The Vale of Rheidol Railway recently celebrated the official opening of its new museum and events space in Aberystwyth, marking the completion of the ‘Wales to the World’ project. The repurposed building offers 5,000 square feet of display space for some of the railway’s priceless collection, alongside exhibits from around the world. It tells the story of how Wales led the way in narrow gauge railways, helping to export the idea all over the world. The building project has been completed on budget by the railway, despite having to navigate COVID restrictions and increasing costs through the last phase of construction. The museum is part of the £3.3m Wales to the World project which is transforming the site into a station suitable for modern tourists. It’s estimated that The Vale of Rheidol Railway generates around £2 million annually for the local economy. “Delivering the project has been challenging at times,” said Llŷr ap Iolo, managing director of the Vale of Rheidol Railway. “However, we now finally have the facilities to welcome visitors to the railway and offer a fantastic experience and day out. “This makes the business more sustainable, both as an all year round attraction and as a large local employer.” The museum is located in the old Aberystwyth engine shed building, which was built in 1938 by the Great Western Railway. The space has been transformed into a multi-purpose display and events venue for community events. The official opening ceremony was performed by Steffan Roberts, the Welsh Government’s deputy director of tourism, development and sport. Cabinet Secretary for Economy, Energy and Welsh Language, Jeremy Miles, said: “It’s very exciting news that the new museum and community events space is now open to the public. The modern exhibition will raise awareness of the pivotal role that Wales played in the history of narrow gauge railways and is a great addition to an already highly popular Welsh attraction.” As well as £1.6m of funding from the European Regional Development Fund and £256,000 from the Welsh Government, the project received £300,000 from the Coastal Communities Fund, administered on behalf of the Welsh Government by the National Lottery Community Fund. The project also received £100,000 from the Railway Heritage Trust towards the atrium and reconstruction of the portico entrance. Invited guests enjoyed a private look inside the museum, whilst being entertained by Aberystwyth-based professional string quartet Da’l Ati. Guests then boarded the train for a ride to Devil’s Bridge for a sumptuous buffet lunch, provided by the Two Hoots Tea Room. “It was fantastic to invite our funders, contractors and friends to the opening day to thank them and showcase the finished building,” added Llŷr, reflecting on the opening day. Visitors will now be able to enjoy the museum for themselves, as the venue will be open daily until the start of November. Entry is £5 for adults, £3 for children or free for those travelling on the train. The museum is also being used as a hub for community events throughout the year, including live music and lunchtime concerts. The space is also available for private functions and events, with further details are available from the railway.
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Grants of between £5,000 and £10,000 are available through the fund to help businesses to invest in renewable energy technology, carry out improvements to the fabric of business premises, and upgrades to systems or machinery to reduce energy use. A giant copper dragon sculpture, Queen Belrenin, awaits visitors at TimeScape Rhayader. There’s been something magical happening behind closed doors in the Mid Wales market town of Rhayader! For more than two years, a team of dedicated and highly skilled people has been burning the midnight oil, ready for the official opening of a brand-new visitor attraction on May 23 - TimeScape Rhayader / Amserwedd Rhaeadr Gwy. Following the private launch on May 23, ‘Timescape Rhayader’ opens to the public on May 30. This new heritage and arts attraction has been created by CARAD (Community Arts Rhayader and District). It’s the first all-weather attraction in the town, offering tourists a dry base to explore the history and landscape of Rhayader in inclement weather. New installations look at the fascinating stories from the community and those who lived there before, unique landscapes, climate change and sustainable behaviour, folklore and belief, farming and the environment, migration and identity. The fascinating installations include an atmospheric Dragon’s Cave, also accessible through a crawl-through tunnel which features CARAD’s giant copper dragon sculpture, Queen Belrenin. Cath Allan, CARAD’s co-director and creative lead on TimeScape Rhayader, said: “We’re passionate believers in the power of creativity and heritage to bring people together in shared endeavours, and to inspire individuals to push themselves beyond their comfort zones. “This project has involved Rhayader’s community at every stage of its development, with over 100 volunteers giving thousands of hours of their time. It’s a brilliant effort and an exceptional achievement! “Together we’ve created an ambitious and inspiring all-weather heritage and arts attraction that showcases Mid Wales and its unique place in Welsh history and on the world stage.” Cath added: “This new attraction will suit all ages. A host of new installations explore the area’s fascinating stories from our community today as well as those who lived here before. We explore the unique landscapes, folklore and beliefs which shaped