Bala Lake Railway

TRANSPORT buffs from across the country will be congregating in Meiri-onnydd this bank holiday weekend.The Bala Lake Railway is hosting the first Bala Model Railway Show at Ysgol y Berwyn from 28 to 30 May and the Meirionnydd NVTEC Tractor Club is hosting the Bala Lake Festival of Transport in the field adjacent to Llanuwchllyn Station.

Connecting the two, the Bala Lake Railway will be operating its most intensive train service in 25 years with trains once again passing each other at Llangower.

To complete the connection, a vintage ex-London Route master double decker will also be running between Bala Station and Ysgol y Berwyn.This makes it possible to park in one location to visit the two shows and ride on the bus and train.

There are 15 layouts at the model railway show in various scales and gauges from ‘N’ Gauge to G Scale, many with a local flavour and some narrow gauge to complement the Bala Lake Railway.They will be supported by trade stands selling transport paraphernalia with refreshments also available on site.On Sunday and Monday the Meirionnydd NVTEC Club is expecting over 120 exhibits in their festival ranging from classic cars and fairground equipment to military vehicles and stationary engines.For more information, visit www.bala-lake-railway.co.uk

Tombola Event at Gorwelion

THE Bala and District Tourism Association is organising a Great Tombola to be held at Gorwelion Centre in Bala from Saturday, 28, to Sunday, 29 May, from 10am till 4pm.With Gwynedd Council having closed the local tourist information centre which provided a very important service, the Bala Tourism group needs to raise over £7,000 to update and re-print Bala Tourism colour leaflets.

“Several businesses in the area have already donated items of value and their time for the Tombola,” said Dinah de Chambre, organiser, adding that she would like to invite as many people as possible to Gorwelion over the next weekend as their support would very much be appreciated.