Llanfair Garden Railway Gala

A Statement by Atlantic Publishers

Another Llanfair show has passed and it was good to meet up again with everyone for what we all at Atlantic Publishers, regard as an enjoyable weekend. One of its key aspects has always been a sense of 'meeting,' a coming together of like-minded friends and acquaintances to chat and share ideas and experiences in beautiful surroundings. A significant event this year has been the decision by our exhibitions manager Dave Baker, to relinquish the reins – after all he is eighty in a couple of months! I know that everyone will recognise what an amazing job he has done over all the years in making the event the success it has been.

His stepping down has been the catalyst for the very difficult decision taken here at Atlantic to cease our involvement in the running of the show. Unfortunately intrusive rules and regulations being imposed by the local authority's interpretation of various 'Health and Safety' matters has meant that, from our point of view, the nature of the show will change. Other aspects have arisen, particularly the charge for the car park – a situation we have no control over.

The above factors combine to require a whole new approach and infrastructure to stage the show. Atlantic is a publishing house – not an events management business. Books and magazines are what we do and there is a need to concentrate our time and expertise on what we do best. With many fond memories over the years still fresh in our minds this is a good time to bow out before significant changes affect those memories.

End

STOP PRESS

Garden Railfarers will be pleased to know that the Llanfair Garden Railway Show will continue and will be managed by a team headed up by Steve Warrington of Back 2 Bay 6. There will, of course be a new approach to this iconic event and I personally, look forward to attending next year, as I have for the last twenty-odd years. It has always been my favourite venue, largely because of the proximity of the WLLR and other narrow gauge railways. Over the years my time at the show has moved from an overnight stay to a few days plodding around the railways after the show – and I look forward to continuing this pleasurable activity.

Tag Gorton – Editor, GardenRail magazine