Llangollen submits official bid to become first UK Town of Culture.

Llangollen yesterday has now officially launched its bid to become the first ever UK Town of Culture.

After an exhaustive programme of public consultation, our Expression of Interest was submitted to the UK Government's Department of Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS) by Gareth Thomas, Town Clerk at Llangollen Town Council which is spearheading the bid.

In this new competition DCMS invited towns across the UK to enter the competition to showcase original storytelling, and empowering, accessible culture. 

All towns across Wales, England, Scotland and Northern Ireland have been able to enter - whether small, medium or large. 

* The official emblem of the UK Town of Culture competition.

Inspired by the success of the flagship UK City of Culture - neighbouring Wrexham has made the longlist - which is a proven model for cultural placemaking, this competition aims to spotlight the cultural contribution of towns to the national story. 

The winning town will be awarded £3 million to deliver a cultural programme in 2028 of around six months. The two finalists from their category will receive £250,000 each to deliver elements of their bid.

The UK Town of Culture competition aims to celebrate the significant contributions of towns to our national story. 

It focuses on building a more socially cohesive country where communities feel proud of their place and empowered to celebrate it. 

Next stage in the process now that the Expressions of Interest have gone into the department is for towns to be notified whether they have been included on the shortlist, which should happen this spring.

It's not known at this stage exactly which towns Llangollen will be competing against but it's understand a number in Wales are bidding including Abergavenny, Blaenavon, Monmouth, Pontypridd, Port Talbot & Afan Valley,  Machynlleth, Llandrindod Wells, Hay-on-Wye and Cwmbran.

Llangollen's bid includes neighbouring Llantysilio and Llangollen Rural.

In his submission of Llangollen's Expression of Interest by the March 31 deadline, the Town Clerk wrote to the Minister: "I am pleased to submit the attached Expression of Interest for the UK Town of Culture 2028 title on behalf of the community of Llangollen.

"This submission reflects the strength, heritage, and cultural ambition of our town, and we are proud to present it for your consideration. An exact Welsh translation of the document is also enclosed."

Confirming receipt of the submission, a competition official replied: "Thank you for your interest in the UK Town of Culture 2028.

"We can now confirm receipt of your Expression of Interest (EOI) and appreciate you taking the time to submit this. Once all EOIs have been assessed by our expert advisory panel, we will be back in touch to inform you of the outcome."

New Dot Cinema's Easter treat is free for children

New Dot Cinema, Llangollen's community cinema, is offering some family entertainment this Easter holiday. 

On Saturday, April 4 they will be showing the magical, How to Train Your Dragon, the live-action remake of the beloved animation. 

Children go free and adult tickets are £4. Doors open at 2.15pm and the film starts at 2.30pm. Refreshments will be available for purchase throughout the film, and children will receive a free drink and snack, thanks to a grant from the Welsh Churches Fund.

The cinema has also announced its Spring programme. On Friday, April 17, they will be screening The Choral, a feel-good, gentle comedy-drama set in Yorkshire during the First World War. 

Ralph Fiennes plays a choirmaster trying to bring together a motley collection of amateurs for the local music society's annual concert when most of the choir's male singers are fighting overseas. Written by Alan Bennett, it combines humour, tragedy and some stirring choral music. 

On Friday, May 22, to celebrate the 100th birthday of Sir David Attenborough, New Dot is showing his film Ocean, a stunning documentary that shows the spectacular habitats that lie under the sea and which we know so little about.

Sir David has called this film one of the most important of his long career saying: "After almost 100 years on the planet, I now understand the most important place on Earth is not on land, but at sea."

While Ocean makes clear the many challenges facing the world's oceans, Sir David ends on a note of hope that a healthier ocean ecosystem can emerge and he hopes that this film will help make that happen. 

* All films will be screened at Llangollen Town Hall and tickets for all New Dot's films can be purchased online from TicketSource or in person from Laura's Tea Room in Oak Street, Llangollen (cash only). 

Plan to combine new outdoor gym with dips in the Dee

* Gym equipment ready to be installed at the new outdoor gym in Riverside Park, which is still under construction.

Dateline: April 1

Following the installation of outdoor Gym equipment in Riverside Park, subject to regulatory approval and funding, wellbeing organisers are hoping to host a series of regular events for all ages in the area.

