Village Bakery's early dough for Eisteddfod

 

* Village Bakery managing director Robin Jones, right, with Dr Rhys Davies, the chair of Llangollen International Musical Eisteddfod.

 

Bakery bosses have served up an early boost for the Llangollen International Musical Eisteddfod.

 

Earlier this year the festival launched a cash appeal because the 2015 event was heading for a financial loss.

 

The appeal raised £50,000 and now long-term sponsors the Village Bakery are paying next year's sponsorship money ahead of time.

 

The Village Bakery have supported the Eisteddfod for many years and for the past two years have increased their contribution by sponsoring the Sunday night concerts, featuring Status Quo in 2014 and UB40 this year.

 

They have also agreed to sponsor next year's finalé starring Jools Holland and his Rhythm & Blues Orchestra and are making the payment in October instead of waiting until next year when the money is actually due.

 

It was music to the ears of the festival's new chairman, Dr Rhys Davies, who paid a visit to see Village Bakery managing director at their new £3 million Baking Academy and Innovation Centre on Wrexham Industrial Estate.

 

Dr Davies said: "Things are looking very positive and the appeal has raised in excess of £50,000 which is a wonderful demonstration of the popularity of the event and the affection in which it is held by so many people across the world.

 

"We’re always looking for sponsorship and we have some extremely good sponsors and some good friends like the Village Bakery who have supported us for many years.

 

"We have got out of the block very early in terms of organising the 2016 Eisteddfod as we have already announced two of the major concerts.

 

"We are kicking off this year with the popular classical singer, Katherine Jenkins, who will be singing the arias from the opera, Carmen, and Jools Holland will be the headline act for the closing concert.

 

"Next year is an extremely important milestone in the history of the Eisteddfod.

 

"Along with the Edinburgh Fringe and the Edinburgh International Festival, we are celebrating our 70th Eisteddfod after everything started from a small beginning in 1947.

 

"We are aware that we cannot and must not rest on our laurels as we are competing against all the other festivals in the world and particularly in Europe.

 

"Every organisation has to evolve and that is true of the Eisteddfod so we are reconfiguring the week.

 

"The grand parade is now going to be the centrepiece of the whole week which will make it even more colourful and more spectacular.

 

"We are moving it from the Tuesday to the Friday when we will have a greater critical mass of competitors available to take part.

 

"We really want that at the heart of the whole Eisteddfod with the competitions on either side, and each day being themed with competitions followed by an evening concert and ending up with The Choir of the World competition like we had last year which was brilliant.

 

"We’ll also have a 70^th party on the Sunday night with Jools Holland conducting the celebrations, and sponsored by the Village Bakery."

 

"Our sponsors are very important to the Eisteddfod and we are extremely grateful to companies like the Village Bakery for not only supporting the Eisteddfod by also paying the money early which is an enormous help in terms of cash flow. A friend in need is a friend indeed."

 

According to Village Bakery managing director Robin Jones, the Llangollen Eisteddfod was a unique and important part of the global cultural calendar and just as relevant now as it was when in was established to promote peace and harmony after the Second World War.

 

Mr Jones said: "The Eisteddod has been an important part of my life since I can remember.

 

"When I was a child growing up, as a family we used to accept competitors into the house and we used to put them up so even since those early years, mum and dad have taken people in as did the rest of the community.

 

"My dad has always been a keen supporter over the years and we’ve been a small sponsor for many years and then two years ago, we decided to step it up and sponsor the Sunday night. 

 

"Our customers love it, we enjoy it as a family.  It’s good for staff and it’s good for the local community.

 

"The Llangollen International Eisteddfod is a great institution and we were aware of the financial difficulties surrounding this year's event so I asked if we could pay our sponsorship fee early which has gratefully been accepted.

 

"I am delighted we can help and give something back to the community by supporting this fantastic event."

Special event at RAFA Club

Health board stays in special measures

The BBC is reporting that the Betsi Cadwaladr University Health Board will remain in special measures for two years.

