Crowds brave heavy rain for town's annual Service of Remembrance

A large crowd braved heavy rain to watch and take part in Llangollen's annual Service of Remembrance in Centenary Square earlier this morning (Sunday).

Led by Father Lee Taylor of St Collen's, the service included the traditional sounding of the Last Post by a bugler from Llangollen Silver Band, the two minute silence and the laying of wreaths on the square's two war memorials which commemorate local people who died in both world wars and other conflicts.  

The ceremony ended with a parade of service organisations, led by their standards, along Castle Street and round the town centre.

* Service organisations on parade in the square.  

* People brave the heavy rain to watch the service.

* The parade arrives in the square led by standard bearers.

* Father Lee Taylor leads the worship.

* A Silver Band bugler sounds Last Post. 

* This picture and those below: wreaths are laid on behalf of various local organisations around the war memorial.

* Dave Hennigan and Allison Davies with the wreath they laid on behalf of the Eisteddfod. 

* At the conclusion of the service the parade leaves the square along Castle Street.

* Youth organisations take part in the parade.

Woman from Ukraine sets up her own business in Llangollen

The Denbighshire Free Press is reporting how a woman from Ukraine who left the country for Llangollen following Russia’s invasion last year has set up her own candle business with her host family.

Maryna Ustymenko, 27, has created “Ornate Candles” with Kim Evans, who she has lived with since moving to North Wales in May 2022.

* For the full story, see: Woman who left Ukraine for Llangollen sets up bespoke candle business | Denbighshire Free Press

Plaid Cymru chooses its candidate for new Clwyd East seat

* Paul Penlington will fight Clwyd East for Plaid Cymru at the general election.

A former Denbighshire county councillor has been selected as Plaid Cymru's Parliamentary Candidate for Clwyd East.

The new constituency, which includes the towns and surrounding areas of Llangollen, Ruthin, Mold, Holywell and Prestatyn, will come into being at the next general election.

Carrying the Plaid banner will be Paul Penlington, a former councillor for Prestatyn North who has worked voluntarily in the charity sector and teaching further education at Coleg Cambria.

He said: “I’ve always lived and worked in this constituency and only applied to be the candidate for the area I am already committed to. I wouldn’t want to stand anywhere else.

“This is my home, my family have lived here for generations and I hope will do so for generations to come.  

“I’m not a career politician, I’m an active member of my community and want to continue working as a representative of our community in Westminster. The main reasons I originally became interested in politics have been consistent throughout; supporting those in need, protecting our environment and seeking fairness for all of us.

“This new constituency encompasses a wide range of communities but all of us deserve a fair deal from Westminster which we’re currently not getting. 

“As just a few examples, we export more energy than we produce but have the highest energy bills in the UK, we have the highest levels of child poverty and the worst performing NHS.”

He added: “Llangollen is a beautiful town but still has a lot that needs addressing. The River Dee is virtually dead and is the worst river in Wales for sewage pollution, air pollution, particularly in the summer, is as bad as an inner city, public transport is appalling, there are very few opportunities for young people and smaller communities in the area are largely forgotten. 

“Yet nothing is done. Westminster and the Welsh Government do nothing to protect our environment and public health and offer no practical support to improve and develop services for our smaller towns. 

“This is all symptomatic of how Wales is unfairly used to drain our resources with nothing returned. We deserve so much better and need a local voice to fight for us in Westminster, as a member of a Welsh party not a London-centric party.

“We have always been governed by Labour and Tory. I don’t want to govern, I want to represent my community and fight to get the best for us not a party based in London. 

“My record of public service is easily googled, I’ve always worked hard as a voice for residents. I am ready to take other parties on nationally. I’m standing now as, at the end of the day, I’m the only local candidate and who else will actually stand up for all of us?”

Body found at Pontcysyllte Aqueduct, says story

A story in the Leader reveals that police have confirmed a body was found at Pontcysyllte Aqueduct yesterday (November 9).

North Wales Police said it received a report of a body being found at the aqueduct shortly after 3.30pm on Thursday.

* For the full story, see: Body discovered at Pontcysyllte Aqueduct, police confirm | The Leader (leaderlive.co.uk)

Road closures for this Sunday's Remembrance Service

Latest local traffic alert from one.network shows two temporary road closures for this Sunday's annual Service of Remembrance in Llangollen town centre.

The service begins at 10.45am and will be held in Centenary Square.  

