Railway goes on the buses at its Branch Line Gala

* The classic Bristol VR bus which will run the feeder service.

Excitement is building ahead of the Llangollen and Corwen Railway’s flagship Branch Line Gala, taking place from April 10 to 12, with the announcement of a special vintage feeder service linking the heritage line with the national rail network. 

The newly revealed Ruabon Rail Replacement shuttle will operate using a classic Bristol VR bus, new to United Counties in April 1981, offering visitors a nostalgic and seamless connection between Ruabon and the railway. 

The free shuttle will run morning and late afternoon services, carefully timed to link with National Rail arrivals and departures, helping visitors enjoy a full day immersed in the atmosphere of a traditional Welsh branch line.

 

The announcement is the latest in a series of developments for the gala, widely regarded as the railway’s key event of the year, showcasing the very best of its heritage operations, rolling stock and visitor experience. 

Over three days, the railway will come alive with an intensive timetable of over 50 train services. There will also be live music, vintage vehicles and a wide range of catering and attractions across stations along the Dee Valley.

 

The Gala will feature an impressive and authentic Great Western themed locomotive line-up, combining visiting guest engines and home fleet favourites.

Visitors can look forward to the appearance of rare GWR Pannier Tank No. 1369, making its first-ever visit to the railway, and the welcome return of Small Prairie No. 4555 to the Dee Valley for the first time in more than six decades. They will join the railway’s own much-loved locomotives, including resident Pannier Tank No. 7754 and powerful freight locomotive No. 3802, alongside Class 14 diesel D9525, which will be making its final appearances at Llangollen.

 

In a further enhancement to the event, visitors can also book exclusive footplate passes, offering a rare opportunity to travel in the cab of the railway’s resident steam locomotives (7754 & 3802) alongside the crew, experiencing the sights, sounds and atmosphere of railway operation at close quarters.

 

Iain Ross, organiser of the Branch Line Gala, said: “This Gala is all about recreating the magic, variety and authenticity of a classic rural branch line. The addition of the ‘Ruabon Rail Replacement’ shuttle strengthens that vision by making it easier for people to connect directly from the national network and become part of the experience from the moment they arrive.

 

“We are also delighted by the strong interest shown so far in our footplate passes, which provide an unforgettable perspective on heritage railway operation. With a superb mix of visiting locomotives and our own home fleet, plus further announcements still to come, this is shaping up to be our most ambitious Gala yet and a true celebration of everything that makes this railway special.”

 

In many ways, the event represents a powerful full-circle moment. The last train on the original Ruabon to Barmouth line passed through Llangollen on January 16 1965, bringing an end to main line railway operations in the Dee Valley. 

More than six decades later, the Branch Line Gala stands as a tribute to that legacy, celebrating the volunteers and supporters who have rebuilt and revitalised the route as one of the UK’s most loved heritage railways.

 

Further announcements, including additional attractions and programme details, will be made over the next two weeks as final preparations are made for what promises to be a landmark weekend in the railway’s calendar. The event timetable is already available online for enthusiasts to peruse.

 

* Tickets for the Branch Line Gala are on sale now - https://llan.hops.org.uk/tickets/branchline-gala/branch-line-gala

 

Health care in Wales requires 'bold action' says report

General practice and primary care in Wales has reached a critical point, with “bold action” needed to ensure more services can be delivered closer to people’s homes – easing pressure on hospitals and improving patients’ long-term wellbeing.

A new report by the Senedd’s Health and Social Care Committee, published on Friday 27 March 2026, warns that without more focus on primary and preventative care the NHS in Wales will continue to struggle to meet rising demand.

The Committee calls on the incoming Welsh Government to shift more services from secondary care into the community, making sure people have access to strong, well-resourced primary and preventative care earlier and more conveniently.

It stresses that this will require a carefully managed transition, with a commitment to double funding for a period of time.

Chair of the Senedd’s Health and Social Care Committee, Peter Fox MS, says:

“General practice and primary care are the cornerstone of our NHS. If we are to ease the growing pressures across the whole health system, we must shift towards prevention and ensure people can access services closer to home.

“This means investing in care that helps people stay well and receive treatment earlier in their communities, but doing so in a way that is safe, planned, and properly supported.

“Delivering a truly community focused model will require bold action, and we must restore patients’ trust in their local services. The message is clear, we cannot resolve the pressures in our hospitals unless we strengthen general practice and primary care.”

