Bikers gather in square to launch annual Poppy Appeal

* Above and below Father Lee Taylor leads the Service of Remembrance.

* Gary Perriton has just completed a 650-mile solo bike ride around the  Welsh coastline. 

* A poppy wreath laid at the war memorial by one of the legion bikers.

A group of Royal British Legion bikers were in Centenary Square this morning (Sunday) to officially launch the 2021 Poppy Appeal.

The motorcyclists, who are all armed forces veterans, were making their way around various towns in north Wales to help get the annual fundraising campaign underway.

They took part in a Service of Remembrance, led by Father Lee Taylor from St Collen's, at the two war memorials in the square which ended with the traditional two minutes' silence and the sounding of Last Post by a legion bugler.

The Llangollen branch of the legion had a gazebo set up in the square selling poppies and other tokens of Remembrance.

Just before the service began they were joined by Llangollen's Gary Perriton who has just completed a 650-mile solo bike ride around the entire Welsh coastline.

Gary took on his momentous challenge with the aim of raising awareness of homeless veterans.

He started his journey from Chepstow on Monday, October 18 and finished his odyssey in Chester on Friday.

Gary, a Royal Navy Reservist who served 34 years in the Royal Navy, cycled the entire Welsh coastline in 11 days (on the road) and at times, battled winds of up to 50mph, horizontal rain and hailstones.

However, he continued with his challenge of raising awareness of homeless veterans and funds for his two chosen charities - Launchpad and the Royal British Legion.

The charity has two houses in Liverpool and Newcastle upon Tyne and Launchpad has supported over 525 veterans since it opened in 2013.

Thanks to help from family and friends and businesses that attended the recent BITA Liverpool networking lunch event, Gary has raised over £2,500.

* People can support Gary via his fundraising page at Just Giving at: https://www.justgiving.com/fundraising/garyperritoncycle

Support local traders this winter and #lovelivelocal

Denbighshire residents are being urged to support local traders this winter.

A campaign highlighting the wealth of businesses, goods and services available in Denbighshire is being launched as the county appeals for people to shop and buy local this winter.

The campaign is an extension of the #lovelivelocal initiative, with a push to encourage people to spend their money in the county, to encourage businesses to showcase their products or services on social media and to entice old and new customers to town centres.

As well as supporting businesses and the local economy the campaign aims to encourage sustainable shopping by buying local produce and reducing long car journeys.

Councillor Hugh Evans OBE, Leader of Denbighshire County Council, and Lead Member for the Economy, said: “The purpose of this campaign is to remind people of the wonderful businesses we have in Denbighshire, to shop and use local services wherever possible to keep the Denbighshire economy thriving and lower our carbon footprint.

“It has been a difficult 18 months for businesses and we have been providing support to traders through Welsh Government funding and our Economic and Businesses Development team.

“We think it’s more important than ever to push the #lovelivelocal message to our residents and remind everyone there are many shops in our towns and villages that offer a wide range of products, from food and drink to beauty and fashion, from arts and crafts to professional services.

“A walk into our towns and villages will reveal some hidden gems. We want to help businesses showcase their products, to encourage people to visit and to surprise and excite the consumer about what is on offer.

“Give Denbighshire businesses a go and #lovelivelocal.”

As part of the campaign the Council is sharing social media assets with traders and encouraging them to shout about their businesses online.

Shoppers can help by sharing great experiences and products on social media to let people know you have shopped local this winter and encourage others to #lovelivelocal too.

* You can get involved by visiting http://www.denbighshire.gov.uk/en/business/business-support/love-live-local.aspx

St Collen's Church bells ring out for COP26 conference

The bells at St Collen's were chimed for 30 minutes at 6pm this evening (Saturday) to draw attention to the start of the COP26 climate change conference in Glasgow. 

Church bells were rung at this time throughout Britain to mark the importance of the conference and of caring for the climate.

The UK will host the 26th UN Climate Change Conference of the Parties (COP26) in Glasgow from tomorrow until November 12.

The COP26 summit will bring parties together to accelerate action towards the goals of the Paris Agreement and the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change.

The UK is committed to working with all countries and joining forces with civil society, companies and people on the frontline of climate change to inspire climate action ahead of COP26.

Christmas festival team unveils scaled-down 2021 celebration

* One of the festival's famous fireworks displays from a previous year.

A scaled-down version of the town’s annual Christmas festival has been announced which takes account of ongoing pandemic safety measures.

Organisers say their aim is to help get people into the festive spirit while avoiding large crowds gathering.

Instead of the usual parade to kick off the event, this year’s more modest Celebration of Christmas, planned for Saturday November 27, will centre on a programme of top-class entertainment in Centenary Square.

The highlight of the afternoon’s activities, which start at 2.30pm, will come at dusk with the ceremonial switching on of the Christmas lights along Castle Street by the Mayor and end with a bang as proceedings are rounded off in traditional style with a spectacular firework display launched from the hillside overlooking the town.

Taking the stage in a Christmas gazebo on the square during the afternoon will be talented performers from the Young ‘Uns, the junior section of Llangollen Operatic Society, who will give a taste of their smash-hit musical Little Shop of Horrors which is due to open at the Town Hall next February.

Also helping to provide a true seasonal feel with a rousing selection of Christmas music will be Llangollen Silver Band.

Llangollen’s own wandering minstrel, Chris Burton, will belt out a string of popular sing-along hits throughout the afternoon.

Town Mayor, Cllr Austin Cheminais, who chairs the Christmas Festival Committee, explained that despite its less ambitious scale, the event was still intended to help get people in festive mood.

He said: “Last year, given the pandemic, we had no alternative but to cancel the festival entirely and with Covid-19 still very much in the background,  we reluctantly decided to limit the size of this year’s event.

“But we’re still absolutely determined to have a great time and give a hearty Llangollen welcome to Christmas by celebrating the season in style.

