Isuzu's upmarket pick-up has real class

Isuzu D-Max drive by Steve Rogers

Who cares about pick-ups apart from farmers and traders?

Why would anyone, other than a farmer or a tradesman, want to be transported in a truck with a noisy engine and a ride like a bucking bronco?

Think again. The pick-up market has gone upmarket and is no longer just for scrambling across boggy fields or hauling building rubble. The young and the middle aged, or life stylers as the industry calls them, are spending £40,000 even £50,000 on jazzed up 4x4s to take them on their adventures.

The pick up is not as comfortable as an SUV but with a double cab and hard top for the load area you want for nothing sharing all the luxury trappings of a plush sports utility.

The market has had a bumpy ride over the last couple of years with key players pulling out, unwilling to pay fines for failing to meet the Government’s emissions regulations. For the four left that means a bigger slice of the pick-up cake which is music to the ears of smaller companies like Isuzu. Its reputation is built on rugged, go anywhere, do any job off roaders, but it saw how the market was moving and expanded the D-Max range to broaden its appeal.

It is still a way behind leaders Ford and Toyota on popularity but expects to have doubled sales by 2025 to 10,000 a year. The surge in demand is being fuelled by the top end V-Cross lifestyle model which is the best selling D-Max.

Not that Isuzu has forgotten about its bread and butter market. The Utility range is for farmers and tradesmen and compared with the V-Cross has been stripped down although not to the bare bones. It is competitively priced at £25,792 for a single cab two wheel drive with the all wheel drive coming in at £28,192.

Since its launch in 2012 the Utility has been the bedrock of the range and has proved its worth winning a string of 4x4 awards.

It comes with a strong CV capable of towing 3.5 tonnes and carrying 1.120 tonnes helped along by a capable 1.9 litre turbo diesel although it is down on power compared with its main rivals. I didn’t get to tow that sort of weight, or fill the load area, but it felt capable. The engine note is agricultural, but that is par for the course with a four cylinder engine in a pick-up.

Running costs are key when the vehicle becomes a business proposition and here D-Max is strong. My eyebrows raised when I noticed the second trip computer had recorded 40mpg for the last 2734 miles. Granted, the miles would have been covered by motoring writers not farmers towing horse boxes and the like but that is impressive and during my week’s motoring D-Max never dropped below 36mpg easily beating the official figure.

Isuzu has not been tempted to go with a bigger, more powerful engine option like the Ford Ranger and Toyota Hilux and that is what keeps it keenly priced, particularly if the flashy V-Cross model is on the shopping list.

Base model or not the Utility comes with an impressive list of standard kit that includes all round electric windows, auto dipping headlights and automatic wipers, cruise control and a reasonable amount of driver safety features including an emergency call button.

There is no reversing camera but cross traffic alert warns of approaching traffic when pulling out of a parking space.

The only irritation is the radio which is old fashioned by today’s standards and proved a real handful to fathom. It’s DAB but the signal comes in from a roof aerial from the bygone days and is weak, often dropping out and with a limited station reach. It redeemed itself with a CD player, I can’t remember the last time I saw one in a car.

Even though the bread and butter end of the market is down 40 per cent - farmers and tradesmen are hanging on to their 4x4s longer as they battle rising costs - demand for D-Max is outstripping supply with fleet sales up 50 per cent.

Isuzu bosses take the view that when the market recovers there will not be so many pick ups around to share the spoils. Unfortunately Ford, Toyota and Ssangyong will have the same thought.

Fast facts

D-Max Utility cab

£29,992

1.9 litre diesel 6sp manual; 162bhp

0-62mph 12.7secs; 112mph

33.6mpg combined

Emissions: 220g/km

Towing: 3.5 tonne

Payload 1.120kg

Insurance group 50

 

Christmas quiz for Cancer Research UK ready to begin

 

For the 16th year Llangollen Round will be producing a Christmas quiz on behalf of Cancer Research UK. 

Spokesperson Judith Smith said: "Once again it should be fun for all the family and you could even consider including it in Christmas cards to friends.  

"From Saturday November 26 copies, for £1, will be obtainable from the Tourist Information Centre in Castle Street.  

