your comments
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Peter B Australia
I am so sorry to hear that Bethesda is slipping away into obscurity, and agree with comments made by Allun Bach, that tourism seems to be the way to go. This could bring much needed funds to the area and as well as giving a boost to the local business sector, also provide jobs for the youth of Bethesda. Good luck to you.
Mon Mar 10 11:02:26 2008
Alun Bach
I took my family to visit my home town last October and I was horrified to see the deterioration of the high street, I'm not surprised with the amount of lorries that are allowed to drive through on a daily basis! It was very sad to see all the shops closed down, unfortunately they can’t compete with the big supermarkets that are only a few miles away! I can't see why the Government don’t invest some funding/grants into changing the area into more of a tourism attraction, after all it can’t be any closer to the Snowdonia National Park but when you drive or walk through the town you could be a thousand miles away. We used to have a railway line running from the quarry to docks at Bangor, now what an attraction that could’ve been? Bethesda has so much to offer the tourism trade just like Llanberis, Capel Curig, Betws-y-Coed and Beddgelert to name a few that are only a few miles away and are thriving on the tourism trade. The area is deep in history but if it's not careful all this will be forgotten.
Fri Feb 22 12:12:54 2008
Paul Hughes (Bethesda)
It's a huge shame that house prices in the area have seen the biggest increase in North Wales - the local jobs don't pay much and people who grew up here can't afford to buy the houses they grew up around. I work in property, and a lot of staff from the hospital who have come from other parts of the country are buying houses in Rachub and Tregarth. Which would be great if they shopped locally, bought cars from the area etc, but that doesn't happen.
I would love to see some more money being spent on the high street, there are some good businesses there. Should there not be grants or subsidies for businesses to set up in the area? The quarry only has a relatively short shelf life left...I'm 28 and by the time I'm 55 there will be nothing left to mine there...so where will the local people work?
I find it odd that the government spends millions setting up a new business park in Llandegai, when the majority of units in Parc Menai are empty anyway...when we could redevelop those empty space on the High Street into cheap, clean, modern office space...and maybe then we can retain SOME of our graduates...and the office workers could contribute directly to the local economy.
Fri Feb 22 09:02:07 2008
Sue Eld (Winthorpe)
To Peter Buttress - if you are the Peter who came from the Wirral and spent a lot of your youthful hours with Jim Winthorpe this is his ex wife - sadly Jim died over 2 years ago. I think we all went to Rhyl one day years & years ago! Best wishes to you - Jim always loved the mountains, they never left his thoughts.
Tue Feb 12 15:01:38 2008
Peter Buttress Australia
Hi Bethesda, I used to climb here in the 60s with Jim Winthorpe. I remember the Dougie and the rescue hut on the river. Used to stay at an old abandoned cottage im the pass. I also remember a lovely young girl named Sylvia Jones from Gerlan.
Wed Jan 9 09:44:45 2008
Barbara, The Netherlands
I spent many a happy and wet(!) holiday at Ogwen Bank way back in the early 70's. I haven't been back since but I loved Bethesda, and have happy memories of evenings by campfires lit by the site managers sons.There used to be a camping field as well as the static caravans, but I see that that is gone now.
Wed Dec 5 11:30:38 2007
netty
hello everyone who knows me. i moved to bethesda when i was about 14..... a long time ago!! i have brought up 3 beautiful daughters there, and its not a bad place to live.
Mon Oct 1 10:05:00 2007
Lynda Turner
I was born in Bethesda in 1952 left when I WAS 6 but still miss it so much Iused to go back quite a lot when Iwas married but due to "Illness & divorce have not been able to get back as much.I think its the most beautiful place on "Gods Earth"so if anyone remembers me love to you all
Thu Sep 13 09:41:40 2007
Mike Beaumont, Coventry
I have many happy memories of scaling Tryfan, the Devils Kitchen and The Glyders over many years.Apart from ascending the North ridge of Tryfan earlier this year, I've not been able to visit the area as often as I would normally.Even my ten year old son, who ascended Snowdon at the age of eight, has acsended Glyder Fawr via the Kitchen and wants to climb it again, or another route.
