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Llangollen News

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

Wholistic Light Festival

The Llangollen Light Wholistic Festival team are now in the final stages of preparation for their second event this year, scheduled to be held at Llangollen Town Hall on the weekend of 19th/20th September.

The festival team’s first event was held earlier this year in March. Hundreds of people from near and far attended, being drawn by Llangollen Light’s vision to celebrate the Magic, Joy and Fun of life, in direct contrast to the gloom and doom of the ‘credit crunch’ bandwagon. Visitors, including noted psychics, felt that the “Veil was lifted from the Vale of Llangollen”, generating a popular consensus of feeling that Llangollen was now a place of Light!

About half of the exhibitors from the March weekend will be returning, by popular demand, with many new and exciting exhibitors joining the Llangollen Light fold. Feedback from many visitors included comments about the amazing quality of the free talks and demonstrations given continually throughout the weekend, giving value for money for the daily admission fee.

Other visitors were impressed and amazed at how well balanced the rich diversity of exhibitors was. The team think this is one of the most important things to consider when organising an event such as this.

The forthcoming event in September is set to be another success, with highlights such as Huellas, a Native American band from Ecuador that will play live sets throughout the day and who consistently draw the crowds. There will be over 30 stands, some offering taster sessions.

A FREE HUGS campaign is also planned, in support of the global success of the YouTube-based campaign between Juan Mann and an Australian rock band. If you have not seen the clip on YouTube, Llangollen Light urges you to get on the ‘net and feel the energy generated by this amazing man and his campaign.

Returning to this event is the unique and astoundingly accurate Jackie Weaver, Animal Whisperer. Visitors in March brought along their fur-babies or photographs of their little darlings, and Jackie provided readings that astounded and amazed pet owners.

Doors open at 10:00am and daily admission is £3.00 for adults. Accompanied children under 14 are free. Remember this includes a diverse and exciting day of free talks, demonstrations and workshops, which will be displayed at the event or people planning to visit can keep updated about the workshop schedule via the website.

For details of September’s exhibitors, plus maps and other information including a gallery of pictures from March, go to www.llangollenlights.co.uk

See you there!

Date Added: 18-8-2009

Llan Lads to Take on the 3 Peaks for Heroes

Over the weekend of Sept 26th/27th Sept 2009, a team of six lads from Llangollen will be participating in the below event, culminating in a fun day at the Fire station on Sunday 27th Sept. There will be fire service and army displays, as well as other fundraising stalls.There will also be a BBQ and karaoke, next door at the Star Inn. Please read the below article highlighting our challenge, and please could you consider visiting our donations page, which is totally safe and secure, the address is:

www.justgiving.com/llanboys3peaks

Feel free to add your business title/link on the donation page.

In addition if anyone can assist in the provision of a minibus, please contact Paul on 07734 365 495

As you may well be aware, our chosen charity for this event is ‘HELP FOR HEROES’. I am sure you will agree that this is one of the most worthwhile charities in the country. H4H deal directly with injured service personnel that have been injured on Military Operations in Iraq and Afghanistan. I have ex-colleagues who have benefited directly from this charity, and I cannot emphasise enough the amazing things this charity does to assist members of our armed forces who have been injured. If you need any examp les of the fine work they do, then please visit their website.

Our team have decided to undertake the ‘Three Peaks Challenge’ to raise money for the above cause. A team of eight lads from the Llangollen area (six participants in the challenge and two drivers/admin team).


For those not fully aware of the challenge, let me explain:

The 3 peaks challenges involves climbing and descending the three highest peaks in Great Britain; Ben Nevis(Scotland), Scaffel Pike(England) and Snowdon(Wales). The added challenge being that we must complete this within a single twenty four hour period. This also inclu des the travelling time between the three mountains!! As you will appreciate, not only will we need to conquer the three mountains, but we must also fight the fatigue, tiredness and constant travelling. (Please bear this in mind when donating!!)

It is our intention to travel to the foot of Ben Nevis on the afternoon of Fri 25th September 2009, where we will camp out for the evening. Our challenge will begin at 6am the following morning. The clock will start as soon as we start to climb Ben Nevis. Having successfully completed this, we will then travel to the English Lake District and tackle Scaffel Pike. Remember that the clock will still be ticking as we travel! Once this second mountain has been completed, we will head for Snowdonia for our final climb. We envisage that we should be starting on Snowdon at approximately 2am, al lowing us to get to the summit and back down before the 6am deadline. Photographs will be taken at the summit of each mountain!!

Once the Challenge is successfully completed, we will camp out at the bottom of Snowdon, catching up on some lost sleep!! Following a hearty brunch, we will return to Llangollen Sunday afternoon. There will be ongoing fundraising activities at the Fire station fun day and at the Star Inn Llangollen through out the day, which will continue into the evening.

So, there we have it. That is our challenge. Please let me again emphasise the fantastic work that this charity does. I am sure you will know of someone serving in the armed forces, and although we pray that they never have to benefit from this charity, It is there if and when it is required. Please give us much or as little as you can afford for this fantastic cause!

Kind Regards,


Paul Hughes and all of the team

Date Added: 25-8-2009