Prostate cancer support group meets this Wednesday

* The Hand Hotel where the prostate cancer support group meets monthly.

Llangollen's Prostate Support Group will be holding their regular monthly meeting this Wednesday, October 15, at the Hand Hotel in Llangollen, at 2pm.

Group spokesperson David Davies, who himself is currently undergoing treatment, said: "Any guy who has had prostate cancer, currently has or has recently been diagnosed, is on current treatment, or who is on the 'watch and wait' is welcomed.  

"We meet on the third Wednesday of the month. We share experiences, support each other, update on latest developments and talk life tips."

Charity afternoon tea is a delicious £1,115 success

 

* Pamela Williams (left) and Jayne Dickson from the team of volunteers which organised and ran the event with the fabulous spread of home-made cakes available. The array of contributed raffle prizes are in the background.

A charity afternoon tea held at St Collen's Community Hall yesterday (Saturday) raised a total of £1,115, which will be shared equally between the two good causes of North West Cancer Research and North East Wales Mountain Rescue. 

The team of organisers have thanked all those who came along and helped make the event a success. 

* People at the event enjoy their afternoon tea.

Former Star Inn is on the market for £149,950

                                    

                              * The former Star Inn is up for sale.

A former Llangollen pub has gone on the market with an asking price of £149,950.

The Star in Queen Street has been empty and run-down for some time but he sales description from Wingetts' says: "Ground floor has front and side bar areas, two public areas and kitchen to rear, two cellar rooms. 

"The first floor offers 6 bedrooms, bathroom and separate w.c. courtyard area to side. The building offers potential for a variety of uses (subject to statutory consent).

* The sale is being handled by Wingetts' Llangollen office in Castle Street, tel: 01978 861366, or email: llangollen@wingetts.co.uk

* The former bar area.

Food festival shows the recipe for success

* Brisk business being done in the packed Town Hall.

Despite the morning's tragic incident on the river, which meant a large police presence in the town for a large part of today, the first day of Llangollen Food Festival went ahead and managed to attract large numbers of people.

Spread across the town were a huge variety of stalls, together with tastings, live music, and entertainment at in Market Street, the Town Hall, Llangollen Railway, Riverside Park, Gales Wine Bar, the Silver Band HQ in Parade Street and - new for this year - Blas Cookery & Wine School also on Parade Street. 

All the venues were doing well, with the Town Hall being especially busy from early on.

Organisers say visitors to the festival can expect a weekend full of delicious food and drink, live music, cookery demos, whisky and port tastings, children’s activities and the ever-popular Real Ale Train on the railway.

There is free parking available all weekend in car parks operated by Denbighshire County Council at Brook Street, East Street, Hall Street, Market Street and Mill Street.

The festival continues tomorrow (Sunday) from 10am to 5pm. 

* Tasty treats on display.

* Welcome to the festival!

* Sixteen-year-old Isla Jane sings in Centenary Square.

* Peter McGivern leads a wine tasting in the courtyard at Blas Cookery & Wine School.

* Food and drink stalls off Parade Street.

* People enjoying the street food and other stalls in Riverside Park.

 * Live entertainment on the bandstand in the park.

* Stalls behind Gales were a big attraction (above and below). 

* Making the most of the new Market Street ca park venue.

* People enjoying the sun and a quiet drink in the park.

* The station approach was packed with stalls.

* The station platform stalls also kept busy throughout the day.

Latest update says it was woman's body found in river this morning

 

* Police activity on the bridge this morning.

3.15pm UPDATE

A WOMAN'S body was pulled from the River Dee in Llangollen today (Saturday, October 11), police have confirmed.

A story on Leaderlive says: "Emergency services were called to the incident this morning - with road closures in place in the town centre as a result.

Police have confirmed that, sadly, a woman's body was discovered in the river.

Enquiries are underway to establish the woman's identity and the death is thought not to be suspicious, police said. The coroner has been informed.

A North Wales Police spokesperson said: "We can confirm that sadly a body of a female was recovered from the River Dee in Llangollen earlier today (Saturday, October 11).

"At 8.18am North Wales Police received a 999-call reporting a body had been discovered in the water.

"Officers attended the scene along with other emergency services including North Wales Fire and Rescue Service’ Water Rescue Team."

Inspector Andy Kirkham of North Wales Police added: 'Our thoughts remain with the woman’s family at this distressing time.'"

