Acts of kindness in the desert hearten Thailand-bound trio

More acts of kindness from people they've met along the way have heartened the three lads from the local area cycling to Thailand to raise money for charity.

As they headed across the desert of Uzbekistan this week Dyfan Hughes, 18, from Llangollen, Louis Dennis, 19, from Garth, and James Thomas,19, from Wrexham were offered free overnight accommodation plus meals by families they encountered miles from anywhere in the Karakalpakistan region of the Asian country.

In one of these stop-overs they were extremely surprised and delighted to see a visitors' book signed by a person from Wrexham who had stayed there previously with the big-hearted Kushanov family. 

And a couple of times on the road when they had problems with their bikes good Samaritans passing by pulled over their cars to help sort them out.

* Protective headgear is necessary as they head across the desert.

Their daily video log shows that as they pedalled eastwards across the wide-open spaces the weather changed from high winds and clouds to bright sunshine and blue skies - plus high temperatures of an intensity they hadn't had to deal with so far.

There were also swarms of midges to cope with, requiring them wear nets over the cycle helmets.    

The lads are making their mammoth 1,000 journey in aid of the British Heart Foundation in memory of Tony Edge, the father of a friend who died following a heart attack in 2024.

They've raised a massive £27,000-plus of their £50,000 charity target since they left Llangollen eight months ago.

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

Town Council offers local groups cash boosts up to £2,000

* Llangollen Eisteddfod received £2,000 from the Town Council for its general funds. 

Llangollen Town Council is offering local groups a cash boost of up to £2,000.

The council's annual Community Grant scheme, which is administered by its Management and Establishment Committee, is now open for the new financial year.

And community groups and organisations can apply for up to £2,000 towards their project. 

A council spokesperson said: "To meet the eligibility criteria, projects must fulfil at least one of a list of themes and if a project covers more than one of these themes it has a much stronger case for support."

The themes are: 

• Promoting environmental and cultural diversity.

• Food growing, planting and promotion.

• Reducing, reusing, and recycling

• Supporting children and young people.

• Supporting music, culture and the arts.

Schemes which have benefitted from the same scheme is previous years include Llangollen International Musical Eisteddfod which picked up £2,000 towards its general funds, New Dot Cinema which received £2,000 to help pay for a re-start and Llangollen Youth Football which got to £1,000 for its awards night celebration. 

* For an application form, please email: townclerk@llangollentowncouncil.gov.uk

* New Dot Cinema received £2,000 to help pay for its re-start.

* There was a £1,000 for Llangollen Youth Football Club. 

MP to attend latest meeting of town's prostate cancer support group

* The logo of the Tackle Prostate Cancer UK charity.

This Wednesday (April 15) Llangollen Prostate Support Group is welcoming a representative of Tackle Prostate UK charity and local MP Becky Gittins to its meeting, which takes place at the Hand Hotel at 2pm.

A group member said: "Come and add your support for PSA testing to be available for all men."

You can now follow llanblogger every day on WhatsApp

  

Llanblogger now has its own WhatsApp channel

* Follow the Llanblogger channel on WhatsApp: https://whatsapp.com/channel/0029Vb7ehhp6hENqKMFCgd1B

Seventeen days of roadworks start on Abbey Road

Seventeen days of major roadworks on Abbey Road, Llangollen have started this morning (Monday).

The key A542 route, from Oakleigh to the bridge junction, is being resurfaced until Thursday April 30. Traffic signals are in operation near Tan y Ddol at one end and the entrance to the Pavilion car park at the other. 

The council says there will be convoy working in operation.

The work is part of a programme by the county's Strategic Highways team.

Operatic's Bake Off show is almost oven ready

With just the last few rehearsals remaining, Llangollen Operatic Society are busy putting the final touches to their production of The Great British Bake Off.

The make-believe bakers will be creating stunning masterpieces to impress the judges and avoid elimination is this fast-moving take on the popular, long-running TV show, which the society says it is proud to be be premiering in North Wales.

The tasty musical takes to the Town Hall stage from Wednesday April 22 through to Saturday April 25 with a 2pm matinee on the Saturday.

* Tickets are still available online at https://www.ticketsource.com/llangollenoperaticsociety or to pick up in Llangollen at the Tourist Information Centre, Llangollen Oggie Shop and Fine Foods or Solitaire Jewellers.

Disappointed tourist highlights littering at Horseshoe Falls

* The picture of litter at the Horseshoe Falls accompanying the story.

The scourge of littering has been highlighted by a visitor disappointed by what she found at the Horseshoe Falls. Claire Thomas, from South Wales, was touring the county on bike and was keen to visit the famous Llangollen attraction.

* To see the full story in the Daily Post, go to: https://www.dailypost.co.uk/news/north-wales-news/sad-state-iconic-north-wales-33749667