Poignant letters home from WWI soldier go on show

* Royal Welch Fusiliers in World War One.

To coincide with Remembrance Day, Denbighshire Archives has a small exhibition commemorating the sacrifices made in the First World War.

It is a celebration of the life of Private Henry (Harry) Jones 8481, 2^nd Battalion Royal Welsh Fusiliers, based on surviving letters held at the archives in Ruthin Gaol.
 

* Royal Welch Fusiliers badge.

Pvt Jones was baptised in the parish of Llanfwrog in 1887, married Elizabeth Williams in 1910, and had three children, the youngest of whom was named ‘Mons’after the battle in which his father was fighting when he was born in December 1914.

His letters home are plain, with some rather unique spelling, but are also very touching - the letters of a simple man, who was obviously missing his family and finding life in the trenches grim.

His letters to Elizabeth talk about how cold and wet it is at night. He mentions receiving a parcel from Mrs Dowell with a scarfe [sic] and tobacco and says how it will be very warm for his neck. In the same letter he tells her that Mons is a very nice name for the baby and that he likes it very much. In a letter dated 17^th December 1914 he writes: “Dear Wife we are getting very bad weather hear raneing [sic] every day and cold. Dear Wife I hope it will be over very soon it is very cold in the trenches this is worser [sic] than carrying the hod with little dan.” 

He asks for cakes and sweets to be sent to him instead of tobacco and cigarettes and says that he is going to sing in the trenches for the Germens [sic].

In his last letter dated 23 February 1915 Harry asks after his father who seems to be in poor health. 

He wants Elizabeth to feed him up well with soup and oxo. 

Part of this letter reads: “Well my Dear pleas rember [sic] me to father and give him my best love and tell him to cheer up and tell him the war will be over very soon now and I will be able to see him again…” 

It is in this letter that he asks Elizabeth to send him a photo of her and the children, even telling her that she can get them “very cheep [sic] on a post card.”

Pvt Jones was killed on 1^st March, 1915 - St David’s Day - before the photograph could have reached him.
Opening hours at Denbighshire Archives are: Monday (closed), Tuesday                             9.30 - 16.30, Wednesday 9.30 - 16.30, Thursday 9.30 - 16.30, Friday                                 9.30 - 16.30.

Fawlty Towers is Twenty Club triumph

llanblogger's review of Fawlty Towers by the Twenty Club at Llangollen Town Hall

THEY made only a dozen episodes back in the mid-seventies but Fawlty Towers rapidly grabbed a place in the TV hall of fame as possibly the funniest show ever to come out of Britain.

And Llangollen Twenty Club’s interpretation of this comedy icon is also likely to go down in local history as one of its best ever productions.

Those lucky enough to have seen it at the Town Hall – there wasn’t a ticket to be had for the sell-out Friday and Saturday performances but a few seats were available for the rare Saturday matinee – will testify to just how hilarious it was.

But then they could hardly go wrong when the man taking the lead role of Basil Fawlty was the very personification of the lanky lunatic who runs the county’s most dysfunctional hotel with his bone-idle and domineering wife Sybil.

Despite his tender years,  Ally Goodman has already impressed in a number of Twenty Club productions but Fawlty is surely his finest hour to date.

Not only did he look uncannily like the super-rude and outrageously ham-fisted mine host but he also captured his manic mannerisms and sardonic speech patterns to a tee.

He shone in the first two parts of this three-episode homage to the great show, The Hotel Inspectors and A Touch of Class, but positively – and quite literally - burst into flames in the final act based on that unforgettable episode when a group of Germans come to stay at the Newquay hotel and Basil, still reeling from the concussion he sustained from a runaway extinguisher when a blaze breaks out in the kitchen but determined not to mention the war, unintentionally fires off a salvo of Nazi-related insults as he takes their lunch orders.

Every offensive phrase gets him deeper in the mire, from his “Eva Braun cocktail” to his “hors d’oevres must be obeyed”.

But in the end it’s his unabashed goose-stepping Hitler impersonation which brings the medics dashing into the hotel to cart him back to hospital where he belongs.

If no decent Fawlty Towers interpretation could function without a brilliant Basil then it must also have a marvellous Manuel – the bumbling waiter from Barcelona of whom his vicious boss says it would have been easier to train a monkey.