“We have some fantastic performers lined up for our concert on the square. I’ll be switching on the amazing Christmas lights and, as usual, the team which puts on the firework display will be pulling out all the stops to end the day with a colourful flourish.”

Once again this year the festival committee is to host its popular Christmas Scarecrow Trail.

Throughout December they are encouraging people to come up with some creative and colourful entries.  

It was held last year and even during the pandemic it managed to attract over 50 inventive entries from all parts of the town.

Cllr Cheminais said: "I knew of 40 locations on the list and there were a lot more out there that I didn't know about.

"I’m hoping to get even more this year as I know how incredibly creative Llangollen people are.

"Santa and his elves will judge the competition in the week leading up to Christmas, and there are two main prizes of £25 plus five runners-up prizes of £10.

"People can help choose the winner by sending a picture of their favourite to: santa@btinternet.com."

Group promotes plans for children's water splash

*An artist's impression of how a water splash pad could look.

The group campaigning for a children’s water splash pad in Riverside Park says it wants to outline its plans to the Town Council. 

Llangollen Parks Project is a community group made up of local parents who are exploring possible options to improve and enhance recreational facilities and outdoor spaces in the town.  

One of its key areas of focus is play provision at Riverside Park, which is run by Denbighshire County Council. 

As part of its project the group recently carried out a comprehensive survey to gauge the type of improvements that local parents would like to see at the park. 

And it says the responses have also helped the group to understand the level of support locally for improved play provision. 

To date, the survey has been completed by 151 people, all of whom live in Llangollen and the surrounding areas. 

* Some of the comments in the Llangollen Parks Project survey.

Respondents rated the current quality of the provision at the park as only 2.4 out of a possible four stars. 

And the most popular additions respondents wanted to see in the park are a splash pad (81%) and play equipment that caters for a wider age range (74%). 

Eighty-six per cent of respondents said that they would use the park more regularly if its facilities were improved. 

The results of the survey mirror those of a major public consultation exercise carried out by Shape My Llangollen (SML), the team tasked by the Town Council to produce a “people’s” place plan for the area which gives voice to the way residents and businesses would like to see it develop over the next four years. 

A splash pad for Riverside Park proved to be one of the most popular suggestions from the public during the consultation exercise and as a result has become one of around 90 action points put forward in the draft place plan, which recently gained the endorsement of the Town Council. 

A spokesperson for Llangollen Parks Project, Jessica Evans, said: “Our next step is to talk to the Town Council to request that they prioritise exploring the feasibility, options and costs surrounding such a project in partnership with the county council.” 

The project’s survey produced some interesting comments from its respondents, including: 

“A splash pad would be fantastic as it would suit a wide age range and encourage families to use it instead of paddling in the dangerous river.” 

“The park and promenade get a lot of heavy usage and are now looking a little tired and could do with TLC and an element of quality injecting into the site.” 

“It [the park] is in desperate need of investment and regeneration.”  

MS welcomes crime commissioner's "more bobbies" pledge

* North Wales Police and Crime Commissioner Andy Dunbobbin, left, with Clwyd South MS Ken Skates in  Llangollen.

A pledge to put more bobbies on the beat will help reassure elderly and vulnerable people in North Wales, says Llangollen's Senedd Member.

The promise to increase the number of police officers and staff is contained in the new policing blueprint drafted by the region’s new Police and Crime Commissioner, Andy Dunbobbin.

Strengthening neighbourhood policing was a key priority in Mr Dunbobbin’s manifesto when he was elected in May this year.

The news was welcomed by Clwyd South MS Ken Skates during a walkabout in Llangollen with Mr Dunbobbin.

Mr Skates said: “Everybody in the Labour Party across North Wales and indeed farther afield across Wales cheered when the result came in  for Andy.

“Andy is universally popular within the party so everybody was absolutely thrilled by his success.

“He is sincere, authentic and passionate about communities. He’ll bring immense experience and great skills to the role and he’s so deeply rooted in the community as well.

“Andy’s passionate about North Wales and about people’s security, safety and sense of belonging so I  have no doubt he’s going to be a brilliant commissioner.

“His first Police and Crime Plan is hugely ambitious but it responds to and addresses the key concerns that residents across North Wales have – and that we need a really strong plan for neighbourhood policing.

“I know that often people look back nostalgically to when we had police stations right across our communities and what people in the modern era want is a police presence on the ground.

“That’s precisely what Andy is promising with an increase in visible policing which is so important, especially for vulnerable people and the elderly. I think this is something that people will respond to really well.

“The Welsh Government is also playing its part by funding an extra 100 PCSOs across Wales.

“It was a key pledge for Welsh Labour at the election and I am delighted that North Wales is getting 20 additional people keeping people and our communities safe and again it responds to key concerns that people have expressed. It’s massively important to people’s wellbeing.

“The values that a leader has are shown through the policies they promote and Andy’s plan promotes community cohesion, safety, security and wellbeing, particularly for the most vulnerable people in society.

“As an example, the establishment of a Victims’ Panel will be hugely beneficial  in addressing the concerns of victims and their concerns moving forward.”

Mr Dunbobbin said he was pleased to join the MS for a tour of Llangollen particularly as Mr Skates was so passionate about the community he served.

The commissioner said: “I share that passion because our communities are at the heart of everything we do and policing has a massive role to play across North Wales.

“It’s really important to have a good understanding of our communities and how we can support each other.

“Each community has its own challenges but it’s about working together to make things better in a spirit of partnership.

“I put a huge amount of time and effort into writing my Police and Crime Plan because I wanted to make sure I encompassed everything that was really important to the people of North Wales.

“During the election campaign it was clear that the number one priority for communities is to improve visible so neighbourhood policing is the bedrock of my Police and Crime Plan. 

“Local Neighbourhood Policing Teams  provide the visibility and reassurance but are also widely regarded as being an invaluable source of intelligence to tackle the most serious and organised criminality. 

