David Gray announced for TK Maxx Presents Live at Llangollen Pavilion 2026

* David Gray is at the Pavilion on June 26 next year. 

The first headline show for TK Maxx Presents Live at Llangollen Pavilion will see David Gray bringing his world tour to town.

Following his headline Legends set at Electric Picnic this weekend he announced a new summer run of UK & Ireland dates for 2026, including one at Llangollen Pavilion on Friday June 26.

He will be joined on the night by special guests The Divine Comedy and tickets go on sale at 10am Friday via llangollen.net and ticketmaster.co.uk  

* The Divine Comedy.

The Past & Present World Tour has already seen Gray sell out 68 shows across the USA, Australia, UK and Ireland in 2025, including landmark nights at London’s Royal Albert Hall, Glasgow’s SEC Armadillo, Manchester’s O2 Apollo and Dublin’s 3Arena.

His Electric Picnic set marked another milestone in support of his widely praised new album Dear Life - out now via Laugh A Minute Records/Secretly Distribution.

He said: “We’ve had the most amazing tour this year, from the opening night in Boston to the Ryman Auditorium in Nashville, and then on to the Royal Albert Hall in London and the 3Arena in Dublin.

“These have been some of the most memorable and magical shows of my entire career. We’ve pushed ourselves as a band but it’s been richly rewarding and so much fun!

"When everyone is in such fine form it would seem wrong to stop the ball from rolling - so with that in mind I’m delighted to announce a string of further dates for the summer of 2026. Exciting times!”

Gray spent almost a decade striving to make a breakthrough and when it happened it did so in the biggest way imaginable as White Ladder became one of the best-selling British albums of recent decades and established him as an arena-filling artist.

As the years have passed his songcraft has only deepened — his natural ability to convey specific emotions, atmospheres, or, as heard on his acclaimed 2021 album Skellig, a sense of place, has positioned him firmly in the lineage of classic poetic singer-songwriters. While the likes of Ed Sheeran, Adele and Hozier have acknowledged his influence, Gray has continued to follow his own artistic path.

The response to Gray’s 13th album Dear Life has been extraordinary. Produced by Ben de Vries, critics have hailed it as “a brooding triumph” (Telegraph), “his most confessional and emotive work to date” (Clash), and “a slow-burner that catches fire” (Mojo).

The album has also drawn comparisons to Gray’s multi-platinum White Ladder — “the sonic DNA of White Ladder is present here” (Rolling Stone) and “his poppiest and most successful album since White Ladder” (Music OMH). 

His artistry as a songwriter has also been singled out — “this 13th album confirms Gray’s not lost his touch” (Guardian) and “a soulful collection of richly poetic songs about love, change and mortality” (Independent).

The headlining show is presented as part of an ongoing partnerships with Llangollen International Musical Eisteddfod and Live Nation promoters Cuffe and Taylor.

Cuffe and Taylor co-founder Peter Taylor said: “We’re delighted to once again be working with the team in Llangollen. This venue is in such a beautiful part of the world, and it is a pleasure to bring artists of the highest calibre here. We’ve had two great years in Llangollen so far and what a great way to kick off our plans for 2026 than by announcing David Gray – a multi award-winning artist with his own Welsh roots.”

Artistic Director of Llangollen International Musical Eisteddfod Dave Danford said: “We’re thrilled to be making our first announcement for summer 2026, ahead of our third year collaborating with Cuffe and Taylor on the Live at Llangollen Pavilion series of shows. David Gray is a hugely successful and popular artist, with strong roots in Wales after growing up in Pembrokeshire, so we’re really looking forward to welcoming him to Llangollen next year.” 

* For more information go to llangollen.net

Good and bad news for the three lads cycling to Thailand

* Bad news: Dyfan's tyre kept going flat.

* Good news: mum and dad arrive in Germany and stand the lads to a night in a hotel. 

There was some bad news and some good news for the three Llangollen area lads cycling to Thailand on day 25 of their mammoth trip.

Dyfan Hughes, 17, James Thomas, 18, and Louis Dennis, 18, had never ridden a bike further than the shop near their homes when they set out a few weeks go on their 18-month quest to reach Asia.

Once there they aim to meet up with their friend Harrison who moved to Thailand six months ago after his dad died from a heart attack and to raise money for heart research. 

They spent last week pedalling their way through Germany and on the 25th day of their ride they hit some bad luck when Dyfan's tyre kept deflating and eventually needed replacing. 

But the good news came in a welcome message from his parents that they had flown over to Germany and would be standing all three lads a night in a hotel at a town called Neumarkt.

Back on the road again after the break the trio, who call themselves the Westheads, rounded off the week by hitting the mighty river Danube for the first time and are now following its course deeper into Europe.  

