Leaders at Plas have much greater responsibilities and more hard work than at any other home.  While leading they are not having a "free holiday".

Plas differs from other homes in many ways, it is more isolated than most, the excursions are divided, and the guests generally younger.

Due to its isolation, there is only one "free day" not two as at other homes - and more evening entertainment requires organising.

Divided excursions make considerable bookkeeping necessary.

Hill walking excursions involve you in strenuous bodily exertion and responsibility.

The guests enjoyment of their holiday, and therefore the GOOD REPUTATION of Plas, are in your hands.  Don't forget that fact, it must govern all of your actions.

A large percentage of the summer guests are young, often boys and girls in their early teens, quick to emulate.  It is therefore essential that you set a good example.

As mentioned above, there are a number of differences between Plas and other homes.  There are four excursion days - Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday - Wednesday is the so called "free" day.  The excursions on Mon., Tues., Thurs., are divided into "A", "B" and "C" parties, the "C" party usually being referred to as the knitters.  On Friday there is only one excursion, the whole house going on a beach, having lunch at a cafe en route.

Sandwich lunches are provided on Mon., Tues., Thurs.  A number of reasons for this; - (1) "A" and "B" parties cannot buy a cafe lunch in any case (2) As a leader doesn't know until the day of the excursion, how many knitters there will be, he cannot order cafe meals in advance (3) It helps keep cost down.  On Friday however you know fairly accurately, days before hand how many lunches will be required, so they can be ordered about Wednesday, the actual number being phones to the cafe on Friday morning.

On Wednesday morning it is usual to organise tennis and table-tennis competitions.  You only have about three hours in which to hold them, so numbers will decide how they are organised.

TENNIS:

If large numbers wish to play, make it a "knock out" competition.  Played doubles.  Best of five games, two games in each direction, then winner of toss chooses end for last game.

If the numbers are small enough an American" type of competition can be run.  In this each couple play all the other couples in turn.  Again the best of five games.  A convenient way of scoring for this :-

Scoring for five couples

TABLE TENNIS:

Best of three games - "1 up" or "15 up".  "Knock out" or "American".  N.B. If you find these games boring - as the writer does - get a "committe" of three guests to run them for you.  Then return to bed.

Lunch is at Plas - then the special bus requires you to be on it to collect the fares and find out who wants a return ticket - the people coming back on service buses do - those returning on the special don't.  Get the tickets at the garage on the way down.

As excursion you will be expected to know the name, location, appearance, height, distance and history (true or otherwise) of every rock, hill, house, river, lake and cafe within fifty miles of Plas.  It is also desirable that you are able to repair cameras, nail boots, burst blisters, mend watches, be photogenic and tell jokes while carrying 30lb, of sandwiches up Crib Goch at 92 degrees in the shade.

Your position will for some unknown reason make you attractive to the younger members of the opposite sex, they usually are very childish, don't be childish with them.  If yiu are you will lose the respect of the more mature guests, and therefore your authority as a leader.  Th ewriter would be the last to say "don't smile on the fair sex" !!.  But to let it interfere with your duties is another matter.  It is selfish and unfair on your fellow leader, and the good reputation of Plas.  Bear in mind that your conduct at all times is observed by the guests.

Have a pair of good boots, memorise sheet 107 of the O.S. and "read up" the country.  A list of recommended books is given on page 154.  A good excursion leader doesn't get lost, he cannot afford the luxury.  It often hapopens that the people who have been to Plas dozens of time before will be amongst your guests.  Don't hesitate to enlist their help on excursions etc.

Remember to pin up a list of the proposed excursions each week, the "frame" on the notice board is designed to take a foolscap sheet.

The day before each excursion - except Friday's - put a sheet of foolscap in the sun lounge, divided into columns for "A", "B" and "C" parties.  Best place to put these sheets is on top of the releif map.  Request the guests to sign in the appropriate column for which excursion they intend to go on.  Almost invariably you will have to go round the breakfast tables to find out who hasn't signed.  But their names are soon added,a nd you have a written list from which to prepare your account book.  Put a list out for the group photographs, and tennis tournament in the same way.

You will find more people sign if you provide a pencil, make certain it is tied securely on a string though.  The string can be anchored easily round one of the screws securing the relief map cover.

When on walking excursions, insist on party discipline.  Don't let some go charging off in front, while some are left straggling behind.  Nothing is more disheartning to the stragglers.  A compact party walking at a pace to suit all, is far more enjoyable than a race up a mountainside.  You may have some persistent offenders, give thenm the sandwiches to carry and get annoyed with them.  They are selfish and a menace to themselves.  Due to the above mentioned party discipline accidents on Plas excursions are few and far between, but they can happen to the best conducted parties.  Make sure then, you know the locatiuon of each first-aid post in the North Wales network.  Details are given in the sun lounge and on page 202.  Memorise them !

Most Thursday and Friday evenings, some bright spark will suggest a trip up Snowdon to see the sunrise.  Don't feel under any obligation to go, it's not one of your duties.  Unless you want to go yourself, discourage them for all your worth.  These parties are an unmitigated nuisance, sandwiches, hot drinks, "night watchmen" etc, will keep you up till all hours.  A sunrise worth seeing can only be guaranteed after at least four days good settled warm weather.  A all other times mist is on the summit till well after dawn.

Many people visiting Plas for the first time are ignorant of the suitablity or otherwise of themselves, their clothing and their footgear for the A & B parties.  It is usual therefore to ask that anybody in doubt shoudl consult you, before deciding which excursion to go on.

Your advice depends on a number of things (a) the person themselves (b) the weather (c) their companion andd of course (d) the particular excursion.

(a) If they have done some hill walking and are keen, they are usually alright.  If they are fat and its a hot day they often are not alright.

(b) VEY HOT WEATHER - Usually very tiring, better discourgae the doubtfuls from the "A" although the "B" should be very enjoyable.

WARM & DRY - Anybody can do almost any of our excursions.

WARM & WET - Most people are OK but crepe soles are "out" and steep grass should be avoided by unstudded shoes and boots.

WINDY - No doubtfuls on the "A".  Remember you won't be the first to be blown clean off some of these ridges.

Don't forget the "B+" parties e.g. Watkin and Pig are almost as strenuous as the "A's".