ENVIRONMENTALLY FRIENDLY ROLLER COASTER NOW OPEN! The GREEN DRAGON family roller coaster – is now open at Greenwood Forest Park, Y Felinheli, between Caernarfon and Bangor. The 20-person, five car train travels a 250 metre long track, including a 360 degree horizontal loop, and reaches a top speed of 25mph. And really, it is two rides in one! That is because the Green Dragon is the world's first environmentally-friendly roller coaster which harnesses people-power to minimise use of electricity. Indeed, over a year of operation, the ride should generate more power than it uses. Greenwood Forest Park managing director Stephen Bristow is the man behind the project which, for the first time anywhere, combines traditional roller coaster technology with that developed and used 200 years ago in the slate quarries of North Wales. He explains: “Once it starts, the ride itself is gravity driven but it is at the very beginning where we turn people power into the energy we need. “This energy is used to pull the coaster cars up to the starting point.” Pulling the cars to the top of the ride is where the old slate quarry technology comes in. Mr Bristow continues: “Having walked up the coaster hill, visitors enter a people carrier and travel down an incline. And then, through the use of the slate quarry technology, their descent pulls the cars up to the station. “Passengers then leave the carrier and walk up the hill a second time to the station where they enter the cars for the ride itself. This reaches a top speed of 25mph and covers a distance of 250 metres. “At the end of the ride, the cars stop on a moveable platform at the bottom of the hill where the passengers alight before the cars are pulled back up to the station by the next group of visitors.” All in all, the Green Dragon is a ride not to be missed. For more information, why not visit www.greenwoodforestpark.co.uk or call 01248 671493.   Lobster Hatchery of Wales celebrates its official opening. Thanks to the enthusiastic staff, and generous financial help of the Wales Tourist Board and private sponsors, the Lobster Hatchery of Wales at Anglesey Sea Zoo is celebrating its official opening on Wednesday, June 2nd. Season ticket holders, local suppliers and dignitaries will enjoy special talks by expert staff, as well as the chance to handle a lobster, before the opening ceremony is performed by Dudley, the celebrity chef. Dudley will be asked to v-notch a lobster. This painless procedure is performed before the females are returned to the sea after they have hatched their eggs. The mark can remain for up to 2 years and during that period the lobster cannot be landed or sold by fishermen so it will get another opportunity to breed. It may strike some people as odd that a chef has been asked to open what is essentially a conservation project but as Hatchery Supervisor Clare White explained, ‘ This project initially came about because of over fishing around Anglesey. We recognise that people will still want to eat lobster and fishermen continue to need to make a living with their pots. This is one way that we can help conserve the stock in the areas around our coast.’ Dudley is a keen supporter of all good quality Welsh foods and has already generously donated a special recipe for lobsters, with the essential inclusion of Halen Môn which is also produced on site. Food will be provided by the Strait’s Bistro and the menu has been designed to allow guests to taste some newly created flavours of Halen Mon as well as other examples of Anglesey produce, but, sadly, no lobsters! For further information, including opening times, visit www.angleseyseazoo.co.uk Story added 28 May 2004
From mid 1900s to 21st Century
		Inigo Jones Slate Works has taken full advantage of the potential that ecommerce can offer. The company which dates back to 1861 launched their new website (www.inigojones.co.uk) on Thursday 18th March 2004. The site offers some of the company's extensive range of slate products on a secure site. Shopping is made easy and nameplates from 500 million year old welsh slate can now be easily ordered online and delivered anywhere in the world. Customers from different parts of the UK and abroad can see exactly what they are buying and be guaranteed a prompt and reliable delivery service.
Enquiries can also be sent for bespoke products that the company makes to order (such as cills, kitchen work tops, hearths, plaques, speaker stands etc ) and there is also some useful technical information on slate products (for example recommendations on sealing different types of slate products, maximum sizes of slate available as well as Health and Safety information on slate products ) As one of North Wales’ premier tourism attractions Inigo Jones also tells the fascinating story of how slate is mined and visitors can witness at first hand skilled craftsmen as they cut, shape and polish raw slate. Full information on the tour of the slate works is also included on the web site and group bookings can easily be made online. Visit www.inigojones.co.uk for more information.

