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2008 Christmas Gift Guide - great gifts for your family and friends

Harlech

Harlech photos (22 available)

Old photo of Harlech

Harlech maps (2 available)

Old map of Harlech

Harlech books (1 available)

Harlech memories

Golfing memories.

Harlech, Castle and Golf Links 1908

My late husband was the professional at Royal St Davids for many years and the only golfer so far to have been both Welsh Amateur Champion and Welsh Professional Champion twice. We lived at 'Plas Owain' which is the house just above the Golf Links on the curve of the road up the hill. It was built in 1907.
Contributed by Mrs Black

Gwynedd memories

Golfing memories.

Harlech, Castle and Golf Links 1908

My late husband was the professional at Royal St Davids for many years and the only golfer so far to have been both Welsh Amateur Champion and Welsh Professional Champion twice. We lived at 'Plas Owain' which is the house just above the Golf Links on the curve of the road up the hill. It was built in 1907.
A memory of Harlech contributed by Mrs Black

Borth Y Gest - Simply The Best

I'm privileged to be the first to leave a memory relating to Borth Y Gest. I first had a holiday there in 1964. The owner of the factory where my dad was director owned a lovely holiday home in an elevated position in Mersey Street. The house is called "Mirain" and has unrivalled views across the estuary to Harlech. We had at least one holiday a year there until 1978 when the house was sold. I've continued holidaying in the Portmadoc/Criccieth area every year since and feel like I know it as well as I do my home town. These days when we (my wife, son and I) go to the area we stay in a ...read more here
A memory of Borth-Y-Gest contributed by Paul Woodin

I was fortunate enough to have spent a holiday at "Brynawelon", Criccieth in the mid 50's.  I stayed with my Aunt and Uncle who rented a cottage in the grounds.  My Aunt introduced me to Sosia {Soshia} who was the Polish housekeeper's daughter - we were inseparable.  We would slide down the highly polished wooden bannister in the main hallway, onto a lion skin, {I was horrified!}  We hopped and skipped and jumped the days away and all too soon it was time to say goodbye.  I remember our traumatic parting as if it was yesterday, my Aunt turned to my Mother and said "parting is such sweet sorrow". I often think of the delightful girl with the smile that would ...read more here
A memory of Criccieth contributed by Lorna Enslin

Extracts From Harlech & Gwynedd books

Harlech, the Castle 1889

At the time when Harlech was built by Edward I in the 1280s, the sea lapped around the base of the rocky crag on which it stands. Owain Glyndwr took the castle in 1404, but his attempt to bring independence to Wales came to an end when Henry V stormed Harlech and captured Owain and his family.
An extract from from"50 Classics - Castles".

Harlech, Castle and Snowdon c1960

Harlech Castle, built 1283-1290 for Edward I by Master James of St George, the military achitect, as a statement of his military power. Owain Glyndwr took the castle for the Welsh in 1404 and held it until 1409, and it was under siege again during the Wars of the Roses in 1460. The bravery of the besieged Lancastrians was lauded in the song 'Men of Harlech'. The castle also saw action in the Civil War, surrendering to Cromwell's force in 1649. Many will find the view beyond the castle interesting as it shows the present secondary school under construction, while the residential developments beyond have yet to take place and all we see is a large camp of tents.
An extract from from"Wales Living Memories".