Young composer looks forward to premiere of his work at Eisteddfod

 

* Composer Sam Buttler is looking for ward to the premiere of his work, Greeting the Dawn.

One of Wales's brightest emerging composers is counting down to one of the biggest moments of his career as he prepares for the world premiere of his new work at the Llangollen International Musical Eisteddfod 2026. 

Cardiff-born composer Sam Buttler will premiere his new bilingual work, Greeting the Dawn, as the opening piece of the landmark concert Uniting Nations: One World on Tuesday July 7. 

The performance is the culmination of the Eisteddfod's Harmony Without Borders composition initiative, supported by the Arts Council of Wales, which was created to nurture the next generation of composers while celebrating Wales's rich musical heritage.

 

The world premiere will launch one of the most anticipated evenings in the festival's recent history, with Sir Karl Jenkins, President of the Eisteddfod for 2026, conducting his acclaimed One World later in the programme.

 

For Sam, seeing his music brought to life by choir and orchestra on one of the world's most famous musical stages is a dream come true.

 

"Preparations are going well," he said. "The singers are rehearsing and I hear they're having a great time learning the piece. I can't wait to hear it."

* A lot of notes: the manuscript of Sam's composition.

 

The title, Greeting the Dawn, draws inspiration from two iconic Welsh poems: Niwbwrch by Dafydd ap Gwilym and Y Wawr by Hedd Wyn. Together they tell the story of someone arriving in an unfamiliar place, receiving a warm welcome from its people before witnessing the beauty of a new dawn.

 

"I wanted to write something about being welcomed somewhere because I think that's a fundamental aspect of the Llangollen Eisteddfod and the Harmony Without Borders project," Sam explained. 

"The piece follows someone arriving in the evening, being welcomed by the town and its people, and then experiencing the dawn the following morning."

 

Writing a bilingual work for choir and orchestra presented both challenges and opportunities.

 

"The biggest challenge was the timescale," he said. "I like to live with my music for a while, but this had to be written quite quickly. I'd also never set Welsh text before, so that was a wonderful challenge and a real test of my Welsh language skills.

 

"The biggest joy has been writing for choir and orchestra together. There's something incredibly special about combining voices and orchestra. I love writing for large forces, so this has been a fantastic opportunity."

 

Asked what audiences can expect, Sam laughed: "A lot of notes! But also a real sense of joy and excitement."

 

More importantly, he hopes the work will set the tone for the entire festival.

 

"I hope it starts the Eisteddfod off with a bang. I hope people leave feeling that music has the power to unite us all. When people come together to sing and play, they create something magical, and I hope audiences leave with a sense of hope and wonder at what music can achieve."

 

Dave Danford, Artistic Director of the Llangollen International Musical Eisteddfod, said: "One of the most exciting parts of our work is creating opportunities for the next generation of composers, and Sam has embraced that opportunity brilliantly. Greeting the Dawn captures the warmth, welcome and international friendship that have defined the Llangollen International Musical Eisteddfod for almost 80 years.

 

"We're incredibly grateful to the Arts Council of Wales for supporting our Harmony Without Borders initiative, which has made this commission possible. Investing in new music and emerging talent is vital to ensuring the future of choral music remains vibrant and relevant.

 

"To open Eisteddfod 2026 with a world premiere by a young Welsh composer, before Sir Karl Jenkins conducts One World during his year as our President, is a powerful statement about who we are as a festival. We celebrate the world's greatest musical traditions while creating new ones, and we can't wait for audiences to hear Greeting the Dawn for the very first time."

 

The world premiere of Greeting the Dawn will open Uniting Nations: One World on Tuesday 7 July, before Sir Karl Jenkins conducts his celebrated One World, alongside a full performance of Peace Child: The Musical.

 

Together, the programme reflects the Eisteddfod's commitment to celebrating internationally renowned artists while nurturing the next generation of musical talent. It promises to be one of the defining moments of Eisteddfod 2026, celebrating peace, hope, creativity and the power of music to bring people together across cultures, generations and borders.

 

New Castell Dinas Bran dig reveals secrets from the past

Official diarist Sam Thomson gives a round-up of the latest archeological dig which has been taking place at Castell Dinas Bran delving into the site's rich history from the Iron Age to the medieval castle ...

