SNAPSHOTS

Cows return to Moel Famau

That’s right, the best habitat conservation workers in the business are back on the Clwydian Range’s busiest peak.

These bovine beauties may not have a degree in Environmental Science but what they lack in education they more than make up for in vibrant enthusiasm for conserving our moorland habitat.

They are part of the partnership working of Natural Resources Wales and the National Landscape, using traditional methods to manage the landscape we care for.

To read more about the project, click the link below:

https://www.clwydianrangeanddeevalleyaonb.org.uk/cows-return-to-moel-famau/

Denbighshire residents asked to help find veterans still owed justice

Denbighshire County Council is supporting Fighting With Pride's #BattleForLostVeterans2026 campaign and encouraging local residents, veterans' groups and community organisations to help reach people affected by the historic ban on LGBTQ+ personnel serving openly in the Armed Forces before 2000.

Fighting with Pride Thousands of service personnel were dismissed, discharged or forced to hide their identity during their military careers. Eligible veterans may now be entitled to financial reparations of up to £70,000, as well as other restorative measures.

Although many veterans have already come forward, Fighting With Pride estimates that around 1,000 eligible veterans remain unaware of, or have not yet applied to, the scheme. The deadline for applications is 12 December 2026.

The council is encouraging anyone who may be eligible, or who knows someone who could be affected, to share information about the campaign and help ensure veterans receive the recognition and support they deserve.

Councillor Julie Matthews, Deputy Leader of the council, and Denbighshire’s Armed Forces Champion said, "Veterans have made significant sacrifices in service to their country and it is important that those who were treated unfairly because of their sexual orientation or gender identity are given the opportunity to access the support and recognition they deserve.

"We encourage residents, community groups and veterans' organisations across Denbighshire to help spread awareness of this campaign. By sharing this information, we can help ensure that anyone who may be eligible for reparations is aware of the support available to them before the application deadline."

Many individuals may no longer identify as LGBTQ+, may not consider themselves part of the veteran community, or may find it difficult to revisit their experiences. Community awareness is therefore vital in helping reach those who may still be owed justice.

For more information and support, visit the Fighting With Pride reparations webpage - https://www.fightingwithpride.org.uk/reparations/#

Or to apply visit www.gov.uk/lgbt-veterans

Stay Safe Around Water This Bank Holiday Weekend

Denbighshire County Council is reminding residents and visitors to take extra care around water this bank holiday weekend as people enjoy outdoor activities across the county and beyond.

While warmer weather may encourage people to spend time near rivers, lakes, reservoirs and the coast, water can be unpredictable and dangerous. Even on warm days, water temperatures can remain dangerously cold.

The Council is urging people to follow simple safety advice:

Speak to young people about the dangers of open water.
Swim only in supervised locations.
Never jump into water to cool off.
Plan before you go. Check weather forecasts and tide times, tell someone where you are going, take a mobile phone and wear appropriate equipment.
Install location apps such as what3words to help emergency services find you quickly in an emergency.
Avoid entering the water if you are under the influence of alcohol or drugs, as these can affect judgement and increase risk.
Learn how to help yourself and others in a water-related emergency.
If you see someone in difficulty, do not enter the water to attempt a rescue. Call 999 immediately and ask for the Coastguard at the coast or Fire and Rescue Service inland.
If you unexpectedly find yourself in trouble in the water, remember to Float to Live: tilt your head back with your ears submerged, relax and control your breathing, move your hands to help you stay afloat, and only swim when you can control your breathing.

We want everyone to enjoy the bank holiday weekend safely. Water can be dangerous, even during warm weather, so we encourage everyone to take sensible precautions, plan ahead and familiarise themselves with water safety advice. Knowing what to do in an emergency could save a life.

For more information about water safety and the Float to Live campaign, visit the Royal National Lifeboat Institution (RNLI) website on - https://rnli.org/water-safety/float

Water safety code

Rhyl Beach clean

A Beach clean has been organised at Rhyl Beach, from the Pavillion Theatre car park, LL18 3AQ on August 26, from 3pm until 4pm.

Volunteers are welcome to join the event which has been organised by Denbighshire County Councils Flood Risk team, with equipment supplied by Keep Wales Tidy.

The partnership is working to tackle the impact of marine litter in the area which can block up waterways and drainage, stopping the flow of water, leading to higher risks of localised flooding further upstream.

Taking litter off the beach can also provide stronger support for natural defences such as shorelines, dunes and seagrass beds as they are able to better maintain their natural function as defences against the sea. The litter pick which has become a monthly event also helps to improve the environment for local residents and visitors.

For further information on joining the event contact claudia.smith@denbighshire.gov.uk/ 07785517398 for more details.

Rhyl’s Children's Village Consultation Event

Residents, businesses and visitors of Rhyl are invited to attend a consultation event to view the latest proposals to improve the Children’s Village.

