Quote Originally Posted by Witton Park View Post
It's about demographics really. The old towns in Snowdonia where there might be some trouble at times is probably as they have experienced a decline - where they slate mining of something?
Cleator Moor is similar.

You can go to South Wales and you have the Rhondda.

But who picks to stay in these areas?

If I was going to the lakes and needed to stay over I think Cleator Moor would be at the bottom of my places to stay as would the Rhondda if I was in the South Wales mountains.
I don't think its that.. last year the locals in llanberis were more annoyed than I was and weren't far off heading out to sort out the trouble causers themselves..

Llanberis had the slate quarrying a good 50 years ago, think the last ones finished late 60's/early 70's.

And its not welsh bashing, as I state I love it here, its probably the friendliest place I've lived. Its very insular though, but so are most rural places anywhere in the UK, so maybe some wrath can get directed at the english but that's because they are outsiders and south waleans can get similar grief, so can guys from llanberis in Llanrug 2 miles away... when the house burnings were going on that was any second home owners, english or welsh..

I just think it needs a high level answer from the council or police to clean up that one night for a good 3-5 years on the trot... change the perception. Each person staying will be worth a good £60-£100 to the economy, after accomodation, food and beers over that weekend, plus encouraging more to come again. Would you come to llanberis for the snowdon race weekend and bring your kids out to the village, stay for the evening, take the family out for a meal? Many wouldn't, so its lost revenue.. Go to a European race and you'll have the post race party atmosphere with child-safe/suitable atmosphere..

Anyway this came up because someone (GB I think) said there was no need to promote fell running, and I think there is in Wales. I've sat in the meetings where they've discussed the lack of feasibility of some races, not enough runners. The Peris, £5 a runner, say 60 runners, £300.. by the time you've bought prizes, cups, coasters, paid the radio guys (if they still use them), its not a great money raiser.. And I think the perception of trouble for visitors doesn't help. Look at this thread, there's a fair few talking about feeling or being threatened.. its only a few people, probably not even anti-english, but it stays with people and doesn't attract them back as much.

And its affected the race, some piss head running out in a mankini the other year.. etc. there's been talk of changing the start time so the pubs are open for less time, so the race knows its an issue. But TBH I think it has to come from higher up, the council or police, to be out in numbers, high profile presence, forget ticketing cars.. and prosecute anyone causing trouble. Zero tolerance to any anti social behaviour, and do that year on year for a few years and the idiots will avoid the race day..