Wrexham’s Johns’ Boys marks 10th anniversary with sold-out gala concerts

Johns’ Boys are preparing for one of the biggest weekends in the choir’s history as they celebrate 10 years in song, unveil a new generation of young singers and look ahead to their largest ever UK and Ireland tour. The award-winning Welsh male voice collective, based in Rhos, Wrexham, will mark its 10th anniversary with two sold-out gala concerts at William Aston Hall on October 3 and 4. For the first time, Johns’ Boys will perform alongside a 37-piece live orchestra, with musicians personally selected by Artistic Director Aled Phillips.

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Borras residents offered free crime prevention advice at community safety event

Residents in Borras Park have been offered free crime prevention advice and security equipment at an annual community safety event. Organised by Borras Councillor Debbie Wallice and Police Constable Mark Hughes, the event was attended by North Wales Police's local neighbourhood team and Welsh Conservative MS for Fflint Wrecsam, Sam Rowlands. The annual event gives residents the chance to receive free and practical crime prevention advice from the force. Window alarms and invisible ink pens to mark items at risk of theft, such as bikes were also provided to attendees.

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Reform MS claims the British Empire was a “force for good in the world” in clash with culture minister

The British Empire was declared a “force for good” by a Reform MS during questions to Wales’ culture minister. Caerdydd Penarth MS Joe Martin clashed with Heledd Fychan after questioning the Welsh Government’s plans to promote Welsh heritage and culture. Speaking on Wednesday September 16, Mr Martin claimed the government’s commitment to the decolonisation of Welsh history is an “attack on Welsh identity". He said: “The British Empire was ultimately a force for good in the world and the Welsh played an important role in bringing technology, education, common law, democracy, Christian ideals such as the primacy of truth and the dignity of the individual human life to peoples and cultures with no such previous concepts.”

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Pop icons Ronan Keating and Blue heading to Llangollen next summer!

Pop icon Ronan Keating will head to Llangollen next summer for a special concert celebrating his 30-year career. The chart-topper will perform at Live at Llangollen Pavilion 2027 on Thursday July 1 as part of the Just Getting Started World Tour which will see him bring his catalogue of Boyzone classics and global solo hits to audiences worldwide. He will be joined on the night by pop-sensations Blue and the Germein Sisters. The Just Getting Started World Tour celebrates the songs, stories and moments that have made Ronan one of the world’s most enduring entertainers, bringing the hits audiences have loved for decades into a new chapter, with fresh energy, renewed passion and the perspective of an artist who knows himself better than ever.

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Former secretary at Monsanto in Wrexham fears impact of contamination on health

Former secretary says her happy memories of working at Monsanto have been replaced by a fear the comany's activities in Wrexham may have harmed her family's health. v.1

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Senedd petition for stronger council powers over illegal waste dumping gains momentum

Wrexham MP Andrew Ranger has launched a Senedd Petition to strengthen council's planning powers after illegal dumping in Coedpoeth. v.1

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Warning issued after rise in lithium-ion battery fires in North Wales

A warning has been issued about the risks posed by lithium-ion batteries following a rise in fires involving the devices in North Wales. The batteries are found in many everyday items such as mobile phones, laptops, e-bikes and power tools, are generally safe when used correctly. However, damaged, faulty or incorrectly charged devices can cause serious fire. North Wales Fire and Rescue Service is urging people to take care when charging and storing devices powered by these batteries following a rise in fires across the region. Jane Honey, deputy head of prevention, said: "Lithium-ion batteries are used in many everyday items, including mobile phones, laptops, e-bikes, e-scooters and power tools.

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New FFP3 mask fit-testing framework due in Wales this autumn, Government says

The Welsh Government has set out how it plans to make sure NHS and care staff can get properly fitted FFP3 masks in a future pandemic, two months after the UK Covid-19 Inquiry found that Wales went into the last one with no in-date FFP3 masks in its stockpile. The commitment is contained in the Welsh Government's response to the Inquiry's Module 3 report, which examined the impact of the pandemic on healthcare systems, patients and staff. The response, published this month, sets out what Wales will do against each of the ten recommendations the Inquiry made.

