Wild Pheasant hotel has new owner

The Daily Post is reporting this afternoon that Llangollen's Wild Pheasant hotel has been sold - two months after its sudden closure.

For the full story, see: http://www.dailypost.co.uk/business/business-news/llangollens-wild-pheasant-been-sold-11975097#ICID=sharebar_twitter

Tackle Ruabon speeding, urge Labour duo

Wrexham Council has been urged to tackle speeding drivers ‘hammering’ through Ruabon.

Clwyd South Assembly Member Ken Skates and local councillor Dana Davies say many residents have raised concerns about motorists routinely flouting the 30mph limit on the B5605, the busy main road through the village.

Mr Skates said: “A growing number of my constituents are raising concerns about speeding through Ruabon, which has been ongoing for many years and, sadly, shows no sign of slowing down. I know Dana gets a lot of complaints about it, too.

“There is a play area not far off the main road, and parents are rightly worried about letting their children cross it because of cars regularly hammering along. I have asked the council to consider traffic-calming measures to ensure – as far as possible – that vehicles stick to the speed limit, and hope to have a response soon.”

Cllr Davies, leader of the Labour group on Wrexham Council, said: “This is an issue I’ve raised repeatedly and one I get a lot of complaints about. You get cars racing along that main road on a daily basis, and we’re not just talking about a few miles over limit. Something needs to be done sooner rather than later.”

Mr Skates has also asked North Wales Police Chief Constable Mark Polin to consider enforcement action in the village as a deterrent.

Silver Band to hold ladies' fashion night

Llangollen Silver Band will be holding a Ladies' Fashion and Fun Night at the band room on Saturday, d October 22, from 7pm.

Tickets cost £3, with this including a free drink and nibbles.

Tickets can be bought from the market at the Fringe or from band members.

The band says it would also be extremely grateful of any donations of unwanted ladies' clothing that could be sold during the evening.

Donations can be taken to the band room on practice nights (Monday 6:45 - 9pm and Friday 6 - 8pm).

MP calls for more government support for charities

* Susan Elan Jones MP at the UK Labour Conference in

Liverpool with a representative of national volunteering charity Volunteering Matters.

Susan Elan Jones MP has called for the Government to think more carefully about it can best support charities during two speeches at this year's UK Labour Party Conference.

The Clwyd South Labour MP, who co-chairs the All Party Parliamentary Committee for Charities and Volunteering, spoke at meetings organised by the Charities Aid Foundation and Common Vision about the future of charities.

Ms Jones proposed new ideas on grants to cover overheads, accountancy changes to support social enterprises and the need for extra support for small, community-based charities.

The MP also called on the Government to scrap the Lobbying Act.

She said: "It was a great pleasure to take part in two very well-attended meetings with many people who work or volunteer for charities. I was very pleased to take part in these events and to work with many national and local charities in this way."

Dai Chef to recreate Pavarotti meal at Hamper Llangollen

A TOP celebrity chef will recreate the memorable meal he cooked for legendary tenor Lucian Pavarotti.

Dai Chef (left) will be sharing the superstar tenor's gastronomic secrets when he appears live at this year’s Hamper Llangollen Food Festival. 

Thousands of foodies are expected to flock to the popular event which will see the Denbighshire tourist town become the culinary capital of Wales over the weekend of October 15 and 16.

During his time at the Bryn Howel Hotel, Dai cooked for a whole host of superstar singers, including José Carreras and Dame Kiri Te Kanawa, who came to appear at the Llangollen International  Musical Eisteddfod.

But the high of his glittering career for Dai was spending a week as personal chef to Pavarotti when he headlined during an emotional return to the festival in 1995.

Pavarotti's (pictured right) pilgrimage came exactly 40 years after he had first competed there as a 19-year-old member of the Chorus Rossini choir from Modena, Italy in 1955.

To celebrate the occasion Dai will weave his magic to prepare again the meal he prepared specially for the maestro in that glorious summer 21 years ago.

Dai, who is now executive chef at The Cliffs restaurant in Morfa Nefyn near Pwllheli, said: “At the time Pavarotti came to stay I was executive chef at the Bryn Howel in Llangollen, then one of the top five hotels in Wales.

“I was appointed as his personal chef for the week and used to serve him in the restaurant and his private suite.

