Another flooding update

Latest update on flooding issued by Denbighshire County Council at 11.10am says:
Residents in parts of Ruthin have been evacuated from their homes as the threat of flooding increases.

Parts of the town have already seen flooding occur and there are potentially up to 400 properties at risk. A rest centre has been opened at Ruthin Leisure Centre.

This is in addition to the problems being experienced in St Asaph where flooding has been widespread. A rest centre has operated at the city's leisure centre since the early hours of this morning.

The flooding has also had a major effect on transport in the region.

Arriva

All services operating near normally except:

51 (Rhyl-Denbigh): not currently running south of St Asaph.

X94 (Barmouth - Wrexham): issues at Corwen preventing a through service (see below). Awaiting further information.
GHA
Ser 1/2 Ruthin - Mold
Operating as near to normal as possible but not diverting via the usual villages
Corwen area services (GHA 5/X5/village services plus Arriva X94)

No services operating by GHA. Arriva X94 unlikely to be available owing to Corwen flooding.
Ser 14 Denbigh - Mold
This was operating near normally via the main roads only but the road has now been closed and therefore cannot now operate.
Ser 62 Denbigh - Nantglyn/Llansannan
Not operating
Villages south of Ruthin (Clawdd, Betws etc into Ruthin)

Not operating
X52/X50 Rhyl - Denbigh - Ruthin - Wrexham
Service suspended between Denbigh and Rhyl. Denbigh to Wrexham operating as normally as possible but in Wrexham via A525 rather than Southsea and New Broughton
M & H Coaches
Ser 6 Denbigh Town and Llannefydd
Reported as operating normally
Ser 10 Bodfari - Tremeirchion - Rhyl
Subject to delays. Cannot serve whole route
Ser 76 (Denbigh-Llandyrnog-Ruthin-Graigfechan)

Subject to delays. Service is avoiding Gellifor and may have to divert away from other villages.
Other Services
All remaining services and those operating via revised routes subject to some delay. Note that the volume of general traffic on main roads and the number of car breakdowns adding to issues for bus services.

Latest flooding update

In its latest update on flooding problems this morning (Tuesday) Denbighshire County Council says:

Problems are now being reported in Ruthin. Properties on the Glasdir Estate on the outskirts of the town are being evacuated due to flooding.

Road closed in Denbighshire:

• A5 Corwen
• A525 St Asaph towards Rhuddlan
• The Roe and surrounding roads in St Asaph.
• A543 - Landslip on the outskirts of Denbigh.
• Off slip of the A55 at St Asaph closed (westbound)

Floods should make health board re-think shake-up says AM

An Assembly Member claims the chief executive’s complaints that floods on the A55 caused transport problems for staff and patients of Betsi Cadwaladr University Health Board shows it should reconsider its controversial centralisation plans.

Llyr Gruffydd, Plaid member for North Wales, points out board Mary Burrows has just written to David Sissling, director general of NHS Wales, asking his assistance with other government departments to address the A55 flood risk

This, she says, has “yet again put at risk our ability, with Welsh Ambulance Service Trust, to provide continuity of service”.

Ms Burrows adds: “The closure of the A55 in at least two sections on Thursday, 22 November 2012 isolated many communities, affected staff getting home and coming into work and required deployment of our weather contingency plan. The West became virtually isolated.

“The only other road, the A5, which was accessible many hours later, is a single road that became completely overloaded with lorries. It was extremely difficult for ambulances to get to Ysbyty Gwynedd in any reasonable time.

Mr Gruffydd comented: "I share Mary Burrows' concern about the flooding of the A55 and the knock-on effects this had on local health services, in particular the ambulance service.

“There is a need to ensure the Welsh Government continues to improve flood defences rather than reducing spending on this important work for communities across Wales.

“However, we must also recognise that the A55 is vulnerable to one-off events like the recent flooding and traffic accidents. This is another reason why we should be questioning the proposal to centralise health services and, in the case of neonatal intensive care, moving it across the border to Arrowe Park.

“By this proposal the health board is expecting patients to travel ever-greater distances along a road that it is now saying is not fit for purpose.

"I will be raising this matter with the Health Minister and the Community Health Council as part of my objection to the centralisation proposals of the health board and hope that the board will also re-consider its plans.

“We have consistently raised concerns about the proposal to move new-born babies from across the North to the Wirral and last week's flood bore out the dangers of such a reliance on transport out of the community."

Bridge disappears under covers

A llanblogger reader has sent in this picture of the bridge over the Llangollen Railway west of Berwyn Station encased in covers.

The bridge, off the A5, is under repair by the county council and the covers are in place while shot-blasting is carried out.

