Councils hit waste targets a year early

The Environment Minister has congratulated Wales’ local authorities - including Denbighshire - for collectively achieving their 2013 target to reduce the amount of waste sent to landfill a year early.

The Landfill Allowances Scheme helps Wales to meet its obligations under the EU Landfill Directive.

The Directive aims to reduce the pollution potential from waste by capping the amount of biodegradable municipal waste Welsh councils can send to landfill at 50 per cent of the amount produced in 1995 by 2013, and 35 per cent of the 1995 figure by 2020.

Exceeding these allowances can lead to severe financial penalties.

The report, released by Environment Agency Wales, shows that between 1 April 2011 and 31 March 2012 all Wales’ 22 local authorities achieved their individual 2011-12 targets and also collectively hit the 2013 target a year early.
Between 1 April 2011 and 31 March 2012 local authorities sent 389,738 tonnes of biodegradable municipal waste to landfill, which was twenty nine per cent less than the allowance for 2011/12. Collectively, Welsh councils also cut the amount of biodegradable municipal waste sent to landfill by 560,262 tonnes against the 1995 figure, resulting in a reduction of fifty nine per cent.
As well as saving councils money, reducing the amount of biodegradable waste going to landfill also cuts greenhouse gas emissions and helps reduce climate change.
Methane produced by the breakdown of biodegradable waste – such as paper, cardboard and kitchen scraps - in a landfill can have 25 times more impact on global temperature than carbon dioxide.
As a result, food waste is a key priority in Wales’ waste strategy Towards Zero Waste and every council in Wales runs a kerbside food waste collection service, which covers nine out of ten households.
The food waste collected is then composted or treated using anaerobic digestion to create biogas which can be used as a fuel.
Welcoming the report, Environment Minister, John Griffiths, said: “Today’s report is great news. I congratulate Welsh councils and residents for all their hard work and efforts to separate out the valuable recyclable materials and substantially reduce the amount of biodegradable waste disposed of in landfill.
“The figures show that councils are making significant progress in changing the way we deal with our waste. Burying all our rubbish in the ground and leaving it to rot is no longer an option – it uses up our precious land and damages our environment - and so it is essential that we to build on this progress and continue to meet the challenging EU targets right up to 2020.”
Councillor Neil Rogers (Wrexham), WLGA spokesperson for Environment, Sustainable Development and Waste said: “With councils facing the threat of substantial fines we hope people will continue to make the most of their local recycling facilities, as it is only through their participation that local councils will be able to meet the increasingly ambitious waste targets of the future.”

How to make the most of your leftovers

Do you want to learn how to make the most out of your leftovers and how to transform them into tasty meals and snacks?
For one day only, Love Food Hate Waste are dropping in to Ruthin Craft Centre car park, to host live cookery demonstrations (with samples) and to share practical advice on how to plan meals, work out portion sizes, understand date labels and store food correctly to make it last longer.
Spaghetti measures will be given away free on the day to those who fill out a simple questionnaire.
The event will start with Denbighshire County Council's Chief Executive Mohammed Mehmet showing off his cookery skills, in a 'cook off' against sea food chef Clover Hudson - for the title of Chef Executive.
If this whets your appetite why not drop down on your lunch break or if you have the flexi time to spare come and see our very own Chief Executive cooking at 10.45am.
The event is being held in Ruthin Craft Centre car park on Wednesday, September 5, between 10.30 am and 4pm.
Every year in Denbighshire residents throw away 7,500 tonnes of food.
Although nearly half of the food waste is now recycled, the food waste disposal bill still comes to over £500,000.
And it gets worse; national statistics suggest that the average family spends £600 every year on food that ends up being thrown away.
Recycling our food waste is very important, but it is far better if we can avoid creating it in the first place.

Dogs will have their day this Sunday

Plas Newydd, Llangollen * Plas Newydd - scene of a charity dog show on Sunday. l Street

We now have more details of the Dog Dayz charity dog show being held in aid of Marie Curie Cancer Care at Plas Newydd in Llan this Sunday.

