Snowdonia winter 2014

Eryri: Sut caiff ein Parc Cenedlaethol ei redeg Snowdonia: How our National Park is run

Hydref 2014 Autumn

Cylchgrawn Cymdeithas Eryri

Snowdonia Society magazine

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Cylchgrawn Cymdeithas Eryri Snowdonia Society Magazine

I’w ddarllen â theclyn darllen cod bar For use with a smartphone bar code scanner

Cymdeithas Eryri Snowdonia Society,

Caban, Yr Hen Ysgol, Brynrefail, Caernarfon, Gwynedd LL55 3NR 01286 685498

info@snowdonia-society.org.uk www.cymdeithas-eryri.org.uk www.snowdonia-society.org.uk Elusen gof. rhif / Reg. charity no: 253231

Swyddogion ac Ymddiriedolwyr / Officers and Trustees Llywydd / President: John Lloyd Jones OBE Is-Lywyddion / Vice-Presidents: Dr John Disley, Sir John Houghton CBE FRS, Sir Simon Jenkins FSA, David Firth, Morag McGrath.

Cadeirydd / Chair: David Archer Is-gadeirydd / Vice-Chair: Katherine Himsworth Ysgrifennydd Anrh. / Hon. Secretary: Rhydd/Vacant Aelodau’r pwyllgor / Committee members: Netti Collister, Bob Lowe, Gareth Roberts, Margaret Thomas, Marc Thomas, Elwyn Thomas, Peter Weston, Jacob Buis, Paul Gannon.

Os hoffech gysylltu ag unrhyw aelod o’r pwyllgor, ffoniwch y swyddfa.

If you would like to contact any of the committee members, please phone the office.

Staff Cyfarwyddwr/Director: John Harold Gweinyddwraig Swyddfa/Office Administrator: Frances Smith Rheolwr Prosiect Ecosystem Eryri/ Snowdonia Ecosystem Project Manager: Mary-Kate Jones Swyddog Prosiect Ecosystem Eryri/ Snowdonia Ecosystem Project Officer: Owain Thomas Cydlynydd Digwyddiadau Peillio Tŷ Hyll Pollinator Events Coordinator: Lisa Mundle

Sefydlwyd Cymdeithas Eryri yn 1967 a’i nod yw gwarchod a gwella harddwch a rhinweddau arbennig Eryri ac i hyrwyddo eu mwynhad er budd pawb sy'n byw, yn gweithio neu'n ymweld â'r ardal, yn awr ac yn y dyfodol. ~~~ The Snowdonia Society, established in 1967, works to protect and enhance the beauty and special qualities of Snowdonia and to promote their enjoyment in the interests of all who live in, work in or visit the area both now and in the future.

Notice of the

Rhybudd am

Gyfarfod Cyffredinol Blynyddol Cymdeithas Eryri 2014

2014 Snowdonia Society

Annual General Meeting

Dydd Sadwrn, 18 Hydref 2014, 2yp Bodnant Welsh Foods, Fferm Ffwrnais, Tal-y-Cafn, Conwy LL28 5RP

Saturday, 18 October 2014, 2pm Bodnant Welsh Foods, Furnace Farm, Tal-y-Cafn, Conwy LL28 5RP

Cysylltwch â’r swyddfa os oes gennych unrhyw ymholiadau:

Contact the office in case of queries:

01286 685498

info@snowdonia-society.org.uk

Ddim yn aelod?

Not a member?

Why not support our work by joining the Society?

Contact us or visit our website for details.

Cefnogwch ein gwaith trwy ymaelodi!

Cysylltwch â ni neu gweler ein gwefan i ddarganfod rhagor.

Ymwelwch â'n chwaer-wefannau • Visit our sister websites www.tyhyll.co.uk

www.14peaks.com

www.theuglyhouse.co.uk

Cynnwys • Contents Golygyddol Sut mae'r Parc yn gweithio Cynllunio yn Eryri Emyr Williams, Prif Weithredwr Gwasanaeth Wardeinio a Mynediad 'Diolch!' enfawr Yr Wyddfa yn y gaeaf I'r gad!

Digwyddiadau Llythyrau: pŵer hydro-electrig Adolygiad o'r flwyddyn Adroddiad ariannol

3 4-5 6-7 8-9 10-13 14-15 16-19 20-21 22 24-25 26-29 30-31

Editorial How the Park works Planning in Snowdonia Emyr Williams, Chief Executive The Wardens and Access Service A huge 'Thank you' Snowdon in winter A call to arms Events Letters: hydro-electric power Review of the year Financial report

Cyfrifydd/Accountant: Judith Bellis Cyfieithu/Translation: Gareth Jones Delwedd clawr: © Steve Lewis

Dyma gylchgrawn swyddogol Cymdeithas Eryri. Caiff ei gyhoeddi bob chwe mis a’i ddosbarthu i aelodau’r Gymdeithas yn rhad ac am ddim. Gofynnwch os hoffech chi gael unrhyw erthyglau mewn fformat print bras.

This is the official magazine of the Snowdonia Society, distributed free to its members twice a year. Please ask if you would like the text of any articles in a larger print format.

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Golygyddol

Editorial

Chwe mis yn ôl, deuthum yn ymgnawdoliad diweddaraf Cyfarwyddwr eich Cymdeithas - fel ‘Doctor Who’, y diweddaraf mewn llinach hir.

Ond roedd fy ngwybodaeth o fydysawd Cymdeithas Eryri braidd yn fylchog.

Roeddwn yn gwybod fod Prosiect Ecosystem Eryri yn rhaglen brysur o waith cadwraeth ymarferol. Roeddwn wedi mynychu digwyddiadau coetir a bywyd gwyllt yn Nhŷ Hyll, yn cynnwys achlysur bendigedig flynyddoedd yn ôl pan lenwyd awyr nos y coetir â chlystyrau o wyfynod. Ac roeddwn i wedi dod i adnabod Margaret Thomas, un o ymddiriedolwyr y Gymdeithas, mewn digwyddiadau o gwmpas Eryri.

Six months ago I became the new incarnation of the Director of your Society – like Doctor Who, the latest in a long lineage. But my knowledge of the Snowdonia Society’s universe was a little patchy. I knew the Snowdonia Ecosystem Project as a busy programme of practical conservation action. I had attended woodland and wildlife events at Tŷ Hyll, including a wonderful occasion years ago when constellations of moths filled the woodland night.

And I had bumped into Society Trustee Margaret Thomas at events around Snowdonia.

But what did I know of the Snowdonia Society itself and of its origins? I thought that having read ‘I Bought a Mountain’ gave a wash of colour to the background. I was distantly aware of Esmé Kirby’s reputation as an uncompromising fighter. And on the office shelves were box files - labelled by diverse hands - with legends such as ‘Trawsfynydd’, ‘Llanbedr’ and ‘Cwm Dyli’.

Ond beth a wyddwn i am Gymdeithas Eryri ei hun a’i gwreiddiau? Roeddwn yn credu fod darllen ‘I Bought a Mountain’ wedi ychwanegu ychydig o liw at y cefndir. Gwyddwn ychydig am enw da Esmé Kirby fel ymladdwr digyfaddawd. Ac roedd blychau ar silffoedd y swyddfa - wedi'u labelu gan ddwylo amrywiol - gyda arysgrifau fel 'Trawsfynydd', 'Llanbedr' a 'Cwm Dyli'.

Understanding is not a linear process. Bits of knowledge are absorbed and slowly form a fertile soil until understanding sends out a bright new shoot. Over these first months I have begun to appreciate the complexity of planning issues and applications, of policy and political contexts, both local and national.

Nid yw deall yn broses unionlin. Caiff darnau o wybodaeth eu hamsugno, ac yn raddol, byddan nhw’n ffurfio pridd ffrwythlon, ac yna bydd dealltwriaeth yn blaguro. Yn ystod y misoedd cyntaf hyn, rwyf wedi dechrau gwerthfawrogi cymhlethdod materion a cheisiadau cynllunio, cyd-destunau polisi a gwleidyddol, yn lleol ac yn genedlaethol.

It was last week, during a major office clear-out, that I came across the poster for the first Public Meeting of the Society, to be held on Saturday 10th June, 1967. As I lifted it from a dusty box, I felt the weight of the Society’s history and better understood our role, our challenge, as more than words. We are committed to do our best for Snowdonia; we remain an Action Society.

Wythnos diwethaf, wrth fynd ati o ddifrif i glirio’r swyddfa, gwelais boster yn hysbysebu Cyfarfod Cyhoeddus cyntaf y Gymdeithas, a gynhaliwyd ddydd Sadwrn, 10 Mehefin 1967. Wrth i mi ei godi o flwch llychlyd, teimlais bwysau hanes y Gymdeithas, a deallais ein rôl, ein her, fel rhywbeth amgenach na geiriau. Rydym wedi ymroddi i wneud ein gorau dros Eryri; rydym yn dal yn Gymdeithas sy’n Gweithredu.

In this issue you will read of the work of the National Park Authority, and of the challenges to the future of the designation and management of our National Park landscape, the jewel in Wales’ crown. Today, more than ever, Snowdonia needs our hands and our voices.

Yn y rhifyn hwn, byddwch yn darllen am waith Awdurdod y Parc Cenedlaethol, a'r heriau sy'n bygwth dyfodol dynodiad a rheolaeth tirwedd ein Parc Cenedlaethol, trysor pennaf Cymru.

Heddiw, yn fwy nag erioed, mae ar Eryri angen ein dwylo a’n lleisiau.

John Harold Director

John Harold Cyfarwyddwr

Tryfan © John Farrar

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Sut mae'r Parc yn gweithio

Mae llawer o’r cyhoedd yn credu fod Y Parc yn sefydliad dienw a niwlog sy’n bodoli er mwyn llesteirio dymuniadau’r dinesydd cyffredin. Wrth gwrs, mae hynny’n hynod annheg.

bwyllgor a ffurfir yn ddemocrataidd. Mae’n cynnwys deunaw aelod; mae naw ohonyn nhw’n gynghorwyr a benodir gan Gyngor Gwynedd, mae tri yn gynghorwyr etholedig a benodir gan Gyngor Conwy, a gelwir chwech ohonyn nhw’n ‘aelodau enwebedig’ o’r cyhoedd a benodir gan Lywodraeth Cymru. Hysbysebir yr olaf o’r swyddi hyn yn y wasg yn achlysurol pan fydd swydd wag ar gael. (Ni all aelodau enwebedig wasanaethu mwy na naw mlynedd.) Bydd yr aelodau etholedig yn cynrychioli buddiannau eu hetholwyr sydd fel arfer yn byw o fewn y parc, ac mae eu diddordeb yn lles y Parc yn tueddu i amrywio braidd. Bwriedir i’r chwe aelod enwebedig gynrychioli’r cyhoedd yn fwy cyffredinol a buddiannau'r genedl yn y Parc.

Mae Awdurdod Parc Cenedlaethol Eryri (APCE) yn gyfrifol am 837 milltir sgwâr o dir mynyddig a thua 25,000 o bobl sy'n byw o fewn ei derfynau. Ei nodau statudol yw gwarchod a gwella harddwch naturiol, bywyd gwyllt a threftadaeth ddiwylliannol Eryri, a hybu mwynhad o’r pethau hyn gan y cyhoedd, gan geisio meithrin lles economaidd a chymdeithasol y cymunedau lleol. Mae ceisio cyflawni amcanion sy’n anghyson yn aml iawn yn ymdrech y caiff swyddogion Awdurdod y Parc arweiniad yn ei chylch gan Gynllun Datblygu Lleol Eryri, dogfen 145 tudalen a ysgrifennwyd yn 2011 wedi ymgynghori helaeth â grwpiau buddiant lleol, yn cynnwys Cymdeithas Eryri. Mae cyllideb na fu erioed yn hael (£6m yn 2013) yn golygu fod y gwaith hwnnw’n anoddach. Yn ddiweddar, fe wnaeth Llywodraeth Cymru leihau’r gyllideb honno’n sylweddol.

Daw'r prif bwyllgor ynghyd bum gwaith y flwyddyn ym Mhlas Tan y Bwlch. Cynhelir cyfarfodydd yn Gymraeg a darperir gwasanaeth cyfieithu ar y pryd. Gall aelodau’r cyhoedd fynychu, a chaniateir ugain munud ar ddechrau pob cyfarfod i ateb cwestiynau’r cyhoedd ynghylch gwaith yr Awdurdod; rhaid cyflwyno'r cwestiynau mewn ysgrifen o leiaf wythnos cyn y cyfarfod. Bydd y Pwyllgor Cynllunio a Mynediad yn gwneud penderfyniadau ynghylch ceisiadau cynllunio; mae’n cynnwys deunaw aelod y prif bwyllgor, ond bydd yn cyfarfod unwaith y mis. Gall y cyhoedd ddod i’r cyfarfodydd hyn, a bydd gan ymgeiswyr gyfle i gyflwyno eu hachos eu hunain cyn caiff llythyrau gwrthwynebu neu gefnogi eu hystyried. Cynghorir y ddau bwyllgor gan swyddogion y Parc, ac fel arfer, dilynir eu hargymhellion, ond nid oes rheidrwydd ar y pwyllgorau i wneud hynny.

Mae APCE o reidrwydd yn sefydliad mawr sy'n cyflogi cyfanswm o 160 o bobl. Cynrychiolir wyneb gweladwy’r Parc gan naw Warden Ardal amser llawn a wardeniaid tymhorol rhan amser, staff mewn canolfannau gwybodaeth ym Metws y Coed, Abermaw, Dolgellau, Harlech ac Aberdyfi, a staff ym Mhlas Tan y Bwlch, canolfan astudiaethau maes y Parc ger Maentwrog. Mae llawer rhagor o weithwyr (dan arweiniad y Prif Weithredwr Emyr Williams) yn gweithio yn y pencadlys pwrpasol hardd ym Mhenrhyndeudraeth, ac yno, bydd adrannau gwahanol yn delio â materion mor amrywiol â chynllunio, cydymffurfio, cadwraeth, amaethyddiaeth, addysg, treftadaeth ddiwylliannol, eiddo, TG, cyllid, ecoleg a’r newid yn yr hinsawdd.

Mae’r strwythur yn sicrhau na chaiff anghenion cymunedau lleol eu hanwybyddu, hyd yn oed os bydd hynny'n arwain at benderfyniadau cynllunio anghyson ar brydiau.

Nid oes unrhyw berygl y bydd swyddogion y Parc yn llawdrwm ac awdurdodol, oherwydd gwneir yr holl benderfyniadau gan

Rob Collister 4

How the Park works heritage, property, IT, finance, ecology and climate change.

To the general public The Park may appear as an anonymous and shadowy organization that appears to exist only to frustrate the desires of the ordinary citizen. This is, of course, grossly unfair.

There is no danger of Park officials becoming heavy-handed and authoritarian as all decisions are made by a democratically convened committee. This comprises eighteen members; nine of them are elected councillors appointed by Gwynedd, three are elected councillors appointed by Conwy and six are so-called ‘nominated members’ of the public appointed by the Welsh Government. These latter posts are advertised in the press from time to time when a vacancy arises. (Nominated members cannot serve longer than nine years.) The elected members represent the interests of their constituents who usually live within the Park, and their interest in the wellbeing of the Park itself varies somewhat. The six nominated members are intended to represent the wider public and national interests in the Park.

The Snowdonia National Park Authority (SNPA) is responsible for 837 square miles of mountainous country and some 25,000 people who live within its boundaries.

Its statutory aims are to protect and enhance the © Alan Carter natural beauty, wildlife, and cultural heritage of Snowdonia and to promote the enjoyment of these things by the public, while seeking to foster the economic The main committee meets five times a and social wellbeing of local communities. Trying to fulfill these year at Plas Tan y Bwlch. Meetings are held in Welsh with often conflicting objectives is something of a juggling act in simultaneous translation provided. Members of the public can which officers of the Park Authority are guided by the Eryri Local attend, and twenty minutes are allocated at the start of each Development Plan, a 145 page document drawn up in 2011 after meeting for questions from extensive consultation with the public relating to the work local interest groups, including Swyddfeydd Awdurdod y Parc, Penrhyndeudraeth © APCE of the Authority; questions the Snowdonia Society. The task Park Authority offices, Penrhyndeudraeth © SNPA must be submitted in writing is not made easier by a budget at least a week before the that has never been generous meeting. Decisions on planning (£6m in 2013), and has recently applications are made by the been drastically reduced by the Planning and Access Committee Welsh ‑Government. which comprises the same eighteen members but meets SNPA is necessarily a large once a month. These too can organization employing no be attended by the public, fewer than 160 people. The and applicants have a chance visible face of the Park is to speak on their own behalf represented by nine full-time before letters of objection or Area Wardens and part-time support are considered. Both seasonal wardens, staff at committees are advised by Park information centres in Betws officers and usually follow their y Coed, Barmouth, Dolgellau, Harlech and Aberdyfi, and staff at Plas Tan y Bwlch, the Park’s recommendations but they are not obliged to do so. field study centre near Maentwrog. Many more employees, under the leadership of Chief Executive Emyr Williams, work in This structure ensures that the needs of local communities are the fine purpose built headquarters in Penrhyndeudraeth, where not neglected even if it sometimes leads to inconsistent planning different departments deal with matters as diverse as planning, decisions. compliance, conservation, agriculture, education, cultural Rob Collister

" All decisions are made by a democratically convened committee."

