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Saturday, February 15, 2025

Call goes out to Llangollen Round volunteers


                    * Entrants on a previous Llangollen Round Challenge.

Organisers have sent out a message to volunteer helpers about the 5th Llangollen Round Challenge which is scheduled for the weekend of May 31/June 1 this year.  

They say: "We're afraid we don't have the contact details for everyone who helped with the last event, but if that was you, and you are interested in helping again this time, please get in touch with Judy on 07905 330788 or email smithdinbren@gmail.com .

"Entries are going well.  We've stretched a point with those, but even with that stretch we are more than 3/4 full already. So, if you've still to get your entry in, don't hang about too long.  And we look forward to seeing you."


Friday, February 14, 2025

Three good causes benefit from Christmas Festival proceeds


* Christmas Festival secretary John Palmer hands over the £500 cheque to Silver Band conductor Mia Thomas watched by fellow committee members Angela Williams (left) and Jane Williams during band practice night.




* John Palmer, Angela Williams and Jane Williams present the cheque for £1,500 to Wales Air Ambulance regional fundraising manager Debra Sima (centre).

Members of the committee which runs the annual Llangollen Christmas Fair have been out and about distributing the proceeds from last year's highly successful event.

Main recipient was Wales Air Ambulance for which the festival has been raising funds for many years.

Their share of the 2024 proceeds was £1,500 which was handed to their regional fundraiser Debra Sima at their Welsh pool Airport base.

Another good cause to benefit was Llangollen Food Share whose manager Stephanie Mitchell accepted a giant cheque for £1,000 at its base near the Market Street car park.

Another £500 has gone to Llangollen Silver Band whose conductor Mia Thomas received a cheque for £500 during the senior band's practice night in their Parade Street headquarters.

Festival committee chairman Austin "Chem" Cheminais said: "It was an absolute pleasure to be able to support these three local causes which each do so much in their own special ways to benefit the Llangollen community."      


* Food Share manager Stephanie Mitchell receives the £1,000 cheque from John Palmer.

Thursday, February 13, 2025

Three science labs updated at Ysgol Dinas Bran


* One of the facelifted labs at Ysgol Dinas Bran.

Three science laboratories at Ysgol Dinas Brân in Llangollen have been updated as part of a half million pound investment in two Denbighshire schools.

Welsh Government grant funding has been used to fully refurbish the the labs in Llangollen and another two at Denbigh High School.

The projects included a full strip-out of the existing facilities, followed by the installation of new heating, electrical and gas services, together with new ventilation and the installation of new energy efficient lighting and redecoration throughout.

 

Also included was the installation of purpose made specialist laboratory furniture, along with new fume cupboards.

 

Councillor Diane King, Lead Member for Education, Children and Families said: “It is wonderful to see this funding being used to improve the facilities in our schools.

 

"These new facilities will help students learn more efficiently, with newer, more modern equipment at their disposal.

 

"We are committed to providing learning environments in which all of our students have the ability to realise their full potential.”

 

Wednesday, February 12, 2025

Tidy Town Team help bring museum's collection back home

 

* The Tidy Town Team  help carry the museum's collection back out of temporary storage.

Members of Llangollen Tidy Town Team were out in force the other day to do some of the heavy lifting when the town's museum moved its collection back into the building following its recent roof replacement.

Just as they did in January 2023 before the work began and they helped temporarily move the entire stock just across the road to the old courthouse, they were back again last Friday to lend a big helping hand in bringing it all back again.

In a Facebook post, the museum said: "We would like to extend our heartfelt thanks to the Llangollen Tidy Town Team for all of their help last Friday.

"Not only did they help us move all of our collection back into the museum, from temporary storage across the road, but also helped to move and reassemble cabinets and other items within the museum.

"Many thanks Tidy Town Team - we honestly could not have done it all without you!"


* llanblogger's picture of the team moving the museum contents into storage across the road in January 2023.

Llangollen people encouraged to join 'Fix It Feb' campaign

 

* A volunteer repairer at work in the Llangollen Repair Cafe.

Llangollen Repair Cafe is inviting local people to take part in  Fix It Feb, a Repair Café Wales campaign encouraging people to repair rather than replace their faulty items.

