Lads cycling to Thailand look back with pride on first 100 days

* Relief as James realises he hasn't lost his passport after all.

As they pedalled through the landmark first 100 days of their marathon journey to Thailand the three cycling lads from Llangollen re-capped on what they've achieved so far.

Friends Dyfan Hughes, James Thomas and Louis Dennis, all 18 and known collectively as the Westheads, have set themselves an 18-month challenge to reach Asia where they're planning to meet their friend Harrison who moved there after his dad died from a heart attack.

Along the way they're aiming to raise £10,000 for the National Heart Foundation and in their video diary look-back on what they've managed after the first 100 days in the saddle they were delighted to record that over half that total has already been pledged by their hundreds of well-wishers back home.

The Westheads also noted that they've so far journeyed through 11 countries and two continents. 

But all that could have come to an abrupt halt because of an incident on day 99 when James realised to his horror that he'd lost his left-hand pannier containing his passport.

* Westheads hit the Black Sea coast after 100 days in the saddle. 

He was very relieved to find he'd left the bag at the lads' last stop at a local shop - a good thing as not long afterwards the trio were stopped by the police who asked to see their passports.

Later there was a difficult and dangerous ride through a road tunnel beside the Black Sea coast which they had by now reached - so scary that they scraped up the cash to take a taxi through the next one along the route. 

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

Volunteers needed for town square bulb planting

Llangollen Town Council is looking for volunteers for a bulb planting session in Centenary Square on  Monday November 24, dropping in between 11am and 3pm.  

A council spokesperson said: "Thank you in advance for your help and support, we really do appreciate it and are looking forward to seeing the bulbs flower in the Spring, for the benefit of wildlife and the community, brightening up the town square at a time when little else if flowering."

New dementia aware project now registering

A new Dementia Aware Project by Denbighshire Voluntary Services Council aims to deliver a series of creative art workshops and dementia aware sessions in collaboration with Denbighshire Leisure Ltd in both Llangollen and Corwen.

Organisers say anyone interested is invited to register for this by clicking on the link: https://forms.gle/GSi9GTchzxuvfGwN6

 

They add: "These sessions for everyone – those living with dementia, knows someone with dementia, wants to learn more about dementia awareness."

County encourages take-up of free school meals

Denbighshire County Council is encouraging parents to make sure their children don’t miss out on healthy, nutritious meals by signing up for the Welsh Government backed Universal Primary Free School Meals.

Across Denbighshire, the Catering Service’s 54 school kitchens work hard every day to create 13,500 freshly prepared meals for pupils — that’s an incredible 67,500 meals served during the school week to help children learn, grow, and thrive.

Free school meals not only ensure that pupils have the energy to thrive in class, but they can also help families manage with the current cost of living. Many families are eligible and may not realise it, so the Council is urging parents and guardians to make sure their children receive the free meals.

All children are asked daily by their school if they would like to have school meals. There is no application process to check if a pupil is eligible for Universal Primary Free School Meals.

You can contact your child's school to find out more about how to get Universal Primary Free School Meals.

Cllr Barry Mellor, Lead member for Environment and Transport, said: “Our catering teams across Denbighshire are passionate about providing healthy, balanced meals that give our children the best start to their school day. We don’t want any child to miss out on that. Having these free school meals could make a big difference for both families and primary pupils.”

“Denbighshire’s school kitchens are proud to be part of a service that provides thousands of meals made with care, local produce, and nutritional balance every single day.”

* More details on the Universal Free Primary School Meals can be found at: https://www.denbighshire.gov.uk/en/education-and-schools/grants-and-funding/universal-primary-free-school-meals.aspx

Further information regarding the primary school meals menu can be found at: https://www.denbighshireschoolmeals.co.uk/primary-menus/

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