Aspect Spring 2011

The employee magazine of Arriva Trains Wales/Trenau Arriva Cymru

SPRING 2011

fire drama

Leannerecognised forstaying cool in

Proud to have you on board

fire dramaPAGE FIVE

Aspect p1 28/2/11 12:00

THE last few months have been challengingfor the business in more ways than one.A combination of rain, snow, freezingtemperatures, industrial action, cable theftand the bedding-in of ERTMS, together withmany random infrastructure events, hasaffected our operational performance.

These issues have a significant impact onour customers and have a major impact onthe future development and success of thebusiness. With the recent level of disruptionexperienced, to ensure we meet our customerexpectations, it is important that we keep ourcustomers fully informed at times ofdisruption.

If we do not, they will seek an alternativeform of transport or use us less frequently.With this in mind, I am keen to improvefurther our flow of information to customersand staff.

Some of the things that we are doing toachieve this include introducing customerinformation systems at all stations by the endof 2015, issuing Blackberrys to conductorsand streamlining the flow of informationfrom Control at times of disruption. We alsoplan to make better use of the internet andindustry systems including continuedcustomer service training.

However, even though we are makingsignificant investments in hardware andtechnology, the most consistent and wellused link with the customer is face-to-facecommunication. So it is important at times ofdisruption that we make ourselves availableto customers and proactively inform them ofthe reasons for delay to reassure them.

We know from feedback that it isappreciated and we are good at doing it –customers are generally more patient andunderstanding when kept informed.

On a positive note, I am pleased to adviseyou all that Arriva Trains Wales has beenawarded the prize in the “Best OperationalPerformance: Right Time” category at theGolden Whistle awards. The accolade is givenannually by the Institute of Rail Operatorsand Modern Railways.

Our moving annual average for the yearmeasured 88.4 per cent, the best for a TrainOperating Company in UK Rail.Congratulations – you have all played yourpart in achieving this recognition.

Finally, thank you to all those who havegone that ‘extra mile’ to deliver the daily planover the last few months when every dayseemed to bring a new challenge.

It’s vital customersare kept informed attimes of disruption

By Managing

Director

Tim Bell

2 ASPECT Spring 2011

ANUMBER of prosecutions have been brought by the British Transport Police following recent

incidents on the Arriva Trains Walesnetwork.

A man who presented an invalid ticket atColwyn Bay and then assaulted a memberof staff, received a 12-month communityorder at Llandudno Magistrates Court andwas ordered to do 100 hours unpaid work.

A male arrested for threatening staff atCardiff Central has been sentenced to

eight week in prison. Meanwhile, a manseen urinating on the station atPontypridd, who then became abusive tosecurity officers, has received a 12-monthconditional discharge for a public orderoffence.

British Transport Police officers carriedout a series of high-visibility patrols atrailway stations across North Wales over afour-day period in February in a bid totarget antisocial behaviour on the railnetwork.

Court action onrailway offenders

NewwintercoatdesigntrialledIAN Parry, RevenueProtectionAssistant at CardiffCentral station, ispictured triallingthe new design fora winter coat.

The winter coatwill be distributedtowards the end ofthe year – slightlylater than thearrival of the restof the newuniform, which isscheduled for May.

Newwintercoatdesigntrialled

HOLLIE Arnold, the 16-year-oldsponsored by Arriva Trains Walesin her bid to reach the 2012London Paralympic Games, haswon a bronze medal in the 2011IPC World Championships in NewZealand.

Hollie, of Llanbradach, whowas born without her right handand forearm, threw the javelin32.45 metres in the final.

She said:“I’m thrilled to havewon a bronze as a member ofTeam GB and Arriva’s support inhelping me to travel by train fortraining and physiotherapy hasbeen a great help.”

Hollie wins bronze medal

Aspect p2 28/2/11 12:03 Page 1

ASPECT Spring 2011 3

DAVE Oliver’s house is so “Olde Worlde” it’s onstand-by to feature in a

national TV advert. TheShrewsbury conductor liveswith his family in a converted15th Century farmhouse in thegrounds of the National Trust’sBenthall Hall, near MuchWenlock.

