|
EVENTS 2012 FEBRUARY BUILD A NEST BOX 16 February 2012 RSPB Lake Vyrnwy Powys SY10 0lZ Tel: 01691 870278 Email: vyrnwy@rspb.org.uk Time: 1.00pm - 3.00pm Cost: £8
(includes materials. People should bring screwdriver) Booking in advance
required Lake Vyrnwy is perhaps best known as one of the most impressive man-made
reservoirs in Britain and it has faithfully served the people of Merseyside for
more than 120 years. However, it also has had a long career as an RSPB nature
reserve and each year it regularly holds nest box making courses. The next
scheduled event is on 16 February as part of National Nest Box week. Make sure
you book in advance to secure a place. HAWK 18 February 2012 Theatr Harlech, Harlech Tel: 01766 780667 Website:
www.theatrharlech.ticketsolve.com Start time: 7.30pm It's
not often that cinema-goers get the chance to meet the director, cast and crew
of a film they'll be watching. But for this short film, starring renowned Welsh
actor Philip Madoc, they'll be able to do just that. Hawk
was filmed in and around Snowdonia in 2005 by a young team of film-makers from
Glyndwr University near Wrexham, and centres on the trials and tribulations of
young Rowan who discovers a fantasy land that brings Celtic folklore vividly to
life. A MUSICAL FEAST WITH GWENAN GIBBARD & GER WOLFE 18 February 2012 Doc Cafe Bar, Y Galeri Caernarfon, Victoria Dock,
Caernarfon Tel: 01286 685222
Website: www.galericaernarfon.com Price £12
Start time: 7.30pm The mainstream media often seems to ignore the music
and cultural scene west of Offa's Dyke. However, that seems to be changing with
the perpetual rising star of charismatic harpist and singer, Gwenan Gibbard. A native Welsh speaker, Gwenan was born and raised on
the Llyn Peninsula and has studied music at Bangor University and the Royal
Academy of Music in London. For the past 13 years, she has amassed a series of
rave reviews for her performances at festivals in America, France, Cardiff and
the Brecon Beacons. And she has also released her own ecletic selection of CDs
which combine original compositions with traditional Celtic songs - some of
which have been reinterpreted in her own signature style. However, Gwenan is equally at home in more intimate settings
such as pubs and clubs, and she regularly makes tours of soroptomist groups and
women's institutes in and around North Wales. This February evening, she will be joining forces with
Irish singer, Ger Wolfe at the Doc Bar
in Y Galeri Caernarfon, for an evening of traditional haunting Celtic melodies
and more contemporary, upbeat tunes. The Cork-based Ger Wolfe, is seen as one of the most
talented folk singer song-writers in Ireland today. A recent review in the
Irish Times said 'he rises high above the homogenised sound-wall that passes
for pop radio lately'. Ticket prices are £12. And a separate meal of Dublin
Coddle (sausage, bacon, potato and onion stew), with homemade soda broad is
also on offer, with Guinness chocolate cake to finish. DOLGELLAU FARMERS' MARKETS 19 February, 18 March, 15 April, 20 May, 17 June, 15 July, 19 August, 16 September, 21 October, 18 November 2012 Eldon Square, Dolgellau Time: 10.00am - 4.00pm Tel: 01341 450211 The
last 60 years has seen the unstoppable rise of the supermarkets. Traditional
ways of shopping and living have very nearly been consigned to the past. Fewer
and fewer people today go shopping on their local high street. In this day and
age the supermarkets reign supreme. But
if you want to revisit the tastes, sights and sounds of yesteryear, then you
should head along to the monthly farmers' markets in the main square of
Dolgellau. Here people can buy a wide profusion of meat, often straight from a
farmer's field, to artisan-style bread and home-made cakes, biscuits and jams.