* To follow the journey on their social media and make a donation if you wish go to: https://linktr.ee/westheads

Cefn based choir Raise the Roof at Methodist Church

Cefn Mawr based choir Raise the Roof provided the entertainment at an afternoon tea in Llangollen Methodist Church yesterday (Saturday) afternoon.

They charmed a large audience with a wide selection of popular sing-along songs, including numbers from John Denver, Tom Springfield, The Beach Boys, Neil Diamond, Elvis Presley, Phil Spector and Abba.

The choir meets every Thursday evening at 7pm in St John's Church, Rhosymedre.

Story says Llangollen's 'hidden' sunflower field looks like French scene

* The sunflower story as it appears in Leaderlive.

Leaderlive has a story about Llangollen's "hidden field of sunflowers" which it says has been compared to "a scene from France" by visitors.

* For the full story, go to: https://www.leaderlive.co.uk/news/25427850.llangollens-amazing-sunflower-field-find/

Natural Resources Wales moves north Wales into drought status

Natural Resources Wales (NRW) has announced today (Friday) that despite the change in weather, trigger levels have been met to move north Wales into drought status, closely following south east Wales, which declared drought earlier this month.

The decision was shared with a meeting of the Welsh Government’s Drought Liaison Group this morning, where the latest hydrological data and the wider implications of low river flows and groundwater levels was considered.

Concerns were shared about the impacts witnessed by NRW teams on the ground, as well as members of the public via its incident hotline.

In north Wales, more reports are being received about streams drying up and fish found in distress. A significant wildfire impacted the Newborough National Nature reserve over the bank holiday weekend, causing a temporary closure to the site.

Water companies confirm that drinking water supplies remain safe, and Dŵr Cymru Welsh Water confirms there are no plans for any temporary use (hosepipe) bans. 

People and businesses are advised to follow advice from Dŵr Cymru Welsh Water and Hafren Dyfrdwy, and to continue to use water wisely to help ease pressures on the environment as well as water supplies.

Ben Wilson, Principal Advisor, from Natural Resources Wales said: “The rainfall this week will provide some welcome respite for our environment, land and wildlife, but it will take many months, and more consistent rainfall for our environment to fully recover.

“The six-month period between February and July was the driest since the drought of 1976, and has placed extreme pressure on our rivers, groundwaters, agriculture and wildlife. In some areas, this has caused river flows and groundwater levels to drop below historic lows.

“As we head into autumn, we continue to keep a close eye on weather forecasts, river flows and groundwater levels, as well as responding to reports of environmental incidents caused by the drought. We remain in close contact with the Welsh Government, water companies and other partners to provide a full picture of conditions across the country.”

Other impacts of the drought include the drying of private water supplies in some areas, impacts on land management, tree planting, navigation and recreations and farmers needing to seek alternative livestock watering supplies and supplementary feeding due to reduced grass growth and the loss of recently planted trees.

The areas affected by the move to drought status include:

• Dee (Wales)
• Upper Severn
• North Gwynedd (Conwy, Anglesey, Arfon, Dwyfor)
• South Gwynedd (Meirionydd)
• Clywd

As a whole for Wales, the period between February-July has been the 16^th driest in 190 years (February-July) – and the driest since 1976.

Wales so far this year has received 555mm rainfall (Jan to July 2025), which is almost as dry as conditions in 2022, where the whole of Wales was placed into drought status by September.

As of Tuesday, August 26, Wales had only received 22.43% of the monthly average rainfall.

The majority of river flows across Wales are therefore low or exceptionally low, as are groundwater levels.

Ben added: “As climate change accelerates, summers in the UK are expected to become drier, and extreme weather events will become more frequent and intense.

“While essential water supplies remain safe, we’re urging people to think carefully about their own water usage in the home and at work, to protect supplies for the environment as well as public water supplies.

“If people are out and about enjoying the last of the summer holidays and see signs of environmental incidents – such as dry river beds, fish in distress or pollution – they should report it via our online incident form or call our 24-hour hotline on 0300 065 3000.”

Grant scheme supports commercial property improvements

* Llangollen could benefit from the grant scheme.

Llangollen could benefit from Denbighshire County Council's re-opened Commercial Property Development Grant scheme.

The grant is open to commercial properties based in eight principal town and city centres across the county and must be within the town or city centre boundaries of one of the following to qualify: Llangollen, Corwen, Denbigh, Prestatyn, Rhuddlan, Rhyl, Ruthin and St Asaph.

The council secured funding from the UK Government Shared Prosperity Fund to offer capital investment grants to regenerate commercial properties located in Denbighshire town and city centres.

The grant scheme, which forms part of the wider Town Centre Property Improvement Scheme Project, can provide individual projects with a grant from £5,000 to £50,000 to develop and upgrade a commercial property.

