Wildlife and landscape captured in Jeremy Moore’s Machynlleth exhibition

 

Jeremy Moore explores his twin passions of wildlife and landscape through photography in a hew exhibition themed Bird/land at the Museum of Modern Art, Machynlleth.

The exhibition, which opens on Saturday, June 27 and runs until September 19, has subject matter extending from house sparrows at a National Trust teashop to migrant Dotterel on a Welsh mountain-top. The museum is open Monday to Saturday from 10am to 4pm.

Each image is in panoramic format, framed in sets of three, in which birds and their surroundings are integral. Within each frame, the images can be linked by species, location and, sometimes, purely aesthetic considerations.

"Many years spent photographing the landscape have, I believe, given me the vision to incorporate a bird's surroundings into an image in a way that most bird photographers miss," said Jeremy.

"I have been interested in birds for as long as I had been interested in photography. Before I became a professional photographer, I had worked for bird and wildlife conservation organisations, such as the RSPB and Nature Conservancy Council. For many years I described myself as a landscape photographer and, until a few years ago, my two interests ran more or less in parallel."

The exhibition can be seen in both ground floor galleries at MOMA WALES. For each work sold Jeremy will make a donation towards the reconstruction of the hides at the RSPB's Snettisham reserve in Norfolk, which were destroyed by the storm surge in December, 2013.

During the exhibition, Jeremy will be giving the annual Halstatt lecture as part of Machynlleth Festival on Wednesday, August 26.

Pictures caption:

Jeremy Moore’s images of Camargue migrant waders and flamingos.

Talyllyn Railway’s general manager moving to North Yorkshire Moors

Talyllyn Railway today (Monday) announced that general manager Chris Price will be leaving in September to take up the position of managing director of North Yorkshire Moors Railway.

Appointed to his current post in August, 2013, Chris has overseen many developments on the railway in the lead up to its 150th anniversary celebrations this year.

News of his impending departure has been greeted with sadness on the railway, but also with understanding of the opportunity he has been given.

Gareth Jones, Talyllyn Railway Company’s chairman, said: ‘Since Chris’ appointment in 2013 he has been a force for change on the Talyllyn. In many ways he has helped us rediscover our sense of belief in ourselves and what we are capable of doing.

“We are naturally sad at the news of his impending departure, but we also understand the chance that he has been offered. In fact we take it as a great compliment to our original appointment that the North Yorkshire Moors Railway have also recognised the gifts and abilities that Chris has to offer.

“Certainly he leaves us in a stronger position than two years ago. We therefore want to wish him and his family all the best as they prepare for this new adventure, but also recognise that he leaves behind a great team of people well able to keep the Talyllyn moving forward as we search his successor.

“Chris will continue to serve as general manager in Tywyn until the end of September, helping oversee our 150th anniversary celebrations. In the meantime, we will be considering the best way forward for the railway to continue the developments that Chris has instigated and to build for the future.

“Part of this will be to consider the future management of the railway and put in place the right people to keep taking us forward. This is not something we are going to rush, as we feel it is important to make the right choices at this important time."

Chris said it had been a very difficult decision to make. “There is so much about the Talyllyn that I love and it has been a fantastic privilege to serve as its general manager,” he explained. “However, the opportunities and challenges offered by this new role were ones that in the end I could not ignore.

“I have had the opportunity to work with some great people here and to take things forward in ways that only recently would have seemed impossible.

“The North Yorkshire Moors Railway is an iconic line, known by millions, who have either ridden on it or who have seen it on their television or in movies, and I am very humbled that the directors feel that I am the person to take on this huge responsibility.

“I am looking forward to taking up this new position, and to get to know the people there, but I also want to express my gratitude to all those who helped and supported me during my time on the Talyllyn.

“It is going to be a huge wrench to leave these folk behind, but I have every confidence that they will continue to build a great future for this wonderful railway.”

Mike Child, North Yorkshire Moors Railway’s acting chair, said: “Our managing director role is a particularly tricky one, with responsibility not only for making sure vintage engines are in good working order to transport our passengers, but also working with the hundreds of volunteers who give their time to keep us operational, ensuring that all of our passengers receive a warm welcome and excellent customer service.

