Waste collection Christmas dates

Over the Christmas and New Year period, the following changes will be made to waste and recycling collections: 

Household waste collections (recycling, food, AHP, non-recyclable waste, garden waste)

 

• Household waste collections for Wednesday 25 December 2024 will be collected on Saturday 28 December 2024
• Household waste collections for Wednesday 1 January 2024 will be collected on Saturday 4 January December 2024
• The Council will be collecting on Thursday, 26 December, and all other household waste collections will take place as usual. Residents are asked to please make sure that bins are out by 6.30am on the day of collection.

 

Commercial waste and recycling collections

 

• Commercial waste collections for Wednesday 25 December 2024 will be collected on Saturday 28 December 2024
• Commercial waste collections for Wednesday 1 January 2025 will be collected on Saturday 4 January 2025
• All other commercial waste collections will take place as usual.

 

Bulky waste collections

 

As CAD, the company operating the bulky waste collections service on the Council’s behalf, is closing over the Christmas period, there will be no bulky waste collections between Friday 20 December and Monday 6 January. Residents will still be able to reserve collection slots during this time and collections will restart from 6 January.

 

During this time, residents can book to visit our waste and recycling parks. Details of what is accepted in our parks are available on https://www.denbighshire.gov.uk/en/bins-and-recycling/waste-parks/changes.aspx

 

Councillor Barry Mellor, Lead Member for Environment and Transport said: “The festive period can produce a lot of recycling and waste as it is a celebratory time for all. From wrapping paper to bottles, there are a lot of extra items that our brilliant waste teams collect over the holiday period. We thank all residents for understanding these changes, and also thank them for their co-operation.”

 

Full details about Christmas and New Year information is on the Council’s website on https://www.denbighshire.gov.uk/en/contact-us/christmas-and-new-year-information.aspx

 

Residents can check how to recycle items on the Council’s A-Z recycling guide online on: https://www.denbighshire.gov.uk/en/bins-and-recycling/a-to-z-recycling-guide/a-to-z-recycling-guide.aspx

MP and MS welcome £100,000 Eisteddfod grant

* Becky Gittins MP with Ken Skates MS.

The MP and Member of the Senedd representing Llangollen have welcomed a funding boost of £100,000 for the town’s flagship event.

The Arts Council of Wales has confirmed the grant for Llangollen International Musical Eisteddfod, which organisers say is ‘massive’ for the world-famous event.

Becky Gittins, MP for Clwyd East, said: “The Llangollen International Musical Eisteddfod attracts musicians and dancers from all over the world and is of huge cultural significance to our area. This investment will support an event which brings tens of thousands of visitors to North East Wales and a provides a huge boost to our local economy.

“Spreading the messages of international friendship and peace, I want to pay tribute to everyone who works all year round to make Llangollen Eisteddfod the huge success that it is.”

Ken Skates, MS for Clwyd South, added: “I was honoured to be asked to announce one of the biggest coups in the Eisteddfod’s illustrious history earlier this year when Sir Tom Jones was unveiled as the headline act in an incredible bill.

“I’m a proud vice-president of the event and its importance to our area and specifically the local economy cannot be underestimated – we’re talking millions of pounds every year.

“I was only too happy to write a letter of support for the Eisteddfod to the Arts Council of Wales earlier this year, so I’m delighted it has helped.”

Last year’s event boasted huge names such as Manic Street Preachers, Katherine Jenkins, Madness, Bryan Adams, Kaiser Chiefs and Paloma Faith.

Organisers say they will be announcing ‘the most ambitious festival’ yet on Wednesday (11th).

Across Wales, 60 arts organisations are set to benefit from an additional £3.6m in funding thanks to a Jobs Protection and Resilience Fund set up by Arts Council of Wales and supported by the Welsh Government.

Mr Skates said: “I’m proud of the major financial support the Welsh Government has given the Eisteddfod in recent years, and swift action by the Welsh Government and Minister Jack Sargeant to support the sector has no doubt helped benefit the Eisteddfod this time.”

John Gambles, chair of the Llangollen International Musical Eisteddfod, said: “We are delighted to have received a significant amount of money from the Arts Council of Wales.

“The Llangollen International Eisteddfod, like other similar festivals, has seen a dramatic rise in costs and this money will allow us to move forward with our most ambitious programme yet. This news is massive for our festival and shows that Arts Council Wales and the Welsh Government remain committed to ensuring that festivals like ours don't just survive but thrive.

“We are looking forward to announcing our most ambitious programme yet next week for our festival in 2025. We'd like to thank our local MP Becky Gittins and Ken Skates MS for their continued support, not just with this successful bid but with their ongoing support to ensure that our peace festival continues to benefit Llangollen, Denbighshire and the wider North Wales region."

Traffic lights control section of Abbey Road as fallen tree is dealt with

A short section of the A542 Abbey road just past the Plas Derwen apartments on the way out of Llangollen was been temporarily closed this afternoon (Monday) to allow workers to remove a tree felled by the recent storm. 

The county council's highways team later this afternoon gave the following update: "At short notice and for safety reasons we have had to arrange for two way traffic lights near Bryn Meirion, Abbey Road, Llangollen due to a fallen tree resting on low lying power cable. 

"Scottish Power have been contacted and will be at the location tomorrow hopefully to undertake any necessary works and then the tree can be removed."

