Firefighters battle grass blaze near Llantysilio

Firefighters have spent the afternoon battling a large grass blaze on the hillside near Llantysilio.

Thick smoke can clearly be seen from Llangollen town centre.

Waste collection drop-in session planned

A series of drop –in sessions are being arranged across Denbighshire to answer questions from the public about proposed changes to recycling and waste collections.

The proposed changes to the recycling service will provide residents with:

• a new weekly collection for recyclables such as paper, glass, cans, and plastic
• a weekly collection for food waste
• a new fortnightly collection for clothes and small electrical items

With 64% of waste already being recycled and a weekly recycling collection with extra capacity there should only be small amounts of non-recyclable waste left in the black bin. 

The council is therefore proposing to change the collection of non-recyclable waste to every four weeks.  Instead of the current 140 litre black bins, the Council would provide new, larger 240 litre black bins instead.

The local drop-in session will take place at Llangollen Health Centre on Tuesday July 31, from 9.30-11.30am.

County warns over bogus tax calls

Scammers claiming to be from HM Revenue & Customs (HMRC) are targeting people in Denbighshire and neighbouring authorities by attempting to trick them into paying bogus debts and taxes.

Denbighshire Trading Standards have received reports of the bogus phone calls from worried residents, who got in touch following warnings of similar calls being made across the country in recent weeks.

The fraudsters told their intended victims that they had unpaid tax bills and demanded immediate payment. One individual was told that they owed £860 in income tax payments and they would be taken to court if she did not pay immediately.

Payment has been requested in a number of formats including buying ITunes Vouchers that someone would call and collect.

Fortunately at this time residents reporting the matter have realised it was a scam and refused to hand any money over.

Denbighshire Trading Standards are issuing a warning today to help prevent others falling for the con.  

A spokesman said: “A genuine representative of HMRC would never call and ask for your bank details or for payment in iTunes vouchers.

“Be wary of any caller who asks you to give personal or financial details over the phone – wherever they claim to be from. “If you believe it may be a genuine call from your bank, a retailer where you have an account or a Government body, hang up and call them back later – and look up the contact details yourself rather than using a number the caller has given you.

“If they’re genuine they won’t have a problem with this and you could save yourself from handing over your hard earned cash to a scammer.”

“We would also ask that you pass on the details of this scam to any neighbours or relatives that you may have, we need to spread this message to any individuals who may be vulnerable or may not have access to online media.  Anyone who receives a call that they are suspicious about is asked to call Action Fraud on 0300 123 2040 or report it online.

Public express their views on town centre traffic

* People gather at the drop-in session outside the Town Hall yesterday.

The public have given their views on the future of traffic management in Llangollen.

A stream of people expressed their opinions to consultants who ran a drop-in session outside the Town Hall yesterday (Tuesday) afternoon.

Representatives from Arcadis (Consulting) are currently looking at traffic issues in the area with financial support from Cadwyn Clwyd, the Welsh Government, the European Union Rural Development Fund, Denbighshire County Council, Llangollen Town Council and the Clwydian Range and Dee Valley Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty.  

Interested parties were invited to write down their suggestions to solve congestion and improve traffic flow on post-it notes and then fix them to a large map of the town centre spread out on a table.

llanblogger took a note of some of the suggestions which included:

* “Underground car park or @ pavilion”

* “Make parking regulations at Aldi/Home Bargains car park clear for local shoppers and not just Aldi/HB”

* There were a number of post-it notes concerned with parking along Castle Street, including “Stop parking on Castle Street between 10.00 – 16.00. This would avoid congestion but still allow parking for disabled”

* “Unrealistic but cover Oak Street and make it pedestrian only street”

* “Multi-storey car park at Smithfield 1 down 1 ground 1up”

* “Roundabout at A5/Castle Street”

* “Demolish the old Smithfield pub remove old prison and rebuild it elsewhere. Build a roundabout in this area. Perfect”

Llangollen county councillor Graham Timms, who was at the drop-in session, said it had been a worthwhile exercise.   

He said earlier: “Arcadis are in the process of speaking to residents, businesses and visitors before they start to draw up their suggestions to make the town better for all.

