The first ever Ross-on-Way May Fayre, which was held last Saturday, has proved to be an outstanding and stunning success. Blessed by beautiful sunny weather, the streets of Ross were jam packed with locals and visitors, who thoroughly enjoyed a very special day, which has truly been a credit to Ross and all those involved. Crowds began to build from early on in the day, and before long there was a continuous train of people filling the streets from Brookend St, right up and round to the end of Gloucester Rd. Crowd estimates are believed to have been around five thousand at the busiest time, and possibly up to 10,000 over the course of the day. Event Organiser, David MacGregor, ART Chairman and proprietor of Field Fayre – The Organic Store on Broad Street said, “I am thrilled with the turn out and all the positive feedback we have had from both the public and traders. So many people said they were lost for words to describe how wonderful the event was. The spirit of Ross was shining, and there were happy faces everywhere. The atmosphere was a delight to behold. People were dancing in the streets and couldn’t believe what had happened to Ross, saying this is just what Ross needs, and that they want more of this. “I would personally like to say a very big thank you to all the wonderful people who volunteered and assisted in making this event happen for Ross. An even bigger thank you goes to Ross Town Council and Herefordshire Council for funding the Fayre, without their support it would not have been possible. “I would also like to thank all Town Centre residents and businesses for assisting the Fayre and complying with our request to remove their cars from the Town Centre before the road closures took effect, to allow for over fifty market stalls and traders to set up. “I would like anyone who was there and enjoyed the day to write to myself, the local media, Ross Town Council and Herefordshire Council and tell them how good the May Fayre was, and that they would love to see more such events in Ross. This will help ART (The Association of Ross Traders) in securing funding to organise events like the May Fayre, which do so much good for community spirit and the promotion of Ross far and wide. “Scenes like these have not been seen in Ross for many a long year. People loved the fact they could sit outside at Ross’s cafes and enjoy a traffic free day of entertainment. There was so much to do and see, many families stayed in town for the whole day. All the planning and hard work really paid off, with no accidents or trouble at all. There are many things we can learn from this event and with a year to plan the next one (instead of 3 months), we hope next year the May Fayre will be even better. “I still can’t quite believe how well it all worked out. It really was a special day, quite magical. The Event Stewards did a brilliant job, and the quality of entertainment was superb. Our ‘Ross Has Got Talent’ stage saw some outstanding local talent perform with such professionalism they could easily have been on X Factor or Britain’s Got Talent. I’m so glad so many people enjoyed the day, and that it involved the whole community. “Anyone not able to be at the Fayre can get a flavour of the day by going to the ART website, to see some great pictures of the day. If you have any more pictures send them to the ART website with a comment of what you thought of the Ross May Fayre, and we will add them to the site, with a prize for the best one. Thanks again to all involved.”
Posted in 2012 Events, Ross on Wye, Ross Traders | 
Tags: May Fayre, Ross on Wye, Ross Traders association | 
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Now the sun is shining and the weather is warmer why not take a trip to Puzzelwood in the Forest of Dean
Could it be the maze of pathways winding through the gulley’s of mossy rocks, the twisted roots of the yew trees or the bridges, lookouts and other things you can find on your way round?
Puzzlewood is a unique and enchanting place, located in the beautiful and historic Forest of Dean. Explore a mile of meandering pathways, with its fantastic tree and rock formations, through this 14 acre ancient woodland. It has an atmosphere quite unlike any other wood you have visited. JRR Tolkien is reputed to have taken his inspiration for the fabled forests of Middle Earth from Puzzlewood, and it’s easy to see why.
As well as the woods we have pony rides, lots of animals, a willow maze, an indoor maze, an outdoor playground, plenty of picnic benches, a cafe and gift shop with lots of local crafts. Puzzlewood is used regularly as a filming location and received fantastic reviews from various publications.
Go along and discover the magic and have a great time. Check out their website www.puzzlewood.net
Opening times February – March weekends 10.00am last entry 3.30pm April to October daily 10.00 am last entry 5.00pm November – December Weekends 10.00am last enrty 3.30pm Season ends 24th December.
