Council complete works on the Four Great Highways project in Llangollen

The Council have completed works on the Four Great Highways project in Llangollen.

The project was part of investment by the UK Government that was secured through a joint application between Denbighshire County Council and Wrexham County Borough Council for the former Clwyd South Constituency, in which £3.8 million was allocated to Denbighshire to invest in the communities of Llangollen, Llantysilio, Corwen and surrounding areas.

The intention of the work was to promote and enhance the Four Great Highways of Llangollen, by providing landscape and engineering improvements that would improve accessibility and visibility of attractions within the town through enhanced signage and wayfinding.

OBR Construction who completed this project, were also responsible for the completion of another UK Government funded project in Wenffrwd Nature Reserve.

Barry Mellor, Leader Member for Environment said:

“I am happy to hear that works to complete the Four Great Highways project has now come to an end. We hope that these improvements to accessibility, interpretation and signage will help promote Llangollen’s historical sites and encourage more residents and visitors to spend more time there”.

Event held in Corwen to celebrate the completion of regeneration works

A recent event held at Canolfan Llys Owain, Corwen welcomed a range of partners to celebrate the completion of a number of town centre regeneration projects in and around Corwen high street.

These projects were a part of a £13 million investment across the Dee Valley funded by the UK Government. The funding, which was secured in 2021 through a joint application between Denbighshire County Council, Wrexham County Borough Council and the Canal and River Trust, seeks to maximise the potential of the post COVID-19 visitor economy in and around the Dee Valley.

£3.8M of this funding was allocated for the investment of 9 projects across the Denbighshire communities of Corwen, Llangollen, Llantysilio and surrounding areas.

The event was opened by the Chairman of the Council, Councillor Peter Scott, and provided an opportunity for the partners to reflect on the range of projects that have been successfully delivered within the town of Corwen.

A total of 4 projects in Corwen were completed over a period of just under three years which aimed to support local economic growth, job creation and support the sense of local pride.

These included funding for the Llangollen Railway Trust to complete the new Heritage Railway into the town, funding for the social enterprise Cadwyn Adfywio to complete external renovations of the Canolfan Llys Owain building and most recently saw a range of public realm improvements delivered to the high street and car park in Corwen.

The changes consisted of the restoration and replacement of street furniture, a new bus shelter, the installation of ten new EV charging points and the refurbishment of the toilet block in Green Lane car park, which is now under the management of Corwen Town Council.

Dark skies lighting alongside bird and bat boxes were also incorporated within the refurbishments to further support the Council’s commitment to its Climate and Nature strategy.

Leader of the Council, and Lead Member for Economic Growth & Tackling Deprivation said:

“It has been really pleasing to see this, and other regeneration work reach its completion, with a range of partners coming together over the past 3 years to bring exciting improvements to the local area.

“The addition of the new heritage railway station has already seen an increase of 21% in footfall on the high street in comparison to last year. We hope that these restorative works have displayed the potential that Corwen has to offer, as well as the great opportunities it can offer potential businesses looking for a high street location within the South of Denbighshire”.

For more information visit the website.

New digital resources for primary schools to discover the Dee Valley

Leading Lights at Ruthin Rugby Club

Ruthin sports venues are leading the way in tackling the impact of nighttime light pollution.

The Clwydian Range and Dee Valley National Landscape team has been working with Clwb Rygbi Rhuthun and Llanfwrog Community Centre to introduce more sustainable and ecologically friendly lighting on their pitches, tennis courts and golf driving range to reduce light pollution and improve the facilities for users and nature. The pioneering new lights installed at the tennis centre, the Rugby Club and the Golf Driving range are the first in Wales to be fully dark sky and ecologically friendly and lead the way in demonstrating best practice.

As part of a wider programme of work supported by Welsh Government, Designated Landscapes across Wales are working together as Tirweddau Cymru to help unlock the potential of these landscape to deliver for nature, climate and for communities. This has included a collaborative project led by staff from Clwydian Range and Dee Valley National Landscape to promote the importance of dark skies for nature and for people.

The Clwydian Range and Dee Valley National Landscape team worked with all of the Sports Grounds and clubs in this part of Ruthin including the Rugby Club, the Tennis Club and Golf Driving Range to come up with solutions that can deliver effective sports lighting that meet professional playing standards in an ecologically friendly way.

The new lights include cowls that cut off any stray light spilling into unnecessary areas and to direct all light onto the pitches, with no light spill beyond the playing area. This not only means less ecological impact but also that no light is wasted.

In this way the Rugby Club can light their pitches more effectively with a 45 percent reduction in the energy consumption, producing a significant financial saving for the club.

