 metr fe welwch y dreif gyda Eglwys, trowch i’r dde heibio blaen yr eglwys a ffens wen ar ei hyd sy’n arwain at y Pwerdy, y llyn 500 medr o’r fan honno, byddwch yn cyrraedd yr a’r caffi. Er mwyn dod yn ôl, ewch yn ôl ar hyd orsaf. y ffordd y daethoch ar hyd y dreif, ar draws yr A496, trwy’r giat ac i lawr y llwybr gweiriog at gyffordd y trac concrid a’r A496. Mae hi’n bosib i chi ddal y trên neu gael bws yn ôl (gofynnwch am amserlen).

Llwybr-ffordd i Flaenau Ffestiniog

Dilynwch y trac concrid heibio dau rid gwartheg at gompownd wedi’i ffensio, yn y fan hon 14 Moelwyn Panorama by Bob Cole Walk Route to Tanygrisiau Reservoir sign up 6 steps and along the fence, at first the path is narrow but it soon becomes a good Take the kissing gate and follow the grassy path walkable track. uphill until it levels off and Tanygrisiau village Continuing on this path, with views of Blaenau comes into sight. ahead and Manod Bach to the right, notice the

slate mines of1 Maenofferen and Diffwys, worked (Tanygrisiau means ‘under the stairs’ as the rocks since the mid2 1700s. rise above the village in stages), with the path 3 4 indistinct, head for a small cottage across the road Continue through the narrow gate (ignoring the1 5 and coming to a gate in the fence, cross the road, larger one on the right) and along past stunted2 oak 6 and head towards the village. After approximately trees and green fields and past the farm that3 takes 7 4 400 metres you will see the white-fenced drive for its name from the valley1 of Cwm Bowydd. Proceed 8 5 the Power station leading to the lake and café. To up the steep path and2 enter the road via a kissing 9 6 gate. 3 return, retrace your steps along the drive, across 10 7 the A496, through the gate and down the grassy 4 8 path to the junction of the concrete track and the Continue to the Euro-Spar5 store on the right, cross 9 Wynne Road and walk6 along side the park and A496. Possible to get train or bus back (ask for 10 timetable). over a foot bridge to7 exit in a square by the side of the old market hall and8 St Davids Church (in 1880 Route to Blaenau Ffestiniog there were 18 places9 of worship in the town). Enter Church Street,10 turn right past the front of the Follow the concrete track past two cattle grids church and 500 metres on, reach the station. to a fenced compound, here follow the footpath

15 > Teithiau Cerdded G/N Betws Y Coed Rhiwbryfdir WalkingTrefeini Route A470 2 Canol Dref Afon Barlwyd Town Centre 10 A496 10 Glanypwll 1 1

3 9 9 2

Oakeley Square 3

4 4 Maen-offeren A470 8 8 7 6 5 5

A496 Bethania Tanygrisiau Cwm Bowydd

Llan Ffestiniog >

A470 Manod

Congl-y-wal Afon Goedol

A496

7

Harlech 6 > A496

A470 > G/N Betws Y Coed Rhiwbryfdir Trefeini A470 2 Canol Dref Afon Barlwyd Town Centre 10 A496 10 Glanypwll 1 1

3 9 9 2

Oakeley Square 3

4 4 Maen-offeren A470 8 8 7 6 5 5

A496 Bethania Tanygrisiau Cwm Bowydd

Llan Ffestiniog >

A470 Manod

ALLWEDD / KEY

Taith hanesyddol 1 Historical walk Taith Panorama’r Moelwyn 1 Moelwyn Panorama walk

Adeliad Building Lonydd A A Roads Rheilffordd Railway Gorsaf Station Toiledau Toilets Ardal goediog Wooded area Llynnoedd ac afonyddCongl-y-walLakes and rivers Afon Goedol

A496 PARATOWCH / BE PREPARED

• Bydd rhannau o’r llwybrau yn garegog • Some of the paths shown have steep ac yn llithrig o dan draed ar adegau or rocky sections. Conditions underfoot 7 o’r flwyddyn will change from season to season • Dylid gwisgo esgidiau cerdded addas • Wear walking shoes and take a mynd â dillad glaw gyda chi. Gall y waterproofs with you. Remember that tywydd ar y bryniau newid yn sydyn weather conditions can change very iawn quickly on the hills • Argymhellir i chi ddefnyddio y map • The use of the relevant Ordnance Arolwg Ordnans perthnasol, graddfa Survey maps at 1:25000 scale is Porthmadog 6 1:25000 wrth ddilyn y llwybrau advised

> Ymwadiad / Disclaimer A496 Mae cerddwyr yn gyfrifol am eu diogelwch eu hunain. Walkers are responsible for their own safety.

Cadwch gefn gwlad yn daclus, parchwch y tir, ewch ag ysbwriel adref gyda chi a chadwch eich ci ar dennyn yn enwedig o gwmpas anifeiliaid fferm Please leave the countryside tidy, respect the land, take litter home and keep dogs on a lead especiallyA470 near livestock Y Mabinogi gan Gwyn Thomas

Chwedlau Cymraeg o’r Oesoedd Canol ydi Pedair Cainc y Mabinogi. Fe’u sgrifennwyd nhw am y tro cyntaf mewn llawysgrifau pwysig ond, am ganrifoedd cyn hynny, roedden nhw wedi cael eu hadrodd yn llysoedd y Cymry. Y mae peth o ddefnydd y chwedlau hyn yn hen iawn - y mae cysgodion rhai o hen dduwiau’r Celtiaid ar rai o gymeriadau’r Mabinogi.

Ystyr y gair `Mabinogi’, i ddechrau, oedd `chwedl am lencyndod’; yna fe ddatblygodd i olygu `chwedl’. Ystyr y gair `cainc’ ydi `rhan’.

Y gainc sydd o bennaf diddordeb i ni, yn Ffestiniog, ydi’r Bedwaredd Gainc, a elwir yn `Math fab Mathonwy’. Brenin a dewin oedd Math, ac un o ddewiniaid nerthol ei lys ydi Gwydion. Ail ran y chwedl sy’n berthnasol i’n hardal ni.

Y mae chwaer Gwydion, sef Arianrhod, wedi rhoi genedigaeth i faban dan amgylchiadau sy’n codi cywilydd mawr arni. Cipia Gwydion y baban a’i fagu, a gofalu amdano fo.Wedi iddo dyfu’n llanc a dod i weld ei fam am y tro cyntaf, y mae hi’n ddig iawn fod Gwydion wedi cadw ei mab - i atgoffa pawb o’i chywilydd, meddai hi. Y mae hi’n rhoi tair `tynged’ ar y mab: `chaiff o ddim enw, nac arfau - dim ond ganddi hi, a chaiff o ddim gwraig o blith gwragedd y ddaear. Trwy ei hud y mae Gwydion yn cael enw i’r mab, Lleu Llaw Gyffes (`yr un pryd golau sy’n fedrus iawn ei law’), ac arfau. Y drydedd dasg yw cael gwraig iddo. Y mae o a Math yn creu gwraig i Lleu o flodau’r maes, ac yn ei galw yn Blodeuwedd (`wyneb o flodau’). Ânt i fyw ym Mur Castell, lle y mae Tomen y Mur heddiw.

18 The Mabinogi by Gwyn Thomas

The Mabinogi are Welsh tales. They were first written in important manuscripts, however centuries before then, they were recited in the Welsh courts. The material used in these tales or legends are very old – the shadows of some of the olden Celtic Gods are upon some characters in the Mabinogi.

Initially, the meaning of the word `Mabinogi’, was `a tale about adolescence; then it developed to mean `chwedl – i.e. fable, myth, legend, tale.’. The meaning of the word `cainc’ is ‘strand’ or branch.’

The part that retains the most interest for us, here in Ffestiniog, is the Fourth Cainc, called `Math fab Mathonwy’. Math was the King of Gwynedd and also a wizard, and Gwydion is one of his powerful court wizards. It is the second part of the tale that is relevant to our area.

Gwydion’s sister, Arianrhod, has given birth to a baby under circumstances that are extremely humiliating for her personally. Gwydion steals the baby and he raises and cares for him. When the baby has grown into a young man and he sees his mother for the first time, she is very angry that Gwydion has kept her son – in her mind, he has done so in order to remind everyone of her humiliation. She casts three ‘fates’ on the son: `he will not have a name, nor armour, only from her, and he will not get a wife from amongst the women on earth. Using his own magic Gwydion gives the son a name, Lleu Llaw Gyffes (meaning The Fair Dextrous One), and he provides him with armour too. The third task is to get him a wife. He and Math create a wife for Lleu made from field flowers, and they call her Blodeuwedd (`face of flowers’). They lived at Mur Castell, where Tomen y Mur is today. 19 Y Mabinogi gan Gwyn Thomas

Un dydd, y mae’n rhaid i Lleu adael y llys. Yn ystod ei absenoldeb daw Gronw o Benllyn heibio, ac y mae o a Blodeuwedd yn syrthio mewn cariad, ac yn cynllwynio i ladd Lleu. Gan fod cysgod hen dduw haul (go-leu-ni) ar Lleu, dydi o ddim yn hawdd ei ladd, a rhaid i Flodeuwedd ei hudo i ddweud wrthi sut y gellir gwneud hynny – dull rhyfedd iawn, ar lan Afon Gynfael (ein afon Cynfal ni). Y mae Gronw’n cuddio wrth Fryn Cyfergyr (ein Bryn Cyfergyd ni), ac mae’n taro Lleu â gwaywffon. Ond dydi o ddim yn marw – y mae o’n troi’n eryr (aderyn duw’r haul), ac yn hedfan ymaith.

