Minister gets back to llanblogger about health centre services

* Could Llangollen Health Centre one day include additional services?

llanblogger has had a response to the question it posed to Wales's new health minister about the future use of Llangollen Health Centre.

But it's a little soon to get our hopes up about any addition to its services because the email we received is a standard reply from his press team.

Last week we noted that Mabon Ap Gwynfor, the man who spearheaded the campaign to save Llangollen's much-loved Cottage Hospital over a decade ago, had just become Wales's new health minister following the Senedd election which saw the return of a Plaid Cymru government.

Back in September 2012 and then a Plaid activist, he called a public meeting at the Hand Hotel to form an action group to safeguard health services in Llangollen and halt controversial proposals by the Betsi Cadwaladr University Health Board which included closing the Cottage Hospital and replacing it with a new primary care health centre elsewhere in the town.

The action group formed at that time, known as Keep Llangollen Health Services (KLHS), campaigned hard to save the hospital but it closed and was demolished a couple of years later to be replaced by the £5 million health centre we have now. 

At the time, some people recollect suggestions that the new centre would include in-patient beds and possibly a minor injuries unit, both of which had been provided at the Cottage Hospital. 

But, to date, no in-patient beds or minor injuries unit have been provided although there are often demands from the public for these to be included in the replacement building.

Mabon Ap Gwynfor, who went on to become a Denbighshire county councillor then a Senedd Member, is now one of the most important figures in the newly-formed Plaid Cymru government with 55% of the day-to-day Welsh budget being spent on the health service. 

After his appointment llanblogger said it would be interesting to have the new minister's views on whether Llangollen Health Centre could be further developed to provide the lost services. 

We therefore emailed him to ask but the response was not promising, although it must be remembered that he had been only days in office.

A spokesperson for the new Welsh Government said: “The First Minister has now appointed his Cabinet which he has said will have a relentless focus on doing what’s best for Wales. Each Minister will be setting out their priorities shortly.”

Maybe we'll ask him again once he's settled in.

Llangollen Youth Centre to have gala re-opening next month

Llangollen Youth Centre is to have its gala re-opening on Wednesday June 17 following a programme of investment by Denbighshire Youth Services.

Families First and Flying Start will now have a Family Hub based within the centre alongside youth services.

The two organisations say they will work together to provide support, activities and opportunities for local children, young people and families.

An open invitation is going out to local families and the community to join in the re-opening event next month.

From 1-2.30pm there will be a family play session for children up to the age of four when the centre can be explored and the services described. Organisers say healthy wraps and refreshments will be available.

The official opening ceremony will take place between 2.30 and 3pm with invited guests and stakeholders.

From 3pm onwards the youth centre and field will be open to everyone with activities for young people and the whole family including circus skills, bushcraft, messy play and activities by Denbighshire Leisure, Denbighshire Play Rangers and Youth Services, face painting. Refreshments will be available throughout the event, which lasts from 1-6pm.

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 
WEBSITE | INSTAGRAM | FACEBOOK

 

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: