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.
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.
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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
Wales Comic Con returns to Llangollen Pavilion this summer, on August 15 and 6, bringing a full weekend of film, television, gaming, anime and pop culture.
Following its successful return to Llangollen last year and just a few weeks ago, the event continues to grow, with this summer's edition expanding into a more open, festival-style experience — making greater use of the venue’s outdoor space while retaining the core Comic Con experience fans expect.
With nearly 20 years of history and previous events attracting over 20,000 attendees across a single weekend, Wales Comic Con has become one of Europe’s leading fan conventions and a destination event for fans travelling from across the UK and beyond.
Organisers say the August event will feature celebrity guests, autograph sessions, professional photo opportunities, live panels, cosplay showcases, gaming areas, family-friendly activities, and a wide range of traders and attractions.
Guest announcements will be revealed in the coming weeks, with a mix of international talent, first-time UK appearances and fan-favourite names expected.
“We’re really excited to be building on what we started in Llangollen,” said Jaime Milner, Founder and Event Director.
“The summer event gives us the chance to expand the experience, use more of the site, and create something bigger, more open and in line with a true summer Comic Con atmosphere.”
The event is expected to provide a strong boost to the local economy, with thousands of visitors travelling into the region across the weekend.
* Tickets are available now at: www.walescomiccon.com
* Website: www.walescomiccon.com
A total of 40 candidates will contest the new Clwyd constituency, which includes Llangollen and replaces the old Clwyd South seat, in the Welsh Senedd Elections on Thursday May 7.
Voters will receive one ballot paper and will have one vote to choose a representative.
The local polling station at the Town Hall in Castle Street is open from 7am until 10pm on the day.
You should mark your ballot paper with just one cross (X) in the box next to your choice of political party or independent candidate you wish to represent the constituency in the Senedd.
The ballot paper will still show the full list of candidates in the political party's list. If a party wins enough votes they will win one or more seats in the Senedd. If an independent candidate wins enough votes, they win a Senedd seat.
The more votes a political party or independent candidate gets, the more seats they will win.
The people at the top of each political party's list are elected first. How many candidates are elected will depend on how many votes the party wins.
Wales now has a total of 16 constituencies, each of which will elect six candidates, making a total of 96 members instead of the previous 60.
Candidates
Here is a list of the candidates standing in Clwyd following the close of nominations last Thursday:
Conservative and Unionist Party (7)
1. Darren Millar
2. Gareth Lloyd Davies
3. Gareth Ffowcs Williams
4. Justine Mary Evans
5. Sylvia Clough-Hughes
6. Damon Richards-Gwilliam
7. Mike Gebreyohanes
Green Party (6)
1. Martyn Hogg
2. Carly Murdoch-Dyson
3. Lucy Sutton
4. Karl McNaughton
5. David Anthony Blainey
6. Cheryl Buxton Sait
Heritage Party (1)
1. Robert Redhead
Labour Party (8)
1. Hannah Blythyn
2. Carolyn Thomas
3. Crispin Jones
4. Ellen Jones
5. Raj Metri
6. Catherine Claydon
7. Arran Fearn
8. Cheryl Lynn Williams
Lib Dems Party (6)
1. David Wilkins
2. Bobby Feeley
3. Nanette Davies
4. Simon Croft
5. Jason Higgins
6. Keith Richard Kirwan
Plaid Cyrmu/Party of Wales (6)
1. Llyr Gruffyd
2. Becca Martin
3. Oliver Bradley-Hughes
4. Paul Penlington
5. Delyth Jones
6. Abdul Mukith Khan
Reform UK (6)
1. Andrew Gwyn Mason
2. Louise Gail Emery
3. Thomas Brian Mortgomery
4. David Smith
5. Kristian Salkeld
6. Tony Thomas
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A short video in which local MP Becky Gittins gives her blessing to Llangollen's bid to become UK Town of Culture 2028 has today been released on social media.
The reel was made during her recent specially-arranged visit to the town when she and her team were given a guided tour of Llangollen's many cultural highlights by llanblogger's Phil Robinson, who is playing a key role in promoting the bid as a member of the Town Council, which is spearheading the process.
The afternoon-long tour took in the Pavilion, the railway, the museum, Dory Gallery, St Collen's churchyard and the town hall as the parts each of these landmarks plays was explained to the MP in detail by the people in charge, including Town Clerk Gareth Thomas at the town hall.
At a packed public meeting in the Town Hall in February 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.
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The Town Council, which is spearheading the process, then 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.
A number of meetings have been held at which representatives of the town's businesses, attractions and residents have assisted in the preparation of the expression of interest.
It will be known whether Llangollen has reached the shortlist for the competition before the end of spring. Finalists and the winning town will be announced in early 2027. The delivery year will be 2028.
In the introduction to the film, Ms Gittins says: "It was great to spend time in Llangollen with Cllr Phil Robinson, hearing more about the town’s exciting bid to become the UK Town of Culture 2028.
In the video she says: "It's not just about what's here in Llangollen now - things like the railway station, the art gallery, the museum, the Pavilion - but it's also about the rich history that Llangollen has, including the Women's Peace Petition and the strong history we have of peace and reconciliation.
"So I'm really, really excited to be giving Llangollen my support."
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Phil Robinson is filmed on the steps of the library and Tourist Information Centre in Castle Street saying: "Llangollen should be the Town of Culture because it is a unique cultural place, with culture of every sort you can imagine.
"I can't think of any other town, anywhere in the realm, that has got a greater claim to be the Town of Culture."
* To view the video, go to: https://www.facebook.com/share/r/17NkQKJ7si/
In her official letter of support sent to Llangollen Town Council the MP says:
"Dear Councillors, I am writing to offer my strong support for Llangollen’s bid to become UK Town of Culture 2028.
"I was delighted to visit Llangollen this week to discuss the bid with you in more detail, and it was clear from those conversations just how much passion, ambition and community backing sits behind this application.
"There is a real sense of shared purpose and pride in what Llangollen can offer. Llangollen has a unique cultural identity, with a rich heritage and an international reputation that far exceeds its size.
"From the world-famous International Musical Eisteddfod to its vibrant local arts and community activity, culture is woven into the fabric of the town.
"What stood out most during my visit, however, was the strength of local involvement – with residents, volunteers and organisations all playing their part in shaping and sustaining that cultural life.
"This bid is not just about celebrating what already exists, but about building on those strong foundations to create new opportunities, widen participation and ensure that culture is accessible to all parts of the community. I was particularly encouraged by the focus on bringing people together and ensuring that the benefits of this opportunity are felt right across the town.
"I have every confidence that Llangollen has both the vision and the capability to deliver a successful and impactful programme as UK Town of Culture. I will continue to support the town as this bid progresses."
With best wishes, Becky Gittins MP
* Food glorious home-made food on offer at the country market.
Llangollen Country Market held another successful session at the Memorial Hall in Market Street earlier today.
One again there were colourful, well-stocked stalls including home-made food, including everything from jams to cakes and chutneys, plants, a cards and picture collection, a wide range of craft items and hand-made walking sticks fashioned by a local artisan maker.
The market, which has been staged in various places in the town since the late 1970s, now has two sessions a month at its permanent home in the Memorial Hall, running from 11am-2pm.
Refreshments are available at every session.
Country Market dates for the rest of 2026 are:
April 24
May 8 and 29
June 12 and 26
July 10 and 31
August 14 and 28
September 11 and 25
October 9 and 30
November 13 and 27
December 11
