Latest news with #PloughInn
Daily Mirror
11 hours ago
- Daily Mirror
'Loneliest' UK railway station frozen in time has just two trains a week
Despite once being a thriving network link, this tiny railway station has almost been completely abandoned - except for the two trains that stop here once a week, both heading in the same direction A tiny railway station that 'refuses to die' has been around for 160 years - but is hardly used at all. Situated near Gloucestershire, on the South Wales mainline between Cardiff and Bristol, lies the forgotten station of Pilning. With no staff and just one platform, the hub has become 'criminally neglected' and 'rendered virtually unusable' due to years of poor maintenance and lack of investment. It hasn't been completely abandoned, and remains on official rail maps, but has become ghostly vacant. In fact, only two trains now actually stop at the station per week, both heading in the same direction - making it one of the country's least-used railway stations. READ MORE: New 20k-mile train to link 100 EU cities with £67 tickets - but there's a catch The station did see a boom in passenger numbers during the pandemic - which climbed to 710 in 2019-2020. However, the year after this number fell down to 210, the worst record since 2015/2016. But back in its heyday, Pilning station was thriving, boasting its own stationmaster, fourteen signalmen, six signalmen/porters, six porters, two 'lad' porters and a tunnel inspector. It was commonly used by Brits as a means of getting to the Severn Tunnel Junction, providing an alternative to the Aust Ferry or a long detour through Gloucester. However, when the Severn Road Bridge opened in 1966, the station's popularity plummeted. By 1990, its service had been slashed to just one train each way daily, during daylight hours. In 2006, this was reduced to just one train each per week, on a Saturday. "In 2016, a real body blow – our footbridge was demolished and not replaced, leaving us with just two trains a week in one direction and none at all in the other," Pilning Station Group, which is campaigning for the station to be brought back to life, said. "Was that the final kiss of death? No way – since then, the station's official usage figures have shot up by a staggering 900 per cent, and our campaign for a better service and a reinstated footbridge has been steadily gathering support and momentum." Campaigners argue even 'minor improvements' to the station could make it more attractive to potential users, such as a later Saturday afternoon train that would allow passengers more time in Bristol. "A Saturday lunchtime train would enable visitors and rail enthusiasts to visit Pilning for a drink and a pub lunch at the nearby Plough Inn and catch the later train back," they said. "An early-morning Monday-Friday train to Bristol would give people a fast route to work or college, as an alternative to the slow and circuitous Severn Beach branch which is very crowded in the mornings. Restoration of platform lighting (removed about 30 years ago as it was allegedly life-expired) would enable trains to call again after dark." The eerie station has recently gone viral on social media, where it has been branded the 'loneliest station' in the UK. "I live next to this station," one TikToker said. "The locals have been campaigning for years to have it reopened as we have next to no public transport links." Many Brits said they were interested about the forgotten hub, with one user stating: "I'm curious to visit it now." Another agreed, commenting: "I would still go there," while a third added: "Sounds like it needs a garden village built there as it has transport links."
Belfast Telegraph
12-06-2025
- Business
- Belfast Telegraph
‘Welcome and vibrant' Co Down spot named NI ‘pub of the year'
The Plough Inn in Hillsborough picked up the award, while also being nominated for Gastro Pub of the Year, at the Licensed & Catering News (LCN) Awards. The venue was previously owned by the Patterson family for close to 45 years before being sold to Dormans Hospitality Group (DHG) in November 2023. Speaking after winning the award, Ryan McGlone, commercial director at DHG, said: 'We are absolutely thrilled to receive this much-coveted award. 'For many people, the Plough in Hillsborough represents the epitome of what they look for in a welcoming, local hospitality venue. 'In the relatively short time the Plough has been part of DHG, we have been able to enhance the customer experience even further and we are delighted to accept this prestigious accolade. News Catch Up - Thursday 12th June 'Congratulations to all of the hard-working team at the Plough and, of course, our customers, who continually inspire us to new service heights.' Speaking at the awards ceremony, the judges paid tribute to the Plough's offering for guests: 'This award celebrates pubs that create inviting atmospheres and deliver outstanding customer experiences. 'The judges' mystery guest praised the Plough Inn for its warm welcome, vibrant and well-appointed space, a well-stocked bar and helpful, engaging and professional staff.'
