Iron animals to star at Hamper Llangollen

 

* Two by two...Colin Loughlin (right) and Phil Davies (centre), from Hamper

Llangollen food festival, with Clive Knowles, from the British Ironworks Centre.

 

Forget the Russell Crowe film blockbuster Noah - an array of iron animals is set to take pride and place at a top food festival.

 

Around 30 sculptures created by the British Ironworks Centre, Oswestry, will make their way to Hamper Llangollen later this year on October 18-19.

 

These will include a flock of iron sheep, chickens, a giant boar and a giant ostrich.

The event, hailed as one of the Top 10 food festivals in the UK, is supported by the rural development agency, Cadwyn Clwyd.

 

Cadwyn Clwyd’s contribution comes via the Rural Development Plan for Wales 2007-2013, which is funded by the European Agricultural Fund for Rural Development (EAFRD) and the Welsh Government.

 

Hamper Llangollen Chairman Colin Loughlin asked the creative metal workers to support the event after spotting a three and a half tonne Uri Geller-inspired gorilla made from spoons at the Llangollen International Musical Eisteddfod.

 

Colin, who is delighted that the British Ironworks Centre has chosen to sponsor the festival, said: “If you go down to the British Ironworks Centre and just go down the drive it looks like a giant safari park, with all sorts of exotic animals all over the place – it’s incredible.

 

“It came about because they sponsored the Llangollen Eisteddfod. I asked if they could provide us with some tables and chairs like they’d done for the Eisteddfod and they said that they’d go one better and bring along some iron animals as well.

 

“The animals will reflect what is happening at Hamper Llangollen. For example there is going to be a stall there that sells ostrich meat and wild boar. It's going to be a bit like an iron version of Noah's Ark - minus Russell Crowe!"

 

Clive Knowles, Managing Director of the British Ironworks Centre, added: “It’s to add drama and theatre to the event.

 

“I’ve never been to Hamper Llangollen and I’m really looking forward to it. I really love Welsh lamb so I’ll be looking for a bit of lamb shank while I’m there.

 

“Colin said they had a lot of natural and free range things going on so we want to reflect that with the sculptures we bring to Hamper Llangollen.

 

“We’re going to bring around 20 small pieces and about 10 large ones. The large ones can weigh up to three tonnes.

 

“Hamper Llangollen is a fantastic opportunity for us to showcase what we can do.

 

“We’re going to be opening our own café at the British Ironworks Centre so it’s also an opportunity for us to source local produce. Sourcing local produce is incredibly important and it’s something that people are looking for more and more these days because it’s good quality and people want to support their community.”

 

A quartet of Wales’s best chefs will have a starring role at the festival. Graham Tinsley, executive chef at Carden Park in Cheshire and Conwy’s Castle Hotel, will be cooking up a Welsh feast with Mike Evans, hospitality lecturer at Coleg Llandrillo, Rhos on Sea, and Dion Jones, one of Europe’s finest young chefs.

 

The ever popular Dai Chef, now the resident chef at Bodnant Welsh Food, the centre of excellence for Welsh food in the Conwy Valley will be there too.

 

Robert Didier, a baker who trained with culinary legend Raymond Blanc will also unveil the UK’s most expensive loaf – made with champagne and 24 carat gold, at the event.

Cadwyn Clwyd’s Agri Food Officer, Robert Price, believes this year’s festival is going to be one of the best ever.

 

He said: “Thanks to a whole host of indigenous companies like Orchard Pigs, North East Wales is rapidly establishing a reputation as a centre of excellence for high quality cuisine.

 

“The food festival is a perfect shop window for the companies who form the backbone of our rural economy.

 

“The location of the Pavilion is absolutely spectacular – I can’t imagine that any other food festival in the UK has a more beautiful setting.”

 

For more information about Hamper Llangollen 2014 visit www.llangollenfoodfestival.com

Skates slams "despicable" attacks on churches

POLICE in North Wales have recorded more than 300 incidents of vandalism at churches and thefts from religious buildings, including Llangollen, over the past three years, new figures have revealed.

The data, obtained by Assembly Member Ken Skates under the Freedom of Information Act, shows Wrexham as the county with the highest number of incidents (79), while Anglesey was targeted least (17).

The figures cover the period from April 1, 2011, to the same date this year and reveal a total of 334 thefts and vandalism offences over 36 months.

There were more than 60 incidents in Conwy and more than 50 each in Denbighshire, Flintshire and Gwynedd.

At least two incidents were recorded in Llangollen in June last year – first at St Collen’s where the lock on the church gate was glued shut and the second when lead was stolen from the roof of St John the Baptist.

Mr Skates, the Labour AM Clwyd South, said: “These incidents include charity collection boxes being stolen, dozens of thefts of lead and other metals and also handbags, purses and wallets being taken.

“The police have also had reports of windows being smashed, break-ins and fires being started. I don’t know what types of people would commit such crimes. Some of them would be sickening at the best of times, but when they take place in buildings that mean so much to so many people they’re nothing short of despicable.”

