Meeke aims to emulate his hero McRae on Wales Rally GB

Earlier this season Kris Meeke became the first British driver to win a round of the FIA World Rally Championship since his mentor, Colin McRae, won the Safari Rally back in 2002.

As well as winning in Argentina, the Citroën Total Abu Dhabi WRT team driver also has consistently taken the fight to the all-conquering Volkswagen Motorsport outfit on many other events during the 2015 campaign.

Now the 36-year-old from Dungannon in Northern Ireland is setting his sights on more success on home ground: Wales Rally GB (November 12-15). Meeke came close to finishing on the podium 12 months ago and says it would be even more special to post a great result in 2015 on the 20th anniversary of McRae winning the event in 1995 to become Britain’s first-ever World Rally Champion.

How much does it mean to you to compete at home in the World Rally Championship?
“A huge amount. It’s brilliant. It’s incredible to come to this event as a works driver. I got my first chance to do that in 2011, when I was driving for Mini. I came really close to a podium, but felt then that it was very, very special to be driving down these roads in one of the best World Rally Cars around.

My home is Northern Ireland and – for now – there’s no WRC round in my backyard, but Wales really does feel like home with all the support we get.”

What makes it special?
“It is the support you get. Loads of folk come over from Ireland and I’m lucky enough to have a few people out cheering me on in Wales from the mainland UK. Seeing those flags waving and hearing the crowds on the road section make it special and, of course, the roads. I love these roads – they’re definitely some of the best in the world. But it’s not just the roads, it’s everything that goes with them: the smell of the mud on the exhaust, the sight of the mist hanging over the hills in the morning – it’s a beautiful place to be, and the only place to be for a rally fan in November.”

Do you get a lift from the crowd at home?
“You do. It’s a massive buzz and you really feel that energy coming from the crowd inside the car.”

What do you think it’s worth? Could you say it gives you an extra 10 brake horsepower?
“It’s not worth 10, but it gives you that extra bit of focus and determination. Some would say I don’t necessarily need that, but any sportsman will tell you driving or playing in front of your home crowd creates a very special atmosphere that you can feed off. There’s an electricity on this event that’s just not there on other rallies. You go to somewhere like Australia and there are five people standing around the service park and a handful in the stage, it’s just not the same.”

There were a few folk in Argentina watching you this year – that was a good event…
“Aye, it was. To get that first world championship win was really special for me, for Paul [Nagle, co-driver] and for the whole Citroen Total Abu Dhabi World Rally Team. It was a fantastic result and now we’re hungry for more of them.”

Could we see you taking a second win of the season in Wales?
“I would absolutely love to, of course I would. But we have to be realistic: I want to try to get on the podium. We know where we are and a podium would be a realistic target. To try and win it against these Volkswagen boys would be almost impossible, something would have to happen to them.”

It was looking good last year?
“We were running second, but then got caught out in the Brenig stage on the final morning. There’s a wee bit of unfinished business there… ”

This rally will always have some very special memories of Colin McRae and never more so than this season – 20 years on from his world championship. What do you remember from 1995?
“I would have been 14 or 15 or something. I wasn’t on the event, but I was running home from school to find out what was going on. I remember it so well, it was incredible to see what Colin did.”

Did you think you’d be driving a factory car on your home round of the WRC 20 years on?
“I have to say no. When we were in Spain on the last round, we drove up a road to one of the stages on the final day and I had a real flash back to 17 years ago, when I was walking up exactly that same road as a fan to watch Colin fighting with Richard Burns. And there I was driving a works Citroen up to the start of the stage 17 years on. It’s incredible.”

You knew Colin better than most – he was a special guy…
“He was. He really was. Everything’s been said in the past, but you know everybody took a step back when Colin was coming through – you knew it was going to be on the door handles and very, very spectacular. Colin’s style and commitment defined an era in the World Rally Championship and it’s right that we take a moment and remember what he did for the sport and for British rallying 20 years on.”

Fans wanting to see Meeke and the other WRC top guns in action in the legendary Welsh forests can take advantage of advance ticket prices that represent the cheapest way to see the action.

The four-day World Rally Pass is the all-inclusive ticket for fans. It provides access to all the individual Special Stages as well as Thursday's pre-event Shakedown. It is priced at £99 for adults (or just £1 for accompanied children aged 9-15) and comes with a hard card pass and lanyard, plus an event programme valued at £9.

Forest Passes offer a similar level of flexibility as the World Rally Pass but just for an individual day of the event. Again they include an official programme and can be purchased in advance for just £25 – entry to a Single Stage on the day will cost £30.

Tickets for Saturday’s family-friendly RallyFest at Chirk Castle are available now for £25 with an even greater discount being offered to families. Full ticket information can be found on the WalesRallyGB.com website.
For further updates, follow Wales Rally GB on Twitter @WalesRallyGB or join the conversations on Facebook at www.facebook.com/walesrallygb using #WRGB.

Please click here to view a video of Wales Rally GB gearing up for November. Electronic copies of this video are available upon request.

Kris Meeke in action.

Picture caption:

Top: Kris Meeke.

Cave finishes runner-up in Spanish title race

For the second year running, Welsh driver Tom Cave has finished runner-up in the Drive DMACK Fiesta Trophy after chasing down the title until the very last loop of stages today at Rally de España.

However, his chances of victory took a knock on the second test on Sunday  morning as he dropped over eight minutes after sliding off the road in his charge to top the time-sheets.

Tom, whose family owns the Trefeddian Hotel,Aberdovey and Oswestry co-driver Craig Parry came to the championship climax in Spain locked in a four-way battle for the title and its huge prize drive of a fully-funded season in next year’s FIA World Rally Championship. And, with double points on offer at the finale, the pair had a strong chance to push for victory.

They arrived chasing championship leader Marius Aasen from Norway but were hampered just three stages into the event on Friday after getting caught behind fellow championship contender Max Vatanen while in the lead. Stuck in the ailing driver’s dust, 23-year-old Cave lost over 40 seconds and dropped from first to fifth place.

