Local schools closed today

Emergency school closures today notified on Denbighshire County Council website include Ysgol Dinas Bran, Ysgol y Gymraeg y Gwernant and Ysgol Bryn Collen.

A post of the Ysgol Dinas Bran website last night says: "Happy New Year and best wishes to you. The decision has been taken to close the school tomorrow, Tuesday, 6th January 2026. There is still a huge amount of snow on the school site, but moreover, where we have gritted, this has already turned to ice. With the forecast for freezing temperatures throughout the night, the situation is not going to improve. As many students and staff are travelling long distances, from rural areas, I decided to make the decision to close this evening to provide you with as much warning as I can and to ensure the health and safety of our students and staff. We will work on-site again tomorrow to try to ensure we can open on Wednesday. Sorry for the inconvenience, but I am sure you can appreciate the difficult situation. Thank you for your support, and I will keep you updated."

Latest gritting and roads update from county council

* A local farmer helps clear Cysgod y Gaer, Corwen.

In its latest gritting and roads update issued at 10.30am today (Monday) Denbighshire County Council says: "Further heavy snow showers were experienced during the evening and overnight periods, which has led to further significant accumulations and some difficult conditions across some parts of the county, largely across high ground.

"Gritting crews have worked continuously and most of the priority/main roads remain open and passable with care. The teams are currently retreating all routes and will remain on duty this evening and throughout the overnight period. Agricultural plough contractors have also been deployed and are assisting the Highways teams to ensure that the rural network remains accessible.

"The A542 Horseshoe Pass, School Lane, Eryrys and Gwaenysgor Hill have been closed due to the ongoing weather conditions, and every effort will be made to reopen these routes at the earliest opportunity and when weather conditions allow.

"Make sure you check the Met Office website for all the latest weather warnings >>> https://www.metoffice.gov.uk/

Invite goes out to wassailing event at Plas Newydd this Sunday

People in Llangollen have the chance to take part in an ancient and colourful folk tradition at Plas Newydd on Sunday.

Wassailing is a collection of folk traditions designed to bring communities together in mid-winter and encourage a good harvest.

Many events take place around Twelfth Night in early January and include singing and dancing, drinking and general merrymaking.

A group of local people have arranged for a wassail to take place at Plas Newydd from 4.30-6pm on Sunday January 11.

Organisers say: "Join us for song, apple fayre and celebration as we bless the trees and stir the spirits of the land. Expect singing, noise, music, and a warm welcome for all.  

"Gather near the café area at 4.30pm ready for a short torchlit procession to the orchard. 

"You can expect morris dancing, a wassail ceremony to wake the trees with drums, singing and shouting. 

"There will be a fire pit to keep you warm, a food stall with warm spiced apple juice and apple cake. with all proceeds going to Food Share Llangollen.

"Wrap up warm with lots of layers. Head torches or hand torches are essential as it will be dark by the end of the event. 

"Feel free to make head garlands of evergreens, wear crazy hats or battery fairy lights. We need lots of noise to wake the trees – drums, jingle bells, pots or pans, baking trays and wooden spoons work well.

"As there is no parking on site, park in town ideally or the local vicinity and arrive on foot. Toilets are available on site.

"The whole event is outdoors, and therefore weather dependent keep an eye on social media for updates."

County roads impassable due to snow

The A542 over the Horseshoe Pass is impassable due to heavy snow between the B5103 and the A5104. 

The famous mountain pass near Llangollen appears on a list of road closures due to the weather just published this morning by Wales Online.

The story adds: "The A494 is just passable in two locations: between Llanbedr Dyffryn Clwyd and the Ruthin Road roundabout at Gwernymynydd, and also between Corwen and the B5105 towards Ruthin."

* For the full story, go to: https://www.walesonline.co.uk/news/wales-news/full-list-roads-closed-just-33165468

Weather update from county highways

The latest weather update from the county council's highways team at around noon today was:

🚧⚠️ ROAD CLOSURES:

🚫Gwaenysgor Hill is closed

🚫Bwlch yr Oernant / Horseshoe Pass

✅ All other priority routes are open

🚜🚨🌙 Gritting crews have worked throughout the evening and overnight period and conditions have been uneventful with no further reported issues to note

🚜🚨☀️ Crews are currently treating routes throughout the county and will continue to do so periodically over the next 24 hours

For more information on gritting, please visit our website:

https://www.denbighshire.gov.uk/en/parking-roads-and-travel/winter-gritting.aspx 

Heavy snowfall on Llangollen this morning

Some pictures of the snow falling in central Llangollen just before 11am today (Sunday) ...   

Businesses invited to free crime prevention event

A fully-funded crime prevention event focused on businesses in North Wales is taking place at Redwither Tower in Wrexham on February 5 and business owners from across the region are being urged to book their free place.

Organised in partnership by North Wales Police’s Cybercrime Team, the Office of the Police and Crime Commissioner for North Wales, the Cyber Resilience Centre for Wales, and Welsh Government, the North Wales Business Crime Prevention Event is to look at how to keep businesses safe from crime.

Topics covered will include supply chain threats, the emerging threats of AI, cyber essential for businesses, physical security for businesses and how securing your business will help assure you for the future.

* Book your free place now via the link https://orlo.uk/Cja8j