“In Chris, we’ve found someone that ticks all the boxes, with great experience in our sector on another award-winning railway and we are confident that he is the right person to develop the North Yorkshire Moors Railway as a vibrant heritage tourism business, enabling us to grow and improve the visitor experience on the railway. We’re delighted to be welcoming him on board.”

Picture caption:

Chris Price spent a day as stationmaster at Cynfal Halt last year as part of a Facebook challenge.

Talyllyn Railway gets ready to party

Talyllyn Railway is getting ready for its 150th anniversary party over the weekend of July 3-5 when the stars of the show will be two visiting locomotives.

Prince, the oldest working 2ft gauge locomotive in the world from the Ffestiniog Railway and Russell from the Welsh Highland Heritage Railway will both be in steam at Tywyn Wharf Station over the weekend.

On Friday, July 3 there will be a special ceremony at Abergynolwyn Station when a time capsule will be buried, including contributions from local schoolchildren, with the intention of opening it at the 200th anniversary in 2065. The railway is hoping to have special surprise guests present for the ceremony.

Among other events that will be happening at the railway over the weekend will be the annual Garden Railway Gala, which attracts garden railway enthusiasts from all over the country.

There are also going to be special photo opportunities based around Tywyn Wharf Station. These will include a series of trains of different types arriving and departing from the station during the Friday evening.

On the Saturday morning, there will be a line up of all the Talyllyn’s steamable locomotives at the station and that evening a special train will be departing hauled by five Talyllyn steam locomotives. Finally, on the Sunday morning, there will be a special photo train.

Other special trains will be running over the weekend, including a Mail Train on the Saturday, which will carry special railway letters with stamps especially designed for the 150th anniversary.

Sunday see a re-running of The Centenarian, a special train that ran during the railway’s centenary season in 1965. Before its departure from Tywyn Wharf there will be a short ceremony to mark the 150th anniversary of the passing of the Talyllyn Railway Act, which received the Royal Assent on July 5, 1865.

Finally, to round off the weekend on the Sunday, there will be a special ecumenical celebration service at St Cadfan’s Church, Tywyn, at 4.45pm. The preacher will be the Bishop of Bangor the Right Rev. Andrew John and members of the Talyllyn Railway Preservation Society will be taking part.

A railway spokesperson said: “This promises to be a great weekend of celebration for the railway and to have two historic locomotives like ‘Prince’ and ‘Russell’ in steam at Tywyn Wharf is going to be a unique sight.

“We know that hundreds of enthusiasts are going to be visiting over the weekend and we hope they will not be disappointed. It will certainly be a 150th party to remember.”

Picture caption:

Prince (top) and Russell (above) will be Talyllyn Railway’s special guests for the 150th Party between July 3-5. (Photos: P. Trimming and M. Hillman) 

Ends

Editor’s Notes 

Talyllyn Railway is a narrow gauge railway opened for goods traffic in 1865 and shortly after for passenger services. These have operated every year since between Tywyn, on the west coast of Wales, and Nant Gwernol just over seven miles inland. In 1951 the line was taken over by the Talyllyn Railway Preservation Society and became the world’s first preserved railway.

Operation of the line is primarily by volunteers from all walks of life, with a small paid staff. It is now a major tourist attraction in the mid-Wales area, contributing significantly to the area’s economy.

2015 marks the 150th Anniversary of the opening of the line to goods traffic, and to mark the occasion a series of special celebrations are being held.

One gala has already been successfully held, the rest are scheduled as follows: July 3-5, The 150th Party; August 7-9, The 1865 – 2015 Gala; August 29-31, The Heart of Gold Weekend; September 25- 27, The Heritage Weekend.

.

Former Victorian vicarage run as an award winning B&B is up for sale

A charming former Victorian vicarage, which has been run as an award-winning, five star bed and breakfast business with restaurant, is new on the property market with agents Halls.