Posted in 2012 Events, Forest of Dean, Ross on Wye | Tags: Children activities, Dr Who, forest of dean, Magical, Merlin | No Comments »
The Wye Valley Visitor Centre is at the very heart of the Wye Valley Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, where the spectacular Upper Wye Gorge opens out briefly into farmland before the River Wye plunges back between cliffs overlooking the Wye. In the picturesque Wye Valley, the rolling hills south of Hereford shake hands with the Forest of Dean across the River Wye at Symonds Yat. There you’ll find a community with famous attractions, exciting activities, specialty shopping, and great food beneath towering woods and hills to help you and your family get the most from your time in the countryside:
You can Walk with butterflies from around the world. Wye Valley Butterfly Zoo is indoors, it’s tropical and it’s teeming with exotic butterflies.Living butterflies fly around as you discover their fascinating lives in close-up. They’re amazing. See for yourself every stage of their life-cycle: Egg, caterpillar, chrysalis and some of the world’s most beautiful butterflies.The species they breed in their zoo have fascinating survival strategies, and there’s loads to learn. Take a camera for superb wildlife photography.The Zoo shop has wonderful gifts, butterfly plants, and books on wildlife. It’s a real treat.
You can explore one of Britain’s most famous traditional hedge mazes, with a romantic temple at the centre and over a kilometre of hedge planted by Lindsay and Edward Heyes in 1977.Find your way then play! This maze is a great place to play tag with all the family. Not up to running around? Play by stealth! There’s a viewing platform for calling directions.
You can play a twelve-hole roman miniature golf course.This is an outstanding outdoor course with all-weather artificial-turf fairways. The design unites a picturesque roman ruin theme, retro minigolf style and adventure golf features for ultimate playability for all ages.Everyone loves the challenge of minigolf, and this course is a real leveller so you never know who’ll win.
For further details and opening times please visit www.wyevalleyvisitorcentre.co.uk
Thw Wye Valley Visitor Center is just 5 minutes away from the Wilton Court by car
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Posted in 2012 Events, Ross on Wye, Uncategorized | Tags: Butterflies, Maze, Mini golf, Symonds Yat | No Comments »
The Ross-on-Wye MAY FAYRE Saturday the 12th of May, will be a day to remember and not to be missed if you go into Ross-on-Wye Town Centre. The Town will be host to a full day of entertainment, excitement, wonderful food, shopping delights and real community spirit in action. Residents and visitors alike can enjoy a very special day. The May Fayre, a new community event organised by the Association of Ross Traders and community volunteers, will begin at 10am and continue throughout the day till 5pm. The main streets of Ross will be closed to traffic and pedestrianised. Through traffic can still flow around the Town Centre, and stewards will direct visitors to parking areas, disabled parking areas, and overflow parking areas. Residents are advised if possible, to leave their cars at home and walk into Town, or take a taxi to the Town Centre. Several Town Centre roads will be closed from 6am to 7pm. May Fayre event programmes will be available in local shops prior to the event, and on the day at the Fayre itself, at a cost of only £1. The event programme will detail what will be happening, where and at what time. There will be something for everyone. Dozens of market stalls will be on many streets selling crafts, gifts, and all manner of food, hot and cold. Local shops, cafes and businesses will also be able to show how much Ross has to offer in quality, diversity and a warm welcome on the day, with many cafes putting tables out in the street, for people to relax and enjoy a bite as they take in the joy of the day. Five entertainment areas will provide a continuous programme of entertainment across the whole Town Centre. There will be music of all sorts, from solo and duet performances, to larger bands, covering medieval music to blues and jazz, folk and modern styles. Singers and dancers, Morris men and majorettes, bagpipes to hurdy gurdys, there will be a feast of music for all tastes. A special children’s entertainment area will feature Punch and Judy shows, face painting, balloon twisting, drumming workshops, magic shows, and storytelling. There will be a superb classic car exhibition. Fantastic street theatre will perform shows at entertainment areas, or delight people in the streets as they walkabout, performing their acts. You will need an event programme to ensure you don’t miss out on the things you really want to see. Most bands and performers will perform several times, in order that you can watch several things without missing something else. There will even be an open mic stage for local talent to show off their skills, be they singers, dancers, poets or musicians, and called the Ross has got talent stage. To book a slot on stage or a market stall, contact David MacGregor the Event Organiser/Chairman of ART at david@field-fayre.co.uk It’s a day Ross can showcase all it has to offer, and remind residents and visitors just what a special and unique Town Ross is, and provide a day full of fun, laughs, great food, fantastic sounds and amazing sights. It will truly be a day not to be missed. So make a date in your diary, get down to Ross Town Centre on Saturday the 12th of May. It’s going to be a cracker, and if the sun shines too, that will the cherry on top.
