Hay Festival Winter Weekend 29th November 2015

Coming up later in the month is the Hay Festival Winter Weekend! This includes novelist Fflur Dafydd and actress Catrin Stewart (Dr Who, Stella) talking about the new film based on the book 'Llyfrgell' or 'The Library'. 

For those with an eye for chic garments there's also 'Hay Does Vintage' presenting a wide range of vintage and retro stalls located in and around the Cheesemarket. Couldn't be easier...catch the 1015 bus from Hereford Railway Station to Hay with return journeys at 1455 or 1725. Day return or concessionary pass valid.

Folk Down the Track uncovered by Paul Merton

What a superb night for Folk Down the Track on September 17th when Paul Merton turned up with a camera crew to record the 5th year anniversary bash. Seen here at Craven Arms is Paul with organiser Graham Lambert from Myriad Organics, Ludlow. We are looking forward to seeing the documentary on Secret Stations to be shown on More 4 in the New Year.

In the meantime, put the date of the next FDTT in your diary...December 17th, 2015...a nice wind down event leading to the Christmas break.

Folk Down the Track Special Event September 17th, 2015

Fifth Year Anniversary

Folk Down the Track has been running for five years this September and the organisers have arranged a special folk evening to celebrate!

This will be at the Castle Inn, Knucklas on Thursday 17^th September. Catch the 1825 train from Shrewsbury and stations down the Heart of Wales line to Knucklas to join us. The train back is at 2150. Folk musicians from the Castle Folk Club and guest performers from previous Folk Down the Track events have been invited back to play and sing, including favourites such as Sally Stamford (Sally the Lemonade Lady) and Melomanics. There'll also be singing on the journey home.

Comments organiser Graham Lambert:

“ This will be a very special evening with a super surprise for people. We would love everyone to turn up especially those who came on the very first evenings we organised five years ago. We estimate that over 3000 people have enjoyed Folk Down the Track since we started. I'm hoping we'll be going strong for the next five years.”

If you need more information phone Graham Lambert at Myriad Organics on 01584 872665

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.