Y mae Gwydion yn chwilio’n hir amdano, cyn cael hyd iddo mewn coeden fawr yn Nantlleu (Dyffryn ). Y mae’n ei droi’n ôl yn ddyn – truenus iawn ei gyflwr. Wedi iddo ddod ato’i hun y mae’r ddau, efo byddin, yn mynd i ddial ar Flodeuwedd a Gronw. Y mae Blodeuwedd a’i morynion yn ffoi o’r llys am lys yn y mynydd, sef Bryn Castell. Gan fod ar y morynion gymaint o ofn, maen’ nhw’n dianc wysg eu cefnau, ac y syrthio i ddwr^ llyn: a dyna sy’n esbonio enw Llyn y Morwynion. Yna y mae Gwydion yn troi Blodeuwedd yn dylluan.

Beth am Gronw? Y mae Lleu’n mynd ag o at Afon Gynfael, lle y ceisiodd Gronw ei ladd o. Y tro hwn, Lleu sy’n mynd i daflu gwaywffon, a Gronw sy’n mynd i sefyll lle y safai Lleu. Ymbilia Gronw am drugaredd, gan ddweud mai ar Flodeuwedd yr oedd y bai, a gofynna a gaiff o roi `llech’ (carreg fawr) rhyngddo fo ag ergyd Lleu. Cytuna hwnnw. Ond dydi’r llech o ddim cymorth: y mae gwaywffon Lleu’n mynd drwyddi hi a Gronw, ac yn ei ladd o. Y mae’r stori’n dweud fod y llech, â thwll ynddi, wrth afon yng Nghynfal o hyd. Erbyn hyn, y mae’r `llech’ efo twll ynddi hi wrth ymyl Bryn Llech a Llech Ronw. Cyfeirnod Grid A.O: 7155 4055 20 The Mabinogi by Gwyn Thomas

One day, Lleu has to leave the court. In his absence, Gronw from Penllyn passes by, concurrently he and Blodeuwedd fall in love, and conspire to kill Lleu. Because there is a sun god’s shadow on Lleu, he is not easy to kill, and Blodeuwedd has to bewitch him into telling her how he can be killed – which turns out to be a very strange way indeed. On the banks of the Cynfael River (known to residents as the Cynfal river). Gronw hides by Bryn Cyfergyr (known to residents as Bryn Cyfergyd), and strikes Lleu with a spear. But he doesn’t die – he turns into an eagle (the sun god’s bird), and flies away.

Gwydion searches for him for a long time, before finding him in a large tree in Nantlleu (Dyffryn Nantlle). He turns him back into a man – in a forlorn condition. After Lleu recovers from the ordeal, both of them, army in tow, decide to avenge Blodeuwedd and Gronw. Blodeuwedd and her maidens flee from the court toward their mountain court, Bryn Castell. The maidens are in such fear for their lives, that they flee, backwards first, and as a result they fall into the lake : hence the name Llyn y Morwynion (Maidens’ Lake). Then Gwydion turns Blodeuwedd into an owl.

What about Gronw? Lleu takes him to Cynfael river, where Gronw attempted to kill him. This time, Lleu is the one who throws the spear, and Gronw stands where Lleu previously stood. Gronw begs for mercy and says that it was Blodeuwedd’s fault, and he asks if he can hold a slab (‘llech’ in Welsh) between himself and Lleu’s striking blow. He agrees. But the slab is useless : Lleu’s spear delivers a killer blow – it goes straight through the slab and Gronw too. According to the tale the slab, with the hole in it, still remains near Cynfal O.S Grid Ref: river. 7155 4055 Nowadays, the slab with the hole in it is nearby the places know as Bryn Llech and Llech Ronw. 21 Arweiniad Od ac Anhygoel “Pawb yn deud bod hi’n bwrw glaw ym Mlaenau Yr Awyr agored anhygoel ….Ffestiniog, ond wir i chi mae hi’n braf o hyd ym Y Parc Sglefrio - Fawr o ddim byd - cwpl o beips Mlaenau Ffestiniog.” chwarter a hanner peips, ond fe welwch chi ‘Graffiti Cymraeg’ sydd wirioneddol yn werth ei Dyfyniad ydi hwn o gân gan un o fandiau reggae weld (mae Graffiti Cymraeg yn beth prin i’w weld / ffync mwyaf poblogaidd y Dref yn y 90au. os nad ydi o’n wleidyddol!), unwaith eto mae Mae’r band yn chwarae ar y ffaith fod gan y hwn yn rhoi Blaenau ar flaen y gad yn nhermau Dref enw am fod yn un lle mae hi’n bwrw glaw creadigrwydd diwylliannol yng Ngogledd Cymru. o hyd (y 3ydd lle mwya’ glawog ym Mhrydain!), Cicio Pêl - yn Ysgol Uwchradd Y Moelwyn, Ffordd ond mae geiriau’r gân yn dweud yn gwbl glir, Wynne, ‘da chi’n siwr^ o ddod o hyd i griw ifanc er ei bod hi’n bwrw, mae’r bobl, y ‘crac’ neu’r yn cicio pêl……..gofynnwch gewch chi ymuno ‘buzz’ yn creu teimlad hwyliog hurt fel awyrgylch hefo nhw! Peidiwch â bod ofn gofyn “gai joinio parti!! OND, fydd y teimlad hwn ddim yn amlwg mewn?” nac ychwaith ‘yn eich wyneb’ yn barod i’ch croesawu hefo breichiau agored gyda chyfarchiad Dan do yn Saesneg…….. (sy’n rhywbeth gwahanol i’r Digon teg ...... ella ei bod hi’n bwrw y rhan fwyaf rhan fwyaf o gyrchfannau twristaidd yn Eryri a o’r amser yma…….felly be ar wynab daear Chymru’r dyddia’ ‘ma! …………..ohhhhhhhh wnewch chi i ddengid rhag y glaw?! nac ydi - dydi hi ddim mor hawdd â hynny…. Côr - Mwy na thebyg, dyma un o’r ffyrdd gora’ i mae’n rhaid i chi fynd i chwilio amdano, cymysgu dreulio gyda’r nos gwlyb yn ystod yr wythnos ym hefo’r criw lleol, rhoi her i chi eich hun i’w cyfarch Mlaenau Ffestiniog. Mae’r côr yn ymarfer unwaith nhw yn eu hiaith eu hunain ac yn y blaen ac yr wythnos am 7.30yh yn yr ysgol uwchradd ac yn y blaen…...... y gwir Gymru ydy’ Blaenau mae croeso i ymwelwyr ddod i wrando arnyn nhw, Ffestiniog……..tref heb ei datblygu ac yn lle go yn enwedig os wnewch chi eu ffonio nhw ymlaen iawn, fan hyn yw’r lle sy’n bell o bob man y dylai llaw. Bydd y digwyddiad hwn yn cael ei gynnal pawb wneud yr ymdrech i ddod o hyd iddo! trwy gyfrwng y Gymraeg yn gyfan gwbl. Dyma i chi rai bwyntia’ pwysig neu arweiniad od www.corybrythoniaid.com ac anhygoel i’r hyn sy’n digwydd o dan yr wyneb yn Blaenau :

22 Weird & Wonderful Guide “Pawb yn deud bod hi’n bwrw glaw Ym Mlaenau the great .... OUTDOORS ...Ffestiniog, ond wir i chi mae hi’n braf o hyd Skate Park - Not much a couple of quarter ym Mlaenau Ffestiniog” A quote form one of pipes & a half pipe, but some kick ass ‘Graffiti the Towns most popular reggae/ funk bands Cymraeg’ (Welsh Graffiti ..... really rare if its not of the 90’s. It translates to “Everybody says it political!), once again putting Blaenau a step in rains in Blaenau, but honestly it’s always sunny front in terms of cultural creativity in North Wales. in Blaenau!!”. The band teases with their Home Kick about - @ The secondary school Moewlyn, Towns reputation for being rainy (3rd most rainy Wynne Road your guaranteed to get a crowd of place in Britain!), but also states that even though young unns kicking a football .... ask to join in “gai it rains, the people and the ‘craik’ or ‘buzz’ within joinio mewn?” this environment has a very humorous crazy party vibe! BUT, it isn’t there in your face & ready to In-doors welcome you with open arms with a greeting in Ok ... so it’s raining almost all the time here .... the English Language... (Like many tourist traps in so what in druids name do you do to get away Snowdonia and Wales these days!) ....ohhhhhh from it!? Choir - Probably the most enjoyable way no, you’ve got to go look for it, mix with the locals, to spend a rainy weekday evening in Blaenau challenge your self to greet them in their own Ffestiniog. The choir rehearses once a week at language and so on....Blaenau Ffestiniog is the 7.30pm in the secondary school and visitors are real Wales...undeveloped, it gives a true meaning welcome to come and listen, especially if they ring to the term “off the beaten track”! first. Entirely in Welsh. www.corybrythoniaid.com Here are some top-tips or if you like a kind of weird and wonderful guide to the underground scene of Blaenau:

23 Arweiniad Od ac Anhygoel Tafarndai “is this the in-place to be, what am I doing here....spending money on beer” dyfyniad o gân Nightclub, gan y Specials .....eeeeeeeeeeeerrrrrm wel na, ‘does gennym ni ddim un o’r rhain, ond beth am i chi alw i mewn i’r tair prif dafarn yn y Dref. Cewch barti wnewch chi byth ei anghofio……..cofiwch eich llyfr ymadroddion, rydych yn sicr o gael diod am ddim! : Y Meirion - Canol y Dref, Y Wynnes - yn ardal Manod & Tap (Kings head) - ardal Glanypwll.

