Tidy Town team put in another 500+ unpaid paid hours

* Tidy Town volunteers enjoy their Christmas party at the golf club.

Despite an early setback caused by the lingering lockdown, Llangollen Tidy Town Team went on to have another highly successful year in 2022.

In his annual report David Davies, founder and co-ordinator of the voluntary group, says its members contributed over 500 hours of unpaid work on behalf of the community, taking in everything from litter picking to handling traffic for the town's  Christmas festival which returned after a three-year Covid enforced break to notch up its most successful year to date. 

He says: "Our year started with a couple of jobs deferred due to lockdown regulations.

"The stream alongside the Army Cadet HQ needed rubbish and vegetation clearance again in the absence of any maintenance by DCC.

"We also made in-roads into clearing the public footpath that runs halfway up the hillside parallel to the A5, between Fron and Llangollen. Unfortunately, our efforts to secure the younger muscle-power of the participants in the Restorative Justice system failed due to 'H&S concerns'. It would be sad to lose this path and consign walkers to the A5.

"Meeting at least once a month, we have continued our litter picking activities, Town Square maintenance duties, tidying around the Wharf area and providing help at Plas Newydd.

"The woods project, adjacent to the cemetery by St Johns Church, made a major step forward this year with renewed enthusiasm from St Collen' s Church and a substantial grant from Cadwyn Clywd.    

"This work is ongoing but has enabled expansion of the cemetery parking area, creation of a surfaced pathway into the woods, new fencing and tree clearance ready for some new planting."

He adds: "The team has assisted at town events including the new locally-inspired Garden Railway Festival at the Pavilion and at the welcome return of the Christmas Festival.  

"We took on the challenge of making provision for and putting up the town Christmas tree with help with lifting equipment from S&G Estates Ltd.

"We are grateful to AJP Couriers for stepping in to finance our insurance cost this year. Other contributions this year included those from Llangollen Town Council, Garden Railway,  Kenrick Motors, Rotary (closing fund) and an anonymous passer-by, have returned our funds to positive. Thanks to all concerned.

"Finally, a thank you to the members of the team, who once again this year have contributed over 500 hours of voluntary effort in trying to keep Llangollen a tidy town to the benefit of residents and tourists."