Looking ahead to the council elections

Posted by The Herald on March 28, 2008 12:39 PM

The local election is looming.
As you will see from this week's Herald the paper has already started to profile promises and parties.
But how much do the everyday people of Gwynedd care about local politics, and how much do we know about the affects it can have on our day-to-day lives?
Are we more interested in what is happening over the pond between Barak Obama and Hilary Clinton than what is going on on our own doorstep?
So why should we be interested in local elections? Local councillors can't change anything can they? Cardiff over-rules every decision that's made in Caernarfon, surely?
One reason to take notice of what is happening on May 1 is this promises to be one of the most exciting local elections for some time.
On the last polling day so many councillors walked straight back into the chamber unopposed – surely this cannot be healthy for democracy.
But this time around there are challenges to key seats and some high profile characters within the council.
Is this getting you interested in politics at the grass roots level? Remember, these are the people who make decisions about some of the most talked about issues down your local or at the school gates – how often will your rubbish get picked up; how much does it cost to park your car when you go into town; where will your kids go to school; can anything be done to stop tearaway teenagers hanging around street corners...
Will you be using your vote next month? Do you think your councillor truly represents your views and aspirations, or are they out of touch? Let the Herald know.

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Antisocial behaviour in Gwynedd

Posted by The Herald on March 27, 2008 3:52 PM

Working on the Caernarfon Herald since May last year I've noticed that not a week goes by without hearing about antisocial behaviour in Gwynedd, with pretty much everyone seeming to have encountered it at some point.
Antisocial behaviour is coming in and increasing variety of forms in the county, and some of the incidents we've reported in the last year include children in Porthmadog shooting air rifles at firefighters, young people throwing stones at older people in Groeslon, fights between drunken yobs in Caernarfon, kids hanging around outside homes in Penygroes, vandalism in Trefor, and damage to cars in Bangor.
Yet, as we reported this week, there have been no ASBOs (antisocial behaviour orders) given in Gwynedd in the last two years.
So are Police not doing their jobs properly? Or are the people commiting the acts of antisocial behaviour cunningly eluding capture? Perhaps that is giving them too much credit, but clearly something is not quite right so who is to blame?
For me, there is not one person or group that should take responsibility, but several.

It is clear that there is not enough for young people to do in many of the villages across Gwynedd, which is leaving them bored and with too much pent up energy.
However, it needs to be asked why some of these young people are directing their excess energy into antisocial behaviour? Why is it that these people think that hurling abuse at old ladies, or starting fights is an ok thing to do?
I think that parents have to take some responsibility for this. Obviously parents can't be with their children all the time and there isn't always much they can do to stop them getting in with the wrong crowd. But what parents can do is ensure they instil a sense of morality in their children, and make sure they know what is right and what is wrong, and above all act as role models, something a small minority of parents are not doing.
However, it doesn't help matters that the region is woefully under policed. I attended a meeting in Groeslon a couple of months ago where the CBM and PCSO admitted to only having access to a car every two weeks to cover nearly 30 villages, and the rest of the time they have to use a bicycle. In this day in age, that seems pretty shocking. Certainly Gwynedd is one of the safer county's in Britain, but having such low levels of policing and giving them such poor funding and resources just encourages antisocial behaviour as people know they can probably get away with most things without ever being caught.
Communities also need to take some responsibility, because many of them are suffering in silence. Because of the low number of police in the region it is up to communities to report every incident so that the Police know what is going on and where so they can target it.

I think antisocial behaviour in Gwynedd is only going to become more and more of a problem unless all of the above people take some responsibility to try and tackle the issue.

Have you been affected by antisocial behaviour? Or do you think there is no problem with antisocial behaviour here in Gwynedd? Give us your thoughts...

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Number nine in my top-10 Gwynedd landmarks: Bangor University Main Arts Building

Posted by The Herald on March 24, 2008 11:05 AM

By Paul Scott, Multimedia Editor

I have to declare an interest on this one as I graduated in this building and I already apologise for starting this top-10 with two Bangor landmarks - there are other places on my list!

If you've read my previous blog you will have seen I plumped for Penrhyn Castle at number 10 and told you the next one would show how the quarrymen whose labours build the Pennant family's folly would go on to produce a landmark of their own and of even greater stature and importance.

Bangor is the people's university, founded in 1884 (with just 58 students) thanks largely to funds raised by local workers, most notably the quarrymen.