He charged back, setting five fastest times during the day, to move up to second in the championship race at the end of Friday’s gravel section.

The only mixed-surface event of the season then switched to asphalt for the remaining two days and Cave set about his race for the top. But a slight loss of power thwarted his challenge during the morning loop of four stages in the hills around Tarragona. He went on to set three quickest times and finish the day 27.8 seconds behind the leader.

Undeterred, Cave continued his charge today but slid off the road on stage 19 and dropped over eight minutes as spectators rushed to help him back on. The challenge was effectively over and Cave cruised home to finish behind Aasen.

The heart-braking result saw him finish runner-up in the series for the second successive season.
Rally de España kicked off on Thursday night with a race through the streets of Barcelona. The action switched to the holiday resort of Salou on the Costa Daurada where Cave then tackled 331km of technical stages over the weekend.

His focus moves to Wales Rally GB, the final round of the WRC in November, where he will tackle his home round of the world series at the wheel of a Ford Fiesta R5.

Tom Cave said: “I tried hard this weekend and really gave it my best shot but it wasn’t to be. It’s been a very challenging year, more so than 2014, and it was an unknown with the new car and competition. We had the pace here this weekend and set good times on both gravel and Tarmac.

“Despite not winning the championship, it’s been a really positive season for me and I’ve definitely progressed as a driver with the experience I’ve gained over the five events.”

Tom Cave being interviewed following the rally.

Picture caption: 

Top: Tom Cave and Craig Parry in action in Spain.

Family astronomy day to celebrate Elan Valley Estate’s Dark Sky Park Status

A Family Astronomy Day is being held on Thursday, October 29 to celebrate the Elan Valley Estate in Mid Wales achieving Dark Sky Park accreditation.

The ‘out of this world’ event is being organised during the half term school holidays by Dwr Cymru Welsh Water and the Elan Valley Trust at Elan Valley Visitor Centre, near Rhayader from 10am to 10pm.

Elan Valley Estate has become the first privately-owned, but publicly accessible, location in the world to be awarded International Dark Sky Park Status.

There will be lots of talks and activities during day for all ages and levels of interest, from the wannabe-astronaut to the experienced stargazer.

From 10am - 4.30pm, an astronomy exhibition will be held with stands and activities from Astro Cymru and Aberystwyth University, including paper rockets, meteor handing, displays and exhibits.
Outdoor activities include safe solar observation through telescopes by Pete Williamson, FRAS and members of Elan Valley Astronomy and a photographic display. Booking is not required for exhibition events.

From 11am to 12 noon, Sorcha Lewis will give a talk on the important wildlife of the Elan Valley and how Dark Sky Park Status will protect and enhance the wildlife. She will also examine how light pollution impacts our wildlife.

From 12.15pm to 1.15pm, Nigel Ball will give a talk on using DSLR for night-time photography followed from 2pm to 3pm by Pete Williamson, a Fellow of the Royal Astronomical Society, with a talk titled “Getting into Solar Astronomy".

From 3.15pm to 4.15pm, Bob Mizon, MBE, a Fellow of the Royal Astronomical Society, will take visitors on a tour of the near and far universe, from A to Z, revealing some of the strange and wonderful things that have been discovered by astronomers of old and today's giant telescopes.

From 6.15pm to 7pm, Mr Mizon will give a talk themed “Dark Future?” Since the 1950s, the night sky has been quietly and gradually stolen from most people in the developed world by poorly aimed and over-bright lighting.

Co-ordinator of the Commission for Dark Skies, Mr Mizon looks at the prospects for nature's grandest free show and asks will our descendants see their universe, or just light pollution ?
As there are only 30 spaces available for each of these talks, booking is essential on Tel: 01597 810880.

From 4.30pm to 5.30pm, there will be a special presentation ceremony and formal unveiling of a plaque, followed from 6pm to 6.45pm by the first of a series of planetarium sessions during the evening with Allan Trow, a Fellow of the Royal Astronomical Society.

There will be three further sessions and booking is essential as spaces are limited to 35. Call Tel: 01597 810880 to reserve a place. Visitors to the planetarium will experience a visual spectacular. Presented by a Fellow of the Royal Astronomical Society, each show will take visitors to the planets, constellations, galaxies and beyond.

At 7pm, weather permitting, there will be an outdoor observation session with telescopes and members of Elan Valley Astronomy. No booking is required.

For more information about the event, contact the Elan Valley Visitor Centre via email elanrangers@dwrcymru.com or Tel: 01597 810880

Experts on mission to discover treasure at Berriew antiques event

A team of antiques specialists is coming to Berriew tomorrow (Saturday) on a mission to find another treasure similar to a £180,000 table discovered in 1998.

Experts from Shrewsbury-based fine art auction house Halls will be holding an antiques valuation day at Glansevern Hall Gardens, Berriew on Saturday, October 24 from 10.30am to 3pm to raise money for Hope House children’s hospice.

The charity needs to raise £5 million a year to run its two hospices in Morda, near Oswestry and Groesynydd, Conwy. Caroline Owen, owner of Glansevern Hall Gardens, has adopted Hope House as her charity due to the fantastic work that it does with children.

Halls’ fine art director Jeremy Lamond said Montgomeryshire and the borders had been a happy hunting ground for the company over many years.

He would love to discover another important antique like the Augustus Welby Northmore Pugin oak table, originally made for John Naylor at Leighton Hall, Welshpool, which was found in a Berriew property.

Leighton Hall was furnished with many pieces designed by Pugin, which were later sold at various auctions from the 1930s onwards. Mr Lamond is certain that many of these antiques remain the surrounding towns and villages.

Last year, Halls also discovered an Old Master oil painting by Dutch artist Dirck van Delen in a country cottage near Welshpool which sold for £60,000.

“It would be fantastic to make another important discovery at the valuation event and I’m particularly keen to see antiques that originally resided at Leighton Hall,” said Mr Lamond.

