Tom secures second place in British Rally Championship

A family-owned Aberdyfi hotel was celebrating at the weekend after watching Tom Cave and co-driver James Morgan, deliver a perfect performance on the Rally Isle of Man to secure second place in this year’s MSA British Rally Championship.

From the moment the seventh and final round of the season started on Thursday evening through to its conclusion on Saturday afternoon, Tom, whose family owns the Trefeddian Hotel, Aberdovey and James from Hirwaun never put a foot wrong and reaped the rewards of their efforts, not just for this event, but for the whole of the 2016 season.

With fellow Welshman Elfyn Evans claiming the BRC title on the previous round in Northern Ireland, Tom went to the rally knowing exactly what he had to do in order to retain his second place in the championship.

Goal number one was to finish - not an easy task over a total of 167 competitive miles split into 20 stages on roads that have a reputation for the demands they put on cars and crews.

Goal number two was to score enough points to stay ahead of the four other crews that could challenge for the runners-up spot. But that wouldn’t be easy either, as double points are awarded for the last round of the championship.

Focused and determined, Tom set off for the first of Thursday evening’s three stages with the aim of staying out of trouble, but at the same time not lose time to his rivals. And that’s exactly what he did, getting back to Douglas for the overnight halt, not only second in the BRC standings, but second in the overall event behind Evans.

Friday was to be the longest day with 11 stages planned. Throughout it, James kept a close eye on the stage times of the crews that mattered and Tom adjusted his pace accordingly.

Another faultless performance by car and crew meant they skillfully maintained their BRC position by the end of the day and now held third place, with Manxman Mark Higgins - who wasn’t registered for the BRC and therefore not taking any points - now heading the field.

For Tom, James and the Spencer Sport team, they knew that Saturday’s six stages were to be the most important of the season. The team gave Tom the best car they could, whilst inside the Fiesta it was a case of 100% concentration and no mistakes for the remaining 60 stage miles.

But Tom and James were in the zone and an exemplary drive on the final day saw them cross the finish line at the TT Grandstand having maintained position behind Evans - who had retaken the lead - and Higgins.

After the rally, an elated Tom said: “I’m really pleased we were able to maintain such a good pace throughout the rally and I was able to push when we needed to push to stay ahead of our rivals.

“Second in the BRC is the best outcome we could have hoped for, not just for this event, but for the season overall. We always knew it was going to be tough to beat Elfyn and we were up against so many top drivers. But I’ve had a great team around me and that has made such a difference.

“Not only have Spencer Sport given me a car that’s performed faultlessly throughout the year, but James’ and the team’s support and commitment to what we needed to achieve has been incredible. Testimony to this is the fact that we are one of only two crews in the whole of the British Rally Championship field that has scored points on all seven rounds.

“I would therefore like to thank James for his work inside the car, the team for their work outside it, plus all of my sponsors and supporters, including the Trefeddian Hotel, Michelin and team boss Jamie Jukes, for letting me drive his car! It’s been a fantastic season.”

Tom Cave and James Morgan in action in the Rally Isle of Man.

Picture caption:

Top: Tom Cave and James Morgan celebrate securing second place in the MSA British Rally Championship.

Felin Fach Griffin regains Dining Pub of the Year Award in Wales

The Felin Fach Griffin has been named Dining Pub of the Year for Wales in the 35th anniversary edition of the 2017 Good Pub Guide published earlier this month.

The Griffin at Felin Fach, near Brecon reclaims its crown, taking the award for the sixth time in seven years having been dethroned in the 2016 guide. Hosted by Julie Bell, The Griffin is a seven bedroomed inn owned since 2000 by brothers Charles and Edmund Inkin through their company EATDRINKSLEEP.

It has a thriving restaurant and bar that is a base for the community, supporting local producers, brewers and growers, as well as having its own kitchen garden.  It follows the brothers’ belief in “the simple things done well”, a philosophy which was developed during their dairy farming childhood in neighbouring Monmouthshire.

