Indie heroes James to headline Live at Llangollen Pavilion

Indie greats James are heading to North Wales next summer to headline Live at Llangollen Pavilion.

The Manchester legends – who gave the world such timeless anthems as Sit Down, Born of Frustration, She’s A Star and Come Home – will perform on Sunday June 29. 

Tickets go on general sale at 10am Friday from llangollen.net and www.ticketmaster.co.uk

One of Britain’s most enduring success stories, James have sold more than 25 million records worldwide since forming in Manchester in the early 1980s – gaining both critical and commercial acclaim.

Their unique craftsmanship, creativity and musical legacy has made them one of the most influential British bands of the last four decades and with 18 studio albums under their belt, James secured their first UK album Number 1 chart spot earlier this year with Yummy.

The band’s 40th anniversary in 2023 was celebrated with a tour of inspired orchestral reworkings of hits, B-sides and obscure favourites, but this was far from a full stop. As frontman Tim Booth sings on the anti-ageism anthem Rogue on Yummy, “some of us still have work to do”.

A sensational live band, who continue to sell-out arenas across the UK and beyond, James most recently completed a US co-headline tour with The Smiths’ song-writing genius Johnny Marr.

The announcement is the latest reveal for summer 2025 in Llangollen which will also see Rag’n’Bone Man, Olly Murs, Texas, The Script and UB40 featuring Ali Campbell headline the iconic Welsh venue with more announcements to come.

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

Cuffe and Taylor co-founder Peter Taylor said: "We’ve had the pleasure of working with James on numerous shows over the years, and they never fail to impress. Their talent is unmatched, and we’re thrilled to be bringing them to Llangollen. Fans can look forward to an unforgettable night filled with incredible music and a unique atmosphere only James can create.”

Artistic Director of the Llangollen International Eisteddfod Dave Danford added: “Our amazing summer of live music for 2025 continues, with the announcement that James will be performing live in Llangollen. Their huge anthems are sure to have the pavilion rocking to the rafters, and this is definitely a show that’s not to be missed.” 

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

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Christmas Festival programme is unveiled

 

This year’s Llangollen Christmas Festival is due to be held on Saturday November 30 and the programme is:   

10am

 

Christmas Market – Approximately 30 Stalls

 

Market Street - The majority of stallholders will be local crafters

 

Centenary Square – Local community groups

 

Outside Tourist Information Centre – Local charity and community groups

 

Throughout the day - Treasure hunt around town

 

12am – 5pm

 

Musical entertainment and morris dancing in Centenary Square

 

1pm

 

Christmas Festival Parade, starting at the Pavilion and heading into town along Abbey Road, Castle Street, Bridge Street, Chapel Street, Oak Street and back onto Castle Street stopping outside the Town Hall. 

 

1pm

 

Town Hall - Open children’s entertainment with Sion Corn’s Grotto, circus school, face painting, balloon sculpture, bouncy play, morris dancing. All free.

 

5pm

 

Switching-on of the Christmas lights (Town Council) Fireworks

Its chair Austin “Chem” Cheminais, said: “Llangollen Christmas Festival is organised by volunteers from the community who freely give their time and expertise to organise and run the event. It is not a Town Council event, although they do support us.

 

“The festival is a not-for-profit community event aimed at local people. We aim to make the Christmas Festival a totally free event, with no charge for activities or entertainment.

 

“We are funded through fund raising events, donations, sponsorship, a raffle and grants when available. Annually the group has to raise about £4,000 to fund the event. The festival is usually held on the last Saturday in November.

 

“If you need any further information or are able to sponsor us is some way please get in touch. My mobile number is 07813761766 and my email address is chemshouts@gmail.com”

Stage is all set for 'Allo 'Allo: The Camembert Caper

* A rehearsal scene from 'Allo 'Allo: The Camembert Caper.   

Llangollen Twenty Club are busy rehearsing for their fast-approaching play 'Allo 'Allo: The Camembert Caper.   

