 The Centre for Alternative Technology near Machynlleth. Internationally renowned environmental charity and world-leading eco centre, the Centre for Alternative Technology near Machynlleth, will be holding a free summer open day for all the family on Saturday, August 31. Visitors will have the chance to explore CAT’s displays, take part in free workshops and hear about the local sustainability charity’s big plans for the future. Throughout the day, there will be hands-on activities, workshops, tours and talks exploring the themes of green building, renewable energy, ecology, growing and more. There will also be an exclusive opportunity to have your say on CAT’s development plans with a first look at the designs and the opportunity to take part in accompanying creative workshops. Parking is free and refreshments and lunch will be available to buy in the onsite vegetarian café. For more information, visit www.cat.org.uk/summer-open-day . CAT is one of the foremost providers of postgraduate environmental education in the UK. With 50 years’ experience in environmental solutions and a decade of thought leadership in how the UK can reach net zero, CAT has a unique role in providing people with the skills, knowledge and inspiration to play their part in the transition to zero carbon. Key activities include a visitor centre where people can see solutions in action, residential short courses, vocational training and postgraduate degrees in a wide range of sustainability-related topics, with online courses and events offered alongside in-person learning.
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 Members of Royal Welsh Show 2020-‘22 feature county Clwyd's fundraising committee, along with former RWAS president and show director, Harry Fetherstonhaugh and this year’s president, Denley Jenkins with the plaque. The Royal Welsh Agricultural Society (RWAS) invested in a new roof mounted solar project following a fundraising campaign by former Royal Welsh Show feature county Clwyd. The solar panels, which have a 350kWp installed capacity, are situated on the roof of the cattle and sheep buildings on the Royal Wesh Showground in Llanelwedd and were installed just before the 2023 show. To recognise Clwyd’s fundraising efforts, a plaque was unveiled by Harry Fetherstonhaugh, formerly RWAS president and show director, alongside a digital screen that shows the total power produced by the panels and the CO2 reduction. The solar total yield so far is almost 300,000kWh, which could provide enough to power approximately 100 homes. The RWAS is proud that all the permanent power used on the showground comes from 100% renewable sources, either through its own on-site generator or energy supplier. RWAS chief executive Aled Rhys Jones said: “This project demonstrates our commitment to sustainability, and we are extremely grateful to the members from Clwyd who helped make this possible. “By generating more power on the showground, we are reducing our reliance on external energy sources and it goes someway to protecting the society from the enormous electricity price hikes we’ve seen in recent years.” This is the second solar project on the showground, following the roof mounted system installed on the Food Hall in 2014.
The Mynachlog Fawr Exhibition will be open to visitors wishing to learn more about the fascinating history of the site, with volunteers on hand to answer any questions and share their enthusiasm.
