Chance to view Clwydian Range's distant past

Archaeologists have found new signs of pre-historic human activity in the Clwydian Range and a new exhibition is open to the public showing some of the archaeological processes revealing fleeting traces of our distant ancestors.

As successors to the Heather and Hillforts project, the Clwydian Range Archaeology Group (CRAG) have been surveying and excavating in the Moel Arthur area for a number of seasons. 

In that time, tantalising glimpses have emerged of human activity, some of it probably medieval, and some appearing to go back thousands of years, possibly as far back as Mesolithic times. 

As well as showing what has been found in successive years of excavation, the exhibition explains some of the methods archaeologists use to investigate, gather evidence and record the results.

Time? Daily from 10am to 4pm

When? Until Sunday 28^th January 2018.

Where? The Gallery, Loggerheads Country Park, Ruthin Road, Mold CH7 5LH

A member of the CRAG team will be on hand between 11am and 3pm to answer questions about the excavations and the archaeological processes involved.  Between these times the finds from recent digs will be displayed.

The exhibition is sponsored by the Heritage Lottery Fund and the Sustainable Development Fund for the Clwydian Range and Dee Valley Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty.

CRAG have recently won the Marsh Award for Community Archaeology and this national award is sponsored by the Council for British Archaeology (CBA) and the Marsh Christian Trust. If you would like further information about CRAG, contact info@cragnorthwales.co.uk

                       

Temporary road closure this Sunday

Denbighshire County Council is informing motorists in the Dee Valley  of a road closure due to take place between  Llangollen Bridge, Llangollen and The Sun Inn Public House, Trevor (A539) on Sunday,  21^st January 2018.

The road closure is necessary  to remove trees overhanging the road as a result of a recent road traffic collision.

Contractors will commence the removal works  at sunrise on Sunday, to try and keep any disruption to a minimum.   

The works should be completed by 10am, but there may still be delays to bus service T3 (operated by Lloyd’s Coaches) and bus service 5 (operated by Arriva Buses Wales).

During this road closure the A539 between Ruabon Interchange and Llangollen Bridge, Llangollen will not be serviced by buses.

The Council says it would like to thank motorists in advance for their co-operation.

Railway unveils 2018 events programme

Llangollen Railway has revealed details of its 2018 season.

Here, llanblogger brings details of events planned over the next couple of months ...

Sunday, February 11: Valentine’s Special. Spoil the one you love and take a romantic steam train ride through the beautiful Dee Valley and enjoy an afternoon tea with a selection of finger sandwiches, assorted sweet treats, full Welsh Cream Tea (with tea or coffee) and a glass of pink bubbly.

The trip includes a return train ride to Corwen and there will be a soft drink alternative available. Adults £32.00 each, children £17.00 each.

Sunday, March 11: Take a return trip through the beautiful Dee Valley. Enjoy an afternoon tea with a  selection of finger  sandwiches, assorted sweet treats, (with tea or coffee) and a glass of bubbly. Adults £32.00 each, children £17.00 each.

Saturday and Sunday, March 24 and 25: Come and see Peppa at Llangollen Railway. The cheeky little piggy will be appearing at intervals between 10:30am – 3.30pm on both days… don’t’ forget your camera! Take a  train ride to Carrog to see the magic show. Face painting available at intervals on Platform 1 at Llangollen Station.
Train ride to Carrog. At Carrog Station there is a magic show , colouring sheets, miniature train ride.

Saturday, March 31: Real Ale Train. 6.30pm departure from Llangollen Station. Step on board and soak up the atmosphere whilst enjoying the Real Ales on offer at our well stocked bar. Double return journey – arrive back approximately 9.30pm. £18 Advanced ticket price includes a free Llangollen Railway pint glass. Food will be available to purchase from The Station Cafe + Bar on the evening, along with a BBQ on the platform. Reserved seating will be provided for parties of eight or more. Advanced tickets – £18 per person with a FREE Llangollen Railway Pint Glass, tickets purchased on the evening – £20 per person.

Friday, April 6: Thomas the Tank Engine is back at Llangollen Railway Station. This fun-filled event offers children and their families the opportunity to take a ride with Thomas, meet The Fat Controller and enjoy trips on Thomas up and down Llangollen Station, you can ride in Rickety and Clarabelle as many times as you like. Take the Big steam Engine or Daisy the Heritage rail Car  to Carrog to the puppet show. Day Out With Thomas™ is an all day event and gates open at 10am.

