Police appeal follows fatal road collision in Bwlchgwyn

North Wales Police have this afternoon (Saturday) launched an appeal for information following a fatal road collision in Bwlchgwyn yesterday evening.

It says: "We are appealing for witnesses following a fatal collision involving four motorcycles and a Range Rover Evoque on the B5340 at Bwlchgwyn, Wrexham at 19:38hrs on Friday 15th August 2025.

"Sadly, despite the best efforts of emergency services, the male rider of one of the motorcycles was pronounced dead at the scene. A second rider sustained serious injuries and was taken by ambulance to Wrexham Maelor Hospital, where he remains under treatment."

Sergeant Alun Jones of the Roads Crime Unit said: “Firstly, I would like to offer my sincere condolences to the family at this very difficult time. This is now being investigated as a fatal road traffic collision.

“I am appealing to anyone who may have witnessed the incident, or who was travelling in the area and may have dash cam or mobile footage, to contact us.

“The road was closed for several hours whilst the Forensic Collision Investigation Unit carried out initial enquiries, and we thank the public for their patience and understanding.”

* Anyone with information is urged to contact the Roads Crime Unit via the live webchat on the North Wales Police website or by calling 101, quoting reference number C126741.

Intrepid fitness fans' hot idea to open their own sauna

* The newly-opened STōKED SAWNA in its outdoor setting near Mile End Mill. 

Two proud Welsh men who say they are "passionate" about health and fitness have just opened their own sauna business in Llangollen.

Over 15 years of friendship Gilbert Matthew and Mark Roberts have shared many adventures, from skateboarding the length of Wales in memory of two close friends and raising £25,000 for Nightingale House Hospice to kayaking the River Dee from source to sea. 

It was during one of these trips that the two hatched the plan to bring a wood-fired sauna to their home area in the Dee Valley.

A post-surf sauna session got them talking about how wonderful the experience was - as they describe it, "The contrast of spending time in the elements and then coming to a serene place of calm, winding the body down after exertion, and looking out of the sauna to a beautiful place".

* The men behind the idea, Gilbert Matthew and Mark Roberts. 

And that is how STōKED SAWNA, based at the far end of Mile End Mill’s car park, was born.

They spent many hours over the summer of 2024 transforming an Ivor Williams trailer into an off-grid sauna, both bringing an eye for detail and an ambition to create a truly special place for their local community. 

Mark is a skilled joiner and brought a honed talent to the building of STōKED. Gilbert is a specialized welder by trade, so he was able to bring energy and drive with a touch of engineering precision to the project.

The new business has already created between four and eight part-time sauna host roles.

They say: "Together we have created a beautiful sauna that is a joy to while away an hour or so in. 

"We are excited to welcome you to STōKED SAWNA, making Llangollen a hotter, healthier and happier place to live or visit."

* For more details of the new business, go to: www.stokedsawna.co.uk

Legion marks 80th anniversary of VJ Day in Centenary Square

Members of the Royal British Legion's Llangollen branch held a short ceremony in Centenary Square this morning (Friday) to mark the 80th anniversary of VJ Day, when the Second World war officially came to an end on August 15 1945.   

Before the traditional two minutes' silence at 11am came the reading of the famous passage from For the Fallen by Laurence Binyon: "They shall grow not old, as we that are left grow old: Age shall not weary them, nor the years condemn. At the going down of the sun and in the morning, We will remember them."

The ceremony, held in brilliant sunlight, ended with the well-known verse from the Kohima Epitaph: "When you go home, tell them of us and say, For your tomorrow, we gave our today". 

Ales are blessed at cheery St Collen's gathering

* Father Lee draws himself a foaming pint of ale. Below, people enjoy the gathering amongst the aisles.

It was cheers all round at St Collen's Church last night (Thursday) as free beer was served at a Blessing of the Ales ceremony.

On the feast of St Arnold of Soissons — patron saint of beer and brewers — there was a special beer tasting.

A rare 16th-century prayer was said to bless the ales, honouring a tradition as old as the church's historic hammer-beam roof which even has a carving of a man who is rolling beer barrels,

Everyone was welcome — whether they were church-goers or not.

Priest in charge, Father Lee Taylor, who organised the event, said:  "The church has always been a gathering place for the whole community and this was a joyful way to bring people together.

"So we raised a glass responsibly, enjoyed some local brews and celebrated in good spirits!"

Ysgol Dinas Bran celebrates set of 'fantastic' A Level Results

Students and staff at Ysgol Dinas Brân are celebrating another set of "fantastic" A level and vocational results, with students achieving "outstanding" grades and going on to top universities and other highly sought-after destinations.

A highly successful year with nearly quarter of all qualifications taken were passed with grades A* or A, with nearly 60% achieving grades A* to B.

The overwhelming majority of students making higher education applications have secured places at universities of their choice, including some of the most prestigious in the country.

Headteacher Mark Hatch said: "Our students have demonstrated impressive determination and resilience as a year group, tackling challenges with confidence. 

"We are proud of their remarkable achievements and delighted to see such success across a wide range of abilities, subjects, and qualifications. Once again, the results are impressive across the board, a testament to the hard work our students have put in. 

"We are extremely proud of each student’s individual accomplishments. We extend our heartfelt congratulations to all students and thank their teachers and parents for their vital support in making these results possible.”

Council looks at plan to turn historic mill into holiday let

An historic listed woollen mill in the Ceiriog Valley could become a holiday let if plans are approved by Wrexham Council.

According to a story in Wrexham.com, the Grade II-listed Old Mill Welsh Shop was built in the 18th century as a small village flannel mill and is one of the oldest buildings in Llanarmon Dyffryn Ceiriog at the foot of the Berwyn mountains.

* For the full story, see: Plans to turn historic Ceiriog Valley mill into holiday let - Wrexham.com

Pioneering safety scheme targets sharp bend near Llangollen

A pioneering new road safety scheme is targeting sharp bends across north Wales - including one near Llangollen - to help protect motorcyclists.

* For the full story in the Denbighshire Free Press, see: New road safety scheme introduced on roads in North Wales | Denbighshire Free Press