Celebrity chef Graham heads for Hamper Llangollen

* Graham Tinsley is heading for Hamper Llangollen.

A celebrity chef who has cooked regularly for royalty and government leaders says North Wales produces some of the best food in the world.

Graham Tinsley MBE, who has prepared dishes for the Queen and Prince Charles on at least a dozen occasions and also created St David’s Day feasts at 10 Downing Street, can’t wait to showcase it at this year’s Llangollen Food Festival.

He will be leading the trio of top culinary maestros laying on a series of crowd-pulling cookery demonstrations on the second day of the festival, which will be staged at Llangollen Pavilion on October 14 and 15.

The event, which is celebrating its 20th anniversary this year and has been named as one of the Top 10 food festivals in the UK by the Daily Telegraph and Independent newspapers.

Currently executive head chef at the prestigious Carden Park in Cheshire, Graham said: “Myself and two other big-name chefs from the North Wales Culinary Guild, which I head up, will be doing six demonstrations on the Sunday of Llangollen Food Festival, featuring starters, mains and puddings.

“What they’ll all have in common is excellent local ingredients. Without doubt, North Wales produces some of the best produce in the world which I champion at every opportunity.

“I love to use things from the smaller bespoke producers, so in the demonstrations we’ll be including such things as locally sourced meat as well as ice cream, rape seed oil, honey and beer which all come from producers based just a few miles away from Llangollen and are regular exhibitors at the festival.

“And as I use them I’ll be pointing out to the people watching exactly how good they are and which stalls they can buy them from. That’s what shows like this are all about.”

Graham, who was awarded the MBE by the Queen for his services to the food industry in 2006, added: “Wherever I travel in the world I try to tell people just how good food from North Wales is.

“For instance, I was recently in holiday in Greece and took with me some of the famous Halen Mon sea salt from Anglesey. I let local chefs try it and they were very impressed as it’s quite delicate compared to the rougher kinds they have over there.

“It’s also a lovely salt to eat and I often get people just to try some when I’m doing my demonstrations.”

Graham began his career in catering at the Midland Hotel in Manchester under the guidance of renowned chef Gilbert Lefevre.

After a five-year apprenticeship and winning a collection of culinary competition medals, he extended his knowledge of international cuisine at the five-star Atlantis Sheraton in Zurich, Switzerland before returning to England to work under the influential Anton Mosimann at the Dorchester Hotel in London.

He then spent nine years with De Vere Hotels, firstly as sous chef and then as head chef at the flagship Lord Daresbury Hotel in Warrington, Cheshire.

In 1991, Graham was head hunted to help develop and open the first four star hotel in North Wales - St David's Park Hotel in Ewloe.

The hotel was such an overwhelming success that, in 1997, he was appointed to the team that developed and opened the Carden Park Hotel, Spa and Golf Resort in Cheshire, which is where he returned to take executive charge of the kitchens six years ago.

Over the course of 25 years he was in turn vice-captain, captain and then manager of the Welsh Culinary Team, which won a host of international competitions.

With the team he cooked for the Queen, Prince Charles and other members of the Royal Family on numerous occasions, as well as the Emperor of Japan and European heads of state at Cardiff Castle.

Following the opening of the Welsh Assembly’s Senedd in Cardiff, Graham supervised the celebratory luncheon for the Queen

For a number of years he was invited to 10 Downing Street by David Cameron to prepare memorable St David’s Day meals.

Graham said: “One of the highlights of my year for the past seven or eight years has been to do the cookery demonstrations at Llangollen Food.

“I think they keep inviting me back because I have the gift of the gab. I love talking to people as I’m cooking.

“I’m always a little nervous beforehand but once I get up on stage and start inter-acting with the public I feel great. It’s fantastic to get their feedback on what I’m preparing, to answer their questions and to give them some handy cookery tips."

According to Phil Davies, a member of the committee at Llangollen Food Festival, Graham is a firm favourite with the festival goers.

He said: "With his royal credentials, we can be assured that Graham and his team of culinary maestros will be demonstrating some wonderful dishes featuring some fantastic local produce.

"His message that North Wales produces some of the best food in the world and chimes perfectly with our ethos of providing a showcase for our brilliant indigenous producers.

"This year's 20th anniversary festival promises to be one of the best ever with a record number of around 130 stall-holders."

* To find out more about Llangollen Food Festival go to: www.llangollenfoodfestival.com

 

Call to step up road safety on Horseshoe Pass

* Safety concerns: From left, County Councillors Graham Timms, Martyn Holland and Melvyn Mile at the Horseshoe Pass summit. 

A spate of serious accidents has prompted a group of county councillors to make an urgent call for extra road safety measures of the Horseshoe Pass above Llangollen.

