Update from the doctors' surgery

 

* New health centre ... opening on September 14.

 

llanblogger has been asked to publish the following update information from Llangollen doctors' surgery ...

 

We are pleased to report that, after a week of frustration, the majority of the problems with our telephones have now been fixed and patients can use our main number – 01978 860625 – again.   

 

We apologise for any inconvenience caused to our patients and would like to thank Ken Skates and his assistant David Goodban for their help in resolving this issue with BT. 

 

We are extremely annoyed and disappointed that we have had to resort to getting our Assembly Member involved in this in order to get a satisfactory response from BT.

 

However, our recorded messages are still not working and we are unable to play our usual “out of hours” message for when we are closed. 

 

Can we please make patients aware, therefore, that should you require urgent medical assistant when we are closed (we are open 8.00am – 6.30pm Monday to Friday), please ring the Out of Hours service on 0300 123 55 66.

 

 

We would also like to make patients aware that the date for the opening of the new Health Centre on Bishops Walk has now been confirmed and the Practice will be up and running there from Monday 14^th September. 

 

Further information is contained in the newsletter below and on our website:  www.llangollenhealth.com.  Copies are also available from reception.

 

 

DR A D EVANS & PARTNERS

 

INFORMATION ABOUT OUR MOVE TO THE NEW HEALTH CENTRE

 

General Information

 

We will open in our new premises on Monday 14^th September.  Our new address is Canolfan Iechyd Llangollen Health Centre, Bishops Walk, Llangollen, LL20 8RZ.  Our telephone number and opening hours will stay the same.

 

Arrangements with Rowlands Pharmacy

 

The intention is that Rowlands Pharmacy will relocate to the new Health Centre.  At the moment, we don’t know when this will be happening and we have therefore agreed some interim arrangements with Rowlands to minimise the impact on patients. 

 

·       As well as dropping off repeat medication requests at the new Health Centre, patients will also be able to do this at Rowlands Pharmacy on Regent St.

 

·        If you usually collect your medication from Rowlands, you will still be able to do this.  Rowlands will be running a daily collection service from the Health Centre, so that they can collect the signed prescriptions from the GP surgery and have your medication ready for you at the pharmacy on Regent St. Please note – you will need to allow at least 72 hours between requesting your repeat medication and collecting it from the pharmacy.

 

·         Rowlands will provide a home delivery service for house-bound patients. Please contact the pharmacy if you are interested in this service. Their telephone number is 01978 860657.

 

When the pharmacy has moved to the new centre, there are plans in place to implement a drop off facility for repeat prescription requests in Y Capel, Castle St, Llangollen.

 

Online Services

 

We already offer online ordering of repeat medication.  We are now also offering online booking of routine GP appointments.  If you are already registered for online ordering of medication, you will automatically have access to online booking of appointments.  If you wish to register for either of these online services, please ask at Reception or give us a call 01978 860625.

 

Travel to the New Health Centre

We are working with the Community Transport Association Wales and other organizations to ensure patients, families and carers have up to date information on the transport options available. Further information on CTA Wales is available from reception.

 

GHA Coaches operates the number 5 bus service which can take patients from Parade St, Llangollen to the new Health Centre. Currently, this runs from Parade St every twenty minutes - on the hour, twenty past the hour and twenty to the hour.

 

A pedestrian crossing has been installed on the A539 (along the Bishops Walk stretch).

 

New incident of criminal damage to cars

Police are appealing for information about criminal damage to two vehicles parked in Vicarage Road, Llangollen.

A warning message to local Neighbourhood Watch members says this happened sometime between 8pm on Saturday August 29 and 11am on Sunday August 30, with the offenders  causing extensive damage to the vehicles.

This comes after a similar incident in which criminal damage was caused to a blue Renault Clio in the car park of Llangollen Youth Club in nearby Willow Street the previous weekend.

A warning from Neighbourhood Watch, highlighted by llanblogger last Saturday, said this incident is thought to have taken place between 5.30 and 11.23pm on Sunday August 23 with what is believed to have been a sharp implement being used to smash all the windows of the vehicle.

If you noticed anything suspicious, or have any information relating to the Vicarage Road incident, contact North Wales Police by dialling 101 quoting reference RC15132481.

Alternatively, you can provide information anonymously by calling Crimestoppers Wales on 0800 555 111. North Wales Police would like to urge residents to always report suspicious activity to them at the earliest opportunity.

 

WI play takes Town Hall audience by storm

THERE’S much more to the Women’s Institute than jam and Jerusalem.

While the preserves and rousing singing have indeed been its mainstays, the organisation has spent the past 100 years having a major influence on a range of social issues from improvements in public health to questioning the easy availability of pornographic literature to children.

The vital part the WI has played in the national way of life was brilliantly portrayed by members of the Mikron Theatre group at Llangollen Town Hall last night (Thursday) as they staged their play, Raising Agents, with which they are touring the country to mark the institute’s centenary.

Although it came to Britain in 1915 just in the nick of time to help out in the First World War, the WI was actually founded in Canada in 1897 by a woman named Adelaide Hoodless who was desperately looking for a way out of isolation following the death of her child.

