 Pant Ifan
PANT IFAN.
Pant Ifan, the home of the Cave and Crag Club,
is a remote, stone built, four bedroom Welsh farmhouse
with a very large barn set in a large stone wall
enclosed paddock on top of the Tremadog cliffs. Map
Reference 124/570408. The situation is superb with
wide ranging sea views to the front and mountains to
the rear. Fine climbing on the Tremadog cliffs is
within walking distance and remote mountain walking is
all around. Access is made by road and rough track
from Prenteg and by footpath from Tremadog.
Pant Ifan was discovered by Stan Moore, Trevor
Jones, Ken Clarke and Pete Knapp in the middle of 1954
after having enjoyed climbing the Dogs Head Pinnacle.
They made enquiries and the owner was approached with
regards to the possibility of the club renting the
property which was in very poor condition. The owner
turned out to be Captain Livingstone Learmouth, a
wealthy and highly influential landowner living at
Tan-Yr-Allt, Tremadog. The Captain was delighted for
us to make use of Pant Ifan and agreed to give the
club permanent use of the buildings for an annual
rental of ten shillings and sixpence and one gallon of
good ale each year. Over and above this the Captain
provided materials to help restore the buildings. This
association continued for many years with the Captain
becoming an honorary member of the club until his
death in the nineteen eighties. He owned a slate mine
in Ffestiniog and delighted in taking members on
visits. We all shared in his pleasure when he became
the Lord Lieutenant of Caernarfonshire. All in all a
great friend to the club.
Dave Williams was the first hut warden and with
many working parties the Hut was officially opened at
Christmas 1954. The farmhouse is reputed to have been
built in the 16th century and is the oldest building
in the area above the cliffs. A resident ghost makes
his presence known to selected visitors. He is known
as Pant Ifan and it appears he had disagreements with
the well known poet Shelley who resided at Tan-Yr-Allt
at the time. He subsequently hanged himself at Pant
Ifan. The Captain used to describe him as a friendly
mischievous spirit. On the death of the Captain the
club was offered the chance to purchase Pant Ifan and
with help from members the purchase was completed
securing the property for members in the years to
come. Obviously many hut wardens have served the Club
over the last 54 years but for all it has been a
labour of love. It always seems that Pant Ifan Hut
Wardens choose themselves. John Minchin is our current
hut warden and has held this position since the early
nineties making him the longest serving hut warden
ever. His enthusiasm and knowledge has been most
beneficial to the club over this period . May it long
continue.
Many repairs and improvements have been carried
out over the years. Electricity came fairly early on
followed by many years of general maintenance. In 1970
serious wear and tear was found in the barn roof and
much of that year found a select band working hard to
replace the roof and extend sleeping and storage
quarters. Major repairs and improved heating
facilities were tackled in the early nineties with the
help of members contributions. At the turn of the
century major work was carried out at the hut to
improve access and parking facilities and as a result
of the 'Andy Picken Fund' to provide upto date washing
and toilet facilities.
Recent years have seen the improved facilities
at Pant Ifan put to good use with several large
celebrations having been held with live music provided
.
Over the years hundreds of members and friends
have relaxed and enjoyed Pant Ifan , almost regarding
it as a second home. Long may this continue.
 Pant Ifan; Mike Varley.
31/08/2008.
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