© (h) Iain Kempton, 2006

Newsletter 11

January 2009

Cylchlythyr 11

Ionawr 2009

New Year Greetings to all

Hopes had been high of giving news of a safer and smoother approach to Dolgoch in 2009 but, alas and alack, the weather that has created such a picturesque scene throughout the Elenydd has cruelly conspired to defeat even the Forestry Commission's mighty array of earthmoving machinery. As these notes are penned, a thaw has set in and hopes rise, but the Trust is dependent upon the contractor - the FC and, all importantly, the weather.

The good news is that both our hostels have topped the 1000 bednight figure - not surprisingly Ty'n Cornel a few less than last year but holding up well alongside our newly acquired Dolgoch. The final totals were Ty'n Cornel 1060, Dolgoch 1268.

Blwyddyn Newydd Dda

Roedd gobaith cyhoeddi newyddion am lon newydd i Dolgoch erbyn hyn ond yn anffodus, roedd y tywydd yn ein herbyn felly gobeithiwn am y gorau yn y Gwanwyn.

Ond mae rhywbeth i'w groesawi sef y ddau hostel yn cyrraedd dros 1,000 'noson' yr un (Ty'n Cornel 1060, Dolgoch 1268).

Logos

The appearance of four of these below the menu to the left may, perhaps, have perplexed some, but financial support merits recognition and thanks to the donor organisations. We are pleased to be able to do this by inclusion of their respective logos. Those of the Welsh Assembly Government (WAG) and the European Union need no explanation. The top right logo is that of 'Awards for All Wales', an offshoot of the Big Lottery from which Ty'n Cornel received a grant of £3433. Details of how this was spent appeared in Newsletter 8. The bottom right logo is that of 'Communities First', a programme set up by WAG to assist disadvantaged communities in Wales. Again Ty'n Cornel benefited from a grant of £1987 which was spent on the work outlined in Newsletter 9.

Mm, mention of logos - why does the Trust not have one? So...

Logos

Nodwn ein diolch i'n Noddwyr trwy osod eu Logos ar flaen y Cylchgrawn yn lle'r rhai gwreiddiol, fe sylwch: y Cynulliad, yr Undeb Ewropeaidd, 'Awards for Wales (o fewn y Loteri Mawr, a roddodd £3433), a 'Communites First' (cynllun y Cynulliad ar gyfer ardaloedd di-freintiedig a roddodd £1987). Rhoddwyd manylion am wariant yr arian hwn yng Nghylchgronnau 8 a 9.

A beth am Logo i ni? ...

Elenydd logo competition

Can you help design a logo for the Trust? We are looking for something which can be used on the website and all official Trust documents. The prize is a consecutive two night stay for two at either hostel. Entries should be submitted to Steve Griffiths either by email or by post (26 Claigmar Gardens, London, N3 2HR) by the closing date of 1st March.

Cystadleuaeth Logo'r Elenydd

Beth amdani? Rhywbeth i'w ddefnyddio ar y wefan a gohebiaeth swyddogol. Dwy noson (i 2) yn rhad ac am ddim yn Ty'n Cornel neu Dolgoch fel gwobr! Ymdrechion at Steve Griffiths drwy e-bost neu at 26 Claigmar Gardens, Llundain, N3 2HR erbyn Mawrth 1af.

Dolgoch

In our last Newsletter we requested people's views on the use of gas and electricity at the hostel, which produced a helpful response from a number of you. The Trustees, at a meeting called to discuss these issues and after considering the input of readers, made the following decisions:

1. To keep the gas lighting on the ground floor as presently fitted.
2. To install battery-served electric lighting on the stairwell. We are grateful to Arthur Osborne for carrying out the work which does now eliminate the inevitable health and safety hazard of negotiating an unlit staircase.
3. Lighting in the dormitories would be limited to the use of hand torches and a number of these have been supplied by Arthur.
4. To install free-standing photo-voltaic panels behind the corrugated iron barn to provide electricity for the UV water filter, ventilation for the new showers, ignition for the new gas boiler that will provide hot water during periods of low sunlight, and any excess power to be used for clothes drying.

Dolgoch

Yn dilyn cais am syniadau ynglyn a nwy a thrydan yn Nolgoch, bu cyfarfod i drafod eich atebion. Penderfynnwyd:

1. Cadw'r goleuadau nwy lawr llawr.
2. Golau trydan/batri ar y grisiau a diolch i Arthur Osbourne am wneud y gwaith, i gydymffurfio a safonau Iechyd a Dioglewch.
3. Torchau yn yr ystafelloedd gwely - a diolch eto i Arthur am ddod a chyflenwad.
4. Panelau 'photo-voltaic' tu ol y sgubor haearn i greu trydan ar gyfer ffiltr dwr UV, awyr iach i'r cawod newydd, modd i gynnau'r boiler nwy newydd - ar gyfer dwr poeth ar adegau o brinder heulwen, ac unrhyw drydan 'sbar' ar gyfer sychu dillad.

