Adventurous sleepover in an abandoned Welsh slate mine

Ten intrepid ‘explorers’ are being given the chance to experience an epic sleepover adventure in a Mid Wales slate mine as part of a Great Weekend of Welsh Adventure on April 2 and 3.

Accompanied by one of Wales’ top mine explorers, the sleepover takes place in the historic Braich Goch slate mine at Corris, near Machynlleth, which survives untouched, like a virtual time capsule.

Organised to coincide with 2016 being designated the ‘Year of Adventure’ in Wales, this unique after hours experience will see ‘explorers’ enter parts of the mine which are not normally visited.

The 10 lucky explorers will have to tackle ledges, climbs and scrambles to venture deep into the abandoned mine.

Organised and led by Corris Mine Explorers, this underground sleepover will explore areas of the mine first worked when it opened in 1836 and right up to the 1970s when the doors finally closed.
Explorers will discover miles of tunnels, gigantic chambers and mining paraphernalia and hear authentic and shocking stories about mining life.

In a large disused chamber, midnight hot chocolate will be served before candles go out. A final exploration will take place the following morning before emerging above ground for a full Welsh breakfast in the adjoining Y Crochan Café.

The Sleepover Adventure will kick off with an evening meal in the Slaters Arms, an historic Corris hostelry which once rang with the singing voices of drinking miners escaping the monotony of dust, noise and impending danger.

As the experience is limited to 10 ‘explorers’ those interested are urged to book their place quickly by contacting Mark Waite at Corris Mine Explorers on 01650 511720 or email info@corrismineexplorers.co.uk . The experience costs £150 per person.

Picture caption:

Mark Waite exploring Braich Goch slate mine at Corris.

Wedding showcase and bridal runway show at The Falcondale

An exclusive Mid Wales venue is holding a free wedding showcase and bridal runway show in conjunction with Huw Rees Brides on January 31 from noon until 4pm.

The Falcondale at Lampeter caters for indoor and outdoor ceremonies, intimate wedding dining, gourmet banquets in a marquee for guests exceeding 120 and breathtaking views for wedding photo memories.

This four star country house hotel wedding is just 40 minutes from Cardigan Bay and 90 minutes from Cardiff.

Join the hotel’s Facebook event page to view the latest news and stallholders who will be attending the event. https://www.facebook.com/events/420294344840565/

For further information contact manager Meleri Morgan at The Falcondale on 01570 422910
info@thefalcondale.co.uk or visit www.thefalcondale.co.uk.

Relax and dine escape at Mid Wales country house hotel

A Mid Wales country house hotel is offering guests a new year getaway to relax, wine and dine.
Brush off your raincoat and brace yourself for a warm welcome of homemade scones with strawberry jam, clotted cream and a choice of tea or coffee at The Falcondale, Lampeter.

Guests should prepare themselves for a new year delight from head chef Justin Heasman. A five-course set menu will be accompanied by a flight of wines three 125ml glasses per person) to enhance the dinner flavours.

Guests have a choice of 18 luxurious bedrooms with views of the Teifi valley and they can set themselves up for the next day with a hearty breakfast.

The one night Relax and Dine Getaway for a couple costs from £199 to £269 depending on the type of bedroom chosen. An extra night’s bed and breakfast can be added to the escape from just £75 per night. The cost for a single person ranges from £157 to £227.

The escape is available up to April 30, excluding February 12, 13, 14 and 20, March 25, 26, 27 and 28 and April 16.
The Relax and Dine escape includes cream tea on arrival, a five-course dinner menu with a flight of wines, overnight stay in the room of your choice and a full Welsh breakfast in the morning.

For further information contact manager Meleri Morgan at The Falcondale on 01570 422910
info@thefalcondale.co.uk or visit www.thefalcondale.co.uk.

Wales Rally GB welcomes Channel 5’s expanded television coverage

The stunning landscape and towns of Mid Wales will receive even more television coverage during this year’s Wales Rally GB.