It's a roller-coaster of favourite characters in a piece based on the legendary TV comedy, all at loggerheads with everyone else. And in the midst of all this is our hapless bar owner Rene whose life seems to be in constant danger.

Add a basketful of camembert cheeses, an amorous but corrupt undertaker, two waitresses vying for Rene's charms, ill thought out escape plans for the two British airmen, German presence everywhere and ... 

Performances at Llangollen Town Hall are from next Wednesday-Saturday November 13-16 at 7.30pm, with a Saturday matinee at 2pm, at the town hall Llangollen.

Flower Arrangement Society to host evening of floral art

On Tuesday November 26, Llangollen Flower Arrangement Society will host an evening of floral art in Llangollen Town Hall entitled “It’s Written in the Stars”, with guest floral arranger, Jane Pugh of Shropshire.

Tickets are £12 and include a hot drink and a mince pie. There will also be stalls selling arts and crafts and a raffle. Doors open at 6.45pm for a 7.30pm start.

Tickets are available on the door, or contact Jane Jones on 01978 861225 to purchase in advance.

John Gambles becomes Eisteddfod's new chairman

* John Gambles (right) with Grant Calton, the Eisteddfod's new Vice-Chairman. 

John Gambles, a retired education officer and teacher, a volunteer with the festival since 1987, is the new Chairman of Llangollen International Musical Eisteddfod. 

John, affectionately known throughout the town as ‘Mr Gambles’, as former deputy head at Ysgol Dinas Bran School in Llangollen, previously served as Vice-Chairman, chaired the board’s executive committee and held further roles within the organisation.

He said: “I am immensely proud to have become the new Chairman of the Eisteddfod.  Since 1947, the festival has played a leading role in promoting peace and internationalism through music and dance.  

"Every year we welcome the world to our beautiful part of North East Wales and to play a leading role in delivering the festival is an enormous privilege.  

"We are lucky to have over 600 active volunteers, many who work all year round to deliver our unique peace festival – people from all walks of life I count as friends.  

"Together, we deliver something truly special and precious to all of us. Sadly, many festivals are no longer in existence, victims of the pandemic and economic pressures, and we have found the last few years extremely challenging. 

* The new Chairman with Ken Skates MS, Cabinet Secretary for Transport and North Wales, who is a strong supporter of the festival.

"As Chairman, I will work hard to help lead our strategy to become more resilient and self-sufficient and become less dependent upon on government grants by moving towards becoming an all-year-round organisation. 

"This will also help to strengthen the local economy and ensure that Llangollen, a town with a big voice, continues to play its part in modern Wales.”

John paid tribute to his predecessor Professor Chris Adams, who will remain on the board of the festival.  

He said: “Chris took over as Chairman at a time of great difficulty and navigated us through tough times.  His commitment to the legacy of the Llangollen Eisteddfod continues and he will play a key role in our heritage and peace offerings.  

"Our message of peace and internationalism is as relevant today as it was in 1947.  Our partnership with Cuffe and Taylor has been a significant step forward and has added an important new dimension to our festival. As the new Chairman, I will continue to support this partnership and also ensure that our core offering and message of peace continues.”

The new Vice-Chairman will be Llangollen resident Grant Calton, business founder and investor in the music, film and television industries in Europe and Australia. 

"Grant is a partner at Ironbridge Capital and a business mentor to the Princes’ Trust and Guild of Mercers.  

New members of the board elected are Fiona Brockway and Morgan Thomas.  

Former Chairman, former Llangollen GP Dr Rhys Davies who is also a previous Chairman, also makes a welcome return to the board.

Railway honours those who have served on Remembrance Sunday

Llangollen Railway is supporting both Llangollen and Corwen town’s Remembrance services this Sunday (November 10). 

It will not be running its usual 10am service as a mark of respect to those who have served their country and to allow our staff and volunteers to attend one of the services.

The 12:30 14:45 from Llangollen and 13:35 and 15:450 from Corwen will both run.

Veterans and serving military personnel can all travel free on the 12:30 Remembrance Train from Llangollen and 13:35 from Corwen.

