Councillor slams county leaders over weekend's Horseshoe Falls parking

* A tractor tries to get past a line of parked cars near Horseshoe Falls.

Senior officers of Denbighshire County Council do not fully appreciate the seriousness and scale of the problems being caused by visitors' vehicles parking near the Horseshoe Falls in busy summer periods. 

That’s the stark message Llangollen county councillor Karen Edwards has for county hall chiefs as a result of last weekend’s major congestion around the famous beauty spot as hot weather brought visitors flocking to the area. 

Late last week with another very warm weekend in prospect the council sent out a press release reassuring that it was taking extra steps to handle parking near the falls. 

Yet as parked vehicles began to block the small country lanes around the attraction local people were taking to social media to complain bitterly about the traffic chaos this was causing. 

One said on Facebook: “There were cars parked on junctions, along grass verges, blind bends and on the road all the way up past Llantysilio Hall.

 

“Twenty+ cars all parked illegally on double yellow lines. Wing mirrors hanging off cars. A local farmer with a large tractor and trailer was struggling to get through to tend to his land.”

* Nose-to-tail parking along a country lane.

 

After being informed by officers that 26 parking enforcement notices were issued on the Sunday, Cllr Edwards replies to them in a a strongly-worded email: “This is not even scratching the surface of the issue and its potential impact to the local community.  

“If you consider 26 parking fines to be progress then we are clearly not looking at this issue through the same lens as nothing has fundamentally changed. 

“The road was still blocked over both days, the local community impacted and confidence in the council eroded even more.  

“I remain concerned that you do not fully appreciate or comprehend the seriousness and scale of the situation.”   

Cllr Edwards goes on: “Parking enforcement failed to put in a presence on Saturday despite being requested by Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty officers and during the afternoon two tractors with trailers of hay became trapped due to the illegal parking for over an hour, unable to go forward or reverse back.  

“The driver of one of the tractors advised that when police attended they said there was nothing they could do because there was no signage that supported the double yellow lines marked on the carriageway. 

“Had there been a medical emergency or a wildfire in Llantysilio/Rhewl at this time how would the emergency services been able to respond in a timely manner? 

“Does it take someone to die from a medical issue or assets and livelihoods to be severely impacted or lost due to a fire getting out of control before we get some joined up thinking and proper enforcement and action from all agencies to prevent this happening?”  

And dealing with last week’s county council press release, she says: “How do you reasonably expect visitors from out of area to read your press and public statements made on visitor management and parking enforcement before they arrive in Llangollen?” 

Suggesting solutions, she says: “Simply put I believe you should devote more time, resource and budget to turn people away when the car parks are full to get a park and ride bus the at you refer to you or simply go elsewhere.  

“Llangollen requires a full-time parking enforcement officer on site in the area at peak periods during the year all day. 

“Every weekend during peak season has the potential for this and if we had the same situation arise again, given all the experiences we have had, this would surely be negligent on the part of Denbighshire County Council.” 

Cllr Edwards calls for: 

* Control of visitor numbers and car parking- if necessary people need to be turned away.

* Positive enforcement of no parking on double yellow lines and obstructing the carriageway, maintaining the road open and clear to the local community and emergency services,  the police may be required to support this.

* Officers with authority and powers on site to deal with antisocial behaviour such as lighting of barbecues and littering. It is completely unrealistic to expect one ranger or even two to manage this on their own.

* Litter collection - more bins and operatives on site during busy periods.

* Install fencing and a barrier on the entrance to the car park. Wooden or metal bollards installed on the section overlooking the falls.

A spokesperson for Denbighshire County Council said: “We are continuing to work with our partners to manage the increase in visitors at Horseshoe Falls. 

"We are fully aware of the parking issues at the site and remind visitors that parking restrictions are important for both road safety and ensuring there is a fair turnover of parking spaces.

"Over the weekend civil enforcement officers issued parking tickets to motorists parked on double yellow lines.

"Those who plan to visit the site in the future and do not comply with parking restrictions risk receiving further Penalty Charge Notices.

