County consults on future of bus services

Denbighshire County Council is asking for passenger and community views on the bus services it supports financially. 

 

The council says it is likely that further financial pressures in 2016/17 could potentially lead to further savings being needed through some bus services in the county.

However, it stresses this is a consultation and no decisions have been made.

A series of drop-in sessions are being arranged at three locations on November 13 where a member of Denbighshire’s Public Transport team and a member of Bus Users Cymru staff will be on hand to answer questions.

The sessions will take place at the following locations:

 

·       9.30am-11am  Corwen Library

·       12pm-1.30pm County Hall Reception, Ruthin

·       2.30pm-4.30pm  Denbigh Library

 

Passengers and communities are asked to comment on the options by visiting www.denbighshire.gov.uk/consultations   

Those passengers wishing to find out more may also contact the service by e-mail:  passengertransport@denbighshire.gov.uk or by phoning 01824 706964.

The closing date for the consultation is December 11.

Suggestions for services involving Llangollen are:

72 Betws GG-Ruthin
73 Ruthin Town Service
77 Llanelidan-Ruthin
91 Melin y Wig-Llangollen
95 Melin y Wig-Wrexham
98 Llangollen –Llantysilio/Pentredwr

Revisions by reducing the number of vehicles on these services from two to one.

Option 1

Offering a service six days a week by reducing the number of departures to Ruthin
on service 72 and operating a connecting service from Melin y Wig to Corwen for
Llangollen and Wrexham.

Ruthin Town Service reduced to two return journeys.

Ruthin-Llanelidan sees minor changes.

Services between Llangollen & Llantysilio/Pentredwr replaced by taxi on two days a
week.

Bryneglwys-Wrexham service replaced by taxi to Llandegla for X50 on two days a
week.

Option 2

Offering a direct service, as now, from Melin y Wig to Llangollen and Wrexham and
from Betws GG to Ruthin but only on certain days of the week.

Ruthin town service withdrawn on all but two days a week.

Option 3

As option 2 but withdrawing the twice a week journey at 1715 from Ruthin Leisure
Centre (1720 from Market Street).

Plaid leader to visit Llan

A political leader will be making a visit to Llangollen this week to talk about her hopes and aspirations for Wales following the Assembly elections next year.

 

Leanne Wood, who heads Plaid Cymru - The Party of Wales, is to hold a special evening for the public at the Hand Hotel on Thursday at 7pm.

The 'What Next For Wales?' meeting will be chaired by Mabon ap Gwynfor,  the party's candidate for the area next year.

 

Mabon ap Gwynfor said: "The Welsh election next May is of vital importance for our families and communities. People want to know what direction our country is going in. How can we improve our health services? How can we improve educational achievements? How can we get more investment in north Wales to create more jobs?

 

"Leanne Wood will visit Llangollen so that people here have the opportunity to see how Wales could improve under a Plaid Cymru Government.

 

"Leanne Wood is a widely recognised and well liked politician, and people trust her. This is a rare quality in a politician.

 

"She is also a real candidate to become Wales' next First Minister, and it is only right that people get the chance to see how Wales could improve under a Plaid Cymru Government.

 

"For instance this week she announced that a Plaid Cymru Government would stop the proposed downgrade of maternity services in north Wales immediately on its election in May. "

Fun event raises £1,000 in aid of Town Hall

* Mayor Mike Adams shares the floor with Julie Thomas and The Strictly Fun Dancers. 

A sell-out event has raised £1,000 towards the repair and refurbishment of Llangollen Town Hall.

Raising the Roof, which was staged at the Town Hall last Friday, was a supper party with music and dancing.

The evening featured Julie Thomas and The Strictly Fun Dancers, local singer Charlie Jones, who sang a sultry mix of jazz and blues, and Chris Burton with a  lively set of rock and roll from the 60s and 70s.

The event, which drew a full house, was organised by Llangollen Mayor, Cllr Mike Adams, in support of the Friends of Llangollen Town Hall, a group which is aiming to raise the funds to reroof and refurbish the building. 

