True Romance on the Tracks?
True Romance on the Tracks Winners Revealed
From brief encounters to marriage, the True Giants North Wales and Arriva Train Wales’ Santes Dwynwen competition has proved romance is most certainly not dead. As the rest of the UK prepares for Valentines Day, Wales’s own patron saint of lovers Dwynwen inspired people from London to Anglesey to share their love stories via the true giants north wales.
The winning entries, drawn at random, were:
1st Prize – Weekend for two at Portmeirion
Jane Owen from Mold, Flintshire
2nd Prize – £100 of Portmeirion vouchers
Laura Cope from Willenhall, West Midlands
3rd Prize – £50 of Portmeirion vouchers
Gillian Mobberley, Bangor, Gwynedd
Jane Owen’s story:
It was a sopping, damp day in November when I bought myself a cup of tea at the Carrog railway refreshment room and sat at a round iron table by the open fire. The teaspoon slipped from my shivering hand but before I could pick it up a kind face said to me: “Here, have mine. I don’t take sugar.”
“Diolch yn fawr,” I said. “Thank you.”
“That’s Welsh,” he said.
“Yes,” I smiled.
“I wish I could speak Welsh. My family was a Welsh speaking family at one time. In fact I remember my grandmother …….”
I took a proper look at this man. What a kind face and what a nice voice. I was also intrigued to know where his family came from.He was just in the middle of telling me about his grandfather’s apple orchard in the Wye Valley when the guard announced that the train was departing for Llangollen. Needless to say we found an empty carriage because I wanted to hear more about his grandfather’s milk farm and cider orchard.
As he talked I observed that this man did not look very healthy. He was seriously overweight and appeared to be pale and sad. I was not in good health myself at the time, suffering from depression following a succession of unhappy events in my life.
By the time the train had returned to Llangollen station I had found out that his name was Bob, that he lived in village close to my home and that we shared another interest which is photography. Bob invited me to an interesting lecture at Mold Camera Club and as I had never been to this club before I gladly accepted his invitation.Bob and I have been best friends and partners for the past seven years. Our friendship is the best thing that could have ever happened to us. Bob is now recovered from the deep grief of losing his wife. He has had new medication for his diabetes, has lost over four stones in weight and has undergone heart surgery very successfully. As for me, I am no longer the lost, lonely, sad person I was. I look forward to retiring from an office job very shortly so that I can spend time with Bob taking train journeys and developing our love of photography.
Laura’s story:
I met my partner Paul the love of my life on a train travelling between London Euston and Birmingham New Street. The train was very crowded and there were only a few spare seats.I found a seat by the window opposite a smartly dressed young man. We sat in silence most of the way although I sneaked a look a few times. Eventually he said I am going to the buffet car and asked if I would like a coffee. I accepted and we chatted the rest of the way I was quite sad when it was my station as he was staying on the train until Wolverhampton.
As I got off he said don’t forget your ticket and pushed a piece of paper in my hand. I thought that was close I nearly left my ticket. When I got to the ticket barrier I realised I had a piece of paper in my hand not a ticket. My ticket was in my purse where I had left it. The note on the piece of paper said ‘this ticket entitles the bearer to a slap meal on me if she is interested, call me.’! I did call him and we have been a couple for 5 years. Paul is in the army and has been to Iraq and Afghanistan where he is currently stationed so life has not been easy but we are very happy and very much fans of train travel.
Gillian’s story:
I met my fiance Keith on the Bangor to Colwyn Bay Arriva train. We both lived in Bangor and worked in Colwyn Bay (he still does)We got chatting over a period of 6 months or so, went for a drink after travelling home just before xmas 2008, got engaged April 09 and are getting married on my 50th birthday this year on April 21st! We lived only 5 minutes away from each other but had never met before! And it’s my first (and only)marriage!
Click here for Other Romantic Stories we received.
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Competition winner Jane Owen said, “I was thrilled to find out that I had won this competition and that entries had come from all over Britain! I am delighted to win a week-end for two at Portmeirion. As I approach retirement in March this will be the perfect way to unwind and celebrate that occasion.
“As working members of the Llangollen Heritage Steam Railway Bob and I have a passion for trains and we are very grateful to Arriva Trains Wales and True Giants North Wales for sponsoring the competition. It also makes me feel so glad that I spoke Welsh first to Bob as this was how we got into a relationship and led to me writing our romantic story for this competition.”
Carole Startin, on behalf of Tourism Partnership North Wales, said, “The Santes Dwynwen competition certainly brought out the romantics and the tales we received were truly heart warming and that cupid is certainly at work on the tracks. I would like to congratulate all our winners and especially to Jane and Bob who I am sure will have a weekend to remember at Portmeirion.”
Rebecca Fjella on behalf of Arriva Trains, added, “We always had a hunch that trains and train stations had a certain romance about them but it was great to find that true and lasting love has, and can still, be found on a train journey. Warmest congratulations to our winners and I think more people should look around a bit more when travelling by train as it certainly seems to improve your love chances!”
Dydd Santes Dwynwen literally day of St Dwynwen in Welsh is held on 25th January each year and is considered to be the Welsh equivalent to Valentine’s Day. It celebrates Dwynwen the Welsh saint of love who is believed to have been the daughter of King Brychan Brycheiniog who lived in the 5th century. Dwynwen lived in Anglesey and her name is still recalled in place names such as Llanddwyn. The tale told is that Dwynwen prays that through her that God will look after all True Lovers.
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