The Tennis Club have seen a 61 percent reduction in energy consumption with courts that are much better lit and better to play on.

A light management System has been included to make the new lights fully controllable from a phone app so that only the courts or pitches that are being used need to be lit. This can be dimmed when being used for training rather than matches leading to further energy savings.

Critically the new LED lights are a slightly warmer colour temperature, 2700 kelvin, which is much less harmful to wildlife than the standard bluer / white LED lights.

Uncontrolled external lighting can have a hugely negative impact on nocturnal wildlife as well as human physical and mental health. Around 60 percent of biodiversity depends upon darkness to survive so light pollution can be hugely damaging. As part of the project the National Landscape are monitoring moth and other invertebrate densities in the area.

Gwenno Jones, Dark Sky officer for the Clwydian Range and Dee Valley said: “It’s not been easy to come up with a solution but working with specialist dark sky lighting consultancy Dark Source and lighting company EcoClub we’ve managed to demonstrate that it’s possible to provide better quality, more effective lighting that is also more ecologically, environmentally and economically sustainable.”

Cllr Alan James, Lead Member for Local Development and Planning said: “The new lighting across all these sports grounds will see a huge improvement for residents in this part of Ruthin with very little or no obtrusive light now spilling into the surround area or landscape. Its best practice for so many reasons and we hope that this standard of lighting can be replicated across Wales.“

These sports grounds were a large source of obtrusive light contributing to light pollution affecting local residents and which could be seen for miles.

The new lighting schemes have been supported by the Sustainable Landscapes Sustainable Places funding programme, administered by Welsh Government and Tirweddau Cymru Landscapes Wales and have received funding from Brenig and Clocaenog wind Farm, Sport Wales and Denbighshire Leisure.

Denbighshire Libraries Fiction Fest

Denbighshire Libraries will be hosting a series of author events to brighten up the winter.

The festival starts with the YOTO Carnegie medal 2023 winner Manon Steffan Ros at Denbigh Library on Monday, 18 November at 2pm. Manon has written over 23 Welsh books for adults and children, has won the Wales Book of the Year, is a four-time winner of the Tir na n’Og Wales Children’s Book Awards and also won Eisteddfod and National Theatre Wales awards.

Prestatyn library will welcome Kate Ellis on Wednesday, 20 November at 2pm. Kate has written 28 novels, mostly crime with a supernatural twist, she has also written a trilogy set in the aftermath of the First World War. Her latest novel Coffin Island was published in August 2024.

Rhyl Library will host a double bill with romantic novelist Trisha Ashley with Juliet Greenwood on Thursday, November 28 at 2pm. Trisha is a Sunday Times bestseller who has written over 27 novels, short stories and poetry. Her latest novel ‘The Wedding Dress Repair Shop’ won the RoNA Award for Popular Fiction 2024. Juliet Greenwood writes historical novels. Her recent novel ‘The Last Train from Paris’ based on her mother’s experiences in WW2, became a kindle bestseller in both the US and UK.

Writer and broadcaster Myfanwy Alexander will visit Ruthin Library on Thursday, 21 November at 2pm to talk about her series of crime novels featuring Detective Inspector Daf Dafis. A murder mystery evening hosted by the library team at Rhuddlan Library on Thursday, 21 November at 7pm will be based on ‘The Darkest Evening’ by Ann Cleeves.

Million seller author Simon McCleave will be at St. Asaph Library on Friday, 22 November at 2pm.  His series of books started with the ‘Snowdonia Killings’, and include the ‘Denbigh Asylum Killings’ and the ‘Llangollen Killings’. He’s recently written a standalone thriller called ‘The Last Night at Villa Lucia’.

Local children’s author Pat Sumner will visit Ruthin Library on Saturday, 23 November at 11am to talk about her new novel for 8-12 year olds called ‘The Globbatrotter’.

Wrexham based author David Ebsworth will be at Llangollen Library on Tuesday 3^rd December, 2pm talking about his Wrexham and Chester Victorian Mysteries.

Deborah Owen, Principal Librarian said: “We hope there’s something for everyone with these author visits. Whether you prefer crime, romance or historical fiction, I’d like to invite everyone to come and join us. 

"Please contact your local library for more information on a specific author visit or to book a place.”

Councillor Emrys Wynne, Lead Member for Welsh Language, Culture & Heritage said: “These visits are an opportunity for the people of Denbighshire to gain an insight into a number of popular authors, as well as their published topics. There are visits all across the county, which cover many different topics and themes for residents to enjoy.”

