Another highlight for railway's Branch Line Gala in April

Llangollen and Corwen Railway has confirmed a further major highlight for its Branch Line Gala, taking place from Friday 10 to Sunday 12 April 2026, with the announcement of Great Western Railway pannier tank No. 1369 as the second visiting locomotive. 

Tickets for the three-day gala are already selling well, reflecting strong early interest in an event that will feature intensive steam and diesel services across the full length of the line between Llangollen and Corwen, recreating the atmosphere of a classic rural branch line.

The Branch Line Gala will offer unlimited hop-on, hop-off travel, alongside brake van rides, shed tours, heritage bus connections, live music on Saturday evening and a wide range of catering and refreshment options at stations across the railway.

 

The 2026 line-up will now include an impressive mix of home fleet and visiting locomotives, including the return of 1924-built GWR Small Prairie No. 4555 to the Dee Valley for the first time since 1964, the final running days of visiting Class 14 D9525, and home fleet favourites Pannier Tank No. 7754 and Heavy Freight 2-8-0 No. 3802.

 

The newly announced visitor, GWR No. 1369, is a 1366 Class 0-6-0 pannier tank, designed by Charles Collett and built at Swindon Works in 1934. The class comprised just six locomotives, with No. 1369 now the sole surviving example.

 

Although compact in appearance, the class was designed to handle lighter branch line passenger and goods services, while also proving extremely useful for shunting duties at docks and industrial locations across the West Country. In its later years, No. 1369 worked the Wenford China Clay branch in Cornwall, where its short wheelbase and sure-footed performance were ideally suited to the line’s demanding conditions, before being withdrawn by British Railways in 1964.

 

Now based at the South Devon Railway, this will be No. 1369’s first-ever visit to the Llangollen Railway, making it a particularly special addition to the gala. Its appearance completes a line-up that will see five Swindon-built steam and diesel locomotives in action over the weekend.

 

Iain Ross, Event Organiser for the Branch Line Gala, said, “The Branch Line Gala is all about variety, authenticity and atmosphere, and No. 1369 is a perfect fit. It is a fascinating little locomotive with a genuine branch line pedigree, and the sole survivor of its class, which makes it especially significant.

 

“With Small Prairie 4555 returning to the Dee Valley, the final running days of Class 14 D9525 and a strong home fleet, we now have a line-up that really tells the story of Swindon-built motive power on branch lines and secondary routes. Tickets are selling well already, and April 2026 is shaping up to be a superb weekend.”

 

Tickets for the Llangollen and Corwen Railway Branch Line Gala, running from 10 to 12 April 2026, are on sale now.

Full details and advance booking are available at: https://llangollen-railway.co.uk/branchline-gala/

 

Ticket Prices:

 

Adults

• 1 Day: £36
• 2 Days: £65
• 3 Days: £86

 

Children

• 1 Day: £6
• 2 Days: £10
• 3 Days: £15

 

Dogs: £3

 

Tickets include unlimited travel on all gala services.

Have your say on a Llangollen bid to become UK's first Town of Culture

 

Local people are being invited to have their say on whether Llangollen should make a bid to become the UK’s first official Town of Culture and land a large cash prize.

The  Town Council is currently looking at entering the newly-launched contest, which is a national initiative from the Department for Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS).

This invites towns of all sizes across the UK to showcase original storytelling and accessible, empowering cultural activity.  

And to gauge support for a Llangollen bid the council is hosting a public meeting in the Town Hall on Tuesday February 10 to which anyone interested is invited to attend.

A council spokesperson said: “This is an open invitation to community groups, cultural and heritage organisations, local businesses and anyone passionate about Llangollen’s future. Come along, share your ideas, and be part of the conversation. Let’s explore what we can achieve together.”

Modelled on the success of the UK City of Culture, the competition aims to highlight the vital cultural contribution of towns to the national story.

DCMS will award winners across three size categories - small, medium and large - with one overall UK Town of Culture selected from these.

The winning town will receive £3 million to deliver a six‑month cultural programme in 2028, while category finalists will receive £250,000 each to develop elements of their proposals. 

The council spokesperson explained: “Beyond the prize funding, the bidding process itself has been shown to strengthen local pride, deepen community collaboration, and support long‑term cultural development.

“Previous participants in the City of Culture programme have reported significant benefits, including stronger partnerships, improved cultural leadership and greater access to local heritage and the arts. 

“To be eligible, bidding places must demonstrate the capability to manage, fund and deliver a programme that meets the competition criteria.

“Bids are expected to be submitted by a partnership including relevant local authorities and a designated Lead Applicant.

“Llangollen Town Council is prepared to take on the required role within such a partnership, working alongside community groups, cultural organisations, local businesses, and other stakeholders. 

“As part of our commitment to ensuring that the community shapes this potential bid, the council sends out a warm invitation to the public meeting at Llangollen Town Hall on February 10, which starts at 6.30pm that evening.”

Llangollen resident helps guide Princess on wellbeing walk

A Llangollen resident recently helped guide the Princess of Wales through a therapeutic mindfulness session.

Diana West met Her Royal Highness during a wellbeing walk with the charity Mind Over Mountains in the Peak District, where she led a mindfulness-in-nature session before a hill walk.