The Inkin brothers also own The Gurnard’s Head, near St Ives and The Old Coastguard, an iconic seaside hotel in nearby Mousehole.  Both have recently been awarded gold awards in the annual Taste of the West hospitality awards and both achieve bedroom occupancy levels of over 90% year round.  The group now employs more than 120 people in Wales and in Cornwall.

The 2016 Good Pub Guide said of The Felin Fach Griffin: “Highly thought of dining pub with home-grown vegetables among its carefully sourced ingredients, a fine range of drinks and upbeat rustic décor….. this well run dining pub is a civilised place for a first class meal – or even better, a relaxing break.”

Edmund Inkin said: “I never take greater pleasure than when the team rebound from a knock, so to win this award, having lost the crown last year, is a proper pat on the back for the team who have put in a magnificent shift this year.”

The 2017 Good Pub Guide is published by Ebury Press and is an independent guide featuring more than 5,000 pubs. Entry is by selection only and is based on reviews by 2,000 of the guide’s readership.

Picture:

The Felin Fach Griffin's welcoming interior.

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Media Enquiries: Philippa Hodson 07980 444 961 philippa.hodson@gmail.com  
Edmund Inkin 07786 932 755 edmund@eatdrinksleep.ltd.uk

Aber-fan disaster remembered 50 years on in library exhibition

On the morning of Friday, October 21, 1966, tragedy struck Aber-fan, the small mining village in South Wales.  The valley around the village had been piled high with spoil from the nearby Merthyr Vale Colliery and, shortly after 9am, ‘Tip 7’ began to move.

Within minutes a vast landslip of shale and coal dust hurtled down the mountain, mixing with underlying water and engulfing everything in its path. Around 1,000 tonnes of colliery spoil wiped away two farm cottages, several houses and tore into the side of Pantglas Junior School.

A total of 144 people lost their lives in the disaster, 116 of them children, triggering a profoundly emotional response not only in Wales but also throughout the international community.

Thousands rushed to help with the rescue effort while sympathies and financial support poured in from other countries as well.

Over a period of 50 years since that black October in 1966, a myriad of poets, writers, photographers, musicians, media professionals and others have commemorated the tragedy and the lives lost in their own unique way.

A special exhibition is running at The National Library of Wales, Aberystwyth from until January 14, 2017, which focuses on the response to the disaster and allows the library itself to remember that which was lost.

The exhibition includes various photographs of the disaster and the days that followed, remembrance literature, including poetry and articles, a collection of stills from ITV Cymru Wales news programmes and a coal installation which has been created especially for this exhibition to remember anew, 50 years later.

During this period, there will also be an opportunity to see a photographic collection by I. C. Rapoport as part of ‘The Days After’ exhibition, which commemorates the Aber-fan disaster and record the residents’ attempts to come to terms with life after the tragedy.

Photographer I. C Rapoport said: “In New York I watched news report after news report from Aber-fan and, with my four-month-old son lying nearby, was deeply affected by the tragedy. I had an overwhelming desire to photograph that Welsh mining village—after the first horde of journalists had finally given up the story of the disaster—to photograph the life that ensued.”

Linda Tomos, national librarian, said: "It is fitting that the National Library commemorates the Aber-fan disaster through this special exhibition. Although half a century has passed, the event is still fresh in the memories of all of us and the grief remains.

“In visiting the exhibition, not only is the scale of the disaster for the whole nation apparent, but also the enormity of the loss to the families who lost their children and loved ones is striking. It is very hard even today to comprehend the extent of this tragedy.”

Kerry Vale Vineyard the only gold in regional wine competition

Kerry Vale Vineyard is celebrating after winning multiple trophies and awards, including the only gold, at a prestigious regional competition.

Following four national awards this summer, the vineyard just outside Montgomery celebrating again, having won a three trophies and seven more awards for their wines at the Mercian Vineyard Association’s esteemed competition.