Cllrs Graham Timms and Melvyn Mile representing Llangollen along with Llandegla member Martyn Holland recently met at the Ponderosa Café at the summit of the pass to thrash out a solution to the situation which has seen three accidents in the past year.   


Cllr Timms said: “We can’t just sit back any longer whilst road users continue to get injured or killed. Something has to be done to make the area much safer for everyone.

“Over the last two months the air ambulance has visited the pass on two occasions to support seriously injured casualties in accidents on the bends on each side of the summit.” 

A road safety expert working for Denbighshire County Council met with the councillors at the café  to examine what could be done to reduce the casualty toll.

Statistics show that in almost half of the accidents over the last 10 years drivers losing control of the vehicle had been a contributory factor.

Cllr Mile said: “The road is difficult to navigate and many road users are unused to the bends and gradients on the pass, resulting in them losing control. We need to ensure that vehicles travel at sensible speeds for their own safety and the safety of others.”

The trio of councillors believes that one section of the road poses a particular hazard for pedestrians.

They say visitors who park opposite the café and have to cross the main road are in danger from fast-moving vehicles on the straight section of road as it passes the Ponderosa. 

Cllr Holland said he would support a reduction in the speed limit in his ward on the A542 from the top of the pass past the Ponderosa and through the bends down towards Llandegla.

“Large numbers of walkers and visitors cross this section of road to enjoy the paths across the moors, the spectacular views and to visit the Ponderosa,” he said.

“There have also been a number of accidents involving motorbikes on the bends between the Ponderosa and the Horseshoe Pass roundabout on the A542 and A5104 and North Wales Police have indicated that these have often involved speed.”

Cllr Holland also has concerns about the speed of traffic on the nearby Old Horseshoe Pass which is very narrow and again crossed by walkers and visitors.

Cllr Timms said that as a result of the meeting the county council will be deciding on ways to make the road safer for everyone and proposals will go out for consultation in the next few months.
 
The Horseshoe Pass is a popular destination for coach tours and cars. It is also a favourite with large numbers of motorcyclists who visit the area on Sundays. 

County offers work opportunities to designers

Denbighshire print and graphic designers are being offered the chance to be considered for future opportunities offered by Denbighshire County Council.

The Print and Graphic Design Framework tender, created in conjunction with Flintshire County Council, will offer local print and graphic designers the chance to be included on the framework.

Suppliers not on the framework will not be eligible to bid for forthcoming opportunities for the length of the framework.

Although local suppliers cannot be guaranteed a place on the framework due to European Procurement Regulations, local suppliers and newly formed businesses are being encouraged to access the tender and submit their bids for inclusion on the framework.

The Framework Agreement will be awarded to successful tenderers for an initial period of two years with the option of a further two, one-year extensions.

The tender will be separated into 3 lots, for print, graphic design and banners and signage.

Suppliers will have the opportunity, and may wish to apply for inclusion on either one, two or all three lots.

Each section will be evaluated by ‘price and quality’ criteria and the highest scoring suppliers will be awarded to those lots.

The estimated combined annual spend for the three lots is £560,000.

Increasing opportunities for local businesses to secure contracts with Denbighshire County Council is part of the Council’s work on developing the local economy by creating employment opportunities and job creation, as well as sustaining existing jobs.

* Full details of the requirements, including specifications, evaluation methods and questions will be available at Sell2 Wales website - www.Sell2Wales.com and Proactis.com at https://supplierlive.proactisp2p.com/Account/Login#

Action plan to halt rise in women's jail sentences

An action plan has been launched to reverse the shock rise in short jail sentences dished out to women in North Wales

The "worrying trend", which saw an 88 per cent increase from 40 in 2010 to 75 in 2015, was highlighted at a special summit hosted by North Wales Police and Crime Commissioner Arfon Jones (pictured)

As a result Mr Jones, the Prison Reform Trust and around 20 other agencies, have proposed a series of urgent recommendations after hearing that that proportionately more jail sentences of six months or less were handed out to women in North Wales than almost anywhere else in the UK.

All of the report's recommendations have now been accepted by the North Wales Criminal Justice Board and have been included in their delivery plan for the next year.

One of the main priorities is that there should be more out-of-court solutions like cautions, community sentences and referrals for specialist support from organisations like the North Wales Women's Centre in Rhyl.

According to Arfon Jones, there was often a link between women's offending and the fact that they had been victims of domestic violence or trafficking which could lead to a series of other issues like mental health problems, drug-taking or prostitution.

Mr Jones said: "The paucity of mental health services, long waiting times and prohibitive need thresholds are a real challenge with implications for police time.

"Many women who come into contact with criminal justice system have mental health needs and learning disabilities, and psychiatric services are currently the biggest referrer to North Wales Women’s Centre in Rhyl.