"Visitors are reminded that those wishing to visit Horseshoe Falls on Saturday can also use the Dee Valley Picturesque Bus Service which is available to pick up from Llangollen Parade Street from 8.35am. The service will stop at the falls and more information can be found here - https://www.clwydianrangeanddeevalleyaonb.org.uk/projects/the-picturesque-bus/

"Additional Countryside Rangers are being employed to cover this area in order to give advice to visitors arriving at the site.

"We also urge visitors to park responsibly in designated areas and to respect the countryside and the local community, this includes keeping dogs on a lead and to bring picnics rather than disposable barbeques."

Eligible adults being invited for autumn Covid booster jab

Eligible adults in Wales have begun to be invited for their COVID-19 autumn booster this week. 

The roll-out will begin at the start of September 2022 to help boost the immunity of those at higher risk from COVID-19, improving their protection against severe illness and to protect the NHS over winter 2022-23. 

The winter respiratory vaccination strategy aims to ensure that people who are eligible are also protected from seasonal flu and they are urged to take up the flu vaccine when offered. 

A single dose of COVID-19 vaccine will be offered to: 

• Residents in a care home for older adults and staff working in care homes for older adults
• Frontline health and social care workers
• All adults aged 50 years and over
• People aged five to 49 years in a clinical risk group
• People aged five to 49 years who are household contacts of people with immunosuppression
• People aged 16-49 who are carers. 

In line with advice from the Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation (JCVI), eligible adults aged 18+ will initially be offered the Moderna vaccine which protects from both the original COVID virus and the Omicron variant. Those eligible aged under 18 will be offered the Pfizer vaccine. Both vaccines will be offered at least three months after a previous dose. 

Eligible adults will mostly be invited via letter to attend a vaccination centre, GP or pharmacy for their autumn booster vaccination. 

Health Minister Eluned Morgan said: “As the UK moves from a period of pandemic emergency response to recovery, our focus will be on protecting those in society who continue to be more at risk of severe COVID-19. 

“Vaccines have had an enormous impact on the course of the pandemic and have helped to weaken the link between the virus, serious illness, hospitalisations and death. They have saved countless lives and given us the freedom and confidence to restart our lives. 

“I urge anyone who is eligible and invited to have the autumn booster this year to take up the offer and I thank everyone working on the vaccination programme in Wales.”

Hero cop encourages others to join police

 

* Inspector Gavin Gilmore. 

A hero police officer who’s talked down countless suicidal men and women from a world-famous bridge is calling on others to make a difference by joining the police.

Inspector Gavin Gilmore, a nationally trained hostage and crisis negotiator, is on course to become one of the most senior ethnic minority police officers in North Wales Police if he successfully completes his Chief Inspector promotion process later this year.

The multi award-winning cop, who was once honoured for his bravery after stepping in to apprehend a machete-wielding offender following a serious assault, said he could not have picked out a more challenging or rewarding career for himself.

Insp Gilmore was speaking as North Wales Police launched  its latest drive to recruit more officers.

The window for applications is open from August 18 to August 29 and details can be found on the North Wales Police website www.northwales.police.uk 

The dad-of-one, who is currently Wrexham Rural District Inspector, joined the force in 2007 at the age of 24 following a three-year stint as a chemical engineer.

The 40-year-old studied for a degree at Manchester Metropolitan University  but said the idea of a policing career had always appealed to him.

Despite strong disapproval from his father who was keen for him to become a doctor, Insp Gilmore signed up and said it was the best decision he has ever made.

“For me it was the right time. I had reached the age of 24 and had a lifetime of experiences already, coming from a background of divorced parents. It does make you grow up pretty quickly,” he said.

“I also come from a mixed-race background. My dad was Mauritian and of Hindu faith and my mother is white.

“My father never wanted me to join the police. He preferred engineering or a career in the NHS and had aspirations of me becoming a doctor. When I joined, I had the added complication of going against my father’s wishes.

“When I told him my plans, he was quite against it. I was born in the early 80s and it was very much a different world. It was difficult to change the views of someone who had lived through the Brixton riots in 1981. Even when I got promoted my dad was still concerned for me and asked if I was sure that policing was for me.