The vineyard won trophies for its ‘Shropshire Lady’ dry white wine: the Renishaw Trophy for Best White, the Tanners Trophy for Best 2015 Vintage and the Attingham Trophy for Wine of the Year. ‘Shropshire Lady’ also won the only gold awarded in the whole competition.

To top this off, the vineyard achieved two silver awards, one for its Sparkling White Wine and one for ‘Red Denarii’ red wine, a bronze award for its Sparkling Rose wine and three highly commended for its ‘Summer Days’ medium dry white wine, Kerry Rose medium rose wine and ‘Red Kite’, a lightly oaked red wine.

Mercian Vineyard Association (MVA) is open to both commercial and private vineyards with a total of 56 vineyard members. It encompasses vineyards from a huge region covering the Scottish and Welsh Borders to the north and west and Staffordshire and Lincolnshire to the south and east.

The MVA’s annual wine challenge took place this year at Hothorpe Hall in Leicestershire on September 4. There were seven categories from dry white to sparkling. Wines were judged by five judges, led by head judge, Master of Wine Mr David Bird.

Owner June Ferguson said: “This has been a fantastic year for us and we are thrilled to have picked up all of these awards – taking us up to 11 so far this year!  This is great news for English and Welsh wines too. There has been a revival of interest over the last few years and the quality is greatly improved and much more consistent – consumers are now recognising the high standards of the world-class produce the UK has to offer."

She described their award-winning, best seller ‘Shropshire Lady’, which is available in the vineyard shop and a number of local restaurants, as "dry and light with a beautiful crisp acidity". She added: “The cool climate gives a fresh and light style to our wines that sets them apart from their International counterparts, as more delicate grapes mean the wines retain a more subtle, fruity flavour which is often lost in rival countries offerings”.

Kerry Vale’s award winning wine may be sampled at the vineyard’s shop and wine café or during a tour from next spring, when visitors will be able to find out how the vines are grown and maintained to achieve the best quality grapes.  Hampers are also now available for Christmas. Visit www.kerryvalevineyard.co.uk

Picture caption:

Geoff and June Ferguson with some of the awards won by Kerry Vale Vineyard.

ENDS

Notes to Editors:

About Kerry Vale Vineyard
Kerry Vale Vineyard is a small, family run, English vineyard situated on the Welsh / English border of rural Shropshire. Planted in 2010 and covering six acres of farmland, the vineyard resides at the eastern tip of the Kerry Vale - an area of outstanding natural beauty and just 3 miles south of the charming village of Montgomery.

Our Vines
Kerry Vale Vineyard is home to 6,000 vines.  We have three varieties - Rondo, Pheonix & Solaris, all ideally suited for our English climate. Spaced at 1.2m in rows 2.3m apart - there are 62 rows with a combined length from the first vine to the last of just under 13 kilometres or approximately 8 miles!

High Quality Wines
We are dedicated to producing wines of only the highest quality, utilising time honoured viticulture practices in the vineyard to produce the best possible fruit. We have selected disease resistant varieties which keep spraying to a minimum and we pay a great deal of attention to canopy management, maximising air flow through the canopy and sun and light exposure to suit the season. Our grapes produce red, white and rosé still wines and sparkling wine.

Explore a beautiful part of unspoilt Mid Wales with audio guided walks

Traditional folk tales and the history, industry and culture one of the most beautiful parts of rural Mid Wales are celebrated in a series of audio guided walks that has been made available to download for free from https://afonleri.com/

The four audio guides - Teithiau Leri - Leri Walks - lead walkers down the River Leri from its source in Craigypistyll to where it joins the sea at Ynyslas, near Aberystwyth in Northern Ceredigion.

From the highland plateau of Nant-y-moch to the vast plain of the Dyfi Estuary, the audio guides recount the traditional folk tales of the area, tell the personal stories of the locals and give the long history of industry and culture in Cwm Eleri, all while guiding walkers through some of the most beautiful woods and valleys in Mid Wales.