The Lleyn Peninsula in north Wales has been named the fourth most popular UK holiday destination in an internet poll. It is the latest in a series of figures and surveys which indicate the Welsh tourist industry has reason to be optimistic in 2004. Recent research from Channel Four placed north Wales ahead of the Algarve, the Lake District and Florida in a list of popular holiday destinations. “This is good news for the tourism industry in North Wales” said Jon Richmond of North Wales Tourism, “and particularly for the Lleyn Peninsula, which has so many fantastic, natural attractions.”
For more information about what to see and do in the area, visit www.lleyntourism.com Story added 19th January 2004

TALYLLYN RAILWAY FEATURES ON ROYAL MAIL COMMEMORATIVE STAMPS   Royal Mail bosses were in Wales on Tuesday 13th January to launch the first set of commemorative stamps for 2004. The stamp set entitled ‘Classic Locomotives’ includes the first railway in the world to be preserved and operated by volunteers – the narrow gauge Talyllyn Railway, at Tywyn, Gwynedd, in the beautiful Snowdonia National Park.   Talyllyn Railway locomotive ‘Dolgoch’ is featured on the 20p stamp and was photographed at the picturesque Rhydyronen station, one of the stops on the seven mile railway. David Mitchell, Managing Director of the Talyllyn Railway Company, said the company was delighted to be part of Royal Mail’s programme. “We’ve very pleased to have ‘Dolgoch’ on the stamp, as this is the engine that hauled the first train operated by volunteers from Tywyn Wharf Station on May 14th 1951” he said. Opened in 1865, the line was taken over by the Talyllyn Railway Preservation Society in 1951. It quickly became a major tourist attraction with a regular timetabled service. Services for 2004 begin on Sunday 8th February – details are available from the Talyllyn Railway’s website at www.talyllyn.co.uk Story added 14 January 2004   WELSH DRAGON HELPS TOURISM ONTO THE RIGHT TRACK The North Wales economy will undoubtedly benefit from a brand new partnership specifically aimed at attracting more visitors to North Wales. Regional train operator First North Western has teamed up with North Wales Tourism, the Wales Tourist Board and tourism newsletter ‘This Week Wales’ to increase the number of visitors from the North West to attractions and events in North Wales during the summer months.         Hailed as one of the biggest tactical marketing campaign of its kind for the region, this unique public/private sector initiative will allow Wales to capture a good share of the valuable home market compete for days out and short break business. Our photo shows Gog the Welsh Dragon from the Fun Centre in Caernarfon, Mark Wilcox from First North Western and Fiona Gresty from North Wales Tourism, launching the new campaign with the help of a python from the Welsh Mountain Zoo, Colwyn Bay. The aim of the initiative is to drive awareness of attractions and events easily accessed from Cheshire, Lancashire, Greater Manchester and Merseyside. A key component to the campaign is the interface between event organisers, tourist attractions, accommodation providers and the travel network, which is where First North Western’s role is a crucial one. Geographically, First North Western has the widest spread of feeder stations from across the North West, which link directly into the North Wales region. The Marketing campaign uses over seven different means of reaching potential visitors from the North West. These include This Week Wales, a high volume free newspaper distributed via leading supermarket chains, poster advertising at 50 railway stations and on the carriages of the entire fleet of 70 class 175 trains. This Week Wales website and emailing devices will also form a critical part of the campaign. To facilitate easier access by the potential visitor to the desired tourism service, destinations and events have been ‘star-graded’ and two all new consumer information brands - Staying in Wales [Aros yng Nghymru] and Dining in Wales [Ciniawa yng Nghymru] - have been created. Denise Lennox, First North Western commercial director, says, “Although North Wales is already a popular tourist destination, the partnership’s integrated planning has been coordinated to make a visit to North Wales as convenient and easy as possible from home to destination. Visitors will be able to read about attractions, surf the net to find the best places to stay and to eat and benefit from travel promotions to get the best value journey to the region. For our part we have worked in a number of special promotions and discounts to act as incentives to travel by rail. For instance our Duo tickets from Bangor allow two adults travelling together to save up to 20% on their rail fare.” Seen here is one of the new posters to be seen in First North Western’s fleet of class 175 trains. This new imaginative campaign will go live this week and will help North Wales gain marketing edge over intense competition from other popular UK destinations. For further information about First North Western, visit www.firstnorthwestern.co.uk. To find out more about where to go in North Wales, call the holiday booking line: 08705 168 767 or log on to www.nwt.co.uk Story added 23 July 2003     New Tourist Information Centre for Llangollen Work by world-renowned artist, Sir Kyffin Williams OBE is featuring as part of a special exhibition to mark the official opening of the first cultural tourism, library and learning centre in Wales. Y Capel, a restored 19th century Baptist chapel in Castle Street, Llangollen is unique as it's the first building of its kind to offer a library, art and craft gallery, tourist information centre and one stop shop all under the same roof. Moving to the new premises has allowed the Library and Information Service to expand its range of resources; in addition to the traditional books and information, it has doubled the number of computers for public use. The new building also has a meeting room available for public use, with full access for the disabled. A glass sculpture by Chris Byrd-Jones has been specially commissioned to mark the official opening of the centre which was carried out by Sir Kyffin Williams on Saturday, June 21. The Tourist Information Centre is managed by North Wales Tourism on behalf of Denbighshire County Council. “We’re very pleased with the number of visitors to the new centre” said Steven Davison of North Wales Tourism, “and this wonderful new facility where a visitor can see great works of art, choose from a wide range of quality merchandise, pick up a leaflet on a visitor attraction and book their local accommodation has to be good news for Llangollen”. Story added 10th July 2003

