Get Connected Rali Ceredigion has become the first UK rally to offset the emissions associated with the entire competitive field by partnering with Carbon Positive Motorsport.
Carbon Positive Motorsport is a market leader in the provision of carbon offset programmes for motorsport events which ties in nicely with Get Connected Rali Ceredigion’s mission to promote sustainability in motorsport and create a long-term legacy of environmental improvement. To ensure the rally runs in the most sustainable way possible, organisers had no hesitation in introducing a range of initiatives to increase the event’s environmental credentials and neutralise its carbon footprint in a real way. Carbon Positive Motorsport is the first company in the world to offer dedicated offsetting exclusively for motorsport. The company makes it possible for events, teams, competitors and spectators to offset their carbon footprint from fuel usage by more than 125%, a figure that results in a positive and not just carbon-neutral outcome. By only using the highest quality, 100% UK-based projects that include rewilding, restoration of ancient woodlands together with the reintroduction of native species of trees and wildlife, the improved biodiversity delivers a far more beneficial environmental outcome than that of offsetting alone. Added to this, the stringent verification processes and records kept by UK Land Registry assure traceability, credibility and a genuine long-lasting legacy. The organisers see this new association as a major factor in being able to reach their goal to run the rally with zero carbon impact. Chairman Phil Pugh explained: “A focus on sustainability runs throughout all aspects of the event. These range from innovative initiatives that significantly reduce the environmental impact, to working with local partners and using the event as a platform to promote sustainable motoring whilst showcasing options to help decarbonise transport." Carbon Positive Motorsport director Paul Glass added: "We are delighted to support Get Connected Rali Ceredigion and proud to be associated with the first UK event to run under the FIA’s new environmental management accreditation scheme. “We will utilise our unique database of rally car fuel consumption, based on actual competition figures, to create an average outcome that we can apply and consequently offset. "We have been working with a number of events and competitors to create an end-to-end event carbon offsetting package. It provides a highly efficient way for an event to make the biggest positive carbon impact and, at the same time, help organisers sustain motorsport activities within their local communities.” Carbon Positive Motorsport is offering marshals and spectators a 20% discount on its standard online prices, allowing those travelling to the event to further offset the effects of their attendance and participation. A Get Connected Rali Ceredigion discount code (GCRC22S) has been created to use via the website: www.carbonpositivemotorsport.com . Additionally, the company is donating 10% from its profits to support motorsport organisations in Ukraine, providing humanitarian aid to those devastated by the war. The rally will be the first event in the UK to achieve a new environmental management accreditation issued by the FIA, world motorsport’s governing body. Furthermore, the rally will reduce the impact and emissions of spectator vehicles by providing a park and ride and public transport scheme, promote car sharing and use repeat competitive stages in order to minimise spectator movement. For more information about Carbon Positive Motorsport, visit: www.carbonpositivemotorsport.com . For the latest news and further details about the event, visit: www.raliceredigion.co.uk .
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The daughter of the late Rev Wilbert Awdry, author of the famous ‘Railway Series’ which included Thomas the Tank engine, has spoken of her pride after attending the second ‘Awdry Extravaganza’ at Talyllyn Railway last month.
Veronica Chambers attended the weekend event, organised to celebrate her father’s work, with her grandson and great grandchildren. The Rev. Awdry was an Anglican priest and railway enthusiast who became an enthusiastic member and volunteer guard on the Talyllyn Railway in 1952. His experiences inspired him to create a fictitious Skarloey Railway, which became the subject of an additional series of books within his ‘Railway Series’. “To be present at this Extravaganza at the Talyllyn Railway was a real privilege,” said Veronica. “To see in action the still passionate interest and enjoyment of so many diverse people, of all ages and from different parts of the world, united by their love of Wilbert’s stories and the Skarloey Railway, was immensely moving. “For me it was an incredible and often humbling experience….to meet a lad whose time in hospital after two big organ transplants had been transformed by the stories, the one who had found the courage to become a volunteer. “Others told of firm friendships made over the miles through shared interest, those who remembered meeting Wilbert himself, or Christopher and those who had travelled from the States. “Father would have