AM praises team who fought to re-open Corwen line

* Ken Skates AM on his visit to Llangollen Railway yesterday. 

Clwyd South AM Ken Skates hailed the ‘decades of hard work and dedication’ by volunteers to restore of an historic rail line linking two towns.

Labour Assembly Member Mr Skates took a trip on the recently-reopened Llangollen-Corwen line on Monday (October 27), six months after rolling up his sleeves to help lay sections of track.

Mr Skates said: “It’s fantastic to see this Welsh Government-supported project going full steam ahead after decades of incredible hard work and dedication by an amazing team of volunteers.

“While this restoration project has been a genuine labour of love for those involved, the unbelievable amount of blood, sweat and tears that’s gone into this fantastic achievement cannot be overestimated.

“They have turned mission impossible into a reality and created something we can all be exceptionally proud of.”

 

Enthusiasts had fought for years to reinstate the Llangollen-Corwen, via Carrog, after its closure by British Railways in 1965.

 

Older People's "Czar" will be at Llan meeting

Sarah Rochira, the Older People’s Commissioner for Wales, will be special guest at an open meeting being organised by Age Connects (North Wales Central) at The Hand Hotel in Llangollen on Friday, November 14.

* Sarah Rochira

The meeting, which runs from 10am-1pm, will also be addressed by Clwyd South Labour AM Ken Skates.

Questions are invited from people over 50 on issues affecting older people and should be submitted to Age Connects before the meeting.

This is a bookable event as places are limited.





* To book a seat or submit a question, call Age Connects on 01745 816947.

Llan RBL officials attend Rhyl Poppy Appeal launch

* The Lord Lieutenant and civic leaders at the Poppy Appeal launch in Rhyl.

Officials of the Llangollen branch of the Royal British Legion recently attended the official launch of the annual Poppy Appeal in Rhyl.

Hosted by the legion’s Rhyl branch, a highlight of the event was the release of 100 red balloons in the town’s High Street to mark the centenary of the RBL.

With the Lord Lieutenant of Clwyd, Henry Fetherstonhaugh, performing the official launch assisted by the chair of Denbighshire County Council, Cllr Brian Blakeley, the event also featured displays by the Army’s Royal Electrical and Mechanical Engineers and Royal Logistical Corps along with the police and ambulance service.

Children from local schools were amongst the large crowd who turned out to watch the event.      

Music was provided by the Beulah Brass whose bugler sounded the Last Post and Reveille.

Have your say on budget cuts

Denbighshire County Council is considering a range of cuts, as part of its efforts to cut £17 million from its budget over the next two years.

Now the Council is launching a debate called 'Cutting Our Cloth' , asking residents for views on how the impact of the cuts can be lessened on local communities.

One set of proposals totalling £4.6 million has already been agreed by Full Council. The current round of proposals worth £5.4 million are being considered, with councillors expected to discuss them formally in December and February.

Councillor Hugh Evans OBE, Leader of the Council, said: “The Council has worked really hard over recent years to protect jobs and vital public services wherever possible.

“We have managed to save £20 million by concentrating on  inefficiencies, bureaucracy and management, but the time has now come for us to make cuts.

“These cuts are unavoidable. They are the ‘least-worst’ options that the Council has to consider as it sets its budget for the next financial year”.  

Dr Mohammed Mehmet, Chief Executive of Denbighshire, said: “The budget situation in Denbighshire is certainly not unique and we are facing our biggest challenges since devolution.  

“Before final decisions are made on these proposals, the Council wishes to fully understand their impact on the public, on staff and on the wider community.

“While the scale of cuts facing local government in Wales will change the structure and purpose and councils will inevitably do ‘less with less’, they will still continue to provide vital services to residents and good quality, safe care to their vulnerable adults and children.

“And we are making a commitment in Denbighshire to continue providing the best possible services, despite the big challenges we face.”

A summary of proposals can be found on the website, www.denbighshire.gov.uk, together with a short online form for you to complete. 

You can submit your response online.  Alternatively, you can e-mail: public.relations@denbighshire.gov.uk or write to: Cutting Our Cloth, Communications Department, Denbighshire County Council, County Hall, Wynnstay Road, Ruthin, LL15 1YN or you can leave your comments at any council reception area.

