Young performers to sing live before next New Dot screening

* Ewan Smith and Rose Burgon will sing live before the next New Dot Screening.

New Dot Cinema has arranged to have two young local musicians, Ewan Smith and Rose Burgon, performing an acoustic set before it's next screening, A Complete Unknown, in just over a week's time.

Ewan, who gigs all over North Wales and beyond, has been playing for around 11-15 years, and his catalogue usually consists of 80's to present day rock and alternative music.

Rose, who is only 16 years old, lives in Llangollen. She enjoys singing a wide range of music from 60's folk to musical theatre and opera.

She is often seen performing on the many stages around Llangollen, both solo and collaborating with her friends.

A spokesperson for New Dot said: "We are really looking forward to having them both team up on Friday September 26.

"You can still get tickets for A Complete Unknown, the story of the early days of Bob Dylan, via our website www.newdotcinema.org or cash payments from Laura's Tearoom Llangollen or by scanning the QR Code on posters about town."

MS concerned over drop in the number of visitors to North Wales

* Sam Rowlands MS speaking in the Senedd chamber.

Sam Rowlands, Member of the Welsh Parliament for North Wales, says the fall in the number of visitors to his region this summer is "deeply troubling". 

Speaking in the Senedd, Mr Rowlands, chair of the Senedd’s Cross-Party Group on Tourism, asked First Minister Eluned Morgan did she appreciate the damage their policies were having on this sector.

 

Mr Rowlands, who constantly argued against the introduction of the 182-day holiday let rule and continues to voice his concern at the looming tourist tax, said: “Tourism is undeniably important to the Welsh economy, in particular in North Wales,  where it supports thousands of jobs and plays a vital role in local prosperity.

 

“As we know, the sector accounts for around one in eight jobs, contributing significantly to GVA. Yet, despite its importance, we continue to see policies that actively undermine the sector, and, as a result of this, in North Wales the picture is especially concerning.

 

“I have reported to me that over 70% of attractions in the region have reported fewer visitors this Summer, with some resorts seeing business fall by as much as 30%. For a region so reliant on seasonal trade, these figures are deeply troubling.

 

“Tourism businesses in Wales need our support. So, I ask: First Minister, does the Welsh Government recognise the damaging role that policies like the 182-day rule, underinvestment in marketing and the looming tourism levy are having on businesses like these?”

 

The First Minister said the visitor levy was partly being introduced to balance the needs of visitors with the needs of local communities and, regarding the 182 days, it was important that property owners make a fair contribution to the economy.

 

Mr Rowlands added: “The Welsh Labour Government is not listening to the very real concerns of holiday businesses owners and fears for the future of the tourism sector here in North Wales.

 

“I have said many times, it is heartbreaking to hear that owners face having to discount their properties or rooms to encourage more visitors to reach their 182-day let targets.

 

“Not only that we had the ridiculous introduction of a default 20pmh speed limit, which again puts people off visiting the area and now of course there are plans to charge tourists for staying in overnight accommodation from 2027.

 

“The tourism industry is struggling and the Welsh Labour Government need to give it more support.”

 

Why National Park consultation is not being held in Llangollen

Natural Resources Wales (NRW) has responded to a question over why Glyn Ceirog and not Llangollen has been chosen for the venue for a public consultation session on the proposed new National Park which includes the town. The 12-week consultation process on the planned Glyndŵr National Park by NRW began yesterday (Monday).

It follows two years of detailed evaluation commissioned by Welsh Government, including data gathering, technical assessments, and engagement with communities and stakeholders across the region. NRW has arranged a series of consultation sessions and the one for the Llangollen area is due to be held at the Ceiriog Centre in New Road on Wednesday October 15, from 4-7pm. However, llanblogger readers have questioned why it can’t be held in Llangollen itself as the larger area. A spokesperson for the NRW arranging the sessions said: “The choice of venues in 2025 has been influenced by a range of factors including when potential venue availability and our availability overlapped, a desire to provide opportunity in areas newly included in the proposal (Ceiriog valley for example) and a reasonable spread from North to South across the proposed National Park. “Llangollen has been a preferred venue for us and we used it in our earlier consultations in 2023 and 2024. “Unfortunately, we are unable to make it to Llangollen on this occasion, although there will be an event in Corwen which we felt would offer reasonable opportunity to people from the Llangollen area.” NRW’s programme manager, Ash Pearce, said: “This is a once-in-a-generation opportunity to protect nature, support communities, and shape a better future for this stunning part of Wales. We know change can be difficult, but with the right approach, a new National Park could bring real benefits for people, wildlife and the local economy. “Members of the public, organisations and stakeholders are encouraged to attend an event, examine the proposal and have their say by responding to the consultation." The person who questioned the session's location said: "I am concerned that this won't be adequately advertised in the Llangollen area and the response will be lower. The reliance on social media to get feedback or advertise events shows a lack of effort in trying to get a balanced response from the community." The person suggested that those who know about the Glyn Ceidiog meeting should spread the word to those they know are not on social media. * For information on the consultation events, visit: Statutory Consultation Events 2025 * To respond to the consultation, visit: https://ymgynghori.cyfoethnaturiol.cymru/north-east-gogledd-ddwyrain/proposed-national-park-statutory-consultation-2025 Responses must be received no later than the closing date, Monday 8 December 2025. For more information on the background to the proposal, visit: https://ymgynghori.cyfoethnaturiol.cymru/north-east-gogledd-ddwyrain/new-national-park-proposal-information-page-wales/

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Latest from the big dig at Castell Dinas Bran

* An area cordoned off for the dig around the castle.

