Eisteddfod's latest update ...

Llangollen Eisteddfod chairman Dr Rhys Davies has sent the festival's latest update covering March ... 

The recent launch of our Llanfest line-up means that the concert strand for 2018 is now complete and we are looking forward immensely to this finale to the week on Sunday 8th July when Toploader, The Hoosiers and Kaiser Chiefs will take to the stage. 

Indie pop legends Kaiser Chiefs will headline in what will be one of the first opportunities in 2018 for fans in this region to see the band live.

The five-piece band from Leeds are best known for songs including Oh My God, I Predict a Riot and Ruby (you won’t be able to get this song out of your head for days!)

Kaiser Chiefs (pictured below) will be joined on the bill by renowned pop rock band, The Hoosiers known for chart-toppers Worried About Ray and Goodbye Mr. A., and nineties icons Toploader best known for their cover of Dancing In the Moonlight.

We’re delighted that local firm Knights Construction Group are sponsoring Llanfest this year and I look forward to developing a long term partnership with Matt and his team.

It’s so important that the Eisteddfod is grounded in the local community and that we work together to promote Llangollen. 

Tickets are priced at £70 (seated) and £55 (standing) and are now available online at www.llangollen.net or via the box office on 01978 862 001.

We would recommend that you buy early to get the best seats. I’ve already booked mine, but admittedly I did have to ‘You Tube’ some of the support acts to see what their music was like!

But that’s exactly what the Eisteddfod is all about, introducing you to new music that you wouldn’t necessarily listen to usually. So if you haven’t already heard of some of the artists, go look them up and I’m sure you’ll recognise some of their hits.

Llanfest will follow the same format as last year with music on three outside performance areas starting at 2pm before the headline acts in the main pavilion.

Details of the full outside stage programme will be released soon but I predict a riot of popular music throughout the afternoon! It promises to be a great memorable day out.

Llanfest was introduced to spread this message to a wider audience, by bringing new and more contemporary music genres to the festival, while still remaining true to its traditional values. I am thrilled that the Eisteddfod week will end on such a high note. Where else would you see such a varied mix of performers in just six days, and right on your doorstep!

Alfie Boe, Calan, Van Morrison, Red Priest and our own Music Director Vicky Yannoula will all entertain us as part of the concert strand together with instrumentalists, soloists, choirs and dancers from all across the globe. There truly is something for everyone. Do visit the website www.llangollen.net for more details.

Watch out for further announcements about the full outside stage line-up, the field activities and our outreach performances in the town. 

If you are interested in volunteering this year we would like to hear from you. There is a volunteer registration on the website or contact the office on 01978 862000. 

Happy Easter!
Dr Rhys Davies,
Eisteddfod Chairman

Trip of a lifetime for Dinas Bran's Bethany

* Bethany Pierce is South American bound.

A student from Ysgol Dinas Brân in Llangollen is counting down the months until she can take part in a pioneering visit to Patagonia, arranged by the Urdd.

Bethany Pierce, 17, from Corwen, applied to join the trip and was invited for an assessment at Glan Llyn near Bala.

This involved an interview, group work, a video clip and a team building exercise.

She was then one of only 25 students from across Wales to be invited to attend the trip in October.

Bethany said: “I’m so excited about going, if a little apprehensive as I suffer from homesickness, but this is too good an opportunity to miss and I will conquer the homesickness. 

"My local community have really been supportive as l need to raise £2,500.  

"My Uncle is doing a sponsored weight loss, I have set up a Bonus Ball and lots of cake sales."

She added: "I’d heard about the trip and decided to give it a go. Everyone says this is such a worthwhile project and it will certainly open my eyes to the culture and Welsh language traditions amongst families in Patagonia.

“During the visit I will be attending schools and visiting Welsh communities, getting to know families and getting involved in volunteering. This will be an experience of a lifetime.

“I can’t wait!”

Elizabeth's two big band successes

Elizabeth Mwale, a young euphonium player with Llangollen Silver Band, has successfully auditioned for a position with the National Youth Brass Band of Wales (NYBBW).

Elizabeth, 15, (pictured) has also been invited to join the summer course led by Philip Harper, music director and conductor of the world’s number one brass band, the Cory.

During the course Elizabeth will receive tuition from international euphonium soloist and Cory player Glyn Williams.