They say the announcement has been made by Deputy Health Minister Vaughan Gething.

Betsi Cadwaladr health board's chief executive Prof Trevor Purt, suspended since June, is stepping down, adds the report.

For the full story, see: http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-wales-politics-34602975

In a statement, the North Wales Health Alliance campaign group said: “Trevor Purt’s departure is an opportunity for the health board to re-engage with both staff and the general public, who have grave concerns about the way health services in the North are being run.

"His time here will be remembered as one of centralising and downgrading services and failing to be open and transparent with the community.

 

“But the problem goes much deeper than just one man or one position. The health board and Welsh Government has to accept that their direction of travel has to change or we will see further problems emerge.”

                                                              

MP calls for no change on Sunday trading

Clwyd South MP Susan Elan Jones has urged the Prime Minister to think again about changing Sunday trading hours.

Speaking at Prime Minister's Questions today, she quoted Government retail sector champion Kevin Hawkins who described the current laws as "a workable compromise that most people seem satisfied with most of the time".

Ms Jones (left) said: "There's a balance to be kept here - between opening hours for big stores, the rights of small shops and the rights of shop-workers and their families to enjoy family life.

"The current laws are a good compromise that most people agree with. We should stick with them."  

Church's Christmas tree festival launched

Llangollen Methodist Church has launched its annual Christmas Tree Festival.

This very popular  - and closely contested - event will be held once again starting with setting up on Friday 11th December and finishing with dismantling on Monday 4th January.

This year there will be two classes of entry plying for visitors votes – traditional trees and creative interpretations.

Church spokesman David Davies said: "You will need to supply and decorate a small tree, no taller than five feet, using an appropriate Christmas theme.

"You might like to link the decoration to your business or organisation, or just be creative.   

"Any lights must be battery operated. Hard bases are provided that you can cover with a cloth or paper as you wish. Small business cards or promotional materials can be placed at the base of the tree for visitors to pick up.

"More details later but start planning now and please register your intention to enter by Saturday 5th December at the latest by emailing:  yand.davies@btinternet.com or phoning 860557."

AM urges at-risk people to have flu jabs

North Wales Assembly Member Mark Isherwood is showing his support for Public Health Wales’s annual campaign aimed at getting more ‘at-risk’ people vaccinated to prevent them getting ill with flu, a debilitating and contagious illness that can kill.

 

Mr Isherwood (pictured) is joining the calls being made by charities and health professionals and is urging people aged 65 or over, carers, pregnant women and those with certain chronic or long-term illnesses to make an appointment with their local GP and get the free flu vaccine.

 

He said: “A major flu immunisation programme is underway throughout Wales to offer free vaccines to individuals most at risk of serious complications from flu, and my message to them is ‘Beat flu before it beats you!’

 

“Last year in Wales only half (49.3%) of those in at-risk groups under the age of 65 took up their free NHS vaccination, and we really need to significantly increase the numbers of people being vaccinated in order to prevent the spread of this largely preventable illness.”

 

Dr Richard Roberts, Head of the Vaccine Preventable Disease Programme at Public Health Wales, said: “A free flu vaccine is available for those in at-risk groups, which includes those aged 65 or over, people who have long term health conditions which puts them at increased risk of complications if they get flu, carers, pregnant women as well as all two to six year olds.

 

“For most people influenza (or ‘the flu’) is usually a relatively minor, albeit unpleasant and inconvenient, illness. But every year vulnerable people can and do die from the flu and its many complications.”

 

* You can find out more about how to get their free vaccine by visiting www.beatflu.org or www.curwchffliw.org, or finding Beat Flu or Curwch Ffliw on twitter and facebook.

Visitors flock to Hamper Llangollen

* Ken Skates AM with chairman
Colin Loughlin at the busy festival. 

A tourism supremo hailed the Hamper Llangollen food festival as the best ever and said it crowned a “golden age” of artisan produce in Wales.

