Grace Brown of Team FDJ Nouvelle Aquitaine Futuroscope celebrates victory in the Women’s Tour 2022 Wrexham to Welshpool stage with Katarzyna Niewiadoma of Team Canyon SRAM Racing in second and Elisa Longo Borghini of Team Trek Segafredo in third Picture credit: SWPix. Tourism in Mid Wales will receive a big boost when Welshpool hosts the start of the 2024 Tour of Britain Women stages on Thursday, June 6. Taking place from June 6-9, the event will feature four tough stages of racing in what will be the first major international stage race delivered by British Cycling Events. Hundreds of thousands of fans are expected to line the streets for what is the nation’s biggest free-to-attend sporting event, as the country gears up for another thrilling summer of cycling. Llandudno will host the stage finish on day one before Wrexham welcomes the world’s top female riders and teams for both the start and finish of stage two. This year’s race will feature a number of familiar start and finish locations which have successfully hosted major international events in recent years. The race will begin in Welshpool, which hosted the thrilling finish of stage four of the 2022 Women’s Tour, when Australia’s Grace Brown (FDJ Nouvelle Aquitaine Futuroscope) sprinted to victory. The stage will see riders head north to the picturesque seaside town of Llandudno, in what will be a challenging start to the race. Stage two will see riders stay in Wales for a start and finish in Wrexham, which also featured in the 2022 Women’s Tour. The caravan then will cross the Welsh border to the north-west of England, where Warrington will host both the start and finish of stage three on Saturday. The race concludes in Greater Manchester. The race route has been designed and agreed in just 10 weeks, alongside the launch of a new vision for major cycling events in Britain. Jon Dutton OBE, chief executive of British Cycling, said: “Our primary focus has been to deliver a safe and competitive race in 2024. We remain every bit as determined to harness the race’s spotlight to make a real impact in the communities which it touches. We know that is a vision which resonates strongly in conversations with prospective commercial partners and hosts.” Rod Ellingworth, Tour of Britain race director, said: “The race will take in four competitive and challenging routes, some challenging climbing in Wales and what I’m sure will be brilliant crowds on the roadside throughout.” Lizzie Deignan, former road world champion and Olympic silver medallist, said: “It’s always special to race in Britain, and I’m so pleased to have two top level stage races to look forward to on home soil as I ramp up my preparations for a busy summer ahead. “There’s clearly so much support and fondness for the race, both at home and further afield. The four stage hosts deserve credit for their commitment to women’s racing and for helping to make the race happen, and I’m sure that together we can put on a brilliant show in June.” Welsh Government Economy Secretary, Jeremy Miles said: “Wales and cycling go hand in hand, with our spectacular scenery and routes providing elite and recreational cyclists alike with both challenge and enjoyment. “This is a welcome return to Wales for this fantastic event and provides an excellent opportunity to showcase Welshpool, Llandudno, Wrexham and the surrounding area to an ever-growing cycling audience. “We are very pleased to have been able to support the event and look forward to providing a warm ‘Croeso’ to all in June.” Powys County Council’s director of economic development and growth, Diane Reynolds, said: “We are delighted that this year’s Tour of Britain Women is going to start in Powys, from one of our many beautiful market towns, Welshpool. “It is a town that cycling enthusiasts will enjoy visiting and the area includes many places of interest, and lots of great places to eat or drink a coffee while taking in the race action and exceptional scenery.”
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Are you a dog friendly business? Do you go the extra mile to ensure our four-legged friends are welcomed? If so, this is your opportunity to be part of Visit Wales' early summer marketing campaign where they'll be targeting dogs (and their owners) to choose Wales for their short breaks and holidays.
