Every year, Lentune Probus organises a Summer Holiday. This year was no exception and an intrepid group of thirty four members, their partners, widows and friends of members, spent five glorious days in South Wales. Staying at the 3-star West House Hotel in the attractive Welsh coastal village of Llantwit Major.  They had sole occupancy of the 300-year-old hotel, with its low ceilings and four poster beds.

 The village provided an ideal base for exploring this part of Wales. Their itinerary included the Brecon Mountain Railway where the ‘tourists’ were able to experience the impressive and splendid beauty of the Brecon Beacons National Park, with the steam train taking in the full length of Taf Fechan Reservoir before reaching the summit high in the Brecon Beacons, with its outstanding views.

 Also, not to be missed was a visit to St Fagan’s Museum, which explores the lives of the people of Wales encapsulated in different historical periods set in parkland, a farm, a school, a chapel and authentic houses, where the group was treated to demonstrations of traditional crafts.

Apart from these visits and trips to the Royal Mint, the National Botanical Gardens, Tredegar House, one of the highlights of the holiday was a guided Blue Badge tour of Cardiff and Penarth. This gave a fascinating insight to the people and history of Wales. The local guide really made if feel what it’s like to live in Cardiff, covering cultural differences, local events and politics. In particular, she described Cardiff Castle in terms of its medieval past as a fortress dominating the City.

 The date of their return journey was very close to the famous Summer Solstice gathering at the 6,000-year-old Stone Ring in Avebury Village, but they studiously avoided the opportunity to stay up in the small hours to welcome the mid-Summer sun! Nevertheless, they did find time to look round National Trust Avebury Manor, featured in the BBC programme “To the Manor Reborn”, with Penelope Keith and Paul Martin.

As a mark of appreciation to John Campbell for organising such a successful holiday, he was presented with a voucher to share a meal with his wife, Gyneth, at a smart local restaurant.