 

The popular event, recognised as one of the top 10 food festivals in the UK, drew in thousands of food lovers, all hungry to sample and buy everything from the finest cheeses and freshest meat to designer ice cream and cookies.

 

A host of new products were unveiled, some of which were specially devised for the show, and there were also practical cooking demonstrations from top chefs.  

 

One of the visitors was Ken Skates, Wales’s Deputy Minister for Tourism and Culture and local Clwyd South Assembly Member.

 

He said: “The festival has grown every year in spectacular fashion but this is the biggest and best yet.

 

“It’s much busier than I have ever seen it before. Hamper Llangollen is now one of the biggest food festivals anywhere in Wales and makes an enormous contribution to the local economy in the order of £500,000 a year.

 

“We are rapidly entering a golden age of artisan food and drink in Wales and this festival is helping to crown and promote that.”

 

Mr Skates added: “I’d like to pay tribute to the organisers for all the hard work which goes into making it the success it is and also the many exhibitors who come here to showcase their fantastic produce and goods.”

 

Festival chairman Colin Loughlin said this year’s Hamper Llangollen had been the busiest so far.

 

He added: “We had 111 stallholders, 13 of whom were making their debut with us. That’s particularly pleasing because it’s our constant aim to attract new exhibitors to make it as diverse as we can.

 

“The event gives a huge boost to the local economy and this year we reckon that amounts to at least half a million pounds.

 

“A number of local charities, including our chosen one Nightingale House, had a presence at the festival and attracted plenty of support which is marvellous to see.

 

“Myself and fellow organisers are extremely happy with the way everything went.”

 

Trying a tipple at Rosie’s Cider out in the pavilion exhibition area was retired baker Alwyn Thomas from Denbigh.

 

He said: “I come to Hamper Llangollen every year because I’m very much a foodie person having run my own bakery for many years.

 

“I’ve been sampling the Black Bart cider which is particularly good and has a really nice flavour.”

 

Delighted with this verdict was Steve Hughes who has been running Rosie’s Cider from its base in Llandegla for the past 10 years.

 

“I’m glad they like it because all my cider is made from the finest local apples, many of which come from our own 17-acre orchard,” he said.

 

“I exhibit at Hamper Llangollen every year because it’s my local event and attracts so many people.”

 

Sampling the goodies from a range of stalls were Ben Davis from Corwen and his six-year-old daughter, Orla Davis-Wood.

 

Ben said: “I’ve been trying out the coffee and Orla’s having a bit of everything as we go round the stands.

 

“We like to come to Llangollen because the variety and quality of food and drink available here is illuminating.”

 

Wrexham Lager has been making a big impression on discerning drinkers since it was reintroduced a few years ago following a long break in production.

 

Doing a roaring trade on their stall were brewing company director Janet Gaffey and her daughter Emma.

 

Janet said: “This is the fourth year we’ve brought our lager along to Llangollen for people to try and it’s going down very well.

 

“We like to show off the lager at Llangollen because it’s such a good local show that attracts so many visitors.”

 

Lapping up his sample of Wrexham’s finest was Adrian Taffinder from Marford and his son Gareth from Tanyfron.

 

Adrian said: “I’m a big fan of this lager and when they stopped making it some years ago it made me go crazy. So when they brought it back I thought it was fantastic and being able to have a taste of it here is great.

 

“I like to visit the Llangollen festival and have been here most years. There’s a good range of produce and it’s good to meet the people who make and sell it and to give them a bit of feedback.”

 

One of the producers who came up with a new line specially for this year’s festival was Chilly Cow ice cream based at Llanychan, near Ruthin. 

 

Hannah Griffiths, who works on flavour development for the company, said: “We devised a honey and lavender ice cream for the show and we’ve had lots of people trying it out.

 

“In the first few hours on Saturday about 30 people must have sampled it and many of them said they’d be buying it.

 

“We’ll definitely be coming back here next year.”