These events are partly funded by Denbighshire Leisure and UK Government.

Llangollen and Corwen Railway staff become Denbighshire Tourism Ambassadors

Ahead of this year’s Wales Ambassador Week, which takes place between 18-22 November, Llangollen and Corwen Railway staff and volunteers have become Denbighshire Tourism Ambassadors.

The Denbighshire Ambassador Course provides online training opportunities to learn and improve your knowledge of the County’s unique characteristics and is a part of the wider Wales Ambassador Scheme, which provides people with free online training and knowledge on the special qualities of other areas across Wales.

Similar courses are also offered in Eryri National Park, Conwy, Gwynedd, Anglesey, Flintshire, Wrexham, Bannau Brycheiniog National Park, Ceredigion and Carmarthenshire.

Welsh Ambassador Week has a range of activities organised throughout the week, aiming to highlight the diverse range of people who have benefitted from becoming an ambassador through the Wales Ambassador Scheme.

The scheme itself is open to everyone and offers a unique way to learn more about Wales through a series of online modules on a variety of themes. Set to launch in November, members will be able to access the new coastal paths and national trails module, where they can learn more about the Welsh Coastline with a specific focus on Offa’s Dyke Path which runs through Denbighshire, the Pembrokeshire Coastal Path and Glyndwr’s Way.

There are currently over 4,850 people registered on the Wales Ambassador Scheme with over 3660 people already at the bronze level. More than 8,750 bronze, silver and gold badges have been awarded so far, with over half of the bronze achievers progressing through the modules to reach the gold standard.

Nicola Reincke the Llangollen Railway Training and Quality Manager said:

“We decided to introduce the Denbighshire Tourism Ambassador Scheme as a voluntary course for our customer-facing staff and volunteers to undertake as we felt it would enrich the customer experience we can give to our visitors at the railway. In the space of two weeks, we had 10 people achieve gold standard and many more are on their journey.

“The uptake and feedback have been tremendous. Even though I have lived and worked nearby all my life, I now need to revisit all the towns in Denbighshire to explore what I have learned in the scheme. It is a fascinating course to undertake and gives people a thorough and rich understanding of our communities and our history in Denbighshire”.

Councillor Alan James, Lead Member for Local Development and Planning said:

“It’s really encouraging to see individuals within the tourism industry in the County benefitting from this ambassador scheme. The Council are committed to managing the scheme and continuing to work with our partners to explore new opportunities, to improve the experience that tourists have when visiting Denbighshire. The introduction of the new coastal path and walking trails module is a great example of this.”

For more information on becoming a Denbighshire Tourism Ambassador visit the Denbighshire specific page on the Wales Ambassador website or to hear more to what the ambassadors themselves have to say visit their page. 

During Wales Ambassador Week a number of activities will be organised, for more information visit the Wales Ambassador website.

 Llangollen Railway staff and volunteers with their Gold Certificates for the Denbighshire Ambassador Scheme

Fused glass snowflake workshop

Christmas Wreath Making

Christmas through the ages

Cost of Living

There is a new section on the Cost of Living page on the Council's website and you are now able to do a search based on your circumstances.

The categories are: 

• Armed forces/veterans
• Carers
• Disabled people
• Families
• Pensioners
• People who are not working
• People who have lost a loved one
• Students

Working in partnership with Welsh Water

The Council is working in partnership with Welsh Water to highlight schemes that may be able to make water bills more affordable.

Welsh Water’s HelpU tariff helps households by putting a cap on the amount they have to pay for their water to reduce future payments. People are being urged to check whether they qualify for the HelpU tariff worth, on average up to £200 per household per year.

For more information on all the schemes and to apply online please visit www.dwrcymru.com/costoflivingdenbighshire. For help with applications and to check eligibility, please contact Welsh Water on 0800 052 0145 or Citizens Advice Denbighshire on 0808 278 7933.

Welsh Water HelpU Factsheet

What is the HelpU tariff?

Welsh Water offer several schemes to make water bills more affordable. The HelpU tariff helps households by putting a cap on the amount you have to pay for your water to reduce future payments.

How much is it worth?

If you qualify for the HelpU tariff, Welsh Water will cap your water bill, so you won’t pay over a certain amount for the year. The annual HelpU charge for this financial year is £290.03 (£116.52 for water, £173.51 for sewerage).

Who is eligible for the HelpU tariff?

To qualify for the tariff:

• the water supply to the household must be for domestic use only
• someone in the household must receive at least one means-tested benefit such as Universal Credit or Pension Credit*
• the combined annual household income must be on or under the threshold for the household size as shown in the table below*

How do you claim?

