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.

FOLK DOWN THE TRACK WINTER 2013/4

Folk Down the Track is that super evening out on the Heart of Wales railway which combines folk music, a meal or drink and good company at the homely Welsh pub, the Castle at Knucklas. If you'd like to join in then simply catch the 1805 train from Shrewsbury or pick it up on one of the stations en route.

The next event is Thursday 17th October 2013. Musicians and singers doubly welcome! Phone Graham from Myriad Organics on 01584 874888 for more information.

H Energy

Not too long ago we launched the Herefordshire Bus Walks series in Hoarwithy and the photograph illustrates a group of walkers on one of the walks based on Hoarwithy. On Sunday 13th October the Bus Walks team, namely me and Mike Ledlie, will be leading another walk from the leaflet.

Inspired by h.Energy, the Ramblers, Rail for Herefordshire, Ludlow 21 and the Leominster Apple Fair
are offering a free guided walk every day in the following week-see below for details:

Taking the Bus for a Walk

Sunday 13^th October 2013   1125 until 1745

Walk from Peterstow to Harewood End (6-7 miles) with the originators of the Herefordshire Bus Walks series - Les Lumsdon (local author) and Russell Hamilton (Herefordshire Council Cabinet Member for Environment, Housing and Planning). Walk through the Wye Valley AONB on the Herefordshire Trail with a stop at the New Harp Inn which is pub plus a shop, post office and hub for park and share.  Moderate, some climbs and stiles. Bring a packed lunch, stout footwear and warm clothing. Sorry, no dogs.  Herefordshire Ramblers in association with Rail for Herefordshire.

Join leaders at Hereford Country Bus Station at 1125 for bus to Peterstow at 1138; back in Hereford for 1745.

Find out more

Event Access: This walk involves using the 32 bus; bus fare or concessionary pass required.

Booking: No booking required

What type of event: Bus walk (6-7 miles) Opportunity to try one of the many bus walks in the county.  Everyone will be given a pack of the Bus Walks series to take home!

Contact Name: Les Lumsdon

Contact e mail: leslumsdon@hotmail.com

Contact number: 01584 877588

Walking with Offa

Monday 14^th October 2013   1200 noon until 1650

Join Rob Dingle, Offa’s Dyke National Trail Officer at Kington (Mill Street) at 1200 for the 1210 Offa Hoppa bus (no. 41) to Norton.  Back in Kington for 1649. Through fares also available from Hereford (ask for a return to Knighton) and English concessionary passes available on this cross border route. We’ll ride through splendid countryside to Norton to visit Corte Cottage, a bed and breakfast where there are pv installations, air source heat pump and other energy saving approaches. We’ll then walk 5 miles to Knighton on Offa’s Dyke Path with breathtaking views. Catch the 1612 bus back to Kington. Moderate with one climb and a few stiles. Bring a packed lunch, stout footwear and warm clothing. Sorry no dogs. Herefordshire Ramblers

Find out more

Event Access: This walk involves using the 41 bus; bus fare or concessionary pass required.

Booking: No booking required

What type of event: Bus walk (5 miles) which calls into a bed and breakfast which really has done much to conserve energy then across the hills to the border town of Knighton

Contact Name: Les Lumsdon

Contact e mail: leslumsdon@hotmail.com

Contact number: 01584 877588

Leominster Water Meadows, Ivingtonbury farm & orchard

Tuesday 15^th October 2013     1010 until 1600  

Meet local author Pete Blench at Leominster Railway Station at 1010 or Leominster Bus Station (beneath clock) at 1020. The walk makes use of new permissive paths made available under a Natural England/Defra conservation scheme to encourage curlews to nest in the Arrow Valley. We look at the remains of an ancient water meadow irrigation system of ditches and sluices -  16th century 'appropriate technology' aimed at getting an 'extra bite' of grass from the land early in the season followed by two crops of hay. We visit Ivingtonbury, one of the four great Bury Farms of Leominster Priory, the main farm in the conservation scheme. We learn how the local Ryeland sheep were bred to produce the finest wool in Europe. (Queen Elizabeth I would have no other wool than the famed 'Leominster Ore' for her winter stockings!). We visit the farm orchard before returning to town along the banks of the River Arrow. Includes a farmhouse soup lunch, £5 a head, pay at farm on day.   6.5 miles, beginning and ending in Leominster town centre, Leisurely walking, mainly flat, one stile. Return to Leominster for 1600. Bring stout footwear and warm clothing. Sorry, no dogs. Leisurely, with some stiles.  Herefordshire Ramblers with Leominster Apple Fair.

Find out more

Event Access: Train or bus to Leominster

Booking: Please book in advance: folley.farm@btinternet.com

What type of event: Walk (6 miles) with a difference in the Arrow Valley to view ancient pastures and new conservation measures

Contact Name: Pete Blench

Contact e mail: folley.farm@btinternet.com

Contact number: n/a

The Greening of the Kilpeck Inn

Wednesday 16^th October 2013    1215 until 1800

Meet local author, Mike Ledlie at the Country Bus Station, Hereford at 1215 for the 1230 X4 bus; walk 1 mile to Kilpeck to visit one of the finest medieval churches in the land with its unique style of Romanesque architecture. Then call in to the Kilpeck Inn for a short talk on the greening of the pub before walking 3½ miles through countryside and parkland to Wormelow. Leisurely, but with some short climbs, and some stiles.  Return to Hereford for 1800.  Bring stout footwear and warm clothing.  Sorry, no dogs. Either pay for lunch at pub or bring packed lunch to eat nearby, and just buy drink at pub. Herefordshire Ramblers in association with Rail for Herefordshire

Find out more

Event Access: This walk involves using the X4 and 36 buses; bus fares or concessionary pass required.