Here fate  and some great casting provided the Twenty Club with another delicious dead ringer in the shape of  Richard Mascarenhas

From his hangdog look and droopy moustache to his baggy trousers and duck-like walk he was every inch the hapless Spaniard who is tortured almost as much by the vaguries of the English language as the insults and slaps of Fawlty.

Manuel would have dominated every scene he was in if his overbearing nemesis Basil hadn’t been on stage at the same time to give him a real run for his comedic money.

Fawlty’s wife Sybil is such a little baggage that she ought to be able to keep her monstrous husband in check but not even her own insufferability is enough and, in fact, only serves to make him even worse.

Portraying all this with suitable nuance is quite a task but one Twenty Club first-timer Helen Belton was perfectly up to.  She was understated yet still formidable in the role.

The rest of the cast shone too, from Bill Large as the drunken buffoon Major Gowen to Anna Turner as Polly the maid who is possibly the only completely sane member of the hotel’s surreal staff  team.

In all there were about 20 of them on stage at various times and  where they were and what they were supposed to be doing at any given moment in the madhouse that was Fawlty Towers was a herculean logistical task which director Chrissie Ashworth managed as competently as any wartime general.

Sorry, I forgot, don’t mention the war!        

AM calls for more backing for ex-service personnel

North Wales Assembly Member Mark Isherwood (pictured right) has paid tribute to the sacrifice and commitment of those who have served in our Armed Forces and called on the Welsh Government to give consideration to the creation of a residential centre for ex-service personnel.

Leading an Opposition debate in the Assembly, Mr Isherwood, who is Shadow Minister for Communities, called for further support for veterans suffering with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), including the potential for a Welsh residential centre.

He said: “A 2012 Healthcare Inspectorate Wales Report Healthcare and the Armed Forces Community in Wales recommends that the Welsh Government should consider the utility of establishing a form of residential facility within Wales.

“The report states that many members of the Armed Forces community commented on the desirability of having a residential centre for veterans in Wales as something you can see, touch and feel and of real psychological benefit.”

Mr Isherwood, who has long been calling for better treatment for those with PTSD, added: “Amongst combat veterans there is a common pattern of Complex PTSD with attempted symptom suppression by alcohol and/or drug abuse, a downward spiral of employment difficulties, relationship problems, confrontation with the law, and even suicide.

“A report from the Howard League for Penal Reform entitled Leave No Veteran Behind asked why so many veterans find themselves caught in the criminal justice system, stating that it is vital that the complex needs of armed forces personnel are adequately addressed and that we do everything that we can to help those who serve their country to adjust to civilian life.

“Welsh Guardsman Lance Sergeant Dan Collins tragically and unnecessarily took his own life on New Year’s Day. He was desperately seeking help for his post traumatic stress, firstly through the MoD's medical assessment programme and afterwards being referred to an NHS mental health ward, where he spent 4 weeks without being treated with anything other than various medication.”

Mr Isherwood also emphasised the role that the third sector can play in the delivery of coordinated services to ex-service personnel - backed by proven results and delivered in partnership with Health Boards - and spoke of the importance of protecting war memorials as an essential part of Welsh heritage and a focal point for remembrance.

Market Street car park to be partially closed from Monday

Llangollen's main car park is to be partially closed for about five days from next Monday.

The Market Street car park is being resurfaced and re-lined, according to Denbighshire County Council.

Cabinet Lead Member for Public Realm, Councillor David Smith, explained that the council has planned for around half the car park to remain open during the works in order to help minimise disruption.

"We expect this will allow for resurfacing and re-lining of the entire car park within the five days and we would like to thank people for their patience in advance," he said.

Lewis and Hunter Contracting Ltd will be undertaking the work on behalf of Denbighshire County Council and there are alternative car parks at:

* East Street
* Hall Street
* Mill Street
* Brook Street
* Llangollen Pavilion

County demands "clarity" over health shake-up

Now updated with campaign group statement ...

 

 

 

* Closure-threatened Llangollen Hospital.

 

Denbighshire has called for clarity in how Betsi Cadwaladr University Health Board (BCUHB) plans to reorganise healthcare provision across the region.

The controversial plan includes a proposal to close Llangollen Cottage Hospital, which has sparked an angry backlash in the town.

A campaign group formed specifically to oppose the move - Keep Llangollen Health Services (KLHS) - is demanding the hospital is not closed before a range of services currently provided there continue to be available locally until a planned new health is built, possibly on the site of the derelict River Lodge.

Concern has also been voiced that the new facility will not include a minor injuries unit as the hospital now does.

