Thousands expected for 2018 Christmas Festival

* Last year's Christmas lights switch-on.

* Last year's parade passes the Town Hall.

Thousands of seasonal revellers are expected to come flocking to Llangollen for the town’s annual Christmas Festival on Saturday November 24.

Kicking off at 1pm with the famous parade which sees Sion Corn - the Welsh Santa – being escorted into town over the historic bridge by a colourful cavalcade of entertainers and local groups, the event features children’s fairground rides and games, circus acts, a magician, dancing and face painting.

There will also be a chance for youngsters to visit Sion Corn in his glorious grotto and put in their early requests from what they’d like to see him bring them on Christmas morning. 

During the afternoon visitors can look forward to an eclectic mix of musical entertainment from local groups on two outdoor stages and other on-street entertainment.

The fun-packed day rounds off at 5pm with the ceremonial switching on of Llangollen’s legendary Christmas lights and a firework extravaganza. 

Llangollen Christmas Festival is organised by a group of dedicated community volunteers. It costs over £4,000 to stage each year and is self-funding.

The festival aims to provide a free family-orientated event in the safety of the town centre with surplus funds being donated to Wales Air Ambulance and local community groups.

Over the last couple of years the police have estimated that the spectacular event draws over 2,000 people into town during the course of the afternoon.

For the second year the festival has teamed up with Light Up Local Food, a project aimed at promoting Llangollen-based food and drink producers.

Chairman of the festival committee Austin ‘Chem’ Cheminais, who is also the local town crier and a member of the town council, said: “With the help of the community we manage, each year, to raise just about enough to fund the event and give a little to charity.

“Last year’s festival was particularly successful, in spite of the weather, and the feedback from those attending was very positive.

“The ‘market’ feel to the event provided by Light UP Local Food was particularly commented upon and helped to attract visitors from much further afield.

“Once again we’re expecting a bumper crowd to come along and help us to give a great early start to Christmas.” 

Lifesaving spray "should be carried by our cops"

* North Wales PCC Arfon Jones.

The nasal spray that saved the life of  multi-million selling American pop star Demi Lovato should be carried by every police officer in North Wales, according to the region’s policing boss.

The 25-year-old Grammy-nominated singer and actor, a star of X Factor USA, collapsed after a suspected overdose at her Hollywood home in July and was revived by a paramedic using a naloxone spray.

Now North Wales Police and Crime Commissioner Arfon Jones has joined the campaign to have all police officers equipped with the spray which is used as an antidote to opiate drug overdoses of substances like heroin, fentanyl and prescription painkillers.

He said: “In the past delivering an antidote to a heroin overdose involved giving an injection and I can understand the reluctance of police officers to administering what is a medical procedure.

“But naloxone can be given on the scene of a suspected opiate overdose with a simple nasal spray and in a country where there are well over 1,000 deaths a year from this kind of overdose it makes sense.

“Police officers are in the business of helping people and by allowing our officers in North Wales and elsewhere in the UK to carry naloxone sprays we would be saving lives in a country where far too many are lost to overdoses.”

Mr Jones, a former police inspector with North Wales Police, is backing the campaign by Derbyshire PCC Hardyal Dhindsa, the Association of PCC’s Alcohol and Substance Misuse Lead.

Mr Dhindsa said: “The increased threat of super-strength opiates such as Fentanyl and Carfentanyl, which can cause an accidental overdose even for those with a higher opioid resistance, further highlights how providing an effective first response to these overdoses is only going to get more important in the coming years.

“A key tool to preventing these deaths from overdose is the opioid-suppressant naloxone. This drug is used to inhibit the effects of opiates, such as heroin and morphine, and can stop an overdose in its tracks, providing a crucial window for getting medical assistance to the patient.”

Naloxone acts by preventing opiates, which affect the brain’s control of respiration, from slowing or even shutting down breathing, the most common cause of drug-related death.

It can be given with a simple nasal spray and has been listed by the World Health Organisation as an essential medicine and is recommended by health experts at the Advisory Council for the Misuse of Drugs and Public Health England on the basis of the difference it has made and the lives it has saved both at home and abroad.

