Rescue plan for town's public toilets suffers major setback

* The rescue plan for the Market Street public toilets has suffered a setback.

The county council has confirmed that its bid for funding to help facelift and save Llangollen’s public toilets from closure has failed.

But Denbighshire says it is now looking at alternative funding possibilities and remains committed to keeping the Market Street conveniences open.

Suggestions last summer that the toilets could close along with all the others across the county in a bid to dig Denbighshire out of a massive financial black hole caused deep concern in the town since after the plan was revealed by llanblogger.

A public meeting was called to hammer out the issue back in the summer with many people voicing their fears about the damage any loss of the toilets would mean to Llangollen businesses relying heavily on the tourism trade and also to residents themselves.

Although the meeting was inconclusive local MP Becky Gittins and Senedd Member Ken Skates began working behind the scenes to secure an amicable solution to the problem.

Meanwhile, Llangollen Town Council was looking closely at the financial situation to see if anything could be done by them.

And a possible answer was put forward which would see the county and town councils working jointly on a salvage plan.

Basically, while the county would put in a bid for around £40,000 to the Brilliant Basics Fund, which assists in the provision of small-scale tourism infrastructure improvements across Wales, the town council would contribute about £4,000 towards the renovation of the toilets.

The Town Clerk said he confident there was sufficient money in the reserves to cover the amount.

But there has now been a major setback to the plan after Brilliant Basics rejected the funding application.

This has been confirmed by a spokesperson for the county who said: “Denbighshire County Council had recently applied to the Brilliant Basics Fund to upgrade public conveniences and assist in keeping as many of them open as possible, but this funding bid was unsuccessful. 

“Officers are now looking at alternative funding opportunities to secure funds. This will take some time to work through, but the council remains committed and confident that the required funds can be sourced to deliver an effective and sustainable long-term solution to keeping these facilities open where there is a defined need to do so.”

Llangollen county councillor Karen Edwards said: "Since my initial statement on the DCC proposed budget savings measures, which included the prospect of the closure of the public conveniences in Llangollen and other towns in Denbighshire and the subsequent discussions that have taken place which included the consultation process and the draft toilet strategy report,  I have refrained from making any further statements due to the simple fact that I was waiting to see if the application was successful.

"Last week, prior to me attending the Town Council meeting, I emailed the Corporate Director asking for an update and was informed that the authority had just received the disappointing news that the application had been unsuccessful.

 

"The officers will now be exploring alternative funding sources, and I expect to be provided with an update in due course.

 

"Throughout this process I have always vehemently opposed the proposed closure of the public conveniences in Llangollen and will continue to do so for all the reasons that are blatantly obvious, we all know how vital it is to retain these facilities.

 

"I would also like to take this opportunity to extend my gratitude to everyone for their continued proactive support."

Rod Holt, who has campaigned hard to save the toilets and organised last year’s public meeting at the Town Hall, said of the latest development: “An Eisteddfod spokesperson once said, ‘for one week of the year , the eyes of the world are on Llangollen,’ and they had a point.

“In this case though ‘It’s the eyes of the world are always on Llangollen’.

“We all got together to prove that these toilets are vital to Llangollen - residents, day trippers , locals from neighbouring villages, tourists, business owners, disabled people, pensioners, children ,parents, people with medical issues – all need these toilets. So please do not let us down Denbighshire County Council because the eyes of the world are watching.

“I would also like to see statements about this from our local MP Becky Gittins and local Senedd Member and Welsh Minister Ken Skates.”

Ken Skates, Member of the Senedd for Clwyd South said: "While this is clearly disappointing news, Becky and I will continue to work with the council and help them however we can."

Local MP, Becky Gittins, said “I have been in communication with both town council representatives and the DCC leader and I am confident that we will find a way forward. Keeping Llan toilets open to the public is a commitment shared by all parties involved, myself and Ken, DCC and the Town Council, and we will continue to work together to ensure the best outcome for the town.”

Over £42 million of unclaimed benefits in Denbighshire

Denbighshire Council is participating in a new, innovative project to identify residents who are missing out on over £42 million of unclaimed benefits. 

Over 13,000 Denbighshire households are missing out on financial support resulting in over 28,500 missed claims.

 

Led by the Welsh Government, 12 local authorities across Wales are participating in the project from January-December 2025 to identify and reach out to residents who may not realise they’re eligible for support.