Dolgoch project

Our Project Manager, Peter Gregory, and Administrator, Christine McLafferty, have been heavily involved in behind-the-scenes work in obtaining quotes for the first stage work on the hostel, which involves reroofing the main hostel building including the lower lean-to roof and also the adjoining barn using, so far as possible, existing materials. Doors and windows will also receive attention, or replacement in the case of the bedroom at the far end of the building. Quotes have been received and considered and appointment of the chosen contractor made. Commencement of work is imminent.

Prosiect Dolgoch

Mae rheolwr y Prosiect, Peter Gregory a'r Gweinyddwraig, Christine McLafferty wedi bod yn brysur yn paratoi. Bwriedir cael to newydd i'r hostel a'r ysgubor, yn defnyddio'r deunydd gwreiddiol cymaint a phosib, a thrwsio neu eu ad-newyddu'r ffenestri a drysau. Gobeithio bydd y cwmni dewisiedig yn medru cychwyn ar y gwaith yn fuan.

Ty'n Cornel

Readers' attention is drawn to a four-page article by journalist Jane Macnamee in the current (February) issue of 'tgo', The Great Outdoors magazine. This paints a vivid and appealing word picture of the hostel and the surrounding countryside, backed by some superb photographs. Acquire a copy if you can.

Previous Newsletters have given some idea of the works of maintenance and improvement that hostel manager, Richard Hollins, has overseen, carried out or, where professional expertise was needed, planned the work's execution. Richard, though asked, was too modest to summarise the achievements he was principally responsible for. However to give an idea of how constant heed to the hostel's needs is required, we list a few of the many jobs attended to between September and December of last year:

• fitting sheet insulation in sloping attic, building storage cupboard above fridge, 3 bunk ladders fitted, Welsh language signs fitted, indoor gloss painting, hand-built wooden seat for porch, hedge trimming, and numerous routine jobs like changing the bedding, arranging laundering and cleaning indoors and outdoors.

Richard is grateful for the help he receives from working parties, individuals and dedicated wardens but he and the Trustees would like to see more of you involved. A volunteer to take on the task of compiling a list of volunteers and would-be volunteers and a note of their skills would be a great start! Is there anyone out there prepared to do this?

Ty'n Cornel

Ceisiwch cael gafael ar yr erthygl am Ty'n Cornel gan Jane Macnamee yn Nghylchgrawn mis Chwefror 'tgo' (The Great Outdoors). Mae'r disgrifiad geiriol a lluniau gwych o'r ardal yn ganmoladwy dros ben.

Er i ni ofyn i Richard Hollins am adroddiad am yr holl waith a gyflawnwyd yn Nhy'n Cornel o dan ei oruwchwyliaeth, roedd yn rhy swil! Mae Cylchlythyrau cynt wedi adrodd peth o'r hanes felly dyma grynodeb o ddigwyddiadau Medi - Rhagfyr 2008:

• insiwleiddio to'r attig, cwpwrdd uwchben yr oergell, gosod 3 gris ysgol ar welyau bync, arwyddion Cymraeg, peintio tu mewn, sedd bren i'r cyntedd, torri 'nol y perthi, gofynion rheolaidd megis glanhau tu mewn ac allan/trefnu newid a golchi'r dillad gwely.

Mae Richard yn ddiolchgar iawn am bob cymorth oddiwrth y rhai sydd wedi bod ar benwythnosau gwaith, ond hoffai ef, a ninnau hefyd, weld mwy o gefnogaeth. Beth am wirfoddolwr i gadw rhestr o wirfoddolwyr, a'u doniau? Dewch ymlaen!

Christmas cards

These provided another success story for the Trust. All cards were sold producing a profit of nearly £400. Our grateful thanks go to Frances Passey who was, alone, responsible for making them available and also to those who purchased them. Frances has now set her sights on a set of postcards.

Cardiau Nadolig

Llwyddiant arall yn gwnud elw o bron £400! Diolch yn fawr i Frances Passey am wneud y fenter yn bosib, ac i bawb a gefnogodd. Cardiau post nesaf, efallai.

Wardens' training course

Local man and historian John Morgan has an intimate knowledge of the former farms and other buildings in the area of our hostels. Many of these, sadly, are now only piles of stones. John has kindly agreed to give a talk and presentation at Ty'n Cornel on the Saturday evening about the old dwellings, some of which one inevitably stumbles across when walking in the Elenydd, and will undoubtedly provide us with a fascinating glimpse into the past and a way of life few will remember.

