The Herald

Age of the social club at an end?

Fri, 01 Aug 2008 10:56:19 +0000

By Dion Jones BACK in June, I wrote an article about how the ex-servicemen's club in Caernarfon is struggling to pull in the punters and might have to close if the situation does not improve. These days, I can hardly step into any of my favourite watering holes without someone bringing the story up. In fact, I would say that out of all the articles I have written for the Herald, that was the one that provoked the most response. People would come up to me and say something along the lines of: "Didn't you write that story about the Legion? Such a shame isn't it." It has since been two months since I wrote that story and the club in question remains just as empty. During my interview with the club's secretary Norman Binfield, he told me that he understood the "age of the social club is at an end." It got me thinking, is that really the case? Whilst clubs like the one in Caernarfon seem to be dying on their feet, similar establishments are enjoying a period of unprecedented prosperity. You only have to walk 10 minutes down the road to find a completely different situation. Go to the Caernarfon Town Supporters Club on any of its major entertainment nights and the place is packed to the rafters. So surely, live entertainment is really what the people are after? Apparently not so. According to Mr Binfield, the club had to stop putting on entertainment BECAUSE no one was turning up. Whilst I agree that social clubs in general are experiencing a decline in popularity, I think that the smoking ban, cheaper alcohol available elsewhere and the convenience of off licenses have only served to make matters worse for the club. Also, as Mr Binfield said in the article, the unsuitability of the club to many of it's disabled members has also chipped away at it's market. Personally, I have many fond memories of the club and even more hazy recollections that only numerous pints of lager can produce. In my case, an event at the club is usually amongst the only times that I get to see my extended family all together under one roof which, whatever the circumstance, is never a bad thing. Whatever people's opinions might be about the Legion, I think it would be a great shame if Caernarfon, a former garrison town, would lose it's only ex-servicemen's club.

A Fair Deal?

Thu, 24 Jul 2008 12:21:30 +0000

LAST week the Herald exclusively revealed that classroom assistants' salaries could be cut by 25 per cent as Gwynedd Council tries to force them on to the same contracts as other local government workers. The move will affect around 700 staff, working in schools across the county, and will mean, a de-facto pay cut of £3,800 on average which includes the loss of six weeks paid summer leave. The figures are eye-watering, considering the average annual salary for these workers is just £14,500. The big unions such as Unite and Unison plan to fight this proposal which could mean a wave of industrial action forcing some schools to close from September onwards unless a compromise is reached. The proposal has sparked fury, not just with assistants, but amongst teachers, headteachers and school governors. Since the 60s, classroom assistants terms and conditions have been linked to those of teachers - both are contracted for 32.5 hours a week over 39 weeks per annum. However the teachers terms and conditions are agreed nationally in Whitehall whereas the assistants are paid by local authorities. According to Gwynedd Council the assistants terms and conditions are "unique" and need to be reviewed but staff and unions would argue that they are identical to their colleagues in the classroom - albeit that the council, as opposed to the government, pick up the tab. The question one might ask is would the council, government, or anyone else propose this kind of settlement to teachers? Is it the case, that with 700, relatively low paid, mainly female workers - it is a fight the council believes it can win? The move to slash assistants' salaries is perhaps an unforeseen consequence of the UK wide equal pay review, where councils across the UK have been forced to pay out billions for the historic underpaying of, mainly female workers such as dinner ladies, cleaners and care home workers. In Gwynedd, the council needs to make of a saving of £1m to help pay for the workers in this region who were underpaid. Surely it is beyond irony that the council intends to plug that gap by slashing the salaries of yet another group of relatively low paid, mainly female workers - the region's classroom assistants.

Taking on the Roman Road

Tue, 22 Jul 2008 15:33:45 +0000

INSPIRATIONAL can be a word bandied around a bit too easily but there is no other way to describe Gareth Roberts. Five years ago the Deiniolen man was given just weeks to live yet there he was last Friday, five years on preparing to march 75 miles to Chester from Caernarfon along the old Roman road in just three days to raise around £5000 for the British Heart Foundation and the Air Ambulance. In between times he has survived a quadruple heart bypass, swapped careers to become an aerial photographer and fathered son Gwyn, his first child three years ago. The 46 year old is also now the "fittest I have ever been", which is just as well, as covering 26 miles a day on foot is, well, no mean feat. And that's where the inspirational part comes in again, as on Friday, at some ungodly time in the morning - 7.30am to be precise - Gareth had managed to persuade; cardiac patients on the verge of a major operation, actors, Alun Ffred Jones AM, friends, supporters and the Herald, actually me, to join him on route. I joined in for the Caernarfon leg of the journey which takes around two hours, from the Segontium to the Gors Bach pub in Llanddeiniolen. But as we set of so early there was no chance for a quick, refreshing pint, at my journey's end - thanks for that Gareth. There around eight of us taking part for that stretch, marching through muddy fields in a typical Caernarfon summer morning - cloudy and wet. As for the Roman "road" itself, all I can say is - it has seen better days, probably around AD 400 - the last time the Imperial Italians bothered filling in a pothole or two. Apparently the road, or stretches of it, can be seen clearly from the air according to Gareth and he has photos to prove that. On the ground it is a different story to the untrained eye. I managed to make out parts of it running across a farmer's field and pointing in the direction of an Iron Age hill fort. Gareth however marvelled at the living history running across his own backyard. There was a glint in his eye as he described the number of people using the route around 1600 years and the ingenuity of the engineers in keeping it straight and pointing it at existing landmarks, just like that hill fort. All I could see was a few old stones and a bit of a bump in the grass. Then again If I hadn't had to get up so early in the morning I might have been more in touch with my historical side. Although to be fair to Gareth I don't imagine in the year 3608 there will be many inspirational fundraising trips along the A55.

