Tidy Town Team's founder celebrates his 80th birthday in style

* David Davies and his wife Yvonne are toasted by family and friends at the birthday lunch.

One of Llangollen's best-known figures celebrated his 80th birthday with a party for family and friends at The Hand Hotel yesterday (Saturday).

David Davies, founder and coordinator of the Tidy Town Team and who is also closely associated with the Probus Club and Methodist Church, hosted the special event which included a lavish lunch and enjoyable quiz which included questions about his own life interspersed with those about national and international events of the same periods.

Members of his family travelled from Canada and the Britain to be at the celebration.

* The host thanks everyone for helping him mark his milestone birthday.

Llangollen panto to hold meet and greet this Sunday

Llangollen's pantomime group has announced it will be raising funds for Wales Air Ambulance and the town's Silver Band with its 2026 production of Dick Whittington.

A spokesperson said: "We have a meet and greet, from 2-4pm, this Sunday September 7 at St Collen's Community Hall in Llangollen.

"We had a fantastic response with sold-out shows which generated the incredible amount of £2,500 for two local charities from our last show, Beauty and the Beast.

"Please come along on Sunday if you would like to get involved in our amazing production of Dick Whittington.

"At the meet and greet Dave, our director, will be introducing all the fantastic characters that are in the show. We need adults and children for all the parts.

"So if you are interested in having a part in the show or want to get involved in behind-the-scenes roles, staging, props, costumes, set building, etc, there will be lots of opportunities to chat and to get to know everyone involved."

Congestion caused by roadworks with no work going on

 

* Traffic congestion on Regent Street caused by the roadworks outside the fish and chip shop.

llanblogger has been trying to find out why two set of traffic lights on a trunk road through Llangollen, which have been causing major traffic congestion throughout the day, have been installed around roadworks left unattended for hours.

A utility company, believed to be Wales & West, set up the excavation, which consists of a small trench extending into the carriageway from the pavement, outside the chip shop on Regent Street (A5) yesterday (Thursday).

But after some initial work on it then and earlier today (Friday) the roadworks were left unattended from mid-afternoon.

But because sets of temporary traffic lights have been installed either side of the roadworks there has been considerable congestion in both directions - especially severe as it's another busy weekend on the regular tourist route.

Earlier this afternoon llanblogger sent an email to Wales & West, to verify they are their roadworks and to question the timing of the work. Apart from an automatic acknowledgement of the email there has so far been no response. 

* The unattended roadworks on the A5.

Eisteddfod celebrates major grant to facelift the Pavilion

* Vice-Chairman and Chairman of the Llangollen International Musical Eisteddfod, Grant Calton, left, and John Gambles have thanked Arts Council of Wales for sharing their vision of an all-year round arts hub in the town.

Llangollen International Musical Eisteddfod is celebrating success after being awarded a major grant from Arts Council of Wales to deliver a transformative upgrade to the Pavilion at the site.

After careful consideration, the Arts Council of Wales has confirmed a grant of up to £166,500 as a contribution towards upgrading the Pavilion’s sound and lighting systems. 

This investment will make a significant contribution to the Eisteddfod's drive to transform the building into a modern, energy-efficient, year-round arts venue at the heart of the community.

Now in its 78th year, the world-famous festival has long been a beacon of peace, friendship, and cultural exchange through music and dance. 

Thanks to this investment, the Pavilion will be equipped with state-of-the-art infrastructure that enhances the experience for performers and audiences, while securing its future as a vibrant cultural space for both international visitors and local groups.

* Carolyn Thomas MS, pictured with her son Harry, says she was proud to back the bid that will make a huge difference to Llangollen.

The improvements will deliver a wide range of benefits:

• For audiences – a richer and more immersive experience with professional-quality sound and lighting.
• For performers, partners and event organisers – a technically advanced venue capable of hosting everything from local talent showcases to international touring productions.
• For the community – greater access to high-quality cultural events and a flexible space for creativity all year round.
• For the environment – reduced carbon emissions and lower running costs thanks to energy-efficient technology.

Work will begin in autumn 2025 and is scheduled for completion by January 2026. The project will be managed by the Eisteddfod’s leadership team, supported by professional contractors and volunteers.

John Gambles, Chair of the Llangollen International Musical Eisteddfod, said:

“This funding represents a significant step forward for the Eisteddfod and for the wider community. It will enhance the experience for performers and audiences and help to the Pavilion continue to be at the heart of Llangollen’s cultural life throughout the year. At the same time, it will assist greatly in our drive to reducing our carbon footprint. We are deeply grateful to Arts Council of Wales for their support in helping us realise this vision.”

Carolyn Thomas MS, who supported the bid, said: “I was very pleased to back this bid from the Llangollen International Musical Eisteddfod. The Eisteddfod is one of Wales’ cultural treasures, attracting visitors and performers from across the world while bringing immense pride to our community. 

"I am delighted that Arts Council of Wales has recognised the importance of investing in the Pavilion’s future. These upgrades will not only improve the experience for all who attend but will also help ensure the Eisteddfod continues to thrive as a world-class event and as a hub for local arts all year round.”

Our Llangollen – Our Future: a public consultation event

* St Collen's Community Hall where the event will be held on September 26 and 27.

