11 minute read
Visiting the neighbours
George Keegan enjoys a short break on the island of Anglesey
Beaumaris Beach. Beaumaris itself is a picturesque seaside town containing a mixture of Medieval, Georgian, Victorian and Edwardian architecture. The name comes from the Norman ‘beau marais’ meaning ‘fair marsh’.
It’s a sad fact that the majority of Irish holidaymakers travelling with a car are inclined to use Anglesey Island in Wales as a passing - through destination on their way south following disembarkation at the Holyhead ferry port. They don’t know what they are missing!
Recently I spent a few days exploring the island taking in a number of tourist attractions and enjoying some wonderful scenery along the way. But first let’s take a look at a few facts about Wales in general.
Language: There are two official languages Welsh and English. The native language is used extensively particularly on Anglesey (where learning the language is compulsory for children up to 16 years). The road signs and place names here are all in Welsh reminding me of the Gaeltacht areas at home. Symbols: the country has three main symbols- the Dragon, Daffodil and the Leek. The dragon dates from the era of King Arthur and became the official flag in 1959.The daffodil represents St. David’s Day on 1st March, while the Leek dates from the 16th century.
Famous names: Many famous names are associated with Wales either born there or living a considerable time in the country. They include singers Tom Jones, Shirley Bassey, Charlotte Church and Katherine Jenkins, footballer Gareth Bale. In the world of cinema the names Anthony Hopkins (Silence of the Lambs), Catherine Zeta Jones (Chicago) spring to mind and of course poet Dylan Thomas and author Roald Dahl.
Food: Specialities include:
Cawl – A hearty broth made from lamb or beef with seasonal vegetables. Every family has their own take on this. Sewin- A fish described as something between a salmon and a trout and is caught by fishermen during night time. Welsh Rarebit- The famous toasted cheese dish. Bara Brith – Meaning a speckled bread but is in fact more of a cake. Served with butter and recommended as perfect with a mid-day cuppa.
The Isle of Anglesey is situated along the North Wales Way and is connected to mainland Wales by two iconic bridges, Thomas Telford’s Menai Suspension Bridge and Robert Stephenson’s
Beaumaris Castle
Thomas Telford’s magnificent Menai Suspension Bridge
Two views of Plas Cadnant Hidden Gardens
Britannia Bridge. The island has rolling green fields and is dotted with ancient burial sites and some mysterious monuments. It is quite a small area so around the charming seaside town of Beaumaris just 35 minutes on the A5 expressway from Holyhead is an ideal base. From here you can easily access many of the well known attractions such as the gardens at Plas Cadnant and Newydd House, Menai Bridge, the village with the longest name in Europe and South Stack, famous for puffins.
Beaumaris itself is a picturesque seaside town containing a mixture of Medieval, Georgian, Victorian and Edwardian architecture. The name comes from the Norman ‘beau marais’ meaning ‘fair marsh’. There is a pier originally constructed in 1846 but required to be re-built 30 years later following extensive storm damage. However, during the 1960s the pier was considered unsafe and threatened with demolition. Thanks to an exceptional private donation by a local lady, it was saved. Today it is a short promenade ideal for taking a stroll or just sitting on a bench to relax and look out on the waters of the Menai Strait with Snowdonia in the background. The pier is used as mooring spot for boating companies bringing tourists on trips. There are booking offices beside the pier for Puffin Island, rib boat tours on the Strait, or fishing excursions.
Almost within the town centre is a historic castle with a unique symmetrical design designated as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. This was the last fortress Edward 1 set about constructing in North Wales, but it was never completed. Other notable buildings include the courthouse built in 1614, a 14th century Tudor house (now an estate agency) regarded as one of the oldest original timber framed buildings in Britain and the hotel Bulls Head Inn (1472).
Plas Cadnant Hidden Gardens
One of several highlights of my short break was a visit to these quite stunning gardens. The restoration work has taken place over many years due mainly to the vision and determination of owner Anthony Tavernor who purchased the estate in 1996. At the time he had sold some property and was seeking to buy another farm. Being interested in gardens, history and architecture from an early age, Plas Cadnant seemed the perfect place for him and so it has proved to be. The gardens are nestled in a valley between Beaumaris and Menai Bridge and the walled garden alone is worth a visit with magnificent colourful boarders, fruit trees and lawns with close clipped Yew pyramids ‘marching’ across. On the signposted trails you will observe in excess of 4000 plants. A full morning or afternoon should be set aside to fully explore this delightful setting. Before leaving drop into the Visitor Centre to check the gardens history. Then final stop the tea rooms serving delicious scones, cakes and light lunches, all homemade.
The South Stack
On day two I headed up the north west coast to spend a few hours exploring the RSPB Reserve at the South Stack. The main information centre in Ellin’s tower is also used as a hide. Telescope or binoculars are provided free to visitors. Watch the many different species of sea birds including Puffins (when they come ashore to nest) and now rare choughs with their bright red beaks and feet. Around the reserve are several paths perfect for birdwatching. On an elevated site is a new RSPB shop and café, opened last year.
The South Stack lighthouse is on the tiny Holy Island. By taking a 400 step staircase leading down from a cliff face you can visit and get a guided tour. OK I
The spectacular lighthouse and bird sanctuary at South Stack
admit it -there was no way I personally would have done it; however, I did witness many people climbing up and down those steps.
That village --is just a few kilometres from Beaumaris and the name is Llanfair pwllgwyngyllgogerychwyrndrobwilllanty siliogogogoch (phew !). There are regular queues of people from around the world stopping at the old railway station having their photo taken under the name board.
Good to see though the station is still operating with trains running regularly to Bangor.
