Written by: John
Baynes, George Westropp and Simon Baynes
Published by: Quiller 2019
Rating: **
This book is a rework of the original work about the famous
Vyrnwy Hotel with added material bringing its history up to date. It charts its
life from the time the reservoir was created as the biggest masonry reservoir
in Europe, through changes in ownership, the effect the wars had with the
absence of staff and the loss of keepers which hastened the decline of the welsh
grouse moors, and how the fishing was developed.
The first section from the original book is very detailed
about the ownership and staff changes and I found it hard to get through. As a
historical document, it is excellent, as an enjoyable read it definitely isn’t.
My wife gave up before the end of this section and I think many would, whereas
I persevered and found the later added chapters much more interesting and
readable.
I would recommend reading the later stages of the book
before staying at the hotel and fishing the lake; the advice is very sound and
would prove most helpful. Similarly, the
section on the shooting I also enjoyed even though I don’t shoot as it explains
the demise of the grouse and the change to pheasant shooting.
I also think there must be many humorous anecdotes that
could, perhaps even should be included which would lighten the tone of the
book, especially in the dry first historical chapters.
In summary, the book is worth reading if you know and love
the hotel as many do, or plan to visit and fish or shoot, but if you find the
first chapters hard going, you lose nothing by skipping them onto the more
modern times.