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Llangollen News

Murder and Intrigue on the Llangollen Railway

The world’s greatest detective? Or, the World’s greatest murderer?
A famous Detective has been imprisoned, accused of a monstrous crime. His trustworthy assistant is left trying to prove his friend’s innocence in the face of damning evidence. With the clock ticking and without the help of the great Detective his assistant faces a race against time to beat the Hangman’s Noose!

Come and solve the Baker Street Murders !!

8th May 2010
Tickets £23 per person
Please arrive at 7pm
Food served on platform 1 at 7.15pm
The Plot commences at 7.30pm

For more details and booking information please go to www.llangollen-railway.co.uk

Date Added: 8-7-2008

The Great Llangollen Show

The Great Llangollen Show will take place on 4th and 5th September 2010 at The International Royal Paviliion, home to the world famous Iternational Musical Eisteddfod. The event is being organised by Llangollen Hotels and Stephanie Booth.

There will be mountain biking, hot air balloons, classic cars, mobile funhouse, slides, giant inflatables, animals and much more under one great North Wales venue !!

Watch this space as more activities are announced daily !!

Date Added: 8-6-2010

Balloon Festival Saved by a Great Show in Llangollen

When it was announced that the 2010 Llangollen Hot Air Balloon Festival had been cancelled by its organisers, it was feared that the sight of these impressive creatures of the air flying over the Dee Valley would be a thing of the past. Thankfully, local businesswoman and BBC personality Stephanie Booth had other ideas!

As Chair of the Llangollen Chamber of Trade & Tourism, Stephanie and the organisations members were acutely aware the effect this cancellation would have on the retail businesses of the town and quickly set to work organising its replacement and The Great Llangollen Show was born.

Due to this being a not-for-profit community event, entry prices will be very reasonable and designed to just cover the costs with savings for early booking, family tickets, pensioners and toddlers under 2 will be free, this will be a full day of entertainment and activities at an affordable price. All catering will also be controlled so no silly prices for food and drink – just excellent food at modest everyday prices.

To be held over the weekend of the 4th/5th September and based at the Royal International Pavilion, the show will retain the highly popular ‘Night Glow’ hot air balloon display on the Saturday evening but the emphasis of the event is much, much broader than mere hot air! With lots of free arena events to either watch or join in with such as Mamma Mia dancing, a “Have You Got Talent” competition, live acts, music and disco.

Demonstration’s of archery, axe throwing, bush-craft, pole dancing, mountain bike obstacle course & much, much more. Another amazing thing, all on-field parking will be free.
“The Great Llangollen Show will be a showcase for the best North Wales has to offer with plenty of free sample tasting of local food, drink, chocolates etc.

Activities will include the now famous land train, Spiderman mountain, giant soft play truck, zip wire descents, goal challenge and a terrifyingly high parachute simulator, climbing walls, fireworks and much more besides with the vast majority of the International Pavilion field being under canvass thus insuring that whatever the weather you can have fun.

Stephanie Booth who is organising the event stated “This will bring everyone together as the whole community has got involved. As well as traders, the Lions Club, Tidy Towns, Rotary, football team & numerous other community groups have all joined us and together with the support of Llangollen Town Council and Denbighshire County Council we will be able to bring the best fun weekend ever to The Royal International Pavilion which is the established venue for the International Peace Music Festival and a fitting venue for the largest event ever held in the town.”

But that’s not all. Organisers are in discussions with one of the country’s top stunt cyclists about setting a new long distance jump World Record over the weekend! It’s not known yet what he’ll be looking to jump over but whatever it is it’s going to be pretty spectacular!
Town leaders are delighted at the plans, with Denbighshire County Council also playing their part, in helping with the delivery of the event.

“When the Balloon Festival was withdrawn we were very disappointed. The impact on Llangollen of the loss of one of its most popular weekends would have been substantial and in the current climate would have been a significant blow to Llangollen's economy. We’re delighted that Stephanie and the LCT&T have taken up the task of filling the void and we’ll help wherever we can,” said Ian Parry, Clerk to Llangollen Town Council.

