Strong start for Berwyn Tunnel track renewal works

* Llangollen and Corwen Railway’s Permanent Way Supervisor Dave Shaw is leading the team. 

The first week of essential track renewal works inside the historic Berwyn Tunnel on the Llangollen and Corwen Railway has been completed successfully, with the project making strong early progress and meeting all planned targets. 

The work focuses on replacing sections of life-expired track within the tunnel, including rails, sleepers and associated components, to ensure the railway remains safe, reliable, and fit for continued operation. This is a major piece of infrastructure work and a vital investment in the future of the line.

 

Berwyn Tunnel is one of the most historic and challenging locations on the former Ruabon to Barmouth line. Built between 1864 and 1865 as part of the Llangollen and Corwen Railway, the 689-yard curving tunnel lay unused for decades before being brought back into service in the 1990s. 

Its age, length and confined environment mean that renewal work must be carefully planned and tightly controlled.

 

During the current programme the existing track is being carefully removed in sections and taken out of the tunnel using specialist rail vehicles. Usable materials are being recovered and reused where possible, while worn-out components are responsibly removed. 

The track bed is then renewed before new concrete sleepers and modern flat-bottom rail are installed, using mechanical plant to reduce manual handling and improve safety.

 

Dave Shaw, Permanent Way Supervisor and Person in Charge of the Works at the Railway, said: “This has been an excellent first week and a real credit to everyone involved. Replacing track in a tunnel like Berwyn is complex work, but it is absolutely critical to the safe operation of the railway. The team is following the plan carefully and delivering exactly what was needed.”

 

Llangollen Railway Trust’s Engineering Manager Tim Pulford added: “I’m extremely proud of the way the team has approached this project. It’s demanding work in a challenging environment, and the professionalism, teamwork and attention to safety we’ve seen so far has been outstanding. We’d like to thank all the volunteers who have helped so far including our Civils Team, whose help has been invaluable.”

 

The works are being carried out under a controlled engineering possession, with all activity overseen by the Permanent Way Supervisor and supported by employed staff, permanent way volunteers and specialist contractors. The completed track will be fully inspected and signed off before being returned to use.

 

This investment is essential to the long-term operation of the railway, reduce the risk of unplanned disruption and ensure trains can continue to run safely through one of the line’s most important structures.

 

Alongside this work, the team at Llangollen and Corwen Railway is already preparing for the 2026 season. 

Whilst the tunnel track removal is completed, the popular Berwyn Shuttle has been announced for February 14, 15, 18 and 21. 

The 2026 season starts Saturday, February 28 – with the first full line Llangollen to Corwen return after the completion of the works. Other highlights include the Branch Line Gala from April 10 to 12.

 

The renewal work now under way will play a key role in supporting these services and the wider running of the railway.

 

With a successful first week completed, the project will now move into its next stages, maintaining the same high standards of safety, care and delivery.

Dick Whittington comes to town and brilliantly finds his fortune

* The grand finale of Dick Whittington by Llangollen Panto Group.

Once upon a time there was a young lad wanting to make his fortune who moved away from Bala and headed for Llangollen where the streets are paved with gold.

There he meets an interesting group of people - some bad and some good - acquires a cat and a bride and ends up as the town mayor.

If that sounds a bit familiar it's because it's Llangollen Pantomime Group's rather clever and very enjoyable version of the classic Dick Whittington with which they're currently wowing audiences at the Town Hall until Sunday.

A cast of around 40, all buzzing with enthusiasm, plus an equally lively six-strong band, breathe life into another witty tailor-made script by David Lyne who has been masterminding the group's productions for some years now and in this one also appears on stage as the narrator and a drunken pink-clad fairy named The Spirit of the Bells.

Apart from all that he also does a rather splendid job as the director, while Samantha Fletcher is producer of the piece.

Young Austin Forkin takes on the title role, which fits him like glove thanks to his formidable acting and singing abilities.

His love interest, Alice Fitzwarren, daughter of the town mayor who Dick will one day succeed, is played by the talented Elsie Bottomley-Davies. And just to show what a family affair this show always is, Niki Bottomley-Davies takes on the role of her stage mum Beatrice Fitzwarren, with aplomb.