A long term prevention focused model

Unless the NHS prioritises prevention, demand will continue to outstrip capacity. The report argues that investing in general practice is one of the most effective ways to deliver preventative care, improve management of long-term conditions, and reduce avoidable hospital admissions. However, years of underinvestment and a declining GP workforce threaten progress. 

Reform of the GP funding formula

The funding formula used to allocate core funding to GP practices – the Carr-Hill model - no longer reflects the needs of the Welsh population. Some practices serving the most deprived communities receive significantly less funding despite higher levels of illness and greater demand.

The Committee warns that continuing with the current formula risks deepening inequalities and undermining the sustainability of general practice. It calls on the incoming Welsh Government to commit to reforming the formula, and publish the timescales for doing so.

“8am scramble”

The morning rush for appointments remains one of the biggest frustrations for the public. For older people this can prevent access to care, while young people find the system incompatible with work and caring responsibilities.

Lack of continuity, short appointment times and overwhelming demand also contribute to the negative public perception.

The Committee is calling on the incoming Welsh Government to strengthen access standards, reduce reliance on time-limited booking windows, and rebuild trust by restoring continuity and communication with patients.

American Hi-Fi joins all-star line-up at Live at Llangollen Pavilion

* American Hi-Fi. Picture: Brittany Bossent.

Alternative rock band American Hi-Fi are joining an all-star lineup this summer as special guests for Bowling For Soup and Frank Turner & The Sleeping Souls joint headline show in North Wales.

The Texas pop-punk legends and folk punk royalty are bringing their Bowl My Bones tour to TK Maxx presents Live At Llangollen Pavilion on Friday July 3.

Final tickets are available at ticketmaster.co.uk

Best known for their worldwide smash hit Flavor Of The Weak, as well as tracks like The Art Of Losing, Another Perfect Day and The Geeks Get The Girls, this will be American Hi-Fi’s first trip to the UK in more than 10 years.

* Bowling for Soup. Picture: Jodi Cunningham.

American Hi-Fi frontman Stacy Jones said: “The UK holds a special place in our hearts. From legendary Reading and Leeds sets to our own massive headline nights, the fans here are world-class.

“We’re thrilled to be joining the Bowl My Bones Tour with our friends Bowling For Soup and Frank Turner, and so excited to mark our 25th anniversary.”

Meanwhile, both Bowling For Soup and Frank Turner are equally as excited to have American Hi-Fi on the tour.

BFS frontman Jaret Reddick added: “I’m a huge Frank Turner fan…everyone knows that! I love his music and I love just sitting around and talking to him because he reads books and I don’t! So to finally be able to do a proper tour together is a literal dream come true.

“Now with American Hi-Fi in the mix, it is going to be absolutely epic! We love those dudes and they are the icing on the proverbial cake!”

And Frank Turner said: “Touring the UK with Bowling For Soup was shaping up to be a level of awesome that was frankly dangerous to the public, so we thought we’d add a chaperone to calm things down. Unfortunately, we made a gross error, and now we have American Hi-Fi on the bill as well, which means it’s going to be a borderline unstable mix of good times and good tunes. I’m terrified and totally stoked!”

* Frank Turner and the Sleeping Souls.

Bowling For Soup have spent the past 30 years proving they’re not just a band – they are a guaranteed good time – with live shows which feel less like concerts and more like backyard parties with thousands of friends.

Their UK breakthrough came in 2000 with The Bitch Song, followed by the GRAMMY-nominated hit Girl All The Bad Guys Want, 1985 and High School Never Ends – tracks that helped cement their place in pop-punk history.

Frank Turner’s career has been built on relentless touring, heartfelt songwriting and a deep connection to his fans. Since going solo in 2005, Turner has released 10 studio albums and played more than 3,000 live shows with his long-time backing band The Sleeping Souls.

His 2022 album FTHC became his first UK Number 1, following four consecutive Top 3 records. His latest release, Undefeated debuted at Number 3 on the Official Album Chart and topped the Independent Album Chart. With more than 1million records sold worldwide and a catalogue that blends punk spirit with folk storytelling, Turner has earned a reputation as one of the most compelling live performers of his generation.

Together Bowling For Soup and Frank Turner & The Sleeping Souls bring a shared love for turning gigs into unforgettable nights. The Bowl My Bones Tour isn’t just a double bill – it’s a full-throttle celebration of connection, community and the kind of live music that sticks with you long after the final chord.

