by Gwili Lewis

NEIL Evans of Winsford gave a visual aid presentation on the Llangollen Railway and his involvement as a board member for 12 years and chairman for 18 months.

The Beeching cuts closed the stretch of the Great Western system to passengers in January 1965 and to freight in April 1968.

In 1975 the Llangollen Preservation Trust, a group of volunteers, was founded to resurrect the railway, and today at ten miles, it is the longest preserved standard gauge steam railway in Wales following the river Dee to Corwen through an area of great natural beauty.

The railway is extremely popular in the summer especially during the colourful international musical Eisteddfod which attracts competitors and visitors in their national costumes from across the world.

Funding for such a major undertaking was a real problem, buying rolling stock, laying the track, rebuilding stations and of course recruiting volunteers to do the hard work.

At the end of Neil’s presentation there was a lively question time emphasising the interest by members before the light refreshments with Helena Evans from Weaverham as hostess.

In April, members will meet outdoors, walking where daffodils are in abundance.