Nation.cymru are carrying a story today which indicates that Llangollen's public toilets will not be closed.
Although the headline talks of "closure plans" the story suggests the future may have been secured for the Market Street toilets.
* For the full story, see: Council push ahead with toilet closure plans
Latest local roadworks update from Denbighshire County Council is:
28 MILL ST MILL STREET 10/04/2025 10/04/2025 Gwaith Dwr / Water Works HAFREN DYFRDWY
A542 Verge ABBEY ROAD 31/01/2025 13/06/2025 Gwaith Ar Wal Gynnal/ Retaining Wall Works DCC HIGHWAYS
OUTSIDE PROPERTY CALLED 'MAYTREE' FRON BACHE FRON BACHE 07/04/2025 09/04/2025 Gwaith Dwr / Water Works HAFREN DYFRDWY Ffordd ar Gau/Road Closure
Llandyn Hall Farm Culvert TRACK TO LLANDYN HALL FROM A539 28/04/2025 23/05/2025 Gwaith ar Gylfat/ Culvert Works Ffordd ar Gau/Road Closure
Hall Street, Llangollen. HALL STREET 12/04/2025 17/04/2025 Gwaith Draenio / Drainage Works NMWTRA (DCC) LLANGOLLEN Ffordd ar Gau/Road Closure
O/S NUMBER 20 CASTLE STREET 07/04/2025 09/04/2025 Gwaith Dwr / Water Works HAFREN DYFRDWY (DCC) Goleuadau Traffig Dros Dro/ Temp Traffic Lights
A new series of Denbighshire walks are encouraging walkers to try out more sustainable routes.
Produced by Denbighshire County Council Tourism Department, the newly published ‘8 Sustainable Walks: Discover Denbighshire by Bus’, has been developed to help keen walkers leave their cars at home to discover more of the county’s sights and sounds.
The walks were created by Julie Brominicks with the county’s bus services in mind. Julie was an educator at the Centre for Alternative Technology near Machynlleth.
Her book The Edge of Cymru, published by Seren Books, is the story of her walk around Wales in the course of a year. Her work is also regularly published in the BBC Countryfile magazine.
Arranged in order with the shortest first, each with its own map, they’re accompanied by Julie’s descriptions.
The walks take in some of the most picturesque areas including the Clwydian Range and Dee Valley National Landscape, Pontcysyllte Aqueduct and Llangollen Canal World Heritage Site.
They also start and finish near a bus stop, so walkers can leave the car at home.
Councillor Jason McLellan, Leader of the Council and Lead Member for Economic Growth & Tackling Deprivation said: “Denbighshire is a fantastic walking destination for both residents and visitors alike. We have stunning varied scenery to walk through to relax and soak in the views.
“It’s great that this new series of walks helps you relax even more by taking away the stress of driving and parking and it fits in so well with how we are working to improve the county’s environment.”
* You can download ‘8 Sustainable Walks: Discover Denbighshire by Bus here: https://www.northeastwales.wales/booklets/
Print versions will be available shortly from Tourist Information Points and Centres.
Looking back over 100 years isn’t something the Berwyn and District u3a usually does, but at the last open meeting members were gripped by Strange Meetings, a moving performance by actor and author Shaun Higgins.
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Denbighshire councillors have approved a management buyout for Denbighshire Leisure Ltd (DLL).
The move will see DLL - which runs leisure centres across the county including Llangollen but from April 1 no longer Llangollen Pavilion - being funded to the tune of £1.5m by a private investor to purchase the company.
DLL says the aim is to grow and sustain and protect leisure services in the county over the next 10 years.
Meanwhile, it will lead to savings for the council with an initial payment for the company and an on-going annual saving in the cost of the service provided.
This decision is dependent upon the council being satisfied as to a number of practical and regulatory matters to be determined over the next few months.
Jamie Groves, Managing Director of DLL, said: "There comes a point where we need to change the structure of the company. The council considered a proposal whereby we could bring some investment into the company. It's unique, the first of its kind, and an option I'm sure many councils won't have.
"This is about protecting our services for our residents, protecting jobs for our staff, protecting all the things we've become happy with as residents and visitors, and giving the company the best possible chance to grow into the future. We are essentially investing and growing instead of cutting and shutting. The council has taken the bold step in supporting us. It's transformational."