"Thank you for your support and good luck!"

Latest local roadworks alerts

Latest local roadworks alerts from Denbighshire County Council are:

Heol y Farchnad / Market Street MARKET STREET 26/11/2022 26/11/2022 Digwyddiad ar y Priffordd/ Event on the Highway LLANGOLLEN TOWN COUN LLANGOLLEN Ffordd ar Gau/Road Closure

Hall street Llangollen HALL STREET 14/11/2022 23/12/2022 Gwaith Gwelliant/ Improvement Works DCC WORKS UNIT (PHILIP BI LLANGOLLEN Atal Parcio / Parking Suspension Ffordd ar Gau/Road Closure

Hall street Llangollen HALL STREET 14/11/2022 23/12/2022 Gwaith Gwelliant/ Improvement Works DCC WORKS UNIT (PHILIP BI LLANGOLLEN Atal Parcio / Parking Suspension Ffordd ar Gau/Road Closure

Chapel Street CHAPEL STREET 14/11/2022 23/12/2022 Gwaith Gwelliant/ Improvement Works DCC WORKS UNIT (PHILIP BI LLANGOLLEN Un Ffordd/ One Way

OPPOSITE 3 HILL STREET HILL STREET 21/10/2022 21/10/2023 Gwaith ar Dwll Archwilio/ Man Hole Works MJ QUINN (DCC) LLANGOLLEN Ffordd ar Gau/Road Closure

JUNCTION OF A5T FROM AREA BOUNDARY TO QUEEN STREET, MAESMAWR ROAD MAESMAWR ROAD 21/11/2022 23/11/2022 Torri Coed / Tree Cutting MJ QUINN (CALUM) LLANGOLLEN

Wrth / Nr Winton ABBEY ROAD 24/11/2022 01/12/2022 Gwaith Trydanol / Electrical Works O'CONNOR UTILITIES (DCC) LLANGOLLEN Goleuadau Traffig Dros Dro/ Temp Traffic Lights

A542 Bryn Dethol Road BRYN DETHOL ROAD FROM A5 TO MAESMAWR ROAD 28/11/2022 02/12/2022 Gwaith Draenio / Drainage Works DCC WORKS UNIT (PHILIP BI LLANGOLLEN Ffordd ar Gau/Road Closure

Wrth / Nr THE GLEN, A539 LLANGOLLEN ROAD A539 LLANGOLLEN ROAD 24/11/2022 28/11/2022 Gwaith BT/ BT Works MJ QUINN (CALUM) LLANGOLLEN Goleuadau Traffig Dros Dro/ Temp Traffic Lights.

County council's electric fleet rolls up thousands of green miles

* Part of the county council's fleet of electric vehicles.

Denbighshire County Council’s Electric fleet has motored up thousands of miles since COP26 in Glasgow.

Since the climate summit on UK soil a year ago, the current 31 electric fleet vehicles, which are used across multiple services, have recorded 142,377 miles of green travel.

That’s the equivalent to almost six times around the world or even thirteen trips from Ruthin to Sydney, Australia.

Denbighshire County Council declared a Climate Change and Ecological Emergency in July 2019 and committed to seeking to become a Net Carbon Zero and Ecologically Positive Council by 2030.

A part of this work is growing the number of non-fossil fuel vehicles used by the Council. 

Examples of these currently in use are taxis, an electric mini bus used in the Ruthin area, a mobile observatory van and EV ATV used by countryside staff, EV vans used for goods transport by different services and EV cars supporting social services staff.

The Council has also expanded the number of fleet chargers since COP26 to 37 dedicated charging ports currently utilised exclusively by fleet vehicles.

These have delivered 35,084kwh to support staff use of fleet vehicles

During the summer two 50kwh rapid public chargers were installed at King’s Avenue car park, Prestatyn.  These have already delivered 21,609kwh of charge during nearly a 1,000 individual charging sessions.

That’s 64,828 miles provided to electric vehicle drivers, enough for 27 round trips from Land’s End to John O Groats and back.

Cllr Barry Mellor, Lead Member for Environment and Transport, said: “We are working hard to reduce the miles produced by fossil fuels in our county by council staff and the public to tackle climate change highlighted by COP27.