“This is an ideal opportunity for people, who might not know the true value of an item, to receive a professional valuation. It’s always exciting for us as valuers to attend these charity events because we never know what we are going to see on the day.”

Joining Mr Lamond at Glansevern Hall will be senior auctioneer and valuer Andrew Beeston, head of the pictures department James Forster and silver, jewellery, coins and medals specialist Derek Ainsworth.

They will value a vast range of items, from silver, jewellery, watches, coins, militaria and clocks to paintings, toys, ceramics, works of art and furniture. A charge of £1 will be made for the each item valued and all the proceeds will go to Hope House.

People who have collections or items that are too big to bring along on the day can either take photographs to show the valuers or a home visit will be arranged after the event at no additional charge.

The valuation event is an ideal opportunity for the people of Berriew and surrounding towns and villages to have their family heirlooms and treasured items professionally valued.

Glansevern Hall Gardens café will be open for lunches and tea from 10.30am to 5pm and the gardens will be open for a reduced fee of £5, which will include a donation to Hope House.

For more information about the event contact either Halls on 01743 450700 or Caroline Owen on Tel: 01686 640644.

Picture caption:

Halls' fine art director in action at a charity valuation day.

Sir Haydn goes on holiday to Aberystwyth for major overhaul

Talyllyn Railway’s locomotive No.3 Sir Haydn has left for a winter holiday along the coast in Aberystwyth, where it will have a major overhaul at Vale of Rheidol Railway’s workshops.

Although being out of service since the summer of 2012, the locomotive has nevertheless made various publicity trips along both the Severn Valley and West Somerset Railways on a standard gauge wagon.

Most recently, it made a surprise ‘guest’ appearance at Talyllyn Railway’s 150th party, as part of a cavalcade of all the railway’s steam locomotives. Now the aim is to have the locomotive back in service for its 140th anniversary in 2018.

A repair fund has already raised £30,000 towards the overhaul, but how much more will be required will only be known when a full examination, particularly of the locomotive’s boiler, has been carried out.

This overhaul is in line with previous out-sourcing of repairs to locomotive No.1 Talyllyn at Ffestiniog Railway’s Boston Lodge Works in 2013.

Talyllyn Railway’s interim managing director David Ventry said: “Sending locomotive No.3 to the works at Aberystwyth for this major overhaul means that staff at Tywyn will be able to concentrate on routine maintenance and other new developments.

“As we have a number of major new projects coming in the future, we need to ensure we have the personnel available here to enable these to happen on schedule. In the meantime, we can rest assured that work on Sir Haydn can proceed unhindered and the locomotive can be in service in time for its 140th anniversary.

“The Vale of Rheidol’s workshops at Aberystwyth are now developing an excellent track record of locomotive repairs and restoration. It therefore makes eminent sense to utilise their specialist facilities to carry out this work. Once again it demonstrates the trend for working in partnership rather than being in competition and also still helps the local economy.”

Llŷr ap Iolo, director of Vale of Rheidol Trading Ltd, welcomed the “fantastic opportunity” to work with Talyllyn Railway to overhaul an historic Welsh narrow gauge locomotive.

“No 3 Sir Haydn has spent its entire working life in Mid Wales and, like our own locomotives, formed part of the Great Western Railway’s fleet,” he said. “It is fitting that its latest overhaul will take place a short distance from where the locomotive originally worked.

“The Vale of Rheidol has greatly expanded its workshop facilities over recent years, allowing us take on outside contract work and we are delighted that the Talyllyn has awarded us this contract.”

Also under restoration in Vale of Rheidol’s workshops is No 7 Owain Glyndŵr, which last steamed at the local railway in 1998. The workshops have just recently completed the restoration of Kerr Stuart ‘Sirdar’ Class Locomotive No1158 ‘Diana’ and Hunslet Locomotive No605 ‘Margaret’.

Picture caption:

Talyllyn Railway Locomotive No.3 Sir Haydn after unloading at the Vale of Rheidol Railway’s workshops in Aberystwyth. (Photo: P. Mason)

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.

Supercars set to dazzle rally fans at Chirk Castle

A host of the world’s premier supercars will dazzle rally-goers next month when RallyFest rolls into Chirk Castle on Saturday,November 14.

Organised by the Supercar Driver Network, the list of dream machines on show features Aston Martins, Ferraris, Lamborghinis, a TVR Sagaris, Porsches, Jaguar F-Types, BMWs – including the i8 hybrid, Audis, Nissan GTRs, a Maserati, a Lotus and a BAC Mono.

The pack of exotic vehicles joins an already burgeoning RallyFest line up, including daring stunt-driving performances from 22-time world record holder Terry Grant, historic rally cars including former Colin McRae rally machinery and live action through the castle grounds from the world’s best WRC drivers and Supermoto riders.

A special competitive section has been laid out using the medieval castle’s private roads around which more than 150 of the world's top rally drivers will race against the clock to set the fastest time. The RallyFest, though, has been created to offer fans and spectators much more than just the thrills of the dramatic rally stage.

Aimed firmly at those preferring to spend a full day in a single location and, perhaps, those new to this exciting sport, the RallyFest also provides enhanced facilities with live coverage on a big screen, commentary, food outlets plus fun-fair rides for juniors.  It all adds up to one great day of epic entertainment staged at a stunning, easily accessible venue.

There will be more exciting attractions at Chirk to be announced in the final build-up to Wales Rally GB, the UK’s concluding round of the 2015 FIA World Rally Championship.

Fans wanting to experience the RallyFest – and the host of great entertainment on offer – can take advantage of discounted Special Stage tickets by purchasing in advance.

Tickets for the family-friendly RallyFest at Chirk Castle are available now for £25 with an even greater discount for families. Full ticket information can be found on the WalesRallyGB.com website.