Following the course, the NYBBW will play a series of concerts across Wales.

One of the guest soloists for the concerts will be former NYBBW player Daniel Thomas who is now
principle euphonium player with the famous Black Dyke Band.

A spokesperson for Llangollen Silver Band said: "Elizabeth will certainly find herself playing alongside and being tutored by some of the world’s finest brass players. We congratulate her on her well-deserved success."

Try Llangollen Country Market for a bargain

* Country Market secretary Joan Sneyd on her own hand-knitted clothing stall.

Llangollen Country Market has opened for business at the start of what it hopes will be another busy trading season.

Nationally, the country market concept goes back to 1919 when they were run by the Women’s Institute (WI).

That is how they were known until about 20 years ago when they took on a more modern and business-like look.

But whatever name they have gone by, the basic principle of the markets has never changed – selling home-made food and crafts of the highest quality at the best prices.

Llangollen Country Market has been trading since 1977, first at the Memorial Hall and later at the Town Hall where it is still based.

Last year it celebrated its 40th anniversary with a fantastic morning attended by the Mayor and Town Crier.

Country Market secretary Joan Sneyd said: “We hold the market every Friday morning in the Town Hall from early March to late December, between 9.45am and 12.45pm, with the exceptions of Good Friday and Eisteddfod week.

“We sell quality locally hand-made, fresh home-grown and hand-crafted goods , including cakes and preserves, in season fruit and veg, plants (indoor and garden) and many types of crafts such as jewellery, children's wear, cards, walking sticks, hand knitted, crocheted and sewn items.

“We offer refreshments to our customers and everything is at very reasonable prices.”

* Craft stalls bulging with bargains.

* A jewellery stall all a-glitter.

* A wide selection of knitted goods on display.

* Some tasty-looking treats on the home-made cake stall.

* A range of home-made jams.

New timings for chamber meetings

At the Annual General Meeting of Llangollen Chamber of Trade and Tourism held on Monday 5th March the members agreed that from April 2018 the monthly meetings would now take place on the first Tuesday of the month starting at an earlier time of 6.00pm.

The meetings will continue to be held at the Hand Hotel in Llangollen. It was hoped that these changes would make it easier for more members to attend the monthly meetings.

Eisteddfod gets £25,000 funding boost

Llangollen International Musical Eisteddfod has been selected to receive a £25,000 funding boost from the ScottishPower Foundation.

Backing charity initiatives as diverse as wildlife conservation and science-themed education to mental health awareness and theatrical productions, ScottishPower Foundation chose the festival’s Inclusion Project, which is celebrating its tenth anniversary this year.

* Music Director of the Llangollen

Eisteddfod Vicky Yannoula.

The project helps promote unity and diversity throughout North Wales, Shropshire and Cheshire.

A diverse mix of groups from the local communities will come together and perform on the main stage at the festival in July.

The £1m ScottishPower fund was announced yesterday by Trustee and Executive Officer of the ScottishPower Foundation, Ann McKechin, at the Prince and Princess of Wales Hospice in Glasgow another of the recipents. 

Each of the 17 charities to receive funding from the ScottishPower Foundation will deliver events, information or campaigns that directly benefit people living in their local communities or regions.

Other projects include a theatre production by the National Theatre of Scotland, a marine conservation initiative by RSPB Scotland and STEM learning programmes by National Museums Scotland and Dumfries House.

Ann McKechin, Trustee and Executive Officer of the ScottishPower Foundation said: “Applications for this year’s funding blew us away with the incredible and diverse work happening around the UK, and to see the effects of funding in action here today is extremely moving.

"The ScottishPower Foundation is proud to be able to support these projects by helping them to realise their vision of making a positive difference to the lives of people in their communities.”

Music Director of the Llangollen Eisteddfod Vicky Yannoula, said: “Promoting opportunities for all and reducing inequality of opportunities is core to the ethos of the International Eisteddfod.

“Thanks to the ScottishPower Foundation’s continued support and funding the Inclusion Project has been able to continue its good work and enable people from all walks of life to perform on the Eisteddfod stage."

The ScottishPower Foundation was established in 2013 with the aim of making a significant and lasting contribution to society, enhancing the lives of people living in communities throughout the UK.