So why not stock up on wholesome, home-grown food on one of Dolgellau's many
market days, during your stay? You certainly won't regret it. ACOUSTIC AFTERNOON 19 February 2012 Doc Cafe Bar, Y Galeri Caernarfon, Victoria Dock,
Caernarfon Tel: 01286 685222
Website: www.galericaernarfon.com Price: Free
Start time: 12.30pm A plethora of up-and-coming bands will be showcasing
their music on the Sunday afternoon above, while diners tuck into some
wholesome Welsh fayre, all washed down perhaps with a glass of prosecco,
merlot or Snowdonia real ale. AROMATHERAPY TASTER DAY IN PORTMEIRION 25 February 2012 Portmeirion Mermaid Spa, Portmeirion, Gwynedd Tel: 01766 772444 Website:
http://portmeirionspa.co.uk Time: 10.30am - 4.30pm Price:
£50 Venue: Tudor Room, Portmeirion Alternative
treatments have definitely become a part of mainstream therapy over the past 30
years. Acupuncture, Indian head massage, hot stone massage and aromatherapy are
now routinely offered at beauty rooms and spa centres across the
country. The
Mermaid Spa at Portmeirion, now wants to offer its clients a day of role
reversal, and allow them an indepth insight into all that aromatherapy
involves. Course
participants will learn how to use essential oils for a variety of tasks, such
as a balm in first aid, as a stress-reliever in massage, and as mood-enhancing
fragrance for personal use or around the home. More specifically course
delegates will study five essential oils; they will also create a massage
blend, give and receive a relaxing aromatherapy massage and take home their own
bath blend. Those interested can also
progress to study an Holistic Aromatherapy Diploma with the Welsh School of
Aromatherapy. Students will also have their workshop fee for the above day
refunded. CANTORION COLIN JONES 25 February 2012 Theatr Harlech, Harlech Tel: 01766 780667 Website:
www.theatrharlech.ticketsolve.com Start time: 7.30pm When
people think of Wales they often think of towering mountains, spectacular ocean
vistas and wide, open pastures filled with sheep. Welsh culture, particularly its music and dancing, however is
often overlooked. But its male voice choirs are an exception to that rule, and
have garnered something of an international reputation and standing. Cantorion
Colin Jone is said to be one of the most prestigious male voice choirs in Wales
today. Catch them for one night only at Theatr Harlech on the date shown above. MARCH MAWDDACH ROTARY CLUB GOLD RUSH CHALLENGE 11 March 2012 (Entries close 9
March, prebooking required) Starting point: Coed-y-Brenin Visitors Centre, Coed-y-Brenin, Ganllwyd Contact address: Mawddach Rotary Club Goldrush MTB, Arthog Hall, Arthog,
Gwynedd LL39 YU Website: www.mawddachgoldrush.com Time: registration 12.00pm- 4.30pm Saturday 10 and 8.00am - 9.45am
Sunday 11 Start time:10.30 am Entry fees: 3 lap main event (45km) £25 2 lap second event (30km): £20 Organisers of the Mawddach Gold Rush Challenge have a fundraising target
of £12,000 to reach this year, so they can buy two adaptive mountain-bikes to
allow more disabled people to ride the tracks and trails in the Coed-y-Brenin. The Rotary Club, which organises this yearly mountain-biking race, will
also be diverting funds raised from this year's contest to Cancer Research and
Wales Air Ambulance. Competitors are invited to navigate either three or two laps of sections
of the tough Tarw Trail within the forest park. Each lap is timed, and the
winner is the one with the fastest, cumulative speed in each race section. Inviduals or teams can take part in the main challenge of three laps.
They can also guess, during registration, where a figurative pot of gold may be
hidden on a map of the Coed-y-Brenin.