“He was there with his father, Fernando, and a full entourage, including his promoter Harvey Goldsmith, and I used to prepare every meal for him.

“On the Sunday night after his smash hit concert at the Eisteddfod, just up the road from the hotel, I created a special meal for him and his 450 guests.

“I’ll never forget what it was. The starter was a smoked salmon and soft cheese roulade and the main course was Welsh sirloin beef flamed in whisky served with cream of wild mushrooms.

“The most memorable part of the meal for me was the dessert, which was a white chocolate and strawberry tart.

“Pavarotti loved it so much he asked me to prepare four more of them, although he didn’t eat them all there and then and took them back to his suite to serve to his friends and visitors.

“The story about this got out and led to a BBC2 TV documentary programme called Four Tarts and a Tenor.

“I must say the tart was so good I still serve it now at The Cliffs.”

Dai added: “This is exactly the meal I’ll be recreating for visitors when I do my live cooking demonstration at Hamper Llangollen, which is a festival I love appearing at as I was one of its original founders.

“Llangollen is actually like my second home because during my time at the Bryn Howel I lived in nearby Chirk and had the dual role of chairman and a second row player with Llangollen Rugby Club.

“I have cooked for other big names from the music world like José Carreras and Dame Kiri Te Kanawa but I’d say that working with Pavarotti was definitely one of the pinnacles of my career.

“It was one of those times when everything was just right – my own abilities, the hotel I was working in and the Eisteddfod – I’ll never forget it.

“Pavarotti himself was a fantastic man. He was at the top of his profession but never forgot his humble beginnings.

“Contrary to popular belief he wasn’t actually a big eater but he did eat often.

“While he enjoyed the larger set-piece meals I’d say his favourite dish, which I prepared for him often at the Bryn Howel, was a simple soup or potage made from a tiny bit of pasta with something like little pieces of lobster, fillet steak or asparagus.

“I’d so that for him in the morning and he’d eat bits of it throughout the day perhaps with some fresh bread and cheese on the side and a sprinkling of the balsamic vinegar from his home town of Modena.

“He told me his mother used to make it for him and he loved to eat it during his downtime in his room with his father. It was his comfort food, if you like.

“I also remember getting in boxes of fresh lemons, which he used to help his voice.”

Dai added: “Throughout the week the paparazzi were hanging around the hotel trying to find out what he was eating but I never told them anything as I was sworn to secrecy.

“All sorts of things were happening, like the old guys from the Modena choir who came with him singing in the car park of the hotel and some big Welsh cob horses being bought in to go through their paces for everyone.

“It was a real festival week with real celebrities and I want to recreate a little of that atmosphere with the meal fit for Pavarotti I’ll be preparing at Hamper Llangollen.

“I love the Llangollen event because, unlike some food festivals, it’s not in a marquee but in a proper setting with a big stage, which gives it a real sense of theatre when you’re doing cookery demonstrations.

“I also look forward to Llangollen because of all the old friends I meet there.”

Dai was born and raised in Aberystwyth and trained at a culinary college in Haverfordwest.

He gained his initial experience in the kitchens of some of the largest hotels in London’s West End and by the age of 21 he was the youngest chef saucier – in charge of the creation of delicious sauces – at the world famous Carlton Club in St James’s.

Later, Dai became head chef at the White Hart restaurant in Lewes, Sussex, and for a time was the personal chef of the owner of Simpson’s in The Strand, which is based in the same building as the capital’s iconic Savoy Hotel.

He then returned to Aberystwyth to run his own restaurant and during a 12-year period starting in the 1990s was executive chef at the Bryn Howel Hotel.

In 1996, Dai captained the Welsh team at the Culinary Olympics when it won a bronze medal for its culinary skills, and soon afterwards he was awarded an Honorary Fellowship at Glyndwr University in Wrexham.

After spell as a chef trainer – many of his pupils are now working in some of the world’s finest restaurants – Dai took another hands-on role as chef director at the Ship Inn at Red Wharf Bay on Anglesey and was later executive chef at the Bodnant Welsh Food Centre.

At The Cliffs, which has just undergone a £1 million refurbishment, he is in charge of a six-strong kitchen team and co-ordinates the preparation of up to 100 meals a night.

Hamper Llangollen chair Colin Loughlin is delighted Dai Chef is returning to the food festival again.

He said: "Dai is an exuberant character and a talented chef which is a recipe for success at the food festival.