 

Amongst those impressed with the new variety of ice cream was Guto Jones and his partner Julie Bowyer from Higher Kinnerton who were there with Julie’s mum, Beryl Gregory, from Chester.

 

Julie said: “It’s great to try something that’s completely new on the market and the honey and lavender was brilliant.

 

“Although my mum comes here every year it’s my first time at Llangollen but I’ll certainly be coming again.”

 

Beryl said: “The new ice cream is very creamy and just delicious.”

 

Trying out the apple cake at the stand of Corwen-based Temptations were Ceinwen and Gwynne Thomas from Wrexham.

 

Ceinwen said: “It’s really nice and I enjoyed the sample. I come to this show every year because my husband and I really enjoy trying out the different things on offer.”

 

Chrissie Ashworth, who runs Temptations, said: “The cake they tried is made from locally grown apples because I like to use the ingredients that are available at any particular time of the year.

 

“Hamper Llangollen is my favourite show because it has such a fantastic family atmosphere.”

 

And although she only started her Rhyl-based company, Mama Zo’s, which specialises in home-made cookies and lemonade in July this year, owner Zoe Gamble said having a stand at Hamper Llangollen was a must for her.

 

“It’s a very important festival and we couldn’t afford to miss it,” she said.

 

“We’ve been very busy and people have been trying out our entire range. Everything is made by hand and I even squeeze the fruit for our lemonade myself.”

 

Another major highlight of the festival were the cookery demonstrations by top chefs over both days.

 

These included a popular appearance by Luke Thomas, Britain’s youngest head chef from Connah’s Quay who now has restaurants in Chester, the Cotswolds and Berkshire.

 

Another crowd-puller on both Saturday and Sunday was Graham Tinsley MBE, executive chef at Carden Park Gold Resort and Spa and director of Cowny’s Castle Hotel.      

 

Comedian Silky swapped the Edinburgh Fringe Festival for Hamper Llangollen to do stand-up behind a cooker rather on the stage in his debut culinary demo, which was a hit with the audience.

 

 * Taste testing Tempatations cakes are Ceinwen and Gwynne Thomas with Chrissie Ashworth.

 

 

* Alwyn Thomas and Glyn Thomas try Rosie's Cider from Steve Hughes. 

 

 * Trying Wrexham Lager are father and son, Adrian, left, and Gareth Taffinder with Janet Gaffey and Emma Gaffey from the brewery. 

Call for new Cefn Mawr health centre

* Campaigners outside the former Co-op building in Cefn Mawr which they would like to see become a health centre.

A petition has been launched to demand a new health centre for Cefn Mawr.

Clwyd South Assembly Member Ken Skates has been at the forefront of a campaign to lobby Betsi Cadwaladr University Health Board to find a new premises for Caritas Surgery, and he’s now calling for public support.

The Labour AM said: “Cefn Mawr needs this and I – along with local councillors Ken Bathers and Derek Wright – am determined to help make it happen. If the strength of local feeling over this issue can be conveyed to the health board and replicated in our petition, then we will have a very strong case to make this happen.”

The former Co-op site has long been mooted for a new facility, but the health board says there are ‘some complexities’ over the location.

Cllr Bathers, chairman of Cefn Community Council said: “The people of Cefn and the surrounding area need a new medical centre and the surgery is desperate to move. The building is falling apart and parking is a nightmare. Llangollen has just had a new health centre, so has Chirk, and Ruabon and Rhos have excellent facilities. Cefn deserves something too.

“The old Co-op site ticks all the boxes. It is close to Rhosymedre, which has the highest population of senior citizens in the area, the site is on a bus route and there is ample car parking. It’s the only place that could be used. People need to speak up and sign up.”

Cllr Wright added: “Cefn is long over-due a health centre considering its population and the location. The Caritas practice is not fit for purpose, it has inadequate toilet facilities, poor disabled access and parking is ridiculous. The sooner we get a 21st century centre the better – in line with other major villages and towns south of Wrexham.”