They are being asked to pledge to fix at least one broken item - saving money, reducing waste, and supporting sustainability locally. 

Pledges could include sewing on a button, patching clothes, or restoring a beloved item. 


 

If you don’t feel like your repair skills are up to it, not to worry. Go along to Llangollen repair café this Saturday February 15 at St Collen's Community Hall, between 11am and 2pm, and the friendly volunteers there will either show you how to fix your item, or repair it for you. 

 

The repairs completed at Llangollen repair café will contribute to Repair Cafe Wales’ aim to fix 1,000 items across the county in February, which they say is a carbon reduction saving equivalent to driving a car over 360,000 miles. 

 

Repair café events take place in villages, towns and cities across Wales every month. Experienced fixing volunteers, equipped with tools and skills, repair items including small household electricals, clothing/textiles, mobile phones and laptops, bicycles (some dates) and small items of furniture.

 

Everyone is welcome to bring their item along to Llangollen repair café on this Saturday, with no need to book. 

 

Since Repair Cafe Wales launched, the initiative has helped local communities save an impressive £1 million and has fixed over 21,000 items. 

 

The Fix it Feb campaign aims to further that impact by empowering even more people to fix items, reducing the need for new goods, helping to conserve resources, reducing the carbon footprints and saving local people money.

 

"Repairing things can be simple, accessible, and rewarding," says Phoebe, Director of Repair Cafe Wales.


"Not only does it save money and reduce waste, but it’s a great way for the local community to get together to share skills and ideas. With Fix It Feb we're showing Wales how small actions can make a big difference for the environment and our communities."

 

* You can pledge your support for Fix It Feb by visiting Repair Cafe Wales' website at https://repaircafewales.org/. Whether it's repairing a household appliance, mending a cherished sweater, or restoring a favourite toy, every repair effort contributes to a greener future.  

Tuesday, February 11, 2025

Age Cymru's winter newsletter is out now

Age Cymru has published the 2024/25 Winter edition of its bi-lingual quarterly newsletter Age Matters.

The edition looks at how you can protect yourself from winter viruses by using some simple measures and an update is provided on the charity's campaign on the changes to the winter fuel payment system.

There’s a feature on Age Cymru's online photography collection portraying realistic images of older people that has received more than a million views, and the edition has a report on the launch of its groundbreaking toolkit for care home residents.



New Mazda SUV is big bold and beautiful



Mazda CX-80 launch drive by Steve Rogers

Big, bold and beautiful sums up Mazda’s newest member of its SUV family.

Yes, it looks like a stretched CX-60, which it is sort of, but there is a lot more to it than just a longer wheelbase. Take a gander at the rear doors and you should spot the difference - they are enormous, and for good reason because the reason for the extra length is to fit in a couple of extra seats.

This is the seven seat CX-80, or six if you prefer, but I will get to that later. Mazda has thought this through and come up with a cunning plan. Getting to the third row, and getting out for that matter, is often a case of contorting legs and arms and that is where the extra wide doors make things that bit easier, along with a button that slides the middle row seat forward creating a big enough gap to get to the back seat.

Will it take a six footer? Yes, although not as easy as someone my height, 5ft 8in and a smidge. I had no trouble and could happily sit in the back row for a longish journey although realistically the third row is better suited for toddlers and teens.

Which brings us onto the six seat option. This is a nice set up with four ‘captain’s’ chairs so you can walk through the middle to get to the back seats. Possibly a bit extravagant but a good option to have although the seven seat configuration is going to be the main seller.

Much of what you see inside CX-80 is a mirror image of CX-60 which is no bad thing because it is sensibly laid out and wrapped in high quality materials supporting Mazda’s claim to be worthy members of the premium club.

There is no shortage of tech with a touchscreen that is controlled on the move by a rotary knob positioned between the front seats. I have always favoured this method where menus are easily selected, in fact this setup should be the template for the industry, it is that simple to use. Heating controls are neatly set out with clearly marked buttons.

There are five trim levels with a starting price of £49,670 for the petrol Exclusive, the diesel carries a £2,535 premium and will not make much sense for the fleet buyer because its higher emissions push up the tax bill by quite a way compared to the petrol. The level of equipment is excellent even for the Exclusive that also gets almost all the extensive list of safety features.

