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2008

Save me a bit of cake please, I'm on my way !

The new Shell Island 2008 Brochure is now available from Shell Island reception along with this years camping prices and regulations. Click on the image to see the full size page

The camping costs for season 2008 are now available along with upto date schedules for OAP camping

See the full breakdown here

Thanks to Carla

Cardigan Bay's dolphins and porpoises came under renewed threat this week after the Westminster government opened up vast new areas for gas and oil development around the UK coastline. Highly sensitive parts of the Bay, including the Dyfi Estuary and offshore exploration blocks off Borth and Aberystwyth and south to Fishguard, as well as Bardsey and Skomer, all now face the potential of major disturbance under a fast-track initiative to uncover new hydrocarbon sources.

See the full news item here

Taken from the Cambrian News, 28 February 2008

Thanks to Rosemary

A former military airfield within the Snowdonia National Park is to be taken over by a private company.

The new operators already run Kemble Airport near Cirencester in the Cotswolds.

Llanbedr Airfield near Harlech, Gwynedd, has been offered on a 125 year lease by the Welsh Assembly Government, who acquired it in 2006.

See the full news item here

Taken from the Cambrian News, 28 February 2008

Commercial flights are set to take off from the former RAF aerodrome at Llanbedr. The Welsh Assembly Government (WAG) has appointed a preferred bidder for the airfield to take over the 125-year lease...The Kemble team (Cotswold based) hope the 563 acre site will become a base not just for planes, but a potential location for film and TV shoots

Thanks to Rosemary

A summer steam train service on the Cambrian Coast railway line is to be extended to Pwllheli in Gwynedd.

2007

Wagner Art

Just in time for Christmas and called 'SEASON GREETINGS', Debra is holding her next exhibition and sale at the Crown Hotel in Stone, Staffordshire on Saturday 24th November. Debra will be there all day from 9am - 5pm to meet and greet everyone, and there will be something for everyone, from Christmas & Greetings cards, together with framed & unframed prints, and a large number of original paintings available to buy for that really special Christmas present!

Alternatively, anyone can call in and discuss private commissions with Debra (there will still be time to finish a private piece of work in time for Christmas).

Everyone is welcome, so come along and enjoy the atmosphere of Christmas in this great setting! Admission is free of charge.

Check out one of Debra's paintings of Shell Island in the Archive

End of Season 2007 Bash
Weekend of 27 October

Tide Times

I always swore blind I'd never go camping....... 15 years ago I was persuaded to come camping to Shell Island thought I would hate it and I KNEW I would miss my bathroom too much! We borrowed a little dome tent and my son (then 4-now nearly 19) and I had such a good time that when we went home I bought a tent and have been camping here ever since. The tents just keep getting bigger! I came to love the place so much that I even changed my days of work so that I had Mondays and Fridays off so we could spend more time on Shell   I used to work for Social Services, now I work on Shell Island!

One weekend I stuck my head around the door of Reception and asked (almost as a joke!) 'Any jobs going?' David was just writing out an ad for Reception Staff. FATE, I thought - I drove home and gave in my notice! Financial disaster but so worth it!

From then on, my life just sort of fell into place one piece at a time; a job I love (most of the time!) new friends, a new place to live (with a mountain in the back yard but that's another storey..) a whole new way of living in fact.

How many people are lucky enough to live and work in such a beautiful environment?

Hey, some of us have to live the dream for those who can't!

Rose, Shell Island Reception Team

How not to leave Shell Island This driver was snapped attempting to leave via a rather non conventional road. He attempted to drive his car down the nature walk and only stopped when 2 walkers passed him and must have explained that well, maybe its not just suitable for cars to go down this road, seeing as, well, there's not much of a road at the other end and there's the gate to get through and the concrete ramp and there's the kissing gate at the other end. OK so the tide was in. But only just, by the time he had reversed the road was clear

So, do they get dolphins at Shell Island ? Have a look at these photos sent in from Terry, owner of Polly Meg. These were taken off and around Shell Island in the Cardigan bay

Shell Island Saver Weekend Friday 21 September 2007 Arrive on Friday 21st and get 2 nights camping for the price of 1 Arrive on Saturday 22nd and get 10% discount on camping fees

EXTREME WEATHER CONDITIONS HIT SHELL ISLAND

August 2007

These incredible photos of a tornado funnel cloud forming and then dissipating over Shell Island were taken by Mark and Jayne on Thursday 16 August some time between 5.30pm and 6.30pm. If you have any more photos of this incredible event (or any other extreme weather conditions around Shell Island) and are happy to share them on this website please email me.