• Apply online at www.dwrcymru.com/costoflivingdenbighshire
• If you’re unsure if you are eligible, or would like help with your application, please contact Welsh Water on 0800 052 0145 or Citizens Advice Denbighshire on 0808 278 7933.

If you're struggling to pay or are worried about any of your bills - from utilities such as water and energy, or other debts – please get in touch with Citizens Advice Denbighshire for free and confidential advice and support www.CADenbighshire.co.uk, or call 0808 278 7933. Alternatively, check what you could be entitled to with the benefit calculators - www.gov.uk/benefits-calculators.

Did you know? 

• The HelpU tariff is already making a difference to over 3200 people in Denbighshire.
• The average saving is up to £200 per household per year.
• There are other schemes available which might be able to help if you are in receipt of benefits or have a low income:
  • If you use more water due to a higher household size or medical condition, the Bill Cap-WaterSure Wales tariff puts a cap on the amount you have to pay for your water - www.dwrcymru.com/support-with-bills/watersure-tariff
  • Cymuned Support Fund is a scheme offering short term support to working households who are struggling to afford the essentials. www.dwrcymru.com/en/cost-of-living-support/cymuned

* Here’s a list of types of the means-tested benefits which someone in the household must be receiving at least one of: Universal Credit, Income related Employment & Support Allowance (ESA), Income-based Jobseeker's Allowance (JSA), Income Support, Pension Credit, Child Tax Credit (except families in receipt of the family element only), Working Tax Credit, Housing Benefit, Council Tax Reduction (based on income, not just a Single Persons Discount).

* Some types of income from the combined annual household income calculation are excluded: Housing Benefit or Housing Element of Universal Credit, Council Tax Reduction /Support, Support Group/Work Related Activity Group & Disability/Carer Premiums on ESA, Disability Premiums on Child/Working Tax Credits, Disability/Carer Premiums on Pension Credit/JSA & Income Support, Disabled Child & Limited Capability For Working Elements of Universal Credit, Attendance Allowance, Disability Living Allowance, Personal In

Upcoming Events

Working Denbighshire is offering free, monthly events designed to support residents aged 16 and over in enhancing their skills, improving their wellbeing, and moving closer to employment.

These events provide a welcoming environment to learn new things, connect with others, and grow your confidence.

Whether you want to explore new job opportunities, develop your professional skills, or simply boost your personal wellbeing, our events are here to help. Don’t miss this chance to invest in your future—sign up today!

For more information and to book your spot, visit our social media pages @WorkingDenbighshire and @SirDdinbychynGweithio.

Upcoming Training and Work Placements

• To sign up to current Training opportunities, please visit https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/o/working-denbighshire-79434827543
• To sign up to current Work Placements, please visit https://www.denjobs.org/work-start-scheme/ or contact us on workstart@denbighshire.gov.uk if you would like to find out more.

Another successful Jobs Fair held by Working Denbighshire

On 25 September, more than 400 people attended Working Denbighshire’s Jobs fair at the Pavilion Theatre in Rhyl.

Over 50 businesses exhibited, including nationally recognised names such Clwyd Alyn, North Wales Fire & Rescue, Asda, Alpine Travel, Gamlins Law and Balfour Beatty.

The free event saw an opportunity for unemployed people, and those looking for a career change, to gain access to local and employment options, as well as hear about the various training and apprenticeships opportunities that are open for applications.

The team organised a quiet hour during the event for those who may appreciate a quieter atmosphere.

The Council's Working Denbighshire service aims to coordinate support that helps people into work by removing barriers. Working with local businesses and organisations, the Working Denbighshire programme is committed to supporting people who live in Denbighshire to get into the world of work and/or further their skills with free training.

Melanie Evans, Principal Manager, Strategic Employment, said: “We are thrilled with another great turnout at our latest Jobs Fair. It is a testament to the hard work of our team and the commitment of local services and businesses to support our community.

“Events like these not only connect job seekers with potential employers but also empower individuals to take the next step in their careers."

Councillor Jason McLellan, Leader of the Council and Lead Member for Economic Growth & Tackling Deprivation added: “The success of the Jobs Fair highlights the importance of collaboration between local organisations and the Council. By providing a platform for high quality training and employment opportunities, we are helping to break down barriers and create a brighter future for the residents of Denbighshire."

To keep up to date with events and find out more about Working Denbighshire visit the website.

Working Denbighshire is part funded through the Welsh Government Communities for Work Plus Programme which supports those most disadvantaged in the labour market to overcome the barriers preventing them from gaining employment.