Engine mix is aka CX-60 with a petrol 2.5 litre plug-in hybrid and 3.3 litre diesel hybrid. Most will opt for the petrol with its 38 miles of electric driving, but my preference is the diesel even though it is a second behind the petrol in a sprint to sixty.

The handling is good for such a big SUV, it is 25cm longer than CX-60, especially behind the wheel of the diesel which does not have to carry the extra weight of the batteries and is pretty good fun on twisting roads with a good mix of comfort and tautness which has always been the Mazda way,

The suspension has been retuned to compensate for the extra length and the rear anti roll bar removed to improve cornering stability which is a new one on me.

All models are four wheel drive with the option to switch from normal to sport, off road, or towing modes. Both petrol and diesel have a terrific 2500kg towing capacity and a trailer hitch view camera, a first for a Mazda SUV.

The new model is not going to be a big seller and there is no pressing need to upgrade from CX-60 unless you need seven seats, although some people might like the enormous boot with all the back seats folded; you could easily sleep in this space. But for a big family the Mazda needs to be on a very short shortlist.

Fast facts

CX-80 Homura Plus PHEV

£55,470

2,5 litre petrol; 321bhp

8-speed auto

0-62mph 6.8secs; 121mph

176.6mpg

EV range 38 miles

36g/km. 1st VED £10

Boot: 1971/687/258 litres

Insurance group 39

Llangollen's 'lack' of childcare provision raised in the Senedd

* Llangollen Day Nursery closed in the summer of 2023.

What campaigners claim is Llangollen’s lack of adequate childcare facilities for working parents has been highlighted in the Welsh Senedd.

Since the closure of Llangollen Day Nursery in East Street in the autumn of 2023 and the loss of Llangollen Playgroup last winter, worried parents have been claiming not enough is being done to make up the shortfall in provision. 

And one of them has involved local politicians in the fight to secure extra places. 

North Wales Senedd Member Sam Rowlands was asked to raise the issue in a Senedd recent plenary session. 

And he requested an official response from the Welsh Government. 

He said: “I'd like to call for a statement from the Minister for Children and Social Care regarding the role of councils in ensuring that there is enough childcare provision in our communities. 

“A resident of mine, Chelsea Robinson, has been in touch regarding the lack of childcare provision to support working parents in Denbighshire. Indeed, the council has admitted that there is a childcare sufficiency gap in Llangollen. 

“You'll know, Minister, that the Childcare Act 2006 is in place to ensure that there's a duty on local authorities to make sure that there's enough provision in our communities, and seemingly Denbighshire County Council are not doing anything about it for residents in Llangollen. 

“So, I'd like a statement from the Minister to outline what they're doing to support councils to ensure that there's appropriate childcare provision.” 

The Senedd’s Trefnydd, or Leader of the House, replied on behalf of the Minister for Children and Social Care: “We invest more than £100 million every year in childcare for children aged two and up through our flagship Flying Start and childcare offer schemes, and we're committed to the further expansion of Flying Start childcare for two-year-olds, and we're working closely with local authorities on their plans.” 

A Denbighshire County Council spokesperson said: “The council reviews its Childcare Sufficiency Assessment Action Plan annually and have updated it to include the childcare sufficiency gap in Llangollen as a priority. 

"In the last year, we have been working with existing childcare providers in Llangollen to try to support them to expand their offer to provide full day childcare, including under 2’s. 

"Our officers are also meeting with representatives of Professional Association for Childcare and Early Years (PACEY) and the Welsh Government’s WeCare Wales to discuss driving recruitment for new childminders in Llangollen and surrounding areas. "

Monday, February 10, 2025

Llangollen Young ‘Uns to perform We Will Rock You!

* The cast of We Will Rock You.

Based on the unforgettable music of Queen and written by Ben Elton, Llangollen Young ‘Uns will be performing the hit musical We Will Rock You at Llangollen Town Hall from Thursday-Saturday February 2022.

The show rocks along to classic numbers such as Bohemian Rhapsody, I Want to Break Free, Killer Queen and many more. 

Performed by a talented cast of 21 aged from eight to 18, We Will Rock You follows on from the successful shows Young 'Uns have enjoyed going all the way back to 1999 and in recent years including Oliver! in 2024 and 2023's The Addams Family.

