No 14 • 2020

LlygaLl yˆn dAONB NLewslettler yˆn

In this issue

Clearing Historic Sites

Rural Skills Training Programmes

History of Ll yˆn Mills

Treating Invasive Plants

Exploring Trefor Page 2 Llŷn Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty

WELCOME CONTENTS a e r Welcome to the latest edition of Llygad Ll yˆn – the AONB Map ...... 3 a

l annual newsletter for the Ll yˆn Area of a i Outstanding Natural Beauty. This newsletter Improving the AONB Environment ...... 4-6 c e provides information about an area designated as Rural Skills Training Programme ...... 7 p s one of Wales’s protected landscapes since 1957. Treating Non-native Invasive Species ...... 8

The last few months have undoubtedly been a The Sustainable Development Fund ...... 9 difficult period due to the pandemic – however Exploring Trefor ...... 10 some interesting projects have been ongoing with many service and agencies working together to The History of Llŷn Mills ...... 12 conserve and protect the area’s special qualities. Plas Glyn y Weddw ...... 14 Information about these projects is available in this newsletter – as well as a summary of some Ynys Enlli and Nant Gwrtheyrn ...... 15 projects supported by the Sustainable Capel Newydd Nanhoron ...... 16 Development Fund. This is a Welsh Government Fund that supports sustainable projects in the five AONBs in Wales. MOrE INfOrMATION .... For more information about other designated AONBs throughout Britain, visit the National We are keen to hear your opinion on Llygad Ll yˆn, Association’s website - and welcome your feedback on the work of the www.landscapesforlife.org.uk team. We also welcome ideas about new projects and any joint-working opportunities. Get in touch! CONTACT DETAILS Ll yˆn AONB Unit Environment Department Published by Gwynedd Council Offices Ll yˆn AONB Service Ffordd y Cob Pwllheli Printed by Gwynedd Gwasg Carreg Gwalch, LL53 5AA Llwyndyrys a Llanrwst Phone 01758 704 155 | 01758 704 176 Photos by Gareth Jenkins E-Mail [email protected] (unless stated otherwise) Website www.ahne-llyn-aonb.org Cover photo Follow us on Instagram Yr Eifl from Nefyn, Mark Curry @ahnellynaonb

LL YˆN AONB TEAM – The Ll yˆn AONB Service has two members of staff: Bleddyn Prys Jones Elin Wyn Hughes Ll yˆn AONB Officer Ll yˆn AONB Projects Officer Bleddyn leads on Gwynedd Council’s core Elin leads on projects deriving from the Management AONB work, national issues and the work of Plan and administrates the Sustainable Development preparing and implementing the Fund. Other duties include arranging training and Management Plan. events to raise awareness of the AONB and assisting with the reviewing of the Management Plan. Llŷn Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty Page 3 A O N B

m a p Page 4 Llŷn Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty t n

e Improving the AONB Environment

m The AONB Service, our co-workers at Gwynedd Council, our partners and volunteers have been busy during n

o the last few months successfully completing numerous projects. These projects have varied from maintenance r i works on important historic sites and improving access to them, tackling an invasive species on Afon Soch v

n and organising a series of rural skills training. e s ’ B N Working in Partnership O A In co-operation with Keep Wales Tidy, we have been hosting clearing sessions on historic sites in the AONB in e

h order to improve the environment. Some of these sites are of historic interest – and others are within villages. t Volunteers have played a great part in these projects – thus developing skills and creating new networks. Spending g

n time in the great outdoors also is very beneficial for wellbeing! i v o r

p Historic Sites m Every Friday during the winter, we worked on some of the i area's wells such as Ffynnon Fyw and Ffynnon Arian, both at Mynytho – and Ffynnon Saint in Aberdaron. Ffynnon Saint is a new site for us in terms of the work of the AONB Unit, having never carried out clearance work there until now. It's a very interesting well – and of great historical importance. Its name and location suggest that it is associated with early Christianity in Ll yˆn – and would certainly have been on any pilgrim’s path to Enlli. It is said that Ann Griffiths, Bryn Canaid (a well-known medicine woman) also used this well for her medicine (her story is well documented in a Welsh book by Dr Emyr Wyn Jones, Lloffa yn Ll yˆn). Ffynnon Fyw Mynytho Llŷn Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty Page 5 i m p r o v i n g

t h e

A O N B ’ s

e n v i r

We welcome anyone to o n

join us in conserving some very m

interesting sites in Ll yˆn that are e treasures to be preserved for n t future generations.

