Llangollen people encouraged to join 'Fix It Feb' campaign

 

* A volunteer repairer at work in the Llangollen Repair Cafe.

Llangollen Repair Cafe is inviting local people to take part in  Fix It Feb, a Repair Café Wales campaign encouraging people to repair rather than replace their faulty items.

They are being asked to pledge to fix at least one broken item - saving money, reducing waste, and supporting sustainability locally. 

Pledges could include sewing on a button, patching clothes, or restoring a beloved item. 

 

If you don’t feel like your repair skills are up to it, not to worry. Go along to Llangollen repair café this Saturday February 15 at St Collen's Community Hall, between 11am and 2pm, and the friendly volunteers there will either show you how to fix your item, or repair it for you. 

 

The repairs completed at Llangollen repair café will contribute to Repair Cafe Wales’ aim to fix 1,000 items across the county in February, which they say is a carbon reduction saving equivalent to driving a car over 360,000 miles. 

 

Repair café events take place in villages, towns and cities across Wales every month. Experienced fixing volunteers, equipped with tools and skills, repair items including small household electricals, clothing/textiles, mobile phones and laptops, bicycles (some dates) and small items of furniture.

 

Everyone is welcome to bring their item along to Llangollen repair café on this Saturday, with no need to book. 

 

Since Repair Cafe Wales launched, the initiative has helped local communities save an impressive £1 million and has fixed over 21,000 items. 

 

The Fix it Feb campaign aims to further that impact by empowering even more people to fix items, reducing the need for new goods, helping to conserve resources, reducing the carbon footprints and saving local people money.

 

"Repairing things can be simple, accessible, and rewarding," says Phoebe, Director of Repair Cafe Wales.

"Not only does it save money and reduce waste, but it’s a great way for the local community to get together to share skills and ideas. With Fix It Feb we're showing Wales how small actions can make a big difference for the environment and our communities."

 

* You can pledge your support for Fix It Feb by visiting Repair Cafe Wales' website at https://repaircafewales.org/. Whether it's repairing a household appliance, mending a cherished sweater, or restoring a favourite toy, every repair effort contributes to a greener future.  

Age Cymru's winter newsletter is out now

Age Cymru has published the 2024/25 Winter edition of its bi-lingual quarterly newsletter Age Matters.

The edition looks at how you can protect yourself from winter viruses by using some simple measures and an update is provided on the charity's campaign on the changes to the winter fuel payment system.

There’s a feature on Age Cymru's online photography collection portraying realistic images of older people that has received more than a million views, and the edition has a report on the launch of its groundbreaking toolkit for care home residents.

New Mazda SUV is big bold and beautiful

Mazda CX-80 launch drive by Steve Rogers

Big, bold and beautiful sums up Mazda’s newest member of its SUV family.

Yes, it looks like a stretched CX-60, which it is sort of, but there is a lot more to it than just a longer wheelbase. Take a gander at the rear doors and you should spot the difference - they are enormous, and for good reason because the reason for the extra length is to fit in a couple of extra seats.

This is the seven seat CX-80, or six if you prefer, but I will get to that later. Mazda has thought this through and come up with a cunning plan. Getting to the third row, and getting out for that matter, is often a case of contorting legs and arms and that is where the extra wide doors make things that bit easier, along with a button that slides the middle row seat forward creating a big enough gap to get to the back seat.

Will it take a six footer? Yes, although not as easy as someone my height, 5ft 8in and a smidge. I had no trouble and could happily sit in the back row for a longish journey although realistically the third row is better suited for toddlers and teens.

Which brings us onto the six seat option. This is a nice set up with four ‘captain’s’ chairs so you can walk through the middle to get to the back seats. Possibly a bit extravagant but a good option to have although the seven seat configuration is going to be the main seller.

Much of what you see inside CX-80 is a mirror image of CX-60 which is no bad thing because it is sensibly laid out and wrapped in high quality materials supporting Mazda’s claim to be worthy members of the premium club.

There is no shortage of tech with a touchscreen that is controlled on the move by a rotary knob positioned between the front seats. I have always favoured this method where menus are easily selected, in fact this setup should be the template for the industry, it is that simple to use. Heating controls are neatly set out with clearly marked buttons.

