Nine weeks of major resurfacing work planned for A483

Major resurfacing works lasting for nine weeks are to take place on the A483 trunk route starting next month.

According to Traffic Wales, the agency responsible, the work is necessary to replace the road surface that has reached the end of its serviceable life from south of J7 Rossett to the Wales/England border.

The majority of works will be carried out under contraflow which will allow the A483 to remain open to one lane of traffic in either direction.

There will be full overnight closures at certain times to install and dismantle the traffic management system.

The programme of work is:

Week 1 (Sun 05/02/23 – Sat 11/02/23) 

February 5th and 6th

• Daytime single lane closures in both directions. 
• Overnight single lane closure northbound.
• Full overnight closure of the southbound carriageway, including Junction 7 southbound slip roads. Local diversion in place.

February 7th onwards

• 24hr contraflow, with one lane in each direction. Junction 7 northbound on and off slips will be closed during this time.

February 9th and 10th

•   24 hour traffic lights on Junction 7 Rossett Interchange roundabout. 

Week 2 (Sun 12/02/23 – Sat 18/02/23)  

February 12th to 18th  

• 24 hour contraflow, with one lane in each direction. Junction 7 northbound on and off slips will be closed during this time.

Week 3 (Sun 19/02/23 – Sat 25/02/23)  

February 19th to 25th  

• 24 hour contraflow, with one lane in each direction. Junction 7 northbound on and off slips will be closed during this time.

February 23rd and 25th

• Traffic lights on Junction 7 Rossett Interchange roundabout during the daytime.

The slip road closure diversions will be:

• Junction 7 northbound off slip closure traffic will be diverted via the A55 J38 and back in the contraflow to Junction 7.
• Junction 7 northbound on slip closure traffic will be diverted via the A483 J6 and back in the contraflow to Junction 7.
• Junction 7 southbound off slip traffic will be diverted via the A483 J6 and back in the contraflow to Junction 7.
• Junction 7 southbound on slip traffic will be diverted via the A55 J38 and back in the contraflow to Junction 7.

* For further information go, contact Traffic Wales on 0300 123 1213 or via Twitter @TrafficWalesN

Police issue road safety warning for sub-zero conditions

North Wales Police have issued a weather safety warning for people using the roads this morning (Tuesday).

With below-zero temperatures in the region they say on social media: "TAKE CARE! Road conditions are currently very poor across parts of North Wales due to the ice and snow.

"Unfortunately, we have already received several reports of road traffic collisions.

"Take extra caution on your journey this morning."

Llan-based specialist offers free advice on handling business risks

Running a business can bring with it all kinds of risks but a Llangollen-based expert is offering free advice on how to overcome them. 

Selana Kong, managing director of the International Dispute Resolution and Risk Management UK Centre (IDRRM UK), is on the list of experienced mediators and business strategists hosting a free lunchtime webinar later this month aimed at helping people deal with the increased uncertainties, risks, and costs of running a business in the UK today. 

Selana said: “During the webinar we will show you how she resolves disputes with parties through mediation. 

“You will learn tips in conflict management and negotiation. This webinar is ideal for international executives, UK newcomers, legal professionals, coaches, board directors, and anyone who has a general interest in mediation.  

“Our confirmed speakers are Doctor Francis Law, chairman of IDRRMI, Mrs Karen Cheung Dyer,  HKMAAL Accredited Mediator and Doctor Andrew Goodman, a CEDR Accredited International Commercial Mediator. 

“The webinar is on Wednesday January 25 at 1pm. You can register for it at 

https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZAqdeyupjosGNGqHSiJ_w0kgycA7MOVO77t

First snowfall of year leaves castle with light covering

* The first snowfall of the year brought a light covering to the castle this morning, as these photographs show. 

Cancer Research Christmas quiz raises record amount

According to the organiser, this year's Cancer Research UK Christmas Quiz proved very popular with more sheets than ever being returned and a record sum of £831.37 being raised for the charity.  

