Friday 28 November 2014

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. 


Thursday 27 November 2014

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.


Sunday 9 November 2014

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!