Collision on Horseshoe Pass

 Posted around 5.40pm Friday

Town Mayor welcomes ATM reinstatement as campaign continues

         
           * Cllr Damon Richards-Gwilliam visiting the newly reinstated ATM

Llangollen Town Mayor, Councillor Damon Richards-Gwilliam, has welcomed the reinstatement of the NatWest ATM on Castle Street following several months of engagement with the bank over the future of the machine.

After the ATM was taken out of service following a break-in last November, it remained boarded up for an extended period while NatWest reviewed its future, raising concerns among residents and businesses that it may not return. 

Cllr Richards-Gwilliam raised these concerns directly with NatWest, highlighting the importance of maintaining free and convenient access to cash in the town with no bank branches. Following sustained engagement, NatWest confirmed that it intended to reinstate the ATM as soon as logistically possible.

The ATM has now returned to full working service. 

Cllr Damon Richards-Gwilliam said: “I’m very pleased to see the NatWest ATM back in operation. This is a very welcome outcome for Llangollen as access to free, convenient, and reliable cash facilities is paramount to our residents, local businesses and the many people who visit our town. 

"I’d like to thank everyone who took the time to get in touch with me and share their concerns, and to NatWest for recognising the importance of maintaining this service for our community.

"Whilst I am pleased to see this important facility restored, this is not the end of the conversation around access to cash in Llangollen. Following this campaign, I am grateful that one of our local Senedd Members, Darren Millar, has approached me to offer his full support as we take the next steps to strengthen cash provision across the town.”

Darren Millar MS said: "I'm delighted to see the NatWest ATM reinstated in Llangollen, as I am sure residents, businesses and visitors are too, and I applaud Damon for all his efforts to secure this outcome. 

"Access to cash remains vital for many people, so this is a positive step forward and demonstrates what can be achieved when the community comes together to make its voice heard. However, it does not resolve the wider issue of access to banking services in the town. 

"Following LINK's initial assessment, which concluded that no additional services were required, I have been working with Damon to challenge that decision and I am extremely pleased our appeal has been accepted and LINK will now carry out a fresh assessment of Llangollen's banking needs. 

"I will continue working alongside Damon and other local campaigners, businesses and stakeholders to press the case for a banking hub in Llangollen to ensure local people and visitors to the town have access to the banking services they need." 

Details of speed enforcement on Regent Street revealed

The GoSafe - Wales Road Casualty Reduction Partnership - has been active on Regent Street.

Llanblogger recently contacted GoSafe to express local concerns that the 20mph limit on this particular section of the A5 trunk route, which now has a 20mph limit, was constantly being broken.

This brought a response from the partnership which revealed that its Op Atal Team attended the location on the following dates.

 

• 09/04/2026 between 13:05 to 14:15 and carried out 16 roadside courses and issued 1 fixed penalty.
• 14/05/2026 between 11:30 to 13:00 and carried out 16 roadside courses and issued 1 fixed penalty.

 

A GoSafe roadside course is a driver educational workshop offered as an alternative to a fine and penalty points on a driver's license.

Op Atal is focusing on speed on roads with 20mph, 30mph and 40mph speed limits, seat belts, and ensuring that child seats are fitted correctly.

GoSafe said it would continue to visit Regent Street where resources allow.

County-wide play sessions scheduled over summer holidays

Denbighshire County Council’s Play Ranger service has released this summer’s Let’s Play Out schedule, which feature play sessions at locations throughout the county. including Pengwern and Carrog Park.

The sessions are child led, meaning children can choose what they do or what equipment they want to use freely.

Providing fully accessible open access play for children in their local communities, these sessions will have both morning and afternoon sessions throughout the summer holidays.

Starting on July 20 and ending on August 28, morning sessions will run from 10:30am-12:00pm, with the afternoon sessions running from 2-3.30pm.

Schedule of sessions

The sessions are open access, meaning children are free to come and go, however children under the ages of six must be accompanied by a responsible adult.

Dawn Anderson, Denbighshire Childcare and Play Development Manager said: “We’ve had a brilliant turn out at the ‘Let’s Play Out’ sessions we have hosted so far this year. We have increased the number of locations this year from 10 to 20, offering more play opportunities in more locations across the county.

"I can’t wait to welcome everyone back to our sessions once again this summer.”

Councillor Diane King, Lead Member for Education, Children and Families said: “These sessions provide families with free and fun sessions throughout the county during the summer holidays.

"Held at 20 locations around the county, ‘Let’s Play Out’ sessions are hosted during both the morning and afternoon, providing more opportunity for families to be able to attend.

"The sessions are child-led, meaning they can choose the type of play they prefer throughout the whole session.”

Llangollen hosts weekend of cross-country mountain biking

* The 2026 Welsh MTB Championships. Photo by Peter Astles.