Trefor Work was also undertaken in Trefor. As well as being within an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, a part of the village is also a designated Conservation Area – with interesting small streets of great character. These streets were built during the latter half of the 19th Century – with the opening of the Eifl Quarry in 1850. In its heyday – this was the largest granite quarry in the world! As part of this project in Trefor – litter was collected around the bus shelter and a new bin installed. Litter was also collected from the stream – litter that was undoubtedly on its way down to the coast. Daniel Griffith from Keep Wales Tidy has been working with us on all the above work. We look forward to work in new sites hopefully in the near future. Page 6 Llŷn Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty

t Eglwys Carnguwch n e Improvements were made at Carnguwch – to m a historic site and the surrounding public n

o footpaths. Eglwys Carnguwch (Eglwys = r i Church), which is dedicated to St. Beuno, v

n stands at the foot of Mynydd Carnguwch in the e

Llithfaen area. Is it located in a tranquil and s ’ rural spot, above a slope that leads to the B banks of Afon Erch (Afon = River). The works N

O included installing new gates and signage. The A

cemetery was also cleared and branches cut e back. h t We are thankful to the landowner’s co- g

n operation as well as the group that care for the i

v site – it is always great to work with local o

r communities to ensure worthwhile projects. p m i

Llithfaen Wall With additional funding from Welsh Government improvements were made to a boundary wall in Llithfaen that goes up from the village to the direction of Tai Cae’r Nant and Nant Gwrtheyrn. Over the years, the wall’s fragile re... condition had deteriorated with some befo sections falling into the road. The wall was re-built – with the fantastic stonework making a striking impact on the surrounding landscape. Many key partners were involved with the project along with the Ll yˆn AONB Unit; with Gwynedd Consultancy (www.ygc.cymru) and Gwynedd Council’s Highways and Municipal department contributing and co- ordinating the work. Landowner’s co- operation was also important as well as support from Nant Gwrtheyrn Centre. completed Llŷn Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty Page 7 r u r a l

s k i l l s

t r a i n i n g

p r o

Rural Skills Training Programme g r

Every year, we offer courses to improve the skills of building or a m restoring dry stone walls and the traditional “cloddiau”. These are m

important historic structures – that are an integral part of the area’s e special landscape. They are also interesting in terms of their connection to many centuries of agriculture. A dry stone walling course was held on the Eifl during September 2019, in partnership with Coleg Glynllifon. John Till was the instructor – and the location was the wall known locally as ‘Wal Fawr’ in Llithfaen. This wall was built around 1815 at the time of the enclosure act – probably by soldiers who had returned from the battle of Waterloo. The “cloddiau” course (the traditional stone faced earth banks) was held at Porth Gwylan farm, Tudweiliog led by Dilwyn Williams – in association with the landowner, the National Trust. Porth Gwylan sits above a beautiful beach of the same name – a haven for all kinds of wildlife. We are grateful to all who helped our training programme to be a success – especially the instructors for their time and the landowners for their co-operation. Page 8 Llŷn Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty Treating Non-native Invasive Species s Our work on raising awareness Japanese Knotweed is an invasive plant in a e i of invasive non-native plants league of its own. Native to Japan, Taiwan, and c

e continues – treating a few sites northern China – it is common in Britain since its p where these plants have taken introduction as a garden plant during the 19th s hold. Century. It is found in urban areas, especially on e v waste land, railways, roadsides and river banks. i s Giant Hogweed Japanese Knotweed tramples and replaces native a We are continuing to work with plants and can also cause serious economic damage. v

n Natural Resources Wales to Its rooting system blocks ditches and drains, and the i treat Giant Hogweed in the buds are strong enough to penetrate tarmac and Llandegwning area. This plant cause structural damage to buildings. (which really can be a giant!) grows on the banks of Afon Soch and poses a risk to the river’s ecosystem. As well as affecting the environment – this plant can also be harmful to human health if its sap touches your skin.

Japanese Knotweed We are also working with Gwynedd Consultancy (www.ygc.cymru) to treat Japanese Knotweed (Fallopia japonica) at two sites – the beach area at Trefor and at Bryn Mynach, Nefyn.