Confirmation that Channel 5  will broadcast television coverage of the FIA World Rally Championship (WRC) was enthusiastically welcomed by International Motor Sports Limited, organiser of Wales Rally GB from October 27-30.

Channel 5, which replaces ITV4 as the WRC’s terrestrial TV partner in the UK, will provide the most comprehensive free-to-air coverage of the WRC in Britain for many years. Starting with this month’s Monte Carlo Rally, it will screen a pre-event magazine programme plus an action-packed, hour-long post-event show from all 14 rounds.

Additionally, Channel 5 will be airing extra coverage of Wales Rally GB. It will screen daily highlights programmes throughout the event as well as live coverage of the all-important Power Stage.

“This is really great news for both Wales Rally GB and the vast number of dedicated rally fans here in the UK,” enthused Ben Taylor, managing director of Wales Rally GB.

“Top class rallying is one of the world’s most dramatic sports and Channel 5’s commitment will allow UK viewers to follow more of the action as the WRC builds towards the legendary Welsh forests at the end of October. What’s more, the extended coverage confirmed for Wales Rally GB is another big boost for an event that continues to build on recent successes.”

Free-to-air WRC programming on Channel 5 will be supplemented by renewed deals with BT Sport and S4C. As the WRC’s Pay TV partner in the UK, BT Sport will cover all the action from every event including the Magazine show, daily and event highlights and live action from all 14-rounds, while the well-established Ralio+ show on S4C will be following the WRC for Welsh language audiences.

Follow Wales Rally GB on Twitter @walesrallygb or join the conversations on Facebook at www.facebook.com/walesrallygb

Picture caption:

Action from last year’s exciting Wales Rally GB.

Remembering for Peace exhibition at National Library

A Remembering for Peace exhibition takes place at The National Library of Wales, Aberystwyth from January 16 to April 9.

This exhibition tells the story of the WW1 Book of Remembrance, the stories behind some of the names in it, and how it has been used in remembering for peace.

The Welsh National Book of Remembrance for the First World War holds the names of 35,000 servicemen and women who gave their lives in the war. The book will be displayed alongside a new digital copy and, for the first time ever, visitors will have the chance to explore it and research the names listed.

The exhibition will also begin to explore further themes of the Wales for Peace project, in particular the key question: in the hundred years since the First World War, how has Wales contributed to the search for peace?

Martin Pollard, chief executive of the Welsh Centre for International Affairs, said: “The National Library of Wales is one of the key partners in the Wales for Peace project and they have been instrumental in bringing the Book of Remembrance to the attention of a wider audience than ever before.
“Working together on the ‘Remembering for Peace’ exhibition means the book and its history are accessible to the public for the first time and that it can be displayed alongside a searchable digital copy created by the library. We’re delighted to have this opportunity to make such an important record available to communities across Wales.”

Linda Tomos, national librarian at The National Library of Wales, said: “I am very pleased that the National Library has been able to support both the exhibition and the ground-breaking work of digitising the Book of Remembrance. Both will ensure that we continue to honour the sacrifice of those named in the book and re-tell their individual stories.”

The National Library of Wales is eager to find further information about some of the names which appear in the National Book of Remembrance, such as Private Trevor Lewis, Royal Army Medical Corps.

Trevor was born in Aberystwyth and attended the County School/Ardwyn School, Aberystwyth. He was appointed as a trainee librarian at The National Library of Wales in August 1912.

On October 27, 1915 he left the library to join the Royal Army Medical Corps and was badly injured in France on August 8, 1916. He was transferred to Hampstead Hospital but died on September 20 at the age of 20.

His funeral was the first in Aberystwyth resulting from the Great War and the story was reported in the Cambrian News: “Being the first local funeral of a hero from the front, considerable interest was taken and there was general manifestation of sorrow, the streets being lined along the route and the blinds of houses and businesses were drawn.”