The courtyard and barns areso attractive that they are inline to feature in one of theMüllerlight yoghurt advertshighlighting rural life near the

company’s Shropshire-basedfactory. The film-makerssurveyed the property as apotential setting and onlydecided against shootingbecause a barn door openedthe wrong way!

“They wanted to film amilkmaid coming out of thebarn, but on the day it did notquite pan out,” said Dave.“Weare now on standby for thenext advert.”

Dave’s historic property,which at one time housed

coaches and horses for use inthe Elizabethan hall, is subjectto strict regulations preventinghim from putting up a satellitedish or changing the windows.

A footpath from the hall runsalongside the farmhouse, andDave, his wife Claire andfour-year-old son Tyler-Jonoften see tourists peeping overtheir wall to take photos of thebuildings.

“We don’t mind because welove the atmosphere of theplace,” said Dave.

EVERY year Arriva TrainsWales prepares a BusinessPlan that shows how thecompany performed over thelast year and what itproposes to do in the yearahead.

Enclosed with the Springissue of Aspect is a summaryof this year’s Business Plan.Contents include informationabout the new staff uniformsas well as plans for staffwelfare.

Also detailed are plannedimprovements to the newtimetable, rolling stockrefurbishments and stationimprovements.

THE Club 55 promotionoffering bargain rail travel topeople over 55 has once againproved a big success. A totalof 45,200 tickets were soldbetween September andDecember 2010, bringing inrevenue of £562,613.

Home on standby forTV yoghurt ad

Look out forBusiness Plan

Club 55 is a hit

DOWNON THE FARM:

Dave Oliver outsidehis Shropshire home

– a converted 15th Centuryfarmhouse.

TEN staff in the travel centre on Chesterstation donned yellow clothing to raisemoney for Marie Curie Cancer Care.

The fundraisers, one of whom wore ayellow wig, encouraged people buyingtickets to purchase a daffodil tie pin atthe same time.

They also prompted customers to buyyellow cakes they had made.

Supervisor Linda Williams said:“We gotthe idea from the company intranet. Weall know someone who has been affectedby cancer and this seemed a reallyimaginative way to raise money.”

Staff fundraise for cancer charity

Aspect p3 28/2/11 12:06 Page 1


By Human Resources Director LYNNE MILLIGAN

THE new uniform project isreaching its final phase with thetrialling until March of the newwinter coat with its detachablequilted lining, to test whether itis warm enough through thewinter and early spring (seePage 2 of this issue of Aspect).

Two different lengths of coatare being trialled – traditionalanorak length and a longerlength for station staff.

Our “measuring team” hasbeen out collecting sizes for theorder forms.

There are two reasons for this– our wish to ensure that youritems are the best fit when theyarrive from Dimensions and theneed to keep stock holdings aslow as possible. We have to becareful with the costs, since thenew uniform is a lot moreexpensive than our current one.

Please remember that AXAICAS, who provide ouremployee assistanceprogramme, offer aLifemanagement™ servicewhich offers all sorts of usefulassistance.

Their advisors are ready totake calls round the clock,and they cover a widevariety of topics. One ofthem told me recently:“We could be dealing withan emotive divorceenquiry on one call then onthe next be dealing with a clientwho has had very little sleep inweeks due to problems withnoisy neighbours. The nextcall could be a consumerissue.”

This service is part ofyour programme, so useit if you need to.

Measuringteam ensuresuniforms arethe best fit

THE Health and Wellbeingcampaign is inspiringfitness success stories

throughout Arriva Trains Wales.A growing number of

employees are beingprompted by either theWellbeing Works website atwww.wellbeingworks.com orby the Health and Wellbeingdays to change theirlifestyle for the better.

Paul Stern, IT Networkand Security Manager atSt Mary’s House, found that acarbon monoxide breath testat the Health and Wellbeingopen day last June was just theimpetus he needed to stopsmoking.

“It encouraged me to go tothe doctor and I haven’tsmoked since taking pills heprescribed,” said Paul.