Date Added: 12-6-2010

Balloon Festival Saved by a Great Show in Llangollen

When it was announced that the 2010 Llangollen Hot Air Balloon Festival had been cancelled by its organisers, it was feared that the sight of these impressive creatures of the air flying over the Dee Valley would be a thing of the past. Thankfully, local businesswoman and BBC personality Stephanie Booth had other ideas!

As Chair of the Llangollen Chamber of Trade & Tourism, Stephanie and the organisations members were acutely aware the effect this cancellation would have on the retail businesses of the town and quickly set to work organising its replacement and The Great Llangollen Show was born. Due to this being a not-for-profit community event, entry prices will be very reasonable and designed to just cover the costs with savings for early booking, family tickets, pensioners and toddlers under 2 will be free, this will be a full day of entertainment and activities at an affordable price. All catering will also be controlled so no silly prices for food and drink – just excellent food at modest everyday prices.

To be held over the weekend of the 4th/5th September and based at the Royal International Pavilion, the show will retain the highly popular ‘Night Glow’ hot air balloon display on the Saturday evening but the emphasis of the event is much, much broader than mere hot air! With lots of free arena events to either watch or join in with such as Mamma Mia dancing, a “Have You Got Talent” competition, live acts, music and disco.

Demonstration’s of archery, axe throwing, bush-craft, pole dancing, mountain bike obstacle course & much, much more. Another amazing thing, all on-field parking will be free.
“The Great Llangollen Show will be a showcase for the best North Wales has to offer with plenty of free sample tasting of local food, drink, chocolates etc.

Activities will include the now famous land train, Spiderman mountain, giant soft play truck, zip wire descents, goal challenge and a terrifyingly high parachute simulator, climbing walls, fireworks and much more besides with the vast majority of the International Pavilion field being under canvass thus insuring that whatever the weather you can have fun
Stephanie Booth who is organising the event stated “This will bring everyone together as the whole community has got involved.

As well as traders, the Lions Club, Tidy Towns, Rotary, football team & numerous other community groups have all joined us and together with the support of Llangollen Town Council and Denbighshire County Council we will be able to bring the best fun weekend ever to The Royal International Pavilion which is the established venue for the International Peace Music Festival and a fitting venue for the largest event ever held in the town.”

But that’s not all. Organisers are in discussions with one of the country’s top stunt cyclists about setting a new long distance jump World Record over the weekend! It’s not known yet what he’ll be looking to jump over but whatever it is it’s going to be pretty spectacular!
Town leaders are delighted at the plans, with Denbighshire County Council also playing their part, in helping with the delivery of the event.

“When the Balloon Festival was withdrawn we were very disappointed. The impact on Llangollen of the loss of one of its most popular weekends would have been substantial and in the current climate would have been a significant blow to Llangollen's economy. We’re delighted that Stephanie and the LCT&T have taken up the task of filling the void and we’ll help wherever we can,” said Ian Parry, Clerk to Llangollen Town Council.

Date Added: 3-9-2010

Oldest Caravan in the World at Motor Museum

What could well prove to be the oldest motorised caravan in the world is celebrating its 100th birthday from its current home, ironically in one of the top tourism destinations in the UK.

The small Motor Museum in Llangollen, North Wales, has housed the single berth, wooden construction for over 12 years, not really thinking it to be of any importance until recent research pointed out what a unique piece of the British leisure industry they have on display!

“The caravan has been kindly loaned to us by a gentleman from Bala and has been a part of the museum collection for over the past 12 years or so.

All we knew it was constructed from plans published in the motoring press in 1908 so we thought we’d do a bit of research for its 100th birthday - and that’s when we found out its true significance,” said Llangollen Museum owner Mr Gwilym Owen.

The first horse drawn ‘leisure’ caravan, The Wanderer, was designed by writer Dr W. Gordon-Stables and built by the Bristol Carriage Company in 1880. He used the vehicle as a mobile study from which to write his successful boys books and was probably influenced by the assorted ’caravans’ used by travelling salesmen and Gypsies earlier in the century.

One of his best selling books was a travel-log of a mammoth trip to Scotland in his horse drawn caravan, entitled “The Cruise of the Land Yacht Wanderer.” Many other ‘Gentleman Gypsies’ were inspired to follow this example, resulting in the formation of the Caravan Club in 1907, with Gordon Stables its first President.

