Chef Bryn Williams takes part in Mini drive for charity

The father-and-son duo brought two of the British vehicles in a massive convoy which travelled from Colwyn Bay to Adventure Parc Snowdonia at Dolgarrog.

The Minis in the Mountains run, the third to be staged by enthusiast group Mad Welsh Minis, was in aid of Ty Gobaith/Hope House children's hospice.

Bryn, who owns the eatery at Porth Eirias, brought a 1963 Morris Mini van to the event as well as a Mini pick-up.

The van was one of the oldest to attend the event and has been immaculately restored.

Photo: Mandy Jones

The Denbigh chef has always been a fan of Minis, and 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.”

A retired mechanic, his father Eifion said he had raced Minis on grass tracks.

"I must have smashed up more than a dozen of them over the years. They'd all be worth a bit these days.”

In addition to the two at the event at Adventure Parc Snowdonia, Bryn said he also has a Mini Cooper S and a Mini Moke.

Photo: Mandy Jones

There were two Mini Mokes at Dolgarrog this year and one of them had been driven more than 800 miles across four countries.

James Owen, of Mad Welsh Minis who organised the event, said it was the third they had staged at Adventure Park Snowdonia, with the first held in 2018 and repeated the following year.

The Covid-19 lockdown led to the 2020 event being cancelled, with a virtual event staged last year.

More than 60 Minis registered at the 2022 event, with Mr Owen adding: “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.”

Ty Gobaith spokeswoman Alison Marsh said the event last year raised more than £1,700 for the children's hospice.

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"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.”

The first Mini rolled off the production line at the British Motor Corporation (BMC) plant in Longbridge, Birmingham in August 1959.