Dave Kitt, Rhymney Driver,who made the final decision tostop smoking after visiting thewebsite, said:“There weremultiple reasons why I had tostop but it was WellbeingWorks that encouraged me toget advice from my doctor onhow to quit using an‘electronic cigarette‘.”

Karl Johnson, TreherbertConductor, has lost three stonein weight after realising at a

Health andWellbeing eventthat he needed tochange hislifestyle. He said:“I’ve really

benefited. I’vejoined

the

Cycle To Work scheme and Ihope to get more involved as aHealth and Wellbeingvolunteer.“

At the most recent event atSt Mary's House, Indian HeadMassage, blood pressure anddiabetes testing together withadvice on how to stopsmoking were on offer.

The winner of the raffle atthe event, which was run withLloyds Pharmacy and attendedby the British HeartFoundation, was ResourceAllocation Clerk Ann Richardswho said: “The event made merealise we need to look afterour health and not take it forgranted.”

Staff are being encouragedto obtain information about

leading a healthierlifestyle from theHealth andWellbeingstands at the

SIM centres inCardiff and Chester.

Volunteers are nowbeing sought to join the

Health and Wellbeing

Working Party. If you arepassionate about the subject,and would like to help withthe programme, contact theSteering Group, 3rd Floor,St Mary’s House, 47 PenarthRoad, Cardiff CF10 5DJ.

There’s yet anotherchance to win an iPod!Just send in your suggestionsabout what you would like tosee included in Health andWellbeing events to the aboveaddress. All suggestions willbe entered into a prize draw.

Campaign inspireswinning outcomes

THE AXA ICAS EmployeeWellbeing programmeoffers life management(dealing with budgeting,debt, family care, legal andhousing), telephone andface-to-face counsellingand Wellbeing Works.Contact the service free on0800 0727072, 24 hours aday, seven days a week.

Advice line:

I QUIT:Paul Stern found

the impetus to stopsmoking at a Health

and Wellbeingsession.

HumanResources AssistantLeanne Woodfin is

given an Indian Head Massage at an event

at St Mary’s House.

Aspect p4 28/2/11 12:12 Page 1


ACrewe conductor scooped the Gold accolade at Arriva Trains Wales’Exceptional Contribution Awards for

her calmness and professionalism when firebroke out on the undercarriage of her train.

Leanne Douglas was the star of a specialevening at the Park Inn hotel, Cardiff, whichpaid tribute to numerous staff who haveimpressed with their outstandingcontribution over the past year.

The audience heard how Leanne keptpassengers on the 1550 Cardiff toManchester train informed with tact andgood humour while other Arriva Trains Walesstaff, liaising with Network Rail, dealt with theemergency.

One customer contacted her managerafterwards to report:“Your conductorhandled the crisis, which occurred on theapproach to Hereford station, with reassuringprofessionalism, approachability and calm.”

Another said:“I would like to complimentMs Douglas for the way she wonderfullyorganised everyone’s onward travel to theirfinal destinations.”

Other staff receiving awards during thecelebration evening included the ERTMSteam, praised for their “contribution anddedication” to the project.

Nigel Meekly, Fitter at Canton, was given anaccolade for saving the life of a colleaguewho had collapsed in the mess room and

Mark Morris, Conductor at Carmarthen, wascommended for restraining a violent andabusive passenger.

Shrewsbury At Seat Catering Steward BrianSteen and Cardiff Conductor Alan Thomaswere both praised for dealing with theaftermath of a major incident on theMoreton-on-Lugg level crossing.

FOUR big-hearted Arriva Trains Wales staffhave received Arriva Community ActionAwards for making a difference in theircommunity.

David Clark, Assistant Permanent TimetableManager, helps with fund-raising events inCardiff for Cancer Research UK; TraceyJohnson, Conductor Admin Support atChester, is on the management committee ofthe Frodsham Youth Association and works as

a volunteer for the youth club; Selina Richards,who works in Abergavenny ticket office, helpsto raise money for the Jennifer Trust, anational charity for those like her 10-year-oldnephew Jake who suffer from Spinal MuscularAtrophy; and Jane Pickwick, RecruitmentAdvisor, helps out as a volunteer in theTenovus cancer charity shop in Mumbles.