Bringing a rather bon French accent and considerable acting reserve to bear as the dame, Madame Souffle, is Jordan Lane, while Steve Hughes also deploys a useful eastern European accent to create a delicious baddie named Catcha Catta Polski. Another neat baddie and cruel two-timer of Alice is Noah Thomas as Jack Flirter.

Dick's loveable cat, who displays some very nifty dance moves, is played by Orla Rees-Jones.

The script has plenty of references to Llangollen and goes even further by doing homage to one of its foremost firms and panto backers, Bearded Men Adventures, in the form of a large chorus of kids wearing false whiskers. 

The whole thing has plenty of laughs and double entendres along with lots of songs which match the action.

Sets are minimal but brilliant and colourful costumes are a credit to their home-grown makers.

* There's another show tonight (Friday), two tomorrow (Saturday) including a matinee and another matinee on Sunday.

Tickets: https://www.ticketsource.co.uk/llangollenpanto

* Those Bearded Men.

* Dick with Spirit of the Bells.

* Alice Fitzwarren.

* Tommy the Cat with Dick.

* Baddie Catcha Catta Polski meets our hero.

* ... and Polksi wth his own love interest Madame Souffle.

Eisteddfod launches search for world's best young singers

* Soprano Shimona Rose, from Singapore, being presented with the Pendine Trophy by Mario Kreft MBE, from sponsors Pendine Park.

A global search has been launched to find a new international singing star.

The prestigious Pendine International Voice of the Future competition will be one of the main highlights of the Llangollen International Musical Eisteddfod which gets underway on Tuesday, July 7.

The aim of the competition, which started in 2013, is to advance the careers of the world’s most gifted young singers.

The competition is once again being sponsored by the arts-loving care organisation, Pendine Park via the Pendine Arts and Community Trust, which was established to support cultural and community initiatives across Wales.

The winner will be presented with the Pendine Trophy – a solid silver salver - and the £3,000 prize while the runner up will get a cheque for £1,000.

The competition has been given a major boost after Pendine pledged to continue to back it for the next five years.

Applications to compete are now being accepted. The closing date is March 12 and more details of how to enter can be found at https://eisteddfodcompetitions.co.uk

Thanking Mario and his wife, Gill, for their support, the Eisteddfod’s Artistic Director Dave Danford said it was a wonderful start to the new year and a great boost to ongoing preparations for this year’s festival.

Talented singers from all over the world who have triumphed in previous competitions have hailed it as an invaluable stepping stone in helping them achieve their musical dreams.

Among them are two past winners, Shimona Rose, of Singapore, and South Walian Eirlys Myfanwy Davies, who will both be returning as stars of this year’s festival in the long-awaited staging of Uniting Nations: One World concert on the opening night.

Shimona and Eirlys will take on the solo performances in One World, composed and conducted by Sir Karl Jenkins.

Also taking part will be a  massed choir of more than 100 singers from WorldChoir and NEW Voices along with the Llangollen International Orchestra.

Dave Danford said: “The outstanding success stories of Shimona and Eirlys epitomise what a difference entering the Pendine International Voice of the Future competition can make to fledgling careers.”

“It has rightly earned a global reputation as one of the most prestigious competitions in classical music.

“Not only do entrants get the chance to perform before a packed audience at one of Europe’s biggest folk festivals, but for many it has proved a launch pad to a successful professional career in opera or classical music.

“The £3,000 first prize is a tremendous help to any young singer starting out. It goes a long way towards financing them through music college, post-graduate training or just furthering their careers.

“We are very excited about what this year’s competition will bring in terms of as yet undiscovered talents.

“We know from past experience that there are some brilliant singers out there just waiting for a chance to step in the spotlight and show the world what they can do – we encourage them to come forward and enter the 2026 competition.

“Whether competitors are from just down the road right here in Wales, or from Europe, Asia or the Americas, we welcome applications from any musicians who dream of the chance of making music their lifetime career.”

Mario Kreft said: “This competition chimes perfectly with our ethos at Pendine Park where we’re celebrating our 40^th anniversary.