Arfon Jones added: “One third of all European drug related deaths happen in the UK and many of these are as a result of overdoes of heroin and other opiates and as police officers are often the first on the scene of such cases it makes sense that they should be able to give the simple treatment that can make a life-saving difference.

“Time is critical in these incidents and so police officers need to be given the tools to protect the public.

“Up until three years ago it could only be given by injection but now nasal sprays are available and even if the person concerned hasn’t taken an opiate naloxone won’t have an effect or cause harm.”

Humorist to guest with Llandegla music club

Humorist and performance poet Les Barker (pictured) will appear as guest of Llandegla All Styles Music Club at the Memorial Hall, Llandegla at 8pm on Monday October 15.

The evening's programme also includes singers and musicians. There is a raffle and admission is £5.                      

Hailing from Manchester but now living in Bwlchgwyn as well as touring Britain, Les has also performed in Hong Kong, Australia, New Zealand, the USA and Canada.

He has published 75 books to date and has released 20 albums. 

A club spokesman said: "Les has a worldwide reputation for leaving his audiences helpless with laughter, from here to the other side of the world

"With doors at 7.30 and a prompt start, at 8pm, we hope to fit in some singers as well, so bring your instruments.

"We're very sorry to report that the guests we had booked for our next event, Fiddlestone, are unable to perform, owing to the hospitalisation of one of their members. 

"We wish him well and hope to host Fiddlestone in the New Year."

Christmas card competition launched by AM and MP

* Ken Skates AM and Susan Elan Jones MP with artist Larrie Beattie from Penycae, who won the 2015 competition for artists of all ages.

Schoolchildren are being asked to show their artistic side and design a Christmas card which will be sent to hundreds of homes.

Clwyd South AM Ken Skates and MP Susan Elan Jones are inviting pupils of every infant and primary school in their constituency to enter – and there are prizes to be won.

The winning design will get pride of place on the Labour pair’s official Clwyd South Christmas card and will be sent out to constituents, businesses, schools and voluntary groups.

Ken said: “It might seem a bit early with the summer holidays only just over, but we have to set a deadline of almost six weeks before Christmas to make we have enough time to get our cards printed and posted in time – it’s a big job!
“Whenever we have run this competition the children always enter into the spirit. We’re very grateful to the teachers for encouraging them to take part and for helping them.”

Susan added: “The competition is a fun way for schoolchildren in Clwyd South to learn a little bit about who represents them. A number of local companies have generously offered to sponsor the competition, so there will be prizes and certificates too. 
“We’ve had some wonderful designs in previous years and I’m looking forward to seeing what the children come up with this year.”

* The competition closes on Friday, November 16, and children can ask their teachers or parents/guardians to send their designs to Mr Skates’ constituency office at Unit 22, The Malthouse, Regent Street, Llangollen, LL20 8HS.

Any local companies who would like to co-sponsor the competition and have their logo feature on the card can email ken.skates@assembly.wales

Museum launches its latest art competition

Thai firm stirs up food festival excitement

* Dtoi Harvey will bring her Authentic Thai Cuisine to Llangollen Food Festival.

A Thai food producer which has tripled in size in 11 years is to launch a brand new chicken satay starter to satisfy a growing appetite for its honest cooking.

Authentic Thai Cuisine, based in Llanferres, in Flintshire, will be unveiling the new appetiser at the Llangollen Food Festival which provides a showcase for the company.

The starter has been developed to add to its array of frozen curries, noodle dishes and sauces as part of a plan to encourage customers to make a banquet out of its products.

The business, which was launched by Dtoi Harvey 11 years ago while she was employed as a full-time nursery nurse in Wrexham, currently produces more than 300 curries, 80 noodle dishes and up to 50 side dishes every week which it supplies to farm shops and food outlets across North Wales – three times the amount produced in its first two years.

Its reputation has grown significantly since first exhibiting at the food festival three years ago and the firm now employs seven part-time staff while boasting a growing list of suppliers – the most recent of which is based in Chester.

Owner Dtoi, 57, said a recent grant from Denbighshire County Council had enabled the business to purchase a walk-in freezer and increase its production capacity as well as the shelf life of its dishes. It has also led to the launch of new appetiser dishes including chicken satay.

