Across the globe, New Year's Day will resound to the sound of locomotive whistles, as heritage railways near and far mark the start of rail’s 200th anniversary.
 
The Ffestiniog & Welsh Highland Railways (F&WHR) will be going full-out and 'Whistling for Wales' at midday on New Year's Day as their contribution to the steamy salute... and you can join them, in person or online.
 
Passengers on the morning 'Christmas Mountain Spirit' will hear the train locomotives 'LINDA' and 'BLANCHE' sound their whistles as the train passes round the iconic spiral at Dduallt.
 
In Porthmadog, 'HUGH NAPIER' and 'PALMERSTON' will be in steam and at least one of them will be in Harbour Station for visitors to witness and photograph the occasion.
 
At the same time, from Rhyd Ddu, the railways will be live streaming from their Facebook page with general manager Paul Lewin and NG/G16 No.143, which will be the loco working the 'Christmas Cwellyn' train from Caernarfon on that day.
 
Readers are encouraged to help them get the year of celebrations off to a great start by joining passengers on one of their New Year's Day trains, visiting Harbour Station or logging on to Facebook to enjoy the livestream.
 
Details of F&WHR train services and online tickets are available at festrail.co.uk/trains . For more information about 'Railway 200', visit the official website at https://railway200.co.uk .

Caernarfon will be the Royal Welsh Agricultural Society (RWAS) feature county for 2025, with John R. Owen as president.
 
A lifelong advocate for agriculture and rural communities, Mr Owen, of Golygfar Dyffryn, Rowen, Conwy, brings a wealth of experience and passion to his role.
 
He farms 750 hectares of lowland and upland ground in the Carneddau Mountains. From his time as a Rowen YFC member, he has taken a keen interest in stockjudging and has been a regular exhibitor in the Royal Welsh Show sheep section.
 
A sheep section judge at the Royal Welsh Winter Fair in 2010, he was chair of NFU Cymru’s Less Favoured Area Board for many years and is a Fellow of CARAS. Mr Owen sits on the RWAS Winter Fair committee and has been chief steward in the RWAS president’s section since 2012.
 
Supported by his wife, Marian, and children, Delyth and Dafydd, he will guide Caernarfon’s preparations to showcase the county’s unique contributions to Wales’ agricultural heritage and contemporary innovations.
 
“I am deeply humbled and thrilled to represent Caernarfon as we take centre stage for the Royal Welsh Show in 2025,” said John. “This is a tremendous opportunity to highlight the county’s rich farming traditions and the resilience of our rural communities. Together, we will present Caernarfon at its very best.”
 
Rhys Griffiths, who will be ambassador for Caernarfon’s activities, is renowned for his work championing rural development and youth engagement in farming.
 
“It’s an honour to serve as ambassador for Caernarfon during this exciting time,” he said. “I look forward to working further with the community to continue to bring together a vibrant programme of activities that reflect the vitality and diversity of our county and to represent the county at RWAS events during 2025.”
 
With its breathtaking landscapes, historic landmarks and thriving agricultural industry, Caernarfon promises to be a captivating feature county.
 
The year-long programme will include fundraising events, community projects and educational initiatives that celebrate the county’s rural heritage while looking to the future of farming in Wales.
 
The Royal Welsh Show 2025, one of Europe’s largest agricultural events, will take place from July 21-24 at the Royal Welsh Showground in Llanelwedd, Builth Wells. Caernarfon will be highlighted throughout the show, offering visitors a taste of the county’s rich culture, produce and talent.

MWT Cymru chairman Rowland Rees-Evans and Mid Wales Regional Tourism Forum charman Steve Hughson both thanked Val for her outstanding service to tourism.
 
Presenting her with a gift and bouquet, Mr Rees-Evans thanked her for safely guiding the company through many major challenges during her service. He said she is widely respected within the tourism industry not just in Wales, but across the UK.
 
“I can’t tell you how proud we were when she was recognised with an MBE last year for her contribution to our industry,” he added.
 
Mr Hughson described Val as “a force of nature” and said the MBE was well deserved. “I know how much work she did behind the scenes to protect the tourism sector not just in Mid Wales but the whole of Wales,” he added.
 
Val, who lives in Newtown, was born in Glasgow and worked in the hotel sector in Scotland, including the famous Gleneagles Hotel, before becoming Rowntree Mackintosh’s first female sales representative in Scotland.
 
The sales role led her to England’s South Coast where she met her husband, Mike and the couple moved to their current Newtown home on Christmas Eve 1979 when his parents retired from the farm.
 
Whilst raising their three daughters, Val ran a farm guest house at their home for 10 years before she joined Mid Wales Tourism as membership manager in June, 1999.
 
Working with a range of partners, she secured European funding for a successful training project for Powys tourism businesses and communities and was promoted to general manager in 2005-‘06, a job title that developed to chief executive.
 