Did you know that 31% of UK households own a dog, making dog-friendly holidays and breaks a significant market. There has been a surge recently with “needy” dogs — pandemic pooches that don’t want to be left alone or booked into a kennel — meaning dog owners are increasingly taking their pets on holidays with them. Google trends has identified “dog friendly hotels” as a breakout search term (Jan 2024) and engagement with pet friendly content on visitwales.com has increased over 20% year on year and searches for pet friendly products by 155% year on year. Visit Wales is capitalising on these opportunities by planning a targeted campaign to resonate with dog owners, especially those who are most likely to holiday in the UK with their pets. Pet content is among the most popular types of content on social media too, so massive opportunity to gain traction for Wales as a pet friendly, welcoming destination. The campaign will be driving traffic to www.visitwales.com and Visit Wales will provide more details in the coming weeks. In the meantime, to maximise on these marketing opportunities, please take a few minutes to ensure your product listing page is up-to-date:
Do you provide any special facilities, treats or welcome hampers especially for dogs? Let Visit Wales know what makes your business special, we’ll be incorporating the best and most innovative examples within the campaign, email us on productnews@gov.wales. MWT Cymru | Mid Wales Tourism Members: Please also log in to update your details on Visit Mid Wales, and email members@mwtcymru.co.uk with examples of your dog friendly facilities. Women demonstrating their split ply braiding skills. Newtown Textile Museum is reopening earlier than usual this year – on Tuesday, April 23 – to host The Braid Society’s 30th Annual Exhibition which runs until May 11. The earlier opening will also provide an opportunity for people attending the annual Wonderwool Wales 2024 event at the Royal Welsh Showground on April 27 and 28 to attend the exhibition. The museum will be open on Tuesday April 23 and the following Thursday, Friday, Saturday, Sunday and Monday from 12 noon to 4pm during the first week. Thereafter, it will open on Tuesday, Thursday, Friday and Saturday each week from 12 noon to 4pm during the summer season. As part of the exhibition, the museum, located in Commercial Street, Newtown, will also host demonstrations of braid making on April 29 and May 11 from 12 noon to 4pm and a “Try Braiding” workshop on May 5 from 10am to 4 pm. To book a place at the workshop and for more information about the exhibition and future events at the museum, visit: https://newtowntextilemuseum.co.uk/events/ . Housed in an original handloom weaving factory, built in the 1830s, the volunteer-run museum aims to bring to life Newtown’s industrial heritage, showing how people lived and worked in the building and the processes involved in turning fleece into flannel. In addition, industries linked to wool – tanning, clog making and drapers’ shops, including the Pryce Jones family who pioneered mail order – are also featured. Newtown was the centre for handloom weaving in the 1830s and the museum is the last of 82 such buildings remaining in anything like its original condition. This handloom weaving factory comprised six back to back cottages with each having one room each on the ground and first floors that could each house up to 10 people. The two floors above, which ran the whole length of the building, housed the looms. Feedback from visitors to the museum is overwhelmingly positive. “What a brilliant museum. One of the best I’ve ever been in!”, “Thank you so much for protecting and displaying our heritage so beautifully” and “Transported back in time and now want to try weaving,” are examples from last year. Newtown Textile Museum is a member of MWT Cymru, an independent organisation that represents around 600 tourism and hospitality businesses across Powys, Ceredigion and Southern Snowdonia. Growing Mid Wales has announce the launch of the Business Digital Connectivity Survey, aimed at businesses across the region, to better understand their current and future needs. This initiative is part of the Mid Wales Growth Deal Digital Programme, designed to enhance digital infrastructure and support business growth in our region. This survey seeks to engage with as many businesses as possible to gather valuable insights into current infrastructure, its suitability for business operations and future requirements. "The data collected through this survey will be instrumental in establishing baseline information and making informed comparisons against future iterations. By understanding the unique challenges and requirements of businesses in our region, we can effectively evaluate the impact of projects delivered by the Digital Programme and tailor our efforts to best serve the community. We believe that by actively involving businesses in this survey, we can ensure that our digital initiatives align closely with the needs of the local business community. Your participation is crucial in informing future digital initiatives." The survey will remain open until 24 May 2024 and all businesses are encouraged to participate. Whether you're a small startup or a large organisation, your input matters. Together, we can support development of a more robust digital infrastructure that fosters growth and innovation for all. To participate in the survey, please visit: https://bit.ly/BusinessDigitalSurvey. Award-winning Ceredigion distillery, In the Welsh Wind, is releasing its first whisky at a celebration day later this month.