The mother-of-one is excited about launching the dish at Llangollen Food Festival which she credits as winning her business far and wide.

“The festival has been really important to my business. You have to be known to be a success. Some of my suppliers are based in the middle of a field. They would never have known about my food had it not been for the festival introducing them to me,” said the former language support worker, who has a son, Tom, aged 21.

“It’s so important to get out there and meet people as well as present my cooking. I’m really looking forward to bringing my chicken satay there and presenting it to a wider audience.

“People can now make a banquet out of our products which is really exciting. The idea is that people who are really busy can enjoy themselves and contribute to their dinner party rather than being stuck in the kitchen.

“There seems to be a growing demand for good quality Thai cuisine which can be heated at home. I have people who order meals to take to Scotland or London on holiday or on business which is a great compliment.”

Llangollen Food Festival, which will be held at the iconic Royal International Pavilion Llangollen on October  13 and 14, was founded in 1997 and has gone from strength to strength, annually attracting thousands of food lovers from far and wide.

As a result, it’s been named as one of the Top 10 food festivals in the UK by the Independent and Daily Telegraph newspapers, pumping almost £400,000 into the local economy every year.

Dtoi, who was born near Bangkok in southern Thailand before moving to the UK 30 years ago, worked as a nursery nurse/language support worker for 15 years, helping foreign children in the area adjust to school life and alleviate language barriers.

It was while helping GCSE home economics pupils in the school kitchens she rediscovered her love of cooking authentic Thai food and the idea for her own food label was born.

To begin with Dtoi, who lives with her husband Graham, an engineer, donated her culinary creations to friends, family and community events to gauge feedback before formally going into business.

Now, 11 years later, she’s swapped the humble setting of her home kitchen for a self-contained unit in the garden and is responsible for seven part-time employees.

What hasn’t changed is the honesty of her cooking which remains preservative and additive-free (some dishes are also gluten, wheat and dairy-free) and emphasises the therapeutic, medicinal properties of the traditional herbs and spices to reflect her Thai culture.

“I’m really excited about launching this new starter at Llangollen Food Festival. I’m really the only person in the business who can talk in-depth about my products and the detailed cooking process so it’s important I’m there.

 “All of my ingredients are helpful emotionally and physically. Turmeric, for example, is a natural antiseptic and helpful for balancing hormones in women and men. Lemon grass as well as shallot and garlic soup is great for settling tummy aches. I understand the properties of the ingredients I use which is why I love coming to festivals and talking about it to my customers.” 

She also uses local producers where possible including J Williams & Co Butchers in Denbigh and fresh vegetables from Mold.

Among her growing list of products is massaman curry, traditional Thai red curry, green curry and yellow curry, vegetable spring rolls and her popular homemade sweet chilli sauce.

Phil Davies, a member of the committee at Llangollen Food Festival, said: "Companies like Authentic Thai Cuisine are what we are all about.

"We're particularly proud that we have been able to provide a shop window for Dtoi’s fantastic culinary talents and that we have helped her company develop and grow.”

* To find out more about Llangollen Food Festival go to: www.llangollenfoodfestival.com

Tourism sector event for the county

Businesses have the opportunity to boost their digital skills for free as Google brings Google Digital Garage to Denbighshire in October.

The Denbighshire Tourism Forum and Google Digital Garage takes place on October 10 at the Oriel House, St Asaph.

With a line-up of guest speakers including representatives from Visit Wales presenting on investment opportunities for businesses, Keep Tidy Wales and Surfers Against Sewage sharing their experiences of working towards plastic free status in their towns, it promises to be a key event for those involved in the tourism sector.

Three free Google Digital Garage sessions will be available during the afternoon. ‘Build a Digital Marketing Plan’ gives small businesses an introduction to the main digital marketing channels and how to use them to build a strategy.

‘Know your Business with Data’ will explore how Google Analytics can help uncover trends about customers, including how people use websites to interact with businesses online. Finally, the Social Media Strategy session will explore how to create a social media strategy based on business goals.

