Schedule revealed for major Llangollen gas pipe works

The schedule for the rest of essential gas pipe works taking place in Llangollen has been announced.

Wales & West Utilities is currently working on a £400,000 investment project to upgrade gas pipes in the Bache Mill Road area of the town.

The work is said to be essential to keep the gas flowing safely to heat and power local homes and businesses, keeping people safe and warm for generations to come.

* Hill Street (5 February – 15 March)

* Butlers Hill (25 March – 12 April)

* Grange Road (15 April – 7 May)

* Oak Road (29 April – 14 May)

Eisteddfod’s 2024 Parade of Nations will be 'biggest for years'

* Town crier Chem will lead the Parade of Nations on July 3. Picture: xJM Photography.

The Llangollen International Musical Eisteddfod has announced that its celebrated Parade of Nations will be held in the town on Wednesday, July 3 at 4.30pm.  

Visitors can expect a colourful spectacle as groups from as far away as Burundi, Canada, China, Ghana, India, Japan, Malaysia, Morocco, Singapore, South Africa, Tanzania, Thailand, Trinidad and Tobago, USA and Zimbabwe will be participating - alongside dozens of groups from the UK. 

The parade, one of the central parts of the core Llangollen Eisteddfod, comes less than 24 hours after Sir Tom Jones makes his long-awaited debut at the festival. 

It will be followed by a huge party on the Eisteddfod field, where visitors can get on the "ground for a pound"! 

Welsh folk heroes Calan then headline the Wales Welcomes the World concert in the Pavilion, also starring Britain’s Got Talent semi-finalists Johns’ Boys Chorus and Royal Harpist Alis Huws, alongside the Llangollen International Orchestra. 

John Gambles, Vice-Chair of the festival said: “This year, our parade will be the biggest for years.  

"We’ve got some amazing international competitors from around the world coming to our town in July.  

* The colourful 2023 parade. Picture: xJM Photography.

"Our Parade of Nations is one of our most popular events and this will be followed by a huge celebration on a our field as we truly welcome the World to Wales.” 

The parade will be led by the Llangollen Silver Band and Llangollen Town Crier, Austin “Chem” Cheminais. 

In 2023, thousands of residents took to the streets, and this year there will be even more participants and colours. 

In 2024 the core Eisteddfod week is taking place between July 2-7, with concerts before and after featuring acts as diverse as Jess Glynne, Manic Street Preachers, Madness, and Paloma Faith. 

Dave Danford, Artistic Director of the festival, will be overseeing the event. He said: “This year, the profile of our festival has gone through the roof. Our partnership with Cuffe and Taylor means that this summer we are bringing some truly international artists to Llangollen, such as Bryan Adams, and Nile Rodgers & Chic. 

"Our core Eisteddfod week remains the central part of everything we are doing, which is why we’re bringing our parade forward, to be held on the day that we welcome the World to Wales.” 

* Crowds pack the town to see last year's parade. Picture: Megan McNutt.

Core Eisteddfod:

Tuesday 2 July 8pm

TOM JONES

Wednesday 5 July 8pm                           

WALES WELCOMES THE WORLD

Celebrating the rich tapestry of Welsh culture, featuring the soul-stirring melodies of folk band Calan, the elegance of Royal harpist Alis Huws, the powerful harmonious voices of John’s Boys Male Chorus, and the Llangollen International Orchestra.                   

Thursday 4 July 2024 8pm                        

DIRECT FROM THE WEST END

Featuring Kerry Ellis & John Owen-Jones.  Two of musical theatre’s leading lights take to the stage for an unmissable evening of Broadway and West End classics PLUS the final of our Voice of Musical Theatre.     

Friday 5 July                                   

GREGORY PORTER                  

Grammy award winning jazz sensation makes a welcome return to Llangollen.                           

Saturday 6 July                                      

CHOIR OF THE WORLD                 

An Eisteddfod highlight; the very best choirs, dance ensembles and operatic stars battle it out to become champions of champions.

Sunday 7 July                                          

KATHERINE JENKINS                              

Gala Concert to close the Core Eisteddfod with special guest, the mezzo-soprano performs operatic arias, popular songs, and musical theatre.

Australian pop-rockers join Kaiser Chiefs at Eisteddfod show

* Royel Otis play the Pavilion stage on June 29. Picture: Georges Antoni.

Australian pop-rock duo Royel Otis will join indie heroes Kaiser Chiefs when they head to North Wales this summer. 

