Latest local roadworks bulletin from the county council

Latest local roadworks bulletin from Denbighshire County Council is:

TYN DWR ROAD

18/11/2024

20/11/2024

Gwaith BT/ BT Works GT WILLIAMS

LLANGOLLEN

Ffordd ar Gau/Road Closure 

A539, Ponsonby Arms, Mill Street, Llangollen

MILL STREET

11/11/2024

15/11/2024

Goleuadau traffig i reoli traffig y gwyriad / Traffic

signals to control diverted traffic

 

A539

A5t From Area Boundary To Queen Street Llangollen LL20 7PT

BRYN DETHOL ROAD FROM A5 TO MAESMAWR

ROAD

10/12/2024

10/12/2024

Gwaith BT/ BT Works SUNBELT RENTALS (DCC)

 

Outside 13

WEST STREET

13/11/2024

14/11/2024

Gwaith Dwr / Water Works HAFREN DYFRDWY (DCC)

 

OUTSIDE NUMBER 4

OAK STREET

18/11/2024

20/11/2024

Gwaith Nwy / Gas Works WALES & WEST UTILITIES

LLANGOLLEN

Ffordd ar Gau/Road Closure

 

Trem Yr Ysgol

PENGWERN

05/11/2024

05/11/2024

School Streets Trial / Treial Strydoedd Ysgolion CORE HIGHWAYS (SIGNS)

LLANGOLLEN

Ffordd ar Gau/Road Closure

Author to speak about his historic novels at Llangollen Library

A Wrexham writer will be at Llangollen Library early next month to give a talk about his mystery novels.

David Ebsworth will be in town on Tuesday December 3, at 2pm, to give an insight into his Wrexham & Chester Victorian Mysteries. 

From the astonishing events of Wrexham's 1876 "Year of Wonder" to the equally "stranger than fiction" accounts of 1884, he will be chatting about the factual background of his novels Blood Among The Threads and Death Along The Dee.

His visit is part of a series of author events hosted by Denbighshire Libraries to help brighten up the cold winter days.

Million-selling author Simon McCleave will be at St Asaph Library on Friday November 22, 2pm. His series of books featuring DI Ruth Hunter started with the Snowdonia Killings, and other titles include the Denbigh Asylum Killings and the Llangollen Killings. He has more recently written a standalone thriller called the Last Night at Villa Lucia.

 

Welsh Language author Manon Steffan Ros will be visiting Denbigh Library on Monday November 18, 2pm. 

Manon has written over 23 books for adults and children in the Welsh language and has won the Wales Book of the Year for her adult fiction. 

She is the four-time winner at the Tir na n’Og Wales Children’s Book Awards and has also won Eisteddfod and National Theatre Wales awards for her script writing and the YOTO Carnegie 2023 medal for writing.

Prestatyn Library will welcome Kate Ellis on Wednesday November 20, 2pm. Kate has written 28 novels which follow DI Wesley Peterson, and five crime novels with a supernatural twist which feature another DI, Joe Plantagenet. 

Rhyl Library will host a double bill, with romantic novelist Trisha Ashley visiting with Juliet Greenwood on Thursday November 28, 2pm. Trisha has written over 27 novels, many of them Sunday Times bestsellers, and has also published short stories and poetry. In 2024, her latest novel The Wedding Dress Repair Shop won the RoNA Award for Popular Fiction.

 

Juliet Greenwood is the author of eight historical novels, published by Honno, the Welsh Women’s Press, Orion and Storm Publishing. Her first novel was a finalist for the People’s Book Prize, and her second was Waterstones Wales’ Book of the Month. More recently, her novel with Storm Publishing, The Last Train from Paris, based on her mother’s experiences in WW2, became a kindle bestseller in both the US and the UK.

 

A murder mystery evening based on ‘The Darkest Evening’ by Ann Cleeves will test the attendees of Rhuddlan Library on Thursday November 21, 7pm, hosted by the library team. In Ruthin, writer and broadcaster Myfanwy Alexander will stop by the Library, also on Thursday  November 21, 2pm to talk about her series of crime novels featuring Detective Inspector Daf Dafis, who is passionate about keeping the peace in his square mile but his life is always complicated.

 

Deborah Owen, Principal Librarian said: “We hope there’s something for everyone with these author visits. Whether you prefer crime, romance or historical fiction, I’d like to invite everyone to come and join us.

 

"Please contact your local library for more information on a specific author visit or to book a place.”

