April 2008

Nikon National Photography Competition,
National Wetlands Centre,
Bynea

Until 8 Sep 2008

WWT Nikon 2008 Photography Competition - Win £5000 of Nikon Kit!

Following the success of the first WWT Nikon national photography competition, the Wildfowl & Wetlands Trust (WWT) has once again teamed up with Nikon for its photography competition. Photographers of all ages are encouraged to submit their images to WWT National Wetland Centre Wales for the chance of winning a share of the £5,000 worth of superb Nikon equipment that is up for grabs. Everyone is in with a chance of winning as the competition is open to both WWT members and first time visitors.

The judging panel will be chaired by wildlife photographer Chris Packham along with representatives of both WWT and Nikon UK. Giving advice to prospective entrants, Chris said: “The panel will be looking for content as well as technical accomplishment. Most entrants quite rightly focus on the spectacular wildlife but my tip for this year is to not to forget the other aspects of life at WWT. Getting people in the shot and capturing their interaction with nature can be particularly engaging.” 

The competition has three categories: WWT Nikon Photo of the Year, WWT Nikon Junior Photo of the Year and WWT Nikon Digiscoping Photo of the Year. Besides the fantastic prizes on offer, winning photos will be published in WWT’s Waterlife magazine. 

WWT Chief Executive Martin Spray said: “The quality of last year’s entries was staggering and they were a wonderful representation of life at WWT. The opportunity to take photographs is a special part of what WWT is about. I’m thoroughly looking forward to seeing the entries coming in for the 2008 competition.” 

The main rule of the competition is that all submitted photos must have been taken at one of the nine WWT centres in the UK and the brief is to capture any aspect of the WWT experience, from the people to the wildlife to the landscape.

For news on last year's competition, see our News page.

Tel: 01554 741087 (Ruth O’Malley)
E-mail: ruth.omalley@wwt.org.uk

Arlais Road Dance Centre,
Llandrindod Wells

Sundays

Sunday Afternoon Ballroom Tea Dances

Why not stay a little longer in Llandrindod Wells and combine a Rail & Roast with some ballroom dancing on a Sunday afternoon. From now until the end of December dances are being run every Sunday afternoon from 2.30 - 5.00 at the Dance Centre, Arlais Road, Llandrindod Wells.

The cost includes refreshments and is £3.00. People are welcome to come along for tea, to socialise or dance the afternoon away on the dance floor.

May 2008

Low Tide Day,
National Wetlands Centre,
Bynea

3 May 2008

Get Close to the Edge on Low Tide Day

The Wetland Centre is celebrating Low Tide Day on Saturday 3rd May with a guided walk to explore the fringes of the wetlands.

Visitors to the centre will get a special look at the outer reaches of the Loughor estuary, getting the rare chance to go beyond the edge of the marsh, where people do not usually tread, and examine the delicate ecosystems that depend on the flow of the tides. The guided walk begins at 10am to ensure that the tide is at its lowest ebb and visitors will be taken across the saltmarsh by an experienced guide. The ground can be sticky and slippery, and you can get muddy so don’t forget to bring your wellies!

Dominic Carmichael, Learning Manager at the Centre and guide for the day said; “The mudflats are one of Wales’ most wildlife rich habitats. A constant supply of organic material from the incoming tides and rivers provide food for the worms and shellfish which live there, which in turn are a food supply for the wealth of wading birds and wildfowl that roost on the salt marsh.”

“Salt marshes also provide breeding sites for birds and winter feeding grounds for large flocks of wild duck and geese. They support a number of uncommon invertebrate species and provide sheltered nursery sites for several species of fish, including bass. Many unique plant species can be found on the salt marsh and sea grass, the only flowering marine plant, is found in abundance on the mudflats.”

Tel: 01554 741087 (Ruth O’Malley)
E-mail: ruth.omalley@wwt.org.uk

Spring Ducklings,
National Wetlands Centre,
Bynea

24 May - 1 Jun 2008

This Spring come Duckling and Diving

This Spring don’t miss the baby boom at WWT National Wetland Centre Wales.  Ducklings, goslings, cygnets and other babies are beginning to hatch and can now be seen around the grounds.

From 24 May WWT National Wetland Centre Wales, Llanelli, will be holding special ‘Downy Ducklings’ tours where visitors can take a special behind the scenes tour of the waterfowl nursery (duckery).   Here eggs are incubated and hatched and visitors can see hundreds of newly hatched ducklings of different shapes and sizes at different stages from birth to adulthood.

Newly hatched chicks spend their first few weeks here where WWT wardens act as surrogate parents, ensuring they are fed, kept warm and have plenty of water.  When they are two months old, they are moved back into the grounds to become part of WWT’s captive breeding programme or are overwintered in the nurseries.

Special ducklings events and duckery tours will be taking place at WWT National Wetland Centre Wales every day from 24 May – 1 June and every Sunday during June.

Find out more at www.wwt.org.uk/ducklings

Tel: 01554 741087 (Ruth O’Malley)
E-mail: ruth.omalley@wwt.org.uk

Garden of Wales Festival,
National Botanic and Aberglasney Gardens,
Bynea

31 May - 1 Jun 2008

Garden of Wales Festival

The Garden of Wales Festival takes place between May 31st and June 1st. Festival tickets are £10 which includes admission to the National Botanic Garden and Aberglasney Gardens, with a free bus between the two.

Tel: 01267 231557
Web: www.visitcarmarthenshire.co.uk

Rail & Roast - Every Sunday

Rail and Roast,
Llandovery, Llanwrda, Llangadog & Llandeilo

Sundays

Relax in the Countryside and Enjoy Sunday Lunch by Train!

Get through the winter this year by forgetting about the washing up and taking a scenic trip from Swansea or Llanelli to have Sunday lunch at one of the pubs close to the Heart of Wales Line! Book your lunch at one of the pubs shown below, and reserve your seat on the train by calling 01597 822053, or by visiting a manned station (Neath, Port Talbot, Swansea, Llanelli, Llandrindod Wells). Download Rail & Roast PDF (0.7 Mb)

South End Rail & Roast
Please note that from 3 Feb until 11 May 2008, there will be a change to the current train departure times. The Rail and Roast train from Swansea will leave at 11.00 and the Gowerton pickup times will also change to 11.11.

Llandeilo
(Northbound train arrives at 12.09, and return services leave at 15.07 and 19.11)

The Cawdor Arms Hotel: Tel: 01558 823500 (10 min walk)
Sister hotel to ‘Morgan’s in Swansea 3 courses for £15.00

Llangadog
(Northbound train arrives at 12.18 and return services leave at 14.43 and 19.00)

Telegraph Inn: Tel 01550 777727 (Close to station)
Friendly pub and its own brewery! 2 courses £7.95

The Red Lion: Tel 01550 777357 (5-10 min walk)
Quality food, gracious surroundings. Main course and coffee £7.95

The Goose and Cuckoo: Tel: 01550 777359 (5 mins from station)
Closed Monday. Good food in comfortable, pleasant surroundings.
3 courses for £12.95

The Castle Hotel: Tel: 01550 777377 (10 min walk)
Traditional village centre pub with a lot of history:2 courses for £6.95

Llanwrda
(Northbound train arrives at 12.22, and return services leave at 14.40 and 18.56)

The Croes y Ceiliog: Tel: 01550 777320 (10 min walk)
Be it pub or tea rooms, a good 2 courses for £6.00!

Llandovery
(Northbound train arrives at 12.28, and return services leave at 14.34 and 18.51)

The Castle Hotel: Tel: 01550 720343 (10 min walk)
Delicious carvery, all you can eat 2 courses £10.95
NEW - High Tea with home made cakes every day 2.30 onwards £6.95. Ask for details of afternoon entertainment programme - heritage walks and feature films.

The Kings Head: Tel: 01550 720393 (10 min walk)
Look out for the new carvery 3 courses £12.95

The Bear Inn: Tel: 01550 720728 (10 min walk)
Good food in a pub atmosphere: 2 courses £5.95

The Whitehall Hotel: Tel: 01550 721139 (10 min walk)
Old coaching inn: 2 courses for £6.95

The Lord Rhys: Tel: 01550 720757 (1 min walk)
Pub just by the station: Main course £5.25

Llanwrtyd Wells
(Northbound train arrives 12.53; returns depart 14.10 and 18.26)

The Drovers Rest: Tel: 01591 610264
Sunday lunch £11.95.
NEW - Snacks from £3.95 and Welsh Afternoon Tea £6.95 Tues - Sat. Please book in advance.

Llandrindod Wells
(Northbound train arrives 13.24; return departs 17.57)

Lakeside: Tel 01597 825679 (10-15 mins walk)
Panoramic views over the lake and surrounding countryside
Main course £5.95

Metropole Hotel - Spencers Bar and Brasserie: Tel: 01597 823700
(5 minutes walk)
NEW - Afternoon Tea for Two with Smoked Salmon Sandwiches £14.95: other afternoon refreshments from £2.95. 7 days a week.

Knighton
(Northbound train arrives 14.39; return departs 17.17)

Knighton Hotel: Tel: 01547 520530 (5 min walk)
Centre of Town - Sunday lunch - choice of three roasts £6.50.
NEW - Daily lunchtime carvery Mon - Sat £5.50 main course.
OAP special Tues and Thurs £5.50 inc dessert.

Horse and Jockey: Tel: 01547 520062 (3 min walk)
Popular Rail Ale pub close to station: 2 courses for £8.95

North End Rail & Roast

Broome
(Southbound train arrives 12.42; returns depart 14.55 and 18.48)

The Engine and Tender: Tel: 01588 660275 (3 mins walk)
Rail Ale pub Main course for £6.95

Bucknell
(Southbound train arrives 12.50; returns depart 14.47 and 18.40)

Sitwell Arms: Tel: 01547 530213 (10 min walk)
Visible from the station Main course for £6.95

Knighton
(Southbound train arrives 12.57; returns depart 14.41 and 18.34)

Knighton Hotel: Tel: 01547 520530 (5 min walk)
Centre of Town - Sunday lunch - choice of three roasts £6.50.
NEW - Daily lunchtime carvery Mon - Sat £5.50 main course.
OAP special Tues and Thurs £5.50 inc dessert.

Horse and Jockey: Tel: 01547 520062 (3 min walk)
Popular Rail Ale pub close to station: 2 courses for £8.95

Knucklas
(Southbound train arrives 13.04; returns depart 14.33 and 18.26)

The Castle Inn: Tel: 01547 528150 (5 mins walk)
Good fresh food in a Rail Ale pub. Main course £6.75

Llandrindod Wells
(Southbound train arrives 13.34; return departs 17.58)

Lakeside: Tel 01597 825679 (10-15 mins walk)
Panoramic views over the lake and surrounding countryside
Main course £5.95

Metropole Hotel - Spencers Bar and Brasserie: Tel: 01597 823700
(5 minutes walk)
NEW - Afternoon Tea for Two with Smoked Salmon Sandwiches £14.95: other afternoon refreshments from £2.95. 7 days a week.

Llanwrtyd Wells
(Southbound train arrives 14.05; returns depart 17.04)

The Drovers Rest: Tel: 01591 610264
Sunday lunch £11.95.
NEW - Snacks from £3.95 and Welsh Afternoon Tea £6.95 Tues - Sat. Please book in advance.

Llandovery
(Southbound train arrives 14.32; return departs 16.39)

Your arrival at Llandovery will be after normal lunch service times, so when booking ensure your arrival time is clear and food can be provided.

The Castle Hotel: Tel: 01550 720343 (10 min walk)
Delicious carvery, all you can eat 2 courses £10.95
NEW - High Tea with home made cakes every day 2.30 onwards £6.95. Ask for details of afternoon entertainment programme - heritage walks and feature films.

The Kings Head: Tel: 01550 720393 (10 min walk)
Look out for the new carvery 3 courses £12.95

The Bear Inn: Tel: 01550 720728 (10 min walk)
Good food in a pub atmosphere: 2 courses £5.95

The Whitehall Hotel: Tel: 01550 721139 (10 min walk)
Old coaching inn: 2 courses for £6.95

The Lord Rhys: Tel: 01550 720757 (1 min walk)
Pub just by the station: Main course £5.25

For more details about train times and fares call 08457 484950