Talyllyn Railway ran a special slate train on Wednesday afternoon to celebrate the announcement of the Slate Landscape of Northwest Wales becoming a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
 
The railway is named as part of the new World Heritage Site because it was the first Welsh narrow gauge slate railway to be designed for steam haulage from the outset and the world’s first preserved railway.
 
Taking up the story of the special train, general manager Stuart Williams said: “When the agenda of the UNESCO meeting was published, it was realised that the announcement of success, or otherwise, of the Northwest Wales Slate Landscape bid would be made round midday on July 28.
 
“It was therefore suggested that we ought to celebrate any potential success by running a special train which included some of our original and replica slate wagons and also our original brake van, hauled by one of our original locomotives No.2 ‘Dolgoch’.
 
“The arrangements were made in secret in case it was thought we had any inside knowledge but, like everyone else, we had to wait for the announcement on the day.
 
“The tension in the office increased during the morning, particularly when the live stream of the meeting went down, but fortunately it was back up in time for the announcement.
 
“Then we could give the go ahead for the train and get out the bunting and balloons to celebrate. This has been a long road and we would like to pay tribute to the team at Gwynedd Council for all their hard work during the long bid process.” 
 
UNESCO World Heritage Site status recognises the role of the Welsh slate industry in not only producing slate that has “roofed the world”, but also in developing innovative technologies, including narrow gauge railways, that have spread across the globe.
 
It also recognises the role of the slate industry in preserving Welsh culture and language. The Ffestiniog Railway was also one of the key elements of the successful bid.
 
Ian Drummond, Talyllyn Railway’s Heritage Working Group chair, said: “This inscription is the end of a long road for everyone involved in the bid process. We are already seeing benefits, not only on the railway but also in the local communities, as projects have been undertaken to emphasise, interpret and, in some cases, restore the heritage of the slate industry and its contribution to the history of the area.
 
“We are delighted to have played a role in the process so far, and the railway will now be one of the main ‘hubs’ of the Heritage Site, giving people the opportunity to understand more of the heritage and culture of this wonderful area.”
 
Anthony Coulls, senior curator of the Railway Museum in York and long-serving Talyllyn Railway volunteer, added: “The recognition of Talyllyn Railway’s role, both as a pioneer narrow gauge slate railway and as the world’s first preserved railway, is richly deserved.
 
“The railway now takes its place alongside the Darjeeling Railway in India and the Semmering Railway in Austria as railways recognised as having World Heritage Status, something that will also apply to the Ffestiniog Railway. This is therefore a day to be celebrated by all in the international Heritage Railway movement.”
 
The celebratory slate train ran from Tywyn Wharf Station to Brynglas and back, carrying a special headboard which had been produced for the occasion. Locomotive No.2 was driven by James Foster with Anthony Coulls as fireman and Ian Drummond as guard.
 
Picture caption:
 
Talyllyn Railway’s general manager Stuart Williams (right) with the crew, ‘quarrymen’ and celebratory train at Tywyn Wharf Station.
(Photo: Barbara Fuller)

Welshpool & Llanfair Light Railway has welcomed one of its original locomotives back to the line in a lvery it has not worn for more than 70 years.
 
Beyer Peacock 0-6-0T ‘The Earl’, built in Manchester in 1902, had been sent to the Vale of Rheidol Railway, Aberystwyth for a major overhaul in 2019, following the expiry of the locomotive’s 10-year ‘boiler ticket’.
 
The most extensive work carried out on the engine for many years, which included a complete dismantling, was due to be completed in 2020. However, it was delayed by the Covid pandemic which closed the Aberystwyth workshops for several months.
 
The pandemic also threatened to delay the overhaul for funding reasons, due to the significant loss of revenue suffered by the Welshpool & Llanfair Light Railway (W&LLR) while the line was unable to run services through much of the 2020 operating season.
 
A ‘Keep The Earl on Track’ appeal launched by the railway attracted an enthusiastic response from supporters, raising £95,000 in just three months to complete the restoration.
 
The return of The Earl was not before time, with the boiler tickets on both sister Beyer Peacock ‘The Countess’ and 1927-built Kerr Stuart 0-6-2 ‘Joan’ expiring over the winter of 2020-‘21.
 
With the impact of the pandemic also delaying the restoration of the 1944-built France-Belge 0-8-0T ‘Sir Drefaldwyn’, services so far in 2021 have relied on 1900-built 0-6-2T ‘Zillertal’, on hire from the Zillertalbahn in Austria.
 
As soon as running-in turns and checks are completed, The Earl will take its place on the railway roster.
 
