NEWS

Smart and Sustainable ways to dispose of your Christmas Tree

Did you know that there are sustainable ways to wrap up your Christmas Tree use following the festive celebrations?

Denbighshire County Council is encouraging residents to properly dispose of their Christmas tree, be it real or an artificial one.

If you have an artificial tree, it is recommended that it is reused year after year as much as possible to help reduce waste. When you do decide to dispose of your artificial tree, it can be taken to your local Recycling and Waste Park.

Real trees can be recycled by using the green wheelie bin (if you have a garden waste subscription). Make sure the tree is cut up first to ensure it fits properly in your bin. If you cannot fit it into your bin, real trees can also be taken to the local Recycling and Waste Park for disposal.

Councillor Barry Mellor, Lead Member for Environment and Transport said:

“Celebrating the festive season with Christmas Trees and decorating them is often the highlight of many families’ Christmas period. When it does come time to dispose of your tree, it is important to remember the correct channels that will really help cut down on waste over the festive period.”

For more information, please go to our website.

Remember to recycle this Christmas

As Christmas is fast approaching with decorations all up and presents wrapped, the Council is encouraging residents to remember to recycle over the holidays.

From festive food to the perfect gifts, it’s a good time to make a list for recycling.

Below is a key list of popular festive items and what residents are able to do with them:

Bubble wrap can't be recycled, it should be put it in the general waste bin or reused to wrap up valuables which are going into storage or being posted.

Duct tape, electrical tape, cellotape, masking tape and parcel tape all need to go in the general waste bin.

Christmas decorations can be reused year after year or donated to local charity shops or schools for craft sessions. Any decorations that are not fit for reuse should be put in the general waste bin.
If gift wrapping paper doesn’t have glitter or foil, it can usually be recycled in your top box. Take off any sticky tape, ribbons and bows first. You can use the wrapping paper ‘scrunch test’ as well to make sure. If you scrunch the paper in your hand and it stays in a ball, it can be put into the recycling, if it doesn’t then it will need to go in your black/blue wheelie non-recyclable waste bin”
For Christmas cards tear off ribbons or sections of glitter and then put the cards in with the paper recycling. Batteries from musical cards can go in your battery box.

Hard Plastic Packaging can be recycled using the middle box of the Trolibocs or the red recycling bag for plastic.
Soft plastics such as food container lids or plastic bags can be taken to recycling points at your local supermarket.

Recycle empty aluminium cans in the middle box of the Trolibocs or the red recycling bag or at the nearest Recycling and Waste Park.

Any unwanted glass bottles and jars can be recycled in the bottom box of the Trolibocs or the green bag for glass. Please remove any plastic or metal lids from glass bottles and place them in the middle box or the red bag.
Plastic bottles can be recycled using the middle box of the Trolibocs or the red bag for plastic.

All food waste must be placed in the orange food caddy and not in the general waste containers.

Remember to recycle household batteries using the appropriate container for your recycling and waste collections service or at a Recycling and Waste Park. Please don’t put these in general waste containers, as they can cause fires.

Cllr Barry Mellor, Lead Member for Environment and Transport said: “The festive period is a very busy time for our waste and recycling teams but we know our residents really do support them by choosing the right options to recycle their Christmas items.

“All through the year residents are fantastic for recycling in Denbighshire and I would once again like to thank them for their support during the Christmas and New Year period.

If you’re not sure what goes where, you can check the A-Z recycling guide on the website.

Community hub to open in time for Christmas

Works have been completed to convert an old unused school into a much-needed community hub.

Following the closure of Ysgol Bryneglwys in 2014, a group of volunteers from the village came together to ensure that a once valuable community asset could become integral to the community again.

The group of residents formed Cymdeithas Canolfan Ial Association (CCIA) and obtained a charity status in April 2020, with the aim to convert the old school to a much-needed community hub.

On the 19th of January 2023, Denbighshire Council received confirmation that they had secured £10.95m from the UK Government for the former Clwyd West constituency to support the development of 10 projects aimed at protecting Ruthin’s unique heritage, wellbeing and rural communities.

This project was one of the 10 included within the Council’s application to UK Government, and as a result Cymdeithas Canolfan Ial Association (CCIA) received £327,000 of this UK Government funding to renovate the former village school and secured a further £65,000 from the Clocaenog Windfarm Fund towards the project.