Cllr Adams was particularly appreciative of support from local businesses.

He said: “I would like to thank all the businesses for their kind donations to the raffle that raised £448, and particular thanks to our two brilliant town grocers who provided the fruit bowls for the tables to complete the meal.”

Although the fabric of the building is reasonably sound, it is in need of refurbishment and a new roof and the cost of the necessary work has been estimated at £200,000.

Friday’s event was the first of several planned in the coming months to raise money for the building which is a focal point for many groups in town and a regular venue for a wide array of theatre, cinema and musical entertainment.

Village Bakery's early dough for Eisteddfod

 

* Village Bakery managing director Robin Jones, right, with Dr Rhys Davies, the chair of Llangollen International Musical Eisteddfod.

 

Bakery bosses have served up an early boost for the Llangollen International Musical Eisteddfod.

 

Earlier this year the festival launched a cash appeal because the 2015 event was heading for a financial loss.

 

The appeal raised £50,000 and now long-term sponsors the Village Bakery are paying next year's sponsorship money ahead of time.

 

The Village Bakery have supported the Eisteddfod for many years and for the past two years have increased their contribution by sponsoring the Sunday night concerts, featuring Status Quo in 2014 and UB40 this year.

 

They have also agreed to sponsor next year's finalé starring Jools Holland and his Rhythm & Blues Orchestra and are making the payment in October instead of waiting until next year when the money is actually due.

 

It was music to the ears of the festival's new chairman, Dr Rhys Davies, who paid a visit to see Village Bakery managing director at their new £3 million Baking Academy and Innovation Centre on Wrexham Industrial Estate.

 

Dr Davies said: "Things are looking very positive and the appeal has raised in excess of £50,000 which is a wonderful demonstration of the popularity of the event and the affection in which it is held by so many people across the world.

 

"We’re always looking for sponsorship and we have some extremely good sponsors and some good friends like the Village Bakery who have supported us for many years.

 

"We have got out of the block very early in terms of organising the 2016 Eisteddfod as we have already announced two of the major concerts.

 

"We are kicking off this year with the popular classical singer, Katherine Jenkins, who will be singing the arias from the opera, Carmen, and Jools Holland will be the headline act for the closing concert.

 

"Next year is an extremely important milestone in the history of the Eisteddfod.

 

"Along with the Edinburgh Fringe and the Edinburgh International Festival, we are celebrating our 70th Eisteddfod after everything started from a small beginning in 1947.

 

"We are aware that we cannot and must not rest on our laurels as we are competing against all the other festivals in the world and particularly in Europe.

 

"Every organisation has to evolve and that is true of the Eisteddfod so we are reconfiguring the week.

 

"The grand parade is now going to be the centrepiece of the whole week which will make it even more colourful and more spectacular.

 

"We are moving it from the Tuesday to the Friday when we will have a greater critical mass of competitors available to take part.

 

"We really want that at the heart of the whole Eisteddfod with the competitions on either side, and each day being themed with competitions followed by an evening concert and ending up with The Choir of the World competition like we had last year which was brilliant.

 

"We’ll also have a 70^th party on the Sunday night with Jools Holland conducting the celebrations, and sponsored by the Village Bakery."

 

"Our sponsors are very important to the Eisteddfod and we are extremely grateful to companies like the Village Bakery for not only supporting the Eisteddfod by also paying the money early which is an enormous help in terms of cash flow. A friend in need is a friend indeed."

 

According to Village Bakery managing director Robin Jones, the Llangollen Eisteddfod was a unique and important part of the global cultural calendar and just as relevant now as it was when in was established to promote peace and harmony after the Second World War.

 

Mr Jones said: "The Eisteddod has been an important part of my life since I can remember.

 

"When I was a child growing up, as a family we used to accept competitors into the house and we used to put them up so even since those early years, mum and dad have taken people in as did the rest of the community.

 

"My dad has always been a keen supporter over the years and we’ve been a small sponsor for many years and then two years ago, we decided to step it up and sponsor the Sunday night. 

