Artist Jan Gay to hold workshop at Kerry Vale Vineyard

Kerry Vale Vineyard, situated on the Shropshire-Powys border near Montgomery, is organising a special portrait workshop by West Midlands artist Jan Gay on Friday, May 27.

The event will be part of Jan’s exhibition, which features a wide variety of original mixed media paintings and will run at the vineyard until June 1. She will host the five-hour portrait workshop, from 11am to 4pm, working from a live portrait model and welcomes all levels of ability, including beginners.

The workshop costs £35 per person and includes lunch with a glass of Kerry Vale’s award winning wine. Places are limited so booking is essential.

Jan graduated with a BA Hons at Bournville College of Art and previously studied Fine Art and Ceramics at Eastbourne Teacher Training College. Since graduating, she has worked as an art tutor, firstly taking sessions at Solihull College and then Warwick University until 2009. She now tutors adults privately.

A member of the Royal Birmingham Society of Artists, Birmingham Art Circle and Birmingham and Midland Pastel Society, her subject matter is diverse, yet there is a common thread of powerful colour and semi-abstract qualities throughout all her work.

“My desire is to create visually stimulating art, expressing the way I view the world," sad Jan, whose compositions reflect the drama and passion she feels about the whole creative process.

Invariably she begins her work in acrylic, using fluid, uninhibited marks which prepare for the richness of oil at a later stage.

Jan’s exhibition is a beautiful mix of acrylic, oil and pastel originals, also limited edition Giclee prints and ceramic figures. It can be viewed in the gallery above the vineyard’s shop and café during opening hours from Tuesday to Sunday, 10am to 4pm.

Please visit http://www.kerryvalevineyard.co.uk/events or call 01588620627 to book.

Picture caption:

Artist Jan Gay at work.

ENDS

NOTES TO EDITOR:

Kerry Vale Vineyard is a small, family run English vineyard situated on the Welsh / English border of rural Shropshire. Planted in 2010, the vineyard covers six acres of farmland, and resides at the eastern tip of the Vale of Kerry.  

For more information please contact Nadine Roach at Kerry Vale Vineyard on Tel: 01588 620627 or 07815157851 or Email: kerryvalevineyard@gmail.com

Crowds and creativity at Wonderwool Wales

Spring sunshine and the temptation of shopping, demonstrations, creative workshops and a fun fashion show brought fibre fans in their thousands to the busiest Wonderwool Wales weekend yet on April 23 and 24.

They left laden down with bags of goodies and ideas for projects which should last them until the next time Wales’ premier wool and natural fibre festival comes to the Royal Welsh Showground, Builth Wells, over the weekend of April 22 and 23, 2017.  

“It was busy, busy, busy – and that’s what fibre fans will be too, ‘til this time next year!” said organiser Chrissie Menzies, reporting that the show welcomed visitors to the area from all over the UK and from abroad, including France and Ireland, to shop from more than 220 stalls.

Exhibitors took to the Sheepwalk (a woolly take on the catwalk) to show off some of the fashions and accessories for sale at the show, as well as examples of garments and other items crafted from their wares.

Packed audiences at the four Sheepwalk shows were particularly entertained by John Macrae, who made up and performed a special jingle and comedy sketch to promote his stall, Wool Zone. At the final show, a wow factor was a massive willow ram’s head, worn by one of the stallholders from Co-create, a collective of eco-designers from West Wales, to collect their prize for best 20ft stand.

The Woolschools were booked out, with attendees keen to learn new skills from tutors who included Liz Beasley, sharing the techniques of mapuche weaving and Sarah Enoch, showing how to create a ‘cobweb’ felt scarflet using wet felting techniques.

There was also the opportunity to learn how to make a lovely little needle felt fish brooch with Jenny Barnett, whose stall showing further examples of her needle felt art was always crowded out with admiring visitors.    


There was lots of fundraising for good causes at this year’s show too. Jeweller Lyn Roberts, of Haverfordwest, selling unique sterling silver crochet hooks and yarn tools, used the opportunity to launch “Time for Teal” kits comprising specially-designed knitting patterns and teal-coloured yarn, with proceeds going to Target Ovarian Cancer.

Teal is the colour for World Ovarian Cancer Day on May 8 and Lyn, who is battling ovarian cancer herself, is keen to encourage Knit and Natter groups to get involved and raise awareness and funds.

In a show fundraising initiative, steward Janice Snowball was persuaded to write out and share the pattern for her eye-catching crocheted high visibility waistcoats. She made the first as a present for her daughter, Laura, four years ago and since then they have become a firm show favourite.

Patterns were sold with donations to the Lymphoedema Support Network. As usual, the proceeds from the show’s bag crèche will be donated to St John’s Ambulance.

Show highlights included the magnificent community knitting exhibit Above and Below the Waves. More than two years in the making and the result of a project led by Alison Murray, the nautical nine metre by six metre exhibit combines contributions from more than 2000 people.

Visitors to this year’s show also admired the colourful handiwork of more than 140 knitters and crochet and craft enthusiasts from across the UK whose yarn graffiti decorated one of the halls. Organised by the show’s Jane Veevers, three Knit and Natter Groups from Staffordshire and others including the Bridstow Spinners from Ross-on-Wye, the Border Spinners from Ewyas Harold, the Rhayader Spin A Yarn group from Mid Wales, Builth Crocheters, the Ledbury U3A and the ECHO Group in Leominster created the decorations for the venue.

Showcasing everything from the start to the end of the creative process, there were stalls with everything from live animals bred for their quality fleeces through to fabulous finished fashions and furnishings.

Livestock exhibitors included Bird Farm Alpacas, the Shetland Sheep Society, showing a ewe lamb and wether and illustrating how this breed has fine fleeces in many colours and patterns, Home Farm Wensleydales, who brought a pair of white Wensleydales, a pair of black Wensleydales and a pair of Bluefaced Leicester sheep and Pickwick Flock, showing rare breed pedigree Cotswold sheep, producing high lustre silk like spinning fleeces.
Providing pure heaven for the fibre enthusiast, quality exhibitors also had stands packed with raw and hand dyed fibres, yarn in a rainbow of colours, fleeces, equipment including drop spindles, drum carders, hand carders, spinning wheels, looms and tapestry frames, dyes and dye plants, fabrics and handwoven textiles, felt, felting equipment and felting kits, books, buttons and beads and crochet and knitting accessories and patterns.