The event offers a great opportunity for delegates to network and share experiences, knowledge and ideas.

A variety of information stands will be present including Business Wales, Urdd Gobaith Cymru, SC2, Development Bank Wales, Clwydian Range Tourism Group and many more.

Councillor Hugh Evans OBE, Leader of Denbighshire County Council, said: “The Tourism Forum is a great way to meet like-minded people and find out about the latest tourism developments.

“The Google Digital Garage visiting Denbighshire is a great opportunity for businesses, students and people looking to gain new skills and knowledge. It’s a great benefit for local businesses to see how they can reach more customers and increase their business potential.”

Ronan Harris, Google UK & Ireland Managing Director, said: 'In the digital age, a basic understanding of how the online world works is useful and when it comes to business, it’s essential.

"We are delighted to bring the Google Digital Garage to Denbighshire and ensure everyone has access to free digital skills workshops. We hope you'll pop in and get the skills you need to become more confident online, grow your career or business, and maybe even launch the next big idea."

In the last two years, over 200,000 people across the UK have benefitted from Google’s free face-to-face training on digital know-how.

* To book a place at the Denbighshire Tourism Forum and/or Google Digital Garage please visit https://denbighshiretourismforumandgoogledigitalgarage.eventbrite.co.uk

Aerial view of Corwen rail project

* Looking east, showing the new subway in the foreground.

* Looking west with the water tower.

Llangollen Railway volunteer Dewi Davies used his drone to take some high-level pictures of the
Corwen station works site at the end of August.

They show how much civil engineering has taken place to alter the former single line embankment to accept the need for an island platform set within the two lines which form the terminal loop.

The first picture views the site from the west, Green Lane end, looking towards Carrog and shows the platform construction with the subway access in the foreground.

The wall for platform 2 on the right is complete and the wall for platform 1 on the left is under construction. The area in between is  being infilled and compacted with spoil to a depth of 5ft. When complete, the area will need to be paved to provide for a surface suitable for passengers. 

All this work is being undertaken by the project's team of volunteers, aided by contractors as necessary.

The cost of the platform infill is being meet through donations to the Tenner for a Tonne Appeal which, so far, has raised nearly £10k and remains open for further support to the Corwen Central Railway Project c/o 'Dolwen', Bryn Eglwys, Corwen LL21 9LY.

It is intended that the area around the subway will be provided with a canopy and installation of heritage style of columns will be a task for the future. In the meantime, the set of eight columns have been cleaned up and conserved by a Llangollen Railway volunteer.

The passenger facilities and the booking office will be provided in a temporary building now on site below the embankment which is externally finished in a railway livery of brown and cream with a new water proof roof attached. The internal layout will be organised by Corwen station staff during the coming winter in time for the opening next year on a date to be announced.

The second picture views the site from the east end looking towards the recently installed water tank as constructed by contractors at Rhosllanerchrugog earlier this year. The tank will receive its water supply from a nearby borehole situated in the pumphouse on the left.

The area in the foreground will shortly see the installation of the track work to complete the loop line and connection to the track in platform 2 on the left. Completion of platform 1 to the right of the water tank will follow.

However, before this work is tackled, it is necessary to bring in the signalbox cabin from its storage place at Carrog and mount it on the prepared base to the right of the site - a job for the autumn.

Completion of this work during the autumn will eventually allow for the gap in the embankment behind the camera to be infilled and the 150 yards connection made to the railhead at Dwyrain Corwen East temporary platform. Ballasting and tamping of the new track layout will then follow before it is declared operational next year.

Subject to completion of the outstanding work, and the continuing provision of resources - manpower, materials and finance - the aim is to open the terminal in 2019. Then a basic station facility will be available for trains to stop adjacent to the town's car park and bus interchange.

With a stop-over time in the station of 20 minutes, whilst the locomotive detaches and runs round to reconnect at the rear of the train, passengers will have time to alight relative to the town centre. 

A Llangollen Railway spokesman said. "For 2019 the need is to attract further passengers to join the train at Corwen from a new segment of the tourist market in North-west Wales and beyond.