* For the full story in the Denbighshire Free Press see: Diana West from Llangollen guides Kate Middleton in session | Denbighshire Free Press

DJ Paulette to join Pete Tong's Ibiza Classics at Llangollen Pavilion

Award-winning DJ Paulette (pictured) will join dance music pioneer Pete Tong when he brings his iconic Ibiza Classics show to Llangollen Pavilion this summer.

Pete Tong’s world-renowned Ibiza Classics – featuring The Essential Orchestra – will headline TK Maxx presents Live At Llangollen Pavilion on Thursday June 25, and he will be joined by DJ Paulette for an unforgettable night celebrating the sound, spirit and energy of the White Isle.

Final tickets are available now from llangollen.net 

A true trailblazer of the dance music scene, DJ Paulette has spent more than 30 years shaping club culture both in the UK and internationally. Born and raised in Manchester, she remains a respected tastemaker, known for consistently “smashing” every set she plays.

One of only two women to hold a monthly residency at Manchester’s famous Haçienda, she has also held iconic residencies at London’s Heaven and Ministry of Sound, Brighton’s Zap Club, and internationally in Paris and Ibiza, before returning home to continue influencing the scene.

Her career is decorated with major accolades, including DJ Mag Top 100 Lifetime Achievement, Keychange Inspiration Award, Night Time Industries Association Ambassadors of the Night and DJ of the Year at the Northern Music Awards - recognition of her enduring influence and trailblazing impact on dance music worldwide.

* Pete Tong.

DJ Paulette continues to light up clubs and festivals around the world, from Warehouse Project and Glitterbox to Homobloc, Hi Ibiza, Defected Malta, Flow Festival and Fatboy Slim’s Weekender, delivering disco, house, and techno with her signature energy. Crowds in Llangollen are in for a treat this summer when she brings that unstoppable vibe to Pete Tong’s Ibiza Classics.

From the sun-soaked shores of Ibiza to the world’s biggest stages, Pete Tong has redefined live dance music. Last year, he celebrated the 10th anniversary of Ibiza Classics with four sold-out nights at the Royal Albert Hall alongside The Essential Orchestra and such greats as Becky Hill, Barbara Tucker, Damian Lazarus, David Morales, Paul Oakenfold, and Seth Troxler.

Throughout his remarkable 30-plus year career, Pete has championed dance music on a global scale, constantly pushing boundaries and supporting new talent. His contributions were formally recognised with the prestigious Music Industry Trusts Award (MITS) in 2021, honouring his outstanding impact on music and broadcasting.

Pete Tong joins a stellar lineup including Texan pop punk legends Bowling For Soup and folk punk royalty Frank Turner & The Sleeping Souls, iconic Welsh trailblazers Super Furry Animals, pop star Rick Astley, Scottish chart-toppers Deacon Blue, Britpop mastermind Alex James’ Britpop Classical, multi-platinum selling hitmaker Tom Grennan, global music icon Billy Ocean and legendary singer-songwriter David Gray who will all headline the iconic Welsh venue this summer.

For more information go to llangollen.net    

FOLLOW PETE TONG IBIZA CLASSICS WEBSITE | INSTAGRAM | FACEBOOK | SPOTIFY | TIKTOK | YOUTUBE

FOLLOW DJ PAULETTE WEBSITE | INSTAGRAM | FACEBOOK | YOUTUBE

Work well underway on Active Travel scheme near A5/Brook Street junction

Re-shaping the junction of the A5 with Brook Street now seems to be well advanced, with kerbs re-aligned and pavements slightly widened.

The work is the initial stage of a major project by Denbighshire County Council, funded by the Welsh Government as part of its Active Travel Fund, to improve walking routes in the Brook Street and Pengwern areas of Llangollen.

The aim is to reduce the number of short everyday journeys that are undertaken in motor vehicles and to increase levels of active travel.

These works are intended to increase the levels of active travel in the area through creating safer walking routes to key local amenities such as schools and the town centre.

The improvements, which taking place between January and March, are being carried out by contractors Pronin Ltd.

Temporary traffic lights are in place either side of the A5/Brook Street junction, which are causing some congestion at busier times of the day.

llanblogger's pictures of the work, taken this morning, show considerable work on pavements and kerb-lines has already taken place.

* If you have any queries regarding the scheme, contact Denbighshire County Council via walkingandcycling@denbighshire.gov.uk or 01824 706000.

* Work at the junction on the Regent Street side.

* Adjustments to the pavement close to the junction on the City Church side of Brook Street.

* Above and below: Slight widening to the pavement outside City Church.

Former First Minister Mark Drakeford visits Ysgol Dinas Brân

Former Wales First Minister Mark Drakeford was a guest at Ysgol Dinas Brân last Friday for an inspiring discussion on the importance of the Welsh language.

Sixth Form pupils studying Welsh Second Language A level, along with enthusiastic learners from Years 10 and 11, took part in a Q&A session, asking thoughtful, insightful questions and engaging confidently throughout.

Calum in Year 13 not only organised the event but also led the session with maturity and professionalism, according to a post on the school's Facebook page.

The message from Mr Drakeford, now Cabinet Secretary for Finance and Welsh Language, was clear and powerful: “Use your Welsh."

Mr Drakeford also presented the school with the Cymraeg Campus Bronze Award following the success of the Criw Cymraeg, who helped the school achieve the award this week.

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