Flood alert on upper Dee

 

 

The Environment Agency have now declared a flood alert on the upper River Dee, from Llanuwchllyn to Llangollen, including Corwen.

The agency says: "River levels are above normal but flooding of property is not expected at the moment. 

"Lake levels at Llyn Tegid are rising and are expected to do so for the next 15 hours.

"Further rainfall is forecast over the next 12 hours and conditions are expected to deteriorate. 

"River levels at Bala and Corwen are rising and are expected to do so for the next 15 hours. In addition to the area detailed, some localised flooding problems may result from surface water."

For more information, call Floodline on 0845 988 1188, select option 1 and enter Quickdial number 192002 to get more information

Council apologises over recycling scheme snags

Denbighshire's Cabinet Lead Member for Public Realm, Councillor David Smith, has apologised to people experiencing difficulties with the roll out of the new x2 recycling and refuse collection service following a number of problems in the south of the county, which includes Llangollen.

Over the past week, Denbighshire has been changing the service to 16,000 households, including the delivery of 50,000 additional bins, but problems with the deliveries have meant that some households have not received their new bins and information on their new collection times.

Councillor Smith said: "I would like to apologise to anyone who has experienced difficulties with the new service and would like to reassure people we are doing everything we can to rectify the situation.

"We expected some teething problems, but the issues have been worse than expected. We normally pride ourselves on our recycling service, but with this latest roll-out we fully recognise there have been problems and for that we are truly sorry.

"We have had crews out over the weekend in order to clear any backlog of bins that have been missed and also to ensure that people receive their new bins. We are putting every available resource into making sure that this situation is remedied as soon as possible and we would like to thank people in advance for their patience."

For the vast majority of residents in the affected area, this week (w/c November 26) is a recycling week, so the council has asked people to place their recycling out  on the new collection day, rather than their old one.

Residents can put their old-style recycling sacks out if they don't yet have their new containers, and the council says it will collect them.

For the vast majority of residents in the affected area, next week (w/c December 3) is for residual waste (waste that can't be recycled - black bins or pink sacks) so they are asked to put their residual waste out on the new collection day.

The council says it is aware that some people who are now on wheelie bins, wish to be on sacks and vice versa.

A spokesperson added: "We would ask anyone in this situation to contact us and we will try to accommodate people's wishes where we can, but we want to concentrate on the delivery of the new equipment at the moment."

If you have not received your recepticles and/or calendar, and have not already done so, contact Customer Services on 01824 706100 (Welsh line) or 706101 (English Line).

Flooding affects the region

The Daily Post is tweeting this morning (Monday)  that there are problems in both directions on the A5 Corwen at B4401 due to flooding,

The Environment Agency website says there is a still a flood warning in place on the Lower Dee Valley from Llangollen to Chester.

The agency is advising people to keep away from flooded areas, which it says can be very dangerous.

Louisa recalls her marathon Indian trip

* Louisa Jones with the bike which took her 260 miles across India.

 

* Louisa, left, celebrates with a fellow cyclist

at the end of their gruelling ride.

 

* The muddy roads the cyclists had to negotiate.

 

*Indian women smile despite their basic

 living conditions. 

A Llangollen Operatic Society member says taking part in a 260-mile charity ride through India has given her the sort of insight into the country that a tourist trip never could. 

Louisa Jones, 33, was shocked by some of the extreme poverty she saw along the way but amazed at how people with absolutely nothing still managed to keep smiling through their miserable circumstances. 

She returned at the weekend from her gruelling nine-day trek through north-western India as part of the Action for Charity’s Women V Cancer Cycle Challenge to raise cash for three women’s cancer causes. 

Along the way Louisa, who works as a European sales analyst for the Ruabon-based Flint Group printing and packing company, had to contend with pothole-strewn roads and soaring temperatures sometimes over 30 degrees. 

She and around 100 other women from across the UK who took on the challenge set out from the city of Agra – home of the iconic Taj Mahal - and pedalled through the rural state of Rajasthan, ending their momentous journey in the capital, Jaipur. 

To maintain their tight schedule the intrepid cyclists, ranging in age from their twenties to their sixties, needed to average around 40 miles a day.

Their route was far removed from the usual tourist trails and went both on and off road.

Louisa told how at one stage along the road she had been catapulted over the handlebars of her bike after being cut up by a jeep and ended up with a huge and painful bruise on her side. 

Later in the trip, she and many of her fellow cyclists were hit by the dreaded “Delhi belly”.  

Eventually reaching Jaipur, the group celebrated their achievement with champagne.  

Back home, she said: “It was an unbelievable experience and I’m still not sure I have been all the way to India and seen all that. 

“I saw things you don’t witness as a tourist. 

