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Hydref 2012 Autumn

AM DDIMFREE

Cylchgrawn Cymdeithas EryriSnowdonia Society Magazine

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

ffôn/telephone: 01286 685498

e-bost/email: info@snowdonia-society.org.uk

www.cymdeithas-eryri.org.ukwww.snowdonia-society.org.uk

elusen gof. rhif / reg. charity no.: 253231

Swyddogion ac YmddiriedolwyrOfficers and TrusteesLlywydd / President: Dr John Disley CBEIs-Lywyddion / Vice-Presidents: Sir John Houghton CBE FRS, Sir Simon Jenkins FSA, John Lloyd Jones OBE, David Firth, Morag McGrath.

Cadeirydd / Chair: Dr David LewisIs-gadeirydd / Vice-Chair: David ArcherTrysorydd anrh. / Acting Hon. Treasurer: Michael RoundYsgrifennydd Anrh. / Hon. Secretary: Marc ThomasSwyddog Datblygu / Development Officer: Ar agor / Vacant

Aelodau’r pwyllgor / Committee members: Netti Collister, Katherine Himsworth, Bob Lowe, Bernard Owen, Gareth Roberts, Ned Schärer, Margaret Thomas, Elwyn Thomas, Rhian Thomas, Peter Weston, Richard Williams-Ellis.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.

StaffCyfarwyddwr / Director: Sarah Medcalf Gweinyddwraig Swyddfa / Office Administrator: Frances SmithRheolwr Prosiect Cadwraeth Eryri / Conservation Snowdonia Project Manager: Mary-Kate Jones Swyddog Prosiect Cadwraeth Eryri / Conservation Snowdonia Project Officer: Jenny Whitmore

Cyfieithu / Translation: Gareth Jones

Clawr / Cover: Llwybrau’r sêr dros y Carneddau / Star trails over the Carneddau © John Farrar

Darllenwch eich cylchgrawn ar-lein!Os byddai’r dull hwn o ddarllen cylchgrawn

Cymdeithas Eryri yn addas i chi, rhowch wybod i ni. Bydd yn arbed tâl post i ni ac yn

lleihau’r defnydd o bapur.Dewch i gael cip:

Read your next magazine on-line! If this method of reading your Snowdonia

Society magazine would suit you, let us know. It will save us postage costs and

reduce paper use. Have a look at:

issuu.com/cymdeithaseryri

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

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.

Sefydlwyd Cymdeithas Eryri yn 1967 a’i nod yw sicrhau fod harddwch ac amrywiaeth tirwedd, bywyd gwyllt ac etifeddiaeth ddiwylliannol y Parc Cenedlaethol yn parhau er

mwynhad cenedlaethau’r presennol a’r dyfodol.~

The Snowdonia Society, established in 1967, works to ensure the beauty and diversity of the National Park’s landscape, wildlife and cultural heritage remain for present and

future generations to enjoy.

Cynnwys • Contents

GolygyddolMynediad i Eryri

Beiciau Modur - safbwynt wardenGofal piau hi

Ymgyrchu dros fynediad cyfrifolDeddf Cefn Gwlad a Hawliau Tramwy

Cytundeb Beicio Gwirfoddol yr WyddfaYn fy iard gefn

Newyddion Tŷ Hyll Llythyrau

Adolygiad o'r flwyddynUchafbwyntiau'r flwyddyn

Adroddiad ariannolCrynodeb ariannol

EditorialAccess to SnowdoniaMotorbikes - a warden's perspectiveFloat lightlyCampaigning for responsible accessThe CRoW Act - success or failure?Snowdon Voluntary Cycling AgreementIn my backyardThe Ugly House newsLettersReview of the yearHighlights of the yearFinancial reportFinancial summary

34-78-9

10-1112-1314-1516-1718-2122-23

2324-27

282930

Ymwelwch â'n chwaer-wefannau • Visit our sister websites

www.tyhyll.co.ukGwybodaeth am ein menter gwe-nyn mêl newydd, yr ystafell de a'r

gerddi.www.14peaks.com

Gwefan am drawsteithiau copaon 3000 Cymru

www.theuglyhouse.co.ukInformation about our new honeybee initiative, the tearoom and gardens.

www.14peaks.comA site dedicated to traverses of the Welsh 3000s

3

Access is one of those words with different connotations for different people. For some, it refers to the provision, or lack of it, for the less mobile in everyday life. In this respect, it is a pleasure to report that Tŷ Hyll is now accessible to wheelchair users and those with limited mobility. It is also heartening to note that, thanks to a Service Level Agreement between Snowdonia National Park Authority (SNPA) and Conwy Council (though not Gwynedd), SNPA Wardens have begun replacing step stiles on low level paths with gates and easy to use lever-latches. Admittedly, this highlights the curious anomaly that responsibility for footpaths within the Park still lies, not with SNPA, but with the Highways departments of the two county councils which have always been more interested in widening main roads than in maintaining footpaths and public rights of way.

To others, the word access refers to our legal ability to enjoy the countryside, and to the ‘right to roam’ on Access Land as defined in the Countryside and Rights of Way Act 2000 (CROW Act). It is on the latter use of the term that we focus in this issue of the magazine, and on how compromises must sometimes be made in the interests of conservation or even safety. The CRoW Act may be limited in what it permits us to do on upland and uncultivated areas of England and Wales compared with Scotland or Sweden - swimming, camping and the lighting of fires are specifically excluded, for instance. Nevertheless, despite the best efforts of the Ramblers Association and the British Mountaineering Council, it would still be a pipe dream were it not for the determination of an individual minister, Michael Meacher, to honour a Labour party manifesto commitment. His contribution should be remembered.

The magazine is produced by an editorial panel of Rob Collister, Frances Smith and Sarah Medcalf. We are extremely grateful to all the authors and photographers who have contributed to this issue. The views expressed by the authors are their own and do not necessarily reflect Snowdonia Society policy.

Golygyddol • Editorial

Mae mynediad yn un o’r geiriau hynny sy’n golygu rhywbeth gwahanol i wahanol bobl. I rai, mae’n cyfeirio at ddarpariaeth, neu ddiffyg darpariaeth, i’r sawl sy’n gallu symud llai yn eu bywyd bob dydd. Yn y cyd-destun hwn, mae’n bleser cael dweud fod Tŷ Hyll bellach yn hygyrch i ddefnyddwyr cadeiriau olwyn a’r sawl sydd â symudedd cyfyngedig. Diolch i Gytundeb Lefel Gwasanaeth rhwng Awdurdod Parc Cenedlaethol Eryri (APCE) a Chyngor Conwy (ond nid Gwynedd), mae hefyd yn galonogol gweld fod Wardeniaid APCE wedi cychwyn gosod giatiau â chliciedau lifer hawdd eu defnyddio ar lwybrau lefel isel, yn lle camfeydd. Rhaid cyfaddef fod hyn yn amlinellu’r sefyllfa ryfeddol sy’n golygu mai adrannau Priffyrdd y ddau gyngor sir, nid APCE, sy’n gyfrifol am lwybrau troed o fewn y Parc, ac mae’r adrannau hynny yn wastad wedi ymddiddori mwy mewn lledaenu priffyrdd na chynnal a chadw llwybrau a hawliau mynediad cyhoeddus.

I eraill, cyfeiria’r gair mynediad at ein gallu cyfreithiol i fwynhau cefn gwlad, a’r ‘hawl i grwydro’ dros Dir Mynediad yn unol â diffiniad Deddf Cefn Gwlad a Hawliau Tramwy 2000. Rydym yn canolbwyntio ar yr ail o’r diffiniadau hyn o’r term yn y rhifyn hwn o’r cylchgrawn, a sut mae’n rhaid cyfaddawdu ar brydiau er lles cadwraeth neu hyd yn oed ddiogelwch. Efallai fod y Ddeddf Cefn Gwlad a Hawliau Tramwy yn gyfyngedig o ran yr hyn mae’n caniatáu i ni ei wneud ar ucheldiroedd a mannau sydd heb eu trin yng Nghymru a Lloegr o’u cymharu â’r Alban a Sweden – caiff nofio, gwersylla a chynnau tannau eu heithrio’n benodol, er enghraifft. Er hynny, ar waethaf ymdrechion teg Cymdeithas y Cerddwyr a Chyngor Mynydda Prydain, byddai’n dal yn freuddwyd gwrach, oni bai am un gweinidog, Michael Meacher, oedd yn benderfynol o wireddu ymroddiad y Blaid Lafur yn ei maniffesto. Mae ei waith yn haeddu cael ei gofio.

Cynhyrchwyd y cylchgrawn hwn

gan dîm golygyddol yn cynnwys Rob

Collister, Frances Smith a Sarah

Medcalf. Rydym yn hynod ddiolchgar i’r holl awduron a

ffotograffwyr sydd wedi cyfrannu at y

rhifyn hwn. Cofiwch mai safbwyntiau

personol yr awduron sy’n cael mynegi ganddynt, ac nid

ydynt o reidrwydd yn adlewyrchu polisi

Cymdeithas Eryri.

Golygyddol Editorial

© Pierino Algieri

Mynediad a chadwraeth

4

Mae mynediad i ac o fewn Eryri yn wastad wedi bod yn anodd. Mae cymeriad a rhinweddau Eryri yn deillio, yn rhannol, o’i diffyg hygyrchedd, sy’n ei gwneud yn neilltuol o ddeniadol i lawer o ymwelwyr. Mae gwell cyfathrebu wedi agor Eryri yn ystod degawdau diweddar, gan ddod â heriau newydd. Daw 90% o ymwelwyr yn eu cerbydau eu hunain gan greu llygredd, tagfeydd a phwysau i ledu a sythu ffyrdd. Bu twf hefyd mewn chwaraeon hamdden egnïol yn rhai o’r mannau mwyaf anghysbell, sy’n destun pryder i’r sawl sy’n ceisio llonyddwch a mwynhad tawel yn y Parc Cenedlaethol. Mae’r mynyddoedd a wnaeth lyffetheirio ymdrechion gorau brenhinoedd tŷ Plantagenet i ddarostwng y Cymry bellach yn denu nifer gynyddol o ymwelwyr.

Mae Eryri, caer naturiol i dywysogion Cymru yn eu brwydr am annibyniaeth, yn parhau’n berfeddwlad yr iaith Gymraeg ac yn le y mae arferion a thraddodiadau rheolaeth uwchdirol yn amlwg iawn. Mae cynnal a meithrin y rhinweddau hyn yn bwysig hefyd, nid yn unig er eu mwyn eu hunain, ond hefyd oherwydd y byddant yn rhoi mwynhad i eraill. Gwyddom yn sgil arolygon dirifedi mai tirwedd a diwylliant Eryri sy’n cael eu rhestru fel y prif atyniadau pan ofynnir i ymwelwyr beth wnaeth iddynt deithio yno. Nid oedd hyn yn wir bob amser. Cyn canol y ddeunawfed ganrif, ystyrid Eryri yn gyffredinol fel lle i’w osgoi. Fe wnaeth un sylwebydd a ysgrifennodd yn 1731 ei disgrifio fel ‘the fag end of creation’. Ni ddaeth rhinweddau gogoneddus a hardd y dirwedd yn destun edmygedd athronwyr, beirdd ac arlunwyr tan yn ddiweddarach yn y ddeunawfed ganrif. Daeth Eryri yn gyrchfan ffasiynol ar waethaf yr anawsterau a wynebid. Roedd y ffyrdd

yn wael, llety yn brin ac roedd y rhan fwyaf o’r Cymry’n siarad ychydig iawn neu ddim Saesneg. Ar waethaf hyn, bu twf enfawr yn y diddordeb yng Nghymru a’i phethau. Dathlid ac edmygid tirweddau a diwylliant Cymru yn eang, yn enwedig ymhlith y dosbarth uwch. Roedd Eryri wrth galon y diddordeb hwn, oherwydd roedd y tirweddau harddaf a mwyaf gogoneddus i’w cael yno. O 1770 ymlaen, hyrwyddwyd teithiau yn cysylltu’r

safleoedd enwocaf gan dirfeddianwyr a diwydianwyr cyfoethog. Roedd gwestai newydd, megis y Capel Curig Inn 32 ystafell wely (Canolfan Fynydda Plas y Brenin bellach) a adeiladwyd yn 1801, yn darparu ar gyfer dosbarth breintiedig oedd yn awyddus i weld ‘erchyllterau rhyfeddol’ Rhaeadr Ewynnol ac ysblander ffyrnig pedol yr Wyddfa heb golli cysuron Llundain. Cafodd y gwaith o gyrraedd calon Eryri, oedd wedi’i osgoi ers canrifoedd gan deithwyr i Iwerddon a ddewisai’r ffordd arfordirol hirach ond haws, wedi’i hwyluso gan sefydlu ymddiriedolaethau tollborth i reoli a chynnal ffyrdd oedd yn addas i’r goets fawr. Cyhoeddwyd llyfrau tywys, cynhyrchwyd mapiau, trefnwyd teithiau ac argraffwyd printiau o fannau prydferth poblogaidd…roedd Eryri yn araf deg yn cael ei hagor i ymwelwyr.

Fodd bynnag, nid oedd mynediad i Eryri yn ddim ond breuddwyd gwrach

i’r rhan fwyaf o bobl ym Mhrydain tan ddiwedd y 19eg ganrif. Gyda dyfodiad y rheilffyrdd, gallai pobl oes Victoria ddilyn eu Brenhines i’r mannau yr ymwelodd â hwy, roedd gwestai yn Llanberis, Bala a Beddgelert yn newid eu henwau i adlewyrchu nawdd brenhinol. Ond bu’n rhaid disgwyl can mlynedd arall cyn

Mynediad i EryriGareth Roberts

Trem ar y Aran ar draws Llyn Tegid gyda’r nos • Yr Aran viewed across Llyn Tegid at dusk © Gareth Roberts

Mynediad a chadwraeth

5

y

gwelwyd sefydlu’r Parciau Cenedlaethol i ddiogelu’r tirweddau gorau er mwynhad y cyhoedd. Arweiniodd Deddf Parciau Cenedlaethol a Mynediad i Gefn Gwlad (1949) at sefydlu Eryri fel parc cenedlaethol cyntaf Cymru yn 1951, gan sefydlu rhwydwaith bendant o hawliau tramwy cyhoeddus, gan alluogi pobl i fwynhau cefn gwlad yn gyfreithlon. Er ei fod yn boblogaidd â thrigolion trefi a geisiai awyr iach a rhyddid, cafwyd gwrthwynebiad chwyrn i fynediad i gefn gwlad gan berchnogion ystadau mawrion, a ystyriai fod pobl o’r fath yn dresbaswyr. Er ei bod yn ymddangos yn rhyfeddol i ni erbyn hyn, nid oedd mynediad i gefn gwlad ar gael i bobl leol, hyd yn oed. Un o’r ymgyrchwyr cyntaf dros fynediad i gefn gwlad agored ym Mhrydain oedd Tom Ellis, AS Meirionnydd, a gyflwynodd ei fesur ‘Mynyddoedd, Afonydd a Llwybrau (Cymru)’ i’r Senedd yn 1888. Roedd yn hynod o uchelgeisiol, a cheisiai hawl mynediad ar gyfer gweithgareddau megis casglu llus, defnyddio canŵod a chwryglau, arlunio ac ymchwil hynafiaethol. Mewn gwirionedd, ceisiai’r hawl i gerdded mewn cefn gwlad agored a ganiatawyd o’r diwedd i gerddwyr yng Nghymru a Lloegr dros ganrif yn ddiweddarach, pan basiwyd Deddf Cefn Gwlad a Hawliau Tramwy 2000.

Mae’r hawliau mynediad newydd hyn yn ymwneud â cherddwyr yn unig, ac maent yn berthnasol i ‘gefn gwlad agored’ a ddiffinnir yn y Ddeddf Cefn Gwlad a Hawliau Tramwy fel ‘mynydd-dir, rhos, gweundir, twyndir a thir comin’. Mae tua 25% o gefn gwlad Cymru wedi’i fapio yn gefn gwlad agored. Yn Eryri, mae’r gyfran yn codi i 59% ac yn cynnwys hawliau mynediad newydd i fynyddoedd megis yr Aran Fawddwy, oedd heb unrhyw hawliau tramwy cyhoeddus. Gwrthwynebwyd y mesur yn chwyrn gan dirfeddianwyr, a ddadleuodd y byddai rheoli tir yn anoddach yn sgil yr hawliau hyn, byddai fandaliaeth yn cynyddu a byddai eu hatebolrwydd cyhoeddus yn fwy sylweddol. Fe wnaeth y gwelliannau lu a gyflwynwyd i fodloni’r

lobi tirfeddianwyr arwain at un o’r trafodaethau hiraf yn hanes y Senedd. Daeth Cyngor Cefn Gwlad Cymru’n gyfrifol am fapio tir mynediad a sefydlu systemau i reoli a monitro’r hawliau newydd. Caiff y mapiau eu hadolygu bob deng mlynedd, a bydd y cyntaf o’r rhain yn digwydd yn 2012.

