First Welsh pumpkin carving contest to be staged in Llan

* Simon O’Rourke works on a replica of John Lennon at Liverpool’s Pier Head as part of his Beatles tableau in wood.

A man who tours the world using a chainsaw to create stunning sculptures is masterminding the first ever Welsh pumpkin championship.

Simon O’Rourke has carved out an international reputation for himself by turning out a series of wooden masterpieces depicting everything from a life-sized horse to an awe-inspiring tableau of The Beatles.

At Llangollen Food Festival, which is celebrating its 20^th anniversary on Saturday and Sunday October 14 and 15, he’ll be presiding over the inaugural Wales-wide competition to fashion spooky Halloween faces from a pumpkin.

After gaining his honours degree, 39-year-old Simon became a tree surgeon simply because he needed a full-time job while establishing his career as an illustrator of children’s books.

He eventually switched to wood carving when he realised how creative he could be with a chainsaw. 

He produces fine pieces of artwork using waste timber or standing stumps using a variety of power and hand tools. These range from classical sculpture of human and animal forms to abstract work and re-creating logos in wood.

Simon’s carving exploits have taken him across the globe to compete in competitions in the USA, Japan, Canada, Holland, Germany, Denmark and the UK.

His recent triumphs in timber have included a life-size replica of a horse which later galloped off on a countrywide tour and a full-sized tableau of The Beatles which he sculpted within 24 hours for a display at Liverpool’s Pier Head over the August bank holiday weekend.

One of his personal favourites of the past few years is the Alice in Wonderland scene he created for a restaurant in Bristol, featuring Alice herself, the Queen of Hearts, the Mad Hatter and the March Hare.

Simon, from Rossett, near Wrexham, said: “I’ll be appearing at Llangollen Food Festival in the run-up to Halloween so I thought it would be the perfect opportunity to stage the first ever Welsh Pumpkin Carving Championships.

“Wielding a chainsaw to fashion their traditional jack-o-lanterns or skulls might be asking a little too much of competitors so the tools they’ll be using tools are going to be a bit less demanding.

“Before the championships take place I’ll be giving competitors plenty of hints and tips at my pumpkin carving workshops and showing them how to work with the three or four types of tools I’ll be lending them.

“They’ll be ribbon loop tools which are normally used in clay sculpting. They’re very effective but also safe to handle.

“The competitors can work in whatever way they choose but I’ll be showing them how to sculpt the flesh of the pumpkin rather than simply plunging through the surface with a knife.

“They can do the very traditional jack-o-lantern design but I’ll demonstrate a couple more ways to do it.

“Pumpkins are nice and soft to cut and are readily available at this time of year. I’m hoping to see some really fantastic creations.

“We’re now on the lookout for suitable competitors to start gashing away at those gourds. It’s their big chance to carve out their own artistic reputation using a different type of medium.

“Entrants will pay £5 to take part and they get to take their carved creations home for Halloween. The star prize for the best piece of work will be a Halloween Hamper filled with all kinds of goodies to the value of £25.”

Simon added: “It’ll be great to be back at Llangollen Food Festival, especially as this is the festival’s 20^th anniversary and the inaugural pumpkin carving competition will help make it a landmark occasion in more ways than one.

“Last year I brought along a big wooden dragon called Hemlock I’d carved which has a moving neck and he’ll be coming along with me again this year for people to have their pictures taken alongside.

“Llangollen Food Festival is now one of the UK’s most top food festivals and I’m very much looking forward to going back there.

“It’s a great opportunity for people to sample local produce they wouldn’t normally get to try.

“North Wales has such a rich variety of locally-sourced food and drink and the festival does a fantastic job showcasing it.”   

Phil Davies, a member of the committee at Llangollen Food Festival, said: “Llangollen is now recognised as one of the country’s foremost food festivals and we can’t think of a better way to mark our 20^th anniversary than hosting the very first Welsh Pumpkin Carving Championships.

“Simon, who we are delighted to welcome back to Llangollen, came up with the idea and we were delighted to help him make all the arrangements for what promises to be a challenging and very entertaining feature of the weekend.

