50 mlynedd ac ymlaen 50 years on 1967 - 2017 Cylchgrawn/Magazine Gwanwyn 2017 Spring
1967 - 2017: Protecting and celebrating Snowdonia for 50 years | 1
Cynnwys ● Contents 4
Sefydlwyd Cymdeithas Eryri yn 1967 a’i nod yw gwarchod a gwella harddwch a rhinweddau arbennig Eryri ac i hyrwyddo eu mwynhad er budd pawb sy'n byw, yn gweithio neu'n ymweld â'r ardal, yn awr ac yn y dyfodol. ~~~ The Snowdonia Society, established in 1967, works to protect and enhance the beauty and special qualities of Snowdonia and to promote their enjoyment in the interests of all who live in, work in or visit the area both now and in the future.
CCB ● AGM Nodwch ddyddiad
Cyfarfod Cyffredinol Blynyddol a Chynhadledd Cymdeithas Eryri 2017 14 - 15 Hydref Plas Tan y Bwlch
Please note the date of the Snowdonia Society
2017 Annual General Meeting & Anniversary Conference 14 - 15 October Plas Tan y Bwlch
Cymdeithas Eryri the Snowdonia Society Caban, Yr Hen Ysgol, Brynrefail, Caernarfon, Gwynedd LL55 3NR 01286 685498 info@snowdonia-society.org.uk www.cymdeithas-eryri.org.uk www.snowdonia-society.org.uk Rhif elusen/Charity no: 1155401
Delwedd clawr: Gwawr ar Grib Goch/ Cover image: Dawn on Crib Goch © Nicholas Livesey Gwaith arlunio/Magazine design: Frances Smith
8 12 18 20 23 24 26 27 28 29
Beth ddigwyddodd i harddwch naturiol? ● Whatever happened to natural beauty? Ein gwaith mewn partneriaeth ● Our work in partnership Tirlun, cadwraeth a pheintio ● Landscape, conservation and painting 1967 - 2017: Rhai uchafbwyntiau ● Some high points Holi ein gwirfoddolwyr ● Meet our volunteers Rhoddion ymwelwyr ● Visitor giving Gwneud gwahaniaeth ● Making a difference Llyfrau ● Books Dadl: Celf mewn Tirlun ● Debate: Art in Landscape Newyddion ● News Llythyrau ● Letters
Ymaelodwch heddiw! ● Join today! Ddim yn aelod?
Cefnogwch ein gwaith o warchod a gwella tirluniau a bioamrywiaeth arbennig Eryri trwy ymaelodi! Aelodaeth Unigol: £24.
www.cymdeithas-eryri.org.uk Gwirfoddoli Volunteering
Not a member?
Why not help conserve Snowdonia’s magnificent landscape and biodiversity by joining the Society? Individual membership costs £24. www.snowdonia-society.org.uk Digwyddiadau Events
FF*
20% ODD* R I FFW
Gostyngiadau Discounts
Cylchgronau Magazines
Cynhyrchwyd y cylchgrawn gan dîm golygyddol yn cynnwys Rob Collister, Frances Smith a John Harold. 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 eu mynegi ganddynt, ac nid ydynt o reidrwydd yn adlewyrchu polisi Cymdeithas Eryri.
The magazine is produced by an editorial panel of Rob Collister, Frances Smith and John Harold. We are very 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.
Swyddogion ac Ymddiriedolwyr/Officers and Trustees
Staff
Llywydd/President: John Lloyd Jones OBE Is-lywyddion/Vice-presidents: Sir John Houghton CBE FRS, Sir Simon Jenkins FSA, Huw Morgan Daniel CVO KStJ, David Firth, Morag McGrath. Cadeirydd/Chair: David Archer Is-gadeirydd/Vice-chair: Margaret Thomas Ysgrifennydd Anrh./Hon. Secretary: Gwag/ Vacant Aelodau’r pwyllgor/Committee members: Katherine Himsworth, Netti Collister, Bob Lowe, Gareth Roberts, Peter Weston, Dr Jacob Buis, Paul Gannon, Dr Sarah McCarthy.
Cyfieithu/Translation: Haf Meredydd
2 | Gwarchod a dathlu Eryri ers 50 mlynedd: 1967 - 2017
Cyfarwyddwr/Director: John Harold Swyddog Aelodaeth/Membership Officer: Frances Smith Rheolwr Prosiect Ecosystem Eryri/Snowdonia Ecosystem Project Manager: Mary-Kate Jones Swyddog Prosiect Ecosystem Eryri/Snowdonia Ecosystem Project Officer: Owain Thomas Swyddog Prosiect Tŷ Hyll/Tŷ Hyll Project Officer: Tamsin Fretwell Swyddog Digwyddiadau/Events Officer: Claire Holmes Cyfrifydd/Accountant: Judith Bellis
50 years on
Neges gan y Llywydd John Lloyd Jones, OBE Mae’r gwanwyn yn adeg i fod yn optimistaidd. Er i gyfnod oer nau law trwm ddal pethau’n ôl ambell dro does dim yn atal byd natur; mae’r cylch blynyddol ar waith. Mewn byd sy’n fwyfwy ansicr, sut allwn ni ddal i gredu? Rydw i wedi dewis tair mantais genedlaethol. Yn gyntaf, ynys ydym ni; yn ail, beth bynnag sy’n amherffaith, mae gennym hinsawdd wleidyddol aeddfed a sefydlog; ac yn drydydd, mae’n bwrw cryn dipyn o law! Ydy’r manteision yma’n berthnasol i Barciau Cenedlaethol hefyd? Mae ffiniau pendant iawn i ynysoedd; mae ffiniau cryf yn magu hunaniaeth gref. Sefydlwyd ffiniau rhai Parciau Cenedlaethol ers dros chwedeg mlynedd; mae hunaniaeth y Parciau wedi esblygu dros y blynyddoedd, ac mae gan bob Parc Cenedlaethol ei hunaniaeth ei hun; dyna sy’n gwneud pob un yn unigryw ac yn rhoi iddyn nhw eu statws arbennig. Dyna pam roedd y cysyniad o un parc cenedlaethol dros Gymru ar ei orau’n arwydd o feddwl dryslyd a gwallgofrwydd ar ei waethaf. Sefydlogrwydd gwleidyddol: mae gen i gof byw iawn o Bob McKenzie (gŵr o Ganada ddaeth yn enwog gyda’i ‘swingometer’) yn darlledu’n fyw yn ystod cam olaf Etholiad Cyffredinol mis Mai 1974 a oedd â chystadleuwyr agos iawn. “Edrychwch ar hwn,” meddai, “Dyma sut mae’r Prydeinwyr yn newid Llywodraethau: dim milwyr na thanciau ar y strydoedd, dim cymryd drosodd meysydd awyr na chanolfannau darlledu, dim ond fan ddodrefn yn ymddangos y tu cefn i Rif 10 i gludo piano mawr Mr Heath oddi yno. Peidiwch byth â thanbrisio ei arwyddocâd; dylem ei werthfawrogi a’i amddiffyn.” Yn yr un modd, mae llywodraethu Parciau Cenedlaethol wedi esblygu dros amser a bydd angen iddo esblygu eto. Yn ein hadroddiad* awgrymwyd rhai cynigion adeiladol: cymysgedd o aelodau etholedig i gynrychioli’r llais lleol; ac aelodau penodedig i gynrychioli’r llais cenedlaethol, ond gyda newid bach ond pwysig i’r system benodi. Byddai’r cwbl yn cydweithio’n adeiladol â’i gilydd, gobeithio, ond pe bai gwahaniaethau na ellid eu datrys yn codi, roeddem yn glir y dylid dilyn ‘Egwyddor Sandford’ ac mai gofynion cadwraeth cenedlaethol ddylai gael blaenoriaeth. Glaw: yn dydy hi’n rhyfedd ein bod yn aml yn ystyried glaw’n broblem er bod cymdeithasau eraill yn ei weld fel bendith? Mae’n adnodd naturiol, yn brin mewn mannau, yn helaeth mewn mannau eraill. Mewn byd sydd â phoblogaeth gynyddol, mae rhyfeloedd yn digwydd er mwyn ei reoli. Nid yw hyd yn oed ei amlder yn Eryri’n lleihau gwrthdaro. Sut ddylem sicrhau cydbwysedd rhwng defnydd yr adnodd ar gyfer hamdden a’i gyfleoedd masnachol; rhwng cadwraeth systemau naturiol a gwneud yn fawr o’u defnydd potensial ar gyfer ynni adnewyddol? Yn y cyd-destun hwn mae glaw’n cynrychioli llawer o’n hadnoddau naturiol sy’n wynebu cwestiynau tebyg. Nid oes ateb rhwydd i’r broblem hon; bydd yr ateb yn esblygu dros gyfnod o amser, ond mae angen mynd i’r afael ag o a’i ystyried o fewn dadl ehangach gobeithion cenedlaethol sy’n cynnwys iechyd ac addysg. Dyna pam fod rheolaeth ymarferol ar ffurf datblygu cynaliadwy wrth wraidd ein hadroddiad. Fel ni, mae gan Barciau Cenedlaethol adnoddau. Fel ni, mae angen trysori’r adnoddau hyn a’u defnyddio’n ddoeth. *Adroddiad Marsden ar Dirluniau Dynodedig Cymru, a gyhoeddwyd yn 2015. Roedd John Lloyd Jones yn aelod o’r panel.
A message from the President John Lloyd Jones, OBE Spring is a time for optimism. A cold snap or heavy rain may cause setbacks but momentum is with nature; the annual cycle stirs into action. In an increasingly uncertain world, what are the grounds for us to remain optimistic? I have chosen three national advantages. Firstly, we are an island; secondly, whatever its imperfections, we have a mature and stable political climate; and thirdly, it rains rather a lot! Do these advantages also apply to National Parks? Islands have clearly defined borders; strong borders engender strong identities. Some National Park boundaries have been in place for more than sixty years; the Parks' identities have evolved over time, and each National Park has its own identity; that's what gives them their uniqueness and special status. That is why the concept of one national park for Wales was the result of muddled thinking at best and idiocy at worst. Political stability: I have a vivid memory of Bob McKenzie (a Canadian of ‘swingometer’ fame) broadcasting live during the last phase of the bitterly contested General Election of May 1974. "Take a look at this," he said, "This is how the British change Governments: no troops or tanks on the streets, or airports and broadcasting centres captured, merely a removal van appearing at the back of No. 10 to take Mr Heath’s grand piano away. Never underestimate its significance but cherish and defend it." Similarly, the governance of National Parks has evolved over time and will need to evolve again. Our report* put forward some constructive proposals: a mixture of elected members to represent the local voice; and appointed members to represent the national voice, but with a subtle change to the appointment system. Hopefully all would work constructively together, but we were clear that if irreconcilable differences arose, the ‘Sandford Principle’ should prevail with national conservation needs taking primacy. Rain: isn't it strange that we often see it as a nuisance whereas other societies see it as a blessing? It is a natural resource, rare in places, abundant in others. In an increasingly populated world, wars are being fought for its control. Even its abundance in Snowdonia does not minimise conflict. What should the balance be between the recreational use of the resource and its commercial opportunities; between the conservation of natural systems and the release of their renewable energy potential? Rain in this context is merely a proxy for many of our national resources which are faced with similar questions. This is not a dilemma that can be resolved easily; its solution will evolve over time, but it needs to be addressed and considered within the wider debate of national aspirations which include health and education. That is why we put active management in the form of sustainable development at the core of our report. Like us, National Parks have resources. Like us, those resources need to be treasured and used wisely. *The Marsden Report on Designated Landscapes in Wales, published in 2015. John Lloyd Jones was a panel member.