“In order to tackle issues ranging from drug dealing in our towns to rural crime on our farms, it’s imperative that all our North Wales communities have positive relationships and experiences with their local police, helping break down existing barriers and empowering residents to have their say on where we as a service should be focusing our efforts.”

Communities urged to grab share of £1.3m green fund

* From left, Howard Sutcliffe, of the Clwydian Range and Dee Valley AONB; Haf Roberts and Cara Roberts of Cadwyn Clwyd’s Green Communities Project, and Haf Jones, of Conwy County Council. Picture by Mandy Jones Photography.

Towns and villages across North East Wales are being challenged to come up with innovative green projects to earn a slice of a £1.3 million fund aimed at boosting the local environment.

The Green Communities Fund aims to provide money to kick-start sustainable community-led projects and is being launched this month across the rural areas of Denbighshire, Flintshire, Conwy and Wrexham.

Up to 30 towns and villages across the region can benefit and are being invited to submit their proposals for schemes which can range from creating bee gardens to bio-diversity corridors and bicycle networks.

It is being administered by rural development agency Cadwyn Clwyd and funded by the Welsh Government Rural Communities Rural Development Programme funded by the European Agricultural Fund for Rural Development (EAFRD), and Welsh Government.

Project Lead Haf Roberts, based at Cadwyn Clwyd’s Corwen office, said: “The message is to bring people and nature together because one of the lessons from Covid is how important our green spaces are to our physical and mental well-being.

“The quality of the local environment directly affects us so this initiative aims to help improve and enhance community green spaces, strengthen local biodiversity and mitigate the effects of climate change.

“The projects need to be community-led so that local people have a sense of ownership and ensure they continue to provide value over time.”

They aim to deliver the wellbeing goals in the Welsh Government’s Wellbeing and Future Generations Act by focusing on Covid recovery and green growth at a community level.

It is a Welsh Government scheme under the ENRaW Fund (Enabling Natural Resources and Well-being) to support improvements to where people live, work and play.

It covers the rural areas of the four counties where biodiversity projects and green infrastructure can help green the environment and communities.

Cadwyn Clwyd’s partners in the project include Denbighshire County Council, Conwy County Borough Council, Flint County Council and Wrexham County Borough Council.

Howard Sutcliffe, of the Clwydian Range and Dee Valley Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, said: “The time is right now as we’ve entered a world of climate change and green infrastructure with COP 26 just around the corner and this project is all about improving the quality of life, especially after the pandemic.

“This project really brings green values into the community and we will see the benefits on the ground for all the community such as tree-planting, electric charging points and projects everyone can benefit from.”

Haf Jones, Conwy County Council Community Development Officer, said: “We are fortunate to be surrounded by beautiful green communities in this area and this project will involve people in those communities after 18 months of Covid restrictions.

“So many have discovered the countryside during lockdown and hopefully they will continue to enjoy the peace, tranquillity and fresh air which is also so important for our mental health as we slowly adapt to life after lockdown.”

Haf Roberts added: “We are looking for good ideas that communities can get involved with to transform their local environment.

“These can range from developing community gardens and orchard planting to energy efficient improvements to community buildings.

“Improvements that enhance access to services and facilities will also be considered in the context of greening the local environment.

“We want community groups to be innovative with ideas around using their green spaces in interesting and inventive ways and encouraging all members of their locality to take part and benefit from this activity.

“There is an element of time pressure because this is the last round of European funding that is coming through so we need communities to get their expressions of interest in quickly as the project ends in June 2023.

“It’s a tight schedule but it is a golden opportunity for rural communities to take responsibility and take advantage of this project.

“We have wonderful assets in our countryside and this is about managing them and improving them and one of the key aims is to create more community-owned green spaces and more community involvement in their local environment.”

Communities with an idea for a project within the eligible counties can declare an interest by filling in the form available on the Cadwyn Clwyd website at http://cadwynclwyd.co.uk/green-communities/

Since 1995 Cadwyn Clwyd has attracted nearly £30 million in European and domestic funding for North East Wales’s rural areas across sectors such as the environment, food and drink, tourism and rural services to support communities at the grass root level.

* For more information about Cadwyn Clwyd contact them on 01490 340500, email: admin@cadwynclwyd.co.uk or go to http://cadwynclwyd.co.uk/

Budget announcement of backing for three local schemes

* Simon Baynes MP with volunteers at Corwen Station in February 2020.

Today (Wednesday 27^th October), Member of Parliament for Clwyd South, Simon  Baynes MP, warmly welcomed the announcement in the Budget by the Chancellor of the Exchequer, Hon Rishi Sunak MP, that the £15 million Levelling Up Fund Bid for Clwyd South has been successful. 

This bid, with three inter-connected projects, was sponsored by Simon Baynes MP and is a cross-county project, developed by Wrexham County Borough Council and Denbighshire County Council. 

The projects include, firstly, the implementation of the Trevor Basin Technical Masterplan which will ensure the World Heritage Site realises its full potential on a national and international level to attract visitors and catalyse economic growth in neighbouring communities. 

The second project is mainly focused in Denbighshire and supports cross-border visitor connectivity in the Dee Valley at the Horseshoe Falls, The Four Great Highways and Plas Newydd in Llangollen; Wenffrwd to Llangollen Active Travel Corridor including the old Railway Line and Chirk.

The third project will focus on the Corwen area, creating a new and improved Western Gateway to the Dee Valley and World Heritage Site. 

This project will improve visitor connectivity and infrastructure, Corwen town centre assets and the area between the railway station and car park, including a new platform canopy. 

It also aims to enhance the visitor experience with onward linkage to Llangollen and Cynwyd, effectively creating a new, improved and complementary visitor entry point to the World Heritage Site.

Simon Baynes said: “The three projects – the Trevor Basin masterplan, the investment in Llangollen and Chirk and the proposals for the Corwen area – greatly benefit from being already well developed and therefore eminently capable of being executed by 2024. 