* Tickets available on line from: www.ticketsource.co.uk/llangollenoperaticsociety and also through four local outlets - Llangollen Tourist Information Office, Jades Hair and Beauty, Llangollen Oggie Shop & Fine Foods and The Clwydian Butcher.



Sunday, February 9, 2025

Latest local roadworks alerts from Denbighshire County Council

Latest local roadworks alerts from Denbighshire County Council are:

Hall Street, Llangollen. HALL STREET 12/04/2025 17/04/2025 Gwaith Draenio / Drainage Works NMWTRA (DCC) LLANGOLLEN Ffordd ar Gau/Road Closure

GLAN YR AFON HORSESHOE PASS VIEW 10/02/2025 10/02/2025 Gwaith Dwr / Water Works HAFREN DYFRDWY (DCC) LLANGOLLEN Ffordd ar Gau/Road Closure

Approximately 70 metres from end of track to Ty Canol Farm A539 LLANGOLLEN ROAD 26/02/2025 26/02/2025 Torri Coed / Tree Cutting HRJ GOULD LTD.

NR CATTLE GRID A539 LLANGOLLEN ROAD LLANGOLLEN LL20 7UH A539 LLANGOLLEN ROAD 20/02/2025 20/02/2025 2 Way signals is required for safe pole testing works. SUNBELT RENTALS (DCC)

Hall St jct with A5 Berwyn St, Llangollen HALL STREET 27/01/2025 28/03/2025 Gwaith Ar Wal Gynnal/ Retaining Wall Works OBR CONSTRUCTION,

A539 Verge ABBEY ROAD 31/01/2025 14/02/2025 Gwaith Ar Wal Gynnal/ Retaining Wall Works DCC BRIDGES & STRUCTURE

Llangollen appears on list of Wales's quirkiest towns

Llangollen appears in a list of the "quirkiest" towns in Wales published by an international travel website.

World Atlas has put together six towns from across the country it says fits that description and which also includes Beddgelert, Aberystwyth, Hay-on-Wye, Tenby and Brecon,

Each come with a few paragraphs describing what makes them attractive to visitors supported by pictures.

And of Llangollen it says: "Last but not least on the list is the town of Llangollen, which was awarded Cittaslow status in 2013. 

"Cittaslow status, often referred to as a “slow city,” means that a town has implemented efforts to improve quality of life by promoting sustainable actions such as waste reduction, supporting local businesses, and preserving natural resources.

"Even though Llangollen is known as a “slow city,” there are still lots of activities to make the visit an adventure to remember. Close by is the iconic Berwyn Mountains to get the adrenaline going on a hike. The tallest peak is Cadair Berwyn, which measures 830 meters. Some other activities to enjoy are canoeing, quad biking, climbing, rafting, and riding the steam train.

"Throughout the year, many fun festivals are put on to spread the joy of music and culture in the town's streets. Visitors can seek entertainment from the International Musical Eisteddfod and the Fringe Festival in July, the Food Festival in October, and the Christmas Festival in November."

Pictures of the railway, from both sides of the river, accompany the piece.

* To see the full article go to: 6 of the Quirkiest Towns in Wales - WorldAtlas

Friday, February 7, 2025

Councillors under 'dreadful stress' due to recycling scheme, says story

Denbighshire councillors have endured "absolutely dreadful" stress from the "botched" roll-out of the council's recycling scheme, according to a story in North Wales Live.

* For the full story, go to: Stress of botched recycling roll-out 'absolutely dreadful' for Denbighshire councillors - North Wales Live

Thursday, February 6, 2025

Llan firefighters take part in incident where 40 people evacuated


Firefighters from Llangollen took part in an incident in which 40 people were rescued from a blaze at a property in Chirk last night (February 5).

* For the full story in the Denbighshire Free Press, see: https://www.denbighshirefreepress.co.uk/news/24915437.40-people-rescued-firefighters-evacuate-chirk-building/

Latest Citizens Advice column


Here is the latest column from Denbighshire Citizens Advice:

Q: We’re planning a summer getaway to Greece and I’m worried we’ll forget something important, which could ruin the holiday. What steps can we take to make sure we’re fully protected and prepared if anything goes wrong?