It will feature pedigree and novelty dog classes, a dog agilty demonstration, pets as therapy (pat) dogs, Greenfield Greyhound Rescue and a variety of trade stands.

Entries are accepted from 10am onwards. Entry fee is £1 per class.

For durther information, call 01978 862834 or 01824 708223, or email: heritage@denbighshire.gov.uk

Full programme is:

Licence and Insurance sponsored by Rhodbri Welsh Cobs ( Ruthin )

Rosettes sponsored by Farm & Pet Place Ltd

Held under KC Rules : No puppies under 6 months of age

Entries taken from 10 a.m, Judging Commences 11 a.m

Pedigree -: Judge : Kim Lathaen

Class 1. AV Puppy Class 2 AV Junior

Class 3 AV Veteran Class 4 AV Toy

Class 5 AV Utility Class 6 AV Gundog

Class 7 AV Pastoral Class 8 AV Working

Class 9 AV Terrier Class 10 AV Hound

All unbeaten dogs to challenge for BIS. All unbeaten puppies to compete for BPIS.

JW, CC and RCC Holders not eligible to enter pedigree classes

Novelty -:

Class 11 AV Veteran – 7-9 years Class 12 AV Vintage – Over 10 years

Winners to compete for Best Veteran

Class 13 Cuddliest Puppy Class 14 Appealing Eyes

Class 15 Handsome Dog Class 16 Pretty Bitch

Class 17 Best Long Coat Class 18 Best Short Coat

Class 19 Best Rescue Class 20 Dog Most Like Owner

Class 21 Best 6 Legs Class 22 Best Crossbreed

Class 23 Best Terrier Type Class 24 Best Local Dog – within 5 miles

All 1

st prize winners to compete for Best Novelty

Entry Fee : £1 per class

Rosettes and Prize Cards to 5

th place

Show Sec : Miss P E Field, 53 Gwynfryn Avenue, Rhyl LL18 2BD

Tel : 01745 339037 W: 01824 712109 Email :

p.field673@btinternet.com

Only legally docked or dogs docked prior to April 2008 may be exhibited at this show.

PLEASE DO NOT LEAVE DOGS IN YOUR CAR WHEN HOT.

Parking is limited on the field so priority will be given to Blue Badge Holders. Other parking on the road

directly outside the venue

During the lunchbreak there will be an agility demonstration by STAG.

There will also be an opportunity for dogs to have a go on some of the agility equipment for £1 per round

Refreshments available from the Tea Rooms all day

Trade Stands In Attendance

Farm & Pet Place – Selling a range of canine products

Pets As Therapy – Oswestry Branch

4 Paws Bakery – Home made dog treats –

www.4pawsbakery.co.uk

Marie Curie Cancer Care – Wrexham Fundraising Team

North Clwyd Animal Rescue, Trelogan – Micro Chipping available at show special price of £10 per dog

Sample Bags of Complete Food and 10% discount vouchers for 1

st and 2nd in each class kindly supplied by

Cobbydog

Watchdog will help air your views on health shake-up

* Pat Billingham.

The health service watchdog for North Wales says it is determined to help as many people as possible make their views known about the Betsi Cadwaladr Health Board’s proposals for changes in services.

And that includes people in Llangollen with opposing views over the closure of the Cottage Hospital and its replacement with a new health centre, possibly on the site of the derelict River Lodge.

The Community Health Council has pledged to use its network of contacts, and its statutory powers, to make sure local people know what is proposed for their services, say what they think, and affect the health board’s final decisions.

Pat Billingham, the CHC’s chief officer, said: “Our work began several weeks ago when we pressed the health board to make sure that its consultation document was easy to read and understand, and that it offered people many and different ways of making their views known.

“Now we are ready to hear from people who would prefer to speak to us, as an independent organisation, about the effect of the proposals for them – wherever they live.

“We are using our network of contacts to help us get in touch with as many people as possible.

“We will also provide information about the proposals to anyone who contacts us.”