1967 - 2017: Protecting and celebrating Snowdonia for 50 years | 3
50 mlynedd ac ymlaen
Beth ddigwyddodd i harddwch naturiol? Rob Collister Everybody needs beauty as well as bread, places to play in and pray in, where nature may heal and give strength to body and soul alike. John Muir, 1908 Yn 1949 doedd fawr o neb ym Mhrydain yn gwybod dim am John Muir er ei fod yn adnabyddus yn yr Unol Daleithiau. Serch hynny, mae ei eiriau huawdl yn crisialu’n berffaith ddadleuon ymgyrchwyr dros Barciau Cenedlaethol drwy gydol yr 1930au ac ar ôl yr Ail Ryfel Byd. Pan basiwyd Deddf Parciau Cenedlaethol a Mynediad i Gefn Gwlad wedi hir ymaros, credid bod dau Bwrpas statudol i’r Parciau: 1 Cadw a gwella harddwch naturiol yr ardal, a 2: Hyrwyddo ei fwynhad gan y cyhoedd. (Diffiniwyd harddwch naturiol fel rhywbeth oedd yn cynnwys nodweddion naturiol a blodau a chreaduriaid, felly ni chafwyd ar ddeall erioed nad oedd yn ddim ond golygfeydd tlws.) Dros y chwedeg mlynedd nesaf newidiwyd ac addaswyd y Pwrpasau hyn bob hyn a hyn ond ni chawsant eu newid yn sylweddol. Yn Neddf Cefn Gwlad 1968 newidiwyd ‘cadw’ i ‘warchod’ sy’n awgrymu rheolaeth ac addasu yn hytrach na chadw pethau’r un fath. Ehangwyd ‘nodweddion naturiol’ i gynnwys ‘nodweddion daearegol a geoffisegol’. Yn bwysicach na dim, yn ogystal â’r ddau Bwrpas, roedd gofyn ar y rhai oedd yn gweinyddu parciau cenedlaethol i dalu ‘dyledus barch’ i fuddion cymdeithasol ac economaidd y sawl oedd yn byw ynddyn nhw. Yn 1974 arweiniodd Pwyllgor Adolygu Polisi’r Parciau Cenedlaethol, a gadeiriwyd gan Arglwydd Sandford, at sefydlu Egwyddor Sandford sy’n datgan, pe bai gwrthdaro’n digwydd rhwng y Pwrpas cyntaf a’r ail, y byddai’r cyntaf, cadwraeth harddwch naturiol, yn cael blaenoriaeth dros yr ail, sef mwynhad y cyhoedd ohono. Yn Adroddiad Edwards 1984 argymhellwyd ychwanegu treftadaeth ddiwylliannol at y Pwrpas cyntaf a mabwysiadwyd hyn yn Neddf yr Amgylchedd 1995, gan roi inni’r geiriad yr ydym yn gyfarwydd ag o heddiw, sef bod Parciau Cenedlaethol Lloegr a Chymru yn bodoli i ‘warchod a gwella harddwch naturiol, bywyd gwyllt a threftadaeth ddiwylliannol y lleoedd hyn ac i hyrwyddo cyfleoedd i’r cyhoedd ddeall a mwynhau eu rhinweddau arbennig, wrth feithrin lles cymdeithasol ac economaidd cymunedau lleol’. Bu cryn bendroni ynglŷn â’r geiriad yma a byddai’n anodd gweld bai arno. Serch hynny, dyna’n union beth mae Llywodraeth Cymru’n ei wneud. Mae Adroddiad Marsden 2015 yn dyrchafu lles cymdeithasol ac economaidd cymunedau lleol yn Bwrpas, os nad Prif Bwrpas Parciau Cenedlaethol. Mae’n datgan yn bendant hefyd bod ‘Tirluniau dynodedig heddiw’n llawer mwy na’r ‘ysgyfaint gwyrdd’ goddefol ar gyfer y boblogaeth drefol fel yr ystyrid hwy ar un pryd’. Yn hytrach, mewn ‘cyfrif cyfoes’, bydd rhinweddau arbennig yn cael eu hail-ddiffinio i gynnwys dŵr, bwyd a charbon, a bydd Parciau Cenedlaethol yn cadw eu henwau a’u statws cyfreithiol ‘wrth esblygu yn gyrff datblygu rhanbarthol
4 | Gwarchod a dathlu Eryri ers 50 mlynedd: 1967 - 2017
gyda rhagofalon dros gadwraeth’. Pwrpas hyn, dywedir wrthym, ydy ‘i ddarparu synnwyr o’r newydd o’r hyn a werthfawrogir gan bobl’. Pwy’n union ydy’r bobl hynny, ys gwn i? A beth ar y ddaear ddigwyddodd i harddwch naturiol? Fel yr ysgrifennodd Simon Jenkins dim ond rhai blynyddoedd yn ôl, ‘Y gwir ydy ein bod wedi colli’r geiriau i drafod harddwch yn y tirlun. Rydym yn cymryd yn ganiataol ei fod yn “wrth-dwf” ac felly’n gost gymdeithasol oherwydd bod lobïwyr gwyrdd yn dweud hynny i gyfiawnhau eu cymorthdaliadau.” Mewn cynhadledd ar Ddyfodol yr Ucheldir a gynhaliwyd ym Mhlas Tan y Bwlch yn 2009, gofynnodd yr ymddiriedolwr Gareth Roberts i banel gyda chynrychiolwyr o NFU Cymru, y Cyngor Cefn Gwlad, yr Ymddiriedolaeth Genedlaethol, APCE a hyd yn oed y Gymdeithas hon, am eu barn ynglŷn â harddwch yn y tirlun. Un ac oll (a dynion oedd y rhain i gyd) roedden nhw’n fud. Doedd ganddyn nhw ddim syniad beth i’w ddweud. Rhywsut roedd Pwrpas cyntaf y Parciau Cenedlaethol wedi cilio ac mae’r rhai ohonom sy’n credu ei fod yn hollbwysig yn crafu ein pennau mewn syndod. Does dim amheuaeth bod Llywodraeth Cymru o ddifrif. Blwyddyn ar ôl blwyddyn mae cyllidebau’r tri Pharc Cymreig wedi eu tocio’n raddol gan eu gadael yn brin iawn o ariannu o’u cymharu â Pharciau Lloegr. Mewn techneg wleidyddol sydd wedi ei hen sefydlu, os hoffech gael gwared â sefydliad gyda chyn lleied o ffwdan â phosib, yn syml rydych yn ei danariannu fel nad oes modd iddo berfformio’n briodol a dyna ni, bydd y cyhoedd yn gofyn am ei ddiddymu, neu o leiaf yn cyd-fynd â hynny. Yn y cyd-destun hwn dydy o ddim yn ymddangos mai mympwy’n unig sy’n gyfrifol am gynnwys Cyngor Cefn Gwlad Cymru, y corff dros fioamrywiaeth a chadwraeth, o fewn y corff trwsgl ac aneffeithiol i raddau helaeth o’r enw Cyfoeth Naturiol Cymru fel rhan o broses gwanio gyffredinol. Dydy hi ddim yn glir o le daw’r elyniaeth yma tuag at Barciau Cenedlaethol Cymru. Efallai bod elfen o genedlaetholdeb yn perthyn iddo, sef y teimlad mai rhywbeth gorfodol trefedigol gan y Saeson i’r Saeson ydyn nhw. Yn yr un modd, fe all fod yn rhywbeth i’w wneud efo gweision sifil yng Nghaerdydd sy’n dymuno ymestyn eu cyhyrau o’r newydd a chael eu gweld i fod yn fentrus. Beth bynnag fo’r gwir, mae dadleuon wedi bod yn dod o Fae Caerdydd bron ers cyfnod y datganoli ac er gwaethaf rhybuddion gan ein Cadeirydd a’n Cyfarwyddwr mewn rhifynnau diweddar o’r cylchgrawn hwn, mae gen i’r teimlad yma na fydd gan y rhan fwyaf o’r
50 years on darllenwyr unrhyw syniad o raddfa’r bygythiad. Serch hynny credid nad oedd adroddiad Marsden yn ddigon radical i Carl Sergeant, y gweinidog oedd yn ymwneud ag o – yr un Carl Sergeant a roddodd ar waith ail-godi’r ymarfer hynod o ddinistriol o dreillio cregyn dwbl o fewn Ardal Gadwraeth Arbennig ym Mae Ceredigion. Yn hytrach, sefydlodd banel Adolygu Tirluniau’r Dyfodol (a gadeiriwyd gan yr Arglwydd Dafydd Elis-Thomas, cyn Is-lywydd y Gymdeithas hon) i wireddu’r hyn a ddymuna’r llywodraeth. Mae tirlun Cymru’n addas ar gyfer cynhyrchu ynni gwynt a dŵr sydd, mewn cyfnod o newid hinsawdd difrifol, yn hynod o ddymunol. Mae angen isadeiledd ar gynhyrchu ynni fel hyn, sy’n golygu creu swyddi, er yn y tymor byr, felly o safbwynt economaidd yn unig gellir ystyried newid hinsawdd yn gyfle’n ogystal â phroblem. O bersbectif Llywodraeth Cymru mae Parciau Cenedlaethol a AHNE yn wastraff gofod. Ar ôl difetha cymaint o ganolbarth Cymru er budd cynlluniau ynni gwynt a dŵr mae erbyn hyn wedi troi ei olygon tuag at dirluniau sydd hyd yma wedi eu gwarchod. Cafodd gymorth gan y ffaith fod y lobi amgylcheddol wedi ei rannu rhwng agwedd athrawiaethus cyrff fel Cyfeillion y Ddaear a Greenpeace. Mae’r cyrff yma’n croesawu ynni adnewyddol ym mhle bynnag a sut bynnag y caiff ei leoli ond barn eraill, fel John Muir, yw bod harddwch naturiol, law yn llaw a rhinweddau fel gofod, tawelwch, unigedd ac awyr lân, yn
rhywbeth sydd eu hangen ar bob un ohonom ac nad oes modd i ni ddod o hyd iddyn nhw yn ein bywydau bob dydd. Mae hi’n ymddangos nad yw’r llywodraeth yn fodlon ystyried y cyfraniad enfawr a wneir i economi Cymru gan y miliynau o ymwelwyr sy’n dod i’n Parciau Cenedlaethol yn benodol oherwydd y rhinweddau hynny yn y tirlun. Mae’n anodd credu bod y llywodraeth yn mynnu bod ein Parciau Cenedlaethol yn dod yn ‘ffatrïoedd lles a ffyniant’. Yn sicr, ni chrëwyd ein Parciau heb gryn wrthwynebiad ac nid ydyn nhw wedi goroesi hyd yma heb frwydro. Cafwyd gwrthdaro erioed rhwng y sawl sy’n gwerthfawrogi harddwch naturiol a’r sawl sy’n ystyried bywyd fel cyfle i ‘gael a gwario’ neu sy’n benderfynol o warchod eu heiddo. Mae’n hawdd iawn i wleidyddion, ar bob lefel, ddylanwadu ar rai fel hyn, yn enwedig gan mai eu prif ddiddordeb yw cael eu hail-ethol. Hyd nes ymddangosiad calonogol Iolo Williams fel hyrwyddwr medrus o fyd natur a phob dim sy’n wyllt ac yn hardd, Bill Condry oedd yr agosaf oedd gennym yma yng Nghymru i John Muir. Rydw i’n cael fy atgoffa o’i eiriau, wrth iddo bendroni dros ryw wag eiriau gwleidyddol: "In this luminously verdant oak wood I had a few [...] bleak thoughts about how our lives are ruled over by the sort of politicians who, whatever their colour or fine words, never have a genuinely green thought between the lot of them." Allwn i ddim cytuno mwy!
Lleoedd i chwarae ● Places to play in © Rob Collister
1967 - 2017: Protecting and celebrating Snowdonia for 50 years | 5
50 mlynedd ac ymlaen
Whatever happened to natural beauty? Rob Collister Everybody needs beauty as well as bread, places to play in and pray in, where nature may heal and give strength to body and soul alike. John Muir, 1908 In 1949 John Muir, a household name in the United States, was virtually unknown in Britain. Yet his eloquent words perfectly encapsulate the arguments of campaigners for National Parks through the nineteen thirties and after the Second World War. When the National Parks and Access to the Countryside Act was finally passed, the statutory Purposes of the Parks were deemed to be two-fold: 1. To preserve and enhance the natural beauty of the area, and 2. To promote its enjoyment by the public. (Natural beauty was defined as including natural features and flora and fauna, so it has never been seen as just pretty views.) Over the next sixty years these Purposes were tweaked and adjusted at regular intervals but not substantially altered.
Lleodd i weddïo ● Places to pray in © Rob Collister
6 | Gwarchod a dathlu Eryri ers 50 mlynedd: 1967 - 2017
The 1968 Countryside Act changed ‘preserve’ to ‘conserve’, implying management and adaptation rather than simply stopping the clock. ‘Natural features’ was broadened to include ‘geological and geophysical features’. Most importantly, in addition to the twin Purposes, those administering national parks were to have ‘due regard’ to the social and economic interests of those living in them. In 1974 the National Parks Policy Review Committee, chaired by Lord Sandford, led to the establishment of the Sandford Principle which states that in the event of a clash between the first and second Purposes, the first, the conservation of natural beauty, should take precedence over the second, the public’s enjoyment of it. The Edwards Report of 1984 recommended adding cultural heritage to the first Purpose and this was adopted in the 1995
50 years on Environment Act, giving us the wording we are familiar with today, namely that the National Parks of England and Wales exist to ‘conserve and enhance the natural beauty, wildlife and cultural heritage of these areas and to promote opportunities for the understanding and enjoyment of their special qualities by the public, whilst fostering the social and economic well-being of local communities’. A great deal of care and thought has gone into this wording and it would seem hard to quarrel with. Yet that is exactly what the Welsh Government is doing. The Marsden Report of 2015 elevates the social and economic well-being of local communities into a Purpose, if not the main Purpose, of National Parks and states categorically that ‘Designated landscapes are now far more than the passive ‘green lungs’ for the urban population that they were once considered to be’. Instead, in ‘a modern account’, special qualities are to be re-defined to include water, food and carbon, and National Parks will retain their names and legal status ‘while evolving into regional development bodies with safeguards for conservation’. This, we are told, is ‘to provide a refreshed sense of what people value’. Who exactly might those people be, I wonder? And whatever happened to natural beauty? As Simon Jenkins wrote not long ago, ‘The truth is we have lost the words to discuss beauty in the landscape. We assume it is “anti-growth” and therefore a social cost because green lobbyists say so to justify their subsidies.’ At a conference on The Future of the Uplands held at Plas Tan y Bwlch in 2009, a panel with representatives from NFU Cymru, CCW, the National Trust, SNPA and even this Society, was asked by trustee Gareth Roberts for its views on beauty in the landscape. There was a stunned silence. To a man (and they were all men) they were completely flummoxed. They just did not know what to say. Somehow the first Purpose of the National Parks has fallen by the wayside and those of us to whom it is all-important are left scratching our heads in bewilderment. There is no doubt that the Welsh Government means business. Year on year the budgets of the three Welsh Parks have been steadily cut leaving them significantly under-funded compared with the English Parks. It is a well-established political technique that if you wish to get rid of an institution with a minimum of fuss you simply underfund it so that it cannot perform properly and, hey presto, the public will demand, or at least acquiesce in, its abolition. In this context it does not seem totally fanciful to see the subsuming of Countryside Council for Wales, the body dedicated to biodiversity and conservation, into the unwieldy and largely ineffectual entity called Natural
Resources Wales as part of a general softening-up process. It is not clear exactly where this antipathy towards the National Parks of Wales comes from. There may well be an element of nationalism in it, the feeling that they are a colonial imposition by the English for the English. Equally, it could have something to do with civil servants in Cardiff wishing to flex their newfound muscle and be seen to be innovative. Either way, ominous rumblings have been emanating from Cardiff Bay almost since devolution and despite warnings from our Chair and our Director in recent issues of this magazine, I suspect most readers will be blithely unaware of the scale of the threat. Yet the Marsden Report was not deemed radical enough for Carl Sergeant, the Minister concerned - the same Carl Sergeant who initiated the resumption of the insanely destructive practice of scallop-dredging within a Special Area of Conservation in Cardigan Bay. Instead, he set up a Future Landscapes Review panel (chaired by Lord Dafydd Elis-Thomas, a former Vice-president of this Society) to deliver what the government really wants. The landscape of Wales lends itself to the generation of energy from wind and water, which in an era of drastic climatechange is highly desirable. Such energy generation requires infrastructure, which means the creation of jobs, albeit mostly short-term, so in purely economic terms climate-change can be seen as an opportunity as much as a problem. From the Welsh Government’s perspective National Parks and AONBs are simply wasted space. Having trashed much of mid-Wales in the interests of wind and hydro energy schemes it is now turning a beady eye on hitherto protected landscapes. It has been helped by the fact that the environmental lobby has been split between the doctrinaire attitude of bodies like Friends of the Earth and Greenpeace, for whom renewable energy is to be welcomed wherever and however it is sited, and those who, like John Muir, believe that natural beauty - hand in hand with qualities like space, silence, solitude and clean air - is something we all need and cannot find in our everyday lives. The government appears unwilling to take into account the massive contribution made to the Welsh economy by the millions of visitors who come to our National Parks specifically for these qualities in the landscape. Unbelievably, the government is demanding that our National Parks become ‘well-being factories’. To be sure, our Parks were not created without a great deal of opposition and they have not survived thus far without struggle. There has always been conflict between those who value natural beauty and those for whom life is about ‘getting and spending’ or jealously guarding their property. The latter are all too easily wooed by politicians, at all levels, whose chief interest is reelection. Until the heartening emergence of Iolo Williams as an articulate and vocal champion of the natural world and all that is wild and beautiful, Bill Condry was the nearest we have had in Wales to a John Muir. I am reminded of his words, reflecting on some piece of political chicanery: "In this luminously verdant oak wood I had a few [...] bleak thoughts about how our lives are ruled over by the sort of politicians who, whatever their colour or fine words, never have a genuinely green thought between the lot of them." I could not agree more!
