Latest column from Denbighshire Citizens Advice

Latest column from Denbighshire Citizens Advice is:

Q: I’m doing everything I can to save money on my energy bills, and I’ve recently heard about new plug-in solar panels. I can’t get traditional panels installed because I rent a flat, plus they’re very expensive. Are plug-in solar panels a suitable alternative for people like me?

A: Plug-in solar panels are designed to sit outside on a balcony or in a garden, and plug directly into your mains electricity to generate power. Like traditional panels, they can help cut your energy bills by generating electricity you can use in your home. Though they produce less power, plug-in kits are cheaper upfront and more accessible to renters or flat-dwellers with outdoor space, as they don't require roof access or professional installation.

There are a few things to consider before you buy. Firstly, you’ll need to make sure it’s right for you and your home. You'll need an unshaded outdoor space that ideally faces south, though east or west will still catch some sun for part of the day. The government estimates you could save up to £110 a year on your energy bills with a plug-in solar kit, but your actual savings will depend on things like where your panels are located and if you have the flexibility to use appliances during the day.

One big difference to be aware of is that unlike traditional panels, you must use or lose the power you generate. Current rules mean most people won’t be able to store electricity in a battery, and you can’t get paid for any unused power generated by your kit.

It’s important to check if you need permission before you make a purchase. Read the government’s official online guidance to see if you need approval first. The key thing to know is that if you rent or live in a leasehold property, you should speak to your landlord or freeholder. And if your home is a listed building or in an area with planning restrictions, you should speak to your local council.

Follow the government’s safety rules, included in the online guidance, before plugging in a new kit. Key rules include plugging your kit into a safe wall socket (never an extension lead) and sticking to the strict limit of one kit per household.

To ensure your kit is compliant with UK regulations, only purchase an all-in-one kit that features a 3-pin UK plug and a UKCA (UK Conformity Assessed) mark. If you’ve already bought one that doesn’t meet these criteria, see if you can return it, or contact the Citizens Advice Consumer Service for advice.

Finally, you’ll need to register your kit with your electricity network company. Your electricity network company provides the wires to your home and is different from the company you pay your bills to. You can find your network company via your electricity bill or by visiting the Energy Networks Association (ENA) website.

Plans for new National Park "likely to be shelved" says report

Plans for a new national park in north Wales - including Llangollen - are likely to be shelved after a government minister told the Senedd he did not want to set it up.

* For the full story on the BBC, go to: https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/c59vze7vy2vlo 

* Rose O’Neill, Chief Executive of Campaign for National Parks said: “Welsh Government has failed to show the leadership required to put National Parks at the heart of nature, the climate and their rural resilience agenda with today’s decision. 

"The failure to back a public local inquiry at this time is a bitterly disappointing retreat from Wales’s National Park ambitions which demonstrates a telling lack of faith in the power and potential of Welsh National Parks from the new Government."

 

Westheads interviewed for ITV news about their epic trip to Thailand

* The Westheads in their TV appearance yesterday. From left, Louis, Dyfan and James.

The three Westhead lads featured in yesterday's ITV Wales news, with one of them telling how a crash with a truck in China brought a premature end to their mammoth cycling trip to Thailand to see an old friend and the other two describing the whole adventure as being like a dream. 

Nineteen-year-olds Dyfan Hughes from Llangollen, Louis Dennis from Garth and James Thomas from Wrexham were on a 10,000-mile cycling trip in memory of Tony Edge, the father of their friend Harrison, who died following a heart attack in 2024, and along the way raised well over £50,000 for the British Heart Foundation.  

But on one of the final legs of the journey Dyfan was seriously injured after being hit by the truck near the city of Chengdu.

After treatment in a local hospital he was back home last week after a 13-hour flight from Asia in a specially adapted plane with a doctor and nurse on hand. 

After some initial observation at Wrexham Maelor he at last returned to his own home and has started his rehabilitation process.

Speaking about the crash, which left him with a catalogue of serious injuries, on yesterday's news he told reporter Rob Shelley: "You never really think it's going to happen to you, then I just woke up in a hospital bed.

After scenes of him being stretchered into hospital in the Chinese city of Chengdu he added: "We just had 50 days left to finish the trip."

Asked about the people they met along the trail, Louis said: "The people in Asia were the nicest to us - people with the least amount of stuff."

Later in the report Louis said: "Being back home feels really weird. It feels like it (the trip) never really happened. It's like a dream I've woken up from."

Both he and James were certain that they'd be back in the saddle and bound for Thailand again as soon as Dyfan was fit enough and then Rob Shelley suggested that maybe after they'd completed the journey from the point where they were forced to leave off they'd just keep on going, with Louis agreeing they just might.

The reporter then explained that the lads had called themselves the Westheads as it was Llangollen slang for "slightly mad" but added: "but maybe just a little bit inspired."