He was buried in the town cemetery.

The National Library of Wales is holding an Open Day for community groups on Saturday, January 30. Visitors will be given a preview of the exhibition and a chance to transcribe the book and to find out more about using and creating online resources on the theme of war and peace.
To book one of a limited number of places for the Open Day visit walesforpeace.org, email: walesforpeace@wcia.org.uk or phone 029 2082 1051.

ends

Notes to the Editor:

Wales for Peace is a Welsh Centre for International Affairs project and the exhibition and transcription initiative is developed in conjunction with the National Library of Wales. Wales for Peace is a four-year project funded by the Heritage Lottery Fund and supported by 10 partners including the National Library for Wales, Aberystwyth, Cardiff universities and movements such as the Urdd and Cymdeithas y Cymod. The project is forward-looking in stimulating debate around issues of peace for the benefit of future generations.
www.walesforpeace.org Caerdydd / Cardiff 029 20821051 Bangor 01248 672104

Cymru’n Cofio Wales Remembers 1914-1918 Commemoration Programme.
The Wales for Peace project forms part of the official Cymru’n Cofio Wales Remembers 1914-1918 Commemoration Programme, led by the First Minister’s Expert Adviser on the First World War, Prof Sir Deian Hopkin.
www.walesremembers.org

Further information: Elin-Hâf 01970 632471 or post@llgc.org.uk

Boston Lodge Works set for redevelopment this winter

This February will see the reconstruction of the road access to the Ffestiniog & Welsh Highland Railway's Boston Lodge Works at the Merioneth end of the Cob Embankment. The existing access driveway is narrow and subsidence means it is in urgent need of replacement.

Boston Lodge is a major local employer, with a staff of 40 from across Gwynedd, augmented by a large volunteer workforce creating many additional indirect jobs in the area, especially in the accommodation and hospitality sectors.

General manager Paul Lewin said: "The road access to our workshop is very old and sited on what was the seashore before the Cob was built. The roadway has survived remarkably well over the years, but storm damage a few years ago uprooted some large trees disturbing the stability of the road and drains in the area.

“Since then, retaining walls have also fallen in places and other large trees are leaning. Recent heavy rains have not helped. Without the access road the works and the railway would quickly grind to halt."

Working with Ymgynghoriaeth Gwynedd Consultancy, a new access ramp, parallel to the old one, is being constructed over four weeks in February and March and represents the first phase of a major investment in this world-famous railway workshop - the oldest still operating in the world - securing jobs for this and future generations.

Site clearance will begin shortly, which will involve the essential felling of a number of trees on the unstable embankment between the A497 and the railway. The planned works included a replanting scheme which will see numerous new oak trees planted and, in a few years' time, it will be hard to see where the new works have taken place. The original access ramp will remain in use as part of the Wales Coast Path.

"We take our environmental responsibilities seriously, in particular the environment surrounding the railway which we are committed to maintaining and improving,” added Mr Lewin. “This has included purchasing small parcels of land adjacent to the line with conservation in mind."

In 2015 the Ffestiniog and Welsh Highland Railway Trust purchased two fields in Minffordd, between the main A497 road and the railway line. The land came up for sale last year and the ralway was keen to ensure that these retained their traditional use both as an attractive open space and as a spring meadow and grazing rather than seeing it go for housing development and spoiling the environment of the village.

Again, a comprehensive environmental programme is being put in place to preserve this attractive area and its mature trees for the enjoyment of future generations.

/ends/

For further information contact Andrew Thomas on 01766 516072 or at athomas@ffwhr.com

Notes to Editors:

January and February is traditionally the time when major civil engineering projects are undertaken on the Ffestiniog and Welsh Highland Railways. Such projects are almost impossible to complete successfully while an intensive timetable is in operation. As part of those works it is essential that a number of mature trees are removed, many of which are in poor condition and at risk of falling, damaging both the railway and its boundary fences. The railway is currently planning an extensive tree management and replanting programme along the whole 40 miles of its route.