Out and About

North Wales Tourism recently managed a stand in the Telford Shopping Centre for three days as part of the ongoing exhibitions programme. Demand for brochures was so high that by Saturday morning, we had to send additional supplies! Shown here on Sunday 18 May are Fiona Gresty of North Wales Tourism and Tonya Parry of Powys County Council.

Destination Snowdonia More than 2000 members of charities from all over Britain will soon be travelling to Snowdonia thanks to a joint marketing initiative spearheaded by Snowdon Lodge Owners Carl Borum and Anja Grunert, Ian McNeill of Snowdonia Adventures and Gwynedd Council Marketing Manager Sian Jones. Between them they have managed to secure a contract that will bring to Snowdonia large numbers of people on hiking and biking training breaks before they go off to the 4 corners of the world raising millions of pounds for local and national charities.		Ian McNeill (left), Helen Maynard (centre front), Carl Borum (right) with group members from Charity Challenge and a outdoor retail company proudly displaying their Snowdonia information pack kindly provided by Gwynedd Council.

On the weekend of March 21st 2003 Snowdon Lodge and Snowdonia Adventures played host to representatives of Charity Challenge, an international company that administers events around the world, including this years international cancer charity challenge "The Great Walk of China", were women will raise money walking the length of the great wall of China. Joining the group on their taster weekend were representatives of a large outdoor equipment retailer based in the South of England. Local activity supplier Snowdonia Adventures treated the group to an intensive weekend of training on the hills and cycle trails of Snowdonia. Later in the evening Aberglaslyn Mountain Rescue Training Officer Richard Beech gave a talk on mountain rescue issues and a dog search presentation.

PRESS RELEASE

Anglesey Sea Zoo, Brynsiencyn, Anglesey.
Contact: Alison Lea-Wilson
Phone: 01248 430411, Fax: 01248 430213
e-mail: fishandfun@seazoo.demon.co.uk

BORN TO BE WILD!