“I’m now 15 years into my career and going for my promotion to Chief Inspector. If I pass, I will be the most senior minority ethnic police officer in the force which just shows how quickly you can go through the ranks if you give it your best.

“If you want to implement change in the police, you have to get yourself in a position where you implement the change. Policing is evolving and while there is still a way to go, the Chief Constable is really pushing to make a difference.”

After completing his initial training, Insp Gilmore joined Wrexham North and undertook a variety of roles before completing his initial sergeant qualifications and moving to Mold, Flintshire, as part of the response team.

After 18 months, he passed his inspector exams and moved into an acting inspector role at Flintshire South and Flintshire North where he continued to build his evidence for the rank before returning to Wrexham in charge of Wrexham Rural District. 

During the past 15 years, Insp Gilmore has amassed a wealth of qualifications including high-level national training as a crisis and hostage negotiator.

It is these specific skills that has seen him deal with multiple incidents involving suicidal people on the Menai Bridge on Anglesey in addition to resolving dangerous hostage situations.

He has also trained as a firearms officer, public safety commander and advanced driver and is currently completing a Master’s Degree in Policing and Law Enforcement Leadership at Liverpool’s John Moores University.

“I’ve talked lots of people off bridges including Menai Bridge, I’ve talked people off roofs when they’re threatening officers or other people. I’ve dealt with situations where people have committed crimes and have threatened to burn down buildings and large scale public disorder incidents,” he said.

“I’ve investigated gangs bringing drugs into North Wales and was involved in breaking up an operation involving the supply of drugs from Merseyside into North Wales.

“This is a really complex job. You’re taking people’s liberty away and need to fully understand your legislative powers. You’re given great responsibility as a police officer and you need to fully appreciate the powers warranted to you.

“You’re not only dealing with victims of crime but communities as well and your own officers’ welfare. Police officers deal with death all day long and their welfare is paramount.

“There are so many career paths in the police, it’s so varied. If you have an affinity for investigations, you can go into CID, if you have an affinity for driving you can go into roads policing.

“I’ve not looked back since 2007, it has really opened my eyes. You have to remain fit and agile, of course, and as society evolves so do you. Every day is a school day.”

Insp Gilmore, whose wife is a serving North Wales police officer, now uses his personal experiences to help other minority ethnic officers and staff coming through the ranks as deputy chair of North Wales Police’s Black and Asian Police Association (BAPA).

“We support ethnic minority staff and officers who join us, especially when they are suffering periods of stress-related illnesses. We also use a buddy system for new officers so they don’t feel isolated,” he said. 

“For me as an Inspector going on to become a Chief Inspector and becoming the most senior minority ethnic officer in the force, this shows other people from a similar background you can go up the ranks and that you shouldn’t view ethnicity as a barrier because it’s not.

“There are support networks within the police to help you through, we are not isolated and on our own. We have a welfare team in place offering whatever support is needed. There really is no better time to join.”

* For more details about how to apply go to www.northwales.police.uk

Notice given of temporary traffic restriction on the Geraint

* The area affected by the traffic order on the Geraint shown in red.

Denbighshire County Council has given notice of a temporary order prohibiting traffic on the length of unclassified road known as the Geraint in Llangollen to allow BT to reroute existing cables next month.

The order extends north westwards from a point 280 metres north west of the junction with the A5 for a distance of approximately 720 metres.

It is effective from September 5 and the work is expected to last until September 19.

The order says pedestrian access will be maintained throughout the period of the closure and that there is no other route available. 

The Cornmill makes list of UK's top 20 riverside pubs

* Llangollen's Cornmill on the River Dee.

A landmark Llangollen hostelry features in a list of the UK's 20 best waterside pubs which appears in the Guardian newspaper. 

The description of the Cornmill, whose popular decking dining area is suspended over the River Dee, says: "Watch the white-water rafters from this pub perched over the rapids. 

"Enjoy a glass of wine, or two, as the mill’s water wheel turns behind the bar, and the steam trains puff away on the opposite side of the riverbank." 