Cyrchfan ar y cyrion: Tafarndai vs Crefydd!! Canolfan greadigol ydi’r CeLL sy’n ganolbwynt Mae’n werth cymharu’r nifer o dafarndai o’u ar gyfer gweithgareddau gwahanol sy’n digwydd cymharu â’r nifer o ganolfannau crefyddol. o dan yr wyneb yn y dref. Hwn ydi’r lle lle mae’r criw ifanc creadigol i gyd yn hel at ei gilydd, yn Bwyd i sortio’r Pen Mawr ar ôl mwynhau’r noson y ganolfan aml gyfrwng, adeilad gorsaf heddlu gynt gymaint : Mae’r wawr wedi torri ar y diwrnod a llysoedd y dref gynt, mae yma ystafelloedd nesaf ac rydych yn dal i allu arogli’r Guinness o’r i fandiau gael ymarfer, oriel caffi bar, swît Meirion Vaults ar eich dillad ac mae gennych ryw ddylunio, stiwdio ffotograffiaeth, lle i berfformio frith gof o ryw hen foi hurt hefo barf wen……Siôn (gigs & D.J’s) a sinema fach danddaearol sy’n Corn…………naci wir… Popeye .... be?!! Felly be’ dangos ffilmiau’r byd bob 3ydd dydd Gwener ydi’r ffordd ora’ i chi deimlo rhywbeth yn debyg yn y mis. Edrychwch ar y wefan am ragor o i chi eich hun unwaith eto : Camwch i mewn i wybodaeth www.cellb.org neu galwch i mewn ‘Bistro’r Moelwyn’, ar y stryd fawr. Gall Jackie i weld be’ sy’n digwydd, mae’r CeLL reit yng & Anwen eich rhoi ar ben ffordd hefo brecwast Nghanol y Dref yn Sgwâr y Parc. gwerth chweil a photelaid o lager ……….dyna ni! Popeth yn iawn unwaith eto! Hefyd, gallwch fynd am dro sydyn neu ddal y bws Clipa i lawr i’r Caffi Ger y Llyn, sydd hefyd yn gweini brecwast a chwrw gyda golygfeydd gwych o fynyddoedd y Moelwyn. Profiad sy’n werth ei brofi, OND sydd ddim ond yn addas ar gyfer cerddwyr sydd wedi hen arfer troedio (neu i’r rhai ohonoch sydd heb gar) ydi’r daith gerdded i fyny at Gaffi Pont yr Afon Gam ar ben y Migneint, - edrychwch ar y teithlyfrau cerdded am gyfarwyddiadau!

24 Weird & Wonderful Guide Fringe Venue: The CeLL is a creative centre which is the hub for alternative & underground creative activities in the Town. This is where all the young creatives hang out, within its multi-facet center which was the Towns old police station & court rooms. There are band rehearsal rooms, a caffe-bar gallery, design suite, photography studio, performance space (gigs & D.j’s) and a small underground cinema screening world films every 3rd friday of the month. Check out their website for info www.cellb.org or just pop in to see what’s going Pubs on, its right in the Centre of Town @ Park Square. “is this the in-place to be, what am I doing here.... spending money on beer” to quote The Specials song Nightclub .....mehhh ok so we ain’t got one of those, but check out the Towns 3 premier pubs for a party you’ll never forget ...... remember your phrase book, its sure to get you a free drink! : Meirion - Town centre, Wynnes - Manod district & Tap (Kings head) - Glanypwll district.

Pubs vs Religion!! Try comparing number of pubs to religion centres.

Hangover Food : It’s the next day, you can still smell the Guinness of The Meirion Vaults on your clothes and are having flash backs of a crazy white bearded aging man ....Santa clause .... no Popeye .... what?!! So the cure : Step into Bistro Moelwyn, on the high street, Jackie & Anwen can sort you out a quality breakfast along with a bottle of larger .....sorted! Also try a brisk walk or catch the Clipa Bus service to Lake Side Caffe, also serving breakfast & beer with stunning views of the Moewlyn mountains. Another gem, but ONLY for the hardcore travellers (or those without a car!!) is a hike to Pont Yr Afon Gam Caffe on top of the Migneint, see walking guides for directions!

25 Arweiniad Od ac Anhygoel Celfyddydau Ers dechrau’r cloddio am lechi yn y 1800au, mae Blaenau Ffestiniog wedi mwynhau treftadaeth gref a chreadigol gyda’i chorau talentog, bandiau pres, telynorwyr dall a’i fandiau Reggae oes newydd. Ffrwydriad o greadigrwydd efallai? Mi fyddai’n amhosib rhestru bob dim, ond…

Celfyddydau/Ffotograffiaeth/ Cerfluniau Sefydlwyd y clwb camera ym 1961 a bu’n cyfarfod yn wythnosol ar nos Fercher am 7:30 yn y Ganolfan ym Mlaenau rhwng mis Medi ac Ebrill.

David Nash Wedi sefydlu ym Mlaenau, mae David Nash bellach yn gerflunydd byd enwog.

Gareth Parry - Mae ei luniau wedi eu hysbrydoli gan ddiwylliant y chwareli, tirlun Ffestiniog a chwarelwyr yr ardal.

Maria Hayes - Mae gwaith Maria yn defnyddio nifer fawr o dechnegau yn cynnwys peintio, printio, arlunio a chymysgedd o’r tri. Caiff ei hysbrydoli gan dirlun Ffestiniog a ffurf corff dynol. Checiwch allan: Checiwch Canolfan Creadigol y CeLL am www.myspace.com/anweledig1 wybodaeth am artistiaid/arddangosfeydd lleol, www.myspace.com/vatesgweld yn cynnwys cymdeithas hanes a nifer o artistiaid www.myspace.com/gaitoms lleol eraill fel Roland George a Grwp^ Celf Blaenau: www.myspace.com/bandfrizbee www.cellb.org www.myspace.com/llanclan www.myspace.com/yrannioddefol Cerddoriaeth a Pherfformiadau www.myspace.com/cericunnington

Gwibdaith Hen Fran - Grwp^ sydd ar frîg y siartiau Canolfan Greadigol y CeLL – gigs a lle i fandiau Cymraeg ar y funud. Gweler eu safle wê am chilio. Checiwch y cerddor ifanc ‘Desibel ‘dB’ fanylion ar gigs: Festival’ ar y 5ed o Fehefin. www.cellb.org www.myspace.com/gwibdaithhenfran Bistro Moelwyn - bwyd a miwsig...lle braf i Samba Blaenau - Ymarfer bob nos Fawrth rhwng ymlacio! 7-9 yn Neuadd Eglwys Dewi Sant. 26 Weird & Wonderful Guide Gareth Parry - His paintings are strongly influenced by the slate industry,Ffestiniog landscape and the quarrymen of of the area.

Maria Hayes - Maria’s work is 2 dimensional, using a variety of media including painting, printmaking, drawing and mixed media. She finds inspiration in the landscape of North Wales and in the human form.

Check out CeLL Creative Centre for local artist exhibitions, including the Towns Historical Society Exhibition and various other artists such as Roland George and Blaenau Art Group. : www.cellb.org

Music & Performance

Gwibdaith Hen Fran - Presently Blaenau’s chart topping band. (see their myspace for local gigs info : www.myspace.com/gwibdaithhenfran

Samba Blaenau - Practice every Tues evening 7 - 9 in St David’s Church Hall.

The Arts Also Check out:: Since the Slate mining boom of the1800’s Blaenau www.myspace.com/anweledig1 Ffestiniog has enjoyed a rich heritage of creativity www.myspace.com/vatesgweld from its choirs, to brass bands, blind harpists to www.myspace.com/gaitoms present day reggae bands. It’s basically a ‘boom’ www.myspace.com/bandfrizbee of creativity. It would be almost impossible to list www.myspace.com/llanclan everything here, but here goes! www.myspace.com/yrannioddefol www.myspace.com/cericunnington Art / Photography / Sculpture The Camera Club has been in existence since CeLL Creative Centre - gigs & bands hang out, 1961 and meets on a Wednesday evening at check out the young musicians ‘Desibel ‘dB’ The Ganolfan, Blaenau Ffestiniog, 7.30 to 9pm, Festival’ on June the 5th. www.cellb.org September to April. Bistro Moelwyn - food & music ....nice venue! David Nash Blaenau Ffestiniog based sculptor. David Nash is one of the UK’s pre-eminent contemporary artists. 27 Y Tu Hwnt i Blaenau gan Huw Jenkins