She added: “Towards the end of the consultation period, we will make a formal response to the board’s proposals, based on what people have told us about the effect they will have.

“We will say whether we believe that the proposed changes are in the interests of local people and the health service.

“The board has to consider what we have to say and reply. If we are not satisfied with what they say we can lodge a formal objection with the Minister of Health.”

CHC chair Christine Evans, said: “The CHC’s powers are set out in legislation and Welsh Government guidance.

“We can - indeed, must - object to proposals for change if we think that the consultation process has been inadequate or if we believe that the risks raised by the changes outweigh the benefits and are not in the interests of people who use services. We will check on the consultation every step of the way.” 

To contact the CHC:

Denbighshire/Flintshire/Wrexham Locality Office:

Cartrefle, Cefn Road, Wrexham, LL13 9NH
Telephone: 01978 356178
Fax: 01978 346870
Email: admin@bcchc.org.uk

 

 

Barrie's stunning marina picture

Local photographer Barrie Potter has come up with this stunning picture of Llan canal marina by night, which we are delighted to share with out readers.
If there are any other keen photographers out there who feel like sharing their pictures with us we would love to see them.
Just send them in to us at llanblogger@gmail.com

Pam provides a high degree of inspiration

She battles brain tumour to gain history 2:1

* Pam Williams-Hughes will graduate with a 2:1 in history from Glyndwr University.

A LLANGOLLEN woman has won her battle against a brain tumour and severe dyslexia to gain a university degree at the age of 69.

Pam Williams-Hughes will proudly collect a 2:1 BA Honours in History at the Glyndwr University graduation ceremony in October.

And she says her achievement marks the fulfilment of a lifelong dream to hold a university degree.

Pam, who is originally from Birmingham and moved to Llangollen last February after spending her working life first in the Royal Air Force and then with local authorities, was diagnosed with a brain tumour before she started as a mature student on a fine art degree course at Glyndwr in Wrexham in 2007.

She said: “I did the degree because I wanted something bigger in my life than the tumour.”

But a brain scan in September 2008 revealed the devastating news that the tumour on her pituitary gland had tripled in size in just three months.

Pam had to undergo a life-saving operation at a neurological hospital in Liverpool, which saw the tumour successfully removed.

Despite being given the welcome news the growth had not been malignant, her sight was affected.

Although this did not seem too critical to her, doctors told her it was severe enough to mean she could not wear goggles or a face mask which are often necessary on the art course she was on.

She said: “This meant I wasn’t able to continue with fine art but I was allowed by the university and Denbighshire County Council to transfer to a history degree  course and I was told the research work I had already done for fine art, privately and at the Glyndwr, would be acceptable on that.

“I therefore moved over to history and I am delighted to say I will graduate with a 2:1 in October.

“At the graduation ceremony I will also be presented with an award for being an outstanding student in humanities, so I am looking forward very much to that.”

She added: “I’ve had to work really hard and have achieved this despite the brain tumour and having severe dyslexia but it is the realisation of a dream I have had since I was a child to have a university degree.

“Throughout I have received excellent support from everyone at the university, especially Dr Kathryn Ellis, the head of history, and Peter Bolton, one of the main tutors, who have both been fantastic.

“Hopefully, what I have been able to do will inspire other people to see what they are capable of.”

The dissertation which helped Pam land her degree was an exploration of the case of Abraham Thomas, a young man from Henllan, near Denbigh, who was hanged in Manchester for the murder of his employer’s housekeeper in 1883.

Pam said: “There were grave doubts whether he actually did pull the trigger so I suggest in my dissertation there was a miscarriage of justice.

“I now plan to take a year off from my studies to write a book based on my dissertation before returning to Glyndwr in September next year to work with Kathryn Ellis and Peter Bolton towards an MA qualification and then a PHD in 19^th century Welsh crime and the social conditions linked to it.”

Pam will refer the case of Abraham Thomas when she delivers a lecture on miscarriages of justice for members of  the English Methodist Church's This and That group at Llangollen Memorial Hall next January.  