Horse powered caravans were still very much in use up until just after WWI, with the motorised versions generally believed to have been introduced around 1915.

“This puts our caravan some 7 years earlier than the current histories believe, which makes it a very important piece of British motoring heritage. It just shows how sophisticated cars had become in a relatively short space of time, with manufacturers such as Rover, Daimler and of course Rolls Royce now in full swing,” said Gwilym.

The caravan itself was built by a Mr A. W. Haslam, an amateur artist from Heanor, Derbyshire and was used solely on his painting expeditions to beauty spots up and down the country.

Mr Haslam would be away for up to two months at a time but unfortunately went blind in 1940 but he was still taken for holidays in it by his family up until the time of his death in 1958, when aged 80.

The last known ‘trip’ for this amazing vehicle was in July 1960, from when it was stored in a barn by his granddaughter until 1988, when it was sold on to a local man who in turn sold it to the present owner.

“It’s had a little bit of modernisation over the years, such as new wheels and axle from a 1930’s Austin and a more modern hitch but everything else is basically the same as it was when constructed.

It’s very much like a garden shed on wheels and I can imagine it was very cosy in its day, especially if you tried to fit more than one person inside it. Still, everything has to start somewhere!”

Date Added: 8-8-2008

£1million Refit of Historic Hotel Cements Commitment to Llangollen

One of North Wales’ most picturesque hotels has just completed a £1million refit to cater for the increased levels of business developed over the past 3 years.

The Chainbridge Hotel, on the outskirts of Llangollen, has seen visitor numbers increase by over 55% since it came into the ownership of the Llangollen Hotels Group, who also own the Wild Pheasant, Bryn Howel and Bodidris Hall Hotels within the region.

“The current investment levels are an indication of our commitment to the tourism product of Llangollen, which we believe can and will get even stronger over the next few years.

The product enables excellent visitor potential throughout the year, with established events, attractions, outdoor pursuits as well as the fascinating history and stunning scenery the town and greater Dee Valley has to offer. We’re here and here to stay,” said Stephanie Booth, Managing Director of the Llangollen Hotels Group.

The plans to take the Llangollen Steam Railway as far as Corwen are another factor in the long term decision making towards the hotel group, especially with the soon to be restored Berwyn Station an ideal dropping off point.

The Chainbridge Hotel itself has seen a programme of improvements which include the fitting of a new flat roof, a complete refurbishment of all 36 bedrooms, new carpeting throughout, the introduction of WiFi to name but a few.

“It’s virtually a new hotel, the nearest work we could have done without knocking it down and starting again, which was actually discussed! The most amazing thing about all the work is it has been done whilst still open and it didn’t affect our visitors at all.

The hotel is now up to the standards of quality we expect from all our properties but it doesn’t mean we’ll be standing still. There are always new ideas and developments and we’ll always be looking to introduce them at the nearest possible opportunity,” continued Stephanie.

“The current plans to restore the actual chain bridge itself should, when completed, create a whole new tourism product, linking the refurbished hotel with the Llangollen Railway and Canal, helping to generate further investment into the local economy.

It’s a long term dream shared by both ourselves and the local community but there’s a lot of water to flow under the bridge before that project reaches fruition,” continued Stephanie.

Date Added: 13-11-2008

Nigel Kennedy Returns to Llangollen

This years International Musical Eisteddfod sees the return of world renowned violinist Nigel Kennedy. His return to the festival will see old and new material of Bach and Ellington, brought to Wales for the first time.

11 July – 7.45pm

Ticket Prices: £55, £40, £25

Date Added: 26-5-2009

80s and 90s Flashback Party

Come and Join us on Friday 3rd June at the Llangollen Pavilion for a 80s and 90s Flashback Party. Acts on the night will include Sonia, Angie Brown, 911 and Bananrama. Tickets are only £20 and door open at 6.30pm. For more information go to www.flashbackparty.co.uk

Date Added: 4-5-2011

2010 Llangollen Gardening Show

Dates for this years Gardening Show are set as 5th & 6th of June and the event will be once again be held at The Royal International Pavilion showground, Llangollen, North Wales.