“The council is also working very hard to make sure our electric vehicle charging infrastructure is in place to help us and the public play their part in tackling climate change. In the months ahead we have 66 public located charging points that will come online and very soon, 36 of these will be available at West Rhyl Kinmel car park.

“We want to make sure that Denbighshire can support those who wish to transition to an electric vehicle but who may struggle with no off road parking.”

Roadworks planned for Bridge Street

Latest local roadworks update from one.network is:

Bridge Street, Denbighshire 21 November - 22 November   Roadworks, Delays likely   Traffic management: Road closure   Description: Laying duct across FW and CW...   Works location: 2 CHAPEL STREET LLANGOLLEN LL20 8NW...   Public facing description: one.network has automatically assigned a category of Unclassified works to this Works based on the information available. Please note: Works Descriptions are not published by Openreach.   Responsibility for works: Openreach   Current status: Advanced planning   Works reference: BC005OP1W00000WD9WLL5HRC

Sion Corn spotted on his way to Christmas Festival

* Horseshoe Falls: How much further to Llan?

* Kayak: Not sure how he can get into this.

* Drosi Bikes: I can get quite a lot in here.

Sion Corn has been spotted by local photographers trying out different ways of getting to Llangollen in time for the big Christmas Festival on Saturday November 26. 

Bronwen and Mayuri have caught sight of him at the Horseshoe Falls, attempting to board a kayak on the river and trying for size a Drosi delivery bike. 

We’re not sure which one he settled on in the end but he guarantees he’ll be there to help people enjoy all the festival fun in just over a week’s time.

The popular festival makes a welcome return the Saturday after next after a three-year break due to the pandemic.

A spokesperson said: "We look forward to seeing as many of you as possible to mark the start of the town’s seasonal preparations. 

"There will be a Grand Parade starting from the Pavilion ground at 1pm and proceeding to the Town Hall for the official opening where Sion Corn - the Welsh Father Christmas - will stay for the afternoon to meet and greet as many of his friends as wish to do so at the start of his busiest part of the year.

"There will be lots to do for children old and young and a wide range of seasonal treats and activities.

"At the end of the afternoon there will be the usual firework display at which time the town's Christmas lights will also be switched on.

"Sion Corn will once again be dressed in his traditional green as he makes his preparations and is already planning his visit. 

"After three years he has lots to do as he decides how to make the journey as rapidly as possible."

Hospice service to be held at St Collen's on December 1

Nightingale House Hospice will hold a community service for its annual Light Up a Life campaign in St Collen's Church at 6pm on Thursday, December 1.

A hospice spokesperson said: "Join us to pay tribute to those who hold a special place in our hearts, remember how they lit up our lives, and give thanks for the memories we carry with us.

"If you cannot attend this service, you can still participate by donating to dedicate a light in memory of your loved one at Christmas. Please click here: https://bit.ly/LightUpALifeNGH"

Latest local roadworks alerts from county council

Latest local roadworks alerts from Denbighshire County Council are:

JUNCTION OF A5T FROM AREA BOUNDARY TO QUEEN STREET, MAESMAWR ROAD MAESMAWR ROAD 21/11/2022 23/11/2022 Torri Coed / Tree Cutting MJ QUINN

Hall street Llangollen HALL STREET 14/11/2022 23/12/2022 Gwaith Gwelliant/ Improvement Works DCC WORKS UNIT (PHILIP BI LLANGOLLEN Atal Parcio / Parking Suspension Ffordd ar Gau/Road Closure

Chapel Street CHAPEL STREET 14/11/2022 23/12/2022 Gwaith Gwelliant/ Improvement Works DCC WORKS UNIT (PHILIP BI LLANGOLLEN Un Ffordd/ One Way

OPPOSITE 3 HILL STREET HILL STREET 21/10/2022 21/10/2023 Gwaith ar Dwll Archwilio/ Man Hole Works MJ QUINN (DCC) LLANGOLLEN Ffordd ar Gau/Road Closure

Near THE GLEN, A539 LLANGOLLEN ROAD A539 LLANGOLLEN ROAD 24/11/2022 28/11/2022 Gwaith BT/ BT Works MJ QUINN (CALUM) LLANGOLLEN Goleuadau Traffig Dros Dro/ Temp Traffic Lights

