"Rare" 37-acre site near Llan goes on sale

* Picture of the site for sale (taken from estate agent's website).

The Oswestry Advertizer is reporting to day that a rare 37-acre site near Llangollen has just gone on the market with offers in the region of £100,000.

For the full story see: http://www.bordercountiesadvertizer.co.uk/news/16373752.rare-37-acre-land-near-llangollen-up-for-sale-for-100000/

* The site which is for sale (taken from estate agent's website).

County presses for free childcare funding

Denbighshire County Council has welcomed the “positive soundings” from Welsh Government Minister for Children, Older People and Social Care, Huw Irranca Davies to work with the county council to aim to introduce the free childcare scheme county-wide from April 2019.

The Council had written to the Minister, expressing disappointment that the county had not been included in the next tranche of areas which will receive the funding

Following positive and constructive discussions, the Minister has pledged, in principle and subjects to a number of factors,  to provide funding to all areas of Denbighshire at the same time, rather than a phased community by community approach.

Councillor Huw Hilditch-Roberts, Cabinet Lead Member for Children, Young People, Education and the Welsh Language, said: “This subject has been making headlines over recent weeks and we want to ensure that we do all we can in Denbighshire to bring funding to the county, to allow the free childcare scheme to progress.

“We want to make sure that the families who need this kind of support can actually receive it sooner, rather than later and at the same time.

“We wrote to the Minister following concerns raised locally about the roll-out of the scheme and the response from the Minister has been positive.  He’s engaged  with us and there have been very positive discussions between the Minister and the Council to work to try and make this happen.

“We will continue to press for the funding until it has been approved and, subject to approval, look forward to letting communities know how they can access the free childcare scheme in April of next year”.

The scheme would be delivered in partnership with Flintshire County Council and the capital funding available for the scheme would be administered through Denbighshire County Council, not individual nurseries.

Couple to spend part of honeymoon at LlanBikeFest

* Celebrating their marriage at LlanBikeFest will be Ian Davies and Debbie Roberts.

Bike mad Ian Davies and Debbie Roberts are celebrating their marriage in style by spending part of their honeymoon at the Llangollen Motorcycle Festival - LlanBikeFest.

The couple, from Penycae, tied the knot yesterday (Monday) at Castle Rushen, Castletown, Isle of Man.

But after dashing back to Wales for a party then returning to the island for a few days they will be at LlanBikeFest to do their bit promoting Blood Bikes Wales.

Part of a nationwide network, Blood Bikes will be at LlanBikeFest, which runs at the Royal International Pavilion on August 4 and 5, to raise awareness of their work and sign up even more volunteers.

The couple are part of a team of volunteers who ride all hours and in all weathers to transport everything from blood plasma to vital documents between NHS facilities.

Debbie said: “Ian proposed to me in the Isle of Man because he’s bike mad – and we are both passionate about supporting Blood Bikes, so we have to be back for the festival.”

LlanBikeFest director John Hutchinson said: “There has been at least one marriage proposal at LlanBikeFest but this could be our first time as a honeymoon destination.

"All good wishes to the happy couple. We are delighted to support Blood Bikes Wales for another year, as well as raising more money for our official charity, Wales Air Ambulance.”

Starring Isle of Man TT legend John McGuinness, LlanBikeFest is a great weekend for families as well as bike enthusiasts, with free entry for accompanied children aged 16 and under, and lots to see and do -  hundreds of motorcycles of every type on show, spectacular riding displays, birds of prey, rides and children’s’ entertainments, plus a great line-up of bands both days.

Entertainments will include jaw-dropping stunts by champion trails rider Steve Colley and Savage Skills, the UK’s leading freestyle mountain bike team, plus beautiful birds from the Talonted Feathers falconry.

* Follow the event on Facebook at Llangollen Motorcycle Festival.

Day tickets are £10 online at www.llanbikefest.co.uk , or £12 on the gate, with accompanied children 16 and under free. Club stands and exhibitor bookings are free. Contact the Festival office at 07960 693398, office@llanbikefest.co.uk

Clean-up company Kingdom pulls out of county contract

Kingdom Services Group have informed Denbighshire County Council of their intention to withdraw services in the county from August 17 in line with their 28 days contractual notice.

