Llangollen's live music treasure hunt is back this Saturday

                 

* The mysterious yeti is spotted hiding golden envelopes ahead of the treasure hunt.

Llangollen is gearing up for another unforgettable summer as TK Maxx presents Live at Llangollen Pavilion returns from June 24 to July 5, followed by the Llangollen International Musical Eisteddfod from July 7. 

Before the global stars take to the Pavilion stage, fans have the chance to get their hands on FREE tickets as the hugely popular Llangollen Treasure Hunt returns this Saturday May 23.

To celebrate 79 years of the festival, 79 pairs of golden tickets will be hidden across the Pavilion grounds — each one redeemable for some of the summer’s biggest shows.

This year’s treasure hunt comes with an unexpected twist: a mysterious Yeti has been spotted in Llangollen and roaming the Pavilion grounds, secretly hiding golden envelopes ahead of the hunt.

The Furrie’ figure may look familiar to fans of Super Furry Animals, who return to the Pavilion on Thursday July 2 for a landmark headline show, performing their acclaimed Welsh-language album Mwng live in full for the very first time.

Last year more than 50,000 music lovers descended on the town for a month of spectacular shows — and 2026 is shaping up to be even bigger.

This year’s blockbuster line-up includes Rick Astley, Pete Tong Ibiza Classics, David Gray, Billy Ocean, Super Furry Animals, Bowling for Soup, Frank Turner & The Sleeping Souls, Deacon Blue and Tom Grennan, alongside a packed Eisteddfod programme featuring Emeli Sandé and the Absolute Orchestra, Michael Ball, Uniting Nations: One World, Global Rhythms: Made In Wales, Orchestral Qawwali Project, and the prestigious Choir of the World competition. The festival also offers a full daily programme of competitions and field entertainment.

 

Artistic Director of the Eisteddfod Dave Danford said: “We’re now in our third year of the treasure hunt, and it’s become a real Llangollen tradition. People absolutely love it; the excitement, the friendly competition, the thrill of discovering a golden ticket. It sets the tone for the whole summer, so we couldn’t resist bringing it back.

 

“It’s such a brilliant way to kick off the season, and it gives fans the chance to get their hands on tickets to some of our biggest shows. With this year’s incredible lineup and the magic the Eisteddfod brings, we’re gearing up for an unforgettable summer. Happy hunting!”

 

The Treasure Hunt will run from 10am until 2pm on Saturday May 23. 

• 79 special envelopes will be hidden around the iconic Llangollen Pavilion grounds. Each envelope contains a unique code linked to a specific headlining concert.
• Lucky finders must bring the envelope and code to the main entrance of the Pavilion to redeem their pair of tickets. 
• Limit of one pair of tickets per person. Tickets must be redeemed before the Pavilion closes at 2 pm on Saturday May 23. 
• All under-16s must be accompanied by an adult aged 18 or over. 
• Good luck and happy hunting! 
• 
  

Following a record-breaking 2025, the 2026 Eisteddfod is set to be its most ambitious to date.

Alongside an expanded programme of competitions, this year’s line-up features an exceptional series of concerts and large-scale collaborations, including bespoke orchestral performances with internationally renowned artists. These landmark events sit at the heart of an increasingly diverse programme, reaffirming Llangollen’s reputation as one of the UK’s most distinctive international arts festivals. 

 

TK Maxx presents Live at Llangollen Pavilion 2026 is presented as part of an ongoing partnership with the Llangollen International Musical Eisteddfod and Live Nation promoters Cuffe and Taylor.

 

* For more information go to llangollen.net

 

FOLLOW LLANGOLLEN INTERNATIONAL MUSICAL EISTEDDFOD 
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Town councillors learn what it means to be dementia friendly

 

As part of the current national Dementia Action week community wellbeing officer Rebecca Bowcott presented a Dementia Friends information session to Llangollen Town Council at its monthly meeting last night (Tuesday). 

The aim of these sessions is to give people a greater understanding of dementia, how it can affect people and the little things we can do as individuals and a community to help them. 

During last night's session, arranged for Dementia Friendly Llangollen, Rebecca said that one in three people in the UK will get some form of dementia and that there were five key points to know about the disease. 

These are:

* It is not a natural part of ageing - young people can get it too

* It is caused by diseases of the brain, with 100 different types of dementia identified

* It's not just about losing your memory. It can also affect other functions such as speech, the attention, the behaviour and motor skills

* It's important to remember that there is more to a person than dementia

* A little understanding shown to a person with dementia can make a big difference  

There are two of these information sessions arranged for Pengwern Community Hub next month - on the Tuesdays June 9 and 23, both starting at 5.30pm.