"When the excavations on Dinas Bran came to an end the team, consisting of archaeologists from Heneb, Denbighshire National Landscapes Rangers and volunteers, had finally got to the bottom of one of the mysteries of the hillfort.

The rock-cut ditch as part of the defensive ramparts has been excavated down to the bedrock and it has been determined that it was around seven feet deep.

The wall of the ramparts would have been almost vertical, an incredible feat of engineering as it would require sheer willpower and a large community to construct it. Without doubt, this rock-cut ditch would have encircled the entire hillfort at a depth of around seven feet. The most common finds during this excavation has been iron slag form metallurgy, 13th century pottery fragments and nails, all waste from the occupation of the castle during its occupation in the 1200’s. All of the data gathered from this year’s excavation will supplement the evidence gathered from the 2025 excavation to collaborate a report that will piece together the phases of construction of Dinas Bran. We were all incredibly privileged to be a part of this excavation uncovering Dinas Bran’s illustrious history from the Iron age to the medieval castle, taking stock of the challenges we have overcome. It has been a privilege to be a part of the excavations of Dinas Bran once again and to work beside such wonderful and driven people. It might be the last time we get to unearth its secrets but never say never. The final dig diary for Dinas Bran will come out soon."

* Below are Sam's pictures from the dig ...

Rail driving simulator to feature in classic transport weekend

* Dylan enjoys driving the Class 507 driving simulator which will make its debut appearance at the Classic Transport Weekend this Saturday and Sunday.

Visitors to this year's Classic Transport Weekend at the Llangollen and Corwen Railway will have the rare opportunity to take the controls of a Class 507 train when an exclusive driving simulator makes an appearance at one of the UK's premier heritage transport events. 

Taking place on July 4 and 5, the Classic Transport Weekend has grown into one of the largest and most diverse celebrations of historic transport in Britain, attracting visitors from across the UK. 

Located in the historic waiting room at Llangollen Station, the simulator has been painstakingly created using genuine components rescued from withdrawn Merseyrail trains and offers a unique hands-on experience that railway enthusiasts are unlikely to find anywhere else in Wales.

 

The attraction is being brought to the Dee Valley by the Class 507 Preservation Society, a pioneering group formed in 2023 with the ambitious aim of preserving one of Merseyrail's iconic Class 507 electric multiple units for future generations.

 

Following a successful fundraising appeal, the society purchased unit 507001 from Angel Trains in January 2025 for the symbolic sum of just £1. Since then, the train has become one of the most talked-about preservation projects in the UK railway heritage sector.

 

The unit was a major attraction at Alstom's prestigious "The Greatest Gathering" event in 2025 and has since achieved another remarkable milestone by operating at speeds of up to 40mph on the Derby test track, making it the fastest preserved third-rail powered electric train in Britain.

 

Now, for the first time at the Llangollen and Corwen Railway, visitors will be able to experience what it is like to drive a Class 507 for themselves.

 

Using authentic controls and equipment salvaged from withdrawn units, the simulator places participants in the driver's seat for a virtual ten-minute journey through South Liverpool. Volunteers from the society will be on hand throughout the weekend to guide visitors through the experience and explain the group's ambitious plans to convert their preserved former Royal Train vehicle to battery power.

 

Tim Hines, one of the organisers of the Classic Transport Weekend, said: "We're absolutely delighted to be bringing the Class 507 simulator to this year's event. We are always looking for new and unique attractions, but this really is something special. This isn't simply a computer game. It's a simulator built using genuine railway equipment by a preservation group that is making headlines across the railway heritage world. For many people, this will be the closest they ever get to driving a modern electric train.

 

"The Class 507 project is one of the most exciting railway preservation stories in Britain right now and we're incredibly grateful to the Society for choosing our Classic Transport Weekend as one of the places where people can experience their work first-hand.

 

"Our Classic Transport Weekend has become one of the UK's leading heritage transport events, attracting visitors from across Britain. With close to 400 vehicles, intensive train services, vintage buses, the Froncysyllte Male Voice Choir, behind-the-scenes experiences and now the exclusive Class 507 simulator, visitors simply won't find another event quite like it anywhere else in the country."