Councillor Tony Thomas, Cabinet Lead Member for Housing, Regulatory Services and the Environment, said: “The Group have partnered the Council in dealing with environmental issues such as littering and dog fouling over the last five years, in response to the Council’s efforts to make its streets cleaner and creating a pleasant environment for people to live in and visit.

“The joint work has made an impact in terms of awareness and there has been a marked reduction in the number of littering and dog fouling incidents.

“Whilst disappointed, we must respect Kingdom’s decision and would like to thank them for their co-operation over the past five years.

The Council says it will now consider how the environmental education and enforcement work will continue in the future, as having clean and tidy streets remains a key priority.

Llan car used in Chirk ram-raid, says paper

* The Co-op store in Chirk. Picture from Oswestry Advertizer.

The Oswestry Advertizer is reporting this afternoon that a car stolen in Llangollen was used in a ram-raid on the Co-op store in Chirk.

For the full story, see: http://www.bordercountiesadvertizer.co.uk/news/16371156.chirk-burglars-ram-raid-co-op-store-using-stolen-car/

 

Network Rail boss sees progress on Corwen station

* Andy Thomas with members of the project team at line side at Corwen Central station.   
Picture: George Jones. 

Andy Thomas, Network Rail managing director England and Wales, has visited the Corwen Central station site to see progress on the volunteer-led project. 

He was given a guided tour of the station works site by project leader, Richard Dixon-Gough.

He was shown the current progress with the building of the platform 1 wall and the recently installed new-build water tank.

The building of the base wall for the soon-to-be-installed signal box was also inspected and the need for redundant materials to complete the heritage signalling facility was noted. 

In the course of discussions with the volunteers, Mr Thomas noted the similarities of issues the project faced with station projects being undertaken by Network Rail and the need for more resources to complete the task.  

Mr Thomas said: “I was delighted to visit the Corwen site, and see the tremendous work of volunteers first hand, especially the recently installed water tower.

“The Llangollen Railway provides the local community and visitors to the area the chance to journey back in time, and I am pleased to see the heritage railway able to expand through generous donations, including from Welsh Government.  

“This is an exciting time as the new station platform is completed at Corwen Central, and I would encourage staff from Network Rail to use their volunteer leave to support the Llangollen Railway volunteers in these final stages of the project.” 

Richard Dixon-Gough said: “We were very pleased to be able to show Andy how the Corwen project is progressing and contrast our efforts with those of Network Rail on developments elsewhere. Help from all sources is essential if the station is to be completed to receive trains in 2019 and the prospect of Network Rail employees volunteering to help would be most valuable.”

Terry Waite tells business leaders about his captivity

* Host Gill Kreft along with Gareth Parry, Gwyn Edwards, Paul Ffoulkes, Ian Edwards, guest speaker Lord Dafydd Elis-Thomas AM, Rob Williams and guest speaker David Pountney.

Former hostage Terry Waite told how the Islamic jihadists holding him captive unwittingly gave him a book called Great Escapes.

The revelation about the irony of reading material presented to the president of Llangollen International Musical Eisteddfod by his guards who were unable to speak English came during a speech to the Wrexham Business Professionals Group at the town’s Ramada hotel.

The group is made up of successful businesses and highly skilled professional firms of solicitors, accountants and other business professionals working together to raise the profile of enterprise and expertise that exists in the region and beyond.

The other keynote speakers at the event were Welsh National Opera’s Artistic Director David Pountney and Lord Dafydd Elis-Thomas, Welsh Government Minister for Culture, Tourism and Sport.

The theme of the meeting Powering Regional Prosperity … The Art of Business and Mr Waite was there in his capacity as President of Llangollen International Musical Eisteddfod.

The ex-Church of England envoy described what life was life being held in an underground prison in Beirut for five years and how he was chained to the wall for 23 hours and 50 minutes every day, with just a 10 minute toilet break.