The course of the River Leri is split into four paths, each stretch taking between three and four hours to complete. Walkers can listen to the guides at their leisure as they walk the paths, deepening their connection to the landscape as they hear its many stories.

Autumn is wonderful time to explore the multi-coloured landscapes of Mid Wales, which is blessed with some of the most natural and unspoilt scenery in the whole of the UK.

The four audio guides are available to download for free from https://afonleri.com/
where there is also the opportunity for walkers to share their own comments and responses and any other local knowledge they may come across.

The project was funded by Cronfa Eleri, they community fund provided by Mynydd Gorddu Windfarm. It was also supported by the Cymerau project that has provided many public events in the area over the last year.

The audio guides have been created and narrated by two local artists, Gwilym Morus-Baird and Jane Lloyd Francis, who took part in the Cymerau project.

“Jane and I were funded by the Cymerau project go do community arts projects in the Talybont area and we recorded a series of interviews with local people for a half hour radio programme,” explained Gwilym.

“It had always been my intention to create audio guided walks and this seemed an ideal opportunity to combine the two. It took us two months to research, plan and script the walks and then record them. The walks are not too strenuous, so should be accessible to most people.”

To find out more information about things to see and do and places to stay in Mid Wales, check out http://www.showmewales.co.uk/

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For more information, please contact Gwilym on 07840 880594 / gwilmor@gmail.com

National Library exhibitions remember Aberfan

The National Library of Wales, Aberystwyth is presenting two exhibitions to commemorate one of Wales' most tragic coal-mining disasters of the 20th century, Aberfan, from September 17 to January 14, 2017.

It was on every news station that October morning. A mountain had fallen on a junior school in Aberfan, Scores of children were dead or missing along with many of their teachers. It was Friday, October 21, 1966.

Moved by the tragic news reports from Aberfan, photographer I. C. Rapoport travelled from New York to the South Wales village to document the shock and grief and the stirrings of life after so much loss.

View these moving images for yourself in the library’s Upper Central Hall and witness the aftermath of one of Wales' darkest days.

In the Gregynog Annexe, there will be an opportunity to view items from the library collections commemorating the tragedy. From literature and art to music and film. An immersive experience showing the effect of the disaster and the reaction in Wales.
The exhibition also includes a 'coal installation', which shows one piece of coal for each life lost.

For more information : 
http://www.visitmidwales.co.uk/Aberystwyth-National-Library-of-Wales/details/?dms=3&venue=1024485 

Your chance to be part of a major world championship attraction

Next month’s Dayinsure Wales Rally GB (October 27-30) is offering 100 volunteers a brilliant opportunity to be part of a major World Championship motor sport showpiece.

Britain’s award-winning round of the FIA World Rally Championship is expanding its widely-praised ‘Rally Makers’ initiative, thus providing more like-minded people with the chance to be involved.

First introduced four years ago after the huge success of the Games Makers at the 2012 London Olympics, Rally Makers offer information and support to both spectators and officials during the four days of the north Wales-based event.

Not to be confused with the thousands of trackside sporting marshals who assist with the competitive action, Rally Makers in their special red tabards are firmly focused on ensuring customers enjoy nothing less than a memorable experience. Their roles vary from handing out information flyers at the central Rally Village in Deeside to directing fans to the best possible spectating spots at Saturday’s family-friendly RallyFest at Cholmondeley Castle.

All Rally Makers will be fully-briefed in advance and will be invited to attend a half-day training programme ahead of the event.

“It’s not often that you get the chance to be part of a major team and gain first-hand experience of working at a full-on World Championship sporting attraction,” said Alun Pritchard, Partnership Manager.

“We are mainly recruiting from universities and other organisations in the region, but anyone can apply. We will be acknowledging Rally Makers attending the training session with an official certificate and providing all of them with an item of Dayinsure Wales Rally GB merchandise as a memento of their involvement.”

All those willing, able and keen to get involved should waste no time contacting Alun directly, via email: apritchard@walesrallygb.com.

