Plas Y Brenin - Latterly

Latterly

In 1955 the Royal Hotel was renamed "Plas y Brenin" as a memorial to King George VI, whose trust fund had bought the building for use by The Central Council of Physical Recreation (CCPR) and was "The Snowdonia National Recreation Centre". Plas y Brenin was visited by H.R.H. the Duke of Edinburgh (president of the CCPR) on June 1, 1956.

G.I. Milton was its first Warden/Director. John A Jackson, initially Chief Instructor for two years, then became its second Director from 1960 to 1976. This was to be Plas y Brenin's formative and hard fought period and eventually became the "gold standard" for other such centres around the world.

The earliest outdoor courses such as horse riding, surveying, subaqua and flyfishing were later discontinued. Less well known sports such as archery and even javelin throwing were taught, evidence of the latter sports were located in a cellar underneath what is currently the dining room.

A less well known activity was that of "Farmers Night" which was instigated very early on and still continues today. Its function was to foster good relations, not only with the farmers but with people who lived in Capel Curig.