The present Gothic building that dominates the city was designed by Henry T Hare and work began on the landmark in 1907. The building was completed in 1911 and opened by Edward VII.

The Main Arts Building is a magnificent memorial to all those men who worked their fingers to the bone in the quarries and Bangor University is now the biggest contributor to the city's economy.

While the bottom fell out of the slate industry decades ago, Bangor University now educates more than 10,000 students a year and employs 2,000 staff.

As I've said in the last blog, Lord Penrhyn's legacy is a dubious one. You can't say that about the legacy of his so-called subservients.

What do you think about my two picks so far? Get in with your comments and your personal top-10 Gwynedd landmarks.

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Let's kick off my top-10 Gwynedd landmarks (and don't forget to tell me yours). In at number 10 - Penrhyn Castle

Posted by The Herald on March 17, 2008 1:27 PM

By Paul Scott, Multimedia Editor

I promised in an earlier blog that I would try to stir up a little debate by producing some top 10s and I've decided to start with my favourite Gwynedd landmarks.
Having lived in the county for 10 years now I feel I've got to know the place well but I'm absolutely certain I will miss out some of your favourites so make sure you post them here.
Just use the "add comments" facility below and tell everyone your top 10. And if you think I'm talking out of my proverbial, feel free to tell me!
I'm starting my countdown at number 10 and I've chosen Penrhyn Castle.
Controversial for its past associations I know, but it is the castle's history that makes it such an important Gwynedd landmark.
The building was transformed between 1820 and 1845 from being a fortified manor house into the Norman-style folly we see today.
The work was carried out by Thomas Hooper for the Pennants who nororiously made a fortune out of slate, sugar and slavery.
Queen Victoria once stayed there, it houses an incredible collection of art (including a Rembrandt) and boasts one of the most beautiful gardens in North Wales.
It was built on the hard labours of slaves in Jamaca and quarrymen in Bethesda and its imposing stature suggests the Pennant family wished to shove their wealth down the throats of their local employees.
Just look from the village of Talybont and see how dominant it is on the landscape.
But no-one is more pleased than me to say that the quarry workers outdid Penrhyn 66 years after it was finished with a landmark of their own that is even more in your face.
While Penrhyn is a relic of a bygone age - a mere tourist attraction - the quarrymen's landmark continues to play a vital role in the life of Bangor.
You'll just have to wait to find out what I'm talking about as that landmark is at number nine.

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Where were you when Wales completed the Grand Slam?

Posted by The Herald on March 17, 2008 9:35 AM

So Wales completed their second Grand Slam in three years on Saturday evening. Being an Englishman (and one married to a Welshwoman) I should be a little bitter but I'm not as I thought Warren Gatland's team were easily the best side throughout this season's Six Nations and thoroughly deserved their Slam.

I also had a great time watching the game against France at the Four Alls pub in Caernarfon which was packed with people cheering their side on, singing and eventually exploding with joy at the conclusion. I'm sure many pubs around Gwynedd were exactly the same.

Where did you watch the big match and how did you feel when it became clear Wales were going to be crowned the undisputed champions of Europe? Post a comment on this blog and tell us how it was for you.

If you have any photos send them to me at paul.scott@northwalesnews.co.uk and I'll put them up on this site.

Why should the celebrations stop just because we're all back at work?

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Team Herald and the Race for Life

Posted by The Herald on March 12, 2008 4:01 PM

In my four years or so of reporting for the Herald I have probably spoken to, and written about, hundreds of people who are doing a sponsored something for charity.
From bike rides, football matches and marathons to hymn singing and sponsored silences – you name it, I've probably written about it.
Well, to all those people who I've profiled, I'm calling in a favour...
Myself and a motley crew of other staff from Herald HQ have put our names down for the Race for Life in Caernarfon in May.
But I'm not here with my begging bowl.
I'm here to ask anyone who has either done the Race for Life in the past, or any sort of fundraising event, for their advice and comments.
What was the catalyst for you? How did you prepare? Any money raising tips? What was the big day like?
The last time I did anything like this, it was a sponsored walk up Snowdon when I was a student at Coleg Meirion-Dwyfor, and - frankly - it nearly killed me. Maybe I should be a bit better prepared for this, so any tips will be gratefully received.
My race pack arrived in the post last week complete with some inspirational stories by people from across the UK about why they are taking part. And of course we have been featuring dozens of entrants in the paper and their reasons for having a go.
But there must be many more of you out there – come on, post a comment on this blog and let us know who you are!

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