Mae ffigyrau sydd newydd eu cyhoeddi gan CCGC yn awgrymu fod gormod o bryderu wedi bod ynghylch hawliau mynediad i gefn gwlad agored. Y llynedd, er enghraifft, dim ond llond llaw o geisiadau a wnaed i gau neu gyfyngu ar fynediad dros dro yn Eryri. Hefyd, mae’n ymddangos na fu unrhyw ddigwyddiadau difrifol ers sefydlu’r darpariaethau newydd bron i ddeng mlynedd yn ôl. Mae hyn yn argoeli’n dda at y dyfodol, ac mae’n awgrymu fod y systemau sydd wedi’u rhoi yn eu lle i drafod a datrys materion mynediad yn gweithio. Ond ni allwn laesu dwylo. Mae sicrhau hawliau mynediad i dramwyfeydd cyhoeddus, i gefn gwlad agored, ac yn fwyaf diweddar, i’n harfordir, wedi bod yn frwydrau hanesyddol anodd. Mae canfod yr adnoddau angenrheidiol i reoli a chynnal mynediad yn bryder parhaus, yn enwedig ar adeg o gyfyngu ar arian y sector gyhoeddus. Mae sefydlu Fforymau Mynediad Lleol a Chenedlaethol wedi cynorthwyo â thrafodaeth adeiladol rhwng buddiannau hamddena a pherchnogion tir. Mae angen diogelu eu hanghenion yn y dyfodol yn unrhyw ailstrwythuro a all ddilyn yr uno sydd ar y gweill rhwng y dair asiantaeth gyhoeddus sy’n gyfrifol am hyrwyddo mynediad cyhoeddus a mwynhad o’n cefn gwlad (Cyngor Cefn Gwlad Cymru, Asiantaeth yr Amgylchedd a'r Comisiwn Coedwigaeth).

Mae Cymdeithas Eryri eisoes wedi dweud nad oes digon o gyfeiriad yn y papur ymgynghorol ar yr uno hwn at fynediad a mwynhad cyhoeddus. Mae hyn yn destun pryder, yn enwedig o gofio fod arian y sector cyhoeddus yn cael ei gwtogi ac mae’r arian hwn wedi’i gyfeirio’n gynyddol at ddulliau rheoleiddiol yn hytrach na chaniataol o gyflawni polisïau.

Mae angen dybryd am weledydd arall fel Tom Ellis o blaid achos mynediad cyhoeddus yng Nghymru, a wnâi bleidio achos y manteision a ddaw yn ei sgil i’n heconomi, ein hiechyd personol a’n lles cymdeithasol. Mae’r nifer gynyddol o ymwelwyr a ddaw i Eryri, dros 400,000 ar yr Wyddfa’n unig y llynedd, yn brawf o bwysigrwydd enfawr ein treftadaeth naturiol i gymdeithas.

Bydd Cymdeithas Eryri yn gweithio i ddiogelu’r anodd hwn a hawliau’r cyhoedd i’w fwynhau, trwy ffyrdd a wnaiff annog trafodaeth rhwng tirfeddianwyr a grwpiau defnyddwyr, a sicrhau na newidir rhinweddau arbennig Eryri, a arweiniodd at ei dynodi’n Barc Cenedlaethol.

Hyfforddwyd Gareth Roberts fel hanesydd celf, daearyddwr a chynlluniwr, ac mae wedi gweithio i Awdurdod Parc Cenedlaethol Eryri a Chyngor Cefn Gwlad Cymru. Mae’n un o Gyfarwyddwyr y Grŵp Ymchwil i Dirweddau (www.landscaperesearch.

org) ac mae’n cefnogi gwaith sefydliadau elusennol sy’n ymwneud â chadwraeth a gwella tirweddau

diwylliannol yn rhyngwladol.

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6

Access and conservation

Access to SnowdoniaGareth Roberts

Access to and within Snowdonia has always been difficult. The character and qualities of Snowdonia are, in part, a product of its relative inaccessibility which makes it an especially attractive destination for many visitors. Improved communications have ‘opened up’ Snowdonia in recent decades, bringing new challenges. 90% of visitors come in their own vehicles creating pollution, congestion and pressure to widen and straighten roads. There has also been a growth in active recreational sports in some of the remotest places which rankles with those looking for solitude and quiet enjoyment in the National Park. The mountains that for over 250 years frustrated the best efforts of the Plantagenet kings to subjugate the Welsh are now a magnet for increasing numbers of visitors.

Eryri, a natural fortress for Welsh princes in their struggle for independence, remains a heartland of the Welsh language and a place where the customs and traditions of upland management are strongly evident. It is important to maintain and nurture these qualities, not only for their own sake but also because they give pleasure to others. We know from countless surveys that the landscape and culture of Snowdonia are cited as the foremost attractions when visitors are asked what prompted them to travel here. This was not always the case. Before the mid-18th century Snowdonia was widely considered a place to be avoided. One commentator writing in 1731 famously described it as ‘the fag end of creation’. It was not until later in the 18th century that the sublime and the beautiful in landscape became qualities more widely appreciated by philosophers, poets and painters. Snowdonia became a fashionable destination despite the difficulties encountered. Roads were poor, places to stay infrequent and most Welsh people spoke little or no English. Despite this, interest in

Wales and things Welsh grew enormously. The landscapes and culture of Wales were widely celebrated and admired especially among the upper class. Snowdonia was at the heart of this interest because here the most sublime and picturesque landscapes were to be found. From 1770 onwards tours linking the most famous sites were promoted by wealthy landowners and industrialists. New hotels, such as the 32-bedroom Capel Curig Inn (now Plas y Brenin Mountain Centre) built in 1801, catered for a leisured class keen to experience at first hand

the ‘wondrous horrors’ of Swallow Falls and the savage splendour of the Snowdon horseshoe without foregoing the comforts of London. Reaching the heart of Snowdonia, which for centuries had been shunned by travellers to Ireland in favour of the longer but easier coastal route, was made easier by the establishment of turnpike trusts to manage and maintain roads suitable for stage coaches. Guide books were published, maps produced, tours organised and prints of popular beauty spots produced…Snowdonia was slowly but surely being opened up to the tourist.

It was not until the second half of the 19th century, however, that access to Snowdonia was more than a pipedream for most people in Britain. With the advent of railways, Victorians were able to follow their Queen to places she had visited, hotels in Llanberis, Bala and Beddgelert changing their names to reflect royal patronage. But it was to be a further 100 years before National Parks were established to conserve

our finest landscapes for the public to enjoy. The National Parks and Access to the Countryside Act (1949) led to the designation of Snowdonia as Wales’ first national park in 1951 and provided for the establishment of a definitive network of public rights of way, enabling people legitimately to enjoy the countryside.

Tom Ellis - Ymgyrchydd cynnar dros fynediad i’r mynyddoedd, sydd wedi’i goffáu yn y Bala. • Early campaigner for access to the mountains, commemorated in Bala high street

© Gareth Roberts

Although hugely popular with town-dwellers seeking fresh air and freedom, improved access to the countryside met with fierce opposition from owners of large estates who regarded such people as trespassers. Surprising as it may seem to us now, access to the countryside was even denied to local people. One of the earliest campaigners for access to open country in Britain was Tom Ellis, MP for Merioneth who presented his ‘Mountains, Rivers and Pathways (Wales) Bill’ to Parliament in 1888. It was hugely ambitious, seeking rights of access for activities such as whinberry gathering, canoeing and coracling, sketching and antiquarian research. It sought more, in fact, than the right to walk in open country finally granted to walkers in England and Wales more than a century later in the Countryside and Rights of Way Act 2000.

These new access rights relate to walkers only and apply to ‘open country’ defined in the CRoW Act as ‘mountain, moor, heath, down and common land’. Over 25% of Welsh countryside has been mapped as open country, or access land. In Snowdonia it is proportionately much greater and has provided access for the first time to mountains like Aran Fawddwy, where no public rights of way existed. The Bill was strongly resisted by landowners. They argued that these rights would make land management more difficult, increase vandalism and make their public liability more onerous. The many amendments that were tabled to appease the landowning lobby resulted in one of the longest debates in parliamentary history. The Countryside Council for Wales was charged with mapping access land and setting up systems for the management and monitoring of the new rights. The maps are subject to 10 year review, the first of which takes place in 2012.

Figures just published by CCW suggest that concerns about rights of access to open country were overegged. In the last year, for example, only a handful of applications were made to close or restrict access on a temporary basis in Snowdonia. Neither, it seems, have there been any serious incidents since the new provisions kicked-in almost a decade ago. This bodes well for the future and suggests that the systems that have been put in place to debate and reconcile access issues are working. But we can ill afford to be complacent. Securing access rights on public rights of way, to open country and, most recently, to our coast, have historically been hard fought battles. Finding the necessary resources to manage and maintain access is a perennial worry, especially in times of austerity in public sector funding. The establishment of National and Local Access Fora has helped constructive dialogue between recreation and landowning interests. Their future needs to be safeguarded in any restructuring that may follow the forthcoming merger of the three public agencies which are responsible for promoting public access and enjoyment of our countryside (Countryside Council for Wales, Environment Agency and Forestry Commission).

The Snowdonia Society has already commented that the consultation paper on this unification made scant reference to access and public enjoyment. This is worrying, given that public sector funds are being pared back and increasingly focussed on regulatory rather than permissive approaches to policy delivery.

We desperately need another visionary like Tom Ellis to

champion the cause of public access in Wales, espousing the benefits it brings to our economy, personal health and social well being. The ever-increasing numbers of visitors to Snowdonia, 400,000 plus on Snowdon last year alone, is testament to the huge importance of our natural heritage to society.

The Snowdonia Society will look to protect this resource and the rights of the public to enjoy it, in ways which encourage dialogue between landowners and user groups and ensure that the special qualities of Snowdonia, which led to its designation as a National Park, remain sacrosanct.

7

Access and conservation

Gall unrhyw un sydd â diddordeb weld y mapiau drafft newydd ar-lein yn www.ccw.gov.uk/openaccessmapping, neu gopïau papur yn swyddfa Parc

Cenedlaethol Eryri ym Mhenrhyndeudraeth. Anyone with an interest can view the new draft maps online at www.ccw.gov.uk/openaccessmapping, or paper copies at the Snowdonia National

Park office in Penrhyndeudraeth.

Tir Mynediad Access Land

Parc Cenedlaethol Eryri Snowdonia National Park

• Porthmadog

• Abermaw/Barmouth

• Betws-y-Coed

• Y Bala

• Bangor

• Aberdyfi

Trained as an art historian, geographer and planner, Gareth Roberts has worked with the Snowdonia

National Park Authority and Countryside Council for Wales. He is a Director of the Landscape Research Group (www.landscaperesearch.org) and supports the work of charitable organisations involved in the

conservation and enhancement of cultural landscapes internationally.

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Mae’n bedwar o'r gloch ar Nos Calan. Rwy’n sefyll fry uwchben pentref Llanfairfechan yn edrych ar dri beiciwr mynydd yn corddi godre’r Carneddau, y lle tebycaf i ddiffeithdir i’r de o Ororau’r Alban, mae’n debyg. Nid ydynt yn poeni dim am effaith eu gweithgaredd, nid yn unig ar y llystyfiant, ond hefyd o ran llygredd sŵn – ymddengys fod y sain yn teithio hyd yn oed yn bellach ar y prynhawn gaeafol tamp a llonydd hwn.

Penderfynais alw 101, y rhif ar gyfer achosion nad ydynt yn argyfwng, a siaradais â heddwas ym Mae Colwyn, a ddywedodd wrthyf ei fod ar ei ffordd, ond gallai gymryd deugain munud i’n cyrraedd. Dal y tramgwyddwyr ar y ffordd fawr oedd y bwriad. Nid yw’r beiciau hyn wedi’u trethu na’u hyswirio, ac nid oes ganddynt blatiau cofrestru, ac felly mae’r cosbau’n uwch os cânt eu dal ar y ffordd yn hytrach nag ar dir comin. Dros yr ychydig wythnosau cyn hynny, cefais enwau’r troseddwyr profiadol hyn gan aelodau’r cyhoedd, dim ond tystiolaeth oedd ei angen arnaf.

Wrth i mi edrych arnynt trwy fy ysbienddrych, gallwn werthfawrogi eu sgiliau wrth reoli’r peiriannau pwerus

hyn. Ond nid tramgwyddwyr ifanc yw’r rhain, ond dynion yn eu hoed a’u hamser sydd wedi bod yn difrodi copaon uchel y Carneddau yn fwriadol, gan fentro mor bell â Charnedd Llywelyn, hyd yn oed. Mae rhai trigolion lleol yn ystyried hyn yn ddefod newid byd, fe wnaeth eu tadau hyn, felly mae ganddynt hwythau’r hawl i wneud hyn hefyd. Mae anwybodaeth yn chwarae rhan hefyd, a dros y blynyddoedd, rwyf wedi llwyddo i berswadio un tad a mab i fwynhau’r ucheldiroedd ar droed yn hytrach nag ar gefn peiriant swnllyd. Yn aml, bydd cysylltiad â’r gymuned amaethyddol, ac ar sawl achlysur, ar ôl dal un ohonynt, yr esgus fydd: ‘Dwi’n cadw golwg ar ddefaid fy nhad’, heb wybod am fy nghefndir amaethyddol. Cadw golwg ar braidd o ddefaid yng nghanol gaeaf yn wir, â’r un ddafad i’w gweld yn unman! Er mawr bryder, cefais adroddiadau fod beicwyr modur wedi’u cyflogi gan borwyr i gorlannu merlod. Yn eironig, mae’r porwyr hynny bellach yn cwyno amdanynt.

Mae'r beicwyr yn reidio i lawr. Mae gennyf benderfyniad i’w wneud, oherwydd mae tair giât wahanol. Arhosaf yn y fan a’r lle, yn meddwl ble mae’r

heddwas. Daw’r beiciwr cyntaf tuag ataf a stopio gan medr i ffwrdd. Mae’n refio injan ei beiriant melyn llachar ac yn cyflymu tuag ataf. Tynnaf lun a symudaf o’r neilltu yn frysiog. Daw’r ail feiciwr o gyfeiriad arall, gan stopio wrth i’r trydydd ddiflannu i lawr lon wledig gul. Edrychaf yn ôl, ac yn ffodus, mae car heddlu yn parcio tu ôl i mi. Rwy’n adnabod y tramgwyddwr, a diolchaf iddo am stopio, oherwydd gallai fod wedi fy mhasio fel y gweddill. Mae cwestiynau’r heddwas yn cadarnhau popeth. Oedd, roeddent wrth Lyn Anafon ychydig wythnosau’n ôl, maent wedi reidio dros rostir mynydd bregus ar lwyfandir y copa, ac fe gawsant eu talu gan borwyr i gynorthwyo â’r gwaith

blynyddol o gorlannu merlod. Y tro hwn, rhoddir rhybudd ffurfiol, oherwydd safai’r beic yn llonydd ar ffordd fawr gyhoeddus pan gyrhaeddodd yr heddwas. Pe bawn i ond wedi gwybod...

Beth allwn ni wneud pan welwn feicwyr neu yrwyr cerbydau pob tir yn difrodi ein tirwedd hardd? Yn gyntaf, ffoniwch Heddlu Gogledd Cymru a gofynnwch am rif digwyddiad - gorau po fwyaf y nifer o bobl sy’n eu hysbysu. Cysylltwch â Gwasanaeth Wardeniaid Parc Cenedlaethol Eryri hefyd (ffôn: 01766 770 274). Mae aelodau Cymdeithas Eryri wedi bod yn rhagweithiol iawn yn y maes hwn, ac mae ffurflenni adrodd am ddigwyddiad ar gael trwy law Max Grant yn y swyddfa.

8

Mynediad a chadwraeth

Beiciau modur – safbwynt wardenAlan Pritchard

Mae Alan Pritchard wedi gweithio i APCE am dros ugain mlynedd. Mae'n Warden Ardal Ogwen a’r

Carneddau ar hyn o bryd. Cafodd ei eni a’i fagu yn Abergwyngregyn, a bu’n gweithio ar ffermydd defaid

cyn penderfynu bugeilio pobl yn hytrach na defaid.