Only 680 bottles are available of this limited edition and the company is extending an open invitation to join in the launch celebration at the distillery, near Cardigan, on April 26. Whisky enthusiasts and those curious to know what all the fuss is about are invited to join the In the Welsh Wind team for a day of discovery. Crafted with care and dedication, the company’s inaugural single malt whisky release is a tribute to Welsh craftsmanship and heritage with an ‘In the Welsh Wind’ twist. Distilled in a state-of-the-art iStill, each bottle promises a distinctive flavour profile that captures the spirit of Welsh whisky. "We are incredibly excited to share our first whisky with the world," said Ellen Wakelam, founder and director of In the Welsh Wind Distillery. "This release marks a significant milestone for us as we make our mark on the Welsh whisky industry. “We invite whisky enthusiasts and curious minds alike to join us on April 26 for a day of celebration and camaraderie. Come and experience the beauty of West Wales, taste the essence of Welsh craftsmanship and raise a glass to the future of Welsh whisky-making." The release event, held at the flagship distillery, offers attendees a unique opportunity to be part of Welsh whisky history. Guests will have the chance to take a free tour of the distillery, meet the passionate individuals behind In the Welsh Wind and learn about the business’s commitment to quality, craftsmanship, and sustainability. Visitors can also taste and purchase this first edition whisky, while stocks last. The distillery will be open from 8am until 6pm on April 26. To book a tour, please visit the website: https://inthewelshwind.co.uk/products/whisky-launch-day-tours. For those who prefer not to indulge in whisky, coffee and cake will be available from local coffee truck Tarten. For those unable to visit the distillery, some bottles may be available online after the launch event. The Rallynuts Severn Valley Stages boasts the biggest ever entry and the addition of the British Rally Championship. Image: BRC. Former Grand Prix racer Jos Verstappen, father of three-time Formula 1 world champion Max, is heading to Mid Wales this weekend to compete for the first time in a British rally. The flying Dutchman, who turned to rallying in 2022, will sensationally be running at 14th, having chosen the Llandrindod Wells-based Rallynuts Severn Valley Stages to make his UK debut. "We are very happy to come to Wales and the British Rally Championship," Verstappen said. "Renaud [Jamoul, co-driver] has done Wales Rally GB several times but, for me, these stages will be the first. "I only started rallying two years ago but only with tarmac events. After two test sessions in the wintertime in the south of France, we have decided to do our first proper gravel rally and, as Renaud has some really good memories in Wales, this rally was looking like the best one to start with. "There is no plan in terms of performance because it will be my first time on gravel but for sure the target is to improve and be as close as possible to the top guys. The entry field will be again really competitive, so we are looking forward [to it]." One of the most popular gravel rallies in the UK, the Rallynuts Severn Valley Stages returns this Saturday, April 13, as the event celebrates its 50th anniversary. Sponsored by established racewear and accessory firm Rallynuts Motorsport for an eighth consecutive year, Midland Manor Motor Club has pulled out all the stops to create a truly world-class event which celebrates the past but embraces the future. Epic stages, such as Myherin and Sweet Lamb Hafren, remain, but the mileage has been upped from 45 to 62 without an increased entry fee - making this one of the longest single-day forest rallies in years. An entry of 180 cars, including world, European, American and multiple British rally champions, will tackle the event. Competitors from a staggering nine different championships will come together as the Rallynuts Severn Valley Stages excitedly welcomes the Probite British Rally Championship for the very first time, bringing the best drivers in the country to Mid Wales. Their battle will be broadcast to millions of television screens in the weeks after the event with a one-hour highlights programme aired on ITV4 and streamed on ITVX. BRC crews will be joined by those from the Protyre BTRDA Rally Series, Motorsport UK Pirelli Welsh Rally Championship, West Wales Rally Spares HRCR Stage Masters, T.C.S Plant Rally Challenge and Bowler Defender Challenge, while the Fuchs Lubricants British Historic Rally Championship returns for the first time since 2017. Single-make series, the MG3 Challenge and Stellantis Motorsport Rally Cup, complete the roster, providing spectators an impressive variety of cars to watch. European Rally champion and