There are five trim levels with a starting price of £49,670 for the petrol Exclusive, the diesel carries a £2,535 premium and will not make much sense for the fleet buyer because its higher emissions push up the tax bill by quite a way compared to the petrol. The level of equipment is excellent even for the Exclusive that also gets almost all the extensive list of safety features.

Engine mix is aka CX-60 with a petrol 2.5 litre plug-in hybrid and 3.3 litre diesel hybrid. Most will opt for the petrol with its 38 miles of electric driving, but my preference is the diesel even though it is a second behind the petrol in a sprint to sixty.

The handling is good for such a big SUV, it is 25cm longer than CX-60, especially behind the wheel of the diesel which does not have to carry the extra weight of the batteries and is pretty good fun on twisting roads with a good mix of comfort and tautness which has always been the Mazda way,

The suspension has been retuned to compensate for the extra length and the rear anti roll bar removed to improve cornering stability which is a new one on me.

All models are four wheel drive with the option to switch from normal to sport, off road, or towing modes. Both petrol and diesel have a terrific 2500kg towing capacity and a trailer hitch view camera, a first for a Mazda SUV.

The new model is not going to be a big seller and there is no pressing need to upgrade from CX-60 unless you need seven seats, although some people might like the enormous boot with all the back seats folded; you could easily sleep in this space. But for a big family the Mazda needs to be on a very short shortlist.

Fast facts

CX-80 Homura Plus PHEV

£55,470

2,5 litre petrol; 321bhp

8-speed auto

0-62mph 6.8secs; 121mph

176.6mpg

EV range 38 miles

36g/km. 1st VED £10

Boot: 1971/687/258 litres

Insurance group 39

Llangollen's 'lack' of childcare provision raised in the Senedd

* Llangollen Day Nursery closed in the summer of 2023.

What campaigners claim is Llangollen’s lack of adequate childcare facilities for working parents has been highlighted in the Welsh Senedd.

Since the closure of Llangollen Day Nursery in East Street in the autumn of 2023 and the loss of Llangollen Playgroup last winter, worried parents have been claiming not enough is being done to make up the shortfall in provision. 

And one of them has involved local politicians in the fight to secure extra places. 

North Wales Senedd Member Sam Rowlands was asked to raise the issue in a Senedd recent plenary session. 

And he requested an official response from the Welsh Government. 

He said: “I'd like to call for a statement from the Minister for Children and Social Care regarding the role of councils in ensuring that there is enough childcare provision in our communities. 

“A resident of mine, Chelsea Robinson, has been in touch regarding the lack of childcare provision to support working parents in Denbighshire. Indeed, the council has admitted that there is a childcare sufficiency gap in Llangollen. 

“You'll know, Minister, that the Childcare Act 2006 is in place to ensure that there's a duty on local authorities to make sure that there's enough provision in our communities, and seemingly Denbighshire County Council are not doing anything about it for residents in Llangollen. 

“So, I'd like a statement from the Minister to outline what they're doing to support councils to ensure that there's appropriate childcare provision.” 

The Senedd’s Trefnydd, or Leader of the House, replied on behalf of the Minister for Children and Social Care: “We invest more than £100 million every year in childcare for children aged two and up through our flagship Flying Start and childcare offer schemes, and we're committed to the further expansion of Flying Start childcare for two-year-olds, and we're working closely with local authorities on their plans.” 

A Denbighshire County Council spokesperson said: “The council reviews its Childcare Sufficiency Assessment Action Plan annually and have updated it to include the childcare sufficiency gap in Llangollen as a priority. 

"In the last year, we have been working with existing childcare providers in Llangollen to try to support them to expand their offer to provide full day childcare, including under 2’s. 

"Our officers are also meeting with representatives of Professional Association for Childcare and Early Years (PACEY) and the Welsh Government’s WeCare Wales to discuss driving recruitment for new childminders in Llangollen and surrounding areas. "

Llangollen Young ‘Uns to perform We Will Rock You!

* The cast of We Will Rock You.

Based on the unforgettable music of Queen and written by Ben Elton, Llangollen Young ‘Uns will be performing the hit musical We Will Rock You at Llangollen Town Hall from Thursday-Saturday February 2022.

The show rocks along to classic numbers such as Bohemian Rhapsody, I Want to Break Free, Killer Queen and many more. 