Expect an even bigger and better show this year with new areas such as Homes and Lifestyle ,Food and Drink and Larger Art Exhibition organised once again by Steve Turner from UK Fine Arts

Go to www.thegardeningshow.co.uk/ for more details

Date Added: 26-5-2009

It’s Up, Up and Away for Stephanie and the Great Llangollen Show

The Balloon’s are going up over Llangollen again at this year’s Great Llangollen Show but with one of North Wales’ most ebullient celebrities at the controls for the very first time!

Business woman and TV personality Stephanie Booth has taken up the invitation from Lindstrands UK to be begin the process of training as a hot air balloon pilot, despite a fear of heights, and will be looking to test her new found skills at the Show over the weekend 4th/5th September.

Although the Great Llangollen Show is replacing the cancelled Llangollen Balloon Festival, these beasts of the air will still be heavily involved, especially with the ever popular ‘night glow’ on the Saturday evening.

The weekend-long event at the Llangollen Pavilion has added a host of other attractions and activities to the field including a zip wire ride across the field, Mountain Bike Displays and Obstacle course, opportunities to try axe throwing and the now famous Llangollen Land Train. In fact, 75% of the show is under-cover but it’s the balloons that always get the attention.

“Lindstrands have absolutely brilliant in helping us with our inaugural event and this offer came completely out of the blue. Unfortunately I get vertigo standing on the pavement but you don’t get a chance like this every day of the week so here goes!!” said the star of the highly successful BBC series Hotel Stephanie.

Stephanie’s training will give her a good grounding in balloon piloting, although it will take far more than one visit to Lindstrands before she will able to pilot a balloon on her own. Experts from the Oswestry based works will be on-hand to guide and further Stephanie’s flying experience as she takes to the air for the first time.

“It’s not so much the going up that worries me as coming down!” continued Stephanie. “Seriously I know I’ll be in the best possible hands and everything will be great, I’m really looking forward to it. I’ve even set up a fall back should we run out of gas as we’re also running a chilli eating competition at the show – we can get the competitors to breath a different sort of hot air into the balloon if needed!” said Stephanie.

Forward tickets for the Great Llangollen Show can be bought by visiting the event website on www.great-llangollen-show.co.uk or calling the ticket hotline on 01978 86011.

Date Added: 3-9-2010

Christmas Bonanza as Festival Branches Out

The Llangollen Charity Christmas Festival will again be drawing the crowds on Saturday December 4th and has now become so big it has had to be moved up to the Llangollen Pavilion!!

The whole site is being handed over to the festival for the day thanks to Denbighshire County Council and promises to be the biggest pre Christmas celebrations in the whole of Wales!

Organised by the Llangollen Chamber of Trade and Tourism, the festival has also arranged for singing sensation Sonia, along with other members of the Snow White pantomime cast appearing at Theatr Stiwt, to perform on the day.

“Last year we took over one of the Town car parks on Parade St for the Festival but for a number of reasons, no less the size of this year’s show, we have had to move it to the Pavilion as its base. This won’t affect the impact on Llangollen however, as it has always been the intention to broaden the Festival by joining the town and Pavilion together in one super event,” said LCT&T Chair Stephanie Booth.

The day kicks off at 11.00am when Santa boards his sleigh, followed by his elves and fairies on the Llangollen Land Train, for a grand procession through the town itself. Llangollen Silver Band, costume characters and other community groups.

This spectacular parade will weave itself throughout the town before returning to the Pavilion for Santa to enter his Grotto on the Pavilion stage, where there will be live entertainment all day.

Traditional, and not so traditional, rides and amusements will be running both on the Pavilion Field and Bridge Street in the town itself.

A second parade of the day is planned from 5.30pm when Santa gets back onto his sleigh, again followed by the Llangollen Land Train which is this time fully lit up like the Coca-Cola lorry! Everyone arrives at the TIC on Castle Street for the switch on of the Christmas Lights, which will be followed by a stunning firework display.

“It really does promise to be a fantastic day out and with free car parking all day and free entry to the Pavilion tremendous value as well! All proceeds will be going to Hope House Children’s Hospice too, so you’ll also be helping a very worthy cause at a special time of year,” said Stephanie.

Date Added: 26-11-2010