STORY ADDED 1ST April 2003

Shaken Anglesey Sea Zoo Staff confirmed today that there had been an escape involving two of their slender or long-snouted seahorses (Hippocampus reidi). Explained a stunned Vickie Hickin: ‘I came in this morning ready to feed the seahorses as usual. When I removed the tank lid I felt this sharp kick. The next thing I knew was that two of them had disappeared.’ The seahorses, seized by HM Customs Officers at Heathrow last November, were originally wild stock from Florida. Not having been bred in captivity they were naturally more difficult to ‘break in’ and had needed careful handling. It is believed the pair had been plotting their escape ever since the male had fallen pregnant, as they wanted to bring their babies up as American citizens.

New Five Star Bed and Breakfast – for Meliden!

Paul and Susan Burnet ready to welcome visitors to Melyd House, Meliden.

A Meliden couple who have only recently opened a new bed and breakfast establishment have walked away with a top grading award from the Wales Tourist Board. Paul and Susan Burnet of Melyd House in Bryn Llys East gained a 5 Star Bed & Breakfast grading when a Wales Tourist Board inspector visited them recently. “We’ve lived here for fifteen years” said a delighted Sue Burnet “and realised that there was a shortage of high quality accommodation in the Prestatyn area, and so we decided to open our own house to visitors. We particularly cater for people who are visiting friends and family in the area who are looking for somewhere nice to stay”.

Paul and Sue have lovingly redecorated their home from top to bottom, creating two luxury en-suite bedrooms for visitors, and have even developed their own website at www.melydhouse.com. The house is set on the edge of the picturesque St Melyd Golf Course and has views out towards the Irish Sea in the distance. Hearty Welsh breakfasts are served at Melyd House, using only the freshest local ingredients, with a varied menu featuring items including pork sausages and bacon from a local farm, Flintshire honey and locally produced yoghurt.

“We’re delighted to see another 5 Star Bed and Breakfast establishment in North Wales” said Jon Richmond of North Wales Tourism. “It’s the first one to go straight to 5 Stars at its first inspection, and it’s the first 5 Star property in the Rhyl and Prestatyn area. It’s great news for tourism – and for Paul and Susan!” he added.

Story added 21^st February 2003

New Year Honour for NWT Chairman Chairman of North Wales Tourism, David Williams has been awarded the MBE in the Queen’s New Years Honours list, it has been announced. For David, of the Ambassador Hotel in Llandudno, his MBE is doubly gratifying because he is following in the footsteps of his late father Jim Williams, who also received the MBE for services to tourism. “The fact that my father received this honour makes it extra special for me. I am thrilled and proud to be following in his footsteps,” he said.  Jim Williams founded Llandudno Hotels and Restaurants Association – now Llandudno Hospitality Association – of which his son is the current chairman. Indeed, three generations of the Williams family have been involved in running the Ambassador Hotel, as David’s two sons Nigel and Colin also work with him. In a double New Year celebration, David Williams has also been named as vice chairman of the British Hospitality Association. Story added 2nd January 2003

Learning to fly fish?

Do you want to learn how to fish? Or to you want to learn how to improve your fishing skills? Well, the newly opened North Wales Fly Fishing School can help! Their courses in Trout, Sea Trout, Salmon, Grayling & Bass & Pollack cater for all levels of anglers from beginners to advanced, with 1 to 3 day courses the norm. They can offer a full week package at a reasonable cost with mixed fishing to suit the time of year and conditions prevailing while at the same time improving your casting and knowledge. Catering for mixed groups of beginners and advanced is not a problem, so bring your non-fishing partner and the North Wales Fly Fishing School will get them to a good level too!

 For more details, visit the North Wales Fly Fishing School website

Story added 19th December 2002

SNOWDON MOUNTAIN RAILWAY
RAILWAY OF THE YEAR - THE GOOD BRITAIN GUIDE 2003

The Snowdon Mountain Railway at Llanberis in Snowdonia, has been named as the Railway of the Year by the Good Britain Guide.