The Old Vicarage, Dolfor, near Newtown, which is owned by Tim and Helen Withers, has a price tag of £595,000. Whilst they are not selling the property as a going concern, they are happy to make their last three years’ accounts available to any potential purchasers who are seriously interested in continuing the business.

Built in around 1880, the property was sold by the church in 1963 and has been privately owned ever since. Retaining many beautiful period features, The Old Vicarage has been sympathetically modernised and the well laid out accommodation is both adaptable and spacious.

There are two formal reception rooms set either side of the entrance hall, both with high ceilings and attractive bay windows. There is a further snug/ study, large fitted kitchen with pantry and rear conservatory/sun room, as well as a wc on the ground floor and a useful cellar room. The first floor boasts five bedrooms, three of which are en-suite, and a family bathroom.

The current owners have improved the property by converting an old Coach House into additional annexe accommodation with an open plan kitchen/living and dining room, conservatory and bathroom on the ground floor and a double bedroom on the first floor.

There is also a laundry room on the ground floor, which is accessed externally and is used in conjunction with the main house. The Coach House has its own garden and parking area and is ideal for use by a family member or holiday let.

Generous gardens and grounds surround the property on all sides and are divided into lawned areas with a selection of mature trees forming the boundaries. Of particular note are the pair of Monkey Puzzle trees situated in the roundabout on the driveway.

The owners have recently made a wildlife pool with decked walkways and have established a polytunnel and raised beds for growing vegetables. Outbuildings comprise a garage, potting shed and original pig sty, together with a further garden store.

Situated in a rural location just two and half miles from Newtown, The Old Vicarage occupies an elevated position with commanding views over the surrounding countryside.

Viewing is by appointment with Halls, Welshpool on Tel: 01938 555552.

Ends

For more information please contact Mr James Evans at Halls on Tel: 01938 555552 or Duncan Foulkes, public relations adviser, on Tel: 01686650818.

The Great Outdoors Experience at The Falcondale

The Falcondale, a four star country house hotel in Lampeter, has created packaged adventures in conjunction with Cardigan Bay Active. Groups ranging from a couple to 20 or more, experience the best outdoor activities West Wales has to offer.

Adventures start with a luxurious night at The Falcondale, which offers a central location to explore Cardigan Bay coastline, Cambrian Mountains, Preseli Mountains and the River Teifi. Guests booking the package can choose between the available activities and The Falcondale will make the necessary arrangements.

After a full Welsh breakfast head off to meet the experienced guide who will take you through the chosen activity.

The River Teifi provides great leisurely canoeing, river kayaking and paddle boarding, or meet the white water with ‘run the rapids’, tubing, white water rafting and gorge walking. Head into the Preseli or Cambrian Mountains to experience bushcraft, guided walks or mountain biking along with an experienced guide introducing spectacular scenery. Cardigan Bay provides access to sea kayaking, coasteering and surfing along heritage coastline.

“I would not hesitate in recommending Cardigan Bay Active to guests staying at The Falcondale,” says Meleri Morgan, reception manager at The Falcondale, after experiencing a canoe trip on the River Teifi earlier this year. “The instructor’s knowledge, helpfulness and can-do attitude made me feel safe and relaxed, a very enjoyable experience.”

On their return to The Falcondale guests can recover with a drink on the terrace overlooking the Teifi Valley followed by dinner within the restaurant, which has been awarded two AA rosettes for seven years running.

Dining at The Falcondale offers serious and stylish luxury without pretension. A relaxed, award-winning restaurant serves up the best of seasonal local produce and an excellent wine list. Low food miles are an integral feature of the menus and part of the hotel’s green policy, with many dishes including herbs and salad greens from the kitchen garden.

The county of Ceredigion has a rich larder, providing lobster, crab, sea bass, sewin, Welsh Black beef and Welsh Lamb, while neighbouring Carmarthenshire provides speciality cheeses and excellent cured ham.

Call 01570 422910 for further information, or look up www.thefalcondale.co.uk/offers/outdoorexperience

Picture captions:

Canoeing and coasteering, just two of the outdoor activities available in West Wales.