Councillor Rhys Thomas, Lead Member for Housing and Communities for Denbighshire and a Chair of DLL’s Board of Directors, said: “There was a full and open debate in the council chamber on Wednesday where all members were given an opportunity to air their views.
"Some members had legitimate concerns about the changes which were being discussed but by the end of the meeting most members agreed that the way forward was to approve the proposal. It was explained that not accepting the proposed changes could put at risk the excellent service delivered by DLL for the people of Denbighshire.
“As members, we needed to be sure that the proposal offered the best solution for Denbighshire residents and we’d like to reassure residents that the arrangements are being made to secure the future of leisure services over the next ten years in the county. We’d also like to reassure other parties, such as schools who share facilities with DLL, that we will ensure there are robust arrangements in place to safeguard these arrangements.”
The council says it will now work with DLL over the coming months to move the project forward.
* It was announced last month that Llangollen Eisteddfod will take over the day to day running of the Pavilion from DLL all year round, rather than just having access for a one-month period during the summer.
* Sam Rowlands MS at the Wrexham Maelor car park.
Sam Rowlands, Member of the Welsh Parliament for North Wales, is calling for improvements to alleviate parking issues at Wrexham Maelor Hospital.
Mr Rowlands was commenting after hearing that the health board was considering re-introducing a park and ride system at Glan Clwyd Hospital in Bodelwyddan.
He said: “I was a great supporter of the park and ride service which operated to Glan Clwyd Hospital and disappointed when it was discontinued. I certainly feel that the health board needs to be looking at a options and even a similar system for Wrexham Maelor.
“I believe it is something that the health board needs to be looking at as a matter of urgency and a solution needs to be found.
“Parking, as we all know, has been a major and challenging issue at all our hospitals in North Wales for many years as the demand quite clearly outweighs the number of spaces available at all three sites.
“I still receive emails from angry constituents who have been faced with this problem, and I feel so very sorry on their behalf as it is something which really should have been resolved by now.
“I will be demanding answers from BCUHB and will be raising the matter in Welsh Parliament as a matter of urgency.”
A temporary traffic management scheme will be in operation on Abbey Road, between Abbey Dingle Nursing Home and Gwenallt, from Monday March 31 until Friday April 4, to allow resurfacing works to go ahead there.
Police are investigating reports of interferences with and theft from vehicles in two areas close to Llangollen.
* Anthony Gabriele has led orchestras all over the world, performing in a wide range of genres and has unrivalled expertise as a conductor of film music. © Christopher Mason
A glittering concert featuring some of the most unforgettable movie scores of all time by German master composer Hans Zimmer will provide the perfect prelude to this summer’s Llangollen International Eisteddfod.
A world-class orchestra under the baton of internationally acclaimed conductor Anthony Gabriele will present “Beyond Time: The Music of Hans Zimmer in Concert” on the evening of Tuesday July 8, the first night of the 2025 festival which runs from July 8-13.
The Pavilion audience will be presented with programme of music made famous by a man with over 150 movie scores to his credit, including the powerful and moving backdrops to blockbusters such as Gladiator, The Da Vinci Code, No Time to Die, Dune, The Lion King, Black Hawk Down and The Thin Red Line which have brought Zimmer no less than two Academy Awards from a dozen nominations, two BAFTAs from 10 nominations, five Grammy Awards and a coveted star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.
The evening’s conductor, Anthony Gabriele, has led orchestras all over the world, performing in a wide range of genres and his unrivalled expertise as a conductor of film music includes over 30 titles including the world premiere performances of John Williams’ score for Superman, his Oscar-winning adaption of Jerry Bock’s score for Fiddler on the Roof and Thomas Newman’s score for the James Bond film Spectre.
At the Pavilion Gabriele will conduct the 70-piece Cinematic Sinfonia comprising top-class professional musicians drawn from across the UK specially for the occasion.
The Eisteddfod’s Artistic Director Dave Danford said: “Hans Zimmer is without doubt one of the greatest film composers of all time and his incredible record of honours testifies to his genius.
“We are privileged to be able to start off our 2025 series of evening concerts - featuring such incredible performers as KT Tunstall, Il Divo, Bryn Terfel and Fishermen’s Friends and Sir Karl Jenkins - with a fantastic presentation of powerful music which has captivated filmgoers over many decades. It will truly be an evening to remember and one not to be missed.”
The Hans Zimmer evening has been made possible by the cancellation of the previously billed concert by Roger Daltrey, which was to have been on the same night, due to logistical reasons.