To commemorate the centenary playwright Maeve Larkin has come up with a masterful piece of drama which seamlessly intersperses seminal scenes from the organisation’s past with the story of a mythical present-day WI in a make-believe town called Bunnington which is struggling to keep going in the face of dwindling membership.  

It was extremely thoughtful at the same time as being hilariously funny.

A hugely talented four-strong Mikron cast nip in and out of a host of characters, starting with the iconic Mrs Hoodless as she battles male prejudice against the fledgling institute in Victorian Canada.   

Next, we were transported back across the Atlantic to First World War Britain where a manic guest speaker shows queasy members how to help combat the Hun by doing in their pet rabbits to make a nice pie.

Later, we’re on a smoke-filled British station as Mikron uses a backcloth of the famous 1940s film Brief Encounter to portray another important WI moment – when the Ministry of Food allocated sugar to the institute so that branches across the country could produce gallons of jam to help keep up national morale.

Then it was on to the Fifties when the institute faced a new challenge to its survival – rock ‘n’ roll and the disinterest in all things seen as old-fashioned by the emerging beat generation.

Each step of the way along the WI’s long journey we were guided by the incredible versatility of the Mikron foursome who not only acted with a touch a magic but also played instruments from an accordion to a flute to accompany themselves in the specially-written songs which illuminated this wonderful production.

The fact that Mikron, who tour on a narrow boat during the summer and by road in the winter, were invited to Llangollen to perform the piece was down to the area’s own Valley Girls WI whose members were on duty during the evening along with ladies from Llangollen WI who, of course, provided tea and some scrumptious cakes.

Gratifyingly, the Town Hall was packed to capacity with WI groups from across North Wales and even the nearer bits of England.   

And, naturally, at the end we all joined in a chorus of the hymn which has become the WI's anthem - Jerusalem.

 

New ale launched in honour of Katherine Jenkins

 

* Songbird ... brewer Ynyr Jeffreys-Evans, right, and Hamper

Llangollen chairman Colin Loughlin raise a toast to singer Katherine Jenkins.

 

Music loving brewers are launching a new real ale called Songbird in honour of Welsh singing sensation Katherine Jenkins.

 

The special recipe has been produced in celebration of the news that Katherine will headline the opening night of the 2016 Llangollen International Musical Eisteddfod.

 

The new ale will be unveiled by Llangollen Brewery at the Hamper Llangollen Food festival in the autumn.

 

Head brewer Ynyr Jeffreys-Evans says the new brew is blonde and hoppy, but also boasts a fun, sophisticated character, just like bubbly, beautiful mezzo-soprano Katherine, who is currently expecting her first baby.

 

Katherine (pictured above left) announced earlier this year that she and husband, artist, Andrew Levitas, are expecting a little girl later this year.

 

Llangollen Brewery are now hoping they will be able to help ‘wet the baby’s head’ by encouraging Katherine’s legions of fans to toast the addition to the family with a refreshing pint of Songbird.

 

Hamper Llangollen 2015 will be held over the weekend of October 17 and 18 in the Royal International Pavilion.

 

The popular event in Llangollen’s Royal Pavilion is recognised as one of the UK's top 10 food festivals.

 

Cadwyn Clwyd has provided financial support over the past few years to ensure the festival's long term viability, this was funded through the Rural Development Fund for Wales 2007-2013, which is funded through the European Agricultural Fund for Rural Development (EAFRD) and the Welsh Government.

 

Llangollen Brewery has already tested the beer out on close friends and family and Ynyr says it has the potential to be one of their best special edition ales to date.

 

He said: “We went for a light, refreshing, medium amber colour, with slight citrus notes in the flavour. It is very much in our traditional style, very hoppy.

 

“We’re thrilled to be unveiling it at Hamper Llangollen 2015, as we so much enjoy exhibiting there.

 

“We’d also love it if Katherine would come and visit us and maybe try a pint herself, when she’s in Llangollen for next year’s Eisteddfod.”

 

The singer has said she will be taking some time off after the baby is born, but expects to be back on stage in 2016 when she will return to Llangollen Eisteddfod for the first time since 2010. Before that she will sing at the Queen’s official 90th birthday celebrations in May.

 

Tickets are already selling like hot cakes for her Eisteddfod concert version of Georges Bizet’s much-loved opera Carmen, the tale of a naive soldier seduced by a fiery gipsy woman. It will be the first time that Katherine will publicly deliver all Carmen’s operatic arias in one performance.

 

Among those planning to be there is Llangollen Brewery owner Steve Evans, who is a big fan of Katherine’s singing.

 

Ynyr, 30, who is Steve’s nephew, said: “He is a big fan and was delighted when we came up with the idea of naming one of our celebration beers after her.

 

"It is the first time we have named a beer after a contemporary personality and who better than Katherine? She has a huge following in her homeland of Wales and is recognised all around the world.”

 

The brewery has been going for five years and is thriving, having produced a core stable of hoppy bitters – Wrexham Borders (3.9%); Llangollen Bitter (4.2%) and Holy Grail (4.3%) – along with a porter – Welsh Black Bitter – and a lager.

 

The brewery also owns four pubs, The Abbey Grange Hotel, where the brewery is based; The Sun Inn, Rhewl; Prince of Wales, Llangollen; and Railway Inn, Pontybodkin.