If you are interested in attending, or if you would like to arrange a session for a specific group, organisation, school or business please get in touch with: DFllangollen@outlook.com.

 

Dementia Friendly Llangollen are actively seeking volunteers to be part of their steering group so if you would like more information, contact the same email address.

The group will be hosting an information stand outside the Town Hall tomorrow (Thursday May 21) between 10am and 1pm to help raise awareness of dementia.

Town council welcomes new mayor and deputy mayor

* From left, new Town Mayor Damon Richards-Gwiliiam, retiring Mayor Aled Morris and new Deputy Mayor Charlie Jones. They each hold up a card to show they are supporters of Llangollen as a Dementia Friendly Town after taking part in an information session on the condition given by Rebecca Bowcott, community wellbeing officer, to the meeting to coincide with Dementia Week.   

At last night's annual meeting of Llangollen Town Council Damon Richards-Gwilliam took over as Town Mayor and became the youngest councillor ever to hold the office.

He replaced Cllr Aled Morris who had served two municipal years in the role.

Elected by her fellow members as Deputy Mayor was Cllr Charlie Jones.

Rhythm Train set to bring the Ultimate 80s party to railway

 

* Rhythm Train will get the 80s party started on Llangollen Station. 

Llangollen and Corwen Railway has announced that popular live band Rhythm Train will headline the evening entertainment during the railway’s Diesel Power and Ultimate 80s Weekend on Saturday and Sunday May 30 and 31.

And with the launch of Season 2 of the hit 80’s period drama Rivals on Disney, visitors are being encouraged to get dressed up in their favourite clothes from the decade. 

Whether it’s the eye-popping Laura Ashley floral craziness of Valerie Jones or the suave striped shirts and braces of Lord Tony Baddingham, everyone is encouraged to join in. 

Rumour has it a prize will be offered for the best 1980’s moustache, as modelled by aging heart throbs Danny Dyer and Alex Hassall in Rivals.  

By day, the railway will host a full heritage diesel gala, featuring classic locomotives that were everyday sights in the 1980’s, working trains through the beautiful Dee Valley between Llangollen and Corwen, calling at Berwyn, Glyndyfrdwy and Carrog. 

Visitors will be able to experience the sights, sounds and power of diesel-electric locomotives like Class 31 No 31271, which wears an authentic and rather garish 1980’s Rail Freight colour scheme that was cutting edge at the time.

By night, Llangollen Station will become Buffers nightclub and bar on Saturday 30^th from 6pm. 

The excellent and versatile band Rhythm Train will perform two live sets featuring an eclectic range of 80’s hits. Between sets party goers can revel in a lively 1980s DJ set, complete with professional PA and lighting, helping transform the station into one of the most unique live music venues in North Wales. 

The event will take place inside a special marquee on Llangollen Railway Station between 6pm and 10pm with bar and refreshments.

Rhythm Train are a high-energy five-piece party band bringing big tunes and packed dancefloors to events across the UK. Between them, members of the band have performed with artists including Eric Clapton, Snow Patrol, Supergrass and Echo and the Bunnymen, whilst also appearing at iconic venues such as the Royal Albert Hall and Glastonbury Festival.

Entry to Buffers is free to Llangollen Railway ticket holders and volunteers. Tickets for the evening entertainment are available for just £5, making it one of the best-value live music events of the summer in North Wales.

Pete Edwards, Event Co-Organiser, said: “We wanted to recreate an era that we don’t usually see on our railway, but one that many of our visitors will remember very fondly, as do many of us who look after the Railway’s diesel fleet. British Rail went through a real transformation in the 80’s, reversing 20 years of decline as it was prepared for privatisation. 

"The looks of the trains and stations changed dramatically, matching the colours and styles of the era. I am really looking forward to hearing my own 80’s playlist over the Tannoy over the weekend and we’ve got some other nostalgic surprises lined up too.

“Rhythm Train are perfect for our gig - with huge energy, a brilliant reputation and a setlist packed with songs people know and love. We think the atmosphere in Buffers is going to be incredible and can’t wait to see how everyone dresses up. Although it’s a coincidence, the event taking place just as the new season of Rivals has dropped is great timing. People are loving reminiscing about the 80’s – why not visit our event and you can step back 40 years and live and breathe it."

The Diesel Power: Ultimate 80s Weekend takes place on May 30 and 31 with heritage diesel locomotives operating services throughout the weekend. Please note the event takes place in the Dee Valley and not in Rutshire, the fictitious county created by the great Jilly Cooper for Rivals setting.

