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VoR Announces Partnership with Cambrian Mountains Initiative
A popular Ceredigion attraction, the Vale of Rheidol Railway, has signed up to support the work of the Cambrian Mountains Initiative.
Leading by example, the Vale of Rheidol Railway’s injection of funds has allowed the initiative to continue its promotional activities for the next twelve months.
The Cambrian Mountains Initiative has promoted the region extensively over the last five years, and according to Steam Railway Operator, is vital for the success and prosperity of businesses in this region of Wales.
“We think the Cambrian Mountains Initiative has done a marvellous job of raising the profile and awareness of this unique part of Wales,” said Llyr ap Iolo, Director of The Vale of Rheidol Railway.
“The way they approach the promotion of the area has been both creative, engaging, and fresh and I’m sure that many businesses have benefitted from their work over the last few years. Their work needs to continue, to build awareness of a fantastic part of our country benefitting both our visitors and our communities equally”
The Cambrian Mountains Initiative, with its many partners and supporters, has been at the forefront of promoting the area including stories in newspapers and magazines as well the utilisation of various social media channels.
Its brand-new website highlights this Area of Astounding Natural Beauty and its continued relationships with travel writers and bloggers has also increased the mountain range’s profile.
“We’re so pleased that the Vale of Rheidol Railway values our work and have decided to support our marketing activities over the next twelve months,” said Dafydd Wyn Morgan, Projects Manager at the Cambrian Mountains Initiative.
“We look forward to working closely with them,” added Dafydd.
The Astounding Cambrian Mountains
The Cambrian Mountains rise up in the very heart of Wales, a place where hills, river valleys and meadows have sustained life for millennia.
Surrounded by the counties of Ceredigion, Powys and Carmarthenshire, and encircled by three national parks, this is a landscape which is steeped in Welsh history and heritage, and where agriculture, language and culture are entwined.
The Cambrian Mountains contains some of the darkest skies in Europe and interest is growing from visitors who choose this unspoilt area as a destination for stargazing.
Come and see the shimmering Noctilucent clouds in the midsummer sky between June and late July. Gaze in awe at the Milky Way stretching majestically from horizon to horizon from autumn onwards. A myriad of stars sparkle in inky black skies during the winter and spring months.
This Cambrian Mountains of Wales has nine Dark Sky Discovery Sites which are easy to access by car and free from man-made light pollution. If that wasn’t enough, there is an IDA International Dark Sky Park (Elan Valley Estate), an area recognised for “possessing an exceptional or distinguished quality of starry nights and a nocturnal environment that is specifically protected for its scientific, natural, educational, cultural heritage, and/or public enjoyment.”
Come and discover the Cambrian Mountains Astro Trail. Extra information available from www.cambrianmountainsdarkskies.co.uk
Project Phase 3 - Multi Function Display Space
Phase 3 of our Wales to the World project has been progressing since our last update with lots to share.
The end steels of the building, centre and door posts, were sadly condemned and have been replaced with new metalwork.
The brickwork was removed from four of the side bays of the building facing our car park as the brickwork will be getting replaced with full height curtain wall glazing panels.
The ridge of the shed roof has had its glass panels reinstated, these were removed in 2014 after becoming damaged in storms and were no longer deemed safe, and it has made a huge difference to the natural light being let into the building.
The outside faces of the buidling have had external wall insulation installed and this has been covered with brick slips to mimic the original appearance of the former standard gauge engine shed. The roof interior has been clad in a style that replicates the original ceiling, having been internally insulated under the original ceiling. A new floor has been poured in the building to provide a level concrete surface on which to affix the rail that is also deep enough to cover the electrical conduit laid on the floor. The first rails have been installed in the shed and the rest will be laid upon completion of the pouring of the concrete floor due by the time this newsletter is published.
For more on our Wales to the World project see;
Vale of Rheidol Railway News Project Phase 4 - New Booking Office
Phase 4 of our project, the construction of our new booking office has also continued at a reasonable pace with completion of the building exterior on the horizon.
As soon as the concrete floor slab had set, work commenced with the blockwork for the walls of the building and the steel support posts for the entrance canopies were installed. The steel support posts will have reclaimed original GWR brackets for a canopy installed on them upon completion of the buidling exterior.
Whilst this work was taking place the old booking office was recycled and moved to a new position where it will be repurposed as a storage buidling.
The brickwork that would form the outer wall of the booking office was designed to match the appearance of our workshop with period features incorporated, as the brickwork commenced, work turned to the roof of the building. The roof has been formed from a timber framework truss allowing the roof over the customer-facing section to be open and airy with velux windows to allow more natural light into the space, and the roof section over the offices and counter will be fitted with a loft space for additional storage. After completion of the framework the roof has been felted, batoned and is now being slated over. Work has now commenced on the interior walls that will separate the offices, and the work has begun to prepare the office space in the rear of the building. For more on our Wales to the World project see; https://www.facebook.com/ VoRWalestotheWorld
