I was lucky enough to be brought up in the North Wales village of Llysfaen, as a child I would go out exploring with friends and climb the cliffs at Craig y Forwyn, Castle Inn and Llandulas caves. Every Sunday, 8 – 10 families would converge at the village hall at around 8.30am and decide on what adventure we would partake during the day – beach, mountain, sea, and river, with summer trips up to the Lake District.
At the age of 18 yrs a family member bought the Cobden’s Hotel in Capel Curig where I worked for a few years, this was when my proper love affair with the mountains started. After work I would run up Moel Siabod, get out scrambling, climbing with friends and guests at the hotel. Life was good.
Work took me around the country and abroad (Europe) but there was always plenty of places to explore and when I came home to the Conwy area I met my wife Michelle. We have two amazing children and they have grown up with my love of the outdoors to my family and their friends, and thoroughly enjoy exploring as well.
In 2006 I took up a post in the Conwy & Denbighshire Youth Justice Service as a Development officer where among other things part of the role was to deliver the DofE , Forestry School and accredited activities. It’s a privilege to be in the presence of folk who have their eyes & hearts opened to the beauty of the mountains.
To enhance my delivery in supporting young people in my role, I have completed my ML(s), TCL, SPA, Forest school practitioner, C&G7303.
In 2012, I Joined the Conwy council as a support DofE officer and gained B, S, G assessor’s accreditation in 2014.