Working Denbighshire has received £3,529,632 from the UK Government through the UK Shared Prosperity Fund.

Check out our video from the event! https://youtu.be/qs5PPrWpDS0

Andrew’s Journey to Independence with the Help of Working Denbighshire

Andrew, a Denbighshire resident, has achieved a life-changing milestone, moving from volunteering to paid employment, thanks to his determination and the support of Working Denbighshire.

His story shines a light on how employability services can help people rebuild their lives after facing major challenges.

In 2021, Andrew suffered a brain injury in a car accident, leaving him reliant on his family.

In March 2023, they sought help from Working Denbighshire, where Andrew was matched with Mentor Jen, who developed a personalised plan to support his journey to independence.

Andrew’s plan focused on securing a volunteering role as a step towards paid employment. It included:

• Finding a volunteering role suited to his abilities
• Improving communication and confidence
• Crafting a tailored CV
• Supporting his wellbeing and independence

With support from an employment coordinator, Jen tracked Andrew’s progress, to ensure he stayed on track.

By May 2023, Andrew started volunteering at Plas Newydd in Llangollen, gradually building his confidence and even taking the bus independently for the first time since his accident. By August, he took on new challenges, including volunteering at the Llangollen Eisteddfod, which boosted his independence and made his family proud.

In April 2024, Andrew expanded his volunteering experience to Llangollen Railway, where he developed new skills. By August, his hard work paid off, and he secured a paid role through the Work Start Scheme, starting in September.

Andrew’s journey from relying on family support to securing employment highlights the difference Working Denbighshire’s tailored approach can make.

Working Denbighshire Participant, Andrew, said: "My family and I had fantastic support from Working Denbighshire, especially from Jen, who was always just a phone call away.

“Their support took a huge weight off my wife's shoulders, and at one point, I thought returning to work would be impossible but with their help, I’ve now secured paid employment."

Andrew’s journey is a testament to his resilience and the power of employability services to transform lives.

Jen, Working Denbighshire Employment & Skills Mentor said: "I'm incredibly proud of all that Andrew has accomplished. He and his wife appreciated having a reliable point of contact for support, and I feel honoured to have been part of his journey."

Councillor Jason McLellan, Leader of the Council and Lead Member for Economic Growth & Tackling Deprivation said: “Andrew’s story highlights how important it is to provide people with the right support at the right time.

“His success is a fantastic example of what can be achieved when someone’s determination is matched with targeted guidance. We’re so proud of everything he has achieved.”

Andrew’s story shows just how life-changing employability services can be, helping individuals regain their independence and confidence.

For more information about Working Denbighshire and the support it offers, visit www.denbighshire.gov.uk/en/jobs-and-employees/working-denbighshire/working-denbighshire.aspx

Working Denbighshire is part funded through the Welsh Government Communities for Work Plus Programme which supports those most disadvantaged in the labour market to overcome the barriers preventing them from gaining employment.

Working Denbighshire is part funded by UK Government.

Join Us for a Powerful Event to 'Tackle Mental Health' at Prestatyn Football Club this November!

In celebration of World Mental Health Day, Working Denbighshire is excited to announce the return of their "Tackling Mental Health" event!

Following the success of the August event in Denbigh, this impactful initiative will take place at Prestatyn Football Club in mid-November.

Working Denbighshire, in partnership with Prestatyn Town Council, will host this free event focused on tackling mental health and promoting wellbeing on Wednesday, 13th November, from 12:30 pm to 3:30 pm.

The event will feature a variety of engaging Rugby-themed activities designed to boost your mood while providing valuable tips on mental health and wellbeing.

Councillor Jason McLellan, Leader of the Council and Lead Member for Economic Growth & Tackling Deprivation said:

“We are proud to support this important initiative, bringing our community together to tackle mental health and promote wellbeing.

By working together with Prestatyn Town Council, we can create a positive environment where residents feel empowered to take steps towards promoting their mental health and wellbeing.”

Anyone living in Denbighshire aged 16 and over, is welcome to attend the event to improve their mental health and access valuable resources for themselves or those close to them.

Melanie Evans,  principal manager and strategic lead for Working Denbighshire said:

“We know how challenging it can be to take that first step toward seeking support, and we want this event to be a place where individuals feel comfortable doing just that.

By combining engaging activities with promoting wellbeing, we aim to provide local residents with tools they can use long after the event ends. It’s a great opportunity for the community to come together, connect, and support each other.”

To secure your place, text 07795 051793 or email barod@denbighshire.gov.uk today.

