Conwy County Borough Council, Llandudno, Pennant 645

"Criw Creu: Llandudno's myths and legends / Chwedlau'r môr"

The Creuddyn peninsula - which has the Gogarth (Great Orme) at its head and the town of Llandudno at its neck- is a remarkable and varied stretch of coast with a long history. From the mouth of the Afon Conwy to Deganwy's pebbled beach, to Penmorfa (Llandudno West Shore)'s beautiful sandy expanse, to the sheer limestone cliffs and caves of the Gogarth, to the pier and Llandudno Bay's stoney sweep, to the cliffs and seal bays of Rhiwledyn (Little Orme) and finally the shingle beach at Penrhyn Bay- it has everything!

The Victorian history of Llandudno is well known but less so is the area's history and myths in the many centuries prior to that. Kingdoms lost beneath the waves (Llys Helyg), sea monsters, all-conquering ancient kings, a voyage from Penrhyn Bay which discovered north America long before Colombus... to name but a few tales.

Many memories and many still to come; arcades on the pier, seagulls stealing chips, Isle of Man on a clear day and more recently the vast windfarm in the distance.

The coastline hasn't changed much for the past couple of centuries - bar for the sea wall holding back the inevitable at Penrhyn Bay. There are signs that the sea level used to be higher, but also, that it is on its way back up.

I dream that the beaches remain joyful spaces - but fear that the town(s) be swallowed from these fronts in the decades to come.

We must conserve and preserve the coastline - keep the beaches and sea free from rubbish and sewerage. Also, we must play our part in the bigger picture- being conscientious and reducing our carbon footprint.

This is a special bit of Welsh coast and we will do all we can to encourage people to appreciate and take pride in its past, its present and its future.

Diolch - Eryl Prys Jones, on behalf of Criw Creu committee.