First overnight on the Friday evening will be at Dolgoch, provided Project building work does not preclude it. Trainees will transfer to Ty'n Cornel late Saturday afternon for the talk and completion of the course on Sunday. There are places still available on the course. Anyone wishing to take part should contact Marilyn Barrack as soon as possible. Those interested in a future course are encouraged to give their names, postal/email addresses and phone number to Marilyn so that they can be contacted when one is set up.

Cwrs hyfforddu Wardeiniaid

Bydd John Morgan, hanesydd lleol, yn rhoi anerchiad i ni ar nos Sadwrn yn Ty'n Cornel. Mae ganddo wybodaeth gwych o hen ffermydd ag ati, sydd ond yn adfeilion i ni wrth basio heibio. Edrychwn ymlaen at ddysgu am ffordd o fyw sydd bron yn mynd yn angof erbyn hyn.

Os yw'r gwaith adeiladu yn caniatau, bydd nos Wener/dydd Sadwrn yn Nolgoch am rhan gyntaf y cwrs a nos Sadwrn/dydd Sul yn Ty'n Cornel am yr anerchiad a'r ail ran. Os ydych am gymryd rhan yn y cwrs yma, neu un arall yn y dyfodol, cysylltwch a Marilyn cyn gynted a phosib.

Wardens

There are still gaps for both hostels, so those qualified and who wish to take up a slot please contact Joan Meek (01283 537 440) or Marilyn Barrack (029 2073 2289) or email warden@elenyddhostels.co.uk.

It is essential that all wardens, who have not already done so, supply 3 passport photos to Russ Johnson, 1 Gordon Road, Horndon on the Hill, Stanford le Hope, Essex, SS17 8NP (tel. 01375 675 999). Russ has requested that these be sent after the 28th February.

Out of season (November - March) usage of our hostels is generally limited to weekends. A few people have expressed interest in wardening for a weekend. Whilst this is not appropriate during the high season (April - September), the Trustees feel that it would be advantageous both from the hostellers' and the Trust's point of view for hostels to be wardened over weekends (Friday and Saturday) in the low season. Accordingly the Trust would be delighted to hear from anyone interested in doing so. Again please contact Joan Meek or Marilyn Barrack as above.

Wardeiniaid

Mae cyfleoedd ar gael i fod yn warden yn y ddau hostel. Cysylltwch a Joan Meek (01283 537 440) neu Marilyn Barrack (029 2073 2289) neu ebost warden@elenyddhostels.co.uk.

Mae'n angenrheidiol bod pob warden yn danfon 3 llun pasport at Ross Johnson, 1 Gordon Road, Horndon on the Hill, Stanford le Hope, Essex, SS17 8NP (01375 675 999) - ar ol Chwefror 28ain ogydda.

Yn ystod y tymor 'uchel', sef Ebrill - Medi, dylai wardeiniaid fod ar gael am yr wythnos gyfan, ond rhwng Hydref a Mawrth, mae'r penwythnos yn ddigon. Os oes diddordeb felly, cysylltwch a Joan Meek neu Marilyn Barrack.

Heritage

Our Trust, we venture to say, is, in a small way, making history and we boldly predict will continue to do so. However, our hostels already have their own history, pre Elenydd Trust and pre YHA. There are items we know of giving an insight into their past, but how easy for these to be forgotten and lost forever. Happily our Member David Lukes, who first raised the matter, has 'volunteered' to take on the position of Trust Archivist.

David aims to create archive files to store copies of all relevant items but, of course, he does need help. Members and others are urged to send or notify him of anything that they have or know of which is of historic interest or may become so. Thus in the not too distant future, when visiting the hostels, you may be able to glance through an account of the opening of Ty'n Cornel as a Youth Hostel in 1960 or read a fascinating letter written in 1944 by a girl in the Womens' Land Army working at Dolgoch. Those of you who can, please help David in his quest. His address is 11 Dunvegan Way, Bedford, MK41 8PE, tel 01234 364 363, email archivist@elenydd-hostels.co.uk.

Ein Hanes

Mae David Lukes wedi cynnig ei wasanaeth fel archifydd Ty'n Cornel a Dolgoch. Mae angen cymorth arno felly os oes gennych unrhyw wybodaeth neu unrhyw beth fel hen lythyr neu lun yn ymwneud a'r naill le, fel hostel ers y 60au neu cyn hynny, cysylltwch a David yn 11, Dunvegan Way, Bedford, MK41  8PE, ffôn 01234 364 363, ebost archivist@elenydd-hostels.co.uk.

Sponsored walk

Jeffrey Matthews has again agreed to organise this year's walk which will take place on July 18th. Full particulars, when known, will appear on the Trust's website and in the May Newsletter.

Tro Nawdd

Gorffennaf 18: Diolch i Jeffrey Matthews unwaith eto. Bydd manylion ar y wefan ac yng Nghylchlythyr mis Mai.