Image by Balfour Beatty.

Residents, businesses and visitors of Rhyl are invited to attend a consultation event to view the latest proposals to improve the Children’s Village, which have been shaped by feedback from previous consultations and engagement events.

📅Wednesday 12 August

📍Queen’s Market

⏰14:00 – 19:00

Drop-in sessions for Interested operators to discuss the Community Asset Transfer of Denbigh Town Hall

Interested parties are being invited to attend drop-in sessions to find out more about the proposed Community Asset Transfer of Denbigh Town Hall.

The sessions will provide an opportunity for community groups, organisations and other interested parties to discuss the potential transfer of the Town Hall and ask questions about the process.

The drop-in sessions will be held at Denbigh Library (Hall Square, Denbigh LL16 3NU) on:

Tuesday 11 August 2026 – 9.00am to 1.00pm

Wednesday 12 August 2026 – 1.00pm to 5.00pm

There is no need to book an appointment. Interested parties are welcome to attend at any time during the sessions.

The sessions are intended to provide further information and an opportunity for discussion as part of the Community Asset Transfer process for Denbigh Town Hall.

Please contact assetmanagement@Denbighshire.gov.uk should you have any questions

More than 1,100 children already enjoying the Summer Reading Challenge in Denbighshire Libraries!

More than 1,100 children have already signed up for this year's Summer Reading Challenge in Denbighshire Libraries – and there's still plenty of time to join in the fun!

Feeling bored during the summer holidays? Missing friends and classmates? Looking for fun, free activities?

Signing up to the Summer Reading Challenge is completely FREE and is a fantastic way to keep children reading throughout the long summer break. Simply sign up and visit the library three times to borrow and return books to earn a medal and certificate. The Challenge runs until the end of September, so there's still plenty of time to take part.

As well as the Reading Challenge, libraries across Denbighshire are hosting a range of free events to keep children entertained over the holidays.

Don't miss award-winning local author Oliver Sykes, who will be visiting libraries in Rhyl, Prestatyn and St Asaph with his brand-new one-man show, Diesel and Me. Based on Oliver's own childhood, the show is a funny, vivid and heartwarming celebration of community and found family, perfect for children aged five and over and the grown-ups who come along with them.

Children who sign up for the Summer Reading Challenge will also be entered into a prize draw to win £50 worth of cinema tickets, kindly donated by the Books Council of Wales.

The theme for the 2026 Summer Reading Challenge is Read to the Beat, delivered by The Reading Agency in partnership with public libraries and powered by Universal Music Group UK. The theme encourages children to explore the connection between stories and songs, discovering how reading and music can inspire imagination and creativity.

To find your nearest library and discover what's on this summer, visit our website.

Chair of the Council visits Ruthin Library

Chair of Denbighshire County Council, Councillor Bobby Feeley, recently visited Ruthin Library to learn more about the wide range of services, activities and support available for local residents.

Helen White, Heidi McDougall, Cllr Bobby Feeley, Vanessa Hill

Councillor Feeley was joined by Chief Executive Helen White, Head of Housing and Communities Heidi McDougall, Principal Librarian Debbie Owen and Ruthin Library Manager Vanessa Hill.

During the visit, Councillor Feeley met library staff and saw first-hand how the library has become much more than a place to borrow books. Alongside its extensive collection of books, the library offers free access to technology and digital support, job clubs, Bookstart and Rhyme Time sessions for young children and families, craft and reading groups, and provides a welcoming space where residents can access advice and support from a range of services.

With the Summer Reading Challenge – Read to the Beat! currently taking place in libraries across Denbighshire, the visit also highlighted the important role libraries play in encouraging children to develop a lifelong love of reading. The Challenge is packed with fun, free activities throughout the summer holidays, helping young readers stay engaged while discovering the joy of books, music and creativity.

One of the highlights of the visit was seeing the Citizens Advice Denbighshire service based within the library, where friendly, knowledgeable advisers are on hand to help people with a wide variety of issues, both big and small.

The group also explored the library's basement archive, home to a fascinating collection of historic publications that help tell the story of Ruthin's rich heritage and history.

The visit also brought back personal memories for Councillor Feeley, who recalled visiting the building for the first time as a newly elected Glyndŵr District Councillor in 1986, when it served as the Council Chamber. She reflected on its transformation into the much-loved library that has served the community since the early 1990s.

Councillor Feeley said:

"It was wonderful to spend time at Ruthin Library and see the incredible range of services it offers. Libraries today are so much more than places to borrow books – they are welcoming community hubs where people of all ages can learn, connect, access support and take part in activities.