“Out in the rural areas there was poverty with people literally living in mud huts but the things we rode past on the way into Jaipur at the end of the trip will live with me for ever. 

“We went in through the slums and it was just mind-blowing – just a sea of rubbish and in that rubbish there were cows, pigs and dogs. 

“There was also children playing in all the filth, some wearing next to nothing. 

“There were also people’s dwellings amongst all the rubbish. 

“Despite their incredible circumstances it was amazing to see that people were still happy and  smiling at us as we cycled past.”

Louisa, who is also a regular lead performer with Llangollen Operatic Society, added: “I was also amazed by the women on the ride.

“I was amongst the youngest of the group. The oldest lady was 65 and the average age was around 42.

“Many have had or were still recovering from cancer or getting over other personal challenges.  

“Everyone had a story but no one wallowed in it and the support and camerarderie shown was  humbling.” 

In advance of her trip to the sub-continent Louisa raised the cash necessary to guarantee her a place on the ride. 

Thanks to strong support from family, friends and work colleagues she managed to burst through the £2,800 qualifying barrier some months ago and pledges are still coming in. 

She also made a personal contribution of £500 towards her fundraising total, which will be distributed between Breast Cancer Care, Jo’ Cervical Cancer Trust and Ovarian Cancer Action. 

She said: “I will personally have raised about £3,300 for the three charities and I am told that the three groups, including my own, which recently completed the ride have raised a total of £900,000. 

“I also hear that this has provided half the annual budget for Ovarian Cancer Action, so I think it was all well worthwhile.”  

 

+ To make a contribution towards Louisa’s challenge go to http://www.justgiving.com/louisa-jones2012/eurl.axd/5805f2ef88f5e749aa33e11e94dbaeb7

Latest roadworks information

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

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

A5 Carreg Afon to Heol Llundain, Corwen, temporary traffic lights until December 7 to allow retaining wall works.  

A5104, Highgate Crossroads to A5104 junction, Bryn Bras, Corwen, road closure to allow electrical works by Electricity Alliance West. 

Hatchery Lane, from  A539 to junction opposite Trevor Mill, December 10-12,road closure to allow drainage works by Dee Valley Water.

 

Flood warning on lower Dee

The Environment Agency says a flood warning is in place on the Lower Dee Valley from Llangollen to Chester.

Latest Information is that river levels are above normal but flooding of property is not expected at the moment.

Flood defences are now in operation and the situation on site is being constantly monitored.

River levels at Farndon are rising and are expected to do so for the next 12 hours.

Levels at Manley Hall are rising.

More heavy rain is forecast this afternoon and overnight which will cause the river to rise further.

In addition to the area detailed, some localised flooding problems may result from surface water.

• For the latest situation call Floodline on 0845 988 1188, select option 1 and enter Quickdial number 192102.

Flooding hits Wrexham/Shrewsbury rail service

The National Rail Network website is reporting that because of flooding near Gobowen and also Wem, buses are replacing Arriva Trains Wales trains between Shrewsbury and Wrexham General / Crewe until further notice.

Route affected is Cardiff Central, Hereford / Birmingham International, Wellington, Shrewsbury, Gobowen, Chirk, Ruabon, Wrexham General, Chester & Holyhead also Cardiff Central, Hereford, Shrewsbury, Wem, Nantwich & Crewe.  

For the latest rail travel news, follow National Rail Enquiries on Twitter, or on Facebook.

 

County's new strategy for Plas Newydd explained

* New marketing strategy for Plas Newydd.

Plas Newydd, Llangollen’s own stately home, is now being marketed as a tourist attraction as well as a museum.

That was the message from a top county council official who gave a presentation to the town council on fresh efforts to promote the iconic mansion at their meeting on Tuesday night.

Brian Edwards, Denbighshire’s environment group services manager, said when his department took over responsibility for running Plas Newydd about a year ago it had been decided to increase visitor footfall there.

He explained: “The emphasis had been on the museum side rather than the attraction side.

“We have appointed a commercial manager and we have been looking at new ways of operating Plas Newydd and increasing visitor numbers.”

Improvements made so far, he said, included bringing the running of the on-site café in house and appointing a Llangollen resident to oversee it.

In the grounds, maintenance was now being done as and when necessary by bringing in county council staff rather than having a resident team.

Three groups of volunteers had also been brought in to help with grounds maintenance.

A new management plan was in place for the house itself, which aims to engage more closely with the local community.

Plans were also in hand, said Mr Edwards, to encourage local groups to make more use of the Y Caban building in the grounds, where exhibitions have been held.

As part of the new marketing strategy, a number of events had been staged at Plas Newydd, including a dog show and a car rally, and more were planned for next year.