Booking: No booking required

What type of event: Bus walk (4½ miles total) through fields and parklands with a look at one of the county’s loveliest churches and one of its greenest pubs

Contact Name: Mike Ledlie

Contact e mail: ledlie@ledlie.plus.com

Contact number: 01432 270018

Golden Valley Community Centres  

Thursday 17^th October 2013    0905 until 16.25

Join Philip Bauer to catch the 39 bus from Hereford (0905 from Railway Station, 0913 at Broad Street) to Middlewood.  From here we climb steeply up Merbach Hill, with glorious views of the Wye Valley and upper Golden Valley.  We then descend to Dorstone for coffee (pay on the day) at Dorstone Front Room.  Following the Herefordshire Trail our walk ends at the inSPIRE community café housed in Peterchurch church.  Bring a packed lunch or buy a light lunch at the café. Depart Peterchurch at 1430 or 1545 on the 39 bus (arr. Hereford 1506 or 1621).  Moderate 7 mile walk with some climbs and stiles. Bring stout footwear and warm clothing. Sorry, no dogs.

Find out more

Event Access: This walk involves using the 39 bus; bus fare (buy a return to Middlewood) or concessionary pass required (which will be valid from Kingstone onwards).

Booking: No booking required

What type of event: Bus walk (7 miles total) into the Golden valley to visit two community centres that have encouraged energy savings; plenty of tea, coffee and cakes on this walk

Contact Name: Philip Bauer

Contact e mail: philipbauer@hotmail.com

Contact number: 01981 500398

To the Village Market at Bredwardine

Friday 18^th October 2013     0850 until 1422

Meet John Winterfield at the Country Bus Station, Hereford at 0850 to catch the 0905 39 bus to Dorstone. This 5½ walk crosses the Merbach Range to visit the displays at Neal’s Yard Creamery and into Bredwardine where we’ll call in for refreshment at the village hall market. After the stop, the walk will continue through to Staunton-on-Wye. Moderate, with one long gradual climb. Return to Hereford for 1422.  Bring packed lunch or buy refreshment at the market. Bring stout footwear and warm clothing. Sorry, no dogs. Herefordshire Ramblers

Find out more

Event Access: This walk involves using the 39 and 446 buses; bus fare or concessionary pass required (valid from Kingstone onwards).

Booking: No booking required

What type of event: Bus walk (5½ or 7 miles total) which passes the ancient Arthur’s Stone and calls at Neal’s Yard Creamery before taking well earned refreshment at Bredwardine

Contact Name: John Winterfield

Contact e mail: john@cranstone.plus.com

Contact number: n/a

Snug in the Sun Inn

Saturday 19^th October 2013     1230 until 1740

Meet ‘Slow Travel’ author Les Lumsdon at the Assembly Rooms, Ludlow at 1230 for a ride on the 12.45 740 bus to walk on the Herefordshire Trail in the northern part of the county. The moderate 5 mile walk offers great views across the Teme Valley before calling in to the Sun Inn, Leintwardine, a historic parlour pub par excellence.  Meet landlord Gary Seymour and Hobsons Chief Brewer, Nick Davis to discuss how sustainable technologies have been adapted to a Grade II listed building. Moderate with one climb and a few stiles. Sorry, no dogs. Return to Ludlow for 1738.  Bring packed lunch or buy refreshment at the pub. Bring stout footwear and warm clothing. Herefordshire Ramblers in association with Ludlow 21

Find out more

Event Access: This walk involves using the 738/740 bus; bus fare (return to Leintwardine) or concessionary pass required.

Booking: No booking required

What type of event: Bus walk (5 miles) across Shelderton Hill into the Teme Valley to the historic parlour pub, the Sun Inn at Leintwardine where the owners will explain the great attention given to the development of the building

Contact Name: Les Lumsdon

Contact e mail: leslumsdon@hotmail.com

Contact number: 01584 877588

Community Life at Canon Frome Court

Sunday 20th October 2013     1200 until 1745

Meet the authors of Walks in the Borders at Hereford Country Bus Station at 1200 for a bus ride on the 1215 476 bus out to Tarrington. Walk 3 miles to Canon Frome Court, through pleasant countryside.  See how the members of the community live and work together and how they have introduced a boiler in association with the Woolhope Woodheat project. Walk back by a different route to Tarrington (3 miles).  Easy walking with some stiles.  Return to Hereford at 1740.  Bring packed lunch, buy drinks there. Stout shoes/boots and outdoor clothing essential. Sorry no dogs.  Herefordshire Ramblers and Rail for Herefordshire

Find out more

Event Access: This walk involves using the 476 bus; bus fare or concessionary pass required.

Booking: No booking required

What type of event: Bus walk (6 miles total) with a fascinating insight into how the community at Canon Frome has worked with Woolhope Woodheat to heat the court with a woodchip boiler

Contact Name: Les Lumsdon

Contact e mail: leslumsdon@hotmail.com

Contact number: 01584 877588