Last week, our team member Jordan visited the constituency, this was his first time visiting Abercowy and Wales! Here are his thoughts of Aberconwy…
‘’During the lockdown period I started working as an intern for Robin in his Parliamentary office in Westminster. I would frequently talk to the constituency office staff who would chat about how lovely the countryside and the beaches were in the constituency insisting that Aberconwy is one of the most scenic constituencies within the UK! So when I was invited on a familiarisation visit to Aberconwy – I leapt at the chance. (We don’t have many mountains in Essex!)
I set off early, starting my 5-hour Journey from Hockley to Conwy and although it was predicted to be a wet few days, the sun seemed to shine throughout most of my trip. Being a keen historian, I will not forget the first glimpse of Conwy. I watched the castle slowly emerge in the glistening sunshine, with the Welsh flag flying high. I used the word “numinous” to describe it to my constituency colleagues – it really was deeply moving and something I will remember for the rest of my life.
Robin had arranged a walking tour of Conwy. Our guide was an amazing lady who was dressed as a traditional welsh lady. It was fascinating. We visited Plas Mawr, the Elizabethan town house; Conwy Castle and of course the smallest house in Great Britain amongst many things! I was staggered at the history that is contained within the walls of this town; from King Edward I conquering the town and building the castle (which was painted white) in 1283 and even hearing the tale as to why the Welsh flag has a dragon on it. I would strongly recommend Amanda Whitehead and her tours as a wonderful way to have Conwy come alive for you. (https://www.conwytours.net/)
The following day, Ella took me to visit Llandudno the following day. Robin wanted me to see the contrast between the two coastal towns and to see and understand the tourism economy and mix. I loved the combination of the geographical makeup of the town, wedged between the Great Orme and the Little Orme, as well as the sun shining down on the seafront. It really was a truly breath-taking experience for me. I enjoyed a walk along the seafront but I think the best bit was being at the end of the pier, with the light starting to go down and having a traditional ice cream on the end of Llandudno Pier.
I stayed in a terrific B and B during my time here, where I was absolutely spoiled. Gwynfryn (https://www.gwynfrynbandb.co.uk/ ) is a really interesting chapel conversation and I so enjoyed my delicious breakfast every morning in the converted chapel space. I also ate at a range of restaurants whilst staying in the constituency, from traditional pubs to unique locally owned restaurants. I was truly spoilt for choice.
Aberconwy has so much to offer. You are so lucky to live and work here and I was truly impressed with all I saw and the people I met. I will never forget the truly amazing opportunity that Robin provided and I know for certain that this will not be the last time I step foot in Conwy or North Wales. I will be back.’’
''Yn ystod y cyfnod o gyfyngiadau symud, dechreuais weithio fel intern i Robin yn ei swyddfa seneddol yn San Steffan. Byddwn yn aml yn siarad â staff swyddfa’r etholaeth a fyddai’n sôn am ba mor brydferth oedd cefn gwlad a’r traethau yn yr etholaeth, ac yn mynnu bod Aberconwy yn un o’r etholaethau mwyaf godidog yn y DU! Felly pan ges i wahoddiad am ymweliad ymgyfarwyddo ag Aberconwy – fe wnes i achub ar y cyfle. (Does gyda ni ddim mynyddoedd yn Essex!)
Dechreuais yn gynnar, i ddechrau fy siwrnai 5 awr o Hockley i Gonwy, ac er bod rhagolygon y tywydd yn sôn am rai diwrnodau gwlyb, gwenodd yr haul drwy gydol y rhan fwyaf o'm taith. Fel hanesydd brwd, wna i fyth anghofio’r olygfa gyntaf honno o Gonwy. Gwylio’r castell yn dod i'r golwg yn araf yn yr heulwen gyda baner Cymru yn cyhwfan oddi fry. Defnyddiais y gair “dwyfol” i'w ddisgrifio i'm cydweithwyr yn yr etholaeth – roedd yn wefreiddiol ac yn rhywbeth y byddaf yn ei gofio am weddill fy oes.
Roedd Robin wedi trefnu taith gerdded o amgylch Conwy. Roedd ein tywysydd yn wraig anhygoel mewn gwisg draddodiadol Gymreig. Roedd y daith yn hynod ddiddorol. Fe wnaethon ni ymweld â Plas Mawr, y tŷ Elisabethaidd; Castell Conwy, ac wrth gwrs, tŷ lleiaf Prydain! Ces i fy syfrdanu gan yr hanes o fewn muriau’r dref; o’r Brenin Edward I yn concro’r dref ac yn adeiladu castell (a baentiwyd yn wyn) yn 1283 a chael clywed y stori ynglŷn â pham mae draig sydd ar faner Cymru. Fe fyddwn yn argymell Amanda Whitehead a’i theithiau fel ffordd wych o ddod â hanes tref Conwy yn fyw. (https://www.conwytours.net/)
Y diwrnod canlynol, aeth Ella â fi i Landudno. Roedd Robin eisiau i fi weld y gwrthgyferbyniad rhwng dwy dref arfordirol ac i weld a deall yr economi dwristiaeth. Roeddwn i wrth fy modd â'r cyfuniad o gyfansoddiad daearyddol y dref, wedi'i gwasgu rhwng Pen y Gogarth a Thrwyn y Fuwch, yn ogystal â'r haul yn tywynnu ar lan y môr. Roedd yn brofiad syfrdanol i fi. Fe wnes i fwynhau’r daith gerdded ar hyd glan y môr ond rwy'n credu mai'r darn gorau oedd bod ar ben y pier wrth iddi dywynnu a chael hufen iâ traddodiadol ar ben pier Llandudno.
Arhosais mewn gwely a brecwast arbennig yn ystod y daith, lle ces i fy sbwylio. Mae Gwynfryn (https://www.gwynfrynbandb.co.uk/ ) yn gapel sydd wedi’i addasu, a fe wnes i fwynhau fy mrecwast blasus bob bore yn y capel a drawsnewidiwyd. Fe wnes i fwyta hefyd mewn amrywiaeth o dai bwyta tra’n aros yn yr etholaeth, o dafarndai traddodiadol i dai bwyta unigryw o dan berchnogaeth leol. Digon o ddewis a dweud y lleiaf.
Mae gan Aberconwy gymaint i’w gynnig. Rydych chi mor ffodus i gael byw a gweithio yma ac roedd popeth a welais a'r bobl y gwnes i gwrdd â nhw wedi creu argraff fawr arna i. Fydda i byth yn anghofio'r cyfle anhygoel wnaeth Robin ei roi i fi, a dwi’n sicr mai nad dyma’r tro olaf y byddai’n ymweld â Chonwy a Gogledd Cymru. Fe fyddai nôl.''