First Responder Ben wins ambulance service award

 

* First Responder Richard Witheridge with his award and certificate.

A Community First Responder from Llangollen was among Welsh Ambulance Service volunteers recognised at the National Volunteer Awards 2026.

The ceremony, at the International Convention Centre, Newport, was held as part of the WAST’s National Volunteer Conference, celebrating the outstanding contribution volunteers make to patients, communities and the wider organisation.

With 66 volunteers nominated across eight award categories, alongside the special High Sheriff of Gwent Award, the standard of nominations was said to be exceptionally high, recognising volunteers from across Wales whose dedication, compassion, professionalism and commitment embody the values of the Trust.

Amongst the winners on the night was Community First Responder Richard Witheridge from Llangollen.

Ben was recognised for his contribution in building a volunteer team that is widely recognised for its professionalism, inclusivity and support for one another.

His citation said that "through strong leadership, engaging development opportunities and a genuine commitment to helping every volunteer succeed, he has created a positive culture that extends far beyond his own team and continues to influence volunteers across North Wales".

Paul Underwood, Deputy Chief Operating Officer at the Welsh Ambulance Service, said: “These awards are testament to the truly remarkable and selfless people from within our organisation that dedicate their time and energy to the people of Wales.

“We are lucky to have such outstanding volunteers, and we rightly recognise their value and the vital contributions they make.

“A heart felt congratulations to each and every one of them on their much deserved awards.”

Town Council aims to co-opt two new members

LANGOLLEN TOWN COUNCIL

NOTICE OF CO-OPTION

Section 116 Local Government (Wales) Measure 2011

NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that Llangollen Town Council intends to co-opt two Members to fill vacancies that have occurred in the office of Councillor for the above-mentioned Community Council Llangollen Town Council is seeking expressions of interest from members of the public who are interested in representing their community and meet the following qualifications: 

a) be at least 18 years old.

b) be a British citizen, an eligible Commonwealth citizen a citizen of any member state of the European Union or a qualifying foreign citizen, and meet at least one of the following four qualifications:

c) You are, and will continue to be, registered as a local government elector for the community in which you wish to stand. 

d) You have occupied as owner or tenant any land or other premises in the community area during the whole of the 12 months prior to the day of the election in the community area.

e) Your main or only place of work during the 12 months prior to the day of the election in the community area 

f) You have lived in the community area or within three miles of it during the whole of the 12 months prior to the day of the election in the community area. 

Any person interested in being considered for co-option as a Town Councillor is invited to submit an expression of interest to the Town Council by email at townclerk@llangollentowncouncil.gov.uk no later than 13 November 2026.

Expressions of interest should include a brief statement outlining why the applicant considers themselves to be a suitable candidate for co-option to Llangollen Town Council, together with details of any previous experience, relevant skills, qualifications, community involvement, or other information that may assist the Council in considering the application

Llangollen play area due for facelift by county council

Llangollen's Coed Afon is among 10 county play areas set to undergo a facelift.

Denbighshire County Council’s Streetscene Services have been successful in securing UK Government’s Pride in Place Impact Funding (PiPiF) to enable the refurbishment of the play areas located throughout the county.

These play areas have been selected due to the age profile of the equipment and health and safety concerns which have been highlighted in relation to the actual equipment or the safety play surfaces.

The contract to deliver this work is currently out to tender, with works expected to commence sometime in November, weather and contractor availability permitting.

Each site will take varying times to complete as some play areas require more complex work than others.

Cllr James Elson, lead member for Environment and Transport, said: “Our play areas are places where children can play, families can spend time together and neighbours can meet. These upgrades will give the communities much-needed safe, modern places to play, with more inclusive and accessible equipment for children with additional needs. We look forward to welcoming local families back once the work is complete so they can enjoy the improvements together.”

Everest canoe expedition film night a great success

* The originals (from left) John Gosling, Dave Manby, Roger Huyton, Graham Mackereth (Pyranha Kayaks) Eric Jones, (climber on the trip) and Rob Hastings.

The recent film night in Llangollen Town Hall celebrating 50 years since the first British Everest Canoe Expedition was a great success with over 200 people attending. 

Films shown included a short precis of the 1973 Czech expedition to Nepal, a tribute to Mike Jones, the leader of the British expedition and the film of the 1981 International White Water World Cardboard Canoe Championships. 