"The projects are of considerable environmental importance and closely inter-connected, not least due to the Llangollen Canal and Heritage Railway which run along the Dee valley, which will therefore multiply the benefits arising from investment by the Levelling Up Fund.

“This £15 million bid also underlines the longstanding co-operation between Wrexham County Borough Council and Denbighshire County Council which is proving such a dynamic force for investment and improvement in the Clwyd South constituency. 

"The success of this bid reflects their professionalism and welcome desire to improve all aspects of our lives in Clwyd South. And I am very grateful for the strong commitment and support of my colleague, Sarah Atherton MP, for championing the Wrexham area, both locally and in Westminster.

“The projects included in the bid are of equal benefit to residents and visitors alike. They are strongly supported by their local communities and in many cases have already been the subject of extensive public consultation. 

"Given that Wrexham and Denbighshire are among some of the least prosperous areas in Wales, this bid will not only provide jobs and a much needed economic boost to Clwyd South but also improve the well-being of our residents by widening access to recreation, outdoor and other amenity activities. 

"They will also celebrate the amazing history, language and culture of our part of Wales and bring them to a wider audience.”

Homes plan for former Air Products site at Acrefair

Housing association ClwydAlyn is looking to build nearly 180 homes on a former industrial site at Acrefair, reports the Daily Post.

* For the full story, go to: https://www.facebook.com/331840000333432/posts/1799933776857373/

Town Council acts on carbon reduction

* The Town Hall now runs on green energy.

As part of Llangollen Town Council’s commitment to addressing the climate and ecological emergency, all energy supplies used at its properties and other assets have been transferred to a new 100% green energy company. 

Ahead of COP26 the Town Clerk, Gareth Thomas, explained that this was just one component of the climate emergency action plan adopted at the end of 2019. 

He said: "Clearly, the Town Hall as an historic listed building is difficult to manage in terms of its carbon footprint, but the switch to the new energy suppliers builds on the works undertaken in the Town Hall following the commissioning of an energy efficiency report in July 2019.

"This highlighted the deficiencies in the existing heating systems, which was in desperate need of renewal, and during 2020 work was undertaken to upgrade the boiler system to provide a more modern fuel efficient central heating system. 

"The move to 100% green energy tariffs now complements this work and shows the council’s commitment to this phase of its carbon reduction targets."

He added: "Work will continue on the action plan to ensure that the impact the Town Council’s services makes on the environment is minimised. 

"By undertaking such action the council hopes to act as a catalyst for change and wherever possible will support the community in there in endeavours to reduce individual household carbon footprints.

"Collective actions will then contribute to local and national targets."

Trading standards warn about radiator scam

Trading Standards are warning householders following a spate of complaints where some people have been cold called and persuaded to have their radiators cleaned out at costs ranging from £1300 to £1500.

In one case the householder already had an existing service contract and it was highly unlikely that this additional work would have been necessary.

Trading standards are advising people to exercise caution and ask themselves:

• Do their radiators really need cleaning out?

• Is the price being asked reasonable?

Advice from Trading Standards is not to do business with cold callers. 

A spokesperson said: "If you think you need work done on your property seek quotes from reputable businesses.

"If you are not sure who to use look for recommendations and get help from friends or family, always have the full business details including name and address. If the trader is doing specialist work on central heating systems or electrics make sure they are qualified and competent.

"Please look out for anyone you know who could be vulnerable, friends, family or neighbours."

For advice or to report an incident call Citizens Advice Consumer Service 0808 223 1133 (1144 for Welsh)

Final phase of railway's Corwen project gets underway

* The ballast is delivered to the team at Corwen.

The Denbighshire Free Press is reporting that the final phase of the project to extend the line of Llangollen Railway out to Corwen got underway this week.

* For the full story, go to: https://www.denbighshirefreepress.co.uk/news/19672209.first-passenger-trains-expected-run-next-year-corwen/ 

Bikers to mark poppy appeal launch on Sunday

* Bikers gather for the Remembrance Service in the square in 2019.

As they have done in previous years, bikers will mark the launch of the Royal British Legion's annual Poppy Appeal with a short Service of Remembrance at the war memorials in the town's Centenary Square next Sunday, October 31.

A group of riders, a number of them armed forces veterans, will be making their way to five war memorials across north Wales, stopping off in Llangollen for a service starting at 10.45am led by Llangollen vicar, the Rev Lee Taylor.

Railway's urgent call for Christmas Specials volunteers

* Carrog station dressed for Christmas a few years ago.

Santa has put out an urgent appeal for helpers to assist Llangollen Railway with making its Christmas Special services a success.

Mike Dodgson, volunteer co-ordinator for the Trust Board that has taken over the running of the heritage attraction, said: "The Santa season is back and we are appealing for volunteers.

"Normally we cope with regular station and annual helpers to cover these services but this year is very different as we are very depleted in these areas.

"So this is a call to everyone who cares about Llangollen Railway to help to run the service this year successfully and cater for our customers who expect us to deliver a good experience.

"There will be one train in service, running three services each day, over 11 days.

"This year we are only handing out Christmas presents on the train itself. There will be no Baileys or mince pies."

Dates for the Santa Special services are: 

• Sat/Sun 4th/5th December
• Sat/Sun 11th/12th December
• Sat/Sun 18th/19th December
• Wed/Thu/Fri 22nd/23rd/24th December

The roles the railway needs to fill are: The roles we require are: On the train: Santa Chief Elf Elves x 4 TTI / Train Captain Train steward Llangollen Station: Station Master and Deputy Station Master Station Staff x 3 Station helpers x 3 Station Duties are below, rotating of these duties is encouraged. Customer welcoming, interaction, care and safety Buggy parking Showing customers to their allotted coach and seats Keeping public areas on the station clean ( including toilets) Assisting the train staff cleaning the train in-between services, and after the end of service each day * You can volunteer via the railway's HOPS system if you are an active volunteer If you are not an active volunteer but you are a member of the Trust please email: dodgshon@me.com Mike Dodgson added: "We look forward to hearing from you to help us to deliver an amazing experience for everyone involved, especially the children who may ultimately be our future volunteers."