Val helped to develop and implement pioneering digital technology, with Mid Wales becoming one of the first UK regions to have a destination management system and launched the first Visit Mid Wales regional website in 2001, which expanded to cover the whole of Wales.
 
“I am proud that MWT Cymru brings together businesses, local communities and national organisations here in Mid Wales which has helped to reinforce the position and reputation of the company,” she said.

RWAS feature county 2024 president Denley Jenkins, ambassador Esyllt Ellis Griffiths and Ceredigion Committee members present a cheque for £430,000 to RWAS chair Professor Wynne Jones and chair of council  Nicola Davies. ​

Ceredigion raised a remarkable £440,000 during its term as the Royal Welsh Agricultural Society (RWAS) feature county.
 
Speaking at the annual RWAS Council meeting on Friday, chair Nicola Davies reflected on “a year of remarkable growth and achievement by the society”, while celebrating its 120th anniversary by “honouring its past and embracing its future”.
 
She thanked the Ceredigion team for its hard work, highlighting the numerous fundraising events arranged over the past two years. She noted how president Denley Jenkins had travelled extensively to attend the events and thanked Ceredigion’s ambassador, Esyllt Ellis Griffiths, for her dedicated service.
 
In his address, Ceredigion’s chair, Rowland Davies, outlined some of the events, including an exceptionally successful 2024 Grassland Event, which raised a staggering £119,030.
 
Other memorable initiatives included quad biking, tractor racing, a ‘Mr & Mrs’ contest, fashion shows, bingos, ‘Sioe’r Cardis’ pantomime and a Nativity Play, which saw committee members and society officials take centre stage.
 
These activities united the community and raised more than £430,000 for the RWAS and £10,000 for local charities. Ceredigion will invest its funds to improve facilities on the showground.
 
Mr Jenkins described being elected president as “the greatest honour of my life” and expressed pride in providing a platform for the younger generation, “the future of the industry”.
 
He thanked the entire Ceredigion committee, Mrs Griffiths and his family for their hard work and support.
 
Caernarfon is the 2025 feature county.

The Bryntirion Inn reopens on Saturday after complete refurbishment. ​

All the stops are being pulled out to welcome customers back to a popular North Wales country pub which is reopening on Saturday after a six month refurbishment costing around £750,000.
 
The Bryntirion Inn at Llandderfel, near Bala was purchased by Anthony and Donna Cooper-Barney, owners of the neighbouring Palé Hall and Estate, in July. The refurbishment proved a much bigger project than initially envisaged.
 
“We have been pushing to get The Bryn open in time for Christmas because we know how popular the pub is with local people,” said Anthony. “It has taken us longer than expected because we ended up totally refurbishing the entire pub, including redesigning the six bedrooms.
 
“An exceptional collection of car memorabilia from the 1930s to the ‘50s decorates the walls and we can’t wait for local people to see what we have done to upgrade their beloved ‘local’ where they will be able play darts and pool.”
 
Pub manager Dan Tustain is following in the footsteps of his grandfather, John, who was also landlord of The Bryntirion Inn more than 50 years ago.
 
“Initially, for the opening, we will be serving drinks only but the kitchen and restaurant will be opening early in the new year when we will have some exciting news to announce for Palé Hall Estate,” added Anthony.
 
Dan said: “I know that the local community can’t wait for The Bryn to open again, which is why we have made a special effort to reopen in time for Christmas.”
 
Dan, who has cousins living in the Dee Valley, has opted for a complete career change, having spent two-and-a-half years as a front line Metropolitan Police officer in London, following experience in the food and hospitality industries.
 
“It was only after I had accepted the job at The Bryntirion Inn that I discovered that my grandfather, John Tustain, was landlord there for a number of years,” he explained. “Of all the places to work on the planet, I discover there is family history!”
 
Having fallen in love with Palé Hall, Mr and Mrs Cooper-Barney are investing in other local ventures to support the community and enhance Bala as a tourist destination.

​
Three businesses had double reason to celebrate this week after collecting two awards each at a prestigious ceremony that recognised the exceptional quality of the Mid Wales tourism and hospitality industry.
 
Fifteen winners were announced at the Mid Wales Tourism Awards 2024-25 held at Gregynog Hall, Tregynon, near Newtown on Tuesday. Some will now represent Mid Wales at the Wales National Tourism Awards next spring.
 
The double winners were Canvas & Campfires, Llanwnnen, Lampeter, Llangoed Hall Hotel, Llyswen, Brecon and Plas Estate, Llangoedmor, Cardigan.
 
Canvas & Campfires was named Best Glamping or Quirky Accommodation and added the Accessibility and Inclusivity Award. Llangoed Hall Hotel won the Best Hotel Award and staff member Abbie Woods was named the Rising Star. Plas Llangoedmor took home the Best B&B, Guesthouse or Inn Award and was named Best Dog Friendly Business.
 
