History buffs take a fascinating tour through town's past

* Suzanne Evans, who leads the church's Genesis Project, describes some of the historic features of St Collen's.

Scores of people became enthralled by Llangollen's rich history after joining yesterday's (Saturday) Tour Through Time.

Following on from the success of last year's event of the same name, the latest walk-about was again organised by the Our Historic Llangollen/Hanesyddol i Bawb group and held in a variety of fascinating locations.

Attendance was free and people were able to join or leave at any stage throughout the day with no booking necessary.

First stop was at St Collen’s where people were given a guided journey through the history of the centuries-old church, revealing its remarkable heritage and the ongoing work to conserve, reinterpret and make the building more accessible for all. 

Crime and Punishment in Early Victorian Llangollen was the theme at the Lock Up Heritage Centre where tourists heard stories of Victorian criminals and how they were punished in the town's first magistrates’ courtroom, gaol and police station. 

Just before lunch it was time to visit Plas Newydd to discover the story of the legendary Ladies of Llangollen, the two women who lived there and created one of the most beautiful landscapes in Wales. 

After lunch came Hands on History, a journey through history and prehistory, viewing and experiencing items from the Stone Age to the present day at Llangollen Museum. 

Next stop was Llangollen Railway for a look back at the preservation and development of the famous heritage line. 

The tour rounded off in late afternoon with Peace and Music across the Years, the story of Llangollen International Musical Eisteddfod told at the International Pavilion.

* Sue Hargreaves of the Lock Up Heritage Centre gives a talk on why the building now know as the Lock Up Heritage Centre was originally established. 

* People on the tour are given a talk on life would have been like at what was originally the town's gaol and police station.

* Peter Dickinson, Berwyn Station Master, did a 45-minute talk to 18 people on the history of Llangollen Railway.

Details given for the funeral of Humphrey Gibson

* Humphrey Gibson.

Details have been given for the funeral of well-known Llangollen resident Humphrey Gibson who died on April 24. 

A close friend said: "The date is Thursday May 28, at 1.30pm in the main hall at the International Eisteddfod building off Abbey Road. All who knew Humphrey are most welcome. 

"It will be a Quaker funeral, based in quiet reflection focussing on Humphrey, who he was and what he meant to us all. Anyone who feels moved to speak will be welcome to do so (briefly, in order to give as many people as possible the opportunity to do so), and in between each spoken contribution there will be a period of quiet reflection while we all take in what has been said. 

"There is no need to decide in advance whether or not you are going to speak, you can see how you feel at the time. There will be people there of many different religious beliefs and none, and it will be inclusive.

"When it seems the right time (probably after about an hour, but flexible depending on whether there are still people wishing to speak) we will bring that part of the funeral to a close and everyone will be invited to share the food which will be served. I’m guessing that it will go on till about 5 o’clock though that is only a rough guess.

"Please circulate this information to anyone else you know who might wish to attend. We have are holding it in the Eisteddfod Hall so as to be able to accommodate everyone who wishes to be there - and we know Humphrey had a lot of friends!"

The actual cremation will be private, attended by close family and friends only.

* Humphrey's funeral appeared on llanblogger. See: https://llanblogger.blogspot.com/2026/04/well-known-llangollen-figure-humphrey_24.html

* See also, the separate tribute paid to Humphrey, who was a long-time volunteer with the festival, by the chairman of the Llangollen International Musical Eisteddfod, John Gambles at: https://llanblogger.blogspot.com/2026/04/eisteddfod-chairman-pays-tribute-to.html

Grant helps parkrunners keep in touch on the move

* The parkrun is now kitted out with walkie-talkies for the first time.

Marshals with the Old Railway Trail parkrun can now keep in touch base while they're on the move thanks to a new set of walkie-talkies.

Parkrun Co-Event Director Mike Edwards said: "We have acquired a set of walkie-talkies to keep our marshals out on the course in contact with the Run Director for the time being who is always in the start/finish area at the Health Centre at each weekly event.

"In addition to keeping the volunteer team in touch with each other to report the ongoing progress of the event, this communication would be fundamental in the event of an injury or emergency out on the course.

"This equipment has been provided through a Winter Wellbeing Grant provided by Denbighshire Voluntary Services Council (DVSC) and Betsi Cadwaladr University Health Board (BCUHB) and I wish to thank Lisa Williams at DVSC for her help and support in providing these essential facilities."

It was also a grant from the two organisations which recently provided the parkrun a  life-saving defibrillator at Wenffrwd Nature Reserve which has been dedicated to David Bird, former licensee of the Sun Trevor pub and a dedicated parkrun volunteer. 

He collapsed early one Saturday morning in mid-January doing the course set-up for the run at Wenffrwd.

Improvement work at Riverside Park now complete

* The new outdoor gym in the park.

Work to help improve and develop health and wellbeing along Llangollen’s Riverside Park has been completed.

Funded by Shared Prosperity Transitional Year Funding, the work was coordinated by Denbighshire County Council’s Streetscene department.

This latest development of the area, initiated by Llangollen county councillor Karen Edwards, follows previous work by other council teams at the park over the last few years which has seen initiatives such as nine-hole bespoke mini golf and play equipment added to the site.

Streetscene has carried out this latest phase of work to further enhance the park for local residents and visitors to enjoy.

* The picnic area at Riverside.

The development has seen the replacement of an existing ramp from Aldi Car Park to the Skatepark/MUGA area to improve the accessibility of this area for wheelchair users and others with greater accessibility needs, and the installation of two further ramped paths to help improve accessibility around the park.

Work has also seen fencing added next to the old children’s play area to better secure this section, and an additional access gate was installed on the river side of the park.

The project has added an outdoor gym to the site which has seven items of equipment to enable users to exercise with a view over the river. In addition to this, two accessible picnic benches have been installed in this area with concrete bases to enable easy access by wheelchair.

Paul Jackson, Head of Highways & Environmental Services, said: “We are really pleased to complete this work at Llangollen’s Riverside Park thanks to the funding Streetscene has been able to access.

“This latest development will further enhance other areas that have already been improved at Riverside Park to increase the profile of this important part of the town for both the enjoyment of residents and those visiting Llangollen."

Drop in session at Penllyn Chapel this Saturday

 

Special event for Ukraine at Community Hall in June

 

* If you are unable to use the barcode, the link address is: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSePG7ktQgaWEdG5NmAXRsqxaKnf-hFzcFyO4wTcu66eY9HXOg/viewform 

Crane to operate on Willow Street this Friday, warns council

Denbighshire County Council has issued a community notice about Llangollen Youth Club.

This says: "We would like to inform residents that a crane will be operating on Willow Street, Llangollen on Friday 1 May 2026, between 9:00am and 12:00am, due to improvement works at Llangollen Youth Centre.

"During this time, access to the Youth Centre will be restricted for health and safety reasons. We kindly ask everyone to be mindful and take extra care when near the Youth Centre entrance.

"Thank you for your patience and understanding while these improvements are carried out for the benefit of the community."