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Cynllunio yn Eryri Peter Weston

Cydbwysedd yw hanfod y system gynllunio. Mae'n system lled-gyfreithiol o gyfryngu a ddatblygwyd i sicrhau cydbwysedd rhwng galwadau anghyson ar y defnydd o dir – er enghraifft, cadwraeth a thai, neu hamdden a datblygu diwydiannol.

yn fisol ac yn ystyried cynigion yn fanwl yng ngoleuni’r argymhellion a wneir gan y swyddogion, sy'n seiliedig ar y fframwaith polisi sefydledig. Mae cyfleoedd i ymgeiswyr a gwrthwynebwyr ddatgan eu hachos yn bersonol, a threfnir ymweliadau â safleoedd lle bydd hynny’n briodol.

Dros y 70 mlynedd diwethaf, mae fframwaith o reoliadau cynllunio cenedlaethol wedi’i ddatblygu, a chefnogir y rhain gan ganllawiau lleol manylach ar ffurf Cynlluniau Datblygu Lleol a gynhyrchir gan awdurdodau megis Gwynedd, Conwy ac Eryri. Yn ei hanfod, mae’r broses cynllunio yn ddemocrataidd, oherwydd gwneir penderfyniadau yn y pen draw gan gynrychiolwyr etholedig lleol, o fewn y fframwaith cenedlaethol ehangach a sefydlwyd gan Lywodraeth Cymru.

O fy mhrofiad i fel aelod o’r Awdurdod rhwng 2000 a 2010, bydd y system yn gweithio’n dda yn gyffredinol, ond mae'n anochel fod rhai penderfyniadau yn ddadleuol. Mae plesio pawb bob amser yn amhosibl!

Beth yw’r dyfodol? Ar hyn o bryd, mae Llywodraeth Cymru yn adolygu cynigion ynghylch llywodraethu tirweddau gwarchodedig (Parciau Cenedlaethol ac Ardaloedd o Harddwch Naturiol Eithriadol) yng ngoleuni canfyddiadau Comisiwn Williams, ac mae’n paratoi deddfwriaeth newydd yn "Byddai unrhyw â chynllunio a chynaliadwyedd (bil fwriad i ddiddymu ymwneud ‘Cenedlaethau’r Dyfodol’).

O fewn Parciau Cenedlaethol, mae’r fframwaith cynllunio cenedlaethol yn blaenoriaethu cadwraeth uwchlaw popeth, ac yna hamddena, ond rhaid cydbwyso'r pryderon hyn ag anghenion grymoedd Ar adeg ysgrifennu hwn, nid yw bwriadau’r lleol. Yn wahanol i Barciau Cenedlaethol Awdurdod y Parc llywodraeth yn eglur o gwbl. Oherwydd hynny, mewn gwledydd eraill, lle mae ychydig mae dyfalu’n cynyddu ynghylch dyfodol iawn o breswylwyr, nid yw Parciau Cenedlaethol gweinyddu, trefn lywodraethol a chynllunio Cenedlaethol Cymru yn bodoli mewn yn gwanhau ei yn Eryri a thirweddau gwarchodedig eraill gwactod. Mae'n rhaid i ddatblygiadau Cymru. adlewyrchu pryderon a buddiannau’r effeithiolrwydd yn sawl sy’n byw ac yn gweithio yn y Parc, Mae tri pheth yn anad dim yn achosi pryder i sef, tirfeddianwyr, perchnogion tai a sylweddol." mi. Y cyntaf yw’r ffaith y byddai unrhyw fwriad chymunedau lleol, yn ogystal â'r sawl sy'n i ddiddymu grymoedd cynllunio Awdurdod ymweld â'r Parciau ar gyfer hamdden neu y Parc Cenedlaethol yn gwanhau ei effeithiolrwydd yn ymlacio. Mae prinder difrifol o swyddi da a thai fforddiadwy sylweddol. Y pwerau cynllunio yw’r unig ‘ddannedd’ go iawn mewn sawl rhan o Gymru, a rhaid cydbwyso ystyriaethau o'r sydd gan yr Awdurdod, a byddai colli'r rheiny yn tanseilio ei fath â chadwraeth a hamdden, yn ogystal â phryder y dylai allu i reoli datblygiadau anaddas. pob datblygiad newydd fod yn gynaliadwy yn amgylcheddol.

Byddai fy ail bryder yn ymwneud â chynnig i ganoli'r gwaith Sut gweithredir hyn yn Eryri? Mae Awdurdod Parc o weinyddu tirweddau gwarchodedig Cymru. Rwy’n pryderu Cenedlaethol Eryri (APCE) yn awdurdod cynllunio ar y byddai hyn yn arwain at golli arbenigedd a phrofiad wahân ers 1995; cyn hynny, cafodd ei weinyddu gan un lleol, ac yn bwysicach na hynny efallai, colli atebolrwydd o is-bwyllgorau Cyngor Gwynedd. Y fframwaith polisi democrataidd lleol. cyffredinol yw’r Cynllun Datblygu Lleol, a ddiweddarwyd diwethaf yn 2008 ac a gefnogir gan ganllawiau cynllunio Yn olaf, er byddai unrhyw gynnig i lacio’r system gynllunio atodol manylach. O fewn y cyd-destun hwn, trafodir ym Mharciau Cenedlaethol Cymru er mwyn hwyluso oddeutu 600 o geisiadau cynllunio bob blwyddyn. Yn groes datblygiad yn ddeniadol fel dull o greu swyddi newydd, i rai argraffiadau, cymeradwyir dros 90% o’r ceisiadau hyn, byddai’n wrthgynhyrchiol yn y pen draw. Mae economi dan amodau ar brydiau. Mae mwyafrif y ceisiadau hyn yn Eryri a’r ardaloedd cyfagos yn seiliedig i raddau helaeth weddol fychan - newidiadau i dai, estyniadau, garejis ac ati - iawn ar ei statws eiconig fel cyrchfan gweddol naturiol ar a gwneir penderfyniad uniongyrchol ynghylch y mwyafrif o'r gyfer hamdden a thwristiaeth, sefyllfa y gallai datblygiadau cynigion bychan gan swyddogion yr Awdurdod dan bwerau anystyriol ei niweidio neu ei dinistrio. sydd wedi'u dirprwyo iddyn nhw. Mae perfformiad APCE mewn perthynas â phrosesu ceisiadau yn cymharu'n ffafriol Mae Peter Weston yn un o Ymddiriedolwyr â pherfformiad Gwynedd a Chonwy (gweler y tabl cyferbyn).

Cymdeithas Eryri ers 2010, ac roedd yn aelod o Awdurdod Parc Cenedlaethol Eryri rhwng 2000 a Fel arfer, cyfeirir cynigion mwy a rhai mwy dadleuol megis 2010. Cyn hynny, bu’n gweithio i Gyngor Swydd datblygiadau tai, ystadau diwydiannol, ffermydd gwynt, Derby fel swyddog cynllunio. cynlluniau hydro-electrig a hyd yn oed meysydd awyr at Bwyllgor Cynllunio’r Awdurdod. Disgrifir ei gyfansoddiad a’i swyddogaeth ar d.4. Bydd y Pwyllgor Cynllunio yn cyfarfod 6

Planning in Snowdonia

Peter Weston

composition and function are outlined on p.5. The Planning Committee meets monthly and considers proposals in detail in the light of recommendations made by the officers, based in turn on the established policy framework. There are opportunities for both applicants and objectors to present their case in person, and site visits are arranged where appropriate.

The planning system is essentially about balance. It is a quasilegal system of mediation which has been developed to strike a balance between conflicting demands for the use of land, for example between conservation and housing, or recreation and industrial development.

Over the last 70 years a framework of national planning regulations has evolved, supported by more detailed local In my own experience as a member of the Authority from 2000 guidance in the form of Local Development Plans prepared by to 2010, this system generally works well, though inevitably not local authorities such as Gwynedd, Conwy and Snowdonia. The without controversy in some cases. It is impossible to always please everyone! planning process is essentially democratic in that decisions are ultimately made by locally elected "Any proposal What of the future? The Welsh Government is representatives within the broader national to take planning currently reviewing proposals for the governance framework established by the Welsh Government. protected landscapes (National Parks and powers away from of Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty) in the light Within National Parks the national planning of the Williams Commission’s findings, and it is framework gives priority first and foremost to the National Park preparing new legislation on both planning and conservation, followed by recreation, but these Authority would sustainability (the ‘Future Generations’ bill). concerns must be balanced against local needs.

Unlike National Parks in some other countries, seriously weaken At the time of writing the government’s intentions which have very few residents, Welsh National its effectiveness." are far from clear. As a result, speculation abounds parks do not exist in a vacuum. Developments on the future of administration, governance, and have to reflect the concerns and interests of all planning in Snowdonia and the other protected landscapes of those who live and work in the Park – landowners, householders Wales. and local communities, as well as those who visit for recreation or relaxation. Much of Wales is desperately short of decent jobs I have three main concerns. The first is that any proposal to take and affordable housing, and such interests have to be balanced planning powers away from the National Park Authority would against those of conservation and recreation, as well as the seriously weaken its effectiveness. The planning powers are the concern that all new developments should be environmentally only real ‘teeth’ which the Authority possesses and their removal sustainable. would undermine its ability to control unsuitable development.

How does this work in practice in Snowdonia? The Snowdonia National Park Authority has been a separate planning authority since 1995; previously it was administered by a sub-committee of Gwynedd Council. The overall policy framework is the Local Development Plan, last revised in 2008 and supported by more detailed supplementary planning guidance. Within this context a large volume of planning applications are handled, typically some 600 per annum. Contrary to some impressions, over 90% of these applications are approved, sometimes with conditions. Most of these applications are relatively small in scale (house alterations, extensions, garages, etc) and most of these small proposals are determined directly by the Authority’s officers under delegated powers. SNPA’s performance on turnaround of applications compares favourably to that of Gwynedd and Conwy (see table, right).

My second concern would be if it were proposed to centralise the administration of protected landscapes in Wales. This would, I fear, lead to a loss of local expertise and experience, and perhaps more importantly, a loss of local democratic accountability.

Finally, any proposal to relax the planning system in National Parks in Wales in order to facilitate new development, whilst superficially attractive as a way of creating new jobs, would ultimately be counter-productive. The economy of Snowdonia and its surrounding areas is very largely built on its iconic status as a relatively unspoilt destination for recreation and tourism, a situation which could very easily be damaged or destroyed by unsympathetic development.

Peter Weston has been a Trustee of the Snowdonia Society since 2010 and was a member of the Snowdonia National Park Authority from 2000 to 2010. He previously worked for Derbyshire County Council as a planning officer.

Larger, more controversial proposals such as housing developments, industrial estates, wind farms, hydroelectric schemes, airfields even, are usually referred to the Authority’s Planning Committee, whose 7

Beth yw eich cefndir?

Mae hi’n gyfnod o gyni ariannol. Rydym ni eisoes wedi gorfod gwneud arbedion o 13.8% dros y ddwy flynedd nesaf, ac mae’n bosib bod rhagor o doriadau ar eu ffordd. Felly wrth ystyried unrhyw ddatblygiadau, mae ein dwylo ni wedi eu clymu i ryw raddau.

Mab fferm o Glynnog Fawr ydw i, a ges i fy addysg yn Nyffryn Nantlle. Ar ôl gadael Prifysgol Cymru Aberystwyth, mi fûm i’n darlithio yng Ngholeg Glynllifon. Ym 1987, cefais fy mhenodi yn Swyddog Cyswllt Amaethyddol Cynorthwyol yn y Parc ac yn Bennaeth yr Adran Amaeth ym 1996. Yn 2007 cefais fy mhenodi yn Gyfarwyddwr Rheoli Tir yr Awdurdod ac ar y 1af o Fai eleni, cychwynnais yn fy swydd newydd fel Prif Weithredwr yr Awdurdod.

Ond, ar waetha’r pwysau ariannol a’r gwahanol adolygiadau o’n gwaith sydd ar y gweill gan Gynulliad Cymru, mi fyddwn ni’n parhau i weithio mewn partneriaeth i gyflawni’n pwrpasau statudol. Er enghraifft, mae’r gwaith yn Yr Ysgwrn yn gyffrous iawn ac mae yma gyfle i ni fod yn arloesol yn y ffordd yr ydym ni’n gwarchod ein hetifeddiaeth. Mae’r gwaith o adfer hen ogoniant gerddi Plas Tan y Bwlch yn mynd i fod yn bwysig a heriol. Mae cynnal llwybrau’r Parc Cenedlaethol yn wastad yn waith pwysig a heriol.

Dwi bellach yn byw yn y Bontnewydd, Caernarfon, gyda fy ngwraig, Gwennan, a’n plant, Anna a Cai. Sut ydych chi'n ymgyfarwyddo â’r gwaith?

Dwi’n ffodus iawn o fod yn gyfarwydd â gofynion swydd Prif Weithredwr y Parc Cenedlaethol ers tro, gan fy mod i wedi dal swydd Cyfarwyddwr Rheoli Tir am saith mlynedd ac wedi gweithio gydag amaethwyr yn y Parc ers bron i chwarter canrif cyn hynny!

Dwi’n gobeithio hefyd fy mod i’n adnabod y Parc a’i bobl yn weddol dda erbyn hyn. Wedi dweud hynny, mae’r cyfrifoldeb a ddaw yn sgîl y swydd yn newydd i mi ac yn elfen heriol iawn.

Mae’r Awdurdod yn gweithredu yn erbyn rhywogaethau ymledol ers dros 30 mlynedd. Rydym wedi canolbwyntio ar y Rhododendron ponticum oherwydd ystyrir mai’r planhigyn hwn yw’r bygythiad mwyaf. Cafodd y Prosiect Rhywogaethau Ymledol ei lansio yn 2005, a chaiff ei ariannu gan arian Amcan 1 Ewrop. Mae ganddo ddau brif nod; llunio © APCE/SNPA

Beth ydy'r prosiect mwyaf cyffrous sydd ar y gweill?

Prif Weithredwr Awdurdod Parc Cenedlaethol Eryri

Emyr Williams

Chief Executive, Snowdonia National Park Authority What is your background?

I was born and raised on a farm in Clynnog Fawr and went to school in the Nantlle Valley. After finishing university at Aberystwyth I lectured at Glynllifon College. In 1987 I was appointed Assistant Agricultural Liaison Officer with the Snowdonia National Park and then Head of the Agriculture Department in 1996. In 2007 I was appointed Director of Land Management, and on the 1st of May this year I started in my new role as Chief Executive of the Authority.

So, when considering future developments our hands are somewhat tied.

Despite financial pressures and the current reviews of our work by the Welsh Assembly, we continue to work in partnership to achieve our statutory purposes. Work at Yr Ysgwrn, for example, is an opportunity for the Park to be innovative in protecting our heritage. Restoring the gardens at Plas Tan y Bwlch to their former glory will be an important challenge, as will continuing to maintain the Park’s footpaths.

I now live in Bontnewydd, Caernarfon, with my wife, Gwennan and our children, Anna and Cai. How are you settling in?

The Authority has worked on invasive species for over thirty years. With a focus on Rhododendron ponticum as the biggest single threat, we launched the Invasive Species Project in 2005.

Initially using European Objective 1 funding, the project had two main aims; to formulate a Rhododendron control strategy for the whole National Park, and to eradicate the plant on a local basis.

This work can mainly be seen in the Nantgwynant and Beddgelert areas.

Luckily I was familiar with the role of Chief Executive from my seven years as Director of Land Management and from nearly a quarter of a century of work with the farming community of the National Park. I hope that I’ve come to know the Park and its people pretty well by now. That said, the responsibility is a new and challenging aspect of the job.

What is the most exciting project on the horizon?

What challenges are top of your list?

This is a difficult time financially. We have to make savings of 13.8% over the next two years and more cuts may be on the way.

There are three main challenges at present: 8

strategaeth rheoli Rhododendron ar gyfer y Parc cyfan, ac ymgymryd â rhaglenni gwaredu lleol, ac mae ôl y llafur hwn i’w weld yn ardal Nant Gwynant a Beddgelert yn bennaf.

Pa heriau sydd ar ben eich rhestr?

3. Adolygiad o Reolaeth y Parciau Cenedlaethol Yn ystod ail hanner 2014, bydd Llywodraeth Cymru yn edrych ar natur a phwrpas dynodiad y Parciau Cenedlaethol ac yna yn 2015 bydd yn asesu pa fath o Awdurdod fydd ei angen i gyflawni’r pwrpasau.

Bydd yn gyfnod diddorol iawn.