Snowdon Mountain Railway General Manager, Mr Alan Kendall said:
“It is wonderful recognition of the dedication and the hard work of all the staff at Snowdon Mountain Railway, who work tirelessly every season to ensure the smooth operation and continued development of the railway.”

Jon Richmond of North Wales Tourism was equally delighted. “North Wales is of course home to many tourist railways, and we’re very pleased that the Snowdon Mountain Railway has won this prestigious award from the Good Britain Guide.”

2002 was another busy season with over 130,000 passengers travelling on the railway and the introduction of a series of events and special promotions.

The railway is currently closed for the winter but will open again to the public on Saturday 15th March 2003. To celebrate being awarded “Railway of the Year” and the opening of the season all passengers will be able to travel to Rocky Valley or Clogwyn for HALF PRICE on Saturday 15th March 2003.

For further information, please visit the Snowdon Mountain Railway’s website.

Story added 18th December 2002

All year running on Ffestiniog Railway & Welsh Highland Railway (Caernarfon)!

From January 2003 both the Ffestiniog Railway and the Welsh Highland Railway (Caernarfon) will be running all year round with trains on both lines running every weekend throughout the year. On the WHR this will mean running between Caernarfon and Waunfawr at the beginning of 2003, but come the end there will be double the length of track with the 12 mile run to Rhyd Ddu having been opened earlier in the year.

Restaurant named one of top two in Britain

The owners of a North Wales restaurant are celebrating after it was named as one of the top two establishments in Britain.

Plas Bodegroes, near Pwllheli, was named as joint Restaurant of the Year by the Good Food Guide 2003, beating the most famous eating places in the country such as The Ivy and Le Manoir aux Quatr’ Saisons. And owner and chef Chris Chown claimed that it was the quality of local Welsh produce, coupled with his own skills, which earned him the inspectors’ plaudits. Plas Bodegroes, described as “a special place” in the guide, shares the title with the Altrincham restaurant Juniper.

What makes the achievement even more remarkable is that Chris is largely self trained. He spent some time helping at a cookery school before getting a job as a commis chef at the Dorchester. He and his Danish wife Gunna bought Plas Bodegroes in 1986 and have built up the business, which was awarded a prestigious Michelin star. Over the past three years the restaurant has consistently been awarded seven marks out of 10 by the Good Food Guide. 

It is also among three finalists in the WDA’s first True Taste of Wales awards, to be presented next month, while Chris himself is shortlisted in the category for ambassadors of Welsh food. 

The Good Food Guide inspectors said the food created by Chris “had the simple stamp of confidence evident even from the straightforward confident menu”. Chris said he was delighted with the recognition his establishment had received. “It’s not only wonderful for us but for the whole of Wales” he said. 

He said he used as many local ingredients as possible, including Welsh Black beef and seafood, which was in abundance on the Llyn peninsula. “We have got it all on the doorstep and we cook those ingredients as simply as possible” he said. Chris also paid tribute to his staff. “we have a very good team and morale is excellent, which helps,” he said.

“The Good Food Guide is concerned not only with the quality of food but with customer satisfaction, and I think we do offer that” he added. Plas Bodegroes is graded by the Wales Tourist Board as a 5 Star Restaurant with Rooms. For more information on Plas Bodegroes, please visit www.bodegroes.co.uk

Story added 24th October 2002

BEST OF WELSH HOSPITALITY RECOGNISED BY THE AA

The AA Hotel of the Year Award 2002-2003 for Wales has gone to the three star Castell Deudraeth www.portmeirion.com, a three star Victorian castellated mansion overlooking the Italianate village of Portmeirion in North Wales.

John Howard (centre), Special Advisor to AA Publishing, presents Sian and Robin Llywelyn with their specially commissioned painting of Castell Deudraeth.