Castle Street, Llangollen, Denbighshire 12 November - 12 November   Delays likely - Road closure   Name:  Castle Street, Llangollen   Location: Castle Street   Description: Public event - Remembrance parade   Responsibility for event: Denbighshire County Council   Current status: Planned       Oak Street, Llangollen, Denbighshire 12 November - 12 November   Delays likely - Road closure   Name:  Oak Street, Llangollen   Location: Oak Street   Description: Public event - Remembrance parade   Responsibility for event: Denbighshire County Council   Current status: Planned

Eisteddfod recruiting for two top paid roles

Llangollen International Musical Eisteddfod is currently recruiting for two "exceptional and pro-active colleagues" to join its experienced team.

The Eisteddfod is acknowledged as one of the world's foremost festivals and has been nominated for the Nobel Prize for Peace.

Over the years it has attracted cultural icons including Dylan Thomas, Dame Shirley Bassey and Luciano Pavarotti.

In 2024, thanks to a new collaboration with Cuffe & Taylor, the evening concerts will extend over four weeks and feature Manic Street Preachers and Suede as well as Paloma Faith and more to be announced.

The posts to be filled are:

* Freelance Artistic Director

66 days, up until 1 October 2024

£300 per day

Apply by: 5pm, Tuesday November 14

The post has been funded by the Arts Council of Wales.

* Marketing and Communications Manager

3 days per week, up until August 2024 with a view to extend

£24,000 - £28,000 pro rata, dependent on experience

Apply by: 5pm, Thursday November 16

For further information on both roles, go to: https://international-eisteddfod.co.uk/about-us/jobs/

#artsjobs #northwalesjobs #jobsnorthwales #llangollen2024 #eisteddfod #carullangollen

Skates backs Wrexham/Flintshire Enterprise Zone

* Ken Skates with Sam Rowlands MS and Ashley Rogers, Chief Executive of the North Wales Business Council, at the recent Theatr Clwyd event. Picture: Mandy Jones.

Former Welsh Economy Minister Ken Skates believes a joint Wrexham and Flintshire Enterprise Zone could be a ‘game-changer’ for North Wales.

The Clwyd South MS welcomed the recent announcement by his successor Vaughan Gething that the Welsh Government is backing the bid. But the final decision – and funding – rests with UK Government Levelling Up Secretary Michael Gove.

During a statement in the Senedd on Tuesday, Mr Gething said: “It is important to note the UK Government will still need to make a decision on the support it will provide to Investment Zones in Wales as part of the Autumn Statement process. However, I can confirm the Welsh Government Cabinet has met to discuss the proposals that have been in development.

“As a result, I have written to the Secretary of State for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities following our constructive engagement to indicate our willingness to use our devolved levers and expertise to support Investment Zones in Wales.

“Based on our analysis of opportunities for growth in high-potential clusters we agree that there is a clear case for two Investment Zones in Wales. Our preference would be for one Investment Zone in South-East Wales and one in North-East Wales, covering Flintshire and Wrexham.”

Mr Skates said: “Minister, on behalf of Members across parties in north Wales, can I thank you for this announcement today. You have already delivered for the people of north-west Wales with the agreement over the freeport, which is immensely important for the economy of Anglesey and Gwynedd, and right across north Wales for that matter.

“Today, you've delivered for the communities of north-east Wales with the announcement of a successful bid by regional partners there to help ensure that Wales, along with the south-eastern cluster, can continue to keep pace with those sectors where we are strongest.”

Mr Skates recently spoke at an event at Theatr Clwyd in Mold to back the cross-party campaign, along with business leaders, councillors and fellow Labour, Conservative and Plaid Cymru MSs. He was one of six Members of the Senedd to sign a joint letter of support to the Welsh and UK governments backing the Wrexham and Flintshire bid.

He said: “I believe there’s huge potential, through an Investment Zone, to play to our strengths in advanced manufacturing and the creative industries across two local authority areas which are the engine of the regional economy of North Wales and the Mersey Dee area.

“Economic growth in Wrexham and Flintshire, in terms of jobs created, is far higher than both the Welsh and UK average, so something special is happening in this region. We want to make sure we turbo-charge it – and we do that through an Investment Zone. It could be a game-changer.”

Investment Zones already exist in parts of England, where £80m in funding for each will be used over five years for innovation, infrastructure and skills and training projects in the sectors being targeted.

A local consortium including Airbus and JCB; the North Wales Business Council and Wrexham and Flintshire councils; Wrexham University and the Advanced Manufacturing Research Centre (AMRC) Cymru, based in Broughton, is spearheading the bid – and believes it can help leverage and secure an additional £1.7bn in investment.

In the Senedd yesterday, Mr Skates said the wide-ranging support for the Wrexham and Flintshire bid ‘demonstrates the value of collaboration, both across political parties and across institutions’.

He added: “Minister, finally, would you also agree that we now need swift agreement from the UK Government over the two zones along with assurance that equivalent funding will be made available to those zones as is happening across the border in England?”

