Railway is planning a spooktacular Halloween

* James Veal, Anita and Garry Smith MBE are gearing up for a spooktacular weekend.

Llangollen and Corwen Railway is putting the finishing touches to what it promises will be one of its biggest and most exciting Halloween celebrations in years.

The popular heritage railway is preparing to welcome families, visitors and Halloween enthusiasts tomorrow (Saturday) with a packed programme of spooky steam train journeys, specially decorated stations, children's activities and an evening Ales from Wales Halloween Train.

Behind the scenes, volunteers have been busy transforming the Railway into a Halloween wonderland, with pumpkins, cobwebs, spooky decorations and a few surprises being prepared for unsuspecting passengers.

The railway's historic coaching stock has been receiving special attention, with volunteers working hard to ensure everything is ready for the big day.

Leading the Halloween preparations is Anita Piatkowska, Senior Administrator and Halloween Co-ordinator at Llangollen and Corwen Railway, who has been helping coordinate the decorations and spooky atmosphere across the Railway.

Anita said: "We've really gone to town with Halloween this year! Everyone has been getting involved, from decorating the stations and carriages to preparing some lovely surprises for our younger visitors. There's a fantastic atmosphere among the volunteers, and we're determined to make this one of the best Halloween celebrations we've ever had.

"There's something rather magical about travelling through the beautiful Dee Valley on a steam train at this time of year, especially when you add a few ghosts, witches, pumpkins and spooky surprises into the mix!

"We want children to arrive with big smiles, enjoy a wonderful adventure and leave with memories they'll be talking about long after Halloween. And of course, we'd absolutely love to see everyone coming along in fancy dress. The more witches, wizards, ghosts and ghouls, the better!"

Spooky Steam Specials for the Whole Family

The centrepiece of the daytime celebrations will be the Railway's Halloween Spooky Specials, hauled by Great Western Railway steam locomotive No. 3802, affectionately known as The Carthorse.

Families will be able to enjoy a traditional steam train journey through the spectacular autumn scenery of the Dee Valley, with Halloween decorations, spooky surprises and plenty of opportunities for photographs.

Children will also receive FREE Halloween Party Packs, adding to the fun of their journey.

The Railway is encouraging visitors of all ages to dress for the occasion, whether as witches, vampires, skeletons, ghosts or their favourite Halloween characters.

To make the celebrations affordable for families, accompanied children can travel for just £5 when tickets are booked online in advance.

Tickets for the Halloween Spooky Specials can be purchased at:

https://llan.hops.org.uk/tickets/travel?date=2026-10-31

Ales from Wales Halloween Train Promises a Frightfully Good Evening

As darkness falls, the celebrations will continue with the Railway's special Ales from Wales Halloween Train, offering an atmospheric evening of Welsh ales, music, food and entertainment.

The event will feature a selection of Welsh ales from Hafod Brewing Company, Purple Moose Brewery and Magic Dragon Brewing, alongside a special Halloween menu, seasonal music and spooky surprises.

Live music from Mark 'Macca' Jones will add to the atmosphere, with entertainment beginning on Platform 1 at Llangollen Station from 5pm.

Tickets cost £30 per person, including the first drink free, making it an unusual and memorable way to celebrate Halloween with friends.

Fancy dress is encouraged, with organisers hoping to see plenty of witches, vampires and other spooky characters joining the celebrations.

Tickets for the Ales from Wales Halloween Train are available at:

https://llan.hops.org.uk/tickets/special-events-in-2026/real-ale-train

Volunteers Bringing Halloween to Life

The Halloween celebrations are another example of the dedication and enthusiasm of the volunteers who help keep Llangollen and Corwen Railway running.

From preparing the historic locomotives and carriages to decorating the stations, welcoming passengers and organising special events, dozens of people contribute to creating memorable experiences for visitors.

Politicians 'disappointed' town will not get a banking hub

Town councillor Damon Richards-Gwilliam and Darren Millar MS, Member of the Senedd for Clwyd, have expressed their disappointment following LINK’s decision that Llangollen does not currently meet the criteria for a banking hub. 

Their campaign to secure the facility followed plans to review the future of the local NatWest ATM after a break-in, which left its continued presence in the town uncertain. 

Cllr Richards-Gwilliam, who is Llangollen's current mayor, successfully challenged these plans and campaigned for the ATM to remain. 

LINK subsequently assessed the town and concluded that no further cash access resources were required.

