A CELEBRITY chef has swapped the kitchen for some 1960s Minis as part of a fundraising drive to raise money for Oswestry's Hope House Children's Hospice.
Bryn Williams and his dad, Eifion, drove two of the iconic British cars as part of a massive convoy that travelled from Colwyn Bay to Adventure Parc Snowdonia at Dolgarrog in the Conwy Valley.
Bryn, who owns the eatery at Porth Eirias and the well-known Odette's Restaurant in London's Primrose Hill, brought a 1963 Morris Mini van to the event as well as a Mini pick-up.
He said: "My father always had Minis when he went grass track racing and I'd go along and would want one for myself.
"I've had the van for a couple of years now and had some work done to it including a respray and added some branding."
The van was one of the oldest vehicles to attend the event and has been perfectly restored, and is now in immaculate condition.
The Minis in the Mountains run was the third one staged by Mad Welsh Minis group at Adventure Parc Snowdonia and aimed to help the Ty Gobaith/Hope House organisation which has hospices in Morda, near Oswestry, and in Conwy.
After not being able to celebrate in 2020 due to the pandemic, this year the recurring event registered more than 60 Minis.
James Owen, of Mad Welsh Minis who organised the event, said: The Mini is a British icon and everyone has a story about the vehicle. They may have owned one, almost certainly been a passenger in one and inevitably has a story to say about it.
"And we also raise money for a very worthy cause."
OTHER NEWS:
- Pub bosses' 'disgust' as police fail to investigate attack on landlord
- How the eyes of the world turned on Oswestry following Princess Diana's death
- St Martins pensioners slam energy firm Bulb for £4,000 gas bill error
James had driven his immaculate 1988 Mini the 375 miles from Cornwall, where he lives, via Bristol and Manchester without the car missing a beat.
According to Alison Marsh, from Ty Gobaith/Hope House, the event last year raised more than £1,700 for the children's hospice.
"The previous two events raised similar amounts and we are very grateful for the support of voluntary organisations and enthusiast groups like Mad Welsh Minis to help run the two hospices," she said.
Dylan Evans, of Adventure Parc Snowdonia, added: "We're pleased to be able to host the event this year for the third time. It's great to see so many Minis driving into the car park and having them all parked up in one place.
"We’re particularly pleased that they are using the occasion to raise money for such an incredibly important charity which supports families at the most difficult times in their lives."
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here