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Sunday, July 19, 2026

Police appeal after death of man, 24, in road traffic collision

Police are appealing for witnesses to a road traffic collision following which a 24-year-old man yesterday (Saturday) morning.

In a post on its Facebook page today (Sunday) North Wales Police says: "A 24-year-old man has sadly died following a collision near Llysfasi on 18 July.

"Emergency services were called to reports of a collision involving a black Suzuki motorcycle on the A525, Nant Y Garth pass at around 3am.

"Despite the best efforts of emergency services, the rider of the motorcycle sadly died at the scene.
"The man’s family and coroner have been informed.
"Detective Sergeant Liam Morris said: 'I would like to thank members of the public who assisted at the scene of this tragic incident and offer my deepest condolences to the man’s family.

“'I am also appealing to anybody who may have witnessed the collision or seen the motorcycle in the area at the relevant time to come forward.
“'Additionally, anybody with dashcam footage that may have captured the motorcycle involved prior to the collision should contact police.
“'Further information that could assist our investigations can be shared by contacting the Serious Collision Investigation Unit via our website or by calling 101, quoting reference 26000581789.'”

Latest local roadworks update from Denbighshire County Council

The latest local roadworks update from Denbighshire County Council is:

TRACK TO LLANDYN HALL FROM A539, 03/08/2026 - 05/08/2026, Gwaith BT/ BT Works MJ QUINN, Ffordd ar Gau/Road Closure

OUTSIDE PROPERTY GLANABER 2 BACHE MILL ROAD, 29/07/2026 - 31/07/2026, Gwaith Dwr / Water Works HAFREN DYFRDWY, Ffordd ar Gau/Road Closure

OPPOSITE 14 PENGWERN, 21/07/2026 - 23/07/2026, Gwaith Dwr / Water Works HAFREN DYFRDWY 

Full extent ROAD FROM PENGWERN TO TYN CELYN, 24/07/2026 - 26/07/2026, Rheolaeth traffig i hwyluso mynediad i safle Camp VC/ Traffic management to facilitate access to Camp VC site, VC LONDON LTD, Ffordd ar Gau/Road Closure

FELIN BACHE PONT, BACHE MILL ROAD, 11/08/2026 - 21/08/2026, Gwaith Ar Bont / Bridge Works QUANTUM TM (DCC), Goleuadau Traffig Dros Dro/ Temp Traffic Lights

FELIN BACHE PONT, BACHE MILL ROAD, 10/08/2026 - 11/08/2026, Gwaith Ar Bont / Bridge Works KM CONSTRUCTION ( QUANTUM) Ffordd ar Gau/Road Closure

Heol y Farchnad / Market Street, 10/10/2026 - 11/10/2026, Gwyl Fwyd Llangollen / Llangollen Food Festival CHAPTER 8 SOLUTIONS LTD, Ffordd ar Gau/Road Closure

A542 JUNCTION OF TRACK TO LLANDYN HALL FROM A539 TO APPROX 85M FURTHER EAST, A539 LLANGOLLEN ROAD 03/08/2026 - 05/08/2026, Gwaith BT/ BT Works MJ QUINN, Goleuadau Traffig Dros Dro/ Temp Traffic Lights

FELIN BACHE PONT, BACHE MILL ROAD, 22/08/2026 - 23/08/2026, Gwaith Ar Bont / Bridge Works KM CONSTRUCTION ( QUANTUM) Ffordd ar Gau/Road Closure

82m south of entrance to slurry pit JUNCTION OF A539 LLANGOLLEN ROAD, 03/08/2026 - 05/08/2026, Gwaith BT/ BT Works MJ QUINN, Goleuadau Traffig Dros Dro/ Temp Traffic Lights

Creative writing workshops aim to help a person's wellbeing


* People involved in one of the workshops led by Daisy.

Creative writing can help with a person's wellbeing through self-expression and connection.

That's the message from Daisy Green who has been successfully running regular workshops for reflective writing, poetry and discussion in Llangollen for the past two years.

And she says the sessions have provided a supportive and welcoming space where the core group of people taking part have been able to explore their thoughts, experiences and creativity while building confidence in their own voice.    

During the summer months they meet in the Community Garden in Llangollen, and during the winter it has been the Heritage Lock Up. They have also met in St John's hall and The Bridge End Hotel, all of which Daisy says have been fully supportive.  

Alongside the workshops, her other group, Llangollen Spoken Word, has continued to grow. 

She said: "We have recently expanded our Spoken Word events to include online participation, making them more accessible to people who may not be able to attend in person due to ill-health, disability, caring responsibilities or distance. Creating inclusive spaces where everyone has the opportunity to be heard is central to the ethos of the project.