Ticket Prices: Adults £19, Seniors £17, Children £11.50, Family (1 Adult + 1 Child) £27.50, Family (1 Adult + 2 Children) £38.00, Family (2 adults + 1 Child) £41.00, Family (2 Adults + 2 Children) £52.00, Children aged 2 and under free. All day ticket includes Brake Van Rides with Thomas & Clarabel at Llangollen Station, Unlimited travel on Daisy or Donald, Access to our Award winning Imagination Station. To book tickets please visit www.dayoutwiththomas.co.uk/llangollen.

Friday-Sunday, April 13-15:  Llangollen Railway’s ‘Spring Steam Gala . Full details will be added closer to the event.

Saturday, May 26: Come and see Paddington Bear  at Llangollen Railway. The cheeky little Bear  will be appearing at intervals between 10:30am – 3.30pm … don’t’ forget your camera! Take a train ride to Carrog to see the magic show. Face painting available at intervals on Platform 1 at Llangollen Station. Train ride to Corwen, stopping off at Carrog on the return journey. At Carrog Station there is a magic show , colouring sheets, miniature train ride.

AM raises concerns over bus services

North Wales Assembly Member Mark Isherwood has called for a Welsh Government statement on local bus services following the demise of Acrefair-based bus company D.Jones and Son before Christmas.

Mr Isherwood (pictured) referred to the concerns of local residents and said a statement is needed to reflect these concerns and give residents some assurances  that they are being listened to.

He said:  “No doubt like others, I received concerns from affected residents who had lost local bus services, asking for help in replacement of bus links.

"I submitted a written question to the Cabinet Secretary two days later, on the following Monday. I'm still waiting for a reply to that.

"I also contacted Wrexham Council's Lead Member for Environment and Transport, who told me that officers were continuing to look at options, but this is difficult as a number of operators have ceased across the region; that despite the Cabinet Secretary's (Ken Skates) Bus Summit, they'd seen no tangible actions coming forward and that having attended two to three bus workshops, this was most certainly a wider issue across Wales.

“The Cabinet Secretary held his Bus Summit a year ago, in January 2017, stating that this was to halt the demise of the industry, following the collapse of Ruabon-based GHA coaches the previous summer.

"So, given the concerns being raised not only by affected residents, who often are on commercial rather than on commissioned routes, and given concerns being expressed that, still, no tangible actions are coming forward from the bus summit and subsequent workshops, I would welcome a statement to reflect their concerns and hopefully give them some assurance that they're being listened to.”

The Leader of the House Julie James AM replied: “In terms of the local bus services point, he raises a very important point. He did say he was awaiting an answer to his written question, and I would suggest that the Member waits to see what the answer to the question is, and if there is a more general point that he then wishes to raise with the Cabinet Secretary that would be of interest to the entire Senedd,

"I'm sure that the Cabinet Secretary will be prepared to look at that, since it is a year since the bus summit took place.”

 

Health board reacts to Llan dentist closure

* The Chapel Street dental surgery which is now closed.

The local health board has responded to last week’s unexpected closure of the Chapel Street dental practice in town, which had been used by many local NHS patients.

* The closure note

in the window.

<sub>A Betsi Cadwaladr Health Board spokesperson told llanblogger: “Chapel Street Dental Practice in Llangollen closed unexpectedly on 15 January, 2018.

“We are making arrangements for the provision of NHS dental services on a cover basis until a permanent solution can be put in place.

“This will include exploring options for short term support from other nearby practices.

“Patients who require urgent treatment before they have registered with an alternative practice, should contact NHS Direct Wales on 0845 46 47.

“Patients wishing to see an alternative dental practice for the provision of routine dental care can find contact details for all NHS practices within North Wales on the health board’s website (www.wales.nhs.uk/sitesplus/861/directory/dentists) or contact NHS Direct on 0845 4647.”</sub>

Apartments plan for old Berwyn Works unveiled

A construction company has given brief details of the development of apartments it is planning on the site of the derelict Berwyn Works on the A5 in Llangollen.

Earlier this week Wrexham-based Knights Construction made a brief announcement about the scheme, for which it will be seeking planning permission, on social media, and llanblogger asked them for further information.