 

Paul Knapton, Secretary-General of the Class 507 Preservation Society, said: “We are thrilled to be bringing our Class 507 driving simulator to the Llangollen and Corwen Railway for the first time.

 

"Our society was formed to preserve an important part of Britain's railway heritage and to tell the story of a class of train that carried millions of passengers across Merseyside for more than four decades. The simulator allows people to experience that story in a truly hands-on way.

 

"Built using genuine components recovered from withdrawn units, it provides a remarkably authentic driving experience. Whether you're a lifelong railway enthusiast or simply curious about what happens behind the controls, we're confident visitors will enjoy the opportunity to drive a virtual Class 507 through South Liverpool.

 

"We'll also be sharing the incredible story of 507001, from being acquired for just £1 to becoming one of the most ambitious electric railway preservation projects in the country. Visitors will be able to learn more about our pioneering plans to fit batteries to the unit allowing the sights and sounds of classic electric traction to be recreated away from the 3^rd rail for generations to come.”

 

The Class 507 simulator joins an already packed programme for the Llangollen and Corwen Railway's Classic Transport Weekend, which takes place on Saturday 4 and Sunday 5 July.

 

The event will feature close to 400 classic vehicles, including cars, buses, motorcycles, tractors, military vehicles and commercial vehicles, alongside intensive steam, diesel and heritage railcar services operating throughout the Dee Valley.

 

On Saturday evening, visitors can also enjoy Party in the Park at Glyndyfrdwy Station, featuring a special performance by the internationally acclaimed Froncysyllte Male Voice Choir in a beautiful field next to the station from 6pm.

 

* For more information and tickets, visit: https://llangollen-railway.co.uk/classic-transport-weekend/

Latest local roadworks update from Denbighshire County Council

Latest local roadworks update from Denbighshire County Council is: 

OPPOSITE 14 PENGWERN, 21/07/2026 - 23/07/2026, Gwaith Dwr / Water Works HAFREN DYFRDWY 

Full extent ROAD FROM PENGWERN TO TYN CELYN, 24/07/2026 - 26/07/2026, Rheolaeth traffig i hwyluso mynediad i safle Camp VC, / Traffic management to facilitate access to Camp VC site, VC LONDON LTD, Ffordd ar Gau/Road Closure

Approx. 256m SE from OS Tyn Dwr Farm to opposite the entrance of Yew Tree, TYN DWR ROAD, 15/07/2026 - 16/07/2026, Gwaith BT/ BT Works, Ffordd ar Gau/Road Closure

Heol y Farchnad / Market Street, 10/10/2026 - 11/10/2026, Gwyl Fwyd Llangollen / Llangollen Food Festival CHAPTER 8 SOLUTIONS LTD, Ffordd ar Gau/Road Closure

From St. John's Church to Castle Street ABBEY ROAD, 10/07/2026, Parêd Rhyngwladol y Cenhedloedd Llangollen / Llangollen International Parade of Nations, LLANGOLLEN INTERNATIONAL MUSICAL EISTEDDFOD, Clirffordd / Clearway, Ffordd ar Gau/Road Closure

A542, Full extent TOWER ROAD until 12/07/2026, System Unffordd ar gyfer Eisteddfod Gerddorol Ryngwladol Llangollen / One-way System to support Llangollen International Musical Eisteddfod, EVENT SUPPORT TEAM, Un Ffordd/ One Way

A542 HORSESHOE PASS, until 01/07/2026, Trwsio Ffens / Fence Repairs DCC - WORKS UNIT 

A542 JUNCTION OF TRACK TO LLANDYN HALL FROM A539 TO APPROX 85M FURTHER EAST, A539 LLANGOLLEN ROAD, 03/08/2026 - 05/08/2026, Gwaith BT/ BT Works MJ QUINN Goleuadau Traffig Dros Dro/ Temp Traffic Lights

A539 OUTSIDE LYNDALE TO GLAN DYFFYN FRON BACHE, 23/09/2026 - 24/09/2026, Gwaith BT/ BT Works MJ QUINN, Ffordd ar Gau/Road Closure

82m south of entrance to slurry pit JUNCTION OF A539 LLANGOLLEN ROAD, 03/08/2026 - 05/08/2026, Gwaith BT/ BT Works MJ QUINN, Goleuadau Traffig Dros Dro/ Temp Traffic Lights

A542 Wharf Hill / Castle Street/ Mill Street, until 12/07/2026, Goleuadau traffig i reoli traffig yr Eisteddfod / Traffic signals to manage Eisteddfod traffic, EVENT SUPPORT TEAM

Going's tough for Westheads as they head across China

* Louis admits on the video diary that he's been finding tough to get used to his new gravel bike. 