"This year is going to be a very special as the festival is celebrating its 20the anniversary and with a record number of around 120 stall-holders promises to be the biggest and best yet. I can't wait."

* To find out more about Llangollen Food Festival and the Welsh Pumpkin Carving Championships go to www.llangollenfoodfestival.com

Bid to turn old surgery into dwelling house

* The former health centre in Regent Street is the subject of a planning application.

A planning application has been submitted to the county council to turn the former health centre in Regent Street, Llangollen, into a home.

The application, submitted by an agent in Caernarfon, seeks the proposed change of use of the building to form a single residential dwelling with on-site parking for three cars.

The building has been empty for almost two years since the GP practice moved to the new purpose-built health centre in Mill Street and it became surplus to the requirements of Betsi Cadwaladr University Health Board.  

At the instruction of the health board it was put up for sale with Wingetts estate agents last spring with a guide price of £150,000 and was subsequently described as being sold subject to contract. 

* Details of the application can be seen at:

http://planning.denbighshire.gov.uk/Planning/StreamDocPage/obj.pdf?DocNo=2073457&PageNo=1&content=obj.pdf

Petition for better station access goes to Parliament

* Ken Skates AM and Susan Elan Jones MP with Ysgol Rhiwabon Year 10 pupils (l-r) Kezia Summers, Samuel Brown and Jacob Rutter and Friends of Ruabon volunteer Jo Smith.

Campaigners calling for improved access at Ruabon Station turned out in force ahead of a petition being presented to Parliament. 

Clwyd South AM and MP Ken Skates and Susan Elan Jones joined volunteers from the Friends of Ruabon to show their support last Friday. 

Pupils of Ysgol Rhiwabon also went along to help plant new floral donations from Arriva Trains Wales to help spruce up the station’s appearance. 

Ms Jones said: “The campaign for better access at Ruabon continues and the excellent turn-out today shows the strength of feeling locally.  

“This is an important station connecting people to our wonderful World Heritage Sites and key local destinations such as Wrexham and Chester, so it needs be more accessible. At present, it’s almost impossible for disabled people and those with restricted mobility.” 

Mr Skates said the lack of disabled access was ‘insufficient in the 21st century for such an important station’.

He and local councillor Dana Davies have previously called for money from parking charges to be invested in improving the station’s facilities, but their plea was rejected by Wrexham Council leaders. 

The residents’ petition states that the station ‘is currently inaccessible to a number of potential users’ because the footbridge is the only way of getting between the platforms – and calls on the UK Government to act. 

Mr Skates added: “The many, many people who have signed the petition want and need to be better connected – and that means access for all. I’m delighted Susan is going to present it at Parliament in the coming weeks and will continue to support the campaign however I can on behalf of my constituents and station users.” 

The Labour politicians welcomed the donation of new planters from Arriva Trains Wales and praised the ‘dedicated and tireless’ Friends of Ruabon. 

Berwyn station steams into the top ten

* A Santa Special train from Llangollen Station at Berwyn.

Berwyn rail station has hit the national headlines.

A new book by Simon Jenkins tells the history of Britain’s railways through its 100 best stations.

And an article about the book in the Guardian newspaper features 10 'gems' from grand old York to a Highland outpost.

Included in the list is Berwyn of which the article says: "The gorges of the upper Dee are among the most dramatic in Britain.

"Undaunted, the Llangollen & Corwen Railway, built by Great Western in 1865, wound its way from Llangollen into Snowdonia through a series of hair-raising bends, tunnels and bridges.

"The line closed in 1965, but was reopened by the dogged Llangollen Railway Society in 1981. It well illustrates the debt the Welsh tourist industry owes to Wales’s industrial past.

"Berwyn station, the first halt west from Llangollen, is perched precipitously on a platform between the Dee gorge and the A5.

"It was designed in the 1860s, probably by the doyen of Marches stations, Thomas Penson of Oswestry. The style is the same black-and-white Tudor he employed in rebuilding much of the city of Chester.

"The stationmaster’s house is of three lofty storeys, steeply gabled, with one gable looking out over the gorge.

"This is now available as a holiday let for those with a head for heights (sleeps six, from around £500 a week, one-week minimum, llangollen-railway.co.uk). To stand on the platform, with only the track between oneself and the cliff edge, is to see the upper Dee at its most Alpine."