 

"Our customers love it, we enjoy it as a family.  It’s good for staff and it’s good for the local community.

 

"The Llangollen International Eisteddfod is a great institution and we were aware of the financial difficulties surrounding this year's event so I asked if we could pay our sponsorship fee early which has gratefully been accepted.

 

"I am delighted we can help and give something back to the community by supporting this fantastic event."

Eisteddfod committee's Christmas concert

On Sunday 13th December the Music and Staging Committee of Llangollen International Musical Eisteddfod will hold their annual Christmas Concert at the Pavilion, starting at 7.30pm.

Now in its third consecutive year, the concert has become a popular and eagerly anticipated date in the Eisteddfod calendar and with a programme bursting with a mix of seasoned performers and rising talent, this year’s event promises to be a real cracker. 

Hosted by sports commentator Nic Parry, who has become a familiar face on the main stage during Eisteddfod week, the concert will showcase several local groups including TRIO, a young, male ensemble from the heart of Snowdonia.

The threesome, who have recently released their debut album of the same name, describe themselves as a “new singing experience” and have a broad, bi-lingual repertoire of varying genres. 

A Christmas concert would not be the same without children and local pupils will also feature strongly in the form of the Flintshire Country String Orchestra and the Rhos Boys’ Choir.  

The String Orchestra, conducted by Aled Tudor Marshman, is part of the highly successful Flintshire County Youth Music School which was established in 1996.

In recent years, it has performed at a host of events across the UK and Europe and has also competed at the National Festival of Music for Youth, which is Europe’s largest youth music event.   

Now entering its third year, the Rhos Boys’ Choir, which is affiliated to the Rhos Male Voice Choir, has enjoyed a number of achievements during its relatively short existence.

These include performances alongside leading artists and a recording for a Christmas CD, which has been aired on both local and national radio stations. 

All of the performers say they are delighted to be taking part in this festive celebration of music and we look forward to welcoming them, and indeed our audience, in Llangollen.

For more information or to purchase tickets, please visit our website www.international-eisteddfod.co.uk. Tickets are priced at £10.00 (concessions £8.00) and can also be purchased directly from the box office at the Pavilion or from Llangollen Tourist Information Centre.   

 

Special event at RAFA Club

Health board stays in special measures

The BBC is reporting that the Betsi Cadwaladr University Health Board will remain in special measures for two years.

They say the announcement has been made by Deputy Health Minister Vaughan Gething.

Betsi Cadwaladr health board's chief executive Prof Trevor Purt, suspended since June, is stepping down, adds the report.

For the full story, see: http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-wales-politics-34602975

In a statement, the North Wales Health Alliance campaign group said: “Trevor Purt’s departure is an opportunity for the health board to re-engage with both staff and the general public, who have grave concerns about the way health services in the North are being run.

"His time here will be remembered as one of centralising and downgrading services and failing to be open and transparent with the community.

 

“But the problem goes much deeper than just one man or one position. The health board and Welsh Government has to accept that their direction of travel has to change or we will see further problems emerge.”

                                                              

Tools stolen in Llangollen burglary

North Wales Police are appealing for information following a burglary in Llangollen.

Sometime between 5.45pm on October 8 and 6.30 on October 9  unknown offenders gained entry to a secure yard off the A5 in Llangollen.

The location is the Old Dobson and Crowther site where a new food store is currently under construction.

Entry was gained to a storage container and a quantity of tools were stolen from inside.

Police say that if you noticed anything suspicious, or have any information relating to this incident you should contact North Wales Police by dialling 101 quoting reference RC15154759.

Alternatively, you can provide information anonymously by calling Crimestoppers Wales on 0800 555 111.

North Wales Police urges residents to always report suspicious activity to them at the earliest opportunity.

MP calls for no change on Sunday trading

Clwyd South MP Susan Elan Jones has urged the Prime Minister to think again about changing Sunday trading hours.

