Wales

Ty Gwyn Hotel

Llanfair PG, Anglesey

For any non-Welsh family buying its first pub in the principality, relocating to Llanfairpwllgwyngyllgogerychwyrndrobwllllantysiliogogogoch in the heart of Welsh-speaking Anglesey would represent a major challenge.

Three years down the line, the Keene

family believes the Ty Gwyn, which is next door to the railway station bearing that

famous name, is now firmly at the heart of the local community.

Family affair

Hayley Keene and her father David were originally looking for somewhere exotic in a much warmer climate, but fell in love with Llanfair PG. They then persuaded the rest of the family to uproot from their native Lancashire to help them run the business.

Joining them were David's wife Cherylyn, Hayley's husband Chris, who is one of the pub's chefs, brother Wesley (head chef),

sister-in-law Becky (bar manager), plus Hayley's elder brother Jamie and his girlfriend Mia, who work part-time at the Ty Gwyn.

Hayley, pictured, comments: "What's more, we all get on." Hayley looks after finances and

paperwork as well as organising events such as karaoke and quiz nights.

Learning the language

Hayley adds: "We've thrown ourselves into this community and we've been accepted by the locals. Many of us are speaking some Welsh and get involved community initiatives."

The pub rallied round when a popular customer and member of the pub's pool team died tragically in a road accident. A knock-out pool competition was staged over two days with £500 raised for the victim's mother. This was boosted by a further donation when the pub took part in the local annual raft race.

Helping the village

Hayley remarks: "We support many local causes and would like to think that if ever there was a need in the village; we would do our best to fill it."

The pub's cellar sports bar is a magnet for the local youngsters with the Ty Gwyn sponsoring three of the village's soccer teams and the golf society. A pool team and two darts team play at the pub.