* See the Guardian article at: https://amp.theguardian.com/travel/2017/oct/01/10-of-the-best-railway-stations-in-britain-uk-simon-jenkins

Vegan cake baker heads for Hamper Llangollen

* Rachel Burns and Chris Spray, proprietor of The Boathouse at Chirk pub and restaurant.

A mum-of-three has launched a new business making vegan cakes - just a year after she turned her back on animal products.

Rachel Burns, 51, from Bwlchgwyn, near Wrexham, was inspired to become a vegan herself by one of her sons who has strong views on the subject.

She set up Rachel's Vegan Cakes in January and supplies her delicious homemade products to a network of local restaurants and bars across the region.

Now she's been given a boost by the Llangollen Food Festival who have agreed to provide her with a showcase in their new products section at this year's 20th anniversary event on Saturday and Sunday, October 14 and 15.

It's a big deal for Rachel because the event is now one of the highlights in the UK's culinary calendar and has been hailed as one of the top 10 food festivals in the UK by the Daily Telegraph and the Independent newspapers.

She said: “The organisers were offering a few free places for new producers to celebrate the festival’s 20^th anniversary. To be honest I never thought I’d have a chance and was amazed when I heard I’d been granted a space.

“As a new business it’s exciting and I’m really looking forward to it. I’m nervous but in an excited way. I’m absolutely convinced my business can work.

“There is a real need for vegan friendly food. And not only vegans but people who have an intolerance to dairy products too.”

“When I go out for a meal I can usually find a vegan starter and main but rarely, if ever, find a vegan sweet. I know other vegans feel the same way and the vegan and vegetarian market is growing larger every year.

“I’ve always enjoyed visiting the Llangollen Food Festival and can’t believe I will be exhibiting there myself. It really is exciting.”

Rachel became a vegan herself so she could be sure to cook suitable food her 29 year old vegan son Matt when he called.

She said:  “I wanted to ensure I always had something to offer Matt that he could eat when he called and looked at how I could make cakes and sweets. For me it was more of a scientific experiment.

“I looked at things like chocolate brownies, cherry almond slices, carrot cake and Victoria sponges and wondered how I could make them so they tasted really good using only non-animal or dairy products.

“I use ingredients such as flax seeds, apple sauce and egg replacement powders and I also make some gluten free products too.

“I’ve always worked in catering but baking products for vegans made me realise just what you can do with different ingredients. We don’t need to use dairy or animal products to make good food and that led me down the path towards becoming a vegan myself.”

Rachel works as a school catering manager but has always harboured a desire to run her own business.

She said: “It’s something I have always wanted to do. I worked for many years in school catering with a man called Clive Smith and we’d talked of running a business together. We looked at various pubs, restaurants and cafes around North Wales.

“Sadly, before we could set up a business, Clive was diagnosed with terminal cancer and quite quickly passed away.

“I promised him before he died I would carry on with the plan to start a catering business of my own.

“Then Matt, asked me to make some cakes suitable for vegans that he could take to his office in Chester where he works. People tried them without knowing they were for vegans and loved them so I thought this is what I’ll try and do as a business.

“My middle son, Jonny, 27, who lives in Staines with his wife Sophie, designed my website and customers are placing orders quite regularly online and I also have customers who have simply heard about me by word of mouth.”

One of her customers is Chris Spray, the proprietor of The Boathouse at Chirk, who lives in Chester.

He said: “We sample locally produced food as often as we can and I’m delighted to say we have a growing reputation when it comes to the vegan and vegetarian friendly food on our menu.

“However, we won’t buy a product just because it’s for vegans, it has to taste good and we want the best products made from the best ingredients.

“We only want top quality homemade food and Rachel’s Vegan Cakes certainly tick all the boxes.

"Veganism is growing and Rachel has launched her business at just the right time.”

Llangollen Food Festival committee member Phil Davies said: "We will be celebrating our 20th anniversary this year and we wanted to celebrate by providing a shop window for new products as a way of giving something back.

"We're confident it's going to be one of the biggest and best events in our history. We'll have around 120 stallholders so there will be an abundance of fine food and drink to choose from."

