Coffee man brews up new blend for food festival

* Coffee man Tim Parry is heading for Llangollen.

A speciality coffee maker who started off roasting coffee beans over a camp stove in his shed is celebrating his sixth anniversary by brewing up a luxurious blend in honour of a top food festival.

Barman turned barista Tim Parry is now producing in one afternoon what he previously made in one week and has moved into an industrial unit in Rhyl.

He originally launched his business, Mug Run Coffee, in December 2013 - and credits top 10 UK food festival Llangollen Food Festival for getting his name on the map.

As a thank you to the festival, he is concocting a new limited-edition blend for this year’s event which will be exclusively available to visitors to the popular food festival.

The event will be held at the international pavilion at Llangollen on Saturday and Sunday, October 19 and 20 and has now been hailed by the Daily Telegraph and the Independent as one of the Top 10 food festivals in the UK.

Although Tim is busy perfecting the final recipe, he has promised to deliver a tantalisingly tasty combination that is a fitting tribute to the Llangollen area.

Welsh-speaking Tim is relishing the chance to return to Llangollen to mingle with fellow food producers and customers again and use his mother tongue.

“The festival really is a great place to be,” said the 40-year-old, who lives in Prestatyn.

“I’ve been coming along for five years now. There are lots of Welsh speakers and it brings lots of local traders together.

“I’ve always had a really positive experience meeting new people there and it’s nice to see the same ones returning every year. It really has helped introduce people to my brand and grow.”

Originally, Tim worked in the hospitality industry, mainly in pubs and bars in Rhyl. But coffee has always been a passion and he continues to have aspirations of owing his own café or shop one day.

When he launched his business in 2014, Tim was working for an agency taking on factory work. Coffee roasting started off as an experiment until he realised the quality of what he was roasting was actually good enough to be sold.

“I’d roast the beans off a camping stove in the shed and pack them in the house,” he said.

“I did a lot of research to find biodegradable, compostable packaging. At that time, there wasn’t too much of it about. When I found the right packaging, I saw some labels which I could print myself and it all came together.”

Tim bought a shed in his back garden and transformed it into a coffee roasting unit.

“Originally, I sold at local craft markets and small events. I was surprised how well it took off. To go from craft markets to quite large events was really something. It was quite a leap forward for me,” he said.

“We’re now selling a lot more. What I used to produce in one week I now produce in an afternoon. It’s going quite well.”

Tim has now moved production to an industrial unit at Morfa Clwyd, Marsh Road, Rhyl, which has freed up some valuable space at home. He has also purchased a pre-loved propane roaster that he has converted to natural gas which has increased his output and aligns with his environmental values to reuse where possible. Tim hopes one day to design and build his own wood-fired roaster to become exclusively off-grid.

He has also discovered a speciality coffee bean importer on the south coast which has enabled him to offer his customers ethically-soured, exotic flavours that are otherwise unavailable.

Tim now offers six speciality blends; Ethiopia, Honduras, East Timor, Sumatra, Rwanda and Honduras Decaf and supplies a growing number of cafes, restaurants and shops in North Wales, Shropshire and Cheshire.

“It’s nice to do a job I love, it doesn’t feel like work,” he said.

The UK has seen a rise in artisan micro-roasters with around 200 now in the UK. As the appetite for good coffee has grown so too has the possibilities for new and exciting flavours.

“At the time I started there was only a few speciality coffee importers,” explained Tim.

“Coffee has changed a lot in the last five or six years. People are becoming more knowledgeable about coffee and understanding the different flavours. It’s like fine wine. 

Some wines have gooseberries or raspberries – the flavours are already locked in there – you have to know how to bring them out and when coffee is brewed correctly all the flavours should come out.

“Coffee has to be well-balanced and not particularly acidic or bitter. You’re trying to get the balance right where all the flavours engage with each other. If you don’t get it right, the flavours fight against each other and it doesn’t make for a pleasant cup of coffee. You have to try different ratios and see what works together.