Successful Summer Transition Programme Supports Denbighshire’s Year 11 Leavers

Working Denbighshire, in collaboration with Denbighshire Youth Services, Education Services and the Youth Engagement and Progression Framework, launched a Summer Transition Programme earlier this year to support Year 11 leavers moving into further education.

This initiative provided targeted guidance and essential resources to young people facing challenges such as bullying, mental health struggles, and disengagement from schooling.

The programme enrolled 26 participants identified as being at risk of not progressing due to personal and financial barriers. Weekly sessions focused on helping them transition smoothly into their next step by offering mental health support, transition planning, and guidance on securing essential items like college kits and opening bank accounts.

Working Denbighshire’s, Well-being team (Barod) played a critical role in addressing financial barriers, ensuring that students had everything they needed for their courses. Of the 26 participants, 23 received financial aid for course materials, while 21 were granted laptops and headphones to support their studies as a result of a collaboration with Cwmpas.

Councillor Jason McLellan, Leader of the Council and Lead Member for Economic Growth & Tackling Deprivation said:

“I’m delighted to see the positive impact the Summer Transition Programme has had on our young people. Ensuring they have the right support to transition smoothly into further education is essential, especially for those facing barriers.

This initiative is a prime example of how collaborative working can create real, lasting change in our community.

I’m incredibly proud of everyone involved and wish all participants continued success in their education and future careers.”

Melanie Evans, Principal Strategic Employment Manager for Denbighshire County Council said:

“I am extremely proud of the support of the what Council’s Working Denbighshire service has been able to provide.

Partnership working is the corner stone of our approach and these remarkable results demonstrate how powerful collaboration is for the benefit of our young people. 

The impact of this support will have a legacy for years to come not just for the individuals supported but also their friends and family given the knowledge and experience that they will be sharing.

Wishing them all the best in their future education, I hope they make the most of what is on offer to them now and when they complete their studies, our door is always open to help them progress into the careers of their dreams!”

One of the programme’s highlights was the sense of community and support built among the young people. Many participants had been isolated and out of school for long periods, but the sessions helped them form friendships and build confidence in a safe and supportive space.

The success of the programme is reflected in the participants' commitment to further education. An impressive 35% of students achieved 100% attendance, and 78% attendance above 80%, showing how vital this summer support was in keeping them engaged and motivated.

Sian Morgan, Engagement and Progression Manager, said:

“The Summer Transition Programme for our Year 11 leavers has been a great success. It’s fantastic to see the partnership between Education Services, Youth Services, and Barod working to support learners on their journey into further education. We’re already looking forward to building on this success next year with earlier intervention and longer transition support.”

This programme is a powerful model for future efforts aimed at supporting vulnerable young people in continuing their education.

Working Denbighshire is part funded through the Welsh Government Communities for Work Plus Programme which supports those most disadvantaged in the labour market to overcome the barriers preventing them from gaining employment.

Working Denbighshire has received £3,529,632 from the UK Government through the UK Shared Prosperity Fund.

Working Denbighshire is part funded by UK government.

Working Denbighshire Videos

Check out these videos, made by the Working Denbighshire team and participants who are developing their skills to be able to access the TV and Film industry. 

The videos bring to life the ambition we have in the service to work with people and businesses across the County to help them thrive.   

ONE TO ONE SUPPORT

Working Denbighshire provides free One to One support to anyone in Denbighshire that is looking to get into employment. Apply today by visiting www.working.denbighshire.gov.uk/

PROJECT BAROD (WELLBEING) SUPPORT

Working Denbighshire provides free wellbeing to people in Denbighshire. Fill out our contact form if you would benefit from this support.

FULLY FUNDED TRAINING OPPORTUNITIES IN DENBIGHSHIRE

Working Denbighshire provides free Training to people in Denbighshire. Fill out our contact form, to sign up to one of our courses.

WORK START PLACEMENT OPPORTUNITIES

Working Denbighshire provides placement opportunities for people living in Denbighshire. Fill out our contact form to get more details about the opportunities available.

DAMIEN'S EXPERIENCE WITH WORKING DENBIGHSHIRE

Damien received support from Working Denbighshire, helping him get a job as a Trainee Mechanic! Working Denbighshire can offer a variety of personalised support to anyone living in the County struggling to get into employment of their choice. To sign up for support visit our website.

Are you interested in fostering?

Tree nursery grows acres of woodland coverage

Thousands of locally grown trees are preparing to boost Denbighshire’s biodiversity.

The Council’s Local Provenance Tree Nursery at St Asaph currently has around 24 varieties of tree growing on site.