Old pub's new roof making 'fantastic progress' says update

* The picture of work on the Star Inn's new roof included in the latest update.

Work to put a new timber roof on Llangollen's old Star Inn is going well, according to the latest social media update from its owners.  

The historic hostelry 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 is carrying out a major renovation to turn it back into a community pub - or hub - with the emphasis, he says, on making it a place where people feel safe and comfortable. 

In a recent post on the pub's own Facebook page he revealed that Saturday November 7 has been chosen for the grand re-opening, with a soft opening the day before.

For the past week or so traffic has been restricted to one lane, controlled by lights, on the A5 outside the pub to allow scaffolding for the roof work to be erected.

And the latest update, posted last Friday, says: "It's been another incredibly busy week here at The Star Inn, Llangollen, and we're delighted to share some fantastic progress on our roof restoration!

"As you can see from the photos, the new timber roof structure is really starting to take shape, with the team working hard to bring this important part of our historic building back to life.

"It's certainly no small job, but every new beam brings us another step closer to welcoming you all through our doors!

"A massive thank you to the hardworking team carrying out the restoration. The effort, skill and craftsmanship going into this project is incredible.

"We're not just putting a roof back on a building – we're bringing a much-loved Llangollen pub back to life after six years!

"Thank you to everyone in the community for your continued encouragement, patience and support. It really does mean the world to us.

"Keep following our journey – there's plenty more progress to come!"

Railway plans to give passengers 'scariest night of the year'

* The railway will be at its spookiest on October 31.

Llangollen and Corwen Railway is preparing for what it calls "the scariest ride of the year" as it gears up for Halloween on Saturday October 31.

Trains and stations along the line will be transformed with creepy decorations, while railway volunteers are planning plenty of surprises for passengers daring to travel through the Dee Valley.

Visitors are being warned to keep their eyes open for strange happenings in the signal boxes, surprises waiting at stations and who knows what passengers might encounter as their train plunges into the darkness of Berwyn Tunnel.

At Carrog passengers should keep a particularly close eye out for Emyr’s bike, which has developed a mysterious habit of moving when nobody appears to be riding it.

Those brave enough to make it all the way to Corwen should also be on the lookout for the legendary Ronnebacked Monster.

Anita Piatkowska from Llangollen and Corwen Railway said: “We want to create the ultimate Halloween experience. From the moment families arrive at the Railway, there will be something to see and discover. 

"We’ll have decorated trains and stations, surprises in our signal boxes and plenty happening all along the line. Even a journey through Berwyn Tunnel might feel a little different on Halloween!

"There are rumours about Emyr’s bike at Carrog and the Ronnebacked Monster at Corwen, but people will have to come along and discover for themselves what is real and what might just be a Railway ghost story. It’s going to be spooky, great fun and something the whole family can enjoy. We want everyone to dress up, get involved and help us make this the scariest ride of the year.”

There is also a special treat in store for the railway’s younger passengers.

The first 100 children to book will receive a free Halloween Activity Pack, worth the price of their ticket.

* The Halloween Activity Pack for young travellers. 

Each spooky bag is packed with Halloween goodies, including a paper monster mask, Halloween stickers, a colouring puzzle book, pencils, spooky tattoos, a sticky fidget toy and a spinning top toy.

The Halloween Activity Pack can be added when purchasing tickets at checkout. Only 100 free packs are available and they will be offered on a first come, first served basis.

Families are encouraged to come dressed for Halloween, with witches, ghosts, monsters, vampires and other spooky characters all welcome aboard.

As darkness falls over the Dee Valley, Halloween at the railway will take another turn with a special Ales from Wales Spooky Halloween Special.

The popular evening train will receive its own October 31 treatment, with lots of surprises planned along the journey.

Before departure, Mark ‘Macca’ Jones will be performing live on Platform 1 at Llangollen from 5pm, playing what he has promised will be his scariest set ever.

Passengers can enjoy the live music and atmosphere at Llangollen before boarding the train for a Halloween journey along the Dee Valley after dark.

Tickets for the daytime Halloween Spooky Specials on Saturday October 31 are available to buy online now. Families wanting one of the free Halloween Activity Packs should add them at checkout when purchasing their tickets.

* Halloween Spooky Special tickets:
https://llan.hops.org.uk/tickets/products/halloween-spooky-special?date=2026-10-31

Tickets for the evening Ales from Wales SPOOKY HALLOWEEN Special are sold separately and can also be booked online.

* Ales from Wales SPOOKY HALLOWEEN Special:
https://llan.hops.org.uk/tickets/special-events-in-2026/real-ale-train

Llangollen Twenty Club to stage Christie's Murder on the Nile

Did you know that Murder on the Nile is based on Agatha Christie's famous 1937 novel Death on the Nile?

Christie originally toyed with the story as a stage idea before turning it into one of her most celebrated Hercule Poirot mysteries.