World Rally regular Chris Ingram will pull away from the Metropole Hotel on Saturday morning as the top seed, as he bids to win his second British championship rally in a row following success on last month's North West Stages. "We got off to the perfect start in the North West and we aim to continue like that on gravel for round two,” he said. “The Severn Valley features some of the world’s best rally stages in the heart of Wales and I just can't wait to get going. "We are already enjoying the BRC challenge so much, and gravel will probably be even more fun. It all clicks when I’m driving a trusty Polo with Alex [Kihurani] calling the notes, but anything can happen in rallying. We’ll aim to consistently drive at our pace and avoid mistakes." Ingram is the favourite to win, but the Volkswagen Polo GTI R5 ace won't have it easy with competition coming from all corners. Reigning Junior World Rally champion William Creighton and local driver Osian Pryce both gave Ingram a hard time on the first round and start just behind the Englishman in their Ford Fiesta Rally2 this time around. Also Fiesta mounted, four-time British champion and current leader of the Irish Tarmac Rally Championship, Keith Cronin, will be out to prove his pace on gravel is just as strong as Tarmac. He starts ahead of M-Sport driver Garry Pearson, who enters the Rallynuts for the first time since he won both the BTRDA and Welsh championship titles in 2021. Victor that year, Eliot Payne, is the highest seeded of this year's BTRDA runners, just ahead of 2022 Rallynuts winner Matthew Hirst, who starts first of the Welsh championship contenders. James Williams starts at eight, ahead of the stunning new Toyota GR Yaris Rally2 of Meirion Evans, while Callum Black completes the top-10 seeds in his Fiesta. The British Historic contingent is led away by the Mitsubishi Galant VR4 of George Lepley and Dale Bowen, with the likes of Nick Elliott's FIAT 131, Matt Robinson's Ford Escort MKII and Seb Perez's Porsche 911 chasing him down. Smaller-engine cars and the older historic category vehicles will be first onto the stages, with three spectacular viewing locations available to spectators. Each test is run twice, with Bonhams Cars Sarnau, just outside of Abbeycwmhir. starting proceedings at 8:39am and again at 2:11pm. Myherin is accessed from `The Arch` off Devil’s Bridge and runs at 9:53am and 3:03pm, with CiderOnline.com Hafren Sweet Lamb taking place at 10:59am and finally at 4:16pm, the last stage of the rally. There are plenty of opportunities to meet and mingle with the stars as well as see the cars, with the introduction of a free of charge autograph session on Friday evening at the Metropole Hotel in Llandrindod Wells from 6:30pm. Spectators are also welcome at Saturday morning's event start and the finish, both at the Metropole Hotel, where the winners will be crowned. For more information on ticket prices, locations and timings, please visit www.rallynutsrally.co.uk/spectators. Follow the event’s social media feeds for all the latest news: www.facebook.com/RallynutsStagesRally and www.twitter.com/rallynutsstages . Matthew Hirst and Declan Dear in their Ford Fiesta R5. Image: Paul Mitchell Photography. Defending Motorsport UK Pirelli Welsh rally champions Matthew Hirst and Declan Dear will be aiming for a third straight win on the 50th Rallynuts Severn Valley Stages which starts and finishes in Llandrindod Wells on Saturday, April 13. The series leaders will contest the event in their Delta Salvage/Witham Motorsport Ford Fiesta R5 facing stiff competition from the likes of Perry Gardener and Jack Bowen, who return to the series in their TNT AGRI Fiesta R5, and Dan O'Brien and Mark Glennerster, who finished second on round one in their O’Brien Group Ford Fiesta RS WRC. Hirst started his title defence in style with a commanding victory on the recent Get Jerky Rally North Wales, but there is a long way between now and what the Doncaster ace hopes will be a record-breaking fourth Pirelli Welsh title. Gardener is always quick in the Welsh forests and took home third-placed Pirelli Welsh points the last time he did the Rallynuts in 2022. Jack Bowen meanwhile will be aiming to extend his lead at the top of the OnThePaceNote / Restruct Welsh Junior co-drivers’ standings, having navigated for Simon Rogers on the opening round. Former Welsh Junior frontrunner O'Brien had a very close battle for position with James Giddings and Aled Davies (Fordpad/Enva/Sar Metals Mitsubishi Evo 9) last time out and the pair will be duelling for the top spot once again. Russ Thompson and Stephen Link scored maximum Pirelli Welsh points on last year’s Visit Conwy Cambrian Rally and return in their rapid Dunnow Plant Mitsubishi Evo 9. The 2019 championship runners up will be able to use the top end speed of their car to good effect