Eisteddfod backs Nepal flood appeal with coffee morning

Llangollen International Musical Eisteddfod is standing in solidarity with the people of Nepal following devastating flash flooding which has caused a major humanitarian disaster.

The festival is supporting efforts to raise vital funds for those affected, with Trustee Karen Price organising a special coffee morning tomorrow (Monday) from 10am until 12 noon in the Competitors Building on the Eisteddfod field.

There will be cakes, a raffle with some fantastic prizes and a bric-a-brac sale, with all money raised going towards supporting people affected by the disaster.

The appeal has a particularly special connection to the Eisteddfod through volunteer Bho Pradhan, who maintains strong links with his native Nepal and has provided a charity link to help get support directly to those in need.

John Gambles, Chairman of the Llangollen International Musical Eisteddfod, said: “Llangollen stands with Nepal. We have been shocked and deeply saddened by the scale of this disaster, and our thoughts and prayers are with everyone who has been affected.

“Our Eisteddfod was founded on bringing people and nations together through friendship, peace and understanding. At times like this, those values matter more than ever.

“This has come together at incredibly short notice, but we hope people from across Llangollen and the surrounding area will come along tomorrow and help us show our friends in Nepal that they are not alone.”

* People can also donate directly to the appeal: https://gofund.me/b1f3c7857

Chester Bluecoat band to launch railway's Santa Specials

* The City of Chester Bluecoat band will be launching the Santa Specials in Llangollen.

* Les Platt has played with City of Chester Band for 45 years.

The City of Chester Bluecoat Band will bring the sound of Christmas to Llangollen Railway Station when it helps launch its 2026 Santa Specials on Saturday November 28.

The band will perform from 11.30am, with the occasion having a particularly special connection through long-standing Llangollen and Corwen Railway volunteer and guard Les Platt.

Les has been a member of the City of Chester Bluecoat Band since 1981, giving them 45 years of service. This Christmas, two important parts of his life will come together when his fellow bandsmen and women perform at the railway.

Les said: “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.”

* The ever-popular Santa Specials come to Llangollen station again this year.

The performance will mark the opening day of one of the railway’s biggest annual events, with months of preparation already taking place behind the scenes for the return of the Santa Specials.

The Bluecoat Band’s appearance continues a year in which Llangollen and Corwen Railway has embraced music and the arts, building on Llangollen and the Dee Valley’s strong cultural heritage.

The award-winning railway has welcomed some distinguished visitors from the world of the arts during 2026, including internationally acclaimed Welsh composer Sir Karl Jenkins and Lady Carol Jenkins, as well as former Royal Ballet Principal Dame Darcey Bussell.

Alongside these individual visits, the railway has been developing the role music and performance can play in the passenger experience.

A major part of that has been its growing partnership with Llangollen International Musical Eisteddfod.

This year saw performers from around the world taking their music beyond the Eisteddfod field and onto special trains through the Dee Valley, bringing together two organisations which are synonymous with Llangollen.

The partnership demonstrated the potential of combining the town’s railway and musical heritage, while introducing passengers and visitors to something very different from a traditional journey on a heritage railway.

The programme of live music continues in September when the James Lambert Singers from Wrexham perform special concerts at Llangollen and Corwen.

David Hennigan, Trust Manager at Llangollen and Corwen Railway, said: “We have really embraced the arts this year and it has brought another dimension to what we offer.

“Our partnership with the International Eisteddfod was a particular highlight. Seeing performers from around the world bringing their music onto our trains was incredibly special. Llangollen is known internationally for music and it makes complete sense for the Railway to be part of that story.

“We have also been fortunate to welcome some remarkable visitors this year, including Sir Karl and Lady Carol Jenkins and Dame Darcey Bussell. These were separate visits, but it is wonderful to see people from the arts enjoying our Railway and the Dee Valley.

“We have the James Lambert Singers joining us in September and now the City of Chester Bluecoat Band helping us launch Christmas.

“There is something wonderfully traditional about arriving at a heritage railway at Christmas and hearing a brass band playing on the platform. Add a steam train, Christmas decorations and excited families and it should create a fantastic atmosphere at Llangollen Station.

“What makes this one particularly special, though, is Les. He has given 45 years to the Bluecoat Band and is also a valued member of our Railway family. Bringing those two worlds together on the opening day of our Santa Specials feels absolutely right.”

