The Barn is a continuation of The Captain's desire to have a base in North Wales for people to relax in and enjoy each other's company.

This idea originated in his scouting days. He particularly enjoyed what might be termed the 'campfire culture' where the troop gathered together round the fire at the end of a day's activity to swap stories, enjoy their food and plan the next day.

In the 50's and 60's this had often formed the bedrock of the scouting experience as he knew it.  As the years rolled on Pete moved the focus into Scotty's bunkhouse, and various pubs in Capel Curig, notably the Tyn y Coed, Cobdens and the Bryn Tyrch! In the late 60's there came the opportunity to negotiate a more permanent base by renting a wood storage outhouse from Scotty at Tal y Waen. Thus was born the Wood Shed.

This was a a small group of about ten regulars, who converted the building into the Wood Shed.  It was a thriving group that appeared in Wales on a very regular basis to climb and walk. They installed a double layer bunk, based on the Alpine Hut model, a calor gas cooker and a table against the wall, which could seat four. It was cramped, but had the amazing benefits of a locked door, food storage, and a place to drink when the pubs closed. Those who were there recall many loud and happy nights.  It is rumoured that alcohol was often imbibed...

In 1979, Pete was drinking in the front bar at Cobdens when a stranger engaged him in conversation. He'd noticed that Pete was wearing a sweatshirt with the George Eliot School logo on the front. Pete explained he was the headteacher, and the stranger explained that he was a former pupil who was now in the army.  Talk turned to the outdoors and Pete explained he was stopping at the Wood Shed. The ex-pupil explained that he was stopping at a 'barn bivvie' in the Nant Gwynant, basically a deserted old building on the Hafod y Llan farm that the army used when on overnight exercises.  He also mentioned that the army was about to cease using it as they had a different base now they had opened their base outside Betws y Coed.  Pete was intrigued and quickly arranged to pop down and see it the next day. Thus the first encounter with Ysgubor Bwlch.

 

Pete immediately saw the potential of the structure. It consisted of four walls, a loft space, and a window.  He made contact with the farmer Dafydd Williams, to discuss a lease.  As with many farmers, he was happy to have, what was to him, a useless outbuilding looked after.  Access to the building was problematical, involving driving over fields with no real path, and impassable after rain.  Cars would have to be parked on the main road and the kit carried down a steep slope and over the footbridge ( incidentally the oldest extant clapper bridge of this length in the Snowdonia National Park).  Toilet facilities consisted of buckets - though the army had helpfully made a cesspit with the use of hand grenades.  Pete returned to Nuneaton and convinced the governors of George Eliot School that this would be an ideal base for Outdoor Pursuits, as well as field trips for the Biology, Geography and Art Departments. The Craft Technology Department staff were also keen to help in the renovation and reconstruction.

 

Once Warwickshire County Hall had given their approval,  work commenced. Early visitors well recall the very basic facilities, a door and four walls. It seemed a marked step down from the convivial comfort of the Wood Shed, but over the early years things began to take shape.  Michael Baker, an old scout colleague, and also a Master Builder, came to lend his considerable expertise and enthusiasm to the project.  The stairs and loft were sorted, together with the eponymous Bunk House.  Each summer a week was set aside, Work Week, and regulars came to donate their time and efforts under the watchful eye of The Captain.  The building was transformed, internally and externally.

 

In 1987 Pete retired.  The School governors were reluctant to take on the lease, as they foresaw it as a liability. Pete stepped in and co-opted family and friends to take over the lease.  This enabled the Barn ( as regulars called it )  to continue to function. The user group profile shifted from George Eliot school groups to other schools, scout groups, Duke of Edinburgh groups, and various interest groups, many centred around MIRA near Niuneaton, where a number of the users were based, and where Andy Owen worked. 

 

In 1992 the next crisis occurred when Richard Williams put the farm, whose lands reached to the summit of Snowdon ( Yr  Wyddfa ) up for auction.  Initial outrage at the sale of a national landmark was swiftly followed by an international appeal, fronted by Anthony Hopkins, to save Snowdon for the nation.  A huge sum was raised, the property bought, and it was gifted to the National Trust.  Thus the Barn acquired new landlords, and the Trust remain the current landlords.

 

Over the years the interior has undergone numerous improvements, and the wind no longer whistles through the front door directly into the lounge. Washrooms are in evidence downstairs, and the kitchen possesses a reliable stove and microwave, together with drainage facilities.  There is now a landline telephone 01766 890596.  In 2008, in a major ten day effort, spearheaded by Andy Owen, Dave Inch, Phil Noon, Barbara Lowe-Smith, Keith and Rachel Asbury, and so many others, the roof was stripped bare, the timbers treated or removed, a gore-tex membrane put in place, and the slates relayed. The regulars raised thousands of pounds for this by various means, ranging from the sale of cards to sponsored walks and every strategy imaginable in between.  All the work was done not only in miserable August weather, but under the watchful eye of the Captain, who was especially pleased with the numerous opportunities it gave him to light fires.   Despite investigations, it still has no running water, and the toilets don't flush to a mains drain.  Regulars are permitted to use the campsite showers when the campsite is open ( April to October ). 

 

At the start of 2020 regulars decided to try and renovate the facilities for the Barn's fortieth anniversary.  Work had barely begun when Lockdown 1.0 started.  During the brief intermission before Lockdown 2.0 the interior was attacked.  The lounge was stripped bare and considerable repainting of the walls started. The washrooms were gutted.  Sadly, work had to halt. But a hardy few ( more accurately two, Phil and Geoff ) continued work off-site and have fittings ready to instal once Lockdown 3.0 ended.

As soon as the Welsh Government eased the lockdown, the Barnstormers returned, carefully observing the regulations, but determined to press on. Phil and Geoff installed a magnificent new set of stairs, transformed the washrooms, and completely re-modelled and extended the entrance lobby. The lounge was carpetted and fresh furniture obtained from various sources.  Work continues on the heating.

 

Much of the renovation effort is recorded on the Renovations page of this website.

 

2022 will bring fresh challenges, notably in the kitchen and bunkhouse areas, as well as finishing the heating and lighting improvements, as well as the storage areas. Exciting times. Contributions of thoughts, ideas, time and effort are welcome from one and all.

 

' History's been leaning on ( us ) lately

And ( we ) can feel the future breathing down our neck...'