"There is good evidence to show that women’s centres are more effective than prison in reducing women’s offending.

"Recent experience from Manchester and the North Wales Women’s Centre demonstrates that these services can help turn around the lives of women and enhance existing public service provision.

"Such services are cost effective and can leverage in additional funding but in order to do so they require long-term stable funding from key statutory partners.  

"Everybody was agreed about the need to make the needs of children a real priority because women are more often than not the primary carer.

"The urgency of the situation has been underlined by new figures from the Ministry of Justice.

"They show the total number of women sentenced to custody in North Wales has continued to rise and has now reached 116 - the highest it has been since at least 2011 and a rise of almost 60 per cent over five years."

Mr Jones also paid tribute to the tireless campaigning on the issue by Howard Thomas, the former chief probation officer of North Wales.

He added: "Howard Thomas deserves a huge amount of credit for all the hard work and lobbying he has done to shine a light on this important issue."

For his part, Mr Thomas welcomed the action plan as a major step forward.

He pointed to the fact that national statistics showed one third of women prisoners lost their homes, and often their possessions, while serving their sentence and that 38 per cent of them did not have accommodation organised when they were released.

Mr Thomas said: “Being sent to prison, even if it’s only for a short period of time, has a major impact on the lives of the women affected and also on their families.

"It also makes their rehabilitation, which is of paramount importance, more difficult as evidenced by the 61 per cent reconviction rate for those serving short sentences.

"A former governor of Styal Prison commented he had never come across such a concentration of damaged, fragile and complex needs individuals. He rightly called for the immediate end to short sentences and suggested that half the women in his former prison should never have been sent there."

The Prison Reform Trust, were given a grant by the Big Lottery to carry out a programme of work across the UK called Transforming Lives aimed at reducing the unnecessary use of custody for women, particularly short sentences.

       

Senior programme officer Dr Thomas Guiney said: “Many women serve extremely short custodial sentences. The average stay at HMP Styal is seven to eight weeks and this provides little opportunity for effective rehabilitation and resettlement planning. 

"Many of those attending highlighted the role of women as primary carers. There is a clear and well evidenced link between a mother’s imprisonment and adverse childhood experiences. There is scope for greater use of out of court disposals at the point of arrest and prosecution. "

National Eisteddfod success for Silver Band youngster

* National Eisteddfod success for Gabriel Tranmer.

A 16-year-old member of Llangollen Silver Band has played his way to success at the National Eisteddfod in Anglesey.

Gabriel Tranmer competed in the Brass Solo under-19 section playing the 2nd and 3rd movements of the Edward Gregson Tuba Concerto. He took first place along with a £75 bursary.

Next month Gabriel will be leaving St Brigid's school in Denbigh to attend Chethams School of Music in Manchester where he will be studying for his A Levels and focusing on the tuba, voice and piano.

He says he is excited about going ahead with his music and would like to thank his current tuba teacher Colin Sneade of Wexham, his music teacher who is also his grandmother, Eirwen Jones of Llangollen, as well as Trevor Williams and everyone at Llangollen Silver Band for their help and support.

 

Scheme for houses on Tyn Y Wern site revealed

* The Tyn Y Wern site off the A5.

Details of a plan to build 12 detached homes on the site of Tyn Y Wern Hotel on Holyhead Road, Llangollen have been revealed.

The new planning regulations require a consultation to take place ahead of the submission of a planning application. Applicants Mr and Mrs Tomlinson have asked county council planning officers to arrange this.

A planning brief prepared on their behalf says the proposed development would require the demolition of the existing hotel which has been closed for some time.

Both access points to the site, from Maesmawr Road and the A5, would remain.

The brief adds that 3-4 bedroom properties are proposed which would have amenity space and parking facilities.

The planning department says it will be delivering letters to the immediate neighbours shortly. A paper copy of the plans will be deposited in Llangollen library.

Anyone who wishes to make representations about this proposed development must write to the applicant’s agent at Bob Dewey Planning, The Gables, Llanfynydd, Wrexham LL11 5HG by  August 16.

* You may inspect the proposed application at https://1drv.ms/f/s!Ai4_2Lc_R3KMcOcO4vqPwAc78Ew

AM praises Welsh Government's support for low-income families

An Assembly Member has praised the Welsh Government for its support of low-income households through an extended council tax reduction scheme.

Clwyd South AM Ken Skates (pictured) said he was proud that the Welsh Labour Government was helping thousands of people in his constituency, while vulnerable families in England continue to pay an average of £169 a year more.

Mr Skates, whose constituency includes Llangollen, said: “Last September, Local Government Secretary Mark Drakeford confirmed that the Welsh Labour Government would continue to protect vulnerable and low-income households by maintaining full entitlement to the Council Tax Reduction Scheme until at least the end of April 2018. I’m pleased that so many families in Clwyd South will continue to receive this financial support.

