Green Saturday

Walkers en route to Flounder's Folly near Craven Arms

Retailers like to hype up our expectations before the festive break and Black Friday has to be one great sinister plot to make us spend more and spend it now, pushing, shoving, riots an' all. But there's an escape...take a walk in the country to calm your nerves and with the mild weather it could not be better (even if it is squelchy under foot). I therefore declare tomorrow as Green Saturday, the day we desert the shops in favour of a walk or cycle ride in countryside. 

For others not so keen to brave the elements there's a chance do some armchair discovery instead...so here's my earnest plug for some of my recent exploits...and, yes, it seems a little hypocritical, but with a degree of temerity and angst here we go...

I still consider A Guide to Slow Travel in the Marches to be one of my best. It offers a different perspective on travel through the Welsh Marches; it is almost Portilloesque in approach; railways come first. This gem is available in local bookshops as well as at Ludlow Railway Station office. At only £10 it is a great stocking filler. If you can't get to a bookshop then order direct from the publisher, simply google Logaston Press.

If it is walking you're into then the lovely little Kittiwake books are ideal. Mike Ledlie and I have penned a number of new titles recently...Walks in the Borders (North and South), and Walks Around Hay-on-Wye. Each book contains twenty walks and are also stocked by High Street booksellers and tourist information offices (where they still exist). Otherwise order via Kittiwake website. The books are only £4.95, an amazing price for 20 walks. Another great stocking filler is Walks Around Ludlow written by me with Peta and Phil Sams-same price and featuring Mortimer Country too.  

There's my bit for consumerism...now back to the old ways, its safer territory. 

PS Hay Ho! bus is running through to the Hay Winter Festival tomorrow and Hay is a good place for slow travellers. 

Christmas Folk Down the Track

                                          Legendary Big Al from the Nelson Inn  

                                          at Rocks Green  playing on the train home!

There's another great night in store at Folk Down the Track on Thursday December 18th. Sue Harris and Bandamania will be playing plus a wide range of musicians who gather for the monthly folk club at the Castle Inn, Knucklas. Good food, real ale and plenty of other drinks available and served by a dedicated group of staff who make us welcome. Hat passed round at the end for musicians choice of charity.

Catch the 1800 train from Shrewsbury or stations to Knucklas. Back in Shrewsbury for 2200. Change at Craven Arms required for Ludlow, Leominster and Hereford. Folk Down the Track happens on the third thursday,.. bi-monthly. Here are some 2015 dates for your diary:

February 19th 2015...Out of the Blue playing in the back room
April 16th 2015...
June 18th 2015...
August 20th 2015...

Organised by Graham Lambert (Myriad Organics, Ludlow) and Les Lumsdon (Rail for Herefordshire) with Chris (Landlady) and Siggy (Coordinator of musicians). Look forward to seeing you on the train.

Hay Winter Festival 28-30th November 2014

Last Orders is a book laced with humour and humility and at this year's Hay Winter Festival you'll get an opportunity to listen to and ask questions of the Booker Prize winner, Graham Swift, who penned this very readable work and others such as Waterland. Eleanor Catton will be there too, another winner who is gaining reputation through her book The Luminaries and The Rehearsal.

There are more authors, celebrities and musicians lined up and workshops for the kids too. That is what makes Hay Festival events so appealing but there'll be plenty to do in town too-a food festival on the Saturday and Shops open all weekend. More details available at www.hayfestival.com.

For those who fancy a retro day then the Sunday outing to Hay Does Vintage is a must...plenty of outfits, a talk at the festival and stalls to browse at your leisure. The hassle free way to travel is on the Hay Ho! from Hereford which leaves from Stand 2, Hereford Railway Station at 1010,1310 and 1610. Return buses from Hay (Oxford Road...on the Hay castle side of the road) at 1150,1450 and 1720. Ideal timings for a Hay Day or a few hours come the afternoon.

Check out Hay Ho! on Facebook...www.facebook.com/pages/Hay-Ho-Bus.

Folk Down the Track Christmas Bash 2014!

