Emergency services go on alert to rescue kayaker in difficulty

* The team carefully lift the casualty after the rescue. PICTURES: NEWSAR

A team from North East Wales Search and Rescue (NEWSAR) were called out to assist emergency services in rescuing a kayaker who got into difficulty in the River Dee near Llangollen last Saturday.

Working alongside North Wales Fire and Rescue and the Welsh Ambulance Services, NEWSAR agreed that the fire service would manage the in-water rescue, with their team supporting the landside recovery and casualty extraction.

To reach the location emergency service vehicles used a towpath road on the adjacent Llangollen Canal near Chainbridge Hotel.

* Emergency services vehicles wait beside the canal.

A NEWSAR spokesperson said: "Once the casualty had been brought safely to the riverbank, team members carried the casualty by stretcher across the riverbank before using a twin-tension rope system to safely raise the stretcher up the steep bank to the roadside, where the casualty was handed over to the waiting land ambulance for onward treatment.

"This was another excellent example of effective multi-agency working, with all agencies working together to achieve the best possible outcome for the casualty. We wish the casualty a full and speedy recovery."

* To donate to NEWSAR, go to: www.newsar.org.uk/donate

Railway's classic transport weekend drives to success

* Glyndyfrdwy Station was the setting for the celebration of transport.

Llangollen and Corwen Railway has hailed this year's Classic Transport Weekend as an outstanding success after the two-day celebration of Britain's transport heritage brought together exhibitors, volunteers and visitors from across the United Kingdom.

With close to 400 classic vehicles, intensive heritage train services, vintage shuttle buses, the debut of the exclusive Class 507 Driving Simulator, and a spectacular Saturday evening performance by the internationally acclaimed Froncysyllte Male Voice Choir, Glyndyfrdwy Station once again became the centre of one of the largest gatherings of historic transport in Wales.

Visitors enjoyed an extraordinary display of classic cars, vintage buses, motorcycles, tractors, commercial vehicles, military vehicles and fire engines, while travelling throughout the Dee Valley behind GWR Pannier Tank No. 7754, the railway's Class 47 diesel locomotive and its beautifully restored four-car heritage DMU.

Saturday evening's Party in the Park proved one of the highlights of the weekend, with the Froncysyllte Male Voice Choir performing to a packed audience in marquees beside the railway.

The event concluded on Sunday afternoon with a special appearance by world-renowned Welsh composer Sir Karl Jenkins, composer of Adiemus, the Armed Man and the iconic Delta Air Lines television theme, who formally closed the weekend before travelling on the final steam service. 

Classic Transport Weekend organiser Tim Hines said: "What we've witnessed over the last two days has been absolutely fantastic. Everywhere you looked there were smiling faces, magnificent vehicles, beautifully presented trains and a wonderful atmosphere that perfectly captured what Classic Transport Weekend is all about.

"This event continues to grow because of the incredible support we receive from so many people. We'd like to thank every single exhibitor who travelled from across the United Kingdom to share their wonderful vehicles with us. Many have travelled hundreds of miles and their enthusiasm and commitment are what makes this event so special.

"We're equally grateful to everyone who bought a ticket, travelled on our trains, supported our catering outlets and joined us for Party in the Park. We hope everyone has gone home with memories that will last a lifetime."

Co-organiser George Walker added: "It's been a privilege to help organise another wonderful Classic Transport Weekend. To see such an extraordinary variety of transport brought together in Glyndyfrdwy, from historic buses and classic cars to military vehicles, motorcycles, tractors and steam locomotives, has been incredibly rewarding. 

"There really is nowhere else where you'll see such a unique combination of road and rail heritage in one place. We'd also like to thank our neighbouring landowners once again for allowing us to use their fields, and all supporters who helped make the weekend possible."

The railway also thanked the Class 507 Preservation Society for bringing its exclusive driving simulator to Llangollen for the first time, the Froncysyllte Male Voice Choir for an unforgettable Saturday evening concert, Pip Gale of Blas Wine School, the suppliers of Welsh ales from Hafod Brewery and Purple Moose Brewery, the team behind The Hungry Shunter, the owners of the hundreds of classic vehicles on display, the Davies Family - the hub landowners, supporters and the many local businesses who helped make the weekend such a success.

Attention now turns to the Llangollen International Musical Eisteddfod, with the railway once again playing a central role through its popular World Voices on the Railway initiative.

Eisteddfod visitors are also being encouraged to keep an eye out for a number of surprise celebrity guests expected to travel on the railway during the week, making every journey part of the Eisteddfod experience.

Looking further ahead, the railway's next major public event will be its ever-popular Sixties Weekend, taking place on Saturday 1 and Sunday 2 August. Visitors can look forward to a nostalgic celebration of the swinging sixties, featuring live music, heritage trains, vintage vehicles, period dress and a fantastic weekend of family entertainment across the railway.