Llan (eglwys) yw’r anheddiad hynafol sy’n fan aros llaith amryliw sy’n cyfuno i ffurfio’r aber gwych i yrwyr gwartheg, a Blaenau (yr ucheldiroedd) sy’n llifo heibio i Bortmeirion. Sylwch ar olion yw’r dref gymharol newydd sydd wedi cael ei dyn ar y dirwedd; y waliau cerrig sych, y hadeiladu ar gyfoeth o wythiennau gwerthfawr tomenni hefo’u copaon gwastad a’r incleiniau o lechi sydd wedi cael eu defnyddio i doi tai ar lle’r arferai wagenni o lechi gael eu hesgyn a’u draws y byd i gyd. Fe wnewch chi ganfod fod disgyn. Gyda’r cen a’r bywyd gwyllt yn prysur cyrraedd yma yn antur ynddo’i hun, - gallwch adfeddiannu’r dirwedd does dim amheuaeth fod fentro ar draws rhostiroedd gwyllt, dros natur yn prysur hawlio ei thir yn ôl. fynyddoedd y Gerddinen (‘Crimea’), neu gyrraedd o danynt mewn twnel , neu ar drên stêm - ac ar Os ydych chi’n mwynhau cerdded mae gyfer y dyfodol mae cynlluniau cyffrous ar y gweill llwybrffyrdd di-ri yma ar eich cyfer lle gallwch i’ch galluogi i gyrraedd ar Felorêl, cerbyd ydi hwn archwilio’r dreftadaeth gyfoethog, a sy’n ymdebygu i bedalo ar reilffordd, neu gallwch gyda phob troad mae yna stori a golygfa newydd ddewis cyrraedd hefo’ch gwynt yn eich dwrn ar yn eich aros: mynydd siâp pwdin plwm y Manod feic mynydd lawr allt. Yn îs i lawr y dyffryn, gall lle’r arferai trysorau celf Prydain gael eu storio, caiacwyr badlo i mewn ar y llanw cyn belled â wedi eu cadw yno’n ddirgel rhag y bomio; neu’r hen bentref Maentwrog. Yr elfennau hyn, yn incleiniau a ddefnyddiwyd gan chwarelwyr i ogystal â , Tanygrisiau a Thrawsfynydd, gyrraedd adref ar eu ‘ceir gwyllt’ - sef tameidiau o a’r ffermydd a’r bythynnod diarffordd sy’n ffurfio bren a haearn a ddefnyddiwyd ganddynt i lithro i cymuned Ffestiniog. lawr y mynydd ar draciau rheilffyrdd ar gyflymder o hyd at 50 m.y.a. Yn uchel yng nghanol nunlle Dyma i chi le llawn chwedlau ac awyrgylch sydd efallai y cewch gyfle i weld adfeilion barics wedi cael eu defnyddio fel lleoliadau ar gyfer cerrig lle’r arferai’r chwarelwyr fyw, - ar wahân ffilmiau felFirst Knight. Ond fe welwch fod i’w teuluoedd, heblaw ar y Sul. Os ydych chi’n hanes go iawn o’n cwmpas ni ym mhobman gyda gwybod lle i edrych gallwch ddod o hyd i nifer cherrig o’r oes efydd ar hyd y trac lle’r arferai o ganonau cerrig, llechfeini carreg gyda thyllau paganiaid deithio o’r Iwerddon i Gôr y Cewri. cysylltiedig, a fyddai’n cael eu llenwi gyda Adeiladodd y Rhufeiniaid gaer, gan gynnwys phowdr du a’u tanio ar adegau penodol. Efallai amffitheatr bach ar gyfer dysgu hyfforddeion y byddwch yn ddigon ffodus i ddod ar draws newydd, ac fe roddodd y Normaniaid domen ysgubor sy’n dyddio yn ôl i’r traddodiad o ffermio a beili yn ei ganol. Mae’r garreg gerfiedig, sy’n alpaidd pan fyddai’r ffermwr, ei deulu a’i dda byw coffau’r rhan o’r wal a gafodd ei hadeiladu gan yn treulio’r haf yn yr hafod cyn dychwelyd dros y Marcus a’i lu, wedi cael ei hailgylchu ac fe’i gwelir gaeaf i’r brif fferm is law yn yr hendre. Beth am yn nrws y dafarn ym Maentwrog. wneud rhywbeth tipyn yn wahanol? Yn hytrach na cherdded dros ac o gwmpas y mynyddoedd Crëwyd y mynyddoedd garw rhain o ganlyniad gallwch gerdded yn eu crombil, ar deithiau tywys i symudiad haenau o’r ddaear a gweithred wedi eu trefnu yn chwarel ddofn Llechwedd folcanig, fe’i hindreuliwyd dros gyfnodau o filoedd ac mewn mannau eraill dan law arweinwyr o flynyddoedd ac fe’u sgrafellwyd gan rewlifoedd arbenigol. yn toddi. Mae nentydd, rhaeadrau ac afonydd yn byrlymu dros y dyffryn trwy geunentydd 28 Beyond Blaenau by Huw Jenkins

Llan (church) is the ancient settlement, a stopping For walking there are countless routes in which place for cattle drovers, whilst Blaenau (uplands) to explore the rich heritage, every turn a is the comparatively new town built on rich seams new story and view: the dome shaped mountain of precious slate that roofed the world. Getting of Manod within which Britain’s art treasures here is an adventure itself, across the wild moors, were stored, secretly safe from bombing; or the over the mountains via the ‘Crimea’, beneath inclines down which quarrymen commuted home them in a tunnel, or on a steam train – and in the on their ‘wild cars’ (ceir gwylltion), skimpy pieces future there are exciting plans whereby you can of wood and metal sliding down the mountain on arrive by Velorail, a bit like a pedalo on rails, railtracks at speeds of up to 50 mph. High up in or at breakneck speed on a downhill mountain the middle of nowhere you might see a derelict bike. Lower down the valley, kayakers can stone barracks in which quarrymen lived, away paddle in on the tide as far as the old village of from their families, apart from Sundays. If you Maentwrog. Along with Gellilydan, Tanygrisiau know where to look you can discover the many and these, and the secluded farms rock cannons, slabs of rock with connected holes, and cottages, make up the greater community of that would be filled with black powder and fired Ffestiniog. on special occasions. Maybe an old barn dating back to the alpine farming tradition where a It’s a place of legends and atmosphere used as farmer, his family and livestock might spend the a location for films such asFirst Knight. summer (hafod) before returning for winter in the But real history is all about us with bronze-age main farm below (hendre). It’s not just walking over standing stones alongside the track that pagans and around the mountains but inside them too, would travel along from Ireland to Stonehenge. with deep mine tours organised at Llechwedd and The Romans built a fort, complete with a small elsewhere led by specialist guides. amphitheatre for training new recruits, and the Normans placed a motte and bailey in the middle of it. The carved stone, that commemorates the stretch of wall built by Marcus and his troops, has been recycled and found its way into the doorway of the pub in Maentwrog.

Shifting plates and volcanic action created these rugged mountains, weathered for millions of years and scoured by melting glaciers. Streams, waterfalls and mountain rivers race down to the valley through humid and technicolor gorges converging into the mighty estuary that flows out past . Man’s signature on the landscape; the dry stone walls, flat top mounds of rock and precipitous inclines down which wagons of slate were lowered. Slowly but surely nature is reclaiming it as a wild place with encroaching lichen and wildlife. 29 Y Tu Hwnt i Blaenau gan Huw Jenkins

Mae’r dirwedd hon yn cynnig arlwy o lwybrffyrdd cylchol, ond gallwch gyfuno eich taith gerdded gyda thro ar y trenau stêm. Mwynhewch daith gerdded ar hyd ymyl y llyn yn Nhanygrisiau, sef y rhan isaf o gynllun pwmpstorio trydan dwr^ cyntaf o’i fath ym Mhrydain, a thu hwnt i hynny hefyd drwy’r coedlannau derw ac efallai y cewch gyfle i weld y geifr gwyllt wrth lwc! Neu efallai y dewiswch fynd i weld y clogwyni serth sy’n amgylchynu Cwmorthin ac yna mynd ar i meibion. O ran cerddoriaeth gyfoes mae’r dref fyny a thros y Moelwyn Bach a dal y trên yn ôl wedi meithrin nifer o fandiau llwyddiannus ac mae o Dan y Bwlch. Neu ewch ar y trên i gychwyn plant a phobl ifanc yn heidio i’r Cell, sef yr orsaf ar daith o gwmpas Portmeirion neu mwynhewch heddlu gynt, lle mae’r celloedd yn dal i fodoli ac daith gerdded ar hyd yr arfordir. Mae gennych yn cael eu defnyddio ar gyfer storio offer drudfawr opsiynau di-ri. a defnyddir y llys ei hun ar gyfer cyngherddau. Heb son fod bardd cenedlaethol Cymru gynt ac Pe baech yn cario gwialen bysgota yn eich llaw un o gerflunwyr coed enwocaf y byd yn byw yn hytrach na ffon gerdded dyma le godidog yn y dref. Mae’r dref yn ysbrydoli artistiaid ac i gyfuno’r profiad o bysgota’r brithyll brown ymwelwyr. gwyllt a gwerthfawrogi’r mynyddoedd, achos mae digonedd o lynnoedd pellennig a diarffordd Cewch ddigon o ddewis ar gyfer bwyta ac yma, ac mae’r uchaf ohonynt (y Conglog) yfed gan gynnwys tafarndai traddodiadol a 2,000 o droedfeddi uwch law lefel y môr. Neu ddechreuodd weini cwrw pan oedd y cwsmeriaid fel arall mae yna lynnoedd sy’n cael eu llenwi yn cyrraedd gyda choets a cheffyl, bistros hefo digonedd o bysgod fel Llyn Ffridd ac mae cyfoes sy’n gwneud y gorau o pwyntiau mynediad hawdd ar gyfer y rhai llai abl. gynnyrch lleol, arlwy Asiaidd a chaffis â chymeriad. Ar gyfer y rhai sy’n symud o un lle i’r llall mae yna Ceir digon o gyfleoedd i gaiacio a chanwio^ wastad y car bwffe ar Reilffordd Ffestiniog neu gyda dyfroedd a dwr^ gwyn i herio’r rhai mwyaf nifer o siopau a delicatessen lle gallwch brynu profiadol hyd yn oed ac mae’r opsiwn i chi fynd cynhwysion i wneud pryd ar glyd - o’r becws ar ddwr^ llonydd cyfagos heb son am y milltiroedd gallwch gael unrhyw beth yn amrywio o gacenni o arfordir a’r gwyntoedd sy’n chwythu ar y tir yn cri Cymreig traddodiadol i bastis Cwrdaidd bennaf. Os ydych chi am i’r gwaed bwmpio o sbeislyd, sy’n cyfuno’n fendigedig gyda photelaid ddifri mae yna ganolfan rafftio dwr^ gwyn, dim o Gwrw Eryri o Fragdy’r Mws^ Piws heb fod yn bell ond hanner awr i ffwrdd, gallwch gymryd rhan i ffwrdd. neu wylio yn y caffi cyffyrddus drws nesaf i’r dwr^ gwyn. Mae Ffestiniog yn gyrchfan penigamp lle gallwch gael blas o ddifri ar harddwch a phleserau Nid dim ond chwaraeon a gweithgareddau awyr Eryri – byddwch yn agos at y cyrchfannau prysur agored sydd ar gael yma ond ardal sy’n gyfoeth o ond yn y fan hon cewch heddwch a llonyddwch. gelf a diwylliant. Gall Blaenau Ffestiniog

