Llanblogger - news from Llangollen

Sunday, May 12, 2024

Bryn Collen celebrates "excellent" Estyn report

Saturday, May 11, 2024

Pavilion packed with garden railway enthusiasts

* A miniature steam engine makes its way around one of the numerous railway layouts on display.

Llangollen's International Pavilion is today playing host to thousands of enthusiasts attending one of the UK's largest garden railway festivals.

Over 50 leading retailers have laid out their displays and stalls, including some showcasing some of the most ingenious railway model layouts from different periods and countries, catering for all tastes.

There have been locomotives running on various gauges, live steam, gas fired, digital and analogue operations plus a huge range of accessories and parts.

A garden railway or garden railroad is a model railway set up outdoors in a garden.

The event is the brainchild of Llangollen-based garden model railway enthusiast Keith Potts who himself is the proud creator of a marvellous layout outside his own Llangollen home.

He said: "Since we held our first garden railway festival in Llangollen in 2020 it has gone from strength to strength. Since COVID, the popularity of garden railways has gone through the roof.

"Today's event has been a fantastic success as we not only got to see some amazing model railways in action, but there has also been plenty of opportunities to meet fellow enthusiasts and learn about different railway models and layouts."

The festival closes at 4pm this afternoon (Saturday). Tickets are priced at £12 for adults, with free admission for all accompanied children.

* The Pavilion packed with enthusiasts.

* Making adjustments to the rolling stock.

* Lots more stalls and exhibitors next door.

* Stall for specialists.

* Making sure everything is right on track.

* Right stop for Ffordd-Y-Deryn station.

* An exhibitor all the way from the East Midlands.

* Getting into the correct costume.

* People gather on the platform.

* The local Glyn Valley Tramway's stall gets busy.

* A famous face puts in an appearance.

Latest local roadworks alerts

Latest local roadworks alerts from Causeway one.network re:

Fron Bache, Llangollen, Denbighshire,North and Mid Wales Trunk Road Agency

13 May - 15 May

Delays likely - Diversion route

Name: Diversion

Location: Fron Bache

Description: Streetworks / License - Streetworks

Responsibility for event: Denbighshire County Council

Current status: Planned

Fron Bache, Llangollen, Denbighshire,North and Mid Wales Trunk Road

Agency

13 May - 15 May

Delays likely - Road closure

Name: Fron Bache, Llangollen

Location: Fron Bache

Description: Streetworks / License - Streetworks

Responsibility for event: Denbighshire County Council

Current status: Planned

* Latest local roadworks alerts from Denbighshire County Council are:

A539 OUTSIDE 45 CASTLE STREET 20/05/2024 22/05/2024 Gwaith Trydanol / Electrical Works O'CONNOR UTILITIES (DCC) LLANGOLLEN Goleuadau Traffig Dros Dro/ Temp Traffic Lights

A539 - Ponsonby Arms, Mill Street, Llangollen MILL STREET 09/07/2024 10/07/2024 I reoli traffig ar llwybr amgen / To control traffic on an alternative route NMWTRA (DCC) LLANGOLLEN Goleuadau Traffig Dros Dro/ Temp Traffic Lights

A539 GLASCOED BACHE MILL ROAD 23/05/2024 23/05/2024 Adferiad/ Reinstatement O'CONNOR UTILITIES (DCC) LLANGOLLEN

OUTSIDE TRYLAN BIRCH HILL 20/05/2024 22/05/2024 Gwaith Dwr / Water Works HAFREN DYFRDWY Ffordd ar Gau/Road Closure

OOUTSIDE HOLLYTOPS FRON BACHE 13/05/2024 15/05/2024 Gwaith Dwr / Water Works HAFREN DYFRDWY (GEORGIA) LLANGOLLEN Ffordd ar Gau/Road Closure

Local advice session to be held for new recycling service

Denbighshire County Council is holding a series of drop-in sessions to answer questions about its new recycling service which comes into effect on June 3.

One of these will be held at Llangollen Town Hall next Wednesday, May 15, between 2 and 7pm.

* There is also comprehensive information about the new service in the FAQs on the website: https://bit.ly/4aBpRGA

Friday, May 10, 2024

Thousands steaming towards Llangollen Garden Railway festival

* Tony Green from Tony Green Models has already set up at the Pavilion.

Thousands of garden rail enthusiasts will be heading to Llangollen this weekend, as the town again plays host to one of the UK's largest garden railway festivals.

Over 50 of UK’s leading retailers have already set up at the International Pavilion with a fantastic selection of outstanding layouts of the larger scale in railway modelling, catering for all tastes, showcasing garden railways from different periods and countries.

The event has been organised by Llangollen-based garden model railway enthusiast Keith Potts.

Previous festivals have been hugely popular in the town famous for its annual International Musical Eisteddfod and own its steam railway.