As part of the overhaul, The Earl’s British Railways-era black livery has been replaced by GWR green. This livery has, in recent years, been worn by The Countess. On Monday, they posed together in Llanfair yard this week, the first time in this livery for more than 70 years.
 
The date was significant, exactly 60 years since The Earl first returned to Llanfair in 1961 following six years of storage in Oswestry after British Railways closed the W&LLR in 1956.
 
The Countess will now spend a period on show in the W&LLR’s display sheds at Welshpool before its next overhaul. Part of the reason for this is to separate the boiler tickets of the two Beyer Peacocks, so that in future the railway will always have at least one of its original locomotives in service.

The National Library of Wales in Aberystwyth has been gifted three iconic works by the celebrated local artist Mary Lloyd Jones.
 
The Aberystwyth based artist is well known for her vibrant, abstract, dynamic and expressionist Welsh landscapes and is heavily influenced in her works by the cultural and geographic history of Wales.
 
Born in Devil’s Bridge in 1934, she trained at the Cardiff College of Art in the 1950s, after which she returned to her beloved Ceredigion landscape, which has always had a deep influence on her works, as can be seen in the emotive ‘Ponterwyd/Gaia’ work, one of the recently gifted works to the library.
 
“The subject of my work is the natural world and my own identity, clouds, shadows, rocky strata, field patterns and wildernesses,” said Mary.
 
Throughout the summer, there will be an opportunity to see this work on display in the Gregynog Gallery at the library.

​As the other gifted paintings, two triptych oil works, ‘Barclodiad y Gawres’ and ‘Bryn Celli Ddu’, were created especially for an exhibition of the artist’s works in the library’s iconic Gregynog Gallery in 2006, it is fitting that they have found a home there.
 
The two works are based on the carved, linear designs created by the Celtic Britons on the prehistoric stones ‘Barclodiad y Gawres’ and ‘Bryn Celli Ddu’ on Anglesey, showing the roots of the Welsh language.
 
Within these works, the artist conveys her thoughts and emotions of belonging to a minority culture and language. As she researched the papers of the Welsh scholars Sir John Rhys and Iolo Morgannwg, which are housed at the library, whilst preparing for the works, she felt it would be a fitting home for the paintings.
“I have tried to show through colour interaction the extraordinary atmosphere and mystery of the stones, and to make a connection with a way of living more than 4,000 years ago,” said Mary.
 
“Ancient literature and poetry have the highest cultural status in Wales. Poets often expressed in words that which I wish to convey in my compositions. Building a bridge between the visual arts and the art of literature and poetry is something which I try to achieve.”
 
Morfudd Bevan, the library’s art curator said: “We are tremendously grateful to Mary Lloyd Jones for her fantastic support of the library. The National Library is home to a number of iconic works by the highly respected artist and we are delighted to be able to build on this collection further with this generous gift of works.”
 
Pedr ap Llwyd, the library’s chief executive and librarian, added: “We as a library are constantly growing and developing our collections and we are delighted to be adding these exciting and valuable works to the National Art Collection.
 
“We are extremely fortunate of the exceptional friendship and support of the talented artist Mary Lloyd Jones and her work conveys important aspects of Wales and its culture. I look forward to welcoming people to see these wonderful works at the Gregynog Gallery throughout the summer.”
 
Picture captions:
 
‘Ponterwyd/Gaia’ by Mary Lloyd Jones.
 
‘Barclodiad y Gawres’ and ‘Bryn Celli Ddu’ which were created especially for an exhibition in the Gregynog Gallery in 2006.

“It’s the perfect quest to get teams of adults, families, groups of friends or holidaymakers working together to solve puzzles whilst providing an immersive experience. Games last about two hours and players are provided with one iPad per team of six and a puzzle pack to solve all riddles.
 
“They navigate using maps and GPS to find the location of their next challenge. The cost is £60 per slot which is for up to six players and clients can run 10 games per day.”
 
All Lorna and Jo ask of clients is that they share the marketing by promoting the event on social media and their website. Contact Lorna and Jo on Tel: 01686 449172 or 07963 260373​, or email [email protected].
 
Beyond Breakout has been running the Magic Portal games for schools before now opening bookings for the Newtown area. To see how the games work, visit https://www.beyondbreakout.co.uk/outdoorgames.html
 
The company’s indoor escape rooms are located on the fourth floor of Newtown’s  Royal Welsh Warehouse, Pryce Jones Building. It also hosts online digital games and live avatar games. For more information, visit https://www.beyondbreakout.co.uk .
​
Beyond Breakout is a member of MWT Cymru, an independent organisation that represents more than 600 tourism and hospitality businesses across Powys, Ceredigion and the Meirionnydd region of Gwynedd.
 