 

Ynyr, 30, said they regularly produce seasonal, limited edition bitters to add to the core range. Others have included one to celebrate the Six Nations rugby tournament and another, Rail Ale, marking Llangollen’s connection to the steam railway.

 

Songbird will have an alcohol volume of 4.2 per cent, which makes it perfect for the festival audience.

 

Ynyr said: “It’s not too heavy and it’s very refreshing, great for people who like a nice pint in the afternoon. As always at the festival there will be a chance to taste this and our other beers before buying, which means we get valuable feedback from customers.”

 

A previous ale which they launched at Hamper Llangollen 2012 became so popular that Ynyr and Steve decided to include it in their permanent collection.

 

Ynyr said: “There was so much demand for it that it simply made sense to keep it on the pumps. It’s now one of our best sellers. Hopefully Songbird will be just as well liked.”

 

Hamper Llangollen food festival, held annually, is in its 17th year, having become one of the highlights of the UK culinary calendar. The 2015 event will showcase more than 100 local and international exhibitors, along with demonstrations by top chefs.

 

They including Britain’s youngest head chef, Luke Thomas, and Welsh culinary champion, Graham Tinsley, plus TV personalities including stand-up comedian, Silky, who will show off his cookery skills for the first time ever.

 

Hamper Llangollen chair Colin Loughlin believes this year's festival is going to be one of the best ever.

 

He said: “Thanks to a whole host of indigenous companies, North East Wales is rapidly establishing a reputation as a centre of excellence for high quality cuisine.

 

“The food festival is a perfect shop window for the companies who form the backbone of our rural economy.

 

"The location of the Pavilion is absolutely spectacular - I can't imagine that any other food festival in the UK has a more beautiful setting."

 

* For more details about Llangollen Food Festival-Hamper Llangollen 2015 visit www.llangollenfoodfestival.com and for information about Llangollen Eistedfodd visit  www.international-eisteddfod.co.uk

Quiz night in aid of prostrate group

Llangollen Prostate Support Group are holding a Grand Quiz  at the RAFA Club, Llangollen on Friday September 11.

Doors open 7pm and quiz starts at 7.30pm.

Quiz master is Paul Belton from Wrexham .

The quiz is open to teams of up to four at £2 per person.

Prizes will be awarded for the highest total, lowest total and the most original  team  name.  

All proceeds go to the support group which was formed  five years ago to raise awareness of the condition in this locality.

Its members meet at the Hand Hotel on a monthly basis.

Latest figures show county is star performer

Denbighshire County Council continues to be the top performing local authority in North Wales and one of the best in Wales, according to latest figures released by the Local Government Data Unit – Wales.

All councils in Wales are assessed against a series of measures, to gain a snapshot of how services are performing. 

Denbighshire either saw an improvement or maintained its position in 33 out of 45 indicators it is assessed against during 2014/15, the findings of which have been published today.

The council has one of the highest figures for top quartile performance in Wales and also has a lower number of poor performing indicators than any other Welsh council.

A key headline is that Denbighshire continues to be the best for recycling in the whole of Wales.

The council is also among the best in Wales for Special Educational Needs statementing, for adult protection referrals where the risk has been managed and for keeping in contact with former looked after children.

The council appears in the top quarter performing authorities for:

•             the average lost working days/ shifts
•             One of the lowest percentages for school leavers with no qualifications or looked after school leavers with no qualifications;
•             Compliant food premises;
•             Delivering disabled facility grants
•             Vacant properties returned to occupation
•             Lower levels of delayed transfers of care
•             Care plan reviews completed in time
•             Children seen by a social worker at initial assessment
•             Waste sent to landfill.

Dr Mohammed Mehmet, Chief Executive of Denbighshire, said: “We are proud of these results and they continue to show that the Council performs well, even at times of significant change due to budgets and uncertainty around merger issues.  

"That is down to the work of our staff and councillors working together with our partners to making sure that providing high quality services remains at the heart of what we do."

Leader of Denbighshire, Councillor Hugh Evans OBE, said: “We have made a firm commitment to improving the quality of life for residents by providing the best possible services in Denbighshire.

“These figures show we are very much on the right track. However, we always want to aim higher and we will not become complacent as we strive to improve our public services further."

Health campaigner selected as Assembly candidate

Plaid Cymru – The Party Of Wales have selected Mabon ap Gwynfor as their candidate in Clwyd South for next year’s National Assembly elections.

 

Mabon ap Gwynfor, who lives near Corwen, stood for Plaid at last May’s Parliamentary elections, and increased the party’s vote by 20%.

 

Mabon ap Gwynfor (pictured) said: “It was an honour to stand for Plaid Cymru in my home area in May and we received more votes than ever before here. We also had more people join and help with the campaign, which creates a good platform for the coming year’s campaign.

 

“The context for next year’s Welsh General Election will be very different. The key questions will be about the NHS and investing in improving the economy in north Wales.

 

"It will be about who would people rather see as First Minister - Leanne Wood or Carwyn Jones. Who would be best to ensure improvements in our health service, education, agriculture. Who can improve the lives and life chances of the people who live in Wales.