The Cornmill, which is run by the Brunning and Price chain, shares the top 20 list with places such as the picturesque Swan Inn, Oxfordshire, which is described as the "perfect Cotswold pub", The Pandora Inn, Cornwall, a thatched 13th-century inn on the edge of Restronguet Creek, and 17th century The Waterman’s Arms, Devon, set on a reed-fringed bank of the Harbourne near Totnes.

Genesis is a real showstopper - but only down south for now

Genesis G80 drive by Steve Rogers

If looks alone sold cars this would be a best seller.

People are often interested in cars I drive but the Genesis G80 stole the show. May be they were looking at the badge and wondering ‘what the heck is that’?

More likely they were wowed by its stunning design, bold in your face grille and stylish wafer thin headlight signature. Make no mistake G80 is eye candy.

So why don’t we see Genesis models flooding our roads? Here’s the story (briefly).

Genesis is a new premium brand funded by Hyundai and launched during the pandemic in 2021. Not a great start. Oh, and there are no flashy showrooms, the cars are sold online, the customer getting a virtual tour of the models, buys one and gets a personal assistant who looks after you for the duration. Any problems and the car is collected and the customer left with a courtesy car.

Initially marketing was concentrated in London and south east but the message has spread quicker than expected and test drives are now being arranged nationwide.

G80 is the flagship saloon and has a job on its hands because the opposition is the dominant German trio, Audi, BMW, Mercedes-Benz, with Jaguar XF, Volvo S90 and Lexus ES providing another hurdle.

So does it measure up to the opposition, and is it value for money? Hyundai is too savvy to do things by half measures and have ploughed money and expertise into its premium brand. G80 does not look good just on the outside, the cabin has a true luxury look and feel with high quality materials and finish and can match the big names. My passengers were stunned by what they saw.

It comes in three trim levels, rear wheel or all wheel drive, with a starting price of £41,650, is well equipped although to be really pampered go to the Luxury model which has just about everything you would expect on a premium car and more.

Major functions are power assisted, even for adjusting the steering wheel, front seats have 12-way adjustment, are ventilated or heated, there is a belting sound system, 360 degree camera, and you are protected by an impressive list of safety features.

G80 has bucked the trend for the wide screen style dashboard display opting for a more conventional twin digital dial binnacle and a central 8in screen for navigation, radio, general information, mobile phone connections et cetera. Thankfully heating related functions are dealt with in a digital display which can be affected by sun glare but let’s not make too much of that because it is looks classy.

And let’s hand out bonus points for a rotary controller for the screen functions which is far safer than leaning forward and dabbing through touchscreen menus.

Bucket shaped rear seats mean the car is best suited as a four seater, it takes five but the middle passenger sits perched up and has to contend with a wide transmission tunnel.

Performance from the petrol 2.5 litre turbo is brisk via an eight speed automatic box but economy is not a strong point and you will be lucky to get more than 30mpg.

So everything in the garden is generally rosy but there is always a but and in the case of G80 it is the ride. Premium saloon buyers expect a magic carpet ride which you get it in an Audi A6 or Mercedes E-Class but you will not get it in the G80. This is not an Achilles heal, more a sprained ankle because it is comfortable enough on motorways and  good A-road tarmac but a tad choppy on lesser roads.

The Genesis brand is no half hearted attempt to put a spoke into the German juggernaut and G80 is a fine first effort and good value with a five year warranty and five years free servicing.

Backer Hyundai is in no rush and will iron out any niggles down the line but it is going to take time so do not expect to be seeing a mass of Genesis models on our roads just yet.

Fast facts

Genesis G80 Luxury Line

£47,950 (£54,280 with extras)

2.5 litre turbo, 8-speed auto AWD

0-62mph 6secs; 155mph

31.2mpg combined

210g/km. 1st tax £1,420

Insurance group 43

Boot 424 litres

List of latest local roadworks

Latest local roadworks notified by Denbighshire County Council are:

JUNCTION OF CASTLE STREET TO JUNCTION OF BERWYN STREET, MARKET STREET MARKET STREET 22/08/2022 24/08/2022 Gwaith BT/ BT Works MJ QUINN.

 JUNCTION OF CASTLE STREET TO JUNCTION OF BERWYN STREET, MARKET STREET MARKET STREET 30/08/2022 02/09/2022 Gwaith BT/ BT Works MJ QUINN.