A garden railway or garden railroad is a model railway set up outdoors in a garden. Keith has his own garden railway, in his front garden on Horseshoe Pass View.

He said: "We have been busy today welcoming dozens of exhibitors from across the UK. Llangollen is famous for its steam railway, but more and people are heading to this part of North Wales for our Garden Railway Festival.

"Not only will you get to see some amazing model railways in action, but there will also be plenty of opportunities to meet fellow enthusiasts and learn about different railway models and layouts.

"The festival is set against the backdrop of the beautiful Llangollen countryside, and it's a great opportunity to spend a day out with friends and family.

"Tickets are selling fast and the great things is that all accompanied children can attend for free."

The event is held at the Llangollen Pavilion tomorrow from 10am until 4.30pm.

The festival will feature over 50 exhibitors, as well as demonstrations of modelling techniques and larger scale and gauge societies, preservation and heritage societies and railway specialist interest groups.

There will also be locomotives running on various gauges, live steam, gas fired, digital and analogue operations.

Tickets for the Llangollen Garden Railway Festival are priced at £12 for adults, with free admission for all accompanied children. Tickets can be purchased from the Llangollen Tourist Information Centre in the centre of Llangollen or by calling 01978 860 828. On the day tickets start at 10am.

* For more information and for a list of exhibitors - see https://www.lgrf.co.uk/

Notice given of vacancy on Llangollen Town Council

Notice has been given of a casual vacancy on Llangollen Town Council.

Town clerk Gareth Thomas says: "The vacancy has been caused by the resignation of Cllr Yvonne Ryan.

"A bye-election to fill the vacancy will be held if 10 local government electors give notice, in writing, of a request for such an election to the Returning Officer, Denbighshire County Council, County Hall, Wynnstay Road, Ruthin, LL15 1YN, not later than Wednesday May 22.

"If no such notice is given the Town Council will fill the vacancy by co-option."

Australian trio Germein to support Sir Tom Jones at Eisteddfod

* Australian trio Germein will support Sir Tom Jones on July 2.

Australian sibling trio Germein will support Welsh icon and music legend Sir Tom Jones when he headlines the Llangollen International Musical Eisteddfod this summer.

Sir Tom will present the opening show of the Core Eisteddfod Week on Tuesday July 2 and it is announced today he will be joined on the night by Germein.

Indie-pop trio Germein, made up of sisters Georgia (guitar and lead vocals), Ella (bass) and Clara (drums) hail from South Australia.

Germein began turning heads following the release of debut album Because You Breathe in 2013 and have been described as nothing short of mesmerising.

Taking the lead from strong female artists like HAIM and CHVRCHES, they are inspired by the vocal harmonies of iconic bands such as Queen and Fleetwood Mac.

With an impressive list of accolades under their belt, including opening for pop icons Little Mix, Ronan Keating, Phil Collins, Jess Glynne, and multiple times for Tom Jones, the trio promises a treat for Llangollen audiences.

Tom Jones has established himself as one of the most accomplished musicians of all time.

Born in the mining town of Pontypridd, South Wales in 1940, he signed with Decca Records in the 1960s kickstarting a successful career with chart-topping hits such as It's Not Unusual, What's New Pussycat?, Delilah and Green, Green Grass of Home.

His passion for diverse musical genres has led him to collaborate with legendary artists such as Stevie Wonder, Aretha Franklin, Van Morrison, Dolly Parton and Ed Sheeran.

His career has been filled with numerous honours and accolades, including a deeply cherished knighthood from Queen Elizabeth II in 2006, multiple BRIT Awards, a Silver Clef Award, the prestigious Music Industry Trusts Award, and a Hitmaker Award from the US Songwriters Hall of Fame.

The headlining show will form part of the core week of the 2024 Llangollen International Musical Eisteddfod which will also see concerts with Welsh icon Katherine Jenkins and international best-selling artist Gregory Porter.

Along with the core week of the festival running from July 2 - 7, this year sees a series of concerts taking place as part of a new partnership between Llangollen International Musical Eisteddfod and Live Nation promoters Cuffe and Taylor.

Tom Jones, Katherine Jenkins and Gregory Porter join global rock stars Simple Minds, British pop giants Madness, indie heroes Kaiser Chiefs, Manic Street Preachers and Suede, BRIT award-winning artist Paloma Faith, chart-topper Jess Glynne, disco legends Nile Rodgers & CHIC and global rock star Bryan Adams among the artists to headline dates either side of the iconic peace festival in 2024.

Artistic Director of the Llangollen Eisteddfod Dave Danford said: “Tom Jones has been the talk of the town ever since we announced our 2024 line-up, and the opening night of our Core Eisteddfod Week will now be even bigger, with Germein warming up the stage for him. Their catchy brand of indie pop will be just the ticket to build the excitement on Tuesday 2 July.”