There were also stalls selling superb examples of fibre crafts including textile art, felted items and home furnishings and accessories.

Regular exhibitors John Arbon Textiles & Fibre Harvest used the opportunity to launch their new range, Knit By Numbers in 4ply (400m per 100g), an exciting range made in 100% organically farmed Merino and available in 91 shades. Each colour range is available in six shades – going from dark to light - and each colour is given a unique number reference, rather than a name, hence the range being called Knit By Numbers.

For the fashion conscious, Purl Alpaca Designs were showcasing their Journey Collection of stunning knitwear designs for men and women, inspired by the roaring ‘20s. Launched in October, to rave reviews, it was the first time the collection had been seen in Wales.

Meanwhile stallholders selling ready-to-wear fashions included Settlers Stores with their stylish range of tweed clothing; Sophie’s Wild Woollens with distinctive designer knitwear and Mrs J. Pembrokeshire with high quality woollen garments made in Pembrokeshire. Visitors also had a wide choice of stalls selling upcycled clothing.

For more details visit www.wonderwoolwales.co.uk; email enquiries@wonderwoolwales.co.uk or phone 01938 820495 / 07980 913972 / 01873 821205.

Bird Farm Alpacas were one of the livestock exhibitors. 

Photo: John Teale.

Woolschools included the opportunity to make a needle 

felt fish brooch with Jenny Barnett. Photo: John Teale

Wool Zone’s John Macrae having fun on the Sheepwalk. 

Photo: John Teale.

Photos:

Top: A massive willow ram’s head, worn on The Sheepwalk by one of the stallholders from Co-create. Photo: Sarah Evans.

ends

Note to editors: 

Wonderwool Wales is the premier Wool & Natural Fibre Festival in Wales. First held in 2006 to promote the market for Welsh wool, the festival celebrates the green credentials of Welsh wool and its versatility as a material for creative crafts, designer clothes, home furnishings and more.

Wonderwool Wales has grown year on year. It covers everything from the start to the end of the creative process – from exhibits of sheep,  through raw and hand dyed fibres, yarn for knitting & crochet, embellishments, equipment, dyes and books to superb examples of finished textile art, craft, clothing and home furnishings. The success of the first showcase, a highlight of the Royal Welsh 2006 Smallholder and Garden Festival, prompted organisers to set their sights on something bigger, better and bolder in 2007, when the event doubled in size. By 2008 it had proved such a success that it was decided to run it as a separate festival.

Initially set up with European funding via the Welsh Assembly Government by Glasu, the LEADER+ Programme in Powys, since 2009 it has been run by a small group of part of the original steering committee and who formed Wonderwool Wales Ltd, (a not for profit company), to ensure the show’s continuation.

Starting off by predominantly featuring wool and wool products, the showcase has broadened to include a whole range of natural fibre items, including alpaca, mohair, angora, hemp, flax and silk. The organisers aim to expand the show each year with new ideas, whilst maintaining the standards, ethos and enthusiasm of the festival.

For more information visit: www.wonderwoolwales.co.uk
For more information please contact: Sharon Chilcott, PR Adviser to Wonderwool Wales 01531 671058/07990 765351

Llangoed Hall to represent Wales at hospitality industry’s ‘Oscars’

An award winning Mid Wales country house hotel, which is an exclusive Relais & Chateaux property, will be proudly flying the flag for Wales at this summer’s ‘Oscars’ for the UK’s hospitality industry.

Llangoed Hall at Llyswen, near Brecon is the only Welsh hotel shortlisted for an award at the 33^rd annual Catey Awards organised by The Caterer magazine.

The hotel is competing against two rivals - Oakley Court, Windsor and the University of Brighton - for the Sustainable Business Award, with the winners set to be revealed at a glittering event at London’s Grosvenor House on July 5.

The Cateys recognise the sector’s strongest performers, latest emerging brands and highest flyers as determined by the industry itself.

It’s the second time in a matter of months that Llangoed Hall and Oakley Court have been shortlisted for the same award. Last November, the pair were runners up for Sustainable Hotel of the Year at The Caterer’s Hotel Cateys 2015.

“We are proud to be flying the flag for Wales at The Cateys, which recognise the very best in the hospitality industry,” said Llangoed Hall’s managing director Calum Milne. “It’s very pleasing and rewarding that our sustainability policy has again been recognised and it shows the impact a small hotel in Mid Wales can make to the environment.

“Llangoed Hall embraces its environmental responsibility and is wholly committed to working towards a sustainable future. Our mission is to become a leader in environmentally friendly hotels.”

The hotel was accepted as an exclusive member of Relais & Chateaux, a global fellowship of individually owned and operated luxury hotels and restaurants, in January. There is only one other member property in Wales.

Mr Milne said the hotel wholeheartedly supports the vision of Relais & Chateaux to make the world a better place through cuisine and hospitality. The organisation’s mission is to preserve the diversity of the world’s cuisines and hospitality, to share the passion for the good and the beautiful and to work together to create a more humane world.

Llangoed Hall is no stranger to awards for sustainabilty. Last November, the hotel won the Best for Green Practises accolade at the 2016 Condé Nast Johansens Awards for Excellence and was also shortlisted for Eco Hotel of the Year at the 2015 AA Hospitality Awards.

The hotel’s garden supplies chefs with 95 per cent of the vegetables, herbs and fruit used on its summer menus. In addition, the hotel owns chickens, quails and ducks which provide guests with a choice of fresh eggs for breakfast and produces its own honey thanks to beehives in specially created flower meadows.

Inside the hotel, energy-saving light bulbs and timers on light fittings have been introduced, cooking oil is recycled for bio-fuels and toilets use 50 per cent less water than the average lavatory. Rooms have energy-saving hairdryers and motion sensor taps.

Rainwater is harvested to water plants and fill the duck pool and the hotel sold 4,000 plants from garden cuttings last year.

Picture caption:

Llangoed Hall at Llyswen, near Brecon.

Library buys manuscript of Shakespearean patron

On the eve of this weekend’s 400th anniversary commemorations of the death of William Shakespeare, the National Library of Wales in Aberystwyth has announced the purchase of a manuscript associated with the dedicatee of the First Folio of 1623.

