Exploring Wales this Easter24/3/2023 Deputy Minister for Arts and Sport Dawn Bowden is encouraging people to visit Wales this Easter, as she was the first to officially tour a new multi-million pound visitor attraction in Carmarthenshire.
The new development, which is the new home for the Museum of Land Speed in addition to a new eco holiday resort and events facility, aims to offer high-quality, year-round visitor destination facilities to maximise Pendine’s heritage and its natural assets. The new development will attract significant day visitors and night stays and be able to host major events, bringing in additional economic benefits to the area to drive forward the resort’s future economic regeneration. Deputy Minister for Arts and Sport, Dawn Bowden, who has responsibility for tourism within the Welsh Government, said: “With the Easter holidays fast approaching, we’re looking forward to welcoming visitors repeat and new, and also seeing the people of Wales discover new parts of our country. It’s the perfect time to get out and explore as part of our themed year, Llwybrau. Wales, by Trails. “It’s a pleasure to be amongst the first to visit this exciting new development in Carmarthenshire, which will help accommodate 41 new jobs. “The aim of the Tourism Attractor Destination programme is to develop projects that will raise the quality and perception of destinations in Wales, and the iconic stretch of Pendine beach is an excellent backdrop to these new developments which will benefit both residents and visitors to the area.” Cllr. Gareth John, Carmarthenshire County Council’s Cabinet Member for Regeneration, Leisure, Culture and Tourism said: “It’s very exciting to receive a tour of the brand new Tourism Attractor, here in Pendine. “We have worked with the Welsh Government and other key stakeholders to deliver this excellent facility, which will enhance Pendine’s reputation as an all-year-round, day-and-stay destination for visitors, accommodate 41 jobs and generate £3 million per annum to the regional economy. “I’m looking forward to seeing the doors to the Pendine Tourism Attractor officially opened during the Easter holidays and welcoming visitors to this picturesque part of Carmarthenshire.” Figures from the recent Wales Tourism Business Barometer show that 64% of businesses either had the same or more customers compared to pre-pandemic levels. It also showed that 17% of operators are ‘very confident’ about running their business profitably this year, and a further 50% are ‘fairly confident’. The Welsh Government continues to investment in tourism development, the Deputy Minister recently announced that £5 million was being made available to National Parks and Local Authorities through the Brilliant Basics Fund. The £50 million Wales Tourism Investment Fund (WTIF), a combination of grants and loans, managed by the Development Bank of Wales, will continue to help finance capital investment in projects that grow the sector and have a positive impact on the Welsh economy. The Deputy Minister added: “I’m fully aware that there continues to be both short and long-term challenges for the sector. However, the Welsh Government remains committed to working with the industry to secure sustainable growth in the years ahead. “This year, we are inviting people to experience Wales by Trails – and in the lead up to easter Visit Wales’ marketing will continue to keep Wales front of mind, especially with the industry reporting a trend in much later bookings aligned to the economic climate. “Our focus, as outlined in our tourism strategy is to spread tourism benefits throughout Wales, encouraging increased spend in our economy and tackling seasonality by promoting Wales as a nation you can visit all year round.” Read the announcement in full on Gov.Wales.
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The Dyfi Distillery operates from within the Dyfi UNESCO World Biosphere Reserve and is, unusually for a distillery of its size, frequently open to passing visitors. It is located within the Corris Craft Centre, a hub for thriving independent craft producers. The Dyfi Distillery is a member of MWT Cymru, an independent organisation representing around 600 tourism and hospitality businesses across Powys, Ceredigion and Southern Snowdonia.
Get involved and Have Your Say by completing the short online questionnaire. It shouldn’t take long to respond, and your feedback will help create new Hospitality and Catering qualifications in Wales. For more information and to Have Your Say, visit: https://haveyoursay.qualifications.wales/hub-page/hospitality-and-catering
The consultation will close at midnight on 2 June 2023. The Welsh Government has announced a £4 million investment to bring a major new world-class Skyline tourism attraction to Swansea.