"Additional passenger numbers travelling on the Llangollen Railway through the Dee Valley Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty is key to the continuing success of the line, justifying the considerable expense which the extension of the line from Carrog has involved over the past eight years of its construction.

"As with other heritage railway schemes, the initial basic facility at the Corwen station will be enhanced as resources allow with the eventual provision of a purpose built station building, subject to obtaining planning consent and grant aid."

Craig's big bank job pays healthy dividends

llanblogger takes an exclusive look inside the new business
in the old HSBC bank which is now rapidly nearing completion

* Craig Forde in the coffee shop-tearoom with its hand-made furniture and fittings.

* One of the shower suites housed in the basement. 

* The large front en suite including an original 1830 ceiling beam.

* Extensive work goes on at the back of the building.

A MAN who originally came to work in a Llangollen youth hostel and liked the place so much he’s stayed 21 years is now putting the finishing touches to his “dream” business in one of the town’s old banks.

Craig Ford and his team of contractors have spent the past eight months ripping apart and rebuilding the former HSBC in Bridge Street as an impressive new enterprise called appropriately Riverbanc as it backs directly onto the mighty Dee.

The imposing five-storey building, which dates back to 1830, was vacated after protests by local people in February 2014.

But it’s now been given a fresh lease of life and is a major investment by Craig and his wife Hannah who is also his business partner.

* Craig hopes to turn Riverbanc

into a local hub. 

Its many internal rooms have been thoughtfully planned to accommodate two separate operations – a coffee bar/tea room complete with its own chef and a new home for the Fordes’ existing and thriving outdoor activities companies, Whitewater Active and Safe and Sound Outdoors.

Craig is originally from Newcastle-upon-Tyne and worked in various places around the country until he signed up for six weeks as an activity instructor at the former Llangollen Youth Hostel, then located at Tyn Dwr Hall, back in 1997.

He enjoyed being in the area so much he decided to stay and settle down, splitting his year between working at restaurants in the Alps in winter and Llangollen in summer.

Deciding it would be perfect for his requirements he made his pitch for the old bank building not too long after it went on sale and eventually sealed the deal in March last year. However, it wasn’t until last Christmas that he finally secured planning permission for the ambitious scheme he had in mind.

A team from G Construction based in Weston Rhyn moved in to start the massive facelift job last February and are now coming to the end of the project.

Craig said: “We’ve virtually ripped the place apart but in the most sympathetic way possible, preserving parts of the old building such as the huge original oak beams in a number of places and, of course, the huge steel-doored safe which we’ll use as a storeroom.

“The place had always been a bank, starting off as a branch of the North and South Wales Bank and going through various incarnations over the years.

“We’ve renewed about 70 per cent of the floor and taken all the walls back to the brick, putting in proper insulation. It’s a traditional build but done up to modern standards.”

It might surprise some people to learn that because of the way the building is terraced down towards the river at the back, it has large cellars on two levels – both virtually unused during bank days

The upper part of the basement will be used for storing equipment for the activity centre and there are also be changing rooms along with two sets of showers and toilets. At the rear this area sweeps out through a door onto a picnic area.  

The lower cellar will be another storage area, mainly for wetsuits connected with the activity business. Again, leading off will be another patio area.

Pride of place back up at street level goes to the coffee shop/tea rooms which will run independently from the Fordes’ other business.

Seating 30 in the front and another 30 on a deck over the river, this has been smartly fitted out with counters hand made in the shaker style and heavy wooden benches specially crafted for Craig.   

From its fully-fitted kitchen it will serve breakfasts, lunches and brunches prepared by resident chef Alison Evans who has worked at a number of eateries in the Llangollen area, including the Bryn Howell where she trained under the famous Dai Chef.

While customers will feed into the new eatery through the front door of the former bank a new main entrance has been created – out of what was the manager’s office - just along the front of the building for the activity business customers, who will also be able to gain access along a passage leading to another door at the side.

Up on the first floor are three en suite bedrooms and a large training room which can be hired out fully equipped including a wall-screen.

The top floor has four more en suite bedrooms, including a very large family room at the front of the building overlooking Bridge Street.