Police dealing with major incident in town centre

* The scene this morning on the bridge. 

3.15pm UPDATE

A WOMAN'S body was pulled from the River Dee in Llangollen today (Saturday, October 11), police have confirmed.

A story on Leaderlive says: "Emergency services were called to the incident this morning - with road closures in place in the town centre as a result.

Police have confirmed that, sadly, a woman's body was discovered in the river.

Enquiries are underway to establish the woman's identity and the death is thought not to be suspicious, police said. The coroner has been informed.

A North Wales Police spokesperson said: "We can confirm that sadly a body of a female was recovered from the River Dee in Llangollen earlier today (Saturday, October 11).

"At 8.18am North Wales Police received a 999-call reporting a body had been discovered in the water.

"Officers attended the scene along with other emergency services including North Wales Fire and Rescue Service’ Water Rescue Team."

Inspector Andy Kirkham of North Wales Police added: 'Our thoughts remain with the woman’s family at this distressing time.'"

12.24pm UPDATE

The body which was discovered in the river close to the Cornmill this morning has now been recovered by a special waterborne unit from North Wales Fire and Rescue Service.

The railway itself, which remained closed for a few hours, has now been allowed to re-open, along with the Food Festival stalls on the station approach road.

The food festival is going ahead normally, with people flocking to all venues, including the Town Hall, the stalls behind the former Ectarc off East Street, the band hut in Parade Street and Centenary Square where there is a programme of live music.

As the section of the Riverside Park walkway from the town to the Princess Street steps was closed people wishing to visit the food stalls and live music around the bandstand had to make their way by other routes. The walkway is now open.

* A fire and rescue service vehicle parked near the Cornmill earlier.

Original story ...

Police are dealing with a major incident in the centre of Llangollen this morning (Saturday).

On the first day of the annual Food Festival there are currently at least eight police vehicles and an ambulance positioned around the Castle Street and bridge area. 

At one stage earlier the bridge was completely closed but is now open with police officers directing traffic.

A section of the walkway in Riverside park close to the Cornmill has also been cordoned off with police officers duty at both ends.  Officers could be seen talking to a number of people. 

One officer simply said they were dealing with an incident but gave no further details.

There are unconfirmed suggestions that a body may have been found in the river.

Pip Gale, chair of the Food Festival, said he did not know how the situation would affect the event.

"The traders are all set up at the various venues across the town but, as yet, we don't know exactly how this will affect us."  

* llanblogger will give further updates as the incident develops.

Police have now posted on their Facebook page: "*** LLANGOLLEN ***

A number of main roads in the centre of Llangolen are closed at present due to an ongoing incident. Please avoid the area."

* Police have cordoned off a section of the walkway from the town to the park. 

* An ambulance waiting in Parade Street.

Councillors to consider rescue plan for town's public toilets

* Could the Market Street public toilets be saved by a new rescue plan?

llanblogger exclusive

County councillors are to consider a rescue plan to keep all of Llangollen’s public toilets open based on people being charged £1 to use them and changes in their management structure.

There was a wave of outrage last year after Denbighshire revealed it might be necessary to shut all the county’s toilets due to a large hole in its budget.

Petitions were started, public meetings were held and locals against the closure of those in Llangollen appeared on TV news bulletins to oppose the suggestion.  

Later there appeared to be a rescue plan based on Denbighshire teaming up with Llangollen Town Council to seek outside grants to help keep the toilets, which wasn't proceeded with because the county council weren't successful with their bid for Brilliant Basics funding.

County officers were then tasked with finding other ways of saving all the county’s loos by talking to city, town and community councils.  

And what appears to be the preferred plan which emerged from the discussions will be considered by the powerful Communities Scrutiny Committee at its meeting this Thursday (October 16).

A report from Corporate Project Manager Kimberley Mason outlines the details, which would mean for Llangollen:

* Market Street toilets remaining open and in the ownership of Denbighshire County Council (DCC)

* DCC to replace the Riverside Park toilets with a new unit which would also remain in the ownership of the county 

* Cashless entry systems to be installed at both sites, with a usage charge of £1  

* The staffing structure to be amended, with no toilets being staffed during the day from April 1, 2026.  