“My customers like the flavours and the way the beans have been roasted. All the coffees have a very distinctive flavour. It’s nice to see customers trying it and realising how good coffee can actually be with all these unique flavours.”

The name ‘Mug Run Coffee’ was originally coined when Tim contemplated establishing a coffee van. The reaction from friends and family was so positive, Tim decided to stick with it.

He now works five days a week for the business, either in production or selling at local farmer’s markets and stalls, and is expanding at a comfortable pace.

“It’s growing at a steady rate. I have a few restaurants, shops and cafes on-board in Rhyl and across North Wales,” he said.

“I also have some in Cheshire and Shropshire. There have been people from Scotland and the south east and all over who’ve bought my coffee. It’s going well.”

Llangollen Food Festival committee member Phil Davies is looking forward to sampling the festival’s honorary brew.

He said: “It is wonderful to hear success stories from local producers who continue to benefit from the festival exposure. Llangollen really is a fantastic launchpad for new and existing businesses and celebrates the hidden culinary wonders this part of the world has to offer.”

* For more information about the Llangollen Food Festival please visit www.llangollenfoodfestival.com

New Dot launches autumn film programme tonight

* A scene from Woman at War.

New Dot Cinema launches its Autumn programme tonight (Friday) with the brilliant Woman at War. 

It was the standout winner among audiences at preview screenings for community cinemas this past Spring and we’re delighted to bring it to the Town Hall.

To all appearances, Halla has a blissful life cycling through the streets of Reykjavik from choir practice to yoga classes (and vice versa). But she has a secret life as a lone environmental activist known as “The woman of the mountain”, waging a one-woman-war on the encroaching industry that threatens the stunning highland landscape around the city. 

As she plans her boldest operation yet, she gets the unexpected news that her application to adopt a child has been approved and she has to choose between her environmental crusade and fulfilling her dream of becoming a mother. Woman at War is funny, moving, dramatic and quirky. 

Tickets are available online via Skiddle or from the Llangollen Oggie Shop and Fine Foods (formerly Baileys) in Castle Street.

Also in our Autumn programme are:

October 25^th: The Sisters Brothers – In 19^th century America, an infamous duo of sibling assassins are hired to find (and kill) a gold prospector who says he can find gold with a miraculous chemical formula. It’s all Western, part-comedy, part-thriller.

*November 15^th: Capernaum – A stunning, deeply moving film about a child’s attempts to survive in the brutal streets of Beirut. After a series of disastrous events, 12-year old Zain sues his parents for giving him life. As his case moves through the courts Zain thinks back to the events that have brought him to this dramatic turn.

*November 29^th: Earth – This is something of a coup for New Dot Cinema because, as far as we can tell, after its premiere at the Berlin Film Festival this past Spring, it hasn’t yet been shown in cinemas outside film festivals. 

Several billion tons of earth are moved annually by humans - with shovels, excavators or dynamite. Director Nikolaus Geyrhalter observes people in mines, quarries, large construction sites in a constant struggle to transform the planet.

December 13^th – The Christmas Film. New Dot will announce the festive feature shortly but, as last year, it will be free entry with a charity donation. 

New Dot will post details on its Facebook page and website shortly. For this night only they'll also be screening the film slightly earlier at 7pm to make it easier for a younger audience to come along. Details to follow.

* Some posters have an incorrect screening date for our November films. These are the correct dates. 

* More information on all the films can be found at the website newdotcinema.org or the Facebook page. 

Library readers to appear on radio tomorrow

Members of Llangollen Library’s Reading Group will be taking part in a live broadcast on BBC Radio 4’s Front Row programme tomorrow (Friday).

They have been shadowing the Booker Prize, one of the world’s most famous literary prizes. Each year The Reading Agency invites reading groups all over the UK to pitch for their opportunity to shadow the Booker Prize and this year Llangollen Library’s Reading Group is one of the twelve groups that has been selected.

The readers have been reading and reviewing one of the the shortlisted titles, ‘10 minutes 38 seconds in this strange world’ by Elif Shafak, a captivating novel set in Istanbul, that tells the story of the final moments of a murder victim. They have also taken part in #BookerPrize2019 conversations online, joining in discussions about the books and sharing comments and pictures.