"His appearance this year will be all the more memorable because he's recreating the meal he cooked for Luciano Pavarotti which will stir a great deal of interest.

“We're looking forward to a really special event this year. 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 2016 visit www.llangollenfoodfestival.com and for more information about Llanvalley Natural products go to  www.llanvalley.co.uk

Labour duo praise primary school after visit

Children at a community primary school played host to their MP and Assembly Member.

Susan Elan Jones and Ken Skates visited Ysgol Acrefair and met Rebecca Turner, who became headteacher 12 months ago.

The Clwyd South politicians were full of praise for the school and staff.

Ms Jones said: “It was a very enjoyable visit, and I would like to thank Mrs Turner and her team – and especially the children – for such a lovely warm welcome. It’s clear that the relationships between staff and pupils are very positive, which contributes hugely to the children’s high levels of enthusiasm to listen and learn.”

Mr Skates said: “Ysgol Acrefair’s last Estyn report rated both the school’s performance and prospects for improvement as ‘good’, and while that was a few years ago it is obvious that the many positives highlighted then still apply now. The children are happy and well-behaved, and the school has a wonderful, friendly atmosphere.”

Mrs Turner added: “We were delighted to welcome Ken Skates and Susan Elan Jones to discuss our exciting plans to provide a greater range of support and activities for parents and children and the wider community of Acrefair.”

County urges people to join #LoveLiveLocal campaign

Denbighshire Council is encouraging residents to get involved in their #LoveLiveLocal campaign and be in with a chance to win prizes every month until Christmas.

The council wants people to share pictures of lovely purchases they’ve made locally to the hashtag #LoveLiveLocal on Twitter or share pictures with them on Facebook and they will automatically be entered in the draw to win a six-month membership to any Denbighshire gym and leisure centre.

The campaign has the backing of many local businesses across the area and the support of local politicians.

Councillor Hugh Evans OBE, Leader of Denbighshire County Council, said: ‘It’s really important that people get behind the businesses in their local towns and villages. Sharing the wonderful things that can be bought locally is one way to do this. In the run up to the festive season, the more people who are posting and talking about shopping in Denbighshire the better.’

The campaign aims to build up a network of user experiences of Denbighshire businesses and if you visit the hashtag you can see what a wonderful array of products and services are available in the county but we want it to become bigger and better and that relies on the public to share their positive experiences using the hashtag to create that online community. 

It also has the backing of our local business champions.

Upgrades planned for county leisure centres

Leisure centres across Denbighshire are set to undergo a digital revolution, with a programme of investment being introduced to expand and improve digital services county-wide.

Customers will see an enhanced service with the digital developments providing opportunities to make our leisure centres more modern and fit for the 21^st Century.

The first project is the installation of three ‘fast track kiosks’ at Denbigh, Ruthin and Llangollen Leisure Centres.

These will complement the facilities already in place at Rhyl Leisure Centre and Nova, Prestatyn and will allow existing members to book into and register for activities in seconds, without the need for any delays at reception. 

In September,  all seven leisure centres (Llangollen, Corwen, Ruthin, Denbigh, St Asaph, Rhyl and Prestatyn) will have wi-fi installed.

As more of the fitness suites migrate onto “the cloud” and many customers use their own personal devices to track their fitness progress, improved connectivity for mobile and smart devices has become a necessity.  In response to customer demand, wi-fi will become available in specific areas in each site. 

October will see the relaunch of the denbighshireleisure.co.uk website.  With a new cutting edge look, the redesigned site will provide improved, but simpler access to information for customers, via an improved layout.  Popular information, such as swimming and class timetables, will be available in a few simple clicks. 

By the end of 2016, the website will also incorporate facilities for online booking of activities and online booking for fitness membership, with both of these initiatives currently being finalised.

Councillor Hugh Irving, Acting Cabinet Lead Member for Leisure, said: “We are delighted to be introducing a range of brand new developments at our leisure centres.  They will be of great benefit to existing and brand new customers, with the latest technology assisting us in our efforts to improve the customer experience.

“More and more people expect to receive services at the touch of a button. Our latest investments will allow people to benefit from this, whilst also maintaining a more traditional approach through a front desk reception area.

“These latest developments support our commitment to keep investing in our leisure offer in Denbighshire."