Impromptu singing session on the train

Next bash is a pre-Christmas warm up at the Castle Inn, Knucklas. As well as the diverse gang of musicians who meet up at the Castle Folk Club, the superb Sue Harris and Bandamania will be playing at this event. Comments co-organiser Graham Lambert from Myriad Organics, Ludlow:

"Have dinner, just come along for a drink or two, listen to the music or join in...that is the beauty of Folk Down the Track. There's real choice on the evening; people can stay in the restaurant room if they're keen to chat or alternatively listen to the band in the function room. There's also several musicians and singers playing in the bar too. It's very special. Two hours of sheer entertainment and sometimes a chance to sing along on the way home as well as at the pub !"

Join us on Thursday 18th December, 2014 for a good night out. Catch the 1800 train from Shrewsbury and stations en route...Church Stretton, Craven Arms, Broome, Hopton Heath, Bucknell and Knighton...to Knucklas (book day return). Travellers from Hereford, Leominster and Ludlow change at Craven Arms.

Wear something Christmassy...tinsel,mistletoe or even a full Santa's outfit!

Hay Ho! Bus Launch

The wheels of the new Hay Ho! bus ran for the first time yesterday and several people who have given donations for the bus and organisations getting behind it were present to wave it off from Hay. These include the coordinating Hay Tourism Group, plus  representatives from the Brecon Beacons National Park Authority, Clehonger Parish Council, Hay Chamber of Commerce, Herefordshire Ramblers, and Rail for Herefordshire,

The group then enjoyed a guided walking tour with Haytours...take a look at wwwhaytours.org for details, with some fascinating insights into Hay's past. Book a tour yourself to get the low down on Hay past and present.  A great day out and now there's a chance to become a supporter of this exciting venture...see Hay Ho! facebook page.

Folk Down the Track Extras

                                                  Border Reelers in full swing at FDTT


There's a Folk Down the Track event this coming Thursday, 21st August; that's 1800 train out of Shrewsbury picking up stations and request stops down the line to Knucklas. There'll be an eclectic mix of musicians at the Castle Inn and often there's singing on the train back! Hereford, Leominster and Ludlow people have to change at Craven Arms both ways (1831/2232). As always it is a great night at the Castle Inn, Knucklas where Chris and her team make people very welcome.

There are also two other superb events coming up this weekend which might be of interest. The first is an excellent event at the Greyhound Inn, Llangunllo, a true village pub in a remote part of Radnorshire which makes it all the more intriguing to get out there and enjoy the beers, cider and music. The festival commences at 1600 on Friday 22nd and every day from noon until close on Monday 25th. If you'd like more information about the festival phone 01547 550400. The village and pub is just over a mile from Llangunllo station (request stop) and so be ready to do some walking in superb scenery. Last train back north to Shrewsbury is just after 2100 so make sure you're on the platform to wave the driver to stop!

At the Sun Inn, Leintwardine, there's the annual Beer and Music Festival and Ludlow 21 will be running a Festival Bus from the Green Festival, Ludlow at 1230 and hourly until 1930 (except 1630)...leaves from the Assembly Rooms... returning at 1305 and hourly until 2005 (except 1705) from outside the Lion at Leintwardine. Return ticket on the bus is £5 with a £1  discount on entry (£5) at the festival if you show your bus ticket!

Hay Ho! Bus

There's good news on the horizon for slow travellers seeking to get to Hay-on-Wye for a weekend break this autumn. Whether you are up for the Walking Festival,  the Winter Hay Festival or simply to spend the weekend lazily browsing around bookshops, then it is easy enough to get to Hay on Sundays and Bank Holidays. Until last week, the news was that the Hereford to Brecon via Hay-on-Wye bus would be axed come the end of September; a rather gloomy scenario for us and for the residents of Hay. But all is not lost. The Hay Tourism Group, Hay Chamber of Commerce, Rail for Herefordshire, Herefordshire Ramblers and three generous individuals have stepped in  to finance a Sundays and Bank Holidays service between Hay and Hereford. That is how important a Sunday bus is to their community!