However, Mr Skates said he was ‘encouraged’ to see the figure falling from 132 in 2012-13 to 83 last year, and said he believed the additional 500 Police Community Support Officer roles created by the Welsh Government earlier this year were playing their part in reducing crime across North Wales.

He added: “I recently spent an afternoon on the beat in my constituency with one of our PCSOs, who are now a vital part of modern-day policing. They play an important role in solving crimes and ensuring people feel safe, and they are already making a difference in our communities throughout North Wales.”

 

GCSE celebration time at Ysgol Dinas Bran

* Jubilant scenes at Ysgol Dinas Bran this morning.

There were scenes of great jubilation at the school this morning as delighted students received their GCSE results.

All in all 99% achieved a level 2 pass (five GCSE grades or equivalent at C or above) and 60% achieved the level  2+ (five grades at C or above including English and Maths).  The last figure is a 5% improvement on 2013.

Excellent results were achieved across many subject areas with several having a 100% rate of higher grade passes (see below).

There were some significant student achievements. 

Joshua Jones, from Chirk, gained an incredible eight A* grades and an A grade.  Nadine Evans, from Trevor, also performed outstandingly well in securing six A* grades, three As,  a B grade and a Distinction in Further Maths.  Helen Newbrook, from Glyn Ceiriog, did similarly well with six A* grades, three As and a B grade.

Other high achieving students include:

Bethan Williams (Trevor) five A* grades, six A grades, Merit in further Maths, Ross Litchfield Briscoe (Chirk) four A* grades, four A grades, one B grade, Lowri Bates (Glyn Ceiriog) three A* grades, seven A grades, one B grade, Distinction in Further Maths, Morgan Jones (Glyn Ceiriog)   three A* grades, three A grades, two B grades and a Distinction in Further Maths, Tomos  Morris  (Chirk)  two A* grades, four A grades, three B grades and a Distinction in Performing Arts,
Abigail Claybrook  (Llangollen) two A* grades, two A grades, three B grades and Distinction* in Dance.

Kirsty Prescott  (Chirk) two A* grades, two A grades, five B grades, Meuryn Hughes (Pentredwr)   two A* grades, one A grade, four B grades, Amber Griffiths (Chirk Bank)  nine A grades, one B grade, Merit in further Maths, Ceri O’Connell  (Llangollen)  seven A grades, one B grade,
Olivia Holgate (Chirk) one A* grade, six A grades, two B grades, Merit in further Maths, Luke Andrews (Chirk) one A* grade, four A grades, one B grade, Distinction* in Media, Rhys Kynaston (Chirk) one A* grade, five A grades, two B grades, Merit in Further Maths.

Across the whole range of students a huge number achieved good grades , sometimes in challenging circumstances.

Headteacher Martyn Froggett said: “The students have worked extremely hard and fully deserve their results.  To achieve a 99% pass rate at level 2 is a phenomenal achievement.  They have excelled themselves – well done to all of them. 

"Many thanks to all the staff and parents who have supported them whole-heartedly in their journey.  It is a record summer of success and, on top of really good A levels last week, an excellent year for the school.”

Denbighshire County Council says early indications show that approximately 89% of students in the county have achieved 5 A*-C or equivalent.

The council says Denbighshire schools have also seen an improvement in the number of students achieving 5 A*-C or equivalent, including Welsh or English and maths and that there have been some outstanding personal successes.

Councillor Eryl Williams, Cabinet Lead Member for Lifelong Learning, said: “These results are fantastic and I would like to congratulate all students who have achieved the grades needed to further their education with support from their teachers. The results this year really are excellent and show that Denbighshire is continuing to improve.  “We are committed to improving standards in education. We can see the results of everyone's hard work to improve education in Denbighshire and I am delighted that these huge efforts are making a real difference to our young people.” 

* Pictured below: Various students celebrate their GCSE results ...

Health centre foundations taking shape

llanblogger reader Mike Connolly has sent in this picture of the foundations of the town's new health centre which is being built on the site of the old Woodlands Hotel in Mill Street.

Mike says: "The photo which looks like Llan's very own Roman excavations actually shows how fast things are progressing with the new health centre."

Read Construction has its own Facebook page containing the latest information on the development, which you can see at: https://www.facebook.com/pages/Llangollen-Health-Centre/652361501479939?fref=ts

This gives a schedule of works showing:

Completion of Demolition Works – 8th August 2014
Commencement of Substructure Foundation Works –11th August 2014
Commencement of Superstructure Works – 13th October 2014
Completion of Roofing Works – 27th February 2015
Completion of Internal Fit Out Works – 5th June 2015
Building Completion – 12th June 2015

There's also a development website at: http://www.readconstruction.co.uk/listings/view/llangollen_health_centre/

* Below, a picture from the site shows concrete being poured into the foundations.

Help shape the future of Pen y Coed Wood

The Woodland Trust is hosting a special event in Llangollen to help shape the future of Pen y Coed Wood.

People engagement officer Jane craven said: “We would like to meet with you and give you the opportunity to share your stories of Pen y Coed wood, let us know what you think of the wood and help us improve it for the future.

“Join us on Friday, August 29, between 2pm and 4pm, at the community hall, St Collen’s.