Judith Smith said: "Our grateful thanks to everyone who supported us.

"For the first time we had four absolutely correct answer sheets, and with only three prizes to give, had to bring in the proverbial hat.  

"The brilliant four who returned those perfect answers were Keith Stacey of Newport, Gwent; Jane Hurle of Llangollen; Kathryn Dunn of Llangollen and Will Craven of Ponthir, South Wales.

"Many congratulations to them, but there were so many more hard on their heels.  

"Ben McDonald of Bristol scored 49 ½, and behind him came 5 people with 49 – the Hindle family of Ponthir, Keith and Pat Campbell of Northampton, Helen Watson of Cleobury North, Fiona Black of Poynton, and Chris Potter of Llangollen.  

"In truth it was most impressive that so many of you scored so very highly this year.  A big pat on the back for everyone – and please come back for more next December."

Answers are:

Mammals

21           Good fodder   (4)                                                               Goat

22           Work hard   (6)                                                                   Beaver

23           Before rate changes   (8)                                                    Anteater

24           Sounds like a shy bear?   (5)                                              Coypu

25           Lament over awful childhood illness   (9)                         Porcupine

Birds

26           Pastime   (5)                                                                     Hobby

27           Italian river in an empty dish   (4,3)                                 Barn Owl

28           Cowardly end of a joker   (6,7)                                         Yellow Wagtail

29           Grumble   (6)                                                                    Grouse

30           This bird sank teeth into another   (7)                              Bittern

Fish

31           Russian bulldog?   (3,7)                                                   Red Snapper

32           Alien on an island   (6)                                                     Mullet

33           Get river out of the ditch   (5)                                          Tench

34           Taken for a ride on a harbour   (7)                                   Haddock

35           Fantastic!   (5)                                                                  Brill

Trees

36           Reversing the floor covering is chancy   (8)                    Tamarisk

37           Senior statesman   (5)                                                       Elder

38           Assassinated PM reconstructed   (5)                                Maple (PM Olof Palme of Sweden assassinated 1986)

39           Hear a sheep?   (3)                                                            Yew

40           Longing for Aberdeen?   (5,4)                                           Scots Pine

Insects

41           Medical officers going to Ecuador   (8)                           Mosquito

42           Bird meets fish   (9)                                                          Cockroach

43           Fair play   (7)                                                                     Cricket

44           Irritate Romeo   (6)                                                            Chafer

45           Timeless dwarf   (5)                                                            Midge

Wild flowers

46           Turning problem needs an article   (6)                             Yarrow

47           Maybe a fur coat?   (5,6)                                                   Lady’s Mantle

48           Current physician in appeasement   (8)                            Snowdrop

49           Savage without direction (6)                                             Violet

50           Edge fastener   (7)                                                              Hemlock

 

Senedd Member wants more support for 'fantastic' councillors

* North Wales Senedd Member Sam Rowlands.

Sam Rowlands, Member of the Welsh Parliament for North Wales, has called for more support for "our fantastic councillors". 

Speaking in the Senedd, Mr Rowlands, Shadow Minister for Local Government, highlighted the "great work" being carried out by councillors despite the demands of the job and the issues they face.

But he also highlighted the "abhorrent bad behaviour and abuse" that many of them receive.

 

In responding to a statement by the Finance and Local Government Minister, Rebecca Evans, ‘Diversity in Democracy—Survey Results’ he said: “The decisions councillors make have that real-life impact on our communities across Wales as a whole, and on this side of the benches we certainly welcome support being provided to our fantastic councillors and applaud their efforts to best represent their communities.

 

“There are just three points I'd like to pick up and expand on. You outlined the work that's being done to ensure more flexibility for council meetings. It is crucially important that our local councillors don't lose the focus of the in-person nature of representation as well. 

"Often, some of the best work is undertaken in person. Regretfully, a number of councillors in Wales still aren't meeting flexibly—they're insisting to only meet online and seemingly taking advantage of this way of meeting, which, in my view, does put limits on democratic involvement."