One of the three Llangollen area lads cycling to Thailand is still having problems with his new bike and his arm following his recent collision with a car.

Dyfan Hughes, 18, from Llangollen, Louis Dennis, 19, from Garth, and James Thomas,19, from Wrexham are making their 1,000 journey in aid of the British Heart Foundation in memory of Tony Edge, the father of their friend Harrison who died following a heart attack in 2024.

It was Louis who had the smash, which destroyed his trusty bike and left him with a fractured wrist.

This meant he and his two mates had to take an unplanned break while he recovered from his injury and got himself a new bike.

But shortly after the trio got back in the saddle to continue their journey Louis admitted in one of their daily video diaries that although his wrist appeared to have mended, he was now having trouble with his left arm which was giving him pain each time he rode over a bump in the road.

He was also finding it hard to get used to the controls of his new gravel bike - acquired with money raised at home thanks to the urging of Llangollen Barber Shop's Emma Davies - and another problem he mentions is that his helmet was cracked in the collision, leaving him in need of a replacement.

A further snag the lads report is having to hitch-hike for a 50km stretch of road after being advised by the police it wasn't safe to ride. While two of them were given a lift in a police car the other one was dropped off in the wrong place by the driver who gave him a lift.

One thing that's going right for them is that donations still coming in online for the British Heart Foundation for which they have so far raised over £50,000.

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

Pop-up campsite to open specially for Eisteddfod visitors

* Under canvass at Camp Bongo based at One Giant Leap.

A pop-up campsite in Llangollen is opening specially next week to offer accommodation for people attending the town's International Eisteddfod.

Camp Bongo is an adults-only site based at One Giant Leap in the hills close to town which usually opens only at weekends.

But to cater for people wanting to camp while they visit the Eisteddfod, the owners say they will be open from next Tuesday-Monday July 7-13.

One of the owners, Rebecca, said: "We open weekends only, except we will be opening midweek for the Llangollen International Musical Eisteddfod and offering camping for people attending. 

"This is great as our location in Llangollen is only a short 15 to 20 minutes walk into the town.

"We usually have live music and activities on every weekend, however we wouldn't have live music and activities on midweek. It would simply be a place for people to camp but we would open our bar."

She added: "At weekends we have live music on each evening. Activities on throughout the day include yoga, axe throwing, archery, cocktail making, wine tasting, food vendors and a cocktail bar. 

"We accept campervans, motorhomes, tents. Tent boxes, trailer tents. It's an adults-only playground where the aim is for you to leave feeling better than you arrived. Also we are proudly dog friendly."

* Camp Bongo at One Giant Leap is also open on the weekends of August 21-23 and August 28-31.

Businessman wants action to tackle anti-social behaviour

* Young people jumping from the bridge into the river particularly concerns Mr Hennigan. 

A prominent Llangollen businessman has written to the heads of the police, local councils and the MP to demand urgent action to tackle what calls "increasing levels" of anti-social behaviour in the town.

David Hennigan, who is trust manager of Llangollen & Corwen Railway and a director of Llangollen International Musical Eisteddfod, says he is particularly concerned about the practice of young people jumping from the Castle Street bridge into the river, which he believes is not only highly dangerous but is also threatening the reputation of the town.

He has now laid out his concerns in a hard-hitting letter to the Chief Constable and Police & Crime Commissioner for North Wales, Clwyd East MP Becky Gittins, the chief executive of Denbighshire County Council and the clerk of Llangollen Town Council.

And he calls for a multi-agency approach to address the issues he raises.

Mr Hennigan writes: 

"Urgent action required to tackle anti-social behaviour and protect public safety in Llangollen

"I am writing to you in my capacity as Trust Manager of the Llangollen and Corwen Railway and as a Director of the Llangollen International Musical Eisteddfod. Between us, these two organisations welcome many tens of thousands of visitors to Llangollen every year and are deeply committed to promoting the town as a safe, welcoming and vibrant destination.