The summer entertainment schedule starts Monday 23 July, all the usual good stuff

Monday Karaoke Night			Tuesday Quiz Night
Wednesday Live band			Thursday Disco

Washing up area The all new and much anticipated dish washing up area has now gone up and is being kept clean by every one, thank you.

Firework and end of season Weekend This years firework and end of season camping weekend is once more scheduled for the weekend of October 26th and 27th. Friday night: There will be Halloween party along with fancy dress and prizes for the best dressed ghosties and ghoulies Saturday night: Is the massive firework display which will hopefully be the biggest firework display in North Wales and set to the  theme of the "Pirates of the Caribbean" trilogy

Seasonal Staff Wanted - Apr 2007 Fancy a job at Shell Island ? Various departments with training given. Pick up an application form from reception

Ever wondered why sometimes the water pressure at Shell Island gets low during the summer months? Have a look at these photos sent in from Andrew R. These were taken at the start of May and show the water pipes from the fresh water reservoir at Cwm Nantcol that feed Llanbedr

Season 2006 Camping Prices Held Click here for an update on current prices and regulations

Fiery Skies is the title of a new painting commissioned and painted by Debra Wagner. This painting measures 40 x 16 inches and is mounted on a 3D chunky canvas, and has a real impact on any wall. This painting is a view from Shell Island over the Lleyn Peninsula For further information about this or other Shell Island paintings click on http://www.wagnerart.co.uk This unique and 1 off painting is listed at £200.00. Debra is happy to give a 10% discount to anyone that purchases this and mentions that they saw it on ShellIslandCampers.co.uk Go on ! Grab a bargain, you know you want to...........

Got something to sell? Thats camping or sailing related Have a look in here

Smoking Ban in Wales - Starts April 2nd 2007 For further information on the Smoking ban in Wales go to the smokingbanwales website Smoking will no longer be permitted in the Tavern and Snack Bar at Shell Island How does this affect you? Put your thoughts in the Guestbook

Shell Island through the ages. Do you have any old photos of Shell Island that show the changes over the years, such as the building of the new shops, or the old check-in (Shed) or the old and original wooden bridge. If you do please send them onto me as I'd like to start another section here on how Shell Island has changed over the years.

2006

You found what on the beach ? - August 2006 Lucky Mellissa Cathcart found a lump of 'Whale Sick' on the beach at Shell Island whilst out beach coming with her parents. To find out more about this very expensive find read this news article.

Click here for more information

Weekend of October 27/28 2006 Bonfire and Halloween Weekend End of camping Season The biggest firework display in North Wales This years theme is "Harry Potter" Come along for the BBQ Live Entertainment on both Nights

First Aid Poll

Are you aware that there is no first aid centre at Shell Island ?  This does not mean any of the staff at Shell Island are not qualified First-Aiders and hold a current certificate.

If you are a registered First-Aider and hold a current First Aid Certificate would you be prepared to have your name and mobile phone contact details listed in a secure area at Shell Island during your stay, so in the case of an emergency you could be called upon to help with any emergency.

Shell Island in Paint Why not take a look at Wagner Art. Debra has two wonderful paintings of Shell Island

One year old

Well, what a year. ShellIslandCampers is now officially 1 year old.  The site started out as hobby, something for me to do in the dark nights. A good friend of mine Geoff was in need of some students to learn PHP so I thought I would tag along and join his course, I drag Geoff up and down mountains so I thought it was a fair deal.  I would learn some PHP and the basics and fundamentals of web design, we were also redesigning our public facing website at work and I was included in the working group and wanted to understand more of the concepts.  