“The event gave the opportunity for everyone to voice their opinions on problems in the centre of the town and how they might be improved.

“Last Friday and Saturday Arcadis carried out a survey at three major junctions - Castle Street/Abbey Road, Castle Street/A5 Regent Street and Market Street/A5 Berwyn Road. 

“The video evidence will be analysed by Arcadis using computer modelling to help them to better understand the issues with congestion and traffic flow through the town.

“We're expecting a further consultation in the late summer on the ideas that Arcadis put forward. A final report will be produced for the end of September 2018.

“The Llangollen 2020 working group wants to ensure that everyone can take part before the planning phase begins.”

As part of the same exercise local people are being encouraged to take part in an online survey which can be found at: https://www.surveymonkey.co.uk/r/Llangollen2020

There will also be Facetime sessions, details of which are due to be given on social media. 

* The public's ideas were written on post-it notes and stuck on a map of the town centre.

Some of the notes are pictured below.

Public urged to take part in waste survey

Denbighshire County Council is reminding residents of a survey about proposed changes to recycling and waste collections in the county and urging them to get involved.

The proposed changes to the recycling service will provide residents with:

• a new weekly collection for recyclables such as paper, glass, cans, and plastic
• a weekly collection for food waste
• a new fortnightly collection for clothes and small electrical items

With 64% of waste already being recycled and a weekly recycling collection with extra capacity there should only be small amounts of non-recyclable waste left in the black bin. 

The Council is therefore proposing to change the collection of non-recyclable waste to every four weeks.  Instead of the current 140 litre black bins, the Council would provide new, larger 240 litre black bins instead.

Councillor Brian Jones, Cabinet Lead Member for Highways, Planning and Sustainable Travel, said: “Over 1,700 residents have already got involved in the survey and shared information on recycling and waste collections. We’d like to thank them for their feedback, as the information already received gives us a snapshot of people’s views. We were already aware of some of the issues raised and all the feedback will be considered when the survey closes.

“To make sure we develop the right model for Denbighshire, we want to understand more about people’s recycling needs, hear about any potential impacts these proposed changes may have on households and to work with communities to manage the proposed changes”.

People can complete the online questionnaire available on the Council’s website: www.denbighshire.gov.uk/recyclemore.  Alternatively, people can pick up a copy of the survey at One Stop Shops and libraries across the county.

The Council would expect that any proposed change would take place in 2020.

Play revives golden Fifties memories

* The cast of Smiling in the Sunlight Laughing in the Rain.

A group of lively youngsters put the clock back over 60 years at Llangollen Methodist Church last night (Monday).

About a dozen members of Llangollen Operatic Society’s junior section, the Young ‘Uns, revived memories of the early 1950s in a half-hour playlet called Smiling in the Sunlight Laughing in the Rain.

All the sketches were based on local recollections of what it was like to be a child in this town in the decade after World War Two when mobile phones and social media had never even been dreamt of.

The trip down memory lane started with an evocation of a local junior school class where the teacher ruled her young charges with iron discipline.

The appreciative audience was then taken to the local grocer’s shop where another well-remembered lady dispensed her goods without the aid of an electronic till - but never on a Wednesday which was half-day closing.

By the mircale of imagination it was then Christmas in 1950s Llan where the kids opened the presents while mum put the finishing touches to cooking the chicken - apparently, turkey was only for the well-off back then.

Along with the kids we then boarded an ancient charabanc to be transported to Rhyl for a day out of paddling and sand castles.

This was a marvellous interlude of golden memories presented by a talented bunch of children and well put together by Pam Williams of the Operatic and other helpers.

County looks at boosting car charging points

Denbighshire County Council could play an increasing role in tackling climate change .

It is currently looking at the possibility of increasing the number of electrical vehicle charging points (pictured) across the county and evaluating the use of potential alternative fuel sources to run its fleet of vehicles.

Plaid Cymru Councillor Mabon ap Gwynfor, Llandrillo/Cynwyd, called on the council to look at the issue of electrical charging points and fuel used for its own vehicles.

Council officers will draw up papers on both issues for discussion at a Scrutiny Committee.