Last December, the library purchased at auction in London a manuscript work by George Owen (c. 1598-1665) of Pembrokeshire, written around 1624 and containing an account of successive Earls Pembroke from the Norman Conquest to the first quarter of the 17th century.

Owen dedicated his manuscript to William Herbert (1580-1630), third Earl of Pembroke, a powerful courtier and patron of the arts in the Jacobean court and recipient of a joint-dedication by editors John Heminge and Henry Condell to the first collected edition of Shakespeare’s plays.

Herbert seems to have been a magnet for those who searched for advancement and favour at the Royal court and Owen’s dedication of a manuscript to him displays a clear intention of impressing a possible benefactor, a nobleman who was also his distant cousin.

The compact manuscript now acquired by the library, embellished with finely painted genealogical tables and a fine armorial, was intended to catch the nobleman’s eye and seems to have achieved its purpose.

Owen was an illegitimate son of the antiquary of the same name who became Wales’ first county historian. George Owen senior, author of The Description of Penbrockshire (1603) died in 1613, and his son wrote this new account of the earldom of Pembroke ‘to finish this work by him begotten ... for the benefitt of his younger children’, and to complete the task which his father ‘allwaies intended’.

Whatever the actual motivation for the work, the resulting patronage of Herbert seems to have propelled Owen junior from his home in Pembrokeshire to the heart of London courtly life. His nomination to the heraldic office of Rouge Croix pursuivant in February 1625 led to his further advancement as York Herald in December 1633, positions of influence in which he could indulge his passions for history and genealogy.

Although he turned his back on King Charles by supporting Parliament during the Civil Wars, he returned to royal favour in 1660 before retiring to Pembrokeshire the following year after a moderately successful life at court.

The library’s director of collections and public programmes, Pedr ap Llwyd, expressed his delight “in the acquisition of this unique text, the first work by George Owen junior to be represented in the Library’s holdings”.

He added: “The timing of the purchase is significant as it brings us ever closer to the personnel and culture of the Jacobean court frequented by Shakespeare and his associates.”

Whilst a copy of the Second Folio (1632) of Shakespeare’s plays is currently displayed in the library’s ‘Words of War’ exhibition, no copy of the First Folio is believed to be in Wales.

However, the library holds an unique contemporary manuscript poem addressed to John Heminge and Henry Condell, close associates of Shakespeare, in which they are praised for having presented the public with treasure greater than the gold of Mexico in the Bard’s Comedies, Histories, & Tragedies of 1623.

William Herbert, Earl of Pembroke, from Horatio Walpole’s 

A Catalogue of the Royal and Noble Authors of England, 

Scotland, and Ireland, vol. II (London, 1806).

Picture captions:

Top: George Owen’s ‘Catalogue of all the Earles of Penbroke’ (NLW MS 24076B), the newly acquired manuscript.

Ends

Note for editors:

Poem addressed to Heminge and Condell in the Salusbury of Lleweni Manuscript
(the poem is on p. 141).

Further Information: Elin-Hâf Tel: 01970 632471, email: post@llgc.org.uk

Ffestiniog Railway debuts £600,000 new train

The Ffestiniog & Welsh Highland Railways will debut a brand new train valued at £600,000 with a VIP trip from Tan y Bwlch to Beddgelert and back on Thursday, April 28.

VIPs including Lord Dafydd Elis-Thomas, Liz Saville Roberts, MP, Baron Dafydd Wigley, the High Sherriff and Lord Lieutenant of Gwynedd and Gwynedd County Councillors will join the railway’s senior management and members of the team responsible for the design and building of the carriages.

It's not often you get the chance to ride in a brand new train even on the national network. But this year, the Ffestiniog Railway is rolling out a luxury new train, allowing passengers to enjoy a journey through the heart of Snowdonia in unparalleled comfort.

With the opening of the Welsh Highland Railway throughout in 2011, it became clear that the gleaming new WHR stock rather outshone the carriages of its older sister. But in 2016, all that is set to change.

The Ffestiniog will not simply get a new carriage or two; it will get an entire new train, with a specification matching or even exceeding that of the Welsh Highland stock.

Taking pride of place is the £250,000 luxury Pullman observation car 150 which builds on the railway’s expertise with Glaslyn, one of the Welsh Highland’s Pullman cars named by Her Majesty the Queen in 2010.

Designed and built entirely in-house, 150 will take to the tracks this spring, together with its companion service car 125, which will enable Ffestiniog Railway passengers to enjoy the standards of service offered on Welsh Highland trains.

Along with the new observation car, two new standard class super saloons - offering what would be considered first class accommodation on most heritage railways - will form the core of the new train, which will eventually consist of 10 carriages capable of running over the entire 40-mile route between Blaenau Ffestiniog and Caernarfon. Each of these carriages carries a £100,000 price tag.

The railway has built its own carriages since the dawn of the restoration era 60 years ago. The reason is simple: standard gauge heritage lines have an ample supply of ex-British Rail carriages awaiting restoration, but narrow gauge railways have no such luxury.

There is no strategic reserve of narrow gauge rolling stock and certainly none that meet the standards of comfort and safety demanded in the 21st century.

Since the Ffestiniog reopened for traffic in the 1950s, it has steadily introduced new carriages and their design has evolved over the years. The railway has been at the forefront of passenger carrying innovation for more than 150 years and it is now one of the leading carriage makers in the UK.

In a few years’ time the F&WHR will boast two full sets of the larger WHR stock, while the FR will have two made up of slightly-smaller carriages and a third capable of operating on both lines.

Rather than an appointment with the scrapman's torch, the old FR carriages replaced by the new builds are being refurbished and finding a new lease of life at other UK narrow gauge lines.

Picture caption:

The new train carriages.

ends

For more information contact Andrew Thomas, Media Relations, Ffestiniog & Welsh Highland Railways, Phone: 01766 516072, Mobile: 07919 414871, Email: athomas@ffwhr.com

Six steam locos haul special train to raise £60,000 for railways

The Snowdonian - an annual 80 mile round trip covering the entire length of the Ffestiniog & Welsh Highland Railways - raised more than £60,000 for the railways’ Diamond Jubilee Appeal ran on Saturday.