2020 project - work planned for this week

Work planned on the 2020 project for the week starting tomorrow (Monday) is:

* Bridge Street (south footpath) - Install new kerb line and finish new paving formation.

* Castle Street (East footpath) - Excavate and install new kerb line and follow on with excavation for new paving formation.

* Castle Street (West footpath) - Excavate for new footpath formation in front of the library.

* Market Street (North footpath) - Excavate for new kerb line and paving formation.

And local roadworks notified by one.network is:

Chapel Street 25 October — 28 October   Delays unlikely - Some carriageway incursion   Works description: LAY NEW GAS 1M PUBLIC...   Works location: OUTSIDE NUMBER 9   Public facing description: Wales & West Utilities Ltd has not assigned a specific description to this Works. Please note: Works Descriptions are not published by Wales & West Utilities Ltd.   Responsibility for works: Wales & West Utilities Ltd   Current status: Advanced planning   Works reference: XY254004000173206

Back of the net for SG Estates at Maes Helyg

* Seven-year-old Jack Williams from the Maes Helyg estate fires a shot into one of the new goals which Leyton Collings of Llangollen Parks Projects tries to stop. Looking on are James Griffin, left, and his brother Dan, site managers for SG Estates.    

Football crazy youngsters on the town’s new Maes Helyg estate will now be bang on target after developers SG Estates provided them with four new sets of goals.

Although the youth centre field has two full-sized goals for 11-a-side matches, Llangollen Parks Project saw a need for junior five-a-side players to have their own nets.

So one of its members, Leyton Collings who lives on the estate, decided to ask SG’s managing director Steve Griffin if his company could provide a couple for them.

And Steve went a step further by arranging to have four sets of steel-framed nets delivered which have all now been put in place with the permission of Denbighshire County Council.

Leyton said: “I requested just two for five-a-side games but Steve has let us have four which we’ve placed across the pitch. We’re very grateful to SG Estates and they will come in very useful.”  

The new goals were officially handed over by Steve’s two sons, Dan and James Griffin, who are both site managers for SG Estates working on the Maes Helyg development.

Dan said: “We were delighted to help out and I like to think we’re doing our bit for the community we’ve been working in.

“We’re actually a footballing family and I used to play as a kid myself.”

Volunteers put in place square's array of metal poppies

Volunteers have fixed in place over 100 metal poppies in the flower bed running along the back wall of the town's Centenary Square, which contains two war memorials.

This poignant way of marking the annual Remembrance observances next month has taken place each year since the square was opened in 2018 to commemorate the 100th anniversary of the end of the First World War.

As they have done in previous years, putting the poppies in place were, from left, former town deputy mayor Issy Richards, former town councillor Karen Edwards and Town Hall facilities officer Charlie Jones.

The Town Council will hold the Annual Remembrance Sunday Service on November 14 on Centenary Square.  

As usual the parade will muster on Market Street at 10.30am and the Service of Remembrance will start at 10.45am.

In the days leading up to that Sunday there will be a short Act of Remembrance at the War Memorials at 10.45am on Armistice Day organised by the Royal British Legion.

In a departure from previous years individuals or organisations requiring a wreath for the service on the Sunday are asked to call into the Council Chamber between the hours of 10 and 12noon, then 4pm and 6pm on Wednesday and Thursday, November 10 and 11 and between 2pm and 4pm on Friday November 12.

Wreaths will be available for purchase at a cost of £20 and it is important that a cheque, payable to the Royal British Legion, or cash to cover the cost is presented on collection to ensure that the Royal British Legion maximises the amount it raises locally.

Blueprint for town's future wins council endorsement

* SML's chair and deputy chair, Phil Robinson and Issy Richards, during public consultation outside the Co-op in Regent Street.

The people’s own plan for the future of Llangollen has been endorsed by the Town Council.

For the past three years a group of volunteers known as Shape My Llangollen (SML) has been working to produce a Place Plan for the town covering the years 2022-2026.

And last Tuesday night that plan – entitled Caru (Love) Llangollen - was unanimously endorsed by members of the council.

SML was given the task by the Town Council back in the summer of 2018 and, as part of what is thought to be the largest exercise of its type ever undertaken,  has since carried out a series of public consultations  asking the people of Llangollen – residents, businesses and organisations – a number of key questions about their hopes and aspirations for the future development of their area. 

Questions including what they liked or disliked about the town and features they would like to see kept or changed were posed in face-to-face interviews at locations such as the health centre, local superstores and Centenary Square.

This exhaustive testing of grassroots opinion brought in over 1,700 replies and was reinforced by online consultations with major stakeholders in the town, ranging from the International Eisteddfod to the county council and from the Canal & River Authority to representatives of Castle Street  shops.

Although the pandemic slowed up the project it never came to halt and in the latter stages, to make up for any lost time and with the aid of a small National Lottery grant, a firm of expert consultants was brought in to help bring the results of the consultation together in Caru Llangollen, the draft Action Plan.

The views and opinions of the people of Llangollen form the core of the plan, which includes almost 90 separate action points in six sections of aims with headings including “A Community That Works Together Stays Together”, Our Younger Generation Will Be Able to Stay or Return to Live and Work in our Community”, “A Community That Supports a Vibrant Town Centre With Its Own Unique Identity” and “A Community That Provides Essential Services for Its Residents.”

The plan also lists those organisations, such as the town and county councils, responsible for taking the action points forward and gives a time scale for achievement.

There will be a final round f public consultation on the draft plan early in December and armed with the public’s latest impressions on the draft, SML will then produce the final Action Plan ready for publication early in 2022.   

Phil Robinson, who chairs SML, said: “Before final publication of Caru Llangollen in the new year, we are aiming to put it out to a final round of public consultation, hopefully, during early December.