It provides funding to registered charities which are involved in the advancement of education, environmental protection, citizenship and community development. The Foundation also supports non-profit organisations working in science, the arts, heritage or culture as well as the prevention of poverty and relief of disability or other disadvantage.

Man airliftted to hospital following A539 collision

The Leader is reporting that a man has been airlifted to hospital following a serious three-vehicle crash on the A539 near Llangollen.

Fire and ambulance services were called to the incident close to the Sun Trevor Inn this afternoon (Monday) while an air ambulance was also in attendance.

The collision has led to disruption to local bus services,

* For the full story see: http://www.leaderlive.co.uk/

MP welcomes GP surgery revamp

An Assembly Member has welcomed confirmation that work to revamp a town’s GP surgery will be completed this year.

Ken Skates vowed before his 2016 re-election he would help deliver increased spending on health and social services in Clwyd South and subsequently secured a promise of investment from Betsi Cadwaladr University Health Board chief executive Gary Doherty.

A £1.5m project to refurbish and modernise Corwen Family Practice got under way last month and will see extra GP consultation rooms, improved waiting areas and a new dental suite created.

A range of community services will also be based in the new-look building, including health visitors and district nursing.

Mr Skates said: “I was delighted to see work on this welcome refurbishment get under way and I’m sure many of my constituents in Corwen and its surrounding communities will be pleased their surgery is seeing this significant investment.”

Mr Skates was also involved in the campaigns to bring brand new health centres to Chirk and Llangollen.

He said: “After pressing hard for these improvements for Corwen. I recently wrote again to Gary Doherty and he informed me that he anticipates the work to be completed in the autumn.

"I have previously pledged to help deliver increased health spending Clwyd South, so this investment in Corwen is particularly pleasing.”

Some services, including physiotherapy and podiatry, are currently being run from temporary accommodation on-site, while dental services will continue to be provided from the current location while refurbishment progresses.

For the duration of the building work, the pharmacist in Corwen town centre will accept repeat prescriptions, while Corwen Family Practice will accept repeat prescriptions between 8am and 6pm on Monday to Thursday and from 8am until 5pm on Fridays.

Demo greets Plaid leader's community garden visit

Plaid Cymru leader Leanne Wood had an unexpected reception when she visited Llangollen Community Garden yesterday (Saturday) morning.

Last week, garden supporters received the news that Denbighshire County Council has decided not to sell off the plot for housing development.

* The posters in Cllr Timms' car windows.

Ms Wood, who was in the area attending the party’s spring conference at the Pavilion, had been invited along to show her support for the project and to speak to members of the community who work on it.

But parked on the road outside the garden was the car of local Labour councillor Graham Timms displaying posters which bore the message, “Don’t  play politics with Llangollen Community Garden. I didn’t.”  

Explaining the reason behind the demonstration, Cllr Timms said: “After six months of hard work to keep the community garden open I was  delighted when the county council finally decided to keep ownership of the site they occupied.

“The garden has proved that it can bring people and communities together.

“Throughout the whole campaign I kept party politics out of the fight for the garden. I never used the small victories in council committees as a victory for Labour. It was a victory for the wellbeing of Llangollen.

“In early March, I made my final speech of a series in Denbighshire County Council’s Assets Committee that agreed to save the garden. 

“It was a great feeling to know that the garden’s future was safe and that the people who had worked so hard would have a long term future on the site.

“I am furious that two weeks after the garden has been given a secure future Plaid Cymru’s leader Leanne Wood arrives to use the garden’s campaign success for party political advantage.

“Whilst I’m delighted that Plaid Cymru have chosen Llangollen for their Spring Conference, I do not welcome their cynical attempt to claim credit for something they plainly have not done.”

He added: “Leanne Wood managed to squeeze past into the garden and spoke to a number of people involved with it.

“I interrupted her TV interview to explain that party politics shouldn't be involved and put my point of view over.”

Plaid Cymru county councillor Mabon ap Gwynfor said: "Plaid Cymru were holding their spring conference in Llangollen and as such Leanne took the opportunity to visit businesses and projects in the area.

"On Saturday she visited the community garden in Llangollen. Leanne wrote a booklet, Greenprint For The Valleys, which discussed how communities should get together to develop projects which were community focussed, environmentally beneficial and sustainable.

"The Llangollen Community Garden Project is exactly the kind of thing that Leanne has been championing.