 

“Our key message is the need to invest in the Welsh economy, to provide jobs for our young people in particular and create healthier, more vibrant communities. Plaid Cymru’s campaign pledge to ensure that we have enough GPs in every community and train more specialist doctors to meet the growing demands of the NHS, especially here in the North, has proved to be very popular and my experience in campaigning for better health services locally backs that up.

 

“The cuts agenda being forced on local councils and charities by both the UK Tory and Cardiff Labour Governments are having devastating consequences on many people. Not only are people losing their jobs but we are also seeing basic services being cut – whether buses, libraries, leisure services or community centres.

 

“This has led to mass campaigns, for example the wonderful example of Plas Madoc being re-opened by a community cooperative.”

 

The 37-year-old father of three chairs the North Wales Health Alliance campaign group, which continues to fight for better NHS services in the area and campaigned to keep hospital beds in Llangollen.

Urgent message from doctors' surgery

llanblogger has been asked to carry the following announcement from the doctors' surgery ...

DR A D EVANS & PARTNERS

We are currently experiencing problems with our main phone line – 01978 860625.

If you need to contact us between 8.00am and 6.30pm please ring 
01978 860489.

If you need urgent medical assistance between 6.30pm and 8.00am (overnight), please ring the 
Out of Hours service on  0300 123 55 66.
We apologise for any inconvenience.

Recording Gwyn's landmark day

* Gwyn welcomes the royal visitors to his shop.

As revealed recebntly by llanblogger, Gwyn the Butcher in Llangollen has been shortlisted in  a prestigious national competition to find high street champions.

Gwyn Davies in Castle Street has reached the final three in the food and drink retailer category of the Welsh Government’s High Street Heroes Awards.

The competition aims to honour businesses which help to make town centres great.

Members of the public were asked to nominate individual businesses and services in the six High Street Favourites categories - food and drink, fashion, health and beauty, leisure, home and garden, professional and financial services, eating out on the high street and community service provider.

Established for almost 40 years, Gwyn Davies Butchers put their success down to providing the local community with quality meat and a friendly, personal service.

The winners of all categories will be announced during High Street Week, 19–26 September 2015.

Gwyn has just released this picture of a another landmark occasion for him – the day when the Prince of Wales and the Duchess of Cornwall came to call at his shop when they visited the town after touring the Eisteddfod field.

Busker raises £200 for Llan Christmas festival

* Busker Chris Burton plays outside the Town Hall on Saturday.

A musician from Walsall helped raise over £200 for Llangollen's Christmas festival on Saturday.

Chris Burton made the money by busking outside the Town Hall for four hours supported by a gorilla and town crier Austin Cheminais.

Chris has strong links with Llangollen and is a strong supporter of the Christmas festival. 

The annual event attracts a lot of visitors to the town and raises a substantial amount of money for Wales Air Ambulance.

The festival, to be held this year on Saturday November 28, relies on fundraising events, donations and sponsorship for its income.

* If you would like to contribute or sponsor the event, the Christmas festival committee can be contacted through Llangollen’s town clerk, Gareth Thomas, at the council office.

Police seek information on car damage

North Wales Police are appealing for information following criminal damage to a blue Renault Clio  in the car park of Llangollen Youth Club.

It happened sometime between 17.30 and 22.23 on Sunday 23^rd August and it’s believed a sharp implement has been used to smash all the windows of the vehicle.

If you noticed anything suspicious, or have any information relating to this incident please contact North Wales Police by dialling 101 quoting reference RC15128730. 

Alternatively, you can provide information anonymously by calling Crimestoppers Wales on 0800 555 111. North Wales Police would like to urge residents to always report suspicious activity to them at the earliest opportunity.

AM hails efforts of toilet volunteers

* Ken Skates AM unveils a plaque to mark the 10th anniversary of the re-opened toilets.

Village volunteers who saved their public toilets have marked a decade since reopening them.

Denbighshire County Council (DCC) closed the loos in the centre of Llandrillo, near Corwen, in 1998, but locals formed their own volunteer group and launched a takeover bid in 2002.

The fully refurbished facilities, complete with in-built energy-saving features, were reopened during the village carnival on August 20, 2005.

On Friday, Clwyd South Assembly Member Ken Skates unveiled a new plaque to mark the 10th anniversary.

He said: “Because it’s so picturesque, and with the Berwyn Mountains on the doorstep, Llandrillo is very popular with visitors.

"While they could enjoy beautiful countryside, free parking, shops, a pub and places to eat, dozens of walkers and ramblers were arriving with nowhere to spend a penny when the toilets were closed.

“To get to 10 years has been a fantastic team effort and shows what can be achieved when the right people with the community’s best interests at heart work together.”

Llandrillo Public Conveniences Access Group (LPCAG), formed to manage the toilets, entered in to a 20-year commitment and started with eight volunteers. There are now 25 on the rota to carry out daily duties such as cleaning.

Resident Dave Robinson, a civil engineer, was the driving force behind the project.

He said: “We started with very little information, but a business case was put together along with the results of a local questionnaire and comments from visitors when preparing the feasibility study. Having adequate income was always going to be the issue.