In a lengthy and detailed response to the board, Denbighshire, while supporting the enhanced provision of care closer to home and improved services for people with EMI, has raised concers about a number of proposals..
These include the need for the board to ensure that no services will close until new services are in place and that there must be no "cost-shunting" to adult social care, moving costs currently borne by the health board on to the council.

Also in the response, which has been compiled after in-depth consultation with town, community and county councillors, Denbighshire has expressed a high level of concern about the impact of the proposals on carers and the lack of any funding commitment to additional services to support carers as well as the need for transport services to be costed and provided in the aftermath of the reorganisation.

Cabinet Lead Member for social care and children’s services, Councillor Bobby Feeley, said: “After lengthy and detailed consultation with many stakeholders, it is clear that the devil is in the detail with these proposals and we have made sure we have carefully studied the proposals and then listed our concerns.

“The changes proposed are not fully costed at this stage so the implication on council services is not clear but we are clear that issues such as transport need to be considered fully and there is the risk that, as services are provided more in the community, the additional costs will inevitably fall on the council’s social care teams.

“We would also like to see consideration for a joint hospital hub across Denbigh and Ruthin.”

Denbighshire will now be pressing for a strategic group to be put in place for Denbighshire to enable ongoing discussion about the detailed implementation of the proposals
and will also be looking for specific support for the delivery of a minor injuries service in Llangollen.

A spokesperson for KLHS said: "Denbighshire County Council’s statement completes the unanimity of bodies ranging from AMs, councillors, organisations such as the Royal College of Nurses, the British Medical Association, town councils everywhere, and most importantly the public, in condemning Betsi Cadwaladr’s vision of Change as deeply flawed and unrealistic, especially in delivering quality patient care.

"The Keep Llangollen Special Community Group now calls for all stakeholders to speak with one voice to be champions of local care, which is universally recognised as the highest quality available, and press both health board chairman Mary Burrows and the Health Minister Lesley Griffiths to cease these disastrous cuts, to reverse the planned closure of our cottage hospitals, and invest in our most precious commodity – our nation’s health.

"Balancing columns on a spreadsheet is not leadership. It is a false economy. Only investment can lead to higher quality healthcare with efficiency savings, and reverse the neglect of years of failures to invest."

Call for Cadbury's to clarify Chirk plant's future

Clwyd South Assembly Member Ken Skates as called on the new owners of the Cadbury factory in Chirk to outline its plans for the plant.

Following the recent de-merger of Kraft foods, the Cadbury trademark and products have now become part of a new company - Mondelez International.

This includes the Chirk factory which currently produces cocoa and hot chocolate products for the company and which employs around 150 people, quite a number of whom are from Llangollen.

The AM called on the company to make a ‘long-term commitment’ to the plant.

He said: “The Cadbury factory in Chirk is a vital source of skilled employment for people in the town and must be protected. The original takeover by Kraft in 2010 was the source of inevitable anxiety for everyone who worked at Cadbury and together with even more structural change now, there is again uncertainty about what this might mean for plants such as the one in Chirk.

“Two hundred positions have been cut at Cadbury across the UK in the last year and factory workers are no longer protected by a pledge of no compulsory redundancies which expired in March.

“In addition to this Kraft went back on a pledge not to close the Cadbury plant at Somerdale near Bristol. Therefore I think it is only fair that the new company set out its long-term plans for the brand, including the future of the Chirk factory.

“I want to see the Welsh Government work with Cadbury so that the plant in Chirk is seen as an attractive place to invest. In return I’d like to see a major, long-term commitment by the company to protect and invest further in the site.

“Food manufacturing is a growing industry and the UK market share for Cadbury is also growing. Add in the fact that the European market is a big one for the new Mondelez company, accounting for nearly 40% of sales, and you quickly come to see that there is no reason why the factory in Chirk cannot have a bright and exciting future.”

Kraft went ahead with a surprise demerger in October which saw more than 100 of its snack brands, including Cadbury, Milka, Toblerone and Oreo, put under the new company Mondelez International.

Latest roadworks in the area

Denbighshire County Council has given details of the following roadworks in the area: 

Pendre Road, Berwyn, road closure from until December 6 for bridge works by the county council. 

Berwyn Road, Llangollen, temporary traffic lights from November 15-17 for water works by Dee Valley Water. 