The idea for the site was to give me something to aim at and keep my interest in the course and have a real life website at the end of the course. Shell Island Campers was an obvious web site for me to work on as I have been visiting Shell Island since the early 1970s and enjoy every minute there, including the rain, the storms, the sheep, no, not the sheep.  

One year on, over 17,000 (seventeen thousand) hits on the site, over 300 emails via the site. More wonderful photos than I can shake a damn big stick at that have been emailed to me and are in the Photo Gallery. Lots of new friends made who constantly and consistently email me with thoughts, comments, photos and ideas for the website. Yes I will be bringing back the chat room and guest book soon, in a new incarnation.  

It has to be with thanks to everyone who has visited and supported this website that this website has continued to run, if the hits and emails had been so few I would have quickly given up the site and the interest in learning more about PHP and web design.  

It must be said though, that if wasn't for that wonderful piece of North Wales we all know and love so much, along with the wonderful staff this website would not be here.

Shell Island For Ever

This is the Sea, not a fresh water river

Am I missing something ? Every year we all go down to the causeway when the tide covers the road. Yes the tide, that big sea shaped thing, that big bit of water that contains loads of salt, to watch the late arrivals attempt to drive their nice new cars through the tide. Why do they do this? Why don't they read the tide times from either Shell Islands website or get them from this site ? Why don't they set off earlier ? And why do we always clap them thru, as though its something to be proud of now they have prematurely aged the metal work on their car ? Isn't it a well known fact that metal is corrided faster and more efficiently by sea water ? Answers on a postcard please to the usual addrress

Bonfire Weekend - June 2006 This year Bonfire weekend is set to the theme of Harry Potter. This is the biggest firework display in North Wales. Again this is set on the last camping weekend of the season, October 28. There will also be a halloween party for the kids on the Friday night
Additional Shower Units - June 2006 There is a now an addtional Shower unit positioned next to the original shower block. This hosts 3 extra showers for both men and women. If used well there will be more for the summer break
Sail and Power Fun Day - July 1 2006 Come along to the Shell Island Sail and Power Fun Day on Saturday July 1 loads of entertaintment to keep the family busy. Here's some photos from the weekend
Shell Island Beta website offline - June 2006 The possible new Shell Island website has been taken offline from its original location at http://domain995448.sites.fasthosts.com/shell%20island/index.html . For those of you that were using the web forum, heres the link http://www.miaoweb.net/forums/?mforum=campfirechat
New Shell Island Postcard - Apr 2006 The 2006 Shell Island postcard is now available from the SuperMarket for a small cost of 25p. This shows a view of the Rhinog Mountains from the Shell Island Dunes . This photo has been reproduced with the kind permission of Dave Newbould. The postcard is entitled P362 The Rhinog Mountains from Shell Island sand dunes
Seasonal Staff Wanted - Apr 2006 Fancy a job at Shell Island ? Taken from Island Times - V2-I1 Various departments with training given. Pick up an application form from reception
Things of interest - Apr 2006 Taken from Island Times - V2-I1 24 Hour coffee machine outside the Cafe Sale rail of clothes in the camp shop Check Tide Board by Gatehouse daily Off-sale in the bar Try 'Pot-luck' at the outside Can Machine Child safety wrist bands at the Gatehouse Need Cashback? Reception open 08:00 to 20:00
Another new Shell Island website - Mar 2006 Theres another draft of the new Shell Island website   If you haven't seen yet Shell Island are redrafting their website at http://domain995448.sites.fasthosts.com/shell%20island/index.html  and the webmaster prior_uk@hotmail.com is looking for comments. Can I please ask that you give this site a visit and give some opinions on the new site
New Booking in system - Feb 2006 A new computerised booking system goes online soon as Shell Island. This will hopefully make booking in and out much easier and faster for everyone involved. Campers will still need to sign the rules and regs though. Reception has also had a new paint job and the orange colour scheme has gone - Rich, The Warden
Harbour Dredging - Feb 2006 The harbour is now nearly redredged which will hopefully make gaining access for boats easier once more - Rich, The Warden
New Shell Island website - Feb 2006 If you haven't seen yet Shell Island are redrafting their website at http://www.caterquiponline.com/shell/index.htm and the new webmaster prior_uk@hotmail.com is looking for comments. Can I please ask that you give this site a visit and give some opinions on the new site

2005

Official Shell Island Website back online
During the weekend of 24 September 2005 the official Shell Island Website came back on line after a couple of weeks sick leave. Still no sign of an upgraded website though....

