Rupert Bear & Beddgelert
Mr. Alfred Edmeades Bestall M.B.E. Illustrator of the famous Rupert Bear stories which ran in The Daily Express newspaper for over 40 years lived in Beddgelert. Bestall was a quiet man and is remembered fondly in the Village.
He bought his little cottage "Penlan" in 1956. His most famous drawing "The Frogs Chorus" inspired the cartoon video "The Frog Song" composed by Sir Paul McCartney who stayed at Plas Tan y Graig with his family. "We All Stand Together" became a best-selling video.
There is no doubt that many of the illustrations to Alfred's stories were inspired by the scenery in and around Beddgelert.
Over the footbridge and alongside the River Glaslyn, a meadow known as "Cae Gel" has recently been planted with shrubs, trees and wild flowers, to be used as a picnic area.
It has been created with the financial help of "The Followers of Rupert Bear" in memory of Alfred E. Bestall, M.B.E.