Wrexham makes long list for 2029 City of Culture

Wrexham are one step closer to securing the UK City of Culture 2029 title, as they officially make the longlist of finalists. Competing against 9 places from across the UK, the race to the top has officially begun. 

Wrexham is the only Welsh city bidding for the title, which provides an excellent opportunity to celebrate the uniqueness of Welsh culture and put the whole of Wales in the national spotlight by flying the flag for Wales.

Being longlisted helps to highlight the evolving story of Wrexham. As a county already steeped in culture, this recognition adds even more momentum to the incredible things already happening across the county, including the recently opened Creative Industries Hub, the soon-to-open National Football Museum for Wales, the exciting development of Stori Brymbo, the newly developed Public Art Trail and a growing calendar of vibrant cultural events. 

Looking ahead of the longlist, if Wrexham win the 2029 title, they could secure £10 million from the UK Government, helping to attract investment, boost tourism and improve access to arts and culture in the area and across the region. Winning could also help grassroots music and sport, support people working and living in the area, back new infrastructures, and generally make Wrexham an outstanding place to live, work and visit. 

Having narrowly missed out on the win in the 2025 competition, Wrexham are more eager than ever to declare victory this time round. But the title doesn’t just include boasting rights. It’s estimated that the investment could further generate more than £200 million for the whole region in years to come. This is something seen similarly by previous winners of the bid, with Hull and Bradford, for example, seeing positive outcomes from their initial investment. 

A Welsh city has yet to hold the UK City of Culture title. Success for Wrexham extends far beyond the city and its surrounding counties; a victory would provide a significant boost to the cultural profile of Wales as a whole. National support is vital to demonstrating why Wales is a worthy contender on the UK stage, with the whole country encouraged to back Wrexham’s bid.  

Amanda Evans, Culture Bid Director at Wrexham Community & Culture Trust comments:

“We are delighted to make the longlist and are more driven than ever to win the UK City of Culture title for 2029. 

“Winning the bid will help to secure a bright social and economic future for Wrexham, bringing new opportunities for people who live and work in the area, as well as supporting our arts and culture sector in more ways than ever before. This is a really, really exciting time for us and we are committing everything over the next few months to put Wrexham on a global stage and show why we are worthy of winning the title.”

“Thank you to everyone in Wrexham council who have supported our campaign so far. It’s always massively appreciated.”

Councillor Hugh Jones, Wrexham Council’s lead member with responsibility for City

of Culture, said: 

“This is fantastic news, and means we’re firmly in the race for UK City of Culture 2029.

“We can now move forward with confidence as we begin to build the case for making Wrexham the UK’s cultural focal point in 2029. Wrexham has so much to offer, and the competition will provide a fantastic platform for us to showcase the county borough.

“Congratulations to the bid team and Culture Trust for all their hard work – we are in it to win it.”

Wrexham will now be invited to submit a full application to the UK Government Department for Culture, Media & Sport by Summer 2026. This application will demonstrate Wrexham's ambition and ability to deliver, while creating a strong vision for culture in the county and show a panel of judges how the whole community is backing Wrexham's bid. 

Following the submission, a shortl

ist of up to 4 places will be announced in Autumn 2026. 

 

Another car sent to Ukraine with love from Llangollen

* Driver Kyle, left, hands over the vehicle to Ukrainian volunteer Maxim whose face is obscured for security reasons.

Money raised at charity evening in support of Ukraine early last month has paid for another vehicle to be sent to the the battle front out there.

On February 6 Anna’s Bakery hosted the special event at St Collen's Community Hall. 

And, thanks to the generosity of everyone who went along, members of Penllyn Chapel were able to purchase another car to help the Ukrainian cause. 

Fundraising by the church has already helped send a number of off-road vehicles to the country.

The latest car, with driver Kyle at the wheel along with Danny Fairbourne of the Ukraine Mission, set out across Europe on March 5 and arrived safely in the Ukraine five days later, where it was handed over to volunteer Maxim.

Anna, of Anna's Bakery, said: "This wouldn’t have been possible without the amazing support and generosity of everyone who attended. From the bottom of our hearts, thank you."

#CharityForUkraine #AnnaBakery 

New rail and walking tour to showcase Corwen history

* Louise Scotcher will leading walks up Pen Y Pigyn to get the best views of Corwen.

A new visitor experience combining a scenic heritage railway journey with a guided town walk is set to launch in the Dee Valley this spring, as Llangollen and Corwen Railway partners with Dee Valley Tours to introduce “Tren a Thref: The Corwen Heritage Adventure.”

 

The new experience will allow visitors to travel by heritage train from Llangollen to Corwen before joining a guided walking tour exploring the rich history, landscapes, and legends of one of North Wales’ most historic market towns.

 

The first tours will take place at the start of the Easter Holidays on Wednesday April 1 and Wednesday April 8.

 

Passengers will depart Llangollen Railway Station at 10am, enjoying a scenic journey through the Dee Valley before arriving in Corwen at 10.41am. After time to explore the town and join the guided experience, the return train departs Corwen at 1.45pm, arriving back in Llangollen at 2.20pm.

* Louise briefing one of her tour groups.

 

The guided tour will be led by Louise Scotcher from Dee Valley Tours, taking visitors on a journey through Corwen’s fascinating past. The tour explores everything from the Iron Age hill fort at Caer Drewyn and Roman influences on the medieval church, the rise of Owain Glyndŵr, and Corwen’s role as an important coaching town in later centuries.