If you wish your comment to be considered by the Council at its December meeting, it should arrive with the Council no later than November 27.

Ladies' self-defence class planned

A ladies’ self-defence class is to be staged in Llangollen next month.

Being organised by Paul Keates, of specialist training company RSS Ltd, it will take place on Saturday, November 15, from 12.30-3.30pm, in St Collen’s Church Hall.

Paul said: “I ran a course at the beginning of the month for the ladies from Metafit Llangollen who really enjoyed it and have asked me to run a second so the rest of the ladies can come, as I have the large hall this time I thought I would also open it up to the ladies of Llangollen.

“The course is an in depth one outlining the legal aspects of self-defence along with tried and tested techniques that have all been risk assessed and specifically designed for this course.”

The cost is £15 per person and more details are available at http://www.rssltd-training.com/#!Landing%20Page%201/c12br

Trains run again from Llan to Corwen

* One of the Special trains at the platform in Corwen. 

Trains are now running between Llangollen and Corwen for the first time in almost 50 years.

The operation of a sequence of three Corwen Specials heralded the arrival of the Llangollen Railway at the temporary station platform of Dwyrain Corwen East earlier this week.

The first two trains provided the opportunity for supporters of the Corwen Appeal and volunteers to celebrate the completion of the extension west from Carrog.

The first train with No.3802 leading and Black 5 45337 on the rear arrived on time at 11.35 having run non-stop from Llangollen. 

 

A large crowd of townsfolk were on hand to welcome the train and the regional media gave the occasion extensive coverage.

 

After a brief ten minute stop over the train reversed out.
 

Later the Black 5 lead the second train into the platform after 3802  had detached at Carrog, and the third train saw 3802 on the front for the final run.

Again crowds turned out from Corwen and district to witness this historic occasion. Many older people said they remembered the last days of trains in Corwen nearly 50 years ago and others recalled their childhood taking the school train to Bala.

The topping and tailing of the five coach train was specially arranged for this opening day, but showed how uneconomic such an operation would be for the course of normal day-day running.

The daily service, which operates in half term week from 27 October, will be hauled by one engine.

In the absence of a run round loop at the temporary terminus, the train will be propelled back to Carrog under the control of a driver in the PCV (Propelling Control Vehicle) at the rear of the train. Run round of the locomotive will take place at Carrog and the timetable reflects this operation.

The 2014 season of trains will conclude with Remembrance weekend trains operating to Corwen 8/9 November.

The post Christmas Mince Pie Special Trains will operate to Corwen from 26 December. There after a formal opening ceremony at Dwyrain Corwen East is planned for St David’s Day, 1 March 2015, followed by a full season of trains in 2015.

George Jones, for Llangollen Railway Trust, said: “This project has been a great challenge, but its completion a great achievement for all those involved in the many aspects of its construction. The further challenge is to tackle Phase 2 and build the proper terminus nearer to the town centre.”

Plaid candidate slams welfare cuts

The UK Government’s welfare reductions are cutting £1bn from the Welsh economy, the equivalent on £590 for every working adult in Denbighshire, new research by the respected Sheffield Hallam University shows.

In a speech to Plaid Cymru’s annual conference in Llangollen yesterday (Saturday), Mabon ap Gwynfor, the party’s candidate for Clwyd South, cited the report and said: “We want more than a change of government, we want a complete change of direction – none of the London parties are offering that."

 

He called for a programme of investment in communities such as Clwyd South in order to create jobs and a better quality of life.

 

Mabon ap Gwynfor (pictured right) told delegates at the conference said:  “Instead of investing in job creation to strengthen the economy and generate more wealth, the Government is choosing the slash and burn option, hurting our most vulnerable and deprived. This lessens the life chances of thousands of people, making life even harder for them, but it takes a huge chunk of money out of the Welsh economy, resulting in more job losses, more poverty and greater dependency.