The company’s residential development manager Joel Smith replied to say: “We are looking at multiple - more than 20 - apartments on the site.

“We really want local people to live in this development and we feel that this will be reflected in our potential sales prices along with any affordable considerations that are stated within our section 106 agreement if planning is granted.

“At this early concept stage it’s clear that some but perhaps not all buildings on the site would need to go but more will become clear once planning is achieved.

“I would like to point out though that there are no listed buildings on the site.”

Mr Smith added: “We hope to submit planning within the next financial quarter.

“Everything we would do on the site would have local residents in mind with a view to enhance access and be as non-disrupting as possible when/if works commence.”

MP complains over controversial public appointment

Clwyd South MP Susan Elan Jones has signed a letter to Commissioner for Public Appointments calling on him to explain how controversial appointee Toby Young was put on the board of the Office for Students.  

The letter to Peter Riddell has been now signed by more than 60 opposition MPs.

Ms Jones (pictured) said: "People who hold public appointments need to be of the highest calibre and should also uphold decent ethical standards.

"However, five minutes spent searching on Google would have linked Toby Young to some really offensive comments against a whole range of people. It was only because so many people complained that he had to stand down.

"Most people in our area would have lost their jobs for saying far less than Toby Young did and I and other MPs want to know how he was even considered to be a board member of the Office for Students in the first place.

"I welcome the fact that on hearing of our the letter, the Commissioner has said he is looking into the appointment of Toby Young.

"However, it's vital we also get  a thorough review into the whole process of all the appointments to the board of the Office for Students."

Possible deal to save community garden revealed

* Volunteers gather in the garden during the recent snow. 

Llangollen Town Council could step in the save the area’s community garden from closure.

That’s the latest message from campaigners fighting to prevent the popular facility being lost to the local area by being sold off for housing development.

The garden had been threatened by a deal between a local developer and the landowner, Denbighshire County council.

At the end of last year the council's Asset Management Group decided to gift the 0.5-acre plot for housing on the basis that the developer will carry out works to nearby Plas Newydd.

Founders of the garden, which was established in 2012, say they received just four days’ notice ahead of the decision, which is still due to be ratified.

Only last week the campaign was featured in a report on BBC Wales TV news when North Wales reporter Matthew Richards interviewed a number of garden group members.

Now, people who signed a petition to save the garden have received an email from Warren Davies of the community garden group which says: “Thank you for signing our petition.

The council were due to make a decision today on the developer's proposal.

“However, your support has helped us delay the final decision on the garden to March 8th.

“With the financial support of an anonymous benefactor, Llangollen Town Council has made an offer to Denbighshire County Council to buy the community garden land.

“If this goes ahead, then the Town Council will work with the community garden group to ensure that the community garden is safe.

“This is great news. But we are not out of the woods yet, we have to keep the pressure on...

“If you have already written to your councillors then rest assured your input has had a huge impact on decision makers at Denbighshire County Council.”

Garden campaign features on BBC Wales

* Members of the community garden group featured in the TV report.

The campaign to save Llangollen's community garden from closure has been aired on national television.

* Reporter Matthew Richards presents the community garden issue.

The garden has been threatened by a deal between a developer and the landowner, Denbighshire County council. 

At the end of last year the council's Asset Management Group decided to gift the 0.5-acre plot for housing on the basis that the developer will carry out works to nearby Plas Newydd.

Founders of the garden, which was established in 2012, say they received just four days’ notice ahead of the decision, which is still due to be ratified.

On last night's BBC Wales news, there was a report about the campaign when North Wales reporter Matthew Richards interviewed a number of garden group members.

One of them, Kay Polley (pictured), spoke of the amount of hard work that had gone into transforming the garden from a wild piece of land to grow vegetables, fruit and flowers.

"The voluntary hours involved have been astronomical," she said.

The reporter said no decision had yet been taken on the future of the garden by the council but that until then it would "continue to grow".   

Your views sought on cost of policing

* North Wales PCC Arfon Jones.

A police boss is urging people in North Wales to take part in a survey to gauge how much voters are prepared to pay for policing the region.

North Wales Police and Crime Commissioner  Arfon Jones has launched the online poll as police across the country digest the news of how much the Home Office is providing towards their budget – about 50 per cent of the total cost.

