New-look Star Inn roars back to life at special launch party

* Well-wishers and friends raise a glass to the re-birth of the Star as town crier Chem roars out his specially-written tribute.

A bar full of well-wishers and friends raised a glass to the success of an old Llangollen pub that has a bright new future thanks to a major facelift exercise.

The historic Star Inn on Queen Street had been closed and derelict for some time until it was bought last year by former Ysgol Dinas Bran pupil David Anderson whose company has spent many months totally renovating the building inside and and out.

His avowed aim was to turn it back into a community pub - or hub - with the emphasis on making it a place where people feel safe and comfortable. 

Things were going well until last month when an overnight break-in caused an estimated £20,000 worth of damage to various parts of the building just weeks away from the finishing line.

But repairs were made, the losses of stock made good and the work continued in time for last night (Friday's) soft re-opening party.  

Performing the official launch was Llangollen's town crier Chem in full costume who roared out his own specially-written tribute: "Oyez! Oyez! Oyez, today we celebrate a triumph of community spirit!

"They said this local pub was gone for good, but they underestimated the heart and resolve of David Anderson and his team. Where others saw closed doors, they saw a future! Through their passion, hard work, and  shared investment a beating heart of our community beats once more! 

"Where there was silence, let there now be laughter. Where the doors were shut, let them now be thrown wide open!

"This house is now officially returned to the people! It stands not merely as a place to pour a pint, but as a haven for friendship, a sanctuary for neighbours, and a proud hub for our entire community.

"Raise your glasses high to every single soul who made this dream a reality!

"I declare this community pub officially open!

"Long live our community! Long live The Star! Long live Llangollen!"

Indeed, many glasses were raised, the tape was cut and the Star officially came back to life, and tonight comes an even bigger party, with entertainment, to mark its re-birth.   

Tidy Town Team shows true colours by cleaning square's flagpoles

Llangollen's Tidy Town Team did a particularly thorough job this morning (Friday) when they were called upon to perform their traditional duty of making Centenary Square spick and span for the annual Service of Remembrance, which happens this Sunday morning.

Because, this time, it wasn't just the usual wash and brush up. They put in considerable extra effort to actually remove the flagpoles and give them a proper cleaning.

Each year the intrepid team puts in many hours of unpaid work to perform a series of cleaning and tidying jobs in various parts of the town - and we're lucky to have their services. 

Westheads get VIP treatment at Wrexham FC game

* Dyfan Hughes had a memorable return to the Racecourse Ground.

The three Westhead lads were given the real VIP treatment when they went along to the Racecourse Ground to watch Wrexham FC's 2-0 victory over Championship leaders Middlesbrough the other night.

The threesome recently returned home after being forced to curtail their charity cycling marathon to Thailand when one of their number, 19-year-old Dyfan Hughes from Llangollen, was seriously injured after being hit by a truck in China.

As he was treated in hospital in the city of Chengdu his 19-year-old mates, Louis Dennis from Garth and James Thomas from Wrexham, reluctantly flew home without him.

Dyfan eventually returned to Llangollen himself after being flown home accompanied by a specialist medical team. He is currently well into his rehabilitation process and returning to normal life. 

News of the trio's daring exploits, especially the fact that their journey raised over £50,000 for heart research, went viral on social and traditional media making them international celebrities.

As a result Wrexham club officials invited them to this week's Middlesborough match where they were given the given a box, a slap-up meal and had their picture drawn by an artist.

On a Facebook video wearing his Wrexham shirt Dyfan admits he's "absolutely buzzing" about the treat and Louis adds: "I'd never imagined I'd be sat in a box watching Dyf's first Wrexham game since he came back."

Louis' mum also appears in the reel and can be seen telling Louis that her most memorable experience during her lifetime of supporting the Reds came in 1997 when they beat Peterborough in the FA Cup and all the fans started singing.

After tucking into their burgers and pints the lads had their caricature drawn by an artist and Dyfan appears again to say a "massive thank you" to the club for inviting them.  

* Louis and his mum in the stands.

* The Westheads' caricature.

Company donates many miles of track to railway

* David Hennigan, Tim Pulford and Neil Evans from Llangollen Railway with Graham Hughes, Head of Northwich Operations for Tata.

An extraordinary act of generosity by Tata Chemicals Europe is already making a difference to one of the UK's best-loved heritage railways, with the first 60-foot lengths of railway track now delivered to Llangollen and Corwen Railway in North Wales.

The arrival marks an exciting milestone in a remarkable donation of railway track from the company's Winnington site in Northwich, Cheshire. 

The substantial quantity of track being gifted has the potential to support essential renewals along the 11-mile heritage railway through the Dee Valley for a generation.

The story began with a chance meeting between Pauline Yould, HR and Communications Manager at Tata Chemicals Europe, and Neil Evans, a long-serving Railway volunteer and former Board Member from Winsford. 

With the industrial railway at Northwich no longer in use, Tata Chemicals Europe was keen to see the valuable railway materials given a meaningful new purpose rather than simply disposed of. 

* Llangollen and Corwen Railway will be claiming miles of track.