our communities, in a welcoming and fascinating all weather experience. “Our new digital displays include a magic i-sandbox, where children can explore and create landscapes and see dinosaurs in their natural habitat. There’s even a digital reconstruction of the Roman marching camp at Esgair Perfedd and Cwm Elan Mine on our digital table!” CARAD co-director Krysia Bass said: “We’ve created a unique, immersive environment that incorporates the old Rhayader Folk Museum Collections in new and innovative ways. “Some items now on display haven’t been seen for over 50 years and some others have never been seen by the public at all. “TimeScape Rhayader / Amserwedd Rhaeadr Gwyr has been in development since lockdown and we couldn’t have done it without the support and trust of our key funding partners.” Funding partners are the Welsh Government, Elan Links HLF Landscape Scheme, Powys County Council, Rhayader Town Council, Art Fund, Community Foundation Wales, Ashley Family Foundation, Oakdale Trust and Llysdinam Trust. CARAD trustee Peter Cox, MBE, said: ‘TimeScape Rhayader aims to help CARAD become more sustainable and to grow tourism in Rhayader itself - capitalising on the half a million visitors who come to explore the Elan Valley each year. “We can’t wait to welcome visitors. We’re immensely proud of what we’ve created and want to share it with as many people as possible. When we ran some preview tours the visitor responses were fantastic and so encouraging.” One local resident said: “It’s excellent! Really proud to have this in Rhayader.’ A German visitor said: “What you have created is very profound. It shows the whole cosmos” and a couple from Australia said: “It’s absolutely fascinating and beautiful. This will become a ‘must see’ tourist and local attraction.” Opening Hours from May 30 are Thursday to Saturday, 10.30am to 4pm, last entry, 3.30pm. Ticket prices are £6 for adults and 1p for children under 16. There will be several ‘no pay’ days a year for local people. Sykes Holiday Cottages, members of MWT Cymru, have shared their latest insights from their third installment of their annual Holiday Letting Outlook Report 2024.
They’ve explored the ins and outs of the UK's short-term accommodation market following an eventful year. Staycations have been on the rise for a decade, and now, the demand for UK holiday cottages is at an all-time high. By analysing their own booking and income stats, Sykes have explored how the market performed last year and what to look forward to in 2024 and beyond. Here’s a brief overview:
Sustainable Travel Sykes are committed to fostering sustainable growth in the holiday let sector by helping owners manage their properties responsibly and benefit local communities. This includes encouraging guests to support local businesses, recycle, and reduce energy use. They also recommend building partnerships with local businesses to provide guest discounts and opening their property to year-round bookings to keep properties from sitting empty. For more information, head over to their website for the full downloadable version of Sykes’ Holiday Letting Outlook Report 2024. A poster promoting the ‘Sport and Leisure in Newtown: 1875-1914’ exhibition at Newtown Textile Museum. A fascinating summer exhibition capturing ‘Sport and Leisure in Newtown: 1875-1914’ opens in the town next week. A new exhibition, which opens at Newtown Textile Museum on Tuesday, May 21 and runs until September 28, includes the annual Royal Welsh Warehouse Sports Day, Newtown Carnival, Newtown Football Club and the town’s football teams of yesteryear. “Newtown was one of the first towns in Wales to have a football club and a lot of teams were then formed, many of them linked to the Pryce Jones company and the Royal Welsh Warehouse,” explained Janet Lewis, Newtown Textile Museum chairman. “It seems that teams were encouraged by employers as football was a healthy activity and kept men out of the pubs! There were no clubs or sports for women at that time. “An annual Royal Welsh Warehouse Sports Day became a key event in the town. There are a lot of photos and newspaper cuttings in the exhibition, including of the huge crowds of people who attended the sports day, many of whom came by train. “The carnival is another form of leisure which is also shown and has been happening in the town for more than 130 years.” The museum, at 5-7 Commercial Street, is open from 12 noon to 4pm on Tuesdays, Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays until the end of September. For more information about the museum, visit www.newtowntextilemuseum.co.uk . In addition to the exhibition, visitors will be able to see all the usual permanent exhibits in the volunteer-run museum, which is housed in an original handloom weaving factory, built in the 1830s. The 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. The museum is a member of MWT Cymru, an independent organisation that represents around 600 tourism and hospitality businesses across Powys, Ceredigion and Southern Snowdonia. May sees the world-famous Powis Castle and Garden in Welshpool burst into bloom, from towering rhododendrons to tumbling wisteria. Head gardener, David Swanton, shares highlights for the month ahead in one of the finest gardens in Britain cared for by National Trust Cymru. With views across the Severn Valley, dramatic terraces, an Orangery, an Edwardian formal garden and a peaceful wooded landscape, there is so much to explore in the Grade I listed garden. Descend into the historic Edwardian Formal Garden this month and be greeted by the sweet-scented blossom on the 