The bus, still numbered 39A, has a new name for fun loving types; it is called the Hay Ho! bus. There's a new timetable too; it is designed to fit with the arrival and departure of trains from London (and the North and Midlands). The stop for Hay is just across the road from Hereford railway station forecourt, beyond the mega roundabout on the right, Stand 2 to be precise but, in earnest, its not much of a stand. Hay Ho! will run three times each way: 1010, 1310 and 1610 from Hereford Railway Station and 1150,1450, and 1720 from Hay-on-Wye (Hay Castle side of Oxford Road). It will be operated by Yeomans Travel of Hereford and commences on October 5th, 2014. The full journey takes just over an hour.

What a breath of fresh air, a positive strand among threads of rural bus up and down the Marches. The Hay Tourist Group want to make the bus part of the overall tourist experience and what better way to do just that by riding through the Golden Valley on the Hay Ho! bus. The views across the foothills to the Black Mountains are exceptional...sit on the left hand side of the bus to enjoy the scenery.

Book Update...Hay-on-Wye

Hay, the Book Town, that's how most people see it. But there's more on offer now for those seeking to explore the exceptional countryside that lies just beyond this border outpost. Now there's the Bike Festival in Spring and Walking Festival come the Autumn. Much of this is down to a dedicated group of people who want to share their countryside with us. At the forefront is Drover Holidays-01497 821134-real people offering walking and cycling holidays plus bike hire for wheelers. Hay is a Walkers are Welcome town and the new book by Ledlie and Lumsdon (available at the Tourist Information Centre in Oxford Road or at Drover's base camp) is a good start for those who wish to explore on foot using Hay as a base.

In A Guide to Slow Travel in the Marches I mention several cafes and pubs but my favourites are still The Granary and Shepherds; they remain as good as ever. There's a new cafe at the Richard Booth Bookshop on Lion Street/ Brook Street; good food, a cinema, live events and of course, books. What more could the weary traveller want for after a mile or two marching into town? The Hay deli is also on Lion Street for those looking for a tasty bite to pack into the rucksack.

The Cheese Market has also been restored to good effect, and is surrounded by stalls on Market Day (Thursday) and at other events; there's always someone willing to busk nearby too which adds to the bohemian feel of a place. Hay is certainly now more focused on tourism as well as agriculture for its survival. The link between the two is retained by Gibbons the Butcher on Castle Street and Small Farms on Broad Street; the latter specialises in local organic produce which is spot on.

Finally, I must mention a lovely corner of Hay which has blossomed since I first penned the book. Take time to look at a group of shops clustered around the cobbles of Hay Castle. From the Brecon bus stop go over the road on the crossing and walk up a path towards the castle (by Back Fold); there should be sandwich boards outside heralding the likes of The Thoughtful Gardener and the Hay Loft. The one to look out for is Eighteen Rabbit as this is a fairtrade shop which offers a range of goods sourced from all over the world, but underpinned by ethical principles. Its a good and friendly retailer working towards a better way of shopping. Take a look at Eighteen Rabbit's website...www.eighteenrabbit.co.uk...if only to find out the derivation of the name.

Access is more or less the same except Beacons Bus (the sunday network managed by the Brecon Beacons National Park) has gone. That means the Offa's Dyke Flyer has capitulated too in a wave of senseless budgetary cuts. Come the autumn the Sunday/Bank Holidays bus 39A will be withdraw too BUT there's a move afoot to see if a service can be salvaged. That will be good. If not it means that Hay will become a weekday place for bus users, but its still worth that detour out of Hereford; the ride through the Golden Valley is rickety, the scenery superb.

Book Update...Montgomery

The smart new Tanat Valley bus waits time at Montgomery en route to Newtown; it is the X71 service by the Town Hall. This note, by the way, is the first in a series of updates to A Guide to Slow Travel in the Marches. There's more to come over the summer so please check again.  

One aspect that has improved is access from the Welshpool. The X71 and 81 buses offer a great improvement (google Powys bus times) but sorely need more people on board. The X71 does not pass the railway station on the outbound trip to Montgomery; only the less frequent 81 does that, and it stops opposite the supermarket across an awful roundabout. Anyway, that means you have to walk through Welshpool (about 10 minutes or so) to reach the High Street bus stops where you can catch the X71, but the walk is pleasant enough. On this trip we caught the 558 bus back to Shrewsbury from Montgomery, which seems to work well for an afternoon outing.