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New maternity safety scheme rolled out across Welsh hospitals

A new scheme giving families a direct route to raise urgent concerns about a mother or baby’s deteriorating health is being rolled out in hospitals across Wales, but the minister responsible could not say when it would be running consistently everywhere. Call for Concern lets patients and families request further clinical review if they believe their own health, or the health of a loved one, is deteriorating and feel concerns haven’t been fully addressed. Deputy Minister for Social Care, Mental Health and Women’s Health Delyth Jewell set out the scheme in a Senedd statement, saying it draws on lessons from Ryan’s rule in Australia and Martha’s rule in England.

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Welsh NHS waiting lists rise again as minister pledges planned care ‘reset’

The health minister has pledged to reset how "planned care is delivered" after NHS waiting lists rose for the fourth month in a row. Provisional data released today shows that in July there were just under 709,700 referral to treatment (RTT) patient pathways waiting to start treatment - an increase of around 11,300 since June. The estimated number of individual patients on a waiting list rose from 547,500 in June to 555,200 in July. The proportion of pathways waiting less than 26 weeks dropped to 65.7% in July, while the number of patients waiting longer than 36 weeks to start treatment increased to just over 172,400.

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£1.5m treatment target ‘achievable’ as Rupert’s Rainbow appeal reaches £400,000

The parents of a toddler raising funds for his life-saving treatment say their £1.5m target now seems “achievable” after another £4,000 was raised at a charity football match. Dave and Siobhan Smith say they are now around £400,000 into their campaign to get 16-month-old Rupert the treatment he needs in America following another show of support from the community. Wrexham Police FC recently took on men’s suicide prevention charity ANDYSMANCLUB at Airbus in Broughton, to raise funds for Rupert's Rainbow. Donations, a raffle and £1,500 cheque from the Wings Club Broughton, which is part of Airbus, all added to the total.

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Welsh Affairs chair slams Secretary of State’s ‘disappointing’ response to toxic waste concerns

The Welsh Affairs Select Committee has written to the Secretary of State for Wales expressing disappointment in his initial response to the need for testing near historic toxic dump sites in Wrexham and across Wales. v.1

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Car clocked doing 144mph on 70mph stretch of road in Wrexham

North Wales Police and Crime Panel v.1

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Wrexham council leader accuses Plaid Cymru of “smoke screens” over ALN funding as £12m figure challenged

Wrexham Council's leader has described criticism of the authority's claim to £12m in additional learning needs funding as "misleading", and said anyone questioning the figure is "questioning the credibility" of the council's chief finance officer. Cllr Mark Pritchard made the comments during a media briefing earlier this month after being asked about the £12m figure that he had claimed the council was due from a Welsh Government consequential linked to additional learning needs. We noted the query had been questioning the maths and substance of the £12,000,000 number. "I can assure you I don't make figures up," he said.

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Fflint Wrecsam MS seeks guarantee over Welsh Gender Service clinical review

A Reform UK Member of the Senedd for Fflint Wrecsam has demanded guarantees from the Welsh Government that an independent clinical review of the Welsh Gender Service will be accepted in full, even if its findings prove "politically inconvenient". Referrals and scheduled surgeries through the Welsh Gender Service, run by Cardiff and Vale University Health Board, were paused last month following concerns from NHS Wales commissioners. Data from 2025-26 had indicated “significantly higher rates of referral for gender-affirming surgery from the Welsh Gender Service compared with English gender services”. The NHS Wales Joint Commissioning Committee also raised concerns about aspects of the assessment and referral process, including whether assessments had been appropriately completed before some referrals were made.

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‘National security’ reason given for keeping August phone emergency alert timings secret

The Cabinet Office has refused to release almost all records relating to the emergency alert sent to mobile phones across England and Wales on 14 August, saying disclosure "would damage national security". The response to a Freedom of Information request submitted by Wrexham.com does confirm two details of the UK-wide messaging. The National Fire Chiefs Council made the request for the alert, and the Welsh language version was sent first in Wales as a matter of legal duty. "In Wales, the alert was sent in Welsh followed by English in order to fulfil our legal responsibilities under the Welsh Language Act 1993," the Cabinet Office said.