 

    

Walkers ready to step out in style

The Corwen Walking Festival will take place this weekend – September 1 and 2.

 

Walks to suit all levels of fitness will be on offer, from routes around Corwen itself finding out about the history of the town to a high level ridge walk along the Berwyn reaching over 800 metres in height.

Organisers are offering 12 guided walks on both days and you have the choice of doing a full two-day walk and, with some of the shorter walks, you could do one in the morning and one in the afternoon.

Also arranged throughout the day are skills lectures, an evening lecture and Cotswold Outdoor the outdoor retailer will be having an on-site shop.

Due to sponsorship from both Cadwyn Clywd (the Rural Development Agency), Denbighshire County Council and the Corwen and District Business Association, the whole of the 2012 Corwen Walking Festival will be free of charge.

The event has been organised by the Corwen and District Business Association with support from Cadwyn Clwyd; Denbighshire County Council; Corwen Community Council; Ifor Williams; Yr Hen Felin Cynwyd Activity and Mountain Centre.

Bookings can be made by filling in a booking form which can be downloaded by clicking on the link http://www.corwenwalkingfestival.co.uk/booking.html

 

All booking forms should be sent back to: Gŵyl Gerdded Corwen Walking Festival,  C/O Egryn, Penybryn, Corwen, Denbighshire, LL21 0BD.

For further information  0797 006 4191 or, e-mail info@gwylgerddedcorwenwalkingfestival.co.uk

 

 

Locos heading home for major steam gala

TWO of Llangollen Railway’s own fleet of locomotives will be back home in time to take part in a major steam gala there this weekend.

They have been away for the summer helping out at other heritage railways over the border in England.    

The Great Western Pannier tank engine No. 6430 is due to return from the South Devon Railway at Totnes where it has been providing cover during a locomotive shortage.  

The return of this popular engine will allow Llangollen Railway to offer the running of the Auto-coach train, which will provide for a shuttle service on to the track extension west of Carrog during the gala event, which runs from Friday-Sunday. 

The British Railways Standard Tank engine No. 80072 is returning from a spell of duty on the North Yorkshire Moors Railways at Pickering where it has been earning its keep by making a major contribution to the motive power on that line. 

These locomotives will join the operation fleet with No. 7822 Foxcote Manor, Great Western Heavy Freight engine No. 3802 and the LMS Black Five No. 44806, which have provided the basic steam service at Llangollen during this summer. 

With five engines in steam over the forthcoming weekend a frequent service of trains will operate in the Dee Valley to demonstrate steam power at its best and show how the railway operates at maximum capacity with a near half-hourly service.  

Those who stand on Berwyn station during the weekend they will see a train passing at 10-minute intervals during the peak of the days as the services work in and out of Llangollen - a spectacle that was unimaginable in Great Western or British Railway days on the former Ruabon to Barmouth line when a two-hourly interval service was more likely.  

Details of timetable are on the Llangollen Railway website. 

George Jones for Llangollen Railway said: "Having our engines on hire by other railways not only helps them to provide the essential element of a heritage railway, but also allows the engines to earn their keep and contribute towards their future maintenance costs. 

“Right now the operational fleet of engines at Llangollen exceeds our daily needs and the surplus capacity can be used elsewhere.  

“As an example of this the British Railways Standard tank engine will not be staying long after the gala event as it is booked for hire to the Chinnor & Princess Risborough Railway in Oxforshire during the autumn and winter period." 

A third engine will be returning to Llangollen this week when the Austerity Saddle tank No. 68030 comes in from a spell at the Ecclesbourne Railway in Derbyshire but this won't be operating at the weekend as it is due a heavy overhaul and is expected to be taken apart quite soon to renew it for further service.

All this provides work for the Railway's engineering department and allows for continued employment of the skilled workforce at Llangollen.

 

* Llangollen Station will be the scene of a major steam gala this weekend.

Forthcoming diary dates ...