The Minister concluded: “The decision on whether to provide the funding and reserved levers to support Investment Zones in Wales now rests with the UK Government.

“For our part, we have indicated a willingness to work towards ensuring devolved and local tax levers are available to Investment Zones and to work in partnership with the UK Government on delivering a package of investment support, subject to the agreement of plans from each Zone setting out how the support will be used to deliver net benefits for the people of Wales.”

Police issue pharmacy phone call fraud alert

 

North Wales Police have been made aware of fraudsters targeting residents, pretending to be from their local pharmacy or chemist. 

The criminals say they are calling to confirm a repeat prescription or delivery of medication. The victim is then asked to provide their bank details.

A police spokesperson said: "I would urge residents to be aware of this tactic and not provide personal details or bank details to anyone over the telephone. If you receive such a call, please hang up and report to Action Fraud on 0300 123 2040.

"If you are concerned about your medication, please contact your pharmacy using a phone number you know and trust."

Plas Newydd's Christmas event planned for December 9

Plas Newydd will be hosting its annual Christmas event on Saturday December 9.

A programme of activities running between 10am and 5pm aims to bring seasonal sparkle to the grounds and a touch of Christmas magic for families to enjoy.

On the day there will be a shop offering a selection of local makers at the Artisan Winter Market, Father Christmas will be putting in an appearance and Llangollen Silver Band will play festive tunes.

Families visiting Plas Newydd will be able to explore the grounds along a new festive trail, write letters to Santa Claus at the North Pole Post-box and even make their own reindeer food and paper crafts.

As darkness falls, the gardens and topiary will be illuminated for all to enjoy.

The Stable Block Tearoom will be open all day offering mulled wine, mince pies and on-the-go food.

Workshops and Crafts run from 10am-12noon offering the chance to make your own festive wreath. Booking is essential (£5) at: https://plasnewydd-wreath-workshop.eventbrite.co.uk

Between 12noon and 2pm will be a drop-in session to create winter wood crafts with the ranger team (£2) and from 2-4pm another drop-in session will make festive clay ornaments using natural imprints (free).

The grounds and event are free to enter. Some workshops require booking or payment on the day.

The historic house is currently closed for the season and will re-open in spring 2024.

There will be no parking onsite during the day, with people being asked to make use of the parking in town or to walk/cycle to the event.

Diversion alert for Bryntysilio

Latest local roadworks alert from one.network is:

Bryntysilio to St Tysilio Church, Llangollen, Denbighshire 09 November - 10 November   Delays likely - Diversion route   Name: Diversion   Location: Bryntysilio To St Tysilio Church   Description: Streetworks / License - Streetworks   Responsibility for event: Denbighshire County Council   Current status: Planned

Butlers Hill closed for urgent repair of leaking water main

In its latest local roadworks bulletin, issued this afternoon (Tuesday), one.network says that the road known as Butlers Hill, Llangollen, has been closed to facilitate urgent works to repair a leaking water main.

 

Tendering process for Four Great Highways project re-opens

 

* Lower Dee Mill Park is included in the Four Great Highways project.

Llangollen’s 4 Great Highways project has reopened its tendering process following a "re-scoping" exercise to bring the project within budget.

The Denbighshire County Council scheme aims to enhance the landscape and improve accessibility, interpretation and signage in Llangollen.

The project is part of investment by the UK Government’s Levelling Up Fund that was secured through a joint application between Denbighshire County Council and Wrexham County Borough Council for the Clwyd South Constituency.

The application was supported by Simon Baynes MP. £3.8 million was allocated to Denbighshire to invest in the communities of Llangollen, Llantysilio, Corwen and surrounding areas.

The tendering process to find a contractor for the project was previously opened in August. However, due to the current market and general levels of construction inflation, all tenders submitted to deliver the original design proposals were significantly overbudget, says the council.

The Project Team has been re-scoping the project over the past few weeks to ensure that the project objective to deliver 960m² of public realm improvements is still achievable within the budget.

The new plans were presented to the Project Board for approval on October 26. No additions have been made to the project design as the main priority is to ensure that the project can be delivered within the allocated budget.

The tendering process for the re-scoped project is now open until midday on November 27. Anyone interested in tendering for the work can do so via Sell2Wales.

Cllr Barry Mellor, Lead Member for Environment and Transport, said: “The Four Great Highways project team has undertaken a rigorous re-scoping exercise to ensure that we can deliver a worthwhile project within the budget allocated by the UK Government.

“We are pleased to now have started the tendering process to find a suitable contractor to complete the works needed to deliver this project and we look forward to appointing a suitable candidate to bring the plans to fruition. Once completed, we hope that these improvements enhance the resident and visitor experience and help to encourage people to spend more time in the town.”