Mae tair prif her ar hyn o bryd:

Sut fath o Barc fuasech chi'n hoffi ei weld ymhen 10 mlynedd?

1. Ariannol Mae cyfnod anodd o’n blaenau wrth i ni wynebu heriau ariannol. Rhaid i ni geisio cynnal ein gwasanaethau ond â llai o adnoddau. Fel Awdurdod, rydym yn ffodus iawn o gael cefnogaeth gweithlu ymroddgar.

Corff cadarn sydd yn gwarchod ardal sydd â thirlun a bywyd gwyllt o bwysigrwydd cenedlaethol a rhyngwladol. Corff sy’n hyrwyddo a datblygu ffyniant ein hamgylchedd, ein diwylliant, ein treftadaeth a’n dwyieithrwydd a sicrhau bod rhinweddau arbennig Eryri yma i genedlaethau’r dyfodol eu mwynhau.

2. Bil Cynllunio (Cymru) Yr oedd cwestiynau yn y papur ymgynghori yn gofyn a ddylai’r Parciau Cenedlaethol gadw eu statws fel Awdurdodau Cynllunio. Credaf ei bod hi’n hanfodol fod y Parciau yn cadw eu rôl cynllunio ac yr ydym yn paratoi i gyflwyno tystiolaeth i’r Llywodraeth yn cefnogi hyn. Drwy barhau i fod â chyfrifoldeb dros gynllunio, bydd y Parciau yn parhau i wneud penderfyniadau yn seiliedig ar arbenigedd lleol, budd cymdeithasol ac effaith ar yr amgylchedd.

Mae gwerth economaidd y Parciau yn £1bn y flwyddyn. Er mwyn sicrhau fod hyn yn parhau ac yn cynyddu, mae angen sicrhau dyfodol llewyrchus i’r cymunedau sy’n byw ac yn gweithio o fewn ffiniau’r Parciau. Bellach, mae’n bryd ystyried a ddylai’r Parciau fod â chyfrifoldeb dros ddatblygiad economaidd.

Emyr Williams Prif Weithredwr, Awdurdod Parc Cenedlaethol Eryri Mis Awst 2014

1. Financial There are tough financial challenges ahead. We must try to maintain our services with fewer resources, and are very fortunate indeed to have such a dedicated workforce.

What kind of Park would you like to see in 10 years?

A robust body which protects an area of landscape and wildlife of national and international importance. An organisation that promotes our environment, our culture, heritage and bilingualism and ensures that the special qualities of Snowdonia are here for future generations to enjoy.

2. The Planning Bill (Wales) Specific questions were raised in the Planning Bill consultation paper as to whether the National Parks should retain their status as Planning Authorities. I believe it is essential that the Parks retain this role and we are presenting evidence to Welsh Government in support of this. Remaining as Planning Authorities, National Parks in Wales will continue to make decisions which are based on local expertise, social benefit and environmental impact.

At present the National Parks of Wales generate £1bn a year.

To ensure that this continues and grows, we must secure a prosperous future for the communities who live and work in the Park. It is timely to consider whether National Parks should have a responsibility for economic development.

3. Governance review of National Parks in Wales During the second half of 2014 the Welsh Government will look at the structure and purposes of National Parks and in 2015 will assess what kind of Authority is required to achieve the purposes. This will be a very interesting time.

Emyr Williams, Chief Executive, Snowdonia National Park Authority August 2014 9

Gwasanaeth Wardeinio a Mynediad Awdurdod Parc Cenedlaethol Eryri Mair Huws Sut ydw i’n dechrau disgrifio gwaith y Gwasanaeth Wardeinio a Mynediad o fewn yr Awdurdod dywedwch? Fe ddylai fod yn dasg rwydd ac eithaf di-lol a minnau bellach yn Bennaeth ar y Gwasanaeth ers mis Tachwedd 2011. Ond mae arnaf ofn peidio gwneud cyfiawnhad llawn â’r gwaith - gwaith sydd weithiau bron yn anweledig, ond serch hynny, mae’n waith sy’n gallu gwneud gwahaniaeth gwirioneddol i’r bobl sy’n defnyddio’r Parc - boed y rheiny’n drigolion lleol neu’n ymwelwyr.

Y Gwasanaeth O fewn y Gwasanaeth mae dau dîm o wardeiniaid (un yng ngogledd y Parc a’r llall yn y de), tîm mynediad a thimau gwaith stad. Yn syml, y wardeiniaid yw cyswllt lleol yr Awdurdod yn eu hardaloedd, aelodau'r Tîm Mynediad yw arbenigwyr yr Awdurdod ym maes mynediad, a’r Tîm Stad sy’n ein galluogi i weithredu prosiectau ac i gadw’n safleoedd yn drefnus.

Gwaith y wardeiniaid Mae gwaith warden yn amrywiol ac mae llawer ohono yn waith cuddiedig sydd eto’n hanfodol. Y wardeiniaid yw llygaid a chlustiau’r Awdurdod ar lawr gwlad, a nhw ŵyr orau sut caiff y Parc ei ddefnyddio, gan bwy ac i wneud beth.

Nhw yw’r wên groesawus a gaiff pobl gennym allan yn y maes, nhw sy’n barod â’u cyngor beth bynnag fo’r ymholiadau, a nhw yw’r glust sydd yno i wrando ar ffermwyr pan gyfyd problemau. Fel arbenigwyr ar eu hardaloedd, nhw yw’r rhai i’w holi ynghylch nodweddion yr ardal honno, boed hynny’n enwau lleoedd gwreiddiol, rhywogaethau’r ardal, pwy sy’n berchen ar ba ddarn o dir neu pa lwybr yw’r gorau i’w ddilyn i gyrraedd pa gopa.

Mae eu rhaglenni gwaith mor amrywiol â’u hardaloedd. Yn amlwg, wardeiniaid yr ardaloedd prysuraf sy’n delio fwyaf â defnyddwyr; wardeiniaid rhai o ardaloedd y de sy’n delio fwyaf â difrod (er enghraifft, defnydd cyfreithlon ac anghyfreithlon o gerbydau 4 x 4 a beicio modur). Mae rhai

wedi gwneud gwaith i waredu rhywogaethau ymledol megis Jac y Neidiwr neu Rhododendron ponticum, tra bo eraill yn monitro rhywogaethau sylweddol.

Er bod gwaith addysgol, cadwraeth, rheoli defnyddwyr a darparu gwybodaeth yn rhan fawr o raglen waith amrywiol pob un o’r wardeiniaid, mae’n debyg mai’r gwaith sy’n hawlio’r gyfran fwyaf o’r wythnos waith yw’r gwaith mynediad a wneir ar y cyd â’r Tîm Mynediad.

Gall hynny amrywio o ddelio â phroblem mynediad - giât wedi’i chloi, neu gamfa wedi torri er enghraifft - i arolygu llwybrau’n flynyddol, neu o wella llwybrau presennol i gynllunio cylchdeithiau o’r newydd.

Gwaith y Tîm Mynediad Y Tîm Mynediad sy’n gwneud y gwaith statudol a strategol gan gynnwys rhedeg y ddau Fforwm Mynediad yma yn Eryri a rheoli gwaith mynediad yr Awdurdod.

Nid oes gan yr Awdurdod bwerau statudol dros Hawliau Tramwy o fewn y Parc, ond rydym yn cydweithio’n agos â Chynghorau Gwynedd a Chonwy. Mae’r cytundeb ffurfiol sydd gennym â Chyngor Conwy yn golygu’n bod ni’n arolygu’r llwybrau ac yn trefnu gwaith sydd angen ei gyflawni, tra bod Conwy yn ei ariannu. Mae hyn yn 10

enghraifft wych o gydweithio sy’n gwneud gwahaniaeth ar lawr gwlad.

Rôl allweddol arall sydd gan y Tîm Mynediad yw pontio rhwng dyheadau strategol Cynllun Rheolaeth a Strategaeth Hamdden y Parc a gwaith y wardeiniaid a’r timau stad, gan ddod o hyd i gyfleoedd i ddatblygu mynediad at dir a dŵr. Y Tîm

Mynediad fu wrthi’n ddygn yn cynllunio a pharatoi gwaith Lôn Gwyrfai, llwybr aml-ddefnydd newydd rhwng Rhyd Ddu a Beddgelert a agorwyd y llynedd. Roedd llawer o'r gwaith yn guddiedig, sef trafod â pherchnogion tir, sicrhau cyllid, cynllunio’r llwybr ac ati.

Cyfrifoldeb arall sydd gan y Tîm Mynediad yw delio’n ganolog â chwynion am lwybrau, mynediad a materion eraill sy’n ymwneud â hamdden. Dyma un rheswm dros sefydlu ein cronfa ddata Hawliau Tramwy Cyhoeddus - er mwyn cydlynu a chofnodi’r holl waith a wneir ar lwybrau’r Parc fel bod modd ymateb os derbyniwn gŵyn.

Gwaith ar y llwybrau Y Tîm Mynediad, â chymorth y ddau dîm stad a’r wardeiniaid lleol, sydd hefyd yn gyfrifol am waith ar lwybrau’r Wyddfa.

Cerddodd oddeutu hanner miliwn

o bobl ar y llwybrau yma y llynedd - sef miliwn o draed yn mynd i’r un cyfeiriad!

Gall effaith cymaint â hynny o gerdded ar lwybrau mynyddig fod yn erchyll, a dyna pam fod gennym ddau dîm o weithwyr stad yn gweithio cymaint ag y bo modd ar y llwybrau drwy gydol y tymor. Mae ymarferoldeb cynnal a chadw llwybrau mynydd uchaf Cymru yn anodd, heb hyd yn oed ystyried y niferoedd o bobl sy’n cerdded arnyn nhw. Mewn blwyddyn dda, chwe mis yn unig sydd gennym i weithio ar yr Wyddfa, sy’n golygu ein bod yn trefnu a pharatoi at waith Ebrill 2015 ar hyn o bryd - a ’does dim atebion rhwydd!

Mynydda Diogel Prosiect arall sy’n rhan allweddol o waith y Gwasanaeth yw’r Bartneriaeth Mynydda Diogel. Bwriad y Bartneriaeth yn syml yw hyrwyddo chwe neges diogelwch sylfaenol i fynyddwyr llai profiadol. Rydym yn ysgogi pobl i feddwl ddwywaith ac i baratoi cyn mentro.

Y dyfodol?

Wrth edrych ymlaen at y dyfodol, mae’n amlwg fod yr her ariannol yn mynd i effeithio arnom, a bydd rhaid inni feddwl yn fwy creadigol er mwyn llwyddo i gyflawni’n gwaith.

Un her gyson yw gallu mesur y gwaith. Gallwn fesur y nifer o giatiau sy’n cael eu gosod, neu’r nifer o gamfeydd a dynnir, ond mae’n amhosibl inni fesur cyfran helaeth o waith y Gwasanaeth yn wyddonol: y trafod, y cynghori, y gwaith i leihau gwrthdaro ac

i geisio cytundeb barn. Mae'n waith hanfodol a chyson ond mae hefyd yn waith na fedrwn ni ei fesur trwy dargedau.

Dwi’n rhagweld y bydd llai o brosiectau mawr y gallwn ni eu cyflawni yn y dyfodol a bydd rhaid inni dorri’r gôt yn ôl y brethyn.

Serch hynny, rwy’n hyderus y medrwn ni barhau i weithio tuag at lunio cylchdaith o amgylch godre’r Wyddfa, a buaswn wrth fy modd yn gweld Cylchdaith Meirionnydd rhwng Bala, Dolgellau a Thrawsfynydd.

Rwy’n hyderus y medrwn ni barhau i adeiladu ar y perthnasau gwaith da â mudiadau ac asiantaethau eraill sydd wedi hen ennill eu plwyf erbyn hyn, er mwyn gallu gwthio’r maen i’r wal, ynghyd â pharhau i reoli a datblygu cyfleoedd mynediad a hamdden ymhellach. Mae’r gwaith anferthol sy’n mynd rhagddo’n flynyddol ar y cyd â gwirfoddolwyr Cymdeithas Eryri yn enghraifft wych o’r ffordd ymlaen.

Fe fyddwn yn edrych am gyfleoedd i weithio mwy fyth gyda gwirfoddolwyr nid er mwyn dileu swyddi cyflogedig fel tyb rhai, ond er mwyn ychwanegu gwerth i’r hyn y medrwn ni ei wneud gyda staff y Gwasanaeth.

Ond yn anad dim, yr hyn hoffwn ei sicrhau yw bod rôl a gwerth y Gwasanaeth Wardeinio a Mynediad yn parhau i fod yn rhan annatod o’r hyn mae Awdurdod Parc Cenedlaethol Eryri yn ei ddarparu i’w drigolion a’i ddefnyddwyr, a bod y Gwasanaeth yn parhau i fod yn wasanaeth sy’n gwneud gwahaniaeth ar lawr gwlad.

Cyn, yn ystod ac wedi'r gwaith diweddar rhwng Bwlch Glas a chopa'r Wyddfa.

Before, during and after recent work between Bwlch Glas and Snowdon summit. © APCE/SNPA

Am ragor o wybodaeth am y Gwasanaeth Wardeinio cysylltwch â: Mair Huws, Rheolwr Gwasanaeth Wardeinio a Mynediad, Swyddfa’r Parc, Penrhyndeudraeth, Gwynedd LL48 6LF Ffôn: 01766 770274 Ebost: parc@eryri-npa.gov.uk I gael gwybodaeth bellach am fynediad neu Lôn Gwyrfai neu i gwyno am broblem mynediad gweler: www.eryri-npa.gov.uk/cym/visiting 11

Snowdonia National Park Authority's

Warden and Access Service Mair Huws

whether original place names, the area's species, who owns what land, or which is the best footpath for reaching a particular peak.

How can I begin to describe the Warden and Access Service within the Authority, I wonder? It should be a fairly straightforward task as I have now been the Head of Service since November 2011.

But I’m afraid I won’t be able to do the service justice - a service which, despite being largely invisible, can make a real difference to the people who use the Park, be they local residents or visitors.

Their work programmes are as varied as their areas. Obviously, wardens in the busiest areas deal with the greatest number of visitors, while those in the south deal mostly with damage (for example, legal and illegal use of 4x4s and motor bikes). Some have done work to clear invasive species such as Himalayan balsam or Rhododendron ponticum, while others monitor important species.

The Service The Service includes two warden teams (one for the north and the other for the south of the Park), an access team and estate work teams. The wardens are the Authority’s local connection in each area, the Access Team have expertise on local access issues, and the Estate Team enables us to carry out projects and maintain our sites.

Although education, conservation work, information provision and managing Park users form a significant part of each warden’s workload, the task that probably takes up most of the working week is the access work that is done jointly with the Access Team.

This can vary from dealing with an access problem (for example, a locked gate or a broken stile) to annual monitoring of footpaths, or from improving current paths to planning new circular walks.

The Wardens’ work A warden’s work is varied; much of the work is hidden, while still being essential. The wardens are the Authority's eyes and ears on the ground, and they are the ones who know best how the Park is used, by whom and for what purpose.

The Access Team’s work The Access Team is responsible for statutory and strategic work, which includes running two Access Forums here in Snowdonia and managing the Authority's access work. The Authority does not have statutory powers over rights of way in the Park, but we do work closely with Conwy and Gwynedd Councils. Our formal agreement with Conwy Council means that we monitor the

They provide the welcoming smile to people enjoying the Park, willingly provide advice, whatever the query, and they provide a listening ear for farmers when problems arise. As experts on their local areas, they are the ones to consult about local features,

Lôn Gwyrfai © APCE/SNPA

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paths and arrange work that needs to be done, while Conwy is responsible for funding that work. This is an excellent example of working together which makes a difference at a grassroots level.

twice and to be prepared before setting out.

Another essential role of the Access Team is joining up the strategic goals of the Park’s Management Plan and Leisure Strategy with the work done by the wardens and the estate teams, by finding opportunities to develop access to land and water. It was the Access Team who worked so hard planning and preparing Lôn Gwyrfai, a new multi-use path between Rhyd Ddu and Beddgelert which was opened last year. Much of this was work behind the scenes and included discussions with landowners, sourcing funding, planning the route and so on.

Looking to the future, the financial challenge will obviously affect us and we will have to think more creatively to fulfil our role. Being able to evaluate our work is a constant challenge.

We can count the number of gates that are installed, or the number of stiles replaced, but it is impossible to evaluate a substantial part of the Service's work: the negotiation, the advice, and the efforts to resolve conflicts and achieve a consensus. This is essential routine work, but it is also work that can’t be measured against targets.

The future?

Disgyblion Ysgol

I foresee that we will be unable to undertake so many substantial projects in the future, and we will have to cut our coat according to our cloth. Despite that, I’m confident that we can continue to work towards creating a circular walk around Snowdon’s foothills, and I would love to see a Meirionnydd Circular Trail between Bala, Dolgellau and Trawsfynydd.

Another of the Access Team’s Eirias yn cydweithio responsibilities is dealing â wardeiniaid lleol.

