Giving the Trust’s proposals his full support, Ken stated that he would like to see the development proceed as soon as possible, as he saw the development as a key factor in the further development of the tourist industry both in Wrexham and North Wales. To this end he would give the redevelopment proposals his full support.

Picture shows left to right – Jill Pierce – Trust Secretary. Ken Skates AM. David Cooper – Trust Chairman and Ian Davies – Project Manager.

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In the photo, Ricky is greeted by the GVTT Secretary Gill Pierce, on a lovely Spring Sunday morning. The GVTT has a small display in the hanger museum at Ley Farm, and Ricky was given past copies of our magazine ‘Raising Steam’ and some membership leaflets….so we may have our first celebrity member in the near future!

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There, in addition to having on display the final design plans for the restoration of the Glyn Valley Tramway (Phase 1), they also ran their scale model vertical boiler engine, that carried adults and children on a short stretch of track. Starting with 140 tickets on the Saturday, all but 5 had been used by the end of the first day, such was the demand. On Sunday it was estimated that a further 80 passengers were carried, before WILFRID had to be withdrawn from service, due to low boiler pressure.

Members were also kept busy answering visitors questions and talking to prospective members. As a result by the end of Sunday, the membership of the Trust had increased by a further 7 new members, taking the total membership to just under 250 persons.

The very sun burned team of GVTT volunteers were delighted that all their efforts had been so rewarded.

Pleasure for All, shows the GVTT’s engine in action and Only in uarter scale shows Ian Davies (Project Manager) checking out the engine.

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Hundreds of people attended the event, and it seemed hundreds of people visited our stall as we did’nt stop all day! What was both very interesting and encouraging was the amount of people who told us they have been following our project through its development via our Blog and other sources, and were looking forward to our achieving our planning permission almost as much as us.

Bernard Rockett of Theodore Press sold a healthy number of books, and we aquired some new members and sold some items of clothing as well..

Now we need a week off to give our voices time to recover!..

Following his departure the Trust then received an e-mail from Ken, which reads

“Restoration of the Glyn Valley Tramway offers an enormous opportunity to capture a growing number of tourists to North Wales.
Being able to offer a steam train experience would significantly boost Chirk and the Ceiriog Valley, offering great potential for existing and new businesses.
The Tramway would also bring to life a very proud period of local history, adding to the expanding range of heritage attractions in the region.
This project is at the very heart of the area’s development as a holiday destination and I am delighted to support it”

Ken Skates

Picture shows Ken Skates in discussion with Ian Davies the Trust’s Project Manager, regarding the Trust’s plans to allow passengers arriving at the the new Pontfaen Station to access Chirk Fishery and the Chirk Trout Farm and Hatchery that lie across the B4500.

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‘Britannia’ had the distinction, in 1952, of pulling the funeral train of King George VI back to London from Norwich, after his death at Sandringham House..

Today, she is kept in immaculate condition at Crewe, and hopefully to be seen rather more often in steam on the UK’s railways in the future….

Historically, steam excursion trips would arrive at Chirk station, bringing in thousands of passengers every year to ride on the Glyn Valley Tramway. It is our intention, in future, to make that a reality once again….