Performed by a talented cast of 21 aged from eight to 18, We Will Rock You follows on from the successful shows Young 'Uns have enjoyed going all the way back to 1999 and in recent years including Oliver! in 2024 and 2023's The Addams Family.

* Tickets available on line from: www.ticketsource.co.uk/llangollenoperaticsociety and also through four local outlets - Llangollen Tourist Information Office, Jades Hair and Beauty, Llangollen Oggie Shop & Fine Foods and The Clwydian Butcher.

Latest local roadworks alerts from Denbighshire County Council

Latest local roadworks alerts from Denbighshire County Council are:

Hall Street, Llangollen. HALL STREET 12/04/2025 17/04/2025 Gwaith Draenio / Drainage Works NMWTRA (DCC) LLANGOLLEN Ffordd ar Gau/Road Closure

GLAN YR AFON HORSESHOE PASS VIEW 10/02/2025 10/02/2025 Gwaith Dwr / Water Works HAFREN DYFRDWY (DCC) LLANGOLLEN Ffordd ar Gau/Road Closure

Approximately 70 metres from end of track to Ty Canol Farm A539 LLANGOLLEN ROAD 26/02/2025 26/02/2025 Torri Coed / Tree Cutting HRJ GOULD LTD.

NR CATTLE GRID A539 LLANGOLLEN ROAD LLANGOLLEN LL20 7UH A539 LLANGOLLEN ROAD 20/02/2025 20/02/2025 2 Way signals is required for safe pole testing works. SUNBELT RENTALS (DCC)

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,

A539 Verge ABBEY ROAD 31/01/2025 14/02/2025 Gwaith Ar Wal Gynnal/ Retaining Wall Works DCC BRIDGES & STRUCTURE

Llangollen appears on list of Wales's quirkiest towns

Llangollen appears in a list of the "quirkiest" towns in Wales published by an international travel website.

World Atlas has put together six towns from across the country it says fits that description and which also includes Beddgelert, Aberystwyth, Hay-on-Wye, Tenby and Brecon,

Each come with a few paragraphs describing what makes them attractive to visitors supported by pictures.

And of Llangollen it says: "Last but not least on the list is the town of Llangollen, which was awarded Cittaslow status in 2013. 

"Cittaslow status, often referred to as a “slow city,” means that a town has implemented efforts to improve quality of life by promoting sustainable actions such as waste reduction, supporting local businesses, and preserving natural resources.

"Even though Llangollen is known as a “slow city,” there are still lots of activities to make the visit an adventure to remember. Close by is the iconic Berwyn Mountains to get the adrenaline going on a hike. The tallest peak is Cadair Berwyn, which measures 830 meters. Some other activities to enjoy are canoeing, quad biking, climbing, rafting, and riding the steam train.

"Throughout the year, many fun festivals are put on to spread the joy of music and culture in the town's streets. Visitors can seek entertainment from the International Musical Eisteddfod and the Fringe Festival in July, the Food Festival in October, and the Christmas Festival in November."

Pictures of the railway, from both sides of the river, accompany the piece.

* To see the full article go to: 6 of the Quirkiest Towns in Wales - WorldAtlas

Snow around the castle this morning ...

 

* A sprinkling of snow around Castell Dinas Bran this morning and also on the surrounding hills.

Llangollen Flower Club's next meeting

   

Councillors under 'dreadful stress' due to recycling scheme, says story

Denbighshire councillors have endured "absolutely dreadful" stress from the "botched" roll-out of the council's recycling scheme, according to a story in North Wales Live.

* For the full story, go to: Stress of botched recycling roll-out 'absolutely dreadful' for Denbighshire councillors - North Wales Live

Llan firefighters take part in incident where 40 people evacuated

Firefighters from Llangollen took part in an incident in which 40 people were rescued from a blaze at a property in Chirk last night (February 5).

* For the full story in the Denbighshire Free Press, see: https://www.denbighshirefreepress.co.uk/news/24915437.40-people-rescued-firefighters-evacuate-chirk-building/

Latest Citizens Advice column

Here is the latest column from Denbighshire Citizens Advice:

Q: We’re planning a summer getaway to Greece and I’m worried we’ll forget something important, which could ruin the holiday. What steps can we take to make sure we’re fully protected and prepared if anything goes wrong?

Booking a holiday can be overwhelming, especially if it’s been a while since you last went away. It’s unlikely anything will go wrong, but we’ve prepared a simple checklist to make sure you can relax into your holiday knowing you’re protected from the unexpected.