Hatchery Lane, Trevor, from A539 to junction opposite Trevor Mill, road closure for drainage works by Dee Valley Water.

 

County's free Christmas parking present

Denbighshire County Council is getting into the festive spirit by offering free parking after 3 p.m. in all of its car parks from November 21 until December 31, to encourage people to shop in the county’s town centres. This compliments a number of reduced charging schemes implemented in several Denbighshire car parks during recent months and supports the five free parking days allocated for use at the discretion of town councils. Councillor David Smith, Cabinet Lead Member for Environment, said: “The council feels it is vitally important to show support to our town centres and encourage people to find what local businesses have to offer. “We are hoping that people will take advantage of the parking offer in the run up to Christmas and the New Year celebrations. Regenerating communities is one of the council’s key priorities and we feel that offering this arrangement over Christmas will encourage residents to think local as an alternative and see what they have to offer.”

Residents warned over doorstep cookware con

Denbighshire residents are being warned to be on their guard against doorstep callers offering to sell cookware and cutlery.

Residents of Corwen who have been subject to the cold calling by the trader were told that they had been to a trade fair and wanted to sell the rest of their goods before returning home in the south of the country. 

The goods which appear well presented and packaged are labelled ‘St Moritz’ and are belived to be counterfeit copies.

Residents have also been told they are Swiss made when, in fact, they are made in China.

Ian Millington, of Denbighshire Trading Standards, said: "It appears this is an ongoing issue across the country and we understand that the callers will even allow people to pay by credit card with a card reader and asks for the amount to be paid in euros.

"We understand that there are cases where consumers have paid as much as £1,500 for goods when the true value will be considerably less. 

"Reputable traders do not trade in this way and if you are offered such goods, please contact the Citizens Advice Consumer Helpline on 08454 04 05 06 or if the trader is still in your area phone North Wales Police on 101.”

Fascinating food writer recalled in TV show

* Presenter Lucy Worsley with one of Dorothy Hartley's recipes involving a pig's head.

One of Britain’s most fascinating food writers – who once lived in nearby Fron - went under the spotlight in a new BBC 4 television show.

Food in England: The Lost World of Dorothy Hartley, which was screened at 9pm last night (Tuesday), was written and presented by historian Lucy Worsley.

It told the fascinating story of Dorothy Hartley who was born in 1893.

Her father was the headmaster of a boys' school in Skipton, and her mother, who taught music, was from Fron where the family owned quarries and property.

In 1933 Miss Hartley moved to Fron House where she lived for the rest of her life.^[2]

She spent the 1930s as a roving reporter on rural Britain, capturing a disappearing world of country ways.

She had a weekly column in the Daily Sketch newspaper for which she hunted out recipes, customs and folklore.

Travelling by car, bicycle or on foot, she was so dedicated to her task that she would sometimes sleep in a hedge, relying on her skill of lighting a fire to boil tea within 20 minutes whatever the weather.

She saw off would-be suitors with talk of Viking burial customs, and had a life-long habit of signing letters "D Hartley (Miss)", to draw attention to her single status.

Miss Hartley wrote up decades of her research in her great work on the nation's stomach, Food in England.

Published in 1954, it became an instant classic that's never been out of print.

Much more than a recipe book, it also covers fire, magic, fungi, Elizabethan households, salting and "tracklements" (sauces).

"Overheard in Wigan market" is a not uncommon source for a recipe.

Her concern was forever the food of ordinary people, not the rich.

As she writes in her introduction to Food in England: "Our old big house has been divided and let, and I have lived for 20 years in a workman's cottage, with a gas-stove in one room and a log fire and pot crane in the other, and cooked – as convenient – on each. It's been a happy time."

Following the death of her niece and the subsequent owner of the family house in 2004 and 2010, Dorothy Hartley's archive came to light.

Roger Mansbridge was responsible for dealing with her papers, documents and various archives, and releasing the archives has resulted in a biography-in-the-making of Miss Hartley, the TV programme and the book, 'Lost England 1933 -36.’ 

Mr Mansbridge said: “This programme had been in the making for around 12 months and there is a book to accompany it. 

“Although Miss Hartley died in 1985, her most famous book Food in England has never been out of print - she published many books in her lifetime.” 

 

• Lost World, a collection of Hartley's journalism, is published by Prospect Books.

Gardeners enjoy a wild weekend

* At work in Llangollen Community Garden. 

Members of Llangollen Community Garden recently enjoyed a wild weekend.

