11th-13th September - The British Senate in North Wales
Training & Walking
The Senate last visited Snowdonia in 2006, when we stayed in the Royal Goat Hotel and travelled on the then incomplete narrow gauge Welsh Highland Railway. Much has changed since then, and now right behind the Royal Goat Hotel - where we will once again be made most welcome - there is a railway station! 2009 will be the first year of passenger operation on the completed Welsh Highland Railway, and it is now 3 miles longer than it was when it closed in 1937, and engineered to 21st century standards!
Your arrival on Friday afternoon will depend on individual travel arrangements, but if you plan to arrive after 21:00 please give us warning so that a late supper snack can be arranged if you wish. Friday supper, which is included in the weekend, will be an informal opportunity to renew Senate friendships, forge new ones, and lay plans for tomorrow. On Saturday morning after a leisurely breakfast, and perhaps a stroll into the village, we will walk to the new Welsh Highland Railway station – less than 50 yards from the hotel – to await the arrival of the first train of the day for Porthmadog. We will then travel down the spectacular Aberglaslyn Pass, which some of you may have walked in the past, and across the Traeth Mawr – the great mouth of the Glaslyn River, reclaimed from the sea in the early 19th century by William Madocks. This journey gives fantastic distant views of the main peaks of the Snowdonia Massif – Snowdon itself, Cnicht, the Moelwyns to name a few. At Porthmadog we will travel straight on by the Ffestiniog Railway to Tan y Bwlch where we will enjoy a buffet lunch in the licensed station cafe. Meanwhile, those wanting a slightly more physically challenging morning will have walked and enjoyed glorious views, on very minor gated roads and an old mountain cart track via the village of Croesor to join us for lunch at Tan y Bwlch. Lunch is included in the weekend. In the afternoon our train will take all of us back via Porthmadog to Beddgelert in time for the Senate AGM at 17:30.
Saturday evening’s Gala Dinner will be a traditional Senate black tie event. On Sunday morning, there are opportunities for several short walks around Beddgelert, or of riding (at your own expense) the rest of the new railway, 5½ miles of 1 in 40 between Beddgelert and Rhyd Ddu, the previous terminus of the line and its summit at the foot of Snowdon. This section through the Beddgelert Forest includes two complete reverse S bends, a device included to gain altitude in mountain country without advancing the distance travelled and thus to make an easier gradient, despite which the steam engines certainly work hard and make an impressive sight and sound as you see the railway immediately below you going in the opposite direction!
Nothing is being arranged for lunch on Sunday, as many will need to travel home by then, but there are plenty of choices, and advice is available for those who wish. Also, if anyone is considering extending their stay in Beddgelert, please say so early on, as the hotel already has a large group expected on the Sunday night, and space will be limited; there are three other smaller hotels and various B&Bs in Beddgelert for those who wish to stay longer. Have a look at the Beddgelert Tourism website here http://www.beddgelerttourism.com/. Attractions in the area are many and varied, and advice is readily available!
For those who have not until now been aware of the Welsh Highland Railway – arguably the greatest current new railway project in the UK, and likely to be hailed in the future as one of the Great Railway Journeys of the World – have a look at http://whr.bangor.ac.uk/. For more general information on the Ffestiniog & Welsh Highland Railways, try http://www.festrail.co.uk/. Then click on each of the two railways in turn.
And the cost of this extravaganza?
Dinner, bed & breakfast on Friday & Saturday nights, lunch on Saturday, with half a bottle of wine included on Saturday evening and the train journey on Saturday will be £160 per person sharing twin or double rooms, and £180 per person with single occupancy.
Please book with James King by printing off and completing the attached booking form. A deposit is required with each booking, preferably by cheque but BACS transfers can be arranged, so please ask James for the relevant bank details if you are outside the UK, or have simply forgotten where you last saw your sterling cheque book! There will be no reduction for walkers, as they will also be using the chartered train for their return. Part attendances may be possible, depending on space – prices on application to James who will be happy to discuss your requirements.
When
11th-13th September
Where
North Wales
Audience
JCI Senators, partners and guests are welcome to attend this event.