The four-day World Rally Pass is the all-inclusive ticket for fans. It provides access to all the individual Special Stages as well as Thursday’s pre-event Shakedown. It is priced at £99 for adults (or just £1 for accompanied children aged 9-15) and comes with a desirable hard card and lanyard plus an event programme valued at £9.

Forest Passes offer a similar level of flexibility as the World Rally Pass but for individual days of the event. Again they include an official programme and can be purchased in advance from just £25 – a considerable saving on Single Stage tickets which will cost £30 on the gate.

For further updates, follow Wales Rally GB on Twitter @WalesRallyGB or join the conversations on Facebook at www.facebook.com/walesrallygb using #WRGB.

Please click here to view a video of Wales Rally GB gearing up for November. Electronic copies of this video are available upon request.

Mid Wales based rally star Elfyn has podium in his sights on home soil

Having already reached the rostrum twice in 2015 – in Argentina in April and following a scene-stealing performance in Corsica earlier this month – Elfyn Evans is gearing up for a hat-trick in front of his home fans at Wales Rally GB from November 12-15.

Dolgellau-based Evans has truly broken through at the pinnacle of international rallying this season and he heads into this weekend’s Rally of Spain closely matched with Kris Meeke in the battle to finish the campaign as best-placed British driver.

Their duel will play out in the Welsh forests next month, where – having finished fourth and fifth respectively in 2014 – both Evans and Meeke will be chasing a popular podium appearance.

Evans looks ahead to the biggest weekend of his year, behind the wheel of his M-Sport World Rally Team Ford Fiesta RS WRC car.

How are you feeling ahead of Wales Rally GB next month?

“I’m really looking forward to the event; having the opportunity to compete on home soil as part of the WRC is always special and the support I get from the fans is incredible. I can’t wait!”

What does it mean to you to compete on home turf?

“It’s difficult to describe. In some ways it’s actually quite strange. Knowing so many people in the area in a non-rallying context, it’s a bit surreal to be ‘going to work’ there at more than 120mph! Both Gartheiniog and Dyfi run very close to where I grew up and to have the opportunity to compete so close to home is pretty unique.”

How would you describe the challenge of Wales Rally GB?

“The stages are fantastic. Everywhere else in the world we go, when there is rain and mud, there is practically no grip – but here that never seems to be a problem, meaning you can settle into a good rhythm and really attack the event and enjoy the whole experience.”

How well do you expect your Ford Fiesta RS WRC to perform in Wales?
“I’m confident the Fiesta will be strong in Wales. We’ve seen in the past it’s had good results on this rally and, whilst there are clearly still areas we can improve it on the gravel, we are working hard towards that goal and optimistic that we will make steps forward.”

As a local driver, do you have an advantage over your rivals?

“There probably used to be some truth in the benefit of ‘local knowledge’, but with many of the same stages used year-on-year and the majority of drivers having a lot of experience of the event, I’m not sure there’s any such thing as home advantage any more.”

What are your targets for the final round of the season?

“After Argentina and Corsica, I would obviously love to score my third WRC podium in Wales. Given the calibre of the opposition out there, it will be no mean feat, but I can promise you we will be giving it our all and that’s what we are aiming for.”

Fans wanting to see Evans, Meeke and the other WRC top guns in action in the legendary Welsh forests can take advantage of advanced ticket prices that represent the cheapest way to see the action.

The four-day World Rally Pass is the all-inclusive ticket for fans. It provides access to all the individual Special Stages as well as Thursday's pre-event Shakedown. It is priced at £99 for adults (or just £1 for accompanied children aged 9-15) and comes with a hard card pass and lanyard, plus an event programme valued at £9.

Forest Passes offer a similar level of flexibility as the World Rally Pass but just for an individual day of the event. Again they include an official programme and can be purchased in advance for just £25 – entry to a Single Stage on the day will cost £30.

Tickets for Saturday’s family-friendly RallyFest at Chirk Castle are available now for £25 with an even greater discount being offered to families. Full ticket information can be found on the WalesRallyGB.com website.

For further updates, follow Wales Rally GB on Twitter @WalesRallyGB or join the conversations on Facebook at www.facebook.com/walesrallygb using #WRGB.

Please click here to view a video of Wales Rally GB gearing up for November. Electronic copies of this video are available upon request.

[Ends]

About Wales Rally GB

Since its inception in 1932, the International Rally of Great Britain has been run 70 times. Enforced stoppages have included World War 2, Suez Crisis (1957) and Foot and Mouth (1967). It is one of only two events (along with Finland) to have retained its status as both a qualifying and scoring round of the FIA World Rally Championship (WRC) since the championship was established in 1973.

Wales Rally GB is the 13th and final round of this year’s WRC and is organised and promoted by International Motor Sports Ltd (IMS), the commercial arm of the Motor Sports Association, the governing body of UK motor sport. Branded as Wales Rally GB since 2003 when the Welsh Government became the principal funding partner, the rally is based out of a central Service Park in Deeside with competitive stages throughout north and mid Wales. It was awarded the Best Event (Large) accolade at the National Tourism Awards for Wales 2015.

Free family workshops at MOMA WALES in Machynlleth for Welsh Museums Festival

Museums across Wales will celebrate and promote the country’s outstanding cultural offer at the second Welsh Museums Festival from October 24 to November 1.

More than 100 events and exhibitions will be on offer for the whole family, from sleepovers, talks, walks, hunts and handling sessions to archaeologist digs, re-enactments, dressing up, tea parties and Halloween themed activities.

Supporting the festival is TV presenter and Wildlife Expert Iolo Williams who said: “I am delighted to be supporting the Welsh Museums Festival. As a four-year-old child, I remember staring in awe at the skeleton of a woolly mammoth and even now I am amazed by the wealth of items held by our museums.

“With almost one hundred accredited museums all over the country caring for around 5.5 million items, no matter what your interests, there are treasures waiting to be discovered by the whole family.”

