Railway kicks off golden anniversary in fine style

* Austin 1 with an early train at Berwyn in September 1986.

Llangollen Railway kicks of its 50^th anniversary year in fine style with a spectacular Branchline Gala this weekend, on Friday 11^th, Saturday 12^th and Sunday 13^th April. 

A packed timetable will see 4 steam and one diesel locomotive in use, including two visitors alongside the railway’s home fleet. This will include No 6880 “Betton Grange”, the 81^st member of the famous Great Western Grange class, which was built from new by a group of enthusiasts.8

* Betton Grange at Llangollen station on April 8.

The project started at Llangollen in 1998 and much of the locomotive was built and assembled in the railway’s workshops. 6880 left the railway in 2018 and was then completed at Tyseley Locomotive Works in Birmingham, hauling trains for the first time in 2023. 6880 arrived at Llangollen last week and has been put straight into use on two enthusiast photo charters this week.

Also visiting is Class 14 diesel No D9525, another product of the Great Western Railway’s world-famous Swindon works. Built in 1964, this little loco was designed to haul short freight trains between towns and goods yards. Unfortunately, with great change taking place on the railways at this time, the engine was largely redundant by the time it was built, so it was sold on to the National Coal Board, who found plenty of work for her in the Northumberland coalfields until 1987. Nicknamed “Teddy Bears” by Swindon Works, the Class 14 is staying on the railway for the whole season.

The line’s home fleet of locomotives will contribute two more Swindon-built GWR steam locomotives – 1938-built 2-8-0 “Heavy Freight” No 3802 and 1930-built 0-6-0 “Pannier” tank No 7754. Former Austin Motor Company Longbridge factory shunter Kitson 0-6-0 ST "Austin 1” will also play a starring role. This was the first steam locomotive to work a public train at the railway in preservation, which is celebrating its 50^th anniversary since members of the Flintshire & Deeside Railway Society began restoration work at a derelict Llangollen Station in September 1975. 

Austin 1 worked the first public trains on a short piece of track in the station in 1981, using two suburban coaches and a brake van – which are also taking part in the event. Visitors will be able to book footplate rides on “Austin 1” between 11am and 1pm on each day of the event and can also travel in a special brake van train (limited capacity).

The 2025 Branchline Gala is the largest event that the railway has put on for 10 years. It has been organised by longstanding volunteers Iain Ross and Matt Davies, working with new Commercial Manager Nicola Reincke.

* Pannier Tank 7754 at work last weekend with suburban carriages.

Iain said:“Creating the right theme for the Branch line gala in our 50^th anniversary year was very important. Matt and I looked at various options; locos that originally worked the line and locos that have either visited or been based at Llangollen during Preservation. We concluded that a star attraction would be a loco built at Llangollen. 

"Many thanks to the Betton Grange Society for allowing it to happen!” Matt Davies added “6880 was what got me involved as a volunteer at Llangollen over 20 years ago. Seeing her in steam for a test run last Saturday evening was a very special moment and I can’t wait to drive her on our line during the gala.”

Aside from the busy timetable of trains, visitors can also undertake shed tours of the Llangollen Motive Power Depot and see the incredible work that has been put in by volunteers to improve the facilities for locomotive overhaul and maintenance. 

Two further Great Western locomotives under restoration will also be on display – No 5967 “Bickmarsh Hall” and Prairie Tank No 5332. 5532 will be on display outside of the locomotive shed for the first time in 30 years and it’s owning group are launching an appeal to raise the final £55,000 required to return her to steam for the first time since 1962.  

The Sunday of the event will have a special South Wales theme, with all the locomotives carrying “target” headboards with letters and numbers that helped signalmen identify busy passenger trains leaving Cardiff bound for destinations like Newport, Swansea, Rhymney and Rhondda in the 1960’s.  

Named express trains like “The Pembroke Coast Express” also sped passengers away from this busy part of Wales for places like Fishguard or Bristol. Betton Grange will carry these express headboards, which have been recreated and hand-painted by Iain Ross.   

Real ale bars and shops will also be open at Llangollen, Glyndyfrdwy and Corwen stations along with food stalls. Berwyn Station café, recently voted one of the top 10 most beautiful railway stations in the world, will also be open.