been amazed and delighted to think that his stories, based on his beloved Talyllyn Railway, touched, and still do, so many people for good. My family and I are immensely proud.” Building on the success of the first Awdry Extravaganza in 2021, this year’s event was organised by Luke Ryan, himself a ‘Railway Series’ expert. “We were blown away by the reception that the event received in 2021, so we knew that we were on the right track,” he said. “This year, we introduced some new special services, such as a photo charter and 'The Picnic' train, which both sold out amazingly fast.” This year’s event attracted nearly 50% more revenue and attendees and increased its online presence, with more than 5,000 people watching the livestream and 230 buying tickets for a lecture by railway historian, Tim Dunn which was broadcast live. Talyllyn Railway's general manager, Stuart Williams, said: “This year’s event exceeded our expectations and delivered record breaking sales in our shop, as well as attracting a diverse audience of visitors which came specifically for the event from as far away as Nashville in the USA.” Planning for next year’s event has started already, with a date being announced soon. Picture caption: Railway historian Tim Dunn interviewing a train driver at Wharf Station during the ‘Awdry Extravaganza’. Image: Nathan Spence Some of the world’s finest musicians will appear at this year’s Gŵyl Machynlleth Festival from August 21-28. Star performers include soprano Natalya Romaniw, renowned Welsh tenor Dennis O’Neill, who leads an opera masterclass and acclaimed pianist Elisabeth Leonskaja. The festival will serve up a mix of genres and styles, including chamber music, solo artists, quartets and ensembles playing classical, traditional and international music. All concerts take place in the historic Tabernacle Auditorium and there’s a special ‘free festival’ fringe programme with a children’s concert, outdoor market day concert and workshops. Three days of Welsh music precede the classical programme with popular Cantorion Gogledd Cymru Male Voice Choir. The Tabernacle is a centre of arts and culture which houses an extraordinary art and sculpture collection at MOMA Machynlleth. Through a courtyard archway, a sweeping exterior staircase of this former Wesleyan chapel leads audiences to a concert hall with truly exceptional acoustics. The Tabernacle Auditorium.
Festival artistic director Julius Drake said: “I am very much looking forward to this year’s Machynlleth Festival, surrounded by the beautiful green mountains and valleys of Mid Wales. “We will be welcoming some of the finest musicians from around the world, stars in the musical firmament, and I know we will have a glorious week of great music making.” The festival concerts bring a mix of chamber music, singers, choirs, instrumentalists, lectures and dance, with many artists performing in Machynlleth for the first time. Machynlleth street market will host a free, open-air concert for the community featuring a selection of local musicians performing folk, jazz and choral music outside the library on Wednesday, August 24 from 11am to 2pm. Machynlleth will also play host to Niall Cusack, resident ‘Roaming Bard’ who will be popping-up around the festival week to deliver short stories and poems by Welsh writers in various venues up and down the High Street. On Wednesday, August 24 at 7.30pm, brilliant South African cellist Abel Selaocoe will be joined by his trio Chesaba for an electric performance of music from across the African continent. in the Tabernacle Auditorium. The Wihan Quartet returns to perform two classics of the Bohemian repertoire Dvořák’s Quartet No.2 ‘Intimate Letters’ and Janáček’s Quartet No. 12 the ‘American’ for a Lunchtime concert on Thursday, August 25 at 1pm. Swansea born Soprano Natalya Romaniw, one of Europe’s most promising young stars, makes her Machynlleth debut in recital with Julius Drake at 7.30pm on Thursday, with a programme of Berg and Strauss, including Strauss’ sublime four last songs. O’Neill gives a masterclass with young singers from the UK conservatoires in The Tannery from 10.30am to 4.30 pm on Friday, August 23, culminating in a concert at 5pm in The Tabernacle. He then appears in conversation for a free talk with the writer and broadcaster Christopher Cook at 6.30pm. This year’s Glyndwr Award goes to Robat Arwyn, one of the most prolific and popular composers in Wales today, for his contribution to the arts in Wales. Conductor to the famed Côr Ruthun, Arwyn’s contribution to the choral legacy of Welsh music is significant. The award will be presented on Friday, August 26 at 1pm and feature a performance of Robat’s music by Rhys Meirion. Viktoria Mullova, a celebrated violinist, is joined by the outstanding Scottish pianist Alasdair Beatson for a rich programme of Beethoven and Schubert masterpieces and 20th Century Classics by Pärt and Takemitsu on Friday, August 26 at 7.30pm. The award-winning Elysium Brass ensemble performs an atmospheric programme of Gabrielli to Gershwin, Ravel to A Nightingale Sang In Berkley Square for the second of three late-night concerts by candlelight at 10pm on Friday. Mark Padmore is joined by Benjamin Marquise Gilmore and