1967 - 2017: Protecting and celebrating Snowdonia for 50 years | 7
50 mlynedd ac ymlaen
Dwy ochr i’r un geiniog: ein gwaith mewn partneriaeth John Harold, Cyfarwyddwr Pan oedd angen partner ar Awdurdod Parc Cenedlaethol Eryri i godi arian ar gyfer ei broject i glirio’r llanastr ar gopa’r Wyddfa a sicrhau rhywbeth mwy priodol ag ymarferol yn ei le, cysylltwyd â Chymdeithas Eryri. Fel elusen gadwraeth a sefydlwyd ers cryn amser roeddem yn gallu cynnig y cyfuniad angenrheidiol o hyblygrwydd a dibynadwyaeth er mwyn helpu i sicrhau y byddai’r apêl gyhoeddus yn gweithio. I fynd i’r afael â phroblem anferth y planhigyn Jac y neidiwr o amgylch Llyn Tegid, daeth wardeniaid y Parc Cenedlaethol at Gymdeithas Eryri i ddarparu’r asgwrn cefn o ran gwirfoddolwyr. Wythnos ar ôl wythnos a dydd ar ôl dydd mae’r gwirfoddolwyr hynny wedi chwarae eu rhan yn yr hyn sydd wedi dod yn broject mawr a llwyddiannus i reoli rhywogaethau ymledol. Mae dull y Gymdeithas o weithredu’n addas iawn ar gyfer projectau ymarferol mewn partneriaeth ac mae gwaith o’r fath wedi bod yn nodwedd o hanes y Gymdeithas ac wedi tyfu’n sylweddol yn y blynyddoedd diwethaf. Heddiw mae’r Gymdeithas yn cyfrannu i Bartneriaeth Eryri ac yn creu atebion wrth reoli a gofalu am fynydd mwyaf poblogaidd a phrysur y DU; mae ein gwirfoddolwyr yn gweithio’n rheolaidd ar lwybrau’r Wyddfa drwy gasglu sbwriel. Mae’r Gymdeithas wedi chwarae prif ran yn natblygiad y project Partneriaeth Tirlun pum-mlynedd a fydd yn rhoi gwaith cadwraeth eang ei ystod ar waith ar y Carneddau ac o’u cwmpas; bydd ein gwirfoddolwyr yn cymryd rhan yn ochr ymarferol y project hwnnw hefyd. Mae gwirfoddolwyr Cymdeithas Eryri yn gweithio yn yr awyr agored y gaeaf hwn yn monitro llygredd golau ledled y Parc Cenedlaethol er mwyn helpu i gynnal Statws Gwarchodfa Awyr Dywyll Eryri. Rydym yn cydweithio gyda chyrff mawr a bach sy’n bartneriaid, yn genedlaethol ac yn lleol, yn cynnwys cyrff statudol, elusennau a grwpiau cymunedol. Mae’r parodrwydd yma i gymryd rhan a helpu i wireddu projectau yn gryfder y gallwn fod yn falch ohono. Mae ffasiynau ariannu’n mynd a dod ond mae Cymdeithas Eryri bob amser yn barod i dorchi ei llewys a gwneud ei rhan. Mae ein golwg o bell, sy’n sail i’n dull o weithredu, yn adlewyrchu nodweddion arbennig tirluniau heb eu hagru fel Parciau Cenedlaethol; parhad y lleoedd hyn, y persbectif a geir ganddyn nhw ar ein harwyddocâd ein hunain a’n cyfrifoldeb dros warchod. Mae Cymdeithas Eryri’n gwneud mwy nag ymestyn help llaw gyda gorchwylion ymarferol ac mae gweithio mewn partneriaeth yn dod yn fwy cymhleth yn ein gwaith cyfochrog ar bolisi ac ymgyrchoedd. Gyda threigl y blynyddoedd mae pobl wedi cyfeirio
8 | Gwarchod a dathlu Eryri ers 50 mlynedd: 1967 - 2017
at y Gymdeithas fel, ymysg pethau eraill, ‘ffrind beirniadol’ i’r awdurdodau sy’n gyfrifol am Barc Cenedlaethol Eryri. Yn y rolau hyn mae ein hanes ynghlwm â barn a safbwyntiau ledled y sbectrwm cymdeithasol a gwleidyddol. Dywedodd un gwleidydd lleol rhyw dro ei fod yn ‘hoffi beth mae Cymdeithas Eryri’n ei wneud ond nid bob amser yr hyn mae hi’n ei ddweud’, ac mae’r datganiad syml hwn yn taflu goleuni ar agwedd hanfodol o’n gwaith nad ydy pawb yn ei ddeall. Dros y blynyddoedd mae achosion enwog wedi dod yn rhan o chwedlau’r Gymdeithas; mae straeon wedi tyfu ynglŷn ag ymgyrchoedd arbennig. Mae’r ymgyrch, a fu’n aflwyddiannus yn y pen draw, i sicrhau bod y bibell newydd yng Nghwm Dyli’n cael ei chladdu, yn cael ei gofio fel antur arwrol o ysgrifennu llythyrau ac ymgyrchu brwd gan Esmé Kirby ac aelodau blaenllaw eraill o’r Gymdeithas. Dydy hi ddim yn glir bob amser beth ddigwyddodd na phwy wnaeth beth. Mae’r natur ddynol yn golygu bod rhai ymgyrchoedd yn cael eu cofio am eu dadleuon a’u gwrthdaro yn hytrach na sylwedd y mater dan sylw. Mae’r cyfryngau bob amser yn hoff o ffraeo a checru ac weithiau’n chwarae eu rhan eu hunain mewn ‘dadleuon’. Mae’r llwyddiannau mwy distaw, a sicrhawyd drwy drafodaeth a chytundeb, yn haws i’w hanghofio. Os bydd datblygiad arfaethedig neu bolisi newydd yn peri pryder, bydd y Gymdeithas yn nodi’r mater ac yn trafod y dadleuon. Fe all fod yn anodd gwneud hyn; anodd oherwydd bod angen casglu ynghyd ag astudio swmp sylweddol o wybodaeth arbenigol i ddod i farn ddoeth, ond anodd hefyd oherwydd fe all osod ein
50 years on barn yn groes i farn datblygwr, lluniwr polisi neu grŵp buddiannau. Fe all y Gymdeithas ddarganfod y bydd yr ymateb i’w hymgyrchoedd ei hun yn anghyfforddus; ychydig iawn o gyfeillion a gawsom yn lleol yn dilyn ein gwaith ar faes awyr Llanbedr, ond byddem wedi methu gwireddu ein hamcanion elusennol pe na baem wedi cwestiynu’r cynnig enfawr hwn am ddatblygiad. Yn ein gwaith ymgyrchoedd a pholisi rydym yn osgoi materion bach megis ceisiadau cynllunio cartref. Pan fyddwn yn cymryd rhan mae’r cynigion fel arfer ar raddfa fwy lle mae mwy o oblygiadau
i Eryri. Yn aml, mae elfen o ‘Dafydd a Goliath’ ar gyfer elusen fach sy’n gofyn cwestiynau am ddatblygiadau ar raddfa ddiwydiannol. Yn yr 1970au gofynnodd Rio Tinto Zinc am ganiatâd i dreillio am aur yn aber y Mawddach; am y tro cyntaf ymunodd Cymdeithas Eryri gyda chyrff eraill i wir wrthwynebu’r cynllun. Mae camgymhariad rhwng ein hadnoddau fel elusen leol a’r bygythiadau datblygiad enfawr y mae Eryri’n eu hwynebu ar adegau. Daw cynigion am gynlluniau ffyrdd yn wreiddiol o’r Llywodraeth ac mae’r rhain yn cael eu mesur mewn miliynau o bunnoedd. O dan amgylchiadau
o’r fath mae’n rhaid i gyrff gyda’r un amcanion weithio mewn partneriaeth. O glywed am gynlluniau i ail-strwythuro ffordd hanesyddol Telford drwy Eryri ffurfiwyd Consortiwm yr A5 ac fel rhan o hwn bu’r Gymdeithas yn gwrthwynebu’n egnïol effeithiau gwaethaf y cynllun hwn. Defnyddiwyd gweithredu tebyg ar y cyd i geisio lliniaru effeithiau gwelliannau mawr i ffordd yr A470. Heddiw, enghraifft arall o’r math yma o waith yw’n hymgyrch i achub Rhaeadr y Graig Lwyd a Ffos Anoddun rhag cynllun ynni dŵr £12m. Wrth weithio mewn partneriaeth gyda chyrff cadwraeth ac awyr agored*, rydym wedi herio’r cwmni ynni rhyngwladol sydd yn hyrwyddo’r cynllun – yn llwyddiannus hyd yma – ac wedi gorfod goresgyn llesgedd anhygoel ar ran yr awdurdodau statudol. Yr hyn sydd wedi bod yn anodd i Gymdeithas Eryri yw rhan yr Ymddiriedolaeth Genedlaethol fel perchennog y tir a rhywun a fyddai o bosib yn elwa’n ariannol o’r project ynni dŵr. Mae hi wedi bod yn anghyfforddus dros ben gorfod ymgyrchu yn erbyn corff cadwraeth arall yr ydym yn ei barchu a ninnau wedi cydweithio ag ef mor aml ar waith cadwraeth ymarferol. Dyma’r realiti i Gymdeithas Eryri, ddoe, heddiw ac yfory. Fe all gosod rhinweddau mwy tawel Eryri – tirlun, harddwch, byd natur – yn gyntaf fod yn anodd ac yn anghyfforddus. Drwy gyfrwng ei gwaith cadwraeth ymarferol mae Cymdeithas Eryri yn creu llawer o bartneriaethau ac yn gwneud llawer o ffrindiau. Drwy gyfrwng ei gwaith ymgyrchu mae’r Gymdeithas yn mynegi barn ac yn dadlau dros fuddion tymor hir y Parc Cenedlaethol. Dyma ddwy ochr o’r un geiniog. Heb i Gymdeithas Eryri fod yn barod i herio, byddai’r canlyniadau i’r Parc Cenedlaethol yn waeth. Byddai ceisiadau cynllunio amhriodol yn cael eu pasio heb eu hystyried yn drwyadl a byddai nodweddion arbennig Eryri’n dirywio. Felly beth am lwnc destun – nid yn unig i ‘ffrindiau coll’ o hanes hir y Gymdeithas - ond hefyd i ‘ffrindiau beirniadol’ heddiw ac yfory. *Yn yr ymgyrch hwn cyd-weithiodd Cymdeithas Eryri gyda Choed Cadw, Ymddiriedolaeth Natur Gogledd Cymru, Cyngor Mynydda Prydain, Plas y Brenin, Yr Ymddiriedolaeth Bysgota, Canoe Cymru ac Achub y Conwy diflino. Aber Mawddach ● Mawddach estuary © John Farrar
1967 - 2017: Protecting and celebrating Snowdonia for 50 years | 9
50 years on
Two sides of the same coin our work in partnership John Harold, Director When Snowdonia National Park Authority needed a fund-raising partner for its project to clear Snowdon’s summit ‘slum’ and replace it with something more fitting and functional, they came to the Snowdonia Society. As a long-established local conservation charity we were able to offer the required combination of flexibility and reliability to help make the public appeal work. To tackle the big Himalayan balsam problem around Llyn Tegid, National Park wardens turned to the Snowdonia Society to provide the backbone of volunteers. Week after week and year after year those volunteers have played their part in what has become a major and successful invasive species control project. The Society’s long-term approach is well-suited to practical projects in partnership and such work has been a feature of the Society’s history and has grown substantially in recent years. Today the Society contributes to the Snowdon Partnership, building solutions for issues in managing and caring for the UK’s most popular and heavily used mountain; our volunteers regularly work on the footpaths and clear litter on Snowdon. The Society has played a key role in the development of a five-year Landscape Partnership project which will deliver wide ranging conservation work on and around the Carneddau; our volunteers will get stuck into the practical side of that project too. Snowdonia Society volunteers are out this winter monitoring light pollution across the National Park to help maintain Snowdonia’s Dark Sky Reserve Status. We work with partner organisations large and small, national and local, including statutory bodies, charities and community groups. This willingness to muck in and help make projects work is a strength of which we can be proud. Funding fashions come and go but the Snowdonia Society is always ready to roll up its sleeves and do its bit. The long view which underpins our way of working reflects the special characteristics of unspoilt landscapes like National Parks; the permanence of these places, the perspective they throw on our own significance and our responsibilities for stewardship. The Snowdonia Society does more than lend a hand with practical tasks and it is in our parallel work on policy and campaigns that working in partnership becomes more complicated. Over the years the Society has been referred to as, amongst other things, a ‘watchdog’ or a ‘critical friend’ to the authorities responsible for Snowdonia National Park. In these roles our history is entwined with opinions and viewpoints across the social and political spectrum. One local politician was heard to say that he ‘likes what the Snowdonia Society does but not always what it says’, and this simple statement sheds light on a pivotal but misunderstood aspect of our work. Over the years famous causes have become part of the Society’s folklore; legends have grown up around particular campaigns. The ultimately unsuccessful campaign to get the replacement pipeline at Cwm Dyli buried underground has gone down as a
10 | Gwarchod a dathlu Eryri ers 50 mlynedd: 1967 - 2017
heroic adventure in letter-writing and arm-twisting by Esmé Kirby and Society stalwarts. It isn’t always clear what really happened or who did what. Human nature dictates that some campaigns are remembered for t‑heir controversy and confrontation rather than the substance of the issue. The media love nothing more than a scrap and sometimes play their own part in stories about ‘disagreements’. The quieter successes, achieved by discussion and consensus, are more easily forgotten. If a proposed development or new policy raises concerns the Society flags up the issue and airs the arguments. To do this effectively can be difficult: difficult in the sense that a great deal of specialist information must be sifted and assimilated to reach an informed view, but also difficult in that it may set our view in opposition to that of a developer, policy maker or interest group. The Society can find the response to its own campaigns uncomfortable; our work on Llanbedr airfield made us few friends locally, but we would have been failing in our charitable aims if we had not questioned this major development proposal. In our campaigns and policy work we avoid minor issues such as domestic planning applications. When we get involved the proposals are usually on a larger scale where the stakes for Snowdonia are higher. Commonly, there is an element of ‘David and Goliath’ for a small charity asking questions about industrial-scale developments. In the 1970s Rio Tinto Zinc sought permission to dredge for gold in the Mawddach estuary; for the first time the Snowdonia Society teamed up in earnest with other organisations to oppose the scheme. There is a mismatch between our resources as a local charity and the vast development threats which Snowdonia sometimes faces. Proposals for road schemes originate from government and are measured in millions of pounds. In such circumstances like-minded organisations must work in partnership. Plans to brutally re-engineer the historic Telford road through Snowdonia spurred formation of the A5 Consortium, as part of which the Society expended great energy to oppose the worst impacts of this plan. Similar joint action was used to try to mitigate the effects of major road improvements on the A470. Today this type of work is exemplified by our campaign to save the Conwy Falls and Fairy Glen from a £12m hydro-power scheme. Working in partnership with conservation and outdoor organisations*, we have taken on the multinational energy company concerned - successfully to date - and have had to overcome extraordinary inertia on the part of the statutory authorities. Most difficult of all for the Snowdonia Society has been the dilemma over the National Trust’s involvement as a landowner and prospective financial beneficiary from the river Conwy hydro project. It has been deeply uncomfortable to have to campaign against a fellow conservation organisation which we respect and
50 years on
with whom we so often work on practical conservation. This is the reality for the Snowdonia Society, past, present and future. Putting Snowdonia’s quieter qualities - landscape, beauty, nature - first can be hard and uncomfortable work. Through its practical conservation work the Snowdonia Society builds many partnerships and makes many friends. Through its campaigning work the Society speaks out and argues for the long term interests of the National Park. These are two sides of the same coin. Without the Snowdonia
Society being prepared to challenge, the outcomes for our National Park would be worse. Inappropriate planning applications would be passed by default and the fabric of Snowdonia’s special features would be impoverished. So let’s raise a toast – not just to ‘absent friends’ from the Society’s long history but also to the ‘critical friends’ of today and tomorrow. *This campaign sees the Snowdonia Society working together with the Woodland Trust, North Wales Wildlife Trust, British Mountaineering Council, Plas y Brenin, Angling Trust, Canoe Wales and the indefatigable Save The Conwy.
Craig Wen© Nick Livesey Cadwch lygad am lyfr Nick 'Photographing the Snowdonia Mountains' i'w gyhoeddi yn yr hydref. Look out for Nick's book 'Photographing the Snowdonia Mountains' to be published this autumn.
1967 - 2017: Protecting and celebrating Snowdonia for 50 years | 11
50 mlynedd ac ymlaen
Tirlun, cadwraeth a pheintio David Woodford Mae gan Eryri le i ddiolch i Napoleon. Atgyfodwyd y Teithiau Ewropeaidd Mawreddog, a ddaeth i ben yn ystod ei ryfeloedd, yma ar ein tiroedd ni. Daeth gogledd Cymru’n ganolfan i gelf ramantaidd. Hanner canrif ar ôl ymweliad Turner, sefydlodd David Cox y ‘Conwy Valley Artists Colony’, y mwyaf yng ngwledydd Prydain gydag o bosib dwy fil yn cymryd rhan, a barodd am chwedeg mlynedd. Caiff ei dderbyn yn y DU, fel yn Unol Daleithiau America, mai arlunwyr a sefydlodd egwyddorion cadwraeth. Felly lle mae’r arlunwyr tirlun proffesiynol erbyn heddiw? Mae cyfrwng yr arlunydd, a oedd ar un pryd yn adlewyrchu’r cynnwys allanol, bellach yn canolbwyntio ar fwriadau gwahanol, yn brysur gydag mewnweddau’r meddwl. Rhybuddir myfyrwyr gan ragfarnau penodol bod peintio tirluniau cynrychioladol yn ddisgyblaeth sydd wedi hen ddod i ben. Wrth ddileu hyfforddiant, mae sylfeini ‘dathliadau darluniadol’ yn cael eu tanseilio. Mae’r fintai fechan o arlunwyr tirlun proffesiynol sydd ar ôl yn gwneud hynny o ganlyniad i argyhoeddiad personol. O’m rhan i rydw i’n ymgymryd â pheintio fel ymholiad, myfyriwr diarhebol byd natur. Chwedeg mlynedd yn y proffesiwn ac 8,000 o beintiadau a lluniau o Eryri’n ddiweddarach, dydw i erioed wedi synhwyro unrhyw wendid yn yr argyhoeddiad.