 

Last year, pensioners across Denbighshire gained £872,442 in unclaimed benefits following a proactive Pension Credit campaign. In total, 115 residents benefitted, with £215,142 Pension Credit claims however, other benefits including Attendance Allowance, Council Tax Reduction, State Pension, Housing Benefit, Personal Independence Payment and the Winter Fuel Payment were also identified as a result of full benefit checks.

 

Participating in the pilot project will provide an opportunity to build on the Council’s successes and provide much needed support to even more households.

 

Working with the data analytics company, Policy in Practice, the Council will be using the Low-Income Family Tracker (LIFT) platform to identify residents who are missing out on financial support. The platform will enable the Council to develop and implement campaigns based on more robust data analysis to reach our most vulnerable households. Policy in Practice estimates over £2 billion of benefits are unclaimed in Wales each year.

 

Councillor Jason McLellan, Leader of Denbighshire County Council and Lead Member for Economic Growth and Tackling Deprivation said: "I’m really pleased that Denbighshire is part of this pilot. Maximising income through the take up of benefits and reducing expenses is essential to help residents on low incomes with rising living costs. 

"The LIFT platform will be a vital component in helping us proactively identify our vulnerable residents before they reach crisis levels.

Making it simpler for people to access the support they need will make a real difference to the financial wellbeing of individuals as well as strengthening our local communities.”

 

Deven Ghelani, Director and founder of Policy in Practice, said: "We're thrilled to work with Denbighshire Council to help put over £42 million of unclaimed benefits and support directly into the pockets of local people. As one of the first councils in Wales to proactively use their data and our LIFT platform to identify and engage with individual households, Denbighshire is leading the way in supporting residents. This money has the power to lift thousands of families out of hardship, making a real difference in their lives."

Coffee morning tomorrow for Myanmar Earthquake Relief Fund

A coffee morning and sale in aid of the Myanmar Earthquake Relief Fund will be held in the Memorial Hall, Market Street, tomorrow (Tuesday) from 10am to 12noon.

Work completed to restore wild flower meadow near Llangollen

Work to restore valuable wildflower meadows at Caeau Pen y Coed near Llangollen has recently been completed.

Natural Resources Wales (NRW) has funded scrub management at the site, which is owned by the Woodland Trust. 

The aim is to help restore and protect species-rich neutral grassland, a rare and declining habitat found only at a few Sites of Special Scientific Interest (SSSIs) in North East Wales.

Yearly scrub management at Caeau Pen y Coed involves cutting back and removing encroaching scrub to allow the grassland to re-establish. This is a standard conservation approach used to protect lowland meadows, which support a wide variety of flowering species crucial to biodiversity.

The work took place between January and February and will continue over the next five years, subject to funding. Plans include expanding the work area, cutting back further scrub, and maintaining the areas already restored.

Since the Second World War, 97% of wildflower meadows in the UK have been lost due to changing land use and intensification. With so few examples of this rare habitat remaining, efforts to restore and maintain sites like Caeau Pen y Coed are vital.

Rhys Ellis, Denbighshire Environment Team Leader at NRW, said: “Lowland meadows are one of the UK’s most threatened habitats, and we must do everything we can to protect and restore them.

"Scrub management at Caeau Pen y Coed is a key step in bringing this important site back to good condition, helping a diverse range of flowering species to thrive. Working with the Woodland Trust, we are committed to continuing this effort and expanding the restoration work over the coming years.”

Rebecca Good, Site Manager (North East & Mid Wales) for Woodland Trust, said: “Coed Cadw manages a variety of important habitats across its estate. The grassland at Pen Y Coed is now seeing an increase in many species such as meadow buttercup, red clover and ox-eye daisy. We hope that working through this partnership we will continue to see these grassland species expand across the site.”

Sign up for the latest World Heritage Walk for Nightingale House Hospice

Nightingale House Hospice is hosting its latest World Heritage Walk on Sunday May 8 In aid of its funds.

It's a 13-mile trek through beautiful scenery along the legendary towpaths and footpaths of Llangollen and Oswestry, an area steeped in local heritage.

Walking with fellow Nightingale House supporters, breath-taking scenery will greet those taking part at every twist and turn, including the iconic Pontcysyllte Aqueduct, Chirk Aqueduct, Trevor Basin and the Chirk Tunnel.

As well as raising much-needed funds for the hospice, this is also an opportunity to walk through some of the region’s most picturesque countryside, an area awarded the status of World Heritage Site by UNESCO.

* People taking part in a previous World Heritage Walk.

There is no registration fee but the hospice encourages you to raise as much sponsorship as you  can.