Check your passport is in date - especially for EU travel

Renewing your passport can take several weeks and isn’t something to leave until the last minute. Check the validity of your passport for your trip on GOV.UK by finding out the entry requirements of the country you’re travelling to.

If you’re heading to Europe, bear in mind EU countries don’t accept passports more than ten years old. This includes passports issued pre-Brexit, which may have longer expiry dates. Just remember, the golden rule for EU travel is: if your passport was issued over ten years ago, you’ll need to get it renewed.

Know your rights if something goes wrong

If your flight’s delayed long enough - usually two to four hours, depending on the journey - your airline must provide access to food and drink vouchers, phone calls and emails, and accommodation if you’re delayed overnight. If it’s cancelled, you’re legally entitled to a full refund or replacement flight to help you get to your destination. You’re also entitled to compensation if your airline delays, loses or damages your checked-in luggage.

Get travel insurance

Although it’s an extra expense, travel insurance can cover many of the things already mentioned, like flight delays and lost luggage, but also things like a holiday cancellation and medical emergencies.

Citizens Advice recommends getting insurance as soon as you book a holiday to make sure you're covered right away - but always check first to see if an existing insurance policy, or your bank account, covers what you need for your holiday. There’s no need to double up if you’re already covered!

The chances are your holiday will be problem-free, but early planning and preparation can make all the difference. If you need advice on a consumer problem, head to the Citizens Advice website.

Cancer survivor Moira starts stoma self-support group

 

* Moira Gleed has started the Back to Front stoma self-support group.

A cancer survivor from Llangollen has started a self-support group to provide help and advice to people using a stoma.

Moira Gleed’s own journey towards being fitted with the medical device, which connects the bowel to the outside of the body with a small disposable bag, began last June when she was diagnosed with Stage III bowel cancer.

After major surgery at the Wrexham Maelor hospital she was fitted with a permanent stoma. This means that when the bowel moves, waste exits through the stoma bag which is stuck to the skin and has to be emptied at regular intervals.

Moira said: “I’d been ignoring the symptoms of the cancer for some time and the doctors told me it could have been coming on for seven to 10 years.

“I had the surgery last July and, so far, it looks to have been successful. Becoming a stoma user myself has made me determined to share my experience with others who find themselves in the same situation.”

She added: “The new group I have formed, which is called Back to Front for obvious reasons, aims to support each other with kindness along the journey each person with a stoma takes and will provide a safe and confidential ‘what gets said in this room stays in this room’ environment while offering an opportunity for fellow ostomates, which is what stoma users are known as, and their companions or carers to have a cuppa and talk about what’s on their minds and look at latest products from suppliers.

“The friendly and informal monthly meet-ups will have guest speakers on a variety of subjects on alternative months.

“The group will be open to all ostomates wishing to offer their support and experience to the group and to people who have recently had or are awaiting surgery and to their loved ones and carers.”

Moira said that group meetings will take place on the first Monday of every month. While there will be no charge for membership donations towards the hire of the hall, speakers and refreshments are welcomed.

The meeting place chosen is St Collen’s Community Hall, off Regent Street (A5) LL20 8HU. Meetings will run between 2 and 4pm and the first one takes place on Monday March 3.

The meeting room is at ground level with ramps and has easy access to the toilets. Parking, which is next to the hall, will be free for the duration of the meeting.

“We hope to see as many people as possible at our meetings, which are not just for Llangollen people but also those from surrounding areas, said Moira.

* For more information contact Moira Gleed, in confidence, on 07484 772772.    

Funding boost to prevent 30,000 major road potholes in Wales

An extra £25m to renew Wales’ major roads and prevent around 30,000 defects and potholes has been announced by the Welsh Government.

The funding boost will see an extra 100km of the strategic road network resurfaced in the new financial year. 

Roads that are most in need of repairs will be renewed, with thousands of potholes fixed.

Since 2021 the Welsh Government has spent more than £81m on resurfacing around 321km of roads on the trunk network across Wales. 

Combined with the forecasted spend for 2025-26 this means that by the end of this Senedd term £118m will have been spent to repair more than 500km of road defects and potholes.

Ken Skates, Senedd Member for Llangollen and Cabinet Secretary for Transport and North Wales, said: "It is crucial that we fix our roads.