At the Museum of Modern Art, Wales (MOMA WALES) in Machynlleth there will be two free workshops for families: On Wednesday, October 28, there will be an Optical Illusions: Sci-Art Workshop from 11am to 2pm in the Green Room.

This workshop is inspired by the Reversphotospectives exhibition by Mark Robert Davey, which is currently on show at the museum. Explore the strange world of optical illusions and try making your own with Rebecca Cottrell. No need to book, just drop in any time between 11am and 2pm.

Thursday, October 29 sees a Colour Machines workshop from 11am to 2pm in the Green Room.

Participants will be able to create their own colourful abstract work, using various "colour machines" inspired by Barrie Cook's use of industrial processes within his work, which is currently on show at the museum.

This workshop will be led by Jo Marsh and there’s no need to book, just drop in any time between 11am and 2pm.

The Deputy Minister for Culture, Sport and Tourism, Ken Skates, said: “We have some fantastic museums across Wales, filled with fascinating items that help tell the story of our past. They are a valuable resource in helping us to learn about and understand important historical events in a way that books alone cannot.

“The Welsh Museums Festival will give visitors more opportunities to discover and be inspired by the unique collections and I am pleased to see a range of events being held both in and around Communities First areas, ensuring there are opportunities for all to participate in a range of exciting experiences.”

Rachel Silverson, president of The Federation of Museums and Art Galleries of Wales, said: “We are thrilled to be involved in the festival once again as it offers an opportunity for our members to promote their museums and to be proud of the work that they do. At a time when museums need support from their communities, we hope that more people will be amazed by all that Welsh museums have to offer.”

Did you know?

·        4.27 million visits to Welsh museums in 2013

·        84% visitors believe Welsh museums are friendly and welcoming places (Wales Visitor Survey 2013)

·        Local community groups use museum services 4,843 times a year #

·        There are 2,118 volunteers in Welsh museums

·        Eight out of 10 tourists that visit a Welsh museum would recommend it to a friend or relative (Wales Visitor Survey 2013)

·        Museums in Wales care for approximately 5,500,000 items

·        Tywyn Narrow Gauge Railway Museum won ‘The National Railway Heritage Award 2013’

·        Judge’s Lodging won ‘Hidden Gem’ Award in Hudson’s Heritage Awards 2014

·        Half the museums in Wales provide free entry

·        Swansea Museum is the oldest museum in Wales – founded in 1841

·        St Fagans is the most visited museum in Wales with 564,195 visitors last year

Find out what events and exhibitions are taking place in MOMA WALES in Machynlleth by visiting www.museums.wales or www.momawales.org.uk.

Ends

Editor’s Notes

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.

Record entry for sell-out Wales Rally GB

Next month’s Wales Rally GB (November 12-15) will feature a full capacity field after organiser, International Motor Sports, confirmed it had received a record number of entries from right around the globe.

Entries for the International rally closed last week with no fewer than 78 cars representing 22 nations lining up to face the 19 challenging special stages in the legendary Welsh forests.

It’s the largest number of International entries received in recent years and underlines the event’s escalating esteem since its successful move to a new base in North Wales in 2013.

The impressive International field, including 50 Priority drivers, will be complemented by 85 crews contesting the Network Q WRGB National Rally, providing amateurs with the chance to tackle the same timed sections alongside their WRC counterparts. Such is the National Rally’s popularity that entries were sold out within hours of opening and many hopefuls are still waiting on a reserve list.

“This is great news on every level and a further endorsement of the event’s spiraling popularity,” enthused Ben Taylor, managing director of Wales Rally GB. “Our ambition is to create a fantastic sporting spectacle and a fitting finale to the FIA World Rally Championship – to have this star-studded, full-capacity entry is a major component in achieving those two goals.

“It’s superb for the fans who will be treated to some truly memorable top class action... and, who knows, perhaps even the added excitement of a British winner!”

Deputy Minister for Culture Sport and Tourism, Ken Skates, said: “I’m delighted that this year’s rally has reached a record number of entries It bodes well for an exciting event next month.
“Wales Rally GB has developed a strong profile on the World Rally Championship calendar, demonstrating Wales’ ability to deliver a wide range of major events. It’s a world-class event that hits the headlines time and again for the very best reasons, and it looks like this year will be even bigger and better than ever.”

Leading the International entries is Volkswagen Motorsport’s newly-crowned 2015 World Rally Champion Sébastien Ogier who is seeking a hat-trick of famous Wales Rally GB victories. The Frenchman’s VW Polo WRC team-mate Jari-Matti Latvala is the only other previous winner in the packed field.

Those looking to add their name to the coveted gold Peall Trophy include two top home hopes: Elfyn Evans, lines up for the Cumbrian-based M-Sport World Rally Team while Kris Meeke represents Citroën Total Abu Dhabi WRT.

Evans recently scored his best-ever result with a breakthrough second place in Corsica; Meeke went one better earlier in the campaign when becoming the first British driver to win a WRC round since Colin McRae in 2002 with victory in Argentina.

Hyundai Motorsport’s impressive four-car attack also includes some local talent with Englishman Seb Marshall co-driving for young Dutch star Kevin Abbring.

There’s plenty of additional British interest, too. Seven time Rally America champion David Higgins makes a welcome return to these shores in one of the latest Subaru WRX Sti machines. The Carno-based Manxman will be up against double Scottish champion David Bogie, promising Welshman Tom Cave – both in Ford Fiesta R5s – and Irishman Craig Breen (Peugeot T16 R5) plus a pair of pacy factory-entered Skodas in the super-competitive RC2 category.

The leading two-wheel-drive RC3 class features two of the UK’s hottest prospects with Machynlleth-based Osian Pryce and Chris Ingram lining up in a pair of Citroën DS3s. However they will face stiff opposition from Quentin Gilbert, the Frenchman who has already been crowned as the 2015 FIA Junior WRC Champion.

Other notable International entries include ex-F1 star Robert Kubica (Ford Fiesta RS WRC) and Henning Solberg (Ford Fiesta RS WRC) whose younger brother Petter is a four-time Wales Rally GB winner and this year’s official Rally Legend.