Skyline Enterprises Ltd are behind the £34 million venture, which marks one of the biggest single investments in the Welsh tourism & hospitality sector in recent years. Swansea Council is also in advanced discussions about a funding proposal with Skyline, which the company is currently considering. Skyline’s proposals for Swansea include a cable car and chair lift system, Skyline’s own gravity fuelled downhill carting experience, known as the luge, a sky swing, existing and new walking trails, a zipline, additional mountain bike access and food & beverage outlets. The project is expected to create up to 100 direct full-time equivalent jobs. The proposed cable car system would run to the top of Kilvey Hill from the area of the Hafod Morfa Copperworks. The funding announced for the project is dependent on the scheme being granted planning approval and works starting on site. The funding would then be allocated in phases throughout the project’s construction and delivery. Deputy Minister for Arts and Sport, Dawn Bowden, who has responsibility for tourism within the Welsh Government, said: “This project is significant in the further development of Swansea as a vibrant city destination. It complements other regeneration projects in the area as well as supporting economic growth and all year-round jobs. “When in New Zealand last year, I saw first-hand how Skyline Enterprises in Queenstown has used the natural landscape as a beautiful backdrop to a successful enterprise. This is a unique inward investment opportunity for us, and I wish the team well with their latest venture in Wales.” Representatives of Skyline Enterprises, the New Zealand-based company behind the proposals, recently visited Swansea to hold a series of consultation events in the local community as part of the planning process. Further opportunities for comment will also be made available as part of a planning application process later in 2023. Cllr Rob Stewart, Swansea Council Leader, said: “We welcome this commitment from the Welsh Government and are also in on-going funding discussions with Skyline as part of a partnership that will, subject to planning consent, bring a truly world-class outdoor leisure destination to Swansea. “These proposals would be worth up to 100 new jobs created directly as a result of the project as well as hundreds more during construction. It would also bring one of the first attractions of its kind in the UK to the city, significantly boost our visitor economy and help encourage more investment in future. “Skyline are wholly committed to retaining access to the hill as it is now and working closely alongside local groups to boost biodiversity and create a facility we can all be proud of.” Skyline Enterprises Chief Executive Officer, Geoff McDonald, said: “We are incredibly grateful to the Welsh Government for their very generous support and commitment to Skyline Swansea. Ever since we first came to Wales in 2017 and mooted plans for Kilvey Hill, we have enjoyed an extremely positive relationship with them, and they have shown great enthusiasm for our vision which has a strong strategic alignment with their own tourism strategy. “If our application is approved, we look forward to working closely with them, and Swansea Council, to deliver a world class leisure destination which will be the first of its kind in the UK and one which we truly believe will deliver lasting dividends for Swansea residents and tourism alike.” New Zealand-based company Skyline owns and operates two world-class outdoor adventure parks featuring cable car rides and other attractions and restaurants in New Zealand, as well as luge parks in Canada, South Korea, and Singapore. Skyline Swansea would be part of their international expansion, if the project gets the go-ahead. The Get Jerky Rally North Wales brings some of the best rally drivers in the business to Welshpool next weekend [March 25], as the new-look event heads for its new host town in Powys.