* For more information about the festival go tot www.llangollenfoodfestival.com and to find out more about Rachel's Vegan Cakes please visit www.rachelsvegancakes.co.uk

Concerns raised over rural health services

Concerns have been raised that the Welsh Government plans to further centralise health services away from rural areas.

Cllr Mabon ap Gwynfor, who represents the Llandrillo/Cynwyd Ward on Denbighshire County Council, was responding to the Welsh Government’s ‘Services fit for the future’ White Paper, which seeks views on proposals for the health and social services.

The White Paper has already drawn much criticism because of its proposal to abolish Wales’ Community Health Councils.

But Cllr ap Gwynfor (pictured) fears that the paper could give the green light to further centralise health services away from the patients, which will be particularly damaging for rural communities, as well as abolishing the Community Health Councils.

Cllr ap Gwynfor is also chair of the North Wales Health Alliance and has been a long standing campaigner on health issues, arguing against community hospital closures and for investment in local health services.

He said: “I have consistently opposed the downgrading of our health services. The Welsh Government have sought to downgrade or close certain services over the years under the auspices of the Health Boards. It’s been a long standing policy of the Labour Government in Wales, and I have fought them every time.

“This White Paper includes some warm words, and has some generic ambitions which on the face of it are laudable. Amongst the many worthy words it talks of how organisations need to ‘look beyond their own boundaries’ and ‘work across health boards’.

"All very admirable. But what will this mean in practice? I’m afraid that this Government’s record has so far shown that working across boundaries in practice means downgrading or closing certain services in order to centralise them.

"Consider the Community Hospital Closure programme they had here in north Wales, or the battle to stop the downgrading of maternity services at Ysbyty Glan Clwyd and Withybush.

"The devil will be in the detail, but I’m concerned that if the White Paper is accepted it will give them the green light to further downgrade some of our health services and make them even more distant to many of our communities.

“Furthermore the White Paper proposes to scrap the current Community Health Council model and create a new centralised model. If allowed to happen this will weaken the citizens voice and create an organisation that is distant and detached from those that need it. This doesn’t bode well.”

New business welcomed to Glyndyfrdwy

* Ken Skates AM, left, with the directors of R3 Safety and Rescue, from left, Chris Onions, Paul O’Sullivan and Chris Heath.

Assembly Member Ken Skates cut the ribbon at the official opening of a rescue training company’s new home in an old village school.

R3 Safety and Rescue was started in 2013 by three former employees of Bala-based Rescue 3 Europe and moved into the empty Glyndyfrdwy school building earlier this year.

Paul O'Sullivan, who launched the business with Chris Onions and Chris Heath, said: “We are primarily a specialist rescue training company delivering water/flood, rope and confined space safety and rescue training.  In 2015 we started doing equipment sales and this has seen significant growth over the last two years.

“The move to the new premises in Glyndyfrdwy has been excellent for us and it provides an ideal base to grow both the training and equipment supply sides of the business. We currently spend around £35,000 a year on local hotels – primarily in Llangollen – for our course students and will continue to do so to support the local economy.”

R3 Safety and Rescue bought the old school in February and after what Paul describes as ‘a pretty hectic refurbishment’ and ran its first training course from the premises in May. An open day was held on Saturday (September 23), when members of the local community and clients where invited to see the company’s new home. More than 100 people turned out.

Mr Skates said: “I’m honoured to have been invited to officially open R3 Safety and Rescue’s new premises. This is such a beautiful, important building and I have been keen for a long time to see it used for local benefit.

“I’m delighted that R3 Safety and Rescue has moved into it and continues to contribute massively to the local economy. The firm currently employs three full-time and four part-time members of staff, two of which have been taken on since the move to Glyndyfrdwy.

“With Rescue 3 Europe, who accredit R3 Safety and Rescue’s training courses, already based in Llangollen – in the same building as my office – the area is becoming increasing associated with the rescue industry. It’s very positive for the area.”

Future events at Plas Newydd unveiled

On Saturday October 28, from 5-7.30pm, Plas Newydd is hosting an event called Drawing the Light   

For £4 visitors can explore the grounds in the fading light and "draw some things that go bump in the night."