Speaking at Prime Minister's Questions today, she quoted Government retail sector champion Kevin Hawkins who described the current laws as "a workable compromise that most people seem satisfied with most of the time".

Ms Jones (left) said: "There's a balance to be kept here - between opening hours for big stores, the rights of small shops and the rights of shop-workers and their families to enjoy family life.

"The current laws are a good compromise that most people agree with. We should stick with them."  

Church's Christmas tree festival launched

Llangollen Methodist Church has launched its annual Christmas Tree Festival.

This very popular  - and closely contested - event will be held once again starting with setting up on Friday 11th December and finishing with dismantling on Monday 4th January.

This year there will be two classes of entry plying for visitors votes – traditional trees and creative interpretations.

Church spokesman David Davies said: "You will need to supply and decorate a small tree, no taller than five feet, using an appropriate Christmas theme.

"You might like to link the decoration to your business or organisation, or just be creative.   

"Any lights must be battery operated. Hard bases are provided that you can cover with a cloth or paper as you wish. Small business cards or promotional materials can be placed at the base of the tree for visitors to pick up.

"More details later but start planning now and please register your intention to enter by Saturday 5th December at the latest by emailing:  yand.davies@btinternet.com or phoning 860557."

AM urges at-risk people to have flu jabs

North Wales Assembly Member Mark Isherwood is showing his support for Public Health Wales’s annual campaign aimed at getting more ‘at-risk’ people vaccinated to prevent them getting ill with flu, a debilitating and contagious illness that can kill.

 

Mr Isherwood (pictured) is joining the calls being made by charities and health professionals and is urging people aged 65 or over, carers, pregnant women and those with certain chronic or long-term illnesses to make an appointment with their local GP and get the free flu vaccine.

 

He said: “A major flu immunisation programme is underway throughout Wales to offer free vaccines to individuals most at risk of serious complications from flu, and my message to them is ‘Beat flu before it beats you!’

 

“Last year in Wales only half (49.3%) of those in at-risk groups under the age of 65 took up their free NHS vaccination, and we really need to significantly increase the numbers of people being vaccinated in order to prevent the spread of this largely preventable illness.”

 

Dr Richard Roberts, Head of the Vaccine Preventable Disease Programme at Public Health Wales, said: “A free flu vaccine is available for those in at-risk groups, which includes those aged 65 or over, people who have long term health conditions which puts them at increased risk of complications if they get flu, carers, pregnant women as well as all two to six year olds.

 

“For most people influenza (or ‘the flu’) is usually a relatively minor, albeit unpleasant and inconvenient, illness. But every year vulnerable people can and do die from the flu and its many complications.”

 

* You can find out more about how to get their free vaccine by visiting www.beatflu.org or www.curwchffliw.org, or finding Beat Flu or Curwch Ffliw on twitter and facebook.

Visitors flock to Hamper Llangollen

* Ken Skates AM with chairman
Colin Loughlin at the busy festival. 

A tourism supremo hailed the Hamper Llangollen food festival as the best ever and said it crowned a “golden age” of artisan produce in Wales.

 

The popular event, recognised as one of the top 10 food festivals in the UK, drew in thousands of food lovers, all hungry to sample and buy everything from the finest cheeses and freshest meat to designer ice cream and cookies.

 

A host of new products were unveiled, some of which were specially devised for the show, and there were also practical cooking demonstrations from top chefs.  

 

One of the visitors was Ken Skates, Wales’s Deputy Minister for Tourism and Culture and local Clwyd South Assembly Member.

 

He said: “The festival has grown every year in spectacular fashion but this is the biggest and best yet.

 

“It’s much busier than I have ever seen it before. Hamper Llangollen is now one of the biggest food festivals anywhere in Wales and makes an enormous contribution to the local economy in the order of £500,000 a year.

 

“We are rapidly entering a golden age of artisan food and drink in Wales and this festival is helping to crown and promote that.”

 

Mr Skates added: “I’d like to pay tribute to the organisers for all the hard work which goes into making it the success it is and also the many exhibitors who come here to showcase their fantastic produce and goods.”