“There will be fun craft activities and wildlife art for children and free refreshments. Everyone is welcome. Your opinion counts.”

Faery Festival takes off in a big way

* A little fairy at the event.

What happens if you get people from Cornwall, Kent, Northumbria, Cardiff and the Fylde coast, plus the Midlands and the Wirral all interested in myth and magic, and put them in a big tent in Wales for the weekend? 

The second annual Legendary Llangollen Faery Festival, that’s what.

People from all over Britain came to enjoy what is fast becoming one of the major fairy events in the UK.

Over 200 craft workers, healers, fortune tellers, live-action role players, musicians and speakers descended upon us last weekend, all with a mind to have a good time, sell their wares and enjoy everything fairy. 

They pitched tents and stalls and some set up inside the huge tented arena of the Llangollen Pavilion, and all this with the threat of the tail end of Hurricane Bertha looming and poised to strike.

Saturday dawned fair and a glorious day was enjoyed by hundreds of visitors.  

Wishes were posted on the wishing line for the fairies to collect and grant, and the wing and wand making workshops were spectacularly busy. 

Circus skills were taught, the mystery of how to play a didgeridoo was revealed and live music and wonderful food was enjoyed. The stallholders did a cracking trade and the little, (and large), ones had their faces painted and were told some amazing tales by expert storytellers.

Author and co-organiser, Fiona Maher was promoting her novel. 

She said: “My book, The Last Changeling, is hardly fairy friendly and I never thought people who really believe that fairies are sweet creatures would like what I’ve written.

“Luckily, they are only interested in fairies and fey culture being promoted, so if I just happen to be the conduit for that, then they are inclined to forgive me.  Actually some of them prefer their fairies to be less sugary.”  

She added: “The threatened rain arrived at teatime just as the daytime events concluded, and most of the outside stalls moved inside the arena for the next day. We only had the vintage funfair and three stalls go home - all vowing to return next year.  

“That night we all danced at The Grand Faery Ball, so no-one much cared what the weather was doing outside!  

“Fervent spells were cast for good weather for the Sunday. After a rain lashed night, the water stopped pouring from the sky just eight minutes after the event opened again.  There were a few squalls in the afternoon, one huge gust of wind, and that was Bertha's last farewell.  

“We all survived and are already planning for 2015.”

* Pictures courtesy of Alan Potts

 * Activity inside the Pavilion.

 

 

* Stylish dance routine.

 

 

* Fairy with owl.

 

 

* Outside on the field.

ABBA Solution to play Bank Holiday show in Llan

* ABBA Solution in action.

 

A tribute band will be making a triumphant return to Llangollen this Bank Holiday Weekend.

Following sell-out shows in the town last year, including one as part of the Llangollen Fringe Festival, ABBA Solution will be bringing their 100% live tribute to the Swedish super-group to the Llangollen Pavilion on Sunday 24th August.

The show features Steph Babington as Agnetha and Jo Potts as Anni-Frid, backed by a highly polished six piece band. Celebrating the bands most popular hits, from 'Waterloo' to 'Dancing Queen', ABBA Solution also perform some of their more obscure and musically challenging numbers including 'The Eagle', which features twin lead guitar solos from Dan Morris and Ross Anderson.

The event has been organised by Llangollen based Radiant Events, who also run regular comedy nights in the town. Director Paul Brown says, "The music of ABBA has won plenty of new fans in the past few years following the success of the Mamma Mia film. There are plenty of tribute bands out there, but ABBA Solution are the real deal. There are no backing tracks and no autotune - just a 100% live musical spectacular. It's a great way to round off a fantastic summer in Llangollen."

Doors open at 7pm and the show starts at 7.30pm. Tickets, priced at £10, are available online at www.radiantevents.co.uk or can be bought in person at the Llangollen Pavilion and Gales of Llangollen.

* Steph Babington as Agnetha.

Council responds to A5 tree complaint

Denbighshire County Council has responded to complaints from a local campaigner that a number of mature trees have been removed from outside the site where the new Dobson & Crowther factory is currently being built at Cilmedw on the A5.

Martin Crumpton said he spotted that the trees had disappeared during a recent tour of the area which he made with a council planning officer and has lodged a formal complaint about their loss.

In response, a spokesman for Denbighshire County Council said: "This is a regrettable development, given the approved plans for the new Dobson & Crowther factory clearly showed the trees were to be retained, but the council has had little choice other than to consent to the work, following a formal request for the removal of the trees by the developers.  

"They commissioned a Tree Assessment in late July following concerns from Denbighshire's Highway Officer over the impact on the stability of the trees arising from excavation works along the A5 frontage in connection with the construction of a new footway.

“The assessment concluded the stability and health of the trees had been considerably impacted by site works, in particular construction works relating to the proposed frontage footpath, and that the trees were at high risk of failure, with no effective remedial work that would allow their long term retention. The recommendation was to fell the trees without delay.

“Officers took advice on the risk posed by the trees and took the view of specialists there was a 'very high' probability of failure, and there were legitimate concerns over the effects of high winds forecast on trees in full leaf.  In that context, it would be unreasonable to oppose the felling of the trees, taking into account the potential risk to members of the public.