"The garden was threatened recently and Cllr Times, to his credit, did a lot to assist them.

"Leanne visited to learn from the garden - sharing best practice is essential. But also to congratulate them on their successful campaign.

"As a councillor in Denbighshire I'm certainly inspired by the garden, and am looking at ways to emulate them.

"They're an example to follow and should be celebrated as such. It's a shame that the visit was misconstrued by Graham. Personally I looking forward to continuing to work with Graham on DCC in order to achieve our common goal of improving the lives of people living in Denbighshire."

* Leanne Wood (centre) meets members of the community garden group.

Town Council replies to social media comments

In response to various matters being debated on social media, Llangollen Town Council has issued the following statement on its own Facebook page:

"The Town Council would like to correct several inaccuracies which have been posted on Facebook regarding Town Council expenditure.

"Members of the Town Council are not supplied with mobile phones or tablets. Members are however able to claim allowances for expenses incurred in pursuant of their duties.

"These allowances are determined by the Independent Remuneration Panel for Wales which is responsible for determining the allowances payable to elected members of principal councils, national park authorities, fire and rescue authorities, and community and town councils in Wales.

"The decision to retire the old Chain of Office, which dates form 1974, was following an assessment by Thomas Fattorini, Designer-Makers and Artist-Craftsmen, who have for over 100 years designed and manufactured pendants, chains of office and fine regalia such as maces, staffs and various civic gifts for parish, town, city and district councils, associations, and universities.

"The Chain was deemed beyond economic repair with broken clasps, the loss of gilding and the complete obliteration of some names due to wear and tear. Continued use of the old Chain of Office would have caused further damage and the potential loss of elements through further wear and tear.

"The cost of the replacement was borne out of Town Council reserves."

Tory AM slams council merger plans

North Wales Assembly Member Mark Isherwood has slammed Welsh Government plans to merge councils in Wales, stating that “Big is not always more beautiful, cost-effective or efficient”.    

A statement earlier this week by the Cabinet Secretary for Local Government and Public Services on ‘Local Government’,  resurrected Welsh Government plans that could see Wales' 22 councils merged to as few as 10.

The proposals are Isle of Anglesey & Gwynedd; Conwy & Denbighshire; Flintshire & Wrexham; Ceredigion, Pembrokeshire & Carmarthenshire; Swansea & Neath Port Talbot; Bridgend, Rhondda Cynon Taf & Merthyr Tydfil; Vale of Glamorgan & Cardiff; Newport & Caerphilly; Torfaen, Blaenau Gwent & Monmouthshire.

Responding to the Statement in the Chamber, Mr Isherwood (pictured), said:  “Well, we've heard much of your general thrust, including your acknowledgement that we need devolution of powers within Wales, which is precisely what the North Wales Economic Ambition Board is calling for in its Growth Bid. Could I suggest that an alternative model might be the collaborative regional approach developed in North Wales by the North Wales Economic Ambition Board, working together on strategy, prioritisation and, increasingly in the future, delivery, where we know the evidence from mergers in all the sectors is that big is not always more beautiful, cost-effective or efficient?”

Speaking outside the Chamber, Mr Isherwood added: “Last time they tried this, I was a member of the Assembly Committee which scrutinised what they were up to. The evidence we received showed that they were ignoring the analysis which local authorities must undertake to show that the benefits outweigh the costs before committing to any expenditure alone or with other authorities.

“It is scandalous that the Welsh Government considers that such financial discipline with public money should not apply to itself.  As the Welsh Local Government Association said “this announcement has caused disquiet and confusion” and “the proposals are yet to be fully costed and most academic analysis concludes that such reform programmes rarely deliver the savings or changes in performance that were hoped."

Students debate future of minority languages

* Students gather for the debate.

The future of minority languages across Europe was the subject of debate for  25 students from Europe during a week long stay in Denbighshire.
 
The visit to Llangollen,  hosted by Ysgol Dinas Bran as part of the Erasmus Project, was set up to understand the importance of minority languages across Europe.  
 
Ysgol Dinas Bran has been involved in the project for two years, with representatives having visited a number of European countries.  

This month it was the school’s turn to host a week-long visit for pupils from Poland, Italy, Switzerland, Germany and Scotland.
 
Students stayed with host families in the Dee Valley as part of the exchange visit.
 
