Latest local roadworks update from Denbighshire County Council

Latest local roadworks update from Denbighshire County Council is:

OUTSITE HOLLYTOPS, FRON BACHE, 05/11/2025 - 07/11/2025, Gwaith Dwr / Water Works HAFREN DYFRDWY (DCC), Ffordd ar Gau/Road Closure

JCT VICARAGE LANE/WILLOW STREET, 03/12/2025 - 04/12/2025, Torri Coed / Tree Cutting KTL CONTRACTING LTD

OUTSIDE NUMBER 40 MARKET STREET, 17/11/2025 - 19/11/2025, Gwaith Dwr / Water Works HAFREN DYFRDWY (DCC), Ffordd ar Gau/Road Closure

From Castle Street to Greenfield, MARKET STREET, 29/11/2025 - 29/11/2025, Ffair Nadolig / Christmas Fair, Ffordd ar Gau/Road Closure

Brook Street, Llangollen, BROOK STREET, 03/11/2025 - 27/03/2026, Active Travel Improvements from the A5 up Brook Street, towards Ysgol Bryn Collen / Y Gwernant, DCC TRAFFIC SECTION (BECK LLANGOLLEN) Goleuadau Traffig Dros Dro/ Temp Traffic Lights.

Cycling trio fight off colds as they head deep inside Turkey

* Out of Istanbul and into the Turkish countryside.

It was chesty colds all round last week for the three Llangollen area lads making their way overland by bike to Thailand.

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 on their 18-month quest to reach Asia this summer.

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. 

We last looked in on them as they reached Istanbul and decided to take a few days' well-earned rest in the bustling Turkish capital.

They had contemplated trying to get tickets for the Galatasaray match which was on but were warned off by a local who said it was too dangerous for foreigners to try to buy them.

However, there was time to take a look a the famous Blue Mosque after being earlier turned away because they were wearing only shorts and t-shirts.  

It was soon time to hit the road again and continue striking out into the expanse of the Turkish countryside, battling their way through lots of rain - and starting to feel the first affects of the cold they had all picked up, which came with coughs and sore throats.

Luckily the weather turned warm and dry again but there was more bike trouble for Dyf which took three hours for the local repair shop to fix for him before it was back in the saddle.    

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

Railway will pay its own tribute to fallen on Remembrance Day

* The loco with its Remembrance headboard.

Llangollen and Corwen Railway will pay its respects this Remembrance Sunday (November 9) by pausing its first service of the day to allow staff, volunteers, and visitors to attend local services of Remembrance. 

Veterans, serving personnel and cadets are invited to travel free on the day. 

The railway counts multiple veterans amongst its volunteers and Remembrance Sunday will see services steam-hauled using 1938-built Collett 2884 Class 2-8-0 heavy freight locomotive No 3802, which will carry a special ‘The Remembrance’ headboard for the day.

As a mark of respect, the 10am service from Llangollen and the 11:05am from Corwen will not run.

Services will resume with trains departing Llangollen to Corwen at 12.20pm and 3.15pm, returning from Corwen at 1.45pm and 4.20pm respectively. 

These journeys will form part of the railway’s special Remembrance Trains, giving visitors the chance to reflect and remember as they travel through the beautiful Dee Valley. 

To mark the occasion, the locomotive will carry a special headboard displaying “The Remembrance”, in tribute to those who have served and sacrificed so much.

 

In recognition of the contribution and bravery of the Armed Forces, veterans, serving personnel and cadets are invited to travel free of charge on Remembrance Sunday. 

Passengers simply need to bring a form of ID, medals, or attend in uniform to receive complimentary travel. They are advised to get their tickets from either Corwen or Llangollen Ticket Offices on Remembrance Sunday.

 

Charlie Brook, ex-Royal Navy Leading Stores Accountant (LSA) and Steam Driver at Llangollen and Corwen Railway said: “Remembrance Sunday is a time to pause and reflect on the bravery, sacrifice, and service of those who came before us. As a heritage railway with deep local roots, we are proud to honour those who have served and continue to serve our country. 

"Many former members of the armed forces went on to work on Britain’s railways, continuing a proud tradition of service, discipline, and dedication. We warmly invite veterans, serving personnel, and cadets to join us for a special journey of remembrance aboard The Remembrance, a chance to travel together in reflection and gratitude. During the day, we will also be collecting for the Royal British Legion Poppy Appeal to support the vital work they do for our veterans and their families.”

* The famous soldiers' graffiti in the Berwyn Station underpass.

 

Terry Pickthall, LR Press Officer & Volunteer, said: “We look forward to celebrating this important and reflective occasion with both veterans and the local community. 

