More than 1,000 housing association tenants came within touching distance of Olympic glamour at their fun day.
One of the most popular people at the annual Cartrefi Conwy event was charity worker Stephen Bellis.
Children and adults alike flocked to have their picture taken with Stephen and the Olympic torch he carried as part of the relay team when it came to Abergele.
Stephen recalled: ““It was unbelievable. I feel very honoured and very proud to have been nominated to carry the torch and to be able to share it with Cartrefi Conwy tenants today.”
This year the annual Cartrefi Conwy Fun Day was held as part of the Access All Eirias Weekend at Eirias Park to celebrate the opening of the London 2012 Olympics.
There was a dedicated zone for tenants which was jam-packed with games, activities and entertainment.
Ten lucky tenants won tickets to go to the Olly Murs concert on Saturday night and one of them, Bethan Heald, who lives on the Peulwys housing estate, in Old Colwyn, got to meet the star in person.
Mum of two Kathleen Morley, who lives on the Peulwys estate in Old Colwyn, said: “It’s brilliant. We have already done loads of things – and we haven’t seen everything yet.”
Kevin McShane, from Abergele, and his three children were also having a whale of time.
He said: “They are very excited, they are really enjoying themselves and they loved having their faces painted. They’re looking a treat.”
According to mum of five Linda Woodbridge, from Kinmel Bay, the fun day was even better than last year’s event.
She said: “There’s more to do because of the Olympics, there is so much more for the kids to do. They’re having loads of fun.”
It was a sentiment echoed by John Roberts, the Chair of the Management Committee of the Tenant Forum,
He said: “There’s a very good crowd turned out so I’m very pleased and there’s a great atmosphere here.”
Andrew Bowden, the Chief Executive of Cartrefi Conwy, also thoroughly enjoyed the occasion.
He said: “I think it’s great that our colleagues within Cartrefi Conwy can have a good chat with our tenants outside the work environment.
“It’s a fantastic opportunity to get to know our tenants more and for them to have trust and confidence in us as a good landlord – as well as being someone they can have fun with.
“We want to see mums and dads, grandmas and granddads, young children, coming along joining together and having fun together – so that everyone goes away with a smile on their face.”