“Figures show 12,097 households in Wrexham benefited last year and 10,098 Denbighshire – plus another 11,496 in Flintshire. I’m proud that the Welsh Labour Government continues to stand up for families in North East Wales.”

Almost 300,000 homes in Wales received a reduction in their council tax in 2016-17, around 220,000 of which pay nothing.  The Council Tax Reduction Scheme was supported by funding of £244m to councils in the local government settlement.

Mr Skates added: “This is despite huge cuts to the Welsh budget imposed by the Tory UK Government at Westminster and is in stark contrast with the situation in England, where local authorities have been left to design their own schemes and manage the associated funding shortfall. This has resulted in more than two million low-income households in England having to pay more of their council tax bills.”
 
He said low-income families in England are now paying an average of £169 a year more than they would have if the UK Government had a similar scheme in place.

Missing Harry returns home

llanblogger's pet cat, Harry, returned home in the early hours of this morning (Wednesday) after being missing for about 24 hours.

Although wet, dirty and hungry, he appears none of the worse for his time away from home.

I'd like to thank all those who showed concern for his safety while he was missing.

llanblogger's cat is missing: can you help?

* Missing: Harry the cat.

llanblogger's much-loved pet cat, Harry, has gone missing and if anyone knows where he might be I'd be very grateful to hear from them.

He's a neutered ginger cat of about a year old and is wearing a shiny silver and red collar with four small bells attached at the front.

He does actually answer to the name of 'Harry' if called.

I believe he went missing from Regent Street in Llan overnight Monday/Tuesday and may have wandered across the A5 towards the Abba Adda/Plas Newydd area where he's never been before, which means he may well be lost.

If anyone has seen him, please get in touch via this email address: llanblogger@gmail.com

Have your say on walking and cycling plans

Denbighshire County Council is inviting people to have their say on draft plans to improve walking and cycling routes in the county. 

The Integrated Network Map is a 15-year plan for improving walking and cycling routes within Denbighshire and is a requirement of the Active Travel (Wales) Act 2013, which asks local authorities to map, plan for, improve and promote opportunities for active travel.

Active Travel means walking and cycling (including electric wheelchairs and mobility scooters) for everyday short-distance journeys, such as journeys to school, work, or for access to shops, services and bus/rail stations. Active travel does not include journeys made purely for recreation or social reasons.

Councillor Brian Jones, Lead Member for Highways, Planning and Sustainable Travel said:  “The Council has produced Existing Routes Maps (ERMs) to show existing routes in Denbighshire considered suitable for active travel.

“The second stage of the Act now requires the Council to produce maps which is where we are now asking for people’s views on the walking and cycling proposals that have been developed.

“Active transport has such a health benefit by choosing to walk or cycle as your way of getting from one place to another, so I urge everyone to take part in this consultation.”

You can view online at www.denbighshire.gov.uk/en/your-council/consultations/active-travel-integrated-network-maps.aspx

To have your say, please complete the Active Travel online survey at www.surveymonkey.co.uk/r/GV5NTTM or you can attend one of the drop-in sessions that have been arranged (10am-3pm):

·         16 August – Llangollen Library

·         25 August – Rhyl Harbour

·         30 August – County Hall, Ruthin

·         6 September – Caledfryn, Denbigh

The closing date for this consultation is 20 October 2017.

Skates welcomes leisure centre refurbishment.

Clwyd South AM Ken Skates was invited to the official reopening of Chirk Leisure Centre following an extensive revamp made possible by an interest-free loan by the Welsh Labour Government to Wrexham Council.

Mr Skates (pictured) said: “I’m delighted that this major refurbishment of Chirk Leisure Centre has gone ahead thanks to Welsh Labour Government support in the form of a £1m interest-free capital loan, which also enabled a huge revamp at Waterworld in Wrexham.”

The Welsh Government loan funded a new studio and improved facilities at Chirk as well as a new reception area, café and an expanded, state-of-the-art fitness area at Waterworld.

Mr Skates continued: “The interest-free loan is part of the Welsh Labour Government’s Sports Facilities Capital Loan Scheme, which was launched to help break down barriers so that people of all abilities, ages and backgrounds can enjoy the wide-ranging benefits of exercise.”

The Welsh Government has also invested in Plas Madoc Leisure Centre. Last year, Communities Secretary Carl Sargeant awarded the community-run facility a £500,000 grant to fund a series of urgent repairs including a replacement roof, new wiring and insulation, upgrading pool plant equipment and improved CCTV and fire alarm systems.