All four received bronze awards and weregiven £250 for their nominated charities.

The winners of the Arriva Trains Wales annual Exceptional Contribution Awards pictured at thepresentation evening at Park Inn hotel, Cardiff. Gold award winner Leanne Douglas is pictured centre(in the red dress) alongside Managing Director Tim Bell who presented the awards.

AN army officer who saved CardiffCentral station from beingdestroyed by a 1,200lb bomb inWorld War Two has died aged 100.Following an air raid in May 1943,Major Hugh Jones organised anoperation to safely defuse anunexploded device that wentthrough a platform canopy andburied itself near the line.

Station hero

Crewe conductor earnspassengers’ praise

Four staff receive community awards

Aspect p5 28/2/11 12:14 Page 1

6 ASPECT Spring 2011 ASPECT Spring 2011 7

ARRIVA Trains Wales’ ambitious

makeover plans for its Class 158s are being turned into

reality within the South CarriageSheds facility at the LNWRworkshops in Crewe.

A major refurbishmentprogramme, incorporating newlivery and C6 heavy maintenance, isdelivering completely refurbishedtoilets, new seating, carpets andre-designed vestibule and storageareas.

The new seats provide a minimumof 25mm of extra leg-room, whilethe vestibules are being opened upto use space that was previouslytaken up by redundant storageareas.

Meanwhile, newly-introduced cabcooling will result in an enhanceddriver environment.

Simon Taylor, LNWR HeavyMaintenance Manager, said: “Wewere given a performancespecification by Arriva Trains Walesand artist’s impressions of thecompany’s aspirations.

Expert team

“We have translated these throughour design partner into Arriva TrainsWales-approved, workable designswhich will benefit passengers andtrain crew alike.”

The £7.5 million project is beingrealised by a team of 25 artisanstaff including specialist vehiclerefurbishment experts, heavymaintenance fitters and electricians,and painters.

Following a controlled strip-out ofsaloon interiors and redundantequipment, a deep clean getsunderway. Wiring looms are installedfor the new electrical system andside seating rails modified.

All passenger windows are beingreplaced by laminated glass, and twodedicated bike storage points arebeing provided next to the toilet inthe 57 car.

“Whereas previously the 52 car to57 car vestibule areas were aclaustrophobic walkway for

customers, these will be open, lightand airy, with more useablepassenger features such as thetwo-perch seating areas and cyclestorage complimented by modernlighting,” said Simon.

At-seat power is being provided atall table locations with four newtip-up seats being installed at thewheelchair spaces in the 52 carsaloon.

The refurbishment of all the Class158 units, which also incorporates a

new advanced PassengerInformation System, is scheduled tobe completed by autumn next year.

Matt Prosser, Arriva Trains Wales’Head of Engineering, said:“This workwill transform the customer and staffexperience on our Class 158s andbring significant improvements forour disabled customers. Therefurbishment, which also improvesthe safety of the trains, is to a veryhigh standard – ours will be the bestClass 158s in the country.”

A DEDICATED team of 38 technicians atthe Manchester Traincare Centre atLongsight is pulling out all the stops togive Arriva Trains Wales’ Class 175 trainsa thorough makeover.

Not only are the 11 two-car units andthe 16 three-car units receiving their10-Year Heavy Overhaul, but they arealso undergoing a series of reliabilitymodifications and an interior refresh.

Key advances include:

■ Underframe wiring improvementsand the replacement of protectivetrunking, which previously acted as aleaf-trap, by a secondary flexible conduit.

■ Fitting of alternators with improvedinsulation material made of resin, whichhas helped the first trains back in servicerun without a hitch during the worstwinter for many years.

■ New Axminster carpets to an ArrivaTrains Wales design and floor fabricoutside the disabled toilets in vestibules,which has a ridged component to absorbdirt from shoes and protect the carpetinside. Vestibule walls and ceilings arebeing filled, sanded and spray-painted.