"The underpass beneath the railway at Berwyn station down to the Chain Bridge is especially poignant as many of the tiles that line it are inscribed with graffiti from people who were on their way to serve in both World Wars. 

"This includes an inscription by Albert Candy, whose name can be found on the War Memorial in Llangollen (incorrectly identified as Alfred). After leaving Wales to join the Royal Artillery, Albert was posted to France. On 17^th April 1917, whilst serving at “D” Battery, 285 Brigade, Albert was killed. He never returned to Wales and is buried at plot 4, Row D, Grave 14 in Le Grand Hasard Military Cemetery, Morbecque, Northern France. 

"That is just one story to reflect on as we thank Allbert and the millions of others who have made the ultimate sacrifice in armed conflict for the freedom we all enjoy today."

Deacon Blue to headline Llangollen Pavilion on July 4

* Deacon Blue headline at TK Maxx presents Live at Llangollen Pavilion on Saturday July 4. 

Scottish legends Deacon Blue are set to light up summer 2026 as they bring their signature sound and electrifying live tour to Llangollen.

The Real Gone Kid and Dignity hitmakers will headline TK Maxx presents Live at Llangollen Pavilion on Saturday July 4 as part of The Great Western Road Trip Rolls On tour.

Performing their biggest hits alongside songs from their latest album, The Great Western Road, Deacon Blue will be joined on the night by special guests Lightning Seeds.

* The Lightning Seeds will be special guests on the night.

Friends of the Llangollen International Musical Eisteddfod can access pre-sale tickets from 10am on Tuesday via llangollen.net and tickets go on sale at 10am on Friday.

Speaking about hitting the road, frontman Ricky Ross said: “No-one knows where The Great Western Road ends up, least of all us! For now the road goes on and next summer we are taking the shows to some beautiful venues. We can’t wait to see you there and we promise to make every night very special.”

Celebrating 40 years since Ross and Dougie Vipond first formed the band, Deacon Blue’s Llangollen headline show will be a career-spanning night of hits including Chocolate Girl, Wages Day and Fergus Sings The Blues — alongside highlights from The Great Western Road, their most successful studio release in more than three decades, reaching Number 3 in the UK and topping the Scottish Album Chart.

Recorded at the legendary Rockfield Studios, the album reunites Ross and guitarist Gregor Philp as producers, with engineer Matt Butler, who worked on Deacon Blue’s classic debut Raintown. The record captures the band’s journey across four decades, reflecting on life, love and longevity.

With more than 7 million albums sold, two UK Number One albums, and a songbook filled with heartfelt, singalong hits, Deacon Blue remain one of the UK’s most enduring and best-loved live acts. Their headline show at Llangollen promises to be a celebration of their remarkable story – and a showcase of a band still creating, evolving, and connecting with fans new and old.

Joining them as very special guests are Liverpudlian indie icons Lightning Seeds, the masterminds behind timeless favourites Pure and Lucky You.

Bursting on to the music scene in the late ’80s with their shimmering debut Cloudcuckooland, the band quickly became one of the UK’s most cherished indie-pop acts. Led by songwriter and producer Ian Broudie, their catalogue spans era-defining hits like The Life of Riley, Sense, and Change. Renowned for melodic brilliance and feel-good live shows, Lightning Seeds continue to delight fans across generations – the perfect addition to an unmissable night at Llangollen Pavilion.

 

Deacon Blue join Alex James’ Britpop Classical, Tom Grennan, Billy Ocean, Pete Tong’s Ibiza Classics and David Gray among the first headline announcements for TK Maxx presents Live at Llangollen Pavilion 2026, which is presented as part of an ongoing partnership with the Llangollen International Musical Eisteddfod and Live Nation promoters Cuffe and Taylor.

 

Artistic Director of the Llangollen International Musical Eisteddfod Dave Danford said: “We’re so excited that Deacon Blue will be performing in Llangollen as part of their tour next summer; they’re undoubtedly one of the UK’s favourite live acts. Having recorded their latest release at Rockfield Studios in Wales, it’s fitting some of the songs from that album will be heard in another iconic Welsh location…the Llangollen Pavilion.”

 

* For more information go to llangollen.net 

 

CONNECT WITH DEACON BLUE 
WEBSITE | INSTAGRAM | FACEBOOK | SPOTIFY | TIKTOK | YOUTUBE 

 

CONNECT WITH LIGHTNING SEEDS 
WEBSITE | INSTAGRAM | FACEBOOK | SPOTIFY | TIKTOK | YOUTUBE 

 

Llangollen features in national story on proposed National Park

 

Llangollen, which is an integral part of it, features in a special feature in the travel section of last Saturday's Daily Telegraph looking at the arguments for and against the proposed new Glyndwr National Park.