They were taking part in the national Keep Wales Tidy, Wild Weekend, which involved creating
habitat piles, natural fencing and a wild flower area all with the aim of encouraging wildlife.

They also ran a bat box building activity for children, and are grateful for the assistance of the countryside services staff for making the activity possible.

Tea, biscuits and cake were all provided for those taking part, keeping energy levels up and
allowing time for a chat.

Everyone involved with the garden has commented on how satisfying they have found the working sessions, seeing great progress being made every week.

Group sokesman Warren Davies said: "Community gardening is a great way to start producing your own vegetables.

"You don't need to be an expert, have your own tools, or your own land. All the work is shared, meaning less commitment while still getting great results."

He added: "Next month we intend to plough on with getting the site ready for planting in the spring. Marking out areas for planting, continuing our natural fencing and building compost bins are just some of the planned activities."

The group now has its own Facebook page. This can be found by searching in Facebook
for, 'Llangollen Community Garden'.

Information is also available from the website: www.llangollengarden.co.uk, emailing info@llangollengarden.co.uk, or calling.texting 07525 016503.

 

* Gardeners enjoy some refreshment.

Poppy Specials run at Llan Railway

 

 

 

 

* Railway visitors watch the departure of the first Poppy Special at 11am on Saturday.  

 

LLANGOLLEN Railway played its part in remembering the war dead at the weekend. 

On Saturday and Sunday, it ran a series of Poppy Special trains, each hauled by a vintage steam locomotive and proudly wearing its own large poppy on the front of the engine.  

The service departed Llangollen Station at 11am, 1pm and 3pm on both days for a period of quiet reflection. 

Visitors over the weekend also had the chance to find out about the LMS Patriot Group’s new steam engine, The Unknown Warrior, currently built in the heritage railway’s own engineering works. 

Adopted by The Royal British Legion, the aim is to have it ready to steam into London on November 11, 2018 to mark the 100^th anniversary of the end of the First World War.  

The Poppy Specials were pulled by loco number 3802, a Great Western heavy freight engine dating from 1938, which was restored at Llangollen a few years ago for a group based in Plymouth and is now back there to delight steam enthusiasts. 

Members of Llangollen’s army cadet contingent sold poppies aboard the train and on the platform and attrated good support from passengers.

Among visitors on Sunday were a family from Perth in Western Australia who landed early at Heathrow and drove straight up to Llangollen to see a steam train.

 

* Army cadets with the Poppy train. 

* A short video film of the departure of the first Poppy Special of the day on Saturday can be viewed at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SVvpKK4RoZg 

Skates demands full-scale child abuse investigation

* Ken Skates AM.

Clwyd South Assembly Member Ken Skates has called for a whole scale criminal investigation into institutional child abuse in the UK.

Over the past week evidence has emerged that was not considered as part of the original inquiry into child abuse in North Wales during the 1970s and 80s.

 

It follows criticism from Steve Messham, one of hundreds who were sexually abused during that period.

The Children's Commissioner for Wales has written to The First Minister this week to request a new, fresh inquiry with wider terms of refereMr Skatesnce than the original Waterhouse inquiry which examined cases of child abuse in care homes in former county council areas of Clwyd and Gwynedd between 1974 and 1990.

However, the AM said that with so many inquiries being commissioned it was time for one overarching criminal investigation into the abuse allegations.

Raising the issue with the First Minister in the Senedd on Tuesday, who was also a journalist at the time of the original Waterhouse inquiry, said: “The abuse that went on in care homes in the 1970s and 1980s was truly sickening and horrific.

“The problem of institutional abuse goes well beyond the confines of North Wales. That is why I believe that merely looking at the issue as isolated cases of abuse in North Wales care homes or within institutions such as the BBC won't get to the root of the problem.

“I believe Operation Yewtree, the criminal investigation into alleged abuse by Jimmy Savile and others, should be broadened into an overarching investigation to include allegations of abuse of children residing in care homes.

“Clear themes and lines of enquiries are already emerging, so Operation Yewtree needs to become a much wider investigation with the power and resources to examine child abuse and organised paedophile rings right across the UK.

“Whilst a lot of important lessons came out of the original Waterhouse report, the restraints of the inquiry mean some of the victims feel they have not had their say and that some child abusers have not been brought to justice.

“Steve Messham's claims, as well as those of others who might come forward in the next few weeks and months, need to be investigated fully and offenders brought to court.”