‘dyrchafedig a’r hardd’, barn Edmund Burke oedd mai ‘y synhwyrau yw gwraidd ein holl syniadau a’n pleserau’. Ail-brisiwyd ‘sorod creadigaeth’ Dr Johnson fel ‘dyrchafedig’ ac ‘arswyd hyfryd’. Roedd yr unigolyn ymysg tirluniau gwyllt wedi ei symbylu gan weledigaeth ramantus, oedd bellach wedi ei ymrymuso. Y gred oedd bod mannau gwyllt yn lleoedd syfrdanol a oedd yn peri i’r ysbryd dynol wirioni. Ganrif yn ddiweddarach, yn ei derm y ‘Camsyniad Teimladol’, eglurodd Ruskin ein bod drwy empathi’n rhoi teimladau i dirlun sy’n perthyn i ddynoliaeth, megis harddwch neu fygythiad. Mae’r Tirlun, a Chelf yn arbennig, yn dioddef o’u portread fel ‘hamdden wedi ei sybsideiddio’ ac yn lleihau ymrwymiad i fwynhad a dim arall. Mewn oes o bleserau wedi eu pecynnu, efallai bod rhai’n ystyried Parciau Cenedlaethol fel dim ond parciau thema megis Disneyworld. Mae angen i ni gofio eu bod wedi eu sefydlu yng nghysgod rhyfel gwaethaf y ddaear, pan ystyrid cadwraeth yn orchmynnol. Cyffelybwyd y farn hon gyda sefydliad y Cyngor Celfyddydau: ‘Os ydyn ni’n ymladd mewn rhyfel am ein goroesiad, byddai’n well i ni ystyried y pethau hynny sy’n werth brwydro drostyn nhw.’ Fe all hyd yn oed mynyddoedd aruthrol gael eu peryglu. Mae angen hyder esthetig ar harmoni. O roi llygad ddu i’r Mona Lisa, dydy (Parhad ar d.16)
Mae celf yn fwy nag arbrawf gwahanol o hunanfynegiant therapiwtaidd mewn diwylliant o ‘roi cynnig arni’. Dydy celf ddim yn wasanaeth cymdeithasol, nac yn gynnyrch masnachol yn unig. Dim ond fel dirnadaeth ddwys, a deimlir i’r byw, all Celf gyfrannu’n arwyddocaol i gymdeithas fel ased parhaus a werthfawrogir. Mae i ni hen hanes o fwynhau’r tirlun. Yng Nghyfnod yr Ymoleuo datgelwyd ‘tirlun’ fel rhan o wyddoniaeth y byd naturiol. Yn ei draethawd enwog ynglŷn â’r
Uchod: Myfyriwr Natur; de: Golwg ar Gwm Ffynnon Lloer Above: The Student of Nature; right: Into Cwm Ffynnon Lloer Pob delwedd/All images © David Woodford
12 | Gwarchod a dathlu Eryri ers 50 mlynedd: 1967 - 2017
1967 - 2017: Protecting and celebrating Snowdonia for 50 years | 13
50 mlynedd ac ymlaen
Landscape, conservation and painting David Woodford
14 | Gwarchod a dathlu Eryri ers 50 mlynedd: 1967 - 2017
50 years on
Snowdonia has Napoleon to thank. The obligatory European Grand Tours, halted by his wars, were re-invented on our home ground. North Wales became a cauldron of romantic art. Half a century after Turner’s visit, David Cox primed the Conwy Valley Artists Colony, perhaps two thousand participants, the largest in Britain and lasting for sixty years. It is accepted in the UK, as in the United States, that painters founded the sentiments of conservation.
So where are the professional landscape painters now? The painter’s medium, that once mirrored the external subject matter, is now focused on different intentions, busy with inscapes of the mind. Students are warned by prescribed prejudices that representational landscape painting is an exhausted discipline. Training removed, the very foundations of ‘pictorial celebrations’ are undermined. The small contingent of professional landscape painters that persist, do so through personal conviction. For my part I employ painting as enquiry, the proverbial student of nature. Sixty years in the profession and 8,000 paintings and drawings of Snowdonia later, I have never sensed any weakness in the compulsion. Art is more than a novel experiment of therapeutic self-expression in a ‘have a go’ culture. Art is not a social service, nor just a commercial product. Only as an intensity of perception, deeply felt, can Art meaningfully contribute to society as a lasting and valued asset. Landscape enjoyment has a history. The Enlightenment revealed ‘landscape’ as part of a science of natural history. In his famous essay concerning ‘the sublime and beautiful’, Edmund Burke maintained that ‘the senses are the originals (origins) of all our ideas and pleasures’. Dr Johnson’s ‘dross of creation’ was re-valued as ‘sublime’ and a ‘delightful horror’. The individual amidst wild landscapes, stimulated by a romantic vision, had now been empowered. Wild places were understood as awe-inspiring and intoxicating to the human spirit. A century later, in his term the ‘Pathetic Fallacy’, Ruskin clarified that through empathy we give to landscape sentiments that belong to humanity, such as beauty or threat. (Cont. overleaf)
Uchod: Mewnwedd y meddwl; chwith: Bwlch Llanberis Above: Inscape 2017; left: The Llanberis Pass
1967 - 2017: Protecting and celebrating Snowdonia for 50 years | 15
(Parhad o d.12)
(Cont. from p.15)
hi ddim bellach yn perthyn i’r un categori.
Both Landscape and, especially, Art suffer from their portrayal as ‘subsidised leisure’, reducing commitment to mere indulgence. In an age of packaged delights, some might regard National Parks as mere theme parks akin to Disneyworld. We need to remember they were founded in the shadow of the world’s worst war, when conservation was considered an imperative. The sentiment was paralleled by the foundation of the Arts Council: ‘If we are fighting a war for survival, we’d better attend to those things worth fighting for.’
Mae ‘ymlithriad cenhadaeth’, a hybir gan ‘ymlithriad dehongli’, yn golygu nad ydyw ethos yr esthetig mor bwysig i ni. Mae’n hawdd anwybyddu’r esthetig ac asedau naturiol ac maen nhw’n cael eu hanwybyddu’n aml. Mae diraddio cynyddol y tirlun yn deillio o feddwl yn drefol ac ymarfer sy’n hyrwyddo prynwriaeth ddiarbed. Ni fu erioed cymaint o angen am Barciau Cenedlaethol a Chymdeithas y Parc. Yn ‘The Countryside Ideal’ mae Michael Bunce yn datgan, ‘Ar ei lefel fwyaf dwfn, mae cariad at gefn gwlad yn adlewyrchu gwerthoedd sylfaenol dynoliaeth ac anghenion seicolegol.’ Mewn celf a chadwraeth, mae ar y rhagorol (neu’r ‘enghraifft orau’) bwysau ethegol sy’n ysbrydoli dau hanfod: ‘gwarchod a rhannu’. Mae angen parchu parch ei hun. Ei warchodwr mwyaf yw dathlu.
Even monumental mountains can be compromised. Aesthetic confidence requires harmony. The Mona Lisa given a black eye no longer belongs in the category it is used to.
the aesthetic. Aesthetics and natural assets are easily and frequently ignored. Incremental degradation of the landscape stems from urban thinking and practice subservient to unrelenting consumerism. Never before have National Parks and the Park Society been more needed. In ‘The Countryside Ideal’ Michael Bunce states, ‘At its most profound level, the affection for the countryside reflects fundamental human values and psychological needs.’ In both art and landscape, the superlative (or ‘best example’) has absolute ethical weight inspiring two imperatives: ‘to conserve and to share’. Respect itself needs respecting. Its greatest guardian is celebration.
‘Mission creep’, facilitated by ‘interpretation creep’, means we care less about the ethos of Isod: Rhaeadr ar afon Conwy; de: Yr Wyddfa Below: Waterfall on the river Conwy; right: Snowdon
16 | Gwarchod a dathlu Eryri ers 50 mlynedd: 1967 - 2017
Celf mewn tirlun: dadl gyhoeddus
Art in Landscape, a public debate
"Mae’r tŷ hwn yn ystyried na ddylai celf gyhoeddus a gosodiadau sy’n ymwneud â chelf ddod o dan reoliadau datblygu pellach."
"This house considers that public art and arts related installations should not be subjected to any further development controls."
Darllenwch yr hyn a ddywedwyd pan drafodwyd y cynnig hwn ym mis Hydref, ym MOMA, Machynlleth. Gweler t.27
Read what was said when this motion was debated in October, at MOMA, Machynlleth. See p.27
1967 - 2017: Protecting and celebrating Snowdonia for 50 years | 17
50 mlynedd ac ymlaen
1967 - 2017 Rhai uchafbwyntiau ● Some high points Cyfarfod cychwynnol Cymdeithas Parc Cenedlaethol Eryri ym Metws-y-coed, a hyrwyddwyd gan Esmé Kirby. Inaugural meeting of the Snowdonia National Park Society in Betws y Coed, prompted by Esmé Kirby.
Cystadleuaeth Codi Cloddiau Cerrig Sych blynyddol a sefydlwyd i wella medrau codi cloddiau. Annual Dry Stone Walling competition established to improve walling skills.
1983 1967
1989 1988
1973 - 1979
Achub creigiau Cromlech rhag cael eu dinistrio yn unol â chynlluniau sythu ffordd. Cromlech boulders rescued from destruction in road straightening plans.
Prynu Tŷ Hyll a’i achub rhag mynd yn adfail cyn ei sefydlu fel pencadlys y Gymdeithas. Tŷ Hyll purchased and rescued from dereliction to become the Society’s headquarters.
Er mai methu wnaeth yr ymgyrch i geisio sicrhau claddu’r bibell newydd yng Nghwm Dyli, daeth y Gymdeithas i sylw cenedlaethol.
The campaign to bury the new pipe-line in Cwm Dyli was fought and lost, but brought the Society national attention.
Cydlynydd ein digwyddiadau hanner canmlwyddiant Rydym yn falch iawn o groesawu Claire Holmes i’r tîm i gydlynu ein rhaglen arbennig o ddigwyddiadau i ddathlu ein pen-blwydd yn 50 oed. Meddai Claire, sydd â chefndir mewn cadwraeth a chynllunio digwyddiadau, “Rydw i’n edrych ymlaen at rannu stori’r Gymdeithas drwy gyfrwng y llu o ddigwyddiadau rydym wedi eu cynllunio ar gyfer 2017, ac rydw i’n edrych ymlaen hefyd at eich cyfarfod cyn bo hir.” Gweler rhai uchafbwyntiau ar dudalen 28, neu lawrlwythwch y raglen lawn yn:
www.snowdonia-society.org.uk/cy/digwyddiadur
18 | Gwarchod a dathlu Eryri ers 50 mlynedd: 1967 - 2017
1991
Esmé Kirby yn tynnu’n ôl o fod yn Gadeirydd y Gymdeithas. Esmé Kirby stands down as Society Chairman.
Our anniversary events coordinator We are delighted to welcome Claire Holmes to the team to coordinate our special 50th anniversary programme of events. Claire, who has a background in conservation and event planning, says, “I’m looking forward to sharing the story of the Society through the many events we have planned for 2017, and hope to meet you at an event soon!” Check out some event highlights on p.28, or download the full programme at:
www.snowdonia-society.org.uk/events claire@snowdonia-society.org.uk 01286 685498
50 years on Sefydlu Gwobrau Ffermio a Thirlun i hyrwyddo a chydnabod ymarferion ffermio sy’n gyfeillgar i’r amgylchedd. Farming and Landscape Awards instigated to promote and recognise environmentally friendly farming practices.
1993
Clirio’r planhigyn Jac y neidiwr o lannau Llyn Tegid diolch i ymdrechion parhaus gwirfoddolwyr. Llyn Tegid cleared of Himalayan balsam thanks to sustained volunteer effort.
Rhaeadr y Graig Lwyd a Ffos 'Noddun: ennill dros fyd natur diolch i aelodau’r Gymdeithas, bobl leol a chyrff sy’n bartneriaid. Conwy Falls & Fairy Glen: a win for nature thanks to Society members, local people and partner organisations.
2010-2016 2016 2012
2007-9
2017
Apêl Copa’r Wyddfa yn cyfrannu at ailgodi’r caffi ar y copa fel Hafod Eryri. Snowdon Summit Appeal contributed to demolition and rebuilding of summit cafe, Hafod Eryri.
Trawsnewid Tŷ Hyll yn ystafell de ac arddangosfa gwenyn mêl. Tŷ Hyll transformed into a tearoom and honeybee exhibition.
Arddangosfa ein hanner canmlwyddiant
50! 50 mlynedd o warchod, gwella a dathlu Eryri! Dewch i weld ein arddangosfa ac ymuno â ein digwyddiadau. 50 years of protecting, enhancing and celebrating Snowdonia! Visit our exhibition and join our events.
50th anniversary exhibition
Darganfyddwch hanes gyfan Cymdeithas Eryri drwy ymweld â'n harddangosfa, ‘50 Mlynedd ac Ymlaen’.
Discover the whole Snowdonia Society story by visiting our anniversary exhibition, '50 Years On'.
Sad 10 Mehefin: Cipolwg ymlaen llaw yn ein Picnic penblwydd yn 50, Dyffryn. Sun 23 Gorff: Dewch yn llu i'r agoriad swyddogol yn Eglwys St Julitta, Capel Curig. Rhaid archebu lle. 23 Gorff - 17 Medi: Eglwys St Julitta, Capel Curig, 24 Gorff. hyd 10 Medi, 11yb - 4yp (ag eithrio dydd Mawrth). 23 Gorff - 17 Medi: Ar daith i Mynydd Gwefru, Llanberis; CAT, Machynlleth; Plas Tan y Bwlch, a lleoliadau eraill i'w cyhoeddi.
Sat 10 June: Sneak preview at the 50th Birthday Picnic, Dyffryn. Sun 23 July: Join us for the official exhibition opening at St Julitta’s Church, Capel Curig. Booking required. 23 July - 17 Sept: St Julitta's Church, Capel Curig, 24 July - 10 Sept, 11am - 4pm (except Tuesdays). 23 July - 17 Sept: On tour to Electric Mountain, Llanberis, CAT, Machynlleth; Plas Tan y Bwlch, and other locations to be announced.
1967 - 2017: Protecting and celebrating Snowdonia for 50 years | 19
50 mlynedd ac ymlaen
Holi ein gwirfoddolwyr Mae gwaith Cymdeithas Eryri wedi dibynnu bob amser ar amser, egni ac arbenigedd llawer o aelodau a gwirfoddolwyr ymroddedig a brwdfrydig. Yn ein blwyddyn pen-blwydd yn 50 oed rydym yn falch o gyflwyno ambell un ohonyn nhw i chi. Yn y rhifyn hwn cyflwynir gwirfoddolwyr Cymdeithas Eryri ac yn ein rhifyn yr hydref byddwn yn cyflwyno aelodau ymroddedig.