 

Railway press officer Terry Pickthall said: “Everyone at the railway felt it was important that we show our respect, support and love for those who have served our country to uphold our hard-won freedom and democracy. 

"We have a number ex-service people amongst our staff and volunteers who have served with the British Army, Royal Navy and Air Force. 

"This includes our Trust Manager Tom Taylor, who served in the Royal Electrical and Mechanical Engineers and worked with Army helicopters all over the world, before retraining to work in the heritage and tourism management sector and ultimately taking on the massive job of leading the recovery of our railway."

Terry added “We look forward to welcoming current and former serving military people and their families to the railway after the memorial services and hope everyone enjoys a trip with us along the Dee Valley in all its autumnal splendour.

"Visitors are encouraged to get off the train at Berwyn and have a look at the tiles under the bridge that takes the footpath under the railway to the Chain Bridge. Here you can still just about see graffiti left by first World War servicemen before they headed to France and Belgium, some never to return." 

Tom Taylor said: “At Llangollen Railway, we have always recognized and valued the contributions of those who have served our country, both past and present. It has always been a privilege for us to participate in the Remembrance Service in Llangollen each year and more recently in Corwen. 

"This year we are honoured to operate our special Poppy Train, allowing us to pay tribute to the bravery of our service personnel, their families and friends. Through our special train, we also aim to raise valuable funds for the Royal British Legion, ensuring that their sacrifices are never forgotten.”

 

Nicholas Collins, a volunteer with the Glyndyfrdwy Station Team, who also recently got married on the Railway, said: “I joined the Army, starting off in the TA before transferring to the Regulars. I served on tours of Bosnia, Kosovo, Croatia and the Falklands. 

"I was part of taskforce Cambri on the Kosovo/Macedonia border, serving alongside the Royal Tank Regiment and helping stop fighting between rebel forces. Our Railway has played an important part in various wars and remembering all the soldiers that travelled by train to war and never returned is important. The sacrifices they made by giving their lives is why we enjoy the freedom and peace we live in today."

 

* Advance booking is not required, the railway's café will be offering hot drinks and light refreshments and visitors will be encouraged to donate what they can to the Royal British Legion’s Poppy Appeal.

 

Community officer sought for Pengwern Community Hub

* Pengwern Community Hub.

South Denbighshire Community Partnership is aiming to appoint a Community Engagement & Development Officer vacancy with South Denbighshire Community Partnership.

The advertisement says: 

SDCP is seeking an Energetic and Enthusiastic person who is passionate about, and committed to, Community Development to join our award-winning team as a Community Engagement and Development Officer.

The post holder will primarily be based at the Pengwern Community Hub in Llangollen but will also engage in outreach work as required. Responsible to the Community Development Manager, in partnership with Denbighshire County Council Housing Department, for its day-to-day operation.

By engaging with the community, developing and implementing a programme of services and activities to improve the quality of life for local people and build stronger communities and contribute ideas for the improvement of the facilities, its future development and its long-term sustainability.

Ensuring that Pengwern hub is a warm welcoming centre that provides appropriate services that tackle social isolation, rural poverty and improve access to services.

Job Type: Full-time

Pay: £24,496.00-£26,845.00 per year

Hours: 35 hours Monday to Friday 9.00am – 4.30pm

•

(Although some flexibility will be required for evening and weekend events)

Education & Experience:

•

GCSE or equivalent (preferred)

•

A good general level of education with a minimum Level 2 qualification in a relevant subject (Community Development, Health & Social Care)

•

A minimum of 3 years’ experience working withing a community support role required.

If you are interested in applying for this position, please complete the application form along with your C.V. please visit our website for all vacancy documents:

https://www.canolfan-ni.org/vacancies-at-sdcp

Application deadline: 20th November 2024 by email to Denise@sdcp.org

Shortlisted Candidates will be contacted by Tuesday 26th November

Interviews to be held on 5th December 2024

Expected start date: 6th January 2025