If you are coming to stay at the Wilton Court to visit the Ross on Wye May Fayre we will have programmes for sale at reception.
Posted in 2012 Events, Ross on Wye, Ross Traders | Tags: Entertainers, May Fayre, Ross on Wye, Street stalls | No Comments »
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Final tickets are still available for the KPMG Thames Clippers boats that will join the seven-and-a-half mile flotilla as it proceeds down the Thames from Battersea to Tower Bridge on this historic occasion.
A thousand vessels of all shapes and sizes will assemble on the Thames on the afternoon of Sunday 3 June to take part in the biggest celebration the river has seen for over 350 years. The Queen and The Duke of Edinburgh, along with other members of the Royal Family, will travel on the Royal Barge in the royal section of the flotilla.
All passenger boats will travel together, between two music herald barges. One of these, the ninth herald barge, is still to be announced and the tenth, the final vessel in the flotilla, will feature members of the London Philharmonic Orchestra, playing a stirring and triumphant ‘last night of the proms’-type repertoire.
Organisers of the Thames Diamond Jubilee Pageant have been inundated with enquires about how members of the public can be involved in this glorious celebration of The Queen’s 60 year reign. Boat owners wishing to take part have been through a rigorous selection process which was completed at the end of last year. For non-boat owners, the only way to experience the thrill of actually taking part in this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity has been to buy tickets on allocated passenger boats. These have been on sale since before Christmas through individual operators listed on the Thames Diamond Jubilee website but have been sold out for some time.
Sean Collins, Managing Director of KPMG Thames Clippers, said: “Taking part in the Thames Diamond Jubilee Pageant will be literally taking part in history. We’re very pleased that we’ve been able to release tickets for our fleet of 12 passenger boats and we know people will be thrilled that places are still available.”
Tickets for the Pageant are priced along similar lines as tickets for New Year’s Eve. The KPMG Thames Clippers packages include Pimms welcome drink, lunch with wine, afternoon tea and a Champagne toast.
Posted in 2012 Events, Hotel Events, Uncategorized | Tags: 3rd June Pageant, Queens Diamond Jubilee, River Thames | No Comments »
“Dear Helen
Thank you for your co operation and services throughout this year in connection with my painting classes. My students and I have found your hotel to be simply wonderful. Great location, great food and great service. I would like to reserve again for 2012.”
After another successful course held on the 25th and 26th April 2012, Roger will return for his two day water painting classes for beginners and improvers on the 27th and 28th June, 21st and 22nd August and 3rd and 4th October 2012.
For further details please visit www.paintingcourse.org
They are fun informative, working in a no pressure relaxed environment. All painting tools and materials are supplied for the course. Two days tutoring from Roger Orton proffesional artisit including demonstration of techniques used. A maximum of six students allowing time to give each student individual tuition
For reservations please call Roger on 02476 735617
Price of £290.00 single occupancy and £263.00 per person double occupancy to include overnight accommodation for one night with a three course dinner, tea and coffee breaks and a sandwich lunch both days. Additional nights accommodation can be reserved directly with Wilton Court. To attend the course without accommodation and dinner £230.00 per person £50.00 extra for partners sharing the room with dinner and breakfast not attending the course.
Posted in 2012 Events, Hotel Events, Ross on Wye, Uncategorized | Tags: Painting Courses, water colours | No Comments »
Welcome to the Black and White Villages of North- West Herefordshire and the market towns of Leominster and Kington. Together they contain hundreds of timber framed buildings, many of great age. Their Churches too, remind us of the long history of this area, containing records of people and events going back to Domesday and beyond.
Today these villages still possess the feeling of community which many urban dwellers would dearly love to regain. An hour or two spent at any of the places on the trail, visiting the church, the pub, tearooms and shops, looking at the houses and exchanging a word with the villagers, will give you a taste of this desirable country life. The circular trail is set out in a clockwise direction, and although the commentary starts and finishes at Leominster you may join at any point. The route is signed throughout with brown and white tourist signs. Please be prepared for and patient with, farm vehicles. The total distance is about 40 miles with stops at the villages and places of interest along the way, the circuit provides an enjoyable excursion at any time of the year.
