Men of Harlech

Wow.

 

Wow x 2.

 

Pont Britannia was a tubular bridge for trains only. In the late 60's/early 70's some lads went looking for birds nests in the tube - set the tubes on fire - 'new' bridge built with the A55 roadway on top.

The Suspension Bridge built 200 years ago is an amazing structure and well worth a visit. Turn off A55 - into Bangor City - follow signs for Holyhead and you'll cross the bridge. As you come over the bridge into Menai Bridge keep to the left and there's parking available at the supermarket car park.
Ask for way to nearby Church Island - local beauty spot - walk down there and follow the path round and you'll go under the Bridge.

 

Was first place I saw oyster catchers

 

can I PM you?

 

unable to PM you - have you blocked that ?

 

Wouldn't even know how to, so no idea

 

If you head over the Menai bridge towards Anglesey you can actually park on the bridge there’s a road that’s free to park on the left hand side. The supermarket car park is a Waitrose but it’s always full so if you do carry on you will see a Chinese restaurant Jade Village you can park there but have to pay.

Personally would go to the Anglesey Arms parking is free for patrons and either have something to eat before or after walking the bridge you can walk both sides and both offer different views.

 

.

 

Yorkshire version is best

 

My grandmother used to say that when she went to Anglesey for holidays as a child all the passengers had to get off the coach because the bridge was thought not be strong enough to support a full bus load. It's been strengthened since then.
You are right re Jade Village - a walk down to the Straits from there takes you to Belgian Drive which takes you right under the Bridge and past Thomas Telfords House.

 

recall going to Talysarn when a Bangor student distributing political leaflets. This was in late Novemebr and my impression was that it may be o.k. to live there in the spring/summer but would be pretty miserable the rest of the year.
One branch of my family came from Rhyd Ddu - going back a few generations the son of Ffridd Ucha married the daughter of Ffridd Isa (or vice versa.)
Last time I went up Snowdon we went from Rhyd Ddu.

I know someone who worked at Plas Y B - now retired - may have known your father in law - don't want to put his name on an open forum which is why I would have PM'd you.

 

Small world, last place I thought there would be someone who'd even heard of Talysarn would be on a Barnsley FC forum, yeah it's that sort of place, think the last pub shut a few back so there's nothing left in the village now.
The next cottage from the one we stay is call ffridd uchaf, it's just outside Rhyd Ddu heading towards Beddgelert, it's so peaceful and relaxing, I'm only ever truly happy when I'm there.
No problem, ask him if he knows Gerald Kerr, that's the father in law

 

Back in the 1960s "The Sons of Owain Glydwr" were the Welsh equivalent of the IRA. The Coal Board at the time ran a TV ad campaign with the slogan 'Come home to a real fire'. The TV satire "Not the 9 o'clock news" adapted it to
" Come Home to a Real Fire . . . . . Buy a Cottage in Wales". The "Sons of Owain Glyndwr" at the time were torching holiday homes bought by the English.

 

yes small world - one of my great grandmothers was born in Ffridd Ucha!
I've just ordered a copy of Daydream Believers to send to the guy who worked at Plas Y Brenin. He's a Yorkshireman and I think the video is a real 'Yorkshire video' and he'll enjoy it (tho' for some reason he supports Peterborough!)

Could you ask your father in law if Denise Evans widow of mountaineer Charles Evans is still alive - Charles Evans was part of Edmund Hilary's team that conquered Everest in 1953. Charles Evans came from Ruthin and the Local History Society is pulling together an article about him. I've got involved because some of my older relatives knew Charles and if Denise is alive the Society may contact her - think she lived in Capel Curig - or their sons may be around.
Possibly your f-i-l knew Charles ?

Interesting places these football forums!

 

just googled it - between 1979 and 1993 - 220 fires were started - only one conviction for someone who sent a letter bomb.
I'm not sure how organised or co-ordinated they were - I suspect it was a few men in different communities not known to each other doing the burning. Yes, they called themselves 'Meibion Glyndwr' - 'Sons of Glyndwr'

Also the Taffs weren't too thrilled about getting a Prince of Wales.....

slightly o/t - one of the concerns of Meibion Glyndwr was the Welsh Language was gradually disappearing and if non-Welsh speakers were moving into the area the problem was made worse.
Now Welsh is an 'Official Language' - all the official notices letters etc are bilingual as are all the reports etc from Y Senedd.
People who move to Wales to work may have to do a basic course in Welsh. My sister in law works as one of these Welsh tutors employed by the Police in Gwent. Contact any Welsh Government Department and you have the option to speak to a Welsh speaker.
Even McDonalds touch screen for ordering has the option to do the ordering in Welsh!

 

I'll ask him and let you know, the wife and family used to stay in a cottage at chapel curig all summers when she was a kid, just down from the Joe brown shop. I know he's mentioned about a cafe near prenteg being owned by one of the Everest party, so he might know,

 

Been here nearly 10 years never been pushed into learning welsh. My son learns in the welsh language scheme but if you spoke to him he will never choose to speak in Welsh.

I can speak Welsh at a very basic level.

 

[QUOTE=

Also the Taffs weren't too thrilled about getting a Prince of Wales.....



Understandable we wouldn't want him as 'Duke of York', but then in light of recent events he may have been the better option.

 

can empathise with your son - my Czech grandmother tried to teach me her language - I failed miserably.
Welsh is horrendously difficult - not only knowing the right word but getting them in the right order and of course there's the difficult mutations.
I think the policy of Gwent Constabulary is that to get the top jobs they have to have a basic knowledge of Welsh - that's where my s-i-l comes in.
Hwyl -Cheers!