Official Shell Island Website goes off line
Since approx 4 Sept 2005 the official Shell Island web site has gone off line.  This site is still registered with Shell Island.  Maybe there's a new website on the way.....

Bonfire Night - October 29 2005
Bonfire and Halloween Weekend. End of camping Season. The biggest firework display in North Wales. This years them is "War of the Worlds".Come along for the BBQ. Live Entertainment on both Nights

2001

13 May

Foot and Mouth – How could it effect my Holiday on Shell Island?

Are we Open? 
Yes we have been from Easter. It is now basically business as usual.

Can We bring Dogs? 
Yes, the usual rules apply Max 2 dogs per camp.

Do we need to book to camp on Shell Island?
No you do not, but we do anticipate that we will be full possibly from Friday Night of Whit week end until Monday.

Can We camp in the Dunes? 
Yes you may camp in your usual spots, but the water table is unusually high and some areas are still under water. There is the Nature reserve south of Shell Island that is out of bounds.

Can we walk on the beaches? 
Yes no problem at all . You can walk the beach all the way to Barmouth if you wish(7 Miles).

Are the Foot paths open locally? 
Sorry no. This includes the handy path that skirts the airfield useful when the tide is high ! Shame

What tourist attractions are open? 
Yes all the local attractions are open as long as there are no livestock involved. Porthmeirion, Harlech Castle, Llanfair Slate caverns Ffestiniog Railway etc.

Can we go up into the Mountains? 
Yes and No. You may drive on the roads up into the mountains but most footpaths are currently closed. Cwm Bychan and Roman Steps Closed. Plunge pool and gorge walk is open.

Can we go up Snowdon? 
Yes, there are 4 paths open up Snowdon, however parking is very much restricted so you are advised to Park n Ride on the Snowdon Sherpa Vans. See http://www.eryri-npa.gov.uk/english/home/index.html

11 March 

Opened at last

Shell Island was able to open the gates for the first time in six weeks. The last of the sheep left today for their home farm at the foot of Snowdon. We not allowed to let people onto the fields in which they have been confined for two weeks.

There are restrictions locally, footpaths etc.

Shell Island is bordered by a National Nature Reserve (to the south of Shell). Although there are no animals susceptible to Foot and Mouth on their land they are not allowing anyone onto their land.

However you can walk all the way to Barmouth along the beach ( some 7 miles) with out any problems.

22 March

Maintenance Dredging 

Digging out of the outer basin started on 6th of March with two 4 hour shifts a day. So far, most of the outer basin has been dug out. The sand from the outer basin being deposited on the sand bar at the entrance to Mochras Lagoon, and the tidal flow moving it on towards Llandanwg Beach

A start was made with the inner basin on Sat 17th ,but progress is appallingly slow, with problems with getting the machinery to operate in 3 ft of soft slippery mud. The problem, is compounded with the fact the mud has to be carried to the top of the island for storage, (this being the only site that was permitted by the authorities). In truth, it looks as though it may not be possible to complete the digging of the basin this year, and we may have to attempt it again next year. Still, we will give it our best shot.

Foot and mouth has reeked havoc with the Island having to be closed. See the F& M page for more information

Craning is currently delayed indefinitely, until such time that we know the full picture regarding the F&M, access is approved, and the boat owners have had sufficient time to carry out their pre season work. This in itself, presents difficulties with the booking of cranes etc. It looks likely, at the moment, that we will be looking for an opportunity, for craning, after Easter but as long as the restrictions are in place we have to remain closed to all visitors and if that includes Easter and May Bank then that will be very disappointing to everyone and extremely costly to Shell Island.