 

Festival chairman Colin Loughlin said this year’s Hamper Llangollen had been the busiest so far.

 

He added: “We had 111 stallholders, 13 of whom were making their debut with us. That’s particularly pleasing because it’s our constant aim to attract new exhibitors to make it as diverse as we can.

 

“The event gives a huge boost to the local economy and this year we reckon that amounts to at least half a million pounds.

 

“A number of local charities, including our chosen one Nightingale House, had a presence at the festival and attracted plenty of support which is marvellous to see.

 

“Myself and fellow organisers are extremely happy with the way everything went.”

 

Trying a tipple at Rosie’s Cider out in the pavilion exhibition area was retired baker Alwyn Thomas from Denbigh.

 

He said: “I come to Hamper Llangollen every year because I’m very much a foodie person having run my own bakery for many years.

 

“I’ve been sampling the Black Bart cider which is particularly good and has a really nice flavour.”

 

Delighted with this verdict was Steve Hughes who has been running Rosie’s Cider from its base in Llandegla for the past 10 years.

 

“I’m glad they like it because all my cider is made from the finest local apples, many of which come from our own 17-acre orchard,” he said.

 

“I exhibit at Hamper Llangollen every year because it’s my local event and attracts so many people.”

 

Sampling the goodies from a range of stalls were Ben Davis from Corwen and his six-year-old daughter, Orla Davis-Wood.

 

Ben said: “I’ve been trying out the coffee and Orla’s having a bit of everything as we go round the stands.

 

“We like to come to Llangollen because the variety and quality of food and drink available here is illuminating.”

 

Wrexham Lager has been making a big impression on discerning drinkers since it was reintroduced a few years ago following a long break in production.

 

Doing a roaring trade on their stall were brewing company director Janet Gaffey and her daughter Emma.

 

Janet said: “This is the fourth year we’ve brought our lager along to Llangollen for people to try and it’s going down very well.

 

“We like to show off the lager at Llangollen because it’s such a good local show that attracts so many visitors.”

 

Lapping up his sample of Wrexham’s finest was Adrian Taffinder from Marford and his son Gareth from Tanyfron.

 

Adrian said: “I’m a big fan of this lager and when they stopped making it some years ago it made me go crazy. So when they brought it back I thought it was fantastic and being able to have a taste of it here is great.

 

“I like to visit the Llangollen festival and have been here most years. There’s a good range of produce and it’s good to meet the people who make and sell it and to give them a bit of feedback.”

 

One of the producers who came up with a new line specially for this year’s festival was Chilly Cow ice cream based at Llanychan, near Ruthin. 

 

Hannah Griffiths, who works on flavour development for the company, said: “We devised a honey and lavender ice cream for the show and we’ve had lots of people trying it out.

 

“In the first few hours on Saturday about 30 people must have sampled it and many of them said they’d be buying it.

 

“We’ll definitely be coming back here next year.”

 

Amongst those impressed with the new variety of ice cream was Guto Jones and his partner Julie Bowyer from Higher Kinnerton who were there with Julie’s mum, Beryl Gregory, from Chester.

 

Julie said: “It’s great to try something that’s completely new on the market and the honey and lavender was brilliant.

 

“Although my mum comes here every year it’s my first time at Llangollen but I’ll certainly be coming again.”

 

Beryl said: “The new ice cream is very creamy and just delicious.”

 

Trying out the apple cake at the stand of Corwen-based Temptations were Ceinwen and Gwynne Thomas from Wrexham.

 

Ceinwen said: “It’s really nice and I enjoyed the sample. I come to this show every year because my husband and I really enjoy trying out the different things on offer.”

 

Chrissie Ashworth, who runs Temptations, said: “The cake they tried is made from locally grown apples because I like to use the ingredients that are available at any particular time of the year.

 

“Hamper Llangollen is my favourite show because it has such a fantastic family atmosphere.”

