Hay Ho! Bus Timetable Changes!

                                                                       Food stall in Hay


Just to mention that the Hay Ho! bus to Hay has a new timetable in operation from Sunday 6th September, 2015. The bus leaves Hereford Railway Station at 1015,1315 and 1615. It returns from Hay (Oxford Rd, Hay Castle side) at 1125 (not 1150 as now), 1455 and 1725.

The other minor revision relates to Madley...the bus will no longer turnaround at Archenfield in Madley; it calls at the Post Office, Madley on the way out to Hay and at the stop by the crossroads on the way back into Hereford. So Madley is still served but not the section down to Archenfield housing estate.

If you'd like to see a full timetable and for more information about Hay Ho! see www.hayhobus.org.uk

Hay Ho! Bus Annual Gathering Sunday September 6th 2015

The good news is that  the Hay Ho! bus has been secured for another year. 

The revised service will start on Sunday September 6th and to kick off the year there'll be a first annual gathering at 1130 at the Swan Hotel, Church Street, Hay-on-Wye to look to the future of the service and how it can be improved in the coming months.

The Hay Ho! gang of supporters know that it is used by a wide range of people from young people coming back from work, shoppers, walkers and visitors. Plus Hay has gained business as a result of the bus and Hereford has gained shoppers too. The Hay Ho! rambles, organised by CAMRA and Herefordshire Ramblers, have encouraged walkers to enjoy the Golden Valley and use local businesses there.

This meeting will give people a chance to have their say. You are most welcome to attend, to have a chat  over a tea and coffee; the meeting will be about an hour then there's time for lunch or a wander around Hay. 

Supporters are catching the 1015 bus out from Hereford and the 1455 or 1725 bus back...note the minor change to times!

Folk Down the Track August 20th, 2015

Another great line up at the Castle Inn, Knucklas! Joining Folk Down the Track on August 20th are Bouzatina playing a mix of Celtic, Irish acoustic folk. They are followed by Nancy and Andy Ketchen who play with Rapsquillion and occasionally with Boutzatina. Andy writes his own material and currently has a CD Songs for the Hill on sale. The two groups will finish off the night by playing together. A great set for those who love traditional folk at its best.

Catch the 1825 train from Shrewsbury and stations down the line to Knucklas and the 2150 back home. Connections from Ludlow, Leominster and Hereford.

Folk Down the Track Spring 2015

Folk Down the Track is a real joy at this time of year as people can sit back and admire that lovely Shropshire scenery en route to Wales where we alight at Knucklas for the Castle Inn. Its three or four minutes down to the pub from the station to be greeted by a friendly team of folk musicians and singers that make it all worthwhile.

Next up is Border Reelers from Herefordshire borders, hence the name. They make a return visit to FDTT and that's great by us...the singing is wonderful, the beautiful harp is a bonus and the fun that this group exudes makes them a firm favourite. Of course, there's also the bar where are a group of talented musicians from the locality that make the Castle folk night so special, err well and Chris and her team behind the bar and in the kitchen.

Be on the train...either 1800 out of Shrewsbury or 1817 from Ludlow, changing at Craven Arms this coming Thursday 16th April, 2015. Don't miss it.

Hay2Timbuktu

Put a special date in your diary...Sunday March 8th...to travel on the Hay Ho! bus through to Hay-on-Wye. Catch the 1010 from Hereford Railway Station (Country Bus Station, Maylords, Broad Street) for a scenic ride through to Hay.

When you arrive you'll join a guided walk along the Hay2Timbuktu Trail. This is a town trail with a difference. The two miler, easy walking, links eleven sites which illustrate both similarities and differences between Hay and its twinned African town of Timbuktu. No need to book. Just travel on the bus and you will be met in Hay; the trail walk is free.

There'll be a stop for Fairtrade refreshments (there'll be a charge for this) as this is part of Fairtrade Fortnight.

Of course, for those with a nose for books Hay is the place to be and best to take a look at the Hay Ho! website... hayhobus.org.uk or Hay Ho!bus on facebook for more details.

Folk Down the Track... February 2015

People pile on board the return train after a folk session at the Castle Inn in December! The next Folk Down the Track session will be the first in 2015. the upcoming event is on Thursday 19th February and there'll be musicians, good food and ale to be had that evening. Guest band is Out of the Blue from Herefordshire. Be on the 1800 out of Shrewsbury or the 1817 from Ludlow and all stations down the line!

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.