THE latest community news from Tywyn

Talyllyn Railway

THE sun shone on the Talyllyn Railway on Monday, 14 May, for a day that marked not only the 67th anniversary of the World’s First Preserved Railway, but also the return to passenger duty of the Railway’s locomotive No.3 ‘Sir Haydn’ after a major overhaul.

The locomotive, which this year celebrates its 140th anniversary, has been out of service since 2012 and since 2015 has been at the Vale of Rheidol’s workshops in Aberystwyth for the work to be carried out.

No.3 was returned to the Talyllyn Railway at the end of April and has since been going through a period of testing and running in.

This was the first time that it had hauled a passenger service since its return.

The day itself also marked the annual commemoration of the inauguration of the World’s First Preserved Railway with the first train being run from Tywyn Wharf station to Rhydyronen on 14 May 1951.

Known as Founders’ Day it includes a re-enactment of the cutting of the tape originally performed by the first chairman of the Talyllyn Railway Preservation Society, Bill Trinder before the first train set out from Tywyn Wharf station to Rhydyronen.

‘Sir Haydn’ did not participate in that first day, although the ex-Corris Railway locomotive had arrived at Tywyn by that time having been saved from being scrapped when it was purchased for the Talyllyn Railway. When it was returned to steam it initially proved unreliable due to the state of the track, but later improvements meant that it could enter service again and has since become one of the Railway’s most popular locomotives. In 1955 it also appeared in the Rev. Awdry’s Skarloey Railway stories as its alter-ego ‘Sir Handel’.

For this year’s celebration No.3 hauled a special train for some of the Railway’s regular donors who are members of the ‘Heart of Gold’ club, which provides additional support to keep the wheels turning on this world-famous line. During the trip members of the group were also informed about some of the Railway’s future plans and were treated to a guided tour of the Railway’s workshops at Tywyn Pendre.

Locomotive No.3 was originally built in 1878 at the Falcon works of Henry Hughes’ ‘Hughes Locomotive & Tramway Engine Works’ in Loughborough for the Corris Railway. When that Railway closed it remained out of service, along with Corris Locomotive No.4, at Machynlleth station until both were purchased by the fledgling Talyllyn Railway Preservation Society in 1951.

It was named ‘Sir Haydn’ after the Talyllyn Railway’s previous owner Sir Henry Haydn Jones.

Rotary Club

THE Rotary Club of Tywyn were treated to some musical delights as they once again sponsored the Young Musician of the Year competition at Ysgol Uwchradd Tywyn.

Every year, The Rotary Club of Tywyn sponsor The Young Musician of the Year competition held in order to encourage young people to develop their musical appreciation and skills. Over the years the event has witnessed many remarkable performances from pupils who have later progressed to successful musical careers.

On 22 May, members of The Rotary Club of Tywyn attended an evening of musical recitals by local students who had entered the 23rd ‘Young musician of the year’ competition at Ysgol Uwchradd Tywyn.

This year’s competition consisted of three groups of young people giving excellent instrumental/voice recitals of their selected music on their chosen instruments. Winners and runners-up from each group were selected and presented with trophies and prizes by Rotary Club president, Nancy Clarke.

The competition was hosted by head teacher Helen Lewis and adjudicated by Kedma Macias who evaluated the performance of each competitor and announced the winners for each group.

The first prize in the Novice group was awarded to Max Andrews (piano) from Ysgol Corris.

The first prize in the Foundation group was awarded to Heledd Owen (piano).

The first prize in the Higher group was awarded to Archie Davies (piano).

The organizers would like to congratulate the winners and all other competitors for their superb efforts and musical skills.

The Rotary Club of Tywyn would like to express their thanks to head teacher Helen Lewis for her invaluable help, to the adjudicator Kedma Macias and to music teacher Dominic Gilbert for organizing this very successful event.

Hearing Aid Clinic

THE next ‘walk-in’ session of the Hearing Aid Service, will be held on Thursday, 7 June.

The venue is the Tywyn Baptist Church, High Street.

The Cinic will be open from 10am until noon.

If you consider that your hearing aid requires a service, new tubing or maybe just new batteries come along.

There is no need to make an appointment, it’s a ‘walk-in’ clinic.

If you’re a member of a club, society or group, send your news to [email protected]