"It is therefore with considerable concern that I write regarding the increasing levels of anti-social behaviour in the town, particularly around Llangollen Bridge and the River Dee. This is becoming an issue that is regularly raised by residents, local businesses, volunteers and visitors alike, and I believe it now requires a much stronger response.

"Of particular concern is the growing number of young people jumping from Llangollen's historic bridge into the River Dee. Whilst I appreciate that this has, for many years, been regarded by some as a local tradition, the scale and frequency of the activity has increased significantly. Large groups of young people are gathering throughout the day and evening, repeatedly climbing over the bridge parapets and jumping into the river with little regard for the obvious danger to themselves or others.

"This behaviour presents a clear danger to life. The bridge is an ancient structure, the River Dee can be unpredictable, and conditions beneath the bridge are far from risk-free. It feels increasingly inevitable that, unless meaningful action is taken, someone will suffer a serious injury or, worse still, lose their life.

"The consequences extend well beyond those taking part. Traffic regularly slows or comes to a standstill as motorists stop to watch or are forced to wait while groups gather on the bridge. This creates unnecessary congestion and increases the risk of accidents for drivers, pedestrians and cyclists alike.

The behaviour is also having a detrimental impact on the appearance and reputation of Llangollen.

"Those congregating around the bridge are leaving behind litter, drinks bottles and other rubbish on the bridge itself and along the riverbank. Sadly, this often results in the blame being unfairly directed towards concertgoers attending events at the International Musical Eisteddfod Pavilion. That is deeply unfair to the many thousands of visitors who come to Llangollen to enjoy world-class cultural events, support local businesses and contribute positively to our local economy. 

"The actions of a relatively small number of individuals are damaging the reputation of the town and the organisations that work tirelessly to promote it.

Perhaps my greatest concern is the perception that this behaviour is taking place with apparent impunity. There is a widespread view within the community that North Wales Police is aware of what is happening, yet little or no intervention takes place. My understanding is that assurances were given that there would be increased police patrols around the bridge during the busy summer period.

"However, from what residents, businesses and local organisations are witnessing on the ground, those additional patrols do not appear to have materialised, or at the very least are not providing the visible reassurance that the community was expecting. I would therefore welcome clarification on what additional policing resources have been deployed, as the current position is doing little to reassure local people that this issue is being effectively addressed.

"I fully appreciate the pressures on policing resources and the competing demands placed upon officers. However, preventing a foreseeable tragedy and tackling persistent anti-social behaviour must surely remain a policing priority. Visible policing and appropriate enforcement would send a clear message that this behaviour is neither acceptable nor without consequence.

"I would also like to recognise the efforts of County Councillor Karen Edwards, who has been particularly vocal in raising these concerns on behalf of local residents. Her persistence in highlighting these issues is appreciated. However, this is not a challenge that any one elected member, organisation or agency can resolve alone. 

"It requires a coordinated, multi-agency response involving North Wales Police, the Office of the Police and Crime Commissioner, Denbighshire County Council, Llangollen Town Council and other relevant partners, working together with a shared commitment to improving public safety and protecting the town's reputation.

"I have copied this correspondence to Helen White, Chief Executive of Denbighshire County Council, County Councillor Karen Edwards and Becky Gittins MP because I believe this issue requires leadership and cooperation across all agencies and elected representatives. I would welcome the opportunity for all partners to come together to agree a practical action plan before a serious incident occurs.

"I would therefore be grateful if you could outline what additional steps North Wales Police intends to take during the busy summer period to address these issues, whether additional visible patrols can be deployed around the bridge, and what role the Police and Crime Commissioner's Office can play in supporting a coordinated response.

"Llangollen is one of North Wales' premier visitor destinations. It is home to internationally recognised events, a successful heritage railway, thriving tourism businesses and a proud local community. We should not have to wait for a fatality before decisive action is taken.

"The time for simply observing this behaviour has passed. What is needed now is visible policing, proactive enforcement and effective partnership working to restore public confidence, protect young people from harm and ensure that residents and visitors alike can continue to enjoy Llangollen safely.

"I look forward to your response and would welcome the opportunity to discuss this matter further."