Here we bring you details of a number of local events over the next week or so:

·        Going Batty, a guided bat walk, will be held in the grounds of Plas Newydd, from 7-9pm on Friday, August 31. You can learn about their silent world and listen in on their nightly rituals. For more details, ring Ros of the AONB team on 01978 869618.

·        A charity dog show called Dog Dayz, in aid of Marie Curie Cancer Care, will be held at Plas Newydd from 10am on Sunday, September 2. Entry is £1 and there will be pedigree and novelty dog classes, a dog agility demonstration and pets therapy. Greenfields Greyhound Rescue will be represented and there will be various trade stands.

·        Friends of Llangollen International Musical Eisteddfod will be holding a coffee morning from 10am-noon on Tuesday, September 4, at Llan Memorial Hall. Entrance is 50p and there will be a raffle, prizes and various stalls. All are welcome.

 

Welsh paralympians wished good luck

The Welsh Government has wished Welsh athletes representing ParalympicsGB the best of luck as the London 2012 Paralympic Games begin.

 

The opening ceremony marks the official start of the 14th Paralympic Games.

First Minister Carwyn Jones said: "Wales can be immensely proud that a record 38 Welsh athletes have made it into the ParalympicsGB squad and I am sure all of the country will be united behind them as they go for gold.

"Our current generation of Paralympians hold huge potential. They have proved they are have what it takes to make it to the top of their field and will now be competing at the height of their sport in front of the world. I am sure they will do Wales proud and I wish them the best of luck."

Sports Minister Huw Lewis said: "Our Welsh Paralympians have put in years of effort to make the grade for these Games and I have no doubt they will return home with medals.

"The fact we have 38 athletes in the squad, half of them first time Paralympians, shows just how strong disability sport in Wales currently is. It is testament to the clubs, coaches and support staff across the country who continue to promote and grow disability sports that we are building on our amazing track record in producing world class Paralympians

"I am sure everyone in Wales will wish our athletes every success in London."

Reader captures a mystical mountain scene

An arty llanblogger reader has sent in this atmospheric photograph he took from his home on a hillside just outside town looking over towards Castell Dinas Bran.

The image was captured as an early morning mist hung over the valley.

It's a delightful shot, and if anyone can beat it for beauty please email in your picture to llanblogger@gmail.com

Historic coach gets back on track

* Coach E43012 back in service at Llangollen Railway.

Last weekend’s Classic Transport event at Llangollen Railway saw the reintroduction to service of a suburban compartment coach after a major restoration effort by volunteers.

The coach, No. E43012, is one of three such suburban coaches which originally provided train services at Llangollen when the heritage railway started operations back in the early 80s but which have been out of use for several years.

Unlike the other two which have separate compartments, the restored vehicle has the compartments connected by a corridor and includes the option for 1st class or 2nd second seating and centrally located toilets.

It was built at Doncaster in 1955 and used in the Eastern Region on services out of London.

Restoration of the coach has been carried out over the past 12 months at the Railway's Pentrefelin Carriage works by members of the Llangollen Suburban Restoration Group and has seen internal work carried out on each of the compartments, refurbishment of the external body work and overhaul of the running gear.

The coach has been repainted in a cheery livery described as 'Outer London Suburban Red’.

George Jones for Llangollen Railway said: "The restored coach made a grand impression with visitors to the weekend event when passengers were keen to pay a supplement to sample the luxury of first class travel.

“The work involved in returning this vehicle to traffic is a great credit to the volunteers who put in many hours of effort to complete the project.

"The coach will again be in use during the forthcoming autumn steam gala on August 31 and September 1 and 2.”

Council chief minds his language

* Dr Mohammed Mehmet.

Speaks Welsh at every opportunity

 As thousands of students across the county celebrate their exam success over the last couple of weeks, Denbighshire’s chief executive Mohammed Mehmet was celebrating passing his entry level certificate in Welsh Second Language with flying colours.Dr Mehmet says he has been studying hard and practicing his Welsh at every opportunity and actively invites people to speak Welsh with him whenever possible. Dr Mehmet said: “I am delighted to have passed this first stage but I will not rest on my laurels and look forward to continuing my studies in the coming years to improve my Welsh language skills. “I also hope that my achievements will inspire all non Welsh speaking staff to improve their Welsh Language skills. “

Wake up and smell the coffee!