...... Useful Information ......  You can find more information on invasive plants in Wales, how to identify them and useful advice on the Natural Resources Wales website – www.naturalresourceswales.gov.uk  In addition – information is available on the Snowdonia National Park Authority's website – which also runs various projects to tackle various invasive plants – www.eryri.llyw.cymru Llŷn Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty Page 9 t h

The Sustainable Development Fund e

s

This Welsh Government fund has existed since 2001 – and is available to sustainable projects in u the five AONBs in Wales. Here in Llŷn, a wide range of projects have been supported – and have s t all benefitted the communities here in terms of the environment, the economy, socially and a i culturally. n a

Below are some examples of successful projects – and gives an idea of the types of projects that b l

can be supported. e

d e

Ll yˆn Coastal Bus (£22,083.00) v e l

Hafod Ceiri, Llithfaen (£5,300) p m Improvements to Capel Peniel, Ceidio (£4,000) e

Improvements to Llandegwning Church (£2,000) n t

Nefyn Maritime Museum (£5,600) f u

Tafarn yr Heliwr, (or Sportsman) Nefyn (£11,500) n d Improvements to the wall and cemetery at Clynnog Fawr Church (£6,000) Plas Carmel Project (£13,700) Mynytho Village Hall (£1,240) Gwyl Fwyd Pwllheli / Pwllheli Food Festival (£6,000) Be’ Nawn Ni Heddiw? (£1,000) The Ll yˆn Three Day Challenge (£3,800) Eglwys Newydd, Aberdaron (£8,000) Edern Playing Field (£13,700) Meillionydd Archaeology Project (£2,990)

The Fund is open for 2020/21, therefore if you have an idea for a project and wish to discuss further, contact us on [email protected] Page 10 Llŷn Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty r o f Exploring Trefor e r

T Walking Tour woodland were fairly

g young; mainly hazel, Every year, the Ll yˆn AONB conduct a series of guided n i birch, rowan, r walks to raise awareness of all the features that make

o blackthorn and l this area so special. These walks are also of course an

p hawthorn. This is to be active opportunity for people to enjoy the outdoors x expected in a semi- e and socialise in a fun and informal way. natural woodland such This is a taste of a walk that took place in Trefor – as this, where there jointly with Cymdeithas Ted Breeze Jones. Twm Elias had been felling and recounts the story.... clearing and re- The walk was in two sections; Coed Elernion and growing at times. Clogwyn y Morfa. Everyone parked and we met on a As we followed the section of the old road near the new road at Penlon, path things changed Trefor, and then we all walked together to the entrance around every corner nearly and it was possible to to Coed Elernion. However, before commencing we identify bird song and calls such as dunnock, had to wonder at the wonderful violet glow of the chiffchaff, woodpigeon and spotted woodpecker in bluebells that decorated the slopes of Gyrn Ddu the distance, and when we came to a fairly large nearby and above the road in one direction and on the area of ash trees we heard a snippet of something slopes of yr Eifl behind the trees in the other direction. very similar to a redstart. The birds were in full swing, a mixed choir of Hazel shrubs had been coppiced at one time for native birds such as tits, chaffinches, blackbirds, sticks and bitter vetch was dotted around the wrens, robins and thrushes and also some visiting woodland, and as we arrived in an open area that birds, for example several blackcaps and willow was being cut to create a meadow there was a warblers. straight row of hazel that had been coppiced as a There was also a variety of flowers and ferns, border. Traces of an old hazel hedge? including bluebells, greater stitchwort, buttercups, red There was a second meadow area further down campion and a few clusters of wood anemones. These with beautiful cuckooflowers near the path. We were more than likely a sign, that the woodland itself took a closer look at the stalks supporting the was ancient, although the trees in this section of flowers and found one or two small orange spots on exploring Trefor . . t f f 1 r s s s y a a e e e e e e e k d p n n n n f A

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a ŷ i a a w h a r f l n n m n a w h n o L b o a R w a w a i c O a t a w h l Page 14 Llŷn Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty . . . s w e n e r o m

News from Plas Glyn y Weddw The gardens at Plas Glyn-y-Weddw, which is one of Wales’s oldest and most popular art galleries, are being given specialist attention by a professional gardener. The Plas was built in 1857 for Lady Elizabeth Jones Parry from Madryn. The gardens were an important part of the development and exotic trees such as the giant sequoia and a variety of camellias were planted. During Lady Parry’s time, three full time gardeners cared for the gardens and grounds but during recent years, the Plas which is run by an independent charitable trust, has been depending on volunteer support to keep the gardens in order. Donald Ellis who cared tirelessly for the gardens as a volunteer for nearly twenty years passed away in 2018, leaving a huge gap. Following difficulty in recruiting new volunteers to help in the garden, and staff shortages during the busy summer months, there was an urgent need to give the gardens care and attention they received under Donald’s guardianship. During the autumn of 2019, James Williamson, a self-employed gardener living in Pwllheli has been employed on a day a week basis to care for the garden. James is an ecology graduate and his experience and dedication has been fundamental in formulating a management plan for the garden. Over recent months he has been busy pruning and tidying the hydrangea and azalea shrubs and giving much needed nutrients to the rose and camelia beds. James will play an active role in implementing an exciting pilot project now under way at Plas Glyn-y-Weddw thanks to seed funding by the Arts Council for Wales, the project focuses on the Plas’s surroundings. Through this project led by artist Jacques Nimki with help from volunteers, the part of the garden above the open air theatre is being developed into a forest garden, fruit trees will be planted with a few native species such as rowan and silver birch. Herbs will also be planted and both herbs and fruit planted on site will be used in the If you are interested in café. A three bay composting store has been created and James volunteering as part of this exciting has plans to create a tree nursery for re-planting in the project please phone 01758 740 763 or woodland. email [email protected] Undoubtedly, the garden will be worth seeing during the spring and summer months when all plants will be in bloom. Llŷn Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty Page 15 m o r e