Funding for community projects announced

Nine projects across Denbighshire are to benefit from funding allocated as part of the Town and Area Plans.

The successful projects include Llangollen Sports Club, £5,400 for new grass-cutting equipment and Pentredwr, £3,000 for Community Centre refurbishment.

This funding will be allocated between now and May 2017.

This was the last tranche of funding for projects.

Llan Youth Choir tuning up for Christmas

Llangollen Youth Choir are looking forward to Christmas already.

They are working hard with Elen Roberts on their festive repertoire, some classic pieces and some requests from the singers too.

With new recruits having joined at the last September rehearsal there are more places available for singers in school years 5,6,7 & 8. 

Monthly Saturday morning rehearsals at Ysgol Dinas Bran.

Please email singing@llangollenyouthchoir.com for any information and find all news on www.llangollenyouthchoir.com and the Facebook page: Llangollen-youth-choir – which is managed by Ceylon Orton-Jones, a year 8 singer.

Board game group has first meeting

A new Llangollen board game group has its first meeting at the town’s RAFA Club this Friday evening.


Running between 7 and 10pm, it’s masterminded by local man Kenny Goodman who said: “This is the first time I've done it and this is the only board game night in Llangollen.


“There will be a good mix of board games including Splendor, Pixel Tactics, Scrabble, Cludo, Pokemon Master and people are welcome to bring their own board games.


“I'm looking to create a family and enthusiast-friendly group.”


Kenny added: “Donations towards the RAFA Club charity and the board game group are much appreciated as this is a free event.  All donations to either goes towards keeping it going.”


* For more details, see:

https://www.facebook.com/groups/LLBGG/


https://www.facebook.com/events/1763059597315157/

Louisa gets back on her bike for a great cause

* Louisa Jones is ready to climb back into the

saddle for a marathon charity challenge.

AN INTREPID Llangollen Operatic Society member is getting back on her bike for another marathon charity challenge.

Back in 2012 Louisa Jones, 37, took part in a gruelling 260-mile cycling expedition through India in aid of three women’s cancer causes, raising over 3,000 along the way.

Now she’s planning to climb back into the saddle for the same three charities - Breast Cancer Care, Jo's Cervical Cancer Trust and Ovarian Cancer Action.

From February 6-17 next year she will be joining a group of 70 women to cycle 450km (280 miles) from Ho Chi Minh City in Vietnam to Angkor Wat in Cambodia.

* Louisa on her Indian challenge in 2012.

Louisa, who works as a project manager and lives in Chirk, said:  “This is the second time I have taken on such a challenge, having successfully undertaken the Women V Cancer Cycle India event in November 2012, which took a group of us across rural Rajasthan in aid of the same three causes.

“Although fairly fit, I am not a cyclist so the event will require me to undertake quite some training in order to get to the level of fitness and stamina needed to complete six days of cycling in a very different climate and terrain.

“It will be no easy task but I believe it will be extremely rewarding both personally and in terms of the benefit to the charities and the excellent work that they do in the areas of research and support. Without the generosity of donors, they simply could not continue.

“Through sponsorship and fundraising activities, I am aiming to raise at least £1,700, 100% of which will go directly to the charities. I will be paying all tour and administrative costs of about £1,500 myself.”

* To sponsor Louisa, go to her fundraising page at:  https://www.justgiving.com/fundraising/Louisa-Jones9

llanblogger notches up £200 from Memory Walk

* Phil at the finishing line with his medal.

llanblogger raised £200 to help in the battle against dementia when he strode out in the Alzheimers Society's first ever Memory Walk in Delamere Forest on Saturday morning.

Phil Robinson joined around 3,500 fellow trekkers in the big event, which was part of the current season of walks being held across Britain with the aim of raising £6.4 million to help finance research into the distressing condition which affects 225,000 people in the UK each year.

Phil chose to walk the route around the lake in memory of two close members of his family who suffered from dementia.

He said: "It was a fantastic day which saw upwards of 3,500 people gathering on the car park at Delamere to take part in the first Memory Walk to be held there.

"There was a real carnival atmosphere, with a Zumba warm-up session before we all headed off into the forest, where we found a drum band in a clearing who were helping to set the pace for us.

"On the walk it was amazing to see the little cards attached to people's official teeshirts describing who they were remembering as they marched on - parents, grandparents and spouses.

