Hundreds come steaming into Pavilion's garden railway festival

Hundreds of enthusiasts from all parts of the UK came steaming into one of the UK's biggest garden railway festivals which returned to Llangollen Pavilion today (Saturday).

They were able to enjoy some of the finest large-scale model railway layouts in the country along with displays by more than 50 leading retailers and traders packing into the spacious venue. 

Since being launched by Llangollen-based enthusiast Keith Potts in 2021 the event has grown rapidly to become one of the premier events in the garden railway calendar, attracting visitors from Britain and beyond.

 

A major new attraction for 2026 is a partnership with the Llangollen and Corwen Railway, which sees visitors being encouraged to enjoy both attractions during the weekend. As part of the collaboration, festival-goers will receive £3 off travel on the heritage railway on June 6 and 7, while a number of joint activities are planned.

 

Keith Potts said: "Our Garden Railway Festival continues to grow in popularity, and we're having a very busy day so far with the usual high level of interest in all our exhibits."

The festival will be open until 4.30pm today. Tickets are £14, with accompanied children admitted free of charge. 

Froncysyllte Male Voice Choir to sing at railway's classic transport event

* Froncysyllte Male Voice Choir will sing at the railway's Classic Transport Weekend.

Llangollen and Corwen Railway has announced a major boost for its Classic Transport Weekend, with the internationally acclaimed and award-winning Froncysyllte Male Voice Choir set to headline their spectacular “Party in the Park” concert on Saturday, July 4. 

The event will take place in a field right next to Glyndyfrdwy Station in the heart of the Dee Valley, promising an unforgettable evening of music, celebration and community spirit as part of one of North Wales’ biggest heritage events of the summer.

 

The concert starts at 6pm and will be free for all Classic Transport Weekend ticket holders, while stand-alone tickets for the concert are available for just £5. Shuttle train services will operate from both Llangollen and Corwen to allow visitors to travel to and from the event in style.

 

The performance will come exactly one year after the choir famously serenaded Nicoletta Mantovani, wife of the late Luciano Pavarotti, on Llangollen Railway while travelling from Corwen to Llangollen, creating a magical moment that captured international attention. It also takes place just days before the opening of the 2026 Llangollen International Musical Eisteddfod - the festival the choir was originally formed to support back in 1947.

 

Founded specifically for the International Eisteddfod, the Froncysyllte Male Voice Choir has gone on to become one of Wales’ most celebrated choirs, selling hundreds of thousands of albums worldwide and earning international acclaim for their breathtaking performances, rich harmonies and passionate delivery.

 

Their breakthrough album, Voices of the Valley, became a chart sensation and one of the fastest-selling classical albums in the UK, helping introduce Welsh male voice choir music to a global audience. The choir has since released a string of successful albums and has performed at prestigious venues and events across the UK and internationally.

 

The choir’s story is also forever linked with Luciano Pavarotti himself. In 1955, members of Pavarotti’s father’s choir stayed with families in Froncysyllte while competing at the Llangollen International Musical Eisteddfod - an experience widely credited with inspiring the young Pavarotti’s lifelong love of singing.

 

Simon Atkinson from the Froncysyllte Male Voice Choir said: “We are absolutely delighted to be performing at such a unique and exciting event. The setting at Glyndyfrdwy is truly spectacular and we know it is going to create a very special atmosphere for both the choir and the audience.

 

“This concert feels particularly meaningful for us as it comes exactly one year after our unforgettable performance for Nicoletta Mantovani on the railway and only days before the 2026 Llangollen International Musical Eisteddfod begins. As a choir formed in 1947 for the Eisteddfod itself, there is something wonderfully fitting about helping to start the celebrations ahead of another incredible summer for music and culture in the Dee Valley. We are looking forward to performing for railway supporters, music lovers and visitors from across the region at what promises to be a fantastic evening.”

 

Tim Hines from the Llangollen and Corwen Railway said: “We are absolutely delighted that the incredible Froncysyllte Male Voice Choir will be headlining our Party in the Park celebration. This is fantastic news for the railway and for everyone attending the Classic Transport Weekend. 

"The setting at Glyndyfrdwy is simply spectacular and having a choir of this quality perform there in a field right next to the station will create something truly magical. We wanted this year’s event to be bigger and better than ever before, and this announcement certainly delivers that.

 

“The fact the concert is included free for all Classic Transport Weekend ticket holders makes it even more special and adds incredible value to what is already shaping up to be one of the biggest heritage events in North Wales this summer. We expect huge interest from visitors across the region and beyond.”

 

The Classic Transport Weekend takes place on Saturday 4 and Sunday 5 July 2026 and will once again transform Glyndyfrdwy into a celebration of transport heritage featuring classic cars, motorcycles, buses, tractors, trucks and trains.

 

Visitors will also be able to enjoy an intensive timetable of steam, diesel and heritage railcar services throughout the weekend, with unlimited travel available through Day Rover and Two-Day Rover tickets. A free vintage bus service for ticket holders will operate between Glyndyfrdwy and Corwen across both days, helping visitors explore the Dee Valley and enjoy displays at multiple locations.