The rest will come from Council Tax dependent on the precept local Police and Crime Commissioners ask for from councils.

In consultation with the North Wales Police and Crime Panel, Mr Jones will make the proposal on January 22 against the backdrop of news that the North Wales force was having a standstill grant imposed on it by the Home Office which effectively meant a real terms cut in grant of £2.1 million.

The latest financial blow came on top of the 20 per cent North Wales Police had been forced to axe from its budget since 2012.

Last year the precept was set at 3.79 per cent, the lowest increase in Wales, and amounted to just £9 a year or 17p a week, which is less than the cost of a piece of fruit.

But, as the financial squeeze continued, Arfon Jones spelt out the difficulties that police chiefs face.

The former police inspector said: “We do face a twin threat of increasingly diverse crime driven by the internet and tighter budgets.

“But first we have to arrive at a precept so we know how much money we have and, as last year, I will be asking the people of North Wales what they are prepared to pay for.

“In a democracy we have to trust people and last year the results of the survey showed that a majority, 63 per cent of almost 1,000 who took part, were in favour of an increase of five per cent or more.

“In the event we didn’t have to go that high but having that evidence of public support was very helpful when I had make my case for the Police and Crime Plan.

Mr Jones added: "In calculating the right level of precept, I have to balance the need for financial prudence with my responsibility to ensure that North Wales Police is an effective and efficient force that is capable of delivering of my Police and Crime Plan.

“What we are seeing now is more and different forms of crime with cybercrime having grown so much that the thin blue line of policing is now on line rather than on the street.

“In addition we have the issues of modern slavery and domestic abuse and we need to ensure that victims are confident enough of being listened to, to come forward and report it.

“Policing is under great pressure from these increased demands being placed upon it.

Despite these increased demands there remains uncertainty over what North Wales Police will receive in the years to come but the need to meet these spending challenges has to be balanced by the recognition that many people find it difficult to find even a small amount of additional money.

“My reserves are in a stable and healthy position, and therefore I have decided to increase council tax only in order to fund the coming year’s expenditure, and to deal with the effect of further reductions in government grant if and when this should occur.”

* To take part in the survey go to: http://www.surveygizmo.com/s3/3991369/North-Wales-Precept-Survey-2018-19

Well-being sessions are success says county

A series of drop in sessions set up in Denbighshire to provide people with health and well-being support and information in their own community is proving to be a great success, according to the county council.

The sessions, called Talking Points, are held in the county’s main towns and direct people to support available locally through organisations and initiatives – this has resulted in less people accessing the more traditional route of accessing health and social care services for formal, planned support.

Over the past three months (October to December), 62 Talking Points sessions were held and supported 292 people. 

The majority of people wanted information, advice and assistance whilst some individuals who needed more specialised support were referred to social services.

All participants were asked to complete surveys, and 100% of those who responded said they were satisfied with the support they had received and had been able to do so in the language of their choice.

Councillor Bobby Feeley, the county council's Cabinet Lead Member for Well-being and Independence, said: “This new approach in Denbighshire has worked really well, with all of the organisations involved working together for the benefit of residents.

“There is a requirement for us to modernise the way we work and the changes are also in response to the fact that people’s needs are changing.

“Many people who previously would access the more traditional health and social care services are now finding that the support or information they require is available in their local community, right on their doorstep.  This helps people to maintain independent lives, whilst accessing the support they need in their local community. It also helps people to increase their confidence and skills."

* Information on well-being matters can also be found on the DEWIS website: www.dewis.wales

On-loan loco switches from rail to road

After being on loan to Llangollen Railway over Christmas, locomotive number 2807 was yesterday afternoon (Monday) carefully hoisted aboard a low-loader ready for the trip back to its home base at Toddington on the Gloucester Warwickshire Railway. 

Canoeist airlifted to hospital in River Dee drama

* Reader Allan Potts supplied this picture of the air ambulance at the scene yesterday.

The Leader is reporting that a canoeist had to be airlifted to hospital after falling in the River Dee near the Horseshoe Falls yesterday (Sunday).

For the full story see:

http://www.leaderlive.co.uk/home/2018/01/08/gallery/canoeist-airlifted-to-hospital-in-a-serious-condition-after-falling-in-the-river-dee-in-llangollen-103429/

Cash boost to help businesses prepare for Brexit

First Minister Carwyn Jones has today announced a significant cash boost to help Welsh businesses and public services plan and prepare for Brexit.