 

And although she only started her Rhyl-based company, Mama Zo’s, which specialises in home-made cookies and lemonade in July this year, owner Zoe Gamble said having a stand at Hamper Llangollen was a must for her.

 

“It’s a very important festival and we couldn’t afford to miss it,” she said.

 

“We’ve been very busy and people have been trying out our entire range. Everything is made by hand and I even squeeze the fruit for our lemonade myself.”

 

Another major highlight of the festival were the cookery demonstrations by top chefs over both days.

 

These included a popular appearance by Luke Thomas, Britain’s youngest head chef from Connah’s Quay who now has restaurants in Chester, the Cotswolds and Berkshire.

 

Another crowd-puller on both Saturday and Sunday was Graham Tinsley MBE, executive chef at Carden Park Gold Resort and Spa and director of Cowny’s Castle Hotel.      

 

Comedian Silky swapped the Edinburgh Fringe Festival for Hamper Llangollen to do stand-up behind a cooker rather on the stage in his debut culinary demo, which was a hit with the audience.

 

 * Taste testing Tempatations cakes are Ceinwen and Gwynne Thomas with Chrissie Ashworth.

 

 

* Alwyn Thomas and Glyn Thomas try Rosie's Cider from Steve Hughes. 

 

 * Trying Wrexham Lager are father and son, Adrian, left, and Gareth Taffinder with Janet Gaffey and Emma Gaffey from the brewery. 

Call for new Cefn Mawr health centre

* Campaigners outside the former Co-op building in Cefn Mawr which they would like to see become a health centre.

A petition has been launched to demand a new health centre for Cefn Mawr.

Clwyd South Assembly Member Ken Skates has been at the forefront of a campaign to lobby Betsi Cadwaladr University Health Board to find a new premises for Caritas Surgery, and he’s now calling for public support.

The Labour AM said: “Cefn Mawr needs this and I – along with local councillors Ken Bathers and Derek Wright – am determined to help make it happen. If the strength of local feeling over this issue can be conveyed to the health board and replicated in our petition, then we will have a very strong case to make this happen.”

The former Co-op site has long been mooted for a new facility, but the health board says there are ‘some complexities’ over the location.

Cllr Bathers, chairman of Cefn Community Council said: “The people of Cefn and the surrounding area need a new medical centre and the surgery is desperate to move. The building is falling apart and parking is a nightmare. Llangollen has just had a new health centre, so has Chirk, and Ruabon and Rhos have excellent facilities. Cefn deserves something too.

“The old Co-op site ticks all the boxes. It is close to Rhosymedre, which has the highest population of senior citizens in the area, the site is on a bus route and there is ample car parking. It’s the only place that could be used. People need to speak up and sign up.”

Cllr Wright added: “Cefn is long over-due a health centre considering its population and the location. The Caritas practice is not fit for purpose, it has inadequate toilet facilities, poor disabled access and parking is ridiculous. The sooner we get a 21st century centre the better – in line with other major villages and towns south of Wrexham.”

Clwyd South MP Susan Elan Jones said: “There is real need for this in Cefn Mawr and I have given my full support to residents in their campaign. I have signed the petition and will be working with Ken to ensure that local voices are heard.”

The petition can be signed at several places in Cefn, including Caritas Surgery and Cefn Mawr Post Office. Mr Skates will also be at Tesco in Cefn Mawr on the morning of Friday, October 23rd, to gather signatures and support.

Davies sees red over no yellow lines

A county councillor for the area has seen red over the lack of yellow lines on the A5 opposite Stans supermarket in Llangollen.

Stuart Davies said: “I’m horrified to learn that the saga of the yellow lines opposite Stans is still ongoing.

“The Welsh Government agency, the North Wales Trunk Agency, are the ones who are supposed to maintain and look after our trunk roads here in Llangollen.

“They were asked to put double yellows opposite the new Stans supermarket over three years ago.

“They agreed to do this in principle but then said they didn’t have enough funds.”

Cllr Davies added: “I got the local Assembly Member, Ken Skates, involved and we thought that the works were to be done this financial year.

