Latest update given on facelift of the Star Inn

* The new-look bar area takes shape at the Star Inn.

The new owners have given their latest Facebook update on the major renovation they are undertaking at the Llangollen's famous Star Inn on Queen Street.

They say in the short video that they've had "another fantastic week" with the lighting system being installed "giving evermore character and atmosphere to the pub."

As the camera tracks around the various interior spaces they go on: "We've also completed the zoning of our new heating system meaning we can create the perfect ambience."

The Star had been closed and derelict for some time until it was bought last year by former Ysgol Dinas Bran pupil David Anderson whose company is carrying out a major facelift operation to turn it back into a community pub - or hub - with the emphasis, he says, on making it a place where people feel safe and comfortable. Work is due to be complete this summer.

Wrexham submits formal bid to become 2029 UK City of Culture

Having been longlisted earlier this year, Wrexham has submitted its citizen-led formal bid in the competition to become the next UK City of Culture in 2029.

Led by Wrexham Community & Culture Trust, the independent charity established with the support of Wrexham County Borough Council, the Wrecsam2029 bid draws on the city’s international reputation for radical playwork, on its centuries-long history as a place of enterprise and innovation, and on its borderland identity.

The Wrecsam2029 bid goes further than ever before in the way it is involving local people and communities across the county. 

From the outset, it has been community-led, with thousands of people helping to shape its development over the past four years, including over 1,000 schoolchildren, as well as residents, artists, performers, schools, businesses, and groups such as Wrexham's County Voluntary Council, Youth Parliament, North East Wales Multicultural Hub, and Adventure Playgrounds.

The process has included funding for local creatives to experiment with new ideas they would love to develop and turn into reality by 2029, whilst dozens of cultural leaders have helped co-produce a new 10-year cultural strategy covering 2027-2037 to support the bid.

Amanda Evans, Director of Wrexham’s UK City of Culture 2029 Bid, said: "Our vision is for Wrexham to be the world's most playful place, where playfulness informs every aspect of daily life and frames our emergence as a hotbed of creative enterprise and innovation, a globally significant visitor destination and a place where every young person gets the best possible start."

Latest local roadworks updates from Denbighshire County Council

Latest local roadworks updates from Denbighshire County Council are:

FELIN BACHE PONT, BACHE MILL ROAD, 11/08/2026 - 21/08/2026, Gwaith Ar Bont / Bridge Works QUANTUM TM (DCC), Goleuadau Traffig Dros Dro/ Temp Traffic Lights

A539 Heol y Farchnad / Market Street, 10/10/2026 - 11/10/2026, Gwyl Fwyd Llangollen / Llangollen Food Festival CHAPTER 8 SOLUTIONS LTD, Ffordd ar Gau/Road Closure

FELIN BACHE PONT, BACHE MILL ROAD, 10/08/2026 - 11/08/2026, Gwaith Ar Bont / Bridge Works KM CONSTRUCTION ( QUANTUM) Ffordd ar Gau/Road Closure

FELIN BACHE PONT, BACHE MILL ROAD, 22/08/2026 - 23/08/2026, Gwaith Ar Bont / Bridge Works KM CONSTRUCTION ( QUANTUM) Ffordd ar Gau/Road Closure

A539, OUTSIDE PROPERTY KNOWN AS GLANABER, BACHE MILL ROAD, 24/08/2026 - 26/08/2026, Gwaith Dwr / Water Works HAFREN DYFRDWY

ADJACENT DRILL HALL, WERN ROAD, 09/09/2026 - 11/09/2026, Adnewyddu Polyn / Renew Pole PLATINUM TRAFFIC MANAGEMENT

SIDE OF 9 TO ADJACENT 4 ABBEY ROAD, 23/09/2026 - 25/09/2026, Gwaith BT/ BT Works SUNBELT RENTALS (DCC), Goleuadau Traffig Dros Dro/ Temp Traffic Lights

A542, ADJACENT PLAS BACH HALL STREET, 01/09/2026, Gwaith BT/ BT Works GT WILLIAMS, Ffordd ar Gau/Road Closure