Thanks to an exciting new partnership with Trailhead Fine Foods and the high protein Get Jerky brand of beef jerky snacks, the popular loose surface stage rally will base itself in the market town, with rally headquarters inside Welshpool Livestock Market. Making the most of its new home, Rally North Wales, organised by Wolverhampton and South Staffordshire Car Club, will see a bumper entry of over 120 cars being flagged away from the town centre on Saturday morning, before heading into the forests for a blistering day of action. They will return to the town later that afternoon for champagne celebrations and awards presentations for the lucky winners. With a star-studded list of names all battling for honours, the action out on the stages promises to be breathtaking. Crews in the Fuchs Lubricants Motorsport UK British Historic Rally Championship will bring unrivalled action for fans and they will be joined by the ever-popular Pirelli Welsh Rally Championship, many of which are contenders in the top-flight four-wheel-drive machinery. Also returning will be the ANWCC Forest Rally Championship, West Wales Rally Spares HRCR Stage Masters and the MINI Rally Challenge. Topping the seeded entry list for the two-wheel drive field is two-time British Historic champion, Jason Pritchard with Phil Clarke alongside in their Ford Escort MKII. Former winners of Rally North Wales, they haven’t been in an Escort since 2021 so will need to get up to speed quickly. Northern Irishman Marty McCormack and co-driver Barney Mitchell opened their BHRC campaign with a rally to forget in February, so will be looking to make amends in Wales, but will have the stunning FIAT 131 Abarth of Nick Elliott and Dave Price breathing down their necks. Tom Walster and Chris Ridge will be looking to capitalise on a strong start to their season in their Ford Escort MKII, as will Adrian Hetherington and Ronan O’Neil, another crew to make the trip over the Irish Sea and rounding out the top five crews. Other entries of note in the historic category include rally-returnee Richard Tuthill. The man behind the Tuthill Porsche outfit, he will tackle his first proper rally since 2014 in one of the firm’s 911s. In the main field, it's last year’s victors Matt Hirst and Declan Dear who head up the charge in their Fiesta R5. Tackling the Welsh Championship, the pairing will be aiming to get their campaign off to the perfect start in Welshpool. British Rally Championship ace Alan Carmichael and co-driver Arthur Kierans bring their Hyundai i20 R5, taking a break from their BRC commitments. The Northern Irish driver is enjoying a good run of form of late and could well trouble Hirst. Fellow BRC contenders Gavin Edwards and Caron Tomlinson aim for more seat time in their newly acquired Ford Fiesta R5, whilst Kevin Procter tackles his first gravel rally of 2023 with Jamie Edwards on the notes. Simon Rogers and James How round out the top five in their Mitsubishi EVO6. With many more crews all gunning for glory, fans will be able to catch up with the cars and crews at a variety of venues during the day. The Welshpool town centre start in Broad Street sees crews leaving from 8am on Saturday, with a host of stalls, displays and traders throughout the day. Access is free and offers a chance to view the cars up close. Three action-packed viewing areas are available in the forests, in Dyfnant (run twice, 8:56am and 3:17pm), Big Ray [run twice 10:11am and 1:49pm] and Dyfi [run twice 10:25am and 2:03pm]. Access to each spectator stage costs £10 per car, per location and includes an event programme and 50 per cent of the car park proceeds are donated to local charitable organisations. Crews will then return to Welshpool town centre just after 4pm for the finish celebrations. For more information and to see further details for spectators, visit www.rallynorthwales.co.uk . A special exhibition of map wall hangings, depicting seven different places around the UK, will be one of the features of this year’s Wonderwool Wales, the award-winning show that celebrates all that’s great about Welsh wool and natural fibres. It will be the first and last chance to see all the wall hangings, which celebrate the combined creativity of more than 180 knitters, together in one place The exhibition has been co-ordinated by Sue Howell, who founded the Knit Your Town Project in response to the immense amount of interest shown in a knitted map of Llandysul, exhibited at Wonderwool Wales 2017. Held at the Royal Welsh Showground in Builth Wells on April 22 and 23, Wonderwool Wales is an annual festival that brings together people and businesses with a passion for Welsh wool and its versatility as a material for creative crafts, designer clothes, home furnishings and more. The event covers everything from the start to the end of the creative process. Exhibits of sheep, raw and hand dyed fibres, yarn for knitting and crochet, embellishments, equipment, dyes and books can be found alongside superb examples of finished textile art, craft, clothing and home furnishings. Since the Llandysul map’s last appearance at Wonderwool Wales, several maps have been completed and this year there will be a selection on display. Llandysul will be joined by Camberley and Bramley (Hampshire), as well as a commemoration of Queen Elizabeth ll’s Platinum Jubilee.