The 2026 Santa Specials begin on Saturday November 28 with the City of Chester Bluecoat Band performing at Llangollen Railway Station from 11.30am.

The Railway’s Christmas programme will also see an expansion of its Siôn Corn services, alongside the return of its popular Mince Pie Specials.

Councillor gets more details of Market Street toilets closure

Llangollen county councillor Karen Edwards has obtained more details of what a month-long closure of the town's main public toilets early next year will actually mean.

llanblogger revealed yesterday (Friday) that the Market Street loos will be shut from January 4 to February 1 so the building can be facelifted as part of a Denbighshire-wide refurbishment scheme being undertaken by the county council.

But dissatisfied with details of what the closure will mean to a tourist town busy the whole year round, Cllr Edwards sought further details from the senior officer responsible.

And she has now been told that there will be portable toilet facilities available free of charge for the public for the duration of the closure. These will be securely sited on the adjacent car park.

When refurbishment begins on January 4, work will include:

* Removal of all tiles and replacement with hygienic white roc in all cubicles

* Replacement of vanity units

* Replacement of sinks and taps

* Replacement of external facia and painting of woodwork

* Blocking of the attendant’s window at the entrance of the facility.

The council says completion dates can be subject to change due to the weather or other external factors.

Separately from the facelift project, repairs are due to be made to the building's to roof next month.

The officer informed Cllr Edwards they have been told scaffolding will be put up around the building whilst the work is being carried out but won’t have an impact on the opening of facility.

Last November, when toilets across the county were failing to pay their way, Denbighshire's Cabinet agreed proposals aimed at keeping most public loos in the county open thanks to the support of city, town and community councils - not including Llangollen Town Council.

To help keep the loos open there will be an entry charge, which was set at £1 in the case of Llangollen back in April.

The general refurbishments have been paid for by the Pride in Place impact fund.

County council Leader and Cabinet in shock resignation

Leader of the council Councillor Jason McLellan (pictured) and his fellow cabinet members have resigned from Cabinet with immediate effect.

Councillor McLellan, who represents the Prestatyn North ward, was elected leader in May 2022. 

Announcing his resignation, Councillor McLellan said: "This has been a very difficult decision for me as leading Denbighshire County Council has been a huge privilege and an honour over the past four years -  often in the face of tremendous challenges.

“Despite these pressures, I’m very proud of our efforts to ensure that essential services were delivered to the most vulnerable in our societies, especially in education and social care. I will continue to work in my ward to support the residents of Prestatyn.”

Each former cabinet member will continue to serve as a county councillor for their respective wards.

A new leader of the council will now be elected in the full council meeting to be held on Tuesday, September 8. Following their election, the new leader will be entitled to appoint members to the cabinet.

While political arrangements can change, officers will continue to work to deliver services to the people of Denbighshire, says the council.

The council’s governance processes allow for the continuation of business as usual until such time as a new cabinet is formed.

Market Street toilets to be closed for facelift early next year

 * Market Street public toilets will be closed for refurbishment early next year.  

Llangollen's Market Street public toilets will be closed for almost a month early next year so the building can be facelifted as part of a countywide refurbishment scheme.

Last November, when the facilities were failing to pay their way, Denbighshire's Cabinet agreed proposals aimed at keeping most public loos in the county open thanks to the collaborative support of city, town and community councils.

Despite having no legal duty to provide toilets, the council recognised their importance, which led to joint work with city, town and community councils on a sustainable model to fund and protect as many toilets as possible. 

This model includes direct financial contributions from the city, town and community councils - but not in the case of Llangollen.

To help keep toilets open there will be an entry charge, which is £1 at the toilets in Llangollen.

The general refurbishments have been paid for by the Pride in Place impact fund.

The latest public toilets to reopen following refurbishment include Llangollen Riverside and work is due to take place at Market Street between next January 4 and February 1, when the toilets will be temporarily closed. The council says completion dates can be subject to change due to the weather or other external factors.

Councillor Barry Mellor, Lead Member for Environment and Transport, said: “Thanks to the positive energy and close collaboration with city, town and community councils, we have been able to keep most of these public facilities open. This refurbishment programme will significantly improve the facilities for residents and visitors across the county.