He added: "In terms of improving democracy and diversity in democracy, one of the biggest areas of opportunity, is in working with employers to enable their staff to carry out their role as councillors. 

"For my 14 years as a councillor, 10 of those I held a full-time job, but I was lucky to work for a company that saw the benefits of my role as a councillor and allowed me the flexibility to carry out both of those roles. Regretfully, many organisations still don't understand these benefits.

“The second point is the abhorrent bad behaviour and abuse that many councillors and candidates receive. There is a risk that abuse becomes normalised and is seen as part of the job, which we must not allow to happen as it really puts people off standing for election and certainly has an impact on diversity in our councils. 

“The final point is in relation to the level of commitment from many of our councillors. As mentioned in the public survey, 63% of councillors indicated that they were available 24 hours a day, seven days a week, which is a great commitment and a reflection of their work. 

"But I would argue it is a difficult expectation to sustain and this expectation makes it very difficult for councillors and prospective councillors to juggle family life, a career, and then also representing their community.”

Mr Rowlands urged the Minister, for more support for councillors and to ensure younger people, who want to become councillors, or who are councillors, had a fair expectation of the time and energy they need to commit to the role.

Latest local roadworks alert

Latest local roadworks alert from one.network is:

B5103 From Junction Of  A5t To Junction With A542 Horseshoe Pass Road, Llangollen, Denbighshire 16 January - 17 January   Delays likely - Diversion route   Name: Diversion   Location: Access Road To Chain Bridge Hotel   Description: Streetworks / License - Streetworks   Responsibility for event: Denbighshire County Council   Current status: Planned

County puts e-powered bin lorries into service

* One of the new electric bin lorries gets powered up.

Electric bin lorries have joined Denbighshire County Council’s growing non-fossil fuel powered fleet.

Two new Dennis Eagle e-Collect bin lorries have been purchased following a trial run in 2020 of the model around Rhyl, Prestayn and Ruthin with staff from Waste and Recycling.

The council declared a Climate Change and Ecological Emergency in July 2019 and committed to becoming a Net Carbon Zero and Ecologically Positive authority by 2030.

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.

Staff are currently familiarising themselves with the new lorries and how they can perform for the service. The vehicles will be brought into service before March.

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

“The initial trial of the Dennis Eagle e-Collect went extremely well, it showed us that after a shift there was battery capacity left and that it was safer and comfortable for the staff.

“Above all these two vehicles are another important part in the chain to reduce our fleet carbon emissions and I look forward to seeing them enter service soon." 

Project team outlines Four Highways scheme to online audience

* A map of the areas involved in the project.

The team behind the scheme to improve links between the four famous ‘highways’ that run through the heart of the town explained the £1.25m plan to an online local audience yesterday (Thursday) evening.

Following a successful application to the UK Government’s Levelling Up Fund (LUF) Denbighshire County Council aims to enhance the public spaces that connect Llangollen Canal, the old Ruabon to Barmouth Railway line, the River Dee and A5 Holyhead Road. 

As the first phase of a public consultation exercise four members of the project team – the council’s project managers Sian Lloyd Price and Kimberley Mason along with design expert Daniel Smith and landscape specialist Chris Brinnington from consultancy firm Burroughs & The Urbanists - held three separate half-hour Microsoft Teams sessions yesterday.

The first for local residents attracted around 10 participants, about four businesses were at the second and the third, for everyone else, was attended solely by llanblogger’s Phil Robinson.

The aims of the sessions, according to the team, were to Introduce themselves, give an update on what had been done so far and detail the next steps.

Total budget for the project, which has received substantial help from Levelling Up, is around £1.25m and work is expected to be completed by March of 2024, they said.

They also pointed out that this was a new project and not an extension of the Castle Street works or any other on-going developments in Llangollen.

It is based on an initial concept design developed several years ago, which includes lots of ideas but is not a final design or plan, giving flexibility around what its final appearance.

