BETWS-Y-COED, NORTH WALES

SUNDAY, 2ND SEPTEMBER 2007

Coach Leader: Terry Dunn

Coach Leaves at 5.30 pm

Please read these coach notes carefully - they will help you to decide which walk will be the most suitable for you. If you have any doubts, do not hesitate to ask the leader for advice. For the safety and enjoyment of yourself and others, please try not to join a walk which is beyond your capabilities.

TODAY'S WALKS

Strenuous Leader: John Potter Distance: 11 miles

11 miles at a steady pace. Walkers are requested not to charge ahead of the leader.
The first part of the walk will cover varied ground on the way up to Llyn Elsi passing Clogwyn Gigfran and the farmstead at Mynydd Bychan. The following parts will lead to the Roman Bridge to cross Afon Llugwy and ramble through the northern parts of the Gwydyr Forest for the return to Betws y Coed by way of Pencraig and Cyrau. Have a nice day!

Moderate Leader: Terry Dunn Distance :

No details available.

Leisurely Leader: Derek Lee Distance 6.5 miles

The walk starts with a 650 foot climb to Llyn Parc, mostly easy walking but with one rocky section requiring care. Then a lakeside walk and lunch before we traverse an undulating landscape of meadows and woods leading to along descent to Miners Bridge, again including some spots calling for great care. Finally, a riverside walk back to Betws-y-Coed.
In the event of inclement weather (or if walkers prefer!), this will be replaced by an easier low level walk of the same distance to Fairy Glen and Conwy Falls (not reconnoitered), mostly on minor roads and paths, with 300 feet climbing.

Easy Leader: Nancy Rencontre Distance:

No details available.

NOTES ON THE AREA

Betws y Coed, the name meaning "the oratory in the forest", is situated in the heart of the great Gwydir Forest which is in the Snowdonia National Park. It is the meeting place of three valleys, the Conwy, Llugwy and Lledr. Because of the scenic beauty of the area, it attracts many visitors each year.

There are picturesque glens and falls, the most famous being the Swallow Falls, the falls at the Miners Bridge and those at Pont-y-Pair. Betws y Coed was made famous by the Birmingham watercolourist, David Cox, and the sign he painted for the Royal Oak Hotel has for many years been preserved within the building.

Betws y Coed has several bridges, the Pont-y-Pair (Bridge of the Cauldron) a rugged five-arch bridge over the Llugwy; a suspension footbridge hidden behind the old church; and Telford's cast iron Waterloo Bridge, taking the A5 road over the River Conwy.

Lead mining was carried on in the area from the mid-19th century until World War I when lead from the United States and elsewhere put Welsh lead out of business.

The 14th century 'Old church' of St Michael & All Angels is situated behind the railway station. In it's nave lies the effigy of Gruffyd ap Dafydd, the great nephew of Llwellyn the Last, who fought in the wars of Edward III and the Black Prince.

The Miners' Bridge over the Llugwy is inclined as a ladder from one bank to the other at an angle of about 30° to the horizontal. The bridge originally served as a convenient route for miners living nearby at Pentre-du, south of the river, to reach their work in the lead mines situated on the higher ground to the north. The present bridge was erected about 1983 and is the fifth or sixth on the site.

A survey in 1975 showed that the Swallow Falls were visited by about 690,000 people annually. The majority of visitors approach the Falls from the road on the south side, where a car park has been provided, paying a fee for the privilege. The Falls can also be viewed from the north bank free of charge, using the public right of way; here the view is admittedly poorer but the walking much more exciting.

Some of the trails in the extensive forestry both north and south of Betws y Coed are open for ramblers, and we should be able to find decent walks today for all of us! Betws y Coed itself has cafes and gift shops as well as attractive stretches of river and waterfalls

DATES FOR YOUR DIARY

NEXT RAMBLE.

Sunday 30th September 2007. Church Stretton, Shropshire.

Leaders: Strenuous: Jackie Gudgeon, Moderate: Chris Cox, Leisurely: Ruth and Hazel, Easy: Sue Daniels.

Bookings Derek Lee. Cheques to Skelmersdale Rambling Club.

Coach pick-up times: Ormskirk bus station 8.40 am, Railway Road, Skelmersdale 8.50 am, Skelmersdale Baths car park 9.00 am.

Will walk leaders please let Jackie have details of their walks as far before the walk as possible. At least a week would be nice. Thanks. Those who have the technology can e-mail your notes- please use the address on the Contacts page.

COMMITTEE MEETING

Will committee members please note Committee Meeting 7.30 pm on Wednesday, 19th September 2007 at 34 Croftstpon avenue, Ormskirk.

SKELMERSDALE CHURCHES RAMBLING CLUB

Saturday, 13th October 2007. Ulverston, South Cumbria..

Coach leaves Ormskirk Bus Station 8.30 am, Railway Road Bus Stop 8.45 am, Skelmersdale Baths Car Park 8.50 am, Upholland Labour Club 9.00 am.

Bookings: Yvonne Turton.

RAMBLERS ASSOCIATION WEST LANCS GROUP

Sunday, 9th September 2007. 11.00 am. Loggerheads Country Park. On A494 between Mold and Ruthin. (car park £5). 8 miles.

Wednesday, 19th September 2007. 1.30 pm. Croston and Bretherton from Croston railway station car park. 5 miles.

Sunday, 23rd September 2007. 1.30 pm. Worden Park, Leyland from the main car park off Worden Lane. 5 miles.

CLUB NOTES

COACH SEATS

At the AGM a request was made that some front seats be made available for those few passengers who experience difficulties with travelling, especially on the longer journeys or when the route is winding (you get the picture!). After discussion it was decided to try keeping the four seats on the second row from the front of the coach. In order that everyone has a comfortable journey, please choose to sit further back if you can.

COACH FARES

Please note, starting with the ramble to Hollingworth Lake on the 28th October 2007, coach fares will be £8.00 (£9.00 for non members).

MEMBERSHIP

Remember that membership subscriptions are now due. Please see Linda on this coach or as soon as possible after.

RUCKSACKS

Please store rucksacks, poles etc in the coach luggage compartment. It is the coach company's rules that rucksacks etc are not brought into the coach, and this should only be waived (with the prior permission of the driver on the day) for those two or three people who are getting off the coach at places other than the main dropping off points.

Please remember that the rucksack rule is for our comfort and safety on the coach. Most members find it easy enough to bring a smaller bag on to the coach containing those things which are needed 'on the coach', and this requires only a little bit of thought when packing in the morning. Thanks.

Also, the custom of putting rucksacks into separate compartments for the journey home seems to be working quite well - remember, side boot for Skelmersdale, back boot for Ormskirk, although we appreciate this may not always be possible when the side locker is a very small one.

Please make every effort to ensure that, when you leave the bus, you take all your possessions with you. Please check the luggage rack, under the seat, etc, not to mention the boot. Please try not to take anyone else's stuff. Thanks.

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SKELMERSDALE RAMBLING CLUB