The report says: “Llangollen Town Council notes the decision to levy a £1 usage charge. As a result of this charge the County Council confirms that it will no longer seek or require any contribution from the Town Council towards the operating costs of the toilets in Llangollen.”

Proposals for public toilets in other areas of the county vary in detail.

Some, like those in Rhyl and Prestatyn, would remain open with an entry charge and a contribution towards running costs from the town council.

Others, such as Ruthin, Rhuddlan, St Asaph and Dyserth, would be taken over by their local councils through special agreements with the county and have cashless entry systems installed.

The report points out that public toilets in the other areas of Denbighshire all have estimated gaps in their budgets - worked out according to the actual costs of running each PC, minus the estimated income – while Llangollen does not.

Explaining this, it says: “Based on the proposal to charge for usage and some changes to the management regime, there is no anticipated budget gap for Llangollen.”

It adds that the cost of upgrading all the toilets to accept contactless payment has been costed at approximately £311,000.

The views of scrutiny committee members will be sought before the final recommendations are taken to the council’s Cabinet.   

The report points out: “Public toilets are valued by, and important to, our communities, and we have therefore undertaken further work with City, Town and Community Councils to hopefully keep as many PCs open as possible beyond 31st March 2026.

“Public toilets are a non-statutory service, and local authorities therefore have no legal obligation to provide them.

“Most of the budget for PCs was removed as part of the 2024/25 budget setting process. Since then, Denbighshire County Council has been operating public toilets without the budget to do so, and that position cannot continue in 2026/27.”

Charity afternoon tea is today at St Collen's Community Hall

                    

Get ready to tuck into this weekend's Llangollen Food Festival

* A busy Llangollen Town Hall during last year's food festival.

Llangollen is set to come alive with flavour and fun this weekend as the Llangollen Food Festival returns on Saturday and Sunday, from 10am to 5pm. 

Spread across the town, you’ll find stalls, tastings, music, and entertainment at much-loved spots including Market Street, the Town Hall, Llangollen Railway, Riverside Park, Gales Wine Bar, the Silver Band HQ in Parade Street and - new for this year - Blas Cookery & Wine School also on Parade Street.

 

Organisers say visitors to the festival can expect a weekend full of delicious food and drink, live music, cookery demos, whisky and port tastings, children’s activities and the ever-popular Real Ale Train on the railway.

There will be free parking available all weekend in car parks operated by Denbighshire County Council at Brook Street, East Street, Hall Street, Market Street and Mill Street.

There will also be a free vintage shuttle bus running throughout the day from locations across the town centre.

 

Festival Chair Pip Gale said: “Plans are shaping up really well and we can’t wait to welcome everyone back to enjoy the festival, the food and the fantastic atmosphere in Llangollen.

 

"So come hungry, bring your friends and family, and make a weekend of it. Llangollen Food Festival 2025 is not to be missed."

The live music line-up for the two days is:

𝗦𝗮𝘁𝘂𝗿𝗱𝗮𝘆

Town Square (11am–3pm): Isla Jane, The Cherophobes, Isabella Crowther, Andy Bellis, Rhys Edeyrn

The Bandstand (12pm–4pm): Charlie Jones Band, Igloo Hearts, Jodie Melodie Band, Amy Antrobus, Brain Leak

𝗦𝘂𝗻𝗱𝗮𝘆

Town Square (11am–3pm): Isaac Birchall, Emma Wharton, Rebecca Royal, Stephen Lockhart, Jamie Cooke

The Bandstand (12pm–4pm): Sue Denim, Panedemi, Colonel Dax, Ruins, Medusa Luna, Tavananna

#LlangollenFoodFestival #LiveMusic #NorthWalesEvents #FoodAndMusic

Llangollen hilltop castle walk named spookiest in Wales

A hilltop castle walk in Llangollen has been named the spookiest in Wales, according to the Leader.

* For the full story, go to: Llangollen hilltop castle walk named spookiest in Wales | The Leader

Rehearsals start for 2026 Llangollen Pantomime

                       

Llangollen’s Pantomime group says it is excited to start rehearsals for its 2026 production of Dick Whittington.

A spokesperson said: "We have picked a very talented cast and cannot wait to perform our hilarious panto with its fantastic songs and a live band.

"Take advantage of the early bird discounted tickets which are already selling fast."

The panto runs at Llangollen Town Hall from Thursday-Sunday January 15-18 2026.