Mr Edwards said experts from Bodelwyddan Castle were advising on the protection of the museum collection at the house and delicate objects were now being taken to Ruthin for storage during the winter months and returned for exhibition in the summer.

Another possibility being looked at was the creation of an orchard or market garden in the grounds with produce being sold to the local community.

Cllr Phil Thane suggested there could be a gate between the grounds and the adjacent Brook Street children’s play area to allow easier access from the Pengwern estate side.

Mr Edwards said this was being looked into but health and safety concerns had to be borne in mind as a stream runs through the woodland area at the bottom of the grounds.

Cllr Mike Pugh said it was good to see that “such an important piece of Llangollen real estate” was being so well valued by the county council.  

Agencies clamp down on county's cold callers

As part of National Consumer Week Denbighshire Trading Standards officers and North Wales Police have been out patrolling the county on the look out for rogue traders operating in the area. 

Officers were looking for offences relating to consumers’ cancellation rights and aggressive selling techniques linked to “cold calling”.

Traders were also given advice as to their legal obligations.

The two organisations also teamed up with Neighbourhood Watch to get out and about and advise the public on dealing with cold callers.

One of the major issues identified by officers is that many residents do not report the activities of rogue traders.

David Smith, Denbighshire Cabinet Lead Member with responsibility for Trading Standards, is urging residents to be aware and to tell the authorities if rogue traders cold call in their area offering to do gardening, tree cutting, tarmacing, roof repairs and general odd jobs. 

He said: "These traders can do a poor job and subsequently charge over the odds for that work, ask for cash and then simply disappear. They are usually untraceable when things go wrong as they give false names, addresses and phone numbers.

"Whilst not all doorstep traders are ‘rogues’, many are completely legitimate and provide a good level of service, there are some who prey on the elderly or vulnerable members of society."

Ian Millington of Denbighshire Trading Standards said: "The theme for National Consumer Week this year was Cold Calling - Don't Buy It and the idea was to engage with the public and help give everyone the confidence to deal with cold callers. 

"Officers from each of the organisations teamed up and have spoken to hundreds of people at venues throughout the county. We hope that those individuals will not only follow the simple rules when dealing with cold callers but also spread the message to their neighbours and family. 

"Whilst we did not find any issues during our patrols we will continue to be on the look out for any activity which might be attributed to a rogue trader."

Neighbourhood Watch coordinator Pam Gardner said: "No cold calling zones are a good way of discouraging traders from operating in certain areas as any trader cold calling in No cold calling area could be committing an offence. Anybody wanting more information about cold calling zones should contact their local Neighbourhood Watch coordinator on 01745 539208 or via www.ourwatch.org.uk"

Inspector Siobhan Edwards of North Wales Police said: "If in doubt, keep them out is the simple message to remember when somebody knocks at your door. 

"If you are concerned about anybody in your neighbourhood‘knocking’ on the door offering to carry out home maintenance work, then please make a note of vehicle make, model, colour and registration number and any descriptions of the individuals, and contact either the police on 101 or Trading Standards via the Citizens Advice Customer Service on 08454 04 05 06, or for the Welsh Language Service 08454 04 05 05.

"Alternatively, call Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111. If you feel intimidated or threatened by any doorstep seller you should shut the door and call the police emergency number 999."

Rain fails to dampen Llan's Christmas Festival

 

 

* Sion Corn makes a grand entrance.

 

 

 

 * The parade begins led by the Silver Band.

 

* The mayor, Jon Haddy aboard a horse-drawn coach.

                                                                            

 

* Hog roast in Oak Street. 

 

 

 

 *The Silver Band perform.

 

 

 

* A nativity scene by members of Cytun,

Churches Together,

 

  

 

 * The Melodic Mondays sing. 

 

 

 

* The Samba Band keep up the beat. 

 

 

 

* Carols by Llan Operatic Society. 

 

 

 

 * The lights are switched on by Cameron and Ffion.

 

 

 

* Castle Street is lit up.

 

 

 

* The fireworks display.

 

Heavy rain throughout the afternoon failed to dampen enthusiasm for Llangollen’s annual Christmas Festival today (Saturday).

Crowds thronging Castle Street cheered as the big parade got under way at 1pm, with Llan Silver Band leading the way.

Behind them came Sion Carn – the Welsh Santa Claus – aboard a sleigh, morris dancers, a samba band, a contingent from the local Army Cadets and town major, Jon Haddy, riding on a horse-drawn carriage.

After a procession through the town, the parade stopped outside the Town Hall and Sion Corn was escorted to his grotto upstairs where a long line of youngsters were waiting to meet him.