Cllr ap Gwynfor said: “We need to wean ourselves off of fossil fuels, which is causing huge damage to the environment. Man-made global warming is one of the biggest threats facing us today. It’s already causing havoc to coastal communities, affecting our health and wellbeing and is the cause of many wars across the globe.

"Sea levels are set to rise, and we could see further damage to communities on the Denbighshire coast over the coming decades unless we do something about this issue.

“It’s also clear that the direction of travel as far as vehicle fuel is concerned is away from fossil fuel, so Denbighshire County Council needs to be prepared for that eventuality and ensure that it builds up a fleet of vehicles that are not dependent on fossil fuels.”

Research conducted by HSBC showed that only 31 publicly-funded charging points are available in Wales, compared with 2,862 in England, 743 in Scotland and 185 in Northern Ireland. That’s 1 charging point per 100,000 people in Wales (1).

Cllr ap Gwynfor added: “There’s an opportunity here to look at developing electric vehicle charging points across Denbighshire. It’s very difficult for rural communities like the ones I represent to move away from diesel or petrol because the infrastructure isn’t yet in place to enable people to charge electric vehicles.

"Denbighshire County Council could lead the way and help our communities to transition to electric. It would also help the Council to achieve its ambition of reducing CO2 emissions as well.”

Up to 10,000 expected at LlanBikeFest 2018

Up to 10,000 people are expected to visit LlanBikeFest 2018 –  the Llangollen Motorcycle Festival – at the town’s Royal International Pavilion on August 4 and 5.
 
Special guest and TT legend John McGuinness said. “I will definitely be at LlanBikeFest. It’s a weekend of fun and a great family affair.”


He will be joined by British Superbike champion John Reynolds and British Superbike star Steve Plater. 

LlanBikeFest director John Hutchinson said: “We had 7,000 visitors last year and all the signs are that there will be thousands more in 2018.

"We are Wales’s biggest festival that celebrates everything people love about bikes – a great weekend for families as well as bike enthusiasts, with free entry for accompanied children aged 16 and under.
 
“There’s lots to see and do -  hundreds of motorcycles of every type on show, spectacular riding displays, birds of prey, rides and children’s entertainments, plus a great line-up of bands both days.

"One of the biggest attractions for bikers is that we are set amongst some of the best biking roads in Britain – and Llangollen is a lovely, biker-friendly town. We’ll also be raising lots of money for Wales Air Ambulance.” 

Star entertainments will include jaw-dropping stunts by champion trails rider Steve Colley and Savage Skills (pictured), the UK’s leading freestyle mountain bike team, plus beautiful birds from the Talonted Feathers falconry. 

LlanBikeFest is open 9.00am to 6.00pm Saturday, with a beer and bands party starting at 6.00pm Saturday included in the day ticket.

It will be opened officially by Llangollen Mayor John Haddy and Town Crier Chem Cheminais at 11.00am. Sunday, 9.00am to 5.00pm, with awards for exhibitors’ bikes presented by John McGiuinness in the afternoon.

Llan Co-op to be facelifted this autumn

* The Co-op in Regent Street is due to be upgraded this autumn. 

A major facelift of the Co-op store in Llangollen will be carried out this autumn.

That is the word from a spokesman for the food store chain which has just announced details of a big expansion plan.

This will see the Co-op open 20 new stores across Wales over the next 18 months, including Prestatyn and Rhos-on-Sea.

The group says it will also be revamping six of its existing stores in North Wales, including Llangollen, Denbigh and Llandudno Junction.

Asked by llanblogger for further details of what is planned for the local store in Regent Street, a Co-op spokesman said: “It is a little too early to confirm further detail, it is scheduled for major investment this autumn - enabling the store to better serve its community.

“We expect the works to be carried out by mid-October.”

The move has been welcomed by Llangollen county councillor Graham Timms, who said: “I am delighted that the Co-op has announced that they will be investing in the Llangollen store on Regent Street.

“When Aldi and Home Bargains opened in the town a year ago, many thought that it would lead to the closure of the Co-op.

“New investment in the store indicates the confidence that the company has in giving the Co-op a future in Llangollen.