"I’m delighted to be announcing a further £25m of funding to help support a comprehensive refurbishment programme to improve the future resilience of our strategic roads network and prevent potholes.

“We are already working hard to fill potholes and renew, as fast as possible, key sections of our road network, but this additional funding will help to accelerate this work.”

* Ken Skates, Senedd Member for Llangollen and Cabinet Secretary for Transport and North Wales.

Mr Skates has also pledged to announce details of new financial support for councils to fix more local roads. Details of the scale of support are due to be revealed in the coming weeks and will help fix potholes across Wales.

He added: “On rail we’re delivering £800m of new trains and on buses we’re going to legislate to take control of routes and timetables. 

"On roads and pavements, we are demonstrating real commitment to fixing potholes as we seek to renew and enhance connections between communities.”  

Llangollen landmarks mentioned in New Zealand newspaper

* Centuries-old Llantysilio Parish Church was the "best thing" a New Zealand travel writer saw.

Two well-known Llangollen landmarks get a strong mention in a travel story which has just appeared in a New Zealand national newspaper.   

Historic Llantysilio Parish Church and Llangollen Oggie Shop & Fine Foods in Castle Street are now hitting the headlines on the other side of the world.   

The piece in the Sunday Star-Times is written by Alistair Deverick, an Auckland-based recording artist, producer and session drummer who was in the UK on a three-week holiday based around a family wedding in Edinburgh.

* The writer's picture of the Oggie Shop which he reckons sold the "best thing" he ate.

He and his wife also took the opportunity to visit Wales where he has more family connections.

In his travel article he answers a question on the best thing he saw while in the UK and says: “Very powerful for me was visiting the Llantysilio Parish Church, built circa 1254, where my grandmother Eirlys Gwyneth Morris-Jones is buried, along with her parents Dorothy and Hugh (the town doctor for 40 years) and my mum’s namesake Ailsa, her aunt, who died when she was six from tuberculosis.”

* The piece was written by New Zealand musician Alistair Deverick.

And responding to a question on the best thing he ate, he writes: “Shout out to Llangollen Oggie Shop & Fine Foods in Llangollen! We ate some of its oggies, which are a type of pasty and my god!”

 

And the best souvenirs he bought while in the UK: “A big ugly Welsh dragon coffee cup that I drink from daily.”

Be alert for holiday booking scans, warns Senedd Member

Sam Rowlands, Member of the Welsh Parliament for North Wales, is backing a call to raise awareness of scams when booking holidays online. 

He is supporting a call from North Wales Police who are warning people to be aware of fraudsters when using Booking.com.

 

Mr Rowlands said: “These days more than ever we all have to be on the lookout for scammers and be especially aware of suspicious emails and messages you may receive about your holiday.

 

“It is a great shame that there are unscrupulous people out there who think nothing of targeting people who have booked their well-earned holidays and I would urge everyone to be extra vigilant.

 

“I am happy to add my voice to warn my constituents about this scam.”

 

The warning comes from Dewi Owen, North Wales Police, Cyber Crime Officer, North Wales, who says that Action Fraud is warning those using Booking.com to book their holidays or accommodation that they could be targeted with suspicious emails or messages from hotels who have had their account taken over by fraudsters.

 

Between June 2023 and September 2024, Action Fraud received 532 reports from individuals, with a total of £370,000 lost.

 

The advice is that no legitimate Booking.com transaction will ever require a customer to provide their credit card details by phone, email, or text message, including WhatsApp.

 

If you receive any urgent payment requests that require immediate attention, like a booking cancellation, immediately reach out to the Booking.com Customer Service team via the details on the official Booking.com website and/or app to confirm that the message is legitimate.

 

Any messages purporting to be from Booking.com that contain instructions to follow links and/or open/download files should be treated with caution. Again contact Booking.com directly using verified contact details to verify that the link or file is legitimate.

Putting range anxiety to the test in 'superb' Volvo EX40 EV

Volvo EX40 Ultra drive by Steve Rogers

Range anxiety. Is it a lot of fuss over nothing, or is it full on stress in an electric car?

Let’s put it to the test. I’ve got a 240-mile round trip in the EX40 with a potential range of 342 miles. Sounds good, although a full charge using my 7kW wall charger only produces 250 miles, but I’m okay with that.

