Health board staying in Special Measures 'is no surprise' says MS

* Darren Millar MS.

Leader of the Welsh Conservatives and Clwyd West MS Darren Millar has expressed his "deep concern" at last week's announcement that Betsi Cadwaladr University Health Board, which covers Llangollen, is to remain in Special Measures, but said it comes as no surprise.  

The troubled health board was first placed in Special Measures back in 2015 due to serious concerns about governance, leadership, and the quality of care. 

It remained in this position for over five years before moving to Targeted Intervention in November 2020, shortly before a Senedd election. 

It was subsequently placed back into Special Measures in February 2023 and has now spent longer in Special Measures than any other organisation in the history of the NHS.     

Commenting on last week's announcement, Mr Millar, who days earlier called for an independent body to make decisions about special measures and intervention in the Welsh NHS, rather than politicians, said: "Last week's announcement that the Betsi Cadwaladr University Health Board will remain in Special Measures will come as no surprise to the people of North Wales.
 
"They know from their own personal experiences, and those of loved ones and friends, that the health board is failing on many levels and has been for years. 

"It was first placed in Special Measures, and therefore under direct control of the Welsh Government, back in 2015 and this latest announcement has confirmed that the situation is no better all these years on.     

"Patients, families and frontline staff deserve so much more than promises and reports. We are demanding action and improvement. 

"Only days before this announcement, it was reported in the press that an elderly patient died in an Emergency Department corridor in Ysbyty Glan Clwyd -  on her own and in view of other patients. The situation is simply barbaric.

"As I recently stated, with Welsh Government Ministers responsible for making decisions about intervention arrangements, politics often comes first. I want patients to be put first instead.  

"An independent decision making process is needed to remove the politics, deliver rapid improvement, and give patients the service and care that is currently lacking."

Mr Millar added: "We have wonderful staff working in our NHS here in North Wales, but like the patients they serve, they are being let down.   

"Special measures are meant to be a wake-up call for improvements, not a permanent state."  

Pavilion packed for International Women's Day celebration

* A crowded Pavilion for the International Women's Day celebration.

Hundreds turned up to enjoy a free community celebration for International Women's Day held at the Llangollen Pavilion yesterday (Sunday). 

The day's events were organised by the Floral Team of the Llangollen International Musical Eisteddfod.

Team secretary Diana Ballard said: "Entry as free with no booking required. Everyone was welcome to inspiring talks, live entertainment, browse local crafts, artisans and exhibitors. 

"There was also a photo competition, entitled This Is My Joy, in which we encouraged women of all ages to take part. Prizes were awarded on the day."

* All pictures by Jeanette Robinson

* Soprano Clare Harrison entertains.

* Heather Aspinwall speaks about the Welsh Women's Peace Petition.

* Llangollen Museum's Gillian Smith gives her talk on The Hidden History of the Women of Llangollen.

* A colourful floral display.

* A dance group go through their paces.

Free celebration of International Women's Day at the Pavilion today

 

A free community celebration for International Women's Day will take place at Llangollen Pavilion today (Sunday March 8) from 10am-4pm. 

The day's events he have been organised by the Floral Team of the Llangollen International Musical Eisteddfod.

Team secretary Diana Ballard said: "Entry will be free with no booking required. Everyone is welcome to inspiring talks, live entertainment, browse local crafts, artisans and exhibitors. 

"There will also be a photo competition, entitled This Is My Joy, in which we encourage women of all ages to take part. Prizes awarded on the day."

* Details about how to apply for the competition are below:

Programme

* For more details go to the event's Facebook page at: https://www.facebook.com/events/1438735061110500/ 

Road closure alert for Pengwern

A road closure will be in place covering the stretch from Pen y Coed Road up towards Pengwern junction from March 9-13. 

The closure is required for resurfacing works being carried out as part of the active travel works along Brook Street and Pengwern.

* For more information on the project, go to: https://bit.ly/3Lz1rGB

Town to see red with its big Wuthering Heights day

Llangollen will be seeing red one day next June. Lots of it, in fact.

Because that's the colour at the heart of the town's first Most Wuthering Heights Day Ever, in which 250 Kate Bush fans come together in the grounds of the Plas Newydd historic house to dance to the singer's iconic 1978 hit of the same name.

For the past couple of years similar events have been held across Britain. But this will definitely be a first for Llangollen.

And it's all the more remarkable given that the local lady whose brainchild it is and who has spent months leading the dedicated team making her dream come true began her task soon after learning she was terminally ill.

Moira Gleed explained: "A few months back in 2025 someone sent me a video of one of the Most Wuthering Heights Days Ever and what a revelation it turned out to be.

"It arrived in my WhatsApp at a grim time in my life after having received a diagnosis that I was terminally ill with cancer and would start palliative care. 