Clwyd South MP Susan Elan Jones said: “There is real need for this in Cefn Mawr and I have given my full support to residents in their campaign. I have signed the petition and will be working with Ken to ensure that local voices are heard.”

The petition can be signed at several places in Cefn, including Caritas Surgery and Cefn Mawr Post Office. Mr Skates will also be at Tesco in Cefn Mawr on the morning of Friday, October 23rd, to gather signatures and support.

County brings non-payers to court

Denbighshire’s zero tolerance approach to tackling environmental crime in the county continues, with thirteen people being fined for not paying fixed penalty notices for offences.

 

A recent hearings at Llandudno Magistrates Court heard cases against 11 people for littering and two for allowing their dogs to foul in public without cleaning up the mess.

 

Councillor David Smith, Cabinet Lead Member with responsibility for Environment, said: “Taking court action against those failing to pay their fixed penalty notices is very much a last resort.  What we want to see is people respecting their environment and not committing offences such as littering and failing to clean up after their dogs in the first place.

 

“We need to respect and protect our environment and the vast majority of residents in Denbighshire do so responsibly and lawfully. It’s only a small number of people that disrespect the environment in this way.

 

“We will continue with our efforts to educate the public and we will be vigilant in our communities with action being taken against those who blatantly show little respect to the environment and hamper our efforts to keep Denbighshire’s streets clean and tidy”.

 

Denbighshire works closely with Kingdom Security and partners such as North Wales Police to promote and maintain tidy, clean streets.

Llan set for weekend of foodie heaven

* The Dangerous Food Company. Llyr Jones and Dominic Haynes.

 

 

Thousands of foodies will be flocking to Llangollen this weekend for one of the biggest events in the UK's culinary calendar.

 

The popular Hamper Llangollen has been recognised as one of the Top 10 food festivals in Britain.

 

There to greet the gastronomes on Saturday and Sunday  will be a  host of top chefs and organisers are confident the event at the home of the International Musical Eisteddfod is on course to be bigger and better this year.

 

Graham Tinsley, the star of ITV's Taste the Nation and a former captain of the Welsh Culinary Team, will be joined in the show kitchen by Luke Thomas, the kingpin behind a number of restaurants in Chester, the Cotswolds and Berkshire.

 

Another of the kitchen stars will be Dai Chef, now based at  Bodnant Welsh Food, the centre of excellence for Welsh food, who famously cooked for opera superstar Luciano Pavarotti while he was head chef at the Bryn Howell Hotel just down the road.

 

 * Bims Kitchen, Afonwen, launch two new products ready for Llangollen food festival.  James Adedeji and his wife Nicola Adedeji in their kitchen.

 

Among the hundred plus exhibitors will be one of the hottest companies around.

 

The Dangerous Food Company, based in St Asaph, has almost quadrupled its business in a year - after putting on face masks and protective clothing to get it up and running.

 

They unveiled their fiery chilli jams at the Hamper Llangollen last year and went on to increase stockists of the breath-taking products from just 25 shops to 110 across Wales and Cheshire.

 

For those who want something a bit cooler, Chilly Cow Ice Cream will be launching their new honey and lavender variety at Hamper Llangollen.

 

Anna Taylor who runs the company based at Llanychan, near Ruthin, will be using honey farmed just down the road from her by enthusiastic beekeeper Brian Dacre, a carpenter who makes hand-crafted bee hives as well as farming bees.

 

Anna said: “Brian’s honey is pure gold, just delicious and there’s big demand for it, plus it’s local to us, so perfect for using in a new flavour of ice cream."

 

It will be a bittersweet occasion for a scientist who swapped the laboratory for the kitchen by launching a cooking sauces brand.



* Chilly Cow Ice Cream, Llanychan.
Launching new Honey ice cream ready
for Llangollen festival.
Pictured: Owner Anna Taylor.

  

Dr Beatriz Albo returned to the lab to develop an exciting new range of Spanish tapas meals and delicious aiolis created in memory of her mother.