Tickets on sale

Tickets for October's event are now on sale, with significant discounts for those buying in advance. Adult ticket prices start at just £20 for the family-friendly RallyFest at Cholmondeley Castle, £25 for a day ticket or £99 for the full 4-day event pass. As this year's rally falls in October half-term, all children aged 15 and under go free!

The latest event and ticket information can be found on the official www.walesrallygb.com website.

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

Festival to celebrate Welsh triple harpist’s bicentenary

Following this summer’s exploration of the music and culture of Ireland, Gregynog Festival extends the 2016 season with a weekend celebration on November 18 and 19 to mark the bicentenary of the birth of the legendary triple harpist John Roberts, Telynor Cymru.

Roberts, a major figure in Victorian Wales as performer, composer and impresario, lived in Frolic Street, Newtown and is buried in St David's Churchyard nearby. The exact date of his birth is unknown, but our programme takes place on the weekend closest to his baptism: 24 November 1816.

Led by Robin Huw Bowen (pictured), the leading triple harpist of our own time, the 200th birthday party will include music, talks, exhibitions and other special events to highlight Telynor Cymru's Romany heritage and local links, including performances at Gregynog Hall.

Roberts performed at many of the great houses of Wales and the Borders with his family ensemble, The Original Cambrian Minstrels. Roberts, seven sons and a nephew once played on nine harps before Queen Victoria at Palé Hall, near Bala, during a visit she made to Wales in 1889.

The festival’s programme explores Roberts' Romani heritage through talks and demonstrations as well as featuring his own triple harp in the closing grand concert, led by the modern master of the instrument, Bowen.

On Friday, November 18, there will be a reminiscence session in the Senior Common Room at Gregynog Hall at 7.30pm with a rare chance to hear descendants of Roberts and Abram Wood sharing their family stories.

At 9pm, in the same room, there will be a free screening of Eldra, by permission of S4C and Teliesyn, of the film based on the life of Eldra Jarman, née Roberts, great-granddaughter of Roberts.

Next day, at 11.30am at St David's Churchyard, Newtown, there will be a wreath laying ceremony at Roberts’ grave led by Rev Canon Nia Wyn Morris, Rector of Newtown. The ceremony will include a performance by Bowen.

In the afternoon, at 2.30pm, in Senior Common Room at Gregynog Hall, there will be an illustrated talk by Peter Lord, the leading historian of Welsh art, on ‘The Romani in Welsh art’.

At 4pm in Senior Common Room, there will be ‘An Hour of Merriment and Mirth’ with stories and amusing anecdotes, songs, step-dancing and a demonstration of wood flower-making in the company of Peter Ingram, Romany craftsman and storyteller.

At 6.30pm, Dr Rhian Davies, the festival’s artistic director, will give a free illustrated pre-concert talk on ‘The John Roberts Collection at the National Library of Wales, including evidence of Telynor Cymru's performances at Gregynog Hall.

The grand concert takes place at 7.30pm in The Music Room at Gregynog Hall with Bowen and "The Cambrian Minstrels".

A Rover Ticket covers the whole weekend for just £30 or £10 for young people aged 18 and under. Tickets are also available for each individual event. Tickets may be booked through the festival website at http://gwylgregynogfestival.org/

http://www.visitmidwales.co.uk/Newtown-Gregynog-Hall-Gardens/details/?dms=3&venue=1101463 

Discover treasures on your doorstep at The Judge’s Lodging this weekend

Treasure the Treasures on you Doorstep! is the theme of this year’s national Heritage Open Days scheme, which takes place over this weekend.

The Judge’s Lodging in Presteigne will be throwing open its doors to everyone for free on Sunday, September 11. Not only will visitors have the chance to wander around the judge’s sumptuous apartments, gloomy gas-lit servants’ areas and the grim cells and vast echoing courtroom, but there will also be lots of additional activities for all ages.

Two popular family trails will run throughout the building – The History Ducks, which have proved a huge hit this summer, will make one last appearance for visitors to seek out the historical characters depicted in duck form throughout the period rooms, using clues to identify them.