Ysgol Eirias pupils centrally with complaints working with local about paths, access and wardens. other matters connected with © APCE/SNPA leisure. This is one reason for establishing our Public Rights of Way database – to coordinate and record all the work done on the Park’s paths so that we can respond if we receive a complaint.

Footpath work

The Access Team, with the I’m confident that assistance of the two estate we can continue to teams and local wardens, is build on our longalso responsible for work on standing good working Snowdon’s footpaths. Around relationships with half a million people walked these other organisations footpaths last year, which means and agencies in order a million feet going in the same For more information about the Warden Service, contact: to continue delivering, direction! The effect of so much Mair Huws, Warden and Access Service Manager, managing and walking on mountainous footpaths Swyddfa’r Parc, Penrhyndeudraeth, Gwynedd LL48 6LF developing access and can be horrendous, which is why we Phone: 01766 770274 Email: parc@eryri-npa.gov.uk leisure opportunities. have two teams of estate workers For more information about access, Lon Gwyrfai or to The enormous amount doing their utmost to maintain complain about an access problem see: of work which is achieved them throughout the season. www.eryri-npa.gov.uk/visiting annually in partnership The practicalities of maintaining with Snowdonia Society the footpaths on Wales’ highest volunteers is an excellent mountain are difficult enough, example of the way without considering the numbers of people who walk on them. In a good year, we only have six forward. months to work on Snowdon, which means that we are currently organising the work for April 2015 onwards - and there are no We will seek opportunities to do more work with volunteers – not in order to get rid of paid jobs as some imagine, but to enhance easy answers! what we can achieve with the Service’s staff.

Safe Mountaineering Above all, what I would like to ensure is that the role and value A further key project within the Warden of the Warden and Access Service continues to be an integral Service is the Mountainsafe Partnership. The aim of the part of what Snowdonia National Park Authority provides for its Partnership is to promote six basic safety messages to less residents, and that the Service continues to be a service which experienced mountain users. We encourage people to think makes a difference at grassroots level.

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r w a f n e ' ! h c l o i D ' s Eryri ymdeitha ifer C ll a g y u o blith n yn sicrha franiadau ryri. Dyma ychydig yr arian y y c h ic e e E Ma lles chodw eithio er dolwyr a barhau i w dolwyr, ymddirie fod hw. fawr o wir d yn fawr iddyn n le y mae ein d

wdonia r the Sno fo le ib s s o are just it p ns make nia. Here o o ti d u w ib o n tr S n bers, and g for Your co ers, mem p workin te e n e k lu o v to Society k you. edicated e many d e owe a huge than w some of th m rs to who fundraise Gwirfoddolwyr d unrhyw agwed Ni ellir gwneud o d ed ilo m y o’n gwaith heb d gan ein holl le ca th ai w oriau o Nhŷ boed hynny yn wirfoddolwyr, tem ys os Ec ct Brosie Hyll, fel rhan o ct Snowdon Eryri neu brosie n, neu yn ystod Tidy Wyddfa Lâ arbennig. digwyddiadau

Volunteers None of our work would be possible without th e thousands of hours of hard wo rk from all our volunteers, whethe r at Tŷ Hyll, on the Snowdonia Ec osystem Project, for the Snowdon Tid y Wyddfa Lân project, or at spec ial events.

G l y n is

Fundraisers rian A r y Gly w nis Archer, we salute you!

Cod e n chi! F Glynis successfully comple w ia a d ted all rcher, rdded 197 miles of the Coast to Glynis A nis lwyddo i ge ybr Co ast lw ly L G y Trail and raised a total of wnaeth 197 milltir ar odd £6 30 ’r d o o for her chosen charities, pob un i Arfordir, a ch nnau the e ir s d r lu e fo Sn r r owdonia Society and Gla A 630 i’ £ slyn o f e m s gyfansw iswyd ganddi, wyllt Wildlife. w G e a dd a Bywyd as Eryri . h it e d m Cy Glaslyn

d u cerdde yr teithia w in e w r A ed a’n iau cerdd h it te in e onnell Mae u yn ffynh h i’r a d ia d d y digw . Diolc r o incwm er werthfaw cyfrannu eu hams ’n y n s r lu y A w : ddim arwein aul nigedd am a’u harbe haffe, Kevin Hall, P ary C d a Sophie Pugh a M Hulse, Ne h it e K dson, , n Ganno , Clive Hu n io ir T s o Bla ithas Ffori Schärer o s, Cymde rt e i. b a o R rh d Gareth wi on arth, i en Pen y Gog

Walk leaders Donations from ou r walks and events are a valuable sour ce of income, thanks to the lead ers who give their time and expertise for nothing: Alun Pugh and Mary Ch affe, Kevin Hall, Paul Gannon, Keith Hulse, Ned and Sophie Schärer of Plas Tirion, Clive Hudson, Gareth Ro berts, the Great Orme Exploration Society, to name but a few.

n tebodd i’ au a yma d d. lo d e o a h r R i’ morth Diolch y C h lc y h d yng di arwain hymholia e hyn we a m , n y h £925 i’r Hyd yn anegol o w h . c y m w rth Rhodd at inc wy Gymo lie Addis a tr s a h it e Gymd ibl gan Ju morth yn yn bos h d e au Cy a n w G datganiad n nhrefn d o h c w drodd fl refnus y dair ffeil d r.

Rhodd yn yr wyddo xxxxxxxx

Thank yo u to replied to all members wh o ha ou has so fa r Gift Aid query w ve r resulted hich income fr om Gift A in £925 extra id for the This was made po Society. ssible by who con Julie Add verted a is box of lo declarati ose Gift A ons into id three ha ndsome alphabeti cal files.

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Cymorth TG n Nid yw methiant cyfrifiaduron yn dily diad wyd ddig yn u ana storm fellt a thar anghyffredin ym Mrynrefail, ond mae a gallu elwa ar arbenigwr TG cyfeillgar o llai iawn er llaw gu goly dibynadwy yn ein som caw , efin Meh straen! Ym mis hachub gan Andy Davies, sy’n darparu cymorth TG am ddim i ni. Fe wnaeth sicrhau ymhen dim fod popeth yn gweithio’n iawn unwaith eto.

Stiwardiaid o £1,000 gan Cafwyd cyfraniad dnabod cymorth Farathon Eryri i gy gwych yn ystod y ein gwirfoddolwyr hefyd i stiwardiaid digwyddiad. Diolch digwyddiadau gwirfoddol mewn h Ph a encampwriaet megis Etape Eryri d y Byd. Am wneu Rhedeg Llwybrau ddwn yn cael y gwaith hwnnw, by fnwyr, Camu i'r cyfraniad gan y tre mru.

Copa ac Athletau Cy

Marshals Snowdonia Marathon made a donation of £1,000 in recognition of our wonderful volunteers’ help with the event. Thank you also to volunteer marshals at events such as Etape Eryri and the World Trail Running Championships, for which we receive a donation from organisers Always Aim High and Welsh Athletics.

s IT e l a W h Nort IT support A computer failure following a thunde r storm is not an un usual occurrence in Brynrefail, but how much less stressfu l when you have a fri endly, reliable IT expert to call on! An dy Davies, who provides us with pr o bono IT support, came to our rescue in June and had everything up and running again in no time.

Rhoddwyr a thanysgrifwyr Diolch arbennig i’r holl aelodau Donors and su bscribers sydd wedi ychwanegu cyfraniad A special ‘Thank you!’ to all at eu tanysgrifiad sylfaenol ac i’r members who have added sawl sydd wedi gwneud cyfraniad a donation to th eir standard arbennig. Bydd pob ceiniog o’r subscription an d to all those w incwm hwn yn cefnogi gwaith ho have made a sp ecial donation. hollbwysig na ellir ei ariannu trwy Every penny of this in come supports unrhyw ddull arall, yn enwedig vital work which ca nn ot be funded an y gwaith ar faterion cynllunio ac y other way, in pa rticular, the wor ymatebion i bolisïau sy’n caniatáu planning k on issues and polic y responses i'r Gymdeithas fod yn ddylanwadol through w hich the Societ y influences a gwarchod Eryri rhag datblygiadau and protects Sn owdonia from anaddas. inappropriate development.

Gwirfoddolwr y Flwyddyn CGGC Cafodd Margaret Thomas gydnabyddiaeth ffurfiol am ei gwaith hael yn Nhŷ Hyll ac er lles Cymdeithas Eryri gyfan. Enillodd gategori ymddiriedolwyr Gwobr Gwirfoddolwr y Flwyddyn CGGC. Fel enghraifft o’i gwaith, yr haf diwethaf, fe wnaeth ei phecynnau bach hyfryd o hadau blodau gwyllt a dyfwyd ganddi godi £418 i Gyfeillion Tŷ Hyll.

WCVA Volunteer of the Year Margaret Thomas has received formal recognition for her unstinting work at Tŷ Hyll and for the Snowdonia Society as a whole. She won the WCVA Volunteer of the Year Award in the Trustee category. As an example, last summer, her delightful little packets of home-grown wildflower seeds raised £418 for Friends of Tŷ Hyll.

' ! u o y k n a h T ' A huge 15

Efallai bydd y sawl sy’n darllen y cylchgrawn hwn ers tro yn holi tybed beth sydd wedi digwydd. Mewn ysgarmesoedd hanesyddol, mae Cymdeithas Eryri yn aml iawn wedi dadlau safbwyntiau gwahanol i rai Awdurdod y Parc Cenedlaethol. Ar adegau, ni fu llawer o Gymraeg rhwng y ddau.

Heddiw, cydweithio a phartneriaeth yw’r drefn. Byddwn yn anghytuno ar brydiau, ond mae gennym berthynas dda. Nid yw ein Cymdeithas yn fawr, ond mae ganddi ddylanwad sylweddol, oherwydd rydym yn gweithio er lles y Parc Cenedlaethol a gydag Awdurdod y Parc.

Mae’r cydweithio hwn yn digwydd ar sawl ffurf. Mae llawer o waith ymarferol: gwaith cadwraeth gwirfoddol Prosiect Ecosystem Eryri; Wyddfa Lân; a gwaith cynnal a chadw llwybrau ar yr Wyddfa a Lôn Gwyrfai. Yn achos materion cynllunio, bydd trafodaeth yn digwydd rhyngom a bydd tystiolaeth yn sail i unrhyw safbwynt a fydd gennym.

Ddwywaith y flwyddyn, bydd cyfarfodydd cyswllt rhwng y Gymdeithas ac Awdurdod y Parc yn cynorthwyo i gynnal perthnasau, datblygu parch rhwng y ddwy ochr, a meithrin dealltwriaeth.

Bellach, mae sylfeini ein Parciau Cenedlaethol ar fin newid, ac mae

pwysigrwydd y berthynas hon wedi’i adnewyddu.

Efallai bydd y Bil Cynllunio sy'n cael ei ddrafftio yng Nghaerdydd ar hyn o bryd yn cynnig cael gwared ar bwerau cynllunio Awdurdodau Parciau Cenedlaethol.

Byddai'n hunllef pe bai rôl cynllunio hollbwysig yr awdurdod yn cael ei gynnwys mewn Awdurdod Lleol cyfun enfawr sydd heb unrhyw gylch gorchwyl mewn perthynas â rhinweddau arbennig Eryri ac ychydig iawn o ddiddordeb ynddyn nhw.

Mae adolygiad Llywodraeth Cymru o drefn lywodraethol Parciau Cenedlaethol yn casglu tystiolaeth ar hyn o bryd, ac efallai gwnaiff argymell model dynodiad newydd a allai arwain at golli neu wanhau delwedd brand y Parc Cenedlaethol.

Gallai’r un adolygiad argymell creu un corff canolog newydd i lywodraethu’r holl Barciau Cenedlaethol.

Mae elfennau o fewn Llywodraeth Cymru a fyddai’n fodlon iawn llacio rheolaeth Parciau Cenedlaethol dros ddatblygiadau, heb ystyriaeth ddyledus o fuddiannau tymor hir cymunedau lleol a’r genedl.

Mae’n destun pryder difrifol fod Awdurdodau Parciau Cenedlaethol Cymru yn wynebu toriadau digynsail - 14% dros ddwy flynedd a thoriad ychwanegol o

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5-10% yn ystod y flwyddyn ariannol hon.

Dan amgylchiadau o’r fath, cyllidebau nid polisi fydd yn sbarduno newidiadau.

Daw newidiadau sylweddol i ran y Parciau Cenedlaethol erbyn y bydd ein Cymdeithas yn dathlu ei 50fed pen-blwydd yn 2017.

Efallai mai ein gwaith heddiw o fewn Cynghrair Parciau Cenedlaethol Cymru fydd ein gwaith pwysicaf erioed. Nid yw Awdurdodau’r Parciau Cenedlaethol yn berffaith, ond ar hyn o bryd, maen nhw'n haeddu ymchwydd o gefnogaeth i sicrhau na wnânt golli'r gwaith mwyaf gwerthfawr a hanfodol a wneir ganddyn nhw.

Ar hyn o bryd, mae gwaith y Gynghrair ar ffurf eiriolaeth ar lefel uchel, ond os bydd angen cryfhau’r dull gweithredu hwn, fe wnawn ddenu rhagor o gefnogaeth y cyhoedd i’r achos. Yr her yw sicrhau fod gennym Barc Cenedlaethol sy'n werth ymladd drosto.

John Harold

I'r gad!

A call to arms

Readers of long standing may be wondering what has come to pass. In historic skirmishes the Snowdonia Society has often occupied different trenches to those of the National Park Authority. There have been times when the two were not even on speaking terms.

Today co-operation and partnership are the norm. We sometimes differ, but we have a good relationship.

Our Society is not large, but has considerable influence as we work for the National Park and with the Park Authority.

This co-operation takes many forms. Much is practical: conservation volunteer work of the Snowdonia Ecosystem Project; Snowdon Tidy; and footpath maintenance on Snowdon and Lôn Gwyrfai.

On planning issues we have a dialogue so that when we take a stance it is informed by evidence. Twice a year, liaison meetings between the Society and the Park Authority help maintain relations, build mutual respect and foster understanding.

Now, as the foundations of our National Parks are about to change, this relationship has taken on renewed importance.

The Planning Bill now being drafted in Cardiff may propose removal of planning powers from National Park Authorities. The nightmare scenario would be for the Authority’s essential planning role to be subsumed into a giant merged Local Authority with no remit for, and little interest in, the special qualities of Snowdonia.

The Welsh Government review of National Park governance is currently gathering evidence and may recommend a new designation model, which could result in loss or dilution of the National Park ‘brand’ identity. The same review could recommend a new centralised body to govern all the National Parks.

There are elements within Welsh Government who would happily relax development control in National Parks without due consideration for the long-term interests of local communities and the nation.

It is of grave concern that Welsh National Park Authorities face unprecedented cuts – 14% over two years and an additional cut of 5-10% in this financial year. In such circumstances it will be budgets rather than policy which drive change.

Major changes will be effected on National Parks by the time our Society celebrates its 50th birthday in 2017. Our work today in the Alliance for National Parks Cymru may turn out to be the most important we have undertaken. The National Park Authorities are not perfect, but right now they need and deserve a groundswell of support, if we are not to lose the most valuable and essential work that they do.

Cwm Cynfal Cafodd ei warchod rhag datblygiad hydro-electrig yn yr 1990au, ac mae bellach yn wynebu bygythiad arall.

Protected from a hydropower development in the 1990s and now under threat again.

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At the moment, the work of AfNPC takes the form of high-level advocacy, but if this approach needs reinforcement we will enlist more public support for the cause. The challenge is to ensure that we retain a National Park which is worth fighting for.

John Harold

Eryri yn y gaeaf

Cribau wedi’u miniogi gan rew yn pelydru i bob cyfeiriad, yn cofleidio cymoedd uchel a llynnoedd rhewlifol tywyll... Heb os, yr Wyddfa yw mynydd gorau Cymru, a Lloegr hefyd, yn wir. Mae’n drueni, felly, fod 150 o bobl yn tyrru bob awr i’w gopa ar drên yn ystod yr haf, a bod bron iawn yr un nifer yn cyrraedd ar droed yr un pryd, a llygrir yr aer gan gymysgedd o lo a disel. Yng ngeiriau miniog R S Thomas:

Rob Collister

Those who crowd A small window dirty it With their breathing, though sublime And inexhaustible the view.

Yn y gaeaf, fodd bynnag, bydd metamorffosis yn digwydd.

Pan fydd y caffi ar gau a’r dirwedd dan orchudd o eira, daw’r Wyddfa yn fynydd godidog unwaith eto. Fel dyfodiad y nos, gweddnewidir yr olygfa fwyaf cyfarwydd yn gyflym gan gwymp tawel a dyfal yr eira, a daw’n lle rhyfedd, dirgel a pheryglus ar brydiau. Yn ‘Mountains of the Mind’ mae Robert Macfarlane yn dyfynnu J.B.Priestley: “The first fall of snow is not only an event, it is a magical event. You go to bed in one kind of world and wake up to find yourself in another quite different, and if this is not enchantment, then where is it to be found?” Bydd rheilffordd, llwybrau, meysydd clogfeini, nentydd a phyllau oll yn diflannu dan garthen wen, carthen sydd, yn hytrach na bod yn llyfn ac unffurf, yn arswydo trwy amrywiaeth ddiddiwedd o ffurfiau a gweadau a grëir gan y gwynt neu’r haul yn chwarae ar ei wyneb.