“I’d been negotiating for the release of hostages on behalf of the Church of England for many years,” he said.

“Today I’m responsible for Hostage UK, which operates worldwide.

“When you are attempting to deal with this particular problem you have to run the risk of being captured yourself and it was inevitable that one day I’d be held hostage.”

“People ask me all the time what I missed most,” he said. “Family and friends of course, but I also missed books and music.

“I pleaded with the guards to bring me books. They asked why – we’ve never read a book in our lives, they said.

“Eventually a guard said he would get me a book and a day or so later he provided one. Would you believe it was called Great Escapes and was the story of successful escapes from prison camps in the Second World War.

“The next book he got was a manual on breastfeeding and when the third was Dr Spock I decided something had to be done.

“I asked for a pencil and paper and drew a penguin. Two weeks later I got my first Penguin book. It showed a symbol is able to cut across cultural and language barriers.”

Mr Waite said he was then taken as a hostage somewhere else in Beirut and heard someone singing.

“I heard the man for a couple of days as he kept passing the building where I was held,” he said.

“It turned out it was the time of Ramadan and it was the man who walked around the town to wake people up and the way he used to do it was by singing.

“Music and language have the capacity to breed harmony into the soul.

“When today we are engaged in business and trade we have difficulty dealing with ill health or stress. We need inner calmness and the arts are a vital component.”

The meeting at the Ramada Plaza Hotel in Wrexham opened with a performance by members of the academy of the Only Boys Aloud choir. They sang three songs, finishing with a rousing rendition of Calon Lȃn.

* For more information about Wrexham Business Professionals contact Kate Edwards on 01978 752500 or at admin@wrexhambusinessprofessionals.com or go to the website www.wrexhambusinessprofessionals.com   

Fringe stars give new twist to WW1 marching song

* Brothers Jonathan and Robert Guy.

The founder of an orchestra which will play at the closing concert of this year's Llangollen Fringe Festival has given a new twist to the famous First World War marching song, Pack up Your Troubles in Your Old Kit Bag.

The words of the song were written by George Henry Powell while the music was composed by his older brother Felix Lloyd Powell, who was an organist at the cathedral in St Asaph where they lived.

And while George was a choir boy Felix was certainly no angel because he etched his name on the back of one of the cathedral’s stalls.

The song won first prize in a World War One competition for the best morale-building song and it’s claimed to be the most optimistic song ever written.

Now, the enduring favourite has provided the inspiration for the overall theme and an education project at this year’s North Wales International Music Festival which is held annually at the cathedral.

The festival, which runs from Saturday, September 15, to Sunday, September 30, is being supported by the Arts Council of Wales and Tŷ Cerdd.

Composer and professional clarinettist Jonathan Guy is writing a new musical piece, Smile, Smile, Smile, based on Pack up Your Troubles, which will be premiered by young musicians of all abilities during a festival workshop.

They will be performing it at the festival on Saturday, September 29, alongside the event’s resident orchestra, NEW Sinfonia, which Jonathan established with his brother, Robert, the conductor and artistic director.

NEW Sinfonia will play the finale concert of Llangollen Fringe Festival at Valle Crucis Abbey on Sunday July 29.

Jonathan was asked by the International Music Festival to write a piece of new music to go along with the theme of this year’s festival, Reflections, reflecting upon the centenary of the end of the Great War.  

He said: “The fact Felix Powell etched his name into the back of a choir stall at St Asaph Cathedral is amazing and there is a blue plaque commemorating the brothers in the High Street which is attached to the building where they were born.  

   

“It will be an amazing concert and I can’t wait to hear my composition played in front of the cathedral audience, it will be something special especially as we will be giving young string and wind musicians, of all abilities, an opportunity to join in and play with an orchestra.” 

Proud brother Robert added: “I’m thrilled Jonathan has been commissioned by the festival, with the support of The Thomas Howell’s Education Fund for North Wales, to write this piece based on Pack up Your Troubles in Your Old Kit Bag which will have different parts for different abilities so everyone can take part.