Nic Reincke said: “I have been at the LR for 18 months and do not have a railway background but love being a part of our team. You can feel the dedication and enthusiasm of our volunteers over the last half century all around the railway and it gets into your blood.  We cannot wait to welcome everyone to our Branchline Gala. Betton Grange will only be with us for a short time, so anyone wanting to take a trip with her needs to come along this weekend. 

"Our team have worked extremely hard to get our railway ready for the biggest gala we have put on for many years. This is the first of several events we are putting on this year to celebrate our 50^th anniversary. The railway has come such a long way in that time – from a few hundred yards of track to a 10-mile heritage railway with a brand-new station in Corwen, which was built by volunteers and opened in 2023.”  

 

Ysgol Bryn Collen to step out for Hope House

* The school's Year 3/4 will do loops of Plas Newydd as they walk for Hope House.

Ysgol Bryn Collen are doing a sponsored walk and colour run for Hope House Hospice on Thursday. 

They are doing it in memory of Vicky Jones who died recently and was a parent, governor and vice chair of the school's PTFA. 

The children are doing: 

* Year 5/6 - walk around Llangollen

* Year 3/4 - loops of Plas Newydd

* Infants  - walk around Pen y Coed Woods

* Nursery - around the school field 

The PTFA are running the colour run in the afternoon for the whole school. 

Latest column from Denbighshire Citizens Advice

Latest column from Denbighshire Citizens Advice is:

Q; I’m worried about my debt and rising bills, and I want to know what support is available. Do you have any advice on managing rising costs and what to do if you fall into debt?

A: With energy, water and broadband bills on the rise, it’s getting increasingly difficult for many people to cover their expenses. It’s important to know you’re not alone in finding things difficult and that financial support might be available to help ease the burden.

Checking benefits eligibility

A significant number of eligible people don’t claim the benefits that are available to them, so it’s important to understand what you’re entitled to. You may be able to claim benefits if, for example, you’re at working age and on a low income, you’re sick or disabled, are of State Pension age with a low income or no income, or if you’re a carer.

You can check the Citizens Advice website for information on what benefits you might be eligible for.

Reducing outgoings

If you claim benefits or are on a low income, you may be eligible for a reduction in Council Tax. Discounts can also be given to students, those living with a carer, or people who live alone, to name some examples. If you have children and claim certain benefits, or are on a low income, you may qualify for free school meals, transport to school, or support with the cost of uniform.

Your local council may be able to help you pay for things like energy and water bills, food or other essential costs. This is called ‘welfare assistance' or the ‘Household Support Fund’. Each council runs its own scheme, so you’ll need to contact your local authority to see what type of support you can get.

To reduce other expenses, you may be able to switch to a cheaper broadband deal, get a water meter fitted, or access discounted travel options. Find out more about ways to get help, including advice on saving money heating your home, on the Citizens Advice website.

Creating a budget and prioritising bills

If you’re finding it difficult to stay on top of bills, budgeting tools like the one on the MoneyHelper website can be very useful in helping you understand what money you have coming in and going out each month. If you're behind on bills, you should prioritise paying rent, mortgage payments, Council Tax and energy bills, as these are known as 'priority' debts which have the most serious consequences if missed.

Once you’ve got priority debts under control, you should look at credit card or store card debts, missed Buy Now Pay Later payments or payday loans. Whatever debt you’re dealing

with, it’s important to speak to the person or company you owe money to as early as you can. You could show them a copy of your budget to let them know what your financial situation is and then see if there are any steps you can take to start dealing with your debt.

Just remember, there’s lots of help out there and you’re not alone. If you feel you need support with this, get in touch with your local Citizens Advice or another organisation like StepChange.

Latest local roadworks update from Denbighshire County Council

Latest local roadworks update from Denbighshire County Council is: 

A539 O/S NUMBER 20 CASTLE STREET 07/04/2025 09/04/2025 Gwaith Dwr / Water Works HAFREN DYFRDWY (DCC) LLANGOLLEN Goleuadau Traffig Dros Dro/ Temp Traffic Lights

OUTSIDE PROPERTY CALLED 'MAYTREE' FRON BACHE FRON BACHE 07/04/2025 09/04/2025 Gwaith Dwr / Water Works HAFREN Ffordd ar Gau/Road Closure

Hall Street, Llangollen 2/04/2025 17/04/2025 Gwaith Draenio / Drainage Works NMWTRA (DCC) Ffordd ar Gau/Road Closure