I’r mynyddwr, mae dyfodiad y gaeaf yn golygu estyn offer, technegau ac agweddau cwbl wahanol o'r cwpwrdd. Er bod eira yn fwy caredig na chraig wrth geisio sefyll yn gyfforddus arno, neu wrth chwilio am graig gafael i dynnu arni os bydd yr eira’n rhy feddal i ddefnyddio caib eira, nid yw mor gryf, ac mae’n fwy tebygol o chwalu yn ddirybudd; bydd eira caled, heb gramponau neu gaib eira na'r gallu i'w defnyddio, yn arwyneb llyfn, anfaddeugar iawn os llithrir arno, a gall sathru llwybr ar eira meddal dwfn yn rhywle fel 'Trinity Face' ar Glogwyn y Garnedd (dan Gopa’r Wyddfa) fod yn waith hynod lafurus, sy’n wahanol iawn i gerdded yn ystod yr haf.

Fel arfer, bydd Wyneb y Drindod yn apelio mwy at fotanegwr na dringwr, ond yn wahanol i greigiau tamp sydd â llystyfiant arnynt, fel Ysgolion Duon a Thwll Du, ceir yno ddringo gaeaf gwych. Mae’n wynebu’r gogledd ar uchder o 1,000 medr uwchlaw lefel y môr, a bydd eira’n ymdroi yma wedi iddo hen diflannu o’r rhannau is.

Yma, cyflwynwyd dringwyr dirifedi i ddulliau megis cicio camau, torri camau, dringo â chramponau a brecio â chaib eira. Gall yr her amrywio'n sylweddol iawn yn unol â'r amgylchiadau. Mae’n debyg y gellir sgïo rhigol canol y 'Trinity' pan fydd eira sylweddol wedi cwympo.

Sally Armond a chi chwilio, Spin, ar y 'Zig-zags' (y Lliwedd) ac ar Lwybr Pyg Sally Armond and search dog, Spin, on the Zig-zags (Lliwedd), and on the Pyg Track © Netti Collister

Ond un diwrnod o wanwyn, pan oedd ychydig iawn o eira i'w weld o'r ffordd fawr, cynigai 200 medr o ddringo perffaith â chramponau, yn cynnwys 30 medr o ddringo technegol i fyny rhuban o rew dŵr. Dro arall, pan oedd llawer mwy o eira ond gwelededd gwael, penderfynodd Jeremy Light a minnau fynd i lawr Canol y Drindod. Hanner ffordd i lawr, wrth y Gulfa, fe welsom grŵp mawr oedd wrthi’n mynd i fyny. Wrth edrych yn fanylach arnynt, gwelsom eu bod oll yn gwisgo esgidiau lledr cyffredin neu esgidiau chwaraeon, ac nid oedd gan neb gaib eira. Yn y niwl, roedden nhw wedi dilyn yr olion traed anghywir (ein rhai ni, mae’n debyg), ac wedi colli Llwybr y Mwynwyr. Ar ôl simsanu i fyny 100 medr o eira serth, roedd yr arweinydd wedi dod ar draws rhew caled ac roedd yn ei bawennu'n aneffeithiol â’i esgidiau sodlau llyfn. Roedd ei ffrindiau yn disgwyl yn rhes 18

islaw, y naill y tu ôl i’r llall, fel dominos. Fe wnaethom gyrraedd â rhaff mewn da bryd.

Os yw 'Trinity Face' yr Wyddfa yn wastad wedi bod yn lle poblogaidd i ddringwyr gaeaf brentisio, yn sicr ddigon nid clogwyni Lliwedd, a saif ychydig gannoedd o fetrau gerllaw, yw’r lle i newydd-ddyfodiaid. Mae’r clogwyni hyn bron iawn yn 300 medr o ran eu huchder, heb lawer o ddraeniad i alluogi i rew ffurfio, felly maen nhw'n fwy o faes chwarae i ddringwyr creigiau.

Serch hynny, hyd yn oed yn yr haf, mae'r cerrig gafael ar lethrau lletchwith, gall y blociau mwyaf fod yn llac, a bydd hi’n anodd canfod belaiau a gwarchodaeth. Yn y gaeaf, y tair rhigol amlwg yw’r prif atyniadau, ac mae’r tair, hyd yn oed os defnyddir offer modern, yn esgynfeydd heriol iawn. Bydd sgriwiau rhew yn ddiwerth yma. Mae cydbwysedd a chraffter yn bwysicach yma na'r cyhyrau deupen a’r cyhyrau croth y goes y bydd eu hangen i ddringo colofnau o rew pur. Mae 'Slanted Gully' yn nodedig am yr ogof a leolir hanner ffordd i fyny’r rhigol, ble mae marchogion y Brenin Arthur yn cysgu'n drwm gan ddisgwyl galwad i gynorthwyo ar awr dywyllaf Prydain. Nid yw’r ogof yn ddim mwy na chrafbant bas, ond bydd rhew yn ffurfio fel arfer ar ei hymyl allanol yn unig - felly ni fydd gan ddringwr unrhyw ddewis ond sleifio heibio’n lletchwith heb ddeffro neb.

Mewn cyferbyniad, ar ochr arall Crib y Ddysgl i lawr yn Nyffryn Llanberis ceir esgynfeydd o’r math modern. Ar greigiau gwlyb Craig y Rhaeadr, bydd colofnau fertigol o rew glas yn ffurfio'n rhwydd. Hyd yn oed yn oes y newid yn yr hinsawdd, bydd y cwympau rhew hyn yn ffurfio unwaith neu ddwywaith bob gaeaf - dim ond am ychydig - ac yna bydd rhesi o ddringwyr iâ rhwystredig yn ymddangos yn gyflym yn y gwaelod. Mae angen cryfder, sgiliau a phrofiad i arwain yn ddiogel ar yr esgynfeydd hyn, ond gall dechreuwyr llwyr ymlafnio i fyny ynghlwm wrth raff dynn.

Ond y ffordd fwyaf ysbrydoledig o brofi'r Wyddfa yn y gaeaf yw’r Bedol haeddiannol enwog. Wedi un cwymp eira yn unig, bydd croesi Crib Goch a Chrib y Ddysgl yn ymdebygu i alldaith yn yr Alpau. Yn achlysurol, adroddir hanes y tywysydd o’r Swistir, Melchior Anderegg, a wahoddwyd i aros ym Mhen y Pass un gaeaf cyn y Rhyfel Mawr. Cafodd ei dwyllo’n llwyr gan yr esgyniad.

Wrth gyrraedd copa cyntaf Crib Goch, argymhellodd y dylai'r criw ddychwelyd yn syth i osgoi cael eu dal gan y nos. Fe'i sicrhawyd gan ei gleient na fyddai angen mwy nag awr a hanner i gyrraedd yr Wyddfa, ac roedd yn gywir i'r funud bron iawn. Ond gall diffyg canolbwyntio fod yn farwol er na fydd rhywun yn dringo yn yr Alpau. Mae’n hawdd iawn baglu neu fachu blaen crampon mewn coes trowsus, neu, heb gramponau, llithro a methu stopio. Bydd tîm achub Llanberis yn brysur yn ddi-feth ar benwythnosau braf y gaeaf.

Fodd bynnag, os “gwyliwch bob cam yn ofalus”, fel rhybuddiai Whymper flynyddoedd yn ôl, nid oes llawer iawn o lefydd mwy bywiocaol na chrib copa Crib Goch yn y gaeaf. Gall amlygiad sydyn y grib ddrwg-enwog fod yn frawychus i ddringwyr profiadol hyd yn oed - a dyfroedd tywyll Llyn Llydaw sy’n frith o rewfryniau yn cymell ymhell islaw. Gwelir Eryri gyfan: o’r Glyderau a’r Carneddau yn y Gogledd i’r Arennig deupen a'r ddau Aran yn y dwyrain; i grib hir a thonnog Cadair Idris yn y de; weithiau, pan fydd hi'n oer a chlir, gall bryniau gwyn Wicklow ddawnsio fel rhithlun ar orwel pell y gorllewin. Yn achlysurol, clywir bloeddiau’r dringwyr ar Lliwedd yn glir yn yr aer rhewedig ar draws Cwm Dyli. Ond os cychwynnwch ar doriad y wawr, sydd ddim yn gynnar iawn yn ystod y gaeaf, mae’n debyg na fydd neb ar y mynydd, a’r unig sŵn fydd crensian yr eira rhewedig o dan eich traed. Bydd y copa yn llonydd a thawel, lle i fyfyrio, amser i ddweud gair o ddiolch.

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Snowdon in Winter Rob Collister

Del Davies yn arsyllu'r yr Wyddfa ar draws Llyn Llydaw wedi machlud haul y gaeaf Del Davies contemplating yr Wyddfa across Llyn Llydaw at the end of a winter's day © Netti Collister

Ice-honed arêtes radiating in all directions, embracing high-backed cwms and dark, glacial lakes... Snowdon is easily the finest mountain in Wales, and England, too, come to that. More’s the pity then that, in summer, its summit is thronged by the 150 people who arrive every hour by train and the almost equal number who arrive in the same space of time on foot, while the air is fouled by a cocktail of coal and diesel. In the caustic words of R S Thomas: Those who crowd A small window dirty it With their breathing, though sublime And inexhaustible the view.

In winter, however, a metamorphosis occurs. Close the café, smother the landscape in snow, and Snowdon becomes again a magnificent mountain. Like the onset of night, the quiet, persistent falling of snow quickly transforms the most familiar scene into a place strange, mysterious, and sometimes dangerous.

In ‘Mountains of the Mind’ Robert

Macfarlane quotes J.B.Priestley: “The first fall of snow is not only an event, it is a magical event. You go to bed in one kind of world and wake up to find yourself in another quite different, and if this is not enchantment, then where is it to be found?” Railway line, paths, boulderfields, streams and ponds all disappear under a white blanket, a blanket that, far from being smooth and uniform, startles in the infinite range of delicate forms and textures created by the play of wind or sun on its surface.

For the mountaineer, the arrival of winter means the dusting down of a whole new set of equipment, techniques and attitudes.

For while snow is more accommodating than rock when it comes to fashioning a comfortable stance on which to stand, or even a handhold to pull on if the snow is too soft for a pick, it is also less strong and more liable to give way unexpectedly; hard snow, without crampons or an ice-axe, and the ability to use them, is a very smooth, unforgiving surface on 20

which to slip, and breaking trail in deep soft snow to somewhere like the Trinity Face of Clogwyn y Garnedd, beneath the summit of yr Wyddfa (Snowdon), can be an exhausting labour, quite different from summer walking.

The Trinity Face normally appeals more to the botanist than to the climber but, like other damp, vegetated crags such as Ysgolion Duon and Twll Du, it provides excellent winter climbing. Facing north at 1,000 metres above sea-level, snow lingers even when it has long vanished from the nether regions. Here, countless climbers have been introduced to the arts of step-kicking and step-cutting, cramponing and ice-axe braking. Difficulty varies wildly according to conditions. With a good build-up of snow, Central Trinity gully must be skiable.

Yet one spring day, when there was barely a snow-patch to be seen from the road, it gave 200 metres of perfect cramponing, including 30 metres of technical climbing

up a ribbon of water ice. On another occasion, with much more snow but poor visibility, having climbed the right-hand gully, Jeremy Light and I chose to descend Central Trinity. Halfway down, at the Narrows, we met a large party on their way up. A closer look revealed a group of five, all in city shoes or trainers, with not an axe between them. In the mist, they had followed the wrong set of foot prints (probably ours) and lost the Miners’ Track. After teetering up 100 metres of steepening snow, the leader had encountered hard ice and was pawing at it ineffectually with his smooth-soled shoes. His friends were lined up below, one behind the other, like dominoes. We arrived with a rope just in time.

past awkwardly without disturbing anyone.

By contrast, on the other side of Crib y Ddysgl, down in the Llanberis Pass, are climbs in the modern idiom. On the wet rocks of Craig y Rhaeadr (cliff of the waterfall) vertical pillars of blue ice form readily. Even now in the days of climate change, these ice-falls usually form once or twice a winter - if briefly - and then queues of frustrated ice-climbers quickly appear at the bottom.

These climbs require strength, skill and experience to lead safely, but complete beginners can, and do, bludgeon their way up on the end of a tight rope.

But the most inspiring way to experience Snowdon in winter is the justly famous Horseshoe. The traverse of Crib Goch and Crib y Ddysgl needs only a fall of snow to seem like an alpine expedition. The story is often told of the Swiss guide Melchior Anderegg who, invited to stay at Pen y Pass one winter before the First World War, was totally deceived by the scale. Arriving on the first summit of Crib Goch, he counselled immediate retreat if the party was to avoid benightment. His client assured him it would take no more than one and a half hours to reach yr Wyddfa, and he was correct almost to the minute. But, if the scale is not alpine, a lapse of concentration can still be fatal. It is all too easy to trip or catch a crampon point in a trouser leg or, without crampons, simply to slip and be unable to stop. The Llanberis rescue team is invariably busy on fine weekends in wintertime.

If the Trinity Face of yr Wyddfa has always been a popular venue for the initiation of winter climbers, the cliffs of Lliwedd, only a few hundred metres away, are definitely no place for the tyro. Nearly 300 metres high, with little drainage on which ice can form, they are more of a rock-climber’s playground; though, even in summer, the holds slope awkwardly, the largest of blocks can be loose, and belays and protection are not easy to find. In winter, the three prominent gullies are the main attractions, and all three, even with modern equipment, are serious climbs. Ice-screws are of no use here. Balance and finesse are more important than the biceps and calf muscles needed for columns of pure ice. Slanting Gully has the distinction of a cave halfway up where King Arthur’s knights lie fast asleep awaiting a summons in the hour of Britain’s greatest need. The cave is little more than a shallow scoop, but ice usually forms only on its outer rim - and thinly at that - so the climber has no choice but to sidle

However, “Look well to each step”, as Whymper cautioned all those years ago, and there can be few more exhilarating places than the summit ridge of Crib Goch in winter. The sudden exposure of the notorious knife-edge can be startling even for the experienced, the black, ice-berg studded waters of Llydaw beckoning far below. The whole of Snowdonia lies revealed: from Glyderau and Carneddau in the north to twin-headed Arenig and the Arans in the east; to the long undulating ridge of Cadair Idris in the south; and sometimes, in cold clear conditions, the white hills of Wicklow can dance like a mirage on the horizon far away in the west. On occasion, the shouts of climbers on Lliwedd can carry clearly in the frozen air right across Cwm Dyli. But start at first light, which in winter is not so very early, and the chances are the mountain will be deserted, the only sound the scrunch of frozen snow underfoot. The summit will be still and silent, a place for reflection, a time for giving thanks.

Rob yn dwad i'r golwg wedi dringo i fyny llwybr byr ger y 'Zig-zags'; Golygfa o ben gorllewinol Llyn Llydaw o Lwybr Pyg Rob emerging from a short cut near the Zig-zags; The west end of Llyn Llydaw viewed from the Pyg Track © Rob Collister

21

Llythyrau ● Letters

Pŵer hydro ● Hydropower

Argraffir llythyrau yn yr iaith y cawn hwy. • Letters are printed in the language that we receive them.

Dear Editors, I believe that waterfalls in Snowdonia should not be used for hydro-electric, as this interferes with the ‘Natural’ flow of a waterfall. There is nothing worse than going to see a waterfall, only to find its flow reduced to just a trickle. Are there any plans within the Park to stop further schemes?

Last year my brother came to Snowdonia to find two waterfalls affected in this way; he could take no photos of them after travelling for eight hours by train. Will other visitors to Snowdonia be put off visiting if more waterfalls are reduced to a trickle or stopped completely like the one near Betws-y-Coed? I do hope the Snowdonia Society will be against further schemes and keep the Park ‘Natural’ for all to enjoy.

Yours sincerely, John Gittings Dear Editors, On a recent walk to see the Conwy, Pandy and Machno Falls, we had difficulty finding the Machno Falls and it seems they are no more; only a slight trickle of water now flows over the river bed which once played host to this magnificent falls. The river is dammed above the falls and all the water is diverted via a huge shed to serve what I assume is a private venture. What was once a beauty spot is now an awful sight and I wonder how on earth planning permission was granted and the Falls allowed to be destroyed.

Whilst I have no objection to creating small hydro-electric schemes on our rivers, surely they have to be sensitive to the local environment and not destroy long established beauty spots in the heart of Snowdonia. This is something that needs to be addressed; one planning permission might be seen as a precedent to target other beauty spots in Snowdonia. Destroying long established beauty spots for whatever purpose should not be allowed.