“As we have stressed all along, this is the people’s own plan, echoing the things they have told us about how they would like to see our town shaping up over the year ahead, so we are hoping as many people as possible can join us for the consultation process details of which we will be bringing to you very soon.

“I would once again like to thank all those who have assisted our work and taken part in our earlier rounds of consultation. Without you we could never have completed this rather daunting task the like of which has never before been seen in Llangollen.”      

Here is the Action Plan

Action Plan Terminology

Stakeholders:

 

AONB	Dee Valley and Clwydian Range Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty	NWP	North Wales Police
BCUHB	Betsi Cadwaladr University Health Board	NRW	Natural Resources Wales
CC	Cadwyn Clwyd	OPL	Our Picturesque Landscapes
DCC	Denbighshire County Council	SC	Local Schools
FOE	Friends of the Earth Llangollen	SDCP	South Denbighshire Community Partnership
FOP	Friends of Pengwern	SWGPG	South Wrexham General Practice Group
GC	Glandŵr Cymru (Canal and River Trust Wales)	TO	Tourism operators
HA	Housing Associations	WCC	Wales Co-operative Centre
LHC	Llangollen Health Centre	WG	Welsh Government
LFS	Llangollen Food Share	YM	Ymestyn
LTC	Llangollen Town Council
LTE	Llangollen Trade and Enterprise

Lead stakeholders charged with the task of taking forward actions are identified in Bold text and support organisation in Italics in the tables below. 

Priority for Action

 

A	Years 1- 2 schemes
B	Years 3- 4 schemes

 

                                    Our First Aim:

A Community that works together and supports each other

 

Ref	Priority	Stakeholders	Action (What we will do)	Output (Measuring success)	Objective
A1.1	A	LTC	Establish quarterly workshops/meetings to bring organisations together using the community plan as a focus	Enable coordination and promotion of events and activities across the year, and collective ownership of the development of this plan	Improve the collaboration between local organisations
A1.2	A	LTC	Town Council to encourage the re-establishment of a representative and influential Chamber of Trade and Tourism	Promote collaboration and joint initiatives, drive development projects, promote training and support opportunities, and coordinate activities and promotional activities
A1.3	A	LTC	Town Council to consider town and place management role	To develop programmes to improve the location or to maintain existing good standard of operation.
A1.4	A	LTC LTE	Establish and maintain a Community Calendar/Diary to publicise events and activities at one place.	Enable coordination and promotion of events and activities across the year
A1.5	A	LTC LTE	Establish and maintain a Community Directory with the contact details of key personnel in organisations and businesses	Enable easy communication between key individuals and organisations
A1.6	A	LTC LTE	Host regular volunteering fairs and events, targeting groups with time and incentive to get involved e.g., retirees/empty nesters with time on their hands, or young people needing volunteering opportunities for Welsh Baccalaureate or Duke of Edinburgh Award	Raise awareness and promote local opportunities to volunteer or get involved, the benefits of participating, and the difference that can be made	Increase the number of people involved with supporting our local community
A1.7	A	HA LTC	Engage families through the housing associations to identify needs of children and young people
A1.8	A	LTC	Engage youth groups via two Town Council youth reps
A1.9	A	LTC	Host regular 'community cafe' drop-in sessions to encourage community participation in developing projects and initiatives	Enable more people to actively influence and take part in activities that benefit the communities
A1.10	A	LTC	Town Councillors to hold regular 'Street Surgeries' as have been successfully trialled in the past
A1.11	B	LTC	Explore viability of establishing a Time Credit scheme in Llangollen
A1.12	A	LTC	Develop a 'Youth Council' with their own budget to deliver projects

 

Our Second Aim:

Our Younger Generation will be able to stay or return to live and work in our community

 

Ref	Priority	Stakeholders	Action (What we will do)	Output (Measuring Success)	Objective
A2.1	A	DCC LTC	Collaborate with DCC to promote current schemes to encourage and enable landlords to develop affordable residential units in vacant spaces e.g., Empty Home and Investor Matching Service	Increased participation in support schemes by Llangollen landlords leading to new affordable residential developments	Increase the provision of affordable housing for local people
A2.2	A	DCC LTC	Apply learning from other studies into transforming empty spaces above shops into residential units	Replicating successful interventions that lead to development of new affordable residential units in currently vacant spaces above local shops
A2.3	A	DCC LTC	Collaborate with DCC to develop clear evidence base for the need for affordable housing	Evidence to support and influence future affordable residential developments and inform the new DCC Local Development Plan
A2.4	A	DCC LTC	Undertake or commission a study to ascertain why potential residential development sites are currently vacant
A2.5	A	LTC DCC	Identify potentially viable sites for affordable housing, and liaise with DCC to include within the new Local Development Plan
A2.6	A	LTC WG	Town Council could adopt a position regarding change of use of residential housing to holiday accommodation in light of the Welsh Government’s pilot to address the second homes crisis in Wales
A2.7	B	LTC HA	Explore viability of setting up a land trust or similar in order to secure land for affordable homes development	Potential new organisation to enable the community to shape and drive future development
A2.8	A	LTE LTC	Arrange annual employer and training fairs to promote employment and training opportunities, and to encourage local people to work for local businesses.	More employers, employees and the unemployed accessing bespoke training opportunities	Accessible Training Opportunities for local people
A2.9	A	LTE TO	Establish positive ongoing relationships with regional training providers, identifying and developing training opportunities relevant to the needs of Llangollen businesses and residents

 

Our Third Aim:

A Community that supports a vibrant town centre with its own unique identity

 