© Alan Pritchard

9

Access and conservation

Motorbikes A warden's perspective

Alan Pritchard

It's four o’clock on New Year’s Eve. I’m high above the village of Llanfairfechan observing three motorcyclists churning up the foothills of the Carneddau, probably the closest place to wildness south of the Scottish borders. They are totally unconcerned by the effect they are having, not only on the vegetation but also in terms of noise pollution; the sound seems to travel even further than usual on this damp, still, winter afternoon.

I decided to trial the non-emergency number, 101, and spoke to a police officer in Colwyn Bay who informed me that he was en-route but could be up to forty minutes reaching me. The plan was to catch the culprits on the public highway. Because the bikes have no tax, no insurance and no registration plates, the penalties are greater if caught on the road rather than on the common. Over the previous couple of weeks the names of these three hardened offenders had been forwarded to me by members of the public; all I needed was proof.

As I viewed them through my binoculars I could appreciate their skill in controlling

these powerful machines. But we are not talking young tearaways - these are grown men who have been knowingly ripping up the high summits of the Carneddau, venturing even as far as Carnedd Llywelyn. Some local residents see it as a rite of passage, their fathers did it, therefore they are entitled to. Ignorance plays a part as well and over the years I have managed to convert one father and son to the joy and pleasure of spending time in the uplands on foot rather than on a noisy machine. Often, there is a connection with the farming fraternity and on numerous occasions, having caught up with them, the excuse has been: ‘I’m hefting my father’s flock’, unaware of my own farming background. Hefting a flock of sheep in the depths of winter, not a single ewe in sight! Worryingly, I’d received reports that motorcyclists have been employed by the graziers to round up ponies. Ironically, the same graziers are complaining about them now.

The bikers are heading back down. I have a decision to make as there are three different gates. I stay where I am, wondering where the policeman is. The first rider comes towards me and stops a hundred metres away, revs up his bright yellow machine and accelerates towards me. I take a picture and hastily step aside. The second biker comes from a different direction and stops as the third disappears down the narrow country lane. I look behind and there, thankfully, is a police car parking up behind me. I recognise the culprit and thank him for stopping as he could have passed me like the others. Questioning from the police officer confirms everything. Yes, they were the ones up at Llyn Anafon a couple of weeks ago, yes they have ridden over the fragile montane heath on the summit plateau, and yes, they have been

paid by the graziers to assist in the annual roundup of ponies. This time, a formal warning is issued because the bike was stationary on a public highway when the policeman arrived. If only I’d known...

What can we do when we come across bikers or off-roaders damaging this beautiful landscape of ours? Firstly, call the North Wales Police and ask for an incident number - the more people that inform them the better. Also, make contact with the Snowdonia National Park Warden Service (tel: 01766 770 274). Members of the Snowdonia Society have been proactive in this field and incident report forms are available from Max Grant via the office.

Alan Pritchard has worked for SNPA for over twenty years. He is currently Area Warden for Ogwen and the Carneddau. Born and bred in Abergwyngregyn, he worked on local farms before deciding to shepherd

people rather than sheep.

Beiciau modur yng Nghwmorthin • Motorbikes in Cwmorthin© Pierino Algieri

© Alan Pritchard

10

Gofal piau hi i ddiogelu’r amgylchedd

naturiolMatt Strickland

Mynediad a chadwraeth

Mae Eryri wedi’i bendithio â digonedd o ddŵr, a fydd, wedi iddo orffen disgyn o’r awyr, yn cadw llynnoedd, afonydd a chronfeydd dŵr yn llawn a chaniatáu i geunentydd mynyddig barhau i lifo. Bydd pob math o weithgareddau sy’n gysylltiedig â dŵr yn digwydd trwy’r flwyddyn: sgramblo ceunentydd, nofio mewn dŵr gwyllt ac agored, chwaraeon padl, hwylio, genweirio, rhwyfo ac ati. Fodd bynnag, gallai unrhyw un o’r rhain, o’u gwneud yn anghywir, niweidio’r amgylchedd naturiol mewn rhyw ffordd neu’i gilydd. Mae Cod Glan y Dŵr yn cynnwys gwybodaeth am barchu pobl eraill, diogelu’r amgylchedd naturiol a mwynhau’r awyr agored yn ddiogel.

Dewch i ni ystyried Diogelu’r Amgylchedd. Nid yw bob amser yn hawdd i’r rhai ohonom sydd â chefndir mewn gweithgareddau awyr agored ddeall yr amgylchedd naturiol yn fanwl, na’n heffeithiau arno. Nid oes un ffordd ‘iawn’ sy’n addas i unrhyw weithgaredd o dan unrhyw amgylchiadau, felly dyma rai awgrymiadau sy’n gweithio’n dda yn y rhan fwyaf o amgylchiadau.

Y Lle Iawn

Mae hyn yn golygu cadw at y rhan iawn o’r tir neu’r dŵr, megis y llwybr sy’n arwain at y dŵr, ac osgoi ymylon bas llyn a allai gael eu defnyddio gan adar sy’n nythu, er enghraifft.

Yr Adeg Iawn

Mae rhai adegau o’r flwyddyn yn bwysicach i rywogaethau gwahanol: bydd adar yn bridio yn y gwanwyn ac ar ddechrau’r haf; bydd eog yn cychwyn dodwy wyau yng ngraean afonydd ym mis Tachwedd.

Yr Amgylchiadau Iawn

Os bydd lefel y dŵr yn isel mewn afon dŵr gwyn, er enghraifft, a’ch cwch yn cyffwrdd y creigiau a’ch padl yn taro graean yr afon, yn amlwg, byddwch yn cynyddu’r perygl o niweidio’r amgylchedd yn ogystal â’ch offer. Mae gan wefan Asiantaeth yr Amgylchedd wybodaeth fyw am lefelau dŵr, a wnaiff eich cynorthwyo i wybod a yw’r lefel yn ddigon uchel cyn mentro allan.

Archwiliad Glân a Sych

Yn y Deyrnas Unedig, mae gennym nifer o blanhigion ac anifeiliaid ymwthiol sydd wedi dod o rannau eraill o’r byd, ac maent yn achosi problemau sylweddol i rywogaethau cynhenid: llysiau’r dial; cimwch yr afon a’r berdysyn ‘rheibus’ drwg-enwog i enwi ond rhai. Y peth gorau i’w wneud yw archwilio eich offer wrth adael y dŵr, i sicrhau nad oes gennych unrhyw deithwyr

cudd, a’u rinsio â dŵr a’u sychu cyn eu defnyddio mewn corff dŵr arall. Fe wnaiff hyn leihau’r posibilrwydd o gludo rhywogaethau estron o’r naill le i’r llall.

Mae Eryri Bywiol wedi cynhyrchu dau DVD fel rhan o'r gyfres 'Reconciling Conservation and Recreation'.

Maent ar gael i'w gwylio ar y wefan isod.

Snowdonia Active have produced

two DVDs as part of their Reconciling Conservation and Recreation series. They are available

to watch at:

Fel Ymgynghorydd Hamdden Asiantaeth yr Amgylchedd Cymru, bydd Matt Strickland yn

cynorthwyo’r Asiantaeth i gyflawni ei dyletswyddau statudol i hyrwyddo pob math o hamddena sy’n

gysylltiedig â dŵr, a sicrhau hefyd fod yr amgylchedd wedi’i ddiogelu’n briodol.

Cysylltwch ag ef 01248 484135 neu matt.strickland@environment-agency.gov.uk

© Pete Bursnall

http://j.mp/snow-act

Snowdonia is blessed with a lot of water which, when it has stopped falling out of the sky, keeps all those lakes, rivers and reservoirs topped up and mountain gorges flowing. All kinds of water-related recreation now takes place in, on, next to, through and under the wet stuff throughout the year: gorge scrambling, wild and open water swimming, paddle sports, sailing, angling, rowing, etc. However, any of these activities, carried out in the wrong manner, could damage the natural environment in some way. The Waterside Code contains information on respecting other people, protecting the natural environment and enjoying the outdoors safely.

Let’s focus on Protect the Natural Environment. It’s not always easy for those of us with a background in outdoor activities to have a detailed understanding of the natural environment or our effects on it. There isn’t one ‘right’ way that applies to all activities in all circumstances, so here are a few pointers which work well in most situations.

The Right Place

This means sticking to the correct part of the land or water, such as the path to and from the water and, for example, avoiding the shallow edges of a lake which may be being used by nesting birds.

The Right Time

Certain times of the year are more important for different

species: birds breed in spring and early summer; salmon start to lay their eggs in river gravels in November.

The Right Conditions

Low water levels on a white water river, for example, where your boat bumps over rocks and your paddle hits the river gravels will obviously increase the risk of damaging the environment as well as your kit. The Environment Agency website has live water level information which will help you ‘know before you go’ whether the level is high enough.

Check Clean & Dry

We have a number of invasive plants and animals in the UK that have come from other parts of the world and are causing big problems for our native species: Japanese knotweed; signal crayfish and the infamous ‘killer’ shrimp to name just a few. The best thing you can do is to check your kit as you leave the water for any stowaways, clean it by rinsing it with water and drying it out before using it at a different waterbody. This will reduce the chance of carrying alien species from one place to another.

11

Float lightly and protect the natural environmentMatt Strickland

Access and conservation

Gwybodaeth bellach/Further information:www.snowdonia-active.org/what-we-do/reconciling-conservation-recreation

www.environment-agency.gov.uk/homeandleisure/recreationhttps://secure.fera.defra.gov.uk/nonnativespecies/checkcleandry

In his role as Recreation Advisor for Environment Agency Wales Matt

Strickland helps the Agency deliver its statutory duties to promote all forms of water related recreation whilst at the same time ensuring appropriate

environmental protection.

Contact him on 01248 484135 or matt.strickland@environment-agency.

gov.uk

Pistyll Cain © Gareth Roberts

12

Ymgyrchu dros fynediad cyfrifolElfyn Jones

Mynediad a chadwraeth

Cyngor Mynydda Prydain (BMC) yw'r corff cynrychioliadol cenedlaethol i ddringwyr a cherddwyr bryniau yng Nghymru a Lloegr. Fe'i sefydlwyd yn 1944, ac mae ganddo bellach 72,000 o aelodau, unigolion yn bennaf yn hytrach nag aelodau clybiau cyswllt.

Mae llawer o bobl yn ystyried y BMC yn sefydliad dringo creigiau yn bennaf. Fodd bynnag, awgrymodd arolwg diweddar mai cerdded bryniau yw gweithgaredd pennaf ychydig dros hanner yr aelodau (56%). Mae gan y BMC ychydig dros 4,500 aelod yng Nghymru, â rhwydwaith ffyniannus o wirfoddolwyr. Bydd aelodau’n cyfarfod yn chwarterol i drafod materion sy’n peri pryder yng ngogledd, canolbarth a de Cymru.

Un o feysydd allweddol y BMC yw mynediad a chadwraeth, ac mewn arolygon, bydd aelodau’n ystyried yn gyson mai dyma’i swyddogaeth bwysicaf. Gwneir y gwaith hwn dan gyfarwyddyd y Pwyllgor Mynediad, Cadwraeth ac Amgylchedd, sy’n cynnwys gwirfoddolwyr â diddordeb brwd (neu broffesiynol) yn yr amgylchedd naturiol. Ar hyn o bryd, cyflogir tri swyddog amser llawn i wneud gwaith mynediad a chadwraeth – mae un ohonynt yn canolbwyntio ar ymgyrchoedd a lobïo gwleidyddol yn Lloegr, mae’r ail yn canolbwyntio ar gyd-drafod mynediad at safleoedd sensitif yn Lloegr, a’r trydydd yn canolbwyntio’n llwyr ar Gymru - cydnabyddiaeth fod gwleidyddiaeth Cymru yn gynyddol wahanol i Loegr ac mae angen ymateb Cymreig penodol.

Mae cyd-drafod mynediad cyfrifol at glogwyni yn wastad wedi bod yn bwysig iawn. Mae’r rhan helaethaf o safleoedd dringo ar dir preifat, ac mae gan lawer ohonynt ddynodiadau cadwraeth. Fodd bynnag, nid yw’r ffactorau hyn yn golygu fod gweithgareddau dringo bob amser yn niweidiol neu’n ddigroeso yn y mannau hyn. Trwy gyd-drafod â thirfeddianwyr a chyrff cadwraeth, mae canllawiau mynediad a chadwraeth manwl wedi’u cytuno ar gyfer miloedd o greigiau dros y blynyddoedd, ac mae’r trefniadau hyn oll wedi’u cofnodi ar y Gronfa Ddata Mynediad Rhanbarthol, sydd ar gael ar wefan y BMC*. Mae’r gronfa ddata yn cynnwys gwybodaeth fanwl ar faterion megis cyfyngiadau tymhorol ar ddringo i ddiogelu adar sy’n nythu, statws cadwraeth, trefniadau parcio, mynediad y cytunwyd arno a llwybrau at glogwyni. Mae’r wybodaeth hefyd ar gael am ddim i awduron llyfrau tywys a’r nifer gynyddol o gyhoeddiadau dringo ar-lein.

Mae ymgyrch dros well hawliau mynediad i gefn gwlad agored

ar gyfer hamddena tawel hefyd wedi bod yn ymgyrch sylweddol. Â dyfodiad Deddf Cefn Gwlad a Hawliau Tramwy 2000, gellir cerdded bryniau a dringo creigiau ar dir a ddynodwyd yn gefn gwlad agored. Mae’r BMC’n parhau i lobïo am well mynediad, yn enwedig at arfordir Cymru, ble ceir rhai o safleoedd dringo

clogwyni môr pwysicaf y byd. Dros y blynyddoedd, mae’r BMC wedi dysgu am werth eirioli gwleidyddol, lobïo ac ymgyrchu, ac mae’n para i wneud hynny trwy ddulliau pragmatig heb achosi gwrthdaro, gan ddewis canolbwyntio ar agweddau positif mynediad (manteision iechyd, lles ac economaidd) yn San Steffan a’r Senedd yng Nghaerdydd.

Mae diogelu tirweddau gwyllt yn bryder sylweddol a gall fod yn destun emosiynol a chynhennus ymhlith aelodau. Mae materion yn y gorffennol wedi cynnwys rheoli ac atgyweirio llwybrau ucheldirol, adeiladu llwybrau a chanolfannau ymwelwyr, a chafwyd trafodaethau tanllyd yn ddiweddar ynghylch

safbwynt y BMC ar dyrbinau gwynt ym Mynyddoedd y Cambria.

Wrth gwrs, nid yw pob dringwr a cherddwr bryniau yn aelod o’r BMC, a chaiff nifer gynyddol eu profiad cyntaf o ddringo ar waliau dan do, felly mae angen addysgu pobl am arferion da yn yr awyr agored. Mae’r BMC yn cynhyrchu sawl Canllaw Gwyrdd i gynorthwyo â hyn. Maent ar gael ar hyn o bryd ar gyfer Swydd Efrog, Cymoedd De Cymru, Sir Benfro ac Ardal y Llynnoedd, ynghyd â Chanllaw Gwyrdd cyffredinol ar gyfer yr Uwchdiroedd. Bu’r BMC hefyd yn rhan o lunio Canllaw Gwyn ar gyfer cerddwyr gaeaf yn Eryri, â’r nod o wella ymwybyddiaeth o’u heffaith ar safleoedd cadwraeth pwysig megis Cwm Idwal ac Ysgolion Duon yn y Carneddau.

Gan edrych i’r dyfodol, mae’r BMC yn debyg o chwarae rhan gynyddol mewn cadwraeth weithredol, yn enwedig ar safleoedd sy’n eiddo iddo, megis Craig Bwlch y Moch yn Nhremadog, neu trwy nawdd o’i Ymddiriedolaeth Mynediad a Chadwraeth.

* www.thebmc.co.uk/modules/RAD

Mae Elfyn Jones yn fab fferm o Flaenau Ffestiniog a astudiodd Reolaeth Cefn Gwlad ym Mhrifysgol Bangor,

ac yn gerddwr bryniau, mynyddwr a chadwraethwr brwdfrydig. Wedi swyddi ym Mharciau Cenedlaethol

Arfordir Sir Benfro ac Eryri a’r Ymddiriedolaeth Genedlaethol, ef yw Swyddog Mynediad a Chadwraeth

amser llawn cyntaf y BMC yng Nghymru.

Gwirfoddolwyr y BMC yn clirio llystyfiant • BMC volunteers clearing vegetation © Elfyn Jones/BMC

13

Campaigning for responsible accessElfyn Jones

The British Mountaineering Council (BMC) is the national representative body for climbers and hill-walkers in England & Wales. Established in 1944, it now has a membership of 72,000, the majority individuals rather than members of affiliated clubs.