“We fully appreciate the sensitivity of the situation and we will of course do our best to secure an appropriate replacement planting scheme, in conjunction with the council's Tree Consultant and Biodiversity Officer.”

Mr Crumpton has now complained about the situation to Welsh Assembly Members.

Speeding crackdown begins

A crackdown on speeding motorists is set to take place throughout North Wales this week.

North Wales Police are taking part in a European-wide week-long initiative to crack down on speeding motorists from today, Monday.

 

The TISPOL (European Traffic Police Network) campaign will see all police forces across Europe tackling speeding by conducting speed checks.

 

North Wales Police Roads Policing Officers along with Go Safe will be combining their efforts to deter and detect motorists who choose to ignore the speed limits all across the force area. Drivers who are caught speeding will be dealt with by means of a TOR (Traffic Offence Report) which will either mean being offered a driver educational course (recommended in appropriate circumstances), issued with a fine or a summons to attend court.

 

Inspector Martin Best from North Wales Police Roads Policing Unit said:  “Speeding is an issue that concerns many residents and one that we take extremely seriously.

 

“We are committed to making our roads a safer place for all who use them and we will continue to crack down on those irresponsible drivers who choose to ignore speed limits and drive irresponsibly, not only risking their own lives but the lives of others.

 

“North Wales Police has a robust strategy around enforcing the ‘Fatal 5’ offences which are speeding, failing to wear a seat belt, drink and drug driving, dangerous and careless driving including unnecessary risk taking and using a mobile phone while driving.

“The risk of being seriously injured or killed rises dramatically if a decision is taken to commit a ‘Fatal 5’ offence and I want people to be aware of the devastating affect it can have and make a conscious decision not to take any chances.”

 

Further information regarding TISPOL can be accessed via their website

 

For advice on road safety please visit our 'Advice and Support' section 

 

To keep up to date with this week’s campaign follow @NWPolice on Twitter or use the hash tags #fatal5 #noexcuses

.

Save Plas Madoc group goes online

The volunteer-run group set up to save Plas Madoc Leisure Centre now has its own website up and running.

The Splash Community Trust’s site www.splashmagic.co.uk is now live thanks to the expertise of Wrexham-based Hashtag Marketing and its managing director Jason Davies.

“The website is still a work in progress and will be updated weekly, but crucially we have a ‘donate’ button where supporters can chip in to help our cause,” said trust director Greg Ogden, who lives in Trevor.

“The money is collected through PayPal, which has very low handling charges and means nearly every penny donated make it to the trust, moving us that little bit closer to reopening Plas Madoc.

“There’s also information upcoming fundraisers and contact details for those who want to ask questions or volunteer to help.

“We’d like to say a huge thank you to Jason and his team for setting the website up, and we look forward to working with them as the site develops. They share our vision for Plas Madoc and we’re all looking forward to exciting times ahead.”

Clwyd South AM Ken Skates, another founder member of the trust, added: “We are now looking to make the site bilingual as soon as possible, and the wheels are already in motion. The hard work continues. We won’t give up.”

Have your say about cycling event road closures

Two drop-in sessions are being planned for people to come and have their say about a major closed road cycling event coming to Wrexham and Denbighshire in September. 

Wiggle Etape Cymru 2014 is arranged by Human Race and fully supported by Wrexham County Borough Council and Denbighshire County Council. 

The  route starts and finishes at Bangor on Dee Racecourse and passes through communities in Wrexham County Borough before it enters into Denbighshire through the Clwydian Range and Dee Valley Area of Outstanding Beauty.

The route takes in several well-known climbs including the legendary Horseshoe Pass which incorporates a timed King of the Mountains challenge. 

 The drop-in sessions will be held at:

Neuadd Eleanor, Llanfair Dyffryn Clwyd, Denbighshire  - Tuesday, 2 September between 6pm and 8pm.

Wrexham County Borough Council's Market Office - Office 7, The People's Indoor Market, Wrexham - Thursday, 4 September between 6pm and 8pm.

Representatives of Human Race and both councils will be present to deal with individual enquiries about the route and any emerging issues.

For further information about the Wiggle Etape Cymru event, please visit: www.humanrace.co.uk

Unknown Warrior loco heads for Dorset

* The Unknown Warrior in the shed at Llangollen Railway being repainted for display in Dorset.

 

 

THE locomotive being built in Llangollen to commemorate the centenary of the First World War is to make a guest appearance at this year’s Great Dorset Steam Fair.

Named The Unknown Warrior, the Patriot Class engine is being constructed in the specialist workshops at Llangollen Railway as part of a £1.5 million project and should be ready in time to mark the 100^th anniversary of the end of the war in 2018.

But, still incomplete, it will be taken down to Dorset to take pride of place in a World War One commemorative event at the show to be staged at Tarrant Hinton, Blandford Forum from August 27-31.
 

After the First World War, three railway companies named locomotives to honour their employees who had fought and died during the conflict. These were Valour, Remembrance and Patriot. 
 