ymffrostio yn y ffaith fod ganddi ddau gôr 30 Beyond Blaenau by Huw Jenkins

more contemporary music the town has spawned, several successful bands and youngsters come to Y Cell, the former police station, complete with cells for secure storage of expensive equipment and a courtroom for concerts. The former national poet of Wales lives in the town as does one of the world’s most famous contemporary wood sculptors. This is a place of inspiration for both artists and visitors.

There is a wide range of options for eating and The geography lends itself to circular routes, but for drinking including timeless pubs that first started longer distances, walking can be combined with a serving when customers used to arrive by ride on the steam trains. Maybe a walk alongside horse-drawn coach, modern bistros maximising the lake at Tanygrisiau, the lower half of Britain’s local ingredients, Asian cuisine and first pumped storage hydro scheme, and beyond cafes with character. For people on the move through the oak woodlands possibly seeing the there is always the Ffestiniog Railway buffet car wild goats along the way. Or maybe through the or several shops and delicatessens from which to surrounding Cwmorthin steep sided cliffs make a packed lunch – from the bakery you can then up and over Moelwyn Bach and catching the get anything from traditional Welsh cakes to spicy train back from Tan y Bwlch. Or use the train to Kurdish pasties, perfect washed down with a bottle begin an excursion around Portmeirion or a walk of Snowdonia Ale from the Purple Moose Brewery along the coast. The options are countless. just down the road. If you take a fishing rod instead of a walking stick Ffestiniog is the perfect backdrop and destination this is the ultimate venue to combine wild brown from which to sample the beauty and pleasures of trout and mountains with many secluded peaceful Snowdonia – close to the hotspots but with peace lakes, the highest of which (Conglog) is 2,000 and quiet. feet above sea level. Alternatively there are well stocked lakes such as Llyn Ffridd with easy access points for the less mobile.

Kayaking and canoeing are served well with waters and rapids to test the most experienced and still water options available nearby not to mention miles of coastline with predominantly onshore winds. For an adrenaline rush there is the national white water rafting centre, just 30 minutes away, either for taking part or watching from the comfort of the cafe next to one of the rapids.

It’s not just sport and outdoor activity but an area rich in art and culture. Blaenau Ffestiniog boasts not one but two male voice choirs. As for 31 Rheilffordd Ffestiniog Mae Rheilffordd Ffestiniog yn rhan bwysig o orffennol Blaenau Ffestiniog - yn ogystal â’i dyfodol. Cwmni Rheilffordd Ffestiniog yw’r un Annibynnol Hynaf o’i fath yn y Byd, ac fe ddechreuwyd cludo llechi o’r Blaenau yn 1832. Yr oedd ceffylau yn tynnu wagenni gwag i fyny’r lein, ond yr oedd y trenau a oedd wedi cael eu llwytho yn teithio yn ol i lawr tua’r môr trwy gyfrwng nerth disgyrchiant - gyda dim ond cwpl o ddynion yn rheoli’r brecs er mwyn eu cadw dan reolaeth! Gwelwyd dyfodiad stem yn 1863 ac mae rhai o’r un cerbydau neu locomotifau hynny yn parhau i gael eu defnyddio heddiw, yn cludo teithwyr i ac o’r dref trwy Ddyffryn golygfaol Ffestiniog. Achubwch y cyfle i archwilio strydoedd y dref hanesyddol ac unigryw hon gyda’i threftadaeth gyfoethog a’i diwylliant Cymreig cryf.

O’r Blaenau, tuag ar i lawr mae’r trên yn rhedeg yr holl ffordd i lawr i Borthmadog, - a oedd unwaith yn harbwr prysur ac sydd bellach yn gyrchfan wyliau poblogaidd. Gallwch dorri eich siwrne ar y ffordd, yn Nhan-y-Bwlch - gorsaf sydd hanner ffordd ar hyd y rheilffordd ac sydd wedi ei lleoli yng nghanol coedlan yn y Parc Cenedlaethol – ac mae’n ddewis hynod o boblogaidd. Mae caffi’r orsaf, y lle chwarae i blant a’r llwybrau coedlannol yn gwneud y fan hon yn lle ardderchog i dreulio dwyawr o’ch amser.

Mae’r trenau yn rhedeg gydol y flwyddyn gyda gwasanaeth rheolaidd rhwng Y Pasg a diwedd mis Hydref. Mae’r rhan fwyaf o’r trenau yn cael eu tynnu gyda phwer^ stem ac mae ‘Tocyn Dydd’ yn eich caniatáu i deithio ar unrhyw drên a gwneud y gorau o’r ymweliad o ddifri.

Am ragor o wybodaeth am ein gwasanaethau, ffoniwch 01766 516000, neu ymwelwch â’n gwefan www.festrail.co.uk neu gafaelwch mewn amserlen. 32 Ffestiniog Railway The Ffestiniog Railway is an important part of Blaenau Ffestiniog’s past - as well as its future. The Ffestiniog is the Oldest Independent Railway Company in the World, and started carrying slate from Blaenau in 1832. Horses pulled empty wagons up the line, but the loaded trains descending to the sea by gravity - with just a couple of brakesmen keeping them in check! Steam was introduced in 1863 and some of those same locomotives are still in use today, taking passengers to and from the town through the picturesque . Take some time to explore the streets of this historical and unique town with it’s rich heritage and strong welsh culture.

From Blaenau, it is downhill all the way to Porthmadog, once a bustling port and now a popular holiday destination. You can break your journey along the way, with Tan-y-Bwlch - halfway along the railway and situated in the heart of National Park woodland - a popular choice. The station café, children’s play area and woodland trails make it a great place to spend a couple of hours.

Trains run all year round with a regular service between Easter and the end of October. Most trains are steam hauled and a ‘Day Ticket’ allows you to travel on any train and make the most of your visit.

For information on our services, telephone 01766 516000, visit our website www.festrail.co.uk or pick up a timetable.

33 Teithiau Trên Golygfaol Y ffordd orau, yn ddiau, o fynd i Flaenau Ffestiniog yw ar Reilffordd Dyffryn Conwy, sy’n eich cludo ar daith o gyferbyniadau dros 30 milltir, o fae godidog Llandudno ar hyd Afon Conwy i dref farchnad hanesyddol a chanolfan ymwelwyr boblogaidd Betws-y-Coed. Mae mynyddoedd Eryri’n eich gwahodd atynt wrth i’r trên ddringo Dyffryn Lledr i fyny i oddeutu 790 troedfedd uwch lefel y môr, heibio i Ddolwyddelan a’r Bont Rufeinig, trwy’r twnel hiraf yng Nghymru, sy’n Mae Trenau Arriva Cymru yn rhedeg y ymestyn dros 2 filltir a 333 llath ac yn dod allan gwasanaeth ar y rheilffordd, ac mae amrywiaeth ym myd llechi Blaenau Ffestiniog. o docynnau i’w cael am brisiau rhesymol i chi gael mwynhau eich taith. Mae tocyn “North Wales Fe gyrhaeddodd llinell y rheilffordd y dref ym Rover” yn rhoi i chi’r hyblygrwydd i deithio’n 1879 a’i diben oedd cludo cynnyrch llechi ddigyfyngiad am ddiwrnod ar y trên a’r bws am ein hardal i fodloni anghenion datblygiadau bris sy’n dechrau o £7 i oedolyn a £3.50 i blentyn. diwydiannol Lloegr yn ogystal â marchnadoedd y byd. Mae wedi ateb y diben hwnnw i’r Dyma un o deithiau rheilffordd gorau Cymru, ond dim, ac wedi goroesi trwy’r ffawd newidiol, a peidiwch â chymryd fy ngair i am hynny, dewch i heddiw mae’n gyswllt hanfodol i’r cymunedau a weld drosoch eich hunan. wasanaethir ganddi, ac mae’n hynod bwysig i Larry Davies, dwristiaeth. Menter Rheilffordd Dyffryn Conwy

Mae gorsaf Blaenau Ffestiniog yn gyfnewidfa â Gwybodaeth bellach: gwasanaethau bws sy’n teithio i ardal ehangach www.arrivatrainswales.co.uk de Gwynedd o Sgwâr Diffwys a rheilffordd stêm www.conwyvalleyrailway.co.uk gul Ffestiniog ar gyfer Porthmadog sy’n enwog www.nationalrail.co.uk (08457 48 49 50) trwy’r byd i gyd. Mae’r ddwy reilffordd yn rhannu’r orsaf a gafodd ei hagor ym 1982 ar safle hen orsaf derfynol Ganolog llinell o’r Bala sydd wedi cau ers peth amser. Gellir dysgu am yr hanes cyfoethog o gloddio llechi yng Ngheudyllau Llechi Llechwedd, ac os dangoswch chi eich Tocyn Rheilffordd, fe gewch ostyngiad ar y pris mynediad.