* The latest information about Denbighshire County Council’s 4 Great Highways project can be found here: https://www.denbighshire.gov.uk/four-great-highways

Winter Warmer Wellbeing Day planned for November 30

South Denbighshire Community Partnership is hosting a Llangollen Winter Warmer Wellbeing Day at St Collen’s Community Hall on Thursday November 30, from 10am-2pm.

It will feature a variety of wellbeing activities for people to take part in and enjoy, along with the serving of homemade soup and refreshments.

People can take advantage of a mini health check while they are there.

They will also be able to chat to organisations that can support them to keep well and warm this winter.

A limited number of free goodie bags will be available and everyone who attends will be entered into a free prize draw with the chance to win an airfryer, heated blanket, Aldi voucher or slow cooker.

 

Air ambulance flies out casualty from major river incident

A patient was taken by air ambulance to Stoke for treatment following a large emergency services incident on the River Dee in Froncysyllte this morning, the Denbighshire Free Press has reported.  

North Wales Police shut Gate Road, near the country park, for a short period, the story says.

* For the full story, see: Froncysyllte: Reports of emergency services at River Dee | Denbighshire Free Press 

S-Cross is unsung hero of the Suzuki range

Suzuki S-Cross drive by Steve Rogers

How can something be big and small at the same time?

Bit of a conundrum but not necessarily in the case of the Suzuki S-Cross hybrid. It is one of those cars that sits in a league of its own, classed as a small SUV but big compared to its rivals. Puzzle solved.

If we discount Swace and Across, both rebadged Toyotas, S-Cross is now the halo model although if asked to name a Suzuki most would likely say Vitara, Swift or Ignis before S-Cross.

Yet this is a car not without its merits and in many ways is the unsung hero of the range. Suzuki is not a big player in the UK market so has to rely on its enviable reliability record and value for money, even base models are packed with standard kit and S-Cross is no exception but I would probably avoid the flagship Ultra, tested here, and save money by going lower down the range.

The Ultra name sums up the car because it has a long spec sheet that includes an automatic gearbox and the highly efficient all wheel drive system. I could not help comparing S-Cross with the MG HS. This is a £24,000 SUV that could take a £30k price tag while the Ultra does not feel like a car nudging £33,000.

The cabin is bland with a lot of hard black plastic finishes, yet everything is solidly put together; you will find no trim creak or rattles here.

The tech has been updated with new graphics for the nine inch touch screen, along with a surround camera which is exclusive to S-Cross. Navigation is also standard on Ultra but all models come with Smartphone mirroring so mobile direction apps can be displayed on the screen.

I was also glad to see a digital speedometer in the driver's binnacle something badly needed  given the European style 20mph increments in the main dial which are not that clear on the silver background.

S-Cross does well on space front and back although headroom could be a tad tight for six footers as the rear bench sits higher than the front seats. All the seats are firm but supportive.

That firmness carries through to the ride which smothers bumps and thuds as well as controlling body roll, but you could not describe the car as super comfortable, probably a bi-product of the all wheel drive system and the need for stiffer suspension.

Although it pushes up the cost Suzuki's Allgrip is an exceptional four wheel drive option compared with big money alternatives. Let's not kid ourselves that this is a full blown off roader but it has settings for three surfaces and I know from experience that it will get you out of gluey mud and give peace of mind in snow and slush, and it comes with hill hold control.

A six speed auto box is standard on the Ultra and helps give S-Cross terrific economy. Using the economy setting I coasted past the official combined figure easily topping 50mpg, and that is a big selling point particularly for four wheel drive. The only drawback in economy is a slowish response pulling away and I found myself slipping into manual for a faster getaway.

Safety is well catered for with adaptive cruise control, lane assist and cross traffic alert which is so useful when reversing out of supermarket parking bays. I would like to see that on all cars. The 360 degree camera is a worthwhile addition and there are front and rear parking sensors.

Interestingly the better performing S-Cross has the smaller 1.4 litre engine but I would stick with the hybrid because of the economy benefits even though it is not that quick and a bit coarse when pushed.

Fast facts

S-Cross Ultra Allgrip

£32,649 (starts £26,099)

1.5 litre hybrid 113bhp

0-62mph 13.5secs; 108mph

48.7mpg combed (54mpg tested)

132g/km. First tax £245

Insurance group 16

Llangollen company lands major national contract

A story in the Leader says that a Llangollen-based outdoor activity company is expanding its operations across the whole of Wales after being awarded a prestigious contract with the YHA.

Safe and Sound Outdoors, established in 2007, has been given the task of providing activities for youngsters at the Youth Hostel Association's sites in Wales and Chester. 

* For the full story, see: Youth Hostel Association contact for Llangollen company | The Leader (leaderlive.co.uk)