The journey started at Porthmadog, running to Blaenau Ffestiniog behind locomotives Palmerston, Prince and David Lloyd George. On the return, the train paused at Boston Lodge and the locos were changed for Darjeeling Himalaya 19B, Linda and Blanche for the trip to Caernarfon and back.

The 10 coach train included the Beeches Light Railway's Carrabasset Parlor Car and the F&WHR's new luxury Pullman observation carriage 150, making its first public appearance.

Guests included the chief executive and chairman of Network Rail, Mark Carne and Sir Peter Hendy, Lord Faulkner of Worcester, president of the Railway Heritage Trust, Lord Dafydd Elis-Thomas and local MP Liz Saville Roberts.

Such was the demand for places on the special train that a second, the Snowdonian Limited, is planned for June 11. Places are still available at www.festrail.co.uk/appeal.

Darjeeling 19B also ran a private charter, the Tea Train, taking the Carrabasset Parlor Car to Rhyd Ddu and back for the highest bidders in a blind raffle.

A Darjeeling train, far from its homeland and on a special

run from Caernarfon to Blaenau Ffestiniog, on the height

 gaining spiral at Dduallt typical of the DHR in India.

Pic: Eryl Crump.

Network Rail CEO Mark Carne on the footplate 

of Linda at Pont Croesor. 

Pic: Gordon Rushton.

Picture captions:

Top: Palmerston, Prince and David Lloyd George at Tan y Bwlch.
Pic: Chris Parry

ends

Further info: Andrew Thomas, Media Relations, Ffestiniog & Welsh Highland Railways, Phone: 01766 516072, Mobile: 07919 414871, Email: athomas@ffwhr.com

Entries open for the Rallynuts Motorsport Severn Valley Stages

Regulations for this year’s Rallynuts Motorsport Severn Valley Stages are now available to download from a brand new website, www.severnvalleystages.co.uk

After securing a new sponsorship deal with Rallynuts Motorsport Ltd, the organisers have worked hard to bring a fresh new look to the 2016 rally, by offering nearly 45 miles of stages in some of the best forest locations that Wales has to offer.

After a break of six years, the Saturday, June 4 event will return to Radnor Forest for a fast and flowing stage before returning to the forests of Cefn, Crychan and Gwibedog. This offers competitors 64 per cent of single stage usage and all for an entry fee of £525.

The Royal Welsh Showground in Builth Wells will once again host the rally and provide an unrivalled venue for Rally HQ, scrutineering, attended overnight parking, start/finish, service area and the awards ceremony. Competitors will be flagged away at 8.30am on Saturday by the mayor, to tackle seven challenging stages, before returning for a champagne finish just after 3.30pm.

The event is proud to be a round of the Mintex MSA British Historic Rally Championship, Pirelli MSA Welsh Rally Championship, the new HRCR Stage Masters Challenge and is a reserve round of the FMP Rally Challenge.

With various payment methods, including “staged payments” and the offer of a full refund - until May 23 - should competitors find themselves unable to compete, there is no reason to delay in entering this year’s rally.

Entries secretary, Dave Lancaster, said: “Over the past few weeks, we have had many enquiries about this year’s rally, including some from overseas competitors. Our first entry came within minutes of the regulations being published, so I urge all competitors who are thinking about entering, not to delay. Our online system is very easy to use, but I’m here to help should you have any difficulties.”

The 2016 Rallynuts Motorsport Severn Valley Stages event regulations and online entry form are available on the brand new event website, visit www.severnvalleystages.co.uk

Or follow the event on social media: www.facebook.com/severnvalleystages
www.twitter.com/svsstages

Picture caption:

2015 overall event winners Bob Ceen and Andy Bull in their Subaru Impreza WRC. 
Image by AutoAviaPhotography

Friday deadline for employers and learners to enter VQ Awards in Wales

Time is running out for businesses and learners across Wales to enter this year’s Vocational Qualification (VQ) Awards as the closing date of noon on Friday, April 22 fast approaches.

The awards are organised by the Welsh Government, the National Training Federation for Wales (NTfW) and CollegesWales.

There are three award categories – employer of the year, intermediate learner of the year and higher level learner of the year. The intermediate award is for learners with qualifications up to level three, while the higher award is for qualifications from level four upwards.

The VQ Learner Awards recognise learners who clearly demonstrate progression and excellence in vocational studies and have made considerable achievements in their field. The VQ Employer Award focuses on employers who promote the value of vocational qualifications in the workplace and make a real contribution to improving the skills and national competitiveness.

Now in their ninth consecutive year, the awards coincide with VQ Day on June 8, a celebration of vocational qualifications for students, teachers, training providers and employers.

From the nominations received, three finalists in each category will be shortlisted and announced in early May. The winners will be revealed at an awards ceremony on the evening of June 7 at St David’s Hotel and Spa, Cardiff, the day before VQ Day. For more information about the awards and to download an application form please visit https://www.vqday.wales

Jenine Gill, director of Llantrisant-based Little Inspirations, winner of the 2015 VQ Employer of the Year Award, is encouraging employers and learners across Wales to put their names forward this year.

“You have absolutely nothing to lose and everything to gain and it’s a chance to receive some appreciation and recognition for the hard work you do,” she said. “If your company is investing in people and providing top quality services, then get your nomination in.

“For learners, if you have an inspirational story to tell about your learning journey which has brought you success, then the awards are for you.”

Little Inspirations, established 14 years ago, has children’s nurseries in Llantrisant, Rhydyfelin and Barry. The company is recognised as an Investors in People, a lifelong learning centre and the Llantrisant nursery has been identified as sector leading by Estyn.

Jenine, who is dyslexic and left school with minimum GCSEs, is passionate about vocational learning as a pathway to fulfilling the true potential of her staff to provide the optimum standard of care to children attending the nurseries. Every member of staff has either completed or is engaged in an Apprenticeship.

Learning providers across Wales are being encouraged to organise regional events to celebrate VQ Day and engage with learners of all ages. Vocational qualifications have never been more important to the economy and the individual, as they deliver the trained, talented employees that businesses are crying out for and ensure young people have the skills needed to succeed in education and work.

‘Big Bang’ planned for Talyllyn Railway Gala

There’s going to be a ‘Big Bang’ as Talyllyn Railway goes back to the 1970s for its ‘Road to Adventure Gala’ over the May Day Bank Holiday weekend, April 30 to May 2.