Llangollen Museum now owns its Parade Street building

* The parade street building, currently undergoing major work on its roof, is now actually owned by the museum.

Last Friday Llangollen Museum completed the purchase of its Parade Street building from Denbighshire County Council. 

The museum now truly belongs to the local community and is moving ahead with a programme of planned improvements with the intention of being able to open again at the beginning of March next year.

 

A museum spokesperson said: "We are grateful to all of the organisations that have helped support us via grant funding, but especially to the Denbighshire Key Fund, run by the Denbighshire Voluntary Services Council, which provided the funding for the building purchase.

 

"We are always looking for new volunteers. If you have a spare day or half day in the week, are interested in the history of Llangollen and the surrounding area, or just like chatting to and helping people in the community and visitors, then please do help us keep Llangollen Museum open for everyone.

"Please contact our manager Gill Smith on 07516 023524, or email to gilliansmith2@hotmail.co.uk"

Storm fells large tree at Plas Newydd

A llanblogger reader has sent in a picture of the damage done at Plas Newydd by yesterday's Storm Darragh.

They said: "Walking the dog this morning there is a massive tree fallen across the paths as you go down into the Dell in Plas Newydd. Also lots of broken branches around the gardens."

* Let us have any pictures you have of storm damage in the area.

An emergency services update issued this afternoon says:

Update on #StormDarragh

The weather situation is improving today across North Wales, however, there is still a yellow weather warning for wind in place across the area until 6pm this evening.

A multi-agency response to clear fallen trees and debris from roads and other public areas has recommenced this morning.

Approximately 11,000 properties remain without electric at this time. Please contact 105 if you need assistance and are vulnerable without power to your home. Engineers are out across the area working to bring the power back as soon as possible.

We would like to remind the public to take care whilst out and about today as there is a risk of falling trees and roof tiles, which may have been affected by the storm.

All Natural Resource Wales sites remain close today for public safety.

Superintendent Alwyn Williams said “I would like to thank the public for heeding the advice of the Emergency Services during Storm Darragh. Your support has allowed us to dispatch resources to incidents and areas most in need and provide an effective emergency response during difficult circumstances. 

“I would also like to thank all the staff from all agencies that are still out working to help with the recovery of the storm today. Whilst the situation is improving homes are still without power and flood alerts and warnings are still in place so please take care whilst out and about today.”

Follow updates on social media from:

• Met Office (weather)

• Natural Resources Wales (floods)

• Traffic Wales (roads)

• Local authorities (local disruption)

• North Wales Fire and Rescue Service (fire and flooding updates)

Tribute to Dave Roberts who died last month

 

* Dave in 1969 when he was 21.

A well-known figure in Llangollen, David Ian Roberts, known to many as Dave, passed away peacefully at Wrexham Maelor Hospital on November 29, aged 75. 

He succumbed to complications arising from a kidney infection and diabetes.

Born on December 5, 1948 in Wrexham, Dave attended Grove Park Grammar School for Boys before pursuing higher education at Birmingham University, where he earned a degree in French. 

As part of his studies, he spent a transformative year at Toulouse University, developing a deep appreciation for French culture and language. Although Dave initially planned to become a teacher and attended Alsager teacher training college, he discovered that teaching was not his calling.

Dave's life took an exciting turn when he moved to London, where he worked as a researcher at the Royal Air Force Museum in Hendon. This role allowed him to explore his lifelong interest in aviation. 

* Dave with his beloved dog Gus.

On returning to Wrexham, he took up a creative role with David Winter Cottages, repairing and painting intricate cottage ornaments. It was during this time that his talent for painting scenery came to the fore, and he began working with Grove Park Theatre in Wrexham.

In 2005, Dave moved to Llangollen, where he became an active member of the local community. He joined the Twenty Club drama group, continuing his passion for detailed scene painting for theatrical productions. 

Dave was also a gifted photographer, often seen with his beloved dog, Gus, capturing the beauty of Llangollen town, and the surrounding areas. His love for music saw him photographing live bands at The Sun and serving as the resident photographer for the Twenty Club, where his work was cherished.

Dave's artistic talents, warm presence, and kind-hearted nature endeared him to all who knew him. He will be deeply missed by his brother Peter and his many friends in Llangollen, Wrexham, and beyond.

A celebration of Dave’s life will be held in Llangollen, where his love for art, photography, and music will be remembered. The date and time will be posted during the coming days.

His family and friends say they take comfort in the joy and creativity he shared with the world. 

Latest local roads weather update

Latest roads update from the North and Mid Wales Road Traffic Agent is:

Update 7/12 - Strong winds and heavy rain are making the roads impassable. A483 Dee and A5 Ceiriog viaduct remain closed due to high winds. Heavy rain has closed the diversion route A539 Ruabon to Llangollen and on the A5 Froncysyllte.  

 

We have issued messages to strongly advise that people do not travel in this area.

 

Latest updates will be provided via www.traffic.wales, X and Facebook.

* North Wales Police have just posted:

#StormDarragh advice is still to avoid travelling if possible - but if you are thinking of travelling please be aware that there are several locations along the A55 that have been impacted by the storm and may be impassable. Plan ahead by following Traffig Cymru Gogledd a Chanolbarth Traffic Wales North & Mid