Picture caption:
 
Beyond Breakout creators Jo Woodall (left) and Lorna Morris.

Members of the All-Party Parliamentary Group on Heritage Rail paid a visit to the popular Welshpool & Llanfair Light Railway who laid on a special train for them on Friday.
 
The group saw stations and workshops and met staff and volunteers of the railway, which attracts many visitors to Mid Wales and has links with other railways around the world.
 
The VIP visitors included former Education Secretary Baroness Morgan of Cotes, who set up the group in 2011 and is a director of the Great Central Railway and Leader of Powys County Council, Cllr Rosemarie Harris.
 
The Heritage Railway Association (HRA) was represented by president Lord Faulkner of Worcester, chief executive Steve Oates and deputy chairman Chris Price.
 
Lord Faulkner presented the HRA award that he sponsors for Young Volunteer of the Year to Oliver Edwards, a trustee and volunteer on the Mid Wales line.
 
“The future of heritage railways lies in the hands of young volunteers like Oliver and they bring so much to their railways in terms of enthusiasm, drive and understanding of Britain’s unique railway heritage,” said Lord Faulkner.
 
The railway also received a highly commended certificate in the internal communications category of the HRA Awards, for its digital members’ newsletter ‘The Earl’. This newsletter proved vital during the Covid pandemic, keeping members in touch with the line while they were unable to visit.
 
Group chair Liz Saville Roberts, MP for Dwyfor Meirionydd, said: “The 12 Great Little Trains of Wales are a main attraction for visitors to Wales. They also provide valuable jobs and skills training for young people, so it is great to visit the railway today and hear at first hand how they have built this successful business and survived the Covid pandemic.”
  
Montgomeryshire MP Craig Williams, who lives in Llanfair Caereinion, was proud to show fellow Parliamentarians the railway, a major tourist attraction in his constituency.
 
“The railway is much loved by the local community here and is a magnet for visitors to this very lovely part of Wales,” he said. “With so many holidaying in Britain, we all hope this will be a good year for our heritage railways and for tourism.”
    
Railway chairman Steve Clews said: “We are proud that for what was effectively its first visit post Covid, the group came to us, as we are not one of the larger lines in the UK heritage railway movement.
 
“We welcomed the opportunity to discuss the challenges facing railway preservation in today’s environment and to celebrate the many achievements of the Welshpool & Llanfair Light Railway both locally and on the wider stage.”
 
Picture caption:
 
All-Party Parliamentary Group on Heritage Rail chair Liz Saville-Roberts, MP, (left) and Heritage Railway Association president Lord Faulkner (right) were welcomed to the Welshpool & Llanfair Light Railway by chairman Steve Clews (centre).
Photo: Andrew Charman.
 
Heritage Railway Association president Lord Faulkner present Welshpool & Llanfair Light Railway trustee Oliver Edwards with the HRA’s Young Volunteer of the Year award.
Photo: Andrew Charman.
​

The railway is also accepting bookings, subject to volunteer staff availability, for its ‘Your Railway for the Day’ package. Groups of up to six people, or even individuals, can drive steam, diesel or battery electric locomotives, work with the guard and the signalman and enjoy exclusive use of the railway.

The Quilt Association’s annual summer exhibition in Llanidloes, showcases items from its collection of antique and vintage quilts that have been made using recycled fabrics.
 
From old clothes to flour sacks, drapers’ sample books to ‘cigarette silks’, they are all represented in Thrifty Quilters.  The exhibition will be open from 10.30am to 4.30pm, with free admission, at the Minerva Arts Centre in Llanidloes on Saturday, July 24 and thereafter every Thursday, Friday and Saturday, plus August Bank Holiday Sunday and Monday until August 30.
 
The making of a quilt was often something that grew out of the necessity to keep warm, and they were often worked on at the end of a long day, by candlelight, in a cold room. 
 
Those quilts were often made from all sorts of fabrics – offcuts, samples, recycled clothing.  In more recent times, thrifty sewers made quilts from cast-off clothing or odd bits of leftover fabric.
 
The quilts in the collection are mostly donated by families who can’t bear to throw them away because they are a precious link with late family members.  Many were made in Wales with connections to local families. 
 
There will also be an exhibition of work by Gwyneth Rose, a textile artist based in Rhayader, entitled Curious Creatures.  

With stunning scenery around every bend, Mid Wales has some of the most scenic drives in the UK where visitors can take their time and enjoy the views.
 