The awards - the first since the Covid pandemic - recognise and celebrate the region’s thriving tourism industry across Powys, Ceredigion and Southern Eryri (Snowdonia). They were organised by MWT Cymru (Mid Wales Tourism), with backing from the Mid Wales Regional Tourism Forum and Visit Wales, the Welsh Government’s tourism arm.
 
Sponsors were Cambrian Training Company, Powys and Ceredigion County Councils and Visit Wales.

The other winners were: Best Holiday Park, Meadow Springs Country and Leisure Park, Trefeglwys. Best Camping or Touring Park, Woodlands Caravan Park, Devil’s Bridge, Aberystwyth. Best Self Catering Business, Bryn Tanat Hall, Llansantffraid. Best Place to Eat and Drink, Y Talbot, Tregaron. Best Event, Royal Welsh Show, Llanelwedd. Best Attraction, Vale of Rheidol Railway, Aberystwyth. Bro y Byd (Environmental Sustainability) Award, The National Showcaves Centre for Wales, Dan yr Ogof, Abercraf. Best Activity, Mountain Bike Wales, Staylittle, Llanidloes. Best Third Sector Business, Welshpool & Llanfair Light Railway, Llanfair Caereinion.

A Special Recognition Award was presented to Heart of Wales 7’s at Llanidloes Rugby Club, which attracts thousands of visitors.

The other finalists were: Best Hotel: Trefeddian Hotel, Aberdyfi. Best B&B, Guest House or Inn: Y Seler, Aberaeron. Best Self Catering Accommodation: Plas Estate, Llangoedmor. Best Place to Eat and Drink: Y Ffarmers, Llanfihangel-y-Creuddyn, Aberystwyth. Best Camping or Touring Park: Bargoed Farm Caravan and Camping Park, Llwyncelyn, Aberaeron. Best Glamping or Quirky Accommodation: By the Wye, Hay-on-Wye. Best Holiday Park or Holiday Home Park: Derwen Mill Holiday Park, Guilsfield. Best Activity or Experience: Black Mountain Adventure, Three Cocks, Brecon. Best Visitor Attraction: The National Showcaves Centre for Wales Best Dog Friendly Business: Canvas & Campfire. Best Event: Wonderwool Wales. Rising Star: Gabi Wilson, Cambrian Training Company, Welshpool.
 
A not-for-profit social enterprise, MWT Cymru represents and supports more than 600 tourism businesses and organisations across Powys, Ceredigion and Southern Eryri (Snowdonia).
 
Rowland Rees-Evans, MWT Cymru’s chairman, congratulated all the award winners and finalists, saying they were all winners and thanked the sponsors for their support.
 
“We had fantastic entries this year and these awards showcase the best of the best in Mid Wales,” he added. “Hopefully, the winners will go forward and do well in the Wales National Tourism Awards early next year.”

​Best Hotel: Llangoed Hall
 
Llangoed Hall is a 17th-century hotel featuring 23 uniquely designed bedrooms that blend traditional charm with modern luxury. The award-winning, two rosette restaurant emphasises seasonal, locally sourced ingredients, earning praise from critics and guests alike.
 
Recognised by the Sunday Times as the Country Hotel of the Year on numerous occasions, the hotel is renowned for delivering exquisite service and exceptional attention to detail, creating an unforgettable guest experience. Llangoed Hall is also celebrated for its commitment to promoting local tourism and supporting the community.

​Rising Star Award: Abbie Woods

Abbie joined Llangoed Hall in April 2023 as a general assistant, quickly immersing herself in various aspects of hotel operations, including housekeeping, kitchen assistance and restaurant service.
 
Despite having no prior managerial experience, her exceptional dedication and skills saw her promoted to assistant manager within just two weeks. With a Masters Degree in Hospitality and Tourism, she adapted swiftly to her new role, taking on additional responsibilities such as managing the front office, co-ordinating events, overseeing marketing activities and ensuring compliance with health and safety regulations.
Her proactive approach and commitment to personal growth, including pursuing further studies in hotel management and HR, have been key to her success. Her resilience in overcoming personal challenges, including significant hardships, underscores her strength and determination.
 
Abbie’s leadership, innovative mindset and passion for fostering an inclusive hospitality environment make her an invaluable asset to the team and a promising leader in the industry.

Last weekend’s Corris Railway Santa Specials were one of the casualties of Storm Darragh.
 
Railway volunteers, who from across the UK, were looking forward to welcoming excited children on a trip to Santa’s grotto but the storm had other ideas.
 
Saturday morning revealed landslips on the road north and south of Corris, loss of electricity at Corris and Maespoeth Junction and water from overwhelmed drains on the A487 cascading into the railway’s machine shop, engine shed and loco inspection pit.
 