Ifor Phillips, Head of Welsh at Ysgol Dinas Bran, said: “The school has been extremely fortunate to be involved in such an important project. Students from across Europe have been given opportunities to learn about the minority languages and to hear what steps are being taken to promote and protect their future.
 
“During the week, we offered the European students a real taste of Welsh Language and culture. They attended a Noson Lawen and a real life Welsh language gig. We have also shown them the sights of Llangollen and Denbighshire, as well as a visit to Snowdon and Llanberis.
 
“It has been an extremely worthwhile initiative and we have been delighted to promote the Welsh Language and culture through our activities during the week." 

UPDATE - Air ambulance lands on youth centre field

SEE UPDATE AT FOOT OF STORY ...

* The air ambulance, to the right, on the field beside the youth centre.

The Wales Air Ambulance landed in the field next to the youth centre in Willow Street earlier this evening.

It remained there for the best part of an hour before taking off again as darkness fell.

As yet llanblogger has been unable to discover the reason for it being in the area.

Outside the youth centre there was also a road ambulance and a police car.

There are unconfirmed reports of a road traffic collision having occurred on the A5 this evening and it is not known whether there may be any connection between this possibility and the appearance of the air ambulance. 

UPDATE ...

North Wales Police said this morning (Thursday) that the air ambulance was called in after a six-year-old local boy was involved in a collision on Regent Street at around 5.20pm yesterday.

He was taken to Alder Hey Hospital to receive treatment for serious injuries.

Police have not issued any appeal for witnesses.  

County launches "don't feed seagulls" campaign

A campaign is to get underway in Denbighshire in the coming weeks to try and reduce problems caused by seagulls.

Seagulls are a common cause of complaint for the council and are seen as something of a nuisance, predominantly in coastal communities, but also inland.

Now the council is looking at ways of tackling the issue and says it will focus its efforts on encouraging residents and visitors not to feed seagulls, and working with food providers to reduce food waste and ensure any food waste bins are covered adequately.

The campaign will run on the council’s social media accounts, on its website: www.denbighshire.gov.uk, in the local press and through working with local communities.

Councillor Tony Thomas, Cabinet Lead Member for Housing and the Environment, said: “We fully recognise that seagulls are part of life in all coastal communities. They have been present for many years and continue to thrive.

"However, we do get regular complaints from residents in coastal communities, as well as some of our towns inland about the dangers posed by seagulls, especially when they are attracted to food.

“There are limited options to the council as they are a protected species.  We have tried some scare tactics similar to the angry birds and netting/ bunting being provided in some areas and to a degree they have been successful.

“What we need is the public’s support. By not feeding the seagulls and making sure food waste is covered, we can greatly reduce the amount of opportunities for the seagulls to swoop on our town centres."

Para glider in hillside rescue drama - UPDATED

See update at foot of story ...

* In this picture by Phil Jones the para-glider can be seen just above

the treetops in the middle of the image. A rescue helicopter hovers nearby.

* Phil Jones's picture of a rescue helicopter at the scene of the incident. 

A rescue drama has been taking place on a hillside near Llangollen this afternoon (Tuesday).

An eye-witness has told llanblogger that an injured para-glider crash-landed high amongst the trees in the valley near the "two aerials".

Phil Jones said: "Police and coastguard helicopters have attended, but it would appear that the nature of the steep terrain also required the services of the local mountain rescue team, who have been in attendance."

UPDATE ....

On its Facebook site, North east Wales Search and Rescue, which was called out to the incident, says:

Team members were called by North Wales Police at 12:40 today to rescue a paraglider pilot trapped around 70 feet (20 metres) high in a tree near Llangollen. 

When we arrived several other agencies were on site as well. One of our team members used his professional tree climbing skills to get above the casualty so a rope system could be built to lower him gently to the ground. 

Fortunately he hadn't suffered any injuries in the crash and was able to walk away to his... car.
This was about as multi agency as it gets. 

The Welsh Ambulance Services NHS Trust had a crew in attendance, North Wales Police officers were on scene, the Wales Air Ambulance had arrived and also North Wales Fire and Rescue Service / Gwasanaeth Tân ac Achub Gogledd Cymru sent a crew. 

The Maritime and Coastguard Agency helicopter also had a look at winching the casualty but there was considerable danger of displacing the paraglider canopy due to the downdraft, potentially causing the casualty to fall. So in the end it was NEWSAR that provided the solution.