The Town Hall also hosted a seasonal craft fair with a range of stalls.

Outside, Oak Street had been transformed into a Christmas fair with children’s rides, a climbing frame, more stalls and a hog roast.

The rain started to come down around 2pm, not long after a packed programme of open-air entertainment got under way on the steps of The Chapel.

Despite the wet weather, which persisted without let-up for the rest of the day, the crowd enjoyed performances from the Silver Band, the town’s pantomime group, the Melodic Mondays ladies singing ensemble, Llan Operatic Society and the Karamba Samba Band.

The official switch-on of the lights was brought forward by half an hour because of the bad weather.

After thanks to everyone who had helped make the day a success from the mayor, youngsters Cameron and Ffion, from Ysgol y Gwernant and Ysgol Bryn Collen, who had won competitions to have the honour, turned on the lights above Castle Street to the accompaniment of a rousing cheer from the rain-soaked crowd.

Grand finale to the day was a spectacular firework display which lit up the sky from the hillside behind the canal wharf.    

Hope House Hospice will benefit from collections made during the festival. 

Oakleigh House about to go on market

* Oakleigh House is about to go on the market.

Oakleigh House, the now-empty former mental health resource centre in Abbey Road, Llangollen, is about to go on the market.

Llanblogger has just been contacted by agents Legat Owen’s Chester office to say they have been given the job of selling it off by its owners, the Betsi Cadwaladr University Health Board (BCUHB).

The company’s director, business space, Stephen Wade, e-mailed us to say: “Just thought you might be interested to note that Legat Owen have been formally instructed to market Oakleigh in Llangollen.

“A brochure, boards and adverts are in the process of being prepared and we expect to start marketing in the next two weeks.

“Planning permission has just been granted for the conversion of the property to a residential dwelling.”

County council records show that permission for change of use of the building from a mental health resource centre to a residential dwelling was granted on November 20.

In September, llanblogger submitted a Freedom of Information request to the health board to try to discover its intentions for the property, which has frequently been mentioned in connection with proposals for a general health shake-up in the area.

Unfortunately, the very guarded responses to our eight questions, did not shed much light on what the board’s intentions were.  

The board did say it was about to put Oakleigh on the market but did not reveal what the asking price might be.

However,it did answer that the cost of security for the property was running at £500 a year. 

See our original FoI request story at http://llanblogger.blogspot.co.uk/2012/09/llanblogger-questions-future-of.html

Free advice clinics for community groups on offer

Business Supporting Communities is encouraging community groups to take advantage of their free one-to-one advice clinics in Llangollen later this month.

The Big Lottery funded project, set up by the six North Wales Voluntary Services Councils, will be hosting the free advice and guidance sessions to community groups on November 30.

Community groups will be able to glean insurance advice courtesy of Daulby Read insurance brokers and legal advice courtesy of Gamlins solicitors as part of the forthcoming Denbighshire Voluntary Service Council AGM.

Advisers from Daulby Read will be on hand to provide advice and guidance on topics such as trustee indemnity, liability and abuse, fundraising and fidelity, PR and crisis management as well as health and safety and professional indemnity.

Gamlins’ legal experts can cover subjects like legal structures for charitable organisations, trustees and their duties, asset transfers and leaseholds.

Sarah Thomas, Project Manager at B2C, said: “This is an excellent opportunity for community groups and volunteer organisations to grill experts from Daulby Read and Gamlins on a variety of insurance and legal matters that may affect them.

“As part of our B2C Professionals initiative, both companies are giving up their time and the one to one advice and guidance surgeries are completely free of charge.”

The B2C advice surgeries take place at Llangollen Pavilion on Friday, November 30, as part of Denbighshire Voluntary Services Council’s AGM and Funder’s Fair.

Places will be allocated on a first come, first served basis.

For more details on how to book visit the B2C Project website (www.b2cwales..co.uk) or contact Sarah Barker, B2C Admin Assistant (Conwy & Denbighshire) on 01492 523847 / sarah.barker@b2cwales.co.uk

Llan asked to play part in supporting National Eisteddfod

Llangollen Town Council has been asked to help stimulate local support for next year’s National Eisteddfod.

Two representatives from the eisteddfod attended the council meeting on Tuesday night to give members a presentation on the festival, which will take place in Denbigh for the first time since 2001, between August 3 and 10 at Kilford Farm.

It was explained that a network of local support committees have been set up across Denbighshire to raise cash towards the total of £3.4 million needed to stage the event.

While quite a number of areas are proving successful in their money-spinning efforts, others have raised nothing and do not even have a support group – among them Llangollen. 

And councillors were asked to consider helping to drum up support.

