Boats Blaze in Pwllheli
5/1/09

Last night (Sunday 4th January) four boats were alight at Hafan Pwllheli, where four fire engines took around 3 hours to tackle the blaze at Blue Water Marine. Full story...

Blwyddyn Newydd Dda - Happy New Year
1/1/09

It's been a glorious start to 2009, if not a little chilly! Let's hope the sunshine however, is a sign of a good year to come, with many forecasters already predicting a good summer due to changes in the jet stream and additional "sun spots" on the surface of the sun warming things up a little.

A special update of our daily photos is now online, showing conditions on both New Year's Eve and New Year's Day, you can see them here...

Happy New Year to all our visitors and advertisers, let's hope 2009 is bright all round!

Nadolig Llawen - Merry Christmas
24/12/08

It's been another busy year on Llyn.info and whilst things may seem quieter at the moment, there is plenty going on to get a new version of the site online early next year, later than originally planned. More on this nearer the time.

So, to round 2008 off with a few thank yous... Thank you to everyone who continues to support the site - we've had over 2.5 million hits during 2008, and this continues to rise. Thank you to all of our advertisers, without who the site would not be what it is today and probably most importantly, thank you to my family and close friends who allow me to continue doing the website in the place it is all about. 2009 promises to be an exciting year, and you'll be able to keep track right here!

Plans for Pwllheli Unveiled
24/12/08

Plans for a major new retail development in Pwllheli have been unveiled by StMalo and include a new road linking Cardiff Road with Ala Road, often a traffic hot spot in the summer. Find out more here...

Y Bryncynan wins Pub Poll
19/12/08

After hundreds of votes in the Llyn.info Pub Poll for 2008, Y Bryncynan near Morfa Nefyn came out on top with 45% of the vote. Congratulations to them and thank you to everyone who voted.

SAC AGM Date Set
1/11/08

The Sustainable Abersoch Cynaliadwy group will be holding their AGM in Neuadd Abersoch (village hall) on Monday 10th November. Find out more on their website: click here...

Arctic Blast hits Llŷn
28/10/08

The cold weather that is gripping the country has certainly been felt here on Llŷn, with heavy wintry showers sweeping across the peninsula, accompanied by cold northerly winds, and today, views of the snowy mountains of Snowdonia. There have been power cuts across large swathes of Llŷn tonight, and with temperatures set to be sub zero over night, it is hoped that power will be restored later this evening.

Keep checking our daily photos for updates every evening: click here...

Tug Recovered at Morfa Nefyn
18/10/08

As reported on Llyn.info a couple of weeks ago, northerly gales were battering the north coast of Llŷn, and yesterday the damage was brought ashore.

This tug had sunk in the horrendous seas, and the wheelhouse, which must have been knocked off by the waves or when the tug collided with the seabed, was brought ashore separately.

Photos: Thanks to Ian Greenwood

A Bright Christmas Ahead
18/10/08

After famously having a distinct lack of Christmas lights last year, Pwllheli Town Council have poured a lot more money into their Christmas decorations this year. Lights have been put across part of the Stryd Fawr (High Street) and on buildings on Stryd Moch (Gaol Street) and part of the Maes. It looks like Christmas will be a lot brighter in Pwllheli this year!

First Snow of Winter!
3/10/08

There was a hint of snow on Snowdon today, as cold northerly winds brought in some cold weather! Elsewhere, the foam from the rough seas at Morfa Nefyn looked like snow too!

Pub Poll Returns for 2008
29/9/08

Many of you will probably remember the poll that we ran last year to find the most popular pub of visitors to Llyn.info - well it's back!

We've more pubs to vote for this year, and if your favourite isn't there, please let us know so that we can add it!

To register your vote, please follow the link on the Llyn.info Today homepage...

Positive Response to Walking Festival
17/9/08

Over the weekend, the first Llŷn Walking Festival was held for years, and dispite the bad weather of late, and tightening belts of many due to the credit crunch, the festival still managed to bring people to Llŷn, including one gentleman from as far away as Utah in the USA!

Saturday morning saw geocaching held at Llanbedrog with over 30 people taking part. There was also a guided walk from Aberdaron in the afternoon due to demand. Sunday saw walks around Garn Fadryn, with the rain holding off until the evening and helping make the weekend as enjoyable as it was for all involved.

Autumn/Winter Special Offers
12/9/08

Now that the summer holidays are well and truly over, and with rumours of an Indian summer to come, why not take advantage of the quieter beaches, colourful scenery and tranquillity that the autumn offers with a break to our beautiful part of the world? Llŷn is here all year around and whilst the weather might get cooler as the winter advances, cosy evenings in front of a fire are ideal for relaxing after a day exploring.