“We will have young performers of all ages and abilities joining the workshop and learning the piece which is called Smile, Smile, Smile. It’s going to make it a truly memorable final concert.”

Artistic director Ann Atkinson believes Smile, Smile, Smile will be the perfect way to reflect. She said: “The theme this year is Reflections as we want to look back on the centenary of the end of the Great War, as well as reflecting on life and love.

“The story behind Pack up Your Troubles in Your Old Kit Bag is intriguing and as George and Felix Powell were from St Asaph it’s the perfect way to commemorate their work.

“George, who sang in the cathedral choir, wrote the lyrics under the pseudonym George Asaf, a name he used to reflect his St Asaph birthplace. His brother, Felix, who played the organ in the cathedral aged 11, wrote the music.

“George, who was born in April 1880, was a pacifist and conscientious objector when conscription was introduced in 1916. He died after a long illness in December 1951.

“Felix who was a staff sergeant in the British Army was in the Peacehaven Home Guard in Sussex in World War Two. He committed suicide in 1942 using his own rifle to shoot himself through the heart. He was aged 63. Their history is incredibly sad.”

She added: “I’m delighted with the line-up for this year’s festival and the first concert will feature a world premiere.

“We have a concert called Hymn to the Fallen, a programme of remembrance to commemorate the 100^th anniversary of the Armistice featuring the popular Voces8.

“International pianist Freddy Kempf will perform a concert of music by Chopin and will also perform Ravel’s Le Tombeau de Couperin, which was written in 1917 and is dedicated to friends that perished in the Great War.

“Our festival community choir will perform with Welsh National Opera and we have another world premiere, Materna Requiem, by composer Rebecca Dale.

“We also have a concert called Reflections of Love which will see classical guitarist Craig Ogden and jazz singer Jacqui Dankworth come together to perform a diverse mixture of songs by everyone from Paul Simon and James Taylor to Henry Mancini and Michel Legrand.

“Reflections is a concert featuring soprano Elin Manahan Thomas, pianist Jocelyn Freeman and Family Affair, and on the Saturday evening we will have the Smile, Smile, Smile concert with NEW Sinfonia and the workshop students as well as a performance of the Elgar cello concerto by celebrated cellist Raphael Wallfisch.

“The festival will close on the Sunday with a concert reflecting on the centenary of the end of the Great War and will include performances by, Trelawnyd and Bro Glyndŵr Male Voice Choirs, Côr Cytgan Clwyd and A5 Brass Quintet.

“The programme will include a selection of wartime songs and poetry along with works by Barber, Kamen and Karl Jenkins.”

Ann added: “It’s going to be a very special festival this year and there really will be something for everyone. I’d encourage anyone who likes classical and contemporary music to get their tickets as soon as possible to avoid disappointment.”

* Tickets are available online, from Theatr Clwyd, Mold – 01352 701521 or Cathedral Frames, 28 High Street, St Asaph - 01745 582929. To find out more about the North Wales International Music Festival please visit www.nwimf.com.

Hillside fire burns through the night

The large grass fire which began yesterday (Thursday) afternoon appears to be still burning on the hillside near Llantysilio this morning.

A number of fire crews have been battling the blaze the smoke from which is clearly visible from Llangollen town centre.

Kids invited to read their way through summer

Denbighshire libraries are calling for children to sign up to read six books this summer as part of Mischief Makers, Summer Reading Challenge 2018.

The Summer Reading Challenge asks 4-11 year olds to borrow and read any six library books over the summer.

The theme for the 2018 Summer Reading Challenge is Mischief Makers, inspired by the much-loved children's title Beano, which celebrates its 80th anniversary.

Children will explore a map of Beanotown to find a hidden treasure chest full of pranks and become ultimate mischief makers.

As children read library books for the Summer Reading Challenge, they will receive special stickers, some with mysterious smells.

By adding these stickers to their map, young readers will help Dennis, Gnasher and friends solve clues and discover the treasure, having lots of fun and adventures along the way.

To take part in Mischief Makers, all children need to do is sign up at their nearest library for free where they will be given a colourful collector’s map of Beanotown to keep a record of their Summer Reading Challenge journey.