Craig said: “The bedrooms, half of which overlook the river and the other half the street, would ideally suit our activity customers but are really for everyone.

“I believe there’s a definite lack of accommodation in Llangollen, where for seven or eight months of the year most places are fully booked. I wanted to try and do something about that.”

Craig has created five new jobs with his enterprise, which includes four in the coffee shop/tea rooms over the winter and six on the activity side.

He said: “We started our activity businesses 15 years ago but have been renting in various places like the Malthouse in Regent Street and premises in Castle Street since then.

“It was always my dream to have somewhere we owned where we could put our own stamp on things – I just didn’t think it would be this big!  

“But it actually ticks all our boxes and there are so many things we can do with it. It’s in a fantastic place right next to the new Centenary Square and the river.

“It’s also a beautiful building of which we’ve tried to keep as many features as we could.

“It’s now my aim to make it a local hub so everyone can come along and enjoy it”

Craig says he’s aiming to have Riverbanc fully open and ready for business by early next month.

Llan businesses invited to join Christmas promotion

Businesses in Llangollen are being given the chance help promote their towns over the festive period.

As part of the #LoveLiveLocal campaign, Denbighshire County Council is looking for traders to act as social media ambassadors to appear in short video clips to highlight what the county has to offer shoppers.

#LoveLiveLocal aims to get people to show support for local independent businesses by using the hashtag on Twitter and Facebook to share good experiences they’ve had as well as promote products and services locally they have ‘loved’.

The Council is looking for businesses who would like to take part by talking passionately about what their high street has to offer.

Councillor Hugh Evans OBE, Leader of Denbighshire, said: “With Christmas on its way the Council is already preparing to help promote our local traders this festive period as part of our work to create resilient communities.

“We are helping to highlight the great retail offer right here in Denbighshire and encourage shoppers to see what is on their local high streets.

“Not only do local businesses offer great value for money and a wide range of products, they also provide excellent customer service.

“I’d encourage businesses to put themselves forward so we can showcase our fantastic Denbighshire businesses.”

The videos will appear on social media throughout the Christmas period to help promote shopping locally.

* If you would like to take part in the video contact econdev@denbighshire.gov.uk or phone 01824 706896.

Childcare funding gets county go-ahead

Denbighshire County Council has confirmed that the roll-out of the Welsh Government’s 30 hours a week funded education and childcare in Wales will be introduced in the county in January 2019, with the whole county benefitting from the roll-out at the same time.

In 2017 the Welsh Government (WG) pledged to offer 30 hours a week of government-funded early education and childcare to eligible working parents of three and four year olds, for 48 weeks of the year by September 2020.

Children will be eligible to access the offer from the beginning of the term following their third birthday until the September following their fourth birthday.

Eligible children will be entitled to up to 20 free hours of childcare during term time, on top of the 10 hours already provided by the Foundation Phase. During the school holidays, when there is no early education, the offer will provide 30 hours a week of childcare for up to nine weeks. Parents are able to choose any registered childcare setting that suits their personal and family circumstance, whether inside or outside of county, in agreement with the provider and the local authority.

Those not currently accessing the 10 hours a week free childcare provided by the Foundation Phase will be able to apply for 20 hours free childcare, as part of the scheme.

To be eligible for free childcare, parents/ guardians must meet a set of criteria: their child must be aged 3 or 4; parents/ guardians work and earn the equivalent of at least 16 hours at national living wage or national minimum wage, or are in receipt of specific caring benefits and they must live in Denbighshire.

Councillor Huw Hilditch-Roberts, Cabinet Lead Member for Education, Children, Young People and the Welsh Language, said: “We are delighted to be able to share this positive news.

“The aim of the Childcare Offer is to allow eligible parents to have more employment choices, increase their disposable income to help counteract poverty for those in low paid jobs and ensure that quality early education and childcare is provided to promote child development and prepare them for early education.

“Denbighshire County Council have worked hard with Welsh Government to lobby for the families in the county to benefit from the offer.”

Denbighshire will have the role of ‘Engagement Authority’ and will be sharing information and promoting the offer to parents/ guardians and to childcare providers within the county.