 

“Arguing that austerity is a programme of cutting public expenditure back to what they disparagingly refer to as ‘within our means’ is just smoke and mirrors. If they have enough money to maintain and develop a new generation of Nuclear Weapons; if they can build a brand new superfast train line from Leeds to London; if they can afford to let £85bn in unpaid tax by corporations and millionaires leave our economy, then they can afford to ensure that everyone has a decent standard of living, with a roof over their heads.

 

"By cutting Trident and HS2 alone, every council in Wales would on average have an extra £17million a year to safeguard frontline services.”

 

Mabon ap Gwynfor added: “We need to invest in our people and communities. Business rates are crippling many of our smaller businesses. Plaid Cymru would take 70,000 businesses in Wales out of business rates altogether; we would ensure public contracts go to local business to create 50,000 local jobs; and we will fight to ensure a living wage for all. Because we believe in the potential of our neighbours and communities. We see them as our nation’s most valuable assets.”

Dobson & Crowther factory nears completion

* llanblogger reader Mike Edwards has kindly sent in this picture of the new Dobson & Crowther factory at Cilmedw in Llangollen which is now nearing completion.

Plaid to stage annual conference in Llan

Plaid Cymru, the Party of Wales, is to stage its annual conference in Llangollen later this month.

For more details see:
http://www.partyofwales.org/events/2014/10/24/party-of-wales-annual-conference-2014/?force=1

Friends create red hot chilli business

 

* Living dangerously: Dominic Haynes and Llyr Jones.

 

Two friends have turned their love of chilli peppers into a red hot business - after donning face masks and protective clothing to get it going.

 

Dominic Haynes and Llyr Jones, who launched their enterprise after being made redundant, came up the idea of creating a chilli jam while sat in their local pub.

 

They had to wear protective gear to create their first jars of jam in Dominic’s kitchen using ghost chillies – judged one of the hottest varieties in the world.

 

Their Dangerous Food Company is now going from strength to strength, winning a Great Taste award in September, and will be unveiling their latest products at Hamper Llangollen food festival this weekend, October 18-19.

 

Supported by rural development agency Cadwyn Clwyd, the event in Llangollen’s Royal Pavilion is recognised as one of the UK's top 10 food festivals.

 

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

This year’s festival sees a quartet of Wales’s best chefs take a starring role. 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.

 

The two 31-year-olds, who live just 80 yards apart in St Asaph, were both working for an Irish dairy company when they came up with the idea of combining chillies with British fruits to make a spicy relish to go with cooked meats, cheese, fish and vegetarian dishes, explained Dominic, from St Asaph.

 

“We were pitching the idea to Asda about a ready-made chilli jam to go with cheese but we didn’t really think the variety was very good. So we were sat in the pub talking about it and decided that we could make our own.

 

“It took us 38 attempts at making it – some of them definitely not fit for human consumption - before we finally came up with a version that we liked and started to trial it with our friends.

 

“Then we were both made redundant so we decided to start up in business together, as we’d already worked together for 10 years. At first we made it in my kitchen -although it had just been refitted after the floods. However, making vast quantities of chilli jam in a tiny kitchen in a cottage did have some drawbacks, particularly the smell.

 

“Now we have a base in St Asaph, at the Old Courthouse, and the jams are made at Patchwork Foods in Ruthin for us, as we needed a food production base that met strict criteria.

 

“The staff still have to wear protective clothing though, especially when they make the ghost chilli variety, as it’s so hot.

 

“We have met some officials in the food industry who find it difficult to understand how our products are classed as a jam. However, we can call jam that because of the fruit and the sugar content.”

 

They now make around 1,000 jars a week of their jams, in five varieties, all of which will be on sale at Hamper Llangollen food festival  - red chilli with a hint of lime, jalapeño with bramley apple, habanero with mango, bird’s eye with morello cherry, and the hottest: ghost chilli with blueberry.

 

Ghost chillies, also known as bhut jolokia, measure up to 1.5million on the Scoville scale – the universally accepted gauge of hotness – making it one of the hottest chillies available.

 

 

Dominic, a former pupil of Blessed Edward School, Rhyl, concentrates on business development and marketing for the company while Llyr, who grew up in Bala, looks after the production side. They are planning to expand by taking on a new part-time worker to help them at food festivals and other events.