Ends

For more information contact Meleri Morgan on Tel: 01570 422910, email
info@thefalcondale.co.uk or web: www.thefalcondale.co.uk

Narrow gauge railway steams into Paddington for the second time

Ffestiniog and Welsh Highland Railways put the world’s oldest surviving narrow gauge steam locomotive, Princess, on show at London’s Paddington Station in 2013 to mark its 150th birthday.
The visit proved a great success, the loco being admired by thousands of people each day.

This year, the pioneering Welsh line is celebrating 150 years of passenger services and, to mark the occasion, brand new Pullman observation carriage 150 will be on display on platforms 8 and 9 at London Paddington from June 8-27.

The carriage is a development of Welsh Highland Pullman observation car Glaslyn, named by the Queen in 2010 and will spend most of this year touring the UK to promote the railway before entering service in 2016. The name of the carriage has yet to be announced.

Back in 1865, creature comforts were in short supply. Hard wooden seats were the order of the day and while the early carriages had roofs, many of them had no doors let alone such luxuries as glass in the windows or heating.

Members of the public can inspect this new £250,000 luxury carriage, designed and built by craftsmen at the railway’s own workshops in North Wales, to see just how the passenger experience has improved in the last century and a half.

Staff and volunteers will be at Paddington throughout the visit to answer questions about the beautiful carriage and the 40 miles of railway on which it operates through some of the finest scenery in Europe.

Picture caption:

The brand new Pullman observation carriage 150 from Ffestiniog ad Welsh Highland Railways which is on display at London Paddington Station during June.

Alice in Wonderland’s 150th birthday celebrated at Museum of Modern Art

Michael Tomlinson, Kim Dewsbury and Annie Ovenden help The Museum of Modern Art, Wales in Machynlleth mark the 150th anniversary of the publication of Lewis Carroll’s 'Alice's Adventures in Wonderland' with an exhibition of paintings on themes from the book.

Many of the paintings have been created especially for the exhibition, which runs from June 6-27. MOMA Wales, located at Y Tabernacl, Heol Penrallt, Machynlleth, is open from Monday to Saturday 10am to 4pm.

The original 'Alice's Adventures in Wonderland' book was inspired by real events and a real child. The story was dreamt up on a summer’s day river outing with the Liddell family on July 4, 1862, from Folly Bridge to Godstow, in Oxford.

Charles L. Dodgson (Lewis Carroll) travelled down river with the Dean of Christ Church, Oxford - the college at which he was a lecturer in mathematics - and his family. Along the way he told them a story about a bored little girl called Alice who goes looking for an adventure.

The family loved it and at the end of that day one of the daughters, Alice Liddell, asked for the story to be written down. Charles agreed and began writing the manuscript the next day but it took him two and a half years to complete. It was first published in 1865, 150 years ago.

Charles’ pen name, Lewis Carroll, is closely related to his real name. ‘Charles Lutwidge’ translated into Latin as ‘Carolus Ludovicus’, and when translated back into English, it became ‘Carroll Lewis’. Finally, this name was reversed to make ‘Lewis Carroll’.

There will also be a free Children's Art Week Workshop at MOMA Wales on Saturday, June 13 from 10am to 1pm when families are invited to drop in and join artist Jo Marsh for a Mad Hatter’s workshop.

Children will be invited to choose a cup and saucer from a selection, then collage directly onto them in a surrealist style, inspired by our Alice in Wonderland exhibition, before taking their work home for all to admire.

Children's Art Week 2015 is run by engage, the National Association for Gallery Education and supported by Children and the Arts and the D'Oyly Carte Charitable Trust.

Annie Ovenden’s work titled ‘Drink Me’.

Picture captions:

Top: A work by Michael Tomlinson from the exhibition.

ENDS

Notes for the Editor

The Museum of Modern Art, Wales (MOMA, WALES) was established in 1991 alongside The Tabernacle in Machynlleth, Powys. It is owned and run by Machynlleth Tabernacle Trust which is funded by grants and public donations. Throughout the year the galleries show contemporary art, featuring leading artists from Wales, works from the growing Tabernacle Collection, and in August selected entries from the Tabernacle Art Competition. Many of the works of art are for sale.
In May 2015 "The Tannery" was opened after many years of fundraising and restoration of this historic industrial building. This contains two galleries, connected to the main building by a bridge, one of which is specifically for sculpture. This brings the number of exhibition spaces up to seven.

