Llanblogger - news from Llangollen

Wednesday, March 5, 2025

MP backs tough new action to tackle anti-social behaviour

* Becky Gittins MP.

Clwyd East MP Becky Gittins has backed tough new action on antisocial behaviour and town centre crime as new Crime and Policing Bill is launched.

The UK Government has just introduced a raft of measures, including new Respect Orders and action against shoplifting, as part of its flagship Crime and Policing Bill.

Respect Orders will enable swift enforcement against persistent antisocial behaviour offenders.

The Orders come as new data shows that North Wales failed to hand out a single Penalty Notice for Disorder for ASB in 2023 – down from over 1800 in 2010.

The new legislation also includes action on shoplifting, including introducing a new offence of assaulting a retail worker. The Bill will scrap a law which deprioritised the theft of goods under £200. Statistics show there last year there were 90 incidences of shoplifting per week last year in North Wales.

The Bill will also give the police new powers to enter premises without a warrant, enabling the police to search and seize stolen property swiftly which they believe is at an address.

This action comes as the number of snatch thefts last year reached 85,000 across England and Wales.

The new measures will be supported by the government’s plan to recruit 13,000 additional police officers, PCSOs and special constables into neighbourhood policing roles over the course of this Parliament.

Becky Gittins said: “People in our towns and neighbourhoods across Clwyd East are rightly concerned about anti-social behaviour and I am delighted that action is being taken.

“This is an area of policing that has been deprioritised for too long. Antisocial behaviour chips away at our communities’ confidence and pride, undermines local businesses and can have a devastating impact on victims.

“This package of measures, including the introduction of tough new Respect Orders, and Government action on shoplifting, cannot come soon enough. The Crime and Policing Bill is a vital step towards the safer streets promised in this Government’s Plan for Change."

Tuesday, March 4, 2025

Plas Newydd's dazzling crocus purple patch

Llangollen’s historic Plas Newydd has once again been transformed into a stunning sea of purple and white as thousands of crocuses burst into bloom across its lawns.

Visitors to the picturesque site are being treated to a spectacular display of colour, marking the arrival of spring in the heart of North Wales.

Crocuses are among the first flowers to bloom in late winter to early spring, often appearing as early as February.

The vibrant flowers provide a crucial source of nectar and pollen for early-emerging bees and other pollinators.

The gardens at Plas Newydd are renowned for their romantic setting and rich history, famously associated with the Ladies of Llangollen. Lady Eleanor Butler and Miss Sarah Ponsonby made the site their home in the late 18th century and were lovers of nature and gardening.

The Ladies transformed the grounds into a romantic landscape filled with exotic plants, winding paths, waterfalls and decorative features that still enchant visitors today. The vibrant crocus display is a fitting tribute to their love of horticulture, adding to the beauty of the gardens they once cultivated.

The flowers are currently in full bloom and are expected to be at their peak for a further week. Visitors and photographers are encouraged to take advantage of this spectacular seasonal highlight before they fade for another year. The grounds of Plas Newydd in Llangollen are free to visit daily with gates closing at dusk.

Jillian Howe, National Landscape Community Engagement Officer, said: “The crocus display at Plas Newydd is always a breath-taking sight and this year’s bloom is truly exceptional. It’s wonderful to see so many visitors enjoying the gardens, just as the Ladies of Llangollen once did. Come and experience this stunning seasonal spectacle whilst the blooms are at their best!”

Councillor Alan James, Lead Member for Local Development and Planning added: “Plas Newydd is a historic gem that we are lucky enough to have on our doorstep here in Denbighshire. The historic property offers a unique exploration of a wealth of history and is a brilliant place to visit for all ages.”

Monday, March 3, 2025

Panto group hand over £2,500 to their chosen charities

* Above and below: Cast and crew of Beauty and the Beast line up for the cheque presentations to their two chosen charities.

Llangollen Pantomime group held their awards night and fundraising presentation at the RAFA Club on Saturday night.

The fantastic response from the Llangollen and surrounding community, which provided full houses every night of the latest show, Beauty and the Beast, enabled them to raise £2,000 for Hope House Ty Gobaith Hospice, whose representative, Vicky Bradbeer, was presented with a cheque for that amount.The group also raised funds for Llangollen Parks Group and Jess Evans received a cheque for £500 which will go towards their next project refurbishing Pengwern Park.

The group's Neil Barrett said: "It’s been a fantastic time for Llangollen’s Panto.

"Beauty and the Beast went down a storm with everyone who came to watch our performances enabling us to give an amazing amount to our chosen charities.

"We can't wait to get started on our next production in January 2026."

Sunday, March 2, 2025

County council reminds residents to sign up for garden waste service

Denbighshire’s garden waste subscription service will reopen to residents tomorrow Monday, March 3 with a revised payment structure which comes into effect from April 1.

Following a temporary suspension of the subscription process earlier this year to allow for an essential upgrade, subscriptions will be available again from 8am on Monday.

The council is encouraging residents who are subscribing for the first time to do this in good time to ensure their container can be delivered in time for April 1 and to take full advantage of the 12-month service.

Those residents who have an existing subscription which extends beyond April 1 will only pay a proportion of the 12-month subscription fee - from their renewal date to March 31 2026.

The revised subscription service will run for a 12-month period from April 1 to March 31 each year with online subscriptions costing £45 this year.

There is an additional £5 administration cost for subscription requests via the contact centre or the council’s One-Stop-Shops. Subscription fees are reviewed each year in line with inflation rates. Thereafter, from April 1 2026, all renewals, subscriptions, and upgrades will run in line with the financial year.

Denbighshire offers the two-weekly service as an optional and cost-effective way of recycling garden waste. With 26 collections per year, this equates to roughly £1.74 per collection. The subscription charge is necessary in order for the council to deliver this non-statutory service.

Councillor Barry Mellor, Lead Member for Environment and Transport, said: “Ahead of the rollout of the new garden waste subscription service, I would like to remind residents who want to sign up to do so at their earliest convenience to account for the delivery time of any new bins and to take advantage of the full 12-month service.

“We recognise that some residents experienced an interruption to their garden waste service during 2024, and as a gesture of goodwill the council will hold last year’s price for those affected residents for the 2025/26 period.”

Residents can check whether they have a live subscription on the bin collection dates page of the council’s website on www.denbighshire.gov.uk/bin-collection-dates