Many people think of the BMC as an organisation primarily concerned with rock climbing. However a recent survey suggested that over half the membership (56%) listed hill walking as their primary activity. In Wales the BMC has just over 4,500 members, with a flourishing volunteer network. Members meet to discuss issues of concern at quarterly open meetings in north, mid and south Wales.

One of the key areas for the BMC is access and conservation, and in surveys members consistently rate this as its most important function. This work is carried out under the direction of the Access, Conservation and Environment Committee, which is made up of volunteers who have a keen (often professional) interest in the natural environment. There are currently three full-time officers employed to carry out access and conservation work – one focussing on campaigns and political lobbying in England, one on negotiating access to sensitive sites in England, and one concerned solely with Wales - recognition that Welsh politics are increasingly divergent from English and requires a specifically Welsh response.

Negotiating responsible access to crags for rock climbing has always been important. The vast majority of climbing sites are on privately owned land, and many have conservation designations. However, these factors do not mean that climbing activities are always detrimental to or unwelcome at these sites. By negotiating with landowners and conservation bodies, detailed access and conservation guidelines have been agreed to thousands of cliffs over the years and these arrangements are all documented on the Regional Access Database, available on the BMC’s website*. The database contains detailed information on such issues as seasonal climbing restrictions to protect nesting birds, conservation status, parking arrangements, negotiated access and approach paths to crags. This information is also freely shared with writers of climbing guidebooks and (increasingly) on-line publications.

Another significant task has been to campaign for increased rights of access to open country for quiet recreation. With the Countryside and Rights of Way Act in 2000, hill walking and rock climbing became possible, as a right, on land designated as open country. The BMC continues to lobby for better access, especially to the coast of Wales, where some of the most important sea-cliff climbing venues in the world are found. Over the years the BMC has learned the value of political advocacy, lobbying and campaigning and continues to do so in a pragmatic and non-confrontational manner, preferring to focus on the positive aspects of access (health, well-being and economic benefits) both at Westminster and at the Senedd in Cardiff.

The protection of wild landscapes is a major concern and can be an emotive and divisive topic among members. Issues in the past have included the management and repair of upland paths, the construction of tracks and visitor centres and, recently, heated debates on the BMC's stance regarding wind turbines on the Cambrian Mountains.

Of course, not all climbers and hill-walkers are members of the BMC and with increasing numbers gaining their first experience of climbing on indoor walls, there is a real need to educate people on good practice in the outdoors. The BMC produces a number of Green Guides to help with this. These are currently available for Yorkshire, South Wales Valleys, Pembrokeshire and the Lake District along with a generic Green Guide to the Uplands. The BMC was also involved in the production of a White Guide, targeted at winter climbers in Snowdonia with the aim of raising awareness of their impact on important conservation sites such as Cwm Idwal and Ysgolion Duon (Black Ladders) in the Carneddau.

Looking to the future, the BMC is likely to be increasingly involved in active conservation, especially on sites it owns, such as Craig Bwlch y Moch at Tremadog, or through funding from its Access and Conservation Trust.

* www.thebmc.co.uk/modules/RAD

A farmer’s son from Blaenau Ffestiniog, Elfyn Jones studied Countryside Management at Bangor

University and is a keen hill walker, mountaineer and conservationist. Following posts with Pembrokeshire

Coast and Snowdonia National Parks and the National Trust, he is the BMC’s first full time Access and

Conservation Officer for Wales.

Access and conservation

Bydd yn mynd i’r afael â’r testun o fynediad ychydig yn anesmwyth, oherwydd rwyf wedi ymwneud â dwy ochr y mater hwn. Un o fy swyddogaethau yn Undeb Cenedlaethol yr Amaethwyr yn ystod y nawdegau oedd arwain gwrthwynebiad y gymuned amaethyddol i ddeddfwriaeth ‘Hawl i Grwydro’ a mynegi ei phryderon. Pan ddeuthum yn Gadeirydd Cyngor Cefn Gwlad Cymru, roeddwn ar ochr arall y ffens fel pennaeth sefydliad oedd yn gyfrifol am gyflawni hynny. Dim ond fy mam a ddywedai fy mod yn gywir yn y ddau gyd-destun!

Â’r ddadl bellach wedi distewi, a yw’r ddeddfwriaeth wedi cyflawni, a yw’r pryderon hynny wedi cael sylw a pha broblemau sy’n weddill?

Dewch i ni gychwyn ag un o oriau tywyllaf ffermio, achos clwy’r traed a’r genau yn 2001. Un ffaith ddiamheuol o’r trychineb oedd pwysigrwydd twristiaeth i economi Cymru. Fe wnaeth y penderfyniad i atal mynediad i gefn gwlad fel dull o reoli’r clwy’ anrheithio’r diwydiant ymwelwyr, ac yn sgil y ffaith fod cymaint o ffermwyr wedi arallgyfeirio i faes twristiaeth, fe wnaeth eu busnesau dioddef yn sgil yr ateb yn ogystal â’r clwy’.

A yw’r ddeddfwriaeth wedi cyflawni? Wel, mae’r cyfle i gael ‘hawl i grwydro’ wedi cynyddu’n sylweddol, ond pery’r defnydd ohono yn isel. Fodd bynnag, fe wnaeth y ddeddf gynnig ‘sicrwydd’, fe roddodd hawl gyfreithiol i bobl fwynhau mynediad i gefn gwlad agored, ac fe wnaeth hynny gynyddu mwynhad ymwelwyr.

A yw pryderon ffermwyr wedi cael sylw? Cwestiwn syml ond anoddach i’w ateb, oherwydd mae ‘ffermwyr’ yn gasgliad o unigolion, pob un â’i farn ar bobl yn cerdded dros ei dir. Yn bersonol, fel rhywun sy’n derbyn arian cyhoeddus, rwyf o blaid rhoi cyfle i drethdalwyr weld yr hyn y maent yn ei dalu amdano, ond rwy’n cydnabod hefyd nad pawb, o reidrwydd, yn rhannu’r farn hon.

Fodd bynnag, yr hyn sy’n uno pob ffermwr yw’r ffaith mai cefn gwlad yw ein llawr ffatri. Mae’r hyn sy’n fan adloniant i’r mwyafrif yn fan gwaith i ni, a dyna fan cychwyn y gwrthdaro.

Mae pobl cefn gwlad yn deall wrth reddf nad yw pob amgylchedd yn ffafriol na phob anifail yn ddiogel a rhagweladwy. Bydd gwartheg sydd newydd fwrw llo yn amddiffynnol iawn o’u hepil, ac er y byddai’n hynod o ryfygus i gerddwyr feddwl fod gan darw mewn cae sy’n llawn heffrod ifanc fwy o ddiddordeb ynddynt hwy na’i gymdeithion, dylid bod yn ofalus.

Dylai’r defnyddwyr fod yn gyfrifol bob amser am asesu’r sefyllfa ac ymddwyn yn briodol, hyd yn oed os bydd hynny’n golygu hepgor eu hawl cyfreithiol, oherwydd pa ddewis arall sydd ar gael? Gwneud cefn gwlad yn ddiogel trwy ei lanweithio a chael gwared ar yr holl brosesau naturiol o hwsmonaeth anifeiliaid sydd wedi cynorthwyo i’w siapio?

Wrth gwrs, mae cŵn yn dal yn broblem barhaus, ac er ei bod yn gwbl ddealladwy fod perchnogion yn dymuno mwynhau cyfleoedd mynediad yng nghwmni eu hanifeiliaid anwes, ar brydiau, megis adeg wyna, byddai’n well gan ffermwyr pe byddai’r anifeiliaid anwes hynny yn fwjis mewn cawell. O ran perchnogion cŵn anghyfrifol y bydd eu hanifeiliaid anwes yn achosi difrod, maent oddi allan i drafodaeth resymegol ac mae gan ffermwyr hawl gyfreithlon i saethu.

Cefn gwlad yw ased naturiol pennaf Cymru, a daw mynediad cyfrifol i gefn gwlad a’r arfordir â buddion i bawb.

14

Deddf Cefn Gwlad a Hawliau Tramwy

Llwyddiant neu fethiant?

John Lloyd-Jones

Mynediad a chadwraeth

Mae John Lloyd-Jones yn ffermwr a thirfeddiannwr sydd â diddordeb brwd mewn gwleidyddiaeth

amgylcheddol. Mae wedi bod yn aelod o sawl pwyllgor a chorff cyhoeddus, yn cynnwys UCA Cymru, APCE a

CCGC, gan amlaf fel cadeirydd neu is-gadeirydd. Mae hefyd yn is-gadeirydd Cymdeithas Eryri.

Llyn Llydaw o'r Wyddfa • Llyn Llydaw from Snowdon

I approach the subject of access with some trepidation since I have been involved on both sides of the issue. One of my roles within the NFU during the nineties was to lead the opposition of the farming community to the ‘Right to Roam’ legislation and to express its concerns. On becoming Chairman of the Countryside Council for Wales, I found myself on the other side of the fence as head of the organisation charged with its delivery. Only my mother would say that I was right on both accounts!

Now that the debate has died down, has the legislation delivered, have those concerns been addressed and what are the problems that remain?

Let us start with one of farming's darkest hours, the foot and mouth outbreak of 2001. The one undisputed fact of that disaster was the importance of tourism to the Welsh economy. The decision to ban access to the countryside as a disease control mechanism decimated the tourism industry and, since so many farmers had diversified into tourism, their businesses suffered from the cure as well as the disease.

Has the legislation delivered? Well, the opportunity for the ‘right to roam’ has increased considerably but the usage remains low. However, the Act did provide ‘certainty’; it gave people a legal right to access the open countryside which increased visitor enjoyment.

Have the farmers' concerns been addressed? A simple question to ask but more difficult to answer since ‘farmers’ are a collection of individuals, each with their own viewpoint on people walking on their land. Personally, as a recipient of public money, I am all in favour of taxpayers having the opportunity of seeing what they are paying for, but I also acknowledge that this opinion may not be universal.

However, what unites all farmers is the fact that the countryside is our factory floor. What is a recreation area for the majority is a working area for us and that is when the conflicts begin.

Country people instinctively understand that not all environments are benign and that not all animals are safe and predictable. Newly calved cows are very protective of their young and, although it would be highly presumptuous of walkers

to think that the bull in a field of maiden heifers would be more interested in them than his companions, one should be wary.

The onus should always be on the users to assess the situation and act accordingly even if sometimes this means forgoing their legal right, because what is the alternative? To make the countryside safe by sanitising it, by removing all the natural processes of animal husbandry that have helped shape it?

Dogs, of course, remain a perpetual problem and although it is perfectly understandable that owners want to enjoy access opportunities in the company of their pets, there are times like lambing when farmers would prefer that those pets were budgies in a cage. As for irresponsible dog owners whose pets cause havoc, they remain outside rational debate and farmers have the legal right to shoot.

The countryside is Wales' greatest natural asset, and responsible access to country and coast brings benefits to all.

15

John Lloyd-Jones is a farmer and landowner with a keen interest in environmental politics. He has served on many committees and public bodies, including NFU Wales, SNPA and CCW, often as chair or vice-chair. He

is also a vice-president of the Snowdonia Society.

Access and conservation

The CRoW Act - success or failure?John Lloyd-Jones

© John Farrar

Yn y nawdegau cynnar, nid oedd beicio mynydd yn Eryri yn cael sylw ffafriol yn y wasg. Wedi’u camarwain gan yr enw ac yn awyddus i brofi cyfyngiadau geriad is a fframiau cryfach, roedd beicwyr fel pe baent yn ceisio reidio yn llythrennol ym mhobman, yn ôl pob tebyg: cai beiciau eu cario dros y Graig Goch; ceiswyd gwneud her y pedair copa ar ddeg, er nad oes cofnod o rywun yn cwblhau hynny; cafwyd gwrthdrawiad rhwng beic a locomotif ar reilffordd yr Wyddfa (gallwch ddyfalu pwy ddioddefodd fwyaf...); a chafwyd nifer o gwynion gan gerddwyr a gafodd eu brawychu. Mynnodd wardeniaid dig y Parc Cenedlaethol fod rhaid gwneud rhywbeth.

Mae Llwybr Llanberis i fyny’r Wyddfa, ynghyd â llwybrau Snowdon Ranger a Rhyd Ddu, yn llwybrau ceffyl dynodedig, yn dyddio o’r oes pan gariwyd cyflenwadau ar gyfer gwesty’r copa a phicnics ymwelwyr ar gefn ceffyl, a dyna oedd y broblem. Roedd gan feicwyr bob hawl i’w defnyddio, ond roedd y nifer sylweddol o gerddwyr ar y llwybrau hyn yn ystod yr haf yn creu sefyllfa beryglus.

Fe wnaeth Pwyllgor Parc Cenedlaethol Eryri drafod cynnig ar gyfer is-ddeddf yn gwahardd y defnydd o feiciau ar lwybrau ceffylau Eryri. Bryd hynny, heb ystyried nodau strategol na budd economaidd, nid oedd aelodau etholedig y Pwyllgor yn cydymdeimlo â hamddena yn gyffredinol, ac ymddangosai y câi’r cynnig ei basio. Fe wnaeth un o’r aelodau etholedig (oedd hefyd yn aelod o Gymdeithas Eryri) ddweud fod hyn yn fater oedd yn effeithio ar ieuenctid lleol yn ogystal ag ymwelwyr, a byddai gwaharddiad gwirfoddol ar adegau penodol yn ddewis llai llym. Cytunwyd i dreialu cytundeb lle byddai beicwyr yn cadw oddi ar lwybrau Eryri rhwng 10am a 5pm o 1 Mai i 30 Medi.

Ugain mlynedd yn ddiweddarach, mae’r cyfyngiad gwirfoddol hwn yn dal yn ei le, ac ar y cyfan, mae wedi bod yn ddull llwyddiannus o leihau gwrthdaro. Mae’r diolch am hyn yn rhannol i gydweithrediad clybiau beicio a siopau beiciau lleol sy’n rhoi’r gair ar led. Bellach hefyd, ar waethaf eu holl soffistigeiddrwydd, cydnabyddir yn fwy cyffredinol fod angen sgiliau sylweddol, coesau cryf ac ysgyfaint nerthol i reidio beiciau mynydd i fyny elltydd neu hyd yn oed lethrau gweddol gymhedrol, ac mae llwybrau pwrpasol yng Nghoed y Brenin, Betws y Coed a Phenmachno yn diwallu anghenion y rhan fwyaf o feicwyr mynydd. Bydd y llwybr lawr rhiw newydd ym Mlaenau Ffestiniog yn apelio at y sawl y mae’n well ganddynt fwynhau’r gamp heb ormod o ymdrech.

Yn anochel, bu rhai rebeliaid, ac nid pobl ifanc anufudd bob amser chwaith, sy’n credu fod reidio ble bynnag a phryd bynnag y dymunant yn nodweddiadol o enaid rhydd, ac yn ddiweddar, cafwyd pryderon am dreialon amser i lawr dyffryn y Telegraff o Fwlch Maesgwm. Ar y cyfan, fodd bynnag, mae’r trefniant yn gweithio ac mae’n dangos sut gall ychydig o synnwyr cyffredin ac ewyllys da ar y ddwy ochr arwain at gyfaddawd llwyddiannus.

16

Mynediad a chadwraeth

“Cytunodd y Parc Cenedlaethol â budd-ddeiliaid fod cytundeb gwirfoddol yn llawer iawn gwell na gosod

unrhyw Orchmynion Rheoli Traffig ar y llwybrau ceffylau ar yr Wyddfa. Mae'r gwaharddiad gwirfoddol yn golygu fod cyfyngiad ar feicwyr ar yr Wyddfa yn ystod yr oriau

brig, pan fydd y llif o gerddwyr ar ei fwyaf a lle y gallai fod gwrthdaro.”

Peter Rutherford, Swyddog Mynediad, APCE

Cytundeb Beicio Gwirfoddol yr Wyddfa

Beicwyr mynydd ar gopa'r Wyddfa • Mountain bikers on Snowdon summit © Ray Wood Photography

In the early 1990s mountain biking in Snowdonia was not enjoying a good press. Misled by the name and keen to explore the limits of lower gearing and more robust frames, cyclists were trying to ride their bikes literally everywhere, it seemed: bikes were seen being carried over Crib Goch; the Fourteen Threes challenge was attempted, though history does not relate whether it was ever finished; there was a collision between a bike and a locomotive on the Snowdon railway (no prizes for guessing who came off worst...); and there were a number of complaints from frightened or startled walkers. Irate National Park wardens demanded that something be done.

The problem was that the Llanberis path up Snowdon, along with the Snowdon Ranger and Rhyd Ddu paths, are all designated bridleways, dating from the days when supplies for the summit hotel and picnics for tourists were carried by packhorse. Cyclists had every right to be on them, but the sheer numbers of walkers thronging these paths in summer created a hazardous situation.

