Making Betws better
Last updated: 30 January 2007
Is Betws-y-Coed still the tourist magnet it was?
Jean Brayne explains how the locals are trying to guarantee its future prosperity.
The Friends of Betws-y-Coed formed in October 2006 to improve the village at Christmas,and we succeeded in putting up lights and decorations for Christmas 2006. Now we'd like to continue to help improve the village.
We want to get everyone on board to help attract more tourists to Betws, because that's what we rely on. If businesses do well, then they employ locals - it effects everyone.
There has been a bit of a drop in tourism, especially in 2005/6. It might have been connected with roadworks and diversions on the A5. Perhaps people are put off by the signs telling lorries and larger vehicles not to come this way.
But people should come here and we're doing out best to improve things. We'd like hanging baskets in the summer and to enter the Wales in Bloom competition - perhaps link up with those who run the flower festival at St Michaels' Church.
Litter is also a problem because the council can't afford any more bins. There isn't a bin between The Gallery and the Cross Keys, so people pick up some fish and chips and end up throwing their rubbish in the fields. It's pretty bad down by Pont y Pair, too.
We want to involve people from all parts of the village - currently, we're looking for someone from the Pentre Du area to join us as that's the main residential area.
Jean Brayne
your comments
Jean Brayne
Further to my report about litter, a few locals got together and had a successful litter pick and have planned another on for Tuesday 22 May 2007. The Friends of Betws-y-Coed and in talks with the appropriate government depts with regard to installation of more bins and the introduction of flower planters along with much needed tidying up of flower beds within the village.
Thu May 10 10:58:42 2007
rob downes dudley
betws is a wonderfull place, but too many visitors,torists, will spoil the village. as regular visitor i have noticed the litter problem at busy times. come on the council how much are a couple of bins, at the cost of betws being strewn with litter..as for the drop in tourism i think it it is the trend everywhere due to the rise in the cost of living the last couple of years.
Mon Apr 2 10:05:32 2007
alan gildersleve. London
I think Betws could not be improved. It always seems such a fairytale place, except for the Swallow Falls area, which spoils the whole place. Something must be done to keep cars away. They have made it like a cheap and nasty version of Margate.
Perhaps a park and ride area could be purchased somewhere up between Miners' Bridge and Capel Curig and a shuttle coach run at intervals to take sightseers to and from the falls and no-parking enforced at the falls itself.
Thu Feb 8 09:20:08 2007
Glenys Lloyd, Formby
Betws is such a lovely place - sorry to hear some of the visitors drop litter.
If, as you say, the council can't afford to buy more litter bins, perhaps the shops/cafes could put a bin/box outside each of their premises.
Wed Feb 7 14:05:23 2007