Other nearby noteworthy attractions are the Transport and Maritime Museums, Sea Zoo, Plas Newydd Historic House & Gardens on shores of the Strait, or perhaps drive over the bridge for a look at North Wales. Golfers can enjoy a round at the nearby Henllys Hall parkland course.
Chateau Rhinfa
When looking for hotel accommodation on the Isle of Anglesey you would not expect to find a French styled Chateau. But yes, situated between Menai town and Beaumaris is a Grade 11 star listed building constructed in 1849 modelled on a French Renaissance building along the Loire, complete with fish scale turrets. The history of house, estate and various owners is a fascinating read. When you enter this hotel you are stepping into old world charm at its best This is the age of ornate drawing rooms with soft sofas, decorated with gilded mirrors, walls of portraits, tapestries and centre room chandeliers.
There is a music room, with piano of course, and projecting (oriel)window. Some rooms including the dining room, have quiet corners with seating for two in the turrets.
Have your photo taken at Europe’s longest-named railway station
There are summer and winter terraces and impressive gardens overlooking the Strait. In one corner is a summer house with dove cot also French inspired, constructed to mirror the skyline of the mansion roof. The 27 bedrooms of different sizes are all individually named. My very comfortable room had a four poster bed, tall sash windows and a large modern shower room.
Meals are served in the downstairs Le Dragon Rouge restaurant. While breakfasts were a bit hit and miss (staff require further training), the evening meals served under the guidance of Jim the Maître d, were excellent. I enjoyed my stay here. Chateau Rhianfa is part of the Interesting Hotels group.
Accommodation for my final night on the Island was somewhat different, moving from ancient to very modern but still with an old-fashioned twist. The Bull Inn on the corner of Castle Street in Beaumaris is another listed building complete with wooden features, narrow stairs and corridors etc, definitely old style ambiance throughout. The owners recently purchased a rundown building across the street for extra guest bedrooms. Called The Townhouse it is ultra modern with funky lighting and colour codes used for room numbers. Furniture is minimal but the rooms are very comfortable. Breakfast and dinner are served in the hotel’s spacious restaurant named Coach Kitchen & Garden. Staff were exceptionally friendly and food was good. With so much hassle and long delays at Dublin airport recently it was a joy to arrive in Dublin Port and calmly board the impressive Stena Adventurer. On board facilities are geared for all age groups, with free movies, Happy World play area for little ones and a Game Zone for older children. There are also restaurants and shops.
On the day I sailed it was extremely busy with parents and small children heading off on summer holidays or to visit relatives. Passengers seeking a more restful crossing should consider booking a cabin or entrance to the Stena Plus lounge which has comfortable seating for 140 passengers. Here you have choice of complimentary hot & cold drinks, light snacks and free newspapers. For something more substantial check the menus for breakfast lunch or dinner with a great choice of food at reasonable prices. The numerous daily crossings from Dublin to Holyhead take 3hrs 15mins.
For his trip to Anglesey George Keegan was a guest of Visit Wales and received a complimentary crossing courtesy of Stena Line.
Useful websites
www.visitwales.com www.visitanglesey.co.uk www.stenaline.co.uk www.chateaurhianfa.co.uk/hotel www.bullsheadinn.co.uk www.plascadnant.co.uk www.stacklighthouse.co.uk Senior Times | September - October 2022 | www.seniortimes.ie 29
The Ombudsman and complaints about public services
Ombudsman Ger Deering says that complaints can be used to improve the delivery of public services.
In most cases, services provided to older people by public bodies such as government departments, local authorities and the HSE, and by private nursing homes, go well. However, when things go wrong you may have to make a complaint to that body. If you are unhappy with the outcome of your complaint you can then contact the Ombudsman.
The Office of the Ombudsman provides a free and impartial service for dealing with complaints about most providers of public services. The Ombudsman is independent of government.
What can I complain to the Ombudsman about?
The Ombudsman can examine complaints about:
• decisions you consider to be unfair and that affect you in a negative way
• a failure to give you clear reasons for decisions
• a failure to communicate with you on time
• providing you with incorrect, inaccurate or misleading information and
• a failure to deal properly with your complaints
How will the Ombudsman deal with my complaint?
First, we check that we are allowed to handle your complaint. We may ask the public service provider you have complained about to send us a report. We may examine their files and records and ask them questions. It can take time to gather the information we need.
Next, we will decide if:
• your complaint should be upheld • you have suffered because of the action or decision of the public service provider If we decide you have suffered and the public service provider has not taken steps to put this right, we may ask the provider to:
• look again at what it has done • change its decision • offer you an explanation, an apology and/or money (we do not always seek compensation or indeed receive it even if we do request it)
Usually, we handle complaints by discussing the problem with the public service provider and looking at the relevant files. If necessary, we do a detailed investigation.
What the Ombudsman cannot examine
People sometimes contact us about things we are unable to deal with. The Ombudsman cannot look at complaints about:
• clinical judgement, such as decisions on treatment or diagnosis
• employment
• complaints where the law provides for a right of appeal to a court
• the complaint is, or has been, the subject of legal proceedings before the courts
When should I complain to the Ombudsman?
Before you complain to the Ombudsman, you must first complain to the service provider whose action or decision has affected you. In some cases there will be a local appeals system which you should use.
If you have complained to the service provider and are still unhappy, then you can contact the Ombudsman. You should submit your complaint within 12 months of the action or decision that has adversely affected you. However, even if more than 12 months has passed, we may still be able to help if there is a good reason for the delay.
How do I complain to the Ombudsman?
The easiest way to make a complaint to the Ombudsman is through our website:
www.ombudsman.ie
You can also write to us at: Office of the Ombudsman, 6 Earlsfort Terrace, Dublin 2, D02 W773.