 

The Dangerous Food Company’s jams are on sale at 20 outlets in North Wales, including Tweedmill Shopping Outlet’s new Farm Shop along with Bodnant Welsh Food Centre and local farmers’ markets. They are also available to buy online at www.dangerousfoodco.co.uk

 

 

Helen Roberts, from Cadwyn Clwyd, said: “Hamper Llangollen will be a great showcase for a wide variety of food and drink producers, all of which are helping to boost the economy of this part of North Wales.

 

“The Dangerous Food Company is a wonderful example of how two friends can create their own business, putting their dreams into action, and we are delighted to be able to bring their products to the attention of the thousands of people who will be visiting Llangollen later this month.”

 

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

 

Dog fouling campaign collars 51 owners

Denbighshire County Council's campaign to tackle dog fouling in the county continues, with a total of 51 fixed penalty tickets issued in the last two months to people who allow their dogs to foul in public.

This is higher than the total number of tickets issued in the whole of last year and is the result of more patrolling of locations where dog fouling has reported to be a problem, according to the council.

Councillor David Smith, Cabinet Lead Member for Environment, said: "The increase in the number of fixed penalty notices issued for dog fouling shows how committed we are as a Council to try and stamp out this problem.

"The majority of dog owners act responsibly and clean up after their animals and we would like to thank them for acting so responsibly. However, there are some individuals who think it is acceptable to allow their dogs to foul in public without clearing the mess.  This is the kind of behaviour that we will not tolerate.

Emlyn Jones, Denbighshire's Public Protection Manager, said: "Residents in Denbighshire have told us that dog fouling is one of the biggest issues that concern them and the Council is listening to their concerns.

"We have launched a campaign to highlight the dangers of dog fouling to people's health, as well as the visual and environmental impact and want to see a change in perceptions and hopefully change the behaviour of those small number of people who act anti-socially."

To report issues of dog fouling, please contact the Customer Contact Centre on 01824 706100 (Welsh Language line), 01824 706101 (English language line) or visit the website: www.denbighshire.gov.uk

Service for bereaved at St John's

Service of Remembrance  for the Recently Bereaved 

 

 

St John’s Church Abbey Road 

2nd November at 5pm 

 

For everything there is a season, and a time for every matter under heaven: a time to be born, and a time to die; a time to plant, and a time to pluck up what is planted.                              Ecclesiastes 3 

Llan chalet fire in the news

The Oswestry Advertizer is reporting on its website today details of a fire which it says broke out at a chalet in Llangollen.

For the full story see: http://www.bordercountiesadvertizer.co.uk/news/139431/fire-breaks-out-at-llangollen-chalet.aspx

Railway hosts weekend carriage convention

Around 40 delegates from across Britain will be at Llangollen Railway for the 15^th annual Carriage Convention being hosted there this weekend, October 18 and 19.

This is the first time the Carriage Convention has been held in Wales and many of the diverse groups involved with carriage restoration at the various heritage railways and museums in Britain will be represented.

 

The gathering will bring together the vast knowledge and experience of those working to preserve the wide variety of heritage carriages which exist in operational condition, or as museum exhibits, and others in course of restoration.

During the course of the convention Llangollen Railway intends to provide practical demonstrations of work on rail vehicles, including panel welding and body repairs, mechanical maintenance and wood manufacturing in the railway’s workshops.

Delegates will give talks on the many varied aspects of carriage restoration and illustrate the work they are involved in with their project for the promotion and interest to others.

 

The exchange of information will help those looking for assistance with their own challenging restoration project who may benefit from applying new technology to the solution for a repair of obsolete equipment, as pioneered by others.

A carriage parts sales stand will provide for the many hard-to-find items needed to complete a restoration project from obsolete screws to full size vehicles and a mini car boot sale on Sunday morning will cater for those who bring parts for sale.

The convention will provide a full tour of the engineering workshops at the Llangollen Railway which is the home for such new build locomotive projects as the Patriot ‘The Unknown Warrior’, ‘Betton Grange’, the ‘Night Owl’ and the recently announced B17 ‘Sandringham’.