Not surprisingly, little has changed in Montgomery since the book was penned and the Castle Kitchen and Ivy House are as good as ever. The Crown Inn continues as a community local which welcomes visitors as does the Dragon Hotel. New on the block is the Michelin star restaurant with accommodation, the Checkers, which is well appointed and lauded for its excellent cuisine. Unfortunately, could not find Montgomery bike hire this time so this will be deleted in the next edition.

Despite the best efforts of local authorities to cut back buses in Herefordshire and Shropshire it is still possible to get to most of the towns and villages mentioned in the book. Powys Council has, to date, held on to a marvellous network of buses and we have to thank them for that. Their commitment makes travel to Montgomery just that little bit easier than before!

Walks in the Borders

Kittiwake has published a companion set which features Walks in the Borders, one for the North and one for the South. The dividing line is Craven Arms stretching north to Prestatyn and south the Chepstow. Each book contain twenty varied linear walks using buses and trains to get to the start point.  These have been researched by Les Lumsdon and Mike Ledlie, both of whom consider that linear walks are by far the best way to explore the Marches. Comments Mike:

" My favourite walk is from Dorstone to Hay-on-Wye which showcases some beautiful Golden Valley countryside, offers extensive views from Vagar Hill and then descends through green fields and woodland to the delightful village of Cusop just outside Hay. Its easy to catch the bus to the start point and walk back at your own pace."

If anyone would like to sample the walks with the authors, they will (or one of them at least) be leading rambles on the following dates:

Sunday 22nd June  Wye Tour ramble... a moderate walk from Kerne Bridge to Ross-on-Wye; you need to book at www.walkingfestival.com

Friday 18th July   Grow Cook and Learn...a foody (and easy) walk between Onibury and Craven Arms; you need to book at www. slowfoodludlow.org.uk

Saturday 19th July Wild Bunch...a walk to meet Tammy Hall, a flower grower at Marlow Farm, then onwards to the historic Parlour pub at Leintwardine. Seven miles and moderate. Check it out at www.slowfood.org.uk

The books are available from local booksellers or check out on line at www.kittiwake-books.com. Price £4.95.  Pictured is King Offa, aka Rob Dingle the Offa's Dyke Path Officer promoting bus walks on the Offa Hoppa bus. It is one of the buses the authors select for a walk.

Border Reelers play at Folk Down the Track

A lively band from Herefordshire will be joining Folk Down the Track on Thursday 19th June...the night of the big match. So, if you want to escape the football coverage of the World Cup for a while join the train at 1805 from Shrewsbury bound for Knucklas where Border Reelers will be playing,and singing with some banter in between. The event is at the Castle Inn, Knucklas with a wide range of musicians playing throughout the evening.  Hereford, Leominster and Ludlow people can change trains at Craven Arms off the 1753 northbound train out of Hereford.

Aardvark Easter Event 19th April, 2014

The people who run the Aardvark Bookery at Brampton Bryan are adept at organising superb little country events which are just right. What's more you can now (as of Saturday 19th April) travel out there in style from Ludlow on any weekend including Bank Holidays until the end of September, 2014.

The Bookery has thousands of books, including a section for children, and a cafe so it's is an engaging place at the best of times. Coming up for Easter Saturday is a Plant and Garden event including a talk by Hereford author Bill Laws on Fifty Plants that changed the course of history. There'll be stalls and music too. Check it out at www.aardvark-books.com/events.

The Castle Connect kicks in on that day with departures from Ludlow (Assembly Rooms) at 1015, 1345 and 1715. Buses from Bishop's Castle leave at 0900, 1230 and 1545. All buses call at Brampton Bryan crossroads, two minutes walk along the lane to Aardvark. The picture above shows the coach used on the service provided by M&J Travel, leaving Ludlow.  Full details of Castle Connect can be found at www.shropshirehillsshuttles.co.uk

HOPVINE BUS IMBIBERS

The latest edition of Hopvine, an excellent quarterly publication which can be picked up in local Herefordshire pubs or perused on line at www.herefordcamra.org.uk, highlighted the return of the Castle Connect and Wye Valley Wanderer this summer; they come on tap in a few weeks (duly reported elsewhere in the blog).