Brian a Fran Mae Fran a Brian Cope yn byw yn Llanrwst ac maen nhw wedi bod yn gwirfoddoli i Gymdeithas Eryri ers dros ddeng mlynedd. Pam wnaethoch chi ddechrau gwirfoddoli? Fran: Roedden ni’n arfer dod i’r ardal o Stroud yn Swydd Gaerloyw cyn i ni ymddeol ac fe welson ni rywbeth am y Gymdeithas mewn cylchgrawn. Fe ddaru ni ymaelodi a dechrau gwirfoddoli’n fuan wedyn. Weithiau roeddem ni’n dod am y diwrnod ac yn mynd adref yn wlyb at ein crwyn! Roedd gan y ddau ohonom swyddi cyfrifol yn y Gwasanaeth Iechyd ac roedd yn ffordd o ddianc rhag y gwaith a meddwl am rywbeth arall, a gwneud ffrindiau hefyd. Be ydy’ch profiadau mwyaf cofiadwy? Brian: Rydw i’n cofio amser pan oeddem ni’n hel sbwriel wrth ymyl Plas Tan-ybwlch a chawsom hyd i lawer o fagiau, pyrsiau a bagiau ysgol a adawyd yno gan ladron oedd wedi eu dwyn o fws mini. Doedd dim arian ar ôl, ond roedd llawer o bethau personol, a dychwelwyd y pethau at eu perchnogion gan yr heddlu. Nid dyna’r math o sbwriel a welwn bob tro! Pa weithgareddau ydych chi’n eu mwynhau fwyaf? Brian: Rydw i’n hoffi lladd llwyni Rhodo a mynd i’r afael â chlirio planhigion ymledol. Fran: Rydw i’n mwynhau casglu sbwriel; mae casglu sbwriel ar draeth Harlech bob amser yn helfa dda. Mae’n well gen i weithio wrth sgwrsio â phobl eraill. Roedd Bea’n arfer dweud bod cadw trefn ar y gwirfoddolwyr fel hel cathod, yn enwedig Brian gan ei fod yn hoff o fynd i grwydro a gweithio ar ei ben ei hun. Sut mae gwirfoddoli wedi dylanwadu ar agweddau eraill o’ch bywyd? Brian: Mae gwleidydd yn byw drws nesa i ni ac rydw i’n fodlon iawn cael gair efo hi ynglyn â phethau amgylcheddol lleol oherwydd bod y Gymdeithas wedi ein gwneud yn fwy ymwybodol o beth
sy’n digwydd. Fe ddaru ni ymddeol yma oherwydd ein cariad tuag at yr ardal hefyd. Ydych chi wedi sylwi ar newidiadau o fewn y Parc? Fran: Pan ddaru ni ddechrau mynd i’r Bala i helpu Bill Taylor, Warden y Parc, i glirio Jac y neidiwr, y cwbl oeddech chi’n ei weld o amgylch y llyn oedd y môr o binc. Gan ein bod wedi dychwelyd am sawl blwyddyn, rydym yn wir sylwi ar y gwahaniaeth rwan gan fod llystyfiant arall yn dod yn ôl. Mae hi’r un fath efo’r llwyni Rhodo yn Nant Gwynant – mae yna newid mawr yno. Brian: Yn sicr mae mwy o dyrbinau gwynt o amgylch y lle a chynlluniau ynni dwr hefyd. Fran: Mi fyddai’n dda gweld mwy o bobl ifanc yn dod draw a mwy o’r ardal leol. Mae’n fy synnu i bob amser cyn lleied o’r gwirfoddolwyr sy’n Gymry. Er, wedi meddwl am y peth, roedden ni’r un fath pan oedden ni’n byw yn Stroud – roedd ‘adref’ ar gyfer gwaith a bywyd bob dydd, ac roeddem yn dod i Eryri i wirfoddoli! Be ddylai’r Gymdeithas ganolbwyntio arno yn y dyfodol? Brian: Yn bendant ar yr ochr wleidyddol i sicrhau fod pobl yn ymwybodol o bethau fel cynllun ynni dwr Rhaeadr y Graig Lwyd; mae’n ymddangos bod llawer mwy o’r rhain yn ymddangos. Fran: Sicrhau bod pobl yn gwybod beth sydd ganddyn nhw yma er mwyn iddyn nhw ei werthfawrogi’n well. Pwy sydd wedi eich ysbrydoli o ran byd natur, yn enwedig Eryri? Fran: Rhoddodd Mike Cousins (ymddiriedolwr) gyflwyniad unwaith ar ei brofiadau yn Antarctica ac er nad oedd yn ymwneud yn uniongyrchol ag Eryri roedd yr egwyddorion yr oedd yn eu trafod yn wir yma hefyd. Roedd yn wefreiddiol ac roedd ei ymrwymiad i’r hyn roedd y Gymdeithas yn ei gyflawni’n amlwg.
20 | Gwarchod a dathlu Eryri ers 50 mlynedd: 1967 - 2017
Lucy Fox Ers faint ydych chi’n gwirfoddoli a pham wnaethoch chi ddechrau? Dwi’n gwirfoddoli ers 3 blynedd. Wedi fy magu yn Nhal-y-bont, ro’n i isio rhoi rhywbeth yn ôl i’r ardal. Ro’n i bob tro’n licio gneud pethau yn yr awyr agored – mynydda, lan y môr - a ddaru Mary-Kate awgrymu gwirfoddoli i mi. Be ydy’ch profiadau mwyaf cofiadwy? Cael gwared â Rhododendron ponticum i lawr yn y Bermo - roedd hwnna’n dipyn o ‘workout’! Casglu sbwriel ar yr Wyddfa a synnu efo’r pob math o bethau oedd yn y bag. Wnaethon ni weld papur Mars bar efo logo Olympics 1992 - oedd o’n dal yno! Dro arall, wnaethon ni ffeindio dymbel; roedd rhywun di chwarae pranc ar ffrind, mae’n rhaid, wrth roi’r dymbel trwm yn ei fag, ac roedd o di tynnu’r peth allan a jest wedi’i adael o yna ar ochr y mynydd. Sut mae gwirfoddoli wedi dylanwadu ar agweddau eraill o’ch bywyd? Fel athrawes, dwi di trio helpu plant i werthfawrogi lle maen nhw’n byw a be sy ar eu stepan drws, a’u hannog nhw i feddwl mwy am yr amgylchedd. Mae 'na bethau yn y cwricwlwm am ddatblygu cynaliadwy sy’n gyfle i fi gyflwyno pethau am yr awyr agored. Dydy rhai plant ddim yn hapus eistedd wrth ddesg, a phan ti’n rhoi cyfle i blant fynd allan i ymchwilio ti’n gweld ochr arall iddyn nhw, ochr mwy naturiol. (Parhad ar d.22)
Meet our volunteers The Snowdonia Society's work has always relied on many dedicated and enthusiastic members and volunteers giving their time, energy and expertise. In our 50th anniversary year we are pleased to introduce you to some of them. Our autumn issue will feature dedicated members. This issue features volunteers.
Brian and Fran Fran and Brian Cope live in Llanrwst and have been Snowdonia Society volunteers for over ten years. What motivated you to volunteer? Fran: We used to come to the area regularly from Stroud in Gloucestershire before we retired and saw something about the Society in a magazine. We joined and soon started volunteering. Sometimes we came just for the day and went home wet through! We both had stressful jobs in the NHS and it was a way of getting away from work and thinking about something else, and we made friends too. Brian: I remember the time we were litter-picking near Plas Tan y Bwlch and found a lot of bags, purses and satchels that had been dumped by thieves who had stolen them from a minibus. There was no money left, but lots of personal things, and the police reunited them with their owners. It wasn’t the usual sort of litter! What activities do you most enjoy? Brian: I like rhodi-bashing and getting stuck in to clearing invasives. Fran: I enjoy litter-picking; the beach-clean at Harlech is always a good one. I prefer working with other people to talk to. Bea used to say that keeping the volunteers in order was like herding cats, especially Brian as he likes to wander off and work on his own. Has your volunteering influenced other activities in your life? Brian: We have a politician living next door to us and I feel quite happy to have a go at her about local environmental things because the Society has heightened our awareness of what is going on. We retired here as a result of our love of the area too. What changes have you noticed in Snowdonia? Fran: When we started going to Bala to help Bill Taylor, the SNPA Warden, with himalayan balsam clearance, all you could see around the lake was a sea of pink. As we have been returning over the years, we really notice the difference now other vegetation is reviving. It
(Cont. overleaf)
Lucy Fox What inspired you to start volunteering with the Snowdonia Society? I’ve been volunteering for 3 years. Having grown up in Tal-y-Bont, I wanted to give something back to the area. I had always liked doing things out of doors – climbing, being by the sea – and Mary-Kate suggested I volunteer. What are your most memorable experiences? Getting rid of Rhododendron ponticum down in Barmouth – that was a bit of a work-out! Litter-picking on Snowdon and being surprised by the range of things in the bag. We saw a 1992 Mars bar wrapper with the Olympics logo on it; it was still there! Another time, we found a dumbell; someone must have played a prank on his friend by putting the dumbell in his bag, and it had been taken out and just left on the mountainside. Has your volunteering influenced other activities in your life? As a teacher, I have tried to help the children appreciate where they live and what they have on their doorstep, and try to get them to think more about the environment. There are things in the curriculum about sustainable development, which gives an opportunity to talk about the outdoors. Some children aren’t happy sitting at a desk and when you give them a chance to go out and explore you see another side to them, a more natural side. What changes have you noticed in the way the Society works? Using social media is something I have seen develop. As a regular user of Facebook, it’s great to see information about events and picture of people you know, and be inspired by them, for example a picture of a woman who was running to raise money for the Society. What future challenges do you see Snowdonia facing? Since Lonely Planet named Snowdonia as one of the best places in the world, a lot more people will realise what is here (things like (Cont. overleaf)
1967 - 2017: Protecting and celebrating Snowdonia for 50 years | 21
50 mlynedd ac ymlaen (Lucy, parhad) Ydych chi wedi sylwi ar newidiadau o fewn y Gymdeithas? Mae defnyddio cyfryngau cymdeithasol yn rhywbeth dwi di ei weld yn datblygu. Fel rhywun sy’n defnyddio Facebook yn reit aml, mae’n grêt gweld gwybodaeth am ddigwyddiadau a lluniau o bobl ti’n eu nabod, a chael dy ysbrydoli ganddyn nhw, ee llun o ferch oedd yn rhedeg i gasglu arian at y Gymdeithas. Pa heriau fydd Eryri’n eu hwynebu yn y dyfodol, yn eich barn? Ers i Lonely Planet enwi Eryri fel un o’r llefydd gorau yn y byd, bydd llawer mwy o bobl yn sylweddoli be sy yma (pethau fel Bounce Below a Zip World) ac yn ymweld â’r ardal. Bydd hyn yn beth da oherwydd yr arian a swyddi newydd, ond mae hefyd yn creu mwy o her o ran edrych ar ôl yr amgylchedd.
(Fran & Brian, cont.)
is the same with the rhodi-bashing in Nant Gwynant - there is a big change there. Brian: There are certainly more wind turbines around the place and hydro schemes, too. Where do you think the Society should be focusing its efforts? Fran: It would be good to see more young people coming on board and more from the local area. It always amazes me that an awful lot of volunteers are not Welsh. Though now I think about it, it was the same with us when we lived in Stroud - home was for work and everyday life, and we came to Snowdonia to volunteer! Brian: Definitely on the political side to keep people aware of things like the Conwy Falls Hydro scheme; there seem to be lots more of those popping up. Fran: Keeping people aware of what they have here so that they value it more. Who has most inspired you with regard to the natural world and Snowdonia, in particular? Fran: Mike Cousins (a trustee) gave a presentation once about his experiences in Antarctica which wasn’t directly related to Snowdonia but the principles he was talking about translated to here. It was aweinspiring and his commitment to what the Society was doing came through.
De/Right: Kathy
Be ddylai’r Gymdeithas ganolbwyntio arno yn y dyfodol? Y gwaith lobïo. Er enghraifft, efo Rhaeadr y Graig Lwyd, ella nad ydy rhai pobl yn sylweddoli pa mor bwysig yw nodweddion fel yna i’r ardal. Mae 'na wrthdaro rhwng arian a’r amgylchedd; mae’r Gymdeithas yn gallu bod yn llais i bobl ac i’r amgylchedd, yn herio pobl er mwyn cael yr ateb gorau i’r ardal yn ecolegol. Fyddi di’n perswadio eraill i wirfoddoli? Dwi wrth fy modd yn siarad â myfyrwyr ee yn Wythnos Groeso Prifysgol Bangor. Dwi’n meddwl fod y Gymdeithas yn grêt! Mae pob diwrnod gwaith yn hollol wahanol ac mae ’na rywbeth i bawb: mae’n gyfle i ddysgu medrau a chael profiad gwaith; ti’n gweld llefydd newydd, yn cwrdd â phobl newydd pobl o bob oed ac o bob cefndir, rhai sy di cael eu magu rhywle arall a di symud yma i fyw - a phawb yn gweithio at yr un pwrpas. Fyddai’n cael sgwrs ddifyr bob tro!
(Lucy, cont.) Bounce Below and Zip World), and come and visit. That will be a good thing because of the money and new jobs, but also creates more of a challenge for the environment. Where do you think the Society should be focusing its efforts? Lobbying. For example, with Conwy Falls, maybe some people don’t realise how important places like that are for the area. There is a conflict between money and the environment; the Snowdonia Society can be a voice for people and the environment, challenging people in order to achieve the best deal for the area ecologically. Have you inspired others to volunteer? I love talking to people, eg the Students at Bangor University Welcome Week. I think the Snowdonia Society is great! Every workday is completely different and there is something for everyone: it’s a chance to learn new skills and gain work experience; you see new places, meet new people - people from every background, some who have been brought up elsewhere and moved here to live – everyone working to the same purpose. I have an interesting conversation every time.
Teyrnged i Kathy Clapp Gyda chryn dristwch yr adroddaf am farwolaeth Kathleen Clapp. Roedd Kathy’n aelod sylfaenol o’r Gymdeithas ac yn un o ‘Gorachod Gardd’ gwreiddiol Esmé. Yn wir ‘Gyfaill Tŷ Hyll', parhaodd i gynorthwyo yn yr ardd nes oedd bron yn 90 oed, gan yrru o’r Fflint bob dydd Llun! Arferai Kathy helpu yn y Sêl Blanhigion blynyddol hefyd ac arferai fynychu dyddiau gwaith gyda’i diweddar ŵr, Fred. Er ei bod yn fychan o gorffolaeth ac yn addfwyn roedd yn gymeriad cryf a phenderfynol. Hyd at farwolaeth Fred ni fethodd yr un o’r ddau fynychu’r Cyfarfod Blynyddol. Bydd llawer yn ei cholli gan gynnwys myfi fy hun a Ruth Cox. Mae’r byd yn dlotach o lawer hebddi. Eileen Evans
A tribute to Kathy Clapp It is with much sadness that I report the death of Kathleen Clapp. Kathy was a founder member of the Society and one of Esmé's original 'Garden Gnomes'. A true 'Friend of Tŷ Hyll', she continued helping in the garden until she was almost 90, driving from Flint each Monday! Kathy also helped at the annual Plant Sales and regularly attended workdays with her late husband, Fred. Her petite stature and gentle demeanour belied a staunch and resolute character. Until Fred's death he and Kathy never missed an AGM. Kathy will be sorely missed by many and especially by myself and Ruth Cox. The world is a much poorer place without her. Eileen Evans
22 | Gwarchod a dathlu Eryri ers 50 mlynedd: 1967 - 2017
50 years on
Cymorth ymwelwyr i gadwraethwyr y dyfodol
Visitor giving helps future conservationists
Ym mis Ionawr, cyflwynwyd siec am £3,250 i Gymdeithas Eryri a fydd yn helpu 48 o wirfoddolwyr ifanc i ennill cymhwyster mewn sgiliau cadwraeth ymarferol. Hwn yw'r rhodd cyntaf o dan y cynllun ‘rhodd ymwelwyr’ peilot, Rhodd Eryri, a lansiwyd yn 2016.
In January, the Snowdonia Society was presented with a cheque for £3,250, which will help 48 of our young volunteers gain accreditation for their practical conservation skills. The donation is the first distribution from the visitor giving pilot scheme, Snowdonia Giving, launched in July 2016.