Llangollen residents, community groups, businesses and other local organisations will have the opportunity to have their voices heard on a range of local issues at a free-to-attend public consultation event taking place in the town at the end of September.

Severn Wye Energy Agency, a third sector charitable organisation, is currently delivering a new National Lottery funded community engagement and development project in Llangollen, part of a project looking at the challenges rural communities face across Wales.

The consultation event, entitled Our Llangollen – Our Future, will be held at St Collen’s Community Hall on Friday September 26, from noon-7pm, and Saturday September 27, from noon-5pm.

The event will also include numerous stands showcasing local community related organisations, as well as a number of guest speakers to talk about subjects of local interest.

Organisers promise more details will be available nearer the dates.

Mark Ellis, Place Coordinator, Llangollen Energised Communities Project, Severn Wye Energy Agency, said: “This is your opportunity to identify future projects, and potential funding, that will enhance Llangollen’s future and that of its residents." 

#OurLlangollenOurFuture and #EinLlangollenEinDyfodol'

Eisteddfod launches monthly.lottery

Llangollen International Musical Eisteddfod has launched a brand-new Monthly Lottery, giving supporters the chance to win big prizes while helping secure the future of one of Wales’ most iconic festivals.

For just £5 a month, players will be entered into a monthly draw, with proceeds directly supporting the Eisteddfod’s work. Every ticket sold helps boost the prize pot and provides vital funds to sustain and develop the world-famous celebration of music and culture. If 200 people join, the first prize would be £100, second prize £50, and third prize £25 – and the more people who take part, the higher the prizes will be.

The first draw will take place on the first Wednesday of the following month, overseen by staff, board members, and volunteers to ensure fairness and transparency. Supporters can join easily online at international-eisteddfod.co.uk/support-us/monthly-lottery or by calling the Box Office on 01978 862000. The first draw will be done on Wednesday, October 1st.

John Gambles, Chair of the Llangollen International Musical Eisteddfod, said, “This is a great initiative that will really benefit the Eisteddfod. Not only does it give our supporters a fun way to get involved, but it also provides important funds that will help us continue to bring people together through music, culture, and community. You don’t need to be a volunteer to take part – anyone can join in and support us while having the chance to win some great cash prizes.”

The Llangollen Eisteddfod has been a highlight of Wales’ cultural calendar since 1947, drawing performers and visitors from across the globe. The new Monthly Lottery is the latest way supporters can play their part in safeguarding its future

Programme of special events will mark railway's 50th birthday

Llangollen Railway is planning a series of special events to celebrate its 50th Birthday Weekend on September 11-13.

This commemorates half a century since the very first open day at Llangollen Station held by members of the Flint & Deeside Railway Preservation Society.

This came not long after they took on the lease of the derelict station and trackbed towards Berwyn from Clwyd - later Denbighshire - County Council. 

* A derelict Llangollen Station as it was in June 1975 just before its restoration began. 

From this modest start the dedicated team of volunteers - and later paid staff - would go on to give provide a treasured 10-mile heritage railway that would receive international acclaim and become one of North Wales’s leading tourist attractions.   

Over the years they have faced many challenges the latest of which came only last week when Austin 1, the railway's very first steam locomotive and planned star of the anniversary weekend, had to be taken out of service for boiler repairs. 

But the show will go with, most likely, the GWR Pannier Tank No 7754 - itself with a proud history - taking Austin1’s place. 

On Friday September 12 the timetable will reflect the development of the railway from 1975 - with special services starting in Llangollen station (1975) and then running onwards in stages to Goods Junction (1981), Pentrefelin (1982), Berwyn (1985/6), Deeside (1990), Glyndyfrdwy (1993), Carrog (1996) and finally Corwen (2014-2023), where we finally completed the founders' vision in opening a permanent and purpose-built new station in 2023. 

Railway press officer Terry Pickthall said: "We will also recreate our original opening ceremony for the first train in Llangollen station, with Bob Heddon, who is our Honorary Trust President, former Trust Chairman and longstanding LR Volunteer and supporter, cutting a ceremonial ribbon. 

 

"On Saturday September 13 we will operate a busy timetable using our steam, diesel and railcar fleet, which we have proudly built up, restored and maintained over the last 50 years. 

"From 6pm we are holding a 50^th birthday party and extend a warm invitation to both visitors and the local community to come and celebrate with us. All are welcome and it's free entry. 

"Our new station bar will be open and a food stall will be on site. The evening will have a 70’s and 80’s theme that reflects our early preservation with a DJ and live band Electric Reflex to entertain us. There will also be a food van available and the bar is open until 10.30pm.

 

"On the Sunday we are having a Dydd Cymru/Welsh Day, where we will celebrate the Welsh language, hope to welcome a Welsh choir and celebrate the pending Owain Glyndŵr day, given his links to the Dee Valley and Corwen.

 

"There will also be a miniature railway at Llangollen Station on Saturday along with talks and demonstrations from our volunteers, photo displays and tours of our engine shed throughout the weekend.

 

"We look forward to celebrating our special occasion with everyone."

* Austin 1 surrounded by volunteers in 1981.

* An open weekend at the railway after its revival began on September 13 1975.

* Another picture from the archives taken in 1976.

 * Glyndyfrdwy Station in its pre-restored state in 1990.

* ... and how it is today.