22 March

Foot And Mouth Disease 

Shell Island is currently closed to all visitors. Shell Island has some 500 wintering sheep, as we have always done each year. Normally, this does not presented any problem. If these sheep were to be come infected, Shell Island would have to close for 6 months, with devastating implications. We have adopted this policy, in line with the council’s guidelines because the virus can be transported from one area to another so easily. Other caravan sites locally, with winter grazing sheep, have been ordered to close.

Under the MAFF “movement of animals restrictions”, we are unable to return these sheep back to the farms from where they have come. There is a scheme, whereby sheep may be moved to their original farms, if the sheep are suffering hardship. Unfortunately because the grazing on Shell Island is shared between a number of flocks from different farms we are unable at this time to move them under the conditions of this scheme. We are still endeavouring to find a way through so that we can open for Easter. Once the sheep have left, we must remain closed, for a further two week period, before we can open again to the public. This for us at Shell Island is an extremely expensive and frightening situation that is beyond our control.

On Saturday 17th 3 people, ignoring the council placed notices at the end of the county road, crossed over the causeway and over one of the fields at the north end of Shell Island in order to reach the beach. They ended up being interviewed by the police for their trouble!

Tuesday 27thMarch Applications for the movement of the sheep were lodged with MAFF and initially we were advised that we would have a reply on Thurs 29th this has now been put back to Mon 2nd April or later. The sheep are now penned up in 28 acres of land behind the showers and are being fed daily. This is so that we can open up for camping as quickly as we can under the MAFF rules.

Saturday 7thApril We have now sent most of the sheep back to their own farms. The last of the sheep will hopefully leave Shell Island on Tuesday 10th 
The Good news is that we will be open for camping and visitors on Wednesday 11th April with restrictions. 
All vehicles need to go over the disinfectant matting. 
If we are unable to send the last of the sheep off then we will not allow dogs on. 
The fields behind the Showers (where the sheep are/were held) are out of bounds to all for a two week quarantine period 

2000

August Bank Holiday Weekend

Shell Island started the week preceding the Bank holiday week end about 60% full. With the weather getting better as the week went on, We started to tell all enquiries that the Island would probably stop taking new arrivals on Saturday. By Thursday this had been changed to Friday night. On Friday we accepted some three hundred new arrivals and by 7.00 p.m. the sign went up to say the Island was full. For this we can only apologise as it isn't so much the room for more it is more a question of how many the toilets, water supply, showers will be able to cope with before they become totally and unacceptably inadequate. In fact all the resources are stretched to the limit.

Water supply
Shell island is supplied with a 3 inch water main, capable of delivering 150 litres of water a minute. This is more than adequate for all our needs. Unfortunately, on Bank Holiday weekends the whole area puts so much strain on the area network, the pressure drops and therefore the supply. This bank holiday weekend at best during the day we were only receiving 75 - 80 litres a minute. about 2/3 s of what we required. We have a temporary water store behind the toilets and showers of some 7000 litres which is used to bolster the supply to the toilets primarily and secondly to enhance the supply to the showers. This reserve will be increased to some 14000 litres for next year.

More Toilets/ Showers
Many people come up with the idea of more toilets and showers around the site. This we agree would be ideal. Unfortunately we would have an immediate problem with planning permission. Planners have a policy to allow building work only in the centre of the island so as not to spoil the visual aspects of the island. A second problem, that isn't so obvious is where do you get rid of the waste. We are not connected to a sewage system like the towns, we have to run the solids to a septic tank and the soiled water has to disperse into the ground. A lot of Shell Island is low ground close to the water table. In winter the ground is totally waterlogged and any fouled water would just lie on the ground leaving a permanent smell as well as not being particularly healthy to say the least for camping on!

Water disposal Points
There are a number of water disposal points for your own waste washing water near the centre of the island, these we hope to increase to save people just throwing there water into the nearest hedge. 

Rubbish 
Rubbish over the Bank Holiday weekend does build up very quickly. although most people do bag up and take there garbage to the skips unfortunately a lot leave their's just where they camped. Our maintenance lads do what they can, over the week end but at the end of the day with so many people here, the problem becomes overpowering and ultimately it takes a week to clean up the site again.

Washing Up facilities
Yes one day we hope to have a washing up facility, but we do need to sort out our water problems first.