Clwyd South MP Susan Elan Jones added: “This is a challenging financial time for public services because of cuts of £1.4bn to Wales from the Tory Government at Westminster, so I’m pleased and proud that Welsh Labour is delivering for communities in Clwyd South.”

Open-air theatre group play it for laughs at Plas Newydd

* A scene from last night's production of Around the World in 80 Days at Plas Newydd.

Stuffed shirt Phileas Fogg ran into some ripping adventures as he made his way around the world in just 80 days. He also had lots of laughs.

And, despite the squadrons of kamikaze midges, so did the audience last night (Friday) at Plas Newydd where the Off the Ground theatre group presented their hilarious open-air interpretation of the Jules Verne classic.

It tells the tale of how a buttoned-up Victorian Englishman takes on the intrepid circumnavigation as the result of a bet with mates at his London club.

It’s probably true to say that this talented 16-strong group of strolling players from the Wirral didn’t stick too closely to the original. But we can forgive them that because the production was peppered with as much comedy as they could possibly pack in.

Fogg believes the globe can be circled in record time, but the old duffers at the Reform Club disagree.

So after a snap decision and a bet of £20,000, he is on his way, travelling on ships, steamers and railways, tackling elephants, angry savages, human sacrifices and American elections en route, all while being chased by the finest officers of Scotland Yard.

Nothing fazes Fogg, played perfectly by Nick Crosbie employing the stiffest of British upper lips. He has accounted for everything - except what he might learn about himself on the way.

Connor Wray adopted a French accent as fruity as a ripe camembert to portray Fogg’s trusty manservant Passepartout who makes his way to join his master despite tougher post-Brexit immigration controls. From him it’s chuckles every step of ze way, oui oui!

Love interest was neatly provided by Grace Goulding as the “stunner” of an Indian princess whom the duo rescue from being thrown onto her late husband’s funeral pyre as they head across India.   

Lots of laughs came courtesy of Off the Ground old hand Chris Tomlinson as he played things up deliciously in a couple of roles such as a sweary American politician and an insane visually challenged old sea dog who pilots Fogg and his party across the Pacific in a couple of blow-up ducks.

Naturally, everything turns out fine in the end. Fogg hits his 80-day deadline, gets the girl and thanks to what he’s learned about life along the way even unstiffens a little to concede that people can now call him Phil.  

Off the Gound’s summer touring productions have become increasingly ambitious and spectacular.

Last year they brought a rapier-sharp version of the adventure tale Zorro to Plas Newydd. That went down a storm but I reckon this one was even funnier.

... and more action from the show ...

Llan Bowling Club notches up a score of 150

* A game in progress on the club's green at Plas Newydd.

Phil Jones has prepared this short but fascinating history of one of the town's oldest and best-loved organisations

This year Llangollen Bowling Club celebrates 150 years of continuous operation making it probably the oldest non-religious organization still active in the town.

Presently based in the beautiful grounds of Plas Newydd, the club’s original home was at the Ponsonby Arms Hotel.

The origins of crown green bowling in the town appear to have been closely linked with the Ponsonby which was opened in the early 1850s and it had a bowling green located to the rear of the hotel between the railway and the river.

The green, the outline of which can still be made out, was the site of the tent for the Eisteddfod of 1858.

The Ponsonby was the headquarters of the bowling club from its formation in 1867 until 1922 when it relocated to the new greens and gardens constructed on the canalside, on the site of the present RAFA Club, by the owner of the Bridge End Hotel.

* Some members outside the clubhouse.

Llangollen Bowling Club should not be confused with its good friends the Llangollen RAFA Bowling Club who now play on a new green alongside.
  
In 1925 a disagreement over proposed rent increases with new owners of the canalside facilities resulted in the club moving to its present location at Plas Newydd using the former lawn tennis court as a bowling green and a building known as “the old picture house” as the clubhouse.

The club’s first season at Plas Newydd opened on April 17, 1926 and after 91 years at this wonderful location the club is still thriving.

The green and clubhouse are leased from Denbighshire County Council and the club enjoys a close working partnership with the council.

In the past decade the club has made a significant investment in the maintenance of the clubhouse and for the first time in many years the green underwent a major programme of renovation together with the erection of new boundary fencing, picnic tables were provided for general use again all funded by the club.

The regular cutting of the green and the spring and autumn maintenance operations are facilitated and funded by the club, however throughout the bowling season the green is open to the public until 6pm after which the club has exclusive use.

Bowling activities are mainly of a social nature as the club is not in a bowling league, but during the course of the season members can play in three individual cup competitions and pairs competitions on the opening and closing days.

Your last chance to see historic hillfort site

* Work taking place at the site.

Liverpool University Archaeology Department, led by Dr Rachel Pope, has been running an archaeological student training school at the Iron Age Penycloddiau Hillfort in the Clwydian Range each summer for the past six years.