* NEWSAR's picture of the rescue in Llangollen

(the para-glider gave permission for its use).

Watch group sends out scam phone calls alert

Neighbourhood Watch has sent out a warning message about scam phone calls to its members in this area.

It says: "This alert is being circulated due to the amount of calls being received. Over the weekend there have been a number of calls to elderly persons in the Wrexham and Flintshire areas purporting to be from the HMRC (Tax office).

"The caller states that the aggrieved person owes them money. They then request that the elderly person buys ITunes vouchers to pay the outstanding bill. These ITunes vouchers can be purchased at supermarkets across the counties.

"Fortunately, some supermarket staff have thought that this was suspicious and have stopped the elderly person from going ahead with this fraud.

"Some persons have already been conned into sending over the details of the vouchers and enquiries are in hand to catch these people.
"This is a SCAM don't let these people get away with it.

"The Tax office will not phone people at home demanding money and expect a payment via ITunes.

"Please pass this on to your family and friends to ensure no one gets caught out with this scam.
Officers are visiting the local supermarkets to speak to the managers to make them aware."

If you need to reply regarding this message, click on this email address: watch@owlcymru.org

Libraries get creative

Libraries in Denbighshire are inviting local people to join in with the Get Creative Festival 2018 from March 17-25.

Get Creative Festival shines a light on all the great cultural activity that takes place right across the UK on a regular basis and encourages people to try their hand at something new and creative.

A range of activities have been arranged and there’s warm invitation to everyone to call in:

Llangollen Library

Today, Tuesday, March 20, 2.00pm

Crochet, decoupage, embroidery and tapestry and more with Llangollen Craft Group

Friday March 23 (all day)

Hand made wood carvings and wet felting with Roger and Julia, Oblivious Gnome Creations

Corwen Library

Friday, March 23, 9.30-2.00

Collage craft workshop with local artist Carys H Roberts and Felt Ball making

Llan Community Garden wins reprieve from development

See updates at foot of story ...

Llangollen Community Garden is to remain in the ownership of Denbighshire County Council, securing its future as a community asset.

The council’s Asset Management Group has decided to retain the site in council ownership.

Denbighshire had previously considered disposing of the site, but after working with the local community, has decided to retain the land.

A council spokesperson said: “In light of the views expressed by the community, we decided the best course of action is to retain the site and work with the Llangollen Community Garden group and Llangollen Town Council to secure the site for community use now and in the future.”

Llangollen Community Garden is located close to Plas Newydd and was established in 2012.

Llangollen county councillor Graham Timms (pictured) said: “I am delighted that the future of the Llangollen Community Garden has been secured on its current site. The decision by Denbighshire's Assets Committee to retain the land in council ownership means that the community garden will be able to continue to develop the land that they have occupied for the last 6 years. A new deal between the group and the County Council will enable them to have a much more secure future with a longer lease on the site.”

“I'm also pleased that the currently derelict Weaver's Cottage, also on the site, will be preserved and hopefully brought back to its former glory, celebrating the history of the building. Although there are no plans yet to renovate the cottage its best chance of survival for the future is to continue to be in the council's ownership.   A long term future for the site could see it linked to the adjacent Plas Newydd, providing an extra attraction for visitors to the house and gardens.”

Reader Mike Edwards comments: "I would like to point out that Officer who you quoted is being disingenuous with his comments. The land in question was acquired by Denbighshire CC with the benefit of a Heritage Lottery Fund Grant to protect Plas Newydd from residential development on its boundaries. The Council in 1998 commissioned a report from Nicholas Pearson Associates, Specialist Landscape Consultants in support of their grant application who described it is “as part of the Plas Newydd’s essential setting which should be protected from residential development”.

"The Council’s spokesman has failed to make it clear that under the terms of the grant the Local Authority are in fact unable to dispose of the land as they proposed late last year. So it is misleading to imply the Denbighshire CC are now doing the Community a favour by allowing it to remain as a Community Garden."

Peppa Pig set to arrive at the station

A railway spokesperson said: "Two steam trains will be out to cope with the expected crowd of families coming to meet this attraction and a muddy patch is being prepared for toddlers to wade through on platform 2."