Wed Aug 29 09:55:46 2007
Graham Jones Wrexham
I was born in Bethesda (well Maes Bleddyn) no 32 and went to school there. My parents had the chip shop (Austins ) next to Davies the dentist (deceased) for many years till we moved. It is still home to me and I go to visit my family when ever I can. The mountains and the views are the best in WALES. HIRAETH MAWR.
Fri Aug 10 09:38:35 2007
Marian Griffith from Bethesda
David Iddon - re camp site. There are two probables. Ogwen Bank which has static caravans and is by the river on the road out of Bethesda towards Betws y Coed, the other is Fferm Dinas (Farm) near Tregarth (towards Bangor) which takes tourers and tents. Hope this helps.
Tue Aug 7 09:43:58 2007
J thomas Cheadle hulme
I was evacuted in the second world war to Jones Farm in Bethesda .My Father and Mother worked on the Farm.Happy memories.
Wed Jul 18 09:35:05 2007
Robert Parry, Columbus, Ohio
My grandfather, whom I was named after, lived in Bethesda and immigrated to the USA way back around 1905. He was a quarryman and also sexton of the Church of Herron (Methodist). I had the privilege of visiting Bethesda in 1953 and found the church and the home of my father's birthplace. I often wonder if that church is still there and if I have relatives there in Bethesda. My grandmother's maiden name was Catherine Williams.
Thu Jul 12 10:06:06 2007
Derek & Marjorie Pardoe-Wilmslow
It was great to see the rooftops of Bethesda - we lived at no 7 Ffrydlas road up at the top of Pen-y-Bryn. Went there in 1963. Our youngest boy Andy (we have three now) lives in the French Alps, and living for 4 years in Bethesda made such an impression on their lives that they still talk about Bethesda with affection - we have been back to visit many times but still feel a pang of regret when we have to come back to our home.
Fri Jun 1 09:14:32 2007
Emily Saunders, Bethesda
Susan Jones, now Oban: Hi, i think i remember you. You moved to Scotland when i was in Pen y Bryn, you gave me your address but i've lost it. Please get in touch.
Thu May 31 15:06:27 2007
Hilary Rendell Altrincham.
My cousin, Pamela Brownrigg posted a message on this site and rang to tell me of the webcam overlooking Bethesda, which I have bookmarked. I too have fond memories of gerlan when I was a child. The boom of the quarry blast behind us, and going into Mrs Lennies shop for a choc Ice. Dickon the butcher and the bakery down the lane. Our cousin Angela is now in South Africa and we will be in touch so she can view too.
Thu May 17 10:28:36 2007
pamela brownrigg lancaster
my grandmother and aunt/uncle lived in gerlan in the late 1940-50s. i was often sent there in school holidays. loved it, i have been back a few times and still love the mountains and river. My family named Caunce. My cousin went to school there she was called Angela.
Fri May 11 09:01:34 2007
steve , tregarth
great webcam shot but wouldn't it be great to have one recording all the activities in the high street!
Mon Apr 30 11:03:31 2007
Michael Owen from Manchester
The view's a bit fuzzy today, but the sky's blue enough.I used to travel through Bethesda every month for many years. Lovely people, great village spirit, the sort of place where, if you had problems, you could talk to your neighbours as friends, and they'd sort you out. Yes, the same few twits round the back of the pub (and elsewhere), but the sort of welcome that you can't put into fancy words, just FEEL it!'Nuff said, or I'll start crying into my keyboard!Want to see the town again, really soon!
Mon Apr 30 10:59:56 2007
David Reynolds, graphic designer, Bristol.
As a baby I was evacuated, with my mother, to Bethesda in about 1944. We stayed with a lady called "Matty" (probably not spelled like that.) Unfortunately, I can't remember anything about it! I love Wales. Must go back and have a good look at Bethesda.
Wed Apr 18 12:52:43 2007
Susan Jones, now Oban, was Bethesda
Wow! I've missed seeing that fantastic view! I moved from Betheda June 2000 to start a new life up in Oban, on the West Coast of Scotland, with my parents and wee bro. Had just finished at Pen Y Bryn when I moved up here so it was hard leaving all my school pals behind. I have visited since the move, as my grandparents live in Bangor, but haven't been up to Bethesda for over 18 months. It's nice to see it's overcast somewhere else today.