 

Councillor Emrys Wynne, Lead Member for Welsh Language, Culture & Heritage said: “These visits are an opportunity for the people of Denbighshire to gain an insight into a number of popular authors, as well as their published topics. There are visits all across the county, which cover many different topics and themes for residents to enjoy.”

 

These events are supported by Denbighshire Leisure and partly funded by UK Government.

Residents urged to check if they can save on water bills

Denbighshire County Council is working in partnership with Welsh Water to highlight schemes that may be able to help make water bills more affordable. 

Welsh Water’s HelpU tariff helps households by putting a cap on the amount they have to pay for water to reduce future payments. 

According to the analytics company Policy in Practice, nearly six million UK households are eligible for, but are not claiming, £900 million of water social tariffs each year.

 

People are being urged to check whether they qualify for the HelpU tariff which could save customers up to £200 per household per year. 

Emails and letters are being sent to residents in Denbighshire to highlight the support available and encourage applications. Currently, only 2,253 Denbighshire households are benefiting from this tariff as many people are simply unaware of it.

 

If you qualify for the HelpU tariff, Welsh Water will cap your water bill, so you won’t pay over a certain amount for the year. The annual HelpU charge for this financial year is £290.03 (£116.52 for water, £173.51 for sewerage).

 

To qualify for the tariff, someone in the household must receive at least one means-tested benefit such as Universal Credit or Pension Credit and the combined annual household income must be on or under the threshold for the household size, for example, £11,600 for one occupant, £17,400 for two and £18,800 for three or more people in the household.

 

In its 2023 Cost of Living research, water services regulator Ofwat found nearly one in four households were struggling with water bills yet only 7% of households surveyed reported receiving any financial support from their water company. Meanwhile, the Consumer Council for Water reported only 16% of households consider their water bills to be affordable.

 

Rebecca Price, Customer Services Director, Welsh Water said: “We are committed to putting the needs of our customers first to support the most vulnerable in society. Working together helps us ensure we continue to help those who need it most.

 

“We offer a range of schemes which might be able to help if you are in receipt of benefits or have a low income. If you use more water due to a higher household size or medical condition, the Bill Cap-WaterSure Wales tariff puts a cap on the amount you have to pay for your water. Alternatively, our Cymuned Support Fund is a scheme offering short term support to working households who are struggling to afford the essentials.

 

“We urge Denbighshire residents to get in touch to find out how we can help you with your payments and discuss the best options moving forward.”

 

Gwyneth Ellis, Lead Member for Finance, Performance and Strategic Assets said: “Everyone should have access to affordable water. I would encourage all residents in Denbighshire to check if they are eligible for cheaper water bills.

 

“Many people are not aware they are entitled to these schemes so it’s important we highlight them to ensure residents are maximising their household incomes.

 

“We’re keen to offer ongoing help and support together with our partners especially to those struggling with day-to-day costs to support economic growth and help communities to thrive.

 

“If you’re struggling to pay or are worried about any of your bills, please contact Citizens Advice Denbighshire for free, confidential advice.”

 

* For more information on all the schemes and to apply online, visit www.dwrcymru.com/costoflivingdenbighshire. 

If you’re unsure if you are eligible, or would like help with your application, contact Welsh Water on 0800 052 0145, or Citizens Advice Denbighshire on 0808 278 7933 / www.cadenbighshire.co.uk.

Alternatively, check what you could be entitled to with the benefit calculators - www.gov.uk/benefits-calculators.

'Welsh Sistine' - rediscovering a hidden medieval masterpiece

* St Collen's glorious hammerbeam ceiling, known as the 'Welsh Sistine'.

Today marks the day in 1512 when Michelangelo completed and revealed his iconic ceiling in Rome's Sistine Chapel.

Yet, few realise that around the same time, a remarkable work of art was coming to life in Wales: the hammerbeam ceiling of St Collen’s Church in Llangollen. 

Known locally as “The Welsh Sistine,” this stunning ceiling showcases the skill and devotion of medieval Welsh craftsmen - a hidden marvel with intricate carvings and rich symbolism, rivalling Europe’s grandest masterpieces.

Father Lee Taylor, vicar of St. Collen’s, emphasises the ceiling’s importance: “St. Collen’s hammerbeam ceiling is a testament to the deep faith and artistic genius of our medieval ancestors. It’s not just a piece of history, it’s a powerful, living symbol of Welsh heritage, spirituality, and creativity.”

As the world celebrates the Sistine Chapel’s legacy, St Collen’s invites visitors to rediscover the beauty of Welsh artistry. 

