Summer fete makes a spectacular return to Plas Newydd

* A highlight of the afternoon came when Llangollen Pantomime Group performed songs from their last smash-hit show, Jack and the Beanstalk. In 2025 they will be staging Beauty and the Beast at the Town Hall from January 16-19.

Llangollen Summer Fete made a hugely successful return to Plas Newydd today (Saturday) after an enforced absence of five years due to the pandemic.

Hundreds flocked to the grounds of the town's own stately home to enjoy a fun afternoon in the sun featuring family-friendly favourites including games, stalls, treasure hunts, raffles, entertainment, food, competitions, a local artisan market and live music.

Three local organisations - Vale of Llangollen Rotary, Llangollen Parks Project and Plas Newydd – teamed up to revive the popular event, which was last held in 2019.

Entry to the event was by donation only and funds raised on the day will go to a number of good causes.

 * The new Town Mayor and Mayoress, Aled and Sarah Morris, officially open the fete.

* Llangollen Silver Band plays for the crowds.

* The plant stall did growing business.

* The cake stall kept busy.

* The soft toys proved popular.

* Llangollen Food Share's well-stocked stall. 

* Ysgol Bryn Collen's PTFA ran a busy raffle.

* Trying his hand at keeping the plate spinning.

 * Ysgol Y Gwernant hosted a tricky splat-a-rat game.

* Plenty of interest was shown in the Llangollen Eisteddfod information stall.

* Llangollen Maelor Angling offered hook-a-duck.

* Crowds at the fete in mid-afternoon.

* Brownie Queen did a tasty trade.

* The AONB team offered the chance to try camera obscura of the type once sited near Castell Dinas Bran in the 19th century. 

* A gleaming 1923 Morris "Bullnose" Cowley was on show.

* Emergency services were on display.

* The Charlie Jones Band played later in the afternoon. Charlie, left, also compered the fete.

* Charlie draws the winner in the Eisteddfod stall's raffle - two tickets to the Wales Welcomes the World evening concert on July 3. With her are Eisteddfod volunteers Mike Gleed and Issy Richards.   

Abseiler helps Eisteddfod put up its banner at station

An expert abseiler helped the Eisteddfod put up its striking advertising banner on a vantage point high above Llangollen station yesterday (Friday) morning.

The expert climbing service was provided by Glyndyfrdwy-based R3 Safety & Rescue, courtesy of its managing director Paul O’Sullivan.

The banner, which will stay in its vantage point in clear view of the town bridge for the duration of the festival, is based on the Eisteddfod’s new, more modern branding design.

Eisteddfod board member Ian Lebbon, who was there to watch the intricate operation, said: “It’s good to see our eye-catching banner going up where everyone will be able to see it.

“It’s also great that the guys from R3 Safety & Rescue, who have done this job for us for a number of years now, were back to help us out again, free of charge, this year.”

Friends of Pengwern meet 'n' greet next week

Friends of Pengwern has its annual general meeting and meet 'n' greet session at Pengwern Community Hub on the evening of Friday June 14, from 6-7pm.

A group spokesperson said: "It's an opportunity to build community and make connections for any Llangollen residents interested in being a friend of our lovely Pengwern Community Hub.

"There will be refreshments and music."

Top women's bike race comes zooming through town

This stunning image courtesy of Alistair John Sharp of Pictures of Llangollen shows competitors in the Tour of Britain Bike Race Women 2024 heading into town this afternoon (Friday).

The race’s second stage started and finished on Chester Street in Wrexham’s city centre and took in some of the breathtaking scenery in Denbighshire, West Cheshire and Chester, with a further one sprint and two Queen of the Mountains segments along the way.

The peloton travelled north out of Wrexham, crossing into West Cheshire after just 20km where the route ramped up alongside the Peckforton Hill Range, part of the Mid-Cheshire Ridge.

The route then crossed back into Wrexham, taking in the villages of Bangor-on-Dee and Overton, before the sprint was decided in Johnstown. The race continued along a scenic stretch of the Llangollen Canal.

A crowd of spectators waited for the cyclists around the Llangollen Bridge area.

Large crowds were also out on the Horseshoe Pass, which came at a pivotal point of the stage with around 30km to go.

The ensuing descent set up a fast run-in to Wrexham for the stage finish to conclude the race’s journey in Wales, passing through Minera and Rhostyllen, before a short hop back over the border to Warrington for stage three.

