You can help bring history to life at Plas Newydd

* Plas Newydd in the heart of Llangollen.

Denbighshire's Countryside Team are calling on the public to help bring the story of Plas Newydd  to life by sharing their hidden treasures. 

Plas Newydd is famous for its connection to the Ladies of Llangollen, Lady Eleanor Butler and Sarah Ponsonby, whose remarkable story of friendship and defiance captured the imagination of visitors from across the world.

 

Over the years the house has welcomed poets, celebrities and curious travellers, becoming a treasured part of Llangollen’s cultural and historical landscape. 

Today, the council says it wants to celebrate not just the grand stories but also the everyday memories that continue to shape Plas Newydd’s legacy.

 

Do you have a hidden piece of history waiting to be rediscovered? Whether it’s a photograph tucked away in a family album, or a souvenir forgotten in an attic, your contributions could become part of an exciting project to showcase the unseen artefacts and personal memories that make up Plas Newydd’s rich history.

 

If you have any old photographs, postcards, memorabilia, or even historic artefacts related to the Ladies of Llangollen or Plas Newydd from any era, the Countryside Team would love to hear from you. No item or memory is too small, they say.

* The famous Ladies of Llangollen.

 

Jillian Howe, National Landscape Community Engagement Officer, said: "Plas Newydd holds so many untold stories, and we’re excited to work with the community to uncover them. Every photo, postcard, and memory helps bring the history of this special place to life."

 

Councillor Alan James, Local Development and Planning, said: “This is an exciting project that our residents can be a part of to bring to life the rich history of Plas Newydd. We’re very lucky to have such an historic site on our doorstep here in Denbighshire, and I would encourage residents and visitors alike to take advantage of visiting Plas Newydd”.

 

* If you have any old photographs, postcards, memorabilia, or even historic artefacts related to the Ladies of Llangollen or Plas Newydd from any era, get in touch. To submit a photo and its story email plasnewydd@denbighshire.gov.uk

Llangollen Round Challenge urgently needs your baking skills

Can you bake a cake for Cancer Research UK?

That's the question organisers of the latest Llangollen Round Challenge are asking.

Around 700 walkers will be taking part in the largest-ever Challenge on May 31/June 1, all raising funds for Cancer Research UK. 

Judy and the Team behind the event say: "We have to feed them on five checkpoints and in the school restaurant at the end. 

"Traybakes are easiest for us but all cakes are more than welcome. 

"Cakes can be delivered to our campervan in East Street Car Park, recognisable by its flag, on Wednesday May 28, from 10am to 7pm. If you can't get there on that day, give us a ring  on 07905 330788 to arrange an alternative. Very very many thanks."

BBC Radio Cymru to present three outstanding Welsh acts at Eisteddfod

* Pedair will perform at the Eisteddfod on July 10. 

Llangollen International Eisteddfod has announced a special event hosted by BBC Radio Cymru's Rhys Mwyn showcasing three extraordinary Welsh music acts in thrilling live performances.

The outdoor event will happen before BRIT Award-winning and Grammy-nominated KT Tunstall takes to the pavilion stage to perform her iconic debut album Eye to the Telescope in its entirety, with orchestra, for the first time ever.

Taking place on Thursday July 10, from 4.30-7pm, “Rhys Mwyn yn Cyflwyno / Cwill feature Pedair, Mared, and Buddug – three standout names in contemporary Welsh music.

* Mared.

* Buddug.

*  Host: Radio Cymru's Rhys Mwyn.

Pedair draws on the talents of four of Wales' most prominent and award-winning folk artists and blends traditional Welsh influences with modern sounds, creating a fusion that resonates with both younger and older audiences. 

Mared, known for her powerful vocals and emotional depth, is making waves with her intricate storytelling, often reflecting the Welsh landscape and culture in her lyrics. 

Buddug, with her distinct voice and innovative approach, effortlessly bridges the gap between folk, pop, and electronic music, becoming a pioneering force in Welsh-language music. 

Together, these artists are pushing boundaries and elevating Welsh music to new heights, earning recognition both in Wales and internationally.

Rhys Mwyn, renowned for his pioneering role in Welsh-language music and his popular Monday evening show on BBC Radio Cymru, has long championed Welsh artists.

He said: "I’m absolutely thrilled to present such incredible Welsh talent for this event. Pedair, Mared, Buddug are pushing boundaries and bringing fresh energy to the Welsh music scene, and it’s truly inspiring to see how far they’ve come. 