Information about the registration process will be publicised in due course but in the meantime, general information on childcare can be found on our website www.denbighshire.gov.uk/childcare

 

Llangollen Round presents £65,000 cheque to cancer charity

* James Rogers from Cancer Research UK accepts the £65,000

cheque from organisers Judy Smith and Sandra Woodhall (right).

The third annual Llangollen Round Challenge scooped a record £65,000 for Cancer Research UK.

About 400 walkers from across Britain slogged it out in the gruelling challenge on the weekend of June 2 and 3 with the aim of covering a tough 35-mile course through the hills around the town in either one or two days.

About 200 of the intrepid trekkers did it in just one day, with Anton Wouters from Ellesmere in Shropshire recording the best time of seven hours and seven minutes.

The organisers, Sandra Woodhall and Judy Smith, said “We’ve staged this triennial walk three times now and were delighted to raise £65,000 this year following £43,000 in 2015 and £37,000 in 2012.”

“As well as local people we had walkers from right across the country, including London, Dorset, Somerset, Cambridge and Glasgow. They ranged in age from 15 to their eighties and there were a number of family groups involved.

“Helping to make everything go smoothly was over 100 volunteers who took on tasks such as marshalling, manning checkpoints around the course, driving, catering and administration.

“We also received strong support from a number of local firms such as Spar and Aldi in Llangollen, Tesco at Cefn Mawr, Nisa Store in Ruabon, Arla Cheese in Oswestry, Warburtons and Severn Trent Water.

“I’d like to thank everyone who took part in the challenge and the volunteers for all they did to make the event such a big success.”

James Rogers, local fundraising manager for Cancer Research UK, came over to Llangollen from his base in Herefordshire to receive the £65,000 cheque from the challenge organisers.

A book detailing the Llangollen Round, all proceeds from which go to Cancer Research UK, is available priced £7 including P&P. It can be ordered online at: http://www.thellangollenround.info/how-to-order.html    

* Anton Wouters (centre, wearing headband) celebrates his best time achievement with fellow walkers and challenge officials. Picture: Barrie Potter.

Minister reviews progress on Corwen station project

* Ken Skates AM looks at aerial views of the works area taken by Dewi Davies using a drone at the end of August.

Ken Skates AM, Welsh Cabinet Secretary for the Economy and Transport, visited the Corwen station works site and viewed progress with the building of the new platform and signalbox installation.

He was given a briefing on progress in preparation for an opening of the new terminus in 2019.

He said: "Completion of Corwen Central station will be a high boost to the railway and the town opening great opportunities for more visitors in 2019."

Project leader Richard Dixon-Gough said: "We were very grateful for the opportunity to update the Cabinet Secretary with details of the progress being made with the new station and our aim to open it for train services next year."

Library knitters make blankets for the Gambia

* Members of the Nitter Natter group at work on the blankets for the Gambia.

The Nitter Natter group which meets each Wednesday at Cefn Mawr Library has been busy knitting and crocheting blankets for needy children in the Gambia.

For the past year about six ladies have been producing the woollen squares which go to make up the multi-coloured blankets.

They say they would welcome donations of wool.

Guardian diarist walks the Vale of Llangollen

The country diarist from the Guardian newspaper has walked the Vale of Llangollen.

For the full story, see: https://www.theguardian.com/travel/2018/sep/24/vale-of-llangollen-wales-walking-route-william-hazlitt

Missing person scheme launched

A scheme which provides valuable information for those who search for missing vulnerable people has been launched in North Wales.

The Herbert Protocol is a national scheme being introduced locally by the North Wales Safeguarding Board and North Wales Police to encourage carers and family members to compile useful key information which could be used in the event of a vulnerable person going missing.

This can include details of places frequented, medication required, general routines , description and recent photograph.

In the event of a family member or friend going missing, the information can easily be sent to frontline police officers and PCSOs, to reduce the time taken in gathering this information and will provide those involved in the search for the missing person with essential information to promote their safe return.

The protocol is named after George Herbert, a war veteran of the D-Day landings in Normandy. He was suffering from dementia when he went missing several years ago.