Niall Cusak for a lunchtime performance of works for voice, violin and narrator at 1pm on Saturday, August 27 with a charming programme of Holst, Alan Ridout and Vaughan Williams. Recipient of the 2020 International Classical Music Lifetime Achievement Award, Elisabeth Leonskaja makes her Machynlleth debut to perform the final three of Beethoven’s 32 piano sonatas at 7.30pm on Saturday, August 27. The final late-night concert, on Saturday at 10pm, promises rhythm and passion as the Tabernacle is transported to Spain by Lourdes Fernandez Flamenco Company who will also be providing a free Flamenco Workshop at the Owain Glyndŵr Centre at 2pm the same day. Prodigious young Dutch pianist Nikola Meeuwsen gives the final lunchtime recital at 1pm on Sunday, August 28 with a programme of Schubert. The festival closes at 7.30pm with a festive ‘Finale!’ in which Drake is joined by a roster of internationally acclaimed musicians including Mark Padmore, Leon Bosch and the Navarra Quartet. The first three days of the festival are traditionally devoted to Welsh music and musicians, curated by artistic director Dennis Jones. The traditional Cymanfa Ganu (Congregational Singing) with by Cor Bro Meirion, which is free, opens the festival on Sunday, August 21 at 7.30pm. Monday lunchtime brings a recital by four-time winner of the Urdd piano solo competition Charlotte Kwok, joined by her sisters, Melody and Yola Kwok. Three popular Welsh soloists, tenor Robyn Lyn, soprano Gwawr Edwards and bass Trystan Lewis come together to perform an engaging and entertaining programme on Monday evening, followed by an intimate candle-lit performance of traditional Welsh folk music by harpist Siân James at 10pm. Flying Seagull Project delivers a free family friendly event of laughter, magic and music on Tuesday, August 23 at 1pm, followed by a dynamic evening performance by Cantorion Gogledd Cymru with baritone Steffan Lloyd Owen and soprano Aneira Evans. The full festival programme is available on www.machynllethfestival.co.uk . As well as the musical programme, MOMA Machynlleth Gallery’s fine art and sculpture are open to the public during the festival and year-round. Summer 2022 exhibitions include the annual Tabernacle Art Competition and renowned wildlife painter Terence Lambert’s collection of drawings and mixed media paintings ‘Nature is in the Detail’. Other exhibitions include Robert Bryce Muir’s powerful sculpture instillation ‘Conversation with the Silent’, Pembrokeshire Artists’ collection of Welsh artists curated by Myles Pepper and selected works from The Tabernacle Collection. Open Newtown’s new community and visitor centre has been named Hafan Yr Afon, which translates to River Haven or Haven on the River.
The new centre, located on the banks of the River Severn alongside Back Lane car park, forms an attractive gateway to Newtown’s green and blue spaces. Owen Durbridge, chairman of community focused development trust Open Newtown, said: “This exciting and environmentally sustainable building will continue to deliver Open Newtown’s ongoing ethos of well-being, kindness, sanctuary, inclusiveness and biodiversity, whilst promoting outdoor activities. “A welcome break, an attraction, a new experience, encouraging people to explore our river walks and areas of natural beauty. “This new facility will enable Open Newtown to further develop our Forest and River School experience, which will be accessible to all. “As an organisation, Open Newtown is passionate about involving young people, supporting the beginnings of a community youth cafe and we will continue to deliver and support local events.” The Hafan Yr Afon project has been supported by the Welsh Government, National Lottery Community Fund Wales, Newtown and Llanllwchaiarn Town Council and Powys County Council. It has been built by by local contractor Pave Aways, after a public competitive tender process. Robert Roffe, the National Lottery Community Fund in Wales’ head of Mid and West region, said: "Hafan Yr Afon seems to be the perfect name for this new community haven by the river. “The centre will offer a wonderful space, drawing both people from Newtown and visitors into the green of the park, by the flowing river. It's great to see Open Newtown embracing the Welsh language with the National Eisteddfod starting in August. “We are looking forward to Open Newtown's next announcement about the centre. We supported Open Newtown in 2019 with a grant of over £1 million, made possible by players of the National Lottery, one of the £30 million in grants that good causes receive every week across the UK." Councillor David Selby, Powys County Council’s Cabinet Member for a More Prosperous Powys, said: “I am delighted that the aptly named Hafan yr Afon building is to open to the public soon. “This iconic building is a major development for Newtown and surrounding area to serve both residents and visitors alike. It will be a gateway to the open spaces and to the town, providing advice, activities, community spaces and refreshment. Well done to all those involved and a warm welcome to Hafan Yr Afon.” Picture caption: Newtown’s new Hafan Yr Afon community and visitor centre. |
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