“The arts in general and music in particular provide the golden thread running through everything we do to enrich the lives of our residents and staff alike and it can play an incredibly important role in social care more widely.”

Each entrant is required to include an audio or video recording and proof of age with their application.

Competitors must be aged 18 or older on the first day of the competition. They are required to perform a contrasting programme of up to seven minutes in length for their preliminary rounds, and up to ten minutes for the final.

The programmes should include works from oratorio, opera, lieder, or song, and be sung in their original language.

The competitors will have to navigate the preliminary round and a semi-final, with just two singers expected to be selected for the final big-night sing-off which will be the finale of the Eisteddfod week on Sunday, July 12.

Following the closing date on March 12 a selection panel will consider the entries and choose about 25 singers who will be invited to go on to take part in this year's competition.

Other highlights of this year’s Eisteddfod include appearances by Michael Ball, Emeli Sandé and the Orchestral Qawwali Project.

* For details on how to enter the competition go to https://eisteddfodcompetitions.co.uk and for the full eisteddfod programme and how to buy tickets visit https://llangollen.net

NRW goes ahead with order for new Glyndŵr National Park

Following a review of the evidence and the findings from the 2025 statutory consultation, the Natural Resources Wales (NRW) Board has agreed to make the Glyndŵr National Park Designation Order.

This is despite a number of councils in the area the proposed park would cover, which includes Llangollen, refusing to back the proposal.

Denbighshire, Wrexham and Powys have formally rejected the plan while Flintshire has raised its concerns.

The Welsh Government will further consider the proposal for a new National Park based on the existing Clwydian Range and Dee Valley National Landscape (formerly Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty) following a Public Notice period and on receipt of information and evidence, including consultation responses.

The Welsh Government commissioned Natural Resources Wales, in its role as a statutory advisor, to apply tests relating to the natural beauty and opportunities for open air recreation for people to understand and enjoy this special area in the potential designation of a National Park.

This included assessing the geographical features in the area, evaluating its suitability against the legal definitions of a National Park, determining the boundaries of the new Park, and making a recommendation to Ministers.

During the past three years, NRW has carried out detailed evaluations, data gathering, technical assessments, and engagement with communities and stakeholders, including public engagement in 2023, public consultation in 2024, and the most recent statutory consultation in 2025.

The Board’s decision has been made based on issues relating directly to the statutory tests and the criteria for designation, whilst acknowledging the range of feedback, support and concerns, including objections from local authorities as statutory consultees during consultation.

Neil Sachdev, Chair of Natural Resources Wales, said: “We have assessed the evidence and opinions as part of the consultation and applied statutory tests relating to natural beauty and geographical features of the area and opportunities for more sustainable tourism. Our Board was satisfied that the proposed Glyndŵr National Park, and its boundary, meet the statutory requirement for designation.

“We recognise the range of feedback expressed to date and want to reassure communities that all representations, including support and objections, together with evidence, will be provided to the Welsh Government at the end of the Public Notice period to assist with their final decision.”

The Public Notice period will run from January 16 until February 15, giving people a further opportunity to formally respond to the proposal.

During the Public Notice period, the Designation Order and accompanying documents will be available online and in public buildings across the region. 

At the end of this period, NRW will submit all information to the Welsh Government, which will consider NRW’s evidence alongside wider issues raised by the public and stakeholders before agreeing the next steps.

* For further information visit: Wales’s New National Park Proposal - Natural Resources Wales Citizen Space - Citizen Space

Pastor tells of his disturbing but uplifting trip to Ukraine

* Pastor Brian Smith (right) hands over the Honda to tank driver Matthew from the USA near the front line in Ukraine.

* The Llangollen trio is the main square of Kyiv. From left, Paata Samsonidze, Pastor Brian Smith and Mark Birkhill.

A minister has spoken movingly of his disturbing yet uplifting experience of taking a specialist vehicle supplied by well-wishers in Llangollen over 1,700 miles to frontline fighters in Ukraine.

Pastor Brian Smith, of City Church at Penyllan, joined two experienced travelling companions on the marathon road trip to the very battle zone of the war-torn country at the wheel of a four-wheel-drive vehicle that will help move exhausted troops back to vital rest areas behind the lines. 