The L & N W R memorial engine was a Claughton class locomotive was named Patriot. This name was later transferred to the new 4-6-0 locomotive number 5500, which became the new Patriot memorial engine for the LMS and after which the class took its name.

The Unknown Warrior is being built to keep up the tradition of war memorial engines and serve as a permanent memorial to all those who fought and died in the First World War and all subsequent wars.

The LMS-Patriot Project has received the endorsement of The Royal British Legion and the loco will proudly carry a Legion crest above its nameplate.

 

The LMS-Patriot Project is looking to raise £1.5 million pounds to build  The Unknown Warrior and extensive fundraising is continuing.

Llangollen Railway spokesman George Jones said: “The Unknown Warrior is due to leave for Dorset by low loader next Friday.

“The loco now sits on its three main axles and six driving wheels.

“On its return from Dorset LR will fit the middle and outside cylinders, which means taking off the wheels!”

For more details go to: http://www.gdsf.co.uk/index.php/news/79-news/208-new-patriot-class-locomotive-the-unknown-warrior

 

Gardening club's summer show is next Saturday

Llangollen & District Gardening Club has its Open Summer Show in St Collen's Community Centre on Saturday, August 23.

There are classes for vegetables, flowers, fruit, floral art, arts and crafts, photography, cookery, preserves plus special classes for juniors.

A club spokesperson said: "The show is open to anyone and there are competitions for all ages and abilities, whether it's entering a photograph you've taken, baking a cake or showing your beans.

"Schedules and entry forms are available around town or can be downloaded from our website www.llangollengardeningclub.co.uk.

 

"The doors open at 1.00 pm (admission 50p - under 13 years free) when visitors can see which entries have been awarded prizes by the judges. There are also plants to buy, a raffle and refreshments. At 3 pm Dr Rhys Davies will be presenting the trophies.

 

"The committee would like to thank the many businesses in town which have kindly sponsored the show."

 

Open Doors returns next month

The popular Open Doors international event giving free access to a range of landmark sites and events is returning to Denbighshire in September.

 

It includes over 100 venues, walks, tours and events to join in throughout each weekend in the month and involves Llangollen along with Corwen, St Asaph, Bodelwyddan, Denbigh, Rhuddlan and Ruthin.

 

A string of events, talks and tours will be delivered by local enthusiasts, archaeologists and storytellers.

 

 

Town museum seeks volunteers

Llangollen Museum is currently looking to recruit some new volunteers.

 

A spokesperson said: "If you have some spare time and an interest in history and heritage, volunteering with us would be a great way to meet new people and learn some new skills.

 

"If you are interested in our volunteering opportunities, pop by the museum Thursday-Tuesday 10.00am-4.00pm to find out more! If you live in the Denbighshire area, particularly in Llangollen, please spread the word."

 

Wiggle Etape Cymru to wheel through Llan

The Wiggle Etape Cymru closed road cycling race is returning to North East Wales, with Denbighshire and Wrexham Councils working closely with event organisers Human Race to deliver a successful event in the cycling calendar. 

This is the fourth year for this award-winning race to take to the region's roads and the 85 mile route takes in the stunning scenery of Wrexham county and the Clwydian Range and Dee Valley areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty. 

The event will take place on Sunday, 14 September and will be a closed road event. The route is broadly the same as the 2013 event, however some changes have been made this year to reduce the impact on certain areas, these changes mean that there will now be people affected who were not last year as they were not previously on the route.

The event starts (and finishes) at the Bangor on Dee Racecourse before heading through or near Eyton, Crabtree Green, Ruabon, Acrefair, Llangollen, Horseshoe Pass, Bryneglwys, Carrog, Pentre-Celyn, Graigfechan, Llanarmon yn Iâl before heading back into Wrexham county and through/near Minera, Penycae Rhosllanerchrugog, Marchwiel, and Cross Lanes.

The official map can be found on the residents tab at: www.humanrace.co.uk/events/cycling/etape-cymru, together with times and other useful information. The answers to various FAQ’s can also be found here.

The majority of the region's A roads will remain open. However, there will be traffic management along any stretches of the route which crosses any 'A' roads. 

Councillor Huw Jones, Denbighshire's Cabinet Lead Member for Leisure, said: "This event is fast earning a reputation as a prestigious event in the cycling calendar, with increasing number of participants making their way to North East Wales to compete in the race. 

"We have some of the most breath-taking scenery as a backdrop and some great hills to provide a great challenge to the cyclists. This is a great opportunity for cyclists, as well as supporters to take advantage of the race to explore North East Wales and see what's on offer."

This year the event will also welcome ex Welsh rugby captain and legend Gareth Thomas on board as the ambassador for the ride. Gareth will be riding to support one of the official charities of the event, Macmillan Cancer Support. Many riders will also be supporting the local charity Nightingale House Hospice, who will also be benefiting through providing a number of paid for volunteers to support the running of the event and cheer on the thousands of cyclists.

If you’d like to join Gareth, along with hundreds of other Wrexham and Denbighshire residents who are set to take part on Sunday 14 September, then please sign up at www.humanrace.co.uk/events/cycling/etape-cymru.