 

The carriage workshop was the location for the acclaimed restoration of the Great Western Steam Railmotor and Trailer as operational at the Didcot Railway Centre, as per picture below.

Restoration projects completed at Llangollen Railway will be on show and will include the Wickham railcar, the Southern Railway Elephant Van, the London North Eastern Railway Thompson Brake Third coach and the former Kings Cross Suburban Coach set, as well as other projects which are underway.

A convivial Saturday evening will be offered with a trip on the Llangollen Railway’s Real Ale Train which operates with the restored Elizabethan Buffet coach.

Llangollen Railway director, Peter Lund, said: “We are delighted to be hosting this national event and look forward to meeting delegates from a wide range of participating railways and museums.

 

"We want to make this weekend a very useful occasion for all delegates. By bringing people together to share their experiences, and to view our own projects, we hope to promote the important work of continuing to provide historic railway vehicles for the enjoyment of the many people who visit heritage railways.”

Healing course planned for Llan

llanblogger has received the following poster advertising an event at St Collen's Community Hall in November:

LimeLight to stage two Christmas shows

Award-winning LimeLight Productions, who are winning a  good reputation in Llangollen for their musical theatre and drama productions, have unveiled details of their two Christmas productions.

One is original drama written and directed by Peter Read which, after its launch at Llangollen Town Hall goes on a semi-professional tour.

The second it a musical spectacular featuring the Carl Jones Dancers and John Durham and his Rat Pack repertoire.  

The first show, A Dickens of an Evening, is on at the Town Hall on Friday and Saturday, November 14 and 15 at 7.30pm

Depicting the life of Charles Dickens, it shows the great author celebrating Christmas with his friends.

There are visitations from ghosts, haunted men, Christmas trees coming to life, plus lots of festive joy.

But beneath the jollity, and the undercurrents, Dickens's private life is always near the surface.

As they act out The Battle of Life it is clear that the plot of two sisters loving the same man mirrors his own life. And there is also Ellen Ternan, the secret lover, hovering in the wings.

The second production, Christmas in the Limelight, on Friday, December 5 at 7.30pm, offers a wealth of musical theatre and much-loved songs in a cabaret-style setting.

LimeLight features music from their forthcoming 2015 production Fiddler On The Roof, along with some beautiful dancing accompanying the singers and solo pieces from the Carl Jones Dancers.

John Durham, a professional vocalist,  joins the cast as host singing songs from his Rat Pack collection. Fellow host is the well-known John Clifford.

LimeLight are offering discounted seats for those booking tickets for both shows.

Tickets are £8 and £6.50 concessions with  group discounts available. They are available by calling the box office on 01978 351315/07504031029, or from Llangollen Tourist Information Centre.

Email contact: limelightwrexham@googlemail.com

Latest in Allt y Badi story

An article on the Denbighshire Free Press website describes latest moves in the dispute over the use of the Allt y Badi pass between Llangollen and Glyn Ceiriog by off-roaders.

http://denbighshirefreepress.co.uk/news/139344/off-roaders-asked-to-stay-off-path.aspx

Politicians seek talented young designers

Assembly Member Ken Skates and MP Susan Elan Jones are encouraging schoolchildren in Clwyd South to show their artistic side by designing their own Christmas cards.

The political pair are inviting pupils of every infant and primary school in their constituency to look forward to the festive season and enter their annual competition.

The winning design, which will be chosen by First Minister Carwyn Jones, will become the Labour duo’s official Christmas card and will be sent out to constituents, businesses, schools and voluntary groups across Wrexham and Denbighshire.

Last year’s winner was 11-year-old Ross Griffiths from Cefn Mawr, who now goes to Ysgol Rhiwabon, after his card was chosen out of more than 100 entries.

Clwyd South AM Ken Skates said: “There were so many great designs last year we decided to feature four on our card, and we’re hoping for just as good a response this time.
“The children in Clwyd South always seem to really get into the spirit of the competition and we’re extremely grateful to the teachers for encouraging their creativity and enthusiasm. I’m sure this year will be no different.”