“Nothing has happened so far and I’ve now been told that `funding consideration’ only is being done.

“This when we see the Welsh Government spending £20 million on just a study for the M4 and a Labour AM being sacked for questioning it.

“Yet we can’t get a couple of thousand pounds spent here in a bid to safeguard OAPs crossing the A5 to the Post Office.”

Ken Skates AM said: “The Minister said in January that the work will be put forward for funding consideration in the next financial year, as opposed to guaranteeing that it will be approved and completed before April.

“However, I’m as keen as anyone for this to be addressed and have written to her again to ask what the situation is. As soon as I have a response, I will pass it on to Cllr Davies and llanblogger.”

County brings non-payers to court

Denbighshire’s zero tolerance approach to tackling environmental crime in the county continues, with thirteen people being fined for not paying fixed penalty notices for offences.

 

A recent hearings at Llandudno Magistrates Court heard cases against 11 people for littering and two for allowing their dogs to foul in public without cleaning up the mess.

 

Councillor David Smith, Cabinet Lead Member with responsibility for Environment, said: “Taking court action against those failing to pay their fixed penalty notices is very much a last resort.  What we want to see is people respecting their environment and not committing offences such as littering and failing to clean up after their dogs in the first place.

 

“We need to respect and protect our environment and the vast majority of residents in Denbighshire do so responsibly and lawfully. It’s only a small number of people that disrespect the environment in this way.

 

“We will continue with our efforts to educate the public and we will be vigilant in our communities with action being taken against those who blatantly show little respect to the environment and hamper our efforts to keep Denbighshire’s streets clean and tidy”.

 

Denbighshire works closely with Kingdom Security and partners such as North Wales Police to promote and maintain tidy, clean streets.

Llan set for weekend of foodie heaven

* The Dangerous Food Company. Llyr Jones and Dominic Haynes.

 

 

Thousands of foodies will be flocking to Llangollen this weekend for one of the biggest events in the UK's culinary calendar.

 

The popular Hamper Llangollen has been recognised as one of the Top 10 food festivals in Britain.

 

There to greet the gastronomes on Saturday and Sunday  will be a  host of top chefs and organisers are confident the event at the home of the International Musical Eisteddfod is on course to be bigger and better this year.

 

Graham Tinsley, the star of ITV's Taste the Nation and a former captain of the Welsh Culinary Team, will be joined in the show kitchen by Luke Thomas, the kingpin behind a number of restaurants in Chester, the Cotswolds and Berkshire.

 

Another of the kitchen stars will be Dai Chef, now based at  Bodnant Welsh Food, the centre of excellence for Welsh food, who famously cooked for opera superstar Luciano Pavarotti while he was head chef at the Bryn Howell Hotel just down the road.

 

 * Bims Kitchen, Afonwen, launch two new products ready for Llangollen food festival.  James Adedeji and his wife Nicola Adedeji in their kitchen.

 

Among the hundred plus exhibitors will be one of the hottest companies around.

 

The Dangerous Food Company, based in St Asaph, has almost quadrupled its business in a year - after putting on face masks and protective clothing to get it up and running.

 

They unveiled their fiery chilli jams at the Hamper Llangollen last year and went on to increase stockists of the breath-taking products from just 25 shops to 110 across Wales and Cheshire.

 

For those who want something a bit cooler, Chilly Cow Ice Cream will be launching their new honey and lavender variety at Hamper Llangollen.

 

Anna Taylor who runs the company based at Llanychan, near Ruthin, will be using honey farmed just down the road from her by enthusiastic beekeeper Brian Dacre, a carpenter who makes hand-crafted bee hives as well as farming bees.

 

Anna said: “Brian’s honey is pure gold, just delicious and there’s big demand for it, plus it’s local to us, so perfect for using in a new flavour of ice cream."

 

It will be a bittersweet occasion for a scientist who swapped the laboratory for the kitchen by launching a cooking sauces brand.



* Chilly Cow Ice Cream, Llanychan.
Launching new Honey ice cream ready
for Llangollen festival.
Pictured: Owner Anna Taylor.