Near Winton ABBEY ROAD 24/11/2022 01/12/2022 Gwaith Trydanol / Electrical Works O'CONNOR UTILITIES (DCC) LLANGOLLEN Goleuadau Traffig Dros Dro/ Temp Traffic Lights

Market Street MARKET STREET 26/11/2022 26/11/2022 Digwyddiad ar y Priffordd/ Event on the Highway LLANGOLLEN TOWN COUN LLANGOLLEN Ffordd ar Gau/Road Closure

Hall street Llangollen HALL STREET 14/11/2022 23/12/2022 Gwaith Gwelliant/ Improvement Works DCC WORKS UNIT (PHILIP BI LLANGOLLEN Atal Parcio / Parking Suspension Ffordd ar Gau/Road Closure.

MS speaks of tensions over local holiday accommodation

Clwyd South MS Ken Skates has said his constituency, which includes Llangollen, has too many residential homes being used “inappropriately” for holiday accommodation.

His remarks came during a debate in the Senedd during a debate on a new licensing scheme of holiday lets in Wales.

* The full story can be seen in the Daily Post at: 'Tensions' rising in North Wales holiday hotspots as visitors 'crammed' into Airbnbs - North Wales Live (dailypost.co.uk)

Funding available to improve open spaces and play areas

Over £100,000 of funding is available to help improve open spaces and play areas throughout the County of Denbighshire. 

This fund is available to a wide range of groups and individuals including community and voluntary groups, charities, public sector organisations and amateur sports clubs. 

The funds can be used to lay out new open space or can be used to enhance existing provision, thereby increasing usage. 

Councillor Rhys Thomas, Cabinet Lead Member for Housing and Communities, said: “This fund has been made available to a wide range of groups to ensure there is safe and exciting outdoor spaces available to the people of Denbighshire. Access to this fund means being able to maintain open spaces and play areas, with the possibility of improving or replacing some older equipment.”

* To find out if your area has funding available, please visit:

https://www.denbighshire.gov.uk/en/community-and-living/community-development/community-funding-and-grants/commuted-sums.aspx

If you would like support to develop a community project or idea, please get in touch with our Community Development Team via email: communitydevelopment@denbighshire.gov.uk

Police warn over Facebook Marketplace fraud

North Wales Police have sent out a warning about online fraud amounting to thousands of pounds on social media in the run-up to Christmas.

On their own page they have posted: "With Christmas fast approaching we are warning about a sharp increase in Facebook Marketplace fraud.

"Over the weekend residents have reported losses of £4,270 over a two-day period.

"The reports include victims paying large deposits or making full payment direct into the suspects bank account, for goods that are never received.

"In one instance a large deposit was made for an item and, when the victim attended the address provided to make collection, the elderly occupants were unaware of the sale and the victim was left out of pocket.

"People selling items have also been targeted by criminals. Fraudsters posing as buyers arrived at the victim’s house to collect an item and claimed they had made payment using an online banking app. The suspects were handed the item and left, but the funds were never received by the victim as the banking app was fake."

The police post adds: "We would urge people to be cautious when using Facebook Marketplace as there is little chance of being reimbursed if the worst happens.

"When buying items, we would advise to carry out transactions face to face where possible, using cash or payment services, such as Paypal, where a level of protection is offered.

"If you need to report any fraudulent activity, contact Facebook to report the account, the Action Fraud website, via the north Wales Police website or by calling 101."

Twenty Club makes heavenly job of Vicar of Dibley

* A scene from The Vicar of Dibley by Llangollen Twenty Club.

* The vicar meets Elvis in the church hall.

... then Mary and Joseph.

* An angelic nativity scene.

llanblogger preview

Llangollen Twenty Club has made a divinely good job of bringing the Vicar of Dibley, one of the small screen’s greatest comedy hits, to the live stage.

From tomorrow (Wednesday) until Saturday at the Town Hall the talented drama group will be performing two back-to-back episodes of the iconic show which centres on how the Rev Geraldine Granger copes with life in a small rural parish and the crazy antics of a bunch of eccentric villagers written into sitcom legend back in the 90s by Richard Curtis.