The nursery is currently home to nearly 40,000 trees which are in different stages of growth. If all the trees are successful in growth that’s nearly 70 acres of woodland that could be covered by the work of the Council’s Biodiversity team and nursery volunteers.

This project has been funded by the Welsh Government, through the Local Nature Partnerships Cymru ENRaW project and Local Places for Nature grant.

The Council’s Biodiversity team use a local provenance method to source seeds across the county for growing at the tree nursery until they are ready to be planted on local land.

Work at the nursery to support tree growth includes a mix of preserving and boosting core tree members such as oaks and also lending a supporting hand for conserving rare trees such as the wild service tree.

Other trees grown on site include pedunculate oak, sessile oak, sweet chestnut, silver birch, alder, wych elm and grey willow.

Some of the trees that are ready to be planted will help form a new woodland area of the Green Gates Nature Reserve of which the tree nursery is a part of.

The work of the nursery is part of the Council’s commitment to addressing a Climate and Ecological Emergency declared in 2019, by helping increase the county tree canopy cover to reduce carbon emissions and provide stronger support for local nature.

Nearly 16,000 wildflowers have also been produced from county seeds at the tree nursery and these will continue to support existing wildflower meadows in Denbighshire though plug planting.

Many of these wildflowers support a variety of different wildlife. For example, bird’s foot trefoil can provide food for 160 species of insects, encouraging shrews and lapwings to visit the plant, improving nature’s resilience in local communities.

Once planted they will also add more variety to meadows for local communities to enjoy and learn from and maintain and improve biodiversity.

Having more wildflowers on the meadows also gives greater support to pollinators who are important to the human food supply chain.

Cllr Barry Mellor, Lead Member for Environment and Transport, said: “Growing trees takes time and it’s a credit to our Biodiversity team and the tree nursery volunteers that we now have 24 species of trees on site that will eventually go back out to tackle the impact of climate change for both residents and our local nature.

“It’s fantastic to think that we have potential acres of woodland siting at the nursery and I know the hard work is continuing to collect seeds this season from existing local woodlands to help continue to grow this number we have on site.”

Growing an Oak Tree

A wise old tree is getting a helping hand to support its future by our tree nursery at St Asaph, watch this clip to find out why the oak is such a great tree for biodiversity! #walesclimateweek

Nursery nurtures help for rare butterfly

Work is underway to help a rare butterfly take flight in Denbighshire.

Denbighshire County Council’s Local Provenance Tree Nursery at St Asaph is giving a helping hand to an under-threat tree that provides vital food for a rare butterfly.

The Council’s Biodiversity team recently collected seeds from Wych Elms growing at Loggerheads County Park to grow at the tree nursery. These will be eventually planted out at the Green Gates Nature Reserve development next to the tree nursery.

This work and other projects at the site to protect local tree and wildflower species is funded by Welsh Government through the Local Places for Nature grant as part of the Council’s work with the Local Nature Partnership.

Wych Elms are under threat from Dutch elms disease, with many mature trees cut down due to its impact, reducing the growth and spread of younger trees.

This tree is the larval food-plant of the rare White-Letter Hairstreak Butterfly, which was recorded at Loggerheads some years back but has remained scarce in the county.

The butterfly is reliant on the unopened flower buds of the Wych Elm for food to survive.

Sam Brown, Tree Nursery Assistant, explained: “The Wych Elms we have planted from seed at the nursery have grown really well. Its numbers have declined over the years due to Dutch elms disease and a reluctance to replant the tree.

“However, the Wych Elm is such an important source of food for the White-Letter Hairstreak Butterfly, without them the butterfly would become extinct. People don't plant Elms anymore because Dutch Elm disease kills them before maturity. The butterfly does not need mature Elms, but just young ones that are old enough flower to provide them with food.

“What we have grown here, we can add to hedgerows to maintain their height, reduce the impact of Dutch elms disease and encourage flowering for many years before reaching maturity.

“This tree is a perfect example of how important it is to try and reverse the loss of trees and plants locally as they all play their part in providing a vital food source for insects and animals, the less we have around the county, the more at risk our local nature becomes.”

Cllr Barry Mellor, Lead Member for Environment and Transport and Council Biodiversity Champion, said: “Our Biodiversity team are working hard to protect many species that have become rare.

“This fantastic effort will not only help the White-Letter Hairstreak Butterfly recover in our county, but it will also give our future communities a slice of nature from the past back to enjoy while outdoors.”

 

Preparations underway for new St Asaph nature reserve

Denbighshire County Council’s Planning Committee has agreed planning permission for the creation of a 40-acre area nature reserve at Green Gates, Cwttir Lane, St Asaph.