Glascoed B&B in Morfa Nefyn and Rhos-y-Foel in Llannor are just two local accommodation providers offering special offers during the months to come. For more information, click here...

Revised Walking Festival Programme
10/9/08

A revised walking festival has been announced for the weekend:

Saturday 13th September
Geocaching and Tramper Buggies from Llanbedrog National Trust Car Park 9am - 12noon

Sunday 14th September
Walks from Garnfadryn Chapel:
Long Walk (8 miles) starts 1pm
Short Walk (4 miles) starts 2pm

If you would like to join in with any of these events please either call: 01758 760 532 or email webmaster@llyn.info

Please note that events in Aberdaron have been cancelled.

More Heavy Rain
5/9/08

Heavy rain is once again sweeping the country, and here on Llŷn there are fresh concerns over flooding following bad weather a couple of weeks ago. Last time the A499 between Pwllheli and Llanbedrog was shut for over 24 hours and had traffic lights for another day or so, leading to congestion on lanes around Efailnewydd and Rhyd-y-Clafdy.

A Met Office weather warning is in place this morning, click here...

Plans for Development Opposed
5/9/08

Plans to build houses and a business park on the outskirts of Pwllheli are being opposed by many local people, who say an unspoilt rural gateway to the town would be lost. More on the Caernarfon Herald website...

Boat Fire in Pwllheli
29/8/08

It is thought that glue set alight and subsequently lead to an explosion on a boat in Pwllheli harbour. The large explosion was heard across town and black smoke could be seen from miles away. Two people have been taken to Ysbyty Gwynedd in Bangor, one is in a critical condition. More information from BBC News...

Last Steam Train of 2008
29/8/08

The last Cambrian Steam Train of 2008 pulled into Pwllheli today, with plenty of people turning out to see it.

Wakestock Dates for 2009
27/8/08

Organisers of the Wakestock Festival have released provisional dates for the event next year. The festival will be held on the weekend of the 10th - 12th July. You can get more information at www.wakestock.co.uk

Thousands Raised for Charity
26/8/08

Members of the Marina Boat Club in Pwllheli, in partnership with Abererch Sands Holiday Centre, have been working hard over the last few months to raise thousands of pounds for charity. £3,500 was donated to the RNLI (Pwllheli Branch) on Saturday night in the clubhouse on the harbour side, whilst over £5,000 has also been raised for the Chernobyl Children's Lifeline Link (Caernarfon Branch), which helps to fund trips to the area for children from Belarus who were affected by the nuclear disaster in Chernobyl in 1986.

For more information and photos, click here to go to the Marina Boat Club website... 

Raft Race Photos
25/8/08

On Sunday, the Lions annual raft race took place in Pwllheli Harbour, in front of a large crowd of both locals and visitors on the Cob as well as the North Quay. Hover on a photo for it's description, click for a larger version:

More info when we get it. 

Weather Chaos
19/8/08

Heavy rain and strong winds overnight have left their mark across the peninsula. Rivers are in flood, with some of the worst flooding around the A499 at Penrhos, between Pwllheli and Llanbedrog. There are also reports that up to 50 boats have been smashed up near Abersoch after a high tide and winds of 45mph. Coastguards have had to warn the owners of the boats off trying to retrieve them in the dangerous conditions.

It is still August, in case you had forgotten!! The weather does look like it will pick up however towards the bank holiday weekend. Hover on a photo for its description, click for a larger version:

Update 4pm:

~More on the boats in Abersoch on the BBC website, click here...
~The A499 between Pwllheli and Llanbedrog remains closed, and the roads around Efailnewydd and
Rhyd-y-Clafdy are congested with diverted traffic, one to avoid if you can.

WHR Needs Funds to Complete
17/8/08

The Welsh Highland Railway will soon link Caernarfon with Blaenau Ffestiniog, via Porthmadog, with the last section between Rhyd Ddu and Porthmadog scheduled to be open by Easter 2009. However, on a visit to the station in Beddgelert last week, I spoke to the volunteer workers on site and they said that there was not the money to complete all of the services that should be available at the station. The building which will house the toilets is still at the foundation stage and the volunteers said there are not the funds to complete it in time for the line opening early next year.

The line is however taking shape now through Porthmadog and across Traeth Mawr there is only about three quarters of a mile of track left to be laid, so I was told. Work has now finished on the Britannia Bridge in Porthmadog, easing congestion slightly over the summer.

You can find out more about the Welsh Highland Railway and it's expansion, and how you can help, by visiting the Welsh Highland Railway Society's website by clicking here...

Llŷn Creamery Celebrates 70th Birthday
16/8/08

South Caernarfon Creameries based in Y Ffôr near Pwllheli is holding an open day today to celebrate it's 70th birthday. The company is important to many local farmers in helping them achieve a fair price for their milk, and offers local milk and cheese to Llŷn and its neighbouring areas. The public can tour the creameries today (Sat 16th), with the last tour being at 2.30pm. More on this story from the BBC...