The indie pair, known for exceptional pop melodies with a gritty edge and killer choruses, will join Kaiser Chiefs as they make a triumphant return to the Llangollen International Musical Eisteddfod on Saturday June 29.

With inspiration ranging from Daft Punk to The Strokes, Royel Otis’s debut studio album Pratts & Pain will be released on February 16. 

The Kaiser Chiefs’ headline performance at Llangollen will follow the release of their latest studio album, the aptly-titled Kaiser Chiefs’ Easy Eighth Album, on March 1.

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A new partnership between the Llangollen International Musical Eisteddfod and Live Nation promoters Cuffe and Taylor will see 11 huge headlining shows taking place at iconic peace festival supporting the traditional Core Eisteddfod week. 

* The Kaiser Chiefs. Picture: Cal McIntyre.

Alongside headliners Kaiser Chiefs global rock icons Simple Minds, British pop giants Madness, Manic Street Preachers and Suede, BRIT award-winning artist Paloma Faith, chart-topper Jess Glynne, disco legends Nile Rodgers & CHICandglobal rock star Bryan Adams will all headline dates either side of the iconic peace festival in 2024. 

The core week of the festival will see a series of events celebrating the Eisteddfod along with headlining shows from Welsh legends Tom Jones and Katherine Jenkins and international jazz sensation Gregory Porter. 

Artistic Director of the Llangollen International Musical Eisteddfod Dave Danford said: “We’re excited to be adding Royel Otis to our line-up for this summer. They’re the perfect group to appear alongside Kaiser Chiefs, and it’s going to be a night to remember!” 

* For more information and to purchase tickets go to llangollen.netand www.ticketmaster.co.uk

Temporary partial closure of Mill Street car park

* The site compound plan for Mill Street car park.

Mill Street car park in Llangollen will be partially closed for a five month period to provide a site compound for OBR Construction Ltd. to undertake construction work for Denbighshire County Council’s Four Great Highways project.

The Levelling Up funded project aims to enhance the landscape and improve accessibility, interpretation and signage in Llangollen.

The project is part of investment by the UK Government’s Levelling Up Fund that was secured through a joint application between Denbighshire and Wrexham councils for the Clwyd South Constituency.

The application was supported by Simon Baynes MP with £3.8 million being allocated to Denbighshire to invest in the communities of Llangollen, Llantysilio, Corwen and surrounding areas.

A section of the Mill Street car park will be closed to facilitate the contractor’s site compound once the work starts on Monday February 5 and will remain until the end of June 2024.

The public will still be able to access a section of the car park during this period as some parking spaces will still be available for use throughout the works. Disabled parking will also be available at the car park during this time.

OBR Construction says it will try to scale down the compound as the scheme progresses towards completion to relieve more spaces where possible.

Residents and visitors wishing to use the car park during this period are advised that heavy plant vehicles will be entering and exiting the car park throughout the day between the hours of 8am and 5.30pm. 

Pedestrian routes within or accessing the car park will also be kept clear at all times and, in instances where this may not be possible, alternative pedestrian routes will be provided.

While car parking at Mill Street will still be possible during the construction period, in the event that the car park is full, alternative car parking facilities are available nearby at:

1. East Street, Llangollen, LL20 8PW
2. Market Street, Llangollen, LL20 8RB
3. Llangollen Pavilion, Llangollen, LL20 8SW

Barry Mellor, Lead Member for Environment & Transport, said: “I am delighted that the construction work for Llangollen’s Four Great Highways project will be underway soon and look forward to the completion of this vital project which will enhance the landscape and improve accessibility, interpretation and signage in Llangollen.

“We understand that residents may be concerned about the potential impacts of the work on their ability to be able to park in the area, but we would like to reassure people that despite the reduced capacity at the Mill Street car park during this period alternative places to park in Llangollen will continue to be available during this time.” 

* To learn more about Denbighshire County Council’s Four Great Highways project on our website: https://www.denbighshire.gov.uk/four-great-highways

Llangollen features in list of Wales' most 'underrated' towns

 

* Plas Newydd is quoted as one of the highlights of "underrated" Llangollen.

Llangollen appears in an geography website’s list of the Nine Most Underrated Towns in Wales.

World Atlas, based in Quebec, Canada, says it is one of the largest publishing resources in geography and also covers sociology, demography, environment, economics, politics and travel.

According to its own description, in 2019 alone, it served over 165 million readers from around the globe.