If you would like to join in the discussion, copies of the book are available through your local library, where you can also find out about joining a reading group near you. Denbighshire Library Service supports reading groups across the county in both Welsh and English.

The Booker Prize is a literary award which is awarded annually to the best novel of the year written in English and published in the UK or Ireland.

North Wales Police to get 62 extra officers

North Wales Police will get funding for an additional 62 police officers as part of the first wave of the national uplift of 6,000 officers nationwide by the end of 2020-21.

Chief Constable Carl Foulkes said: “This is good news for our communities and for anyone thinking about joining North Wales Police. It’s without doubt a very positive step forward which will allow us to focus on the issues which matter most to our local communities and continue to work towards making North Wales the safest place in the UK.”

North Wales Police was already recruiting ahead of the Government’s announcement, with the next recruitment window for officers opening on October 14.

Mark Jones, North Wales Police General Secretary said: ”Naturally we are very pleased with the Home Office announcement regarding the uplift in police officer number in North Wales. Police resources continue to be stretched with soaring demands on the Police Service, so additional numbers are welcomed. We will, as always, continue to work with the Force to ensure that our dedicated and brave members are best supported as they protect our local communities.“

The four Welsh forces operate a joint recruitment process, which ensures all applicants to Welsh forces will experience the same user-friendly system. The system allows applicants to find out immediately if they’ve been accepted on to a recruitment journey for Welsh policing.

Llan Ramblers back on Wales Coast Path

Llangollen Ramblers were out on the Wales Coast Path again last week.  

Having reached Aberdyfi, they’re now nearing the halfway point, with Pembrokeshire and the South Coast yet to come – over the next seven years.

* On the Wales Coast path near Tywyn.

* Enjoying a picnic near Tywyn.

Gwalia Gallery to hold its autumn display

Gwalia Gallery in Oak Street, Llangollen, which specialises in selling handmade studio ceramics, is making work to celebrate autumn.

This will be on display from Wednesday to Sunday, October 16-20.

Gallery owner Charmain Poole says all work is unique and for sale.

Some of examples of the work on show ...

Hays Travel acquires all Thomas Cook stores

The Official Receiver and Special Managers from KPMG have announced this morning (Wednesday) that an agreement has been reached with Hays Travel Limited to acquire Thomas Cook’s entire UK retail estate.

The agreement will see Hays Travel acquire a total of 555 stores around the UK, providing re-employment opportunities for a significant number of former employees of Thomas Cook’s retail operations who were made redundant following the appointment of the Official Receiver as liquidator on 23 September 2019.

Hays Travel is the country’s largest independent travel agent. The company also runs the Hays Travel Independence Group, a consortium of independent travel agents, in addition to operating a subsidiary business, Just Go Travel, which trades under the Hays Travel brand predominantly across the North West of England.

Following the appointment of the Official Receiver last month, Hays Travel have already recruited 421 former Thomas Cook personnel and have further offers outstanding to former employees.

David Chapman, Official Receiver, said: “I am pleased to announce we have reached an agreement with Hays Travel to acquire Thomas Cook’s entire UK retail estate, comprising 555 stores across the country. This represents an important step in the liquidation process, as we seek to realise the company’s assets."

Barclays 'safeguards' Llan branch for two years

Llangollen is one of a hundred branches across Britain which Barclays says it is protecting against closure for the next two years, according to a report in the Denbighshire Free Press.

For the full story, see: https://www.denbighshirefreepress.co.uk/news/17953600.branches-barclays-will-keep-least-october-2021/?fbclid=IwAR03oppdcH73vEDvYByZYuzIqnsSybcBPzXsNx5lFJuTQ5tXYjCPtsnYAiw

Lib Dems choose Clwyd South candidate

* Chris Twells, Lib Dem candidate for Clwyd South.

Welsh Liberal Democrat members have selected Chris Twells as their candidate for Clwyd South ahead of the next general election.