The original cast, all with their own highly identifiable quirks, are a tough act to follow but the Twenty bunch handles it in style.

Club regular Helen Belton takes on the ecclesiastical role and has even had her hair styled in the manner of Dawn French, who memorably played the vicar on TV, to ensure a high level of authenticity. And she also effortlessly manages to wring out just as many laughs from the action as her famous counterpart.

The piece includes the episodes Dibley on Air, in which the gang try out their own local radio station with predictably hilarious results, and the Second Coming, in which their nativity play with a difference goes haywire. 

Handling the pivotal character of the sex-starved Jim Trott – famous catchphrase “no no no no” – with total competence is Kevin Williams, while Matt Oswald-Haggett is equally adept at recreating Owen Newitt, the blunt-mannered local farmer.

Excellent as usual in his role as pedantic yet surprisingly interesting parish council clerk Frank Pickle is Twenty regular Arwel Jarvis and Heather Wolfson does a neat line in bringing to life Mrs Cropley, whose repulsive culinary creations nobody would want to touch.  

An impressive dopey double-act has been put together by Bev Maier as church verger Alice Horton – Tinker as was – and Dan Pedley as her equally hopeless husband Hugo.

Steve Hughes turns in an admirable portrayal of Hugo’s tetchy old dad, local squire David Horton, who is the closest we ever get to a villain of the piece.

There are a couple of nifty cameos by John Clifford as the vet and Jayne Dickson who shows up right at the end playing an accordion, the reason for which cannot be disclosed without spoiling things.

Director Chrissie Ashworth, the whole cast and a very competent backstage team have done a heavenly job with A Vicar of Dibley Christmas.

Stage play is by Ian Gower and Paul Carpenter adapted from the original TV series by Richard Curtiss and Paul Mayhew-Archer with kind permission of Tiger Aspect Productions.         

The show will be staged at Llangollen Town Hall from Wednesday November 16th to Saturday November 19 at 7.30pm with a matinee on the Saturday at 2.30 pm.

* Tickets  - £12 and £10 concessions - are available online at: ticketsource.co.uk/llangollentwentyclub or from Courtyard Books, Llangollen Oggie Shop or Jenni in Market Street. Tickets also available from cast and crew members, and at the door, subject to availability. 

Toyota in the van of bringing back car-style commercial

Toyota Corolla Commercial drive by Steve Rogers

It looks like a Toyota Corolla, drives like a Corolla, but open the passenger doors and it is a very different story.

No rear bench seat, just a sturdy steel mesh frame behind the front seats and a solid flat floor. This Corolla Touring Sports is a van.

It is the brainchild of the Professional Commercial team at the company’s Burnaston plant at Derby where Corolla is built and has been such a success in the UK that it is likely to filter into other markets.

Why is it so significant? Since the Vauxhall Astra van was dropped nearly a decade ago there has been nothing to replace it, Ford and Vauxhall preferring to covert the smaller Fiesta and Corsa. Corolla Touring Sports (estate to most people) does not just fill the void it goes a whole lot further because this is the first van with a full self charging hybrid electric power train.

For small traders and delivery drivers this is a godsend. Switching to electric is not always feasible when long journeys have to be interrupted by recharging but Corolla should be good for well over 500 miles on a full tank thanks to its near 60mpg average, plus some electric only driving around town, while low emissions reduce the carbon footprint.

The story behind Corolla Commercial is this. It runs along the normal Touring Sports production line, same body, suspension, engine, CVT gearbox, but comes off before the rear is trimmed with seating and seat belts. In goes a steel bulkhead, plywood floor and thick rubber mat.

The side rear windows are opaque, covered in a thick black film, and the electric window switches are just for show. UK regulations do not allow for the car to be converted back its original use. The only tell-tale sign that this is a van are the steel wheels.

If you are thinking the van is devoid of creature comforts fear not. It is based on the entry Touring Sports and comes with electric windows, climate control, reversing camera, auto dipping LED lights, and heated seats, along with Toyota’s Safety Sense active safety and driver assistance features.