“I would also like to thank everyone for their support and patience while this refurbishment work is carried out.”

Public toilets in Llangollen

Market Street LL20 8PY

Facilities: male and female toilets

Charges: entry to use these facilities is £1 (contactless payment only)

Radar NKS lock: this toilet is fitted with a Radar NKS lock

Opening times

Open all year: 9am to 6pm

Riverside POD, Riverside Park, Berwyn Street, LL20 8AD

Facilities: unisex pod

Charges: entry to use these facilities is £1

Radar NKS lock: this toilet is not fitted with a Radar NKS lock

Opening times

• 1 April to 30 September: same as the cafe hours
• 1 October to 31 March: closed

Wharf Tea Rooms (Community Toilet Scheme), Abbey Road, LL20 8TA

Facilities:

2 x unisex toilets

Opening times

The toilets are open while the tea room is open, daily throughout the year (except Christmas Day), with reduced opening times in the winter. 

Llangollen Food Festival puts out fake email warning

Llangollen Food Festival is warning its exhibitors about fake emails.

In a note on his website and social media the festival organising team says: "We’re aware someone is sending emails to exhibitors pretending to be from Llangollen Food Festival.

"Our email address is NOT info.llangollenfoodfestival@gmail.com

"Scammers will often use email addresses that look almost right, with just a small change to make them seem genuine. In this case they’ve already see the prefix ‘info.’ to make it look like it could be one of ours.

"If you receive an email from this address, please don’t respond, click on any links, or send any information or payment. If you’re unsure about an email you’ve received, please get in touch with us directly through our usual channels and we’ll confirm if it’s genuine.

"We’re sorry if this causes confusion or concern, and we wanted to make sure all our exhibitors are aware. Please feel free to share this with other exhibitors too."

Llangollen Food Festival will be held over the two days October 10 and 11, from 10am until 5pm, and entry is free.

It will include local flavours, chef demonstrations, live music, and family fun in variety of venues across the town centre.

Blue bag charging scheme to come up for discussion next week

County councillors will be looking at a plan to replace worn-out blue cardboard recycling bags free of charge at a meeting next Thursday.  

People across the county have been complaining about disintegrating blue bags for months.

While Denbighshire, which is responsible for recycling, says it is aware of the problem and is looking at ways of addressing it, it continues to charge £12.50 for a new bag.

This has led to a surge of complaints, with hundreds of users signing an online petition demanding a free replacement.

The council's powerful community scrutiny committee is due to discuss a review of waste and recycling container charges on September 3, including those for blue bags.

And among the proposals they will consider are implementing a free customer exchange process at council household waste recycling centres (HWRCs) for blue bags and orange food caddies only but retaining charges for all items if customers require them to be delivered to their door.

Charging for waste containers in Denbighshire has been in place since 2019. The current policy of charging for waste and recycling containers was agreed in September 2023 prior to the formal roll-out of the new waste model in June 2024. 

This was reviewed in late 2025 which led to a decision for the relaxation of the charging policy to allow for those in receipt of School Essentials Grant or Pension Credits to receive one recycling container replacement free of charge per calendar year.

In May, councillors asked for a review of the current arrangements regarding the provision of waste and recycling containers and for options for alternative methods of providing these.

A full review of the arrangements and subsequent financial costs regarding different options ranging from improving the current system to introducing universal free provision has now taken place, and further details on this can be found in the papers for the community scrutiny committee online here. 

Next week members of the committee will discuss and make recommendations on a proposed policy revision which includes

• Implementing a free customer exchange process at our HWRCs for blue bags and food caddies only
• Retaining charges for all items if customers require items to be delivered to their door
• Expanding the free single item per year for any recycling container to those on the Council Tax Reduction Scheme (CTRS) - the Trolibox component black boxes are each considered a single item.

However, the online report says that for technical reasons the free exchange could only operate at the Rhyl, Denbigh and Ruthin recycling centres leaving no provision for the southern more rural areas such as Llangollen. The report points out there is believed to be no disposal storage at libraries or One Stop Shops. 

But it adds that enquiries are being made about whether this sort of exchange process can be accommodated by the private company operating Plas Madoc tip on behalf of Wrexham Council to assist more southerly residents. 

* A second paper will also be presented to the committee for discussion about the performance of the Waste and Recycling Service, which can also be found online.