Extra water pumped into Dee to protect fish in heatwave

* The River Dee at times of normal water flow.

Natural Resources Wales (NRW) has released extra water into the River Dee to help reduce the risk of fish deaths during the exceptionally high temperatures being experienced across Wales.

At midday on Monday June 22, NRW increased the discharge from Llyn Tegid into the River Dee by 2 cubic metres per second – a rise of around 30%. 

This increase has been carefully timed to reach the tideway downstream of Chester Weir on Wednesday morning, when the highest temperatures are forecast. The higher flow will be maintained for between two and three days.

This action means that more than double the amount of water will reach the tideway than would naturally occur under current conditions. 

By increasing river flows at a critical time, NRW aims to reduce stress on fish caused by low water levels and reduced oxygen levels linked to high temperatures.

The additional water has been taken from the Special Release Allocation, a dedicated volume within the River Dee Regulation Scheme set aside to deliver environmental benefits when needed.

Robert Bissell, Team Leader, Hydrology & Water Resource Management at NRW, said: “Prolonged periods of hot weather and low flows can place significant pressure on fish and other wildlife. By using the Special Release Allocation, we are able to respond quickly and provide additional support to the river environment when it is most needed.”

“We will continue to monitor conditions closely and take further action where necessary to protect the River Dee and its wildlife.”

New sign makes it clear there's no parking on Centenary Square

* The new sign reminds people tempted to park on the square that it's not allowed.

Llangollen Town Council has taken positive steps to prevent motorbikes - or anything else - being parked on Centenary Square.

Courtesy of the council which is responsible for the square, since yesterday (Monday) there's been a tastefully-designed rustic sign in place, just above the street sign, reminding people that there is a local council byelaw is place prohibiting vehicular access or parking.   

The situation was particularly noticeable last Sunday when no less than six machines were left by their riders just feet away from the town's two war memorials. 

An angry llanblogger reader said: "As if it wasn't disrespectful enough parking right next two our war memorials where local people gather to pay their respects to the fallen every year, it was also a slap in the face for everyone who pays, quite expensively, to leave their vehicles on our car parks.

"I'm really glad to see that the Town Council has now clarified the situation." 

Council to collect waste earlier this week due to heatwave

Denbighshire County Council has just put out a message on its Facebook page about earlier waste collection times due to the heatwave.

Its post says: "Due to the extreme heat warning in place this week. We are temporarily changing our waste collection time to help protect our crews.

"From Wednesday 24th June, waste collections ( Recycling, Residual, AHP and Garden Waste ) will start earlier, from 6am and for the remainder of the week.

"Please ensure you put your bins out by 6am on your collection day.

"We would appreciate you sharing this message with anyone who may not have access to social media.

Thank you for your understanding and support."

Westheads hit the national TV headlines from China

The three lads from the Llangollen area cycling to Thailand for charity have hit the national TV headlines.

On an ITV Wales news bulletin yesterday (Monday) the Westheads, as they are known, told a reporter over an online link about the incident that briefly threatened to stop their overland odyssey in its tracks.

As revealed last week by llanblogger, the trio of Dyfan Hughes, 18, from Llangollen, Louis Dennis, 19, from Garth, and James Thomas,19, from Wrexham were making their way through the burning hot wastes of China's Taklaman Desert when disaster struck.

Louis ran into the back of a car as he momentarily looked down at his map, leaving his Dawes bike, which had brought him all the way from Llangollen, "a total goner".

But learning of his plight on their daily video log Emma Davies of Llangollen Bar Shop leapt to the rescue and within 10 minutes had raised hundreds of pounds for a replacement bike by putting out a call for help on social media.

Louis retold this heart-warming tale in his ITV News interview, which was headlined "Three boys, three bikes and one destination."

And he described the support from "Emma, our barber back home" as amazing.

He added they had also had "surreal" help and support from people in all of the many countries they had passed through so far on the trip, which is expected to last for at least another 120 days.

In their latest video diary Louis reveals that he didn't escape unhurt from his accident with the car and had actually sustained a fractured wrist. However, a doctor at the hospital they visited said it didn't look too bad although he was advised not to get back in the saddle for a couple of weeks.

But with limited time on their visas that was going to be a problem, he admitted. 

The Westheads are making their 10,000 journey in aid of the British Heart Foundation in memory of Tony Edge, the father of their friend Harrison who died following a heart attack in 2024. Harrison now lives in Thailand.

They have so far raised over £30,000 for heart research.

* llanblogger is recording their adventures along the way. To follow the journey on their social media and make a donation if you wish, go to: https://linktr.ee/westheads 

Biggest names in music start arriving in Llangollen this week

Llangollen is preparing to turn up the volume as some of the biggest names in music start arriving this week for a spectacular summer of live entertainment.

Thousands of music fans are expected to descend on the town as TK Maxx presents Live at Llangollen Pavilion returns with eight nights of headline concerts ahead of the renowned Llangollen International Musical Eisteddfod.

Pop superstar Rick Astley will launch the season this Wednesday June 24 and he’ll be joined on the night by special guests Lottery Winners and 80s inspired pop outfit Deco.