Eisteddfod week evening concerts are:
* Tuesday July 8: Beyond Time: The Music of Hans Zimmer in Concert
* Wednesday July 9: Uniting Nations: One World featuring Sir Karl Jenkins
* Thursday July 10: KT Tunstall with the Absolute Orchestra
* Friday July 11: Il Divo with special guest Laura Wright
* Saturday July 12: Choir of the World with special guest Lucie Jones
* Sunday July 13: Bryn Terfel: Sea Songs with special guests Fisherman’s Friends and Eve Goodman
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Denbighshire County Council has made an order closing sections of two Llangollen roads to traffic for five days next month to allow drainage works by the North and Mid Wales Trunk Roads Agent to go ahead.
The order is effective from April 12 and the works are expected to last approximately until April 17.
Pedestrian access will be maintained throughout the period of closure.
Roads affected are:
1. Hall Street - extending southward from its junction with Berwyn Street to its junction with Hill Street
2. Chapel Street - extending southward from its junction with Oak Street to its junction with Berwyn Street.
The signposted alternative routes will be:
1 Via Hill Street, Bache Mill Road, Pengwern, Brook Street and A5
2 Via Oak Street Castle Street and A5
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Denbighshire County Council’s Cabinet has unanimously agreed to accept the care fees recommendations at today’s meeting in County Hall.
This means a total projected cost of £15.2 million which will be spent on older people’s residential and nursing care during 2025/26 protecting the most vulnerable in our society.
Councillor Elen Heaton, Lead Member for Health and Social Care, who presented the recommendation said: “I am pleased that Cabinet has today accepted the care fees recommendations, as this reflects our continuous commitment to investing in our vital care and support services despite the financial pressures the council continues to face.
“Denbighshire currently funds approximately 382 placements across 85 care homes, with a projected cost of £14.1m this year, which forms a substantial amount of our Adult Social Care and Homelessness budget.
“With social care making up nearly a third of the average Council Tax bill in Denbighshire, it is vital that we take a fair and sustainable approach to funding care. To support this, we have invested in Care Cubed which is a credible, data-driven methodology that provides a consistent and evidence-based approach to fee setting.”
“This investment ensures that fees are set transparently and responsibly, helping us strike the right balance between supporting care providers with fair and sustainable fees, while ensuring value for money for Denbighshire’s taxpayers.
"Adopting Care Cubed also aligns with the regional commitment to fairness and consistency across North Wales. This approach will support a sustainable care sector in Denbighshire that can continue to meet the needs of our residents, both now and in the future."
It might date back all of 130 years but Llangollen Twenty Club are managing to breathe new life into Oscar Wilde's famous comedy of manners, The Importance of Being Earnest.
First performed in 1895 at the St James Theatre in London, the play depicts the tangled affairs of two young men about town who lead double lives to evade unwanted social obligations, both assuming the name Ernest while wooing the two young women of their affections.
At Llangollen Town Hall this week Mat Oswald-Haggett plays Jack Worthing, bringing to bear the talented versatility that has made him a Twenty Club favourite over a number of years with solid performances such as the eponymous Blackadder back in 2019.
Club newbie Tom Cutler wears the part of Jack's friend Algernon Moncrieff like a well-cut Saville Row suit while another debutante, Darcy Badwick, makes a perfectly balanced Gwendolen Fairfax, love interest of Jack.
Fresh from her portrayal of a rather naughty French waitress in the Club's 'Allo 'Allo last year Jessica Fidler does a great job as Cecily Cardew, Jack Worthing’s ward.
Emily Swindley, another stalwart of many Club productions, creates a formidable Lady Bracknell, aunt to Algernon, and delivers that famous line about a handbag in deliciously haughty style.
Hilary Woodward, who was in both 'Allo 'Allo and Bad Girls for Llangollen Operatic, transfers her obvious skills well to the role of Miss Prism, governess to Cecily.
We last saw him on stage as an excellent Rene in 'Allo 'Allo and now Chris Williams is every bit as good as he returns as Lane, manservant to Algernon.
No stranger to local productions himself, Mike Connolly is a suitably deferential Merriman, butler to Jack.
Another Club first-timer, Malcolm Graham, plays the Rev Canon Chasuble, Rector of Woolton, with a pompously ecclesiastical touch.