Yn ôl Mary-Kate Jones, Rheolwr Project Ecosystem Eryri, “Mae gwirfoddolwyr Cymdeithas Eryri’n gweithio’n ddygn i gynnal llwybrau’r Wyddfa, clirio rhywogaethau ymledol a chasglu sbwriel. Bydd y gwirfoddolwyr yma’n cael cyfle rŵan i gwblhau uned Medrau Cadwraeth Ymarferol, gydag achrediad Agored Cymru. Fe fyddan nhw’n cael eu gwobrwyo â thystysgrif a fydd yn dangos y medrau ymarferol a’r wybodaeth y maen nhw wedi eu hennill i’w cyflogwyr yn y dyfodol, a’u hannog i ddod yn gadwraethwyr y dyfodol!”
Snowdonia Ecosystem Project Manager, Mary-Kate Jones, says, "Snowdonia Society volunteers work hard to maintain Snowdon’s footpaths, clear invasive species and pick up litter. These volunteers will now have the opportunity to complete a Practical Conservation Skills unit, accredited by Agored Cymru. They will be awarded with a certificate that will show future employers the practical skills and knowledge they have gained, setting them on the path to become the conservationists of the future!”
"Mae sawl enghraifft o gynlluniau ‘rhodd ymwelwyr’ ym Mhrydain ble mae ymwelwyr yn cael eu gwahodd i gyfrannu swm bach gwirfoddol yn ychwanegol i’w bil mewn atyniadau, bwytai neu llety," meddai Rhian Hughes, cydlynydd Rhodd Eryri. Credwyd fod potensial i’r cynllun yng Ngwynedd yn dilyn adroddiad dichonoldeb gan Cyngor Gwynedd, a buasai modd dechrau cynllun ar raddfa fechan fel peilot. "Lansiwyd cynllun Rhodd Eryri yn 2016 ac erbyn hyn mae 28 busnes wedi ymuno. Maent yn cynnwys atyniadau, gwestai, digwyddiadau, siopau - i gyd â ffordd wahanol o ofyn am rodd wirfoddol gan eu cwsmeriaid. Nod y peilot yw adnabod awydd ymysg ymwelwyr, adnabod awydd ymysg busnesau a threialu gwahanol dulliau o godi arian mewn partneriaeth gyda’r busnesau."
"There are several examples of visitor giving schemes in Britain where visitors are invited to donate a small additional amount on top of their bill at attractions, restaurants or accommodation," explains Snowdonia Giving coordinator, Rhian Hughes. "Following a feasibility report by Gwynedd Council it was believed that there was potential for such a scheme in Gwynedd and it would be worth testing a small pilot scheme. "‘Snowdonia Giving’ was launched in 2016 and 28 businesses have joined the scheme so far. The businesses include attractions, hotels, events and shops, each with a different method of asking for a voluntary donation from their customers. The aim of the pilot is to identify a desire to donate among visitors, recognise the desire among businesses to help, and test different approaches of raising funds in partnership with businesses."
Bydd llwybrau mynydd yr Wyddfa, taith gylchol yr Wyddfa a phobl ifanc hefyd yn elwa o incwm y cynllun.
Other local causes that will benefit from the scheme include Snowdon mountain footpaths, Snowdon circular walk,and young people.
Diolch yn fawr i'r busnesau sydd wedi cofrestru gyda chynllun Rhodd Eryri hyd yn hyn!
Thanks to all the fantastic businesses who have signed up to the Snowdonia Giving scheme so far!
Am ragor o wybodaeth am Rhodd Eryri, sut i gymryd rhan fel busnes, neu sut i gyfrannu, ewch i www.rhodderyri.cymru
To find out more about Snowdonia Giving, how your business can join or how you can donate visit www.rhodderyri.cymru
Am ragor o wybodaeth am sut i elwa fel gwirfoddolwr, cysylltwch â volunteer@snowdonia-society.org.uk
To find out how to benefit as a volunteer contact: volunteer@snowdonia-society.org.uk
1967 - 2017: Protecting and celebrating Snowdonia for 50 years | 23
gwneud gwahaniaeth
Diolch am adael mwy nag Thank you for leaving olion traed! more than footprints! Mae Cymdeithas Eryri’n hynod o ddiolchgar i amryw o gynaelodau a adawodd gofroddion hael yn ystod misoedd olaf 2016. Dyma hwb rhagorol i adnoddau’r Gymdeithas ar drothwy ein pen-blwydd yn 50.
The Snowdonia Society is extremely grateful to several former members who left generous legacies in the last few months of 2016. This was a wonderful boost to the Society’s resources on the eve of our 50th anniversary.
Wrth i ni dderbyn y cofroddion hyn daeth y newyddion bod yr holl waith a wnaed ar ymgyrch Rhaeadr y Graig Lwyd wedi talu ar ei ganfed, a bod y cais cynllunio wedi ei dynnu’n ôl; mae harddwch y rhaeadr yn ddiogel am rŵan, a bydd bywyd yr afon a chynefinoedd gwerthfawr Fairy Glen yn parhau i’n hysbrydoli a’n swyno.
Receipt of these legacies coincided with news that all the hard work put into the Conwy Falls campaign had paid off, with the planning application being withdrawn; the splendour of the waterfall is safe for now, the river life and the magic and precious habitats of Fairy Glen will remain to inspire and delight us.
Dyma ymgyrch pwysig i’r Gymdeithas, yn torri tir newydd ac ymestyn ein holl adnoddau i’r eithaf; mae angen arian ac amser staff i gyfathrebu’r ymgyrch, sicrhau adroddiadau arbenigwyr, ymweliadau safle a lobïo. Er gwneud pob ymdrech i geisio gadael i aelodau wybod am gynnydd yr ymgyrch, roeddem yn ymwybodol iawn y gallem fod yn gwneud cymaint mwy. Mae cofroddion, bach neu fawr, yn rhan hanfodol o incwm y Gymdeithas a bydd rhoddion o’r fath yn ein helpu i ddatblygu’r math yma o waith, dysgu i’w wneud yn fwy effeithiol a pherswadio mwy o bobl bod Eryri’n cynnig llawenydd, rhyfeddod ac antur a bod angen parhau i warchod ei nodweddion arbennig yn wyneb bygythiadau cyfoes sylweddol. Felly rydym yn ymestyn diolch diffuant i’r canlynol am gofio Eryri a Chymdeithas Eryri yn eu hewyllys: Mrs P Morris Miss P Hadley Miss F Mottershead
Treth etifeddiaeth Peidiwch â’i roi i’r dyn treth! Rhowch o i’ch hoff achos... Wrth ddarllen ewyllys ei thad ar ôl ei farwolaeth, roedd Anita yn synnu nad oedd sôn yno am gymynroddion. Roedd ei thad wedi cefnogi achosion amgylcheddol ar hyd ei oes ac wedi annog Anita i wneud yr un fath. Cafodd ei synnu hefyd i ddarganfod y byddai angen talu Treth Etifeddiaeth (TE) oherwydd chwyddiant yng ngwerthoedd tai. Soniodd Anita, yr unig fuddiolwr, y diffyg cymynroddion elusennol i’w chyfreithiwr, gan ychwanegu y byddai’n rhoi ei rhodd ei hun o’i hetifeddiaeth. “Gallaf awgrymu gwell dewis,” meddai’r cyfreithiwr. “Os wnewch chi newid ffurf yr ewyllys i roi 10% o ran drethadwy’r stad i elusen, byddwch yn talu dim ond 36% TE yn hytrach na 40%. Bydd eich etifeddiaeth ychydig yn llai, ond bydd elusen yn elwa llawer mwy.” O ystyried y disgwylid i werth y stad fod yn £525,000, eglurodd
24 | Gwarchod a dathlu Eryri ers 50 mlynedd: 1967 - 2017
This was a major campaign for the Society, breaking new ground and stretching all our resources to the limit; campaign communications, specialist reports, site visits and lobbying all require money and staff time. Despite trying hard to keep members informed of progress, we were only too aware that we could be doing so much more. Legacies, large and small, are a critical part of the Society’s income and such gifts will help us grow this kind of work, learn to do it more effectively and persuade more people of the joy, wonder and adventure that Snowdonia offers and that, in the face of significant modern threats, Snowdonia’s special features still need protecting. So we extend a sincere thank you to the following for remembering Snowdonia and the Snowdonia Society in their wills: Mrs P Morris Miss P Hadley Miss F Mottershead
y byddai ei dewis elusen yn gallu derbyn £20,000*, pe bai hi’n fforffedu dim ond £4,800 o’i budd. Gan ei bod wedi bwriadu rhoi £5,000 i elusen o’i hetifeddiaeth, sylweddolodd Anita y byddai hyn yn ddull llawer mwy effeithiol o roi, a phenderfynodd y byddai’n gwneud amrywiad elusennol ar yr ewyllys. Wrth gwrs, byddai’r un raddfa ostyngol wedi bod yn berthnasol pe bai ei thad wedi rhoi o leiaf 10% o’i stad net ef i elusen. Os ydych chi’n debygol o etifeddu, os ydych chi wedi etifeddu’n ddiweddar, neu os ydych chi’n bwriadu ysgrifennu eich ewyllys, pam na wnewch chi fanteisio ar TE ar y raddfa ostyngol a gwneud gwahaniaeth enfawr i achos sy’n agos at eich calon? Yn yr un modd, os ydych chi eisoes wedi ysgrifennu eich ewyllys, gallwch ychwanegu gweithred o amrywiaeth i sicrhau’r un effaith.
--*Mae amodau’n bodoli; argymhellwn eich bod yn ymgynghori â chyfreithiwr. Mwy o wybodaeth: www.snowdonia-society.org.uk/cy/gadael-cymynrodd/ www.gov.uk/inheritance-tax-reduced-rate-calculator Nid yw Anita yn bodoli fel unigolyn a lluniwyd y stori i ddisgrifio sefyllfa bosibl.
The difference you make Cronfa at Ddyfodol Eryri!
A fund for Snowdonia’s future!
Mae eich cefnogaeth yn gwneud gwahaniaeth mawr i Eryri.
Your support makes a huge difference to Snowdonia.
Heb 50 mlynedd o wirfoddolwyr ac aelodau yn cyfrannu eu hamser a’u harian i ofalu am ac amddiffyn y mynyddoedd, y dyffrynnoedd a’r golygfeydd arbennig, fyddai Eryri'n edrych yn wahanol iawn heddiw.
Without 50 years of volunteers and members giving their time and their money to look after and protect these special peaks, valleys and vistas, Snowdonia would surely look very different today.
Ond 50 mlynedd wedyn ac mae ar Eryri angen ein gwaith a’ch cymorth yn fwy nag erioed!
50 years on, Snowdonia needs our work and your help more than ever! To mark our 50th anniversary and ensure the Snowdonia Society can respond effectively to future challenges and opportunities, we have launched a 50 Years Future Fund.
I nodi ein hanner canmlwyddiant a chaniatáu i ni ymateb yn effeithiol i fygythiadau a chyfleodd newydd, rydym wedi lansio Cronfa’r Dyfodol. Cyfrannwch nawr a helpwch ni i ddatblygu ein cronfa fel gallwn ni fod yn barod am y dyfodol! (Gweler y clawr cefn.)
Please donate now and help build our fund to help us get fit for the future! (See back page feature.)
Byddai cyfraniad o £28 yn talu am achredu gwirfoddolwr trwy ein huned newydd, Sgiliau Cadwraeth Ymarferol; byddai £250 yn talu i ni archwilio ac ysgrifennu ymateb i gais cynllunio syml.
£28 would pay for a volunteer to be accredited under our new Practical Conservation Skills unit; £250 would pay for us to research and write a response to a simple planning application. Let’s make sure that, 50 years from now, Snowdonia is better loved, better valued and better enjoyed by all!
A dewch i ni sicrhau y bydd Eryri, ymhen 50 mlynedd, yn lle sy’n cael ei garu’n well, ei werthfawrogi’n well a’i fwynhau yn well gan bawb.
Thank you, David Archer, Chair
Diolch, David Archer, Cadeirydd
Inheritance tax Don’t give it to the taxman! Give it to your favourite cause... Reading her father’s will after he died, Anita was surprised that there were no charity bequests. Her father had supported environmental causes all his life and had encouraged Anita to do the same. She was also surprised to discover Inheritance Tax (IHT) would be due because of inflation in house values. Anita, the sole beneficiary, mentioned the lack of charitable bequests to her solicitor, adding that she would make her own donation from her inheritance. “I can suggest a better option,” said the solicitor. “If you vary the will to give 10% of the taxable portion of the estate to charity, you pay only 36% IHT instead of 40%. Your inheritance will be marginally less, but a charity will gain considerably more.”
Given the value of the estate was expected to be £525,000 he explained that by forfeiting only £4,800 of her benefit, her chosen charity could receive £20,000*. Having intended to give £5,000 to a charity from her inheritance, Anita realised this would be a far more effective way of giving, and decided to make a charitable variation on the will. Of course, the same reduced rate IHT would have applied if her father had given at least 10% of his net estate to charity. If you are likely to inherit, if you have inherited recently, or if you are intending to write your will, why not take advantage of reduced rate IHT and make a huge difference to a cause you care about? Likewise, if you have already written your will, you can add a deed of variation to the same effect. --*Conditions apply; it is recommended that you consult a solicitor. More information: www.snowdonia-society.org.uk/leave-legacy www.gov.uk/inheritance-tax-reduced-rate-calculator Anita is not a real person and this story is for illustrative purposes only.
1967 - 2017: Protecting and celebrating Snowdonia for 50 years | 25
Llyfrau ● Books Days to Remember gan/by Rob Collister Vertebrate Publishing Mae gan bob un ohonom ddyddiau yr ydym am eu cofio. Yn y llyfr hwn, mae’r arweinydd mynydd adnabyddus Rob Collister yn dod â rhai o’i atgofion yn fyw ac yn ysbrydoli anturiaethau yn y dyfodol yr un pryd.
We all have days to remember. In Days to Remember, renowned mountain guide Rob Collister does a superb job of evoking some of those memories whilst inspiring future adventures.
Mae’r straeon byr a llawn gwybodaeth yma’n adrodd ei anturiaethau wrth ddringo, sgïo, beicio a rhedeg drwy’r tirlun lle mae’n byw, ei Gymru hoff, ac ar deithiau i bellafoedd y byd megis Periw, India a’r Lebanon.
These short, insightful tales relay his adventures while climbing, scrambling, skiing, cycling and running through the landscape on his doorstep, his beloved Wales, and on expeditions to far flung places such as Peru, India and Lebanon.
Digwyddodd llawer o anturiaethau Collister pan oedd ar ei ben ei hun ac eto mae’n awgrymu yn ei straeon ei fod wedi mwynhau cwmni’r tirlun, y bywyd gwyllt a’r hanes, ac mae’n cyfleu gwerthfawrogiad cryf o’r rhain a chryn wybodaeth.
Many of Collister’s adventures are taken alone, yet his narrative implies that he found company in the stories of the landscape, the wildlife and history, of which he conveys deep appreciation and knowledge.
Gallwch bicio i mewn ac allan o’r llyfr hwn, darllen y penodau yn eu trefn, eistedd am oriau neu dreulio 20 munud mewn diwrnod prysur i ysbrydoli eich dyheadau am antur. Yr hyn sy’n sefyll allan i mi o’r straeon eraill yn y llyfr, a’r hyn sy’n apelio fwyaf ataf ynglŷn â’r llyfr, yw’r adlewyrchu gan Collister rhwng byw mewn byd lle mae pobl yn mynnu cael mwy a mwy o’r tirlun a’i warchod am y rhesymau yr ydym yn ei werthfawrogi. Wrth rannu ei farn am ffensio ar yr ucheldir, ôl-troed carbon, ynni gwynt, sgio-heli a mwy, mae Collister yn ein herio ni i gwestiynu sut allwn ni sicrhau cydbwysedd, a sut allwn ni warchod y tirlun ar gyfer cenedlaethau’r dyfodol fel eu bod nhw’n gallu ei fwynhau fel yr ydym ni. Bydd y llyfr hwn yn eich ysbrydoli i fynd ar fwy o anturiaethau, i sylwi ar fwy wrth i chi grwydro ac i ffurfio eich barn eich hun ar warchodaeth amgylcheddol. Catherine Williams www.eryri-bywiol.com Mae Eryri-Bywiol yn helpu arweinwyr mynydd i ddysgu am yr amgylchedd y maen nhw’n gweithio ynddo, i drosglwyddo’r wybodaeth honno ac i greu gweledigaeth ynglŷn â’r cydbwysedd rhwng hamdden a chadwraeth.