Maps unable to attend are Newbury and Leeds, both of which are now installed in local museums and Painscastle. The organisers hope Wolverhampton may be able to be there but there will be images on display of the missing pieces in any event. Other projects that have been produced are Greenham Common from the Newbury knitters. This group was asked to produce a piece of artwork for the café in the Greenham Tower in Newbury, Berkshire. The artwork comprises three panels, representing pre 1900, the Cold War and the Common now, and is on permanent display there. Another commission was a personal story of Ugandan refugees, 50 years ago, covering the background of their eviction from their home country and their arrival and subsequent lives in the UK. This was part of an exhibition locally and it went on tour to mark the anniversary. Bramley’s map was a lockdown project and a great way to help with the isolation of having to stay at home. Wool was collected and shared via a porch and knitters communicated via email. The knitters enjoyed being able to meet up at last and begin to place the buildings on the base. This map has been on display at The Vine, a National Trust property at Sherborne St John, near Basingstoke, for several months. The Bramley knitters then wanted another project and the Queen’s Jubilee seemed a suitable topic. The seven decades are represented on separate smaller panels to create memories of the 70 years. This artwork has been installed at a local care home and residents absolutely love to look at the intricate details, jogging memories of an earlier time. The majority of these wall hangings are knitted but crochet and even felting has been incorporated. Knitters rely on photos and pictures, which are transposed to paper or grids and patterns made from that. It is not possible to estimate the amount of wool used or the cost, but they have involved hundreds of hours of dedication and skills. Wonderwool Wales tickets - cost £12 per day or £22 for the weekend - may be purchased online in advance at www.wonderwoolwales.co.uk or at the gate. For more information, visit www.wonderwoolwales.co.uk , like Wonderwool Wales Ltd on Facebook or follow on Twitter @wonderwoolwales and Instagram @wonderwoolwales. The challenging Devil’s Staircase awaits runners on April 1. A busy year of wacky and wonderful outdoor activities in Llanwrtyd Wells, reputedly the smallest town in Britain, continues with the challenging Trailhead Get Jerky Devil’s Staircase Ultra Trail Race on April 1. Held for the first time last year, following a delay caused by the pandemic, the endurance race covers around 31 miles with a total ascent and descent of about 4,700ft. Most of the race, designed to test endurance and stamina, is off road with some short road sections, including the hellishly steep 25% ascent of the iconic Devil's Staircase. Starting and finishing at the Neuadd Arms in the centre of Llanwrtyd Wells, the race route combines a mixture of tarmacadam road, forest tracks, bogland, farmland and river crossings. Local landmarks along the route include St David's Church which dates to the 12th century, an old drovers road to the Abergwesyn Valley, the Devil's Staircase, Soar y Mynydd Church, built in around 1822 and claimed to be the remotest chapel in Wales and Llyn Brianne Dam. The course will be marshalled and waymarked with water points and two feed stations providing cold and hot drinks, bananas, biscuits and sweets. Waiting at the finish will be Welsh cawl and a vegetarian alternative. Each runner will receive a unique devil medal and there will be prizes for the first three male and female runners. The entry fee is £45 and commemorative technical t-shirts, in a variety of sizes, can be ordered at time of entry for an additional £15. Runners can enter online until Friday, March 24 but entries will be accepted on the day. Further information at https://www.green-events.co.uk/index.php?dstenter The race is sponsored by Welshpool-based Get Jerky snacks manufacturer Trailhead Fine Foods, whose managing director Arwyn Watkins, OBE, was brought up in the shadow of the Devil’s Staircase and his family still farms there. Llanwrtyd Wells has developed a reputation for organising a series of off the wall outdoor activities since 1980 under the leadership of Green Events. Thousands of visitors enjoy annual events such as the Rude Health World Bog Snorkelling Championship, Whole Earth Man versus Horse race, the Real Ale Wobble and Ramble and the World Mountain Bike Chariot Racing Championship. Ancient Welsh tradition is also celebrated with the Mari Llwyd, a wassailing folk custom that involves a giant horse's skull being carried from house to house during the festive season. Local people and visitors alike can enjoy the delights of the Roman Festival of Saturnalia with a Winter Warmer Real Ale Festival. A new event has been added to the list this year in the shape of a Bogathlon on August 26, which replaces the Bog Triathlon. This sprint triathlon is designed to be more fun and accessible to a wider group of athletes. It starts with a 60-yard bogsnorkel followed by a two mile cross country cycle and finishes with a one mile all terrain run which will probably involve water hazards. Athletes start the time trial event at three minute intervals. . The other events planned during the year include: the famous Whole Earth Man v Horse Race on June 10, Drovers Walk on June 24, Cider Cycle, a non-competitive event for mountainbikers on August 12, the World Bogsnorkelling Championships August 2, International Four Day Walking Festival from September 20-23, the Ron Skilton Memorial Half Marathon to raise funds for research into MND on October 