 

Weekend ticket prices are:

 

Adults

• 1 Day: £36

• 2 Days: £65

 

Children

• 1 Day: £6

• 2 Days: £10

 

Dogs: £3

 

What’s included:

 

• Intensive gala timetable with frequent services between Llangollen, Glyndyfrdwy and Corwen

• A mix of locomotives and rolling stock movements all day

• Massive displays of classic vehicles at Glyndyfrdwy

• FREE vintage bus services for ticket holders

• Party in the Park on Saturday evening

• Shuttle train services to Llangollen and Corwen

• FREE entry to the Froncysyllte Male Voice Choir concert for all event ticket holders

 

Tickets, including standalone tickets for the Fron Choir can be bought from https://llan.hops.org.uk/tickets/special-events-in-2026/classic-transport-weekend

 

 

Future of Ponderosa Café to be decided in weeks, says story

* Ponderosa Café on the Horseshoe Pass (Picture: St David's Commercial)

The future of the once-popular Ponderosa Café on the Horseshoe Pass looks set to be decided in the coming weeks, according to a story in the Denbighshire Free Press.

* For the full story, go to: https://www.denbighshirefreepress.co.uk/news/26170015.llangollen---next-ponderosa-cafe/

Healing Prayer drop-in at Penllyn Chapel

 

International flags being fixed on the bridge ahead of Eisteddfod

The annual ritual of installing the flags of the world on the bridge in time for the Eisteddfod has been taking place this morning.

As usual, a team of workmen using a cherry-picker were undertaking the task which is always a sign that the big international festival - this year will be its 79th - is not far off.

Dory Gallery's two special summer events unveiled

* The poster for Dory Gallery's first-ever summer fair on June 20.

Llangollen's Dory Gallery has two special events planned for this summer.

The first is its first-ever summer fair on Saturday June 20 and features both local and visiting artists and makers.

Gallery owner Suzanne Mathieson said: "We will be having our tea, coffee and cake room to sit and relax once you have been around  to visit our 18 makers.

"Our second event is an exhibition which runs throughout July, August and September. It is entitled Between Moss and Myth, is about local myths and legends and the Dee Valley landscape and it shows how they connect to each other. 

"Because of what is going on in the world at the moment we have deliberately chosen myths that are not about war and fighting and concentrate on the more gentle ones.

"We have clay and illustration, photography and weaving, collage and textiles, wood carving and more.

"We also have poetry and story-telling, a harpist and music and a fascinating talk on the medicinal properties of moss from Zoe, the owner of the new Medicine Garden Shop in Bridge Street.

"All in all it's a cultural and historical experience for our community, with a lot of people giving their time, money and effort to show off our town and heritage. 

"We are coordinating with Llangollen Museum to make sure we are factual and we have retired film production members helping us dress the whole gallery.

"Even though this will be a more condensed version of the exhibition than we had planned I can promise the love and enthusiasm of all involved will shine through and it will be an interesting informative exhibition that will keep our legends alive."

Eisteddfod's warm tribute to Selwyn Evans who died last Sunday

* Selwyn Evans.

A long-standing volunteer with Llangollen International Musical Eisteddfod and its former treasurer has died aged 87.

Selwyn Evans passed peacefully away following a short illness last Sunday.

And a warm tribute has been paid to him by the Eisteddfod's chair, John Gambles, who said he would be missed by all who knew him.

Selwyn's two sons, Emyr and Hywel, said they were saddened to announce his passing in a post on social media.

Looking back on his life, they described him as: "Beloved husband to Dilys for 61 years; father and Taid to Daniel; Luis; Beth; Morgan and Teifi."

And they went on: "Born and raised in Llandudno Junction in October 1938 Selwyn attended Ysgol John Bright in Llandudno before starting his long career in banking joining Midland Bank in Pwllheli straight from school.

"Following his two years National Service and several Midland Bank branch moves across the whole of North and Mid Wales Selwyn, moved to Llangollen in 1973 with his young family to take up the position of Assistant Manager at Midland Bank in Llangollen.

"Green Lane became the family home and Dilys soon continued her teaching school career at Llangollen Infant School in Parade St in 1974.

"Selwyn was later to take positions as branch Manager of Midland Bank in Glyn Ceiriog, and taking early retirement from Midland Bank/HSBC as branch Manager in Corwen in 1996.

"Living within the shadows of the Llangollen International Musical Eisteddfod ground it was not long after settling in Llangollen that the Eisteddfod came calling - with Selwyn first becoming involved as a member of both the Finance Committee and the Friends of the Eisteddfod.

"He became a member of the Board of the Eisteddfod - serving as Treasurer for many years - providing service to the Eisteddfod for over 45 years.

"A gentle and kind man is how many who met and dealt with Selwyn over the years will remember him.

"Funeral arrangements to be confirmed."

Eisteddfod chair John Gambles said: "The Eisteddfod has lost a great friend, supporter and loyal volunteer with the passing of Selwyn Evans on May 31. Selwyn gave freely of his time and experience and his considerable financial skills in a lifetime of service to the Eisteddfod. 

"Moving to Llangollen in 1973 and, as a banker, he was immediately recruited to the Finance Committee. His financial skills and experience, together with his good nature made him a perfect choice as Company Treasurer in 1991, a position he served with distinction for 15 years continuously, and then again for a further three years in 2011.

"Those who worked alongside him not only valued his commitment and loyalty, but as a wonderful family man who was interested in them as people too and he was always a welcome visitor to the office when he eventually retired.

"In addition to his long service with the Eisteddfod, Selwyn was also a founding member and Treasurer of the Friends. Along with Dilys, who was chair of Friends from 2003 to 2008, they helped to build a strong organisation to support the Eisteddfod."

Another Eisteddfod colleague Barrie Potter said: "When I took over as chair after Dilys, there was, in fact, very little for me to do, as they had it all organised. Selwyn was always a great source of support for me while I was the chair, for which I will always be grateful. He was always generous with his help. I’m sure I made mistakes in my role, but I knew I could always count on Selwyn for friendly advice, which was always that – friendly.

"He will be missed by all who knew him, and we offer our deepest sympathies to Dilys, Emyr, Hywel and their families."