The new range will go on sale at the festival.

 

“Hamper Llangollen was my first food festival, so it is special to me,” said Spanish-born Beatriz, whose Wrexham business has taken off faster than she could ever have imagined.

Also there will be company that fuses the tastes of Africa and Wales and is launching a new dessert topping.

 

Bim's Kitchen, whose hot and spicy African inspired relishes have been a big hit across the UK.

 

African baobab and cocoa nib sour caramel sauce has brought together the food of two continents.

 

It includes Anglesey sea salt alongside exotic ingredients from Africa.

 

The recipe is a first entry into the sweets market for Flintshire-based Bim’s Kitchen, founded by James Adedeji and his wife Nicola.

 

Their previous condiments such as African baobab chilli jam, chilli coconut relish and lemony piri piri sauce have all been savoury accompaniments.

 

James said: “It is a fantastic event. That’s why we chose it to launch our new sour caramel sauce. It is the first time we have tried something sweet like this so it will take us in a new direction and we’re very keen to find out what festival goers think.

 

*
 * Chef Graham Tinsley.

“The advantage of launching it at a festival like this is that people can actually taste it in front of us and tell us exactly what they think there and then, something they can’t do when buying it off shop shelves to take home.”

 

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 Hamper Llangollen 2015 visit www.llangollenfoodfestival.com

Skates hits out over tax credit cuts

An Assembly Member has warned that Tory tax credit cuts could cost his constituents as much as £3,000 a year.

Ken Skates, AM for Clwyd South, fears the UK Government’s decision to impose cuts of around 10% of families’ monthly incomes could have a ‘hugely detrimental’ impact on their living standards, the life chances of their children and the local economy. 

The cuts will affect three million working families across the UK.

Mr Skates said: “In Clwyd South alone, more than 5,000 families will be affected. Some 3,500 of these are working families. Figures show that households will be an average of £1,300 worse off, but that some will be up to £3,000 out of pocket as a direct result of the Tories’ cuts to tax credits.”

Mr Skates is encouraging his constituents to join the campaign against the cuts by signing the petition at labour.org.uk/taxcredits.

He said: “Tax credits are designed to ensure that work pays. Cutting them undermines the value of work, and means that the UK Government is penalising those who work hard every day just to get by. I’m asking residents to join me in sending a clear message to the Tories that these cuts to working people’s living standards are unacceptable.”

Mr Skates added: “This is another example of how the Tories are making working families bear the brunt of deficit reduction while some of the wealthiest people in the country have received a tax break. It’s just not right.”

Special medal for Llan man

* Dave Short with his medal. 

A well-known Llangollen man has been honoured for his years of service with HM Revenue and Customs.

Dave Short, who now works at the post office in Stan’s supermarket in the town, was recently awarded the Imperial Service Medal plus certificate and supporting documentation.

He said: “Many people may know me through various activities in and around Llangollen.

“Although not a native of the town I am a founder member the railway and spent most Saturdays and Sundays in the town.

“After leaving school I moved to Trevor and eventually Llangollen when I got married.

“My son and daughter both attended Ysgol Bryn Collen and Dinas Bran.

“After a short period of employment at.ECTARC I secured a full-time job at the Inland Revenue in Wrexham where I worked until leaving their employment in June 2014.”

He added: “Never did I think any more until I received a letter stating that Her Majesty had awarded me the Imperial Service Medal.

“I was speechless for once and wondered whether it was a wind up until the medal and correspondence from the Medals Office arrived.

“I consider this the greatest honour of my life and I thank the many people who have spent time to congratulate me on this award, which is given to civil servants from all branches on recommendation upon retirement.”

Royal host Gwyn the butcher will be at food show

 

* Butcher Gwyn Davies chatting with the Prince of Wales and the Duchess of Cornwall.

 

A Llangollen butcher who earned royal approval when Prince Charles popped into his shop for a chat will be among the exhibitors at a top food festival.