"It was especially lovely to see the Summer Reading Challenge in full swing, inspiring children and families to enjoy reading together over the holidays. It was also fascinating to revisit a building that holds such personal memories for me and to see how it has evolved into such an important community resource. I'd like to thank the staff for the warm welcome and for everything they do to support residents every day."

To find out the location of your nearest library, visit our website.

OBR public engagement event in Ruthin

OBR Construction are hosting a public engagement event to discuss the ongoing works to St Peter’s Square and Cae Ddôl.

Attendees can discuss the development of the works with the site team and see the project's timelines. OBR will also be sharing their planned activities to benefit the community at the event.

📅 18 August

📍 Ruthin Rugby Club

⏰ 16:00 – 19:30

Changes to Prestatyn Traffic Trial

From Saturday 15 August a new arrangement is being introduced.

A new arrangement is being introduced to the Prestatyn traffic trial as part of the council's ongoing efforts to improve traffic flow and reduce congestion in the town centre.

From Saturday 15 August, motorists will be able to make a right turn from the B5120 Ffordd Pendyffryn, Prestatyn (travelling from the bus station/Lidl direction) down Bridge Road towards the mini roundabout, for businesses at the bottom of the High Street and Parc Prestatyn Retail Park.

The additional right turn movement is intended to reduce the number of vehicles travelling through Parc Prestatyn Retail Park to access businesses located at the lower end of the High Street. By providing motorists with a more direct route, the council hopes to ease pressure on local roads and improve access for residents, visitors and businesses.

Previous traffic modelling for the area advised that a right turn at this location would not be possible due to the width of the road and associated highway constraints. However, following further detailed work and a review of the available road space, a solution has been identified that safely accommodates the right turn movement.

Motorists are encouraged to take extra care when travelling through the area as road users become familiar with the new arrangement. Appropriate signage will be in place to guide drivers.

The council will monitor traffic movements and congestion levels during the trial period to assess the effectiveness of the changes and determine any future improvements that may be required.

Community Events

Looking for something to do over the summer?☀️

Why not come along to one of the community events, held from the 4^th until the 17^th of August.

Residents and visitors urged to reduce wildfire risk in countryside

Visitors to Denbighshire’s countryside are being urged to act responsibly this summer to help reduce the risk of wildfires.

Denbighshire County Council and the Clwydian Range and Dee Valley National Landscape are issuing the advice following hot, dry weather and recent wildfire outbreaks in North Wales.

Countryside Rangers are ready to respond to reports of wildfires, and visitors are asked to follow fire prevention advice at nature reserves, country parks and other outdoor public areas:

Do not light fires or BBQs, pack a picnic
Completely extinguish all cigarettes
If you see a wildfire or smell heavy smoke, get to a safe place right away.
Call 999 and ask for the fire service. Be ready to give an exact location or landmark.

Visitors are also encouraged to use established campsites with facilities to help reduce pressure on teams monitoring popular countryside sites.

BBQ

Cllr Alan James, Lead Member for Local Development and Planning at Denbighshire County Council, said: “With the prolonged dry weather, we are particularly concerned about wildfire risks linked to camping in remote areas.

“Grass, bracken and heather fires can spread quickly in dry, windy conditions. Please avoid open fires and fully extinguish smoking materials. He added:

“We encourage people to use official campsites and follow site rules. Being sensible during this hot weather will help keep visitors safe, support our teams and reduce pressure on resources.

He added: “It is particularly important that we all follow this guidance given the current pressures on the North Wales Fire and Rescue Service which is dealing with wildfires across the region at present.”

2026 Dates for free caravan weight check and security advice

Denbighshire and Conwy Trading Standards are offering free caravan and campervan weighing and advice sessions.

Residents who are going on in holiday in a touring or motor caravan can make sure that they are not overloading their vehicle or caravan and putting themselves at risk.

The free caravan weighing and advice sessions are available for Denbighshire and Conwy residents, and for those in other local authority areas if they can travel to the location.

This is an advice session, and no action will be taken if overloading or other issues are found, but we will work with you to reduce the load. Council officers will be accompanied by an officer from North Wales Police Community Safety section who will provide practical security advice to keep your car and caravan secure.

The free weight checks will take place at the weighbridge on the A525 between Rhuddlan and St Asaph on the following dates and times:

Friday 17/07 – 10am-3pm
Friday 28/08 – 10am-3pm

Appointments are not necessary for these sessions and residents are welcome to attend any of the listed sessions and find out if they’re within the legal weights for their vehicles.

The weighbridge can be found on the Rhuddlan to St Asaph A525 road, approximately three quarters of a mile from Rhuddlan, located in the layby, there will be signs indicating the weighbridge is in operation.

If you have any questions regarding the above please contact either Denbighshire Trading Standards section on tradingstandards@denbighshire.gov.uk or visit their Facebook page, likewise contact Conwy Trading Standards on trading.standards@conwy.gov.uk.-