Many of the fantastic routes are set against panoramic and breathtaking backdrops. Here are a few suggestions to whet the appetite of motorists who love to explore places off the beaten track.
 
For those seeking to build a holiday or short break around these scenic routes, visit - https://www.visitmidwales.co.uk/accommodation/ - to view the range of quality accommodation available across Mid Wales.
 
Our scenic drives begin with Abergwesyn Pass from Llanwrtyd Wells - famous for bog snorkelling, the man versus horse race and the Alternative Olympic Games - to Tregaron.
 
This single track runs through an almost brutally wild landscape of moors, escarpment, pine forest and scurrying streams. In the middle, there’s a steep series of hairpins called the Devil’s Staircase.
 
It’s not built for speed, which means its 20 odd miles can seem much further, especially when you might not pass a single soul for the entire trip, other than the occasional sheep.
 
Along the route, drivers will see Soar y Mynydd, the most remote chapel in Wales, which is well worth a short diversion. Further south, past Llyn Brianne reservoir, is the RSPB Gwenffrwd-Dinas reserve.
 
The mountain road from Aberystwyth to Rhayader crosses the spine of the spectacular Cambrian Mountains. 
 
Head out of Aberystwyth on the A4120 to Devil’s Bridge, follow the B4574 to Cwmystwyth, then pick up the tremendous mountain road that soars through the mountains, past the northernmost of the Elan Valley reservoirs before eventually dropping down into Rhayader.
 
On the way, drivers can check out the university town of Aberystwyth, take a steam train journey up to Devil’s Bridge on the Vale of Rheidol Railway and explore the Devil’s Bridge Falls.
 
There are also the Elan Valley reservoirs, conceived by Victorians to supply water to the industrial English Midlands and now a tranquil paradise for walkers and wildlife. Be sure to check out the valley for stars on a clear night, as it’s a Dark Sky reserve.
 
Other scenic routes to explore include the mountain road from Llanidloes to Machynlleth, via Clywedog Reservoir. The views are wonderful and take in the former lead mining community of Dylife and the Dylife Gorge and Wynford Vaughan-Thomas viewing points which afford panoramic views over the surrounding area.
 
The breathtaking routes continue with the Bwlch y Groes Pass, a route that lies on minor roads linking Dinas Mawddwy, Llanuwchllyn and Lake Vyrnwy,  with views across the Dyfi Valley and Cadair Idris.

This is part of the pilgrim's route from North West Wales to St David's in South Wales. A cross, which can be found just below the summit at the junction of the roads from Vyrnwy and from Dinas Mawddwy, was placed on the route as a symbol of faith and strength comforting travellers since medieval times.

Bwlch y Groes was used between and after the wars by the Austin Motor Company and the Standard Triumph Motor Company to test prototype cars and their performance during hillclimbing.

The Great Horses for Health Relay arrives in Wales on Sunday as it aims to raise money for equine welfare and mental health charities and increase awareness of road safety for horse riders and other vulnerable road users.
 
The relay, which began in Yorkshire on May 2 and is due to end in South West England on October 2, has been organised  in celebration of horses and how they have helped many people throughout the Covid-19 pandemic.
 
Bringing the equine community together and enabling horse riders all over the UK to have fun, the relay comprises horse riders, horse-drawn carriage drivers, cyclists and walkers. People take part by registering with www.horses4health.co.uk .
 
The relay began life with an idea by Sophie Gifford over breakfast at the end of 2020 and has now blossomed into a nationwide event. She had equine welfare and rescue, mental health benefits through equines and vulnerable road safety and rural crime awareness when she founded the relay.

From July 11-24, the relay comes to Wales, starting with a handover to Helen Lacey from North Wales Horsewatch near Wrexham. It finishes with a handover from Wales regional co-ordinator Medina Brock to the West Midlands region on the Welsh border on July 24.
 
Medina, who runs Brandy House Farm at Felindre, near Knighton with her husband Richard, said a selection of amazing rides, some guided and others easily followed, had been set up across the beautiful Welsh countryside and coast.
 
She has had the gargantuan task of collating the rides that people have organised and passing them to the main H4H page for all registered riders to see and join if they wish. Book onto an accompanied ride by emailing [email protected] .

Charities benefitting from the relay are HorseWorld, Redwings Horse Sanctuary, Hope Pastures, Horseback UK, RDA, Bransby and North Wales Horsewatch. To donate to the charities, visit www.horses4health.co.uk .