The winner's prize is reportedly £100 sterling. The Goldrush Challenge has now become something of a noteworthy fixture
on the mountain-biking annual calendar, and has seen an increasing number of
riders converge on the Coed-y-Brenin for the contest year on year. Jonathan Pugh, age 29, of the Clee Cyles relay team took first place in
2011 with an overall finishing time of 2 hours 27 minutes and 9 seconds. RAS YR ARAN 24 March 2012 Eagles Inn, Llanuwchllyn, Nr Bala OS 124 SH880297 Tel: 07917 001173 Website:
www.run-meirionnydd.co.uk Entry on day only £4.00 Mininum
age: 18 years Start time: 1.00pm The Ras yr Aran is perhaps one of the toughest fell races in Southern
Snowdonia and goes to the top of the highest peak in this region, Aran
Fawddwy (905m). Competitors will be expected to negotiate a tough 10 mile course from
the village of Llanuwchllyn to the mountain's summit. They will cross varying terrain that range
from well marked tracks to rugged and featureless mountain landscapes. Entrants are required to carry waterproof full body cover, a map,
compass and whistle. Refreshments are provided at the start and end of the
race, but people are advised to bring water for its duration. A second race, Ras Garth Fawr of 2 miles will also be organised for
1.15pm. It's open to those aged 10 and over. There is no upper age limit. There
is 500 ft of ascent for this particular fun run. LAMBING ON THE FARM 24 March to 29 April 2012 Powys SY10 0lZ Tel: 01691 870278 Email: vyrnwy@rspb.org.uk Time: 1.00pm - 3.30pm Cost: £6
(Wellies advised) Booking in advance required For most weekends throughout March and April, staff at Lake Vyrnwy's
organic farm will be welcoming its new, spring season of lambs. Visitors are
invited to see the lambs progress from birth to their first few weeks. All the
lambs are born indoors. SAINSBURY'S SPORT RELIEF MILE The National White Water Centre Mile 25 March 2012 The National White Water Centre, Frongoch, Bala Website:
http://my.sportrelief.com/search/event/result?id=808&location=bala Entry costs: £6 adult, £3
child, £15 for family of four Organisers at the National White Water Centre in Frongoch, are
encouraging people to join in a Sainbury's-backed challenge for the charity
Sport Relief. In the run upto Sunday 25 March, people are being galvanised to
undertake a mile's worth of sport on that day, be it running, cycling or
canoeing - and to invite people to sponsor them for their individual efforts. And the White Water Centre near Bala is only too willing to play its
part. It is inviting, canoeists to gain sponsorship to enter one of three
courses that extend to either 1 mile, 3 miles or 6 miles on this Sunday in
March. For more details go to the
above website. Preregistration is required. SEIAT JAZZ 25 March 2012 Doc Cafe Bar, Y Galeri Caernarfon, Victoria Dock,
Caernarfon Tel: 01286 685222
Website: www.galericaernarfon.com Price: Free
Start time: 12.00pm Swansea-born, jazz supremo, Huw Warren relocated to
Snowdonia in 1993 and has never looked back. A graduate of Goldsmith's
University and the Guildhall School of Music and Drama, he has worked with
singers and writers such as Billy Bragg,
Elvis Costello, Eddi Reader, Echobelly, and is also a founder member of
the jazz group, Perfect Houseplants He will be entertaining diners to a wide range of
mellow and funky jazz sounds on this Sunday afternoon in the Doc Bar at Y
Galeri. Admission to the event is free. APRIL EASTER BUNNY VISITS THE TALYLLYN RAILWAY 8 April 2012 Talyllyn Railway, Gorsaf Wharf Station, Tywyn, Gwynedd LL36 9EY Tel: 01654 710472 Website:
www.talyllyn.co.uk The Easter Bunny will be bounding in to Britain's first ever leisure,
light railway, on Easter Sunday. He will be meeting and greeting mums and dads and boys and girls at the
Talyllyn narrow gauge railway line, at Tywyn Wharf, where steam driven rolling
stock will take visitors to the picturesque village of Abergynolwyn, near the
Cader Idris. Kids can can also join in the organised Easter Egg Hunt, and a prize
will be offered to the winner. Great family fayre is said to be available in
the nearby King's Licensed Cafe. The Talyllyn Railway was reportedly the first ever light railway line to
be set up in Britain. Backed by the creator of Thomas the Tank Engine, the Rev
Wilbert Awdry, it was saved from certain closure after the Bryn Eglwys slate
quarry it was built to serve was forced to shut after the Second World War. The railway trustees hold regular events throughout the year, not least