Managed by Robin Llywelyn, the grandson of the hotel's creator, Clough William-Ellis, Castell Deudraeth has an interesting history including being a one-time prep school and former home of Merioneth's first Liberal MP, David Williams. It boasts 11 en-suite rooms with real flame gas fires, under floor heating and surround-sound television. Informal dining is based on fresh, local produce and other facilities include a beauty salon, outdoor swimming pool and tennis courts.

Castell Deudraeth has received a specially-commissioned watercolour painting of the hotel by Hampshire artist, Duncan Palmar along with an award certificate for display on the premises.

Albert Hampson, Hotel Services Business Manager for the AA says, "The AA Hotel of the Year awards are our most prestigious accolades - and this year's winners richly deserve the honour.

"As well as recognising their outstanding facilities and service, the individual winners also represent the adventurous conversion of buildings which once had very different uses.

"The trend towards finding innovative new uses for old buildings helps preserve the best of our heritage while providing contemporary facilities to stimulate the growth of leisure and business travel in the 21st century. It is an ideal combination."

North Wales winners in the Top 200 Hotels - one of the new features of the AA Hotel Guide 2003 highlighting those places in Britain and Ireland awarded prestigious AA red stars and offering outstanding levels of quality, comfort, cleanliness, customer care and mainly serving food to AA Rosette Award standard - are:-

Bodysgallen Hall Hotel, Llandudno - www.bodysgallen.com 
St Tudno Hotel & Restaurant, Llandudno - www.st-tudno.co.uk 
Osborne House, Llandudno 
The Old Rectory Country House, Glan Conwy -www.oldrectorycountryhouse.co.uk 
Tyddyn Llan Country Hotel & Restaurant, Llandrillo
Tan y Foel Country House, Betws y Coed - www.tyfhotel.co.uk 

All the winning establishments are featured in the 2003 range of AA Lifestyle Guides which are available through all good bookshops and online at www.theAA.com

NORTH WALES IS BLOOMING MARVELLOUS!

The winners of the Wales in Bloom 2002 competition have been announced, with budding gardeners and flowerful towns and villages across the country coming up smelling of roses once again. 

Commenting on the winners, competition chair Clive Addison said “This year has been yet another success; everyone involved has worked very hard and the entries are again of a high standard. There are many familiar names in the list of winners, showing the degree of commitment and hard work that horticulturalists all over Wales put into ensuring that their communities look – and smell – fantastic! We look forward to many more years of the competition.”

Wales Tourist Board Chief Executive, Jonathan Jones, said “First impressions count for a lot in the tourism business and there is no better way to create a good and lasting impression than to present a clean and attractive image. This competition rewards those communities, businesses and schools – large and small – who work hard to improve their community’s image and we commend that.” 

Once again, North Wales took many of the awards with Colwyn Bay taking first place in the Large Town (population 25,000-70,000) category, and Llandudno picking up first prize in the Medium Town (pop 10,000-25,000) category. In the Large Village (pop 600-2,000) section, Criccieth came top, with Caerwys picking up a Merit award, and in the Small Village (pop maximum 600) category, Beddgelert took first place with Llanasa coming equal second.

In terms of individual businesses, the frontage of Ye Olde Anchor Inn, Ruthin took first place in the Hotels, Guest Houses, Public Houses and Restaurants section, whilst Minffordd Caravan Park, Lligwy on the Isle of Anglesey collected first prize in the Small Caravan Park category. In the Large Caravan Park section, Brynteg Holiday Park, Llanrug took first place, with Treetops Caravan Park, Holywell coming second, and in the Self Catering Accommodation section, Ashgrove Luxury Apartments, Caerwys came in second place.

There were also a number of other categories, including a painting competition for schools, and the top school in Wales was Ysgol Llangelynnin, Conwy.

Story added 22nd August 2002

Leading the Culinary Renaissance

It was refreshing to read the cover article in a recent issue of Caterer & Hotelkeeper magazine, which featured the five Michelin-starred chefs in Wales. To achieve five, four of which are new, is a major achievement and one of which all the recipients are immensely proud.

