Sewer collapse repairs cause major traffic queues

* The roadworks at the junction of Hill Street and Regent Street.

Emergency repairs to a collapsed sewer near to centre of Llangollen have been causing traffic queues on the main A5 in both directions throughout the day. 

A team working on behalf of the North and Mid Wales Traffic Agent were called in this morning (Monday) to deal with the collapse at the junction of Regent Street and Hill Street.

Lights put up to control traffic around the roadworks have created major congestion. 

It is understood the remedial work will continue at least for the next two or three days.  

* The huge excavation created to repair the collapsed sewer.

* Congestion along the A5 due to the roadworks.

County council on stand-by to cope with severe weather today

The Met Office has issued a yellow warning for severe weather in this area covering the period up until10pm.

They say that scattered showers and thunderstorms are expected to develop on Monday afternoon. 

They add that whilst these will be fairly fast-moving, rain may be intense for short periods of time and produce 20-30 mm in less than an hour, with 40-50mm within 1-2 hours in one or two places where thunderstorms grow larger. Lightning, hail and gusty winds will be additional hazards. Showers and thunderstorms will ease through the evening.

Denbighshire County Council says it has resources on standby throughout the warning period to respond to any weather-related incidents should they arise.

Further updates will be provided if deemed necessary.

You can report any issues to the council's Customer Service Team between 8:30am and 5:00pm Monday to Friday, by:

1) email to customerservice@denbighshire.gov.uk

2) telephone 01824 706000

3) visit in person a One Stop Shop.

4) use an online web form, available on Denbighshire’s website:

www.denbighshire.gov.uk/en/online-forms/online-forms.aspx

In the event of any emergency situation requiring an immediate response, contact should be made directly via the out of hours contact centre between 5:00pm and 8:30am including weekends on 0300 123 3068.

Grants aim to help tourist attractions handle bad weather

Visit Wales is running a small-scale capital grants fund in 2025-2026 to support tourism attractions, such as those in Llangollen, to invest in weather-proofing measures. 

Tourism attractions highlight poor weather as a significant factor affecting trade by preventing the them from operating as normal and by impacting negatively on the visitor experience and discouraging visits. 

Weather-proofing measures supported by this Fund will be aimed at:

• Mitigating these impacts by helping to support the business’s economic resilience and adaptability,
• Strengthening the climate resilience of the business, 
• Helping the business to offer its best possible welcome to visitors during the 2025 Year of Croeso.

The fund is offering capital grants of between £5,000 and £20,000, which must be used before March 31, 2026. No revenue costs will be considered. The grant can support up to 75% of the costs of the weather-proofing measures or up to £20,000 if this is less than 75% of the costs.

The remainder of the costs must be financed by the business from its own funds or private sources of finance. Applicants cannot use any other form of grant or funding from any public sector organisation as match funding. 

Eligible weather-proofing measures will include:

• Measures which mitigate the impact of poor weather on the business
• Measures which mitigate the impact of poor weather on the visitor experience

Tourism attractions are eligible if they: 

• Are accredited as visitor attractions under the VAQAS scheme (or are eligible and willing to seek VAQAS accreditation as a condition of grant) 
• Micro, small or medium sized enterprises (employing up to 249 employees) 
• Have been trading for at least one year as a limited company, partnership or sole trader or social enterprise 
• Receive visitors in a setting where poor weather can impact on the business performance and the visitor experience 

* Businesses interested, are asked to read the Guidance Notes and complete the Application Form, submitting the required documentation to WeatherProofingFund@gov.wales no later than 1pm on May 22.

For more information, email WeatherProofingFund@gov.wales or call 03000 622418.

Boxing legend Chris Eubank's memories of Llangollen

Boxing legend Chris Eubank has recalled how Llangollen helped shape his journey to becoming a world champion.

* To see the story in Leaderlive, go to: Boxing legend Chris Eubank Sr. on connections to Llangollen | The Leader 

Archives-inspired jigsaws now available at local libraries

* Piecing together the past with the help of jigsaws. 

A unique and engaging way to explore local history has arrived at local libraries in Denbighshire.

Thanks to a Welsh Government funded initiative, library users can now enjoy solving jigsaw puzzles based on historical archives.

 

Two designs are available in two different sizes. Each puzzle showcases a different piece of local history. 