of which will be this Easter fun day. It promises to be a great day out for all
the family. OPTICS DEMONSTRATION - LAKE VYRNWY 9 April 2012 Powys SY10 0lZ Tel: 01691 870278 Email: vyrnwy@rspb.org.uk Time: 10.30am - 4.00pm Cost:
Free For some birdwatching might mean simply surveying birds in your back
garden on a well-stocked, specially bought table. For others it may mean
regular trips to the countryside, with all the latest technology and equipment,
to stake out birds from morning till dusk. Whatever your interest level, the staff at RSPB shop will be showcasing
a wide range of binoculars and telescopes to help the beginner or keen
professional get more out of their bird-watching experience. MAY MAWDDACH PADDLESPORTS FESTIVAL 26-27 May 2012 Barmouth, Mawddach Estuary, Penmaenpool E-mail: paddlesports@mawddachrotary.com Website: www.paddlewales.com/home.html Registration time: 8.30am Can
register on day or in advance If you like messing about in boats then the Mawddach Paddlesports
Festival is definitely an event to note down in your diary. An exciting series of competitions have been organised across the two
days to cater for all ages and abilities. Some are timed, others not and people
for most races will set off from Barmouth and head inland towards Penmaenpool,
and on the more difficult courses then head back again. Entrants need to bring their own canoes or kayaks, and refreshments.
Money raised across the weekend will go towards Hope House Children's Hospice. A highlight of the event will be a barbecue (on Saturday 26 May) at
Merioneth Yacht Club. This is a ticket only event, so people are advised to
book well in advance. There will also be live music on Barmouth Quay. JUNE WILLOW SCULPTURES 2 June 2011 Centre for Alternative Technology, Machynlleth, off A487 Tel: 01654 705952 Website:
www.cat.org.uk Time: 9.00am - 4.30pm Course fees: £50 (meals and accommodation not included) The Centre for Alternative Technology at Machynlleth has come a long way
since its humble beginnings in the early 70s. Once a commune of people
committed to greener living, the centre has now become a leading light in the
environmentalist movement . It regularly stages short and longer courses on a
whole host of ecologically-related issues topics such as solar heating, straw
bale houses and hedgerow herbalism. The above course will teach people how to make their own art sculptures
out of willow. Students will also learn how to cultivate and harvest willow,
which is said to grow very quickly and to be an excellent source of firewood. PAUL HEATON AND BAND Former lead singer with the Housemartins and the Beautiful South 7 June 2012 The Golden Fleece, Market Square
Tremadog, Porthmadog, Gwynedd Tel: 01766 512421 Website:
www.goldenfleeceinn.com Happy Hour is sure to extend all evening when Paul Heaton and his new
band perform at the Golden Fleece pub in Tremadog. Paul, best known for hits
such as Happy Hour, Song for whoever and You keep it all in,
will be showcasing some new material, and some old classics, on his second tour
of pubs and other small venues in UK and Ireland in recent years. Catch him for
one night only at the Golden Fleece. It is advisable to book tickets in
advance. After Paul's first group, the Housemartins broke up in the late 80s, he
formed the hugely successful mega-group, the Beautiful South along with Dave
Rotheray and others including vocalist Briana Corrigan. Unfortunately, they
have since parted ways (in early 2007) citing 'musical similarities' as one of
the main reasons for the break-up. CONTINENTAL MARKET AT BARMOUTH 15 -16 June 2012 Barmouth, Gywnedd Tel: 01341 280787 E-mail: barmouth.tic@gwynedd.gov.uk
Visitors to Barmouth over the Three Peaks Yacht Race weekend, will be
able to sample and buy some fresh produce from farmers and and food producers
from the Continent. Stallholders, who will be drawn from all over Europe, promise to make
this first ever market of its kind in the area a resounding success. Most will
be wearing traditional costumes from their home country's region. And there
will also be various arts and crafts to be had over the two-day event. BARMOUTH TO FORT WILLIAM THREE PEAKS YACHT RACE 16 June 2012 Barmouth, Gywnedd Tel: 01341 247553 E-mail:
secretary@threepeaksyachtrace.co.uk Website: www.threepeaksyachtrace.co.uk Cost: £20-25 per person
Advance booking required. The Three Peaks Yacht Race gives new meaning to the word challenge.
