Since the Spring a good number of groups have stayed at the Centre, the long, hot summer proving just as good for lazy beach lovers as for keen mountaineers
Most of our visitors are regulars who'e been coming for years (real oldies, some of them) but this year we welcome several new members, amongst these Matt Blue of Bicton College, Devon, who dropped in during the summer and was suitably impressed (.."wow... what a place!"). His students will be based at the Centre for two weeks this winter as part of their Instructor Training Course. |
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Walkwood Middle School made the most of the June weather for their trip, let by Bob James. This is the school's 27th year of "Wales Weeks" at Nantmor, with two visits each summer, sometimes three .. could be a record?
Stuart Taylor describes the start of their week:
"..On Sunday we had the formidable task of climbing the highest mountain - Snowdon! There it was in all its glory, it looked impossible. We set off but our confidence began to drop as we thought of the climb we had to undertake and the effort it needed.. of course we made it to the top!"
Stuart doesn't tell us any more, but presumably he made it back down with the group, who went on to climb three other mountains, baked on the beach and swam in the sea during their scorching week at Gelli Iago.
It's worth considering just how many young people from so many different schools have stayed at Gelli Iago over the past 43 years of the Association, and had their first taste of the mountains. The pioneers would now be in their fifties! |
The summer heat was enjoyed too by Cannock Chase Scouts, as their leader Ken Clegg reports:
"...an absolutely fantastic weekend... We did Cnicht on Saturday and spent the evening on the beach till 10pm. They all said it was the best weekend in camp they'd ever had with the Scouts, once they'd got over the shock of no TV or mobile phone reception. Some were proud to have been up a mountain:
"So that was a real mountain?"
"Yes, a real mountain!"
"Wow!"
...others, impressed that the Centre exists..
"So who owns it?"
"The Club looks after it"
"Why do they do it?"
"Just so people like you can come and enjoy the mountains" ...stunned silence.
The views from Cnicht were some of the best I have seen. It was clear right over Snowdon and we watched a rescue on the Castle of the Winds. We could see right out to sea... Those who struggled with the heat and the climb were inspired by one of our leaders, and became as interested in rocks and lichens as they were in the views. They enjoyed the manhunt in the dark ..by 11pm it was darker than they had ever seen!
Everything was great! Even the queues for the toilet were tolerated, how could they complain after such a brilliant weekend?"
The new bathroom plans are closer still, by the way, just
waiting for the landlord's decision on issues of lease.
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