County council promises action on Llantysilio flooding problem

 

* Alex Hammond's picture of water coursing across the A542 carriageway after heavy rainfall.

Two years after it was first reported to them by a concerned local resident Denbighshire County Council (DCC) have told him they will take action to cure a flooding problem in Llantysilio.

Back in the winter of 2024 Alex Hammond got in touch with the council to tell them about flooding on the A542 Abbey Farm/Grange to Britannia Inn in periods of heavy rainfall.

But he claims that despite some work being carried out his enquiry was closed and the flooding continued.

Llanblogger took up the case last Friday morning and soon afterwards Mr Hammond was contacted by a senior council engineer telling him a potential solution would be undertaken as soon as possible.

Mr Hammond said when he contacted llanblogger: “I first raised this issue with the council in February 2024. DCC closed out my enquiry saying they would investigate but then did nothing. Here we are two years later and nothing has changed.

“I sent them photos of the situation before Christmas with water running down the road. They did some work and exposed drains that had been covered over and blocked some time before but still weren't clearing the water off the road.

“Then after Christmas I sent more video showing where the issues lay with the tarmac surface diverting water away from the drains. One of their team confirmed awareness of the issue and advised remedial work was needed in better weather.  

“Now they have closed the ticket because someone is going to take a look and advise next actions. This is exactly what happened two years ago and nothing more happened. DCC closed my first enquiry two years ago saying it would be investigated and nothing happened afterwards.

“This is how major incidents or accidents and fatalities are allowed to happen by those responsible for preventing them.” 

Shortly after llanblogger asked DCC for a response last Friday, a senior council engineer emailed Mr Hammond to say: “A colleague was inspecting the resurfacing works currently being undertaken on the Horseshoe Pass earlier this morning and I took the opportunity to ask him to investigate the issue of the surface water discharging across the carriageway whilst he was in the same location.

“He has confirmed a potential solution to the issue by proposing to construct a concrete channel in the nearside verge to direct the water into the gully lower down the road. I agree with the proposal and we shall now proceed to undertake the works as soon as possible.”

DCC has been contacted for an official comment.

My struggle to get sheep's carcass removed from our river

* The river is now free of the sheep's carcass.

UPDATE: The sheep was moved voluntarily after 11.30am by one of the local raft guides - not any of the authorities one thought should have been responsible. I'd like to say thanks on behalf of the town to whoever moved it.

* Our bit of the River Dee is in Wales and not England, I had to inform the Canal & River Trust. I do have a picture of the sheep but I believe it is is too distressing to show.

Apart from the obvious environmental implications, having a dead sheep wallowing in the River Dee is distressing for both residents and visitors to this tourist town of ours.

That's why I've spent quite some time trying to report it to the authority responsible for removing it.

One might believe exactly which authority was pretty obvious. I first thought it was the Canal & River Trust. After all, the clue is in the title.

So last Saturday morning I rang their office covering Wales only to encounter a call handler who didn't have too firm a grasp on the spot where the deceased sheep was lying.

I told him it was in the middle of the River Dee within Riverside Park, Llangollen, Denbighshire.

"Ah well, I'm afraid that's not our responsibility as we don't handle the River Dee. It would be up to the local authority and the Dee means it would be Chester West and Cheshire."

Baffled, I asked him if he knew that this particular bit of the Dee was actually in Wales and not Cheshire, i.e England.

There was some shuffling in the background as he obviously checked out an online mapping resource and replied that I was quite right, it was in Wales, so the local council I'd have to report it to was the one covering that area.

I was far from satisfied but by this time I'd come up with a better idea - why not try Natural Resources Wales (NRW) who, I reasoned, must look after any unwanted objects causing potential environmental hazards in a Welsh river.

Another call and another very polite and helpful call handler brought me another negative response.

No, I was told, NRW wasn't responsible for shifting dead animals from the country's rivers, even one as well used and visited as ours. Try the local council, I was again informed.

I therefore rang Denbighshire County Council, only to learn from the automated response that they wouldn't be open until 8.30am on Monday. 

Dutifully, I rang again first thing this morning, only to be put on hold and told - three times - that my call would be answered as soon as an advisor became available, which they did not.

It was the same story every one of the four other times I tried to get through to "nerve-centre" of our county council. So, for now, I have given up and spending about 20 minutes hanging fruitlessly on the line. Let me say this is, frankly, an appalling service from the county council.

Meanwhile, the poor sheep was still there at around 11.30am and filling up with gases which I fear may lead to it exploding and causing a big environmental problem for the river in which so many people either canoe or paddle.

By the way, if anybody knows which farmer this sheep belongs to they please let them know it needs removing from the Dee as soon as possible.

Former Llangollen Mayor slams local health board as a 'monster'

* Former Mayor Stuart Davies has spoken out.

A former Mayor of Llangollen has spoken to the BBC out about current problems with the health board which covers North Wales, calling it  a "monster that will never work."

* For the full story and Stuart Davies's comments, go to: https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/c1l9v2ml9vzo

Speed restriction planned for resurfacing of Abbey Road

* A map showing where the speed restriction will apply. The restricted road is shown in yellow.

A speed restriction will be in place on Abbey Road, Llangollen, from April 13-30. This is required to so that resurfacing works by Denbighshire County Council can go ahead. 

The council says access will be available for pedestrians while the restriction is in place.

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

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