  

Dr Beatriz Albo returned to the lab to develop an exciting new range of Spanish tapas meals and delicious aiolis created in memory of her mother.

The new range will go on sale at the festival.

 

“Hamper Llangollen was my first food festival, so it is special to me,” said Spanish-born Beatriz, whose Wrexham business has taken off faster than she could ever have imagined.

Also there will be company that fuses the tastes of Africa and Wales and is launching a new dessert topping.

 

Bim's Kitchen, whose hot and spicy African inspired relishes have been a big hit across the UK.

 

African baobab and cocoa nib sour caramel sauce has brought together the food of two continents.

 

It includes Anglesey sea salt alongside exotic ingredients from Africa.

 

The recipe is a first entry into the sweets market for Flintshire-based Bim’s Kitchen, founded by James Adedeji and his wife Nicola.

 

Their previous condiments such as African baobab chilli jam, chilli coconut relish and lemony piri piri sauce have all been savoury accompaniments.

 

James said: “It is a fantastic event. That’s why we chose it to launch our new sour caramel sauce. It is the first time we have tried something sweet like this so it will take us in a new direction and we’re very keen to find out what festival goers think.

 

*
 * Chef Graham Tinsley.

“The advantage of launching it at a festival like this is that people can actually taste it in front of us and tell us exactly what they think there and then, something they can’t do when buying it off shop shelves to take home.”

 

Hamper Llangollen chair Colin Loughlin believes this year's festival is going to be one of the best ever.

He said: “Thanks to a whole host of indigenous companies, 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 details about Hamper Llangollen 2015 visit www.llangollenfoodfestival.com

Skates hits out over tax credit cuts

An Assembly Member has warned that Tory tax credit cuts could cost his constituents as much as £3,000 a year.

Ken Skates, AM for Clwyd South, fears the UK Government’s decision to impose cuts of around 10% of families’ monthly incomes could have a ‘hugely detrimental’ impact on their living standards, the life chances of their children and the local economy. 

The cuts will affect three million working families across the UK.

Mr Skates said: “In Clwyd South alone, more than 5,000 families will be affected. Some 3,500 of these are working families. Figures show that households will be an average of £1,300 worse off, but that some will be up to £3,000 out of pocket as a direct result of the Tories’ cuts to tax credits.”

Mr Skates is encouraging his constituents to join the campaign against the cuts by signing the petition at labour.org.uk/taxcredits.

He said: “Tax credits are designed to ensure that work pays. Cutting them undermines the value of work, and means that the UK Government is penalising those who work hard every day just to get by. I’m asking residents to join me in sending a clear message to the Tories that these cuts to working people’s living standards are unacceptable.”

Mr Skates added: “This is another example of how the Tories are making working families bear the brunt of deficit reduction while some of the wealthiest people in the country have received a tax break. It’s just not right.”

Special medal for Llan man

* Dave Short with his medal. 

A well-known Llangollen man has been honoured for his years of service with HM Revenue and Customs.

Dave Short, who now works at the post office in Stan’s supermarket in the town, was recently awarded the Imperial Service Medal plus certificate and supporting documentation.

He said: “Many people may know me through various activities in and around Llangollen.

“Although not a native of the town I am a founder member the railway and spent most Saturdays and Sundays in the town.

“After leaving school I moved to Trevor and eventually Llangollen when I got married.

“My son and daughter both attended Ysgol Bryn Collen and Dinas Bran.

“After a short period of employment at.ECTARC I secured a full-time job at the Inland Revenue in Wrexham where I worked until leaving their employment in June 2014.”

He added: “Never did I think any more until I received a letter stating that Her Majesty had awarded me the Imperial Service Medal.

“I was speechless for once and wondered whether it was a wind up until the medal and correspondence from the Medals Office arrived.

“I consider this the greatest honour of my life and I thank the many people who have spent time to congratulate me on this award, which is given to civil servants from all branches on recommendation upon retirement.”