Having secured funding for the project, the CCIA appointed Adever Construction to undertake the improvement works.

The works included removing existing asbestos within the building, conducting clean air tests and rendering the exterior of the building, with the idea of converting the old school into a community hub with a café that also has space to host future community events for the residents of Bryneglwys.

Pat Downes, Chair of Cymdeithas Canolfan Ial Association (CCIA) said:

“Cymdeithas Canolfan Ial Association (CCIA) was formed as a one issue charity to turn the old school into a much-needed community hub. It has been a lot of hard work and so many people have helped us over the years. There has been a real team effort around this project.

“It’s an exciting time, not just for CCIA, but for the whole village who have been looking forward to having this amenity. The opening of the community hub here in Bryneglwys will offer an opportunity for residents to get together on a regular basis in the new café, and we will now be able to provide a space to host events such as concerts. The community hub will also be available to hire for private functions”.

Councillor Jason McLellan, Lead Member for Economic Growth and Tackling Deprivation said:

“It is exciting that Denbighshire County Council has been able to support this community to achieve their aspirations. Hubs such as these play a vital role in bringing the residents together and we are delighted that works have been completed just in time for Christmas!

“I would like to thank the CCIA and the local member, Councillor Hugh Evans, who have worked tirelessly throughout this process to ensure that the residents of Bryneglwys have a dedicated space to gather as a community”.

Save the date for garden waste sign up

Denbighshire gardeners who use the garden waste subscription service will be able to renew their collection this coming January.

The current 2025/2026 subscription period for this service will close on December 19. Renewal for 2026 to 2027 will open from January 12 to make sure there is time for everyone to sign up before the new service period starts from April 1.

Residents will not be able to sign up to the new 12-month service before this date.

The Council is encouraging residents who are subscribing for the first time also take advantage of this sign-up period to take full advantage of the 12-month service.

Denbighshire offers the two-weekly service as an optional and cost-effective way of recycling garden waste. The subscription charge is necessary in order for the Council to deliver this non-statutory service.

Councillor Barry Mellor, Lead Member for Environment and Transport said: “We want to make sure our residents who wish to use this service have plenty of notice to sign up for the new 12-month period or carry out a renewal.

“If you want to use this service, save the date and please sign up the earliest you can from January 12 onwards to make sure everything is processed in good time.”

Please visit the Garden waste collection service web page here for more information.

Bodelwyddan countryside park celebrates re-opening to the public

Works began on the site back in 2022.

A ceremony was recently held to mark the official opening of the site since works began in 2022.

Situated at the foot of the historic Bodelwyddan Castle, the site celebrated its official opening following the completion of the first phase of works.

Denbighshire County Council’s Chairman Arwel Roberts officially opened the country park at the ceremony.

The project received £900,000 from the UK Government through the UK Shared Prosperity Fund, with the work looking to address the condition of the parkland beginning in 2022.

As a part of the works to reopen the parklands, woods and orchards to the public, nearly one and a half miles of new disabled friendly limestone topped pathways meander from the bottom of the parkland right up to the woodland at the top of the site.

To accommodate for the returning visitors, a new 73 space car park near the bottom entrance off the A55 was created, whilst a countryside ranger with a designated budget for management and maintenance at the park was appointed on a full-time basis.

Hedgerows were planted along new boundary fencing to also support local nature on the parkland, with access to resident deer provided at certain parts of the boundary fence. Special protective fence enclosures were also built in the woodland to protect tree and plant areas including the old Victorian Orchard from deer to allow certain species to flourish stronger going forward.

Further work was undertaken to preserve the historic First World War trenches at the top of the parkland with a new fencing enclosure protecting the site.

The project also delivered over 19,000 m² of green space, 2 km of footpaths, planted 7,150 trees and installed several interpretation boards along the paths to explain the surrounding land.

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

“The opening of this park signifies a fantastic milestone for the project. I’d like to acknowledge the hard work of our countryside team who have worked tirelessly to address the condition of the park in order for us to be in the position to open the site to the public.

“The regeneration of the parkland will provide vital support that our local wildlife needs to survive going forward and will also give Denbighshire residents and visitors a great place to visit to experience the nature our county has to offer.”

Denbighshire Trading Standards holds successful free electric blanket testing events

Residents were offered free electric blanket testing and free replacement blankets this past winter.

