Dates for your diary: More details on page 3

Sept. 20th. Thursday

5.30pm Visit to Plas Cad-nant including new Visitor

and Interpretation Centre.

Sept. 28th Rev. Neil Fair-

lamb. The rivalry of Plas

Newydd and Baron Hill. October 26th

David

Hopewell, Gwynedd Archaeo-

logical Trust. Fish Weirs in

North Wales November 23rd Dr.

Stephen Mudge, What is our

local environment? An envi-

ronmental forensic introduction

to Anglesey. Dec. 14th 2pm Dave

Jump, IofACC Planning Office.

Menai Bridge’s Conserva-

tion Area-how it works. January 25th

Mr. John

Vernon Jones, Trefor Isaf Farm,

2012 Chairman Anglesey Show.

History of the Anglesey

Show. February 28th

THURSDAY 7.30pm

Annual Dinner Mrs.

Wendy Rees, Director BBC

North Wales. The BBC Op-

erations in North Wales. March 23rd Ian Haw-

kins, RSPB. Malltraeth Marsh:

Developing a wetland April 26th

7pm Menai

Bridge Band. Mr. Gwilym

Roberts (senior band member)

History, old instruments and

quartet entertainment. May 24th AGM speaker

to be arranged.

Lectures start at 7.30pm (unless

otherwise stated) and are held

in the Community Centre,

Water Street.

Autumn/Hydref 2012

N E W S L E T T E R Cymdeithas Ddinesig Bro Porthaethwy

Menai Bridge and District Civic Society

C Y L C H L Y T H Y R

Page/Tudalen 1

SUMMER CELEBRATIONS

Memories of Menai Bridge - continues in our special section with the recollections of

Rita Smith about her early life in the women‘s Land Army in Menai Bridge. ― By April,1942, I had

worked in the overall factory in Liverpool where my father was Assistant Manager, for almost two years,

ever since I left school at the age of 14. I was almost of an age when I would be called up for service in

the War. I didn‘t want to go abroad, and I didn‘t want to work in a munitions factory because it made

your skin turn yellow. Much to my family‘s amazement, I decided to join the Land Army......‖

Inside this issue:

Summer Celebra-

tions

1

Civic Trust—national 2

Programme notes 2

Future Events 3

News from our

County Councillors

3

Planning , Local

News, Public Meeting

4

Contacts 4

Menai Bridge Band at the Jubilee

and Olympic Torch celebrations

Olympic Torch arrives in Menai Bridge

Jubilee Beacon preparations - site of

one of the 2012 beacons lit across the

country on June 4th.

Olympic Torch backup arrives

at the Pier, Menai Bridge.

Menai Bridge Band, at Carnival celebrations

(1930/40s?) in Dale Street.

Menai Bridge Town Band has really played a central part in celebra-

tions this summer. These volunteers fund

raise to buy their instruments, music and

uniforms, find time to support local chari-

ties and act as great ambassadors for the

town. Hear more at our meeting on 26th

April.

CIVIC TRUST and NATIONAL NEWS

Page/Tudalen 2

AUTUMN PROGRAMME NOTES April 27th Friday Dr. Brian Jones, Headmaster David

Hughes School – Secondary Education - How Times

have Changed. Dr Jones gave an entertaining and eye

opening presentation about the challenges facing schools

today. Interesting that you still need a ‗note‘ if you‘re not in

school, only now you can e-mail it! The story of David

Hughes School/Beaumaris Grammar School/ Ysgol Gyfun

David Hughes is long (founded in 1603) and honourable. A

small group from the Civic Society is interested in adding

to our history of one of the most enduring institutions in

the area. Do you have any personal recollections or infor-

mation to add? If so please contact the Secretary.

May 16th , Wednesday Trip to Dolgellau. A small

group of members enjoyed a long day of great variety rang-

ing from St. Mark‘s Church, Brithdir to Llys Ednowain in

now see why it took so long— it really is an excellent

document full of detailed architectural, social, historical,

and economic detail. Nor does it lose sight of the chal-

lenges ahead. Yes we can pick up extra Issues for atten-

tion but really that would be churlish in what has great

potential . We should however mention that one extra

major challenge to effective implementation will be the

cutbacks in staff and resources within the Planning De-

partment itself. These character appraisal documents will form the basis, along with policies set out in the Ynys

Mon Local Plan and the stopped Unitary Development

Plan, for aiding development control within conservation

areas. Guidance on general policies that are material con-

siderations in the determination of all planning applica-

tions in conservation areas are included in Policy 40 Ynys

Mon Local Plan (and also Policy ENl3 of the stopped Uni-

tary Development Plan). Within the Civic Society we will

need to be ever more vigilant to help safeguard what

happens to our community, its fabric, distinctiveness,

character and what goes into making it a special place to

live. Should we be concerned about the Waterfront (see

aside), about the demolition of walling and creation of an

eyesore in Beach Road, etc., etc., yes most vehemently.