This season is the final year and this Saturday (August 5) there's the last guided walk to the site, and your final chance to see what has been happening before it is all covered back up.

If you are interested in coming along to see the remains of the house and find out about the construction of the ramparts, this is your last chance.

Meeting: Llangwyfan car park at 10am (on the road between Nannerch and Llandyrnog) 
When: Saturday, August 5.

Fiona Gale, County Archaeologist, explained: “It has been such an opportunity for the area to have this focus on Penycloddiau, a massive Hillfort in the Clwydian Range. 

“The work here links to work which has been taking place at Moel y Gaer Bodfari and feeds into the recently launched online Hillfort Atlas. Join me for the last ever guided walk to these fascinating excavations, It may be years before there is any further archaeological work at the site!”

* For more information please contact Fiona Gale at Fiona.gale@denbighshire.gov.uk

A video of the project can be seen at: https://youtu.be/9u9Qsrn9j54

Thousands expected at LlanBikeFest

Thousands of bike fans and families are expected to converge on the Llangollen Motorcycle Festival, at the town’s Royal International Pavilion this Saturday and Sunday, with the Met Office forecasting a bright and sunny weekend.

Starring TT legend John McGuinness, LlanBikeFest is a family-friendly festival, with hundreds of bikes on display, tons of trials and mountain bike action, children’s entertainment, music and a Battle of Britain Spitfire and Hurricane flypast on Sunday.

Now in its third year, LlanBikeFest will be open Saturday from 9.00 to 6.00, with an evening party 6.00 to 10.00. Sunday opening is 9.00 to 5.00.

Tickets are available on the gate both days, with adults £10 and accompanied children 15 and under free.

The festival’s official opening ceremony will be performed by the Llangollen Mayor and town crier Chem on Saturday at 11.00. 

* More information on www.llanbikefest.co.uk and  Facebook at Llangollen Motorcycle Festival, or contact the Festival office at 07960 693398, office@llanbikefest.co.uk. Club stands and exhibitor bookings are free.

Art club launches summer exhibition

Llangollen Art Club launched its latest exhibition at the town's library yesterday (Tuesday) evening.

It includes a wide selection of eye-catching work by the club's members which will remain on show at the library until early September and is available for viewing by the public.

* Some of the artwork on display at the exhibition.

* Guests view a selection of the exhibits.

Skates campaigns over future of eyesore site

An AM wants to help bring a town centre ‘eyesore’ back into use.

Clwyd South Assembly Member Ken Skates was contacted for help over run-down Commerce House, on the A5 in the centre of Corwen, by local councillor Huw Jones.

The pair would like to see the Grade II-listed premises – which is privately owned and up for sale – developed for social housing, and Mr Skates has contacted Denbighshire County Council chief executive Dr Mohammed Mehmet to raise the issue.

“This building has been on Denbighshire’s list of eyesore sites for some time, it’s a real shame and I know Huw and Dr Mehmet share my frustration,” said Mr Skates.

In his response to Mr Skates, Dr Mehmet said it had ‘proved particularly difficult’ to find a solution to Commerce House, which he said is in ‘an extremely difficult state’. The council has contacted heritage watchdog Cadw to try and get the building’s listed status removed, which could make it more attractive to potential buyers.

Mr Skates said: “Because of huge cuts to Wales from the UK Government, the council cannot afford to buy the building outright and pay for the extensive work that needs doing. Social landlords have been approached about the viability of a housing scheme to address local need, and this is an option I’d like to see pursued for local people.

“I have offered my full support to Denbighshire County Council to get this matter resolved. Dr Mehmet has said the authority would provide as much support as possible should the right private sector investor comes forward with redevelopment or refurbishment proposals, so I hope this is another avenue which can be explored.”

Plan for new park on former civic amenity site

* A site plan of the proposed pocket park off the A539 approach road to Llangollen.

The river is at the bottom of the picture.

Plans have been unveiled to create a ‘pocket park’ on the former civic amenity site on the A539 road into Llangollen.

The scheme for the council-owned land, which was last used for waste disposal in the late 1990s, has been submitted by the Clwydian Range and Dee Valley Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty Team on behalf of the Our Picturesque Landscape Partnership.

According to a development brief, the proposal includes landscaping, tree planting, wildflower meadows and hedgerow planting with the aim of increasing the biodiversity and ecological value of the site.

Work would also be done to eradicate the small stand of Japanese knotweed said to be present on site.

Paths, tracks and parking for 36 cars would be landscaped and screened to minimise any visual impact on the surrounding landscape and immediate site neighbours.

Improved site access/egress is a key part of the proposals. Adjacent landowners and the county’s C highways department have been consulted.