Years later, she adapted it for the theatre, creating Murder on the Nile, the play which will be performed by Llangollen Twenty Club at the Town Hall from Wednesday-Saturday November 11-14.

Set against the glamorous backdrop of Egypt, this classic whodunnit is packed with secrets, jealousy, romance and, of course, murder.

Find out whodunnit by seeing Murder on the Nile, nightly at 7.30pm with a 2.30pm matinee on the Saturday of the run.

* Tickets, at £14 and £12 concessions, are available now at Llangollen Oggie Shop, Courtyard Books and online at www.ticketsource.co.uk/llangollentwentyclub

Llangollen Food Festival again finds the recipe for success

 

                  * The Town Hall was packed with visitors from early on.

The 2026 Llangollen Food Festival has once again found the recipe for success.

With the first day crowd hitting what appears to have been record levels the town was centre was buzzing with delicious-looking displays of all things edible - and drinkable. 

In recent years the gala event has expanded to become a multi-venue affair and that was once again the case, with events taking place in Centenary Square, the Town Hall, Market Street and its car park, Gales Wine Bar, Blas Cookery and Wine School, the Silver Band Hut, Riverside Park and the Railway approach road and platform. 

But the whole experience was even better this year thanks with much better signage and visitor directions, including bar-coded leaflets available at multiple locations.

Today and tomorrow around 100 exhibitors are selling everything from mead to mugs to macarons filling Llangollen with the sights, sounds and smells of some of the finest food and drink North Wales and its surrounding area has to offer.

 

Crafts exhibitors are always an important part of the Food Festival and this year, for the first time, they have a dedicated craft area in the wine garden at Gales Wine Bar. 

Visitors will find handcrafted jewellery, handmade gifts, bespoke lampshades among many other craft makers. 

 

To overcome the town's notorious parking problems, for the first time there is a dedicated parking area just outside the town at Llandyn Caravan and Camping site, just off the A539. There is a small charge to park and a shuttle service is available to take people from the parking site into town.

 

Xplore, Wrexham’s science discovery centre, has been on hand to entertain children with all sorts of food-related experiments. 

 

A programme of free demonstrations are taking place at Blas Cookery and Wine school in Parade Street. First up this lunchtime was Dylan Owens, Executive Head Chef Director at Manchester City FC.

There has also been music galore in Riverside Park and Centenary Square with a fantastic line-up of local bands and solo singers across the weekend. 

“Live music has become an important part of the festival,” says Pip Gale, chairman of the Food Festival. “We have some great food concessions at Riverside Park and having brilliant music alongside just makes it a great day out for everyone.”

 

* Details of exhibitors, the line-up of entertainment and workshops can be found on the new Llangollen Food Festival website: https://llangollenfoodfestival.com/ and on the Food Festival’s Facebook page.

The Railway has its own programme events for the Food Festival, which continue tomorrow Sunday with:

All day | Food Festival at Llangollen Station

All day | Railway Café and Waiting Room Real Ale Bar

Quality produce from the Café, with Welsh ales and Blas Wines in the Waiting Room.

Food Festival trains from Llangollen:
10am Steam | 11.05am Diesel | 12.20pm Steam | 1.45pm Diesel | 3.15pm Steam

Food Festival trains from Corwen:
11.05am Steam | 12.20pm Diesel | 1.45pm Steam | 3.15pm Diesel | 4.20pm Steam

12.20pm | Afternoon Tea on the Dee
Take your reserved seat for Afternoon Tea and a journey through the Dee Valley.

12.20pm | The Glyndŵr Steam Roast
Alternatively, travel by steam to Corwen for a traditional Sunday roast at the community-run Owain Glyndŵr Hotel.

3.15pm | Afternoon Tea on the Dee
A second opportunity to enjoy Afternoon Tea aboard the Railway.

4.20pm | Glyndŵr Steam Roast return
Steam Roast passengers depart Corwen for Llangollen.

Around 5pm | Back in Llangollen

* Expert advice on seasonings from a Town Hall stallholder.

* Tasty-looking treats galore at the Town Hall.

* The wine garden at Gales attracted a throng of browsers.

* A colourful display of hand-crafted lampshades and other goods on show in the wine garden.

* A range of food stalls fill Centenary Square.

* Llangollen Food Share's strong presence in Market Street.

* Sweet treats in Market Street.

* Stalls take over the top section of Market Street car park.

* A wide range of filling fare available in the food court  at Riverside Park.

* Dylan Owens, Executive Head Chef Director at Manchester City FC, gives a demonstration of his culinary skills at Blas Cookery and Wine School.

* One of the band's that provided entertainment on the bandstand in the park.  

* Gourmet food on offer at one the stalls on the platform.

* The stall offering sausage on a stick at the station was doing a roaring trade.

* Centenary Square was even more packed with visitors during Saturday afternoon.

* A folk duo entertain the crowd on the square.