“Many customers who rely on the Co-op for their shopping would have found it difficult to travel to alternative shops in Llangollen. 

Tina Mitchell, Co-op’s managing director for Wales, recently told the Daily Post: “Since our troubles a few years ago we have reconnected with our customers.

“We have focused on what we do well and also innovated.

“We have focused on being local and on being relevant to customers.

“The shops have got better, our service has got better and we have worked with more local suppliers and our offer is better.

“Co-op now work with hundreds of local suppliers in Wales and they provide 500 products for stores – we are very proud of that.”

She added: “Convenience and online have been the growth areas and we have been well placed to take advantage of that.

“While some supermarkets have tried to make this part of their offer, providing convenience stores in people’s communities is what we are all about.

“The gap in prices (to supermarkets) has narrowed. We have invested £50m in prices to make many items cheaper. While it is not all about price, we have invested here to remain competitive.”

On the future plans in North Wales, she said: “The brand has always resonated in Wales and Co-op is looking at areas where we think people are under-serviced – this is a big opportunity for us.

“We want to open 20 new stores in Wales over the next 18 months.

“This will see seven or eight in the second half of 2018 and 12 or 13 in 2019. This will create a lot of local jobs in North Wales.

“We are also looking ahead and can see future potential in Wales for the considerable future. This will not end at the end of 2019.”

Consultants probe town's traffic problems

Consultants have carried out traffic surveys around Llangollen town centre to get a better idea about congestion and traffic flow through the town.

Arcadis (Consulting) is currently looking at traffic issues in the area with financial support from Cadwyn Clwyd, the Welsh Government, the European Union Rural Development Fund, Denbighshire County Council, Llangollen Town Council and the Clwydian Range and Dee Valley Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty.

* The leaflet for Tuesday's drop-in session.

Llangollen county councillor Graham Timms said that on Friday and Saturday Arcadis carried out a survey at three major junctions - Castle Street/Abbey Road, Castle Street/A5 Regent Street and Market Street/A5 Berwyn Road.   

He added: “The video evidence will be analysed by Arcadis using computer modelling to help them to better understand the issues with congestion and traffic flow through the town.

“We're expecting a further consultation in the late summer on the ideas that Arcadis put forward. A final report will be produced for the end of September 2018.”

He went on: “The Llangollen 2020 working group wants to ensure that everyone can take part before the planning phase begins.

“Arcadis are in the process of speaking to residents, businesses and visitors before they start to draw up their suggestions to make the town better for all.

“There will be a drop-in session from 3pm until 7pm on Tuesday July 17 in Llangollen Town Hall. 

“The event will give the opportunity for everyone to voice their opinions on problems in the centre of the town and how they might be improved.”

Musical journeys on offer at the Fringe

* Fringe entertainment at Llangollen Station.

This year’s Llangollen Fringe Festival offers musical journeys on both the town's steam railway and the famous Pontycysyllte Aqueduct Canal. 

On Sunday July 22 you can enjoy a fun-filled 10 miles travelling through the Dee Valley with live disco music on the steam train, a dancing carriage, and a fully licensed bar on board.

There will be a BBQ and live music before heading off from Llangollen station and a special surprise on arrival in Carrog before travelling back to Llangollen.

You’re invited to don your best disco gear and dance the afternoon away. 

Keep the good vibes going after the disco train when you pop on your headphones and dance noiselessly to your choice of two live DJ’s or some chill music  at a specially organised ‘silent’ disco in Llangollen Town Hall.

On Saturday July 28 there's a chance to cruise along the canal and over the aqueduct with musical accompaniment from The Sinatra Two.

Sit back, sing and swing along and enjoy the cruise with a complimentary glass of wine, and a fully licensed bar on board.

Your journey will take you between Llangollen and Froncysyllte via Telford’s Pontcysyllte aqueduct on a narrowboat, and the journey is made complete by a transfer between Froncysyllte basin and Llangollen on a vintage bus. 

Due to popular demand, there will be two departure times for the narrowboat cruise - 5.45pm - departing from Llangollen Wharf, and returning by vintage bus from Trevor Basin, and 7.30pm – departing on our glamorous vintage bus from Parade Street, Llangollen. 