"There were people of all ages, from tiny tots to more mature walkers and, as they went along they were sharing their stories about why they had decided to get involved.

* Thousands of people gather before the start of the Memory Walk.

"Almost as numerous as the human trekkers were the dogs people had brought along with them - some proudly wearing their Memory Walk teeshirts or Alzheimers Society scarves."

* Out on the trail.

* A four-legged walker proudly wears the official Memory Walk teeshirt. 

He added: "The whole thing was brilliantly organised with walk marshalls dotted along the route to make sure everyone was ok and didn't get themselves lost.

"I understand that the current season of walks will involve around 100,000 across Britain, and if they have as much fun as I did it's something they'll never forget.

* A drum band helps set the pace for walkers.  

"I'd like to thank everyone who sponsored me, enabling me to comfortably hit and then better my fundraising target of £150 to make £200 for this extremely worthwhile cause."

* See Phil's Justgiving page at: https://www.justgiving.com/fundraising/Philip-Robinson8

Balloons take flight again ...

Another balloon flight this morning ...

   ... and last night's fireworks ...

Bring homes back into use, says county

Owners of empty homes across Denbighshire are being encouraged to return their properties to use to provide extra housing and deter antisocial behaviour.

There are a number of financial incentives available to assist empty home owners in bringing their properties back into use, from Welsh Government interest free loans to local authority assistance. 

The council can also help with project managing the works and give advice on how to get a reduction on VAT for renovation works to empty properties.

Currently there are around 700 long term empty properties in the county and an Empty Homes Officer has been allocated to help home owners with the process of returning their empty properties back to use.

Councillor Barbara Smith, Cabinet Lead Member for Modernisation and Housing, said: “Long term empty properties are a cause for concern and homes left empty for more than six months are a wasted resource in an area of high housing demand, they can attract crime, vandalism and antisocial behaviour as well as being a financial burden on owners."

Councillor David Smith, Cabinet Lead Member for the Public Realm, said: “We understand that the prospect can be stressful and overwhelming so Denbighshire County Council have allocated an Empty Homes Officer who is available to offer tailored advice and support for anyone returning their property to use. 

"This includes advice on how to make the most of your property, renovation advice, financial advice and advice on selling your property, with all advice and assistance tailored to individual circumstances. An empty home needs to be looked after as much as one which is lived in, it makes financial sense to put your vacant property to use.”

Additional benefits can be gained by bringing a property back to use, including giving the owners a financial return, removing the burden and worry of being responsible for a vacant property and also provide extra homes in the County without the need for new builds.

Denbighshire County Council is keen to assist owners in returning their properties to use, however in circumstances where the property is considered to be having a detrimental effect on the neighbourhood and local amenities and all offers of voluntary assistance have been rejected, the council says it will consider taking enforcement action which could involve issuing an improvement notice to make the owner to bring their property up to current housing standards, enforcing the sale of the property or serving a demolition order.

For home owners wanting to find out more on this service or if you would like to have a discussion regarding your empty property, contact the Empty Homes Officer on:

Empty Homes Officer, 
Built Environment Team,
Caledfryn,
Smithfield Road,
Denbigh,
Denbighshire,
LL16 3RJ

Or you can email: built.environment@denbighshire.gov.uk / 01824 706717.

Balloon festival provides spectacular sight

* One of the balloons heads from the field and across town.

* A member of the Red Devils display team in action.

* Another of the balloons reaches for the sky.

* A third balloon gets airborne.

Llangollen Balloon Festival provided a thrilling display for scores of people waiting on the bridge and across town earlier this evening.

Around half a dozen colourful balloons launched from the International Pavilion field around teatime to drift slowly towards Regent Street.

Shortly afterwards there was another spectacular sight as members of the Red Devils Parachute Display Team went through their paces hundreds of feet above the town.

Still to come this evening:

* 8pm Evening Glow

* 8pm Firework Display

And programme for tomorrow (Sunday) is:

7am Gates open for early morning ascent.
10am Main show begins with balloon display in main arena.
11am Galloping Acrobats
12pm Cheshire Falconry
1pm Balloon Display
2pm Llangollen Motorcycle Club
3pm Galloping Acrobats
4pm Cheshire Falconry
5pm British Ironworks Balloon Race

New tourism awards celebrate success of North Wales

* North Wales Tourism managing director Jim Jones.