 

After what has been an amazing year for him, Gwyn Davies is looking forward to returning to the annual Hamper Llangollen event which is expected to attract thousands of visitors over the weekend of October 17-18.

 

Gwyn was staggered earlier this summer when Prince Charles asked to stop off at his butcher’s shop while making an official visit to Llangollen International Musical Eisteddfod.

 

He said: “I had just five days' notice. I couldn’t believe it when he called in.

"He is genuinely interested in the food sector and supporting independent businesses. We chatted for a little while, he asked quite a few questions and was very affable.”  

 

Gwyn was equally delighted when just a few weeks ago he was voted a High Street Hero by loyal customers who have been impressed by the quality of his meat and exceptional customer service over six decades in the butchery business.

 

The awards, run by the Welsh Government were launched by Lesley Griffiths, the Minister for Communities and Tackling Poverty, to honour individuals deserving recognition for their outstanding contribution to high streets and local communities in Wales.

 

Gwyn, who opened his shop in Castle Street, Llangollen, 40 years ago, said: “I feel really honoured to have received the accolade. It makes all the hard work we have put in that much more worthwhile.”

 

He believes independent traders are key to the success of local economies and says events like Hamper Llangollen 2015 are a superb way to showcase small local businesses like his own.

 

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

 

Cadwyn Clwyd has provided financial support over the past few years to ensure Hamper Llangollen'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.

 

The festival hosts more than 100 local and international exhibitors, along with demonstrations by professionals and celebrity chefs in a state of the art kitchen.

 

Among those demonstrating will be foodie fan comedian Silky, top Welsh chef, and international award-winner Graham Tinsley and Britain’s youngest ever head chef, Luke Thomas.

 

Gwyn said: “Having been there for a few years now, I am a very keen supporter of the event. It brings in a lot of business to our region and gives independent traders like myself a chance to meet new people and demonstrate the sort of quality produce we have to offer right here on their doorsteps.

 

“It’s a great way to get customer feedback and there will be a chance to buy all the quality meats we sell here at the shop.”

 

Gwyn’s workdays start at 5.30am – “the habit of a lifetime” – and he is in his shop before 7am daily.

 

The quality of his meat is renowned and attracts customers from as far afield as Merseyside and Widnes.

 

He said: “We have a number of caravanners and visitors to the region who first called in at the shop on holiday and enjoyed our meat cuts so much that they regularly return to buy large orders to take home with them.”

 

He was about 10 or 11 when he first entered the meat trade after securing a spare time job in his local slaughterhouse to “earn myself a few pennies”.

 

He said: “You had to work hard in those days to get yourself some pocket money. I was fortunate though, I found work with one of the best in the business Eric Wheeler, who taught me skills which have stayed with me all my life.”

 

On leaving school at the age of 15 he continued to work in the butchers until he reached 20.

 

He said: “Then I decided I wanted a change and so got another job working on overhead cables in Oxfordshire, but I would still help out at Mr Wheeler’s on weekends off if I came home.

 

“When I reached 25 I went back into butchery and eventually opened my own shop in my early 30s.”

 

Gwyn and his late wife Heather ran the shop together until she died four years ago. Their son Mark and daughter Fiona have also had a big input in the business.

 

Gwyn, who employs three full time staff and a part-timer, sells Welsh lamb raised on his son’s Denbighshire farm, while Fiona, helps with some of the administrative tasks as well as working at a Shrewsbury Garden Centre.

 

Now aged 70, Gwyn has no plans to retire.

 

For more information about Llangollen Food Festival-Hamper Llangollen 2015 visit www.llangollenfoodfestival.com

Triathlete Rebecca dashes in to help centre

A triathlete won the praise of her local Assembly Member after a gruelling fundraiser in aid of a community centre.

Rebecca Robinson, from Corwen, took part in the Deva Triathlon in June, completing a one-mile swim, a 40km bike race and a 10km run in two hours, 52 minutes and 55 seconds.