The Network Q WRGB National Rally has its own stars. Jimmy McRae ensures that Britain’s most famous rallying family is on the entry list 20 years after son Colin was crowned as Britain’s first ever FIA World Rally Champion.

The evergreen five-time British Rally Champion is turning back the clock behind the wheel of a glorious sounding V8 Vauxhall Firenza Can-Am. Another standout is Scotsman Mike Faulkner who won last year’s WRGB National and is back to defend his title in his Mitsubishi Evo 9.

And it’s not only entries that are selling fast – advance ticket sales are also at record levels as fans take of advantage of the advance ticket prices on offer.

The four-day World Rally Pass is the all-inclusive ticket for fans. It provides access to all the individual Special Stages as well as Thursday's pre-event Shakedown. It is priced at £99 for adults (or just £1 for accompanied children aged nine-15) and comes with a hard card pass and lanyard, plus an event programme valued at £9.

Forest Passes offer a similar level of flexibility as the World Rally Pass but just for an individual day of the event. Again they include an official programme and can be purchased in advance for just £25 – entry to a Single Stage on the day will cost £30.

Tickets for Saturday’s family-friendly RallyFest at Chirk Castle are available now for £25 with an even greater discount being offered to families. Full ticket information can be found on the WalesRallyGB.com website.

For further updates, follow Wales Rally GB on Twitter @WalesRallyGB or join the conversations on Facebook at www.facebook.com/walesrallygb using #WRGB

Please click here to view a video of Wales Rally GB gearing up for November. Electronic copies of this video are available upon request.

Dolgellau's Elfyn Evans hopes to make a splash on his home event.

Caption:

Top: 2015 FIA World Rally Champions Sébastien Ogier (left) and Julien Ingrassia (right) look to make it three wins in a row this November.

Llangoed Hall celebrates notable double in Good Hotel Guide 2016

A multi-award winning Mid Wales country house hotel celebrated a double success in The Good Hotel Guide 2016 for Great Britain and Ireland and is in contention for more accolades next month.

Llangoed Hall, located in the scenic Wye valley at Llyswen, near Brecon, won the Editor’s Choice country house and historic hotels awards for the second year in a row.

The Good Hotel Guide is the leading independent guide to hotels in Great Britain and Ireland, written for the reader seeking impartial advice on finding a good place to stay. Hotels cannot buy their entry and the editors and inspectors do not accept free hospitality on their anonymous visits.

Owned by award-winning journalists Adam and Caroline Raphael, the guide states: “We are blessed in the UK with some of the world’s finest country house hotels – and our Editor’s Choice features the top 10 crème de la crème.

“Our Editor's Choice of historic hotels are full of tales of yesteryear and have unique characteristics, but all offer a luxurious hotel break.”

Llangoed Hall is the only Welsh hotel shortlisted for The Caterer’s Hotel Cateys 2015 at London’s Park Plaza Westminster Bridge Hotel on November 27, having been selected in the Sustainable Hotel of the Year category. These awards are the hotel industry’s only truly independent benchmark of operational excellence.

The hotel has also been shortlisted for the Best for Green Practises award at the 2016 Condé Nast Johansens Awards for Excellence at The May Fair Hotel, London on November 2.

Created to acknowledge, reward and celebrate excellence across the hotels, spas and venues in the Condé Nast Johansens collection, the awards are a trusted mark of quality, recognised by luxury consumers and travel professionals alike. The awards are determined by the combined results of online voting, guest feedback and local expert reports.

A memorable year for Llangoed Hall has seen the hotel listed in the Waitrose Good Food Guide’s top 50 UK restaurants and voted runner up to Fairmont Hotels, which owns The Savoy in London, for the Eco Hotel of the Year at the recent AA Hospitality Awards.

Managing director Calum Milne has overseen £3 million investment in the Llangoed Hall, formerly owned by Laura Ashley co-founder Sir Bernard Ashley, since rescuing it from administration in 2012.

“We are absolutely delighted to have achieved double recognition in The Good Hotel Guide 2016 and to have been shortlisted for both the Hotel Cateys and the 2016 Condé Nast Johansens Awards for Excellence, which are highly respected in the hospitality industry,” said Mr Milne.

“It was a great achievement to have come second to The Savoy, which is such a large international concern, at the AA Hospitality Awards. It just shows the impact a small hotel in Mid Wales can make to the environment.

“Recognition in these awards is independent confirmation of the significant progress made by the team at Llangoed Hall in the last year as we aspire to be the very best we can be.”

Picture caption:

Managing director Calum Milne with Llangoed Hall in the background.

Tourism tops the agenda as Alliance leaders target political parties and AMs

The Wales Tourism Alliance, which represents all sectors of the country’s tourism industry, has elected two new leaders as the organisation plans to target political parties and candidates in the run up to the National Assembly for Wales election next May.

Former North Wales hotelier Adrian Barsby takes over from Tenby hotelier Chris Osborne as chairman and retired Wales Tourist Board and Countryside Council for Wales chief executive Paul Loveluck is the new vice chairman.

One of their first duties since taking up the posts last week was to prepare a briefing document for political parties and National Assembly for Wales members and prospective candidates.

The document highlights the importance of tourism to the Welsh economy and suggests policies which the incoming Welsh Government should consider to meet challenges and opportunities facing the industry.

It emphasises the important role of Assembly Members in holding the Welsh Government to account with policies that impact the tourism industry.

The WTA briefing document calls for Visit Wales, the Welsh Government’s tourism arm, to be adequately staffed and resourced to continue its vital work and for the department’s marketing expertise to be enhanced.

It wants the Welsh Government to develop a better understanding of the industry through consultation with the WTA and to appreciate that the future of tourism is dependent on decisions made by the Westminster Government, with which it wants closer working.