Ref	Priority	Stakeholders	Action (What we will do)	Output (Measuring Success)	Objective
A3.1	A	LTE DCC	Engage with landlords regarding diversifying businesses in the town	Encourage a more attractive visitor offer, additional jobs, and more resilient economy	Increase employment opportunities in the town
A3.2	A	LTC DCC	Town Council to explore synergy with LDP and adopt local policies encouraging diversification which are enforced/supported by DCC
A3.3	A	LTC DCC LTE	Identify our strengths as a town and build an offer around it to attract new businesses and employers
A3.4	B	LTE	Promote existing support/networking schemes and opportunities to local businesses	Enable businesses to benefit from current support opportunities
A3.5	A	LTE	Identify and encourage use of local products and supply chains	Encourage collaboration, mutual support, and joint initiatives between local businesses
A3.6	B	LTE	Explore and coordinate a joint marketing/promotion scheme e.g., Stamp Passports
A3.7	B	WCC LTC LTE	Promote and support development of digital skills and infrastructure	Supporting businesses to adapt to changing retail and customer habits and expectations
A3.8	B	LTC AONB	Develop a signature project to improve the 'welcome' to the town along the A5 from the East	Improve the welcome to the town, promoting our vibrant cultural heritage and identity	Improve the quality of Llangollen’s streetscape and outdoor public spaces
A3.9	A	LTE	Street Banners to promote the area and brighten up the streets
A3.10	A	LTC DCC	Adopt a policy that all new developments in town centre must be accessible to all	Ensure all public areas and businesses are accessible for all
A3.11	A	LTC DCC	Establish locations for street entertainers and a clear plan to manage such activities	Cater for events and cultural performances to attract visitors to the town centre and create a unique sense of place
A3.12	A	LTC DCC	Identify space for public events, markets etc (indoor or out) and develop the area accordingly
A3.13	A	DCC LTC	Invest in improving outdoor green spaces and recreation areas, including Riverside Park water feature.	Better quality public green spaces and recreational areas within the town.
A3.14	A	DCC WG LTC	Collaborate in the implementation of the Castle Street Project	Improve Traffic flow and Parking provision in Llangollen Town Centre	Improve the Management of traffic, pedestrians, and parking in the Town
A3.15	A	DCC LTC	Identify potential sites to provide additional visitor parking
A3.16	A	DCC LTC	Lobby for support and funding for the 4-Highways project
A3.17	A	LTC DCC	Lobby for 20mph speed restriction in town centre	Safer roads for pedestrians, cyclists and vehicles on our main routes through the town
A3.18	A	LTC DCC	Lobby for weight restriction on the bridge
A3.19	B	DCC AONB	New circular cycling and walking routes connecting key sites	Develop new circular routes connecting key attractions for cyclists and pedestrians
A3.20	A	AONB OPL DCC	Connection of the new Wenffrwd pocket park to town centre and canal, via footpath network	Circular routes promoting heritage sites

                                                         Our Fourth Aim:

A Community that provides a sustainable and High Quality visitor offer

 

Ref	Priority	Stakeholders	Action (What we will do)	Output (Measuring Success)	Objective
A4.1	A	LTC WHS DCC	Re-establish active links and representation between World Heritage Site management groups and the Town Council	Capitalise on World Heritage Site Status, and influence developments to benefit Llangollen	Develop a high-quality offer in the outdoor adventure, cultural and heritage sectors that respects local distinctiveness
A4.2	A	LTC DCC LTE	Step up promotion of existing high quality visitor attractions focusing on the area’s unique selling points of culture, events, heritage attractions and natural beauty all set in a distinctive historic Welsh town	Develop a unique sense of place and identity, and enabling smaller businesses to benefit from the draw of our major attractions and Welsh heritage
A4.3	A	AONB OPL DCC	Trial Shuttle Bus service between key sites within the AONB	Link Llangollen with other heritage sites in the region to draw visitors
A4.4	B	LTC DCC LTE	Explore ways to promote and grow the Outdoor Activity Sector	Promote and manage sustainable growth in the outdoor activities sector
A4.5	B	LTC DCC LTE	Commission work to rationalise branding and messaging, focusing on World Heritage Site status but also incorporating AONB, Cittaslow, Plastic Free Llangollen etc.	A single coherent brand, image, and message to promote Llangollen	Improve the promotion of Llangollen’s attractions and events
A4.6	B	LTC DCC LTE	Work with businesses to develop messaging that promotes longer (overnight) stays visiting multiple establishments.	Targeting and attracting long-staying, high- spending visitors
A4.7	B	LTC DCC LTE	Encourage the provision of more hotel bedspaces including chain budget hotel e.g., Travelodge/Premier Inn
A4.8	A	LTC DCC LTE	Develop a marketing campaign spotlighting Llangollen’s attractions and events
A4.9	A	LTC LTE	Develop a coordinated calendar of events to ensure pressure on services and places is shared out across the year	Mitigate pressure on key sites and disruption to local residents during busy periods	Sustainable Management of Tourism
A4.10	A	AONB LTC	Collaborate with AONB team to organise and manage events within the AONB
A4.11	B	LTC DCC LTE	Work with partners to identify methods to manage visitor flows around the town and key sites during busy periods
A4.12	A	LTC DCC LTE	Develop common messages regarding sustainable behaviour toward both local people and the environment, and encourage local businesses to share and reinforce them with their visitors	Encourage and endorse responsible and sustainable behaviour by our visitors.
A4.13	A	LTC DCC LTE	Further develop calendar of extended (non-weather dependant) out of season events and activities which reflect Llangollen's character	Attract high value visitors during the quieter winter months to support businesses all year round and enable more permanent employment opportunities as opposed to seasonal	Extending the Season
A4.14	A	LTE TO	Work with local accommodation providers/camp sites to provide alternative accommodation options for potential out of season visitors, e.g., retired motorhome owners

                                                               Our Fifth Aim:

A Community that values, protects, and promotes the scenic beauty of our heritage and natural environment.