Llandyn Hall Farm Culvert TRACK TO LLANDYN HALL FROM A539 28/04/2025 23/05/2025 Gwaith ar Gylfat/ Culvert Works, Ffordd ar Gau/Road Closure

OPP 10 Regent Street JNC QUEEN STREET AND CHURCH STREET Llangollen LL2 BROOK STREET 19/05/2025 06/06/2025 Gwaith BT/ BT Works SUNBELT RENTALS (DCC) LLANGOLLEN Ffordd ar Gau/Road Closure

28 MILL ST MILL STREET 10/04/2025 10/04/2025 Gwaith Dwr / Water Works HAFREN DYFRDWY LLANGOLLEN

County's greener fleet to support housing maintenance

Denbighshire County Council’s Housing Maintenance Fleet has received support to provide greener and more economical miles.

The Housing Maintenance team has seen six of their end-of-life fossil fuel run vehicles changed to electric powered vans to assist with reducing their carbon footprint and costs for servicing and mileage use.

The Toyata Proace City vans will have less impact on the environment with zero tailpipe emissions and in the long term be more cost effective to maintain and service than fossil fuel powered vehicles, says the council.

They will be used to help staff continue to carry out essential maintenance across council houses in the county by providing a range of up to 200 miles.

Cllr Barry Mellor, Lead Member for Environment and Transport, said: “The council is working very hard to reduce our fleet’s carbon footprint by replacing our end of life fossil fuel powered vehicles with greener alternative vehicles if appropriate for the service’s transportation needs and to lower long term costs.

“It’s great the service is running these vehicles now as it will ultimately see their carbon emissions reduce with the important mileage they do to look after our housing stock around the county.”

 

Details of Llangollen Flower Club's next event

Planners approve scheme to reinstate Berwyn Works on A5

* Berwyn Works on the A5. 

A scheme to reinstate what has become an eyesore building at the gateway to Llangollen has been approved by county planners. 

Since it was built in the 19^th century Berwyn Works has since been used as a brewery and later as light industrial and office accommodation. 

It is currently empty, derelict and potentially dangerous with debris sometimes falling onto the busy A5 which runs in front of the building. 

At the end of February an application by Grouber Ltd to repair and replace existing roof, doors and windows, including the alteration and insertion of new window openings and the rendering of the building’s exterior and associated works was granted by Denbighshire planners. 

The design and access statement which accompanied the application says: “The Berwyn Works has been used over the years since it was built in the late 19th century as a brewery and in more recent years, as light industrial and office accommodation. The building as a whole is under-utilised in its current form.

“The building’s facade is unattractive and contributes a negative visual presence on the main entrance to the town and as a backdrop viewed from the riverside park.

“This can be greatly improved, adding a positive contribution to the townscape as described in this application.

"The application site in its present form is a negative function in this townscape ... research shows that the tower was originally built in red brick and then faced in the yellow brick at a later date and marks the transition point in the character of the former brewery.

“Despite having being much altered in its current form it nevertheless makes a significant contribution to the townscape.

“An option to purchase the buildings was granted in 2017 to 2023, the planning proposals were frustrated by the problems of reaching a financially feasible solution to access to the site.”

The statement adds that the objectives of the application are to restore the building for commercial use in line with the current planning conditions.

This will mean, it adds: “Reinstating the structural integrity of the buildings in line with existing planning permission for commercial use, re-roofing all the existing roofs and re-glazing all the existing window openings.”

The statement goes on: “In this proposal we are planning to repair and renew all the roof coverings on the building. Currently the roof is slate and has been partially removed as they were deemed unsafe due to water damage affecting the structural integrity of the timbers.

“In this application we are proposing to reinstate the roofs on the buildings with insulated metal profile sheets, the proposed colour is anthracite grey. This material will match the neighbouring commercial buildings. This material has been chosen for his long-term sustainability.

“The proximity buildings to the A5 trunk Rd is also a concern as slates have slipped from the roof in the past and landed on the road, by using this material that scenario will no longer be problematic.”

The statement includes a note which says: “We will be submitting a Construction Traffic Management Plan (CTMP) to the Local Planning Authority that shall be to the satisfaction of the Welsh Government prior to the commencement of any works effecting on the elevation adjacent to the A5 trunk road to maintain the safety and free flow of trunk road traffic.”

The application was approved by Denbighshire planners subject to conditions on February 2.

* Significant work has been done over the past few months on replacing the retaining wall alongside Berwyn Works.