Garden railway festival steams in with another success

* Crowds gather to enjoy the garden railway festival.

Hundreds of enthusiasts from across the UK came flocking to Llangollen Pavilion today (Saturday) to enjoy one of the UK’s most successful garden railway festivals.

The Llangollen Garden Railway Festival is one of the UK’s biggest model garden railway events and all proceeds from the event will go to support Llangollen International Eisteddfod.   

Around 80 of the UK’s leading exhibitors and traders were represented at the day-long festival which featured a huge selection of outstanding layouts of the larger scale in railway modelling, catered for all tastes and showed garden railways from different periods and countries.

The event was once again organised by Llangollen-based garden model railway enthusiast Keith Potts who said: “Our garden railway festival is one of the most popular in the UK.  We’ve been running it since 2021 and were delighted to return to the Pavilion for the 2025 event.  

"Garden railways continue to be extremely popular and this festival has drawn in thousands of enthusiasts and in doing so helped raise money for local charities.  

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

He added: "Three of the major exhibitors, Pentre, Railways of the World and Indian Hill, all arranged for us to receive large contributions, which was a magnificent gesture. It was a great day for garden railways and the Eisteddfod." 

* Happy organiser Keith Potts, right.

Llanfest

* Tomorrow (Sunday) the Pavilion's summer of live music kicks off with the return of the legendary Llanfest taking centre stage in the Pavilion, from 2pm to 10.30pm. 

This one-day music festival will feature seven of the best up-and-coming bands from North Wales and the North West of England, offering a diverse line-up from rock anthems to indie tunes and club classics.

Early bird tickets are available in advance for £15 from Llangollen.net using the discount code LLANFEST25; tickets will be £20 at the door.

Fringe takes on the running of town's Christmas Festival

* Last year's Christmas Festival kicked off as usual with a grand parade through the town centre.

Llangollen Fringe Festival has announced that it is taking on the running of the town's Christmas Festival from this year.

In a statement last night the Fringe said: "After many years of wonderful service, Chem and John Palmer are hanging up their Santa boots and stepping into a well-earned retirement. 

"Their dedication has been truly appreciated, and we know they’ll be missed. Unfortunately, no one has come forward to take the reindeer reins — so the Fringe Directors have unanimously agreed to step in.

"We want to be clear: this isn’t a takeover. It’s about supporting the continued running of a much-loved event, providing it with the logistical help it needs to thrive. We're all committed to keeping the Christmas Festival alive and well — a free, inclusive celebration for the whole town.

"We're proud to help keep this festive tradition going strong and ensure it continues giving back to our fantastic community."

The festival, which has gone through a series of organisational changes over the past couple of decades, has delighted many thousands of people over the years and raised large amounts of money for good local causes and, latterly, also for the Welsh Air Ambulance service.

It is usually held on the last Saturday in November and attracts large crowds.

The Fringe, on this year from July 11-20, is run entirely by volunteers, dedicating their time for the love of the arts, music, entertainment and all things in between.  

It was born in July 1997, in an impromptu tent on an out-of-town playing field. 

From then through to its present central location in the Town Hall, via a converted weavers' shed, the Fringe has increased its reputation with every year.

Over the years it has provided affordable events for individuals and families from all over the world. 

It has always punched well above its weight with names such as Damian Hurst, Cerys Mattews, Carol Ann Duffey, The Beat, Charlotte Church, The Blockheads, Sir Andrew Motion.

It also provides access to World Music, Folk, Dance, Comedy, Workshops, Informed Walks, has themed Train Journeys and Canal Trips.

Cable fault means power outage and traffic lights on Regent Street

 

A damaged underground electricity cable leading to a power outage along a short section of Regent Street in Llangollen earlier today has led to SP Energy Networks setting up temporary traffic lights while they make emergency repairs.

This has led to some congestion this afternoon and evening.

It is understood that although the outage originally affected both sides of the road this morning, power was later restored to the Dory Gallery side of the street.   

Town's summer fete is tomorrow with lots of new features

The Llangollen Summer Fete team helped by volunteers have been setting up for tomorrow, Saturday's big event at Plas Newydd, which is open from 12noon-5pm.

In addition to some new ways of involving youngsters this year they are also introducing a Wellbeing Area.

This aims to provide advice, guidance and services to help people with their  physical, mental and emotional wellbeing.

Among contributors are Cambrian Hearing. who will provide free ear checks, Nature for Health with peg loom weaving and the Denbighshire team crafting slate coasters.

Also involved is Llangollen Food Share and Mike Gleed will be leading a tai chi session at 3.45pm.

The wellbeing area line up is:

During the day local theatre groups will provide a full entertainment schedule including performances from Llangollen Panto Group and Llangollen Operatic Society.

Local businesses have again been generous and as a result there's a long list of prizes for the raffle. Winners will be drawn and announced at the end of the fete. All money raised will go to  local and community causes as well as the funding of future fetes.

New junior members of the fete committee have ensured there are things for teenagers to do, including a football stall, nature crafts and kindling making. 