Tickets for the Disco Train and the Narrowboat Cruise are on sale now at www.llangollenfringe.co.uk 

Also at the fringe: LEE SCRATCH PERRY, ELIZA CARTHY AND THE WAYWARD BAND, CRAIG CHARLES, MARK RADCLIFFE’s GALLEON BLAST, LAURA CORTESE & THE DANCE CARDS, LINTON KWESI JOHNSON, LLOYD LANGFORD.  Plus the return of BAND FOR A DAY, the music themed STEAM TRAIN and AQUEDUCT BOAT trips, and many other fringe events.

The festival rounds off with its now legendary closing concert in the stunning surrounds of VALLE CRUCIS ABBEY featuring the ethereal sound of GOLDEN FABLE and THE NEW SINFONIA ORCHESTRA.

Tickets for all other Llangollen Fringe performances are also available from the website, or by calling the Fringe box office on 0800 1455 779.

Twenty Club prepares for its next production

The Twenty Club Amateur Players of Llangollen are performing The Flint Street Nativity from November 22-24.

It's an hilarious comedy written by Tim Firth of Calendar Girls fame.

The club are holding pre-audition workshops at Trevor Community Centre on Tuesday July 24, from 7-9pm, and on Sunday July 29, from 3.30-5.30pm.

Rehearsals will be held on Tuesdays and Thursdays starting on September 4 at a venue in Llangollen yet to be confirmed.

You will be invited to join the Facebook page once you have expressed an interest, and the production team will keep you updated on the auditions, workshops and casting of the play.

There are seven male and five female characters, all ideally aged 25 – 55.

Director John Clifford said: "The performances promise to be of an excellent standard, as expected from The Twenty Club, but also of great importance, rehearsals and the production should be great fun.

"We are also looking for new members who may be interested in helping with other areas of the production too. Please get in touch."

* For more information about The Flint Street Nativity, click this link https://www.samuelfrench.co.uk/p/11564/the-flint-street-nativity

Not too late to nominate local sporting stars

The deadline is looming for nominations for this year’s Denbighshire Community Sports Awards.

They recognise individuals, teams, schools and clubs for their dedication to local community grass roots sport in the county.

* Winners at a previous county sports awards evening.

To date, 70 individuals or groups have been honoured.  There are also elite level athletes representing Wales and Team GB in their chosen sport from the local area, which will continue to be rewarded.

All of the award finalists will be forwarded to the Sport Wales and BBC Wales sport personality awards held nationally in Cardiff, where Denbighshire will be looking to add to the success of eight finalists and six national winners over the last six years.

Nominees must reside in Denbighshire, or be affiliated to a Denbighshire club relevant to their nomination and achieved their success in the last 12 months up to the application closing date which is Friday July 20.

This year’s categories include sports performer, junior sports performer, coach of the year, team of the year, volunteer of the year, disability sport award, young inspiration award, lifetime achievement award and the Sport in School award.

Nominations can be made online: www.denbighshire.gov.uk/sportsawards

Councillor Bobby Feeley, Cabinet Lead Member for Well-being and Independence, said:  “The Denbighshire community sport awards has helped recognise and share some amazing stories over the last few years.

“This proves to us that the quality of sport in Denbighshire is very high and that there are plenty of opportunities for people to return to playing sport or to try a new sport as a beginner.

“As a service through our partnership with Alliance Leisure we have continued to invest in our leisure facilities, offering residents a high quality service, and an environment for them to thrive.

Denbighshire Leisure services are also looking for suitable organisations that would like to link to their brand to the community sport awards as a category sponsor and a ‘sponsorship package’ can be sent for more information.

* For more information on the awards please visit www.denbighshire.gov.uk/sportsawards or contact Sian Bennett, Health and Wellbeing Manager sian.bennett@denbighshire.gov.uk 01824 712710. 