Denbighshire trading standards service offered residents free electric blanket testing and free replacement blankets this past winter.

The testing events took place during December to February in three different areas of the county.

During the 3 sessions held, a total of 77% of the electric blankets tested failed. One of the main reasons for the failures was due to the age of the blankets, with several blankets brought for testing over 20 years old, and one blanket being 50 years old.

Another reason for failures was the heating elements within the blankets coming loose and collecting in one area of the blanket which presents a risk of fire.

The funding granted to Trading Standards allowed residents whose electric blanket failed the safety testing to receive a brand-new replacement blanket of a same size.

Around 43 fires a year are caused by faulty electric blankets in the home. They should be stored flat, rolled up or loosely folded to prevent damaging the internal wiring and should be replaced at least every 10 years.

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

“Consumer Protection is a priority area for the Public Protection. Wear and tear on these products is inevitable and faulty electric blankets pose a significant fire risk. It is good to see that residents have made good use of the opportunity to have these items tested. We look forward to building on the success of this work in the future.”

Foster Wales Denbighshire carers receive parking permits as part of fostering package

Foster carers who decide to foster through the local authority are now issued a parking permit as standard as part of Denbighshire’s fostering package.

To assist foster carers with parking for vital appointments, foster meetings, and any associated activities, Foster Wales Denbighshire carers are now issued with parking permits for all long-stay car parks within the county once they are accepted through the Foster Wales scheme.

This initiative is part of the council’s transformation programme which has the ambition to increase the number of Foster Wales Denbighshire carers, allowing children to be cared for closer to their communities and achieve better outcomes.

Rhiain Morrlle, Head of Children’s Services said:

“I am pleased to see that has been implemented. This is just one of the assistive policies that we will be rolling out for those who decide to foster through the local authority, with more to be announced within the coming months.

I feel that this policy emphasises our commitment to those who make the rewarding decision to foster within Denbighshire.

I would also like to note my thanks to colleagues in Planning, Public Protection and Countryside Services for their support in implementing this scheme, and to demonstrating their support to Denbighshire’s foster carers as part of our One Council ethos.”

Councillor Diane King, Lead Member for Education, Children and Families said:

“Denbighshire County Council’s fostering team help make a real difference to the lives of children and young people within the county.

The friendly staff help guide new foster carers through each step of the process and are always on hand to provide expert knowledge.

We hope that by issuing these permits, we can help our foster carers to attend the vital appointments and meetings that can come with fostering and make their lives a little easier.”

Working Denbighshire reflects on a year of supporting local people

As 2025 comes to a close, Working Denbighshire is highlighting the difference made for individuals and families across the county. Through collaborative efforts with partners and communities, hundreds of residents have accessed training, employment support, and opportunities to improve their skills and confidence.

This year also marked an exciting milestone as Working Denbighshire was selected as part of a UK Trailblazer Pilot. This allows Working Denbighshire to ‘turbo-boost’ its provision focusing on its core mission and new and innovative approaches to employment and skills support, to help local people overcome barriers and achieve their goals.

A few highlights from 2025 include:

Community Engagement: More local events and activities supported than ever before, creating spaces for people to connect and learn.
Household Support: Hundreds of households received tailored assistance, helping families overcome barriers and access vital services.
Skills and Education: Significant growth in retraining and education opportunities, opening doors to new careers and qualifications.
Employment and Confidence: Many residents have gained employment, gained qualifications, and reported improved confidence and employability.

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

“These achievements reflect Working Denbighshire’s commitment to tackling barriers to employment and creating opportunities for all.

“By focusing on skills development, confidence building, and community engagement, the programme continues to make a tangible difference in people’s lives.”

Melanie Evans, Principal Manager, Strategic Employment, said:

“This year has been a real milestone for Working Denbighshire. Alongside supporting individuals and families, we’ve taken on new opportunities to innovate as part of a UK Trailblazer Pilot.’

We’re proud of what we’ve achieved and excited to build on this success in the year ahead.”

Working Denbighshire aims to build on this momentum in the year ahead, with plans to expand volunteering opportunities, strengthen in-work support, and continue tackling barriers to employment.

To stay informed about future events and opportunities, visit working.denbighshire.gov.uk or follow Working Denbighshire on social media.

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.