"It’s a real privilege to be able to link up with the Llangollen Eisteddfod, a festival that has long been a cornerstone of our cultural celebration. I’m excited to be part of this. I can’t wait to present these three outstanding artists on what is expected to be one of the busiest days at the Llangollen Eisteddfod."

Morgan Thomas, a trustee of the International Eisteddfod, said: "We are delighted to partner with Rhys Mwyn and BBC Radio Cymru for this event. Rhys's deep-rooted passion for Welsh music and his unwavering support for emerging artists make him an invaluable ally in our mission to celebrate and promote our culture to the world. 

"This collaboration enriches our festival, bringing a fresh perspective and broadening our reach to audiences both locally and beyond.

"This bilingual event invites audiences in a vibrant celebration of Welsh culture, language, and musical creativity."

Entry is £5, with free admission for KT Tunstall ticket holders. A full bar and food will be available, which organisers say makes it the perfect pre-show celebration before the main evening concert featuring the legendary KT Tunstall with the Absolute Orchestra.

 Event Details:

• What: Rhys Mwyn Presents – Pedair, Mared, Buddug
• When: Thursday July 10, 4.30–7pm
• Where: Llangollen International Eisteddfod site
• Tickets: £5 / Free with KT Tunstall concert ticket
• Website: www.llangollen.net

Supported by BBC Radio Cymru, the Arts Council of Wales, and Visit Wales, this event promises an unforgettable evening of music and atmosphere in the heart of one of Wales' most iconic festivals.

* For tickets and more information, visit https://boxoffice.international-eisteddfod.co.uk/ChooseSeats/74421

Plan to honour wartime aerial photographers including Llangollen man

* An unarmed and blue-painted Spitfire flown by the Photographic Reconnaissance Units during World War Two.

Plans are in hand to officially recognise the unsung heroes of special wartime units of the RAF’s - including a young man from Llangollen.

Earlier this month the UK Government confirmed that a scheme to erect a memorial honouring the Photographic Reconnaissance Units (PRU) had successfully moved to the planning stage. 

The intended location for the memorial would be outside the Treasury, close to the entrance of the Imperial War Museum’s Churchill War Rooms, facing St James’ Park. 

The location has received approval in principle from the Royal Parks and Department for Culture, Media and Sport to proceed to the next stage, which includes ground surveys, design, and planning. 

Clwyd East MP Becky Gittins has met with the team behind the project to highlight the work of the PRU, including Leading Aircraftman John Oliver Roberts was born in Llangollen and joined 682 Photographic Reconnaissance Squadron based in the Mediterranean. 

The Photographic Reconnaissance Unit (PRU) was formed in September 1939 and throughout the Second World War it operated highly dangerous, clandestine photographic reconnaissance operations over all theatres of operation, and captured more than 26 million images of enemy operations and installations during the war.

The purpose of the PRU was to provide up-to-date intelligence to strategically plan the Allied actions in the war. The intelligence it gathered, flying Spitfires and Mosquitos, was used by all the armed forces, giving same-day intelligence on enemy activity.

The intelligence provided by the PRU was used in the Cabinet War Rooms – now the Churchill War Rooms located underneath the Treasury – and was instrumental in the planning of major operations, including D-Day and the Dambusters Raid, the monitoring of major shipping movements such as German warships Bismarck and Tirpitz, and the locating of the site of the V1 and V2 rocket launching site at Peenemünde, as well as many other intelligence successes.

Due to the clandestine nature of their operations – they flew solo operations, unarmed and unarmoured – the death rate was nearly fifty percent. However, despite having one of the lowest survival rates of the war – life expectancy in the PRU was around two and a half months – there is no national memorial to the PRU. 

Therefore, since 2021, the Spitfire AA810 Project has campaigned to establish such a memorial to the 1,746 PRU pilots and navigators. 

While the PRU had many different nationalities serving in it, it was still made up predominantly by servicemen from throughout the United Kingdom. Among those who served in the PRU was Llangollen’s John Roberts.

LAC John Oliver Roberts was born in Llangollen and joined 682 Photographic Reconnaissance Squadron based in the Mediterranean. 

He died whilst off-duty when he drowned bathing in the sea on June 16, 1943 in La Marsa, Tunisia. His body was not recovered until three days after he had been reported missing and he is buried in the Enfidaville War Cemetery in Tunisia. He was aged just 19 years old. 

Becky Gittins said: “I am pleased to support this fantastic campaign to commemorate those who served in the Photographic Reconnaissance Units.

“This includes John Roberts, from Llangollen, who served our country under what must have been exceptionally difficult conditions.