The trust is restoring Mynachlog Fawr farmhouse and farm buildings, bringing new economic, social and cultural life to the area, whilst also celebrating Strata Florida’s unique landscape and history. A free exhibition is currently being held in a building on the site, giving visitors of all ages a chance to explore the social and agricultural history of the house and the local area. The exhibition also contains an interactive Virtual Histories educational experience, which allows visitors to travel back to see a day in the life of Mynachlog Fawr farm in 1947 and the abbey in 1238. For more information about Ceredigion Guild of Weavers, Spinners & Dyers, visit http://www.wsdceredigion.org.uk/ - Strata Florida Trust is a member of MWT Cymru, an independent organisation that represents around 600 tourism and hospitality businesses across Ceredigion, Powys and Southern Snowdonia. For more information, visit https://www.mwtcymru.co.uk/ .  Maffei ‘Brigadelok’ No.4766 is displayed in the new Museum, Display & Events building in Aberystwyth. Photo: Phil Budd. A new historic locomotive exhibit has been placed on display in The Vale of Rheidol Railway’s Aberystwyth museum, just in time for the summer holidays. The locomotive, known as ‘the Brigadelok’, was built in Germany in 1916 for use in the First World War. Small steam locomotives such as this one worked on lightly laid narrow gauge railways, helping to carry munitions and supplies to the forces on the military front line. The locomotive has an unusual chimney, containing a spark arrestor which avoided sparks giving away the location to British forces when working at night, as well as preventing accidents when pulling train-loads of munitions! The ‘Brigadelok’ will be on display in Aberystwyth throughout the summer. This is the first time the engine, which has been in the railway’s collection since 2002, has been formally put on public display. The museum also houses a very early Dick Kerr petrol-electric locomotive, built in 1918, which was designed to do similar jobs to the Brigadelok. The railway is therefore able to display genuine artefacts from the British and German sides, both of which saw service during the First World War. Unusually, the Brigadelok is being displayed in Aberystwyth with a large tender coupled to it because steam locomotives require water to make them work. On most railways, water is taken from a fixed column, called a water tower, connected to the mains supplies. Military locomotives like the Brigadelok would not have this luxury, however. They were expected to work over lightly laid railway lines, carrying munitions over boggy ground. They would take water by pulling a large auxiliary tender, like a water bowser, thereby increasing the locomotive’s range. The locomotive is therefore displayed in this way, with a tender coupled to the locomotive. The engine was also fitted with a water lifter, like a pump, allowing it to pick up water from streams or rivers if needed. The Brigadelok is displayed in the railway’s new Museum, Display & Events venue at Aberystwyth Station which opened in late March and contains a wide collection of narrow gauge locomotives from across the world. The building is also designed as a flexible space for concerts, recitals and community events. The railway and museum are open daily until November 3. Tickets for the museum cost £5 for adults and £3 for children, or entry is free for those travelling on the train.
Rachel, who has recently won a Wonderwool Wales bursary, will be weaving on the museum’s loom and talking to visitors. The museum’s special exhibition this year features Sport and Leisure between 1850 and 1914 and tells the story of the development of football in Newtown and popular Sports Days that drew large crowds of people. An exhibit is a rare certificate from 1879 when Newtown White Stars beat Wrexham 1-0 to win the Welsh Cup final. The museum is open free of charge from 12 noon to 4pm on Tuesdays, Thursdays, Fridays, and Saturdays until the end of September. For more information, visit www.newtowntextilemuseum.co.uk . 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 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.  Mid Wales is set to celebrate its thriving tourism industry as entries open for the Mid Wales Tourism Awards 2024-25, the first since the Covid pandemic. The awards aim to recognise and showcase the region’s exceptional tourism businesses, organisations, and individuals who drive the sector forward.
With 15 categories available for entry, businesses and individuals have until midnight on August 18 2024 to submit their applications through the awards website, www.midwalestourismawards.co.uk The categories include:
Winners and finalists will have the opportunity to represent Mid Wales at the Wales National Tourism Awards in Spring 2025. The announcement of category finalists will take place in November with winners revealed at a black-tie awards ceremony. Exclusive headline and category sponsorship opportunities are available, offering businesses a chance to elevate their profile and demonstrate their support for the tourism sector in Mid Wales. The awards are organised by Mid Wales Tourism, known as MWT Cymru, with backing from the Mid Wales Regional Tourism Forum and Visit Wales, the Welsh Government’s tourism team. MWT Cymru, a not-for-profit social enterprise, represents and supports over 550 tourism businesses and organisations across Powys, Ceredigion, and Southern Snowdonia. Steve Hughson, Chair of the Mid Wales Regional Tourism Forum, highlighted the importance of the awards: “These awards present an exciting opportunity to showcase the very best of what Mid Wales has to offer to a wider audience and a chance to celebrate excellence and innovation within the tourism, leisure and hospitality sector – the second largest employer in Mid Wales.” MWT Cymru’s Chairman, Rowland Rees-Evans, emphasised the significance of the awards: “The Mid Wales Tourism Awards honour businesses, organisations, and individuals who have shown exceptional achievement and dedication to the tourism industry. This is our chance to promote the unique attractions and businesses that make Mid Wales a remarkable destination. I encourage everyone in the sector to participate, promote, or sponsor.” Zoe Hawkins, MWT Cymru’s Chief Executive, added: “The Mid Wales Tourism Awards 2024-25 mark the first post-Covid awards, fittingly launched last week to coincided with Wales Tourism Week (July 15 - 21), an industry led opportunity to showcase the quality of Welsh tourism. The awards are a vital opportunity to champion the resilience and strength of our sector and those delivering outstanding customer service. We look forward to receiving applications.” For more details and to enter, visit www.midwalestourismawards.co.uk The much-anticipated National Tourism Awards for Wales will return in Spring 2025. Hosted by Visit Wales they celebrate the best of the tourism industry throughout the country.