Access to the site would be available for pedestrians and cyclists along pavement from Llangollen to the west and the canal to the east, a bus stop is also located adjacent to the site, providing easy access to the site to users by an alternative means to the car.

The planning brief says: “The proposed new park would be developed along with community groups and other interested parties over a number of years and as this will take time, the ethos for this initial phase was to create a welcoming site for people to enjoy both in its own right but also as a gateway to the wider area.

“The plan has been developed as part of a Heritage Lottery Fund – Landscape Partnership Scheme bid and as part of this process consultation with stakeholders and communities has been ongoing.

“The site is seen as a key gateway into Llangollen and the wider Dee Valley, it will provide a new access point for the Pontcysyllte Aqueduct and Canal World Heritage Site and the Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, promoting wider exploration of the area and a longer stay.”

* The full application can be seen on the Denbighshire planning portal. Its reference number is 03/2017/0467. https://www.denbighshire.gov.uk/en/resident/planning-and-building-regulations/search-and-comment-on-applications.aspx

Have your say on new travel maps

Consultations are taking place on the Denbighshire Council draft Active Travel Integrated Network Map (INM).

The INM is a 15-year plan for improving walking and cycling routes within Denbighshire and is a requirement of the Active Travel (Wales) Act 2013, which places duties upon local authorities to map, plan for, improve and promote opportunities for active travel.

In September 2014, the Welsh Government introduced the Active Travel (Wales) Act which makes it a legal requirement for local authorities in Wales to map and plan for suitable routes for active travel within certain settlements in Denbighshire, as designated by the Welsh Government.

Active Travel means walking and cycling (including electric wheelchairs and mobility scooters) for everyday short-distance journeys, such as journeys to school, work, or for access to shops, services and bus/rail stations. Active travel does not include journeys made purely for recreation or social reasons.

Existing Routes Maps (ERMs) 

The first stage of the act required local authorities to produce Existing Routes Maps (ERMs) to show existing routes in Denbighshire that the council considered suitable for active travel. The ERMs therefore do not show all of the available walking and cycling routes within an area.

Llangollen ERM

Active Travel Integrated Network Maps (INMs)

The second stage of the Act requires the Council to produce Integrated Network Maps (INMs) that set out the local authority’s plans to develop a network of active travel routes and facilities over the next 15 years. Denbighshire County Council is now seeking your views on the walking and cycling proposals that have been developed.

Llangollen INM


View the Denbighshire Integrated Network Map route proposals

How to have your say

You can have your say on this consultation by completing the Active Travel online survey.
Have your say on the Active Travel Integrated Network Map online survey
Or you can;

• Come to one of our drop in sessions to discuss your views with the team. Find out when the drop in sessions take place. 
• Phone 01824 706 922
• Download and complete a copy of the survey and post it to Sustainable Transport Team, Denbighshire County Council, PO Box 62, Ruthin, LL15 9AZ.

The closing date for this consultation is 20 October 2017

Policing devolution 'inevitable' says commissioner

A police boss believes the devolution of policing to Wales is inevitable, saying it's a matter of when not if.

According to Arfon Jones, the newly-elected chairman of the All-Wales Policing Group, there was now an unstoppable momentum in favour of the idea.

Mr Jones, the North Wales Police and Crime Commissioner, said support for devolving the issue was unanimous among the four Welsh commissioners who are members of the group.

Although not legally devolved many of the other areas of the criminal justice system, like the Crown Prosecution Service and the courts service, already operate with all-Wales structures.

Mr Jones (pictured) said: "The four police and crime commissioners are keen to see more responsibilities devolved to Wales.

"We welcome the fact that the Ministry of Justice are moving towards devolving more responsibilities to commissioners around victims and witnesses. This is a step in the right direction.

"We believe policing should be completely devolved to Wales and it’s only a matter of time before it is, but we need to convince the Secretary of State Alun Cairns of that and up till now we haven’t had much success.

"He is against the idea because several people tried to move amendments to the Wales Bill to devolve such things as youth justice.

"The Government didn’t support it so it didn’t go through which is a shame because youth justice is the only part of children’s services which is not devolved to Wales. "Other areas like education, health and social care are all devolved - and then you’ve got youth justice which still comes under the Ministry of Justice in London. It’s totally illogical.

"In terms of the devolution it is now just a matter of so we’re doing is preparing the ground because when it does happen it's likely to happen overnight.

"It might take 10 or 20 years but it's important that we are properly prepared and that we have the right structures in place.

"It would make sense if criminal justice was totally devolved as well the same as it is in Greater Manchester.

"Policing and criminal justice are devolved there to the mayor Andy Burnham, and if they can do it in Manchester I don’t see any reason why they can’t do it in Wales.

"To have certain elements of criminal justice outside of that sort of sphere doesn’t make sense because you need everything together as part of one integrated service.