The overhaul includes work on bogies,cooler groups, couplers and auxiliarydrives. More reliable solid-state AWSreceivers are being fitted, and gangwaysare being upgraded with newsilicon-strengthened bellows inside theoriginal frame.

For the interior refresh, the carriagesare suspended above the Heavy LiftRoad at the Traincare Centre with theirbogie frames removed. Then they arestripped back inside and a deep cleantakes place.

Floor boarding is replaced wherevernecessary and interior upholstery is sentaway to be revamped in fire-retardantnew livery.

Nigel Sanderson, Special Projects

Manager, said:“We have grouped anumber of periodic tasks together andaligned them with the 10 Year Overhaul,so that we only have to stop each trainonce. There will be huge safety andefficiency benefits from the work we arecarrying out.”

Matt Prosser, Arriva Trains Wales’ Headof Engineering, said:“The work atLongsight is providing a much-improvedenvironment for our customers,improving reliability with the aim ofensuring Class 175s are among thebest-performing DMUs in the country,and improving the safety of the trains.”

The programme, which began in Julylast year, is scheduled to reachcompletion by May.

Class 175s overhaul will refreshinteriors and improve reliability

A computer-generated image of thenew-look on board environment.

Stylish new carpets andseats will be a feature of

the standard class interiors.

Light and airy vestibuleswith room for cycle storage.

Technician Gareth Morrispictured with laminatedglass for the newpassenger windows.

Electrician Peter Croninworks on the electricsfor the new coolingsystem in the cab.

Class 175 bogies are removed from the undercarriage of the train on the Heavy Lift Road atLongsight – in preparation for cleaning and maintenance.

Workis underway on

modifications tothe side-seating railfollowing strip-out

of the carriageinterior.

Ambitious makeover will create

best Class 158s in UK

The interior shell of a Class 175after being stripped down.

A Class 175 afterthe makeover.

Aspect p6-7 28/2/11 14:07 Page 1


THANKS to all of you who have made theintroduction of ERTMS (the new cab-signalling system) between Harlech and

Pwllheli as smooth as it has been.Yes, it has had a few teething issues

(inevitable when introducingground-breaking technology for the firsttime) but not as many as there might havebeen.

As everyone has become more used tousing it, ERTMS has now started to be part ofday-to-day life on this part of our network.We will move on soon to extending thesystem to the rest of the Cambrian.

Meanwhile, our 2011 Safety and

Environment Plan is now on the companyintranet. Please have a browse – it includeslots of interesting themes which we plan toprogress this year.

Last year was a disappointing one forCategory A SPADs. We had 15, compared withseven in 2009 (though we had 14 in 2008).Our total of 15 means that, per million trainmiles, we were, out of 28 passenger trainoperating companies, better than six butworse than 21.

I want 2011 to be a year when we do betterthan that – and indeed 2009’s result showsthat we can do better. January 2011 got us offto a good start, with no SPADs recorded.

Let’s keep it that way! Better news during2010 was that we achieved two new awardsfor environmental management. We achievedthe Carbon Trust Standard (CTS) for ourCustomer Service and Fleet organisations.

The CTS recognises organisations forachieving real carbon reduction andcommitting to making further reductionsyear on year.

We were also awarded certification underthe international standard ISO 14001 forEnvironmental Management Systems atCanton, Machynlleth and Holyheadmaintenance depots. Well done to all those involved!

WELSH Assembly Government(WAG) Deputy First MinisterIeuan Wyn Jones paid a visit toSwansea station to examine theprogress of the ongoingregeneration scheme, which ispart-funded by WAG as acontribution to the NationalStations Improvement Project(NSIP).

With the first two phasescompleted, work is currentlyunderway on the new customer

information facility and therelocation of Rail Gourmet topermanent offices to allow thecreation of a new waiting roomand toilets.

The improvements are duefor completion by the end ofAugust. Also on the NSIP front,12 customer informationscreens have recently beeninstalled at 12 stations, CCTVhas been provided at threestations and the Chester station

project has been completed.● Pictured above, Deputy

First Minister Ieuan Wyn Jones(front left) meets PeterNorthcott, Head of Stations, andCatherine Casey, NSIP ProjectManager, during his visit toSwansea station. Mr Jones isbeing shown a computersimulation of the stationregeneration project. He wasalso given a guided-tour toshow progress to date.