Marathons and triathlons may be gruelling, but this has to be one of the
toughest endurance tests ever devised in the UK. A team of three sailors have
to battle against the tides and often stormy weather to transport (by
wind power alone) a team of runners to the highest three peaks in Wales,
England and Scotland, in the shortest possible time. With disembarkation points at Caernarfon, Whitehaven and Fort William, the
runners are then required to scale the nearest mountain peaks which are
respectively Snowdon (3560ft), Scafell Pike (3208ft) and Ben Nevis (4408ft),
They cycle from the various ports to the foot of the corresponding peak, then
make their ascent and descent and return to their waiting boats. They are then
taken by their sailing team to the next port of call until after the last race
up and down Ben Nevis, they reach the finishing line at Fort William. Teams have been known to have become becalmed for days in the waters
around the Scottish coast, which has often left a four day gap between the
winning team and the remaining competitors. In all, the teams are expected to undergo 389 miles of coastal sailing,
18 miles of cycling and 72 miles of running. Two athletes undertake the cycling
and running in rotation, and a team of three operates their respective boat. TRAIL MARATHON AND HALF MARATHON 23 June 2012 Coed-y-Brenin Visitors Centre, Coed-y-Brenin, Ganllwyd, Dolgellau,
Gwynedd E-mail: info@trailmarathonwales.com Website: www.forestry.gov.uk or www.trailmarathonwales.com Cost: £20-25 per person
Advance booking required Snowdonia has a very strong running community and a wide range of events
take place all over the region such as the Ras yr Aran and Snowdon Marathon in
any one year. But few have ever wend their way around the Coed-y-Brenin itself
- that is until now. For the first time ever, the Coed-y-Brenin is to play host to its very
own marathon challenge (26.2 mile), in addition to a less frenetic half
marathon race (13.1mile). It is hoped several top athletes will be attracted to main race and that
runners from all over the country will converge on the Coed-y-Brenin to join
them on this Saturday in June. A spokesman added: "This unique marathon aims to be Wales' first
true trail marathon taking in fully marked trail single track, forest roads and
paths in the some of the most stunning forest and heathland in the UK. "We have provisionally recruited a number of eilte UK athletes to
take part in the race, who will ensure that the event has a highly competitive
element - whilst hopefully attracting good club runners and first time trail
marathoners alike. There's also Welsh tea and flapjack when you finish!" Booking is required in advance and to register, please go to the
following website for more details: www.trailmarathonwales.com. Our holiday lets Glyn-yr-aur and Ty Nant also make for the perfect
accommodation base for the event.