You can dip in out of this absorbing read, take the chapters as you wish, sit for hours or simply take a 20 minute time-out to awaken your spirit of adventure. Standing out from other renditions of days in the mountains, and what most appeals to me about this book, is the impasse which Collister reflects on between living in a world where people demand more from the landscape and conserving it for the very reasons we love it. Sharing his opinions on fencing in the uplands, carbon footprint, wind power, heli-skiing and more, Collister challenges us to question how we can strike a balance, and how the landscape can be preserved for future generations to enjoy as we so do. This book will inspire you to take more adventures, notice more as you go and elicit your own views on environmental protection. Catherine Williams www.snowdonia-active.com Snowdonia-Active helps outdoor leaders learn about the environments they operate in, pass that knowledge on and build insight into the balance between recreation and conservation.
26 | Gwarchod a dathlu Eryri ers 50 mlynedd: 1967 - 2017
Copaon Cymru Cyfres o ddisgrifiadau, Cymraeg eu hiaith, o lwybrau mynyddoedd ledled Cymru ydi Copaon Cymru. Ysbrydoledig a phleserus oedd cael teithio o amgylch y copaon yng nghwmni geiriau aelodau Clwb Mynydda Cymru, a braint oedd cael troedio yng ngogoniant ucheldir Cymru. Cychwynna gyda chyflwyniad gan John Grisedale; disgrifia darddiad, ystyr a datblygiad y gair mynyddwr, amlygodd ferched a dynion adnabyddus y maes, a rhoddodd glod cyfiawn i Glwb Mynydda Cymru ar ei lwyddiant parhaol. Iolo ap Gwynn oedd yn dilyn, gyda chrynodeb fer o hanes Clwb Mynydda Cymru o’i sefydliad a’i anturiaeth gyntaf ar hyd y Carneddau, i gyflwyno’r llyfr hwn, a phob peth cyffrous yn y canol. Yno, daw uchafbwynt y llyfr, disgrifiadau ysbrydoledig, lluniau gwerth chweil a hanes gafaelgar prif gopaon Cymru, o Dan y Fan i Ben-y-fâl. Rhaid canmol y cynhyrchwyr am rwyddineb dilyn y llyfr hwn. Mae crynodeb o’r wybodaeth sylfaenol ar ddechrau pob pennod: map, disgrifiad byr, awgrym o fap a manylion uchder, hyd ac amser y daith. Fel un sydd wedi gwirioni gyda byd natur a hanes, cyffrous oedd dod ar draws bocs bach gwyrdd bob hyn a hyn gyda straeon addysgiadol, megis rôl gadwraethol merlod y Carneddau, neu bwt hanesyddol, megis Brwydr Hyddgen yn ardal Pumlumon. Roedd angerdd a brwdfrydedd am fynydda copaon Cymru yn amlwg ac yn gryf gan gyfranwyr y llyfr hwn, sydd wedi llwyddo i fy ysgogi i fynd allan i fynydda’n lleol, a hefyd i werthfawrogi ac i ddysgu am yr ardal fawreddog hon. Bethan Wynne Jones Copaon Cymru (Wales' peaks) is an impressive Welsh Language volume of mountain walks and climbs described by individual members of Clwb Mynydda Cymru (mountaineering club of Wales) and is published by the club. It also includes a summary of the club's history.
Newyddion ● News Celf mewn Tirlun: dadl gyhoeddus
Art in Landscape: a public debate
Yn dilyn gosod dau ddarn o gelf gyhoeddus ar lethrau’r Wyddfa'r haf diwethaf cafwyd cryn ddadlau o fewn pwyllgor gwaith Cymdeithas Eryri. Bu peintiad yn arnofio ar rafft ar Lyn Llydaw am chwe mis. Yna, gosodwyd darn mawr o gelf adlewyrchol yn ffurfio’r gair EPIC ger Penygwryd am wythnos. Gan fod y tirfeddiannwr wedi rhoi ei ganiatâd yn y ddau achos, doedd y Parc Cenedlaethol ddim yn gallu gwneud dim ynglŷn â’r peth.
The installation of two public artworks on the flanks of Snowdon last summer aroused strong feelings within the Snowdonia Society’s executive committee. A painting was floated on a raft on Llyn Llydaw for six months. Then a huge mirrored edifice forming the word EPIC was installed near Penygwryd for a week. In both cases because the landowner had given his consent, the National Park Authority was powerless to do anything about it.
Roedd ambell i aelod o’r pwyllgor wedi eu cythruddo gan y gosodiadau, roedd eraill wrth eu bodd. Gan na chafwyd cytundeb, penderfynodd y pwyllgor gynnal dadl gyhoeddus.
Some committee members were outraged by the installations, others were enthused. Reaching no agreement, the committee decided to hold a public debate.
Diolch i Gareth Roberts, cynhaliwyd y ddadl yn yr Amgueddfa Gelf Fodern ym Machynlleth ym mis Hydref. Cadeiriwyd y ddadl, a gynhaliwyd mewn partneriaeth â’r Grŵp Ymchwil Tirlun, yn fedrus gan Dr Peter Wakelin, hanesydd a churadur celf.
Thanks to Gareth Roberts this eventually took place at the Museum of Modern Art in Machynlleth in October. Held in partnership with the Landscape Research Group, the debate was ably chaired by Dr. Peter Wakelin, art historian and curator.
Cynigiodd Gareth Roberts, sydd wedi graddio mewn celf gain ac yn ymddiriedolwr gyda Chymdeithas Eryri, 'Dylai’r tŷ hwn ystyried na ddylai gosodiadau celf gyhoeddus a gosodiadau’n ymwneud â chelf fod yn atebol i unrhyw reolaeth rheoli bellach’.
Gareth Roberts, a fine-arts graduate and a trustee of the Snowdonia Society, proposed the motion, ‘This house considers that public art and arts related installations should not be subjected to any further development controls’.
Ei ddadl oedd bod Parc Cenedlaethol Eryri’n dirlun gwarchodedig eisoes a holodd pwy fyddai’n gymwys i wneud penderfyniadau ynglŷn â phryd, ym mhle, ac a ddylid awdurdodi gosodiadau celf gyhoeddus ac ar ba sail.
He argued that the Snowdonia National Park is a protected landscape already and who would be qualified to make decisions about when, where and whether to authorise public art installations and on what basis.
Fe’i cefnogwyd gan Ewan Allinson, cerflunydd, gweithredwr diwylliannol a Phrif Swyddog Gwaith y Rhwydwaith Tirlun a Chelf. Dadl Ewan oedd bod artistiaid wedi herio’r status quo erioed a’u bod yn diwallu gweithrediadau pwysig drwy wneud hynny, ac wrth annog persbectif newydd ar y tirlun a’n rôl ni ynddo.
He was supported by Ewan Allinson, a sculptor, cultural activist and CEO of Landscape and Arts Network. Ewan argued that artists have always challenged the status quo and serve an important function by so doing, encouraging new perspectives on the landscape and our role in it.
Gwrthwynebwyd y cynnig gan Paul Gannon, hefyd yn un o ymddiriedolwyr Cymdeithas Eryri, a’i ddadl ef oedd bod rhaid ystyried y ddau osodiad dan sylw fel ymgyrchoedd marchnata, un i gwmni gosod tai gwyliau a’r llall yn rhan o ymgyrch £4 miliwn gan Ymweld â Chymru.
The motion was opposed by Paul Gannon, also a Snowdonia Society trustee, who argued that the two installations in question had to be viewed as marketing campaigns, one for a holiday let company and the other part of a £4 million campaign by Visit Wales.
Roedd Rob Collister, arweinydd mynydd, yn bryderus y byddai gosodiadau fel y peintiad ar y llyn yn gallu arwain at doreth o ddulliau hysbysebu’n cael eu gosod yn enw celf.
Rob Collister, a mountain guide, was concerned that installations like the painting on the lake could lead to a proliferation of advertising gimmicks masquerading as art.
Agorwyd y ddadl i gyfraniadau gan gynulleidfa fechan ond brwd a siaradodd bron pob un ohonyn nhw. Yn ôl Howard Bowcott, cerflunydd lleol adnabyddus, mae mwy neu lai pob tirlun yng Nghymru wedi ei newid gan ddyn i ryw raddau. Roedd yn rhaid ystyried yr Wyddfa, yn arbennig, gyda’i hanes amlwg o fwyngloddio, fel tirlun diwylliannol lle mae celf yn cael lle haeddiannol. Meddai Helen Berry, cerddwr mynydd brwd, “Os ydw i am weld celf rydw i’n mynd i oriel gelf. Os ydw i am gael profiad o fyd natur rydw i’n dringo mynydd.” Gwrthwynebodd Peter Lord ddillad llachar cerddwyr mynydd ac roedd yn eithaf hyf am ynganiad Cymraeg y ddau wrthwynebydd. Roedd John Farrar, ffotograffydd tirlun, yn glir bod “Eich gosodiad celf yn dinistrio fy synnwyr o le.”
The debate was opened to contributions from a small but engaged audience nearly all of whom spoke. Howard Bowcott, well-known local sculptor, pointed out that virtually all landscape in Wales has been modified by Man to some degree. Snowdon, in particular, with its very visible mining past had to be seen as a cultural landscape in which art deserves a place. Helen Berry, a keen hill-walker, declared, “If I want to see art I go to an art gallery. If I want to experience wild nature I go up a mountain.” Art historian Peter Lord objected to the bright clothing of hill walkers and was quite rude about the Welsh pronunciation of the two opposers. John Farrar, landscape photographer, was clear that “Your art installation destroys my sense of place.”
Wedi awr a hanner o drafodaeth gorchfygwyd y cynnig gyda deuddeg pleidlais yn erbyn, wyth dros y cynnig a rhai’n ymatal rhag pleidleisio. Roedd y bleidlais yn erbyn wedi cynyddu rhywfaint ar y bleidlais a gymerwyd cyn y ddadl.
After an hour and a half of discussion the motion was defeated with twelve votes against, eight in favour and a few abstentions. The vote against had increased slightly on the vote taken before the debate.
1967 - 2017: Protecting and celebrating Snowdonia for 50 years | 27
Newyddion ● News
1967 2017 Uchafbwyntiau digwyddiadur 2017 Events highlights Rydym wedi trefnu rhaglen arbennig o ddigwyddiadau ar gyfer blwyddyn pen-blwydd Cymdeithas Eryri yn 50. Ychydig o le sydd ar gael ambell dro, felly cofiwch archebu’n gynnar i osgoi cael eich siomi. Mae tâl am rai digwyddiadau; fel arall, gwahoddir cyfraniadau.
The Snowdonia Society's 50th anniversary year sees a special programme of events. Members and non-members equally welcome; capacity often limited, so book early to avoid disappointment. There is a charge for some events; otherwise donations are invited.
Gwener 19 - Sul 21 Mai: Gŵyl Gerdded Trefriw Ymunwch ag un, dwy neu’r tair taith dywys yr ydym wedi eu cynllunio ar gyfer Gŵyl Gerdded Trefriw, hawdd, canolog neu anodd. Rhaid archebu drwy gyfrwng gwefan GGT. Sad 10 Mehefin: Picnic pen-blwydd yn 50, Dyffryn Picnic arbennig iawn i ddathlu ein pen-blwydd yn 50 yn Nyffryn Mymbyr, cyn-gartref sylfaenydd y Gymdeithas, Esmé Kirby. Ymunwch â ni am daith hamddenol, teisen, sgyrsiau a chipolwg ar ein harddangosfa 50 Mlynedd. Rhaid archebu lle. Sul 1 - Sad 8 Gorffennaf: Ymweld ag Ynys Enlli Gwyliau hudolus am wythnos i ddarganfod byd natur a hanes diwylliannol ac ysbrydol Enlli, neu dewch draw am y dydd ar ddydd Sul 2il Gorffennaf. Gyda sgyrsiau a theithiau tywys. Rhaid archebu lle. Sul 23 Gorffennaf: Lansio'r Arddangosfa, '50 Mlynedd ac Ymlaen', 3yp. Ymunwch â ni yn lansiad swyddogol ein harddangosfa penblwydd 50 Mlynedd yn Eglwys St Julitta, Capel Curig, lle cynhelir yr arddangosfa hyd 17 Medi. Rhaid archebu lle. Gwen 29 a Sad 30 Medi: Penwythnos Gwnewch Gwahaniaeth! Ymunwch â dros 100 o wirfoddolwyr am ddau ddiwrnod llawn gweithgaredd i Wneud Gwahaniaeth (GG) yn Eryri. Cadwraeth ymarferol, gweithdai ac adloniant yn lleoliad hyfryd Craflwyn ger Beddgelert. Digwyddiad na ddylech ei fethu mewn partneriaeth â sawl corff lleol arall. Sad 14 a Sul 15 Hydref: 'Wynebu'r Dyfodol', CCB a Chynhadledd Digwyddiad allweddol i aelodau, i’w gynnal ym Mhlas Tan y Bwlch yn Eryri. Siaradwyr gwadd: Iolo Williams, Dame Fiona Reynolds a mwy. Llety ar gael. Rhaid archebu lle. CCB: Sad 14eg, 10yb.
Fri 19 - Sun 21 May: Trefriw Walking Festival Join one, two or all three of the guided walks we have planned for the 2017 Trefriw Walking Festival, easy, medium or hard. Booking essential through TWF website. Sat 10 June: Birthday picnic, Dyffryn A very special picnic to celebrate our 50th anniversary at Dyffryn Mymbyr, former home of the Society’s founder Esmé Kirby. Join us for a gentle walk, cake, talks and a preview of our 50 Years exhibition. Booking essential. Sat 1 - Sat 8 July: Bardsey holiday or day visit A magical week-long holiday to discover the island’s natural, cultural and spiritual history. Or just visit for the day on Sunday 2nd July. With talks and guided walks. Booking essential. Sun 23 July: 50 Years On - Exhibition launch, Capel Curig, 3pm Join us for the official opening of our 50 Years anniversary exhibition at St.Julitta’s Church, Capel Curig, where the exhibition will be on display until 17 Sept. Booking required. Fri 29 & Sat 30 Sept: MAD weekend Join over 100 volunteers for an action-packed two days to Make A Difference (MAD) in Snowdonia. Practical conservation, workshops and entertainment in the stunning location surrounding Craflwyn Hall near Beddgelert. An unmissable event in partnership with several local organisations. Booking essential. Sat 14 & Sun 15 Oct: 'Facing the Future', AGM & Conference Weekend A key event for members, to be held at Plas Tan y Bwlch in the heart of Snowdonia. Guest speakers: Iolo Williams, Dame Fiona Reynolds and more. Accommodation available. Booking essential. AGM: Sat 14th, 10am.
Lawrlwythwch y rhaglen ddigwyddiadau gyfan: www.snowdonia-society.org.uk/cy/digwyddiadur
Download the full events programme: www.snowdonia-society.org.uk/events
01286 685498
claire@snowdonia-society.org.uk
28 | Gwarchod a dathlu Eryri ers 50 mlynedd: 1967 - 2017
Llythyrau ● Letters Wrth fynd trwy hen gofnodion y Gymdeithas yn ddiweddar, ddaethom o hyd i'r toriad hwn o 1994. Dydy pryderon am gynlluniau hydro-electrig ar afonydd Eryri ddim yn beth newydd! While going through old Society records, recently, we came across this cutting from The Times from 1994 evidence that concerns about hydroelectric schemes on Snowdonia's rivers are nothing new.