Singers and Musicians Night in Llandegla

For all you football starved supporters, LLandegla All Styles will be offering its own unique penalty shoot out at its

SINGERS AND MUSICIANS NIGHT

MONDAY 16th. JULY at 8pm.

in THE MEMORIAL HALL LLANDEGLA

Admission £1                    Raffle

Come and perform or just listen.  Either way bring your own refreshments.  Tea/Coffee on sale

Council considers byelaw to control use of square

* Terry Waite declares open the new Centenary Square watched by Town Mayor Jon Haddy and Deputy Mayor Issy Richards.

Llangollen Town Council is to look at using a byelaw to protect the new Centenary Square from abuse.

The move follows public outrage over a motorbike being parked in the newly-opened square on Tuesday evening just days after its official opening.

The town council has discovered that the bike was left there by its rider for a short time during the late evening while he checked into a local hotel.

He is said to have been highly apologetic when it was pointed out to him that leaving the machine in the public facility, which contains two war memorials, had led to a storm of protest on social media.

As a result of the incident town council representatives had an urgent meeting with the local policing team this morning (Wednesday).

Afterwards Town Clerk Gareth Thomas said: “We are disappointed that the square was misused in this way.

“The proper use of any new facility takes some time to be established and Centenary Square is no different.

“However, we are considering the use of a byelaw to control the use of the square and this will be enforced with fixed penalty notices.”

He added: “I would like the public to be our eyes and ears. If they see any abuse of the square taking place I would be grateful if they would take details and report it to me.     

“I can be contacted by phone on 01978 861345, or by email at: townclerk@llangollentowncouncil.gov.uk”

The five-year project to create the square came to fruition last Sunday morning when it was officially opened by Terry Waite CBE, president of Llangollen International Musical Eisteddfod.

During the course of last week it was used by a steady stream of performers from the eisteddfod, including choral and dance groups from across the world.      

* Byelaws are local laws made by a local council under an enabling power contained in a public general act or a local act requiring something to be done – or not done – in a specified area. They are accompanied by some sanction or penalty for their non-observance.


Byelaws are enforced by the local authority through the magistrates’ court and contravening a byelaw can result in a fine upon successful conviction.

Person hit by train on Chirk line

The Oswestry Advertizer is reporting that a person was hit by a train on the line between Chirk and Gobowen this morning, causing delays.

For the full story, see: http://www.bordercountiesadvertizer.co.uk/news/16346553.person-hit-by-train-between-chirk-and-gobowen/

Natural food firm unveils eco-friendly food wrapping

* Carol Allen with one of her goats.

A former teacher who runs a company making skincare products from goats' milk is launching a new eco-friendly food wrapping made from cotton coated with beeswax.

Carol Allen, 60, who set up Llanvalley Natural Products eight years ago, will officially unveil the innovative wrapping at this year’s Llangollen Food Festival which has helped propel her business to success, putting her in the right place at the right time to secure new customers.

According to Carol, she was inspired to develop the new wrapping out of a desire to eliminate plastic waste from the environment.

The anti-bacterial qualities of beeswax make it ideal for food and the wrappings are reusable because they can be washed in warm water.

She is looking forward to showing them at Llangollen Food Festival that’s being held at the iconic international eisteddfod pavilion on Saturday and Sunday, October 13 and 14.

The event has now acknowledged as on one of the Top 10 food festivals in the UK.
Carol will also be selling her range of other products which include soaps, shampoo bars, various balms and bath soaks.

She makes them makes from Welsh goats’ milk produced at her smallholding in nearby Froncysyllte and supplies local B&Bs, gift shops and specialist beauty outlets based in the North West and North Wales.   She also has regular customers in Switzerland, Holland and Australia.

The food wrapping is a new departure for Carol who explained: “The idea is to save using cling film and to get away from using other plastics that are so harmful to the environment.

 “Llangollen is my favourite food festival and it is there I’m going to officially launch what is basically a new product.

“They are produced from natural 100% cotton that I coat in beeswax, there is nothing else added so the wrappings will break down naturally over time, unlike plastic.”

Mother-of-four Carol sources her cotton cloth from a supplier in Oswestry and her beeswax from local bee keepers.

She said: “I make the food wrappings by first washing and ironing the patterned cotton before cutting it into squares and rectangles from as template using crimping sheers so it doesn’t fray.