The National Park Committee debated a proposal for a bye-law banning the use of cycles on the Snowdon bridleways. At that time, regardless of statutory aims or economic benefit, the elected members of the Committee were unsympathetic towards recreation in general and it seemed that the proposal would go through on the nod. It took one of the nominated members (who happened to be a member of the Snowdonia Society) to point out that this was an issue affecting local youngsters as well as visitors and that a voluntary ban at certain times might be a less draconian alternative. It was agreed to trial an agreement in which bikers would keep off the Snowdon paths

between 10am and 5pm from 1st May to 30th September.

Twenty years on this voluntary restriction is still in place and, by and large, it has been successful in reducing conflict. This is thanks partly to the cooperation of local clubs and bike hire shops in spreading the word. Nowadays, also, it is more widely recognized that for all their sophistication mountain bikes still need considerable skill, leg strength and lung power to propel them uphill on even fairly mild gradients, and the provision of purpose-built tracks at Coed y Brenin, Betws y Coed and Penmachno caters for the needs of most mountain bikers. The new downhill track at Blaenau Ffestiniog will appeal even more to those who prefer their thrills without too much effort.

Inevitably, there have been a few mavericks, not always young tearaways either, who feel it is the mark of a free spirit to ride when and where they like, and recently concerns have been expressed about time trials down Telegraph valley from Bwlch Maesgwm. On the whole, however, the arrangement works and it illustrates how a certain amount of common sense and goodwill on both sides can result in a successful compromise.

17

Snowdon Voluntary Cycling Agreement

Access and conservation

“The National Park agreed with stakeholders that a voluntary agreement was much more preferable to imposing any

Traffic Regulation Orders on the bridleways on Snowdon. The voluntary ban means that cyclists are restricted on Snowdon during the peak hours, when the flow of walkers is greatest

and where there could be conflict.”Peter Rutherford, Access Officer, SNPA

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18

Mynediad a chadwraeth

Yn fy iard gefnRob Collister

Hyd yn oed ynghanol haf arall â systemau gwasgedd isel fel pe baent yn ciwio yn yr Iwerydd fel jymbo-jetiau yn Heathrow, roedd rhai dyddiau unigol mor berffaith, gellid maddau ac anghofio gweddill y tywydd gwael yn rhwydd. Wrth feicio ar hyd ffyrdd cysgodol gwaelod Dyffryn Conwy ar ddiwrnod braf o Fehefin â’r aer yn teimlo’n braf o oer ar goesau noeth a’r gweirgloddiau’n llawn gwyddfid a drywod croch, fe’n hatgoffwyd pam fy mod wedi dewis byw’r rhan fwyaf o’m bywyd fel oedolyn yn Eryri. Roedd y car wedi mynd am brawf MOT, ac roedd yn amlwg yn ddiwrnod i’w dreulio yn y mynyddoedd.

Gan wneud rhinwedd o reidrwydd, ymlwybrais trwy Rowen a Llanbedr y Cennin i fyny i Gwm Eigiau. O Lanbedr, dengys y Map Ordnans mewn dotiau gwyrdd amlwg fod y llwybr yn Gulffordd sy’n Agored i Bob Traffig, ond yn amlwg ni wneir llawer o ddefnydd ohoni. Mygwyd olwynion fy meic gan redyn, gorthyfail a danadl poethion ac fe’m gorfodwyd i gerdded am tua 50 llath, nes i dwnnel diheulwen o brysgoed cyll leihau’r llystyfiant, a’i gwneud yn haws symud, er ei bod yn fwy mwdlyd. Culhaodd y llwybr, oedd bellach â bysedd y cŵn, gludlys, llysiau’r llwynog a gerangl glas llachar ger ei ymylon, a disgynnai yn serth i lawr i Afon Dulyn. Gwyrai coed derw ac onnen dros wely caregog yr afon, a theimlai bron iawn yn drofannol â’r cyfoeth o gen y coed, mwsogl a rhedyn, a orchuddiai’r rhisgl a’r graig.

Cariais fy meic dros bompren daclus, anymwthiol, i fyny at ffordd gyhoeddus hynod o droellog a serth, a fynnai ddefnydd o’r gêr isaf a’r ymdrech pennaf. Daeth y ffordd yn llai serth yn raddol, ac wrth i gopaon uchel y Carneddau ymddangos, daeth y ffordd allan o goetir bedw i waun o dwmpathau glaswellt, brwyn ac ychydig ddefaid.

Yn sgil beicio haws a gatiau i’w hagor a’u cau, roedd llawer i’w weld a’i glywed y gellid ei fethu mewn car. Pethau syml fel brest ruddgoch a chefn browngoch hyfryd llinos a glwydai ar lwyn eithin, rhythmau disgynnol cân ehedeg corhedydd y waun a ddisgynnai i’r ddaear, cri rîl pysgota ryfedd telor y gwair, roeddent oll yn

ddigon cyfarwydd ond yn ffynhonnell rhyfeddod a hyfrydwch ar yr adeg honno. Wrth i mi bedalu at y mynyddoedd, roeddwn yn wên o glust i glust.

Ar ddiwedd y ffordd lle’r oedd ceir wedi’u parcio, mater syml oedd codi’r beic dros y giât ynghlo a pharhau ar hyd llwybr gwlyb at wal yr argae, na chafodd ei hatgyweirio wedi iddi rwygo â chanlyniadau trychinebus yn 1925. Y tu draw i’r wal, roedd y llwybr yn fwy garw a chreigiog, a byddai reidio heb hongiad blaen, o leiaf, wedi bod yn anodd i mi. Ymddengys fod rhai cerddwyr bryniau yn casáu beiciau mynydd ar sail egwyddor, ond mewn sefyllfa o’r fath hon, byddant yn cynrychioli enghraifft ddilys o’r hyn a elwid yn 'Dechnoleg Ganolradd' gan Fritz Schumacher. Mae beic modern yn beiriant hynod soffistigedig, ond eto, nid yw’n achosi llygredd, mae’n ddull cludiant hynod effeithlon, a hefyd yn cynnig llond trol o hwyl.

Roedd dau aelod o Glwb Mynydda Rugby yn brysur yn ail-doi bwthyn Eigiau. Roedd ffermwr wedi oedi am sgwrs, â pheiriant ei feic cwad yn dal i droi. Yn sydyn, ymddangosai Cwm Eigiau bron iawn yn brysur, ond nid i’r un graddau â’r 19eg ganrif, â phobl yn trigo ar y ffermydd a’r chwareli’n weithgar. Aeth y llwybr glaswelltog yn serthach, ac roedd hi’n anodd reidio oherwydd sawl all-lif. Yna, â minnau’n chwysu a chefn fy ngwddf yn cychwyn llosgi, cyrhaeddais yr hen chwarel lechi y cefnwyd arni ers diwedd yr 1890au, a chuddiais fy meic yn un o’i hadeiladau llechi nadd di-do.

Esgynnai unionsythder tywyll Craig yr Ysfa fry uwchben. Plethai llwybr bach cul fyny trwy sgri a llus at y rhigol garegog a llydan a elwir yn yr amffitheatr. Fe’m cadwyd yno am ychydig gan yr olygfa o chwilen ddu yn ymdrechu i symud brigyn oedd dair gwaith ei hyd ei hun, ond ymhen ychydig, roeddwn wrth droed cefnen craig sydd hefyd yn wal chwith yr amffitheatr, man cychwyn dringfa boblogaidd. Fe’i disgrifir yn y llyfr tywys fel Amffitheatr Gwanas, 900 troed o hyd, a ddringwyd am y tro cyntaf yn 1905 gan y brodyr Abraham o Keswick ac wedi’i graddio yn Anodd Iawn, sy’n golygu, yn

nhermau dringo, nad yw’n anodd iawn a gellir ei dringo heb raff.

Wedi dringo pedwar can troedfedd, oedais i amgyffred y sefyllfa. Roedd yr ymylon ar ochr bella’r amffitheatr yn wyrddlas nodedig ac yn frith o liw melyn, ac awgrymai dail cigog pren y ddannoedd a phelenni melyn y gronnell fod yno ddaeareg wahanol, lai asidig. I fyny fry, roedd yr awyr yn dal yn las perffaith. Diflannodd hebog tramor yn dawel o dan y gorwel, ac ni wnaeth ailymddangos. Wedi pum can llath o sgrialu haws, roeddwn yn ail-gyfarwyddo â’r llorweddol, yn syllu ar draws Nant y Benglog ar siapiau llwyd niwlog y Glyderau ac asgell siarc dywyll Tryfan.

Galwai copa Carnedd Llewelyn, ac roedd hi’n llawer rhy braf i anwybyddu’r alwad. Wedi canolbwyntio gofalus y ddringfa, roedd cerdded at y copa yn ddedwydd o hamddenol. Roedd eraill yn mwynhau picnic ar y garnedd, felly gan nodio a gwenu, croesais lwyfandir y copa, lle dryslyd mewn niwlen neu storm, a deuthum i lawr maes o glogfeini i Foel Grach. Ychydig heibio’r brigiad bychan a elwir yn Garnedd Tristan, euthum i’r dde i gyrraedd cangen o Afon Eigiau, gan basio tameidiau o weddillion metel awyren a ddisgynnodd, a charcas chwyddedig a hislyd dafad anffodus oedd wedi mentro’n rhy bell ar glwt gwyrdd llachar o figwyn arnofiol. Ymhen dim amser, roeddwn ar gefn y beic unwaith yn rhagor ac yn clecian mynd i lawr at yr argae. Arweiniai llwybr gwlyb a thyllog arall at gronfa ddŵr Coedty uwchlaw Dolgarrog trwy goetiroedd llaith helyg a gwern, a lenwid â chri ailadroddus y ddryw felen a chân glir ei chefnder tebyg iawn, y ddryw wen. Ar y ffordd adref, euthum heibio’r Tŷ Crempogau Iseldiraidd ger Rowen, dewis da iawn i unrhyw un sy’n flinedig, yn newynog ac yn hynod sychedig.

Mae Rob Collister yn un o gyn-ymddiriedolwyr Cymdeithas Eryri. Enillodd yr erthygl hon wobr yng

nghystadleuaeth ysgrifennu Natur Cymru 2012.

Clogfeini rhewlifol a wasgarwyd yng Nghwm Eigiau uchaf • Glacial boulders strewn in upper Cwm Eigiau © John Farrar

Even in the midst of yet another summer when low-pressure systems seemed to queue up in the Atlantic like jumbo-jets at Heathrow, there were isolated days of such perfection that it was easy to forgive and forget the rest of the time. Cycling the shady lanes of the lower Conwy valley on a fine June morning when the air felt pleasantly cool on bare legs and the hedgerows were full of honeysuckle and strident wrens, I was reminded why I have chosen to live most of my adult life in Snowdonia. The car was off the road for its MOT and this was clearly a day to be in the mountains.

Making a virtue of necessity, I was making my way through Rowen and Llanbedr y Cennin up into Cwm Eigiau. From Llanbedr the Ordnance Survey indicates in bold green dots that the track is a Byway Open to All Traffic but it is clearly not much used. Bracken, cow parsley and nettles clogged my wheels and forced me off the bike for 50 yards or so until a sunless tunnel formed by hazel

coppice subdued the vegetation and made for easier, if muddier, going. The path, brightly edged now with foxglove, campion, herb robert and vibrant blue veronica, narrowed and dropped steeply down to the Afon Dulyn. The bouldery riverbed was overhung by oak and ash and felt almost tropical in the green luxuriance of lichen, moss and fern with which bark and rock alike were smothered.

I carried the bike across a neat unobtrusive footbridge and up onto an unremittingly steep, twisting council road calling for bottom gear and maximum effort. Gradually the angle eased and, as the high tops of the Carneddau hove into view, the road emerged from birch woodland onto a moor of tussock grass and rush and a few sheep.

With easier cycling and gates to open and shut there was much to see and hear that would have been missed in a car. Simple things like the crimson breast and lovely

rufous brown back of a linnet perched on a gorse bush, the descending cadence of a meadow pipit's flight song as it parachuted down to earth, the strange fishing reel call of a grasshopper warbler, were all familiar enough but at that moment they were a source of wonder and delight. As I pedalled on towards the mountains I was grinning to myself.

At the road's end where cars were parked, it was a simple matter to lift the bike over the locked gate and continue along a wet track to the dam wall, never repaired after it ruptured with tragic consequences in 1925. Beyond the wall the track became rougher and rockier and it would have been a struggle to ride without front suspension, at least. Even with, it was quite sufficiently challenging for me. Some hill walkers seem to dislike mountain bikes on principle, yet in a situation like this they represent a valid example of what Fritz Schumacher called 'Intermediate Technology'. A modern bike is a highly sophisticated machine yet it is

In my backyardRob Collister

Access and conservation

Olion adeiladau chwarel o flaen Craig yr Ysfa • Remains of quarry buildings with Craig yr Ysfa behind © John Farrar

21

Rob Collister is a former trustee of the Snowdonia Society. This

article was a prizewinner in the 2012 Natur Cymru writing

competition.

unpolluting, an extremely efficient form of transport, and great fun to boot.

At Eigiau cottage two members of the Rugby Mountaineering Club were re-slating the roof. A farmer, quadbike idling, had stopped for a chat. Suddenly, Cwm Eigiau felt almost busy, if not quite like the 19th century when the farms were occupied and the quarries active. The grassy track steepened and the riding was made difficult by several washouts. Finally, sweating and beginning to burn at the back of my neck, I reached the old slate quarry, abandoned since the 1890s, and hid my bike inside one of its roofless dressed-slate buildings.

Overhead reared the dark verticality of Craig yr Ysfa. A steep little path wound up through scree and bilberry to the broad stony gully known as the amphitheatre. I was detained awhile by the spectacle of a black beetle gamely manoeuvring a twig three times its own length, but soon I was at the foot of a rock ridge forming the left wall of the amphitheatre, the start of a favourite rock climb. The guide book describes it as Amphitheatre Buttress,

900ft long, first climbed in 1905 by the Abraham brothers from Keswick and graded Very Difficult, which means that, in climbing terms, it is not very difficult and perfectly feasible to climb without a rope.

Four hundred feet up I paused to savour the situation. Ledges on the far side of the amphitheatre were a distinctive blue-green flecked with yellow, the fleshy leaves of roseroot and the yellow orbs of globeflower hinting at a different, less acid geology. Overhead, the sky was still a flawless blue. A peregrine ducked silently behind the skyline and did not reappear. Five hundred feet of easier scrambling later, I was reacquainting myself with the horizontal, gazing across Nant y Benglog to the hazy grey shapes of the Glyderau and the dark shark's fin of Tryfan.

The summit of Carnedd Llewelyn beckoned and it was much too fine a day to ignore the summons. After the care-filled concentration of the climb, the walk up was a blissfully untaxing stroll. Others were picnicking at the cairn, so with a nod and a smile I crossed the summit

plateau, a confusing, disorienting place in mist or storm, and descended a boulder field towards Foel Grach. Just past the little outcrop known as Tristan's cairn I cut right to reach a branch of the Afon Eigiau, passing chunks of metal debris from a crashed aircraft and the bloated, buzzing carcass of an unfortunate sheep that had ventured too far onto a patch of bright green floating sphagnum. In no time I was back at the bike and clattering down to the dam. Another wet potholed track led to Coedty resevoir above Dolgarrog through damp woods of willow and alder, filled with the repetitive call of the chiffchaff and the limpid song of its almost identical cousin, the willow warbler. The way home took me past the Dutch Pancake house near Rowen which, to anyone tired, hungry and exceedingly thirsty, is thoroughly recommended.

Llyn eigiau o'r gogledd, gyda Phen Llithrig y Wrach yn y cefndir • Llyn Eigiau from the north with Pen Llithrig y Wrach in the background © Rob Collister

Te a gwenyn yn Ty Hyll . Teas & bees at Ty Hyll^

22

Newyddion Tŷ Hyll • The Ugly House news

Agorwyd drysau Tŷ Hyll, sy'n eiddo i Gymdeithas Eryri ers 1988, ar gyfer ymwelwyr ym Mis Mehefin, wedi'i adnewyddu fel ystafell de a chanolfan gwenyn mêl. Agorwyd y tŷ a'r gerddi'n swyddogol gan Iolo Williams mewn digwyddiad arbennig ar 16 Gorffennaf.

Credir bod Tŷ Hyll yn ‘dŷ unnos’, sef tŷ wedi ei adeiladu dros nos, ac mae ymwelwyr wedi cael eu swyno erioed gan y dull unigryw a ddefnyddiwyd i’w adeiladu trwy ddefnyddio meini anferth, geirwon, o’r llechwedd gerllaw.

