Thailand cyclists have a rest in Vienna and a soggy ride for Budapest

* Battling through the rain and wind on the way to Budapest.

A couple of days' well-earned rest was on the itinerary for the three Llangollen area lads cycling to Thailand as they hit Vienna on day 35 of their epic journey,

Dyfan Hughes, 17, James Thomas, 18, and Louis Dennis, 18, had never ridden a bike further than the shop near their homes when they set out a few weeks go on their 18-month quest to reach Asia.

Once there they aim to meet up with their friend Harrison who moved to Thailand six months ago after his dad died from a heart attack and to raise money for heart research. 

* The route taken by the lads to Vienna.

After storming across Europe they arrived in the Austrian capital to be overawed by its sheer scale and architectural beauty.

There was no cycling on the agenda for a day or two as they relaxed and did their washing. There was also a time for a little fun as they visited one of the big amusement parks.

Back on the road their next major objective was Budapest and they were soon battling through high winds and driving rain.

The final video bulletin of the week saw them looking forward to meeting Louis's mum and dad in the Hungarian capital city on the Saturday.  

* To follow the journey on their social media and make a donation if you wish go to: https://linktr.ee/westheads

Temporary traffic order made for Barbers Hill, Vivod

 

Denbighshire County Council has made a temporary traffic order prohibiting vehicles using Barbers Hill, Vivod, Llangollen effective from September 11, extending westward from its junction with Willow Street for a distance of approximately 520 metres.

The council says the closure is necessary to facilitate installation of ducting and a new carriageway chamber by Dave Group Ltd on behalf of Openreach.

Pedestrian access will be maintained throughout the period of closure.

The signposted alternative route will be via Willow Street, Hall Street, A5 junction opposite Ystrad Hall on A5 to Tyn y Celyn Farm, and Foel to Vivod Bridge.

The works are expected to last approximately until September 25.

High wind fells tree which blocks the canal and touches nearby house

* The fallen tree blocks the canal, the towpath and has gone across the hedge to touch the house on the other side.

This morning's high winds blew down a large tree on the canal, completely blocking the waterway and the hampering walkers on the towpath.  

Its upper branches were also left touching the side of a house on the other side of the nearby hedge.

The fallen tree forced Llangollen Wharf to cancel the day's horse-drawn boat trips towards the Chain Bridge, which its manager Neil Tuffton reckons will have cost him between £300-£500 in lost revenue and cancellations.

* Some towpath walkers were able to negotiate the branches. Others were not.

He said: "The tree came down near the entrance to the marina sometime between nine and nine-thirty this morning and had been standing on the bank opposite.  

"As it had completely blocked the canal there was no alternative but to cancel the day's trips towards the Chain Bridge, which is four in all.

"I've spent the rest of the day phoning people who had booked to explain that we'd unfortunately had to cancel.

"I estimate that this will have cost us somewhere between £300 and £500 but it's just one of those things."

There was no-one available at the house on which the top section of the tree was lying.

More hardy walkers were able to duck under the tree to negotiate the towpath while others were seen to walk away in the opposite direction. 

* Today's horse-drawn boats towards the Chain Bridge had to be cancelled.

Around 2pm a spokesperson for the Canal & River Trust which controls the waterway said: "I’ve spoken to our teams in the area, and they’ve confirmed that contractors should be on site, if not arriving soon, and will be also attending another large branch that’s blocking the towpath further downstream."  

Family celebrate the life of the late Daphne Stallard

* Daphne Stallard.

Family members have set up a special website to celebrate the life Daphne Stallard who was killed in a road collision in Llandudno earlier this month.  

Mrs Stallard, 89, was the widow of the Rev Charles Stallard with whom she lived in Llangollen for 10 years at the time her son-in-law, the Rev Andrew Sully, was vicar of St Collen's.

She was the mother of the Rt Rev Mary Stallard, Andrew's wife, who has been Bishop of Llandaff in Cardiff since 2023.

On the website, the family says: "This site is a tribute to Daphne Stallard who passed away tragically and unexpectedly in Llandudno on Monday, 1st September 2025, aged 89 years. Of St Mary’s Road, Llandudno Daphne was an active Christian and volunteered in many roles, she also loved her garden, walking and letter writing. 

"Daphne was the loving wife of the late Reverend Charles, a proud Mum to Andy, Mary and John and a much loved Mam-gu to Harry, George, Jo and Carys. She was close to all her family especially Fiona and Andrew her daughter in law and son in law and all her relatives. Daphne will be sadly missed by everyone that knew her." 

Daphne's funeral service will take place at Holy Trinity Church, Llandudno followed by a private family committal at Colwyn Bay Crematorium, on Monday September 22 at 12 noon.

The family add: "Family flowers only please. We are nominating just the two charities detailed here only, any contributions to these would be so gratefully received." 

Donations in memory of Daphne will be gratefully received towards Christian Aid, Gaza Appeal and/or Marie Curie Nurses, from this page or via the donations box at the funeral.

