Operatic's Christmas event is next Tuesday

Llangollen express back to boost Ruthin

* Putting their shirts on Ruthin, Waterco are sponsoring Ruthin Rugby Club for the sixth season and pictured with top try scorer Josh Wilson, left, and 1^st XV captain Jordan Jones is Waterco Managing Director Peter Jones.

Flying winger Josh Wilson is back to boost one of North Wales’s top rugby clubs and is in hot pursuit of its try-scoring record.

The Llangollen express, who rejoined Ruthin this season after two years away at Chester, has run in nine tries in his first eight games back.

It is his second spell with the Blue and Whites and he is now past the 50-try mark for them and closing fast on the club record of 81 held by team-mate Gethin Hughes.

Things are looking up for Ruthin, who have just celebrated a short sponsorship deal with flood prevention and water management experts Waterco who are based in Ruthin and have offices in Chester and Manchester.

They have put their shirts on the Cae Ddol club, the only one of the original members of the old North Wales League never to have been relegated, and are also kitting out the 2^nd XV.

And Waterco’s faith is being repaid as the club, which narrowly survived the drop on the final day of last season, are up to fifth in Division One North of the Welsh National League and have already claimed the scalp of leaders Nant Conwy.

Their young side, coached by former Wales and Sale prop Eifion Roberts and Andy Williams, are fresh from two thumping home bonus point wins, 33-22 over Bethesda with including two tries from Wilson, followed up by a 31-0 thumping of Caernarfon.

Wilson missed that game but is likely to be back for the trip to Croesyceiliog this Saturday in the Welsh Rugby Union Cup.

The 25-year-old, who lives in Cefn Mawr, said: “It’s great to be back at Ruthin. I had a successful time here before when we won the North Wales Cup and that season I had 26 tries in 23 games.

“This season has started well too so I hope to score a few more tries.

“It would be brilliant to get Gethin’s record but I just love playing for Ruthin. They’ve done a lot for me and the expansive way they like to play means I’m going to get plenty of ball.

“I know they struggled last season and I hated to see that because they’re a top five club and a great club to play for but we’ve got a good young side and a good squad and we’re headed in the right direction.”

Pedr Jones, Director of Waterco whose clients include major construction and civil engineering companies across the UK as well as local authorities and utilities businesses, used to wear the blue and white hoops of Ruthin himself.

The prop played alongside Eifion Roberts in a very successful Ruthin Youth side which also included Bristol and Scarlets centre Rob Higgitt, the last man to score a try at historic Stradey Park.

He said: “Ruthin has always been a fantastic club with flourishing mini, junior and youth sections and almost all their first team began as little kids playing mini rugby on Sunday mornings.

“Their roots are in the local community and so are our own and we’re delighted to be involved with Ruthin Rugby Club for a sixth season.

“It’s great to see them on their way back again and the current side is young enough and good enough to make a big impression on North Wales rugby in the coming years.”

To keep up with Ruthin Rugby Club go to http://www.rygbirhuthun.com/ and to see what Waterco are doing go to https://www.waterco.co.uk/

TT ace McGuinness to guest again at LlanBikeFest

* One of the stunts performed at a previous LlanBikeFest.

Legendary 23-times Isle of Man TT winner  John McGuinness will be guest of honour for a second year at LlanBikeFest 2018 –  the Llangollen Motorcycle Festival – at the town’s Royal International Pavilion on August 4 and 5. 

Despite being chair-bound and battling pain from horrific injuries he sustained when he crashed at the North West 200 in Northern Ireland in May, John (pictured below) reckons he had such a good time at LlanBikeFest in 2017 that he is raring to return.

“I will definitely be at LlanBikeFest in August,” he said.

“It’s a weekend of fun and a great family affair. I feel completely re-charged. Everything feels good – but it’s been a long journey.

"Hopefully I will be in better shape next year and there is no reason I can’t bring a few more of my bike collection with me and just enjoy it.”

LlanBikeFest co-founder John Hutchinson said: “John’s courage at this year’s festival was amazing. He worked so hard to talk with fans and well-wishers that we virtually had to drag him away to take breaks occasionally. We are absolutely delighted he will be fit enough to enjoy even more of the event this year.

“As John said, LlanBikeFest is a great weekend for families as well as bike enthusiasts, with free entry for accompanied children aged 16 and under,  and lots to see and do -  hundreds of motorcycles of every type on show, spectacular riding displays, birds of prey, rides and children’s’ entertainments, plus a great line-up of bands both days.”

Star entertainments will include jaw-dropping stunts by champion trails rider Steve Colley and Savage Skills, the UK’s leading freestyle mountain bike team, plus beautiful birds from the Talonted Feathers falconry.

llanblogger takes a short break

llanblogger is taking a short break and will be back in a few days' time

Magazine highlights opportunities of Llan Railway

* Llangollen Railway volunteers at the end of the station site in Corwen.

A national railway magazine has highlighted the opportunities arising from the expansion of two heritage railways in the Dee Valley area.

Writing in the November 2017 edition of Heritage Railway magazine, a monthly journal reporting on the UK steam railway scene, the editor, Robin Jones, says that extensions to the Bala Lake Railway and the Llangollen Railway will offer a myriad of opportunities at Bala and Corwen, highlighting to local councils the multiple benefits to their economies that heritage railways can guarantee.