The Memorial Hall in Market Street resounded to the clink of tea cups on Tuesday morning as the English Methodist Church held the latest of its highly successful coffee mornings in aid of its own funds.

Weekend visitors go on the buses

 

 

* A Crosville type L of 1951.

 

 

 

* A Lancaster No.2 01 Leyland open topper.

 

 

 

                                                 *The classic line-up at Glyndyfrdwy.

 

Visitors to the Dee Valley over the weekend went on the buses in a big way.

A cavalcade of more than 50 gleaming buses, cars and motorbikes from the vintage era assembled in a field behind Glyndyfrdwy station for Llangollen’s Railway’s Classic Transport Weekend last Saturday and Sunday.

Buses from the former fleets of Crosville, Chester, Barrow in Furness, North Western, Southport, Midland Red, Bournemouth and Greater Manchester joined a contingent from the North West Museum of Road Transport in St Helens to put on a show of rich variety.

Their proud owners travelled to the event from across North Wales, Lancashire, Cheshire, Shropshire, Staffordshire, Manchester, Merseyside and Birmingham.

Many drove through the streets of Llangollen – packed with bank holiday tourists - to get to and from the venue.

Entrants from the North West Museum of Road Transport offered a half-hourly free bus service between Glyndyfrdwy and Corwen to provide a road run along the A5 with a superb view of Llangollen Railway's line extension beyond Carrog towards Corwen.

Most popular bus was the open-top Leyland PD2 type, formerly No. 201 of Lancaster Corporation, and the weather proved suitable for the open air journey on both days.

Other popular journeys were those offered by a Leyland National single decker No. 1 from Widnes, a Chester No. 99, a newly restored Dennis Dominator and double deckers of the former Crosville fleet.

Two privately owned Crosville single deckers from the 1950s also proved popular with visitors to the event.

Classic cars lining for inspection included many famous British marques such as Triumph, Austin, Morris, Rover, Vauxhall and Jaguar.

Joining all this activity, the railway ran an intensive train service with two steam and one diesel locomotives plus the heritage Wickham railcar.

 

 

 

 

Supermarket campaigner demands answer from Minister

Campaigner Martin Crumpton has written to Wales’ Minister for Environment and Sustainable Development asking why he has not yet replied to a letter sent to him in June this year in connection with the proposed Sainbury’s supermarket in Llan.

Mr Crumpton, who has spearheaded the fight against the new store planned for the Dobson & Crowther printworks site off the A5, is asking John Griffiths AM why he has not responded to the question whether or not  the Co-op store in Regent Street is to be considered as part of the Llangollen’s retail offering  when it comes to considering the need for the new Sainsbury’s.

This point, claims Mr Crumpton, is of critical importance to the determination of the store application next month.

Here is Mr Crumpton’s letter to Mr Griffiths  in full: 

 “ Dear Minister,

On the 20^th of June this year, I wrote to you requesting a determination on whether or not the Co-operative Food store in Llangollen should be considered part of the Town Centre or not. You’re aware that the developer has claimed it is only a top-up shop, out of the “defined town centre” and therefore excluded from their calculation of retail sales area. They also excluded Stans Superstores, a smaller supermarket which opened in February this year, though it is adjacent to the High Street. On the basis of these exclusions, the developer has claimed a need for additional retail space in Llangollen.

I have already provided incontrovertible proof that the Co-op is the town’s closest and largest store for the majority of residents. Better than hundreds of dry words, I provided a link to the video I produced. In case you’ve been unable to watch it, it’s here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Dvd5QNBMgbU (it only takes six minutes).