100-year-old apples trees which line the manicured lawn. From varieties such as Bismark to Ribston Pippin, these blossom trees were the vision of Lady Violet, Countess of Powis in the early 1900s in her mission to make Powis Castle ‘one of the most beautiful, if not the most beautiful in England and Wales’. Lady Violet’s influence can still be seen today, alongside the pristine croquet lawn lined with colourful borders and meticulously trimmed fruit trees. Spot bunches of bright blue Grape Hyacinths and Scillas swaying in the breeze underneath the apple blossom. For those who don’t want to walk too far, vistas of the expansive garden below can be enjoyed from the top of the Italianate terraces. Considered the finest surviving example of a 17th century terraced garden in Britain, purple Irises provide a splash of joyful colour, nestled between stone statues and bright boarders. “Spring is one of my favourite times of year,” said Mr Swanton. “As the garden wakes up for the warmer months, it's filled with colour and sweet scents once again. Keep an eye out for the sunny yellow Azaleas within the woodland garden - the scent from these is always incredible. “A seasonal highlight for me are the blossom trees within the Edwardian Formal Garden. Some have been flowering for more than 100 years, not only putting on a cheerful display for all visitors to enjoy, but also providing an important source of nectar for our local biodiversity including bees and butterflies. “If you visit around the middle of May, enjoy the two-metre-high purple wisteria which adorns the Aviary Terrace and is always popular with visitors – and butterflies too!. “If you want to walk a little further into the Wilderness, an informal woodland behind the formal garden, you’ll be greeted by bright displays of primulas alongside red and soft lilac rhododendrons. Keep a look out for a sea of bluebells too which have already started flowering under the canopy of rustling trees.” Powis Castle and Garden is open daily from 10am to 5pm, with last entry at 4.30pm to the garden and 3.30pm to the castle. To plan a visit please head to: www.nationaltrust.org.uk/powis-castle-and-garden ![]() In the Welsh Wind co-owner and director Ellen Wakelam (centre) with sponsor David Barwell, ASDA’s senior director retail operations (Wales) and awards host Sian Lloyd. Glasses were raised to toast the success of a Ceredigion distillery at the coveted Wales Food and Drink Awards. In the Welsh Wind, based just outside Cardigan on the Mid Wales coast, was crowned Drinks Producer of the Year 2024 at awards ceremony held at Swansea’s Brangwyn Hall. The only distillery shortlisted in the prestigious category, In the Welsh Wind beat four other established businesses including Brecon Carreg and Ty Nant. The distillery was also highly commended in Upskilling Award category and congratulated for its commitment to the training and development of staff. “We’re absolutely thrilled to have been recognised as Drinks Producer of the Year 2024,” said co-owner and director Ellen Wakelam. “It’s a testament to the hard work of all the team, across the board, that we’ve achieved so much in the last couple of years. “The Food and Drink Wales Awards are a real celebration of the fantastic food and drink industry here in Wales and to be recognised in this way is incredible amongst such a distinguished cohort of businesses.” A celebration of the Welsh food and drink industry, the awards recognise businesses and individuals in a wide range of categories. . Since Ellen founded In the Welsh Wind with her partner Alex Jungmayr in 2018, the business has grown and has just sold out of its first release of limited edition whisky. The annual Smallholding and Countryside Festival, a family favourite, is being held at the Royal Welsh Showground in Builth Wells on May 18 and 19.
A celebration of rural life and country living with smallholding pursuits at its heart, weekend event showcases the diversity of the Welsh countryside. Together with an array of display ring attractions, livestock and equine competitions, children's activities, shopping trade stands, live music and delicious food and drink, the festival is a great day out for all. The festival is an excellent way to get started in the livestock and equine showing world, with a variety of competitions, including many rare and native breeds. The Smallholders Centre will continue to be the main port of call for those wanting to learn more about the smallholder’s way of life. It’s an ideal place to stock up on the essentials from the agricultural and smallholding themed trade stands. A variety of activities will be held in the Country Life Area, including the Premier Open Dog Show (Crufts 2025 Qualifier), The Woodville Medieval Re-enactment Camp, BASC gundogs demonstrations, British Army Health and Fitness, forestry competitions, sporting and countryside activities. Families can get involved in Builth Bulls biking activities and obstacle course. While children can give cycling a go with helmets and bikes provided. Panic Family Circus returns to entertain with circus skills, workshops and traditional puppet shows. For animal interactions, Will’s Petting Farm has a variety of small farm animals including ponies, goats, rabbits, guinea pigs and alpacas. This year’s festival is packed with things to do and see, including a busy line up in the display ring featuring Dangerous Steve's motorbike stunt show, Paws for Thought dog display team, the Hackney Horse & Pony display, Scurry Driving and Meirion Owen and his sheepdogs. Show jumping competitions begin after 4pm and will run late