Over last weekend One Giant Leap in Llangollen played host to the 2026 Welsh MTB XC Championships and the final round of the Welsh MTB XC Series.

Organisers say this meant an unforgettable weekend of cross-country mountain bike racing bringing together riders of all ages and abilities to celebrate the conclusion of another outstanding season.

Organised by Fibrax Fenwick’s Wrexham CC, who hosted the final round of the series, the weekend showcased everything that makes cross-country mountain biking special, including challenging racing, a welcoming community, and an incredible atmosphere.

The One Giant Leap course lived up to its reputation, demanding endurance, technical ability and determination from every rider. 

Steep climbs, loose technical descents and flowing singletrack combined to create a course that rewarded skill as much as fitness. Hot, dry conditions throughout the weekend only added to the challenge, turning the trails dusty, fast and increasingly slippery as racing unfolded.

Saturday’s Welsh MTB XC Short Track Championships provided the perfect start to an incredible weekend of racing.

With fast, technical racing taking place under blazing sunshine, the XCC format delivered exciting battles across every age category. The hot, dry conditions made for quick but increasingly dusty and slippery racing, creating an exciting spectacle for riders and spectators alike.

Sunday’s Cross Country Olympic racing proved even tougher. The relentless climbs, technical descents and hot temperatures tested every competitor from start to finish, but the racing remained fiercely competitive throughout every category.

The Llangollen event also brought the 2026 Welsh MTB XC Series to a close after five rounds held across Wales between March and July. Throughout the season, riders have enjoyed organised, safe and welcoming events run almost entirely by volunteers, offering opportunities for complete beginners through to experienced racers to compete.

With the final round complete, the overall Welsh MTB XC Series standings will be confirmed and announced soon.

Organisers says: "A huge thank you to everyone who made this year’s series possible. Delivering events of this scale requires an incredible amount of time, dedication and commitment from volunteers. From organisers and marshals to medics, commissaires and everyone working behind the scenes, your efforts are truly appreciated by riders, supporters and the wider cycling community."

Volunteer fair planned for Llangollen Youth Centre

 

New owner's latest update on work to revive Star Inn

* Work in progress: an interior shot of the Star Inn's transformation. All images are taken from owner's latest social media update. 

The businessman turning a derelict Llangollen pub back into a "proper local" has given an update on the progress of his ambitious scheme for the old Star Inn.

The Star on Queen Street has been closed for the past few years since the last landlord called time.

By late last year the large building, which stands alongside the town's fire station, had become an eyesore with broken windows and unlocked doors which had to be secured against vandals.

But earlier this year it was taken over by David Anderson, who is originally from Cefn Mawr and attended Ysgol Dinas Bran where her left in 2000 to train as an engineer before setting up a successful group of businesses based in Yorkshire, took over the building.

Part of the group is a property arm and from that stemmed a new company named Star Inn (Llangollen) Ltd, which has taken over the pub.   

David plans to turn it back into a community pub - or hub - with emphasis on making it a place where people feel safe and comfortable.

Work on the transformation has been going rapidly ahead over the months since the job began, with teams of workmen giving their attention to every area of the building.

The latest social media update on the progress being made says: "A new chapter is being written at the Star in Llangollen.

"There's plenty happening behind the scenes as we continue bringing the Star Inn back to life.

"From the bar and guest rooms to the finishing touches, we're working hard to create a proper local that Llangollen can be proud of."

* Owner David Anderson outside the building he's turning back into a "proper local". 

And the post promises: "Great drinks, live sport, comfortable stays, a warm welcome, community events and entertainment."

The banner out front promises the Star will be open again this summer and the post says: "While we don't have a confirmed opening date just yet, we'll keep everyone informed as progress continues."

Speaking to llanblogger as the work began earlier this year, David said: "I actually used to drink at the Star in my younger days after playing in rugby matches, so I remember it well. When it came up for sale we decided to buy it and bring it back to life as a community pub or hub.

"Our aim is to give it a real feel-good factor and we're keen to do everything right and to a high standard. The front of house will have a rustic feel about it but with a slightly modern twist. 

"However, we want to remind people of how the Star used to be and we're looking at depicting around the rooms any historical mentions it has had and old pictures it appears in."

David's company also plans to include five ensuite B&B bedrooms plus a kitchen to produce the breakfasts.

"Given the complexity of the building it's going to be a challenge technically to do this but we'll be taking everything back to brick to address any problems we encounter," he said.

David explained that the new logo of the pub he has had produced is emblazoned "Established 1976" because that's the earliest any records showing the building as a pub he has been able to find. The banner now outside the pub also includes a star motif which he says represents the pub in the community and that's very much how he wants it to be, he says.