* Daisy Green leads a session at Gales Wine Bar.

"Our in-person spoken word events are hosted at Gales Wine Bar, whose ongoing support has played an important role in helping us create a welcoming and inclusive creative community in Llangollen. Their encouragement and commitment to local arts and culture have helped the events flourish over the past two years.

"As a poet, facilitator and survivor of domestic abuse, I have experienced first-hand how writing can help people process experiences, reconnect with themselves and discover the confidence to tell their own stories. That belief sits at the heart of all the work I do."

Daisy says she is now expanding this work through a new programme called The Unspoken Word, which is a six-week spoken word and reflective writing journey for women.

"Through guided writing, creative exploration and optional sharing, participants will explore voice, silence, memory, truth and expression within a supportive small-group setting," she explained. 

"The programme is designed to help women reconnect with their own stories, build confidence in their voice and discover the power of creative expression."

She added: "I believe everyone has a story worth telling. Sometimes all people need is a safe space, a blank page and permission to begin. Through writing, we can make sense of our experiences, find connection with others and discover strengths we didn't know we had."

Daisy says she is also building a programme of poetry, literature, storytelling, wellbeing and lots more events as part of this year's Llangollen Fringe Festival from September 4-12. 

* For more details of her various workshops and courses, contact details are:  

Email: 

Saturday, July 18, 2026

Railway's enhanced fire safety measures for steam trains

 

Llangollen and Corwen Railway will continue to operate its planned steam services this weekend while introducing enhanced fire safety measures to help protect the railway and surrounding countryside during the current spell of hot weather.

Recent media reports have referred to a national "steam ban" following restrictions introduced by Network Rail on steam-hauled charter trains operating on the national rail network because of the heightened risk of wildfires.
Llangollen and Corwen Railway is an independent heritage railway operating on its own dedicated infrastructure and is not part of the Network Rail network, meaning those restrictions do not apply to its operations.
However, the railway says it is taking the current weather conditions extremely seriously and has introduced a range of additional measures to reduce the risk of lineside fires while continuing to operate safely.
To celebrate the start of the summer holidays, visitors will be able to enjoy journeys behind two Great Western Railway steam locomotives: GWR Pannier Tank No. 7754 and GWR Heavy Freight No. 3802.
A dedicated fire train will patrol those sections of the railway considered to be at the highest risk during the hot weather. Equipped with pumps and firefighting equipment, it will be ready to respond immediately should a lineside fire occur.
In addition, all operating steam locomotives and trains are fitted with hoses and fire beaters, while crews will continually monitor conditions throughout the day. These enhanced measures are designed to ensure the railway can continue to operate safely while protecting the surrounding countryside.
Matthew Carty, Head of Llangollen Railway's Footplate Team, said: "The recent restrictions announced this week relate to steam trains operating on the Network Rail network and do not apply to independent heritage railways such as Llangollen Railway.
"However, we fully recognise the current hot and dry conditions and are taking them extremely seriously. We've planned extensively for this weekend, with a dedicated fire train patrolling those sections of the line that present the greatest risk, while our locomotives are equipped with hoses and fire beaters and our crews remain vigilant throughout the day.
"Steam locomotives are at the heart of what we do, but operating them safely is always our first priority. Our volunteers and staff have a great deal of experience operating during periods of warm weather, and we've put in place additional safeguards to help protect the railway, our neighbours and the beautiful Dee Valley.
"We're looking forward to welcoming visitors to enjoy two superb Great Western steam locomotives this weekend, while continuing to operate responsibly and safely."
Visitors travelling on Saturday can enjoy two classic Great Western steam locomotives in service throughout the day.
Saturday July 18 steam timetable
Llangollen → Corwen
  • 10.00 – GWR Pannier Tank No. 7754
  • 11.05 – GWR Heavy Freight No. 3802
  • 12.20 – GWR Pannier Tank No. 7754
  • 13.45 – GWR Heavy Freight No. 3802
  • 15.15 – GWR Pannier Tank No. 7754
Corwen → Llangollen
  • 11.05 – GWR Pannier Tank No. 7754
  • 12.20 – GWR Heavy Freight No. 3802
  • 13.45 – GWR Pannier Tank No. 7754
  • 15.15 – GWR Heavy Freight No. 3802
  • 16.20 – GWR Pannier Tank No. 7754
The popular Ales from Wales train will also be hauled by GWR Heavy Freight No. 3802, offering passengers the opportunity to enjoy a selection of Welsh real ales while travelling through the Dee Valley behind one of the Great Western Railway's most impressive freight locomotives.
Passengers are encouraged to book in advance.

Friday, July 17, 2026

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.