North Wales South East Wales South West Wales The EU Transition Fund – supported by an initial £50m – will be developed in partnership with Welsh businesses, public services and other key organisations, to provide tailored support as the UK prepares to leave the EU.

The fund will provide a combination of financial support and loan funding, and will support the provision of technical, commercial, export-related and sectoral-specific advice for businesses.

In addition, the EU Transition Fund will be designed to help employers retain and continue to attract EU nationals, who make a crucial contribution to Wales. The fund will underline Wales’ welcome to people from other countries who have made Wales their home.

The fund will also provide dedicated development support for Wales’ agricultural industry as it prepares for transition and the future once the UK has left the EU.

Carwyn Jones said: “Brexit poses different challenges and opportunities for each and every aspect of Welsh life – from our local businesses and major employers, to our farmers, hospitals and universities.

“The EU Transition Fund will help meet the challenges that lie ahead. Developed in partnership with our businesses and public services, it will provide targeted and innovative support, which will help them survive and, indeed, thrive outside the EU.

“I am making an early announcement about this fund, so we have the greatest opportunity to design this fund with those organisations and businesses it is intended to help.

“My priority is to ensure Wales is in the best possible position to deal with the challenges and opportunities ahead. As a government, we are committed to providing solutions which work for Wales and we will continue to work with partners to make the most of every opportunity.”

The £50m EU Transition Fund is supported by an initial £10m down payment in the 2018-19 final budget. It builds on £5m allocated for Brexit preparedness over 2018-19 and 2019-20 as part of the 2 year Budget agreement with Plaid Cymru.

The EU Transition Fund will provide support in devolved areas.

MP backs charity which helps people into work

"We should do every we can to support long-term unemployed people, people with disabilities, and others who may find it difficult to get into the world of work."

That was the message from Clwyd South MP Susan Elan Jones (pictured) who was the keynote speaker at an event in Parliament for the Shaw Trust.

Susan said: "The Shaw Trust is a major national charity that supports almost 50,000 people every year, providing job opportunities, skills development training and other practical help.

"The charity which operates in 200 places across the UK is a major commissioner of services from the Department of Work and Pensions, the National Offender Management Services and other bodies.

"I think there are few things more important in our country than supporting people into the world of work. The Shaw Trust is an excellent organisation - and I am really pleased to promote their work in Parliament in this way." 

Part of town without EE signal since Thursday

A number of people in Llangollen have been without an EE phone signal since early yesterday afternoon (Thursday).

llanblogger has questioned EE about this and this morning (Friday) at 8am received the message:

"There is a problem with a site in the vicinity of ll20 ... which may be affecting your service. Our engineers are on site working to repair the fault. Unfortunately the resolution time is currently unknown. We’ll continue to keep you updated."

AM highlights fears over speeding traffic

* Cllr Dana Davies on the B5605 through Ruabon.

An Assembly Member has renewed his calls for action to tackle speeding in Ruabon.

Ken Skates and Cllr Dana Davies say residents are continuing to raise concerns about drivers breaking the 30mph limit on the B5605.

The pair secured assurances from North Wales Police in late 2016 that the issue would be looked at, but they say the situation hasn’t changed.

Clwyd South AM Mr Skates said: “Residents are still reporting problems with speeding on the main road through Ruabon – something has to be done.”

Mr Skates has again contacted Wrexham Council to urge the authority to look at traffic-calming measures.

He added: “This issue isn’t going to go away all of a sudden and people in Ruabon want to see some action. I will also be contacting North Wales Police again.”

Cllr Davies said she feared there could be a serious injury if something isn’t done and questioned why the council removed a flashing sign warning drivers of their speed.

She said: “The police were great last time we contacted them and sent traffic officers out to do speed check and carry out enforcement action. But there’s only so much they can do, they can’t monitor the road 24/7. The council needs to step up.

“If someone is hit by a car doing 30mph there’s a 50% chance they will die. If that vehicle is doing 40mph, it’s 90% likely that person will die. That should be enough to stop people speeding, but sadly it’s not. We need action.”

Police boss backs communites with his buying power

* North Wales PCC Arfon Jones.

A pioneering police boss is aiming to use £30 million in buying power to enhance the lives of communities across North Wales.

