CONWY VALLEY GROUP – A SHORT HISTORY

This is a thriving group and is proud of its history.

In August 1979 Arthur Roberts, a stalwart member of Merseyside and the local organiser of the RA assembled the local paid up members of the Merseyside and North Wales area of the RA to a meeting at Dolgarrog. He proposed to form a new group in the Conwy area with the help of Frank Skelcey. The initiative bore fruit and the meeting agreed. The first chairman was Allan Shorrock and with the help of Frank Skelcey and Ted Howes they produced a short programme of walks and published them in the local newspapers, libraries and information centres. The first walk, from Trefriw to Crafnant and Geirionydd, attracted more than twenty enthusiasts who were invited to join the RA and form a committee. And so the Conwy Valley Group came into being. Walks were held every two weeks; a great camaraderie developed and membership increased. The group engaged in footpath clearances, waymarking, recces and social gatherings which were held once a month at the Scout Hut in Rhos-on-Sea. Allan was chairman for 13 years. He was followed by Ken Lewis, Les Hodgetts and then Sue Owens. In 1988 North Wales Area became independent from Merseyside and Frank Skelcey became its first chairman followed by Ken Lewis.

On 5th September 2004 Conwy Valley Group held a lunch at the Plas Maenan Hotel to celebrate their silver jubilee. Over the next three weekends the group organised three staged walks to include as much of the Conwy Valley area as possible. The first stage was from Roman Bridge to Betws-y-Coed, the second from Betws-y-Coed to

Dolgarrog and the last lap was from Dolgarrog to Conwy – a total distance of about 30 miles.

The Conwy Valley Group now has over 360 members and it extends a warm welcome to new members. Looking to the future the Group’s continued success is dependant on its members being prepared to join in committee work and to lead rambles in the spectacular Snowdonia scenery. Courses on map reading and walk leading are available.