How to enter: winners of the Regional Awards in 2024 will go through to the National (Wales) Awards in March 2025 - so you will need to apply through your county/regional tourism awards to be considered. The categories for the National Tourism Awards 2025 are:
South West Wales:
Go North Wales Awards – The Go North Wales Awards will go live on the 1 August and the closing date for entries will be 7 October 2024.
The Minister heard about the work being undertaken in Mid Wales that is supported through UK Government funding, in particular:
Mid Wales Growth Deal: a long-term investment of £110m from UK and Welsh Governments that leverages significant additional investment. The Minister received updates on both the Sites & Premises and Digital Programmes as well as the nine projects that are currently progressing for funding. UK Shared Prosperity Fund: a £42.4m investment in Mid Wales supporting communities and businesses to prosper and grow. The Minister received updates on current progress and timescales. There was also an opportunity to discuss the work ongoing in Mid Wales around Energy, Transport and Skills – and the importance of joint partnership working across Government and economic sectors in a rural economy such as that of Mid Wales, where collaboration is essential to address the unique challenges and leverage the region's strengths for sustainable development and growth. In a joint statement, Councillor James Gibson-Watt and Councillor Bryan Davies said, “We were pleased to meet the new Minister today and talk about how we unlock the economic potential of Mid Wales. We have a strategy and vision for achieving growth with our key partners. It is vitally important that we continue to work hand in glove with both the UK and Welsh Government to foster collaboration between public and private sectors, working as one team – to boost productivity and drive long-term and sustainable economic growth.” Dame Nia Griffith DBE MP also highlighted the importance of partnership working and the work ongoing in the region. She said: “I was delighted to meet key individuals involved with the Mid Wales Growth Deal. The UK Government is committed to economic growth and we can only do this by working in partnerships, exemplified by the work being undertaken here. By investing in key infrastructure and fostering these partnerships between government and the private sector, we are laying the foundation for a prosperous future for Mid Wales.” The Royal Welsh Show provided a fitting backdrop for this important discussion, underscoring the vital connection between developments in several economic sectors within a rural economy. From land and agriculture, agri-tech, energy, food & tourism – there remains a strong need for sustained investment in underpinning infrastructure and skills to support the vision for Growing Mid Wales. For those interested in staying updated on the latest developments with the work of Growing Mid Wales, sign up for our monthly newsletter by emailing [email protected]  Welsh Language Commissioner Efa Gruffudd Jones (centre) presents the Cynnig Cymraeg certificate to RWAS Council chair Nicola Davies and RWAS chief executive Aled Rhys Jones The Royal Welsh Show organisers have been recognised for their commitment to the Welsh language by securing the Cynnig Cymraeg (Welsh Offer) approval. Cynnig Cymraeg is given to organisations that have worked with the Welsh Language Commissioner's officers to plan and design Welsh language provision. As the Royal Welsh Show gets underway in Llanelwedd today (Monday), chief executive Aled Rhys Jones said he was delighted to accept Cynnig Cymraeg recognition on behalf of the Royal Welsh Agricultural Society (RWAS). He said farming has a higher percentage of Welsh speakers than any other sector in Wales. “There exists a very real bond between securing the future of the Welsh language and the agriculture industry,” he added. "The Welsh language is core, not only to our work here at the showground, but on a wider level in rural Wales. The language and culture are an integral part of Welsh agricultural life and receiving official recognition for that helps us further promote Welsh with the show’s community in Wales and beyond. “This week is naturally a highlight of the year for us in Wales and