County's 2023 tourism figure up 6% on previous year

* Llangollen is one of the county's premier tourism areas. 

Denbighshire's tourism figures have seen a rise for 2023 in comparison to the previous year. 

Latest STEAM (Scarborough Tourism Economic Activity Monitor) figures show that the total visitor numbers for Denbighshire in 2023 reached 6.39 million, an increase of almost 6% (5.9%) in comparison to 2022 figures.

The data also shows that the number of day visitors to the county for 2023 was 4.72 million, a 7.5% change when compared to 2022.

The total economic impact of tourism was £736.05 million, a jump of 17.1% on the previous year.

STEAM is a tourism economic impact modelling process which approaches the measurement of tourism from the bottom up, through its use of local supply side data and tourism performance and visitor survey data collection.

Councillor Jason McLellan, Leader of the Council and Lead Member for Economic Growth & Tackling Deprivation, said:

“Denbighshire has both stunning coastal areas as well as scenic rural patches, which allows it to be a very well-rounded offer for tourists, who travel far and wide to come and visit our beautiful county.

"Once again, we welcome increased tourism figures for Denbighshire year on year, which demonstrate the importance of tourism to the local economy, and the bounce back the tourism industry has achieved after a difficult few years.”

Cooking with your family session at Pengwern Hub

 

Railway welcomes back popular Swinging Sixties event

* Mandy Towers and Joe Walker have organised the 60s weekend. 

Llangollen Railway says it is looking forward to turning the clock back for its 60s Weekend on the weekend of August 3 and 4.

Making a very welcome return after several years’ absence, the event will include live music on Llangollen station, vintage vehicles, a heritage bus service from Corwen, a real ale bar at Llangollen station and the chance to drive a diesel shunting locomotive at Corwen station. 

There will be a busy timetable of steam, diesel and railcar trains, all of which would have been seen at work around the country in the 1960s.

The 1960’s saw monumental political, social and technological change. The railways in Britain were no different, seeing the end of steam locomotives, the birth of the famous "double arrow logo" and the controversial closure of a third of Britain's rail network, masterminded by BR Board Chairman Dr Richard Beeching and controversial Transport Minister Ernest Marples. 

The Ruabon-Barmouth railway was one of the victims of the Beeching Cuts, closing at the end of 1964. The closure of rural railways was extremely unpopular and attracted considerable resistance from the communities about to lose their transport links. 

Demonstrations were not uncommon and Llangollen Railway volunteers, dressed in period clothes and bearing placards, will recreate anti-closure protests at Glyndyfrdwy station over the weekend. 

Volunteers worked for nearly 50 years to rebuild 10 miles of the abandoned line between Llangollen and Corwen, with the first trains running in 1985 and a new station at Corwen finally opening in June 2023.

The event is being organised by mother-and-son team Mandy Towers and Joe Walker, who both volunteer on Llangollen station.

Visitors can find out more and book tickets on the railway’s events webpage: https://llangollen-railway.co.uk/1960s-weekend/

* Llangollen & Corwen Railway continues to make a successful recovery following the collapse of its operating company in 2021 and rescue by the Llangollen Railway Trust under new management. 

July 9 saw the third anniversary of the first train to be operated by the Trust, whose manager Tom Taylor said: "Three years on from our first train to Berwyn under Trust management we have achieved what many said would be impossible. 

"Corwen station has been completed, opened and is proving very popular. Our much-loved Pannier steam locomotive No 7754 has ben restored and is steaming again. Our legendary events have returned, including the exciting return of our 60’s Weekend. 

"We have also secured significant grant aid by working with local partners, like Denbighshire County Council. 

"Through their Shared Prosperity Fund, we have been able to recruit new staff who are helping take our volunteer, interpretation, environmental and training needs forward. The SPF has also funded an in-depth consultant-led project to assess how we can secure the railway's future sustainability. 

"We have a wonderful railway and a brilliant team of volunteers and staff who care passionately about it. We are all optimistic about its future."

Beer tasting event planned for St Collen's Church

St Collen’s Church has announced a "unique and inclusive" beer tasting event in celebration of St Arnold of Soissons, the patron saint of beer. 

This special occasion, from 6-8pm on  Wednesday August 14, is supported by local breweries, including Evan Evans Brewery and Conwy Brewery, bringing together a wide selection of local brews up for sampling. 

Saint Arnold of Soissons, revered as the patron saint of brewers, was an 11th-century monk known for his miraculous works and advocacy for the health benefits of beer over the unsafe drinking water of the day.

* Father Lee enjoys a pint down by the river. Picture: Andrei Daniel Productions’

Before his calling to the priesthood St Collen's priest-in-charge, Father Lee Taylor, worked in pubs in Wigan and Bolton, learning the trade from his mother who was a publican.

He said: "From mediaeval times to the present day, church buildings have hosted markets, town meetings, and cultural festivities. This beer tasting event continues that tradition, highlighting the church's role as a gathering place for the entire community.”

As part of the festivities, Fr. Lee will perform a blessing of the ales using an ancient, largely forgotten prayer dating back to the 16th century. 

* The carving of a man with beer barrels depicted in the roof of St Collen's.

This rare ritual not only honours the heritage of beer but also aims to reconnect people with historical traditions that have been celebrated in churches for centuries. 