“However, having discussed the matter with the Llandrillo Community Council, a local precept was set at £2 to generate £900. In addition, an annual contribution from Denbighshire County Council made the venture viable.

“In the each of the 10 years of operation we have delivered a surplus, allowing investment to improve the tiling, installing a baby-changing facility and decoration.”

Additional donations are gratefully received from residents, businesses and ramblers.

Budding opera stars to sing in Llan

* Singers taking part in the course take a break from rehearsals.

 

PUPILS of an opera singing course in Llangollen will present a concert showcasing their talents at St John’s Church in the town tomorrow (Friday) evening.

The course has been run over the past week by opera singer Anne Williams-King, who performs both at home in Wales and abroad.

Anne said: “I have always planned to set up an opera singing studio in North Wales and Friday's concert follows a week of concentrated work in Llangollen.

“It is the first public concert of the North Wales Opera Studio which will be based and rehearse at the Llangollen Community Hall and have masterclasses and performances at venues throughout North Wales.

“Together with my husband David, I have been teaching for quite a number of years in Wales as well as London and various European countries, plus Iceland in particular. It is now time to concentrate on my homeland. So much talent to help develop.”

Anne added: “St John's is a lovely venue to present a particularly enthusiastic group of young singers.

“They will performing a varied programme of favourites such as La Traviata, Marriage of Figaro,  Carmen, The Magic Flute, La Boheme and more.

“We will no doubt expand much more in the future and, who knows, help to develop a few stars of the future.”

* The Extravaganza of Opera starts at 7.30pm in St John’s Church in Abbey Road on Friday. Tickets are £6 on the door.

Young chef's starring role at Hamper Llangollen

Britain’s youngest head chef will have a starring role at food festival in North Wales - fresh from cooking Welsh Cakes on the beach in Dubai.

 

Luke Thomas, of Connah’s Quay, will be among a celebrity line up at Hamper Llangollen 2015 where he will be championing fresh, local ingredients.

 

The 21 year old says he can’t wait to pass on some of his award winning culinary tips to festival goers.

 

Entrepreneurial Luke (pictured right) says he is as passionate about food as he was when he clinched the UK’s FutureChef 2009 trophy, aged just 15.

 

Today he is the kingpin behind a number of restaurants in Chester, the Cotswolds and Berkshire, but he remains hands-on in the kitchen.

 

He said: “What I enjoy doing is just browsing round the exhibitor stalls and finding some lovely local ingredients that I can cook up on the podium. It might be the plumpest local sausages, Welsh oysters or seasonal fruit and vegetables but I know there will be plenty of choice there.

 

“I will be aiming to make three dishes in a half hour, simple recipes using great ingredients, designed to show people that they can achieve delicious cost-effective meals at home quickly and without having to spend hours on preparation.”

 

This year’s Hamper Llangollen will be at the Royal International Pavilion over the weekend of October 17 and 18. It is a favourite on the culinary calendar for Luke, not least because he grew up in Wales and, when not travelling the world, he still lives at his family home in Connah’s Quay.

 

It is expected that this year’s 19^th annual event will again attract thousands visitors to browse over 120 stalls.

 

The popular event in Llangollen’s Royal Pavilion is recognised as one of the UK's top 10 food festivals.

 

Cadwyn Clwyd has provided financial support over the past few years to ensure the festival's long term viability. This was funded through the Rural Development Fund for Wales 2007-2013, which is funded through the European Agricultural Fund for Rural Development (EAFRD) and the Welsh Government.

 

Luke became the youngest head chef in the UK when at age 18 he opened Luke’s Dining Room at Sanctum on the Green, Berkshire. It won the Berkshire and Buckinghamshire Restaurant of the Year award in 2013.

 

Since then Luke has gone on to open Luke’s Eating House and Gin Rickey’s in Chester, partner with Puma Hotels to create Luke’s Broadway in the Cotswolds, and launch Retro Feasts, at first in London’s Mayfair and earlier this year at The Beach, Dubai.

 

Retro Feasts is inspired by some of Luke’s childhood favourite recipes, like home-made cottage pie.

 

He said: “It’s simple food with a little bit of a twist. I’ve put a modern take on some old favourites, spicing them up a bit and making them a little more exciting, fragrant and fresh, but without taking away the essentials and the old fashioned nostalgia factor.

 

“One concept behind Retro Feasts was to spread the word about how good British food can be. The UK is home to nature’s very best ingredients and some of the best cooks in the world. They’re all right here on our doorstep and we should be shouting about it from the rooftops.

 

“That’s why I love events like Hamper Llangollen. It’s a chance to get even more people involved and enthusiastic about the fabulous food surrounding us.

 

“I love to talk to people about cooking, and to get their honest feedback. One of my greatest passions is being able to pass on a simple tip that might help someone turn a mid-week evening meal into a real show-stopper.”

 

Even after several years in the business, Luke remains Britain’s youngest head chef, but despite his success he says he is always keen to learn more.

 

He said: “I wouldn’t lie and say I am in the kitchen seven days a week. Nowadays there’s so much going on with the way the business is so rapidly developing that it’s impossible for me to do that. But I do get in the kitchen as often as I can, whether it be in Chester, Berkshire, London or Dubai. Cooking is where I am happiest, I love the buzz of the busy fast-paced environment, the creativity and the satisfaction of serving great food.