Smoothintro forERTMS

Minister views regeneration project

CAMBRIAN Linesstations swept theboard at the 2010Keep Wales TidyAwards.Machynlleth stationscooped the title of Wales’Best Kept Staffed Station,while Harlech was given theaccolade of Wales’ Best KeptUnstaffed Station.

Meanwhile, Borth stationwas shortlisted in the BestKept Unstaffed Stationscategory, along with Harlechand Chirk.

Shortlisted in the Best KeptStaffed Stations categorywere Machynlleth, Bangorand Wrexham General. Heldat the Pierhead Building inCardiff Bay, the awards werepresented by Welsh AssemblyGovernment EnvironmentMinister Jane Davidson AM.

A tidy show for CambrianLines stations

By Operations and

Safety Director

Peter Leppard

S A F E T Ymatters

Steve Beavan,ERTMS Driver Trainer, at

the controls of the ERTMSsimulator in Machynllethwhere drivers are being

trained in preparation forthe roll-out of theground-breaking

technology.

Aspect p8 28/2/11 14:15 Page 1


THE second series of Michael Portillo’s GreatBritish Railway Journeys, broadcast recently onBBC2, featured staff and trains operated by ArrivaTrains Wales. The trains looked at their best andthe viewing public was left in no doubt aboutthe attractions of a journey by rail in the Bordersand North Wales.

Broadcaster and former Government MinisterMichael Portillo – pictured right – was on amission to compare today’s rail travel with theexperience described by the Victorian publisherGeorge Bradshaw. He stopped along his railwayroute to point out local landmarks, reading outtheir description in Bradshaw’s Tourist Handbook.

Ben Davies, Stakeholder Relations Manager,said:“The programme was brilliant for Welshtourism and rail travel. It was a fantastic advertfor our trains and will hopefully encouragepeople to make the same journey. At Deganwy inthe Conwy estuary we were given a reference bya mussel fisherman who revealed that he sets hisclock by the Arriva Trains Wales network.”

Travelling up from Hereford via Shrewsbury

and Chester to Holyhead, the former politiciantook in the Conwy Valley Line where he metLarry Davies, Community Rail Officer.

Larry said:“I appeared on the programme,talking about my role and the Arriva Trains Walesstation adoption scheme. Mr Portillo was veryinterested in the history of the area.”

Tom Daley, who was conductor when MrPortillo travelled from Flint to Llandudno, and afew days later to Llanfair PG, said:“It was afascinating programme showing how thingshave changed since Bradshaw’s day.”

The production company, Talkback Thames,has sent its thanks to Arriva Trains Wales for itsco-operation.

BEN Davies, StakeholderRelations Manager, hasbeen awarded lifetimemembership of theLlandudno and ConwyValley Railway Society inrecognition of hissupport over the yearsfor railways in NorthWales.

ELAINE Hiscox is set to runin the London Marathon toraise money for childrenwith leukaemia.

Elaine, who works in theticket office at Aberdare,originally took up runningto lose weight but is nowcovering 40 miles a week aspart of her trainingschedule.

Running is in her family –her son has representedWales and her husbandDarren came 35th in theLondon Marathon in 1998(See back page article onDarren).

THE new lift at CardiffCentral station is nowup-and-running,

providing access forpassengers with impairedmobility as well as thosetravelling to and from EbbwVale with heavy luggage orsmall children.

The facility, delivered withthe support of the WelshAssembly Government, wasofficially opened by DeputyFirst Minister Ieuan WynJones who unveiled acommemorative plaque.

Mike Bagshaw,Commercial Director forArriva Trains Wales, said:“The new lift offerspassengers step-free accessto Platform Zero. Theinitiative is part of our widerplan to improve access toour trains and stations.”

Meanwhile theinformation desk recentlyestablished at CardiffCentral is proving a big hitwith customers.