Bellach gall ymwelwyr ymweld â’r tŷ hudolus hwn a dysgu mwy am ei hanes a’i chwedloniaeth wrth fwynhau bwyd a diod lleol blasus mewn ystafell de glyd. Mae ystafell de y Pot Mêl yn fusnes newydd wedi ei sefydlu gan Tim ac Ayla Maddox sydd hefyd yn gyfrifol am yr ystafell de yn nhŷ hanesyddol Tu Hwnt i’r Bont yn Llanrwst. Byddant yn gweini bwyd rhwng 10.30 y bore i 5 y prynhawn, chwe diwrnod yr wythnos (ar gau ar ddydd Llun). Cynigir gostyngiad o 20% oddi ar archebion bwyd a diod i aelodau Cymdeithas Eryri.

Agorwyd llawr cyntaf y tŷ fel canolfan ymwelwyr arloesol lle gall pobl ddysgu am hanes ac ecoleg difyr gwenyn mêl a’u pwysigrwydd heddiw.

Yr oedd y gwaith yn cynnwys gwella mynediad i’r tŷ a’r tir ar gyfer pobl nad ydynt yn gallu symud yn rhwydd, er, gan fod cymeriad sylfaenol Tŷ Hyll wedi ei warchod, bydd rhaid dygymod â rhywfaint o dir sy’n anwastad neu ar lechwedd. Golyga’r gwaith y gall y rhai sydd yn defnyddio cadair olwyn ymweld â Thŷ Hyll am y tro cyntaf yn ei hanes, cryn gamp mewn adeilad sydd wedi ei restru ar Raddfa II.

Yr oedd grŵp bychan o wirfoddolwyr ymroddedig, sydd bellach yn gallu manteisio ar gyllid Coetiroedd Gwell i Gymru, eisoes yn rheoli’r coetir lled-naturiol hynafol, sy’n fridfa bwysig i wybedog brith. Erbyn hyn, mae'r coetir hefyd yn noddfa i wenyn mêl, a gosodir cychod gwenyn yno yn ystod yr haf. Ar gyfer magu gwenyn gormes a pharu brenhinesau mae'r safle, prosiect a reolir gan Ganolfan Genedlaethol Cadw Gwenyn Cymru, sydd yn agor canolfan ymwelwyr newydd yng Nghanolfan Bwyd Cymru Bodnant yn Nyffryn Conwy. Mae’r ganolfan genedlaethol yn gobeithio atal dirywiad a allai fod yn drychinebus yn y niferodd o wenyn mêl. Diolch i dîm o

arddwyr gwirfoddol bydd ymwelwyr â Thŷ Hyll yn gallu mwynhau’r ardd fywyd gwyllt a’r goedwig. Maent yn llawn prysurdeb gwahanol bryfaid yn cael eu denu at y paill trwy’r flwyddyn.

Mae Cymdeithas Eryri yn ddiolchgar i’r partneriaid ariannu canlynol am eu cefnogaeth: Cymunedau a Natur; Cronfa Dreftadaeth y Loteri; Cronfa Arbrofol Eryri; Ymddiriedolaeth Eryri Esmé Kirby; Canolfan Genedlaethol Cadw Gwenyn Cymru.

Hoffai’r elusen hefyd gydnabod rhoddion a gyfrannwyd gan ei haelodau tuag at apêl arbennig a chyfraniadau llu o wirfoddolwyr sydd wedi rhoi o’u hamser a’u hegni i sicrhau llwyddiant y cynllun.

Dylid cyfeirio'n arbennig at: Katherine Himsworth, sef y cyntaf i weld y posibilrwydd o gysylltu Tŷ Hyll â Chanolfan Genedlaethol Cadw Gwenyn Cymru ac ymchwilio i gyfleoedd ariannu; David Archer, a arweiniodd dîm o ymddiriedolwyr trwy'r camau amrywiol a rhwystredig o gynllunio, caniatâd dylunio, a dwyn ffrwyth yn y pen draw; Ruth Cox, a barhaodd i arwain ac ysbrydoli garddwyr trwy’r cyfan; a Margaret Thomas a Max Grant a lafuriodd yn ddiddiwedd oddi fewn ac oddi allan i wneud cyfiawnder â Thŷ Hyll yn ei swyddogaeth newydd.

Tŷ Hyll, owned by the Snowdonia Society since 1988, re-opened its doors to visitors in June this year as a fully refurbished tearoom and honeybee visitor centre. The house and grounds were officially opened by naturalist Iolo Williams at a special event on 16 July.

Reputed to be a ‘tŷ unnos', or a house built overnight, visitors have long been fascinated by its unique construction out of huge, rough boulders taken from the surrounding hillside.

Now, all who visit can step inside and learn more about its history and legends while enjoying delicious local food and drink in the cosy tearoom. The Pot Mêl tearoom is a new business set up by Tim and Ayla Maddox, who also run the historic Tu Hwnt i'r Bont tearooms in Llanrwst. Refreshments are available from 10.30am to 5pm in summer and until 4pm in winter, six days a week (closed Mondays). Snowdonia Society members receive a 20% discount on food and drink purchases.

The upstairs of the house is now an innovative visitor centre, where people of all ages can learn more about the fascinating history and ecology of honeybees and their importance today.

The refurbishment included improving access to the house and grounds and allowing wheelchair users to visit Tŷ Hyll for the first time in its history,

a considerable

^

23

Llythyrau • Letters

achievement for this Grade II listed building. Nevertheless, as the essential nature and character of Tŷ Hyll have been retained, visitors need to be comfortable with some rough and sloping ground.

A small group of dedicated volunteers, now able to draw on Better Woodlands for Wales funding, was already managing the semi-natural ancient woodland, which is an important breeding site for pied flycatchers. This has now also become a haven for honeybees, with beehives installed over the summer. It is used as a site for drone rearing and queen mating, one of the projects managed by the new National Beekeeping Centre Wales, whose visitor centre in the Conwy valley aims to help arrest the decline in honeybee numbers. Visitors to Tŷ Hyll can also enjoy our wildlife garden, which offers plenty of forage for all pollinators throughout the year thanks to the efforts of a team of volunteer gardeners.

The Snowdonia Society is indebted to the following funding partners for their generous support: Communities and Nature; Heritage Lottery Fund; CAE; Esmé Kirby Snowdonia Trust; and National Beekeeping Centre Wales.

We would also like to thank our members who made generous contributions to a special appeal and the numerous volunteers who have put so much time and effort into bringing this initiative to fruition.

Special mention should be made of: Katherine Himsworth who first saw the possibility of linking Tŷ Hyll with the National Beekeeping Centre Wales and researched funding opportunities; David Archer, who led a team of trustees through the multifarious and frequently frustrating stages of development, planning permission and fruition; Ruth Cox who continued to lead and inspire the gardeners throughout; and Margaret Thomas and Max Grant who have laboured endlessly inside and out to do justice to Tŷ Hyll in its new role.

Mae croeso i chi anfon ymatebion ynglŷn â'r rhifyn hwn, neu unrhyw agwedd arall o waith y Gymdeithas, at y cyfeiriad isod.

Please send your letters regarding articles in this issue of the magazine or any other aspect of the Society's activities to:

Cymdeithas Eryri Snowdonia Society, Caban, Brynrefail LL55 3NRinfo@snowdonia-society.org.uk

Llythyrau . LettersArgraffir llythyrau yn yr iaith y cawn hwy.

Letters are printed in the language that we receive them.

Dear Editor,

I would like to express my appreciation of the wonderful work that has been done by the Society at Tŷ Hyll recently.

After a delicious lunch I visited the delightfully presented bee exhibition - very imaginatively done and I’m sure kids will love it. Then on to the garden which was looking great. The pretty planted roof (over the disabled toilet) not only looks marvellous but really ties the garden and the cottage together in a very pleasing way. The planting on it really does extend the garden right up to the slate roof of the cottage.

I have just one comment however on how the garden might be improved. I know the Society is justifiably proud of the splendid compost toilet at the top of the garden, but it is, let’s face it, not so much Tŷ Bach as more Throne Room! And, along with the compost bins, its siting does tend to dominate. I think some large shrubs or climbers trained over some screening, might be more appropriate.

Meanwhile I urge all members to visit and enjoy the amenities of what surely should be called from now on Tŷ Hyfryd, not Tŷ Hyll!

Best wishes,Peter Southgate, Dolwyddelan

~ ~ ~Annwyl Olygydd,

Yr oedd yn dda gen i weld bod Cymdeithas Eryri wedi gwrthwynebu dinistr yr hen goetiroedd wrth yr A487 wrth ymyl Gelligemlyn (Polisi ac Ymgyrchoedd, cylchgrawn CESS Gwanwyn 2012). Trist iawn oedd hi i’w gweld ac yr oedd yn ofid i mi ’mod i heb wrthwynebu’r cynlluniau am y lôn ar yr

amser iawn.

Un o’r rhesymau i mi beidio gwrthwynebu oedd fy mod yn ansicr sut i wneud hynny - at bwy i ysgrifennu, sail addas y gwrthwynebiad, ac ati.

Yr ydych yn sôn am ymgyrchoedd cyfoes ar eich gwefan, ond tybed a fuasai’n bosib i’r Gymdeithas wneud rhagor i hwyluso ac annog pobl i wrthwynebu wrth dynnu sylw at yr ymgyrchoedd ar dudalen flaen y wefan; a thrwy ddarparu gwybodaeth am sut i’w gwneud yn effeithiol â llythyrau enghreifftiol ac eglurhad o sail gywir dros wrthwynebu?

Cafwyd enw a chyfeiriad

(Summary: Pleased to see that CESS had objected to the plans to cut down ancient woodland as part of the A470 improvements, and suggestion that the Society provide more information to facilitate objections from the general public. Name and address supplied.)

Nodyn gan y golygydd: Diolch am y sylwadau adeiladol hyn. Yn y dyfodol, byddwn yn ceisio cynnwys ar y wefan fanylion yr unigolion y dylid ysgrifennu atynt pan fydd y Gymdeithas yn ymateb i gynigion cynllunio penodol, a phan fydd hynny’n addas, canllawiau ynghylch materion i’w codi. Rhoddir ystyriaeth i lythyrau gan y cyhoedd, a byddant yn dylanwadu pan drafodir materion cynllunio dadleuol.

Editor's note: Thank you for these constructive comments. We will try, in future, to supply details on the website of who individuals should write to when the Society is commenting on specific planning proposals and, when appropriate, guidance on points to raise. Letters from the public are noted and do carry weight in contentious planning issues.

To gwyrdd y toiled • The toilet's green roof © Peter Soutgate

24

Adolygiad o'r flwyddyn

Adolygiad o'r flwyddynMae diogelu, gwella a dathlu rhinweddau arbennig iawn Eryri yn parhau yn genhadaeth y Gymdeithas. Cafwyd rhai datblygiadau pwysig eleni. Ar ddiwedd ein blwyddyn ariannol yn yr haf, agorwyd adeilad eiconig Tŷ Hyll fel ystafell de a chanolfan dehongli a chadwraeth gwenyn (disgrifir hynny mewn rhan arall o'r rhifyn hwn) a chafwyd datganiad o hyder yr Ymddiriedolwyr yn y dyfodol trwy apwyntio Sarah Medcalf yn Gyfarwyddwr a gwneud swydd y Weinyddwraig Swyddfa Frances Smith yn un barhaol.

Diogelu

Mae’r Is-bwyllgor Polisi yn monitro ceisiadau cynllunio a gyflwynir i Awdurdod Parc Cenedlaethol Eryri (APCE), yn ogystal â cheisiadau cynllunio sylweddol mewn mannau sy’n ffinio â'r Parc Cenedlaethol. Ystyriwn fod swyddogaeth APCE fel awdurdod cynllunio’r ardal yn hanfodol ar gyfer effeithiolrwydd y Parc Cenedlaethol. Ym mwyafrif helaeth yr achosion, ni fydd ceisiadau cynllunio yn bygwth rhinweddau arbennig Eryri, a chânt eu caniatáu. Ond lle buasai datblygiad yn fygythiad, neu lle gallai fod, buasem yn gwneud sylwadau priodol.

Ymhlith yr achosion niferus a ystyriwyd yn ystod y flwyddyn, pery dyfodol yr hen sefydliad ymchwil milwrol yn Llanbedr yn bryder amlwg oherwydd ei gymhlethdod a'i faint ac amlygrwydd y safle. Wedi i Lywodraeth Cymru gael tystysgrif y llynedd ar gyfer defnydd cyfreithlon o'r safle ar gyfer ymchwil a datblygu, i brofi, datblygu a gwerthuso awyrennau di-griw, fe wnaeth y cwmni sy’n brydleswr arfaethedig y safle gyflwyno cais cynllunio newydd ym mis Ebrill i ailddefnyddio adeiladau presennol y safle i ‘gynnal a chadw awyrennau yn cynnwys dadgomisiynu/datgymalu, adfer ac ailosod cydrannau, ynghyd â hyfforddiant peirianneg'.

Mae Llywodraeth Cymru wedi datgan y daw Trawsfynydd, yng nghanol y Parc Cenedlaethol, yn barth menter lleol i ddenu gwaith newydd, pan ddaw’r gwaith o ddadgomisiynu’r atomfa i ben. Yn y cyfamser, mae Llywodraeth y Deyrnas Unedig yn ystyried Eryri fel safle

cynlluniau pwmpstorio newydd tebyg i’r rhai yn Dinorwig a Stwlan; byddai hyn yn golygu adeiladu cronfeydd dŵr mewn mannau megis Bowydd a Chroesor, lle gwrthwynebodd y Gymdeithas gynlluniau yn yr 1970au cynnar. Mae cais cynllunio eisoes yn cael ei gyflwyno ar gyfer cynllun pwmpstorio ychydig y tu allan i’r Parc Cenedlaethol yn hen chwareli Glyn Rhonwy ger Llanberis.

Mae’r Pwyllgor Gwaith yn ymwybodol iawn fod Gogledd-orllewin Cymru gyfan yn dioddef gan ddiffyg cyfleoedd gwaith, incwm isel a gostyngiad yn nifer y bobl ifanc. Mae arnom eisiau gweld cyfleoedd gwaith a hyfforddiant yn cael eu creu yn y Parc Cenedlaethol, ond dim ond rhai na wnaiff niweidio'i rinweddau arbennig. Rydym yn ymwybodol hefyd fod y rhinweddau hynny’n hynod o werthfawr ynddynt eu hunain i’r miliynau o bobl a gaiff fwynhad ac ysbrydoliaeth yn Eryri, ac maent hefyd yn sail i’r diwydiant ymwelwyr, diwydiant o bwys sy’n bwysig iawn yn economaidd yng Ngogledd Cymru. Gwyddom hefyd na ellir dibynnu o gwbl ar amcangyfrifon cyflogaeth gan gwmnïau neu gyrff cyhoeddus sy’n hyrwyddo datblygiadau, ac weithiau byddant yn cynnwys swyddi adeiladu dros dro yn bennaf, â llawer o'r rheini ar gyfer gweithwyr arbenigol o du allan i'r ardal.

Felly, mae angen asesu effaith cynigion datblygiadau newydd yn briodol, a’u rheoleiddio’n iawn. Yn achos y cais cynllunio ar gyfer Llanbedr, mae’r Gymdeithas wedi pwyso am asesiad effaith amgylcheddol. Yn Nhrawsfynydd, mae’r Gymdeithas wedi ceisio cael cadarnhad y bydd rheoliadau cynllunio arferol yn dal yn weithredol. Yng Nglyn Rhonwy, un pryder penodol yw sut y gellid cysylltu cynllun pwmpstorio â'r Grid Cenedlaethol, mater a anwybyddwyd gan yr hyrwyddwyr yn eu hymgynghoriad cyhoeddus.

Fel yr adroddwyd yn ei gylch y Llynedd, mae’r Gymdeithas yn barod i wrthwynebu llinellau newydd neu ymestyn llinellau peilonau trydan ar draws y Parc Cenedlaethol. Mae ansicrwydd ynghylch adeiladu atomfa newydd yn Wylfa, Ynys Môn, wedi arwain at oedi wrth gyhoeddi cynigion

ar gyfer cyswllt â’r grid cenedlaethol; bydd y Gymdeithas yn parhau i ddadlau y dylid defnyddio cebl tanddaearol i wneud hyn. Mae'r Gymdeithas ac APCE yn barod i wrthwynebu ceisiadau am dyrbinau gwynt mawr yn agos at derfyn y Parc Cenedlaethol, a allai achosi niwed sylweddol i olygfeydd tuag at Eryri neu oddi yno. Gallai’r rhain gynnwys cynigion yn Ynys Môn yn agos at Gulfor Menai.