Policies without resources become meaningless.

Liz Moyle

―IN MANY WAYS, the recogni-

tion, protection and enhancement

of the character of towns is the

raison d'etre of the Civic Trust

movement. 'this ethos, which

reaches back to post,war Britain,

when we had to build and build

again in devastated towns and cities, and then found our-selves designing places for cars not people, is as relevant

today as it ever was. 'We no longer gut traditional city cen-

tres. We recognise the need for human-scale places. But a

lot of what we build remains characterless – housing estates

that could be Anytown.....‖ In Menai Bridge we are fortu-

nate the centre of our town is a Conservation Area where

the character of our buildings, open spaces and many trees

have some measure of protection. To assist with conser-

vation Anglesey County Council has been preparing Conser-

vation Area Character Appraisals to provide Supplementary

Planning Guidance to reinforce this in accordance with The

Planning (Listed Buildings and Conservation Areas) Act 1990.

The draft plan, to which we added our comments, was re-

cently completed after many years in preparation. We can

Trawsfynydd, a ‗small place, big story‘ A heritage centre and

exhibition depicting two sons of the village, notably, St.John

Roberts and Hedd Wyn, the poet killed in 1917, who won the

Chair in the National Eisteddfod that year; to the stunning

gardens at Caerynwch and cream tea. A feast for all the

senses. May 18th AGM ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING

was well attended, reflecting a successful year of meet-

ings, lectures and campaigning. The existing Officers

were re-elected. We send our best wishes to Lady An-glesey, our President, and Lord Anglesey who were

unable to attend. After the business of our AGM Bar-

bara Vaterlaws delighted us with her knowledgeable

and foot tapping talk about early Welsh harpists, and

details of evolving Welsh folk music entitled, The Mu-

sic in Wales before the 20th Century.

Menai Bridge

Civic Society Award

Photo M Rogers

At the AGM County Councillor Sel-

wyn Williams presented certificates to

representatives of the Menai Bridge

Guides and Scouts, in recognition of

their contribution to the community

over the years and their innovative new

Headquarters. Nominations for the 2012 Awards are

welcome and entry forms will be avail-

able at meetings or by post. For 2012

our Award Scheme will be paying par-

ticular attention to ‗Gardens and land-

scape‘

NEWS FROM OUR COUNTY COUNCILLORS

News from Councillor Keith Evans, Local Member for the Cadnant Ward. Waterfront. Civic Society members and the public generally will be familiar with various matters (planning applications -

approvals, refusals) that have arisen over recent years in this part of town and not all of them welcome. The latest contro-

versy was sparked by the developer's proposal to construct a three-storey block of six flats on Water Street, in front of the

Victoria Hotel and alongside the former John Edwards warehouse, instead of a row of two-storey houses. Both of these

traditional structures are listed buildings, which have rights to have an open outlook and to be seen. The proposal for this

appreciably higher block would have had a damaging effect, especially in the Conservation Area. I joined the campaign

against the plan, endorsed the Planning Committee's site visit and made a presentation at the formal committee meeting,

which thankfully voted by nine to nil to reject the application, despite it having the officers' support. The applicant can go to

appeal, of course. The Vic family were deeply worried that the hotel's viability would have been threatened by the loss of

the panoramic view from the gardens, as their business relies heavily on functions, weddings and similar. The hotel is im-

portant to the community, as well as being a significant employer.

Wind Turbines Another subject occupying my interest has been, and still is, the Planning Department‘s work to create

guidelines for applications for on-shore wind turbines. About 50 are in the system currently. As Chairman of the appropri-

ate Scrutiny Committee, I have presided over three meetings, with a strong public attendance, and the update is that the

latest proposals are out for public consultation currently. This time, a sliding scale is introduced, to define the distance be-

tween a residence and a turbine, depending on its size.