Twm Siôn Cati quatercentenary challenge walk

On the 16th May, Crwydro Caron Walking Club will be organising a walk in celebration of the life of the Welsh folk hero Thomas Jones of Tregaron (Twm Siôn Cati) who died in 1609. The walk will begin at Twm's cave in Rhandirmwyn and finish at his home in Tregaron. Ty'n Cornel will be a staging post on the walk. Publicity for the Trust and its hostels, particularly Ty'n Cornel, was very much in the minds of the organisers when planning the walk. A thank you by way of help and support for the event would, we feel sure, be appreciated.

Full details, including entry forms, are available at www.walktregaron.co.uk or by telephoning Daffyd Wyn Morgan (01974 298 150).

Tro PedwarCanmlwyddiant Twm Sion Cati

Trefnir gan Clwb Cerdded Crwydro Caron ar 16 Mai er mwyn dathlu bywyd TSC o Dregaron a fu farw yn 1609. I gychwyn wrth ogof TSC yn Rhandirmwyn a gorffen yn Nhregaron, yn galw yn Nhy'n Cornel ar y ffordd, yn rhannol i dynnu sylw at yr Ymddiriedolaeth Beth am gefnogi'r fenter i ddangos ein gwerthfawrogiad?

For your bookshelf

Mention was made in Newsletter 10 of 'The Spirit of YHA'. The book provides an excellent photographic record of the YHA's earlier hostels as well as an interesting and comprehensive history of the YHA's formation and growth. For those who enjoy dipping into the past, the Trustees can thoroughly recommend its purchase at £20 post free - telephone 01629 592 700. All profits go to the YHA Small Hostels Fund.

Eich silff lyfrau

Peidiwch angofio am 'The Spirit of YHA' (£20), hanes llawn mewn llun a gair o ddatblygiad y YHA. I'w gymeradwo - ac mae'r elw'n mynd at Gronfa'r Hosteli Bach. Cysylltwch a 01629 592 700.

Bookings

A reminder that these can be made through the YHA's Contact Centre on 01629 592 700 or online at www.yhabooking.org.uk. Bookings less than seven days ahead should be made through our member Chris Mason, telephone 0178 2253 274.

Trefnu aros

Cofiwch - cysyllter a'r YHA canolog: 01629 592 700 neu ar lein: www.yhabookings.org.uk os mwy nag wythnos ymlaenllaw. Os ar fyr rybydd, cysylltwch a Chris Mason: 0178 2253 274.

Dates for your diary

Sat 21 Feb 2009, Trustees' meeting, Tetbury
21-22nd Mar 2009, Wardens' Training at the two hostels
Sun 05 Apr 2009 (1030 hrs), open Committee meeting, Dolgoch
Sat 6 Jun 2009 (1100 hrs), AGM, Llanddewi Brefi and Open Day, Ty'n Cornel
Sat 18 Jul 2009, Sponsored walk

Agendas and minutes are available from the Vice-chair.

Dyddiadau i'w cofio

Sad 21 Chw 2009, Cyfarfod ymddiriedolwyr, Tetbury
21-22 Maw 2009, Penwythnos Hyfforddiant Wardeiniaid
Sul 05 Ebr 2009 (10.30), Cyfarfod agored, Dolgoch
Sad 6 Meh 2009, Cyfarfod Blynyddol, Llanddewi Brefi
Sad 18 Gor 2009, Tro nawdd

Mae Agenda a chofnodion ar gael o'r is-gadeirydd.

Contacts

Marilyn Barrack, Chair
  7 Azalea Close, Cyncoed, Cardiff, CF23 7HR
  phone +44 (0)2920 732 289

Janet Hollins, Secretary
  16 Amesbury Road, Newton Tony, Salisbury, Wilts, SP4 0HN
  phone +44 (0)1980 629 259

David Bicker, Treasurer
  7 Hartlebury Road, Halesowen, West Midlands, B63 4PL
  phone +44 (0)7771 783 097

Cysylltiadau

Marilyn Barrack, Cadeirydd
  7 Azalea Close, Cyncoed, Caerdydd, CF23 7HR
  ffôn +44 (0)2920 732 289

Janet Hollins, Ysgrifennydd
  16 Amesbury Road, Newton Tony, Salisbury, Wilts, SP4 0HN
  ffôn +44 (0)1980 629 259

David Bicker, Trysorydd
  7 Hartlebury Road, Halesowen, West Midlands, B63 4PL
  ffôn +44 (0)7771 783 097

Previous newsletters

September 2008
July 2008
May 2008
January 2008
October 2007
June 2007
January 2007
November 2006
September 2006
July 2006
May 2006

Cylchlythyrau blaenorol

Medi 2008
Gorffennaf 2008
Mai 2008
Ionawr 2008
Hydref 2007
Mehefin 2007
Ionawr 2007
Tachwedd 2006
Medi 2006
Gorffennaf 2006
Mai 2006