Mae lleihau gweithgareddau dynol sy’n achosi’r newid yn yr hinsawdd yn dibynnu ar ganfod ffynonellau ynni cynaliadwy, ac nid yw’r Gymdeithas yn gwrthwynebu ynni gwynt mewn egwyddor. Fodd bynnag, pryder arall yw'r effaith posibl ar dirwedd rhannau sensitif o’r Parc Cenedlaethol yn sgil nifer helaeth o dyrbinau bychan. Rydym yn awyddus felly i weld APCE yn cyhoeddi Canllawiau Cynllunio Atodol ar ynni cynaliadwy, a hefyd yn adolygu a gwella cynnwys y canllawiau mwy cyffredinol ar gyfer tirweddau Eryri.

Yn ogystal â materion penodol, bydd gwaith ymgyrchu’r Gymdeithas yn mynd i’r afael â chynigion polisi ehangach. Dyma faes y byddwn yn cydweithio’n agos yn ei chylch ag Ymgyrch y Parciau Cenedlaethol (CNP, elusen hir sefydledig sy’n gweithredu yng Nghymru a Lloegr) a gyda chymheiriaid ym Mharciau Cenedlaethol Bannau Brycheiniog a Sir Benfro. Wynebodd CNP anawsterau ariannol, a bu'n rhaid iddi adolygu ei holl strwythur, yn cynnwys ei gwaith yng Nghymru, proses sy’n dal yn mynd rhagddi. Canlyniad positif yw’r cydweithio llawer agosach rhwng Cymdeithasau’r tri Pharc Cenedlaethol yng Nghymru a rhwng y Cymdeithasau a CNP. Yn bwysig iawn, mae Cymdeithas Eryri yn Aelod Cyswllt o Cyswllt Amgylchedd Cymru, rhwydwaith o sefydliadau anllywodraethol amgylcheddol a gwledig yng Nghymru.

Hyd yn hyn, mae’r ddeddfwriaeth sy’n llywodraethu Parciau Cenedlaethol yng Nghymru'r un fath yn union â deddfwriaeth yn Lloegr. Fodd bynnag, bellach, gall Llywodraeth y Cynulliad basio’i mesurau ei hun ar faterion Parciau Cenedlaethol. Mae Llywodraeth Cymru wedi cyhoeddi rhaglen uchelgeisiol

25

Adolygiad o'r flwyddyn

sy’n cynnwys Mesurau ar ddatblygu cynaliadwy, yr amgylchedd a chynllunio, yn ogystal â datganiad polisi newydd ar Barciau Cenedlaethol ac Ardaloedd o Harddwch Naturiol Eithriadol. Mae angen i’r Gymdeithas adolygu’r holl gynigion arfaethedig a gyflwynir o dan y penawdau hyn, ac ar y cyd â'i phartneriaid, ymateb iddynt.

Mae Llywodraeth Cymru o blaid rheolaeth integredig o’r amgylchedd trwy fabwysiadu dull ecosystemau. Mae’r Gymdeithas wedi pwysleisio y dylid ystyried fod Awdurdodau Parciau Cenedlaethol eisoes wedi cyflawni cam pwysig at reolaeth integredig, yn enwedig trwy eu Cynlluniau Rheolaeth; ac y dylai'r Llywodraeth adeiladu ar y strwythur presennol hwn, nid ceisio'i ddisodli na'i ddyblygu. Rydym hefyd wedi pwysleisio nad cadwraeth yw unig ddiben Parciau Cenedlaethol, ond hefyd gwella harddwch naturiol, bywyd gwyllt a threftadaeth ddiwylliannol eu hardaloedd, a hyrwyddo cyfleoedd i’r cyhoedd ddeall a mwynhau rhinweddau arbennig yr ardaloedd hynny.

Gwella

Mae’r Gymdeithas yn cyfrannu’n uniongyrchol at wella’r Parc Cenedlaethol, yn bennaf trwy waith cadwraeth ymarferol a wneir gan wirfoddolwyr. Mae annog pobl i wneud gwaith o’r fath hefyd yn cyfrannu at nod ychwanegol o ddathlu rhinweddau arbennig Eryri a gwella dealltwriaeth a mwynhad ohonynt gan gymunedau lleol ac ymwelwyr.

Mae Cyngor Cefn Gwlad Cymru a Chronfa Datblygu Cynaliadwy APCE wedi darparu cyllid hyd at 2013 ar gyfer Prosiect Cadwraeth Eryri. Ddiwedd mis Mawrth, ymddiswyddodd Bea Kelsall, oedd wedi gwneud cymaint i ddatblygu a hyrwyddo'r prosiect. Mae’r Ymddiriedolwyr yn ddiolchgar iddi am ei chyfraniad a’i brwdfrydedd. Mary-Kate Jones yw ei holynydd fel Rheolwr y Prosiect. Mae Jenny Whitmore, y Swyddog Prosiectau, wedi bod ar absenoldeb mamolaeth, ac mae Mike Klymko wedi llenwi’r bwlch yn llwyddiannus. Y llynedd, cafwyd 68 diwrnod gwaith gwirfoddol, oedd yn cynnwys 872 diwrnod o waith gan wirfoddolwyr a 30 cymuned a sefydliad partner. Mae cael gwared ar rywogaethau ymwthiol (yn enwedig Rhododendron

wyllt a Ffromlys Chwarennog) yn dal yn waith pwysig, fel y gall rhywogaethau cynhenid adfywio a ffynnu. Mae tasgau eraill yn cynnwys plannu coed a chasglu sbwriel ar yr Wyddfa ac mewn mannau eraill. Cafwyd adroddiad ar ddau ddiwrnod gwaith ym mis Mai gan Huw Jenkins ar gyfer BBC Radio Wales.

Mae’r Is-bwyllgor Gwella wedi bod yn casglu gwybodaeth am ffensys diangen sy'n anharddu rhannau o'r bryniau, a bwydir y wybodaeth hon i APCE, a chynigir llafur gwirfoddol i gynorthwyo i gael gwared arnynt.

Fe wnaeth adolygiad y llynedd ddatgan yn glir fod y Pwyllgor Gwaith yn credu fod cyhoeddi Strategaeth Hamdden ar gyfer Eryri yn fuan yn bwysig. Fe wnaeth ein hymateb i ddrafft APCE dynnu sylw at yr angen i gyfuno a rhesymoli’r 60 cam a restrir, gan osod blaenoriaethau o fewn rhestr wedi’i symleiddio, a phennu dyddiad targed a cherrig milltir i bob cam. I hwyluso ac arsylwi’r broses, fe wnaethom awgrymu y dylai APCE sefydlu pwyllgor ar wahân i ddelio â materion hamdden.

Y ffordd ymlaen

Mae’r Pwyllgor Gwaith yn gynyddol ymwybodol, waeth pa mor fawr yw’r heriau sy'n wynebu Eryri, fod cyfyngiad ar yr hyn y gall y Gymdeithas geisio'i wneud mewn gwirionedd, o ystyried ei thîm staff craidd bychan iawn a nifer gweddol fechan ei haelodau gweithgar. Mae hyn wedi dylanwadu arnom wrth i ni ddatblygu ac adolygu ein Cynllun Busnes tair blynedd. Mae’n rhaid i’r Gymdeithas wneud y defnydd gorau posibl o’r adnoddau sydd ar gael iddi - yn enwedig yn ystod hinsawdd economaidd mor anodd - a denu cefnogaeth gan ystod mor eang â phosibl o gynghreiriaid posibl. Lle bynnag y gellir, dylai gweithgareddau’r Gymdeithas geisio diwallu mwy nag un diben, yn cynnwys ymgysylltu â chymunedau yn y Parc Cenedlaethol a gerllaw, a denu rhagor o bobl i ymddiddori yn y Gymdeithas.

Mae arnom eisiau diwygio gwefan y Gymdeithas pan fydd amser ac arian yn caniatáu hynny, a chynyddu'n defnydd o gyfryngau cymdeithasol. Yn y cyfamser, mae diwyg y cylchgrawn wedi’i wella’n sylweddol.

Aelodau’r Gymdeithas yw ei hadnodd

allweddol. Mae ganddynt amrywiaeth nodedig o sgiliau a phrofiad, ac maent yn gwneud cyfraniad amhrisiadwy at ei gwaith. Er nad yw pob aelod yn dymuno bod yn weithgar, neu'n gallu bod felly, hyderwn y gellir canfod dulliau newydd o ymestyn y tasgau a'r dyletswyddau a wneir gan aelodau’r Gymdeithas.

Mae angen i ni hefyd apelio at lawer o bobl eraill nad ydynt o reidrwydd yn dymuno bod yn aelodau ffurfiol, ond y gellid eu denu i wneud gwaith cadwraeth ymarferol fel gwirfoddolwyr. Un o amcanion Prosiect Cadwraeth Eryri yw cynyddu nifer y gwirfoddolwyr newydd.

Arian yw’r adnodd allweddol arall. Mae’r Gymdeithas wedi cael rhai llwyddiannau nodedig wrth ddenu grantiau, ond nid ydynt yn ateb tymor hir, hyd yn oed os nad yw'r sefyllfa economaidd wedi cyfyngu ar eu hargaeledd. Fe’u bwriedir yn aml at ddibenion nad ydynt yn cyfateb yn llwyr â’r hyn y dymunai’r Gymdeithas ei gyflawni, a gall y gwaith papur cysylltiedig hawlio cyfran anghymesur o amser staff, ar draul gweithgareddau eraill. Byddwn yn ceisio cyfraniadau gan bobl sy’n gwerthfawrogi Eryri yn fawr, ond heb fod â diddordeb o reidrwydd mewn bod yn aelod o'r Gymdeithas. Rydym wedi cychwyn ymgyrch i gynyddu incwm tymor hir y Gymdeithas o gymynroddion; mae’r ymateb cychwynnol wedi bod yn ddigon calonogol i ni barhau â hyn pan fydd amser staff ar gael. Mae’r Pwyllgor Gwaith yn arbrofi â dulliau eraill o godi arian, ond dim ond lle bydd y rhain yn debygol o fod yn gost effeithiol, ac (yn hanfodol) lle bydd aelodau'r Gymdeithas ac eraill yn fodlon ac yn gallu gwneud y gwaith gofynnol.

David Lewis (Cadeirydd)

Y Tormaen Glasgoch • Purple Saxifrage © Rob Collister

26

Review of the year

Review of the yearThe Society’s mission continues to be protecting, enhancing and celebrating the very special qualities of Snowdonia.This year saw some important advances. The end of our financial year in the summer saw the opening of iconic Tŷ Hyll as a tearoom and an interpretation and conservation centre for bees (described elsewhere in this issue) and a declaration of Trustees’ confidence in the future by appointing Sarah Medcalf as Director and making permanent Frances Smith’s post as part-time Office Administrator.

Protecting

The Policy Sub-Committee monitors planning applications submitted to the Snowdonia National Park Authority (SNPA), as well as major planning applications in areas bordering the National Park. We regard the SNPA’s role as the planning authority for the area as fundamental to the effectiveness of the National Park. In the great majority of cases planning applications do not threaten the special qualities of Snowdonia, and are granted. But where any development would, or could, pose a threat we make appropriate representations.

Among many cases considered during the year the future of the former military research establishment at Llanbedr continues to stand out because of its complexity and the size and prominence of the site. After the Welsh Government obtained last year a certificate of lawful use of the site for research and development for the testing, evaluation and development of unmanned aerial vehicles, the company which is the prospective lessee submitted a new planning application in April for re-use of existing buildings on the site for ‘aircraft maintenance including decommissioning/disassembly, parts recovery and refitting together with engineering training’.

The Welsh Government has declared Trawsfynydd, in the centre of the National Park, a local enterprise zone in order to attract new employment once decommissioning of the nuclear power station is completed. Meanwhile the UK

Government is eyeing Snowdonia as a site for new pumped storage schemes on the lines of those at Dinorwig and Stwlan; this could involve constructing new reservoirs in places such as Bowydd and Croesor where the Society opposed schemes in the early 1970s. Already a planning application is coming forward for a pumped storage scheme just outside the National Park in the former quarries at Glyn Rhonwy near Llanberis.

The Executive Committee is very aware that the whole of North West Wales suffers from a lack of employment opportunities, low incomes and a declining proportion of younger people in the population. We want to see employment and training opportunities created in the National Park, but only if they are not of a kind that will damage its special qualities. We are equally conscious that, not only are those qualities of immense value in their own right and for the millions of people who find enjoyment and inspiration in Snowdonia, they are also the basis for the tourism which is a major industry in North Wales and therefore of great economic importance. We are also aware that estimates of employment made by companies or public bodies promoting developments are notoriously unreliable, and sometimes consist largely of short-term employment in construction, much of it for specialist workers from outside the area.

The impact of new development proposals therefore needs to be properly assessed and appropriately regulated. In the case of the planning application for Llanbedr the Society has pressed for an environmental impact assessment to be carried out. At Trawsfynydd the Sociejty has sought confirmation that normal planning controls will continue to apply. At Glyn Rhonwy a particular concern is how a pumped storage scheme would be linked to the National Grid, an aspect the promoters glossed over entirely in their public consultation.

As reported last year the Society stands ready to oppose new or augmented lines of electricity pylons across the National Park. Uncertainties over construction

of a new nuclear power station at Wylfa on Anglesey have led to a delay in publication of proposals for a link to the National Grid; the Society will continue to press that this should take the form of a subsea cable. The Society is also prepared, as is SNPA, to object to proposals for large wind turbines close to the boundary of the National Park which would cause significant damage to views into or out of Snowdonia. These could include proposals on Anglesey close to the Menai Strait.

Reducing the extent of human activities which are causing climate change depends on finding renewable sources of energy, and the Society is not opposed to wind power in principle. However, another concern is the possible impact on the landscape of sensitive areas of the National Park from a proliferation of small turbines. We are therefore keen that SNPA should produce Supplementary Planning Guidance on renewable energy, and also a revised and improved draft for more general guidance on the landscapes of Eryri.

As well as particular issues the Society’s campaigning work addresses wider policy proposals. This is an arena in which we work closely with the Campaign for National Parks (CNP, a long established charity covering England and Wales) and with our counterparts in the Brecon Beacons and Pembrokeshire National Parks. CNP got into financial difficulties and has had to review the whole of its structure, including its work in Wales, a process that has yet to be brought to a final conclusion. A positive outcome has been much closer collaboration between the three National Park Societies in Wales and between the societies and CNP. Importantly the Snowdonia Society is also an Associate Member of Wales Environment Link, the network of environment and countryside non-governmental organisations in Wales.

The legislation governing National Parks in Wales has hitherto been essentially identical to the legislation in England. The Welsh Assembly, however, now has

27

Review of the year

the power to pass its own Bills affecting National Parks. The Welsh Government has announced an ambitious programme which includes Bills on sustainable development, the environment and planning, as well as a new policy statement on National Parks and Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty. The Society needs to study carefully, and respond to in conjunction with its partners, all the proposals that are coming forward under these headings.

The Welsh Government is advocating integrated management of the environment through adoption of an ecosystem approach. The Society has urged that National Park Authorities should be regarded as already achieving an important step towards such integrated management, in particular through their Management Plans; and that the Government should build on this existing structure, and not attempt to supersede or duplicate it. We have also emphasised that the purposes of National Parks are not only conservation but also enhancement of the natural beauty, wildlife and cultural heritage of their areas and promoting opportunities for the understanding and enjoyment of the special qualities of those areas by the public.

Enhancing

The Society makes its own direct contribution to enhancement of the National Park, primarily though practical conservation work carried out by volunteers. Encouraging people to undertake such work also contributes to the further aim of celebrating Snowdonia’s special qualities and increasing understanding and enjoyment of these qualities among local communities and visitors.

The Countryside Council for Wales and SNPA’s Sustainable Development Fund have provided funding until 2013 for the Conservation Snowdonia Project. Bea Kelsall, who had done so much to shape and promote the project, stepped down at the end of March. The Trustees are grateful to her for her contribution and her enthusiasm. Mary-Kate Jones is her successor as Project Manager. Jenny Whitmore, the Project officer, has been on maternity leave, and Mike Klymko has successfully filled that gap. Last year 68 workdays were held involving 872 volunteer days and 30 partner

communities and organisations. A major focus continues to be removal of invasive species (especially Rhododendron ponticum and Himalayan balsam) so that native biodiversity can regenerate and flourish. Other tasks include tree planting and removing litter from Snowdon and elsewhere. Two workdays in May were covered by Huw Jenkins for BBC Radio Wales.