Bid to change conditions of supermarket plan

 

* The letter outlining the latest application.

 

 

Agents for the developers are seeking permission from the county council to alter conditions imposed on the plan to build a new Sainsbury’s supermarket close to the centre of Llangollen.

 

Among other things, the fresh application, submitted last week, aims to remove the restriction covering a café inside the new store.

 

But the move has angered campaigners against the original scheme who are urging people in the area to object to it.

 

An online petition has also been launched asking the council to reject the latest proposals.

 

Despite local objections, the plan to build the new 20,000 square foot store, which applicants claim will create 109 jobs, was approved by Denbighshire’s planning committee in September.

 

It will occupy the site of the Dobson & Crowther printworks on the A5, with the factory transferring to a new location at nearby Climedw.   

 

At the planning committee meeting, Llangollen councillor Cllr Rhys Hughes proposed a list of conditions, among which was one not to include a café facility.

These conditions were accepted by members before they voted to grant the application.

Now, WYG Planning & Design, acting on behalf of applications J Ross, has submitted a new application seeking to vary a number of the conditions, including the one referring to the café.

Mike Edwards, chair of the group Keep Llangollen Special (KLS), which campaigned against the supermarket plan, said: “KLS are appalled by this application being put in so quickly when the certificate granting approval of the original applications was only just issued.
 

“In our view it is totally detrimental to all the existing independently owned cafes, coffee shops and hotels in Llangollen.

“We are discussing it at our next management committee meeting on Monday, but will be strongly opposing approval of these relaxations.

“We wish everyone in Llangollen to be aware of these revisions and urge them to object to the applications.”

A separate anti-supermarket campaign group, Llangollen Preservation, is also objecting to the latest application and has launched a petition, which can be viewed at: http://www.ipetitions.com/petition/save-llangollen-high-street/    

A spokesman for the group said: “As of a letter received on Saturday, Denbighshire Local Planning Authority have put out to public consultation - for 21 days – a proposal to release Sainsbury’s from a number of conditions, including overturning the cafe restriction.

“It is a fact the new superstores only succeed if they steal market share from their rivals – usually the most vulnerable, like small, independent traders.”

The precise terms of the new application are:

 

·         Proposed Variation Of Conditions Attached To Planning Permission 03/2012/0030/Pf For Use Class A1 Foodstore .- Condition 8D . In Relation To The Restriction On The Provision Of A Cafe Facility Within The Store, To Delete This Requirement.- Condition 13B . In Relation To Noise Emissions, To Vary The Restrictions On Permitted Levels.- Condition 16 . In Relation To Measures To Be Taken In The Event Of Noise Emissions Exceeding Permitted Levels, To Vary The Arrangements For Investigation And Implementation Of  Mitigation.- Condition 19 . In Relation To The Need To Submit  A Certificate Of Compliance With Breeam Standards Before Trading Commences, To Require The Submission Within 12 Months Of The Store Opening.- Condition 21 . In Relation To The Provision  Of  An Additional Pedestrian Access Into The Site, To Revise The Wording Of The Condition To Refer To A Revised Or Additional Pedestrian Access.

 

It can be viewed online at: http://planning.denbighshire.gov.uk/lg/GFPlanningDocuments.page

County launches new school meals menu

Winter is on the way and Denbighshire's award winning catering service is launching its new school meals menu with lots of children's favourites.

From spaghetti bolognaise or lasagne to tasty fish fillets with diced potatoes and peas, traditional meat and potato pies with potatoes and veg and some new additions such as chicken fillet in BBQ sauce, tomato and basil pasta and many more delicious dishes.

Salad bars are available in most schools with jacket potatoes, yoghurts and fresh fruit all on the menu daily.

All meals comply with Welsh Government nutritional guidelines without compromising on taste and research shows that children study better and are able to concentrate more in the afternoon if they've had a hot, nutritionally balanced meal at lunchtime.

In appreciation of the difficult financial climate, this is the third year prices have been held as Denbighshire's school meals team strives to increase uptake to compensate for the ever increasing cost of food.

Denbighshire's Cabinet Lead Member with responsibility for the school meals service, Councillor David Smith, said: "The team has worked hard to design a nutritious and warming menu, and they organise a range of competitions and theme days throughout the year and all this is for less than the price of a latte in some high street shops - where else can you get a freshly cooked 2 course meal with a drink for £1.95!