North Wales Police and Crime Commissioner Arfon Jones made the pledge during the official launch of his new social value policy.

He is the first police and crime commissioner in Wales to introduce such a policy.

This aims to see public bodies, such as his office and North Wales Police, buying in services in a way which is not necessarily the cheapest but pumps extra cash into the local economy and boosts employment and volunteering opportunities.

The launch event, hosted by Mr Jones at Conwy Business Centre, was attended by over 30 suppliers and representatives of organisations which already benefit from social value schemes, including a number directly supported by his office.

In his introduction Mr Jones said: “My vision is to lead and work with the North Wales public sector in embracing social value, which follows on from two pieces of legislation, the Public Service Act of 2012 and the Welsh Government’s Well-being of Future Generations Act of 2015.

“It is about building an enhanced and strengthened local economy, creating economic growth, jobs and opportunities for local people.

“Around 80 per cent of our budget goes on salaries and pension so we spend something like £30 million on consumables. My aim is to use this wherever possible to enhance the well-being of communities across North Wales through social value.”

He added: “It is important to note that this is a move away from awarding contracts at lowest cost and is of extra significance given the increased pressures on public spending we are having to deal with across all sectors.

“It is my responsibility to ensure that by having this approach savings can be made to tackle wider community problems.”

The PCC said that in line with the spirit of the conference on modern day slavery he had hosted recently and would ensure that everyone involved in the chain of supply to his own organisation and North Wales Police adopted practices that are free from unethical trading and human rights violations.

One of the keynote speakers at the launch event was Stuart Davies, director of specialist company Sustainable Supply Chains Ltd based in Buckley, Flintshire, who devised the new social value policy for the PCC.

He said: “Every pound spent locally can generate local community good and research shows that if the 687,000 people who live in North Wales all spent £50 a year with local suppliers an extra £34.3 million of income would be generated for local economies.

“Social value can benefit people through the creation of work and volunteering opportunities, increase local spending and also improve health and well-being.

“However, we have quite a way to go as currently less than 25 per cent of councils have a social value policy.

“The policy I designed for the PCC and North Wales Police is based on my Social Value Wales strategy and will now be applied to every contract, in two categories above and below £50,000.

“The advantages will be cost savings, a reduction in waste, use of fewer resources and the avoidance of damage to reputations through unethical trade and human rights.”

At the end of the launch event, Arfon Jones said: “It has been a very useful and interesting day and I am grateful to everyone who attended for their support.

“An event like this gives you the chance to find out about what various organisations are doing to deliver social value to the people of North Wales, creating new opportunities in terms of work and the well-being of future generations.”   

         

Corwen railway extension now half way there

* Clwyd South MP Susan Elan Jones on a visit to the project site at Corwen.

Volunteers working on the Llangollen Railway Trust’s major civil engineering project to build a new terminus at Corwen reckon they are just on half way to completion, with the prospect of trains running by early 2019.

Looking forward to progress in 2018 project leader Richard Dixon-Gough said: “By this time next year, we anticipate being in a position to infill the gap in the embankment which was created to provide Welsh Water with access to the Corwen Water Treatment plant.

"The building of a new access road from Green Lane into the plant allows the earlier route to be recovered.

"Subject to the on-going need for resources, manpower, materials and fiancé, we expect to be able to lay track from the existing rail head to connect up with the station loop line installation.

"Once the new terminal rail layout has been ballasted and tamped, and inspected to be fit for operation, we hope that trains will run into Corwen Central in the early part of 2019, although a date for a public opening cannot be announced at this time.”

As the new year begins the plan is to install the foundations for the water tower at the eastern end of the platform.  This will allow provision of the water supply from the borehole which was drilled in February 2017.

A pump house structure has been fabricated using mostly recycled materials and is now in place to secure the installation.

The building of the wall for platform 1 will follow and will involve excavating footings for 16 loads of concrete and the installation of 200 easi-blocs as the modern means of building a platform before the corbeling, or overhang, is built on top.

When complete  the area for the island platform and will require  some 10,000 tonnes of spoil to infill the base prior to paving the large area.

The installation of drainage and piping for water, sewage and cabling has already taken place, and the accessible ramp for wheelchair access is being built at the western end. 

By this time next year it is expected the  infilling the gap in the embankment will commence. This gap was created to provide Welsh Water with access to the Corwen Water Treatment plant.

