Bala
Bala is a small town in Mid Wales, 12 miles from Corwen.
It is located at the head of the River Dee, beside Bala Lake (known in Welsh as Llyn Tegid), the largest natural sheet of water in Wales. In the lake is a form of freshwater herring, not found anywhere else. It also has a legendary monster, known as Teggie.
The town developed around the motte of a Norman castle, known locally as Tomen-y-Bala.
Thomas Charles, the famous Calvinist Minister, settled at Bala in 1783, and the town became a centre for Revivalist meetings. Mary Jones` walk to collect a Bible was to Bala, and the town was where the Bible Society was founded.
Many of the Welsh settlers in Patagonia in 1865 were from Bala.
George III insisted on wearing stockings from Bala to alleviate his rheumatism.
The steam hauled Bala Lake Railway runs for 4 miles beside the lake.