 JUNCTION REGENT STREET TO JUNCTION OF BERWYN STREET, HALL STREET HALL STREET 22/08/2022 24/08/2022 Gwaith BT/ BT Works MJ QUINN.

JUNCTION OF CHAPEL STREET TO JUNCTION OF BERWYN STREET, HALL STREET HALL STREET 30/08/2022 02/09/2022 Gwaith BT/ BT Works MJ QUINN.

A539 JUNCTION OF CASTLE STREET TO ADJACENT WESTOE, ABBEY ROAD ABBEY ROAD 15/08/2022 19/08/2022 Gwaith BT/ BT Works MJ QUINN LLANGOLLEN Goleuadau Traffig Dros Dro/ Temp Traffic Lights.

JUNCTION OF DINBREN ROAD TO JUNCTION OF MILL STREET, WHARF HILL WHARF HILL 15/08/2022 19/08/2022 Gwaith BT/ BT Works MJ QUINN LLANGOLLEN Goleuadau Traffig Dros Dro/ Temp Traffic Lights.

A539 JUNCTION OF CASTLE STREET TO OPPOSITE JUNCTION OF BISHOPS WALK MILL STREET 15/08/2022 19/08/2022 Gwaith BT/ BT Works MJ QUINN  LLANGOLLEN Goleuadau Traffig Dros Dro/ Temp Traffic Lights.

Group to showcase underused natural asset at counties show

* Sheep ready for shearing at Pentredwr.

A community group is to showcase a special project to make better use of a valuable natural asset at this year’s Flint and Denbigh Show. 

Pentredwr and District Community Association applied for Lottery funding for the Hwb project which is now half way through its two-year life. 

The association has numerous community aims centred around rural isolation and depravation and one aspect members are looking at is local Welsh Mountain grade fleece, an underused, undervalued and sustainable, fibre. 

* Wool sacks in storage on the farm.

And to help raise public awareness of this natural fibre, they are showcasing some alternative uses for hill grade fleece at the show, accompanied by Gill Britten of Gwlângollen. 

A spokesperson said: “Hwb Pentredŵr is a project delivered jointly by Pentredŵr and District Community Association and Glwângollen. 

“We are working towards securing community prosperity by developing rural skills and enterprise, addressing rural isolation, supporting digital inclusion and access to services thereby strengthening the community. 

“Sheep production is central to farming in the valley and surrounding area, and shearing is essential to ensure the wellbeing and health of our local flocks. 

“Exploring the wider uses of locally produced Welsh Mountain fleece is a key element of the work we are doing. 

“In total, there are almost 120 different grades of wool in Britain.  Within each style of wool, fleeces are graded by quality with judgements made across a range of characteristics.  

“Our Welsh Mountain sheep must survive in sometimes harsh conditions on the hills, so the wool tends to be much coarser than many other grades of fleece. Consequently, due to its coarser nature, hill grade fleece is generally used in the manufacture of carpets.” 

The spokesperson added: “Our local wool is a totally natural, durable, sustainable, biodegradable fibre which is remarkably deemed as next to worthless in the current market. 

“Prices per kilo for wool have been steadily falling for many years whereas years ago the annual wool cheque would have covered rental for a farm, today, hill grade fleece in our area achieves on average 13p a kilo, meaning a whole fleece is worth only 26-30p. 

“Each sheep costs at least £1 to shear. Shearing is a very skilled job and extremely hard work. In addition, many man hours are required to gather and sort the sheep during the shearing season. 

“HwbPentredŵr and Gwlângollen, with the support of a group of local farmers, are driving forward ideas which may eventually lead to development of a small local wool processing plant, thereby giving this brilliant fibre the respect and recognition it so deserves.” 

Representatives from Hwb Pentredŵr and Gwlângollen will be manning two separate stands at the Flint and Denbigh Show on Thursday August 18, showcasing Welsh Mountain Fleece, some stages of its preparation and also ideas of possible alternative uses. 

They are inviting visitors to call and see them on stand K39. Gill from Gwlângollen will be in the Farmers Union of Wales tent. 

