A483 southbound closed following collision

North Wales Police posted this message on their Facebook page around 4.30pm today (Thursday):

Police motorcade drives through town

* The police motorcade turns into Castle Street. Picture: llanblogger reader

An eagle-eyed llanblogger reader just sent in a short video of a police motorcade driving through the centre of town this morning (Thursday).

His film, taken a few minutes before 11am, shows one motorcycle outrider holding up traffic on Mill Street while two more placed in front and behind a large saloon car - all with blue lights flashing - turn right from Abbey Road into Castle Street.

* If anyone has any idea what it was all about send us a comment on Facebook.      

Community organisation looking for volunteer drivers

South Denbighshire Community Partnership (SDCP) is looking for additional volunteer drivers to join the team assisting with its community Dial-a-Ride service.

They will drive the SDCP vehicles to help members of the community to access medical and wellbeing appointments in the Llangollen and Corwen areas.

An SDCP spokesperson said: "If you have a few hours spare then please get in touch for an informal chat about the role of a volunteer driver."

* Anyone interested should contact SDCP on: 01490 266 004, or by email to: office@sdcp.org

Sound of choral music comes to the railway

* The James Lambert Singers will perform on the railway on September 20.

The award-winning James Lambert Singers will bring the sound of music to Llangollen and Corwen Railway on Sunday September 20, performing three special platform concerts for passengers and visitors.

The popular Wrexham-based mixed voice choir will begin with a performance on Llangollen Station platform at 11.45am, before travelling by train to Corwen to entertain passengers during the train's stopover. They will then return to Llangollen for a final performance, with each set lasting around 20 to 25 minutes.

The visit has an added significance for the railway, as one of its own station volunteers, Ian Bibby, is a member of choir and will be performing with them on the day.

Founded in 1955, The James Lambert Singers have been entertaining audiences for more than 70 years. Renowned for their easy-listening repertoire of English and Welsh favourites, they have performed across the UK and internationally, sharing stages with some of Britain's biggest entertainment names and delighting audiences with their distinctive style.

The choir also appeared at this year's Llangollen International Musical Eisteddfod, continuing their long tradition of celebrating music in North Wales.

David Hennigan, Trust Manager of the Llangollen Railway Trust, said: "Following the fantastic success of our World Voices Trains during this year's Llangollen International Musical Eisteddfod, we wanted to continue celebrating live music on the railway, and there was no better choir to invite than The James Lambert Singers.

* Kiny Cultura dancers from Indonesia were the latest group to perform at a railway which is a major promoter the arts.

"They gave wonderful performances at the Eisteddfod this year, and we can't wait to welcome this much-loved choir to our railway. It makes the occasion even more special knowing that one of our own beloved station team, Ian Bibby, will be singing with the choir. We're looking forward to giving passengers and visitors another memorable day where music and heritage come together."

Using their modern portable sound system and professional backing tracks, the choir will perform beneath the historic station canopies, creating a unique atmosphere for railway passengers and visitors alike.

Philip Hughes, Secretary of The James Lambert Singers said: "We are delighted to have been invited to take part in this event. We have happy memories of our visits to Llangollen at Christmas to sing for the Santa Specials and are very much looking forward to our next visit in September, when we hope everyone will enjoy our songs as much as we will enjoy singing them."

The performances are free to enjoy for visitors to the stations, while passengers travelling on the railway will have the opportunity to experience the choir at both Llangollen and Corwen during the day.

Government-funded childcare available for all two year olds

Funded childcare for two year olds is set to become available throughout the whole of Denbighshire from September.

Children will receive twelve and a half hours of funded childcare during the school term at a registered setting.

This childcare provision can be used from the school-term after a child’s second birthday, until the school-term after their third birthday.

The application window is currently open and closes on the 10th August.

Once submitted, applications will then be assessed following the closing date, with parents being notified of outcomes from 11 September.

Applications can be made on the page on the following link: www.denbighshire.gov.uk/flying-start-childcare

The scheme currently covers most of the county, with Corwen,Denbigh, Dyserth, Henllan, Llangollen, Meliden, Prestatyn, Rhuddlan and Rhyl in the current catchment area. This latest roll-out will now ensure that the whole county is covered by this scheme.

The expansion is possible following additional funding announced in the Welsh Government’s supplementary budget. 

A spokesperson for the Flying start and Families First team said: “We are really pleased to announce that this childcare programme will be available throughout the whole of Denbighshire from September.

"Providing an invaluable resource to families throughout the county, all of our two year olds will be offered twelve and a half hours funded childcare during school-term at a registered setting, with more settings now being offered as a result of this latest roll out.

"I'd like to urge residents in the new eligible areas to please apply via the page on the council’s website.”

Councillor Diane King, Lead Member for Education, Children and Families said: “This expansion of childcare provision will mean that all areas in Denbighshire are now covered.

"Families throughout the county can now apply to get access to the free childcare provision for children aged 2 years old, which is a massive help for parents and families, providing an essential childcare provision during term-time.”

Deputy First Minister and Minister responsible for childcare, Sioned Williams, said: "This is excellent news and shows how we are accelerating our commitments to provide more support for families. Childcare costs in Wales are the highest in the UK and I am determined to help lower costs for families in all parts of Wales, while also ensuring children can access the best start in life, to support their development.

"We will continue to work closely with local authorities across Wales to ensure all families can benefit from more affordable and accessible childcare."

August activities at Pengwern ...

August activities at Pengwern are:

County council makes statement on blue recycling bag controversy

* Some blue cardboard recycling bags have been disintegrating - with replacements costing £12.50.

Denbighshire County Council won't be announcing until this autumn whether it will continue to charge residents to replace worn-out blue cardboard recycling bags.

But in the meantime it says residents can put out their cardboard for collection in another "suitable bag of a similar size" and its crews will collect these.

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

While the council, 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.

This afternoon the council has issued a statement on the controversy, which says: "Denbighshire County Council fully understands the concerns residents and local members have raised about the blue cardboard recycling bag, and we want to reassure people that the Waste and Recycling team has listened to the views of residents and is committed to looking into this carefully.

"At a Full Council meeting this May, councillors discussed a notice of motion that was put on the agenda about reviewing and reforming the Recycling and Non-Recyclable Waste Collection Policy.

"Work commenced following the Notice of Motion to prepare a full report that will set out the options regarding residents’ recycling containers, including the blue cardboard bag.

"The Council must follow due process, and this report will be considered by the Communities Scrutiny Committee in September. Following the committee’s recommendations, this will then go before Cabinet in the autumn where a decision will be made regarding any proposed changes to the Recycling and Non-Recyclable Waste Policy Waste Collection Policy."

The statement adds: "While this process is underway, we encourage residents to continue using any blue bags that remain in good condition, provided they can be safely collected by our crews and emptied into the collection vehicle. Residents whose bags are damaged beyond use can order a replacement through the Council's website. Replacement bags should be delivered within four weeks.

"In the meantime, residents may present their cardboard for collection in another suitable bag of a similar size to the Council-issued blue cardboard recycling bag. Our crews will collect these.

"We would like to sincerely thank residents for their continued efforts to recycle and for the support they show to our collection crews. Their commitment makes a real difference, helping us to protect Denbighshire’s local environment and build a cleaner, more sustainable county for communities now and in the future."