Taking the helm as director is Ian Wright, assisted by Lizzie Clifford, and joint producers are Bev Maier and Helen Belton.
They, along with a behind-the-scenes team comprising Steve Hughes, Malcolm Potter, Kevin Williams, Naomi Riley and others, are doing a fantastic job of welding together this stylish and highly enjoyable production.
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A story in Nation.Cymru says Denbighshire County Council's highways and environment department is estimated to end the financial year more than £2m in the red.
* For the full story, see: https://nation.cymru/news/councils-highways-and-environment-department-2m-in-the-red/?sfnsn=scwspmo
Latest local roadworks update from Denbighshire County Council is:
Hall St jct with A5 Berwyn St, Llangollen HALL STREET 27/01/2025 28/03/2025 Gwaith Ar Wal Gynnal/ Retaining Wall Works OBR CONSTRUCTION
Hall Street, Llangollen. HALL STREET 12/04/2025 17/04/2025 Gwaith Draenio / Drainage Works NMWTRA (DCC) LLANGOLLEN Ffordd ar Gau/Road Closure
Verge ABBEY ROAD 31/01/2025 13/06/2025 Gwaith Ar Wal Gynnal/ Retaining Wall Works DCC HIGHWAYS
O/S NUMBER 20 CASTLE STREET 07/04/2025 09/04/2025 Gwaith Dwr / Water Works HAFREN DYFRDWY (DCC) LLANGOLLEN Goleuadau Traffig Dros Dro/ Temp Traffic Lights
A539 28 MILL ST MILL STREET 10/04/2025 10/04/2025 Gwaith Dwr / Water Works HAFREN DYFRDWY
A539 Llandyn Hall Farm Culvert TRACK TO LLANDYN HALL FROM A539 28/04/2025 23/05/2025 Gwaith ar Gylfat/ Culvert Works, Ffordd ar Gau/Road Closure
OUTSIDE PROPERTY CALLED 'MAYTREE' FRON BACHE FRON BACHE 07/04/2025 09/04/2025 Gwaith Dwr / Water Works HAFREN DYFRDWY, Ffordd ar Gau/Road Closure
OPP 10 Regent Street JNC QUEEN STREET AND CHURCH STREET Llangollen BROOK STREET 19/05/2025 06/06/2025 Gwaith BT/ BT Works SUNBELT RENTALS (DCC) LLANGOLLEN Ffordd ar Gau/Road Closure
Six prominent heritage sites in Llangollen are offering a series of short events to celebrate different aspects of the town's history, all free of charge and with no need to book.
A Tour Through Time on Saturday May 3, has been organised by the recently-formed Our historic Llangollen hanesyddol i bawb, which a collective of many historic sites and landscapes, heritage experiences and activities in Llangollen and the surrounding Dee Valley.
The special event starts at the Royal International Pavilion at 10.30am and wends through Llangollen to end at St Collen's Church at 3.30pm.
Each site in turn will stage a 45-minute event, with 15 minutes between events to allow people to make their way to the next site.
A spokesperson for the organisers said: "Join in or leave at any stage but the special display, talk or activity at each site will only take place during the time slot allotted.
"Please join us on this free exploratory and intriguing tour through Llangollen’s history. All are welcome."
The day's programme is:
* 10.30am Eisteddfod Story: Peace and Music across the Years at the Royal International Pavilion, Abbey Road, LL20 8SW.
* 11.30am Celebrating 50 Years of the Llangollen Railway: A look back at the preservation and development of Llangollen Railway at Llangollen Railway, Abbey Road, LL20 8SN.
* 12.30pm Hands on History: A journey through history and prehistory, viewing and experiencing items from the Stone Age to the present day at Llangollen Museum, Parade Street, LL20 8PW.
* 1.30pm Crime and Punishment in Early Victorian Llangollen: Explore Llangollen’s first magistrates’ courtroom, gaol and police station at Lock Up Heritage Centre, Victoria Square, LL20 8ET.
* 2.30pm Home to the Ladies of Llangollen: Visit the home of the Ladies and learn of their journey from Ireland in search of an idyllic way of life, settling in the picturesque landscape of Llangollen at Plas Newydd, Hill Street, LL20 8AW.
* 3.30pm St. Collen’s Through Time: Discover the rich history of St. Collen’s Church, from its origins and medieval past to today’s vision for a modern future at St Collen’s Church, Regent Street, LL20 8HU.