There are numerous, varied events and workshops going on at Pentredŵr. For further details of these follow Hwb Pentredŵr, Pentredŵr and District Community Association and Gwlângollen Facebook pages. 

Hwb Pentredŵr is also on Instagram. Websites: hwb.Pentredwr.co.uk; Pentredwr.co.uk and gwlangollen.wixsite.com

Emergency services search ends in sad discovery

The Leader is reporting this morning (Sunday) that the body of a man has been recovered following a 'concern for safety' incident yesterday (August 13). 

The story say that North Wales Police confirmed they, alongside other emergency services were dealing with a safety incident in Pontcysyllte during the afternoon. 

* For the full story, see: https://www.leaderlive.co.uk/news/20642369.wrexham-body-found-incident-river-pontcysyllte/

Plans in place for summer visits to Horseshoe Falls

Denbighshire County Council is informing residents of its plans to accommodate visits to Llangollen’s Horseshoe Falls.

With a busy weekend expected, the council is working to manage the increase in visitors and has made a number of preparations.

Extra countryside rangers are being deployed at Horseshoe Falls, to provide information, support for visitors and help deal with any issues.

The council says it is aware also aware of parking issues at the tourist spot and will be deploying civil enforcement officers to manage the site.

Residents and visitors are reminded parking restrictions are important for both road safety and ensuring there is a fair turnover of parking spaces.

Motorists not complying with parking restrictions risk receiving a Penalty Charge Notice.

The council is asking visitors to park responsibly in designated areas and to respect the countryside, this includes keeping dogs on a lead and to bring picnics rather than disposable barbeques.

Those wishing to visit Horseshoe Falls on Saturday can also use the Dee Valley Picturesque Bus Service which is available to pick up from Llangollen Parade Street from 8.35am. The service will stop at the falls and more information can be found here - https://www.clwydianrangeanddeevalleyaonb.org.uk/projects/the-picturesque-bus/

Visitors are being reminded to be respectful to those working to ensure the safety and enjoyment of visitors and residents.

Llan firefighters stop blaze within feet of heatherland

* Above and below: Firefighters at the scene of yesterday's blaze.

Llangollen firefighters have revealed how they put out a forest blaze within feet of heatherland at Nantyr yesterday afternoon.

On their Facebook page, the fire station says: "16:20 32M1 called out to a fire in the open in Nantyr.

"It travelled up a hard standing track up into the forest. The high pressure lance was used to extinguish the deep seated fire.

"The fire was 20 foot away from the start of the Berwyn range which stretches 52,000 acres of heather and gorse from Llangollen to Bala.

"What 3 Words came into its own again and helped locate the fire which was spotted by a hiker.

"Thanks to his quick thinking and the use of the app, this potentially stopped this fire creeping into the start of the 52,000 acres."

In July 2018 firefighters from Llangollen and across North Wales spent days tackling a massive fire which ripped through many acres of heather and gorse on the moorlands near Llantysilio and the Horseshoe Pass.

Police 'hopeful' of catching those responsible for town's grafitti

Police say they are hopeful of catching those responsible for the graffiti which has appeared in parts of Llangollen.

In a message on the North Wales Police Community Alerts system earlier this week, officer Geraint Jones said the Dee Valley Neighbourhood Policing (NPT) was appealing for information following an increase in graffiti around Llangollen town and by Riverside Park. 

He added that a distinct signature that was appearing on the grafitti was the word 'bizz'.

In a new message on the NPT, PCSO 3684 Peter Jones says: "We are currently aware of some graffiti that has appeared in Llangollen.

"We want to reassure you that an investigation into the matter is well underway, we are hopeful that the offenders will be identified and dealt with.

"If you have any information about the incidents please contact 101 or speak to your local Police Community Support Officer."

Live music with a difference at venue near Llangollen

This Saturday evening Black Park Chapel – just down the road from Llangollen – is hosting something different for those who enjoy live music.

It’s a performance by acclaimed professional jazz musicians Faith Brackenbury and Toni Bianco.