 

MP Ms Jones added: “The competition gives us a good opportunity to engage with young people in Clwyd South, and it’s a fun way for them to learn a little bit about who represents them. The competition closes on November 14 as we need time to whittle them down and get the winning design printed, so the sooner the children get cracking the better!”

Prospective Picassos should ask their teachers to send their designs to Mr Skates’ constituency office at Unit 19, The Malthouse, Regent Street, Llangollen, LL20 8HS.

Beatriz to serve up Spanish dishes at food festival

* Beatriz Albo with one of her paella dishes.

A former research scientist who worked at a college on Deeside is recreating the dishes that her gran served up at the family’s award-winning restaurant in Spain.

 

Beatriz Albo has left the lab behind to spend more time in the kitchen at her home in Brymbo, near Wrexham, where she’s cooking up dishes she learned as a child from her gran Teresa, back home in the ancient city of Salamanca, a Unesco World Heritage Site.

 

She’s just set up her own company Sabor De Amor – named after her favourite song - while her version of paella along with Spanish specialities  chanfaina, garlic sauce aioli and olive tapenade are  winning plaudits among her growing number of fans.

 

Beatriz’s culinary creations will be on sale at Llangollen Hamper this weekend, now recognised as one of the UK's top 10 food festivals, which is supported by 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.

 

According to Beatriz, Hamper Llangollen will the perfect shop window for her Spanish cuisine.

 

She said: “I’ve only been going a few months so I was very pleased to be accepted as an exhibitor by Hamper Llangollen – it will be a real chance to showcase my dishes to a much wider audience.”

 

Now a mum of two, Beatriz first came to the UK aged 24 to work at Deeside College, now part of Coleg Cambria, researching gum arabic, a flavouring and thickening agent, and later proteins in mung beans.

 

She went on to gain a doctorate at Manchester University and after the birth of her children Albert  and Susana, now aged 17 and 10, she began teaching science, most recently at Ruabon High School.

 

“I was covering maternity leave at Ruabon, teaching maths and biology and when that ended last summer I considered going back into pure research. However, I realised that as I hadn’t been involved in that for a long time, and hadn’t published papers,  it would be difficult

 

“My family and friends have always been very complimentary about my cooking and said I should do it professionally. There is a growing interest in Spanish food, with more and more tapas restaurants opening.

 

“When I was growing up in north west Spain my grandmother Teresa ran a restaurant in Salamanca called Roma. All the family worked in it – my uncles and my mother, so after school I would go along to help out. I remember the dishes she made, they were wonderful. After my great-grandmother died I lived with my gran for a while, so she wouldn’t be alone, and I learned more from her about cooking.

 

“I still have family in Spain and they often send me ingredients, such as olives from the local villages, and spices and herbs. That’s how I get the authentic taste of Spain in my dishes.

 

“After getting lots of advice I decided to start my own business making Spanish food to sell at farmers’ markets. However, I wasn’t sure what to call the new company. Then, one day when I was making strawberry jam at home my favourite song came up on my iPhone playlist – Sabor de Amor. It’s all about the taste of strawberries and home, and I thought it would be ideal.

 

“As I am a scientist at heart I made sure my kitchen at home met all the high standards needed to get the licences to create food at home to sell.

 

“One of the most popular things I’ve been making is a paella sauce: it’s a real concentrated stock with authentic flavourings in a bottle, so you just have to add it to rice and meat, or other ingredients,  to create the perfect dish. It really does taste like the one my grandmother used to make.

 

“I also make chanfaina, which is a regional dish from Salamanca that uses cheaper cuts such as offal, plus tapenades, which seem to be very popular with shoppers at farmers’ markets, like the monthly one at the Grosvenor Centre in Pulford.

 

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

 

llanblogger takes a short break

llanblogger is now taking a short break.

We'll be back with all the latest news and views in about a week's time. 

Children's author at the library

Libraries will be celebrating Denbighshire Children’s Book Week from October 6-10.

Over 1200 children across the county will be visiting their local library to meet one of the five popular children’s authors who are coming to Denbighshire this year.