South Wales Guardian
09-06-2025
- General
- South Wales Guardian
Nine homes could be built on land in Upper Brynamman
Nine homes An outline planning consent application has been submitted for the development of nine residential dwellings on land adjacent to 53 Station Road, Upper Brynamman. The scheme proposes a 'wholly green infrastructure led approach towards design' to deliver a 'verdant, attractive' setting for the proposed homes. It will include a comprehensive scheme of new landscape planting, the retention of existing green infrastructure, and Sustainable Drainage features throughout the site. The proposal includes detached and semi-detached dwellings in a linear format. Two-storey extension An application has been submitted for a proposed two-storey kitchen and bedroom extension at Glascoed Fawr, Llanarthne. The plans also include a single-storey lean-to annexe addition at the rear of the property. The existing farmhouse, which was extended in the late 1900s, is of stone construction with a slate pitched roof and traditional features such as timber sash windows. The new owner wishes to make the farmhouse their main residence and create a 'contemporary addition that is striking, thought-provoking, and of architectural merit.' Newton House courtyard redecoration An application has been submitted for the external redecoration of the Oak Yard (inner courtyard) at Newton House, Dinefwr. The work, which began on April 7, will be done whilst the inner courtyard will still be accessible to the public. Scaffolding will be restricted with fencing and 'site safe' signage. The public will have access to the Oak Yard, but it will be restricted during the erection of the scaffolding. Discharge of conditions An application has been submitted to discharge a number of conditions on a previously approved planning application for Cilyrychen Quarry in Llandybie. The conditions to be discharged include land contamination, air quality monitoring, conservation management plan, lime kiln analysis, lime kiln monitoring, and landscape and ecological management plan. Reserved matters for new home A reserved matters application has been submitted for a residential dwelling at Plot 16, Llandybie. The reserved matters for the application include access, appearance, landscaping, layout, and scale of the property. The schedule of finishes includes coloured render and stone/stone effect facing to external walls, slated or grey flat tile roof covering, and coloured uPVC windows, doors, and rainwater goods. A Beaumaris Woodstone Bat Box will also be installed at high level below eaves on the south elevation of the dwelling. Extension to premises An application has been submitted for a proposed single-storey lounge extension to the existing restaurant/hotel premises at the Plough Inn, Rhosmaen, Llandeilo. The extension, which would add 18 square metres onto the premises, would be located on the existing patio area. The walls of the extension would be rendered like the existing premises, with the windows and doors also matching the existing coloured uPVC. However, the extension will have a flat grey rubberoid roof rather than the tile roof of the existing building.
Yahoo
13-04-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
'We saved a 200-year-old pub in a forgotten part of Scotland'
The celebratory pints have been flowing freely in a Scottish town after a historic pub was saved for the community. The former Plough Inn in Wigtown was at risk of being turned into flats until local residents stepped in and took it over. Now it has reopened, providing a major boost for an area which can sometimes feel like "a forgotten place in Scotland". Craig Hamnett, who chairs the Wigtown Community Inn community benefit society, said it was a relief not to lose the centuries-old hostelry. The pub in Wigtown had been in continuous use for more than 200 years. Its first licence was granted in 1795. Unfortunately the business closed shortly after the Covid pandemic. Craig said the prospects had not looked good for it remaining in use as a local bar and gathering place. "It closed in 2022 and was in good condition, but market conditions meant that there wasn't much interest in privately purchasing or leasing the pub," he said. "Plans were being drawn up to convert it into flats and that would've meant being lost as a community asset." Originally from Stockport, Craig moved to the town from Edinburgh about seven years ago and got involved in community efforts to save the pub. "In that time I have seen the ebbs and flows of business but in recent times there has been more closures than openings," he said. "I wanted to try to commit time to a project that would help turn that tide and be of a net benefit to the community." He said that was not just to see the pub - now The Wigtown Ploughman - succeed but to help "all the local businesses that work so hard to keep the lights on" to benefit from an increased footfall to the town. "The Machars often feels like a forgotten place in Scotland," he said. It has been a long battle but thanks to support from South of Scotland Enterprise the group