on the fast and flowing stages and will be out for a win. David Tomlin would have taken third-placed points on Rally North Wales had he not got his Axon Ford Fiesta R5 stuck in the mud for three minutes. As his regular co-driver Keith Ashley is on Rallynuts Clerk of the Course duties, the Worcester driver will be partnered this time by Ian Beamond. The 2023 Welsh Challenge champions Martyn Andrews and Steve Greenhill return in their unmissable Opie Oils Subaru Impreza STi N12 and will be challenging for a top spot, as will Daniel Moss and Sam Davies in their Hurst Haylage Mitsubishi Evo 10. Rob Wilson won the Pirelli Welsh Junior, Challenge and class W13 titles in 2022 and finished runner up in the overall drivers’ standings. The Herefordshire youngster is back in his trusty Mitsubishi Evo 7, do-driven by Martin Haggett, and knows how to get the most out of the not-so-young car. The rally contains seven stages, totalling 62.31 stage miles. It starts from the Metropole Hotel in Llandrindod Wells at 8am on Saturday and has four stages -Sarnau, Tarennig, Myherin and Sweet Lamb - before service in Dolgellau. In the afternoon, there is the repeat of Sarnau, Myherin Main, which at 15.82 miles is the longest of the event, and Hafren Main, before the finish back in Llandrindod Wells at 5.35pm The rally will be live streamed on the Pirelli Welsh Rally Championship’s and Special Stage TV’s Facebook pages during the event. For details about the championship and how to register visit: https://wnrc.wamc.org.uk/ Town criers from across the globe will converge on the ancient Mid Wales border town of Montgomery this autumn to put their vocal chords to the test in a prestigious annual competition. Montgomery Town Crier for the past 22 years, Sue Blower, has secured The Ancient & Honourable Guild of Town Criers (AHGTC) Guild Championships for her home town on from September 13-15, with support from the town council. Around 40 town criers are expected to arrive in the pretty former county town, which is overlooked by a castle, on Friday, September 13 for a reception in the Town Hall, followed by the competition next day and a church parade on the Sunday. Sue is now busy trying to raise the £5,000 she needs to stage the competition and is looking for sponsors to join Montgomery Town Council which has already pledged £1,000. Potential sponsors can contact her on Tel: 07939 128286 or email: susieblowermtc@hotmail.co.uk . “It’s a huge honour and a real coup for Montgomery and Wales to have been approached to host the Guild Championships which attracts competitors from across the world to compete for the stunning silver George Carpenter trophy,” she explained. “It’s also an exciting personal challenge because I have to raise £5,000 to stage the event. I hope local businesses will recognise the value of sponsoring an event that will generate worldwide interest and attract many visitors to the town and surrounding area. “Town criers from America, Canada, Australia and New Zealand will be competing against their counterparts from the UK in my home town. I just wish my parents were alive to see the competition which will be a fantastic spectacle not only for Montgomery but for the whole of Wales.” Sue is receiving widespread support, including from Welsh Government Minister for Health and Social Services and a regional MS for Mid and West Wales, Eluned Morgan, who has agreed to join the competition judging panel, which will also include the Earl of Powis. The international town criers will be asked to deliver two cries in the championships – the home cry and a set cry on a particular topic - with each cry not exceeding 140 words. The competition will take place in the Town Square, with Broad Street closed to traffic for the day. An area of the street will be closed off for food and drink vendors to add to the occasion. “It’s not the first time Montgomery has hosted a competition for town criers, having twice held previous contests over the past decade, but this will certainly be the biggest and most prestigious,” added Sue. She has already booked places for the visiting town criers and their partners at the Dragon Hotel and with other local accommodation providers and says many of the visitors plan to stay in the town for a few extra days. One of these is Daniel Laflèche, from Canada, official provincial crier of Ontario since 1984 and the official town crier for the National Capital Region of Ottawa-Gatineau since 1981. He holds the title of The Most Elegant Crier in the World. An actor and former history teacher, Daniel is also a storyteller and has agreed to visit local primary schools in Montgomery and surrounding villages to share his stories during his 10-day stay. Montgomery Town Crier Sue Blower – excited about bringing international town criers championships to her home town.