Joining the one existing Michelin star-holder – the Old Rectory Country House in Llansanffraid Glan Conwy, near Conwy – are Carlton House, Llanwrtyd Wells, Powys; Plas Bodegroes, Pwllheli, Gwynedd; the Walnut Tree Inn, Llandewi Skirrid, Gwent; and Ynyshir Hall, Eglwysfach, Machynlleth, Powys.

“The new stars are excellent news for Wales and are thoroughly well deserved” says Gilli Davies, editor of The Red Book, Eat Well in Wales. “Food in restaurants has certainly improved over the past five years, with chefs like Mary Ann Gilchrist [Carlton House], Wendy Vaughan [Old Rectory] and Chris Chown [Plas Bodegroes] showing particular determination to succeed, and chefs such as Stephen Terry [Walnut Tree Inn] and Les Rennie [Ynyshir Hall] bringing new talent into Wales.”

In North Wales, Wendy Vaughan, who runs the Old Rectory Country House with her husband, Michael, knows only too well the draw that having a Michelin star can be. “This is the third year we have had a star and it has increasingly brought in more British customers as well as a lot of continentals,” she says.

Both of the restaurants in North Wales are members of North Wales Tourism, and both are graded at 5 Star level by the Wales Tourist Board for their accommodation. The Old Rectory Country House is a 14-seat restaurant with six bedrooms www.oldrectorycountryhouse.co.uk and Plas Bodegroes is a 40-seat restaurant with eleven bedrooms www.bodegroes.co.uk.

Story added 7th March 2002

Welsh saint tempts back lovers to Anglesey - Island of Romance

The Welsh patron saint of lovers, Santes Dwynwen, will spearhead a new tourism drive to attract visitors to the Island of Anglesey between now and Easter. As well as divine help from the saintly Dwynwen, Anglesey Tourism Association (ATA) has enlisted help from the National Assembly for Wales to create a special Ynys Môn Amour … Anglesey Island of Romance campaign.

Last year, businesses on the island were badly affected by a downturn in visitor numbers during the foot and mouth crisis. So, as soon as Anglesey was declared open again, owners of Anglesey's hotels, restaurants and attractions got together to plan a novel marketing initiative based on the theme of romance. Starting with Santes Dwynwen's Day (25 January), the period sees several romantic and other celebrations such as Valentine's Day, National Flirting Week (11-15 February), Mothering Sunday (10 March), as well as Easter weekend.

The Island of Anglesey has traditionally been a romantic honeymoon destination, as well as home to many a holiday romance. During the 1950s and 1960s it enjoyed enormous cachet amongst visitors from North West England, the Borders, Wales and Ireland. Just how much of this can be attributed to the island's association with Santes Dwynwen is a matter of conjecture, but the fact is that she spent her life there and today an off-shore church ruins bear testimony to a life devoted to fulfilling the wishes of lovers!

"Many of those holidaymakers and honeymooners are retired now, and hopefully free to come and visit during the off-peak season," said ATA Chairman, David Robertson. "During the campaign, we shall be contacting a wide range of local newspapers and radio stations with competitions to find the most romantic stories associated with Anglesey. We'd also like to find the oldest surviving honeymoon couple and people who met on holiday romances to invite them back."

"Also in terms of Santes Dwynwen, to date we have not made enough of our association with her legend, and indeed our other strong Celtic links. So as part of this initiative, and as a longer term promotion, we are hoping that our special website will attract interest from overseas as well, especially America."

10,000 copies of a Passport to Romance brochure will feature a novel range of romantic special offers and incentives for visitors to the island. Meanwhile a special website www.angleseyromance.com is underway featuring offers, special free bilingual (Welsh English) E-Dwynwen/Valentine cards and comprehensive details of myths surrounding Santes Dwynwen!

For more information, visit www.angleseyromance.com 


Story added 25th January 2002