Running clubs should note that our holiday lets combined can house up to
16 people. Further accommodation can also be booked at the Tyn-y-Groes Hotel,
Ganllwyd or the George III Hotel, Penmaenpool. For more details, please ring
either Bob or Jane Chilton on 01341 440611, or email them on onygena@onetel.com AUGUST RACE THE TRAIN 18 August 2012 Tywyn, Gywnedd E-mail: info@racethetrain.com
Website: www.racethetrain.com It will be 28 years this summer since the Race the Train challenge first
began. However, this competition which sees runners try to beat a steam train
over a testing 14 mile long course, has grown massively in popularity and draws
hundreds of runners from around the UK and from as far away as New Zealand,
Australia and America. Featured in BBC's Countryfile in recent years, the race requires runners
to not only race against each other, but to also compete against a steam train
from the Talyllyn narrow gauge railway. The course parallels the railway line
near Brynglas and Dolgoch, and competitors are given three hours in which to
complete the trail. After that no records of invidual times are kept. Both male and female runners have beaten the
train in the past with times under 1 hour 48 minutes. And funds raised this
year will go towards Marie Curie Cancer Care. Three other shorter running
challenges will also be organised on the day. For more details, please go to
the website shown above. MACHYNLLETH FESTIVAL 19-26 August 2012 MOMA Cymru Wales Y Tabernacl,Heol Penrallt, Machynlleth, Powys Tel: 01654 703355 Website:
momawales.org.uk Cost varies. Some free events. Average ticket price £12. Season ticket
can be bought for £140. The Machynlleth Festival is perhaps one of the best kept secret in
Wales. It regularly stages a spectacular programme of musical and theatrical
events, but perhaps to too little acclaim. Last year saw Clint Eastwood's eldest son Kyle perform with his jazz
band, and Patrica Routledge (she of Keeping up Apperances fame) narrate the
theatical and musical play: One Shilling which tells the story of the National
Gallery Concerts. A pantheon of Welsh classical musicians and singers are
typically joined by a selection of artists from across Europe. In 2012, well known British bass-baritone Sir Willard White will be
among those starring at the festival including the widely acclaimed Vienna
Piano Trio and the Norwegian award-winning viola player, Lars Anders Tomter.
All three acts regularly perform at major concert halls around the world. WILD WALES CHALLENGE 26 August 2012 In and around Bala Tel: 07794 3033310 Website:
www.merseysidectc.com Entry fee: £15 Advance
booking required Start and finish at Penllyn Sports Pavillion, Bala (Organised by Merseyside District Association, a member of the Cyclists
Touring Club) The Wild Wales Challenge is a race with a difference, there are no
winners or prizes or any records of times kept. Riders are simply invited to go
on a 82 mile tour of the magnificent scenery around Bala, Lake Vyrnwy and
Machynlleth. All-comers are welcome and can use any sort of bike such as
mountain-bike, racer, a tourer, or even a tandem as some have in the past. A spokesperson warned that people would need to be reasonably fit, and
feel confident that they could complete the 82 mile length course, in which
there was some difficult terrain to negotiate. However he added: "The WWC is not a race, it's a challenge ride,
set amidst glorious scenery and using minor roads and lanes, and riders ride it
at their own pace. "It's not easy unless you happen to be a Tour de France rider. But
if you're reasonably fit, you won't have any real difficulty with the route. "Some of the climbs, like the Bwlch y Groes or Church Hill, are
pretty daunting, and some riders will dismount and walk. There's no dishonour
in doing so, you won't be disqualified. "The message is: enjoy yourself; take your time; appreciate the
scenery, make new friends and chat to old ones. The event is open to all
cyclists; you don't have to be a member of a club or an organisation." SEPTEMBER 70 WILD MILES AT BALA In support of cancer charity Tenovus 1 September 2012 In and around Bala Tel: 02920 768865 Email:
kate.monaghan@tenovus.org.uk Age range: over 18s only North Wales is a magnet for outdoors enthusiasts and a panoply of events
are staged each year for runners, cyclists and canoeists. Well, this particular
event offers a tough endurance test for all three. Organised by cancer support charity Tenovus, this triathlon entails a 47
mile cycle ride around Snowdonia, a 10 mile stretch of canoeing and then a 13
mile run to the finish. A spokesperson explained: "The event is open to anyone age 18 and
over and can be entered by relay teams or individuals. "For some it is purely a race, for some it is purely for fun, but
the overall goal is to help improve the lives of everyone affected by
cancer." To find out more, email the organisers on the address shown above. BARMOUTH WALKING FESTIVAL 15-24 September 2012 Southern Snowdonia www.barmouthwalkingfestival.co.uk The Barmouth Walking Festival is one of the stalwarts of the walking
festival scene, but has until relatively recently perhaps been one of the most
overlooked. But that all looks set to change. With the opening of the Wales Coastal Path, this famous seaside resort
should positively come alive with the sound of walking boots. The closest
section, which includes Barmouth and other coastal resorts such as Criccieth,
Harlech and Aberdovey, stretches for 89 miles. However there are an additional
781 miles to walk on top of that. The festival promises an extensive programme of walks that cover some of
the well known and not so well known corners of Southern Snowdonia. The walks programme varies every year, but last year there were guided
walks around the Coed-y-Brenin, up the Cader Idris, from Barmouth to
Penmaenpool and a walk round Rhinog Fawr. There was a choice of 24 walks in all
across a 10 day period. Over 120 people took part in the festival last year, but the organisers
are hoping for a substantial increase on that number this year. They want it to
be one of the best attended walking events in Wales - whether people join in
one walk or several. Our holiday lets Glyn-yr-aur and Ty Nant provide the perfect
accommodation base for those wishing to take part in some or all of the
festival. Combined, they can house 16 people. And if larger groups want to take
part, further accommodation can be found at the nearby Tyn-y-Groes hotel and
George III hotel. Why not make 2012 the year you explore Southern Snowdonia?