● Pictured above at theopening ceremony are

Ieuan Wyn Jones, right,Commercial Director MikeBagshaw, centre, and StationManager Wayne Cresswell.Right, a view of the liftwhich is an attractiveaddition to the station foyer.

New lift boostsstation access

Ex Ministertakes a greatrail journeyfor television

Runningfor charity

Recognition

Aspect p9 28/2/11 12:36 Page 1


What are you doing at the moment?

Until December 31 last year I was stationmanager for Chester but I have nowinherited North Wales stations as well.

What is the best aspect of your job?

That no two days are the same. Some can bemore challenging than others, and I usuallyend up learning something new. I amcurrently enjoying the process of getting toknow my new staff.

What’s the strangest thing that hashappened to you in work?

I was the station announcer on the day ofPrincess Diana’s funeral. I had to announcethe two minutes' silence on the concourse. Itwas an extremely eerie day and I will neverforget it.

Which famous people alive or deadwould you invite to a dinner party?

Nelson Mandela for his intellect. PrinceWilliam and Richard Gere for eye candy.Barry White and Phil Collins forentertainment.

How do you relax?

Spending time with my family and mostimportantly having precious moments withmy grandchildren Jack, aged two, and Holly,aged four months.

Favourite films/CDs?

They have got to be “chick flicks” – thesadder the better, to bring a tear to my eyes.My favourite film of all time is Ghost.Favourite albums are But Seriously, by PhilCollins, Tubular Bells by Mike Oldfield andany album by the Stereophonics.

What did you want to be when you weregrowing up?

I wanted to be an air hostess but I wasscared of flying. I also hoped to be an infantschool teacher.

Your favourite place in the world?

One of my daughters got married on a tinybeach on the coast of Queensland inAustralia, three years ago. Being there atAirlie Beach was the most magical time ofmy life. If Arriva Trains Wales operated there Iwould be off like a shot.

What would you like to be doing in fiveyears’ time?

To actually be able to pronounce the longestWelsh place name,Llanfairpwllgwyngyllgogerychwyrndrobwllllantysiliogogogoch.

Best bit of advice you have ever beengiven?

My dad told me many years ago:“Treat otherpeople as you would want to be treatedyourself.” He also used to say:“It’s nice to benice.”

fiveKaren, Station Manager for North

Wales and Chester, lives in

Gresford, near Wrexham. Here she

takes time out of her busy day to

answer our questionnaire.

Karen Kinder

minutes with

WORK is underway at Borth station torenovate the old booking office inreadiness for the development of acommunity facility and a stationmuseum. The museum is intended tohouse collections on various themes

including village history, railway andindustrial heritage, natural history andenvironment. The refurbishment of thebuilding, subleased from ATW, is beingfunded from various sources includingBorth Station Volunteers, the Railway

Heritage Fund and Cambrian RailwaysPartnership. The museum will be staffedby volunteers. Anyone wishing tocontribute to the project should emailStation Adopter George Romary [email protected]

Renovated station offices to house village museum

Karen Kinder – out and about

on the ATWnetwork.

Aspect p10 28/2/11 12:42 Page 1


WIN £50 M&S voucher in country houses wordsearchS

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INSPIRED by Dave Oliver's house inthe grounds of a National Trustproperty, our wordsearch in this issueis on the theme of country houses.

A £50 Marks & Spencer voucher ison offer for the first person whosename is drawn out of the hat. Entriesshould be no later than April 152011.

The competition is open to Arriva Trains Wales employees only.

Simply ring the words in the grid,cut it out and send it with your name, address and phone number to:

Geraint Morgan, CommunityAffairs Manager, Arriva Trains Wales,St Mary’s House, 47 Penarth Road,Cardiff CF10 5DJ.

GILTKEYSCHESTCHINASOLARCLOSETPEWTERSCREENSILVERTESTER

THRONEBUTTERYCARVINGLIBRARYSTATUESCERAMICSPORTRAITSSIDEBOARDTULIP VASECANDELABRA

CHANDELIERFOUR-POSTERTAPESTRIESHARPSICHORDSTATELY HOMESLACQUER CABINET

AValley Lines driver is looking forward to a New York wedding

after meeting his wife-to-beon Facebook.