Yours sincerely, Richard Dyer

Cafwyd tua 65 o geisiadau am gynlluniau pŵer hydro-electrig yn y Parc yn ystod y ddwy neu dair blynedd diwethaf – ymateb sylweddol i’r cymhelliannau tariffau cynhyrchu trydan a gynigir mewn perthynas â chynhyrchu ynni adnewyddadwy.

Mae llawer o’r cynlluniau hyn yn fychan iawn. Mae'r rhan fwyaf ohonyn nhw yn llai na 50kW; mae'r un yn Nhryweryn yn 500kW a'r un yn Hafod y Llan yn 700kW. Sut allwn ni benderfynu a fydd gan gynllun effeithiau negyddol ‘annerbyniol’? Pa mor ddifrifol sydd rhaid i’r effeithiau hynny fod i orbwyso eu manteision ynni ac economaidd? Nid yw’r rhain yn gwestiynau du a gwyn, a dim ond ffŵl a fyddai’n honni gwybod beth sy’n briodol ym mhob achos. Ond gall y Gymdeithas fod yn falch o’r ffaith ei bod yn parhau i holi’r cwestiynau, annog trafodaeth, a rhoi prawf ar yr honiadau ffraeth a wneir ar brydiau i gefnogi cynlluniau.

Rhaid gwerthuso amrywiaeth helaeth o effeithiau a materion mewn perthynas â chynigion am gynlluniau hydro-electrig.

Efallai fod gan y safle ei hun ddynodiadau cadwraeth sy'n ychwanegol at fod yn rhan o Barc Cenedlaethol; mae gan lawer o goridorau afonydd rannau sydd â statws Safle o Ddiddordeb Gwyddonol Arbennig neu Ardal Cadwraeth Arbennig.

Mae coridorau afonydd a nentydd sydd â chyfraddau llif uchel a graddiannau serth hanfodion ynni hydro-electrig - yn cynnal cynefinoedd arbennig a rhywogaethau prin. Gall y rhain gynnwys pysgod, adar ac infertebratau y mae cysylltiad agos iawn rhwng eu cylchoedd bridio a phatrymau llifeiriant neu sychderau afon.

Ond y rhywogaethau mwyaf sensitif yw’r bryoffytau (mwsoglau a llysiau’r afu) a allai gael eu cyfyngu i fannau lle ceir lleithder penodol iawn.

Bydd y drefn tynnu dŵr arfaethedigfaint o ddŵr a gymerir o dan wahanol gyfraddau llifiant – yn pennu difrifoldeb ac amseriad effeithiau ar fywyd gwyllt a chynefinoedd. Bydd hefyd yn llywio effaith y prosiect ar ddefnydd hamdden adloniadol o’r afon, er enghraifft, canŵio, caiacio a physgota â gwialen. Efallai bydd lleihad yng nghyfanswm y diwrnodau pan ellir padlo ar yr afon, ac weithiau, bydd hynny’n lleihad dramatig.

Bydd tynnu dŵr hefyd yn effeithio ar werthoedd tirweddau, megis niwiedio 22

effaith weledol y gall rhan benodol o afon fod yn enwog o’i herwydd. O dan amgylchiadau o’r fath, efallai bydd effaith ar gynnyrch economaidd tymor hir y safle trwy ei gallu i ddenu ymwelwyr.

Rhaid i ni ochel rhag cyfuno effeithiau cynllun hydro-electrig â’r amrywiadau naturiol sy’n dilyn patrymau glawiad.

Efallai byddai gan archif o ffotograffau rôl ddefnyddiol o ran sefydlu sylfeini gweledol afonydd a rhaeadrau Eryri unrhyw wirfoddolwyr?

Mae’n haws deall effeithiau gweledol leiniau peipiau, pa un ai a fyddan nhw wedi’u claddu neu uwchlaw’r ddaear. Rhaid dewis llwybrau leiniau peipiau i leihau unrhyw darfu ar goed a chynefinoedd. Bydd llethr a swbstrad y safle yn dylanwadu ar ddifrifoldeb a hirhoedledd creithiau gwrthgloddiau leiniau peipiau, ac mae cynlluniau a lleoliadau coredau a thai tyrbinau yn bwysig hefyd.

Mae 'caniatâd' yn hanfodol i sefydlu cynllun hydro-electrig. Bydd angen trwydded tynnu dŵr gan Gyfoeth Naturiol Cymru, a bydd angen i’r corff hwnnw asesu ei oblygiadau ecolegol, ond nid yw’n eglur a yw’r ddwy swyddogaeth hyn yn hollol gydnaws. Mae cael caniatâd cynllunio gan Awdurdod y Parc Cenedlaethol yn gofyn am dystiolaeth atodol ychwanegol sy’n amrywio yn ôl amgylchiadau unigryw y safle a'r cais.

Mae Cymdeithas Eryri wedi cynnig sylwadau ynghylch nifer fechan o ddatblygiadau hydro-electrig.

Mae angen annog ynni adnewyddadwy fel elfen bwysig o ddull cydgysylltiedig o ddarparu ynni. Fodd bynnag, yn union fel datblygiadau eraill, bydd y Gymdeithas yn gwrthwynebu cynlluniau a allai niweidio rhinweddau arbennig y Parc.

Yn ystod misoedd diweddar, rydym wedi cynnig sylwadau plaen ynghylch dau gynllun canolig eu maint (mae un ohonyn nhw wedi cael ei dynnu’n ôl) ac rydym yn cadw llygad barcud ar gynnig am gynllun llawer mwy (4.5MW) yn Rhaeadr y Graig Lwyd. Efallai bydd y sawl sy’n aelodau ers tro yn cofio ymgyrch y Gymdeithas yn erbyn cynllun a allai fod wedi gwneud niwed difrifol i geunant Cynfal. Bydd eraill yn cofio’r frwydr epig yn erbyn gosod lein beipiau newydd yng Nghwm Dyli...

John Harold, Cyfarwyddwr

Cymeriant arfaethedig ar Rhaeadr y Graig Lwyd ● Proposed intake at Conwy Falls © RWE Innogy & Dulas Ltd Cwm Dyli © John Farrar

Rhaeadr Ewynnol ● Swallow Falls

Gwiliwch am ein digwyddiad pŵer hydro mis Mawrth nesaf.

Look out for our hydropower event next March.

Gyrrwch eich sylwadau neu lythyrau atom i'r cyfeiriad isod.

Please send your comments or letters to: Cymdeithas Eryri Snowdonia Society, Caban, Yr Hen Ysgol, Brynrefail, Caernarfon LL55 3NR info@snowdonia-society.org.uk

There have been approximately 65 hydroelectric scheme applications in the Park in the last two to three years - a big response to the feed-in tariff incentives for renewable energy generation. Many of these schemes are very small; the majority are less than 50kW, with Tryweryn at 500kW and Hafod y Llan, 700kW.

How do we decide whether a scheme will have ‘unacceptable’ negative impacts? How serious do those impacts have to be to outweigh their energy and economic benefits? These are not black and white questions, and only a fool would claim to know what is right in each case.

But the Snowdonia Society can be proud that it continues to ask the questions, encourage the debate, and test the glib assertions which are sometimes made in their support.

A wide range of impacts and issues need to be evaluated with respect to hydro scheme proposals. The site itself may have conservation designations in addition to being within a National Park; many river corridors have sections with Site of Special Scientific Interest or Special Area of Conservation status. River and stream corridors with high flow rates and steep gradients – the ingredients of hydropower – support specialised habitats and rare species.

These may include fish, birds and invertebrates whose breeding cycles are intimately linked to the patterns of the river’s spates or droughts. But amongst the most sensitive are the bryophytes (mosses and liverworts) which may be restricted to precise humidity regimes.

The proposed water extraction regime (how much water is taken under different flow rates) determines the scale and the timing of impacts on wildlife and habitats. It also shapes the impact of the project on recreational use of the river, for example canoeing, kayaking and angling; the number of days when the river can be paddled may be reduced, 23

sometimes dramatically so.

A further effect of water extraction is on landscape values, such as the reduction in visual impact, for which a particular section of a river may be famous. In such situations there may be an impact on the long term economic ‘generation’ of the site through its visitor-pulling power.

We must be careful not to conflate the effect of a hydro-electric scheme with the natural variations which follow rainfall patterns. There could be a useful role here for an archive of photographs to establish the visual baselines for Snowdonia’s rivers and waterfalls - any volunteers?

More easily understood are the visual impacts of the pipelines, whether buried or above ground. Route choices for a pipeline must minimise disturbance to trees and habitats. Slope and substrate of the site influence the degree and longevity of scarring from the pipeline earthworks, while design and location of weir and turbine house are also important.

‘Permissions’ are necessary to get a hydro scheme up and running. An abstraction licence is needed from Natural Resources Wales, who also need to assess ecological implications, though it is not clear whether those two functions are fully aligned. Planning permission from the National Park Authority requires additional supporting evidence which varies according to the unique circumstances of the site and the application.

The Snowdonia Society has commented on a small number of hydro developments. Renewables need to be encouraged as an important element of a joined-up approach to energy. As with other developments, however, the Society does draw the line at schemes which risk damage to the Park’s special qualities. In recent months we have submitted forthright comment on two medium-sized schemes (one of which has been withdrawn) and are keeping a close eye on a much larger (4.5MW) proposal for the Conwy Falls. Members of long standing may recall the Society’s campaign against a scheme which would have seriously damaged the Cynfal gorge. Others will recall the epic struggle over the replacement of the pipeline in Cwm Dyli…

John Harold, Director

Digwyddiadau • Events Ddim yn aelod? Cewch ddarganod mwy am Gymdeithas Eryri trwy fynychu un o'n digwyddiadau. Croesawir aelodau a rhai sydd ddim yn aelodau'n ddiwahân. Dyma rai o'r digwyddiadau sydd ar ein rhaglen gaeaf.

Not a member? Why not come and find out more about the Snowdonia Society by attending one of our events. They are open to members and non-members alike. Here are some of the events on our winter programme.

4 Hydref - Gwir Her y 3 Chopa (yr Wyddfa) - Ein rhan ni o gasgliad sbwriel ar y cyd i lanhau copâu uchaf yr Alban, Lloegr a Chymru.

4 Oct - The Real 3 Peaks Challenge (Snowdon) - Our part in a coordinated litter pick to clean up the highest mountains of Scotland, England and Wales.

18 Hydref - CCB, Bwyd Cymru Bodnant, Tal-y-Cafn.

18 Oct - Annual General Meeting, Bodnant Welsh Foods, Tal-y-Cafn.

26 Hydref - Eryri Tanddaearol, chwarel llechi Rhiw Bach, Cwm Penmachno 16 Tachwedd - Cyfeiriannu yn y Mynyddoedd - Sesiwn yn dysgu sgiliau hanfodol ar gyfer tywydd mynydd drwg. Llanberis 6 Rhagfyr - Digwyddiad Cymdeithasol i Aelodau, Dolwyddelan Taith gerdded â chinio i'w dilyn.

26 Oct - Snowdonia Underground, Rhiw Bach slate quarry, Cwm Penmachno 16 Nov - Navigation in the mountains - A session in the mountains learning essential skills for poor visibilty. Llanberis 6 Dec - Members’ Social: A walk and lunch in Dolwyddelan

20 Ionawr - Dyddio Hen Dai Cymreig Sgwrs gan Margaret Dunn, Tremadog.

20 Jan - Dating Old Welsh Houses A talk by Margaret Dunn, Tremadog.

2 Chwefror - Ffyrdd Rhufeinig Ucheldir Eryri Swper a sgwrs gyda David Hopewell, Caban, Brynrefail

2 Feb tbc - The Upland Roman Roads of Snowdonia Supper followed by a talk by David Hopewell, Caban, Brynrefail

21 Chwefror - Adnabod a Gwerthfawrogi Coed y Gaeaf, Plas Tan y Bwlch, gyda John Harold.

21 Feb - Winter Tree Identification and Appreciation, Plas Tan y Bwlch, with John Harold.

Mawrth (dyddiad i'w ddatgan) - Deall Pŵer Hydro Sgwrs a thaith gerdded, Caffi Rhaeadr Conwy

March (date tba) - The Ins and Outs of Hydropower A talk and a walk, Conwy Falls Cafe.

31 Mawrth - Cyflwyniad i Ddaeareg Eryri Taith gerdded dywysedig yn ardal Gelli Iago a Llyn Llagi.

31 Mar - The Geology of Snowdonia - A beginners Guide A walk exploring the geology of Gelli Iago and Llyn Llagi.

Am ragor o wybodaeth neu i gael copi o'r rhaglen lawn cysylltwch â ni neu gweler ein gwefan.

For more information or a copy of the full programme please contact us or visit our website.

01286 685498 info@snowdonia-society.org.uk www.cymdeithas-eryri.org.uk • www.snowdonia-society.org.uk

Croesawu'r wawr o gopa Foel Grach ar ein daith gerdded heuldro'r haf ● Welcoming the dawn from the summit of Foel Grach on our solstice walk © Andrew Galloway 24

Cefnogwch ein gwaith... Support our work... ... a helpwch i warchod harddwch ac amrywiaeth tirwedd a bywyd gwyllt Eryri.

... and help protect the beauty and diversity of Snowdonia’s landscape and wildlife.

Mae ein Haelodau Busnes wedi bod yn brysur yn cyfrannu at ddigwyddiadau'r Gymdeithas, gwaith cadwraeth a gweithgareddau eraill.

Our Business Members have been busy contributing to Society events, conservation work and other activities.

Mae aelodaeth o’r Gymdeithas yn cychwyn o £12 i'r rhai sydd o dan 25 oed.

Mae Ross a Kate Worthington o RAW Adventures yn parhau i chwarae rôl amhrisiadwy yn y bartneriaeth Wyddfa Lân, ac yn y gwaith o gynllunio casgliad sbwriel Gwir Her y 3 Chopa ym mis Hydref; bydd Rheilffyrdd Ffestiniog ac Ucheldir Cymru yn helpu i hyrwyddo ein digwyddiadau, ac roedden nhw’n bartner gwych pan gynhaliwyd Casgliad Sbwriel Blaenau Ffestiniog, yn caniatáu i’r gwirfoddolwyr deithio am ddim ar y trenau; yn yr un modd, mae Rheilffordd yr Wyddfa yn cynorthwyo ers blynyddoedd â'n Casgliad Sbwriel blynyddol ar yr Wyddfa, trwy gludo gwirfoddolwyr i’r copa.

Hefyd, cynhaliodd Trigonos Gyfarfod Cymdeithasol ein Haelodau yn Nhachwedd, a chawsom ddefnyddio’u Galeri hardd am ddim i wrando ar sgwrs Huw Jenkins, cynigodd Plas y Brenin sesiwn profi dringo creigiau am bris arbennig, a chynhaliodd Plas Tan y Bwlch daith gerdded ysbrydoledig ar hyd llwybr ei gynllun hydro-electrig, ac mae North Wales IT yn parhau i ddarparu cymorth TG pro bono.

KWJ Computers o Flaenau Ffestiniog yw ein Haelod Busnes diweddaraf. Dywed y perchennog Kevin Jones, “Byddaf yn gwerthu, cynnal a chadw, ac atgyweirio cyfrifiaduron a systemau CCTV i unigolion a busnesau ledled Gogledd Cymru. Rwyf wedi byw yn Eryri ar hyd fy oes, a deuthum yn Aelod Busnes o Gymdeithas Eryri oherwydd mae’n bwysig cefnogi cymunedau lleol ac annog busnesau bach Eryri.”

Os ydych chi’n rhedeg busnes yn Eryri neu gerllaw, beth am gysylltu â ni i drafod sut gallem gydweithio?

I gael rhagor o wybodaeth am Aelodaeth Unigol neu Fusnes, cysylltwch â ni neu trowch at dudalen ‘Ymunwch Nawr’ ein gwefan.

Membership of the Snowdonia Society starts at £12 for under 25s.

Ross and Kate Worthington of RAW Adventures continue to be invaluable to the Snowdon Tidy partnership and in planning the Real 3 Peaks Challenge litter pick in October; Ffestiniog & Welsh Highland Railways help promote our events and were a fantastic partner for the Blaenau Litter Pick, providing free train transport for the volunteers; likewise, Snowdon Mountain Railway have been involved for some years with our annual Snowdon Litter Pick, transporting volunteers to the top of the mountain.

Meanwhile, Trigonos hosted our Members’ Social in November, providing free use of their beautiful Gallery for Huw Jenkins’ talk, Plas y Brenin offered a specially priced rock-climbing taster session, Plas Tan y Bwlch led members on an inspiring guided walk along the route of their hydro-electric scheme, and North Wales IT continues to provide the Society with pro bono IT support.

KWJ Computers of Blaenau Ffestining is our newest Business Member. Owner Kevin Jones says, “I supply, maintain and repair computers and CCTV for individuals and businesses throughout north Wales. I have always lived in Snowdonia and became a Business Member of the Snowdonia Society because it is important to support local communities and encourage small businesses in Eryri.”