The Welsh Government is urged to support the campaign to reduce VAT on tourism accommodation, to create a business friendly climate by being innovative with support and to appreciate the impact on tourism of decisions made in other policy areas.

It calls for investment in tourism infrastructure, including electrification of railway lines and broadband connectivity, more focused training programmes for staff and owner managers, support for the development of new, market-driven tourism products and improved tourism statistics.

The WTA says it’s important to review quality grading schemes to assure visitors of tourism standards in Wales. It urges the Welsh Government to consult with the industry about balanced marketing campaigns to sell Wales effectively as a visitor destination and to work with Visit Britain and the GREAT campaign to develop overseas markets.

The Welsh Government is also encouraged to develop connections with Birmingham, Manchester and Liverpool airports as gateways for inbound visitors to North and Mid Wales.

The new leadership team has been appointed during a period of transition for the WTA, which no longer has core funding from the Welsh Government to employ a full-time director. The transition will see board members taking on additional advocacy roles to represent their area of expertise.

Mr Barsby, who lives near Mold, believes the period of transition provides the WTA with a great opportunity to harness expertise and knowledge from across the industry.

He wants the WTA to be in a strong position to contribute constructively to the mid-term review of the Welsh Government’s Partnership for Growth: Strategy for Tourism 2013-2012.

“I think we need to be able to congratulate and encourage Visit Wales and the Welsh Government for the things that they do well and also to chastise them behind the scenes for the things they do not do so well,” said Mr Barsby, who now works with and mentors around 200 businesses as managing director of Barsby Associates. “That has to be backed up by robust information rather than gut reaction.

“I would like to have an endorsement from the Welsh Government in the next 12 months that Wales Tourism Alliance is a body that does represent the whole of the visitor economy and that they value going to one point to get intelligence about the sector.

“I would like the Welsh Government to understand and appreciate that there are some fundamental structural issues which need to be addressed over the next five to 10 years that will equip the sector to compete with the rest of the UK.”

He believes it’s time for the industry to take control of its own destiny rather than letting Visit Wales and the Welsh Government lead the way.

He revealed that the election of the vastly experienced Mr Loveluck as vice chairman was pivotal in his standing as WTA chairman.

Mr Loveluck, who lives in Montgomery, was Wales Tourist Board chief executive for 12 years and president of the National Museum Wales for nine years. “The Wales Tourism Alliance is very important because it’s an umbrella organisation for all the different sectors of the tourism industry,” he said.

“Our briefing document represents what the industry thinks should be on the agenda for the next five years. Hopefully, it will give Assembly Members a starting point for deeper inquiry into the industry.

“It’s also important to point out that the tourism industry is not solely dependent on what happens in Wales but also internationally. Therefore we in Wales need to work with the industry in the rest of the UK and the Welsh Government needs to work with Westminster on policies that will support tourism.

“There is no doubt that we need an organisation like Visit Wales and a Welsh Government that follows policies that are conducive to not only to tourism but to business in general.

“I want to get tourism on the next government’s agenda and Assembly Members better informed about what makes the industry successful so that they are able to play their part in the democratic process of holding the government to account.

“The industry has made tremendous strides forward in the last 30 or so years. The quality of the product on offer and people’s skills are much better than they used to be. But it’s a highly competitive business, with the international exchange rate often the determining factor for overseas visitors and intense competition from other areas of the UK for the domestic market.”

Picture caption:

Wales Tourism Alliance chairman Adrian Barsby (right) with vice chairman Paul Loveluck.

See Powis Castle sparkle in the evening light

Powis Castle on the outskirts of Welshpool will be opening its doors to visitors for half price to celebrate Museums at Night on Friday, October 30.

Visitors will be able to see the castle’s spectacular rooms sparkling in the evening light with atmospheric candles to light your way. The castle will be open from 6-9pm, with the last entry at 8.30pm.

Staff will be on hand throughout the evening to give information about the fascinating secrets of the castle’s past. Would you like to know which object was gifted from the Pope? Are you curious how the famous 1st Century BC carving of a cat catching a snake was acquired? This is your chance to find out the answers to those questions and much more.

“This will be a very special treat for anyone visiting Powis Castle,” said Ruth Scutter, spokesperson for the National Trust. “The castle’s interiors were designed to impress the Herbert family’s prominent guests who visited for parties and evening meals, so the rooms are full of décor, exquisite chandeliers and furniture that glisten by candlelight.

“This evening is a unique opportunity for visitors to see the rooms as they were intended to be seen and they really are breathtaking.”

Booking is not required. Entry for adults is £3.60, children £1.80 and free for National Trust members. For further details visit the website www.nationaltrust.org.uk/powis-castle

ends

Powis Castle facts:

· Powis Castle began life as the medieval fortress of the Welsh princes of Powys, who held onto their kingdom despite the threats of their more powerful neighbours in Gwynedd and England.
· In 1587, Powis was sold to Sir Edward Herbert who created the romantic long gallery which is richly decorated with the coats of arms of his ancestors.
· The first Marquess of Powis was forced into exile in 1668 due to his loyalty to the deposed King James II.
· In 1784, the marriage of Lady Henrietta Herbert and Edward Clive, son of Robert Clive, the conqueror of India, combined the Powis and Clive estates.
· In the early 20th Century, the 4th Earl of Powis and his wife, Lady Violet, redecorated much of the castle and brought the garden back to life, introducing new varieties from all over the world.

Notes to Editors
The National Trust was founded in 1895 to care for places of historic interest or natural beauty. In Wales it cares for over 45,000 hectares of countryside, 140 miles of coastline as well as some of the finest castles and gardens. The Trust is the largest conservation organisation in Europe, supported by 4 million members, 100,000 of whom live in Wales. As a charity it relies on membership subscriptions, gifts and other voluntary support to meet its £148 m annual conservation and maintenance costs. The Trust’s properties have unique legal protection “inalienability” – they cannot ever be sold or mortgaged without permission of Parliament.