Here's the latest on the archeological dig being carried out at Castell Dinas Bran in partnership with Heneb, the Clwydian Range & Dee Valley team and supported by Cadw.

llanblogger caught up on the excavations with Sue Evans and Sam Thomson from Llangollen Museum to hear how the first days of this year’s dig are unfolding.

Sue Evans said: “It was a very, very blustery start on Day 1 – the weather was against us, but spirits stayed high! Our focus this year is the medieval gatehouse, building on what we uncovered in 2023. 

"But what’s really exciting is that, for the first time, we’re putting a trench on the Iron Age ramparts. That’s completely new ground for us, and the team – including fantastic local volunteers – couldn’t wait to get started. We managed to strip turf on both trenches despite the wind, which felt like a real achievement.”

* A trench dug by experts to look further into the ground.

Sam Thomson: “By Day 2 things had calmed down a bit, at least on the eastern side. At the gatehouse trench we started to see later Victorian pottery coming up – probably linked to the old café that once stood on the castle site. Over at the ramparts, my trench exposed bedrock quite quickly on the slope, while colleagues working in the ditch unearthed medieval pottery – actually more than we found at the castle itself. It’s a reminder of just how complex the story at Dinas Bran is.”

Sue Evans again: “This is such an amazing opportunity for us, and we hope to be able to get some dating evidence during the dig which will enable us to consolidate what we think we know about the site. We will be sharing updates regularly, but if anyone is passing by, we’d love people to come along, ask questions, and see the progress for themselves. Our ultimate aim will be to have a display in the museum of the findings – watch this space!”

Dig background

The latest previous excavations at Dinas Bran shed new light on the medieval gatehouse. Archaeologists were able to confirm the layout of the defensive structures, including the portcullis, main gate door jamb, draw-bar holes, and the base of an elaborately carved wall pillar. 

Evidence also suggests there are still well-preserved sections of high-status masonry buried on site, which could help determine whether the princes of Powys employed Welsh or Marcher masons during construction.

The team also confirmed the location of the doorway into the southern turret guardroom and uncovered surviving medieval floor levels within the gate passageway. Although the original floor in the southern turret could not be reached due to deep backfill, it almost certainly remains intact.

While artefacts were limited, two decorated shards of 13th-century pottery were found at the eastern entrance. Most importantly, the excavation has shown that extensive medieval deposits still survive beneath layers of rubble and landscaping debris. This means there is strong potential for further discoveries and more precise dating evidence in future investigations.

Next Tourism Forum to be held at The Wild Pheasant

Tourism businesses and organisations are being invited to the next Denbighshire Tourism Forum, taking place on Wednesday, October 15 at The Wild Pheasant Hotel in Llangollen (10.30am–1.30pm).

The Forum offers a fantastic opportunity to hear about the latest developments in the sector, connect with like-minded businesses, and share experiences, say organisers.

This year’s programme includes a range of expert guest speakers:

• Gail Swan, Chair of the Taste North East Wales Food and Drink Group
• Lucy von Weber, Head of Marketing, Visit Wales
• Head of Service for Tourism, Denbighshire County Council

Delegates will have the chance to browse a variety of information stands from organisations including Coleg Cambria, Development Bank of Wales, Busnes@LlandrilloMenai, Woodland Skills Centre, Clwydian Range and Dee Valley National Landscape, Llangollen International Musical Eisteddfod, Llangollen & Corwen Railway and Denbighshire Tourism.

Councillor Alan James, Lead Member for Local Development and Planning, said: “Tourism plays such a vital role in Denbighshire’s economy and culture, and the Forum is a fantastic way for us to come together, share ideas and support one another. Whether you’re a small business, community organisation or part of a larger attraction, I’d encourage you to come along and be part of the conversation.”

Registration opens at 10.00am, with the Forum beginning at 10.30am, followed by a buffet lunch and networking at 1.30pm.

* Places are free, but booking is essential. Reserve your spot today: Eventbrite Booking Form.

MP welcomes new 'Hillsborough Law' as it starts its Parliamentary passage

Clwyd East MP Becky Gittins (pictured) has welcomed the long-awaited "Hillsborough Law" which the Government has been introduced into Parliament today.

Known officially as the Public Office (Accountabilty) Bil, it has been called for by the families of those who died during that tragedy.

It aims to introduce a new legal duty of candour on all public officials and authorities to prevent the kind of cover-ups seen after the Hillsborough disaster as well as in the Horizon Post Office and infected blood scandals and the Grefell Tower fire.

Public officials will have to act with honesty and integrity at all times and could face criminal prosecution if they failed to do so. The bill will introduce a new offence of misleading the public.

Becky Gittins said: “This law is for the 97 who lost their lives and for every family who had to fight for decades for the truth when the state let them down.

“I am proud that this Bill has been introduced and I will be supporting it in Parliament. It delivers the commitment I was elected to make and ensures that truth can never again be concealed by those in power.”

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