He has ten years’ experience as a political campaigner and has helped the Liberal Democrats win elections on both sides of Offa’s Dyke.

Mr Twells, 28, was born in St Asaph and brought up in Flintshire. He attended the Alun School in Mold before going on to study law at the University of York.

He said: “I am delighted to be standing to represent Corwen, Llangollen, Chirk and the many other vibrant communities around Wrexham and the Dee Valley.

“After more than 30 years with a Labour MP, lots of residents are telling our canvassers that it’s time for a change in Clwyd South. The Liberal Democrats are enjoying our highest opinion poll ratings for almost a decade and our fantastic new leader, Jo Swinson, is the public's most popular choice to be Prime Minister."

He added: “A No Deal Brexit would be a disaster for our economy here in North East Wales and I am proud that a Liberal Democrat government would stop Brexit as its first priority.

“The Conservatives want to force through a No Deal Brexit and Jeremy Corbyn’s policy on Brexit seems to change every week. Only the Liberal Democrats have been consistent: if we form the next government we will stop Brexit on day one.

“The voters of Clwyd South were sensible enough to reject Boris Johnson when he first stood for Parliament here in 1997. If everyone who wants to stop Brexit votes for the Liberal Democrats this time we can remove him as our Prime Minister.”

Let's have your hazelnuts, says county

Denbighshire County Council’s Countryside Service is collecting and donating hazelnuts as part of Snowdonia National Park’s Hedgerow Scheme.

The scheme promotes natural borders and encourages hedgerow planting which provides a habitat for wildlife and supports biodiversity.

Snowdonia National Park operates a nursery growing hedge plants to donate to farmers and landowners to encourage the replanting of hedges.

Anyone wishing to donate can do so at the Tourist Information Centre in Llangollen, Canolfan Ni Corwen Loggerheads Country Park or the Countryside Service office at Brickfield Pond in Rhyl.

Those picking or foraging hazelnuts must have the landowner’s permission before doing so, and be aware of wildlife - don’t take everything from one area as wildlife depend on this resource over winter.  

Hazelnut gathering events will take place in Llangollen on Wednesday, October 9 between 10am and 12pm starting from Pengwern Community Centre and in Corwen on Thursday, October 10 between 10am and 12pm starting from the leisure centre car park. Visit the Clwydian Range and Dee Valley AONB’s Facebook page to stay up to date on events and how many hazelnuts have been collected. 

Kia's latest Ceed model has the X factor

* The XCeed, the fourth edition to the Kia Ceed family.

Kia XCeed launch report by Steve Rogers

Just when you thought the family was complete another one comes along. Meet the XCeed, the fourth edition to the Kia Ceed family.

What is it? It is a Ceed hatchback which has gone into the workshop and come out with a change of clothes.

Is it needed? The Kia top brass think so and they are normally right. As one exec said to me: "We don't build cars people don't want."

Eight consecutive years of increased sales sort of backs that up, and it looks like this will be year number nine with 97,000 Kias leaving our showrooms, a pretty remarkable achievement from the company's bargain basement roots of the nineties.

Let's drill into what XCeed is and why it is needed. The X is the clue, it's a crossover or family SUV, whichever name you like best, and they are taking over the car market. 

Kia isn't short of SUVs, it has got Niro and Sportage, but Niro is a hybrid and Sportage a bigger SUV so XCeed has been brought in to plug the gap between Ceed and Sportage. Mazda has done the same with the CX-30 as has Ford with its pumped up Focus.

Kia believe XCeed will take around half the total Ceed range although I would not be surprised if it was higher and this is why. 

The X factor has given it a little more length than the hatchback (85mm) so there is no compromise on cabin space, the boot has room for an extra bag or two, it has the higher driving position which everyone seems to like, and it is better looking than the hatch with a tasty fastback tailgate design.

No one builds cars that don't drive well so let's jump ahead to more important things. On the engine front the choice is 1.0 and 1.4 litre petrols, and a 1.6 litre diesel. My star pick is the 1-litre, a lively, economic three-cylinder which will blow you away with its refinement and performance.