Spokesperson David Davies said: "The proposal is to link a gym session to a riverside sauna facility or quick dip in the Dee, gaining the health benefits of physical exercise heat generation with that of cold water cleansing.

"Sessions will initially be free and include a special weekly, early morning time for those over 75 years old.

"Initially, dress style will need to be suitable for both activities until changing cabins can be provided."

He added: "Research from Scandinavian countries shows many benefits from such an activity programme combination including improved health, social communication skills improvement and an increased happiness index."

* How about a refreshing dip in the Dee after a session at the nearby gym? 

Mazda CX-30 is a slick stick shifter and more

Mazda CX-30 drive by Steve Rogers

Something that really gets my car juices flowing is a slick gear change.

We are in an age when the manual gearbox is going out of fashion. Just about every car I drive is automatic but changing gears is proper driving isn’t it?

Accelerating hard through a six speed box, getting the revs and clutch balance right is great for an adrenalin rush. A good gearbox has to be a given and not every car manufacturer was up to scratch in the days when manuals were the norm. No naming and shaming today but there is one company that is always head and shoulders above the rest.

Mazda does a lot of things right and crafting the perfect gearbox is one of them. I have been driving their cars for more than 40 years and they were always geared up for a fun drive.

So there was a smile on my face when CX-30 turned up with a six speed manual to play with and it did not let me down, smooth as silk and an absolute joy. My wife wasn’t too pleased, she’s an automatic convert.

What are we to make of CX-30? It’s a car with a clash of identity, an SUV version of the Mazda3, a bit taller with bits of body armour around the wheel arches and sills to give it a masculine look, yet it doesn’t look like a boxy SUV. It is more rounded, the perfect shape for a crossover between the two styles and all the better for it. This is a good looking car.

It is also a car which can be driven without spending 10 minutes learning how to select functions from the endless menus on a huge touchscreen. That is a kind way of saying CX-30 is starting to feel its age compared to the ultra modern, switch free layouts in the current crop of cars from China although Mazda has gone down that route with the new electric 6.

At least this is still a stress free zone for the driver who is faced with three crystal clear dials backed up by an equally clear head up display while adjusting the heating controls with clearly marked switches.

There is a touchscreen, a modest 10.25 inches by today's Chinese standards, with options chosen using a rotary switch between the front seats, much safer than taking your eyes off the road dabbing a screen. Honestly, this is the easiest and safest modern system of any car I have driven.

The tech has been updated but there is a glitch in the system somewhere because the speed limit alert told me the limit in my 20mph village is 80mph!

Build and trim quality are impressive. Mazda set out to promote its cars into the premium league and has nailed it. Specification from entry Prime-Line is strong with a full pack of driver safety aids including my favourite rear emergency braking. Push the boat out for Takumi and the list includes adaptive LED lights, wireless charging, Bose sound system, surround camera, heated front seats and heated steering wheel.

Mazda prides itself on building cars with a sporting edge and CX30 handles like a good old hot hatch. The payoff is a firmer ride but you can’t have everything.

The biggest change to the model is a new engine, and a controversial one at that. The lacklustre 2-litre petrol was ditched for a 2.5 litre, a big leap when rivals are going for small turbocharged hybrid engines. This has solved the lack of grunt in the mid-range without compromising economy which is good for middle to high forties, or more than 50mpg on longer runs.

If this isn’t enough the 184bhp 2-litre Skyactiv X is quicker but you would have to be satisfied with the lower Exclusive spec to match the 2.5 litre Takumi price.

Would I have a CX-30 over a Maz3? Probably not, the hatch is two grand cheaper, looks even better and has a bit more cabin space.

Favourite feature. The manual gearbox, of course.

Fast Facts

CX-30 Takumi

£32,780 (starts £27,280)

2.5 litre petrol; 138bhp

0-62mph 9.7secs; 121mph

47.1mpg combined

135g/km. 1st VED £595

Boot: 422-1398 litres

Insurance group 17

Warranty: 6 years

Llangollen canal business goes up for sale at £695,000

The Llangollen Wharf canal business has gone up for although it's owners say it's business as usual. 