Mischief Makers runs throughout the summer until the end of September and several young people will be volunteering in their local library to help younger children take part in the challenge.

In Wales the Summer Reading Challenge is fully bilingual and supported by Welsh Government through the Welsh Books Council.

Sue Wilkinson, CEO of The Reading Agency said: “At The Reading Agency, we believe that everything changes when we read and we know from our research how much fun families and children have when taking part in the Challenge. Mischief Makers offers intergenerational appeal and we hope this family friendly, accessible theme will inspire more children than ever to read over the holidays and make use of their local library throughout the summer and beyond."

Councillor Richard Mainon, Cabinet Lead Member for Developing Community Infrastructure, said:  “The Summer Reading Challenge is great fun and helps children discover new books and authors for themselves. We’re looking forward to welcoming them to their local library again this year - last year over 3,000 children took part.”

Firefighters battle grass blaze near Llantysilio

Firefighters have spent the afternoon battling a large grass blaze on the hillside near Llantysilio.

Thick smoke can clearly be seen from Llangollen town centre.

Waste collection drop-in session planned

A series of drop –in sessions are being arranged across Denbighshire to answer questions from the public about proposed changes to recycling and waste collections.

The proposed changes to the recycling service will provide residents with:

• a new weekly collection for recyclables such as paper, glass, cans, and plastic
• a weekly collection for food waste
• a new fortnightly collection for clothes and small electrical items

With 64% of waste already being recycled and a weekly recycling collection with extra capacity there should only be small amounts of non-recyclable waste left in the black bin. 

The council is therefore proposing to change the collection of non-recyclable waste to every four weeks.  Instead of the current 140 litre black bins, the Council would provide new, larger 240 litre black bins instead.

The local drop-in session will take place at Llangollen Health Centre on Tuesday July 31, from 9.30-11.30am.

County warns over bogus tax calls

Scammers claiming to be from HM Revenue & Customs (HMRC) are targeting people in Denbighshire and neighbouring authorities by attempting to trick them into paying bogus debts and taxes.

Denbighshire Trading Standards have received reports of the bogus phone calls from worried residents, who got in touch following warnings of similar calls being made across the country in recent weeks.

The fraudsters told their intended victims that they had unpaid tax bills and demanded immediate payment. One individual was told that they owed £860 in income tax payments and they would be taken to court if she did not pay immediately.

Payment has been requested in a number of formats including buying ITunes Vouchers that someone would call and collect.

Fortunately at this time residents reporting the matter have realised it was a scam and refused to hand any money over.

Denbighshire Trading Standards are issuing a warning today to help prevent others falling for the con.  

A spokesman said: “A genuine representative of HMRC would never call and ask for your bank details or for payment in iTunes vouchers.

“Be wary of any caller who asks you to give personal or financial details over the phone – wherever they claim to be from. “If you believe it may be a genuine call from your bank, a retailer where you have an account or a Government body, hang up and call them back later – and look up the contact details yourself rather than using a number the caller has given you.

“If they’re genuine they won’t have a problem with this and you could save yourself from handing over your hard earned cash to a scammer.”

“We would also ask that you pass on the details of this scam to any neighbours or relatives that you may have, we need to spread this message to any individuals who may be vulnerable or may not have access to online media.  Anyone who receives a call that they are suspicious about is asked to call Action Fraud on 0300 123 2040 or report it online.

Public express their views on town centre traffic

* People gather at the drop-in session outside the Town Hall yesterday.

The public have given their views on the future of traffic management in Llangollen.

A stream of people expressed their opinions to consultants who ran a drop-in session outside the Town Hall yesterday (Tuesday) afternoon.

Representatives from Arcadis (Consulting) are currently looking at traffic issues in the area with financial support from Cadwyn Clwyd, the Welsh Government, the European Union Rural Development Fund, Denbighshire County Council, Llangollen Town Council and the Clwydian Range and Dee Valley Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty.  