34 Scenic Train Journeys Llechwedd Slate Caverns and production of your Rail Ticket will give you a discount. Arriva Trains Wales operate the service on the line and a range of attractively priced tickets are available for you to enjoy your journey. The “North Wales Rover” ticket allows you the flexibility of a days unlimited travel on both the train and buses from as little as £7. adult and £3.50 child.

This is one of the great railway journeys of Wales There is no better way to reach Blaenau Ffestiniog but don’t take my word for it, come and see for than by a trip on the Conwy Valley Railway that yourself. takes you on a 30-mile journey of contrasts from Larry Davies, the glorious bay of Llandudno along the River Conwy Valley Rail Initiative Conwy to the historic market town of Llanrwst and the popular tourist centre of Betws –y- Coed. Further information: The mountains of Snowdonia www.arrivatrainswales.co.uk as the train climbs the Lledr Valley beckon www.conwyvalleyrailway.co.uk to some 790 feet above sea level, through www.nationalrail.co.uk (08457 48 49 50) Dolwyddelan and Roman Bridge to pass through the longest tunnel in Wales at 2 miles 333 yards and emerge into the world of slate at Blaenau Ffestiniog.

This railway line reached the town in 1879 and its purpose was to convey the slate products of our area to satisfy the needs of industrial development in England and indeed world markets. It has served that purpose well and survived the changing fortunes and by today is a vital link to the communities it serves and is extremely important to tourism.

Blaenau Ffestiniog station is an interchange with bus services serving the wider area of south Gwynedd from Diffwys Square and the world famous Ffestiniog narrow gauge steam railway for Porthmadog. Both railways share the station which was opened in 1982 on the site of the old Central station terminus of a long closed line from Bala. Much of the rich slate mining history of our town can be experienced at the 35 Pengwern Cymunedol Mae tafarn wedi bodoli ar safle’r Pengwern yng nghanol Ffestiniog am bron i dri chan mlynedd. Arferai’r Pengwern fod yn lleoliad pwysig i yrwyr gwartheg oherwydd byddai’n cael ei ddefnyddio fel lle ar gyfer pedoli’r anifeiliaid cyn iddynt groesi’r Migneint.

Saif pentref hynafol Ffestiniog dair milltir i’r gorllewin o Flaenau Ffestiniog. Yn ychwanegol at ei safleoedd ôl hanesyddol a Rhufeinig, dyma Bydd codi gweddill y £185,000 y mae ei leoliad Sarn Helen a hanesion y Mabinogi, ac mae angen arnom i wireddu ein breuddwyd i fod yn tyddynnod a ffermydd y pentref yn gysylltiedig berchnogion lleol yn golygu y bydd haf 2010 yn â’r dref chwarelydda gyfagos. Yr oedd yr hen unigryw oherwydd fe fydd yn bla o weithgaredd lwybrffyrdd o gyfeiriad y môr dros y mynyddoedd cymunedol. Bydd y rhaglen yn cynnwys corau yn gwneud yr anheddiad hwn yn lle delfrydol i enwog a cerddorwyr lleol, a bydd hanes llafar gael llymed i dorri syched. traddodiadol na welwch chi byth yn Caeodd drysau’r dafarn ym mis Chwefror 2009. yn eich llyfrau hanesyddol cael eu hadrodd yn y fan hon. Ein nod fydd Mae’r gymuned leol wedi sefydlu cwmni o’r enw sicrhau ein bod yn defnyddio rysetiau lleol trwy Pengwern Cymunedol, gyda’r bwriad o brynu ddefnyddio cynnyrch sydd wedi cael ei dyfu a’i a rhedeg y gwesty fel tafarn rydd, a gwneud y fagu yn yr ardal a bydd y bwyd fydd yn cael ei Pengwern yn gyrchfan poblogaidd unwaith eto, weini o geginau’r Pengwern yn cael ei ganmol yn ar gyfer ymwelwyr yn ogystal â’r trigolion. chwedloniaeth y dyfodol! Mae gweledigaeth Pengwern Cymunedol yn Am y wybodaeth ddiweddaraf a’r amseroedd cynnwys agor ewch i weld

www.pengwerncymunedol.btik.com • Bod yn fenter gymunedol gynaliadwy • Annog gweithgareddau cymdeithasol a diwylliannol lleol gyda’r pwyslais ar ddefnyddio’r iaith Gymraeg. • Annog twristiaeth werdd a chynnig croeso Cymreig cynnes i ymwelwyr. • Rhoi pwyslais ar ddefnyddio cynnyrch a gwasanaethau lleol o safon.

36 Pengwern Community Raising the remainder of the £185,000 we need to realize our dream of community ownership will mean that the summer of 2010 will be a unique hive of community activity. The programme will include famous male voice choirs and other well known musicians and oral history in the tradition of storytelling you won’t find in your history books. We aim to ensure traditional local recipes using produce grown and reared in the area will make the fare from the There has been a pub on the site of the Pengwern Pengwern kitchens mentioned in the legends of the in the centre of Ffestiniog for nearly three hundred future! years. The Pengwern used to be an important as it location for the drovers For the latest information about events and was used as a place to shoe the animals before opening times visit crossing the Migneint. www.pengwerncymunedol.btik.com The ancient village of Ffestiniog is three miles south west of Blaenau Ffestiniog. In addition to its prehistoric and Roman sites, this is Sarn Helen and Mabinogi country , its smallholdings and farms linked to its neighbouring quarry town. The old routes from the sea over the mountains made this settlement the ideal location for a refreshment stop.

The pub shut its doors in February 2009. The local community has set up a company, Pengwern Cymunedol, to purchase and run the hotel as a free house, and to make the Pengwern a popular venue once again, for visitors as well as the locals.

Pengwern Cymunedol’s vision incorporates

• Being a sustainable community venture • Encouraging local social and cultural activities with the emphasis on the use of the Welsh language. • Encouraging green tourism and offering a warm Welsh welcome to visitors. • Placing an emphasis on the use of quality local produce and services. 37 Adfywio Canol Tref Blaenau Ffestiniog Beth sy’n rhan o’r gwaith? Pam? • Cynllun Gwella Tref: Cynllun i wella siopau • Mae’r cynllun yn cael ei gydnabod yn yn y dref. Cymhorthdal hyd at 75% i wella rhaglen o arian Ewropeaidd, cyd-gyfeiriant. cyflwr allanol adeiladau’r dref, gan gynnwys • Am fod poblogaeth yr ardal yn gostwng arwyddion a ffenestri newydd. Byddwn yn 2.5% yn flynyddol. annog “canopiau” ac arwyddion lliwgar. • Er mwyn plethu gyda cynlluniau adfywio eraill yr ardal. • Pegwn y Gorllewin. Datblygu darn o waith • Er mwyn manteisio yn llawn yn economaidd celf gan yr artist lleol, Howard Bowcott ar y ar yr ymwelwyr sydd yn dod i’r dref ar hyn ffordd i mewn i’r dref. o bryd.

• Cystadleuaeth Gelf. Bydd cystadleuaeth gelf Pwy ? ar gyfer darnau o waith celf ar hyd a lled y Criw gwirfoddol Blaenau Ymlaen sydd wedi dref. Blaenau, tref diwylliant a chelf. datblygu’r cynllun. Bellach mae Cyngor Gwynedd a Llywodraeth y Cynulliad yn arwain ar y gwaith • Canol y Dref. Newidiadau sylweddol i “ganol mewn partneriaeth gyda Blaenau Ymlaen. y dref” gan gynnwys mae parcio’r orsaf a maes parcio Diffwys. Pryd ? Mae’r cynllun ar y gweill ers blynyddoedd lawer, • Gwell Marchnata. Mae’n fwriad i wella bu ymgynghori ar y gwaith yn 2008 a 2009, marchnata’r dref gan osod arwyddion gwell cafwyd sicrhad o’r arian i gynnal y gwaith yn o amgylch y dref. Bydd cyfleoedd i ddehongli 2009 a bydd cais cynllunio yn cael ei gyflwyno yn hanes hefyd yn cael eu datblygu, a bwriedir 2010. Y bwriad yw cychwyn y gwaith adeiladu yn datblygu gwefan i hyrwyddo’r dref. 2011 a’i gwblhau yn 2013.