Anyone with any specific enquiries should contact Human Race by e-mail: cycling@humanrace.co.uk or call their Customer Services Team on 0208 391 3913 (Monday-Friday 9am-5.30pm)

Another A-mazing year for Ysgol Dinas Bran

* Dinas Bran students celebrate their A level results.

Delighted Year 13 students celebrated excellent A level results at Ysgol Dinas Bran today.

100% of entrants achieved the prestigious level three threshold (two A level passes or more); well over half of all grades awarded were at A*-B and more than three quarters were higher level passes.

Among many successful students were George Wort who achieved an incredible five A* grades in Chemistry, ICT, Maths, further Maths and Physics.  

George will now go onto study Computer Science at Jesus College, Cambridge University.  

Another high-achiever was Iestyn Watkin who was awarded two A* grades in Maths and Physics, an A grade in Chemistry and a B grade in English Language. 

Iestyn also achieved an A grade in the Extended Project.  He will now progress to study Natural Sciences at Girton College, Cambridge University.

Wilf Wort, brother of George, achieved an A* grade and three A grades and Polly Harrison three A grades and a C grade.  

Wilf has successfully secured a place at Durham University to study English Literature and Polly will take up History at Keele University.

The vast majority of students who applied achieved their first-choice place at university – a real testament to the quality of their results.  Headteacher Martyn Froggett said: “We congratulate all students on their tremendous results.  

"They have worked exceptionally hard and can be proud of their achievements.  We wish them all the very best for the future.  

"A big thank you too to the staff and parents who have supported them.  It is a great year for the school – to achieve a 100% pass-rate is simply fantastic!”

A county council spokesperson said: "Early indications show that the approximate A Level (Level 3) pass rate at Denbighshire’s six secondary schools in 2014 shows an improvement of 2% up from 96.8% to 98.8% and there have been some excellent individual achievements across all schools.

"In addition to the A Level results, 99.4% students were awarded the Welsh Baccalaureate Qualification's Advanced Diploma."  Councillor Eryl Williams, Denbighshire's Cabinet Lead Member for Education, said: “We would like to congratulate all students on their individual results.  "Education remains a top priority in Denbighshire and I am extremely pleased to see our A level results continuing to rise."

 

* Celebrations all round.

New regional emergency planning service formed

Councils in North Wales have joined forces to provide a new regional emergency planning service, the first of its kind in the country.

The team will bring together the six councils’ emergency planning teams ensuring a coordinated local authority response to any major incidents in North Wales such as flooding, severe weather, power cuts, transport or industrial accidents.

The service will assist the councils to fulfil their role in preparing with the emergency services and other organisations, plans to assist in a co-ordinated, multi agency response to a major emergency.

The 14-strong team will operate from two hubs based at Mold and Conwy and will be managed by the Regional Manager Phil Harrison, former Emergency Planning Manager for Wrexham and Deputy Regional Manager Jonathan Williams, formerly Emergency Planning Manager for Conwy.

He said: “We have brought together the expertise from all the North Wales Emergency Planning teams to harmonise all the various plans, reduce repetition of effort and ensure that the response from individual councils is timely and robust.

“As always we will continue to work closely with colleagues from other agencies involved in emergency response and recovery such as the police, fire, ambulance and Natural Resource Wales.”

Colin Everett, Chief Executive of Flintshire County Council, the lead authority for the new regional scheme, said: “Severe weather which has caused, for example, flooding emergencies in North Wales, requires a coordinated response from the emergency services and councils.

"It is essential that we are ready to respond to such incidents and any other type of emergency situation. Planning ahead is the most effective way to ensure that if emergencies do happen they have as small an impact as possible on local communities.

“Our new approach in North Wales has streamlined the service and will ensure that we use our resources in the most efficient and effective way to deliver a first class response for residents and businesses.”

Have your say on how cash bonanza is spent

 

* New life in the country, Cadwyn Clwyd Chairman Andrew

Jedwell with Manager Lowri Owain and Project Support Officer Lowri Edwards.

 

A regeneration agency is in line for a six-year £7 million cash bonanza to boost the economy of rural North East Wales.

Cadwyn Clwyd is launching a month-long consultation process to explore the best ways of spending the money in the rural areas of Denbighshire, Flintshire and Wrexham. And you can have your say in Llangollen next week. 

The cash is part of an overall pot of £47.5 million for Wales and Cadwyn Clwyd has previously secured £14 million in European funding to run similar programmes in Denbighshire and Flintshire for a number of years.

Their remit has now been extended to the rural areas of Wrexham County Borough, taking in the large area south and west of North Wales’s biggest town.

The new projects could see over £2 million each go to Flintshire and Wrexham while Denbighshire receives just under £2 million.

The money comes through the European Agricultural Fund for Rural Development (EAFRD) through the Welsh Government’s Rural Development Plan and is part of a six-year plan to revitalise rural communities and their economies.

It has been backed by Clwyd South Assembly Member Ken Skates, the Welsh Government’s Deputy Minister for Skills and Technology, who said: “The fact that more people in Clwyd South could soon benefit from additional European and Welsh Government money is fantastic news.