The event focuses on the 40th anniversary of the start of passenger services over the former mineral extension to Nant Gwernol in May, 1976, with events and activities that reflect the ‘70s.

As part of the celebrations, there will be a re-enactment of the first dynamite blast, which took place in 1970 and marked the start of the work to make the former goods line suitable for passenger services.

Originally this was performed by Tom Rolt, one of the pioneers who helped save Talyllyn Railway in 1951, making it the world’s first preserved railway. Mr Rolt christened the possible extension ‘The Road to Adventure’, a name which stuck and forms the title for the gala weekend.

On this occasion, it will be Tom’s son, Tim, who will be doing the honours on Saturday, April 30 at Abergynolwyn Station at around 12.40pm. This time, however, dynamite will not be involved. Also in attendance will be a number of the original ‘Gwerns’, which was the name given to those involved in the work on the extension.

On the Saturday as well, the railway will be operating a special intensive train service based on the 1975 peak service timetable from before the line opened to Nant Gwernol. Most trains will run between Tywyn and Abergynolwyn, with a special shuttle service operating between Abergynolwyn and Nant Gwernol.

Then, on the Sunday, they will be running the 1976 peak service timetable with most trains running through from Tywyn Wharf to Nant Gwernol. The first through train will be carrying the original opening headboard from 1976 and there will be a short ceremony at Abergynolwyn Station to mark the 40th anniversary of the opening.

Throughout the weekend there will be displays of ‘70s memorabilia, including, it is hoped, a number of classic vehicles from the period. There will also be a range of children’s activities featuring toys and games from the decade.

On the Bank Holiday Monday, the railway will feature two other significant anniversaries. The first is the 75th anniversary of its diesel locomotive No.5 Midlander. To mark the occasion, the locomotive, which normally hauls engineering trains, will be in charge of the railway’s vintage carriages for a special train.

The other locomotive with a significant anniversary is the railway’s newest steam locomotive, No.7 Tom Rolt, which entered service 25 years ago this year. Both locomotives will be at Abergynolwyn Station for a special ceremony to commemorate these milestone events on the Monday lunchtime.

A spokesperson for the railway said: “Throughout our 150th anniversary celebrations we have been moving through the decades, from Victorian times through the 1920s and ‘50s until we have now reached the ‘70s. We know this weekend will be a lot of fun, bringing back many memories for people, so why not dig out those flares and platform shoes and come along?”

The final gala of the railway’s 150th anniversary celebrations is scheduled to be held over the weekend of July 1-3. Called ‘The Grand Finale’, it will feature a unique line-up of all the surviving UK based locomotives constructed by the locomotive building Fletcher, Jennings & Co. This will include the Talyllyn Railway’s own original locomotives No.1 Talyllyn and No.2 Dolgoch.

Picture caption:

Locomotive No.2 Dolgoch heads up the new extension with the opening train in May 1976 a scene that will be recreated as part of the Talyllyn’s ‘Road To Adventure Gala’ between April 30 and May 2.

ends

Editor’s notes

Talyllyn Railway is a narrow gauge railway opened for goods traffic in 1865 and shortly after for passenger services, which have operated every year since between Tywyn on the west coast of Wales and Nant Gwernol just over seven miles inland. In 1951 operation of 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.
For further information about this press release please e-mail: pressoffice@talyllyn.co.uk or phone either 0113 281 8235 or 01654 710472.

Artists in the Archives: 60 Years of 56 Group Wales

The Artists in the Archives: 60 Years of 56 Group Wales exhibition opens at The National Library of Wales, Aberystwyth on April 16.

This exhibition, which runs until September 10, explores 60 years of 56 Group Wales, one of the longest established exhibiting groups of professional artists in Wales. It comprises a selection from the group's extensive archive, recently donated to the library, complemented by artworks mainly from the library's collection.

Curator David Moore said: “I am delighted that the National Library has accepted the group's important archive, the survival of which is largely due to the late Mary Griffiths who was its secretary for 27 years.
“The exhibition highlights the group's historically formidable exhibiting power, frequent visits to the Continent and vital role in promoting the professional artist in Wales.”

The 56 Group was founded by Cardiff Art College lecturers Eric Malthouse and David Tinker together with artist and architect Michael Edmonds. While much concerned with abstraction, the work was broadly modernist and some was figurative.
Members were frustrated at a lack of exhibiting opportunities for their work in Wales. “The need was felt,” wrote Tinker, “to voice a clear radical point of view...”

Nine artists accepted an invitation to join: painters George Fairley, Robert Hunter, Heinz Koppel, Will Roberts, John Wright and Ernest Zobole; painter and constructivist Arthur Giardelli and sculptors Trevor Bates and Hubert Dalwood. All except Roberts were art lecturers and only Brenda Chamberlain declined.
The opportunity to exhibit was a bigger attraction than a circulated statement of aims. The group's first exhibition, due to one of Giardelli's contacts, was held at Worcester in 1957 and toured to Cardiff and Tenby.
The public response was sometimes hostile. Several works were vandalised at the National Museum in 1960, the only occasion all founder members exhibited together.

Over the decades the group has, inevitably, changed its character and has included artists working in a range of styles.

Jaimie Thomas, exhibitions officer at The National Library of Wales, said: “We are extremely grateful to the 56 Group Wales for donating their archive to the National Library. The exhibition will be a fitting tribute to the group's longevity and a celebration of its 60 year contribution to Welsh and international art.”

The National Library will be exhibiting artworks by three of the founder members - David Tinker, Eric Malthouse and Arthur Giardelli - as well as works by Jeffrey Steele, Tom Hudson, Mary Lloyd Jones, Peter Prendergast, Shani Rhys James and Dilys Jackson. Specially-commissioned photographs of new members by Tiff Oben are also included.

In the show visitors will get a chance to see a signed letter from Yoko Ono who was invited to an event by the group in 1968. The letter read: “I’m sorry I have no idea what I’ll be doing, but I’ll be there. Fifty pounds plus expenses will be alright.”
To the group's embarrassment, she did not turn up but sent a chauffeur-driven limousine carrying a signed photograph of herself. The group responded by sending her a photograph of the torn up £50 cheque!