Their touring project, entitled Visio Improvisus, is an exploration of the music of St. Hildegard von Bingen, fusing it with their contemporary jazz and improvisation backgrounds.

Layers of violin/viola lines and drones create a base to ethereal Latin vocal monophonic scores, accompanied by rolling drums and percussion.

This tour is promoting their double album of the music, Wayward Mystic, and is aiming to encourage communities to re-engage with live music performance after these years of social isolation and loneliness. 

Bridget Drukker of Black Park said: “I went to the Anoushka Shankar concert at the Llangollen Eisteddfod - incredible, full house and standing ovation. One of the best concerts that I have ever been to.

“Faith Brackenbury is influenced by Anoushka's father, the famous Ravi Shankar, and I think some of those who went to the Eisteddfod would enjoy this on Saturday.”

* Tickets are available on the door or from: www.ticketsource.co.uk/visio-improvisus/visio-improvisus-improvisations-on-the-music-of-st-hildegard-von-bingen/e-pyvgod

Food firm offers cash aid to community groups

* Harlech Foodservice Managing Director David Cattrall. Picture by Rick Matthews.

Community groups and local clubs across North Wales are being urged to bid for a slice of a new £5,000 charity fund.

Leading food wholesaler Harlech Foodservice, which has bases in Criccieth in Gwynedd and Chester, has launched a community foundation as part of the company’s 50^th anniversary celebrations.

The family firm was founded in 1972 as a holiday season supplier to pubs, hotels and campsites in North West Wales and has grown into a £30 million turnover business serving Wales, the North West and West Midlands.

Now Managing Director David Cattrall is inviting community groups, projects, associations and locally based charities to pitch for some cash.

He said: “We have grown from small beginnings into a major North Wales company with bases in Criccieth and Chester and we couldn’t have done that without the support of our loyal customers across the region.

“They have helped us grow into a business employing over 200 staff which supplies not just the tourism and hospitality industry but also schools, colleges, hospitals and care homes so we want to celebrate the success we’ve had by putting something back into the communities which have supported us

“We are asking local groups across North Wales who benefit the community in some way to come forward and pitch for funding which could provide them with some vital cash for something really important to them.

“It could be a mini bus fund for a local dance troupe or maybe some gardening equipment for a primary school, a new pool table for a youth club or art and craft equipment for a pensioners’ group which prevents older people feeling isolated and lonely.

“We are open to suggestions and the main criteria is that people need to show us how they are fundraising and how much they are aiming to raise.

“We are looking to give a helping hand to projects right across the region so we want to hear from the people involved and we’ll be looking to hand over up to £1,000 to the chosen deserving causes.”

Harlech Foodservices has a track record of helping out in the communities it serves and stepped up in the pandemic to make donations to food banks across Wales and into Cheshire and Shropshire.

When their delivery lorries were unable to carry stock to their usual customers they were diverted to charities from Conwy to Newport in Gwent and from their own doorstep in Pwllheli to Northwich and Telford across the English border.

Now as business reaches a peak in the busy holiday season they are looking to hear from deserving causes who can bid for a share of the £5,000 charity by sending a brief description of their organisation, what they are raising money for and what they are looking to achieve along with daytime contact details including a phone number. Bid descriptions should be sent to sales@harlech.lls.com

The business founded by Colin and Gill Foskett above a shop in Harlech in 1972 now delivers up to 5,000 product lines to cafés, restaurants, pubs and public sector customers across North and Mid-Wales, Shropshire, the Midlands and the North West from its modern bases in Criccieth and Chester.

Colin and Gill’s sons and daughter are still on the board and the third generation of the Foskett family are now among a workforce which has grown steadily as the business has expanded to include NHS Wales, care homes and schools, colleges and universities.

For more on Harlech Foodservices go to https://www.harlech.co.uk/ 

New history of Llangollen has some interesting little nuggets

It’s now more than 30 years since the last history of Llangollen was published.

Now there is a fascinating new version written by Peter Jones, a trustee of the town’s museum.

Its 48 pages are packed with basic historical information about almost every important aspect of local life, liberally interspersed with some marvellous nuggets that are probably less well known.

