The FRA and the Media

[Graeme78]

Beddgelert and Betws Y Coed have their own charm. And there is nothing offensive about Llanberis.
Tremadog is lovely.
As for Deiniolen or BF....well, there you may have a point.

Deiniolen=Grim, stayed at a mountaineering hut there one weekend, I was glad to be leaving after running the gauntlet in the local pub.
Llanberis, one of mates nearly got his head kicked in for nudging somebody and spilling a small amount of the guy's pint. The bloke he nudged was fine about it, it was his pal that had an issue. Other minor issues have happened on other visits to 'beris, insults, rubbish service and I've heard a lot of other similar stories from other climbers who have experienced the warmth of a Welsh welcome.

[noel]

As for Deiniolen or BF....well, there you may have a point.

When I was a student, our university climbing club owned a hut in Deiniolen. One night, before I joined the club, they were drinking in the local pub and the locals lined up in front of the door and sang the Welsh national anthem at them in an intimidating way.

It's sad to say, but if you want great after-race beers and atmosphere, North Wales is probably not the place for you. Having said that, I've been very impressed by the quality of the actual races from the few that I have done.

[ZootHornRollo]

Jesus, I must say I'm surprised at all this having just had a brilliant two weeks in south, west and mid-Wales (we got as far north as Cadair Idris).
Is it to do with north-west Wales being traditionally the 'most Welsh' bit - i.e., most Welsh speaking, last stronghold that held out against the English, hotbed of Welsh nationalism, etc etc?

[IainR]

Most Snowdonian towns being simply hideous doesn't help at all.
In fact, as I sit here, I can't think of a nice one...

I don't think that's too true..

But I'd argue against Tremadog being that great... 2 murders in recent years..

And it is a minority, I just think it has a wide impact on events in the area. Runners aren't in threat, I doubt any have ever been personally threatened but its not nice sharing the road with riot police so few do stay around.

Llanberis is generally great, Beddgel is now a tourist village really, not sure how much of a local scene Betws has.. but if you don't like Snowdonia head onto anglesey and sample the delights of Brinseincyn, Newborough, Bodedern et al..

But I like llanberis as it has a good mix of the locals and the immigrants, good history, good community etc, but its just that 1 night a year which needs sorting..

I prefer Snowdonia to the Lakes, its quieter, seems to have more of a local community, much more free parking.. but the lakes has better running, more trails, better paths, better access..

[IainR]

Jesus, I must say I'm surprised at all this having just had a brilliant two weeks in south, west and mid-Wales (we got as far north as Cadair Idris).
Is it to do with north-west Wales being traditionally the 'most Welsh' bit - i.e., most Welsh speaking, last stronghold that held out against the English, hotbed of Welsh nationalism, etc etc?

Don't mix up the trouble after Wyddfa as an anti-english thing, its local thugs fighting each other, village rivalries.. most rural places have similar issues though, Hathersage was always pretty rough when we used to head out as teenagers..

[IainR]

When I was a student, our university climbing club owned a hut in Deiniolen. One night, before I joined the club, they were drinking in the local pub and the locals lined up in front of the door and sang the Welsh national anthem at them in an intimidating way.

It's sad to say, but if you want great after-race beers and atmosphere, North Wales is probably not the place for you. Having said that, I've been very impressed by the quality of the actual races from the few that I have done.

Used to play football in Deiniolen for the Uni team. Basically we were seen as a team of mainly english students for them to kick the shit out of when hung over on a sunday morning.. always hated the place, the sort of game where the ball should have been left on the touchline.. but now I live near very few of the english who actually live there speak badly of the place. It seems quite a nice place. It had a cage around the pitch the fans used to shake, quite intimidating, always loved playing there for the atmosphere.. just wasn't a great fan of the team..

[LissaJous]

I've found it a lot of fun racing in Wales this year, there's a small gang of regulars and it's very friendly. No trouble from anyone at the races. I'll miss it while I'm busy this summer; I have Peris pencilled in for September.

[DrPatrickBarry]

I have Peris pencilled in for September.

Me too.

[noel]

Hathersage was always pretty rough when we used to head out as teenagers..

I can't imagine Bethesda turning into Hathersage in 20 years' time. Although having said that, I guess Llanberis is on the way.

[Malky]

I know we're straying from the main and important point of this thread but I have to come to the defence of Llanberis. As an incoming Englishman with only a few words of Welsh (to his shame) I have never ever experienced the slightest anti-English sentiment and always had the warmest of welcomes. Snowdon is one of my favourite races, if not my favourite, and that for a whole host of reasons but not least of which is the strong link between the local community and the race which is not matched anywhere else I know. Of course we all know that there can be ugly scenes on the night after the race, but I agree wholeheratedly with Iain when he says these are local on local. This shouldnt put anyone off Llanberis at all. I've seen the Italians loving the karaoke and they're always made very welcome, witness the very strong cultural as well as sporting links between the town and Morbegno.