“When you have one bit of a service devolved and not the others all it does is muddies the waters and it causes more problems and it causes more legal challenges.

"There have been a few legal challenges between the Welsh Government and Westminster and I can see more happening until policing is finally and rightly devolved to the people of Wales.

"A case in point is the confusion around the apprenticeship levy where policing is not devolved and training is, with the likely end result likely to be that Welsh Police Officers may not get the same level of training because of the impasse between the two governments." 

MP backs hearing support campaigners

Susan Elan Jones MP is backing a campaign by charity Action on Hearing Loss which calls on the Government to do more to support companies and people who are deaf or hard of hearing.

Speaking after meeting with representatives of Action on Hearing Loss in Parliament, the Clwyd South MP said: "A recent YouGov poll found that 57% of business leaders feel there's a lack of support available for employers about employing someone with hearing loss while nearly two-fifths of business managers don't feel equipped to enable staff with hearing loss to stay productive in the workplace.

"Those figures are really concerning when you think that 11 million people in the UK having a hearing loss - and almost 5 million of them are of working age.

"I want to see greater work opportunities for people who are deaf or hard of hearing and greater support for employers too. I welcome this very thoughtful campaign from Action on Hearing Loss who have written two excellent reports which make detailed and constructive suggestions for how the Department for Work and Pensions can act."

* Susan Elan Jones MP meeting in Parliament with representatives of Action on Hearing Loss.

Party in the Park is a big hit

Llangollen Cytun Churches Together hosted its Party in the Park at Riverside yesterday (Saturday) afternoon attracting scores of people to its range of children's games and free barbecue.

There was also a strong gospel message and here the Rev Phil Poole, Minister of the English Methodist Church, leads a live music session on the bandstand.

MP calls for tougher action on problem gambling

* Susan Elan Jones MP campaigning for tougher laws against problem gambling.

Clwyd South MP Susan Elan Jones is calling on the Government to take much tougher action to tackle problem gambling.

She is especially keen to see the Government drastically reduce the stakes allowed on Fixed Odds Betting Terminals from £100 to £2.

Ms Jones said: "I am really concerned about this issue and its impact on families and individuals.

"In the last Parliament, I was very involved in a campaign to get controls over Fixed Odds Betting Terminals devolved to the Welsh Government.

"Although the UK Government would not do this at first, our persistent campaigning did finally get them to include partial devolution in the Wales Bill."

She added: "I want the entire UK to be covered by laws that mean stakes on Fixed Odds Betting Terminals are reduced from the staggering £100 a stake which is legal now down to £2.

"All of us who have campaigned on this issue know the misery that Fixed Odds Betting Terminals can cause, with casino games like routlette allowing punters to stake £100 every 20 seconds. That is £50 million being lost to Fixed Odds Betting Terminals in Wales alone.  No wonder Fixed Odds Betting Terminals are often called the 'crack cocaine' of gambling."

The UK Government is currently considering responses from the Call for Evidence into Gaming Machines and Social Responsibility launched in October 2016. The Department for Culture, Media and Sport is expected to publish the next stage of the Review, with its proposals, this October.

Peacemaking motorbike to star at Llan show

The 1916 Triumph believed to have carried the German Kaiser’s surrender document to allied HQ on November 11, 1918 is one of a special display of motorcycles over 100 years old that will be to the Llangollen Motorcycle Festival, August 5 and 6.

The 550cc Model H is one of several owned and ridden regularly by Brad Jones of Froncysllte (pictured).

Its history includes letters from an army officer revealing its vital role in the signing of the armistice.

It will be among an array of machines at least 100 years old (pictured below) in a display called The LlanBikeFest Centenary Club.

An even older 1913 Triumph 500 cc TT Replica, owned by Neil Shirley, will be part of an exhibit by the Vintage Motor Cycle Club, with machines representing each of the last 10 decades. And Jeff Owen of the Llangollen Motor Museum will be riding his own 1916 Triumph to the Festival.

LlanBikeFest’s John Hutchinson said: “It’s tribute to the engineering skills of our motorcycling forefathers that many of these bikes are still on the road and going strong.”

Starring TT legend John McGuinness, LlanBikeFest is billed as a family-friendly Festival, with tons of trials and mountain bike action, children’s entertainment, music and a Battle of Britain Spitfire and Hurricane flypast on Sunday.

More information on www.llanbikefest.co.uk and  Facebook at Llangollen Motorcycle Festival.

LlanBikeFest is sponsored by Carole Nash Insurance, with day tickets £10 on the gate or online at www.llanbikefest.co.uk, and children 15 and under free. Or contact the Festival office at 07960 693398, office@llanbikefest.co.uk. Club stands and exhibitor bookings are free.