22, the Real Ale Wobble, a non-competitive event for mountainbikers through local forestry and other trails, on November 18, the Real Ale Ramble, comprising gentle walks through the surrounding countryside, on November 25 and 26 and the Mari Lwyd New Year Walk on December 31. Green Events is a member of MWT Cymru, an independent organisation representing around 600 tourism and hospitality business across Powys, Ceredigion and Southern Snowdonia. Wales distillery In the Welsh Wind is set to expand into the European market after securing a distribution partner on the continent. The award-winning spirits producer, based near Cardigan, has agreed a deal with Danish distributor Bemakers, which will ease the red tape and enable In the Welsh Wind to export its premium spirits to the continent. In the Welsh Wind is cementing the deal by exhibiting at ProWein, one of the drinks industry’s largest trade events, which is being held in Dusseldorf from March 19-21. The distribution partnership, combined with a first appearance at ProWein, are major steps for the business as it looks to expand the brand and sales overseas. Bemakers, which has distribution centres in four major EU markets – Germany, Netherlands, Sweden and its native Denmark - and has plans to expand into France and Norway, will fulfil all EU orders from trade, retail and consumers. The distillery is now moving ahead with securing trade and retail partners across the continent for its award-winning range of gins, vodka and rums. Exhibiting at ProWein is part of the strategy of introducing the brand and its range of spirits to key businesses on the continent. In the Welsh Wind will feature on the DIT British pavilion (Hall 13 / D06). Sales and export manager Dan Jones, who will be at ProWein, said: “We are thrilled to be launching our In the Welsh Wind brand into export at the world’s leading trade fair show for spirits for the first time. “We will be exhibiting and focussing on four core product lines for ProWein, These are our Signature Style Gin, our Palo Cortado Cask-Aged Gin, our recently launched Three Grain Vodka and our limited-edition Rum. “Having Bemakers in place for the show is perfect as it allows us to easily link customers in key European markets with our product range and it will allow us access to markets on the continent. “Our focus will be our premium In the Welsh Wind range initially and a particular focus on working with HORECA and On-Trade sales channels. “This all starts at ProWein for us with the goal to grow our export markets to be in line with our domestic market in 2023-24.” In the Welsh Wind, which celebrates its fifth anniversary this year, has established a strong reputation and presence in Wales, a partnership with luxury UK retailer Harvey Nichols and has secured several industry accolades for the business and its spirits since being founded. The company is a member of MWT Cymru, an independent organisation that represents around 600 tourism and hospitality businesses across Powys, Ceredigion and Southern Snowdonia. For the latest news and products from In the Welsh Wind follow across Facebook, Twitter and Instagram or visit the website. Ffestiniog and Welsh Highland Railways team with the Peter Manisty Award for Excellence. Pictured (from left) are Brian Simpson, MBE, Heritage Railway Association chairman and volunteers Tim Elsby, Paul Wood and Peter Dennis, Carriage Works manager Glenn Williams, director Iain Wilkinson and director and general manager Paul Lewin, all from the F&WHR. The team behind the Ffestiniog and Welsh Highland Railways (FfWHR) has scooped a prestigious national award for almost 40 years of work to preserve North Wales’ slate heritage alongside running an enormously popular tourist attraction. The Heritage Railway Association has awarded its most coveted award - the Peter Manisty Award for Excellence - to the Ffestiniog team that has rescued and continues to restore and operate the unique gravity slate train. Based at the railway’s Boston Lodge Works - itself the subject of a current £4m heritage development project - the team has rescued more than 200 waggons, which is thought to be the largest collection indigenous to a particular railway. These are available for public viewing during special events held at the railway throughout the year. As part of a National Lottery funded project, new volunteers will be invited to join special workshops to learn the skills associated with the collection and to get involved themselves. The Peter Manisty Award, which is not presented every year, is awarded for exceptional achievements in the heritage railway world. The Ffestiniog team’s submission not only included preservation work on the train, but also the construction of a building to house the 200 waggons, the creation of a workshop in the original forge building and all the work needed to operate the train safely in the 21st century. Paul Lewin, FfWHR director and general manager, said: “The award could not come at a better time. The efforts of this team over more than 30 years are truly outstanding and it is more than overdue that their contribution to railway conservation should come into focus. “The team involved is one of the longest standing and most committed in the world of railway preservation. We are working hard to tell our story of the Ffestiniog Railway’s part in the Slate Industry World Heritage Site. “The gravity train really brings that alive and, shortly, visitors will be able to hear the full story, learn new skills and get involved, but for now we will be taking a little time to celebrate this award and the achievements of over three decades work.” |
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