n e News from the Bardsey Island Trust – (www.enlli.org) w s . . WELCOME . to the new wardens!

New wardens were appointed in August 2019 – Mari Huws and Emyr Owen. Many of you will remember Mari when she was the Visitor Officer during the 2016 season with the then Warden, Siân. Mari has been coming to Enlli with her family since she was a child and knows the island like the back of her hand. Emyr has also been visiting for many years with his family, and in recent years his father Aneurin has stayed as one of the Chaplains. They bring a deep understanding of Enlli and are full of energy and enthusiasm to undertake the work needed to keep the work of the Trust going. We wish them all the best and look forward to supporting them in their roles and life as part of the Enlli community. For more information – please see our website.

Photography Competition! Will you be visiting the magical valley of Nant Gwrtheyrn over the coming months? For a chance to win a voucher worth £25 take a photo of, or at, Nant Gwrtheyrn from any angle and share it on social media. Tag Nant Gwrtheyrn on Instagram, Facebook or Twitter using the hashtag #NantGwrtheyrn. If you’re not on social media send the photo to [email protected] The winner will be announced in October. Good Luck Page 16 Llŷn Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty . . . s w e n e r o m

Capel Newydd Nanhoron

One of our greatest treasures here in Ll yˆn is the simple After the Independents had built Capel Horeb at rectangular building with its earthen floor known as Capel Mynytho in 1872, where the population was larger, Newydd, Nanhoron. Dating back to 1769, it is probably the the congregation at Capel Newydd dwindled. By 1953 oldest surviving example of a Nonconformist chapel in the chapel’s condition was deteriorating and under north Wales. As such, it is listed by Cadw as a Grade 1 the leadership of Gwilym T. Jones, then Clerk to building, a status given only to buildings of greatest historic Caernarfon County Council and Secretary of the interest. Caernarfonshire Historical Society, a fund-raising There is a long-held tradition that it was Mrs Edwards, campaign was undertaken to restore it. A trust – widow, of Plas Nanhoron, who had given the land to build Ymddiriedolaeth Capel Newydd – was established the chapel, but the deeds clearly show that this was not the and various grant applications proved successful. In case. When the congregation of Nonconformists who used September 1957 Capel Horeb transferred the to meet and worship in the farmhouse at Lôn Dywyll (later ownership and care of the building and cemetery at called Llwyn Onn) in Llangïan decided that they wanted to Capel Newydd to the Trust and the newly build a chapel, they did so on a plot of land that was part of refurbished building was officially opened in July of a small farm called Gwag-y-noe in nearby Nanhoron. One the following year. Sadly, Gwilym T. Jones had died of the members, Lewis Williams of Gwag-y-noe, owned his in 1956 before the work was completed. own farm and in July 1769 he sold one of his fields on which The Trust then established is still going and was to build the chapel. The new building was ready by the 6th registered as a charity in the year 2000. As further of October of that year when the Minister and three of the work is now needed to care for the old chapel a fund- members went before the Justices of the Peace at raising campaign is underway to safeguard it for the Caernarfon to license it as a meeting house for future. To this end various activities will be Nonconformists. organized, details of which will be found in the local Mrs Catherine Edwards of Plas Nanhoron did later press in due course. The purpose of this note is to became one of the members and a staunch supporter of the draw your attention to the work ahead and to appeal cause. According to tradition, in July 1780 she had gone to to anyone who feels that they can help in any way to Southampton to meet her husband, Captain Timothy contact the officers of the trust at this email address: Edwards, off his ship but was informed that he had died and [email protected] was buried at sea. It is said that she was supported in her loss by the Nonconformist minister at Southampton and his John Dilwyn Williams, Chairman family and that that caused her on her return to Nanhoron Meinir Pierce Jones, Secretary to become a member of the congregation at Capel Newydd. R. H. Wyn Williams, Treasurer