The article, by senior writer Greg Dickinson, says the consultation process for the park is underway and public polling in recent years suggests the local population remains split on the matter.

It adds that in public surveys conducted in 2023 and 2024 the approval and disapproval ratios have been close. In the most recent poll there was an approximate 10 per cent majority in favour of the proposal, "but many still have concerns". 

The reporter first visited the famous waterfall at Pistyll Rhaedr where he spoke to the man who runs the cafe, Phill Facey. 

The attraction, not far from Llangollen, received around 80,000 to 100,000 annual visitors when Mr Facey moved from Norfolk to North East Wales in the late 1990s. 

Now, he said, the number was closer to half a million, adding: "There are weekends when it is so busy, you come here on a Saturday and there's nowhere to park, imagine double that number. During lockdown the road was gridlocked for more than four days.

"Wales is bankrupt. The only people who want a national park are those who are going to benefit from it materialistically - the landowners."

On the other hand, at Plas Newydd the writer spoke to Howard Sutcliffe, lead officer of the Clwydian Range and Dee Valley (AONB) Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, who "believed there were deeper benefits to consider to a national park".

Mr Sutcliffe is quoted as saying: "It's really important, with the poverty we see in the country, that disadvantaged groups do get access to the countryside.

"National parks have a much bigger, better system of education to bring in ethnic minorities to come and enjoy the countryside."

The writer concludes: "It sounds like division among local residents, but in a sense it is not. All parties in the area, ultimately, want the best for their home and all agree that some degree of change is needed. The sticking point here is whether the national park status wood, or should, be the right thing to catalyse that change." 

 

* As this is such an important local topic llanblogger has tried to reproduce the full article below. To view it online, go to: https://www.pressreader.com/.../20251101/281655376319158

* Howard Sutcliffe, pictured right, is quoted in the story.

* A sidebar to the main story is a quick profile of Llangollen.

Dee Pizza and Wraps is semi-finalist in national competition

Llangollen's popular Dee Pizza and Wraps is one of the 20 semi-finalists from Wales in the 2026 14th British Kebab Awards.

* For the full story in Wales Online, go to: Wales' 20 best kebab shops | Wales Online

Collen Players' magical evening of mirth and melody

* The Players on stage for the grand finale.

The Collen Players promised their audience a cavalcade of mirth, melody and merriment with their latest variety show, Hammerbeams and Harmonies, and that’s exactly what they served up at the Community Hall last night (Friday).

And the side benefit was that a sizeable sum was raised for the current fundraising campaign to renovate St Collen’s ancient hammerbeam roof.

After the traditional opening remarks and warm up sing-song from the chairman, Mr Leo Naylor, the first act to take the stage was Deborah with an extremely melodic presentation of I Want to Sing Opera.

Phil Robinson was up next with his lively rendition of the old time classic My Old Man’s a Dustman.

Songstress and Collen Players regular Susan Stokes had a sweetly-voiced After the Ball Was Over for the audience. Then it was time for comedy as the duo of Chris and Neil offered a tale of domestic disaster and lyrical lamentation.

Lizzie Clifford presented two songs of sentiment, including They Say It's Wonderful from Annie Get Your Gun, before Collen Players favourite Colin Bourdiec closed the first act with a flourish of George Formby finesse.

Phil Robinson returned after the interval with a melody of menace entitled Mack the Knife specially for Halloween while Susan Stokes was back on stage with a novel parody of her previous number before Chris and Neil presented their hilarious Cissie and Ada routine, this time featuring Chris singing I Hold Your Hand in My Hand and There's a Hole In My Bucket.

Lizzie Clifford re-appeared, accompanied by Alison Jarvis and John Clifford, for a marvellous Three Little Maids. John had previously been on stage with an enthralling poem.  

On hand for some accomplished accompaniments were musicians Jayne (keyboard) and Clayton (drums).

The grand finale of the show came in his own inimitably entertaining way from Colin Bourdiec before the audience was encouraged to join in with a rollicking Down at the Old Bull and Bush to round of a highly entertaining evening.  

* Collen Players' Christmas show, Deck the Halls, a variety and music hall show in Victorian style, will be at  St Collen's Community Hall on Friday December 12, starting at 6.30pm. Tickets, including supper, can be booked by calling 01978 861768.

* Mr Chairman opens the show. All pictures by Jeanette Robinson.

* A divinely dramatic Deborah.

* A dark and debonair Phil Robinson as Mack the Knife.

* After the Ball with Sue Stokes.

* Neil and Chris become Cissie and Ada.

* Something Wonderful from Lizzie Clifford.

* Formby fun from Colin Bourdiec.

* Three Little Maids from school.

* The house band of Clayton and Jayne.