Interested parties were invited to write down their suggestions to solve congestion and improve traffic flow on post-it notes and then fix them to a large map of the town centre spread out on a table.

llanblogger took a note of some of the suggestions which included:

* “Underground car park or @ pavilion”

* “Make parking regulations at Aldi/Home Bargains car park clear for local shoppers and not just Aldi/HB”

* There were a number of post-it notes concerned with parking along Castle Street, including “Stop parking on Castle Street between 10.00 – 16.00. This would avoid congestion but still allow parking for disabled”

* “Unrealistic but cover Oak Street and make it pedestrian only street”

* “Multi-storey car park at Smithfield 1 down 1 ground 1up”

* “Roundabout at A5/Castle Street”

* “Demolish the old Smithfield pub remove old prison and rebuild it elsewhere. Build a roundabout in this area. Perfect”

Llangollen county councillor Graham Timms, who was at the drop-in session, said it had been a worthwhile exercise.   

He said earlier: “Arcadis are in the process of speaking to residents, businesses and visitors before they start to draw up their suggestions to make the town better for all.

“The event gave the opportunity for everyone to voice their opinions on problems in the centre of the town and how they might be improved.

“Last Friday and Saturday Arcadis carried out a survey at three major junctions - Castle Street/Abbey Road, Castle Street/A5 Regent Street and Market Street/A5 Berwyn Road. 

“The video evidence will be analysed by Arcadis using computer modelling to help them to better understand the issues with congestion and traffic flow through the town.

“We're expecting a further consultation in the late summer on the ideas that Arcadis put forward. A final report will be produced for the end of September 2018.

“The Llangollen 2020 working group wants to ensure that everyone can take part before the planning phase begins.”

As part of the same exercise local people are being encouraged to take part in an online survey which can be found at: https://www.surveymonkey.co.uk/r/Llangollen2020

There will also be Facetime sessions, details of which are due to be given on social media. 

* The public's ideas were written on post-it notes and stuck on a map of the town centre.

Some of the notes are pictured below.

Public urged to take part in waste survey

Denbighshire County Council is reminding residents of a survey about proposed changes to recycling and waste collections in the county and urging them to get involved.

The proposed changes to the recycling service will provide residents with:

• a new weekly collection for recyclables such as paper, glass, cans, and plastic
• a weekly collection for food waste
• a new fortnightly collection for clothes and small electrical items

With 64% of waste already being recycled and a weekly recycling collection with extra capacity there should only be small amounts of non-recyclable waste left in the black bin. 

The Council is therefore proposing to change the collection of non-recyclable waste to every four weeks.  Instead of the current 140 litre black bins, the Council would provide new, larger 240 litre black bins instead.

Councillor Brian Jones, Cabinet Lead Member for Highways, Planning and Sustainable Travel, said: “Over 1,700 residents have already got involved in the survey and shared information on recycling and waste collections. We’d like to thank them for their feedback, as the information already received gives us a snapshot of people’s views. We were already aware of some of the issues raised and all the feedback will be considered when the survey closes.

“To make sure we develop the right model for Denbighshire, we want to understand more about people’s recycling needs, hear about any potential impacts these proposed changes may have on households and to work with communities to manage the proposed changes”.

People can complete the online questionnaire available on the Council’s website: www.denbighshire.gov.uk/recyclemore.  Alternatively, people can pick up a copy of the survey at One Stop Shops and libraries across the county.

The Council would expect that any proposed change would take place in 2020.

Play revives golden Fifties memories

* The cast of Smiling in the Sunlight Laughing in the Rain.

A group of lively youngsters put the clock back over 60 years at Llangollen Methodist Church last night (Monday).

About a dozen members of Llangollen Operatic Society’s junior section, the Young ‘Uns, revived memories of the early 1950s in a half-hour playlet called Smiling in the Sunlight Laughing in the Rain.

All the sketches were based on local recollections of what it was like to be a child in this town in the decade after World War Two when mobile phones and social media had never even been dreamt of.

The trip down memory lane started with an evocation of a local junior school class where the teacher ruled her young charges with iron discipline.