Nick Parry, who chairs the eisteddfod’s finance committee, said: “At the moment Llangollen has been left out of supporting what is Wales’ leading festival, which attracts 160,000 over the course of one week.

“The event will cost £3.4 million next year and Denbighshire has been set a fundraising target of £300,000.

“We have already crossed the £200,000 mark but Llangollen is one of three or four areas with no activity.

“Its target was £6,000 – and Rhyl’s was £13,000 – but both are still untouched with 90 per cent of the other committees up and running.”

He added: “The message has to be that in other areas of the county the eisteddfod has generated community activity, brought local societies together and awakened dormant societies.

“There has also been an important boost where town councils have been a contribution.”

Arwyn Roberts, the eisteddfod’s deputy organiser, said the festival provided the opportunity to welcome thousands of visitors, attracted TV and radio coverage and had been estimated to bring £6.8 million into the local economy.  

He added: “We hope the town council here will encourage a local effort or appeal so that Llangollen can be part of this success.”

Cllr Tim Palmer questioned why Llangollen should lend its support when the National Eisteddfod received half a million pounds in subsidy while the locally-based International Eisteddfod did not do so well for outside financial backing.

The mayor, Cllr Jon Haddy, said he was unaware Llangollen did not have a local support committee and added: “Maybe we can have a word with some local organisations.”

Llan author roots out a jubilee mystery

llanblogger book review

*  Why was Coed Uchaf planted?

It has been said that the beech tree is a symbol for the written word, the innate wisdom contained within it and for ancient learning.

And all can be applied to the latest edition of the book Coed Uchaf by Llangollen author Simon Collinge.

As with the first edition, this centres on a copse of around 100 trees – mainly beech – in the Upper Conwy Valley.

Contained within its 40 pages of stunning, high quality photographs and sparse yet highly descriptive text is the mystery of why the wood, known as Coed Uchaf, came to be planted on a lonely hilltop overlooking the town of Pentrefoelas.

Tradition has it that some individual trees or small clumps of Scots pine – popularly called ‘Charley Trees’ - are the survivors of those planted in Wales after 1745 by supporters of Bonny Prince Charlie to commemorate the Jacobite Rising.

Another tradition is that pine trees were deliberately planted in prominent places in order to mark the line of the ancient routes along which the drovers of old led their cattle out of Wales to the markets in England.

But, appropriately for this year of Elizabeth II’s celebration of 60 years on the throne, the author suggests the answer to the mystery could relate to a jubilee occasion, albeit the jubilee of an earlier monarch.  

In the first edition, he concluded that Coed Uchaf could not have been planted to mark the golden jubilee of Queen Victoria in 1887 because a 1906 postcard he saw showed trees overlooking Pentrefeolas and, quite simply, he believed Coed Uchaf could not have grown so quickly.  

However, after further research, he discovered beech trees can grow rapidly, at the rate of up to 10 metres in 20 years.

This fact, he believes, makes it distinctly possible the wood was actually established in 1887.

The latest incarnation of Coed Uchaf itself may have only appeared just years ago, but Collinge believes it is one of many small woods whose roots grow deep in the rich soil of our region’s past.

The Upper Conwy valley is rich in history, a key route between England and the North Wales Coast, and some earlier version of Coed Uchaf could have been a lookout post as the Iberians, Celts, Romans, the Medieval Welsh, kings and queens who all passed by.

The author says, quite rightly, that with his book one can “experience the visual power and unique atmosphere and remember the brief moment, when you see a world which has long existed and will remain after you have departed”.

Simon Collinge is a freelance media producer with over 35 years media production and teaching experience.

Assistant director of media at Yale College, Wrexham until 2008, he trained as a graphic designer. and then taught animation, film and TV production, graphic design and photography.

He also works as an educational consultant for Edexcel, ESTYN and Protocol National.

This is the first in a series of projects by him exploring identity and space.

All photographs are available as prints of various sizes.

The book is available from Courtyard Books in Llangollen, hardback at £29, or direct from

http://www.blurb.co.uk/bookstore/detail/3682502, where there is a choice of a cheaper soft cover version at £23.

"Growing concerns" over new waste service, says council

Denbighshire County Council has just issued a statement about problems with the new  x2 waste and recycling service which was introduced in a number of areas including Llangollen this week.

It reads: "Concerns have been growing among members of the public regarding the changes to their waste collection and recycling services but Denbighshire would like to reassure people that the roll out is almost complete.

"Cabinet Lead member for Public Realm, Councillor David Smith. said: 'The expansion of the service is the largest we have ever carried out in one go and we would like to thank people for their patience during this time.