For more information please contact Lucinda Middleton, Richard and Ann Mayou Fund Curator, at lucinda@momawales.org.uk or Tel: 01654 703355

Bala Lake Railway steaming ahead with increased visitors

Bala Lake Railway has made a flying start to its 2015 season after reporting a 20 per cent increase in visitors during April.

Railway general manager David Jones said he was delighted with the upsurge in visitors during April, which continued throughout May despite the inclement weather. The positive start to 2015 for the railway, which reopened on March 31, follows on from a three per cent increase in visitors last year.

“Part of the reason for the big increase in April was the good weather, but also the Easter Egg Hunt that we organised,” said Mr Jones. “It was our best Easter weekend since at least 1988, which is as far back as the computerised records go.

“My wife runs a bed and breakfast business in Porthmadog and she has found that at least 50 per cent of people staying have come to visit the narrow gauge railways in the area, which shows how important the Great Little Railways of Wales are to the country’s tourism industry.”

On April 13, pop mogul and railway enthusiast Pete Waterman was in Bala to re-launch ‘Winifred’, the railway’s newest engine on her 130th birthday. It was 130 years to the day that Winifred started work at Penrhyn Quarry and riding on the footplate as guest of honour was former driver Emrys Austin Owen, who now lives on Anglesey.

It was Winifred’s first day’s work in over 50 years and the first time that she had hauled a passenger train, having previously been used to shunt wagons. Chief engineer Rob Houghton and railway director Roger Hine spent three years overhauling the engine, which was re-patriated from the USA after 50 years in exile in 2012.

Winifred’s remarkable story began at Hunslet Engine Company in Leeds, where she was built and she was delivered to Penrhyn Quarry on April 13, 1885. She worked initially at Porth Penrhyn until she was transferred to the quarry in 1955.

By 1964 she was laid up and sold with five other locomotives at Penrhyn Quarry. An American antiques dealer, who happened to be in Glasgow on business, saw veteran broadcaster Fife Robertson on the BBC Tonight programme reporting on the demise of the steam locos, which were being replaced by diesel equivalents.

Recognising a business opportunity, he bought all six steam locos and shipped them back to the United States where he sold them at auction. Winifred was purchased by Tony Hullman, owner of the famous Indy 500 race circuit, who initially placed her on display at the Early Wheels Museum in his home town of Terre Haute before she disappeared from public view into climate controlled storage for over 40 years.

In 2012, Bala Lake Railway supporter Julian Birley negotiated the purchase of Winifred and returned her back to Wales to be based at Bala. The fact that the loco had been carefully stored meant that she still had her original quarry paintwork from 50 years ago.

Railway enthusiasts and visitors will be able to see Winifred in action throughout the summer and over the August Bank Holiday Steam Gala at Bala, which is specifically aimed at families.

The railway’s four resident engines will be in steam with many of the train services double-headed. Demonstration freight trains will give visitors an idea of what the engines did in the quarries before preservation and there will be the chance to ride in the Dinorwic Quarry yellow carriage, once used to convey the royal family around the quarry.

Especially for the children, there will be a chance to ride on a five inch gauge miniature railway and to see working and static models. A free bus service will connect Bala station with the nearby town and there will be guided tours of the old signalbox and engine shed.

Bala Lake Railway is a member of MWT, an independent organising representing around 600 tourism and hospitality businesses in Powys, Ceredigion and Meirionnydd.

For more information visit http://bala-lake-railway.co.uk/

Picture caption:

Repatriated steam loco Winifred.

Powys Business Awards now open

The 2015 Powys Business Awards competition is now open for entries. New categories have been added to the 2015 contest including Best New Tourism Venture, Apprentice Award and Best Use of Digital Technology.

Companies large and small are being encouraged to enter the awards, which celebrate excellence in business in the county and bring recognition in the local and regional business communities.