With final preparations underway, the town is ready to welcome a host of global music stars. This year’s concert series also features Pete Tong Ibiza Classics, David Gray, Billy Ocean, Super Furry Animals, Bowling For Soup, Deacon Blue and Tom Grennan.

Celebrating its 79^th year, the Llangollen International Eisteddfod begins on Tuesday July 7, featuring a stellar programme that blends world-class performances with cultural celebration. Highlights include ​‌Emeli Sandé with the Absolute Orchestra, Michael Ball, Uniting Nations: One World featuring Sir Karl Jenkins, Global Rhythms: Made In Wales, Orchestral Qawwali Project, and the prestigious Choir of the World competition.

 

TK Maxx presents Live at Llangollen Pavilion 2026 is presented as part of an ongoing partnership with the Llangollen International Musical Eisteddfod and Live Nation promoters Cuffe and Taylor.

Artistic Director of the Llangollen International Eisteddfod Dave Danford said: “There’s a real sense of excitement building in Llangollen as we prepare to welcome some of the biggest names in music, alongside thousands of performers and visitors from around the world.

“The Live at Llangollen Pavilion series has become an important part of our summer season in recent years, bringing world-class artists to North Wales and introducing new audiences to everything our town and festival have to offer. With eight fantastic concerts followed by an ambitious and internationally diverse Eisteddfod programme, this promises to be one of the most memorable summers in Llangollen’s history.”

* For more information go to llangollen.net

 
What's on

TK MAXX PRESENTS LIVE AT LLANGOLLEN PAVILION 2026         

JUN 24             Rick Astley + Lottery Winners + Deco   

JUN 25             Pete Tong Ibiza Classics + DJ Paulette     

JUN 26             David Gray + The Divine Comedy         

JUN 27             Billy Ocean + Marti Pellow + Katie Owen       

JUL 2               Super Furry Animals + Panic Shack + Melin Melyn      

JUL 3               Bowling For Soup + Frank Turner & The Sleeping Souls + American Hi-Fi  

JUL 4               Deacon Blue + Lightning Seeds        

JUL 5               Tom Grennan + Brooke Combe + Fiona Lee

        

LLANGOLLEN INTERNATIONAL MUSICAL EISTEDDFOD        

JUL 7               Uniting Nations: One World featuring Sir Karl Jenkins

JUL 8               Global Rhythms: Made In Wales 

JUL 9               Orchestral Qawwali Project 

JUL 10             Emeli Sandé with The Absolute Orchestra + Brook Fox 

JUL 11             An Evening with Michael Ball 

JUL 12             Choir of the World

Police give reason for major operation early yesterday

* The area at the centre of the police operation.

North Wales Police have explained why they mounted a major operation in Llangollen which went on into the early hours of Sunday and led to mass speculation on social media about the cause.

llanblogger was told that from around midnight at least one helicopter was airborne over the town, shining its powerful searchlight into the area in and around the river for over an hour.

A drone was also spotted hovering around the same area at about the same time.

Further reports were that a large number of police cars were involved and perhaps even an ambulance, although this was unconfirmed.

Some of the activity, which is said to have gone on until around 3am, was verified by Llangollen county councillor Karen Edwards who confirmed the sightings of the helicopter and searchlight. 

Now, a police spokesman has said: "On Saturday evening a number of police units were dispatched to Llangollen to arrest an outstanding suspect who was located and arrested for a domestic abuse related offence."

Llangollen county councillor Karen Edwards said: "Many residents were understandably concerned during the early hours of Sunday morning when police helicopters, searchlights and a drone were operating over the town for an extended period. Like many local people, I was aware that a serious incident appeared to be unfolding, although the details were not known at the time.

"I know the scale of the police response caused considerable alarm within the community, and understandably so. However, it is reassuring that the operation resulted in the arrest of a suspect. 

"I would like to thank the officers and emergency services involved for their professionalism and determination in bringing the immediate incident to a close."

Old Railway Trail parkrun dashes to its third anniversary

* Hot on the trail during Saturday's third anniversary parkrun.

Last Saturday saw a celebration of the third anniversary of Llangollen's Old Railway Trail parkrun.

A total of 115 participants braved the warm temperatures to run the scenic 5k course out to Wenffryd Nature Reserve and back from Llangollen Health Centre. 

Co-Event Directors Mike Edwards and Janet Knight have thanked the "wonderful" volunteers who turn out week in and week out to make the events happen.

They say: "We would also like to thank David Sheil and his team from the Countryside Service, Stephen Johnson from Llandyn Holiday Park and the guys from the Bearded Men’s Outdoor Pursuit Company who allow us to use the route."

Top three finishers on Saturday were:

1. Paul Jones, Shrewsbury AC 17:58

2. James Jones 18:53

3. Stuart White Run Free Fell Runners 19:54

* Celebrating the Old Railway Trail parkun's milestone.

* Stepping up the pace towards Wenffryd.

* Philippa Capstick as Run Director on the day doing the pre-event briefing for participants. On the far left is Mark who is signing her briefing for any deaf attendees. Each week a different Run Director leads the team of 20-odd volunteers and there is a group of about eight people who take on the role of RD in turn each week.