“The cloth is then put into sets and placed in what is basically an oven tray and sprinkled with beeswax.

“The tray is then placed in a warm, not too hot, oven. When I take them out I brush the cloth, both the warp and weft, to make sure the beeswax has soaked right through. They are then hung on a rack until cool and I can then pack them into sets.”  

“Anything we do that will reduce the amount of waste plastic in the environment has to be a good thing.

“Food wrapped in beeswax wrappings stays really fresh; it’s all natural ingredients so makes for a really safe and environmentally friendly wrapping. And it can be used again and again.”

Carol only uses natural ingredients in her soaps, balms and moisturisers which are safety tested.

She added: “Basically my fresh honey and goat’s milk is saponified with oils and some are embellished with home grown dried flower petals or herbs or wild flowers from around the small holding.

“I strive to make sure all my Llanvalley Natural Products do what they are supposed to do without harming people, animals or the environment. I use only natural ingredients and don’t use palm oil.

Llangollen Food Festival committee member Phil Davies was delighted Carol has decided to launch her beeswax food wrappings at the festival.

He said: “This is what the Llangollen Food Festival is all about, new interesting and innovative ideas. Carol’s LLanvalley Natural Products beeswax food wraps are such a simple and amazing idea that will go a long way to reducing plastic waste.

“Plastic pollution is such a big issue and the fact these beeswax wrappings are completely biodegradable as well as being antibacterial they really are a great way to keep food fresh while protecting our precious environment at the same time.

“I’m just so glad she has chosen to officially launch this innovative new product at the festival. Carol has been alonmg time supporter of the festival and has exhibited her goat’s milk soaps, balms and other products for many years now.”

* To find out more about the Llangollen Food Festival please visit www.llangollenfoodfestival.com and to find out more about Llanvalley products please visit www.llanvalley.co.uk

Lorry crashes into bridge in Ruabon

A lorry has crashed into the bridge over the road in Ruabon this afternoon.

For the full story, see Wrexham.com at http://www.wrexham.com/news/road-blocked-after-lorry-crashes-into-bridge-in-ruabon-152686.html

County chiefs visit Llan to meet traffic group

* County Councillors Melvyn Mile, Tony Thomas, Graham Timms and Brian Jones in Castle Street. 

At the invitation of Llangollen county councillors Graham Timms and Melvyn Mile two Denbighshire Cabinet Members visited the town to meet with the Llangollen 2020 working group.

The aim was to find out about the plans to develop the town centre.

The group aims to improve the centre of Llangollen, making it more pedestrian friendly for visitors and residents. They are also looking at improvements to traffic flow and parking.

According to Cllr Timms, the project has recently received a promise of £500,000 from Denbighshire which it is hoped will encourage other organisations to support the scheme which he says early estimates suggest will cost between £2-3 million. 

Both cabinet members who visited are Conservative councillors for Rhyl, Cllr Brian Jones (Cabinet Member for Highways, Planning and Sustainable Travel) and Cllr Tony Thomas (Cabinet Member for Housing, Regulation and the Environment).

They spoke with the group for over an hour, discussing progress and other ideas to raise the money needed.

Further meetings with other organisations are planned to continue to raise the profile of the group and to gain support for the town.

Cllr Timms said: "Both cabinet members were impressed by the determination of the group to bring about changes that will make the centre of Llangollen become a more vibrant place in the Dee Valley and the heart of the AONB.

“The next few weeks will see a really important consultation taking place where everyone is invited to discuss the problems and possible solutions to Llangollen’s Castle Street.

"We need comments and ideas from all section of Llangollen's community. It's important to also include the opinions of visitors too.”

Cllr Mile added: “The feasibility study team will be carrying out traffic flow surveys over next weekend to enable them to understand some of the difficulties we have. They will be using the results to develop suggestions as to how the town can work better.”

* Cllr Timms said  a public consultation will be in Llangollen Town Hall on Tuesday July 17, from 3-7pm. Arcadis (Consultations) Group are carrying out the survey and everyone is invited to meet them to contribute their thoughts and ideas, he added.