“It is so important, particularly during the 80-year anniversary of VE day, that we recognise the vital contribution that the likes of John and others from Clwyd East made to the war effort. The 26 million images the PRU garnered, provided our armed forces with critical intelligence on the activity of enemy operations.

“I am also delighted that the memorial will recognise the work of photographic interpreters – a third of whom were women – whose skills and analysis for the PRU produced the war winning intelligence that it did, ensuring that the pilots sacrifice was not in vain.”

* If there is anyone related to or knew someone who served in the PRU during the war, please go the Spitfire AA810 Project website (www.spitfireaa810.co.uk), or get in touch with Tony Hoskins, Tony@spitfireaa810.co.uk.

More information on the Spitfire AA810 Project, the history, the plane and its pilots, and the Memorial campaign can be found on its website: www.spitfireaa810.co.uk.

New Pavilion parking arrangements will benefit the town says Eisteddfod team

* John Gambles, chair of the Llangollen International Musical Eisteddfod, at the front car park off Abbey Road.

The Llangollen Pavilion grounds will bring an economic boost to the town this week by providing additional car parking from this week. 

The town centre has often suffered due to the lack of car parking spaces but thanks to the Eisteddfod Team now running the Pavilion there will be almost 180 extra parking spaces on hand from Thursday (May 15). 

The spaces will be available when there are no events on at the Pavilion or its grounds.

John Gambles, chair of the Llangollen Eisteddfod, says that opening up the grounds will mean a significant boost to the local economy. There will a number of pay-points on the site with a variety of ways to pay.

The changes will see the implementation of an Automatic Number Plate Recognition (ANPR) system. This advanced technology aims to significantly improve security, deter anti-social behaviour, and enable 24-hour monitoring of the car park and the Eisteddfod grounds. 

The ANPR system will also help maintain a safe and welcoming environment for all visitors to Llangollen, says the team. 

Costs will be from 70p for 30 minutes for the main car park, £6 for up to 8 hours and £10 for 12 hours. The Pavilion field car park will have the same charges but with a maximum time of 8 hours. There will be no overnight parking allowed.

John Gambles said: "For as long as I can remember, parking has been a huge issue in the centre of Llangollen. When we took over the Pavilion full-time in April, one of the first things we did was look if it was possible to open up our site for additional car parking. Any revenue raised will go towards running the Pavilion for the benefit of Llangollen and towards the running of the Llangollen Eisteddfod."

The field will be open from May 15 with the centre of Llangollen only 500 metres' walk away. 

The Eisteddfod says the changes have been carefully considered to balance public convenience, revenue protection, and the facilitation of future enhancements funded by this revenue. There will be no charge for parents of pupils at Ysgol Dinas Bran for parents dropping off and picking up.

 

John Gambles added: "We appreciate residents' cooperation as we implement these new measures. Our goal is to provide a better, safer, and more enjoyable experience for everyone who visits Llangollen and the Royal Pavilion. We are certain that by adding close to 180 spaces in the heart of Llangollen, we will see a rise in visitors to our wonderful town."

Talk on female pilot kicks off museum events programme

On May 28 at Llangollen Museum Sally Knight will be giving a talk about her intrepid grandmother, one of the early pioneering female pilots about whom she has written a book.

In 1937 a two-seater aeroplane piloted by Phyl Lewin and her husband Brigadier General A.C. Lewin disappeared over Southern Sudan. The book is the story of Phyl’s life up to this point. 

It tells of her Victorian childhood, travel before World War I, nursing as a VAD in France and then marriage and emigration to Kenya to farm. 

Widowed and remarried, she flew many times in small aeroplanes between Kenya and England in the 1930s. The diaries of these journeys make exciting reading. The story continues with the rescue from the swamp and how the rest of her life unfolds.

The talk will all start at 7pm. Tickets for all are £3 at the door, refreshments will be provided.

 

Going on to speak about other events at the museum, Dave Crane says: "Our art gallery exhibition of pictures from the museum collection will remain up for this month, but has been augmented by a small collection of paintings by local artists Tony Daniels and Margaret Hallam. June will see an exhibition of pictures from the Llangollen International Eisteddfod.

 

"We have a new window display, featuring items related to WWII and VE Day. Our item of the month is a box of Llangollen Tourist Guides, collected by Chris Burrows, who, very sadly, died recently. 

"Chris was well known locally, his family having lived in Llangollen for generations. He had a great interest in local history and a large collection of heritage items. We are so grateful to Chris’s family for choosing to donate this collection of Llangollen Guides, along with other items, to the Museum.