Tue Apr 10 10:40:46 2007
June Steele (Varley) from Blackburn
St David's Day and just had to look at this website today! My mind goes back over decades and I still remember well the happy times in Eddies, Arfon's and the Douglas and the many rainy but happy trips up and down Nant Ffrancon. Regards to anyone who may remember me during my climbing days.
Fri Mar 2 09:15:40 2007
Hazel Mather, Altrincham
Just discovered this webcam, how wonderful, now I can watch the wonderful view, even when I am not in Bethesda. I know I am home when I drive up the main steet and that sight greets me. For absolute perfection, stand on the bridge over the Ogwen by the turn into the Caravan park. Peace perfect Peace.
Fri Feb 2 09:22:13 2007
Aled Hughes, St. Petersburg, Florida
Lived in Ogwen Terrace, next to Orme's Cafe! Slept listening to the river at the back! Happy days!
Mon Nov 13 09:50:44 2006
Nige Hughes, St Athan, Cardiff
Lived in Braichmelyn for three years in the early 80s. Had a great time. How lucky was I to wake up to the spectacular views of the Carneddi! Good to see Bethesda; I notice it is raining again, no change there. Reading through the comments, I noticed the names of Karl Greenwood and John Clinton; I climbed with them both in the Ogwen valley on separate occasions in the 80s. What a small world eh!
Mon Oct 30 10:26:17 2006
Ian Thomas, Rotherham
Brings back memories of the 70s, my grandad's house on Ciltrefnus, Gerlan. In fact, quite a lot of the families on Ciltrefnus, great set of people, especially Arfon & Anne Evans and Pam & Johnny Roberts, not to mention their families! Still got family in Glan Ogwen so when times are better and my son a little older, I'll be bringing him along, hope the place hasn't changed too much !
Mon Oct 9 10:51:11 2006
Mandy from Gloucestershire
Hi David,
There is a campsite called Ogwen Bank, but alas only has static caravans/chalets for rent now as opposed to a touring/camping site.
There is also another campsite called Dinas Farm in Tregarth, which is basic but beautiful to pitch a tent.
Here's to Pesda, we visit at least once a year
Wed Sep 20 09:42:32 2006
Alice Ellis, Manchester
I used to live in Braichmelyn and I miss it so much. The wood, the river, the walks, the most spectacular views of the mountains. To go to sleep at night to the sound of the waterfall - I still think of it as home.
Thu Sep 14 09:26:13 2006
Melissa Williams, Birkenhead
Home sweet home, wish I were there more often...Have just found the Nant Ffrancon webcam today and will be adding to my favourites so I can scare mum and dad by knowing exactly what the weather is like!
Thu Aug 3 13:57:12 2006
david iddon
Hi Im trying to find a camp site in Bethesda once stayed at one at oppisite side of the river at the bottom of town any body know what the name is? hi to Ian Sneddon jon morriati gari shop Dick screw and the rest at Clwb Myndda bethesda
Thu Aug 3 13:54:31 2006
Sue Eld (previously Winthorpe, then Williams)
I used to go to school in Gerlan where the "local" children bullied my family terribly.
However, I ended up loving this place and used to walk home up the Nant Ffrancon Pass to Ty'n y Maes most weekends. This was all in the 60s and I went on to enjoy climbing and a drink at the Dougie with Sheila & Geoff. There must be a lot of old friends out there that I have lost touch with. I moved to Bournemoth but some of my family still live locally.
I will always love this area - it gets in the soul.
Tue Jul 25 09:25:00 2006
Dave Jackson, Prestatyn
Abigaile Locke showed us some great walks in and around Bethesda, a great place to visit, especially Douglas Terrace!
Tue Jul 4 09:15:36 2006
JJ and Debbie in Nottinghamshire
Just like to say that Bethesda is a lovely place. JJ is from bethesda, and I'm from Nottinghamshire, we live here at the moment but will be finding a home in or around the Bethesda area in the future. Seeing the mountains every morning is like waking up in heaven....
Mon Jul 3 13:39:09 2006
What do you think of this webcam?
