Inner Wheel

THE GROUP met at Aberdovey Golf Club on Thursday, 14 April.President Chris Lewis welcomed members and visitor Liz Cheese.Following a delicious meal, the speaker, Keith Trencher, was introduced.Keith is the president of the Rotary Club of Wigan, an ex-teacher who is an ambassador for the Literacy in a Box trust.

Keith was introduced to the members by Di Derry who is the international organiser.The trust is sponsored by the Rotary Club of Roborough, Plymouth, Keith told the group.The trust’s aim is to advance education in schools, primarily, but not exclusively, in Zambia and in Sub-Saharan Africa.Each box they send contains materials such as pens, pencils, exercise books, erasers, chalk, rulers and backpacks for basic needs. Books are included according to the curriculum needs.Each box contains enough material for 25 children.The vote of thanks was given by Jane Pearson before Chris presented Keith with a donation to purchase a box.

Talyllyn

STEAM engine enthusiasts are hoping to have a blast at this sum-mer’s Talyllyn gala.There is going to be a ‘Big Bang’ as the Talyllyn Railway goes back to the 1970s for its Road to Adventure Gala over the May Day Bank Holiday weekend (30 April to 2 May).The event focuses on the 40th an-niversary of the start of passenger services over the former mineral extension to Nant Gwernol in May 1976, with events and activities that reflect the 1970s.As part of the celebrations there will be a re-enactment of the first dynamite blast, which took place in 1970 and marked the start of the work to make the former goods line suitable for passenger services.Originally, this was performed by Tom Rolt, one of the pioneers who helped save the Talyllyn in 1951 making it the world’s first preserved railway.Tom christened the possible extension ‘The Road to Adventure’, a name which stuck and forms the title for the gala weekend.On this occasion it will be Tom’s son Tim who will be doing the honours on Saturday, 30 April, at Abergynolwyn station around 12.40pm.This time, however, dynamite will not be involved!On the Saturday as well the railway will be operating a special intensive train service based on the 1975 peak service timetable from before the line opened to Nant Gwernol.Most trains will run between Tywyn and Abergynolwyn, with a special shuttle service operating between Abergynolwyn and Nant Gwernol.Then, on the Sunday they will be running the 1976 peak service timetable with most trains running through from Tywyn Wharf to Nant Gwernol.The first through train will be carrying the original opening head-board from 1976, and there will be a short ceremony at Abergynolwyn station to mark the 40th anniversary of the opening.Throughout the weekend there will be displays of ‘70s memorabilia, including, it is hoped, a number of classic vehicles from the period.There will also be a range of children’s activities.