* Tickets and further details are available here: https://llan.hops.org.uk/tickets/special-events-in-2026/80s-diesel-weekend

Free half-term events at Pengwern Community Hub

Free events on at Pengwern Community Hub next week during half-term plus a men’s fishing trip in June:

Fancy a part in Twenty Club's big anniversary production?

To mark its 80th anniversary year Llangollen Twenty Club - established 1946 - is aiming to stage a classic from that era as part of the celebrations. 

It has therefore organised two read-throughs of the potential scripts before making the final decision on exactly which play makes it to the stage as its November production.

The first of the read-throughs, which are open to anyone interested who can just turn up on the night, took place at the RAFA Club last week and was the Agatha Christie drama And Then There Were None.

The second reading is due to be held at the same venue on Tuesday May 26 at 7.30pm and is another Christie classic, Murder on the Nile. 

This timeless whodunnit takes place on board the paddle steamer Lotus where wealthy heiress Kay Ridgeway is honeymooning with Simon Mostyn - the man she “stole” from her best friend, Jacqueline de Severac. 

Jacqueline follows the couple, culminating in a public confrontation in which she shoots Simon in the leg.

When Kay is found murdered the following morning, Jacqueline and Simon appear to be ruled out due to their injuries and alibis. Canon Pennefather must investigate a boatload of suspects, each with hidden motives. 

This taut adaptation of Christie’s classic novel replaces Hercule Poirot with the Canon, focusing on a deadly conspiracy driven by obsessive love, greed, and calculated deception.

A club spokesperson said: "We’re also looking to recruit new members, whether as actors, or to assist behind the scenes with set building, costumes, stage management, or committee roles. Anyone interested in getting involved in any capacity would be very welcome."

Town mayor to appear in live BGT semi-final on Saturday

* Aled on stage, back row, second from left, with the Hawkstone Farmer Choir.

The Mayor Of Llangollen is getting ready to appear in the live semi-final of the Britain's Got Talent (BGT) on Saturday.

Back in March Aled Morris ploughed to victory in the audition for the hit TV talent show's 19th series as part of the Hawkstone Farmers Choir after a dazzling Golden Button success, which also won them a free pass around the boot camp stage.

Performing a soaring rendition of the Elbow anthem One Day Like This at the Birmingham Hippodrome, the choir moved a celebrity judging panel led by Amanda Holden, guest judge Stacey Solomon, Alesha Dixon, and KSI.

Aled, 33, swaps the council chamber for the stage to sing with the choir which is part of Jeremy Clarkson's Hawkstone brand and brings together people from across the UK farming community who share a connection to agriculture and a love of singing.

The aim is to use their national platform to raise awareness and funds for mental health and suicide prevention within the agricultural community.

When Aled isn't tending to his 50-acre family sheep farm at Pen-y-Rhagfryn he is teaching the next generation of farmers as a lecturer in agriculture and land-based engineering at Llysfasi College. 

He has sat on the town council for four years, helps organise the annual Llangollen illuminated tractor run, and serves as the steam section steward for the Malpas Yesteryear Rally. 

Aled reveals the reaction in his home area since the audition aired has been nothing short of overwhelming and he admits he wasn't quite prepared for the scale of the response. 

"I expected maybe a few odd messages but my phone literally blew up," he said. 

For Aled, being part of the 32-strong choir has been a transformative personal experience. 

"The choir means everything to me," he explains. "It’s like having a large family. We might only meet every few months, but we fall back into conversation as if we’ve never been apart."

Preparing for the BGT semi-finals has required some creative rehearsal techniques. "There’s been plenty of singing in the shower and plenty of singing in the workshop just to keep the vocal cords in check," he laughed. 

                        * Aled Morris in his role as Mayor of Llangollen. 

The logistical challenge is significant, with rehearsals taking place in Oxfordshire - a 300-mile round trip from Llangollen. 

"It definitely takes its toll, but the joy everyone has when they get together makes it all worth it," Aled noted. 

Speaking about the mental health benefits of the choir, he said: "Only farmers really understand other farmers. When you’re feeling down or lonely, it can be difficult to talk to someone who doesn't get it. Being surrounded by people who know exactly what you’ve been through offers such a comforting time in what can be an unforgiving industry."

Aled is acutely aware of the stakes on Saturday night. 

"If what we are doing saves only one person, then that is the biggest prize we could ever hope to receive," he said.

Llangollen residents and the wider Welsh agricultural community are being urged to register on the ITV website early to support Aled and the choir this Saturday night.

* Aled isn't the first member of Llangollen's mayoral team to appear on TV. Mayoress Sarah Griffiths, Aled's long-term partner, was one of the Big Brother housemates back in 2024.