People I talk to are still dubious about this new breed of small engine and there will be doubters over this engine's ability to carry the XCeed but they will be wrong. The 1-litre is an absolute hoot from the second the accelerator is pressed and it can hold its performance right to the red line.

The 1.4 litre petrol is less impressive not because it is inadequate, which it is not, but because it does not have the same performance as some of its top rivals which offer a wider range of power outputs.

It provides the power for the top of the range First Edition which is the most eye catching with its tasteful yellow detailing on the seats and dashboard. It also comes with a striking wide 10.25in multi media screen that dominates the dashboard and flows into an equally impressive 12.3in digital instrument cluster which projects all the driver information you could possibly need.

First Edition also comes with a full suite of safety systems adding blind spot collision warning, speed limit information and forward crash avoidance that includes detecting pedestrians and cyclists.

It also throws in a sports mode selector, not really necessary given the modest power output, but nevertheless adds a spark of fun. First Edition will set you back £28,095 or £29,195 for the seven speed automatic.

Something to please mobile phone users is the ability to connect two mobiles at once, an all too rare benefit in cars of this class.

Kia does not expect many buyers to go for the entry Grade 2 but that is hardly left wanting with the touchscreen shrunk to eight inches for DAB audio selection, Bluetooth and reversing camera, all round electric windows, keyless entry, LED headlights, cruise control with speed limiter and air conditioning. This opens at £20,795 with the one litre engine.

The majority will opt for Grade 3 which uses all of the touchscreen and brings in navigation, heated front seats and steering wheel and electric parking brake among the extras over the entry model.

XCeed will not have it all its own way simply because strong rivals will be gnashing their teeth trying to frighten it off, but it is the new star of the Ceed range with great looks and a generous level of standard kit.

Why bother buying Ceed hatchback? Why indeed.

Key facts

XCeed Grade 2

£23,295

1.0 T-GDI; 118bhp

0-62mph 10.9secs; 115mph

45.6mpg combined

124g/km. 1st year tax £170

Boot: 426-1378 litres

Landmarks get lit up to celebrate big anniversary

A LUMINAIRE of iconic structures along the eleven-mile corridor of the Dee Valley’s World Heritage site near Llangollen is expected to draw thousands of visitors to the area this month.

The event runs from October 7-27 and marks the 10-year anniversary since Thomas Telford’s breath-taking nineteenth century Pontcysyllte Aqueduct at Trevor Basin was given the prestigious UNESCO World Heritage Status in 2009.

It also coincides with the hosting of the UKs World Heritage Annual Conference and AGM in Llangollen, entitled Making The Most Of World Heritage on October 7-8.

Each site is unique and is either graded, a scheduled monument or both and will be lit up by expert lighting company Enlightened of Bristol for two hours each evening from 7.30pm - 9.30pm.

The sites to be lit up are as follows:

Aqueduct, Chirk (Grade II Scheduled Monument)

Viaduct, Chirk (Grade II)

Pontcysyllte Aqueduct, Trevor (Grade I Scheduled Monument)

Dinas Bran Castle, Llangollen (Scheduled Monument)

Horseshoe Falls, Llangollen (Grade II)

Organisers believe the spectacle, that places the 126ft structure at the centre of the celebrations, will come to life under the cover of darkness and encourage locals and tourists to explore the five structures along the stretch of the Llangollen Canal from Llangollen to Chirk, within the Clwydian Range & Dee Valley Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty.  

It is intended to extend the length of the 2019 tourism season to boost the local economy of the area.

Wrexham County Borough Councillor Terry Evans, Executive Lead Member and member of the World Heritage Status Board, said: “I am looking forward to seeing the structures lit up, further highlighting that the World Heritage Site is an 11 mile corridor and encouraging people to visit more of it.  It is great that it will be over a three week period which will give more people the opportunity to visit and see it.”

Adnan Saif, regional director at Canal & River Trust said: “The Llangollen Canal is a beautiful waterway and is a lovely place to visit throughout the year. Research shows that being next to water makes you happier and healthier and this luminaire event will allow visitors to see the canal in a different light whilst helping to celebrate ten years since it became a World Heritage Site.”