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Wrexham logistics firm Speedy Freight scoops finance award

A Wrexham-based same day courier and logistic provider won an award recognising the transformation of its finance operation. Speedy Freight won the Finance Transformation and Change (Up to £100m Turnover) award at the 2026 Finance Awards. The company had been shortlisted in three categories at the awards, which recognise organisations and individuals working across the finance profession. Speedy Freight said the win followed a programme of changes within its finance team, including the introduction of new systems, improved reporting and streamlined processes. James Pugh, Chief Finance Officer at Speedy Freight, said: "This award is a fantastic recognition of the commitment, professionalism and ambition shown by our finance team every day.

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125-tonne truss lifted into place at Wrexham AFC’s new Kop Stand

A 125-tonne steel truss has been lifted into position at Wrexham AFC's new Kop Stand, in what contractors describe as one of the most complex engineering operations of the redevelopment so far. The inverted ribbon truss was delivered to the Cae Ras in five sections before being assembled on site and lifted into place using specialist lifting equipment and temporary support structures. Principal contractor McLaren Construction Midlands and North worked with structural steel specialist J&D Pierce Contracts Ltd on the installation, which followed months of planning involving specialist lifting contractors, independent checking engineers and Network Rail.

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Senedd debates devastating summer wildfires and pledges lessons for future

The Senedd has heard stark warnings about the scale of the wildfire crisis that devastated Wales over the summer and a commitment to a national summit within weeks to learn lessons and prevent a repeat. Dozens of wildfires were reported across the country during July and August as Wales grappled with record-breaking temperatures and a prolonged period of dry conditions. A summit is scheduled for 22 October 2026 and will bring together firefighters, emergency services, landowners, farmers, experts in land management, climate science and other agencies to consider how Wales can improve its resilience to future fire events.

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Wrexham man banned from marching with local group after public order offences

A 45-year-old Wrexham man has been banned from marching with a local group following public order offences at two protests in the city centre. David Welsh, of Queen Street, Wrexham, appeared for sentencing at Wrexham Magistrates Court on Monday 14 September. North Wales Police said Welsh previously admitted a charge of assault and two counts of using threatening or abusive words, or behaviour likely to cause harassment, alarm or distress. He was handed a 12-month community order, prohibiting him from marching with Wrexham Unite and visiting McDonald’s on Regent Street for a year.

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Thirteen e-bikes and e-scooters seized by police in Wrexham city centre

Thirteen e-bikes and e-scooters will be destroyed after being seized by police in Wrexham city centre. The riders were stopped by officers from Wrexham's Neighbourhood team as part of a wider crackdown on the use of the vehicles in public spaces. Four e-bikes and nine e-scooters will now be destroyed after being seized by the force. In a statement, a spokesperson for NWP Wrexham Town the use of e-scooters remains illegal on public spaces and roads in the UK and urged parents to think twice about buying them as a gift for their children.

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Residents dump waste outside NRW offices in protest over illegal tipping site

Residents of Coedpoeth gathered at NRW's Buckley offices to protest against what they say is a lack of action from the agency. v.1

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Blue bag of cash from a Wrexham nail bar featured in £1.6m people smuggling case

Cash collected from an unnamed nail bar in the Wrexham area formed part of a £1.6 million money laundering operation run by a people smuggling gang whose five members have been jailed for a total of almost 40 years. The National Crime Agency said three members of the group travelled from Coventry to the nail bar in a white Vauxhall Astra shortly before their arrest on 1 October last year, and collected cash there. Vinh Van Nguyen, 31, Sy Trai Ho, 28, and Lia-Chien Trong, 34, then stopped at an Asda store in Wigan, where Trong and Ho attempted to transfer cash via Western Union.