Children are welcome with an appropriate adult. However, all participants must be able to walk the full 13 miles. Each person taking part in the walk must register (including children). Dogs are also welcome but must be kept on leads and are the responsibility of the owner.

You will start your journey by meeting the Nightingale House team at the Lion Quays in Oswestry where free parking will be provided. A free shuttle bus provided by Pats Coaches will transport you to the Chainbridge Hotel in Llangollen where your walking adventure will begin. 

The walk will last approximately four or five hours and organisers say you can take as long as you wish to complete it although the Nightingale House team will leave the Lion Quays at 4pm. 

* For more information, please contact the fundraising team on 01978 314 292 or email fundraising@nightingalehouse.co.uk

Volunteer Rangers sought to help care for the Dee Valley

* Among the places where Volunteer Rangers are based is the Horseshoe Falls.  

The Clwydian Range and Dee Valley Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB) is looking for Volunteer Rangers who would like to help the team take care of the southern end of the designated landscape. 

The Dee Valley is an iconic area of truly outstanding scenery rich in cultural and industrial heritage. 

As a ranger, you can become an ambassador for the AONB, share your love and knowledge of this area, and inspire local people and visitors alike to help protect what makes the Dee Valley so special.

 

Volunteer Rangers will primarily be based at two of the most popular sites in the area - Castell Dinas Brân, the ancient hill fort which overlooks Llangollen, and Horseshoe Falls, Thomas Telford’s masterpiece and starting point for the Pontcysyllte Aqueduct and Canal World Heritage Site.

 

They will be provided with branded uniform and will meet and engage with members of the public, sharing information and answering questions.

 

Volunteers are being sought to help the Ranger team at their busiest times, so we are looking for people who can commit to at least a couple of days a month during weekends. All new Volunteer Rangers will receive training prior to starting in their roles.

 

Alan James, Lead Member for Local Development and Planning said: “This is a fantastic opportunity as getting outdoors and experiencing our amazing environment around the Dee Valley can be really beneficial for helping individual physical and mental health.

 

“It’s also very important work to protect the nature in the Dee Valley to help preserve the area for people to continue to visit and enjoy and I encourage those who love where they live around this amazing part of the world to take up this opportunity."

 

The role is open to anyone over the age of 18, with no previous experience required but a love of the landscape is essential. If you are interested in joining the team, an introductory information session about the roles will be held in Llangollen on Wednesday April 30 between 6pm and 8.30pm.

 

* To book your place or to ask for more information, contact Christina Sheehan (christina.sheehan@denbighshire.gov.uk 07880 023259) who will confirm the meeting location closer to the date. The closing date for expressions of interest is Wednesday April 23.

 

 

Library-based navigators can help with your well-being

* A Community Navigator at work in a library.

Based at all of Denbighshire’s Libraries including Llangollen, Talking Points are an easy and convenient way for Denbighshire residents to find out what help and support is available in their local area.

Set up to help improve residents’ health and well-being, the Community Navigators who are stationed at each Talking Point session provide Denbighshire residents with face-to-face support and advice county-wide, with the team attending a different library each day of the week.

The Community Navigators service is provided by the British Red Cross in partnership with Denbighshire County Council and work along-side key partners such as Working Denbighshire, Cwmpas, Citizens Advice, NHS Audiology and My Home Denbighshire.

There is no need to book an appointment to go to a Talking Point and residents can simply turn up at a Talking Point when one is taking place. However, appointments can still be booked if requested.

The Talking Points session in Llangollen is held every Thursday from 10am until 12.30pm

Michael Vinsome, Community Navigator said: "As a Community Navigator, I support people facing a wide range of challenges – from practical concerns like housing or finances to emotional and psychological struggles.

"What makes this role so rewarding is knowing we're in it for the long haul. We don’t just signpost – we stay involved, making ongoing referrals for as long as someone needs us. The feedback we receive from people we've helped is genuinely moving, and it’s what makes this work feel so worthwhile."

Councillor Elen Heaton, Lead Member for Health and Social Care said: “Talking Points are easily accessible at Denbighshire’s local Libraries, where the friendly Community Navigators and always ready to help and chat.

"The support available through the Talking Points sessions is wide ranging thanks to the work that the Community Navigators do with partnering organisations. I would urge anyone who thinks they may need some support to go along to their nearest talking points session.”

* For more information, please go to: https://www.denbighshire.gov.uk/en/health-and-social-care/adults/talking-points.aspx