receiving the Cynnig Cymraeg makes for a great start.” During a visit to the show, Welsh Language Commissioner Efa Gruffudd Jones said: "The Cynnig Cymraeg gives organisations the opportunity to raise awareness about what they offer through the Welsh language. By doing so, it is hoped that it will lead to an increase in the use of Welsh services. "The agricultural industry is a vital part of the economy and culture of rural communities in Wales, where Welsh is the everyday natural language. Ensuring the prosperity of the rural and agricultural economy is therefore vital to seeing growth in the number who speak and use Welsh every day. "At the start of one of our most important festivals, I would like to congratulate the show on securing the Cynnig Cymraeg and wish them every success throughout the week." Since the scheme launched in June 2020, Cynnig Cymraeg recognition has been given to more than 120 businesses and charities. The commissioner's office is working with many other organisations on developing their plans. More information on Cynnig Cymraeg, visit https://www.welshlanguagecommissioner.wales/businesses-and-charities/cynnig-cymraeg .  Three members of the IMI Wales team (from left) Guy Edwards, project manager, Zoe Hawkins, MWT Cymru chief executive and Jo Lewis business engagement officer for North Powys. MWT Cymru, the largest membership organisation for tourism businesses in Mid Wales, has launched IMI Wales, an exciting initiative to revitalise town centre shops, cafes, restaurants and pubs across Powys. The IMI Wales project utilises new Web3 technology to create a platform which gives micro businesses across Powys access to features previously attainable only by large corporations. The project brings together businesses seeking to upskill, access exclusive marketing opportunities and find new and innovative ways to thank loyal customers whilst also attracting new ones. There are two dedicated business engagement officers in both North and South Powys to work with each business, ensuring they can maximise this opportunity. Jo Lewis [email protected] covers North Powys and Helen Howarth [email protected] covers South Powys. Corporations use reward-based schemes because they know they work. IMI Wales now offers these same powerful tools to small businesses, including customer rewards systems and significant marketing support. Participating businesses receive free professional photographs for their marketing needs, dedicated support from experienced business engagement officers and the opportunity to take part in exclusive marketing campaigns. MWT Cymru leverages VisitMidWales.co.uk, which attracts more than one million unique visits each year, giving businesses significant visibility. "This initiative isn't just about discounts," explained Zoe Hawkins, MWT Cymru chief executive. "It's about collaboration, added value and trying something new. Our team works closely with businesses to help them determine what will work best for them, their business and their customers." IMI Wales is part of the Revitalising Mid Wales Project which has received £340,000 from the UK Government through the UK Shared Prosperity Fund, supported by Powys County Council. The initiative will be rolled out to a minimum of six towns throughout Powys, with 12 towns already showing interest. "We understand that local reward schemes have been attempted before, often without the backing of a large-scale marketing campaign," added Zoe. "IMI Wales is different because it links towns and businesses, attracting additional customers through our extensive tourism network. We will work with any active community to ensure the success of this programme. "We urge businesses to consider the bigger picture – what’s good for your business is good for the town and the community.”. A not-for-profit tourism organisation, MWT Cymru’s activities are supported by 600 collaborating, member tourism businesses across Powys, Ceredigion and Southern Snowdonia. "We want to use our skills and successful strategies from the tourism sector to support small businesses that may need that extra help," stressed Zoe. For more information about IMI Wales and how to get involved, please contact: www.imi.wales or [email protected] . |
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