The Enhancement Sub-Committee has been collecting information about redundant fencing which disfigures parts of the hills, feeding this information to SNPA, and offering volunteer labour to help remove it.

Last year’s review made clear the importance the Executive attached to early publication of a Recreation Strategy for Snowdonia. Our response to SNPA’s draft pointed to the need to consolidate and rationalise the 60 actions listed, establish priorities within the streamlined list, identify who is responsible for progressing each action, and set a target date and milestones for each action. To facilitate and oversee that process we suggested SNPA should establish a separate committee to deal with issues about recreation.

The way ahead

The Executive is increasingly conscious that, however great the challenges facing Snowdonia, there are limits on what the Society can realistically attempt, given its tiny core staff and its relatively small active membership. This has influenced us in rolling forward and revising our three-year Business Plan. The Society has to make the best use of the resources it has available – all the more so in such a bleak economic climate – and attract support from the widest possible range of potential allies. Wherever possible all the Society’s activities ought to serve more than one purpose, including engaging with communities in and around the National Park and attracting more people to become involved with the Society.

We want to revamp the Society’s website as soon as time and money permit, and increase the use we make of social media. Meanwhile the layout of the magazine has been much improved.

The Society’s key resource is its

members. They have an impressive variety of skills and experience, and make an invaluable contribution to its work. While not all members want to be, or can be, active in that sense, we hope ways can be found to extend the tasks and roles that Society members undertake.

We also need to appeal to many other people who do not necessarily want to take on the commitment of formal membership, but could be attracted to undertake practical conservation work as volunteers. An objective for the Conservation Snowdonia Project is to increase the number of new volunteers.

The other key resource is money. The Society has had some notable successes in attracting grants but they are not a long-term solution, even if their availability had not been restricted by the economic situation. They are often for purposes which do not match exactly what the Society would like to achieve, and the paperwork involved can take up a disproportionate amount of staff time at the expense of other activities. We shall be seeking donations from people who value Snowdonia highly but are not necessarily interested in becoming members of the Society. We have started a campaign to achieve a long-term increase in the Society’s income from legacies; the initial response has been sufficiently encouraging for us to continue with this when staff time is available. The Executive is experimenting with other forms of fund-raising, but only where these are likely to be cost-effective and (crucially) if there are Society members and others willing and able to undertake the work involved.

David Lewis (Chair)

Lili'r Wyddfa • Snowdon Lily

28

Uchafbwyntiau'r flwyddyn • Highlights of the year

Cyflwynwyd prosiect Mosaic, dan arweiniad Ymgyrch y Parciau Cenedlaethol, yn Eryri yn 2012, i wella cyfranogiad pobl o gefndir du a lleiafrif ethnig mewn Parciau Cenedlaethol. Mae Cymdeithas Eryri yn gweithio gyda Mosaic i gynnig digwyddiadau a chyfleoedd gwirfoddoli.

Trefnodd y Gymdeithas gwrs codi waliau cerrig sychion ym Mehefin 2012 ar gyfer 14 cyfranogwr oedd yn awyddus i ddysgu elfennau’r grefft draddodiadol hon. Bu’r cwrs yn llwyddiant aruthrol, ac roedd yr holl hyfforddeion yn awyddus i fireinio ac ymarfer eu techneg yn y dyfodol. Cafwyd cefnogaeth ariannol hael Ymddiriedolaeth Gaynor Cemlyn Jones i gynnal y cwrs.

Fe wnaeth 29ain Cystadleuaeth Codi Waliau Cerrig Sychion y Gymdeithas ddenu dros ugain cystadleuydd, yn cynnwys cystadleuwyr profiadol ac 11 crefftwr codi waliau ifanc o Ysgol Botwnnog yn cystadlu am y tro cyntaf. Diolch yn fawr i Ymddiriedolaeth Eryri Esmé Kirby am ei chefnogaeth hael.

Mae’r dreth ar fagiau plastig a gyflwynwyd ym mis Hydref 2011 nid yn unig wedi llwyddo i leihau’r defnydd o fagiau plastig yn y Parc Cenedlaethol, mae hefyd wedi caniatáu i Gymdeithas Eryri elwa’n ariannol - mae pum siop Spar yng Ngogledd Cymru wedi penderfynu cyfrannu elw o’r taliad am fagiau plastig at waith y Gymdeithas.

Fe wnaeth gwirfoddolwyr Cymdeithas Eryri glirio ystod enfawr o’r Jac y Neidiwr hardd ond ymwthiol o amgylch Llyn Tegid yn 2011, a chawsant eu gwobrwyo gan warden PCE â thaith o amgylch y llyn mewn cwch ym mis Medi. Mae gwaith pellach i fynd i’r afael â’r broblem hon sy’n lledaenu'n gynyddol wedi digwydd yn ystod haf 2012.

Mae gwirfoddolwyr wedi cyfrannu dros 900 awr o waith yn Nhŷ Hyll yn hanner cyntaf 2012: adeiladu toiled compostio; gosod toeau gwyrdd arno ac ar y toiled hygyrch newydd; gweithio yn yr ardd ar lwybrau’r coetiroedd; peintio a farneisio yn y tŷ a llawer iawn rhagor!

Fe wnaeth ein taith gerdded bob gallu yng Ngorffennaf 2011 ddenu dros chwe deg o bobl i fwynhau’r llwybr sydd wedi’i uwchraddio o Ben y Pass i Lyn Llydaw ar yr Wyddfa, yn cynnwys pobl mewn cadeiriau olwyn ac â chadeiriau gwthio, sgwteri symudedd a chŵn tywys.

Cafwyd digwyddiadau â phresenoldeb da trwy gydol y flwyddyn i ddathlu coed hynafol Eryri, daeareg Cadair Idris, treftadaeth ddiwydiannol Dyffryn Nantlle, cadw gwenyn yn Nyffryn Conwy a gorchestion William Maddocks. Cafwyd helfa ffwng yng Nghoed Padarn, chwedleua yn Caban, ymweliad â Chastell Gwydir, taith gerdded dan arweiniad Rob Collister i fannau diarffordd y Carneddau, a thaith dan ddaear i waith llechi Wrysgan.

The Mosaic project, run by the Campaign for National Parks, was introduced in Snowdonia in 2012 to increase involvement of people from black and ethnic minorities in National Parks. The

Snowdonia Society is working with Mosaic to offer events and volunteering opportunities.

The Society organised a dry stone walling course in June 2012 for 14 participants to learn the basics of this traditional skill. The course was a huge success, with all the trainees keen to hone and practise their technique in the future. This weekend was generously funded by the Gaynor Cemlyn Jones Trust.

The Society's 29th Dry Stone Walling Competition attracted over 20 participants, including seasoned competitors and 11 young wallers from Ysgol Botwnnog competing for the first time. Many thanks to the Esmé Kirby Snowdonia Trust for their generous support.

The carrier bag levy introduced in October 2011 has not only reduced plastic bag use in the National Park, it has also brought financial benefits to the Snowdonia Society -five Spar stores in north Wales have chosen to donate the profits from their carrier bag charge to the Society's work.

Snowdonia Society volunteers cleared huge swathes of the pretty but invasive Himalayan Balsam around Llyn Tegid in 2011 and were rewarded by the SNP warden with a boat trip on the lake in September. Further targeted work tackling this quickly spreading problem has taken place over summer 2012.

Volunteers have contributed over 900 hours of work at Tŷ Hyll in the first half of 2012: constructing a composting toilet; installing green roofs on both this and the new accessible toilet; working in the garden and on woodland paths; painting and varnishing inside the house and much more!

Our first all-ability walk in July 2011 attracted more than sixty people to enjoy the upgraded path from Pen y Pass to Llyn Llydaw on Snowdon, including people in wheelchairs and with pushchairs, mobility scooters and guide dogs.

Well attended events during the year celebrated Eryri’s ancient trees, the geology of Cadair Idris, the industrial heritage of Dyffryn Nantlle, beekeeping in the Conwy Valley, and the achievements of William Madocks. There was a fungus foray in Coed Padarn, storytelling at Caban, a visit to Gwydir Castle, a walk led by Rob Collister off the beaten track in the Carneddau, and an expedition into Wrysgan slate mine.

Uchafbwyntiau'r flwyddyn • Highlights of the year

29

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. Arhosodd incwm o danysgrifiadau bron yn gyson yn ystod 2011/12, ond bu gostyngiad mewn incwm o gyfraniadau a Chymorth Rhodd a adenillwyd. Ni chafodd y Gymdeithas unrhyw gymynroddion. Mae’r diffyg gweithredol wedi’i leihau oherwydd y llwyddiant a gafwyd wrth ostwng gorbenion.

Bu gostyngiad bychan ychwanegol ym marchnadwerth y buddsoddiadau yn ystod y flwyddyn. Diolch i haelioni mawr Ymddiriedolwr a roddodd fenthyciad di-log, ni fu'n rhaid gwerthu unrhyw fuddsoddiadau eleni i godi arian i gynorthwyo'r llif arian wrth i’r gwaith ar fenter Tŷ Hyll fynd rhagddo.

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. Maent wedi dirywio’n sylweddol yn sgil tueddiadau’r farchnad yn ddiweddar ac yn sgil yr angen i ddefnyddio cyfalaf i ariannu diffygion ar ein gweithgareddau blynyddol. Ym marn yr ymddiriedolwyr, fodd bynnag, mae lefel presennol y cronfeydd wrth gefn yn ddigonol, o ystyried lefel gweithgarwch presennol y Gymdeithas.

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.

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 a 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.

Paratowyd yr adroddiad hwn yn unol â gofynion SORP (y datganiad 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 6 Awst 2012.

David Lewis (Cadeirydd)Helen Dale (Trysorydd)

The Society has unrestricted funds derived primarily from members’ subscriptions, donations, legacies and dividends on the Society’s investments; and certain restricted funds derived from grants and sponsorship given for specific purposes. Whilst income from subscriptions remained almost constant in 2011/12, income from donations and reclaimed Gift Aid were down. The Society did not receive any legacies. The operating deficit has been reduced because of the success achieved in reducing overheads.

The market value of investments showed a further slight decline during the year. Through the great generosity of a Trustee in making an interest-free loan it was not necessary to sell any investments this year in order to raise money to assist the cash flow whilst the Tŷ Hyll initiative progressed.

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. They have been seriously eroded by market trends in the last couple of years and by the need to use capital to fund deficits on our annual operations. In the view of Trustees, however, the current level of reserves is adequate in relation to the Society’s current level of activity.

Investment policy 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.

Risk management policy 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.

This report has been prepared in accordance with SORP (the statement 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 6 August 2012.

David Lewis (Chair)Helen Dale (Treasurer)

Adroddiad ariannol • Financial report

Crynodeb ariannol • Financial summary

Crynodeb ariannol • Financial summaryMae’r datganiad hwn o weithgareddau ariannol yn cynnwys ennillion a cholledion y flwyddyn i gyd. Mae’r adnoddau a wariwyd a sy’n dod i mewn yn dod o’n gweithgareddau parhaol.

The statement of financial activities includes all gains and losses in the year. All incoming resources and re-sources expended derive from continuing activities.

Dyma cyfrifon cryno’r Gym-deithas, wedi’u cymeradwyo gan yr Ymddiriedolwyr ar 6 Awst 2012. Am ragor o wy-bodaeth am sefyllfa arian-nol Cymdeithas Eryri, dylid edrych ar ddatganiad arian-nol llawn ynghyd ag adrod-diad yr Archwilydd Annibyn-nol ac Adroddiad Blynyddol yr Ymddiriedolwyr. Cedwir y datganiad ariannol llawn gan y Comisiwn Elusennau. Ce-wch copiau o’r Gymdeithas.

These are the summarised accounts approved by the Trustees on 6 August 2012. For a more detailed understanding of the financial affairs of the Snowdonia Society, the full financial statements together with the Independent Examiner’s report on these accounts and the Trustees’ Annual Report should be consulted. The full accounts are filed with the Charity Commission. Copies can be obtained from the Society.

Datganiad gan yr Archwilydd Annibynnol Yn fy marn i, mae’r datganiad ariannol cryno uwchben yn cydymffurfio a’r datganiad ariannol llawn. P J B Tiernay FCA

Statement of the Independent ExaminerIn my opinion the summary financial information above is consistent with the full financial statements. P J B Tiernay FCA

Represented by:

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Cymdeithas Eryri

Fe hoffwn i/hoffem ni ymuno â Chymdeithas Eryri a chefnogi ei gwaith yn y Parc Cenedlaethol.

Math o aelodaeth (ticiwch)

O dan 25 oed £12 y flwyddyn (Gohebiaeth i gyd trwy ebost)

Unigolyn £20 y flwyddyn Cyd/Teulu/Cyswllt £30 y flwyddyn

Aelodaeth am oes £450 £ Cyfraniad dewisol blynyddol Teitl: Enw cyntaf: Cyfenw:: Cyfeiriad:

Cod post: Ffôn: Symudol: Ebost: Dyddiad geni (dewisol): Gwarchod Data – Bydd y Gymdeithas yn cadw’ch cofnod o’ch aelodaeth ar ein cyfrifiadur ond ni fydd yn rhoi eich manylion i unrhyw drydydd barti. Sut glywsoch am Gymdeithas Eryri? ........................................................................

Dychwelwch y ffurflen hon ynghyd â naill gorchymyn Debyd Uniongyrchol neu siec at: Cymdeithas Eryri, Caban, Yr Hen Ysgol, Brynrefail, Caernarfon. LL55 3NR

Gallwch hefyd ymuno ar-lein ar ein gwefan: www.cymdeithas-eryri.org.uk

Snowdonia Society

I/We would like to join the Snowdonia Society and help support its work in the National Park.

Membership required (please tick)

Under 25 years £12 per year (All communications by email)

Individual £20 per year Joint/Family/Affiliate £30 per year

Life £450 £ Optional annual donation Title: Forename: Surname: Address:

Postcode: Tel: Mobile: Email: Date of birth (optional): Data Protection – The Society will keep your membership record on our computer but it will never pass on your details to third parties. How did you hear about the Snowdonia Society? ..................................................

Please return this form with either a completed Direct Debit mandate or a cheque to: Snowdonia Society, Caban, Yr Hen Ysgol, Brynrefail, Caernarfon. LL55 3NR

You can also join online via our website: www.snowdonia-society.org.uk

Gift Aid (Please tick the box if you are a UK taxpayer. This boosts the value of your membership at no cost to you.)

I/We would like my subscription and donations to qualify for Gift Aid. I/We am paying income or capital gains tax equal to the amount being reclaimed by the charity. Signature(s):......................................................................... Date: ............................ Signature(s):......................................................................... Date: ............................

Cymorth Rhodd (Ticiwch y blwch os ydych yn drethdalwr yn y DU os gwelwch yn dda. Bydd hyn yn hybu gwerth eich aelodaeth heb unrhyw gost i chi.)

Hoffwn i’m tanysgrifiad a’m cyfraniadau gymhwyso ar gyfer Rhodd Cymorth. Rydw i’n talu treth incwm neu dreth enillion cyfalaf sydd gyfwerth â’r swm a adhawlir gan yr elusen.

Llofnod:........................................................................... Dyddiad: ............................

Llofnod:........................................................................... Dyddiad: ............................

Ymaelodwch! • Join us!

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Time to reflect...Mae’n bryd myfyrio...

What will you leave?Contact us for a legacy guide.

Beth wnewch chi adael?Cysylltwch â ni am ganllaw ar roddion mewn ewyllysiau.

Ffôn/Telephone: 01286 685498 • info@snowdonia-society.org.uk

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Sut ellir lapio tirwedd,

awyr iach ac ysbrydoliaeth fel

anrheg?

Byddai aelodaeth rhodd i Gymdeithas Eryri'n cynnig...

... cymhelliant i archwilio rhannau newydd o Eryri

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Heb sôn am gopïau o gylchgrawn Cymdeithas Eryri a anfonir atynt ddwywaith y flwyddyn, yn ogystal â gwybod eu bod yn cynorthwyo i ddiogelu'r dirwedd ryfeddol hon!

Dyna anrheg Nadolig wedi’i datrys am £20 yn unig!

How do you gift-wrap landscape, fresh air and inspiration?

A gift subscription to the Snowdonia Society offers...

... a chance to discover unknown parts of Snowdonia

... an insight into the shaping of the landscape

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Not to mention copies of the Snowdonia Society magazine sent to their door and the knowledge that they are helping protect this amazing landscape!

A birthday or Christmas gift for only £20!

Cymdeithas Eryri Snowdonia Society, Caban, Brynrefail, Caernarfon LL55 3NR • 01286 685498 www.cymdeithas-eryri.org.uk • www.snowdonia-society.org.uk • info@snowdonia-society.org.uk