In its “underrated towns” feature it says Wales is often overlooked as a place to visit, with many people “not knowing of the treasures it holds in vibrant folklore and endowed with a rich culture”,

Llangollen shares the list of “underrated” towns with Kidwelly in Carmarthenshire, Llangefni on Angelsey, Abderdaron in Gwynedd, Llangorse in the Brecon Beacons, Welshpool and Llanwertyd Wells in Powys, Tregaron in Ceredigion and Hawarden in Flintshire.

Of Llangollen it says: “A riverside delight that is part of a UNESCO World Heritage site, with an eponymous railway, a breathtaking hike to a 13th-century castle, and a Gothic-tinged mansion, Llangollen is optimal for embracing relaxation.

“Llangollen Railway is a scenic heritage railway from Llangollen to Corwen, with views of storybook villages, castles, and lush rolling hills. A variety of unique excursions are available throughout the year.

“If the aquatic route is more appealing, the Llangollen Canal meanders through town, an ideal spot to picnic by or take a cruise down, especially if one of the unique horse-drawn boats is available for a ride. Horseshoe Falls, a dramatically beautiful piece of Thomas Telford engineering, is not to be missed.

“For history buffs, Castell Dinas Bran and Plas Newydd House will capture imaginations. Castell Dinas Bran, or the Crow's Fortress, is a rare 13th-century Welsh-built stone castle perched on a hilltop with panoramic views of the surrounding valleys.

“Plas Newydd (New Hall) is an unbelievable mansion with enchanting gardens, best known for being home to the unconventional "Ladies of Llangollen," a pair who lived together for fifty years, becoming 18th-century celebrities and expanding the house from a small cottage to the modern iteration.” 

* See the full article at: 9 Most Underrated Towns in Wales - WorldAtlas

Up date on serious road traffic collision on Abbey Road

* The scene at the collision site in Abbey Road at around 8.15am.

North Wales Police alert this morning:

"ROAD CLOSURE, Abbey Road (A542), between Llangollen and Pentrefelin, due to an RTC, emergency services at scene dealing, please avoid the area, expect delays."

At around 8.20am this morning the road was still cordoned off just after the Pavilion car park with a large emergency services presence.

According to a running story on Leader Live, the fire and rescue service received the initial call at around 7.16am this morning.

North Wales Police announced at around 7.40am that Abbey Road (A542) between Llangollen and Pentrefelin was closed.

North Wales Fire and Rescue Service later confirmed it was a two-vehicle collision involving a car and an agricultural vehicle.

One person was trapped, a spokesman said.

Two fire crews rushed to the scene, one from Llangollen and one from Wrexham.

Also in attendance was the fire service technical rescue unit from Wrexham and ambulance teams.

Just after 9am came word that the casualty had been extricated by the fire service and was in the care of the Welsh Ambulance Service

A few minutes later the fire service confirmed crews at the scene had received the 'stop' message at 8.56am. However all three fire appliances remained there and were "making the scene safe."

* See the Leader's story at: Collision closes A542 between Llangollen and Pentrefelin | The Leader (leaderlive.co.uk)

Three Llangollen finalists in Welsh Hair and Beauty Awards

Llangollen has three finalists in the Welsh Hair and Beauty Awards 2024 – and the glittering presentation evening will also be held in the town.

Known as one of the most prestigious rolls of honour in the hair and beauty industry, the awards are celebrating their 10^th anniversary this year.

The black-tie ceremony will take place on Saturday May 18 at Llangollen Pavilion and will celebrate rising and well-established stars who make a difference in the industry.

Favourite stylists and salons were nominated by members of the public. With more than 80,000 votes being received, the full list of finalists from the North of Wales has been compiled, including three from Llangollen.

Jades Hair and Beauty will contest the Best of North category against salons from Colwyn Bay and Prestatyn, while Llangollen Barbers Shop will face competition from eight others based in Wrexham, Prestatyn and Old Colwyn to take the Barbers of the Year crown.

Sophie of Sophie Elizabeth Beauty, Llangollen  is a finalist in the Beautician of the Year category against competitors from Wrexham, Gwynedd, Denbighshire and Conwy county.

A spokesperson for The Welsh Hair and Beauty Awards 2024, said:  “We had an outstanding response from the public who went behind our nomination process and put forward tried and tested beauty professionals that deserve recognition.

“The awards remark the strength, skill and innovation of those who have shown excellent commitment to customer satisfaction and have changed the industry’s landscape by introducing innovative treatments and services, building extremely close and trusted relationships with their clients.

 “We would like to congratulate everyone for being shortlisted and we can’t wait to welcome all our guests and deliver an enjoyable event. We wish all finalists the best of luck.”