The appreciative audience was then taken to the local grocer’s shop where another well-remembered lady dispensed her goods without the aid of an electronic till - but never on a Wednesday which was half-day closing.

By the mircale of imagination it was then Christmas in 1950s Llan where the kids opened the presents while mum put the finishing touches to cooking the chicken - apparently, turkey was only for the well-off back then.

Along with the kids we then boarded an ancient charabanc to be transported to Rhyl for a day out of paddling and sand castles.

This was a marvellous interlude of golden memories presented by a talented bunch of children and well put together by Pam Williams of the Operatic and other helpers.

County looks at boosting car charging points

Denbighshire County Council could play an increasing role in tackling climate change .

It is currently looking at the possibility of increasing the number of electrical vehicle charging points (pictured) across the county and evaluating the use of potential alternative fuel sources to run its fleet of vehicles.

Plaid Cymru Councillor Mabon ap Gwynfor, Llandrillo/Cynwyd, called on the council to look at the issue of electrical charging points and fuel used for its own vehicles.

Council officers will draw up papers on both issues for discussion at a Scrutiny Committee.

Cllr ap Gwynfor said: “We need to wean ourselves off of fossil fuels, which is causing huge damage to the environment. Man-made global warming is one of the biggest threats facing us today. It’s already causing havoc to coastal communities, affecting our health and wellbeing and is the cause of many wars across the globe.

"Sea levels are set to rise, and we could see further damage to communities on the Denbighshire coast over the coming decades unless we do something about this issue.

“It’s also clear that the direction of travel as far as vehicle fuel is concerned is away from fossil fuel, so Denbighshire County Council needs to be prepared for that eventuality and ensure that it builds up a fleet of vehicles that are not dependent on fossil fuels.”

Research conducted by HSBC showed that only 31 publicly-funded charging points are available in Wales, compared with 2,862 in England, 743 in Scotland and 185 in Northern Ireland. That’s 1 charging point per 100,000 people in Wales (1).

Cllr ap Gwynfor added: “There’s an opportunity here to look at developing electric vehicle charging points across Denbighshire. It’s very difficult for rural communities like the ones I represent to move away from diesel or petrol because the infrastructure isn’t yet in place to enable people to charge electric vehicles.

"Denbighshire County Council could lead the way and help our communities to transition to electric. It would also help the Council to achieve its ambition of reducing CO2 emissions as well.”

Up to 10,000 expected at LlanBikeFest 2018

Up to 10,000 people are expected to visit LlanBikeFest 2018 –  the Llangollen Motorcycle Festival – at the town’s Royal International Pavilion on August 4 and 5.
 
Special guest and TT legend John McGuinness said. “I will definitely be at LlanBikeFest. It’s a weekend of fun and a great family affair.”


He will be joined by British Superbike champion John Reynolds and British Superbike star Steve Plater. 

LlanBikeFest director John Hutchinson said: “We had 7,000 visitors last year and all the signs are that there will be thousands more in 2018.

"We are Wales’s biggest festival that celebrates everything people love about bikes – a great weekend for families as well as bike enthusiasts, with free entry for accompanied children aged 16 and under.
 
“There’s lots to see and do -  hundreds of motorcycles of every type on show, spectacular riding displays, birds of prey, rides and children’s entertainments, plus a great line-up of bands both days.

"One of the biggest attractions for bikers is that we are set amongst some of the best biking roads in Britain – and Llangollen is a lovely, biker-friendly town. We’ll also be raising lots of money for Wales Air Ambulance.” 

Star entertainments will include jaw-dropping stunts by champion trails rider Steve Colley and Savage Skills (pictured), the UK’s leading freestyle mountain bike team, plus beautiful birds from the Talonted Feathers falconry. 

LlanBikeFest is open 9.00am to 6.00pm Saturday, with a beer and bands party starting at 6.00pm Saturday included in the day ticket.

It will be opened officially by Llangollen Mayor John Haddy and Town Crier Chem Cheminais at 11.00am. Sunday, 9.00am to 5.00pm, with awards for exhibitors’ bikes presented by John McGiuinness in the afternoon.