Healing Prayer event at Penllyn Chapel this Saturday

No chickening out when it comes to raising cash for air ambulance

                       

Three hundred pounds was raised for the Welsh Air Ambulance by an Easter quiz organised and run by former Llangollen Mayor and current town cryer Austin "Chem" Cheminais at Gale's Wine Bar last night (Thursday).

The quizmaster (pictured) delighted the quizzers by appearing dressed as an Easter chick.

A large number of teams took part in the event which had five rounds of questions, all on an Easter theme. 

Winners were a team calling themselves Eleven Marzipan Balls, which was also the answer to a question asking what adorns a traditional Easter simnel cake.

NatWest ATM to be reinstated after uncertainty over its future

* Councillor Damon Richards-Gwilliam pictured at the boarded up site of the ATM. Image: Cameron Richards. 

The NatWest ATM on Castle Street in Llangollen is set to be reinstated following concerns raised by residents, businesses and town councillor Damon Richards-Gwilliam.

Following a break-in December of last year, the ATM was taken out of service and placed under review by NatWest, with uncertainty around whether it would return. 

As the review period continued without clarity, concerns grew locally that the machine could be permanently removed, further reducing the towns cash infrastructure. 

In response, Cllr Richards-Gwilliam engaged directly with NatWest, making clear representations on behalf of residents and local businesses, and pressing the importance of maintaining free and convenient access to cash in the town which no longer has a bank branch. 

Following this engagement, NatWest has now confirmed that it intends to reinstate the ATM with a new machine as soon as logistically possible.

Delighted by this news, Cllr Richards-Gwilliam said: "This is a very welcome outcome for Llangollen.

"Given the length of time the ATM had been under review, there was real concern locally that it may not return. I therefore felt it was important to raise this directly with NatWest and ensure the strength of feeling locally was clearly understood. 

"I'm pleased that NatWest has listened and recognised how important this service is to our community. Access to cash remains vital for residents, businesses and visitors alike, particularly for the more vulnerable members of our community, and in a busy tourist town with no bank branches it is essential that infrastructure remains in place. This is about ensuring free, resilient and reliable access to cash in our town as a whole, not just the provision of a single machine. 

"I would like to thank everyone who took the time to raise their concerns with me, this outcome shows the strength of feeling locally and the value of making our voices heard.

“If I can be of any support to residents or local businesses on this matter or any other please feel free to email me at cllrrichards-gwilliam@llangollentowncouncil.gov.uk or write to me at Cllr Damon Richards-Gwilliam, Llangollen Town Council, Town Hall, Parade Street, Llangollen, LL20 8PW”

Cllr Richards-Gwilliam added that he will continue to monitor the situation to ensure the ATM is brought back into operation as soon as possible.

He also indicated that he will be exploring a formal request for an Access to Cash assessment to ensure that Llangollen has sufficient, resilient and free-to-use cash infrastructure to meet the needs of residents, businesses and visitors.

Shea has to admit his career swap was one big April Fool's joke

* Shea Ferron today ... it was a joke!

Young local entertainer Shea Ferron's April Fool's Day gag rather walzed away with him. 

On his Facebook page yesterday he solemnly described in a short video how he was planning a marked change of career from a song and dance man and member off the famous Johns' Boys choir to a ballet dancer.

Shea, who stands well over 6ft tall, said: "After careful consideration, I have decided to take a step away from the acting and singing and start my training at the Royal Ballet School, to peruse my dream of becoming a professional ballet dancer.

"After seeing me on an episode of Motorway Cops dressed in my ballet vest in 2022, teachers at the school knew the potential I had and have finally offered me a place on their course."

He was referring to a nasty road accident - from which he walked away unhurt - when a camera recorded him wearing a rather fetching black ballet singlet.

* Shea is yesterday's video dressed in that ballet vest.

He added: "I’d like to thank all who have supported me, and to my agents @zenithartistmgt for encouraging me to do it. I cannot wait to see what my future in ballet holds."

Most people who commented on the post got the joke and realised it was fake. But apparently not the BBC journalist who contacted him asking if would like to do a story about his big career swap.

So today Shea was back on Facebook to stress that it had all been a April Fool's gag.

He said: "Thank you to everyone who gave me their support. But it was a joke!

"And I want to say that before any more journalists from the BBC get in touch asking if I'd be interested in doing a story. It's a fake, it's not real!"

His admission was filmed behind the scenes at the Epstein Theatre in Liverpool where is appearing as the Tin Man in the Easter-time panto Wizard of Oz, which opens tomorrow and runs until April 9, and to which he gave a plug.

A fellow cast member who was alongside him confirmed: "That's right. He ain't no Darcey Bussell!"

Now you can follow llanblogger on WhatsApp

Llanblogger now has its own WhatsApp channel

* Follow the Llanblogger channel on WhatsApp: https://whatsapp.com/channel/0029Vb7ehhp6hENqKMFCgd1B

Despite a stolen bike Westhead lads battle on into Asia

* The Westheads flew across the Caspian Sea from eastern Europe into Asia.