Geraint, Llangollen, 21/09/2026, Torri Coed / Tree Cutting CHEVRON TM

OUTSIDE PROPERTY DOL Y BONT, GREEN LANE, 19/08/2026 - 21/08/2026, Gwaith Dwr / Water Works HAFREN DYFRDWY, Ffordd ar Gau/Road Closure

OUTSIDE PROPERTY KNOWN AS GLANABER 2 BACHE MILL ROAD, 24/08/2026 - 26/08/2026, Gwaith Dwr / Water Works HAFREN DYFRDWY, Ffordd ar Gau/Road Closure

O/S CANNING RISE, TOWER ROAD, 17/08/2026, Torri Coed / Tree Cutting CORE HIGHWAYS WREXHAM (DCC)

A483 southbound closed following collision

North Wales Police posted this message on their Facebook page around 4.30pm today (Thursday):

Police motorcade drives through town

* The police motorcade turns into Castle Street. Picture: llanblogger reader

An eagle-eyed llanblogger reader just sent in a short video of a police motorcade driving through the centre of town this morning (Thursday).

His film, taken a few minutes before 11am, shows one motorcycle outrider holding up traffic on Mill Street while two more placed in front and behind a large saloon car - all with blue lights flashing - turn right from Abbey Road into Castle Street.

* If anyone has any idea what it was all about send us a comment on Facebook.      

Community organisation looking for volunteer drivers

South Denbighshire Community Partnership (SDCP) is looking for additional volunteer drivers to join the team assisting with its community Dial-a-Ride service.

They will drive the SDCP vehicles to help members of the community to access medical and wellbeing appointments in the Llangollen and Corwen areas.

An SDCP spokesperson said: "If you have a few hours spare then please get in touch for an informal chat about the role of a volunteer driver."

* Anyone interested should contact SDCP on: 01490 266 004, or by email to: office@sdcp.org

Sound of choral music comes to the railway

* The James Lambert Singers will perform on the railway on September 20.

The award-winning James Lambert Singers will bring the sound of music to Llangollen and Corwen Railway on Sunday September 20, performing three special platform concerts for passengers and visitors.

The popular Wrexham-based mixed voice choir will begin with a performance on Llangollen Station platform at 11.45am, before travelling by train to Corwen to entertain passengers during the train's stopover. They will then return to Llangollen for a final performance, with each set lasting around 20 to 25 minutes.

The visit has an added significance for the railway, as one of its own station volunteers, Ian Bibby, is a member of choir and will be performing with them on the day.

Founded in 1955, The James Lambert Singers have been entertaining audiences for more than 70 years. Renowned for their easy-listening repertoire of English and Welsh favourites, they have performed across the UK and internationally, sharing stages with some of Britain's biggest entertainment names and delighting audiences with their distinctive style.

The choir also appeared at this year's Llangollen International Musical Eisteddfod, continuing their long tradition of celebrating music in North Wales.

David Hennigan, Trust Manager of the Llangollen Railway Trust, said: "Following the fantastic success of our World Voices Trains during this year's Llangollen International Musical Eisteddfod, we wanted to continue celebrating live music on the railway, and there was no better choir to invite than The James Lambert Singers.

* Kiny Cultura dancers from Indonesia were the latest group to perform at a railway which is a major promoter the arts.

"They gave wonderful performances at the Eisteddfod this year, and we can't wait to welcome this much-loved choir to our railway. It makes the occasion even more special knowing that one of our own beloved station team, Ian Bibby, will be singing with the choir. We're looking forward to giving passengers and visitors another memorable day where music and heritage come together."

Using their modern portable sound system and professional backing tracks, the choir will perform beneath the historic station canopies, creating a unique atmosphere for railway passengers and visitors alike.

Philip Hughes, Secretary of The James Lambert Singers said: "We are delighted to have been invited to take part in this event. We have happy memories of our visits to Llangollen at Christmas to sing for the Santa Specials and are very much looking forward to our next visit in September, when we hope everyone will enjoy our songs as much as we will enjoy singing them."

The performances are free to enjoy for visitors to the stations, while passengers travelling on the railway will have the opportunity to experience the choir at both Llangollen and Corwen during the day.