Deputy Minister for Culture, Sport and Tourism, Lord Elis-Thomas, said: “I’m delighted that we’ve been able to support this exciting project which is an excellent way of celebrating Pontcysyllte Aqueduct’s tenth anniversary as a World Heritage Site. This project is a great example of what can be achieved by working in partnership and how innovative ideas like this can help us make the most of our World Heritage Sites.”

This project would not have been possible without funding from Visit Wales and the National Lottery Heritage Fund and permission being granted from private landowners and also from Network Rail who have given their permission for the Chirk Viaduct to be lit up.

* You can keep up to date on Pontcysyllte Aqueduct special events at its dedicated Facebook page or through Twitter or Instagram.

Love Island's Niall to star in Stiwt pantomime

* Niall Aslam will star in this year's pantomime at the Stiwt Theatre in Rhos.

Love Island heart-throb Niall Aslam has been announced as the star of this year's pantomime at the Stiwt Theatre in Rhosllannerchrugog.

The 25-year-old former Love Island contestant will take the role of the Genie in Aladdin, which runs from Saturday December 7 until Tuesday December 31.

Niall rose to fame in the 2018 series of the reality show and became one of the most popular contestants of that series due to his comical nature and proved a hit with the ladies of the villa.

Since Love Island, Niall has continued his career in reality TV, modelling and has also become a proud ambassador of the National Autistic Society.

Aladdin will be Niall's pantomime debut.

He said: "I'm absolutely buzzing to perform in Wrexham's annual Christmas pantomime. I've heard only good things about the audience, so I'm confident I'll have a good time and hopefully put a smile on everyone's faces.

"I'm looking forward to all the usual pantomime banter that gets the audience going - all the 'he's behind you', 'oh yes, we are' and 'oh no, you aren'ts'. It'll be great fun."

This will be the tenth year Liverpool-based LHK Productions has produced the Christmas pantomime at the Stiwt.

Lee Kelly, producer of the pantomime and managing director of LHK Productions, said: "I'm absolutely thrilled that we've got Niall on board for our decade year at the Stiwt. He will be fabulous, and I'm confident our audiences will love him.

"Everyone who watches our panto at the Stiwt always has a brilliant time, and this year's will be no exception. We're bringing back some familiar faces and that all important pantomime magic.

"I guarantee Wrexham is in for a treat with this year's production of Aladdin."

* Tickets can be purchased via www.stiwt.com or by telephoning 01978 841300.

Young 'Uns to stage The Wizard of Oz in 2020

* Members of the Young 'Uns cast for The Wizard of Oz line up. Picture by Barrie Potter.

Llangollen Operatic Society's junior section, the Young 'Uns, have just  completed casting for their next annual production, The Wizard of Oz.

The full cast for the RSC version of the show will feature 47 talented young people from Llangollen and surrounding areas.

The new show, which hits the Llangollen Town Hall stage from Thursday-Saturday, February 13-15, 

follows on from the group's acclaimed production of  Grease in February. 

Young 'Uns have been putting on shows in Llangollen for the past 30 years.   

   

Evening performances are at 7.30pm with a Saturday matinee at 2pm. Tickets are priced at £12 with £10 concessions.

Film maker Joe frames up major business award

* Joe Clifford, second from left, middle row, with fellow winners in the North Wales Young Business Awards at Bangor University.

A young film maker with strong connections to Llangollen has scooped a major business award.

In his spare time Joe Clifford, who lives in Chirk, is an active member of the Twenty Club amateur theatre group and has had key roles in a number of their productions over the years, most recently The Flint Street Nativity and Dinner With Otto.

But Joe's day-job is running the successful Wrexham-based bespoke video production service TasteBudds - The Food Filmmakers.

And TasteBuds won one of the key categories at the prestigious North Wales Young Business Awards staged recently at Bangor University.

A total of 150 businesses from across the region attended the event, hosted by BBC presenter Sian Lloyd, which recognises entrepreneurs under-35 and firms that are making waves in the region.