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Homecoming gala celebrates 25 years of Filipino life in Wrexham

Hundreds of Filipino families, community leaders, dignitaries and friends came together for a special event marking 25 years of Filipino life in Wrexham. Homecoming, a cultural gala held at the Memorial Hall on Bodhyfryd, featured traditional costumes, Filipino dances, music, performances and food, showcasing the heritage of a community that has made a lasting contribution to life in North Wales. They were united by the Filipino spirit of Bayanihan - unity, cooperation and helping one another. The event was sponsored by the Pendine Park care organisation, which has a long-standing connection with Wrexham’s Filipino community.

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Wrexham sewing project boosted by cash recovered from criminals

A sewing and textiles programme in Wrexham is helping people gain practical skills, build confidence, and form valuable social connections. Wrexham Sewing Studio CIC, founded by Gemma Oakley, is supporting some of the most vulnerable people in the county through its Skills for the Future programme. Based on the first floor of Rebuild with Hope at Eagles Meadow, the studio offers free access to sewing machines, workshops, and creative activities, while volunteers create products including teddy bears, hats, bags, and other handmade items that help generate income for the organisation.

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Public sector broadcasters facing “huge challenges”, according to Wales’ culture minister

Wales’ culture minister fielded questions on Plaid Cymru plans to press for the devolution of broadcasting in the Senedd’s first committee scrutiny session after the summer break. Heledd Fychan said public sector broadcasters faced “huge challenges” over financial cuts and emphasised the importance of a strong media to support democracy. In written evidence to the Culture, Communications, Cymraeg and Sport Committee, held on Monday September 14, the Welsh Government reiterated plans to establish a Shadow Broadcasting and Communications Authority for Wales. Welsh ministers have previously argued the new body would represent “a first step” toward devolving power over broadcasting.

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Reform Wales MS defects to Plaid Cymru

Sarah Cooper-Lesadd, Member of the Senedd for Pen-y-Bont Bro Morgannwg has left Reform UK to joined Plaid Cymru and its Senedd Group. Sarah Cooper-Lesadd MS, who was elected in May, claimed the party has "no interest in Wales" and described the Senedd group as a staging post in the effort to get Nigel Farage into Downing Street. The 31-year-old care leaver said she stood for the Senedd to be a voice for "care-experienced people" who remain under-represented in politics. In a statement, she said: “Reform has no interest in the work I came here to do.

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Dan Thomas steps down as Reform Wales leader

Dan Thomas MS will step down as leader of Reform Wales. The party leader, who was elected to the Senedd in May, made the announcement this afternoon. It comes after he missed today's First Minister's Questions - the first after the summer recess due to "personal circumstances." In a statement Dan Thomas MS said the decision comes after he was "reported to the police and released without charge" over the weekend. He said he does not want the "coming headlines" to distract from the work of his Reform Wales colleagues in the Senedd.

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Coal Authority objects as Coedpoeth traveller site case leans on Wrexham LDP vacuum

The Coal Authority has objected to plans for a three-pitch Gypsy and Traveller site on land off Old Smelt Road in Coedpoeth, as application documents argue Wrexham's lack of an up-to-date Local Development Plan means permission should be granted. The comprehensive retrospective application, reference P/2026/0578, states the change of use of the land began on 28th August 2026. The 0.4 hectare field, between Old Smelt Road and Nant Lais on the edge of Coedpoeth, was made subject to an interim High Court injunction on 9 September after hard core was laid and caravans moved on over the August Bank Holiday weekend.

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Wrexham Mayor rolls the dice for Nightingale House Hospice

Forget Park Lane and Mayfair, Wrexham was the only place that mattered during a special game of Monopoly at the Guildhall. Sophie and Olivia, from Nightingale House Hospice recently challenged the Mayor of Wrexham, Councillor Jeremy Kent, to a game featuring a distinctly local twist. Rather than the familiar London landmarks featured in the classic game, the trio battled it out over Eagles Meadow, The Racecourse, Monopoly, Coleg Cambria and other well-known local businesses and attractions. Developed by Nightingale House in partnership with Hasbro and in collaboration with This is Wrecsam, Wrexham AFC and Wrexham Lager, all proceeds raised from the sale of the game go towards care at the hospice.

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