* To see the website, go to: Tribute to Daphne Stallard, 1935 - 2025

Road maintenance work planned for Nant Y Garth Pass

Denbighshire County Council Highways are set to begin works on a major Welsh Government funded road maintenance scheme on the A525 Nant Y Garth Pass. 

Significant resurfacing work is due to take place on the stretch of road from September 15 to October 19, weather permitting.

Traffic will be controlled using stop/go boards with convoy working so some delays should be expected, says the council.

As part of the works the road markings and studs will also be refreshed.

Some preparation work has already commenced, comprising of fence repairs and drain cleansing. 

The council has earmarked 57 locations in the county a two-year road maintenance programme, worth £4.780m over the next two yeears, to improve the carriageway surface condition on sections of the road network.

Cllr Barry Mellor, Lead Member for Environment and Transport, said: “The council is fully aware that the state of Denbighshire’s road network is a regular topic from our residents. 

"We are grateful for the Welsh Government funding which will, along with the Nant y Garth Pass,  allow us to tackle a large section of our network which needs improving."

* Further information is available on our website www.denbighshire.gov.uk 

Museum tries to link huge Virginian estate with Llangollen

* Llangollen Farm pictured when it went on for sale $34m in 2019.

Llangollen Museum has been trying to help an American woman find links between the town and a prosperous family in the United States.

Back in September 2019 llanblogger carried a story about Llangollen Farm in the state of Virginia going on the market for a cool $34 million.

The equestrian estate had once been owned by the Powell family and was called after Llangollen because their ancestors were supposed to come from here.  

Six years later and the museum recently had a visit from Elizabeth Cooper, from Oregon. She was only in Llangollen for the day, having travelled here on the canal.

A descendant of the Powell family, she was attempting to find links with her Powell ancestors in Llangollen.  

But Peter Jones from the museum team says that although parish records show baptisms of Powells as early as 1625 it was not possible to link them with the Virginia Powells.  

Peter, who has exhaustively researched the subject, went on: "The first Powell associated with the house [in Virgina] was Lt Col Leven Powell (1738 - 1810). He was a member of the First Continental Congress. He was a major, then a Lt. Colonel in the Continental Army.  

"He was with George Washington and the Continental Army for a period of time but after a long illness at Valley Forge, he was furloughed by Gen. Washington.  

"His son was Cuthbert Powell (1775 - 1849) who made his fortune alongside his brother, Leven Powell, Jr. (1772-1807), as a merchant and ship owner. In 1788 Cuthbert married Catherine Simms, daughter of Col. Charles Simms. The couple had ten children. 

"He retired to 'Llangollen,' Loudoun County, Virginia in 1812 after a decline in business. Later he was elected to serve in both houses of the Virginia General Assembly; the Virginia State Senate in 1829 and the Virginia House of Delegates in 1840. 

"He completed preparatory studies; studied law, was admitted to the bar, and practiced in Alexandria and was mayor of Alexandria. He engaged in agricultural pursuits, held various local offices, served in the State senate 1815-1819; member of the State house of delegates in 1828 and 1829, elected as a Whig to the Twenty-seventh Congress (March 4, 1841-March 3, 1843) died in 'Llangollen,' Loudoun County, Va., May 8, 1849. Cuthbert was interred in the private cemetery on his estate, 'Llangollen,' near the town of Upperville in Loudoun County, Va."

llanblogger's story on Llangollen Farm, Virginia, told how five million acres of prime land in the state were granted to the Fairfax family by the kings of England in the 17th century, 600 of which ended up with the Powells who built an impressive mansion which passed from one blue blood owner to another.

They included the Whitneys who founded the Llangollen Race Meeting, a steeplechase that attracted 20,000 spectators, and built ancillary buildings on the property, including the now-famous “horseshoe stables” for their show-ponies. They added a polo field, nine houses for guests, a race track, a training track, and, most impressive of all, a hyper-sophisticated water system that remains to this day. 

Civic Service celebrates community of Llangollen

* The Mayor and Mayoress follow the Deputy Mayor into church.

* Llangollen Silver Band plays during the service.

* Civic heads from neighbourhood local authorities.

* The  Community Candle was lit at the front of the church.

Llangollen Town Council arranged a Civic Service at St Collen's Church this morning (Saturday).

Led by Father Lee Taylor, it was attended by the Town Mayor and Mayoress, Councillor Aled Morris and Sarah Griffiths, the Deputy Mayor, Cllr Damon Richards-Gwilliam, and a number of town councillors. Llangollen Silver Band provided the music.

Also present was the area's MP, Becky Gittins, civic heads from neighbouring local authorities and representatives of local organisations and businesses including Llangollen Railway, Llangollen Wharf, Llangollen FoodShare, the Royal British Legion's local branch, Llangollen Inner Wheel, Llangollen Museum and Cytun (Churches Together) Llangollen.

In his address, Father Lee spoke about the importance of community and the Mayor lit a symbolic Community Candle at the front of the church as a sign of the town's shared responsibility and hope for every part of life in Llangollen. Smaller candles were lit by the representatives of organisations and businesses. 

Later, there was a reception at the Town Hall for all those who attended.