Former Town Clerk Ian Parry passes away

 

* Ian Parry with his wife Cerys.

Tributes have been paid to Ian Parry, the former Town Clerk of Llangollen, who passed away peacefully on October 2.

Ian was born in 1942 with a twin sister Gill to Jack and Lily, with his little sister Judy coming along later. He grew up in around the Cefn Mawr and Acrefair area where he was quite the sportsman, earning medals in cycling road races, squash and table tennis.

He started in local government from almost day one of his working life, working in Wrexham Council.

He met his wife, Cerys, and they wed in 1969. Shortly after this Ian and Cerys moved south to Alton in Hampshire for work, then on to Maidstone in Kent where they had their first child.

In 1981 they moved to Enfield in North London where Ian started to work for the local council and the couple had their second child. 

They lived in Enfield until 1997 when they decided they would take the opportunity to move back up to the Wrexham area to be closer to family.

Ian worked for Belfour Beatty the builders in Manchester for a couple of years upon moving north but missed working in local government. When the opportunity came up to be the town clerk for Llangollen he could not pass it up and was successful in getting the role.

He did a lot to help the town grow its profile and helped many of the local businesses, while also taking on roles with the food festival and Christmas festival to help them get a broader reach. 

It was not just the local businesses he would help, he also supported many local and national charities and as many individuals as best he could.

After being diagnosed with prostate cancer back in 2010 he recognised the need for a local group where people could come together for advice and companionship, and with the late Mike Law set up the Llangollen Prostate Support Group. This is still running today, currently has a membership of 40 and would love to welcome more to it.

Ian is survived by his wife Cerys and his two sons, Ross and Ryan. Along with his grandchildren Jay, Aaron and Sophie.

In a tribute to Ian, his predecessor, current Llangollen town clerk Gareth Thomas said: “It is with deep sadness that Llangollen Town Council acknowledges the passing of Mr Ian Parry, former Town Clerk, whose dedicated service and unwavering commitment to the town and its community will long be remembered.

“Ian served as Clerk to the Council with distinction, guiding the council at all times with professionalism, integrity, and a genuine passion for public service. His deep knowledge of local government, calm demeanour, and thoughtful leadership earned him the respect and admiration of councillors, colleagues, and residents alike.

“Beyond his administrative excellence, Ian was a kind and approachable presence in the community always willing to listen, always ready to help. He remained a committed supporter of community initiatives and played a key role in inaugurating the Llangollen Christmas Festival, which he continued to champion over the years.

“The Town Council extends its heartfelt condolences to Ian’s family and friends at this difficult time. He will be greatly missed by all who had the privilege of working with him.”

Llan councillor scores victory in battle of diversion routes

* A thing of the past - Llangollen will no longer be used as the diversion route when the viaducts are closed.

One of the town's county councillors has secured an agreement for the newly re-opened Newbridge Road to become the official diversion route - instead of Llangollen - whenever the viaducts on the A5 and A483 are closed.

Last Friday afternoon the North and Mid Road Traffic Agent (NWMTRA) declared traffic should be diverted through Llangollen after high winds from Storm Amy shut the two viaducts.

That was despite the B5605 Newbridge Road having been re-opened hours earlier following months of remedial work.

* Success: County Cllr Karen Edwards.

This resulted in heavy traffic congestion in Llangollen town centre for the rest of Friday and into Saturday afternoon, with motorists taking to social media to question why Newbridge - which was the standard diversion route before its long temporary closure - could not have been used once again.

This prompted Llangollen county councillor Karen Edwards to ask NWMTRA why the Llangollen route had been chosen, especially when Newbridge was open again.

An official told her: "Because we must always utilise trunk roads for our service to accommodate HGV’s etc, drivers can determine their own route if safe to do so."

But she continued to call for a change of route and earlier this afternoon (Wednesday) she heard that she had been successful.

She said: "Further to my previous statement, I have been lobbying NWMTRA regarding using Llangollen as the official standard diversion route when the A483 is closed as I wasn’t satisfied with their initial response.

"I am now pleased to report that today it has been confirmed by NWMTRA that in the event of any future closures of the A483 Dee Viaduct a signed diversion via the B5605 Newbridge Road will be implemented.

"Hopefully, this will reduce some of the traffic pressures we have experienced whilst the Newbridge Road was closed."