Guided Walks around Abersoch
12/8/08

Over the next couple of weeks there are a series of guided walks taking place around Abersoch, organised by the Sustainable Abersoch Cynaliadwy (SAC) group. So if you like walking, and would rather not do it alone, why not join in and prepare for the Walking Festival next month?!

For more information on the guided walks around Abersoch, click here...

Llyn.info Calendar 2009 - Pre-order Now!
8/8/08

The Llyn.info Calendar has proved very popular over the last few years, and next years will be available in the next 10 days... have yours posted as soon as they come in by pre-ordering now!

For those not familiar with the calendar, it features 12 local scenes and is fully bi-lingual, see preview page to the right:

The cost of the calendar this year has come down thanks to the support of local businesses who have advertised on the rear of the front cover and on the reverse of the new "welcome page" which has been added for the first time this year. A Llyn.info Calendar is just £6 including postage and packing.

These make ideal Christmas presents and are a must for anyone who loves the Llŷn Peninsula!

Pre-order yours by clicking on the NoChex link to the right and by sending the correct amount for the number of calendars you require, along with your name and address in the "message" box:

Walking Festival Launch
1/8/08

After an absence of nearly five years, Llyn.info has teamed up with the Edge of Wales Walk to organise a new walking festival for Llŷn which is to be held over the weekend of the 13th and 14th September.

This year's festival is set to be a modest, but thoroughly enjoyable weekend event, with plans to expand the festival into an annual fixture if all goes well. A festival passport will cost just £5 for adults, whilst children under 16 get theirs for free, as part of the festival's aims to get young people enjoying the natural beauty that surrounds us here on the peninsula.

A passport will gain you access to as many or few events over the weekend as you wish to attend, see the programme to the left.

The festival has been boosted by a sustainable development fund grant from the Llŷn Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty unit of Gwynedd Council.

For more information please visit www.llyn-walking-festival.com

Post Office Closures for Llŷn
31/7/08

Major plans to reorganise post office services across the peninsula have been announced, with the closure of 5 offices, including those at Llanbedrog and in Pwllheli's West End as well as the replacement of two (Efailnewydd and Llithfaen) with "outreach services".

Petitions have been started in some of the post offices affected, with many local people keen to give their support and help keep what to many is the centre of village life in tact. Across Gwynedd, thirteen post offices are set to close by the end of this year. You can find out more about these planned closures in this week's local press.

Steam Trains Return to Pwllheli
30/7/08

For the first time in several decades, steam trains have returned to the platform in Pwllheli. Today (Wednesday) saw the first service to the main town on Llŷn, as part of a special timetable over the summer holidays which includes visits to Pwllheli on a Wednesday and Friday. The steam trains run from Machynlleth to Porthmadog every weekday now until Friday 29th August.

West Coast Railways is operating the special services and you can find out more on their website: www.westcoastrailways.co.uk

Webmaster Turns 21!
25/7/08

Who would have thought that over 6 years ago when I was just 14, a small website that I created about the Llŷn Peninsula would have grown into what Llyn.info is today, as I reach my 21st birthday.

It's thanks to my great grandparents that I ended up spending most of my school holidays on Llŷn and that lead to me growing up building a greater fondness of the area, creating this website and looking forward to a life living on the peninsula, which is now my plan for the future.

This website could never have progressed this far without the support of my parents, close friends on Llŷn and of course all of the local businesses that advertise on Llyn.info and that I have created websites for - so a huge thank you (or diolch yn fawr!) to them all.

Llyn.info has allowed me to turn my passion for this very special place into something that is now benefiting the local area and will hopefully continue to do so for many years to come. I can honestly say I have enjoyed all that I have done with Llyn.info, the people that I have met and the opportunities it has created for me - and there are big plans in the pipeline for the website over the next 12 months, so there's no chance of it stopping yet!

Once again, a big thank you to everyone who has supported both Llyn.info and myself, and who have allowed me to be in the position I am now - enjoying life to the full both through my work and leisure!

Duffy Returns Home
6/7/08

Thousands of fans made their way to the Wakestock Festival in Pwllheli and Penrhos over the weekend to see some of the world's best wake boarders and chart topping musical acts, including Duffy. This was the first time that she has performed back on her home turf since topping both the single and album charts earlier this year. Duffy, originally from Nefyn, on the north coast of Llŷn, performed tracks from her album, speaking to the crowds in between in Welsh, telling fans how good it was to be back home in Gwynedd.

Other acts on over the weekend included the Hoosiers, Mark Ronson, Pendulum and many more.

For more about Wakestock, click here...