If you have a business operating in or near Snowdonia, why not give us a ring to have a chat about how we could work together?

For more information about Individual or Business Membership, contact us or see the ‘Join Now’ page our website.

01286 685498 info@snowdonia-society.org.uk www.cymdeithas-eryri.org.uk • www.snowdonia-society.org.uk

Y Moelwynion © Steve Lewis

25

Adolygiad o'r flwyddyn Yn adolygiad y llynedd, dywedais y byddai’r bygythiadau a’r heriau a wynebir gan Barciau Cenedlaethol Cymru yn cynyddu. Daeth hynny’n wir. Dros y 12 mis diwethaf, mae rhai gwleidyddion wedi cwestiynu manteision y Parciau Cenedlaethol sawl gwaith, ac wedi galw am ddileu eu pwerau cynllunio. Mae’r Llywodraeth wedi penderfynu ar doriad o 13.9% yng nghyllidebau Awdurdod y Parc, ac mae rhagor o doriadau ar y gweill. Mae nifer o Filiau Llywodraeth Cymru a fydd yn effeithio ar ein Parciau Cenedlaethol ar fin cael eu cyhoeddi, ac mae Adolygiad o Drefn Lywodraethol Tirweddau Dynodedig - Parciau Cenedlaethol ac Ardaloedd o Harddwch Naturiol Eithriadol (AHNE) - wedi cael ei gyhoeddi. Ni fu dyfodol Awdurdodau Parciau Cenedlaethol Cymru erioed mor ansicr.

Felly, pwy sy’n dadlau achos y Parciau?

Wel, mae safbwynt mwyafrif pobl Cymru yn amlwg; mewn arolwg, roedd 95% yn ystyried fod Parciau Cenedlaethol yn bwysig iddyn nhw, a bydd tri chwarter poblogaeth Cymru yn ymweld â hwy yn flynyddol. Bob blwyddyn, bydd Parciau Cenedlaethol Cymru yn croesawu 12 miliwn ymwelydd fydd yn gwario £1bn ar nwyddau a gwasanaethau. I amddiffyn ein Parciau Cenedlaethol, mae tair Cymdeithas Parciau Cenedlaethol Cymru ar y cyd ag Ymgyrch Diogelu Cymru Wledig a Chymdeithas Genedlaethol AHNE wedi sefydlu Cynghrair Parciau Cenedlaethol Cymru yn ddiweddar, ac maen nhw’n cydweithio i ddadlau’r achos i’r Llywodraeth a chyrff allweddol eraill dan faner ‘Mae Parciau Cenedlaethol yn Cyfrif’.

Cefnogir y Gynghrair randdeiliaid

gan

nifer

lsh Government

● We © Llywodraeth Cymru

o

cyfetholedig yn cynnwys Awdurdodau’r Parciau Cenedlaethol a’r Ymgyrch Dros y Parciau Cenedlaethol (CNP). Gan gydnabod y caiff y frwydr ei hymladd yn well gan gorff o Gymru, mae CNP wedi cytuno i ddirwyn CNP Cymru i ben a chefnogi'r Gynghrair.

Mae Cymdeithasau Parciau Cenedlaethol Cymru, gan weithredu ar y cyd unwaith eto, wedi bod yn cyflwyno barnau i Lywodraeth Cymru ynghylch holl gynigion ei hymgynghoriad mewn perthynas â buddiannau’r Parc Cenedlaethol. Fe wnaethom hefyd gyflwyno safbwyntiau i Gomisiwn Williams, a gyhoeddodd adroddiad yn Ionawr 2014 ynghylch trefn lywodraethol a darpariaeth gwasanaethau cyhoeddus yng Nghymru. Casglodd y Comisiwn na ddylai cylch gorchwyl Awdurdodau’r Parciau newid, ond dylen nhw geisio sicrhau rhagor o arbedion trwy wneud rhagor o waith mewn partneriaeth a dylid ystyried sefydlu un awdurdod.

Yn unol â phenderfyniad yr aelodaeth yn y CCB diwethaf, mae’r Gymdeithas bellach wedi’i chofrestru â’r Comisiwn Elusennau fel Sefydliad Elusennol Ymgorfforedig (CIO) ac mae’r elusen flaenorol yn cael ei dirwyn i ben. Fel CIO, bydd gennym y fantais o atebolrwydd cyfyngedig, sy'n ei gwneud yn haws i recriwtio a chadw ymddiriedolwyr, a phersonoliaeth gyfreithiol, sy’n golygu fod llunio cytundebau a bod yn berchen ar eiddo yn haws. Mae mwyafrif yr ymddiriedolwyr presennol wedi cytuno i fod yn ymddiriedolwyr y CIO newydd, ond rydym wrthi’n ceisio recriwtio ymddiriedolwyr newydd.

Mae’r cynlluniau ynni adnewyddadwy niferus yn parhau i bwyso’n drwm ar amser y Gymdeithas.

Mae cynlluniau am dyrbinau gwynt mawr yn agos at derfyn y Parc yn bryder sylweddol, ond fe’n calonogwyd gan ddau benderfyniad diweddar o blaid tirwedd Eryri. Yn y ddau achos, cadarnhaodd y dyfarniad na ddylai datblygiadau 26

tyrbinau gwynt a leolir oddi allan i derfyn y Parc Cenedlaethol arwain at effaith negyddol sylweddol ar olygfeydd o fannau eraill a welir o'r Parc, na golygfeydd o’r Parc a welir o fannau eraill. Mae’r Gymdeithas o blaid cynlluniau hydroelectrig adnewyddadwy bychan, ond mae'n poeni ynghylch nifer gynyddol o gynlluniau yn yr un dyffryn, neu safleoedd lle na chaiff golygfeydd hardd nac ecoleg sensitif glannau afonydd eu gwarchod yn ddigonol. Byddwn yn parhau i fonitro’r cynlluniau hyn yn fanwl.

Mae toriadau sylweddol yn y gwasanaeth bws Sherpa yn ergyd arall i obeithion am system cludiant cyhoeddus drefnus a chynaliadwy yn y Parc. Bydd y Gymdeithas yn parhau i geisio dylanwadu ar Awdurdodau Lleol a newid cyfeiriad y mater hwn.

Mae’r Gymdeithas wedi llunio cytundeb ag Awdurdod y Parc Cenedlaethol eleni i gynnal a chadw Lôn Gwyrfai, llwybr amlddefnydd newydd a phoblogaidd rhwng Rhyd Ddu a Beddgelert, ac mae'n parhau i ddatblygu ein rhaglen o waith cadwraeth gwirfoddol trwy Brosiect Ecosystem Eryri. Caiff y rhaglen ei rhedeg ar y cyd â nifer o bartneriaid, ac mae’n boblogaidd iawn â gwirfoddolwyr ac yn cynnig cyfle i ofalu am y Parc Cenedlaethol trwy waith cadwraeth ymarferol a dysgu sgiliau newydd. Fodd bynnag, mae sicrhau nawdd i’r Prosiect hwn yn her allweddol, yn enwedig o gofio na fydd Cyfoeth Naturiol Cymru o reidrwydd yn gallu cynnig yr un lefel o gymorth a gafwyd gan ei ragflaenydd, Cyngor Cefn Gwlad Cymru.

Bu nifer o newidiadau yn staff y Gymdeithas hefyd. Gadawodd Huw Jenkins ein Cyfarwyddwr dros dro ym mis Ionawr, ar ôl llenwi’r bwlch yn effeithiol iawn yn ystod cyfnod mamolaeth Sarah Medcalf. Yn anffodus, penderfynodd Sarah beidio dychwelyd, ond yn ffodus, rydym wedi penodi John Harold fel Cyfarwyddwr newydd.

Gadawodd Jenny Whitmore, y Swyddog Prosiect, yn ystod y flwyddyn hefyd, a phenodwyd Owain Thomas yn ei lle. Roedd Jenny’n gaffaeliad mawr o ran y gwaith o gydlynu rhaglen wirfoddoli Cymdeithas Eryri a sefydlu grŵp gweithredu ‘Wyddfa Lân’. Dymunwn bob llwyddiant iddi yn ei swydd newydd ym Mhrifysgol Bangor.

Unwaith yn rhagor, mae Tŷ Hyll wedi denu nifer fawr o ymwelwyr eleni (oddeutu

37,000), gan greu incwm a denu aelodau i'r Gymdeithas. O ganlyniad i gais llwyddiannus am arian, fe wnaethom gyflogi Lisa Mundle i gyflwyno cyfres o ddigwyddiadau ynghylch gwenyn a phryfed peillio yn Nhŷ Hyll dros yr haf. Roeddem wrth ein bodd pan enillodd Margaret Thomas, un o’n hymddiriedolwyr sydd wedi gwasanaethu hwyaf, a phencampwraig Tŷ Hyll, wobr flynyddol glodfawr gan Gyngor Gweithredu Gwirfoddol Cymru am ei gwaith yn Nhŷ Hyll. Mae hi’n un o ddau enillydd Categori Ymddiriedolwyr Gwobrau Gwirfoddoli CGGC, sy’n cydnabod gwaith caled gwirfoddolwyr ledled Cymru. Llongyfarchiadau Margaret.

Wedi deng mlynedd fel Llywydd y Gymdeithas, mae Dr John Disley wedi ymddiswyddo. Mae John yn eiriolwr dylanwadol ac effeithiol dros Eryri a Chymdeithas Eryri ers tro byd, a hoffwn ddiolch iddo ar ran y Gymdeithas. Rydym yn falch iawn y bydd yn parhau fel un o’n hislywyddion. Rydym yn ffodus iawn o fod wedi gallu penodi John Lloyd Jones yn Llywydd newydd; mae John yn siaradwr huawdl sydd â gwybodaeth helaeth am gefn gwlad Cymru, ac mae’n parhau ein traddodiad o Lywyddion nodedig.

Uchafbwyntiau'r flwyddyn Dangosodd dau unigolyn pa mor werthfawr yw gwaith y Gymdeithas iddyn nhw trwy wneud cyfraniad ariannol sylweddol (£5,000) a gadael cymynrodd o £4,470 yn ystod y flwyddyn.

Cyfrannodd yr haelioni hwn at flwyddyn dda o ran cyllid y Gymdeithas, ac fe wnaeth rheolaeth gaeth iawn ar wariant y Gymdeithas gynorthwyo hefyd. O ganlyniad, byddwn yn gallu parhau â phob maes gwaith yn cynnwys y gwaith hollbwysig fel llais annibynnol ar faterion cynllunio - gwaith a ariennir yn llwyr

gennych chi, ein haelodau.

Mae’r prosiect magu mamwenyn yn Nhŷ Hyll yn parhau i ddatblygu a denu diddordeb mewn gwenyn a phryfed peillio eraill. Clywyd y geiriau “epil wedi’u selio!” yn cael eu bloeddio’n frwdfrydig eleni, ac mae’r BBC wedi bod yn ffilmio cychod gwenyn Tŷ Hyll, lle mae Lisa Mundle wedi bod yn brysur yn arwain digwyddiadau pryfed peillio i’r gymuned leol, ymwelwyr ac ysgolion.

Hefyd yn Nhŷ Hyll, rydym wrth ein bodd fod ystafell de Pot Mêl wedi ennill enw da rhagorol, a bod tenantiaid gwych ein hystafell de, Tim ac Ayla Maddox, yn ymestyn eu prydles tan 2022 o leiaf.

Ym mis Medi 2013, cynhaliwyd 30ain Cystadleuaeth Codi Waliau Sychion Cymdeithas Eryri, a hon oedd yr olaf.

Cafodd ei hariannu gan Ymddiriedolaeth Eryri Esmé Kirby, a’r bwriad oedd sicrhau fod y grefft yn fyw a gweladwy yn Eryri. Dair degawd yn ddiweddarach, mae sefyllfa'r grefft o godi waliau traddodiadol wedi cael ei gweddnewid; mae llawer o'r gwaith o ailadeiladu terfynau caeau wedi'i wneud â chefnogaeth ariannol cynlluniau amaeth-amgylchedd megis Tir Gofal, ac yn sicr, mae'r Gymdeithas wedi cyfrannu at gynnal sgiliau a safonau uchel.

Llwyddiant!

David Archer, Cadeirydd

Cafwyd wyth aelod busnes newydd yn ystod y flwyddyn, a bellach, mae gennym gyfanswm o 23. Mae llawer o'r busnesau lleol hyn yn gefnogwyr brwd i ddigwyddiadau'r Gymdeithas, ac ymhen ychydig, byddwn yn cyhoeddi ein cyfeiriadur cyntaf o aelodau busnes.

Clocwedd - Gwirfoddolwyr Prosiect Ecosystem Eryri: Myfyrwyr Prifysgol Bangor yn plannu coed yn Nhŷ Hyll; yn gwneud blwch gwiwer goch; clirio coed conwydd o wlyptir er lles y misglod perlog, Trawsfynydd. Gwaelod: Cystadleuaeth Codi Waliau Cerrig, Egryn.

Mae gwaith capasiti codi arian yn cael ei ddatblygu o dan brosiect Catalydd HLF. Cafwyd ymrwymiad go iawn gan ein haelodau eleni, ac mae llawer ohonyn nhw wedi cyfrannu arian neu wedi cynyddu eu tâl aelodaeth yn wirfoddol er mwyn cefnogi ein gwaith. Mae 50fed penblwydd y Gymdeithas ar y gorwel, ac mae ein haelodau yn sylfaen cryf i’r gwaith sy’n ein hwynebu.

Clockwise - Snowdonia Ecosystem Project volunteers: Bangor University students tree-planting at Tŷ Hyll; making a red squirrel box; removing pine saplings from a wetland to benefit fresh water pearl mussels, Trawsfynydd. Bottom: Dry Stone Walling Competition, Egryn.

John Harold, Cyfarwyddwr 27

Review of the year In last year’s review, I signalled the escalating challenges and threats faced by the Welsh National Parks. How right this has proved. Over the last 12 months, some politicians have repeatedly questioned the benefit of National Parks and pressed for their planning powers to be removed. The Government has slashed Park Authority budgets by 13.9% with further cuts on the horizon. A range of Welsh Government Bills which will have an impact on our National Parks are about to be published, and a Governance Review of Designated Landscapes - both National Parks and Areas of Outstanding National Beauty (AONBs) - has been announced.

The future of National Park Authorities in Wales has never been more uncertain.

So, who is standing up for the Parks? Well, it’s clear what the majority of people in Wales think; when surveyed, 95% considered National Parks important to them and three quarters of the Welsh population visit them annually. In total, 12 million visitors from the UK and further afield are welcomed to the Welsh Parks and spend £1bn on goods and services each year. To defend our National Parks, the three Welsh National Park Societies in conjunction with CPRW and the National Association for AONBs have recently established the Alliance for National Parks Cymru and, acting in concert, are taking the case to Government and other key players under the banner ‘National Parks Matter’.

The Alliance is supported by a number of co-opted stakeholders including the National Park Authorities and the Campaign for National Parks (CNP).

Recognising

that the campaign in Wales is best fought by a Wales based body, CNP has agreed to wind up CNP Cymru and put its weight behind the Alliance.

The National Park Societies in Wales, again acting in concert, have been submitting views to the Welsh Government on all its consultation proposals relating to the interests of the National Parks. We also submitted views to the Williams Commission, which reported in January 2014 on public service governance and delivery in Wales. The Commission concluded that the remit of the Park Authorities should not be changed but that they should seek greater efficiencies through more partnership working and consideration should be given to establishing a single authority.

As resolved by the membership at the last AGM, the Society is now registered with the Charity commission as a Charitable Incorporated Organisation (CIO) and the former charity is being wound up. As a CIO we will have the benefit of limited liability, making it easier to recruit and retain trustees, and a legal personality, making it easier to hold property and enter contracts. The majority of the present trustees have agreed to be nominated for the new CIO but we are actively seeking to recruit new trustees.

The plethora of renewable energy schemes continues to demand much of the time of the Society. Large wind turbines proposals close to the Park boundary are a major concern but we are

heartened by two recent decisions which have found in favour of Snowdonia’s landscape. In both cases the ruling confirmed that wind turbine developments which lie outside the National Park boundary should not be allowed to have a substantial negative impact on views into and out of the Park.

The Society is positive about small-scale hydro renewable energy, but is exercised over the build-up of schemes in the same valley, or sites where both scenic beauty and sensitive riparian ecology have not been adequately protected. We continue to monitor these schemes closely.

Significant reductions in the Sherpa bus service are a further blow to hopes for a coherent and sustainable public transport system in the Park. The Society will continue to work to influence Local Authorities and change the trajectory of this issue.

The Society has entered into an agreement this year with the National Park Authority to maintain the new and popular Lôn Gwyrfai, a multi-use path between Rhyd Ddu and Beddgelert, and continues to develop our programme of volunteer conservation work through the Snowdonia Ecosystem Project. This programme, run with a range of partner bodies, is very popular with volunteers and provides the opportunity to both care for the National Park through practical conservation work and to learn new skills.