The Co-operative Group has been reluctant to reveal commercially-sensitive information, but they’ve been persuaded to by Cadnant Planning, acting on their behalf. WYG, for the developer, and Roger Tym and Partners acting for Denbighshire County Council, has grossly understated the impact upon the store (at least 43%) and that is it a main shopping food store, unlike both WYG’s and RTP’s dismissive claims otherwise. Being the shopper for my family, I’ve always known this, but now there’s proof – it’s attached in the report by Cadnant Planning (attached).

Neither WGY nor RTP have ever taken into account the impact on the community, most especially vulnerable groups such as the elderly, the disabled, and those without private transport. It is an established fact that the proposed new supermarket is a vehicle-only destination to all but a very few, contradicting national planning policy.

Minister, I wrote to you on the 20^th of June but I’ve never received a reply. Mark Isherwood expressed an interest in your response, and you wrote to him, but he only received mention of my earlier call-in request.

Neither he nor I have received correspondence concerning the matter I raised with you on 20^th June, being, essentially, whether or not the Co-op should be included in the Retail Impact Assessment.

Minister, your adjudication on whether the Co-op store is to be considered part of the Llangollen’s retail offering is of critical importance. Even without it, Denbighshire County Council is without a robust, credible and acceptable Retail Impact Assessment. Were the Planning Committee to meet on the 18^th of September, just weeks away, without being properly advised of the importance of this store and the impact upon the residents were it to be so detrimental, an approval for the new development must be considered unsound.

I urge you to watch the video and read Cadnant Planning’s comments, and come to a decision.

With kind regards,

Martin Crumpton “

 

Air ambulance lands near Glyndyfrdwy

 

* The helicopter pictured by our reader.

 

A keen-eyed llanblogger reader took this dramatic picture of what appears to be an air ambulance after it landed in a field alongside the A5 west of Glyndyfrdwy at around 1.30am on Sunday.

The photographer was travelling through the area at the time on one of the classic double decker buses which taking part in a special transport weekend at nearby Llangollen Railway.

He told llanblogger: "We were between Glyndyfrdwy and Corwen on a demonstration run when I saw the Wales Air Ambulance Service helicopter in the field alongside the road.

"The helicopter type is a Bolkow Bo.105.

"I think this one covers North Wales and is based at Caernarfon airport.

"It was attending a traffic accident on the west-bound carriageway near to the Berwyn Arms but I understand it did not take any injured away when it left.

"I cannot say for certain what vehicles were involved in the accident but the police were in attendance later."

As of 8am on Monday the North Wales Police news website gives no details of any accident at that point but we will keep checking and post an update if and when we receive one.

Meanwhile, if anyone has any further details of the incident we would welcome a note emailed to llanblogger@gmail.com

We would also like to thank the photographer who sent in this great picture.  

Muddy towpath issue aired by councillor

Good to see one of the members raised an issue which was highlighted by llanblogger last month at the recent monthly meeting of Llan Town Council.
In one of our first articles in July we said something should be done about the stretch of the canal towpath from the wharf towards the Horseshoe Falls, which  turns rapidly into a mud bath whenever it rains.
The same matter was raised by Cllr Tony Baker at the meeting.
It was suggested by the mayor, Cllr Jon Haddy, this was an issue for the newly-formed Canals and Rivers Trust.
It was agreed that the trust should be contacted by the town clerk.
So, llanblogger hopes to see remedial work start soon. 

Flashback ....

llanblogger, Monday, July 16, 2012

Towpath puddles are no joke

                                            

                                                             * Puddles on the Llan Canal towpath

NOW that it is has taken responsibility for running the UK’s canals network the new Canals and Rivers Trust might well splash out on curing a long-standing problem in Llangollen.

While the towpath running from Llan to Trevor is solid and well drained the stretch from the wharf towards the Horseshoe Falls turns rapidly into a mud bath when it rains – as it has been doing quite a bit lately.

Puddle links up with puddle to turn a pleasant stroll into a soggy obstacle course.

The only way to negotiate the muddy waters is to find stepping stones across them or tiptoe precariously along the path’s stone edging, ebing careful not to fall in the canal and get an even bigger dowsing.