“This major investment would represent a huge vote of confidence in the area and help galvanise some of our rural communities. I am excited to see how and where the money could be spent, and I would encourage my constituents to take part in the consultation process and have their say.

“Cadwyn Clwyd has already done some fantastic work in Clwyd South and Denbighshire, and across North East Wales as a whole, and I look forward to their excellent programmes being extended to include Wrexham and to benefit many more people in our part of the world.”

Lowri Owain, the Manager of Cadwyn Clwyd, said: "As a company, we’ve been very successful in attracting funding and in helping to get projects realised and we work with a wide range of projects.

“We hope this will be an extension of the successful series of programmes which we have been running in Denbighshire and Flintshire and which now has the potential to continue through to 2020.

“If we can secure this funding then it will represent a massive vote of confidence in the work we have been doing across all aspects of rural life from tourism, food production and job creation to improving community facilities and encouraging the arts.

“It will mean we can continue to foster innovation and develop the local economy in rural North East Wales.

“We are working in partnership with the three County Councils representing Denbighshire, Flintshire and now Wrexham and that has been vital to the bid and will be equally important for the future.”

Cadwyn Clwyd has helped secure the future of major local events like the Hamper Llangollen and Mold Food Festival as well as launching the Prince of Wales’s favourite community enterprise, Pub is the Hub in Wales for the first time in Wales before rolling it out across a total of eight local authority areas in Wales.

Other successful initiatives have seen them work with local food producers as well as help launch the Pwllglas Community Shop near Ruthin, winner of a Rural Community Ownership Award for 2014, while their bursaries have given a kickstart to small businesses and young entrepreneurs, first in Flintshire and then in Denbighshire as well.

They are currently helping Corwen set up its own hydro renewable energy project and they have funded a survey into climate change in the Clwydian Range Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty.

Lowri Owain added: “We would encourage local people with ideas to come to speak to Cadwyn Clwyd and to attend the consultation events being held over the coming weeks.

We have a great chance of securing this money and now it’s up to the public to decide what the community’s needs are and how this money can best be used.

“If we can help to develop projects further we will do all we can to provide technical support and assistance to find funds.”

Cadwyn Clwyd Board member and Flintshire County Councillor Carolyn Thomas, from Treuddyn, the Chair of the Clwydian Range and Dee Valley Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, said: “It is hugely important to rural North East Wales that Cadwyn Clwyd are able to continue their work.

“This new consultation process is a vital part of the preparation for the next six years and it is key that organizations and individuals engage with it.

“Cadwyn Clwyd has funded schemes that have brought communities together, working on initiatives they have developed from local groups through the support of their project officers who have taken people’s ideas and helped turned them into reality.

“Their expertise and know-how has brought organisations, communities and agencies together, provided access to funding and played a vital role in the ongoing regeneration of our countryside.”

Cadwyn Clwyd’s programme of consultation events covers all three counties and is as follows:

Denbighshire: Royal International Pavilion, Llangollen, on Thursday, August 21, 6-9pm.

Llangollen Lift bus service is back

The Llangollen Lift is back this year by popular demand.  

The free minibus service will be taking walkers and sightseers to some of the most stunning areas around Llangollen, including Castell Dinas Brân, the Panorama drive and the Ponderosa.  

The Lift is a fantastic way of accessing the beautiful countryside in the AONB, and gives great opportunities for leaving the car behind and enjoying linear walks from the hills back into town.  

Llangollen Lift runs at weekends until the end of September, and will also run on Mondays in August.

The service run three times a day – the 10 am and 1.30 pm minibus runs anticlockwise and are good for walks starting from the Panorama area.

The 11.30 service runs clockwise, and provides quick access to the Horseshoe Falls at the start of the World Heritage Site, where an easy 2 mile stroll along the canal will bring you back into Llangollen.

Funding has been provided by the Walking with Offa project, and the service follows the line of the National Trail along the Panorama.  

It can provide a useful lift for walkers staying in Llangollen back onto the route.

The minibus leaves Llangollen from the bus stop on Parade Street outside the Llangollen Museum, and also runs 3 times a day (11am, 1 pm and 2.30 pm) up to Plas Newydd where visitors can enjoy the house and gardens of the Ladies of Llangollen – as well as the café.

Timetables can be picked up from the Tourist Information and various outlets in Llangollen, and is also available online at http://www.clwydianrangeanddeevalleyaonb.org.uk/llangollen-lift.  

Rapid progress at the Dwyrain Corwen East Station

There was a momentous occasion for the Llangollen Railway last Friday with the arrival of a gauging train at the site of the Corwen temporary station.

A test train of three diesel railcars ventured west of Carrog to check out the clearances at structures along the two and a half mile railway extension.

The train was driven by the chairman of Llangollen Railway Trust, Elizabeth Harland, who took the opportunity to congratulate the volunteer members of the extension project team on the completion of the track laying exercise.

Commenting on the successful test run along the extension, she said: “I was delighted to drive the gauging train down the line and to see what had been achieved by our volunteers.”