A line inspection revealed three trees blocking the line in various places. By Saturday afternoon, local volunteers had cleared the road drains and stopped any further water entering the loco shed at Maespoeth.
 
Volunteers have started a clean-up operation to repair damaged railway infrastructure.
 
Larger heritage railways tend to run Santa Specials over multiple weekends but Corris Railway is unable to do the same because of its small  number of volunteers.
 
Historically, the railway has relied on income from a busy Santa Specials weekend to provide a financial cushion for the winter months when it is not open. This year, that income has been lost, together with money spent on food and gifts.
 
Thanks to the dedicated efforts of one volunteer, all pre-booked passengers had received a refund by midnight on Saturday, save for some who generously declined the refund and donated the money to the railway.
 
The 2025 Corris Railway Santa Specials are scheduled for Saturday and Sunday, December 13 and 14.

The National Library of Wales has appointed four new trustees to its board to strengthen its leadership and ensure continued success in collecting, preserving and providing access to the country’s cultural heritage.
 
Starting their terms on January 1 will be Heledd Bebb, co-owner and director of OB3 Research consultancy, Michael Gibbon K.C., head of a set of barristers’ chambers in London and a bencher of Lincoln’s Inn and Dr Mohini Gupta, co-convenor for Education South Asia who will become Postdoctoral Fellow at the Danish School of Education, Aarhus University in the new year.
 
Joining the board in May will be Professor Andrew Prescott, a historian and digital humanities specialist at the University of Glasgow.
 
Rhodri Llwyd Morgan, library chief executive, said: “These appointments are an important step forward as we work on the Library's new strategic plan that will guide our work for the years to come. Their experience and deep expertise will be a great asset and I look forward to working with them.”
 
Ashok Ahir, library president, added: “I am delighted to see this hugely talented new group of individuals joining the National Library's Board of Trustees. Their varied skills and interests will be of great benefit to our discussions and decisions, as we shape the strategic focus of the library's activities over the next five years.”

A special installation to mark the 80th anniversary of VE (Victory in Europe) Day in 2025, which is being created by a group of knitters in France, will be a centrepiece at next year’s Wonderwool Wales event in the heart of Mid Wales.
 
Tansy Forster and her fellow knitters have agreed to create the new installation especially for the 19th Wonderwool Wales, the premier wool and natural fibre festival in Wales which will be held at the Royal Welsh Showground, Builth Wells on April 26 and 27.
 
The new work follows the great success of The Longest Yarn, an 80 metre, 3D wool art depiction of the D-Day landings in France on June 6, 1944, which is currently touring the UK.
 
The Longest Yarn installation features 80, one metre long panels, each depicting scenes of the build-up to D-Day in England, the horrors on the landing beaches and the bloody inland battles.
 
More than 1,000 knitters from across the world contributed to the project which snowballed from Tansy’s initial idea of a display for her garden wall.
 
Now she is turning her thoughts to the next wool art installation to celebrate the 80th anniversary of VE Day, when Germany surrendered unconditionally on Tuesday, May 8,1945.
 
“We are thrilled that Tansy and her group of fellow knitters in France are producing the VE Day display just for us and it will take pride of place as our exhibition for 2025,” said Wonderwool Wales director Chrissie Menzies.
 
“I am certain that the exhibition will attract a lot of interest here in Wales and across the UK. It’s exciting to have this work made exclusively for our 2025 sho2 and I can’t wait to see their work.”
 
An award-winning two-day event, Wonderwool Wales celebrates all that’s great about Welsh wool and natural fibres, attracting around 6,000 visitors from across the UK and as far away as America, Canada and Australia.
 
Woolschool workshops, Sheep Walk fashion shows, demonstrations and have-a-go sessions hosted by some of more than 200 exhibitors are regular features of the popular event.
 
Already booked for Woolschool workshops in 2025 are Moebius Knitting with Kath Andrews, Andean Pebble Weave using a back strap loom with Helen Deighan and An Introduction to Indian Block Printing, Art Yarns – Corespinning with Sarah Stacey, a Wonderwool Wales director,
 
Other workshops include Dorset Buttons and Peg Loom Weaving with Sharon Smith of Wild Welsh Wool, Bringing Eyes to Life in needle felting with Emma Fountain, Beaded Keyrings with Rosie of Moon Beads while Ruth Packham will be showing students how to felt one of her Quirky Birds.
 
Tickets for the show and the Woolschools are now available online at www.wonderwoolwales.co.uk . For the latest news about the show, like Wonderwool Wales Ltd on Facebook or follow on Instagram @wonderwoolwales .
 
Wonderwool Wales covers everything from the start to the end of the creative process. Exhibits of sheep, raw and hand dyed fibres, yarn for knitting and crochet, embellishments, equipment, dyes and books can be found alongside superb examples of finished textile art, craft, clothing and home furnishings.