The building of a new access road from Green Lane into the plant allows the earlier route to be recovered.

Subject to the on-going need for resources, manpower, materials and finance, the team will be laying track from the existing rail head to connect up with the station loop line installation.

Most of the work has been undertaken by the team of volunteers - average age 68 - aided by contractors when specific skills and equipment were required.

Estimated value of the volunteer hours put into the project last year exceeds £200k, without which it would be unaffordable.

Aside from grant aid provided by the Welsh Government’s European development fund for rural Wales, which is paying for 80% of the cost of the platform, the remainder of the cost is being raised through donations and share purchase in Llangollen Railway plc.

Since the railway's Big Push Corwen share appeal was launched last April nearly £100k has been raised but shares to a total of £250k remain available to support the completion of the Corwen project.

Commenting of the prospects for extended operations on the line, railway general manager Liz McGuinness said: “The prospect of trains running into the new station during 2019 means that the current, temporary platform at Dwyrain Corwen East, will remain in use for the 2018 season.

"However, we will call a halt to operations on the extension beyond Carrog as of October 2018 and the temporary platform will be dismantled as part of the engineering work needed to connect to the new station layout.

“The temporary station has served us well since it opened in 2014 but has always been recognised as operationally inconvenient and it lacks the immediacy of access to and from the town centre and car park.

"Terminating trains at a station central to the town, the bus interchange and the car park is key to opening up a new market segment to attract more passengers from North West Wales to Llangollen Railway, with important prospects for the town of Corwen to gain extra visitors."

Three key staff members leave canal team

* North Wales & Borders stalwarts Howard Griffiths, Wendy Capelle and Neville Preece.

One of the people who helped to run the Llangollen Canal has left the helm for the last time.

Howard Griffiths is one of three key members of staff to retire from the Canal & River Trust’s North Wales & Borders Waterway team who between them have notched up nearly a century of service to the canals.

Aged 59, he has stepped down as customer service supervisor for the Llangollen and Montgomery canals.

Based out of the Ellesmere office, he has lived all his life on the Montgomery Canal, mixing work and pleasure in a career spanning 39 years caring for his local waterways.

His father was also a canalman for 24 years and Howard has spent his entire life living in the same lock keeper’s cottage at Aston Locks, near Oswestry, where he was born, raised, married and brought up four daughters of his own.

Howard said it was the people – friends, colleagues, customers – who have helped to make his job extra special.

“All the teams I have worked with have been top notch. Our job involves the Llangollen Canal, which is one of the busiest waterways in the country, and the Montgomery – one of quietest and most peaceful, well-known for its nature.

“You get to know everyone and when the sun’s shining and everything is going well, it’s hard to beat it.”

His colleague Roger Birch now steps up to become supervisor.

Also retiring is waterway manager Wendy Capelle. Based in the Northwich office, she left after 18 years’ service just before her 60^th birthday on Christmas Day.

As a qualified management accountant, she initially joined British Waterways in the finance department, but for the last eight years has been at the helm of North Wales & Borders, leading a team of up to 60 staff looking after canals and navigations in Cheshire, Shropshire and North Wales.

She said: “I have loved working for the Trust. I’ve worked with some great people and I’ve appreciated all the opportunities I’ve been given in different roles.  The charity is doing some great work to improve the nation’s waterways and make them a special place to visit, and I will miss being part of the enthusiastic team making this happen.”

Experienced waterway manager David Baldacchino will take over from Wendy, with interim responsibility for North Wales & Borders from January 1.

Third staff member leaving is Neville Preece, 62), who will retire in early 2018.

Neville is the supervisor for the southern section of the Shropshire Union Canal, based out of Norbury. He first started working on the waterways 41 years ago as part of the dredging fleet on the River Weaver Navigation, which was then still used by commercial cargo vessels.

Over the years he has taken on a number of roles from length foreman and harbour master to a supervisor in Chester.

He recalls: “The waterways were very different when I first started work. Hundreds of coasters travelled along the River Weaver to ICI at Winnington, near Northwich, every year, carrying soda ash, chlorine, cement and raw talc. They then went via Marsh Lock into the Manchester Ship Canal and sailed to Scotland, Ireland and beyond.

“I love talking to people. Every day is different. It is the sort of job that if you like it, you’re here for the rest of your life.”