#llangollen #Denbighshire #wrexham #northwales #britishcycling #cycling

Call for gardening enthusiasts to help at Plas Newydd

An opportunity is available for interested gardeners to help out at an historic Llangollen home.

Plas Newydd has launched volunteering opportunities for keen gardeners who are also interested in preserving a piece of the town’s history.

The home of Lady Eleanor Butler and Miss Sarah Ponsonby captured the imagination of Regency society.

Both received a stream of visitors to the unpretentious little cottage which, over the years, they transformed into a Gothic fantasy of projecting stained glass and elaborately carved oak.

The Grade II listed gardens cover around 10 acres of grounds from rose gardens to woodland and dell areas, complemented by a stream flowing through.

Staff at the site are now opening the doors to those interesting in gardening and also wanting to learn some tips and tricks to help them out with their own outdoor areas.

Emlyn Jones, Head of Planning, Public Protection and Countryside Services, said: “This is a great opportunity for residents interested in gardening to boost their wellbeing by spending time helping in this wonderful garden.

“Plas Newydd is such an important piece of Llangollen’s history and this a fantastic chance to do you own bit to help preserve this area for the local community and future visitors to continue to enjoy and learn from.”

* If you are interested in volunteering, contact Lisette.davies@denbighshire.gov.uk or call 07454932732

Panto group could make surprise appearance at tomorrow's summer fete

Members of Llangollen Panto Group have hinted they could make a surprise appearance at tomorrow's (Saturday) summer fete at Plas Newydd.

A spokesperson explained this would be a suitable way of saying thank you to the local community who supported them so well when they returned to the stage earlier this year after a break of a couple of years due to the pandemic.

They said: "We were overwhelmed by the amazing support the Llangollen community showed us when we returned this year with Jack and the Beanstalk, it meant a lot. 

"Let’s once again show our support for our amazing local volunteers who have worked hard to get Plas Newydd fete up and running again. 

"Also you may hear us performing some songs from the show."

The group has announced it's 2025 show will be Beauty and the Beast.

The Llangollen Summer fete itself is making a triumphant return after a break of five years imposed by Covid restrictions.

Three local organisations - Vale of Llangollen Rotary, Llangollen Parks Project and Plas Newydd – have teamed up to revive the popular event, which was last held in 2019, at its traditional location of Plas Newydd, from 12.30-4pm tomorrow.

Organisers say it will feature a range of family-friendly favourites, including games, stalls, treasure hunts, raffles, entertainment, yummy food, competitions, a local artisan market, music and much more.

Entry to the event will be by donation only and funds raised on the day will go to a number of good causes.

Town crier reads out D-Day anniversary proclamation in town square

* Town crier Chem reads out the D-Day proclamation in Centenary Square.

Town crier Austin "Chem" Cheminais read out a poignant proclamation in the town's Centenary Square this morning to mark the 80th anniversary of D-Day. 

The special day commemorates the Allied landings on the coast of Normandy on June 6th 1944.

At precisely 11am Chem, accompanied by a flag party from the Llangollen branch of the Royal British Legion and Father Lee Taylor who led prayer, read the proclamation specially written for the occasion by Christian Ashdown of the Ancient and Honourable Guilds of Town Criers who formerly served with the Household Cavalry.

At the same moment hundreds of other town criers from across the world were reading out the same moving form of words, which said:

“Oyez, Oyez, Oyez

“Today we commemorate the 80th anniversary of the D-Day landings in Normandy, France - an incredible achievement in military planning and logistics uniting brave service personnel from air, sea and land forces at the beginning of Operation Overlord.

“By the day’s end, over one hundred and fifty thousand Allied troops had successfully stormed the now famous Gold, Juno, Sword, Utah and Omaha beaches to achieve a toehold in France.

“In the weeks that followed, the Allies fought bitterly against a determined foe from the unforgiving countryside of Normandy to the liberation of Paris two months later.

“We should all remember and never forget the selfless sacrifice and courage of all those involved and use this Commemoration to pay our tribute to those who gave so much to secure the freedom we all enjoy today. God Save the King!” 

Shortly afterwards the bells at St Collen's Church rang out to mark the D-Day anniversary. 

* The Legion flag party and Father Lee Taylor also took part in the ceremony.