The exhibition will be officially opened on Saturday, April 16 by Mary Lloyd Jones, the first woman to join the group in the late ‘70s.

Photograph sent to Yoko Ono of her torn fee-cheque, June 17, 1968, after she 

sent a photograph of herself by chauffeur-driven car instead of arriving in person.

Pete Williams, group chairman, photographed by Tiff Oben as part of the 

60th anniversary recording project funded by Brecknock Art Trust, 2016.

Self portrait by Tiff Oben, group secretary, as part of the 60th anniversary

 recording project funded by Brecknock Art Trust, 2016.

Image captions:

Top: Members spanning the entire history of the 56 Group Wales at the launch in 1969 of a Breton Welsh Artists exhibition at University College Cardiff are (from left): founder members Arthur Giardelli and Eric Malthouse and Christopher Shurrock, who has been exhibiting regularly since 1967. 

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

Unique opportunity to micro-volunteer on-line with the National Library of Wales

Would you like to volunteer and contribute to a good cause, but don’t have the time for a regular volunteering role? If so, have you considered micro-volunteering?

Tomorrow, Friday, April 15, is Micro-volunteering Day and the Cynefin project, based at The National Library of Wales is looking for people to take a couple of minutes out of their day to make a difference.

The Cynefin project is digitising the tithe maps of Wales and is looking for volunteers to help transcribe and georeference these historic maps from the 1840s on-line. The crowdsourcing project already has more than 700 volunteers based all over the world.

Cynefin’s project manager, Einion Gruffudd said: “The beauty of this volunteering role is that there is no commitment; you can do as much or as little as you like, as and when you can, from the comfort of your own home.”

The micro-volunteering tasks on the cynefin.wales website can be done at a time and pace which suits each individual. By giving just 10 minutes of your time you can help contribute towards Wales’ heritage and the nation’s collective memory.

Following the project, the tithe maps will be freely available and accessible to all online. The work carried out by volunteers will make the 1,200 tithe maps and the 30,000 pages of associated historical documents fully searchable in innovative ways.

The documents contain names of landowners, land occupiers and field names and will be a valuable resource for anyone researching their family history or local history.

So remember, if you’ve got 10 minutes to spare this Friday, your contribution can go a long way!

Further information from Einion Gruffudd: 01970 632 842 einion.gruffudd@llgc.org.uk or
Carys Evans: 01970 632 416 carys.evans@llgc.org.uk

ends

Notes for editor:

• The Cynefin: Mapping Wales’ sense of Place project is run by a partnership led by Archives Wales, and also includes the National Library of Wales and People’s Collection Wales. The majority of its funding comes from the Heritage Lottery Fund; the project is also supported by the Welsh Government through the Museums, Archives and Libraries Division, the National Library of Wales and Archives Wales.

• Cynefin was launched in November 2014. To find out more visit the website: cynefin.wales; follow Cynefin on twitter @CynefinProject, or contact cynefin@llgc.org.uk or 01970 632 416.

‘Pushing Boundaries’ exhibition traces history of Girlguiding in Wales

An exhibition titled ‘Pushing Boundaries’, which traces the history of Girlguiding Cymru from its establishment in 1910 to the present day, opens at The National Library of Wales, Aberystwyth on April 23.

Using photographs and original items from the Girlguiding Cymru archive as well as the library’s collections, the exhibition will look at how the movement has pushed the boundaries and impacted on the lives of girls over the years.

The exhibition, which will be opened by Girlguiding Cymru’s Chief Commissioner Lesley Mathews, will run until the beginning of September.

Linda Tomos, national librarian at The National Library of Wales, said: “This is a fascinating exhibition which explores how Girlguiding has influenced perceptions about what girls and young women are capable of achieving.

“I am delighted that the partnership with Girlguiding Cymru and the People’s Collection Wales has succeeded in raising awareness of the work of this wonderful organisation.”

Viv Craig, Girlguiding Cymru’s Deputy Chief Commissioner, said: “The exhibition is the culmination of two years of work in partnership with the library. Girlguiding has benefitted enormously from the expertise and knowledge that the library has shared with them, from developing and digitising its archive, sharing the details on the Peoples Collection Wales, to gaining national qualifications through the learning and intergenerational work that has taken place.

“Great relationships have been formed throughout this partnership which Girlguiding hopes will continue and flourish well into the next decade. As a result of all this work, leaders have come to appreciate the value of libraries – Girlguiding couldn’t have done this work without the library’s support.”

Recognition of this partnership has been acknowledged by the Heritage Lottery Fund, enabling Girlguiding to continue working with the library to develop current technology using iBeacons and apps to promote the ‘Young Roots’ heritage in Guiding in Wales.

In the exhibition visitors will get a chance to see:
• Some of the uniforms worn by girls when the organisation first began
• The rugby ball that was transported around each of the Girlguiding Counties before the start of last year’s World Cup
• The plane pull which raised money for the air ambulance
• How girls of today ‘push boundaries’
• The tapestry depicting Girlguiding through the years, made by the Welsh Trefoil Guild

Ends

Editor’s Notes

Girlguiding is the leading charity for girls and young women in the UK, with 559,996 members. Thanks to the dedication and support of 100,000 amazing volunteers, the charity is active in every part of the UK, giving girls and young women a space where they can be themselves, have fun, build brilliant friendships, gain valuable life skills and make a positive difference to their lives and their communities.
The charity builds girls’ confidence, raises their aspirations and gives them the chance to discover their full potential and encourage them to be a powerful force for good. Girlguiding runs Rainbows (five to seven years), Brownies (seven to 10 years), Guides (10 to 14 years) and The Senior Section (14 to 25 years). Registered Charity No. 306016. www.girlguiding.org.uk

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

First batch of new artisan Welsh gin sells out in days

A commercial distillery specialising in artisan gins has opened for business in the Dyfi Valley in Mid Wales.

Within days of opening, The Dyfi Distillery’s first batch of Dyfi Original Gin had sold out, which prompted family members to be drafted in to prepare botanicals by hand.

The business, based at Corris Craft Centre, near Machynlleth, is owned and run by brothers Pete and Danny Cameron with input from both of their families.

Pete, who has lived in the Dyfi Valley for 35 years and runs a small hill farm with his wife, is a local forager and beekeeper with a scientific background. Danny is a wine and spirits professional with 30 years’ experience, including as an international-standard judge and the brothers started planning the distillery two years ago.