 

Hamper Llangollen 2015 will also include cookery demonstrations by members of the Culinary Guild of North Wales, led by Graham Tinsley, who has cooked for the Queen, is part owner of the Castle Hotel, Conwy, and consultant chef at Carden Park Resort, Chester; Denise Baker-McLearn, of Bethesda, who specialises in creating delicious meals using ingredients which would otherwise go to waste; and comedian and musician, Silky, who will be swapping jokes for yolks, showing off his cookery skills in public for the first ever time.

Hamper Llangollen chair Colin Loughlin believes this year's festival is going to be one of the best ever.

 

He said: “Thanks to a whole host of indigenous companies, North East Wales is rapidly establishing a reputation as a centre of excellence for high quality cuisine.

 

“The food festival is a perfect shop window for the companies who form the backbone of our rural economy.

 

"The location of the Pavilion is absolutely spectacular - I can't imagine that any other food festival in the UK has a more beautiful setting."

 

* For more details about Llangollen Food Festival-Hamper Llangollen visit www.llangollenfoodfestival.com

Legion branch battles with fresh numbers crisis

 * Llangollen RBL branch plays a key role in the annual Remembrance Day parade. 

LLANGOLLEN’S Royal British Legion branch has been saved from closure for the second time in 18 months.

The branch, which was founded 92 years ago in time to consecrate the town’s cenotaph in November 1923, first ran into problems in March last year when the man who had served as both its chairman and secretary had to stand down through ill-health.

In a desperate move to keep it open, another branch stalwart, John Lawton, stepped into the breach to take on both these roles on top of the position of treasurer.

Later, the branch switched its monthly meetings from the Hand Hotel in the town to Llangollen Royal Air Forces (RAFA) Club in a bid to attract new members.

But, following months of dwindling attendance figures, a fresh crisis developed when just one person turned up to the July meeting.

This meant a commemoration of the 70^th anniversary of VJ - Victory over Japan – Day by the legion was unable to take place on August 15.  

However, John Lawton says a new emergency plan has since been drawn up to keep the branch afloat.   

Mr Lawton, who lives in Wrexham and previously been secretary of the Historic Warships in Birkenhead and a Petty Officer in the Sea Cadet Corps, said: “We’ve done everything we can think of get more people coming along to meetings but without success.

“After the two world wars the branch was thriving but over the years membership has gone down and down.

“I think that’s because members naturally become older and pass away and is also due to the fact that when they leave the services lots of people don’t want to be bothered thinking about them until about 20 years later when they want to look up old mates.

“It reached crisis point for our branch last month when just one person turned up for our monthly meeting at the RAFA Club.

“Unfortunately, I couldn’t even be there myself because of personal issues.”

Mr Lawton added: “The July meeting was where we were due to work out our plans for the VJ Day commemoration in Llangollen but because only one person turned up that couldn’t be done and the legion failed to mark this very important occasion as we should have done.

“There were a few more people at our August meeting and we’ve now formed a new committee and been looking at some ideas about taking the branch forward.

“We’ll be at the World Café meeting at Llangollen Town Hall on Saturday August 29, which is a forum for community groups like ours to meet the public and discuss new ideas.

“We’ve pulled the branch back from the jaws of death again but now we really need some support from the community to keep it going.”    

LlanBikeFest team's big thank you to town

 

 

* Members of the LlanBikeFest team line up to say thanks to the host town.

 

Organisers of LlanBikeFest 2015 have already booked to bring the show back to Llangollen Pavilion next year.

 

One of the team behind the popular biker event held last month, John Hutchinson, reveals the piece of forward planning in a message of thanks to residents and businesses in the area.  

 

He says: "Many thanks for the fantastic support received from the town and the Royal Pavilion.

 

"What a fantastic weekend. The weather smiled on us and everyone had a great time.

 

"The support we received from everyone involved was amazing, including Llangollen and District Motorcycle Club, Mayor Mike Adams, the excellent Royal Pavilion staff and local people and businesses of all shapes and sizes."

 

He adds: "We said from the outset that we want to make this an annual event – so we have already booked July 23 and 24, 2016.

 

"Apart from making the whole event bigger and better, the main thing we want to do next year is to make it a real Llangollen Festival, with lots more activity in and around the town.

 

"Thanks again to everyone who made LlanBikeFest 15 such a success. Roll on LlanBikeFest 16!"

 

 

Entry deadline for gardening club show

Entry forms for the Llangollen & District Open Summer Show have to be received by 6 p.m. on Wednesday, August 26.

If you need a form you can download one from the website www.llangollengardeningclub.co.uk
or email lindathane@gmail.com.

The show opens its doors at 1 p.m. on Saturday, 29th August at St Collen's Community Hall.

Admission is 50p with under 13s free.

Dr Rhys Davies will present the trophies to the winners at 3 p.m.

There will be a plant stall, gardening book stall, refreshments and a raffle.

Support Tour of Britain urges county council

Denbighshire residents are urged to support the Tour of Britain as it races through the county for the third year running.

The North Wales leg of the Aviva Tour of Britain 2015 will take place on Sunday, September 6.