Golden sunlight burning through fog in the Great Wood at Gregynog. Image: Bradley Carr. ‘Welcome Home to Nature’ programme at Gregynog, one of Wales’ leading country estates, has been awarded £246,966 through the Welsh Government’s Nature Networks Fund. The funding supports nature recovery and encourages more public access to some of Wales’ most special natural environments. Gregynog’s project is one of 17 in Wales set to benefit from Welsh Government conservation funding totalling £3.78 million. The investment in the National Nature Reserve and two areas of Special Scientific Interest at Gregynog, located at Tregynon, near Newtown, will make a huge difference. Gregynog’s Great Wood, an internationally significant ancient oak woodland, is home to rare lichens and to birds such as pied flycatcher, willow tits and wood warblers. The grounds at Gregynog are open every day and lots of people regularly visit to enjoy a walk in the woods and a coffee in the Courtyard café. However, rutted tracks make access difficult for both visitors with mobility issues and those with young children and the woodland walks can be muddy for much of the year. The Nature Network Fund support will allow Gregynog to repair and top dress both the drives to Bwlch y Ffridd, improve drainage and fill all pot holes. A new, accessible path around the lily pond will be created and the pond will be restored to create an accessible 360 degree bird hide on the island, accessed by a new bridge. Invasive plants will also be cleared from the pond over two years. All walks on the estate will have new signage and pathways and mapping will be improved while 50 bird boxes will be installed with help from Montgomeryshire Wildlife Trust, which will also run public events for the next two years and monitor wildlife on the estate. A children’s playground and covered picnic benches for adults and children using sustainable materials will be installed together with a bike rack for visitors and staff at the Courtyard entrance. Meadow flowers and flowering specimen trees will be planted along the drives and work will continue to restore the walled gardens. The Nature Networks Fund is delivered by The National Lottery Heritage Fund in Wales on behalf of the Welsh Government and in partnership with Natural Resources Wales. Gregynog’s chair Carole-Anne Davies said: “We are very proud of our team and their work on the ‘Welcome Home to Nature’ programme. The project allows us to enhance and broaden visitor access and experience, as well as protect and nurture our richly biodiverse reserve as a haven for nature. “It also helps consolidate our partnerships, opening up further potential for collaboration and helping us to reveal and share Gregynog’s magic with more people than ever – exploring the joy that comes with integrating nature, science and creativity.” Ruth Jenkins, head of natural resource management policy at Natural Resources Wales, said: “We are delighted to see these projects, each driving forward the practical action needed to address what is one of the most urgent challenges of our times. “These projects will seek to recover species and habitats through collaboration among a wide range of land owners and organisations. They are all superb and diverse examples of the exciting restoration and community engagement that is a critically needed step to bring about the recovery of nature in Wales.”
“Families and couples are always looking for something to do during Bank Holiday weekends and school half term holidays, especially when it’s raining, which seems likely this Easter,” said Lorna Morris who established the attraction with business partner Jo Woodall four years ago. “As an Easter treat, we have decided to give customers a 20% discount for Good Friday and Saturday, so that they can enjoy the immersive, fun experience indoors here at Beyond Breakout. “‘Shaken Not Purred’ stands as a testament to our commitment to innovation and delivering unforgettable adventures for players of all ages. We look forward to welcoming both new and returning players." Lorna and Jo have worked hard to establish the business within the interactive entertainment industry. Next week, the attraction will be open as usual from Tuesday to Sunday. For more information about Beyond Breakout Ltd and its escape room games or to book online, visit www.beyondbreakout.co.uk . Beyond Breakout’s partners Lorna Morris and Jo Woodall.
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