Other future events at Plas Newydd are detailed on the poster below ...

Eisteddfod appoints new music chief

Llangollen International Musical Eisteddfod has announced its eighth music director and first ever representative of Greek origin to hold the prestigious title, Vicky Yannoula.

The portfolio musician with international experience joins the Eisteddfod following successful positions at organisations such as Trinity College London, Middlesex University and the Drake Calleja Trust, succeeding Eilir Owen Griffiths following his six-year tenure.

“As soon as I saw the role advertised online, I was instantly drawn to it,” said Vicky (pictured).

“I already knew of the Llangollen Eisteddfod due to the incredibly special place it holds in the world’s musical calendar.

“The International Eisteddfod’s core values of peace and multi cultural celebration inspire me, so to be appointed and follow in the footsteps of a host of incredibly talented music directors is a real honour.”

Since moving from Corfu to London in 1995 to study at the Royal College of Music, Vicky’s list of accomplishments has made her a notable pianist on stages around the world and seen her collaborate with a wealth of international artists.

Her impressive CV is also bolstered by her experience as a tutor, recording artist, manager and an entrepreneur.

Vicky added: “Throughout my career, I have been lucky enough to be involved in an array of performances, educational projects and to hold managerial positions in music. It is my passion and understanding – both as a musician and manager – that I can’t wait to bring to the role as Music Director.

“It’s such an honour to be appointed. The organisation's heritage and global prominence along with the team's vision, passion and sense of purposefulness are a huge source of inspiration to me. 

“It is a privilege to be joining this superb team and I am overjoyed that we shall be working together towards a dynamic International Eisteddfod for 2018.”

Vicky’s comprehensive and varied experience combined with her globally relevant background, represents an exciting opportunity for the Llangollen International Musical Eisteddfod as it continues to develop.

Chairman of the Llangollen International Musical Eisteddfod, Dr Rhys Davies, said: “We’re excited to see Vicky add her personal flair to next year’s festival and use her extensive international experience to further cement the International Eisteddfod on a global stage.

“Her impressive background will ensure the International Eisteddfod continues to grow and develop reaching new audiences nationally as well as globally.”

* To discover more about the Llangollen International Musical Eisteddfod visit: www.Llangollen.net

Celebrated chef to showcase his skills at Hamper Lllangollen

* Chef Bryan Webb in the kitchen at Tyddyn Llan.

The Dee Valley chef in charge of one of the finest restaurants in Wales will be demonstrating his culinary mastery at a top food festival.

Michelin starred Bryan Webb has just seen his Tyddyn Llan restaurant with rooms in the picturesque Denbighshire village of Llandrillo retain its commanding position in the Good Food Guide for the 15^th consecutive year.

And he’ll be showing off his award-winning skills to food fans at Llangollen Food Festival which will celebrate its 20th anniversary at this year's event on October 14 and 15. 

The event has been named as one of the Top 10 food festivals in the UK by the Daily Telegraph and Independent newspapers.

It's estimated the festival pumps nearly £400,000 into the local economy every year, making a total of £8 million since it started two decades ago.

Along with his wife Susan who runs front-of-house, 57-year-old Bryan took over at Tyddyn Llan in 2002 following a glittering career with some of London’s most famous eateries.

His artistry in the kitchen saw him win his first glowing mention in the Waitrose Good Food Guide, which he describes as his lifelong culinary ‘bible’, during his first term as a head chef at Hilaire on Old Brompton Road in London 30 years ago and went on to win some of its highest gradings in subsequent editions.

The success story continued when he moved back to his native Wales and took the helm of Tyddyn Llan 15 years ago since when his Good Food Guide accolades have continued to flow.

The latest edition gives the restaurant a prestigious ranking of six, which he says means there are only three others in Wales with a higher grading and 50 in the whole of the UK.

Bryan said: “My latest mention in the guide makes me very proud and I’ll be celebrating it at Llangollen Food Festival which is marking its own 20^th anniversary this year.

“Cooking has changed a lot over the last 20 years which is mainly due to the number of food programmes on the TV. More and more people are now looking for things like good, local home produce and craft beers and they all come together at Llangollen Food Festivals.

