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Looking back to the future at Newtown railway station 12/06/2009

Pictures from the event held at Newtown Station on Tuesday the 9th of June 2009.
Download a PDF of the limited edition Cambrian Railways postcard produced to celebrate the occasion. [PDF 300kB]

It was a case of looking back AND to the future at Newtown Railway Station on Tuesday the 9th of June as an event took place to celebrate a 150 years of the railway serving the local community.

There was a party atmosphere with live music, a taste of Wales in the form of free Welsh cakes, a free souvenir postcard and even a ‘royal' presence with a Queen Victoria look-a-like complete with staff!

As well as train passengers enjoying the activities the event was well supported by representatives from a number of local bodies including Newtown Town Council, Newtown Civic Society, Powys County Council, Shrewsbury to Aberystwyth Rail Passenger Association as well as almost 100 pupils and staff from St Mary's Primary School and Ysgol Dafydd Llwyd.

The pupils, who had produced fantastic Welsh flags for the event, so they could wave at passengers on the trains as they arrived and departed the station, contributed to a great atmosphere.

Their presence and enthusiasm for the railway also ensured that as well as celebrating the past there was great hope for the future of the railway at Newtown as they would be the railway passengers and possibly staff of tomorrow.

Following an unveiling ceremony of a specially produced slate plaque the Mayor of Newtown, Joy Jones, said "150 years of service has been provided through this station.

When you stand and think of all the people that have used the station over the years it has certainly been a great asset to Newtown.

The station has seen many changes from steam trains to diesels.

Passenger trains, goods and Mail trains and of course during the war there would have even been the troop trains.

With the new improvements to the train service it will continue to be used for many years to come."

The celebratory event featured a stall of rail related promotional material and a performance by one of the UK's finest accordionists and writers of new acoustic music, Jamie Smith entertaining passengers and other visitors to the Station.

Jamie's appearance proved to be very popular and is one element of an initiative called ‘Music on the move' forming part of Live Music Now! Wales and the Gregynog Festival's outreach programme.

Commenting on the event Rhian Davies, Gregynog Festival's Artistic Director, said "Our outreach work is a vitally important part of the Gregynog Festival ethos.

Classical music is for everyone and taking music out and about thanks to the generous support of Live Music Now! Wales, Cambrian Railways Partnership and Gwanwyn Festival is a great way of engaging with audiences across our Mid Wales catchment and beyond."

"The event was a real team effort and a great example of what can be achieved when individuals and groups from a community work together," said Gerwyn Jones on behalf of the Cambrian Railways Partnership.

Notes

For more information on the Gregynog Festival visit www.gwylgregynogfestival.org or phone the Box Office on 01743 281281

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