'We know there have been problems in several areas, where deliveries of wheeled bins have not coincided with the new collection timetable and we apologise to anyone who has been inconvenienced in any way by this.

'Our teams are working flat out to rectify any problems as well as finishing off setting up the new service.'

'Some older people are contacting us with concerns about moving the wheeled bins and we are trying to resolve their concerns as quickly as possible. They may be able to get assisted collections and I urge them to contact us. Customer Service Centre 01824 706101 (English) 01824 706100 (Welsh)

'Officers are out now meeting residents of all ages and trying to resolve issues and we are getting to these people as quickly as we can.'

'I would also ask anyone experiencing any problems to contact Denbighshire's Customer Services Centre so their issues can be properly logged and resolved.'"

Avoid travelling says Assembly Member

Heavy rain and high winds across the North have caused mayhem for travellers and people going about their everyday business.

Llyr Gruffydd, Plaid Cymru’s Assembly Member for the North, said: “It’s been an awful day of weather and anyone who can avoid travelling should do so.

 

"My thoughts are with those who have been affected by the flooding and let’s hope emergency defences are sufficient to deal with any problems.”

Road impassable due to flooding

The A55 is currently impassable due to flooding between J11 and J12 in both directions. The A5 is also blocked between Llandygai and Bethesda. Due to the heavy rain and winds roads in the surrounding area have also been affected.

Traffic Officers, working with North Wales Police and the North Wales Traffic Management Centre, have closed the A55 between J11 (eastbound) and J18 (westbound) (at the Conwy tunnel). Diversions are being organised by the North& Mid Wales Trunk Road Agency (NMWTRA) - the main diversion route (the A5) is also blocked therefore local routes will undoubtedly become very busy. NMWTRA/North Wales Police are working on this and will be positioned on the A5 at Betws y Coed. North Wales Police are warning the public not to travel unless absolutely necessary and to monitor local radio stations and the Traffic Wales website/information line for updates.

New police boss wants more bobbies on the beat

New North Wales commissioner Winston Roddick says getting more officers on the streets is his priority, the BBC reports on its local news website.

And the story contrasts the different approaches to policing by taken by the comissioners who all started in their new positions today (Thursday) following last week's elections. 

The commissioners have the power to set policing priorities and force budgets, and also to hire and fire chief constables.

Speaking to BBC Wales before taking up his new office, Mr Roddick said he had pledged to get more officers on the beat and he would be sticking to that priority.

He said: "The important thing is to ensure there are enough police officers on the streets, so they are able to cope with the crimes taking place."

Mr Roddick stood as an independent candidate for the north Wales post, and was the Welsh government's former top legal officer, as well as being a senior judge.

The BBC story goes on to say he will be working with Mark Polin, the chief constable of North Wales Police, who warned the outgoing police authority this week that his force had already been stretched dealing with a series of major incidents.

Mr Roddick's (pictured right with Alun Michael, left) counterpart in south Wales, the former Labour MP and ex-Home Office minister Alun Michael, has also been setting out his priorities.

In an interview with BBC Radio Wales, he accepted that the south Wales force faced major funding challenges.

"There is a massive reduction in the finance from central government," he said.

"That's having a dramatic effect, though I think the South Wales Police and the previous police authority have responded pretty well in the way they have dealt with an unacceptable situation.

"We have to get the finances right."

He also rejected the comments from Mr Roddick about more police on the streets.

"It's too crude. People don't want people on the beat just for the sake of seeing them," he argued.

"The public are more sophisticated than just asking for bobbies on the beat."

Town councillors object to Sainsbury's plan changes

Members of Llangollen Town Council have recorded their objections to a list of changes proposed by the developer to conditions imposed on the planned new Sainsbury’s supermarket in the town.

At their meeting on Tuesday, they were asked to comment on the conditions before they are formally considered by the county council.

The list includes conditions covering:

·        An in-store café, which the developers wish to see deleted.

·        Permitted noise emissions, which they want to see varied.

·        Changes to the timing of a submission of a BREEAM certificate relating to the store’s compliance with design and assessment methods for sustainable buildings.

·        A revision in the wording relating to the provision of an additional pedestrian access into the site, referring to a revised or additional pedestrian access.

 

Cllr Phil Thane opposed all of the conditions, starting with the one relating to a an on-site café, which he said had been imposed at the request of Llangollen county councillor Stuart Davies at the time planning permission was granted for the store as a way of safeguarding the café in the nearby Riverside Park.

Cllr Tony Baker said a café would provide extra permanent jobs for the town.

Councillors voted to object to all the conditions, but with some members voting against making objections.   

However, they voted unanimously against the final condition in the list relating to additional pedestrian access to the site.