Although no work has yet started, site information gathering has commenced, including conversations with landowners and technical specialists to understand what may be possible at each of the sites involved.

The team explained that there will be public realm improvements covering a total of 960 square meters within the area around the Wharf, the Railway and Lower Dee Mill Park.

Improvements near the Wharf will include seating and signage along with aiming for better access, which might mean improvements to the steep flight of steps up from the Abbey Road side.

At Lower Dee Mill Park, which the team said feedback from the public has shown to be an under-used natural asset, the proposal is to provide new seating with, potentially, “other activities such as play,” they explained. There will also be new signage.

Another aim is to improve signage around the station area.

The team stressed that details of the project’s design have not yet been finalised, adding that “nothing is off the table”.  

Residents, businesses and other interested parties are being invited to share their ideas, either online, in person or in writing

A face-to-face meeting in the town centre with project managers is due to be confirmed in the next couple of weeks for those unable to attend the online sessions.

A questionnaire will be launched on Denbighshire’s engagement portal, County Conversations, and will also be available from Llangollen Library from next week. This will be promoted on our social media and information regarding the consultation will be also displayed on a poster to be distributed around Llangollen from next week.

* Anyone with further questions, comments or concerns are asked to email Kimberley Mason and Sian Lloyd Price, Project Managers, at: fourgreathighways@denbighshire.gov.uk

Latest local roadworks alert from county council

Latest roadworks alert from the county council are:

OUTSIDE NUMBER 11 & 9 WILLOW STREET until 18/01/2023 Gwaith Dwr / Water Works HAFREN DYFRDWY (DCC) LLANGOLLEN Ffordd ar Gau/Road Closure 

Outside 5 CHURCH STREET 20/02/2023 22/02/2023 Gwaith Trydanol / Electrical Works QUARTZELEC (DCC) LLANGOLLEN Ffordd ar Gau/Road Closure 

MS blasts Welsh Government for closing cottage hospital

* North Wales MS Llyr Gruffydd.

A Plaid Cymru MS has taken aim at the Welsh Government for axing a community hospital in Llangollen.

Llyr Gruffydd, who represents North Wales in the Senedd, told Health Minister Eluned Morgan that the controversial closure of a network of community hospitals in the region is “contributing” to the acute crisis in the NHS.

The Minister has come under fire after the Welsh Government told health boards that some patients may need be sent home from hospital without care packages in place as demand for bed space soared.

In response to intense pressure to get to grips with the crisis, which has resulted in ambulances sitting outside of A&E for hours and incredibly low morale among staff, she announced that the Welsh Government has secured an additional 500 community beds for step-down care.

In a speech on the floor of the Senedd, Llyr Gruffydd criticised the Welsh Government for closing community hospitals in Flint, Blaenau Ffestiniog, Prestatyn, and Llangollen and argued that it was now trying to “recreate and rebuild” capacity that it had lost.

He told Senedd members that the Welsh Government had been “warned” that it would “regret” closing the hospitals, and asked if the Minister accepted that doing so was a “mistake”.

The closures, which were part of a shake up by Betsi Cadwaladr Health Board, were fiercely protested by local communities at the time.

In response Eluned Morgan said that the community hospitals were “very expensive to run”.

Llyr Gruffydd MS said: “You say in your statement, Minister, that 12% of bed capacity in the NHS is now full as a result of delayed discharges, and in response to that, of course, you say that you've secured an additional 500 community beds for step-down care. Clearly, that is to be welcomed. It would be good to hear where they are.

“As a Member in north Wales, I would be interested in hearing how many of those are in north Wales. But of course, we had a network of community hospitals that used to provide exactly this step-down service across Wales. That capacity was lost—the capacity that you are now trying to recreate and rebuild—when community hospitals were closed in Flint, Blaenau Ffestiniog, Prestatyn, Llangollen, and so on.

“A number of us warned you at the time that you would regret doing that, because there's always a need for that step-down provision within the system, or—as we're currently seeing—the system is going to have blockages and we're going to end up with a situation where 12% of the bed capacity has suffered as a result of delayed discharges.