Sat nav is not fitted but the majority of delivery drivers are happy to sync their mobile phone ap to the touchscreen via Android Auto or Apple CarPlay, an operation that takes a few seconds.

Performance from the 1.8 litre petrol is adequate and as nothing has been done to beef up the suspension for commercial use drivers enjoy the same comfort as the Touring Sport. A small drawback is extra noise from the empty load area.

That load area is quite generous with a capacity of 1326 litres and a front to back length of around 170cm so not far off six feet. The ply floor is hinged halfway for access to a large spare wheel shaped well which would take quite a few additional packages. It would be wise to cover the bumper when loading because over time it will get scratched.

If there is a downside to this car conversion it is the modest payload of 425kg while the 750kg towing capacity is no more than a small trailer.

The car comes with a three year warranty but this can be extended free to 10 years or 100,000 miles provided the car is serviced on time at a Toyota dealership.

Toyota tested the water with established customers who gave it enthusiastic support and this is the result.

Commercial has transformed the Touring Sport into a lightweight, comfortable, well equipped workhorse and is a good choice for the small trader/delivery driver who wants low running costs without switching to full electric.

Fast facts

Corolla Commercial CVT hybrid

£22,590

1.8 litre hybrid;120bhp

0-62mph 11.1secs; 112mph

55.6-61.4mpg combined

105g/km. 1st tax £160

Load space: 1326 litres

Payload 425kg

Insurance group 27

Pengwern families get to grips with a prickly subject

* Above and below: children work on the hedgehog project at Pengwern. 

It may be a prickly subject, but hedgehogs were the centre of attention at a recent event hosted in Llangollen, set up to increase awareness of the need for habitats in the county. 

The Clwydian Range and Dee Valley Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty’s Our Picturesque Landscape Project team put on a hedgehog focused event at Llangollen, as part of Denbighshire County Council’s response to the climate and ecological emergency. 

A number of families attended the recently renovated community centre in Pengwern  in Llangollen to learn about everything hedgehog related and to hear about local work to support the animals. 

Hedgehog numbers have reduced over the last 20 years and the Hedgehog Preservation Society suggest there are a number of reasons for this. 

One of the biggest is nature depletion, the loss of hedgerows and other areas suitable for hedgehogs. As their names suggest, hedgehogs like to live in and around hedgerows and use them to travel between different areas. 

Where households have fences around their gardens rather than hedges it reduces the distance the hedgehogs can travel, limiting their food and mating options. Unfortunately, the insects and other invertebrates that hedgehogs eat have also reduced because of hedgerow loss, gardening practises and use of pesticides. 

Many hedgehogs are found injured or unwell each year. They are most often rescued by members of the public who take them to charities such as Hedgehog Help Prestatyn. The rescue staff nurse them back to health and support them being released back into the wild. 

The Clwydian Range and Dee Valley Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty and the Our Picturesque Landscape project have previously welcomed rehabilitated hedgehogs to the grounds of Plas Newydd in Llangollen.  The hedgehogs are supported with a hedgehog house and food for their first few nights and then begin their new lives exploring the Llangollen area. 

Councillor Barry Mellor, Lead Member for Environment and Transport, said: “Protecting our native wildlife is incredibly important. Educating our young people and families in how to create the best habitat for hedgehogs to live happily will help to increase their numbers and reduce the number of sick and injured hedgehogs going to rescues. 

“Our wildflower meadows and tree nursery help to increase the food available to hedgehogs as well as many other birds and animals which rely on these habitats."

MS welcomes health board's progress on rapid treatment centres

Sam Rowlands,  Member of the Welsh Parliament for North Wales, says he is pleased to see the health board making progress on setting up Rapid Treatment Centres across his region. 

He said: “I am delighted to hear that the North Wales health board is putting together a business case to set up centres across my region to transform planned care services.

 

“The proposals for RTCs, which are also being considered in England, will also speed up access to care and provide improved transport services for patients which is something we badly need in my region.

 

“I support any moves which will ultimately lead to a better NHS service for the people of North Wales and welcome this latest initiative.”

In an update from BCUHB they said that they were currently carrying out detailed work to develop a robust outline business case which, when completed, will be submitted to Welsh Government for scrutiny and approval.