 

Visitors will also have the option of joining a short walk up to Pen y Pigyn, a stunning viewpoint overlooking Corwen, the Dee Valley and the Clwydian Range. The walk offers dramatic scenery and local legends, including stories of the giant Drewyn and tales associated with Owain Glyndŵr himself.

 

For those who prefer a more relaxed pace, there will also be time to explore Corwen’s cafés, and local shops before returning to the station for the heritage train journey back to Llangollen.

 

Louise Scotcher from Dee Valley Tours said: “This tour is a wonderful way to bring Corwen’s history to life. The town has such a rich and fascinating story, from ancient hill forts and medieval legends to its role in Welsh history. Combining a heritage railway journey with a guided town walk allows visitors to experience the Dee Valley in a completely different way.”

 

The railway says the partnership highlights its growing role in promoting the wider heritage and tourism offer of the Dee Valley including the magic of Corwen.

 

Wayne Ronneback, Station Master at Corwen Railway Station, said: “We are really pleased to be working with Louise and Dee Valley Tours to promote and celebrate just some of the brilliant things about Corwen. The railway has brought trains back to the town, and this tour allows visitors to step off the train and immediately discover the rich history and stories that make Corwen such a special place.

 

“This really is a walking tour with a difference. Visitors will travel through the Dee Valley by heritage train, explore the town with a knowledgeable local guide and even have the option to climb to one of the best viewpoints in the area. It’s a fantastic way to experience the town, the landscape and the history all in one trip.”

 

Tickets for the new experience are £30 per person, with children’s tickets available for £6. The price includes a day rover ticket on Vintage Rail Car and the walking tour.

 

* Further details and booking information are available via the railway’s website at https://llan.hops.org.uk/tickets/special-events-in-2026/tren-a-thref

Eddie plans 200-mile canal hike in memory of his late wife Sarah

                              

* Sarah Bather: everyone felt better for spending time with her, says her husband. 

* Eddie and his late wife Sarah.

A man whose wife died from cancer at the age of just 46 is planning to walk over 200 miles from his Leeds to his Llangollen hometown along the canal network in her memory.

Eddie Bather also aims also set himself a target of raising £10,000 for Nightingale House Hospice which offered to provide her with care in her final days.

Eddie said: "My wife Sarah was a wonderful wife and a fantastic mother to our four children. She always had a smile on her face and everyone felt better for spending time with her. 

"She had a love for life that was unparalleled and was always planning or doing something, from her love of afternoon tea, theatre, holidays and jigsaws. A lot of people in the area will remember her as she worked at Llangollen doctors."

* The 203-mile canal route to be walked by Eddie, his brother Mike and Sarah's sisters Becky and Beth. 

He added: "Sarah died aged 46 on May 1 last year and the walk that myself, my brother Mike and Sarah's sisters Becky and Beth are undertaking is 203 miles along the canal footpath from Leeds to Llangollen. 

"We choose this route as Sarah was born in Leeds and passed away in Llangollen. The walk will take nine days and we will be walking nearly a marathon each day. It will take place between April 25 and May 3.

"The idea behind this was that when Sarah was ill she used to say getting up and down the stairs was like running a marathon!

"We are aiming to raise £10,000 for Nightingale house hospice. Although Sarah died at home, the hospice were on standby just in case we needed them and the work they carry out is vital for this community."

* To help Eddie reach his fundraising target, go to: Eddie Bather is fundraising for Nightingale House Hospice

MP calls for more help for people facing soaring heating oil prices

Clwyd East MP Becky Gittins (pictured) has written to Chancellor Rachel Reed asking if people using oil to heat their homes as prices rises due to the war in the Middle East can be given more support.

In a social media post on Friday the Labour member says: "Earlier this week I shared concerns about the sharp rise in heating oil prices and the impact this is having on many households across our rural communities.

"Since then, I have written to the Chancellor to see what further support can be given for people who rely on heating oil. The Government is also engaging with the energy industry and has asked the Competition and Markets Authority to urgently look at market practices and pricing in the sector.

"I know how worrying this situation is, particularly as many off-grid homes rely on heating oil to heat both their homes and their water.

"If you are struggling with energy costs, support may be available through schemes such as the Warm Homes Discount or the Welsh Government’s Nest Energy Advice service.

"If you would like to discuss this further or need help accessing support, please get in touch with my office at becky.gittins.mp@parliament.uk

Breaking: Horseshoe Pass closed by road traffic collision

Update on North Wales Live just before 3pm ...

The A542 Horseshoe Pass has been closed in both directions after a crash.

Police said the incident was on the pass near Llangollen.

They asked drivers to "avoid the area".

They later added that the crash involved a single vehicle that had hit a house. The Wales Air Ambulance has attended.

And from Leader Live this afternoon....

North Wales Police spokesperson said: "We were called at 10.50 today (Friday) to reports of a single vehicle road traffic collision on the Horseshoe Pass, near Llangollen.

"A car has left the road and struck a residential property."

North Wales Police posted on its Facebook page just before 11.45am today (Friday) that the A542 Horseshoe Pass in Llangollen is currently closed due to an RTC.

Police says: "Please avoid the area and consider alternative routes."