"I would encourage parents to seriously consider taking up the school meals offer - the more parents who do, the better it is for children and the more we can keep the prices down."

The menu is now being distributed to schools and school cooks are ready for the launch on 5 November, kicking off with a special theme-day menu to celebrate Bonfire Night.

Human remains are those of missing vet, say police

As a result of a post mortem carried out on Thursday on human remains found in the Manor Road area of Sealand on Wednesday October 31, North Wales Police say they can confirm they have now been positively identified as being those of missing vet Catherine Gowing.

The coroner for North East Wales, Mr John Gittins, has been notified of these results.

Senior Investigating Officer DCI Mark Pierce said: “The post mortem confirmed our fears and the results have been passed to Catherine’s family.

“We are also awaiting identification of further remains found on the banks of the River Dee in Ferry Lane, Higher Ferry, Chester, on Friday November 2. The search continues for further remains and any other evidence which will assist this investigation.”

DCI Pierce repeated his appeal for any information regarding any sightings of Catherine Gowing’s Irish registered Renault Clio 00D 99970 and Clive Sharp’s black Volvo S40 AG58 JHE since Friday October 12 and particularly in the Sealand area.

He said: “I would like to hear from anyone who saw any suspicious activity in fields in the Manor Road area of Sealand to contact police on 101.”

Catherine Gowing was last seen at approximately 8.40pm on Friday October 12 2012 when she was sighted on CCTV leaving Asda Supermarket in Queensferry. Since that time 46 year old Clive Sharp has been charged with her murder.

Anyone one with information about sightings or any suspicious activity in the Sealand area is asked to call North Wales Police on 101 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.

"Clean" comedy show heading for pavilion

 

* Zoe Lyons.

A comedy night at Llangollen Pavilion hosted by the Diocese of St Asaph will feature Mock the Week star Zoe Lyons as the headline act.

 

She will be joined by fellow comedians Andy Kind and Tony Vino for a night of comedy with a clean ethos on Saturday, November 10.

 

 

* Andy Kind.

Zoe is well known for her appearances on TV shows such as Dave’s One Night Stand, Michael McIntyre’s Comedy Roadshow and Mock the Week while Andy is a Christian comedian who has supported Milton Jones and Tim Vine on their national tours.

Tony Vino (below right) will compere the event which starts with an open bar at 7pm before the comedy gets underway at 8pm.

This will be the third time the Diocese of St Asaph has hosted a clean comedy night. It’s part of an initiative called REACH which is designed to bridge the gap between God, spirituality and everyday life.

Organiser Tim Feak said: “Our previous comedy nights have been really well received and they’ve proved that clean comedy can also be very funny.

“We’re really looking forward to welcoming Zoe Lyons and Andy Kind to Llangollen. Zoe has appeared on really well known TV shows while Andy has been described as ‘a future star’ by the BBC. It will also be the third time Tony Vino has been our compere so it promises to be a really good evening.”

Despite this being comedy with a clean ethos, there will still be some adult themes so the Diocese is recommending a minimum age of 15 for this  event.                                            

Tickets cost £10 for adults or £5 for under 25s and are available from the Diocesan Office in St Asaph on 01745 582245.

Police warn of snow falls in North Wales

North Wales Police control room tweeted about half an hour ago (10.21pm, Saturday) that snow was affecting high roads in N Wales.

The Crimea Pass at Blaenau Ffestiniog was described as "unpassable at the moment" and it was also said to be snowing in the Bala area.

* The Crimea Pass (library picture). 

Wildwater canoeing back on the Dee

WILDWATER canoeing returns to the River Dee this weekend.
Competitors from across the UK are expected to descend on Llangollen for the English and Welsh Open Championship on Saturday and Sunday.

Races include the classic course from Horseshoe Falls near the Chainbridge Hotel down to the town centre, sprint race, team races and a wavehopper race with the Llangollen Cup being presented to the overall winner.

Paddlers from the armed forces are also taking to the water for the Inter-services Championships.

Great Britain Wildwater Canoeing, whose chairman Peter Schofield is father of London 2012 bronze medallist Jonnie, is running the weekend.

Chester paddlers Colin Cartwright, Simon Goulding, Dave Bradburn and Brian McNulty are among those expected to take part.

Racing starts at noon and spectators can watch the action from the riverside for free.

John takes the plunge to boost Christmas festival

* John Palmer braves the freezing cold River Dee.