Bowling For Soup and Frank Turner & The Sleeping Souls joint headline show is part of an incredible summer lineup for TK Maxx presents Live At Llangollen Pavilion, which also features Rick Astley, Billy Ocean, Deacon Blue, Tom Grennan, David Gray and Pete Tong’s Ibiza Classics.

* For more information about TK Maxx Presents Live at Llangollen Pavilion go to llangollen.net

FOLLOW BOWLING FOR SOUP WEBSITE | INSTAGRAM | FACEBOOK | TIKTOK | SPOTIFY | YOUTUBE

FOLLOW FRANK TURNER WEBSITE | INSTAGRAM | FACEBOOK | TIKTOK | SPOTIFY | YOUTUBE

FOLLOW AMERICAN HI-FI  INSTAGRAM | FACEBOOK | YOUTUBE | TIKTOK

Plas Newydd is setting for launch of Historic Denbighshire's new season

* Manager Paul Evans shows people around during the tour of Plas Newydd.

Historic/Hanesyddol Denbighshire launched its 2026 visitor season for Plas Newydd, along with Nantclwyd Dre and the Gaol in Ruthin, at the historic home of the Ladies of Llangollen this morning (Friday).

Influencers from across north Wales were invited and were given a guided tour of Plas Newydd as part of the event. 

* Below are various interior scenes from Plas Newydd.

* Above and below: An exhibition on the lives the Ladies of Llangollen.

*Costumes of the style worn by the Ladies.

Police warning follows spate of thefts in the area

Home and vehicle owners in Llangollen are being encouraged to take extra precautions following a spate of recent thefts in surrounding areas.

North Wales Police Wrexham Rural says on a Facebook post: "Home and vehicle owners are being encouraged to take extra precautions following a spate of recent thefts in Wrexham.

"Several reports of vehicle thefts, car key thefts and burglaries have been made to us in areas of Penycae, Rhosymedre, Llay and Llangollen.

"We are urging residents to take extra steps to protect their homes and vehicles.

"Here are some steps to prevent your home or vehicle from being targeted:

- Lock doors and windows

- Hide car keys and keyless fobs from line of sight

- Don’t leave valuable items in vehicles

- Use outdoor lighting or motion sensors to remove dark hiding spots

- Consider tracking devices for high value items

- Install CCTV / driveway bollards where possible

- Use signal-blocking pouches for keyless fobs

- Check any in-car security systems are activated

Anyone who sees suspicious activity in their area is urged to contact us via our website or by calling 101.

In an emergency, or if a crime is in progress, 999 should be used.

Always report any suspicious behaviour in your neighbourhood to us.

Further advice on keeping homes and vehicles secure is available on our website https://orlo.uk/8u1pP

Operatic's fun Easter event to raise money for upcoming show

Llangollen Operatic Society have a fun Good Friday event planned to raise funds for their forthcoming production of The Great British Bake Off Musical, to be staged at the Town Hall from April 22-25.

 

Proposed Glyndwr National Park faces public inquiry

Welsh Government have today confirmed that the proposed Glyndŵr National Park will now face a public inquiry.

This is a result of objections received from statutory consultees after the designation order was submitted by Natural Resources Wales in January confirming that the proposed area met the criteria for a National Park.

Gareth Ludkin, Policy Manager at Campaign for National Parks, welcomed this announcement, stating: “A public inquiry is an important next step which will further clarify the desirability of a National Park in the area and provide more opportunity to demonstrate the benefits that National Parks can bring.

"The consultation process clearly left questions unanswered for Local Authorities and we are pleased to see a public inquiry announced. An inquiry of this type is a pretty typical process for new National Parks to go through, so it is essential that the next Welsh Government conducts this consultation in a thorough and timely manner to allow a final decision to be made on the National Park.

"It has been encouraging to see that at least 66% of people consulted showed at least conditional support for the proposed National Park. We think a future Welsh Government has an opportunity here to be bold and creative with this new opportunity, establishing an exemplar National Park fit for the 21st century and future generations."

"National Park designation is the strongest legal protection we have to protect and enhance wildlife, natural beauty and cultural heritage

"It's so important that local communities are fully engaged in the future direction of the National Park to ensure a deep understanding and appreciation of the National Park’s potential. If established, we want to see local people fully engaged with the future development of a management plan for the area, helping to shape its future.”