County issues snow update

The following update on this morning's snow across the county has been issued by Denbighshire County Council:

Snow in Denbighshire – Sunday morning

Snow has fallen in parts of Denbighshire overnight and this morning.

Gritting teams have been out and about treating the county’s roads and continue to do so this morning.

Roads:

The Horseshoe Pass is closed, but all other routes are passable with care advised.

Leisure Centres and Facilities:

• Ruthin, Denbigh and Prestatyn - open, All Weather pitches closed.
• St Asaph, Nova, Rhyl – open
• Llangollen - open but care needed on the hill • Corwen - closed
• Ruthin Craft Centre – open
• North Wales Bowls Centre & Rhyl Harbour –open

AM highlights importance of Llan Railway

North Wales Assembly Member Mark Isherwood has called on the First Minister to take action to promote the economic benefits that heritage railways such as Lllangollen bring to Wales.

Questioning Carwyn Jones in the Assembly Chamber, Mr Isherwood said it is important that all levels of government and business activity have a better understanding of the positive impact heritage railways can have on the areas they serve, and asked what assessment the Welsh Government has made of the economic benefits that heritage railways bring to Wales.

Speaking in the Chamber, he said: “Writing in last November's edition of the 'Heritage Railway' magazine, its Editor, Robin Jones, referred to the Llangollen Railway big push into Corwen Central, as well as the Bala Lake Railway extension, highlighting the multiple economic benefits to local councils and others that heritage railways can guarantee.

"What action will you therefore take to ensure better understanding, at all levels of government and business activity, of the benefit that heritage railways, such as Llangollen Railway, can bring to the areas they serve?”

In his reply the First Minister said the Welsh Government understands how important heritage railways are, that it has supported them in the past and that it will continue to do so in the future.    

Mr Isherwood added: “As Heritage Railway magazine’s Editor said of Llangollen Railway’s big push into Corwen Central, ‘It will not only be railway passengers who will benefit, being able to alight and visit the town centre’s shops and pubs, but coach operators who will see the line as a way of getting their customers into Llangollen.”

Twenty Club dig up a hit with their comedy creepy

The advance publicity material describes the Twenty Club’s latest outing at the Town Hall as “Agatha Christie meets the Addams Family” and that perfectly sums it up.

A Tomb With A View by Norman Robbins is a traditional whodunnit woven around a scary, crazy family called the Tombs not one of whom is anywhere close to normal.

Their idea of good time is squabbling amongst themselves like a pack of snarly dogs or bumping off visitors to the family home and leaving them pushing up the marigolds outside in the garden.

They live in a big tumbledown mansion called Monument House where we join the five Tomb siblings and their retainers – along with two mystery guests – as they gather for the reading of the last will and testament of the head of the family, a grim-faced, creepy old geezer whose forbidding portrait hangs on the library wall.  

It’s old man Tomb’s disembodied voice which narrates the introduction to the play, raising the question whether he’s actually dead or not.

And that’s what you continually have to ask yourself as one after another of the characters bites the dust.

To reveal any more of the plot would spoil things, so I’ll say only that there’s a nice little twist at the end.

Members of Twenty Club involved in the piece bring their usual versatility to bear in every one of the many roles.

Paula Sutton, devoid of any feminine touches, is the butch Emily Tomb whom one feels would like to sink her teeth into more than her favourite red apples, while her sister Dora Tomb, who loves to poison people with her home-brewed wine, is played with the perfect measure of eye-rolling madness by Rowena Owen.

Underneath a mop of mad-scientist hair is Mathew Oswald-Haggett who gives an accomplished performance as Lucien Tomb and another club stalwart David Connelly couldn’t be dottier as Marcus Tomb who thinks he’s Julius Ceasar and even wears a toga around the house.

Perfectly completing the lunatic row of Tombs is Sue Griffiths as man-mad sister Monica.

Stepping into the Twenty Club limelight for the first time is James Broderick. But on the strength of his neat portrayal of scheming family solicitor Hamilton Penworthy it won’t be his last.

Lyn Aston is as competent as ever in the role of Agatha Hammond, the sinister old housekeeper who has as many murderous tendencies as the rest of them, and Hannah Edwards makes a very believable Anne Franklin, old man Tomb’s live-in nurse.

