The History of Nature Reserves Calling all nature lovers! The Wildlife Trust nature charity are celebrating 100 years of the Royal Society of Wildlife Trusts in May. Nature Reserves are such an important part of our local landscape, and these days athey re so accessible to many people, that it’s easy to forget that there…

A Rail Celebration Well, doesn’t time fly?! A whopping 30 years of the Ffestiniog Railway! You read right – it was in May 1982 that the newly renovated Ffestiniog Railway proudly opened it’s carriages again and the whole route between Blaenau Ffestiniog and Porthmadog Harbour resumed as it once had done a hundred years previously. The restoration…

Easter Egg-stravaganza! Easter is very nearly here, that chocolate is so so close! If you’re looking for a way to entertain the whole family over the weekend, don’t forget about the Oakeley Easter Fun day – lots of local, Easter fun in Maentwrog, Gwynedd.  There’ll be a fabulous Easter Egg hunt, as well as stalls, our very own…

Ready, Steady, GO There’s a few fun things happening in the next few weeks – bank holidays, Easter-egg hunts, Easter egg eating, more bank holidays and of course let’s not forget the good old Grand National 2012! The Grand National is the nation’s favourite horse racing event, and is arguably the world’s most famous steeplechase races; it’s…

Easter Egg-Tastic Because the Easter holidays are getting sniffingly close, we thought it was about time to delve head first into a blog post about one of our favourite topics – CHOCOLATE! Easter is the one of the chocolatiest times of year, but where did it all begin? What’s the history of Easter eggs, why do we give…

The Hunt is On! Here at the Oakeley, we’ve just about reached fever pitch. The sunshine’s dancing in the beer garden, a giant bunny’s just walked into the bar and the smell of chocolate is in the air. It can only mean one thing – Easter’s nearly here!! And to celebrate we’re hosting an Easter Extravaganza. It’ll…

Cymru Crown Wales’ national rugby team have done it! Thanks to their spectacular performance in the RBS Six Nations Rugby Championship, the Welsh team are revelling in their success so far, and a week and a half ago they lifted the Triple Crown trophy after their 12-19 win against England. The Triple Crown is awarded to the…

Spot a Toad  “Ribbit ribbit” said the frog to the toad. “Riiiiiiiiibit off” said the toad to the frog, so the frog hopped off.  Wildlife lovers will revel in this event run in association with the BBC’s Autumnwatch programme. The Great Toad Extravaganza is an exciting opportunity to witness one of the biggest spectacles of natural migration in…

History is our story……  If you’ve ever wanted to delve a little deeper into the history of our fascinating nation, then you’re in for a treat! The BBC claims that its new series, The Story of Wales presented by Huw Edwards and broadcast later this month is one of its most ambitious yet. The series promises to uncover…

Happy Valentine’s Day! So, how many red envelopes dropped through the letter-box this morning? Any chocolates waiting patiently on the breakfast table? Did a huge bunch of flowers appear on the door-step? Worry not if you can’t answer a hearty “YES” to any of the above….. there’s still time to surprise your loved one with…