The awards had the backing of a number of local businesses who helped with sponsorship.

Joe and his company won the award for Food & Beverage Business of the Year, sponsored by  The Alternative Board - North Wales.

More flu clinics planned at health centre

MP says fight goes on for pension equality

Clwyd South MP Susan Elan Jones (pictured) and other members of the All-Party Parliamentary Group on State Pension Inequality for Women have pledged to carry on fighting for women affected by the increase in their state pension age after a High Court ruling.

Yesterday (Thursday) the High Court rejected claims that increasing the state pension age for women born in the 1950s discriminated against them on the grounds of age and sex, and that the government had failed to appropriately notify those affected.

However, Labour MP Carolyn Harris and former Conservative Government Minister Tim Loughton, co-chairs of the All-Party Parliamentary Group on State Pension Inequality for Women, said the All Party Group would continue to use all means available – including private members’ bills – “to seek justice for all the women affected”.

In a written statement the politicians said the cross-party group’s continued aim was to deliver on a series of measures proposed in April 2018.

The measures include:

- making a non-means-tested pension credit available to all women aged 63 and over from the day it is approved until they reach state pension age, which won’t be backdated.

- equalising women’s pensions, so that everyone receives a full state pension (£159 per week) regardless of the number of years of National Insurance contributions accrued.

- extending pension credit for those worst affected who have no other income or private pension available to them and are suffering financial hardship.

Plans to increase the state pension age were first announced in the Pension Act 1995 but these changes were accelerated as part of the Pension Act 2011.

Susan Elan Jones MP said: “Pension fairness matters hugely for ordinary people from our local area. I’ve worked very closely with many constituents who’ve been affected by these pension changes. I remain committed to working in Parliament with other MPs across the political spectrum who want a fair, common sense solution for women born in the 1950s.”

Keddie wins town council seat

Paul Keddie yesterday won the vacant seat on Llangollen Town Council.

Results were:

Paul Keddie (Independent) - 293

John Palmer - 276

Gillian Robertson (Independent) - 92

Turnout 22.69%

County encourages more food waste recycling

* See reaction at foot of story from former Llangollwn county councillor Stuart Davies 

A food recycling project is being piloted in three areas of Denbighshire as part of efforts to encourage greater use of recycling facilities before significant changes are introduced to the county’s waste and recycling services.

During a recent monitoring exercise the council noticed that a total of 600 properties had not placed their food waste caddies out in the previous weeks. 

Those households have received a leaflet which encourages them to recycle food waste and to make sure that householders are aware of the equipment needed to recycle food.

The equipment includes an orange kerbside collection bin, a convenient silver kitchen caddy that can be placed on counter tops or under the sink and a roll of compostable liners.

Any households not placing their food waste bins ready for collection will be visited by a team of recycling advisors, to see what can be done to rectify any issues.

In December 2018, the Council approved plans to change waste and recycling collections in Denbighshire.  Those changes will come into effect during 2021 and will be:

§  a new weekly collection for recyclables such as paper, glass, cans, and plastic

§  a new weekly collection for nappies and incontinence wear

§  a weekly collection for food waste

§  a new fortnightly collection for clothes and small electrical items

The council says that if residents use the recycling service correctly, it should only result in a minimal amount of residual waste being created.  

As a result, the council will be changing the collection of non-recyclable waste to every four weeks for the majority of households.

Residents will be issued with a  bigger black bin if they need one, but overall, households would have more capacity each week for managing their waste than they have with our current service.  

The new weekly recycling service, using a Trollibloc system, would provide more capacity for recycling when compared to the current fortnightly collection with the blue wheelie bin.  

The council says residents will be able to free up even more space in their black bin by using new kerbside recycling services for textiles, small electrical goods, batteries and where needed, nappies and incontinence waste.   

Councillor Brian Jones, Cabinet lead Member for Highways, Environmental Impact, Waste and Sustainable Travel, said: “The council provides a weekly food waste recycling service to properties and people should be using it to take away unwanted food. They should not be placing any food waste in their black bin. If this initiative is successful, it could be drawn out across  the county.