Peregrine Potter, the nervous and shy visitor to Monument House who turns out to be central to the action, is played extremely proficiently by Twenty Club favourite Dan Pedley, and there’s a stylish performance from Esme Sallnow as his up-market associate Ermyntrude Ash whom you can also catch taking one of the lead roles in Llangollen Operatic Society’s forthcoming production of My Fair Lady.

This rewarding little comedy thriller provides a great night out and is a credit to director Jenni Lloyd and the whole behind-the-scenes team who help bring it to the stage.      

There’s one final performance of the play tonight at 7.30pm.

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Insight on Brexit for business planned

How to navigate Brexit will be on the agenda at a special business summit.

As part of Denbighshire County Council’s March for Business month, former Bank of England economist Neil Ashbridge (pictured) will be giving his insights on Brexit and how exporting businesses can prepare.

The event, run in conjunction with West Cheshire and North Wales Chamber of Commerce (WCNWCC), is being held at the OpTIC Centre, on St Asaph Business Park on March 20.

Mr Ashbridge, who worked for the Bank of England for 42 years and sits on the chamber’s board of directors, will also speak to businesses on a one-to-one basis during the event.

He said: “Businesses want the UK Government and the EU Commission to reach agreement as soon as possible.  Increased bureaucracy moving goods and services across borders with the EU is a concern to businesses.

“Businesses need to plan ahead using various scenarios, identify risks with each and consider ways of mitigating those risks. 

“For those that trade externally, Brexit should be seen as an opportunity to broaden trading links - one of the reasons for leaving the Customs Union is to allow the UK to focus globally, rather than as has been the case over the last 30 to 40 years, on trade with the EU.  Growth in world trade will come from emerging markets in the long term.”

The event will also feature a chance for networking as well as information on services provided by WCNWCC, including certification services and bespoke training for new and experienced exporters.

Cllr Hugh Evans, OBE, Leader of Denbighshire County Council, said: “Brexit is an issue that will impact a number of Denbighshire businesses.

“Offering this summit as part of March for Business will give businesses all the information they need to make the right choices moving forward.

“It is important we support our county’s traders by giving them training and advice which will help their businesses grow, and help create jobs for our residents.”

March for Business is part of the Council’s work on developing the local economy through its Economic and Community Ambition Strategy, which includes a number of high priority projects to help businesses succeed.

It features 23 varied events offering almost 100 hours of content at venues across the county.

For more information on the free event visit www.denbighshire.gov.uk/marchforbusiness

Latest county snow update ...

Latest snow update from the county council, issued at 9.25am Friday:  

Roads closed:

·         A5104 Corwen to Llandegla

·         B4401 Corwen to Llandrillo

·         Horseshoe Pass 

·         Road  across the Denbigh Moors between Bylchau and Pentrefoelas. 

However, all main primary routes are passable with extreme care needed.

We have advised the public to only travel if absolutely necessary and if they do need to travel, they should consider delaying their journey, so that everyone is not travelling the same time this morning.

Schools:

All schools in Denbighshire are closed today.

Public Transport:

Arriva: Most services running but expect delays. Currently, we are notified of problems as follows:

51/X51 running Rhyl to Ruthin only. Not operating to Wrexham. Also not diverting via Brookehouse or Llanrhaeadr village.

Arriva reports no issues on 11s Rhyl to Chester or 12s Rhyl to Llandudno but these may be subject to delay.

Lloyd’s Coaches: T3 currently suspended.

M & H Coaches: No services on X51, 66 and 76.

Stagecoach 1/X1/2 Ruthin - Mold - Chester

Buses operating but expect delays. Llanarmon, Eryrys, Graianrhyd, Maeshafan not being served.

Coastline 55/X5 Ruthin - Corwen - Llangollen - Wrexham operating but expect delays. Not serving Llanfair DC/Eyarth.

Libraries:

Llangollen Library is closed today.

 

Snow update from county

The county council has this morning issued the following snow update:

The following roads are closed: 

·         A5104 Corwen to Llandegla

·         B4401 Corwen to Llandrillo

·         Horseshoe Pass 

·         Road  across the Denbigh Moors between Bylchau and Pentrefoelas. 

All main primary routes are passable with extreme care needed.

We would advise that people should only travel if absolutely necessary and if they do need to travel, they should consider delaying their journey, so that everyone is not travelling the same time this morning.

Due to the challenging conditions, our primary focus was on keeping the main A and B routes open as much as possible overnight.