For more details about booking accommodation, please ring 01341 440611 or
please email Bob or Jane Chilton on onygena@onetel.com. They hope they can look
forward to welcoming you soon. See the website above to find out more about the
walks' programme. HOWIES COED-Y-BRENIN ENDURO 2012 29 September 2012 (opening date for online entries 22 July 2012) Coed-y-Brenin Visitors Centre, Coed-y-Brenin, Ganllwyd, Dolgellau,
Gwynedd Website: www.forestry.gov.uk or www.summitcycles.co.uk Time: 10.00 am Advance booking
required Calling all SingleTrackWorld and mountain-biking magazine readers: why
not enter this race that's not actually race in Britain's number one mountain-biking
mecca, the Coed-y-Brenin. Sponsored by bikewear supremo, Howies, the Coed-y-Brenin Enduro, as its
name suggests, is a test of riders endurance, stamina and agility. There are
however no prizes or timed relays, people are invited to simply go along for
the craic. Expect dancing cheerleaders and banjo picking rednecks - no really it's
in the promo material - in addition to a free bar and disco in the woods. There are two trail routes to choose from, one 30km and the other 55km.
They cover a variety of terrain such as natural singletrack, byways, grass,
and tarmac back lanes and include 1700m worth of ascent. OCTOBER SNOWDONIA ARTS FESTIVAL 5-7 October 2012 Alison Bradley Gallery, Holyhead Road, Betws-y-Coed LL24 OAB Tel: 01690 710080 The Snowdonia Arts Festival has become something of a fixture on the
North Wales arts scene and is now celebrating its 4th year in operation. Begun by a group of artists in and around Snowdonia, with local artist
Alison Bradley at the helm, the festival has grown since its in inaugural year
in impressive leaps and bounds. The three day event not only includes a wide proliferation of
exhibitions and workshops, but also contains many literary, music and poetry
events, in addition to some guided walks. It's interesting to note that Snowdonia has continually had a strong
artistic community that dates back to the time of the Napoleonic Wars. Artists
began to look at Snowdonia and North Wales anew, because the wars prevented
them from taking to their usual haunts around the lakes and mountains of
Switzerland, Italy and France. Luminaries such as JW Turner and his contemporaries such as David Cox
came in their droves to paint the wild and remote landscapes of North Wales. Such was there success that this lead to the commercialisation of their
quiet adopted mountain retreat of Betws-y-Coed. They moved out of this area and
into the remoter corners of Snowdonia and beyond, and this is still true of
many artists resident in the region today. A spokesperson added: "Betws-y-Coed was the home of Britain's first
artists' colony, and the artists practising here today follow a long line who
have been influenced by the landscape of Snowdonia and North Wales. "One of the aims of the festival is to remind visitors of the rich
artistic heritage of the Betws-y-Coed area, and to celebrate those artists
currently working here." |