True Romance on the Tracks?

Share your love story on the train and win a weekend for two at Portmeirion

Have you met the love of your life on a train? Do you finally ask that person you share the commute with every day to go out on a date?

If so, Arriva Trains Wales and True Giants North Wales want to hear from you as they team up to celebrate St Dwynwen’s Day on January 25th 2010 with an exclusive competition to win a romantic weekend for two at Portmeirion in north Wales.

Trains and train stations have long been portrayed as romantic settings for films and we’d like to hear from anyone who has met their true love at either, by sharing their tales of romance at www.arrivatrainswales.co.uk. All submissions will be entered into a draw to win the exclusive, all-expenses paid prize. The draw will be made on St Dwynwen’s Day itself.

Dydd Santes Dwynwen, which translates as the 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.

Carole Startin, on behalf of Tourism Partnership North Wales, said, “We are very proud of the history associated with Santes Dwynwen in North Wales and we would love to hear what stories may come to light as part of this initiative. I am also very grateful to Portmeirion for their co-operation as I know whoever wins will have a weekend to remember in beautiful north Wales.”

Rebecca Fjelle, PR Manager at Arriva Trains Wales, added,” Thousands of people travel on the Arriva Trains Wales network each day, and the sheer volume of numbers must mean at least some of our passengers must have met on a train then dated maybe married or even had children! We’d love to hear your story. “

West End star Connie Fisher met her beau on a train, as did Paul Potts (Port Talbot) of Britain's Got Talent fame. The actress Ruth Jones, who wrote S4C’s Christmas film Ar y Tracs this year has commented, “I think it does bring something out in people being on a train, whether you either chose to remain as anonymous as possible or whether you see it as a stage in which you can perform.