Seeing Stars

Stargazing in the Forest

Callling all budding stargazers and astronomers; don't miss this star-tacular event in North Wales this month.

As part of the BBC's Stargazing Live events, this forest spectacular is not to be missed! If you have an interest in astronomy and the night sky, or simply if you want an informative evening with a difference, you'll love this event at the Coed y Brenin Visitor Centre.

You'll have the opportunity to stargaze from the balcony, with guest speakers from the North Wales Astronomy Society, and then there's the indoor planetarium to explore.

Thursday 26th January
17:00 to 21:00
suitable for any age; cost is £5 (includes a bowl of soup). Tickets essential.
Weather dependant.......

The event is run by the Forestry Commission Wales. For more details and tickets contact the Visitor Centre - 01341 440 74
http://www.forestry.gov.uk/coedybrenin
coedybrenin@forestry.gsi.gov.uk

Coed Y Brenin Forestry Commission Visitor Centre, Dolgyfeiliau, Dolgellau. LL40 2HZ

photo by bradimarte on sxc.hu

 

If you go down to the woods today....

Haw-Haw to History

Did you know that the Oakeley Arms' little patch of Snowdonia is packed full of history, folk-lore and local legends? The Oakeley Arms itself lies at the edge of one of the oldest forests in Wales. The ancient Coed y Bleiddiau (or Forest of the Wolves) is named after the fearsome wolves that made their home among the dense, dark trees. It's said to be one of the last places in the country where wolves roamed free.

But, there's some slightly more recent history that has intrigued and surprised many of our guests and customers. Any of our readers who enjoyed our walk last week will have walked past a very special little cottage, deep in the forest.

It was built in the 1860's by the Ffestiniog Railway for use by the Superintendent of the line; at the time a Mr Hovenden, so the cottage became known locally as Ty Hovenden (Hovenden's House). No-one knows why such a remote location was chosen; there's no road access here so a railway halt was built here especially to serve the cottage.

During the 1920's the cottage  took the name of the eerie forest that surrounded it and became known as "Coed-y-Bleiddiau". It was rented by Sir Granville Bantock, the famous composer and conductor, where he lived with his family until 1937. Memoirs written by Sir Granville's family recall the brilliant method of acquiring groceries and shopping - as the morning train approached, Lady Bantock would hold out a large wicker basket with a shopping list and money for the train guard to grab as he passed on the moving carriage. The afternoon train would return with a full basket of groceries, which would be heaved out of the carriage as it passed the cottage.

After the Bantock family left the cottage, it was rented to the well known British Fascist, Harry Philby, and it is these connections that are thought to have led William Joyce, otherwise known as Lord Haw Haw, to stay at the cottage during the war.

William Joyce became an infamous fascist, known for his broadcasts that promoted Nazi propaganda and beliefs in the 1940's after he fled to Germany to escape from the British authorities. It is claimed that he often mentioned the little cottage and the local area and residents during his radio broadcasts. After the war, Joyce was captured for his crimes and tried for treason; he was executed in 1946.

As for the remote little cottage, it was rented in 1951 by Mr & Mrs Johnson who lived there for over 50 years. When the Ffestiniog Railway re-opened in the 1980's, the couple were often spotted in their garden waving to passengers as the train shuffled by.

Today, sadly, this fascinating little cottage is in desperate need of restoration and a little TLC, but it's certainly worth a walk into the forest for a glimpse of this enchanting house in a bewitching location. And keep your eyes peeled for wolves!!

Russell's Academy Plans

"There's no business like Show-Business"

All of us at the Oakeley Arms have absolutely loved watching Russell and his fancy footwork and brilliant dance moves every Saturday on Strictly, but even though the fabulous journey has sadly now come to an end, Russell certainly isn't giving up on the business of "showbiz", which is where he first started his career.

It has recently been revealed that Russell is involved with plans to unveil a new Showbusiness Academy in association with nearby Coleg Harlech. Russell, who lives close by, is a loyal advocate of Snowdonia and our beautiful area, and it is hoped that the new academy will bring plenty of opportunities for prospective students.