The Welsh rides include: Lleyn Peninsula 14 miles with Diane South for a maximum of four riders on July 11, Anglesey beach ride of 15-16 miles with Vicky Long for up to five riders on July 14 and Criccieth (LL52 0BT) 9-10 mile ride with Denise Meldrum for up to six riders on July 15 at 6.30pm.

Overnighters may book via [email protected]. In the Brecon Beacons, Hannah is offering camping and corral with an eight mile accompanied loop ride on July 24. Up to three vehicles are allowed and the lanes are unsuitable for lorries
 
Medina is offering an overnight stay in Mid Wales at Brandy House for up to six horses on July 23, with camping, DIY livery and access to full route portfolio on the day before the baton is handed on to the West Midlands. The camping and livery fee will be donated to H4H.
Motorists and the general public are urged to look out for riders wearing the Horses4Health high viz waistcoat.
 
The relay progress can be followed on social media at:
Facebook : www.facebook.com/greathorses4healthrelay;
Facebook group:  www.facebook.com/groups/1399636837047873 
Instagram:  www.instagram.com/greathorses4healthrelay
 
Picture caption:
 
Great Horses for Health Relay riders arrive in Wales this weekend

​A multi-award winning eco house with self-catering accommodation in Snowdonia is adding accolades to its growing list of honours.
 
Bryn Elltyd Eco House at Tanygrisiau, near Blaenau Ffestiniog has been shortlisted as a Green Infrastructure Project of the Year finalist in the BusinessGreen Leaders Awards 2021. It has also been recommended in the inaugural Great Electrifying.com Getaway Awards which honour attractions in the UK with electric car charging facilities.
 
The BusinessGreen Leaders Awards 2021 will be held at The Brewery in London on September 22. The Green Infrastructure Project of the Year category is open to any infrastructure project that aims to curb environmental impacts while delivering state of the art services to the public.
 
Bryn Elltyd is competing against four national businesses in the category which covers smart grid, smart city, public transport, water infrastructure and or ecosystem services and natural capital initiatives.
 
The judges look for projects that have taken clear steps to prioritise environmental performance and deliver the green infrastructure projects that will be critical to the development of a genuinely sustainable, net zero emission economy.
 
John and Celia Whitehead, owners of Bryn Elltyd Eco House, were pioneers in Wales to install three electric vehicle charging points in 2012 as motorists began to invest in electric or hybrid cars. They are proud that Bryn Elltyd is one of the few places in the country where cars can recharge with green electricity.
 
Powered completely by renewable energy since 2013, Bryn Elltyd Eco House offers carbon neutral and Visit Wales graded self-catering, sleeping between five and 11 guests.
 
All electric used at the property is either made on site or from 100% UK renewables, with two hydro stations within 200 metres.
 
The Great Electrifying.com Getaway Awards recognise the best places to visit in the UK with excellent electric car charging facilities.
 
Bryn Elltyd Eco House is recommended in the Places to Stay or Eat category, while Aberystwyth is recognised in the Beside the Seaside category.  Aberystwyth has three 50kW rapid chargers, a decent quota of 7kW points and a new six bay Tesla Supercharger site.
 
To qualify for the awards, each location must have at least two Type 2 charge connections and a rapid charger within striking distance. The awards pinpoint outstanding electric car friendly destinations, with five winners across five categories.
 
Bryn Elltyd Eco House has developed from a 1883 granite building, 700ft up in Snowdonia to become an example how businesses can reduce their carbon footprint.
 
The property offers three self-catering bedrooms rooms within the main house and two bedrooms in detached buildings.

“We have had solar panels since 1983 and a passion for greener, but still comfortable, living,” said John. “Running this unique business has helped us share our vision with others in a stunning Welsh landscape.
 
“Many organisations talk of climate change and reducing their carbon footprint, whereas we set a carbon neutral target for energy inputs and reached it. We are passionate about what we are trying to do here and embrace new technology.”
 
The Whiteheads, both qualified teachers, moved to Tanygrisiau from Coventry 15 years ago, drawn by their love of the great outdoors and the Welsh mountains.
 
Bryn Elltyd punches well above its weight with its Green credentials. The business was an early pioneering member of Green Tourism, has twice won Considerate Hotelier Awards and achieved the Green Tourism Gold Standard and Green Dragon Environment Standard.
 
The Whiteheads are long-standing members of MWT Cymru, an independent organisation representing more than 600 tourism and hospitality businesses in Powys, Ceredigion and the Meirionnydd region of Gwynedd.

Visit Bryn Elltyd's website: www.accommodation-snowdonia.com 

Picture caption:
 
Bryn Elltyd Eco House with cars parked outside using the electric charging connections.