• Busnesau Newydd. Byddwn yn annog ac Beth arall sydd ar y gweill? yn cefnogi busnesau newydd i fentro am y Cynlluniau cyffrous gan gwmni Antur Stiniog i tro cyntaf. Rydym ddatblygu llwybrau beicio ym Mro Ffestiniog, am weld y Stryd cynlluniau i adfywio’r Parc, cynlluniau a gwaith i Fawr a Stryd yr ddatblygu Tref Werdd, Theatr Bro, Gwyl y Glaw a Eglwys yn fwrlwm o llawer mwy! fusnesau bychain a gwahanol. Gwybodaeth: Am fwy o fanylion ewch ar wefan y cynllun, • Iaith, Diwylliant www.gwynedd.gov.uk/blaenauymlaen neu a Threftadaeth. cysylltwch yn lleol gyda: Bob Cole 07720040518 Byddwn yn dathlu neu cysylltwch gyda’r Swyddog Adfywio Bro, hanes, iaith, diwylliant a threftadaeth Pryderi ap Rhisiart ar 01766 512499. drwy gydol y cynllun. Darperir asesiadau ieithyddol i fusnesau trwy gydweithio gyda Bwrdd yr Iaith, a darperir gofod ar gyfer cynnal digwyddiadau cerddoriaeth, celf, 38 cerddi a llawer mwy. Blaenau Ffestiniog Town Centre Regeneration What’s involved? Why? • Town Improvement Scheme; a scheme to • Scheme recognised in the European improve shop fronts in the town centre. This convergence programme. includes 75% support for improving exterior • Because the population of the area was shop fronts, including signage, doors, declining at a rate of 2.5% per annum windows and colourful canopies. • Scheme links to and supports other regeneration activities in the area. • Western Gateway. The Western entrance • To maximise the economic effect of existing into the town will be developed to ensure that tourism in the area. people notice Blaenau, visit and explore. Who? • Artwork Competition. A voluntary community group, called Blaenau An open art work Ymlaen identified the need for the project and competition for arts developed it initially. The work was then developed will be held in the by Gwynedd Council and the Welsh Assembly in town. Blaenau will partnership with Blaenau Ymlaen. be a town for culture and the arts. When? The work has been in development for years, • Town Centre. and detailed consultation took place in 2008 and Significant changes 2009. Funding to develop the work was secured in to the town centre will include the station car 2009 and a planning application will be submitted park and Diffwys car park. in 2010. The aim is to start the work in 2011 and for it to be completed by 2013. • Marketing. We aim to improve the marketing of the town with better signage in and around What else is happening? Blaenau. There will be opportunities to learn Existing plans for outdoor activities are being about the history as well and this will include developed by Antur Stiniog, plans to regenerate a new website for the town. the Park, work to reduce the towns carbon footprint by Y Dref Werdd, Theatr Bro, Gwyl y Glaw and • New Businesses. We’ll encourage new much more! businesses to start new enterprises in the town. We’re eager to see Church Street and Information: High Street bustling and full of . For more information visit the website; www.gwynedd.gov.uk/blaenauymlaen or contact • Language, culture, and heritage. We will Bob Cole 07720040518. Alternatively contact celebrate the history, the language and the the Regeneration Officer, Pryderi ap Rhisiart on heritage throughout the work. Working 01766 512499. with The Welsh Language Board, we’ll provide language assessments for shops and businesses, and we’ll create spaces for cultural events and interpretation opportunities. 39 Tyddyn Du Farm Holiday Suites

• 5 Star GOLD AWARD ~ luxuriously appointed barn suite conversions • Bathrooms have a jacuzzi bath & shower • Located amidst spectacular scenery • Snacks preparation areas • WiFi & mobile phone reception Portmeirion 10 minutes drive away Coed-y-Brenin forest walking & biking centre 10 minutes drive away See full website www.snowdoniafarm.com for more info & winter offers, etc...

Gellilydan, Near Ffestiniog, LL41 4RB Paula & Meredydd Williams www.snowdoniafarm.com

Tel: 07867 577 522 & 01766 590281 Pisgah Guesthouse THE DON 147 High Street, Blaenau Ffestiniog

The Don is a family run bed & breakfast in the heart of Snowdonia. We offer recently refurbished, comfortable accommodation in Blaenau Ffestiniog with a traditional breakfast. There are four rooms all en-suite rooms. We do have one room accessible from the ground floor, suitable to the less mobile guest.Evening meals and pack lunches are provided on request. And well behaved dogs are welcome to visit The Don. Maenofferen Street, Blaenau Ffestiniog LL41 3DH Tel: 01766 831 285 www.bandbinsnowdonia.co.uk Tel: 01766 831 032 40 Tyddyn Du Farm Holiday Suites

THE OAKELEY ARMS HOTEL • 5 Star GOLD AWARD ~ luxuriously appointed barn suite conversions • Bathrooms have a jacuzzi bath & shower • Located amidst spectacular scenery • Snacks preparation areas Tan-Y-Bwlch, Nr.BlaenauFfestiniog, Gwynedd LL41 3YU • WiFi & mobile phone reception Portmeirion 10 minutes drive away Tel: 01766 590277 | Fax: 01766 590346 | E-mail: [email protected] Coed-y-Brenin forest walking & biking centre 10 minutes drive away See full website www.snowdoniafarm.com for more info & winter offers, etc... www.oakeleyarms.co.uk Gellilydan, Near Ffestiniog, LL41 4RB Paula & Meredydd Williams www.snowdoniafarm.com Proprietors: Chris and Ann-Marie Vanstone

Tel: 07867 577 522 & 01766 590281 Bryn Elltyd THE DON 3 star ECO guesthouse 147 High Street, Blaenau Ffestiniog Llechrwd Riverside Heart of Snowdonia Camping [email protected] Te: 01766 831 356 Mob: 0790 5568127 Solar arrays Green electric Wood Fires Reused rainwater Own ducks Turf roof Gwesty’r Frenhines A friendly family run site on the in the beautiful vale of Ffestiniog. There are pitches for tourers, motorhomes, trailer tents and tents, with QUEEN’S HOTEL some camping pitches situated adjacent to the river. The Queens Hotel is a family run business catering for Electric hook ups are available for some pitches. families set in the heart of Blaenau Ffestiniog There are toilets , free showers , a washing up room next to the Ffestiniog railway, & a chemical disposal point. Pets are welcome on national railway line and bus stops for convenience. All leads. rooms en-suite with Sky television and internet. We have a fully licensed bar / restaurant and games room with Sky Tel. 01766 590 240 sports. We welcome coach parties to our restaurant. We [email protected] hope you enjoy our warm and friendly welcome. www.llechrwd.co.uk 1 High Street, Blaenau Ffestiniog, Gwynedd LL41 3ES Tel: 01766 831 032 Tel: 01766 830 055 www.queens-snowdonia.co.uk 41 JOHN’S COACHES, TAXIS & SELF DRIVE HIRE

81 MANOD ROAD, BLAENAU FFESTINIOG GWYNEDD LL41 4AF

TEL: 01766 831 781

Gwesty Bach Isallt Guest House a/ and Ty Coffi/ Coffee Shop

Bistro Moelwyn From a cup of coffee to a bed for the night – 10 High Street you’ll find a ‘croeso cynnes’/warm welcome atIsallt

All rooms en-suite. Bwydydd lleol o’r ansawdd gorau Terrace with superb views over the Moelwyns For fine local food and the Ffestiniog Railway. Speciality teas & coffees Ar agor/Open Homemade soups, snacks & light lunches For ‘lite bites’ at lunch time Take-aways Evening meals from 6pm Church Street (opposite McColls) Tel 01766 832 358 01766 832488 www.bistromoelwyn.co.uk www.isallt.com 42 De Niros Licensed Café

36 High St Tel: 0790 1825 270 Great food at low prices Extensive vegetarian menu Fresh coffee & Homemade cakes Lakeside cafe Great local steaks & more Available every evening Lakeside cafe, Tan y grisiau power station, Blaenau Ffestiniog The Alam Tandoori 01766 830 950 Exquisite Bangladeshi Cuisine best breakfast for miles!! Licensed Restaurant

open every day 9 til 4 38 High Street, Blaenau Ffestiniog, Beautiful location..specialising in greek food.. Gwynedd LL41 3AE parties for any occasion catered for TEL: 01766 831 781 well worth a visit Tel/Fax: 01766 831 806

Gwesty Bach Isallt Guest House Passionately devoted to quality and innovation a/ and Overall, we manufacture and sell great products across many food categories including fresh bread, cakes, confections, sandwiches, home Ty Coffi/ Coffee Shop cooked roast ham, meat pies and traditional homemade Cornish pasties etc… We also boast a range of unique quality products that no other bakery offers that are enjoyed by locals, people all over north wales as well as the tourist, all homemade labour intensively and recipes invented by the owner on the premises from KURMANGE’S SPICY KURDISH PASTIES ® which is very popular and ideal for a hike in the surrounding mountains to HONEY AND OLIVE OIL SWEET SPICY GRANARY BREAD (orders taken for Wednesday) to delicious BLAENAU SPECIAL VEGETARIAN From a cup of coffee to a bed for the night – PUFF PASTRY PASTIES etc…. you’ll find a ‘croeso cynnes’/warm welcome atIsallt We also bake fresh bread daily both white and wholemeal and granary on Wednesdays and take orders for bread for any day of the week. All rooms en-suite. We also provide a wide selection of cakes and confectioneries from Terrace with superb views over the Moelwyns homemade iced buns and doughnuts and shortbreads etc….to birthday and the Ffestiniog Railway. cakes ( a week notice required). Speciality teas & coffees Homemade soups, snacks & light lunches COME AND ENJOY THE MOUTH WATERING PRODUCTS AND WONDERFUL AND Take-aways SCRUMPTIOUS DELIGHTS THAT WE OFFER. Church Street (opposite McColls) Open for business Mon To Sat 01766 832488 16 High street, Blaenau Ffestiniog, Gwynedd. On the high Street next to the post office www.isallt.com Tel: 01766 832308 43 Wide Range of Kebabs - Pizzas - Burgers etc

Coaching Inn Open 12noon - 12 midnight ٭ The Grapes Hotel at Maentwrog is a 4 dating back to the 17th Century. 5 Church Street Tel: 01766 832 445