The first ever tourism awards celebrating the work the spectacular successes of the £2 billion industry in North Wales are being launched.

The Go North Wales Tourism Awards, which will also showcase local produce, aim to highlight excellence in the region’s high flying hospitality and tourism sectors. 

The awards are being run by private sector body North Wales Tourism, in partnership with Heart FM, and will be handed out at a gala dinner on Thursday, November 24 at Venue Cymru, Llandudno. Heart FM presenters Spencer and Rachel will also be at the black-tie event.

* White water rafting is one of the many

activities on offer in North Wales.

North Wales is at the centre of the growing adventure holidays market and is earning recognition as a world leader thanks to developments like Zip World, Surf Snowdonia and the Snowdonia Pass provided by the Attractions of Snowdonia.

Tourism already employs 40,000 people across North Wales - which adds up to one in every seven jobs in the area.

At the same time more than £100 million of mainly private sector money is currently being invested in tourism-related projects in the region.

North Wales Tourism managing director Jim Jones said: “These awards are all about celebrating everything that’s wonderful in North Wales. 

“They will showcase and celebrate the achievements, hard work and dedication of the hundreds of entrepreneurs who run businesses in this area.

“Tourism and hospitality are worth millions to the economy of North Wales, with the value growing every year. Thousands of people already work in the industry across the six counties and there’s the potential to grow this, to enable more jobs to be created.

“We want people to nominate their tourism business, by demonstrating their success and showing how they offer an exceptional experience to visitors - one that makes people return time and again to North Wales.

“There are a wide range of categories because there are so many different providers in the tourism and hospitality sector in North Wales. It could include an adventure park, bike trail, hotel or B&B, a crowd-pulling event or festival, campsite, promotional campaign, or a new food or drink. 

“There is also a Green Award as it is important that we safeguard this environment - we know visitors to North Wales come to enjoy the wonderful outdoors and we want future generations to continue to enjoy it. 

“I am very grateful to those businesses that have agreed to sponsor the different categories - their support will help us to showcase the very best in North Wales.”

Nominations can be made via the website GoNorthWalesTourismAwards.net until October 23. A judging panel will then draw up a shortlist in each category, with the winners announced on November 24.

The categories are

• Best Attraction, sponsored by Contact Centre Cymru
• Best Food or Drink, sponsored by Celtic Holiday Park
• Best Accommodation, sponsored by Wrexham Lager
• Best Caravan, Camping or Glamping site, sponsored by Wrexham Destination Partnership
• Best Destination (town or area), sponsored by WR Davies Motor Group
• The Green Award, sponsored by Carbon Zero
• Best Use of Digital, sponsored by Cartrefi Conwy
• Best Newcomer, sponsored by Silver Birch Golf Club
• Tourism Business Innovation, sponsored by North Wales Economic Ambition Board
• Year of Adventure, sponsored by Arriva
• Magnificent Crowd Puller (audience over 7,500) sponsored by Powlsons
• Magnificent Crowd Puller (audience under 7,500), sponsored by North Wales Tourism. 

North Wales Tourism is one of the UK’s leading tourism organisations, supporting businesses across the region’s six counties.  Its aim is to build and maintain a prosperous and sustainable tourism industry in North Wales.

The Awards evening on November 24 includes a gala dinner and award presentations followed by an evening of entertainment and dancing. Event tickets are available at a cost of £50 plus VAT per person or £500 plus VAT for a table to seat 10 guests.

To book by phone call 01492 539058 or visit GoNorthWalesTourismAwards.net

Big mountain bike event comes to Llan

British Cycling's National Downhill Mountain Bike Series Round Six, presented by Shimano, will be staged in Llangollen this Saturday and Sunday.

Riders contending for the series overall are measured on their best five results, with seeding counting for up to 50 points and race runs up to 200 points for the win.

The newly revised Squirrel Track will be used with a new re-vamped start straight with several new BMX track style jumps into two new berms.

The course itself is steep and technical as it winds itself down the famous Llangollen hillside with a spectator route cut top to bottom meaning nobody has to cross the course.

Saturday is practice all day from 09:30 to 18:00 with live timing in place for all riders.

Sunday is practice in the morning followed be seeding runs and then one race run, again with live timing throughout.

