Cycle Bus takes young riders on safe trip to school

* Cycle bus riders assemble in the community hall car park.

To mark this year's Cycle to School Week Drosi Bikes, in conjunction with the local primary schools and Sustrans, organised a community Cycle Bus event in Llangollen. 

Around 30 pupils from Ysgol Bryn Collen and Ysgol Y Gwernant took part in the fun ride which aimed to help give families the confidence to ride to school, whilst demonstrating the need for safer routes for children to cycle, walk, scoot and wheel around the community.

Starting from St Collen’s Community Hall, the short route, which was led by the now-infamous Drosi Bikes cargo bike, took the young riders briefly along the A5 before turning into Pengwern and heading towards the school sites. 

Though not a great distance, the busy roads and congested school gates can be daunting for any road user, but are additionally hazardous when cycling with young children. 

* Riders head along the A5 at Regent Street. 

By coming together and moving as a much larger unit, the cycle bus looks to reduce these barriers, and provides a practical and fun way to reduce traffic congestion around schools, whilst encouraging more children to cycle safely.

Drosi Bikes is a community workshop based in Llangollen, with a mission to promote inclusive and eco-friendly travel for everyone. 

Its Beth Ward said: "The cycle bus initiative is growing rapidly across the UK and though a few have been run in the town previously, we were keen to get involved and help spread the word.

"The cycle bus ethos of promoting active travel and encouraging physical activity is something very akin with our social enterprise. 

"There is a real need for safer cycling within Llangollen as this event clearly demonstrated. We were really pleased with the turn-out and a big thank you has to go to the schools for their support, St Collen Church for offering free parking for the event and to all the drivers who gave us heaps of time and space. And of course, a huge thank you to all the kids and parents who got involved and helped make our impact.

"It's hoped the cycle bus will become a regular feature going forward and we’re hopeful it will continue to grow momentum."

Get a slice of Operatic's Charity Cake Afternoon

 

Llangollen Food Festival returns next weekend

Llangollen Food Festival returns to the town centre over the weekend of October 12 and 13, bringing a delectable array of flavours and festivities.

With over 80 stalls spread throughout various locations in the town, organisers say food lovers can expect a weekend filled with culinary delights, exciting chef demonstrations, tastings, and live music at Riverside Park.

This year’s festival will feature an impressive line-up of local and regional producers showcasing their finest offerings. 

Visitors can explore a diverse range of stalls, including artisan cheeses, handmade chocolates, fresh produce, and mouth-watering street food, all while enjoying the vibrant atmosphere.

"We're delighted to bring together so many fantastic food and drink producers together for another year. Whatever the weather brings, join us in celebrating the rich flavours and talents of our community," said Pip Gale, chair of the Food Festival. 

"Whether you’re a dedicated foodie or just looking for a fun day out, the Llangollen Food Festival promises something for everyone."

The food court, located along Riverside Park, will be the heart of the festival, providing a perfect spot for attendees to relax and savour delicious bites. Throughout the weekend, local chefs will host live cooking demonstrations, sharing tips and techniques that inspire culinary creativity.

To make a visit even more convenient, Denbighshire County Council is offering free parking in all of its car parks - Brook St, East St, Hall St, Market Street, Mill Street and the Eisteddfod Pavilion - during both days of the festival weekend. 

* For more information, check the Llangollen Food Festival Facebook page or website.

Garden railway festival steams back into Pavilion next June

* Crowds at last year's successful garden railway festival in the Pavilion.

One of the UK’s most successful garden railway festivals will be making a  return journey to Llangollen Pavilion on Saturday, June 7.  

The Llangollen Garden Railway Festival is one of the UK’s biggest model garden railway events.   

The event, which has been held since 2021 is once again expected to bring in thousands of garden railway enthusiasts to North east Wales. It is also a great day for families and kids as well as hobbyists and enthusiasts.

Over 40 of UK’s leading retailers have already confirmed their attendance at the event.  

The day-long festival will feature a selection of outstanding layouts of the larger scale in railway modelling, catering for all tastes and showing garden railways from different periods and countries.

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

Previous festivals have been hugely popular in the town, which is world-famous for its annual International Eisteddfod and its own heritage steam railway. 

Keith said: “Our garden railway festival is one of the most popular in the UK.  We’ve been running the event since 2021 and are delighted to announce the date for our festival in 2025.  

"Garden railways continue to be extremely popular and our festival in 2024 drew thousands to Llangollen and in doing so helped raise money for local charities.  

"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 again being held at our spacious and iconic pavilion. Tickets are now on sale at £14 each and accompanied children can attend for free.”

* The event is held at the Llangollen Pavilion LL20 8SW on Saturday, June 7 from 10am until 4.30pm.

Olly Murs and Lemar lined up for Eisteddfod concert next summer

Chart-topping pop singer Olly Murs is bringing his 15 Years of Hits UK tour to Llangollen next summer.