Why not
Leave your car behind as you do not need a car to enjoy the black and white villages: a few of the villages along the route are accessible by public transport. Walking and cycling routes are also available around the Black and White villages, cycle hire is available from Wheely Wonderful on 01568 770755. who also arrange walking and cycling holidays.
The Black and White audio car tour is approximately 45 minutes long and is available for purchase from the Tourism Information Centers.
Please follow this link for further details of the Black and white trail
The Black and white trail is approximately 45 minutes away by car for the Wilton Court so is very easy to explore during your visit and can also be reached by public transport via Hereford.
The Wilton Court are very happy to prepare a picnic for you with advance notice.
Posted in Hereford, Hotel Updates, Ross on Wye, Uncategorized | Tags: Audio tour, Black and White Trail, Leominster, Villages | No Comments »
The Hay Festival sponsored by the Telegraph is Britain’s top festival of the arts. It will run over 10 days with over 700 events taking place.
This year the Hay Festival celebrates its 25th Anniversary and has brought together writers from around the world to debate and share stories ,writing from poets and scientists, lyricists and comedians, novelists and environmentalists, and the power of great ideas to transform our way of thinking.
This year the festival will run from Thursday May 31st until Sunday June 10th. Music will again be one of the night time delights of the Hay festival and this year there will be an off- site venue. The towns beautiful landmark castle which is 800 years old has undergone a £5million renovation. The Sound Castle as it will be known, will hold up to 500 people and will be showcasing a range of talent from jazz artist to hip hop acts.
You can see the programme at hayfestival.com/wales You can also see further details of the festival by visiting www.telegraph.co.uk/hayfestival
Featuring performances include Martin Amis, Mary Portas, Ian Mc Ewan, Tim Minchin, Michael Frayn, Kate Humble, Harry Belafone, Hilary Mantel, Bryn Terfel, Salaman Rushdie, Matt, Alan Hollinghust, Jacqueline Wlson Jack Dee and many more.
The Wilton Court is just 40 minutes leisurely drive by car from Hay on Wye across the Golden Valley. The Wilton Court have welcomed many guests visiting the festival in the past needing to travel further afield from Hay to find accommodation and look forward to the opportunity of welcoming more visitors this year. For further details of their accommodation packages please visit www.wiltoncourthotel.com
Posted in 2012 Events, Hereford, Hotel Events, Ross on Wye | Tags: Hay Festival, Mary Portas, Slaman Rushdie | No Comments »
We are pleased to advise that the Forest of Dean Morris Men and the Wimberely Cloggers will return to the Wilton Court as 8.00 pm Monday 23rd April to celebrate St Georges Day.
They will dance in the courtyyard and then perform their traditional music in the Riverview Restaurant and Bar.
We look forward to welcoming them back and hope that you will be able to join us for the celebration.
Posted in 2012 Events, Hotel Events, Ross on Wye | Tags: forest of dean, Morris Men, St Gerorges Day | No Comments »
Did you know that Sir Roy Strong’s Laskett Gardens are now open to pre booked groups of over 20 in number on Tuesdays and Thursdays. Admission to the grounds is £10.00 per person which includes a decorative plan of the gardens by Jonathan Myles-Lea.
The Laskett Gardens are the largest private formal gardens to be created in England since 1945. Over almost four decades the historian, Sir Roy Strong and his late wife, the designer Dr Julia Trevelyan Oman, transformed a four acre field into a series of stunning garden rooms, vistas, ascents and descents. These include a rose garden, pleached lime avenue, orchard, kitchen garden, knot garden, fountains, statuary and parterres as well as a spectacular array of topiary and rich herbaceous and prairie style boarders. Uniquely the garden tells the story of both their marriage and their creative lives in the arts.
The gardens are located close to Ross on Wye at Much Birch in Herefordshire. For enquirers about the garden please contact info@laskettgardens.co.uk or visit their website www.thelaskettgardens.co.uk
Wilton Court is delighted to welcome groups of visitors to Laskett Gardens to lunch with prior arrangement.
Posted in 2012 Events, Ross on Wye | Tags: Garden Tours, Gardens, Herefordshire gardens, Laskett Gardens, Sir Roy Strong | No Comments »