Denbighshire based bird colony continues heling hand for Little Terns

A Famous Denbighshire bird colony has celebrated its 21st anniversary of supporting a rare summer visitor.

Image by David Woodfall

A Famous Denbighshire bird colony has celebrated its 21st anniversary of supporting a rare summer visitor.

This year marks the 21st year Denbighshire Countryside Service has managed the Little Tern colony at Gronant Dunes.

The area is the largest breeding colony found in Wales. It is known internationally as it contributes to over 10 percent of the entire UK breeding population as well as supporting other colonies.

Little Terns spend the winter in Africa; they arrived at the dunes in May to breed on the shingled beach in a protected site prepared in April by Countryside staff and volunteers. They start flying back south at the end of August.

The bird’s nests consist of just a scrape in the sand, where pairs will take turns in incubating one to three eggs. Little terns feed exclusively on a diet of sand eels, which they fish for out at sea.

Twelve electric fenced pens and a section of strap fencing along the landward side of the colony were constructed to protect the breeding Little Terns.

Also, a boundary fence was implemented to prevent the public from accessing and disturbing the colony. However, the public could drop into a temporary observation centre and bird hide to find about and view the birds from afar.

A team of wardens on site helped look-out for aerial predators – mainly kestrels and peregrine falcons, as well as engaging with the many visitors who come to Gronant each year

This season saw 95 breeding pairs recorded and a total of 103 fledglings, a decrease on the number of young seen during the 2024 season due to factors including predation, the harsh dry weather, and a smaller number outside the pens were lost to spring tides and other predation.

However, the colony an average of 1.08 fledglings per breeding pair, brought a slight increase on figures from last year

Wardens also worked with the British Trust for Ornithology to ring several of the birds to keep track of them in the future. They helped ring 59 chicks with British Trust for Ornithology (metal rings, and a further nine were also ringed with colour rings.

The Little Terns visitor centre hosted a total of 883 visitors to the designated viewing points and 175people engaged in the project via trips and visits to the site. Volunteers from the North Wales Little Tern Group, Denbighshire Countryside Services and Merseyside Ringing Group logged 1085.5 volunteering hours throughout the season.

Countryside staff operate a ‘no-trace’ policy at the colony site, and all equipment is taken off and stored until next spring arrives.

Garry Davies, Countryside Officer and County Allotments Manager, said: “We are proud to be involved for over 20 years with this project which is so much more than the protection of a very rare seabird. The volunteer participation at the colony continues to be higher than any other activity offered by Countryside Services and it’s been great once again to see local schools and a resident group visiting the colony. It also contributes to the Council’s tourism offer with visits from birdwatchers from across the UK.

“It has been a difficult season for the birds as we saw less adults coming into the colony, coupled with no increase in adults at any of the Irish colonies and none at Point of Ayr. However, despite the difficulties faced, it’s great to see the average of fledglings per breeding pair increase to continue supporting this important species.

Cllr Barry Mellor, Lead Member for Environment and Transport and Biodiversity Champion said:. All credit must go to the hard work of our countryside teams, partner groups and the fantastic volunteers who do so much to protect and support this important colony based in Denbighshire.”

Rhuddlan pupils help install Bat and Bird boxes as part of wider project at Ysgol y Castell

Pupils at Ysgol Y Castell had the chance to get a close up look at a real bird’s nest and learn about the importance of bird and bat boxes.

Andrew Cutts, Denbighshire’s Ecological Compliance and Support Officer led a session in the forest school area of the site, where the pupils learned about how to identify a good position for bird and bat boxes.

Pupils then helped to pick suitable trees in their forest school area for the boxes to be installed by BrynBuild, the contractor on the project.

Five bird boxes and three bat boxes were built and installed as part of the Community Benefits associated with the four classroom extension currently underway on the site.

The extension of four classrooms and initial energy improvement works are being undertaken in the first phase of the project, with further energy reduction works planned for a second phase.

The first phase of the project is 65% match funded by the Welsh Government, through its Sustainable Communities for Learning Programme. The remaining 35% of funding has primarily come from a developer’s contribution provided by the Tirionfa housing development in Rhuddlan.

The external wall for the first 2 classrooms to be extended has now been removed and the footings and ground beam are almost complete. The LED lighting upgrades throughout the site are progressing well and the install of the steel frame and substructure are due to commence shortly.