"What motivated me to look further into the possibility of putting on an event like this ourselves here in Llangollen was the looks on the participants' faces of pure joy and glee I saw on that video.

"Frankly, it delighted me and bucked me up hugely to see such positive jubilation on a big scale. I thought, why can't we do that here in Llangollen and enable folk to have a similar experience?

"So, this June 20 we'll have our own event, with a capacity 250 participants dancing to that famous song by Kate Bush.

"All tickets were sold within 11 days with scores of enquiries for more but we cannot increase capacity due to health and safety. 

"But there will be an open invitation for any number of family and loved ones and bystanders to enjoy the experience too in what must rank as one of the country's most unique Gothic settings of Llangollen's own Plas Newydd - a real storybook backdrop for such an amazing piece of literature telling of the obsessive and destructive 'love' of Heathcliff and Cathy Earnshaw.

"Our professional choreographers Karen Lyon and Sarah Bright will lead the dance from the front on stage and they are currently preparing videos that will be sent out to ticket holders so they can in a bit of practice beforehand."

As they arrive dancers, wearing red dresses or items as requested, will be led to the lawned area with the stone circle where the dance will take place. 

At noon there will be picnics, with entertainment during lunch being provided by the day's MC Charlie Jones plus local musicians and some interviews with the red-clad dancers. 

The actual performance starts at 1.30pm - with options for encores if requested.

Professional photographer Jane Evans from Garth will be on hand to capture scenes from the memorable day.

Moira added: "People are coming from far and wide - London to Cumbria, the North West to Yorkshire and beyond and of course more locally.

"We still have a few details to work on but none of this could have been done without our amazing team who drive this thing ever forward. 

"Full credit goes to them for listening to the ramblings of yours truly and still being prepared to stick their necks out and do something so totally different to what's been tried before in Llangollen. What an amazing crew they are!

"All money raised will go to Welsh Women's Aid to help with the amazing work they do across our country.

"Thanks everyone for reading this and we hope to see you all on Saturday June 20 at Plas Newydd."

Temporary road closure in the Pengwern area

* A plan locating the section of roads to be closed and showing the recommended alternative routes.

There will be a temporary road closure at the end of this month to allow further work on the Active Travel scheme in the Pengwern area.

According to Denbighshire County Council, this affects the length of Pengwern extending southward from its junction with Maes Pengwern for a distance of approximately 130 metres, and that length of Trem yr Ysgol which extends southward from its junction with Pengwern for a distance of approximately 30 metres,

The period of closure is from March 30 into April and a recommended alternative route is Pengwern.

Pedestrian access through the closed section will be maintained throughout the period of the restriction, adds the council.

Railway serves up some tasty tweaks to afternoon teas

Llangollen and Corwen Railway has announced an enhancement to its popular Afternoon Tea on the Dee services following feedback from customers and careful planning by its catering and events team. 

From this season onwards all afternoon tea tables will now be private, regardless of party size. In addition, two afternoon tea services will operate on running dates: a 12.20pm departure returning at 2.30pm, and a 3.15pm departure returning at 5.04pm.

 

The changes come after listening closely to customer comments about table sharing and comfort. Previously, smaller parties could be seated together unless they chose to pay a supplement for a private table. The new format removes that option entirely, ensuring every booking enjoys its own dedicated table.

 

Jordan Edge, Catering Supervisor at the Llangollen and Corwen Railway, explained “We have spent time reviewing guest feedback and discussing how we can improve the overall experience. Sharing tables can sometimes feel awkward for guests who don’t know each other, and it also creates practical challenges when serving food, particularly where dietary requirements or allergens are involved.

 

“By moving to fully private tables and introducing a second sitting, we can deliver a more relaxed, comfortable and premium experience for everyone, while also increasing capacity in a sensible and manageable way. It’s a positive step for our customers and for the railway.”

 

Behind the scenes, detailed logistical planning has taken place to ensure smooth delivery. Numbered table plans will manage dietary requirements and allergens, food preparation will be streamlined, and teams will work to a structured turnaround between sittings to relay tables and reset the carriage efficiently.

 

Tickets are already selling well for the first services, which begin on Saturday April 25. The 12.20pm service is already sold out, with limited availability remaining on the 3.15pm departure.

 

Afternoon Tea on the Dee remains one of the railway’s most popular premium experiences, combining a full line return journey between Llangollen and Corwen with a traditional afternoon tea served at reserved tables aboard a heritage carriage. 

Guests enjoy freshly prepared sandwiches, fruit scones with jam and clotted cream, sweet treats and cakes, and tea or coffee, with the option to upgrade to include sparkling wine.

 

The improvements form part of a broader drive by the railway to enhance customer experience while maximising income from existing services, ensuring continued investment in infrastructure, rolling stock and visitor facilities.

 

* Tickets for upcoming Afternoon Tea on the Dee services are available now at: https://llangollen-railway.co.uk/afternoon-tea/