However, securing future funding for this Project is a key challenge particularly as Natural Resources Wales may not be able to provide the level of support given by its predecessor Countryside Council for Wales.

Meanwhile, the Society has seen a number of staff changes. Huw Jenkins our temporary Director left in January after very effectively filling in for Sarah Medcalf whilst she was on maternity leave. Sarah, in the event and very sadly, decided not to return, but we have been fortunate in appointing John Harold as the new Director.

Jenny Whitmore, Project Officer, also left during the year to be replaced by Owain Thomas. Jenny was a great asset in coordinating the Society’s volunteering programme and initiating the ‘Snowdon Tidy’ action group. We wish her well in her new job with Bangor University.

28

Highlights of the year Lisa Mundle has been busy leading pollinator events for the local community, visitors and schools.

Also at Tŷ Hyll, we are delighted that the Pot Mêl tearoom has established an excellent reputation and that our wonderful tearoom tenants Tim and Ayla Maddox are extending their lease until at least 2022.

Clocwedd: Owain Thomas (chwith) gyda'r tîm ffromlys chwarennog; Lisa Mundle yn Nhŷ Hyll; John Harold, Mary-Kate Jones a Frances Smith wrthi'n clirio'r swyddfa; Jenny Whitmore yn cwcio selsig i wirfoddolwyr Glanhau Traeth Harlech Clockwise: Owain Thomas (left) with Himalayan balsam team; Lisa Mundle at Tŷ Hyll; John Harold, Mary-Kate Jones and Frances Smith during the office clear-out; Jenny Whitmore cooking sausages for the Harlech Beach Clean volunteers.

Tŷ Hyll has again attracted large numbers of visitors this year, some 37,000, generating both income and members for the Society. As a result of a successful funding bid, we are employing Lisa Mundle to deliver a series of bee and pollinator events at Tŷ Hyll over the summer. And we were delighted when Margaret Thomas, one of our longest serving trustees and champion of Tŷ Hyll, scooped a prestigious annual award from Wales Council for Voluntary Action for her work at Tŷ Hyll. She is one of two winners of the Trustee Category of the WCVA Volunteer Awards which recognises the hard work of volunteers throughout Wales. Congratulations, Margaret.

After ten years as the Society’s President, Dr John Disley has stood down. John has been a long standing, influential and effective champion of Snowdonia and the Snowdonia Society, and I take this opportunity to express the Society’s gratitude to him. We are very pleased that he will continue as one of our vicepresidents. We are fortunate indeed to have John Lloyd Jones as our new President; immensely knowledgeable about the Welsh countryside and an eloquent speaker, John continues our tradition of distinguished Presidents.

David Archer, Chair

September 2013 saw the 30th and final Snowdonia Society Drystone Walling Competition. Funded by the Esmé Kirby Snowdonia Trust, it was initiated as a means of keeping the craft alive and visible in Snowdonia. Three decades have seen a turnaround in the fortunes of traditional walling; much of the rebuilding of field boundaries on farmland has been carried out with financial support through agrienvironment schemes such as Tir Gofal, and the Society has certainly played its part in supporting skills and high standards. Job done!

Two individuals demonstrated how much they value the work of the Society in the form of a substantial donation (£5,000) and a legacy of £4,470 during the course of the year. This generosity contributed to a good year for the Society’s finances, which also benefited from very tight control on expenditure.

As a result we will maintain all areas of activity including the vital work as an independent voice on planning matters - work which is funded entirely by you, our members.

The queen bee rearing project at Tŷ Hyll continues to develop and to generate interest in bees and other pollinators.

Excited cries of ‘capped brood!’ have been heard this year, and BBC cameras have filmed the hives at Tŷ Hyll, where 29

Eight new business members have signed up during the year taking the total to 23. Many of these local enterprises take an active role in supporting Society events and we will shortly be bringing out our first directory of business members.

Fundraising capacity work is developing under the HLF Catalyst project. We have seen real commitment from members this year, many of whom have made donations or voluntarily increased their subscriptions in support of our work.

With the Society’s 50th birthday on the horizon, our members are a strong foundation on which to base the work which lies ahead.

John Harold, Director

Adroddiad ariannol • Financial report Mae gan y Gymdeithas gronfeydd anghyfyngedig a ddaw yn bennaf o danysgrifiadau’r aelodau, rhoddion a chymynroddion, a rhai cronfeydd cyfyngedig sy’n deillio o grantiau a nawdd a gafwyd at ddibenion penodol.

Er bod incwm o danysgrifiadau a chymorth rhodd a hawlir yn debyg yn gyffredinol, mae incwm rhoddion wedi cynyddu. Cafodd y Gymdeithas gymynrodd gwerth £4,470 a rhodd unigol o £5,000. Mae’r Gymdeithas wedi llwyddo i gael grantiau o sawl ffynhonnell ac mae costau gweithredu wedi cael eu rheoli’n dda. Fe wnaeth marchnadwerth y buddsoddiadau godi tua 3% (£6,506) yn ystod y flwyddyn.

Dengys y cyfrifon warged o £27,289, ond mae hyn yn cynnwys cronfeydd cyfyngedig gwerth oddeutu £10,000 sydd wedi’u derbyn ond heb eu gwario eto, a’r cynnydd yng ngwerth y buddsoddiadau. Heb y gymynrodd a’r cyfraniad y cyfeirir ato uchod a'i Gymorth Rhodd cysylltiedig, byddai sefyllfa ariannol diwedd y flwyddyn yn niwtral.

Mae gwaith Margaret Thomas yn Nhŷ Hyll a gwaith Frances Smith mewn perthynas ag apeliadau a chyfathrebu ag aelodau wedi cyfrannu’n sylweddol at wella’r sefyllfa ariannol yn ystod y flwyddyn, a dyma'r tro cyntaf y gwnaeth hyn ddigwydd ers blynyddoedd.

Polisi cronfeydd wrth gefn Mae’r cronfeydd wrth gefn a sefydlwyd yn ystod y blynyddoedd cynharach yn parhau i gynnig sefydlogrwydd a hyblygrwydd, ac maent yn cynhyrchu cyfran sylweddol o’r incwm sydd ei angen i gefnogi gweithgareddau presennol y Gymdeithas. Roedd gwerth y buddsoddiadau wedi'u herydu’n sylweddol gan dueddiadau’r farchnad yn ystod blynyddoedd diweddar ac yn sgil yr angen i ddefnyddio cyfalaf i ariannu diffygion ar ein gweithgareddau blynyddol, ond mae’r gwelliant presennol yn y farchnad stoc yn golygu fod adferiad bychan yng ngwerth buddsoddiadau wedi digwydd yn ystod y flwyddyn ddiwethaf ac ni fu angen pellach i ddefnyddio arian cyfalaf i ariannu gwariant. Ym marn yr Ymddiriedolwyr, mae lefel presennol y cronfeydd wrth gefn yn ddigonol, o ystyried lefel gweithgarwch presennol y Gymdeithas.

The Society has unrestricted funds derived primarily from members’ subscriptions, donations and legacies, dividends on the Society’s investments, and certain restricted funds derived from grants and sponsorship given for specific purposes. Whilst income from subscriptions and reclaimed Gift Aid is broadly similar, income from donations has increased. The Society received a legacy of £4,470 and a single donation of £5,000. The Society has been successful in securing grants from several sources and operating costs have been well controlled. The market value of investments rose about 3% (£6,506) during the year.

The accounts show a surplus of £27,289 but this includes restricted funds received but not yet spent of approximately £10,000 and also the increase in the value of the investments. Without the legacy and the donation mentioned above and its associated Gift Aid the year end position would be neutral.

Margaret Thomas's work at Tŷ Hyll and Frances Smith's work on appeals and communications with members have both contributed significantly to the financial position improving overall during the course of the year, the first time for some years that this has happened.

Reserves policy The reserves established in earlier years continue to provide financial stability and flexibility, and generate a significant proportion of the income required to support the Society’s current operations. The value of investments had been seriously eroded by market trends in recent years and by the need to use capital to fund deficits on our annual operations, but the current improvement in the stock market means that there has been a modest recovery in the value of investments in the past year and there has been no further need to use capital to fund expenditure. In the view of Trustees, the current level of reserves is adequate in relation to the Society’s current level of activity.

Investment policy

Polisi buddsoddi Rheolir buddsoddiadau’r Gymdeithas gan Barclays Wealth ac maent yn cynnwys ecwitïau a bondiau. Cyfarwyddir Barclays Wealth i roi pwyslais ar gynhyrchu incwm ar ffurf difidendau, yn hytrach na thwf cyfalaf. Mae'r Gymdeithas wrthi'n ystyried ei pholisi buddsoddi ac oblygiadau mabwysiadu ymagwedd foesegol gryfach.

The Society’s investments are managed by Barclays Wealth and comprise equities and bonds. Barclays Wealth is instructed to place emphasis on generating income in the form of dividends rather than on capital growth. The Society is actively considering its investment policy and the implications of adopting a stronger ethical stance.

Risk management policy

Polisi rheoli risg Nid oes modd i’r Ymddiriedolwyr ddiogelu’r Gymdeithas a’i hasedau rhag tueddiadau economaidd byd-eang. Maent wedi cyflwyno gweithdrefnau i reoli pob math o risg i staff, eiddo, aelodau, gweithwyr gwirfoddol y Gymdeithas, a’r cyhoedd, a byddant yn eu hadolygu’n rheolaidd.

Cyfrifoldebau’r Ymddiriedolwyr Mae’r gyfraith yn mynnu bod yr Ymddiriedolwyr yn paratoi datganiadau ariannol blynyddol sy’n cyfleu darlun gwir a theg o weithgareddau’r Gymdeithas yn ystod y flwyddyn a’i sefyllfa ariannol ar ei diwedd. Wrth baratoi’r cyfrifon hyn, mae angen i’r Ymddiriedolwyr ddewis polisïau cyfrifo addas a’u gweithredu â chysondeb, a dilyn safonau cyfrifo perthnasol ac egluro unrhyw wyriadau. Mae angen iddynt wneud penderfyniadau rhesymol a doeth am y materion hyn, cadw cofnodion ariannol sy’n datgelu’n weddol fanwl beth yw sefyllfa ariannol y Gymdeithas ar unrhyw adeg, a chydymffurfio â chyfraith elusennol a gofynion cyfreithiol eraill. Maent yn gyfrifol am ddiogelu asedau’r Gymdeithas a chymryd camau rhesymol i atal a chanfod twyll.

Trustees are not in a position to protect the Society and its assets from global economic trends. They have introduced and regularly review procedures to control all other forms of risk to Society staff, property, members, volunteer workers and the general public.

Responsibilities of Trustees The Trustees are required by law to prepare financial statements each year which give a true and fair account of the Society’s activities during the year, and its financial position at the end of it. In preparing these accounts, Trustees are required to select suitable accounting policies and apply them consistently, and to follow applicable accounting standards, explaining any departures. They are required to make reasonable and prudent judgements in these matters, to keep accounting records which disclose with some accuracy at any time the financial position of the Society, and to comply with charity law and other legal requirements.

They are responsible for safeguarding the assets of the Society and taking reasonable steps for the prevention and detection of fraud.

Paratowyd yr adroddiad hwn yn unol â gofynion SORPs (y datganiadau o’r arfer a argymhellir ar gyfer cyfrifon ac adroddiadau ariannol elusennau), cyfansoddiad y Gymdeithas a chyfraith elusennol. Cymeradwywyd y datganiadau ariannol gan y Pwyllgor Gwaith ar 4 Awst 2014.

This report has been prepared in accordance with SORPs (the Statements of Recommended Practice for accounting and reporting by charities), the Society’s constitution and charity law. The financial statements were approved by the Executive Committee on 4 August 2014.

David Archer (Cadeirydd) Judith Bellis (Cyfrifydd)

David Archer (Chair) Judith Bellis (Accountant) 30

Crynodeb ariannol • Financial summary Unrestricted funds Unrestricted Restrictedfunds funds

Mae’r datganiad hwn o weithgareddau ariannol yn cynnwys enillion a cholledion y Incoming flwyddyn i from resources Incoming generated resources funds:from generated funds: Voluntary Income gyd. Daw'r adnoddau a Voluntary Income for generating Activities funds for generating funds dderbyniwyd acActivities a wariwyd Investment income Investment income o'n gweithgareddau parhaol.

£

Charitable Activities Charitable Activities

Dyma gyfrifon cryno’r resources Total incoming resources Gymdeithas, Total incoming wedi’u cymeradwyo gan yr Ymddiriedolwyr ar 4 Resources expended Resources expended Awst 2014. Am ragor o Generating voluntary income Generating voluntary income wybodaeth am sefyllfa Fundraising trading Fundraising trading ariannol Cymdeithas Eryri, Charitable activities Charitable activities dylid edrych arGovernance y datganiad Governance ariannol llawn ynghyd ag adroddiad yr Total Archwilydd resources expended Total resources expended Annibynnol ac Adroddiad Net (outgoing)/incoming Netresources (outgoing)/incoming resources Blynyddol yr Ymddiriedolwyr.

Cedwir y datganiad ariannol between funds Transfer between funds llawn gan yTransfer Comisiwn Elusennau. Fe gewch gopïau Realised (losses)/gainsRealised (losses)/gains gan y Gymdeithas.

Investments

54,804 40,198 6,758 5,430 7,953 8,571 53,667 62,182

102,998

102,998 20,184

123,182 20,184

123,182 116,381

9,350 7,665 44,727 34,045

9,350 7,665 1,918 44,727 4,163 34,045 -

9,350 1,918 9,583 48,890 4,163 34,045 -

11,582 9,350 9,583 7,856 48,890 93,183 34,045 31,399

95,787

95,787 6,081

101,868 6,081

101,868 144,020

14,103 7,211

14,103 21,314

(27,639) 21,314

3,982 (3,982)

(3,982) -

--

(531) -

(531) -

(531) 485

10,662

10,662 10,121

10,121 20,783

(27,154) 20,783

6,506

6,506 -

6,506 -

15,482 6,506

17,168

17,168 10,121

10,121 27,289

(11,672) 27,289

254,003

254,003 297,123

297,123 551,126

551,126 562,798

271,171

271,171 307,244

307,244 578,415

578,415 551,126

1,273 227,076

1,273 285,000 227,076 -

1,273 285,000 285,000 227,076 -

1,273 1,588 285,000 285,000 227,076 219,419

228,349

228,349 285,000

285,000 513,349

513,349 506,007

974 13,139 31,071

974 13,139 31,071 22,244

-974 13,139 22,244 53,315

1,488 974 13,139 11,964 53,315 36,635

45,184

45,184 22,244

22,244 67,428

67,428 50,087

(2,362)

(2,362) -

42,822

42,822 22,244

22,244 65,066

65,066 45,119

271,171

271,171 307,244

307,244 578,415

578,415 551,126

Unrestricted funds

271,171

271,171 254,003

Restricted funds

307,244

307,244 297,123

Total funds

578,415

578,415 551,126

The statement of financial Total funds at 30 June Total 2014 funds at 30 June 2014 activities includes all gains and losses in the year. All Represented by: Represented by: incoming resources and resources expended derive Tangible fixed assets Tangible fixed assets from continuingEquipment activities.

Equipment Heritage Asset Investments

These are accounts approved by the Trustees on 4 August 2014. For a more detailed understanding Current of assetsthe Current assets Stocks of financial affairs the Stocks Debtorsthe full Debtors Snowdonia Society, Cash attogether bank and in hand Cash at bank and in hand financial statements with the Independent Examiner’s report on these accounts and the Trustees’ Creditors: amounts falling Creditors: due within amounts one falling year due within one year Annual Report should be consulted. The Creditors full accounts and accruals Creditors and accruals are filed with the Charity Net current Commission. Copies canassets/liabilities be Net current assets/liabilities obtained from the Society.

Statement of the Funds Independent Examiner In my opinion the summary Unrestricted funds financial information above is consistent with the full Restricted funds financial statements.

P J B Tiernay FCA Total funds

54,804 496 4,238 6,758 7,953 15,450 53,667

(531)

Total funds at 1 July 2013 Total funds at 1 July 2013

Net assets

54,308 496 2,520 4,238 7,953 38,217 15,450

3,982

Investments

Totalfunds funds Total 2013 2014 ££

54,308 2,520 7,953 38,217

7,211

Datganiad gan yr Archwilydd Annibynnol Net movement in fundsNetafter movement realised in (losses)/gains funds after realised (losses)/gains Yn fy marn i, mae’r datganiad ariannol crynoUnrealised uchodgain/(losses) yn Unrealised gain/(losses) cydymffurfio a’r datganiad Investments Investments ariannol llawn.

Net movement in funds Net movement in funds P J B Tiernay FCA

Heritage Asset the Investments summarised

££

Total funds Restricted funds 2014 ££

Net assets

(2,362) -

(2,362) (4,968)

Funds

31

Tot 2

2014 / New fo i d

014 r2

Ne w yd

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