* For the full story in the Leader, go to: https://www.leaderlive.co.uk/news/25981331.iconic-llangollen-wharf-canal-business-placed-sale/

Llangollen churches welcome you to their Easter celebrations

* A previous Easter gathering by Cytun in Centenary Square.

At noon on Good Friday Cytun - Churches Together in Llangollen - has a Parade of Witness which starts from the Methodist Church, Riverside, and proceeds to Centenary Square where activities will take place.  

The churches in Llangollen say they welcome you to any of their Easter celebrations.

Details of these and other activities throughout the year can be found on their various websites, which are:

* St Collen's (Anglican) www.stcollenschurch.org.uk

* St Tysilio's Church - see website for St Collen's Church

* St John's Church - see website for St Collen's Church 

* Llangollen Methodist Church www.llangollenmethodist.org.uk

* Church of the Holy Cross (Roman Catholic) www.strichardgwynparish.co.uk

* City Church, Brook Street www.citychurchllangollen.org.uk

* Glanrafon Evangelical Church www.llangollenevangelicalchurch.com/

* Seion Chapel (Welsh language) Welsh medium chapel

Details of Easter services at RC churches in the area are:

Holy Thursday (April 2) Ruabon Shared Church 7pm; Good Friday (April 3) Ruabon 3pm; Easter Vigil, Saturday (April 4) Ruabon 8.30pm; Easter Sunday (April 5) Chirk, Mass 9am; Easter Sunday Llangollen, Mass 11am.

These times are for Easter only. For normal RC church timetables see: www.strichardgwynparish.co.uk

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.

A spokesperson for Denbighshire Council said: "Council officers responded directly to Mr Hammond regarding this matter on March 26. It was already agreed at this time to send an appropriate officer out to the site to assess the flooding issue and this visit occurred the day after.

"The Council will look to initiate work suggested by the officer to resolve this issue as soon as it can be scheduled in and further information on start dates will be communicated."

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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

FOLLOW BOWLING FOR SOUP WEBSITE | INSTAGRAM | FACEBOOK | TIKTOK | SPOTIFY | YOUTUBE

FOLLOW FRANK TURNER WEBSITE | INSTAGRAM | FACEBOOK | TIKTOK | SPOTIFY | YOUTUBE

FOLLOW AMERICAN HI-FI  INSTAGRAM | FACEBOOK | YOUTUBE | TIKTOK

Plas Newydd is setting for launch of Historic Denbighshire's new season

* Manager Paul Evans shows people around during the tour of Plas Newydd.

Historic/Hanesyddol Denbighshire launched its 2026 visitor season for Plas Newydd, along with Nantclwyd Dre and the Gaol in Ruthin, at the historic home of the Ladies of Llangollen this morning (Friday).

Influencers from across north Wales were invited and were given a guided tour of Plas Newydd as part of the event. 

* Below are various interior scenes from Plas Newydd.

* Above and below: An exhibition on the lives the Ladies of Llangollen.

*Costumes of the style worn by the Ladies.

Police warning follows spate of thefts in the area

Home and vehicle owners in Llangollen are being encouraged to take extra precautions following a spate of recent thefts in surrounding areas.

North Wales Police Wrexham Rural says on a Facebook post: "Home and vehicle owners are being encouraged to take extra precautions following a spate of recent thefts in Wrexham.

"Several reports of vehicle thefts, car key thefts and burglaries have been made to us in areas of Penycae, Rhosymedre, Llay and Llangollen.

"We are urging residents to take extra steps to protect their homes and vehicles.

"Here are some steps to prevent your home or vehicle from being targeted:

- Lock doors and windows

- Hide car keys and keyless fobs from line of sight

- Don’t leave valuable items in vehicles

- Use outdoor lighting or motion sensors to remove dark hiding spots

- Consider tracking devices for high value items

- Install CCTV / driveway bollards where possible

- Use signal-blocking pouches for keyless fobs

- Check any in-car security systems are activated

Anyone who sees suspicious activity in their area is urged to contact us via our website or by calling 101.

In an emergency, or if a crime is in progress, 999 should be used.

Always report any suspicious behaviour in your neighbourhood to us.

Further advice on keeping homes and vehicles secure is available on our website https://orlo.uk/8u1pP