The race will travel from Conwy County in to Denbigh from the Bylchau direction.

It will go through Vale Street, Denbigh and along Ruthin Road.

The race will then head through Brookhouse, Llanrhaeadr, Rhewl and in to Ruthin. 

Later it will then head through Ruthin Town Centre and will take the Mold Road through Llanbedr Dyffryn Clwyd, Clwyd Gate, Llanferres, Loggerheads and into Flintshire.

Estimated times of arrival of first bikes:

• Denbigh – 2.09pm
• Llanrhaeadr – 2.18pm
• Rhewl 2.19pm
• Ruthin – 2.27pm
• Llanbedr -2.31pm
• Llanferres – 2.41pm
• County Boundary with Flintshire – 2.46pm

The roads will be closing shortly before the race arrives and will re-open when the majority of cyclists have travelled through.

Councillor Huw Jones, Cabinet Lead Member for Community Development, said: "We are delighted that the race is coming back to North Wales and to Denbighshire. The support over the past two years has been tremendous and we hope to emulate that kind of support this year and give the cyclists a warm welcome.

"Cycling events are becoming ever more popular and Denbighshire has demonstrated that it is a great location for large events of this nature. The support of crowds is extremely important so I would ask you to get out on the route and get involved in the excitement and buzz of this great event."
For further information about the race, please visit: www.tourofbritain.co.uk

Gwyn the Butchers makes awards shortlist

* Gwyn's famous shop in Castle Street.

A WELL-KNOWN Llangollen butchers shop has sliced his way through to the shortlist of a prestigious national competition to find high street champions.

Gwyn Davies in Castle Street has reached the final three in the food and drink retailer category of the Welsh Government’s High Street Heroes Awards.

The competition aims to honour businesses which help to make town centres great.

Members of the public were asked to nominate individual businesses and services in the six High Street Favourites categories - food and drink, fashion, health and beauty, leisure, home and garden, professional and financial services, eating out on the high street and community service provider.

Established for almost 40 years, Gwyn Davies Butchers put their success down

to providing the local community with quality meat and a friendly, personal service.

Over the years, owner Gwyn has raised hundreds of thousands of pounds for charities, from supporting local raffles and selling tickets for local events, to supporting major fundraising events in aid of Welsh Air Ambulance and The Shooting Star Appeal for a dedicated cancer treatment unit at Wrexham Maelor Hospital.

As the one of the longest standing businessman in Llangollen, Gwyn was recently honoured to receive a visit from HRH Prince Charles, who was in the town for the Llangollen International Musical Eisteddfod.

Gwyn is a Welsh speaker, which he feels really helps when interacting with his customers and in helping to keep the language alive.

Gwyn said: “You can’t beat a high street location for footfall; my old landlord called our high street the ‘golden mile’.

“It’s so important to support local high streets, we’re very lucky in Llangollen, that there are no empty shops, which unfortunately can’t be said for many towns.

“It’s a great honour to have been nominated in the High Street Heroes Awards. It’s nice to know our customers appreciate us!”

The winners of all categories will be announced during High Street Week, 19–26 September 2015.

Town Council seeks public support for initiatives

The Town Council is seeking the public's support for two important community initiatives it is running.

The first is the Llangollen Community Cafe event on August 29 at the Town Hall.

The event will be an open door drop in session between 11.00 am and 3.00 pm, preceded by Cittaslow Llangollen AGM at 10.00am.    

Ken Skates AM, Susan Elan Jones MP, the Town Mayor Cllr, Major Mike Adams, and Cllr Sheena Burrell, chair of Cittaslow Llangollen have all agreed to host tables. 

Town clerk Gareth Thomas said: "Please come and have a coffee, put your ideas and concerns on the table and try to find workable solutions to issues that matter to you.  Don't miss out on your chance to help plan for the future of the town."

At them August 29 event the Town Mayor will launch this year’s Community Support Grants for
Voluntary Organisations.  

Working with Cittaslow Llangollen, the Town Council is offering Community Support Grants to fund facilities, equipment and activities that are important to the local community. 

These awards must benefit members of the community in general and are limited to the geographic area of the Llangollen Town Council electoral boundaries.  

Town clerk Gareth Thomas said: "It has been proven over the years that small cash grants can really make a big difference in helping communities get schemes and projects started.

"The Town Council are keen to support projects that will make Llangollen more innovative, safe, welcoming, supportive and caring, business friendly and accessible."
 
The Community Support Grants are funded under the Town Council participatory budgeting fund and therefore as in previous years the Residents of Llangollen will help the Council, and Cittaslow Llangollen, decide how this money is spent and a residents voting event which will take place on the Monday October 19 in the Town Hall. 

Application forms for the scheme will be available after the launch date.

The total cost of each project should not be greater than £500 and lower-cost projects are encouraged to maximise the number of projects that can be helped. 

Your project should be capable of being finished, and your grant paid to you, by or on February 29, 2016 and the closing date for applications is September 30.
  
If you have in the past been a recipient of a grant from the Town Council or would simply like to have a presence at the Community Cafe then space is available.
 
* For more information on either of these two initiatives contact the town clerk, Gareth Thomas, on 01978 861345, or by email at: llangollentc@btconnect.com

Record GCSE results for Dinas Bran

* Girls jump for joy after receiving their GCSE results.