On Sunday between the intervals for seeding and race runs the Strider Downhill Race is packed with 40 stars of the future who will tackle a course that starts next to the famous Llangollen step downs.

They will then fire into the long finish arena and across the finish line and into the hot seat. The Strider riders will be in age categories and complete downhill timed runs.

Planning application submitted for "ghost" supermarket

* The Berwyn Street supermarket for which a planning application has now been submitted.

A planning application has been lodged with Denbighshire County Council which could possibly see Llangollen’s “ghost” supermarket split between two tenants – discount retailers Aldi and Home Bargains.

The 34,000 sq ft unit off Berwyn Street has stood empty since May 2015 when Sainsbury’s for whom it was built made the shock announcement that they would not be moving in due to a scaling back of their stores.

The application, made in the name of Sainsbury’s who still own the building, seeks permission for the subdivision of the existing retail unit and alterations to allow it to trade as two retail units with associated internal and external physical alterations to the building, service yard, customer entrance and forecourt areas.

The move, which comes after more than a year of speculation about the eventual tenant, has been welcomed by Llangollen county councillor Stuart Davies who said: “Mention of Aldi and Home Bargains being the two prospective tenants of the supermarket is made in the covering letter of the planning application and also in a background document.

“I am happy that an application has finally been made for this empty building and to see that there are prospective tenants in mind.”

The Sainsbury’s pull-out, which they blamed on “adverse trading conditions” at the time, dashed hopes for 130 promised jobs.

Sainsburys announced they wouldn’t themselves be running the store directly and revealed they were looking for potential tenants.

Interest by Aldi and the discount group Home Bargains has often been speculated upon but never confirmed by either company.

A spokesman for Aldi told llanblogger a few months ago:  “Aldi, the award-winning discount food retailer, is keen to develop a new food store in Llangollen.

“There is a clear need for greater shopping choice in the area and Aldi is looking at a variety of sites that fit both suitability and convenience for local shoppers.”

And a spokesman for Home Bargains said at the time: “Unfortunately, it’s a no comment from us, as we work to a strict planner of confirmed stores.”

* The application, reference number 03/2016/0887, can be inspected in full via the planning search section of the Denbighshire County Council website at: http://planning.denbighshire.gov.uk

Council slammed over station parking

* Ken Skates AM with Cllr Dana Davies at Ruabon Station.

Wrexham Council has made ‘an utter mess’ of parking charges at Ruabon Station, according to opposition politicians.

Along with many residents and station users, Clwyd South Assembly Member Ken Skates and Ruabon councillor Dana Davies have previously criticised the authority over the introduction of a pay-and-display system at the popular station.

Now they say constant issues with the ticket machine are exacerbating problems – and have called on the council to address the situation.

Mr Skates and Cllr Davies last April suggested the council should reinvest money from the new parking charges – up to £400 a year per person – into improving the station’s facilities, such as better disabled access. But their plea fell on deaf ears at the Guildhall.

Cllr Davies, leader of the opposition Labour group said: “At least if the money had gone towards station improvements, commuters and users could’ve seen where it was going. This is purely a revenue stream, while at the same time the council is wasting hundreds of thousands of pounds of taxpayers’ money trying to demolish The Groves.

“Since the charges came in, people are parking anywhere but at the train station, including at the cemetery and in residential areas.

“These issues were raised at the time the decision was made, but our concerns were ignored. They are still discussed on a regular basis at Ruabon Community Council, and I’m getting a lot of complaints from residents.

“The ticket machine is also faulty on a regular basis and people often have problems paying for long-term stays. I was assured this would be looked at, but I’m still waiting.”

Cllr Davies added: “Wrexham Council leaders continue to make an utter mess of this.”

Mr Skates added: “I use this station and know how frustrating the parking payment system is. I also know how badly the charges have impacted on neighbouring householders, who are finding people parking all over the place. I have taken this up with the chief executive once again and hope to get a response in the very near future.”

Cllr David A Bithell, Lead Member for Environment and Transport, said: “I am flabbergasted at Labour’s hypocrisy, given the decision of the executive board on January 13, 2015, to introduce a Pay and Display service at Ruabon Railway Station - it is my recollection that this was a unanimous decision which included the two Labour members of the executive board at that time.

“It seems to me they have short-term memory loss, and I would suggest to Ken Skates AM that he needs to have more dialogue with his Labour members on Wrexham Council.”