 

Ref	Priority	Stakeholders	Action (What we will do)		Output (Measuring Success)	Objective
A5.1	A	LTC DCC		Town Council to oppose planning applications that are contrary to the aims of the Conservation Area	Enforce suitable and sustainable developments	Increase employment opportunities in the Town
A5.2	A	LTC DCC		Town Council to oppose planning applications that are detrimental to the area's scenic beauty and natural environment
A5.3	A	LTC DCC		Collaborate with DCC to ensure measures to protect the scenic beauty, historic and natural heritage are included in the new LDP
A5.4	A	DCC LTC		Develop proposals for a fit for purpose recycling facility in Llangollen, both for household waste and street litter	Encourage and endorse responsible and sustainable behaviour.	Enabling residents and visitors to access recycling facilities, and support DCC to reach their recycling targets
A5.5	A	LTC		Continue to ensure that any Town Council organised events use locally sourced food, wherever and avoid single use tableware.
A5.6		FOE LTC		Maintain the town’s status as a Plastic Free Community
A5.7	A	LTC		Undertake or commission work to explore the feasibility of establishing a green energy (hydro/solar) scheme managed by a Community Interest Company	Reduce dependency on fossil fuels.	Establish a green energy infrastructure and enable residents and businesses to reduce their carbon footprint and cater for changing demands to and addressing the Climate and Ecological emergency
A5.8	A	LTC		Town Council to change to green energy suppliers
A5.9	A	LTC		Investigate and install electric vehicle charging points in Llangollen.
A5.10	B	AONB DCC LTC		Support the formal recognition of the Clwydian Range and Dee Valley AONB as a ‘Dark Sky Community’ from the International Dark Sky Association (IDA).	To protect and preserve unique night-time conditions.
A5.11	A	LTC DCC		Align the Town Council’s Community Grants to projects that contribute to mitigating climate change and promoting biodiversity	Encourage activities that contribute to sustaining our historic and natural heritage and addressing the Climate Crisis
A5.12	A	LTC DCC SDCP		Support and promote the work of groups such as Llangollen Tidy Towns, Friends of the Earth and Llangollen Food Share#
	A	LTC SC		Collaborate with the schools to raise awareness of local heritage, environment, and the climate crisis
A5.13	B	DCC LTC AONB		Ensure that the definitive footpath map details all public rights of way within the community including ancient green lanes	Promote awareness and understanding of the value and management of our heritage and natural environment	Encourage local residents to sustainably manage our natural resources
A5.14	A	NRW AONB FOP		Develop the Pengwern Vale Community Environment Project

Our Sixth Aim:

A Community that provides essential services for its residents

 

Ref	Priority	Stakeholders	Action (What we will do)	Output (Measuring Success)	Objective
A6.1	A	LTC DCC	Engage youth groups via two Town Council youth reps to identify their needs and how we can work with them to deliver these	Identifying the needs of our young people so we can work with them to deliver projects to meet these	Improve Services for children and young people
A6.2	A	HA LTC	Engage families through housing associations to identify needs of children and young people
A6.3	B	LTC DCC	Promote training and employment opportunities in youth services	Addressing the identified lack of youth workers in the Dee Valley, both paid and voluntary.
A6.4	B	LTC DCC	Explore opportunities for intergenerational activities	Mutual beneficial projects to bring the community together	Ensure access to essential services for our residents who rely on them
A6.5	B	SDCP LRC	Expand the current Dial a Ride Scheme	Ensure essential transport is available for local residents
A6.6	B	SDCP LRC	Expand Meals on Wheels into Llangollen	Ensure food and essential goods are accessible for local residents
A6.7	A	LFS SDCP	Explore ways to support the current foodbank and food share initiatives to continue to meet increasing demands
A6.8	A	LTC DCC	Open a New Solo Digital Space service at the Library for people to access online support and platforms such as Zoom, Teams etc.	Respond to the new ways people are accessing services and changing working arrangements
A6.9	A	LTC	Review accessibility of the Town Council's services, recognising the need for a blended digital and face to face approach.	Ensure food and essential goods are accessible for local residents
A6.10	A	LTC DCC	Refer residents to DCC 's Digital Buddy Scheme
A6.11	B	FOP DCC SDCP	Develop a community Makerspace skills workshop at Pengwern	A new workshop space for practical skills development, upcycling, bike repairs, office provision and toilet facilities
A6.12	A	LTC	Undertake or commission a feasibility study to explore the potential for a new multipurpose community hub at the Town Hall	A clear understanding of the need for, viability and potential benefits of developing the town hall into a multipurpose community hub. Support local organisations to make improvements to Llangollen's community facilities	Improve Llangollen's community owned facilities
A6.13	A	LTC	Support planning applications that aim to improve both the quality and sustainability of community facilities, as long as they do not adversely affect the character and heritage characteristics of the town
A6.14	B	DCC FOP NRW	Promote engagement in sport, nature, creativity and social engagement as a means of keeping well. Nature for Health Programme
A6.15	A	SWGPG BCUHB LTC DCC HA	Ensure that residents’ views collected for the Place Plan and relating to Health and Well-being, are shared	Improve health and wellbeing by increasing access to the local environment	Ensure access to essential health services for our residents
A6.16	A	YM LHC	Many elderly people and individuals with current care needs in the community are excluded in some way from participating in social community life. Befriending is one way by which they can be supported to get more fully involved	Befriending provides companionship for isolated people a chance to develop a new relationship and opportunity to participate in local activities address issues associated with isolation and loneliness
A6.17	A	DCC LTC	Tackle environmental crime by clamping down on anti-social behaviour	To prevent the area from deteriorating and ensure it is free from litter	To feel safe at home, and secure in the area and with people in the community
A6.18	A	DCC LTC	Review existing dog control areas	To ensure areas of open space and recreation grounds are protected.
A6.19	B	NWP AONB	Actively police and advise of the effects of the illegal use of a vehicle which can lead to criminal damage of roads, other vehicles and surrounding property.	To manage off roading in the area to prevent anti-social behaviour
A6.20	A	NWP LTC	Refocus Neighbourhood Watch schemes which are not just about crime awareness but are also about supporting communities to tackle issues within them	To create a greater sense of security and reduce the fear of crime