“For my demonstration I’ll be showing some of the dishes I cook at Tyddyn Llan, and preparing sea bass with a lava bread and butter sauce, a Welsh black beef steak with a peppercorn sauce and a local rack of Welsh lamb accompanied by whatever is freshly available in October.

“I want to show how easy it is to cook a nice piece of fish or steak. Cooks at home worry about either having the pan not hot enough or too hot so it will burn the meat, so I want to show them how to overcome these problems.”    
         
Bryan was brought up in Crumlin, Caerphilly, where his father worked as a mines rescue manager. Experiencing at close hand the harsh realities of mining he decided early on that the job wasn’t for him.

A youthful eating experience at The Walnut Tree in Abergavenny introduced him to good food.

He left school at 16 and started an apprenticeship at The Crown at Whitebrook, the first Michelin-starred restaurant in Wales, training under head chef Sonia Blech.

His next position was at Drangway in Swansea, where he worked under Colin Pressdee. While at this restaurant, in 1980, he won the William Heptinstall Award, given to young chefs to widen their culinary experience abroad. The prize was a three-month placement at top French restaurant Mère Poulard in Mont-Saint-Michel.

In 1983 he took a position in Scotland, at the Kirroughtree Hotel near Newton Stewart working under Ken McPhee who was then one of Scotland’s finest culinary practitioners.

After two years he headed for London, taking a head chef role at Café Rouge - no connection to the chain - where the owner was set on establishing a highly rated restaurant.
He was then appointed head chef of Hilaire in London, becoming chef-proprietor after four years.

In 2002, Bryan and his wife Susan embarked on a tasting trip around the world, before returning to Wales to set up Tyddyn Llan based in a handsome grey-stone building set within lush Denbighshire countryside.

In 2010, Tyddyn Llan won a Michelin star, one of only four restaurants in Wales to hold such an accolade, and has retained it ever since.

Bryan is currently awaiting notification that Michelin will recognise him again but is pretty confident of success.

He said: “The competition gets harder every year and there are always new kids on the block but Michelin is looking for the serving of good food consistently and I’ve always had a passion for doing that. Also, I’ve just had my invitation to the presentation ceremony and I don’t think you’d get that if they were going to take away your star!

“I see my latest listing in the Good Food Guide as quite as quite an achievement as all my life it’s been my bible and they’ve always been good to me. I started being listed 30 years ago when I had my first head chef job in London and was consistently getting high ratings. That’s continued with Tyddyn Llan for the past 15 years.”   
  
His cookbook, Bryan Webb’s Kitchen, came out in 2010 and includes his signature dishes and recipes inspired by his food heroes. To mark his 40^th anniversary in the business Bryan published his book Not Bad For A Taff, which is part autobiography, part rich collection of recipes.

Phil Davies, a Llangollen Food Festival committee member, said: "We're delighted that Bryan will be demonstrating at our anniversary event.

"With his fabulous food at Tyddyn Llan, he has done a huge amount to put the area's culinary credentials on the map.

"This year's festival promises to be one of the best ever with a record number of around 120 stall-holders."

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

Search is on for Christmas video stars

With Christmas fast approaching businesses are being given the chance to take part in a festive shopping video.

As part of the #LoveLiveLocal campaign, Denbighshire County Council is looking for traders to feature in the clip which is being produced to highlight what the county has to offer shoppers.

#LoveLiveLocal aims to get people to show support for local businesses by using the hashtag on Twitter and Facebook to promote good experiences they’ve had and promote products and services locally they have ‘loved’.

The Council is looking for businesses who would like to take part in the video, with scenes involving customers within a shop setting.

Councillor Hugh Evans OBE, Leader of Denbighshire, said: “It is hard to believe Christmas is on its way, but as a Council we are already preparing to help promote our local traders this festive period.

“As part of the Council’s work on developing the local economy we are helping to promote the great retail offer right here in Denbighshire.

“Not only do local businesses offer great value for money and a wide range of products, they also provide excellent customer service.

“I’d encourage as many businesses as possible to put themselves forward for the chance to be in this video so we can showcase our fantastic Denbighshire businesses.”