The authors - Chris d’Lacey, Shoo Rayner, Caryl Parry Jones, Dan Anthony and Elen Caldecott - will be talking about their books and how they became writers, and encouraging children to read avidly and use their local library.

Elen Caldecott will be at Llangollen Library on Wednesday, October 8, meeting children from Years 3 and 4 Ysgol Gwernant at 9.30am, Ysgol Dinas Brân Year 7 at 11am and Ysgol Bryn Collen Year 5-6  at 1.30pm. 

“Children’s Book Week is one of the highlights of an annual programme of events in our libraries to promote reading”, said Bethan Hughes of Denbighshire Libraries.

“We know that meeting and speaking with an author can have a lasting effect on a child and his or her attitude towards reading.

"Children who have not yet discovered the pleasure of reading are often motivated to pick up a book because they’ve met its author, and this is so important in their development as confident and able readers.

"Libraries play a crucial role in supporting children’s reading outside the classroom, giving children free access to good quality books and the freedom to choose what they want to read, helped and supported by library staff to make good choices.

“We are delighted to welcome the authors to Denbighshire and thank publishers Firefly Press and Chicken House for their support.”

Pledges from Plaid Cymru's local candidate

 

* Mabon ap Gwynfor, Plaid Cymru’s parliamentary candidate for Clwyd South.

 

A Living Wage for all and getting fairer funding to invest in jobs and the economy will be two of the main issues championed by Plaid Cymru during the 2015 General Election.

These were the pledges made Mabon ap Gwynfor, Plaid Cymru’s parliamentary candidate for Clwyd South next May.

 

He also said that banning Fracking and improving health services were priorities as well.

 

Mabon ap Gwynfor said: “It's about jobs and the economy. Plaid Cymru, along with the SNP and Green Party,  is a progressive grouping of MPs at Westminster. It’s increasingly likely that there will be another hung Parliament with no one party having a clear majority.

 

"In that event, the Plaid Cymru progressive bloc could hold the balance of power. People can be confident therefore that a vote for Plaid Cymru counts and we can make a radical and positive difference at an UK level.

 

“Securing a Living Wage – currently around £7.65 an hour - for all is crucial to improve the quality of life of many families here in Clwyd South. There are 2,354 families in this constituency living with a problem debt, and at least 20% of our workers live below the living wage.

 

"Women especially would benefit as they are less likely to be paid the Living Wage than men due to women being more likely to be in low paid, part-time work. It’s important to see this as part of a larger economic package that helps small businesses by extending rate relief far beyond the current level and reducing VAT for the tourist industry to 5%.

“The introduction of a Living Wage alone could create a further 265 jobs in this constituency alone, based on the fact that more money would circulate in the local economy."

Mabon ap Gwynfor explained that securing a fair funding to create jobs and boost the economy was also a key commitment: “The HS2 High Speed train from London to Leeds will cost the tax payer £50bn. We will be paying for this, yet the only real beneficiaries will be London and the south east of England. By scrapping this wasteful extravagance Wrexham Council could be £9.5m a year better off for the next 12 years.

“People can vote for Plaid Cymru next year confident that we could be in a position to make a real difference to their lives.”

Mabon ap Gwynfor is a married father of three young children and lives near Corwen. He has been a long-time campaigner for improved health services, including the campaign to keep hospital beds in Llangollen and campaigning to keep neo-natal intensive care services at Wrexham Maelor.

 

He is the co-founder and chair of the North Wales Health Alliance, established to fight the downgrading of health services in the region. He is also a Parent Governor at his children’s local primary school, and a director of one of Wales’ National Theatres.   

Off-roading concerns aired at Town Hall meeting

CONCERNS about off-roaders using parts of the countryside close to Llangollen were aired at a packed public meeting in the Town Hall yesterday (Thursday) evening.

The meeting, which was attended by around 100 people including representatives of Denbighshire County Council, local police and residents, was called to discuss issues arising from the use by 4x4 vehicles and motorcyclists of unsurfaced roads in the area close to the town.

People voiced concerns about the use of the Allt Y Badi as a "feeder" funnel to the Ceiriog Valley and uplands.