This development is part of a number of phases of work at the land which is planned to eventually grow into a 70-acre nature reserve.

The Council declared a Climate Change and Ecological Emergency in July 2019 and the St Asaph nature reserve development is part of the response to protect and restore local nature habitats to contribute to our nature recovery goal. The increased hedgerow and tree cover will also contribute to our net carbon zero goal by increasing carbon absorption.

Plans have already been agreed for the development of a 30-acre nature reserve section at the site. The overall area also includes the Council’s established local provenance tree nursery which aims to produce around 5,000 trees and 5,000 wildflowers a year to help boost local nature habitats.

The planning committee agreed to the demolition of existing buildings and the change of use of the 40 acres of land from agricultural land to a new nature reserve.

Habitat creation on this area will see the restoration of existing ponds, the creation of new ponds, the creation of a wetland area adjacent to two small watercourses and creation of woodland and grassland habitat areas.

Waste materials from the demolished buildings will be used to create a new brownfield site, which is a Priority Habitat and will help to support a variety of rare and important wildlife – such as insects and wildflowers. The site has also been identified by Natural Resources Wales as a potential Site of Special Scientific Interest for great crested newts.

Work will also see the construction of a permissive pathway and engineering works to create a raised viewing area together with associated works.

Barry Mellor, Lead Member for Environment and Transport said, “This is an important piece in the development of a 70-acre nature reserve that will become a strong asset for the county in supporting our local wildlife, plants and trees, as well for community wellbeing, education and leisure.

“We’ve already seen the positive impact the tree nursery, located on this site, is having in protecting and supporting local nature and recovery.

“This development of the land around the nursery will restore habitats supporting rare and important wildlife. The replacement of species poor grassland to species rich grasslands, wetlands, woodland and scrub habitats is an essential step to meeting our continuing goal to increase biodiversity and improve carbon sequestration.”

This work is funded by Welsh Government through the Local Places for Nature grant as part of the Council’s work with the Local Nature Partnership. Additional funding has also been provided from Denbighshire’s Climate and Nature Recovery Programme.

Closing times at Loggerheads

The car parks at Loggerheads will be closing at 6pm (during the winter months) instead of 9pm.

The Visitor Centre will also close at 4pm instead of 5pm.

Rhuddlan community nature partnership honoured

A community partnership has received national recognition for its continuing work to help nature at a popular Rhuddlan site.

Rhuddlan Nature Reserve was honoured at the recent Wales in Bloom 2024 awards ceremony at Abergavenny.

The Council's Countryside Services have worked closely with the Rhuddlan Reserve Management Advisory Group since 2011 to manage the site to help nature flourish and provide a great place for community well-being.

Through the vision of the group and the skill of the countryside rangers, Rhuddlan Nature Reserve has grown and developed over the years with the introduction of initiatives including two wildflower meadows, three wildlife ponds, 300 metres of hedgerow, wildflower seeded verges, planting of 6,000 trees, a heritage species orchard, two picnic areas and a pond dipping platform.

The partnership, working with the local Dementia also created a Dementia friendly space on the site with sensory, trees, wildflowers and historic landscape features such as dry stone walls and laid hedges complete with traditional Welsh oak timber seating.

Adoption of the specially designed reserve by local wildlife has exceeded all expectations and which includes iconic species such as otters and water voles and which happen to be some of the more rapidly declining mammals in the UK.

Wales in Bloom awarded Rhuddlan the John Woods Environmental Award and ‘Outstanding’ in the It’s Your Neighbourhood Category which is a scheme for volunteer-led community gardening groups which are focused on cleaning up and greening up their local area.

Anita Fagan, Chair of the Rhuddlan Reserve Management Advisory Group was also awarded a Community Champion Award for her role in supporting Rhuddlan Nature Reserve.

She said: “I want to pass my grateful thanks to all committee members for their positive, proactive work for the reserve. I believe all committee members go ‘above and beyond’ their required commitment.

“Denbighshire Countryside Services and their team of rangers supported by fantastic volunteers deserve very special praise and thanks for their dedication to maintaining the reserve while juggling all their other nature reserve commitments in North Denbighshire.”

Councillor Alan James, Lead Member for Local Development and Planning said: “This is a fantastic collaboration that Countryside Services are a part of and it has produced a wealth of support for local nature and the community who come to enjoy this site on a regular basis.

“It is great to see this work by all recognised and I look forward to seeing this important community site continue to flourish into the future.”

Scary crafted snakes celebrate Halloween season