 

"Also – watch out in June for a new display, in one of our three new cabinets, featuring items from an archaeological dig by the Clywdian Range Archaeolgy Group at a rare Bronze Age ritual site in Bryneglwys. 

"Their work has uncovered a remarkable collection of artefacts, including flint tools and arrowheads, as well as a cup-marked stone, which they believe hold significant historical value. They are keen to share their discoveries with the local community and to highlight the cultural heritage of the region. They hope to continue their work on the site over the next three years and so the display will be hopefully updated on a regular basis.

 

"In June as well, our Eisteddfod display will be rejuvenated, with new items and a new audio point featuring recollections from members and volunteers, recorded back in the 1970s, about the history and operations of the Eisteddfod."

Sewer collapse repairs cause major traffic queues

* The roadworks at the junction of Hill Street and Regent Street.

Emergency repairs to a collapsed sewer near to centre of Llangollen have been causing traffic queues on the main A5 in both directions throughout the day. 

A team working on behalf of the North and Mid Wales Traffic Agent were called in this morning (Monday) to deal with the collapse at the junction of Regent Street and Hill Street.

Lights put up to control traffic around the roadworks have created major congestion. 

It is understood the remedial work will continue at least for the next two or three days.  

* The huge excavation created to repair the collapsed sewer.

* Congestion along the A5 due to the roadworks.

County council on stand-by to cope with severe weather today

The Met Office has issued a yellow warning for severe weather in this area covering the period up until10pm.

They say that scattered showers and thunderstorms are expected to develop on Monday afternoon. 

They add that whilst these will be fairly fast-moving, rain may be intense for short periods of time and produce 20-30 mm in less than an hour, with 40-50mm within 1-2 hours in one or two places where thunderstorms grow larger. Lightning, hail and gusty winds will be additional hazards. Showers and thunderstorms will ease through the evening.

Denbighshire County Council says it has resources on standby throughout the warning period to respond to any weather-related incidents should they arise.

Further updates will be provided if deemed necessary.

You can report any issues to the council's Customer Service Team between 8:30am and 5:00pm Monday to Friday, by:

1) email to customerservice@denbighshire.gov.uk

2) telephone 01824 706000

3) visit in person a One Stop Shop.

4) use an online web form, available on Denbighshire’s website:

www.denbighshire.gov.uk/en/online-forms/online-forms.aspx

In the event of any emergency situation requiring an immediate response, contact should be made directly via the out of hours contact centre between 5:00pm and 8:30am including weekends on 0300 123 3068.

Grants aim to help tourist attractions handle bad weather

Visit Wales is running a small-scale capital grants fund in 2025-2026 to support tourism attractions, such as those in Llangollen, to invest in weather-proofing measures. 

Tourism attractions highlight poor weather as a significant factor affecting trade by preventing the them from operating as normal and by impacting negatively on the visitor experience and discouraging visits. 

Weather-proofing measures supported by this Fund will be aimed at:

• Mitigating these impacts by helping to support the business’s economic resilience and adaptability,
• Strengthening the climate resilience of the business, 
• Helping the business to offer its best possible welcome to visitors during the 2025 Year of Croeso.

The fund is offering capital grants of between £5,000 and £20,000, which must be used before March 31, 2026. No revenue costs will be considered. The grant can support up to 75% of the costs of the weather-proofing measures or up to £20,000 if this is less than 75% of the costs.

The remainder of the costs must be financed by the business from its own funds or private sources of finance. Applicants cannot use any other form of grant or funding from any public sector organisation as match funding. 

Eligible weather-proofing measures will include:

• Measures which mitigate the impact of poor weather on the business
• Measures which mitigate the impact of poor weather on the visitor experience

Tourism attractions are eligible if they: 

• Are accredited as visitor attractions under the VAQAS scheme (or are eligible and willing to seek VAQAS accreditation as a condition of grant) 
• Micro, small or medium sized enterprises (employing up to 249 employees) 
• Have been trading for at least one year as a limited company, partnership or sole trader or social enterprise 
• Receive visitors in a setting where poor weather can impact on the business performance and the visitor experience 

* Businesses interested, are asked to read the Guidance Notes and complete the Application Form, submitting the required documentation to WeatherProofingFund@gov.wales no later than 1pm on May 22.

For more information, email WeatherProofingFund@gov.wales or call 03000 622418.

Boxing legend Chris Eubank's memories of Llangollen

Boxing legend Chris Eubank has recalled how Llangollen helped shape his journey to becoming a world champion.

* To see the story in Leaderlive, go to: Boxing legend Chris Eubank Sr. on connections to Llangollen | The Leader