 

With the support of Darren Millar MS, an appeal was made and a site visit took place with LINK, where the case for a banking hub was put forward, including Llangollen’s important role as a hub for surrounding rural communities, and the need for reliable access to cash and banking services locally. 

 

LINK listened to the representations made, took the points made on board and reassessed the towns circumstances. However, following the reassessment, LINK reached the same conclusion that Llangollen does not currently meet the national criteria for a banking hub. 

 

The two politicians say they are grateful to LINK for their engagement, for listening to the concerns raised and for taking the time to visit Llangollen and consider the case put forward.

 

Cllr Damon Richards-Gwilliam said: “I’m naturally disappointed by this outcome, as I feel strongly about ensuring people in Llangollen and the neighbouring communities who rely on our town as a hub have access to cash and banking services. 

"After losing our banks, a banking hub would greatly benefit our town, providing a convenient and reliable place for people to manage their daily banking needs locally. We’ll keep making the case for Llangollen to have a banking hub.”

 

Darren Millar MS said: “This outcome highlights the need to look carefully at how access to banking services is assessed. I will be raising this with the Welsh Government and working to understand what more can be done to support communities where traditional banking provision is limited. The needs of towns like Llangollen must remain part of that conversation.”

Message from the Town Council about Remembrance Service

Here is a message from Llangollen Town Council about next weekend's Remembrance Service:

Due to recent staffing changes and unforeseen illness within the Town Hall team, there has unfortunately been a delay in responding to some enquiries regarding wreath laying at this year's Remembrance Service. We apologise for any inconvenience this may have caused.

 

If you wish to lay a wreath during the service, please note that wreaths are not supplied by the Town Council. These are arranged in advance through the local Royal British Legion Branch.

 

As we are now approaching Remembrance Sunday anyone still wishing to obtain a wreath will need to make their own arrangements, with online retailers such as Amazon potentially offering suitable options in time.

 

The Town Council simply needs to know who intends to lay a wreath so that participants can be included in the order of service and invited forward at the appropriate time.

 

If you would like to lay a wreath, please contact the Town Council as soon as possible with your details.

 

Lest we forget. 🌺

Ty Brethyn housing co-operative holds an open day

* Visitors to the open day are given a tour of the site.

The Ty Brethyn housing co-operative in Llangollen recently held a well-attended open day.

It began began with a tour of the site which includes a Grade 2 listed Victorian Water Mill set in five acres of land in a secluded valley close to at Fron Bache which has the Cyflymen stream running through it. 

A spokesperson for the co-operative said: "We gave a talk on a green financial investment we are offering. We also held a question and answer session about housing co operatives and Ty Brethyn and also shared details of two housing units which will be becoming available here next year. 

"There was a treasure hunt and games on the lawn for youngsters and crafts and rag rug making." 

* Ty Brethyn.

Popular playing field damaged by vandalism

* The damage to the grass on the playing field.

* The track-marks of around four inches wide in the grass of the field. 

Significant damage has been done to the grassed surface of a popular Llangollen playing field.

Overnight yesterday a series of large circular cuts, which appear to have been my made by wide bike or motorbike tyres, were made in the field next to Llangollen Youth Centre that is used frequently by local youngsters.

The damage has been highlighted in a social media post by someone living nearby who comments: "Why would anyone do this to the footie pitch that our kids play on. Shocking."

Similar track-marks, again in a circular pattern, have been made on a grass verge at Grange Road nearby.

llanblogger has reported the damage to Denbighshire County Council, which is responsible for the field, and asked for a comment on when the damage will be repaired.

* Similar damage to the grass verge in Grange Road.

Railway's special ways of marking Remembrance Sunday

* Mandy Towers lays the wreath on behalf of Llangollen and Corwen Railway at a previous Remembrance Day Service.

* Mandy Towers joins Llangollen Railway Trust Manager David Hennigan with volunteers Glyn Jones and Mike Jackson last year.

Llangollen and Corwen Railway will pay a moving tribute to Britain's Armed Forces this Remembrance Sunday, November 8, with a special Poppy Drop involving two Royal Navy veterans, the symbolic renaming of a historic steam locomotive, free travel for the Armed Forces community and a Railway-wide act of Remembrance.

Royal Navy veteran Garry Smith MBE and former Women's Royal Naval Service (WRNS) member Ruth Smith will lead a unique tribute, carrying poppies along the Dee Valley on two special journeys between Llangollen and Corwen.