Delighted students celebrated record results at Ysgol Dinas Brân today. 

Overall, 68% of students achieved the ‘gold standard’ level 2+, an increase of 8% on results in 2014, and the highest number ever achieved by the school. 

Additionally, 100% of students achieved the level 2 threshold or the equivalent of five A*-C  GCSE passes.  Both figures are well in excess of national averages.

Over 80% of grades awarded in English and over 70% of grade in Maths were at grade C or better. 

More than half the grades awarded in Biology, Chemistry, Music,  Additional Maths, ICT, Physics, Small Animal Care and Art and Design were at A*/A.

Many students performed beyond their wildest dreams. 

Jessica Brown from Llangollen achieved an amazing 11 A* grades plus a Distinction in Additional Maths. 

Elinor Barnett achieved an incredible eight A* grades (as well as three A grades and a Distinction in Additional Maths) as did Declan Clifford (with two A grades and a Distinction in Additional Maths).  Both students are from Llangollen.

Other high-achieving students included:

Elinor McSorley* (from Glyndyfdrwy) - seven A* grades, three A grades, one B grade, Distinction in Additional Maths.

Andrew Melville* (Chirk) - six A* grades, four A grades, one B grade, Distinction in Additional Maths.

Taliesin Boswell (Glyn Ceiriog)  - five A* grades, six A grades, 1 B grade.
     
Bethan Morris* (Llangollen)  - five A* grades, six A grades, Distinction in Additional Maths.

Charlie Hackforth* (Corwen) - five A* grades, six A grades, Distinction in Additional Maths.

Adam York (Glyn Ceiriog) - five A* grades, three A grades, Distinction in Additional Maths
Niamh Connaughton  (Llangollen)  Four A* grades, six A grades, one B grade.

Jamie Turner (Glyn Ceiriog) - three A* grades, seven A grades, one B grade, Pass in Additional Maths.

Stephen McAndrew* (Corwen) - three A* grades, five A grades, two B grades, one C grade,  Pass in Additional Maths.

Chris Tipuric* (Llangollen) - three A* grades, three A grades, three B grades, one C grade.

*  Elinor, Andrew, Bethan, Charlie, Stephen and Chris all sat their exams in 2014 at the age of 15, as students on a fast-track programme. They are all now in the middle of their A level courses and received their AS results last week.

Julian Gonzalez, a fast-track Year 10 student, followed up his recent win in the piano solo section at the National Eisteddfod with a fantastic set of GCSE results including eight A* grades.

Julian will now go on to take his AS levels next year.  Bethany Carol, another Year 10 fast-track student achieved nine A* grades.

Pupils across Denbighshire are celebrating excellent examination results this year, says the county council.

 

Early indications show that approximately 66% of students have achieved A* - C grades which is in line with the national figure. Approximately 85% of pupils have achieved 5A* - C or equivalent which continues a trend of achievement in excess of 80%. 

 

Overall, early indications show that achievement in Denbighshire this year reflects the national picture.  There have been some outstanding personal successes.

 

Councillor Eryl Williams, Cabinet Lead Member for Lifelong Learning, said: “These results are very pleasing and I would like to congratulate all students who have achieved the grades needed to further their education with support from their teachers.”

* Julian Gonzalez receives an excellent set of results.

* Jessica Brown with her results.

* A group of Dinas Bran boys celebrate their results.

Fringe bosses delighted with expanding audience

DIRECTORS of the Llangollen Fringe say they are delighted with the “developing and expanding” audience that the festival is attracting.

Bosses of the annual multi-media arts event have just met to review this year’s 18^th Fringe which was held over 10 days at the end of last month.

Director Graham Timms said: “Whilst it is always a huge risk to for a small festival to invite such big stars to take part, we are delighted with the developing and expanding audience.

* The Lee Thompson Ska Orchestra who
appeared at this year's Fringe. 

“This year showed yet again the wonderful support of a local audience and those who come from much further to be here in Llangollen during the festival. 

“The opportunity to see artists like 9 Bach, the Felice Brothers, Lee Scratch Perry and Lee Thompson in small intimate venues is a rare treat. 

“Analysis of the pulling power of the festival revealed a big increase in the average distance that people travelled to this year’s events.

“An average journey of 34.7 miles this year compares very favourably with a 20.9 mile average journey in 2013 and a 28 mile journey in 2014.

“We are delighted that we continue to attract people who live a long way from Llangollen who then enable the festival to make a greater effect on the economic prosperity of the town as well as adding to its rich artistic and musical life.”

Mr Timms added: “The total value of individual internet sales rose by 50 per cent on the 2013 figure, going up from an average total of £33.45 to £47.03 over just two years.

“Whilst success cannot just be measured in pounds, we are delighted that the cultural offering of the festival enabled us to have a secure financial future as we begin looking at the programme for next year.”

Fringe directors want to know what people think about the festival and say they are particularly interested in how they can develop in new ways to continue to draw more people into music and the arts for 2016.

They can be contacted by email at: contact@llangollenfringe.co.uk, or by telephoning 0800 1455 779 with any ideas or suggestions.