It’s 6am and cold so the heating fan is needed to keep the windows demisted. Oops! Thirty miles has been wiped off the range and I haven’t left the drive. It is a common drawback with electric cars, power for the heating comes straight from the battery pack and reduces the range. 

Turn the fan off and the miles are restored. A tip to keep warm without using the heating is to turn on the heated seat and heated steering wheel which, standard on most electric cars, because they are powered from the car’s battery. A bit extreme and only necessary if desperately trying to conserve energy, a bit like driving slowly when running low on fuel.

The journey is going pretty well, the Volvo is comfortable and relaxing to drive and I have engaged adaptive cruise control with lane hold to take the stress out of a busy motorway.

At the end of stage one I have 52 per cent left so in theory I could make it home without charging but that would be barmy so I park to recharge.

Two charging points, only one working but one is enough, but I need to download an app to my phone to pay for the charge. That takes several attempts and is annoying but eventually I go about my business and return half an hour later to an 80 per cent charge and plenty of miles to get home.

This was the first time I charged an electric car away from home and was a step into the unknown. Was it stressful? Maybe a bit but like everything, the more you do it the easier it gets. The Volvo helps by locating and directing to a charging station through the navigation and will calculate how much power will be left at the end of the journey.

What of the EX? Superb pretty much sums it up. Supremely comfortable and beautifully finished which is to be expected given its price tag. The keen eyed will spot that it is a rebadged XC40 Recharge now with a closed off grille and a whole lot of electrical gubbins under the skin.

A decade ago the Swedes stunned the motoring industry with a new minimalist style and vertical touchscreen. The communication system was groundbreaking with the functions of a home computer and Smartphone but could take a week trying to work out the menus and sub files. Nothing has changed, still information overload, and still as challenging.

Relief comes in the form of the excellent voice control which will carry out all the usual needs like adjusting the heating temperature, fan speed, heated seats and steering wheel, along with radio selections and navigation destinations. Without this I would be put off from buying the car.

This is the front wheel drive single motor version, there is also an all wheel drive twin motor with crazy acceleration, but trust me this is plenty quick enough. The performance of a hot hatch but without hot hatch handling. Comfort is the key here.

The Volvo sits in the premium division and is surrounded by worthy predators but can stand its ground on performance and range, and although pricey is decent value for money given the quality and excellent level of kit. Safety is a Volvo mantra and there are plenty of driver aids to keep you on the straight and narrow.

There is room for five, just, and although the boot is not the biggest in the class is perfectly acceptable with a flat loading area, and the storage cubby under the bonnet for the bulky cables is a real bonus.

The test car even came with a towbar because the EX can haul up to 1500kg, good enough for a lightweight four berth caravan although heaven knows what that would do to the range!

Buying an electric car is daunting, especially given the high prices, and some of the money saving benefits, like zero road tax, will disappear in April making it harder for the private buyer. It is a different way of life and long journeys need a bit of planning, but ultimately there is nothing to fear.

Fast facts

EX40 Ultra extended range

£58,355 (starts £45,955)

Maximum range 342 miles

0-62mph 7.4secs; 100mph

252bhp

Battery output: 69kWh

Boot: 452 litres

Insurance group 34

Llangollen Museum re-opening soon after getting its new roof

 

* Llangollen Museum in Parade Street with its watertight new roof.

Here is the latest news from Llangollen Museum:

Hello everyone. 

The builders, Team Roundhouse, have now finished the work on the new roof and so we are watertight again, with a very slightly different looking building on the outside and a much improved Museum on the inside.

We have had grants from a number of different funders to help with the work, allowing us to improve the Museum and keep our local heritage accessible to everyone. 

Funding from the Lottery Heritage Fund, the Community Ownership Fund, the Denbighshire Key Fund, the Clocaenog Wind Farm Fund and the Welsh Government Collection Management Capital Improvement programme have helped us to not only replace the roof, but also to increase our artefact storage, along with a new environmental monitoring system, install a stairlift, improve signage, create new displays and improve our website, as well as purchasing the Museum building off Denbighshire County Council.

We will be spending February cleaning, moving the collection back into the Museum, setting up the displays and cabinets and getting ready to open again on Saturday 8th March. 