Corris Railway Spring Steam Gala to be held on May 29

Corris Railway will be holding a one day gala event on Sunday, May 29 with steam, diesel and possibly battery electric motive power in action.

Steam will be represented by Corris Number 7, the 2005 built 0-4-2ST which evokes the original “Tattoo” Number 4 now based on the neighbouring Talyllyn.

 Internal combustion will be in the form of the revived line’s first operational loco Simplex Number 5 “Alan Meaden”, Ruston Number 6 and the large Orenstein and Koppel Number 11, which arrived in Mid Wales from Austria via Transylvania in 2015.

Subject to completion of overhaul in time, battery electric Number 9, which worked at the slate quarry at Aberllefenni, will be shunting at Maespoeth Junction.

It is intended to have a mixture of steam and diesel hauled trains in action during the day plus a gravity train working, with the variety offering a range of opportunities for visiting photographers to get a good portfolio of images of the Corris revival in action.

For those who wish to travel, tickets issued on the day will offer unlimited journeys between Corris Station and Maespoeth Junction. Adult tickets will cost £6, seniors £5.50 and children aged five to 15 £3.

There will be free conducted tours of the original locomotive shed and the carriage shed at Maespoeth Junction where visitors will be able to see work in progress on the building of new carriages for the line and components for the next steam engine now being built, Number 10, which will recreate a “Falcon” 0-4-2ST as per Corris Number 3 which is now also based on Talyllyn Railway.

The museum and shop at Corris Station will be open and amongst the exhibits on display will be the diorama showing the planned development of the station site which will recreate the ambience of the iconic overall roofed structure.  Subject to volunteer availability, it may also be possible for visitors to see work on the southern extension beyond Maespoeth Junction.

More information about the gala will appear on the website www.corris.co.uk as plans develop. There will also be a gala event on the Fairbourne Railway, which will be a further attraction for visitors to the railways of Mid Wales.

Ends

From the Press Officer John Simms, CRS, 42 Bluebell Close, Taunton, Somerset, TA1 3XQ. 01823 323106 E-mail : press@corris.co.uk

Montgomery websites join forces to promote the town

TasteMontgomery and VisitMontgomery web sites have joined forces to promote the wonderful region, local produce and many attractions.

To strengthen the Montgomery brand the two have merged their web presence to promote the fantastic local produce, quality accommodation and the many local attractions which make the town such a special place for locals and visitors alike.

Taste Montgomery was set up in 2010 as a community initiative, bringing together local food producers, retailers and hospitality providers for their mutual benefit. It has steadily grown and now has 30 members. Its website www.tastemontgomery.co.uk and bi annual booklet give visitors a taste of what Montgomery has to offer.

VisitMontgomery is a visitor focused website that promotes the town’s many attractions, its surrounding areas and Wales. Its website www.Visitmontgomery.co.uk is a rich, growing information source for visitors showcasing accommodation, visitor attractions, places to eat and things to do.

The website features high quality local photographs with lots of current information and events. Set up by Montgomery resident and web developer David Wilson in 2015, the website is attracting an increasing number of visitors each month.

David said: “We are thrilled to be joining with Taste Montgomery and hope our combined efforts will enhance the rich and unique offerings available in the town.”

Taste Montgomery’s chairman Ifor Humphreys said: “This is an exciting collaboration which brings a host of new ideas for 2016. We are looking forward to this new web focus and the opportunities and new direction this will offer the group. ”

Both websites, www.tastemontgomery.co.uk and www.visitmontgomery.co.uk , can now be used to direct visitors onto the same core website and represent a comprehensive information resource.

Picture caption:

Joining forces to promote Montgomery - David Wilson (left) of Visit Montgomery and Ifor Humphreys of Taste Montgomery.

ends

For more information please contact Nadine Roach, Kerry Vale Vineyard, on Tel:01588 620627.