Reviewing the development of the heritage railway scene since the first volunteer-led preservation of the Talyllyn Railway in 1951, Robin Jones puts the spotlight on the former rail route between Ruabon and Barmouth, closed by Dr Beeching in 1965.

He says, the two heritage railways on the former track bed in the corridor of the Dee Valley are now adding themselves to the list of lines that go somewhere to somewhere, offering so much more than a steam ride for its own sake in the middle of nowhere. And both of them richly deserve your support at this stage.

Llangollen Railway’s big push into Corwen Central is making rapid strides each month.

It will not only be railway passengers who will benefit, being able to alight and visit the town centre’s shops and pubs, but coach operators who will see the line as a way of getting their customers into Llangollen.

Indeed, coach tour operations will have a big part to play at both of these lines, being able to offer their passengers rides on two heritage railways which pass through some of the most beautiful scenery Britain has to offer, simply by turning off the main road into a car park.

Then there is Bala Lake Railway whch is now just 80 yards short of the land it needs to complete its extension on ‘virgin’ land into Bala town centre, and give passing tourists a big reason to stop off there and spend their money in local establishments.

The scheme will benefit everyone – not least of all the railway, whose current out-of-the-way Bala terminus is by comparison ’finicky’ to find and misses out on much potential custom.

Both lines, says Robin Jones, need further public support in terms of donations or share purchase, and this is the time and place to jump on board.

Commenting on the editorial, Liz McGuinness, Interim General Manager at Llangollen Railway said: “We entirely agree with Robin Jones’s comments as to the prospects for Corwen when our new terminus opens in 2019. 

“Whilst the current temporary platform at Dwyrain Corwen East has become established as our western terminus over the past three years, it is not operationally convenient and lacks the immediacy of access to and from the town centre and car park.

"Terminating trains at a station central to the town, the bus interchange and the car park will open up a new market segment to attract passengers from North West Wales.

"With the Bala Lake Railway just ten miles away, visitors will be able to sample two contrasting lines using the Traws Cymru T3 bus as a connection.

“There are not many places in Britain where a ride on a big standard gauge steam train can be readily contrasted with the smaller train of the narrow gauge in the midst of countryside that can boast an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty or a National Park.

“We are grateful to Robin Jones for promoting the need for support to assist the completion of our major development project. Businesses in the Corwen and Bala townships would do well to support the ambitions of either line in the expectation of increased economic activities arising from visitors to the railways at their new terminus stations.”

Heritage Railway, edition 235, is now on the shelves and includes progress reports for both the Bala Town station project and the Corwen Central development.

* See: https://www.heritagerailway.co.uk/corwen-gets-new-stairway-to-heaven-but-more-cash-needed/

Llan gets into Christmas spirit with annual festival

* The fireworks display which followed the switch-on of the Christmas lights.

* Town crier Chem leads the cheers as the lights are switched on to his right by Ken Simms.

The town centre was packed for today's Llangollen Christmas Festival.

The event began with the traditional parade over the bridge and continued with a wealth of entertainment and attractions, from choirs to specialist food stalls.

In the Town Hall Siôn Corn was on hand to meet young visitors in his grotto.

Rounding off the day at 5pm will be the big Christmas lights switch-on, performed by Ken Simms who is a major supporter of the festival's chosen charity, Wales Air Ambulance, followed by colourful a fireworks display.

* llanblogger will bring you an updated report including switch-on pictures later

* Siôn Corn arrives on his sleigh with his little helper from Wales Air Ambulance.

* A horsey contingent in the parade pleased onlookers. 

* Town crier Chem leads Llan Silver band into town. 

* Festively dressed children play a part in the procession. 

* The Faery Festival is represented by this float.

* Santa's elves get a lift aboard a vintage car.

* A veteran steam engine was a popular sight.

* The town mayor, Cllr Sheena Burrell, gets a lift from a gleaming machine from the Motor Museum.

* More youngsters arrive, including one dressed as a Christmas table groaning with food. 

* The Lions roar past the Town Hall.

* Members of the Young 'Uns, junior section of Llan Operatic Society, perform a selection from their upcoming production of Joseph and his Amazing Technicolour Dreamcoat.

* Stalls in the Town Hall selling Christmas gifts do a brisk trade.

* A specialist food stall in Market Street.

* Ready for all the fun of the fair in Market Street.

Stage is set for town's Christmas Festival

* Last year's switch-on of the Christmas lights in Castle Street.

Thousands are expected to come flocking to today's Llangollen Christmas Festival.

The big annual event will feature a parade, street stalls, raffles, a grotto, an appearance by Llangollen Silver Band, and local choirs and singers plus the ceremonial switch-on of the Christmas lights as darkness sets in.

This year the festival also features Llangollen Good Grub Club and an additional stage organised by Llangollen Woman’s Festival.

The parade starts from Mill Street car park at 1pm and later Siôn Corn will be on hand to meet
young visitors in his grotto inside the Town Hall.

Entertainment will be centred on the steps of the library and tourist information centre as
well as the Town Hall and Market Street.

Proceeds from the event will once again be donated to Wales Air Ambulance.