* Froncysyllte Male Voice Choir performing to a packed audience inside a marquee.

* Sir Karl Jenkins, here with volunteer Richard Hines and Lady Carol Jenkins, officially closed the event.

Tom Grennan rounds off Pavilion's 2026 headline concerts in style

 

* Tom Grennan headlines at the Pavilion.

Tom Grennan had the Full Attention of the crowd last night as TK Maxx presents Live at Llangollen Pavilion welcomed one of the UK’s biggest chart‑topping stars for a huge headline show at the iconic venue.

 

The BRIT and Ivor Novello‑nominated artist treated fans to a hit‑packed set, powering through favourites including Higher, All These Nights, Found What I’ve Been Looking For, Don’t Break The Heart and Crown Your Love.

 

The atmosphere inside the big tent was electric, with the crowd bouncing from the opening track. Boys Don’t Cry, Somewhere Only We Go, Diamond and Head Up kept the energy levels high throughout the night.

 

Grennan then lifted the crowd even further with Lionheart, By Your Side and Remind Me, before closing the show with a huge, emotional rendition of Little Bit Of Love.

 

Taking a moment to soak up the atmosphere, he praised the town, telling the audience: “What a beautiful place you’ve got here.”

 

Earlier in the evening, soulful Scottish artist and special guest Brooke Combe delivered a standout set, while rising Yorkshire singer-songwriter Fiona Lee opened the show.

 

The concert brought the curtain down on TK Maxx presents Live at Llangollen Pavilion 2026, which featured eight spectacular shows and welcomed thousands of music fans to the home of the International Eisteddfod, which starts tomorrow (Tuesday).

* Brooke Coombe delivers a standout set.

* Fiona Lee supports Tom Grennan.

* Above and below: fans enjoying the evening.

Latest local roadworks update from Denbighshire County Council

Here is the latest local roadworks update from Denbighshire County Council:

Approx. 256m SE from OS Tyn Dwr Farm to opposite the entrance of Yew T, TYN DWR ROAD, 15/07/2026 - 16/07/2026, Gwaith BT/ BT Works, Ffordd ar Gau/Road Closure

Wharf Hill / Castle Street/ Mill Street, ABBEY ROAD, until 12/07/2026, Goleuadau traffig i reoli traffig yr Eisteddfod / Traffic signals to manage Eisteddfod traffic

A542 From St. John's Church to Castle Street, ABBEY ROAD, 10/07/2026, Parêd Rhyngwladol y Cenhedloedd Llangollen / Llangollen International Parade of Nations, Clirffordd / Clearway, Ffordd ar Gau/Road Closure

A542, Full extent ROAD FROM PENGWERN TO TYN CELYN, 24/07/2026 - 26/07/2026, Rheolaeth traffig i hwyluso mynediad i safle Camp VC / Traffic management to facilitate access to Camp VC site, Ffordd ar Gau/Road Closure

Column 5, Outside Craigievar, ABBEY ROAD, 17/07/2026, Gwaith Trydanol / Electrical Works JONES LIGHTING

A542, 82m south of entrance to slurry pit JUNCTION OF A539 LLANGOLLEN ROAD, 03/08/2026 - 05/08/2026, Gwaith BT/ BT Works MJ QUINN, Goleuadau Traffig Dros Dro/ Temp Traffic Lights

A539 Heol y Farchnad / Market Street, 10/10/2026 and 11/10/2026, Gwyl Fwyd Llangollen / Llangollen Food Festival CHAPTER 8 SOLUTIONS LTD, Ffordd ar Gau/Road Closure

OPPOSITE 14 PENGWERN, 21/07/2026 - 23/07/2026, Gwaith Dwr / Water Works HAFREN DYFRDWY 

From St. John's Church to Castle Street ABBEY ROAD 10/07/2026 Parêd Rhyngwladol y Cenhedloedd Llangollen / Llangollen International Parade of Nations, Ffordd ar Gau/Road Closure

A542 Full extent TOWER ROAD until 12/07/2026, System Unffordd ar gyfer Eisteddfod Gerddorol Ryngwladol Llangollen / One-way System to support, Llangollen International Musical Eisteddfod, Un Ffordd/ One Way

OUTSIDE LYNDALE TO GLAN DYFFYN FRON BACHE, 13/07/2026 - 14/07/2026, Gwaith BT/ BT Works MJ QUINN, Ffordd ar Gau/Road Closure

TRACK TO LLANDYN HALL FROM A539, 03/08/2026 - 05/08/2026, Gwaith BT/ BT Works MJ QUINN, Ffordd ar Gau/Road Closure

JUNCTION OF TRACK TO LLANDYN HALL FROM A539 TO APPROX 85M FURTHER EAST A539 LLANGOLLEN ROAD, 03/08/2026 - 05/08/2026, Gwaith BT/ BT Works MJ QUINN, Goleuadau Traffig Dros Dro/ Temp Traffic Lights

Thousands help Deacon Blue celebrate their 40 years in style

* Deacon Blue headlining at the Pavilion last night. ALL PICTURES CUFFE & TAYLOR

Celebrating an impressive 40 years since the band first formed, Scottish favourites Deacon Blue proved they're still as popular as ever as thousands of fans turned out for a stunning headline show at Llangollen Pavilion last night (Saturday).