“The council can fine people who repeatedly fail to separate their rubbish so it is important people take the time to put the right waste in the right container. 

"The majority of residents in Denbighshire recycle their food waste and we thank them for that, but we need to understand why some people do not dispose of their food waste properly. Households receive orange kerbside collection  bins that goes out once a week with the remainder of the refuse. A convenient silver kitchen caddy is used to  gather the food waste and a roll of compostable liners.

“This is a very timely initiative as we prepare our plans for a significant waste and recycling project being rolled out in 2021. In the meantime, our efforts to encourage greater amounts of recycling continues. And over the coming months we will be rolling out a series of initiatives to make it safer and more community-spirited to recycle as much as we can."

* To find out information about waste and recycling in Denbighshire, visit: www.denbighshire.gov.uk/recycling

Reaction from former Llangollen county councillor Stuart Davies ...

How dare Cllr Brian Jones threaten residents of Denbighshire with fines when his department is just as guilty of not collecting recycling properly themselves?

About five years ago DCC rolled out the recycling scheme in Llangollen, however they did not have small enough vehicles to access country properties such as mine and we have been on sack collection since. One for plastics, paper, metal etc and one for everything else! That includes waste food! 

As the then County Councillor I was promised that as the fleet was renewed that vehicles suitable for collecting the various recycling would be incorporated and we could ALL do recycling properly! It has not happened! We still are on two sack collection! 

The question needs to be asked of this arrogant councillor, is why he thinks it is ok to threaten residents with fines for not recycling when his own department is not doing its job properly by providing proper facilities for recycling to residents out in the country side? It smacks of having double standards! 

County gives underage knife sales test results

Denbighshire County Council and North Wales Police have issued the results of underage knife sales test in the county

The checks were carried out as part of Operation Sceptre, a national campaign taking place twice a year targeting knife crime and involves both education and enforcement activity with the aim of removing unwanted knives off the streets.

As part of a joint working initiative Officers of Denbighshire Trading Standards and North Wales Police have teamed up to carry out an exercise looking at the effectiveness of retail sales to young people.

On Saturday 21^st September 2019, a volunteer Police Cadet aged 15 attempted to purchase a knife at a number of local retailers.  The legal age for the sale of knives is 18. The volunteer attempted purchases in 13 premises within Denbighshire.   

Eight of those premises refused the sale, either asking the volunteer their age or for identification, and four of the premises did not have any stock of knives.  However, one retailer did sell to the volunteer and this matter is currently being investigated.

Councillor Mark Young, Denbighshire Council’s Lead member for Planning, Public Protection and Safer Communities said:  “It is important to recognise the dangers surrounding the mis-use of knives and the dangers presented when these products are in the wrong hands. Whilst it is recognised that a child can access knives from other places, such as at home, this operation highlights that there is a need for staff working within store to be vigilant when making sales. There are restrictions on the age of sale for knives for a reason- any child carrying a knife is at a greater risk of harm. 

"As a result of this exercise Denbighshire Trading Standards will be looking at doing more follow up work by means of advice and education to knife retailers over the coming months. 

"If you are aware of any premises selling age restricted products to underage persons please report this to Trading Standards on tradingstandards@denbighshire.gov.uk or 01824 706057 – this is an automated service and reports can be made anonymously."

Temporary Detective Inspector Tecwyn Green said: “Knives are dangerous and there is no place for them on the streets of North Wales. Using a knife can have devastating consequences, and I hope that by constantly stressing the dangers of knife crime we are getting the message across, particularly to our young people. I would urge people to continue to educate themselves, speak to their children and family members so that tragedies can be prevented.

“We are grateful for the support of the community and our partners with this campaign and together, we will continue to work towards removing knives and dangerous weapons and bring those responsible, for carrying and using them, to justice.”

* North Wales Police say they will act on all information reported regarding knife crime.  Anyone with information can call North Wales Police on 101, or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111

#StopKnifeCrime #OpSceptre