Neil Ayling, Chief Officer – Social Services at Flintshire County Council and chair of the North Wales Adults Safeguarding Board, said:  “There is nothing more frightening or distressing than when a loved one, friend or neighbour fails to return home when they are expected.

“For people living with someone with dementia, this could be quite common and the Herbert Protocol could give you some peace of mind.  People still need their independence and the protocol can help to reassure their family and friends that, if their loved one does go missing, the information can be passed through swiftly and there is a greater chance of finding them quickly”.

Chief Constable Gareth Pritchard said: “North Wales Police is committed to helping those people with dementia live an independent life for as long as possible.

The Herbert Protocol provides reassurance to families and loved ones, assisting us in obtaining accurate, vital information, giving us the best opportunity to locate the individual as soon as possible.

I would ask those who know someone who is living with dementia to complete the form and keep it safe in the event that they have to report their loved one missing.”

Successful year for Citizens Advice in the county

Citizens Advice Denbighshire secured £7.4 million worth of benefits and credit gains for its clients across the county in the last financial year.

The various branches also handled £6.6 million of debt during the same 12 months and ensured that 64 clients facing repossession received help in court.

These figures are revealed in the latest annual report from the organisation, which gets financial assistance from town councils across Denbighshire, including Llangollen which put in £1,500 last year to ensure the registered charity can continue its good work.

The report also shows that £1.5 million of backdated benefits was received by clients thanks to Citizens Advice intervention.

Over 350 clients were raised out of fuel poverty and two out of three clients said the organisation’s welfare benefit service improved their quality of life.

During the course of the year Citizens Advice helped 5,990 clients with 9,041 enquiries.

A total of  3,391 clients were seeking help with benefit issues and 80 per cent of debt clients said that following the advice process made a lot of difference to their peace of mind.

Others figures revealed in the annual report are that 27 per 10,000 adults in Denbighshire entered insolvency during 2017 – higher than the England and Wales rate of 21.5.

Two in five clients with council tax arrears also had rent appears, according to the report.

Eighty per cent of the welfare benefit appeal and reviews assisted by Citizens Advice were successful.

Family fun day in the Llan woods

* A woodland skills workshop featured in the family fun day in the woods.

The Woodland Trust is hosting a family fun day in Pen y Coed woods off Pengwern Road.

The Tree to Saw event, which goes on until 3.30pm (Saturday) gives people the chance to take the ancient wood returns tour and finish by sawing and chopping their own unseasoned firewood.

They can also see a range of saws in action and make a bird feeder, planter or wood cookies.

Friends of Pengwern have been selling soup, rolls and cakes at their community centre to raise funds for future events.

Lottery players to win free Llan cinema entry

* Hugh Jackman stars in The Greatest Showman.

It's National Lottery Cinema Day on Sunday September 30 and selected cinemas up and down the UK are offering free entry to those with a valid lotto ticket.

New Dot Cinema Llangollen is holding a special screening  of hit musical The Greatest Showman and invites everyone to come along and enjoy this thrilling movie experience.

Inspired by the imagination of P. T. Barnum, The Greatest Showman is an original musical that celebrates the birth of show  business and tells of a visionary who rose from nothing to create a spectacle that became a worldwide sensation.

Starring Hugh Jackman, Michelle Williams, Zak Efron and Zendaya amongst others, this is a high energy circus-fantasy bursting with power pop.

The film aims to champion the 'misfits' of the era. Its Oscar nominated, Golden Globe winning song "This Is Me" has been described as an anthem for the marginalized, disenfranchised, the bullied and the outcast.

The Greatest Showman is an all-singing, all-dancing feel good hit that inspires repeat viewing, sing-a-long screenings and tribute circus costumes.

The screening takes place on Sunday September 30 at Llangollen Town Hall, Castle Street LL20 8NU.

The Greatest Showman is rated PG. Doors and bar open at 7pm with the film starting at 8pm.

* More information can be found on Facebook, Twitter and at www.newdotcinema.org

Important information: all Lotto tickets purchased for draws between September 26 and 29 qualify for free entry for one adult. Under-16s and those without a valid lottery ticket can pay £6 on the door for entry. Tickets for the screening are only available on the day, from 7pm.