Booking a holiday can be overwhelming, especially if it’s been a while since you last went away. It’s unlikely anything will go wrong, but we’ve prepared a simple checklist to make sure you can relax into your holiday knowing you’re protected from the unexpected.

Check your passport is in date - especially for EU travel

Renewing your passport can take several weeks and isn’t something to leave until the last minute. Check the validity of your passport for your trip on GOV.UK by finding out the entry requirements of the country you’re travelling to.

If you’re heading to Europe, bear in mind EU countries don’t accept passports more than ten years old. This includes passports issued pre-Brexit, which may have longer expiry dates. Just remember, the golden rule for EU travel is: if your passport was issued over ten years ago, you’ll need to get it renewed.

Know your rights if something goes wrong

If your flight’s delayed long enough - usually two to four hours, depending on the journey - your airline must provide access to food and drink vouchers, phone calls and emails, and accommodation if you’re delayed overnight. If it’s cancelled, you’re legally entitled to a full refund or replacement flight to help you get to your destination. You’re also entitled to compensation if your airline delays, loses or damages your checked-in luggage.

Get travel insurance

Although it’s an extra expense, travel insurance can cover many of the things already mentioned, like flight delays and lost luggage, but also things like a holiday cancellation and medical emergencies.

Citizens Advice recommends getting insurance as soon as you book a holiday to make sure you're covered right away - but always check first to see if an existing insurance policy, or your bank account, covers what you need for your holiday. There’s no need to double up if you’re already covered!

The chances are your holiday will be problem-free, but early planning and preparation can make all the difference. If you need advice on a consumer problem, head to the Citizens Advice website.

Cancer survivor Moira starts stoma self-support group

 

* Moira Gleed has started the Back to Front stoma self-support group.

A cancer survivor from Llangollen has started a self-support group to provide help and advice to people using a stoma.

Moira Gleed’s own journey towards being fitted with the medical device, which connects the bowel to the outside of the body with a small disposable bag, began last June when she was diagnosed with Stage III bowel cancer.

After major surgery at the Wrexham Maelor hospital she was fitted with a permanent stoma. This means that when the bowel moves, waste exits through the stoma bag which is stuck to the skin and has to be emptied at regular intervals.

Moira said: “I’d been ignoring the symptoms of the cancer for some time and the doctors told me it could have been coming on for seven to 10 years.

“I had the surgery last July and, so far, it looks to have been successful. Becoming a stoma user myself has made me determined to share my experience with others who find themselves in the same situation.”

She added: “The new group I have formed, which is called Back to Front for obvious reasons, aims to support each other with kindness along the journey each person with a stoma takes and will provide a safe and confidential ‘what gets said in this room stays in this room’ environment while offering an opportunity for fellow ostomates, which is what stoma users are known as, and their companions or carers to have a cuppa and talk about what’s on their minds and look at latest products from suppliers.

“The friendly and informal monthly meet-ups will have guest speakers on a variety of subjects on alternative months.

“The group will be open to all ostomates wishing to offer their support and experience to the group and to people who have recently had or are awaiting surgery and to their loved ones and carers.”

Moira said that group meetings will take place on the first Monday of every month. While there will be no charge for membership donations towards the hire of the hall, speakers and refreshments are welcomed.

The meeting place chosen is St Collen’s Community Hall, off Regent Street (A5) LL20 8HU. Meetings will run between 2 and 4pm and the first one takes place on Monday March 3.

The meeting room is at ground level with ramps and has easy access to the toilets. Parking, which is next to the hall, will be free for the duration of the meeting.

“We hope to see as many people as possible at our meetings, which are not just for Llangollen people but also those from surrounding areas, said Moira.

* For more information contact Moira Gleed, in confidence, on 07484 772772.    

Funding boost to prevent 30,000 major road potholes in Wales

An extra £25m to renew Wales’ major roads and prevent around 30,000 defects and potholes has been announced by the Welsh Government.

The funding boost will see an extra 100km of the strategic road network resurfaced in the new financial year. 

Roads that are most in need of repairs will be renewed, with thousands of potholes fixed.

Since 2021 the Welsh Government has spent more than £81m on resurfacing around 321km of roads on the trunk network across Wales. 