Following a break and two short films about the recent floods in Nepal and the work of Aquabox delivering water filters, an auction of donated items was held before the main event - the film of the 1976 expedition’s journey overland to Nepal and the HTV film of the actual expedition. 

Five of the original members of the team were there along with one of the original boats and the original  “GoPro” (weighing 3.2kgs). 

A total of £3,000 was raised for Aquabox’s work in Nepal.

* https://aquabox.org/nepal-flash-foods-we-start-assessing-our-response/

* The hall packed for the film night.

* Dave Manby outlines the evening's programme.

Castle Street/Mill Street junction improvements to start Monday

* The junction of Castle Street and Mill Street where improvement works will start next Monday, November 2.

Llangollen county councillor Karen Edwards has sent llanblogger a statement about some roadworks starting in town next week.

She says: "I wanted to make residents and businesses in Llangollen aware that improvement works at the Mill Street and Castle Street junction are scheduled  to commence on Monday, November 2. The works are expected to take approximately two weeks to complete.

"This is something I have been working to progress since taking office, so it is particularly pleasing to see the scheme now moving forward. 

"I have been keen to see a practical solution that will attempt to alleviate the difficulties experienced by larger vehicles negotiating the turn from Mill Street into Castle Street, while also improving the layout of this busy part of our town centre.

"The works will involve realigning the kerb line, narrowing the pavement, and widening the carriageway. This will help reduce vehicle overrun and provide more room for larger vehicles to make the turn safely from Mill Street into Castle Street.

"The junction is also in a particularly sensitive location, alongside our historic Llangollen Bridge, a Grade I listed structure, Scheduled Ancient Monument and one of the Seven Wonders of Wales. It is important that we take care of the surroundings of such an important landmark while ensuring the highway arrangements work as they should.

"I know residents and businesses have had to put up with the red and white barriers at this location for some time, and I will be quite honest – I shall be very pleased to see the back of them! Their removal on completion of the works will make a welcome difference to the appearance of this part of the town.

"I appreciate that any roadworks in the town centre will bring some inconvenience, and I would ask people to bear with the arrangements while the improvements are carried out. Pedestrian access will be maintained through a temporary crossing in the existing location, and the temporary traffic signals will be monitored, with arrangements made for them to be manned if necessary.

"Importantly, the traffic management will be temporarily removed to allow Llangollen’s Remembrance event to take place.

"I am looking forward to seeing this long-awaited work completed. My priority has always been to see practical improvements delivered for Llangollen, its residents, businesses, and the many visitors who come to enjoy our town."

* On Monday November 16 the county council will start essential maintenance on the A542 Horseshoe Pass, from Dafarn Dywyrch roundabout to the Eisteddfod entrance. Work is scheduled to last for up to five days and will include gully emptying, sweeping and sign maintenance. Traffic will be managed using stop/go boards, and some delays and disruption may occur, says the council.

Swift action follows fly-tipping incident on Gwernant

* A picture on social media showing just some of the fly-tipped material on the Gwernant.

Thanks to swift reporting by a number of concerned residents, a large quantity of fly-tipped material is in the process of being moved from the Gwernant in Llangollen.

They took to Facebook this morning (Friday) to say that what appeared to be rubbish left over from building work had been dumped on a verge of the country lane linking the town with Glyn Ceiriog.

In the pile was what appeared to be a greetings card wishing a named individual a happy birthday, which could be a clue as to where the material came from.

After being alerted by the social media post, Llangollen county councillor asked the town's own street scene team to investigate and, shortly afterwards, she said that some of the rubbish had been removed by them.

She has asked the county council's recycling department to move the rest, which was in a more inaccessible spot down a bank.

Cllr Edwards said the dumped material appeared to have been items left over from work on a roof.

And she added: "Thanks to its prompt reporting to us by concerned people, we were able to start dealing with this particular mess.

"If anyone locally sees fly-tipped material they should report it to me or to Denbighshire County council via the website."

Charities to benefit from this year's tractor run announced

The charities that will benefit from this year's illuminated tractor run in Llangollen have now been confirmed.

* For the full story, see: the Leader at: https://www.leaderlive.co.uk/news/26670882.benefitting-charities-confirmed-llangollen-tractor-run/