The video will appear online and will be shared on social media throughout the Christmas period to help promote shopping locally. 

* If you would like to take part in the video contact matthew.l.jones@denbighshire.gov.uk or 01824 706222.

AM praises progress on Corwen rail project

* Ken Skates AM meets project leader Richard Dixon-Gough at Corwen.

Assembly Member Ken Skates joined volunteers to see how a ‘fantastic’ rail project is progressing with Welsh Government support.

The Clwyd South AM joined members of the Llangollen Railway team on Saturday to see how their work to create a platform at Corwen Central Station is developing.

The Welsh Government is providing funding of £128,000 – around 80% of the total costs – to build an island platform at Corwen, where a volunteer workforce, aided by contractors, has re-engineered the disused railway embankment to accommodate a new terminal.

Mr Skates said: “I’m thrilled for the team that this Welsh Government investment will help expand Llangollen Railway services to Corwen town centre. This is fantastic news for the company, the local economy and for North East Wales’ thriving tourism industry.”

The 160-metre platform will allow an eight-coach passenger train to be accommodated on one side and a smaller six-coach train on the other, maximising visitor numbers to Corwen.

The new platform is situated close to the town’s car park and bus interchange and a concrete subway has already been constructed to access the elevated platform.

Mr Skates said: “This is also a good example of how the Welsh Government’s Rural Development Programme is delivering real improvements for local communities.”

Project leader Richard Dixon-Gough said: “The project team members were pleased to be able to show Ken how much had changed on site since his last visit and the way in which Welsh Government grant aid had aided the building of the platform."

Big boost for town's health services

* From left, Iolo Jones, Senior Project Manager; Jane Jones Jane Jones, Planning & Commissioning Manager; Councillor Huw Jones; Berwyn Owen, Chair of the Corwen Health Centre Redevelopment Project Board.

A long running campaign to improve health services in Corwen was given a boost when the Betsi Cadwaladr Health Board agreed to the £1.5m development of an improved Health Centre in the town.

Campaigners and community leaders have been working to ensure the development for over five years.

It is expected that the building work will start in eight weeks, and should be completed within 12 months.

The improved health centre will have two new additional consulting rooms, an enlarged treatment room, two dental surgeries, with associated decontamination facilities and storage space and other expanded facilities.

In presenting the proposals Dr Berwyn Owen, chair of the Corwen Health Centre Redevelopment Project Board, said: “This is an important development. It’s a positive step for the Health Board, and is to be welcomed."

Cllr Huw Jones, Corwen, said: “It’s taken a long time to reach this point. It’s excellent news that the Health Board have approved these plans, and we can now look forward to having a first class Health Centre in Corwen.”

His Plaid Cymru colleague, Cllr Mabon ap Gwynfor, Cynwyd/Llandrillo Ward, said: “We campaigned long and hard for the people of the Edeirnion valley. This is a rural area, and we’re deprived of many of the facilities and services that can be found elsewhere. Corwen serves a vast area, and is an important town. The Health Board should be praised for listening to our calls.”

Plaid Cymru North Wales Assembly Member, Llyr Gruffydd, said: “This investment is warmly welcomed. The increased dental provision is also vitally important, and will serve a huge area, from Betws-y-Coed over to Llangollen. Many people have worked hard to secure this investment and they should be thanked for their perseverance.”

Town crier goes hot foot to raise £1,000

_{Llangollen’s town crier Austin “Chem” Cheminais braved the hot coals to raise around £1,000 for the Wales Air Ambulance by completing a fire walk at Chirk Boathouse last night (Saturday).}

_{The 63-year-old retired teacher, who is also a town councillor, has raised hundreds of pounds for the air ambulance over the past few years as a way of saying thank you for the way the Midlands helicopter zoomed in to airlift him to hospital back in 2010 after he was run over twice by a delivery van in the car park of the school in Walsall where he was headmaster at the time.}

<sub>In his latest fundraising venture, along with other charity dare-devils, he walked over red-hot coals in full costume and ringing his bell every step of the way

After his ordeal by fire Chem said: “I actually raised around £1,000 and I'd like to thank everyone who contributed.</sub>

_{“At the end of it my feet didn't hurt at all because I'd been fully prepared beforehand by the organisers.}

<sub>"If you sort of psych yourself and tell yourself you're not going to be frightened and it's not going to hurt then you are okay."