For the occasion, the Railway's magnificent Great Western Railway heavy freight steam locomotive No. 3802 will be temporarily renamed 'The Remembrance' for the day, providing a fitting centrepiece to the commemorations.

The Railway will begin the day by allowing its staff and volunteers to attend Remembrance Sunday services and parades in their own communities, with the usual 10am departure from Llangollen cancelled as a mark of respect.

At precisely 11am, all activity at Llangollen Station will come to a standstill as staff, volunteers and visitors observe the national Two-Minute Silence.

Garry and Ruth will represent the Railway at the Remembrance Service at Llangollen War Memorial on Centenary Square, laying a wreath on behalf of everyone involved with the heritage railway.

At the other end of the line, Wayne Ronneback and the Corwen Station Team will represent the Railway at the Corwen Remembrance Service, ensuring that both communities are united in remembrance.

* GWR Heavy Freight 3802 will be renamed The Remembrance for the day.

Following the morning commemorations, the Railway will undertake a particularly moving tribute.

Garry Smith MBE will travel on the footplate of the 12.20pm service from Llangollen to Corwen, releasing poppies on the approaches to stations along the route in a symbolic act of Remembrance.

When the train reaches Corwen, the tribute will pass to Ruth Smith, who will travel on the footplate of the 1.45pm return service from Corwen to Llangollen, continuing the Poppy Drop as the train makes its journey home.

The tribute will be carefully planned and carried out in accordance with the Railway's operational and safety requirements.

Garry Smith MBE, a Royal Navy veteran, said: "Remembrance Sunday is a deeply important occasion for all of us who have served in the Armed Forces. It is a time to remember our friends, our comrades and the generations of men and women who made the ultimate sacrifice.

"To have the honour of laying a wreath at Llangollen and then travelling along our beautiful railway, releasing poppies in remembrance, will be incredibly moving.

"Every poppy represents a life, a sacrifice and a family whose world was changed forever. As we travel through the Dee Valley, we will be remembering those who never came home.

"I am immensely proud to be part of this tribute and to represent the Llangollen and Corwen Railway."

Ruth Smith, a former member of the Women's Royal Naval Service, said: "Remembrance is about more than a ceremony. It is about ensuring that the sacrifices made by previous generations are never forgotten.

"There is something especially poignant about Garry taking the poppies from Llangollen to Corwen and me bringing the tribute back along the line.

"Two journeys, travelling through the communities that our Railway serves, united by one message of remembrance.

"As a former Wren, it is a real privilege to take part in this special occasion. I hope everyone who sees the trains passing will take a moment to reflect on those who served, those who suffered and those who gave their lives for our freedom."

Historic steam locomotive to be renamed 'The Remembrance'

Adding to the significance of the occasion, the Railway's GWR heavy freight locomotive No. 3802 will carry the name 'The Remembrance' for the day.

The temporary renaming will serve as a visible tribute to the courage, service and sacrifice of generations of Armed Forces personnel.

The historic locomotive will provide a powerful symbol of remembrance, combining Britain's proud railway heritage with the nation's enduring commitment to honouring those who served.

Volunteers create special Remembrance display at Glyndyfrdwy Station

Volunteers at Glyndyfrdwy Railway Station have prepared a special Remembrance display as part of the Railway's commemorations.

The display features two striking silhouettes representing members of the Armed Forces, accompanied by flags, creating a poignant tribute to those who served and sacrificed their lives.

The display is a testament to the dedication of the Railway's volunteers, who have given their time and effort to ensure that Remembrance Sunday is marked with dignity and respect.

Flags will also be displayed at every station along the Llangollen and Corwen Railway, alongside poppies, ensuring that the spirit of remembrance is visible throughout the Dee Valley.

The Railway hopes the displays will encourage passengers, visitors and local residents to pause and reflect on the sacrifices made by generations of servicemen and women.

Free travel for Armed Forces personnel, veterans and cadets

As a further mark of respect, the Llangollen and Corwen Railway will offer free travel on all its Remembrance Sunday afternoon services to serving Armed Forces personnel, veterans and members of recognised cadet organisations.

The offer includes members of the Royal Navy, British Army and Royal Air Force, former service personnel, and young people belonging to the Sea Cadets, Army Cadets and RAF Air Cadets, including the Air Training Corps.

Those wishing to take advantage of the complimentary travel offer simply need to present appropriate proof of their service or cadet membership at one of the Railway's ticket offices, such as a military identification card, Veterans Railcard, Veterans ID Card or recognised cadet identification.