Fighting for Welsh countryside and industrial heritage From Lord Elis Thomas of Nant Conwy and others Sir, The lack of action on proposals put forward in March 1991 by the Edwards panel for safeguarding national parks in England and Wales is resulting in serious problems in Snowdonia. We are aware of six planning or abstraction applications relating to smallscale hydro-electric schemes within the Snowdonia National Park, and at least 20 other such schemes being considered by the electricity industry. We do not oppose hydro-electric power; indeed, we are generally in favour of the production of energy from renewable resources. However, we are so concerned about some of these applications that we are launching a campaign to urge the Welsh Office and the Snowdonia National Park Authority to designate those rivers in which biological integrity has been maintained and where landscape value has been generally recognized as “wild and scenic rivers”, upon which there should be no
Croesewir llythyrau a sylwadau ar unrhyw agwedd o’n gwaith a’n hymgyrchoedd, neu ar unrhyw fater sy’n effeithio ar y Parc Cenedlaethol. Argraffir llythyrau yn yr iaith y cawn hwy.
hydro-electric schemes or other developments. We would, of course, be critical of proposals on rivers outside those designated, where we felt a proposal was not in keeping with the scale or character of the river. However, a designation of the kind we propose would save both developers and voluntary and statutory bodies much time and effort. It would also serve to protect some rivers which are worthy of being included in the national park. Yours etc. ELIS THOMAS of NANT CONWY (Chairman, Wild and Scenic Rivers Campaign), NEIL CALDWELL (Campaign for the Protection of Rural Wales), DAVID FIRTH (Snowdonia National Park Society), EIFION JONES (North Wales Wildlife Trust), Tŷ Hyll, Capel Curig, Betws y Coed, Gwynedd. June 24 [1994]
We welcome letters or comments on any aspect of our work and campaigns or on any issue that affects the National Park. Letters are printed in the language in which we receive them.
Cymdeithas Eryri the Snowdonia Society, Yr Hen Ysgol, Caban, Brynrefail, Caernarfon LL55 3NR
2017 yw ‘Blwyddyn Chwedlau’ yng Nghymru Mae Cymdeithas Eryri yn cynorthwyo gyda chyflwyniad project 'Visit Wales' o’r enw ‘Chwedlau Eryri’. Mae oddeutu 40 o ysgolion cynradd ag uwchradd yn cymryd rhan yn y project hwn. Arweinir gweithdai gan awduron ac artistiaid ysbrydoledig a bydd y plant yn cyfarfod rhai o’r bobl sy’n helpu i warchod y Parc Cenedlaethol. Bydd pob ysgol yn cael cyfle i ysgrifennu eu chwedl gryno eu hunain, a chesglir eu gwaith ynghyd mewn llyfr fydd yn cael ei lansio yn yr Eisteddfod Genedlaethol eleni. Arweinir y project gan dîm addysg Awdurdod Parc Cenedlaethol Eryri.
info@snowdonia-society.org.uk
2017 is Wales 'Year of Legends' The Snowdonia Society is helping to deliver Visit Wales' 'Legends of Snowdonia' project involving some 40 primary and secondary schools. Workshops will be led by inspiring authors and artists and the children will meet some of the people who help to look after the National Park.
year's National Eisteddfod. This project is being led by the education team at Snowdonia National Park Authority.
Each school will be given the opportunity to write their own mini legend, and their work will be compiled in a book to be launched at this
Castell Dolbadarn Castle © Steve Lewis
1967 - 2017: Protecting and celebrating Snowdonia for 50 years | 29
50 mlynedd ac ymlaen
Pen-blwydd Hapus yn 50 ● Happy 50th Birthday Cyfarchion pen-blwydd oddi wrth Awdurdod Parc Cenedlaethol Eryri
Birthday greetings from Snowdonia National Park Authority
Er i Barc Cenedlaethol Eryri gael ei sefydlu un mlynedd ar bymtheg yn gynharach, roedd sefydlu Cymdeithas Parc Cenedlaethol Eryri gan Esmé a Peter Kirby ym 1967 yn gwbl allweddol i ddatblygiad y Parc Cenedlaethol. Wrth edrych yn ôl, efallai nad ydy’r berthynas honno wedi bod yn fêl i gyd ar hyd y blynyddoedd, ond ers y dechrau, rydym yn gweithio gyda’n gilydd i wella Eryri ar gyfer ei thrigolion, ei defnyddwyr a’i hamgylchedd arbennig.
Although the Snowdonia National Park was established sixteen years earlier, the founding of the Snowdonia National Park Society by Esmé and Peter Kirby in 1967 was critical to the development of the National Park. In retrospect, that relationship has not always been rosy but, from the beginning, we have worked together to improve Snowdonia for its inhabitants, its users and its special environment.
Mae cydweithio â’n gilydd wedi bod yn brofiad adeiladol dros ben. Heb os nac oni bai, mae’r gwaith a gyflawnwyd gan Gymdeithas Eryri a’i haelodau wedi cyfrannu’n helaeth at yr hyn yw Awdurdod y Parc heddiw. Un mlynedd ar hugain yn ôl, wrth i’r Parc Cenedlaethol ddod yn awdurdod lleol annibynnol ac yn awdurdod cynllunio, roedd cefnogaeth y Gymdeithas yn allweddol i lwyddiant y broses. Yn yr un modd, roedd derbyn cefnogaeth y Gymdeithas yn galondid mawr i ni wrth ymgyrchu am gyllid i gynnig gwell profiad i ymwelwyr ar gopa uchaf Cymru. Yn 2009 agorwyd Hafod Eryri, a mawr yw ein dyled a’n diolch i’r Gymdeithas am sicrhau gwireddu cynllun mor uchelgeisiol ar gyfer safle mor eiconig. Yr ydym hefyd yn hynod o ddiolchgar am gyfraniad gwirfoddolwyr Cymdeithas Eryri dros y blynyddoedd gan sicrhau fod llawer o waith yn cael ei gyflawni ar lawr gwlad i wella’r amgylchedd. Gwnaed cyfraniad gwerthfawr wrth waredu’r ardal o rywogaethau ymledol megis y Rhododendron ponticum, jac y neidiwr a llysiau’r dial gan gynnig cyfleoedd i eraill feithrin sgiliau newydd a mwynhau’r awyr agored ar yr un pryd. Yn yr un modd, gwnaed cyfraniad anhygoel dros y blynyddoedd i sicrhau fod ein traethau a llwybrau ein mynyddoedd yn glir o sbwriel. Rôl bwysig arall mae’r Gymdeithas yn ei chyflawni’n barhaus yw cadw llygad barcud a mynegi barn ar y ceisiadau cynllunio a dderbyniwn. O fewn proses ddemocrataidd y system gynllunio, mae derbyn sylwadau gan y Gymdeithas a chymunedau lleol am geisiadau cynllunio yn cyfrannu at drafodaeth gwybodus ymysg aelodau’r pwyllgor cynllunio, ac edrychwn ymlaen at barhau’r drefn honno yn ystod y blynyddoedd nesaf. Felly beth am ddyfodol y perthynas hwn? Edrychwn ymlaen at gydweithio ar Bartneriaeth yr Wyddfa. Edrychwn ymlaen hefyd at gydweithio mwy ar lawr gwlad gyda gwirfoddolwyr y Gymdeithas, yn ogystal â pharhau i dderbyn adborth adeiladol ac ystyrlon ar ein gwaith er mwyn sicrhau’r gorau i drigolion a dyfodol Parc Cenedlaethol Eryri. Cyng. Caerwyn Roberts, OBE, YH, FR.AgS Cadeirydd Awdurdod Parc Cenedlaethol Eryri
30 | Gwarchod a dathlu Eryri ers 50 mlynedd: 1967 - 2017
Working together has been a very constructive experience. Without a doubt, work carried out by the Snowdonia Society and its members has contributed significantly to what the Park Authority is today. 21 years ago, when the National Park become an independent local authority and planning authority, the support of the Society was key to the success of the process. Likewise, the Society’s support was a huge encouragement in our fund-raising campaign to offer a better visitor experience on Wales' highest peak. Hafod Eryri opened in 2009, and we are very grateful to the Snowdonia Society for its part in realising such an ambitious plan for this iconic site. We are also grateful for the contribution of Snowdonia Society volunteers over the years, ensuring that much work is done on the ground to improve the environment. One valuable contribution has been the clearing of Rhododendron ponticum, Himalayan balsam and Japanese knotweed, while offering others opportunities to acquire new skills and enjoy the outdoors. Similarly, volunteers have made a tremendous contribution over the years clearing litter from our beaches and from mountain footpaths. Another of the Society’s important roles is monitoring and commenting on planning applications. Within the democratic process of the planning system, comments made by the Society and by local communities on applications contribute to informed discussion among members of the planning committee. We look forward to this involvement continuing in the future. So what about the future of this relationship? We look forward to working together on the new Snowdon Partnership. We also look forward to working more often on the ground with Society volunteers, as well as continuing to receive constructive and meaningful feedback on our work to ensure the best for Snowdonia’s residents and for the future of the National Park. Cyng. Caerwyn Roberts, OBE, YH, FR.AgS Chair, Snowdonia National Park Authority
50 years on
Pengwern
Os ydych yn berchen â busnes sy’n gweithredu ym Mharc Cenedlaethol Eryri neu’n agos ato, beth am ddangos eich bod yn gofalu am y Parc drwy ddod yn Aelod Busnes o Gymdeithas Eryri?
Betws-y-coed 4
If you own a business that operates in or near the National Park, why not show you care about the Park and become a Snowdonia Society Business Member. 01286 685498
Bed & Breakfast & Self-catering (for 2)
. Traditional but upbeat, reflecting artistic past . Set in two acres of wild woods
info@snowdonia-society.org.uk
* Mae nifer o'n Haelodau Busnes yn cynnig gostyngiad i aelodau'r Gymdeithas. Efallai y bydd amodau. Several of our Business Members offer discounts to Snowdonia Society members. Terms may apply.
*Discounts Gostyngiadau
. Overlooking Lledr Valley . Short walk to Conwy Falls/Fairy Glen . Welsh spoken, croeso cynnes
Pot Mêl Tŷ Hyll - Ugly House Tearoom
10%* 20%* Cyfarchion pen-blwydd oddi wrth Tim ac Ayla sy'n rhedeg ystafell de'r Pot Mêl yn Tŷ Hyll. Gan edrych ymlaen at eich gweld yr haf hwn! Birthday greetings from Tim and Ayla who run the Pot Mêl tearoom at Tŷ Hyll. Hope to see you at the tearoom this summer!
www.snowdoniaaccommodation.co.uk 01690 710480
Tŷ Hyll the Ugly House, Capel Curig
Dymunwn Ben-blwydd Hapus iawn i Gymdeithas Eryri a phob lwc yn ei gwaith o gefnogi Eryri am yr 50 mlynedd nesaf. Oddi wrth dîm staff RAW Adventures a Climb Snowdon. Diolch i Cottage Holidays sydd wedi ymuno â Chymdeithas Eryri fel Aelod Busnes. Meddai Oliver o Cottage Holidays, “Wedi ein sefydlu yn 1992, rydym wedi datblygu’n raddol a bellach ni ydy’r asiantaeth annibynnol fwyaf yn y wlad sy’n cael ei gweinyddu fel teulu. Rydym yn falch o gefnogi gwaith pwysig Cymdeithas Eryri o ofalu am Eryri.” Thank you to Cottage Holidays who have joined the Snowdonia Society as a Business Member. Oliver from Cottage Holidays says, “Founded in 1992, we have grown to become the largest independent family run agency in the country. We are pleased to support the Snowdonia Society's work in their 50th anniversary year.” www.cottageholidays.co.uk
Here’s wishing the Snowdonia Society a very Happy Birthday and all the best for the next 50 years of support for Snowdonia. From the RAW Adventures and Climb Snowdon staff team.
#ClimbSnowdon
10%*
We care for Snowdon, we care for you LOCALLY BASED IN SNOWDONIA - ALL YEAR ROUND
TM
www.climb-snowdon.co.uk info@climb-snowdon.co.uk 01286 685 472
n
n OPEN GUIDED WALKS n PRIVATE DAYS SMALL & LARGE GROUPS n SUMMER & WINTER
ADVENTURES IN SNOWDONIA AND BEYOND – ALL YEAR ROUND
Diolch i Climb Snowdon, gwasanaeth arweinyddiaeth proffesiynol RAW Adventures, a gododd £300 i Gymdeithas Eryri yn 2016, £1 am bob un o’r 300 o bobl a dywyswyd ganddyn nhw i fyny’r Wyddfa. Dyma’r drydedd flwyddyn i Climb Snowdon wneud cyfraniad o’r fath. Thank you to Climb Snowdon, RAW Adventures' professional leadership service, which raised £300 for the Snowdonia Society in 2016, £1 for each of the 300 people they guided up Snowdon - the third year Climb Snowdon has made such a donation.
1967 - 2017: Protecting and celebrating Snowdonia for 50 years | 31
50 mlynedd o ^ rwan... Ers 50 mlynedd mae gwirfoddolwyr ac aelodau Cymdeithas Eryri'n cyfrannu eu hamser a’u harian i ofalu am ac amddiffyn mynyddoedd, dyffrynnoedd a golygfeydd arbennig Eryri. Mae’n drueni na allwn ni ddweud, “Hwre! Mae natur a harddwch Eryri’n ddiogel. Mae’r holl drigolion, ymwelwyr a phobl sy'n gweithio yma yn eu caru ac yn gofalu amdanyn nhw." Ond 50 mlynedd wedyn ac mae ar Eryri angen ein
gwaith a’ch cymorth yn fwy nag erioed!
Bydd eich cyfraniad at ein Cronfa'r Dyfodol 50 Mlynedd yn helpu i sicrhau fod Cymdeithas Eryri'n barod am y 50 mlynedd nesaf, ac yn gallu ymateb yn effeithiol i fygythiadau a chyfleoedd i ddod.
Cyfrannwch Rŵan at Ddyfodol Eryri! A dewch i ni sicrhau y bydd Eryri, ymhen 50 mlynedd, yn lle sy’n cael ei garu’n well, ei werthfawrogi’n well a’i fwynhau'n well gan bawb.
50 years from now... For 50 years, Snowdonia Society volunteers and members have given their time and their money to look after and protect Snowdonia's special peaks, valleys and vistas. If we could only say, “Hurray! Snowdonia’s wildness and beauty are safe. They are loved and cared for by all who live, visit or work here.” But 50 years on and Snowdonia needs
our work and your help more than ever!
Your donation to our 50 Years Future Fund will help ensure the Snowdonia Society is fit for the next 50 years and can respond effectively to future challenges and opportunities.
Donate now for Snowdonia’s Future! Let’s make sure that, 50 years from now, Snowdonia is better loved, better valued and better enjoyed by all.
Cyfrannwch... ✓ ar-lein yn www.cymdeithas-eryri.org.uk ✓ gyda siec, yn daladwy i 'Cymdeithas Eryri' ✓ neu ymaelodwch!
Donate... ✓ on-line at www.snowdonia-society.org.uk ✓ by cheque, payable to 'Snowdonia Society' ✓ or join as a member!
Cymdeithas Eryri the Snowdonia Society, Caban, Yr Hen Ysgol, Brynrefail, Caernarfon, Gwynedd LL55 3NR 01286 685498 info@snowdonia-society.org.uk www.cymdeithas-eryri.org.uk • www.snowdonia-society.org.uk Elusen gofrestredig rhif/Registered charity no: 1155401
32 | Gwarchod a dathlu Eryri ers 50 mlynedd: 1967 - 2017
© Alan Carter
Diolch am eich rhoddion hael hyd yn hyn; 54 rhodd eisoes, a chyfanswm o dros £5,000! Thank you for your generosity so far; 54 donations already, totalling over £5,000!