The 48-piece design features a page from a book of heraldic shields from “The Painted Book” which has been reproduced with the kind permission of The Williams Wynn family. For the more avid puzzler the 1000-piece design features historic views of Denbighshire including picturesque Llangollen and Rhyl’s Victorian promenade.

 

Deborah Owen, Principal Librarian for Denbighshire, said: "Since we introduced our jigsaw library three years ago, they have been really popular with our library readers.

 

“We’ve got a selection of jigsaws for adults ranging from 35 to 1000 pieces and they are great for relaxation and relieving stress. They can also help with manual dexterity.

 

"We are very excited to have worked with North East Wales Archives to add some locally inspired jigsaws to our collection."

 

Councillor Emrys Wynne, Lead Member for Welsh Language, Culture and Heritage said:

“Archives and jigsaw puzzles are very similar - when putting the pieces together, hold the key to a greater picture.

 

“Children and adults find them engaging and fun, appreciating the challenge of working out how the pieces fit together.

 

“Completing a jigsaw puzzle can also give children and adults a sense of accomplishment and a boost to their confidence having successfully completed it.

 

“Why not take your child or grandchild to the nearest library and complete one of the puzzles together?”

Welsh Government Minister for Culture, Jack Sargeant, said: “These innovative jigsaws brilliantly combine a cosy activity with education, bringing Denbighshire's rich heritage directly into people's homes. By transforming our historical archives into engaging puzzles, we're making Welsh history more accessible and interactive. This typifies our commitment to preserving our cultural heritage whilst finding creative ways for communities to connect with their local history."

  

The archive-inspired jigsaws are available to borrow from all eight branch libraries starting this month. Each puzzle is accompanied by a brief historical context to enhance the learning experience and encourage discussion. With sizes and difficulty levels varying, there is something for everyone—from beginners to puzzle enthusiasts.

 

* To find your nearest library and opening hours visit their website at https://www.denbighshire.gov.uk/en/leisure-and-tourism/libraries/your-local-library.aspx

 

Volunteers help improve biodiversity at Wenffrwd Nature Reserve

* Volunteers working at Wenffrwd.

The Dee Valley Rangers and Nature for Health team alongside volunteers have been helping biodiversity bloom by planting wildflower plugs at Wenffrwd Nature Reserve.

The site in Llangollen has recently undergone a number of improvements including the introduction of a new path that links directly to the canal tow path.

 

Nature for Health is a collaborative project funded by the UK Government, that engages with individuals and communities to promote the role access to nature can play in improving health and wellbeing.

 

The programme welcomes people of all abilities to get involved with conservation and healthy outdoor lifestyle activities on your doorstep.

 

What was once a site for tipping household, commercial and industrial waste for Llangollen residents, the area is now a flourishing nature reserve for the public to enjoy.

 

The wildflower meadows provide food for pollinators and yellow meadow ants which make the anthills that you will see, and the thick bramble offers a safe area for birds and mammals, as well as many delicious blackberries.

 

The beech and pine woodland were also planted on an older section of landfill which provides excellent roosting opportunities for bats and homes for solitary bees.

 

Councillor Barry Mellor, Lead Member for Environment and Transport and biodiversity champion said: 

“The transformation of a former waste site to what is now a thriving nature reserve is a true testament to the hard work undertaken by our rangers and volunteers. I’d like to acknowledge and thank everyone involved for their hard work in revitalising this site and playing their part in enhancing biodiversity in the county."

 

* If you’d like to join a volunteer session, they are open to people of all abilities over the age of 18. For more information contact Christina Sheehan christina.sheehan@denbighshire.gov.uk or Hannah Taylor hannah.taylor@denbighshire.gov.uk

 

Police monitor speeds along Queen Street, Llangollen

* The police pictures of Queen Street posted on Facebook.

North Wales Police have messaged on Facebook this morning (Friday) that they have been monitoring speeds on Queen Street, Llangollen, where the 20mph begins and ends.

The post, in the name of Conwy and Denbigh Rural, says: "Over the past few days, speed checks have been conducted along Queen Street in Llangollen due to complaints from local residents.

"Our visibility appears to have had the desired effect with motorists taking note of our presence.

"We will be monitoring this area on a regular basis, please continue to stick to the speed limits. Thank you."