*Ken Skates hands over the cheque
to Rebecca Robinson. 

Clwyd South AM Ken Skates joined Rebecca, 33, to hand over a cheque for £130 to Canolfan Ni in Corwen.

The centre is run by the South Denbighshire Community Partnership (SDCP), a small charity with 12 volunteer trustees.

Mr Skates said: “It was a fantastic effort by Rebecca in her first-ever triathlon, I can’t imagine how difficult it was to get through. I’m delighted she decided to raise money for Canolfan Ni, which is where I hold my Corwen surgeries. It’s a real community hub.”

The centre was refurbished by a grant in 2012 after a community asset transfer from Denbighshire County Council.

Mr Skates added: “It’s another great local example of community-minded volunteers taking over public amenities and making a success of them.

"Canolfan Ni hosts the Corwen Beavers and Cubs groups, the youth club, weekly Welsh classes and much more. I’d like to congratulate Rebecca on completing the triathlon and thank her for raising money for such an excellent local cause.”

Citizens Advice and Age Connect have weekly drop-in sessions at the centre, and there are plans in the pipeline for developing a dementia café and a community garden. 

* For more information call Canolfan Ni on 01490 266004, email office@sdcp.org or visit www.canolfan-ni.org/services/

Operatic plans a swinging start to Christmas

Members of Llangollen Operatic Society aim to get Christmas off to a swinging start.

On Tuesday December 8 they will once again stage their popular Christmas concert at Llangollen Town Hall.

This year, the evening will have a swing theme to it and the programme will consist of a mix of popular songs of that genre plus some seasonal favourites, such as O Holy Night and Winter Wonderland.

There will be a performance by the society’s junior section, the Young ‘Uns, and the chance for the audience to join in with a number of rousing traditional carols.  

Lizzy Richards, who will direct the concert assisted by Ross Wilson and with musical direction from Michael Jenkins, said: “It’s going to be a fun and jolly evening with lots of festive favourites to get people in the Christmas spirit.

"We’re really looking forward it and hope to see a good number of familiar faces there."

Doors open 6.30pm for a 7pm start. Tickets cost £5 and can be purchased from Llangollen Tourist Information Centre, or online at https://www.ticketsource.co.uk/event/105176. A bar will also be available.  

Llan author publishes fairy tale collection

LLANGOLLEN resident and author Adrian Farrel has published a collection of new fairy tales.
Enitled Tales from the Wood, it contains 18 original stories each with the familiar feel of a traditional fairy tale, but each with a new flavour and twist.

Adrian, who has lived in the area for the last 25 years, said: "It is in the nature of fairy tales that each has echoes in our minds.

“Not only do they contain archetypes that appear in countless stories, but their essence is basic truths about the world, and hopes and dreams for a better life and just resolution of all situations.

“Some of these tales are clearly identifiable with stories you will find in anthologies, while others crept into this book at dark of night. Each contains elements of the fairy tale of old."

The stories in this collection range from Peter Pretzel who had his feet on backwards, to Mother Elde who slept late in her house high on the mountain ridge above the trees and above the meadows the year winter didn't come.

This isn't the first book Adrian has written, but it is his first outing into fiction.

His previous publications include six reference books describing the technical workings of the Internet, and more than 60 standards that specify details of how the Internet is implemented.

Adrian added: “Tales from the Wood was written over a period of two years mainly in distant hotel rooms and on long-haul flights.

“A necessary part of my day job as a consultant to major telephone companies and their equipment suppliers,  these locations provided distraction-free writing time that was ideally suited to the short story or fairy tale format.”

Adrian is already working on a second collection, More Tales from the Wood.

* Tales from the Wood" is available in Llangollen from the Courtyard Bookshop and
from Zingiber in Bridge Street. It can also be bought online from Amazon or direct from the
publisher at
http://www.feedaread.com/books/Tales-from-the-Wood-9781786100924.aspx