Combined with the forecasted spend for 2025-26 this means that by the end of this Senedd term £118m will have been spent to repair more than 500km of road defects and potholes.

Ken Skates, Senedd Member for Llangollen and Cabinet Secretary for Transport and North Wales, said: "It is crucial that we fix our roads.

"I’m delighted to be announcing a further £25m of funding to help support a comprehensive refurbishment programme to improve the future resilience of our strategic roads network and prevent potholes.

“We are already working hard to fill potholes and renew, as fast as possible, key sections of our road network, but this additional funding will help to accelerate this work.”


* Ken Skates, Senedd Member for Llangollen and Cabinet Secretary for Transport and North Wales.

Mr Skates has also pledged to announce details of new financial support for councils to fix more local roads. Details of the scale of support are due to be revealed in the coming weeks and will help fix potholes across Wales.

He added: “On rail we’re delivering £800m of new trains and on buses we’re going to legislate to take control of routes and timetables. 

"On roads and pavements, we are demonstrating real commitment to fixing potholes as we seek to renew and enhance connections between communities.”  

Wednesday, February 5, 2025

Llangollen landmarks mentioned in New Zealand newspaper

* Centuries-old Llantysilio Parish Church was the "best thing" a New Zealand travel writer saw.

Two well-known Llangollen landmarks get a strong mention in a travel story which has just appeared in a New Zealand national newspaper.   

Historic Llantysilio Parish Church and Llangollen Oggie Shop & Fine Foods in Castle Street are now hitting the headlines on the other side of the world.   

The piece in the Sunday Star-Times is written by Alistair Deverick, an Auckland-based recording artist, producer and session drummer who was in the UK on a three-week holiday based around a family wedding in Edinburgh.

* The writer's picture of the Oggie Shop which he reckons sold the "best thing" he ate.

He and his wife also took the opportunity to visit Wales where he has more family connections.

In his travel article he answers a question on the best thing he saw while in the UK and says: “Very powerful for me was visiting the Llantysilio Parish Church, built circa 1254, where my grandmother Eirlys Gwyneth Morris-Jones is buried, along with her parents Dorothy and Hugh (the town doctor for 40 years) and my mum’s namesake Ailsa, her aunt, who died when she was six from tuberculosis.”



* The piece was written by New Zealand musician Alistair Deverick.

And responding to a question on the best thing he ate, he writes: “Shout out to Llangollen Oggie Shop & Fine Foods in Llangollen! We ate some of its oggies, which are a type of pasty and my god!”

 

And the best souvenirs he bought while in the UK: “A big ugly Welsh dragon coffee cup that I drink from daily.”

Tuesday, February 4, 2025

Be alert for holiday booking scans, warns Senedd Member

Sam Rowlands, Member of the Welsh Parliament for North Wales, is backing a call to raise awareness of scams when booking holidays online. 

He is supporting a call from North Wales Police who are warning people to be aware of fraudsters when using Booking.com.

 

Mr Rowlands said: “These days more than ever we all have to be on the lookout for scammers and be especially aware of suspicious emails and messages you may receive about your holiday.

 

“It is a great shame that there are unscrupulous people out there who think nothing of targeting people who have booked their well-earned holidays and I would urge everyone to be extra vigilant.

 

“I am happy to add my voice to warn my constituents about this scam.”

 

The warning comes from Dewi Owen, North Wales Police, Cyber Crime Officer, North Wales, who says that Action Fraud is warning those using Booking.com to book their holidays or accommodation that they could be targeted with suspicious emails or messages from hotels who have had their account taken over by fraudsters.

 

Between June 2023 and September 2024, Action Fraud received 532 reports from individuals, with a total of £370,000 lost.

 

The advice is that no legitimate Booking.com transaction will ever require a customer to provide their credit card details by phone, email, or text message, including WhatsApp.

 

If you receive any urgent payment requests that require immediate attention, like a booking cancellation, immediately reach out to the Booking.com Customer Service team via the details on the official Booking.com website and/or app to confirm that the message is legitimate.

 

Any messages purporting to be from Booking.com that contain instructions to follow links and/or open/download files should be treated with caution. Again contact Booking.com directly using verified contact details to verify that the link or file is legitimate.