Town Council Vacancy. Shortly after the welcome accorded to Gareth Hughes as a new member, another resignation

occurred and the procedure to fill the gap is under way again, albeit for the short period of seven/eight months up to next

May, when the whole Council will retire and be eligible for re-election.

Memorial Seats. A new seat was placed on the Belgian Promenade some months ago in memory of J O Jones and his

wife and another is now being arranged by Mr and Mrs David Longley. Another resident made a donation towards a re-

placement seat in Coed Cyrnol" . This generosity is much appreciated.

Autumn/Hydref 2012 Page/Tudalen 3

November 23rd Dr. Stephen Mudge, What is our lo-

cal environment? An environmental forensic introduction

to Anglesey. Dec. 14th 2pm Dave Jump, IofACC Planning Office.

Menai Bridge’s Conservation Area-how it works.

Followed by tea and mincepies. January 25th Mr. John Vernon Jones, Trefor Isaf Farm,

2012 Chairman Anglesey Show. History of the Anglesey

Show. February 28th THURSDAY 7.30pm Annual Dinner

Mrs. Wendy Rees, Director BBC North Wales. The BBC

Operations in North Wales. March 23rd Ian Hawkins, RSPB. Malltraeth Marsh:

Developing a wetland April 26th 7pm Menai Bridge Band. Mr. Gwilym Rob-

erts (senior band member) History, old instruments and

quartet entertainment. May 24th AGM speaker to be arranged. Jane Cherrett

FUTURE EVENTS Regular meetings are held in the Menai Bridge War

Memorial Community Centre and start at 7.30 p.m.

Unless stated otherwise Sept. 20th Thursday 5.30pm Visit Plas Cadnant.

Tour of the garden and refreshments in the Tea Room

which is part of the new Visitor and Interpretation Centre.

Cost £10/person. View the late summer perennials, hydran-

geas and walk the dell in this ever unfolding garden of de-

light. By kind invitation Anthony Tavernor. Names/payment

(cheque to Menai Bridge Civic Society) to Renata Hufton,

Glan Menai, 2 Beach Road, Menai Bridge, LL59 5HB

by 15th Sept 2012. Lecture Programme

Sept. 28th Rev. Neil Fairlamb. The rivalry of Plas

Newydd and Baron Hill. October 26th David Hopewell, Gwynedd Archaeological

Trust. Fish Weirs in North Wales

News from Councillor Selwyn Williams, Local Member for the Tysilio Ward.

Proposed Residents Parking Permits Scheme in Menai Bridge. I have recently asked Anglesey County Council

Highways Department to look at the possibility of having Residents Parking Permits made available in some of the roads and

streets in Menai Bridge. The congestion in the Town is coming to breaking point with our residents, unable to park close to

their homes. Vehicle owners who are not residents of Menai Bridge either students or those who work in Bangor/

Caernarfon are parking their vehicles all day or over many days in Mount Street, Hill Street, Well Street, etc., causing

great frustration to local people. The Director of Highways Mr Dewi Williams is supportive of this concept in principle and

will be piloting a Residents Parking Permits Project in the Town.

The Multi Ward Anglesey Council Election in May 2013. Many of the people of Anglesey will be aware of the pro-

posed Multi Wards Election in May next year. In May 2012 the Aethwy Multi Ward will cover all of Menai Bridge, all Llan-

fairpwll to the borders of Star in Gaerwen across to the edges of the Talwrn Road at the bottom of ― Dragon Hill ― including

all of Penmynydd to the old Tafarn on the Pentraeth road which is on the corner of the last access road to Llansadwrn, and

down the long stretch of the Pentrateth Road and including down to the Cadnant Estate on the Beaumaris Road, shared by

three winning Councillors, with a population of 5,200 people. The reduction in the present County Council Wards from 40

to 11, and the reduction of 40 County Councillors to 30 members will add greatly to the workload to be carried out by all

County Councillors after the May Anglesey County 2013 Elections.

Contact. My accommodation in Cae Gweithdy was recently very badly damaged by water from burst water pipes. As the

house would have taken five months to dry out and to be fit to live in again I have moved, fortunately not too far away, to

45, Pen Lon just by the two large trees. My telephone contacts stay the same.