The multi‑platinum-selling group lit up TK Maxx presents Live in the famous big tent with a hit‑packed set featuring Real Gone Kid, Dignity, Wages Day, City Of Love and Fergus Sings The Blues. 

Fans were also treated to standout tracks from The Great Western Road — the band’s most successful studio album in more than three decades — with the title track, Late ’88, and People Come First showcasing a group still evolving, energised and firmly at the top of their game.

Frontman Ricky Ross told the crowd at the outset that despite the World Cup being played out he wouldn't be mentioning football - a reference to the quandry his opposite number Ian Broudie of show openers Lightning Seeds had found himself in a little earlier when it came to playing their iconic hit, the English football anthem Three Lions, in Wales. In the end they didn't play it and chose something less divisive.

The Liverpudlian indie icons had opened the night in style, kicking off with Life’s Too Short and Change before a selection of favourites including Pure and Lucky You, finishing with a crowd singalong to The Life of Riley.

The successful 2026 TK Maxx Live at Llangollen concerts winds up tonight (Sunday) with a headline show from Tom Grennan supported by Brooke Combe + Fiona Lee.

* Deacon Blue produced a string of crowd-pleasing hits.

* Lightning Seeds were in strong support.

* Above and below: fans of the two bands were out in force.

Nature meets legend in Dory Gallery's stunning new exhibition

Dory Gallery in Llangollen has opened an enchanting new exhibition for the summer entitled Between Moss and Myth.

Its aim is to blur the line between the ancient Welsh landscape and folklore by presenting various interpretations of local myths and legends and of the Dee Valley landscape and how they connect to each other. 

And to achieve this it features eight local artists who capture the quiet magic of forgotten forests, mist-shrouded hills and the stories woven into the earth.

Gallery owner Suzanne Mathieson said: "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."

Featured artists are Helen Rossetti, Gill Britten, Jane Evans, John Peacock, Charlie Hathaway, Jan Wallis, Rowynn Ellis and Simon O'Rourke.

* The exhibition at the Dory Gallery in Regent Street is open at weekends throughout July and August and admission to it is free.

* The Mayor of Llangollen, Cllr Damon Richards-Gwilliam, cuts the tape to open the exhibition watched by gallery owner Suzanne Mathieson.

* Above and below: some of the fantastic exhibits on show.

* Opening day guests look around the exhibition.

* A demonstration of traditional spinning.

Pavilion rocks with Bowling for Soup plus Frank Turner & The Sleeping Souls

* Bowling for Soup headlined the night. ALL PICTURES CUFFE & TAYLOR

Llangollen was rocking last night as Texan pop-punk legends Bowling For Soup joined forces with folk-punk favourite Frank Turner & The Sleeping Souls for a huge co-headline show, bringing their Bowl My Bones Tour to TK Maxx presents Live at Llangollen Pavilion. 

Thousands of fans filled the iconic venue for an evening packed with pop-punk, folk and alternative rock, complete with massive singalongs, plenty of laughs and a setlist full of crowd favourites.

 

American Hi-Fi got the night underway, warming up the crowd with an energetic opening set before handing over to Frank Turner & The Sleeping Souls. 

Making his first appearance in Llangollen, Turner had the audience singing along from the outset with favourites including I Still Believe, Photosynthesis, 1933, Recovery and a rousing finale of Four Simple Words.

 

Taking a moment to soak it all in, Turner told the crowd: “This is my first show in Llangollen. That means I’ve played 3,162 warm-up shows just for this gig. You guys rule!”

 

Bowling For Soup closed out the night with a hit-filled set, opening with Almost before tearing through fan favourites High School Never Ends, Ohio (Come Back to Texas) and Today Is Gonna Be A Great Day — also known as the theme song to Disney's Phineas and Ferb.

 

Speaking backstage ahead of the show, frontman Jaret Reddick said: “It’s so great to be here in Llangollen, and my goodness, what an amazing venue, what an amazing crowd and what an amazing night. We’re really glad to be here.”

 

One of the standout moments of the night came during a venue-wide singalong to Stacy's Mom, with American Hi-Fi frontman Stacy Jones joining Bowling For Soup on drums. The band rounded off the night with Girl All The Bad Guys Want and 1985.

 

TK Maxx presents Live at Llangollen Pavilion 2026 continues tonight with a headline show from Deacon Blue, with support from Lightning Seeds.

* Frank Turner & the Sleeping Souls take the stage.  

* American Hi-Fi in action.

* Above and below: Fans have fun on the big night.