The Railway hopes to make the process as straightforward and welcoming as possible.

The initiative is intended as a small gesture of gratitude to those who serve, those who have served and the young people who are following in their footsteps.

Remembrance Sunday train services

The Railway will operate the following afternoon services:

Departing Llangollen for Corwen:

• 12.20pm
• 3.15pm

Departing Corwen for Llangollen:

• 1.45pm
• 4.20pm

There will be no 10am departure from Llangollen to allow staff and volunteers to attend local Remembrance Sunday commemorations.

You want for nothing is this luxurious Swedish hybrid SUV

Volvo XC90 T8 plug-in hybrid drive by Steve Rogers

With Volvo going full pelt on electric vehicles you might wonder what’s the point of a plug-in hybrid for its big seven-seat SUV.

Well, the Swedish brand is sticking with the dual fuel option and has shown its commitment with a longer range model. I don’t want to be a party pooper but if you are considering a plug-in XC90 I would hold off until the new year when a 99 mile range model will hit the showrooms.

This is significant because the current model’s range is a meagre 40 miles….. If you are lucky, it is more likely to be in the low thirties if journeys are of the up hill down dale type. Some rivals can manage nearly twice that.

Not that you are going to be disappointed if you have shelled out close on £90,000 for the best Volvo has to offer. XC90 marked the start of the company’s premium journey way back in 2002 and has become one of the most appealing family SUVs on the market with its understated Scandinavian styling, a luxurious and practical cabin, the ability to drive on electric power for short hops, and seven seat versatility which gives it the edge over its main rivals.

The big move came in 2015 with a bold new shape and a switch from switches to touchscreen which was a nightmare of confusion back then. But the car’s objective was clear: Get in the face of Land Rover and the big three from Germany, and it has been doing it ever since.

Take a look inside the cabin for part of the story. There is nothing flash, it is just all very calm, typically Swedish, with a variety of modern textures covering the dashboard. The central touchscreen still dominates, and still gets stick from some quarters for being over elaborate but I found it easy to navigate. One touch takes you into a menu of large icons and there are a few physical switches below the screen for quick demisting and radio volume control. Best of all two dabs on the screen turn off lane assist which I find irritating other than on motorways.

If you can’t be bothered dabbing use voice control which does just about everything, apart from finding a radio station which was very odd.

Passengers are lavished with luxurious seats, heated, of course, and ventilated for driver and passenger. There is also plenty of legroom, as there should be for a car nearly five metres long. That said the third row is tight for space unlike the Kia Sorento which steals a march on the Volvo with electric motors to shift the middle row forward. There is a bit too much heavy lifting to get things sorted in the XC90.

The legroom issue might be linked to reasonable boot space with all seven seats in place. It almost matches a supermini with 262 litres to the roof and tops 300 litres without the hybrid gubbins.

With such a high price tag you want for nothing and there is the added luxury of air suspension which gives a superb ride and lowers the car by 50mm to help with loading. That said, the XC90 gets a bit lively on B roads if pushed but who needs to be charging round in a car hauling all but 2300kg of weight. Just soak up the comfort.

The hybrid power is more than electric only driving, even if for a short period. It boosts power and believe me it makes the Volvo an effortless rapid machine giving the driver plenty of confidence when overtaking.

As for economy, well it is a mixed bag. This is a heavyweight so best not to take too much notice of the advertised 235mpg which is only relevant if charging at home regularly. Once the modest electric range is used it is over to petrol power and at best that is around 32mpg although I did hit 39mpg on a leisurely 100 mile motorway round trip.

Yes, the top of the range Volvo is an expensive buy but it is one heck of a car and dare I say you get a fair bit for your money and there is no car I have ever felt more safe. There are so many safety aids the car is like a fortress. Auto braking at junctions if it detects the risk of a prang from an approaching vehicle is very reassuring.

As I said at the top of the article, if you are going down the plug-in route, wait until the new year for the 99 mile electric model.

Here is something else to consider. At the same time the smaller and excellent XC60 will have an electric range of 124 miles.

Fast facts

XC90 Ultra Pro AWD

£88,160 (range starts £66,270)

2-litre petrol; 406bhp

0-62mph 5.4secs; 112mph

Electric range 40 miles

36g/km. 1st tax £115

Insurance group 42

Boot: 244-1816 litres

Towing: 2400kg