Fr Lee adds: "This ceiling, a blend of devotion and craftsmanship, stands ready to inspire a new generation, inviting all to experience its grandeur. Come and experience The Welsh Sistine, a masterpiece of medieval Wales hidden in plain sight."

The St Collen's Genesis Project, which is guiding the re-ordering of the parish church, is currently raising money specifically to restore the ceiling and updates on the progress of this labour of love can be seen at: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61556155594262

Entries for next Llangollen Round Challenge open this Friday

* Entrants on a previous Llangollen Round Challenge.

There's now just a couple of days left before entries for the 5th Llangollen Round Challenge officially open this Friday, November 1.  

And organisers say they're hoping for a similar success story to the last Round when they had a healthy 50 entries on the opening day.

Judy Smith, who founded and runs the Challenge, said: "We have a few new ideas and we trust the event will be better than ever. Last time we had 50 in one day. Can we possibly beat that, for a start? Let's see."

The next Llangollen Round is scheduled for the weekend of May 31/June 1 2025.

Judy added: "For those who don’t know, the Challenge is a hill hike of 35miles, to be taken over either one or two days.  

"If you’re thinking about it, a very comprehensive account of the event will be on our website www.thellangollenround.info  

"We’re looking forward to seeing the entries rolling in on Friday. Who will be first?"

The often gruelling run/walk through the beautiful yet tough terrain of the hills surrounding the town was launched in 2012 by members of the Llangollen Ramblers group and is based roughly on the Alpine Walk Tour of Mont Blanc.

The amount raised for Cancer Research UK (CRUK) by the challenge has climbed steadily to almost £120,000 which has been boosted by government returns on charity donations.

In recognition of this massive cash support for CRUK and the involvement and commitment of around 100 volunteers who run the event the Round was selected for the Flame of Hope Award last year.

These national awards are CRUK's annual accolades to celebrate the achievements of its most outstanding and inspiring volunteers.   

Community Rhythms and Roots launches for Llangollen 2025

* A Sudanese group at this year's Llangollen International Eisteddfod.

Following a very successful pilot project in 2024, Llangollen International Eisteddfod is calling for diverse communities across Wales to take part in a special showcase for its 2025 festival.  

The Community Rhythms and Roots project, supported by Arts Council Wales, aims to explore the multicultural and multilingual nature of modern Wales and unlock the creative potential of communities living in Wales. 

The project reflects Llangollen International Eisteddfod’s rich heritage and is aligned to the organisation’s ambition of using the arts and culture to bring different communities together in a spirit of peace and friendship.  

Organisers are looking for diverse groups and communities based in Wales who wish to share their stories with Wales and the World, using music, dance and literature. 

The six successful applicants will showcase their performances at the Eisteddfod in 2025.  

Each group will be supported along their journey by professional artists who will provide each group with bespoke dance, music and literature training.

 

Working with external partners such as the National Dance Company of Wales, Literature Across Frontiers, other professional partners and freelance artists, all six groups will have access to expert support with their storytelling skills and ambitions and some financial assistance to help them showcase their productions at Llangollen in July 2025.

 

Project Director Garffild Lloyd Lewis said: “In 2024, our pilot project gave three groups from the Newport Chinese Community, the Cardiff Sudanese Community and a youth group from Wrexham the opportunity to perform at one of Wales’s most prestigious festivals.  

"This year, we have really stepped things up and we can’t wait to work with six groups from across multi-cultural Wales.  Every community has an amazing story to tell and we are delighted to be giving them the opportunity on one of the biggest stages in Wales.

 

“The project leaders will provide all the support and assistance that groups need – all we need is a creative idea from your group that will represent a multicultural, multilingual and diverse community in Wales.  

"All we want is a commitment to a timetable that will involve rehearsals from January 2025 onwards, a community performance in early summer and a showcase event staged at the Llangollen Eisteddfod on Wednesday the 9th of July, 2025.”

 

* Groups interested in this wonderful opportunity to represent their communities on a world stage, who are willing to experiment with different art forms, who want to perform in their own language and want to tell their unique story – and be supported and inspired by experts along the way can find out more at: 

https://international-eisteddfod.co.uk/get-involved/community-rhythm-and-roots/

Cat Meade sends out a Halloween message to parents

Cat Meade, branch manager of Wingetts estate agents in Castle Street, has sent out the following message to parents in the area:

"Pop into our Wingetts Llangollen office with your little monsters for a Halloween Treat this week 🎃 We promise we are not that scary 👻 Treats whilst stock lasts."