Why the quality of one stretch of towpath can vary so wildly from one nearby is a mystery – and one which the new Trust should address, llanblogger belives.

What do you think? Let us know by emailing llanblogger@gmail.com

Complaints over derelict building

* Complaints about this building.

"Beyond a joke," says councillor

 

Something should be done about the condition of the derelict former brewery opposite the park in Llan.

That was the call from Cllr Mike Pugh at the latest meeting of the full council.

Complaining that the state of the building was “now beyond a joke”, he added:  “It is falling deeper into disrepair.

“It’s on the main road and infested with rodents.

“I am not sure whose ownership it is now in but is there anything the council can do to make it safe?”

Town clerk J Gareth Thomas said owners could be forced into a position by law in which repairs had to be carried out, or health issues may be a matter for environmental health officers.

He said he would contact the county council expressing members’ concerns.

Also at the meeting other members raised concerns about a range of matters. These included:

·         The “increasing” volume of traffic on Brook Street and the large dip in the carriageway at the junction with the A5 – from Cllr Tony Baker.

·         Parking along Hall Street and the nearby A5 close to the park – from Cllr Tim Palmer.

·         The town clerk said he raise these concerns with the appropriate authorities.

Pavilion could have Commonwealth Games role, says AM

* The pavilion has been suggested as the venue for Commonwealth Games table tennis.

Llan Assembly Member Ken Skates has raised the prospect of North East Wales playing a central role in a future bid for the Commonwealth Games – with Llan Pavilion hosting the table tennis.

He said the possibility of a Liverpool bid for the games could have huge economic benefits for areas like Denbighshire, Wrexham and Flintshire.

Off the back of the successful London 2012 Olympic Games, the argued that a possible Liverpool/North East Wales bid could help offset costs and play a vital role in promoting the region to the world.

Mr Skates said: “We must examine closely what role North East Wales could play in conjunction with a city like Liverpool on a possible joint bid for the Commonwealth Games.

"The economic, cultural, transport and sporting links between North East Wales and the North West of England make for a potentially unbeatable bid.

“Imagine a bid that ties the Land of our Fathers to the city of the Beatles, the bid could be very strong.

"It would offer an intoxicating cocktail of history, culture and elite sporting venues.”

Mr Skates added: "North Wales could play a significant role in hosting the triathlon along the Pontcysyllte World Heritage Site, Dee Valley and Bala, rowing on the River Dee, Mountain biking at Llandegla, road cycling on the Etape Cymru circuit, sailing at Shotwick and the marathon could follow a route through Wales, Cheshire and Merseyside.

"Clearly there would also be a need for new elite sporting venues, which could bring a lasting legacy to North East Wales and deliver sporting success for generations to come."

Mr Skates believes a key attraction of such a joint bid would be the potential to reduce costs and therefore avoid placing a financial burden on the tax payer.

He said: "By staging the Games in North East Wales and the North West of England we could draw on funds from sporting bodies in both countries and share costs on both sides of the border, while each benefiting equally.

"We would be able to exploit the enormous potential of our porous border and advertise to the world some of the greatest landscapes and buildings on the planet.

"A Mersey-Dee bid could set a new standard for the Commonwealth Games and create a platform upon which the wider regional economy would prosper.”

He added: "It is entirely possible Liverpool and Everton's football grounds will be replaced in the next 20 years, so early plans could utilise their new venues for the Games, perhaps for athletics."

Among the other venues suggested by Mr Skates are table tennis at Llangollen Pavilion, Wrexham Racecourse for rugby sevens, shooting at the North Wales Shooting School in Sealand and track cycling at Manchester velodrome.

The 2014 Games will be held in Glasgow, with the 2018 events taking place on Australia's Gold Coast. The hosts for the 2022 and 2026 Games will be decided in the coming years.

Mr Skates said: "This is our big chance to put elite sport in North East Wales on the global map as well as promote grassroots participation in our communities. We need to give it very serious consideration.”