One of Britain’s biggest and best-loved stars, the Troublemaker and Marry Me star, will headline Live at Llangollen Pavilion on Friday July 4, and he will be joined on the night by very special guest Lemar.

Tickets go on sale at 10am Friday October 11 from llangollen.netand www.ticketmaster.co.uk

Olly first rose to fame on ITV’s The X Factor in 2009 and has since enjoyed a hit-filled career with no less than four Number One singles, seven studio albums and six BRIT Award nominations.

This year has seen him attract a whole new army of fans after a successful stint as special guest on Take That’s This Life tour.

Olly presents a catalogue of fan-favourites including such hits as Please Don’t Let Me Go, Heart Skips A Beat,Dance With Me Tonight, Dear Darlin’, and Wrapped Uppromising an unforgettable night as he makes his Llangollen debut.

Joining Olly as very special guest will be multi-award-winning singer-songwriter Lemar. 

* Lemar.

One of the most successful male British solo artists of the last two decades Lemar has enjoyed considerable chart success in the UK and Ireland releasing 10 top 20 singles, seven of which peaked in the top 10, and selling more than two million albums.

Lemar is a double Brit Award and triple MOBO Award winner who has worked with many of music’s greats, from Lionel Richie to Justin Timberlake, Mary J Blige, Beyonce and Mariah Carey. Last year Lemar released his 7th studio album Page In My Heart and earlier this year he starred alongside Beverley Knight in Sister Act in the West End before joining chart toppers JLS on tour.

It has already been announced that Scottish rock legends Texas will headline Live at Llangollen Pavilion on Thursday June 26, while global pop rock sensation The Script will headline on Thursday July 3 with more announcements to come.

The headline concerts are presented in a partnership between Live Nation promoters Cuffe and Taylor and Llangollen International Musical Eisteddfod.

Cuffe and Taylor co-founder Peter Taylor said: “We are thrilled to announce Olly Murs for next summer. Olly is a fan favourite delivering high-energy shows time and time again. He’s a pop sensation for a reason and alongside very special guest Lemar I'm confident Llangollen is in for a night to remember.”

Artistic Director of the Llangollen International Musical Eisteddfod Dave Danford added: “We’re getting ready for a big summer of live music in Llangollen next summer, and we’re delighted to be announcing Olly Murs and Lemar. It’s guaranteed to be a fun evening, with two of the UK’s most popular vocalists!”

 

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

 

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Llan parkrun celebrates movement's 20th birthday tomorrow

Llangollen's Old Railway Trail parkrun is a celebrating a global milestone in the movement's history with a special event tomorrow (Saturday).

October 2 saw the 20th anniversary of parkrun being set up by Paul Sinton-Hewitt.

And all 2,500 parkruns around the world have been asked to celebrate with a set of community events.

The Old Railway Trail will mark the occasion by staging its own 68th event tomorrow.

Since its formation parkrun across the world has notched up: 

* 98 million parkrun finishes by walkers, joggers and runners

* More than 900,000 different people have volunteered at parkrun worldwide in the two decades

* 500 million kilometres have been traversed by park-runners since 2004.

An Old Railway trail official said: "We extend a warm welcome to anyone and everyone from Llangollen who can come and walk, jog, run, volunteer or simply come and watch and be part of our parkrun community."

Public can find out about plans for new National Park

Two drop-in events are to be held in the Llangollen area by Natural Resources Wales (NRW) as part of a 10-week public consultation period on plans for a new National Park in Wales, starting this week and ending in December.

Welsh Government has commissioned NRW to assess the evidence and case for a new National Park and make a recommendation.

A study area based on the Clwydian Range and Dee Valley National Landscape was identified and shared during a public engagement period in late 2023.

Following this and a period of evidence gathering NRW will now be consulting the public on the emerging proposal throughout the autumn and winter months.

The public consultation events will be an opportunity to learn more about the project and evidence gathered to date, ask questions of the team and share feedback on the draft boundary map referred to as the Candidate Area Map.

The two local drop-in events will take place at the Ceiriog Centre, New Road, LL20 7HE on Wednesday October 16, from 1-7pm, and at Llangollen Town Hall on Tuesday December 10, from 3-7pm.

Ash Pearce, Programme Manager in NRW’s Designated Landscapes Programme team said: "While we have a statutory procedure to follow, we want to ensure that this is an inclusive process and that people have the opportunity to share their views on the proposals. 

“Early engagement has given us a much clearer picture of the issues, hopes and concerns of the local people and stakeholders. We have identified eleven themes that underline both risks and opportunities for the area. These reflect concerns about over tourism and the impact on housing, but also the hopes for better management, responsible access, conservation and nature’s recovery.”

* People are encouraged to either drop by at an in-person event or email the project team at designated.landscapes.programme@naturalresourceswales.gov.uk to sign up to an online event. People will only need to attend one event as the information shared will be the same for each.