* Chem's charity page is at</sub> https://www.justgiving.com/fundraising/chemshouts 

Kings Bridge to close temporarily

Denbighshire County Council has made a temporary traffic order for the closure of the B5103 Kings Bridge in Berwyn.

Coming into force on October 16, it has been made to facilitate highway drainage improvements and carriageway works by the county council's bridges section.

The order lasts for 18 months or the completion of the works, whichever is soonest.

The signposted alternative route will be via the B5103 from its junction with the A5(T) to the junction with the A542 Horseshoe Pass Road, Abbey Dingle Nursery to Abbey Road, Abbey Road, Castle Street and the A5.

Pedestrian access will be maintained throughout the closure period. 

County campaign puts spotlight on older people

A week-long series of events is being to take place across Denbighshire in the run-up to International Day of Older Persons (October 1) to celebrate the contribution of older people.

Nearly 30 years ago the United National General Assembly voted to establish October 1 as the International Day of Older Persons.

Last year the United Nations took a stand against ageism by drawing attention to and challenging negative stereotypes and misconceptions about older people and ageing. 

This year, a series of events is being arranged by the Denbighshire Ageing – Well Networking Group to showcase what support is available.

This Partnership includes Denbighshire County Council, Age Connect, Alzheimer's Society, British Red Cross, Care & Repair, Care Forum Wales, Citizens’ Advice Denbighshire, NEWCIS and the NHS and many more.

Events will include sessions of the Lost in Art project, social events, arts and textiles, a ‘culture club’ for arts and dance and Talking Points sessions for people to get advice and information on well-being issues.

A social media campaign will also get underway to promote the projects and help raise the profile of issues relating to older people.

Councillor Bobby Feeley, Denbighshire County Council’s Lead Member for Well-being and Independence, who is also the Council’s Older People’s Champion said:  “The increasing age profile is a fact we can't ignore.

“Throughout their lives older people have gained a wealth of knowledge, and as living longer becomes the norm, we need to recognise, value and harness their contribution.  We must encourage people to take responsibility for keeping well and fit and to stay independent for as long as possible.

“Denbighshire has the second largest population of older people in Wales. Nearly a half of the population of Denbighshire are aged over 50 and a quarter are over 65.  More and more people are living past 100 than ever before and this is a fact that needs recognising and celebrating."  

* To find out more visit the Talking Points between Monday September 25 – Friday September 29, or contact Karen Eynon, Older People’s Strategy Development Officer on  01824 706356, e-mail: Karen.eynon@denbighshire.gov.uk.

A copy of Denbighshire’s Ageing Well Plan can also be found by visiting: http://www.denbighshire.gov.uk/ageingwell.

Figures show Denbighshire performing well

Denbighshire continues to be one of the top performing councils in Wales, providing a high standard of service to the county’s residents.

Figures compiled by the Local Government Data Unit compare the performance of councils across Wales on a range of issues. 

The results for 2016/17 show that Denbighshire performed in the top half for the majority of activities it was assessed against, when compared with other councils.

Results also show Denbighshire has the least number of measures appearing in the bottom quarter of any authority in Wales. It had also shown an improvement in 17 out of 25 indicators it was assessed against

Denbighshire had:

• One of the lowest waiting times for delivering disabled facilities grants
• One of the highest rates for turning private sector dwellings to occupied through direct action by the Council.
• 100% of final statements of special education need issued within 26 weeks.
• One of the lowest sickness absence rates

Councillor Julian Thompson-Hill, Cabinet Lead Member for Finance, with responsibility for business performance, said: “This report makes very pleasing reading and reflects the commitment and dedication of both staff and councillors for Denbighshire to be a continuing high performing authority, providing the best quality services to its residents and its communities. This is at a time of on-going financial pressures.

 “The headlines speak for themselves and we are proud of our achievements. However, we recognise that there is always room for further improvement and we will not become complacent as we work to continue to be as good as we can possibly be in all areas of our work."