Funding for up to 70% of a project to enhance the exterior of a commercial property is available through this scheme, with £50,000 being the maximum amount that can be applied for.

Applicants are expected to be able to fund the remaining cost of the project themselves.

Cllr Jason McLellan, Lead Member for Economic Growth & Tackling Deprivation, said: “The Denbighshire Commercial Property Development Grant is a fantastic initiative targeting vacant, underutilised or untidy properties in town centres across Denbighshire to instigate improvements to visual amenity, stimulate investment, increase employment opportunities and improve the vibrancy of town centres.

“This new scheme will be an asset to any town centre-based businesses or commercial properties across the county looking to improve the exterior of their buildings to help enhance their premises and attract further business. Not only will they benefit the businesses in receipt of funding, but they will also lead to better presented town centres across Denbighshire that will improve the feel and perception of the areas, encouraging local people to take pride in their local town.”

* For more information about the scheme and how to apply for a grant, please visit the Denbighshire County Council website: https://www.denbighshire.gov.uk/en/business/funding-and-grants/commercial-property-development-grant.aspx

How Ysgol Dinas Brân does sports day a little differently

* Aerial view of part of the field on Sports Day

Nestled up on a hill, sitting just beneath a medieval castle in Llangollen, Ysgol Dinas Brân’s Sports Day, which this year falls on the last day of term, is a little different than what is traditionally offered.

An assembly kicks off the day, with a presentation of the year’s achievements displayed on the Sports Hall wall, supported by a soundtrack provided by pupil-formed band, who impressively cover a number of Oasis’s greatest hits. The presentation also included teachers' stories of their sporting pasts, signifying the importance of sport throughout school.

Once the presentation is over, the sports day, which has also formerly been referred to as The Dinas Brân Olympics, commences.

* A pupil-formed band playing at presentation

Setting up the day is a big task, and starts early in the day, with the Head of Department for PE, Neil Garvey, and other staff arriving at 6am to prepare.

By 9am, set up in the middle of the school field are a number a 5-a side pitches, a mini golf course with multiple holes, and an inflatable obstacle course. 

Further along the field sits a massive inflatable dart board for foot darts, played with footballs in place of the more traditional darts, a tall climbing wall, and both football and rugby target practice, respectively. 

Also on offer is a Tug of War contest, canoeing on the nearby canal, Just Dance sessions, and more traditional events such as running races (100m, 400m) and shotput.

* Climbing Wall

An ice cream van and a snack stall are the menu of the day with teachers getting to choose the soundtrack to the events. Although an element of competitiveness will always be the case with some events, this day is ultimately set up to have fun and try new experiences.

Once on the field, some pupils rush to get all geared-up to scale the climbing wall, others grasp tightly onto their putters as they traverse the mini-golf section of the field. The variety on offer means that a whole host of hobbies and activities are represented on this sports day.

There are no leader boards, charts or placements for a vast majority of the activities on offer today, as participation is the aim for this sports day, with the idea being that the wide array of activities will help with pupil participation and engagement.

Year groups all take their turn throughout the day taking part in the numerous activities spread across two school fields, and part of Llangollen’s famous canal, as they run, climb, kick, putt, paddle and jump in the name of a tweaked and different sports day, which feels more of a celebration than a competition.

In the afternoon staff take their turn, with sack races set up where teachers hop head-to-head to reach the finish line first, with pupils cheering them on.

PE head Neil Garvey explained: “Our sports day is a little different than your traditional sports day. We changed our approach to it around 12 years ago to try and increase the number of pupils participating in the events.

"The previous Head of Department, Helen Davies, set this up, we sat down as a team to come up with ideas to help change the whole idea of a sports day to get more pupils involved. This was her idea, and is something that we have built on year on year. Each year we have added new events, and partnered up with local businesses in the area to get things such as a big inflatable obstacle course and the climbing wall.

"Since we made the tweaks, the number of pupils participating have gone through the roof. You can see on their faces, the pupils really enjoy this approach.”

Dinas Brân pupil Jimi said: “I think our sports day is actually the best you could ever have! You have all sorts of events like rock climbing and football, anything you’d want to do really.

"This year I’ve most enjoyed the climbing wall, as I’d never really done it before and some of the athletics.”

* A pupil tries foot darts

Maggie, another pupilsaid: “Ysgol Dinas Brân does an excellent sports day as it gives a chance to pupils who don’t usually do sports a chance to try new activities.

"I’ve really enjoyed the inflatable obstacle course with my friends and the races.”

The school's head Mark Hatch said: “The whole purpose of this format is for health and wellbeing, and getting out there. It’s an inclusive day which has everyone trying something new, being active and enjoying themselves.

"It’s all about getting the pupils out there, enjoying something different and giving them a whole new set of experiences, and to create a really fun day too.”