Lady Anglesey

Llywydd/ President

Liz Moyle

Cadeirydd/Chair

Maureen Parry-Williams

Ysgrifennydd/Secretary

Jane Cherrett

Ysgifennydd Cymdeithasol/

Social Secretary

Renata Hufton

Trysorydd/Treasurer

Iola Prytherch

Deputy Treasurer/Trysorydd

Cynorthwyol

Liz Moyle

Newsletter Editor/Golygydd

Cylchlythyr

Norman Neale

Photos/Ffotograffau

CONTACT LIST

Newsletter contributions -

Maureen Parry Williams

Tel. 01248 440668

Jane Cherrett -

Booking activities for events

and outings Tel 01248 713440

County Councillors :

Keith Evans Selwyn Williams

Town Council :

Canolfan Tysilio, Menai Bridge

For all correspondence please

contact the Secretary,

Mrs Maureen Parry-Williams,

Tyn y Coed, Newborough,

LL61 6PY

E-mail - maureen@parry-

williams.fsbusiness.co.uk

Mynedfa Ynys Môn - Gateway to Anglesey

See our Website at

www.menaibridge

civicsociety.org.uk

Page/Tudalen 4

the applicant who needs to have sufficient

land to comply with the distances that

turbines need to be from other dwellings,

roads, railways and rights of way etc.

Farmers are particularly keen to benefit

from producing their own electricity and

from the substantial subsidies that are

available. This is quite understandable but

they attract objections if they apply for

commercial sized turbines that dominate

the area. The protection of the landscape

is considered to be of greater importance.

A number of our County Councillors are

supporters of larger wind turbines and do

not believe that these will have a detri-

mental effect on the surrounding country-

side or the tourist trade.

Objections to the proliferation of the tur-

bines are led by the group Anglesey

Against Wind Turbines. They have

been very successful in making the voice

of the local people heard and have suc-

ceeded in influencing the Supplementary

Planning Guidance that is now out for

consultation by the general public.(You

and me!!!). Their web site is http://

www.aawt.org.uk. Please check the

latest information for yourself as the

situation can be fairly fast moving.

On 29 March 2012 E.ON and RWE npower announced that their plans to

build the new power station had been

shelved. (see Latest News)

PLANNING AND LOCAL NEWS

Wind Turbines Anglesey and Tourism. We are

aware that the battle between those

who support Anglesey as a main tourist

attraction and those who preach the

‗Energy Island‘ route will be quite vicious

at times, as the two visions cannot be

reconciled.

Obviously, for the island to appeal to visitors, its attractions have to be pro-

moted and, apart from man-made attrac-

tions, this depends very much on its

natural beauty and tranquillity. Many of

us are unhappy with the prospect of a

new nuclear power station but this will

bring jobs and it is therefore more diffi-

cult to oppose. It will also bring another

line of large intrusive pylons (running

parallel with the present ones) unless a

strong case can be made for transporting

the electricity underground or across

the sea-bed to Lancashire and/or South

Wales.

Off-shore there are already massive

wind turbines with many more planned.

The controversy centres around

whether more wind turbines should also

be allowed on the land. There are al-

ready substantial groupings to the north

of the island. There are 10 applications

at present, due to go before the Planning

Committee. The smallest of the turbines

is 15.2m and the largest is 72m. The I of

ACC have decided that larger applica-

tions have to be referred to the Planning

Committee and not decided by dele-

gated authority. Although, in line with

Government policy, all wind turbines are

encouraged- local authorities have the flexibility to respond to local opinions.

However, there is no benefit to any local

interests apart from those of

E-mail - if you would like to receive your Newsletter by e-

mail please send your details to:

maureen@parry-williams.fsbusiness.co.uk

Latest News. China to fund Wylfa B? ―the (UK)energy minister Charles

Hendry told the Energy and Climate Change select committee that he had no objec-

tion to Chinese firms being involved in the UK. ... "they have experience of building

dozens of nuclear power stations on time and on budget,...I think we should be

guided by where that expertise has already been proven." But Greenpeace said the

bid to woo China was a last throw of the dice by the government. "This is a sign of

desperation," said Doug Parr, chief scientist at Greenpeace. "Chinese nuclear players

have state backing, which could help solve the issue of financing colossally expensive

new nuclear power stations in the UK. But this just means that the money from UK

taxpayers will flow to the Chinese government, rather than to France."