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Sunshine, train rides, nature and history for our Spring Bank Holiday Open Day!

Llanelli and Mynydd Mawr Railway held another event at the site of the former Cynheidre Colliery on Bank Holiday Monday 28th May. Trains ran at regular intervals and visitors also had the opportunity to take part in a nature trail by spotting various wildlife.

Images courtesy of www.philfitzsimmons.co.uk

The event was yet another positive step in the development of the Cynheidre Heritage Project and event organisers have been keen to ensure that site facilities and offerings are improved for each event. The events are considered as stepping stones ahead of the longer term aims of extending the running line to a mile in length as well as achieving the ultimate aim of having the draw of a working steam loco at the site, which the railway is hoping to achieve by Easter 2019 (pending a current grant application).

The outlook for the project is extremely positive and there was enthusiastic support from the Chair of the Llanelli Rural Council Cllr. Sian M. Caiach and her mother and Cllr. Tegwen Devichand (www.llanelli-rural.gov.uk), the Mayor & Mayoress of Llanelli Town Council, Cllr. David Darkin & Mrs. Kim Darkin (www.llanellitowncouncil.gov.uk) and Leader of Carmarthenshire County Council Cllr. Emlyn Dole (www.carmarthenshire.gov.wales). All visited the site throughout the day to support the charity.

Video courtesy of Robert Masterman

A concentration is now being made on many other potential attractions at the site in addition to the railway, including the introduction of a woodland trail and provision for weekly public access to the site with on site catering facilities.

The first four public events held since last September have seen a large upsurge in interest in the project including a rise in volunteering numbers and this has played no small part in the recent progress at the former industrial site.

As a charity venture reliant solely on volunteers to carry out the work and donations and grant aid to develop the site, the achievements since September 2017 have been quite remarkable.

One aspect that the project is particularly proud of has been the reaction of the local community and visitors that have experienced an open day at the site. One of the visitors to the railway on Monday May 28th commented “Thank you for putting on such a lovely event today. We were visiting from the Swansea Valley. The kids enjoyed the train rides whilst having a cuppa & welsh cakes bought on board. My father found the Heritage Centre really interesting. We had a picnic on one of the tables nxt to the nature reserve too. All in all, a great family event, made all the more special by the friendliness of the volunteers”.

The railway would like to place on record its thanks to Morrisons Llanelli for a kind donation of a quantity of sweets ahead of the event.

Further events are scheduled during 2018, details of which can be found at www.llanellirailway.co.uk

Details of how to donate to the project or to get involved as a volunteer can also be found on the website.

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