Betws Garmon, The Rec And The Elephant Plas Y Nant 1966

Photo ref: B78103

The Methodist Association of Youth Clubs (MAYC) had a big annual rally in London for many years. There was a tradition to throw pom-poms with your name and address attached to create pen friends. At one such weekend I connected with a lad called John Smith from County Durham. While I was a student at Birmingham Polytechnic, he picked me up and took me to Plas y Nant for two weekends away during the autumn ...see more

I first went to Plas with my parents in 1955. From 1958 till 1966, it became my second home, first holidaying - summer, Christmas, Easter, Whit - and from 1962, as one of that select band, a Plas leader. I have continued to visit on and off up to Plas closing its doors in 2007. The memories remain fresh today and the friendships are life long. In 1997, Auntie Lena died, aged 92 and I had the privilege of ...see more

We went to stay at Plas-Y-Nant, Easter, Whit and Summer every year in the 50s. It was simply wonderful. Yes, I remember Auntie Lena and the whole range of little customs and practices we willingly engaged in. Not the least important of these was the evening 'down and up' - the group walk down the drive, along the road and up the bridle path. The bridle path was, of course, only wide enough for two to walk up in ...see more

I first was introduced Plas Y Nant by The Rev. Ken D Beardsley who took a large group of us youngsters from the Methodist church in Menston Yorkshire in 1966. We were there introduced to the the formidable, affectionately known As Aunty Lena. She was not really formidable at all and was dearly loved by all. Here I was lead with others up the the 'PYG' track to the the Snowdon summit by John Cantrill, hope I spelt ...see more