“Plans for the academy are in the early stages", says Russell, "but the intention is that it would cater for people of all ages. It’s not true that theatre workshops are for young people as everyone, whatever their age, should fulfil their creative potential.”

Although the precise details and curriculum are still being discussed, the proposed academy would be an enormous boost for the area, and will hopefully encourage people of all ages, abilities and backgrounds to learn skills or further their careers in the world of entertainment.

Russell has revealed that the course will offer a variety of musical theatre, drama and even broadcasting. He wants the proposed academy to bring something "which has never been done anywhere else - we don't want to cut across anything which is already being offered".

The plan promises to be a great boost for the undiscovered talent of the local area, and what better mentor and specialist than our very own brilliant Strictly star!

We wish Russell heaps of good luck with the plans, and we'll be excited to hear all about it when everything is finalised. You never know, we might even enroll ourselves..... (dig out your ear-plugs....hehe).

Image: ChIandra4U

Oakeley Winter Walk

Ffestiniog Valley Walk

We love a bracing winter walk here at the Oakeley Arms, and we don't need much of an excuse to drag the walking boots from the cupboard, fill up the thermos and head out for an amble.

The forecast's pretty good this weekend, so what are you waiting for? Try our brilliant walk along the Ffestiniog Valley - there are some cracking views and stunning scenery.

This walk leaves straight from the Oakeley. See you in the bar afterwards for a well-earned drink!

Distance:               approx 5 ½ miles

Start:                       Oakeley Arms, Maentwrog

Maps:                     OL Explorer 18: Harlech, Porthmadog and Y Bala

Directions:            

1: Leave the pub and turn left onto the main road; follow pavement round corner towards bridge. Just before bridge over Dwyryd, turn left through gate (at a footpath sign) and walk along top of grassy mound. Ahead are stunning views of the Ffestiniog valley.

2: When you get close to the river, the path swings left. Go through gate, turn right and stay on the quiet lane for over a mile. The river is parallel to the lane at first, then it veers away from it. Finally you will reach a small bridge, cross it and continue ahead to follow lane to a road.

 3: Turn right to soon reach a junction, then turn left and very soon cross over for footpath sign turning right over stone stile. Follow path up through trees and over stile. Walk besides wall for short distance and at a corner of wall where the stones have fallen go through gap and turn left (the wall should now be on your left) towards road.

4: Over stile, turn right on road and walk for almost 200metres. At a footpath sign turn left, through gate and along path. Go through gate then steeply downhill to gate at bottom.

5: Go through small boggy land and head to right, walking along field edge towards the corner. Here head upwards along right edge of field, passing way-marker. At top of field go through gap and stay straight ahead, keeping wall on left. Cross stile and turn left along a track heading downhill.

6: At the road turn sharp right and at end of parking area on the right cross road and turn left down narrow path. Go through gate and soon track will veer to left, but as it ends stay ahead on path through trees which curves left to gate.

7: Through gate and into nature reserve and follow path uphill by river. Turn left to cross bridge and climb steeply. Walk past another information board and follow main path. Go over small stream and through gap in broken wall.

8: At top of woods go over stile and continue straight on to walk alongside wall then through ferns. Over stile then turn left and soon head right up track following edge of trees. At a fork, stay left.

9: You’ll soon reach the old railway track (look for the ruined bridge ahead. Turn left here and walk along the old track; you should be able to see wooden sleepers to mark the track.

10: At Dduallt station go through gate and cross railway line to pass railway buildings. Just after old house on right look for stile over fence on the other side of the track. Opposite the stile, cross the track again and over stile, turning left.

11: After going under bridge follow path through more ferns and go through two gaps in the broken stone walls to stile. Over stile, cross railway, over another stile and turn right. Follow path that heads downhill.