As they arrived in Asia one of the first things that happened to the three young friends from the Llangollen area cycling to Thailand was one of them having their bike stolen.

Dyfan Hughes, 18, from Llangollen, Louis Dennis, 19, from Garth, and James Thomas,19, from Wrexham aim to pedal the 10,000 miles to the Far East in memory of Tony Edge, the father of a friend who died following a heart attack in 2024, raising money for a heart charity along the way.

The intrepid trio, calling themselves the Westheads, had just flown across the Caspian Sea from Georgia to Aktau in Kazakhstan when they stopped at a shop for some supplies. They left their bikes outside and Louis came out to find his had disappeared. 

The good news is that it was found after about an hour and they were able to resume their journey, first stocking up on all the bottled water they could carry as they headed off into the desert.

They spent the next couple of days battling high temperatures and wind. And running out of water despite loading up beforehand they hit a lowpoint when they had to drink the juice from a tin of tuna, which they called "going all Bear Grylls."

Even more water loaded aboard their bikes it was back on the road to the town of Beyneu from where they took a train into neighbouring Uzbekistan. Once there, pedalling off again they had reached a town named Karakalpakia by early today (Thursday).

There was another small setback when Louise took a tumble from his bike and sustained a cut on his arm but that didn't stop him getting back in the saddle.

The lads set out from Lllangollen Football Club's HQ last August on their marathon ride which they reckon will take them at least 18 months to complete. 

Originally, they aimed to raise £10,000 for the British Heart Foundation but, so far, well-wishers following their daily social media updates have pledged more than £24,000 to their cause.

* To follow the journey on their social media and make a donation if you wish, go to: https://linktr.ee/westheads

Live music features in railway's Branchline Gala

* Chris Greve will play on Saturday April 11.

Llangollen and Corwen Railway is gearing up for one of the biggest events in its calendar, as its Branchline Gala returns for three full days from April 10 to 12 bringing together an exciting mix of steam, heritage traction and live entertainment in the heart of the Dee Valley. 

As part of the weekend’s programme visitors will be treated to a special evening of live music, as Chris Greve and Friends take to the stage on Saturday April 11 at 6pm in the Station Master’s Marquees, located on the ramp at the front of Llangollen Railway Station.

 

The performance offers visitors the chance to relax and enjoy live music after a day experiencing the Gala’s intensive timetable and attractions.

 

Chris Greve is a musician and songwriter known for his distinctive blend of UK Americana with strong Celtic influences. Born in London, raised in Calgary, Canada, and now based in Llangollen, Chris brings an international flavour to his performances. He began playing guitar at the age of four and has spent many years recording and performing both as a solo artist and with his band Claymore.

 

Joining Chris on stage will be champion fiddler Richard Powell, bringing fiddle and mandolin magic to the performance and adding an extra layer of energy and musicianship to the evening. The night will also feature solo sets from John Hughes, the Singing Farmer, adding further variety and entertainment to the line-up.

 

Chris has earned praise from audiences across the UK and beyond, with performances described as “an evening constructed of a high quality songlist, abundant musical talent and charm,” while others have highlighted his “amazing sound” and energetic, engaging style. One reviewer summed it up by saying, “You won’t notice Chris off stage, once on stage though, his voice will cut the air like a knife and shake your soul like a tree in a storm.”

 

Chris Greve said: "It’s really special to be performing here in Llangollen. The railway is such an iconic part of the town, and to be able to play music in that setting, with friends, is something I’m really looking forward to. After a day at the Gala, it’s the perfect way to wind down, and we’re excited to put on a great show for everyone."

 

Iain Ross, Branchline Gala organiser, said: "We’re really pleased to be welcoming Chris Greve and Friends to the Gala this year. It’s a fantastic addition to what is already a packed weekend, and gives visitors the chance to enjoy some high-quality live music in a unique setting. The Station Master’s Marquees will be a great place to round off the day, and we’re sure it will be a very popular part of the event."

 

Across the three-day Gala, visitors can expect an impressive mix of home fleet and visiting locomotives, including the return of 1924 built GWR Small Prairie No. 4555 to the Dee Valley for the first time since 1964, the final running days of visiting Class 14 D9525, and home fleet favourites Pannier Tank No. 7754 and Heavy Freight 2-8-0 No. 3802. Taking centre stage will be GWR No. 1369, a 1366 Class 0-6-0 pannier tank designed by Charles Collett and built at Swindon Works in 1934. With only six ever built and No. 1369 now the sole surviving example, its appearance promises to be a rare and unmissable highlight for visitors and enthusiasts alike.

 

Special highlights also include the opportunity to take part in unique footplate experiences, giving visitors the chance to ride aboard working steam locomotives, as well as free vintage shuttle buses linking the railway with the national network at Ruabon Railway Station, adding to the atmosphere and accessibility of the event.

 

The event is free for all Branchline Gala ticket holders, with entry available for just £5 for non-ticket holders.

 

* For more information and to book tickets, visit: https://llangollen-railway.co.uk/branchline-gala/