“So, do you accept that it was a mistake to close those community hospitals, particularly those across north Wales? Do you regret that that happened? Because there's no doubt that that's contributing at least in part to the crisis that general hospitals are now facing.”

Royal Mail answers on future of public counter at sorting office

* The future of the public counter at the Llangollen sorting office has been questioned.

The area's Senedd Member has questioned Royal Mail about the future of the public counter at its Llangollen sorting office.  

And an official of the organisation has admitted the counter is part of a general review of similar facilities which follows a drop in footfall.

Clwyd South MS Ken Skates recently received a query from a constituent which said: "It has been brought to my attention (in confidence ) that there is a possibility that the Royal Mail plan on closing the Caller Office Facility based in the sorting office in Berwyn Street, Llangollen.

"Obviously if this is indeed the case then that in effect would mean that the residents having received a ‘non delivery' would no longer be able to collect their parcels and would be expected to travel to Wrexham. This would include the Ceiriog Valley, Llangollen Rural, Llantysilio and Pentredwr.

"Could I please ask that you make enquiries with the Royal Mail for clarification as to what their intentions are."   

In response to an enquiry from Mr Skates, a senior Royal Mail official replied: "Royal Mail has commenced a review of the Customer Service Points (CSPs) to determine the right number of sites as it steps up its drive to ensure more first-time deliveries with higher level of convenience for customers.

"The review comes as customer footfall has fallen by around 47% at Royal Mail CSPs compared to pre-pandemic levels. This drop reflects customers' growing reluctance to travel to CSPs to collect missed parcels, as well as their growing preference for free redeliveries to their doorstep.

"Royal Mail has additionally introduced a range of new delivery options designed to further improve its first-time delivery rates.

"These initiatives include a scheme where postmen and postwomen are able to leave parcels in what they consider to be a safe place, as well as 'in-flight' redirections through either the Royal Mail app or www.royalmail.com.

"Research suggests 90% of customers prefer delivery to a safe place or neighbour, or a redelivery option if they are not home to accept a delivery." 

Police operation targets illegal off-roaders

The Denbighshire Free Press has a story about a police operation to target illegal off-road driving in the Llangollen and Corwen areas.

* For the full story, see: https://www.denbighshirefreepress.co.uk/news/23239776.police-target-off-road-drivers-corwen-llangollen/ 

Fron Bache closed for urgent repairs

One.Network reports that Fron Bache, Llangollen, has been closed to facilitate urgent works to restore the supply of water to a property by Hafren Dyfrdwy.

 

Views sought on town's Four Major Highways project

 * Please note: Because of a problem with the email link provided by the county council to join the online consultation meeting a fresh link has been provided within the story below and here: levellingup@denbighshire.gov.uk

* A plan of the Four Great Highways project.

The views of Llangollen residents and businesses are being invited on a scheme to improve links between the four famous ‘highways’ that run through the heart of the town.

And a local county councillor is urging as many people as possible to get involved.

Following a successful application to the UK Government’s Levelling Up Fund (LUF) Denbighshire County Council wants to enhance the public spaces that connect Llangollen Canal, the old Ruabon to Barmouth Railway line, the River Dee and A5 Holyhead Road. 

Some key priorities of the Four Great Highways project, as it is known, are improved accessibility, signage and better materials with the aim of improving the visitor experience and increasing the amount of time they spend here. 

Proposals include:

* Better access between the Llangollen Canal, River Dee and town centre

* Inclusive and safe access for a range of users

* Opportunities to incorporate play and exercise

* Strengthened biodiversity and climate resistance

* Enhanced views and rest points

As part of the consultation process three separate online engagement sessions are planned for next week when the contracted designers, Burroughs & The Urbanists, will invite residents, businesses and visitors of Llangollen to discuss the project.

The county council says views and comments shared during the event will inform the design now being worked on. 

The meetings, being held via Microsoft Teams, are all on Thursday January 12 - for Llangollen businesses between 6 and 6.30pm, for residents between 6.30 and 7pm and for everyone else between 7 and 7.30pm.

* To arrange to attend one of the sessions, or for further information, e-mail: levellingup@denbighshire.gov.uk

Llangollen county councillor Karen Edwards said: “This is part of the South Clwyd Levelling Up Fund project. Wrexham are the leading authority and the Four Great Highways project is Llangollen's share of the pot. 

“County Councillor Paul Keddie and myself are due to have a Teams meeting next week with the designers, so we will have a  comprehensive discussion with them.” 

She added: “This is the start of the wider consultation process, so let's hope that the residents and businesses are interested because it's their voices that matter and certainly from my perspective it's important that there's thorough engagement with everyone who has a vested interest and that they  have an opportunity to input into the scheme in order to have an acceptable outcome.” 

Landslide affects A5 between Llan and Corwen

The Denbighshire Free Press is this morning (Tuesday) reporting that a landslide has partially blocked the A5 between Llangollen and Corwen.

* For the full story, see: https://www.denbighshirefreepress.co.uk/news/23239546.landslide-partially-blocks-a5-llangollen-corwen/

First Responders send vital medical supplies for Ukraine

* Clive Knowles and Alice-Rose Langford of the British Ironwork Company, Terry Brownlow and Effie Cadwallader of Wrexham Rural Community First Responders. 

Members of Wrexham Rural Community First Responders recently visited the drop-off point run by the British Ironwork Centre near Oswestry which sponsors the collection and onward transportation of medical consumables to Ukraine.

This is the Wrexham Rural CFRs` second donation, with additional kit contributed by other CFR teams across North Wales. 

The first load was transported directly to the front line in Ukraine earlier in the year by British military veterans based on the Wirral. 

The Wrexham Rural CFR Team has donated a significant amount of specialist resuscitation and trauma kit, plus associated response bags which will help to keep medical equipment in a clean and serviceable condition, providing much needed support to both civilian and army medics. 

British Ironwork Centre is gathering donations together ready for transport to Ukraine early in the new year.

Latest Citizens Advice column

Latest column from Denbighshire Citizens Advice is: 

Q: As the weather has turned colder, I’ve noticed mould and damp in our flat. It’s mainly
in our bedroom, including some black mould on the carpet. I’ve been chasing our
letting agency, who say they’ll speak to our landlord. I’m really worried about how this
might affect our health. Our tenancy agreement isn’t up for eight months, what can I
do?

A: It’s good that you’ve already raised the issue with your letting agency. Unfortunately, it isn’t
always easy to work out the cause of mould or damp This can make it difficult to work out if your landlord is responsible, unless there’s an obvious cause, like a leaking roof.

There are many causes of damp that properties can get. The most common are rising,
penetrating, construction and condensation damp. On our website there is information that
may help you work out what type of damp you have, who is responsible and what you can
do. Check your tenancy agreement too for mentions of repairs and damp, and reach out to Citizens Advice on anything you’re unsure about.

A landlord will have to act in relation to damp if it makes the property unsafe for someone to live in. This could be for example, if it is making the tenant or a member of their family ill. The landlord will also be responsible if the damp is related to repairs they should have carried out, like if heaters are broken. If the damp has damaged items that the landlord is
responsible for, such as carpets and window frames, they’ll likely have to cover the cost of
repairs.

One of the most common causes of damp is condensation. To prevent this, it’s important to keep homes well-heated and well-ventilated, but for a lot of people this will be trickier to do given the colder weather and higher heating costs. You may be eligible for help to insulate and heat your home, and should visit our website to find out more.

On our website we also have advice on things that can make damp worse and may impact the landlord taking responsibility for repairs. These include drying clothes on heaters or blocking air vents.