The Honda CR-V has been paid for by a small army of well-wishers at Brian's church and Anna's Cafe in Oak Street, named after the Ukrainian lady who runs it.

Brian, along with Paata Samsonidze, who is Anna's husband and an old hand at ferrying supplies to the battlefield, and Mark Birkhill from Corwen, whose job is working with veterans, set off on their epic journey on December 6.

After driving down the country and crossing over to Calais through the tunnel, they headed out across France, Belgium, Holland and Germany, making few stops along the way to save time.

Brian recalls everything was going well until they hit the border between Poland and Ukraine a day or so later.

There they encountered a "particularly un-cooperative" female border guard whose queries over their paperwork meant a hold-up of over five hours.  

Eventually they arrived in the Ukrainian capital of Kyiv in the early hours of December 8 ready for a few days' well-earned rest at Paata's home in the town of Vasilkov not far outside the city.

There they were shocked to still see the scars of when the smart suburban residence was partially wrecked in the summer of 2024 by the blast from the overhead interception of an incoming Russian missile.

They also learned how Paata's brother's sausage factory had been damaged by a Russian attack.

Soon afterwards came the highpoint of their trip when they were at last able to hand over the Honda to an American volunteer fighter named Matthew - which they had to do at night as they were so close to the front line. 

Brian said: "Matthew's story was that, back home, he had actually been a marshall in the state of Virginia and decided to join the fight for Ukraine as a tank driver after becoming bored with his old job."   

The whole venture was arranged by another Llangollen man who has become a vital link in the Ukrainian aid chain.

Something of a phenomenon himself, Danny Fairbourn first began driving with aid convoys to the country soon after the Russian invasion sparked the bitter war in early 2022.

Convinced that he should do much more to help the Ukrainian cause after joining the first convoy of clothing, food and medical supplies, he gave up his job as a builder to station himself over there for 18 months organising more help of the same kind from ground level.

Over the past couple of years he has stepped up his commitment even further by digging deeply into a family inheritance to help finance his relief work.

Danny personally paid for around 20 trips to Ukraine, mainly arranging the purchase, conversion and delivery of frontline ambulances and other vital vehicles to the army.

Through the Mission Ukraine organisation, he has since assembled the crucial components for more than 30 further trips, of which securing the Honda on behalf of City Church is one of his latest projects.   

Looking back on the momentous trip Brian Smith said: “Like everyone else who watches what is happening in Ukraine, I realised that the people over there are in desperate need of all the help they can get.

“City Church was therefore been delighted to provide £5,000 to help buy the Honda. 

He added: "I really enjoyed making the trip but I was so upset at seeing so many things that have happened over there – the destroyed buildings and vehicles, the graveyards everywhere. You can't go too far before you come across the graves of many people who have been killed in this war.

“So many people have given their lives. People from all over the world and, especially, a lot from the EU, including some from Wales - I saw a poster honouring a volunteer soldier with a Welsh flag.

“I'm a bit of a softy and seeing so many graves made it an experience that I'll never forget.

“Members of my family didn’t want me to go because of the safety factor but I’m glad that I did because it was an awesome experience.

“Paata helped us through it more than anything. He looked after us so well throughout the trip.”

And after seeing the state of the country for himself what does he think about the chances of peace?

“I feel that almost the only way possible they are going to have peace is if Putin is in some way out of the picture.

“The Ukrainians are amazing people and they’ll tell you, ‘We ain’t giving up!’

“They are so peaceful in themselves, even though all this is going on they're so welcoming and if you want them to do something for you they do it right away.

“I was very pleased to be able to help in some small way by taking over the vehicle. It was an honour to do it. But you have to remember that I went over as part of a great team.”

* The next major local effort for Ukraine will be a fundraiser in St Collen's Community Hall at 6.30pm on February 6. 

* One of the main war graveyards, which is rapidly filling up.

* A spent Russian missile transformed into a memorial to Ukraine's war dead.

* A vehicle burnt out after being hit by a Russian drone on a main road into Kyiv.

* A volunteer soldier honoured with a Welsh flag.

* The trio depart from Llangollen in the early morning of December 6.