For the younger children, new this year is a treasure hunt to find all the entries for the children's flyer competition around the site. 

There will also be children's rides as well as a circus workshop by Circo Art that people of all ages can join in throughout the afternoon.

Entertainments:

The fete committee says it has listened and added a wider variety of food and drinks, from GeeGee's bar, The Parks Pims Stall and wine from Pip Gayle.

Stalls will offer goods ranging from jewellery to handcrafted goods and from teddy bears to tombola plus stalls with willow weaving, card printing and nature crafts. 

The committee say they have been watching the weather closely and believe it looks like it will be possible for the fete to go to ahead despite forecasts of rain but they advise: "Come prepared to be warm and dry so you can really have some fun."

Raffle prizes:

Flags go up on the bridge as Eisteddfod draws near

 

With the start of the 2025 Llangollen International Eisteddfod now just weeks away, a team from Davies Brothers were on the bridge this morning (Friday) to put up the traditional flags of the nations.

Also there to shoot a short film promoting the festival, which runs from July 8-13, was Eisteddfod board member Dave Hennigan, below right, who interviewed a Davies Brothers team member and Grant Calton, the Eisteddfod's deputy chair, about the symbolic importance of the flags. 

Special edition of powerful work by Sir Karl Jenkins is launched

* Sir Karl Jenkins will appear in an Eisteddfod concert on July 9.

Today heralds a landmark moment in contemporary classical music as DECCA Records unveils the 25th Anniversary Edition of The Armed Man: A Mass for Peace.

It is the enduring and powerful work by Sir Karl Jenkins who appears in one of the concerts at Llangollen International Eisteddfod next month.

The Armed Man: A Mass for Peace was commissioned by the Royal Armouries to mark the transition from one millennium to another. It reflects on the passing of "the most war-torn and destructive century in human history" and looks forward in hope to a more peaceful future.

The 25th anniversary edition, released today, includes a cover redesign; a history of the commission by Guy Wilson, Master of the Armouries, updated biographies for contributors and new notes from Julian Lloyd Webber reflecting on the debut performance, plus a note from Sir Karl himself.

 

Sir Karl Jenkins said: "I’m delighted that this piece has found resonance globally with so many of you over the years. I regret to say that there has been no let-up in war and conflict since I dedicated the piece to the victims of Kosovo, but we continue to make music in remembrance of those who have fallen and in the hope that humanity can find a way to heal." 

On Wednesday, July 9, Sir Karl will conduct a one-off live performance of his powerful masterpiece One World – a stirring, thought-provoking work that embodies unity, hope, and peace across nations - at  a one-off Eisteddfod concert entitled Uniting Nations: One World. 

He will conduct an international cast of choirs, soloists, and orchestra during the concert as it commemorates 80 years of the United Nations and also feature a bold new production of the iconic Peace Child musical.

* Tickets are available for Uniting Nations: One World featuring Sir Karl Jenkins from https://international-eisteddfod.co.uk/events/wednesday-9th-july-2025-uniting-nations-one-world/ 

To buy a copy of 25th Anniversary Edition of The Armed Man: A Mass for Peace go to https://karljenkins.decca.com/

Pavilion hosts two exciting events this weekend

Llangollen Pavilion (pictured) is set to host a weekend of excitement and community celebration with two major events - the Llangollen Garden Railway Festival this Saturday, June 7, and Llanfest 2025 on Sunday, June 8.

Since its inception in 2021 the Llangollen Garden Railway Festival has become one of the UK’s premier model garden railway events.

This year over 40 of the UK’s leading retailers will showcase an array of large-scale model railway layouts, representing various periods and countries. 

The festival promises a day filled with intricate displays, live demonstrations, and opportunities for enthusiasts to connect and share their passion.

The festival will run from 10:00 AM to 4:30 PM. Tickets are priced at £14, with free entry for accompanied children.

The Pavilion's amazing summer of live music kicks off with the return of the legendary Llanfest taking centre stage in the Pavilion on Sunday, June 8, from 2:00 PM to 10:30 PM. 

This one-day music festival will feature seven of the best up-and-coming bands from North Wales and the North West of England, offering a diverse lineup from rock anthems to indie tunes and club classics.

Early bird tickets are available in advance for £15 from Llangollen.net using the discount code LLANFEST25; tickets will be £20 at the door.

Keith Potts, representing the Llangollen Pavilion, encapsulated the spirit of the weekend:

“This weekend at the Pavilion is all about bringing people together – whether you’re here to marvel at the intricate artistry of model railways or to party with brilliant live music. We’re proud to be hosting two events that celebrate community, creativity, and the unique spirit of Llangollen. It’s a weekend not to be missed and the perfect start to another amazing Summer in Llangollen."

For more details and ticket purchases:

• Garden Railway Festival: www.lgrf.co.uk

• Llanfest 2025: Llanfest 2025 Tickets

• Tickets for both events can also be bought from the Llangollen Tourist, Information Centre, Y Capel, Castle Street,Llangollen,Denbighshire,LL20 8NU