The mayor, Cllr Jon Haddy, said access to the site was seen as essential and had been an important part of the original planning application.  

 

Twenty Club hoping for smash hit with Glass Menagerie

Fresh from their success with the iconic British comedy Fawlty Towers, Llangollen’s Twenty Club’s will next present the American classic, The Glass Menagerie.

This memory play is seen as the most touching, tender and painful of Tennessee Williams’ works and is the gripping portrayal of a post-depression family in crisis.

And the Twenty Club is now seeking people to take on a number of demanding roles, which are:

Tom, 21, the narrator and character of the play. He desires to become a writer and escape, but is tied down to his family because he has a sister with a physical defect and a mother whom is dependent on his income. The characters are trapped in a menagerie of Tom’s memories.

Laura, 23, is a painfully shy character of pure compassion. She has largely withdrawn herself from the outside world; her fragility resembles her glass menagerie which she so lovingly devotes herself to. A childhood illness has left her crippled, one leg slightly shorter than the other and kept in a brace.

Amanda, in her 40s and Laura and Tom’s mother, she is a woman who is frantically clinging on to memories of a vanished and genteel past. She is admirable, charming and laughable.

Jim, 23, an old acquaintance of Tom and who works with him at the warehouse selling shoes, he is the potential suitor for Laura and plays an important role in the climax of the play.

Open auditions for the play will be held on December 4, at 7.30pm in the Council Chamber, Llangollen. Readings will be done from material provided.

The Glass Menagerie is scheduled to be performed on March 7, 8 and 9 next year in the Town Hall, Llangollen.

For further details, contact Noreen Turner on 01978 810623, or Natalie Evans on 07970 924543, e-mail: nxe04rb124247@hotmail.com

llanblogger's recent review of the Twenty Club's production of Fawlty Towers can be seen at:  http://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=7125418539113091547#editor/target=post;postID=6398787778084259218

Cabinet discusses planning blueprint

Denbighshire's cabinet members were updated on progress on the Local Development Plan at their meeting yesterday (Tuesday).

The Denbighshire Local Development Plan Examination is still under
way and a public consultation has recently closed on additional housing sites to be included in the plan.
The closing date for comments on the additional housing sites was November 6 and responses have now been fed back to cabinet.

Planning inspectors running the LDP Examination published their initial findings on housing supply in June, stating that they supported the target of 7,500 new homes in the LDP but did not believe that enough land had been provided to deliver this number before 2021. 

The inspectors requested that further sites, to the equivalent of around 1,000 houses, be included in the plan. 

The council has carried out additional work and has identified 21 potential additional housing sites.

The 7,500 new homes will be provided on a mixture of greenfield and brownfield sites across Denbighshire, with 67% of all new homes already built since the start of the LDP period in 2006 being on brownfield land.

A report will now be taken to full council on December 4 for its recommendation on the 21 sites. 

The inspectors will then be provided with the outcome, and further hearing sessions have been pencilled in for January 2013 at Rhyl Town Hall.

Row over supermarket conditions rumbles on

A Llangollen anti-supermarket campaigner has accused members of Denbighshire’s planning committee of being “sidelined” by their own officers over the Sainsbury’s application for the Dobson & Crowther site in the town. 

As reported by llanblogger last week, Martin Crumpton says that at the county’s September planning committee when the new store at Berwyn Street was approved, a set of conditions were imposed which meant it could not have an in-store butchers or delicatessen in order to protect Llangollen’s high street businesses.  

But he claims these two conditions have since been “overturned” by planning officers.  

Mr Crumpton is also opposed to a fresh application by Sainsbury’s agents WYG to remove the condition prevent the store having its own café.  

Now, in an e-mail message to around 30 members of the committee he says he hopes the issue of conditions on the store will be discussed at their monthly meeting today (Wednesday). 

He says in the e-mail:  “My sincere hope is that your decision to impose conditions on Sainsbury’s will be considered an urgent matter, in view of the fact that two of your conditions – designed to offer some protection to Llangollen’s high street small traders - were subsequently effectively removed, without referral to you.  

“The conditions were the ‘no deli, no butcher’ which were effectively deleted when the Decision Notice was issued. 

“You should be aware that Sainsbury’s - or WYG on their behalf – now seeks to remove the last remaining condition designed to protect Llangollen’s high street – no cafe.”  

Mr Crumpton adds: “I strongly believe that elected councillors, not unelected officials, are the best and only means of safeguarding Denbighshire residents’ best interests, above those of the applicant’s.

“I regret to say that once again you have all been sidelined by your officials and your authority completely undermined.”

The county council said it had been agreed the item should not be considered at the meeting as an urgent matter and that it would be inappropriate to provide a statement to the press.