Llangollen and Corwen Railway offered the perfect opportunity to give the track a second life, preserving railway heritage while supporting the volunteers who work tirelessly to keep the Railway running.

Pauline Yould said: "The Tata group's commitment to communities goes right back to our founder, Jamsetji Tata, more than 150 years ago. He believed that communities were at the very heart of business, and that philosophy continues to guide us today.

"When we considered the future of the railway track at our Northwich site, which is no longer in use, we wanted these valuable materials to benefit an organisation that could give them a meaningful new purpose. A chance meeting with Neil Evans opened up a wonderful opportunity, and it is fantastic to see the first rails already arriving at Llangollen and Corwen Railway.

"We are delighted that materials which once supported industry in Cheshire can now help preserve railway heritage in North Wales. It is a fantastic example of sustainability, community spirit and giving something back, and we hope this donation will make a lasting difference for generations to come."

For Llangollen and Corwen Railway, the donation represents an enormous boost. Maintaining eleven miles of heritage railway through the Dee Valley is a major undertaking, with track renewals among the most expensive challenges facing the organisation.

In recent years, the Railway has invested heavily in essential infrastructure improvements, including major track renewals through the 690-metre Berwyn Tunnel. This cost the heritage railway over £100,000. 

The materials from Northwich will now provide an invaluable stock of railway track for future projects, helping reduce costs and allowing the Railway to plan ahead with greater confidence.

Tim Pulford, Heritage Engineering Manager at Llangollen and Corwen Railway, said: "This is absolutely fantastic news and an extraordinary act of generosity by Tata Chemicals Europe. To see the first 60-foot rails arriving at the Railway really brings home just how significant this donation is.

"Track is the very foundation of our Railway. Without it, we simply cannot run trains, and maintaining eleven miles of heritage railway is a constant and extremely expensive undertaking. To be offered such a substantial quantity of good-quality track is a remarkable opportunity.

"Subject to the necessary engineering inspections and assessments, these materials could help us undertake track renewals for a generation. That is a tremendous prospect for any heritage railway, and it gives us the opportunity to plan for the future with greater confidence.

"What makes this donation even more special is that Tata Chemicals Europe actively wanted these materials to benefit an organisation like ours. Rather than simply disposing of the track, the company recognised that it could have a valuable future preserving railway heritage. It really is a gift that will keep on giving."

Radio 4's Any Questions coming to the Pavilion

* Alex Forsyth will chair Any Questions at the Pavilion on December 11.

BBC Radio 4’s flagship political debate programme is heading to the Royal International Pavilion on Friday, December 11.

The Pavilion says in its Facebook page: "We are thrilled to welcome the brilliant Alex Forsyth to town as she hosts this live national broadcast right from Pavilion Hall.

"This is your chance to join the audience, be part of the show, and put your burning questions directly to a panel of leading figures from politics, media, and current affairs. Remember—the questions discussed are completely driven by you, the live audience."

Recording begins at 7.15pm and people are asked to arrive earlier to submit your written questions at the door.

Tickets are free but must be booked in advance. There is a maximum of 10 tickets per order.

Book your free tickets online at:

international-eisteddfod.co.uk 

Fly-tipping offence is captured on camera by county council

* The fly-tipping offence is captured on camera by the county council.

A fly-tipping incident captured on Denbighshire County Council’s environmental crime cameras has resulted in a person being identified and issued with a Fixed Penalty Notice.

The incident was captured by one of the council’s overt fly-tipping cameras, which are used at locations where there are known or recurring environmental crime issues.

Following the incident, Denbighshire County Council’s Environmental Crime and Behaviour Change Team carried out a thorough investigation, reviewing the available footage and gathering further information to establish who was responsible.

The investigation successfully identified the individual involved, who was subsequently issued with a Fixed Penalty Notice (FPN) for the fly-tipping offence.

No location for the offence has been given by the council.

Environmental Crime Manager Jonathan Brittain-Hughes said: “This is a great example of how our environmental crime cameras can make a real difference.

“Putting a camera up is only one part of the process. The important work comes afterwards – reviewing the footage, gathering information, identifying those responsible and building an evidence base that allows us to take appropriate action.

“In this case, our team carried out a thorough investigation and were able to identify the person responsible, resulting in a Fixed Penalty Notice being issued.

“We want our communities to be clean, safe and places that residents are proud to live in. We will continue to combine prevention and education with proportionate enforcement to tackle environmental crime across the county.”

Denbighshire County Council has a number of overt CCTV cameras deployed at locations where fly-tipping and other environmental crimes have been identified as ongoing issues.

The Council’s Environmental Crime and Behaviour Change Team uses a combination of education, prevention, intelligence, partnership working and enforcement to tackle fly-tipping and improve local environments.

* Seen a fly-tip? Report it

If you have information about a fly-tip, please report it to the council at: https://www.denbighshire.gov.uk/en/bins-and-recycling/report-fly-tipping.aspx

Where possible, provide the location, date and time, a description of the person or vehicle involved and any vehicle registration numbers.

This information can help officers investigate incidents and identify those responsible.

Healing Prayer session this Saturday at Penllyn Chapel