Cllr Bithell added: “In respect of the issues raised, this was part of the revenue budget savings for 2015/16, where the Council had to make £11.6 million of savings. The department is also currently working with the local member on some localised issues around the use of Pay and Display at the car park.”

Llan could be part of proposed new constituency

* The proposed new constituency of South Clwyd and

North Montgomeryshire, with Llangollen

included in area four on the map.

Latest proposals from the Boundary Commission for Wales for changes to the country’s electoral map show that Llangollen could form part of a suggested new constituency called De Clwyd a Gogledd Sir Faldwyn (South Clwyd and North Montgomeryshire). 

The proposals, published prior to 12 weeks of public consultation, suggest the new seat being created from parts of the existing Clwyd South including the County of Denbighshire electoral wards of Corwen (1,826), Llandrillo (930) and Llangollen (3,319); and. the County Borough of Wrexham electoral wards of Cefn (3,709); Dyffryn Ceiriog/Ceiriog Valley (1,670), Chirk North (1,811), Chirk South (1,549), Johnstown (2,415), Llangollen Rural (1,578), Pant (1,534), Penycae (1,479), Penycae and Ruabon South (1,898), Plas Madoc (1,198), Ruabon (2,071) and Ponciau (without the Aberoer and Pentrebychan wards of the Community of Esclusham) (2,831).

Also included in the new constituency would be parts of the existing Clwyd West and Dwyfor Meirionnydd, Montgomeryshire and Vale of Clwyd seats.

The proposed constituency would have 71,097 electors which is 4.9% below the UKEQ of 74,769 electors per constituency. 

The Boundary Commission says: “The remaining electoral wards from the existing constituencies of Clwyd South, Clwyd West and the Vale of Clwyd were considered appropriate to combine in a constituency as they share similar rural, economic and social characteristics. 

“However, there is an insufficient electorate in these areas to form a constituency.  There is therefore a need to extend the proposal south encompassing the northern wards of the existing Montgomeryshire constituency.

“Wards from the existing Dwyfor Meirionnydd constituency have also been included to enable sufficient road access to all parts of the proposed constituency. 

“The Commission acknowledges that this is the most disruptive change to the existing arrangements of all the newly proposed constituencies. 

“The proposed constituency is geographically large at 2,704 km2, reflecting the sparse population and rural nature of the area.”   

The Commission adds: “The Commission proposes placing the Ponciau North, Ponciau South and Rhos wards of the Community of Rhosllanerchrugog into the proposed ‘De Clwyd a Gogledd Sir Faldwyn’ constituency with the remaining wards of the Community of Esclusham forming part of the proposed Wrexham Maelor constituency.  

“The Commission has decided on the name to reflect the areas within the proposed constituency. 

“Having regard to the linguistic characteristics of the larger part of the area involved, the Commission has decided to give the proposal a Welsh language official name and an English language alternative name.” 

* Full details can be found at http://bcomm-wales.gov.uk/2018-review/maps_and_supporting_information?lang=en

* Representations about the review should be addressed, within 12 weeks, to the Boundary Commission for Wales, Hastings House, Fitzalan Court, Cardiff, CF24 0BL, faxed to 02920 464820, or e-mailed to bcomm.wales@wales.gsi.gov.uk. 

79 people in court for littering offences

Denbighshire County Council’s campaign for cleaner, tidy streets is continuing with a total of 79 people being taken to court for littering offences.

The hearing at Llandudno Magistrates Court yesterday (Tuesday) heard cases of smoking related litter, food and drink containers being wilfully dropped in public.

The total amount of fines issued by the court was £3,250 with a total of £3,260 in costs.

Councillor David Smith, Denbighshire’s Cabinet Lead Member for Environment, said: “The majority of residents and visitors to Denbighshire act responsibly and dispose of litter lawfully in bins provided or they take their litter home. We thank them for their efforts to keep our streets in Denbighshire clean and tidy.

“However, there is a minority who think it’s appropriate to drop litter. It’s a blight on the landscape, it affects people’s quality of life and it’s one of the most common concerns raised by residents.  

"In recent times, the council has been running an awareness campaign, encouraging people to keep their communities litter-free and educating the public about the health dangers of issues such as dog fouling.  

“This matter is being taken seriously by the council and the enforcement activity against all kinds of environmental crimes continues."