The awards structure offers a public forum where recipients can gather in the presence of other business leaders and their peers to celebrate their success, at the awards dinner and presentation. Award recipients enjoy local publicity as the awards are covered by local and regional newspapers and by broadcasters. Everyone who reaches the finals also has the added bonus of having a free professionally made short film about their business which can be added to their website or otherwise used in their publicity.

The categories for the 2015 Powys Business Awards are:
• Small Business Award Less than 10 employees sponsored by RWE Innogy UK
• Outstanding Apprentice Award sponsored by Federation of Small Businesses
• Start up Business Award sponsored by NPTC Group
• Growth Award sponsored by Finance Wales
• Best Use of Digital Technology Awards sponsored by The Cambrian News and The Brecon & Radnor Express
• Manufacturing Award sponsored by Myrick Training Services
• Development in New Markets UK or Export sponsored by Mid Wales Manufacturing Group
• Best New Tourism Venture Award sponsored by The County Times
• Social Enterprise/ Charity Award sponsored by Mid Wales Housing Association Ltd
• Entrepreneurship Award
• Judging Criteria for Innovation / New Product Development Award sponsored by Alun Griffiths (Contractors) Ltd
• Judges Special Award
• Business of the Year Award sponsored by Powys County Council

Further details on all the awards can be found on the website www.powysbusinessawards.co.uk and deadline for submission of entries is Tuesday 30 June 2015

Pictured caption:

At the launch of the 2015 Powys Business Awards were (back row, left to right) Brian Dunlop, Myrick Training; Michael Davies, RWE Innogy UK; Dafydd Evans, Antur Teifi; Cllr Avril York, Powys County Council; Kaye Derwas, Federation of Small Businesses; and David Rowlands, Alun Griffiths (Contractors) Ltd; (front row, left to right) Ceri Stephens, Mid Wales Manufacturing Group; Shane Perkins, Mid Wales Housing Association; Gaynor Morris, Finance Wales; and Steve Cass, NPTC Group. 

Restaurant manager with Michelin star track record joins Llangoed Hall

A restaurant manager with an impressive track record of helping his employers achieve Michelin stars has been recruited by a multi-award winning country house hotel in Mid Wales.

Bruno Asselin, who is originally from Burgundy in France, has helped restaurants achieve 21 Michelin stars during his career and now hopes to pass on his experience to the team at Llangoed Hall at Llyswen, near Brecon.

Arriving in the UK in 1991, he worked with Raymond Blanc at Le Manoir aux Quat;’ Saisons for three years, Pied a Tere Restaurant inLondon for a total of nine years, Annapurna Hotel, Courchevelle and Neat Restaurant, Cannes, Pharmacy Restaurant, Nottinghill Gate, London, Lucknam Park Hotel and Spa, Bath and Pennyhill Park Hotel and Spa, Bagshot.

 

He was also runner up for the UK’s best sommelier in 1990 and ’91 for French wines and spirits and world wines and spirits respectively.

Excited by his new challenge, Mr Asselin is confident of achieving the goal set by managing director Calum Milne of making Llangoed Hall the best it can possibly be.

 

“The food being cooked here by head chef Nick Brodie is fantastic and the hall is like a museum with all its wonderful works of art,” he said. “I am very excited to be here.

 

“Having achieved two Michelin stars with three different chefs, I believe we are already close to a Michelin star. The partnership between the head chef and myself is something very special and I believe the possibilities are limitless.

 

“I have been lucky to work all my life with passionate and talented chefs and I can see the potential here.”

 

He plans to focus on staff training to hone the restaurant service and to upgrade crockery to give it a stylish, contemporary feel in keeping with the hotel.

 

Mr Milne said: “Bruno brings an immense wealth of experience working in two Michelin star establishments in France and the UK. It is a marriage of experience, with Nick in the kitchen producing award winning food and Bruno out front providing first class service in an unpretentious manner.

 

“His appointment will drive Llangoed Hall forward to where we want to be and hopefully raise standards nationally.”