Looking ahead to the Faenol festival

Tue, 15 Jul 2008 16:19:06 +0000

THE countdown to the annual Faenol festival has started, with Wales' best known opera star Bryn Terfel holding a press conference this morning. The lineup again this year is a glittering one, with performances from Boyzone, TV star John Barrowman - who seems to be on everything these days - and jungle queen Cerys Matthews. Opera buffs can delight in hearing Diana Damrau , Nadia Krasteva and John Botha. This morning Bryn Terfel said something which struck me as very interesting - he said that he hoped the Tan y Ddraig concert will be a chance for families to get together, to see old friends and reminisce under a backdrop of the soundtrack of our youth. He told me he has very fond memories of seeing bands like Maffia Mr Huws at Pesda Roc and Twrw Tanllyd at Bethesda, back in the day. He described it as 'being let loose in Bethesda and enjoying a few beers'. This made me think, which are our most memorable musical experiences - the small, sweaty, noisy gigs of our youth or seeing some big names at Y Faenol or Wakestock. From my personal experience, seeing Van Morrison at Y Faenol a couple of years ago was an absolute joy; but even that pales into insignificance as I remember the rush of Super Furry Animals at Pesda Roc and my friends and I having to walk home to Bangor afterwards or camping at Porthmadog rugby club after the first Miri Madog. I'm sure many people in this area can remember when they first heard Bryn Terfel himself honing his skills on village hall stages and at small eisteddfodau in his younger days. Does it bring a smile to your face as you can say 'I was there when...' No-one can dispute that having major musical talents perform on our doorstep in rural Gwynedd is a fantastic thing, but don't forget the small yet vital concerts and gigs which are a stepping stone not just for our own home grown talents, but also for the next generation of music lovers.

Herald video: The last of the Gwynedd schools protests?

Tue, 24 Jun 2008 14:18:34 +0000

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Parents and children protest against the closure of primary schools in Gwynedd. Later that day, at a meeting of the full council, Cllr Liz Saville Roberts - portfolio holder for schools - announced the reorganisation would be scrapped. The process now begins again. Video by: Sarah Scott.

Herald video: Our report from the Urdd

Wed, 04 Jun 2008 15:54:02 +0000

Martin Williams reports from the Urdd National Eisteddfod 2008 Penrhyn Bay.

Herald video: The Race for Life Caernarfon

Mon, 12 May 2008 12:48:19 +0000

Paul Scott reports from Caernarfon's Race for Life event on Sunday, May 11. See the winners, fun runners and the Herald's very own team of participants. See Arwyn Roberts' picture gallery from the event

Herald video: Llais Gwynedd delighted with their election showing

Tue, 06 May 2008 13:35:52 +0000

Llais Gwynedd councillor Aeron Jones delivers his verdict on the Gwynedd Council election results. Footage from the count at Caernarfon Leisure Centre. Video by Sarah Scott.

Herald video: Artist Meirion Ginsberg in Caernarfon exhibition

Tue, 06 May 2008 13:33:07 +0000

Caernarfon and Denbigh Herald reporter Alex Hickey talks to young artist Meirion Ginsberg about his exhibition at Oriel Dafydd Hardy, Caernarfon.

Herald video: Cllr Myfi Powell-Jones: My year as Caernarfon mayor

Tue, 29 Apr 2008 15:11:16 +0000

Caernarfon mayor Myfi Powell-Jones shares her highlights of the last year with the Caernarfon and Denbigh Herald. Video by Sarah Scott.

Herald video: Ysgol Syr Hugh Owen are Welsh Schools Cup champions

Mon, 28 Apr 2008 15:29:27 +0000

Welsh champions and proud. The Ysgol Syr Hugh Owen football team parade their trophy and tell the Herald how much their success means to them. Video by Alex Hickey.

Herald video: Syr Hugh Owen's Welsh Cup glory (Cymraeg)

Mon, 28 Apr 2008 15:24:59 +0000

Welsh language reaction to Syr Hugh Owen's Welsh Schools Cup win. Star player Nathan Craig and headteacher Fon Williams talk to the Herald. Video by Alex Hickey.

Herald video: Porthmadog FC's bid to beat the drop through the eyes of the Traeth fans

Mon, 21 Apr 2008 14:35:28 +0000

Follow the Herald's Porthmadog FC fan's view columnists Emyr Gareth and Iwan Gareth at the Traeth club's crucial relegation clash against Rhyl. Porthmadog needed a win to survive in the Welsh Premier League but other results had to go their way too. Video by Emyr Gareth. For Arwyn Roberts picture gallery from the game click here Visit to the Porthmadog FC official website. Click here

Herald video: Caernarfon butcher Wil Owen wins his battle for short stay parking

Mon, 21 Apr 2008 14:28:06 +0000

See our interview (conducted in Welsh) with Bangor Road butcher Wil Owen who successfully put together a petition calling for short term parking in that part of Caernarfon. Video by Caernarfon and Denbigh Herald reporter Gwenno Gwilym.

See our video of Princess Anne at Pwllheli Sailing Club

Wed, 09 Apr 2008 15:45:09 +0000