The business case will allow them to explore a range of options in terms of the number, scale and location of the RTCs.

 The RTCs will develop new pathways to transform planned care services, improve the quality of ambulatory patient care and speed of access as well as improving service resilience and efficiency.

 They will provide services for patients on an urgent cancer pathway, as well as those who may have vague symptoms but need access to appropriate diagnostics and clinical input. RTCs will also provide ambulatory services for patients requiring diagnosis and treatment as a day case.

Although the locations for these new RTCs has not yet been determined, the health board say they are committed to ensuring good engagement and communication with the public of North Wales as the plans develop.

They will be communicating with patients, parents and stakeholders to share more information about this major new development in health care.

Special event at Dory Gallery tonight

 

Town gathers for annual Remembrance Service and parade

* Standards are lowered to honour the fallen.

* A cloud of poppies is released from above the square. Picture by Andrei Daniel. 

* The service organisations march into the square at the start of the ceremony.

* Father Lee Taylor leads the service.

* One of the standard bearers. Picture by Andrei Daniel.

* The Silver Band's bugler sounds Last Post. 

* Llangollen county councillor Karen Edwards lays her wreath.

* Chairman Phil Strouds lays a wreath on behalf of Llangollen Royal British Legion.

 * Scouts come forward to lay their wreath.

* Llangollen Silver band leads the parade through town.

* Service organisations in the parade.

* Scouts march along Castle Street.

Crowds gathered for Llangollen's annual Remembrance Service and parade this morning (Sunday).

The service in Centenary Square was led by Father Lee Taylor of St Collen's Church and included the traditional two minutes' silence at 11am and the sounding of Last Post and Reveille by a bugler.

Various local organisations, including Army, Royal Navy and Royal Air Force Cadets, laid poppy wreaths on the war memorial as the names of the fallen of two world wars were read out.

The parade which followed, led by Llangollen Silver Band, made its way through the town centre.

* Councillor Shea Ferron lays his wreath on behalf of the council and people of the town.

* In the absence of the Town Mayor, Cllr Shea Ferron laid the wreath on behalf of the Town Council and the people of Llangollen. 

This marked an historic moment in the life of Llangollen Town Council as Cllr Ferron is the youngest ever Town Councillor to sit on the Town Council.

At just 19 years old Cllr Ferron was appointed in May of this year. The former student of Ysgol Dinas Bran is currently studying Performing Art at the Institute for Contemporary Theatre Manchester. 

The new legislation that requires remote access to Council meetings allows Cllr Ferron to continue to make a positive contribution to the work of the Town Council by physically attending Council meetings when home and joining online when studying.

Roadworks alert for Bridge Street

 

Latest local roadworks alert from one.network is:

Bridge Street, Denbighshire 14 November - 15 November   Roadworks, Delays likely   Traffic management: Road closure   Description: Laying duct across FW and CW...   Works location: 2 CHAPEL STREET LLANGOLLEN LL20 8NW...   Public facing description: one.network has automatically assigned a category of Unclassified works to this Works based on the information available. Please note: Works Descriptions are not published by Openreach.   Responsibility for works: Openreach   Current status: Advanced planning   Works reference: BC005OP1W00000WD9WLL5HRC

Service commemorates official end of First World War

* Father Lee Taylor leads the Armistice Day service.

* The Legion standard is lowered to honour the fallen. 

* People gather to watch the service taking place.

* Legion chairman Phil Stroud presides over the ceremony.

* The schoolchildren from Birmingham watch the ceremony.

Llangollen branch of the Royal British hosted the annual Armistice Day Service in Centenary Square this morning (Friday).

This traditionally marks the day and time - 11m on November 11, 1918 - when the First World War officially came to an end.

The service included the lowering of the Legion standard as a salute to the fallen.

The service was led by Father Lee Taylor from St Collen's Church and the ceremony presided over by Phil Stroud, chairman of the local Legion branch.  

The ceremony was watched by a large group of children from a school in Birmingham who were visiting the town.

The annual Service of Remembrance has been organised by the Town Council and will be held this Sunday November 13, starting at 10.45am.  

The parade will muster on Market Street car park at 10.30am.