Saturday 10 December 2016

Christmas 2016 Folk Down the Track

 



Coming up this Thursday 15th December, 2016

Join us for a festive night out on Folk Down the Track. We'll be on the 1825 train out of Shrewsbury (1817 Ludlow) bound for Knucklas.

The superb Bandamania will be playing while we eat and drink at the Castle Inn, Knucklas then back on the train at 2150 for home.  No entry fee...just a whip round for the band's chosen charity. Singing on the train back.

All welcome and not an evening to be missed!

Wednesday 23 November 2016

Three Castles Rider



                           White Castle, Llanvetherine...a mile of lane walking from the bus

In the opening pages of Slow Travel in the Marches you soon find out that I am somewhat enchanted by the rural borderland bus. Why? Simply because it brings together all manner of folk on their way to market, a steady flow between village and town with a smattering of walkers making their way into the countryside.There's another good reason. Travelling on the bus allows you to sit back and enjoy the scenery and the views; this new cross border route from St Weonwards in Herefordshire to Abergavenny on market day will not disappoint on that count.

Equally important on this run is that the bus passes directly by two of three notable Norman castles (as linked by the Three Castles walk) namely Skenfrith and Grosmont. It also offers access to nearby White Castle at Llanvetherine, a steady climb of about a mile from the bus stop, well turning to be precise, for formal bus stops are few and far between on this service. Just stick your hand out anywhere reasonable and it stops!

The route taken by the new market day service, the 438, which I have decided to call the Three Castles Rider, is an intriguing one. It starts at St Weonards (allowing a connection from the 36 Hereford to Monmouth bus) then calls in at Broad Oak and Garway Common before dipping down a back lane to Skenfrith, by the Bell Inn and through the village. It then climbs above the River Monnow to the one time medieval garrison township of Grosmont. Then the bus follows back lanes through to Cross Ash and Llanvetherine before before descending into Abergavenny beneath the haunting backbone of Skirrid Fawr; this impressive mass engages the eye throughout the latter part of the journey.

The owner driver, Ian Phillips, reckons that there hasn't been a bus on the route for 20 years and the last bus from Grosmont was about 8-10 years ago. So, it will be an uphill struggle to encourage local people back on board after all of these years, but Ian is a determined man and wants to give something back to the local communities he knows well. That's where we come in... visitors on board will be more than welcome and can help to sustain this truly rural market day bus.


Walkers alight at Llanvetherine for Offa's Dyke Path
 
 
The 438 or dare I say Three Castles Rider operates on Tuesdays only; it is one borderland bus worth sorting out so here's how you can get the best out of your day.
  • Catch the 0840 out of Hereford Railway Station (Country Bus Station, Broad Street) for St Weonards (stop by the church/village store)
  • Board the 438 bus to Abergavenny at 0930. You'll arrive in Abergavenny Bus Station at 1030 in time for coffee and a wander between the street stalls 
  • Then you can catch the Stagecoach X3 back to Hereford from Abergavenny Bus Station at 1130,1330, 1500 or 1600
  • English and Welsh bus passes are accepted on cross boundary trips although a fare is required on the 0840 36 bus as it is before 0930
  • Car users can, of course, do a return trip to St Weonards arriving back at about 1415 
  • Timetable enquiries available of Herefordshire Council Bus Travel website or the operator phone I&S Coaches on 01432 264968
 

Monday 17 October 2016

Folk Down the Track 20th October




Just a reminder that the next Folk Down the Track is this Thursday at the Castle Inn Knucklas so be on the 1825 train from Shrewsbury to enjoy the night. Border Reelers are playing in the function room plus an eclectic set of musicians and singers which make the FDTT event so much fun. See you there!

Tuesday 12 July 2016

Folk Down the Track Dates 2016


Just a reminder of the dates for Folk Down the Track for the remainder of 2016...

Next one up is  Thursday August 18th, 2016

This autumn...Thursday October 20th, 2016
                         Thursday December 15th, 2016

Put the dates in your diary!



Sunday 12 June 2016

Raithlin Road band at Folk Down the Track

Folk Down the Track organiser Graham Lambert is keen to encourage people to the next Folk Down the Track event on Thursday June 16th.
 
 
Boarding the train home!
 
 
 
Comments Graham:
 
"The views from with the fine evening summer light at this time of year is hard to beat. That is what makes the event so special and there's often singing on the way home too."

The featured group at the Castle Inn, Knucklas will be the Raithlin Road Band, an Irish Folk trio which writes much of its own material and plays through the Marches.

Anyone wishing to come along should catch the 1825 train from Shrewsbury and stations to Knucklas with a return at 2150. Ludlow folk can catch the 1817 train and change at Craven Arms. There's food and drink available at the Castle Inn with a wide range of musicians playing in the three rooms of the pub; a night not to be missed.

Saturday 28 May 2016

Hay Festival Bus Link return tickets accepted

 




Hay Ho!, that legendary bus that makes its way through the scenic Golden Valley into Hay-on-Wye will be accepting First Hay Festival Link Return tickets on Sunday 29th, Monday 30th May and Sunday June 5th May. It also accepts concessionary passes. Day Returns are £7.50...ask for a Hay Rover ticket.