Bypass Plans for Porthmadog
2/7/08

Many of those who live in and travel through southeast Llŷn will be interested in the bypass that will be constructed around Tremadog, Porthmadog and Minffordd, and the plans can now be viewed online.

It is hoped the bypass will completed in 2012 and will make travelling onto the peninsula much easier, whilst improving the shopping experience for residents and visitors alike in Porthmadog.

To view the plans online, click here... 

New Accom for Llŷn Retreats
27/6/08

If you're looking for a get away from it all holiday tucked away from all of the pressures of modern day life, then Llŷn Retreats have got it all.

Nestled in Llangwnadl on the north coast of the peninsula, Llŷn Retreats now offers self catering holidays in their new lodge as well as the Coach House - more information on which you can find on their new website: www.llynretreats.com

Roundup to Unsettled Week
27/6/08

As we reported on last week, we've not had a lot of typical summery weather recently. Following the windy weather on Sunday, we've had more strong winds during the week and yesterday (Thursday) saw a very heavy dose of rain during the afternoon, leading to flooding problems elsewhere in North Wales.

We've a roundup of the week in our daily photos section, the daily version of which will resume soon... click here...

Midsummer Storm Hits Llŷn
22/6/08

Following what seems to have been a fairly long period of settled weather, midsummer has brought with it heavy rain and severe gale force winds. The adverse weather was forecast and Llŷn got a mention in the national weather forecast on BBC1 this morning (Sunday).

Winds of up to 70mph were predicted and there has been disruption as a result - drivers were warned to take extra care whilst driving as trees in full leaf now create more of a hazard in the high winds. Power supplies were also disrupted for several hours during the day, but with the long days the inconvenience was less than it would have been in the winter! The sun has come back out this afternoon and the week ahead looks a little more settled!

For photos from around the coast of Llŷn, click here...

Walking in the Pilgrims' Footsteps
16/6/08

This Saturday will see a pilgrimage from Rhoshirwaun to Aberdaron, following the route that pilgrims would have taken centuries beforehand to Ynys Enlli (Bardsey Island), where 20,000 saints are said to be buried. The last time the event took place was in 1992 which saw 3,500 people take the journey to the tip of Llŷn.

Walkers can meet at Rhoshirwaun at about 10.30am whilst there will be a service in St. Hywyns, Aberdaron, for non walkers at 11am. Following the procession into Aberdaron, 30 pilgrims will make their way across to Enlli and complete the pilgrimage.

There will be bands and singers as well as refreshments and souvenirs for sale on the beach during the afternoon. For more information, please email webmaster@llyn.info and we will point you in the right direction...

Petrol Situation in Llŷn
15/6/08

Despite national reports so far that the Shell tanker drivers' strike has left most places largely unaffected, Llŷn must be an exception. Both of Pwllheli's two filling stations have now run dry of unleaded with only Glan Don having some diesel left. Some stations in surrounding communities have also sold out and others are rationing supplies.

The public are being urged not to panic buy and to only buy what you would normally need. The strike action is now expected to be repeated again over next weekend, but again, if everyone just uses the amount of petrol they normally would then supplies at the majority of stations should be largely unaffected.

A Brighter Christmas Ahead?
14/6/08

There have been reports in the local press over the last two weeks about plans for street decorations in two towns on Llŷn.

It seems that Pwllheli could see up to £30,000 spent on it's display over the next few years, and a smaller sum of nearly £8,000 has been the quoted cost of new decorations in Criccieth.

Last year, there was a lot of negative press both locally and on the Internet about the lack of lights in the two seaside resorts. There was frustration about health and safety costs kept the towns Christmas spirit at bay.

Voluntary group, Ffrindiau Port has been organising lights in Porthmadog over the last many years and they offered to lend their support in neighbouring communities earlier in the year. Let's hope for a bright Christmas 2008 in all three Llŷn towns!

Ryder Cup Visits Abersoch Golf Club
6/6/08

The Ryder Cup visited Clwb Golff Abersoch in grand style on Friday 30th May as part of the whirlwind tour (www.pgarydercuptour.co.uk) of Wales arranged to promote the charity Tenovus (www.tenovus.com) and was welcomed by many members and the Captain Robert Parry and Lady Captain Joan Royle. The Ryder Cup which is Golf's most prestigious team event will be fought between GB & Europe against the USA at Celtic Manor in 2010. The members of Abersoch especially the younger members were delighted to actually see the Cup and give generously to the Tenovus charity which they will continue support in the run up to 2010.

The visit was especially opportune as Abersoch is celebrating 100 years of golf with the Club's Centenary this year after being founded by local residents early last century and features 18 holes combining unique links golf and a few parkland holes. It is a very friendly club that welcomes new members and visitors alike to enjoy the course and new clubhouse. www.abersochgolf.co.uk