Early Risers Gather On Pen Y Fan For The Start Of The Longest Day

Pen y fan is the highest peak in South Wales and southern Britain, situated in the Brecon Beacons National Park. At 886 metres (2,907ft) above sea-level, it is also the highest peak in Britain south of the Snowdonia mountain range.The group set off from school at 2.45 am and reached the summit of Pen y fan ahead of the scheduled ‘sunrise’ at 4.53 am. The summer solstice occurs exactly when the Earth’s semi-axis in a given hemisphere is most inclined towards the sun, at its maximum tilt of 23° 26′. Though the summer solstice is an instant in time, the term Midsummer is also used like to refer to the day on which it occurs … much to the bemusement of all who took part!

The group returned to school and by 6.00 am were tucking into a hearty full breakfast.

Houseparent Mr Mark Sims, who accompanied the group, said: “We were delighted that pupils from the other houses decided to join the School House boys on one of our annual excursions. It was a very good effort by all concerned.”