With good Wholesome Home Cooked Food, locally sourced wherever possible and fine ales from the Award Winning Evan Evans Brewery in Mid Wales, a warm welcome awaits. “Arlwyo Symudol o Safon” Unrhyw achlysur cysylltwch a Quiz Night every Tuesday and entertainment periodically. “Bwydle Nia” See our website for further details or call 01766 590365. Pellter ddim yn broblem Maentwrog, Blaenau Ffestiniog LL41 4HN Tel: 01766 590 365/590 208 Fax: 01766 590 654 Email: [email protected] Nia o Ffestiniog www.grapes-hotel.co.uk Tel: 01766 762 355

Part of the Wales Estates Mob: 07717212003 Family of Hotels & Inns

^ Caffi Bont - Bridge Café Ty Coffee & Opposite the Ffestiniog Steam Railway Sandwich Bar Hearty Breakfasts, Lunches, Homemade Cakes & Cream Teas…and lovely views of the Moelwyn Mountains

6 High Street Speciality Coffees, Teas and Cold Drinks. Light Snacks, Hot Pies and We also feature… Homemade Cakes. Mikes Dream Ice Cream …a modern twist on a 50s ‘Hot Rod’ Ice Cream Mail Order for Welsh Cakes Parlour! andBara Brith. Enjoy your morning coffee and cake alfresco in The Mirage Garden! Watch the fish and listen to Tel: 01766 831 382 the bird song Mob : 0751 323 9947 Studio-Biz! Internet at £1.50 per hour 44 Maricraft

Slate World Factory Prices

LARGE SELECTION COASTERS, PLAQUES, CLOCKS SLATE TABLE MATS ALL SIZES Wide Range of SLATE HOUSE SIGN MADE WHILE YOU WAIT Kebabs - Pizzas - Burgers etc Local Slate OPPOSITE QUEENS HOTEL, BLAENAU FFESTINIOG Open 12noon - 12 midnight Tel: (01766) 831 028 5 Church Street Tel: 01766 832 445 Welsh slate sourced around Blaenau for www.slatecraft.co.uk your bespoke items for weddings, nameplates, anniversaries, birthdays, key fobs, placemats, garden ornaments and EIFION STORES flowerpots. Specialised coasters with your name or logo – a great gift from Blaenau Ffestiniog. General Hardware | Housewares | Gardening Electrical | BERGER Paint Mixing | Key Cutting

Tel: 01766 831460 9 Church Street Wrysgan Fawr Blaenau Ffestiniog Tanygrisiasu Gwynedd LL41 3HB LL41 3SB Tel: 01766 830 423 | Email: [email protected]

CLOGAU GOLD TY BEANIES ROLAND .L. GEORGE - SCULPTOR Contemporary work in stone and wood, inspired by Geology, WELSH LOVE SPOONS SLATE GIFT Landscape, Nature, weather and History. Style : Abstact - Avant Garde. Works are usually made in Granite, with some in Slate, Limestone Siop or Sandstone. Wood pieces are usually made in “Green” Oak, Ash, Sycamore, Yew and Holly.The wood Sculptures are carved Y in “green” wood to allow the making process to continue after the Gloddfa carving is finished. Some monumental works are undertaken. The most recent being the Quarriemens Memorial at Nant Gwrtheyern. Work can be viewed and purchased from Oriel Plas Glyn y GIFT & CARDS Weddw, , North Wales, or directly from myself. Contact details Large Range of Welsh & English Cards ebost: [email protected] 40-42 Church St | Blaenau Ffestiniog | 01766 830 248 Tel : 01766830568 Mob : 07723358505 Y SIOP WERDD Siop Lyfrau’r Hen Bost 18 Y Brif Heol, Blaenau Ffestiniog Llyfrau Newydd ac Ail Law Gwynedd LL41 3AE New and Second Hand Books CARWYN JONES O/S Maps Bwydydd Iach a Bwydydd Cain CD’s / DVD’s ‘Epicure’ ‘Bwydydd Arbenigol Cymreig’ ‘Cottage Delight’ Remediau ‘Bach’ Aromatherapi Homeopathig Blaenau Ffestiniog, LL41 3AA 01766 831 891 neu 07979 233 493 Ffôn/Tel: 01766 831 802 E-bost:[email protected] E-bost/Email: [email protected] 45 46 www.llechwedd-slate-caverns.co.uk 01766 830306 [email protected] Eglwys Dewi Sant The Church by the roundabout! We are part of the Church in Wales (the Anglican Church) and worship bilingually. We offer a warm welcome to everyone. Services are normally held on Thursdays and Sundays. Once a month we have Morning Prayer on a Sunday morning, otherwise we tend to celebrate the Eucharist. We also organise social evenings from time to time in the Church Hall which is next door to the Church. Please, see our Facebook page or the notice board on the Church gate for more information. We are fortunate to have a lovely building. It was built in 1842 for the quarrymen with a £2,000 gift from Mrs Oakley. In 1942 a beautiful window ‘The Quarrymen Window’ was added.

Services: 1st Sunday: 9.30am Holy Eucharist 2nd Sunday: 9.30am Holy Eucharist 3rd Sunday: 9.30am Morning Prayer 4th Sunday: 11.15 Family Service (Holy Eucharist) 5th Sunday: 10am Holy Eucharist somewhere in the Benefice (St Madryn’s Church, Trawsfynydd; St Michael’s Church, Llan Ffestiniog or St David’s Church) Thursdays: 10am Holy Eucharist

Contact Information: Rector: 01766 831536; [email protected] Facebook page: Eglwys Dewi Sant / St David’s Church Blaenau Ffestiniog 47 48 Canolfan Hamdden BRO FFESTINIOG Leisure Centre Neuadd / Hall 01766 831953 Pwll / Pool 01766 831066

Mae mynyddoedd y Moelwyn yn gefndir i’r ganolfan hon yn nhref y llechi sydd yn gartref i Reilffordd enwog Ffestiniog. Mae’r dref yn llawn hanes a thraddodiad a gall y Ganolfan Hamdden gyfuno addysg a phleser. Byddwch yn siŵr o gael eich denu yn ôl eto.

The Moelwyn mountain range provides the backdrop for the leisure centre and its facilities within this slate mining town, home of the famous Ffestiniog Railway. Full of historic culture the Leisure Centre and its facilities can combine both education and pleasure in one visit although you may find yourself being drawn back many times.

• Pwll Nofio / Swimming Pool • Neuadd Chwaraeon / Sport Hall • Ystafell Ffitrwydd a Ystafell Codi Pwysau / Fitness Room & Weight Room • Cae Bob Tywydd / All Weather Pitch

Gwasanaethau Trais yn y Cartref Nev’s De Gwynedd Domestic Abuse Services 01766 830878

nevs taxi and minibuses Oriel Moelwyn Gallery 4 to 16 seat vehicles 33 High Street, Blaenau Ffestiniog all your transport needs Paintings, Prints & Artist Cards. friendly and reliable service Wide Range of Localo Crafts. Jewellery & Gifts Picture Framing o Stretching & Framing Service for Tapestry Cross Stich, etc o 01766 762465 Box Framing for Decoupage, Coins, Medals etc 07768 221709 01766 830 124 49 50 > Betws Y Coed 7 Ceudyllau Llechwedd Canol y Llechwedd Slate Caverns Town

Inclein igam-ogam Dref Zig-zag incline Centre

Cofeb Rhyfel War Memorial Trefeini Cae Rygbi G/N Rugby Field A470

Rhiwbryfdir Bwlch y Gwynt Ty^ Unicorn Afon Barlwydd Parc sglefro i Skateboard Park Heol Yr Englwys £ 2 P P Glanypwll Stryd Fawr Queen’s Cae Chwarae Hotel Playing Field Oakeley 4 Square A496 P 1 5 3 A470 Fron Fawr Ysbyty Hospital Maen-offeren 6 Cwmorthin P Bethania Tanygrisiau

Harlech Cae Chwarae Porthmadog

Playing Field > P Y Fynwent P Cemetery Afon Ystradau Manod Llyn Ystradau A496 Tanygrisiau Reservoir Llyfrgell / Library 1 01766 830 415 ALLWEDD / KEY 1 1 Heddlu / Police 21 A470 Gwybodaeth i i Tourist Information 21 01766 607 1002 Dwristiaid (McColls) Point (McColls) 32 32 Y Ganolfan Iechyd / Medical Centre Rheilffordd Ffestiniog Railway 3 01766 830 261 Ffestiniog ( 01766 516 000) 43 P 43 Y Ganolfan Gymdeithasol / Community Centre Cae Peldroed Parcio P Parking 4 01766 831 953 Football Field 45 Toiledau Toilets 5 Pwll Nofio / Swimming Pool Congl-y-wal 65 01766 831 066 Tafarn Pub 65 6 Melin Pant-yr-Ynn Peiriant Arian £ Cash Machine 67 01766 830 540 67 Gorsaf Betrol Petrol Station 7 Llechwedd Slate Caverns 7 01766 830 306 Addoldai Place of Worship Rheilffordd Dyffryn Conwy / Conwy Valley Line Swyddfa’r Post Post Office 0870 6082 608 Gwasanaeth Bysiau / Bus Servic Adeliad Building 0870 6082 608 Rheilffordd Railway Côr y Moelwyn ( Choir ) Gorsaf Station 01766 831 691 Côr y Brythoniaid ( Choir ) Gwylfa Viewpoint 01766 512 863 51 Nid glaw a chymyla Ydi Blaena’ Ond harddwch Cymru Ar ‘i ora’

www.blaenauymlaen.org www.bowyddarhiw.com www.dyff.co.uk / www.voff.co.uk www.stiniogphoto.com

Lluniau gan / Photography by: Alwyn Jones, Ann Hall, Visit Wales ©

Argraffwyd ar bapur wedi’i ailgylchu / Printed on recycled paper

Dylunio gan / Design by: