Saturday 19 December 2015

Hay Ho! Bus Christmas 2015



The Hay Ho! Bus, 39A runs on Sunday 27th, Monday 28th, 2015 and Sunday 3rd January 2016. There's no service on New Year's Day.

Herefordshire Ramblers are offering a bus walk as part of the Winter Festival of Walking on Sunday 27th from the 1015 bus out of Hereford. This is led by Mike Ledlie, co author of Walks Around Hay (Kittiwake) and will feature Cusop Hill so there'll be some climbs! Needless to say it is good walk for getting rid of that excess Christmas pud. More details on the Herefordshire Ramblers website.

All the Best for the Festive Season from the Hay Ho! Bus working group. Don't forget we need you on board in 2016.

Friday 11 December 2015

Folk Down the Track at Christmas



Christmas time at the Castle Inn, Knucklas! Playing in the function room at Folk Down the Track on Thursday December 17th are our all-time favourites, Phil, Edward and Richard with a mix of lively tunes and some Christmas favourites too… you may not be able to resist joining in.  A great set for those who love traditional folk and fun.


If you have not been before then here’s a summary of what it’s all about…Folk Down the Track is a folkie event with a difference as it includes a train ride on the Heart of Wales line. Catch the 1825 from Shrewsbury and stations to Knucklas; train back is 2150 arriving in Shrewsbury at 2254. 

Don't forget to wear your Christmas hats and costumes!

Friday 30 October 2015

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.

Wednesday 9 September 2015

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 17th 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



Monday 24 August 2015

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


Thursday 13 August 2015

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.

Saturday 11 April 2015

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.

Friday 13 February 2015

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!