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The Centre sometimes provides a base for more unconventional visitors, whose weekends give valuable training for their essential and very special work, as reported by Flash, on behalf of the Search and Rescue Dogs Association:
“Yo folks! It's me Flash – and I'm going to tell you a bit about our last training weekend at Gelli Iago at Nantmor. Us SARDA dogs all love it there – no roads so we get to run around and sniff – lots of sheep smells, and its quiet, by a river, and so close to the mountain. Us hounds have to sleep in the cars – mine was next to Fly's car, but she's in season so I couldn't go near – heh, heh!
On Saturday me and Boss were late, so we went up behind the house to work, I found lots of people hiding, but all the other dogs were there first, so lots of dog smells to work
out as well. Boss likes it at Gelli Iago too, so he was happy. Sunday we worked in Cwm Dyli, which is hard work, and there was hardly any wind, which makes it tough.. All good fun
though! Sniff you soon!!”
Flash would have written more if we'd had room, but he keeps a blog, if you'd like to read more of his adventures: http://journals.aol.co.uk/benbowphil/DogBlog
“When you're at the Centre please, please, PLEASE recycle! Paper, card, cans and glass must be either taken back home with you for recycling or put into the containers on
Beddgelert car park, and not left in the wheelie bin. There's simply not enough space in North Wales to bury all our junk! The wheelie is for non-recyclables only – please bag up
food waste securely to keep the bin clean – and I'm not talking a load of rubbish. Many thanks!”
(off for a shower now..)
Bob James
Don't forget Club Meets, first weekend of most months, ALL members (and guests) welcome: walk / climb / relax / shower / whatever – the time is yours; just bring your own food (and maybe a
bottle), cost about £13.
Forthcoming dates:
- Nov 30th – Dec 2nd 'Christmas Pud' weekend
- Jan 4th – 6th
- Feb 1st – 3rd
Contact meet leaders if you're interested. See you there!
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Since the Centre was inaugurated in 1963 countless people have stayed there, and their lives have been influenced in so many different ways. Long may this continue!
Nantmor is a very special place, as depicted in these articles:
FOND MEMORIES from David Pitt, Solihull
“Last week whilst on holiday with my wife and young children in North Wales I was reminded of a very happy fortnight spent at the Nantmor Mountain Centre in August 1970, when I
was a 16 year old member of St Alphege Church Youth Club, Solihull. Twenty or so of us were taken there on what was supposed to be a walking holiday.
We did do some walking, I remember an assault on Snowdon, and a walk round one of the Moels, but my lasting recollections from that Flower Power age are of a few of us upon arrival and the initial exploration of the farmhouse and immediate surroundings, divesting our garments and taking to the plungepool in the stream. Another is of my pal Steve and I playing Led Zeppelin songs on our acoustic guitars in the old ruin as the sun set. Fond memories of cooking the evening meals, done on a rota by groups of four, and less fond memories of washing up after...
So, last week I took the lane from Llyn Gwynant and found Gelli Iago (I've never known how to pronounce it). Parking on the lane I opened the gate and ventured up the long drive, longer than I recall, and found the door open and two families resident. I announced my presence and explained how and why I knew the place, and they invited me in to have a look around.
I was surprised how relatively few changes have been made, that the wooden hut has lasted so well, and disappointed that ‘Ty bach’ has disappeared from over the stream. As we were a 50:50 mixed group, the girls had the only indoor toilet whilst we lads roughed it with the stream rushing below!
Thirty seven years later my memories are of a very happy time, and I'm glad I had the experience.”
David Pitt, Solihull. Sept '07
HAPPY TIMES
“Twenty three years ago I first set eyes on Gelli Iago. I had been asked by Bob James to drive a minibus from his school in Redditch, and to spend the week helping with the school trip that Bob was running.
I had never done any walking in mountains (nor had I driven a minibus along such a lane). We climbed Snowdon, camped out for two nights, walked in scorching heat, and by the end week I was hooked to such an extent that I have been helping on Bob's school ‘Wales Trips’ ever since, mostly twice a year, sometimes three. For some years we have spent two nights camping at Twin Lakes, and this has become a magical place for me..
..Gelli Iago has providedme with many happy times, and it has been very rewarding to see so many children overcome the challenges. My thanks go to those who originally established the Nantmor Mountain Centre and to those who have worked over the years to maintain it and improve it.
I shall be forever grateful.”
John Gilmore, June '07
(We're grateful too, as John now helps to run the Association – Ed)
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