Warning follows counterfeit cash cases in Denbighshire

* A short film is available is to warn of counterfeit cash.

In its latest warning to the public North Wales Police Neighbourhood Alerts asks people to be vigilant when receiving cash or cash payments.

This is because it says officers in Denbighshire have recently dealt with a number of incidents where people have received significant amounts of counterfeit currency as payment for goods or items. 

The warning adds: "Please be mindful and vigilant if you receive cash payments especially if selling items on Facebook Marketplace."

* Your can follow the link below to learn more about how to check for counterfeit banknotes - How to check your banknotes | Bank of England

 

Vote for Drosi Bikes to win a share of community cash boost

* Cycle maintenance is one feature of the work done by Llangollen's Drosi Bikes.

People are being asked to vote on whether a Llangollen scheme to train youngsters to properly look after their bikes should win a share of cash snatched from criminals to help pay for community safety projects.

North Wales Police and Crime Commissioner (PCC) Andy Dunbobbin, North Wales Police and North Wales Police and Community Trust (PACT) are asking the people of the region to help choose which local projects will receive funding through the Your Community, Your Choice initiative. 

A total £60,000 is available to support projects that make communities safer and more inclusive places for all, with the funding coming from the Office of the PCC as well as money and assets seized from criminals.

All six north Wales counties have schemes in contention for the cash boost and the half-dozen in Denbighshire include Llangollen's award-winning Drosi Bikes whose Gearing Up youth training programme  supports the delivery of practical cycling and maintenance training. Its competitor schemes are in Rhyl and Ruthin. 

The PCC's office says: "Taking part in the vote is easy – members of the public just need to opt for the projects they think will help their communities the most. Voting is open until midnight on Friday March 27." 

* You can cast your vote via the following links in the language of your choice:

Welsh survey: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/N2SCGPQ

English survey: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/CDK6TR2

Each person is allowed to vote for their preferred project and the top three projects receiving the most votes in each county will get a share of the funding. As well as this, there is funding for the top three pan-North Wales projects. This means there will be a total of 21 winners across the region.

Cost of school meals set to rise by 10p

The Denbighshire School Catering Service has faced an increase of prices for all major commercially procured food products, the domestic food market and across all food market supply chains.

Due to rising costs, it has been agreed to increase the cost of school meals by 10p, which will be implemented on April 13 when schools return following the Easter holidays.

The School Catering Service have recently been recognised as the best performing catering service at The Association for Public Service Excellence (APSE) awards earlier this year.

This recognition, from The Association for Public Service Excellence (APSE) is based upon comparisons with other school meals services from across the UK.

It takes into account aspects such as paid and free meal uptakes, staff training, service performance and management of the service.

Councillor Diane King, Lead Member for Education, Children and Families said: “The decision to increase the cost of school meals was not taken lightly. However, even after this increase, these new prices will still be relatively low compared to other local authorities.

“As evidenced in their recent sucisr cess at the APSE awards, the Council’s School Catering service are committed to providing value for money in terms of the quality of food given to pupils across our schools”.

 To view the school meals menu, or for more information visit the Denbighshire school meals website.

Engine to be renamed 'The Lady of Llangollen' for Mother’s Day

* No. 3802 to be temporarily renamed The Lady of Llangollen.

Llangollen and Corwen Railway has announced that its powerful Great Western freight locomotive No. 3802 will be temporarily renamed The Lady of Llangollen this weekend, as the railway marks a special Mother’s Day celebration dedicated to the women who have shaped the history and spirit of the Dee Valley.

The renaming forms part of a wider programme celebrating the Women of the Railway, recognising both historic and contemporary women connected with Llangollen. 

Among those being celebrated are the legendary Ladies of Llangollen, Eleanor Butler and Sarah Ponsonby, whose story continues to define the cultural identity of the town, alongside modern-day railway figures such as Llangollen Station Master Mandy Towers, whose leadership and commitment reflect the strong community spirit that underpins the heritage line.

Mandy will spend Mother’s Day in a way that perfectly captures that spirit, working throughout the day at Llangollen Railway Station alongside her sons Joe and Cai, both of whom play important operational roles on the railway.