On that day, we will be having a Museum re-opening launch day event to which everyone will be welcome. The daytime on the 8th will see our first Finds Day of 2025 in the Museum. Dr Susie White, from the Portable Antiquities Scheme, will again be with us to identify objects that you have found, helping to unlock more of the secrets of the past, so please do bring along all of your finds for identification. Details will be posted on Eventbrite and on our Facebook events page.

In the evening, we will have the official re-opening event. Doors will open at 6.00pm and everyone is invited. The Llangollen Silver Band will be playing in the background as people arrive, look around and help themselves to food and drink. 6.30pm will see the official opening. Dave Crane from the Museum will say a few words about the programme and thank people. Our MP, Becky Gittins, who has been very supportive of the project, will then officially re-open the Museum, followed by a few pieces played by the Silver Band. 

Following the Silver Band, we will show the Animated Dee Valley heritage video, produced by the Clwydian Range and Dee Valley AONB and the Pontcysyllte World Heritage Site. This short film shows some of the important changes that have happened around Llangollen in the last 2,700 years, but packs it all into 7 minutes. It reminds us why keeping places like Llangollen Museum alive in our community is so important, so that future generations can find out about their past.

Then people can mingle, have some more food and drink, and look at the displays, including our re-opening display of some of the paintings and prints that are usually kept in the archive stores.

Our first talk of the year will be on March 26th, at 7.00pm, in the Museum. Graham Edwards will follow up on his fascinating talk about the Welsh in Patagonia with 'The unique friendly relationship between the Welsh settlers and the native Tehuelches tribe in Patagonia'. Without a doubt, the settlers would not have survived without the friendship of the natives, who traded with them and taught them how to hunt. The amazing thing is not one drop of blood was spilled in their relationship and the Tehuelches referred to the Welsh as "Los Amigos".

April 30th will see Dr Jack Hunter give a presentation on 'The Paranormal Ecology of the Tanat Valley'. Watch our Facebook page for the details of this talk.

Although there have been a few delays, the setting up the Llangollen Museum Young Archaeologists’ group is ongoing. we are hoping to have a full programme for 2025 in place very soon. YAC members take part in all sorts of exciting, hands-on activities, such as excavation, working with artefacts, visiting historical sites and undertaking experimental archaeology. Anyone wanting to join our mailing list for updates please email cdv.yac@gmail.com.

For all of the latest information about what is happening at the Museum, do keep an eye on our Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/p/Llangollen-Museum-100057657969751/. If you want to be more involved with the history of the area, and become a volunteer at the Museum, please contact our manager Gill Smith at gilliansmith2@hotmail.co.uk or on 07516 023524.

* The new museum roof from the inside.

Have your say on future of region's transport system

A public consultation has been launched giving residents, businesses and visitors the chance to shape the future of travel in the region.

And its organisers want to hear the views of people in Llangollen.

Ambition North Wales, which has responsibility for regional transport planning, strategic land use planning and enhancing economic well-being, is inviting feedback on the draft Regional Transport Plan for North Wales. 

The document sets out strategic policies and interventions for the next five years, covering all modes of transport, including rail, road, bus, walking, and cycling, and aims to provide better travel options, improve digital connectivity, and reduce environmental impacts.

The consultation represents the collective efforts and expertise of the North Wales Corporate Joint Committee, its Transport Sub-Committee and partners, including local authorities, Transport for Wales and the Welsh Government.

Councillor Goronwy Edwards, Chair of the Transport Sub-Committee, said: “This is an opportunity for people to tell us what’s important to them and how we can improve transport links across the region. Effective transport systems connect people to essential services, link businesses to employees and customers, and support a thriving economy. I urge residents to get involved and have their say.”

Councillor Dafydd Rhys Thomas, Committee Vice-chair, added: “Good transport links are vital for our communities. They reduce isolation in rural areas, improve access to services like healthcare and education, and boost local economies by attracting visitors and supporting small businesses. This is why we are keen to get as much input as possible so we can work together to create a transport network that works for everyone across the region.”

The plan aims to shape transport policy and investment up to 2030, replacing local transport plans and aligning with national priorities. It is seen as essential to ensure that North Wales meets future economic challenges, supports sustainable travel, and contributes to climate goals. 

The consultation runs until  April 14 and North Wales residents are urged not to miss the opportunity to influence the future of transport in the region by visiting: northwalesregionaltransportplan.virtual-engage.com