For instance, while detailing the rich past of Valle Crucis Abbey the author notes that back in 1535 many monasteries had become so corrupt that their inhabitants had been forced to turn to crime, including Robert Salisbury, Abbot of Valle Crucis, who was arrested for having been part of a highway robbery.

Another iconic landmark highlighted in the booklet, Castell Dinas Bran, has its own interesting little tale which centres on one of its medieval occupants, Myfanwy, daughter of tenant Iorwerth Ddu ap Ednyfed Gam.

Her unrequited love for a man named Hywel ap Einion is celebrated in a famous poem penned by John Ceiriog Hughes. Published in 1858 and entitled Myfanwy Fychan, the work was later set to music and became a staple of Welsh male voice choirs.

The booklet, produced thanks to the extensive use of the resources of Llangollen Museum with suggestions from David Crane, has compact and easily digestible sections on the town’s pre-historic beginnings, the bridge – one of the Seven Wonders of Wales – the canal, the Chain Bridge and the steam railway which Dr Beeching failed to kill off in the 1960s.

We also learn about the gradual development of the town centre, illustrated by some absorbing maps, and the area’s transition from a rural to an industrial economy facilitated by the building of the canal, the railway and Telford’s new road now the A5.

On the local industrial front, how many knew that the Llangollen Hide & Skin Company once based in Church Street from 1885 had during the Second World War produced leather jerkins for the army and, earlier, bindings for the Encyclopaedia Britannica.

It’s also interesting to note that the opening by a Manchester company of the Lower Dee Mill as a spinning and weaving factory in 1805 met with some local resistance.

However, its opponents did grudgingly concede that it was, at least, “a source of employment to local children who otherwise would have been a burden to the parish”.

* The Ladies of Llangollen.

That opposition to the new mill, we are told, was actually led by the legendary Ladies of Llangollen who get their own dedicated section of the booklet, which reveals that, although they were by far the most famous inhabitants of Plas Newydd they were not actually the only two ladies to occupy the town’s mini stately home.  

When the property was sold in 1832 following the deaths of both Sarah Ponsonby and Eleanor Butler, the buyers were two ladies who had long lived in Llangollen.

Amelia Lolly, had been born Liverpool 1783, the daughter of Walter Lolly a distiller, and Charlotte Andrew who was born in Harpurhey, Manchester in 1791, the daughter of Robert Andrew, a dyer. They were mockingly referred to by Eleanor Butler as the “Lollies and Trollies” because they had long tried to emulate the life style of the Ladies, but with little success.

Having bought the house for £1,400 they proceeded to embellish it, although one visitor of the time commented that “the whole place had a vulgar and commonplace appearance”.

And just as he shows that the much more famous duo weren’t the only ladies of Plas Newydd the author also describes how the international event staged since 1947 wasn’t the only eisteddfod to be sited in Llangollen.  

Back in 1858 a large eisteddfod was held in the town which was a precursor of what was to become the National Eisteddfod.

Some of the competitions were a little bizarre, such as “The day labourer whose weekly wage does not exceed £1 with the greatest number of children present at the Eisteddfod able to read and write in Welsh”.

The Flannel Mill generously provided a woollen tent on the bowling green of the Ponsonby Arms. Unfortunately, there was heavy rain before the event, which caused the tent to collapse.

The National Eisteddfod was held here in 1908 at a site off Vicarage Road and was attended by both David Lloyd George and Winston Churchill.

* A Brief History of Llangollen by Peter Jones is available from Llangollen Museum in Parade Street for £4.50. 

Welsh Blood's next local donation session

Welsh Blood are back in Llangollen this summer and are looking for blood donors.

They are at Llangollen Pavilion August 30 and remind people that one blood donation can save the lives of six babies.

* Click here to book: https://wbs.wales/LlangollenandDistrict

Mae’r Gwasanaeth Gwaed yn ôl yn LlPangollen yr Haf yma ac yn edrych am roddwyr gwaed!  

Pafiliwn Llangollen 30/08/22

Gall un rhodd o waed achub bywydau chwech o fabanod!

* Dewch yn achubwr bywyd! Cliciwch yma i gofrestru: https://wbs.wales/LlangollenandDistrict