If your landlord is responsible for the damp in your property but doesn’t act, there are steps you can take, such as reporting them to the local authority. If you’re in social housing you might also be able to use the landlord’s formal complaints procedure. There is more information about this on our website. If it reaches the point where you want to get out of a fixed term tenancy agreement early, do speak to an adviser first, as there might be better ways to approach the issue.

* Contact your local Citizens Advice or call our Adviceline on 0800 144 8848 for personalised support. 

Re-branding for property firm's Llangollen branch

* The re-branded Bowen branch in Castle Street.

The Bowen Son & Watson office in Castle Street, Llangollen, has a new brand name.

In a statement released on Wednesday, the property firm says:  "As one of the region’s most established firms of estate agents, valuers and chartered surveyors, covering North Shropshire, Mid and North Wales, we have rebranded in a move that continues the firm's evolution since our inception in 1862.

"Bowen Son & Watson, with offices in Ellesmere, Oswestry, Wrexham, Llangollen and Chirk, will now simply be known as Bowen, a name synonymous with property sales and lettings across the region.

"Bowen began trading as Messers Whitfield & Son, opening its first office in Oswestry. In our long and illustrious history - bookending three separate centuries - Bowen has seen a number of name changes, reflecting several generations of partners and strategic acquisitions. Our longest-serving current Partner, Eddie Bowen, joined his late father’s firm in 1994.

"Since its original incarnation, Bowen has grown to become one of the most knowledgeable and respected estate agents in the region, with five offices and 34 staff covering six counties."

Eddie Bowen said: “The way in which property is marketed has advanced significantly with the expansion of 21st century digital tools and technologies.

“As we enter 2023, we wanted to communicate to clients, both established and new, that our ultra-sophisticated data-driven marketing techniques puts their property in front of many more eyeballs than those simply passing the For Sale board outside their property.

“A strong new brand identity, focusing on the name behind our reputation and highlighting the wide range of professional services we offer will help us do that. This region is a great place to live, and for Bowen, in all its incarnations, it’s been a wonderful place to do business since 1862.”

The Bowen rebranding work and website design was executed by Shrewsbury-based creative agency, The Curious. All five Bowen offices feature the new branding and Bowen has already begun the roll out of its new For Sale boards and rebranded marketing collateral to launch its fresh look as the New Year begins.

MP elected chair of Parliamentary woods and trees group

* Dr James Cooper (Woodland Trust), Baroness Young of Old Scone (Chair, Woodland Trust & Vice Chair APPG Woods and Trees) and Simon Baynes MP. 

Clwyd South MP Simon Baynes has been elected as Chair of the All Party Parliamentary Group on Woods and Trees.

The group of MPs and Members of the House of Lords meets regularly to discuss the important role of woods and trees in tackling the nature and climate crises, as well as the importance of woods and trees to our local communities across the UK. 

The APPG is supported by the Woodland Trust – the UK’s largest woodland conservation charity – who were celebrating their 50-year anniversary during 2022. 

Dr James Cooper of the Woodland Trust said: “We warmly welcome Simon as Chair. He takes over at a time of increasing political awareness of the vital importance of woods and trees in delivering on some of the great policy challenges of our age. We look forward to working with Simon to help ensure that we have the best policies possible in place."

Mr Baynes said: “I am delighted to have been elected as Chair of the APPG on Woods and Trees. I have supported the group and the Woodland Trust for many years in championing the role of woods and trees in society, and particularly the importance of protecting our oldest and most precious ancient woods and trees. 

"I look forward to working with my colleagues in Parliament, the Woodland Trust and other stakeholders to continue to improve protections for our most precious habitats, support our farmers to make best use of trees on farms to support food security and nature, and emphasise the vital role of access to nature near to where people live.” 

Ramblers kick off the year in damp Ceiriog Valley

Llangollen Ramblers kicked off the new year with a rather damp walk in the Ceiriog Valley. 

But despite the conditions, they managed to smile for the camera.

If you could be interested in joining them, e-mail Judy on smithdinbren@gmail.com for details and a programme. She says: "You would be very welcome."