Happy New Year from llanblogger!

Railway's gala event is a big hit

Amongst the varied trains operating the frequent service in rain and sunshine this weekend at Lllangollen Railway the star attraction was the 13.15 departure when two locomotives took the train up the hill to Berwyn.

Seen from the A5 vantage points, engines No.5199 and 2807 restart the train from Berwyn station heading for Carrog yesterday (Sunday).

The gala event proved a hit with many rail fans and family groups looking for some entertainment during the festive break.

Last day of Mince Pie Specials is today (Monday) before the railway closes until February 10.

County lands award for young people's project

* Winners are announced by Finance Secretary Mark Drakeford at an awards ceremony.

Denbighshire County Council is celebrating after its TRAC 11-24 project was recognised with two awards.

TRAC 11-24 is a Denbighshire County Council led project that runs across the six counties in North Wales, with the regional team being based in Denbighshire.

The project supports young people aged 11-24 disengaging with education and at risk of becoming NEET (not in Education, Employment or Training).

The aim is to reduce the number of young people aged 11-24 at highest risk of becoming NEET in North Wales, through a range of interventions that will compliment but not duplicate mainstream services.

Denbighshire County Council works with local authorities Anglesey, Gwynedd, Conwy, Flintshire and Wrexham and Grwp Llandrillo Menai, Coleg Cambria and Careers Wales as joint beneficiaries and each has a delivery team which has a variety of supportive roles in each team: office staff, support mentors, counsellors, family liaison officers, engagement workers, youth workers.

The project was recognised at an awards ceremony at the European Structural and Investment Funds Annual Information Event 2017 in the Liberty Stadium in Swansea.

The first award ‘ESF Projects: Best individual achievement (aged 11-24 years)’ was won by Elliw Griffiths, a project participant from the Gwynedd County, whose life has been transformed with the help and support of the project and the second ‘Outstanding Project Winners: ESF’ was won by the TRAC 11-24 Project, accepted by Regional Project Manager Sian Morgan (Denbighshire County Council).

Restaurants invited to join food challenge

Who doesn’t enjoy Fish and chips?

Well, January will be a great time to get out to a local restaurant and enjoy the classic dish served up by our region's great chefs.

For the third year running, the tourism partnership of Denbighshire, Flintshire and Wrexham will be holding their annual food challenge, this year supporting Visit Wales’s 2018 Year of the Sea marketing theme.

The challenge aims to raise awareness of the great food scene in North East Wales, and helps boost numbers in what is a generally quieter time in the food calendar.

Eateries are encouraged to enter either a ‘Fish and Chips with a twist’ dish, or a locally sourced Surf & Turf dish (with the meat being locally sourced).

The Sea Food challenge will be running between 15^th January and 11^th February 2018, with the dishes advertised on the restaurant’s specials boards.

Dishes from all three counties will be judged by a panel of mystery shoppers, and the three highest scoring dishes invited to a cook off at the end of February.

Restaurants who wish to be involved can find out more on the North East Wales Facebook page, or by contacting tourism@wrexham.gov.uk. There will be a launch event on 10^th January, after which the list of entrants will be published.

Snow falls on Lllangollen

Snow falling steadily in Llangollen since around 7.30 this morning (Friday) had by 9am left a covering over the town and surrounding hills.

The forecast is for the snow to turn to light rain later in the morning and the temperature to hover around the 5C mark for the rest of the day.

Railway's mid-winter event

Llangollen Railway will offer a 45 minute train service from 0930 on Saturday with a mix of steam, diesel and railcar trains to provide family fun for a mid winter event when not much else is happening.

A railway spokesperson said: “Our end of year gala finale will soon be with us on 30^th and 31^st Dec.

"A mixture of Steam, Diesel and Railcars will be thrown into the mix to produce an intense timetable for all to enjoy.

"Whether it be a Crack Express or a Trundling Goods, a Small Tank engine or a Burbling Diesel, we will have it all for you. All stations will be open along the line to enable you to alight from your journey and sample the wonderful delights which all our Tea Rooms have to offer.

"So jump aboard when we wave the flag and blow the whistle and set off into a Winter Wonderland along the picturesque Dee valley”

The timetable is at:

http://llangollen-railway.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2017/08/Public-Timetable-WW-v1.pdf