Events at Pengwern Hub in November and December

 

Flower Club to host Christmas demonstration

 

Llangollen lads cycling to Thailand praised in the Senedd

* Llyr Gruffydd MS praises the Westheads in the Senedd this week.

The achievements of the three Llangollen area lads cycling to Thailand to raise money for heart research have been praised in the Welsh Senedd.

Dyfan Hughes, 17, James Thomas, 18, and Louis Dennis, 18, who are known as the Westheads, are on an epic challenge 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. 

llanblogger, which has been following their progress, last caught up with them over the weekend as they headed across Turkey towards the Black Sea.

And earlier this week their "remarkable" efforts won praise from North Wales Member of the Senedd Llyr Gruffydd.

He said: "I'd like to take a moment today to pay tribute to a truly remarkable group of young men from my region in North Wales known locally as the Westheads. 

"They've taken on an extraordinary challenge, cycling all the way from Llangollen to Thailand. Yes, you heard right - from the banks of the River Dee to Southeast Asia, on two wheels. 

* The three lads are given a warm send-off from Tower Field back in August.

"They're doing it, not for fame, not for glory, but for a cause that's close to their hearts, raising money for the British Heart Foundation in memory of a friend's father. 

"And so far they've managed to raise over £5,000, which is halfway to the target of £10 000, and they have a JustGiving page by the way, and I'm sure all donations would be gratefully received. 

"They set off 100 days ago, and I've already pedalled thousands of miles through Europe, across the Balkans and now into Turkey and their next stops will be Georgia and Kazakhstan as they continue their journey eastwards. 

"They hope to reach their destination in October or next year, an incredible two-year odyssey, powered by determination, friendship and a sense of purpose.

"Along the way they've shown what the best of our communities can produce, resilience, good humour and a spirit of adventure that inspires us all. 

"I know that everyone here will join me in wishing the Westheads safe travels, fair weather and strong legs for the journey ahead and indeed in congratulating them on flying the flag for Llangollen and for Wales and for the very best of human spirit." 

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

Working Denbighshire offers support to young people

Working Denbighshire is reaching out to young people across the county who may have started college, sixth form, or university this September but have since decided it’s not the right path for them.

If you’ve recently left education and are unsure what to do next, Working Denbighshire can help. The service offers a range of free support to help individuals explore their options, build confidence, and take positive steps toward employment, training, or further education.

Support is only available to individuals who are no longer in education.

Weekly Job Clubs
Working Denbighshire hosts regular job club sessions in libraries across Denbighshire. These informal drop-ins offer help with CV writing, job searching, interview preparation, and more.

One-to-One Guidance
Young people can also access tailored one-to-one support from experienced mentors who will work with them to understand their goals and help them plan their next steps.

Wellbeing Support
Recognising that career decisions can impact mental health and wellbeing; Working Denbighshire also offers wellbeing support as part of its service. This includes access to confidence-building group activities and signposting to specialist services where needed, all designed to help young people feel more positive and supported as they move forward.

Upcoming Events
A series of events are planned over the coming weeks to connect young people with local opportunities, employers, and support services. These include career taster sessions, wellbeing workshops, and meet-the-employer events.

Councillor Jason McLellan, Leader of Denbighshire County Council and Lead Member for Economic Growth & Tackling Deprivation, said: 

“Working Denbighshire is a vital service that reflects our commitment to supporting young people across the County.

"We understand that changing direction can be daunting, but no one should feel alone in that process.

"The free service provides meaningful, personalised support to help young people feel seen, valued, and ready to take their next steps."

Ruth Hanson, Working Denbighshire Principal Manager, said:

"We know that not every young person’s journey is straightforward. If you’ve started a course and it’s not working out, or you’re unsure what to do next, we’re here to help. Our team offers friendly, practical support to help you move forward with confidence."

To find out more about the support available or to speak to a member of the team, visit or follow Working Denbighshire on social media.

Working Denbighshire is part funded through the Welsh Government Communities for Work Plus Programme which supports those most disadvantaged in the labour market to overcome the barriers preventing them from gaining employment.

Working Denbighshire is part funded by UK Government.

Calling youngsters with a burning artistic ambition

Llangollen Town Council say they are delighted to be partnering up with Community Focused Schools and The Little Learning Company on a project where young people from Ysgol Dinas Bran will design and create pyrography on a number of benches to be be installed around the area.

Pyrography is the art of decorating a material with burn-marks from a heated object, a technique also known as  "woodburning". 

The benches that have been worked on will replace a number of those which are damaged or missing from places such as Pengwern Vale, Maesmawr Road and Y Gwernant.

Michelle from the Little learning Company said: “The Little Learning Company, as part of their Shared Prosperity Funded Heritage Skills Partnership project, is pleased to be working in partnership with Llangollen Town Council and DCC's Community Focussed Schools staff to offer a bespoke learning opportunity to pupils attending Ysgol Dinas Bran. 

"The opportunity to be part of a community-based project, leaving a lasting legacy around the town and pass on a new heritage skill to a younger generation is an opportunity not to be missed.”

Cheryl from Community Focused Schools said: "Community Focused Schools are thrilled to be collaborating with The Little Learning Company, the local Town Council, and students from Ysgol Dinas Bran to create something truly special for Llangollen community. 

