A PRISONER PORTMEIRION YEAR
by Elaine Sutton  

Back in January of 2001, I attended the first Work-In I was able to get to for some time. A big incentive was the fact it was organised on the Liverpool Group doorstep by Pam Buckle and included the opportunity to visit the famous attic for the last time before it was dismantled.
First impressions of the Work-In were good as, after saying my hellos, I met up with Alan and Chris and we found ourselves in the bar for a drink or three before starting the hard work of pushing pieces of paper into an envelope and eating chocolate digestives. It was nice to see some new faces as well as the usual suspects.
After an uneventful Work-In came a very eventful discussion about the internal politics of Six of One. All was videoed by Pam and a lot of opinions were aired, many of which will be discussed for some time to come. However, time was against us and we had to vacate the room and make our way to Pam’s house where she had provided a brilliant buffet and the chance to sign the visitors’ book in the attic.
All in all, a very good start to a new 6o1 year... Next stop, Portmeirion.

On a foggy morning in February, I set out with my mother on the first of four pilgrimages to my home from home this year. Armed with my free Winter season pass, we decided to see how bad the  weather would be as we got further into Wales and were pleasantly surprised to swap fog lights for sunglasses at Ruthin as the sun broke through. It was nice and peaceful that day with few visitors strolling about in the village and feeling of the place waking up from Winter hibernation. The sunglasses had been abandoned by now however as a sea fog had drifted inland and brought a chill dampness along for the ride... Oh to be resident in one of the cosy cottages at this time of year!

Well, this brings us up to date for the 2001 Prisoner Convention. Due to work commitments I would be only able to attend the Sunday so had arranged with Chris to meet early Sunday morning and get to the village for about 10am (in time for a morning coffee). Whilst doing a spot of browsing in the Ship Shop we were interrupted by my mobile and uncle Al in a taxi dilemma ie. there weren’t any... there now follows a short interlude to go to Porthmadog to pick up Al.
Meanwhile, back in the village... Human chess, Free For All and guided tours of Prisoner location scenes with re-enactments, quizzes and competitions. Just like old times and a feeling of good to be back. Excellent to see new faces and fresh blood taking the chance to become involved as it leaves us old-timers more chance to socialise and drink at the bar. Talking of drinks at the bar... nice to see Fearless Frank Maher back again. A really laid back atmosphere to this year’s Well Come return.

Now to Summer and the annual holiday or Non Con as it is otherwise known. Saturday 18th August and with the car packed to the bumpers, it looked more like a round the World exploration than a week in Wales. This year I was staying in Toll House with fellow Scouse House dossers Alan & Ronnie and ex-pat Liverpudlians Geoff & Joanie Lake of the Shrewsbury Group. The cottage is a lot nicer now than when I last stayed in it in 1986. The main advantage now being the bathroom is upstairs and not behind the sofa in the living room. The only niggle is the lack of freezer space in the ice box (you can only fit two boxes of micro chips in it at any one time). However, it does provide some of the best vantage points over Battery Square and we had many an entertaining hour people watching.
The first and probably only moan this year came early when we discovered the Hercules Hall bar was no longer open. Therefore, we all trooped to the main hotel in our jeans, shorts, T-shirts and trainers and made ourselves at home in the Jaipur bar. Old habits die hard, as they say. We compared diaries and made arrangements with each other for social events...

Monday - swimming at hotel pool. Tuesday - curry in Porthmadog with London Group followed by film & music quiz.
Thursday - meal in Castell Deudraeth, etc. etc.
I enjoyed being able to go inside the Castell for the first time and will definitely be going again as it is a wonderful blend of old and modern. Lots of natural textures mixed with hi-tech gadgets and quite a relaxed atmosphere.

We also took advantage of some nice weather to embark on a magical mystery tour to Plas Brondanw which turned a 10 minute trip into a 45 minute epic voyage of discovery. Oops, maybe we should have looked at a map before we set off. I must admit I think I enjoyed this day the most as we all spent it together and got on great. Thanks to Wendy for taking the photo of us outside the hotel enjoying afternoon refreshment. I think it is the only photo of us all together taken that week.
I remember the television seemed only able to show episodes of The Simpsons, Star Trek or Buffy The Vampire Slayer and I developed an expensive taste for Baileys cream liqueur for some reason.

Thanks to Alan for showing us a view of Portmeirion I hadn’t seen before from the peace of the opposite side of the estuary and thanks to Ronnie for driving us there. I don’t know about anyone else but I had a great, chilled out and relaxed time and am only sorry I won’t be able to go back in 2002 (unless I change jobs and get the time off).

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