“The Dyfi Valley matrix has been recognised by UNESCO as a rare example of a Biosphere Reserve since 2012 and this gives us local access to both amazing water quality and a diversity of botanicals that we can forage sustainably to make very distinctive gin,” said Pete. “We then devised some fairly bespoke methods to create something extra special.”

This has involved having two small stills custom-made in Colorado, with further modification once they arrived in Wales. Each still can produce a batch of around 85 bottles.

“We have enjoyed both respecting tradition and challenging convention every step of the way,” said Danny. “There is a wonderful growth in craft-distilling across the United Kingdom but our pathway is a pretty singular one.

“Unlike most small distilleries, we have a shop and visitor area which is open to curious visitors, although we have a backlog of interest both home and abroad for when we have released our second gin.

“The drinks industry is a fairly small place and buyers are recognising that we are doing things a little differently, in a very special place.”

For the moment, though, the challenge is to keep up with local demand. The Dyfi Distillery opens daily from 10am to 5pm from Easter to October.

Pete and Danny Cameron at The Dyfi Distillery.

Picture caption:

Top: A bottle from the first batch of Dyfi Original Gin. 

END

Editors’ Notes:

The Dyfi Distillery is one of nine craft studios at Corris Craft Centre where a range of items are designed and handmade.

Further information available from: Shirley Owen, Corris Craft Centre’s marketing manager, on email: shirleyowen06@aol.com or Tel: 01686 668301.

‘Townsend Hook’ makes it five out of five at Talyllyn Railway

‘Townsend Hook’ will be coming to the Talyllyn Railway’s ‘Grand Finale Gala’ from July 1-3, providing railway enthusiasts with a once in a lifetime opportunity to see all five of the surviving Fletcher, Jennings locomotives based in the UK in one place.

Based at the Amberley Museum and Heritage Centre in West Suss, ‘Townsend Hook’ will be on static display at Tywyn Wharf Station. It will be joining its sister locomotive ‘William Finlay’, which has recently been purchased by the Narrow Gauge Museum Trust based at Tywyn Wharf Station. Both were originally supplied to the Dorking Greystone Lime Co. in 1880 and were built to the unusual gauge of 3 ft 2¼ in.

A third Fletcher, Jennings locomotive, the standard gauge ‘Captain Baxter’, will be in steam at Tywyn Wharf on a specially laid section of track. It is normally based on the Bluebell Railway in East Sussex and was also built for Dorking Greystone in 1877.

This will be the first time a standard gauge locomotive will be in steam on Talyllyn property and it is believed that this will also be the first time all three of the Dorking locomotives will be seen together since the quarry closed in 1960.

Also present will be Talyllyn Railway’s own Fletcher, Jennings locomotives, ‘Talyllyn’ built in 1864, and ‘Dolgoch’ dating from 1866. All will be participating in the ‘Grand Finale’ event, which celebrates ‘Dolgoch’s’ 150th anniversary and will also bring the railwa’s 150th birthday celebrations to a close.

The firm of Fletcher, Jennings was established at the Lowca Engineering Works in Whitehaven, Cumbria, in 1857. It produced nearly 200 locomotives before it became Lowca Engineering Company Ltd in 1884.

Now only nine locomotives made at the Lowca works survive in the world, five in the UK, one in Sweden and three in Mauritius. Of these only three are currently able to be steamed, with only ‘Talyllyn’ and ‘Dolgoch’ in regular everyday use.

Speaking about ‘The Grand Finale’ eve, a spokesperson for the Talyllyn Railway said: “Events are often described as ‘once in a lifetime’, but this can truly be said to be one. It is the first time all the surviving Fletcher, Jennings locomotives in the UK have been brought together; the first time all of the steamable Fletcher, Jennings locomotives in the world have been in action together; the first time that a standard gauge locomotive will have been in operation at Tywyn Wharf Station and the first time all the Dorking Greystone locomotives have been seen together since the quarry closed.

“This truly will make it a unique event and will indeed be a ‘Grand Finale’ to our 150th anniversary celebrations. We are grateful to those at the Amberley Museum and Heritage Centre and also the Bluebell Railway for making this possible.”

Picture caption:

‘Townsend Hook’ is currently undergoing cosmetic restoration at Amberley Museum and Heritage Centre.
(Photo: Mike Bone, Amberley Rail Group)

Editor’s notes

Talyllyn Railway is a narrow gauge railway opened for goods traffic in 1865 and shortly after for passenger services, which have operated every year since between Tywyn on the west coast of Wales and Nant Gwernol just over seven miles inland. In 1951 operation of 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.

For further information about this press release please e-mail: pressoffice@talyllyn.co.uk or phone either 0113 281 8235 or 01654 710472.

Epic 15-hour exploration and sleepover in former Welsh slate mine

A brave group of intrepid explorers celebrated the Great Weekend of Welsh Adventure (April 2-3) by spending 15 hours exploring, scrambling and climbing their way around a former slate mine in Mid Wales.

After an evening meal in the historic Slaters Arms, the explorers entered the abandoned Braich Goch slate mine at Corris, near Machynlleth with Corris Mine Explorers  at 8.30pm ahead of a five hour exploration.

This adventurous trip included many challenges for the group before reaching the cavern where they would spend the night.  After hot drinks, snacks and late night chatter, candles were blown out at 2.30am.

More exploration followed the next day which took the explorers deeper into the mine and to “off-piste” areas. In these parts of the mine the miners’ original clog prints can be seen in the mud.

Areas deep in the mine, such as this, are not visited on normal trips as they are just too far away to reach. The underground sleepover adventure allowed more time for new territory to be explored.

After more ledges, scrambling, climbing, mud and water the epic explorers emerged mid-morning to a full Welsh breakfast in the adjoining Y Crochan Café.

Mark Waite, the underground sleepover guide, said: “The group of explorers were really tested, physically and mentally, with adventurous challenges coupled with very little sleep! They celebrated the Great Weekend of Welsh Adventure with an epic and unique underground sleepover adventure.”

During the Year of Adventure, Corris Mine Explorers opens daily for explorations of between one and four hours. Advance booking essential.

Epic explorers with their official #FindYourEpic badges 

as they tuck in to a well earned breakfast.