Follow us on Facebook or Twitter @NTPowisCastle

MWT Members Meetings!

MWT Members Meetings 2015/16

MWT Local Trade Days are open to all MWT members, tourism association representatives and guests and provide the ideal opportunity to meet informally and exchange information.

Val Hawkins, MWT Chief Executive will be hosting all meetings between the times of 11.00am and 1.00pm. One2one sessions are available both before and after the main meeting.

Please let us know which meeting you wish to attend

http://www.mwtcymru.co.uk/MWT-members-meetings.html 

If you are a local tourism group leader or a member of a tourism related organisation and would like to attend - please give us a call - 01654 702653 / members@mwtcymru.co.uk 

Entries open for Continental Welsh Wild West Sportive at Aberystwyth

Entries opened on October 1 for the Continental Welsh Wild West Sportive at next year’s Aberystwyth Cycle Festival, which will run from May 23-29.

The cost of entering the sportive has been frozen for the third consecutive year, with a £30 fee for the Cawr, Mynach and Diafol and £20 for the Corrach. Due to the festival’s association with Active.com, riders can save £2.50 if they enter with a minimum of three team or clubmates, up to a maximum of eight.

The 2016 cycle festival culminates with the sportive on Sunday, May 29. Due to the long awaited completion of the new Bandstand, the festival returns to Aberystwyth Promenade for 2016.

The event headquarters, including a finish line feed zone, will be at the Bandstand.

The Seafront Criteriums will take place on Friday, May 27 with the Constitution Hill Downhill Race on Saturday, May 28 and fringe events will take place throughout the week.

Utilising some of the most beautiful roads in Wales, including the iconic Nant-y-Moch reservoir, Hafod Arch and the Clarach to Borth route, overlooking the Dyfi Estuary and Snowdonia mountain range, the sportive is a challenging but very rewarding ride.

Wales Air Ambulance Service is the official sportive charity and riders can opt to raise money for the charity or donate via JustGiving.com when they enter online at http://www.abercyclefest.com

Ends

For more information about Aber Cycle Fest contact Tel: 01970 833902 or 07967 022303 and email info@abercyclefest.com

Works by new artists and makers on show at Mid Wales galleries

Erwood Station Gallery at Erwood, near Builth Wells welcomes new artists and makers during October.

The contemporary craft gallery will be showing ceramic work by Valerie James, bronze resin figurative sculpture by Angela Palmer, paper creations by Graham Lester and glass by Paula Rylatt.

A recent landscape show at the gallery by Jonathan Trim ended up being a sell-out. For those who missed the show, the gallery announced that new paintings by Trim will be available in the next few weeks.

Christina and Brent Blair from The Lion Street Gallery, Hay-on-Wye took over Erwood Station Gallery in March this year and have changed its direction by establishing a contemporary craft gallery that also shows paintings and sculpture. The gallery is open seven days a week from 10.30am to 5pm and the tearoom closes at 4.30pm daily.

Rated as one of the best galleries in Wales, The Lion Street Gallery promotes artists who work in Wales and the Borders. New work at the gallery includes powerful mixed media paintings by a new artist, Matt Pearce, along with landscape paintings by Stephen Yardley and waterlily paintings by Ian Hargeaves.

Visitors to both galleries can buy works of art through the Arts Council of Wales Collectorplan scheme. All they need to do is put down a 10% deposit and spread the remaining payments over 12 months with no interest to pay. The scheme can be used to buy art worth up to £5,000.

Peaceful II by Ian Hargreaves which can be seen 

at The Lion Street Gallery, Hay on Wye.

Picture caption:

Top: The Journey by Valerie James which is on display at Erwood Station Gallery.

Ends

For more information contact Brent or Kate on Tel: 01497 822 900 or Email thelionstreetgallery@gmail.com

Autumn Brolly Breaks at Lake Vyrnwy from £469 per couple

By the time guests have finished their ‘full Welsh’ breakfast, the morning mists will have cleared to reveal the autumn colours of the trees reflected in the still waters of Lake Vyrnwy; the whole scene framed by the peaks of the Berwyn Mountains.

What better start could there be to a day at Lake Vyrnwy Hotel & Spa?

The hotel’s Autumn Brolly Break package is a relaxing three-night escape to this beautiful spot in North Wales.

The Brolly Break includes:
· three nights’ accommodation
· three fabulous Welsh breakfasts
· a cream tea on the first two afternoons of the stay
· dinner – five delicious courses – on the first two nights of the break
· the gift – on arrival – of a Lake Vyrnwy umbrella ‘just in case’ the weather includes a little precipitation (this is Wales after all)

If it happens NOT to rain during the break, the hotel will send guests on their way with a complimentary bottle of champagne in celebration!

The break costs £469 per couple sharing a garden view room, or from £529 per couple when sharing a room at the front of the hotel, waking up each morning to views over Lake Vyrnwy.

Autumn activities around the lake include exploring the five way-marked trails starting from the RSPB Centre below the hotel and bird-watching from the permanent hides: regular sightings include siskins in the woodland, little grebe on the lake and buzzards overhead.

The local hire company has bikes for cycling the lake’s perimeter road (11 flat miles in a round trip); there’s a water-sports operator on the opposite side of the lake and the hotel can arrange lake fishing (until October 31) and clay pigeon shooting (all season).

The Autumn Brolly Break package is available for arrivals Sunday, Monday or Tuesday each week between now and December 16, 2015.

01691 870692, www.lakevyrnwy.com

—ENDS—

Further press information and images from Jane Williams at Beacon PR (01572) 748800
Lake Vyrnwy’s press contact is General Manager Anthony Rosser 01691 870692

Editors Notes on Lake Vyrnwy Hotel & Spa
· Lake Vyrnwy is in Mid Wales, a stone’s throw from the Snowdonia National Park
· Scenic drive times: 45 minutes from Oswestry; 1 hour from Shrewsbury or Newtown; 90 minutes from Chester or Aberystwyth.
· 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.