The Llangollen and Corwen Railway in North Wales will launch this year’s festive season with a literal ‘big bang’ from a bluecoat band.

This year, the railway’s Santa Specials will have a rousing send-off from the City of Chester Bluecoat Band from 11.30 am on Saturday, 28th of November, and then run daily to Christmas Eve.

The band has a particularly special connection with the Llangollen and Corwen Railway through volunteer and guard Les Platt, who has been a member of the City of Chester Bluecoat Band since 1981.

This Christmas, Les will enjoy two important parts coming together when he and his fellow bandsmen and women perform at Llangollen.

The Llangollen and Corwen Railway celebrates its 50th anniversary this year, and has a weekend of celebrations planned for the weekend of Saturday, 12th, and Sunday, 13th September.

As well as having the City of Chester Bluecoat Band playing to launch the Santa Special, earlier this year the railway welcomed hundreds of performers and visitors attending the Llangollen International Musical Eisteddfod.

The Santa Special journeys have special treats for children when Santa Claus travels through the train to meet them and present each of them with a special gift.

The grown-ups aren’t left out, as they can enjoy a warming tipple of mulled wine to go along with a complimentary mince pie.

To capture the Christmas feel, the carriages will be decorated in festive finery to go along with the steam hissing from a heritage locomotive and carols being played gently in the background.

“I joined the City of Chester Bluecoat Band in 1981, and it has been a huge part of my life ever since. After 45 years, it becomes about much more than simply playing music. You build lifelong friendships, share some wonderful experiences and become part of a family. “There are actually a lot of similarities with volunteering on the Railway. People come from completely different backgrounds, and everyone has their own role to play, but ultimately you are all working together. I have made some great friends through both organisations.”

”To have the band coming to Llangollen for the opening of the Santa Specials is going to be very special for me. Christmas already creates a wonderful atmosphere on the Railway, and there is nothing quite like the sound of a brass band playing Christmas music. It will be slightly strange seeing these two parts of my life come together, but I am incredibly proud of my association with both the band and the Railway. I think 28 November is going to be a really memorable day and I am very much looking forward to it.”

Les Platt, Llangollen Railway volunteer and City of Chester Bluecoat Bandsman