 

 

 

* John Palmer, left, and Ken Skates AM on the first leg of the

challenge – a six-mile run.

AN INTREPID Llangollen grandad has braved the wild waters of the River Dee to raise cash for the town’s Christmas festivities.

For the second year running, 65-year-old John Palmer, a former outdoor pursuits instructor who chairs Llangollen Chamber of Tourism and Trade, decided to take on a tough physical challenge to support the festival, which will take place this year on Saturday, November 24. 

Last year at around this time, he swam two miles through challenging white water from the Chain Bridge to the centre of Llangollen, raising £400 for the seasonal event.  

But this year John decided to make it even tougher by first doing a six-mile run from Corwen to Glyndyfrdwy and then swimming the remaining six miles to the Horseshoe Falls just outside town. 

Doing the challenge alongside him was supposed to be Clwyd South Assembly Member Ken Skates, himself quite a seasoned runner.   

However, that’s not quite how it turned out on the day of the challenge, which was  Friday of last week. 

Because, despite setting out together, only John completed the course 

He said: “Although misty and cloudy all week, Friday dawned bright, clear and much, much colder.  

“The running section of the challenge passed without incident, although the climb out of Carrog took its toll and on reaching Glyndyfrdwy, we were able to catch our breath, take a drink and prepare for the next stage.  

“But then an urgent meeting meant that Ken diverted back to Llangollen by bike while I carried on down the river as originally planned.” 

John added: “Plunging into the cold river was quite a shock and, as the river was quite low it made the current quite sluggish on the flat bits and very bumpy through the rapids. 

“By 6pm the Horseshoe Falls were finally in view and as I got out of the water I remember thinking that was the daftest thing I had ever done.  

“I don’t think that I have ever been so cold in my life.  

“Bearing in mind that was a relatively short swim I have huge respect for those people who swim the channel or huge distances down rivers.” 

So far, the sponsored challenge has raised over £400 for the Llangollen Christmas Festival, which will begin at 1pm with Santa’s parade through the town centre and feature Santa’s grotto, market stalls, children’s entertainers, live bands, craft stalls, morris dancers and a hog roast. 

The festival, all proceeds of which will go to Hope House Hospice, ends on a high note as the Christmas lights are switched on at 5.30pm. 

John and Ken would like to thank ProAdventure and Mr Iwan Davies of Coed-Y-Glyn Farm in Glyndyfrwdy for their generous help and Austin Cheminais for his support.

 

 

 

* Ken Skates gets on his bike as

duty calls.

 

Hot tips to stay safe on Bonfire Night

* Stay safe this Bonfire Night.

Denbighshire Community Safety Partnership has come up with some hot tips to help people keep safe on Bonfire Night.

They are:

• Make sure younger children are accompanied by a responsible adult.
• Be aware of the feelings of others and show respect
• Make sure you know where your children are going and what time they are due home.
• No fireworks - leave them for bonfire night!
• When trick or Treating look out for the poster in the window showing whether callers are welcome or not.

Follow the Fireworks Code

When buying fireworks, make sure they comply with BS 7114 and are clearly marked for their intended use 'Indoor, Garden or Display'

• Curfew on fireworks between 11pm and 7am or 12pm and 7am November the 5th only
• Persons under 18 are banned from purchasing fireworks
• Persons under 18 banned form carrying fireworks in the street
• Only buy fireworks from a legitimate retailer
• Read the instructions for each fireworks prior to lighting
• Check the fireworks you buy are suitable for the size of the garden and conform to British Standards (BS 7114)
• Don’t drink alcohol if setting off fireworks
• Light fireworks at arm’s length with a taper
• Stand well back and keep others back
• Never go back to a lit firework
• Never play with fireworks or put fireworks in your pocket
• Always supervise children
• Store fireworks in a metal box, kept closed between use
• Keep pets indoors
• Use tongs or gloves to collect spent fireworks.

Sparkler safety tips: • Sparklers should not be given to children under five
• Only light one sparkler at a time
• Wear gloves when holding sparklers
• Put used sparklers hot end down into a bucket of sand or water

Bonfire safety tips: • Bonfires should be at least 18 metres (60ft) away from houses, trees, hedges, fences or sheds
• Use domestic firelighters
• Never use petrol, paraffin or other flammable liquids
• Check there are no animals or children hiding in the bonfire before you light it
• Don’t burn dangerous rubbish on the bonfire e.g. paint tins and aerosols.