"Together, we’re combining creativity, learning, and local pride — giving young people the chance to take part in exciting new projects that celebrate the area and bring people together.

"Stay tuned for updates as our partnership grows and the ideas come to life."

Cheryl added: "We are really looking forward to seeing the designs the students come up with and to seeing them create some really unique benches that will provide welcome rest points for people while they are enjoying the countryside. 

"We intend to create a Trail map of the benches once installed, so that the Community and Visitors can hunt for the various designs while out and about in the area."

* There are contact details for Cheryl on the posters for any students interested in getting involved.

#Communityfocusedschools #DenbighshireCountyCouncil #CommunityCollaboration #LocalPride #WorkingTogether #YouthEngagement #CreativityInAction

Town gets ready to welcome crowds to its Christmas festival

* The Wild Pheasant Hotel and Spa's Moli Jones as the elf, hotel general manager Becky Shields and Sion Corn. Picture by Rick Matthews.

Llangollen is gearing up for its biggest festive celebration yet with thousands of expected to pack the town for its spectacular Christmas Festival.

The annual event, returning on Saturday, November 29, promises a day bursting with Yuletide cheer, from a colourful parade and bustling street stalls to live music and a fireworks finale lighting up the sky above Dinas Bran castle.

This year’s fireworks display, sponsored by the Wild Pheasant Hotel & Spa, will crown what organisers say is shaping up to be the busiest festival in its 16-year history, drawing in visitors from across North Wales, Cheshire and beyond.

The VIP guest of honour will be the man of the moment, Sion Corn aka Father Christmas.

According to festival chair Cllr Paul Keddie, the celebration was powered by community spirit and local support.

He said “The event was the brainchild of the late town clerk, Ian Parry, and the Town Crier, Austin Cheminais and has grown to become the highlight of the winter season in Llangollen.

“We’re expecting record crowds of up to 4,000 to enjoy a festive day crowned by a fireworks show provided courtesy of The Wild Pheasant Hotel.

“It’s always very well supported by local businesses and traders and attracts people from across North Wales and Cheshire and as far afield as Yorkshire.

“The day’s events kick off with a parade of local organisations and supporters, led by none other than Wales’s very own Father Christmas, Sion Corn, in his traditional green outfit.

“It starts from the Llangollen International Eisteddfod field at 1pm and proceeds into the town where the streets will be closed off and will be filled with stalls and it finishes at the Town Hall where there is a grotto which is free and is where Sion Corn meets the children.

“The Christmas Festival has become an integral part of Llangollen’s winter season and is run by an enthusiastic group of volunteers, this year in partnership with the Llangollen Festival Fringe.

“It’s a very good example of local people, organisations and businesses coming together to support the town.”

Becky Shields, Manager of the Wild Pheasant Hotel, said: “This is the third year that the Wild Pheasant and Everbright Hotels have supported the Christmas Festival.

“Our staff are all local and many of them walk to work so our roots are very much in the town and it is important that businesses like our own play their part in the life of the local community.

“That’s certainly the philosophy of Everbright Hotels and it is something we are happy to play a leading role in by sponsoring the fireworks display.

“I’d also like to thank Brian Davies from Festival Fireworks in Cefn Mawr who will be providing the display during the festival. He always does a brilliant job and he also very kindly supplied a snow machine so we could get into the festive spirit for the photoshoot.”

Paul Keddie added: “The Festival is very grateful for the support of The Wild Pheasant and the many other local businesses for an event which really brings the town together and which raises money for the North Wales Air Ambulance.”

It’s also a big year for the Everbright Hotels Group which is celebrating its 10^th anniversary.

The Everbright story started in 2015 when it took over the Rossett Hall Hotel in Rossett, near Wrexham.

Since then it has also added the Llandudno Bay Hotel and the Belmont Hotel in Llandudno and the Wild Pheasant Hotel & Spa n, along with Stonecross Manor in Kendal in the Lake District and The George Hotel in Penrith to its portfolio.

Around 300 people are currently employed across all the sites and they’re expecting staff numbers to rise to approximately 400 over the next few years.

* For more information go to https://www.everbrightgrouphotels.com/ and for more on the Llangollen Christmas Fair go to (1) Llangollen Christmas Festival | Facebook

Latest roadworks update from Denbighshire County Council

Latest roadworks update from Denbighshire County Council is:

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

MILL STREET, 24/11/2025 - 26/11/2025, Gwaith Draenio / Drainage Works DCC HIGHWAYS (ALEX)

Brook Street, Llangollen,  03/11/2025 - 27/03/2026, Active Travel Improvements from the A5 up Brook Street, towards Ysgol Bryn Collen / Y Gwernant, Goleuadau Traffig Dros Dro/ Temp Traffic Lights

JCT VICARAGE LANE/WILLOW STREET, 03/12/2025 - 04/12/2025, Torri Coed / Tree Cutting KTL CONTRACTING LTD, Ffordd ar Gau/Road Closure

DEE BRIDGE LLANGOLLEN SPAN 2, CASTLE STREET, 30/11/2025 - 30/11/2025, Gwaith Ar Bont / Bridge Works DCC BRIDGES AND STRUCTURE

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