Buses leave Hereford Railway Station (stand to the right of the roundabout) at 1015, 1315 and 1615. Buses return from Hay (Oxford Road, just under the castle) to Hereford at 1125, 1455, and 1725.


Regular driver, Roly, will be on duty and local authors Mike Ledlie and Les Lumsdon will be leading a Hay Festival  guided walk on Sunday 5th June from the bus to Walkers Cottage and back via the Wye Valley Way into Hay, about 5 miles of easy walking. They'll talk about their local books en route. (Sorry...the walk on Sunday 29th May is fully booked). Details are in the Festival Programme (Extras) and people can book at Drover Cycles. Phone Anna on 01497 822419.

Saturday 23 April 2016

Slow Travel Guide Update Ludlow

 
The comments I penned about Ludlow some 5 years ago now still hold true.

The walkabout from the railway station illustrates that this town is one of the loveliest in the land. It is doing its very best to resist the endless onslaught of international chains moving in, supermarkets and the like, but it is a hard slog fighting unwanted development. I still cast my vote for the independent shops and the vibrant market that make a visit so enjoyable and differentiates Ludlow from many a Midlands High Street.

There have been some changes since the Guide to Slow Travel in the Marches was published and most of these have been to the good. Whilst more cafes have opened up in town, some say too many, my vote still goes to the long standing Olive Branch offering tasty wholesome food every day throughout the year and the Green Café...a much loved riverside venue which is open Tuesdays to Sundays, but closes in the depths of winter. Nearby Mr Underhills has closed so upmarket foodies will mourn the loss.



In Harp Lane, fronting onto the Market Square, is the excellent Harp Lane deli (taking the place of the previous Deli) run by a team that is passionate about good food and offers superb coffee, freshly made homemade soups and other goodies which make it difficult to pass by. Open daily except Sundays.

There has been a seismic change in the pub scene too. At 14 Corve Street you'll find the exceptional Dog Hangs Well parlour pub (open Thursdays-Saturdays 5-9pm only)...look out for the lamp, the hostelry is open when the lamp is lit. At the top of Old Street, by the Olive Branch, is Artisan Ales selling bottled beers and ciders many of which are local to Ludlow plus it has a cosy tap room upstairs where conversation is the order of the day. Both are friendly places with owners passionate going about their business with a smile. Regular jazz is off the menu at the Feathers and is perhaps only occasionally at the Charlton Arms, but there's often music events at the Brewery and sometimes at Unicorn.



 



On the cultural front, the arts festival has morphed into a fringe festival and has been very well received by residents and visitors alike. The museum is soon to be relocated in the Butter Cross and the Assembly Rooms will be remodelled to include a new entrance and café. It currently houses the visitor information centre staffed by volunteers (another function along with toilets, buses and cultural venues being unceremoniously abandoned by Shropshire Council so we are very grateful to Ludlow town council and other organisations for picking up the reins).

Bus load of 490 supporters coming to a meeting in Ludlow


Still easy to access by trains but fewer buses, although the 492 to Hereford is now renumbered the 490 and is less frequent. However, there's a supporter group working to rebuild the service so if you are staying nearby try a ride out to Leominster or the villages en route when you are here. Time work well for a visit to the pubs in the village of Orleton.  The bus to Kidderminster is now operated by Diamond Bus and renumbered the 2L; after a stormy start (some  buses failed to climb over Clee Hill) the service now seems to have been bedded in.



 

 

Monday 11 April 2016

SNAPDRAGON AT FOLK DOWN THE TRACK

 
 
 
 
 
 
THE NEXT
FOLK DOWN THE TRACK
THURSDAY 21st APRIL
AT
THE CASTLE INN KNUCKLAS
(Good food & beer!)
There will be singing and playing in the bar by the fire - for all to join in!
And
SNAPDRAGON
Will be performing in the function room. An  excellent trio playing a mixture of traditional English, French & Welsh folk music on Hurdy Gurdy, Violin, Melodeon & recorder. We are delighted to have them at Folk Down the t
Track so we hope you will get on the train and join us! Shrewsbury at 1825 and stations down the track. Return from Knucklas at 2150.

Friday 12 February 2016

THE STONED CHERRIES AT KNUCKLAS THURSDAY 18th FEBRUARY

 


 
The Stoned Cherries will kick off the 2016 run of Folk Down the Track sessions at Knucklas with a mix of original and traditional songs and tunes which make you smile, dance and feel in the mood for a good night out down the line. Put Thursday 18th February in the diary!

Their lively folk sessions have verve and passion and have received praise from a wide range of folk music observers so join the Heart of Wales train bound for Knucklas at 1825 out of Shrewsbury, all   stops, and leaving Knucklas at 2150. Ludlow and Leominster people change at Craven Arms.

Chris, the landlady, and her team will be there to welcome you and offer a tasty menu and refreshments. The Castle Folk Club fill the pub with musicians and singers and this all adds up to one super night out.