 

Last year, the country house hotel achieved three AA rosettes, was named The Sunday Times Country House of the Year 2014-’15 and was listed twice in The Good Hotel Guide 2015 for Great Britain and Ireland’s top 10 Editor’s Choice country house and historic hotels.

Springwatch fan? Join the twitchers at Lake Vyrnwy

Great crested grebe, goosanders and dippers are just some of the birds that may be seen during a stay at the four-star Lake Vyrnw Hotel & Spa at the heart of the RSPB Lake Vyrnwy reserve in Mid Wales.

The country house hotel, which hosted the BBC Springwatch crew six years ago, says that dozens of guests come every year specifically for bird watching and most people get out and about around the lake, enjoying the natural environment.

“Simon King and the Springwatch crew were able to film woodland birds without leaving the hotel grounds, so watching wildlife here is incredibly easy,” said Anthony Rosser, general manager at the Lake Vyrnwy Hotel & Spa.

“There are 58 miles of footpaths across the 24,000 acres of the estate, which is managed for wildlife by the RSPB, as well as the RSPB visitor centre and shop, hides and regular events, so it’s not surprising that we’re attracting bird watchers.”

As well as the water and woodland birds, the estate’s moors are home to important species such as black grouse, merlin and hen harrier.

After a day’s bird watching, the hotel’s spa and country-house style lounge are great places for relaxing, while the Tower Restaurant holds an AA rosette.

Two people sharing a double room with lake view for two nights this summer will pay from £404 for dinner, bed and breakfast. Tel: 01691 870692, www.lakevyrnwy.com

—ENDS—

Editors Notes on Lake Vyrnwy Hotel & Spa

⦁ Lake Vyrnwy is in Mid Wales, a stone’s throw from the Snowdonia National Park and just an hour’s drive from Shrewsbury.
⦁ The 4-star country house hotel dates to 1890 and has 52 rooms, most with a view of the lake.
⦁ The Spa – which is an ESPA partner – is rated 4 Bubbles by the Good Spa Guide.
⦁ Set within a 24,000 acre estate which offers 58 miles of footpaths and an RSPB reserve to enjoy.

A generous slate donation saves the day at Talyllyn Railway

A North Wales slate company came to the rescue of a Talyllyn Railway event recently.

In the run-up to their ‘Quarryman Experience’ gala the railway found it nearly impossible to find suitable slate for their planned slate splitting demonstrations.

Enquiries were made across Wales until eventually Northern Welsh Quarries Ltd, which is based at Llechwedd Quarry, Blaenau Ffestiniog, stepped in. Not only was the company able to supply the slate from stock, but it was also were willing to donate it to the railway.

General manager Chris Price said: ‘It would have been really sad if one of the centrepieces of our Quarryman weekend would have had to be cancelled. Therefore, we are really grateful to the team at Northern Welsh Quarries Ltd for not only supplying the slate required, but making such a generous donation.

“The demonstrations were able to go ahead and proved very popular with those who came along to what was a very successful event.”

Northern Welsh Quarries Ltd is a new independent company that manufactures and supply finest quality Welsh slate and stone products. The company is run by two local men, Andy Carson and Dewi Jones, who have recently taken over the Llechwedd Slate Quarry, Blaenau Ffestiniog.

ends

Editor’s Notes

Talyllyn Railway is a narrow gauge railway opened for goods traffic in 1865 and shortly after for passenger services. These have operated every year since between Tywyn, on the west coast of Wales, and Nant Gwernol just over seven miles inland. In 1951 the line was taken over by the Talyllyn Railway Preservation Society and became the world’s first preserved railway.

Operation of the line is primarily by volunteers from all walks of life, with a small paid staff. It is now a major tourist attraction in the mid-Wales area, contributing significantly to the area’s economy.

2015 marks the 150th Anniversary of the opening of the line to goods traffic, and to mark the occasion a series of special celebrations are being planned. These will be on: July 3-5, The 150th Party; August 7-9, The 1865 – 2015 Gala; August 29-31, The Heart of Gold Weekend; September 25-27, The Heritage Weekend.