12: At a track by a house, continue ahead and the track will start to go steeply downhill. At a very sharp bend to left keep straight on over stile at footpath sign. Go downhill and cross stream, then carry on descending through woods to gate.

13: Through gate, turn left to follow steeply path down to track. Turn uphill to right, passing house and cross bridge. Go half left along path then through gate to follow windy path through trees. When you reach lane, turn right and then at main road turn right again to reach Oakeley Arms.

**Please note that appropriate clothing and shoes should be worn for this walk, and it should not be attempted in bad weather. It is also recommended that you take a map with you, as well as adequate food and drink supplies.

All directions are correct at the time of writing but the Oakeley Arms cannot accept responsibility for errors, omissions or changes or any damages caused as a result of following these walk directions. Please notify us if you find any errors and we will do our best to rectify them.

Ask a member of staff if you'd like help with directions or advice on the route.

It's never too late....

you've still got time.....

to get your hands on some tickets for the Oakeley Arms New Year's extravaganza!

There are still a few tickets available, so don't miss out! Contact us to reserve some for you, and come and join us for a fabulous party to welcome in the New Year. It's set to be a stonker!

image by vhujer on sxc.hu

We've even got a mini-bus running between Blaenau and Port, so you don't even have to worry about wobbling home!!

£20 advance or £25 on the door.

Contact us if you need more information about times, fancy dress or any other details.

See you there!!

Happy Christmas!

To quote one of our favourite festive tunes........

"it's Chriiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiistmas!"

Yes, it's finally arrived! Happy Christmas everyone!!

image: johnnyberg on sxc

We hope that the turkey's stuffed, the sherry bottle's on its way to empty and the stockings are ready and waiting; all that remains to be seen is just who's been good and who's been naughty this year - or is it that Santa has just misplaced your wish-list???

To all our lovely customers, friends and family, we wish you a very merry Christmas indeed, and we look forward to welcoming you at the Oakeley in 2012.

See you soon, from all of us at the Oakeley Arms.

Community Spirit

The John Williams Cambrian Lodge

Here at the Oakeley Arms, we're lucky to be the meeting point for several community groups and organisations, and this week we'd like to pay a big blog tribute to one of our favourite local community groups, the John Williams Cambrian Lodge RAOB.

The John Williams Cambrian Lodge are the local arm of the Royal Antediluvian Order of Buffaloes (RAOB) or Buffs, as they are sometimes fondly known.

The charitable organisation was founded at the turn of the nineteenth century. Its intruigning name comes from the fact that tradtionally at every meeting, the popular song of the time "Hunt the Buffalo" was sang, and so the Buffs were born!

The organisation's origins are believed to have been on the stages and in the theatres of London, when a group of theatre hands and technicians formed their own brotherhood after being denied membership to an order for actors and artists. The earliest known meeting of the RAOB took place in 1822 in London, but as the theatre workers travelled all over the country, and indeed the commonwealth, for their work, RAOB groups, or lodges as they are known, popped up all over the world. They now have branches as far afield as Canada, Australia, New Zealand, South Africa and India.

The Buffs are a non political, non religious and benevolant organisation, which is open to men over 18.  Groups meet every week to discuss issues, converse and raise money for many different charitable causes, both within and outside the organisation. The RAOB very much believe that all men are equal; and in the power of charity, caring for others and helping those that are less fortunate or less able.

At a recent meeting, the John Williams Cambrian Lodge made donations to several local good causes, such as Portmadoc Scouts, St Twrog's Church, Macmillan Nurses and the Glaslyn Mountain Rescue Team.

Photo of the WP John Wall R.O.H of the John Williams Cambrian Lodge 10505 presenting a cheque of £100.00 to the Porthmadoc scout treasurer Mr M. Vellacott

Picture by Geraint Jones

The lodge is active every Thursday evening at 8.00pm at the Oakeley Arms, and anyone interested in enrolling with the RAOB please call in, you'd be most welcome.

For more details about the work of the RAOB, see www.raob.org.uk