New Dot Cinema to re-open this Friday

                          * The first screening is the classic Stand By Me.

There are just five days to go until New Dot Cinema returns to Llangollen Town Hall for its first screening since 2023. Doors open this Friday, July 25, at 6.45pm.

To launch a new season of films, the popular community cinema will screen one of the definitive coming-of-age movies, Stand By Me. Setover a summer weekend in 1959, four inseparable friends set off on a two-day trek to look for a missing teenager’s body—a mission they hope will make them heroes in their small town. 

However, what starts out as a macabre adventure turns into so much more. It’s a funny, emotional, dramatic film about friendship, self-discovery and that fleeting moment between the innocence of childhood and the complicated world of adulthood.

Heulwen Wright, who is part of the team leading New Dot’s relaunch, is a firm fan of the film. She said: “We knew from the start that this would be the film we wanted to show first. It doesn’t matter if you’ve seen it many times, it’s such a classic that you can always find something new in it. We’re delighted that it’s our first film.” 

As part of the relaunch, New Dot also has new social media pages and a new website, all of which will showcase future films.

Tickets are £6 and are still available online via TicketSource (with a 50p booking fee) or from Laura’s Tea Room in Oak Street, Llangollen (cash only) and on the door on the night.

Residents left fuming over Horseshoe Fall illegal parking, says story

According to a story in Wales Online, residents were left fuming when scores of visitors parked illegally near a Denbighshire beauty spot. A long line of cars disrupted local traffic when parked on a narrow country lane near Horseshoe Falls, Llangollen.

Double yellow lines on the B5103 were ignored with some cars parking on blind bends. As the road is a main access route to Llantysilio and Rhewl, it was feared emergency vehicles would struggle to reach the rural communities.

* For the full story, go to: Beautiful World Heritage site in North Wales becomes 'dangerous nightmare' for drivers - Wales Online

Llangollen businesses are finalists in hospitality awards

* The Eisteddfod is a finalist in the Best Welsh Festival category.

A number of Llangollen businesses, including the Eisteddfod, a hotel and spa and an outdoor education centre, have been announced as finalists for Oceanic Awards' 7th Welsh Hospitality Awards 2025.

The awards aim to highlight excellence in Wales' vibrant hospitality industry. With a focus on recognising outstanding businesses and individuals, these awards highlight the very best in hotels, restaurants, bars, spas, and other sectors within the industry. 

The winners will be announced at a ceremony set to take place on September 10.

The local finalists are:

Outdoor Venue of the Year

·        Plas y Brenin (Betws-y-Coed)

·        Plas Menai National Outdoor Centre (Caernarfon)

·        Bryntysilio Outdoor Education Centre (Llangollen)

Best Welsh Festival

·        Llangollen International Musical (Eisteddfod)

·        FOCUS Wales (Wrexham)

Spa Retreat of the Year

·        The Wild Pheasant Hotel & Spa (Llangollen)

·        IXORA Hotel and Spa (Conwy)

Best Hotel Experience

·        Ruthin Castle Hotel and Spa (Ruthin)

·        Bodelwyddan Castle (Denbighshire)

·        Wild Pheasant Hotel & Spa (Llangollen)

*  Bryntysilio Outdoor Education Centre is a finalist for Outdoor Venue of the Year.

* The Wild Pheasant Hotel & Spa is a finalist in both the Spa Retreat of the Year and the Best Hotel Experience categories.

Eisteddfod volunteers meet for a catch-up at the Pavilion

Some of the many volunteers who made the recent 2025 Llangollen International Eisteddfod such as success met up for a chat and a social drink at the Pavilion last night (Saturday) hosted by the man now in charge there, Keith Potts. All pictures by Kurly Mawaha.

Former pupil Shea guests at Ysgol Dinas Bran awards evening

* Shea Ferron was guest at the school's annual awards evening.

A former student making it big in the entertainment world was guest speaker at Ysgol Dinas Bran's awards annual evening.

A school Facebook post says: "We were very pleased to welcome back ex-student Shea Ferron to present the awards.

"Shea told us of his ventures since leaving us, including his performance with Johns' Boys on Britain's Got Talent and the Royal Variety Show, and the role Ysgol Dinas Brân had played in his life.

"Shea also treated the attendees to a beautiful rendition of Somewhere over the Rainbow."

* The 2025 award winners line up.

The post adds: "A wonderful evening was had by all ... over 100 awards were presented as families watched on proudly.

"All of the award winners embodied the school’s motto ‘Success through effort’ and are a credit to their families and the school.

"We are already looking forward to next year and who the next recipients will be."

Latest summer activities arranged in Llangollen

Latest summer activities arranged in Llangollen by the South Denbighshire Community Partnership are listed here.

Tourists asked to play their part in preventing wildfires

* Wildfire sweeping through a Denbighshire landscape.

Visitors to the Denbighshire countryside are being asked to play their part in reducing the risk of wildfires in the county, including Llangollen's Horseshoe Falls.

With the recent dry weather, Denbighshire County Council and Clwydian Range and Dee Valley are issuing advice on how to prevent wildfires from spreading when out in the Countryside.

To ensure everyone's safety and preserve the beautiful landscape, the Clwydian Range and Dee Valley National Landscape are urging all visitors and campers at popular sites like Horseshoe Falls, Moel Famau and Loggerheads to swap their barbecues for picnics.

The use of barbecues, camping stoves, or campfires on these moorland areas carries an extreme fire risk and is strictly forbidden.

The council’s countryside rangers alongside North Wales Fire and Rescue service will be visiting key sites over the summer to directly inform visitors about the potential dangers of barbeques and countryside fires.

Councillor Alan James, Lead Member for Local Development and Planning, said: "We want every visitor to fully experience the beauty of the Clwydian Range and Dee Valley, however, our moorlands are incredibly vulnerable right now due to the warm weather recently.

"By making the simple choice to enjoy a picnic and leaving open flames at home, visitors are playing an essential role in keeping our sites safe and enjoyable for all.

“The impact of moorland wildfires goes far beyond the immediate flames. It can leave our landscape scarred for years, release harmful carbon and in the most extreme cases endanger human life.

“I’d like to acknowledge the hard work of our dedicated Clwydian Range and Dee Valley rangers, who are actively deploying fire risk signs and engaging with visitors to highlight these dangers”.

* To watch a short video to find out what to avoid go to: County Voice - Countryside visitors asked to play their part in reducing wildfire risk