Couple left disappointed after losing Golden Anniversary holiday

Oct 13 2011 by Hywel Trewyn, North Wales Weekly News

Couple left disappointed after losing Golden Anniversary holiday

A COUPLE who’d booked a holiday to celebrate their golden wedding anniversary with folded coach company Silver Star said they’d been left “angry and disappointed”.

Grandmother Cath Davies, 71, only booked the five-day break to Torquay for her and her husband of 50 years, Tom, two weeks ago.

Silver Star Holidays of Caernarfon called in administrators last Thursday after 93 years in business, with 12 staff left out of work. Directors blamed high fuel costs and the current economic climate for the failure.

The Davies’ were among around 800 people whose holiday plans have been wrecked.

The couple, of Cae Tyddyn, Llanrwst, were due to be picked up by a Silver Star coach from Llandudno Junction early on Monday.

Mr Davies, 77, said they had paid £370 for the trip.

Mr Davies said: “We’re a bit disappointed. It was supposed to be a little break to celebrate our golden anniversary and Cath’s birthday.”

Mrs Davies added: “It’s quite a blow. I booked by phoning their office in Caernarfon – there was no hint that anything was wrong.

“That’s what’s made me angry. I wrote out a cheque and we’ve had the labels and confirmation. They’ve banked the cheque – surely they must have known about the situation before? We just wanted to have a quiet celebration without any fuss.”

The couple met when they were 16 and working at the Co-op. Mr Davies later worked at Dolgarrog Aluminium and they got married at Capel Ebeneser, Trefriw in 1961.

Silver Star boss Elfyn Thomas has promised to fully refund customers.

Claimants should call the Federation of Passenger Transport (UK) Ltd on 0207 2403131.