Also running will be a hilarious search for objects listed in the Sound of Music’s ‘My Favourite Things’ song, which was created to compliment the current community exhibition featuring some of the best and quirkiest items from the local history collection held at the museum.

Lots of photographs from the town’s past and audio recordings will also be available to browse and there will be additional activities in all sorts of corners to really add to the fun. One favourite, which is returning as a special request from visitors, is napkin folding, the Victorian way - follow Mrs Beeton’s instructions to make little booties, fans, bishop’s mitres and other shapes from the linen supplied.

“This is a wonderful opportunity to explore the Judge’s Lodging if you have not been before, but they would equally love to see people who are regulars!

Gaby Rivers, museum development manager, said: “We just love the Heritage Open Days scheme, which gives us a chance to say hello to so many people who might not usually come to visit, and share with them the building we love so much.

“The message of ‘Treasure the Treasures on your Doorstep’ could not be more pertinent now and we’d love to see many happy faces coming through our doors on Sunday. The more the merrier!”

Heritage Open Days is the largest heritage festival in the country. In 2015, more than 4,800 events welcomed around three million visitors across England. Heritage Open Days operates as part of the National Trust with funding from players of People’s Postcode Lottery.

Every single Heritage Open Days event is free, including access to many sites that usually charge for admission. For details and opening times, visit www.heritageopendays.org.uk .

Detail from the Lamp Room at The Judge’s Lodging.

The Judge’s Lodging, Presteigne.

http://www.visitmidwales.co.uk/Presteigne-The-Judge's-Lodging/details/?dms=3&venue=1021669

Mid Wales farm cottages in last minute offer this weekend

 

A Mid Wales farm with a two self-catering properties, including a unique straw bale built cottage, has a last minute offer this weekend, September 9,10 and 11, which is ideal for two families or a group of friends.

Ty Gwyn Farm near Llandrindod Wells is offering a three night stay in the Straw Cottage (pictured above) or Granary Cottage for £450. Located in completely secluded spot on farm, Straw Cottage offers lots of comfort but no electricity while Granary Cottage is a stylish cottage with full central heating.

Each cottage sleeps four and there’s great walking, views, wildlife on the doorstep. The cottages are ideal for two families or a group of friends, but can be taken separately.  

http://www.visitmidwales.co.uk/Llandrindod-Wells-Alternative-Accommodation-The-Straw-Cottage/details/?dms=3&pid=1031900

Classic Welsh forests ready for World Rally Championship

With less than two months before the FIA World Rally Championship arrives in the UK, plans for this year’s Dayinsure Wales Rally GB (October 27-30) are close to completion.

Showcasing Wales’ official ‘Year of Adventure’, the competitive route for 2016 is the longest and most challenging since the event’s widely-acclaimed move to a new base in the north of the country in 2013.

Moreover, with the rally moving forward in the calendar by a couple of weeks from mid-November to the final week in October, this year’s not-to-be-missed showdown is likely to be drier, faster and even more spectacular than ever before.

In total, the 22 timed speed tests to be run against-the-clock add up to three days and 336 kilometres (208 miles) of thrilling competitive action. All but one of these are classic timed sections set on gravel tracks in the legendary forests of Mid and North Wales, mostly managed by Natural Resources Wales – the only exception being Saturday’s family-friendly RallyFest at Cholmondeley Castle in Cheshire.

Adding to the spirit of adventure, famous stages such as Myherin and Hafren, to the east of Aberystwyth, are to be run in reverse for the first time in more than 20 years while the once-renowned Pantperthog stage hasn’t been included since 1997.

To ensure all 22 special stages are ready not only for the arrival of the FIA World Rally Championship but also for the thousands of spectators who venture into the fearsome forests to catch the astonishing action, clerk of the course, Iain Campbell, event safety co-ordinator, Sue Sanders and FIA safety delegate driver, Ryland James have just completed their final inspections. Campbell reports that the stages are in ‘great condition’.

