Gelli Iago

Back in 1962 a student, David Dean, at Shenstone Teacher Training College had a dream.  His dream was to have a simple accommodation, hostel type place where underprivileged children from cities could be taken could be taken to experience the countryside.

He managed to con persuade a number of Tutors to support his dream.  By 1963 he had found and secured the lease of an old farmhouse in a remote valley south of Snowdon.  Four Tutors guaranteed to cover the first year's rent.  Nantmor Mountain Centre was born.

Today I headed down to Gelli Iago to celebrate its 60th anniversary.  I first went there on 1/10/65 on the introductory weekend for my Mountain Leadership course.  While at college I visited every other weekend.

The centre has run for 60 years purely on voluntary effort.  Early visits were with the"Adventure School" where we students lead groups of young people doing exciting outdoor activities.  Now it is used by everything from Scouts, Guides, School groups, etc through to adults and family of Nantmor Association  members.

To explain the blip, to the left is "the Hut" multi-purpose used for anything from classroom, field study space through social area, kit store etc etc.  To the right is the marquee ready for tomorrow's celebrations and BBQ.  Fingers crossed for good weather.