Another local mother helping to make the day special is Anita Piatkowska, who will be serving guests aboard the railway’s popular Afternoon Tea services. 

She said: “Mother’s Day is always a very special occasion on the railway. There is something truly magical about enjoying afternoon tea on a heritage train as it travels through the Dee Valley. It is lovely to be part of creating those memories for families, and I am proud to be helping deliver such a special experience.

"Mother’s Day weekend provides a wonderful opportunity to celebrate the remarkable contribution women have made, and continue to make, to the story of Llangollen and the success of the railway. Renaming No. 3802 as ‘The Lady of Llangollen’ reflects both our heritage and the family spirit that is so central to our organisation.”

The railway confirmed that while this weekend’s Mother’s Day Afternoon Tea services are now fully sold out, Afternoon Tea on the Dee experiences are available at selected dates throughout the year, offering visitors the opportunity to enjoy traditional afternoon tea served in heritage surroundings while travelling the full length of the line.

Throughout the weekend, steam-hauled services will operate between Llangollen and Corwen, allowing visitors to take part in the celebrations and witness the renaming of No.3802.

* Tickets for weekend steam services are available at:
https://llan.hops.org.uk/tickets/travel

Latest local roadworks alerts from Denbighshire County Council

Latest local roadworks alerts from Denbighshire County Council are:

Pengwern / Trem Yr Ysgol, Llangollen, 30/03/2026 - 30/04/2026, Gwaith Teithio Llesol / Active Travel Works PRONIN LIMITED, Ffordd ar Gau/Road Closure

O/S LLANGOLLEN PAVILION CAR PARK ENTRANCE - ADJ NO. 9 ABBEY ROAD, until 20/03/2026, Gwaith Nwy / Gas Works WALES & WEST UTILITIES, Goleuadau Traffig Dros Dro/ Temp Traffic Lights

A542 AT JUNCTION OF BROOK STREET, PENGWERN, until 30/04/2026, Gwaith Teithio Llesol / Active Travel Works PRONIN LIMITED,  Ffordd ar Gau/Road Closure

JUNCTION REGENT STREET, HILL STREET, 15/05/2026 - 22/05/2026, Gwaith BT/ BT Works RNR TRAFFIC MANAGEMENT, Ffordd ar Gau/Road Closure

OUTSIDE PENDYFFRYN, GRANGE ROAD, 05/05/2026, Gwaith BT/ BT Works PLATINUM (DCC), Ffordd ar Gau/Road Closure

ABBEY ROAD, 13/04/2026 - 30/04/2026, Ailwynebu/ Resurfacing DCC HIGHWAYS, Confoi 10 mya/10 mph Convoy

A542 Carriageway, HORSESHOE PASS, 24/03/2026 - 02/04/2026, Ailwynebu/ Resurfacing DCC HIGHWAYS, Ffordd ar Gau/Road Closure

A542, APPROXIMATLEY GWEN HEFR A539 LLANGOLLEN ROAD, 06/05/2026, Gwaith BT/ BT Works RPO WILLIAMS CIVIL ENGINEER, Goleuadau Traffig Dros Dro/ Temp Traffic Lights

Have your say on part you could play in UK Town of Culture process

                 * Have your say at the railway between 9am and 10am.

This Saturday you can have your say on how the voice of the local community is heard in the current UK Town of Culture competition.

At a packed public meeting in the Town Hall last month it was unanimously decided that Llangollen should go ahead with a bid to win the coveted title and land prize money of up to £3 million.

At its last meeting the Town Council, which is spearheading the process, approved the submission of an official expression of interest in the competition, which is being run by the UK Government's Department for Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS) for towns in Wales, England, Scotland and Northern Ireland.

* Have your say at the Town Hall from 10.30am until 3.30pm.

Finalists and the winning town will be announced in early 2027. The delivery year will be 2028.

This Saturday researchers working on behalf of the DCMS will be at Llangollen Railway Station between 9 and 10am, located outside the café on Platform 1, to hear your views on how the public should help choose between the towns in the competition and their bids.

Afterwards, the researchers will continue the conversation at Llangollen Town Hall from 10.30am until 3.30pm.

Update on St Collen's Genesis project