* The six coach gauging train along side the scaffolding which

forms the basis of the temporary platform at Dwyrain Corwen East station.

The running of the gauging train was possible thanks to all the work undertaken to have the new track ballasted and then packed and aligned with the aid of a hired-in tamper machine. 

In addition, work is well underway by contractors, Grosvenor Scaffolding of Bagillt, to erect the 100 metre long temporary platform which will provide the passenger facility at the Dwyrain Corwen East station. 

The completion of all infrastructure works will shortly allow for the track extension to be inspected with a view to being declared fit for the operation of passenger trains.

Before trains can run into the station at Dwyrain Corwen East, a further stage of construction requires the erection of a 38 metre long ramp off the platform end to connect with a footpath coming up from ground level. This is a complex text designed to meet modern standards which will allow for disability access on an appropriately graded structure.

George Jones, for Llangollen Railway Trust said: “The completion of tasks is rapidly coming to a conclusion and, when all arrangements come together, we will then be able to announce a date for the opening of train services to Corwen. This will be the completion of a 40 year old dream.”

Public wi-fi now available at Tourist Information Centre

Public wi-fi is now available at four sites in rural Denbighshire - Llangollen tourist information centre, Corwen library, Ruthin library and Denbigh library.

This new provision has been funded by the Destination Denbighshire Rural Development Plan funded project and allows visitors to access tourism websites to complement and aid them in their visit to rural Denbighshire.

One of the websites that can be visited is the Digital Adventures website www.digitaldenbighshire.co.uk.

Hawys Lebbon, Tourism Project Officer, said: "This is a great tourist addition to the rural Denbighshire area allowing our visitors to interact with us digitally and allowing them to download various information onto their mobile devices'.

"Anyone who wishes to use the wi-fi must seek assistance from a staff member at the sites for login details in order to conform with Denbighshire's Security Policy."

Police carry out taxi spot checks

Police, council officers and the Vehicle Operator Services Agency carried out spot checks on taxis in Denbighshire and Flintshire today.

 

The joint operation found that only four of the 30 vehicles checked were committing offences by not being maintained properly and that the general standard of vehicles was good.

 

Two of the four offending vehicles had immediate prohibitions placed on them.

 

Sergeant Jane Thomas of the Roads policing Unit said; “It is good to see that the majority of operators are maintaining standards and ensuring their vehicles are kept to the high standards essential for the safety of all road users.

 

“Further operations will be carried out in the coming weeks.”  

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Mold to Llangollen walk for Bailey Hill appeal

* Phil Thomas will walk from Mold Town Hall to Llangollen

to raise funds for Bailey Hill, Mold.

Links between two Welsh Cittaslow towns will be strengthened by Phil Thomas when he walks from Mold to Llangollen to raise funds for Bailey Hill, Mold.

He’ll be taking two tickets donated by Cittaslow Mold for their Mold Big Breakfast on Saturday 30 August to give to the Mayor of Llangollen. 

Phil is carrying out the 16 mile trek on Tuesday 26 August to support Groundwork UK's, 'X Marks the Spot' Treasured Spaces appeal for Bailey Hill, Mold. 

The Friends of Bailey Hill need to raise £2,500 'match funding' by the beginning of September to secure a £5,000 grant from Groundwork UK. If the appeal is successful it will enable the Friends to start work on the ambitious improvement master plan for Bailey Hill.

The funding will pay for the clearance of overgrown shrubs and small trees all around the banks of the motte, the planting of wild flowers, and building and installing bat and bird boxes on the large trees.

If you would like to sponsor Phil please make your donation on the Groundwork Appeals Page at:  http://www.groundwork.org.uk/Sites/xmarks/appeals/Category/x-marks-projects
and follow the links to Bailey Hill, or contact Phil Thomas, email: pw.thomas10@gmail.com telephone: 01352 753847, or call in to Mold Town Council office in the Town Hall on Earl Road, Mold.

Can you help Support Your High Street campaign?

As part of the Support Your High Street campaign, the Welsh Government is launching High Street Week from September 20-27.

The campaign is aimed at encouraging partners, local businesses and communities to support their local high streets and rediscover the benefits of shopping locally.

Golley Slater has been appointed to develop a PR campaign to help boost the week and says it needs the help of people in Llangollen to highlight the most engaging local stories it can use to promote the campaign nationally.

The PR team says people can get involved by:

* Sharing the Support Your High Street Wales Facebook posts on their own social media - visit  facebook.com/Support Your High Street Wales.

* Sending through any interesting photos you have of your high street to be shared on the campaign Facebook page.

* Holding events during campaign week, such as shops lending their front window to local students for them to dress it for the week.

* Sending in interesting stories you have that might attract interest from the local or national media, such as a high street hero – a local business owner or employee who is a real character and regularly goes the extra mile to ensure their customers get the best possible service, or the third/fourth/fifth generation shop owner or a store/business that has been on your high street for more  than 50 years.

* Giving details of any new start-up businesses that are doing something different or newsworthy.

If you think you can help, email the team at Golley Slater at highstreets@golleyslater.co.uk