Added Fr Lee: "This event is open to all in our community, whether they come to church regularly or not, regardless of beliefs and background. The church is here to serve the whole community, not just the ‘religious’. 

"Our church building has always been used for public and secular events. We are here to celebrate and bring people together in all sorts of ways. I want St Collen’s to be a place where everyone feels welcome and included.

"The mediaeval hammer-beam roof at St Collen’s, one of the finest in Wales, even tells the tale of a man who drank too much beer—a fitting backdrop for our celebration.

“We encourage responsible consumption of alcohol throughout the event. Please be aware that ID checks may be conducted if necessary to ensure everyone's safety and enjoyment. Let's raise a glass together responsibly and celebrate this special occasion in good spirits.”

County council to consult on new public toilet scheme

* The public toilets in Market Street.

Denbighshire County Council has launched a public consultation exercise on the future of its public toilets.

In a statement today it says: "Like many local authorities, Denbighshire County Council is facing significant challenges to set a balanced budget.

"The council has had to deliver £10.4m of savings as part of the 2024/25 budget, and the proposal to review the public convenience provision in the county is one of the savings proposals identified.

"Whilst there is no legal requirement for the council itself to provide public conveniences, The Public Health (Wales) Act 2017 requires the local authority to evidence that it has reviewed the needs of the local population and to produce a strategy that shows how it will try to meet these needs.

"As a result, Denbighshire County Council is currently carrying out a needs assessment for the public conveniences in the County. This will identify the number of public conveniences needed in Denbighshire and will help the council to develop a suitable Public Toilet Strategy."

The statement adds: "To develop this strategy, a public consultation is being undertaken and residents, business owners and visitors are encouraged to take part and have their say."

Barry Mellor, Lead Member for Environment and Transport, said: “We understand that public conveniences are highly valued assets by certain parts of the community. However, the fact remains that the provision of public conveniences is not a statutory duty, and we do not now have a big enough budget to enable us to keep delivering services in the same way that we have always delivered them in the past.

“In areas where the provision of public conveniences is considered essential, we hope to work with City, Town and Community Councils to look at alternative arrangements.

“No decision has been made about closing any public conveniences at this stage, and any decisions on this will be made by our Cabinet, following a further report to our Communities Scrutiny Committee."

News that the county council was considering ridding itself of all its public toilets in a bid to save money has sparked a wave of criticism in Llangollen where opponents argue that as a prime tourism location the loos in Market Street are badly needed.

Llangollen Town Council has already rejected a suggestion that it might take them over as impractical and beyond its financial resources.   

* To take part in the consultation, go to www.denbighshire.gov.uk/consultations

John plans sky dive charity challenge at the age of 77

* The illustration on John's fundraising page. But he'll be jumping over Shropshire rather than Castell Dinas Bran.

An intrepid local man has high hopes for his fundraiser on behalf of The Friends of Llangollen Health Centre.

At the age of 77 John Palmer is planning to do a sky dive from a plane over a Shropshire airfield in August to support the work of the group which helps patients and staff of the centre and its GP practice by providing facilities, services and equipment not normally covered by statutory funding.

John’s charity challenge will be a tandem affair in which he will be linked to a professional parachutist.

John said: “I am doing the sky dive next month at a time when the weather is suitable. At 77 years old I’m cracking a bit but I reckon I’m still able to jump out of a plane. 

“I haven’t done this before but I am doing all the necessary training required by the company organising the jump. 

“I ran the Bryntysilio outdoor education centre in Llangollen for 20 years and have done a lot of climbing, caving and canoeing but that was 15 years ago. 

He added: “Over the years The Friends of Llangollen Health Centre, which also covers the practices at Glyn Ceiriog and Plas Madoc, has funded, amongst other projects, additional specialist equipment for the medical staff, contributed to a number of defibrillators, helped to fund the set-up cost of the Parkrun, funded the venue for armchair exercises and staff training for the Foodshare. 

“The trust is always interested to hear from any organisation whose request meets our remit for funding.” 

Actually, John is no stranger to going the extra mile for charity. Last August, he and son Nic jointly raised £1,000 for Alzheimer's Research by each completing in a triathlon event.

 * John, left, and son Nic with their triathlon medals last year.

* The initial target for John’s sky dive fundraiser is £500. For more details, go to his gofund.me page at: https://gofund.me/7935d2aa

Have your say on how your neighbourhood is policed

* North Wales PCC Andy Dunbobbin.

North Wales Police and Crime Commissioner (PCC) Andy Dunbobbin was re-elected in May 2024. 

An important part of his role is to create a plan for police to work to in order to fight crime across the region. 

To be able to write this plan, he says he wants to ensure he is listening to local people about how they want to see North Wales policed and that he is addressing the concerns they have. 

He is consulting with the people of North Wales in a survey to get their thoughts and responses.

The feedback will be incorporated into the plan and will help shape future services and the allocation of resources by police.

It is important that all sections of the population have the opportunity for their views to be represented and reflected in North Wales Police’s priorities. So have your say.

Head here to fill in the 5-minute survey: www.surveymonkey.com/r/PCC-consultation2024

Alternatively, to receive a paper copy by post, contact the Office of the Police and Crime Commissioner in the following ways: 

* Email: OPCC@northwales.police.uk 

* Phone: 01492 805486

* Post: Office of the Police and Crime Commissioner North Wales, Police Headquarters. Glan y Don, Colwyn Bay, LL29 8AW.