was able to purchase the building for £330,000 and got the keys on Valentines Day this year. Thanks to an army of volunteers - and more than £30,000 from a community share offer - it recently reopened its doors to great acclaim. "The feedback has been great so far, but we know that we're just at the start of a very long road," he said. "Work is under way to get the accommodation ready for the busy season and then we also have the task of renovating the kitchen to ensure we can provide an excellent food offering." He said their first couple of weeks had been an "incredible success". "Listening to locals saying that this is the first time they've been out to a pub for socialising in four years is exactly why we have committed so much time into the project - to bring people together again and rekindle connections," he said. "Our hopes for the future is to be open seven days a week, 364 days of the year and to entice people from all over the country to come and visit Wigtown, Scotland's national book town. "It's pretty easy to find us from down south, head north, turn left at Gretna, turn left at Newton Stewart, and the whole of the Machars peninsula awaits you." Listen to news from Dumfries and Galloway on BBC Sounds More stories from South Scotland The facility, the community project says, is "more than just a pub". The same building will be used as a community hub which they hope to open later this month. They also intend to announce their first employees soon and bring the accommodation in the building back into use. "This community-led project is just getting started, and we plan to be here in the heart of Wigtown for generations to come," said Craig. I found the book lover's dream holiday in Scotland
BBC News
13-04-2025
- Business
- BBC News
The Wigtown Ploughman: Pub saved in Scotland's 'forgotten place'
The celebratory pints have been flowing freely in a Scottish town after a historic pub was saved for the former Plough Inn in Wigtown was at risk of being turned into flats until local residents stepped in and took it it has reopened, providing a major boost for an area which can sometimes feel like "a forgotten place in Scotland".Craig Hamnett, who chairs the Wigtown Community Inn community benefit society, said it was a relief not to lose the centuries-old hostelry. The pub in Wigtown had been in continuous use for more than 200 first licence was granted in the business closed shortly after the Covid said the prospects had not looked good for it remaining in use as a local bar and gathering place."It closed in 2022 and was in good condition, but market conditions meant that there wasn't much interest in privately purchasing or leasing the pub," he said."Plans were being drawn up to convert it into flats and that would've meant being lost as a community asset."Originally from Stockport, Craig moved to the town from Edinburgh about seven years ago and got involved in community efforts to save the pub. "In that time I have seen the ebbs and flows of business but in recent times there has been more closures than openings," he said."I wanted to try to commit time to a project that would help turn that tide and be of a net benefit to the community."He said that was not just to see the pub - now The Wigtown Ploughman - succeed but to help "all the local businesses that work so hard to keep the lights on" to benefit from an increased footfall to the town."The Machars often feels like a forgotten place in Scotland," he said. It has been a long battle but thanks to support from South of Scotland Enterprise the group was able to purchase the building for £330,000 and got the keys on Valentines Day this to an army of volunteers - and more than £30,000 from a community share offer - it recently reopened its doors to great acclaim."The feedback has been great so far, but we know that we're just at the start of a very long road," he said."Work is under way to get the accommodation ready for the busy season and then we also have the task of renovating the kitchen to ensure we can provide an excellent food offering." He said their first couple of weeks had been an "incredible success"."Listening to locals saying that this is the first time they've been out to a pub for socialising in four years is exactly why we have committed so much time into the project - to bring people together again and rekindle connections," he said."Our hopes for the future is to be open seven days a week, 364 days of the year and to entice people from all over the country to come and visit Wigtown, Scotland's national book town."It's pretty easy to find us from down south, head north, turn left at Gretna, turn left at Newton Stewart, and the whole of the Machars peninsula awaits you." The facility, the community project says, is "more than just a pub".The same building will be used as a community hub which they hope to open later this also intend to announce their first employees soon and bring the accommodation in the building back into use."This community-led project is just getting started, and we plan to be here in the heart of Wigtown for generations to come," said Craig.