However, the article also referred to what was once one of the most stunning rides in the Marches, the B17. Yes, I did say 'what was' as this summer only circular from Hay-on-Wye, through the Black Mountains and back via Longtown and Craswall has gone.  It was one of the few ways to get to the historic Bull's Head, Craswall (featured above) without a car (now horse back, cycling and walking come to mind).

Unfortunately, the very day that Hopvine was put to bed the Brecon Beacons National Park declared that it could no longer support the summer Beacons Bus Network including the B17, known affectionately as the Offa's Dyke Flyer, not sure why for it rarely managed more than 20 mph. For those of you who have a copy of A Guide to Slow Travel in the Marches turn to page 184 and there's more to read there. It's a sad loss.

But you can have your say to save other buses and there's a move afoot to ensure that the 39A Sunday bus to Hay from Brecon and Hereford survives beyond the summer. Hay is a major tourist destination and travel doesn't stop on Sundays.  There's a real need for an all year Sunday service!

The campaign is being spearheaded by Rail for Hereford (www.railforherefordshire.com) and Transition Town Hay (www.transitiontownnetwork.org).  In the meantime spend a couple of minutes to fill in Herefordshire's bus consultation and tell the Council you want buses to stay!

MELOMANICS BAND DOWN THE TRACK

The next Folk Down the Track event features Melomanics, bringing cosmopolitan ceilidh music to the Castle, and some whacky humour too. Check them out on www.melomanics.co.uk.

There'll also be a range of local border folk playing and singing in other rooms too, two of whom are featured in the picture above, just tuning up for the arrival of the Folk Train one summer's eve!

Put the date in your diary now...Thursday April 17th.

Be on the train-the 1805 from Shrewsbury to Knucklas or catch it at one of the stations where the Heart of Wales train picks up...Church Stretton, Craven Arms, Broome, Hopton Heath, Bucknell and Knighton. Ludlovians change at Craven Arms...meet for the 1817 at Ludlow. Back into Shrewsbury for 2200.

Folk Down the Track is a joint venture between Myriad Organics and Ludlow 21. It aims to support this very rural line, local pubs and charities with the help of some super musicians/singers, an understanding landlady at the Castle, Knucklas and, of course, you. See you there on the 17th!

WYE VALLEY WANDERER IS BACK!

Following requests from both residents and walking groups the Wye Valley Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB)  a Sunday/Bank Holiday bus will operate directly from Hereford to Monmouth via Ross-on-Wye, Kerne Bridge, Goodrich and Whitchurch (for Symond's Yat).

This will be the first time in ten years that the bus has run from Hereford direct through to Monmouth via the Wye Valley. There are also connections from Abergavenny (83), Chepstow (69) and Newport (60) which makes for a great day out in the Wye Valley from these towns.

The bus starts on May 4^th and will run until the end of September 2014. It will be operated by First Wyvern from Hereford Railway Station at 1010 and return from Monmouth Bus Station at 1715. This allows connections by train from Shrewsbury and Worcester as well as from Leominster and Ledbury. There will be an additional three journeys between Ross and Monmouth leaving Ross at 1300, 1420 and 1620 offering connections from Gloucester and Hereford. Stagecoach Explorer and South Wales Network Rider tickets will be valid on the service in addition to concessionary passes (for cross border journeys).

Wye Valley AONB Officer, Andrew Blake adds:
“ We want to encourage more people to visit the Wye Valley by bus; the journey is always part of the day out and buses allow you to sit back and enjoy the view. The bus is being supported financially by the AONB in conjunction with the Walking with Offa project. It allows people to explore landscapes and local places referred to as an Irresistible offa. What's more is that you can make the best of the Festival of the Wye, coming up in May, by using the bus”



A timetable and more details about the Festival is available on the Wye Valley ANOB website at www.wyevalleyanob.org.uk

Folk Down the Track February 2014

There are usually over 12 singers and players

You're welcome to join the next Folk Down the Track event on February 20th 2014. All you need to do is be on the 1800 Heart of Wales train from Shrewsbury, Church Stretton, Craven Arms or other halts down the line to Knucklas where we adjourn for a couple of hours to eat, drink and join in with the folk musicians who provide brilliant entertainment throughout the evening. Back in Shrewsbury for 2200.