Illegal activities were the main bone of contention and the fact that the Allt Y Badi is classed as a highway.

A number of off-roaders were also at the meeting to counter the criticisms made against them.

Llangollen county councillor Stuart Davies, who was there on the night, said: “It was a well attended meeting with representations from all types of users and residents, and full and frank views were exchanged.

“People wanted to have Allt Y Badi declassified but I made the point that to do so would be a long and costly process with no guarantee of success and that in today’s current financial climate, where members are being asked to consider the closure of old peoples accommodation, closing a highway comes low on the list of priorities.”

Cllr Davies explained that the county council has set up meetings at which the authorities and stakeholders will discuss the issues and plan joint actions to address them.

He added: “I will be attending these meetings to put forward the views of constituents.

“I believe that closing or downgrading Allt Y Badi would entail a long and costly battle through the legal system because there are just as many user groups supporting the retention of the status of this road as are against it.

“I think the answers are therefore compromise and targeted upholding of the law and I believe this can be achieved through the meetings set up by the county council for next month when I will be pushing for this.”

Salmon stocking of Welsh Rivers to be phased out

A major change in the way Natural Resources Wales works to protect wild salmon has been agreed.

A comprehensive review of scientific research found that hatchery-reared young salmon have a much lower survival rate than young wild fish, and can harm existing wild salmon populations.

NRW now intends to phase out salmon stocking by 2015 and close its hatcheries at Mawddach, near Dolgellau and Maerdy near Corwen.

The proposal was confirmed this week by NRW’s board.

The Cynrig hatchery, near Brecon, will remain open and NRW will assess the possibility of developing a freshwater research centre on the site.

Ceri Davies, Director of Knowledge, Strategy and Planning for Natural Resources Wales said: “We are passionate about making sure that Wales has a healthy and sustainable salmon population. To do that, we need to use our resources as effectively as possible.

“We’ve done a lot over the years to improve water quality and, together with our partners, to improve habitats and resolve barriers to migration. We believe the benefits of these are now starting to have effect, and this will improve freshwater conditions for our salmon and other fish.

“Our rivers are an important part of our environment. They provide essential habitats for fish and other wildlife as well as giving people opportunities to enjoy the outdoors through angling and other water-based activities.”

NRW says it looked at a wide range of scientific evidence from the UK and abroad which suggested there are more effective ways to support salmon in Welsh rivers. A public consultation did not come up with any evidence to the contrary.

Salmon became extinct on the River Taff during the industrial revolution and stocking played a part in its recovery along with some other previously industrialised rivers.

A study has now revealed that, after stocking provided that initial boost to restore the population, more salmon would be produced if fish were left in the river to spawn rather than taken for hatchery rearing.

Money raised from the sale of the hatcheries will be used to improve fisheries in rivers which have previously been stocked, including work to improve habitats or to open new migratory routes.

And NRW will be working with partner organisations to implement these improvement programmes.
Over the last 10 years NRW, Welsh Government and the EU funded Sustainable Fisheries Programme has, in partnership with Rivers Trusts and others, invested millions of pounds t.o improve fish stocks.

This includes opening up over 1,500km of access to spawning grounds by building fish passes and improving more than 500 kilometres of habitat by, for example, fencing to keep livestock away from river banks and prevent delivery of sediments to the rivers.

The decision has gained support from Dr Stephen Marsh-Smith OBE, Director of The Wye and Usk Foundation, who said: “NRW have been very courageous in these proposals, challenging what are some extremely entrenched beliefs.

“Although it might be argued that given the weight of scientific evidence the cessation of stocking is long overdue, historically, changes to any fisheries management or byelaw have invariably been watered down to get past a minority of vociferous critics.

“This time the new organisation has gone with the evidence and honoured the sustainable principles enshrined in their name."

Ceri Davies of NRW added: “We recognise that there will be some debate around this decision, but scientific evidence shows that this is the best course of action to secure the future of wild salmon and angling in Wales.

“We have an opportunity to think creatively about the best way to support fish stocks so our rivers can continue to provide benefits to the wildlife, people and economy of Wales.

“We have agreed to develop a robust action plan to do this and will report back on progress.”