They will be taking with them a slate plaque specially made by Llechwedd Slate Caverns, which will travel by air, land and sea. By air on Zip World Titan, Europe's longest zip wire, at Llechwedd before downhill mountain bike champion Adrian Bradley takes it on the world class Antur Stiniog course at Blaenau and on to the Ffestiniog Railway station.
A special steam hauled slate train will convey the plaque to Porthmadog, departing at 2.30pm and will be met at Porthmadog at 4.10pm by Meirionnydd Dwyfor MP Liz Saville Roberts. She will take the plaque to the Celtic longboat waiting in the harbour ready for the voyage to Cardiff Bay.
The journey, which takes place on September 1, the day before the Cob to Cardiff challenge sets off, follows that taken by the piece of slate that formed the foundation stone for the Wales Millennium Centre, put in place by local opera star Bryn Terfel.
Tuesday 1st September:
· 12:30 Llechwedd Slate Caverns, Blaenau Ffestiniog. Journey of the commemorative slate plaque starts on the Zip Wire Titan [Postcode: LL41 3NB, contact for site is James Cozens 01766 830396]
· 13:30 Llechwedd Slate Caverns, Antur Stiniog downhill mountain bike centre. Adrian Bradley carries the plaque on part of the course, and then on to the Ffestiniog Railway station in Blaenau Ffestiniog, eta 13:45
· 14:00 Ffestiniog Railway special steam hauled slate train arrives at Blaenau Ffestiniog station. Plaque is handed over. [Postcode: LL41 3ES, contact for railway is Andrew Thomas 01766 516072 / 07919 414871]
· 14:30 Ffestiniog Railway special steam hauled slate train departs from Blaenau Ffestiniog carrying the plaque to Porthmadog
· 16:10 Ffestiniog Railway special train arrives at Porthmadog Harbour Station to be met by Liz Saville Roberts MP [Postcode: LL49 9NF]
· 16:15 Slate plaque is conveyed from the station to the floating pontoon near Madog Yacht Club on the opposite side of the harbour [Postcode: LL49 9AT]
The Cob to Cardiff Challenge is being sponsored by Purple Moose Brewery, Aer Cymru Cyf of Penrhyndeudraeth, Walls and Ceilings International of Alcester and Plaster Plus of Manchester. The club is raising funds for the Wales Air Ambulance and Hospice at Home charities.
The challenge will set off mid-morning on Wednesday, September 2 and will head down the Glaslyn estuary and out to sea. Destination for the first day is Aberdyfi, then New Quay, Fishguard, Whitesands Bay, Dale, Tenby, Mumbles, Porthcawl and Barry, before arriving in Cardiff Bay in time for the final event in the Wales Millennium Centre’s 10 years celebration.
Along the way. the Porthmadog boat will be escorted by Celtic longboats from other clubs and others will travel overland to join them in Cardiff Bay. The Bws Awen will also find its way across Wales to be there at the same time.
The final event, entitled Ar Waith Ar Daith, is a spectacular outdoor performance in Cardiff featuring a display of dance, procession, projection and pyrotechnics. Hundreds of participants will represent Wales' rich cultural heritage and history through live music, dance, aerial performance, and storytelling.
The arrival of the Celtic longboats rowing from the barrage across Cardiff Bay will initiate this performance and see the culmination of the Cob to Cardiff Challenge when the slate plaque is presented to the Wales Millennium Centre.
Wednesday 2nd September:
· Mid-morning (09:00 – 10:30), exact time depends on tidal conditions and will be confirmed nearer the date, Cob to Cardiff challenge departs from Porthmadog harbour. One boat will be completing the whole challenge, up to three boats may be departing on the 2nd [Postcode: LL49 9AT]
· Late afternoon/early evening, time very dependent on sea and weather conditions, Cob to Cardiff Challenge arrives at Aberdyfi
Thursday 3rd September: Depart Aberdyfi; arrive New Quay
Friday 4th September: Depart New Quay; arrive Fishguard
Saturday 5th September: Depart Fishguard; arrive Whitesands bay
Sunday 6th September: Depart Whitesands Bay; arrive Dale (nr Milford Haven)
Monday 7th September: Depart Dale; arrive Tenby
Tuesday 8th September: Depart Tenby; arrive Mumbles
Wednesday 9th September: Depart Mumbles; arrive Porthcawl
Thursday 10th September: Depart Porthcawl; arrive Barry
Friday 11th September: Depart Barry; arrive Cardiff Bay
Saturday 12th September: Ar Waith ar Daith performance starts 19:30 in Cardiff Bay
The Cob to Cardiff Challenge will see teams of rowers in Celtic Longboats rowing for up to 30 miles each day in open seas. They will face the challenge of weather and tides and potentially rough seas.
A very stringent safety regime is in place with the rowing boats escorted by RIBs (rigid dinghies) and a yacht. Some legs of the row may need to take place in reverse due to prevailing currents and in the event of very extreme weather any leg may be shortened or cancelled on safety grounds. It is however hoped that the whole distance can be rowed.
A Celtic longboat is a fibreglass sea going rowing boat based on the design of an ancient Irish Curragh discovered in the 1970s on Ramsey Island. There are four fixed seats for rowers, who each use one oar, and each boat carries a cox who is responsible for instructing the crew, steering and overall safety.
ends
For more information please contact Andrew Thomas, media relations at Ffestiniog & Welsh Highland Railways, on Phone: 01766 516072, Mobile: 07919 414871
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