Picture caption:

Top: Explorers enjoying a snack during the underground sleepover.

  

END

For further information contact Shirley Owen, Corris Mine Explorers’ marketing manager, on

Tel: 01686 668301 or email: shirleyowen06@aol.com

Mid Wales hotel offers Severn Bridge toll refunds to staying guests

A Mid Wales hotel has decided to go one step further than Chancellor of the Exchequer George Osborne to attract visitors from across the Severn Bridge this year.

After the Chancellor announced plans is his recent Budget to reduce toll charges on the bridge, Caer Beris Manor Hotel at Builth Wells came up with its own good news for motorists.

People using the hotel’s website - www.caerberis.com – to book a stay and travelling across the Severn Bridge will have the cost of their toll charge taken off their bill. All they need to do is produce the toll charge receipt for the day they check in.

Current toll charges are £6.60 for vehicles up to nine seats, £13.20 for small small buses up to 17 seats or goods vehicles up to 3,500kg and £19.80 for buses with 18 seats or more and goods vehicles of more than 3,500kg.

Until the end of April, the hotel is also offering a half price overnight stay with a seven course tasting menu for £99 a room during the week, with a £20 per person weekend supplement. Bookings are by telephone only on 01982 552601.

Fishing courses arranged by the hotel are proving as popular as ever. Two fly fishing courses run by Charles Jardine during April have sold out and more dates are being added in the autumn. Steve Pope’s barbel fishing course on September 11 is also full and a further three day course is being added during the same month. For details contact the hotel.

The hotel is appealing for photographs of couples who have held their wedding receptions at Caer Beris Manor since 1987 to share on its website and newsletter. Some couples who were married 25 years ago are now returning to celebrate their silver wedding anniversary.

Caer Beris Manor Hotel is a member of MWT, an independent organisation representing around 600 tourism and hospitality businesses in Mid and South Wales.

Picture caption:

Caer Beris Manor Hotel.

  

Ends

For more information contact Peter and Katharine Smith on Tel: 01982 552601.

Exhibitors and fibre fans flock to Wonderwool Wales

More than 200 exhibitors and fibre fans in their thousands will be flocking to this year’s Wonderwool Wales at the Royal Welsh Showground, Builth Wells on April 23 and 24.

Now in its 11th year, the annual showcase for Welsh and British wool and natural fibres attracts national and international visitors and exhibitors from all over the UK. It features just over 220 stalls selling quality wares and attracts well in excess of 5,000 national and international visitors to the region.

Originally set up in 2006 to boost the market for Welsh wool and woollen products, Wonderwool Wales has grown year on year to become the premier wool and natural fibre festival in the Principality. It now showcases everything from the start to the end of the creative process, from live animals bred for their quality fleeces through to fabulous finished fashions and furnishings.  

Livestock exhibitors at this year’s show include Bird Farm Alpacas; Ystrad from Wales, whose traditional British breeds and their cross-bred lambs are bred for their fleeces; the Ryeland Flock Book Society, promoting  the use of this ancient breed's wool and yarn; Pure Welsh showcasing wool from their flock of Llanwenogs; the Shetland Sheep Society, showing how this breed has fine fleeces in many colours and patterns; Home Farm Wensleydales, who breed Wensledyale and Bluefaced Leicester sheep for their wool and Pickwick Flock with rare breed pedigree Cotswold sheep, producing high lustre silk like spinning fleeces.     

With a wealth of other quality exhibitors, the show is pure heaven for the fibre enthusiast who will find raw and hand dyed fibres, yarn in a rainbow of colours, embellishments, equipment, dyes, books and patterns.

For the fashion conscious, Purl Alpaca Designs will be showcasing their Journey Collection of stunning knitwear designs for men and women, inspired by the roaring ‘20s. Launched in October, to rave reviews, it’s the first time the collection will be shown in Wales.

Wonderwool Wales also features stalls selling superb examples of finished fibre crafts including textile art, felted items, craft, home furnishings and clothes. Other highlights include the magnificent community knitting exhibit Above and Below the Waves, a nautical nine metre by six metre exhibit which combines contributions from more than 2000 people.

There’s a popular programme of pre-bookable Woolschools with something to inspire everyone, whether their interest is knitting, crochet, felting, weaving, spinning or fleece preparation. Topics include mapuche weaving techniques, the sought-after opportunity to join the talented Jenny Barnett and learn how to make a lovely little needle felt fish brooch and a Woolschool with Sarah Enoch to create a ‘cobweb’ felt scarflet using wet felting techniques.

There’s also the chance to join a workshop in the ever-useful life-skill of upcycling boring old jumpers into fabulous and funky new garments.

The show also provides opportunities to join in with have-a-go sessions and demonstrations on many of the exhibitor stands; take part in hands-on activities in the interactive area and watch demonstrations by members of the Welsh Guilds of Weavers, Spinners and Dyers.

Once craftspeople and makers have shopped ‘til they drop, they can put their feet up and enjoy delicious refreshments from a range of artisan food producers and entertainment from the quirky fashion show, the Sheepwalk, which gives exhibitors the chance to show off their creations. If previous years are a guide, it is guaranteed to be fabulous fun. It is all part of what makes Wonderwool Wales a much-anticipated date in the calendar.

Wonderwool Wales 2016 takes place on April 23 and 24, 2016 at the Royal Welsh Showground, Llanelwedd, Builth Wells, Powys LD2 3SY.

Opening hours:  10am to 5.30pm on Saturday  and 10am to 4.30pm on Sunday. Tickets cost £10 for adults and children under 16 get in free. On-line booking is available, postage costs apply.

For more details visit www.wonderwoolwales.co.uk; email enquiries@wonderwoolwales.co.uk or phone 01938 820495 / 07980 913972 / 01873 821205.

Jenny Barnett will lead a Woolschool showing how to make 

a needle felt fish brooch. Photo: Jenny Barnett

See the fabulous community knitting project Above and Below

 the Waves at Wonderwool Wales. Photo: Alison Murray

The Ryeland Flock Book Society will be exhibiting.

 Photo: J. Donovan.

Photos:

Top: One of the designs from Purl Alpaca’s Journey Collection.

-ends-

For more information please contact: Sharon Chilcott, PR Adviser to Wonderwool Wales 01531 671058/07990 765351