“This was our last chance to cover the entire route and to be able to implement any changes to our safety plans that might be required,” explained Campbell after two long days driving through the Welsh forests in an impressive Hyundai Santa Fe provided by the rally’s official car partner Hyundai Motor UK.

“We are giving the WRC stars a number of exciting new challenges this year with new formats to many of the special stages from those they have tackled in recent rallies. This not only means that they will have to make new pace notes for the event but also that we have had a lot more work to do to accommodate these changes.

“Reversing a stage can mean that a starting position, flying finish or spectator viewing area won’t work from the reverse direction. I guess that’s why race circuits tend to go round one way!

“Checking that spectators have the best viewing locations to marvel at the best drivers in the world is important, but it is even more important that they can do so safely and enjoy the whole experience.

“I am glad to say that very little was changed during our final full recce of the route – huge testament to the amount of hard work put in by our volunteers, in conjunction with teams from Natural Resources Wales, over the past eight months.

“As for the stages: they are in great condition,” continued Campbell. “We drove through all Friday’s tests first and I thought that they would be my favourites. Myherin is just brilliant, Hafren has so many changes of surface and undulations that it is a truly wonderful test and then Dyfnant seems so short in comparison but flows really nicely.

“But then, when you get to the stages on Saturday’s schedule in Dfyi and Gartheinog forests, you think they are definitely the best, or perhaps Pantperthog, a new test for this year, is better still. And then you have the two great Alwen and Brenig stages where it all finishes on the Sunday morning…

“It really is impossible to pick a winner – they are all super-challenging in their own way and add up to one heck of an event – that’s why our rally is so respected and revered right around the globe and is one every driver wants to experience and win. What I do know is that, having just driven the entire route just a few weeks before the start, I would love to be competing or spectating.”

Instead, come the competitive action, Campbell and his hard-working team will be based inside rally control located within the Deeside Rally Village, ensuring a safe and successful world championship event.

Tickets for next month's event are now on sale with significant discounts for those buying in advance. Adult ticket prices start from just £20 for the family-friendly RallyFest at Cholmondeley Castle, £25 for a day ticket or £99 for the full four-day event pass. As this year's rally falls in the October half-term, all children aged 15 and under go free!

The latest event and ticket information can be found on the official www.walesrallygb.com website.

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

Tree felling today for a broadleaf woodland tomorrow

The latest phase of timber felling at a forest plantation in Snowdonia is underway by Natural Resources Wales (NRW), with timber haulage set to start next week.

The area felled, which borders Coedydd Aber National Nature Reserve near Abergwyngregyn, will be restored to native broadleaf woodland to benefit wildlife and everyone’s enjoyment of this special landscape.
NRW contractors M G Harvesting will fell around 3,000 tonnes of trees, which will then be transported by haulage firm K. M. Owen transport.

To keep disturbance to a minimum, the timber will be transported between 9am and 3pm on weekdays only.

Huw Green, NRW senior reserves manager for Coedydd Aber, said: “Protecting wildlife is fundamental to our aims as an organisation. As harvesting operations continue over the coming years, we are planning to extend the broadleaf woodland at Coedydd Aber by a square kilometre, boosting biodiversity and improving the landscape.

“We are very grateful to the local community of Abergwyngregyn for their co-operation and we’ll make sure the work causes as little disturbance as possible to the local community and visitors.”

Harvesting this plantation is challenging due to the steep slopes at the site and the haulage company had to customise two four-wheeled drive lorries to transport the timber due to the weight restriction on the medieval bridge and the width of the road through the village.

Tree felling in 2002 removed around 4,000 tonnes of timber, with another 500 tonnes removed last year.

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Notes to Editors:

Natural Resources Wales is a Welsh Government Sponsored Body. Its purpose is to ensure that the natural resources of Wales are sustainably maintained, enhanced and used, now and in the future

For more information, see our website: www.naturalresources.wales