into Saturday evening. For the dog lovers, The Welsh Premier Open Dog Show is held all weekend with hundreds of dogs competing for a chance to qualify for Crufts 2025. With visitors able to take their own dogs to the festival, RWAS Feature County of Ceredigion will be hosting a novelty Fun Dog Show in the Country Life Area. Farming Connect Horticulture will take over the Members Centre for a Growers Market. Experienced growers representing a cross-section of the horticulture industry will share their knowledge and expertise and showcase their products. The versatility of wool and the creations that can be made from it will be promoted. Meirionnydd Shearing Centre will showcase our wool handling and blade shearing competitions for both novice and intermediate classes, along with a vintage shearing display. Next door in the Craft, Art & Education Hall, visitors can enjoy demonstrations from the Gwent Guild of Spinners and Weavers and many wool related trade stands. Delicious goods will be on offer in the Food Hall and there will be live music and seating in the Welsh Food Village, Gwledd | Feast. Free car parking is located at the bottom end of the showground, only a short walk to the event's main entrance, with a forward parking area available for visitors displaying a blue badge. People planning to attend the festival can skip the queues by buying their tickets online at the RWAS website - https://rwas.ticketsrv.co.uk/tickets/954 .Earlybird online tickets are £18 for adults, £5 for children or family tickets cost £40. FfWHR general manager Paul Lewin with project manager Edwina Bell, project management trainee James Kindred and staff from main contractor OBR Construction. Image: Chris Parry. Twenty contractors and sub-contractors from across Gwynedd and North Wales have received more than £3 million in project funding awarded to a Ffestiniog and Welsh Highland Railways (FfWHR). Then money was given to the railways’ Interpretation and Boston Lodge Project by the National Lottery Heritage Fund (NLHF), Ffestiniog Railway Society and Ffestiniog and Welsh Highland Railway Trust. During the last 18 months, the railway has used the skills and craftsmanship of local businesses. “It has been really important to reinvest this money back into the community here as we restored old buildings and built new ones, transforming the site to make it fit for the future and enable us to offer guided tours to showcase the heritage skills that keep the railway running,” said Dr Edwina Bell, FfWHR heritage project manager. “We have a wealth of construction skills locally and I was determined to use them.” OBR of Llangefni is the main contractor leading on 12 of the buildings and G. H. James Cyf Groundworks of Trawsfynydd was brought in to work on the small loco shed, along with J, Lloyd Steelwork of Corwen. OBR has used a wide range of local subcontractors including Snowdonia Lime of Glan Conwy, JRS Mechanical and Electrical Service from Abergele, Lance Williams Roofing of Porthaethwy, North Wales Liquid Screed of Caernarfon, Colin Jones Rock Engineering of Porthmadog and R. G. Jones of Pwllheli. Paul Lewin, FfWHR general manager, said: “The Interpretation and Boston Lodge Project is all about working in partnership with the local community. “I am immensely proud of the work that has taken place with the help of the NLHF and match funding by the Ffestiniog Railway Society and the Ffestiniog and Welsh Highland Railways Trust. “They have helped to make our busy Boston Lodge works a place where the community and visitors can step into a real working site, understand the area’s pioneering spirit and give locals with a railway family history an opportunity to see where their ancestors worked. “We now have a state of the art classroom and facilities to enable us to do that. When you visit, you will see the project has allowed us to rescue historic buildings at Boston Lodge, bringing them back into use, as well as creating some new buildings, thanks to the skills and endeavour of our contractors. “I can’t wait to invite the community onto the site this year.” In addition to the building works, the project includes a wide range of work experience and skills development activities and new interpretation across the railway. Young people particularly can learn practical skills that are focused on the needs of the railway, including infrastructure, works, marketing, interpretation and administration. Dr Bell added: “It has been an absolute pleasure to see young faces light up during a work experience week. We get them working on real projects and you can see the pride spread across their faces as they realise they have learned a new skill and constructed a small piece of Boston Lodge.” Boston Lodge is due to open for tours later this year.
The Queen was patron of the RWAS for 70 years and showed great support. Her support reflected her long-lasting interest in Welsh agriculture, horticulture and rural affairs. The Queen’s first official role with the RWAS was as Princess Elizabeth in 1947, when she was honorary president. She undertook a triumphant tour of the showground during a visit to the Royal Welsh Show, held in Carmarthen. The late Queen had followed her late father, George VI, and her grandfather, George V in accepting the patronage. King George V first became patron as Prince of Wales in 1907 and formally as King in 1911. His Silver Challenge Cup for the best Welsh Cob then became known as the George Prince of Wales Challenge Cup, one of the most famous cups presented at the Royal Welsh Show annually. |
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