Meirion Thomas Jones fellin love with AmericanNora Tester after they gotchatting online andarranged to meet.

The couple quicklyrealised they were soulmates– and after their wedding inthe Big Apple, they plan tolive together in Meirion'shouse in Treherbert.

Meirion is delighted at theprospect of marrying hisintended in New York’s CityHall on April 21.

He said: “We got chattingonline and swapped details.We hit it off over the phone

and I fell in love with Nora’spersonality.”

Meirion soon made a visitto New York and they shareda romantic carriage rideround Central Park in asnowstorm. Nora, who worksin customer services for apharmacy, reciprocated witha trip to Wales last May.

“We found we wereinterested in the samesubjects, and both enjoyedmusic and cinema,” headded.

Meirion invites any staffwho might be in New Yorkon his wedding day toattend the ceremony, whichwill be followed by areception in the BestWestern Gregory Hotel,Brooklyn.

New York weddingafter Meirion finds

love online

ROMANCE IN THE CITY OF LOVE:Meirion Jones with hisfiancée Nora Testerpictured in front of theEiffel Tower during atrip to Paris.

The Colin Montgomerie caption competitionin the last issue was won by Driver DonnaSoper of Pontypridd who suggested:

“So glad these jackets are waterproof but so wish my underpants were too.”

Aspect p11 28/2/11 12:45 Page 1


IF you have a story forAspect please contactCommunity AffairsManager Geraint Morganon 02920-720521.

You can also contact himvia email: [email protected]

Have you gotnews for us?

Sean aims toregain title

Airgun aceis world-classshooter

TOP bodybuilder SeanFurlong is in training toregain his title ofMr Wales. The Valley Linesconductor has been“bulking up” on doublecalories as he aims toscoop the title by winningin the qualifying roundsfor the British title.

Sean said:“Hopefully Iwill then go on to do wellin the British finals.”

DARREN Hiscox ran up a mountain in the snow last Christmas – but for him, it was

nothing out of the ordinary.The Rhymney driver is one Wales’

highest-achieving long distance runners and hehas honed his running skills through some of theworld’s most challenging terrain.

The member of Bridgend Athletics Club haseven run up the Matterhorn in Switzerland as amember of the Great Britain team. So his trek upPen y Fan in midwinter was no unusual challenge.“My main aim was to see the wreckage of a light

aircraft which had recently crash-landed,” saidDarren.

With him on the Yuletide yomp was fellowRhymney driver Sean Birch, also a marathon runner,who said:“Darren’s running skills are phenomenal.

“Since I have been training with him I haveknocked a substantial amount off my time.”

Darren, who has finished 20th in the World FellRunning championships and been a member ofthe Welsh mountain running team in the WorldChampionships, said:“I train every day in the foresttrails round Aberdare where I live.”

ACE airgun target shooterSteve Chubb travels roundthe world to compete atthe highest level in thesport.

The Rhymney driver,who came 11th in theworld in 1999, hasrecently been featured onthe front cover of thetop-selling Air Gunnermagazine.

Steve, who owns a PCPrifle and is a member ofthe Nelson Rifle Club inthe Valleys, said:“I took upthe sport 27 years agowhen my career as a minercame to an end.

“It’s highly-competitiveand a great way of seeingdifferent countries.

“My own club is one ofthe best in the countryand I practice everyWednesday evening andSunday morning ondesignated ground.

“My pre-chargedpneumatic rifle has verylow recoil and can fire upto 100 shots per charge.

“It cost me £1,500 and ishighly-accurate.”

hits new heights

Mountainrunnerhits new heights







Mountainrunner

TAKING THE HIGH ROAD:Darren Hiscox on a trainingrun in the foothills of theRhigos mountains near hishome at Aberdare.

hits new heights

Mountainrunner

Aspect p12 28/2/11 12:47 Page 1

Aspect Spring 2011

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Transcript of Aspect Spring 2011