Childhood sweethearts return to village where they married to buy popular caravan park

A COUPLE who married in the village where they met as children have returned to North Wales after more than 25 years to buy a popular caravan site.

Mike and Christine Parry have acquired Graeanfryn Caravan and Camping Park in Morfa Nefyn, Gwynedd.

Aerospace Sales Director Mike, and Christine, a former nurse, were living in Shropshire and looking for holiday homes on the Llyn Peninsula when they noticed the business and adjoining five bedroom-property were for sale.

They took the plunge and with the help of St Asaph-based FFP Solutions in partnership with Harold Smith Chartered Accountants – which has offices in Criccieth and St Asaph – are looking forward to a bright future.

“We currently have 40 pitches and the park is around five acres,” said Christine, who grew up in Nottinghamshire.

“It’s a wonderful part of the world and very close to our hearts so we want to fulfil the site’s potential and attract visitors from across the UK.

“There are so many amazing landmarks and attractions nearby, the community is warm and welcoming, and the scenery is incredible. We are thrilled to be here and can’t wait to get started.”

Mike and Christine were based in Shrewsbury with daughters Kate and Lucy when they decided to “take the leap” and make their “dream move”.

Mike grew up in Aberdaron and Christine would visit the resort with her family as a child.

They later fell in love and married in the village, and always wanted to come back one day and spend the rest of their lives on the coast of north west Wales.

With Mike working in Wolverhampton and Christine still working as a diabetes nurse in Shropshire just months ago, they had not imagined it would happen so quickly, but are delighted it did.

“Buying a caravan park was not on our radar but it was such a great opportunity we couldn’t pass it up,” she said.

“When we came to visit and saw the wonderful views and the infrastructure – and of course there was our close affinity with the area – we were in no doubt this is where we wanted to be.

“And we’ll be sharing the park with alpacas, Shetland ponies, ducks, chickens and other wonderful animals that are now part of the family.”

Mike added: “This has always been home for me, and we both wanted to eventually return and lay down roots after so many years away.

“We’ve had so much support from people in the village, and our family and friends, and are looking forward to many happy years here.”

Richard Pape, a Director at FFP Solutions, helped to broker the deal and secure funding to acquire Graeanfryn Farm.

He said: “We have a close partnership with Harold Smith Chartered Accountants and together we were pleased to be able to help Mike and Christine achieve their dream and buy this site.

“Morfa Nefyn is one of the most stunning parts of the country, and their story is so heartening that it was meant to be. We wish them every success for the future.”

Tomos Griffith from Harold Smith Chartered Accountants added: “This is another example of us working in tandem to achieve a positive result. The site has so much potential and will be a major asset to the local tourism industry.”